the Spirit to honour the sufferings of the Saints so highly as to ascribe unto them the chiefest stayes and supportations of their precious hope and calling namely patience and faith saying Here is the patience and faith of the Saints VERS 11. And I saw another Beast comming up from the earth and he had two hornes like the Lamb but he spake like the Dragon THe holy Ghost in the verse foregoing having pronounced sentence of death against Antichrist before he comes to the execution thereof descendeth to the arraignment and condemnation of his Clergie that so they may be carted to the valley of Hinnom both together whom the Lord here figureth under the name of the Beast saying And I saw another Beast comprehending under the singular number of one Beast by a manner of speech common to the holy Scriptures the whole corporation and university of false and lying teachers who from the first Eremite Hypocrite Father Priest Monk Fryer to the last trumping and vagabond Iesuite have avouched the honour and adoration of Antichrist And is most aptly deciphered by their earthly sensuall and divellish minds in pointing to their countrey and place of extraction whence and where such weeds doe grow saying comming up from the earth And commendeth their making and acquaintance to us by two exquâ—site tokens the one their person the other their doctrine Touching their shape and person the Spirit saith that it was in robe and exteriour appearance the very face and countenance of the Lamb deckt and garnished with his owne two hornes to wit the Law and the Gospel wherewith the Lamb doth save and kill for so the Spirit saith And he had two hornes like the Lamb. But as concerning the use and force of the hornes the Spirit saith they were therein so contrary to the Lamb that when they did open either to teach the Law or preach the Gospel they spake and taught like the Dragons Doctours and like the Priests of Jupiter teaching and preaching unto the children of the world that they ought to worship the God of heaven as the Dragons Priests had taught their fathers to worship the Gods of the heathen Which detestable prophanation of the worship of God and preposterous adoration of his name the Spirit detecteth in saying But he spake like the Dragon VERS 12. And all the power of the first Beast he did in his sight and he made the earth and the inhâ—bitants therein to adore the first Beast whose wound of death was cured BY the power of the first Beast is meant the purpose and plot of the Dragon for the upholding and establishment of their false and godlesse religion to the prophanation and extinction of the true worship and service of God which forasmuch as he could not effect by force and open eâ—mitie I meane by the bloody persecutions of his prophane and Ethnick Caesaâ—s he did devise to put a new string to his old bow and to work it out by fraud and falshood of friends and thereupon perswaded his Ethnick Caesars that in policie it was the best to play Christians forasmuch as the world was now so given as Jupiter with all hâ—s idols must needs give place to Christ because most voices went that way And the better to bring the mystery of iniquity to passe he caused his new christened Caesars to set up a race of sycophâ—nticall high and princely Priests who under colour of proctering the affairs of the Lamb should cunningly clâ—p Jupiters coat upon the Lambs back and bestow all the ceremonies and ritualls of Jupiter and his idolls upon Christ that so by turning Jupiters worship into Christianisme he might turne the worship of God into Paganisme and idolatry and that so he might at the least prophane and desolate the true worship of the true God whose Majesty and truth of deitie they could no way blemish And for the better successe in this their project should cause to be erected throughout all Kingdomes and Natâ—ons certaine covents and swarmes of false ungodly and prostituted Clerks who by avouching and maintaâ—ning against all commers that Antichrists name is Simon Peter and that the supremacie his Caesâ—rs and his Kings gave him is the very keys of heaven and hell which the Lamâ— committed to the dispensation of his Saints and servants and that the throne aâ—d seâ—r of wickâ—dnesse is Peters Chaire and Sea Apostolique and that the execrable forme of Jupiters worship wherein his Lords and Caesars deligâ—ted is the very true worship and service of God which â—he Lamb and his Apostles delivered And by these mists legerdemains and new editions of old idolatry should establish in the sight of Antichrist the â—elfe same pâ—ophanation and devout impiety which his Antecessors the Caesars so ardently embraced for so much the Spirit rippeth up in saying And all the power of the first Beast he did in the sight of Antichrist and thereby so strongly deluded and seduced the children of disobedience most properly here as elsewhere described by the name of the earth and the inhabitants therein that they loathed the Sacâ—ifices of the God of heaven and refused to worship as the Lord commanded and chose rather as the Spirit saith to adore the first Beast that is to say to worship the God of their fathers as the Dragon commanded them just after the prescription of his Caesars and manner of the heathen And that we may the better discerne from whom those Proctors of Don Antâ—christ borrowed this their abominable Church-service the Spirit remembreth the repaired wound of their masters creditors pate mentioned in the third verse Whose wound of death was cured VERS 13. And he did many signes so that he made fire to come downe from heaven to the earth in the sight of men THe holy Ghost having arraigned and condemned the Clergy of Antichrist touching their doctrine proceedeth further to detect their abomination and forgery in seeking to confirme their false doctrine by lying signes and works of wonder condemning therein first their vanity secondly their presumption For as nothing can be more vaine and ungodly then to seeke by lying signes and wonders to confirme the doctrine of the Lamb and his servants which is all sufficiently established by their owne magnificent and divine miracles unto which the Church of God upon her allegiance is enjoyned to subscribe so nothing can be more presumptious and wicked then to attempt by fignes and wonders the confirmation of any other doctrine then that which the Lamb and his two witnesses have sealed and delivered unto us according to the statute of God Deut. 13. And though their signes were many as the Spirit reporteth saying And he did many signes yet were they but forgeries and lies not wrought in truth and dignity but in falshood and fallacy as our Lord himselfe and his servant Paul foretold us Mat. 24. 2 Thess 2. In which regard the holy Ghost squaring the miracles of these exorcists after the rule of their doctrine which was in shew
that day falleth downe dissolved into water beseecheth him to looke upon his Lord and Redeemer in him and for his sake to cover his fault and offence committed calling him to witnesse unto his poor and dryed soul how that the Sun hath not gone down upon his anger that day and seing the weaknes wherein he dwelleth the power and pride of unrighteousnesse wherein he 's as with a Garment mantled in great and strong teares cryeth unto his God and Father to deliver him from th' Aegypt and wounds of th' enemy that no temptation may lead him to commit evill in his sight And therewithall in quietnesse and sure trust reclineth himselfe upon th' arme of his Heavenly Father knowing in it dwelleth all strength Kingdome and power to save and deliver the soul that putteth trust in him And thus and so prayeth he in forme and manner as his Lord hath taught him Thou watchest and risest early like him that waiteth innocent blood and comming forth bowest thy selfe before the tranâ—gression and abhomination of th'Heathen and not considering the Sunne is darkened openest thy bold and filthy mouth blaspheming his Tabernacles which are in Heaven setting them up as did thy Fathers in the Wildernesse Moloch and Repham gods of Aegypt to grieve th' ears of the Holy Ghost For as betweene God and the sinner there is but one Mediator and Reconciler Jesus Christ the righteous so there is but one onely Advocate and Intercessor betweene God and the beleever namely the Spirit which proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne whose right hand dwelleth in the bosome of the Redeemer and left in th' heart of the beleever and lifting up from hand to other his poore and broken voices pointed with teares placeth them before the Throne of God and giveth them such grace through his presentation that they stand among his holy Angels beholding his face day and night depart not his eye nor memory till all their requests be granted And this is the great and honourable Advocate whose iâ—tercession so farre excelleth in power in worthinesse in grace in glory th' intercession of the mother of Christ his brethren his sisters his Prophets his Apostles his Servants his Saints and Martyrs as is the blood of the Lamb of God more excellent and precious then is the blood of Abel And this is the high and holy one that beareth record with his poore servant which wrote these things and we know that his record is true thereunto bearing witnesse thousand sighes and tears and that it might be confirmed under three the love of God diffused in his heart the Garment dipt in the blood of the Lamb cryeth out unto yee testifying with him these things are true And being compassed with testifiers in number so sufficient in quality so honourable yet have yee not received our witnesse and behold on earth there are none to be found that have or may or shall beare witnesse to the truth but these three alone Murtherers may yee compare your pilgrimages with his behold thou goest from Citie to Citie from one place to another and weariest thy selfe in wayes and labours which no man requireth at thy hands and when they say unto thee Goe into the wildernesse to this or that Hermites Cave there shalt thou see the life and imitation of the Lambe and of his servant John or come to this grave goe to that here at Loretta there at Compostella there shalt thou see the powers of God and of his holy one thou â—not caring noâ— considering they are the commanâ—ements of abhomination that â—itteth in the place â—here he ought not goest beleevest adding to thy â—lasphemy scorne and derision offering to the Highâ—st the labour and stinke of thy feete for the sinne â—f thy soule This man all the dayes of his life are the dayes of his pilgrimage wherein like the childe that beâ—aileth the death of his Mother covered with darke â—nd mourning colours wandreth the desarts of this â—ife in an assured hope one day to come to a Citie â—romised whose walls are made of everlasting stones whose foundation is the strength of God whose towâ—r's his glory And if any voyce say to him goe into â—he wildernesse to this or that Fremites denne there â—halt thou see Christ to these or to those dead bones â—here shalt thou see his works of wonder he abhorâ—eth it for he remembreth the commandement of his Lord. But goe not beleeve not take heed behold I have foreâ—old yee all Murtherers may vee compare your fastings with his Behold thou eatest fish once and twice a weeke to honour God withall Egyptians who hath required this honour at your hands careth he whether thou eate the flesh of fish or the flesh of Beasts hath he not made meat for bellies bellies for meats and shall he not destroy both it and them And knowest thou indeed that which entreth into the belly goeth out into the draught and duâ—st presume t' honour him with either one or other wherefore thus saith the truth the sacrifice and fasts of Hierusalem shall â—ise in judgement against th'offerings and fish-fasts of Babylon and had yee knowne what that Scripture meaneth No man drinking old Wine will straight way commend the new for he saith th' old is better then had ye never condemned the new and true fast t' establish a fast more vile and filthy then was the fast of Pharisies This man all the dayes of his pilgriâ—â—ge are a continuall fast night and day fasteth he his bread is become affliction his wine is turned to trouble because the Bridegroom is taken from him and his Lord whom he loveth so is gone into a farre Country And as concerning meates and bellies this man is taught of God that besides the person of a Christian in which respect all the creatures of God are clean unto him received in godlinesse moderation and thankesgiving he sustaineth the person of a Citizen and knowing his King his Governours or State whereunder he is placed for good and probable causes tending to the peace and maintenance of the many which God especially will have preserved have authority to command and forbid in meates in drinkes in cloath in dayes and such like so eateth so drinketh so weareth so keepeth he as his Prince commandeth giving to his Prince th' obedience that to a Prince belongeth and honoureth his God with th' honour which to God appertaineth Murtherers may ye compare your almes and mercy with his Behold thou devourest the widdow and waterest the seed of adulterie and sayest thou feedest Orphans arrayest thy selfe with the spoile of Kingdomes and nourishest Dragons egges of Serpents and every unclean bird and sayest thou feedest the sonnes of Prophets Foole how canst thou give a drinke of cold water to a Prophet thy selfe being none of the generation of Prophets Balaam doest thou know him that wrote these things or hast thou considered his hunger and his wants as thou regarding passest by like one of the dead and rotten graves of Sodome
the earth shall be glad over them and shall send gifts one to another because these two Prophets tormented them that dwell upon the earth ANd all the worshippers of the Beast here noted for their number by the inhabitants of the earth shall clap their hands over their owne inventions and rejoyce in the death of the truth and make merry with Bonefires Vigils Festivals Processions and in token of joy they shall send as the Spirit saith gifts one to another Kings and Princes and people shall present and endow the Beast and his Church with donations immunities possessions gold and silver offerings c. and the Beast on the other side shall requite their kindnesse with titles bels pardons buls and such like and the Spirit yeildeth a reason of this their wicked and ungodly comfort because they had put out the eyes of his two Prophets that their whoredomes and pâ—ophanations might not be reproved then which nothing can be greater torment to the wicked nor more unsavoury to them that perâ—sh VERS 11. And after three dayes and a halfe the Spirit of life from God entred into them and they stood upon their feet and great feare fell upon all that saw them ANd forasmuch as in the death and extermination of Antichrist by way of dependencie consisteth the life and resurrection as it were of the Scriptures the Spirit foresheweth that after the reigne and persecution of the Beast which here as in the ninth verse is determined by three dayes and a halfe God will raise up faithfull and prudent Priests Shepheards of understanding hearts who shal rightly â—ivide the words and testimonies of his two witnesses which the holy Ghost signifieth in saying that the Spirit of life from God entred into them for as the letter text of the Scripture is the corps thereof so their true intent and meaning is the Spirit and life of them and by the faithfull ministry of such as the Lord shall raise in and about that time and for that purpose the testimony of his two Prophets shall be restored to their strength and as it were to their walking againe which the Spirit signifieth in saying They stood upon their feet as well to the terror and astonishment of all lying and stupidious expositors as to the fear and admiration of the children and justifiers of wisdome as the holy Ghost concludeth saying And great feare fell upon all that saw them VERS 12. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying Come up hither and they went up into heaven in a cloud and their enemies saw them ANd the restauration of the true meaning of the Scriptures which their enemies so long kept under by all unjust and cunning shifts shall be more famously knowne and published then that they may any longer hinder or stop the glorious course of their wonderfull instauration which the Spirit intendeth in saying that I heard a voice from heaven saying Come up hither meaning that it should be more possible for their enemies to stay Elias Chariot from ascending or pull the wind back from pursuing his point then to resist the wisdome of the same the which shall vindicate the abuse of the Scriptures and by the power of their ministry as in the strength of a cloud shall hold them up and restore them to their spirituall and heavenly meaning againe and the Beast with all his Sorcerers and lyers which have been their long and ancient enemies shall see the glory of their regeneration and wonder and die VERS 13. And in that houre there was made a great earthquake and the teâ—â—h part of the City fell and there were slaâ—â—â— in the earth-quake names of men seven thousand and the rest were cast into a feare and gave glory to the God of heaven ANd at such time as it pleased God to begin his work of instauration and to cause the day-spring of his Gospel to shine out of the night of Antichrists darknesse the abominable and desolate profanation of the Beast which had so long time over-cast the earth was in such sort discovered that the very root of his throne and usurped authoritie was dangerously shaken which the holy Ghost closely foldeth up in saying There was made a great earth-quake And further fore sheweth that out of this concussion there should arise so great defection that the tenth part of his worshippers should revolt from him and that this revolt and defection must cost the lives of many thousand men which the Spirit uttereth in a manner of speech strange to us butusual with the Scriptures calling men names of men as Chap. 3. 4. and meaning by seven thousand many thousand using the determinate number of seven indefinitly and for a number indeterminate as it is also in Scripture often Which broils and bloodshed concerning the institution of religion are so sufficiently reported in the Commentaries of Bohemia and Germanie and in the troubles of France and Flanders and other Nations as if it were purposely registred in proofe of this prophesie Lastly the Spirit concluding foretelleth that many kingdoms in this defection should quite forsake the Beast and haste them out of Babylon home again to build the walls of Ierusalem and to restore the morning and the evening Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving as in the former time and in the dayes of old in saying And the rest were cast into a feare and gave glory to the God of heaven VERS 14. The second Woe is gone and behold the third Woe will come quickly THe first woe was the blasphemy of Arianisme which the holy Ghost in the niâ—th Chapter most aptly resembleth unto a smoake ascending from the depth saying That the Sun was darkned and the aire with the smoake of the pit meaning by the Sunne the Son of God and by the aire the word of his truth by whose onely meane and interposition the object of his Deitie was truly discerned and in regard of this first woe which was kindled by Arius wherewith the inhabitants of the earth as the Spirit foretold us should be tormented five moneths meaning moneths of yeares which by Propheticall account amounteth to one hundred and fifty years which was the time of the Arian persecution as in the Ecâ—lesiasticall Histories more plainly appeareth The holy Ghost I say in regard of this first woe calleth the tragicall reigne of Antichrist the second woe whose long time of tyranny within this Chapter in a generall manner is declared and in the 13. Chapter following more particularly and exactly discovered though at the writing of this Prophesie it had his being onely in the foreknowledge of God and was not yet begun to be acted much lesse fully ended yet in respect it is here in a geneâ—all manner fully revealed the Lord to whom all things past and to come are present saith The second woe is gone upon determination whereof the third woe must ensue which for it surpasseth both the former in terror and greatnesse the holy Ghost bringeth it in
which did cast him into his minority and wardship againe And this his last estate of regiment imperiall the holy Ghost here calleth his taile which confisteth of a rout of Monarchs seventie Keysars long who for that they so furiously persecuted and havocked the blood of the chiefest Saints and servants of God the Spirit saith that with his cursed taile he drew the third part of the Starres of heaven and cast them to the earth And not contented with the slaughter of his fairest lights and stars of his Church proceeded to desolate the whole hoast of heaven even all the seed of the Spouse named before the Churches child and here her Son meaning those in whom by the ministry of his fairest stars his Servants the Apostles Christ was now formed and of whom the Church was now ready to be delivered for so much the Apostle unfoldeth in these words And the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered that when shee should bring forth he might devoure her son VERS 6. But she brought forth a man-child who was to governe all Nations with an iron rod and her Son was taken up to God and to his Throne BUt notwithstanding all their fury the Church brought forth her first fruit which for their faith charity labour and patience the spirit nameth a Man-child and because they followed the Lord in the Regeneration and overcame by keeping his words and works unto the end they received the selfe-same honour which to their Lord alone and in chief belongeth namely that they shall judge the Tribes of Israel and have dominion over the Nations and shall rule them with a rod of iron and break their glory like a potters vessel as the Lord hath promised Mat. 19. Apoc. 2. And in remembrance of the tender care and providence of God over the seed and first fruit of his Church the Spirit concludeth that when they had ended their course they were taken up to God and to his Throne far from the reach and rage of their enemies VERS 7. And the woman Fled into the wildernesse where she had a place prepared of God that there they might feed her a thousand two hundred and sixty dayes BUt the Church of God here named the woman mother of this faire and primitive fruit being no longer able to weather out her stormes was enforced to hide her beauâ—y and to retire her selfe into the secret chambers of Gods providence and heâ— owne conscience and to take up her lodging in the desart not that her light was utterly extinguished as her enemies reproach her for although she were dispersed distressed and enforced to hide her extraordinary and eminent graces yet the beauty of her true repentance and of her lively faith seconded with a charitable life and patient expectation of better things to come stâ—ll shined as a Candle in a darke place and like a ship preserved in a tempest she remained still the same of whom the world was not worthy never wanting the loving protection of her dearest Lord who in all her troubles was mindfull of her as of Elias his servant or Israel his first-borne carefull to provide her both of honourable harbour and princely diet Her resting place was restlesse strewed and scattered far and neare over the face of the earth for such a lodging oid best beseeme her broken and restlesse heart which sojourned in earth but dwelt in heaven and did also best defend her person from the furious inquisitions of her enemies Neither was her Lord lesse loving and provident concerning her food for he preserved for her diet the two witnesses of his eternall Covenant that â—â—â—m their breast she might suck the puâ—e and who some milke of grace and life that so she might be both nobly haâ—boured and priâ—cely sed during the tedious and odious Reigâ—e of the great Whore the Church of Rome who during her exile should â—surp her Chair and under the vizard â—f her name should persecuâ—e her name and generation a thousand two hundred and sixty years here as before mystiâ—ally deciphered under a thousand two hundred and sixty dayes VERS 8. And there was wages a battell in heaven Michael and his Angels fought with the Dragon and the Dragon fought anâ— his Angels ANd at the same timâ— that the Temple of God was opened in heaven the Apostle also foresaw that great and bloody contention then which since the dayes of heaven was â—ever waged greateâ—â— great in regard of the Aâ—mes and great in respect of the cause The Armies great as well for the greatnesse of the Generals as for the valour and number of their Forces The Generall on the oâ—e side was the power of God sciphered by Michael the Prince of the Covenant who stood for the children and people of the Highest The Gâ—nerall on the other side was the power of Satan figured by Ethnick Rome here as before called the Dragon In their Forces are to be considered the Leaders and the Souldiers The Leaders and Captaines on the part of Michael were Divus Petrus Divus Paulus Divus Johannâ—â— and the rest of that divine and Noble orâ—â—r of Saints And on the Dragons paâ—t were Leaders and Chieftains Divus Tiberius Divus Caligula Divus Claudius Divus Nero and the rest of that most filâ—hy and execrable traine So great was â—he multitude and number of Souldiers that none of what degree sex age or condition soever but must be prest for the one side or for the other the valour and veâ—tue of the Sâ—uldiers exceeded all praise few subdued many the weake overcame the stong a handfull of Chrâ—stians a world of infidels The cause was great and higher then the heavens whether God or Beâ—al Christ or Jupiter Christianisme or Paganisme were more venerable for antiquitie majestâ— call for amplitude more constant for continuance and in all other respects of wisdome honour and Majestâ—e more worthy to be imbraced and adored of the sons of men which was for life contenâ—ed by the Dragon his Angels and Assects and was â—oâ— life withstood and disapproved by Michael and his Angels and their followers The issue of this contention followeth VERS 9. But they prevailed not neither was their place found any more in Heaven AS the battel was great so was the victory glorious for though â—he Dragon with his sapient Senates his prophane Angels and his uncleane abbettors intended all their forces moving as it is in proveâ—b heaven and earth to make room for the aâ—omination of Jupter and to keep under water the everlasting Lord and Prince or the Coâ—enant as among the many Moâ—uments of time is sufficiently proved and maintained by Orosius and by him to whom he wrote in his bâ—ok de Civiâ—ate Dei yet the Spirit foreseeing the Dragons â—olâ—y and how in vaine he kickt against the spur in scorne of his presâ—mption saith But he prevailed not and concluding affirmeth that the possession of heaven so long time usurped byâ— incestuous murtherers and execrable curtizans gods
and goddesses of their owne forging must be resigned now to the true Lord and owner of all who hath taken his place at the right hand of the Father and hath deposed for ever from their usurped titles of deitie all gods and goddesses phantasmes made of worms created and divified by th'inventions relations consecrations and canonizations of the Dragon his Taile and successors as the spirit discovereth in saying Neither the place of them was found any more in Heaven VERS 10. And that great Dragon was throwne downe the old Serpent called the Devil and Satanas which seduceth the whole world and he was cast into the earth and his Angels were throwne downe with him ANd the great and prophane power of the Roman Monarchy which had so long time oppressed and corrupted the earth was now at length detected and thereupon disseized of and from her usurped claim of heaven for ever as the Spirit discovereth in saying And that great Dragon was throwne downe And for that the Devil did corporally dwell as it were in her spreading the beams of his wickednesse at full in all idolatry impietie and presumption against God and in all oppression injustice and immanitie towards man the Spirit crowneth her with the cognoments of her Sire calling her for her malice to the truth a Serpent for her crimination of the Saints a devil and for hostility to God and his Saints Satanas speaking therein after the manner of the Lord himselfe who calleth his treacherous steward a Divel though he were a man because the fullnesse of Satan did dwell in him filling his heart withâ—such a perfect hatred of his innocent Lord and â—amentable love of his guilty penie that he sold Caâ—aan for Egypt heaven for hell and God for silver And because th' impietie of Governors is not onely their owne decay by evil doing but also by enforcement and evil example the ruine of their people the Spirit layeth the seduction of the whole earth to the charge of the Dragon for ruling it after the level and prescription of Rome saying which seduceth the whole world and thereupon giveth just judgement and sentence of death against him namely that as in his beginning he crept out of the earth and by the scale of his wickednesse ascended so high as to presume to thrust his haughty head into heaven and build his nest above the stars as did his antecefsors Assur Beltassar Darius Alexander and the rest of their compeers so by a like power of sword and cruelty he shall shortly returne to his friends againe and be made even with the earth from whence his stock and first estate was borrowed and the power of his Cesars counsell of his Senators sophistry of his Sorcerers which with such indurate and obstinate minds stood for th' honour and worship of Devils should be no longer able to uphold the reverence of their Jupiter Capitolinus who was now detected for a Rogue and by the voices of Michaels Angels as by whips and pasports was sent home againe to the place of his birth namely the earth from whence his mortall and vile genealogie was taken and with with him also were Cesars undivified and for all their Senates proud relations were made to take up the grave for their latter end and shame for their same and wormes for their heritage as the Spirit soretelleth saying And be was cast downe unto the earth and his Angels were throwne downe with him VERS 11. And I heard a great voice in heaven saying Now is made salvation and force and Kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ because the accuser of our brethren is cast downe who accused them before the sight of our God day and night NEither was this famous victory obtained in â— corner or spoken in the ear but as the Spirit reporteth so valourously gotten and so audibly proclaimed that all the world heard the repoâ—â— thereof witnesse the records of those times at whiâ—h the holy Ghost pointeth in these words And I heard a loud voice in beaven saying and sounding the victory of Christ and Christianisme against the Dragon and his Angels his sorcerers and their prophane and â—dolatrous paganisme in these devout and divine notes Now is made salvaâ—ion and force and the Kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ and yieldeth a reason of this so pious and triumphant joy because the folly and fury of the Dragon and his Angâ—ls which so continually accused the Saints and servants of God for pestilent fellows movers of sedition maintainers of sects polluters of the Temple teachers of new Gods enemies to Caesar word-soweâ—â— babblers blaspâ—emers is now upon setting and going downe for ever Which death and downfall of their spirituaâ—l whoredome the holy Ghost diâ—closeth in saying Because the accuser of our brethren is cast forth And for the greater comfort of the Church and judgement of her enemies concludeth that there is a perfect Court-roul kept as well of the sufferings of the Saints as of the slanders of their soes so openly â—ommitted in the face of the Court and before a â—udge of so clear a fight and eternall memory as that they shall never be discharged or forgotten which the Spirit inferreth in saying Who accused them before the â—â—ght of our God day and night VERS 12. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives even unto the death LAst of all the holy Ghost discovereth the spirituall armour and weapons wherewith the Angels and servants of Michael obtained this famous victory over the Dragon and his Sectaries and saith that they were tempered of these two divine vertues faith and patience For by the shield of faith which the Spirit by a metonymie calleth the blood of the Lamb and with the sword of his two witnesses and by the word of their testimony they overthrew all forces and arguments drawne from reason or reading which the Spirit observeth in these words And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and all such arguments as were drawne from the block as fire sword persecution interdiction and such like the Children of the Church quenched them with tears prayers patience and martyrdome as their Lord had given them charge and left them example which the Spirit uncovereth in saying And they loved not their lives even unto the death VERS 13. Therefore rejoyce O Heavens and you that dwell in them Wo to the Earth and to the Sea because the Divel is discended to you having great wrath knowing that he hath but a little time AS after victory followeth division of spoile so the Spirit shuts up this heavenly conquest with triâ—mph and joy inviting thereunto all the Saints and â—ervants of God which have from time to time mainâ—ained and defended th' honour of his Name against the Dragon his sorcerers and sorceries And beâ—ause by their good profession and godly conversation
her mouth and swallowed up the Flood which the Dragon cast out of his mouth VERS 18. And the Dragon was wroth against the Woman and went to make battell with the remnant of her seed which keepe the Commandements of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ ANd notwithstanding the Dragon by his taile of Caesars had thus massâ—cred and dispersed the Church yet was he not so satisfied but for very rage fell into a melancholâ— mood for cause he could not quite consume and root her hâ—nouâ— out as the Spirit dâ—â—â—loseth saying And the Dragon was wroth against the woman And forasmuch as the Churches beauty did most shine in the East Syria Greece Asia where she was borne and bred the Dragon thought it his best in policie which evermore with him was held for chiefest Religion to iâ—ch and set forward his den and hold his Court further East which purpose of his as close as it was the holy Ghost discovereth in saying And he went and noteâ—h the true end wherefore he went not so much to barricade and stop the flâ—at and incursion of the barbarous enemie as he foreâ—ooth pretended as to pursue and consume the dispersed remainder of the Spouse as the spirit unfoldeth saying to make battell with the remnant of her seed who for that they were just of the making and growth of the Churches first â—nd priâ—itive fruit holding the mystery of faith in a good Conscience as the first-borne did the Spirit setteth them forth in the same lively colourâ— saying which keepe the Commandements of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ VERS 19. And he stood upon the sand of the Sea ANd the Dragon removed his throne and left his ancient seat and City of Rome where he had now kept Court almost a thousand years and went and pitched his Throne anew in a haveâ— Towne between Pontus Euxinus and Propontis in the East of Thracia ancientâ—y caâ—led Byzance and there erected the new City of Rome and called it after his owne name Constantinople the City of Constantme which translation of his râ—sidence and chair of estate one of his owne also noteth Constantinus apud Thraces qua Bosphorus aequor Thracius Euxinis Aegaeum ingurgitat undis Constituit sedem Imperii CHAP. XIII The description of Antichrist and his Devotaries The description of his Clergy and of his Religion The Character of Antichrist The number of his Dayes and the end of his Reigne The year of th' End of the World discovered out of Dan. 12. VERS 1. And I saw a Beast ascending from the Sea having seven heads and ten hornes and upon his hornes ten Diadems and upon his heads names of blasphemy AND presently upon the remove and translation of the Empire the Apostle espied that wicked one Antichrist man of sin in saying And I sâ—w who in regard of the tyrannous power and bloody use of the unbridled jurisdiction that should be given him he is here termed as in holy Scriptures other Monarchs are a Beast that is to say a kind of Government Kingdome dominion or power exercised and acted by a succession of tyrannous bloody and beastly men And albeit his perfection in evill stood yet aloof and was very far off young and tender as lying in swathing clouts yet the Apostle descryeth him as it were through a chink in saying comming up For aâ—ter the translaâ—ion of the Empire and that now Ethnick Rome began to play the Christian he was well nigh a hundred years closely creeping climbing up before he could advance his cursed head and claim of super-eminency Concerning which ambitious puffe of vaine priority so fair and evident mention is made in the monuments of time that the incredible boldnesse of the adversary is no lesse marvellous then his incurable blindnesse that hath so long time stumbled at this stone and so often spurred us by way of vaunting to shew them if we dare or can when this apostasie of Antichrist tooke her rise and first commencement which daring vaunt of theirs the holy Ghost tripping over as a thing which is or ought to be knowne unto us namely that the horne of Antichrist and his apostasie did then first sprout out when his Church first obtained at the Dragons hand priority of place suffrage and censure over all For as the Tree puls up the creeping Ivie so the primacie of the Church of Rome pulled up th' aspiring supremacie of the Bishop thereof which Church preheminence and prelation after long ruffling and shouldring was first obtained at the hands of Honorius tho afterwards upon greater concertation and daggers drawing it was by other Cesars and Kings confirmed renewed and ampliated who by th' advantage of the weaknesse and death of his elder brother Arcadius having obtained power and protector-ship East and West subjected the Church of the East Empire which most withstood the West and Romane supremacie with all other Churches whatsoever to the Church and Sea oâ— Rome at the instant suit and importunity of the now Bishop of Rome whose name was then Innocent the first in the first year of his creation and in the yeare of Redemption 406. But the holy Ghost I say passing over the punctuall and exact moment of time when the Egge of Antichrist and his apostacie was first laid as otherwhere sufficiently preserved unto us proceedeth to detect the place where and from whence he should arise saying that he saw him lift up his hardie head from the sea meaning by the sea as in the sixteenth of this Prophecie the surging tumbling and raging Sea and City of Rome where also by a like loquution he calleth all Kingdomes subjected to her by the name of Rivers And that this Beast should thence arise and there and not elsewhere keep Court and residence the Spirit proveth by an argument drawne from the shape and proportion of the Beast for he had the seven heads and ten hornes of the Dragon meaning that he should sit upon the Dragons hills and reigne in and over the Dâ—agons City and aray himselfe with the spoâ—ls of the world and hold in subjection the Kings and States on earth as the Dragon did for so much the Spirit intendeth in saying having seven heads and ten hornes And least the unwary Reader should mistake this great Antichrist for that great Dragon or this Beasts supremacie and his pestilent succession for that Beasts super-eminencie and his execrable taile as many unwarily have done the holy Ghost in emblazoning his coat giveth him a mâ—st exquisite difference in saying that he wore his diadems not upon his heads as the Dragon did but upon his hornes signifying thereby that he should not come to his Crown and vain-glory by the strength of his sword his leaders and his legions as the Dragon did but by the base and voluntary submission of all such Caesars Kâ—ng and Princes as should with one counsell and sorce deliver up their authority and power secuiar to the devotion and pleasure of the
Beast and therefoâ—e the Spirit crowneth not his heads but his hornes saying and upon his hornes ten diadems And concluding sheweth even by his head attire how far unlike this Dragons High Priest of Rome was and should be to the Lords High-Priest of Jerusalem who in stead of having his head-attire emblemished with â—olinesse to the Lord as had his servant Aaron should have his head-peece beslubbered with names of blasphemy and upon his heads names of blasphemy whereof proofe is made in the sixth verse following VERS 2. And the Beast which I saw was like to a Leopard and his feet as a Beare and his mouth as the mouth of a Lion and the Dragon gave him his owne force and his throne and great power ANd forasmuch as the Apostle fore-saw that this Beast should be a far greater adversary and a far longer persecutor of the Church of God then any of the Monarchies which did arise afore him he shaped him an outside answerable to his inward making framing his parts of the most notable persecuters that ever were as concluding him for his extraordinary wickednesse the odd fellow the totall sum and very accomplishment of all other And first for his presumption in extolling himselfe above the Prince of the Covenant desouling his sanctuary desolating his sacrifice burning his statutes and insorcing the humble and meek to the abnegation of the truth by blood fire stâ—appadoes and such like exquisite torments the Spirit resembleth him to his arch-type Antiochus descended from the Monarch of Greece here as in Daniel deciphered by a Leopard And I saw the Beast like a Leopard Secondly in pride of life in pomp and luxury the Spirit equalleth him with the Monarch of Persia and likeneth his arrogant and voluptuous gate to her â—en Kings here as in Daniel deciphered by a Beare And his feet as of a Beare Thirdly the holy Ghost ascribeth unto him the proud prophane and cursed mouth of the Monarch of Babylon in commanding the dwellers on earth upon paine of fire and furnace to adore his golden Idol which he had dedicated with cornets â—ackbuts psalteries dulcimers which also the Spirit covereth as Daniel doth under the mask of a Lion And his mouth as the mouth of a Lion And last of all lest haply he should be least beholding unto his Bella Nympha his dearest Lady and mistris of Rome the holy Ghost saith that the love of his Patronesse the Dragon was equall to the love of a faâ—her towards his son for she made him heir apparent and Lord of her Empire subâ—ecting all things to the feet of his censure and confirming unto him her throne and Palace of Lateran with all the demesnes and glory of Latium as one of his own also noteth Latiumque relinquit Christo Romuleam septem cum collibus urbem VERS 3. And I saw one of his heads as it were slaine to death but the wound of his death was cured and all the earth was in admiration after the Beast ANd presently after this greaâ— Antichrist was risen the Apostle foresaw such a wound given to one of his heads that the Beast was in eminent danger to be stricken downe againe and slaine in the very egge for so much the Spirit noteth in saying And I saw one of his heads as it were slaine to death For the better opening of which wound we must not onely remember the Beast hath seven heads but we must also step a little forward and crave the assistance of the seventeenth Chapter concerning the interpretation of the seven headâ— which saith that the seven heads are seven hills and they are also seven Kings discovering the true seat and situation of the City of Rome where Antichrist should keep his Court and residence by the seven hills And by the seven Kings the seven Monarchies which from the beginning of the world to this day have successively risen and reigned over the earth of which seven the Assyrian Monarchie was the first and the Roman the sixth of both which and their pue-fellows is further revealed in the 17. Chapter following Meane time we are here to observe that as the holy Ghost doth therefore call his seven heads by the name of seven hils because the seat of Antichrist should be there and not elsewhere placed and planted so he nameth them also seven Kings because the power of Antichrist should be an extraordinary â—overaignty compounded of such spirituall and temporall claims and jurisdictions as should be equivalent in presumption and prophanation to all the transgressions of the seven Monarchies which from the beginning hitherunto have blasphemed God and corrupted his world This foundation laid doth shew that this deadly wound given to one of his heads which as after appeareth was the wound of a sword cannot be meant of any one of his heads after the first signification as they are hills but as they are Kings and subject to the sword and so by consequence intendeth that one of his imperiall heads and namely his faire Adonis his minion Lord and Master of Rome of whom he had so lately received his breath and being was so deadly wounded as that the Beast himselfe thereby was in great danger of extinction Thus having found the head let us look unto the wound that so we may the better discerne the great danger the Beast was in delivered in these words as it were slaine to death This deadly wound was given and driven home to the head by the sword and incursion of the West Gothes under the leading of Alaricus who in the nineteenth year of Caesar Honorius of whom the Beast some foure yeares before had received his life entred Italy and gave such a deadly stroke unto his powerfull pate that for very feare the beast lockâ— himselfe up in his den at Ravenna while the enemy ript up the streets of his imperiall City filling them with famine fire and sword which night of woe or ratner beginning of her wofull night made an ancient friend of hers who in her youth did love her over-well to bewaile and bind up her deadly wounded head with an old Ballade aâ—ter the tune of the burning of Troy Quis cladem illius noctis quis funera fando Explicet aut possit lachrymis aequare lâ—bores Vrbs antiqua ruit multos dominata per annos And having thus mortally wounded the head of the Beast in the yeare of salvation 410. and 1157. years after Romulus had raised her walls with his brothers blood proceeded to seize upon the rest of his dignities havocking and burning his chiefest honours Latium Campania Apulia Lucania Calabrid where raging and devising how to extermine the power of the Empire for ever and to spread his glory over all was by sudden death blotted out leaving his purpose and his Army Royal to his wives brother Ataulphus who in like raging hast and fury returned to Rome with an obstinate intent and resolution to obliterate the ancient name of Rome for ever and to call her
in honour of his people Gothia or after his owne name Ataulpha which counsell and purpose of his had it beene effected Sir Antichrist with all his primacies and supremacies had bid us good night long ago and all his gainfull enâ—erludes of Fides vestra and Ne deficiat fides tua and Pasce oves and Tibi dabo claves and Quorum remiseritis with all his pestilent painted traine of succession had been dasht in repeating before ever they had come on stage But to the end this recovery might be the plague sore of the earth his deadly wound was healed as the Spirit saith But the wound of his death was cured For by the pleasing prayers and subtile intercessions of the Emperours fister Placidia whose beauty and body was espoused to Ataulphus for such a time his fury was averted and his designe dissolved and himselfe not onely content at her amorous mediation to grant the City of Rome pardon for her name but also to leave her eclipsed and dying honour with all her Italy to her stupified Honorius who for feare was crept into his earth at Ravenna and taking his Spouâ—e Placidia with such dower as himselfe listed departed Italy and pitched his Tabernacle in France then one of the chiefest Provinces of the West Empire And to this Plaister the Spirit pointeth in saying But the wound of his death was cured And the holy Ghost foreseing the greatnesse of the Beasts power to come which was yet but like unto his sin and how that Satan his creator who had formed him after the image and perfection of his owne wickednesse should afford him such letters commendatory to all the world which naturally loveth wicked inventions that the primacie of his Church and supremacie of his person should overspread all and obtaine the praise of â—he earth concludeth of him in this manner And all the earth was in admiration of the Beast VERS 4. And they adored the Dragon which gave power to the Beast and they adored the Beast saying Who is like unto the Beast or who may war with him ANd the children of misheliefe ascribed to the Dragon inhibited honours decking his heathenish Christianisme with names of holy and most holy titles due to God alone and they adored his execrable inventions and doctrines of divels worshipping and divifying his uncircumcised train of Caesars who had granted unto Antichristsuch power incomparable and uncontrollable jurisdiction which the Spirit anatomizeth in these words And they adored the Dragon which gave power to the Beast And as in evil there is no meane so these children of unbeliefe went on and bestowed like titles and magnifications upon this base and vile Antichrist who as the Prophet long agoe foretold us by policie should prosper and by peace destroy many and strike Dan. 8. his adorers with such a spirituall drunkennesse that they should not onely hang their gold but their faith also upon him and verily beleeve that this vile and despicable Antichrist Delegate to Romulus and Deputie to Caesar was Vicar to the Lamb and successor to Peter And thus rejoycing over the errour of their owne fantasie should with Pigmalion admire and dote upon the idol of their owne carving and falling downe should adore and â—rie with that drunken King Great art thou O Bell and in thee is no deceit which occasioneth the Spirit in detestation of their madnesse to disclose their shame saying And they adored the Beast and said who is like unto the Beast or who may war with him VERS 5. And there was given to it a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies and power was given to it to worke fourty two moneths ANd as the Dragon did bequeath unto Antichrist his throne and his power in so large and ample manner that his priestly key was in cutting and killing so like the Dragons sword that he that is wise may easily perceive one craftsman made them both so Satan the Master and seducer of them both endowed his Antichrist with mouth and lips so like his own that whoso hears him open may truly say Quam similes habent labra lactucas like lips like lettice at which the Spirit pointeth in saying And there was given to it a mouth and proveth it by an argument drawne from the fruit of his lips speaking great things Dan. 7. and blasphemies Whereof the Prophet Daniel also inditeth him foreâ—elling that he should open his execrable mouth and speake words against the most High of which presumptuous and blasphemous magniloquence the holy Ghost arraigneth him more particularly in the verse following And the Prophet also forther reporteth that times and laws and great power should be given into his hand for Dan. â— a time and times and the dividing of a time butting and bounding his tyrannous reigne and government within the self-same circle and period as here the Spirit doth by another like propheticalâ— construction saying And power was given unto it to worke forty two moneths VERS 6. And he opened his mouth unto blasphemie against God to blaspheâ—â—e his name and Tabernacle and those which dwell in heaven IN dâ—scovering the blasphemous mouth of Antichrist the holy Ghost doth first and principally challenge him for presuming to lay hand upon his divine and spirituall sword and to weare the name and title of Vicar to the Lamb which title name and honour is onely due to the Spirit of the Lamb the onely moderator comforter commander of all the Lambs affaires and forces in heaven and in earth and of tâ—is principall blasphemy the Apostle condemneth him in saying And he opened his mouth unto blasphemy against God Next the Lord challengeth him for presuming to blaspheme the word of God superadvancing his whorish Church above the divine eternall testimony in and by which the Son of God is named and knowne which contumely offered to his most holy word the Lord accounteth as done to himselfe and his most holy name for so the holy Ghost speaking of that Lord that is faithfull and true who with justice judgeth and fighteth saith that he was cloâ—â—hed with a garment sprinkled with blood and his name is called The Word of God The pourtraiture of which divine and essentiall word is the ingraven Scripture of his most holy and written word and of this blasphemy the Spirit inditeth him in these words To blaspheme his name Lesse marvell then if like a raging â—lood down bearing all before him and over flowing all banks of obedience towards God he dare extoll his cursed head above all that is called or named God that is to say all magistracie authority and power secular which by Gods owne ordinance and commandement is the onely true lively and immediate representation of his owne person justice and government here on earth in and over all temporall causes and persons as well Ecclesiasticall as civill of which high treason one Apostle also convinceth him 2 Thess 2. No marvell then if thus daring to blaâ—pheme the Lord of the house and
his annoiuted Deputies he dare blaspheme the house of God wherein his name is honoured cursing reviling and reputing it a house of schismatiques heretiques excommunicates which blasphemous and undeserved wrong the holy Ghost layeth to his charge in these words and his tabernacle And last of all to shew that there is neither end nor measure in his black presumptuous and blasphemous mouth the Spirit further chargeth him with blaspheming the Saints and servants of God deceased cursing reviling and condemning their doctrine and yet blessing adoring and erecting their shadowes sepulchers and shrines for mediators intercessors and reconciliators betweene God and the sinner like their cursed fore elders the Israelites who boasted in the descent of their Father Abraham and yet balsphemed the faith of Abraham their Father of which blasphemous and indicible contumely against the Son of God and his most holy Spirit the Apostle condemneth him saying And those that dwell in heaven VERS 7. And it was given unto him to make battel with the Saints and to overcome them and power was given him upon every people tribe tongue and Nation ANd as after lightning followeth thunder so after Antichrists blasphemy followeth his persecution as the Spirit testifieth saying And it was given him to bid battel to the Saints which the Prophet Daniel by way of exposition also plainly fetteth forth saying That he should murther and consume the Saints and servants of the most High and with the cursed Philistims should make his festivalls of Samsons afflictions And in further amplification of this his carnificious fury the Spirit setteth forth the largenesse of his charter and commission by an excessive loquution foretelling us that it should be so large and generall that the fire of his prophane and sycophanticall keys should take hold upon every nation and tribe as if we please to cast an eye upon the time past and confer what he had with what he hath we shall easily discerne the meaning of the holy Ghost in these words And power was given him upon every tribe people tongue and nation VERS 8. And all that inhabit the earth adored it whose names be not written in the booke of life of the Lamb which was slain from the beginning of the world THe holy Ghost having in the former part of this Chapter discovered the birth place person power blasphemie and persecution of Antichrist descendeth now to the description of his creatures and devotaries foretelling us that they should be such onely for unto such onely the particle all is here restrained as have their portion and interest in this life whose pâ—eâ—y heaven hope and glory is here and not elsewhere which kind of out and overcast Châ—istians the Spirit describeth by a periphrasis most proper to theâ—r naturall and inbred disposition saying thâ—y are those that inhabite the earth therein discovering them as by a difference divisive from such as are the Lords pilgrims and strangers on earth having here no permanent abode or place of rest but seeking the things which are above attend with patience the revelation of a life and City to come not made with hands where their Lord and their Redeemer liveâ—h And the Spirit proceeding sheweth further the supreme hidden and unperceivable reason why the adorers of Antichrist thus defiled the ornaments of their calling and why they loved lyes more then truth the Beasts penance more then Gods repentance the Beasts beliefe more then faith towards God the Beasts miserable merits more then the fruits of the Spirit hatred of sin and love of God because as holy David saith they were not found in the Lords record nor written with the righteous for so much the Spirit unfoldeth saying whose names be not written in the Booke of life of the Lamb which was slaine from the beginning of the world VERS 9. If any man have an eare let him heare TH' Apostle having sufficiently deciphered the nature and carriage of Antichrist and his creatures commeth now to discover his reward and judgment which howsoever it tarry little or long is of necessity the reward of sinne But before the Spirit draweth out his sword it pleaseth him in his accustomed mercy to awake his Church and her enemies and to move them to a feare and reverent attention by a generall summons proclaiming If any man have an eare let him heare VERS 10. He that shall lead into captivity goeth into captivity and he that shall kill with the sword must be killed with the sword here is the patience and the faith of the Saints THe holy Ghost in this verse calleth Anâ—ichrist to the Barre and sets him befâ—re the world for the very hee on whom the wrath of God and his heavy displeasure is to be executed For he who under colour and pretence of weeding out and rooting up of heretiques hath bâ—ought into the Church captivity inquisitions tortures and torments to the horrible murther and slaughter of the Saints when in such cases notwithstanding he had neither precept nor example in the life of the Lamb or his Apostles so to doe hee even hee saith the Lord is that party against whom this just judgement of taliation is laid up in store to be executed upon him in that day when the Lord shall bring againe the captivity of his Church which for their sings he hath given up to the sword and fury of the Beast untill she have boâ—ne the burthen of her shame and as the Prophet saith renewed her beauty by her sorrows and her glory by Ezek. 39. her persecutions and then shall be fullfilled that which was spoken by the Prophet Wo to thee that spoyledst and wast not spoyled and didst deale wickedly Isa 33. when they did not wickedly against thee for when thou shalt cease to spoyle thou shalt be spoyled and when thy sin is ended thou shalt be rewarded as here also the Spirit denounceth contesting that God shall scourge him with his owne inventions and repay him home in his owne coine saying He that shall lead into captivity shall goe into captivity and he that shall kill shall be killed And in consolation of the Spouse concludeth that howsoever Antichrist and his Delegates foolishly thought by afflicting the Church to destroy the Church yet in her afflictions consisteth the very strength and approbation of her children for by the things they suffer they learne obedience and through patience their faith is consecrated by the which they are perfected and made inheritable of the promise of God all which mercy and favour is commended unto them under the hand and seale of afflictions by which their mad and drunken adversaries thought to consume them and like fools did not consider that as the workman doth square the stone by strokes and as the Snake doth cast his old skinne by passing through sharpe stones so the Lord doth renew his Spouse by stripes and brusheth off her old affections by passing her through the asperitie of tribulation which holy and hidden consideration causeth