and Interpreters of the Revelation and thus I have freed this Booke from a three-fold slander first as if it were not Canonicall secondly obscure as not to be understood thirdly of neglect as if for this cause the worthiest Divines had hitherto shunned the interpretation thereof There remaine two other scandals to be taken away one of the order that this Booke is the last of the New Testament the other of errour that it containes somethings not agreeable to Apostollical Faith both these clouds will be dispersed by the consideration of the dignity of this Prophesie which like the Morning Starre above the rest shineth most clearely among the other Bookes of the New Testament What therefore respects the Order so farre is it from diminishing the worth of the Booke in any kind as it the more commendeth the same For it is in very deed a divine Seale by which the Holy Ghost was pleased not without-reason to close up both the Old and the New Canon of the divine Scriptures which manifestly appeareth from that propheticall Protestation at the end of the Booke by which such are pronounced blessed who observe the words of this Prophesie the falsifiers on the contrary that presume to adde or take ought there-from are threatned with curses for unto them that adde Rev. 22.18 God shall adde the plagues that are written in this Booke to them that take away The Canonicall authority of the Revelation confirmed from the order thereof God shall take away his part out of the Booke of Life and out of the HOLY CITY and from the things that are written in this Booke What could be expressed more honourable concerning this Prophesie for if it be unlawfull to adde ought therto then certainly in all respects it is absolute perfect divine and the word of God unto which nothing without impiety may bee added by men Againe if nothing may be taken away from the same then it is Sacred inviolable divine and the word of God which onely cannot bee broken Ioh. 10.35 Thus we see that the Canonicall dignity of this Booke is established by the order it selfe And hereby it is plainly made equall with the divine Bookes of Moses himself Deut. 4.2 12.32 the Prince of Prophets For as those because they are the first of the Sacred Canon are often confirmed with this Seale Ye shall not adde unto the word which I command you neither shall ye diminish ought from it c. So this Booke as it were closing the Holy Canon is confirmed with the like Seale that nothing may bee added to it nothing taken away from it As Moses therefore was the Chieftaine of the Prophets leading the first rankes So John was chiefe of the Prophets closing up or leading the last rankes and here I willingly assent to Bezas opinion most solidly and truely affirming that it seemed good to the Holy Ghost to gather into this pretious Booke In praefat Apoc. those things which remained to be fulfilled after Christs comming of the praedictions of the former Prophets and also to adde some things so farre as concerned us to know Praefat. in Daniel A like honourable Title that worthy Divine JOHN OECOLAMPADIUS giveth unto this Booke That it is the best Interpreter of all the Prophets Neither will I speake more touching the order save this one thing that in it appeareth also a manifest reason of time When the Revelation was written For it is the last Booke of the New Testament not because it is last in dignity but in time For Ierome writeth that Domitian raising after Nero the second persecution against the Christians Iohn wrote the Revelation in the 14. yeer of his reigne in the I le called Patmos In vita Iohannis With whom Irenaeus a most ancient Writer doth agree affirming that John saw the Revelation not long before his time but almost saith hee in our age towards the end of Domitian his Empire Lib. 3. c. 25 Wherefore the Apocalyps was written in the ninety sixth yeer of Christ after all the other Bookes of the New Testament were written For Iohn out-lived all the Apostles and Canonicall Writers and lived as Sophronius records untill the third yeere of Trajane which from Christs birth was Anno 102 and after his passion as Ierome recordeth 68. In vita Iohannis and from the destruction of Jerusalem 25. Now whereas some affirme that Iohn wrote his Gospell after the Revelation it is without any probabilitie But we come to speake of the utility of the Revelation This Booke doth excellently shine forth in point of doctrine for it truely teacheth the Propheticall and Apostolicall Faith and much illustrates many articles of the Gospell The profitablenes of the Revelation or common places In speciall it proveth the eternall Deity of Christ with such weighty arguments as scarcely more excellent are to be found in any other part of Scripture absolutely ascribing unto Christ many attributes which are onely proper unto Iehovah viz. that he is Alpha and Omega the first and the last the beginning and the end the Almighty that the Lambe standing in the Throne of the Deity equall in majesty with the Father is worshipped by all the Heavenly Inhabitants that he judgeth the adversaries rules the Nations with an iron rod that hee is the King of kings and Lord of lords c. It plainely also maintaineth the Doctrine of Christs Mediatorship and work of our Redemption through his blood calling him the faithfull Witnesse the First begotten from the dead Redemption of christ the Prince of the kings of the earth the Lambe slaine from the beginning of the world who hath washed us in his blood from our sins and made us Priests and Kings to God and the Father c. It sets forth the afflicted state and condition of the Church in this life especially in the latter times by evident types viz. that the woman bringing forth a Man-Child the Ruler of the Nations shall be driven into the Wildernesse by the Dragon and the Beast where she shall remaine hid from the sight of men when the two Witnesses shall prophesie against the Dragon and the Beast and shall indeed be slaine but being againe raysed to life they shall bee taken up into Heaven c. By which verily it is manifest that nothing else is signified then that the Church in Antichrists reigne shall bee obscure and secret in the wildernesse being oppressed in Babylon it selfe the Seat of Antichrist The flight of the Church into the wildernesse untill at length Babylon decaying shee being commanded to come out of her shall againe come forth and be seen of men By which that cavill is easily answered Where the Church was before Luthers time if the Papacy were not The Papacy indeed was the Apostaticall Church it was Babylon having nothing but the bare Name of the Holy Citie But the true Church lye hid as captivated and oppressed in the same
wedding song after the manner of a Drama which saith he is a Song of many Personages like as a Fable is acted on the Theater where diverse persons are brought in some comming and some departing that the Text of the Narration may be made up by diverse and unto diverse men and he calleth that wedding Verse a Spirituall Interlude of foure Personages which he saith the Lord revealed unto him in the same viz. the Bridegroom and Bride with the Bride her virgins with the Bridegroom his flock of Companions The same thing I more truly may say touching the Revelation that it seemes unto mee the Lord Iesus revealed the same unto Iohn by his Angell after the manner of a Dramaticall Representation and that it is an Heavenly Dramma or Interlude not onely of foure but of diverse persons and things by Typicall Speeches and Actions exhibiting to Iohns sight or hearing those things in the Heavenly Theater which God would have him to understand and us by continuall prayers meditations and observations to search out touching the future state of the Church And that ye may understand this to be so I will endeavour to delineate and pourtray the method of the Revelation now indeed briefly as in a Type reserving the rest to the Preface of every Vision But the order of the Personages by whom this Propheticall Interlude is Acted I will by and by set downe in a short Table CHAPTER IX Touching the generall Method of the Revelation TO speake accurately of the Method and Order of this Prophefie whither the generall by which the propheticall visions do all cohere one with another or the speciall by which the Apparitions of every of the Visions doe follow each other is not for me to do although I have imployed my study more then thirty yeers this way Yet I will say to stir up the endeavours of others as much as the Lord in mercy hath for the present revealed unto mee It is now fiftie two yeers ago since I first heard the Table-Propositions as they call them of my Master Zacharie Vrsinus that great Divine in Wisedomes Colledge out of the Old and New Testament He for five yeers together as often as the Reader had ended with the Epistle of Jude READ said he Matthew I desired to heare the Revelation also being ignorant of the difficulties which either my Master shunned or else would not as yet commit unto his Disciples At length Anno 1570. being again come in course of reading of the Scriptures unto the Revelation he bade the Reader goe forward Then the Revelation was read which he illustrated with briefe notes in so many dayes yea halfe hours as there are Chapters in the Booke yet accurately as hee was wont to doe all things these his Observations I with all attention gave heed unto and as much as might be set them downe in writing and thereby I began to observe somewhat of the obscurity about the distinction and analogie of the Visions Fourteene yeeres after I my selfe being called to the Government of the said Colledge wherein also I continued so many yeers running over seven times at least the explication of the Revelation I at length seemed unto my selfe to observe some kind of Harmony in certain Visions and as it were some distinct Acts of most of the Visions Here specially of the Ancients Augustine and of the latter Nicolaus Collado a Divine of Lausanna did most effect me Lib. 20. de C. D. cap. 17 For Augustine in his Commentary de C. D. after hee had taught that the last judgement should certainly come to passe both by other Scriptures and largely also by the Revelation at length he saith In this Booke many things are obscurely spoken to exercise the mind of the Reader and in it are a few things by the manifestation whereof the rest might with labour bee found out chiefly because it so repeateth the same things after a diverse manner as if it seemed to speake of different things whereas wee shall finde that it speakes of the very same things after a diverse manner By which words Augustine seemeth to me wittily and truely to say three things First that many darke things are contained in this Booke to exercise the minds of the Reader Secondly that some things in the Booke are plaine by the understanding whereof the other more obscure things might with study be dived into Thirdly that it principally conduceth unto the searching out of the mysteries of this Booke to observe that the same things are spoken of in diverse Types after a different manner although different things seeme to bee spoken of The first of which touching the obscurity seemeth plainely so to be as hath before been shewed in Chap. 3. by which indeed the Holy Ghost hath involved this Prophesie of the New Testament not because hee would not have the same to bee understood by the Readers but to have their mindes and understanding exercised with labour studie and prayer as appeareth Chap. 13.18 17.9 c. The second doth notably respect the speciall method Augustines animadversions touching the method of the Revelation For almost in every Vision there are some few if not many things whence the plaine understanding of the other more obscure may bee found out either because they are properly spoken or because the significations of the Types are declared by the Spirit himselfe or lastly because the Types themselves are so manifestly agreeing to the matter signified as they yeeld no difficult understanding unto such as diligently mind the same For example It is plaine that in the very beginning it is said that here those things are revealed which must shortly be done Rev. 1.1.19 14.1 15.1 Rev. 14.14 19.11 20.11 and John is commanded to write those things which then were and which should afterward come to passe and expresly those last plagues and oftentimes the last Iudgement whence two more darke things are easily dived into First that the Types of the Revelation do not represent the foregoing Historie of the Israelitish Church but the future state of the New Church Secondly that they shaddow out not a few Ages onely after the Revelation nor yet the last times and Tragedie of Antichrist alone but the whole period of the Church Thus it is plaine that the starres are the Ministers of the Churches the great starres renowned Teachers Whence it is not obscure what is meant by the great starres falling from Heaven Moreover also it is plaine Ezech 16.2 Ier. 3.1 Ose 2.5 that in Scripture a whorish woman doth denote the Apostaticall Church Whence it is cleare that the woman clothed with the Sun signifies the true Church the flight of the woman into the wildernesse her being out of sight riding on the Beast and sitting upon seven hils the adulterous and domineering Church of Rome It is also plaine that most of the Visions doe end with the last Iudgement Hence it is manifest that the periods of
which is to come Pag. 7. 14. Touching the seven Spirits from whom Iohn wisheth Grace to the Churches whither they be seven created Spirits or the Holy Ghost Pag. 9. 15. Whither in verse 5. there be a soloecisme against certaine Popish Interpreters Pag. 12. 16. The Priesthood of the New Testament whither it bee common to the Faithfull or proper to the Clergie Pag. 14. 17. Wherher Christ be and how hee calleth himselfe Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end the first and the last against Eniedinus the Samosatenian Pag. 16. 38. 587. 18. Of the Lords day Pag. 20. 19. Whether he that appeared among the Candlestickes were Christ and what it teacheth and whither the ubiquitie of Christs flesh bee thence proved Pag. 23. 20. Whither Hereticks do rightly gather that Christ is not God because he saith that he was dead Pag. 26. 27. 21. How the Candlestickes are the Churches and the starres the Candlestickes and of Sacramentall phrases Pag. 28. 29. 419. In Chapter II. 22. A disputation about the Saints how farre they may fall or not and of their perseverance Pag. 34. 71. 23. Whither the Church must suffer for the sin of her Pastor Pag. 35. 24. Of the Heresie of the Nicolaitans Pag. 36. 44. 45. 25. Whither because the Papacy is not the true Church of Christ there was no true Church before Luthers time and where it was 43. and in the Praeface Pag. 19. 26. Of the woman Jezabel Pag. 48. 49. 27. Whether and how Christ is called the Searcher of the heart and reines which is proved against the Hereticke Eniedinus Pag. 50. 51. In Chapter III. 28. Whether because the Saints are said to bee worthy that they should walke with Christ clothed in white robes or from the promise of the reward of workes or from the future judgement according to works c. it bee rightly inferred that good works are the meritorious cause of Eternall Life Pag. 58. 250. 357. 384. 29. Of the Book of Life and of them that are written in the same Pag. 60. 384. 30. That the Pope of Rome as Antichrist lifteth up himselfe and is lifted up by his followers above Christ Pag. 63. 297. 298. 31. A dispute touching the grace and cause of conversion differencing us from others Pag. 67. 68. 81. 32. Of hot cold and luke-warm persons in Religion Pag. 76. In Chapter IV. 33. Of the four and twenty Elders and of the four Beasts Pag. 90. 92. In Chapter VI. 34. Of the nine persecutions of the Church Pag. 110. 35. A discourse touching the blacke-horse and his Rider Pag. 112. 113. 127. 36. Of the pale-horse and of the mortall palenesse of the Church whence it came and when Pag. 116. 117. 173. 174 c. 37. Of the soules of the Martyrs under the Altar and of their crying Pag. 119. 120. 38. Of Intercession and invocation of Saints Pag. 122. 147. 39. Of the rising of the westerne and easterne Antichrist Pag. 124. 125. 127. 144. 170. 186. 289. 290. c. 304. 40. Of the pride and tyranny of Romane Popes against Emperours and Kings Pag. 130. 163. In Chapter VIII 41. Of the Angell with the Censer at the Altar Pag. 153. 154. 42. Of the analogy of the seven Seals Trumpets and Vials Pag. 137. 374 375. In Chapter IX 43. Of the Locusts and their application unto Antichrists clergy Pag. 177 c. In Chapter X. 44. Of oathes Pag. 203. In Chapter XI 45. Whither the Church could and may erre Pag. 213. 46. A disputation touching the forty two Moneths Pag. 216 c. 47. Of the Fable and Historie of the two witnesses Pag. 221. 222. 48. Of the 1260. dayes Pag. 224. 225. 49. Of Antichrists three yeeres reigne and an halfe Pag. 230. 231. 240. 286. 50. Of the great Citie Babylon that it is not Ierusalem but Rome yea Popish Rome Pag. 235. 236. 343. 344. 349. 399. 443. In Chapter XII 51. Of the woman clothed with the Sun and standing upon the Moone whether shee bee the same with the woman afterward sitting upon the Beast Pag. 257. 258. 52. Of the battle of Michael with the the Dragon Pag. 265. 53. Diverse opinions about the womans flight into the wildernesse Pag. 275 54. What time is noted by time times and a halfe time Pag. 276. In Chapter XIII 55. It is disputed touching the former Beast ascending out of the Sea 282 c. And what the Authour held about it Pag. 287. 408. 409. 415. 56. A dispute about the mortal wound of the Beast Pag. 293 c. 57. Of the second two horned Beast Pag. 304. 58. Of the Image of the Beast Pag. 310. 311. 59. Of the Character of the Beast Pag. 313. 60. Of the number of the beasts name Pag. 316. 317. c. 61. That the Pope of Rome did not now of late begin to be accounted the Antichrist Pag. 318. 319. In Chapter XIV 62. Riberas disputation touching the Sealed ones and of the Virgines standing with the Lambe on the Mountain Pag. 329 c. 63. Of the Angell flying through the midst of Heaven with the Eternall Gospell Pag. 338. 64. A dispute touching the great Citie against Ribera Pag. 346 c. 65. How the dead in the Lord are blessed Pag. 355. In Chapter XVI 66. Of the seven Vials whether they bee the same with the seven Seales and with the seven Trumpets Pag. 375. 67. Of the seven Angels pouring out the Vials who they are and what the pouring out of the Vials is Pag. 376. 68. Of the plagues following the pouring out of the seven Vials Pag. 376. 377. 69. Of the King of the East and the drying up of Euphrates Pag. 390. 70. Of the three Spirits sâ—nt out unto the Kings of the Earth Pag. 394. 395. In Chapter XVII 71. That the woman sitting on the Beast is Popish Rome Antichrists Seat and Antichrist himselfe Pag. 404. 409. 72. Of the Beast which was and is not and shall ascend out of the pit disputed with Ribera Pag. 416. 73. Of the seven Mountains of Rome and the seven Kings Pag. 420 c. 74. Of the Pope of Rome when hee was made chiefe Pontife the eighth King and Antichrist Pag. 428 c. 75. Of the ten Kings signified by the hornes of the Beast Pag. 433. 438. 76. Whether Rome according to Riberas fiction is to bee burned before the comming of Antichrist Pag. 441. 77. How God giveth into the heart that is worketh in mens hearts the liberty of their will remaining Pag. 444. 78. Whither God after the same manner gave good and evill into the hearts of the Kings and whether hence it followes that he is the Authour of sinne Pag. 446. 79. How the Kings in eating the flesh of the whore and burning her with fire did the good pleasure of God Pag. 449. In Chapter XVIII 80. Of the causes of the ruine of Babylon that is of Rome Pag. 456. 81. How the stirring up of the Saints to revenge Render to her is agreeable to the
adjunct of the magnitude It was a great signe 2. From the place It was in heaven 3. From the form It was a woman who is described by three external adjuncts She was clothed with the Sun she had the Moon under her feet and a crown of stars on her head ver 1. Three internall also she was with childe travailed in birth and for paine cryed to be delivered vers 2. The latter signe is described 1. from the place it was seen in heaven 2. From the form it was a Dragon 3. From the quantitie it was great 4. From the colour red 5. From the monstrous shape having seven heads ten horns seven crownes v. 3. 6. From a double cruelty with his taile he cast the third part of the stars from heaven to the earth stood to devour the Womans childe v. 4. In the second part is set forth 1 the womans fruite or child by a threefold description 1. His sexe a man child 2. His office a ruler of the nations 3. The event he was caught up to the throne of God ver 5. The Womans flight sustentation and abode in the desert the which is inserted by an anticipation ver 6. For the woman did not flie presently but after the Dragon was cast out of heaven and she received wings v. 14. The war that was the place wherof is noted to be in heaven the Combatants Michael the Dragon with their Angels on both sides v. 7. And the catastrophe or successe of the battel Michaels victory the Dragons overthrow with a threefold description of the said Dragon he is that old serpent the calumniator seducer of the whole world v. 8.9 And the effect a song of prayses of some in heaven not named in which they celebrate three benefits of this victorie viz. that the kingdom of God and Christ is vindicated that the Church militant is freed from the accusation of the conquered Dragon v. 10. and that the Church also herselfe was a conquerour of the Dragon shewing three causes therof one principal meritious viz. the blood of the Lamb two ministeriall the word of their testimonie and constancy in the faith v. 11. 2. They gratulate the heavens them that dwell in them for this victory v. 12. They denounce woe to the inhabiters of the earth and sea for three causes one efficient because the devil was come down unto them two moving causes because he was full of wrath having but a little time Ibid. A new attempt of the Dragon against the woman by persecution v. 13. The Womans flight And 1. her help to it two wings of an Eagle were given her 2. The forme she flue out of the sight of the Dragon 3. The place into the wildernes 4. The end there to be nourished 5. The time for a time times and half a time v. 14. Another attempt of the serpent against the woman He vomiteth out waters to drown her v. 15. The womans preservation not beeing hurt therby through the earth swallowing up the waters ver 16. The Dragons wrath and war against the rest of the womans seed the which seed is noted by two epithites by their obedience to the Law faith in the Gospel v. 17. And thus the history is ended by noting the place in which Iohn then stood v. 18. The first part of the Chapter Two signes in heaven of the woman in travell the Dragon watching to devour her child 1. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven a woman clothed with the Sun and the Moone under her feet and upon her head a crowne of twelve starres 2. And she being with child cryed travailing in birth pained to be delivered 3. And there appeared another wonder in heaven and behold a great red dragon having seven heads ten hornes and seven crownes upon his head 4. And his tayle drew the third part of the starres of heaven and did cast them to the earth and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered for to devoure her childe assoone as it was borne THE COMMENTARIE ANd there was seen This Vision goes up higher with the condition of the new Church then hitherto hath bin don in the other viz. from the very birth of Christ at which time the Church of the Gospel began to be born For it is apparent that here is represented the first birth infancy youthful condition of the new Church both how it was born educated accepted in the world Therfore howsoever in this prophesie are represented unto Iohn not things that were already past but to come neverthelesse the nienty six yeeres which were from the birth of Christ until the time of this revelation that is from the 42 yeer of Augustus unto the 14 yeer of Domitian are also included in this vision and hence we see that it is more full and perfect then the others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was seen to mee or by mee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a signe or wonder An image represented either to the eyes or understanding It is more probable it was a mental vision because of the circumstances which could not well al of them have been corporally acted Great In signification that is shadowing out great and wonderfull things For what can be more wonderful then that a cruel dragon should stand ready to devoure the child of a weak woman in travaile and yet not prevaile In heaven Here I seek no mysterie because these mental apparitions were exhibited to Iohn in heaven A woman clothed with the sun Ribera here moves two great and difficult questions Riberas two questions weighed as he cals them One what woman this was whither the Church or the alwayes blessed virgin Marie because some things agree to Marie as that it is a woman clothed with the sun that she brought forth a man child ruling the nations with a rod of iron c. Some things agree not that she cryed for pain in travaile that she fled into the desert c. Again it seems not to agree to the Church to bring forth a man child ruling the nations with a rod of iron because the Church did not beget Christ but is begotten of him through his word that also the dragon is said leaving the woman to fight with her seed c. At length he concludes out of Methodius with Cesariensis that not the virgin Marie but the Church is the woman here spoken of The other question as he saith is more difficult Whither this be spoken concerning the Church in her first state that is before Christ comming or at his first comming or of that state which she shal be in in the last age of the world Now rejecting the former opinion he supposeth that all is to be referred unto the last time of the Church and the four yeeres reigne of his Antichrist and his reason is because the womans flight and her abode in the wildernes 1260 dayes as also the fight of Michael
with the Dragon doe altogether belong to Antichrists time But I thinke I can move here a far more difficult question A more difficult question about the woman that is whither this woman flying into the wildernes be not the same whom Iohn saw in the wildernes sitting on the scarlet coloured Beast or another of all which questions I wil speak a few things As for the first The Monkish fable touching Maries assumption is not hence proved This Vision makes nothing for the establishing of the Monkish dreames and pictures of the virgine Maries corporall assumption into heaven and placing her on the Throne of the Trinitie her beeing queen of heaven and so clothed as the woman here appeared to Iohn These are mere apocriphal fictions and contradictorie to Christian relegion Yea themselves also confesse that this type doth not in many things agree with their fables This woman is a type of the Churches birth under the New Testament alluding to the history of Christ beeing borne of the virgin Mary for the historie of Christs comming in the flesh doth partly literally partly allegorically very wel represent the future condition of the Church This woman brought forth a man childe A historical comparing of this type with Marie and Christ Mat. 2.13 so in the fulnes of time God sent his son made of a woman Gal. 4.4 The Dragon layes wait for the womans child so Herod the tyrant sought to kill Christ as soon as he was born The Woman with Eagles wings flyes into the wildernes so Mary being admonished of God fled with the child into the deserts of Aegypt The Woman was there sustained and kept 1260 dayes so Mary remained in Aegypt neer four yeeres untill the death of Herod The Dragon cast forth a flood of waters after the Woman to devour her So Herod after Maries flight murdered all the infants of Bethlehem of two yeeres old and upward that among them he might slay the womans child To be shortt the childe of the woman was caught up into heaven unto the throne of God and made the feeder ruler of all nations so Christ having finished the worke of our redemption ascended into heaven is set down on the throne of the Father having all power in heaven and in earth These things are now represented unto John not as historical seeing he was no way ignorant of them neither as things to come to passe afterward seeing they were already don but as types of future things mystically setting forth the future condition of the Church in this life For as the virgine Marie once brought forth Christ corporally so the Church continually as it were in travaile brings him forth in his members spiritually Se Gal. 4.19 Herod persecuted Mary with her child so that old Dragon by tyrants other enemies shal persecute the Church with her members The allegory of the Church Christs birth of the virgine Mary flying from the tyrant withdrew herself out of the sight of the adversaries yet she still had a beeing and was preserved and nourished in the deserts of Aegypt untill her return so the Church shunning Antichrist withdrew herself out of the eyes of the world yet had she a continuance still and was nourished and preserved in the wildernes of the world untill the measuring of the temple Christ the son of the woman being taken up into heaven was set on the throne of God so the faithfull at length shal be taken up into heaven and reign with Christ So that this type doth excellently represent the historie both of the birth of Christ and of the Church The woman represents Mary The child taken up into heaven Christ The Dragon persecuting the woman Herod the tyrant the taking up of the child unto Throne of God Christs ascention into heaven his sitting at the right hand of his Father Notwithstanding in a mystical sense which onely is intended in this prophetical Vision the woman is the Church the child of the woman her seed are the faithfull of all ages the Dragon is the Devill and all other persecuting tyrants of the Church Why the Church is represented under the type of a woman Furthermore it is not unusuall in scripture to compare both the true and false Church unto a woman as in Isai 54.1 it is said unto the true Church rejoyce O barren thou which didst not bear for more are the children of the desolate then of the married wife and Mica 7.8 the true Church saith to the false rejoyce not against me O mine enemie because I fall for I shall arise c. Hence generally the Church is called the spouse of Christ a chast and undefiled virgin so Chap. 19.7 she is called the wife and spouse of the Lambe The reason she is so called is both her spiritual marriage with Christ her bridegrome as also the weaknes of that sex for the Church being like unto a weak woman hath no humane strength to subsist of herself On the contrarie the Church of malignant men is compared to an adulterous woman Ierem. 3.1 to a whore and most impure harlot Ezech. 16. Reve. 17.18 Thus we se what this woman is I hope by this time Riberas first question is fully answered Now I come to his second question In what state the Church is here represented he rightly denies that the Church is represented in the first state or as it was before the comming of Christ although some doe thinke that there is an allusion unto Eve our first mother betwixt whose seed and the serpents God put enmity in the beginning but this is without al ground Neither was Iohn to be informed of the state of the ancient synagogue but of the condition of the new Church Now the other two things which he affirmeth are not true One that the state of the Church at Christs comming is not here spoken of for we have shewed the contrarie because the woman in travaile of Christ corporally was a type of the Church beeing in travaile with Christ spiritually The other that he refers the event of this type unto the last times of his feined Antichrist who shal never come As if the woman were not already long agoe fled into the wildernes persecuted by the Dragon in her flight as shall appeare more evidently by that which followes Lastly unto the third question viz. whither this woman flying into the wildernesse be the same that sate on the Beast Chap. 17. I say that she is and is not the which I thus manifest It is plaine that the woman represents the Church Now the Church by a diverse signification is taken eyther for the Church of the first begotten Heb. 12.22 which universally comprehends all the elect before and under the law Lib. 4. Epist 38. as also under the Gospel as Gregory affirmeth and this is the Catholick Church mentioned in the Creed or for the Church of the called which in the New
hee was cast out into the earth and his angels were cast out with him 10. And I heard a loud voyce saying in heaven Now is come salvation and strength and the kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ for the accuser of our brethren is cast downe which accused them before our God day and night 11. And 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 12. Therefore rejoyce yee heavens and yee that dwell in them Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea for the devill is come downe unto you having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short time 13. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth hee persecuted the woman which brought forth the man childe 14. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle that shee might flee into the wildernesse into her place where she is nouris hed for a time and times and halfe a time from the face of the Serpent 15. And the Serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman that hee might cause her to be carried away of the flood 16. And the earth helped the woman and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth 17. And the dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make warre with the remnant of her seed which keepe the commandements of God and have the Testimony of Iesus Christ 18. And I stood upon the sand of the Sea THE COMMENTARIE ANd she brought forth a man child The woman brings forth and a man child is born he is set upon by the dragon but caught up to the throne of God so the Dragon is frustrated of his prey This whole type may bee applyed to Christ literallie For in the head the lot or portion of the members is represented A man child is born which notes his sex strength and power This is meant of Christ who is the mightie God and the following attribute is also proper to him Hee shall feed or rule all nations with a rod of iron out of Psal 2. for hee is appointed by the father to be the feeder or ruler of all nations ruling them with an iron rod that is a most powerfull scepter for iron is not fraile yet in a diverse or different way some he quickneth by the scepter of his word and spirit and directeth them as his sheep into his sheep fowld of glorie Others by the same scepter hee breakes in pieces as a potters vessel and casts them as goates into hel fire Christ therfore doth nothing feare the Dragons open mouth because he is a manchild he cares not for his diadems nor feareth his hornes because he can beate down all things with his rod of iron And here it is closely answered to what might be objected Why the Dragon did not devoure the man-child viz Why did the Dragon cease wherefore did he not devoure the child so soon as he was born two or three reasons are shewed how his endeavours were frustrated The magnanimity that is the divine power of the manchild did terrify him his iron scepter made him afraid wherewith he bruiseth his heads and hornes But did he not swallow him up beeing dead not in the least for though he bruised his heele yet he could not hurt him because beeing delivered from the power of death satan he was taken up into heaven sate down at the right of God For this also which is added and he was caught up c. may bee literallie applyed to Christ However the prophetical sense of this type is here chieflie to be considered The Woman that is the Church brought forth a Son collective for many children of God by the seed of the word For even in the beginning by the Apostolicall preaching many thousands of Christians were begotten to Christ and the elect of God dispersed throughout the whole earth were gathered by little little This generation is sayd to be male-children because the elect beeing strong in faith doe manfully resist Satan Io. 11 52. Act. 2.39 They also in Christ their head shall rule the nations with a rod of iron Revel 2.17 seeing the head communicates what is his unto his members hence the Saintes shall judge the world and Angels 1 Cor. 6.2 They shal be caught up to God also on his throne because beeing supported by the power of God they shall not fall under their temptations but finishing their warfare with courage shall obtain as conquerours a crown of glorie with Christ For to him that overcommeth he will graunt to sit with him in his throne even as he also overcame and was set with his Father on his throne Chap. 3.21 This consolation did chiefly belong to the times of the martyrs while Christ rode on the red horse even from Neroes persecution unto that of Diocletian as may plainly be gathered from v. 11. Now this allegoricall sense by me expounded would have been the more obscure as touching the members but that the historicall sense before was very plaine and cleare in Christ the head and therfore it was necessarilie to be set down in the first place Brightman takes this man child to be Constantine the great who at length was brought forth by the Church as a patron and defender of the faith against Maxentius Licinius and other enemies But I know not whither with more shew of reason then Lyra who understands it as meant of Heraclius who reigned Phocas beeing taken away very unprosperously For here the womans seed doth certainly denote the ryse and first state of the primitive Church 6. And the woman fled into the wildernesse Vnlesse here we take notice of the anticipation The anticipation of the womans flight reason thereof mentioned in the Analysis and which our Tossanus hath rightly observed many intricate questions will arise as how in this verse the woman is said to flie into the wildernesse and again in v. 14 whither she once returned fled twise fled thither before the battel how she flue before she received wings c. Therfore her flight is put by an anticipation but came to passe afterward when the Dragon was cast into the earth and after a new persecution was raised against her v. 13. For she fled not so soon as she was delivered indeed bow could she flie having newly brought forth but some while after First Michael thrust the Dragon out of heaven Hereupon the heavenly inhabitants sang their triumphant song The Dragon then to revenge the losse of his prey and his own ruin began to follow after the woman She then hath wings given her so flies into the wildernesse And this is the order of the Vision Thus her flight is here brought in by an anticipation because the spirit having shewed how the child was delivered
from the Dragons fury would also adde something touching the womans preservation from the same Hee by beeing caught into heaven The woman by flight into the wildernesse howbeit not together at one time for betwixt these things there happened a cruel battel in heaven betwixt Michael and the Dragon as also the Dragons new enterprise against the woman on earth upon this John returns unto the flight and persecution of the woman Therfore we will reserve the interpretation of this verse till we come to v. 14. Now onely let us take notice of the summe and drift FIRST the flight of the woman into the wildernes signifies the invisibility of the Apostolical Church after she had fought many battels with tyrants hereticks and hypocrites For as the Moon comming so low as the shadow of the earth gives noe light neither for the present is more seen then if it were not in the skie so the Church that chast mother through the shadow of worldly ambition The Church vanished as the moon covetousnes luxurie power of prelates and carnal priests lost her light by little and little and at length vanished away insomuch as she never appeared any where in the world in her primitive beauty The Papists affirme that their Church never fled or vanished away contend that she allwayes shined in her full light by which they deny that their Church is this chast mother Histories indeed shew that Rome of old was a chast mother but ceased so to be by changing the government of Christ instituted by his Apostles into the Ecclesiastical and secular kingdom of the Pope the which when and how it came to passe hath already been shewed several times shall further be spoken of afterward Secondly in that there is a place prepared for her in the wildernesse where she is nourished it signifies that however the puritie of the Church shall then fade away and the outward face thereof appear wholy discrepant from the primitive state yet God will reserve and feed some remnants Of the rest in verse 14. 7. And there was warre in heaven Which happened not after the womans flight into the wildernesse but after the manchild was caught up into heaven For the Dragon beeing disappointed of one prey he thirsted after the other that is seeing he could not destroy the child he attempts to devoure the mother But Michael is present in her behalfe provoking the Dragon to combat and thrusting him beeing overcom with his followers out of heaven whence arose a shout among the heavenly spirits What is meant by this battel and when it was is not easie to be expounded What the war was between Michael and the Dragon Riberas fiction There are some who refer it to the first fall of the devill when Lucifer with his Angels was cast down out of heaven This Ribera rightly rejects yet puts in the place thereof a strange fiction of his own viz. of a battel that shal be betwixt Antichrist and the Saintes about the last four yeers before the end of the world But without all doubt this battel is already fought and the Dragon cast into the earth because the woman long agone is fled into the wildernesse Others take it as an allusion to the battel of Michael with satan about the bodie of Moses mentioned in Jude vers 9. But the cause of the war there is other then here Brightman thinkes that Constantines victory over Maxentius Maximinus and Licinius heads of the Dragon is here set forth But the effects of the victorie celebrated with songs by them in heaven vers 10.11 Seem to be more glorious then can possiblie be restrained to Constantines temporall victorie As therefore in the signe of the woman her deliverie and the child there was a double sense One Historicall fulfilled in the person of Marie and Christ The other Allegoricall in the Church and members of Christ so we may rightlie interpret this combat in a twofold sense first spiritually of the conflict of Christ and Satan the which went before in order of time Secondly Historicallie of Constantines and the enemies battles which happened afterward For as Christ caught up into the throne of God thrust Satan out of his kingdome and brought eternal peace and saftie unto the Saintes by his intercession So Constantine beeing advanced on the throne of the empire did manfullie suppresse all enemies of Christianitie and brought in a breathing time unto the Church after her former long continued afflictions This is the summe Now let us consider the battell of which 1. the place 2. the Captaines and armies 3. the event lastly the effect and benefit therof is explained The place of the war was heaven But heaven is a place of peace not of war of quietnesse not of dissention The war in heaven is visional not reall It is so indeed This is therefore to bee attributed onelie unto the Vision the which Iohn saw in the heaven above The Captaine and armie fighting on the one side were Michael and his Angels On the other side the Dragon with his Angels As the Dragon is Satan So Michael is Christ the Manchild caught up into heaven MICHAEI beeing interpreted is Who is like God Now who is like God save Christ his onely begotten son So Daniel also brings in Christ under the name of Michael Chap. 11. and 12. Propheticallie pointing at this battel At that time Michael the great prince shal stand up for the children of his people viz. having finished the worke of our redemption in the flesh But what manner of battel is it The first conflict consisted in Satans temptations The first conflict of this war the which Christ did offten most stronglie sustaine and suppresse The soorest conflict was his bloodie sweating in the garden that which hee suffered in the high priests hall and on the crosse at his death Then Michael indeed seemed to have bin overthrown but a while after the adversaries power was broken for by death Michael overcame and rising again he bruised the Dragons heades and beeing lift up unto the throne of his father he triumphed over all principallities and powers Col. 2 15 Then as a conquerour hee ascended with his bodie on which he had born and by his blood purged the sins of men into heaven and by the efficacie of his eternall intercession repressing the accusations of the adversarie hath made up our everlasting peace with God This mysterie of our salvation is shadowed out under the type of this battel as plainlie appeares from vers 10.11 The which typicall representation did verie much serve for the consolation of the Church seeing she should be shaken with most cruell stormes of persecutions for the space of three hundred yeers least the faithfull beeing unmindful both of this fight victorie might faint under the long continuance of the crosse But how are the Angels joyned with Michael in the fight Why the Angels are joyned with Christ and who they are
to the Dragon of a new persecution A new persecution by Bishops ambition luxuriousnesse See Mat. 23.6 First he breathed the venome of pride into the mindes of secure ambitious Bishops insomuch as unmindfull of their former calamities they lifted themselves above each other basely striving in their Synods about the uppermost sittings primacie and the like Witnesse the bundels of such books which Constantine caused to be burnt Touching Christian doctrine they thought it sufficient to hold fast the truth of the Trinitie although in this very thing they much trifled in their councils making yeerly yea monthly confessions of faith All their other matters tended to pompe and vaine glory It is true Arius was condemned by the Nicene Councill and the Arians thrust out of their places But not long after Constantius leaning to Arianisme Athanasius was banished and Arius called back Him againe the Council of Sardica condemned and restored Athanasius who was againe cast off by the Synod of Millane and Arianisme was again established by the Council held at Ariminum Seleucia where all otherdoxe teachers were compelled to subscribe insomuch as at that time were hardly to be found two or three Bishops in the whole Christian world that were sound in the faith Yea Liberius also Bishop of Rome fell to the Arians Of which pestilent corruption Mantuan thus writeth Arius humani generis lethale venenum Legis in excidium natus fideique ruinam Polluerat gentem totumque infecerat orbem Arius was borne that heretick The deadly bane of men to be Of Law and faith he was the ruin And all the world corrupt did he But these things were but the beginning of sorrowes For the Bishops being used to Synods therby having opportunity to establish their ambition and power did upon the lightest occasion require or force the Emperours to call a Synod the latter councils still condemning the former The conflict of councils having little or no care to set forth the puritie of faith and further godlinesse But for the most part their decrees were concerning Patriarchal seats of the primacie of Old and New Rome of the orders of clergy men their priviledges immunities and rents of consecrating the holy Chrisme of coverings of altars adorning worshipping of images of Massepriests their ordination anointing and clothing about the shaving of virgines and monkes haire of mitres surplisses robes copes embroidered and fine linnen garments holy vestiments sacrifices places of refuge extreem unctions and such like fooleries Thus we see what was the cause of the spiritual calamitie of the woman touching which Ierom saith truly though little to what might have been spoken That the Christian Church after she had princes to be members was made greater indeed in wealth and power but lesse in vertue and pietie Besides we read that the woman or Church suffered such sore trialls by the emperours themselves and other tyrants as hastened her flight For such generally was the state of the Church as was the emperours pleasure and affection to have it and he for the most part was swayed by the Bishops so likewise the issue and event of Synods was usually according to the faction of such Bishops as were stronger then the rest by reason of the secular power Constantine himself wavering in the faith towards his latter end and favouring the heresie of Arius while he thought saith Sulpitius to fulfill his duty in religion he exercised THE POWER OF PERSECUTION for Bishops were banished the clergy persecuted and the laitie punished who had separated themselves from the communion of the Arians The persecution beeing then at the hottest when Constantius â—ulian the Apostate Valens raging with hostile cruelty against orthodox Christians differed in nothing but in name from the cruellest tyrants These calamities were seconded by the horrible incursions of the barbarians as Gothâ—s Vandals the Hunni c. who brought a horrible destruction on the Christian world And thus the Dragon did long and most cruelly afflict and put the woman to flight after she had breathed a while By these things we may understand what was this new ecclesiasticall and civil persecution with the occasion thereof Of which Mantuan writeth to this purâ—pose That however peace is delightfull and much defired yet it occasioned to the Church more miserable slaughters opprobries losses disgraces and miseries then the open force of tyrants For by means thereof Christians did degenerate from their ancient vertue voluptuousnes made them effeminate and weake both in body and mind hence Christ and true faith was forgotten and set at nought but all manner of wickednesse increased and men became worse then beasts of whome Rome was the receptacle which caused saith he the Lord for these abominable evils to punish Christians with plagues from heaven and to let loose upon them nations of a terrible and fierce countenance regarding neither the lawes of God or man as the people of Sarmatia and Scythia the Hunni Saracens and Turkes yea such as professed one faith like made dogges devoured each others by mortal warre sparing in the mean while the Turkes and Saracens c. 14. And to the woman were given two wings Here we see how the woman escaped the new assault of the Dragon having wings given her she flees into the desert Of which thing John spake somewhat before in v. 6. by way of anticipation save onely that there it is said the woman fled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that she might flie into the wildernesse there that they should feed her here that she might there bee nourished There 1260 dayes here for a time times halfe a time The sense is one and the same Touching all which we will speake something especially of the flight and time The Woman I say was eyther to flie or to fall under the Dragons assault For how should an unarmed woman stand against a cruel monster neither was she to trust unto her feet Two Eagles wings giveÌ„ to the woman therefore wings are given her of God Concerning these wings we need not dispute subtilly thereof Some wil have them to be the two Testaments the old and the new with which the Church defendeth herselfe Others hope faith Others prayer and desire of good workes Ribera understands it to bee the desire of Gods glory and an indeavour to lead a spotlesse life ALCASAR the contempt of worldly and esteem of heavenly things But we need not seek for a mysterie for it is a plaine metaphor taken from birds that fly so the woman being to fly had need of wings and indeed no lesse then two for one would not serve to fly withal A man is said to fly who doth suddenly shunn the sight of men as the Poet speakes of one fleeing swiftly Timor addidit alas Feare was in stead of wings Wings therefore are given to the woman not of a doue which are to weake for to fly long although David wisheth saying O that
I had wingsof a doue that he might have a little rest from trouble neither the wings of a kite or of a houpe or Storke as Zacha. 5.9 These are unclean birds but the wings of a generous and Great Eagle able to fly a long time For the woman was to fly a great while even till she came into the wildernesse A great Eagle flyes strongly lifts her selfe up on high and is carried above the cloudes hence the flying of an Eagle is commended in scripture Deut. 32.11 Isa 40.31 and hereby is signified that the Church was divinely inabled to this flight that she might not be a prey unto the Dragon according to the promise they that hope in Jehovah shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as Eagles they shall run and not be wearie they shall walk and not faint Now touching the FLIGET let us see how and when it was There are diverse opinions of expositours about it the which I list not to rehearse hearse They spake according to their module I also will shew myne opinion yea I have already not obscurely shewed the same Let us call to memorie what hath bin said before of the place and clothing of the woman and of the Dragons persecution the woman before was clothed with the Sun shined as the moon and glittering stars openly in heaven signifying that the Christian Church untill Constantine who brought peace and quietnes unto her should under the crosse shine in brightnesse of faith godlinesse And indeed all that while by how much persecution encreased and Christians were hated and and afflicted by so much the more they were eminent and perspicuous But peace I say beeing obtained by Constantine Christians then began to disperse themselves over the whole Romane Empire the Church seemed to be againe past al danger but the thing fell out otherwise for suddenly new stormes of persecution overwhelmed her causing her to flee by little and little till at length she was forced altogether to hide herselfe in the wildernesse The wildernesse is opposed to heaven her flight to the ornaments wherewith formerly she was adorned For the Church fled from heaven into the wildernesse not by change of place but by losse of her graces changing her ancient sinceritie of doctrine faith pietie humilitie and Christs government into luxuriousnes ambition superstition and pagan worship when I say in stead of pure and virgines attire she put on whorish habit altering her visage insomuch as now she was not the same but altogether another woman save in name onely Nota. What it is to flâ—e into the wildernesse Thus she fled into the wildernesse that is she vanished out of mans sight so that what formerlie she had been the same now appeared not as things are hid and appeare not in a wildernesse It is true in all ages there remained still many godly people but these were of no account and suppressed there being verâ—e few if any congregations who worshipped the Lord in the purity of his ordinances But superstition idolatrie and tyrannie altogether prevailed But thou wilt say such a flight suites not with the historie For after Constantines time for the space of three hundred yeeres even untill Gregorie the Woman remained in heaven that is the Church did flourish both in the East and West yea the Church hath ever since remained and at this day the Church at Rome is more magnificent then of old I answer we are to distinguish the true Church from the false The true sincere and chast woman was forced through the Dragons assaults to flee into the wildernesse and vanished out of sight having lost her former clothing and ornament so as that chast mother the Church never appeared any where in the world In her place succeeded a new Church being a gaudish whorish woman so that the flight of the woman signifyes the departure of the true Church in the world The summe is this The true Church fled into the wildernesse The wildernesse is the Popish desolation not by changing her place but loosing her former state not by gooing forth of Rome but in loosing her ornaments This wildernesse therfore may not be imagined to bee any remote place in Arabia Lybia or Japponia Or a certain place unto which the true Church was limited as the Donatists dreamt concerning their Africa but is that desolate apostatical state brought in by Antichrist in which indeed there was a true Church but not apparent to the view of men like as of old in Israels apostacie there was indeed a Church of seven thousand but unknown to Elias and others It is I say the spirituall confusion of the Papacie Isay 40.3 like as the Prophet Isaiah cals the spiritual desolation of the Iewish kingdom a wildernesse In this wildernesse or spiritual confusion of the Romish Church Iohn sees a woman riding on a scarlet coulered Beast Chap. 17. It is verie memorable that here so in v. 6. it is said The woman had a place prepared of God in the wildernesse that they should feed her there who the Angels as they did Elias unto whose historie it seemes to allude 1 King 19. Or some secret nursing fathers whom the Lord would raise up during the womans exile For we are to consider that Christs spouse howsoever during her banishment it could not be said that she was visiblie either here or there neverthelesse was not extinguished and no where to be found but was secretlie kept and nourished by God even as in the time of Elias the Lord reserved to himself seven thousand worshippers of his name although so much did not publickly appeare but a generall corruption and depravation of religion had spread it self over both kingdoms of Iudah and Israel The Papists therefore asking us where the Church was a thousand yeeres past if the Papacie were not it may here receive an answer that it was in the wildernesse where not long after Constantines time she was forced to flee which made Hilarie to complaine that in his time Hilar. Cont Auxen the Church was rather hid in caves and dens of the earth then to be found in the chief seats But how long shall the woman remaine banished in the wildernesse A time and times and halfe a time This threefold distinction of time is taken out of Dan. 7.25 and 12 7. where Antiochus a type of Antichrist should tread the Saintes under foot for a time times and halfe a time What is here meant by it appeares from v. 6. they shall feed her there 1260 dayes Of these dayes hath been spoken Chap. 11.2 There it signified the time of the prophesie of the two witnesses here it is the time of the womans exile in the wildernesse The same time of 42 moneths there is taken for the space that the holy citie should be troden down and Chap. 13.5 it is the time the Beast shall rage against the Saintes Whence I gather that the Churches abode in
the wildernesse The treading downe of the holy city The prophesying of the two witnesses Chap. 12.14 Ch. 13.7 And the Beasts persecution of the Saintes shal be at one and the same time and goe together as it were with equal steps The which observation wil much illustrate the prophesie for that which is obscure in one place is opened by another beeing more cleare Now it may be demaunded Time and â—imes what this time is I have formely shewed diverse opinions about it The Papists understand by Time a yeere by times two yeeres and halfe a time a halfe yeere so making the twelve hundred and sixty dayes the fourty two months the time times and halfe a time to be three yeeres and an halfe and so long they imagine their Antichrist shall reign in the end of the world and thrust the Woman the Church out of Rome into the wildernesse c. the which however it be ancient yet is a manifest error as before I have proved We added some expositions of our own divines and at length followed that which seemed the most safe viz. that a definite time was put for an indefinite of which also the most learned BIBLIANDER thus writes in his Chronologie The time times and halfe a time doth not signifie three yeeres and an halfe but according to the proprietie of the Hebrew language a time not certaine and definite whither long or short or betwixt both in which God will permit Antichrist to rage according to his pleasure against Christs servants the holy law and true religion This time I say touching the Churches banishment is defined in the eternal counsell of God but so far as concernes the terme can not possiblie be found out by mans reckoning Now this distribution of time is opposed unto a twofold error What is meant by this threefold distinction of time A worthy observation of the Author Lab. 20. d. C. D. c. 23 For least we should imagine that the afflictions of the Church under Antichrist would bee short it is said they shall remaine a time and times not one and two but one and many For neither the Hebrew nor the Greek text hath it in the duall number moâ—adaim or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 two times although Austin following the common opinion tooke it so but both have it in the plural number moyadim 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 times towit many the which notablie confutes the common errour about the time of Antichrists reign and it seems that Justine Martyr tooke notice of this verie thing against Trypho confuting the Iewes who understood a plural word duâ—lly of two hundred yeeres And least also we should thinke that Antichristian calamities should bee perpetuall they are said to remain but halfe or part of time Notwithstanding if this shal be understood of a definite time in respect of us because the number of the dayes and moneths is again again definitely repeated for my part then I should thinke that a prophetical number of dayes is put for the yeeres in which Antichrist should reigne and rage in full vigor viz. 1260 yeeres which begane as before I shewed with his first rising for then this woman fled into the wildernesse and the harlot succeeded in her roome If thou demaund seing the Church begane soon to flee after Constantines time wherfore then are not the 1260 yeeres reckoned from thence I answer her flight the time of her exile is not altogether one thing For her flight begane from Constantine and dured untill Phocas almost 300 yeers after which time the woman begane to bee in the wildernesse For neither are we to imagine that the Church was caried by flight in one day moneth or yeer into the wildernesse but by little little as she lost her heavenly endowments changed her clothing and corrupted her chastity by degrees therfore I say the Apostolical sinceritie of faith order did wear out and the corruptions superstitions and heathenish abominations idols were brought in together with that Pagan-Jewish hierarchie which to this day Rome with so great pompe luxuriousnes boasteth of for Antichrists apostacy was not at the highest all of a sudden but encreased by slow paces till the pride and tyrannie of the Romane Bishops was lifted up and established For as the Poet saith Nemo repente fuit turpissimus Iuve Sat. 2 When the flight begane how long it dured Vntil Sylvester I. all the Romane Bishops were martyrs for the space of 310 yeeres from that time to John 1. they were all Archbishops for the space of 200 yeers until the yeer 520. at which time the Romane Praelates were created Patriarchs by Justine Caesar Then the woman almost by flying was come to the wildernesse Notwithstanding the time of banishmeÌ„t began 86 yeeres after when from Patriarchs they became to be open very Antichrists when I say Phocas the parricide contrarie to the mindes both of the Graecian Latine Bishops raised up Boniface the III. with a mighty tumult of men into the throne OF VNIVERSAL PESTILENCE causing him to be worshipped proclaimed prince Lord of all Bishops Hitherto the flight still dured After this was her exile in the wildernes The long time of her flight is signified by the two wings not of a dove but a great Eagle that is able to cary her a long while as I before noted For the woman was not to fly a little time but her flight into the wildernesse was to be through groues great woods through fields seas til she came in a certain place of the wildernes prepared by God therfore Eagles wings were required because the Eagle holds out longest in flying 15. And the serpent cast out Here the Church hath a new trouble comfort againe The Dragon indeavours to destroy the woman while she flyes through persecution casting out a flood of waters after her for to swallow her up but his vomiting is in vain The woman flyes on high and before she lets herself down into the wildernes the earth opening her mouth swallowes up the flood which the Dragon cast forth These things are the summ of the two verses The general doctrine or meaning wherof I confesse is not obscure for it signifies that the Church having stood out one danger is involued again with new calamities by that oldserpent who seeks by all means to destroy her but that God is never wanting for her safety but when she is neerest to oppression then is he neerest suddenly unexpectedly to provide away for her escape as here al outwardmeans failing the earth openeth her mouth that the woman might not be swallowed up For al the creatures are ready at Gods appointment for the safety of the elect But the special sense of this prophesie seems to bee very obscure What is meant by this floud of waters namely what these waters and flood should bee And when the Dragon cast out the same after the woman What earth swallowed
it up and how The particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as shewes that the waters and flood are allegorically to be understood Most understand this flood of waters to be the manifold and grievous afflictions and persecutions by which satan seekes in all times to oppresse the Church taking it to be an allusion to that complaint of the Church of old Psal 124.1.3 unlesse Jehovah had bin on our side now may Israel say Then the waters had overwhelmed us the stream had gon over our soul c. This I confesse is not amisse But it must bee more specially expounded now the Dragon persecuted the woman in her slight by a flood of waters and that also before the Beast ascended out of the sea of which it followeth Chap. 13. Foxe makes the flood to be those horrible edicts Fox his opinion proscripts and commands of Emperours especially of Maxentius and Maximinus which were every where published for the taking away of Christians from the earth But these things fel out before the former persecution neither did the woman take her flight under the perfecutions of the Romane Dragons Bullinger comprehends under it Bullingers interpretation all the Churches afflictions This flood saith he signifies that the Divell powred forth a sea of evils on the Church as sects dissensions tumults seditions and persecutions by which allmost the whole earth was over flowen And he applies these things to the verie time of the Apostles when satan stirred up every where the magistrates and priests against the Apostles and Apostolical trueth this is true indeed yet in my judgement but little agreeing to the sense of the present prophesie Brightman understanding by these waters Brightmans opimon peoples or nations as afterward in Chap. 17.15 interprets this other persecution of the irruptions of the Franci the Alemanni Burgonions Goths Vandals Hunni Treballi the Heruli the Lumbards and such other Northern nations who about the yeere 400 and thence forward rushed in the sluces being as it were taken away upon all Europe and Asia for to swallow up as with deepe gulfes the Christian Church Yet the earth that is the counterfaite and earthlie religion swallowed up the force of this flood because these barbarous nations by whom the Dragon thought to blot out the very name of Christ after they came into these countries more full of humanity they embraced the Christian religion which they saw amongst them though indeed it was most corrupt For all of them were either Arians or Nestorians or Eurychinians but yet changed not their life and Barbarous manners So the earth deluded the Dragons indeavour The which exposition seemes not in the least to be contrarie to histories and the order of this Vision Notwithstanding I should rather consent to them The waters cast out by the Dragon are heresies Ioh. 7.38 who applie this to the foul heresies scismes blasphemies and monstrous doctrines by which the Dragon attempted to drown the Woman while she fled even under Christian Emperours For as the doctrine of the Gospell proceeding out of the mouth of God is compared to streames of waters which none are able to resist as Christ saith he that beleeveth on me out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water So the heresies comming out of the Dragons mouth what are they but as a violent vomit or floods to swallow up the Church For even in Constantines time the Arian heresie and blasphemie against Christ violently burst forth like to a most swift stream and overflowed all the East and soon after the West also whereby the Church was allmost swallowed up in her flight After the Arian heresie against the son of God followed the Macedonian against the holy Ghost soon after that the Pelagian against the whole Gospell That also of Nestorius and Eutyches the Monothelists against the truth of Christs person the which mightily shooke the Church almost for the space of 300 yeers as the histories of Eusebius Socrates Theodoretus Zozomenus and Evagrius witnesse The Dragon by these floods thought to drown the woman in her flight but in vain as it followeth 16. But the earth helped the woman Some here by earth understand Churst in regard of his stabilitie and because the waters of the Dragon were swallowed up the darts and plots of the adversaries suppressed and the afflicted Church not utterly overthrown Others of earthly men by whom the Lord often wonderfully protects though they aime at other ends his Church and people as of old by the Philistines he delivered David from the hands of Saul by Lysâ—as he preserved Paul from the fury of the Iewes Brightman as I said before understands this of those Barbarous nations who comming on furiously to root out Christian religion yet preserved the same by embracing it though much corrupted There are som who interpret it of Councils which being gathered together out of all nations swallowed up the blasphemous floods of heresies by refuting them Thus the generall Council of Nice condemned the Arian heresie the Synod of Constantinopel the Macedonian and Eunomian that of Ephesus the Nestorian that of Chalcedon the Euâ—ychinian But this sense seemes to be forced It is an allusion to the historie of Corah Dathan and Abiram whom the earth swallowed up alwe Numb 16.22 As therefore the earth did then help Moses Aaron against the seditious rebels miraculously opening her mouth and devouring them So the Lord no lesse miraculously helped the woman flying from the floods of most dangerous heresies so as she was not drowned by them that is he wonderfully swallowed up those false doctrines with the authors therof as if the earth had opened her mouth utterly devoured them we need not therefore subtilly dispute about the earth considering how the Lord continually dissipated al the heresies which during the space of 300 yeeres overflowed the Christian world caused the same I say to vanish away like smoak by the power of the holy scriptures and zeal of Orthodox teachers 17. And the Dragon was wroth The third assault of the Dragon not against the woman herself for her he lost as being out of his sight in the wildernesse but the rest of her seed whom he purposed to set upon by open warre This therfore is a preparation to the following third Act of the Beasts war with the Saints And so this third assault belongs to the Antichristian times which begane in the raigne of Phocas Boniface III. the first universal high-priest when the Church was now fled into the wildernesse and so none appeared any where but as a whorish woman The meaning of the verse we take to be thus The Dragon being angry that he could not by the flood of heresies drown the woman in her flight now despairing of further effecting any thing against her he stirres up a new warre against the rest of her seed by themeanes of the Beast as it followeth For that which here the Dragon is said to doe in the
of Antichrist purposely abstains from naming him yet sets him forth in such lively colours that whosoever looks but on the Romish Prelacie may plainly see who and what manner of person he is And I saw a beast rising out of the sea We have heard who this beast is It followeth now touching his rising he ascends out of the sea Before in Chap. 11.7 and afterward Chap. 17.8 he ascends out of the bottomlesse pit the sense is all one for the sea also in Scripture is called abyssus because of its deepnesse See Chap. 9.1 The preposition OF may as well note the place as the beginning whence the beast derived his originall and received his power Vnderstanding it originally of the place The sea out of which the beast ariseth by the sea then is meant the infernall bottomlesse pit or the throne and kingdome of Satan Whence also the Locusts came forth Chap. 9.13 for Antichrist is the Angel of the bottomlesse pit whose comming is after the working of Satan with all deceitfulnesse of unrighteousnesse lying signes and wonders So that these places do excellently expound themselves For the Beast in this place rising out of the sea and out of the bottomlesse pit Chap. 11.8 and 17.8 is the Angel of the bottomlesse pit Chap. 9.11 Whose comming is after the power of Satan 2. Thess 2.9 and to whom here vers 2. the Dragone gave his throne and power All which things shew that Antichrist is raised up by Satan and armed with his power But if we understand it of the matter from whence he took his originall or beginning like as a living creature is begotten of seed or as trees grow from the root in this sence the sea is nothing else but that flood which the Dragon cast forth out of his mouth after the woman Chap. 12.16 that is the sinke of Heresies errours traditions superstitions and all other abominations which increasing in the Church the sincerity of faith and purity of Christian religion was corrupted and depraved the Church forced to flee into the wildernesse Christ thrust out of his possession and Antichrist set up in his stead But here some may say How the beast arose out of the sea how could Antichrist arise out of the dregs of the heresies of Arius Macedonius Nestorius Eutyches Pelagius Coelestius Julian c. Seing it is certain that those heresies were chiefly condemned by the Romane Bishops It was so indeed neverthelesse Satan through Synods condemning heresies did subtilly and secretly work the mysterie of iniquity For under pretence of rooting out heresies almost yeerly yea monethly these councils like seas flowing together continually devised new laws rites forms creeds c. insomuch as it came to be a proverb that Christians had a monthly faith Now with the new forms of faith were forged new canons of erecting purifying temples consecrating altars of seats chief places of orders garments immunities powers priviledges and rents of praelates and priests of establishing and encreasing of the clergie c. Who though they were all alike ambitious and covetous in affecting power over each other as the Romane over the Constantinopolitane he over the Alexandrine the Alexandrine againe over the Antiochian and this later over him of Ierusalem yet at length the Romane praelates under the favour of the emperours and primacie of their citie together with the pretence of the Peters chair keys and vicarship of Christ overcame all other in ambition and power In the Nicene Council the power of the bishops of Rome Can. 5. mos antiquus The limits of the Romane Church Alexandria and Antiochia was limited within certain bounds that of Rome extended no farther then the confines of Hetruria Picenum and Latium as IACOBVS GOTHOFREDVS the son of Dionysius the great a diligent searcher into antiquities hath brought to light But the Romane Praelate not contented with his jurisdiction invaded the empire over all the Christian world first by spirituall and afterward by temporall deceit allthough for a long time he wanted not his corrivals viz. the Bishops of New Rome as also those of Alexandria Lib. 7. hist Chap. 11. as may be seen in the register of Gregorie Socrates complained that in his time the Bishops of Rome and Alexandria were promoted beyond the priest-hood unto a temporall lordship and principallitie By the decree also of the III. Council of Carthage Chap. 26. it appeares Dist 99. C. primae sedis that the Romane Bishops under pretence of the first seat which they held for honours sake desired to be accounted Princes of Priests Chief and universall Priests but this title was denyed them and a decree passed that no man should so be called Yea the craft of Satan was more openlie manifested in the sixt Councill of Carthage at which Augustine was then present where first Zosimus afterward Boniface and at last Coelestinus Popes of Rome for these three succeeded each other in the Chair while this councell continued by their Legates falslie pretending a decree of the Nicene Councill contended that the Africanes ought to appeal to Rome as to the chief court of justice but their fraud beeing discovered they were frustrated and derided That also is memorable which Bright-man observes out of Bellarmin Lib. 3. de Concil cap. 19. that the Romane Popes would never be present at the Eastern Councils but by their Legates for two causes First because it seemed not convenient that the head should follow the members as if it were inconvenient that a sound head should follow an infirm body Secondlie least the Emperours beeing present and taking the Chief places they should be forced to give way thereunto By which thou mayest see that the Romane Bishops did long agoe with an inveterate ambition plot and strive for the Monarchie over Emperours and their fellow Bishops untill at length they obtained it by and after many councils where they themselves beeing Presidents by their legats did authorise thesame not regarding whether they did right or wrong The Beast therefore rose out of the sea not suddenlie nor in one day moneth or yeere but by certaine steps continuing almost three hundred yeeres viz. from Constantine unto Phocas or from Julius I. untill Boniface III. In this tract of time Antichrist was formed in the Bosome of the Church as it were in the wombe of a mother And when the woman fled into the wildernesse into which she came in the yeere 606. Then also the Beast as it were was fullie hatched and risen out of the sea The which rising happened at the opening of the sixt seal and the sounding of the fift trumpet Now he is described here not what he was in his youth or presentlie upon his first rising but as he was at length in the vigor of his ful age For no man is at the highest or worst on a sudden Thus much for the rising now followes the figure Having seven heads and ten hornes The beast is verie monstrous
And to what times this prophesie belongs and who these sealed are Touching the scope I finde interpreters to agree viz. that the Lamb is opposed to the Beast Christ the preserver to Antichrist the destroyer And now Ribera acknowledgeth that this serves for the comfort of the righteous The scope of the Lambs appearing on the mount to cause us assuredly to beleeve that during the rage of the Divell and Antichrist against the Saints before spoken of in Chapter 13. Christ is not asleep nor neglects his Church but stands on the watch for her safety lest the wheat should be corrupted although indeed the chasse or wicked by Gods permission follow and adore the Beast and run into destruction But when and how this should be seemes unto him most difficult to be expounded neither hath he any thing to say but according to the vulgar errour he refers the following things unto the foure yeeres reigne of his Antichrist Our interpreters also still keepe to the position that howsoever Antichrist shal sway farre and neare yet Christ alwaies will have his elect and sealed which shall stand with him on the Mount where their salvation shall remaine safe and unmoved which indeed is most truely spoken but this thing is generally treated of through the whole Revelation And the question still remaineth touching the order of the vision and the time when Christ chiefly stood with his sealed Ones I say therefore When the Lamb stood with his sealed ones when the Beast ascended out of the Sea out of the earth then also the Lamb appeared on the mount with them that were sealed When Antichrist I say had invaded the Church brought the same under him and seduced the world Then the Lamb in appearance had lost his possession Then the woman flying into the wildernesse vanished out of the sight of men so as she appeared no where as if there had been none This hapned when a little after Gregory the Romane Pope sate on the Chaire of Vniversall pestilence as before we have shewed Then the Church fled into the wildernesse not by change of place for it remained in the Romane Empire but by losse of her ornaments and change of shape Because even from that time it reteined indeed the name of the Church for Antichrist was to sit in the temple of God but in very deed it began to be changed in to a worldly kingdome of Antichrist And that gashly forme of the Church remained in the West which we now see but the Church gathered by the Apostles being thrust into the wildernesse did no where appeare all publick congregations either at Rome or other places being polluted with idolatry untill God taking compassion on the seed of the woman in the wildernesse vouchsafed againe to measure the temple and purge the Church in the age of our forefathers Now the godly may thinke and so much indeed the Sophisters doe object Whether there were no Church under Antichrist did the Church therefore then utterly cease to be Was there no Church before Husse or Luther Was Christ either negligent or unable to defend his spouse Is it not written The gates of hell shall not prevaile against her But behold the Lambe standing here on mount Sion with the Elect and sealed so that Christ was no way wanting to his Church he suffered indeed by a secret and just judgement that Antichrist should take in his possession and to the outward view make spoile as it were of all things notwithstanding in the midst of Antichristian corruption he alwaies stood as a carefull watchman preserving to himselfe 144000. that were sealed who worshipped not the Beast nor his Image and these were his Church and Spouse like as in the corruptest time of Israel when no true worshippers save onely Elias seemed to remaine God reserved to himselfe 7000. who had not bowed the knee to Baal But thou wilt say wherefore did he permit Antichrist thus to invade the Church I answer she justly deserved such a triall chastisement and dissolution See Cyprian de lapsis This standing of the Lan be therefore belongs to all the time even a thousand yeares and more which hath been since Antichrists rising untill the reformation of the Church begun by Wickleffe in England John Husse in Bohemia and in the ages after them by Luther Zwinglius Melanchion and their fellow brethren in Germany being all great opposers of Popery But these sealed did then no where appeare they had no publick meetings for al Churches together worshipped the Beast What then because they appeared not to man were they therefore hidden to God The 7000. in Israel had no uncorrupted congregation but were mingled in outward appearance with the idolatrous Balaamites The same thing is to be thought of these here sometimes they lay hid in the Popish Church and sometimes openly made warre with the Beast by the sword of the Spirit For those Saints against whom the Beast made warre and overcame Chap. 13.7 who were they not whole Churches for such were all subject to the Beast but such teachers confessours and martyrs as opposed the idolatry of the Papists of whom the histories of their time make mention Thus it appeareth to what times this prophesie appertaineth Now it remaines to speake of the sealed who they were Who these sealed are The Papists doe much weary themselves about it Lyras fancy I passe by who tells us of 144000. Monkes professing virginity Lyras opinion and slaine by the Agarens in the caves and dens of Syria and Antiochia towards the end of the Empire of Heraclius But this fiction is absurd to the Papists themselves Ribera alleadgeth Hieroms opnion that they were the 144000. Riberas dispute about the 144000 sealed out of the twelve tribes of Israel which should be converted unto Christ in the last foure years reigne of Antichrist Of which Chap. 7. But he proves nothing For first it is not likely that the Iewes then to be converted should all be Virgines seeing the Hebrews did never highly prize such a state of life II. Hence it would follow that no married person should be converted III. The Virgines of the Gentiles should be excluded But as the opinion touching the Iewes to be converted is fals◠as Chap. 7. we have shewed so his reasons are frivolous grounded on a false supposition of virgines of which more by and by He therefore alledgeth the opinion of Arethas as more probable that the 144000. sealed spoken of in ch 7. are not here to be understood and that because the article is omitted for here it is not said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 intimating that these were others namely such of the Gentiles as should be converted But neither doth this please him because it is not likely that there should so few thousands be converted out of so many nations and in so many ages And indeed he justly rejects it For the reason taken from the
omission of the article is of no waight his argument also proves nothing because a great and difinite number is put for an indefinite as Beda hath rightly observed At last he affirmeth that they are 144000. virgines to be converted to Christ both of the Iewes and Gentiles under Antichrist But he is deceived I. Touching the time of Antichrist which is now and hath been these many yeares and is not as he supposeth yet to come namely in the last foure yeares of the world II. Also in the Epithite of Virgines the which as afterward I will shew is not corporally but spiritually to be understood Alcasar makes these sealed Alcasars opinion to be the faithful of the Primitive Church under the Romane Emperours But he erreth for these as conquerours stood with the Lamb even while Antichrist reigned First therefore we are to hold that these 144000. sealed are the same spoken of Chap. 7. because this part of the Chapter doth altogether answer to the seventh Chapter in which as we said is conteined an antithesis of the third Act of the second Vision Secondly that this multitude of sealed ones are no other then the remnant of the womans seed with whom after her flight into the wildernes the Dragon made war Cha. 12.17 as appeareth by the description there added and repeated in the 12. verse of this Chapter Thridly that they are no other then those Saints to whom it was given to make warre with the Beast Chap. 13.7 Lastly that they are the faithful whether teachers or hearers of the godly I say who from Antichrists rising until the reformation withstood the tyranny of Popes and retained the purity of the Gospel to wit al the martyrs and professours touching whom see the Bookes of Martyrs and the Catalogue of the witnesses of the truth They are said to be sealed in the name of his Father To wit of the Lambes The Kings Bible reads it in the name of the Lamb and of his Father What is this but to shew that they constantly professed the doctrine of the Father and faith of the Lamb against Antichrist by an allusion unto the Character of the Beast For as the Beast imprints a Character in the right hand or forehead of his worshippers Chap. 13.16 which is an obligation to Antichrist So the Lamb imprints a Character in the foreheads of his worshippers The name of the father and of the Lamb which is a profession of the true Christian religion and open deniall and separating from Antichrists idolatry and abominations And I heard a voice from heaven We have heard who the multitude of the sealed are Their titles should now be spoken of in the next place but the joyfull shout of the inhabitants in heaven is put in between because of the preservation of so many sealed ones from the idolatry and tyranny of Antichrist and then their excellent commendations are afterward rehearsed The connexion and sence seemes to be obscure unto interpreters But I doe expound this part of the third Vision by that part of the second Vision in Chap. 7. touching the 144000. that were sealed seeing all things excellently accord There John saw the 144000. sealed in their foreheads here the same multitude standing with the Lamb. There he heareth an innumerable multitude clothed in white robes singing to God and the Lamb before the throne Here he heareth a voice as it were of many waters a voyce I say of harpers finging a new song There enquiring who they were arayed in white robes it is answered These are they which came out of great tribulation c. Here not enquiring he heareth from the company of the heavenly inhabitants These are they who are not polluted with women c. The Scripture interprets it selfe All things being thus alike containe the same history Thus we see that the whole Scripture especially the Revelation interprets it selfe But I will more clearely touch every particular There are three parts of the comparison First there John saw 12000. servants of the living God sealed in their foreheads by an Angell The comparing of the sealed here with these in Chap. 7. out of every of the tribes of Israel making together 144000. Here he seeth the same multitude of the sealed ones standing with the Lambe on Mount Sion The name of the Lamb and the name of his Father being written on their foreheads Thus he expoundeth what was that Seale of the living God In both places the multitude of the sealed signifies the combate of faithfull Martyrs and Professours whom the Lamb had reserved with himselfe these thousand yeeres on Mount Sion that is in the Church groaning under Antichrist even from the time of the Womans flight into the wildernesse until the new measuring of the Temple that is from the rising of Antichrist unto the reformation of the Church and doctrine accomplished in the age of our predecessours The second member of the comparison here followeth There John saw a great and innumerable multitude before the throne clothed in white robes in the sight of the Lamb and of all the Angels the foure and twenty Elders and of the foure Beasts and singing with a great voice salvation to God and the Lamb c. The which multitude we shewed to be the triumphant Church succeeding the Apostolicall times who having finished their warfare did now rest in heaven continually praysing God and the Lamb Here he heareth a voice from heaven as of many waters This is the voice of that innumerable multitude out of all nations and kindreds and tongues mentioned Chap. 7.9 for many waters as the Angell interprets it Chap. 17.15 are many peoples multitudes nations and tongues This voice by and by he calleth a new song In the beginning indeed he heard as it were a confused sound of a multitude but by little and little he more narrowly observed what and whose voice it was Even as the singing of Musicians afarre off seemes to be confused but by approaching nearer and nearer the gravity of their accord and sweetnesse of their harmony is more distinctly perceived Presently therefore he also heard as it were the sound of a great thunder which some apply to the terriblenesse thereof But this little agrees with the following Epithite and is repugnant to the scope of the harmony I therefore expound it of the vehemency of the voice viz. that now these singers did not lightly strike or passe thorow the eares of John but they thundred it out with all their might which undoubtedly denotes the vehement joy of the Saints in heaven At last he heard the voice of harpers He saith not as it were of harpers as before as it were of many waters as it were of thunder c. intimating that now he did plainely heare and perceive the harmonious accord of harpers playing on their harpes as being most delightfull artificious and sweet such as is the musick of most skilfull harpers In Chap. 5.8 The foure Beasts and foure and twenty
owne Bride in faithfullnesse righteousnesse and judgement and will shortly consummate the mariage at his last comming as we shall heare Chap. 19.7 in the mean while enjoyning her to remaine pure and chast unto him And thus the Apostle laboured to present the Churches of Rome Corinth c. as chast Virgins to Christ that is free from the leaven of Superstition idolatrie and humane traditions such a Church I say was at Rome in the Apostles dayes and some while after and here is represented in her apostacy by this woman the same Church as shall appear by that which followes Isa 1.21 But how is she now become a harlot Because as of old Ierusalem that holy City casting off the worship of God and polluting her selfe with traditions superstitions and idolatrie is therefore called an Harlot So the Christian Church as Egesippus witnesseth in Eusebius remained not long after the Apostles death a chast Virgin But touching the declining condition of the Church and especially that of Rome enough hath bin spoken in the foregoing Visions and more shall bee said hereafter The fornication of kings with the Romish whore 2. With whom the Kings committed fornication The cause of her judgement is more expresly signified viz. her Fornication with the Kings of the Earth for this is a noble Strumpet enticing Monarchs and Kings of the Earth to lie with her But how by perswading the kings her lovers under the Title of the Catholicke Faith to receive her Superstitions Idol-worship Decrees and Decretalls and so bewitching all of them by her faire shew of holinesse that as Samson was enslaved to Dalilah and Hercules to Omphala so these willingly serve dedicate and give themselves and their kingdomes as Tributaries to the Apostolicall Sea Christs Vicar and Peters Successour that avaricious Strumpet Now who these Kings of the Earth are we shall see in the opening of the hornes To the Kings are joyned the Inhavitants of the Earth that is Earthly men Idolaters and sworne enemies of the Gospell for with these also shee playeth the Harlot as despising no sorts of people but with an unsatiable lust doth promiscuously prostitute her selfe unto all both rich and poore bond and free Imprinting the Character of her Idolatry on them all Recogn lib. 9 and giving them power to buy and sell her spirituall wares herein imitating those women of Susia who anointing themselves as Clemens writeth with costly ointments and adorned with Ornaments and precious Stones like unto this Whore verse 4. used to goe abroad with great Pompe accompanied with hand-maids indifferently alluring whosoever would whither strangers or servants to commit follie with them This being permitted them by their owne Husbands By the wine of her Fornication hee understands the glorious Superstitions and Magnificence of the Apostolicall Sea and Vizard of the Catholicke Church The wine of fornication the which earthly men have as greedily embraced as thirsty lovers drink the wine offered them by their beloved ones Therefore they are said to be made drunke because being bewitched with a blind love of Superstitions they stand for their Idols beyond all sense and reason furiously hating and persecuting the Gospell of CHRIST If thou kill a man it s a finne with them to bee bought off with a little money Romes idolatry But if thou uncover not thy head to the Idol Image of Marie or turne thy backe upon it it s a wickednesse to bee punished by death as having committed Crimen lesae Majestatis against her Behold the mad drunkennesse of Idolaters occasioned by this wine of Fornication The second Part of the CHAPTER The Vision of the Whore upon the Beast 3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wildernesse And I saw a woman sit vpon a scarlet coloured Beast full of names of blasphemy having seven heads and ten hornes 4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour and decked with gold and precious stones and pearles having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthinesse of her fornication 5 And upon her forehead was a Name written Mystery Babylon the Great The Mother of Harlots And abominations of the Earth 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the Saints and with the blood of the Martyrs of Iesus and when I saw her I wondred with great admiration THE COMMENTARY AND he led me in the Spirit Thus much of the Preface Now followes the first Act of the Vision Where first we are to observe the motion unto the same and the place In that Iohn doth againe say he was led by the spirit as Chapter 1.10 and Chapter 4.2 it shewes that hee was not in a continuall Extasie of Visions The motion unto the Vision was not of the body but the minde for bodily he remained in Patmos beholding there the wildernesse and the sights with the eyes of his mind like as Ezechiell bodily remaining in Chaldea was in spirit in the Temple of Ierusalem The place where he saw this was the wildernesse But what Is the Woman the Beast Rome and Antichrist in the Wildernesse Do they not inhabit the largest possessions and most sumptuous palaces I do not dislike that some understand by wildernesse Gentlilisme which Antichrist under the name of Christ hath brought into the Church hence in Chapter 11.1 the Antichristian Clergy is signified by the name of Gentiles And indeed the Antichristians imitating the Paganes do fall downe before Idols of wood and stone made with hands And as Paganes so Antichristians make God beholding to them by the merit of workes save onely that these abuse the holy Name of Christ as a pretence for their Idolatry which the other know not of Notwithstanding in my opinion there is an higher mysterie in it Before Chap. 12. the chast Woman Mother or Church being persecuted by the Dragon fled into the wildernesse when as after Constantines time being shaken with the floodes of Heresies and Superstitions she withdrew her selfe by degrees out of the sight of men Now here Iohn sheweth what he saw in the wildernesse in stead of that woman He saw indeed a Woman also or Church but a whorisâ—â— woman or adulterous Church riding on a beast that is being Antichristian There I say where before he saw the Woman clothed with the Sun the chast spouse of Christ viz. at Rome he now finds a whorish woman This forsooth is that continuall succession of the Romish Popes This is the venerable antiquity of the Popish Church The succession of the Romish Chur. to wit like as in the wildernesse the whorish woman succeeded the chast woman and banished matrone so at Rome the whorish Apostaticall succeeded the true Apostolicall Church and in place of Bishops holy Martyrs and Confessours excelling in faith and godlinesse are come in the great high Priests of Rome terming themselves universall Monarchs being indeed proud and wicked Idolaters who as Genebrard confesseth are altogether fallen away from the
Where the church was before Luther no more appearing in the world then the woman lurking in the wildernesse or the Seven Thousand in Israel that bowed not the knee unto Baall or a sound kernell in a rotten Apple untill it was brought to light and repaired by the new prophesying of the two Witnesses Christ therefore was not without a Church although the Papacy were not the same It representeth also Bishops deserting the Orthodoxe Faith The Apostacy of Bishops and the studie of divine things and cumbring themselves with wordly affaires under the Type of starres falling from Heaven into the Earth with their nature and plottings against the godly neither hath any man after the Apostle Paul 2. Thes 2 3 c. more lively set forth the rising person reigne tyranny seat manifestation and destruction of Antichrist then we have it in this Prophesie lastly it most clearely prophesieth many things touching the comforts of the Church under the Crosse of her deliverance victory and glorification with the punishments of Tyrants and all other adversaries By which we see The explication of the Apocalyps necessary that this Booke is not onely worthy to be continually read in the Church and meditated on but also to containe very profitable and necessary Doctrines especially for this last age For the Jesuites Antichrists chiefest Souldiers are very ingenious to corrupt and wrest the plaine Oracles of this Prophesie into a contrary meaning as if they were not onely not to be applied against the Papacy but also did make for the dignity thereof wherefore also it is our duty diligently to labour that the Revelation may be familiarly expounded and knowne not suffering the same to be depraved least we our selves be deceived by the slights of Antichrist or that by our carelesnesse wee suffer others to be ensnared by pernitious errours Now this wee shall the more easily attaine unto if wee alwayes have the Scope of this Booke before our eyes like as Mariners doe the more safely direct their course in the vast Sea by looking up unto the starres The principall scope thereof was The scope of the Revelation FIRST generall That the Christian Church being fore-warned of her future condition after the Apostles time even unto the end of the world should not promise perpetuall delight and ease unto her selfe but timely bee prepared manfully to sustaine the battles at hand SECONDLY speciall least the Godly even then groaning under the Romane persecutions and calamities which were to endure yet a long time beeing offended should be discouraged but know that it came to passe because the Lord had revealed unto his servant John that it should bee so and withall that they might be raised up with sure comforts of an happy issue out of their calamities for this cause also Christ in the Gospell forewarned his Disciples of the Crosse and future sorrow that when it came they might remember that it had been foretold unto them For the darts which are foreseen strike the lesse and we doe receive the evils of the world more tolerably if we be fenced against them through the shield of providence saith GREGORY Thirdly forasmuch as not long after the Romane perfecutions Satan through the riot ambition and contention of the Bishops of the Churches was to erect Antichrists throne in the Temple of God the Holy Ghost in speciall would have his forme nature reigne and Tyranny to bee set forth as it were in lively colours unto us that we might learne the better to know resist and take heed of him Moreover he would have the destruction and punishment of Antichrist and all other adversaries as also the victory and future glorification of the Church to be plainly described least either we should envy the present prosperity of the adversaries or overmuch fear their Tyranny but that on the contrary we might be patient under the Crosse and constant in our Combats retaining an assured hope of victory deliverance and future glory even unto the end Now that besides these scopes that upstart Inquirer labours to wrest the Revolation to this purpose Aleas prooem nota 14 c. as if it should teach that ROME of old the head of Pagan Idolatry by an admirable vicissitude was to bee changed into the Metropolis of the Catholicke Church that the Romane Church was gloriously to triumph both in respect of the Romane Citie and the whole Empire and that the soveraigne authority of the Romish Pope should alwayes remaine in the height of honour is such a filthy and impudent depravation of this most sacred Prophesie that even the Divell himselfe ought to blush thereat and I should wonder if these goodly trifles do not cause laughter or shame even to the Romish Court it selfe But these things a little after are to be more neerly examined when we come to the Argument Enough touching the Order Lastly The things which have been objected against the Booke as being erroneous and contrary to the Faith in speciall that it seemes in Chap. 20. to favour the brutish doctrine of the Hereticke Cerinthus touching Christ and the Saints worldly and voluptuous Reigne on Earth a Thousand Yeers before the Vniversall Resurrection of the dead doth not at all trouble me For if the objections of Heretickes or Pagans had presently been believed wee should long since have had nothing entire in the whole Scripture but all these things have long agoe beene vindicated by ancient and later Interpreters and wee referre the clearing of every of them to their proper places least our Preface should bee too tedious CHAPTER VI. Touching the Argument of the Booke TO come unto the Argument of the Booke Rev. 1.3 however by what hath beene said already it is not obscure yet I will handle the same more neerly The principall and greater part of the Booke is propheticall hence in the very beginning it is called a Prophesie containing Typicall Prophesies not onely touching the state of the Church and the signes of the last times of which Christ foretold his Disciples Mat. 24. like as Ribera thought good to explicate the Argument of the Apocalyps viz. that it is nothing else but certaine Commentaries upon those words of our Lord. For they extend themselves much larger unto the times next after the Apostles and thence from the giving of the Revelation even unto the end of the world namely touching the present conflicts of the Christian Church which already were in Johns time and afterwards should continually befall her first with Romane Tyrants afterward with diverse Heretickes and at length both with the Easterne and especially the Westerne Antichrist as also of their insultings and tyranny against her by which as if shee were forsaken of Christ her head they should grievously both inwardly and outwardly afflict and almost whollie oppresse her But withall on the contrarie of the most sweet comforts of the godly under the Crosse that those stormes of afflictions should not befall them at a
the Church are often ended neither is one onely continued throughout the whole Revelation Which very thing the Third Advertisement of Austine doth intimate For by the seven Seales and seven Trumpets different things seem to be signified wheras the same things are treated of after a different manner Thus the Beasts appeare to be diverse whereas notwithstanding they are but one The rupture and ruine of Babylon is diversly set forth and yet it alwayes comes but to one thing And this is that which also Nicolaus Collado seemes to have observed in his Exposition on the Revelation in the School of Lausanna published Anno 1584. For following this observation of Augustine he learnedly sheweth that it pleased the Lord to shew a thing unto his servants in Visions not once but twice yea sometimes thrice the more to confirme the thing like as in Act. 10. when God would shew Peter that he should not refuse to go in to a heathen man it is said that he saw a sheet let downe thrice to the Earth from Heaven and received up againe so also in the Revelation the future calamities and changes of the Church are exhibited to Iohn not once but againe and againe in diverse Visions and indeed in such a manner that by a certaine gradation the latter doe alwayes adde somewhat more cleare and waighty to the former Now that the matter may appeare more evidently I will set down his own words After Method pag. 19 saith he horrible tyranny had oppressed even all the Churches and that indeed with a wonderfull cloake of hid hypocrisie and so all liberty was either extinguished or banished or also more and more brought to nothing through contempt or did weare away through neglect Hoc opus hic labor erat and therefore the Lord would have the servants of Christ to be forewarned of such weighty matters in a threefold Vision least through the vniversall rage of wickednesse they might be drawne away or least being sometime drawne away they should never returne into the right way againe This I say was chiefly the necessary cause of foresignifying the same thing diversly and the often inculcating of it by seven Seales seven Trumpets also and seven Vials Now in these is a certaine gradation most worthy of observation For the opening of the seven Seales stirreth up indeed and moveth the eyes of the Beholders a farre off neither doth it suffer all the senses to bee without a part but the most shrill sound of the Trumpets breatheth indeed something more terrible and sounding in the eares of sleepy and dull persons suffers them not to goe on in their sluggish drowsinesse Yet these two may seeme onely to have respect to the eyes and eares But the pouring forth of the Vials may bee said wholly to take hold on the whole man and with heat to scorch him It is also worthy of observation that in this Booke are gathered together seven Visions of three sorts touching the same things viz. of Seales Trumpets and Vials so as every latter kinde is more full then the former which belongs also unto the Narration of things and propounds the things themselves more neerly to the view of the eye denoting and more certainly defining the same with more circumstances For example the opening indeed of the Seales comprehends the whole matter though summarily yet significantly enough but all the same things much more significantly in the sounding of the Trumpets but the pouring out of the vials comprehends these very things most significantly of all So in those Dreames of Ioseph it is more expresse that Ioseph should bee worshipped by the Sunne Moone and eleven Starres then that his sheafe should be worshipped by his brethrens sheaves So in the Dreames of Pharaoh those seven eares of corne did more neerly serve to signifie either fruitfulnesse or dearth then the seven kine So also the Vision respecting the foure Monarchies in that Image whose head was of gold Dan. 2. and opposing unto them the Kingdome of Christ yet it lesse expresseth the matter then that following vision in Dan. 7. propounding the same things in foure Beasts also the vision of part of those very things in Chap. 8. is more plaine and in the Ramme He-goat and his foure hornes c. againe speciall particulars hee also prosecutes more specially Chap. 11. These things COLLADO Hence he after a new manner hath fashioned his method into the forme of an Harmonie oppositely coupling the seven Seales of the second Vision with the seven Trumpets of the third Vision and with the seven Vials of the fift Vision by a singular studie and praise-worthy diligence Now although I do not at this time dispute of his explication it selfe On Argument of Chap. 16. What seems to be required in Collado his Method and that the combining of the seven Vials with the seven Seales and Trumpets is not without scruple as I shall shew in its place as also that he restraines the whole Revelation unto the Tragedie of Antichrist or those times onely which after the rising and growth of Antichrist felt the calamities shadowed out nor lastly doth it from that combination or coupling sufficiently appeare what is the meaning of many other wonders touching the measuring of the Temple and the two witnesses slaine by the Beast of the travaile and flight of the woman into the wildernesse of the Beast four times comming forth on the Theater The Revelation representeth not a continued Historie of the last Iudgement so often times represented c. and how these things cohere with the Seales Trumpets and Vials Notwithstanding I hence have drawn two things which are sufficiently evident First indeed that they do erre from the scope who with Lyranus Antoninus and others imagine that a continued course of the Ecclesiasticall Historie from the beginning of the Revelation unto the end of the world is praefigured in this Prophesie Unto which opinion besides those things Collado hath noted this in speciall is contradictorie that almost in every of the Visions the whole period is so evidently ended by the Type of the last Iudgement as it cannot easily bee quaestioned or weakened by imagined Anticipations Secondly that of Austin in the fore-alledged place The Revelation doth so repeat the same things many wayes as it may seeme to speake of different things whereas it is found to speake the same things onely in a diverse manner that is it representeth the future condition of the Church so farre as it concerneth the principall events by diverse Visions againe and againe one while more obscurely another while more plainly Hence briefly I thus determine touching the generall Method of the whole Prophesie First that wee stray not from the scope we must know that the Revelation is not a representation of things past like as for example the Historie of Daniel That things past are not represented Susanna or the Baptist is represented in a Comoedie as Alcasar affirmeth but that it is a
and seven trumpets The fourth Vision followeth touching the Woman the Beasts The fourth Vision Touching the Woman in travaile and flying into the wildernes from the dragon and of the two Beasts c. THE PRAEFACE THey who thinke that in the prophesie of the Revelation a continued historie of the Church is linked together even from Christs first comming unto the second begin the same from this Chapter in which it seems the new birth of the Church is represented But at the verie first they run into a great inconvenience For they are forced to bring in such an hyperbaton and confused order of the history as cannot be defended For that which was first ought not to have been omitted til now but to have been described in the first place Wherefore their opinion is farr better who observe that in this booke the condition of the Church on earth is sundry times shewed unto Iohn in certaine distinct Visions as in the beginning we noted Neither is the iteration to be thought needlesse for however in the nature and kinde of the events most of the visions are alike yet in the species and indiviaduals they represent unto us histories much different in somuch that what is in the former was more darke obscure is in the later clearer fuller set down And hence by diligent comparing of the Visions each with other aman shall have a singular helpe to remove that obscurity which appeares in this prophesie After the three Visions therefore formerly expounded The first wherof specially concernes Christs walking in the midst of the candelsticks and his admonishing the teachers of the Churches in Asia touching their duty The other two generally respect the booke sealed with seven seales The summe of the fourth Vision and opened by the Lambe with the seven trumpets of the Angels Now the fourth is exhibited to Iohn touching the woman in travaile the dragon standing to devour her childe and persecuting her and of the two Beasts warring against the Saintes as also of the Lambe overcomming them and of the Angels preaching at the last harvest and vintage Chap. 12.13.14 In which types the future condition of the Church in this world is much more evidently shadowed out then before even from the first beginning thereof under Christ and the ministerie of the Apostles untill the end For the Church shall have to doe with the Dragon the Beasts be miserablie afflicted and tryed by them yet she sufficiently armed from heaven for so grievous combats at last shall gloriously triumph over all her adversaries This Vision is also universal manifestly consisting of four Acts The four Acts thereof like the two former general visions The first Act containes the proposition of the Churches calamities at her birth and growth under the Iewish and Romane tyrants persecuting the woman as also under hereticks labouring through the instinct of the Dragon to devoure her with the floodes of errours and heresies Chap. 12. It answereth to the four former seales of the second Vision and to the first four trumpets of the third Vision representing the historie of the Church for the space of 606 yeeres viz. from the birth of Christ untill the rising of Antichrist The second Act is opposed to the former containes comfort for the Church against the wrath of the Dragon and floodes of heresies sent forth against her because the childe of the Woman is caught up into heaven and Michael the Archangel fighteth for her against the Dragon The woman with Eagles wings is caried into the wildernes hiding herself from the sight of men The earth swalloweth up the Dragons vomit This Act is mingled with the former in the same Chapter it answereth to the fift seale of the second Vision and to the tenth chapter treating of the mighty Angel standing upon the earth and sea Vision the third The third Act hath two parts The first part is of the Antichristian persecution representing the amplification of the Churches calamities or the new and more grievous conflicts which shee sustained during her abode in the wildernes against Antichrist whose kingdome power crueltie and subtiltie is set forth under the image of Beasts Chap. 13. This part answereth to the sixt seale of Vision the second and to the fift trumpet of Vision the third The latter part is opposed to the former in way of a parallel beeing consolatory to the godly prefiguring Christs presence in his deserted Church and his preserving of the same against the Beasts as also the reformation that should be in the latter times through the Angels that is new teachers of truth and godlinesse who by their preaching should oppose the Babylonish Antichrist and bring men back againe into the right way of salvation chap. 14. unto ver 14. This part answereth to the former part of chap. 7. touching the 144000 that were sealed by the Angel in Vision second and to the former part of chapt 11. of the meting of the temple and prophesie of the two witnesses in Vision third And this whole Act appertaines unto the historie of the Church which now from Antichrists rising hath continued 1035 yeeres and shal perhaps remaine unto the end of the 1260 dayes or yet for the space of 225 yeeres but this is onely known unto the Lord. To be short the fourth Act from v. 14. unto the end of chap. 14. under the type of an Angel gathering in the harvest and vintage of the earth represents the last judgement in which the Church at length beeing freed from all trouble shal be blest with eternal glorie But Antichrist with all his followers cast into the lake of Gods eternal wrath This part answereth to the latter member of Chapter the seventh touching the melody of the Church triumphant in Vision second as also to the latter part of Chapter 11 concerning the joyfull song of the Elders in Vision third Thus we have the whole distribution of this Vision The Argument Parts and Analysis of CHAPTER XII THis Chapter in which as we have said is shadowed out the first and second Act of Vision fourth under the type of a woman in travel and a Dragon opposing of her and of Michael fighting for the woman against the Dragon doth represent the state of the Church even from her infancy with the changes of her after age for at the very first she was cruelly set upon by Satan yet powerfully defended from heaven by Christ so as neither the devils cruelty nor tyrants rage nor the deceits of wicked hereticks could overcome her although she were forced to flee into the wildernes and to withdraw herself from the sight of men The parts of the Chapter are two I. Two great signes are shewed unto Iohn in heaven of a woman in travel and a Dragon standing before her to devoure her child v. 1.2.3.4 II. The history and event of both these signes unto the end In the former part is described the first signe 1. From the
destroy the womans seed Who are the heads of the Dragon for whose cause almost as soon as he was borne hee wickedlie caused all the infants of Bethlehem to be murthered Next was Herod Antipas his son the murtherer of John The third Herod Agrippa who killed James and persecuted Peter After these the Romane tyrants persecuting Christians are to be numbred among the seven heads as Nero Domitian Trajan Hadrian Antoninus Verus Commodus Severus Decius Diocletian and other most cruell Serpents who wholy imbrued themselves in the blood of the saintes most miserable afflicted the Church until Constantines time Of the Dragons hornes Pilate the Romane Governour was chiefe Who are the Dragons hornes who with the Scribes and Pharisees crucified the Lord of life also his successours as Felix Lysias Festus with all such as afterwards were assistants unto the Romane heads in persecuting the saintes Thus of necessitie these things must bee interpreted onlesse we would grope in darkenesse for they altogether belong to demonstrate the calamities of the primitive Church 4. And his taile drew the third part of the stars Hitherto we have spoken of the Dragons form now followes what he did viz. his twofould crueltie is here noted the first against the Stars the second against the woman He drew the third part of the stars c. This Andreas but little to the purpose interprets of Lucifer drawing with him verie many Angels into destruction It is a Metaphoricall allusion unto that in Dan. 8.10 touching Epiphanes The stars cast down to the earth who in the type of Antichrist cast down the stars to the ground and stamped upon them The Stars in Chap. 1.10 signifie the teachers of Churches Their casting down from heaven to the earth signifies their falling away from the faith and heavenlie function unto humane traditions and the cares of this life as before we heard on Chap. 6.13 8.10 9.1 This the Dragon did by his taile The fail of the Dragon signifying as some thinke his fraudulent subtiltie for as dogs with their tailes faune upon their masters so Satan drew by flaterie and lying promises many teachers from seeking after heavenlie things and dasht them against the rocks of wordly honour Now this indeed he hath don and yet dayly doth to the destruction of many not withstanding this is not al for the Dragon begane his battel by open violence I therefore rather interpret the Dragons taile in which his chiefest strength consists of the crueltie and long continued persecutions by which many professours of the name of Christ who ought like stars to shine before others partlie through torments and partlie through feare have fallen from the faith and worshipped devils This happened under the cruel stormes of former persecutions as histories testifie principally under Domitian Diocletian Decius For Diocletian to alledge the words of Eusebius concerning his time onely by a tyrannicall edict commanded the meeting houses of Christians to be laid even with the ground then to burne the holy Scriptures Lib. 8. hist c. 3. that the leaders of Christians should be apprehended fettered and by torments constrained to sacrifice unto Idols Then many indeed beeing constant suffered Martyrdom but an infinite number of others saith he beeing overcom by fear soon after the first brunt gave over wholy the combat But what way soever we take it it is an anticipation that is the thinges are before related which the Dragon did afterward Primasius saith that the taile are the false prophets through whom the enemie fulfils his wickednes As in Isay 9.15 The prophet that teacheth lies is the taile namelie because of their smooth and flattering sermons Now the Dragon did both And therefore we may take both the senses making the summe to be thus The Devil both by the lies of deceivers as also by the cruelty of tyrants drew many away from the faith c. Of which seducement mention is made in vers 9. So then he casts from heaven to the earth because he seduceth from the faith unto perfidiousnes by the love of the earth some by lies others by torments Not withstanding when I compare the Visions I see that here the spirit pointes at the third fourth fift trumpet of the foregoing Vision to give us to understand that the great Star called wormwood Cha. 8.10 with the third part of the stars Ibid. v. 12. and that great Star fallen from heaven Chap. 9.1 were drawen and cast to the earth by the fall of this Dragon that is fell away from the sinceritie of the faith and Christian pietie to worldlie mindednes and Antichristianisme And the Dragon stood Another enterprise of the Dragon against the woman he stands before her to devoure her child like as an hungrie wolfe stands before the fowld 1. Pet. 5.8 to destroy the sheep that come forth Satans ravenous appetite is insatiable the which he desires to fill with our blood therfore Peter describes him under the type of a hungrie and roaring Lyon But this is generall Let us therfore applie it more nerely to the purpose First the dragon endeavoured what he could to devoure Christ in his owne person that is when Herod the first head of the Dragon beeing troubled at the hearing of Christ birth most wickedlie murthered all the children of two yeers that so he might not misse to devour the womans child Also when Pilate the first horn of the Dragon condemned and crucified the son of God Afterward he mightelie laboured to destroy him in his members when Herod Antipas beheaded the Baptist Herod Agrippa tooke away the life of James Againe when the other heades as Nero Domitian and the following tyrants by cruel edicts punishments rackings and persecutions throughout the whole empire indeavoured by all meanes to swallow up what ever the Church brought forth that so they might destroy all Christians and utterly blot out the faith of Christ Neither is Brightmans note to be disapproved viz. that the Dragon by tyrants did diligentlie watch that there might not be born any defender of the Christian religion And if any Emperour or Governour seemed but to favour Christians he was soon devoured by the Serpent The enterprise we have heard now let see the event The Second part of the Chapter The historie and event of both signes 5. And shee brought foorth a man childe who was to rule all the nations with a rod of iron and her childe was caught up unto God and to his throne 6. And the woman fled into the wildernes where she hath a place prepared of God that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore dayes 7. And there was warre in heaven Michael and his Angels fought against the dragon and the dragon fought and his Angels 8. And prevailed not neither was their place found any more in heaven 9. And the great dragon was cast out that old serpent called the devill and Satan which deceiveth the whole world
from the possibilitie of it because it is the number of a man also from the facility because it may be expressed in three numeral letters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which make six hundred threescore and six The former part of the Chapter Of the Beast arising out of the sea 1. And I saw a beast rise up out of the Sea having seven heads and ten hornes and upon his hornes ten crowns and upon his heads the name of blasphemy 2. And the beast which I saw was like unto a Leopard and his feet were as the feet of a Beare and his mouth as the mouth of a Lion the Dragon gave him his power and his seat and great authority 3. And I saw oneof his heads as it were wounded to death his deadly wound was healed and all the world wondred after the beast 4. And they worshipped the Dragon which gave power unto the beast they worshipped the beast saying Who is like unto the beast Who is able to make warre with him 5. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies and power was given unto him to continue fourty and two moneths 6. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God to blaspheme his Name and his Tabernacle and them that dwelt in heaven 7. And it was given unto him to make war with the Saints and to overcome them and power was given him over all kinreds and tongues and nations 8. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the booke of life of the Lambe slaine from the foundation of the world 9. If any man have an eare let him heare 10. He that leadeth into captivity shall goe into captivity He that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword Here is the patience and the faith of the Saints THE COMMENTARIE ANd I saw a Beast rise up out of the sea In this part of the vision there seems to all interpreters some barr to lie in the way touching this prophesie as what should be meant by these Beasts of both which Iohn at length cryes out as if they were but one here is wisedome let him that hath understanding count the number of the Beast intimating that here something is figured out passing the reach of man And indeed the thing is so Notwithstanding from the manner of the method formerlie laid down by us we may undoubtedly gather that the Third Ast of this 4 Vision that is Antichristian persecution is here represented Beside I scarsly find any whether ancient or moderne interpreters Lyra and Alcasar excepted but expound either the former or the latter or els both the Beasts of Antichrist Now whatsoever is meant by the latter let us first consider the former Touching this I finde diverse opinions Some will have it to be the divell Opinions about this sea-beast Others some certain and special persons abounding in all manner of wickednesse such as Gensericus or Cosroes or his son Syroes or Mahumet or Luther as Lindanus foolishly feigneth Others by the Beast understand the universality of wicked men But these opinions are not at all to bee esteemed because indeed they manifestly contradict the text For the Dragon who is the devill shal give his throne unto the Beast Therfore he is not the Beast himself But in a prophetical style a Beast in scripture usually signifies not a special man but a monarchical kingdome with the head thereof Lastly all the wicked shall follow and worship the Beast therefore they themselves are not the Beast So that this Beast can neither bee restrained to one certain wicked man nor confounded with all the wicked in generall But there are three other opinions more probable Three opinions more probable which I wil briefly set down and examine The first is that this Beast denotes the old Romane Empire with its idolatrie cruelty against Christians Of this mind are many of the ancients as Tertullian Hierome Orosius Eusebius with many also of our latter divines as Bullinger Foxe Osiander in his conjectures Junius Aretius Whitaker wherin Alcasar the Iesuite agrees with them 1 sentence touching the Romane empire examined This opinion howsoever I doe not altogether disapprove considering that in Chap. 17. where this Beast againe comes forth it is manifest that Antichrist clothed with the spoiles of the Romane Empire is represented by the same neverthelesse in this place I take it otherwise For first Iohn here sees the beast arising out of the sea So that he saw its originnall but the original of the Romane Empire he did not see For it it had now already continued from Julius unto the fourteenth yeere of Domitian when this prophesie was revealed unto him CXLII yeeres Therefore it is said afterward in Chap. 17.8 of the Romane Empire The Beast was to wit before this vision and before his rising out of the sea Secondly this Beast rose not out of the sea til the Womans flight into the wildernesse as the order of the Vision both here and in the foregoing Chapter doth plainly manifest Now the flight of the woman was not under the Romane tyrants but begane under Christian Emperours and hereticks as we have shewed in the foregoing Chapter Adde hereunto that the Beast is said to rage fourty two moneths the which is the time of the womans abode in the wildernesse and the time of the prophesie of the two witnesses as appeares by what hath before bin spoken Now this time by the consent of all shall be the last in which Antichrist shall rage And therfore it cannot possibly belong to the old or Pagan Empire of the Romanes To be short this seems to be a demonstrative reason that this Beast is often mentioned throughout this prophesie as beeing to remain in a continuall persecution of the Saintes unto the end of the world and not to be abolished but by the brightnesse of Christs comming who will cast him into the lake of fire and brimstone Chap. 19.10 Whereas the old Romane Empire scarsly dured three hundred and fifty four yeeres and now hath bin in the hand of Christians thirteen hundred yeeres and more Therefore this Beast cannot simply be applied to the ancient Romane Empire The reasons most probable alledged for it though of little solidity are three First that this Beast seems to be like to the fourth beast in Daniel Chap. 7.7 by which according to the common opinion is denoted the Romane Monarchie Secondly because the Romane Emperours from Tiberius unto Constantine have most cruelly warred against the Saintes the which also the Beast is here said to doe ver 7. Lastly because power is given to this Beast over every tribe and tongue nation in the same verse The which most properly may be applied to the Romane Emperours Lords of the world To the first I answer if we compare the Beast in Daniel with this here we shal see indeed that both of them have ten
rendred 75. Benevenutus Rambaldus a worthy historian 128. Bernhardus Clarevallensis his invectives against the Pope and Clergie more then 464 years agoe 318. Beryl growing in the Indies 565. Bellarmin touching the libertie of the will either to admit or exclude God knocking and perswading refuted 81 c. Bellarmins arguments answered 222. Bellarmins subtilties answered 321. Brightmans coniecture touching the time of the Turks power considered 188. His opinion of the flood of waters 278. His allegoriall exposition 541. Bishops why called stars and Angels 27. Bishops have no Apostolicall power 20. Bishops or teachers of Churches how they are said to be in the hand of Christ 31. Bishops must flee ambition and covetousnesse 33. many Bishops though in appearance pious are meer hypocrites 55. The Bishops did augment the sicknesse and palenesse of the Church above measure 117. 118. Romane Bishops ever since Pope silvester have striven to Lord it over their fellowes 126 127. Blasphemie what it is 290. Blasphemie of the Romane Beast 299. Blasphemie against Marie 300. Blasphemous verses of Carolus scribanius touching the milke of Marie and the blood of Christ 301. Whither the Black horse denotes hereticks 112. It denotes the Church made black with heresies ibid. The Black horse hath Christ with a ballance on him ibid. The Blasphemous title of Pope Paulus V. doth expresselie contain the number of the Beast 297. 323. Blood in the moon whence 128. The Booke of Gods providence 60. and of vniversall Iudgement ibid. The Book containing the matters which Christ revealed unto Iohn touching the last times is the Revelation it selfe 96. The open book is that which was shut before 199. The book eaten up by Iohn 207. what it meaneth ibid. The book of life 60 302. 544. Books how attributed to God in scripture 60. The books of the Ancients were rolled up 97. Bondmen and free men denote all adversaries of inferiour ranck 132. Boniface III. first established monarchicall tyrannie 118. being declared vniversall bishop by Phocas 127. 244. Boniface VIII a loftie tyrant 129. The Bow of Christ is the Law and the Gospell 108. Brimstone and hell fire 352. Bullingers opinion of the flood 278. To Buy white raiment what it is 79. C. CAlamities why foretold 126. Calling of Evangelicall preachers 378. Candidati Romans so called and why 79. Carkeyses of the witnesses what they are and how they shall lie in the streets of Rome 233. Carkeyses of the witnesses unburied 240. The Campe of the saints is the Christian world 537. Catastrophe of the Churches calamities under Antichrist 106. The Cause of Gods connivence is both his benignitie leading the wicked to repentance as also his counsell for the completing of the number of Martyrs 121. 122 Catholick Character 312. Character of the Beast 315. 314. his two fold Character ibid. Character and Charagma how they differ 312. The proper and common Character how they differ 315. Causes of Babylons ruine 455. Chaenix a measure containing a dayes provision for one man 114. Certaintie of the saintes salvation 527. Chalcedonie 564. Chalcolibanum or fine brasse 24. Chiliarchi are captains of thousands 123. Chiliasts or millenaries their ancient opinion 524. the author of it Papias ibid. the refutation thereof 525 531. The ground of their errour 515. their corrupting of the text ibid. The Chore or company of Patriarchs Prophets saints Iudges and kings represented by the four and twentie Elders 90. Chore of the 24 Elders 248. Christ why called Amen 75. Hath future things revealed unto him as he is man 3.4 is Lord of the Angels 5. his dietie more expresselie testified by no canonicall writer then by the Evangelist Iohn 5. his three fold office and benefits 10.13 His comming why promised 15. He appeared in an humane shape in the middest of the seven candlesticks 22. He opens and no man shutteth 64. How he is like to the Son of man 23.24 How he attributes the simile of a thief unto himself 57. Is called a Lambe in respect of his humility and office 100. Is our fine linen and wedding robe 482. He is the faithfull witnesse and so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 10.11 Is the first begotten from the dead 11. and Prince of the kings of the earth 12. He cleanseth us from our sinnes two manner of wayes 13. His body doth not lie hid invisibly under the host 15. He is the onelie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or merchant offering unto us spirituall wares of salvation 78. His philanthropie 80. His righteousnesse is the white robe 79. How he suppeth with us 80. His proper titles 88. Is represented to Iohn under divers figures 88. By his spirituall scepter he forceth the adversaries unto obedience 103.104 He is the Lyon of the tribe of Iudah 109. Hath the seven spirits in his hands 54. Js author of the ministrie ibid. He attributes life to himself 26. Is divided by the Lutherans 44. How he shall deliver up the kingdome to the father and reigne for ever 248. He is alpha and omega 587. The root of David the morning star 593. Is compared to a traveller knocking at our dore 80. How he is heard and let in with the benefit thereof ibid. He is the beginning of the creation of God actively and passivelie 75. Why he would rather have men cold then Lukewarm 76. What is meant by the open booke in his hand 199. Christ and Antichrist have the key of the bottomlesse pit in different respects 172. 502. Christians miscalled by the Romanes 17. Church Church discipline in its vigor in the primitive times 32. the Churches adversaries sometimes converted 67. Whether the Church may be removed 35. her abode uncertain 36. she was preserved in the Papacie 43. she sometimes lies hid in the world ibid. she must reprove notorious and scandalous sectaries 44. The Church of the called and the Elect doth differ 55. The Church abounding in idlenesse and riot heathenish and Iewish rites were brought in 76. The Churches condition in this world was alwayes red with persecution 111. She became black in the first 200 yeeres 112. And pale even to death 117. was preserved in the midst of the Papacie 139. Where she was before Luther 142. she could erre for she needed measuring 213. Why she is represented by the figure of a woman 257. her variable condition in this world 258. How she changed her sun-like clothing into purple 259. Vanishing as the moon 265. The Church triumphant her song 268. How long the Church was in the wildernesse 276. Whether there were no Church vnder Antichrist 329. Her condition at first 358. Before Luther the Church was in Babylon 459. The Church is the bride of the Lamb and citie of God 560. Why Compared to Candlesticks 27. and sometime to a vineyard 363. Chrysolite 565. Chrysoprasus whence it takes its name ibid. Chrystal what it signifies 506. Cities of the nations what they are 400. the beloved city is the Church 537. Clemanges his speech of Rome 4â—4 Clement
written for the understanding of all But the my steries of the Visions although he revealed them to his servants and Prophets yet hee kept them secret from all other men namely that indeed prophane men might alwayes set light by things so obscure but the godly even by the obscurity thereof be the more stirred up to the searching out of divine mysteries The obscurity ought not to keepe us from searthing And although we can scarcely and with much difficultie come unto the understanding of all the secrets of this Booke notwithstanding the difficultie ought not to affright or to keep us from searching but rather stir up a more diligent enquiry into the same Many things in the Booke are without any shadowes of darke Types as speaking plainely of the punishments of the ungodly of the blessednesse and reward of the Saints c. in which lies no obscurity In many Types also the signification is plaine and the Analogie with the things signified not obscure as the Analogie of the seven Candlestickes with the seven Churches of the Lamb with Christ of the woman with the Church of the Dragon with Satan of the Beast and False-Prophet with Antichrist of the Locusts with the devouring Monkes of Babylon and the Great Whore with Rome of the seven heads of the Beast with the seven hils of Rome In the other more obscure Visions we have three helps by whch in some measure wee may dive into the understanding of them viz. the Propheticall Scripture Historie and experience For first after we have compared the Types of the Revelation with the Visions and Phrases of the ancient Prophets Remedies of the darknes in speciall with Ezechiel Daniel and Zacharie we shall find a great likenesse in them and thence receive much light for example In Chap. 4.5 it is said there were seven Lamps of fire burning before the throne which plainly appeareth to be taken out of Zach. 4.10 where the seven Lampes are said to be the seven eyes of Iehovah running too and fro through the whole Earth By which undoubtedly is signified the ubiquitie of Gods power and providence Out of the same Chapter is taken that in Chap. 11.4 two witnesses are said to be two Olive trees and two Candlesticks standing before the face of the Lord of the Earth Examples of which kinde we shall observe many more in the course of our Interpretation If from Johns time we diligently run over the History of the Empire and Romane Church and precisely compare the principall events with the Types of the Revelation certainly we shall see much light to come unto these Visions The Romane and Ecclesiasticall Historie testifies that diverse storms of persecutions were raised against the Christians by Romane Tyrants Eusebius recordeth out of EGESIPPUS Lib. 3. hist cap. 32. that the Church did not long after the Apostles time remain an undefiled Virgine but by little and little through the ambition and contention of Priests declined from Apostolicall sincerity But after CONSTANTINES time In vita Malchi saith JEROM shee became greater indeed in wealth but lesse in vertues After-Histories also testifie that the Romane Bishops by pride and subtiltie namely under a pretence of the primacy left by the Apostle Peter as also of Christs Vicar-ship bequeathed unto them they through the connivency or neglect of the Emperours not onely usurped power over the City of Rome but also took into their owne hands the very spoile of the Empire and at last established this Sacred Empire of the West the direct or indirect power whereof should wholly be in the Popes Holinesse All which things do not obscurely teach us what is meant by the opening of the Seales The arrogance and subtilty of Romish Bishops by the stars falling from heaven to the earth by the Beast speaking great and blasphemous things what is intended by the Beast False-Prophet and Image of the Beast what lastly by the whorish woman sitting on the Beast and ruling over the Kings of the Earth in the great Citie upon seven Mountaines Lastly if we rightly consider the experience of the present times two nuts are not more alike then is the Beast and Purpled Whore to the Papacy then the Locusts unto the Popish Clergy then the impure Frogs proceeding out of the mouth of the Dragon Beast and False-Prophet unto the Popes Messengers being hooded like to Frogs viz the Iesuites cracking miracles and running too and fro by Sea and Land unto the Kings of the Earth Rev. 16 13 14 to gather them unto the Battell of that great Day of God Almighty These things I say will in some measure bee remedies against the darkenesse of the Booke Vnto which in the last place wee must adde diligent meditation and ardent prayer that the Spirit of God who revealed these mysteries to Iohn do enlighten the eyes of our mindes with heavenly knowledge to finde out the wisedome of this Booke For blessed is hee that readeth Rev. 1.3 22.7.14 and blessed are they that heare the words of this Prophesie and keepe them that is which diligently meditate and labour exactly to weigh these oracles in an equall ballance with the events past present and to come CHAPTFR IV. Touching Ancient and Moderne Interpreters of the Revelation and of the manner of Interpreting observed by them I Have spoken of the Authour and Canonicall Authority and obscurity of the Revelation and shewed that in these things is nothing to hinder us from the interpretation thereof The objection about the Interpreters is of no weight I confesse that not a few Divines of great account as Luther Melanchthon Bucer Martyr Calvin Beza and others have abstained from the Interpretation of the Revelation But this neither doth lessen the authority of the Booke neither doth it prejudice other Interpreters for who knowes whither the darkenesse of the Book or their other waighty labours or want of time did occasion the same certaine it is they no way questioned the authority of the Booke In the meane while in all Ages there have beene excellent Teachers of the Church who have laboured to illustrate the secrets of this Booke by their Commentaries The Ancientest that have written upon the Revelation are Iustine Martyr In vita Iohannu and Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons and Melito of Sardis as Ierome and Eusebius record But their Commentaries have not been preserved untill our times Eus lib. 5. hist. ca. 25. save onely that some few fragments of this nature touching the ten hornes of the Beast the two horned Beast of the image Character Number and Name of the Beast arising out of the Sea are found in IRENAEUS Lib. 5. Cap. 21.23.25 Among Augustins workes wee finde a few Homilies upon the Revelation which notwithstanding are ascribed to Ticonius by Bede who himselfe also hath commented some things upon the Apocalyps But Austine in that divine Commentary de Civitate Dei endeavours to search not a few mysteries of this Booke touching
other on a Camel which two are the Angels that in the Revelation denounce the ruine of Babylon before whose feet Iohn fell downe to worship and other strange mysteries which he having first found out doth now flatteringly applie to the Pope being lift up with incredible joy if not madnesse and folly or to say truely with blasphemous impiety and sacrilegious boldnesse I know not whither thou hast seen D. N. I suppose you have seene and read him forasmuch as hee adorneth Commentaries on that prophesie It s the worke of a Spanish Divine of Granata fairly printed at Antwerp An. 1614. the Author also being an eloquent Interpreter of his owne mind and sense One thing I know that of mad men he will make them more mad by his glozing Exposition of Aenigmaes such flatterers are the Iesuites of their Antichrist being void of truth full of deceit and wanting no words The sum is a two-fold warre of the primitive Church the first against Iudaisme in the two first Chapters the other against Paganisme in the eight following the Citie and world being converted to the Faith of Christ and hence a four-fold Hallelujah Lastly a long during peace to the Church Antichrist being to bee overcome under the names of Gog and Magog and in the last place the most glorious triumph of the Romane Church in the Heavens at the day of Iudgement a worthy cover to the pot March 10. 1615. Yours to command N. N. Behold a lively Idea of the Inquirie the which being communicated unto me by a friend I thought good here to rehearse it least happily the beautifulnesse of the new worke might deceive any one For he coyneth new Oracles hence I call him an upstart his worke otherwise being of much labour and more then vulgar wit and not unpolished which I could wish the Author had more rightly placed Enough both of the true and the false Argument of the Apocalyps Wee come to the Parts CHAPTER VII Touching the parts of the Revelation THe Booke ordinarily is variously divided I shall not much differ from the common partition but distribute the same into a Preface Prophesie or Visions and a Conclusion I. The Preface containes the Title and Dedication of the Booke Chapter 1. unto verse 9. II. The Prophesie I distinguish into seven Visions clearly enough and distinctly shewed by Christ unto Iohn in the Spirit in the I le Patmos from thence unto ver 6. of Chap. 22. But those that suppose and urge that the Booke consists of one continued Vision do wholly stray from the Scope and in vaine wearie the Reader as I shall shew by and by The first Vision is of Christ gloriously walking among the seven golden Candlestickes and commanding John to write certaine Commandements unto the seven Churches of Asia and also the following Visions for the perpetuall doctrine instruction and consolation of the Faithfull from ver 9. Chap. 1.2.3 This Vision is not propheticall of future things as the six following but wholly doctrinall confirming Iohn in the function of teaching and commending his Apostolicall authority unto the seven Churches of Asia The second is touching Gods majesty sitting in the Throne and of the Lamb standing in the Throne and of the Booke sealed with seven Seales and of the opening of the Seale and of the Book by the Lamb and diverse wonders thence proceeding Chap. 4.5.6.7 The third is of the seven Trumpets of the Angels and wonderfull apparitions following thereupon Chap. 8.9.10.11 The fourth is of the woman in travell of a Man-Child and of the Dragon persecuting the Man-Child and woman of the womans flight into the wildernesse and of the rage of the two Beasts against the Saints Chap. 12.13.14 The fift is of the seven Angels pouring forth the Seven Vials of the last plagues upon the adversaries and throne of the Beast Chap. 15.16 The sixt is of the Iudgement of the great whore and ruine of Babylon and of the casting of the Beast and False-prophet with all his followers into the Lake of fire and brimstone Chap. 17.18.19 The seventh and last is of the binding and loosing of the Dragon at the end of a thousand yeers and lastly of the Iudgement of the Divell Death Hell and all reprobates that were not written in the Booke of Life and of the figure and glorious state of the Heavenly Ierusalem Chap. 20.21.22 unto ver 6. III. The conclusion of the Booke commends the profitablenesse of the Prophesie and by an Anathema establisheth the divine authority thereof from verse 6. unto the end CHAPTER VIII Touching the Forme of the Revelation THe things hitherto praemised have beene treated of by many Interpreters That which remaines touching the forme and method of the Revelation hath as yet beene observed but by few nay to speake it with modesty I scarcely find the same explicated by any one The forme indeed seemes to be Epistolarie having an Epistolarie Inscription and Subscription and is shut up with an Epistolarie wish common to the Apostles all the Acts also of the first Vision are Epistle-wise But that which beginneth at the fourth Chapter which is the first propheticall Vision and the following unto the end if you well observe them have plainly a Dramaticall forme The Apocalyps a prophetical interlude hence the Revelation may truely be called a Propheticall Drama show or representation For as in humane Tragedies diverse persons one after another come upon the Theater to represent things done and so again depart diverse Chores also or Companies of Musitians and Harpers distinguish the diversity of the Acts and while the Actors hold up do with musicall accord sweeten the wearinesse of the Spectators and keepe them in attention so verily the thing it selfe speaketh that in this Heavenly Interlude by diverse shewes and apparitions are represented diverse or rather as we shall see the same things touching the Church not past but to come and that their diverse Acts are renewed by diverse Chores or Companies one while of 24. Elders and four Beast another while of Angels sometimes of Sealed ones in their foreheads and sometimes of Harpers c. with new Songs and worthy Hymmes not so much to lessen the wearisomnesse of the Spectators as to infuse holy meditations into the mindes of the Readers and to lift them up to Heavenly matters The which thing not having been hitherto observed by most Interpreters they have wondred what was meant by so many Songs Hymmes and change of Angels and Personages renewed in diverse Visions and what by the often iterated Representations of the Beast Babylon and the last judgement which caused them to seeke and imagine Anticipations Recapitulations and unnecessary Mysteries in those things which either served onely to the Dramaticall decorum or else had a manifest respect to the method of the Visions concerning which I will speak by and by What Origen therefore wrote touching the SONG OF SONGS In Prologo Cant. Homil. 1. that it seemed to him Solomon wrote a
vita Malchi in power indeed and riches she became greater but lesse in vertues The third distance was of the Church troaden upon and oppressed by Antichrist especially the Westerne untill the measuring of the Temple which began to be effected by the two witnesses JOHN Husse and JEROM OF PRAGUE who were slaine by the Beast in the Councell of Constans Anno. 1414. and thence untill Luther by whose ministerie the measuring of the Temple broken off or hindred through the Tyranny of Popes began to bee continued Anno. 1517. Lastly the fourth distance is of the church reformed from Popery of the declining of the Papacy to endure untill the end For the Beast goes into destruction whatsoever the gates of hel attempt to the contrarie Lib 3. de P. R. cap. 21 and Bellarmin their Prophet said truely From that time that the Pope began by you to be Antichrist his Empire hath been so farre from encreasing as it hath alwayes more and more decreased This whole period I say of the Christian Church some visions doe represent according to the foure-fold state erewhile declared and these I call UNIVERSAL Visions because they containe the universall Historie of the Church but some shadow out not the entire Vniversall visions but onely the two latter distances of the whole period or the Tragedie of Antichrist and these I call PARTICULAR because they praefigure not the whole Historie of the Church Particular visions but onely the latter part thereof touching Antichrists rage and judgement and of the Churches warfare and victory against him UNIVERSAL Visions I find to bee foure viz. the second touching the seven Seales and the third of the seven Trumpets and the fourth of the woman in travaile and the seventh which is as it were a Recapitulation of all the foregoing touching the binding and loosing of the Dragon c. The PARTICULAR Visions are two viz. the fift of the seven Vials of the last plagues and the sixt of the Iudgement of the Great Whore the overthrow of Babylon and destruction of Antichrist And these things I suppose do suffice to the plaine understanding of the generall Method of this Prophesie CHAPTER X. Of the speciall Method of the Apocalyps WHat concernes the speciall Method because it is more diligently explicated in every of the Visions I shall in this place speake the lesse thereof First We must remember that the forme of this Prophesie is truely Tragicall For it representeth Tragicall motions and tumults of the adversaries against the Church of Christ The forme of every vision is tragicall and at length the Tragicall end also of the wicked themselves Now Writers of Tragedies usually mingle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 feigned things with serious both for preparation as for delight sake and to distinguish their Dramaes or Interludes into Acts Scenes and Chores the which also I find to be observed in this Dramaticall Prophesie For most of the Visions besides the propheticall things they treat of have somethings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Praeparatorie They also containe certain distinct Acts of Propheticall Types and diverse Chores or Companies beginning or comming in between or ending the Propheticall Action with musicall accord serving to the decorum and pleasantnesse of the Drama Secondly In every Vision I speak of the six Propheticall we must prudently distinguish betwixt what is Dramaticall what Propheticall I cal that Dramatical which is preparatory to the visions The Dramaticall matters are to be discerned from prophetical of which kind is what we have in Vision first Chap. 1. from v. 9. unto the end in the second Chap. 4. 5. in the third Chap. 8. unto ver 7. in the fift Chap. 15. throughout The Chores also and their Prayers Songs Hymmes Praises as are the Chore or Company of the four and twenty Elders in the second third sixt Vision the Chore of the four Beasts in the second and sixt Vision the Chore of Angels in the second vision the Chore of all creatures ibid the uncertain Chore in the fift and sixt Vision the Chore of Harpers in the fourth and fift whose Symphonie and Songs are to bee read in the said Visions Chap. 4. ver 8 c. and Chap. 5.9 c. and Chap. 6.12 c. and Chap. 12. ver 10 c. and Chap. 15.3 c. and Chap. 19. ver 1 c. All these properly serve for the decorum of the Propheticall Drama neither doe they containe Prophesies but propound Morall Doctrine of celebrating the workes of God and his Iudgements unto the Church But they that search for other mysteries in these things seeme to labour in vaine Propheticall I call those Parts or Types of Visions which by word gesture or action represent future events concerning the Church by a certaine similitude of things whither open or hid and for the most part are repeated out of the Acts of the ancient Prophets In the understanding and application of which unto their events past present and to come the true explication of this Prophesie doth consist and principally aime at Thirdly The Method and Explication of the Propheticall Types cannot be gathered more commodiously and safely then from the Argument it selfe namely the generall of the whole Booke The distinct Acts of the visions and the speciall of the Visions in particular The generall Argument as we heard in the foregoing Chapter is specially in two things For the Apocalyps forewarneth the Church of her condition and sorrowes at hand and armes her with comfort against the same The same wee have in every of the Visions For they both foretell future evils as also shew the Godly the remedies thereof yet all shew not the same things nor in the same manner For some praefigure All that is both the first and the second Battles which I called VNIVERSAL some the second onely and latter which I called PARTICULAR The former and latter battles of the church By the first or former battles of the Church I mean the Combats shee had with Tyrants and Romane Adversaries oppugning the Testimony of Jesus as also with Heretickes diversly depraving the word of God By the second and later her Combates with the Easterne and Westerne Antichrists Hence there are as it were foure distinct scopes of the universall Visions The foure Acts of the universall Visions but of the Particular two onely the which I for instruction sake do name Acts. The first Act of the universall Visions hath a proposition of the calamities with which the Church shall bee assaulted by Pagans and Heretickes untill Antichrists rising The second in way of parallell to the first praefigureth comforts opposite to the calamities of the Godly The third shadoweth out an amplification of calamities or new and more glorious Combats of the Church under Antichrist Lastly the fourth parallell to the third sheweth the Catastrophe of all evils viz. the declining of Antichrists Kingdom and the casting of all adversaries into the lake of
justly question whither it were greater blindnesse in the Jews not to beleeve in Christ then for these to deny the Pope of Rome to be Antichrist Wherefore I shall seeme to have performed my function sufficiently not if I discusse all the obscurities of mysteries so irresutably that all do applaude mee but if so farre as God hath enabled me by the helpe of my Method laid down I shall congruously perspicuously and without deceit according to scope and experience explicate both the other Aenigmaes of this Prophesie and especially that part which containes the amplification and Catastrophe of the Combats of the Church and properly respects these last times Now by doing hereof if I have not kindled a Torch to take off the darkenesse with which it seemes to be covered yet verily I have laboured and if I be not deceived have lighted a Candle by the light and guidance whereof as by Ariadne her threed other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Godly Divines shall after me dive more deeply into these hidden mysteries and more neerly point at that Son of perdition sitting in the Temple of God as god and exalting himselfe above all that is worshipped shewing himselfe that hee is God And they shall say This is he O Romanist beware of him AMEN THE APPARITIONS AND PERSONS MAKING UP THIS PROPHETICAL DRAMA REVEALED IN SEVEN VISIONS In Vision I. Chapters 1.2.3 IOHN THE EVANGELIST Actor and interlocutor throughout Christ in a glorious form walking amongst the seven Candlestickes The authour of the Revelation and maker of the prologue In Vision II. Chapt. 4.5.6.7 The majesty of God sitting on the throne The first Chore of the foure and twenty Elders The 2. Chore of the foure Beasts The Book sealed with seven Seales in the hand of the sitter on the throne A strong Angell desiring the booke to be opened The Lambe as it were slaine opening the booke The 3. Chore of Angels The 4. Chore of all creatures A white horse with his Rider comming forth out of the first Seale A red horse and his Rider out of the second Seale A blacke horse and his Rider out of the third Seale A pale horse with death on him hell following him out of the fourth Seale The soules of the Martyrs under the Altar in the fift Seale A great Earth-quake out of the sixt Seale Four Angels holding the foure winds that they should not blow An Angell from the East with the Seale of God The multitude of Sealed ones and Martyrs In Vision III. Chapt. 8.9.10.11 Seven Angels with seven trumpets out of the seventh Seale An Angell with a golden censer at the Altar An Angell sounding the first trumpet An Angell sounding the second trumpet An Angell sounding the third trumpet An Angell sounding the fourth trumpet An Angell sounding the fift trumpet Locusts comming up out of the bottomlesse pit into the earth An Angell sounding the sixt trumpet Four Angels bound and loosed at Euphrates A strong Angell cloathed with a cloud and having a Book in his hand Iohn eating up the Booke and measuring the temple with a reed The two witnesses prophesying The Beast out of the pit killing the witnesses An Earth-quake overthrowing a tenth part of Babylon An Angell sounding the seventh trumpet The first Chore of the foure and twenty Elders In Vision IV. Chapt. 12.13.14 A woman clothed with the Sunne bringing forth a Man-child flying into the Wildernesse The son of the woman taken up into Heaven The red Dragon persecuting the woman Michael fighting for the woman against the Dragon The fift uneertaine Chore. The seven-headed Beast ascending out of the sea The two-horned Beast ascending out of the earth The Image of the Sea-beast A company of Sealed-ones standing with the Lambe on the Mountaine A sixt Chore of Harpers An Angell flying with the everlasting Gospell An Angell publishing the ruine of Babylon An Angell denouncing punishments to the worshippers of the Beast Christ on the cloud with a sharpe sickle An Angell proclaiming the last harvest and vintage In Vision V. Chapt. 15.16 The seven Angels with seven Vials The sixt Chore of Harpers upon the sea of Glasse An Angell pouring forth the 1. Viall on the Earth An Angell pouring forth the 2. Viall on the Sea An Angell pouring forth the 3. Viall on the Rivers and Fountaines An Angell pouring forth the 4. Viall on the Sunne An Angell pouring forth the 5. Viall on the throne of the Beast An Angell pouring forth the 6. Viall on Euphrates Three unclean Spirits like frogs out of the mouth of the Beast c. An Angell pouring forth the 7. Viall into the aire The rupture of Babylon by an Earth-quake In Vision VI. Chapt. 17.18.19 The whore riding on the seven-headed Beast The seven-headed Beast with his description The ten Kings waging war with the Lamb afterward burning the whore An Angell publishing the fall of Babylon An uncertain voyce calling the Godly out of Babylon Kings Merchants Sea-men bewailing the ruine of Babylon An Angell casting a milstone into the sea A fift uncertaine Chore. The first Chore of the 24. Elders and the second Chore of the 4. Beasts Iohn intending to worship the angell Christ with an heavenly armie rushing upon the Beast and the Kings of the Earth An Angell standing in the sun calling the birds unto the prey The judgement of the Beast False-Prophet Kings of the earth and worshippers of the Beast In Vision VII Chapt. 20.21.22 An Angell with the key of the bottomlesse Pit and a great Chayne The old serpent bound a thousand yeers The martyrs and conquerours of the beast reigning with Christ a thousand yeeres Satan let loose seducing the Nations and raising Gog and Magog against the Holy Citie The casting of Satan into the Lake of fire The raising of the dead and the last judgement The new Ierusalem coming down from Heaven the Bride of the Lambe God in the throne publishing the judgement Iohn seeing all these things and intending to worship the angell The Conclusion the Lord Iesus putting an end to the Drama A TABLE OF THE Principall QUESTIONS which are expounded in this COMMENTARIE In the Preface 1. OF the Authour of the Revelation Page 5. 2. Of the Canonicall authority of the Revelation Page 8. 3. Of the obscurity of the Book what it is and whence with the remedies thereof Page 9. 4. Of the Interpreters of the Revelation both Ancient and Modern and of the manner of interpreting observed by them Page 11. 5. Of the dignity time profit and scope of this Prophesie Page 13. 6. Of the argument of the Book Page 16. 7. Of the Partition of the Revelation Page 19. 8. Of the form of the Revelation ibid. 9. Of the generall Method of the Revelation Page 20. 10. Of the speciall Method of the Revelation Page 26. 11. Of the manner of interpretation observed by Pareus Page 27. In Chapter I. 12. Of the word Apocalyps Pag. 3. 13. A disputation about the words from him which is which was and
all times should continually read it for their comfort and instruction which also is the end and use of the whole scripture Rom 15 4. 2 Tim. 3.16 Vers 20. The mystery of the seven starres After that the Son of man had shewed who he was whom Iohn saw he comes to unfold the mystery of the starres and candlesticks viz. that the seven starres are the seven angels or ministers the seven candlesticks the seven churches of Asia to whom he was commanded to write vers 11. The mistery The vulgar hath it the sacrament of the starres that is the thing figured by them so again chap. 17.7 I will tell thee the sacrament of the woman but it is improperly used for the mysticallsfignification of the same Bishops So he caleth the starres because they ought to shine before others in purity of doctrine and integrity of life like unto starres shining in the firmament they are said to be angels because they are Gods messengers to the Churches and the Churches are compared to candlesticks because like as the candle or light is set up into the candlestike even so the Church ought to hold forth and preserve the shining light of true doctrine that all may behold it least being in darknesse they stumble and perish thorow their ignorance Hence we learn in the first place that the scripture best interpreteth it self for what was before more darkly spoken is now clearly unfolded So Christ opened the parables to his disciples Matth. 13 in like maner this vision which at first seemed obscure is now made plain by its own interpretation For albeit the scripture doth not make clear every thing that is darkely spoken not withstanding if we diligently observe it that of Austin will appeare most true that there is all most nothing abscure in scripture which is not in some other place plainly expounded Furthermore we are to take notice of these figurative and sacramental phrases The starres are Angels that is they signifie the Angels the candlestiks are the Churches Gen. 41 27. 1 Cor. 10 4. Cont. adim c. 12. that is they signifie the Churches according to that in Genesis the seven kine are seven years that is do signifie seven years And the rock was Christ for it signified Christ as Augustine expoundeth it For there is nothing more familiar in scripture then to name signes by the things which they signify which maner of speech is not darke but plaine in regard of the analogie betwixt the signe and the thing signified wherefore it was not obscure but familiar to the scripture that Christ called the bread which was broken at the institution of the supper his body which was crucifyed for us seeing it was a sacrament or holy signe of the same Hence Augustine opening the etymologie or signification of a sacrament applies it to the Lords supper saying that the Lord Iesus doubted not to say this is my body when he gave the signe onely thereof And this is so cleare a truth that even Aloasar a Iesuite confesseth it saying that in the phrase of scripture touching dark sentences and sacraments the word which is used is to be referred to the signification of it and that the bread and wine in the Eucharist which they call the species doth signify the body and blood of Christ because Christ saith this is my body c. Indeed he supposeth there are two sorts of signes some instituted onely for doctrin and signification as in parables and darke sentences the other such as really include and containe the things which they signifie as in baptisme and the supper in which saith he is truly and properly contained as the cleansing of the soule from sinne so the body and blood of Christ and he proveth it First because Christ instituted these signes to that end Secondly the Church so teacheth And lastly because it were an easy thing for any one to institute meere and naked signes wheras it is in the power of Christ alone to appoint such signes as are full of efficacy I answer first Alcasars arguments answered that in the institution either of baptisme or the Lords supper there is no mention made of any including of the things signified in the signes Secondly the primitive Church taught no such inclusion but the new popish Church in so teaching is departed from the institution and doctrin of the primitive times Lastly though it be true that the sacraments are not meere signes yet it followeth not that they are signes including the thing signified For there is in scripture another kinde of signes which as they are signes so they are seales confirming to the faithfull the grace of Christ signified by them For properly the sacraments are signes and seales of the promise of grace which no creature could institute or bring into the Church but God alone Another expositor denieth Hoe in the Revel chap. 1. that these are figurative speeches and why because saith he those candlesticks doe not signify but are really the Churches and the starres doe not denote but are in truth the angels But both is false first because then there should be no mystery in the candlesticks or starres Secondly if the candlesticks and starres were truly Churches and Angels then would not Christ have required Iohn to write his Epistles as being absent from them but he should have delivered his message unto them as there present with him in Patmos Thirdly because then the words the candlesticks are Churches the starres are Angels should be regular expressions But this he denies and truly For they are termes of disparity What then the metaphor saith he is in the subject which doth not import that the copulative IS should be taken for the word signifieth And though it were granted here yet would it not follow that the words of Christ at the institution of the supper were of the same significatiō because Christ did not expound to them a vision but institute asacrament Now howsoever both be true yet doth not this take away the metonymical expression for in typical Sacramental assertions the tipes signes are said to be the antitypes or things signified partly indeed by a metaphor because of the analogie or likenesse that is betwixt the signes the things themselves but chiefly by a metonymia Epist 23. ad Bonif. because of the sacramentall signification For as Augustine saith if sacraments had not some likenesse with the things they represent they should not at all be sacraments for in regard of that likenesse they have the name of the things themselves Therefore as in some sort the sacrament of the body of Christ is Christ the sacrament of the blood of Christ is Christs blood even so the sacrament of faith is faith Againe that is called the soule In Levit. lib. 3.4.5 Genes 41.26 1. Cor. 10.4 which signifies the soule for it is usuall that the thing signifying be called by the name of that which it doth signifie as it is written
not seen nor eare heard c. This name God wil not give to one alone but to all the faithful all I say shall know their owne name because all shal have it For to know this name is to have it to rejoyce in it and to be certain thereof thus we se that the people of God shall not be ignorant of each others felicitie and blessednes in the heavens howsoever true it is that the damned shall be ignorant thereof because they shall never have it and hence we see it is no mervaile that none in this life know the heavenlie adoption No man knoweth the new name saving he that hath it but such onelie as se and have it by faith in their harts for as much as in the world to come none shall know the dignitie of the saintship but such as are partakers thereof And heere the ungodly assertion of the papists is refuted who affirme that no man can fullie and certainly perswade himselfe of his own inward justifying faith or to be in the state of grace and so consequently a childe of God but is to doubt of his faith grace justification adoption and salvation For these Prophane men doe vainlie require an outward demonstration of that which no man can possibly know saving he that inwardly hath it which they inwardly wanting can not know it and therfore in requiring us to manifest this unto them doe as foolishly as they who would put a man to prove that there is sweetnes in honie seeing no man can know it but by the tast thereof For the knowledge of this new name it consists not in bare speculations but in the power and practise of the heart Of this ful assurance we have largely treated in our comment on Hebr. Chap. 6. v. 18. and Bellar. Castiga lib. 3. de Justifi cap. 9.10 c. Moreover hence we have the sixteenth argument of Christs deitie XVI Argu. of Chr. deity For none can give the heavenly Manna the white stone new name which Christ promiseth to them that overcome saving God alone The fourth Epistle to the Bishop of Thyatira 18 And unto the Angel of the Church in Thyatira write These things sayth the Sonne of God who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire and his feet are like fine brasse 19 I know thy workes and charity and service and faith and thy patience and thy workes and the last be more then the first 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Iezebel that calleth her selfe a prophetesse to preach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idoles 21. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication and she repented not 22. Behold I will cast her into a beade and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation except they repent of their deeds 23. And I will kill her children with death and all the Churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reines and hearts and I will give unto every one of you according to your workes 24. But unto you I say and unto the rest in Thyatira as many as have not this doctrine and which have not known the depths of Satan as they speake I will put upon you no other burthen 25. But that which you have already hold fast till I come 26. And he that overcommeth and keepeth my workes unto the end to him will I give power over the nations 27. And he shall rule them with a rod of Iron as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers even as I have received of my Father 28. And I will give him the morning star 29. He that hath an eare let him heare what the spirit saith unto the Churches THE COMMENTARIE VNto the Angel of the Church of Thyatira Epiphanius recordeth that certaine of the Alogians rejected the Revelation as fabulous because there was no Christian Church at that time in Thyatira For how say they could Iohn be commanded to write to one who then was not but that old writer sheweth the absurditie of the hereticks herein It followeth not saith he although in their dayes there was no Church there therefore there was none in Iohns time for Thyatira was vanquished and overthrowen by them and the Phrygians togither Not long after the death of Iohn and the other Apostles namely in the three and nynteth yeere after Christs ascension which was the seventh of Adrian the Emperor And that indeed the spirit of God did foreshew the defection of this Church by prophesying of the false Prophetesse Iezabel that is of certain woemen who deceived many falsely boasting of a prophetical spirit as namely Priscilla and Maximilla and Quintilla harlots of Montanus who taught the heresie of the Cataphrygians Touching these things whither they were so or or I wil not now dispute of but that which Epiphanius ads is indeed more to the purpose to wit that in his time this Church was againe recovered by casting off the heresie of the Cataphrygians Now saith he by the grace of God there is a Church in that place which flourisheth and some others thereabout although formerlie the whole Church was fallen away and had embraced the aforesaid heresie That also is verie memorable which he writeth that the spirit of God did reveal that soon after the Apostles their successors the Church should fal into many errors Whence therefore hath the sonne of perdition taken his insolent decree that his Church cannot erre Now the fourth Epistle is directed to the minister of Thyatira being more sharpe then the former Hee is commended for his faith and workes but reproved for suffering the Prophetesse Jezabel to seduce many to commit fornication and eate things sacrificed to Idols the which woman with her followers Christ threatneth to destroy Neverthelesse such who were not infected with her wickednes he exhorteth to constance and promiseth to give them power over the nations The Epistle as the former consisteth of an inscription narration and conclusion In the inscription Christ is described by three Epithites two whereof have been handled Chap. 1. v. 14. The sonne of God in Chap. 1.13 he is called the Sonne of Man and here the Sonne of God to shew that he is both Now Christ is a Sonne by nature we and the Angels by grace Wherefore the Church doth rightly beleeve and professe Christ to be both God and man in the unitie of one person His eyes as a flame of fire his feet like to fine brasse Of this see chap. 1.14.15 I know thy workes The narration containes five things 1. commendations 2. reproofes 3. threatnings 4. exhortations 5. promises Thy workes The Vulgar and Andreas omit this both here and in v. 9. Workes are generally to be taken both for good and evil as in v. 2. 13. in speciall he commendeth fower things 1. his love to God 2. his charitie to the poore and chiefly
to them of the houshould of faith 3. his faith that is his sincere preaching of the truth received from the Apostles And lastly his patience in suffering of afflictions for the cause of Christ for this Church also if it be true which Epiphanius writes was persecuted by the Pagans Jewes and Cataphrygians notwithstanding this Bishop remained still constant in the truth And thy workes and the last The first and is declarative for chiefly thy workes the latter and seemeth not necessarie and the text may thus be read thy last workes are more then thy first as the vulgar Complutensis and Andreas read it It seemeth that the Pastor of this Church had with much courage lately undergone some great persecution for the which Christ here much commends him as adding this exellent work to his former or otherwise because in the general course of his life he daylie became more excellent for his latter workes were more that is more manifest proofes of his constancie and more worthie of praise then the first So that he is commended for his holie progresse in the duties of piety which is an example unto us that we also should labour to increase in the like workes of faith and love 20. But I have a few things against thee The second part is a reproofe of few things so the like in v. 14. not as if his evils were of no great corcernment but Christ like a good physitian lessens the disease that the patient may the sooner admit of the cure and not despaire of amendment His evil was in permitting the false prophetesse Jezabel to teach and seduce many to commit fornication and be present with idolaters at their worship and Idol feastings for it seemeth this woman was one of the Sect of Nicolaitans whose doctrine she maintained For these deceivers under pretext of libertie and Christian charitie taught that women were to be accounted common that it was lawful for them to communicate with the heathen in their services and feastings now howsoever these things were scandalous and dangerous yet of them thought indifferent and in the liberty of Christians and this verie practice some libertines at this day doe imitate This was a great neglect of zeale and courage in the Pastor in not seeking to redresse and free the Church of so pestilent an instrument but to suffer her amongst them to the destruction of many Shee is called Jezabel by a similitude as being equal in craft and malice to Jezabel the wife of Ahab for as this vilde woman by false witnesses caused Naboth uniustly to be put to death and cruelly oppressed many of Gods prophets so this lying Prophetesse boasting of divine revelations led aside many from the waye of God to her filthinesse and devilish worship of Idols Interpreters doe differ whither this was one woman or many and whither there were a whole Sect and nation of them Epiphanius as we have already shewed supposeth this to be spoken of Priscilla Maximilla and Quintilla false Prophetesses of Montunus who blasphomously boasting himself to be the comforter seduced these women to commit fornication with him and to Prophesie in his name But on the contrarie the text sheweth that it is spoken of Jezabel who at that time bore sway in the Church of Thyatira and not of any to come afterward neither is it likely that onely this Epistle should reprove vices to come when as all the other speak of things present Andreas understandeth it by a figurative speech as meant of the heresie of the Nicolaitans But wherfore should that sect be here darkned with such a kind of speech which twife before was manifestly named and treated of Alcasar coniectureth that by her the Iewish Synagogue is to be understood But there is no reason to transform the Iewes into the woman Iezabel who were before v. 9. comdemned by name and again in cha 3. v. 9. Besides the whole description tends to set forth in special some one particular wicked woman seing therfore there is no necessarie reason leading us to depart from the literal sence it is probable that this woman was verie famous in the city of Thyatira for her wealth authoritie and shew of pietie but in truth for her uncleannesse deceit and ungodlines was equal with Iezabel of old seducing many to forsake the truth and participate with her in horrible wickednes But touching this woman and her mentioned chap. 17. who is called a great citie there is no agreement betwixt them For there it is expressly said that by her is signified a great multitude yea Rome it self whereas here no such thing is intimated 21. And I gave her time This sheweth Christs patience and the obstinacie of this woman who made no use of his long sufferance in giving her time to repent Thus the wicked grow secure because of Gods forbearance and seeing Iudgment is not speedilie executed they rejoyce and thinke to go unpunished But what their reward shall bee is plain both from this place and Rom. 2.4.5 22. I will cast her The third part of the narration is a threatning of judgment which men by their inpenitencie bring upon themselves The punishment denounced is threefold 1. Against the woman herself 2. Against her lovers And 3. against her children Jezabel is threatned with a foule disease for so God commonly punisheth impure harlots to make them lothsome to others and publick exampels of dishonest courses Into a bed The antecedent is explained by the consequence Sick persons keep their bed the sence is the bed which she hitherto had abused to lasciviousnes luxurie and pleasure should be changed into languishing and sorrow But the Godly man the Lord wil strongthen him upon the bed of languishing Psal 41.3 make all his bed in his sicknesse And them that commit adulterie with her Her lovers shall also be punished eyther externally by the sword of the magistrate or some others or internally by torments of conscience But I rather take it to be meant of outward shame and punishment Vnlesse they repent Behold the mercie and patience of God he wil not destroy a most wretched harlot with her adulterers before he cal them to repentance being ready to forgive such as amend their wayes thus we see how repentance is the onely means to escape punishment Some times indeed the Lord inflicts temporall chastisement upon the repentant but the same is both mitigated and turned to their good besides none of them are eternallie punished 23. And kil her children with death He threatneth death to the children of this harlot which some take properly for such as were borne in fornication whom the Lord would suddenlie destroy by a heavie judgment that such an adulterous generation might not be spread among men Others take it metaphorically for her companions and lovers who defyled themselves with her I rather approve the former sence for otherwise the difference between the adulterers and their children would be taken away Hence we may learn 1.
of supererogation or a purgatorie fire and so ascribe salvation which is obtained by Christ alone unto their owne inventions Thus therefore the Sun in Popery is made black as sackcloth of hair The Apostolical doctrine of faith and salvation by them is darkned and changed into Philosophical precepts Christs sacraments are darkned and turned into a stage-playing Pompe or shew The invocation and worship of God is darkned and turned into adoration of idols and of the creature To be short the Church it self is darkned scarslie retaining any thing of Christianity except the bare name Now the black sackcloth of hair doth signify the humane traditions their hetheanish and Iewish ceremonies mingled with Christianisme of which Augustine complaines Epist 119 19.20 that even in his time the Church began to be more burdened with them then the Israelites were with theirs to be short it signifies the decrees and canons of Synods and Popes by which the Church was turned into a secular kingdom the presbyteny into a civil court and their temples into very brothel houses And the moon became as blood The third wōder followeth by the moon is meant the Church as Cant. 6.9 Fair as the moon Rev. 12.1 The Sun is Christ as we shewed before Now what marveile is it if the Moon be turned into blood when the Sun is darkned In Eclypses the Moon appears black and reddish and sometimes of a bloodie colour having in it selfe but little light But as the Moon doth receive its light from the Sun so all light puritie righteousnes and salvation or whatever else the Church enjoyes shee receiveth it all from Christ the Sun of righteousnes The sence therefore is that the Church shall be turned into blood by the commotion of Antichrist The like phrase the Lord useth in Joel 2.31 But whence comes this blood into the Moon I answer by the cruel tyrannie of Antichrist making the Church red with the blood both of the nations and of the Saintes For this blood was powred on her partly by wars and partlie by martyrdoms For the Pope not beeing content to usurp the title of Peter the prince of the Apostles under that pretence to terrify the world with his spirituall lightnings he hath also drawn out the temporall sword against Emperours kings princes and Christian nations filling all places with bloodie warres As we may see in the extravagant of Boniface VIII touching superiority and obedience where it is expressely said that the Church hath two swords the spirituall and civill and it is further added that the spirituall is excercised by the Church the materiall by the hand of kings and souldiers according to the pleasure and patience of priests If this be true then what are kings and souldiers but the Popes vassals And is not then that blood certainlie shed by the Pope which is spilt at his pleasure and command by kings and their souldiers And is it not the Pope that causeth the Moon to become blood but in this also there is deceit and fallacie for the Romish Bishops have not onelie used the civill sword in the hands of princes but also in their own having these many yeeres together turned the Moon into blood by the many cruell warrs occasioned and made by them Beneven de Rambal lib Augustali Benevenutus de Rambaldis a noted historian thus writeth concerning Boniface the eight above two hundred and thirtie yeares agoe that Albertus Duke of Austria beeing by the Electors chosen king of the Romanes desired of Boniface that famous Pope the blessing and coronation to whom this loftie tyrant answered that he was unworthie of the Empire because he had traiterouslie killed his Lord Adolph in warre and having the crowne on his owne head and a sword girt to his loines he said I AM CAESAR Julius II. the predecessor of Leo a better souldier then a priest beeing borne rather for Mars then for Christ going forth with an army as Wicelius witnesseth in the yeere 1513 against the king of Navarre threw Peters Key into Tyber saying If the Key of Peter cannot let the sword of Paul prevaile Of which Mantuan thus singeth Ense potens gemino cujus vestigia adorant Caesar aurato vestits murice reges Great Caesar with victorious kings Who golden crownes doe wear They doe adore his footsteps who the double sword doth bear To be short the most cruel wars which continually have been and at this day are among Christian princes to the shedding of exceeding much blood in France the Nederlands Livonia Poland Muscovia Hungarie have alwayes been raysed fomented by the Popes buls and armies by this meanes ever since the death of Priscillian they have continnallie murdered the saints and made the Moon red with their blood For Priscillian beeing declared an heretick by the Pope although Sulpitius Severus describing his sect doth not charge him with any hereticall doctrines contrarie to the analogie of faith but onely for unlawfull conventicles was by the instigation of Ithacius Bishop of Triers put to death about the yeere of Christ 380 contrarie to the mind of Martine Thuronensis a Maximo the Emperour the murderer of Valentinian the yonger From that time forward the Bishops went on to have the like punishment inflicted on all such as were condemned by them of haeresie And at length the Popes adjudged to death as hereticks all that opposed their tyrannie and idolatrie under which pretence what a multitude of Christians have been most cruellie murdered the bookes of martyrs testifie yea whosoever reads those histories shall see clearely enough that by their meanes the Moon was wholle turned into blood The massacre at Paris committed on Bartholomewes day in the yeere 1572 is yet fresh in memorie at what time within the space of eight dayes there were more then a hundred thousand by the means of Gregorie XIII most barbarously put to death in France making all the streets rivers and prisons in the land red with the blood of martyrs Thus I doubt not but we understand what is meant by this change of the Moon into blood touching which also I will rehearse a verie memorable example in the end of this booke 13. And the starres of heaven fell unto the earth The fourth wonder is taken out of Isai 34.4 and Mar. 13.25 We have heard what the stars doe signifie and wherfore they are so called Rev. 1.20 the seven stars are the seven Angels or Bishops of the Churches And Rev. 12.1 The woman or Church hath twelve stars on her crowne signifying the pastors and teachers of the Churches These stars which fell are apostates who forsooke Christ for fear of Antichrists cruell persecution they are I say principall Bishops and teachers who by embracing the kingdom of Antichrist fall from heaven unto the earth among whom the Bishop of Rome was chiefe and with him all others who acknowledged him for their head They fell unto the earth by forsaking their pastoral charge of preaching the word and
in the yeere of Christ 1586. and the holy citie now delivered from beeing troden under foot by the Gentiles more then 50 yeeres Now howsoever I doe not at all derogate from this opinion as beeing indeed verie pithy and ingenious yet I scarslie dare follow it For first the hypothesis or argument propounded touching the Sabbath-moneths seems to be very uncertain neither can it easily be proved by any example of Scripture where a moneth is put for a weeke of yeeres The which also that excellent divine of great Brittaine Robert Abbad Bishop of Sarum whom I name for honours sake seems clearly to prove Demonstr cap. 8. pag. 111. in his demonstration of Antichrist against Bellarmin Secondlie it appeareth plainely that this prophesie is not to be understood of treading down the holie citie by the Turkes because two witnesses are brought in prophesying against that treading down whereas prophesies will little help against Turkish tyrannie courage force of armes rather must free the holy city from that oppression Thirdlie it is verie unlikely according to his opinion that the XLII 42 moneths should now be finished and the holie city cease to be troden down by the Gentiles For both in the East West a miserable desolation of the holy city is yet to bee seen For the Turkes power is so far from beeing broken as on the contrary it dayly increaseth and sets more more his feet upon the holy citie The Romish tyrannie also although it bee greatly weakned by the prophesie of the two witnesses not withstanding it is not as yet broken but still oppresseth the Church both in the Western and Northern kingdomes I therefore leave the conjecture of this most learned man in the same nature as he himself desireth I saith hee doe not at all assume this to my self to define here any thing on a certainty or that my opinion should be any way praejudicatorie unto others far better then my self this onely I desire that the same liberty which others take unto themselves may also bee granted to mee without offence In Alcasars opinion I finde nothing eyther probable or true Vestigat pag. 567. save that he rejects the common opinion of Antichrists reigning three yeeres and a halfe For my part saith he as yet I may freely say that if I take this exposition about Antichrists persecution as the chiefe thing in this eleventh Chapter then I know not how to draw the line of the REVELATION and knit things together in order And afterward Notwithstanding as the halfe houre in Chap. 8. the five moneths in Chap. 9. are not to be taken in a proper sense but mystically so for the more convenient connexion of the REVELATION these fourty two moneths are not to be taken in a proper but mystical sense for to take these numbers of dayes moneths yeeres as they sound it were not sutable unto an enigmatical stile In which two things are to be gathered First that this place serves not at all for to establish the common opinion of Antichrists reigning for three yeeres and a halfe whereas the Patrones thereof doe hence chiefly build upon Secondly that our interpreters who take not the numbers of dayes moneths or yeeres according to the letter but understand them eyther of Sabbath-moneths or propheticall dayes definite or indefinite The fourth opinion of fourty two indefinite moneths Act. 1 7. doe no way stray from the aenigmatical stile of the Revelation Bullinger therefore most of our interpreters considering that the method and drift of this prophesy is chiefly to enlighten us somewhat in the future events of the Church but not that we should dare define precisely the moments seasons which the father hath set in his owne power doe thinke that a certaine designed time indeed of Antichristian persecution is noted yet left unto us uncertaine so far as concernes the termes to wit all that which is reckoned from those fatall 666 yeeres mentioned Chap. 13. unto the last judgement For confirmation of which opinion two reasons are brought One that in Chapter 13.6 this self same number of 42 moneths is attributed unto the first beast that is to the Romane Empire of which we shall speak afterward The other because Daniel Christ our Lord Paul the Apostle doe joyntlie teach us that Antichrists persecution shall endure unto the day of judgement the yeere or day wherof no man can certainlie determine Demonstr p. 108. Abbat also before spoken of after many things at last assents to this opinion I saith he doe willinglie consent to them who suppose that by a defined number of moneths and yeeres a certaine time indeed is appointed of God but not so expressed by the very period of the numbers as to be discerned by the Church before hand but numbred and circumscribed by the counsell and providence of God alone and can not be knowen unto us but by the event accomplishment of them The which opinion seeing as yet I find no other more probable I also far the present will follow to wit that the time of treading down is defined by XLII moneths a finite number beeing put for an indefinite not as if it were not definite and certaine to God But because it remaines to us indefinite that is we cannot at the present determine of the certaine time It is circumscribed by a few moneths that the faithfull in their tribulations might bee encouraged unto patience knowing that their troubles shall not continue overlong but as it were onely for a few moneths Againe it is enlarged unto 1260 dayes to shew us that we are to prepare not for trials of some few dayes or yeeres onely but resolve to be constant unto the end I confesse there are many things by some alledged to the contrarie The difficulties against the fourth opinion answered Gen. 31.7 Prov. 24.16 Matt. 18.22 but with little ground They say that the scripture doth never put a finite number for an indefinite but the contrarie appeares by Iacobs speach to Laban Thou hast changed my wages ten times And Solomon The just man falleth seven times And Christ Thou shalt forgive thy brother not seven times onely but seventy times seven c. They say in other places of this booke an uncertaine number is not put for a certaine as Chap. 12.6 The woman shall be in the wildernes 1260 dayes And Chap. 13.5 The beast shall rage XLII moneths And Chap. 20. Satan shall be bound a 1000 yeeres So in Ieremie 29.10 After 70 yeeres ye shall returne out of Babylon Therfore also the number in this place is not uncertaine I answer in the first place that the number is not uncertaine to God although it be so to us for the present Secondly there is a dissimilitude of places now touching these severall numbers taken out of the Revelation we shall speake of them hereafter The seventie yeeres of the captivity are so circumscribed as that they could not bee uncertaine the
Testament is the multitude of them that professe the faith of Christ in every place In the former sense the Woman or Church is and alwayes shal be the onely spouse of Christ and never so degenerate as to become Antichrists strumpet neither did this Church appeare unto John 2 Tim. 2.19 for God knowes who are his But she appeared in the latter sense here indeed in this place like unto a chast matrone but in Chapter 17 as a great whore But how then is she the same I answer she is the same in name but not in deed in profession but not in faith in appearance but not in truth In the same sense that Ierusalem is called a holie city as in Psal 122.3 and a harlot as Isai 1.21 At the first in the Apostles time a while after the whole Christianity of the East and West was as a chast matrone clothed with faith holinesse as with the starres just so as she here appeared But after the decease of the Apostles and Apostolical men she keept not long the chastitie of an undefiled matron Lib. 3. hist cap. 32. as in Eusebius is testifyed by Egesippus a most ancient writer untill at length possessing the mountaines of Rome changing her starlike habit into scarlet she sate on the Beast and degenerated into a common strumpet as she appeared Chap. 17. Indeed the Romish parasites stronglie cry out to the contrary that the true Church of Christ such as was Rome according to the Apostles testimonie cannot fall away that the spouse of Christ cannot degenerate The which is true of the Church of the first borne the onely and true spouse of Christ but of every Church of the called or of every particular Church it is false as besides very manie testimonies the particular Churches of Corinth Galatia Ephesus Philippi c. confirme for howsoever every one of them of old was a true Apostolicall Church and spouse of Christ Yet at this day where are they or what manner of Churches are they become Now what wonder is it though the same hath happined to Rome although in a different condition but let us return to the text The woman therefore or Church appeares as a chast mother in heaven although she warreth here on earth Phil. 3.20 yet her conversation Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 administration is through faith with Christ in heaven Clothed with the sun For by faith and baptisme she puts on Christ the sun of righteousnes as a wedding garment Gal. 3.17 The brightnes of the sun is now indeed darkned with the cloudes of the infirmities and calamities unto which the Church is subject during her warfare in this life but at last this clothing of hers shall fullie shine as it is in Matt. 13.43 The righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdome of the Father Ephes 5.27 and the Church shal be presented to Christ her husband glorious in the heavens and purged from every spot and wrinkle Having the moon under her feet This denotes the variable state of the Church in this world Heca lib. 4. c. 8. Aug. Epist 48. ad Vincent as also her high mindednesse For the Church saith AMBROSE hath her often defects and risings like the moon having not her own brightnes but borrowes her light from Christ as the moon doth from the sun So AVSTIN The Church is sometimes darkned and as it were clothed with the multitude of scandals sometimes she appeares quiet and free by the tranquillity of the time otherwhile shee is covered and troubled with the floods of tribulations and temptations In Psal 10 And againe The moon increasing decreasing signifies the Church because so far as the Church is spirituall she shineth but so far as she is carnal she is obscure As therefore the moon appeares in diverse formes in the firmament The condition of the Church is variable in this world so is the Churches condition diverse in this life sometimes shining in ful light otherwhile she is scarcely to be seen and sometimes not at all untill again her light break forth as out of darknes This serves for the confutation of that Popish fiction which is that the Church shall alwayes be as visible in the world as is the kingdome of Naples or the like Moreover in that the Woman hath the moon under her feet what is it but that she despiseth all sublunary earthlie things as vaine and perishing The moon under the feet of the woman seekes after possesseth in Christ the thinges that are above And a crown of twelve stars on her head This denotes the faith of the Apostolicall Church the profession whereof was as a crown unto her head For the Apostles being twelve in number did like bright shining stars spread forth the light of Gods truth over the world 1 Cor. 5.11 Ephes 2.10 For however Paul and Barnabas were afterward added unto them yet the number of 12 remained even after Iudas fell away These by their ministery did set a crown upon the Church by laying the foundation upon which she is builded Or in the head that is in the beginning of the Church they did shine like stars and principal members thereof And thus a certaine interpreter expounds it Others make the twelve stars to be the heads of the Creed because faith is the crown of the Church and in them are contained the cheife points of Christian religion Thus much of her clothing Hence we are to observe while the woman did shine clothed with the Sun The church hath changed her sun like clothing into purple had the Moon under her feet and a crown of stars on her head so long she remained the undefiled spouse of Christ but after she put on in stead of the Sun purple and scarlet then she left off from trampling the moon under her feet begane to follow after earthly things changed her crown of stars into a crown of gold pearls precious stones In a word then she played the harlot sate on the Beast and became the mother of fornications which things are afterward described in Chap. 17. Let the reader diligently compare the description And she being with child cryed Most Greek copies have it in the present tense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cryeth so also Andreas and the greater lesser copies of Robert Stephanus But Montanus and the old version have it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cryed and so Beza in his latter edition The sense is one But I rather take it in the present tense because the proprietie of the stile denotes the Evangelist John to be author of this booke unto whom this kind of Enallage or change of tenses is verie familiar both in his Gospel and Epistles For paine Our Wafer-worshippers cannot tell how to applie this to the Virgine mother for they hold that Marie was delivered without paine grounding this on another false opinion viz. that she was free from the stain
of original sin but neither of these opinions can be of faith because neither of them are grounded on the word of God The virgins conceiving indeed was miraculous But her bringing forth was natural for by the opening of the wombe she brought forth her first born son Luk. 2.23 But whither a natural delivery can be without paine I leave to naturalists Neither is it needfull to define that with danger August Enchirid. cap. 59. the which without any danger a man may bee ignorant of The type represents the usuall order of nature wherby women being in labour to be delivered are commonly pained the which Christ confirmes John 16.21 And indeed the sorrow of child bearing at first was imposed on the woman by God as a punishment of her sin Gen. 3.16 I will multiply thy sorrowes c. Hence the scripture compares vehement and inevitable anguishes unto the paine of a woman in travel which the Greekes call by a peculiar word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sorrowes and to be in sorrow If therfore the scripture hath defined childbearing to be with paine then we cannot without danger bee ignorant thereof So then this type signifies that the Woman or Church shall not bring forth her fruite without labour sorrow and much crying The which is to be referred partlie to the labour and care of the ministrie and partly to the troubles and calamities of persecutions hence the Apostle traveling in birth of the Corinthians cryes out not without griefe Even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst 1 Cor. 4.11 and are naked and are buffeted and have no certaine dwelling place we are made the filth of this world and are the of scouring of all things unto this day In stripes 2 Cor 6.5 7.5 in imprinsonments in tumults in labours and watchings on every side we are troubled without were fightings within were feares So likewise he speakes of the declining Galatians My little children saith he Gala. 4.19 of whom againe I travel in birth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 untill Christ be formed in you So then we se that the birth and propagation of the Church shal be with great troubles cares sorrowes and crying the which thing Christ foretold us saying The world shall rejoyce but yee shall mourn And the Apostle Ioh. 16.20 2 Tim. 3.12 All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution Now by that which followeth it will appear that by this sorrowfull travel of the woman are chiefly prefigured the miseries persecutions punishments and martyrdomes which Christians should afterwards suffer under tyrants yet not to terrify but to comfort them for wheras the world thought by these things to suppresse the Church she should though with paine most fruitfully bring forth and bejond all expectation increase far and nere 3. And there appeared another signe The first signe or wonder was a woman The second followes viz. a Dragon is seen by Iohn in heaven of a terrible shape not in that starrie heaven where Astronomers place the Dragon with the signe Ophiuchus or Esculapius but in that heaven which the Apostle speakes of where principallities powers and spirituall wickednesse doe rule 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is in the regions of the aire above us as the Apostle himself declares it Ephes 2.2 unlesse perhaps this signe appeared in the utmost heaven beeing opened A great Dragon Of an huge bignesse and strength for a Dragon is an old Serpent who by devouring of many serpents at last becomes a Dragon according to the saying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If a serpent doth not eat a serpent he shall never be a Dragon He is said to be a red Dragon to denote his cruel blood thirstie nature as beeing wholie red with the blood of the Saints Others thinke he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fierie for it may either way be translated to denote his fierie and hellish condition but I rather approve the former Having seven heads Hence Ribera saith it is manifest that these things belong unto the time of his fained Antichrist But he deceiveth and is deceived as thinking Dan. 7.8 that these are the heads and the hornes of the fourth Beast mentioned in Daniel whose little horne tipeth out Antichrist As if the Beast with his heads hornes there spoken of were yet to be expected and not already come long agoe The Dragon here hath nothing common with the Beast in Daniel besides the ten hornes yet it shal neither be this Dragon nor the Beast in Daniel but passing by this let us more narrowly consider the monstre Poets have fained a terrible monstre called Hydra Lernaea not much unlike unto this Dragon in shape having a huge body and nine heads Hydra Lernaea vide Apollod Bibl. lib. 2. eight whereof were mortal the middlemost immortal the killing whereof they ascribe to the second labour of Hercules Now the monstre here spoken off How the Dragon Beast differ differs from the following Beast in that the Dragon hath crownes on his head the Beast on his hornes so that the heads and hornes in this place doe not signifie the same thing there as we shall see herafter Thus there is some difference betwixt the Dragon and the Beast yet their likenesse is great for the Dragon begate the Beast even as like begets its like Who this Dragon should be is very plain by the epithites for he is called that Old Serpent the Devil Satan ver 9. Chap. 20.2 who is known of all to be that enemy of mankind He is represented in the form of a serpent both because in likenesse of a serpent he seduced our first parents as also because of his rage cruelty against the Church and lastly because of his poyson wherwith he infecteth the world The heads and hornes of the Dragon are the devils instruments ministers of his furie against the Woman In that the crownes are said to be on his heads not on his hornes it argues that the heads denote the chiefe instruments of the Dragon armed with regal authority But the hornes inferiour and vulgar yet armed The crowned heads therfore of the Dragon are kings and tyrants persecuting the woman The hornes Who are the heads and hornes of the Dragon are officers under them as governours captaines soldiours hang-men and the like by whom they exercise their crueltie like as the head of a beast doth push with his hornes Seven heads indefinitely for many as before the seven spirits seven lampes c. For a sevenfold number is allwayes indefinite except it bee restrained as afterward it is where it is said that the seven heads of the beast are the seven mountaines of the woman or Rome SO THE TEN HORNES indefinitelie are verie many because there are more inferiour executioners and murtherers then kings Among the heads of the Dragon Herod the Ascalonite is worthelie reckoned in the first place as first labouring to
Earthquake Chap. 6.14 the mountaines and Islands too are said to be removed out of their places in an allegoricall sense but not to have fled and vanished away as in this place Now after what manner Antichrist removeth the Mountaines and Islands both civilly and ecclesiastically we have there declared 21. And there fell great haile of a talent waight The fourth kind of signes are on men haile of a talent weight falling on the heads of the ungodly In men It is an allusion unto the seventh plague of Egypt where haile mingled with fire very grievous such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a Nation Ex. 9 24. smote all that was in the field both man and beast and broke every herbe and tree of the field We read also of another grieyous kind of haile when great stones from Heaven fell on the Canaanites and slew more of them then did the sword of the Israelites Ioshua 10.11 But the foresaid was nothing in respect of this which shall be of a talent waight that is he will cast downe haile like to huge Bullets of an hundred pound such as a strong man is hardly able to move much lesse escape without being hurt or killed if they fall on his head Thus I rather take the talent for our hundred pound weight then for the money talent of 60. or 80. Minas as Luther hath rendred it the Greekes indeed call any thing that is great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Talentary This haile fell on men yet not on all men but onely upon blasphemers as the effect sheweth for their punishments are here alone described whereas the godly shall be as free from this haile as were the Israelites of old so that it notes the dreadfull destruction of the ungodly which shall be as terrible as if haile of an hundred pound weight fell on them and crushed them to pieces And who knows but that this very thing shall be litterally accomplished for touching the signes of the last day nothing must be thought incredible And men blasphemed God A horrible effect of the plague The wicked being crushed by the haile after the example of the Aegyptians and Canarnites will cry as before to the Mountains fall us and to the hills cover us c. wishing that they might perish and bee consumed by the same but they shall onely be smitten therewith their plague not being ended in one day but shall bee tormented for ever and ever as we heard before in Chap. 14.11 Therefore being turned into furious rage they shall blaspheme and accuse the LORD as it were of cruelty as having lost all hope of being ever freed from the torment of the haile Therefore hee saith They blasphemed God because of the plague of the haile for the plague thereof was very great The which is a briefe description of the eternall torments of the Reprobates who will never repent of their wickednesse Because of these blasphemies Brightman supposeth that the end is not here spoken of for then saith he the wicked shall themselves subscribe to the sentence of the Law and say Amen unto the same But wee are to minde that howsoever they shall inwardly indeed subscribe as being convinced in their consciences that they suffer justly yet outwardly with their tongues they will never cease to poure out blasphemies against Gods administrations for if they feared not to breake forth this way against him while they lay under temporall plagues what wonder is it then if they doe the like or more when they shall bee tormented with the last plugue of the haile that is in hell for ever Thus we see that the fife Vision endeth with the end of the world The PREFACE to the Sixt VISION Touching the Iudgement of the great Whore contained in CHAP. XVII XVIII XIX THe sixt Vision comprehended in Chap 17.18.19 is a supply and gives light to the foregoing Visions especially to the third fourth and fift as far as concernes the two latter Acts which treated of Antichrist of these I say it is as it were a plaine Commentary so that wee may no longer doubt but Rome is certainly the seat of Antichrist and that the Pope of Rome is the very Antichrist figured out and revealed in this prophesie In the third and fourth Vision Iohn saw a monstruous beast rising out of the bottomlesse pit and the Sea Chap 11 7 Chap 13 1 having seven heads and ten hornes which killed the two witnesses made war with the Saints c. now there it was somewhat obscure what should be signified by this monster But here the whole mystery of the beast is explained viz. who he is who his heads are his horns In the fourth Vision also he saw a woman ready to be delivered Chap 12 8 9 10.11 12 16 whom the Dragon immediately persecuted and caused to flie into the wildernesse out of the sight of men here now he rehearseth how in stead of the woman formerly hanished he saw another viz. a whorish woman clothed in scarlet and sitting on a beast and that this woman is the great citie on seven hills the Queen of cities and Empresse of the world that is Rome In the said Visions chap 11 7 chap 14 8 he made mention of the great city Babylon whose destruction was proclaimed by the second Angell here he prophetically fores heweth that that great Babylon is Rome and that it shall at last be burnt with fire even by the hornes themselves of the beast that is by such Kings who before gave their authority unto her In the fift Vision he saw the great citie divided into three parts chap 16 19 cap 18 29 and overthrown by a great earthquake Here by a propheticall demonstration he more plainly describeth the fatall ruine thereof In the foresaid Vision the sixt viall being poured out he saw the kings of the earth and of the whole world gathered together by three unclean spirits chap 16 14 chap 19.11 to war against God Almighty in defence of the Beasts kingdom Here excellently he describeth the batell it self and the dreadfull issue thereof the victory of Christ and the casting of the beast and all his confederates into the Lake of fire By all which it is manifest in the first place that this vision as I said doth give a most clear light to the things before yea to the whole Revelation Secondly that the scope and use indeed of this vision in generall is to terrifie the adversaries that they might not be lifted up The use of this Vision because of their prosperity and presume against the church in hope allwayes to escape unpunished as also to comfort the godly least being offended with the present outward lustre and power of Antichrist and overcome by their manifold calamities they should faint under the same but in hope of a happy issue persevere constantly under the crosse fighting the good fight of Faith against the heast
and holding Faith and a good conscience unto the end But the speciall use thereof is clearely and manifestly to set forth to the world Antichrist and his seat For in regard the son of perdition shall sit in the Temple of God and by a pretended divine shew and lying signes bewitch the world so as he shall be thought not to bee Antichrist but rather christs Vicar and his kingdome the Catholicke Church Therefore the spirit of God would once for all unmaske him and by his owne finger as it were shew that Rome is his seat to the end that we might not suffer our selves any longer to be deluded by impostors as if we were to seeke for Antichrist at Ierusalem Babylon or elsewhere Thirdly It is not obscure unto what times this vision belongeth The angell distinguisheth the age of the Beast by four periods of time in which he was or had bin in which he was not in which he shall ascend out of the bottomlesse pit and lastly in which he shall goe into destruction The first denotes the time in which the Beast was before Iohns time To what times this vision belong so farre as concerned the Monarchicall power although hee were not as yet the Antichrist The second denotes Iohns time and foreward along till the Emperour Phocas even so long as the Beast as yet was not that which afterward hee came to bee The third is the time from Antichrists rising under the foresaid Phocas so long as the Papacy stood in its vigor and strength untill the declining therof through Luther for then the beast was ascended out of the bottomlesse pit The fourth is from the declining untill the future destruction for from that time forward the Papacy began and still by little and little doth goe into perdition of which Bellarmine himself complaineth from that time Lib. â— de P R â—p 21 col 9â—7 c saith he that you began to make the Pope Antichrist his dominion hath bin so far from encreasing as that it hath more and more decreased The which he truly said in a propheticall way because in that yeere the Popes Legate was sent unto Paris to disturb the kingdom of France notwithstanding the first part of his Speech is not true for the Pope long before our time was reputed known to be antichrist as before we have proved Hence fourthly it appeareth that this beast is the same with that in Chap. 11.7 Chap. 13.1 yet not absolutely for so far as this here was before his rising out of the bottomlesse pit and the Sea in that respect indeed and so far forth he is not that Antichrist there but denotes the monarchicall power of the Romane Empire and so his originall extends it selfe unto the first beginnings of the Romane monarchy But againe so far as hee afterward ascended and came under the yoake of the woman hee came to bee Antichrist and so his originall doth belong unto the times of the Emperor Phocas which Wretch did no other good but onely this that he was the first that discovered Antichrist unto the world but of this more largely on ver 3. Fiftly We are also to consider seeing the beast is Antichrist what then should he meant by the woman sitting on the Beast Is shee not the Antichrist yea verily for as a rider with the Beast makes one horseman so here the woman with the beast makes one Antichrist we are therefore to remember that like as in vision fourth C. 13. Antich was figured out not by one but by a double beast in a divers respect so in this sixt Vision he is represented not under one but a twofold figure viz. of a beast and woman yea a woman having the beast under bit and bridle How Antichrist is the woman and the beast And indeed Antichrist is a whorish woman because the Church of Rome as the Angell sheweth is an adulterous church he is also a beast not at liberty as of old but under the yoak of the woman who doth not lead the beast but rides on him and constraines him as with a sharp bit to go whither she pleaseth for the Pope hath two bodies holding the bridle of the Empire And thus Boniface VIII as a filthy beast did publickly shew himself in the first Iubile at Rome appearing indeed in the first day of the solemnity in his pontificalibus and imparting his apostolicall benediction unto the people but the day following in a souldiers habit with the Emperors armes and a naked sword before him crying aloud from his throne Lib 8 saxon cap 36 Behold here are two swords The which Cranzius recording Thou seest saith he O Peter thy successour and Thou O Saviour Christ behold thy Vicar Behold to what pride the servant of thy servants come And in the margent The Pope saith he acteth a twofold peâ—â—â— in the theatre of the Jubile My Anonymus calles the beast Antichrist the wife spouse church of Antich which comes to one thing Lastly The foure Acts of the sixt vision I serve that this sixt Vision is not universal touching the whole course and time of the church as were the second third and fourth but more particular touching the history of Antichrist only yet much more clearer then all the other For it most plainely represents the rising of Antichrist from his first Parentage as it were together with his seat Kingdome vassalls successe and tragicall destruction Now however it be particular as is the fift notwithstanding it is not like that distinguished by two Acts onely but manifestly by foure In the first Act Antichrist is exhibited to the view of all men under the Image of a Whore riding on a Beast and the whole mystery thereof is opened Chapter 17. The second Act by a propheticall description represents the burning of Babylon or Rome together with the sorrow and mourning of Antichristians for the same Chap. 18. In the third Act the heavenly companies do after each other declare the just judgements of God and the mariage of the Lamb. Chap. 19. to verse 11. Lastly the fourth Act is a full manifestation of the Vision declaring the last battle of the beast and the kings of the earth in Harmageddon against Christ and the issue thereof the beast with all his assistants is throwne into the lake burning with fire and brimstone from the eleventh verse unto the end of the Chapter And thus much of the Preface CHAPTER XVII The Argument Parts and Analysis A whorish woman is shewed unto Iohn sitting on a Beast at which he wondring the mystery thereof is unfolded first who the beast is secondly who are the seven heads and ten hornes thereof And their unhappy fight against the Lambe who afterward fight more prosperously against the whore herself Lastly it is declared who the woman is The Parts of the Chapter are three I. THere is a generall Preface shewing the occasion and Argument of the whole Vision ver 1.2 II. The Vision
vertue of their Ancestours and are rather Apostaticall then Apostolicall Rome therefore and Popery is a wildernesse not properly for the former is a policie Lib. 4. chronol â— 553 and the latter containes many Common-wealths but spiritually the true Church being vanished thence like as a wildernesse is remote from mens eyes and in which the adulterous Church hath succeeded the true of this see Chap. 12.14 see also Hieron ad Algasiam Quest 11. I saw a wom in sitting on a Beast A monstrons vision A woman being of the weaker Sex and trembling as it were at the sight of a mouse how she should not then be afraid of so cruell a Beast But she mounts on the beast guides and sets him forward The holy Ghost hereby intimating that this woman being stirred up by the infernall spirits did with more then humane audacity climbe upon and bring this beast under the yoake Now let us briefly consider who this woman is who the beast and what the sitting on the beast doth signifie That this woman is Rome is so clearly declared by the Angell The woman is Rome that the Iesuites dare no more deny the same For Ribera howsoever on this place he seeks to shift off the matter and altogether passeth by verse 18. In Apoc. c. 17. se 5. cap. 14.33 et seq yet he denies not but that as before under the name of a Cay so here under the name of a woman Babylon is spoken of Now that Babylon denotes Popish Rome wee have before clearely proved Bellarmine howsoever he jestingly contendeth that Ierusalem shall be the Seat of Antichrist yet at length he granteth that Rome Lib. 3. de p R c. 13 yea Popish Rome is the scarlet coloured whore to be burnt by the Kings but he miserably intangles himselfe for if Popish Rome be the purpled whore and the same whore is that great Babylon which certainly is the Seat and habitation of Antichrist then Popish Rome must needs be Antichrists seat which notwithstanding both the Iesuites deny Neither doth that fiction helpe them viz. that Popish Rome shall be burnt by the ten Kings before the comming of Antichrist and therefore cannot possible be Antichrists Seat for this Fiction is not onely contradictory to it selfe but is greatly reproachfull to the Pope also First it is inconsistent Inconsistent because thus the whore should have bin burnt before she had committed fornication with the Kings and inhabiters of the earth and before she rode on the beast Antichrist that is she should be punished before she had sinned whereas the cause of her burning and punishment must necessarily goe before her punishment Now the only cause of Babylons judgement shal be her Antichristian whoredome and riding on Antichrist that is her Antichristianisme Rome therefore shall commit Antichristian fornication and bee the Seat of Antichrist before it be burnt Secondly And opprobrious to the Pope and cardinalls Nothing can be imagined more contumelious against the Pope then this Fiction for if Popish Rome is to bee burnt for her Antichristian sornication then of necessity the Jesuites must confesse one of these two things Either that the Pope doth or shall give to drink the wine of Antichristian fornication to the Kings of the earth for this cannot be understood of any other whoredome and so the Pope now is or shall be the Antichrist Or that the Pope with his Cardinalls shall some time or other be taken with such a Lethargy of Prophannesse and be so carelesse in their office as to suffer the wine of the Babylonish fornication to increase in their Citie and Church and then to be given unto the Kings of the earth Now could this cursed wine grow in Rome except the Pope and Cardinalls were the Authors and furtherers thereof And by whom if not by themselves should it from Rome be proffered unto the kings of the earth Let them therefore take which of these two they will and it must necessarily follow that Rome is Antichrists seat and the Pope Antichrist Thus much touching the woman The summe of the mystery is this The woman as she is a woman is the Church see Chapter 11.1 as she is whorish the false and adulterous Church as she to scarlet coloured making the Kings and inhabitants of the earth to drinke of the wine c. she is the universall Church giving the law to all as shee rides on the Beast The sum of the mystery of the Raâ—â—ish whâ—re the Antichristian Church armed with both swords as she sits on seven mountaines she denotes the adultorous Catholicke Antichristian Romane Church Touching the beast the adversaries doe wonderfully contradict themselves in their writings Ribera makes the beast to be the devil reigning or the kingdom of the devill but it s a false glosse and were it true it would no way salve the Pope and Rome First This beast as not the devill reigning this beast was not yet in Iohns time but was to ascend out of the pit but the kingdome of the devill was in his time most cruelly exercised by the Romane tyrants against the godly Christ indeed destroyed Satans kingdome so far as concerned spirituall violence but not as yet in respect of civill tyranny This beast therefore is not the kingdom of the devill or the devill reigning Secondly the Dragon and the beast are not the same for the Dragon gives his throne to the beast And the beast receives his authority from the Dragon In their punishment also they are distinguished as is manifest by comparing Chap. 19.20 with Chap. 20.10 Now the dragon is the devill that old serpent The beast therefore is not the devill Thirdly this beast so far as he comes up out of the pit is the same mentioned in Chapter 11.7 who is there said to ascend out of the bottomlesse pit and Chap. 13.1 out of the Sea Therefore hee saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which thou sawest to wit before Chap. 11. 13. but that beast was Antichrist And therefore this also The major Ribera labours to disprove by a grammaticall reason because the beast in Greeke is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without an article not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so the woman 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with an article that we might understand saith he that here the woman and beast are brought in which were not before but this reason is vaine and of no validity for by that which went before it is plaine why the article is not put before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the woman viz. because in the first verse he had with a double article called her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that great whore Therefore it was not needfull here againe to repeat the article And in that he cals the beast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it doth not argue him to bee a divers beast from the former for though the article be ommitted yet
is observeable it properly signifies gilded Now Instruments are commonly gilded thereby to deceive outwardly appearing to be gold when as inwardly they are scarse Copper It notes the hypocrisie of this whore shewing that with vaine and idle shaddows she shall deceive the world Here Ribera sends us backe unto the Ancient Romanes Conquerours of all Nations who brought the riches of the world into their City Notwithstanding he acknowledgeth that these things are also to be referred to future times Indeed be had said more rightly if to the time some while past and present for as yet the woman hath not put off her whorish habit Secondly the Instrument in her hand is a golden Cup which she presented to the Kings and Inhabitants of the earth The whorish inticemants of Antichrist are noted much like the description in Proverbs 7. for cups serve to stir up lust This golden cup are the golden titles of the Pope by which hitherto he hath perswaded the world to drinke the wine of his fornication namely that he is Pope the Father of Fathers the Pastor of Pastors the most holy father Holinesse Christs Vicar Peters Successour the head of the Church Spouse Foundation Prince of priests Apostolicall Bishop lib 2 de P R cap 13. Vniversall Ruler of the Citie and world c. from all which Bellarmine labouring to demonstrate that the Pope is an Ecclesiasticall Monarch of the whole world what doth he but hence uncover the whores nakednesse But now what was within her Full of abominations and filthinesse of her fornication Outwardly she is gold inwardly poyson he understands the filthy blasphemous doctrines and detestable Romish abominations and wickednesses with which the whore hath made drunke the Christian world The Prophets call the worshipping and trusting in Idols and creatures which God abhorreth Abomination because it is the foulest fornication drawing with it all kind of impurity and wickednesse And indeed the Romish Strumpet hath poured these deadly poisons out of her bewitching cup. Ribera doth againe send us backe to heathenish Rome who induced the nations under them to serve their Idols Euseb lib 2 histor cap 2 Tertull. in Apol ca 5 But the contrary is true for the Romanes were so far from forcing the Nations they conquered to forsake the worshipping of their own Gods and embrace theirs as that they would have all strange gods erected set up at Rome lest any of them should not be there worshipped Christ onely excepted whose worship the Senate rejected at the perswasion of Tiberius because he had not first approved of the same Popish Rome therefore it must needs be which to this day holdeth this Circean cup in her hand 5 And upon her forehead a name written The third note openly setting forth the filthinesse of the woman is her name which she carries written upon her forehead that by the very sight thereof she may allure every one shee meetes with to commit folly with her It sheweth that this publicke Strumpet is most impudent as shewing her name openly to the world MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF FORNICATION c. It is a question whither or no the word MYSTERY be spoken of the name If it be it bewrayes the profession of the whorish kingdome which chiefly is imployed about Mysteries Sacraments Ceremonies Pompes it shall be I say an ecclesiastical Monarchie having both swords Notwithstanding Andreas joynes Mysterie with the name written as it were appositively A name written Mystery that is having a mystery in it or beeing mysticall for Rome is Babylon the great not properly but mystically as before it was called Sodome Egypt Hierusalem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by a spirituall Allegory because of likenesse in idolatry blasphemies abominable filthinesse and tyranny against the Saints Thus Anonymus 260. yeers agoe Babylon the great the city Rome or the Papall Court This woman is called a Mother in imitation of the former but very unlike in respect of issue for the first was mother of the man-child caught up unto God or of blessed Confessours and Martyrs This is the mother of fornication and abomination of the earth for all the abominations that have reigned these thousand yeeres in the Christian world have by this mother beene sowed and brought forth and propagated And therefore Rome doth to this day glory in the name of Mother of Churches neither is it to be admired that her daughters as heires of their mothers abominations and fornications should be followers of her steps But as for the reformed Churches in Germany France Brittane Poland and Hungary who in these latter ages worship God and Christ the onely Saviour without Idols they are so farre from acknowledging this whore for their mother as that they detest her abominations with all their hearts and flee from them 6 And I saw the woman drunken We have seen the habit and forehead of the woman Now he shewes us her belly also swollen not with wine but with blood which againe is very monstrous for as it was unnaturall for a woman to ride on the backe of a cruell beast so it is no lesse horrid to consider the cruell mind of this woman her belly full of blood by which nothing undoubtedly is signified but her unsatiable cruelty and bloodthirstinesse Of this drunkenesse thus my Anonymus because saith he Antichrists Church being finally condemned for her wasting and abusing the goods of the Church shall suffer so great vengeance as through paine she shall be past feeling like a drunken man Therfore he thinkes that she is said to be drunke because of her astonishment beeing like a drunken man without sense or feeling of her punishment But because she is expresly said to be drunken with blood it is certainely to bee understood of her cruelty against the Saints and Professours of the Gospell Which Anonymus adding in the following words Of the blood saith he of them who feare not to professe the doctrine of the Gospell in spite of the whole Colledge of Antichrist Therefore she is said to be drunke that is full of blood The belly of the woman filled with blood by a metaphor usuall to the scriptures taken from men drunken and enraged with strong wine But with whose blood Of the Saints and Martyrs of Iesus Against whom the Beast made war Chap. 13. and whom he slew Chap. 11. Ribera acknowledgeth that this agrees to no City so well as to Rome yet hee labours againe to send us to Nero Domitian Diocletian and other Persecutors of Christians but absurdly for how should the Emperours be the woman Or how should this woman drunken with blood whose judgement is next joyned with the judgement of the Beast and shall be accomplished at the end of the world be Ancient Rome which hath not for thirteen hundred yeeres shed any blood of the Saints but hath ceased to be What Mystery also should be applyed to old Rome certainely this mysticall name is as absurdly written by the
Papists on the foreheads of Romane Tyrants as if they made Alexander the Great Priest of Cybele The cruelty therefore of Papall Rome horriblie exercised above six hundred yeeres hath made the whore drunke But here they will demaund which of the Saints the Popes have killed with their own hands or with whose blood they have bin made drunke As if forsooth the woman be not therefore drunke with blood because shee her selfe hath not with her owne hands made the gallowes swords fires and other deadly weapons wherwith the Saints have bin taken away Histories do witnesse by what cunning endeavours the Romish Antichrist hath stirred up Christian Kings and Princes to rage even against their owne bowells and those chiefly whom under the name of Waldenses Albigenses Leonists Wiclevists Hussites Lutheranes and Hugonots they condemned as Heretickes because they refused to take in the vemone of her whorish cup. Read the bookes of Martyrs of the French Germanes and English and principally the Acts of the Spanish Inquisition and not to be tedious See Abbat demonstra Antichri Chap. 7. where Bellarmines subtilties touching the future persecution of the Church under Antichrist are refuted Read I say these and thou shalt sufficiently understand the bloody surfet of this whore which to this day wherever she hath any footing doth vomit and breath out cruelties and still thirsteth after more blood and so will untill the heavenly Iudge put an end to her fury And I wondred with great admiration Hitherto the Vision the interpretation followes occasioned by Iohns admiration He wondred with great admiration that is very much But at what was it at the monstrous beast nay this he had seene before At what then Is it at the woman riding on the beast yes verily as at that so also at all other wondrous things in the woman viz. her attire whorish luxury the title on her forehead and bloody drunkennesse Iohn wonders not with an admiration of worship as did the inhabitants of the earth Chap. 13.3 but it was an humane astonishment at so horrid a sight and desire to know the mystery for as yet he knew not what was meant by the woman neither by her riding on the beast The third Part of the CHAPTER The VISION Interpreted 7 And the Angell said unto me Wherefore didst thou marveile I will tell thee the mysterie of the woman and of the beast that carrieth her which hath the seven heads and ten hornes 8 The Beast that thou sawest was and is not and shall ascend out of the bottomlesse pit and goe into perdition 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 when they beheld the beast that was and is not and yet is 9 And here is the minde which hath wisedome The seven heads are seven mountaines on which the woman sitteth 10 And there are seven kings five are fallen and one is and the other is not yet come and when he commeth he must continue a short space 11 And the beast that was and is not even he is the eight and is of the seven and goeth into perdition 12 And the ten hornes which thou sawest are ten Kings which have received no Kingdome as yet but receive power as Kings one houre with the beast 13 These have one minde and shall give their power and strength unto the Beast 14 These shall make war with the Lambe and the Lambe shall overcome them For hee is the Lord of lords and King of kings and they that are with him are called and chosen and faithfull 15 And he saith unto me the waters which thou sawest where the whore sitteth are peoples multitudes and nations and tongues 16 And the ten hornes which thou sawest upon the Beast these shall hate the whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eate her flesh and burne her with fire 17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will and to agree and give their kingdome unto the beast untill the words of God shall bee fullfilled 18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth THE COMMENTARY AND the Angell said to mee Here we have fullfilled the promise hee that seeketh findeth To him that desireth wisedome it shall be given Of old admiration begate Philosophy here it begets prophesie The Angell observing Iohns desire by his countenance doth of himselfe open the mystery to him Why didst thou marveile He blames him not Mat 7 8 Iames 2.5 but shewes his desire to reveale the secret as if he should say I see thou art astonished at the wondrous sight but go to I will open the whole mystery now unto thee The mystery of the woman The old Version The sacrament which Ribera approveth because both words signifie somewhat that is secret and lies hid in another thing And the Church saith he hath seven such Sacraments But why then do they not also reckon the purple and cup of the whore among their sacraments And why did they not render also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mystery in ver 5. by the word Sacrament that so Babylon herselfe might become a sacrament unto them 8. The Beast which thou sawest was and is not The Interpretation of the Beast followeth first of the whole secondly of the parts that is of the seven heads and ten hornes lastly of the woman but aenigmatically touching which perhaps thou maist say as Aristotle said of riddles or deepe sentences Gel lib 20 cap. 4 that they are so published as if they were not at all published so this Vision is so expounded as if it were not in the least expounded And so it is neither did it otherwise beseeme the Prophesie Why the explication of the beast is darke It was enough that the spirit did declare the future events by such signes as might not provoke the wicked And by which the godly through continuall searching might attaine some knowledge of the Mysterie Vnto the wicked the matter ought certainely to remaine obscure least foreknowing the events they might furiously presume to hinder the same and their rage bee the more encreased But as for the godly the holy Ghost would stir them up by an aenigmaticall interpretation to the end they should the more carefully attend to the events and histories of their times Notwithstanding all things are not ininvolved with such darke sentences but that he doth bewray with Characters evident enough to such as do not willingly shut their eyes both the beast that his seven heads are the seven hills of the City Rome and the woman that she is the Romane City and Church These Characters therefore are as it were the Touchstone of our interpretation because they will point out unto us as with the finger the beast and the woman To the Beast he ascribes foure conditions or states according to the times He was and is not and shall ascend
serve to his judgements and ends which he intends most holily not only by a generall influence but alwayes by a speciall Hence the wise man she also reacheth from one end unto another Wisd 8.1 mightily and comely doth she order all things These things no man will deny unlesse an Athiest who makes God the governour of the world no other then to be a slothfull or brutish Idol of Fortune See Luther touching the slavish will Chap. 143. III. How these Kings in eating the flesh of the whore and burning her did that which was pleasing to God This Question in regard of our interpretation is of no weight for we have proved that the Kings who before had given their power unto the Beast and all their assistance to the whore did afterward by a certain divine metamorphosis or change repent of the same As therefore they hated the whore according to the revealed will of God so they shall rightly and in obedience to God forsake make naked eat her flesh and burn her with fire according to the commandement of the heavenly voice Goe out of her my people Render unto her double thou shalt overthrow their Idols burne their Images with fire But put case they did not repent and so were not without sin in spoiling burning the whore yet herein they did the good pleasure of God not as it was their act but accidentally for in committing the manifest wickednes which they intended they together executed the secret judgement of God which they intended not Like as the Jews Herod Pontius Pilate in condemning Christ did together Act. 4.8 howbeit wickedly that which the hand and counsell of God had well decreed should be done by them But the former opinion is the better And thus much touching the Questions propounded Now let us return to the Prophesie CHAPTER XVIII The Preface touching the Coherence WE now take in hand to expound the second Act of the sixt Vision touching the lamentable destruction of Babylon the royall Seat of Antichrist that is of Rome The which God is my witnesse I speake not of humane or evill affection against the Pope of Rome or as being lead by a darke conjecture but induced by this divine Prophesie and the clear Demonstration of the foregoing Chapter The Angell did shew unto Iohn in the wildernesse in stead of the woman the chast Mother of the Man-child that is the true Church of Christ a Scarlet-coloured woman a whore drunken with the blood of the Saints sitting on the Beast that is the adulterous Antichristian Church For Ribera though he deny it on Chapter XVII is forced Chap. XIX and XX. where the casting of the Beast into the Lake of fire is described to confesse that this Beast denotes Antichrist Now the Angell had plainly said before that the woman was the great City which in Iohns time had dominion over the Kings of the Earth the which could not be any other City but Rome Of the same it was said that the Ten Kings sworn-unto the Beast who before had imployed their power in defence of his kingdome at length his abominations being discovered and hating his fornication God so governing their hearts should detest the whore forsake uncover eat her flesh and burn her with fire All which considered these things do evidently follow First that Rome is the Seat of Antichrist Secondly that the Pope of Rome is Antichrist Thirdly that Papall Rome before the last judgement shall be miserably burnt and utterly overthrown The First thus Where the purpled woman sits there is Antichrists Seat because shee sits on the Beast which is Antichrist The purple-coloured woman sits at Rome because shee sits on the Seven heads of the Beast which are the Seven Mountaines of Rome Rome therefore is the Seat of Antichrist This deduction the adversaries can no longer deny Onely they dally as if Rome were not yet but should hereafter bee the Seat of Antichrist viz. when Antichrist shall come who thrusting out the Pope shall possesse Rome Which fiction hath often before bin refuted and overthrowes it selfe neither doe the fictions consist That Rome should be the seat of Antichrist and that Rome before Antichrists comming should be burnt by the Ten Kings and that Antichrist is to have his Seat in the Temple at Ierusalem The Second thus He which in the last times possesseth Rome the Seat of Antichrist he is Antichrist The Romish Pope doth now possesse Rome Antichrists Seat Therefore he is Antichrist The third thus Babylon the great City shall be destroyed before the last judgement because after its desolation there shall be godly and ungodly rejoycing and lamenting at the destruction thereof Popish Rome is Babylon the great City Therefore Popish Rome shall be destroyed before the last judgement The Iesuites seeing they cannot deny the assumption would shift it off by their fiction that Rome as yee is not but shall be Babylon hereafter but in vaine as hath appeared The Proposition the XVIII Chapter will illustrate Thus much of the Coherence Now after our wonted manner wee will first lay downe the Argument Parts and Analysis of the Chapter as the Basis or ground of our following Interpretation The Argument Parts and Analysis THis Chapter is an exposition of verse 1. and 16. of the foregoing Chapter touching the judgement and burning of the great whore viz. of the great Seven-hild City Antichrists royall Seat or Rome For the fatall judgement and lamentable ruine hereof is solemnly published from heaven and tragically figured out by an Angell And the godly are commanded speedily to depart from her Afterward the lamentation and mourning of Kings Merchants and Mariners of the Earth because of the losse of their traficke by the ruine of the city is represented by a propheticall Hypotyposis or illustration The Saints on the contrary are commanded to rejoyce because of the divine vengeance Lastly the judgement is confirmed by the Symbole of a milstone cast into the Sea These things are done in order by three Angells Therefore the parts of the Chapter are three The first is the voyce of the first Angell touching the ruine of Babylon ver 3. The second voyce is of the departure of the Godly out of Babylon the mourning of the wicked and joy of the Saints unto ver 21. The third voyce is of the third Angell casting a milstone into the Sea unto the end In the first voyce is first the description of the crying Angell set forth by three adjuncts 1. From of his originall he descends from heaven 2. From of his power which is said to be great 3. From of his forme the earth was lightned with his glory ver 1. Secondly the thing published by the Angell both whose crying is noted as also the two-fold Argument of the cry 1. A sentence touching the destruction of Babylon It is fallen c. which is amplified by three horrible consequences that it is become the habitation of devills the hold of unclean spirits and
in the least to be proved by the Apocryphall History touching Raphael apprehending the devill and binding him in the desarts of Aegypt Iohn therefore saw Christ in the forme of an Angell not falling but descending from Heaven to wit by his Incarnation Eph. 4.10 Ioh. 3.13 Hee that descended is the same also that ascended And no man ascended up to Heaven but he that came downe from Heaven even the son of man which is in Heaven But thou wilt say to what purpose was it that Iohn should see the Incarnation of the Son of God a thing known and past some while before Yea it was to great purpose at least in a word to note the originall of the Authour of so great a worke which then began to be done and which was to continue a thousand yeeres that Satan being restrained from seducing the nations the fullnesse of the Gentiles should come into the Church he therefore saw Christ descending from Heaven that he should bind Satan that is destroy the workes of the devill as other so chiefly that horrible Idolatry and diabolicall worshippings by which Iudea excepted he had hitherto seduced all Nations This end of the Angels descending and this cause of the Dragons binding is plainly declared ver 3. For if Satan should have been permitted to sway any longer among the Gentiles in vaine the Apostles had preached the Gospell unto them Therefore Satan was to be bound that is by the singular power of God restrained that he should no longer bewitch the Nations who by the preaching of the Gospell were to be gathered unto the Church of Christ Now I see no reason why we should leave so cleare and plaine an Interpretation especially seeing such as like not the same alledge nothing more probable or agreeable to the present Type The first birth or beginning of the Church gathered of the Iewes and Gentiles was somewhat more manifestly shewed unto Iohn under the Type of a woman in travell Chapter 12. unto which the History of this Chapter doth much accord as I touched in the Preface of the Vision Having the Key of the bottomlesse Pit Touching this Key and Pit See Chap. 1. ver 18. and Chap. 9.1 The Key of the bottomlesse pit is the power of Hell This Christ hath one way Antichrist another way as was there shewed The Pope hath the same by prevarication How christ the Pope have the keyes of the bottomlesse pit Christ by power given him of the Father The Pope hath it to open the Pit of Hell and thence to draw out the pestilent smoake of his doctrine and the hellish Locusts Christ hath it to shut up the Dragon in the bottomlesse pit A great Chaine That is long and strong enough to bind the most cruell adversarie as the forme of a Dragon Chap. 12.13 shewes him to bee This Chaine doth metaphorically denote the omnipotency of Christ and all other meanes by which he hath bound Satan as his Passion Crosse Death and Buriall Resurrection Ascension the sending of the Holy Ghost and chiefly the doctrine of the Gospell by the preaching whereof Christ hath as strongly bound Satan by destroying and rooting out Paganisme among the Gentiles and converting them to the Faith as when a mightie adversary is bound by the Conquerour with a great chaine 2. And he laid hold on the Dragon What is this but the casting out of the Dragon and his Angels into the earth by Michael as in Chap. 12.9 This Angell therefore and Michael there spoken of is one viz. Christ whose Victory over Satan was there figured out generally that he should no more accuse the Elect in the sight of God but here specially that he should no more seduce the Nations as it is in verse 3. And that we may certainly know that this Dragon is the same whom Michael there did vanquish The same dragon that is here bound was overcome in chap. 12. he is here set forth by the same Titles The old Serpent the devill Satan the reason of which we there expounded Now this so exact a description doth altogether constraine us to understand here by the Dragon none other save the devill and Satan For wherefore should hee be defined with so many names which alwayes in Scripture denote the devill if some other adversary ought to be understood Therefore in this place I can no more subscribe to Brightman who will have this Angell to be Constantine the Dragon Maxentius and Maximinus whom he destroyed for the good of the Church then to Lyra interpreting this Dragon of the Emperour Henry V. being bound with the Chaine of Excommunication by Pope Calixtus bound him This binding saith ANDREAS is the casting downe of the devill which was done by the force of the Lords Passion The binding of Satan for thereby the power of Satan is bound a token of which thing was seene in the destruction and overthrow of the heathenish Idolatry the demolishing of Idolatrous Temples the ceasing of Sacrifices on their Altars and at length the knowledge and obeying the will of God revealed throughout the whole world the sum is It is Christs victory over Satan of which mention is made in the Gospell The Prince of this world is judged Io. 16.11 Luk. 10.18 Ioh. 12.13 I saw Satan as lightning fall from Heaven Now shall the Prince of this world be cast forth But the manner of his binding is more exactly expressed in the following verse 3. And cast him into the bottomlesse Pit That is thrust him as it were fettered into the Infernall Prison And shut him For shut him up locking as it were the bottomlesse Pit that the Dragon might not come forth And set a seale upon him To wit on the doore of the bottomlesse Pit that neither he should breake out or any dare to breake open the prison before the time as the Iews sealed the doore of Christs Sepulchre Mat. 27.66 Dan 6.17 And Darius with his owne Signet sealed the Den of Lions that there might come no deliverance to Daniel save onely from God All these things are spoken after the manner of men to signifie the fullnesse of Christs victory over Satan for by his power and dominion Satan is kept as fast bound as a Malefactor in Prison and shackled by the Iudge An evidence hereof we have often in the Gospell where the devils beseech Christ that he would not send them into the bottomlesse Pit or prison Luk. 8.31 but the end which is added is well to be observed That he should no more seduce the Nation To wit with so free and full sway as formerly he had done The Particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no more is very emphaticall This is the end for which Christ bound Satan that he should deceive the Nations no more Formerly therefore he had freely seduced them now he is bound or hindred from further seducing them that is from hindring any longer the faith and preaching of the Gospell unto the
downe and beleeved because therefore the Holy Scripture is the principle of Christian beleefe with Christians it needs no proof but beliefe Secondly that the scripture is divine and these words of the Angell true and faithfull is beleeved either by divine or humane Faith That it may be beleeved by humane Faith it can bee made out by probable yea forcing Arguments as from the majesty of the matter and style from the consent of this Prophesie with other Propheticall Scriptures But especially from the truth of the Oracles which we know for the most part are fulfilled touching the woman in travell and fleeing into the Wildernesse also of the Beast deceiving the world of false miracles of the great whore making drunke the Kings of the Earth with the cup of her spirituall fornication c. For this is Bellarmines Argument in the foresaid place If the praedictions of Scripture touching future things are true as the event hath proved why should not the testimonies of things present be true And indeed this his saying is alwayes to be retorted against Popish Sophisters demaunding us How we know that the Scriptures are true and divine But that any man should beleeve this with divine Faith cannot possiblie bee effected by outward arguments unlesse God by his spirit doth inwardly perswade the heart For divine Faith is not wrought by humane Arguments but wrought in the heart by the testimony and power of God Lastly by such kinde of cavelling all Authority both of God and man is made a mocke of and all Faith both of God and men is taken away For thus Adam Abraham Moses and the Prophets who heard God to speake might have excepted Who knowes whither it be the voyce of God Thus the Apostles might have shifted off the authority of Christ and Ecclesiasticall men the authority of the Apostles And why then I pray may not we much more the Authority of the Pope Touching humane authorities of Histories and Writers what more easie then to object whence knowest thou that Cicero Aristotle Plinie or Livie wrote these things or ever had a being in nature Thus no Faith should be safe but a meer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or uncertainty shall reigne in divine and humane matters which Satan labours to effect by these his Instruments But we go forward And the Lord God of the Holy Prophets Hee confirmes the truth of the Prophesie from God the Author thereof the faithfullnesse and truth of whose words cannot be questioned The Copulative 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And hath the force of the causal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because He calleth Christ the Revealer of this Prophesie the Lord God of the Prophets as appeareth by the following words sent his Angell for this Christ did as in ver 16. I Jesus have sent my Angell See also Chap. 1.1 XLV Argument of Christs Deity This Argument of Christs Deity is beyond all exception the which Eniedinus the Samosatenian of whom mention hath often above bin made durst not meddle with For if Christ be the Lord God of the Holy Prophets then verily he is the same true and eternall Iehovah with the Father who by his spirit stirred up the ancient Prophets Moses David Isaias Jeremy c. by revealing his Oracles unto them therefore he was yea he was the God of all the Prophets of Moses and Author of the Law These things considered who can imagine that CERINTHUS should write this which he beleeved not but opposed with all his might The difference of the reading is also to be noted which notwithstanding lessens not but confirmes the Argument Andreas and the Kings Copie for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of the Holy Prophets read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of the spirits of the Prophets and so the Old Latine Version hath it that is who of old inspired the Prophets that is Propheticall Revelations The sense comes all to one For therefore he is called the Lord God of the Prophets because by his divine power he moved them to Prophesie His Angell That is Mee For they are the words of the same Angell who hitherto did exhibit by Christs commandement divers Visions unto John That hee might shew to his servants These things have been expounded in the Preface whence they are taken And that in speciall how at the giving of the Revelation such things could be said shortly to come to passe which yet are not altogether fulfilled after so many ages In a diverse respect he saith they should shortly be done I. In respect of eternity unto which all times are but a moment which is short II. In respect of the beginning for the Prophesie began soone after it was revealed and yet is a fulfilling III. In regard of the security of men unto whom all these things have happened and yet daily do quickly that is suddenly and unawares Now thus the Scripture speaketh of all future things that they shall shortly bee done Luk. 12.45 2. Pet. 3.4 to stirre us up to watchfulnesse and care least with the wicked servant we should say My Lord delayeth his comming or with mockers where is the promise of his comming And therefore it followeth 7. Behold I come quickly It is the voyce of Christ the Lord God of the Prophets By this acclamation hee approveth the words of the Angell that the things revealed must shortly be done as if he should say Indeed they shall shortly be done for I come suddenly or I will come to wit unto judgement as in ver 12. For all these things must be done before I come but I will come shortly Therefore they must shortly be done They are no Prophesies which shal not begin to be fulfilled til after many ages even now they begin Therfore now even now there is need of comfort 1. Thes 5.3 or as before shortly that is sooner then men imagine For when they shall say peace and safety then sudden destruction shall come upon them This variation of persons belongs to the forme of dramaticall representations in which divers persons use to be brought in speaking Blessed is he that keepeth He commends the Prophesie from its profitablenesse Now not onely they doe keep the sayings of the Prophesie which diligently search out the accomplishment of them but they much more who conforme their Faith and Life according to the same who worship not the Beast and his Image who detest the whoredoms of the whore flee out of Babylon and lastly who in faith adhere to God and the Lambe This Argument wee have more largely treated of in the Preface Chap. 1.3 whence it is taken Now let it suffice to note that blessednesse in vaine is promised unto the Keepers of the Revelation if it could in no measure bee kept But surely it is not promised in vaine and therefore the Visions of this Booke are not so intricate but that by diligent meditation and observation we may in some measure finde out the understanding of them 8. And I John John also speakes
the comforter 49. The Moon red with blood what it signifies 128. It is the Church ibid. The Moon receives its light from the Sun ibid. The Moon under the feet of the woman 259 The Morning Star 52. 53. Moses his twofold song 368. The Mother of fornications who 41◠Mountains removed 130. They denote Emperors and Christian kings ibid. The Mountain cast into the sea what it noteth 160. MYRIAS what 189. Mysteries of the faith whither four 92. The Mystery of the Angel with the Golden Censer expounded 154. Mysticall famine proclaimed 114. N. NAturall misery of all men 78. The Name of God written on the faithfull 73. The Name of the City of God ibid. The Name of Christ ibid. The Name of God the Father Son and holy Ghost is seldom absolutely expressed in the Revelation 8. The Names of the Elect written in the book of life shall never be blotted out 61. The new Name no man knoweth but he that hath it 46. The Name of the Generall how known unto no man 490. why he hath his name written on his thigh 492. The Names of the Apostles why written on the foundations of the city 561. The Nations that were saved how they are both the city and the citizens 569. The nations possessing the inward court 215. New heaven and the new earth whither taken allegorically or properly 549. 550. The New Jerusalem how it descends from heaven 551. It s originall ibid. Etymologie 560. walles and gates 561. foundations ibid. foursquare figure 562. quantity ibid. it glitters with gold 563. the matter of the gates 566. court ibid. temple 567. light 568. citizens 569. her peace and tranquility 570. glory 571. pleasantnesse 574. puritie and majesty 576. her governour ibid. her felicity 577. The New opinion of some learned brethren touching the thousand yeers examined 510. 511. Nice taken by the Turks 192. Nicolaitans their doctrine 36. 44. What their heresie was according to Antichrists opinion 45. The Nicolaitans openly tolerated in the Church of Pergamus ibid. Number of the Beast what it is 315. The Numeral letters denoting Antichrist whither Greek or Hebrew letters 317. O. OAthes how lawfull 203. Occasion of rejoyceing over Babylons destruction 475. Old and new Romes cruelty against the Godly 471. 472. The Old and new Gogish warre 536. One and the same thing why oftentimes represented under diverse types 109. Open books denote judicial proces 544. Opinion of the Fathers about the said books ibid. Opening of the book what it signifies 98. Opening of the seales 106. Open door what it signifies 65. Christ Opening no man can shut 64. The Open door in heaven what it is 86. OPinions of the Fathers without scripture prove nothing 223. Opinion of the authour touching the book that was closed or shut 96. 97. Opinions about the star fallen from heaven 168. 169. Opinions about the sea-beast 282. 283. Opinions about the book written within without 95. 96. Opinions about the womans flight 275. Opinions touching the trumpet of the sixt Angel 185. Oppression of the Church under Antichrist 106. It came not all at once but by degrees 225. Oracles of the Revelation why for the most part taken out of the old testament 596. Apollos oracle to Augustus 503. Oracles of the Devill wholy ceased at Christs suffering on the Crosse 502. 503. Order of existence betwixt the Father and the Son 7. Order of the tribes not observed 143. Ottoman the Turks first Emperor 186. The Out-spread firmament how created 130. Out of every tribe of Israel how to be understood 142. 143. P. PAngs of the Church in travell 259. The Pale horse diversly interpreted 116 It denoteth the Church being sick even to death toward Antichrists rising 117. The Papacy a filthy sinck of all manner of lies 361. Papacy established in the West and Mahumetisme in the East 124. 125. How Christ the Son of righteousnesse is darkned in the Papacy 127. The Papacy acknowledgeth not Christ for the onely Mediatour 128. The Papacy must be left separated from 484 Papists by their Idolatry draw the armies of the Turks upon Christendome 194. the Papists fable of the two witnesses 221. refuted 222. their opinion of the 2660 dayes refuted 224. the true and safest opinion 225. the Papists crucifie Christ 320. their glosse refuted 356. Papists glory in their multitude objecting to us the paucity of Orthodox Christians 58. Parabolicall declaration of the harvest 361 Parallel of the third and fourth Act 145. Pastors duty 56. They are spirituall Physicians ibid. Patmos where 18. 19. Paul hath set forth Antichrist in his colours 288. The feined Epistle of Paul to the Laodiceans is Apocrypha 74. Peace what it is 7. The Pleasantnes of the caelestial city 574. The Pelagian Heresie 82. 83. Pergamus a city of Troas 22. A Periphrasis of Hell 495. Persecution The first persecution of Christians under Tiberius Nero 5. 19. the second under Domitian ibid. the nine persecutions under the Romane tyrants 110. A new persecution 272. by the ambition and riot of Bishops 273. A new civill persecution by Emperours 273. 274. Antichristian persecution how long it dured 358. Perseverance commended unto us by a consolatory argument 61. Perseverance under the Crosse is to overcome 72. The Pharises being hypocrites were worse then if they had been blinde 70. Philadelphia a city of Mysia 22. 64. Phocas gave the key of the bottomlesse pit unto the Pope of Rome 171. A Piece of Ordnance of incredible bignesse 190. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what kinde of garment it was 24. Polycarpus Iohns disciple 38. The Pope is Antichrist 63. 320. 346. He lifts up himself above Christ 63. Arrogates the title of Vniversall contrary to their own Canons ibid. He impudently assumes to himself what is proper to Christ 64. He deceitfully selleth pardons and heaven for money 78. How he causeth fire to come down from heaven 310. Why he is not expresly named by the holy Ghost 321. He causeth his God to be carried on a white horse 489. The Popes pride 63. He is author of most cruell warres among Christians 129. He not content with his spirituall lightnings draws the temporall sword also against Kings and Emperors 128. His cruelty against the Martyrs 129. He vaunts himself to be Christs Vicar and Monarch of the Church on earth and will be worshipped as God 174. The Pope long since called Antichrist 318. 319. He is the Babylonish Strumpet 320. How he came to be the Eight King 428. He assumed the Augustall title of Pontifex Maximus Which of old was the title of heathenish Emperors 428. 429. He condemneth all for hereticks who oppose his tyrannie and Idolatry 129. Why he would never be present at the Eastern Councils but by Legates 289. His Latine Church 317. Pope Silvester 163. Pope Zachary deposeth Childerick King of France 130. He condemnes married Bishops and Priests as Nicolaitans 45. Popish heathenisme 215. Popish excommunication is that evil ulcer 379. Diverse opinions about the same ibid.
Popish Rome is the woman sitting upon many waters 443. And the seat of Antichrist 444. Popish idolatry is fornication 456. The Powring of the first Viall on the earth 378. Of the second Viall 380. Diverse opinions about it 381. Of the third viall and divers opinions about it 382. Of the fourth Viall 385. Of the fift Viall 388. Of the sixt Viall 390. Of the seventh Viall 398. Power received from the Dragon 298. Six effects of the Beasts power 308. 309. Preachers of Gods word how they inflict plagues 376. Praedestination must be taught though many abuse this doctrine 584 The Praerogative of being the first fruits to God is an allusion unto the first fruits of the Law 336. Praetence of Antichristian tyranny is false 241. The vain pretence of Idolaters 242. Priesthood common to all the faithfull 14. Priscilla a false Prophetesse 49. Priscillian declared an heretick by the Pope 129. The Prison is put for all kinde of torments 40. Priviledges of Antichrists marked ones expressed in the Bull of Pope Martin V. 314. Promises how far they become debts 250. The Prophets and Apostles wrought not miracles by their own power 50. To Prophesie again 208. To Prophesie is to Preach Propheticall and Apostolicall Doctrine 224. A Prophesie of the future condition of the Godly under Antichrist 121. A prophesie found in the house of the Governour Salezianus 440. The Prophesie why sealed 583. A Proverbiall description of the ungodly despairing 133. Punishments of the wicked 251. 252. Purgatory 357. Puritie of the Saints whence it cometh 90. Q. QVadratus a disciple of the Apostles 64. A Question concerning the order of the Revelation 365. Quintilla a false Prophetesse 49. R. REligious worship of Angels expresly condemned in Scripture 9. Religious worship unto the Creature simply denied 582. It being a most horrible unpiety 486. The Reasons of the Angel against the worship of Angels cannot be taken away by Idolaters 486. The Red horse is the Church of Martyrs 110. On whom Christ is said to ride 111. To Render the double to Antichrist how it agrees with Equitie and Justice 461. 462. Remedie of pride 77. 78. Repentance described 34. 49. If true comes never to late 79. Why it is necessary 387. Representation of the state of the Primitive Church 106. Reprobates divided into Eight rancks 555. 556. The Rest of the dead who 517. The Rest of the womens seed who they are 279. Their Epithetes ibid. The Revealing of future things is proper to God alone 3. The Revelation It treateth of future things 5. How Iohn received it ibid. It was written by the Evangelist John ibid. It is an holy canonicall book of divine scripture 6. Containing excellent doctrines precepts and promises of the Churches deliverance and of the marriage of the Lamb 6.7 It hath many phrases proper to it self and excelling 8. Where John saw and wrote the same how and on what day 18. 19. Whither the whole was revealed in one Lords day 20. Revenge in the Saints how it can stand with piety and charitie 461. 462. Reward due and not due 586. Reward of the just is blessednes of the unjust exclusion out of the heavenly city 591. 592. Reward in heaven or degrees of glory may be different seeing there shall be degrees of punishment in hell 71. Rewards propounded unto them that overcome 72. Of whom there are three rancks 249. Ribera taxed 14. 20. His opinion of the four Angels 137. His argument not solid 138. His litterall exposition cannot stand ibid. His opinion of the Angel with the Censer 153. His reasons answered 154. His salving of Papall Rome 346. His eschappatories answered ibid. His new fiction in the Popes behalf refuted 347. His reasons touching Romes falling away examined 348. He commits crimen laesae majestatis against the Pope ibid. Contradicts himself and actuseth the Pope of extreme negligence ibid. His fiction refuted 409. 410. 411 c. His false opinion of the beast refuted 416. With the common opinion of expositors about the same ibid. His quaere why evill spirits rather frequent the deserts then populous places 455. The true cause thereof laid down by the Author ibid. Ribera refuted 514. He refuteth Bellarmins fiction 535. He confesseth the Pope shall be thrust out of Rome 441. A Ridiculous Etymologie of the word Apocalyps 3. The true Etymologie thereof ibid. Rivers and fountains are the breasts of the Sea 383. Romane Legions of how many soldiers they consisted 132. Romane Merchants buy and sell the souls of men 456. 457. Rome had no Epistle sent her from Christ and why 22. She is the calamity and destruction of the Christian Church 215. Her relapse to Paganisme 347. She must be burnt not before but after Antichrists comming 441. Whether Antichrist shall be abolished at Romes burning ibid. The Ruine of Old and New Babylon set forth by the same type 470. Ruine of the tenth part of the great city 245. The Rule of Articles with the Greeks is not alwayes observed 100. 307. 406. 410. 437. The Rule of finall causes 448. Rupertus opinion of the four Angels 136. He by winds understandeth teachers of Christian belief 138. His opinion of the Angel with the Censer 153. S. SAbinian a proud Bishop 127. Sackcloth of hair 127. Signifies Romane traditions 128. The Saints weaknesse at the beholding of the Divine Majestie 25. How farr the Saints may fall away how not 34. The Saints shall with Christ judge the world 104. How they require vengeance on the wicked 120. They may not be called upon neither do intercede for us 122. nor pray for the Church Militant 147. The Papists transform them into tutelar Idols ibid. How the Saints have right to Christ 591. Saladin Emperor of Egypt 190. Saphyr a Gemme of India 564. Saracens invading the provinces of the Romane Empire 186. Sardica a city of Illyria 54. The Sardine its colour and vertue 87. 565. Sardonix 565. Satan His proper domicile 44. He dwelleth in the children of disobedience ibid. His casting down into the earth is mysticall 266. 267. His Epithetes ibid. His action against the Saints 269. Why he was bound 502. 503. How he must be let loose again 505. 531. His twofold attempt 531. The Scripture must be read of all 583. It s twofold effect 584. The Scriptures are authentick and perfect 596. The Sea of Chrystall is the world 90. Diverse opinions about it 91. Why a third part of the sea was turned into blood 160. The Sea swalloweth up the great mountain 161. The Sea out of which the Beast ascended 288. The Sea of glasse is the world of wicked men 368. Why said to be of glasse ibid. The Sea into which the second viall was powred 381. The Sea renewed 551. The Sea-beast who it is according to Pareus 287. Seales their twofold use 97. The generall signification of the seales 107. The Seal of the living God 140. imprinted on the Elect 141. 142. The Sealed ones distribution according to the severall tribes of
Israel is not to be taken litterally 143. The Sealed ones who they were 329. diverse opinions about them 330 The Sealed in Chap. 7. and Chap. 14. compared together 331. The Second death 42. 528. The Second trumpet answereth to the red horse 160. How long the sixt trumpet was to sound 205. Securitie and fear in the Papacy 341. Seducement by signes 310. What it is to Seduce ibid. Separation from the Papacie commanded by God 459. Serpents have Venome in their head and tongue 191. The Seven Churches to whom John wrote 7. The Seven spirits who 9.54 The opinions of Andreas Lyranus and Ribera about the same 9. Seven is a perfect number 10. The Seven stars what they note 25. the Seven sounding Angels 152. 153. Seven put for an indefinite number 202. The Seven Mountains of Rome are the heades of of the Beast 420. 421. The Seventh ttumpet forerunner of the last judgement 247. The seventh trumpet what ibid. It puts an end to the Churches calamities 205. The Seventh viall answereth to the Seventh trumpet 398. The Seventh Angel 246. 247. The Sharp Sickle what it noteth 360. How it was thrust into the Earth by Christ 361. Shortly how to be expounded 4. The Short time of Antichrists reign how to be understood 121. 271. 272. The Sight of God is the Saints happinesse 251. A Signe what it is 364. Signes of assured peace 570. Silence for an half houre in heaven what it denoteth with diverse opinions about it 152. Sinnes reaching up to heaven 460. Romes sins do reach to heaven 461. Even small sins come to heaven that is unto Gods knowledge which refuteth the distinction of Veniall and Mortall sins 460. Sinners repenting in this life have an assured promise of pardon 50. The Sitter on the Red horse and on the Black horse with his ballance is Christ 111. 111. 113. the Sitter on the throne who he is described 87. Six distinct visions 84. the Sixt viall truely interpreted 392. 393. Sixtus V. Endeavoured to thrust Charles IX king of France and Elisabeth queen of England out of their dominions 130. The Sixt vision unto what times it belongs 402. 403. Slaughter of Antichristians 245. Smyrna a city of Ionia 21. The Smoke out of the bottomles pit is Popish Divinity humane decrees 172. the Smoak of punishment 353. Whither there be Smoak in Hell ibid. the Smoak of prayers ibid. Smoak a Symbole of Gods wrath 372. Socinus his blasphemous fiction 13. The Son of perdition destroyeth the earth 251. The Son of Man denoteth Christ 359. The Son shall deliver up the kingdome to the Father how 578. Songs of the Revelation 369. The Sounding of the fourth Angel 164. Diverse opinions about it ibid. The Sounding of the second trumpet how farre to be extended 161. The Souls of the Martyrs departed this life are with Christ 119. How John could see their Souls they being invisible 513. How they lived and reigned with Christ 515. Whither they reigned all together at one time ibid. They cease not to reigne after the thousand yeeres are expired 516. How the Souls do fall rise again 520. The Soul of signes is the word 470. The Souls of the Saints departed must not be worshipped 105. Spirituall fraternity betwixt Christs members is the bond of love 18. Spirituall famine of Orthodox doctrine in the dayes of Constantius and other Arian Emperours 114. 115. Spirituall life of the Souls with Christ 514 515. The Spouse and Wife how differing 480. Ornaments of the Spouse 481. To Stand and not stand in judgement what it signifieth 134. To Stand before the throne 146. To stand before God 543. The Standing of the four Beasts what it denotes 92. Stars falling from heaven who they are and when they fell 129. The Starres falling signifies Apostacie from the true faith 162. 261. Stars are teachers and Bishops of Churches 162. 170. why teachers are compared to Stars 25. The Strong wind blowing down the Figs is the Papall Authoritie 129. Structure of the old temple 213. The Subject of the Revelation 4. The Succession of the Romane Church 408. The Summe of the fourth vision 252. It s foure Acts 253. The Sunne Christ wholy darkned in the Papacie 173. Sun and heat diversly interpreted 385. 386. The Susian women were beastlie harlots 407. To Swear by the creature is a horrible impiety 204. The Sword proceeding out of the mouth of Christ our Captain with which he smiteth the wicked is spirituall 491. The Synecdoche in the 1000. yeers of the Martyrs reigne 509. is proved 516. The Synod called Sardicensis took its name of Sardica not of Sardis 54. The Symphonie of the heavenly inhabitants is perpetuall 147. T. TAbernacle of God is the Church 299. To Take of from the prophesie what it is Tamherlan his huge armie 189. The Temple of God is the Church 212. The Ten kings are to be differenced from the seven former 432. Who the Ten kings are 433. Ten dayes what they signifie 41. The Third part of men slain by the Turks 191. The Third Act of the second vision hath two parts 124. The Third universall vision 150. in what it differs from the former ibid. Its beginning and ending ibid. Third Act of the sixt vision 476. Third Angel 350. The Thousand yeers of Christs reigne and the Dragons binding are the same 531. these yeeres are not indefinitely to be understood 507. in histories and in the prophets they are never indefinitely taken ibid. wher they begin end 508. 531. how they agree with the 42 months 509 they cannot be referred to the last times 510. Why they are defined 516. the condition of the godly during these 1000 years 511. What Satan is said to do at the end of these yeares 530. Threatnings of punishment in Scripture are to be taken with a condition of repentance either expresly or tacitely 36. What the Threatning of the Harlots children teacheth us 49. 50. Three a number of perfection 394. The Three dayes and an half what they signifie 241. The Three Legates how they proceed out of the mouthes of three 394. Why they are said to be three impure spirits ibid. Who they are 395. Three books attributed to God in scripture 60. 96. The Threefold distinction of time what it noteth 276. Theodoretus his opinion of Gog and Magog 535. The Throne of Christ 83. The Throne of God denotes his dominion over all things 87. The white Throne of Christs glory 542. Thrones why set up 512. The Throne of the Beast is the Romane Sea according to Lyra 388. Diverse opinions about the same 389. Thyatira a citie of Lydia 22. Time times and half a time what it signifieth 276. The Time of Antichrists rising noted 316. 317. 318. The Time of betroathing and marriage 480. Timothie no Bishop of Ephesus in Johns time 30. The Title of the Revelation answereth unto the titles of the ancient Prophets and confirmeth the authority of the book 3. The Titles of the witnesses are not to be litterally
understood 226. Their contemptible habit 227. Their dignity ibid. Their power to turn water into blood 230. Topaze a precious Gemme 565. Torments of Hell 353. To Tread under foot signifies to destroy and wast in hostile manner 215. The Tree of life 37. It is in the middest of the street 575. and on either side ibid. It is one onely viz. Christ ibid. What fruit it alwayes beareth ibid. Trees denote the Apostles and chief teachers 158. The Tribes of Israel not reckoned according to their naturall order 143. The Tribe of Dan why lest out 144. Turkes cruelty 188. Their horses are excellent 189. With what forces the Turks Emperors commonly do ride a hunting ibid. Their successe in Graecia Thracia Hungary 191. The Vetians gave them a great overthrow 190. They notwithstanding took Cyprus from the Venetians ibid. The Two witnesses whither the two Testaments 223. They are indefinitely taken 224. How they shall smite the earth 230. They lived not again Pythagorically 242. Vnder the two witnesses and olive trees are comprehended Godly Princes 228. Two Eagles wings given to the woman 274. The Twofold garments of the Saints 60. Two rancks of such as shal be judged 249 Tyrants can do no more then what is permitted them 111. Why God suffers them ibid. V. VBiquitie of Christs flesh refuted 15.23 It is a burden not imposed by Christ 52. Vials by a double trope are the prayers of the Saints 102. Vials in the Greeke whence derived 372. Victorie of the Saints fourfold 366. The Virginitie spoken of in Chap. 14. is not to be understood of carnall virginitie 334. Visions are threefold 19. Visions why so often iterated 364. Volumina 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were bookes written within and without 97. Voyces and thunders what they note 156. Voyces of great rejoycing 247. The Voyce of Christ the revealer of the Revelation 86. Voyce of the Herauld touching the opening of the book 98. Vrbs and Civitas how they differ 560. Vse of examples in punishments 50. Vse of the rejoycing over Babylons ruine in the Thesis and in the Hypothesis 475. The Vse of the Saints sealing 142. W. WAlles called moenia a muniendo 561. The Walles of Romish Babylon 392. VValking in the middest of the Candlesticks what 31. The Warre of Michael with the Dragon 266. The Waters east out after the woman by the Dragon are Heresies 278. Waters signifie peoples 130. Waters of Euphrates 392. The most deep Waters of the Romish Babylon 393. The Way to amend errours of Doctrine and corruption of manners 57. What things the Church may appoint 20. Which is which was and which is to come expounded 8. VVhite raiment of fine linnen belonging to whom 58. What White robes Iohn intendeth 79. How we are made White in the blood of the Lamb 148. VVhitenesse what it noteth 79. Whitenesse of the horse what it noteth 489. the VVhite horse whence it came forth 107. 108. It figureth out the first face and purity of the Primitive Church ibid. It hath Christ for his rider ibid. It was made black in the first 200. yeers 112. The White stone what it is 45. 46. Whither the Church built upon the Rock can be removed out of its place 35. Whither the Church may suffer for the sinne of her Governour ibid. VVho are blessed after death 355. Whoredome punished with filthy diseases 49. Whoredomes and luxuriousnesse of Popes 411. The Whore how she sitteth upon waters the beast and upon peoples 438. The VVhore hated forsaken made naked and burnt 439. VVho they were that lived and reigned with Christ 514. VVhy the 1260. yeeres are not reckoned from Constantines time 277. VVicked men abuse the long suffering and benignitie of God unto carnall securitie 49. VVindes withheld from blowing what it denoteth 139. The VVildernesse signifies Popish desolation 275. VVings of the 4. beasts why full of eyes 93. VVings of the locusts 183. VVine and oyl what they signifie 115. The VVine of fornication 407. The VVoman clothed with the sun 256. A difficult question about it ibid. The Woman is a tipe of the Church in its beginning ibid. an Historicall comparing of this type with Marie and Christ 256. 257. The VVoman sitting on the beast is Rome 409. This woman sitteth upon waters upon the beast and upon the mountaines 420. The VVomen of Susia beastlie strumpets 407. VVonderful copulation of the woman and the beast 420. VVonders litterallie to be understood 125 and allegorically ibid. The diverse kinds of wonders as particular universal Ominous c. 126. VVonders in the aire and in the earth 399. In the Sea and on men 401. The VVord of patience is the Doctrine of the Gospell 69. VVormwood not naturally but theologically taken 163. The VVorship of the Heavenly inhabitants what it is 478. VVorship due to God belongs not to Angels 486. VVorshippers in the temple who they are 213. A VVorthy observation of the Authour 276. All our VVorthinesse is from God 59. Y. YEares with a numerall Epithete are never indefinitely taken 507. Z. ZEale Or to be Zealous what it is 79. The end of the Table ERRATA PAge 17. Line 3. blot out Onely p. 21. l. 45. for perished read was reckoned among p. 44. l. 23. for comparitively read comparatively p 49. l. 38 for consequence read consequent p. 56. l. 28. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 59. l. 7. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 67. l. 32. for which sheweth read He addeth p. 62. l. 14. for more of this in its place read this conjecture we leave p. 80. l. 4. for philantropie read philanthropie p. 87. l. 13. for manificent read Magnificent Page 115. lines 20.21 Read He is bidden not to hurt the wine and the oyl That is not to overthrow certain fundamentall heads of the faith in which is founded the faith hope and consolation of the Church touching the person and office of Christ makeing the sence thus Howsoever Hereticks shall involve all things with their darknesse and shall also draw the Orthodox teachers either by force or deceit on their side yet they shall not be able to hurt the wine and oyl of the Catholick Faith but there shall be some to maintain the same that the whole be not obscured with Hereticall blacknesse And such c. p. 122. l. 8. for His read Antichrist p. 131. l. 31. After the words Diocletian persecution adde but as throughout in the Scriptures of the day of judgement p. 285. l. 20. for war read And the holy war p. 186. l. 40. for Cypresse read Cyprus p. 189. l. 21. for Vailachia read Walachia p. 145. l. 5. for behold read beheld p. 194. l. 17. for Mutters read Muttering p. 323. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and adde in the line following under the Gr. 1. the figure 5 which will make just 665. p. 324. l. 10. IS is left out p. 360. l. 14. for judicary read judicatory p. 363. l. 9. for apparations read apparitions p. 476. in the margent for Second vision read Sixt vision p. 490. l. 39. for despare read despaire p. 492. l. 48. for worship read worshipped Number of Folioes mistaken 17. for 19. 64. f. 62. 66. f. 68. 188. f. 196. 185. f. 285. 378. f. 379. After Page 408. 4 leaves and an half are amisse quoted Pages twice quoted 360. 361. 362. 363. These and other like defaults through the mistake of the Printer the Courteous Reader is intreated to correct FINIS
VI. excommunicated Ludovick IV. 130. The Colour of the Beast and the woman is one 411. Purple colour proper to the Romane court ibid. Communion of the Saints in heaven with us on earth 122. Comfort of the faithfull under Antichrist 121. Of the Saints under the Altar 106. Of the professours and Martyrs 355. Conquerers are such as keep faith and a good conscience 52. Consent of Interpreters about the last judgement 358. Condition of the Godly under Antichrist 134. 135. Constant profession of the truth the cause of Johns banishment 17. The Constestation or protestation in the last chapter of the Revelation belongs to the whole body of the Scripture 596. Conversion of the Iewes described 67 conversion of the adversaries is the worke of grace ibid. Conversion of many unto the faith 245. Conversion why commanded and attributed to us 82. Council of constance caused wickleffe to be digged out of his graue and burnt 241. Condemned Iohn Husse and Iâ—rome of Prague to the fire 226. 241. Former councils for the most part condemned by the latter 273. Corporal resurrections in scripture 518. Corrupters of the trueth shal be grievouslie punished 50. Court within to be cast forth 214. Coveteousnesse in bishops abominable the root of all evill 33. Crowne crowne of life 41. promised not of merit but grace 42. It signifies life and eternal glory 72. A greater degree shall be given to such as have converted many 71. Crownes of gold why worne by the saints 90. Crown of life and righteousnesse ibid. Proposed unto all the faithfull 250. The crowne of Christ 108. Crowns of gold an ensigne of royall majesty 360. How far the crown may be taken from the elect and how it can not be taken 72. Cubit common and royall of what greatnesse 562. Cup of Gods wrath 352. Cyprians excellent simile declaring the word of God to be the onely rule of faith 57. D. THe Darkning of the sun 127. Death compared in scripture to sleep 56. Christs death a full satisfactorie price for sin 103. Death of the martyrs is Christ victorie 108. The first death why so called 519. 557. Death of the soule 519. The second death eternall 528. The dead shall all rise together 518. 519. To die in Christ 355. Dead faith uncapable to obtaine spirituall riches 77. Demonstration against Alcasars dream 481. The Description and nature of Locusts 175. Description of the new Ierusalem whither it agree to the church militant 549. The Desert or wildernesse is Rome and the Papacie 408. Description of the beast 290. denoteing the old Romane Empire 291. 292. Description of the heavenly Ierusalem 560. c. Description of the last Iudgement 488. Description of Gods maiesty and glory on the throne 87. Determination whither repugnant to the will 446. Dignitie proceeds not alwayes from vertue 59. Difficultie about the thousands years 506. Difference of a gemme and a pearl 566. Dionysius Alexandrinus refuted 18. Distribution of the second vision 84. The Dragon Beast and false Prophet authours of the Ambassage of the unclean spirits 394. Drying up of Euphrates 390. diverse opinions about it 391. Dutie of the Church and her officers to notorious sectaries 44. E. EArth Sea trees what they signifie 139. Earth swallowing down the flood of the Dragon 279. Earth-quakes proper and figurative 126. 127. A great earth-quake at the opening of the sixt seal 244. an earth-quake shaking the papacie after the councill of constance 245. Easterne people girded up their long garments in travelling 24. Eberhardus Salisburgensis invectives against the Pope 318. Effect of the word of God 207. Of the Gospel in the latter times 370. Egyptian Idolatry darkenesse and bondage 234. 235. The Elder comforting Iohn 99. The Emerauld a most pleasant gemme 87. 565. The End of Gods punishment 50. The Eight king not like unto the other 429. 430. Eniedinus the Samosatenian refuted 17. 21. 26 27. 28. 39. 50. 51. 437. 587. Who shall Enter into the Caelestial city 571. Ephesus the head citie of Ionia 21. Epiphanius refutes the Alogians 47. Epiphanius corrected touching Iohn 19. The Eternall Gospell cannot be suppressed 339. the Eternall Gospell of the Monster Cyrillus 340. Events contingent in themselves how changed 4. Event of the Gogish war 536 c. The Evils accompaning this life shall be no more in the life to come 553. Euphrates a great river 187. The Eyes of IEHOVAH signifie Angels 90. The eyes of the Lamb his all seeing providence â—00 Eye-salve what it is â—9â— Ezechiels Prophesie of the measuring of the Spirituall Temple 212. His and Iohns Prophesie of Gog and Magog 535. F. FAlse distinctions of worship 484. 485 The Fable of Enoch and Elias refuted 226. the Fable of Antichrists foure yeares reigne refuted 231. 240. Fable of Maries assumption 256. The False Prophet 394. He and the two horned Beasts are the same 495. Famine thirst and heat what they note by a Synecdoche 149. Famine of Samaria 114. Mysticall famine when proclaimed ibid. The Fathers why they termed not the Pope Antichrist 167. The Father how he judgeth no man 7. 8. The Feare and amazement of the Churches adversaries 244. The fearing of Antichrist hath troubled the whole world The First Vision not universall 361. 362. it belongs unto the last times ibid. Its scope and use of comfort ibid. Free-will not simply denied but in respect of spirituall good 68. Diverse interpretations of the same 444. 445. Figs signifie carnall Bishops 129. Figure of he city just four-square 562. Finall punishment of the wicked 131. Fine linnen how clothing both for the Bride and the Whore 482. how it is righteousnesse ibid. Fire proceeding out of the mouth of the witnesses 228. The fire on which the Angel had power 362. Fiery eyes signifie heroicall motions 24. Fire from heaven consuming Gog and Magog 539. First death 42. 519. Why so called ibid. First resurrection is not corporall but spirituall 518. It is opposed unto the first death 519. It s profitablenesse and necessitie 526. Objections about the same cleared 518. 520. First trumpet answereth to the first seale 158. What is meant by the hayle fire and blood that fell at the sounding thereof ibid. First viall chieflie poured out upon Germanie 380. Fight of the woman when it began and how long it dured 277. Floud of waters what it is 277. Foxe his opinion about it 278. Forme or shape of the beasts diverse and why 92. Forgetfullnesse and memory how said to be in God 460. Foundation of the Church how but one and twelve 561. 562. Fountaines what they denote in the Revelation 163. the fountaines of Waters are to be reckoned among the chief works of God 342. The fountain of true joy is in the Lord 480. The Four Beasts whither they type out the four Evangelists 91. They represent the Apostolicall Church 92. Why they are full of eyes ibid. The Four and twenty Elders are the first Chore 89. The Four periods of the Church of the Gospel 365. The Four Angels