Aug. lib. 20. de Ciuit. Dei c. 17. that here the same things are many waies repeated that diuers things may seeme to be spoken when as it may be found out that the same things are spoken diuers waies Wherefore with these my Authors I distinguish this Booke from hence-forward to the end into six visions First of the seales c. to the end of the seuenth Chapter Secondly of the Trumpets to the end of the eleuenth Thirdly of the woman in child-bed c. to the end of the fourteenth Chapter Fourthly of the seuen Vials to the end of the sixteenth Chapter Fiftly of the whore of Babylon to the end of the nineteenth Chapter Sixtly of the Angell binding Satan c. to the end of the Booke To beginne with the vision of these two Chapters Quest 1. Behold a white horse Vers 2. and he that sate on him had a bow c. What is meant by this white horse and by the red and blacke and pale horse and why doth the first beast prepare to the beholding of this the second to the second c. and why in speaking of the third is there a voice out of the Throne heard Vers 5. A measure of wheat for a penny and three measures of barly for a penny c. Petrus Aureolus Cardinalis Blas Viegas Ans There is great difference amongst Expositors here Some will haue the Roman Emperours vnderstood at foure times First vnder Caius Caligula in whose time the enemies of Christianity the Iewes were destroied and Caius though not purposely was made the instrument Secondly vnder Nero Domitian who first put out publike edicts for the persecuting of Christians Thirdly vnder Titus whose Empire was a blacke time to the Iewes suffering besides many other things much famine Fourthly vnder Domitianus who moued the second persecution and put Iohn into boiling lead But all these things being past and this vision tending to set forth things to come this exposition cannot stand Primasius Augustine Haimo Beda Arethas Others vnderstand by the first the going forth of the Gospell vnder Christs conduct who with his spirituall arrowes pierceth mens hearts and hath a Crowne to reward the faithfull withall by the second oppositions of the truth stirred vp by the Deuill as the rider of the red horse by the third false Christians and hypocriticall hauing a ballance onely for a colour whom the Deuill also rideth by the fourth persecutions to the death by the sword and wilde beasts c. But neither doth this agree because killing one another vnder the second horse is expresly mentioned and not opposing onely and the exposition of the third is too generall concerning all times whereas doubtlesse the intent here is to set downe the diuers condition of the Church in seuerall ages Bullenger Forbs Brightman Aretius Others vnderstand by the second horse wars wherewith the world was punished for not receiuing the Gospell when the Romans were so full of trouble by the third famins wherewith they were afterwards punished as in the dayes of Seuerus witnesse Tertull. in Apologet. who maketh mention both of a most grieuous famine and of a strange ecclipse of the Sunne in Conuentu Vitcensi By the fourth horse plague and pestilence wherewith they were further punished If by these three last horses iudgements were set forth vpon persecutors how is it that the soules vnder the Altar complaine for want of reuenge this happened in the dayes of Gallus and Volusianus for then a plague beginning at Aethiopia ouerspread almost all the East and West enduring fifteene yeeres as Zonaras writeth and Dionys Alexandrinus in Epist ad Fratres But partly because according to this exposition either the words following of the day of iudgement must bee forced or the greatest space of time betwixt that pestilence and the end of the world will bee left vntouched and partly because these punishments tooke not vp all but some of those persecuting times whereas if it may bee such an exposition is requisite as may agree to the whole tract of time from this Reuelation made vnto the end therefore I cannot see how this may be receiued Richard de Sancto victore Ioâ—chim D. Chytreus Aretius Fulco Franc. Lamb. Pareus Collado The most common receiued exposition is that by the second horse is set forth the bloudy persecution ensuing the preaching of the Gospell which went out conquering vpon the first horse which persecution continued till Constantine By the third horse which is blacke is set forth the trouble which the Church suffered by Heretikes such as Arrius Macedonius Nestorius c. with which trouble the Church was conflicting aboue two hundred yeres And by the fourth horse which is pale is set forth the trouble of the Church by corruption in religion in the Papacy and Mahumetisme destroying a world of people after all which hell the reward of these disturbers of the peace of the Church followeth for almost to this effect many Writers speake And herein as in the most sound exposition of these horses doe I rest for the horse being for warre is fit to set forth either how religion hath preuailed or how it hath beene in countered and hindered I doe not so approue that Christ should bee the rider of the white horse for hee standeth at this time as a Lambe opening the seales but the Christian religion is the rider and hath a crowne in token of victory vpon the red horse rideth persecution red with bloud-shed and in that a sword is spoken of it agreeth excellently to the prediction of our Sauiour Christ I came not to send peace but a sword Vpon the blacke horse rideth Heresie which though it were red through bloud-shed also yet because the most dangerous thing herein was the obscuring of the truth by subtilty of argument it is said to bee blacke Vpon the pale horse rideth corruption in religion said to bee pale like death because that insensibly hereby is brought a deadnesse all ouer the world all pure bloud of religion which maketh fresh and ruddy being wrought out by degrees and when any begin to reuiue as of late yeres thanks be to God there haue beene many they haue beene presently destroyed in innumerable multitudes so that it may well bee said that the third part is thus consumed Touching the beasts in order stirring vp to attention Brightman I doe not thinke with some that either the Apostles in the first age are set forth or Iustin Martyr in the next or Tertullian in the third or Cyprian in the fourth but because a crowne suteth well with a Lion a sword or knife with a calfe a paire of scales with a man and a multitude of dead carkasses with an eagle to which it vsually resorteth I thinke that it is said the first beast like a Lion calleth to the first sight and so the rest vnto the other or perhaps there is no signification at all herein intended but because these
therefore doth set forth the Popes when they came to an Imperiall dignity thus putting life againe into that state altogether ruined by the irruptions and preuailings of the Barbarians That which is here represented doth serue to declare how by what meanes the deadly wounded head was healed after that preuailed so wonderfully for something hauing beene shortly spoken of the Roman State as it was from the beginning thereof that Antichrist whose description is chiefly intended might be the better vnderstood it is shewed first that after this head wounded he sprang vp by the healing of it againe vers 4.5 c. and then more at large this Antichrist the Authour of so great a cure is described and what powerfull meanes he vsed to effect it Ribera Pareus The Pope who is this Antichrist is said to rise out of the earth because from a poore and meane beginning he attained to such an height of dignity being but lately a poore Bishop and subiect to Emperours Kings and Princes hee suddenly rose vp aboue them all He hath two hornes like the Lambe because the Lambe the Lord Iesus is his pretence he boasteth himselfe to bee his Vicar but hee hath onely two of his seuen hornes to intimate his weaknesse in comparison of the fulnesse of Christs power Hee speaketh like the Dragon that is like the Deuill for the Dragon hath been before shewed to be the Deuill concerning whom howsoeuer we reade nothing before of his speaking yet that he had a mouth to speake is intimated in that the first beast being reuiued to whom he gaue his throne and power is said also to haue giuen vnto him a mouth to speake great things and blasphemies vers 5. His speech then is added that he might bee the better discouered as the Asse of Cuma marching in the Lions skin was discouered by his braying If a man should looke at nothing but his hornes like the Lambes that is his goodly pretence of setting forth Christ and the right gouerning of his Church he might easily be deceiued but attend his speech so full of pride arrogancy and blasphemy whereof it hath beene spoken before Brightman and thou mayest easily discerne him to bee Antichrist Some expound his rising out of the earth of his rise by the helpe of secular powers aboue them all and his two hornes of Charles and Pipin subduing the Longobards and other enemies vnto him applying this his rise vnto those times wherein he did so much differ from that which hee was before that he is as it were another beast for the accession of more authority He speaketh like the Dragon also say they in that as the old Emperours Nappier so hee deposeth and setteth vp for Kings whom he willeth Some by the two hornes vnderstand the double power of the Pope spirituall and temporall But I rest in the former exposition as most simple and agreeing to the drift of this vision which is to shew the faire pretence vnder which the Pope should ascend to his height of honour Note that this is a certain marke of one which hath no cōmunion with Christ how much soeuer he pretendeth him if he be of an arrogant speech magnifying himselfe aboue others for this sheweth a proud heart sith out of the abundāce of the heart the mouth speaketh whereas the humble only haue communion with Christ and with such the Lord dwelleth Esa 66.2 Quest Vers 12 13 14 c. 6. How doth the Pope exercise all the power of the beast and how doth he cause all to worship the first beast How doth he make fire to come downe from heauen What image is it that hee causeth the inhabitants of the earth to make to the first beast and how doth hee giue life vnto it to speake that it might bee worshipped hee destroying all that refuse to worship it and not suffering any to buy or sell that had not his marke c. Answ They that by the first beast vnderstand the Roman Emperours expound these things thus Bullinger Arethas Vers 12. Grasserus He exercised all the power of the first beast before him that is as the Roman Emperours who were before the Popes made account that all kingdomes were their owne to dispose of as they thought good so the Popes represented by this beast doe both challenge and vsurpe a power ouer all kingdomes Witnesse Steuchus the Popes Library-keeper who put out a booke wherein hee sheweth out of the Register of Gregory that the kingdomes of Spaine England France Denmarke and Pannonia c. are held of the Sea of Rome that the kings holding them are but vassals of that Sea And as the old Emperours made warre vpon all that refused to be subiect vnto them filling all parts with slaughters and bloud-shed so doe the Popes as all the world knoweth He maketh all the inhabiters of the earth to worship the first beast that is either the Roman Empire now swayed by the Pope in that they haue brought it to passe that this Empire is now euery where accounted sacred and diuine and accordingly reuerenced or idols whereby the Roman religion being receiued by their subiects the Emperors are said to be worshipped and so now the Popes by their images which are the same in effect constituting in a great part the Roman Catholike religion And doth great wonders Vers 13. so that hee maketh fire to come downe from heauen in the sight of men that is many lying signes either by the fraud of Monkes and Priests or by some euill art The fire is spoken of in allusion to Elias 2 King 1. who called for fire from heauen to consume the Captaines with their fifties who were sent to fetch him Popes haue caused fire to come downe from heauen partly by pretending to giue the holy Ghost who is compared to fire Act. 2. and once came so downe from heauen and partly by their excommunications like lightnings in that vnto them are added fire-brands and candles burning which together are throwne downe from an high as if fire came downe from heauen to smite the excommunicated This is said to be done first in the sight of men then vers 14. in the sight of the beast which is all one for most men yea and the beast himselfe that is the Empire wherein the Pope doth this is deceiued by these signes Saying to them that dwell on the earth Vers 14. Napier that they should make an image to the beast c. The image of the first beast was the new re-erected Empire in Charles the great ann 800. being crowned Emperour by Leo the third when as the Empire had beene void from the time of Augustulus by the space of three hundred yeeres and vpward And it is significantly spoken he said to the inhabitants of the earth or to the earthly minded men who were ruled by him that they should make this image because the Pope did no act towards it but spake and
which were most holy and the chiefe part for estimation of the crop this is rendred by other words in 1 Pet. 1.3 He hath begotten vs of his great mercy to a liuely hope and inheritance incorruptible c. v. 9. that which he readeth according to the vulgar Latine but yâ—â— know is not in the Greeke at all but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherefore This Text and the words following to the end of this Chapter are now easie to be vnderstood by the exposition already set downe Touching the cohering of the first words with that which went before here is an instance how the greatest good commeth from God vnto vs for hee of his owne will begat vs againe by the word putting life of grace into vs and not necessarily but of his owne will to extoll his grace the more Touching these words that we might be a certaine first fruits of his creatures the first exposition of Thom. Aquinas applying it to the renouation of the creatures to come may well agree vnto it yet some by the creatures vnderstanding rather Pareus the rest of the Iewes and Gentiles not yet conuerted expound the first fruits of his creatures thus By begetting vs he hath taken vs as his owne peculiar people from amongst others yet left in their vnbeleefe euen as the first fruits were that little quantitie of corne which being taken from out of the whole crop were thenceforth accounted more holy than the rest For so the Greekes expound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Faber Some expound it the first fruits of the spirituall creature that is the first to whom the word of God hath come for our regeneration when as a world of people are yet behind and this did serue notably to stirre vp to newnesse of life and this I assent to as most genuine Touching the coherence of the next words Vers 19. Pareus Faber Piscator wherefore let euery man be swift to heare c. it is plaine and therefore agreed vpon by almost all seeing that by the word God doth beget vs let euery man be ready to heare this good word If by the word whereby we are begotten the Sonne of God were meant as Oecumen expoundeth it this inference would not come in so fitly if with Thom. Aquinas you referre these words to the temptations before spoken of the coherence will be further fetcht but yet good but I subscribe to the other rather Touching the words added Slow to speake slow to wrath here is both silence inioyned in hearing the word of God that being sowne in the heart in silence and meeknesse it may take rooting in vs and also refraining from the office of teaching others till that we be throughly taught our selues and are plainly by the Spirit of God stirred vp to this office And because nothing doth make a man so vnfit to speake in Gods cause as anger and the distemper of the minde by heat hee that teacheth must refraine from anger and vse patience for the anger of man doth not worke the righteousnesse of God that is the righteousnesse of this new and spirituall life Faber Thus some And this is in effect the same with that of Thom. Aquinas but more full Oecumen Some expound swiftnesse to heare of hearing to doe Pareus Oecumen but this is brought in afterwards vers 22. And some apply slownesse to speake to speaking of any thing which a man heareth taught before that he doth well vnderstand it for thus he may soone fall into errour and draw in others with him also and slownesse to wrath to a mans being angry with such as doe not in euery point consent with him or being angry at such reprehensions as whereby he is iustly taxed For the anger of man doth not worke the righteousnesse of God that is saith the same Author doth not perswade or moue men so as that thereby they are wonne vnto God or else it is sinne for all vnaduised anger is such And all this indeed is most genuine also Touching the words following vers 21. c. of receiuing the word with meeknesse here is further expressed what was meant by slow to speake when a man in silence and meeknesse of spirit heareth the Word of God and not only taking heed of anger but of all filthinesse also applyeth himselfe vnto the hearing of the Word the like vnto this is 1 Pet. 2.1 2. Touching the last words v. 26 27. Some expound the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a knowledge of the secrets of the Law Oecumen and an exact obseruing thereof Now if any man thinketh himselfe to be such refraineth not his tongue from speaking against his Neighbour his Religion is vaine for the Law not onely tieth the tongue from speaking against a mans Neigbbour but commandeth mercy to be shewed euen to an enemy in his necessity if thine enemies beast be fallen vnder his burthen thou shalt helpe to lift him vp againe Deceiuing his owne heart that is his conscience whilst he thinketh himselfe religious is not But the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here vsed commeth indeed from worship and comprehendeth both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pareus as Pareus hath noted and therefore the worship of Angels is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and will-worship 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 2.18 23. But the Latine translation which Th. followeth is religio and the word is vsually in English rendred Religion whereupon the annotation before going is not impertinent Now the vnruly tongue is one principall thing to discouer an heart void of true Religion because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh and men are apt to thinke it the lightest offence to lash out with the tongue and therefore the Apostle maketh this in speciall a note of vaine religion hauing all reference to what was said before vers 19. But deceiuing his owne heart that is as Thomas Aquinas hath already taught by thinking that this shall be passed ouer without being counted any such great fault Touching the duty of mercy here opposed vnto the licentiousnesse of the tongue whereunto is ioyned to keepe a mans selfe vnspotted of the world I assent vnto Oecumenius that true Religion is not only not in tongue to be grieuous vnto others but to be helpfull indeed to them in distresse and because when the distressed are commended to our charity in the Word of God they are set forth vnder the name of widowes and fatherlesse these are mentioned here all charity in generall being meant By the world some vnderstand the flesh Faber Stap. Pareus to keepe a mans selfe vnspotted of which is not to bring forth the fruits of the flesh a Catalogue of which fruits is Gal. 5.17 for of those that bring forth such fruits the world doth consist but I rather preferre that of Thomas Aquinas touching the loue of the world wherewith he that is spotted knoweth none other
furnace and then taken out againe It is said to come vpon all the world because in all countreys none that professe the Christian religion escaping for all that will liue godly must suffer persecution Touching this Church in particular it is not to be thought that it should bee altogether exempt but supported with patience to endure so that their faith should not be hereby shaken or any grace impaired as must needs bee through the terriblenesse of persecution if the Lord did not deliuer therefrom And all these comforts belong to euery one that cleaueth to Gods word resoluing to endure any thing rather than to be beaten from it his sufferings shall be but an houre to his triall and bettering and his soule shall bee safe from all euill that might accrue vnto it thereby Quest 5. Vers 11. What is meant by saying that no man may take thy crowne Can any that are elected to the crowne of heauenly glory miscarry and lose it Answ Some vnderstanding these words of the glory to come inferre the vncertainty of saluation because euen the Angell of this Church so highly commended is yet spoken to as in a possibilty of losing his Crowne as Thomas Aquinas and other popish Writers Pareus Others that maintaine a certainty of saluation trouble themselues much about the resoluing of this doubt how there can be any certainty of any mans saluation if he may lose his Crowne and another not appointed to it may get it But they resolue it by saying that this is spoken for excitation only and because by such admonitions the Lord worketh perseuerance in the Elect. Others by this Crowne vnderstand nothing but the glory and praise of well-doing Bullinger Brightman which would be lost and fall to another if either hee should grow remisse or be corrupted by heresie after that hee had carried himselfe thus worthily and to this I subscribe For he that weareth a royall Diadem hath not more glory amongst men than the vertuous Christian before God true piety is a Crowne vpon the head of him that is endued therewith Quest 6. What is meant by this Vers 12. I will make him a Pillar in the Temple of my God and hee shall not goe out any more and I will write vpon him the name of my God c. and why is the reward thus set forth to this Church Answ Some thinke that it is alluded to the custome of the Romans Bullinger Pareus who were wont to set vp Pillars to the honour of famous Conquerours inscribing their names and noble acts But it is to be noted that he doth not say I will set him vp a Pillar but I will make him a Pillar and therefore the very same Authors after that allusion mentioned preferre another exposition taking this to be an allusion to the Pillars set vp in the Temple by Salomon 1 King 7.15 For as they were an ornament to the Temple so the great lustre and glory which these should haue in Heauen is hereby set forth Some apply this to the present state of the faithfull in this world who are set fast as those Pillars or of whom some are most eminent as Pillars for so Peter Gal. 2.9 Iames and Iohn are said to haue beene Pillars 1 Tim. 3 15. and the Church it selfe is called The ground and Pillar of truth And as those Pillars so they are firme by faith Richard de Sancto Victore strait by equity erected by intention and lofty by contemplation But seeing the rewards promised in this life went before being plainly distinguisht from the reward here set forth which is to come I consent with those that vnderstand by the Temple of God Heauen and by the Pillar eminency of glory there Brightman And because those Pillars of the Temple were carried away by Nebuchadnezzar that this estate might appeare to be more firmely and vnmoueably setled it is added He shall not goe out any more For the names which hee saith he will write vpon him The seuenth Epistle to Laodicea Chap. 3.14 herein the allusion is still continued for Salomon wrote vpon those Pillars certaine names vpon the one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hee shall establish and vpon the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in it is strength so for the greater glory of this Pillar Gods Name shall bee inscribed because hee is the childe of God new Ierusalems name because hee is a Citizen thereof and Christs new name that is Iesus Christ risen from the dead and set at the right hand of God because hee is of the number of his redeemed ones For the other question why to this Church the reward is thus propounded I finde nothing amongst Expositers but the reason I take it is plaine because they were a long time of little strength and much wronged and disgraced but they should bee strengthened as a brazen Pillar and honoured with the highest titles conferred by the Iudge of the whole world Let this then comfort euery ones heart that mourneth in Zion for the tyranny oppressions and opprobries of persecutors they shall be set as Pillars c. And to the Angell of the Church of Laodicea write These things saith the AMEN Chap 3. Ver. 14 that witnesse that faithfull one and true the beginning of the creature of God This Epistle doth consist altogether of reprehension and admonition for luke-warmnesse hauing nothing of commendation in it as the Epistle before going was altogether commendatory and in no part reprehensory This Laodicea was the chiefe City of Caria according to Strabo and Pliny built by Antiochus Theas and named from Laodice the name of his Queene signifying the Prince of people giuing Lawes vnto them Quest 1. Why is the Lord thus set forth to this Church and whence are these titles taken and what is meant by them Answ These titles are taken from Chap. 1.5 where hee is called The faithfull witnesse and vers 18. Amen and generally in all passages the beginning and the end How hee is said to be Amen Saint Paul teacheth 2 Cor. 1.19 20. saying For the promises of God are in him yea and in him Amen because whatsoeuer he saith is true and certaine for which cause that witnesse and that faithfull one is added The Arrian layeth hold vpon this that he is called the beginning of the creature to proue Christ to be but a meere man but the words doe not imply this for he is the beginning and the end that is eternall both ex parte ante and ex parte post all creatures had their beginning in him Bullinger seeing he made them all The beginning of the creature then doth not argue a creature though Bullinger vnderstandeth it thus of his humanity Brightman Pareus but the greatest power by which the creature hath the beginning according to others who say that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may also be vnderstood of principality but for so much as often
before it is so vsed with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as that it must necessarily be taken for the beginning I expound it thus only Now to this Church the Lord doth thus set forth himselfe that it might be warned to repent seeing all the taxations here are true and whatsoeuer she pretended of being rich c. yet she was certainly poore and naked and if she would bethinke her selfe to be better furnished she might well come to him for gold and cloathing or any thing because he was the beginning of the creature all things haue their being from him and therefore of him store of all spirituall furniture is to be had My Authors adapt it vnto power because of Christs power to spue them out Brightman Brightman refers it to the accomplishment of Gods blessings promised to godlinesse in outward things for which he saith that he is faithfull We learne from hence to submit when we are taxed from the Lord and acknowledge our vilenesse indeed and to seeke from him a supply of all spirituall necessaries who is the beginning of the diuine creation in whom all are new creatures their deformity being put away Quest 2. I would that thou wert either cold or hot Vers 15. What is meant by cold and hot and how is the cold preferred before the luke-warme Answ Some by cold vnderstand such as being sinners haue a sense of sorrow for their sinnes by hot such as haue ioy in Gods saluation by luke-warme Greg. lib. 34. Mor. c. 2. such as are well enough pleased in their sinfull estate as not being so great sinners but bearing themselues vpon their outward workes Others by cold vnderstand such as are altogether vnconuerted Tho. Aquin. Qu. 3. de malo Ambrosâ—ser 118. Richard de Sancto victore c. and so enemies to the truth by hot such as are zealous for the truth by luke-warme such as by outward profession are for the truth but in their liues and doings as sinfull as the cold and hereunto all our new Writers agree And this is the most probable for there is more possibility of the conuersion of a Iew or Pagan than of him who hauing receiued the truth is without all power of it in his life and the condemnation of the one shall be easier than of the other as is declared Ezech. 16. Heb. 10.2 Pet. 2. Matth. 11. c. God doth not therefore wish that men were cold as taking any pleasure in it but comparatiuely that such Christians as haue no zeale to follow and liue according to the religion by them professed might learne to acknowledge their dangerous estate they are worse than Infidels than enemies of the truth that were neuer inlightened Quest 3. Vers 13. I counsell thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire c. What is meant here by Gold and Garments and Eye-salue and wherefore are they bidden to buy it of him and when as there were foure things complained of he aduiseth but against three there was Pouerty Nakednesse Blindnesse and Misery here Gold Garments and Eye-salue Answ Some by God vnderstand Charity by white Garments good workes Beda Richard de Sancto Victore Rupertus Bullinger Pareus by Eye-salue spirituall ill umination and because the want of these three make a mans case miserable therefore these onely are mentioned as which being obtained his misery ceaseth Others by Gold vnderstand the Word of God receiued by faith because it is compared vnto Gold tried seuen times in the fire Psal 12. and by white Garments the righteousnesse of Christ put on by faith Primas Gregor l. 4. Moral c. 34. Others by Gold vnderstand wisdome and by fire charity so that gold tried in the fire or fired is wisdome ioyned with charity For mine owne part I am not satisfied with any of these expositions vnlesse by charity we vnderstand the substance of grace diffused so in the heart as that it is truly addicted to all holy obedience and by good workes and vnblamable life like to that of Zachary and Elizabeth and as for the Eye-salue all are agreed that it is spirituall illumination whereby a man seeth the excellency of these things and the vanity of temporall being therefore taken vp in his meditations and affections with the one and contemning the other And thus this passage will most fitly agree to this Church for that being Christian only in profession but wanting all zeale and care of a conuersation sutable it is said to be poore naked and blinde poore through the want of soundnesse of Religion within naked and so deformed through heathen-like conditions and worldly manners blind through an ouer-esteeming of the vaine and transient things of this world and a sleighting of heauenly things Wherefore if soundnesse of Religion within be gotten and an vnblameable carriage without and spirituall light of vnderstanding there will bee a full deliuerance from all this misery And soundnesse within may well be set forth by the purest gold because as that is most precious of all metals so this of all graces being the very oile in the Lampe Mat. 25. 1 Cor. 13. and the charity without which all is vaine and therefore some are said to be vessels of gold 2 Tim. 2.20 As for white garments it hath beene already shewed vpon vers 5. that they doe rightly set forth an in-offensiue life seeing the scandalous are blacke spots and blots For the Word of God and Christs righteousnesse applyed by faith I cannot see how they can so fitly be brought in here seeing this Church is not charged to haue left the Word and expecting to be iustified by faith as no Hypocrites doe but onely faulted in remisnesse Buying here is nothing but getting by prayer and spirituall endeuours not for any price giuen by vs as is expressed by the Prophet saying Esay 55.1 Come buy wine and milke without money as all Expositors consent Wouldst thou not therefore be miserable get soundnesse at the heart and rest not in holy shewes with Hypocrites get white cloathing of a spotlesse conuersation and to be lifted vp in thy heart to things aboue that thou maist bee drawne after them and grow into a contempt of the base things that are here below That which is added I chasten those whom I loue is spoken as a reason of the sharpe reprehension before-going that they might not despaire but be drawn to embrace his counsell how bitter soeuer he might seeme to be against them because it is spoken in loue And it seemeth that this admonition had some good effect to cause this Church to repent Euseb Eccl. hist lib. 4. cap. 26. lib. 7. cap 28. for Eusebius praiseth the Church of Laodicea in his time and particulatizeth some excellent Bishops there who stood zealously for the truth Quest 4. Behold I stand at the doore and knocke Vers 20. if any man heare my voice and open the doere I will come in and sup with him c. What
that the vertues of this Lambe should be thankfully commemorated It is called a new song in respect of that in the former Chapter there are the praises of the creation which was of old here the praises of the redemption which was new Quest 3. Vers 9. And wee shall reigne on the earth How shall the Saints reigne vpon earth or how is it that being Kings in Heauen they ioy in thinking vpon a future reigning here Answ Forbs Brightman Some vnderstanding all of the Church militant say That reigning vpon earth is nothing else but being in the Kingdom of grace whilst we liue here Others vnderstanding it of the Saints in Heauen Bullinger Pareus say That the reigning vpon earth shal be when at the last day the Iudge descending they shall come together with him in great glory and shall appeare to be the Kings and Priests of God with Christ iudging this wicked world Arethas Mat. 5. Others againe vnderstand by earth that new earth which is promised to the meeke when it is said Blessed are the meeke for they shall inherit the earth And vnto this as the most probable doe I subscribe for there shall be a new Heauen and a new earth Chap. 21.1 and here shall the godly reigne in glory not as the Chiliasts and Turkes hold liuing in earthly pleasures for that is grosse neither is it to be thought that such pleasure is affected by such as are heauenly and spirituall but after the consummation of all at the Day of Iudgement the Saints shall reigne in another world which in allusion to this consisting of Heauen and Earth is called a new Heauen and a new Earth Or else consider whether it may not be vnderstood of the vpper hand which the Christian Religion should get of all false religions when Emperours and Kings should become Christian for being all of one mysticall body when the Christian Church getteth the principality the Saints in Heauen may reioyce to foresee it and say We shall reigne vpon earth that is our company which belong vnto the Lambe and admire and praise him as we doe And it was no small comfort to know this then when as all Empire and dominion was in the hands of heathen men and persecutors it must needs cheare vp the heart greatly to vnderstand what power Religion should haue ouer the Thrones and Scepters of this world and the ancient seruants of God may well be said to reigne vpon earth also because their dictates and instructions are generally receiued and obeyed vpon earth Quest 4. Vers 13. And I heard euery creature in Heauen and in earth vnder the earth and in the sea and all in them saying blessing and honour c. What are the creatures vnder the earth and how doth euery thing speake the praises of God when as all cannot speake Answ Ribera The Papists will haue the soules in purgatory meant by those vnder the earth some the Deuills who are compelled to giue glory to Christ But the best exposition is of the creatures which dwell in subterranean places for both they that are without and within the holes of the earth are called vpon to praise God Psal 148. and doe praise him and the Lord Iesus Christ in their kinde by whom a restauration of the world is attained when the faithfull shall be glorified as is declared Rom. 8.21 and for this cause they serue his prouidence which is their praising of him It is generally signified hereby what a consent there is amongst all things which are in expectation of benefit from Christ in celebrating his praises that we may doe likewise CHAP. VI. HEre is shewed how the Lambe beginneth to open the Seales in order and what followeth vpon the opening of each of them by such things as appeared future euents concerning the Church of God being emblematically set forth as the opening of euery Seale succeedeth one another and after the Seales follow the Trumpets Eullinger Forbs Brightman Lyâ—a Antonin Ambros lib. adulterinus Fox and after the Trumpets the Vials so some will haue the euents hereby set forth to succeed one another in order in diuers ages to the end of the world And some begin the computation from the beginning of the world by the seuen Seales vnderstanding the seuen ages Some from the foure Monarchies of the Assyrians Medes and Persians Grecians and Romans which they will haue set forth by these foure horses which beginnings cannot stand because Iohn is not taken vp to see things past but to come by which reason also that opinion reckoned vp by Andreas is confuted expounding the first Seale of Christs Birth Andreas ex Methodio the second of his Baptisme the third of his Miracles the fourth of his Arraignment the fift of his Buriall the sixt of his Descent c. The rest which speake more probably beginne the time at the Apostles going out to preach the Gospell in all nations and so apply euery thing to some notable accident as one happened after another from age to age Yet because at the opening of the sixt Seale mention is so plainly made of the last day of Iudgement as that it is but a wresting of the words to expound it any other way and againe at the sounding of the seuenth Trumpet it is so confidently affirmed that time was no more chap. 11. and the time is said to be come of iudging the dead vers 18. which cannot be meant but of the day of Iudgement and againe Chap. 14. the Vintage is cut downe and the Wine-presse trodden and againe Chap. 20. the dead arise and come to iudgement I cannot see how that computing of all things in order to the end can stand because the day of Iudgement which is last of all commeth so often in the way There are therefore that beginning the time at the propagation of the Gospell abroad in the world make diuers periods in these visions holding that within euery period most notable things which should happen to the end of the world are set forth Parcus in the first more obscurely and in euery following period more plainly and yet not alwaies the same but if any thing of note hath beene omitted in the former it is supplied in the periods following neither is euery one so vniuersall as another for some set forth the estate of the Church persecuted by Tyrants flourishing vnder Christian Emperours persecuted by Antichrist shaking off his yoke as the vision of the seuen Seales of the seuen Trumpets of the woman with childe cloathed with the Sunne and of the Angell binding the Dragon being afterwards loosened againe but some set forth that part of the estate of the Church only which was in Antichrists reigne and ouerthrow as the seuen Vials and the vision of the great whore and her destruction And vnto this as being most without exception doe I subscribe the rather because S. Augustine long agoe gaue some light to this method saying
mountainous places and Ilands were sought out to be destroyed which is expressed in saying the mountaines and Ilands were remoued out of their place then all professours of the Christian religion sought to hide themselues from the anger of him that sitteth vpon the throne thinking God and the Lambe to bee angry with them set forth in the last words Bullinger Pareus Others will haue the corruption in the time of Antichrist meant which time say they began when Constantine aduanced Syluester the Bishop of Rome and his successours and continueth in the Papacy to this day then began a great earthquake by the change of the state of the Church into Pontificall then the Sunne the doctrine touching Christ was darkened through the interposition of traditions the Moone the Church was turned into bloud either by murthers committed by Antichrist or by the corrupt worshipping of God the starres the ministers of God fell from heauen by apostatising from the truth the heauen the Church was folded together as a booke when it appeared not any where or the holy Scriptures were shut vp from the people the mountaines Emperours and Kings were remoued by Popes the Ilands the people were remoued out of their place by being made beleeue vpon paine of damnation that the Pope is the head of the Church And being brought to this estate of corruption as there can be no sound peace but terrors of conscience out of the truth so all estates are set forth as terrified by a conscience of Gods iudgement and some indeed fulfilled this according to the letter going into wildernesses and Monasteries seeking by applying themselues to perpetuall deuotion to quiet their consciences accusing them for former offences but could not effect it But herein Pareus differeth from Bullinger for hee applieth this of the generall feare of all estates and degrees to the last day of iudgement which shall follow after that the world hath beene so corrupted in the time of Antichrists reigne Lastly some vnderstand by this earth-quake Forbs c. the great alteration that came vpon the Romane Empire by meanes of the Gothes and other barbarous nations which was so great as that the whole world seemed to be changed But I subscribe to the first exposition because most agreeable to the letter and where the literall sense may stand there is no vse of allegories And indeed without straining no time but the day of iudgement can be rightly called the great day of Gods wrath wherein all the wicked of all estates and degrees are filled with terrour at Gods presence If it bee taken as an allegory there are so great differences that there will bee no certainty of truth Besides that it doth no way answer the precedent cry for vengeance so fitly as being literally vnderstood of the last day for whatsoeuer commotions there be in states and kingdomes yet euery one is not at such times so seuerely animaduerted against but many escape whereas here euery one is said to tremble and feare Whereas Pareus includeth both the persecution vnder Antichrist and the day of iudgement also I cannot see how that can stand for the fleeing away of all estates and degrees for feare is an effect of those stupendious accidents in heauen and in earth as in reason it is likely when such things shall come to passe no lesse can be expected but horrible feare Let vs then study to pacifie Gods anger before this day commeth by true repentance and humiliation that wee may not finde it a day of wrath but of euerlasting mercy to vs. CHAP. VII THE dreadfull manner of Gods comming to iudge and to take reuenge vpon the enemies and corrupters of his truth hauing beene set forth in the sixt Chapter lest there should arise anxiety in the minds of the faithfull about the Lords care touching them in the midst of all the miseries before described for that it hath not yet appeared how they are prouided for when all things shall be so full of dread feare he doth apart here set forth Gods care ouer them during all those troubles and affrighting apparitions they were marked in the forehead that no hurt might hereby seize vpon them but these tribulations might be to them a way to future glory and the inuestment with white robes washed in the Bloud of the Lambe at what time all teares shall be wiped from their eyes for euer For the meaning of the particular passages here Quest 1. Vers 1. After this I saw foure Angels standing vpon the foure corners of the earth holding the foure winds that they might not blow vpon the earth c. What is meant by these things Rupertus Caelius Pannon Answ Most Expositors vnderstand by these winds the Spirit of God in the Preachers of his Word diffusing it selfe in all parts of the world but the euill angels the Deuils which rule in the Antichristian Sect seeke to hinder these winds by suppressing the pure preaching of Gods holy Word in all places Dionys Bullinger Pareus Brightman to the corrupting and decay of all true Religion They keepe the winds from blowing vpon the earth that is the vulgar sort the sea that is Doctrine the trees that is men of more eminency or by the earth they vnderstand men dwelling in any part of the earth by the sea the inhabitants of Ilands by trees such as lurked in woods or they take the earth for earthly ones the sea for the worship of God and trees for people good and bad which professe to worship God Againe there is difference also about these foure Angels for some vnderstand the foure Monarchies Primas Haimo Ambrose Amsbert Lyra. in the time whereof the truth was hindred Some foure persecuting Emperours who after that Dioclesian and Maximianus had forsaken the Empire did together persecute the Christian Religion in the foure parts of the world viz. Maximianus in the East Seuerus in Italy the west Licinius in Alexandria in Egypt the South Maxentius at Rome and whereas all others vnderstand Christ by the Angell with the seale he vnderstandeth Constantine the great who suppressed these tyrants And some againe by the Angell in the East vnderstand the Mahumetans in the West the Pope in the North the Germane Empire in the south Spaine For mine owne part when I consider the premises of great and horrible miseries to come vpon the world I cannot but thinke as I intimated before in generall that comfort against these euils is here intended to the godly and therefore I subscribe rather to those that vnderstand these things literally of foure Angels appointed by God as his Ministers herein for it is said To them it is giuen to hurt c. to destroy all things Arethas Ribera Fox and this is fitly set forth by holding the foure winds because in wind and breath consisteth the life of euery thing in this world things of the earth as men and beasts of the sea as fishes and fowles and the trees
ancients before named and Origen Hom. 6. in Numeros and August Serm. 98. de tem others vnderstand his precious passions as Bullinger c. The odours which were giuen vnto him they expound of the sights and groanes of Gods seruants or of his graciousnesse which is as sweet odours added to our prayers to make them the more acceptable One hath a strange conceit Brightman that Constantine is meant by this Angell who was the Author of gathering together that famous Councell of Nice wherein that confession of saith so acceptable to God was concluded vpon but it became an occasion of much contention by reason of Arrius and his sect Lyra. Another more strangely vnderstandeth Pope Damasus ann 384. who instituted Psalmodies and glory to the Father c. which were added to the common prayers Rupertus Ribera Some vnderstand it properly of an Angell such as he that was present to Iaacob in his iournying or Gabriel that appeared to Mary For mine owne part I see so much against the most common vnderstanding of this of Christ as that I cannot thinke him to bee meant here For first he appeareth still as a Lambe secondly this is said to be but another Angell thirdly Odours are giuen vnto him as Trumpets to the rest intimating an equality betwixt them fourthly that the Priest the Altar and the Censer should be all one it seemeth very improbable fiftly the prayers of the Saints are spoken of by the same phrase that Chap. 5. where the foure and twenty Elders are said to haue golaon Vials full of Odours which are the prayers of the Saints Where by the prayers of the Saints their praising of God in Heauen and praying for our good in generall being vnderstood and not the prayers of the godly vpon earth why should it not be vnderstood here likewise I thinke then that nothing else is here meant but as before any vision of future things a preparation was made thereunto by a representation of Gods Maiesty and of the Lambe delighted in the deuotions of his seruants as in a sweet persume but terrible to the wicked and therefore issued thunders lightnings and voices from before him so now the second particular vision being prepared vnto it is set forth in the figure of this Angell standing at the Altar and offering Odours with the prayers of the Saints which come vp before God how acceptable the seruice is which by the godly is done vnto God and in the fire taken and cast vpon the earth producing voices thunders c. how terrible he will be to the wicked of this world For the Altar and Censer it is beyond the intent of this place particularly to descant vpon them the seruice which is done vnto God being doubtlesse thus set forth in allusion to the old manner of worshipping In the former representation Prayers are called Odours here Odours are added vnto them Odours to Odours to shew yet further their extraordinary sweetnesse their voices and thunders c. issue forth here is shewed by what meanes viz. coales taken from the Altar signifying that howsoeuer the holy fire with sweet Odours maketh a pleasant smell yet without Odours it yeeldeth a thundring and terrifying noise the wicked that pray not can expect nothing but terrour and affrighting from the Lord who is most comfortable to the godly frequenting him with their prayers As for that exposition of some Beda Haimo Bullinger Pareus c. vnderstanding the sending downe of the holy Ghost in the likenesse of fiery tongues whereupon some were terrified as by thundring some instructed as by voices some conuerted as the earth is moued in an earthquake I cannot see how it agreeth to the terrible things following Fox some way whereunto is made in this passage I assent therefore to those rather who expound it of terrour as I haue already said neither is it strange that the prayers of the Saints comming vp before God the fire of his anger should be stirred vp against the wicked world occasioning so many sighs and grones to come from them Quest 3. And the first Angell sounded Vers 7 c. and there was haile and fire mingle with bloud c. Because there is a noted distance betwixt the foure first Trumpets and the other three and these foure doe immediatly follow one after another it will be fittest to handle these together What therefore is figured out by the things appearing at the sounding of these foure Answ Some will haue these seuen Angels to represent the Ministers of the Gospell at seuerall times and ages of the world for as they sounded forth the Word of truth aduersaries soone sprung vp who sought by their fierce oppositions to suppresse it Haime Caelius Pannonius Richard de Sancto Victore Zeger c. The first were the Apostles at whose preaching there was great tumult in the world to the shedding of the bloud of many set forth by haile and fire and bloud mingled with them the trees grasse burnt vp were such as for feare fell frō the Religion which they had imbraced or else by the haile c. they vnderstand a mixed company of good and bad Christians gathered together from the rest of the world of which the bad which are the third part are burnt vp that is perish by Gods iust iudgement and are called trees because of their instabilitie in times of winds and grasse for their frailtie The second ranke of Preachers set forth by the second Angell where the successours of the Apostles in the next age against whom the Deuill as a great burning mountaine falleth and the third part of the sea is turned into bloud by the destruction of the faithfull the fishes die by the reuolting of the wauering and many teachers who as ships had carried on others through the greatnesse of the persecution fall away The third ranke set forth by the third Angell are the Preachers of the next age to trouble whom Heretikes rise vp these are the Star falling from Heauen giuing light in times past but now making bitter by their hereticall doctrine the fountaines of holy Scriptures and the riuers of the Fathers by corrupting them to maintaine their heresies thereby The fourth ranke set forth by the fourth Angell are the Preachers of these last times who are troubled by Hypocrites and false Prophets that vnder a pretext of holinesse broach new opinions whereby it commeth to passe that a good part of the true knowledge of Christ is obscured which is the darkning of the Sunne to the third part and the true Church which is the Moone much distminished and the Doctors which are the Starres giue not so cleare light through this meanes as before Lyra. Bullinger Aretius Some vnderstand Heretikes and heresies of seuerall ages to encounter with whom the faithfull are stirred vp by these Trumpets sounded For first Arrius infected the third part of the world with his heresie Secondly Macedonius infected the Sea with
thin coat they are hatched in mid-Aprill and perish in mid-September and according to this they will haue the whole time of these Locusts set forth which is all the time of their flourishing but how long this shall bee it is vncertaine Ioach. Abbas Brightman Some resoluing these moneths into 150. and taking a day for a yeere reckon vpon 150. yeeres for in the time of Innocent the third ann 1210. the warme time of their hatching came in by the new orders of Dominicans Franciscans Mendicants Obseruants Trinitaries and Friers of the holy Ghost in so much as Polidor Virgil saith Lib. 7.3 That no age was so fruitfull of the Religious as this But in the time of Wicliffe ann 1360. they were blowne away as by a strong west wind in many places Some vnderstand by these fiue months a short time only for the comfort of the godly Ioan. Leonard D. Fulke or fiue ages of six which is the whole time of the world and so this shall last till the sixt age Some the whole time of this life Ambrose Primas Beda Richard de Sancto Victore Thom. Aquin. Haimo Forbs which is maintained by the fiue senses or consisteth of fiue ages infancy child-hood youth mans estate and old age Some lastly hold that it is alluded vnto the time of the floud preuailing vpon the old world which was fiue moneths They goe forth like horses prepared vnto battell to shew their strength they haue Crownes of gold to shew their vsurped power ouer Kings they haue the faces of men to shew their flattery haire like women to shew their alluring inticements the teeth of Lions to shew their deuouring of all Their brest-plates for defence shew that they are exempt from the reach of all secular power their sting in their taile sheweth their false doctrine vnder the best pretext for the false prophet is the taile their King is Satan and his Vice-gerent vpon earth the Pope destroying all his opposites corporally and his followers spiritually There are some differences in resoluing this description but all speake almost to this effect Some adde vnto the Papists the Saracens arising about the same time Brightman and so will haue them set forth by the Locusts also For ann 630. they began vnder Mahomet to afflict the Countries of Arabia Syria Mesopotamia Armenia Persia Egypt Affrica and Spaine and continued till about the end of the reigne of Leo Copronimus ann 780. at what time though their forces were not vtterly broken for they continued 400. yeeres yet they were so broken as that they could not doe such hurt as in times past Lacanadraco subdued them in Asia Constantine with his mother Irene ouerthrew them and so did Nicephorus and Theophilus and Michael c. After this in Italy being called from Babylon to their helpe ann 830. they proued most infest enemies wasting all neither could they bee suppressed till that Otto the second ouerthrew them ann 980. with so great a slaughter as that the place where was called The death of the Saracens till this day Some preferre this of the Saracens Fox as most agreeable to these Locusts because they are professed enemies to Christianity and come in great multitudes armed against them yet where they submit their liues are spared but by taking their children from them and rauishing their wiues and inthralling them to base slauery they make their liues more tedious to them than death and as for the time of fiue moneths he subscribeth to that allusion noted before vnto the time of the Locusts life The popish sort expound this Trumpet altogether of things yet to come For they say that the Deuill by Gods permission shall stirre vp a great number of Heretikes towards the end of the world who shall persecute the Catholikes and torment them diuersly for this Blasius Virgas saith is their common exposition Lyra. Râ—pertus Some by the Starre falling from Heauen vnderstand Lucifer and therefore it is said which had fallen he by Gods permission bringeth as it were out of hell an infinite multitude of cruell and barbarous Vandals who vnder fiue Kings which they had swarmed in all places namely vnder Gunderinus Gensericus Hunericus Trafimundus and Gelimer most horribly tormenting the world both in the East and West Now of all these expositions I finde that most of our side preferre the first touching the Pope and his religions and many things in the description doe fit so well that I would gladly ioyne with them but that I am resolued vpon such reasons as I haue already set downe that not corruptions in Religion but plagues comming vpon the world therefore are here represented Which being so and the last iudgements hauing beene executed against professed enemies of Christianity at the foure first soundings order requireth that some thing now should follow against Heretikes as they were the next troublers of the Church If then any great iudgement which may be fitted to this description can be found out in the time of the Arrian heresie it seemes most reasonable to me that this should be held to be the figure thereof For it is not likely that when the Lord is so carefull in setting downe the iudgements to come vpon the heathen persecutors and vpon the Antichrist of Rome that the middle time bringing the Church to so great misery and therefore most remarkably punished certaine hundreds of yeeres together should be passed ouer in silence aâ— it is if we finde not out something agreeing vnto it vnder this fifth Trumpet I hold therefore with Lyra Rupertus and some others that here is a description of the Goths and Vandals a base and ignoble people and in times past without name leaping about like Locusts to make a prey of other mens possessions and by their huge swarmes and multitudes preuailing where they came to the bringing of all things to ruine They were first brought in by Valens an Arrian Emperour about ann 366. but fighting against him they became his destruction Ruffind 2.6.13 for they fired the towne into which he fled so that he miserably perished together with it And after this partly in Affrike and partly in Italy Germany and France euen almost all ouer the Christian world they were most manifest scourges sent for a plague vpon the Heresies which were most rife in those times Victor vticenfis and chiefly that of Arrius And this plague continued breaking out oft times more violently the space of about 184. yeeres from the first to the last viz. till ann 550. in which time when they gat the victory no manner of barbarous cruelty was spared in so much as Writers compare some of them with Dioclesian and Maximiâ—nus the most bloudy persecutors that euer were Some were sent into banishment and if through infirmity any could not keepe pace with the rest they were fastened to the tailes of horses and dragged against the stones till they were pitteously rent and torne Some were
preuaile as it is said of a threefold cord that it is not easily broken These preuaile so as that the Potentates of the earth stand to the Pope and fight for him and his religion euen vntill the great day of the Lords battell when all shall bee cut off that is at the day of iudgement which is described vnder the next viall by the commotions in the aire by thunderings and lightenings c. Others by the first plague vnderstand the Hierarchicall kingdome set vp in the dayes of Gregory the seuenth Grasser when the Roman Clergy began to be exempt from the secular iurisdiction becomming thus the more licentious in their filthinesse seeing none but the Pope and his instruments now had power to iudge them So that they make these seuen vials none other but types of corruption by degrees inuading the Church of Rome first in their manners they becomming most filthy and vile 2. In their doctrine set forth vnder the second viall by the sea turned into bloud 3. In their bloud-shed by being an occasion of many ciuill warres and dissentions 4. In their tyranny scorching like the heat of the Sunne in the Canicular dayes beginning in the dayes of Gregory the eighth 5. After all this the throne of the beast was darkened in the Councell of Constance by meanes of Iohn Husse and Ierom of Prague boldly laying open the wickednesse of the Papacy which made them euen to gnaw their tongues for sorrow 6. The sixt viall tooke effect in the sixteenth age of Christs incarnation when the Lusitanians passing beyond the promontory of the cape of good hope came into the Persian gulfe whereinto the riuer of Euphrates falleth and subiected the East parts thereof and going further tooke Calecut and Molucco and Iapania which are the vttermost bounds of the world and of the East in respect of vs founding there many Bishoptickes and seminaries of Iesuites whereas this way was neuer opened before neither had they any knowledge of the Romish religion And that this Prophecy might be fulfilled according to the letter by the comming of the Kings of the East from those parts so farre remote the Iesuites brought ouer the Embassadours of the three Kings of Iaponia ann 1584. thorow the most famous parts of Spaine and Italy to Rome where in the name of their kings they did obedience to Gregorie the thirteenth then Pope Genebrard in Psal 68 v 34. and this Genebrard himselfe a Papist acknowledgeth to bee the fulfilling of this prophecie holding that they came ouer to succour the Church now languishing through the great opposition that it findeth in these parts And in this time the Popes Legats and the Iesuites like frogs leaping about bestirre themselues to make ciuill commotions in all parts of Christendome for the rooting out of heretikes as they call them but the armies are gathered together into Harmageddon signifying a cursed army and so they make a way hereby to their owne vtter destruction figured out vnder the seuenth viall This exposition is prosecuted very largely by the Author Others vnderstanding by the earth whereupon these Angels are bidden to powre out their vials Forbs the earthly kingdome of Antichrist distinguish them according to the relation betwixt the earth sea riuers and aire which at the first are altogether vnderstood by the earth which is below being opposed to heauen aboue And thus the first viall is the first and lightest degree of euill that befell this kingdome when by the light of the Gospell their auarice filthinesse pride and hypocrisie as noisome boiles were detected â—ew yet daring to challenge their doctrine which is impugned vnder the next viall when this Sea appeared filthy like bloud the very worship processions and pilgrimages amongst them being exclaimed vpon as superstitious Vnder the third the corruption of their chiefe Doctours who as riuers seeke by their eloquence and learning to sweeten this Sea is set forth and withall the execution done vpon them for their conspiracies and treacheries against states and kingdomes Vnder the fourth viall they are inraged against the truth being exceedingly heat and vexed by the light and Sun-shine thereof growing clearer and of more force euery day for in stead of repenting they are more obdurated hereby Vnder the fift viall is shewed how the glory of Antichrists kingdome is darkened the Pope and Papistry becomming now vile and odious to many whereupon like men distracted they gnaw their tongues for sorrow Vnder the sixt viall is shewed how the riches glory and dominion of this kingdome being decayed set forth by the riuer Euphrates dried vp wherein it is alluded to Ier. 51. an open way shall be made for the Iewes and Mahumetans in the East to come in and receiue the Gospell that as their defection in the Easterne parts to Mahumetisme was occasioned by the rise of the Pope so their comming againe to embrace the truth may follow vpon the fall of the Pope But the Popes emissaries compared to vncleane spirits and frogs shall still seeke to hinder it by exciting the Potentates of the earth to wars in fauour of the Pope which when they shall be about with an high enterprise set forth by the word Harmageddon that is the mountaine of Megiddo which place is twice mentioned 1. Iudg. 5. when Iabin and Sisera are said to fall at the waters of Megiddo 2. when Iosiah was slaine by Pharaoh Necho in the valley of Megiddo 2 King 23. but here neither waters nor valley but mountaine of Megiddo is named to shew that when they should be at the highest pitch of their designe they should be defeated as God is said to foile Gog vpon the mountaines of Israel and hence a two-fold sorrow shall ensue one worldly of those that are ouerthrowne as the Midianites sorrowed when Iabin and Sisera were discomfited the other godly of those that hereby take occasion to see and acknowledge him whom they haue pierced as Zach. 12. and as they mourned for Iosiah when he was slaine by Pharaoh Necho Vnder the seuenth viall the great alteration that after these things shall be in the world is set forth all the enemies of the truth being destroyed the Church shall come to a flourishing state hauing nothing to expect more but the comming of the Bridegroome Christ Iesus Some more particularly holding that by these Angels certaine eminent persons are set forth Brightman who were stirred vp against the Papacy will haue the first to bee Queene ELIZABETH of blessed memory about ann 1560. and the byle to be her fauouring of the reformed religion turning out of their Bishoprickes and liuings Popish Bishops and Parsons The second Chemnitius in his writing of that booke called Examen Concilij Tridentini wherein the Sea of the Councell of Trent is set forth in the colours all bloudy and corrupt The third the Parlament here in England ann 1581. decreeing that they should be proceeded against as traitours who should at any time after goe about
to draw any to the Roman religion thus seeking to alienate their hearts from their lawfull Prince for hereby many riuers setting forth their Popish Doctours came to run with bloud when they were for this executed The fourth such as haue illustrated the darke places of the holy Scriptures which are as the Sunne and the more they come to be explained as it is now to be expected that they shall be daily more and more this being the time wherein knowledge shall increase the more as with the heat of the fire shall the Romanists be vexed and tormented but rather to their obduration than to their conuersion The fift some greater calamity than euer that shall come vpon Rome it selfe to the vtter ouerthrow thereof according to that prophecie of the Sybil 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Then thou shalt bee all desolate as if thou hadst neuer beene The sixt a Diuine power that shall bring the Iewes home vnto the truth â— Esdras 13.43 who as Esdras saith went thorow the straight passages of Euphrates for of their returne Esayas prophesieth saying I will say vnto the deepe be dry and I will dry vp thy flouds Chap. 51.10 they are called kings because they shall reigne all ouer the Eâ—st parts Then the Turke and the Pope set forth by the Dragon and false prophet and beast shall bestirre themselues by their agents Bassaes Iesuites and the like sparing for no cost to suppresse the truth and the powers which they shall assemble shall be in these Westerne parts where the Gospell hath most preuailed being called Harmageddon the mountaine of delights of Har a mountaine and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Maggedim delights The seuenth is according to this exposition applyed as in the exposition before going all the prophecies of holy Scripture haue now taken their effect The great City is diuided into three parts the three before spoken of viz. the Dragon beast and false prophet that is the Turke and Pope being destroyed but yet no end of the world Some a little different yet for the most part subscribe vnto this Pareus holding that the first viall was powred out by Luther and Zwinglius laying open the sores of Popery to their great vexation the second when the Councell of Trent set down such corrupt Canons of religion the third which is not yet fulfilled when the Bishops and Doctors and chiefe vpholders of the Roman religion shall haue the same measure meted vnto them which they haue measured vnto others by the shedding of their bloud the fourth when by the light of the truth increasing the Papals shall bee heat and troubled and blaspheme it out of their anguish the fift when the state of Popery shall yet become more abominable the foggy darknesse thereof appearing more and more by the comming on of the light the sixt when the reuenues of the Popedome decaying new kings set forth by the kings of the East because they shall be conuerted to the truth shall bee a meanes of the destruction thereof This was Bullingers before and is subscribed vnto by Aretius and Illiricus and by Pareus his Auonymus as he saith who wrote aboue two hundred and threescore yeeres agone This decay in the Papail reuenues hath beene these hundred yeeres but how doth the Pope seeke to helpe himselfe There are three vncleane spirits like frogs comming out of his mouth which are the Popes Legats the Bishops who direct them and the Iesuites who draw into their league the Kings of America India and Persia for the defence of the Popedome so that there are like to bee great stirres in the world and a great conspiracy to oppresse the truth but their gathering together shall be to their owne destruction because into Harmageddon where Iosiah fell an occasion of much sorrow and mourning For the seuenth Angell shall then powre out his viall the great day of iudgement being come the terriblenesse whereof is set forth by many fearefull euents of thunder lightening earthquake and haile More ancient Expositors vnder these Angels with their vials doe thinke that the Preachers Primas Richard de Sancto Victore Hanno Ambsbert Pannonius Ioachim c. who at seuerall times haue threatened Gods iudgements are set forth By the first the Apostles threatning the Iewes for their infidelity which as an incurable sore remaineth vpon them to this day By the second the Preachers which threatened the sea of the Gentiles By the third such as opposed heretikes By the fourth such as reproued the Clergy and chiefe Bishops for their corruptions By the fift such as opposed the followers of Antichrist and that Antichrist By the sixt such as reproue the Kings and Princes adhering to Antichrist By the seuenth such as threaten the destruction of the prince of the aire the Authour vnto Antichrist of all his tyranny after which hee shall be throwne downe to his place of torment Diuers Popish Writers follow this also as Gorran and Gagneus c. Yet Viegas will haue all to be literally vnderstood holding that as the Aegyptians were visibly and sensibly by diuers iudgements confounded before the Hebrewes Blas Viegas so Antichrist and his followers shall be before the Catholikes There are other expositions also as that by the sea and riuers turned into bloud Mason the slaughters made of the Papists by the Turkes are to be vnderstood by the viall powred out vpon the Sunne the turning of their Bishops Friers and other religious persons out of their dens here in England c. making them boile in heat at it By that vpon the beasts throne the taking away of the Popes reuenues to the great darkening of his glory consisting so much in worldly pompe and riches By that vpon Euphrates the remouing of all impediments that the kings which haue formerly giuen honour to the beast may now come and destroy her By that into the aire producing thunderings c. the vtter destruction of Popery by the powerfull preaching of the word when all flie away that is turne from Popery to the embracing of the truth Another applying the foure former vials onely in generall to the life and doctrine of the Papists being discredited holdeth that by the fift viall the going downe of the pompe glory and honour of the Pope is set forth in that being before time adored as a God he is now vilified and abominated as a monster By the sixt the decay of his reuenues which in time shall come to be so poore and meane as that hee shall bee easie to be inuaded as old Babylon was when Euphrates was dryed vp whereupon the Iesuites haue done their vttermost endeuour to stirre vp Popish Princes to succour this languishing state but by a secret prouidence they haue beene brought together into Harmageddon that is to their destruction so that the place may well be called from hence by this name signifying the destruction of an army as the Hebrewes were wont from any notable accident to giue the name to
time and be not led hood-winked into ineuitable perdition Quest 2. Vers 13 14 15 16. Who are these three vncleane spirits like Frogs that come out of the mouth of the dragon the beast and the false prophet and what place is that Harmageddon into which the Kings of the earth are gathered and by whom are they gathered together into that place Answ It is agreed that these foule spirits are instruments of the Pope who come as it were out of his mouth because so like vnto him both in the same end which they aime at and the meanes to effect it lying signes and wonders and more particularly I hold them to be none other but the Iesuites because the time of their beginning by Ignatius Loyola within these threescore yeeres doth notably agree and their leaping vp and downe in Kings Courts they being the greatest Statists that the Pope hath for him to maintaine his credit with the Kings of the earth that his reuenues may be no more diminished neither doe their practises to stirre vp to warre against Heretikes vniustly so called disagree for they are knowne to be the very firebrands of dissentions tumults treasons and bloudsheds thorowout all Christendome euer since they beganne to be They are said to be three when as indeed they are many thousands to note out their triple originall from the Dragon who is the Deuill the Beast the Roman State which they trauell for and the false prophet the Pope who before was called the second beast and not till now a false prophet but here more fully declared by his name as there by his pseudopropheticall practises whose eldest sonnes they are bending themselues vp to the highest streine of wit and resolution for the supporting of his tottering chaire These stirre vp popish Kings and Princes so as that they enter into leagues and vnions to root out poore Protestants But silly men that they are whilst they are thus busie for the benefit of the Popedome little doe they thinke of him that sitteth aboue and laugheth them to scorne for that the ioyning of popish Princes together to root out the truth shall by him bee turned to a gathering together to be destroyed so as that they shall neuer be able to make head againe And this is intimated in saying That they gather them together to the battell of the great day of God that is Vers 14. wherein God will haue glory by their vtter ouerthrow which is also further confirmed in that changing the number by and by he saith Hee gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Vers 16. Armageddon What is meant by this word Armageddon there is great difference of opinions Some thinke Beza Iunius Forbs Fox Pareus Iudg. 5.19 2 Chron. 35.22 that it is to bee read Har-megiddo and so expound it as alluding to the place called Megiddo where Iabin and Sisera with their army were destroyed before Debora and Barak by the Lord and where Iosiah fell before Pharaoh Neco King of Aegypt giuing occasion to a great mourning to the children of Israel for the losse of so good a King for each History may be well alluded to here that of the Canaanites destruction for the ouerthrow of popish kings with their people the other of Iosiah for the mourning which the Iewes being conuerted shall make for their former opposition against Christ slaying him so good a King that came to saue them as is foretold by the Prophet saying I will powre out vpon them the spirit of compassion Zach. 12. and they shall see him whom they haue pierced and mourne euery family apart For they hold that at the same time the Iewes shall be conuerted As for the change of the waters of Megiddo as it is in the first place or of the Valley of Megiddo as it is in the second into Har a Mount and Megiddo they thinke that this is not without a mystery Forbs it being hereby intimated that the enemies of the truth shall be in an high attempt when this destruction shall befall them Beza Iunius and therefore purposely a Valley is turned in the word here vsed into a Mountaine whereas it should be Megiddo Others reade it Horma-geddon a cursed warfare Luther Grasserus of Horma signifying a curse and geddon which commeth of Gadad signifying to gather together an army or of Harma crafty because by craft they shall be gathered together to their owne destruction as God will turne it Others with a single 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reade it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 expounding Har a Mountaine and Maggedim Delights holding that it is alluded to that in Dan. 11.45 And he shall fasten his tents in the mount of his holy beauty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for as there the Turke is pointed at apart so here all the enemies of the Church ioyning together and as Ierusalem is properly so called so the pure Church of God figured out thereby is here called so and therefore this battell and destruction of the enemies shall be made in these parts of the world where the pure reformed Religion hath taken effect Napior Some expound it the Mountaine of the Euangelist applying it likewise Some expound it the destruction of an Army of Cherem destruction Deut. and Gedud an Army holding that the slaughter of the enemies shall be so great that according to the manner of the Hebrewes amongst whom many places are named from the euent the place where this shall be shall take the name also Ierome as Pareus sheweth expoundeth it Montem furum the Mountaine of the eues others a cursed troupe others the destruction of the Riuer All wee see are agreed here that no proper place is designed but some place onely where the enemies of the truth shall be destroyed There will be no errour therefore which way so euer it be taken only I thinke it dangerous to admit of any corruption in the change of the word by the incury of the Scribe I preferre that of Dent holding withall that it is alluded vnto the destruction of Iabin and Sisera with their armies and that it should be likewise with the enemies of the truth ere long they shall bee in a Catholike league together bending all their forces against the reformed but God helping his their attempts shall bee turned to their owne vtter ouerthrow Whether this be now a working seeing they were neuer so combined together neither haue they beene about so great attempts as now God knoweth Haply the gathering together of Papists at this time is the gathering together here pointed at if not as the time will scarce beare it is a preludium thereof some famous destruction may happen to them in the end of this conspiracy now but the greatest whereunto this may make a way afterwards Howsoeuer let all men take heed of the Iesuites as of vncleane and dangerous spirits and let vs be comforted when the Romish Catholikes bend their forces
here mentioned as the boundary of this time as it was of the former Moreouer here were a strange gap opened into an expectation of this world to last yet seuen hundred yeeres which is against all probability That exposition which referreth the thrones to the Pope cannot stand in reason for Satan being bound it is not to bee thought that his Lieutenants the Popes aduancement should be shewed but rather the aduancement of such as withstood him Neither can I subscribe to that of the glorified estate of the Saints departed vnto whom the rest of the dead are opposed who liued not againe till the thousand yeeres expired because some visible alteration is here doubtlesse set forth at the binding of the Deuill seeing otherwise the accomplishment of this Prophecy could not haue beene conceiued of by the faithfull vpon earth for their comfort when as it was without doubt set forth for this end and purpose And as for that exposition whereby these things are applied vnto the Prelates and Rulers of the Church the description of being set vpon thrones and hauing power of iudgement is too glorious to agree vnto them Wherefore I preferre that of the sensible most happy alteration in the state of the world in the dayes of Constantine the Great for then thrones were set for Christians and they had the power of iudging who before were iudged and in this time the soules of the faithfull who had beene put to death for the Christian religion in the time of persecution might well bee said to liue and reigne with Christ because they had beene set forth as lying vnder the Altar and crying for reuenge vpon those that shed their bloud Chap. 6. vers 9. all the time that the Heathen reigned And whosoeuer worshipped not the beast as they departed out of this life they had communion with them in this their erection all these thousand yeres that is the body of the Saints being considered as one but not euery particular member For they all and euery of them liued and reigned in this time of a thousand yeeres though some a longer some a shorter part of it Their liuing and reigning then here spoken of must needs haue reference to their lying and crying before mentioned and therefore as that was spoken of to set forth times of persecution without any appearance of a deliuerer that might reuenge that innocent bloud so here is nothing else set forth but a deliuerance of the Church and a putting of power into the hands of the faithfull to reuenge themselues vpon the heathen as was sometime giuen to the Iewes by thē meanes of Hester Ester 8. and Mordecai For although the soules of the faithfull did liue and reigne with Christ before mmediatly after their separation from the body yet because vnto perfect dominion it is not onely requisite to be in glory and ioy with the Lord but to haue our enemies beaten downe and destroyed they are not said to liue and reigne with the Lord till this accomplished Touching the rest of the dead who are said not to rise againe till these thousand yeeres ended I cannot thinke that it is meant of the dead in sinne and superstition who rise not till then that is neuer because they which were before spoken of are corporally dead for they were slaine and these are plainly a part of them for hee saith the rest of the dead and therefore corporally dead also I suppose then that by the rest of the dead the innumerable company of them that haue died since the beginning of the world are meant the time of whose resurrection is not to bee expected till after these thousand yeeres lest when we heare of some liuing and reigning with Christ and of thrones set and the iudgement giuen we should imagine the generall resurrection and Christs comming to iudgement to be here meant This is the first resurrection Vers 5. Vers 6. Blessed and holy is hee that hath part in the first resurrection c. This may seeme to bee plaine for a bodily resurrection maintained from this place by the Chiliasts because the liuing of the soules before spoken of being here reiterated is called a resurrection which cannot bee taken but for the rising againe of the body seeing the soule falleth not at all But it is to bee vnderstood that these words are metaphoricall and not proper the rising of the Church from vnder persecution to such an estate as wherein the truth is propagated with authority is as it were a resurrection from the dead and therefore is so called and because of the life that vniuersally came then into the world by meanes of the Gospell thus propagated it is called the first resurrection as the conuersion of the Iewes which shall be is called by the Apostle Rom. 11.15 Life vnto the world from the dead which is all one as if he had said with our Prophet here a resurrection They are said to be blessed and holy that haue part in this resurrection that is the faithfull of these times are aboue others blessed in this that they rule and reigne the world being now Christian and are not vnder the dominion of their enemies neither shall the second death seize vpon them as vpon none else that are in the like condition that is by the power of the Gospell and spirit raised vp from the death of sinne to the life of righteousnesse For of a bodily resurrection it cannot possibly be vnderstood as I haue already proued but being thus vnderstood all things will most excellently agree I saw thrones set and them that sate vpon them c. that is it was represented vnto me how in the time of Constantine the Great the faithfull should begin to rule and reigne in this world And I saw the soules c. that is and at that time it was shewed me by the altered condition of such as had giuen their liues for the truth who before were set forth as crying but now as ruling and reigning in token of an end put to those calamities and a beginning made of prosperity that the case of the Church was altered and this lasted a thousand yeeres This is the first resurrection c. that is this the faithfuls being aduanced to rule and reigne here being a meanes to conuert so many millions in all parts to the truth is as it were a generall resurrection going before that at the last day against which they are well prepared that haue their part in this by being quickened in grace for the second death shall neuer seize vpon such but they shall reigne with Christ a thousand yeeres by the prosperous and flourishing estate which the Church enioyeth here and afterwards for euer by being actually possessed of the kingdome of heauen in body and soule for euermore Note Note that the onely way to be safe from euerlasting destruction in hell is by making a resurrection before the last resurrection that is a resurrection vnto grace