connexion may be called occasionall that is when the light of the Gospel with power cometh into the world where sin hath had the dominion and by it mens corruptions begin to be restrained and their liberty in sinning marred corruption and malice in men take occasion thereby to rage as being the more provoked and therefore leaveth no mean unessayed to have that Gospel out of the world which disturbeth their sinfull peace This doth not properly flow from the Gospel but from the devils malice and mens corruptions which are imbittered thereby and now rageth to be disturbed in that dominion and possession which for a long time he hath possessed like a strong man keeping all in peace within his bounds till this stronger come to cast him out This maketh many who lived quietly before light came amongst them to appear quite another thing More particularly we will find these Primitive persecutions to have been raised upon these occasions which went along with the Gospel 1. The Gospel drew men from the old Heathenish way of serving Idols and by force of reason did evidence the nothingnesse of Idolatry and vanity of that worship which was used by these Emperours and almost all the world Upon this Satan took occasion to charge Christians with singularity in taking up a Religion of their own and with pride in counting themselves wiser then their Predecessors and to be insufferable as untractable men who would not follow the rest of the world nay not their own Emperors nor Predecessors in the matter of their Religion but took them to a new way of their own all which was exceedingly heightened by the devil to make Christians and Christianity odious This pretext is frequent 2. A second was The devil striving to make Christianity suspected unto the great men of the world as inconsistent with civil Authority and tending to the ecclipsing and diminishing of temporall greatnesse dominion and power of Kings which was confirmed by these things 1. Ministers freedom in reproving the faults of all and their not sparing nor flattering of any often occasioned the enimity of great men who thought that derogatory to their honour and unbecoming inferiours Therefore to suppresse that often the most faithfull men were persecuted as we see in that instance of Herod in Iohn the Baptist Matth. 14. 2. This suspicion was confirmed by the multiplying of Christians and the mistake of the nature of Christs Kingdom as if His Kingdom had been inconsistent with theirs therefore fearing lest the multiplying of Christians should have tended to the setting up of Christs power and the overturning of theirs they endeavoured to bear them down This made Domitian in a speciall manner to search for and put to death all the naturall kindred of our Lord Jesus lest any of them in the abounding of Christians should have pleaded title to his Kingdom 3. The many slanders that were vented against Christians especially by Magicians Idolatrous Priests Iews Apostate Christians and such like who crying out on them as enemies to mankind and guilty of the vilest sins as of Adultery Incest Drunkeness c. at their meetings and so to be the causes of all the plagues that came upon the world which calumnies are fully refuted by Iustin Martyr Tertullian and Cyprian in their Apologies Wherein these two things are asserted 1. That Christians were innocent of these scandals 2. That it was not the Gospel but the worlds rejecting of the Gospel that brought these judgements on 4. This occasion rose from Christians strictnesse who would not flatter their Emperours by worshipping of them and calling them gods as others did 5. Nothing more was mistaken than Church-men in their exercising of Discipline and censuring of others without dependence on civil Power especially when they exceeded in any particular as that law of Euaristus ordaining that no accusation of a Layâ—man or laick against a Pastor should be admitted This is recorded to have provoked Trajan to persecute all the Christians 3. The failings and practices of some Christians and their unwarrantable carriage made Christians odious in the world especially these 1. The many differences and divisions that were amongst themselves and the many sects contrary to truth and one to another that sprung up with the Gospel and the great bitternesse wherewith these differences were followed 2. Outbreakings of Professors in any grosse sin made all others to be so accounted yea practices of the Saturnians Nicolaitans and other grosse Hereticks though disclaimed by true Christians yet were imputed to them 3. Unfaithfulnesse in some few of them in reference to their trust provoked persecution against all It is particularly recorded that Philip who was the first Christian Emperour his killing of the Emperour Gordianus by which deed he came to the Empire did not only stir up Decius afterward to kill him but also to raise a most hard persecution against all Christians as become odious by that fact Obs. 6. The persecutions of the Church of God are particularly ordered as well as the preaching of the Gospel and the thriving and flourishing of the Church This horse hath a rider that hath his armour and a sword given to him and it is told what he shall do he shall take peace from the earth go so far and no further yea there is a more particular commissionating of this nor the former to point out that there is a particular hand guiding the sufferings of the Church and People of God See it in Ioh how in all the commissions Satan getteth he is straitly bounded and limited If the world rage at Christ and His followers and persecute yet that horse is not without a rider and a bridle and the sword he carrieth is limited it cannot hurt a hair of the head of any but as it is commissionated Mat. 10. The hairs of your head are all numbred Persecution cometh not without a particular Commission more than one is converted without the influence of His Spirit He that guideth the one guideth the other and our Lord Jesus reigneth now as before 7. The restraint mentioned here to take peace from the Earth sheweth that no persecution can marre spiritual and eternall peace they reach but the outward condition as to hurt the name to plunder the goods and to kill the body but can reach no further Ioh. 14.27 Christs peace is given not as the world giveth it uncertainly but surely which should make us esteem the more of it 8. An earthly condition or peace is never settled any trouble may quickly disturbe that 9. The world is much in Gods reverence for their outward peace at one word He can take peace from the earth and turn order into confusion and imbitter the spirits of most familiar friends and near relations one against another Did not He prevent it our life would be soon miserable It is He that we should depend on and acknowledge even in outward things for when He giveth quietnesse who then can make trouble and when He
them which is the shot of all is set down Generally miracles are divided in true and false 1. True are such as exceed naturall or second causes which were proofs of our Lords Deity and sometimes by the power of God are mediately exercised by men 2. False miracles are not only such things as are meer juglings such as possibly were by the Magicians in Egypt but such as though they have some wonderment in them to men who know not the causes which produce these effects yet are really brought about by second means such are spoken of by Christ Matth. 25. and such the Apostle faith shall make Antichrist famous He shall come in the power and after the working of Satan with signs and lying wonders 2 Thess. 2. â— Of this last sort are the Popes miracles and it suiteth well with Antichrist to be stored with miracles of this nature such as the papacy aboundeth with and glorieth in and therefore none needeth to stumble to hear them mentioned The particular pitched on is He maketh fire come down from Heaven It is not needfull to stick to the letter here the scope is clear it is to shew he shall do great signs for confirming his doctrine and power even as Elias did who twice made fire come down from heaven 1 King 18.38 2 King 1.10 So as it were he shall not be behind him That miracle of fire coming down is instanced to shew they shall be great Beside history maketh it clear that often firy visions have been made use of by the Popes for gaining their point as when Stephanus is going to seek help from Pipinus against Astuâ—phus King of the Lombards Anno 751. firy balls are seen reeling and falling in amongst them which he interpretteth as holding forth their ruine and Anno 776. two firy target appear against the Saxons when they are to fight against Charles the great at Herburgh Zâ—charias the Pope in his march against Ravenna hath igneas acies going before him Cent. 9.301 c. Or it may be applied to the firy threatnings and curses by which they thundered and terrified men and a counterfeit assuming of Christs Power and Authority as the two witnesses were really furnished therewith Chap. 11. The scope and effect is he deceiveth the world by these miracles in a word he deludeth them to think him indeed more than ordinary which 2 Thess. 2. is called to believe lies and by these he confirmeth his doctrines and mandats and maketh them passe is uncontroverted and indeed all the Popish miracles tend to confirm invocation of Saints or Angels Transubstantiation Purgatory or some such thing as witnesseth Baronius his frequent mentioning of miracles for this end to confute Hereticks c. and further in the Centuries cap. de miraculis c. This agreeth well to Antichrist in the doctrine and to the Pope in the fact and under miracles and signs would be understood all these stupendious things spoken of amongst the Papists either as done by the Pope himself or by some of his vassals under him yet so as the authorizing of such things dependeth only on him We come to that wherein he deludeth or deceiveth the world which he by his miracles aimeth at its saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast which had the wound by a sword and did live Concerning this image take these advertisements 1. That it is no dead Image but an Empire that can speak and can cause such as would not worship it be killed 2. It is no different power from the two beasts formerly described but the same under a distinct consideration of its rising or of its appearing This Image is the Pope under a civil notion in which respect he is the Image of the former Empire and the effect of his lamb-like appearance in which respect he is the efficient of this effect for this Image of the beast getteth the common worship of all the world with the former in all repetitions afterward Chap. 15.2 and 16.2 and Chap. 14.9 it is alway one the character of the beast and his Image the victory over the beast and his Image are one the judgement on the worshippers of both is the same which can be true of no other but the Antichrist 3. The reason why it is called here the Image is to hold forth the way and steps how the Pope came to an height in temporall things by some resemblance to the old Empire It is not every way the same with the former under this head yet very like Therefore in some respect it is its Image rather than it self and that though both in its power and in its pretext he saith one thing as if he were setting up Peters throne yet really he is doing another to wit making an Image to the old Heathenish superstitious way of worship that was under the former heads Therefore it is said he deceived the world that is that he made them never acquaint with his design or intention of his work which was to erect former Idolatry in worship and tyrannie in his own person but as if he minded the honour of Christ Peter Saints c. and the furtherance of Religion he brought the world to be instrumentall in bringing about this design which when it was accomplished is the Image of the Heathenish Empire for extent of dominion manner of worship cruelty against the Saints c. And therefore when he is brought in v. 14. saying that they should make an image to the beast this is to be understood as the language of the design in it self and not of his expression as is frequent in Scripture In a word by Image is understood the papacies temporall power which is indeed imperiall-like and therefore so expressed by the former type So then in this 14. vers there is 1. the design to make an Image to the beast which was wounded This is called an Image because it was in a great part like it therefore represented as one Monarchy with it yet not every way the same therefore set out by another type also as is said 2. His manner of proceeding in this design is 1. in engageing the men of the world for he could not without them effectuate it 2. The way he engageth them it is saying or perswading which is not to be meaned of expresse saying so but his miracles had such a language with them as to encline and perswade the deluded world to be well content to further such a thing 3. The successe is hinted at in the last words and it did live so it will read revixit or vixit not as if he were describing a present living patern according to which that Image was to be drawn but either he speaketh of the beast as it lived before it received the wound which did then live or as it may be read it was wounded and it did live to wit after his pains taken on the world to heal it
the Church of God which is proposed by way of Question to shew the unanswerablnesse of that reasoning by which He presseth the observing of the former qualifications And certainly these two are not without weighty reasons put together Act. 20.28 and 1 Tim. 4.16 Take heed to thy self and to the Flock and Doctrine But to shew this that who careth not for the one will never natively and naturally care for the other Especially that word which followeth being considered So shalt thou save thy self and those that hear thee intimating that carelesenesse in his own walk may not only marr his own salvation but also the salvation of his Hearers seing these two ordinarily are carried-on joyntly as in this Epistle And can people dispence with this to have only a form of Ordinances not caring whether their Ministers have fruit amongst them or not or that the profit be to many or few and yet there cannot much be expected what ever God may soveraignly do from a man that standeth not in Gods counsel Ier. 23.22 and therefore turneth not many from their iniquity neither can any expect that the Lord will approve that he should be made a steward in His house and an under-father to His Children who yet upon no charitable ground can be accounted a child himself and what confidence can there be that a man not esteemed gracious shall either Christianly carrie in the outward form of Religion or yet keep soundnesse in the Faith and will they not be accessory to these evils who have hazarded so much on them who are not worthy of any such Trust The considering of this as it relateth to a Presbyteries duty will confirm it further We say they ought not whoever call or whatever ones parts be to proceed to admit men to the Ministery without respect to this qualification of holinesse my meaning is noâ— that search in extraordinary wayes should be made for knowing of mens conversion or that infallibility should be expected in this or that any particular evidences in such a measure or degree should be pitched on without which nothing is to be satisfying for there are degrees as was said but because even Schollers are naturally sinful and gifts do not mortifie corruption nor edifie but as they are well improven and seing often by mens profanity good gifts do much hurt in the Church and seing there can be no ground to expect the right improvement of gifts by one not supposed to be gracious Therefore triall would be 1. To clear that he be not profane and that nothing can be charged on him And 2. That there are some things making him look holy-like and giving ground in a discerning charity to esteem so of him that what ever afterward he prove they may have peace in what they have done And lastly that some fit time and way be taken purposely for trying of this This is clear 1. From the many directions that are given to Ministers concerning this one thing in the Epistles of Paul to Timothy and Titus where they are expresly limited in their proceeding to this that he be holy 1 Tim. 3.2 c. and Tit. 1.8 And this holinesse is not only described negatively that he be blamelesse not given to wine c. vers 6. and 7. but positively that he have a good name be sober just holy which sheweth that it consisteth not meerly in negatives 2. It is evident that it is to be tried because even a Deacon also is to be proved 1 Tim. 3.10 which also supponeth that a Minister is much more to be proved and then let him use the office if he be found that is after triall to be blamelesse and so there is a proof to be had of this qualification as of others 3. It appeareth by his excluding of a Novice from this charge vers 6. that is one lately brought in to the faith as not being yet able to bear it or as not being well known what he might prove and there being to us a proportionablnesse and likenesse in some respect betwixt the Novice then they being all accounted Believers and one that seemeth now to professe more seriously than the generality of others it saith he would be of a standing profession that should be admitted to this Charge And 4. That which is Chap. 5.22 Lay hands suddenly on no man c. doth confirm this also and that is not only lest he be not of parts but lest he through untendernesse abuse his parts and thou become guilty as the reason subjoyned cleareth And to meet that objection which one might have to wit It is not rashly done for nothing can be laid to his charge Paul saith some mens sins are at the first obvious but some saith he will follow after and therefore will take time before they be discovered Therefore there is need of warinesse and trial to bring them out as Reverend Mr. Dickson expoundeth the place And can this be so to be slighted in Ministers proceeding which Paul so frequently presseth not only to observe when it is palpable but to search for it where it is not so obvious And if it be so requisite even for a Deacon what will it be for a Minister whose Station leadeth him more immediately to the things of greatest concernment And as the Apostles appointed so practised they Act. 6. Seek ye out men full of the holy Ghost them we will ordain intimating concerning others that they would not ordain them So is the qualification proposed for the Apostle Act. 1. although Iudas in Gods soveraign wisdom had been imployed yet there is an other rule given them to walk by than he taketh to himself they must take one of these who had given best proof of their integrity vers 23. And through all the Epistles when Paul is recommending Ministers there is ever some evidence of their sanctification given whereby he would let us know what weight is truly in that qualification for commending of men for the Ministery and what sort of men others should recommend after him And there are also many reasons which may be gathered from what is said to make Ministers very carefull in this That holinesse be well looked unto in Instruments as they would expect an open door to be set to them by the Lord as he doth here If any should say 1. That this looketh like the way of rigid trying of Church-members and seemeth to favour that conceit Answ. 1. I am not speaking of the manner of proceeding but of the thing what ever way any Judicatory or persons in Christian prudence shall take to satisfie themselves in the particular That I conceive can be regulated by no certain directions for that will be fit in one case which will not be in an other c. 2. Although there be a proving and trying here called-for yet it will not hold as necessary to all members because there is not the like ground nay nor such precepts nor practices for triall of members as
in their tops owning the despised Church and making it known that their Idols which they worshipped had not the absolute and soveraign government of affairs but the God whom the Christians worshipped 3. This judgement falleth especially and in a peculiar way upon the enemies of Christ as the expressions bear But judgements executed by Heathens particularly and especially these brought on by the Goths Vandals c. lay as heavy if not more heavy upon the soundest and best Christians as upon any other 4. The mutation brought on by this judgement is so universall upon all things and so suddain being contained under one seal that it can hardly be paralleled by any particular event of such an invasion and therefore is not to be applied to them Upon these grounds it is why we conceive this seal to differ from the first four in these two 1. The type is not a horse and a rider 1. Because the object is not the same These first four concern the Church immediately this concerneth its enemies 2. Because though the Lord ordereth judgements upon the most wicked men by His providence yet this type holdeth forth judgement in a more boundlesse way without such limitations and restrictions as the former dispensations towards the Church typified by horse and riders with their severall commissions did admit 2. In this seal there is no word of advertisement to come and see as was in the former four The reason is because God sendeth not Ministers unto not alloweth warnings upon His enemies as He doth upon His people To conclude then we say this seal relateth not first to the end of the world Nor 2. to the persecution of the Church under Antichrist And 3. nor to the invasion of the Empire by Goths Vandals c. and other Heathen Nations these invasions were not stated palpably on Christs account as manifestly owning His interest such as this seal importeth It remaineth then to be understood of some singular and extraordinary change on the Romans Empire and its Heathen Emperours whereby it becometh quite another thing persecution put to an end persecuters brought unto judgement and that by such instruments as maintained Christs quarrell against them and with such successe as should extort the acknowledgement thereof from the persecuters themselves All which characters as they are now clearly implied in this seal so will we find them remarkably fulfilled in that great change of the world in the dayes of Constantine the great about the year 310. and afterwards which came immediately upon the back of the last persecution and so agreeth well to the time by which the whole face of the Heathenish Empire was changed and as Heathenish was overturned So that in effect the world became another thing than it was which agreeth well with the type persecuters were visibly punished and taken with their hands hot in the bloud of the Saints and by such instruments as particularly stated the quarrell upon Christs account and therefore carried the crosse in their Ensign many Emperours and great Men were brought to acknowledge Christs hand and indignation against them The Church had freedom from outward persecutions Christianity became in request in the world so that Christians seemed now to enjoy in part the return of the prayers of these that had gone before them All which being so evidently fulfilled in that time and being so agreeable to this type in all its circumstances we conceive that the foretelling of this very event is the main scope of this seal for clearing and confirming whereof we shall adde further these considerations If we consider 1. the usuall manner of the Prophets their expressing of horrible judgements as we observed at the entry it will be agreeable to them and to Iohn who followeth them to understand this of some temporall thing especially upon enemies 2. Consider that it is ordinary in the Scriptures of the New Testament and agreeable to this prophesie to speak of the Romane Empire as of all the world and of things befalling it as of changes and events befalling all the world So Luke 2.1 It is said that Augustus decreed that all the world should be taxed that is all the Empire Rev. 3.10 And therefore it will not be unreasonable to a strict these expressions to changes within this Empire 3. Consider that the change of Religion in the Empire in its Nature Ordinances Customes Ceremonies c. and the bringing in of a different Religion in its room is ordinarily expressed in such terms as hold forth an universall change upon all the world upon Heaven Earth Sun Moon Seas c. as if all were overturned and yet the change is not upon the world in it self but upon Religion if we may speak so in the world because that change hath such alterations with it as if the world became another thing and because Religion being the most precious thing in the world the great and remarkable changes are reckoned accordingly as it goeth with it Hence we will find three eminent changes and periods in respect of Religion spoken of in this Book and all of them in such expressions as bear forth at the first view a totall and universall change upon all the world The first is the change of the world from Heathenish Idolatry to Christianity this change is set out as a new world in this seal because as it were that Heathenish world wherein Heathens bare rule and Idolatry was publickly countenanced and authorized is overturned and another world come in its room This change of the world is from Heathenish to Christian. The second great change of Religion is from the simplicity of Christianity unto the darknesse and doctrines of Antichrist This change under the trumpets is set forth by smiting of the Earth and Seas by darkening of the Sun and Moon c. when the mutation is upon the state of Religion in the world This change is of a Christian world into an Antichristian The third great change is under the vials when Antichrists kingdom again is brought down Chap. 16. It is expressed by a mutation upon the Eearth Sea Sun c. when yet the judgement falleth but on the beast his worshippers and the pendicles and superstitions of his kingdom which may be called the Antichristian world and this mutation is the overturning of the Antichristian and the inbringing of a Christian world again in the place of it And this way being keeped in expressing all the other changes of Religion in the world we may the more warrantably apply this here as is said Only there is this difference the other changes of Religion under the trumpets and vials are brought about by steps under severall trumpets and vials This change is set out by one seal together because that alteration was instantly and universally at one time brought to passe which in the other change is not so sudden 4. The considering of that event more particularly in its severall circumstances doth so fully answer this
about it but with preparation and order which things are certainly mentioned for imitation that these who pray for grace to do Gods will on earth as it is done in heaven may take this as a patern especially such as are instrusted to be Heraulds and do sound His trumpets 1. They are set apart and designed for this office so should Ministers they should look well they be designed for this office and have their calling clear as these seven Angels were separated from others to this work 2. Trumpets are given them that is they are furnished with gifts whomsoever He designeth for an office in His house He furnisheth them and giveth trumpets to all whom He calleth to sound 3. When they have gotten trumpets they will not blow while He command to sound it is not gifts that warrant men to Preach but they must have particular orders when to do it The Word must be taken from his mouth when where and how He shall order it 4. They are prepared advised and warrie in going about the work when they are called to sound Gods giving of gifts and orders to exercise them is not enough except men prepare themselves for the work and be advised and warry in going about it as Paul to Timothy 2 Tim. 1.6 Stir up the gift that is in thee c. 5. They are diligent and faithfull in their execution when they have gotten orders and are prepared although the message be heavy faithfulnesse and diligence is a good property of a Minister of Christ 6. They keep an orderly way of proceeding in discharging their duty every one in their station and not in a confused way so it becometh Ministers and Ministers being resembled to Angels and their giving of warning to the sounding of the trumpet Their office and duty may be thus pointed at here Lastly Sounding of a trumpet implieth distinctnesse 1 Cor. 14. and statelinesse and power in the manner of carrying their commission giving alarm convinceingly and plainly which notably agreeth to Ministers Followeth from the 7. vers and forward their sounding where there is in every trumpet 1. The sounding 2. The effect or consequent of the sounding and that is the judgement that followed 3. The object of the judgement the earth And 4. the extent fruit and effects of the judgement To understand more particularly this prophesie of the trumpets which is an hard place and needeth Gods speciall direction in it which we humbly desire we premit these considerations or observations which may in some things fix us in the opening of it 1. For its beginning rise and close it is cleared before to rise after the breaking of that little peace the Church enjoyed under Constantine and to close at Antichrists begun fall when he is brought to a height and the vials begin to be poured out 2. It is not only contemporary with but hath respect unto the prophesie of the beasts ' Chap. 13. and Chap. 11. vers 7. as also the rise and close of that prophesie of the beasts ' will fall under the same times and marches whereby it appeareth considering also Chap. 7.1 c. and what was said there they do most directly belong to the Church and that in Spirituall trials 3. Consider that the fifth trumpet looketh clearly to Antichrist and his discovery openly as appeareth by comparing vers 4. Chap. 9. with vers 8. Chap. 13. The same persons and by the same mark are keeped from the spirituall hurt of both as also that the sixth trumpet bringeth the Mahometans upon the back of that the Turks being raised as a scourge for the Idolatry of the former which are the first two great woes and the first four are lesser in comparison of these Now this discovery of Antichrist will be about the six hundred year or a little after the first four then must preceed that time and continue the state of the Church from the three hundred or thereby where the seal is closed till that time 4. Consider that the main drift is to discover that defection of the visible Church in declining by steps from purity in Doctrine and simplicity in Worship which endeth in Antichrists height and also consider it as it is penall every step of their sin and defection being in Gods righteous judgement penall including in it some Spirituall plague and carrying alongst with it or on the back of it some temporall judgement on the world and exercise or triall on the Godly especially under Antichrist 5. Consider that it doth not so much point at particulars either of things or persons as to shew the generall state of the Church in these successive times by whatsomever instruments or events of all sorts having influence on her declining and especially as they make way for Antichrists growth by weakening the Church or shaking the Empire which being the main scope is more clearly insisted on in the 11. Chap. and in the vision Chap. 12 13 and 14. therefore may they in part be of a mixed nature as they stand in reference to this scope 6. It is observable That as in all the other changes of periods so in this the overturning of the visible Church is compared to the overturning of the world and plaguing the Earth Sea Rivers Sun Moon c. There are three worlds mentioned which successively are defaced by the three principall prophesies of this Book 1. The heathen world it is overturned together Chap. 6. and under the sixth seal 2. To it succeedeth the Christian world when Religion hath liberty and the countenance of the Romane Authority this is defaced successively under the trumpets by that worlds declining to be Antichristian and by his getting Authority and Power on his side and bringing the Church witnesses and Saints low This Popish or Antichristian world is destroyed under the vials in the the same expressions of Sea Earth c. All which states of the Church in the Empire are compared to different worlds and their overturning or defacing to the changing of the world while it is only the Church or Religion in the world which suffereth change 7. If we will look to the trumpets as the effects follow them and to the vials and their effects There is a great suitablnesse between them in all The first trumpet is on the Earth and so is the first vial poured out on it the second on the Sea the third on the Rivers in both so the fourth on the Sun The fifth trumpet bringeth out Antichrist as on his throne the fifth vial is poured out on the seat or throne of the beast the sixth trumpet louseth the four Angels at Euphrates the vial drieth up that River whereby it appeareth that God destroyeth Antichrist in that same method he grew and cleareth His Church as she was in severall steps darkned obscured and troubled that as Antichrist brought in a new counterfeit Church or World by degrees overturning what was before So shall he be destroyed And therefore as the
consideration described From all which considerations we may gather 1. That each of these trumpets doth not contain the story of an equal time or number of years for the matter contained in any of the last three trumpets will be found to be of longer continuance than all the first four which added to the greatnesse of the matter contained in them may be the reason why they are differenced from the former four as the greater woes 2. It appeareth also that by the fifth and sixth trumpets we are to understand different evils and enemies and so they cannot both be applicable either to Antichrist only or Mahumetans only 3. We may gather also that this Kingdom and Army with the furniture wherewith they are provided and the effects which follow upon their tyranny are not properly to be understood of externall battels and bodily evils but figuratively as representing some great spirituall hurt on the Church and her Ordinances These expressions they are like horses and had breast-plates as it were breast-plates c. whereby they are expresly differenced from the trumpet following wherein expressions that are properly to be understood are used and do intimate this 4. Supposing which afterward from Chap. 11.13 and 17. will be more clear that the Roman Hierarchy complexly taken is the Kingdom of Antichrist and that the deluding of the world by them is the very delusion prophesied of 2 Thess. 2. It will necessarily follow that this Romish Antichristian Kingdom whereby the visible Church hath been long brought in bondage is the very same set forth by this trumpet To come more particularly to the description of this Kingdom for a Kingdom it is as it is set down in the words in its rise and growth we will find it many wayes insisted upon 1. A Star falleth from heaven and becometh earthly upon that again followeth corruption of Doctrine whereupon doth arise a rable of superstitious Church-men whose work is to propagate and support the dominion of their King as his care is to strengthen and increase them there being such mutuall concernment in the standing or falling of each to other Vers. 1. The first particular described is the fountain and great instrument of all this spirituall plague that is I saw a Star fall from heaven unto the earth That by Star is meaned some person the words after do clear To him that is to the Star was given c. That it must be some Church-officer is also clear from Chap. 1.20 from our Lord Jesus His own exposition and considering what power this Star hath in the world it must hold forth some eminent Church-officer By Heaven is understood here as frequently in this Book the visible Church which is the Heaven wherein Christ hath placed Apostles Pastors and Teachers as Stars to give light because the Church is furnished with heavenly priviledges heavenly light of Doctrine and ought to be of heavenly conversation in respect of the rest of the world By Earth is understood earthlinesse or the rest of the world as contradistinguished from the Church which the opposition cleareth and thus Earth signifieth worldly designs worldly grandour corrupt doctrine liker to that of Heathens than that of Christ carnalnesse in conversation and such like for this Earth is something contradistinguished from and opposed to the Heaven formerly mentioned To fall here from heaven unto earth signifieth a declining from the one to the other And so in sum the meaning of this part of the Verse will be I foresaw the defection of some eminent Church-officer who once had pláce in the visible Church from Christian simplicity purity and holinesse in Doctrine and Conversation to a Religion and way of living by superstitions Idolatries and external pomp becoming rather the men of the world and liker their way than a Minister of Christ. By this phrase also I saw a Star fall c. is implied 1. Not only a declining and defection but such a declining as maketh him that was before a Star in Heaven to cease from being considered in that relation and afterward to be accounted as but eminent amongst the men of the world because of their worldly earthly-like Religion and Worship Upon which ground the followers of this Antichristian Kingdom are called Gentiles Chap. 11.2 2. This phrase importeth a visible and palpable step of this defection the Star is not now falling as was in the former Chapter but it is fallen And I saw it fallen saith Iohn implying an observablnesse in it 3. It importeth that after the fall of this Star and defection of this eminent Church-officer he continued still in the account of a Star among the men of the world he is called a Star even after his fall though indeed and in Iohn's account he be but a fallen Star and earthly as having indeed forfeited his former Church-relation The second thing described is the power given unto this fallen Star And to him Was given the keys of the bottomlesse pit Keys signifie in Scripture Authority and Power By the bottomlesse pit is meaned Hell as is unquestionable Chap. 1.18 Christ is said to have the keys of Hell and Death that doth signifie His supream Authority Chap. 13.2 4. the devil is said to have power and to give it to the beast because in Gods secret Wisdom and Justice the execution of His judgements in part is committed to the devil and he is imployed as supream head of the wicked therein and for that cause is said to have a throne and is permitted to rule over the children of disobedience here this Star partaketh of this Authority not as Christ hath it for now being fallen from Heaven he hath lost relation to Him nor in that same degree as the Devil doth but as deputy and leiv-tennant to Him who in Gods secret Justice furnisheth him with this power as from Chap. 13. 2 4. is clear In a word while he was in Heaven he exerced Christs Authority and in that respect had the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven Now being fallen he continueth to exercise Authority and to retain a key but of a quite contrary nature to wit of the bottomlesse pit and to serve another master to wit the devil as the exercise of his Authority tending now to the advancement of ignorance darknesse superstition and Idolatry in the Church and being assisted with the power of Hell for that end for as Christs Ministers are said to have keys from Him and when they warrantably exerce them it is the opening of Heaven So promovers of heresie being Ministers of Satan 2 Cor. 11. though they think it not of whom Antichrist is the chief he hath the key of the pit that is an Authority not allowed by Christ nor from above and the opening of the pit with the key is the putting of that assumed power in execution such is spreading of corrupt Doctrine called therefore doctrines of devils 1 Tim. 4.1 and authorizing men to propagate these without Christs call who are
seditioso liceret Petri sedem invadore he took the Papacie by force for this was the custom that any seditious person might by violence take up Peter's seat And in the life of Sylvester the third Eò enim Pontificatus devenerat ut qui plus largitione ambitione non dico sanctitate vitae doctrinae valeret is tantummodò bonis oppressis rejectis obtineret quem morem utinam aliquando non retinuissent nostra tempora sed hos parum est c. The Papacie was come into this condition that not he who was holiest and most learned but he who gave maniest bribes and was most ambitious obtained it and that only by bearing down and casting at good men which custome I wish our times had not retained but this is little of it c. 2. There is grossenesse in their persons for adultery cruelty devilrie Iohn the 13. omnibus probris ac turpitudinibus à pueritiá contaminatus venationibus siquid temporis à libidinibus supererat magis quam orationibus deditus Hic sceleratissimus in adulterio comprehensus confossus fuit An infamous and vile man even from his infancie what spare time he had from his lusts was spent rather in Hunting than Prayer at length he was stobbed in the very act of Adultery Sylvester 2. malis artibus sedem adeptus Diabolum socutus cui se totum tradidorat eâ lege Diaboli opem obtinuit ut post mortem ejus totus esset Sylvester 2. having got the Papacie by unlawfull wayes gave over himself to the devil and got his help upon that condition that he should be his wholly after death 3. Great cruelty in their poisoning exhumating and beheading after death their predecessors rescinding all their acts So that in Steph. 5. Haec consuetudo invaluit c. See more in Chrystoph 1. Boniface 7. Hildebrand and many others 4. Innumerable schisms some of them reckon 26. decided ordinarily by violence and some of them with two or three Popes continuing many years to say nothing of Iohn the 8. whom Martin and Plat. call a woman who of child birth died in procession From what is said also we may gather 1. That the Kingdom of Antichrist is not fully to be overturned by the Turks but that there remaineth the greatest part undestroyed by that plague upon which afterward the vials are poured forth Chap. 16. God restraining and bounding that destruction for the Churches and Elects sake which He had reserved lurking amongst them 2. We may see the tenaciousnesse of these men in not quiting their Idolatry and repenting of their sins which maketh way for the coming vials under which also it is marked Chap. 16.9 that they repented not but went on in their blasphemies against God 3. It appeareth that the Idolatry and sins mentioned here and the man who continue impenitently in them are not to be understood of the idolatry and sins which the Pagan world is guilty of whom God by this judgement aimeth not to reclaim but such sins as the backslidden Church of Antichrist is guilty of that being the world a third part whereof is destroyed and two parts whereof for a time are spared as is said it being not the rest of men simply but the rest of the men which relate to the visible Church the object of these plagues as contradistinguished from the rest of the world Beside the idolatries murthers c. mentioned here and the men who continue impenitent in them are the same who are plagued by the last wo and last plagues or vials of the wrath of God for it is one continued controversie upon the same account but the men plagued for Idolatry murther fornication c. by the vials are the men who have the mark of the beast Chap. 16.2 charged with the bloud of Saints ibid. vers 6. Yea the seat of the beast untouched by this plague ibid. vers 10. found guilty also of Idolatry sorcery and fornication Chap. 13.1 2 4 5. and Chap. 17.4 5 6 c. Therefore they must be of one and the same Antichristian Church For seing such men under such guilt are found tenacious of the same impiety under the vials although plagued by them Whom can we esteem them to be but the men spoken of here under the same guilt who being spared and yet continuing therein are of new brought unto a reckoning by the Lord neither were it so wonderfull to see Heathens continue in their idolatries after crosses but it is wonderfull to see Christians do so more might have been expected from them 4. Hence we may gather that supposing the former trumpet and Chap. 13.17 to relate to the Romish Church for which the exposition of these places may be considered and finding it true in the event that the Romish Church for a great part thereof is over-run by the Turks yet the seat and as it were a two part of that Kingdom to be spared according to this prophesie I say we may gather that the idolatry sorcery murther c. mentioned here is to be enquired for among them and that it is their worship service and practices which are here so denominated by the Lord. From what is said we suppose it not needfull to adde many reasons why we have applyed this plague to the Turks or Mahometans the consideration of what hath been laid down touching the object nature properties and effects of this sad wo being compared in the event with the rise progresse successe and nature of the Turkish Empire it will be found so evidently to be fulfilled in them as will leave no ground to question it Only let it be observed that we conjoyn the Saracens and Turks together as one for they possesse the same parts of the world did actually continue in one Dominion do follow the same Religion Laws and Customs and do observe the same manner of proceeding in their Wars with the same hatred of and quarrel against Christians c. and seing in the event what is prophesied here is found exactly to be fulfilled in them the considering of this prophesie and the reading of their story doth of it self make the application And considering the great change and destruction that by Mahomâ—ts means hath been made especially in the Christian world it is not like it would be omitted in this prophesie and there will be found no type so suitable nor time so agreeable to it as that of this trumpet This Mahomet lived a little before and about the 650. year a little after Boniface the third had assumed the title of Vniversal Bishop he was an Arabian a subtile fellow and no Christian about the 630. With the help of one Sergius a Nestorian Monk and Ioannes Antiochenus an Arian and some Iews he began to coin his blasphemous Alcoran wherein he endeavoureth a mixture of Paganism Judaism and Christianity but of the grostest kind to wit Arianism and Nestorianism It were long to rehearse all his tenets He called himself the great
said to rise again and their death must be such a death as is consistent with that and with the manner of their rising 3. It is not three years for dayes for 1. no considerable application can be given that agreeth with it That which interveeneth between Charles the fifth his taking and imprisoning the Elector of Saxon and Landgrave of Hessen and Mauritius Duke of Saxon his making him again to flee and the peace which was concluded at Paussow with Ferdinand will in strict account be about five years and odds to wit from April 1547. to August 1552. The third circumstance is vers 10. their exceeding great mirth and jollity which is aggreged from the reason of it in the end of the vers all that dwell on the earth that is all carnall Professors of that antichristian Kingdom for the earth here is opposed to the true Church which is called Heaven shall make such feasts and chearfulnesse and use all signs of joy which men do in their greatest mirth and upon obtaining greatest victories See Esther 9.18 after their delivery and Nehem. 8.10 c. These are the greatest tokens of mirth Let us consider the victory which is the cause These two Prophets that before tormented them now they are rid of them and at ease We shall enquire in the reasons of these 1. Why faithfull Preachers are often a torment and torture to the men of the world who neither can abide their consciences to be stirred their faults touched their designs marred or lusts restrained c. such Moses and Aaron were to Pharaoh the prophet to Ieroboam Elias and Micajah to Ahab and Iezebel Iohn Baptist to Herod c. 2. Why a profane people will be so glad to be rid of honest Ministers and yet well pleased with hirâ—lings Ahab could abide four hundred Prophets of Iezebel but could not endure one Micajab that spoke the truth The world is now swarming with the supporters of Antichrist who live delicately on the fat of the earth uncontrolled yet two poor witnesses of Christ are unsufferable And 3. Why the Lord often upon the back of a begun rise of the Gospel will suffer an exceeding nipping storm to arise against it For the first faithfull Ministers especially in times of declining may be said to torment the earth these six wayes 1. Their word and testimonie hath influence on the conscience when it forcibly discovereth and reproveth the ill which a hearer is guilty of it is said Acts. 7.54 that Stephens free witnessing cut the hearers that were guilty to the heaâ— that is when they cannot get leave to quench all challenges and to sleep on but these witnesses by the power and evidence of the Word and Spirit do condemn their deeds and consequently themselves That galleth them and wanteth not ifluence upon profane consciences though they stop it as Stephens hearers did their ears 2. It tormenteth their will and affection that when they would sleep on and delight themselves in these wayes of their own free preaching marreth their quietnesse even as when Elias cometh to Ahab with this word Hast thou killed and gotten possession and so proceedeth in the threatning 1 King 21. he goeth home sad and all the pleasure that he expected in his new garden evanished so saith the same King of Micajab that he hated him because he never prophesied good to him he was alway thorturing him as Elijah did and as Moses and Aaron did to Pharaoh 3. It tormenteth their corruptions and lighteth upon their Idols by discovering and reproving them and so stirreth up their enimity as Iohn's free preaching did to Herod and Herodias they touch folks sores and that tormenteth them though it be tenderly done yea some good men as Asa 1 King 16.10 have been tormented with this and could not abide it and when enimity and envie are wakened they have a cruell torment as we may see in Haman at Mordecai There is no greater torment to a malignant heart swollen with enimity against the power of Godlinesse in the Godly than to have a faithfull testimonie against it and this pain proceedeth not from any unskilfulnesse and untendernesse in the Minister but from the desperatnesse of their corruption which is like some grievous sore that cannot abide to be cleansed or purged by the most tender Physician 4. It affecteth and tormenteth their credit and pride when their Religion is called superstition idolatry and no Religion they cannot away with that to be called guilty of such and such crimes men in nature and as such cannot digest it and faithfull witnesses must tell them when they go to the left hand yea and to the right also and lift up their voice for that end like a trumpet hence the Pharisees say they will bring this mans bloud upon our heads Acts. 4.5 and that tormenteth them to call the Pope Antichrist and Rome Babylon must be pricking This hath ofen made faithfull Ministers appear untolerable when proud humours disdained to have them meddling with their actions much lesse to condemn them 5. Their testimonie affecteth the ease and outward quietnesse of the world for men naturally love so much Religion as never putteth them to trouble but where faithfull witnessing cometh it will not be content with a form but it casteth their old wayes and bringeth in new as they suppose and that ordinarily meeting with Satans opposition in the world and mens corruption bringeth changes contests wars and judgements for abusing this Word which judgement the witnesses threaten in this sense Ahab calleth Elijah the troubler of Israel 1 King 18.17 And the Apostles are said to turn the world upside down and from this many say it was a good world before but since these Ministers arose there is no peace hence some places of the world yea some Pharisees have more outward peace with formall Ministers yea with Idolatrie than when Christ is preached therefore Christ saith He came not to send peace but a sword and thus the world thinketh if they were quit of some heady Ministers all would be quiet It is no marvell then that worldly men rage at this and that it torment these who have their portion here only 6. Men in darknesse have accesse to their private designs but light crosseth their interest and so tormenteth them for the keeping of a good conscience which Ministers that are faithfull must presse maketh folks inflexible to these crooked ends which the world cannot abide to have obstructed or crossed thus the Prophet that testified against Ieroboam's worship crossed his intent and so marred the securing of the Kingdom to him as Ieroboam thought and this made him hate thâ—t freedom This may in part vexe all sorts but especially it is intolerable to great men who fret to be bounded either in reference to end or midses and cannot abide to be reproved which was in Asa's case formerly hinted we may see it also in the three Children Dan. 3. It galleth the King that a pretext of
doth immediately succeed to that time and that the vials which begin to be powred out upon the Kingdom of the beast do immediately follow this his height and begin the change which doth also evidence that this change must be reckoned from the begun fall of Antichrist and so consequently his height and dominion during these fourty and two moneths must be antecedent to this 2. For its rise we will find it immediately to follow upon the back of the Heathenish persecution under the seals and to be reckoned from the sixth seal as immediately knit to it for this trial of the Church during these fourty and two moneths under and by Antichrist doth begin with the trumpets and immediately succeedeth to the former trial she had by Heathenish persecution Therefore during the sixth seal before the seventh be opened Chap. 7. provision is made against Antichrist by sealing the Elect as it were marking and setting a part some few to be keeped clean from his corruption which sealing being especially against Antichrist and so sollicitously to be gone about before the seventh seal be opened or any of the trumpets found it doth evince this that we are to reckon the beasts rise and so the beginning of these fourty and two moneths from the close of the sixth seal and opening of the seventh or a little before it doth also confirm this that the beast and the number sealed Chap. 7. in reference to him are wholly contemporarie but that sealing contemporateth with the beginning of the seventh seal which succeedeth to the sixth and continueth with the beast to the end of the sixth trumpet as that Learned Author Mede part 2. Synchron 1. doth demonstrate Again the same thing is clear from Chap. 12. for the Churches flying to the wilderness and continuing there for 1260. dayes is the very same trial having the same rise and close with the beasts dominion and the Prophets prophesying in sackcloth Now from vers 6. and 14. being compared with what goeth before we will find that immediately this flying of the Church to the wildernesse is upon the back of the Heathenish persecution and the Dragons waiting to devour her and immediately she getteth civil Authority on her side From which grounds we gather 1. That the close of these fourty and two moneths of Antichrists absolute tyrannie will fall in Anno 1559. or thereby in which year by publick Authority in a Diet of the Empire at Ausburg the liberty of Reformation and Religion was established and the free profession thereof without any prejudice to mens estates or civil priviledges was enacted for though before that time Religion was practised in many places of the Empire and other Kingdoms of the world yet was there immediatly before that so great an eclipse in Germany England and other places that we cannot reckon the witnesses to have ascended to Heaven before this 2. Neither before this time was there publick Authority for the profession of Religion but profession was a crime mens liberty and priviledges were restrained by it the Protestant Princes Commissioners were not admitted to the Councel of the Imperiall Chamber which after that this pacification was concluded by Ferdinand was remeaded Again it is most usuall to count the change of periods in the visible Church by the change of events in the Empire and also to account these from its authoritative conclusions as we will see in the close of the first period of Heathenish persecution and Satans casting from Heaven reckoned Chap. 12. following Beside it is not inconsiderable that about this time Religion was again established in Britain by Queen Elizabeths coming to the Crown Queen Marie having begun her reign Anno 1554. and continuing in it for five years and some odd moneths died the same year Also it was revived in Scotland the year before as it was in France at the entry of Charles the ninth his reign Anno 1560. 2. We gather that the rise of this fourty and two moneths reign is to be reckoned from the year three hundred or thereabout when the Heathenish persecution ceased and liberty was brought to Christianity as was formerly cleared Chap. 6. This upon the former grounds must be acquiesced in for timing the rise of the Churches flight and Antichrists under-hand working whatever objection arise from the application it self as being too soon yet that flight of the Churches being the second period of her condition and succeeding immediately to the first must be contemporated with the trumpets And now having thus fixed its rise and close we may gather the duration thereof which being supposed to be from Anno 300. or thereabout to Anno 1560. or thereabout it will extend in whole to us to 1260. years And although at first we did not think it convincing to build the account of so many years upon the number of so many dayes for the reasons formerly mentioned yet considering that this definit number is five times mentioned under the same exact account though in diverse expressions which seemeth purposly to point out one particular definit number beside others and considering that the event answereth this or cometh neer to it upon the former suppositions We think in this place it is not unsafe to account dayes for years seing by the former characters of its rise and close it is indeed found to comprehend so many years And although at first as is said we durst not lay the weight of this simply upon the number of dayes yet being expounded materially by these foresaid characters to signifie so many years as that is more plainly interpreted Ezek. 4. we think it is not unsafe to yeeld to the light of the former reasons in this beyond what at the entry we were convinced of that the time is definit here as also in any other place where the like grounds can be given from the Text for demonstrating of the time without laying the weight upon the particular number alone There are two objections to be removed Object 1. That this reckoning seemeth to begin the Kingdom of Antichrist too soon while the Church enjoyed great outward liberty and much purity also And therefore it cannot be said that she was tread upon or did flee while she continued to be in so good a condition Answ. This objection doth not arise from the Text but from the seeming difference of the event in the application and if it appear by the series of this prophesie that the Church is no sooner delivered from Heathenish persecution but she fleeth to the wildernesse and hath wings given her for that end There is no seeming reason can have weight against that 2. In the Scripture periods of time are counted from the main or last part of them as when it is said to Abraham Gen. 15.13 four hundred years thy children shall be strangers in a land that is not theirs and shall be afflicted four hundred years yet being compared with other Scriptures we will that the continuance of the children of
Israel in Egypt was not so long beside that for a time while Ioseph lived they were not afflicted but well entertained 3. It is often the manner of reckoning used especially in this Book to reckon a whole period of the Churches estate from what is most predominant in it as for instance three great periods of the visible Church are reckoned successively to each other in this Book The first under the seals is reckoned a time of persecution under Heathens and the Church Chap. 13. is said to travell all that time although there were many and considerable long intervalls of peace Again under the vials Christ and His Saints are said to reign although Antichrists Kingdom and profanity continue long very high in the world yet is it called the time of his reigning and of Antichrists down-coming because from the beginning of that period it tendeth to that scope so here the first six trumpets being accounted one period and Antichrists tyrannie being the most prevalent event under them and his rise being long working under ground before it came to a height even from the Churches first outward peace if not before we conceive upon these grounds it is not unsuitable to Scripture or this Book to reckon Antichrists rise from the beginning of that period wherein he riseth cometh to his height and reigneth which is during the prophesie of the trumpets For this also more may be seen Chap. 12. and 13. The second Object is That even according to this reckoning there will not be found 1260. years seing Constantin's publick peace will be about the year 310. and it would seem that some years would be allowed for the witnesses killing that followeth after the 1260. dayes and goeth before the settling of Religion by Authority which is their lifting up to Heaven For Answer we say 1. It will not be unsuitable to comprehend the witnesses killing within the 1260. dayes for it being the lowest step of their sackcloth and the highest step of the beasts tyrannie or at least of his successe against them it may well come in as the consummating of their trial and last act of his absolute supream tyrannie and it must be so otherwise Antichrist will reign longer than fourty and two moneths if he kill them not for that time Therefore some render these words when they shall be about to finish their testimonie and go off the stage then he shall kill them which agreeth well with the Greek 2. If Antichrists rise should be reckoned during the sixth seal and so supposed to preceed a little the first trumpet that giveth the allarm upon his approaching appearance the odds will not be so considerable as to mar this calculation though by the number of eight or ten years of so many it doth not jump especially if we consider that the Scripture in the reckoning of years striketh not so upon the particular time but taketh some definit number neer unto it as if we will compare Gen. 15.13 and Exel 12.41 Acts 7.6 Gal. 3.17 In some of these places the reckoning is 400. years in others 430. Beside however they be reckoned the beginning of them must preceed either the Israelits coming to Egypt or their afflicted condition in it seing Gal. 3.17 these 430. years are reckoned to interveen between Gods Covenanting with Abraham long before his posterity came to Egypt and the giving of the Law after their deliverance from it However if the periods of its rise and close hold there is the lesse cause to differ in the particular account of the years For verifying the event according to this exposition given these things are to be made out that the Pope whom we take to be Antichrist hath tread upon the Church and that his followers have possessed the title of the visible Church during that time which we may the lesse insist in because it is gloried in and boasted of by his followers and as Bellarm. alleageth lib. 3. de pontif cap. 2. before the Pope was pointed at as Antichrist by us he universally flourished but since that time did never grow but decrease and lost many Kingdoms reckoned there by him Beside it is evident from story that though Antichrists height be not reckoned so far up yet that he came to tread all under his feet during that period experience through the world can bear witnesse thereof The second thing will not need much clearing either to wit that the true Church was few and in a great part latent and where it was discerned ever persecuted That which especially is to be made out is 1. That though they were few yet was there ever some Church and witnesses keeped pure from Antichrists abominations untill Reformation was restored in the Christian world And 2. that about that time of the Reformations springing up the Professors and Witnesses of this Truth were brought exceeding low for a short time to their exceeding great contempt before the world and to the exceeding great joy and insulting of the Popish party which yet continued not long but ended with a more full authoritative settling of Religion than formerly it had The first to wit that there was still a Church and witnesses during Antichrists height may appear from these considerations 1. If we consider the particular catalogue of witnesses which God raised up one after another to witnesse against the corruptions of that time whose names and testimonies are particularly recorded by severall Writers particularly Illyricus catolog testium veritatis Cent. Magdebur Foxe book of Martyrs Alstedii chronologia testium Usheru◠de successione Ecclesiarum Christianarum and sundry others And if so much be known we may gather much more indeed to be considering the darknesse of these times and the great propension there was to suppresse all that tended there away 2. It is made out by Master Foxe White in his Way to the true Church Iewel Usher and others that Britain received not the Gospel from Rome and that in England there hath been alwayes some opposing his errors untill the time of Reformation came 3. This may appear by the confession of adversaries They grant that the Calvinists now are the same called Waldenses and Berengarians before but these they say have been ever most dangerous to the Church of Rome 1. Because it is of longest continuance being from the time of Sylvester who lived in Constantine the great his time yea from the time of the Apostles themselves say some of them 2. Because it was more universal and almost in all the earth 3. Because it hath a great shew of piety having a good life before men and believing all things well concerning God being only blasphemers of the Church of Rome as Reinerius contra Haereticos cap. 4. affirmeth Inter omnes sectas quae sunt aut fuerunt non est periculosior Ecclesiae Dei quam pauperum de Lugduno tribu◠de causis 1. Quia diuturnior quidam dicunt quod dur averit à tempore Sylvestri quidam dicunt
the Ravens when he durst not be seen in Israel 2. This that she is nourished holdeth forth the Lords kind manner of communicating this provision to His Church in her strait so that although she be not feasted as sometimes a stranger will do another yet doth He nourish her as a Mother or Nurse do their sucking childe 3. It implieth the Lords continuing of Ministers with her during that time who should be for number and qualifications fitted for feeding of her Therfore vers 6. it is said that she hath a place prepared of God where they should feed her c. that is the Prophets mentioned in the former Chapter 4. The time of her stay is for a time and times and half a time that is the same with what was mentioned vers 6. and Chap. 11. and in the following Chapter It is here repeated 1. to shew the certainty of this event 2. To shew that it is the same with that mentioned vers 6. and contemporary with these of the same extent Chap. 11. and 13. And 3. it is mentioned in these words with allusion to that of Daniel 7.25 wherein the tyrannie of Antiochus over the Church of the Iews is expressed almost in the same terms a time that is one year times that is two years and the dividing of a time there sheweth some odd number of dayes but here being half a time it is to make it agreeable with the other reckonings of fourty two moneths three years and an half c. In sum it is to shew that while her Prophets prophesie in sackcloth and Antichrist possesseth the utter Court she is to be in the wildernesse 5. The end of this fleeing is from the face of the Serpent that is to be preserved from his fury and rage as if she had been convoyed out of sight To apply this of the Churches fleeing more particularly 1. We will find it the same thing and belonging to the same time with that sealing mentioned Chap. 7. and that measuring that is described in the former Chapter both which shew a low condition of the Church in respect of the paucity of Professors her latentnesse and inconspicuousnesse as to the former beauty and visible protection and the respect protection and carefulnesse that is upon the Lords side in reference to these few Therefore 2. by this fleeing of the womans we are not to understand any locall mutation of the Church but a disappearing of the true Church in respect of what she was for the sealed ones continue under the storm with the rest and are preserved from that hurt Chap. 9.4 not by any locall transmigration from one place to another but by Gods secret protection and sealing and the Temple standeth where it was even when it was measured by for the Lord Chap. 11.1 although by the addition of humane inventions superstitions and ceremonies and especially by the swarmes of locusts mentioned Chap. 9. who were so numerous in the outter Court that the Temple and these few in it who yet retained the true Altar were scarce discernable and that field of the Church which was pleasant before by their corruption is made like unto a wildernesse as to the spirituall beauty which formerly she enjoyed and thus the Church is said to flee when by Antichrists fitting down on her and overspreading her she doth not appear as formerly but he and his followers who tread the outter Court are seen to fill the room where she was And thus even Papists expound and apply this place as we hinted at in the former Chapter illustrating it thus that as now in England the Church say they may be said to be fled to the wildernesse because that conspicuous Catholick Church which was once in her it is obscured by the overspreading of Hereticks as they called them although there be yet within the same bounds a number of true Catholicks who remain a part of the true Church so say they the Churches generall flight under Antichrist is to be conceived to be her generall obscuring by the numerousnesse of his followers whileas there shall be still even in these severall bounds over which he governeth such a number of true Catholicks as shall still make up a true Church And this we conceive being rightly applied to the corruption of the true Antichrist is the very same thing mentioned here 3. This inconspicuousnesse and latencie iâ— not any change on the persons who continue Professors of the true Church as Papists absurdly impute to us but here the devils design being against the purity of Ordinances and the Church as considered complexly as a Woman and Mother it is in that respect that she is said especially to flee because that although the persons continue still visible yet the former purity of Ordinances Truths of the Gospel and simple way of Church communion which formerly made her conspicuous is now made exceeding undiscernable and she in that respect is made as it were to flee so that now partly through the multitude of corruptions superstitions c. that infect the Church and partly through the fear of Professors and hazard that there is openly to disown these it becometh exceeding difficult to discern purity of Doctrine and the simple way of Worship and these who sincerely adhere thereto although such indeed continue still to be free from the corruptions of Doctrine superstitiousnesse of Worship and these who were infected therewith but these lâ—st become so predominant over the face of the Christian world that the former is conceived to be removed and all are accounted to be of this one corrupt way the harmonie therein is so generall And what the Papists plead-for in the pretended universality of the Romish Catholick Religion is from this found to be in a great part truth and to be acknowledged so it being the very fulfilling of this prophesie 4. We are not to conceive that these who obscure the beauty of the Church and are said to possesse the outter Court are indeed persons simply extrinsick to the visible Church but extrinsick as to the corruptions stealing in and infecting the generality of the Members of the visible Church by whom the Ordinances of Doctrine Worship and Government are corrupted which again have influence upon the corrupting of her Members this fleeing then of the Womans is an inward infection whereby her former Church-state is quite altered and turned to be another thing as if she were not in the same place where she was even as under the Law it is said of the Iews that by their whoring from God and defections the holy flesh passed from them Ier. 11.15 when they were and appeared to be unsuitable to their federall relation to God although they keeped still the pretext thereof so here the Church is said to flee from the generality of these that professe Christianity when they become by their corruptions unsuitable to it even although they pretend still to a profession thereof it being as inconsistent with the
1. That Rome recovered and preserved dominion and grandour only by the Popes means witnesse 1. that passage out of Steuchus De donatione Constantini Eversâ— imperio nisi Deus restituisset pontificatum futurum erat ut Roma nullo tempore excitata ac restituta inhabitabilis posthac foedissima boum porcorumque fistura esset habitatio at in pontifiâ—atu etsi non illa veteris imperii magnitudo species certè non dissimilis longâ— renata est qua gentes omnes haud secus ab ortu occasu Romanum pontificem venerantur quam omnes nationes olim Imperatoribus obtemperabant Et paulo post An â—â—n omnia quae Rome quondam prâ—fanaerant sacra effecta sunt quemadmodum omnia templa deorum facta sunt Ecclesia sanctorum ritus item profani coeparunt esse ritus sacri Nonne Pantheon templum omnium idolorum effectum est templum beatae virginis secundum alios omnium divarum Nonne in Vaticano templum Apollinis ubi condita erant corpora Apostolorum conversum in Ecclesiam ipsorum Apostolorum ut superius demonstratum est c. That is to say The Empire being overturned if God had not restored the pontificate or papacy it had come to passe that Rome at no time being raised up and restored afterward being unhabitable had become a most vile stable of Cowes and Swine But in the pontificate or papacy although not that greatnesse of the ancient Empire yet surely the appearance of it not much unlike was brought forth again whereby all Nations from the East to the West do adore the Roman Pontife or Pope no otherwayes than of old all Nations did obey the Emperours And a little after are not all things which at Rome of old were profane or common made holy as all the Temples of the gods were made Churches of Saints also their profane rites began to be holy rites was not the Pantheon that Temple of all Idols made the Temple of the blessed Virgin according to others of all Saints Was not the Temple of Apollo in the Vaticane where were buried the bodies of the Apostles turned into the Church of the Apostles themselves as was demonstrated above c. These are a Popish writers expressions defending Constantines donation And in this sense it may well be called the Image of the head that went before Add to this some passages cited by Bellarmine lib. 3. de Pont. cap. 21. The first out of Leo Magnus Serm. 1. de natali Apostolorum Per sacram D. Petri sedem Caput orbis effecta Roma latius praesides religione divinâ quam dominatione terrenâ quamvis enim multis aucta victoriis Ius imperii tui terra marique protuleris minus tamen est quod tibi bellicus labor subdidit quam quod pax Christiana subjecit That is By the holy Sea of S. Peter O Rome thou being made the head of the world commandest further by divine Religion than earthly domination for albeit being augmented by many victories thou hast extended the power of the Empire both by Sea and Land yet it is lesse that which the labour of war hath subdued to thee than that which Christian Peace hath brought in subjection The other passage is out of Prosper lib. de ingratis cap. 2. Sedes Roma Petri quae pastoralis honoris Facta caput mundo quicquid non possidet armis Religione tenet That is to say Rome the Sea of Peter which is made to the world the head of pastorall honour whatever it doth not possesse by armes it holdeth out by Religion Also that passage cited by Forbesse out of lib. 2. de vocatione gentium cap. 16. Roma per sacerdotii principatum amplior facta est arce religionis quam solio potestatis That is Rome through the dominion of the priesthood or papacy is made larger by the castle of Religion than by the throne of power From which passages it is clear that Rome before the papacies height was really short as wounded in respect of what formerly it was and also that what pomp Rome now enjoyeth and what dominion it hath it hath by vertue of the Popes supremacy Let us add further some passages more 1. Out of Socrates lib. 7. cap. 11. who speaking of the violence of Celestinus who was Bishop of Rome saith that he in exercising his power as also the Bishops of Alexandria had gone Iamdudum extra fines sacerdotii in principatum saecularem that is long since without the bounds of the priestly office into the secular dominion And if it be true what is commonly asserted by Papists concerning the donation of Constantine whereby he gave Rome and the parts about it to the Popes to be possessed by them as the patrimony of Peter and that therefore purposly he left Rome to the Pope upon that account thinking it fit c. Ideo autem par esse censulmus ut nostrum imperium imperiique potentiam in orientem transferemus c. quod ubi est principale sacerdotium caput Christianae religionis datum à Rege coelorum non est aequum ut terrenus Imperator illic potestatem habeat That is Therefore we judged it fit to translate our Empire and the power of it into the East c. because where the chief priesthood or Papacy and the head of Christian Religion is appointed to be by the King of Heaven it is not right that an earthly Emperour should there have power Which donation is more largely set down by Balsamon pag. 88. and is generally owned by them with all the other contents thereof Agreeable to this it is which Baronius asserteth Anno 312. num 80. of Constantine's giving the emperiall palace to Melchiades the Bishop of Rome and what is afterward recorded by him to be conferred as peices of dignity by that same Emperour upon them Anno 324. num 79. that Constantine would not suffer the prime Priests of the Christians to be exceeded in glory by the heathen Priests who were ever adversaries to Christianity And these priviledges are reckoned by him thus Haec erant privilegia quibus templorum sacerdotes à majoribus traditis fruerentur inter eos eminebat sacrorum Rex qui in conviviis super omnes excubare solebat erat Pontifex maximus arbiter humanarum atque divinarum rerum omnium quod breviter narratum habes ex Festo Quanta autem potestas in Augure qui comitia irrita reddere abdicare etiam consules magistratu valeret quae paulo ante recitavimus ex Cicerone declarant Vetitum iis erat ait Plutarchus equo vehi sed uti carpento pro amplissimâ dignitate soliti erant Sacerdotum peculiaris mos quod affirmat Tacitus erat carpento capitolium ingredi sic videas Romanos pontifices quod tradit Ammianus per urbem carrucis vehi procedunt inquit vehiculis insedentes circumspectè vestiti sed magna illa dignitas esse videbatur quod ut idem ait nunquam pileum insigne flaminum
to exercise His power for comfort to His people and terror to His enemies And so the effect agreeth to this There was no man that was able to enter into the Temple till the seven plagues were fulfilled which sheweth the degree or measure of that glory of Gods appearing It was extraordinary as was in these times Exod. 40. and 1 King 8. before mentioned it is not to be understood as if none now were in the Temple the Church hath her own indwellers then but that amongst them without against whom these plagues were directed none of them or few of them got Repentance to flee in for making peace with God in Christ. But these plagues being against obstinate contemners of the light of the Word now such a spiritual smoke of ignorance and hardnesse of heart was on them and possibly of darknesse and contention in the Church so that through Gods judgement on them they fretted under these plagues and perished but repented not as we will see particularly observed Chap. 16. or none could enter c. that is God would admit none to make intercession for preventing these plagues as Moses and the Priests in such cases entered the Tabernacle to intercede untill the wrath threatened was executed and so none could enter till then will be this they could never enter for that purpose as the word is taken 2 Sam. 6. vers last LECTURE I. CHAP. XVI Vers. 1. ANd I heard a great voice out of the Temple saying to the seven Angels Go your wayes and poure out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth 2. And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast and upon them which worshipped his image IN this 16. Chapter is prosecuted the execution of these last plagues from vers 2. In the 1. vers there is the last step of preparation for it by commissionating these Angels who were instruments presently to fall about it The voice seemeth to be Christs called a great voice out of the Temple partly to shew Authority in Him that calleth partly to shew His earnestnesse in the thing He calleth unto Whether this be immediately from Christ or mediately by His Ministers in His Church which is most like it is all one seing it is Christs Word and hath his warrand The commission is limited to poure them out on the earth that is such a part of the world as is contradistinguished from the Church which is called heaven for afterward some are poured on the Sea some in the Air c. for though the antichristian world be a compleat world in it self yet being compared with the Church it is but the earth Out of the Temple because there of old God gave Oracles it is in allusion to that Before we speak particularly of these vials we shall premit some generall considerations usefull for understanding of them or some generall observations concerning them 1. As all these vials speak wrath and the last wrath so do they all speak wrath principally against the beast as the object of it with his kingdom and followers as these who have his name mark character c. The first vial is poured on the earth of that kingdom and of the second 5. and 7. it is clear His wrath is perfected against the whore by these therefore that Song Chap. 18. and 19. is as the result of these judgements for they are such judgements as are not common to others but peculiarly affect Him and His. Therefore in the fourth vial it is said the men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 particularly relating to men mentioned before to wit these that were marked with his mark which will afterward be more clear Yet let this have three caveats 1. The Church wanteth not her exercises even in the time of these vials as was clear from Chap. 14.11 she hath her enemies and battels there but they all end in and tend to her inlargement in the close 2. Though they aim principally at Antichrist as the chief enemie yet other enemies do not escape unpunished but are made sharers in the judgement also under them especially in the 6. and 7. vials which are more generall as will appear and take in moe enemies 3. It is not to be understood that they so carry on the beasts ruine as that it is alway sensible he still sighteth and may have his own seeming advantages to harden him as if he might recover which yet shall never be but by this God hath the more glory in renewing his battels against him as He had against â—â—â—raoh by multiplying his judgements against him unto which there is an allusion here 2. It would be Observed that the kingdom of the beast when it is spoken of as the object of these judgements is spoken of as a world having a Heaven Earth Sea Rivers Sun c. as parts of it even as it was observed before in the destruction of the Heathen world in the sixth seal Chap. 6. and of the Christian world Chap. 8. Which observation is usefull 1. To help us to find out what thing in Popery or in that dominion is meaned by some analogie from Earth Sea c. in the naturall body and frame of the world to such things made use of in that antichristian world which in that respect are Earth Sea c. to it 2. It is usefull to let us see what weight Religion and its change hath upon a people it maketh it appear as another world and therefore the speciall changes in all these three periods are to be sought in the change that is on the outward frame and face of Religion 3. It is usefull for clearing one thing by another as what was Sea in the Christian world will help to shew what supplieth that room in the antichristian c. 3. Observe that in these vials respect is sundry times had in the expression of the effects to the plagues of Egypt Exod. 6.7 8. yet so that as Romish Babylon is spiritually called Egypt and Sodom Chap. 11. So these effects are not litterally but spiritually to be understood at least in a great part 4. Take this consideration also that as Antichrist hath a double notion and consideration Chap. 13. as Civil or Ecclesiasticall So these parts of him Rivers Sun c. and the effects on them may have that twofold consideration some of them on his temporall grandour bringing temporall plagues some of them on his Ecclesiastick frame by spirituall judgements overturning that therefore is it that some of them are certainly spiritually others literally 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be understood some of them have respect to both as we will see 5. Observe that in the order of the pouring forth of these vials there is a speciall likenesse and reference to that same order and method which was followed in the trumpets Chap. 8. The first vial is on the earth as the
first trumpet and so it is with the rest but as the worlds are different so are the effects This letteth us see First that as we are to look on Antichrists fall by the vials so we are to look to his rise under the trumpets seing the Spirit holdeth forth in these two 1. a suitablenesse and equality in Gods justice bringing him down as he rose 2. a spreading and counterfeiting nature in his errors making a whole body as it were a world in opposition to Christs world before Secondly it helpeth by comparing the trumpets and vials together to win at some clearnesse in the effects threatened And 3. that the ruine is as certain as the rise of the beast and is the three last woes in the trumpets were greatest so are the three last vials 6. Consider the time to which these vials relate and although it be not easie or possible to determine the distance of time between them or the precise beginning of every one of them yet may something be laid as certain for the rise and close of this vision in generall◠which in short we take to be that same of the seventh trumpets sounding Chap. 11. after the begun change of Reformation especially when Reformation and Religion came to be established by civil Authority which will be about Anno 1560. as was then more fully cleared this is after the beasts kingdom is discovered and a change and decay in his grandour begun The pouring out of the seventh vial cleareth that the close is the consummating of Gods wrath as their titles bear Chap. 15. vers 2. and so endeth with time 7. Concerning the instruments called Angels Observe That though one Angel only be named to every one yet it will not exclude moe agents but that God though He make use of men Ministers or Magistrates both having hand therein Chap. 14. compared with 17. yet He hath it over-ruled by Angels that it be not disappointed and that it should not fail 8. Observe That though there be order in the rise of these judgements and all are not poured out together yet as in the seals and trumpets so here it will not follow that the former judgement is ended before another come but that there is an order in rising yet the first and second plague which are the effects of the first two vials they go alongst to the end and have but these new plagues superadded to them To come nearer there are two things in all these vials observable 1. The object plagued or that whereon the vial is poured which is 〈◊〉 it were the cause 2. The effect following to wit the affecting or plaguing that object whether that be primary or secundary for one plague may have sundry effects following upon or going alongst with one another Concerning which take these rules 1. That the object denoteth some speciall part of the antichristian frame or fabrick of his kingdom complexly taken The judgement is primarily there the effect again reflecteth on the persons who are supporters of that Kingdom and affecteth them as the Earth Sea Sun Seat c. is still somewhat of that antichristian state which being affected affecteth his worshippers as the bringing down of a house hazardeth these that are in it or somewhat wrong in a ship these who sail in her 2. That this thing plagued or on which the vial is poured cannot be any thing meerly active in this judgement as for instance by the Sun under the fourth vial cannot be meaned here the Scriptures because they as such are not proper parts of the antichristian frame but some other thing accounted Scripture as to them Nor doth the affecting of the Scriptures by any violent handling of them grieve them who are excessive in that but it must be something that can suffer by these vials the suffering whereof may have such suitable effects on the subjects of that Kingdom as the rejecting of their traditions may probably grieve the abettors of them 3. In application either of the things plagued or of their effects to particulars speciall respect would be had to these three or four things 1. to the analogie between such a thing suppose the earth in the naturall world and what is called earth in this antichristian universe that by the similitude of the one to the other somewhat may be gathered 2. What is applied would suit well with the effect for one of them hath influence on the other and a suitablenesse to the other as such a cause may have upon such an effect 3. That there be an agreeance and resemblance with these same things mentioned under the trumpets the one to wit earth here being to this antichristian world in place of that which was earth there to the Christian world 4. Special respect would be had to the story of events so far as they are already fulfilled for some length certainly they are fulfilled that the application may agree with the series of the event which otherwise cannot be sure To come particularly then to the first vial according to these rules the object of that plague is the earth 2. The effect is a grievous and noisome sore fell upon the men who had the beasts mark and worshipped his image By the earth is understood that which is most firm it is the most firm part of the universe Psal. 104. the earth He established c. and most essentiall and necessary for entertaining of life By the earth of the antichristian world then we understand such Doctrines as they lay for surest and upon which all the rest stand and without which that building cannot stand and be a world such as it is more than this world without the earth Such is the Popes Supremacy absolute to dispose of all things as he pleaseth and others mentioned Chap. 13. as characteristicall to him Hence did we expound the earth Chap. 8. to be the fundamentall Doctrines of the Christian Religion The pouring the viall on this is the discovering the unsoundnesse of such grounds the rejecting and abhorring them in practice and mens betaking themselves to more solid and better principles to walk by especially when done by publickly authorized preaching The effects suit with this 1. These plagued are such as are inslaved to the beast and stood and fell with him in the largest extent of his tenents and Doctrines 2. The plague it self is a boyl and sore but such as is occasioned by the former discovery alluding to the plague Exod. 9.8.11 of boyls especially on the Magicians Hereby is holden out a plague 1. painfull 2. shamefull and loathsome before others by which may be understood that inward envie and fretting and outward contempt and shame that fell on all Antichrists devouted slaves when God brought to light the vanity blasphemy and hypocrisie of their devised Religion and tyranny whereby the world had long been deluded They now come to be accounted as unsavory salt and false Teachers who once swayed all In sum this saith that
her as now under the last head And he beginneth at the beast because we know by this who that whore is by knowing who supporteth her The woman being spoken of last We come to the first thing followed vers 8. to wit the description of the beast in generall under the notion of his last head for Iohn in a prophetical vision getteth a sight of this backslidden Church and the Empire or dominion that supported her as she is a whore for that is in the words vers 8. The beast thou sawest Now the beast he saw was that which supported the whore called vers 11. the eighth head pointing at the last state of this Empire So this answereth a seeming contradiction how this beast can be said not to be and yet to be vers 8. for it is not to be understood simply that it is not for in the end of the verse it is said It yet is which maketh the wonder the more and vers 10. there was one King head to that beast even in that time but the opposition is to be understood in some respect that is it was formerly a large Empire but is not the Empire under that Government and form which is here intended in that respect it is but to come which is verified in the state of this beast which Iohn saw and the Angel describeth More particularly this beast is described in a threefold respect 1. as to the time past it was that is this is an Empire which is not now to begin simply but long hath had dominion in the world though differing from this under the last consideration for 1. It was under Kings Consuls Emperours and other lawfull civil Governours this ascendeth from the pit 2. It was a civil Government governing by power and force of Arms now it s Ecclesiastick bearing rule by Religion and pretext of Christs horns 3. It was openly heathenish and idolatrous avowedly persecuting Christians now it is not so a pretended Christian but really idolatrous and an enemie to all true Christians 2. It is described in respect of the present time It is not that is in respect of this last state which was coming and is opposed to all the former in that respect it is not come as it was to be antichristian and as the Roman city is not yet an whore So this Government which is the last of that beast is not now in the world because it is under the seventh head and the sixth was then vers 10. for though the mysterie of iniquity began to work very soon yet this birth was not then brought forth So it is in vain to seek this beast amongst the formes then existing though that same Empire was in other respects in being even then Here also it would be adverted That this was and is not looketh to Iohns time and is to be made a truth then as the word in the future but shall arise cleareth But was and is not in the end of the verse looketh to the time after his rising and becoming the object of the earths admiration which is the cursed priviledge of the last head that then was to arise from the pit 3. It is described in reference to the time to come and or but as often shall arise though he be not yet come yet he shall come and because there was most difficulty to know him that was to come and it is most concerning also to Gods people That future state is set out also in a further description in these four 1. in his rise He shall ascend out of the bottomlesse pit where two things are insinuated 1. Concerning his nature and kind 2. Concerning his order or manner of rising By his originall from the bottomlesse pit We understand the same thing as Chap. 9. of his being Angel of the bottomlesse pit His arising from thence Chap. 11.7 and his getting power from the devil Chap. 13.5 All which imply not only that he should be of a hellish disposition but that his power or form of it which was to succeed that which then was should have a rise specially from hell that is should be no civil Government of any sort all which Rom. 13. are Gods Ordinances nor meerly a power abused by the devil in oppression and persecution for that had not been any peculiar mark to this beast or this state of the beast for all the former almost were such and so it would not reach the Angels scope It must then be understood of a Government unwarranted by God and a medling in things not put in mens power an office not acknowledged in the Word such as Papacy is but in effect a power especially plotted by the devil and brought out of hell to supply the Dragons place when he should be dis-throned in the heathen Emperours By which it appeareth that this is a singular dominion in respect of its rise as being specially obliged to the devil for that and singular in its usefulnesse to him which can be spoken of no ordinary Government though the persons be sinfull that are in it Secondly This and shall ascend c. implyeth 1. a great height this beast should come to from small beginnings as Chap. 13. 2. That gradatim or piece and piece he should come to it not all at once at an height but one step of usurpation after another till the height were come unto but in a covert way as papacy arose so that there seemeth to be some intervall as it were between the beast that was and is his evanishing in that shape which he then had and the last beasts appearing in which respect it is said Chap. 13. peculiarly of this change that one head was wounded and discerned to be so before it was recovered by this last For the time and manner of this rise see more Chap. 9. and Chap. 13. Only here it appeareth that the future state of the Roman Empire which should be in its nature and rise different from the former states thereof is the state that is set out by this beast and all know that this is the Papacy or Pontificatus 2. This last state of the beast which in this Chapter is called commonly the beast is set out in his ruine as he was under that form to succeed what had gone before so that there should be none after him for he shall go into perdition 1. Implying an evanishing of this beast under this head and not only the changing of this state for that had not been peculiar to it but common with the former All by gone states are comprehended in what was and this future state or consideration of the beast taketh in all which was to come of him 2. It implieth a peculiar destruction waiting for him different from the former 3. A slownesse in its on-going though there be a certainty of its fulfilling yet not at once If Papacy be 〈◊〉 this head then we cannot look for an Antichrist to succeed it seing it hath succeeded to the