one thousand yeers on Earth Herof see Dan. 7. 14. Luke 9. 11 15. Luke 21. 31. 2 Thes 1. 5. 2 Tim. 4. 1. For the Millenium caled by the Jews and St. Juae the great Day Rev. 11. 15. of Judgment or Judgment of the great Day is the seventh Chiliad current which Christ shal consummat with the general Judgment This is his grand Assises beginning with the seventh Trumpet the process wherof John describes by a duple Rev. 20. 5. 6 12. Judgment and Resurrection beside the millenar reign betwixt both The morning shal be of Antichrist and his adherents whom Christ shal confound at his coming and then shal be 2 Thes 2 8. the first Resurrection the Evening on the remnent of his Enimies Gog and Magog whos number is as the Sea sand which shal end with last universal Resurrection when the last enimy Death being totaly vanquishd he shal yeeld up the Kingdom 1 Cor. 15. 24. 28. his Church to the Father that God may be al in al. This is the one thousand yeers Sabbath in which the Saints shal reign with their King on Earth and ever after enjoy an Eternal rest in the highest increat Heaven not in a new material World of Heaven and Earth as som suppose So saith Irenaeus the L. 5. c. 28. World was created in six dais and in 6000. yeers shal consummat at end of which coms the 7000th or Sabbath to the Saints Thes are his sublime nicities or self-singular novities if Ipse dixit may pass current for warrant He hath many mo but thes the best which shal suffice to shun prolixity His best basis of building beside what is before answered Epilog 2 Pet. 3. 7 8. relies on St. Peters words of one thousand yeers as one day which he stifly presseth to be the precise day of Judgment immediatly forenamed yet Davids one thousand yeers as yesterday and Peters one day as one thousand yeers doo not denote so many solar yeers in special as they dote or dream but only in general that no time dimensions no not thousands of yeers are any way considerable to God who is al Eternity and his works not to be measured by transitory time St. Ibid. v. 9 10. Peters words are directed as an apt answer to Scoffers who instantly ads The Lord is not slack concerning his promiss ac Men count slacknes but long suffering to us ward and unwilling that any should perish but that al should repent But the Day of the Lord wil com as a Theef in the night wherin the Heavens shal pass away with great nois and the Elements melt with servent heat c. Which cleerly indicats that God wil certainly perform the promiss of his coming and is not slack for one thousand yeers to him is but as one day So thos words doo not relat to the preceding Day of Judgment which he toucheth obiter or occasionaly only but is a meer answer to the said Scoffers which is his sole scope or subject as al Orthodox exposiors agree Medi Paraphrasis acuta Medes witty Paraphrase TO set a fairer gloss or garnish on his Devise he givs a Paraphrase on 2 Peter 3. prety Paraphrase on the whol Chapter which shal be curtly contracted St. Peter exhorts the beleeving Jews to Vers 1 2 3 4. mind the holy Prophets words concerning Christs coming to Judgment which also the Apostles confirm but forewarns that in the last dais shal com Scoffers which walk after their own wais or wils saying wher is the promiss of his coming For since the Fathers fel a sleep al things continu as they were from the Creation Thes last dais are the times of the Churches Apostasy under Antichrist as St. Paul speaks in the later times som shal depart 1 Tim. 4. 1. from the Faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and doctrins of Devils They consider not how the Heavens were of old by Gods Word Vers 5 6 7 8. and the Earth standing out of the Waters the great Deep and in or amidst them the Clouds or Floodgates hanging about it wherby the World then in Noahs dais perished but the Heavens and Earth now are by the same Word kept in store reserved unto to fire against the Judgment Day which Irenaeus cals a flood of Fire as the Prophets express it by firy flames and perdition of ungodly Men. But beloved be not ignorant of this that one day with the Lord is as one thousand yeers and one thousand yeers as one day As if he should say Glossa corrumpit Textum wheras I mention the Judgment day lest ye may mistake it for a common day know that one day with the Lord is as one thousand yeers and contrarily for the Prophets speak of Christs coming indefinitly in general not distinguishing first and secund which the Gospel from Daniel more cleerly teacheth but we being rightly instructed in both must apply ech to its proper time The Jewish Doctors writing of this Day cite Davids words one thousand yeers in thy sight are as yesterday yet is not that Day named but St. Peter specifies it and immediatly subjoins his words seeming rather to respect the Jews saying of that day then Davids For they are usaly taken as an argument why God is not slack in his promiss sith 't is not a question whether the time be long or short to God in whos eys millions of yeers are as yesterday but to uâ— who measure by dais and hours Justin Martyr and Irenaeus apply St. Peters words pointly or precisely to the Judgment Day or great Day of the Lord which is to last or continu complet a thousand solar yeers The Lord is not slack in his promiss tho this day be deforred Vers 9 10 to the end but long suffering toward us which is caus of th supposed slacknes not willing that any of Israels seed should perish but that al should repent as he exhorted them at Jerusalem to doo that Acts 3. 19. 21. their sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shal com til the restitution of al things which God speaks of by al his Prophets or els they must perish with the rest of Infidels For that Day wil com as a Theef in the night when the Heavens shal pass away with great nois as crakling of fire and the Elements melt with fervent heat the Earth also and works therin shal be burnt up Sith then al thes shal be dissolved or abolished what persons ought ye to be in al godly conversation Which should sute to our faith looking for that Day of God to com if we wil sbun the peril of it Nathelesse whatever thos Scoffers say who doubt or deride the promiss we according to it expect new Heavens and Earth a new refined state of the World wherin dwels righteousnes as Isaiah speaks ch 60. 20. 21. ch 65. 17. ch 66. 22. wherfore beloved sith ye look for such things be diligent to be found
spotless and blameless of him in peace accounting his long suffering for Salvation as our beloved Brother Paul according to the wisdom given him hath writ to you who in al his Epistles wherin are som things hard to be understood which the unlearned and unstable wrest to their own destruction as they doo other Scriptures speaks of thes things viz. Rom. 2. 4 5 6 7. 1 Cor. 1. 7 8. 1 Cor. 3. 13. 2 Cor. 7. 11. Phil. 1. 10. Ph. 2. 15. Ph. 3. 10. Col. 3. 4. 5. 1 Thes 2. 12. 1 Th. 3. 13. 1 Th. 5. 32. 2 Th. 1. 8 11. 1 Tim. 6. 14 25. Tit. 2. 12. 13. Heb. 12. 14 28 29. For better understanding St. Peter of the Worlds conflagration or combustion consider thes circumstances 1. That the old Hebrew the Scriptures language hath no one word to express the univers of superior and inferior Bodies caled in Greec Cosmos in Latin Mundus in English World but Heaven and Earth jointly so when St. Peter saith the World then being perished by water but the Heavens and Earth now are reserved to fire he might convertibly utter the Heavens and Earth then perished by water as the World now shal by fire so a new Heaven and Earth in Scripture notion imply a new World 2. That no other World or Heaven and Earth shal perish by fire then what before perishd by water as the antithesis argues which is the sublunar whos Heaven is Air and Earth the whol Geographic Globe both which were vitiated or defiled by the deluge and the Creatures destroied or much depraved Such a World then and no other Heaven or Earth shal suffer a secund flood of Fire for restauration as it had before a deluge of Waters for corruption This is a witty novity as ther be sundry such now adais but scars Orthodox sith 't is a Catholic Tenet that the Ethereal Heavens with al their Starry host shal be burnt up 3. That the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated Elements is not distinguished from Heaven and Earth ther named becaus Heaven includs Air and Earth Water so three Physical Elements are implied and Fire if it be a fourth or not rather a quality of intens heat inherent in another Body must burn the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and can be none of that to be burnt So it must be rendred the whol Host of them or Furniture belonging to them as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies the works or Host of the Earth which shal be burnt Gen 2. 1. For Moses saith The Heavens and Earth were finished with al the Host of them which the Septuagints stile Furniture So the meaning is the Heavens and Host therof with the Earth and works or Furniture therin shal be fired The Scripture specifies three Heavens 1. Empyreal of Glory whos Host or Army are invisible Angels and blessed Spirits 2. Ethereal or Starry whos Host are shining Stars and Planets 3. Aereal or Sublunary whos Host are either visible as Meteors and Fowls or invisible as evil Spirits and Fiends with their Prince of the Air Satan the Devil To apply it St. Peter cannot intend the Empyreal which is increat and impassible nor Ethereal which is of vast immensity and sublimity in regard wherof this lower world is but a point or Center nor did thos two receiv any curs for Mans sin or contagion or contamination by the Deluge nor doo any of Gods enimies dwel ther to defile them So it rests That the Aereal only with al their Host shal be burnt up at last day Thes Heavens then shal melt with fervent heat being a metaphor taken from refining Metals which is his meaning who expounds dissolving by melting or purifying as the Septuagints stil interpret that word by refining but when the Aereal is so refined the Ethereal Lights wil shine to them on Earth far more glorious as passing their rais through a purer medium so that the world shal seem renewed As to the word passing away 't is an Hebraism signifying any change of a thing from the old Estate so al imply a secession from their pristin condition but no utter abolition by Fire more then the former destruction by Water If any ask whether the Host of invisible Spirits shal suffer by it 'T is answered That they shal not be burnt as the visible yet shal be exiled or excluded from thos lofty mansions into lower Dungeons as St. Jude intimats The Angels which lost their Jude v. 6. first estate and left their habitations he hath reserved to everlasting chains of darknes at the Judgment of that great Day Ther is another exposition to the same effect for Christ describing Mat. 24 29. the coming of this day useth prophetic expressions that the Sun shal be darkned and Moon giv no light the Stars shal fal from Heaven whos powers shal be shaken this cannot be construed literaly sith som Stars are bigger then the Earth and cannot fal on it nor can be darkned being essentialy lucid bodies so the meaning may be the World is either Mundus continâ—ns viz. the whol frame of Heaven and Earth or contentus viz. the Inhabiters and kingdoms therin so the Heaven of this politic world is the Soveraign part therof whos Host and Stars are the ruling powers or Magistrats and Earth the Pezantry or Plebeians together with al terren creatures serving mans use such acceptions are usual in the Prophets as Poets strains are to us If this notion of the contained world be admitted the whol Host of Heaven and Earth high and low Princes and Pesants Men and Beasts shal be consumed at Christs coming to judgment but wheras at the Flood the Contained only perished yet the Containing was also corrupted or contamined In the destruction by fire it shal be contrary For the world of wicked ones being destroyed the Heavens and Earth Containing shal be purged or purified for the righteous to possess This exposition is not so proper as the former yet if ther be som whom neither can satisfy but wil needs hav the Fire totaly to annihilat this visible world it may be answered that the judgment Day shal last a thousand yeers so saith he but none els and this Fire not be at beginning when Christs Enimies with Satans Kingdom shal be destroyed and then a restauration buâ— at end or evening shal be an utter annillation of the whol Creature so Saint Peters words may bear thus however Heaven and Earth shal in fine perish by Fire yet before that be we look for new or the worlds restauration to anteced this abolition according to his promiss Howbeit this suits not so wel with his chief scope nor with the Prophets promiss pointed at which specifies such a Fire only as shal forego a restauration and not caus a final abolition of the whol Univers with al therin nor hath it any ground in Scripture or if any such annillation shal be it stands with reason to be by Gods immediat hand or
treats only of the Bodies resurrection or immortality of Men who shal liv again He means thos Patriarchs were immortal becaus God in meer grace confers eternal life on the faithful who tho dead liv stil to God being writ in the Book of life with thos that are absolved of their sins to reviv at resurrection but not by any property consequent to Mans essence or Soul For to make it a living entity independent after separation on the Body and in it self immortal or that any Man is immortal except Enoch or Elias hath no cleer warrant Job 14. 10 12. in the word Job complains of Mans mortality by nature Man dies and wasts away yea givs up the Ghost and wher is he Down he lieth and riseth not til the Heavens be no more Which 2 Pet 3 7. 13. St. Peter shews shal be at the universal Resurrection when the Heavens and Earth shal be dissolved by fire but new expected according to promiss wherin dwels righteousnes So wher Job saith Man riseth not til the Heavens be no more 't is as if he said immortal life for Life and Soul in Scripture sens is the same begins not in Man til the Resurrection or day of Judgment and the caus of it is Gods promiss as St. Peter tels not Mans specifical Nature or Essence Now sith Gods Kingdom is a civil Common-wealth wher he-self is Soveraign by virtu first of the old and now since of the new Covenant it evidently appeers that when Christ shal com again in Majesty and Glory to reign existently and eternaly his Kingdom shal be on Earth as God was in Israel So Gods Enimies and their torments after Judgment shal be on Earth for the place wher al remain til the Resurrection is usualy stiled in Scripture under ground in Latin Infernus or Inferi Greecly Hades wher Men cannot see or dy implying the Grav so wel as any other deep place but the damneds place after Resurrection is not designed in al holy writ by any note of situation but only by their company wher such wicked Men were whom God in miraculous maner had cut off Touching Hel 't is no real place in any part of the created Hel what World but a Metaphorical word signified by wicked Men ther being 1. 'T is caled Infernus Tartarus or bottomless Pit from Corah Dathan and Abiram swalowed alife into the Earth 2. 'T is said to be under water becaus the Giants mighty Men in Noahs dais caled Greecly Heroes were drowned in the Deluge 3. Becaus Sodom and Gomorrha consumed by Fire and Brimstone becam a bituminous Lake 't is caled a Lake burning with fire and brimstone which is the secund death So Hel fire is expressed by Sodoms fire indefinitly Rev 21. 8. taken for destruction as 't is said Death and Hel were Rev. 20. 14. cast into the Lake of fire or destroied for after the last day Men shal dy no more nor go into Hades 4. 'T is termed from Egypts triduan deep darknes utter or extern darknes viz. without the habitation of Gods elect which is ful of Light 5. Neer Jerusalem is the Vally of Hinnon in part wherof caled Tophet the Jews most Idolatrously sacrificed their Children to Moloch wher they cast out their Carrion and to clens the Air made continual fires whence Hel is caled Gehenna or Vally of Hinnon and from thos incessant Fires cam the name or notion of everlasting unquenchable Fire Now none is so sensless to expound any of thes literaly as if the damned after rising from death shal be for ever under Earth or Water both which are but one Globe like a Pins point compared to the Heavens in a bottomless Pit or that they shal be eternaly punishd in Gehenna the Vally of Hinnon or shal liv in utter darknes not one to see another or be scorched for ever with Fire and Brimstone Ergo the meaning is Metaphorical and must be disquired by the nature of the Torments and Tormenters The Tormenters are termed Satan or Enimy Diabolus or Tormenters Accuser and Abaddon or Destroier which significant titles set not forth any individual Persons like proper Names but only an office or faculty and are very Appellativs which should not be left untranslated as they are becaus therby they seem to be proper names of Demons and Men sooner seduced to beleev the Doctrin of Devils then Pagan Religion contrary to Christs So becaus the Enimy in Gods Kingdom of the Jews is meant by Enimy Accuser and Destroier if Gods Kingdom after the Resurrection shal be on Earth the Enimy and his Kingdom must be ther also as it was when the Israelits deposed God and chose Saul sith Gods Kingdom was in Palestin and the Nations round about Enimies whence it appeers that Satan signifies any Enimy of the Church Metaphoricaly it may but is not Satan properly or literaly Quaere Rev. 12. 〈◊〉 a foul Fiend Enimy to Mankind as the great red Dragon that old Serpent was who deceived Eve and since the whol World Are al the Dialogs between betwen God and Satan about Job conterfet Chimaeras When the seventy rejoiced that the 〈◊〉 10. 17. 18 20. Devils were subject to them Christ said I saw Satan as lightning fal from Heaven but rejoyce not that the Spirits are Mat 12. 24. 〈◊〉 Cor. 5. 5. subject to you Here Christ cals Devils Spirits and names Satan as one yea Beelzebub is named Prince of Devils Excommunication 1 Tim. 1. 20. is caled a delivery to Satan is this meant only a Jailor or temporal Enimy Hel torments are somtime caled weeping and gnashing Torments of teeth somtime the worm of Conscience of time fire wher Dan. 12. 2. the worm dieth not which is never quenched but by Daniel shame and contempt Al which Metaphoricaly denote great grief or discontent of Mind from sight of others felicity which they lost by their own disobedience and incredulity but becaus others felicity is known only by comparing it with their own misery it results that they shal suffer such bodily pains and calamities as Men that liv under cruel Governors having God the King of Saints their eternal Enimy Yea beside al torments of Body and Mind they shal likwise endure a secund Death For tho the general Resurrection be evident yet it 1 Cor. 15. 42 no eternal life promised to Reprobats St. Paul to the question with what Bodies Men shal rise saith 'T is sown in corruption and raised in incorruption sown in dishonor raised in glory sown in weaknes raised in power but Glory and Power cannot comply to wicked Mens Bodies nor the name of secund Death apply to such as can never dy but once Howbeit tho a calamitous everlasting Life may Metophoricaly be termed eternal Death yet can it in no property of speech be stiled a secund Death Everlasting fire prepared for the Damned is an estate wherin Secund Death none can liv after the Resurrection
literaly lift up to Gods Throne but mystical here meant analogicaly to the Roman Throne as Constantin and his Successors were for al power and their Thrones is of God If any ask how mystical Christ rules with an iron Scepter or Sword of war 'T is in a duple way 1. Divine against Devils Princes of this world which is stoutly waged 2. Human when Constantin crushed Maxentius Maximian and Licinius Christs Enemies This Child was not lift up to Gods Throne so soon as born for he was to rule but when he was ripe and ready for a Kingdom so tru Christ entred not his Kingdom so soon as born but at thirty yeers of age fit for Priesthood or spiritual Government The Woman fled into the wildernes wher God prepared a Vers 6 7 8. place to be fed one thousand two hundred threescore dais This Prophecy is afterward somwhat fuller repeated and described wherto it shal be deferred Ther was war in Heaven Michael and his Angels fought with the Dragon who with his Angels fought but prevailed not nor was their place found any more ther. Here is shewed how the Woman escaped the Dragons wait by Michaels rescu who being conqueror cast him down to Earth wherby hir Son was lifted up and she departed to a Desart This war was waged while the Woman travelled not after she was delivered as many misdeem for the battel befel before the Woman fled which was after hir dilivery and Rev. â—2 10 11 hir Sons taking up to Gods Throne Michael and his Angels having with them Christs Martyrs and Confessors fought for in the triumphant song 't is said they overcam by the blood of the Lamb and word of their testimony who loved not their lifes to death Semblably the Dragon and his Angels took with them the Roman Tyrans in their Train which worship them This Michael is not Christ as som suppose but chief of the Princes or seven Archangels specified by Daniel viz. that Dan. 10. 13. Dan. 12. 1. great Angel said to stand for Gods Children whom Christ King of Angels and Men opposed to Satans black Guard raging against his Saints For Angels are sent to defend the heirs of Salvation whom they invisibly protect against evil Spirits So in this war of the primitiv Church against the Dragons worshipers the Angels under conduct of their Chieftain acted both in strengthning Martyrs against Tyrans threats and mitigating or sweetning their torments beside many mo wais of weakning the Enimies spirits and dejecting their minds that oftimes they desisted or granted truce for a time til in fine after two hundred yeers war of persecution it pleased Christ to giv ful victory the Womans Child being lift up to the Imperial Throne and Satans Kingdom subdued as 't is said the Dragon prevailed not nor was his place found any more The great Dragon that old Serpent caled the Devil and Satan Vers 9. which deceivs the whol World was cast out into the Earth and his Angels with him He and al his Fiends being before worshiped as God was cast down from the top of Divinity to the Abyss of curs contempt and contumely For as God executed judgment on the Egyptian Gods at Israels delivery Exod. 12. 11. from their tyranny so he doth here they prevailed not or were overcome which is al one Hebraism and they camâ— no more ther. I heard a loud voice in Heaven Now is com Salvation Vers 10. 11. strength and Kingdom of our God and power of his Christ for the Accuser of our Brethren is cast down which accused them before our God day and night but they overcam him by the Lambs blood Thes words being most cleer sans Allegory or ambiguity are a Key to interpret the whol Vision For hence appeers that the Childs lifting up to Gods Throne is an introduction to Salvation strength and Kingdom of God and power of his Christ into the Imperial throne that the Enimy ejected is the Accuser who traduceth the faithful day and night that the forces used by Michael and his Angels were Martyrs and Confessors who overcam by the Lambs blood freely yeeldding their life 's to death Satan caled before Dragon and Devil is now new named Accuser as the Hebrews term him But contrarily the holy Ghost is Paraclet or Advocat the one Destroier the other Defender This title best agreed to thos times when Christians were accused by Roman Idolaters of Thyestean Fests Oedipean Incests Medean Murders Adultery Treason burning of Houses Poisoning Plagues Famin and al hainous crimes or hidious calamities which hapned but it aims chiefly at Satans trial of Job by tribulations as Pagans did Christians by persecutions Rejoice O Heavens and ye that dwel in them wo to the Inhabiters Vers 12. of Earth and Sea for the Devil is com down to you having great wrath becaus he knows his time is but short Though the Dragon was cast from the throne by Constantin yet People continued his worship specialy under Julian Apostat but soon after Christianity prevailed and al the Empire was washed with Baptism which made Satan rage and seek by al stratagems to undermine the Church This while the woman dwels in a Desart who being freed from Heathen tyranny til the seventh trumpets sounding and Christs secund coming lay not hid or invisible but lived in a midle condition like the Israelits before they entred Canaan who escaped Pharaohs slavery yet attained not the Land of promiss So Christians escaped Pagan bondage and served Christ freely Yet as the Israelits Apostatized to worship a golden Calf Baal Peor Balaam c. So Christians fel to semi-Idolatry or Iconolatry The Womans abode in the wildernes fourty two months answers to See Numb 33. the Israelits so many mansions in the Desart not without a tacit typical mystery When the Dragon saw he was cast to the Earth he persecuted the Vers 13. 14. 15 Woman which brought forth a Manchild to whom were given two wings of a great Eagle that she might fly from the Serpent into hir place to be nourished for a time times and half a time but the Serpent cast out of his mouth water as a Flood after the Woman that it might carry hir away Satan is cast down but not cast out who staying below essaied to oppress the Woman by what wais or wiles he could She began to fly but cam not instantly to the Desart as neither did the Israelits for Pharaoh pursued them into the red Sea and the red Dragon hir with a Flood of water quam bene cuncta quadrant the great Eagle is evidently the Roman Empire hir two wings the East and West Caesars under whos protection she fared in an Eremitical Estate three yeers and half expressed before by one thousand two hundred threescore dais to comply with Daniels times This Eagle in Esdras typifies the fourth Kingdom and 1 Esd 11. 16 17 the twelv feathered wings the twelv first Caesars from Julius to Domitian Thus
Israel was freed from Egypt on Eagles wings as the Lord saith Yea hav seen how I bore you on Eagles wings Exod. 19 14. and brought you to my self By water cast out of the Dragons mouth is meant Words and Doctrin as Salomon saith The Prov. 18. 4. words of a Mans mouth are as deep waters wisdoms Welspring Prov. 15. 〈◊〉 as a flowing Brook So water here is pestilent poison of Heresies specialy Arrianism against Christs Deity which grew up in Constantins dais and spred far under his Successors totus mundâ— miratus est se tam subito factum Arrianum This was the Flood of water issuing from the Dragons mouth like to carry away the Woman for 't is wonder the new initiated Emperors seing such dismal discords had not faln from the Faith as Julian did to their old Dagon the Dragon as finding most unity in impiety The Earth helped the Woman which opened and swalowed the Vers 16. 17. Flood cast from the Dragons mouth That is the Orthodox Oecumenic Synods drank up that Diabolical Deluge as dry thirsty Earth doth water which is a fit figure therof specialy sith Earth is oft put for the Inhabiters The Dragon was wrath with the Woman and went to wage war with the remnent of hir Seed which keep Gods Commandments and hav the testimony of Jesus Christ This is an entry to the next Chapter and as a Prolog to a new Tragedy raised by the Dragon against the Woman who at first footing in the Desart was encountred by two Beasts not so hideous in shape as the Dragon whom she most dreaded which history must be unlocked or unfolded I stood on the Sand and saw a Beast risa up from the Sea having Rev. 13 v. 〈◊〉 seven heads and ten horns and on his horns ten Crowns and on his heads the name of Blasphemy The Dragon seing he could not prevail by his new Arrian devise nor reign as yerst in his own name being divested of the Empire covertly erected a Vicarian Kingdom to rais a new deputed form of Monarchy then beginning 'T is a twofold Beast ten horned and two horned neerly allied representing the Secular and Spiritual State which reign jointly The first is the ten Kingdoms into which Barbarians shared the Empire when the Dragon was expeld This is the septicep Roman Beast under the cours of the last Head which after bore the Whore being here described by ten Kingdoms wherin he shal as he did before blasphem the only tru God by Iconolo-Idolatry for as the number of seven Heads is the Roman Empires Ensign so the name of Blasphemy is a note of Idolatry The ten Crowns set on his horns shew he shal be subject to the last head and swayed by it as wil cleerly appeer in the sequel The Beast which I saw was like a Leopard his feet as of a Vers 2. Bear and mouth as a Lyon to whom the Dragon gav his power seat and great Authority Thes three Beasts are resembled by Daniel to the three first Monarchies Lion to the Assyrian Dan. 7. Bear to the Persian Leopard to the Grecian al which this last Kingdom resembles in a certain confused mixture For in Body it was a Leopard like the Grecian which was divided into four parts as this into ten in Feet a Bear like the Persian which managed State affairs by Magi as this doth Ecclesiastic by Moncs or other Shavlings In mouth a Lion like the Babylonian which made Edicts to worship golden Images on pain of death as this denounceth death to such as shal refuse to adore theirs Som interpret thes Beasts literaly of proper cruelty which this last Beast shal exercise and the text wil bear both senses Now that the ten horns are meant only of the last seventh cours and not promiscuously of al as most deem is thus demonstrated The horns which florish and vanish with their head could not be of the fiv first becaus they as the Angel attests passed in St. Johns age together with the courses of thos Rev. 17. 10. 12 Heads Nor the sixth becaus that reigning then the time of horns was not com as the said Angel apertly avers Ergo they remain to the last Head Such then as distribut the ten horns among seven heads giving one to som and two to others at pleasure are in evident error crossing the plain text and Angels interpretation becaus they belong soly to the seventh Head as aforesaid By power which the Dragon gav is meant his Militia or Army as the Septuagints use the word Pharaâ—hâ— Host and God is caled the Lord of Hosts Now Satans Hosts or Forces are evil Angels and Idols the Devils Receptacles Thos he gav to this last Beast together with his seat and great Authority viz. that universal dominion which he exercised in shape of a red Dragon but in far unlike form that he might beguile the Womans Seed in the wilderness for he demeaned not as before nor professed to be as he was a sworn Enimy to Christianity for then they would shun him out of inbred antipathy which God at first set betwixt them but when he put Gen. 3. 15. off a Serpents skin and shewed as a Leopard or Panther which Beast the Dragon loths but al els lov to look on for his beauty and sweet smel as Isodor informs it was easy to deceiv the L. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Church being secure from his old form not deeming or dreaming such close Idolatry should be professed or practised in an Empire which pretended Christianity and demolished Idols under a new masque of Image worship I saw one of his heads the sixth as it were wounded to death V. 〈◊〉 by Michael and his deadly wound was healed by the salv of this substitut authority and al the World wondred at the Beast That the 7 headed Dragon or Heathen Rome was the Beast of the 6th head wheron the old Serpent sat is cleer becaus the 7th succeded next in the same Seal to whom the Dragon gav his Rev. 17. 1â— Seat For 't is said after that fiv are falen and one is the sixth in St. Johns time and the other not yet com for though the Beast stil appeered septicep and the heads kept order one after another yee the Beast with al his furniture of heads and horns is presented under any State So that the same Roman Kingdom may be every wher signified under several sorts or courses of Government The last ten horn'd Beast began at healing of the sixth Beasts wound but not before as the series shews For what ever evil he did or adoration was given him al is said to befal after curing of that wound for the whol world wondred at him being healed but none of thos blasphemous acts against God are cited before They worshiped the Dragon which gav power and the Beast Vers 4. saying Who is like the Beast who can make war with him They worshiped not the Beast
habitation viz. the Christian World wher she keeps hir faith and chastity undefiled when the Beast polluted al with adulteries and slaughters The name Lamb is left out in most English Bibles and his Fathers only inserted but the best Translators hav both and the matter requires to read it so For the allusion to mark Servants and Souldiers belongs to the Lambs folowers that they should bear his name so wel as his Fathers in their foreheads at Baptism being signed with the Cross At which time they giv faith personaly or by Sureties to renounce Satan and al his works and worship which in Apocalyptic phrase is to abandon the Dragon and his power with al his Angels or Devils In this Sacrament we solenly profes faith to the Lamb and his Father for 't is the Lords Seal as the Antients cal it Origen saith let us bear the immortal laver in our forheads which when the Devils shal see they tremble St. Austin terms it the Roial mark of our Redeemer which Seal is defaced or obliterated by Idolatrous superstition as Tertullian Isodor and many mo teach or testify The Persons Rev. 7. 4. sealed both before and here are the same but the reason for the end of sealing different for ther the matter of protection is treated here of fealty yet 't is needless to seek another Seal beside Baptism which performs both becaus with it God ads his Grace wherby he owns them as his and takes them into tuition the one is handled in the other Vision of the sealed the other in this Hence Clemens Alex. cals Baptism a perfect safeguard and Nazianzen a seal S. Basil saith unles the Angel take notice of thy mark how shal he fight or defend thee from the Enemy hereby saith Nicetas we are kept safe from Satans snares Thus Baptism is the seal and sign of the Cross the mark of the Lamb as al agree I heard a voice from Heaven as many Waters a great Thunder V. 2. 3. and the voice was as of Harpers playing with their Harps They sung as it were a new Song before the Throne and four Beasts and Elders and none could learn it but the one hundred forty four thousand which were redeemed from the Earth The voice as of many Waters and Thunder signifies a great multitud Rev. 19 6. such as was the Levits singing with musical Instruments for 't is after caled the voice of a great multitud as of many waters and mighty thunderings Daniel describing the Son of Dan. 10. 6. God saith the voice of his Words was like a multitud which St. John cals many waters The Singers were Celical Angels glorifying the Father and the Lamb as they did before when he unsealed the Prophecies The Song is stiled new in both places being different from that sung before Christ was sent and for the new benefit of his coming granted to no foregoing ages but only to the last times the form wherof is expressed Rev. 5. 13. before viz. to him that sits on the Throne and to the Lamb be blessing honor glory and power for ever Amen Which agrees with the Evangelical Hymn after Christ appeered in the flesh wher to him that sits on the Throne and the Lamb jointly redemption power riches wisdom strength honor glory and blessing are devoutly ascribed None could learn that song so long as the Beast bore sway in Christendom sav such as be of the one hundred forty four thousand who only sans spot of Idolatry glorify the Father on Earth as Angels doo in Heaven as Christ teacheth us to pray Thes are not defiled with Women but Virgins they folow the V. 4. Lamb wherever he goeth thes are bought from among Men being first fruits of God and the Lamb. Women here meant in a Prophetic phrase are Christian Cities addicted to Idols whos Queen is great Babylon Mother of Harlots with whom Kings and Nations commit fornication but the Lambs company convers not with such being Virgins free from Idolatrous Incest or pollution Thes folow the Lamb or faithfully cleav fast and never forsake him in what City or Country he shal set up his Standard thither they folow Thes are bought out of the prophane multitud to be a peculiar People like first fruits which imply al things exempt from il uses to God and the Lamb. In their mouth was found no guile for they were without fault V. 5. No ly was found in them but al Christian Idolaters are Liers who say they worship God the creator but giv it to Creatures as St. Paul saith They turned the truth of God into a ly worshiping Rom. 1. 25. the Creature as the Creator Hence Amos cals Idols lies but thes tru worshipers were faultless and no ly found in their Amos 2. 4. mouths I saw another Angel sly in midst of Heaven having the everlasting V. 6. Gospel to preach unto the Inhabiters on Earth and to every Nation Kinred Toung and People After a description of the Company folows the history of things doon by them and their leader the Lamb against the common Enemy which is duple 1. Of Admonition to the Beasts folowers presented by three Angels 2. Of Revenge by a Parabol of Harvest and Vintage The Monitor Angel is caled another in respect of thos foregoing musical Angels wherof this Prcacher was none Wher note that in such Visions the Angels represent them Note whom they govern but this lofty Flier seems to be more eminent then any Rulers of Men being emploied to declare his Gospel caled everlasting not so much in respect of time to com as that past viz what was promised touching the Womans seed to break the Serpents head at beginning of the World as St. Paul saith that which God promised before or Titus 1. 2. when the World began is eternal life He said with a loud voice fear God and giv him glory for V. 7. the hour of his judgment is com worship him that made Heaven Earth Sea and Fountains of Waters This Angel knowing Gods Kingdom to be at hand when Judgment must be executed on Idols and Idolaters the Devils being cast down and despoiled of the Roman Throne exhorts al Nations Kinreds and People to becom Christians to worship God only as he is declared in the Gospel and beware of Idols Surely Iconolatry is analogical Idolatry tho not identical with Heathen Fear God and giv him glory for the hour of his Judgment is com viz. wherin Christ by his Cross hath spoiled Powers and Principalities declaring by his Apostles and Evangelists to the Nations which through so many ages he suffred to walk in their own wais that they should turn from Idols or at his coming suffer eternal death Why then doo Christians who profes faith in this Judg return as it were by a back dore to adore Idols or Devils under new names having no Textual warrant of precept or precedent so to doo St. Paul Acts 14. 〈◊〉
'T is God which th' Image shews but that no Deity Look on that but adore this not seen by ey This is a poor palliativ plaster but both are Idolatry of the same bran For Heathen Demons were a middle sort of divine Powers betwixt their Soveraign immortal Gods and subordinat Men Deified after death whos office was to be interceding Agents betwen thos Celical Gods and Terrestrial Men in lieu wherof People erected Statues Images Temples and Pillars to them yea adored their Reliques and Sepulchers Semblably Papists Semi-Idolaters Deify Angels and Saints adore their Images erect Churches to their names worship a breaden God for Christ and set up Crosses like Demon-Columns Hereof St. Paul forewarns The Spirit speaks expresly 1 Tim. 4 1. 2 3. that in later times som shal fal from the Faith attending to seducing Spirits and Doctrins of Devils or Demoniac dogmats But the chief is that grand general Apostasy into Analogical larved Idolatry stiled in the Apocalyps spiritual Fornication and Rome mystical Babylon becaus Idolatry was first founded at old Babylon built by Nimrod wher his son Belus and Grandson Ninus with their Successors resided but since revived in a new form at Rome Thes Demons or Deastri saith the Apostle through lying hypocrisy hav seared Consciences forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats Thes indeed are parts of their demoniac Doctrins but the principal is Idolatry disguised under the conterfet color of Iconolatry Ob. The sole exception to this exposition is That Demon or Devil in Scripture sens is stil taken for an evil Spirit or foul Fiend never for a good Angel or Saint though Prophane Authors use both promiscuously Ergo to invoke thos glorified Spirits as Intercessors on our behalfs or adore their Images or consecrate Churches to their honor deservs not to be branded as Doctrin of Devils specialy sith holy Men yet living are so honored and their praiers desired which was ever commended but never condemned in any Church Sol. 'T is tru the Scripture stil takes Demons or Devils in the wors sens becaus Gentils deemed their worthies Deified Souls for Demons which were wicked Spirits seducing Mankind using the word for what they are in truth sith no good Angel or blessed Soul wil freely admit or assume such divine honor derogatory to their Creator nor accept Mens Invocations So the worship of Angels or Saints and their Reliques Pillars or Images may properly be caled Doctrin of Devils sith 't is spiritual whordom and renewed Idolatry wherby they make like evil Demons or Devils what fained fashions or conterfet colors to delude people soever they set to varnish this superstition This is his mellifluous morsel to chaw the cud on which who shal piously digest it wil turn to feed his Soul by abandoning this disguised abomination Germani Doctoris aucta A German Doctors supply A Late Silesian Divine Anonymal set forth a Book caled Clavis Apocalyptica with a confused Comment annexed who is Mr. Medes Ape if not a Plagâ—ary as many of his Countrimen be from whom he borows the Title Method and most speculations citing him twise or thrise both in the Synchronicisms and Explications but varies in som circumstances applied to his Country and comfort of his exiled Brethren assuring their Redemption to draw nigh even at end of A. C. 1655 which is his single or singular crotchet as wil appeer in the book briesly contracted God in his faithful Fatherly providence to comfort the Preamble godly and warn the wicked prefixed certain times in the old Testament how long he would forbear to punish For before the Flood he set one hundred twenty yeers to repent and then destroied al impenitent sinners with a Deluge of waters After it he declared to Abram That his Seed should be a stranger in a Land and serv them in affliction four hundred yeers but that Nation he would judg and they should go out with great substance which promiss at period of time he truly performed drowning Pharaoh with al his Host Indeed â—e destroied Sodom Gomorrah without prefining time becaus their siâ—s were so transcendent and they obduratly impenitent but prescribed fourty dais to Ninivâ—s destruction which was averted by mature repentance He assigned seventy yeers to Babylons captivity which being accomplished he stirred up Cyrus spirit to releas the People In Daniel seventy annal weeks four hundred ninty yeers were determined on the Jews in which time Messiah should be cut off and Jerusalem desolated which were effected in their times Even so ther be set seasons appointed to Gods Church in the new Testament how long she shal be persecuted and when delivered which is expressed in thes places of Scripture 1. The Saints shal be given into the fourth Beasts hand for a time times and dividing of a time 2. An Angel asks how long it shal be to the end of thes wonders another answers for a time times and half So John saith The Woman Gods Church shal be in the Desart a time times and half 3. The two witnesses shal be clad in sackâ—loth one thousand two hundred threescore dais 4. The Gentils shal tread the holy City under foot fourty two months 5. The Beasts blasphemies shal continu fourty two months which three sorts of numbers a time times and half one thousand two hundred threescore dais fourty two months are one and explain ech other taking thirty dais to a month and expounding dais by yeers both which the Prophets and Saint John used to doo 6. Thes three times begin and end together 7. Daniels one thousand two hundred ninty dais of the Sacrifices surreption and setting up abomination begin thirty yeers sooner then the one thousand two hundred threescore but end both at once A. 1655. now next insuing For three yeers and half make fourty two months and one thousand two hundred threescore dais after twelv months ech of thirty dais and three hundred sixty dais in a yeer So al exactly comply or correspond The Hebrew yeer contains twelv months in ech thirty dais in al three hundred sixty but our Julian fiv mo with six hours One day Propheticaly implies a yeer as Daniels hebdomad is Dâ—â— 9. 24. seven yeers and his Vision or Vatiâ—iny of seventy weeks seven times seventy or four hundred ninty yeers On thes two grounds the whol fabric of future Chronical computs consists Dan. 7. 35. 'T is said the Saints shal be given into the fourth Beasts hand tâ—l a time times and dividing of time i. one yeer two Dan. 12. 7. and half so an Angel swears by him that livs for ever it shal be for a time times and half a time Semblably John saith The Rev. 12. 14. Woman Gods Church shal be nourished in the Wildernes of Persecution from the Serpent for a time times and half which is fore-expressed vers 5. by one thousand two hundred Rev. 11. 2. 3. threescore dais as the two witnesses shal be clad in sackcloth so long
be for a time times and half or 1260. yeers and from the Temples abominable desolation to that time 1290. 2. That the Son of God lifted his hand to Heaven and swore by him who created Heaven Earth Sea and al things in them that time shal be no longer or ther shal be no delay nor any time intervene But at the seventh Angels voice or sound of his Trumpet the Rev. â— 18. mystery of God shal be finished as he declared to his Prophâ—ts Thes things saith the Son of God whos eys flame as fire and his feet like fine Brass Thes things saith he that is boly and tru that Rev. 3. 14. hath the key of David c. Thes things saith Amen the faithful tru Witnes and beginning of the Creation of God Who then wil not beleev him Sith then according to Gods decree Anthichrist shal rage or reign but three times and half or 1260. yeers which terminat at end of A. 1655. Let us look up and Luk. 21. 28. lift our heads on high for our redemption draweth nigh Ob. Som Objections occur such meer mysteries may not be pried into specialy of things yet to com for divers deep Divines and solid Scholars hav been lost in this labyrinth Ergo it should remain as a book sealed til the event or accomplisHment be reveled as Christ to his Disciples curious question of Israels kingdoms restauration answered 't is not for you to know the Acts 1. 6 7. times and seasons which the Father hath put in his own power much less for us Sol. The Apocalyps is ful of dark deep mysteries which wil â—y hid til the event detect them by applying Histories to see or search the effects therein meant or mentioned yet it folows not that we must lay it aside and not inquire what is already accomplished or shortly to be expected specialy touching the time when the Churches Enimies shal be destroyed and it restored to rest for Daniel observed by Books what the Lord told Jeremy Dan. 9. â— Rev. 1. 3. that he would accomplish seventy yeeres in Jerusalems desolation and John saith Blessed is he that reads and they which hear the words of this Prophecy to keep the things writ therin for the time is at hand 'T is a book of memorable Acts which foretels what shal betide Gods Church and the Empire under which it subsists being writen to be read and such stiled blessed as read it for many things are already fulfilled and by comparing thos past with the Apocalyps we may the better descry what to look for yer long but he that forbears to read or is not versed in Roman Histories nor knows how to distinguish Revolutions or Changes but confounds Apocalyptic numbers making many Epoches wheras they synchronize containing only Relativs and correlativs or carelesly slights the numbers as an arcane mistery to such it remains a Book unopened ful of obscurities Is qui nil dubitat nil capit inde boni Men must dig Diamonds out of Rocks and never be daunted or deterred with difficulty many learned hav mistook for thes causes 1 Most primitiv Interpreters apply things to their times which had no relation and som modernists folow their steps as wild Gees doo their leaders misleading others out of the way Secondly a right method is not used for in the Apocalyps al things are orderly set as they shal befal the synchronisms folowing one another and revolutions exactly distinguished as Histories doo in describing human actions and affaires but too many Expositors pervert this cours thinking to set things as succeding one another which being Relata belong to the same time Who place before Babylons fal what shal be after not knowing wher they stick nor how to wind out Thirdly they confound the Civil and Ecclesiastic State oft applying Monastic matters or Antichrists actions to Monarchic and contrarily Yet that the Revelation shall remain a Book sealed or shut up repugns the very Text for the seven Epistles were never sealed the Lamb opened the sealed Book the other was a little open one and Rev. 10. 2. 8. Rev. 22. 10. at end an Angel saith to John Seal not the Prophecies for the time is at hand Now tho Daniel was bid to close his Prophecy yet was it Dan. 12 4. 9. but til the time of the end for it was unsealed after by Johns Revelation Christ spak of times and seasons occasioned that John 2. 4 8 9. 't is not for men to know what God conceals as he said to his Mother my hour is not yet com yet soon supplied the Wine out of Water Here we tak time in general which is determined on Antichrists blasphemies and tyrannies in what yeer it shal begin or end which God hath reveled as is shewed not month day or hour which the Father keeps in his own power So tho no infallible certainty in al circumstances can be had yet many most pregnant conjects are prefined Ob. The chief O jection is that al Divines and Statesmen set the period of the fourth Monarchy and Papacy at Christs secund coming either to reign a thousand yeers as Chiliasts cry or to judg al flâ—sh which Master Mede makes one day or time but there is no certainty of confining the Catastrophe to A. 1655. Ergo 't is presumption for you so to doo Sol. The Apocalyps mentions no such matter but clean contrary Rev. 19. 1. to 20. for upon Romes destruction great joy was heard in heaven and the Son of God who at opening the first Seal went forth to Conquer on a whit Hors appeers again on the same whom the Armies followed on whit Horses clad in clean whit linnen Thes are Martyrs who having whit Robes given them Rev 7 14. cam out of great tribulation and washed their robes being caled chosen and faithful Against them the Beast and Kings of the Rev. 17. 14. Earth made war the issu wherof was that the Beast and fals Prophet Empire and Popedom or rather popish Clergy and Pope shal be cast alife into a Lake of fire burning with briâ—stone Rev 20. 1 2 3. but the Dragon had Quarter who is only shut or sealed up in the Ibid. v. 11. to 15. bottomless pit for a thousand yeers that he should deceiv the Nations no more nor excite them against the Church In the interim Gods faithful Children hav rest but the last judgment is described afterward hereto agrees Daniel's Image representing Dan. 2. 34 35. the four Monarchies til the stone smot it on his feet which was not when the fourth began for feet and toes were not then til the end thereof and broke it in peeces but the stone becam a great Mountain or Kingdom when al four Monarchies are grinded to dust which shal break in peeces al the rest Daniel in this Monarchic Vision beheld til the Dan 7. per totum Thrones were cast down and the Antient of dais sat not for
Spirit of Wisdom and mad Men are said to be possessed with a Spirit Thes are al the acceptions and wheâ— none can answer or satisfy that words Sens in Scripture it fals not under Human understanding and Faith consists not in our Opinion but submission specialy wher God is said to be a Spirit or wher by Spirit is meant God For his Nature is incomprehensible and we know not what he is but that he is The Spirit of God moved on the Waters If God heself be meant hereby then is motion and place proper to Bodies only Spirit of God Gen 1. v. 2. Gen. 3. 1. ascribed to him but the like words are used at the universal Deluge I wil bring my Spirit Wind Air or moving Spirit and the Waters shal be diminished Both which may be caled Gods Spirit being his special work Pharach cals Josephs Wisdom Gen. 41. 38. the Spirit of God And God saith Speak to al that are wise hearted whom I hav filled with the Spirit of Wisdom to make Exod 28. 3. Aaron garments to consecrat him 2. Isaiah speaks thus of the Messiah The Spirit of the Lord shal abide on him the Spirit of Wisdom and Vnderstanding the Spirit of Counsil and Fortitud the Spirit of the fear of the Lord. Isai 1. 2. 3. Wher is manifestly meant so many Gifts or Graces of God not Ghosts or Goblins 3. Extraordinary Zele and courage in defens of Gods People is stiled the Spirit of God Judg. 3. 10. ch 6. 34. ch 11. 29. ch 13. 25. ch 14. 6. So 't is said The Spirit of God cam on Saul 1 Sam. 11. 6. 1 Sam. 19. v. 20. against the Amonits and his Anger was kindled greatly no Ghost but a vehement heat of vengeance So Gods Spirit cam upon him being among the Prophets that praised God in songs which was no Ghost but a sudden unexpected zele to join with them in holy Hymns or musical harmony 4. A fals Prophet said to Michaiah which way went the Lords Spirit from me to thee This cannot be any Ghost for Micai 1 Kings 22 24. declared the event of that Battel before as from a Vision not from a Spirit speaking in him So though Prophets spake by Gods Spirit or special gift of Prediction yet their knowledg was not by any Ghost within them but by som supernatural Dream or Vision Was not that inspiration by God 5. 'T is said God made man of dust and breathed into his Nostrils Quaere Spiraculum vitae the breath of life and he was made a living Soul This breath only signifies life not any Individual inspired Soul As Job saith So long as Gods 〈◊〉 is in my Nostrils that is so long as I liv or breath So Ezeâ—â—â—l The Spirit of Life was in the wheels not any Soul but they had life Again The spirit entred Ipse dixit Job 27. 3. Ezek. 1. 20. into me not any Ghost or Spiritual substance possessed his Body and set me on my feet meaning I recovered vital strength to go 6. God saith I wil take of the Spirit upon thee and put it on them the seventy Elders and they shal bear the burden of the People with thee Whereupon two of them Eldad and Medâ—d Prophecied whom Josua not knowing they had authority praied Moses fo forbid but he refused wishing God Nâ—mb 11. 17 25. would put his Spirit on al the People to make them Prophets or giv them authority subordinat to his own So Josuae was ful of the Spirit of Wisdom becaus Moses laid his hands on him viz. ordained him to prosecut the work of bringing Gods People into the promised Land which he-self began but could not Dâ—ut 34 9. finish So Saint Paul saith If any man hath not Christs Spirit not his Ghost but submission to his Gospel he is none of his So saith St. John hereby ye shal know the Spirit of God every Spirit which confesseth that Jesus Christ is com in the flesh is of God Rom. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 meaning the Spirit of Christianity or main Article of Faith that Jesus is the Christ but not of any Ghost or Goblin Thos words Luke 4. 1. Jesus ful of the holy Ghost are expresd or expounded Mat. 4. 1. Marc. 1. 12. by Spirit which means zele to doo the work for which God the Father sent him into the World but to interpret it of the third Person in holy Trinity is to say God was filled with God which is most improper oâ— insignificant Spirit literaly implies a thin real substance and metaphoricaly som extraordinary ability of Body and affection of Mind but to translat it Ghost which imports imaginary Inhabitants oâ— Mens Brains ther is no reason or Censure cauâ— By his leav Saint Lukes words ful of the holy Ghost which the other Evangelist hav not refer to Christs Person for it folows he returned to Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the Wildernes al which three relat alike to Christ but our Interpreters generally expound this of the third Person in Trinity nor is it incongruous to say God-Man was â—d by God but 't is more presumptuous if one Writer wâ—l seem wiser then al his Felows 7. The Disciples seing 〈◊〉 walk on the Sea supposed him a Spirit or Aerial Body 〈◊〉 Phantasm for al saw him which Mat. 14 26 Marc 6 49. could not be a delusion of the Brain incident to one at once or a very few surprised with like fear but a Body only compact â—â—cts 12. 15. of Air. When Saint Peter was excarcerated by an Angel and the Maid said he knoâ—kd at dore the rest thought hiâ— mad and said it was his Angel which is a corporeal substance compact upon occasions els the Disciples folowed the Jews and Gentils Opinion that ther be real Apparitions or Spectres which the one stiles Spirits or Angels Good and Evil the other Demons both evil and good For God can form subtle substantial Bodies to use as Ministers or Messengers so Angel signifies in extraordinary metaphysical maner Cannot the Devil doo the like Did he not assum the similitud â—â—are of Samuel when the Witch of Endor caused him to confer with Saul for Samuels Soul it could not be though Saul surmised it to be hâ—s Ghost Such Angels so formed are Corporal substances which take up room as Air doth and mov from place to place in time but are no Spiritual Ghosts in no place or no wher or definitly here as not to be elswher seeming somwhat yet be Nothing For thos thin Substances though invisible as Air hav the same real dimensions greater or lesser as material grosser Bodies Thus the Spirit of God is taken 1. For Wind or Breath See the seven Marginal â—gures 2. For extraordinary gifts 3. For vehement Affections 4. For the gift of Prediction 5. For Life 6. For subordination to Authority 7. For Aerial Bodies Now for Angel 't is generaly a Messenger or spicialy Gods
but the chief charms are reserved for the Children to be Baptised as appeers in their Ceremonies The like are used in Mariage Visitation of the Sick extrem Unction consecrations of Churches and Church-yards to expel Phantasms Faieries and imaginary Spirits al which belong to the Kingdom of Darknes being effects of our natural ignorance Another error is from misinterpreting the words eternal Life everlasting Death and secund Death of which three in order Adam had an estate to liv for ever not by nature in himself Eternal Life or any part of his but by eating the Tree of Life which he had leav to doo so long as he obeied God but was thrust out of Paradise so soon as he sinned lest he should feed theron and liv for ever Now Christs death is a discharge of sin and restitution of Life eternal to al the faithful who beleev in him and to them only Yet the general doctrin of Divines is that every Man hath eternal life by nature of his immortal Soul so that the flaming Sword at entrance of Paradise may hinder him from tasting the Tree of Life but not from immortality which God bereaved Nor shal he need Christs sacrifice for recovery of the same sith not only the faithful or righteous but the wicked and Heathen shal enjoy eternal Life without Death much less a secund everlasting death To salv or shadow this they say by secund everlasting Death is meant a secund everlasting Life but Torments which is a figure never used sav in this very case Is not secund Death an eternal being both of Body and Quaere Soul in Hel-fire under Satan This tenet of the Souls immortality is founded on som obscure places of the new Testament which yet in a different sens of his own mint are cleer enough and unnecessary to Christian Faith For suppose when a Man dies nothing remains but his Carcas cannot God who made clay a living Creature by his word rais it again by another word Yes but not to the same life which vanished to nothing wheras the Soul being immortal persists identical Soul in Scripture stil signifies either Life or a Living Creature and Body jointly with Soul a Body alife As God saith Let the Waters produce Reptile animae viventis the creeping thing with a living Soul we translat that hath life Again God created Whales omnem animam viventem in English every living Creature but of Man God made him of dust and breathed in his face the spiracle or breath of life factus est Homo in animam viventem and Gen. 8. 21. Man was made a living Creature So God said when Noah cam out of the Arc I wil no more smite omnem animam viventem Deut 12. 23. every living Creature Eat not the Blood for 't is the Soul or Life But if Soul signified a substance immortal existing after separation from the Body it may be said of any other Animal so wel as Man Is it said of any other that God having made the Body of Quaere Earth breathed into his face spiraculum Vitae the Spirit of Life Which al interpreters expound of creating and infusing the Soul together He goes on the Souls or Lifes of the Faithful which being accidents that annihilated when the Bodies died must be new made are by Gods special Grace not of their own Nature to remain in their raised Bodies for ever after Judgment Wher 't is said in the new Testament that any shal be cast Body and Soul as if they were distinct Quaere parts into Hel-fire it imports Body and Life how can Life be cast being a bare accident That they shal be cast alife into Rev. 19 v. 20. Gehenna So 't is said The Beast and fals Prophet were both cast alife into a Lake of fire burning with Brimstone This dark doctrin of the Souls subsistence after separation opens a sluce to let in the superstitious superstructures of Purgatory and Indulgences Ghosts or Goblins and Exorcisms invocating of Saints yea Heaven and Hel too with som others For Men before Christs coming being taught from the Greecs Demonology that Mens Souls were distinct substances which after separation must subsist somwher by their own Nature the Doctors of the Church long doubted wher they resided til the general Resurrection supposing they lay under the Altars but finding that Martyrs Souls of them slain for Gods word if they hav Souls why not others Quae c. Lay under the Altar the Church of Rome for their profit Rev. 6 9. erected Purgatory Surely they doo al for profit to maintain their pomp pride power and prodigality Beza to prov Gods Kingdom began at Christs Resurrection Mat. 16. 28. and continues stil urgeth his words Verily I say to you som of them which stand here shal not tast of death til they hav seen Mat. 16. 28. Marc 9. 1. Luk. 9. 37. Gods Kingdom com with power Ergo either Gods Kingdom cam shortly after and is now in this World or els som then standing by Christ are yet alife Sol. This is a darke difficil place which provs nothing necessarily but if Gods Kingdom began at Christs Resurrection why doo we stil pray thy Kingdom com Therfore 't is not meant therof Yea after his Resurrection the Apostles asked Wilt thou now restore the Kingdom of Israel He answered 'T is not for you to know the time or season which the Father hath put in his own power but ye shal receiv power by the holy Ghosts coming on you and shal be my Witnesses in Jerusalem in al Judea and utmost part of the Earth So he told them his Kingdom was not com nor shal they foreknow when 't is to com Christ said to Peter of John If I wil that he tarry Joâ—n â—1 v. 22. til I com what is that to thee Which bred a beleef that he should not dy yet the truth of it was neither confirmed nor confuted by thos words but left as a dark saying and so must this Howbeit sith Christs transfiguration is the next Act handled by al three Evangelists haply he cals that Gods Kingdom which som ther should see being a representation or vision of his glory and Majesty as he shal com in his Kingdom which cannot be proved to begin til the day of Judgment Wher is it proved that any terren Kingdom shal commence Quaeâ—e then Then shal the Faithful rise with glorious spiritual Bodies inlifened and becom Christs Subjects in his Kingdom wher they shal not eat drink marry as they did in their natural Bodies but liv happily in their individual Persons for ever The elect then alife shal be suddenly changed and their Bodies made spiritualy immortal but Reprobats shal rise to receiv punishment yet not eternaly in their individual Persons nor can any place prov it As after the Resurrection the Elect shal be restored to Adams estate before he fel so Reprobats shal be in the
of them his own way Flâ—s de Jesse fuit Davidis sanguine Christus Catastrophe Sicuâ— Evangelii Biblia sacra probant Christ Jesses Flower from Davids blood did spring As Gospels sacred Books plain proofs doo bring THESIS VI. Apocalypsus patefacta The Revelation Reveled THe Apocalyps is a sublime speculation of Prophetic Preamble Visions reveled by Christ to John Evangelist exiled at Patmos by cruel Domitian Author of the secund primitiv persecution Son to mild Vespasian and Brother to merciful Titus termed Mankinds delight whom 't is thought he poisoned to enjoy the Empire Al Prophecies specialy Apocalyptic are deep dâ—rk mysteries seldom descried or disclosed til finished and fulfilled But becaus Mr. Joseph Medâ— late Felow of Christs College in Cambridg wher he died An. 1638. aged 53 a most rare Phoenix for al learned Languages and liberal Literature hath set out an exact Key of Synchronicisms or châ—onical Symetries and most accurat Comment on most part of the Text somwhat amply yet very obscurely they shal be more concisely contracted and cleerly complicated for every common capacity to guid their steps in this intricat labyrinth wher som things must be premised or predeclared for better understanding of it Clavis Appellativorum The Key of Terms or names THe seven spirits standing before Gods Throne after caled Precogâ—â—â—s â—ev 1. v. 4. seven Lamps of burning fire Rev. 4. v. 5. and the Lambs seven horns and seven eys Rev. 5. v. 6. are faithful zelous Ministers of the Word which wait before the Throne of God and Jesus Christ The seven golden Candlesticks are seven Churches in lesser â—â—ib v. 11 12 20. Asia ther named Ephesus Smyrna Pergamus Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea to whom John is bid by God to write in a Book what he saw The seven Stars which the Son of Man held in his right hand Ibid. v. 16 10. out of whos mouth went a sharp two edged Sword and his Face shone at the Sun are the Angels of thos seven Churches al Diocesan Bishops The whit Stone given to him that overcometh with a new Rev. 2. v. 17. Name writen which no Man knows sav he that receivs it betokens purity of Faith and integrity of Conscience Haply it relats to an old custom at Rome to giv Men acquited a whit stone and the condemned a black that their Officers might dispose of them accordingly wherof Ovid. Mos fuit antiquus niveis atrisque Lapillis His damnare reos illis absolvere culpam 'T was an old wont whit and black Stones to giv Thes damnd the guilty thos did the fault forgiv The twenty four Elders sitting on twenty four seats clothed Rev. 4. v. 〈◊〉 in whit with gold Crowns on their Heads round about Gods Throne are holy Prelats for number answering to the Priests and Levits twenty four courses of attendance in the Temple The four Beasts in midst of the Throne and round about it Ibid v. 6 7 8 being ful of Eys before and behind to shew sagacity ech of which had six Wings implying agility to execut Gods commands are the Israelits four Ensigns at their incampings in the Wildernes 1. Like a Lion for Juda's Camp on the East 2. A Bullock for Reubens on the South 3. With a Mans face for Ephraims on the West 4. A flying Eagle for Dans on the North side The Book writen within and sealed with seven Seals on the Rev. 5. v. 1 back side which the Lamb only was found worthy to open shews the various changes and chances of the secular Roman Empire til the end or dissolution therof The Lamb slain from the beginning Which stood in midst of Ibid. v. 6. the Throne and of the four Beasts and Elders having seven Horns and seven Eys is the Lord Jesus Son of God and Man That taketh away the sins of the World by his Death The seven seals which the Lamb opened in order are plagues Rev 6. per totum or punishments inflicted by God on the World wherin he useth the ministry of Angels The one hundred forty four thousand which were sealed of Rev. 7. v 3. to 8. Israels twelv Tribes twelv thousand or twelv times one thousand in ech are Christs elect Church caled afterward undefiled Virgins which folow the Lamb wherever he goeth Rev. 14. 1 5. The great multitud which none could number clothed with Ibid. v. 9 14 whit Robes and Palms in their hands are the numberless Nations Kindreds People Tribes and Toungs which cam out of tribulation singing praises to God The seven Angels with seven Trumpets given them which Rev 8. v. 1 2. sounded in order when the seventh Seal was opened are holy heavenly Messengers sent to denounce Gods heavy Judgment on the Earths Inhabiters The great Star burning like a Lamp or Torch which fel from Ibid. v. 10 11. Heaven into a third part of Rivers and Fountains caled Wormwood which made the Waters bitter that many died is Augustulus Romes last Emperor who fel from his high Throne and bittered a third part of Waters being a Prince of much baleful bitternes anguish and affliction to al his folowers The Angel flying through midst of Heaven and crying aloud Ibid. v 13. Wo Wo Wo to the Earths inhabiters is an Usher or forerunner of three others ready to sound great Woes The Locusts or long winged Grashopers coming from the bottom Rev. 9 v. 3. c. less Pits smoke are Mahometans derived from Arabia the Country of Locusts which plagued Egypt The King of Locusts caled in Hebrew Abaddon in Greec Ibid v. 11. Apollion the destroier is the Angel of the bottomless Pit stiled before Satan the old Serpent the Dragon the Devil and afterward the Accuser The four Angels bound at the great River Euphrates which Ibid. v. 14. c. the sixth Trumpeting Angel loosed are the Tures four Sultanies or Signiories who lay long confined neer that River but long ago let loos into the Eastern Empire which it hath since swalowed with much of West The litle open Book which a mighty Angel Christ had in his Rev. 10. v. 2 30. hand and made Johns belly bitter being bid to eat it declares the Churches destinies The Temple or inner Court to be measured is the primitiv Rev. 11. v. 1. Churches State under persecution of Pagan Emperors before Constantines conversion The outer Court not to be mesured but given to the Gentils Ibid. v. 2. who shal tread the holy City under foot forty two Annal months or 1260. yeers is the same Church given to new Idolaters or Image-worshipers caled Gentils The two Witnesses clad in sack-cloth which shal Prophecy Ibid v. 3. 4 5. 1260. annal dais being two Oliv trees and two Candlesticks are Patrons or Preachers of divine truth caled two becaus in the Law every Word shal be established by two Witnesses and in regard of Gods two Testaments which they use in prophecying
Thes are compared to three famous Pairs in the old Testament viz. Moses and Aaron in the Wildernes who turned Waters into Blood Elias and Eliseus under the Baalitic Apostacy who shut Heaven from rain and Zerobabel with Jesua at the captivity who recovered the Jews liberty The great City spiritualy caled Sodom and Egypt afterward Ibid 〈◊〉 8. great Babylon and the Whore wher our Lord was crucified is Rome in whos Street or Province for so street is often taken they shal be slain as our Saviour also suffred The Woman travelling with Child clothed with the Sun of Rev. 12 v. 1. c. Righteousnes having the Moon the lawish Pedagogy and Ethnic Idolatry under hir feet and on hir head a Crown of twelv Stars is Gods tru primitiv Church then in continual parturition of spiritual Children The great red Dragon with seven Heads and ten Horns and Ibid. v. 3. 4. seven Crowns on his heads whos Tail cast a third part of the Stars to Earth watching the Woman to devour hir Child is Heathen Rome worshiping the Devil which subjected three parts of the then known World to hir rule or Empire whos rednes denots hir embruing in Saints blood laying wait for the Child as Pharaoh did for Israel and Herod for Christ The Manchild who was to rule al Nations with a rod of Iron Ibid v. 5. is mystical Christ or Son of the Church formed in his Members as shal be shewed The Womans Child caught up to God and his Throne is not Identice v. 5. Christ Theanthropos the Virgin Maâ—ies Son as many mistakingly maintain who is properly and personaly lift up to Gods Throne sitting at his right Hand but mystical Christ or annointed Son of the Church analogicaly advanced to the imperial Throne as al higher Powers are of God which is meant and realy fulfilled by Constantine and his Christian Successors The Angel Michael who with his Angels fought against the Ibid. v 7. Devil and his il spirits is not Christ as som suppose but one of the chief Princes or seven Archangels specified by Daniel caled the great Prince which stands for the Children of Gods People being a principal Patron or Protector of the Faithful against Satan whom he here overcam to whos honor the primitiv Church consecrated September 29. day The great Eagle whos two Wings were given the Woman to Ibid. v. 14 15. fly into hir place in the Wildernes to be nourished for a time times and half is the Roman Empire divided into East and West which protected hir in an Erimitical estate from the Dragons fury in perfect tranquility for 1260. annal dais but tossed with a flood of Heresies cast from the Serpents mouth to seduce hir The Beast rising out of the Sea with seven Heads and ten Rev. 13 v. 1 2. Horns having on his Horns ten Crowns and on his Heads the name of Blasphemy is the secular Empire which had Blasphemous new devised Idolatry on his seven Heads at Rome which was shared into ten Kingdoms or dominions and al worshiped the Dragon becaus he gav his power seat and great authority to this Beast for worshiping or serving him The Beast coming out of the Earth which had two Horns like Ibid. v. 11 12 a Lamb but spake as a Dragon is the Spiritual Roman power or whol Papacy whos two horns of a Lamb signify as Mr. Mede opines the power of binding and loosing but as others aver the two Keis and two Swords born before the Pope to typify his spiritual and temporal Jurisdiction which seems properer and probabler but his Doctrins are the voice of the Dragon The Image of the ten-horned Beast which was wounded and did Ibid. v. 14 15. liv or reviv is the West Empire or seven headed Beast of Rome which lay suppressed long but restored by Pope Leo 3 who ereated Charlemaign Emperor and his Successors enjoied it for six descents til it was translated into Germany The Beasts mark or name which is al one as 't is after caled Ibid. v. 16. 17. the mark of his name Rev. 14. 11. without which none could buy or sel is Papal Anaâ—hema or Excommunication as Master Mede maintains which excluds Men from civil Commerce company and communion but this by his leav is a prohibitiv brand to exclud such as hav it not permissiv to admit such as hav it and repel only thos that hav it not Nor can it be applyed as a name or mark Why not rather Roman Catholic being a name which al the Beasts Folowers arrogat as their peculâ—ar mark or badg nor can any sav such communicat The number of his name 666 being the number of a Man Ibid. v. 18. becaus set in numeral letters is the two horn'd Beast whos name wherin that number is infolded is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which grew up when Theodosius divided the Empire into East caled Greecs and West clyped Latins or Rome which name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 subducting the letters of number as Hebrews Greecs and Latins use in Chronograms by fatal instinct make 666. Vicarius Dei generalis in terris subtracting the Roman numeral letters import 666 but this is a periphrastic title no personal name as the other The Lamb standing on Mount Sion and with him 144000 Rev. 14. 1 c. undefiled Virgins having his Fathers and his name writen in their foreheads who folow the Lamb wherever he goeth is the Lord Jesus and his impolluted Church which hated spiritual whordom or Image-worship and continued constant in the tru Faith amidst Papal pâ—rsecution as a pure Virgin under Babylon being the Apostleâ— genuin Progeny The name or marke of the Lamb and his Father is the sign of Idenâ—ice the Cross in Baptism as a Seal of their Faith and Ensign of Christian Profession to discern them from Infidels maugre the malice of al Snarlers Scoffers or Slanderers The Harvest ripe to be reaped into which the Son of Man Ibid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thrust his Sickle is the cutting down of mystical Babylon or destruction of the Romisâ— Beasts whol dominion The Vintage or Winepress of Gods wrath without the City Ibid. v. 17. ad finem from which cam blood to the Horsbridles by the space of one thousand six hundred furlongs is the final fatal perdition of the Beast and fals Prophet with al their Complices Comrads and Confederats which shal be acted or accomplished with horrid slaughter at the battle of Armageddon one thousand six hundred furlongs or two hundred miles without the City but whether in Palestine or the Popes Territory is not reveled The seven golden Phials of Gods wrath which seven Angels Rev. 15 v. 7. having the seven last Plagues received from one of the four Beasts are so many degrees of punishments preceding the Antichristian Beasts ruin even as it grew up gradualy to greatnes as ther must be a paralel proportion in al things The three unclean Spirits of