where certaâ—nâ— words of Hebrue Greekâ— and Latâ—ne are occasionally cited in the margin to justifie the translation those words are sometimes above some times below their due place in like manner some quotatiouâ— of Scripture in the Margin are misplaced as for instance in Page 35. Ezechias 1. 10. Exod. 24.19 which refer to the 38. line of that Page These will be easily manded by an intelligent Reader But these following Errata require amendment as too much interrupting the Reader and obscuring the sence Page 11. Lâ—ne 16. Errata for faâ— read further p. 34. l. 5. blot out the word those p. 41. l. 3. for vanished r. vanquished p 42. b 9. for sence r. sentence p. 44. l. 17. for Tyrus r. Tâ—tus p. 45. l. 7. for the â— put out the Id. 22. r. for what conâ—equence hath p. 48. l. 31. for nation r. notion p. 49. l. 27. read Busiris Phalarâ— p. 56. l. 19. for But it r. But yet Id. 33. for 2. Kings 28. r. 2. Kings 18 p. 59. l. 13. r. agree but to that Id. l. 31. for which r. what p 60. l. 2. for throw r. throwne p. 61. l 26. for souldiers r. shoulders p. 64. l. 23. for pull r. puszle Id. l. 24. for their r. in their p. 69. l. 5. for preferred r. preserved p. 89. l. 32. for bloodie r. blood or bloodie Id. l. 39. r. the meaning is the Romane p. 99. l. 17. for Glanisme r. Islamisâ—e l. 35. for Natotia read Natolia l. 37. for when r. whence p. 101. l. 3. O horrible p. 102. l. 12. for was not given r. was given l. 27. for petition r. repetition l. 34 for propogation r. preparaâ—ion p. 105. l. 16. for noble r. notable l. 18. for Apaside r. Abasida l. 31. read since before the principality of the Abasidâ— p. 109. l. 4. for sterdion r. direction l. 11. for vanished r. vanquished l. 12. in margin r. Argonaâ—ta l. 22. r. Sedyduddaulas l. 34. for the citier the royall citie p. 112. l. 17. for breaking of r. breaking in of p. 113. l. â— for as in the yecâ—â— r. as the yâ—ere p. 114. l. 20. for be understood r. But is to be understood p. 115 l. 4 for diâ—pose r. disuse p. 119 l. 32. for Baalâ—s of all r. Baales of Baal p. 120. l. 34 for deterred r deferred p. 121. l. 21 for temporarie r. contemporarie Page Line Errata Corrigenda 36 34 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 50 26 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 73 23 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this word should be the last word Amos 9 12. 73 26 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this word should be the first word 77 29 â—he Hebrew words are misplaced rectifie them by the Hebrue Text Esay 9.1.2 whence they are â—ited 78 09 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beginneth it should end the sentence 81 34 35 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 99 31 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 106 27 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 108 16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 108 19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 108 20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 115 34 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 115 35 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 119 09 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 110 11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 120 17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Key of the Revelation OR The Synchronisme and order of the prophecies of the Revelation according as the things were to be accomplished resting on no supposed interpretation as of a ground layed or fore-judgeing of the falling out of actions but firmely demonstrated out of the very characters of the visions inserted by the Spirit of God of set purpose and accordingly in a clear Scheme presented to view that it may be as a sure guide to those that are conversant in this holy Labyrinth and a Touch-stone for the â—inding out of the true interpretation and disproving of the false Things to be fore-knowne 1. BY a Synchronisme of prophecies I meane when the things therein designed run along in the â—ame time as if thou shouldest call it an agreement in time or age because prophecies of things falling out in the same time run on in time together or Synchronize 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. The order of the Seals and in them of the Trumpets is certaine and undoubted to wit the same which the number to every one ascribed doth point out I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII The rest therefore of the prophesies being compared first betweene themselves afterward with the Seales by the way of Synchronisme the order of the whole Revelation will be clearely manifest the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thing which now by Gods help we goe about to shew Thou who sittest upon the throne And thou O Lambe root of David who wast onely worthy to take and open this book open the eyes of thy servant and direct his hand and minde that in these thy mysteries he may discerne and produce something which may tend to the glory of thy Name and profit of the Church The first parâ— The first Synchronisme Of the Woman remaining in the wildernesse Of the seven-headed Chap. 1â— Chap. 1â— Chap. 11. Chap 11. Beast restored Of the outer court troden under foot by the Gentiles Of the Witnesses in the meane time prophecying in sackcloth Here I begin and my first Synchronisme shall be of that noble Quaternion of Prophecies which are very remarkable by reason of the equalitie of their times 1. Of the woman remaining in the wildernesse for a time times and halfe a time or as there it is â—ore manifestly declared 1260. dayes 2. Of the seven-headed Beast restored and ruling 42. moneths 3. Of the outer court or of the holy Citie so many moneths troden under foot by the Gentiles 4. And last of the witnesses prophecying in sackcloth 1260. dayes The truth of this Synchronisme is almost granted and seemeth that both it may and also usually is avouched upon this ground because of the equality it selfe of their times for a time times and halfe a time that is three yeares and an halfe as it appeareth by comparing the 6. and 14. verses of the 12. chap. make 42. moneths and 42. moneths 1260. dayes But because it is not necessary howsoever it be very likely in visions shewed the same time that aequall times should bee also 〈…〉 the same times since aequality hindereth not but that some may be before some after others therefore that character of aequality of times will not be sufficient to convince one that is perverse Wherefore I will get me caracters else where out of which by â—leare and evident demonstration I thus make good the point The Synchronisme of the Beast and the woman Chap.
1â— The times of the Beast and of the woman dwelling in the wildernesse begin at the very same instant of time to wit the conquest of the red Dragon and the thrusting him downe into the earth therefore since the said times are of aequall continuance it must of necessity follow that they did concurre in the whole in termediate space of time and likewise at length end their course together That the times of either of them do commence from the same beginning or terme is manifest out of the 12. chap. for when as the dragon is cast downe by Michael then the woman escapeth from his presence into the wildernes ver 6 and 14. The Dragon being angry that hee had in vaine attempted to destroy her now entring thither in the 15 16 and 17. ver he went to make war with the rest of her seed to wit those which she should bring forth in the wildernesse vers 17. * For without doubt it is to bee read with all the latine translations the greeks of Aldus an 1518. and the Syriaque Interpreter who out of the greeke turneth it et steâ—tit and he stood not as at this day the greek copies have it et steâ—i and I stood And standing upon the sea sand vers 18. To the ten horned Beast thence ascending chap. 13.1 he gave his power and his throne and great authoritie there verse 2. Chap. 11. The Synchronisme of the Beast and the prophecie of the witnesses The times of the Beast and of the prophecie of the witnesse being likewise aequall are finished together at the end of the sixt trumpet therefore it is manifest that they also begun together and through the whole space betweene did Synchronize Now that the times both of the Beast and of the witnesses of God prophecying in sackcloth ended together with the end of the sixt trumpet that also appeareth out of the 14. ver of the 11. Chap. where aswell the ascension of the witnesses into heaven which is the period of their mourning prophecie as that great earthquake wherewith the Imperiall citiâ— being overthrowne the kingdome of the Beast was abolished is marked out by the moment wherein the second woe which is the sixt trumpet went out and the third woe or seventh trumpet should forth with ensue for in that moment of time the witnesses whom the Beast which had ascended out of the bottomles pit had slaine being even ready to finish their testimony in sackcloth for this when they sâ—all finish is meant by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reviving by God ascended up into heaven verse 7. 11. 12. and the tenth part of the city fell by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 meanes of the great earthquake the same houre ver 13. and the matter came to that passe that the 7. trumpet sounding all the Kingdomes of the world became our Lords and his Christ verse 15. The Synch of the Witnesses and of the Court or holy city Chap 11. possessed by the Gentiles That the times of the Witnesses and of the Court or holy citie possessed by the Gentiles do contemporize it appeareth as well by the meaning of the text Chap. 11. v. 2 3. as also by the wrath of the Gentiles now cast out in the beginning of the seaventh Trumpet that is from the end of the sixt when also the dayes of the witnesses shall end as it hath already been manifested for the Gentiles which in the 18. verse are said to be enraged at the found of the seaventh Trumpet are the very same which hitherto by the space of forty two monthes had troden underfoot the court of the outer Temple that is the holy city and which now therefore come to be destroyed by the wrath of God And surely this Synchronisme is called into question by none to my knowledge or remembrance The Synch of the Witnesses of the Court of the Beast Chap. 11 12. 1â— and of the Woman If the treading under foot of the court and holy city did agree â—n time with the prophecy of the Witnesses it will agree in time also with the Beast with which the Witnesses agreed in time and therefore also with the Woman in the wildernesse to which thâ— Beast agreed in time So the Woman in the wildernes the dominion of the Beast the treading of the holy city under foot and the prophecie of the witnesses do synchronize each with other The second Synchronisme Of the two borned beast who is also the false prophet Chap. 13. with the ten horned Beast which is also called the Image of the Beast For the two horned Beast is the founder or erector of that seaven headed Beast wearing crownes upon his ten hornes which after his deadly wound to the great hurt of the Saints he anew restored according to the image of a certain former estate wherein he was to rule full 42. moneths chap. 13. v. 3 5 12 14 15. which being done he doth exercise all his power in his presence and also doth shew or worke great wonders in his sight verse 12 13. and chap. 19. verse 20. At length this very same two horned Beast which Iohn calleth elswhere the false prophet together with that other Beast in whose presence hee had done the wonders as inseparable companions are taken and both cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone Chap. 19. v. 20. when therefore the ten horned Beast give me leave for plainnesse so to call the seaven headed Beast restored and the two horned false prophet are not separated one from the other either in their rising or in their ruine Moreover whereas the one excrciseth the power of the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is in his presence who seeth not that they necessarily contemporize through their whole time But that the whole matter may bee rightly perceived it is to be understood that there is no other state of the seven headed Beast described cha 13. then that of the instauration or of the last head which was tenne horned that which the whole order of the description doth make evident For whatsoever evill the Beast is said to have committed whatsoever worship or adoration is given unto him by the inhabitants of the earth all that is said to be done after his instauration or healing of his wound Furthermore that the ten hornes doe belong to the last head or state of the Beast which is the state of his â—stauration is manifest by the interprâ—tation of the Angel Chap. 17. For there when five heads had fallen that is had fulfilled their Verse 10. courses and the fixt even then in Iohns time was in being yet the time of the hornes is said not to be as yet come Therefore of necessitie it must belong unto the seventh or last head An apendix concerning the mutuall interchanging of the names of the Beast and the falâ—e prophet likewise of the Beast and the image of the Beast For of both these the title of the
to make the contemporation a full and entire contemporation for they may all consist even with a contemporation but in part I thus therefore demonstrate the company of the sealed of the Lambe wholly and exactly to contemporize with the Beast That company of the sealed being an opposite with the Beast or of the whole company of the 〈◊〉 followers of the Beast is of the same time with them to wit the bands of the holy souldiers even then persevering in their alleagiance to the Lambe when other inhabitants of the world as revolters and Apostates had taken the marke of the Beast It is plaine out of the text whence as in times past according to the ancient custome servants and souldiers were wont to be branded and marked with the name of him to whom they had given their Faith even so these are shewed to beare the name of the Lambe and of his Father in their fore-heads Since this is so it followeth that either holdeth equall proportion with other and altogether answer in a like distance of time For the state of such opposition doth require that the company of the Sealed of the Lambe for as much as is intended by that vision be wholly esteemed of an opposite estate of the Beast For besides such opposition it hath no estate by the meaning of this vision and therefore with the same beginning beginneth and ending endeth 5 Furthermore concerning the finall contemporation that also may be proved by that mark out of the 7. Chapter Because the period of both aswell of the tyranny of the Beast as of that company of the sealed is the multitude of the palmebearers of the Beast because it is there said of the palm-bearers These are they which came out of great tribulation but out of what tribulation except of the Beast persecuting the Saints Therefore they leave the tyranny of the Beast behinde them of the companie of the sealed because the multitude of the palm-bearers immediately follow as by that transition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after Chap. 7. 1. these things I saw is manifest 5. A Consectarie of the generall Synchronisme of all hitherto mentioned So the Beast restored to life again or the ten horned hath contemporized with the woman in the wildernesse the treading under foot the holy City and the witnesses in the mean time mourning in sackcloth Synch 1. The two horned Beast with the ten horned Beast Synch 2. The whore with both Synch 3. The companie of the virgines sealed with the whore and the Beast Synch 4. Therefore all Synchronize with all The sixth Synchronisme Of the inward court measured with the reed of God of the lying in wait and the battaile of the seven headed Dragon with 〈◊〉 Michael concerning the child-birth For they are the immediate antecedents of those things which formerly were shewed to be contemporaries the battaile of the Dragon and the child-birth of the woman of the habitation of the woman in the desert and of the ten horned Beast the inner court for that which is said concerning the temple of God the 〈◊〉 altar and the priests worshipping there according to custome is the Periphrasis thereof of the outer court or people where the Gentiles without right or reason are said to be harboured For first both of them as well the child-birth of the woman as the battail of the Dragon with Michael doth altogether pitch upon the same period that is the flight of the woman into the wildernesse which is said immediately to have followed the designe of them both For the woman as soone as she had brought forth flieth into the wildernes there to be nourished 1260 dayes chap. 12. verse 6. Likewise the Dragon being throwen downe the woman flyeth into the wildernes there to be nourished from the presence of the Serpent or Dragon for a time times and halfe a time ver 13 14 wherefore the title of the Synchronisme doth cast both these as you see into one time as it were visions of the same time and altogether of the same thing and which there was no such need to sever in this matter Furthermore that same duell wherein Michael overcame the Dragon did goe next before the seven headed revived or ten horned Beast for the Dragon forthwith as soone as hee was throwen downe unto the earth standing upon the sea sand for the time to come delivereth his place that is his power throne and great authoritie to the Beast rising up thence and as the Complutense edition which Irenaeus hath it one of his heads as it were slaine to death whose wound being healed the whole Lib. 5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 anâ— the text in â—he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 asseâ—â—â—h to this reading as also the Syriaque interpreter which is lately set forth yea among the â—aâ—â—e 〈◊〉 Priâ—asâ—â— doth not read that word vidi I saw although he take it so by adding the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was This deceived â—im â—hat in latine one of the heads c. concerning the case is 〈…〉 the Greek world wondring followed the Beast chap. 13. verse 1 2 3. And thus far the matter is plaine and cleare but the antecession of the inner court to the outward court which is the onely thing that remaineth to perfect this Synchronisme is a little harder taske to prove because the matter is otherwise taken and therefore hindred with prejudice yet thus I shew it The inner court according to the building of the temple in situation and order is before the outer court being neerest to the throâ—e of God or the temple which was the principall part of the whole structure 〈◊〉 Therefore if the things signified be of divers times for it is no new thing that the order of situation should expresse the order of time as it is to be seen in the Statua in Nebuchadnezzars dream surely it is agreeable to reason that the thing signified by the inner court should bee in time before the thing signified by the outer But that the things meant by the courts are of divers times and so that which is meant by the inner court more ancient and before the other I thus farre demonstrate because this vision of the measuring of the court of the temple and altar or the inner court is the beginning to the prophesie repeated which as anon more at large shall be shewed doth from the originall and very first beginning rehearse the times of the prophesie of the seales the beginning whereof no man doubteth to be fetcht from the very Epoche of the time of the Revelation Thou must saith he prophesie againe for so he expoundeth the mysterie of the eaten booke to many people nations tongues and kings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Again that is to say the order of times concerning which he had prophesied before being repeated For he beginneth from that measuring of the temple and altar and them that worshipped therein If therefore the vision of the woman bringing forth the childe and the war of
length that his seat was to be shaken and his kingdome darkned appeareth chap. 16. ver 10. Therefore five of the Vialls at the least are powred out before the sixt trumpet left sounding and I beleeve also the sixt for the seaventh Viall which is the Viall of conâ—ummation there verse 17. 18. doth therefore concurre with the beginning of the seaventh trumpet which likewise is the trumpet of consummation chap. 10. ver 6. The fourth Synchronisme Of the thousand yeeres of the Dragons or Satans being bound with the seaventh trumpet or space from the destruction of the Beast Chap. 20. That this of the binding of Sathan may the better be understood Chap. 11. that is to be premised before the demonstration that in the text it is said that then thereupon Satan is not onely cast into the bottomlesse pit but there shut up and moreover chap. 20. 3. that the Angel had sealed it up upon him that hee should no more seduce the Nations untill the thousand yeers were consummate that is had surely enclosed him that at no hand hee should come forth For it was the manner of the Hebrewes and neighbouring Nations when they would surely shut and make fast a doore they sealed it So the stone put upon the Lions denne whereinto Daniel was cast king Darius sealed with his ring and with the ring of his Lords Daniel 6. * In the Apocryphall History the servants of Daniel shut the doores of 〈◊〉 and Dâ—agâ—n verse 11. the teâ—ple of Bel and seale it with the kings ring Likewise the Jewes Matth. 27. 66. did shut the Sepulchre of our Saviour or madeit sure by seâ—ling the stone c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where is to be observed that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doe mutually expound themselves For it is one thâ—â—g to be cast downe from heaven Chap. 12. which so many apply to this place and quite another to be bound to be shut up in a bottomlesse pit and to be sealed The first taketh not away the libertie of wandring abroad and doing hurt but the other by no meanes suffereth to come out of his prison yea I dare affirme that none of those things which are related in the 20th Chapter doe appeare in the 12. neither againe concerning that which is rehearsed in the 12. Chapter is there any word extant in the 20. so far it is off that the same thing should be represented in both Let us examine it a little In the 20. Chap there are four things related of the Dragon First that hee was apprehended by the Angel which descended from heaven Secondly bound Thirdly cast into a bottomlâ—ss â—pit Fourthly that he was shut up and sealed But thou shalt finde none of these in the 12th chap. Likewise that one thing which is declared in the 12. Chapter concerning the casting down of the Dragon from heaven into the earth of that there is not one * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sillable in th 20th yea it may plainely bee gathered out of the context that that was not at all then done for it is said there that the Angel which did come to binde the dragon descended from heaâ—en therfore the dragon was even then upon the earth For otherwise wherefore should the Angel descend from heaven to apprehend him hereupon cha 12 Michael descended not froÌ„ heaven but in the very heaven he fighteth hand to hand with the divell These things thus premised let us come to the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 demonstration of the Synchronisme 1. Arg. Vnder the first six seales the Dragon or Satan was free Arg 1 and loose likewise under the first six trumpets of the seventh seale therefore it remaineth that the 1000. yeeres of the binding of Satan are cast upon the time of the seventh trumpet For that Satan or the Dragon was not bound while the six first seales did yet run their course appeareth by this that during all that space he brussling with seven heads and seven Crownâ—s fought in heaven with Michael about the child-birth of the woman as lately hath been shewed Synch 2. But neither came it to passe in the six first trumpets of the following seale for this is the time of the woman in the wildernes and of the raigning ten horned Beast as appeareth out of the first Synchronisme of this part Surely it was far wide that the Dragon should be thought to be bound while the woman lived in the wildernesse who being throwne downe by Michael from heaven did endeavour to drowne her in her â—light with the flood of waters which he cast out of his mouth and then when this tooke none effect according to his minde the earth swallowing up the flood and the woman now received into the wâ—ldernesse being inflamed with wrath and fury hee went to make warre with the remnant of her seed which kept the Commandments of God and had the testimonie of Jesus Chap. 12. verse 13 15 17. Are these tokens of Satan bound But let us see also concerning the Beast and heare how the Dragon was bound under his raigne to wit the Dragon gave his power and his throne and great authoritie and all the world wondring followed the Beast and they worshipped the Dragon which gave power unto the Beast chap. 13. verse 2 3 4. But perhaps Satan was able to doe all these things from out of his prison certainly being shut up and sealed he could not But that there may be no shifting place left and that it may plainly appear how free and loose the Dragon was yet to commit those same villanies from which being once imprisoned he is said to be restrained behold another * Aiuâ—â—â—m scholler of his the falâ—e prophet being the inseparable companion of the ten horned Beast the administrator of his Bestiall authority of whom thou hast it expresly written that he did great wonders and that he deceived the Chap 13. 13 14. inhabitants of the earth by the signes which were permitted him to doe will any one now eaâ—â—ly beleeve these Beasts carrying things thus thâ—t the 〈◊〉 that is Satan was bound that he was cast into a bottomlâ—ssâ—â—it and 〈◊〉 up that hee might not deceive the people 〈…〉 â—ccording to the 20th chap. ver 2.3 Moreover out of the trumpets themselves for halfe the time at least an arguâ—ent is not wanting of the devils libertie and freedome â—or what is that king of the locusts of the fifth trumpet which is called the angel of the bottomlesse pit whose name in Hebrew is Aâ—addon and in Greek Apollyon and whom Saint Iohn painteth out to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him who fel from Chap 〈…〉 heaven lately into the earth that very same Dragon and Satan whom Michael before the sound of the trumpets had thrust downe from heaven unto the earth Neither doe I remember that in the whole Revelation there is read of any other besides him to have fallen upon the earth neither doe I know
dayes it appeareth as well out of those three dayes and an halfe parts of these dayes a little after to be assigned to the death of the witnesses which that they cannot be taken for naturall dayes those things which are foretold to be then done doe prove as also out of that that the Beast the measure of whose time they also doe containe contemporized with the company of the 144000 sealed and the company of the sealed with the sixe first trumpets but the matters of the trumpets could not be run out in so little time as in 1260 naturall dayes or in the space of three yeere and an half But thou wilt aske why is the prophanation of the Gentiles measured by moneths and the prophesie of the witnesses defending the pure worship of God by dayes Forsooth because the worshipping of idols and every sinne and errour is of the power of darknesse and night wherein the Moon ruleth contrariwise true Religion is compared to the light and to the day of which the Sunne is the ruler Therefore the sending of Paul to convert the Gentiles Chap. 11. from idâ—ls is said Acts 26. 18. To turne them from darknesse to light from the power of Satan to God The same meaning hath that What fellowship hath light with darkenesse Now then the 2 Cor. 6.14 Moneths are directed by the motion of the Moone which ruleth the night dayes and yeeres by the motion of the Sunne which ruleth the day For the same cause as afterwards we shall see the blasphemy of the Beast will be reckoned after the motion of the Moon by moneths but the abiding of the woman in the wildernesse by yeers and dayes after the motion of the Sunne These are the two Olive trees and the two candlesticks standing Vers 4. before the God of the Earth That is they are like Zorobabel and Iesua whom God in times past had anoynted to restore againe the Iewish Church destroyed under the captivitie of Babylon and by these witnesses to take the charge of it in like manner under the servitude of the Gentiles For the allusion is to those two olive trees which Zacharias saw growing on either side of the golden candlestick and supplying the light thereof with oyle Zach. 4. of which the Angel being demanded what they meant saith These are the two anoynted Vers 14. ones standing before the Lord of the whole Earth pointing at the two heads of the Church then under the servitude of the Gentiles Zorobabel the Captaine and Iesua the high Priest of whom he had prophesied a little before For the Candlestick there of seven lights did signifie the Temple and in the type thereof the Church of that time whose restoring and preservation those two anoynted ones should procure not by power not by strength or by any humane helps but by the power of God alone working after a certaine invisible and wonderfull manner Even as those two olive trees standing on each side the Candlestick did supply the lights thereof with oyle in a certaine way extraordinary and not perceiveable But thou wilt say wherefore is there not mention here in Iohn of one as in Zacharie but of two Candlesticks to which likewise and not to the olive trees only those two Prophets seeme to be resembled I confesse I am here at a non plus neither have I yet found out a reason of this difference apt and evident enough In the meane while I thinke there lyeth hidden in the words an Hebraisme and it is as if he should have said These are those two olive trees at or besides the two Candlesticks standing before the Lord Chap. 11. of the Earth 〈◊〉 that the comparison is made onely of the witnesses with the olive trees and the addition of the Candlesticks may be judged to belong but to the description of the olive trees â—or the copulative with the Heâ—re ws is sometime in stead of the praeposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is for with besides at as 1 Sam. 14. 18. Because then was the Arke of God and the children of Israel that is with the children of Israel See Schindlers Lexicon But the difficultie concerning the two Candlesticks will remaine neverthelesse Whether therefore it be to be said that that one Candlestick with Zacharie is here to be accounted for a double one in regard to wit of the double order of the lights from either part of the shaft and the two olive trees powring oyle into each of them severally There is also with Zachary mention of seven and seven that is of twice seven * Infusoriorum pipes but whereto it tendeth is not manifest enough Or whether shall we thinke that that paire appertaineth secretly to set out the condition of the Christian Church that is to say either as it were consisting of two people the iews and the Gentiles or which is happily neerer the truth because in the time wherein the witnesses should mourne it was to be divided together w th the Roman Empire into the Eastern Western Howsoever it be it is certain that the Candlesticks set out not the Prophets or Bishops of the Church but the Chuches themselves which appeareth out of that that the Angel before Ch. 1. 20. doth interpret the seven Candlesticks to be so many Churches the seven Candlesticks saith he which thou didst see are seven Churches When if any man will hurt fire proceedeth out of their mouth Vers 5. and devoureth their enemies and if any man will hurt them he must so be killed The witnesses doe not revenge themselves by strength of hand not with sword or poyniards if at any time they shall be hurt by their enemies but the revenge proceedeth out of their mouthes that is they pierce their enemies with weapons of their mouth to wit whil they denounce the anger of â—od hanging over the heads of those that abuse his Ministers or by their imprecations and groans obtaine revenge For this 〈◊〉 wâ—ich is shewed to proceed out of the mouth of the witnesses is a 〈◊〉 of revenge according to that oâ— the Lord to Ieremiah Chap. 5. 14. Behold I make my words in thy mouth Fire and this people wood and it shall devoure them For Moses and Aaron and afterward Chap. 11. Elias they upon the confederates of the conspiracy of Korah and he upon the servants of King Ahaziah a worshipper of Baal did bring down fire properly so called from heaven but the Fire of our witnesses is to be interpreted mystically since that the holy Ghost telleth us anon that our Egypt and likewise the wildernesse are taken * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spiritually Furthermore that which the Prophets doe denounce in the name of God the same it is said they accomplished as that which the Lord saith to the same Ieremiah doth shew Chap. 1. 10. I have set thee saith he over the nations and kingdoms to root out and to pull down and to spoyle and to everthrow
Vers 16. his mouth That is the multitude of Christians in Councels prevayling in the Orthodox faith dranke up the Diabolicall inundation even as the Earth is wont to doe the water when it is exceeding dry For if the water but venemous and contagious such as proceedeth out of the mouth of the Serpent doth represent heresie the reason of the analogie did altogether require that that which should drinke it up and abolish it should be figured by the Earth as which by its drinesse is wont to drinke up the inundations of waters Which truly in this matter falleth out so much the more apt to signifie the thing in hand because even other where in an hystoricall and simple speech the earth in many places is wont to be put for the inhabitants of the Earth See Gen. 41. 57. 1 Sam. 14. 25. Deut. 9. 28. and in many places beside Concerning the tenne horned Beast blaspheming God and the two horned Beast or false Prophet his Authour and chiefe priest A New Tragedie of evils did set upon the woman being entered At Chap. 13. the bounds of the Wildernesse for forthwith she falleth upon a double Beast in appearance indeed little to be feared as resembling the Panther or Lambe but no whit the Dragon or Serpent the likenesse of whom alone she abhorred Yet in truth * Fiduciariam the onely one in trust for that Dragon cast downâ— and one that in his stead should much vexe her off-spring which she should bring forth in the Wildernesse And the Dragon was wroth with the woman for from thence Vers 17. I fetch the story of this Chapter and went to make warre with the remnant of her seed to wit with them which she was to bring forth in the Wildernesse which keepe the Commandements of God and have the testimonie of Iesus Christ and he stood upon the sand of the Sea That is when the Dragon had perceived he who even now was deprived of the Romane Empire that he nothing prevailed by the flood of Arianisme to overwhelme the woman flying into the Wildernesse but that neverthelesse she was come safe thither and furthermore that the Romane Empire would no more suffer that he in his proper name should manage the affaires there as in times past he setteth upon her by another way to wit by substituting covertly for himselfe * Regnum â—icarium a deputed Kingdome and to that end he stood upon the sand of the Sea that he might raise to himselfe a new deputed forme of the Romane Kingdome then to have its beginning Now the history of a two-fold Beast to manage the Romane State followeth the one Tenne horned the other Two horned tyed in a neere alliance betweene themselves both of them reigning together and in the same Dominion The first of which being the Tenne horned thou mayest call Secular the other being Two horned Ecclesiasticall Of the Tenne horned Beast The Tenne horned or secular Beast is that Whole state of tenne Kingdomes or thereabouts into which the Empire of Câ—sars Chap. 13. was parted by the warres of the Barbarians after the Dragon was thrust out growing together againe into one Romane Common-wealth the wickednesse of the Dragon being renewed I saw saith he a Beast rise up out of the Sea having seven heads Vers 1. and tenne hornes and upon his hornes tenne crownes and upon his heads the name of blaspemy The same Beast is here described which afterward Chap. 17. beareth the Whore even the seven headed Romane Beast under the course of the last head I saw saith Iohn the type of that last State of the Romane kingdom wherein governing under the seventh head it should be devided into ten kingdoms and yet even as he had done under his former heads he should blaspheme the only true God by the worship of Idols For the number of Seven heads is the ensigne of the Romane kingdom as is the bearing of Ten hornes The name of Blasphemy is a note of Idolatry The crownes sâ—t upon the hornes which are only of the last head doe shew that that kingdom should be exhibited under the couâ—se of the last head which will be further confirmed by the rest of the description of the Beast And â—he Beast which I saw was like unto a Leopard and his feet Vers 2. were as the feet of a Beare and his mouth as the mouth of a Lion That is this kingdom in respect partly of regiment and state partly of its nature was so ordained that it did resemble in a certaine confused temperament those three Monarchies long agoâ— set forth to Daniel by the same Beasts For truly in the residue of the shape of his body it should resemble the Grâ—cian in the feet by his going the Pâ—rsian in his mouth by making Edicts the Babylonian Kindgdome For the Leopard is the type of the Kingdome of the Grâ—cians the Beare of the Persians the Lion of the Babylonians First therefore that Kingdome in the body of it was plainly like the Graecian that is a Kingdome divided into more Kingdomes like unto that Dan. 7. 6. and 8. 8. 22. For the Graecian was divided into four parts but this last Roman was to be parted into â—enne Kingdomes the type thereof is the bearing of tenne hornes upon the head of the last Beast which by the interpretation of the Angel afterward Chap. 17. are tenne Kings or Kingdomes Vers 12. domes into which the Romane Empire of the sixth head being Chap. 12. rent should grow together againe into a new Kingdome under the seventh for to beare the Whore Now that the tenne hornes are onely of the last head that is the seventh and not promiscuously of them all as it is commonly accounted I thus demonstrate the head flourishing the hornes flourish which declining the hornes also growing thereupon must needs decline First therefore the hornes could not be on the five first heads because those five heads as the Angel saith Chap. 17. were passed then Vers 10. in the age of Iohn and together with the courses of the heads the courses of the hornes also growing upon the same were passed neither in the sixth because that reigning in the age of Iohn as also the Angel cleerly affirmeth notwithstanding the time of the hornes was not as yet come For saith he the tenne hornes are tenne Kings which have received no Kingdome as yet They remaine therefore for the last head Away with you paynters therefore which here at your pleasure distribute the tenne hornes among seven heads bestowing upon some one upon others according to your liberalitie two which how unfit it is and farre from any ground of the Text yea and plainly repugnant to the interpretation of the Angel there is no man which being now admonished shall throughly consider but will confesse It is therefore to be taken for true and certaine that it is the seventh head alone in that scale of heads one standing above another being the
the Dragon which is part of this repeated prophesie do ascend to the very head of the period or time of the Revelation so that the Revelation hath nothing more ancient then it or which deriveth its originall higher which will be manifest as well out of the nature of the thing it selfe which is a birth as also out of the Synchronismes hitherto demonstrated and hereafter to be demonstrated why should not much rather the beginning of the same prophesie and the first vision of all the rest be thought to ascend thither But the moneths of the outer court cannot ascend thither as which wholly have contemporized with the ten horned Beast Therefore to mee it is most clear that the times of the * Inner Court 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chap. 11. vers 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 verse 2. of the same chapter measured do not onely go before the moneths of the * outer unmeasured but also ought to be derived from the originall of the repeated prophecie together with the vision of the child-birth and dragon Now that these three the habitation of the woman in the wildernesâ—e the ten horned beâ—st and the treading under foot of the outer court by the Gentiles are contemporaries it appeareth out of the first Synchronisme therefore the times of the measuring of the inner court and the child-birth of the woman together with the lying in wait of the dragon and the battell with Michaeâ— are the immediate antecedents of contemporaries and consequently they themselves cannot but contemporize each with other * the very point I was to demonstrate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The 7th Synchronisme Of the seaveâ— Phialls and of the Beast and of Babylâ—n inclining Chap. 6. to ruine The effusion of the Phialls bringeth the ruine and destruction of the Beast as out of the text it selfe is manifest for the conquerours of the Beast sing the * triumphant song of Moses chap. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 verse 2. 3. And it is moreover specially manifest concerning the first Phiall chap. 16. verse 2. which inflicteth a grievous â—ore upon men having the mâ—rk of the Beast and those that worship his image concerning the first Phiall verse 10. which is poured upon the throne of the Beast and makes his kingdome dark And likewise concerning the last which being poured out Babylon is utterly destroyed vers 19. Therefore the pourings out of the Phials doth contemporize with the ending of the Beast and Babylon The other part I Have gone through the first part in seven Synchronismes the other part of the seals followeth wherein I shall demonstrate the connexion of all the foresaid prophecies and if there be any other also with the seales in so many other Synchronismes Whence it will plainly appear a thing most worthy observation and of no small moment to the interpreter unlesse I be deceived that the whole Revelation from the fourth chapter For I now meddle not with the seven Churches is distributed into two principall prophecies either of which proceedeth from the same time and endeth in the same period The first is of the seale and Apoâ—ha in them of the trumpets for the seventh seale is the seale of the trumpets which I take for granted every where out of the grammaticall sense of the context neither is the same order of meaning which is held in all the rest of the seales to be thought not to agree to the seuenth alone as that that vision which followeth the opening of the seale should be the matter of the seale Now 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the vision of the seven Angels with the seven trumpets succeedeth the opening of the seventh the other prophecie or rather body Systâ—ma of propheticall visions is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or of the little book opened which beginning at the same instant of the Apocalyptique time â—epeateth the time of the former prophecie which is of the seales from the eight verse of the tenth chapter unto the end of the book And that this is a repetition of the prophecy is shewed by that transition verse 11. of the same châ—pter where the Angell saith to Iohn thou must againe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prophecie to many people and Nations and tongues and Kings Furthermore reader that also perhaps shall not be unworthy thy observation that the severall beginnings as well of both these as also of the first vision of all concerning the seauen Churches as of three entire prâ—phecies are proclaimed with a voice as of a trumpet from heaven speaking with Iohn as if the holy Ghost by this note would distinguish them from the rest of the prophecies which are parts of these maine principles in which partiall prophecies you will see no such thing to be Now these are the beginnings of the prophecies of which I admonish of the vision of the seven Churches chap 1. 10. in these words And I was in the spirit upon the Lords day and I heard a great voice behinde me as of a trumpet saying c. of the prophecie of the seales also chap. 4. verse 1. on this wiâ—e And the first voice which I heard as of a trumpet speaking to mee said c. of the prophecie of the booke opened last of all chap. 10. vers 8. And the voice which I heard from heaven to wit as of a trumpet speaking spake againe unto mee and said c. Hitherto hath been the Prologue and that as I hoâ—e not inpertinent to the matter we have in hand The Synchronismes now follow I. The principall Synchronisme OR The Synchronisme Of the seventh seale which as touching the six first trrmpets is Chap. â— of the same time with the ten horned and two horned Beasts and the rest contemporizing For first the beginning of the Beast doth contemporizâ— with the beginning of the seventh seale which is of the trumpets For since the company of the sealed being as it were opposite to the Beast raigning must therefore justly and exactly contemporize with the Beast and since the same company of the sealed beginneth with the beginning of the seventh seale or seale of the trumpets it followeth altogether that the Beast likewise beginneth with the same seventh seale or the seale of the trumpets Now therefore that the company of the sealed entirely and exactly contemporizeth with the Beast it hath beene shewed Synch 4. the first Part. That the same company of the sealed begin with the seventh seal is apparant out of the seventh chapter where that sealing is subjoyned immediatly to the sixt seale For the vision of the sixt seale being over when the seventh which is Chap. 6. 12 of trumpets was now to bee opened provision is made for the sealing of Gods elect servants lest they should be destroyed by the great and bitter calamities which were to fall upon the world when the foure Angels being set over the foure quarters of the world shall at the sound of the trumpets let loose the
was given from thence forth by the favour of Christian â—mperours and Kings to worship Christ freely like as was to the Israelites in the Wildernesse of serving Jehovah the Temples also and Tabernacles for Christian worship being stately built the politie of the Church setled with Lawes sacred Revenues Tythes and Offerings but no lesse unhappy by manifold Apostasie then Israel continuing in the Wildernesse by the Calfe Baal Peor Balaam Korah c. Neither is that happily Chap. 12. to be neglected that the forty two moneths of this Christian woman abiding in the Wildernesse doe answer to so many Mansions of Israel in the Desart See Numb 33. The reason and aptnesse of the Type being thus unfolded let us open the Text particularly and fit it to the thing in hand And when the Dragon saw that he was cast unto the Earth he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man Vers 13. childe And to the woman were given two wings of a great Eagle that she might flie into the wildernesse from the face of the Serpent 14. into her place where she is nourished for a time and times and halfe a time Anâ— the Serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman that he might cause her to be carried away by the 15. flood Here is the first attempt of Satan cast downe not indeed as yet utterly cast out but staying a little while below that while her child should get the upper hand he might if by any meanes he could oppresse the Woman betaking her selfe to the estate of one in the wildernesse before she could in perfect safety from his fury attaine thither For she came not presently into the Wildernesse after she began to get away but by some space of time interposed Even as Israel also in his passage undertaken thither out of Egypt spent some time Now the words here put are so to be conceived that there may appeare to be some kinde of reference to that which formerly was spoken of the womans flight into the Wildernesse with this or the like understanding When the Dragon saw that he was cast unto the Earth he persecuted the Woman which brought forth the man childe For when as as aforesaid after the birth of her childe and his taking up into the Throne it was granted to the woman that she might depart to wit by giving her two wings of a great Eagle as it were by a certaine â—light into the wildernesse where she should be nourished for a time times and halfe a time he cast out of his mouth water as a flood after her that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood So also Pharaoh persecuted the people of Israel marching from his dominion into the Wildernesse but with another flood The great Eagle is the Romane Empire His two wings two Caesars of the Empire parted into two parts the West and East by Chap. 12. whose protection and conduct the Church departed into an Eremiticall estate For it is knowne that the Romane Empire so soone as it had received the Christian faith became parted into two parts and fled as it were with two wings of Caesars The Eagle being the Ensigne of the Romane Empire maketh this interpretation obvious to every understanding But what forbiddeth to confirme the signification also of the Propheticall Type out of the Apocriphall Writer that is Esdras the Prophet for by this name Clemens Alexandrinâ—â— citeth him Strom. lib. 3. a little before the end in whom the type of the Eagle signifieth the fourth Kingdome the twelve feathered wings so many first Caesars thereof See Chap. 11. and 12. But tell me Reader whether thou wilt not say that here is respect had also to that of the Lord concerning Israels departure out of Egypt Exod. 19. 4. Ye have seene saith he what I did to the Egyptians how I bare you on Eagles wings and brought you unto my selfe that is to say into the Desart But there is another thing in this verse which requireth manifestation wherefore the time of the Womans abiding in the Wildernesse which before was accounted by dayes is here turned into yeers or a time times and halfe a time I certainly can finde out no other cause of this changing one for another then that it should be the Key of the like notation of time in Daniel and should admonish us that the Church is now in the very same times which he had defined by the period of a time times and halfe a time And surely without this signe that setting downe of time had beene most uncertaine and intricate For from whence or by what marke could it have beene knowne that time doth signifie a yeere or that times doth not signifie more then two yeeres But now out of this change it is evident that that space is to be resolved into one thousand two hundreth and sixty dayes and therefore signifieth Ayeere two yeeres and an halfe These things being brought to light in this manner let us diligently consider at length what that water may be which like a â—lood the Dragon cast out of his mouth to drowne the woman while she made hast into the Wildernesse The well-spring of the mouth is speech and doctrine according to that Prov. 18. 4. The words of a mans mouth are as deepe waters the well-spring of wisedome is a flowing brooke Whence the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth Chap. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and to runne out like a fountaine is applyed to Doctrine as Psal 78. 2. I will open my mouth in parables I will cast out or utter darke sayings from the foundation of the world which is alleadged concerning the doctrine of our Saviour Matth. 13. 35. So Prov. 1. 23. Wisedome is said to preach in the streets I will poure out my spirit unto you I will make knowne my words unto you What therefore shall that casting out of the mouth of the Serpent the venemous Beast be but pestiferous doctrine that is â—eresie according to that Prov. 15. 28. The mouth of the wicked will powre out or issue forth evill things The history of this time she weth it proceeding out of the mouth of the Dragon like a flood I say Arianisme and the off-spring thereof By this flood of his the Dragon had well neere caused the woman to be carried away certainly he desired it And verily it was a wonder that the Romane Emperours who then newly had given their names to Christ and had not as yet fully settled Christianity had not cast away the faith being offended and alienated by such horrible discord of opinions among Christians even but a little while taking breath after persecution in so chiefe a point with such mortall hatred of the parties tumults cruelty against their brethren even equalling that of the heathen But the Earth helped the woman for the Earth opened her mouth and swallowed the flood which the Dragon cast out of
highest in situation the last in time which beareth the hornes I now therefore proceede to expound the remaining Effigies of the same last Beast And this Beast in the feete by which the body is supported with which it moveth and goeth and the former of which in Beasts are in stead of hands and armes for handling snatching and fighting in feet I say doth exceedingly resemble the Empire of the Persians since as they did relye upon the Councels of their * Magi Wisards Wise men in managing their affaires so the Romane Kingdome of the last state is governed by the authoritie of the Monks and Idolatrous Clarkes like to those Wise men Whether that belongeth which afterwards shall be said of that other Beast the Vers 12. false Prophet that he exerciseth all the power of this tenne horned Beast before him For feet here are to be considered not as the basest and more unworthy members of the body but as they are in Beasts not onely instruments of going but also of fighting and Chap. 12. catching their prey in which of Beares I speake of the former feet the principall strength of the body consisteth Neither are feet here to be understood that part onely which maketh the tract upon the ground but which as the foresaid part comprehendeth the thighs and armes also To conclude the tenne horned Beast maketh Edicts with a Babylonian mouth to wit commanding the worshipping of Idols and Images denouncing the penalty of death and burning alive against those that refuse in like manner as that Nebuchadnezar against the Iewes refusing to worship the golden Image which he had erected to his Bel of sixty cubits long Dan. Chap. 3. Notwithstanding I would not that the interpretation of others should receive any prejudice by this of mine theirs I meane who conceive it rather respecteth the naturall disposition of these three Beasts the nature or crueltie of all which the tenne horned should expresse Let every one use his owne judgement And the Dragon gave him he that was cast down who stood Vers 4. upon the Sea sand his power that is his strength or forces 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and his seat and great authoritie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the Seventy signifieth forces or an Army out of the use as it seemeth of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Hebrewes whereby both as well strength power as also an army is signified the Seventy Exod. 14. 28. concerning the Army of Pharaoh drowned doe thus translate The waters covered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the Host of Pharaoh and 15. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Host hath he cast into the Sea and so in many places not onely with them alone but also with prophane writers From this notion are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Lord of Hosts And Mat. 24. 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the powers or Hosts of the heavens shall be shaken likewise in the next vers it is said The Son of man shall come in the clouds of the heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which in the Chapter following is expounded 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vers 31. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in his glory and with all the holy Angels with him So in this place The Dragon or Satan gave to the tenne horned Beast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is his forces or his Host Now the forces of Satan are his Angels or * Daemons Devils and Idols the receptacles of * Daemons Divels To wit these forces he gave to this last Beast to be garnished and adorned together with his seat and great authoritie that is in one word that universall authoritie Chap. 13. from which lately he had fallen being overcome and vanquished by Michael and the holy Martyrs and Confessors of Christ So that the Dragon or Satan in this Beast of the last state did in a certaine manner recover his ancient dominion which he had exercised in the state of the Red Dragon but in a representation so unlike the former that the Seed of the woman in the Wildernesse did for the present little observe it For now the Dragon did not behave himselfe like a Dragon as before that is he professed not himselfe to be what he was the sworne enemie of the Christian profession for if he had done this the Seed of the woman would presently have knowne him and would have taken heed of him as of a most cruell enemie to wit out of that inbred antipathy which God even from the beginning of the world had ordained should be between them I will put saith he enmitie betweene thee and the woman and betweene thy seede and her seede But surely when as he had transfigured himselfe into the Gen. 3.15 shape not of a Serpent but of another Beast having no affinitie with a Serpent it was not so hard a matter for him to deceive the seede of the woman that is the Christian Church being joyfull for the late victory and now secure from the Dragon and to allure it to obey him Which the false deceiver did so cunningly and secretly under the maske of a Beast which he himselfe did hate that not till it was too late the Church did know her selfe to be deceived by the old enemie and to worship the Dragon under this maske For who would have suspected that under the representation of a Leopard or of a Panther which is the same there had lyen hid the Dragon that is under the shape of that Isidor lib. 12. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so called because he is the friend of all other Beasts excepting the Dragon Beast which when as other Beasts being allured either by the beauty of the skinne or the sweetnesâ—e of the smell love to come neere unto and looke upon onely the Dragon is said to abhorre and to flie from Or that I may a little more cleerely unfold the matter who would have judged that under an Empire pretending the worship of Christian Religion demolishing Idols horrible idolatry and lately abolished heathenisme should be mainly set up and promoted by lawes and Edicts And I saw one of his heads to wit the sixt as it were wounded Vers 3. to death this came to pasâ—e in the battell with Michael and the holy Martyrs and his deadly wound was healed to wit by the medicine of this substituted authoritie Chap. 13. Now that the seven headed Dragon I meane the Romane Empire upon which the old Serpent did sit that is to say Rome heathen was the Beast of the fixt head may as well appeare out of that which is said afterward concerning those heads Chap. 17. that five were already fallen in Iohns time one which is the sixt governed the Romane State at that time as also chiefly because that this Beast of the last course succeeded him next in the same seale The Dragon I say is said here to have given his seat to the Beast of the
have eaten saith he and filled themselves they will turne unto other Gods and serve them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Detrahentque mihi and will reproach me So indeed is the vulgar in this place in the sense of blaspheming though not in the word For what other thing is it to detract from God then to blaspheme him But otherwhere he expresseth the word also as Ierm 23. 15. 17. from the Prophets of Ierusalem is pollution gone forth upon all the land They say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto them that blaspheme me â—ow the speech is of idolaters the Lord hath said ye shall have peace and every one that walketh in the crookednesse of his own heart To these if you please may be added for illustration sake that the prophanations of Antiochus wherewith he polluted the Temple of God and his holy things are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blasphemies 1 Mac. 2. 6. and 2 Mac. 8. 4. And that Kimchi interpreteth that of Gen. 4. 26. Then the name of the Lord was prophaned by calling upon it in an acception not much different thus Then men went astray after idolâ— and the invocation upon the name of the Lord was polluted and prophaned But how rightly I enquire not yet so he hath turned it and tooke it Hereupon with the Schoole Doctors there are three kinds of blasphemy one when that is attributed to God which agreeth Chap. 12. not unto him Another when that is taken from God which is due to him A third when that is attributed to the creature which is appropriated to God as in idolatry For even as an adulterous wife reproacheth her husband so the Church prostituting her self to idols reproacheth God since idolatry is spirituall adultery And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven Vers 6. What heretofore he had spoken generally concerning blasphemy here he specially prosecuteth and distinguisheth a three-fold idolatry of the Beast For first he blasphemeth the name of God to wit in the worshipping of images ascribing the incommunicable name of God vnto stocks and stones Wisd 14. 21. or the name of God that is his person give me leave so to speake which then cometh to passe when any thing besides God himselfe is worshipped with divine honour Secondly his tabernacle that is the humane nature of Christ wherein the Deitie dwelleth * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pitched his Tabernacle personally 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the word was made flesh and dwelt among us Ioh. 1. 14 and Ioh. 2. 19. Destroy this temple and in three dayes I will raise it up But he spake saith the Evangelist of the temple of his body And is not that also to this purpose a much more perfect tabernacle then that which was made with hands Hebr. 9. 11. This tabernacle I say the Beast blasphemeth whiles he beleeveth the body of Christ is daily made of bread by the transubstantiating Priest and therefore adoreth the Bread instead of Christ the tabernacle of God yea he taketh it for a sacrifice propitiatory for the living and the dead as it were crucifying Christ afresh Also he blasphemeth the heavenly inhabitants that is the Angels and Saints of heaven whiles he calleth the Devils and Idols which hee worshippeth by their names what a reproach is this against the blessed spirits yea and a contumely also against Christ their Lord in derogation of whose prerogative and glory they are set up even against their wils as mediators and intercessours with God patrones and protectors of mortall men after the custome of the heathen See those things which we have written out of the divinitie of the Gentiles concerning Devils and their offices at the end of the sixt trumpet And the Beast not content with this alone moreover disgraceth the blessed spirits with contumelious and wicked fables and miracles that thou mayest doubt whether he sin more Chap. 13. by the worship which he would seeme to give unto them or by contumelious fables Hitherto concerning the blasphemy it followeth concerning the other part of the Beasts impietie whereby he sheweth himself the Deputie of the red Dragon by persecuting the Saints For moreover it was given to him saith he to make warre with Vers 7. the Saints and to overcome them In Daniel thus made warre with the Saints and prevailed against Dan. 7.21 them But with what Saints to wit with the seed which happened to the woman in the wildernesse Now although the whole raigne of the Beast be a certaine warre against the Saints according to that which was said in the beginning and the Dragon being wroth went under the maske of this Beast to make warre with the remnant of the seed of the woman which kept the commandements of God and have the testimony of Iesus notwithstanding another manner of warre is here meant as appeareth Vers 10. where concerning the like recompence * Talio at length to be rendered to the Beast it is said He that leadeth into captivitie c. He that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword It is a warre therefore that is waged with slaughter and blood Adde hereunto that we yet handle the description not of the Ecclesiastiâ—all Beast but the secular with which a warre of another kinde will scarcely agree properly But this warre the Beast did not wage presently at his beginning but after he had come to his perfection * 1. The 1200 yeere in the twelfth age from the birth of Christ His first expedition fell heavie upon the Albigenses and Waldenses and by what other name soever the true worshippers of Christ were then called of whom there was such a slaughter that through France alone if P. Perionius in his History of that Warre make a right account there were slaine at the hand of ten hundred thousand men For this crueltie extended not onely to burning men alive losse of their goods banishments and other punishments of that kinde but that nothing might be wanting in so cruell a persecution to the true name of a warre whole armies were mustered against them and with those expeditions bearing the Crosse first appointed against the Saracens now turned against Christians of the uncorrupted and pure Religion who refused to worship the Beast they ragâ—d with incredible furie and crueltie about seventy yeers Histories of this slaughter Chap. 13. are ordinarie to which I referre the Reader Notwithstanding I am disposed to recite the words of Thuanus an excellent Historian but of the other side Against the Waldenses saith he in the Preface of the History of his time when as exquisite punishments did little prevaile and the evill was exasperated by the remedie which was unseasonably applyed and the number of them daily encreased whole armies at length were mustered neither was the warre fought against them of lesse weight then that which ours before waged against the Saracens of
forth Christ in the Romane â—mpire to be King 300. yeeres But after she brought him Vers 5 forth the Dragon being cast downe from the Romane throne by Constantine he was there enthroned This chance of the Dragon Vers 7 8 9. contemporiseth with the sixth Seale The woman after the bringing Vers 13 14. forth of her sonne dwelleth in the wildernesse 42 monethes or for a time times and halfe a time typifying the state of the Church in a middle condition freed from the rage of persecution and not attained to the state of glory but still persecuted by the Vers 15. flood of errors and heresies â—ast out of the Devils mouth A new Tragedy of evils falleth upon the Woman entred into Chap. 13. the wildernesse she lighteth upon a double Beast the one ten horned Vers 1 c. being the secular whole estate of ten Kingdomes into which the Empire was divided by the warres of the Barbarians The other two horned being Ecclesiasticall which the Pope with his Clergie make up both Beasts reigning together and tyed in a neere alliance governing under the seventh head exercising the crueltie of the Dragon and pretending the worship of Christian Religion demolishing Idols but promoting by Laws and Edicts â—dolatry â—nd lately abolished Heathenisme termed blasphemy against God Vâ—rs 6. his Name his Tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven His Name when any thing besides God is worshipped with divine worship Joh. 2. 19. and vers 21. His Tabernacle that is the humane nature of Christ wherein the Deitie dwelleth by transubstâ—ntiation And them that dwell in heaven that is by calling idols which they worship by their names in derogation of Christ his prerogative and glory The company of 144000 virgins followers of the Lambe mentioned Chap 14. and sealed before at the seventh Seale for connexion of the Vers 3 4 5. two prophesies signifie the Church in the middest of the Papacie continuing faithfull to the Lambe the native progenie of the twelve Apostles apostolically multiplyed purely and rightly honouring the Lambe and his Father with the Evangelicall song not addicted to any one Sea but accompanying the Lambe whithersoever he goeth often and sharply admonishing the worshippers of the Beast concerning Evangelicall worship and warning all to withdraw themselves from those Idolaters except they will perish eternally set forth in the Cry of three Angels The first admonisheth to worship God purely and rightly according Vers 6 7. â— to the Gospel fulfilled in the yeere 720 in the Greeke and Easterne Churches when the Emperours Leo Isaurus Constantine Iconomachus Leo Armenius Michael Balbus and Theophilus by their Edicts and Decrees made Protestation for presenting religious worship to one God the Creator against worshipping of the creature not only Images but also Saints and their reliques as also by the Councell of 338 Bishops assembled at Constantinople by Constantine Iconomachus the adoration of images was accused and condemned of impietie c. The second Angel threatneth mysticall Babylon for the crime Vers 8. of spirituall fornication with inevitable destruction Fulfilled in the time of the Albigenses and Waldenses who were the ministers of this Cry by word and by deed proclaiming the Church of Rome to be the Apâ—calyptike Babâ—lon by her idolatry and mysticall whoredome c. The third Angel denounceth horrible and hainous torments Vers 9 10 11 c. easelesse and endlesse to the whole traine of the Beast and those that shall abide in his obedience After this threefold admonition by the Angels followeth the Vers 14 15. vindication of the Church against her enemies under the types of Harvest and Vintage By Harvest is understood the preparation of the Bride by the conversion of the Iews together with the overthrow of the Turkiâ—h Empire the Lord Ieâ—us being the Lord of the Harvest and this at the sixt phyall As touching the Vintage the vineyard of the earth is the Vers 17 18 19 c. dominion of the Beast The grapes the followers of the Beast The winepresse the place of slaughter Armageddon in the 2 Thess 2.8 seventh phyall to which place the grapes being gathered by the Angel the Vintager with the helpe of the Saints the Lord Iesus shall tread them at his comming Now both Harvest and Vintage is obtained by prayers of the Church universally Mysticall Babylon is Rome the mother Citie of spirituall Chap. 17. fornication Vers 1 2. The Beast is the Romane Empire Vers 3. Seven heads are seven hils upon which Rome standeth or seven Orders of succâ—ssive Rulers viz. Kings Consuls Tribunes Decemviri Dictators Emperours in respect of the change whereof into ten Kingdomes it mâ—ght seeme another Ruler yet is but the same and Popes which last Beast is the bearer of the whore The ten hornes are those ten Kingdoms into which the Empire Vers 4. is divided The cup in her hand c. hath allusion to whores and stewes Vers 4. which is interpreted by the Angel to Iohn in the Chapter following at the eighth verse In this Chapter is figured the state of the Church cleansed from Idolatrous pollution and singing the triumphant song at the powring Chap. 15. out of the phyalls The effusion of the phyalls signifie the ruine of the Antichristian Beast The seven phyalls so many degrees of the ruine thereof Vers 6 7. And whatsoever the phyall is powred out upon suffereth dammage and losse thereby The first phyall is powred out upon the Earth that is the people or common sort of Christians this was fulfilled by the Albigenses Chap. 16. v. 2. and Waldenses c. The second phyall is powred out upon the Sea that is the compasse Vers 3. of the Popes iurisdiction fulfilled by Luther c. Reformers of the Church The third upon the Rivers that is upon the Ministers and Vers 4 5 6 7. Defenders of the Antichristian iâ—risdiction fulfilled in the yeere 1588 upon the Spanish Champions Priests and Iesuites by laws executed upon them in the reigne of Queene Elizabeth The fourth upon the Sunne that is the Germane Empire now Vers 8 9. by the warres there in powring out The fifth upon the Throne of the Beast that is Rome it self Vers 10 11. The sixth upon Euphrates to prepare away for the Kings of Vers 12 13 14 15 16. the East viz. The conversion of the Iâ—raelites by removing the obstacle the Othoman Empire of the Turks agreeing with the plague of the sixt Trumpet Chapter 11. The seventh phyall is powred out upon the Aire that is upon Satan Vers 17 c. comprehending not the dominion of the Beast onely but all the enemies of Christ gathered to gether under the conduct of the Power of the Aire and shut up in Armageddon The seventh Trumpet with the whole space of 1000. yeeres Chap. 20. thereto appertaining signifying the great Day of Iudgement circum scribed within two resurrections beginning at the iudgement of Antichrist as the morning of that day and continuing during the space of 1000 yeeres granted to new Ierusalem the Spouse of Christ upon this Earth till the universall resurrection and iudgement of all the dead when the wicked shall be cast into Hell to be tormented for ever and the Saints translated into Heaven to live with Christ for ever FINIS Erratain the latter part of this Booke Page line Erat. Corrected 3. l. 13 as measuring is measuring 7. l. 3.  cap. 6. Gr◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 19. l. 6. that may that they may 21. l. 31. to the Saint to the sift 24. l. â—0 That tâ—nth That this tenth 39. l. 33. with her childe her childe 56. l. 3â— a few dayes a few dayes together 65. l. 19. that the Romane that that Roman 75. l. 11. twleve virgins twelve being eminent as well in the company of virgins 81. l. 27. nation notion 94. l. 16. other drug other bitter drug 96. l. 12. the ruine the crime 122. l. 14. for many of many 125. 18. adde in marg 2 Thess 2.8 against line 28. adde Dan. 2.35 2â—8 l. 19 and 30. ◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 133. in the marg over against 1. 27. put lib. 11. c. 1
of the context of the repeated prophecie and what wee have further formerly declared at the sixt Synch Part. 1. and in the entrance to the second part shall not have sufficiently perswaded any he shall be at length enforced thereto by the very necessitie of the Synchronisme if according to the demonstrations now made hee shall assay to dispose the severall prophecies in their ranke and place The close of the Synchronismes and of the Apoâ—alyps After the 1000. yeers reigne and condemnation of Satan doth â—ollow the universall resurrection of the dead and the last judgement and hell chap. 20. from verse 11. to the end After new Ierusalem described chap. 21. followeth Paradise which having the tree of life in the middle like Eden a river doth environ on this side and that side for so I take the words chap. 22. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to wit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the midst of the street and of the river which was on this side and on that side to wit of the street was the tree of life And this is the end of the world and of the Revelation Moreover Reader behold here is the order and course of all the prophecies in the Revelation according to the things therin to be done in this figure drawne before thine eye and â—o be viewed at once which I have framed by the exact rule of the Synchronismes already demonstrated EPOCHA OR THE BEGINING OF THE APOCALIPS MEDE his booke sealed HAYDOCK his booke sealed The first prophesy beginneth The latter prophesy beginneth MEDE his booke opened HAYDOCK his booke opened How longâ— Lâ—â—◠〈◊〉 thou not 〈…〉 booke written within and on the backside sealed with 7 seales Ap. v. 1 the six first seales 1 victory 2 slaugher 3 â—â—â—â—ances 4 death 5 the 〈◊〉 6 earthquake 〈…〉 of the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 〈…〉 with Michaell about the childe birth Trumpet I haile falleth upon the earth Trumpet II the burning hill 〈◊〉 the sea Trumpet III the starr falling into the riuers Trumpet IIII the eclipse of the lights Trumpet V I. WOE LOCVSTES Trumpet VI II. WOE THE EVPHRATEAN HORSEMEN The 7 phyalls destroying the Easte 1 2 3 4 5 6 The company of 144000 seruantes of god out of all the tribes of Israel are fenced to the seale of the liuing God The outer court or holy citty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 for to be 〈◊〉 of the gentiles 42. 〈◊〉 The two wittnesses of god at length to be killed by the beast doe prophesy clothed in sackcloth 1260 days The woman in child birth the dragon being cast out flyeth into the desert there to bee nurished 1260 days or for a time 〈…〉 The beaste w th 7 heades and ten hornes after the deadly wound cured vnder the course of yâ— last 〈◊〉 blasphemeth overcometh the Saints 42 moneths The two horned beast or false prophet the restorer of the ten horned beast exerciseth all his power in his sight The company of virgins 144000 sealed of the lambe to whome alone the 〈◊〉 songe is giuen to be sunge warneth the worshipers of the beast of the Judgment of God The 〈◊〉 city Babilon the 〈…〉 vpon the seven headed Beast now in the course of the last head being tenne horned and maketh the inhabitants drunken w th the wyne of her fornication Trumpet 7 III WOE The misterie of god is fulfilled As he declareth to his prophetes The palme bearing multitude of innumerable rejoycers out of all nations kendreds people THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD ARE BECOME OVR LORDES AND HIS CHRISTES The 7 phyalls destroying the Easte 7 Satan is bound and the saints raigne with Christ a thousand yeares The wife of the lambe New Ierusalem into the light wherof the gentiles shall walk desendeth from heuen SATAN IS LOOSED THE GENERAL RESVRECTION the paradise of the iust the Lake of Fier THE ENDE Know thou who voutchsafest to meditate vpon this Apocalyptik Type that the archinge lines meeting in the same begining and ende shew contemporary prophesies to wit of the seales and of the litle booke the same things is demonstrated by the bounds of the lines and circumferences answering each other And to conclude which of the Visions goeth before or foloweth after thou maiest behold by the order proceeding from the left hand to the right At the 27. 28 and 29th pages of the key the reader may finde a more full direction for the vse of this scheme Place this betwixt pag. 26. 27 for mine own and if thou please for thy use Lord open the eyes of the understanding of either of us that we may behold his marvellous workes Amen A Corollarie concerning the use of the Key 1. Out of what hath been said I suppose it appeareth that the Revelation considered according to the letter only as if it were a certain bare â—â—story of things done and not a prophecie involved with mysticall allegories and types yet to be furnished by the holy spirit with such signes and characters through the whole narration that thence the right course order and Synchronismes of all the visions according to alâ— things done in their time may be found out composed and demonstrated and that without the supposition or help of any interpretation granted 2. Then furthermore as is the manner in histories that many and divers things done by many and divers together and at the same time yet cannot be declared together but severally and one after another so also in these prophecies and visions of things done howsoever revealed in the most aptest and wisest order by far it falleth out that they labour in vain that so go about to interpret the Revelation as if the events every where should succeed one after another in the same order and course as the visions are revealed 3. For truely he that will endevour with successe to finde out the meaning of the Apocalyptique visions must first of all place the course and conneâ—ion of them one with another according to things done being thorowly searched out by the foresaid characters and notes and demonstrated by intrinâ—icall arguments as the basis and foundation of every solid and true interpretation Therefore which we see to be done amisse by very many the order it self is not to be conformed to every aptnes of interpretation according to the will of the interpreter but according to to the Idoea of this chronicall order framed before hand by the characters of Synchronismes is every interpretation to be tryed as it were by a square and plumb-rule 4. For without such foundation thou shalt scarce draw any thing out of the Revelation that will soundly assure the interpretation and application thereof and which resteth upon divine authoritie but upon begged principles and meere humane conjectures on the contrary side this being admitted for a foundation when as now the pales of time and order shall not suffer the aâ—plication to rove at randome and according to pleasure thou wilt presently admire the many wayes of so many different
Copy seemeth to be read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that the remnant of men may seeke the Lord. Yet not withstanding out of the Hebrew reading which is now usâ—d the same seemeth may be gathered concerning the preventive choiâ—e of the Gentiles to be the people of God to wit in this sense the restored Iews then when the Tabeâ—acle of David that is fallen down shall be raised up shall inherit the remnant of Edom as also the Gentiles upon whom the name of the Lord heretofore had been called Therefore some of the Gentiles shall become the people of God before the raising up of the Tabeâ—acle of David But enough of these things As concerning the number of the sealed the number of twelve is an ensigne of the Apostolique race which by multiplying the thousands as well of each tribe in particular as of all in generall Chap. 7. doth expresse the Apostolique progenie a progenie indeed though encreased into more thousands yet no whit degenerate but expressing their parents faith and holinesse For even as to have the number of the Beast as we shall after heare doth design the race of the Beast or which follow the Beast so also to beare the number of the Apostles the legitimate off-spring of the Apostles That this is the most true meaning of that multiplication by twelve the Analogie of new Ierusalem she weth in the frame whereof and the dimension of the Gates Foundations Court compasse of the walles longitude latitude altitude the same number of twelve or multiplication by twelve is used And that we should no further doubt to what end that number of twelve tended lo concerning the twelve foundations of the wall it is expressely said that the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lambe were written in them Chap. 21.14 Of the tribe of Iuda of the tribes of Reuben Gad Aser Nephthali Manasses Simeon Levi Isacher Zabulon Ioseph Vers 5. c. Beniamin of every of them are sealed twelve thousand No otherwhere in the whole Scripture are the tribes reckoned up in this order though otherwise they be diversly reckoned For besides that Dan at all appeareth not nor the name of Eploraiâ— is heard of in the rest there is a departure from the rule of all reckonings which are otherwhere found neither is either the order of nativitie or of birth-right or of habitation kept but the last mingled with those in the middle and the younger sonnes of the hand maides are once or twice set before the elder borne of the wifes so that it is not to be doubted but that some speciall mystery of the type lyeth hid in an order so new and unaccustomed This we seeme to have found out in some measure by Gods blessing upon our undertakings to wit thus First from this type Dan is rejected Ephrâ—iâ— is not spoken of as being Ring-leaders and Captains of the Israelitish Apostasie Iudges Chap. 17. and 18. and the same in the time of the kingdom were the receivers of the publique idols at Dâ—â— and Bethel wherefore they were altogether unfit to represent the Professours of pure Religion But that notwithstanding the number of twelve may be filled Levi is set for Dan the name of Ioseph tacitly supplyeth Chap. 7. Ephraims The number thus setled the sonnes of the wives and the handmaides are intermingled without regard of birth-right and the children of the handmaides are adopted for children of their Gal. 3 2â— Dames For in Christ there is neither bond nor free but all are of Colos 3.11 one account Since therefore the sonnes of Lea as well naturall as adopted are twice so many as Rachels to wit of the first eight of the other only foure thereupon this order is observed in reckoning them up that by a double account also foure of Lea her sonnes by course are set together with two of Rachels but on both sides those tribes as the better are preferred before the rest which some act of theirs memorable in sacred writ had commended concerning the true worship of God and zeale towards him The off-spring of Lea verily leadeth the first troopâ— in regard of the prorogative of Christ the Prince of that company as springing out of that stock in this manner The first quaternion of the sonnes of Lea. 1. Iuda 2. Reuben 3. Gad. 4. Aser The first couple of the sons of Rachel 5. Nephthali 6. Manasses The other quaternion of the sons of Lea. 7. Simeon 8. Levi. 9. Issachar 10. Zabulon The other couple of the sons of Rachel 11 Ioseph 12. Beniamin The reason of the order of the sons of Lea. Out of the sonnes of Lea as thou â—eest Iuda Reuben Gad Aser make up the first quaternion as enobled above the rest with that * The name of Christ name which the type is to resemble Amongst these the first place as it is meet is given to Iuda for Christ the King of the faithfull issued out of that tribe The second to Reubeâ— whom that famous Protestation concerning the Altar of Witnesse built at the banke of Iordan enobled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iosua 22. 21. whereby he deserved that he should not submit his birth-right for he was the first borne to any other then Iuda the kingly tribe Chap. 7. Gad obtained the third place as he was Reubens companion in that famous Protestation of retaining the true worship of God and moreover famous for Eliah the Prophet and Iehu the King the destroyers of Baalisme To conclude the fourth and last place in this quaternion Aser Vers 6. taketh famous for the widow of Sarepta who fed Eliaâ— for Sarâ—pta belonged to the lot of Aser as also noble for Anna the Prophetesse an Aserite who gaue testimony to Christ when he was presented in the Temple according to the Law but not to be compared with the three former because either of them was a woman Simeon Levi Issacher Zabulon are cast into the last quaternion Vers 7. for that they are honoured with few or no names or if they had any they are after blotted out with some wickednesse As the zeale of Levi whereby he approved himself in the wildernesse to say nothing of the sedition of Korah was defaced by his continued fellowship with the Apostate and Idolatrous Israclites For Ionathan the Levite the nephew of Moses joyned in assistance of worshipping Idols as well with Micha the Ephraimite as also with the theevish Danites the first Idolaters after the death of Iosua Iudges 17. vers 10. and 18. 30. It may be also the substitution of Levi in the place of Dan might occasion his thrusting down into the last quaternion Further since the brethren of this quaternion have nothing wherein any doe excell others therefore they keep the order of nativitie unchanged and in what ranke any is borne according there to he is reckoned The reason of the order of the sons of Rachel Among the children of Rachel the couple Nephthalin and Manasses leade the
many famous victories doe witnesse partly of Constantine against Maxentius Maximinianus and Licinius partly of that great Theodosius as well against others as against Eugenius and Arbogastus the Devils Standard-bearers before the stubbornnesse and pride of the Gentile worshippers of the Dragon Rebbels against the Christian Empire being utterly broken and consumed ceased But before we depart hence one thing yet remaineth to be spoken of to wit that the Childe of the Woman was not lifted up to the Throne of God so soone as it was borne but so soone as it was growne ready for a Kingdome Therefore it is said she had brought forth a Son 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who was to rule to wit not presently but when he had grown up Even as also Christ the sonne of Mary our Lord whose likenesse in all things this mysticall Christ the Childe of the Church doth resemble being taken up to the Throne of God entered his Kingdome not so soone as he was borne but when as likewise he was come to his perfect age there to sit untill he shall have made all his enemies his footstoole It followeth And the woman fled into the wildernesse where she hath a place Vers 6. prepared of God that they should feede her there a thousand two hundreth and threescore dayes Which since it is afterwards to be repeated and somewhat more fully to be described we will put off the exposition to that place And there was warre in heaven Michael and his Angels fought Vers 7. with the Dragon and the Dragon fought and his Angels but prevailed not neither was their place found any more 8. in heaven It hath beene said that the woman in travell with her childe being safe escaped the Dragons lying in waite But how it came to passe that he who had so diligently watched her not withstanding failed of his purpose now at length beginneth to be mentioned To wit that it came to passe by the helpe and succours of Michael who went forth valiantly to fight against the Dragon lying in waite and becoming Conqueâ—our thrust him down from heaven into the earth Thereupon the womans sonne not only escaped Chap. 12. safe but was lifted up to the throne of God and she her selfe departed into a place safe from the fury of the Dragon And there was saith he warre in heaven c. To wit while the woman was in travell not after she was delivered as many take it For it is certaine out of the 14. Vers that this warre was waged before the flight of the woman into the wildernesse But the woman fled not into the wildernesse before she was delivered and her sonne caught up to the throne of Majestie Vers 5 6. Michael and his Angels fought with the Dragon not alone but taking with them the Martyrs and Confessours of Christ their King for whose cause they fought Concerning whom therefore a little after it shall be sung in the triumphant song that they overcame him by the blood of the Lambe and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death which cannot be spoken of bare and sole Angels And the Dragon fought and his Angels that is the Devils taking with them likewise the Romane tyrants and their ministers which worship them But thou wilt demand who is this Michael Not I suppose Christ himself but as in Daniel unlesse I be deceived is manifest one yea even the chiefest of the chiefe Princes or seven Archangels Chap. 10. 13. to wit that great Angel who in the same is said to stand for the children of God Chap. 12. 1. and whom Christ that great chiefe Generall and consequently King of Angels and men hath so opposed against Sathan and his black guard raging against his Saints For the Angels are sent forth for the safetie of them who are heires of salvation Hebr. 1. 14. and they protect and defend them according to their hidden and invisible manner of working against evill spirits which worke in men that are enemies of God and his Christ although they appeare not in a visible shape So that in this warre we have in hand of the Primitive Church of Christ against the Romane worshippers of the Dragon the Angels under Michael their Captaine acted their parts as well by strengthening the holy Martyrs and Confessours of Christ against the threats of tyrants and violence of torments and mittigating their pains in agonies and sometime taking away plainly the feeling of any paine as also by breaking and weakening the force of the adverse spirits sometime on a sudden casting lets and impediments in the way of the persecutors who were led by their instinct frustrating their purposes sometimes by casting Chap. 12. terrours and other distractions into the minde so that thereupon desisting from their project they have granted even against their will unto the Church truce and space of breathing untill at length after three hundred yeers warre when as it seemed to Christ to have now enough exercised his and was pleased to bestow a full victory upon his Angels the childe of the woman Christians prevailing being placed in the Emperiall throne the kingdome of the Devill being conquered suffered a wonderfull great fall For this is that which he saith The Dragon prevailed not neither was his place found any more in heaven that is being conquered and put to flight with all his forces he was deprived of heaven In the saying prevailed not there is an Hebraisme of which afterward And the Dragon was cast out that old serpent called the Divel Vers 9. and Satan which deceiveth the whole world that is perswadeth to Idolatrie and hitherto had possessed the Romane Empire he was cast out into the earth and his Angels were cast out with him That is he with all his * Daemons Devils hitherto worshipped instead of God were throwne downe from the top of their divinity which they enjoyed to the bottome of execration and contempt That what is read to have come to passe long agoe in the delivery of Israel from the tyranny of the Egyptian Pharaoh whose likenesse this Dragon â—areth that God executed iudgement upon the Exod. 12. 11. gods of the Egyptians the same shall finde place here at least * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according Numb 33.4 to the letter The Iewes deliver that it was so even there also I or see both the Targums R. Salomon R. Aben Ezra with R. Moses ben Nachman c. Neither is there cause that any should wrest the cleere words of the Scripture to another meaning especially since it may seeme that Esay 19. 1. hath allusion thereto Prevailed not for was overcome is an Hebrew figure as I have said whereby the Adverbs of denying doe expresse the contrary of that to which they are applied as in this same vision a little after is used they loved not their lives unto the death that is they Vers 11. valued their life at nothing
or they spent it freely for Christ For this kinde of speaking with the Hebrewes is not of * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 diminution but * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 augmentation So Prâ—v 12. 3. A man is not established by wickednesse that is shall be utterly removed and rooted out Chap. 12. The same Book 10. 2. Treasures of wickednesse profit nothing that is they hurt they damnifie 17. 21. The father of a foole shall have no ioy that is he shall be grieved And 1 Cor. 16. 12. If any man love not the Lord Iesus Christ let him be Anathema that is whosoever hateth and blasphemeth See Buxâ—orf Thesaur Gram. lib. 2. cap. 19. So here The Dragon and his Angels prevailed not is the same as they were utterly vanquished But a more full History of this victory I have already made at the interpretation of the sixt seale with which this fall of the Dragon doth contemporize yea it is the argument of that seale as farre as it respects that notable change of the Romane Empire But that which I have said concerning the Childe of the woman placed on the throne of the Empire and the Christians then bearing sway that truely is cleare and evident out of the triumphant song which is annexed I heard saith he a loud voice saying in heaven now is come Vers 10. salvation and strength and the kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ for the accuser of our brethren is cast down which accused them before our God day and night But they overcame him by the blood of the Lambe and by the Vers 11. word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death Which words as they are most cleere and spoken without any obscurity of allegory so are they the key for interpreting the whole vision For hence it may plainly be perceived as well what that lifting up of the childe of the woman to the throne of God may be to wit an introduction of salvation strength and the kingdom of God and the power of his Christ into the Romane throne as also by the vanquishing of what enemy he came to the kingdom to wit by the throwing down 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or of that Accuser who day and night accuseth the brethren and traduceth them before God to conclude what manner of forces Michael and his Angels used with him in that battell against the Dragon and his guard to wit the holy Martyrs and Confessours who overcame him by the blood of the Lambe and by the word of their testimoniâ— because they loved not their lives unto the death that is they freely yeelded their lives unto the death And surely it is altogether unpossible that the lifting up of the childe of the woman the throwing down of the Dragon and the introduction of the kingdom Chap. 12. of God and Christ should not levell at one and the same event of things since the flight of the woman into the wildernesse beginneth from them all as it were from one certaine terme of things Vers 6. and 14. Now that Satan here is called by a new name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Accuser who before is stiled Dragon and Devill it is to be understood that this also proceedeth from the custome of the Hebrews by whom indeed he is called by the same name which they have now long since taken into their own language For they call him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kategor R. Iâ—da in the book Musar as Drusius citeth him Kategor saith he is Satan the adversary or wicked accâ—ser who is adversary to man or accâ—seth him before the blessed Creator Maiemonides ad Pirke Avoth where in Gnome R. Eliezer both this and the word Paraclit of contrary signification derived also from the Greeks is used 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is He is termed Paraclit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an advocate who pleadeth for the good of a man before the King the contrary whereof is Kategor an accuser For he it is who tradâ—ceth a man before the King and endeavoâ—reth to kill him And surely if ever then during the time of this childe bearing and warre Satan worthily deserved the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of an accuser and malitious detracter Which so many reproaches and infamies doe witnesse wherewith the Dragon-worshippers all this time overwhelmed the Christians objecting against them Thyestaean feasts Oedipodian incests adultery promiscuous lusts murders treasons against Princes plagues famine burnings of houses and what publique calamitie soever happened But it seemeth here rather respect is had to the History of Iob where Satan by accusing and calumniating brought to passe that he was permitted by God to try Iob by temptations and tribulations That which here also the holy Ghost intimateth to be done by him according to his custome The skilfull will understand what I meane It followeth in the triumphant song Therefore reioyce ye heavens and ye that dwell in them that is Vers 12. ye holy Angels and blessed spirits by whose labour happily imployed this victory is gotten woe to the inhabitants of the Earth and of the Sea that is the world for the Devill is come down unto you having great wrath and therefore Chap. 12. like to hatch some new mischief because be knoweth that he hath but a short time For although even from that time forward by Constantine the Great he was cast down from the Romane throne yet the worshipping of the Dragon continued with the people some time hereupon when not very long after he perceived â—e must be at length also thrust out and that the whole Romane Empire should be washed with the Baptisme of Christ matters coming to that passe being all in a rage he studieth to bring the victory of the Church by what way possibly he could into danger and if he should faile of his purpose or be cast out to undermine it by some new stratagem In both which we shall anon see the most wicked spirit bestirred himself The Mysterie of the woman inhabiting in the Wildernesse The childe bearing woman the Dragon being vanquished honceforth dwelleth in the Wildernesse whereby the state of the Church delivered from the heathen tyranny untill the seventh Trumpet and the second coming of Christ is figured not in the type of one lying hid and invisible but as it were in a certaine middle condition like that of the Israelites wandering in the Desart from their departure out of Egypt untill their entrance into Canaan a state indeed thereof safe from the furie of that red Dragon as of Pharaoh but not as yet come to that glory as it were the possession of Canaan whereunto at length she was to attaine the rest of the enemies being vanquished A state indeed which outwardly should be better then the servitude of that Ethnick tyranny out of which as it were out of the bondage of Egypt the Christian people by the power of Christ escaped considering that leave
is that of justification and salvation hoped for by the merits of works yet it is such as which of late and when the whore was now growen old hath Chap. 17. been permitted by the just judgement of God to enter into the Church as it were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a recompense of her Rom. 1. 27. great errour least indeed they who had so long and so obstinately contemned the long suffering of God and the preaching of the Witnesses afterward as we reade was provided against our first parents stretching out their hands should take of the fruit of the Gen. 3.22 tree of Life and eating thereof should live for ever Furthermore Reader this is singular in this place nor to be passed over with light observation of which likewise I advertised thee in the Apocaliptique Key to wit that this vision concerning the great Whore and the Beast bearing her is opened to Iohn and us by the Angel which he used not to doe by a most plaine interpretation without doubt to that end that by the benefit of the interpretation thereof as being the chiefest vision of all the rest the other mysteries contained in the Revelation hitherto indeed shut up but depending upon it wonderfull artificially might be revealed Here therefore be attentive and least the Angel shall have taken this paines in vaine as farre forth as it concerneth thee remember this right well that the interpretation of the Allegory or parable such as this of the Angel is is not a new Allegory or parable For what strangenesse should this be or more truely madnesse of an interpreter or what profit is there of interpreting an Allegory by an Allegory or a parable by a parable therefore doe not thou here look after I know not what ages of the world or such like fained things but take the meaning of the prophetique Angel according to the letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not as if he were yet allegorising but rather interpreting the meaning knowing that it is thy part not to open the meaning of the Allegorie as otherwhere it happeneth but to apply its interpretation already given it to the things themselves Which application as farre forth as God hath revealed to me I will declare to thee thus 1. The Woman which Iohn saw sitting upon the Beast is that great Citie which then reigned over the Kings of the earth v. 18. The Application What is this but Rome 2. The Beast carrying her now become a whore is that Beast which before this vision being shewed to Iohn was of a certaine Chap. 17. other forme but he was not as yet of that shape wherein he should carry the Whore but in such a forme afterward he was to arise out of the bottomlesse pit and in it at length utterly to perish that is that forme wherein he should carry the Whore should be the last of the Beast beyond which he should not continue his life vers 8. It followeth in the same vers that thou mayest know also by that marke that this is the very same Beast shewed Chap. 13. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder whose names are not written in the Booke of life from the foundation of the world laid beholding the Beast which was and is not and yet is to come In Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Et tamen adfutura est For so I read it with the Complutense Edition Primasius and the Syriaque Interpreter that it may agree in sense with the precedent description The Beast which was and is not but at length shall ascend out of the bottomlesse pit But now of what forme the Beast had beene before and in what shape he was to ascend out of the bottomlesse pit that we shall know particularly by those things which the Angel by and by addeth The Application In the meane while if the Woman be Rome it selfe what then can this Beast of many formes be upon which she rideth that is ruleth but the Kingdome or Empire of Rome 3. The seven heads of the Beast is a double type first they are Ver. 3. and 7. seven mountaines or hils upon which the Citie being the Metropolis Vers 9 10 11. of the Beast is seated againe seven orders of Kings or successive Rulers and that on the same hils which the unitie of the type setteth forth * Hoc teneas vultus mutantem Protea nodo this is a sure marke of her whereof indeed five that is to say of Kings Consuls Tribunes Decemviri Dictators now in the age of Iohn were past one of Caesars was yet remaining but that also under Christian Caesars so to be changed that it seemed as another Ruler but of a very short continuance yet in truth not another but the last and as already I have said in respect of the changed Caesarship the eight but in truth but the seventh for there are onely seven heads of the Beast that very same it is under which the Beast should be at length 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is the bearer of the mysticall whore and in that state and forme wherein she is seene of Iohn in the present vision In whose time it might be said both that he was Chap. 17. in time past and notwithstanding not yet sprung up For in time past he had beene a Beast under the courses of the five first heads partly also the sixt but as yet he was not under the course of the last head to wit of the Popedome under which at length he should beare the Whore The Application Now therefore harke Reader if the sixt head of the Romane Beast which reigned in Iohns age in the City standing upon seven hils now almost for 12. * 1200. Yeers ages â—ath ceased to reigne there it must needs be that he who now beareth sway there since that which is as it were the seventh and of short continuance cannot be called a head is that last of long continuance and truely the seventh Ruler of the seven hils and therefore that State or Common-wealth of Nations over which Rome now reigneth and long hath reigned is that government which Iohn fore-saw should beare the Whore 4. The tenne hornes of the Beast the Ensignes of the last head Vers 12. are tenne Kingdomes not yet risen in the age of Iohn but into which at length the body of the Romane Beast should be rended in his last course by the wound of the Caesarian head and which with one consent should conferre all their authoritie upon the Beast to be made whole and restored under the government of Vers 13. that last head The Application But unlesse from that time that the Emperours have ceased to reigne at Rome the Romane Empire be divided and rent into tenne or more Kingdomes even of Nations in Iohns age strangers from the Empire and barbarous when I pray you ever or by what meanes at length shall we expect it to be divided 5. Those tenne