in Torment Beast and False-prophet 4. By the extremity and endlesness of it And shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever Then what follows the damning of the Dragon viz. The general judgment wherein is to be considered 1. The Majestical Enthronement of the Judge upon his Tribunal or Judgment seat partly by the glory thereof partly by the power of his presence And I saw a great white Throne and him that sat upon it from whose face the Earth and Heaven fled away and there was found no place for them 2. The order and manner of his judicial proceeding 1. By his conventing all before his Tribunal that were to be judged And I saw the Dead both small and great stand before God the Sea giving up the dead which were in it and the Graves delivering up the dead which were in them 2 By his final dooming or sentencing of them wherein note 1. The matrer of fact 2. The evidence produced for coviction And the Books were opened and another Book was opened which is the Book of Life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their works 3. The Exccution of the judicial sentence both upon Things and Persons 1. Things And Death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire This is the second Death 2. Persons And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire Having thus laid down the parts the next thing to be considered and enquired into is the meaning of the Spirit and what is held forth to us by this Parabolical and misterious Prophecy For this Book of the Revelations as Mr. Mead well observes is not usually to be taken accoridng to the Letter only as of a certain bare History of things done but as a Prophesie involved with Mysteries Allegories and Types Therefore must we labour to get a right discerning of the meaning of those Parables and Prophetical Misteries which for the most part are Figurative and Tropical and in part borrowed from the Condition of affairs under the Old Testament And that it is alike injurious to truth to take a misterious Allegory in the Letter as to make an Allegory of the plain Scripture to Litterize the Allegory as to Allegorize the Letter Bernard p. 130. As it is composed of similitudes so the words are Figurative the whole Prophesie full of Metaphors and almost altogether Allegorical so as we must take heed that we look further than into the Letter and naked Relation of things as they are set down Otherways the book should be full of absurdities impossibilities falsities and flat contradictions unto other truths of Scripture which are far from the words of Gods holy Spirit which are ever holy and true For who can believe a Lamb to have seven eyes a mountain burning to be cast into the Sea and this thereby to become in a third part blood a star to fall from Heaven Locusts to be of so monstrous a shape as is set down in Chapter 9 h and Horses with Lions heads fire smoke and brimstone coming out of their mouths Dragon and Beast with seven heads and ten horns c. Therefore we must not stick in the Letter but search out the Historical sense which is the truth intended Also we must note this carefully that all this whole prophesie is framed after the state and condition of the antient people of God the Jews and after the words and visions of the antient Prophets as we may see by comparing the words and visions of this Book with Moses and the Prophets First to their sufferings under their three Enemies as Pharaoh in Aegypt called a Dragon 2. By Babel and the Beasts noted in Daniel 3. By Gog and Magog 2. To their whole state viz. By the twelve Tribes the Wilderness Thunder Lightning Earthquake to the Tabernale the Ark of his Testament the Priests to white Raiment a Golden girdle about the paps the Altar Incense Odours Lamps Candlesticks Golden Censer Temple Singing Instruments of Musick smoke filling the Temple to the Trumpets To Jerusalem Kings Thrones Crowns Elders c. Therefore for our better guide herein these known necessary and approved Rules are laid down to be observed in the Exposition of the difficult things in this Chapter viz. That taking it for granted as previous to all there is an absolute necessity of a James 1.17 1 John 1.20 27 Prayer b Rev. 1.3 Acts 8.28 29.30 Reading c Psal 1.12 Meditation d Dan. 12.4 8 13. Conference e Rev. 1.3 Psal 119.98 99. John 7.17 Dan. 12.3 Practise we must diligently observe Rule 1. First to compare any obscure passage or phrase with other Scriptrues and Prophesies alledged or alluded to whereby much light will be gained to many dark places in this book and so Scripture shall expound Scripture which is the best Interpreter as for instance Rev. 11.4 5 6. Wherein the two witnesses are compared to Moses and Aaron Numb 16. to Elijah and â—lisha â— Kings 1. to Zerubbabel and Joshua Zach. 73.11 12 14. The Song of Moses Rev. â—â— 3 with Exod. 15.1 Psal 145.17 mistical Babylon Rev. 17.24 with litteral Babylon Jer. 51.7 To seperate from her Rev. 18.4 with Jer. 51.6 her destruction Rev. 18.7 8. with Isa 47.7 8 9. To rejoyce at it Rev. 18.20 with Jer. 51.48 Saints coming forth in vengeance Rev. 19.13 Isa 63.2 Rev. 19.15 with Psal 29. Isa 63.3 New Heavens and Earth Rev. 21.1 with Isa 65.7 2 Pet. 3.13 c. Rule 2. Secondly To consider what vision or obscure passage the Holy Ghost hath interpreted in the Revelation it self For of all such the Exposition is undoubted and infallible and so will the Revelation be the best Expounder of the Revelation and from those Expositions proportionably borrow light for the discovering of other obscure passages depending thereupon relating thereto or contemporaneous therewith As for instance Rev. 1.20 The mistery of the seven Stars in his right hand and of the seven Golden Candlesticks interpreted by Christ viz. The seven Stars are the Angels of the seven Churches and the seven Candlesticks are the seven Churches So Rev. 17.7 The mistery of the Woman and of the Beast that carryeth her which hath the seven heads and ten horns and of the waters she sat on explained and expounded by the Holy Spirit The Woman is interpreted to be the great City that then reigned over the Kings of the Earth And the waters where the Whore siteth to be People Multitudes Nations and Tongues The Beasts seven heads to be seven Mountains and seven Kings Ten horns to be ten Kingdoms concerning which interpretation Mr. Mead hath this Remark viz. This is singular in this place nor to be passed over with a slight observation That this vision concerning the great Whore and the Beast bearing her is opened to John and to us by the Angel contrary to his wonted manner with a most plain
interpretation without boubt to this end that by the benefit of the interpretation thereof as being the chiefest vision of all the rest the other Misteries contained in the Revelations hitherto indeed shut up but depending upon it with a wonderful Artifice might be revealed Here therefore give all attention and least the Angel should take this pain in vain as far forth as it concerneth thee Remember this right well right well I say And another thus This prophesie thus lively disclosed may deservedly be stiled the Divine Key of the Revelation whereby many misteries of this book may be unlocked and the Top-Tower or Turret of the Revelations whence the secrets of this Book may be peculiarly and certainly discovered on every side Rule 3. Thirdly Most diligently to observe the scope order and harmony of the Prophecies In the next place we come to consider the Phrases and Terms that call for explanation and unfolding in this Prophecy which we shall take in order as they lye in the several parts of the Chapter viz. First Who the Dragon 2ly What by his apprehending 3ly Who the Angel that thus lays hold upon him that comes from Heaven and what by Heaven 4ly What by the Dragons binding imprisoning and sealing in the pit 5ly What by the bottomless pit 6ly What the thousand years and how to be taken whether definitely and indefinitely 7ly What this living of the Martyrs or first Resurrection 8ly What this Reigning with Christ 9ly What this second Death 10ly What by the rest of the Dead that lived not again 11ly What to be Priests of God and of Christ 12ly What by the Dragons loosing or release and deceiving the Nations 13ly Who Gog and Magog 14ly What the beloved City 15ly What the fire that comes down from Heaven to destroy the Enemies 16ly What by the general judgment And of these we shall endeavour to speak distinctly with inlargement suitable to the point before us Of the Dragon THe first thing to be enquired into is the great subject of this discourse the Dragon Who and what he is The right understanding whereof will let us much into the Mistery of this Prophecy which therefore obliges to the more diligent search and greater exactness keeping close to the rules propounded Dragon or old Serpent in Scripture is taken in a two-fold sence sometimes in a litteral viz. that Creature who as said Gen. 3.1 Was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made held forth to be destructive cruel and devouring Jer. 51.34 Eccles 10.11 poisonous and murderous Deut. 52.33 Psal 58.4 Envious and malicious Gen. 3.1 2 4. And sometimes in a figurative or mistical sense viz. Great Tyrants who acting in the Dragons cruel subtile envious and destructive nature are properly so called Therefore Pharaoh that old cruel Enemy of Gods people is called Dragon Isa 51.9 Ezck. 29.3 So also Nebuchadnezzar that other cruel bloody Enemy Isa 27.1 Jer. 51.34 Also the Roman Empire whilst Heathen so murderously bloody to the Saints in distinction from the Beast called Dragon great Red Dragon Rev. 12.30 So the Whale or Leviathan that devouring tyrannous Sea-monster called Dragon Psal 74.13 14. Hence the Heathenish and Pagan Empire that bears rule in all the World as Turk Tartar c. Is called here in this place Dragon in distinction from the Beast that bore sway only in Euroep and now vanquished and put down as in the former Chapter so that as the Pagan Empire we are to notion Dragon here viz. a State or Empire as the Beast interpreted before not any particular person Object But it is said what need you go so far for an interpretation when you have one so near at hand Is it not here said that he is the Devil and Satan the old Serpent So also Rev. 12.9 the seven headed ten horned red Dragon is called the old Serpent the Devil and Satan and therefore by Dragon here is not to be understood a state or constitution of Government as you suppose but the Devil himself Answ It is true the Dragon in the 12th and here also is said to be the old Serpent Devil and Satan not that he was personally so but figuratively and representatively as it is said the Serpent beguiled Eve 2 Cor 11.3 which was not the Serpent barely considered but the Devil acting the Serpent As the Devil in Samuels shape or mantle or when a man is possessed by the Devil the man is said to speak and act when it is the Devil that speaks and acts him And so is the Heathen Empire called the Devil and Satan Rev. 2.10 Where it is said the Devil shall cast some of you into prison Not that the Devil in person was to do it But the Devil in his Imps Agents Officers Instruments Vicegerents And so Rev. 2.13 It is said Satan dwelt and had his seat there not that the Devil actually and visibly in person dwelt there But the Devil in his Spirit and old enmity acting in his substitutes the Rulers and Magistrates of that place And well might the Heathen Emperours of old be called the Devil and Satan that old Serpent First Because he as God and Prince of this World and of the Air the Abaddon and Apollyon King of the bottomless pit having by Gods permission the dispose of the worldly Governments Luke 4.6 compared Rev. 13.7 is the Head and Soveraign of the Rulers of darkness in this world And therefore are the Beastly and dragonical powers springing from him acting undeâ— him and being influenced by his Spirit as their Lord and Head are called Devils by his name Whereas Gods Rulers deriving from above influenced by his Spirit acting in his name by his Laws and in his Authority are called Gods Secondly Because they acting in that Dragonical subtile tyrannous bloody spirit even the spirit of the Devil are therefore called the Red Dragon Devil and Satan Thirdly Because they set up and impose Idolatry the Devils worship not only thereby worshiping themselves but inforcing others to do the same yea to require divine worship to be done to themselves as Nebuchadnezzar and the Heathen Emperours of old false worship being called the worship of Devils 1 Cor. 10.20 21. 2 Chron 11.15 Deut. 32.17 And that by Dragon is to be understood the Heathen Empire or Government further appears from the interpretation given by Christ himself in this Book Rev. 17.8 9 10. Where the seven headed and ten horned Beast that had the Crowns upon the horns the Image as well as substitute of the Dragon who had seven heads and ten horns also the difference only betwixt them was that the Dragon had his Crowns upon his heads which when he resigned in that part of his Dominion to the Beast the Crowns were put upon the hornes is interpreted by the spirit to be civil Empire and power The ten horns are ten Kingdoms and seven heads are seven Kings five of which were fallen before Johns time and one of the
six of those heads was in Johns time and the seventh afterwards to come and they also signified seven hills interpreted to be that City that then ruled over the Kings of the Earth which was no other than Rome the seat and Metropolis of the Empire as it was then standing upon seven Mountains So that the seven headed red Dragon and seven headed scarlet coloured Beast his Image and Successour in that part of the World Europe was no other by this interpretation than the Soveraign Empire and Rule that first was exercised in Rome Heathen that drew the third part of the Stars of Heaven or powers or potentates of this world during the Dragonical state and in Rome Antichristian during the Beastly state And further it appears that by Dragon we are to understand here the heathen Empire from the extent of his power and jurisdiction For it is said Rev. 16.13 14. that the emissaries of the Dragon Beast and False-Prophet go forth unto the Kings of the Earth and of the whole world to gather them to the Battle of that great day of God Almighty The Beast and False-Prophets power extend no further than the ten Kingdoms But it is the Dragon that commands the rest of the world deceiving the nations and whole world Rev. 12.9 Therefore it is said of him after he is loosed again 20.8 that he goes out again to deceive the Nations which are in the four quarters of the Earth Gog and Magog which great army the number of whom is as the sand of the Sea is said to come up upon the breadth of the Earth and to compass the Camp of the Saints so that it appears plainly to be that power that influences and commands the greater part of the world And again it appears to be the Heathen Empire or State of Government because it is judged to the same ruine and destruction that the Beast and False-prophet were they who were interpreted Rev. 7. the ministerial and magisterial part of Antichrist and said to be taken and cast alive into the lake of Fire und Brimstone viz. that frame of Rule and Government as utterly to be cancelled reverst and vacated and never any more to appear in this world so is the Dragonical Satanical state being adjudged to the same lake of Fire and Brimstone with the Beast and False-prophet utterly also damned and destroyed never any more to appear in the world And again it appears to be no less if you examine thr scope of the place and order of the Prophesies The scope of the Book is to shew as the rise and rage so especially the ruine of the Enemies of Christ and his Church in order to their triumph and Glory which is excellently held forth by Mr. Thomas Goodwin in his Interest of States and Nations in that brief Epitome he gives of the Revelations Which Book saith he is a Tragi-comedy beginning with a Kingdom given to be won by conquest Rev. 6.8 and ending with a Corronation of a King and the Marriage of his Bride and all between is but the removing of all such lets and impediments as stand in the way Now the principal Enemies that Christ and his Church hath to deal with are held forth under the types and terms of a Dragon Beast and False-prophet The Dragon acts two parts one before the rise of the Beast and another presently upon and after the Beasts fall The twelfth Chapter gives an account of the victory that Michael obtained over him when he was cast out of Heaven into the Earth upon which he resigned up his power seat and authority unto the Beast viz. in those territories for 42. Months or 1260. days or years At the latter end of the Beasts or Antichrists Dominion viz. under the sixth Vial there is a confederacy and combination of Dragon Beast and False-prophet to gather the Kings of the Earth and whole world to the Battle of the great Day of God Almighty Accordingly they are assembled and ingage Battle with Christ and his followers not that we are to suppose that all the world viz. Europe Asia Africa and America are to be gathered into one place But holding out the Universal enmity and opposition that with mutual consent shall be made in the powers of the Earth against Christ his people and Government but with what success this Hostile league and confederacy is struck you have already heard Their powers are broken their Authority is dissolved The Beast and False-prophet viz. the ministerial and Magisterial part of Anti-Christ is taken and cast alive into the lake of Fire and Brimstone They are wholly gone off the Stage with a stink who have so long Lorded it in those ten Kingdoms of Europe And then also is the Dragon taken and bound and imprisoned in order to the taking place of Christs Kingdom not only in Europe but over the whole world throughout the whole Earth which was the Dragons or Devils dominions or that Heathenish Empire and Rule that extends all the world through both Asia Africa and America in distinction from the Beastly state that hath been visible in the Europian Territories Now during the time of the Dragons binding the Church hath peace rest and rule over the whole world but after he is released and that Empire permitted to perk up again fresh disturbance will be given to the Church called the Camp of the Saints or the beloved City all the world through till the Dragons total doom and judgment which then immediately follows In further confirmarion hereof take these following instances The Assemblees Annotations upon Rev. 12.3 A great red Dragon viz the Heathen Roman Emperours succeeding one another who did the Devil service as in other things so chiefly in persecuting the Church Psal 74.13 14. Isa 27.17 18.51.9 Ezek. 29.3 He is great because of his large Empire Red that is bedewed with the blood of the Saints as if dyed with it seven heads sitting on seven hills Chap. 17.9 Ten horns ten Provinces the strength of it as horns are of Beasts Dan. 8.3 4 5.6 Seven Crowns seven kinds of Governments one after another on her seven hills Rev. 17.10 on his heads not his horns for the Supreme Authority was in Rome on the seven hills not in the Provinces as after His tayl drew the third part of Heaven he subjected the third part of the Provinces of the world Did cast them to the Earth viz. Put down these Princes whom he subdued from the Royal Authorities And upon Rev. 20.2 Dragon the Pope being destroyed the Devil would bring in the Turk who seemeth yet to stand or some other Enemy like the Heathen Emperour called the Dragon before Rev. 12.3 to persecute and war against the Christians but God will not permit it till the thousand years of the Churches prosperity be done and upon the 10th verse The Devil viz. the Turk the Devils new Agent another Dragon like the Heathen Emperour or some other Enemy no Christian by Profession shall be
sent to Hell to keep the Pope and Popish Emperour company Here it may be noted that the foes of the Church that profess not the name of Christ as the Heathen and Turkish Emperour are in this Book compared to Dragons and Serpents and to the Devil himself so the Popes and Popish Emperours who profess Christianity are eompared to wild Beasts And Mr. Mead in his Comment upon the Rev. Chap. 12.3 4. A wonder or representation of Rome Heathen whose marks are every where seven heads and ten horns seven heads indeed as well for the seven hills upon which the City was built as also for the seven sorts of Governours who were successively to Govern that City The ten horns for the ten Kingdoms which were to arise in the time of the last head to which they were to grow Which interpretation is not mine but the Angels Chap. 17. In the mean time another Character of the Roman Emperour is added to these Whereas it is said He drew the third part of the Stars of Heaven with his Tail and did cast them to the Earth that is he subjected the third part of the Princes and Rulers of the World to his Empire For even so much viz the third part of the known world in John's age the dominion of Rome did comprehend within its Limits Add here Bernard upon Rev. 12.3 p. 208. This is expounded to be the old Serpent the Devil and Satan vers 9. by an allusion to Gen. 3. but yet so understanding him as hereby be understood also the special ministry of his fury viz. the Heathen persecuting Emperours of Rome For this prophesie â— of things to be done here on Earth by men Also the Woman noteth out a company here in this world and so must the Dragon note out in like sort such here as be her Adversaries Again the description of this Dragon cannot agree properly to the Devil himself but is indeed the Arms of Rome when it was Heathen and had Heathen Emperours ruling there who worshiped the Devil 1 Cor. 10.20 and were led by him as all the wicked be Eph. 2.2 He persecuting Christians for the very name of Christ so as the battle was against Christ Jesus himself No marvel then that they be called the Dragon that is the Devil who is put for his Instruments Chap. 2.10 As here his Instruments for him Of the Dragons taking or apprehending ANd he laid hold or took A Metaphor borrowed from the seizing of a Prisoner at war and so improved here It is said in the former Chapter he was fought with and vanquished and in this Chapter laid hold off or taken implying a compleat conquest for when a chief General after Battle is taken the business is over Which holds out no less than the absolute victory that Christ and his followers have obtained in pleading his kingly right to the Governments of this world over the Beastly and Dragonical powers of this world who have usurpt and a long time posses'd the same and having not only subdued but absolutely dismissed cashier'd and damned the Antichristian state in both parts of it both Civil and Ecclesiastical even to that degree that they shall never appear to do mischief any more no more than two wicked wretches that are cast alive into Hell fire can ever expect to come forth to act villany any more in this world so now also is the Heathen Pagan state so vanquish'd and brought down and as much out of a capacity to do any more mischief for the season intended then a Baffled Conquered enemy that is apprehended and taken prisoner And that such a season shall be wherein Christ Jesus who hath right to the worlds Government not only by gift purchase covenant and inheritance must yet plead and obtain the same by war and conquest also appears in part from these following Seriptures Numb 24.8 He shall eat up the Nations his Enemies He shall break their bones and pierce them through with his arrows 9. He couched he lay down as a Lyon Who shall raise him up Isa 41.2 Who raised up the righteous man from the East called him to his foot gave the Nations before him and made him rule over Kings He gave them as the dust to his Sword and driven Stubble to his Bow Speaking of Abraham Gen. 14. in his subduing the four Kings Types of the four Monarchies Who hath wrought and done it calling the Generations from the beginning I the Lord the first viz. he that was with Abraham in the Type in the beginning at the first and with the last I am he will also in the conclusion be with the seed of Abraham in the same work in subduing and taking their Antitypes the four Monarches eyes themselves Isa 42.13 The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man He shall stir up jealousie like a man of War He shall cry yea roar He shall prevail against his Enemies 14. I have a long time holden my peace I have been still and refrained my self Now will I cry like a Travelling Woman I will destroy and devour at once 15. I will make wast Mountains and Hills and dry up all their Herbs and I will make the Rivers Islands and I will dry up the Pools c. Haggai 2.22 And I will overthrow the Throne of Kingdoms and will destroy the strength of the Kingdoms of the Heathon and I will overthrow the Chariots and those that ride in them and their Horses and their Riders shall come down every one by the Sword of his Brother Rev. 17.14 These shall make War with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them for he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and they that are with him are called chosen and faithfull Rev. 19.13 c. And he was clothed in a Vesture dipt in blood and his name is called the Word of God And the Armies which are in Heaven followed him upon white Horses clothed in fine linnen white and clean And out of his Mouth goeth a Sharp Sword that with it he should smite the Nations And he shall rule them with a rod of Iron And he treadeth the Wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God And he hath on his Vesture and on his thigh written King of Kings and Lord of Lords So also Psalms 2.8 9 c. Dan. 2.44 45. Psal 45.3 4 5. Psal 66.3 c Psal 72. 9 10. Isa 24.19 20 21 22. Ezek. 21.26 27. Rev. 14.19 20. Isa 63.1 2 3 4 6. Which dispensation is no other than the pouring out the Vials Chap. 16. The Earth-quake Desolation and Slaughter that attends the Resurrection of the Witnesses Rev. 11. Typed out by Abrams Conquest of the four Kings as before the overturning of Pharaoh and his Host the subduing the thirty one Kings in Canaan by Joshuah in order to give rest to the people in the promised land the destruction of all Enemies by David in order to Solomons quiet and peaceable Reign And this work as in the
this State and Condition and not unproperly since the Scripture saith she it espoused to Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 Betrothed to him Hosea 2.20 yea married to him Jer. 3.14 Rom. 7.4 and therefore said Her Maker is her Husband Isa 54.5 And that by this Mistical Union she is become flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone Eph. 5.30 31. alluding to the first Marriage union when the woâ—â— that was taken out of the man was given to him Gen. 2.3 Called the Lambs Wife as one well saith because when he was slain as a Lamb he espoused her giving himself for her Eph. 5.25 And that as the first Adam in his sleep had his side opened for his wife so the second Adam in his death had his side pierced for his Who having by persecution and affliction been a long time in a forlorn state as a poor barren disconsolate woman Isa 54.1 And as a desolate forlorn Widow Lam. 11. In an oppressed afflicted and bewildred Wilderness condition Rev. 12.14 Wherein her Beauty is turned into Ashes her joy into Mourning her Garment of Praise into a spirit of Heaviness Isa 61.3 Her Gold is become dim and her most fine Gold changed Lam. 4.1 Is now represented as returned into an excellent Condition the Sceane being quite changed having here her beauty again for Ashes the Oyl of joy for mourning and the Garments of Praise for the spirit of heaviness now in a beautifull dress and in a most lovely posture viz. trimmed prepared and adorned like a Bride for her Husband Rev. 19.7.21.2 Arrayed in fine clean white linnen which is the Righteousness of the Saints Rev. 19.8 And like the Kings Daughter is all glorious within her clothing being of wrought Gold and in Raiment of Needle-work Psal 45.13 14. Clothed with the Garments of Salvation and covered with the robe of Righteousness as a Bridegroom decketh himself with Ornaments and as a Bride adorneth her self with Jewels Isa 61.10 Being one that is now no more to be tearmed forsaken but to be called Hephzibah and Bulah Isa 62.4 Which excellent dress least any should sensually mistake or abuse the spirit explains himself to hold out thereby the excellency vertue and grace that is found in the true Church And therefore is her fine linnen white and clean expounded to be the righteousness of the Saints viz her justification and sanctification her Gold Jewels and rich Attire to hold out the Ornament of her inward and outward man in the shining Graces of the Spirit viz love meekness patience humility long-suffering and that so having Oyl in her Vessel and Lamp viz. spiritual Grace in her Heart and Life is said to be prepared as a wise Virgin fitted for the Bridegroom And which the better to explain as well as further to set off her beauty and excellency the false Church is also represented and pourtraied in her dress and Colours in her Beauty Ornaments and Attire viz. her Scarlet and Purple Robe and fine linnen to hold on her violence cruelty and oppression her Golden Cup and Jewels her drunkenness Pride and Idolatry her beauty and rich attire her Witch-crafts wantonness and Whoredom Being indeed represented under all the Characters of a vild Strumpet viz. a cruel bloody drunken proud wanton common filthy rotten and abominable Whore that corrupts the Earth with her Fornications By which Bride-like beautiful state as well as the new Jerusalem illustrious Glory following is figuratively represented one and the same thing viz. the Churches happy condition and as both pointing out one thing are also represented as Synonimous for the Angel calling up John here to shew him the Bride the Lambs wife doth when he comes up to him as in the next verse shew to him the new Jerusalem the holy City Of the Mountain on which the City stands And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great high Mountain John having seen the City Babylon upon her seven Hills Rev. 17.9 Sees here the City Jerusalem heretofore desolate and troden under foot Rev. 11.2 Now restored and as most perspicuous raised upon a great high Mountain And as Moses in the Mount saw the pattern of the Tabernacle Exod. 2â— 40. Heb. 8.5 and Ezekiel upon a high mountain the City and Temple Ezek. 40.2 The City and Temple of old being built upon a high Hill The Hill of God being a high Hill as the Hill of Bashan Ps 68.15 So John here in the Spirit is heâ—pt to see Mount Zâ—on the Antitype in her glorious exaltation to fulfill the Prophecy of Isaiah and Michah who foretell the Mountain of the Lords House to be esâ—ablished in the last days in the top of the mountains and to be exalted above the Hills Isa 2.2 Mich 4.1 The understanding of which Mystery calleth for no less then the carrying away in the Spirit as the Prophet of old Ezek. 2.1 2.40.2 And John before Rev. 1.10.17.3 Intimating thereby that these were discoveries of mystical and spiritual rather then of material and litteral things And what can this great high mountain be but that rock of Ages the rock of Israel 2 Sam. 23.3 The Rock of Salvation Deut. 32.15 The Rock that begat Ver. 18. And that is higher then we Ps 61.2 Even the Rock Christ 1 Cor. 10.4 upon whom the Church is built so that the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against her Matth. 16.18 That must in the latter days be exalted above all the Hills And which Mountain the seat of the true Church and upon which she is founded stands you see in direct opposition to the seat upon which the false Church is placed and which for failing we find to be threefold viz. Vpon seven mountains Rev. 17.9 Vpon a Beast with seven Heads and ten Horns 17.3 And upon many waters 17.15 And therefore called by one wittily her Topical Typical and Tropical Seat which Triple Seat as well as Triple Crown will shortly fail her and leave her honour in the dust while the City that is built upon the Hill even upon mount Zion will stand unmoveable Of Jerusalem that great and Holy City And shewed me that great City the Holy Jerusalem JErusalem in the Hebrew is a compound of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying as much as a Vision of Peace called heretofore onely Salem or peace and afterwards so styled Ps 76.2 In Salem is his Tabernacle the City which of old belonged to Melchisedech that King of peace and righteousness Gen. 14.18 Heb. 7.1 That lively Type and representative of our Kingly Priest and Prophet the Lord Jesus Afterwards that strong hold of Zion was possessed by the Jebusites and taken from them by David 1 Sam. 5.6 And called the City of David beautifully adorned by Solomon his son and long injoyed by the Kings of Judah in Davids Loine which was beautiful for situation the joy of the whole Earth Ps 48.2 Wherein was Gods Temple and Throne the principal place of Worship and Seat of Judgement A
Throne of God and of the Lamb. 2. In the midst of the street of it and of either side of the River was their the Tree of life which bare twelve manner of fruits and yâ—ilded her fruit every moneth and the leaves of the Tree were for the healing of the Nations is the plentiful rich provision that is provided for the supply both for necessity and delight comprized under the Water and Tree of Life alluding to the Tree of Life in the Garden and Ezekiels River Ezek. 47. Intimating that the glorious presence that had so inricht the Church should by a plentiful rich supply of Spiritual grace flowing from the Throne of Grace so maintain the same continually that each shall have such store that out of their bellies shall flow Rivers of living water Jo. 7.38 Lastly 3. And there shall be no more curse but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and his servants shall serve him 4. And they shall see his face and his name shall be in their Foreheads To Crown this blessed and glorious state there is a Throne erected as well as a Temple wherein his maked servants shall see his Face that serve him Intimating that Satans Seat Rev. 21.13 And the Beasts Throne Rev. 16. That brought the curse being removed the Lambs Throne instead thereof is erected wherein his Servants that are his Sealed ones Eph. 1.13 2 Tim. 2.19 And that by a visible Holy profession bear the Lambs Name in their Foreheads and injoy his presence shall serve him therein and shall as his Substitutes and Vice-gerent manages the affairs of his Kingdom and Soveragnity to his glory and praise as Satans instruments and servants did before order and dispose in the Beasts Kingdom Amen Allelujah The First Question necessary to be spoken to for the better clearing what hath been before asserted relating to the thousand years Reign is WHether the thousand years Reign is not yet past as Brightman Napier Fox c. formerly Hamond Durham Harvey and others more lately do assert from such like reasons as these that follow which I have gathered out of their writings viz 1. Because as they suppose the Dragons casting down to the Earth in the 12th Chapter is one and the same with his being bound and cast into the bottomless pit in the 20th Chapter and therefore must the Epocha of the thousand years of the Saints Reign mentioned Rev. 20. be reckoned from the fall of Heathenism in Constantines time and so is expired many years since 2. Because of the Order of the Prophecy as exprest in the 20th and 21th Chapters the new Heaven and the new Earth and the new Jerusalem containing a visible Kingdom on Earth is so long after not contemporaneous with the thousand years 3. Because Christ is personally to appear in the new Jerusalem so inconsistent with the thousand years state 4. Because of the duration of the new Ierusalem so much beyond the thousand years one being limited the other for ever 5. Because of the agreement of the Heaven and Earth passing away viz. the matteriall Rev. 20.11 with Rev. 21.1 6. Because the Gog-Magog Host cannot come out of the new Heaven To which I reply speaking to them in Order And therefore in answer to the first Reason I say That the subduing of the Dragon with seven Heads and ten Horns with the Crowns upon his Heads and casting him out of Heaven to the Earth by Michael Rev. 12.8 9. Is not nor cannot be the same with his apprehending casting into shutting up and sealing in the bottomless pit for a thousand years by the Angel that comes from Heaven which I prove from these four essential differences 1. From the point of time when each casting down was 2. From the different places where done 3. From the different actions and circumstances in each 4. From the different ends in both First From the difference of time when these two castings down were which may appear in the particulars following viz. 1. That in the 12th Chapter was before the Beasts rise that in the 20th after his ruine 2. That in the 12th was before the 42 Months or 1260 days and that in the 20th after 3. That in the 12th was upon the treading under foot the Holy City and that in the 20th upon the erecting or restoring it 4. That in the 12th takes place under the sixth Seal and that in the 20th not till the seventh Trumpet which is no less then 1260. years difference in time Now that the Dragons casting to the Earth in the 12th was according to these forementioned characteristical notes viz. before the Beasts rise or 42. Moneths taking place when the City was troden under foot and in the time of the sixth Seal is fully owned and asserted And that this binding was not till the Beasts ruine end of fourty Moneths the restoring of the City and the seventh Trumpets sounding I thus prove If the Dragon was not bound but free under the first six Trumpets of the seventh Seal it remaines he must be bound under the seventh and so consequently at the end of the 42 Moneths and Beasts ruine and restoration of the City which are all as contemporaneous as the other four But that he was not bound under the first six Trumpets I thus prove 1. Not under the six first Seals for then he wore the imperial Crown upon his head and so fought Michael under the sixth Seal Chap. 12. 3 7. Chap. 6.12 c. 2. Not under the Six first Trumpets for then was the time of the womans being in the Wilderness wherein the Dragon is so far from being bound that he casts flouds out of his mouth after her and makes War with the remnant of her seed that keep the Commandments of God and the Testimony of Jesus Rev. 12.13 15 17. 3. Neither under the Beasts Reign for they that follow the Beast worship the Dragon Rev. 13.2 3 4. The false prophet also being one of his Leiutenants and delegates works wonders and deceives the Inhabitants of the Earth And how can he be said to be bound and so bound too that he shall not deceive them at all during tha this binding as Rev. 20.3 when he all along this time aforesaid plays such Rex not only by himself but substitutes 4. That he was 〈◊〉 at liberty till the destruction of the Beast which is one and the same time with the six Trumpets appeareth for upon the pouring out of the sixth Vial there is a confederacy combination and conjunction in preparation to the great Battle by sending their Emissaries to the Kings of the Earth to gather them thereto and accordingly we have these three great Leaders with the Kings Captains c. gathered to Armageddon Rev. 16.16 and the success of the Battle Chap. 19. viz. the routing and destruction of the Armies the taking of the three Generals and the Sentence that was past and executed upon them viz. the Beast and false-prophet to
is to proceed the Corporeal general Resurrection Upon the Expiration of the said thousand years 7. And when the 1000. years are expired Satan shall be loosed out of his Prison 8. And shall go out to deceive the Nations which are in the four quarters of the Earth Gog and Magog to gather them together to Battle the Number of them is as the sand of the Sea 9. And they went up on the breadth of the Earth and compassed the Camp of the Saints and the beloved City And fire came down from God oâ—t of Heaven and devoured them the Nations revolt from the subjection under Christ's Rule in the hands of the Saints annoying and disturbing them all the World over for a Season though to their own utter ruine and overthrow under the figurative terms of loosing the Devil their Representative out of Prison to deceive the Nations and to gather them in an huge numberless Host called Gog and Magog to besiege a Camp and City an Allusion to Israel of old holding out the Saints politick and setled state by which Emblem of a City is represented also the Enemies setled condition all the world over and holds out their mischievous purpose to ruine the Interest of Christ and to root it up from off the Earth Upon this rebellious design of the Nations in this their treasonable and murderous attempt they are upon the personal coming of Christ to Judgment destroyed by fire who comes in flaming fire rendring Vengeance upon them foretold in the typical destruction of Sodom and Gog and Magog their perfect Types and Predecessors 10. And the Devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of Fire and Brimstone where the Beast and the False-pâ—ophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever And now is the time come that the Devil in a litteral sense who hath been the Mistical head of the Pagan state is to be cast into the lake of fire there to remain for ever But Mistically and Metaphorically is all Heathenish and Worldly Rule and Authorities now utterly destroyed and vacated as the Antechristian Dominion was by casting the Beast and False-prophet into the lake of fire or as when the Devil himself is thither sentenced never any more to come out thence And then in order and according to the whole current of Scripture and scope of it 11. And I saw a great white Throne and him that sat on it from whose face the Earth and the Heavens fled away and there was found no place for them 12. And I saw the Dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which is the Book of Life and the Dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their works 13. And the Sea gaxe up the Dead which were in it and Death and Hell delivered up the Dead that were in them and they were judged every man according to their works 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 Book of Life was cast into the lake of Fire comes the Resurrection of the Dead and Eternal Judgment in the Order and Method as here laid down to be understood in the Letter from which there is no necessity to depart or to conceive it Allegorical Wherein we have Christ the Judge appearing upon the Throne of Judgment the Heavens and Earth departing at his presence The Dead small and great standing before him the Books opened and Dead judged out of the Books according to their Works c. XXI CHAP. Of the Revelation ANd I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth for the first Heaven and the first Earth were passed away and there was no more Sea 2 And I John saw the holy City new Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband 3 And I heard a great Voice out of Heaven saying Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away 5 And he that sat upon the Throne said Behold I make all things new And he said unto me Write for these words are true and faithfull 6 And he said unto me Is it done I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end I will give unto him that is a thirst of the Fountain of the water of life freely 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my son 8 But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and Whoremongers and Sorcerers and Idolaters and all Lyars shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death 9 And there came unto me one of the seven Angels which had the seven Viols full of the seven last plagues and talked with me saying Come hither I will shew thee the Bride the Lambs wife 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high Mountain and shewed me that great City the holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God 11 Having the glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious even like a jasper stone clear as Crystal 12 And had a wall great and high and had twelve gates and at the gates twelve Angels and names written thereon which are the names of the twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel 13 On the East three gates on the North three gates on the South three gates and on the West three gates 14 And the wall of the City had twelve foundations and in them the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he that talked with me had a golden Reed to measure the City and the gates thereof and the wall thereof 16 And the City lieth four square and the length is as large as the breadth and he measured the City with the Reed twelve thousand furlongs the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal 17 And he measured the wall thereof an hundred and fourty and four cubits according to the measure of a man that is of the Angel 18 And the building of the wall of it was of Jasper and the City was pure gold like unto clear glass 19 And the foundations of the wall of the City were garnished with all manner of precious stones The first foundation was Jasper the second Saphire the third a Chalcedonie the fourth an Emerald 20 The fifth Sardonyx the sixth Sardius the seventh Chrysolite the eighth Beryl the ninth a Topaz the tenth a Chrysoprasus the eleventh a Jacinct the twelfth an