which time this reward perteineth frō whence it is cleare that these 7 Epistles respected not onely the present condition of the 7 cityes but by the way of types to contayne a lōge following age evē as we have interpreted But so farre as pertineth to newe Ierusalem wee will shew in this place that it is not that city which the saints shall enioy in heaven after this life but a Church to be expected on earth the most pure and most noble of all that ever have bin hitherto The rewards in a peculiar manner doe serve the times and if this felicity shal be after the resurrection it shal be comon to all the saints not proper to this Philadelphia This therefore signifyeth both that the Philadelphians shall cōtinue untill that restauratiō in which new Ierusalem shall come downe from heaven shal be conversant among men also shal be ioyned with the same in a league fellowship shal be indued with that heavenly city enioy the same Law privilege happines At which time all shall acknowledge thy reformation not to be a thing devised of man as contentious men affirme when they shall see the same ordinances to flourish in newe Ierusalem The third name is the newe name of sonne What can be new unto him namely that which is not yet acknowledged of the world Hitherto he hath suffered the tyrants to beare rule to treade under foote the name of Christ as though he were a King onely in title who should have right to reigne but should want pover But at length he shall rise up shall take a clubbe into his hande he shall destroy all his enemyes he shall give the triumphe to his spouse shal be celebrated King of Kings by all men through the whole cōpasse of the earth Vnto the society of which glory he shall take his servants he shall deliver them from the calamityes wherewith they are now oppressed he shall give them power over their enemyes shall bestow on them the whole glory of his Kingdome as much as mortall mē cā receive And there is some difference betweene a newe name put absolutely as in chap. 2.17 a newe name of sonne For that perteineth unto the certenty of adoption by Christ which faith was very weake in the Pergamen state this belongeth to the society of the Kingdome which shal be communicated with his in the last times 13 Let him that hath an eare heare Hear therefore Philadelphia and reioyce thou art lowe and nothing esteemed but God will exalte thee Onely goe foreward constantly augment your care diligence slake and asswage it nothing Neither regarde the skoffes of the wicked who shall bring upō thēselves sorow to thee a crowne Shortly there shal be an end of thy warfare In the meane time wee will pray for thy peace Doe thou againe ioyne thy prayers with ours that Christ would bestow the same things upon the rest of thy brethren which he hath so greatly approved in thee Fare well The grace of our Lord Iesus Chist be with thee Amen Analysis SO is the Epistle to the Philadelphians the last remayneth to the Laodiceans whose inscription is to the Angell like to the former The description of him by whom it is sent is fetched from a double property first of Trueth partly in the promises in that he is Amen partly in the Doctrine in that he is the falthfull true Witnesse secondly of power wherby he is the beginning of the creature of God ver 14. The Narration first reproveth sheweth the greatnes of the sinne both secretly omitting the making mention of any good thing as in the former Churches and as also openly both by comparison of coldnes as a lesser evill ver 15. and also by the punishement to be inflicted the vomitting out of his mouth ver 16. After he teacheth the way to heale them both by opening the cause of the disease which is a false perswasion of their owne worthynes and ignorance of their misery ver 17. and also in prescribing a remedy to be sought from Christ alone ver 18. And not this alone but also by persuading the use of it as well by the chastising of sonnes if they shall neglect it ver 19. as also by his readinesse to apply ver 20. and by the reward ver 21. The last ende is the Epilogue to heare what the Spirit saith tu tho Churches ver 22. Scholions 14 And to the Angell of the Laodiceans Laodicea situated at the river Lycum was once a great city and famous abounding both in cityzens riches and also in all other things as we shewed in the first chap. ver 11. It was built by Antiochus the sonne of Stratonice and for his wife Laodice her sake called this city Laodicea as it were the Princesse and ruler of the people to whom shee should administer iustice and make lawes From whence wee call her Glorious great both by name and also in their owe opinion which boasteth that shee is riche and wanteth nothing ver 17. It is from Philadelphia more toward the East then the South being distant from it according to Ptolomy not above tenth scruples Shee is the third city since there was mention made of Jezabell the reproche of whom Sardis tooke away from the Churches Shee hath this proper to her that shee hath none to whom shee can be opposed as in the former Churches Vnto Ephesus was opposed Thyatira to Smyrna Sardis to Pergamus Philadelphia Laodicea the seaven hath noe fellow The Antitype is the third reformed Church which before I note or shew the uniust suspicion and offence of some men is to be put away by intreaty No disease or corruption of minde hath moved me to seeke out an odious application No mans either riches or honours God is witnesse grieveth mee I am content with my little Neither have I counted any thing to be more foolish then to please on s selfe by displeasing others But howe dishonest and filthy a thing is it to sit as doth the fly upon the soares of the brethren My soule hath allwayes abhorred such dealings But when I considered that these seaven cityes were set forth for a type of all Churches among the Gentiles and then also perceived the course it selfe of the time and the mervaylous concurring of all things I durst not unfaithfully hide the truth with silenee least I should make my selfe guilty of others blood Farre be it that I should distaine willfuly that Church which through the mercy of God hath brought mee forth nourished and susteined mee which I desire in my daylie prayers and labour to be most blessed But seeing the soare cannot be cured unlesse it be touched neither truly touched without griefe I thought I must not refuse to cast my selfe against what troubles soever rather then to betray the salvation of her of which every one of us ought to have greater regard and care then of his owne Verily he that
to the Pastors in this So before Bod. the punishmeÌ„t of the Magistrate foloweth the debarring froÌ„ holy things Therfore both swordes are drawn in this Ch but severally by those to whoÌ„ the one the other beloÌ„geth And indeede this society is most sweet seeing all the industry of civill Magist ought to have respect therto that we may live with all godlines honesty 1 Tim. 2.2 The wordes seeme to be taken out of Isaiah chap. 22 22. J will lay saith he the key of the house of David upon his shoulder when he openeth no man shall shute when he shutteth no man shall open But in this place the worde house seemeth to have ben omitted purposely for he sayth not which hath the key of the house of Dauid but that hath the key of David There is a difference because that seemeth to perteine to an inferiour minister and that onely in the family of David this to a supreme Governour and that of a whole kingdome So the omitting of one worde putteth a difference betweene the type the truth Eliakim Christ See also Isay 9.6.7 The Complutent Edition the Kings Bible read somewhat otherwise who openeth and no man shall shut the same who openeth not and no man shall open Arethas hath except him that openeth 8 J knowe thy workes beholde I have set before thee an open doore He entreth into the narration and first of a present good thing And it is an opeÌ„ dore Which sometime signifyeth the faculty of preaching the Gospell From whence Paul would have that it should be earnestly desyred of God in his behalfe that the dore of utterance may be opened to him Col. 4.3 And that speach may be given unto mee in opening my mouth Ephes 6.19 And worthily is it so called seeing by the word a dore is opened to us into heaven which being taken away and removed the dore is shut and loked so as noe man can enter in Luk. 13.25 And not onely the faculty of the Ministers is the doore but also the readines of the hearers as For a great dore and effectuall is opened unto mee and there be many adversaries as though he should say although there be many that doe resist and strive against the truth yet there are many whose desyre is prompt and ready 1 Cor. 16.9 And againe coming to Troas to preach the Gospell and a doore being opened to mee in the Lord. This dore is opened when the hearts are opened to receive the truth as Lyd a whose heart the Lord opened that shee might attende to those things which were spoken of Paul Act. 16.14 But although the name of dore be attributed to those a parte yet most of all the dore is then opened when all these things meet ioyntly togither the word discipline the care of the Magistrate and of the people Then is there free leave to pearce into the consciences of men unto which an entrance is shut up after a sorte where any of these shal be wanting This then is that open dore wherby this Church was famous Which in deede no strength of wit hath opened which consisteth either in the vertu of speaking or in the sharpenes of wit and prudence in understanding but onely that chiefe key-bearer who hath given freely that which no man could have obtayned by humane streÌ„gth How ungodly therfore doe they which doe checke by reprochefull words that which Christ hath conferred for an excellent benefite They whet their tongues against heaven yea against God himselfe But they shall not escape uâ—punished let them clatter as much as they will ¶ Neither can any shut it The endâ—vour of the adversaryes hath not ben wanting some have loboured to barre these dores by slandering reproching inveighing with all manner of contumelyes others by force and weapons as it were by a rushing downe violently to shute this gate but he hath perfoâ—med his promise who hath confirmed that none shall prevayle the enemyes have lost their labour and have got no other thing theÌ„ shame in the world for their cruell minde against the truth and puniâ—hement at Gods hande meet for their desertes Let the experience of the time past be a confirmation against future feare ¶ Because thou haâ—t a little strenth The comon translation hath because thou hast a little vertue the sensâ— if I be not deceaved being wâ—ll expressed which dependeth on that which followeth neither is it absolute of it selfe as though he should say because although thou hast but a little strength yet thou hast k pâ— my words And in deede the fortitude in the greater danger is more famous And this manner of speaking is frequent among the Hebrewes who use the copulâ—â—ive vâ—u for the discretive particule the custome and manner of whom iâ— frequent with Iohn as Neyther shall any straw be given you and yee shâ—ll deliver the whole tale of bricke for yet shall yee deliver c. Ex. 5.18 So And behold an escaping remayning in her for yet shall some remayne who shall escape Ezech. 14.22 Afterwardes also Iohn in the same manner And men raged in heart and blasphemed and repented not for and yet repented not chap. 16.9 If he had praysed a part their small strength how should there not be in the same thing much depravating For this is wont to abounde where that which is opposed is but little and small Sardis had a fewe names wherupon death had possessed the greater part Neyther would the Spirit have passed over in silence the corruption if he had found any worthy reprehension Therefore the comon translation ought here to holde in that seÌ„se which I have shewed This Church is of weake streÌ„gth which dwelleth here and there and the greater parte under a popular state one onely people enioyeth a Monarch for their patron But neither is this Church able to doe much either by her owne or by her friendes riches Therâ—fore the greater is the prayse of thy fortitudo o Philadelphia who hast not yeelded to the threats of the adversaryes neyther forsaken the truth by being dismayed with the vaine feare of men 1 Behold I give of the Synagogue of Sathan Here is a defâ—ct of the word some I will give some of the Synagogue of Sathan of those which say that they are Iewes This is the future good thinge as we have shewed in the Analysis and it may be manifest from the latter member of the verse Beholde I will make them come unlesse peradventure this verbe of the present tence didomi respecteth the present time wherein some of the Iewes submitted themselves to this Church for a token and pledge of a full subiection afterward which it may be the last words meane We shewed upon the ch 2.9 howe they which by nation are Iewes doe ly saying they are Iewes to wit in bragging that they are the onely people when in the meane time they refuse Christ in whom onely we are counted children and doe continue and rest in the abolished
unskilfull multitude or of the base people and that he might either be present or absent at his pleasure but let him beholde here Kinges attending to the voice of the Beasts nor that once or twice and at certen tymes but whensoever the Beasts give glory that is as often as they doe execute their publike office The praysing of God of these and their adoration of God are ioyned allwayes togither so that neither may any thinke that he is free and discharged from his duty neither to have performed it enough at some fewe times 11 Thou art worthy o Lord The praysing which the Elders use in wordes is noe other thing then a subscribing to the crying out and shouting of the Beasts these celebrate the holines Dominion omnipotency and trueth of God The Elders nowe doe singe togither thou art worthy indeede o Lord to receave glory and honour which wee and all thy creatures worthily doe give to thee as though unto the sung of prayses of the Ministers the people should give their consent saying Amen But howe may God receive power They meane the prayse of all vertue and power Power can not be given to God otherwise but onely by acknowledging and praysing Which then shineth forth most cleerly when he sheweth his strength extraordinarily both in delivering his owne and also in destroying his enemyes ¶ For thou hast created all things The people ought not onely to consent to the thankes given by the Ministers in the meane time themselves being voyde of all knowledge of their owne as it commeth to passe in the Papacy where after the prayers not understood is sung Amen by the unskilfull common people or some as they will supplying their place but their consent ought to come from a true faith and that not confused and implicite but of which a true sense and feeling is setled in every on s harte peculiarly For the God of reason requireth a reasonable worshippe not unknowne rash and voyd of counsell Whereupon not without cause is added from what fountayne the declaration of the consent of the Elders to wit froÌ„ their owne acknowledging of the exceeding power of God both in creating all thinges and also in preserving the same and noe lesse from the sense of his most free good will by which alone being moved he made all thinges in the beginning and governeth and preserveth the same at this day according to that saying Who worketh all thinges after the counsell of his will Ephe. chap. 1. ver 11. For which cause there is repeated in the ende of the verse they have ben created that wee may understande that the will of God not onely hath rule in governing things at this time but also that it gave the first originall to the same And so is the patterne of the Christian Church so much the more famous then that of the Lawe by how much heaven in which Iohn sawe this figure is more excellent then the Mountaine where Moses sawe the Tabernacle There is the same ende and purpose of both of this that it might be a patterne of the worshippe to the Legall people which should holde even to the time of reformatioÌ„ of that that it might be a type unto Christians according to what square they should frame all their assemblyes both generally and specially Graunt O most high God that wee may be founde as faithfull in bringing backe all thinges unto the Heavenly patterne as Moses was unto that earthly Chap. 5. AFTER I sawe in the right hande of him that sate upon the Throne a booke written within and on the backe side sealed with seaven seales 2 And J saw a stronge Angell preaching with a lowde voice who is worthy to open the booke and loose the seales thereof 3 And noe man was able neither in heaven nor in earth nor under the earth to open the booke nor to looke theron 4 Therfore I wept much because none was founde worthy to open and reade the booke neither to looke thereon 5 Then one of the Elders sayd unto mee weepe not beholde that Lion of the tribe of Juda that roote of David hath obtained to open the booke and to loose the seaven seales thereof 6 Then J behelde and loe betweene the Throne and those Beasts and betweene those Elders a Lambe standing as though he had ben killed having seaven hornes seaven eyes which are those seaven spirits of God sent forth into all the world 7 He came and tooke the booke out of the right hande of him that sate upon the Throne 8 And when he had taken the booke those foure Beasts and those foure and twenty Elders fell downe before the Lambe having every one harpes and golden vials full of odours which are the prayers of the saints 9 And they sung a newe song saying thou art worthy to take the booke and to open the seales thereof because thou wast killed and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kinred and tongue and people and nation 10 And hast made us to our God Kings and Priests and wee shall reigne on the earth 11 Then J behelde and I heard rounde about the Throne and of the Beasts and Elders the voice of many Angels and the number of them was a thousande hundred thousands and ten hundred thousandes 12 Saying with a lowde voice worthy is that Lambe that was killed to receive power and riches and wisdome and strength and honour and glory and blessing 13 And every creature which is in heaven and which is on the earth in the sea and all thinges that are in them I heard saying unto him that sitteth on the Throne and to the Lambe be prayse and honour and glory and power for ever more 14 And those foure beasts sayed Amen And those foure and twenty Elders fell downe on their faces and worshipped him that liveth for ever more The Analysis I have spoken summarily of the common type the speciall Prophecy coÌ„prehendeth both the excellent dignity of this Revelation in this chapter and also the evâ—nts themselves in the rest of the booke That thinge is declared first in respect of the Creature secondly of the Lambe In respect of the Creature it is altogither unsearcheable as appeareth partly from the signing of seaven seales ver 1 partly from the testimony of all creatures which after the inquiry proclamed and the thing was caused to be cryed by the voyce of the Angell as it were of a common cryer ver 2. then also after tryall made at last ver 3. all doe acknowledge their owne unablenes Of which lastly there is a sorowfull consequente the weeping of John which this imbecility and despaire to enioye so excellent a good thing did wring out from him ver 4. In respect of the Lambe onely it is able to be searched out as first an Elder sheweth who conforteth Iohn ver 5. Secondly the LaÌ„be comming at the same instant and taking the booke ver 6.7 from whence at length aryseth the
Empire enlarged albeit it is proper to this time that the Kingdome of Christ begun from hence shall never againe be darkened as in the former raignes it came to passe which in processe of time fell into utter decay For so it is said that he shall raigne for ever more Therefore the first entrance of this Trumpet should be famous for the accesse of newe Kingdomes as it came to passe in our England to which Christ at the sound of the seventh trumpet in the yeere one thousand five hundreth fiftieth eight gave the most gratious Queene Elizabeth who againe gave her Kingdome to Christ in rooting out through all her dominions the most part of the Romish superstitions and in restoring to her people the syncere and wholesome trueth that wee might worship the Lord our God according to his ordinance King Edward her brother as an other Iosias performed the same thing with an upright heart the whole time of his raigne but that his raigne was shorte For the Angell had not yet soundeth the trumpet when Christ should raigne for ever Therefore the storme of persecution in Queene Maries time seemed to cast downe from the lowest foundations that which began notably to be built After this at length appeased and a faire skie appearing againe when the comfortable and most beautifull starre Elizabeth arose then the Christian Empire was encreased with England and Ireland the next yeere was Scotland added that all Britannie with the Ilands might be Christs Howe famous an increase was this to be augmented with so great nations But this glory is greater because it shal be eternall For so the voices speake who shall raigne for ever The former Kingdomes of Christ after a sorte perished either abolished by the trouble of warres or chaunged into Antichristian bondage but after this beginning Christian Princes shall never be wanting who should maintaine the trueth whole sound in their dominions For now that time is begun when Christ shall rule in all the earth his enemies subdued on every side of which Daniell speaketh in chap. 2.44 and the Prophets every wherein so many places so honourably Wee shall see from the things that follow that this dominion over the Gentiles shal be continued unto him till it be infinitely encreased among the Iewes and at length be translated from hence into heaven And is it not a cleare proofe of the eternall Kingdome that so great entreprises of so many and so mighty enemies against one country England and our most gratious Queene doe vanish away as the smoake He whose scepter they fight against laâ—gheth at their foolish and vaine endevours And I hope that he who hath begun his eternall Kingdome will make the Queene also a type of his eternall Kingdome Every good man doth earnestly desire it in all their prayers Onely wee must beware least whose singular power and trueth wee have had experience of in defending us his truth wee suffer to be corrupted and his maiesty to be offended by Antichristian superstitions brought in againe afresh Wee have Christ angry with us because wee are farre from a perfect reformation but if wee returne to our vomite how mightily shall he rage against us Therefore they who favour the Papists secretely and labour to get liberty for them to pollute the holy Kingdome by bringing in againe their ceremonies hated of God they endevour the overthrow of our Kingdome and which my hart dreadeth to thinke the death of our most sacred Queene For howsoever Christ hath begun his eternall Kingdome yet he hath not bound himselfe to certaine countries he shall not want a KingdoÌ„ though he shall remove his court to another place which doubtlesse he may doe at his pleasure But I hope that this Revelation shall declare by such certen arguments that the Bishop of Rome is that Antichrist that if any yet be not persuaded thereof when the thing at length shal be more plainely perceived he will runne away from him as a most certen and infernall pestilence But that I may returne to my purpose wee see now why those voices reioyced to with that the Kingdome of Christ was increased by the accesse of newe people Surely it could not be but the whole reformed Church should have reioyced soundly for our ioy Neither can it be doubtfull but that the first beginning of this Kingdome was farre most pleasant to our country men comming out of Queene Maries raging sourges of persecution let us gâ—sse by our selves who although wee have seene noe other Kingdome at any time yet desire noe mortall thing more then a very long use of this And therefore according to that regard of our duty which is meete wee solemnize that yeerly day which was unto us the beginning of this benefite in which wee come togither publikely with ioint affections doe give as great thankes as wee can to our God by Chr. After that manner which is foreshewed in this place where the chiefe Rulers of the wholy assembly praise God in conceived wordes and the Elders give their consent who are in the stead of the rest of the congregation Although that I may not hide any thing it came into my minde to merveil why contrary to the manner of other places as chap. 4.9 and .5.8 and 7.11 and 14.3 and 19.4 in this one onely they are not called Beasts by their owne names Whither is it because the Beasts are a type as wee have shewed of such Ministers as are approved of God but our doe erre so gleatly from Gods ordinance that the Spirit of purpose refused to give them the name of Beasts Surely the things that wee have spoken of the Laodicean Church confirme this doubte I wish that this one thing were not wanting to the rest of our happinesse 16 Then those foure and twenty Elders The faithfull congregation by the conduct of their Ministers worshipped God as in our wonted Ecclesiasticall assemblies chiefly in that yeerly assembly where of I have spoken 17 Because thou hast obtained thy great might For all this time in which Christ sufferred hitherto his Church to be afflicted he seemed to the world to be weake and of noe strength nowe he would put on his might and would manifest to all men his supreme maiesty over all things 18 And the Gentiles were angry This verse setteth before us a short abridgement of the whole last period which consisteth in three things in the wrath of the Gentiles in the beginning of Gods vengeance in the full reward at length of both good and evill The wrath of the Gentiles is that rage and furie wherby they grudge and grinde the teeth tegither for seeing the Kingdome of Christ so marveilously to be increased contrary to their desire In howe great a fume was the Pope when liberty to enioy a purer religion was granted to the Germane Princes by a publike decree But because at the sounde of the seventh trumpet the dominion of Christ should especially shewe it selfe the chiefe
yet the hurt by them should be lesser then that which should redounde from the great Anâ—ichrist But we shal hav occasion hereafter to interpret this place in the meane while these Scriptures doo help your cause nothing at all Your third argument is from al authors which have written of Antichrist from the consent of al Christians And in sted of them al you mention of the ancients Damascen and Hierom and Henry Stephen of our writers I return to you agayn of the ancient Fathers this one S. Ephrem whom Ierom celebrateth with the praises of an high witt that hence forth you boast no more so lavishly of al authors Thus speaketh he in his sermon of Antichrist Jn this habit shall the foul theif come For that the deceiver and deceitful speaker may deceive al men he wil feighn himsefe humble courteous despising unrighteousnes shuning Idols making a shew of piety benigne poor studious fayr beyond al admiration gentle cheerful unto al men These things saith he Where now is that open warr with this notable Iugler where is that manifest pride wherby this deep dissembler of humility should lift up himselfe above every God where is that manifest tyranny with this iust pious beningn poor and courteous fellow in shew towards al men If I would serch the iudgements of the rest I doubt not but you should waÌ„t much of your summe of al authors As for H. Stephen he acknowledgeth the word to have this force that he iudgeth them also to be reckned by the name of Antichrists which thou they professe the name of Christians yet are in deed the enemies of Christ whiles they adulterate his doctrine with many forgeries For howsoever they boast of Christ with their mouth yet in hart they desire his overthrow and especially they which with wicked boldnes doo invade his royal seat and likewise they which derogate from his godhead These be his words none of which but doo very well fit the Bp. of Rome From al which thus disputed you now gather up your first argument against us adversaries and least the whole should not agree with the parts you conclude with the same fine equivocation that you trimmed al the former with after this manner The name of Antichrist signifyeth an enemy and rival of Christ But the Pope of Rome professeth himselfe Christs servant and subiect to Christ in al things Therfore he is not Antichrist to weet by his owne confession which who so yeildeth not let him be Anathema For so you might more rightly have established this most sure conclusion than the Fathers of Trent doo their canons But know I pray you Bellarmine that continual equivocating is intolerable trifling Chap. 2. That Antichrist shal not be any one certayn man THE second chapter maketh Quaere whither Antichrist properly so caled be one certayn man or a singular throne and tyrannical Kingdome The Papists al doo think he shal be one certayn man But those coÌ„mon argumeÌ„ts which we set down in the beginning of this disputation doo evince the contrary For if Antichrist have reigned from about the 300 yere of our Lord unto this day as is sufficiently shewed then is he no one singular person Moreover if any wil but mind those streights of time the amplitude of this dominion the multitude of things that are to be done togither with the greatnes which the Papists doo in their fiction apply to Antichrist he wil wonder that men can so dote as to thinke that all these things are to be found in one person But besides a part of his reigne is a thousand yeres as shal after be shewed chap. 20.4.5 Let us see therfore with what reasons you confirme your opinion You alledge for this purpose Scriptures and Fathers The Scriptures are five the first out of the Gospel of Iohn 5.43 J am come in my Fathers name and ye receive me not if an other come in his owne name him ye wil receive These words you say are to be understood of the true Antichrist and that both by the testimony of certain Fathers and by the propriety of the words themselves I answer as touching the Fathers I like not to discusse their opinions It would be long and not much to the purpose for al men doo confesse which are not wilfully blind that in this matter of Antichrist they erred much through darknes of the times Let us insist upon the sure way of finding out the trueth by the Scriptures which neither can deceive nor be deceived What therfore is that force of the words which requireth to have him one singular person This you endevour to shew fowr wayes First because our Lord opposeth to himselfe an other man that is person to person as appeareth by his words J an other in my name in his owne name me him As therfore Christ was one singular man so shal Antichrist bee I answer the force of this Argument lyeth in three opposite words an other in his owne name him of which the two last depend on the first for what respect this hath the same the other wil have seing al are referreth to the same thing But an other denoteth not one singular person as Grammarians teach which give this rule that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the other is spoken of twayn but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an other of more then twayn Ammonius de simil differ vocabulis Therfore froÌ„ this certayn and true rule it necessarily foloweth that one certayn man is not here meant Neither is this a decree of Grammarians onely but the custome of speaking in the Scriptures dooth also confirme it to omitt infinite other examples as One soweth and an other reapeth Is here meant one sower one reaper Nay Christ sayth J have sent you to reâ—pâ— that wherin yee laboured not others have laboured and yee ar entred into their labours Iohn 4.37 38. So to one is given the word of knowledge to an other faith to an other the gift of healing to an other power to doo great works to an other Prophesie c. 1 Cor. 12.8.9.10 You wil not say I trow that these gifts were proper to singular men but common to many In like sort Paul sayth Jf anie other seemeth to have wherof he may trust in the flesh much more J. Phil. 3.4 He compareth not himselfe with a singular man but with any one of many You provide very evil for your cause to fetch confirmation from thence wheÌ„ce it is most overthrown Secondly you say Christ here saith that Antichrist shal be received of the Iewes and it is evident that the Iewes doo exspect one certayn and singular man I answer ther is nothing at al sound in this reason For neyther is this great Antichrist whom the Apocalypse speaketh of and of whom we intreat he whom the Iewes shal receive as is playn by the things spoken before and shal be mor largely declared hereafter neither is the Antichrist of the Iewes one certayn and singular man for manie
crown our defection with eternal glory and your constancie if you speedily repent not with sempiternal ignominie among them which obey not the truth Now therfore cast up your accounts and gather the summ then see forasmuch as Antichrist is an impious and Apostatical Kingdome and the Popes of Rome have been principal Apostates and many whither Antichrist be a singular person or no. Chapt. 3. which sheweth that Antichrist is come OF Antichrists coming we gave demonstrations in the beginning of this refutation which serve to moderate al the questioÌ„s in this cause that they may manifest the truth of every of them Yet least this place where the thing is purposely handled should complayn that it is naked empty it shal not be unprofitable to add unto the former one reason or two in sted of th' advantage And these we draw from 2 Thes 2. and first from the 3. verse wher it is sayd except ther come a departing first and that the man of syn the son of perdition be disclosed In which words the Apostle setteth down that both of these shal goe before the coming of our Lord also that the departure or Apostasie shal come before the disclosing of Antichrist For that former is the cause of this latter drawing this evil with it as afterwards he teacheth that Antichrist shal therfore come because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved ver 10.11 Neither should the disclosing stay long after the defection wherunto it is straight annexed the Apostle saying except ther come a departing first and the man of syn be disclosâ—d c. but the impediment being taken away which we hav shewed to have been doon shortly after forthwith came this mischief to light But this departure began secretly even in the Apostle time which is not a defection from the Roman Empire but a neglect and contempt of the truth received as the same Apostle there interpreteth it and it hath prevailed now through many ages to be seen in the veneration of reliques the invocation of Saincts and worship of Images as was said erewhile For by such manner of Idolatry the Lord is forsaken and men fal from him unto other Gods as Ieremie saith chap. 16.11 where he is biddeÌ„ to speake thus to the people Then shalt thou say unto them because your Fathers have forsaken me saith the Lord and have walked after other Gods and have served them and worshiped them and have forsaken me and have not kept my law After which manner the other Prophets also speake continually Needs therfore must Antichrist be come long a goe seing the conioined signe cause of his coming hath reigned now in the world many ages Secondly that impediment is now long since taken away which onely hindred in the Apostles time that the man of sin was not reveled ver 7. Which was not the Roman Empire but the sixt head of that Empire which had the supreme government of things whiles Iohn lived for thus speaketh the Apocalypse chap. 17.10 Five are fallen one is the other is not yet come That one which the Angel saith was then was the sixt King with whom the Roman Empire should not fall because a seaventh King head should after succeed Neither did many reign togither with one head wherupon the seventh should as wel susteyn the Empire for his part as any one other of the former Therfore so soon as that present regiment should be changed which fel out about two hundred yeres after Iohn then that weighty burden which hitherto did restreyn being removed Antichrist should come forth and converse in al mens sight Thirdly if the mysterie of iniquity wrough whiles the Apostles lived of necessity the birth could not be farr of wheÌ„ the paynes of bringing forth did vex so betimes 2 Thes 2.7 Otherwise what a monstrous thing is this that one should be a breeding in the body these fifteen huÌ„dred yeres and yet the yongling is not brought forth and when at last he shal come forth he shal be but a King for three yeres and six moneths But these ar dreams If the Apostles scarsely repressed him much lesse did they keepe him in which came after and which had lesse piety knowledge studie diligence whose gifts also decaying daylie more and more made way for the speedy rising and increasing of the Man of syn These things being thus layd down now come we unto yours which is but one onely argument about this matter Long inough in deed it is for it reacheth from the beginning of the chapter to the end but it is no lesse weake and feeble then long and tedious Thus it goeth Antichrist is not yet come because he came not at the time which some both of the ancient later men have supposed The ancient men you mention are the Thessalonians Cyprian Ierom. Gregorie one Iudas Lactantius and a Bishop of Florence the later are the Samosatenians of Hungarie and Transilvania Jllyricus Chytreus Luther Bulinger Musculus And in folowing this matter is the whole chapter spent I answe twofold first false it is that he which cam not in the times spoken of by the sayd authors is not yet come It was not necessary that they should know the first rising original of Antichrist The Beast remayneth a Mysterie after his disclosing Apoc. 17.7 whose person was manifest but not his wickednes and original Eor the Mysterie were taken away if that which lay hidd within should lye open unto al men And as Gods Kingdom though foretold by the Prophets came not with observation Luk 17.20 so neyther dooth Antichrists Kingdome The tares are sowen whiles the husbandmen sleep Mat. 13.25 neither were they perceived in the first springing but were they not therfore because the husband-men knew not which way they grew Shal we not acknowledge the motion of the sun because we perceive it not as it moveth Doubtlesse the craftie enemy of his ingenious disposition had much rather that his Vicar should invade men privilie wherby he might oppresse the moe unwares than that rushing upon them with noise and tumult he should give men a sign for to looke to themselves Moreover when you conclude that he is not yet come you should have comprehended al the other times and not those few onely which the said ancient and later men doo mention Is not one come in some day because he is not come in the first or second or third houre therof It is a fault in reckning up the parts to passe by anie one and seing you have omitted manie your proposition is made diverse wayes absurd and the whole argumentation that hangeth thereon Secondly I answer severally to the rest and first concerning the anciÌ„et Fathers from whose words we doo more then probably conclude that Antichrist is come For thus saith Cyprian lib 4. Epist 6. You ought to know and for certayn to beleeve and hold that the day of vexation is begun to be upon our heads and
yeres before the first resurrection then they that first rise doo reign 1000 yeres as is expressely said ver 6. Therfore these seats and this iudgement which you suppose to be of the last end doo goe before it 2000 yeres at least such a stranger are you in these mysteries Then to that which is alleged out of Dan. 12. Blessed is he that wayteth and cometh unto the 1335 dayes that is say you unto 45 dayes after Antichrists death for then the Lord shal com to iudgment and wil give the crowns of righteousnes to them that overcome I answer as touching this place we are to explain it after chap. 20.11 and it may be one day we wil take in hand the ful handling of it In the meane while let us know that the destruction of Antichrist properly so caled is not here handled nor our Lords coming to the last judgmēt which shall not make al blessed upon whom it cometh whē manie shal desire that they may be covered by the mountains from his sight but the ful caling of the Iewes where Daniel stayeth his Prophesie neither doo anie Prophesies go further Fourthly you come unto Mat. 24. this Gospel of the Kingdome shal be preached in the whole world for a testimonie to al nations and then shal the end be I answer here is no mention of your Antichrist and again the end in this place is the end of the Iewish politie not of the world as I have shewed ch 4. against your first Demonstratiō But you add the words folowing Straightway after the tribulation of those dayes the Sun shal be darkned and the Moon shal not give her light and then shal appeare the sign of the Son of man I answer neyther dooth these make anie thing for Antichrists destruction to be ioyned with the end of al things seing they speak not of him at al. Yet that wee may see the interpretation of the words let us discusse them a litle VVith one consent as I suppose it is applyed unto our Lords last judgment But this Apocalypss teacheth both to think and to speak more distinctly of this thing For from hence we doo understand that the Lords coming which is yet to be hereafter is twofold the one spiritual so named for excellencie in the caling of the Iewes the other corporal at the general iudgment And that coming in Mathew seemeth to be spiritual which is in deed described to be most glorious and powrful by the corporal furniture as that which shal be both a clear resemblance and as it were a certayn pawn therof also no change shal afterward come between which may make the corporal to appear as new And that thus the thing is may easily be perceived if we mind how the Disciples in the beginning of the chapter inquired of the end of the Temple of the Lords coming and the end of the world VVithout doubt under Christs coming they comprehēded the restoring of their nation and therfore after the Lords resurrectiō supposing that this was the coming which he had givē them hope of they aske him agayn Lord wilt thou at this time restore the Kingdome to Israel Act. 1.6 But Christ answering and by a continued order prosecuting the things to come teacheth first the destruction of Ierusalem and dissipatiō of the Iewes then he annexeth the rest of the course of things neither anie where mentioneth he anie restoring before this his glorious coming Therfore it must eyther be conteyned in this his appearing or ther wil be none which opinion if the Disciples had in mind conceived by this answer surely they would not have nourished any exspectation of a Kingdome afterwards Besides a tribulation next goeth before this coming for so he saith immediatly after the tribulation of those dayes the Sun shal be darkned and then shal appeare the sign of the Sun of man c. But before his corporal coming no such tributation shal goe immediatly before For after the caling of the Iewes and the new constituted Church God wil wipe awaie everie tear from their eies and death shal be no more neither shal mourning nor crying nor sorow be anie more for the former things are passed away Apoc. 21.4 VVherfore that coming is not corporal It may be also that hath some force which he saith that the signe of the Son of man shall appear as if purposely he would distinguish between this spiritual coming and the corporal folowing Hereunto perteyneth that those words All the Tribes shal wail c. Apoc. 1 7. we have there shewed to belong unto the Iewes and that this wailing is of repentance which wil be too late at the corporal coming Thus much breifly touching the meaning of these words which though they help your cause nothing how ever they be taken yet was it not impertinent by the way to seek out the truth that is hidd in them Therfore I answer unto that Thess 2.8 Then shal the wicked man be reveled whom the Lord shal slay with the Spirit of his mouth destroy with the brightnes of his coming ther is the same meaning of this coming that is of that in Mathew At the caling of the Iewes when he shal give a most bright resēblāce of himselfe present in the Church shal Antichrist utterly be destroyed as we made playn in the former chapter For after the throne of the Beast is darkned the way shal be prepared for the Kings of the East that is the Iewes shal be caled straight after Rome is destroyed For shee onely hindreth this ioy Then after the Beast and False Prophet and Dragō are cut off that is after the Bishop of Rome and the Turk be extinct as after shal be shewed more at large the mysterie shal be finished and the ful caling performed Your Pope whom you Bellarmine boast to be the head of the Church shal neither be head nor foot in the holy congregation of the children of God And now see how farr these mountayns are under heaven whose tops you standing a farr off did think were hidden among the starrs The last place is 1 Iohn 2.18 Children it is the last hour and as you have heard that Antichrist cometh even now ther are manie Antichrists wherby wee know that it is the last hour I answer what Iohn here concludeth we easily see and acknowledge he proveth that it is the last hour because then manie Antichrists were come For Antichrist should come in the last hour VVhere is to be observed that Iohn alluding to the parable of the labourers Mat. 20.6 of whom some were hyred about the eleventh hour cōpareth al this age from Christ until his last coming unto this last elevēth hour Then that he saith this noysome age shal be of Antichrist whom he putteth not off unto the last minute of this howr but deferrs him to some indefinite space therof These things dooth Iohn truly holily agreably to his other writings But what must you needs conclude from hence who wil not
to be taken at the first assault which before we have shewed by a probable reason shal be besieged for some space even as also the old Babylon came not into Cyrus power but after some long delay but because after it hath bin taken and begun to be spoiled very quickly shall her destruction be finished It may be that this type may signify the manner of taking Rome which we know was used in Babylon Of right is the type one of them both whose impiety is alike and like also shal be the destruction Ier. 51.63.64 ¶ With such violence shal be cast The word is ioyned with the signe without which the signes are weake 22 And the voice of Harpers He declareth this destruction more at large after the manner of the Prophets who are wont to describe a final overthrow in such words as Ier. I wil cause to perish from them the voice of gladnes and the voiâ—e of mirth and the voice of the bridgrome the noise of the milstones and the light of the candle chap. 25.10 All things saith he shal be destroyed whiâ—h perâ—eine eyther to present delectation and necessity or to future increasing For hitherto belongeth this special rehearsing Harpers are they which play on the harpe Musicians are by a common name such as singe with lowd voice The pipe trumpet are windy instruments Those former are of a milder sounde and sweetnes these of a rougher and belonging to warre although there be some use of it in solemnities of peace But al belong to mirth as we learne from Ieremy from whom these things are fetched from whence it would be a thing unpleasant and absurd to deale with the Iesuite any further about mourning pipes ¶ Nor any crafts man After those things of delectation he rehearseth the things which appertaine neerer to the life of which there is a more necessary use as of craftsmen and milles Where there is any society of men it is needfull that artificers be in the same place but chiefly it behooveth that there be sufficient victuals which the milles doo note out without which no man can continue scarce for one day Behold whither at length our riot hath brought us procuring also destruction to those instruments which we have abused to vanity and naughtines not leaving any commoÌ„ food there where gluttony and bellycheere onely were regarded 23 And the light of a candle Candles are a confort in the night the use wherof no man will want although he be of a most poore condition But thou wilt say what great dammage can be in the losse of things of so smal price Such smal matters most fitly describe the greatnesse of the evill For if things most common and of most frequent use are lacking any store of things of some moment is not to be expected unlesse peradventure the candles are to be referred to the bridgroome and bride which follow They were wonte to be used solemly in marriages From whence is the parable of the tenne Virgins which came forth with their lampes to meet the bridgroome Mat. 25.1 Doubtlesse Christ borroweth the similitude from a thing in comm usage and custome Children in time past were called scotioi which were born ek ton adadouketon gamon from marriages in which no torches were caried before them as the Interpr of Homer hath observed Iliad E. It was also a custome amoÌ„g the Romanes for a boy that had Father and mother living to beare before the spouse a torch of a white thorne because they were married in the night as Plutarche saith in his Problemes But that is clear which is added concerning the bridgroome the bride to weet that this calamity shal not lie upon her onely for some time but that ther shal be no hope of anie better estate in time to come This is it which the voice of the bridegroome and bride meaneth as though he should say never shal any marriages be contracted here wherby should be made an increasing of posterity ¶ For thy marchants were the great men of the earth Here the sinnes of the city are rehearsed to be three Luxurie Idolatry and the murder of the saincts Her riot appeareth because they that serve her lust are made the great men of the earth It must needs be that her excesse in pleasures is very wicked whose servants are advanced unto so great dignity Wee have shewed before that this is a marchandise of soules and that these marchaÌ„ts are the Lords Cardinals Which who seeth and acknowledgeth not to be these great men manifest demonstrations of the Romish luxurie Thomas Wolsey our countreyman in often speach was not ashamed to say I and my King Such a Cardinalship is pride But why may they not vaunt themselves so proudly when they shal see great Princes to sue for this their dignity or at the least to glory no lesse in the same being given them then in the chiefe ornament of maiesty There have bin many of old eveÌ„ of the Kings stocke who judged this degree not unworthy the noblenesse of their race VVith us in Queene Maryes dayes was Cardinal Poole of a Princely linage Among the Franch of late Cardinal Borbon of the blood royall and of Lorrrain brother of the Duke of Guise Albert of Austriche yet flourisheth but yesterday a Cardinal and brother of Rodulphe the Emperour Is not this in very truth a great dignity which so great Princes doo not refuse May they not of right be called the great men of the earth which are placed in so high a top of honour But thou wilt say it yet more if thou shalt see the asseÌ„bly of the stately Lords sitting togither at Rome Let some Prince come whom the Pope for honours sake wil receive into the company of the Cardinals what place hath he assigned for him To weet before the last Cardinal Deacon so as if there shal be a great and ful senate the Prince himselfe after three score eight men cloathed in purple garments shal sit the last save one as of late in the yeere 1593. Maximilian the Prince of Bavarie This is that intolerable pride yet meet for the Romish court where even Emperours kisse the feete of the Pope why should not the Consellers of this Prelate excell other Princes in dignity But at length this pride shal cal forth that low estate wherby Rome shal be pressed downe even to Hell It is manifest ynough from the foresaid things how from this fountaine Idolatry hath flowen into all the VVest part Neither is ther any need of moe words concerning the murders of the Saincts which wee have touched before neither is ther any man to whom they are not most certainly known CHAP. 19. AND after these I heard a great voice of a great multitude in Heaven saying Halleluia salvation and honour and glory and strength to the Lord our God 2 For true and righteous are his iudgements and he hath condemned that great whore which hath corrupted the earth with her
your selves not to be Ministers of Christ And in this weise is the first calling of the Iewes that shal be now shortly which Daniel describeth by a certen pointing out of the time chap. 12.12 c Ezechiel saw it shadowed out by the dry bones moving themselves with an exceeding great noise shaking and by and after covered with sinewes flesh chap. 37.78 as wee shal heare afterward God willing more fully 11 Then J saw heaven open It being declared how Euphrates must be dried up or rather to what ende that is to say that nothing may be an impediment to the Iewes returning into their owne countrey now he proceedeth to the other part of the sixt vial the preparation for warre the Captaine wherof is first described And such a forme of him is exhibited not onely as is needful for this warre but also which declareth the whole state of things from that instant moment even to the end of al things It is no new thing that under the person of Christ a short and brief Prophecy of the whole state of his spouse should be delivered He is not chāged unlesse in so much as it is convenient for his Church Therfore in this new shape as in a glasse we ought to behold the face of the spouse by how much it is to be considered the more diligently This wonderfull sight is seen in heavē open that is in the holy Church whose most bright glory now most of all shal be made manifest to al men as before by a dore open in heaven the notable dignity and excellency of the first Church as it was in the Apostles daies and by and by after chap. 4.1 But this is more ample glory that heaven is opened not by some little dore but by a whole gate ye whole walles that I may so say nothing letting but that her full maiesty now may be seen of men as farre as is granted on earth ¶ And behold a white horse We may not suppose that Christ shal come forth in any visible shape these things are farre from his last comming as those things which follow wil manifest but he wil shew forth openly and evidently such a force in the administration of things as this figure representeth The whole description consisteth of foure parts In every one of which is to be considered the preparation and name In this first part the furnishing is a white horse the name faithful and true The similitude of which things with that in chap. 6.2 hath caused that some did thinke this to be the same vision by which errour they confound all things They differ much in times and in argument That white horse belonge to the first lists But this to the last goale That former went forth by and by after Iohn when Traiane flourished and his next successours This last is not seen but after the destruction of Rome There the confused multitude of all the beleevers was respected Here the conversion of the nation of the Iewes onely is intreated off Yet herin they agree that the white horse in both places signifyeth Christ triumphing by his truth but thē the Gentiles being subdued now at length a stubburne people being reconciled unto him To which thing he carried a name fitted wherby he sheweth that he wil now at last manifest to the whole world how faithfull true he is in performing his promises and that not any thing even the least shal be frustrate which once he foreshewed by the Prophets concerning the restoring of this nation in the last times Such a one therfore shal Christ be notable by these marks when he shal beginne the conversion of this people His promise shal seeme to have bin forgotten through long delay which at length he shal performe with most plentiful increase of new joy ¶ And who jugeth and fightest iustly So Theod. Beza translateth a relative being put between as though these things togither with the former should constitute the name it selfe which in the rest is wonte to be shorter but the sense is al one seing it is in likeweise whither a man be counted such by his name or found to be of this sort in very deed The worde have this force properly and he iudgeth and fighteth in righteousnesse where the coniunctiō copulative may be a causal as though these words should render a reason both of the white horse and also of the name should be added to the same in stead of an interpretation He sitteth upon a white horse because he fighteth righteously His name is faithful and true because he iudgeth righteously Which words are spoken in respect of his own people taken as they seem out of Psal 96.10.13 where to iudge in truth and righteousnes signifyeth to rule and moderate his people in framing and ordering their life according to truth and righteousnes that not onely as touching their outward actions but also in respect of inward newnesse of the heart which dependeth upon the regeneration of the Spirit wherby we are reformed after the Image of God as Calvin hath written very wel These words therfore declare the effectual power of calling which Christ shal now bestow aboundātly upō his and moreover safety from their enemies with whom he wil make warre and render them a reward meet for their deserts 12 And his eyes The second part of the description where his eyes are as it were a flame of fyre and on his head are many crownes but a name unknowne to all men but to himselfe alone As touching his eyes they are most sharpe pearsing al things which as flames of fyre consume whatsoever letteth the sight make lightsome the darkenesse it selfe and set most hidden things in the light What cā hide it selfe from such eyes Such an one shal Christ shew himselfe in drawing out his people into the light of truth from the hidden dennes and darkenesse whersoever they lurked so as this sharpnes of sight shal be very admirable to the world I wil say to the North saith the Lord give and to the South keepe not backe bring my sonnes from farre and my daughters from the endes of the earth Isay 43.6 The crownes are many because of the many singular victories which the Iewes shal get when first they shal give their name to Christ from those sundry nations among which they live dispersed striving as much as they can against their conversion But why is his name unknown that here we may know that great mystery to be wherat Paul cryed out O the deepnesse of the richesse both of the wisdome and knowledge of God! how unsearcheable are his iudgements and his waies past finding out Rom. 11.33 c. There he speaketh of this same thing of the hardening of the Iewes for a time calling at length in their time which whole matter he concludeth with an admiratiō of Gods wisdome affirming that no wit of any creature can comprehende the infinitnesse of the mystery So this vision foreshewing in the
calling of the Iewes a certaine choise and separation of an elect people from others after the fulnesse of the Gentils shal come in presenteth Christ likeweise in an unknown name because no creature can by any reason conceive the exceeding greatnesse of this iudgement and mercy Let us therfore reverence this name which because of the highnesse thereof must needs be hidden from every creature Onely let us observe the congruency of things that the conversion of the Iewes doth likeweise come from the unsearcheable wisdome of God as once the reiection of them and receaving of the Genliles 13 And he was clothed with a garment dipt in blood Such hath bin the description of the Captaine gathering togither his people now followeth the shape of him making warre which therfore he taketh upon him that in fighting iustly he may make his no lesse secure from all outward feare of warre then he maketh them happy at home by iudging iustly and moderating al things most conveniently The figure of this is a bloody garment and a name that word of God For after this conversion begun and a happy increase of the name of Christians for some yeeres then a huge and cruell warr shal be raised up such as the like hath not bin in any time The Turk shal rage in the East The Beast and false Prophet in the West part both of them shal endevour to root out even every footstep of the truth as Daniel sheweth clearly chap. 11.44.45 and 12.1 and Ezechiel chap. 38. 39. as farre as belongeth to the Turk And as it is mentioned at the ende of this chapter concerning the Beast and his companion Then shall Christ shew himselfe to be seene in this forme clothed with a bloody cassocke and wholly swimming with blood of the enemies VVhich time Isaiah seemeth to have respect unto saying Who is he that commeth from Edō with read garments from Bozrah Wherfore is thy apparell red and thy garments like him that treadeth in the wine presse chap. 63.1.2 For very good reason now shal Christ be seen sprinkled with the blood of the enemies slaine And then shal the Iewes be such in deed through their tender minds melting into teares as the Prophet in the chapters following describeth that they ar to be hereafter The name is fit for this time that word of God which the world then shal finde to be most true al those things at length being performed which have bin delivered in the scriptures Before time it almost counted the word of God as a thing to be mocked at as it doth also in this time because it seeth both the promises and punishments to be differteth so long Ye the citizens began to doubt of the truth therof frō whence is that complaint in Isaiah the Lord hath forsaken mee and the Lord hath forgotten mee chap. 44.14 As though the promises were nothing else then great words onely or vayne lofty speeches which had come to nothing Therfore Christ shal declare now in truth that the least title of it hath not bin in vaine This description agreeth to the seventh vial under which shal be heard that saying it is done chap. 16.17 And the mystery of God is finished chap. 10.7 to which time is reserved the perfection of all things and the greatest authority of Gods word shal flourish the most constant truth therof being seen in every thing 14 And the hosts which are in heaven The last part of the description where the preparation consisteth partly in the souldiers in this verse partly in the weapons and instruments of warre ver 15. But the name is King of Kings and Lord of Lords ver 16. The army seemeth to be provided not so much for battel as for triumph For what are white horses to warre What fine white linnen and pure A helmet corselet were fitter And so the thing is in deed A triumph is set forth not a battel for the enemies in the West and East part being at length destroyed in that late foresaid warre a glorious peace shal be restored to the Church which no tumultuous noise of troubles shal ever after interrupt Then al the children of God shall keepe a perpetual triūph al things being remooved for ever which might procure any trouble as shal be made more cleare from the things folowing ¶ Which are in heaven The cityzens of the holy Church on earth all of them making one sheepfold shall folow one shepheard Christ they ar clothed with white and pure fine linnen for the same cause which we have spoken of at the 8. verse 15 And out of his mouth went The victory once gotten shal be preserved for ever neither shal ther be any feare of warre to beginne againe our Captaine being so furnished that as he can so he wil much more restraine the subdued enemies at his pleasure for the sword comming out of his mouth shal punish them forthwith as before he threatned to them of Pergamus that he would fight against them with the Spirit of his mouth chap. 2.16 Wherby is signifyed that either the enemies shal be destroyed according to the iudgemēt of the sacred word the punishmēts being taken of them which the word hath appointed against them or at the least shal be brought to that case that wil they nil they they shal obey those lawes which the word shal prescribe This latter seemeth to agree better to this place when al nations shal be obedient to the Church seeking and receiving from it lawes and ordinances wherby they may be governed These therfore shal be smitten after this manner But if any yet being stubburne shal refuse to obey he shal be subdued with a rod of iron and shal be bridled by a rigourous government but if he shal continue in his obstinacy neither wil suffer himselfs to be overcome and bowed by an ordinary way although many togither shal conspire to the same wickednesse of rebellion they shall be cast as clusters of grapes into the winepresse of the fiercenesse of God and shall he troden in the same Wherfore the enemies shal have no power ever to rise up againe now of necessity the yoke must be borne of them for ever The Cōpl the K B read a sharp two edged sword doth tread in the presēt because punishmēt shal be no mor differred as before but the wicked shal be punished presently to be trode under foote with great fury as grapes in the wine presse Isaiah 63. Lam. 1.15 ¶ The wine presse of the fiercenesse VVhich punishment of the wicked shal be no lesse pleasant to God then the drinking of wine to the thirstie That must need be done manfully in which one is occupied with delight Horrible therfore shal be the punishment of the wicked which by the greevousnes therof shal make amends aboundantly for the delights of al the former times See Deut. 28.63 16 And he hath upon his garment and upon his thigh This name is written on his garment because it
For there is no Antichrist properly so called and for excellency whom the Spirit in this Revelation teacheth to us besides that Beast of the thirteenth chapter But the Papists Antichrist is not this Beast as not being to come before these thousand yeer◠of the binding of the Divill be finished So the Iesuite teacheth that these thousand yeeres are without doubt the whole time frō the death of Christ even to the time of Antichrist But this Beast ruleth through all the time in which the Devill lay bound Therfore the are meere toyes which the Iesuite obtrude to the world miserably deceaving as others so much more themseves who are altogither carelesse of a present destruction and quake at some vaine shadowes to come They rest I know in this matter upon the authority of some Holy Fathers to whom they doo no lesse iniury then procure danger to themselves These being farr from the event of things spake onely by coniecture which to preferre before most certain events is not onely foolish but also greatly contrary to the minds of them who every where confessing their ignorance provoked rather to search out the truth which the day should teach then to rest in their doubts which even they themselves condemned of ignorance Wherfore they who will yet holde fast their known errours are deprived by the iust iudgement of God of all even common sense that so in flattering handling themselves gently they may throw themselves headlong to eternal and unevitable destruction Furthermore observe from this place that the two and fourty moneths in chap. 11.2 and 13.5 are not to be nūbred after the common manner seeing the Beast to whom these moneths belong was in the view and eyes of men the space of a thousand yeeres as it is manifest from his adversaries who should be altogither none if he should not be at all ¶ And they lived and raigned Both the soules of the Martyrs and those which withstood the Beast enioyed a Kingdome with Christ this whole time in which the Dragon was bound Not that any one continued his life so long but because ther never wanted a succession of the godly who embraced the truth notwithstanding the rage of Antichrist To acknowledge the truth is in very deed to live and raign with Christ even as on the contrary eyther not to know or to despise the same is in living to be dead and in the highest top of raigne to be in a more vile estate then the most abiect slave But he maketh mention of the raigne of these yeeres not because when they were finished the Saints should cease to raign for wee see that the first resurrection doth follow by and by which should make the former glory more aboundant but because the Church in these yeers chiefly lying hid in the wildernes and in the secret of the temple should seeme to the world to have perished utterly chap. 11.1 and 12.14 he sheweth that the same raigned with Christ all this most sorowfull time Which doubt could not befall concerning the saints in heaven who wee know doo enioy a blessed time as soone as they are departed out of this valley of teares This raign of most couragious champions was shewed before by that holy army of an hundred fourty foure thousand who camped in Mount Sion and followed the Lambe whither soever he went ch 14.1.2 wherof this verse is a rehearsall 5 But the rest of the dead Such then was the state of the Saincts by the space of a thousand yeeres of the Dragons binding Now in a few words is signifyed the cōdition of the multitude in that space These refused the truth and snorted a long night not awaking those whole thousand yeers that the sunbeame of most wholesome doctrine might shine upon them And this is that Apostasie which Paul said should come before the Lord should appeare 2 Thess 2.3 and which Iohn expressed before by the whole earth wondring after the Beast chap. 13.3 and 17.8 ¶ This is the first resurrection The third period wherby is taught in what condition the Church should be by and by after those thousand yeeres were ended More cleare truth should now at lēgth returne to the world and the elect every where should assemble togither to the appearing light of it Which earnest desire of theirs is called the first resurrection to weet in respect of the second ver 12. as there we shal see A greater number now then before and with more vehement affections should make hast to the Ghospell as came to passe at the end of those thousand yeeres to weet at the yeere 130. when very many before dead in the Romish superstitions wherwith they were overwhelmed opened their eyes at the rising of the truth so did rise unto life from which of late they were strāgers Among these wer numbred Marsilius Patavinus Iohannes de Gauduno Iohn Wickliefe and many other excellent men of syncere godlines and great learning for that time By their labour others in great number wer recalled from their errours unto the truth as it were from death to life as we said before in chap. 14.16 This wonderful conversion is called the first resurrection under the name wherof Iohn repeateth and togither also declareth those former times This is not therfore the resurrection at the last iudgement as the Iesuite interpreteth who forgetting himselfe in this verse extendeth now evē unto the day of iudgement the thousand yeers whose ende lately he did set in the comming of Antichrist What time then shal be left for Antichrist not beginning his raigne before that the Dragon shal be let out of prison Shal the first entry into his Kingdome fall on the day of iudgement It were in deed to be wished for so neither should he accomplish that three yeeres and halfe space which the Papists tell shal be so miserable and bewaile so lamentably Furthermore they which were lost before doo become blessed in this resurrection which thing shall not come to passe in the last Moreover how is this the last which is called the first and a latter then which there is an other ver 12 How is the raigne of a thousand yeeres with Christ after the last resurrectiō mētioned for great which we know to be eternal nor to be limited with any revolution of yeeres ver 6 Shal also Satan be loosed and shall that warr of Gog and Magog be raised after the last resurrectiō For certain this resurrection shal be after those thousande yeeres be accomplished and this warre shal be moved after the same yeeres be complet ver 7. The Iesuite faineth a strange resurrectiō after which such sturres shal be on earth But it is worthy to be observed with how great unsensiblenes he is strikē Here where he hath Augustine going before him in a right opinion he reiecteth him But at other times often where by reason of obscurity of things he is manifestly deceived he runneth after him apace most swiftly For the Iesuits in
playnly to Christians al coverings being removed as on whom the noone Sunne of truth shineth and all things are naked and open And indeed he openeth most significantly in one word that long obscure description in Ezechiel saying that that temple so magnifically gloriously prepared is in truth none at all not as though the Prophet had uttered so many words vainly but to shewe that we must not stick in the bark of the lettre but that the kernell of the Spirit is to be found out Let the Iewes heare neither let them expect a renewed temple as hitherto they doo amisse and obstinately but let them with minds and harts aspire in that right way which shal need no temple Let them look for the omnipotent God and the Lamb to dwel among them in comparison of which glory whatsoever can be built of men shal be vile 23 Neither hath this city any need of the Sunne or Moone For in very deed the Moone shall be ashamed and the very Sunne shall blush when the Lord of hosts shall reigne in mount Sion and Hierusalem and shall be glorious before his auncients Isaiah 24.23 And why may it not be ashamed of her former darkenesse when the light of the Moone shal be as the light of the Sunne and the light of the Sunne seven folde as the light of seven daies Isay 30.23 Which thinges are not spoken to that ende as though there should be no use then of the Scriptures but because all shall so understand Gods will as if they had no need to learne wisdome from books Full saith the Prophet shall this land be of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters covering the chanell of the Sea Isay 11.9 Neither shall they anie more teach everie man his friend and everie man his brother saying know yee the Lord for they shall all know mee from the least of them even to the greatest of them saith the Lord that J doo forgive their inquity and remember their sinne no more Ier. 31.34 From hence let us observ that that Church is most glorious in which the sunne of righteousnesse shineth with most open face covered with no cloudes of ceremonies therfore let them see in how great errour they are whom bring in a pompous shew of ceremonies to procure authority to religion with the people Furthermore let us note to what times Iohn applyeth the sentences of the Prophets that we may know the things are yet to come which we interpret commonly to be past and not onely in the heavenly countrey whose happinesse needeth the words of no man but here in earth in that restoring wherof we have spoken ¶ And the Lambe is the light therof Therfore this light the most bright of all godly times shal not yet be perfit as it shal be after this life but a candle onely in respect of that least peradventure wee should rest in our iourney as if we had come to the last ende 24 And the Gentiles that shal be saved The second outward argument is glory from the Gentils Before time the Iewes have alwayes found the GeÌ„tiles most hatefull who left no meanes unattempted to doo them hurt now contrariweise ther shal be no cause to feare that they will doo them any harme yea rather why should they not expect all good at their hands who shal apply al their forces to the advancing of them But these Gentiles are not al generally but are limited with a certain kinde which saith he shal be saved which word is inserted for an exposition The place is taken out of Isaiah 60.3 where it is thus and the Gentiles shall walke to thy light which Iohn draweth to the elect by putting in of one word least any should think it was spoken of every one generally And see how Iohn traÌ„slate that seÌ„teÌ„ce they shal walke to thy light thus they shal walke in the light of it the senteÌ„ce being well expressed For to walke at the light is not to come only to the light which one may doe depart again by by being at once both seen despised but to walke after or according to the light as to walke at the feete is alone with to follow serve one 1 Sam. 25.42 Neither-hath this place in the heavens that the people should walke at the light of the Church when Prophecyings shal be abolished and tongues shall cease and God shal be all in all 1 Cor. 13.8 and 15.28 But it may be doubtful how it can have place on earth For shal this difference remaine of some people which are saved and of other that are lost in this most happy government of the Church It seemeth indeed that there shal be many which yet still shal contemne the truth obstinately for the day of the Lord shall come cas a share upon all that dwell on the face of the earth Luke 21 35. But the children of the Church are not in darkenesse that that day should take them as a thief in the night 1 Thess 5.4 Moreover it was said before that the haile of a taleâ—t weight of the last vial shall drive men to blasphemy chap. 16.21 Neverthelesse those despisers shal be of so feeble strength that wil they nil the they shal be compelled to yeeld their necks The Complut edition and the Kings bible doo omit these words which are saved and so doth Aretas and the vulgar Latine neither doo they reade in the light of it but by the light ¶ And the Kings of the earth shal bring their glory unto it Then the Kings borderers on the Ocean and of the Yles shall bring a present the Kings of Sheba and Seba shall bring a gift finally all Kings shall worship him and all nations shall serve him Psal 72.10.11 And Isay The labour of Aegypt and marchandize of Aethiopia and of the Sabean Princes shall come unto thee and they shall be thine and shall follow thee they shall come in chaines and shall fall down before thee and shall make supplications unto thee saying onely the strong God is in thee there is none besides no where else is God chap. 45.14 Againe Kings shal be thy nurcing fathers and their Queenes shal be thy nurces they shall worship thee with their faces toward the earth and shall lick the dust of thy feet chap. 49.23 For then shal be given unto Christ a dominion and glory and Kingdome that all people nations and tongues should serve him whose dominion is an everlasting dominion which passeth not away his KingdoÌ„ a KingdoÌ„ which shall not be destroyed Dan. 7.14 It shal not also be from the purpose to add here in what words the Sybille hath described this same thing that at least wee may help tthe Iesuite if he will who in expounding the same is cleane out of the way thus therfore shee Prophecyed in the 3. book of the oracles of Sibyll And then the world by womans hands shall rul'd be and obey But when the widow over all the world