polluted to them and become by a just judgement but as muddy and puddle to them being hid to them that be lost Hence the Angel of the waters ver 5. who to wit poured out his Vial in the Vision on the waters praises God for the equity of his judgement giving them blood to drink spiritually for that Scripture was puddle to them which is pure water in it self for that the Doctors were besotted given to delusions and traditions So that their People compared to the creatures in the sea do spiritually die wanting the true waters of comfort who shed the blood of the Saints really Perchance suddainly the sea of Rome may litterally become blood by Protestants opposing her and when the Kings shall hate the whore chap. 17 17 18. and burn her Ver. 6. For they are worthy Evil works are perfectly evil and deserve punishment but good works are always imperfect nay if never so good debts to the Creator therefore deserving no reward but have it out of free mercy and promise But enough to ver 7. which is easie The Angel from out of the Altar was mentioned chap. 14 18. who said thrust in thy sickle and here praises God to which place I referre the Reader and for brevity sake have done with these seven verses Vers 8. And the fourth Angel poured out his Vial upon the Sunne In the Vision this may be as well called the Angel of the Sun as well as the others of fire and water they are called so because of their pouring out their Vials on the Sun Water Earth and because God perchance by these gathers the Saints at the last day to himself and casteth the wicked into hell fire The Sunne notes the holy Scripture by which our dark minds are enlightned as the world is by the Sun God by way of a judgement is said to give the Sun to the bright Scripture making it in the latter days much more clear piercing scorching the consciences or because the Antichristian notwithstanding shall by a just judgement have strong delusions beleeve a lie and not receive the knowledge of the truth or repent unto salvation but continue in unbelief malice envy noted by their being scorched Thus the Vial is poured out upon the Sunne giving more light to the envy of the marked ones who for madnesse gnawed and bit themselves having yet no mind nor grace ro recant Now had the Vial been litterally poured out on the waters formerly or now on the Sun the punishment had been common to all not proper to Antichristians noted by the men as the text intends Vers 9. And men were scorched c. to wit the marked ones Thus the word as a fire burns though chiefly 't was intended for salvation no wonder then there appeared before-hand smoak in the Temple or heaven noting the blindnesse of Antichristians obstinacy and Gods wrath upon it hindring their coming into heaven Observe men yet repented not though God send his Word and Judgements to call to repentance nay though they knew God had power over the plagues yet they returned not to him but hardened their hearts The Popelings though they be scorched by this light as by a fire yet will not for their Riches Honour and Ambition-sake take notice of it to amendment of life to give God the glory to wit of the justnesse of the punishment inflicted 2. Of the truth of the Gospel discovered 3. Or their recovery desired Vers 10. And the fifth Angel poured out his Vial upon the seat of the Beast and his Kingdome waxed dark Upon the preaching of the Word to Antichrists Seat and Kingdome for the noise of the truth by books and preaching hath reached thither his Courtiers subjects and self-continuing obstinate God by a further judgement darkens them more and more punishing one sinne by another as Rom. 1.26 which darknes begins every day to be more manifest Here is an allusion to the litteral Egyptian darknesse but this is to be spiritually taken for the darknesse of the mind the profoundest Doctors of Rome are fools in the saving matters of faith by a just judgement of God So that Gospel which naturally brings light to them that sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death by accident brings more darknesse upon these And they gnawed their tongues Noting the extream rage of Antichristians against God and truth For paine Or grief because Rome is declining and grown to be a kingdome of darknesse Blasphemed the God of heaven In that they condemn the Gospel of Christ for heresie and the true Preachers for hereticks Repented not But taught their marked ones they were in the right and light though ver 8. and 9. they rage and are mad at the Sunne of light which they cannot darken nor will acknowledge to be true but who is more blind then those that will not see Object How can Ministers inflict plagues or poure out Vials Answ They communicate in the work of God as Co-workers they preach the Gospel upon contempt of which the Lord for them punisheth the obstinate and contemners as is noted chap. 11. about the witnesses smiting the earth largely ver 5 6. Vers 12. And the sixth Angel poured out his Vial upon the great river Euphrates and the water thereof was dried up c This Vial and the former have been pouring out a great while Babylon had two strong fences the wals which were one of the wonders of the world very thick and high Then secondly the great river run thorough it as I noted out of Solinus in my quoted book pag. 109. which was greater strength to the city then the wals being very deep Cyrus and the besiegers despairing of the wals make many deep ditches and whiles the Babylonians riot and feast within securely scorning and contemning the besiegers they brought the river Euphrates into those ditches or channels and so enter into Babylon as it were on dry ground and took it The mystical Babylon hath in stead of wals Emperours Kings Princes to defend her inwardly Rome the mystical Babylon hath tythes first-fruits Peter-pence indulgences and the like in stead of Euphrates which the Kings of the East alluding to Cyrus and Darius Kings of the Medes and Persians who are East of Babylon and caused the literal Euphrates to be diverted that is Christian Kings Princes Ministers People for they are from Christ who is the Angel of the East chap. 7.2 and the day-spring from on high Luke 1.78 who visited us who shall divert Euphrates of Rome throw down her riches and bestow them towards the maintenance of Schools Gospel-teachers these the Ministers first preached against as against Peter-pence Absolution-money and the like and other revenues Emperours and Kings have better imployed diverting them and their course from Rome witnesse King Henry the eighth in England so in time Rome will be more feaseable when her Riches and Honour cease more and more This the sixth Vial means And Anonymus two hundred and seventy years
out of this cup which John saw in the Vision she makes the Kings of the earth drink Full of abominations c. Gold without but filthinesse and poyson within fair in pretences wicked and adulterous in practice This is not heathenish Rome for she enticed none but served the gods of all nations but Popish Rome with whom even all Kingdomes have once committed fornication Vers 5. And upon her fore-head a name written In the Vision It notes how openly this whorish woman shews her self to be another Babylon but in a mystery A mystery that great Babylon So Rome in a mystery is Egypt Hierusalem Sodom chap. 11. and now Babylon keeping the inhabitants of the earth in spirituall bondage Indeed all Romes religion is mysterious full of mysteries openly the Pope cals himself Christs Vicar and the Church of Rome Christs Spouse mystically hee 's Antichrist and she the whorish woman The mother of fornication Rome brags of her being the mother of Churches but indeed she is the mother of Idolatry or spirituall fornication For all abominations that ever were in the Christian world came from Rome You heard before of a chast Matron the mother of the Martyrs and man-child now of the mother of fornication and whoredoms Thus as openly as if it were written in her forehead yet in a mystery doth Rome shew her self to be the spouse of Antichrist and the mother of fornication another Babylon Vers 6. I saw the woman drunken with the blood of Saints Either full of blood which she had shed as the book of Martyrs can testifie See chap. 11. of the witnesses so that she even raged and was drunken as one with wine or because as one drunk she shall not be sensible of many of her judgments And of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Their blood she shed by warring against them chap. 13. for whom Christ out of love shed his no wonder then a judgment follows for this and her fornication chap. 16.6 The blood of the Saints and Prophets is said to be shed also the word Prophet is there to be taken for a teacher as Prophecy is for teaching chap. 11. the Witnesses shall Prophecy else Antichrist came not neer the time of Prophets Severall Massacres prove this point and what is said chap. 11. and 13. of her burning the Witnesses and warring with the Saints Now Iohn in the Vision sees the woman drunken with blood because by her means instigation and doctrine Kings have raged against the people of God Heathenish Rome did thus against the Saints openly but Antichrist in the mystery only whose rage agrees with the time spoken of so doth not heathenish Rome And when I saw her I wondred c. To see a whorish woman upon a beast so strangly attired c. for otherwise he had seen the beast before c. 13. Vers 7. And the Angel said to me wherefore didst thou marvell c. The Angel observing Iohns desire by his countenance to know the meaning of his sight doth of his own accord open to him the mystery saying I will tell thee Vers 8. The beast which thou sawest was and is not To the Beast the Angel ascribes four states according to times Was Or has been viz. formerly in Monarchicall power in Kings Consuls Dictators and the like for thus the Beast had been when Rome was governed by these for the Pope by force took this power to himself by degrees and now reignes as an Emperour or King thus something of the Beast had been to wit the secular power which he made more his own afterwards And is not In the time of the Revelation when the poor Bishops of Rome dream't not of any Monarchicall power but suffered martyrdome under it 300 years And is to ascend out of the bottomlesse pit To wit when Boniface the third invaded the Ecclesiasticall Monarchy Anno 606. See chap. 9. v. 1. of the bottomlesse pit and chap. 11. expounded vers 3. of Antichrists time of arising Stephen the second also laid hold on the secular power 649 years from this Prophecy Thrusting the Greek Emperours out of Italy depriving the French King Helderick of his Kingdom admitting Pipin to whom he gave the Kingdom of France to kisse his feet Thus the Beast arose out of the bottomlesse pit by degrees Out of the bottomlesse pit c. The Beast may be said to come from hell because his working is after the working of Satan Hell is said to have no bottome because none ever returne thence but are as it were continually sinking into misery And shall go into perdition Here the last state of the Beast is treated of The Antichristian Church decreases dayly and suddainly will arrive at the Armegeddon of destruction And they that dwell upon the earth shall wonder As is expounded chap. 13.4 8. none of the Saints who were elected before the foundation of the earth in Christ to glory whom it is impossible to deceive Matth. 24.24 the non-elected are in miserable condition Beholding the Beast which was Before Iohns time in Kings Consuls who are fallen a sleep vers 10 And is not Because Roman Bishops in Iohns time had not usurped not dream't of any great power And yet is In respect of the imperiall power of Caesars then which the Popes should usurpe when Iohn was alive Vers 9. Here is the minde having wisdome In the things that remaine to be expounded touching the heads and hornes greater mysteries lye did then ordinary which are above mans reach or wisdeom Therefore the Angel somewhat explaines it to Iohn stirring up our attention and desire lest we be slothfull in knowing and shunning the Beast The seven heads are seven mountains That is signify seven mountains as the Rock was Christ that is signified Christ On which the woman sitteth To wit the whorish woman or great City vers 18. or Rome seated on seven hils as every man knows one mountain is called Capitolinus 2 Palatinus 3 Caelius 4 Aventinus 5 Aesquilinus 6 Viminalis 7 Quirinalis of which see Mr. Godwin in his Roman Antiquit. Quest Why did not Christ by the Angel plainly name Rome Because men should the more study to find out the mystery also if the Antichristians had been plainly named perchance they would have in rage burnt the Prophecy and many more inconveniences would have followed The Jesuits begin to say this is Rome yet heathenish Rome as under heathenish Kings and Emperours but 't is plain Iohn speaks of things to come of Rome as it was to be Antichrists seat not the Emperours then Vpon which the woman sitteth She sits upon waters vers 1. as commanding people tongues nations called waters ver 15. upon the Beast or Roman Empire as commanding and ruling the Empire for sitting notes Dominion upon the mountains as Antichrists dwelling place and seat now thus the Pope sits even in Antichrists seat therefore hee 's Antichrist Vers 10. And there are seven Kings That is governments at Rome where the seven mountains
expound it though some have anciently supposed this Book to be forged by the Heretick Cerinthus because seemingly favouring the errour of the Millenaries though it be indeed full of divine testimonies of Christs divine nature and no way favours that Millenary errour as will appear in the progresse if the objections of Hereticks and others had presently been beleeved we should long since have had little or nothing entire in the whole Scripture Among all Commentators Pareus who borrowed much of Brightman and Bullinger by his own Confession but especially of Anonymus upon whom he seemes sometimes to be but a large Commentary most affects me yet sometimes I borrow light of a seemingly lesse glorious torch then his This book is a Prophesie as Mr Goodwin observes it out of Mr Mede of the destruction of the Romane Empire either as heathenish in the whole or else Christian yet persecuting in both the parts of it East and West The Book is tragi-comedy which begins with a kingdom given to be won by conquest Rev. 6. and ends with the Coronation of a King and the Marriage of his Bride and all between is but the removing of all such lets and impediments namely of the Roman Monarchy and all other kingdomes which that was broken into so far as they stand in the way and possesse the roome of that kingdome which is to beset up When Christ first began the whole world then worshipping Idols he sets upon conquering the whole Romane Empire as it was heathenish and the worship of Satan and Idols in it and in three hundred yeares he dispatcheth that and throws down all both Idoll worship and Princes that did uphold it And then when the whole Empire was turned Christian yet the devill as one ewll said did not turne Christian but under the name and profession of Christ he stirreth up the Arrian Christian world to prosecute the Orthodox Christians as much as heathenish Rome had done but Christ takes further vengeance for this persecution under both these Heathenish and Arrian Rome it was the cry of the bloud of the Saints slaine under both that brought on them the vengeance that followed see Chap. 6. vers 10.11 The Empire having been afore divided into two parts the Easterne all which now the Turk possesseth and the Westerne this in Europe he fals first on the Westerne Europian part breaking that by the incursion of those barbarous nations * Which the foure first Trumpets did sound forth as M. Goodwyn affirms Rev. 8. the Goths and Vandals then for the Easterne part of the Empire although his revenge was slower yet he reserved them for the forest vengeance that could befall the Christian world the Conquest and Tyranny of the * The 6. Trumpet sounded forth this ch 9.13 Saracens first afterwards the Turks Thus here is an end of the Romane Monarchy under the Emperours in the whole and in the parts of it The Westerne part in Europe was by occasion of the Goths invasion broken into seven Kingdoms which though helping the Woman against the floud of Arrian persecution yet through Satans seducing of them they set up the Beast or Antichristian Rome And these altogether did joine to make us as great a war against the Saints in Ch. 13. as the Heathens and Arrians had done and so Christ in a manner was as far off his Kingdome as at first The next counterplot of Jesus Christ is to overcome these Kingdomes so you find Rev. 17.14 They shall make war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them for he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and they that are with him are called chosen and faithful Thus far he Which generall methodicall division I in the general like and allow of though in particular I have shewed upon Chapter eight that the first foure Trumpets did not signifie the incursion of those Nations Goths and Vandals neither indeed came they to help the Woman but to destroy her though they embraced her faith when most corrupted of which more in order and place See Chap. 12. I desire the Reader to remember that though the Revelation may seeme to be one continued Vision yet indeed it is not one nor revealed at one time but seven as so many sights exhibited to John in the Spirit John was not once only but oft times ravished in the Spirit neither saw he all in one place but some things in Patmos some things in heaven some things at the seashore some things in the Wildernesse Note the Revelation sayes Pareus out of Augustine speakes the same things after a diverse manner the former Visions are for the most part more obscure the latter bring clearer light to the darknesse of the former if one rightly observe them sayes Pareus for example in the second Vision the black horse denotes the Church made black with heresies after Constantines time the pale horse having death sitting on and drawing hell after him the Church sick even unto death towards Antichrists rising In the third Vision by the sounding of the third fourth and fifth Trumpets the same state of the Church is indeed represented yet more especially the declining corruption and lastly the Apostacy of the Sea of Rome plainer Some Visions represent the foure conditions or the foure acts of the Church to wit of its flourishing and groaning under Roman Tyrants till peace brought in by Constantine 2. Of the Church raigning and rioting under Christian Emperours till the rising of the Westerne Antichrist Boniface third Pope of Rome and of the Easterne in Mahomet six yeares after 3. Of the Church trodden upon and oppressed by Antichrist especially the Westerne till the measuring of the Temple which began to be effected by the Two witnesses John Husse and Ierome of Prague who were slain by the Beast in the Councel of Constance Anno 1414. and thence untill Luther by whose Ministry the measuring of the Temple hindered through the tyranny of Popes began to be continued Anno 1517. The fourth of the Church reformed from Popery and of the declining of Papacy to endure till the end Some Visions represent not the entire but only the two * The 2 3 4 and 7. Visions containe the 4. Acts or estates of the Church the 5. and 6. Visions are more particular containing the 7. last plagues and the judgment of the Whore latter conditions of the Church Thus the most excellent Pareus It is safest expounding the Revelation by the Revelation one thing explaining another yet much of this Book the Lord hath yet reserved in his own power yet this latter age hath had better help of experience then that of the Fathers many things being fulfilled which they dived not into The fourth Actor condition of the Church with its accomplishment is secret Because the seventh Trumpet hath not yet sounded Neither is the seventh Viall yet poured out into the aire a great part also of the third Act is reserved unto posterity which in time shall see
the pale-horse He that sate opon his back was death c. Though Christ doubtlesse was carried up and down as rider in the Church for all profest him yet since in works they denied him death the effect of sin is said to sit upon his back drawing hell for that waits on death without Christ after him Now though by beasts beastly lusts raigning in the souls of the people through the negligence slothfulnesse and security of Bishops wounding and killing many may be understood And by famine that of the word Amos 8.11 By the sword the wounding tongue which cuts like a sharp rasor Psal 52.2 or false wounding doctrines of Hereticks suffered in the Church by death the spiritual death for want of Christ the life and the Gospel the food of the soule for I heare not of a persecuting sword in this age yet certainly there is a plain allusion to Ezech. 14.21 where the Lord threatens Jerusalem for her Apostacy with his foure sore that is some cruel punishments to which Christ likens here the cursed effects of security in teachers and hereticks wounding doctrines destroying a fourth part that is a great part of the earth under the Romane Empire Now follow Act. 2. Vision second Vers 9. And when he had opened the first Seal In this second Act are three things contained 1. What he saw and the place where 2. What they said 3. The answer they receceived The summe of all is to comfort the godly against the scandall of the crosse shadowed out especially under the red horse particularly least John should be daunted much at the effusion of so much blood of the Martyrs he sees their souls safe under the protection of Christ Observe then the soul is separable eternall I saw under the Altar the souls of them that were slaine for the word of God and for the testimony which they held To wit of all the Martyrs slain from Nero to Boniface the third the first Antichrist Vnder the Altar To wit Christ Heb. 13.10 We have an Altar not then in purgatory but in heaven Thou shalt be with me this day in Paradise Not under the robbes of Mary but under the safety of Christ the Altar not lost for they enjoy the presence of Christ and of God as far as created natures are able Vers 10. And they cryed with a loud voyce saying how long c. By this is shewed their earnest desire of the hastning Gods judgments 't was no vocall but visionall crying which imports no impatiency for the glorified Saints are free from such corruption their desire is just that Gods glory may be vindicated the Church finally delivered They do not prescribe God a time but closely submit to the same as unknown to them only they intimate that to them it seems just and equall that he should deliver his Church and no longer suffer the blasphemies of cruall Tyrants Vers 11. And white Robes were given unto every on of them They are answered in words and deeds for white robes were given them this notes the beginning of glory Moses and Elias talking with Jesus had such shining garments the perfect robe though this former be without spot is referred till the day of judgment Now for the word And it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season To wit by him that sate upon the Throne or the Altar under whose protection they are Now Christ is called an Altar because he was sacrificed as a Lamb upon the Altar of the Crosse or his divine nature which sanctified and made the sacrifice worthy and able to pacify divine Justice In the answer note many things 1. Antichrists time is short 2. God heares alwayes the prayers of his Saints 3. The cruelties of the wicked are not forgotten but shall be revenged 4. The cause of the forbearance is first to lead men to repentance that the full number of the Martyres may be accomplished 5. A communion between the Saints above and these below We ought not therefore to pray to them being our fellow servants Neither though they love us do they pray for us because it would derogate from Christ in whose presence they are as if his intercession were not satisfactory or he were asleep however we ought not to pray to them since they know not our particular wants though they be in the presence of GOD For Abraham knowes us not Esay 93. Act 3. Vision second Vers 12. I beheld when he had opened the sixth Seal and loe there was a great earthquake c. This Act consisteth of two parts 1. Treats of the greater and more horrible confusion of the Christian world under Antichrist vers 2.15 then and in the 7. Chap. is treated comfortable things as the sealing of the Elect to vers 8. I referre these Earthquakes to the last persecutions under Antichrist upon Phocas the Emperours proclaiming Boniface the 3d. universall Bishop and Prince of Priests or indeed Antichrist then the Christian world began to be horribly shaken for now Christ the Son of righteousnesse began to be obscured that is the doctrine concerning his offices and benefits darkened the Moon or Church turned into blood the Starres or Pastors fall from heavenly offices the opened Book of Scripture or the Heaven rolled up and forbidden to be read the mountains Kings and Princes for they are higher then the other people in Jeopardy The Ilands brought under Antichrists yoak and tyranny First of the earth-quake sometimes t is taken in a good sence as Heb. 12. I will shake heaven and earth meaning in reforming the world by Christ Note also that the signes foretold to be at the last day Math. 24. in the Sun and Moon shall litterally come to passe when the Isles shall fly away and mountains were not found to wit at the day of judgement But here the Earthquake signifies the shaking and oppressing the Church by Antichrist who darkened the Sun to wit Christ and the true light of the Gospel and the Hypocriticall Monkes who wore garments of sackcloth glorying of perfection do as by a true badge testifie that they live under this darknesse spoken of But say they the Pope professeth Christ against all Hereticks Answ Should he openly cast off the name of Christ then he could not have brought under his bondage the Christian world But his coming as the Apostle writeth is withall deceiveablenesse in them that perish Christ is darkned and Mary adored free-grace rejected for polluted works the Sacraments changed into Idols the Gospel into Traditions scarce any thing but the name of Christ remaining The Moon became as blood The Moon is the Church Now as the Moon borrowes light of the Sun so the Church all of Christ Into blood The cruell tyranny of Antichrist makes the Church red with the blood of the Saints the oft Massacres prove this in part Vers 13. The Starres of Heaven fell into the earth Starres do not really fall but false ones do so false teachers like
't is a discovering his nakednesse 2. The Gospel sanctifies and chérishes mans nature 3. Satan and his instruments are under the power of Christ hurt not sayes Christ 4. Christ is God for he has the Seale of election 5. He Takes much care of his people hurt them not 6. His Gospel is preached and he has sealed ones in the Kingdome of Anrichrist 7. There is a set time of our calling untill we have sealed 8. Christs servants are to be known by their profession of him and obeying him in their foreheads 9. There is an assurance of salvation to be had in this world understood by the word sealed for the use of a Seale is to confirme so that the Saints need not feare falling away 10. There is a certaine number of the Elect. 11. Christ and his Ministers do co-work till we have sealed 12. All the sealed ones are servants to God Vers 4. Of all the Tribes of the children of Israel That is of all Nations imitating the true faith of the true Israel because God has elected to salvation some out of every part of the world sayes Annonymus upon the place or as ch 5.9 Thou hast redeemed us out of every Nation kindred tongue people here is a certaine number put down for an uncertaine though there be a set number elected and known to God the Tribe of Dan is left out not because Antichrist was to come out of that Tribe as the Papists affirme and many of the Fathers grounding on Gen. 49.17 Dan is a Serpent in the way but because that Tribe forsook the fellowship of their brethren and became like Gentiles Judg. 18.1.30 Vers 9. After this I beheld and lo a great multitude which no man could number This shewes this to be a differing act from the former the sealed ones were in earth but this great multitude is seen in heaven before the Throne the sealed ones note the Church militant this multitude the Saints in heaven observe as in chap. 6 12 14. Antichrist makes a great earthquake in the Church and darkens the Sunne makes the heavens depart as a scrowle so on the other side here the Gospel is preached though hindred chap. 7. ver 1. and the Elect sealed And as the Antichristian adversaries tremble at the last day chap. 6. vers 2. last so the Martyrs and sealed ones chap. 7. ver 9. Enjoy eternal felicity the multitude are those under the Altar chap. 9 And the hundred fourty foure thousand sealed ones ver 4. They had white robes to note their glory and palmes in their hands to note their victory and reward for the palme was given in token of victory of old Vers 10. And they cryed with a loud voice saying salvation to our God The Angels Elders Beasts nay the whole Assembly of heaven sing joyfully to God and the Lamb but the Antichristian adversaries say to the mountains fall on us this thanksgiving of the heavenly inhabitants is indifferent plaine therefore for brevity sake I omit it Vers 13. One of the Elders answered saying unto me what are these which are arrayed in white robes the Papists say Peter I beleeve 't was the same that chap. 5.5 said weep not one that was next to John who asks who they were in white robes not as doubting but to take occasion to instruct John as the Baptist once sent his disciples to Christ to confirme them of the Messias Vers 14. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb hence their whitenesse hence they are before the Throne or enjoy felicity not because of works or martyrdome then And serve him day and night That is ever for there is no night where all Saints shine as the Sun but t is spoken to our capacity In his Temple To wit Heaven The Lamb and the Almighty are the Temple of it Christ shall dwell among them That is they shall for ever enjoy the favour and glory of God Thus much for the positive good they shall enjoy Now followes what they shall be freed from Vers 16. They shall hunger no more Hunger and thirst and heat are put for all the defects and troubles of this life as tears note the afflictions and sorrowes of it which Christ will deliver them from for he will feed them with satiety of joyes in his presence And will lead them to the fountains of living waters of comfort For in his presence is the fulnesse of joy as in his absence are miseries for evermore CHAP. VIII Act I. Vision third Vers 1. There was silence in heaven about the space of halfe an houre THough the 7. Chapter concludes with the day of Judgement and the freedom of Saints from all miseries yet this silence I understand not of that tranquility which we expect to follow that day because that is to last for ever this for half an houre what then by it I understand a short space in which the former Vision being Acted John had permission to desist from the contemplation of these high mysteries and to prepare himself to contemplate on new Visions Vers 2. And I saw the seven Angels The seven Angels whom he saw before Chap. 4.5 to whom Christ that sate on the Throne gave seven Trumpets to sound withall Who stood before God Their office was as Heralds to stand in the presence of God speedily to performe his commandements Now these Angels do represent the Ministers of the Gospel who as trumpeters by comission were to cry alound and proclaime the will of God Seven is a perfect number it notes Christs sending a compleat or perfect number of Preachers or labourers into his harvest yet 't is supposed the seventh means the Archangel mentioned 1 Thess 4.16 to sound at the last day Vers 3. And another Angel came and stood at the Alter Christ before these Ministers begin to preach or sound steps in to sanctify them by sending them his spirit to enable them to go through with their work comes forth with a golden censure I follow Annonymus upon the place who by the Altar understands Christ under whose protection the Saints are chap. 6.9 By the fire of the Altar his spirit which as fire descended and lighted upon the Apostles Acts 2. Thus 't was cast into the earth Now as the fire is from the Altar so it notes the spirit to be God and from Christ If I go I will send you the comforters sayes Christ Here note an allusion to be had to the Types of the Old-Testament where the Priest went to the Altar whereon continuall fire was preserved And he took a golden Censure and he put incense therein which being kindled by the fire of the Altar was resolved into an odoriferous smoke acceptable to God Now in heaven there is no Altar but Christ who as our high-Priest appears being God and man who sanctifyes the prayers and endeavours of the Saints with the Censure that is his most precious death and passion which he applies to the Saints which is
ages as Luther have thus spiritually undone and devoured poperie and the beast severall Kingdomes of late in some measure being enlightened and Antichrist there destroyed by the witnesses and faithfull Ministers of Christ notwithstanding all the plots armes threatnings of the Adversaries So then as the witnesses have as it were weapons so they are not carnall but spirituall Vers 6. These have power to shut heaven that it rain not c. Alluding to the Ministery of Elias 1 King 17.1 this is not to be taken literally for then there should be no rain during Antichrists kingdom which according to the letter is false Spiritually the witnesses by the power of the keyes shut heaven so that the raine of grace doth not mollifie the hearts of opposers and contemners either the spirituall rain of the Cospel comes not to them or works not upon they trusting in merits pilgrimages masses thus the word hardens accidentally though it soften the heart of the Elect. Here also may be thought on the imprecations of the Saints against the utter enemies of the Church as Antichrist which with God is of great force They have power over waters to turne them into blood c. Alluding to Moses and Aaron turning the waters of Egypt into blood So when the spirituall Pharaoh of Rome kept the Church in spirituall bondage God raised up witnesses as Mofes and Aaron to gain home his people but upon Antichrists refusall the witnesses by their sighes teares prayers procured great famines pestilences which have been common upon the adversaries for the contempt of the word thus also the witnesses spiritually smite the earth with plagues Where observe the reason and cause of great punishment by famine plague war was contempt of the word and witnesses thus the word and witnesses accidentally bring miseries Vers 7. Moreover when they have finished their testimonie c. The preaching of the Gospel is called a prophecy and a testimony of Christ and the Truth Which when the witnesses shall have finished for before Antichrist shall not overcome them and then only them not their testimony for the Gospel cannot perish the beast arising out of the bottomlesse pit out of which the locusts came chap. 9. v. 3. and Antichrist or the Pope too shall make war with them and kill them the war here is by disputations in behalfe of Antichrists Sermons branding the witnesses as hereticks seducers by councels condemning the witnesses by excommunications and buls cursing and casting them out by force by fire and faggot and the like not by the word of truth for so the witnesses shall kill Antichrist and the Locusts or the goodnesse of the cause Thus Jerom of Prague was overcome and Wickcliffes bones were taken up and burnt so was John Husse destroyed after he had prophecyed even literally 42 moneths for from the first time he began to maintain Wickcliffes opinions being Anno. 1412. to his martyrdom were precisely say his friends 1260 dayes or two and forty moneths Now though some famous witnesses were put to death suddenly after their finishing their testimonie and so the beasts treading down the holy city to be a time larger then that of the witnesses whereas the text gives both the same space of 42. moneths or 1260. dayes remember that the two witnesses in their successours revived and prophecyed again vers 11. So God has not lest himself without a witnesse to this houre nor will not till the Peast ceaseth to tread under foot the holy city or give over tyrannising at least Vers 8. And their dend bodies shall lye in the street of the great city c. This must not be quite taken literally for the bodies of the witnesses were burnt and needed no buriall but as the Church of Rome is the great city consisting of many Kingdomes and is spiritually called Sodom because of her uncleannesse among the Clergie and other sins and as Rome is spiritually called Egypt in respect of the spirituall slavery she keeps the people as Egypt did Israel and in respect of the thousands of Idols of Rome like that most Idolatrous Egypt and as Rome spiritually crucified Christ not because Pilate a Roman and the souldiers did it though that is somewhat but because Christ is recrucified at Rome and in the Idol of the Masse where they of Rome say they crucifie him daily as being say they bodily present but especially because she spiritually crucifies Christ in his members and is as wretched and as ready to do it as Ierusalem that literally did it So spiritually their carcases lie unburied that is their names are cursed and exposed to shame their books burnt condemned and not suffered to be bought their friends abused and their very houses made jakes Thus the great city or Church of Rome is in respect of her Idolatry tyranny over the people darknesse in the matters of saving faith obstinacy in matters of obedience to the witnesses and word contempt of God and his messengers and judgements notwithstanding the pure water of life is become puddle to them and other judgments meant by the waters turned into blood called spiritually or allegorically Egypt Vers 9. And they of the People tongues shall see their dead bodies c. To wit all those that adhered to Antichrist should applaud their King Abaddon and see with joy the dead bodies of the Saints cast forth as dung into the street in the fore quoted sense Three days and an half If the Popish Councel of Constance where many of several nations met be the kinâ—ed and people that rejoyced over the witnesses as our Iohn Fox thinks then by three days and an half may be understood three years and an half for so long that Councell sate Now days sometimes signifie years as Ezek. 4.6 each day for a year However the witnesses shall be exposed to reproach but for a short time this is for the comfort of the Saints and in the first place for Iohn that he might not be troubled Ver. 10. And the inhabitants of the earth shall rejoyce over them c Meaning those servants of Antichrist called inhabitants of the earth as having nothing to do with Heaven 'T is bad to do ill worse to rejoyce in it Now behold 't is come to passe in a strange manner that men in killing them shal tink they do God service 'T is said during the Antichristian councell of Constance publick shows and feasts were kept at the burning of Martyrs And the Romish locusts when they condemne a Saint to the fire use to feast gratulate each other and send presents one to another Well Lazarus saw Dives in hell in torment in the Parable The reason follows Because these two Prophets tormented the inhabitants of the earth The word Prophet here is taken in a large sense sometimes in Scripture to prophecy is to interpret here 't is to preach c. Here remember what Ahab said to Elijah thou troublest Israel when he was the troubler of Israel Indeed the little book
and invisibility in respect of her former lustre for the first three hundred yeares which was by degrees as the Eagle flyes not at once for the woman was a great while flying into the Wildernesse even from a little after Constantine to Phocas the usurper who set up Antichrist None whether Church Kingdome or person is corrupted at once but by little and little Vers 15. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a floud c This floud I understand not to be those Nations Goths Vandals Almans who as a deluge came about this time to destroy the very name and faith of Christ and to carry away the woman nor by earth do I understand them though their earthly religion swallowed up persecution by embracing Christianity for this helped not the woman but drove her farther into the Wildernesse for the faith was most corrupted by Arrius and other damnable hereticks when they embraced it so they were for the most part Arrians or Nestorians because John had treated of the Dragons persecuting the woman before therefore here by the floud I understand the most wretched heresies now reigning vomiting out of the Dragons mouth for the Doctrine of the Gospel coming out of Gods mouth is compared to streames of water Joh. 7.38 and so heresies may be well said to be a floud considering their violence and impurity for a floud washes the banks and draws all corruption into it Now in this Age was Arrius against the Son Macedonius against the Holy Ghost Nestorius against the truth of Christs Person Vers 16. Yet the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the floud c Alluding to the old history of the earths swallowing up Corah and his Company Num. 16. or to the earth swallowing up the floud which destroyed the World In sum God used some extraordinary meanes to destroy this floud by which the Dragon thought to destroy the rest of the womans seed that is those retired righteous of which I spake but now who withdrew themselves from the Idolatry of Rome These are described to be such as have the testimony or Gospel of Jesus whereby and the bloud of the Lamb they are said to overcome vers 11. for the Gospel brings faith that laies hold on Christ by which all the Saints overcome Thus we have seen what a furious Creature the devill is against us and how he makes use of his short time which he knows is so seeing the signes of the last times are fulfilled and fulfilling this should teach us to make good use of out short time which hastens as the weavers shuttle Vers 18. And I stood upon the sand of the sea To wit ready to behold the Beast arising out of the sea as Chap. 13. or to denote the dangerous and sandy condition of the Age of Antichrists arising able to destroy if it were possible the very elect Mat. 24.24 CHAP. XIII Act. 3. Vision 4. Vers 1. And I saw a beast rise up out of the sea c THis Vision depends on vers 17. of Chap. 12. as one with it the act describes the Dragons war there mentioned and Antichrists arising mentioned Chap. 11.7 by the beasts ascending out of the bottomlesse pit and agreeing with Dan. 7.8 11. of the little horne speaking blasphemies meaning Antiochus or Antichrist himself of whom Antiochus was a Type Now it is usual in Scripture to set forth Empires by beasts as Dan. 7. where the Assyrian Persian Grecian Roman Empires are so described rising out of the sea vers 3. that is out of Nations Tongues People over whom they reigne and from whence they arise answerable to Rev. 17.15 This beast arises out of the sea here and out of the land ver 11. yet the same one according to the last verse here is wisdome to count the number of the beast in the singular number and that because of Antichrists double forme as King and Priest having the sword of Paul and key of Peter as the whorish Church or queen Chap. 18.7 17.3 and false Prophet Chap. 16.13 clothed with the spoiles of the Roman Empire and pretended Vicarship of Christ or as a Tyrant and seducer Let then the Papists feigne an Antichrist to themselves to be begotten of a Jewish woman of the Tribe of Dan by some evill spirit to reigne three yeares and an halfe and to fulfill literally all things spoken Antichrist in this Book we have found the man sitting in the Temple of God even for God Out of the sea To wit the bottomlesse pit out of which the Locusts came chap 9 3. and chap. 11.7 out of which the beast ascended yet John saw the beast arising out of the sea in the Vision noting the Popes arising out of the sink of hell by the meanes of Phocas the intruder thus the Sea of Rome is the sea of the beast or perchance that floud of the Dragon is the sea out of which Antichrist arose Now though Councils and Bishops of Rome condemned Arrius yet through the Devils enticements they set up Antichrist as chiefe Priest and King of Bishops though for a long while the Bishops of Constantinople and Alexandria were his Corrivals Nay to that height by degrees he arose that he would not be present at any Easterne Council but by his Legates or Embassadours lest the Emperour being present he should be forced to give him place Having seven heads and ten hornes c This Beast is very like the Dragon but that the Dragon wore his Crowns on his heads this on his hornes by hornes strength is noted who these horne be Rev. 17.9 12. makes known to wit ten Kings and the seven heads are seven Mountaines of Rome for she was built upon so many to which chapter I defer the interpretation of this place Blasphemy The Beast will not weare his hornes himself but his ten hornes or Vassal-Kings shall on his own head is blasphemy not openly written yet plaine enough for all his Religion and Doctrines are such against God and Christ Vers 2. And the beast which I saw was like unto a Leopard c. The word in Greek signifies a she-Leopard which hath a speckled skin and very odoriferous swift and subtile Thus the Beast is something like a monster compounded of a Leopard a Beare and Lyon The Church of Antichrist is spotted as the Leopard being a mingle-mangle of diverse Heresies Superstitions Idols Traditions consisting of several Orders Sects Clergy men it is very odoriferous full of the sweet smels of honour riches it is very swift for after the world was perswaded that Rome was the seat of Peter that sea of Rome quickly swallowed up all it is crafty so Antichrist is a false Prophet full of cunning deceits gaining home much riches by this meanes Now hee is like a Beare in the feet her feet are flat large by which the stability and firmenesse of Antichrists Kingdom is noted this Creature hath sharpe nailes which it fastens into the ground and so goes more firmly Now
behold sorrow She gave her self to gluttony and luxury behold famine She burnt Martyrs behold fire burning her seat and Palaces She said I shall see no sorrow behold her destruction in one day For strong is the Lord who judgeth her Therefore though her territories be large though the City be very great and strong yet stronger is the Lord who can and will bring this judgment upon her by the victorious armie of the converted Kings who shall throw fire into her and consume her Vers 9. And the Kings of the earth shall bewaile her and lament for her c. To wit who are contradistinct to Saints and had lived deliciously with her in committing fornication as perchance Spaine the Emperour such of the ten as remaine with the Pope and are enemies to the truth of the Gospel They shall lament her 1 Because they cannot commit any longer Idolatry at Rome that beloved but whorish City 2 Because they cannot riot any longer within the City Vers 10. Standing afarre off for feare of the torment saying Alasse c. God shall strike a fear into them that they shall not dare to approach near to help her though they are sorry they cannot sin any more with her Afarre off as farre perchance as their own countryes though t is wonder they are so daunted that they send not to help her by some army to rescue her from burning though they be destroyed as at Armageddon of old Josiah was Vers 11. And the Merchants of the earth shall weep 1. Kings 2 Merchants shall mourn for her meaning spiritual traders in the Romish sea who only can buy and sell as chap. 13.17 For no man buyeth her merchandise any more To wir her Pardons Absolutions which shall be discovered to be abominable rotten and false in the city to be sold however no more being burnt Vers 12. The Merchandise of gold and silver and of precious stones c. See Ezek. 27. where Tyres destruction then a famous mart-town is foretold and this Catalogue of wares there mentioned also the neighbouring nations who brought their Merchandise to Tyre there mentioned to which here is a plain allusion Now by Romes ruine the spirituall Merchants could not vent their ungodly wares of pardons c. Nor could gaine riches enough to buy Merchandise as formerly from other nations as horses from France Gold and Silver from Spaine Sheep from England Beasts from Germany all nations furnished Rome with souls being subject to the Arch-flamen of Rome So here is noted the nations from their Merchandise who furnished Rome with wares as Brightman hath observed the spirituall Merchants could not reach to buy these commodities Rome being destroyed nor common Merchants or nations so well vent them Rome being burnt for brevity sake I omit the Catalogue Wherein observe the heathenish Rome never did traffique for souls of men though she did for slaves but here Rome deals for both expresly slaves and souls of men Sure here Popish Rome is meant most ungodly domineering over souls by threatning Purgatory by pardons masses the summe is Romes destruction shall hinder the spiritual merchandise of the soules and estates of all nations which a long while hath flowed to Rome for which the Romane spiritual merchants shall grieve Vers 14. And the fruits which thy soule lusted after To wit the cates and delicates the spiritual fathers or Clergy of Rome riotously filled their tables with Are departed from them c. Or perished by Romes perishing Vers 15. The Merchants of these things which were waxed rich c. To wit souls and other merchandise shall lament namely Merchants Ship-masters Masters-mates Pilots Partners and common seamen shall lament that is Cardinals and those who are even equall with them Arch-bishops Bishops Abbots Monks and all spirituall sea-men that have an oare in Peters boat shall lament and as the kings mentioned stand afarre off in regard of help but near enough in heart if they durst help saying alas alas pittying the great revenues of their Arch-bishopricks Cardinalships now lost Hence as mourners they cast dust on their heads as in old time they did because of Romes desolation the rest is plain to ver 20. Only observe the cause of the lamentation is not their sins and Idolatry which brought the judgments but their temporall losses and their revenues and honours Vers 20. Rejoyce over her thou heaven c. Formerly she shed the blood of Saints Prophets Apostles Now those Inhabitants of heaven may rejoyce because their cruell enemy and Christs is destroyed This should teach us to rely upon Christ who will one day destroy our enemies and give us occasion of rejoycing chap 6.10 The Saints cry O Lord holy and just how long Here they are bid rejoyce because God has avenged them and suppressed Antichrist and blasphemy Vers 21. And a mighty Angel took up a stone like a mill-stone c. Whether this Angel represented Christ since he took up the milstone as it had been a feather and speaks by a similitude of Romes overthrow for from Christ come Antichrists judgments I dispute not 't was another Angel that enters the stage as it were representing Babylons overthrow wherein consider 1. A mil-stone is not easily removed nor Babylon easily destroyed 2. A mil-stone is cast downe by force so Babylon 3. The Mil-stone is cast into the sea so Babylon shall be burnt by fire 4. The Mil-stone cast into the sea is covered never recovered so Babylon shall be utterly desolated and never built Vers 22. The voyce of harpers shall be heard no more At feasts in thee nor flute for dancers not trumpet for civil meetings nor war nor crafts-men whether Physician Lawyer nor husband-man nor miller but it shall be a meer desolation Vers 23. Nor lights shall shine any more in thee Convenient for night season Nor bridegroom nor bride shall be in thee Therefore no procreation of children therefore Romes desolation shall be consummated Because thy Merchants were great men of the earth To wit Cardinals Arch-bishops here is the grand cause of Romes desolation including other her Merchants sold damnable wares if this were understood literally it were a weak reason because thy Merchants were great men therefore comes thy destruction No but because thy great Cardinals Bishops sold cursed and abominable spirituall wares of Purgatory Pardons Therefore Rome is to be destroyed for her Idolatry false doctrine riot the consequent of riches For her sorceries Or false doctrines compared oft to bewitching or enticing wine have deceived the Christian world Vers 24. And in her was found the blood of Prophets c. The old Rome caused Apostles to be slain the new Popish Rome Prophets or Teachers as chap. 11. In her Either because the doctrine which caused their blood to be shed was from Rome or because she gave commission to slay the Saints who were slain in other places and kingdomes as England God plagues Rome as the Originall cause of all this CHAP. XIX Vision
Law where the Sun of light is prophecyed never to set fully till the second comming of Christ ch 60.20 but not onely of this spiritual Kingdom nay vers 19. speaks as the place now in hand as if there should be no use of Sun nor Moon hereafter Vers 24. And the nations that were saved shall walk in the light of it Thus much for the building and glory now of the Citizens somewhat They shall enjoy the glorious presence of God who is the light of the city Iohn having spoken of the city could not conveniently but mention citizens who are indeed the very city or part of it the Patriarchs Prophets and Jewish nation or the elect of them are the rest But this must be taken according to the order of the vision and city first and then inhabitants And Kings of the earth do bring their glory thither Not the Kings of the earth who stand for the Beast of which often But Kings converted in the time of the Gospel of which see Esay 60. at large To which passage here is an allusion though it were in the time of the spiritual Kingdome of Christ partly fulfilled now these Kings brought their power and honour to Christs spiritual Kingdome when they were converted and upheld the same and they bring their honour to the city above when their abode is forever above being consummated in glory praising honouring lauding God and Christ for their salvation for ever and ever So these Kings are not such as bring now again their earthly honour to the Church militant for they are saved as well as the nations not to be saved implying their being in joy and safety Kings of the earth Some of the ten converted ones who when in heaven are not Kings but fellow-citizens Ver. 26. is much the same Vers 25. And the gates of it shall not be shut by day c Noting the security and peace and freedome from all dangers for we shut gates day and night in time of Warre or Siege but there shall be no danger now if in the day time the gates shall not be shut then never for there is no night being the glory of God shall expel darknesse by everlasting light This is an allusion to Esay 60. thy gates shall be open continually speaking of the Church militant under the Gospel to admit members to wit into the Church Gentiles and Kings and never shut as excluding none and here t is applyed to signifie the security and happinesse of the Church triumphant Vers 27. There shall in no wise enter in any thing that is defiled See vers 8. Expos on it Paul long since 1 Cor. 6.9 foretold as much Now Christ will judge according to the Gospel These places prove nothing against the Saints who have been overtaken in some sin and have washed themselves by faith in the blood of the Lamb but t is understood of them who make a trade of sinne CHAP. XXII The same Vision partly continued Vers 1. And he shewed me a pure river of water of life clear as Chrystall c. THese two last chapters concerning the Saints felicity answer to chap. 7 15. where the redeemed clothed in white robes praise God before the throne day and night that is for ever The pure river alludes to Ezek 47. or rather to Paradise watered by the river that came out of Eden Gen. 2.10 but that river drew corruption this is pure and water of life having no mixture of filth that came out of Eden this out of the Throne What more pleasant then a water behold not a fountain but a great river not rounding the wals of the city but running through the streets Let us entertain no earthly thought for God by this shews us glorious things in Ezek. 47. waters issuing out of the house of God or Temple is the doctrine of the Gospel flowing from Christ But in this place as also chap. 7. last the living fountains of water are to note the fulnesse of knowledge of God which the faithful shall have by the immediate Vision of God and the Lamb as also unspeakable purity and joy Now the comforts of the Gospel in this life and its doctrine is compared to water Iohn 7.37 Others say the river is the Holy Ghost proceeding from the Throne or God constantly refreshing the city of God Vers 2. And in the midst of the street of it and of either side Here follow the abundance of all things necessary for the Citizens Was there a tree of life Conferring and preserving life alluding to the tree in Paradise but that was not to be touched and this is common for all the Citizens There was but one the which that in Paradise typed See Rev. 2.7 where I expounded it to be Christ who is the bread of life Now the tree though but one with its boughs and roots reached both sides the river though the river was very broad noting how sufficient Christ is for all the Citizens Ezek. 47.7 to which here as an allusion speaks of many trees yet 't was but the same Christ conveyed many ways to the Saints therefore called many trees as the foundations were said to be twelve but here is but one Christ whom all enjoy alike Of the river c. The tree is in the midst of the street because barred from none by the River because always fruitful never decaying Bearing twelve manner of fruits I dare not say here is meant the Apostles doctrine who though they preached one Christ yet drew comforts from him several ways Nor will I mention the twelve articles of the faith all comforting But the tree notes Christ who monthly that is continually is bringing forth the fruits of joy and comfort to refresh the city of God the earnest whereof the Saints have in this world several ways So Christ in heaven alluding to the twelve moneths of an year brings forth twelve nay thousands of fruits of joy and comfort The leaves were for the healing the Nations Alluding to Ezek. 47. So that nothing of Christ but is most sweet and good not as if there were need of any Physick in heaven but to keep the Allegory of the tree ordinary trees loose their leaves Nothing of CHRIST but is profitable The Nations Chap. 21.26 who brought their glory to Christ as the Kings did by being converted and upholding his Kingdom and by being at last glorified by Christ and perfectly cured Vers 3. And there shall be no more curse c. What ever might hinder happinesse shall be removed as chap. 7.15 all tears shall be wiped away By curse we may understand not only that of the law which is nulled but the Anathema's of Antichrist also sin sorrow torment death which are destroyed Here may be intimated the curse of delivering over to Satan in this life because of sin in the Church but there above is purity and therefore no curse as Beza has it There shall be no curse because the throne of God shall