all Saints upon the golden Altars which is before the throne We heard before that when the course of the Gospell was stopt by the divell and his instruments yet God was very carefull for the safety and sealing up of his owne servants so likewise we are now to hear of the like care and providence for now that errours and heresies were to be sowne in the World whereby many were corrupted and that He himselfe from Heaven doth proclaime open enmitie against the despisers of his Gospell by giving them up to blindnesse and errour he doth double his care and providence to all his faithfull worshippers For heere we do plainely see that the Church hath a mediator and that he which keepeth Israel neither slumbereth nor sleepeth And therefore when the wrath of God doth most of all breake forth upon the world for the contempt of his graces yet the Church is remembred and set in safety with all her Children For her prayers come up before God and are accepted through the mediator And this is the sence and drift of this third verse By this Angell is meant Jesus Christ the Angell of the covenant as we have heard before who is not an Angell by nature but by office It is manifest that in the old law there was a golden Altar and a golden Censor on which the Priest did burne sweet incense before the Lord which did figure the mediation of Christ in whom the prayers of the Saints are accepted Now heere the holy Ghost alludeth to that sacrificing Priest-hood of the old Testament where incense was offered at the Altar which now is the sweet savour of the death of Christ through whom both we and all our sacrifices are seasoned and sweetned Who therefore is this Angell but Christ What are the sweet odours with the which the prayers of all Saints come before God but the most sweet mediation of the Lord Jesus What is meant by the smoake of the odours which with the prayers of the Saints went up before God out of the Angels hand Surely the sweet incense of Christ mediation wherewith our prayers are spiced and perfumed that they might be as sweet incense of Christs mediation wherewith our prayers are spiced and perfumed that they might be as sweet smelling sacrifices in the Nostrils of God For as water cast into a fire raiseth a smoake so the teares of the faithfull besprinkled in their prayers make them as sweet incense acceptable to God through Christ The summe of all is this that in the middest of all these heresies and those hellish troubles which should be raised up by the Pope and his Clergy the Turke and his armies as in the next Chapter we shall see the elect have their prayers heard for their preservation by the merits of CHRIST verse 5. And the Angell tooke the Censor and filled it with the fire of the Altar and cast it into the earth and there were voyces and Trumpets thundrings and lightnings and earthquakes Heere we see how Jesus Christ taketh the Censor and filleth it with the fire of the Altar that is the graces and gifts of the Spirit for so the fire of the Altas is taken in Esay In this sense it is sayd that our Lord Jesus should baptize with fire and the holy Ghost that is the gifts and graces of the holy Ghost In this sense also the holy Ghost did rest upon the Disciples in the likenesse of cloven tongues like fire whereupon they were all filled with gifts and graces The holy Ghost is compared to fire because he burneth out our drosse purgeth the hearts of the faithfull and setteth them on fire with the burning love and zeale of Gods glory So then it followeth that as before there was provision had for the safety of the Church by her Mediator so heere many heavenly gifts and graces are bestowed upon her For Christ casteth this fire of the Altar upon the earth that is upon his dwelling in the earth Hereupon it is sayd that there were voyces and thundrings c. that is all manner of broyles tumults uprores slaughters and divisions For after the Gospell was sounded forth in the Church by the power of the holy Ghost the divell is disturbed and the World molested And hence spring all these broyles and tumults thundring and lightning and we must looke for such stirres after the preaching of the Gospell whilest there is a world and a divell Therefore our Lord JESUS saith he came not to bring peace into the Earth Mat. 10.34 but fire and Sword and to set a man at variance against his Father and likewise the Daughter against her mother c. For divisions and civill dissensions do alwayes follow the preaching of the Gospell which thing is not yet simply in the nature of the Gospell of peace but accidently through the frowardnesse and corruption of mans nature which will not yeeld unto it but most stubbornely rebelleth against it Then the seven Angels which had the seven Trumpets verse 6. prepared themselves to blow Now beginneth this open warre to be proclaimed against the World for their great ungodlinesse and rebellion against the truth So the first Angell blew the Trumpet verse 7. and there was Haile and Fire mingled with blood and they were cast into the earth and the third part of trees was burnt and all greene grasse was burnt It were absurd to imagine that any thing in this Verse is to be taken literally seeing in the literall Sense there was never any such matter Therefore of necessitie it must be expounded mystically and allegorically Therefore by this Hayle and Fire mingled with blood is meant Errors and Heresies For as Hayle doth beate downe Corne and destroy the fruits of the Earth Fire doth consume and blood doth corrupt and putrifie So false doctrine and Heresie doth annoy consume and corrupt the soules of men For it is sayd that all these things mingled together were cast upon the earth that is the inhabitants of the earth and the third part of the trees that is the numbers of men or a very great part of the World was corrupted For trees in the Scripture signifie men and all greene grasse was burnt that is Esa 61. the fresh fruits of grace did wither apace and dry up for as error and heresie did prevaile so truth and godlinesse did decay All this hath relation to the Heresies of Sabellius Manicheus Marcion Fotinus Paulus Samosatenus Nestorius Novatus Diodorus Apolinaris Pelagius and many others which about this time being foure hundred yeares after Christ began to spring up and grow apace And the second Angell blew the Trumpet and as it were a great Mountaine burning with fire was cast into the Sea and the third part of the Sea became blood c. Upon the blowing of the second Trumpet by the second Angell heere appeareth a great Mountaine burning with fire whereby is meant some great and notable heresies as that of Arrius which
blessed for ever For otherwise the Angels of Heaven both Cherubins and Seraphins would not thus fall down and worship him ascribing unto him both deity and divine honour Consider then how great he is of whom it is said Let all the Angels of God worship him Psal 97.7 Moreover these Angels and Saints are sayd to have every one Harpes and golden Vials Verse 8. full of Odours which are the prayers of the Saints These Harpes doe signifie the sweet consent and harmony both of men and Angels in sounding forth the praises of the Lambe for herein the whole Church both militant and triumphant do accord and tune together as many harpers harping upon their harpes Apo. 14.2 as is written also in another place Hereby also they do plainly testifie that inward peace and spirituall joy which all the faithfull have through Christ which is more sweet and delightsome to the soule then any musick is unto the eares The Vialls full of Odours are expounded to be the prayers of the Saints which are therefore compared to odours because they smell sweet in the nostrils of God and are more fragrant then any nosegay or perfume whatsoever for he taketh great pleasure in the prayers of his people especially when they came out of golden vials that is sanctified hearts and consciences for every sanctified heart is a golden heart in the sight of God and every regenerate conscience is a Jewell of price guilt with gold and enameled with pearle For this cause the holy man David wisheth earnestly that his heart might be so renewed and cleansed inwardly that his prayer might be directed as incense in Gods sight Psal 14.1 and the lifting up of his hands as a sweet smelling sacrifice Furthermore these Saints and Angels do sing a new song That is they do sing to the prayses of the Lambe with renued affections and unwearied desires Their inward joy continueth alwaies fresh and greene as the Bay-tree They never wither or waxe weary of the service of God Their song is evermore new and therefore evermore delightsome For the more new any thing is the more pleasant and delactable for men are not affected with old but altogether with new things Now then Jesus Christ having taken this booke into his hand to open and expound is applauded unto by the generall consent and voyces of the whole Church for say they Thou art worthy to take the booke and to open the seales thereof Wherein they do all with common consent give their voyces unto Christ acknowledging him to be the onely fit person in Heaven or earth to take upon him the function of opening a booke so closed so clasped so shut so sealed and they do yeeld a reason of their proceedings because say they thou wast killed and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation Meaning hereby that he was put to death to pay the price of our redemption in whom all beleevers both Jewes and Gentiles are saved Their reason then is this he that hath died and risen againe and is now exalted farre above all principalities and powers c. is the most fit instrument to open and interpret this booke but thou O Christ the Lambe of God art such an one therefore thou of all others art most meete to take the matter upon thee and to enter into this businesse Further they amplifie their reason thus Verse 10. that he hath made us of slaves and servants Kings and of prophane persons Priests unto the most high God And last of all that we shall raigne upon the earth Not meaning hereby that we shall raigne as earthly Kings or onely enjoy an earthly Kingdome For out of all doubt the Saints shall raigne with Christ in the Heavens for evermore But heere is mention made of raigning in the earth because after this life Gods Children shall have the fruition and inheritance both of Heaven and earth that is to say that new Heaven and new Earth 2 Pet. 3.12 wherein dwelleth righteousnesse for the Heavens and the earth being redintegrated and purged from corruption shall be the portion of the Saints and the habitation of the Elect for evermore After all this Ver. 11. John heareth the voice of innumerable Angels besides the foure Beasts That is the Cherubines and Seraphins or chiefe Angels that is Angels deputed to chiefe offices round about the throne which all with a loud voice doe acknowledge the Lambe which was killed Ver. 12. to bee worthy of all honour glory and praise c. And not only these innumerable Angels being 20. thousand times ten thousand but also all other creatures both in Heaven and Earth As the Sun Moone and Starres the fishes in the Sea and the beasts in the earth do all in their kinde sing the same song acknowledging all honour and glory praise and power to belong unto him that sitteth upon the throne Ver. 13. and unto the Lambe for evermore For although the creature is as yet subject to the bondage of corruption and therefore groneth and travelleth in paine waiting when the Sonnes of God shall be revealed yet it standeth in assured expectation of restitution to liberty and incorruption and therefore here all the creatures do praise the Lambe for that restauration which they had so lovingly and wishly looked for And the foure beasts said Amen That is they do subscribe to those prayses which the creature yeeldeth to their Creator And not onely the Angels do subscribe and consent unto it but the foure and twenty Elders also that fall downe and worshp him that liveth for evermore So that the Lambe is praysed and worshipped of all hands both of men and Angels and all other creatures as God everlasting and blessed for evermore CHAP. VI. IN the fourth Chapter wee have heard the description of God the Father which holdeth the sealed booke in his right hand In the fift Chapter we have also had the description of Jesus Christ the opener and interpreter of this seven sealed Book Now in this sixth Chapter wee are to understand of the mattter and contents of this Booke and of the strange accidents and events which followed upon the opening of every severall Scale For in this Chapter sixe of the Seals are opened by the Sonne of God and the Mysteries thereof disclosed unto John that he might declare them to the Church for the comfort and instruction thereof This Chapter containeth sixe principall things arising from the severall opening of the sixe seales and they are these The spreading of the Gospell Great persecutions following therupon Famine Pestilence Complaints of the Martyrs Ver. 1.2.3.4 c. Fearefull revenge upon the world for shedding the blood of Gods Saints After Verse 1. I beheld when the Lambe had opened one of the seales and I heard one of the foure beasts say as it were the noise of thunder Come and see Now after all these former
other place but not destroyed For God doth remove but not destroy his Candlesticks Pergamus is threatned that unlesse they did speedily repent Jesus Christ should come shortly and fight against them with the sword of his mouth Thyatyra is threatned that except they repent them of their workes they should be cast into a bed of affliction and all their favorites should be slain with death Sardis is threatned that if they did not watch and awake CHRIST would come suddenly upon them as a Thiefe and they should not know what houre hee would come Concerning promises they be very great and large for everlasting joy and the very fulnesse of glory is promised to all that fight the good fight of faith and overcome in the spirituall battle against the flesh the world and the Divell Ephesus is promised that if they fight it out couragiously and constantly to the end they should eate of the tree of life which is in the middest of the paradise of God Smyrna is promised in like case that they should not be hurt of the second death Pergamus likewise is promised to eate of the Manna that is hid to have the white stone of victory given them Thyatira is promised to have power given them to rule over Nations and to be lightned with heavenly brightnes like the morning Star Sardis is promised to be cloathed with white array that is with heavenly glory and to have their name continued in the booke of life Philadelphia is promised to have a piller made in the Temple of God that is a firme and unmoveable place of eternall glory Laodicea is promised to sup with Christ and to sit with him upon his throne for evermore Thus we see what great and precious promises are made to all Churches that fight and overcome in this their spirituall battell and conflict Concerning the conclusion it is one and the same to all these seven Churches Wherein they are exhorted that such as have eares to heare should heare ponder and consider all the aforesaid praises and dispraises admonitions reprehensions threats and promises And it is therefore said such as have eares because they are very few to be found that have circumcised and sanctified eares to heare and understand heavenly things This is proper to the elect this is but to whom it is given And thus briefly and generally we see what was the present state of every one of the Churches of Asia unto which this Prophecie was to be sent so that by them we may see in what estate the universall Church militant was at that time For as some of these seven as yet stood firme and others had much declined so was it with all other Churches Hitherto concerning the first vision containing generally the inscription of this booke Johns salutation to the Churches Johns new calling The excellency of Christ which called him And the present estate of the Church Now we are to proceed to the second vision contained in the next eight Chapters to the twelve wherein is shewed what should be the future estate of the Church in all ages even unto the end of the world CHAP. 4. THe principall thing contained in this fourth Chapter is a description of the person of God the author of this booke who is most gloriously described of that excellent glory that is in himselfe and of his royall throne which hee sitteth upon and of his goodly retinue and troopes of Saints and Angels attending about his most glorious throne Whereunto is added the diverse qualities both of Angels and Saints both in themselves and their owne natures as also in their manner of praising and worshipping of God This is the generall summe and sense of this Chapter But for the better clearing and more full opening of I will come to the words of the text and open them as they lie in order After this I looked and behold a doore was open in Heaven and the first voice I heard Verse 1. was as it were of a Trumpet talking with mee saying Come up hither and I will shew thee the things which must bee done hereafter These words After this have relation to the first vision spoken of before as if he should say after I had received the former vision concerning the present estate of the Church now I had another vision concerning the future estate therof and therfore he saith a doore was opened in Heaven that he might come in and see all these things which should be revealed to him For the opening of the doore in Heaven doth here signifie the unlocking of heavenly things unto Iohn or his entrance into them for so the word doore is taken 2. Cor. 3.12 Apoc. 3.8 After the opening of the doore he is called up with a loud voice like a Trumpet saying Come up hither for although the doore was opened yet durst he not enter in till he was called and commanded to come in For in these cases he doth not presume in any thing as of himselfe without speciall warrant and direction As the Scripture saith No man taketh this honour unto himselfe Heb. 5.4 but he that is called of God as Aaron was The voice that calleth him is like a Trumpet that is loud and shrill that he might be stirred up more diligently to attend unto the contemplation of these great secrets which should be revealed unto him This voice commandeth him to come up hither which sheweth that Iohn was rapt up in the Spirit unto the Heavens to see this vision This voice promiseth to shew him things which must be done hereafter that is that he should be made acquainted with the future estate of the Church as already he was with the present estate thereof And immediately I was ravished in the Spirit Verse 2. and behold a Throne was set in Heaven and one sate upon the Throne Upon this suddaine and extraordinary calling by so heavenly and loud a voice Iohn was forthwith ravished in Spirit For as the Prophet Ezechiel was by the spirit in the visions of God carried from Caldea to Ierusalem So this holy Apostle is carried by the Spirit in the visions of God into Heaven and by the same Spirit is made fit and capable of all these heavenly visions which should be shewed him So that in all this we do plainely and cleerely see that Iohn hath as it were a further calling and admittance from Heaven to to behold and see these wonderfull secrets which now are to be imparted unto him Behold a Throne c. Here beginneth the description of the most high and glorious majesty of God who is described after the manner of earthly Kings and Judges sitting upon their thrones and judgement seats For he is King of Zion and Judge of all the world And he that sate was to look upon like unto a Jasper stone Verse 3. and a Sardine and there was a Rainebow round about the Throne like an Emeraud God for his admirable glory and beauty is
to cover their faces two to cover their feete and two to flye withall And they have two wings to cover their faces withall because they are not able to endure the unconceiveable brightnesse and glory of God for he dwelleth in unapproachable light They have two wings to cover their feete withall because mortall then are not able to looke upon the brightnesse that is in Heaven For we reade that many have beene astonished and dazled with the glory and brightnesse of Angels so glorious creatures are they They have two wings to flie withall to note their prompt obedience and readinesse to execute the commandements of God as formerly was shewed Moreover the Angels are said to have wings and to flye swiftly because God by them doth speedily dispatch many purposes actions and services here below and for this cause the Scripture affirmeth that he rideth upon the Cherubins that hee dwelleth betweene the Cherubins and that hee maketh the Clouds his Chariots and walketh upon the wings of the winde For as earthly Kings are in their progresses carried in their most sumptuous coaches drawne by the most excellent Coach-horses to dispatch great businesses and many weighty affaires within their dominions so the Visions in Ezechiel do shew that the immortall King is carried most swiftly in his Chariot of triumph drawne by the Cherubins as it were by beasts to direct and over-rule all actions under the Sun Moreover these Angels are said to be full of eyes within Verse 8. to note not onely their fulnesse of knowledge but also their inward sight into all heavenly things yea even such as are most secret and hid for they are of all other creatures most inward with God None of his Children know so much of his counsell as they Furthermore the Angels are heere said to prayse God uncessantly Verse 8. day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was which is and which is to come where we may cleerely see that the Angels prayse and worship God in a burning zeale without wearinesse For they are not as men which through their great corruption are full of dulnesse and wearinesse in Gods worship but they do alwaies serve him with infatigable desires and therfore are called Seraphins because they burne in the zeale of God and Cherubins because their delight is to approach neare unto him and to be alwaies about his Throne yea even in his chamber of presence They doe double and treble this word holy and warble much upon it because they know full well that he is righteous in all his waies and holy in all his works and that all his proceedings and judgements are even then weighed in the ballance of Justice and equity when to mans sense and the judgement of reason they seeme nothing lesse For his judgements are as a great depth which mans reason cannot sound Further wee see that when these beasts that is the Angels gave glory and honour and thanks to God c. the 24. Elders also fell downe before him and worshipped him that liveth for evermore Where we may see that both Saints and Angels doe joyntly prayse and magnifie God and him alone Even that GOD that liveth for evermore even that GOD which was which is and which is to come that is the eternall and everlasting God For the Scripture sayth Praise him O yee Saints and praise him O yee Angels that excell in strength And the 24. Elders cast their Crownes before the Throne saying Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour c. Wherein we see that all the Elect do empty themselves of all worthinesse to have any glory acknowledging that their Crownes of glory are Gods free gift and that the praise thereof belongeth only to him and nothing to themselves And this in very deed is the right manner of worshipping God frankly to ascribe all glory to him and all shame to our selves to give all to him to whom all is due and nothing to our selves which have nothing for nothing can be given or taken out of nothing Now then to conclude and winde up this 4. Chapter we do clearely see the summe and drift of all is that Heaven doore was opened unto John and that he was let in and called up into the Chamber of presence by a very loud voice there to take notice of the future estate of the Church and that the person which thus called him up was the very immortall God himselfe who is so gloriously described of his Throne his troopes and traines of Saints and Angels as we have heard And all this is to commend and set forth the authority of this booke whose Authour is so excellent yea super-excellent CHAP. V. AFter this Vision containing the glory of the divine Majesty was shewed unto John that he might know from what fountaine this Prophesie was derived now in this fift Chapter is taught and shewed by what meanes and by whose mediation the knowledge of such hidden mysteries were revealed unto the Church namely by the meanes and mediation of Jesus Christ in whom onely the counsels and secrets of God the Father are opened and made knowne unto men For he is the great Prophet and Doctor of the Church which is come down from the bosome of his Father and hath made knowne unto us whatsoever he hath received of his Father as he himselfe testifieth And the Church is commanded by a voice from Heaven to heare him and him alone This fifth Chapter containeth three things generally Ver. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. First a description of the booke which was in the right hand of God Secondly a description of Jesus Christ which receiveth it at the hand of his Father and openeth it Thirdly a description of those most glorious praises which are given to Christ by the Angels Saints and all the creatures in Heauen and earth I saw in the right hand of him that sate upon the throne a book written within Verse 1. and on the backe side sealed with seaven seales By this booke here mentioned is meant this present booke of the Apocalyps or Revelation as it shall plainely appeare in the next chapter when we come to the opening of the seaven seales thereof For the things which fall out upon the opening of the severall seales do plainely declare that all is meant of the particular matters contained in this present booke This book is said to be in the right hand of him that sitteth upon the throne because all the secrets revealed in it come from the counsell and decree of the most high God and are ordered by his meere direction providence It is called a written booke to shew that the things contained in it are so firmely decreed in the counsell of God that none of them shall faile but come to passe and be fulfilled â—n their season They are such as we may write of as we use to say and therefore for the cerâ—ainty of them they are here said to
presence of the Throne of God c. to hunger and thirst no more c. to have all teares wiped from their eyes and to bee led by the Lambe unto the Fountaines of living waters All which doth very plainely and plentifully expresse that infinite glory and endlesse felicity which is prepared for all the true and faithfull worshippers of God Many good lessons and observations might be gathered out of all this But I do of purpose omit them because in this work I do chiefly and almost altogether aime at interpretation therein also studying brevity soundnesse and plainenesse CHAP. VIII VVE have heard out of the seventh Chapter how the divels and their instruments the Romane Emperours did stoppe the course of the Gospell Now in this Chapter we are to heare the wofull effects of the stopping thereof which was the springing up and prevailing of manifold errours and heresies in the World So that the principall scope and drift of this Chapter is to shew that God for the contempt of his Gospell and great indignities offered to the true professors thereof did give up the World to blindnesse to errour to superstition and heresie and as the Apostle sayth Because they received not the love of the truth 2. Thes 2. therefore God sent them strong delusions that they should beleeve in lies For as before we have heard how the world was most fearfully punished with externall plagues and judgements So heere we are to understand how the same was punished with judgements spirituall and internall as formerly hath beene sayd upon the stopping of the foure winds For although that spirituall plague was very great yet these spirituall plagues which follow upon the opening of the seventh seale are far greater For now we are to heare and understand not onely of the errours and heresies whereby a way and passage was made by degrees as it were by certaine staires for Antichrist to climbe up into his cursed chaire and to take possession thereof but also we are to understand of his very tyranny and Kingdome it selfe and also of the Kingdome of the Turke and the last judgement For the things contained under the opening of the seventh Seale do reach unto the end of the world For the booke sealed with seven seales containeth all the whole matters which were to be revealed This Chapter containeth foure principall things as it were the foure parts thereof ver 1.2.3.4.5 6 c. First the reverent attention and silence with admiration which was in the Church at and upon the comming forth of this most horrible vengeance Secondly before the execution of these most execrable plagues the Church is remembred and set in safety with all her Children by her great Mediator Christ Jesus Thirdly the execution of this vengeance which commeth forth at the blowing of the seven trumpets by seven Angels Fourthly the vengeance it self contained in the prevailing of errour and heresie the falling away of the Pastors of the Church and the universall darkenesse that followed thereupon And when hee had opened the seventh Seale there was silence in Heaven above halfe an houre By Heaven in this place he meaneth not the Kingdome of glory after this life but by Heaven is meant the Church heere upon earth as it is so taken Chap. 12. Verse 1. and Chap. 14. Verse 2. There may be three reasons yeelded why the Church is called Heaven First 1. Joh. 5.1 because the birth thereof is from Heaven for it is borne of God Secondly because the inheritance thereof is from Heaven and therefore is called Col. 1.12 Phil. 3.20 The inheritance of the Saints Thirdly because the conversation thereof is in Heaven as the Apostle sayth To this may be added that our Lord Jesus in his Gospell doth so often call his visible Church the Kingdome of Heaven by a Trope Mat. 13. because CHRIST beginneth his raigne in the faithfull therein whom afterward he translateth actually into the very Kingdome of glory By silence here is meant the great attention of the Church because great things were now at hand For now upon the opening of the seventh Seale far greater matters are threatned then any before and therefore the Church doth listen unto them in deepe silence and as it were in horror and trembling through admiration for now there appeare such dreadfull judgements of God to be executed upon the earth that all the heavenly company are astonished and amazed to behold it and do as it were quake and tremble to thinke upon it For as when heavy newes commeth down from the Prince to be proclaimed in open markets all good subjects do listen and give eare with silence and trembling so it fareth in this case By halfe an houre he meaneth that short time wherin the minds of the godly were prepared fitted and disposed wisely to consider of these matters and to make good use of them I know right well that this Verse is far otherwise interpreted of some but I take this to be most sound and simple and best agreeing to all that followeth for the next Verse is joyned unto this by a conjunction copulative to note a coherence of the matter and to draw the sence together for he sayth And I saw seven Angels which stood before God verse 2. and to them were given seven Trumpets These seven Trumpets signifie that God would proceed against the World in fearefull hostility and come against it as an open enemy unto battell proclaiming open warre against it as it were with sound of Trumpet and Drumme setting up the flag of defiance against it And hereupon groweth this silence and trembling in the Church which only mooved with the signes of Gods wrath when as all others sit still in security as the Prophet Zachary saith in a like case To stand in this place signifieth to administer as it is said of the Priests and Levites that they stand before God and before the Altar that is minister So heere the Angels doe stand before God as ready to administer and execute these Judgements For they are ministring spirits and heere they do sound the alarum at the commandement of God These Angels are popounded as seven in number because it pleased God at once to powre down his wrath upon the rebellious World but at divers times and by piece-meale Whether these were good or bad Angels it is not materiall to dispute seeing God executeth his judgements both by the one and the other 2 Sa. 24.16 Moreover it is specially to be observed that the blowing of these seven Trumpets do all belong to the opening of the seventh seale are as it were the seven parts thereof for the things which fall out upon the blowing of these seven Trumpets do reach even unto the last Judgement as the Angell sweareth Chap. 10.6.7 Then another Angell came and stood before the Altar ver 3. having a golden Censor and much odours was given unto him that he should offer with the prayers of
men and bought from the earth as it is said before that is they are redeemed and bought with a price from the currupt lump of mankind and cursed race of Adam that they might be the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb that is wholly consecrated to his worship and to serve him in righteousnesse and true holinesse all the daies of their life In their mouthes was found no guile that is they do declare their innocency and uprightnesse both in their words and works as those which Christ hath chosen out of this world and bought with a price through his bloud in whom they are without spot or speck before God Verse 6. Then I saw another Angel flye in the middest of heaven having an everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth and to every nation and kindred and tongue and people Saying with a loud voyce Fear God Verse 7. and give glory to him for the hour of his judgement is come and worship him that made heaven and earth and the sea and the fountaines of waters Hitherto the holy Ghost hath taught us how the Church was preserved under the tyranny of Antichrist and greatest waves of persecutions and that even then they did purely and faithfully worship the true God Now he proceedeth to foreshew the ruine and downefall of Antichrist and plainly to prophesie the utter decay of the kingdome of Babel This doctrine therefore wee are to hearken unto with great attention and cheerfulnesse because it doth so much concerne our good and the good of the whole Church also because wee live in the dayes wherein we see it is in part fulfilled First therefore wee are to understand what is meant by this Angel here mentioned to wit not any celestiall Angel or invisible spirit as it is sundry times taken before but by this Angel and the two Angels following are meant all the faithfull ministers of the Gospel which should be raised up in these last dayes for the overthrow of Rome and the delivering of the Church from under the captivity of Antichrist which may plainly appeare by this that is said this Angel preacheth the everlasting Gospel unto them that dwell on the earth which cannot properly agree to the celestiall spirits We have heard out of the tenth chapter that Jesus Christ did open the little book which is the Bible and did give authority to his faithfull ministers to goe preach and publish the doctrine thereof to many nations Chap. 10.11 countries and kingdomes now unto that agreeth this which is here spoken of and is a further opening and declaring of that which is there set downe For as there Jesus Christ cometh downe from heaven and openeth the little book which had been long shut up under the darknesse of Popery and the smoak which came out of the bottomlesse pit so here Christ Jesus raised up his faithfull ministers and preachers to publish and proclaime the doctrine of the Gospel which had long lain hidden under outragious persecutions of the two monstrous and most hideous beasts To this also agreeth that which is written in the eighteenth chapter of this book where Saint John seeth an Angel come down from heaven having great power so that the earth was lightened with his glory By which Angel is meant all the preachers of this age And the Angel is said to have great power for what is more powerfull then the ministery of the word And moreover it is said that the earth was lightened with his glory that is with the brightness of the preaching of the Gospel whereby the darknesse of Popery was dispersed and driven away and Babylon falleth upon it as there you may read and as here wee shall see the like effect by and by Moreover it is here said that this Angel flyeth in the middest of heaven that is very swiftly carryeth this everlasting Gospel through all the Church For when Gods appointed time was come wherein hee would goe about the overthrow of Popery hee caused his everlasting Gospel to be set abroach and to spread over many kingdomes and nations as we see this day Now because those kingdoms where God would have the knowledge of his Gospel divulged were many and great therefore here is expedition required and this Angel doth carry it not standing but flying And all this we see perfectly fulfilled with our eys when God raised up Luther Zuinglius Melancthon Peter Viret Calvin Bucer Bullinger Peter Martyr and all their worthy successors unto this day which have spread the everlasting Gospel very far and carried it very swiftly over England Scotland Germany Denmark Polonia Swevia Russia and many parts of France and Flanders Another reason why this Angell is said to flie in the middest of heaven is because no power of man shall ever be able to stay the course of this everlasting Gospel which this Angel carrieth abroad no more then men are able to stop the course of the Sun in the heavens or a cloud in the skie For this Angel flyeth in the midst of heaven far above the reach of the beast and all kings and potentates that stand for the kingdome of the beast Therefore let them doe all what they can they shall never be able to stop the course of the Gospel for it is called the arm of God and his very arm holdeth it forth to the world and who is able to bend it in or to turne it backward There be three reasons why the Gospel is called everlasting First because it is in his own nature everlasting as it is written 1 Pet. 1.25 The word of the Lord endureth for ever Secondly because it putteth us in possession of everlasting things as it is written Thy word O Lord Psal 119. endureth for ever in heaven Thirdly and principally because as it was long before Antichrist was hatched so it shall continue when he and his kingdome is dead and rotten Saying with a loud voice Fear God Verse 7. and give glory unto him c. Here is set down the doctrine which this Angel preacheth with a loud voice that is with great zeale The sum whereof is this Fear God and give glory unto him and worship him that made heaven and earth c. The sence is that the true and everliving God should onely be feared and worshipped and all glory should be given unto him alone through Christ and none to Antichrist none to Cardinals and Legats none to Angels none to Saints none to images roodes crosses and crucifixes Here then is set downe an abridgement of the doctrine of this everlasting Gospel namely that men should onely feare God and worship him and give all glory to him alone and not to any creature And the reason is yeelded because the houre of his judgement is come that is the time of the manifestation of the Gospel or lawes of the most high God for so the word Judgement is often taken in the Scriptures Here are wee to
observe one speciall thing to wit that the Gospel which this Angel flyeth withall containeth the brief summ of all the doctrine which Luther Calvin Peter Martyr and the rest have taught out of Gods Word and agreeth in all points with it For what other thing did they all preach teach and write but that men should turn from idols to the living God from fearing glorifying and worshipping creatures to feare worship and glorifie God alone which hath made all things What other thing doe all the preachers of this age publish and proclaime in all their Sermons but this Feare God and give glory onely to him Is not this the Epitome and short sum of all the doctrine of the Preachers of England Scotland Germany France Denmarke and all the rest and therefore I conclude that this Angel must needs be understood of the Preachers of this last age which now these fourscore yeeres have sounded the trumpet of the Gospel against all the inventions of Popery And blessed be God wee see these things fall out in our dayes and are eye-witnesses of the fulfilling of them And there followed another Angel saying Verse 8. It is fallen it is fallen Babylon that great city for she gave to all nations to drink the wine of the wrath of her fornication Here is set down the blessed effect of the preaching of this everlasting Gospel which is the downfall of Babylon For as when the cleer Sun ariseth upon the earth the thick mists and clouds are dispersed even so when the bright beames of the Gospel doe shine forth unto the world Babylon that dark kingdom vanisheth away incontinently And as it is written in the eighteenth chapter so soon as the earth was lightened with the glory of this everlasting Gospel Babylon immediatly falleth Therefore now before I go any further my purpose through the assistance of God Five maine points is to prove these five points out of this verse and that which followeth unto the twentieth chapter to wit First that Babylon here signifieth Rome Secondly that Rome shall fall and how Thirdly that Rome shall fall finally and come to utter desolation in this life Fourthly by whom and when it shall be overthrown Lastly the causes of the utter ruine and overthrow thereof How Rome is to be taken But before I go about to prove that Babylon here is Rome I would have it carefully observed what is meant by Rome viz. not the topography of Rome that is so much ground only as is compassed within the wals of that city but the regiment government and prerogative that is claimed by vertue of that Monarchy whereof Rome is the head By Rome is meant the power and authority of Rome or to speak plainly by Rome is meant the Roman Monarchy Further we are here to observe the reason why the holy Ghost calleth Rome Babylon for Rome literally and properly taken is not Babylon in as much as they were two divers cities one in Italy the other in Chaldea but Rome is called Babylon mystically figuratively and as the holy Ghost speaketh spiritually and by a kind of allusion Chap. 11.8 A reason why Rome is called Babylon For as the old Eastern Babylon did a long time oppresse the Church of the Jewes so Rome this Western Babylon hath long oppressed the Church of the Christians As the Eastern Babylon did many yeers hold down the people of God in miserable bondage and servitude so the Western Babylon did a long time keep the Christian Church in spirituall thraldome and misery In which respects Rome is spiritually compared to Sodom and Egypt to Sodom for filthinesse and to Egypt for idolatry and keeping Gods Church in spirituall bondage and slavery And thus we see the reason why Rome is called Babylon which is not simply and properly but after a sort that is by a phrase of speech or Trope which they call a Metonymie or changing of names when that is given to one thing which is proper to another for the likenesse of quality that it hath with it or adjoyned unto it Now having shewed the reason why Rome is called Babylon and what is meant by Rome we are to proceed to the first point which is to prove that Babylon in this place signifieth Rome which although it be granted of all sound Divines and avouched in the writings of the best learned both new and old so as it shall need no great proof yet will I add three or foure reasons out of this book to make it more plain and apparant First therefore I do thus reason out of the seventeenth chapter and last verse Babylon is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth But there was no other city which did reigne over the kings of the earth when John wrote this book but onely Rome Therefore Rome is Babylon For as for Jerusalem it was at that time made an heap of stones The first proposition is avouched by the Angel of God expounding unto John what is meant by the great whore whose damnation hee had shewed him before and by the woman which sate upon a scarlet coloured beast The woman which thou sawest Chap. 17.18 saith the Angel to Saint John is that great city which raigneth over the kings of the earth that is to say Rome or the Romish synagogue and malignant Church For the Angel could not speak more plainely except he should have named Rome then to say thus The woman the great whore of Babylon is the great city which raigneth over the kings of the earth For if one should say The great citie of England every man knoweth that thereby is meant London if one should say The great citie of France every one knoweth that thereby is meant Paris so when the Angel saith The great citie which reigneth over the kings of the earth all that lived in those times knew that thereby was meant Rome Babylon is Rome for Rome was the chief citie of the Monarchy and is put in this book for the whole Monarchy and the religion thereof as hath been said before My second reason is this Chap. 17. Babylon is the mother of whoredomes and abominations of the earth Babylon is that great whore with whom have committed fornication the Kings of the earth and the inhabitants of the earth made drunk with the wine of her fornication But Rome and none but Rome is such a one Therefore Rome is Babylon My third argument is this Babylon is that city which hath had seven severall governments But only Rome hath had seven severall kinds of government Therefore Rome is Babylon The proposition is proved from the words of the Angel expounding unto John what is meant by the seven heads of the scarlet coloured beast whereupon the woman sate The seven heads saith hee are seven kings Chap. 17.9 that is seven orders or states of kingly government for seven kings in this place are not put for seven severall men which were kings
Babylon that he may be fully revenged and execute the fiercenesse of his wrath both upon her and her whole kingdom yea and that in such terrible and wrathfull manner that there shall be no place of refuge no place to flie into for succour for Saint John saith Verse 20. Every I le fled away and the mountaines were not found Meaning that the Papists in that day shall have neither mountain nor Iland to fly unto And last of all the holy Ghost saith that there fell a great haile like talents out of heaven upon the Idolaters Chap. 16.21 insomuch that they blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail for the plague thereof was exceeding great A talent was about the weight of threescore pound as some write Then it followeth that this hail of Gods wrath upon the Papists shall be most terrible and fearfull and beat them down to the ground as it were an haile of mil-stones or plough-irons Now when this hail of talents cometh as assuredly come it shall then shall the kingdome of Popery be beaten to dust and powder and therefore no marvell though the Idolaters seeing all this be in a most horrible rage and blaspheme God Verse 21. as Saint John saith because of this exceeding and most extraordinary plague which shall then come upon them But now to conclude and wind up all together for as much as this last viall is powred into the aire God saith It is done an extraordinary earth-quake followeth the great citie of Rome is rent Babylon called into question and fearful hailstones of wrath powred downe upon the Idolaters I doe conclude that Rome shall fall finally and come to utter destruction in this life Now let us proceed to further proofe In the eighteenth chapter of this book the whore of Babylon saith in heart I sit being a Queen and am no widow Chap. 18.8 9. Isa 47. and shall see no sorrow Therefore shall her plagues come at one day death and sorrow and famine and shee shall be burnt with fire for that God which condemneth her is a strong Lord. First here Rome is described as shee was in the height and top of her pride and security when shee held the dominion of the kings of the earth and boasted that she was the head of the Catholick Church carrying her selfe very insolently above all kings and Emperors treading upon their necks and making them attend at her gates bare-foot in the middest of winter as the stories report Yea and that shee was no widow that is no solitary or desolate person but one that had many lovers which were strong to defend her so as she should feel no want nor see any sorrow But the time will come and draweth on apace wherein shee shall be throughly punished for her haughtinesse and intolerable pride and security For the holy Ghost saith her plagues shall come in one day that is suddenly shortly and speedily even death sorrow and famine and shee shall be burnt with fire for that God which condemneth her is a strong Lord. If this be not plain enough to prove an utter overthrow of Rome I know not what can be plain enough For if death famine and fire will not pull her downe I know not what shall pull her downe But Saint John saith flatly that God himselfe who is a strong Lord will oppose himselfe against Rome and condemne her Who can uphold her Can the king of Spaine can the Cardinals can the Emperour can all the Dukes of Italie and all the potentates of the earth that take part with her No no they are all too weake For if God take against a man Job 23. who can reclaim him saith the holy Ghost For hee doth whatsoever hee will And againe God is wise in heart and mighty in strength who ever hardned his heart against him and prospered If God call not back his anger the most proud hearts are bowed under him And God saith in Ezek 22. Can thy hands be strong or can thy heart endure in the day that I shall have to doe with thee Then it followeth that though Babylon fit as a Queen and all her lovers take part with her yet because the strong Lord is against her therefore shee shall come to utter destruction Some of good judgement in the truth have gathered from this place that the very city of Rome shall be burnt with fire which assuredly may well be but this I am sure of that the phrase of burning with fire doth in the Prophets alwaies signifie an utter destruction and desolation of a city or a kingdom Amos 5.6 and therefore it followeth that Rome shall be utterly destroyed But behold yet a stronger and plainer proofe For Saint John saith Chap. 17.21 A mighty Angel took up a stone like a great milstone and cast it into the sea saying With such a violence shall that great city Babylon be cast downe and shall be found no more All men know that old Babylon in Chaldea was destroyed by the Medes and Persians long before Saint John wrote this book and therefore that is not here meant but the new Babylon which is Rome as before hath been proved The phrases of speech and the signes which the Prophets used to declare the destruction and desolation of old Babylon are here alluded unto the destruction of Rome For wee read in the Prophecie of Jeremie that the Prophet having written in a book all the evil that should come upon Babel for holding Gods people so long in most miserable captivity Jer. 51.61 said to Serajah When thou comest unto Babel thou shalt reade all these words and when thou hast made an end of reading this booke thou shalt binde a stone to it and cast it into the middest of Euphrates and shalt say Thus shall Babel be drowned and shall not rise up from the evill that I will bring upon her although they weary themselves Now let us consider how this agreeth with the same which is here set down and wee shall find that all things are here set down with greater force to expresse as it were a deeper vengeance and a more heavie and unrecoverable destruction First there is a man here is a mighty Angel there the man taketh up a stone here the Angel taketh up a great stone like a mil-stone there the stone is cast into the river here into the deep sea All these circumstances being applied to Rome do greatly aggravate the matter and very plainly shew that it shall fall without all hope of recovery Rome shall fall without all hope of recovery For the Lord declareth by this forcible signe of casting a mil-stone into the sea that the citie and kingdome of Antichrist shall bee cast deep down into perdition and shall lie overwhelmed and drowned in the same for ever For if old Babylon was utterly destroyed and came to a finall desolation in this life much more shall Rome as the holy Ghost disputeth But
Pope Emperor and as it were the whole world and yet die in his bed in a good old age What likelyhood was there that King Henry the eighth of famous memory should renounce Rome oppose himsefe against the Pope and suppresse the Abbeyeâ— Priories and Monasteries in this kingdom and take their lands and livings into his owne hands Therefore I conclude that when God hath decreed the utter overthrow of Rome wee must not ask this question How can it be or which way shall it be brought about For the Scriptures do teach that God in all ages hath done the greatest exploits either by himselfe alone without means or else by weak means or contrary to all means 2 Chron. 20. By himselfe without meanes hee overthrew the Moabites Amorites and them of Mount Seir which made war against good king Jehosaphat Exod. 14. By himselfe he destroyed Pharaoh and his army in the red sea Josh 6. By himselfe hee overthrew Jericho that great city 2 King 19. By himselfe he slew the huge army of the Assyrians that made war against Ezekias 2 Chro. 14. By himselfe he smote the great and dreadfull army of the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah 2 King 6. By himselfe hee smote the Syrians which besieged Dothan the citie where the Prophet Elisha was Judg. 7. By weak meanes he overthrew the innumerable army of the Midianites even by Gideons three hundred By weak meanes hee slew a garrison of the Philistims 1 Sam. 14. even by Jonathan and his armour-bearer By weake means hee overthrew the kings of Sodom and thereabouts Gen. 1â— even by Abraham and his family He overthrew Goliah by David 1 Sam. 17. Judg. 4. Judg. 6. Sisera by Jael Abimelech by a woman Contrary to means hee saved the three children Dan. 3. from burning being in the fire Contrary to means Jonas 2. he saved Jonas from drowning being cast into the sea Contrary to means Dan. 6. he preserved Daniel from devouring being cast into the lions den Contrary to means Exod. 14. hee kept the Israelites from drowning being in the bottome of the sea Contrary to meanes and all expectation Josh 1â— hee caused the Sun to stand still at noon day whilest hee overthrew the five kings of Canaan by Joshua Therefore I conclude that forasmuch as God in aâ—l ages hath effected the most strange and admirable things The 〈◊〉 overthrow of Rome concluded of either by himself without means or by very weak means or contrary to all means â—herefore it is in vain to ask this question How or by what means shall Rome be destroyed For it is enough for us to know that it shall be destroyed and come to utter desolation And in my judgment the holy Ghost hath so often and plainly affirmed this that no man should any more make any doubt of it or once call it into question For what can be more plain Chapt. 14.8 Chapt. 16.2 Chapt. 17.8 Chap. 17.11 Chap. 18.21 Chap. 18.8 then to say Rome is fallen Rome shall fall Great hail-stones like talents shall fall upon it It shall goe to perdition It shall fall to destruction It shall be cast downe like a great mil-stone into the bottome of the sea It shall be burnt with fire Chap. 17.16 Chap. 18.22 It shall be made desolate and naked It shall be without inhabitants All the Popish sort Chap. 18.9 both high and low shall with great mourning and lamenting bewaile the desolation thereof Chap. 16.16 Their armies shall come to Armageddon Chap. 19.28 The beast and the false prophet shall be taken and their Captains and souldiers slain by infinite heapes and their carcasses made meat for the fowles of the air If all this be not plain enough I cannot tell what can be plaine enough True it is indeed the holy Ghost doth not name Rome but it is apparant by the circumstances that all these places must needs be understood of Rome of Romish power and of thâ—â—omish armies For there can no other sound sense be given of them as all divine writers and interpreters doe affirme both new and old And therefore I conclude that Saint John in this prophecie could not speak more plainly except hee should have named Rome for hee nameth Babylon he nameth the great city which then reigned over the kings of the earth he nameth the city situate upon seven hils he nameth the city which had seven severall governments And therefore out of all doubt he meaneth Rome Well then sith it is so that Rome and all Romish power and authority shall fall flat down and come to utter destruction and desolation in this life let all men take heed how they joyn with Rome how they joyn with the Romish Church and how they receive the beasts mark for assuredly they shall all be destroyed together both in this life and that which is to come as wee shall hear by and by Let all the wise men therefore and all such as have any care of their salvation follow the wholesome counsell and advice of the holy Ghost which saith Chap. 18.4 5. Go out of her my people that yee be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues for her sins are come up to heaven and God hath remembred her iniquities Our only wisdome then will be to separate our selves from the whore of Babylon that is from the Church of Rome and to joyne our selves with all speed unto the Church of God that is the Church of the Protestants for this shall stand and flourish the other shall fall down and perish But what then shall we be sorry for the fall of Babylon Gods people are to rejoice in the overthrow of Rome Chap. 18.20 and the ruine of Rome No no the holy Ghost counselleth us greatly to rejoyce in her destruction and overthrow saying O heavens rejoyce over her and ye holy Apostles and Prophets because God hath given you judgement on her Wee are therefore to be so far from mourning and lamenting for the desolation of Rome the kings merchants mariners and other her friends as that it ought to be the very joy and rejoycing of our hearts For Saint John saith that not onely the holy Angels Prophets Apostles and Martyrs shall rejoyce at the destruction of Rome but also all the Saints and all the whole body of the Church And therefore he saith that after the utter overthrow of Rome Chap. 19.1 2. Hee heard a great voyce of a great multitude in heaven saying Hallelujah that is praise yee the Lord for hee hath condemned the great whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication and hath avenged the bloud of his servants shed by her hand And againe saith Saint John they said Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah thrice together thereby expressing the great joy and thanksgiving for the destruction and overthrow of the great whore and even so ought all that love
But they are all overcome and destroyed and that old Serpent himselfe is caught and together with his instruments the beast and the false prophet is cast into hell-fire to be tormented for ever And this is the summe and principall drift of this Chapter It containeth five principall things as it were five parts thereof The first is the binding and chaining up of Satan by our Lord Jesus Verses 1 2 3. for the space of a thousand yeers Ver. 4 5 6. The second is the flourishing of the Church during the time of Satans captivity Verses 7 8 9. The third is the loosing of Satan after the thousand yeers expired and the woful effects thereof Verse 10. The fourth is the casting of the Divell into a lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and false prophet were Vers 11 c. The fifth is a glorious description of the last judgment wherein every man shall be judged according to his works The TEXT Verse 1. ANd I saw an Angel come down from heaven having the key of the bottomlesse pit and a great chain in his hand Verse 2. And he took the dragon that old serpent which is the Divell and Satan and bound him a thousand yeers Verse 3. And cast him into the bottomlesse pit and hee shut him up and sealed the door upon him that hee should deceive the people no more till the thousand yeers were fulfilled so after that he must be loosed for a little season This Angel here spoken of is our Lord Jesus who is therefore said to have the key of the bottomless pit because he hath power and authority over hell and death as we have heard before By the chain in his hand is meant the doctrine of the Gospel The time when Satan was thus taken and bound was when Christ first preached the Gospel and his Apostles after him to all nations The cause why he was bound and chained up was for that he had a long time seduced all nations and reigned as king and lord over the Gentiles and greatly seduced the Jewes also The time of his imprisonment is set down to be a thousand yeers that is all the time from the preaching of Christ and his Apostles untill Gregory the seventh and other monstrous Popes which did let Satan loose againe Which space of time is ghessed by the learned to be a thousand yeers or thereabouts But here it is to be observed that this binding of Satan is not to be taken simply and absolutely as though Satan was so bound and chained up for this thousand yeers that he could not seduce at all or do no mischiefe at all after the preaching of the Gospel by Christ and his Apostles I say this is not to be taken simply but after a sort that is that he could not so generally and universally seduce all nations as hee had in former time before the coming of Christ For otherwise it is well knowne that even after Christs time he did greatly persecute the Church bring in many errors and heresies and harden and blinde many mens hearts but yet all this was nothing in comparison of that which hee had wrought in former ages when he was even as it were the god of the world and the Gentiles worshipped him as god as the Apostle teacheth 1 Cor. 10. That all the worship of the heathen nations was the worship of Divels And againe Acts 14.16 That God in times past suffered all the Gentiles to walke in their owne wayes And then was Satan a great prince indeed But now cometh a chaine for him For Christ preacheth the Gospel and sendeth forth his Disciples with power and thereupon saith Luke 18.10 I saw Satan fall downe like lightning For the preaching of the Gospel beateth downe the kingdome of Satan and sinne Moreover it is to be noted that notwithstanding all Satans power and might craft and subtilty yet this Angel which hath the key of the bottomlesse pit doth apprehend him and shut him up and seale the doore upon him that hee cannot get abroad to seduce so generally as in former time But Saint John saith that after a thousand yeers hee must be loosed for a little season that is the time wherein the great Antichrist should beare the sway which was some four or five hundred yeers For the Gospel did prevaile in some measure in the world a thousand yeers after Christ and the principles and grounds of true religion continued in the Church untill the first loosing of Satan though with many blots corruptions and abuses For after the first 600 yeers the cleer sincerity of the truth was much dimmed with errors and heresies but yet the main grounds did remain till the full expiration of the thousand yeers Now wee know that the Gospel hath been preached in these last dayes above threescore yeeres Therefore it followeth that the strength of Popery continued not much above five hundred yeers which here the holy Ghost for our comfort calleth a little season of which wee have heard before Chap. 11.2 and therefore I doe here omit it And I saw seats and them that sate upon them Verse 4. and judgement was given unto them and I saw the soules of them that were beheaded for the witnesse of Jesus and for the word of God and which did not worship the beast neither his image neither had taken his mark upon their foreheads or on their hands and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand yeer Verse 5. But the rest of the dead men shall not live again untill the thousand yeers be finished this is the first resurrection Verse 6. Blessed and holy is hee that hath part in the first resurrection for on such the second death hath no power but they shall be the Priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand yeers Here now is set forth the estate of the Church militant for the space of the thousand yeeres wherein Satan was chained up For it is said here that the Church did grow and flourish yea and greatly exercise her power and authority during the time And therefore Saint John saith that he saw seats and they sate upon them and judgement was given unto them Whereby hee meaneth that the Apostles and their successours had their chairs seates and consistories wherein they did both preach the word and execute the Churches censures as the Scribes and Pharisees before did sit in the chaire of Moses and I take it the latter part of the fourth verse is to be referred to the first clause to wit that the Church did live and reigne with Christ a thousand yeeres Which is not to be understood of the Church triumphant as some do take it and all the rest of the fourth verse but of the flourishing estate of the Church militant during the time of Satans captivity for all the faithfull do after a sort live and reigne with Christ even here
this chapter is most fully to describe that infinite glory and endlesse felicity to the which all the 144000 that is all the elect of God shall be advanced when both the beast and all that have received his mark shall be cast downe into the infernall lake This chapter may very fitly be divided into four parts The first is Verse 1. a description of the renovation of the world and the restauration of the creature The second is Ver. 2 3 4. a laying forth of the most glorious estate of the Church when it shall be freed from all misery The third is Vers 5 6 7 8. a protestation from God himselfe concerning the renovation of all things the felicitie of the elect and the endlesse paine and torment of all reprobates The fourth is Ver. 9 10.11 12 13 14 c. a lively description of the very kingdom of God and the unspeakable joyes of heaven under the figure of a great city called the holy Jerusalem which citie is here most gloriously described in her walles gates foundations streets height length bredth brightnesse matter forme persons and inhabitants The TEXT Verse 1. AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away and there was no more sea Verse 2. And I John saw the holy city new Jerusalem come downe from God out of heaven prepared as a bride trimmed for her husband Verse 3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and hee will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himselfe shall be their God Verse 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow neither crying neither shall there be any more paine For the first things are passed By a new heaven and a new earth is meant the renewed estate of heaven and earth after this life in their quality not in their substance For wee do beleeve according to the Scripture that this visible heaven and this visible earth shall continue for ever as touching their matter and substance but shall be greatly altered and changed in condition and quality 1 Pet. 3. For Saint Peter saith Wee look for new heavens and a new earth according to his promise wherein dwelleth righteousnesse that is such heavens and such an earth as is free from all corruption and sin Which thing also the Apostle Saint Paul doth plainly teach saying Rom. 8.19 that the creature doth fervently expect when the sonnes of God shall be revealed that is when Gods children shall be made known to be as they are the very heires of infinite glory which in this life doth not appear And hee yeelded two reasons of this desire of the creature one is because in the meane time it is subject to vanity and corruption the other is that then it shall be free from both And for this cause the Apostle saith that the creature groaneth with us and earnestly desireth and longeth after that day wherein it shall be set free from the bondage of corruption Rom. 8. and redintegrated and restored to that pristine estate wherein it was before the fall But whether this is to be understood of heaven and earth onely or of heaven and earth with their adjuncts and particular creatures I will not here goe about to discusse howbeit I doe greatly incline to their opinion which hold that heaven and earth with all their furniture being redintegrated and restored to their first estate shall remaine for ever to set forth the glory of the Creator and for that use of glorified men which now the Angels have of them Chap. 4.6 Chap. 8.8 Chap. 13.2 Now whereas Saint John added that there shall be no more sea Hee meaneth that there shall be no more any troublesome and confused estate of this world no more broyles waves tempests and storms as it falleth out in this life For the word sea is so taken twice or thrice before By the holy city new Jerusalem hee meaneth the Church triumphant which therefore it is said to come downe from God out of heaven Verse 2. because it hath all his newnesse and holinesse from God and from heaven whereby it is now prepared and made ready to be married unto Christ even as a Bride tricked and trimmed up for her Husband And for this cause Saint John heareth a voice from heaven Verse 3. saying Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and hee will dwell with them and they shall be his people and hee will be their God Meaning thereby that Jesus Christ will keep house with his glorified Spouse and be at bed and boord with her for ever in the heavens at what time shee shall be freed from all teares Verse 4. woe and misery as the next verse declareth yeelding also a reason hereof which is that the first things are passed that is the state wherein the world is now being subject to many afflictions temptations vanities and corruptions And hee that sate upon the Throne said Verse 5. Behold I make all things new And he said unto mee Write for these words are faithfull and true And hee said unto mee It is done Verse 6. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end I will give to him that is athirst of the well of the water of life freely Hee that overcometh shall inherit all things Verse 7. and I will be his God and hee shall be my Sonne But the fearfull and unbeleeving Verse 8. and the abominable and murtherers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and lyers shall have their parts in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Here the omnipotent God which sitteth upon the most glorious throne doth protest that hee will make all things new that is restore the world to that excellent estate wherein it was before Adams fall and his elect to a state and condition farre more excellent in heaven for the greater certainty and assurance of it willeth and commandeth John to write it Verse 5. and record it as a thing most certaine and infallible and to set it downe as a thing already done For things to come which are decreed in the councell of God are as certaine as if they were past for God cannot erre alter nor change and therefore he saith I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last the unchangeable and immutable God Verse 6. And addeth that hee will give freely to every one that is athirst of the well of the water of life that is without all regard of our deserts hee will give to every one that earnestly seeketh after heaven and heavenly things his fill thereof And moreover Verse 7. that whosoever overcometh in the spirituall battell shall have the full fruition of all good things both in this life and the
Prophet saith In thy presence is the fulnesse of joy and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore Verse 6. And hee said unto mee These words are faithfull and true and the Lord God of the holy Prophets sent his Angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be fulfilled Verse 7. Behold I come shortly Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the Prophecie of this book Verse 8. And I am John which saw and heard these things and when I had heard and seen I fell downe to worship before the feet of the Angel which shewed me these things Verse 9. But he said unto me See thou do it not for I am thy fellow-servant and of thy brethren the Prophets and of them which keep the words of this book worship God In these foure verses are four principall reasons brought to confirme and ratifie the authority of this book The first of them is the affirmation of the Angel The second is the authority of the most high God The third is the testimony of Jesus pronouncing them blessed which keep this Prophecie The fourth is the testimony of Saint John who heard and saw these things But because in the Epistle to the Reader I have more at large handled this Argument and these same verses therefore here I doe of purpose relinquish them and that also of Johns adoration and the Angels refusall being things most manifest and easie to understand And hee said unto mee Verse 10. Seale not the words of the Prophecie of this booke for the time is at hand Hee that is unjust let him be unjust still Verse 11. and he which is filthy let him be filthy still and hee that is righteous let him be righteous still and he that is holy let him be holy still And behold I come shortly Verse 12. and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be I am Alpha and Omega Verse 13. the beginning and the end the first and the last Blessed are they that do his commandements Verse 14. that their right may be in the tree of life and may enter in thorow the gates into the city For without shall be dogs and enchanters Verse 15. and whoremongers and murtherers and idolaters and whosoever loveth or maketh lies Here is first an exhortation to publish and proclaime the knowledge of this book to all people and in no wise to conceale it or keep it close as formerly hath been shewed in the Epistle Here is a further admonition that they which are unrighteous should be unrighteous still c. Which is no allowance or encouragement granted unto wicked men to continue in their evill wayes but is rather a terrible threat if wee take all the words together in this and the next verse as if hee should say If men will needs continue in their filthinesse yet certainly Christ will come shortly and reward them according to their works Or else it may be a phrase of speech which they call an ironicall concession as in another place the holy Ghost saith to the yong man Eccles 11. 1 Kin. 22.15 Matth. 6.45 Walk in the wayes of thine own heart and in the sight of thine eyes but know that for all these things God will bring thee unto judgment So likewise in other places After this here is blessednesse pronounced upon all such as keep the commandements of God as it is said that their right is in the tree of life not meaning thereby that their keeping of the commandements is the cause of their right in Christ but onely an effect or consequence For our good works do not go before as causes of our justification but follow after as declarations of the same For by doing we are not made just in the sight of God but only declared to be just in the sight of men And as for the keeping the commandements wee do it not in such perfection as Gods justice requireth but in such measure as his mercy accepteth through Christ And here the holy Ghost saith that all they which have a right in Christ which is the Tree of life and endeavour to keepe the commandements shall enter in thorow the gates into the new Jerusalem But on the contrary all the rout of reprobates whom hee calleth dogs enchanters whoremongers c. shall be utterly shut out as having nothing to do in the everlasting citie their portion being allotted in the infernall lake I Jesus have sent mine Angel to testifie unto you these things Verse 16. I am the root and generation of David and the bright morning Star And the Spirit and the Bride say Come Verse 17. And let him that heareth say Come And let him that is athirst come And let whosoever will take of the water of life freely For I protest unto every man that heareth the Verse 18. words of the Prophecie of this booke If any man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book Verse 19. And if any man shall diminish of the words of the book of this Prophecie God shall take away his part out of the book of life and out of the holy city and from those things which are written in the book of life Verse 20. He which testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen Even so come Lord Jesus Verse 21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen The authority of this book is here again ratified from the person of him who is the Authour of it that is Jesus Christ who is here called The root and generation of David both because hee is descended of the house of David according to the flesh and also because the eternall kingdome which all the Prophets did fore-tell should spring out of the house of David was indeed and in truth established in Christ who is our true David and our righteous branch and as it is here said the bright morning Star which hath most gloriously risen upon the world to dispell all darknesse and to bring the great and everlasting light Moreover here is great protestation made in the 18 and 19 verses of great plagues to be inflicted upon all such as shall add any thing unto this booke or take away any thing from it Which also maketh greatly for the confirmation of the authority of this book For that to the which nothing may be added and from the which nothing may be taken away must needs be absolute and perfect But this book is such a one Therefore this book is absolute and perfect being a part of Gods everlasting truth Last of all here is set down the fervent desire of the Bride after the Bridegroome for she being inflamed with the Spirit desireth him to come and make up the match betwixt them that shee may be joyned to him in marriage celebrate the solemnization and live together