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A37035	A commentarie upon the book of the Revelation Wherein the text is explained, the series of the several prophecies contained in that book, deduced according to their order and dependance on each other; the periods and succession of times, at, or about which, these prophecies, that are already fulfilled, began to be, and were more fully accomplished, fixed and applied according to history; and those that are yet to be fulfilled, modestly, and so far as is warrantable, enquired into. Together with some practical observations, and several digressions, necessary for vindicating, clearing, and confirming many weighty and important truths. Delivered in several lectures, by that learned, laborious, and faithfull servant of Jesus Christ, James Durham, late Minister of the Gospel in Glasgow. To which is affixed a brief summary of the whole book, with a twofold index, one of the several digressions, another of the chief and principall purposes and words contained in this treatise.	Durham, James, 1622-1658.	1658 (1658)	Wing D2805; ESTC R216058	1,353,392	814

be spread as would carry about every one whose heart was not established by grace such deceivers privily bringing in damnable heresies that if it were possible the very Elect should be deceived so many duties to be done and so much affliction to be suffered as were impossible to be performed and born without the assist●nce of special grace Therefore as the conclusion of the whole verse last he desireth that the grace of the Lord Iesus Christ may be with them all as that which by its sensible presence or supporting influence would carry them through whatsoever they might meet with for there is no difficulty so great which will not evanish and disappear before His grace and a gracious man is able to do and suffer all things through Christ who strengtheneth him This grace is indeed the one thing necessary to make a man carry creditably for the Gospel and comfortably to himself in all cases that may be incident he who is strengthened by the might of His grace in the inner-man will be sted●ast and immoveable alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord. And therefore it is no wonder that one who was seen in the concerning events which should fall out till the second coming of Christ did wrap up all his desires for the Saints with an Amen in this one wish The grace of our Lord Iesus be with you all The very pulse of a holy soul beateth still this way his temper may be known by the ordinary unconstrained and habituall desires of his heart Let others wish to themselves and their friends what they please that which a holy man wisheth to himselfe and these whom he loveth best is this that the grace of Jesus Christ may be with them he would have his own desires with the desires and endeavours of every man else terminate upon this If ye ask him what he feareth most It is this lest he come short of the grace of God Or that his hopes are most upon It is for that grace which is to be brought unto him at the revelation of Jesus Christ this is the very character of a Christian in good case that he is one who is waiting for the appearance of Jesus Christ and that grace which is to be brought with Him the expectation of this is the rest of his soul he feedeth upon it constantly when he is alone the thoughts of it keep him company and he maketh this his companion in whatsoever company he be In a word he i● content to be empty of all things beside that out of His fulnesse he may receive grace for grace this to him is the one thing necessary and therefore he maketh it his choice Happy yea thrice happy is every one who doth so for he hath chosen that good part that shall never be taken from him The worthy and pious Author of this Treatise whose communication was habitually good for the use of edifying and such as did minister grace to the Hearers being about to leave this world to which he was dead when alive while all that were about him did see him panting for God for the living God as the Hart doth after the water brooks a little before he fell asleep desired one of them who stood by to write for a close to this Commentary these following words worthy to be graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever And now O my soul when all sayes Come and concu●●es in a sweet harmony seing thou hast heard and dost hear the Call of the Gospel say with the Bride and with the Spirit Even so Come Lord Iesus Come quickly FINIS A brief View of the Series of the whole Book of the REVELATION THis whole Book is formed by way of an Epistle Beside some generall circumstances the matter of the Book generally is divided Chap. 1. in these two 1. The things that then were or the present state of these Churches especially 2. The things that were to come on the Church in general to the end of the world Chap. 2 and 3. contain the first part the present condition of these seven Churches set out in seven several Epistles shewing their case and reproving or commending accordingly as was requisit and withall adding directions warnings threatnings and consolations suitable to their respective conditions which though expresly directed to these yet are alike usefull to all in such cases to the end Chap. 4. and 5. contain the Preface introductory to the main and propheticall part of this Book where God the Creator is set on His Throne and His glory as absolute supream Lord of all is set down having all events determined in His Counsel as in a Book that is sealed in the which no creature can pry to reveal them except Jesus Christ who by the executing of His Office of Mediatorship is found worthy to be admitted on Gods eternal secrets concerning the Church Who therefore in that fifth Chapter receiveth these as in a book sealed with seven seals which he openeth distinctly keeping the same comparison in the Chapters following which contain three principal and other three explicatory Prophesies the three principal Prophesies of Seals Trumpets and Vials deducing the events from that time to the end by several steps and the explicatory Prophesies clearing what was more shortly or obscurely set down in the other and contemporating with them or some part of them Chap. 6. We have the first principal Prophesie of the Seals which setteth forth the state of the Church under its first period to wit of heathenish persecution In it the Church is first discovered as flourishing in respect of the Gospels thriving Seal 1. Then as bloudy in respect of persecution Seal 2. After that as decaying and losing much of its beauty not only by the persecution of enemies but by the contests and failings that were in and amongst her friends Seal 3. After which persecution came to a vehement height as if death had been loosed against the Church in the last part of the ten persecutions Seal 4. whereupon the souls cry to God as being at an uttermost strait Seal 5. Upon which followeth Gods judgment upon these persecuters Seal 6 at which the first period of the Churches condition and the first principal prophesie of Seals do end The Church having now gotten outward prosperity and peace and not having made good use of it there are Chap. 7. other sorts of winds ready to blow and fearfull heresies to set on her especially that defection of Antichrist all which she is to be advertised of by the Trumpets but because that exercise would be more sifting and carry moe of the visible Church away than open persecution did Therefore before the Trumpets sound the Lord giveth a little view of the future state of the Church in reference to the two following principall Prophesies The first part is to ver 9. showing Gods care in guarding His Elect against that storm before it came this belongeth to

destruction of Antichrist and his world is clearly intended by the vials so this world which is overturned here must be understood of the visible Church on whose ruines that Antichristian world was erected seing the rise of Antichrist inferreth the defacing of the Church and that by the same steps and in the same method as his ruine followeth by the vials Neither can there be any other reason given of the accurate resemblance which is between the trumpets and vials which yet cannot be thought to be without reason neither can there be an overturning of the Antichristian world till it be built nor can it be thought to be builded but under the trumpets to wit after the Heathenish world is past and the Christian built yea after the Christian world beginneth to decay all which fall under the trumpets for two of those worlds cannot stand together yet still one of them followeth upon the back of the other so as the overturning of the Heathenish world supponeth Christianity to succeed and as the destroying of the Antichristian world by the vials supposeth purity to succeed So here the decay of the Christian world supposeth the Antichristian to succeed All which being put together 1. It is clear that the declining of the Church from purity and that the rise and discovery of Antichrist is the main scope of these trumpets 2. That we must expound Earth Mountains Waters Sun c. to be something in the Church bearing an analogie to these things in the world 8. Yet we say these trumpets are not to be so bounded as if the first were contemporary with Antichrists discovery and sensible rise which is in the fifth for then there would be a great void in the prophesie in passing over many considerable events in the Church during the second three hundred years wherein Truth and Christs Kingdom were much concerned which we conceive could not be omitted in this prophesie and yet no where else can be thought to be set down we are therefore to look on them as they hold out the Churches first storms after the world became Christian and whereby she was exercised during the time of Antichrists secret and unseen working who took occasion from all these to fix himself and by all which the world was by degrees disposed to receive him who after the first four trumpets is found to step out under the fifth and this we conceive to be the reason why the first four trumpets are distinguished from the last three which contain the story of Antichrist after his full manifestation From which considerations we suppose it is clear 1. That these trumpets denote the state of the Church with some order of time There is certainly order in the three last trumpets in respect of themselves and in respect of these which preceed and therefore it is not for the clearing of them to expound them of kinds of heresies in a confusion as agreeing to any time 2. That they do not principally intend temporall changes on the Roman Empire as the object of these mutations or as vindictive on them for their former persecutions though these spirituall ills be set out in expressions suiting temporall judgements even as the Churches disputes with Hereticks are set out by fightings and such like for the Saints and witnesses especially suffer temporally here when all the world otherwise rejoyceth Chap. 11. It remaineth then that the object is the Church-visible the nature of them is Spirituall principally as is said before with temporall exercises on the Church and judgements on the Empire The order and sum of the trumpets then we conceive to be this The four first trumpets which comparatively with the other three following are the lesser woes hold forth the Churches declining and weakening from under Constantine as was touched before about the three hundred and twenty year or thereabouts when Antichrist had his working under ground till his discovery which is in the fifth trumpet about the year six hundred and some odds holden out in these steps 1. What was set upon in all these beasts and in what order 2. By what means 3. With what successe and fruit 1. Enemies publickly set upon the very foundation of Christianity without which a man is no Christian as if Christ be by nature God if He was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in opposition to Arius of the same Essence with the Father though a different Person which who believed not in the Primitive times was justly accounted no Christian. This was done by discovered and open Hereticks such as Arius Macedonius Eutyches Nestorius c. striking all of them at the Person and Natures of our Lord Jesus This was a violent storm striking at the foundation and took away many Professors of all sorts yet the earth it self stood like a Rock though trees on it were burnt up All these Heresies were rejected by the Church and condemned by the first four famous generall Councels The first whereof was conveened at Nice by Constantine about the year 325. wherein was condemned the heresie of Arius who denied the God-head of Jesus Christ or that He was by nature God as the Father was though he accounted Him more than a man and so differeth from Photinus The second was at Constantinople by Gratian and Theodosius Anno 380. In this was condemned the heresie of Macedonius who denied the personality of the holy Ghost the third Person of the blessed Trinity His followers therefore were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i.e. fighters against the spirit The third was at Ephesus under Theodosius the second Anno 431. It condemned Nestorius who made Christ to have Persons as two Natures The fourth was at Chalcedon under Martianus Anno 451. This rejected the Doctrine of Eutyches who in opposition to Nestorius attributed to Christ but one Nature thus confounding His Natures as the former had divided His Person In the computation of these times it is not to be expected that we can be so peremptory there being some little difference amongst Authors according to their various timing of events yet without any materiall prejudice to the truth of the story This is the first trumpet 2. This storm being by discovered enemies Satan cometh not so good speed he assayeth next the corrupting of government by removing of which he might have fair accesse to what he pleased or intended to bring in afterward To effectuate this he inflameth the Church-men with pride and from it for precedencie wakeneth contention as once he did amongst the Apostles whereby the work of God was much retarded and poor souls stumbled and the Ordinances of Christ especially government corrupted Who would see this may read Plessaeus mysterie of iniquity about the four hundred year and what dealing there was with the east Church and falsifying of votes of Synods as that of Nice proven from authentick Copies for that end sought and found by the fathers of Africk may be seen C●nt Magdeburg yea also in Baronius This prevaileth the

obnoxious to blasts partly the things being excellent they have in their hand and partly they being eminently and highly planted pride hath the more matter to work upon and Satan hath the readier accesse and occasion to blow them up it is a rare thing to be eminent and humble to be great and in prosperity and yet to be lowly prosperity and gifts are a snare to many it had been advantage to many they had never had them considering how they have been abused by their pride and other corruptions 3. Pride is especially incident to Church-men which might be cleared both in the Old and New Testament They are as cities set on an hill Mat. 5. The Church is a mountain that is eminent and Church-governours are eminent above others and therefore liable to maniest tentations being about the most eminent things the devil setteth on them most knowing what advantage he hath when he hath gained ground among them and Christ had to do even with His Disciples in this Matth. 18. vers 20.4 It is a great plague and judgement and bringeth great hurt to the Church when this fire of pride and contention entereth and kindleth among the Officers of the Church it spreadeth marret● and corrupteth all it is the rise of much ill and abusing of the power that God hath given Diotrephes loving the preeminencie put all in confusion it began soon in Iohn's dayes 3 Epist. Ioh. and it is opposed to receiving of the Gospel and accounting of the Apostles This is no matter of laughing to you however ye look upon it as if ye were not concerned no it is your plague as if a firy mountain were tumbled-over on you This should make us all respect unity and peace in the Church and watch against pride and contention that marreth it 5. There are four ills in this text that follow on pride and contention among Church-men 1. It weakeneth and bringeth down Church-authority when this mountain taketh fire it falleth 2. It spreadeth infecteth and kindleth others it goeth among the people I am of Paul and I 'am of Apollos and they become carnall and factious 1 Cor. 1.12 and 3.1 2. and the life of Religion is eaten out amongst them seing from the Priests profanenesse spreadeth through the whole land Ier. 23. and so do pride and contention kindle the Officers and the whole Church will be in a fire If we looked on it rightly we would think the rise of contention a terrible plague and people would beware of adding fewell to this fire and labour by all means to quench it because it is hard to know where it may end 3. It corrupteth all first the Doctrine secondly the Practice thirdly Discipline and Order and then cometh confusion and every evil work 4. Many are stumbled and Spiritually slain when these waters become bloud so that corrupting of Government and Governours is no small judgement whereby we may know why Satan aimeth so much at this and why we ought to be the more watchfull against it 6. This plague or stroak on the Church doth often accompany a spirit of error and defection partly succeeding it partly going before it either causally inferred or at least occasioned or in Gods righteous judgement trysted with it that the triall may have the greater extent and efficacie to discover many Hypocrites and rotten Professours Tremble to think on it and adore Gods holy Justice in the measure it is met out to us in our time when the outward mean of Discipline and Government is so weakened there had need to be the more watchfulnesse and dependencie on God to be helped and sustained by Him when outward means are not so frequent nor in such vigour as they wont to be LECTURE IIII. Vers. 10. And the third Angel sounded and there fell a great Star from heaven burning as it were a lamp and it fell upon the third part of the rivers and upon the fountains of waters 11. And the name of the Star is called Worm-wood and the third part of the waters became wormwood and many men died of the waters because they were made bitter THe Church being before defaced by grosse Hereticks and Errours and kindled within by pride and contention for the Government amongst its Governours is now set upon by an other mean the rivers and fountains that were a little clear before and these streams whereby the waters of life were conveied are made biter and in stead of life they convey death by being now corrupted In this trumpet we are to consider these three 1. The judgement or ill that followed the Angels sounding 2. The cause I mean the instrumentall cause or rise of it whence it flowed 3. The effects of it 1. The judgement or ill is The corrupting of a third part of the waters fountains and rivers By fountains and rivers which are the object are understood the Doctrines of the Gospel or the Covenant of Grace and Christs Offices and the way of conveying and communicating the same to sinners by the Ordinances of the visible Church called the wells of salvation Isa. 12.3 and called springs or well-springs which God hath placed in His Church and which are no where else Psal. 87. ult because th●●● and by it the righteousnesse of God is revealed from Faith to Faith Rom. 1.17 And in E●eki●ls vision these waters are said to stream and flow from under the altar and out of the Sanctuary Ezek. 47.1 c. and may well be compared to fountains as the Church is called Cant. 4. A spring shut up a fountain sealed and a fountain of Gardens because of these waters springing in it and because of the nature of them which is clear single sweet and refreshing as usefull and necessary to spiritual life as waters are to the bodily and as having that use in the religious world which this is which waters have in the naturall and also in respect of the manner of dispensing Grace in the Gospel so largely and so freely wherefore it is compared to an open fountain to all Nations Zech. 13.1 and so frequently folks are invited to drink freely Isa. 55.1 and Rovel 22.17 and to wash By rivers we understand the preaching and dispensing of this Gospel whereby it is holden forth and as it were floweth to others which two are often put together when the spreading of the Gospel is prophesied of I will open rivers in the wildernesse and fountains in the deser● Isa. 41.17.18 probably referring to the spreading of the Gospel amongst the Gentiles so corrupting of this word is compared to mixing of liquor with something that is not of its kind nor so good as Vintners do adulterat wine 2 Cor. 2.17 opposit to the single and pure preaching of Christ which Paul used 2. The instrumentall cause of this which maketh the waters bitter is set out three wayes 1. It is more generally called a Star and a great Star burning like a lamp 2. It is shown from whence this Star fell 3. And

bloud and whose bloud is shed By this then it would seem their orders and Clergie especially and all others who are prime instruments and supporters of that antichristian world with their Nurseries and Seminaries whereby they have filled the world with corrupt Teachers must be understood These are called wells by Pet. 2. Epist. 2. though without water that is refreshfull water These run to and suit with the sea of Ordinances formerly mentioned These have furnished life to that beast of a long time men drinking at no other fountain or river but the Writings of some corrupt Schoolman whose principles and assertions are often more debated for than the Scriptures and had it not been watered by these that world had run dry long since These mens Doctrines shall not only by this be vilipended but the executers and followers of these principles whereby many Saints have smarted shall be repayed for persons eminently subservient to Antichrist and malicious against the Saints must be understood here as their Ordinances were by the former The effect is these rivers became bloud not corrupt only as in the former vial but they became bloudy that is had their own bloud given them to drink and were really made liable to such crosses and executions as formerly they had made the Saints liable unto so the words after expound it and so the Church in the second seal is described by a red horse But lest Antichrists followers should glory in suffering as in Martyrdoom the congratulation is added to shew that it was an effect of Justice on them which is commended in a double congratulation and approbation Vers. 5. The first approbation is by the instrument of this plague called the Angel of the waters because this was committed to him to plague these rivers and fountains There is here besides Gods title of eternity or holinesse as the last word of the three in the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath it a twofold commendation of Gods way in this with the evidence of both shewing that is done and that distinctly upon grounds of knowledge as men who speak of such things should do and there is one from the altar subscribing to this judgement which we take to be the same Chap. 14.18 whereby we understand that perfect harmony that is between them in heaven and these on earth heaven and earth as it were rejoycing together in the execution of this judgement as it is Chap. 18. The first congratulation or approbation goeth on two things 1. Something in God is commended 2. There is an evidence and proof of that which is commended 1. That commended is Gods eternity and unchangeablnesse it is the same with His name JEHOVAH these three syllabls making up this which art and wast and shall be and it especially relateth to Gods faithfulnesse making out now His promises to His people and this attribute being the same with JEHOVAH is here observed as an evidence of Gods faithfulnesse when He is now known by that Name as He was to Israel Exod. 3. and that other pitched upon is Gods justice not simply but as proportioning suitable judgements to the party plagued Righteous art thou O Lord that commended is the Righteousnesse and Justice of God the ground of it because thou hast thus judged or judged these things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is a speciall justice observed in respect of the object God hath poured this vial on as being very guilty 2. The suitablnesse and equality of the judgement is commended They shed bloud vers 6. and thou hast given them a meeting by shedding their bloud They made all the Saints a prey and had such strict Laws against them now Thou maketh them a prey according to vers 7. Chap. 13. by which we expound this drinking of bloud it being the fulfilling of that threatening evidently In a word they are worthy to be so dealt with which not only looketh to the justice of the plague simply but to its proportionablnesse to their sin especially as was said So it may well be rendered Meet for they were meet not only for wrath but for this same very wrath as the people of God pray Psal. 137. and it is commanded Rev. 18.6 it being Gods justice to proportion as is meet and therefore to give reward to His Servants the Prophets out of meetnesse and not out of merit Chap. 11. and so this word concludeth no more but God hath met these men that were prodigall of the Saints bloud in their own measure though unquestionably this and much more was deserved It is written of Cyrus who thirsting still after moe Kingdomes was at last defeated by the Masageta and having his head cut off Tomiris the Queen did cast it in a vessel of bloud bidding him that never would be satiated drink his fill such a meaning hath the same phrase here The second congratulation or approbation is vers 7. and it is the subscription of the Saints glorified in heaven to this Song setting their seal to the former approbation Even so Lord God Almighty c. observing and as it were preaching Gods Justice and Truth that appeareth now in these plagues This looketh like the same who Chap. 14.18 put up their suit to God for this judgement now when it is come he acknowledgeth it so that as both the Church-militant and Triumphant longed and prayed for Babylons ruine now when it cometh they are not idle spectators but blesseth Him for it They prayed then they praise now who do the former shall have occasion of the latter and should improve the occasion of praise as well as of prayer If by the first be to be understood Christians active in the judgement and by the second some suffering yet under Antichrist it will be one thing all sorts shall thus blesse God even these that are but onlooke●s though as yet they do not share of the delivery in that measure In sum it is Lord all that is said of Thy judgement on thy enemies and of Thy goodnesse to Thy people from the beginning of the world and particularly all that is come or to come on Antichrist is just and true and there is no wrong done thou hast keeped Thy threatnings to him and Thy promises to Thy people If any ask why this approbation or these congratulations are marked at this vial especially Beside what was said in opening the meaning of the words we conceive these reasons may be given 1. To shew that the work is observable and should be observed as that which hath much of Gods glory shining in it and so it telleth how observant Gods people are and ought to be in observing His judgements 2. It is to shew the greatnesse and gloriousnesse of the work of executing judgement on Antichrist as having much of Gods faithfulnesse and justice shining in it and of His love to His Church 3. It is that thereby the stupidity and slownesse of men may be checked Men are slow to put out their

By woman we told was understood Rome it is called a city Verse ult and it must be such a city as may serve particularly to discover these mountains from other mountains they are such saith he as the chief city of the world sitteth on And then this city cannot be the multitude of the wicked for that could be no mark for Iohn or others to discern on seven mountains from any other seven mountains Beside this city is not the world or complex body of Kings but that city that ruleth over them under seven several Governments as the following words clear And the mountains are such as this woman sitteth on now her sitting is two wayes understood in this Chapter 1. she sitteth on many waters vers 1. that is many peoples and Kingdoms vers 15. over whom vers 18. she ruleth Thus to sit on is to rule 2. she sitteth in a peculiar way in one place of these peoples whom she commandeth beyond other places and she sitteth not so on the peoples or waters but on the seven mountains that is she hath her residence pompe court throne and abode there which reacheth over many people And this agreeth well with the Angels scope which being to open the events of the fifth vial he insisteth on the object of it which is the seat or throne of the beast Chap. 16. These seven mountains then will be such as the Imperiall city of the world not only commands over but is placed upon and so that city will be found to be the whore that dwelleth on seven mountains and this Empire to be the beast that upholdeth and supporteth these and governeth them ut supra From which it is clear that Rome is designed by the Angel to be this city For 1. Rome is famous for its situation on seven hills that is a peculiar paraphrase of it both among Greeks and Latins The seven hilled city or the city on the seven hills and Rome were still taken as one for at first by Romulus it comprehended four he was the first founder of it after by the sixth King Servius Tullius were three more added hence was that yearly feast 3. id Decemb. called festum septimontium and these sayings of the Poets confirm this Virg. Septem quae una sibi muro circumdedit arces And Ovid. trist Sed quae d● septem totum circumspicit orbem Montibus Imperii Roma Deūmque locus c. which made it to receive these names septiceps urbs septicollis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. and they are thus particularly named 1. Palatinus 2. Cali●s 3. Capitolius or Ianiculus 4. Aventinus 5. Qairinali● 6. Viminalis 7. Aesqui●inus which maketh Bellar. lib. 2. de Pont. cap. 2. say notissimum est supra septem colles urbem Romam ●edificatam esse Corn. à lapide in locum citeth many to confirm this and if Rome be the seat the Roman Church is the whore and the Pope Antichrist who keepeth his Court there in a speciall manner though he command otherwise all the world at his pleasure yet his chair is nailed to that seven hilled city and cannot be removed That which is objected may be answered from what is said Say some this city meaneth no particular city but the company of the wicked in generall which is clearly contrary to the Angels scope which is to discover one state and city and to the Text which distinguisheth this city from people and Nations over which it commandeth and from Kings that gave their power to the beast yet are they no small part of the wicked in the world Beside it is such a city as is situated on seven hills peculiarly distinguished from others which cannot be the wicked 2. Say some seven are to be taken indefinitely which is also answered from the scope that pointeth out seven hills on which the woman sitteth beside others to satisfie Iohn in this as in other interpretations 3. Say Some as Bellar. though Rome then sat on seven mountains yet it is not so now but standeth saith he in campo martio Answ. It is granted by Bellarmine that Rome was then the city signified to Iohn for it then bare rule it must then be understood of it also now or this one type must signifie one city or place to Iohn in his time and another to us which is absurd 2. It is enough that it was built so in Iohns time for it is the same city Empire and series of Dominion still and though as he saith it standeth most in campo martio yet it is the same Rome which before that in Iohns time had these seven hills in it or else the Pope sitteth in some other Rome than Peter sat on in Iohns time 3. Though some of these hills be without the walls now yet they are still linked to the rest by speciall priviledges all of them being seats of the Popes Pallaces Abbacies c. yet on an other occasion Bellar. saith notissimum est cam supra septem colles adificatam esse that is It is a thing most known that Rome is builded upon seven hills as is said The Angel having in the first exposition of these seven heads discovered Rome in its locall situation by fixed hills he goeth on in a second application to do it by its fleeting and successive Governments ver 10. and 11. In it 1. he sheweth what further these heads hold forth to wit seven Kings it may be read they are or signifie seven Kings as before seven Hills And although one might think it hard that one type should set forth a Hill and a King yet the Angels particular explication leaveth no room for that debate Then 2. he discovereth or characterizeth these Kings in respect of time and being that so Iohn and others might the more easily discern what he proponed Five are fallen saith he one is and the other is not yet come 3. Because the shot of all is to discover the beast under the last head therefore in severall characters here the seventh is described in the end of the 10. and 11. verses For understanding this we shall 1. clear the words 2. Then apply them 3. Remove some doubts or objections 1. By Kings is not strictly to be understood Governours under that name only but in Scripture all Governours ordinarily passe under that name So Moses is called Deut. 33.5 And when Israel wanted all Government Iudg. 17. ult it is said In these dayes they had no King in Israel signifying no Governour or order every one did what he listed And here in Iohns time that Governour of the Empire bare not this name of King though he be called the sixth 2. Neither by Kings are understood Governours personally or individuall men but a series or succession under one forme of Government in a line as Dan. 7.17 the four Monarchies which were not any of them save it be the third in an individuall person yet they are called four Kings and it must meane so here for

and the state of the world then she is a city that ruleth over them vers 18. The first expoundeth that ver 1 of many waters The second her judgment which he undertook The third pointeth her out as it were with the finger Other circumstances of colour c. are clear from the scope and need no interpretation Therefore are omitted The woman which is called a City ver 18. hath her seat on many waters ver 1. that is not on flouds saith the Angel but they are peoples multitudes nations and tongues that is many and diverse Nations and a large dominion She is said to sit on these not as she sat in a peculiar manner on the seven hills But 1. by commanding and ordering these It is called ver 18. a ruling over the kings of the earth 2. By her gathering treasures and store from these whereby the pomp and greatnesse of that City is supported 3. She maketh use of them for upholding of her pomp and this is applyed to a City because her rulers that sit in her did so command and it was by their commanding and ruling that this affluence did redound to her and because the speciall supream Court sitteth there as it is said of Babylon that she dwelleth on many waters Ier. 51.13 which is expounded in part in the following words by her abounding in treasures People and Nations are compared to Waters 1. In that they are of a flowing changeable unstable nature like water Gen. 49. And 2. in that they are an unsure though a promising-like ground to build a State upon Babylon hath these that is many Nations for her foundation The second character is the ruine of this whore which is set forth in these three things vers 16. and confirmed by the anticipating of an objection ver 17. 1. This ruine is set out in the degrees and greatnesse of it They shall hate her make her desolate naked and eat her flesh and burn her with fire which words shew not only indignation at her in the instruments but hold out the particular steps it should proceed by 1. To hate her the love and respect that once they bare to her shall now be turned to hatred as is ordinary after lusts as in Amnon to his sister Tamar 2. They make her desolate and naked that is discover her shame and withdraw their former supply whereby she was supported in her pomp 3. By executing judgments in a most vindictive and horrible manner eating her flesh and burning her with fire which importeth her utter ruine 2. This ruine is set out by the actors in it to wit the ten Kings formerly described and set out by ten horns even those who once committed fornication with her and did partake in her sin These or some of these as it is said of the thieves that were crucified with Christ they cast the same in His teeth i.e. one of them shall be the performers of this judgment for some of them continue to lament her ruine Chap. 18. 3. The time when they shall do it is implyed to be after they had given their power a long time to the beast and committed fornication with this whore they shall begin to withdraw from her and perform this execution on her This is gathered 1. from the series of the story These ten Kings first when they got Kingdoms gave their power to the beast and make war with the Lamb at that time they love the whore and do sin with her But afterward they change and withdraw for it is not done in the time of their giving power to the beast for they cannot give their power to the beast which supporteth the whore and make desolate the whore that the beast supporteth at one time Neither do they fight with the Lamb and whore at one time but when God draweth them from their first practice of adoring this whore with whom at first the Kings did commit fornication then this is done 2. It is drawn from the 17. verse wherein these Kings in giving their power to the beast are limited unto that time in which God shall have performed His Word of this whores deluding the world and then He who put that agreement in their hearts to the one is to make the alteration and change to the other The confirmation of this or the anticipation is ver 17. where it may be objected How can these Kings be instrumental in her ruine Are they not slaves to the beast and hath not the beast and she one standing so that who sustaineth the one must also sustain the other Or how can it be expected that they who have been so long and so much drunk with her fornications shall after this abandon her The Angel removing the objection addeth a confirmation thus It is true they shall give their power joyntly to the beast but 1. that is not forever but till Gods Word be fulfilled which is the word of the great spiritual delusion that was to come 2 Thess. 2. during Antichrists height and his continuation for so long a time but no longer when that is fulfilled the case will alter as the word untill Gen 49.10 implyeth the removing the Scepter from Iudah then so this untill importeth a change when the prophecies foresaid are fulfilled 2. That giving of such a joynt power willingly is not by accident nor is it of it self ordinary for so many Kings to give their power to an other but saith he even this is of God who in His secret wisdom and justice that He may bring about what He hath determined on an unthankfull world and might punish both Kings and others that received not the Truth and received it not with love 2 Thess. 2. Thus far He gave up and shall give up these Kings to that delusion so to do till His spiritual plagues be at an end And He that made them so extraordinarily do the one can and will make them also do the other And therefore as we have seen the one part fulfilled to wit Gods putting it in their hearts thus to agree to be his slaves so may we be confirmed to expect the other and take the one as a pledge of the other though it be unlikely that is that the ruine of Antichrist and Rome then which is the object of the fifth vial shall be by that part of the World Kings and Nations over which he longest had his dominion By which it is clear 1. that Romes fall is by such Kings or those who by Gods providence shall be Rulers in these parts it is not unlikely also of these races or lines that have been deluded because in that Gods power who swayeth Kings to love or hatred as He pleaseth Prov. 21.1 is most remarkable thus and their remembrance of their former delusion wakeneth that hatred most 2. It is clear alio that that ruine is after their partaking of her sin 3. That sinning with Antichrist is a spiritual plague and judicial stroke from the Lord. And

like Angels But 3. Will it not evidence Gods power and greatnesse and be a standing monument of that and will it not be some trophie of the full and finall abolition of death when the effects of it as to the creature are taken away which it is like would never have perished either by fire or water had not sin come in and unwillingly made it to be subject Therefore some way it is meet that it should also be f●ed The last observable thing in the great change of the world is that there was no m●re sea for understanding this we premit 1. that sea is not allegori●ally or improperly to be understood for troubles and storms which then the world is to be free of though that be a truth But the sea here must be understood properly as the earth and heaven in the words before it being that sea which is a part of this universe 2. It would seem that to say that the sea were new also would not agree there being some pecullar thing said of the sea in its passing more than is said of the earth and heaven 3. Yet hardly can it be said that the fire of conflagration shall destroy all the element of water and so dry up the sea because there is now no use of it for it may be said 1. that there is no use of the earth either 2. That that conflagration purgeth the elements but annihilateth them not but bringeth them into their perfection as it doth all the world a great part whereof is the element of water We shall without insisting lay down th●ee wayes how we may take the words 1. There was no more sea because by that fire all the elements are melted and made to run together as it were in one lump and so there is all that was but not distinctly sea from earth but all together that world to come being a result of their melting and intermixing one with another when all of them are purified 2. But because the heavens and the earth are looked on still as distinct it will be hard to confound the water and the earth and heaven though it may be probable It is said that by sea is not meaned the element of pure water but that body of salt mixed waters separated from the earth and put in bounds by it self which differeth also from other waters and hath a moving fleeting nature as it is the sea usefull for commerce amongst men The sea thus understood say they is no more not that all waters are dried up but this sea is purified that it is no more sea having the properties uses and differences which now it hath from other waters and to this purpose do they make use of Gen. 1. where mention is made of waters before eve●●here was a sea And so they make the taking away of sea not to be an annihilating of waters simply but the reducing of the sea to the originall nature if not to the place of the first waters so that it is not now sea as by that first appointment of God Gen. 1.9 and 10. it was 3. It may be understood thus the former heaven and earth were passed away and there was no more sea that is the change extended it self not only to heaven and earth but to the sea also even although folks would think it lesse probable that the sea should be altered with fire and as they went away yet not simply but the former heavens so here is to be understood the sea was no more that is the former sea but it was changed also And this we think the simplest meaning and may someway be reconciled with what went before and what is spoken of the sea here is the same which was spoken of the earth Chap. 20.11 only the change is more palpable on it for although it continue to be water yet it continueth not to be sea it not being of the substance and essence of water to be sea From this great change we may learn 1. not to fix too much on creatures which are passing but on God who is the same and changeth not Psal. 102. It is the Apostles advice 1 Cor. 7.27.29 c. Mortification is a good study for this world passeth away 2. It would presse us to holinesse seing such a triall and change will be 2 Pet. 3.11 what manner of persons ought we to be seing all these things must come to passe in all godly conversation waiting for that dissolving Assure your selves it will be and where will the sinners appear in that day It is much disputed by the Schoolmen how the Godly then living and these that are again raised are differenced from the wicked at that time and what pain this fire is to them And here ignorantly and superstitiously they conclude that it serveth in stead of purgatory to these that were living or shall be at that time But to leave curiosity this is sure 1. that the end of that fire is neither to pain nor to fire or purge the Elect it being impossible that fire materiall can take away sin except it be meritoriously and that cannot be though they did suffer for many suffer then and merite not but this is founded on the rotten grounds of self righteousnesse Beside this fire is not voluntary therefore according to their own principles cannot satisfie But the end of this is the changing of this visible world and the putting an end to time 2. It is like the change of the living Godly will not be by this fire 1. because if Paul were living he would be changed 1 Cor. 15. yet would he not likely suffer fire 2. Their change is done in the twinkling of an eye which cannot be by fire 3. It is not death for all shall not die but in place of death whereas certainly fire would infer dying it being a materiall fire 3. However we conceive the order of proceeding at the last Judgement yet it is like that the resurrection of the dead Elect and the changing of the living with their taking up to meet the Lord 1 Thess. 4. if not the finall sentence on all shall go before this fire the opening of the graves which must be before this fire and the seas giving up of her dead implyeth this the glorified condition therefore of the Elect being begun and the sentence having passed belike on the wicked also Christ thereby continuing last on the field as Conquerour and Victor before this fire the Elect are all without the reach thereof for all the Elect that are then living or formerly dead and glorified must be in one condition the bodies of the one being on the earth as the persons of the other are and seing it cannot be said of the glorified elect that they suffer fire or are to be purged so neither can it be said of the other LECTURE II. Vers. 2. And I Iohn saw the holy city new Ierusalem coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for