Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	church_n	faith_n	infallible_a	3,589	5	9.5501	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A86457	An exposition, or, A short, but full, plaine, and perfect epitome of the most choice commentaries upon the Revelation of Saint John. Especially of the most learned and judicious authors, as Bullinger of Helvetia, Francis Iunius, Thomas Brightman, Aug. Marlorate, Aug. de Civitate dei, but especially (among many) the excellent and learned David Pareus. With severall remarkable notes, observations, and doctrines very profitable. / As it was for the most part delivered by way of commentary in the parish-church of Sutton-Valence, Kanc [sic]. By Hezekiah Holland Anglo-hibernus, Minister of the Gospell at Sutton-Valence.	Holland, Hezekiah, fl. 1638-1661.	1650 (1650)	Wing H2426; Thomason E606_1; ESTC R5543	143,079	206

who have not the doctrine of Balaam and Nicholas There was some wheat among the chaffe Depths These hereticks it seems called their doctrines deep mysteries Christ confessed they were depths but of Satan As they call them the hereticks called them depths and more excellent doctrines then the Apostles knew but Christ says their Original was from hell and Satan No other burthen the deceivers imposed on them the burden of the Ceremonial law which Christ had took off For by burden is not understood punishment for Christ doth comfort not threaten them Vntil I come to wit in the clouds at the last day So that Christ is yet bodily absent and not in the Sacraments Vers 26. Overcometh to wit by faith through Christ not by his own power My works To wit of faith commanded in the Gospel So on the contrary works of infidelity are called works of the devil There only remains two promises to the overcommers 1. Power of nations that is at the last day to judge with Christ the world and Satan t is taken from Psal 2. 2. The morning starre that is himselfe called so because of its heavenly brightnesse and glory Rev. 22.16 Christ will communicate himself both in power and glory to his members CHAP. III. Vers 1. Vnto the Angel of the Church in Sardis write NOt of Sardica where a Synod was held in the eleventh yeare of Constantine But of Sardis the royal City of Craesus the Angel or Pastor was not Melito for he was not Bishop of Sardis till sixty yeares after in the reign of Antoninus Pius also he was a good Bishop but this is reproved for negligence and hypocrisie These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God Though Christ may be said to have procured and sent the holy Ghost called the seven spirits Chap. 1.4 from the Father to his Church yet since these seven spirits are joyned with the seven stars or Ministers I rather understand created Angels now they are called the seven spirits not in relation to those in Chap. 1.4 but because seven choice or principal Angels by way of preheminence Now in the Preface of this Epistle Christ is described holding the seven spirits and the seven stars to note that as he upholds the Ministry if sincere so he has Angels to defend the righteous and oppose and punish the wicked I know thy Works Observe three things First Christs Divinity seeing the Pastor and Churches hypocrisie Secondly That all that make shew of holinesse are not so thou hast a name that thou livest but art dead some members of the Church are good some bad Thirdly The efficacy of the Ministry doth not depend upon the goodnesse of the Minister Christ doth oft quicken and governe his Church by dead Officers Thus it might be in the Papacy where Christ had a Church before Luther See ver 4. Vers 2. Be watchfull Shake off the hypocritical drowsinesse into which thou art fallen and strive to live the life of faith again Strengthen the things which remaine Meaning those dying members in the Church by holy life and doctrine That are ready to dye Therefore the Pastor is exhorted to take speedy care of their recovery being not quite dead where observe how mindful and careful Christ is of his poore people I have not found thy works perfect Christ here reproves not the common frailties of the Saints but some notable hypocrisie and defect Before God God looks narrower after truth then men do though this Pastor might passe for currant among men yet Christ sees a defect Here note Christ as man hath a god but as a Son is God and life This I observe because some read before my God As Montanus Vers 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard Because this Bishop or Pastor was unmindful of the faith committed to him by the Apostles Christ bids him remember what he had heard of them where observe the only way to redresse corruptions of life or doctrine is to have recourse to the rule of the word Also here observe against the Bishops of Rome that though Christ made that Promise to his Church the Spirit shall lead you into all truth yet not only this Bishop of Sardis but all of the seven Churches but two were hereticks or hypocrites and much defective and how comes it to passe that they are so infallible And repent Forsake thine hypocrisie and carefully performe the duty of thy place which though we cannot do of our selves yet they are unexcusable who willingly disobey the commandement Of this see my quoted book page 46. lines 18 19 20. If therefore thou shalt not watch Christ adds this commination to his exhortation and that righteously for if he repented not upon so mature gentle praemonition he deserved a sudden judgement to come upon him As a thiefe in the night Unawares this doth not countenance or uphold a thiefe because Christ attributes the title to himselfe no more then when Christ bids his servants put their talent to usury he perhaps countenanceth that yet when Christ speaks of musick in the receiving the Prodigal home in the Gospel intimating joy and the peace of conscience following his reconciliation with God through Christ which was allowed in the Law it proves the lawfulnesse of it if lawfully used since the joyes of a man in Christ are expressed by it as I have noted in my little fore-quoted book pag. 84 85. Vers 4. Thou hast a few names in Sardis Meaning a few true beleevers though some were dead or ready to dye rather yet Christ reserved a few to himself notwithstanding the negligence of the Pastour See vers 1. Christ had seven thousand that never bowed the knee to Baal though the ten Tribes of Israel were fallen away in the Papacy some who resisted the abuses of the times unto bloud A few Gods flock is a little flock for though many are called few are chosen It is not the best to follow the multitude Who have not defiled their garments Their constant sincerity is set forth by this metaphor By garments is meant that as their bodies were not polluted by the filthy lusts of the Nicholaitans so their soules were not not stained with that impious doctrine The body is our garment with which we are cloathed righteousnesse and faith in Christ is the soules garment which they had kept somewhat undefiled They shall walk with me in white Alluding to the Garments of Kings and Conquerours which was white thus in scorne Christ was cloathed in earth now as he is glorious so his Saints shall partake of his glory note the Saints righteousnesse in earth though white in some degrees is defiled in respect of this in heaven therefore they groan till cloathed with this And they shall walk It notes the Majesty of the Sons of glory and perchance the curious question of some Philosophers and Divines may hence receive light that the Saints move and walk from place to place in heaven after the

our selves in the diligent observation of things both from histories and events One of the foure beasts saying come and see the beasts it seems performed the office of publike Cryers whose work it is to call Persons neerer the Throne of Judgement-seat they in order call Iohn who stood afarre off either for reverence or that he might more certainly write down what he saw As the voice of thunder The first beast was like a Lyon who now called to Iohn to come and see requiring hereby great Attention and hence this Lyon-like voice as of thunder Vers 2. And I saw and behold a white horse to wit went out of the book or seale for indeed as all the mysteries were in the book so upon opening it they came out that is were expounded to Iohn now if the book were so great to contain a horse and man how great was he that held the book how great he that opened it how great were the mysteries and events The white horse denotes the Purity of the Primitive Church compared to that warlike creature an horse because the Church militant should fight against the world flesh and divel The rider is Christ who was swiftly carried on in the Ministry of the Apostles and other faithful Teachers in the first times Thus Paul bare his name before the Gentiles the Bowe is the Word by which he wounds the hearts of the Elect that he may heale and restore them to life the Crown notes his Regal Crown of triumph because he goes forth conquering by his death he conquered sinne by his resurrection death hell Satan and the world and tyrants Iulian the Apostate confessed so much in his blasphemous speech thou hast overcome O Galilaean he conquers hereticks he conquers converting sinners many ways he conquers which for brevity sake I omit Christ in one respect opens the book in another comes forth conquering the first as the chief Prophet God-man the last as God and King Vers 3. And when he had opened the second Seale behold a red horse John is called to see the future condition of the Church under persecution behold t is blood-red under many tyrants t is the same Church though called another because of its differing colour the rider I take to be Christ not Satan who is with his People in all misery He came not to send peace on the earth but a sword and fire yet by accident not in himself because of the malice of Tyrants and Hereticks opposing truth Vers 4. And that they should kill one another Hereticks under a colour and pretence of Christ persecute and kill the servants of Christ learn hence the divel can do no more then Christ will suffer for our good to wit the exercise of faith Christ suffers tyrants to afflict his Saints Vers 5. Loe a black horse and he that sate on him had a paire of ballances in his hand To wit the Church in her afflicted condition by wicked hereticks who cloud the light of the truth with their black heresies and bring in a deformity upon the Church who was formerly white I omit the names of the Hereticks who in the age following the Apostles till the time of Greg. the first though they professed themselves Christians overthrew Christianity after also the faith of Christ was oppressed and way made for Antichrist who shortly after came into the Temple of God when Boniface the third obtained the primacy over all Churches from Phocas the usurper Thus the white horse became black yet Christ rides on it with the ballance of holy Scripture in his hands Rides For the worst and grossest Heretick professeth Christ 2. By his providence rules them for in greatest confusion of heresies he is not wanting to his Church as they came not unawares but for the tryall of his Church so they are continually examined and confuted by the ballance of his word he so ordering it for a ballance is the tryall of just or unjust weights so Scripture is a true touchstone to try gold and brasse Vers 6. And I heard a voyce in the midst of the 4. beasts c 'T was the Lambs voyce in the midst of the Throne and foure beasts Chap. 5.6 proclaiming a famine of the Gospel for through the ambition Luxury covetousnesse and negligence of Bishops the Gospel should be so corrupted and by Here ticks so adulterated that nothing should be pure and sound by wheat in this place sincere teachers are meant who should be rare by barley the comforts of the Gospel which should be scarce though some understand a plenty hereby since a measure of wheat and three measures of barley should be sold for a penny a measure containted a quart being a mans allowance for a day a penny was neer 7 pence with us if so then Christ in the midst of all heresies had truth * The penny was wages for the day as Mat 20.13 now a measure being as much as a man could cat in a day was to be had for the penny or dayes labour enough for his people See thou hurt not the Oyle and the Wine By Wine and Olye some understand the Orthodox faith which should not be totally obscured by heretical blacknesse Now as Wine Cherishes and Oyle clenses so sound doctrine doth glad and cleanse the conscience Alcasar applies Oyle to the light and true knowledge of happinesse and wine to spirituall joy which the Lambs voice promiseth the Elect shall not be deprived of notwithstanding the dearth of truth by the darknesse of heresie Which happened partly when the whole world groaned under Arrianisme Vers 7 8. And I looked and behold a pale horse c. This fourth beast having the for me of a flying Eagle with quick fighted eyes having spied something as it were on high cals to John for I beleeve hereby may be signifyed these plagues coming from above to revenge the injuries done to the Saints and to punish the impenitent This pale horse is the same Church of Christ in the succeeding age though of another colour Pale because it is infirme weak sickly neer unto death and hell it by accident was occasioned by Constantines excessive bounty to the Church for then Pastors began to be proud luxurious idle and fertile in vices Jerome complained in his time that after Princes became Christians the Church indeed was greater in power and riches but lesse in vertue the remote cause was the guile and malice of that old serpent the devil Also now Bishops by infinite ceremonies and human traditions increased the pale disease Nay Monks whose at first solitary hard life wrought much upon the people increased this palenesse for people that desired pardon for sin were sent to the Monks dennes not to Christ whereby this mortall wound came upon the Church drawing more to hell then either the blacknes of heresies or sword of tyrants though this might seeme rather to be expressed under the notion of the darkning the Sun and rolling up the heaven then by

Meaning seven Churches vers 20. called Candlesticks because as they hold light in them to wit Candles so the Churches had or ought to have the light of the Gospel in them golden notes the choycenesse of the light of the Gospel in respect of any other light Vers 13. In the midst c. Christ is in his Church among his Ordinances among his members even where two or three are met together in his name Like the Son of Man 'T was Christ as appears by vers 8. who is like us in the truth of our nature Clothed with a garment down to his foot 'T was the custome of the Easterne countryes to go so it notes Christs righteousnesse which was enough for himself and all his members Men are one the other part corrupt from the head to the sole of the feet Esay 1. vers 6. A golden girdle Alluding to the custome of the Easterne countryes who because they wore long garments used to girt them up that they might not hinder them it notes Christs care and diligence A golden girdle Notes Christs Majesty and divine nature it alludes to Esay 11. vers 5. and righteousnesse shall be his girdle About the paps not the ordinary way shewes Christs love to the Church because the heart which is the seat of love is between the breasts Vers 14. His head and his haire white as wool and as snow It notes five things 1. White haire notes wisedom it usually doth accompany them 2. It shews Christ is the ancient of dayes in Dan. 7. nay from eternity as the Father 3. It shewes Christ ought to be reverenced gray haries are venerable 4. As wool notes Christs innocency such is the creature from whence wool 5. As snow notes Christs pure nature See Isa 1.18 His eyes a flame of fire Because in his wrath he will consume the wicked as the fire doth the chaffe it notes likewise the searching peircing knowledge of Christ Vers 15. His feet like unto fine brasse It notes the divine power of Christ his strength constancy or his humanity tryed as in the furnace of sufferings His voyce as of many waters It notes the efficacy and terrour of his voyce For waters run violently none can hinder their course Also they make a terrible noyse the wicked tremble at the voyce Vers 16. He had in his right hand seven starres Being the Angels or Ministers of the seven Churches vers 20. This commends the dignity of Teachers who ought to shine in life and doctrine they are in Christs hand 1. Because he giveth them to his Church 2. Because he preserveth them ruleth them with his Word and Spirit 3. Because as he worketh by starres on this lower world he worketh salvation for his Church through them Out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword It shewes either the power of his Word which is of a peircing nature Heb. 4.12 or as in chap. 19. vers 15. it notes his readinesse and power to take vengeance His countenance was as the Sunne it notes either Christs divine nature or his humane nature glorified Vers 17. And when I saw him I fell down as dead It notes the weaknesse of man before the Majesty of God how then shall the wicked stand before him He laid his right hand upon me See Christs readinesse to help also learne by whom all the faithfull are upheld Feare not For fear might unfit John to understand the Vision what need the Saints fear since Christ who is with them bids not fear I am the first and the last This teacheth John that he saw no fancy but 't was Christ who spake Vers 18. I am be that liveth and was dead The Jewes and Hereticks scoffe at us for trusting in a crucified God in the mean time wo to them that CHRIST dyed not for I have the keyes of hell and the grave by keyes power is understood so that CHRIST is Lord of hell and grave I am alive for evermore It notes Christs eternity and God-head Let the Jewes scoffe we are herein comforted Vers 19. Write the things which That is all the Revelation T is requisite for us to read what Christ so carefully commands to be written Vers 20. The mystery of the seven starres The seven starres signifie the seven Angels of the seven Churches but they were not properly seven Angels so the Rock is said to be Christ That is signified Christ so the seven lean kine Gen. 41. v. 27. are said to be seven years that is signifie seven years So Christ sayes the bread is his body that is signifies his body Now the Ministers are called Angels because they act by commission because they are imployed about the Kingdom of Heaven because they should be somewhat unspotted as they are because they aime at mans good Concerning the candlesticks See vers 12. CHAP. II. Vers 1. Vnto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus write JOHN writ to this Church first either because it lay next to Patmos or because of its eminency and greatnesse To the Angel That is the Pastor it notes both the dignity and authority of the calling for Angels are in commission extraordinary Some would perswade that Timothy was this Angel if so it shewes that in many things we all erre Write No doubt Christ told John word for word what he should write and it shewes the authority of the book These things saith he This answereth the title of the Prophets who to stirre up attention in the people use the expression of thus saith the Lord. Who holds c. None can destroy the Ministry or 7. Starres unlesse their sins cause God to destroy them Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks John saw our Saviour in another posture before This notes Christs activenesse that he is present by his providence in his Church Vers 2. I know thy Works Christ knowes our good works and acknowledges them and rewards them he knowes our bad actions to punish them without repentance it shewes Christs deity being omniscient Thy labour and patience That is thy unwearyed paines in Preaching the Word t is an office of much paines patience in induring all affliction hee was exercised in by Jewes or Heathens for the Word of the Crosse as our Apostle therefore calls it herein may a Minister be comforted because Christ takes notice of his works And canst not bear them that be evill It shews the Pastors zeal in observing Church discipline 1 Cor. 1.18 and executing censures against scandalous persons And hast tryed them which say they are Apostles c. Meaning Ebion and Cerinthus with others who boasted themselves to be Apostles but were indeed enemies oppugning the deity of Christ Now t is the Pastours duty as to defend the purity of doctrine so to oppose such devouring wolves Vers 3. And hast borne c. Christ points at some particular kind of affliction as stripes or imprisonment which he had sustained And for my names sake hast laboured c.

resurrection For they are worthy Not in respect of merits and works but of free grace for they are worthy whom Christ esteems his Sons and hath made worthy So Christ calls them Heb. 2.13 Behold me and the children God hath given me Vers 5. I will not blot out his name out of the book of life Since the names of the Elect are said to be written in heaven that is they are sure and certain of eternal life observe two things 1. Believers obtain not salvation by chance but were elected of God through Christ from eternity and known from them that perish 2. That the Elect are certain of life none can pluck them on t of Gods hand God is said to have books metaphorically for he needs none but doth all things by his foreknowledge counsell and judgement he is said to have three books in Scripture one of Providence wherein he hath set down how every thing shall come to passe when the wicked are destroyed who are equally written here with the righteous they may be said to be blotted out of his book Gods second book is of Predestination and eternal life out of which none can be blotted His third is of the general judgment of which t is said the books were opened ch 20. I will confesse his name an honour beyond thought to be called by name as it were before the Throne and Angels and to be acknowledged publickly This might stirre up in us a care to get the first white garments of grace that we may enjoy these of glory and this glorious acknowledgement I omit ver 6. being easie Vers 7. Vnto the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia write Some conceive this to be Quadratus a disciple of the Apostles whom Eusebius mentioneth Ignatius wrote to these Philadelphians That is holy because he is in himself holy and made to us of God sanctification And true constant in keeping promise and loving truth hating falsehood and hypocrisie As this is an argument of Christs being God out of Isa 6. so t is an Argument that the Pope is Antichrist calling himself not only holy but holinesse and whereas Christ cals himselfe but a great high Priest in Hebr. 4. the Pope cals himself the greatest high-Priest shewing himself not to be Christs vicar but the successor of the Pagans Arch-flamens or Priests Who hath the Key of David or of the house of David to wit the Church by Key power is noted for Christ hath an absolute power over the Church as Lord and head of it and hath committed the ministerial power and keyes to the Apostles and their Successours He openeth and no man shutteth to wit the doore of grace and heaven and Scripture men are already blind in the things of God yet he may for further punishment darken them more and more No man shutteth because none can hinder his from entring in at his opened doore or can pluck them out of his hand He shutteth and no man openeth because whosoever is not elected and drawn by Christ can never enter this proves Christs deity for the Apostles ministerially doe it Matth. 18 and Eliakim as high-Priest Isa 22.22 but Christ absolutely Vers 8. I know thy works I approve thy good works Christ praises his good parts to encrease them particularly because he had kept his word and not denied his name in the former he commends the sincerity of his doctrine in the latter his constant Profession of the same before the adversary But least this holy teacher should be lifted up to think he did ought by his owne strength Christ tels him he set before him an open door that is 't was by Christs power that the Church over which he was Pastor embraced the truth For thou hast a little strength outward help and assistance or any what in thy self without me so that t is Christ that opens Christ had opened a door in Sardis and gathered a Church which though the Pastor had little outward means or help he would so defend that none should shut or overthrow it Sometimes by an open door is meant an occasion or opportunity of doing good Our Apostle said there was a door opened to him in Troas so t is Christ prepares the hearts of the People to receive him t is he that preserves the People that do receive him Christ hath opened a door in many Kingdomes though Antichrist did his devoire to shut it Vers 9. I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan this is a tacit answer to an objection that might be made for since both unbelievers of Jews and Gentiles opposed it might be questioned how this Church could stand and not be shut to which Christ answers I will make them or give them c shewing his power above theirs so comforting the Pastor also it might comfort him thus that if these unbelievers did molest him Christ did but use their innate malice to teach him and the Church patiently to relie on him and that it should prove good to them Synagogue of Satan The Jews called themselves so from Judah which in Hebrew signifies to praise as if they had been the Praisers of God but they lyed being enemies to Christ and of the Synagogue of Satan so then hypocrites vainly brag of their glorious titles I will make c Here is comfort that these opposing Iews should in time be converted and reverence him as their Pastor and worship God both which are noted in these words shall worship before thy feet as a dog fawning on one This notes the insufficiency of man to convert himself t is God makes also t is not the minister I will make says Christ note also the mercy of God those of the Synagogue of Satan shall worship Christ not only comes by persuasive but effectual means of grace to gaine man who is averse to and blind in every thing of God naturally and so gains the will not forcing it which after works freely through the means of grace Vers 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience Christ out of a fatherly love and mercy promises a reward to obedience be cause he had kept his Word the reward was that he would deliver him either in the approaching persecution of the Emperour Trajan See Plin lib. 10. Ep. 97. that he commanded the accused Christians to be put to death or in regard of the persecutions of Antichrist which troubled these and all the world From the houre this comforts the Pastor that it was but a short trial and therefore the more chearfully to be undergone To try them This notes the use and end of affliction that 't was not for destruction but trial and salvation Which dwell upon the earth God tries hypocrites as well as his faithful People the one shew their constancy and faith in trial the other their corruption in Apostacy Thus the chaffe is winnowed from the wheat Vers 11. I come quickly here is another use of comfort since Christ will come quickly to destroy

inhabitants of the earth but Saints as they have their Original from so their conversation in heaven CHAP. IX Act. 1. continued NOw follows the fift and sixt Trumpets the fift prefiguring the dissipation of the Western Europian Churches by Antichrist The sixt the destruction of the East by the means of the false Prophet Mahomet and the Turks after him these began to blow together as it were of which histories sufficiently testifie Vers 1. The first Angel sounded and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth who this Angel or Minister was is not certainly known perchance the said Gregory upon whose preaching this starre fell but the star notes some notable Bishop falling from the heavenly truth to earthly traditions and doctrines of divels certainly as Christ did not signifie the divel by this starre fallen long since of which therefore Iohn needed not to be informed so certainly 't was not Luther a poor Monk who had little and left nothing behind him except footsteps of Reformation The starre notes some notable Prelate long before him who began to ruine the West as Mahomet did the East and 't was none but the Pope of Rome signified by the star chap. 8. ver 10. who burning as a Lampe that is clearly and gloriously as the Bishops of Rome did at first yet did fail at last and together with Arrius not Mahomet who neither was one of the stars of heaven that is of the Ministers of the Church nor did ever shine being a wretched villain always imbittered the waters by falfe doctrines traditions heresies Now to whom or what Ecclesiastical person can this be applied but to the Anti-christian Apostacy of the Bishops of Rome Gregory as all know makes him to be Antichrist that should affect the title of Universal Bishop Boniface the third his successor three years after his decease was declared by Phocas the intruder as all agree universal Pope chief Priest or Bishop of Bishops Behold the Star though this is not to be applied to Boniface alone who sate not on the chayre scarce a yeare but to his Successors the whole Series of Popes The Key of the bottomlesse pit by Key power is meant for he that hath the Key of the house hath the power of the house Now the Pope says he hath the power of hell or the bottomlesse pit to damn whom he will and to deliver whom he will thus he is the Angel of the bottomlesse pit ver 11. God permitting the divel tempting Phocas gave him this power behold the man Christ then though he gave the first Bishop of Rome and all other the Key that is power of binding and loosing casting forth and receiving in according to the word yet the Pope having thrown away Christs Key he makes use of Satans usurped one This his triple Crown can prove whereby his power over heaven earth and hell is meant but enough his practice makes him known Where note Christ hath the Key properly as head of the Church and Mediatour the Pope usurpingly and deceitfully as Angel of the bottomlesse pit not of the Church or sinke of hell also God suffers the sin by it to punish another sinne to wit for not receiving the knowledge of the truth see 2 Thes 2.10 11. and Rom. 2.24 26. Vers 2. And he opened the bottomlesse pit and there arose a smoke out of the pit Hell and the doctrine thereof was shut up by the Prophets and Apostles who led men to the true fountaines out of the snares of Satan but the Pope has opened it to the destruction of poore souls behold the smoke of the pit I mean the Popes black divinity worshipping of Images forgivenesse of sins by Masse Pennance Almes Pilgrimages of which the Volumes and practice of Papists sufficiently testifie Now as smoak doth hurt the eyes darken the aire cause things not to be seen as they are so doth the doctrine of Papists And the Sun and the Aire was darkned by reason of the smoke of the pit Christ the Sun of righteousnesse was obscured formerly in part by Hereticks but after the fall of this star much more as the times after Boniface the third make known the Aire signifying the Church as receiving light from the Sun as the Church doth from Christ was darkned and no wonder for if the doctrine of Christ be darkned how shall the Aire or Church have light Thus 't is plaine though the Papists professe they know God yet in works they deny him Note that some by Aire understand the Scripture which conveys the light of the Sunne as the Scripture doth the light of Christ which was much darkned by Popish doctrines and expositions If the Aire signifie the Church yet Christ had the sealed ones and consequently a Church notwithstanding this darknesse among the Papists Vers 3. And there came Locusts out of the smoke After the falling of the Star First the bottomlesse pit was opened there the Angel of the bottomlesse pit takes the Keyes to wit absolute authority upon him Secondly there followed smoak to wit divellish doctrines Thirdly the darkning of the Sunne and Ayre Christ and the Church Fourthly follows the generation of the locusts they are small creatures having little wings by which they lift up themselves a little from the earth and seem rather to leap then to fly but in some parts of the world there be some have bigger bodies God plagued Egypt with an Army as it were of locusts John the Baptist did eat them as well as wild honey Pray mark do not the Monks Fryeryes and religious Orders as they call them come out of the gulfe of the sea of Rome sure not by Christs authority or his word the opening of the pit brought them so then the Goths army cannot be here understood which came not out of the pit but the Popish Clergy who seem to be holy to fly a little from the earth but indeed are as the locusts gorbellied devourers and earthly some are greater behold the Bishops and Cardinals And as the Baptist did eate locusts so some have fed on those as I may so say but with this difference to their destruction Who as locusts skip in the Summer sing and delight in ease but the Romish Clergy where are greater troops then of Locusts Where then of Fryers What creatures destroy more then the Locusts Who more then the Romish Clergy who devoure widowes houses gather infinite riches without labour build Colledges palaces but as the Locusts do good neither to God nor man If it be objected that these cannot be understood of the Romish Clergy because vers 4. these cannot hurt the sealed ones but Antichrist and his instruments shall kill the two Witnesses Chap. 11. ver 7. I answer they may kill them yet not hurt them in this sense the outward killing of which in its place may befall the Saints not the inward hurting of the soule for they are sealed by election redemption And power was given them as the

years more for the City to be trod down and so many years remain for the two witnesses to preach against Antichrist Vers 3. And I will give power to my two Witnesses and they shall prophesie Some have thought Christ and the spirit or annoynting were these witnesses but Christ makes them distinct from himself saying I will give to my two Witnesses Also Christ nor the Spirit can't be killed as these were Christ was to die but once lastly the Revelation is an history though mystical and in this particular almost literally fulfilled as shal appear Here also is a plain allusion to Zerubbabel Zach. 4. ver last who brought literally Israel out of captivity with Ioshua Nehem. 12.1 Zach. 3. and 4. And are called annointed ones Now certainly the first Kings States and chiefly Ministers of the Gospel who endeavoured to bring Gods People out of Antichrists spiritual thraldome are here to be understood being a plain allusion to the history of Zerubbabel and Joshua as will appear John Husse and Hierome of Prague were the first witnesses olive trees and candlesticks of Reformation in Bohemia and thereabout who in their successours prophesied or preached a thousand two hundred and sixty days Of which anon Not indeed as if the witnesses should ever quite give over preaching before the last day in their successors but because chiefly they should manifest their testimony when Antichrist was exalted and trod down the Church in a most violent cruel manner Certainly notice may be taken that since Hierome of Prague John Husse and others began to witnesse the truth of the Gospel against Antichrist the truth hath increased farre and near Thus whiles Antichrist trod down the Church most they witnessed most earnestly and shall do till the burning of Rome as will appear in this chapter to a diligent Reader After which as Antichrist will with weakned strength survive so shall the witnesses powerfully to the end But most notice is to be taken of the first fourty two moneths and the thousand two hundred and sixty days being all one as shall appear Now if any yet object that annointed ones will not agree with Kings or Ministers of the Gospel I answer that neither Ioshua nor Zerubbabel were as we read of annointed yet Conductors of Israel from Babylon Nehem. 12.1 and called annointed Zach. 4. last Now certainly every minister of Christ nay every true Christian is annointed with the spirit 2 Cor. 1.21 but enough Only note that the first witnesses had the spirit and power was given them in a peculiar manner to oppose Antichrist and therefore are called the olive trees By the two witnesses therefore we are not to understand the two testaments who though they do testifie of Christ yet can't be said to be killed properly and restored to life by two therefore a sufficient company of witnesses we are to understand alluding to Moses and Aaron who also by their successors should preach and maintain the truth of Christ after the Court of Priests was departed from the Church to Paganism and idolatry and Antichrist had troden underfoot the holy city They shall prophecy Thus Iohn in the two Witnesses doth prophecy again A thousand two hundred and sixty dayes Here is the same time allowed to the witnesses to Prophesie and to Antichrist and his Gentiles to tread down so that the beginning of the treading down the Church and the Prophecying of the witnesses was at the same time for though Christ raised up two faithfull witnesses that is some more then ordinary towards the time of the Gentiles treading down and taking full possession of the Church yet he never from the first beginning to tread down left himself without some witnesses Berengarius Scotus Wickliffe nay the very Romish Bishops and Emperours have complained of the tyranny of Popes after Boniface the thirds usurping Thus the witnesses time of Prophecying is not yet expired nor shall be till the Gentiles give over treading down Cloathed in sack-cloth Either because they prophecyed to gain men to repentance sackcloth and ashes or because they mourned and were in bitternesse for the miseries of the Church intimated by sack-cloth or because they were poor and contemptible in the worlds eyes not clothed with silk as the Romanists Vers 4. These are those two Olive trees and the two Candlesticks To wit mentioned Zach. 4. meaning Jehoshua and Zerubbabel who brought the people from captivity Where observe these two witnesses have some allusion to these two as to Moses and Aaron sufficient witnesses against Pharaoh and so by two witnesses a sufficient company are meant to whom Christ gave to wit power to prophecy that is courage and ability to teach his truth and oppose Antichrist when the holy city was much trod under by Antichrist and his Gentiles Christ raised up his two witnesses John Husse and Ierom of Prague to prophecy against these Gentiles and after their martyrdom God stirred up Luther Melancthon Zuinglius Calvin and others to witnesse his truth But observe the dignity of these witnesses they are Olive trees and Candlesticks the Candlestick bears up light by which darknesse is expelled so the witnesses bear the true light and bear witnesse of the true light Then an Olive is alwayes green bringing forth wholesome fruit so the Ministry of the witnesses is efficacious and lively and the oyle of the spirit or the holy anointing comes upon Gods people by it perchance hence may be observed that Emperours Kings and Princes called son of oyle out of zeal to God might be witnesses reformers of Religion and nursing fathers to the Church Zerubbabel Zach. 4 a Prince is called an Olive in this sense and an anoynted one then as Zerubbabel a civil Magistrate rebuilded the Temple and city so God raised ud faithful Princes and Magistrates as witnesses of his Truth in every age of late Standing before the god of the earth Here the dignity of the witnesses is set forth who though vile in the worlds eyes yea in sack-cloth that is poor neglected contemned yet are acknowledged by the god of the earth who therefore will regard them prophecying on earth Vers 5. If any man will hurt them fire proceedeth out of their mouth c. This fire is spiritually to be understood the word is a hammer and a fire in Jeremy 23.29 Nay and his Ministry is compared to fire Jer. 5.14 Behold I will make my words in thy mouth as fire and the people as chaffe The fire is light and consumes so the word of the witnesses shall detect the dark abominations of those that hurt them opposing their prophecy they shall confound the Idols and Purgatory of Antichrist and refute his lyes Thus the two witnesses shall spiritually devour the Adversaries though otherwise they shall slay the witnesses Here is an allusion to the fire procured by Moses and Elias Numb 16. 2 Kings chapter 1. thus the Gospel has prevailed over those that laboured to hinder it Thus be killed The witnesses of late

the Papists lye saying Antichrist should rage but about foure years These harpers are not only to be taken for those chap 14.3 who congratulate the 144000. standing with Christ on the mount but are to be taken for the Church militant as Brightman observes rejoycing and singing of Songs of praise as Moses did for victory over Pharaoh so these over the national name of the beast for the word in Greek is overcoming as it were now in earth though it be represented to Iohn in heaven having the harps of God in the Vision meaning excellent harps Vers 3. And they sang so it seemed to John yet there are not tongues lips nor voices as yet enough in heaven to make musick but this is spoken to our capacity yet the Saints most sweetly and joyfully but as spirits praise God in heaven The Song of Moses Exod. 15. or like it And the Song of the Lambe as oft before T is a Song composed of many places of Scripture together by which you see the way to praise God is out of his lasting Word Thus his Word endures for ever in heaven and praises out of his Word Thou King of Saints God in a peculiar manner is their king and they his subjects Vers 4. Who shall not feare thee not Antichrist Being only holy The Popes unholinesse is here reproved All nations shall Some of all nations upon Antichrists declining For thy judgements are manifest In weakning his kingdom by the preaching of the Word making him odious This the Harpers worthily pronounce Vers 5. And after that I looked to wit after the Song as an interlude And the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in heaven was opened Alluding to the litteral Temple the meaning is John saw heaven open out of which came these Angels There is no mystery in it but Antichrists judgements proceed from Christ the High-priest of the Tabernacle Vers 6. And the seven Angels came having seven plagues clothed in pure white linnen White linnen notes their heavenly Purity With a golden girdle So Christ had chap. 1.13 noting his Majesty and Diligence which his servants the Angels have ready to execute his pleasure Or this imports the decency of Angels who assuming bodies or appearing in bodily formes for our sakes come not naked but clothed as the Priests by Gods command in the law Vers 7. And one of the foure beasts Of these is spoken chap. 4. it matters not which of them gave the seven Vials perchance he that was nearest not Peter as the Papists think Thus much is apparent the Church desires Gods judgements to be hastened upon Antichrist as chap. 6.10 upon tyrants O Lord how long the beasts resemble the Gospel Church now they especially desire it being greatest sufferers Vials noting the vessel holding as much as a man can drink at a draught but doubtlesse these were great ones noting Gods great judgements ' Golden Noting the justnesse of the judgements though then John saw Vials in the Vision they noted the cup of wrath and fury spoken of in some sense chap. 14 10. Vers 8. And the Temple was filled with smoak c. Not a cloud as 1 Kings 8.10 11. but smoak noting how the Church of Rome was to be filled with darknesse and confusion and consequently wrath of God Which though formerly it were in the Romish Church not of new yet now it began more plainly to appear after the light of the truth that no man could enter into heaven above noted by the Temple because of darknesse of ignorance and sin nor could enter into the Church to receive light because nothing but blindnesse and darknesse till the seven plagues were past that is never for the seventh Angel is the Archangel at the last day thus none of the beasts worshippers have light nor can enter into the Temple of heaven in the state they are in for ever But Christ we hope will call many of them home as that great City or Church of Rome decays Thus farre the introduction to the fifth Vision The smoak comes from Gods glory and power and the blindnesse from God as a righteous judgement CHAP. XVI Vision 5. Vers 1. And I heard a voice out of the Temple saying to the seven Angels go c. FOrmerly two witnesses chap. 11. that is a few were raised up against Antichrist Now seven that is very many who by their preaching shall as the witnesses cause Vials of wrath to be poured upon Antichrist We have heard of the Beast against the witnesses Chap. 11. the Dragon against the woman Chap. 12. the Beast against the Saints by warre Chap. 13. and suffering none to buy and sell but his spirituall Merchants not followes a strang change Judgments for the Antichristian company Beast and Merchants goe There is Commission Pour out not drop aggravating the punishment Pour out his viall upon the earth Leave none at all in the vessell upon the earth in vers 2. these Angels note ministers Vers 2. And the first went and poured out his Viall upon the earth Note the readinesse of the Angels in obeying the Lord whose voice out of the Temple or heaven commanded them even now ver 1. On the earth that is the inhabitants of the earth or worshippers of the beast And there fell a grievous noysom sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast c. To wit on Antichrists markked ones T is an allusion to the first Egyptian plague of boils and blaines Exod. 9.9 for here is oft such punishments as haile locusts blood Now though God may punish the Roman Church with outward diseases as the French pox which follows the wanton Clergy yet since outward diseases are common to all chiefly with Brightman I understand these plagues to be in men as hatred envy malice against the true light upon the preaching of the Gospel to the inhabitants of the earth by the first Angel note the Gospel is the savour of life to the Saints though it be as a Vial and torment to the marked ones because it hinders their riches honour pride tyranny Now what greater sore then a tormented vexed mind Vers 3. And the second Angel poured out his Vial upon the Sea and it became as the blood of a dead man So in the Vision the sea is the Romane Church or gathering together of Churches Perchance the Councel of Trent whether all People gathered for help when the first Vial was poured out it lasted many years many rivers as Cardinals Bishops Archbishops c. run hither and made up the sea to consult against Christs true witnesses however the sea of Rome or Church is the sea the Bishops and Doctors are the rivers and fountains which make up the sea or the fountains are Scripture all corrupt at least to them this is a plain allusion to that Egyptian plague when the waters were blood so here the Church Bishops Doctors are polluted so the Scripture the fountain in some sense of water is

Lords Vers 18. That yee may eate the flesh of Kings c. Who by the unclean spirits chap. 16.14 were to be gathered to Armageddon Both the Kings of the earth suppose Persians Tartarians Indians and those of the ten Kings who forsooke not the Whore who shall be a feast for birds indeed for hell for the Lord shall overtake these his enemies combining against him and utterly destroy them for ever I meane the judgment day shall overtake them for they shall warre against him and last in some sort till then And the flesh of horses and of them that sit on them c. So it is after a battel but here at the last day though all shall be destroyed yet only the Beast and the Kings shall be cast into hell not the horses together with their Armies which being plain in vers 19. I passe Vers 20. And the Beast was taken alive c. The Beast and false Prophet here are one as the Beasts chap. 13. v. 1. 11. are one for the false Prophet is but Antichrist as a Deceiver together with the Cardinals and Clergy of Rome as chap. 13. v. 11. who hath two hornes as a Lamb and doth wonders in the sight of the Beast as this doth here and the Beast is Antichrist as a secular Prince as I have noted chap. 13. and are but one Beast called by John chap. 13. vers last They shall be cast alive into hell either because being taken alive at the last day they shall only be made incorruptible changed and cast into hell-fire and never dye a temporal death or because they shall alwayes live in hell in torment and never die a living death or dying life however by a double punishment he shall be plagued as a secular wicked Prince and as a false deceiving Prophet the Lord having long since begun to destroy Antichrist by the preaching of the word as by the spirit of his mouth 2 Thes 2.8 now finally casts him into the lake of fire and his friends thus the brightnesse of Christs coming shall destroy Antichrist 1. By preaching 2. By this spiritual not proper slaughter or destruction in hell Vers 21. And the remnant were slaine with the sword of him that sitteth upon the horse c. Alluding to Ezek. 39.15 Go ye cursed Now as literally Gog and Magog were slaine and birds eat their flesh so shall allegorically this be fulfilled in the destruction of Antichrist after such a manner as the last judgment requires for the Devil shall have enough and hell shall be even filled with reprobates by reason of this Armageddon CHAP. XX. Preface to Vision 7. or last Act. 1. Vers 1. And I saw an Angel come down from heaven having the Key of the bottomlesse pit and a great chaine in his hand THis Vision is in some sense the recapitulation of all the former and concludes the marriage of the Lamb and history of the Church from Christs incarnation to the last day or the consummation of all things the Angel is Christ who came down from heaven being incarnate for us being the womans seed and to bruise the Serpents head having the Key that is power of hell and death chap. 1.18 or the bottomlesse bit and that by right not as Antichrist who usurps it And I saw Noting the order of the Vision not the order of the events for after the day of judgment now mentioned chap 19. there shall follow no binding and loosing Satan so that here is not a continuation of history and times observed A great chaine in his hand Noting Christs omnipotency and power above and over Satan a chaine of providence shewing how Christ by his Birth Passion Burial Resurrection Ascention sending the spirit cheifly preaching by the Disciples bound up and hindred Satans tempting the world to Idolatry of which see my Glimps of Christs love page 48. and margin Vers 2. And he laid hold on the Dragon c. In the Vision this is the battle betwixt Michael and the Dragon chap. 12. v. 9. there he is bound from accusing the brethren and cast out of heaven and Church and packt into the earth wildernesse heathens and dry places here lest he seduce the Nations keeping them from beleeving being but almost the same with the former So Satan was not so bound the thousand yeers absolutely for he tyrannized by the Romane Emperours over the Saints in the red horse chap. 6. and overspread the face of the Church with Heresie in the black horse chap. same v. 5. but in respect of seducing the Nations Now since the thousand yeers began many Nations have beleeved which Satan could not hinder Thus Christ beheld Satan fall like lightning Luke 10.18 thus the Prince of this world was judged John 16.11 when Christ in earth And he bound him a thousand yeers Though from Christs Nativity Satans Kingdome began to be ruined yet his death and resurrection did him most hurt but the Jewes much hindred the calling of the Gentiles with any great efficacy till the ruine of the Temple from which time chiefly the thousand yeers of Satans binding are reckoned being Anno 73 according to my Pareus who conceives them to be ended anno 1073. when Gregory the seventh a Monke and a Magician poysoning Alexander the second invaded his chaire at Rome and so the divel began to be let loose by him who gave himselfe to all manner of loosenesse yet from the Angels descent or Christs incarnation Satan began to be bound for then temples idols oracles were forsaken fell down and were silent as histories testifie See Master Smiths arrow against Atheists Thus however Satans loosing hath been 577 years or thereabout Vers 3. And cast him into the bottomlesse pit and set a sea upon him that he should deceive the People no more Into hell and confirmed him there as with his seal now though truly Satan had been cast into hell from his fall according to Peter and Jude yet he had more liberty to range abroad then after Christs incarnation for a thousand years after which he was To be let loose a little season No doubt from the expiration of a thousand years after the Angels descent to the end of the world Satan shall be loosed called A little season either in respect of God with whom a thousand years are but as one day or in respect of years past since the Creation or of eternity or in respect of the Scripture wont who cals the Generation since Christ the last houre Now Satan is to be let loose to manifest his rage against the Church to increase his future torment 2. For the triall of the Saints 3. Justly I mean in respect of Gods punishment upon the nations to seduce them that will not beleeve the truth unto salvation Act. 2. Vers 4. And I saw thrones and they that sate upon them and judgement was given unto them c. The former act answered to ch 6. about Christs riding on the white horse and to ch 12.