her mouth and swallowed up the Flood which the Dragon cast out of his mouth VERS 18. And the Dragon was wroth against the Woman and went to make battell with the remnant of her seed which keepe the Commandements of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ ANd notwithstanding the Dragon by his taile of Caesars had thus massâ—cred and dispersed the Church yet was he not so satisfied but for very rage fell into a melancholâ— mood for cause he could not quite consume and root her hâ—nouâ— out as the Spirit dâ—â—â—loseth saying And the Dragon was wroth against the woman And forasmuch as the Churches beauty did most shine in the East Syria Greece Asia where she was borne and bred the Dragon thought it his best in policie which evermore with him was held for chiefest Religion to iâ—ch and set forward his den and hold his Court further East which purpose of his as close as it was the holy Ghost discovereth in saying And he went and noteâ—h the true end wherefore he went not so much to barricade and stop the flâ—at and incursion of the barbarous enemie as he foreâ—ooth pretended as to pursue and consume the dispersed remainder of the Spouse as the spirit unfoldeth saying to make battell with the remnant of her seed who for that they were just of the making and growth of the Churches first â—nd priâ—itive fruit holding the mystery of faith in a good Conscience as the first-borne did the Spirit setteth them forth in the same lively colourâ— saying which keepe the Commandements of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ VERS 19. And he stood upon the sand of the Sea ANd the Dragon removed his throne and left his ancient seat and City of Rome where he had now kept Court almost a thousand years and went and pitched his Throne anew in a haveâ— Towne between Pontus Euxinus and Propontis in the East of Thracia ancientâ—y caâ—led Byzance and there erected the new City of Rome and called it after his owne name Constantinople the City of Constantme which translation of his râ—sidence and chair of estate one of his owne also noteth Constantinus apud Thraces qua Bosphorus aequor Thracius Euxinis Aegaeum ingurgitat undis Constituit sedem Imperii CHAP. XIII The description of Antichrist and his Devotaries The description of his Clergy and of his Religion The Character of Antichrist The number of his Dayes and the end of his Reigne The year of th' End of the World discovered out of Dan. 12. VERS 1. And I saw a Beast ascending from the Sea having seven heads and ten hornes and upon his hornes ten Diadems and upon his heads names of blasphemy AND presently upon the remove and translation of the Empire the Apostle espied that wicked one Antichrist man of sin in saying And I sâ—w who in regard of the tyrannous power and bloody use of the unbridled jurisdiction that should be given him he is here termed as in holy Scriptures other Monarchs are a Beast that is to say a kind of Government Kingdome dominion or power exercised and acted by a succession of tyrannous bloody and beastly men And albeit his perfection in evill stood yet aloof and was very far off young and tender as lying in swathing clouts yet the Apostle descryeth him as it were through a chink in saying comming up For aâ—ter the translaâ—ion of the Empire and that now Ethnick Rome began to play the Christian he was well nigh a hundred years closely creeping climbing up before he could advance his cursed head and claim of super-eminency Concerning which ambitious puffe of vaine priority so fair and evident mention is made in the monuments of time that the incredible boldnesse of the adversary is no lesse marvellous then his incurable blindnesse that hath so long time stumbled at this stone and so often spurred us by way of vaunting to shew them if we dare or can when this apostasie of Antichrist tooke her rise and first commencement which daring vaunt of theirs the holy Ghost tripping over as a thing which is or ought to be knowne unto us namely that the horne of Antichrist and his apostasie did then first sprout out when his Church first obtained at the Dragons hand priority of place suffrage and censure over all For as the Tree puls up the creeping Ivie so the primacie of the Church of Rome pulled up th' aspiring supremacie of the Bishop thereof which Church preheminence and prelation after long ruffling and shouldring was first obtained at the hands of Honorius tho afterwards upon greater concertation and daggers drawing it was by other Cesars and Kings confirmed renewed and ampliated who by th' advantage of the weaknesse and death of his elder brother Arcadius having obtained power and protector-ship East and West subjected the Church of the East Empire which most withstood the West and Romane supremacie with all other Churches whatsoever to the Church and Sea oâ— Rome at the instant suit and importunity of the now Bishop of Rome whose name was then Innocent the first in the first year of his creation and in the yeare of Redemption 406. But the holy Ghost I say passing over the punctuall and exact moment of time when the Egge of Antichrist and his apostacie was first laid as otherwhere sufficiently preserved unto us proceedeth to detect the place where and from whence he should arise saying that he saw him lift up his hardie head from the sea meaning by the sea as in the sixteenth of this Prophecie the surging tumbling and raging Sea and City of Rome where also by a like loquution he calleth all Kingdomes subjected to her by the name of Rivers And that this Beast should thence arise and there and not elsewhere keep Court and residence the Spirit proveth by an argument drawne from the shape and proportion of the Beast for he had the seven heads and ten hornes of the Dragon meaning that he should sit upon the Dragons hills and reigne in and over the Dâ—agons City and aray himselfe with the spoâ—ls of the world and hold in subjection the Kings and States on earth as the Dragon did for so much the Spirit intendeth in saying having seven heads and ten hornes And least the unwary Reader should mistake this great Antichrist for that great Dragon or this Beasts supremacie and his pestilent succession for that Beasts super-eminencie and his execrable taile as many unwarily have done the holy Ghost in emblazoning his coat giveth him a mâ—st exquisite difference in saying that he wore his diadems not upon his heads as the Dragon did but upon his hornes signifying thereby that he should not come to his Crown and vain-glory by the strength of his sword his leaders and his legions as the Dragon did but by the base and voluntary submission of all such Caesars Kâ—ng and Princes as should with one counsell and sorce deliver up their authority and power secuiar to the devotion and pleasure of the
Beast and therefoâ—e the Spirit crowneth not his heads but his hornes saying and upon his hornes ten diadems And concluding sheweth even by his head attire how far unlike this Dragons High Priest of Rome was and should be to the Lords High-Priest of Jerusalem who in stead of having his head-attire emblemished with â—olinesse to the Lord as had his servant Aaron should have his head-peece beslubbered with names of blasphemy and upon his heads names of blasphemy whereof proofe is made in the sixth verse following VERS 2. And the Beast which I saw was like to a Leopard and his feet as a Beare and his mouth as the mouth of a Lion and the Dragon gave him his owne force and his throne and great power ANd forasmuch as the Apostle fore-saw that this Beast should be a far greater adversary and a far longer persecutor of the Church of God then any of the Monarchies which did arise afore him he shaped him an outside answerable to his inward making framing his parts of the most notable persecuters that ever were as concluding him for his extraordinary wickednesse the odd fellow the totall sum and very accomplishment of all other And first for his presumption in extolling himselfe above the Prince of the Covenant desouling his sanctuary desolating his sacrifice burning his statutes and insorcing the humble and meek to the abnegation of the truth by blood fire stâ—appadoes and such like exquisite torments the Spirit resembleth him to his arch-type Antiochus descended from the Monarch of Greece here as in Daniel deciphered by a Leopard And I saw the Beast like a Leopard Secondly in pride of life in pomp and luxury the Spirit equalleth him with the Monarch of Persia and likeneth his arrogant and voluptuous gate to her â—en Kings here as in Daniel deciphered by a Beare And his feet as of a Beare Thirdly the holy Ghost ascribeth unto him the proud prophane and cursed mouth of the Monarch of Babylon in commanding the dwellers on earth upon paine of fire and furnace to adore his golden Idol which he had dedicated with cornets â—ackbuts psalteries dulcimers which also the Spirit covereth as Daniel doth under the mask of a Lion And his mouth as the mouth of a Lion And last of all lest haply he should be least beholding unto his Bella Nympha his dearest Lady and mistris of Rome the holy Ghost saith that the love of his Patronesse the Dragon was equall to the love of a faâ—her towards his son for she made him heir apparent and Lord of her Empire subâ—ecting all things to the feet of his censure and confirming unto him her throne and Palace of Lateran with all the demesnes and glory of Latium as one of his own also noteth Latiumque relinquit Christo Romuleam septem cum collibus urbem VERS 3. And I saw one of his heads as it were slaine to death but the wound of his death was cured and all the earth was in admiration after the Beast ANd presently after this greaâ— Antichrist was risen the Apostle foresaw such a wound given to one of his heads that the Beast was in eminent danger to be stricken downe againe and slaine in the very egge for so much the Spirit noteth in saying And I saw one of his heads as it were slaine to death For the better opening of which wound we must not onely remember the Beast hath seven heads but we must also step a little forward and crave the assistance of the seventeenth Chapter concerning the interpretation of the seven headâ— which saith that the seven heads are seven hills and they are also seven Kings discovering the true seat and situation of the City of Rome where Antichrist should keep his Court and residence by the seven hills And by the seven Kings the seven Monarchies which from the beginning of the world to this day have successively risen and reigned over the earth of which seven the Assyrian Monarchie was the first and the Roman the sixth of both which and their pue-fellows is further revealed in the 17. Chapter following Meane time we are here to observe that as the holy Ghost doth therefore call his seven heads by the name of seven hils because the seat of Antichrist should be there and not elsewhere placed and planted so he nameth them also seven Kings because the power of Antichrist should be an extraordinary â—overaignty compounded of such spirituall and temporall claims and jurisdictions as should be equivalent in presumption and prophanation to all the transgressions of the seven Monarchies which from the beginning hitherunto have blasphemed God and corrupted his world This foundation laid doth shew that this deadly wound given to one of his heads which as after appeareth was the wound of a sword cannot be meant of any one of his heads after the first signification as they are hills but as they are Kings and subject to the sword and so by consequence intendeth that one of his imperiall heads and namely his faire Adonis his minion Lord and Master of Rome of whom he had so lately received his breath and being was so deadly wounded as that the Beast himselfe thereby was in great danger of extinction Thus having found the head let us look unto the wound that so we may the better discerne the great danger the Beast was in delivered in these words as it were slaine to death This deadly wound was given and driven home to the head by the sword and incursion of the West Gothes under the leading of Alaricus who in the nineteenth year of Caesar Honorius of whom the Beast some foure yeares before had received his life entred Italy and gave such a deadly stroke unto his powerfull pate that for very feare the beast lockâ— himselfe up in his den at Ravenna while the enemy ript up the streets of his imperiall City filling them with famine fire and sword which night of woe or ratner beginning of her wofull night made an ancient friend of hers who in her youth did love her over-well to bewaile and bind up her deadly wounded head with an old Ballade aâ—ter the tune of the burning of Troy Quis cladem illius noctis quis funera fando Explicet aut possit lachrymis aequare lâ—bores Vrbs antiqua ruit multos dominata per annos And having thus mortally wounded the head of the Beast in the yeare of salvation 410. and 1157. years after Romulus had raised her walls with his brothers blood proceeded to seize upon the rest of his dignities havocking and burning his chiefest honours Latium Campania Apulia Lucania Calabrid where raging and devising how to extermine the power of the Empire for ever and to spread his glory over all was by sudden death blotted out leaving his purpose and his Army Royal to his wives brother Ataulphus who in like raging hast and fury returned to Rome with an obstinate intent and resolution to obliterate the ancient name of Rome for ever and to call her
to their use of honour and dishonour when he shall come in glory to judge and reward the world separate the stranger from the child the goaâ— from the sheep the sinner from the just and this is the Kingdome whereof it is written Many are called Lords of Sodome may it then pleaâ—e your dead and dry eyes to consider that in this great company of hearers two speciall differing companies are commended unto yee th' one that hearing the voyce obeyeth and doth it th' other that hearing transgresseth and doth not called in Scripture Haâ—ed bond forsaken cast out children of evill vessells of wrath and such like compared to a Man who built a house and laid no foundation and when the day of reckoning the day of tempest came the building fell and the fall thereof was great and lamentable for ever But they that heaâ—ing the Commandements of God observe and do them are called in Scripture beloved free chosen beautifull children of promise vessells of mercy Israel Jacob his people his heritage a holy Nation a holy City a kingly holy Priest-hood his house his Temple his Tabernacle Saints Sion Hierusalem from above the pillar and upholder of truth his vine his Church his Body his Spouse and such like compared to a Builder that digged deep and laid his foundation on the Rock whose work endured the day to come and gave glory to the worker to a Graine of Mustard-seede whose great increase for his little body is marvellous compared with other hearbs to Leaven which seasoneth the whole wherein it is hid to a Pearle of price for which the Jeweller adventureth by Sea by Land by fire by water to attaine to a Field wherein lyeth hidden a treasure of such quality that the possessor selleth all he hath to make a purchase thereof to a Seede prospering from Blade to stalk from stalk to head the Lord of the ground neither sleeping nor waking knowing how And this is the generation of them that seek him the portion and Kingdome whereof it is written But few are chosen And of this company and no other speaketh the Scripture which saith Where two or three be gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them And againe And behold I am with you from day to ever even to the worlds end And againe Feare not little flocke for it hath pleased your Father to give you a Kingdome And againe And I will intreate the Father and he shall give you another Comforter who shall remaine with you for ever And againe But when the Spirit of truth commeth he shall leade you into all truth And this is the City and house spirituall built upon the head of the corner which through the strength and glory of the foundation remaineth and liveth for ever as it is written And upon this Rock will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against her And this is the Church and Sanctuary of God the stones of life and glory everlasting disdained and trodden under of worldly builders prepared notwithstanding from above and appointed to serve for his Tabernacle and place of his dwelling for he that is highest dwelleth not in Temples made with hands as testifieth the Prophet Heaven is my seat and earth is my foot-stoole what place of rest will yee build unto me saith the Lord O house of Israel These things had yee understood then had yee beene wise and learned Scribes and like unto the housholder which bringeth forth of his store and provision as time and occasion serveth old and new And this is she which erreth not dissenteth not for all her Children are endued with a tongue and taster of truth all are prepared with one and selfe-same water all are purged by one and self-same fire all are Servants to one and self same Lord who by the sweet and accepted Sacrifice of his owne body hath sanctified and made them of sinners Sonnes of God as it is written He that sanctifieth and they which are sanctified are all of one And this is shee which prepareth her selfe for the Wedding arrayed in a white and righteous garment which her Lord the Bride-groome giveth her with Lamp watching night and day waiteth and attendeth his comming whose modest countenance whose chast and comely steps walk in our streets and the world regardeth not for her name is hidden written in the heart not in the skinne and the light of her beauty is in the spirit within not in the 〈◊〉 without whose praise is not of men but of God And yet thou sayest let me see her behold he that writeth testifieth before the Throne of God and all his holy Angells that he knoweth not any one this day after the flesh that taketh part with him what then shall I say I am left alone God forbid for I see and heare with th' ears and eyes of my soule the groans the chains and tears of seven thousand whose obedience is greater then mine and of which number I am the least and as a poore and miserable and borne out of time am not worthy to be one of them And this is she who once Balaam walkt in thy streets and all th' earth was filled with her beauty untill thy Father lifted up his sawcie head pursuing her blood and generation for there is enmity betweene him and her her seed and his for ever but she laid her Babe before the Throne of God whose eye defended it from all his teeth and fury And in those dayes her Lord the Bridegroome gave her two wings whose Feathers were made of the word of truth and she flew into the Wildernesse where she had a rest provided from the face and feare of her enemy a time and times and halfe a time and there remaineth shee her houre her day her moneth and her yeare eating no other thing then that which God giveth her And thy Father fell heavy exceeding wroth thereat and sat him downe by the Sea side in a Throne newly erected to th' honour of his name mourning and pining that the woman with her Boy had scap't his hands so And calling his powers and counsell about him devising found out a way t' appease his wrath namely to be reveng'd but on the remnant of her seed which shee left behind and while he sat in Consistory seeking best means t' accomplish his purpose thou liftedst up thy Nose out of the many waters and presently his dump was turn'd to a dance thy heads and hornes were so like his owne that he rejoyced wholly to see thy unhappy day and having nothing greater to shew his love parted with thee his Kingdomes and glory thereof planted thee in his old and ancient Throne where once his name was honoured and gave into thy hand his great power and chiefest of his hoast Wonders Lyes Murder and bad thee warre and have no feare for it was appointed the third borne among the Sons of men should be subdued unto thee And it pleased
covered with white with Crimson and pavonats 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 written on thy head before and on thy scull behind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 desireth he thy gold thy pots thy puddings and thy purples which thou hast bought so deare nay Balaam he serveth that Lord whose inheritance is th' earth and the plenty thereof hath he sadled his Asse at any time and posted after Balaks preferment like unto thee Nay Balaam then let his soule be given up to an unrepentance like as is thine hast thou any thing to give that he desires to receive no Balaam he seeks not thine but thee and this is his desire that thou and all the world this day were like unto him excepting his sinne Murtherers and dare yee talke of mercy then tell us when have ye seene Christ hungry and given him t' eate when have ye seene him thirstie and given him to drinke when have ye found him a stranger and opened unto him when have ye met him naked and cloathed him when have yee knowne him weake and comforted him in prison and visited him Can ye minister to whom yee know not can ye feed harbor cover comfort visit whom yee see not behold Pharises I tell ye a mysterie yee shall never see nor know those little ones his brethren to whom yee should have ministred unlesse your hearts can melt and sorrow with them have ye not read ye wisards that the blind shall see and they that see shall be made blind This is the judgement which God hath sent into the world and it is marvellous this day in our eyes behold this man as touching the mercy which he ought to doe eateth his bread with the empty and with the drie and thirsty ground weepeth he the pilgrim and the sojourner are ever found within his Courts his gates are never shut with the naked fitteth he and with his garment covereth his shame with the broken and imprisoned passeth he his time with plentifull and many teares comforting them nay who hungreth and he not pined who thirsteth and he not dryed up which is a stranger and he not throwne out who naked and he not confounded who weake and he not spent who lyeth imprisoned and he not tormented And as concerning the mercy which he ought not to leave undone this man if he have according to the Commandement of his Lord to him that asketh giveth and to the borrower lendeth looking for his reward and interest in the resurrection of the just if he have not applyeth his hand and backe to the burthen knowing he may not eate unlesse he labour in great patience and thankfulnesse turning over the leaves of his life so richly contented as if his Royalties were as large as are the dominions of the little bird who raigneth as wide as her silly wing may carry her and wheresoever dismounting setteth her little foote looketh about for her provision as if she were at home And this is the first the next and last of the living stones and temples of God which he before the day knew his comming up or going downe chose and adopted in the precious bloud of his eternall Testament to be unto him a House a Church a Tabernacle and everlasting possession And he that writeth beareth witnesse and testifieth unto the world all those whether Kings or Servants wise or simple learned or Ideots rich or poore old or young bond or free that shall be found to have worshipped the Beast received the print of his name and set up in their Tents and dwellings his Table and imitation rejoyce and clap their hands thereover shall be throwne out and have their part with blasphemers whose fire quencheth not whose stinke is everlasting and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy Citie And all those that so poyson doctrines of death lifting up their bold and shamelesse voyce like Cantibanks in market places avouching the goodnesse and proofe of oyles and oyntments which cannot give a foot to the lame nor eye to the blind as Arrians Vbiquitists Libertins Familists Coinonists or any such other Antichrists like to them shall be cast out and reape their part with lyars and Sorcerers whose worme dyeth not whose cry is everlasting and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy City And all those that fellow and shuffle themselves in companies marching under names and titles whatsoever as Hussit's Lutherans Calvinists Evangelists Protestants Praecisians or any such other like to these have not their parts in great sorrow and fear the preparation and beginning of the wisdome from above shall stand without among the Dogges the Covetous the Murderer th' Adulterer and him that is defiled with unspeakeable uncleannesse and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy City And now I trust Balaam thou seest what thou art not it resteth it be shewed thee what thou art There was a booke written by the finger of God and as a Table in a good and perfect light placed in the midst of th' aire that all the world might see and read the thrice abominable mystery foretold by the Spirit his Prophets and Apostles to be wrought by thee and thy Fathers house And had her proud and prudent Children but wip't their eyes wiâ—h sackcloath they had beheld thy inchantments long ere this and loosed from the bonds of thy father the great jugler and Planer of the World had departed thy Courts and fled unto the Mount and little hill of God where the Lamb doth sit Neverthelesse for Sions sake and for to still her cryes The morning star the branch and begotten of David will open the mouth of one of his servants and give him power to disvaile the Revelation and he his Servant shall discover thy madnesse and shew unto the world the things which thou thy witches and thy Wise had hop't to be past finding out Thy conception Thy birth Thy nurture Thy perfection Thy name Thy marke Thy number Thy heads Thy hornes Thy vicardome Thy keys Thy swords Thy succession Thy Guardrobe Thy Church her Ornaments Idols Altars Gold Silver Pearle Stone Silk Copes Banners Stincks Processions Reliques Oyle Wine Wafers Musick Lights lies Thy end Thy death Thy judgement And in that day thy name and generation shall stinke from the Center of th' earth unto the highest Heaven And thou that hast throwne fire into all thy Neighbours Tents and with thy Sorcerers and men of wisedome not consider'd that though it begin to destroy in Canaan it shall assuredly end in Chaldea shalt now be called into battell thy selfe and that thou mayest not hope to save thy blasphemous head with thy lying taile any more behold the dayes which were prophesied are come into the world and such voices shall rise up against thee as that it shall be easier unto thee to command the thunder silence when he begins to roare in the midst of th' ayre or to returne th'
over all the Earth in great feare fitting on it And it seemed good unto the Prophet to touch by an intellection these twelve onely both for they are a Jury sufficient to argue the whole suite of Emperours which did arise and reigne in her as also because they onely were native Romans descended of the Julij Seruij Saluij Flauij c. unlike therein unto the rest which were all or almost all like changeâ—ble stuffe of diverse colours so of diverse Nations Their rising continuance and end is toucht in their proper place And three heads Her three heads are three Kingdomes fore ordaiued to uphold and maintaine the power of her pride when all her wings and feathers should faile her And are reserved to execute her last will and finish her Funeralls as shall be hereafter more at full declared Vers 2. And I saw and behold she spread her wings over all the Earth and all the winds of the aire gathered themselves and blew on her By the winds are meant her prosperous and happy successe in all her proceedings And of necessity it must goe well with her whom every wind doth blow to good Witnesse the limits of her territories from Ganges to Gades and from the Sythian Sea unto the Cape of hope as testifieth one of her owne which saith that she extended her tents to the borders of the Ocean and the feare of her name unto the Heavens Vers 3. And I saw that out of her feathers grew up other contrary feathers but they became little feathers and small And the Prophet saw that among the Princes and Governors which ruled in her there arose and grew up certaine Kings which were contrary unto her marking such aâ— intended to root up the Crowne and dignitâ— of her Empire to plant themselves therein and their house for ever But their thoughts prevailed not for as the verse concludeth their power waned and they perished like the rest what those contrary Kings were their number names attempts and end shall be delivered in their place Vers 4. But her heads rested and the head in the midst was greater then the other heads yet rested it with them But the three Kingdoms fore-appointed t' accomplish and finish the wickednesse of this great City were quiet and at rest as not yet during the raigne of her feathers conceived and brought forth And the Prophet observed that th' one of those Kings was greater in power then both his fellows yet rested it with them Concerning these three Kings their names their greatnesse and all that appertaineth shall be spoken in due place Vers 5. Then I saw and behold the Eagle flew with her feathers and reigned upon the earth and over them that dwelt therein Vers 6. And I saw that all things under heaven were subject unto her and no man spake against her no not one creature upon earth And the Prophet beheld that this proud City flew with her Emperours and Legions over all her neighbours subjecting all the dwellers on earth under her in such sort as there was not a Nation or People to be found under heaven that was not either rooted out by her or enforced to receive their Governors from her Vers 7. And I saw that the Eagle stood up upon her clawes and spake to her feathers saying Vers 8. Watch not altogether sleep every one in his owne place and watch by course Vers 9. But let the heads be preserved for the last And the Prophet observed that this powerfull Citie in the dayes wherein over gorged with pride she stood upon termes of her counsell and armes took such order for in evill she was very methodicall that her Kings and Kaysers should neither sleep nor watch that is neither perish nor rule all at once but rise in a successive course as in the verses following is manifested And she further commanded that the three last Kingdomes ordained to conclude the number of her fins should take their ease and not awake till their time appointed Vers 10. Neverthelesse I saw that the voyce went not out of her heads but from the midst of her body As he that undertakes a dangerous leap doth first retire the better t' advance his strength so to bound fairly over the darke understanding of these words we must of necessity looke back and carry before us the true birth and perfect nature of this Empire which the Prophet Daniel in his vision designeth under the forme of a ten-horned beast signifying thereby that it should be a power upheld by a succession of many Kings for the hornes betoken Kings and the number of ten comprehends all be they never so many as all numbers are contained under 10. or made of their reduplication be they never so infinite Aâ—d addeth further that his teeth were of iron his nails of brasse inferring thereby the unresistable force of his lâ—gions and Leaders And proceeding saith that there arose amongst his Kings one of an exceeding strange nature signifying by that one a strange race and succession of Princes far differing in shape and forme of regiment from all their predecessors obtaining dominion not by iron teeth and brazen nails as did th' Emperors which arose before them but by deceit and by a mouth which spake presumptuous things against the most high blaspheming his name his Tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven who by a hidden and unknowne force should subdue the third part of the world meaning all Europe with her Princes By which delineation it is evident that the holy-Ghost accounteth the challenged Prerogative and supremacy of Rome all one power all one Empire whether it obtaine the spoile by force or by fraud that is by power of Emperors Chap. 7. 24. or craft of Popes who should be far unlike them as Daniel himselfe saith And he shall be unliketo he first Meaning in sorme of claiming obtaining and maintaining Jurisdiction not in pride purpose and determination So as wemay behold such an unlikely likenesse between them as was betweene the two Sisters of whom it is said facies non omnibus una nec diversa tamen qualem decet esse Sororum And thus much concerning the Prophet Daniels description of th' Empire of Rome whence we note that the same power which Daniel there describeth by a beast with hornes teeth and nails our Prophet here doth delineate by an Eagle with wings fethers and heads whose imperiall wings after they were so clipt as she could no longer flye over all in her proper colours and stile of Roma triumphante devised how by deceit she might uphold her throne for to be high was all her care and found nothing so fit as to disguise her selfe and challenge prelation under the maske of Roma la Santa And this is it which this verse teacheth that when the sinfull Citie saw her fethers so pluckt as the feare of her armes and forces might no longer flie into all Kingdomes commanding them under the paine of Imperium Romanum lying
years And th' Eagles pomp which was at full in Augustus was interred with Augustulus for so was Momyllus called and with him descended the name and title of Imperium Romanum for ever And the two wings thus divided in policy from the the four were Genserick and Theodorick Of which the first trained into Italy by treason of th'Empres entred Rome 43. years after she had been humbled by the Goths and led into captivity all her treasure and as is the fatal reward of such offenders the traitres also her selfe And after 14 days thus loaden departed into his Africa again where-over he reigned in peace and pleasure 51 years Th' other having obtained of th'east-head the scepter of Italy according to his patent proceeded and got it by Conquest from Odoacer But after he had reigned there-over 30 years descended also leaving his 494. fame and kingdom to his posterity having fulfild his pleasures 42 more But this Counsel pleased not th' other 4. for as the verse concludeth they remained in other thoughts drifting in their place to rise and reigne without leave or license of any Ver. 25. So I looked and behold the under-wings thought to set up themselves and to have the rule And as the Prophet beheld the four contrary fethers which were left he saw how they also strove in their hearts to establish themselves but like a dream their purpose vanished in the next immediate ver following Ver. 26. Then was there one set up but shortly it appeared no more Then arose Odoacer the first of the four leading a people begotten in the bowels and inmost parts of the North who hearing of the divided and weake estate of the Empire was encouraged to move from beyond 476. the Danub in much fear blood descended into Italy slew her last Lord and Emperor Momillus Augustulus destroyed the name of her Consuler dignity and blotted â—ut for ever the memory of her holy Senate the murderer of Romulus their first King and Julius their first Keysar and not daring as base begotten to put on the presence and stile of an Emperor which name this fether fatally resisted contented himself with the title of King of Italy But his glory indured not for after he had reigned eighteen yeers Theodorick as in the 24 verse took his Kingdom from him by force and his lise by fraud and he descended and appeared no more Ver. 27. And the second was sooner gone then the first After him arose Totilas the second fether of the four by birth a Spaniard by blood a West-gothe whose fearfull fires burn in Rome to this day but these daies were more in trouble and as the Prophet fore-saw in number fewer then Odoacers from his first rising alway in arms and after many hopes and as many dispaires was at last put to flight by Narses whom the East-head had made Governour of Italy and flying was wounded so deadly that as soon as he gat his Inne he lost his life after he had worne the Crown if to fight for a Crown be to wear a Crown 11 yeares Ver. 28. Then I beheld and loe the two that remained did think also in themselves to reign So as of all th' eight there remained but th' Longâ—bards and th' intestine faction which thought also in themselves to reigne The fâ—rst in flamed by the letters of Narses and with the goodness of Italy left their northern denns and like a fearfull storme fell downe upon it and in two yeares overthrew it crowning their Leader Alboinus 570 King thereof at Milan who after he had spread himselfe over the great City and over all her Italy three years and a halfe was murthered by the treason of Rosamond his wife leaving his Kingdom but not his honor to his successors who possessed it for 24. generations The eight and last and of all other the most dangerous was a home conspiracy plotting to raise from the dead th' ancient long-before buried government of Rome to reedifie her S. P. Q. R. and to root out the Priestly preheminence and Church-superiority which had so cunningly eaten and destroyed the secular which faction after it had taken fire in the hearts of many and secretly burned a long time at length brake out like the fury and violence of a risen stream so as it might not be quencht but with much blood and exceeding labour as in the 31. verse appeareth Ver. 29. But whilst they so thought behold there awaked one of the heads that were at rest which was in the midst for that was greater then the two And whilst they thus thought behold there awaked one of the three Kingdoms appointed to finish and end the wickednesse of th' Eagle figuring by this resting head the new west Empire which title of Supremacy the beast bestowed as hath been alwayes his practise to run with the strongest upon Charls King of France and son to Pepin the Traitor This head is said to be awaked when it was first raised which was in the year 801. wherein it received his Augustal robe his crown and stile viz. Carolo Augusto a Deo Coronato magno piissimo Imperatori Romanorum vita victoria And the title of dignity Imperiall which had laien dead above three hundred years was in this year on Christmas day thus raised up to life again to the end it might defend the proceedings of the great adulteres and murderes of the earth as by the form of oath exhibited at his consecration appeareth In nomine Christi spondeo atque polliceor ego A. Imperator coram Deo beato Petro Apostolo me protectorem ac defensorem fore bujus Sanctae Rom. Ecclesiae in omnibus utilitatibus quatenus divino fultus fuero adjutorio pro-ut sciero poteroque In that this head is said to be in the midest is meant that it should be chosen from among the Nations and Kingdoms of the earth as by experience hath been proved First from France then from divers Kingdoms and parts of Germany where it still remaineth And that the fear and power of this head hath been greater then any other Christian King or Kingdome whatsoever is it not sufficiently read in the particular registers of every Nation Vers 30. And I saw that the two heads were joyned there-with By the two heads are shadowed the two Kingdoms of France and Spaine whose unhallowed league the Prophet fore-seeing saith they should be joyned with this middle-head and like three parts in one accord and agree together to humble themselves their authority and power before the beast and for their idolshepheard should fight against the Highest till by the breath of his mouth they be scattered like the dust which the winde disperseth And these are the three heads mentioned in the first fourth and ninth verses of this chapter and are therefore said to finish and determine the last end and wickednesse of the whore because tho all other Kingdoms hate her and make her desolate and naked and
eat her flesh as England and others have done yet these three heads shall love her still and to their dying day shall burne in delight with her but when those three and every of them shall also forsake her thâ—re shall not be found either Kingdom or creature under heaven that shall fall downe and worship her Vers 31. And behold the middle head was turned with them that were turned with it and did eat up the two under wings which thought to reigne And the Prophet saw this middle head the head of evill impart his fellowship to all Princes and Kingdoms which desired to be in league with it But my taske which hasteth to an end will not suffer me now and here to sound this gulfe of Santa Liega sufficeth that for Sions sake the Prophet passing by doth point thereat And the Prophet beheld that this middle head did devour and eat up the under wings namely the power of the Longohards and th' intestine faction which thought also to reigne The first by the sword of Charls surnamed for his exceeding power the great who at the command of Babylon his god aseended into Italy took her King Desiderius prisoner and led him captive into France and gave his Kingdome to another And thus vanished this seventh contrary fether after it had humbled the whore and spread it selfe over all her quarters 200. and 4 years and the fear thereof descended it appeared no more Th' other first began in the days of Cono th' Emperor who having an action of contrary opinion against Gregory the second for so the beast was then called followed it so hotly that he brought his holines into such disgrace as that he kindled a desire in the hearts of many to change their Prelate for a Prince and to edifie their first and ancient forme of government again This desire thus begun by time as naturally all conspiration doth 798. gathered stâ—ength and adventured but somewhat too young to check the beast who by reason he was so wel guarded by his foreâ—aid head champion Charles easily neckt it Notwithstanding some 100 and 50 years after this ulcâ—r now grown to a riper head under the practise of one Alberique and Octavian his son brake out anew and charg'd the beast in so sharpe a manner as without doubt he had received the maâ—e had not his head in the midst avoided it once againe whose name was now chang'd from Charles the great to Otho the great who as being by oath devoted came to Rome banisht her new risen Consuls hang'd her Tribuns and mounted her Prefectus urbis Mr. of misrule naked on an Asse crowned and aâ—tended through the city with great derision from thence committed to prision and there executed with exquisite torments And by this means the heat of this defection was so asswag'd that it 967. appeared not for 7 years after but then under the leading of one Cincius flam'd out anew in so furious a sort as it had doubtles fir'd the beast out of alâ— his holds had 974. not his middle head Otho the second hasted into Italy to quench the same who knowing how much it imported to punish exemplarily so dangerous an evill prepared in the Vatican a â—umptuous feast invited therto all the nobility and chief of the City when all were come saluted and set caused forthwith to be proclaim'd that no man on pain of death should either speak or move at any thing that should be seen or heard presently entred armed men and compassed the place â—ound where the guests were whereat whilst every one amazed doubting what this first course meant this middle-head drew forth a paper and whose names were therein written commanded to be drawn from the table and in presence of all there to be slaine The rest were courteously entertained and were as merry as the fear of so cruel a feast would give them leave Ne yet for all this the feaver so left these patients but that 1136. they fell some 162. years after into relapse again but Frederique the first for so was now this head called with the blood of 1000. and the wounds and imprisonment of as many more so branded this Hydra which had been so often headed as it could never after recover head againe but her breath departed and her purpose vanished and appeared no more Ver 32. And this head did put the whole earth in fear and ruled therein and over the dwellers thereof with much labour and it held the government of the world more then all the wings that had been That this head and his fellows have more maintained and advanc'd the rage and blasphemy of the beast then all the fethers that arose before them and made more diligent and cunning inquisition after the blood of Sion then they is it not eternally cronicled in the registers of every particular Nation And therefore they are called the heads of th'eagle and who knoweth not that heads are more able in evil then fethers And the Prophet beheld that this head continued longer held the government of the world more then all the fethers that had been for from the rising of the first fether Julius Caesar to the end and expiration of Momyllus Augustulus the last were not 560 years whereas this head arose in the year 801 and hath already continued above 700 and 90. and yet still continueth and shall till he that now is be taken away Vers 33. And after this I saw and behold this middle head sodenly vanished as did the wings In that the Prophet saw this middle head sodenly vanish as did the wings he signifieth that it shall not be rooted out by force or sword of any but depart quietly and die as it were in bed but yet as the truth fore-saith in the chap. following not without paine meaning that th'Electors shall not choose to the liking of the beast nor the beast consecâ—ate to the liking of them And in this difference this head shall die ne shall this difference be exempted from paine Vers 34. But the two heads remained which also reigned over the earth and over the inhabitants thereof And when the power of this great head which is now so little like a tale thaâ—'s told shal be clean ended yet the fear of th' other two shall still remain and have dominion over the earth those that dwel therein â—ill the fulnesse of their malice and tiranny be accomplisht also which may not long be unfulfild for behold in the very next verse their destruction cometh Vers 35. And I saw and beheld whilst the head on the right side devouâ—ed that which was on the left By the right head is ment as through all this prophecy the strongest so as the Prophet implyeth that the sword of Spaine shall dâ—vide the strength of France that her pride by division made lesse may at the last as every divided Kingdom doth returne to nothing Neither shall the prosperity of this right head
For may Israel dwel safe and the kings of th' East not know it Nay verily they shall arise and Dan. 12. 12. Ezek. 39. come downe like a storme and like a cloud shall cover the earth and compasse round the tents of the Saints and the beloved City till fire descend from God out of Rev. 20. 9. heaven as it is written and devoure them And in those days shall be finished the mistery of God fore-declared to his servants the Prophets and witnessed by the mighty Angel which came down from heaven stood upon the sea and upon the earth and raised up his hand and voice to heaven and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Behold it is come and it is Rev 10. Ezek. 39. done saith the Lord this is the day whereof I have spoken For the hope of which day the stones of Syon dye day by day tho little â—steeming seven thousand deaths in regard of the precious assurance ingraven in their breasts that they shall then and in that day behold the L. that hath so mercifully gathered them from among the Nations That hath so wonderfully preserved them from the sorcery of Babylon which hath destroyed all the earth That daily leadeth them in and out before the scorners the covetous and foolish wise of this world so prudently and so invisibly that they seeing are not seen and living are not known That hath bestowed on them a thousand treasures more then these so secretly as no man suspecteth but they that have them That hath so surely and fully perswaded them that tho they now goe on their way weeping yet they shall then returne againe with joy and bring their sheafes with them and all the earth shall then know which now is hid how much the Lord their Redeemer loved them and night and day shall praise and magnifie the just judgement and mercy of him that â—ath done all these things for them Which day in due time He that is Highest shall manifest to all He that is Prince and Lord above all who onely hath immortalitie and dwelleth in the light which none can attain unto whom no man ever saw nor can see unto whom be all honour and power everlasting Amen Zach. 2. 7. Save thy selfe O Zion thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babel ANd thus my Lord at length I am come a shoar delivered from a dangerous scopulous sea as any is in all the Ocean of the scripture praying if I have made too bold t' impart my voyage to your Lordship you would be pleased to ascribe it to the common humour of Travailers who cannot chuse but tell what adventures they have passed and what wonders they have seen Strange and long were it to tell your Honour all I saw and I fear in respect of your hours I have been too long to tell so much too much doubtlesse in regard of my Pen which is so sad and so uncourtly as were it not for that naturall engraven Noble courtesie wherewith your Honour is beautified above all comparison your Honour might not endure her plaine and carelesse apparition And thus most humbly commending my service to your Honours disposing take a shorter leave then else I would because I am setting forth to sea againe in hope God willing if bread and water fail me not to discover the Revelation and to make knowne to my gracious Soveraigne Princesse that I also among the rest may be bold to speake though I care not to be known FINIS A BREIFE EXPOSITION OF THE XI XII and XIII Chapters of THE REVELATION WHEREIN MOST OF THE GREATEST MYSTERIES conteined in the whole Book are unfolded The Contents are in the next Page LONDON Printed by M Simmons in Alderse-gate-Street 1651. The Contents of these Three CHAPTERS TH' estate of the Primitive Church before her dispersion The Churches first persecution by the Heathen Emperours The Flight of the Church into the Wildernesse The two Witnesses The rising of Antichrist his seven heads and ten hornes The second Beast and his two hornes The practise of Antichrist and his Clergy against the Church The Image of the Beast The Marke of the Beast The Name and Number of the Beast The End of the Beast and destruction of his City The yeare of th' End of the World discovered by th' Author TO His dread and Soveraigne Lord JAMES the first of England Scotland France and Ireland King c. Grace and Peace HOw many there are most Noble King that have aimed at the unfolding of this divine and hidden Prophecy would require the skill and vertue of a Prophet to refer 'T sufficeth to know they have all left the mark very faire and open for others to hit Wherein howsoever their Zeale by priviledge of charity may find excuse yet their ignorance and errour within these cases â—â— no lesse hurtfull to the Reader then dangerous to the Writer may not find the like grace What I have seen or dreamt I feare not to offer to the censure of time the discoverer of error and Mother of truâ—h appointed from above th' only indubitate touch stone of all divine and Propheticall enterprises And although your Highnesse may doubt of my bold and hardy direction in this dangerous and scopulous sea wherein so many great and learned Pilots have overshot the Cape as one that feareth all Physitians for that he hath fallen into the hands of so many unskillfull yet forasmuch as the Church is sicke and the physick of this prophesie needfull I could not chuse but speak the things I know leaving to your Princely gust to iudge whether the Needle of my Compasse bee truer toucht then theirs And for this prophesie was directed chiefly unto Kings unto a King I have the rather presumed to recommend the same and unto You most noble King before all other whofe fame of wisedome Justice and goodnesse hath advanc'd your name and Scepter higher then any power of greatnesse can doe And although it bee presented by one awaked out of time yet if it may find but litle protection under your gracious favour for a season yeares and age I doubt not will give it aâ—â—â—iration and honour enough 〈◊〉 hope of which grace most humbly I reverence your most Princely hands commending all their labours to the God of Heaven who hath exalted your arme so high and made you so honourable throughout his world CHAP. XI 1. The regenerate Christians only are the Church and heritage of God 3. The residue are outcasts and refused 7. Of the two testifiers and preservers of truth 13. Antichrist killeth them but the Lord restoreth them life againe 15. Great dissention ariseth thereupon the day of judgement is foreshewed VERS 1. And there was given me a reed like unto a mete yard and the Angel that stood by me said Rise and measure the Temple of God and the Altar and them that adore therein AS in a common field a good Surveyor doth measureout
of this Revelation are no lesse sooth and true then if he had received them from the Oracle of God which spake from over the Ark of his Testament within the Temple of Jeruâ—alem whose words and answers for their divinity Majesty power and glory are here as elsewhere figured by voyces proper to God and not to man as Fightning thunders earth quakes and haile VERS 2. And a great signe appeared in Heaven a woman cloathed with the Sunne and the Moone under her feet and on her head a Crowne of twelve Starres BUt before the Spirit takes in hand to discover the persecutors of the Church it pleaseth him fiâ—st to describe the Church it selfe that so the barbarous immanitie of her enemies may be more apparent and justly abhorred being used against a creature of such virginall innocent and patient modestie who for her rare and admirable beauty is here called a great signe or heavenly apparition symbolizing her â—earfull modest sober and matron-like behaviour with th' appellation and quality of a woman for so she is in holy Scriptures often called The fairest woman the Kings daughter daughter of Sion daughter of Jerusalem the Spoâ—se of Christ Mother of the just c. And to the end she may the better be discerned of us the Apostle describeth her garments and wearing saying she was cloaâ—hed with the Sunne meaning that she had put on the Lord Jesus Sunne of justice that is to say her Soule was vested with an assurance of the mercy and love of God in Christ Jesus her Lord which justice or justification of the Spouse and her children is called in holy Scripture by way of Metaphor the white stone and the wedding Garment For as a Stoale or Garment covereth the shame and nakednesse of our vile bodies so the mercy and love of God insured us in Christ Jesus our Lord hideth the shame and nakednesse of our sinfull souls And to prove that her Garment was truly woven of the two divine threads to wit the assurance of mercy and the assurance of love in Christ Jesus her Lord the Spirit giveth in for evidence the fruits of this her lively and justificall faith closely hiding her newnesse of life her hatred of sin and her love of God as under a vaile in these words And the Moone under her feete signifying thereby that she had now quite forsaken and forgotten her fathers house that is had slaine her naturall sinfull and wonted affections and was revived and renewed in mind and with her Lord was now risen and ascended up as he into the heaven of heavens so she to a new custome and carriage of life far above and higher then the Moone for all her study and hearts delight was now in heaven where her hope her love her life and her dearest Lord liveth and reigneth God to be praised for ever and ever Amen Last of all the Spirit setteth forth her head-attire whereby her honour and estate was best knowne and wherein she most delighted saying that she wore on her head a Crowne made of a mettall much finer then gold for it was made of the doctrine of the 12. Apostles who for that they are the Lords lights and lanterns to guide the feet of sinners when sin hath benighâ—ed them are here cal'd by the names of Stars And on her head a crowne of twelve Starres VERS 3. And being great with child she cryed travelling and labouring to be delivered ANd by the words which her eares received her heaâ—t conceived and she was great with feare and godly sorrow tâ—avelling under the burden of her sins and restleâ—â—e desire to be reconciled to God which anguish and paines of her sorrowfull heart and broken spâ—rit the Apostle most excellently compareth to the sorrows of a woman in travell In which her spiriâ—uall labour and paine she could by no means be relieved or eased untill her Lord were fashioned in her that is uâ—till her heart were sanctified by faith for no Treacle could hâ—al her miserable wounded soul but the assurance of mercy onely nor any water could quench the burning flaâ—es of her restles desire but the love of God onely insured her in Christ Jesus her Lord and written in the fleshly tables of her heart by the finger of God according to his promise his first and last and everlasting covenant VERS 4. And another signe appeared in heaven for lo a great red Dragon having seven heads and ten hornes and on his heads seven diadems AS night doth follow day and the shadow the body so must the Câ—osse â—olâ—ow Christ and affiction his Church whose Sunne could no sooner shine but the envious man raised up a mighty storme of persecution to cloud the brâ—ghâ—esse of her beautifull beams which for the extraordinary surie thereof the Apostle calleth a wonder or signe meaning the Churches first and primitive persecution raised by Ethâ—ik Rome who for hiâ— power immanitie and malice to the Church of God is here called a great red Dragon and both for that his Throne and City was feated on seven hills as also for that he was in all â—mpietie pride and prophanation the totall sum and epitome as it were of all the seaven Monaâ—chies unto whom from the beginning of time to the end thereof was given and gâ—anted the charter and commission of blaspâ—eming God and corrupting his world as in the 13. Chapter following is more particularly discovered the Apostle addeth Having seven heads And in regard his power did beat downe the power of all Nations and made spoile and purchase of all Kings and Kingdomes on earth the Spirit saith he had ten bornes for the hornes signifie Kings and Kingdomes and the number of ten include all be they never so many as all numbers are made of ten and their reduplication be they never so infinite And because he came to advance his â—ead so high by the power of his sword his Leaders and legions the Spirit crowneth his heads with magnificence and diadems saying And on his heads seven diadems VERS 5. And his taile drew the third part of the Starres of heaven and cast them to the earth And the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered that when she had brought forth he might devoure her Son THe head of this great red Dragon was his Regall first estate governed by Romulus and six other successive King coaâ—s which Seneca calleth his infancy or nonage wherein he lived swathed and nourished in blood 244. years as his owne Historian reporteth The body of this great red Dragon was his Consuls second estate which Seneca calleth his full age part Aristocraticall part Democraticall and was therefore stiled Senatus populusque Romanus from whence partly by reason of his over-weâ—ghâ— and fulsome abundance as one of his owne noteth Romanis laxitas mundi rerum amplitudo damâ—o fuit and partly for want of enemies abroad to wreak their proud and kingly humours on he fell into th'intestine evill of civill wars at home
chair of state as the Spirit noteth saying which had the stroke of the sword and liveth VERS 15. And it was given to him to give spirit to the image of the Beast and that the image of the Beast should speake and should make that whosoever honoured not the image of the Beast be slaine ANd such art and perswasible power was given to those inchanters and apostates of Antichrist that they infused such a quickning spirit such a life giving animation into the Ethnick dead and desolate image of the Dragons religion by guilding it over with the reverend divine and honorable names of God omnipotent Christ Jesus the righteous his holy Spirit his precious blood his sacred word his blessed Sacraments c. that they easily perswaded the blear eyed world to think and beleeve that the execrable forme and image of Jupiters abomination commanded by the Dragon and his Caesars was the very true worship and service of God commanded by the Lamb and his servants and that the picture of Jupiter Olympius which their Lord Epiphanes had set up and placed in Sanctum Sanctorum was the very Ark and propitiâ—tory of God set up and erected by Moses his servant and their abominable mysticall Masse the Sacrifice of an unbloody Messias made of bread of their owne baking which the Patriarks Prophers and Apostles never heard nor dreamed of is a Sacrifice not Eucharisticall but propitiatory and so all sufficient for the atonement and reconciliation of God unto the sinner as if it were figured and sealed in the precious blood of the Lord of the Covenant and that the horrible prophane and detestable supper of Thyestes is the very true holy and comfortable commemoration of the Lords love in giving his life for the children of the Church and their thankfull communion and celebration of the same And by these and such like inchantments these Proctors of Antichrist so baffled and blinded the Princes and Protectors of their synagogues that they inzeal'd them to authorize and erect inquisitions executions and torments against all such as refuse to honour and adore the idol-service and desolation of their Antiochus and that all such as doe but mutter against the magnificence of their Church and her worship which all the world adoreth should be accounted as Infoelix Lolium weeds Lollards Heretiques excommunicates and sonnes of death to the admirable confirmation of the Spirits prediction in this place saying that it was given to him to give such spirit to the image of the Beast that the image of the beast should speake and make that whosoever honoured not the image of the bâ—â—st be slaine VERS 16. And he should make all little and great rich and poore free and bond to have a Character in their right hand or on their fore-heads ANd the power of these prostibulous Clerks was so catholique and universall that they caused all Kingdomes and Nations figured here by a numeration of their estates conditions and callings little great rich poore bond free to confederate and unite themselves by a resolute and determinate purpose of believing and living after the laws and prescriptions of Antichrist which league of voluntary and resolute subjection the Spirit calleth the character of the beast for as unity and love in truth and a resolved purpose to live after the Commandements of God is the Character and cognizance of the Lamb so unity conspiration and banding against the truth with resolution to live after the traditions of Antichrist is the crest and character of the Beast Which profession of obedience was so studiously embraced and with such joy received of all the clients and creatures of Antichâ—ist that the Spirit saâ—th they did no lesse pâ—ide themselves in their errors and abominations then in the wearing of their braceleâ—s and abillements delivering it in manner of speech usuall with holy Scripture when it intendeth to expresse an ardent and hearty affection approved both by word and action by practise and profession as Deut. 6. 8. and 11. 18. where the holy Ghost useth the selfe same phrase in their right hand or on their foreheads VERS 17. And that no man may buy or sell but he that hath the character or the name of the Beast or the number of his name ANd in further proofe that Antichrist and his apostaticall Clergy should drive the Naâ—le of their impâ—ety home to the very head the Spirit saith that by them and meanes of their authority it should be enacted that none should trade or live for so much the inhibition of buying and selling doth inferre but such as acknowledge and adore the prerogative royall religion and discipline of the Beast and his holy Catholique Church for so by a figurative kind of blasphemy she must be called as is confirmed by Antichrist himselfe then named Martin the fift in his Bull directed to the inquisiâ—ors of hereticall pravity for so it pleaseth him to terme the profession of the truth Nec domicilia habeant nec larem foveant nec contractus ineanâ— nec negotiationes mercaturas exerceant nec humanitatis solatia cum Christi fidelibus habeant c. All which their domineering rage or madnesse the holy Ghost by way of prevision most admirably epitomizeth in these words And that no man may buy or sell no one excepted out of the King of Babvlons decree save those onely that carry his signing and flesh-mark in their hands or hearts as Beasts doe in their fells meaning such as under or above boord privately or in publique are obstinately and resolutely devoted to live and dye as the Beast commandeth which the Spirit unfoldeth in saying But he that hath the Character or are oâ—herwise allied as it were by way of cognomination unto Antichrist or his Church Catholique and are hereafter cleped Papists or Catholiques revealed in these words Or the name of the Beast or last of all are sound to adore within the very verge or lists of his reigne and Empire Pontificiall here butted and bounded within the circle and comprehension of these words Or the number of his name of whichmore at large in the verse following VERS 18. Here is wisdome he that hath understanding let him count the number of the Beast for it is the number of a man and his number is six hundred sixty six THe holy Ghost intending to reveale in this verse the secret councell and purpose of God concerning the period and finall end of Antichrist and his Church-dominion prepareth his Reader to attention by a little short Preface intimating that it is the discovery of a mystery and point of high understanding saying Here is wisdome wherein lest we should over-rashly judge as many have done the Spirit maketh choice of his auditors and addeth for a bar not he that will but he that can and hath understanding let him audite and count the number of the Beast He that hath understanding let him count the number of the Beast whom lest we should imagine to be a spirit