brethren for so much the Greek word signifies Satan because an adversary and hater of mankind Lastly he is called the Seducer of the whole earth c. for he hath deceived mankind generally now this shews the greatnesse of the benefit obtained by the victory since such an enemy and his Angels whereof Baalzebub is Prince should be spoyled signified by his being cast out of heaven in the Vision How Christ by his birth and death spoyled Satan see farther my quoted book p 48. Vers 10. And I heard a great voice in heaven c. Here follows the Song of the Church The great voice notes the multitude of rejoycers and the greatnes of their joy The cause because the accuser is cast out neither our sin ill conscience the law nor Satan can cast those out of favour who are in Christ Jesus I mean their former sinne and ill conscience of which 1 John 3.20 If our heart condemne us God is greater then our heart and knows all things if we can truly say we love the brethren to wit as the preceding verses speak Now concerning Satans accusing see Iob 1. from vers 7. forward These things being easie to ver 13 I passe them for brevity sake with these notes 1. The heavenly host call us brethren the accuser of our brethren a great dignity 2. They rejoyce because we shall not be accused see their love to us for Satans accusation could not hurt them but us who have not finished our warfare but now by Christs victory there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. Of which very largely see my Glimpse of Christs love pag. 60 67. Where the particulars life death are examined 3. Christ manifested his love power salvation when he drew us as a lost prey out of the Dragons jaws Of which see the quoted book everywhere 4. Though Satan cannot prevail with God by his accusation yet he stirs up many adversaries in the world against us therefore we should walk very carefully for Satan is not dead though overcome 5. The blood of Christ is the cause or means of our victory by the blood of the Lamb they overcome the Lamb and Michael you see are the same by whose death passion resurrection the victory is obtained 6. Since Satan cannot prevail with God but is cast out of heaven and the Church hee 'l domineer the more over the nations the inhabitants of the earth by making them idolatrous and bringing woes and miseries on them Wo to the inhabiters of the earth 7. Satans greatest malice is against the manchild the Church and Saints whose happinesse he envies but hee 'l play at smal game rather then sit out disturb the earth rather then do no hurt This Prophecy concerns the times of Antichrists rising Anno Dom. 606. and after when Satan by Antichrist and his Locusts troubled sea and land Priests and people of Antichrists Church known by the name of Inhabitants of the earth Vers 13 And when the Dragon saw he was cast unto the earth he persecuted the woman c Here the persecuting of the woman is renewed by the Dragon notwithstanding the Church had got Constantine the Emperour that man-child in some sense to profect her for his excessive bounty to the Church did much hurt as I noted chap. 6. v. 7 8. about the pale horse by which meanes the venome of Pride Ambition Coveteousnesse Luxury was breathed into the Clergy which ministred occasion of new persecution Now also Arrrius whose name is enough to tell the misery of that age most beyond thought vexed the Church here the Dragon persecuted the woman for oft times the Emperours were Arrians Vers 14. And to the woman were given two wings of a great Eagle c. The Church after her many battles with hereticks and Tyrants obtained Constantine to defend her but by means of that peace brought to the Church by Constantine many sins reigned in the Clergy and the Church then began to take her flight into the Wildernesse by that time Antichrist arose she was gotten thither Anno 606. for her flight was long therefore she is said to have Eagles wings which Fowle flies longest and strongest So that Church which formerly was the woman cloathed with Christ having as it were a Crown of Apostolical faith to adorne her is now fled into the Wildernesse by it we are not to conceive any local flight as into Arabia deserta or the like But the wildernesse here is opposed to heaven now when the woman cast off the graces of Christ and his robes wherewith she was clad and put on the whorish attire she so altered her visage that she seemed not the same thus she became invisible more and more true there were many that feared God in every Age but they as the Church in Elias time were contemned and invisible or unknown rather keeping private in Families then publike in Congregations Now as we say in our proverbial speech of any thing that is confused or unweeded or overgrown as a neglected garden it is a meere wildernesse so the Church by reason of her spiritual confusion is said to be a wildernesse though formerly a chaste Virgin Note the Popish Church hath ever been visible and flowrishing but not this woman therefore that Church is not this woman for she became by little and little to live as those seven thousand in Israel in the time of Idolatry private and retired hating the whore and her poluted Garments Doctrine Worship and wayes though she were perchance in the literal or local Rome or that spiritual Wildernesse Eagles wings Note the power of her deliverance for they have strong wings not as a small bird By wings then I understand not so much the two Testaments by which she preserved her selfe but an allusion to that foule who by her strong wings flies far and strongly out of danger so the Church by faith flies toward heaven or out of danger into some private retiring place like Elijahs where she is to be spiritually fed as he was literally A time and times and halfe a time So Antichrist shall triumph not for ever yet not a very small time neither but a time yea and times known to God not to us I conceive as my Paraeus by this time the same space is noted as formerly to wit of 1260. yeares which time is given to the reigne of Antichrist So this Antichristian Church of Rome succeeded in the roome of this chaste woman who was fled into the wildernesse or gotten out of sight by that time he arose and abode and is to abide there till Antichrist leaves off treading down the holy City God be thanked she hath been in some measure visible a good while and Antichrists daies are partly expired when their date is quite out we doubtlesse shall see the woman much more glorious and visible for the time of Antichrist reigning is her hiding and as he decreases she increases Thus we have heard of Romes corruption
chap. 17.16 Why may not Kings of the earth to their destruction strive to help her before by a secret judgment And great Babylon came into remembrance before God c. God thought on her before but now at the appointed day payeth the old debt fully Great Babylon and the Cities of the Nations are distinct you see So Constantinople is not meant by Babylon but the Cities of the Nations comprehend that and all other heathen Kingdomes That City which trampled under foot the holy City and Witnesses is remembred Vers 20. And every Island fled away and the mountains were not found These things shall literally come to passe at the last day when the great earthquake shall happen so that the wicked shall have no hiding place Vers 21. And there fell great haile as of a talent weight out of heaven upon the men God plagued Egypt and destroyed the Canaanites with great haile and hailstones Josh 10.11 and by it is noted Gods terrible judgments against the wicked and vassalls of Antichrist noted by men A Talent Being a hundred pound weight notes the greatnesse of the judgment Now I know not but these things may in some sort come literally to passe at the last day when Earth Sea or Islands Aire or Haile nay and fire all the Elements shall conspire against the cursed and wicked Yet they blasphemed God because of the plague of the haile c. I confesse I was long of the opinion that the judgment-day was not here treated of 1. Because men shall subscribe to that judgment as being convinced 2. Because they seemed to live impenitently on earth and blasphemously notwithstanding the judgments which should beget fear and repentance But upon second and better thoughts I finde that the cursed raging of hell-hounds against God is here expressed after the great day who though they shall at the sight of the judge cry mountaines fall one us yet despairing and convicted in conscience of the justice of the sentence shall never cease with their mouth 's however to pour out blasphemies against God as if he were unjust and unmerciful because of the haile or eternall torments of hell Thus ends this Vision with the world CHAP. XVII Vision 6. Act. 1. Vers 1. And there came one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials and talked with me c. EIther that Angel which poured out his Vial upon the seat of the beast or the last who by his Vial raised the earthquake to the destruction of all and talked with me saying come hither behold the readinesse of these ministring spirits to do any good to the Saints and with what joy they are imployed about things for our consolation what familiarity between them and the Saints noted in that expression he talked with me saying come hither And I will shew thee the damnation c. not any longer nakedly describe the beast but set forth plainly the beast and whore before thy eyes yet in a vision The judgment Not only the temporall upon the city but eternall of which anon Of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters Not Jezabel chap. 2. but doubtlesse Rome an insatiable strumpet Now by whoredom not common fornication is noted for she is a City but spirituall fornication viz. apostacy from God perfideousnesse Idolatry The true Church is Christs Bride and Spouse he is married to her in faithfulnesse righteousnesse judgment Hos 2.19 and her Apostacy is spirituall fornication and whoredom oft in Scripture See Ezekiel 16.9 25 26. Vers 2. With whom the Kings of the earth to wit committed fornication She enticeth them pretending her being the only Catholique Church and Spouse of Christ to receive her superstition and Idol-worship bewitching them as Dalilah did Sampson so that they have made themselves and kingdoms tributaries and slaves to this whore of Rome Not only Kings but inhabitants of the earth Sworne vassals of Antichrist and enemies of the Gospel commit this fornication with a whore None of the Saints whose names are written in heaven are finally thus overtaken 'T is compared to wine 1 Because of its specious pretences of holinesse 2. Because it bewitches and besots mans corrupt nature and even makes him drunk of the waters in vers 15. Wine is sweet but proves deceitfull So Idolatry is to mans corrupt nature but brings wrath and judgment at last Now the Act begins Vers 3. And he led me away in the Spirit John then was not in one continued extasy but severall times in the Spirit neither saw he all in one place but formerly in heaven now in the wildernesse the fittest place to see a Church that was a wildernesse Formerly Iohn saw a chast matron in heaven clothed with the Sun now a whorish woman riding upon a beast in the wildernesse Behold he talked that of succession of most venerable Popes called a whorish woman in the wildernesse And I saw a woman sitting upon a Scarlet coloured beast c. It is much women usually are afraid of cruel beasts but this woman rides on one The woman signifies the Church as is noted chap. 12. v 1. the whorish woman notes the adulterous Church her scarlet notes her Kingly Majestick power giving laws to all for Kings and Emperours weare scarlet The Beast is the Empire of Rome with whose spoils she is adorned Thus as a whore she is an adulterous Church having usurped power as a Beast or Monarch she hath a temporal sword and command as is noted chap. 13. yet but one Antichrist Full of blasphemies Or blasphemous doctrines See chap. 13.6 against God his Tabernacle and them that dwell therein Having seven heads and ten horns So t is the same breast or Antichrist chap. 13. who had seven heads and ten hornes ver 1. deceiving the men of the earth as this doth ver 2. by which I oft noted Antichristian vassals are meant of the heads and hornes anon Vers 4. And she was arrayed in purple The Beast was in scarlet so they be alike yet attired both in scarlet and purple It followes And decked with gold precious stones and pearles Noting the riches and pride of the Roman Church which are to be seen in her Churches Altars Idols Robes Palaces or noting how her attire is like a Queen as she boasts her self to be chap. 18. v. 7. I sit a Queen Thus as some reall whore she adornes her self to entice her lovers to fornication This also her scarlet and wine one being delightsome the other pleasing and sweet note for under most specious pretences of being the Catholique most holy Church Christs Spouse and Peters seat she bewitcheth the Kings of the earth and Inhabitants thereof And had a golden cup in her hand Read the description of the whore in Prov. 7. By this cup all Romes glorious pretences are meant to entice people as that her Orders Sacraments Ministers succession are only right That she is the Queen of Churches the Pope the father of fathers and only cheif shepherd
then in the general shall be ever safe Mat. 16. the gates of hell shall not prevail against her yet particular Churches as Corinth Rome may erre and fall away as experience shews Having the Moon under her feet By it is shewed the variable condition of the Church here below sometimes shining in full light sometimes scarcely to be seene but rather here is noted the Churches despising and trampling underfoot all sublunary vaine and perishing things possessing Christ by faith And a crowne of twelve starres on her head She professeth the faith of the twelve Apostles who are compared to bright starres which is a crowne as it were to her head thus the Church is a crowned Queen and the faith an adorning Vers 2. And she being with child cryed c. Alluding to women who beare not without paine nor bring forth without sorrow the Virgin Mary not excepted See my Glimps of Christs love page 16. The Papists cannot tell how to beleeve that this place any way concerns the Virgin Wel the Church cannot bring forth her fruit of Christ without crying labour sorrow the propagation of the Church ever was with great troubles cares cryes thus Saint Paul travelled in birth with the Galatians chap. 4.19 tyrants make the Churches paine the greater Vers 3. And there appeared another signe a great Dragon having seven heads c. Because he is an old Serpent who has devoured other Serpents and so becomes a Dragon Red Notes his cruel bloodthirsty nature persecuting the Church This Dragon is the Devil ver 9. the crowned heads of the Dragon are Kings Emperours Tyrants as Herod Nero Domitian for seven is taken for many By hornes strength is meant by them Governours Captaines are meant as Pilate Festus Now ten notes a great many the Dragon differs from the Beast chap. 13. the description of each makes it appeare yet this Dragon begot that Beast and are somewhat alike Vers 4. And his taile drew the third part of the starres c. Now followes the action of the Dragon he by his taile that is by cunning flattery and insinuation for Dogs fawne with their tailes drew or enticed many teachers of the Church compared to starres to leave their heavenly function and to fall to humane traditions and earthly cares yet I rather by the Dragons tail understand under several tyrants many long persecutions for the Dragons taile is his strength wherby many at least seeming starres fell to the worship of Satan Nay some faithful teachers too for a little season here are things noted first yet not many yeers after performed Esay says the Prophet that tels lyes is the tayle chap. 9.15 Now perchance by Dragons taile false-teachers and hereticks as Arrius may be noted who drew many from the faith Now by this Dragons meanes that starre chap. 8.10 chap. 9.1 fell to the earth I mean the Romane starre and Arrius And the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered c. Like a hungry Wolfe before the fold to devoure the Sheep Peter cals him a roaring Lyon intimating his hungring after a prey 1 Pet. 5.8 First when Christ was literally born he fought to devoure him by Herod when the children suffered for him before he for the children and ever since he strives to devour Christ the manchild in his members by Tyrants Hereticks Antichrist This Act answers to the first foure Seals concerning horses chap. 6. and to the Trumpet concerning the fire mingled with blood the burning mountain the starre falling containing the time from the birth of Christ to the rising of Antichrist Now follows comfort in act the second being answerable to the fifth Seal of the soules being under the Altar chap. 6 9. and to the Angel standing on sea and land chap. 10.2 Vers 5. And she brought forth a manchilde who was to rule all nations c. The Sexe notes strength thus Christ is the mighty God Who doth feed that is rule all nations with an iron rod. as Psal 2. that is with a powerful Scepter the nations with an iron rod but his People with his word or as Psal 53. in green pasture as a shepheard not a tyrant Is the devil a dragon So then remember Christ is that strong manchild who by his power and iron rod defends himself in his members whiles here below Note by the womans bearing a son many sonnes nay multitudes of sons are signified who first beleeved And he was caught up unto God c. Christ litterally and the Saints spiritually are caught up into heaven that is defended and protected and after death as the witnesses are caught up or ascend to heaven out of the danger of the Dragon his heads or horns Vers 6. And the woman fled into the wildernesse c. Here that is said to be done first which was not done till afterward to wit when the Dragon was cast to the earth and the woman had wings ver 13. To which place I referre the Reader for the interpretation of this verse Vers 7. And there was warre in heaven c. After the manchilde was caught up to heaven and before the scattering of the Church John in the vision saw the warre in heaven and it signifies how Christ ascending overcame Satan destroying his Kingdome bringing to the Saints eternal safety Brightman applies this to Constantines suppressing the enemies of Christianity which in part may hold But doubtlesse this war began before Christ is Michael in this place for the Angels can't be said to be any other Michaels though perchance Iohn saw one Angel as Commander of the rest in the Vision Christ and Satan fought in the temptation bloody sweat passion when our Michael overcame as Sampson by his death but especialy by his resurrection and ascension though the whole mystery of our salvation is here shadowed out he destroyed the Dragon and to this houre in some sense the battel from heaven lasts with the Dragon This Vision was to comfort the Church in her miserable persecutions seeing at last her Michael prevailed and she in him now though in the Vision more Angels fought noting perchance how all his members must fight against Satan yet Christ doubtlesse trod the Winepresse alone Isa 63.3 Vers 8. And prevailed not c. Christ sits triumphing in heaven and in his Church in great measure at this day therefore there is no room for Satan there I beheld him as lightning fall from heaven says Christ the preaching of the Gospel and Christs death cast him out and destroyed his Kingdome Thus Christ entred the strong mans house or kingdome and spoiled it Matth. 12.29 perchance here is some allusion to Satans first casting out of heaven Vers 9. That old Serpent called the devil and Satan c. he is called old because of a long standing even before the fall A serpent because of his craftinesse and poyson of sin wherewith he infects the nature of man A divel because an accuser and slanderer of the
and invisibility in respect of her former lustre for the first three hundred yeares which was by degrees as the Eagle flyes not at once for the woman was a great while flying into the Wildernesse even from a little after Constantine to Phocas the usurper who set up Antichrist None whether Church Kingdome or person is corrupted at once but by little and little Vers 15. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a floud c This floud I understand not to be those Nations Goths Vandals Almans who as a deluge came about this time to destroy the very name and faith of Christ and to carry away the woman nor by earth do I understand them though their earthly religion swallowed up persecution by embracing Christianity for this helped not the woman but drove her farther into the Wildernesse for the faith was most corrupted by Arrius and other damnable hereticks when they embraced it so they were for the most part Arrians or Nestorians because John had treated of the Dragons persecuting the woman before therefore here by the floud I understand the most wretched heresies now reigning vomiting out of the Dragons mouth for the Doctrine of the Gospel coming out of Gods mouth is compared to streames of water Joh. 7.38 and so heresies may be well said to be a floud considering their violence and impurity for a floud washes the banks and draws all corruption into it Now in this Age was Arrius against the Son Macedonius against the Holy Ghost Nestorius against the truth of Christs Person Vers 16. Yet the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the floud c Alluding to the old history of the earths swallowing up Corah and his Company Num. 16. or to the earth swallowing up the floud which destroyed the World In sum God used some extraordinary meanes to destroy this floud by which the Dragon thought to destroy the rest of the womans seed that is those retired righteous of which I spake but now who withdrew themselves from the Idolatry of Rome These are described to be such as have the testimony or Gospel of Jesus whereby and the bloud of the Lamb they are said to overcome vers 11. for the Gospel brings faith that laies hold on Christ by which all the Saints overcome Thus we have seen what a furious Creature the devill is against us and how he makes use of his short time which he knows is so seeing the signes of the last times are fulfilled and fulfilling this should teach us to make good use of out short time which hastens as the weavers shuttle Vers 18. And I stood upon the sand of the sea To wit ready to behold the Beast arising out of the sea as Chap. 13. or to denote the dangerous and sandy condition of the Age of Antichrists arising able to destroy if it were possible the very elect Mat. 24.24 CHAP. XIII Act. 3. Vision 4. Vers 1. And I saw a beast rise up out of the sea c THis Vision depends on vers 17. of Chap. 12. as one with it the act describes the Dragons war there mentioned and Antichrists arising mentioned Chap. 11.7 by the beasts ascending out of the bottomlesse pit and agreeing with Dan. 7.8 11. of the little horne speaking blasphemies meaning Antiochus or Antichrist himself of whom Antiochus was a Type Now it is usual in Scripture to set forth Empires by beasts as Dan. 7. where the Assyrian Persian Grecian Roman Empires are so described rising out of the sea vers 3. that is out of Nations Tongues People over whom they reigne and from whence they arise answerable to Rev. 17.15 This beast arises out of the sea here and out of the land ver 11. yet the same one according to the last verse here is wisdome to count the number of the beast in the singular number and that because of Antichrists double forme as King and Priest having the sword of Paul and key of Peter as the whorish Church or queen Chap. 18.7 17.3 and false Prophet Chap. 16.13 clothed with the spoiles of the Roman Empire and pretended Vicarship of Christ or as a Tyrant and seducer Let then the Papists feigne an Antichrist to themselves to be begotten of a Jewish woman of the Tribe of Dan by some evill spirit to reigne three yeares and an halfe and to fulfill literally all things spoken Antichrist in this Book we have found the man sitting in the Temple of God even for God Out of the sea To wit the bottomlesse pit out of which the Locusts came chap 9 3. and chap. 11.7 out of which the beast ascended yet John saw the beast arising out of the sea in the Vision noting the Popes arising out of the sink of hell by the meanes of Phocas the intruder thus the Sea of Rome is the sea of the beast or perchance that floud of the Dragon is the sea out of which Antichrist arose Now though Councils and Bishops of Rome condemned Arrius yet through the Devils enticements they set up Antichrist as chiefe Priest and King of Bishops though for a long while the Bishops of Constantinople and Alexandria were his Corrivals Nay to that height by degrees he arose that he would not be present at any Easterne Council but by his Legates or Embassadours lest the Emperour being present he should be forced to give him place Having seven heads and ten hornes c This Beast is very like the Dragon but that the Dragon wore his Crowns on his heads this on his hornes by hornes strength is noted who these horne be Rev. 17.9 12. makes known to wit ten Kings and the seven heads are seven Mountaines of Rome for she was built upon so many to which chapter I defer the interpretation of this place Blasphemy The Beast will not weare his hornes himself but his ten hornes or Vassal-Kings shall on his own head is blasphemy not openly written yet plaine enough for all his Religion and Doctrines are such against God and Christ Vers 2. And the beast which I saw was like unto a Leopard c. The word in Greek signifies a she-Leopard which hath a speckled skin and very odoriferous swift and subtile Thus the Beast is something like a monster compounded of a Leopard a Beare and Lyon The Church of Antichrist is spotted as the Leopard being a mingle-mangle of diverse Heresies Superstitions Idols Traditions consisting of several Orders Sects Clergy men it is very odoriferous full of the sweet smels of honour riches it is very swift for after the world was perswaded that Rome was the seat of Peter that sea of Rome quickly swallowed up all it is crafty so Antichrist is a false Prophet full of cunning deceits gaining home much riches by this meanes Now hee is like a Beare in the feet her feet are flat large by which the stability and firmenesse of Antichrists Kingdom is noted this Creature hath sharpe nailes which it fastens into the ground and so goes more firmly Now
AN EXPOSITION OR A short but full plaine and perfect EPITOME of the most choice Commentaries Upon the REVELATION Of Saint JOHN Especially of the most learned and judicious Authors as Bullinger of Helvetia Francis Iunius Thomas Brightman Aug. Marlorate Aug. de Civitate dei but especially among many the excellent and learned David Pareus With severall remarkable Notes Observations and Doctrines very profitable As it was for the most part delivered by way of Commentary in the Parish-Church of Sutton-Valence Kanc. By Hezekiah Holland Anglo-hibernus Minister of the Gospell at Sutton Valence If our Gospel be hid it is hid 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to them that be lost 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 4.3 Blessed is he that readeth and they that heare the words of this Prophecy Rev. 1.3 London Printed by T. R. and E. M. for George Calvert and are to be sold at the Sign of the Half-Moon in Watling-street neare Pauls stump 1650. The true effigies of Hezekiah Holland Minister of the Gospell at Sutton Valence in Kent To my Noble and unparalleld friend the truly Worshipfull Edward Futz Of Hill in Glocester-shire Esq Much honoured Sir IT is recorded of Marcus Antonius the Philosopher and Emperour of Rome that he chose rather such Senatours as were most apparreld with vertue to be husbands for his Daughters then who could produce a large scrowle of their Pedigree or could boast of being rich Tenants to fortune esteeming vertue the best inheritance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Herodian lib. 1. cap. 1. Though providence hath given you a large portion though your name pleads antiquity they who seek the original of Printing are acquainted with it yet I rather make choice of you for Marke's reasons especially considering how your hands have been alwaies open to me a Pilgrim in England and indeed I even blush to think how long I have continued in your debt like an ungratefull And now have nothing with which to repay your noble courtesies but some fewpoor sheets of Paper I know your gallant mind can as well forgive as give but what acquittance is that to my conscience I was by you used more like a brother then a stranger more like a Son than a banished man for such almost I was when I happily arrived at yours as another Calanders house I was told before I had need to see England That this was a Kingdom of Curtesies for strangers And truly Mr Futz I feare God and flotter you not had all English harts been lost but your own I might have found England epitomised in your most incomparable self Pray Sir take this mite in part of payment as a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 testimony of my thankfulnesse and the use of what is behind It is a leane Commentary upon that excellent Book which is the contents of all that was to happen from our Lords ascension till and after the dissolution of all things And therefore most worthy reading by the most curious eye herein I hope I have not raised the sense of Scripture one note higher then the Spirit first tun'd it to doubtlesse I come short of many things bonus Bernardus non vidit omnia yet I hope many an honest Christian shall by the means of my poore Torch receive some glimpse of light to walk better and surer in the dark paths of these mysteries wherein I have strove more to speak to capacity and to edifie by much plainnesse then by either affected expressions much quotation of Authors or many Languages to shew my self to have been bred as a Son of the Muses Sir I doubt not but these times have given you occasion to examine like the wise Bereans many things which all of us formerly took upon trust Among the rest I recommend to your serious consideration to weigh 1. Whether the seven Angels of the seven Churches treated on in the three first chapters of this book were not ordinary Ministers ordained by the Apostles to succeed them as Ministers not Apostles or comites Apostolorum 2. Whether these were not seven particular private Congregations for so the Ancients seemed to esteeme of them 3. Whether they were to give any account to any but Christ remember however John was then alive 4. Whether every true Church and Minister without looking further then the word have not a power to cast out as well as they and will not be as liable to Christs censure in case of neglect as well as they Thou sufferest that woman Jezabel Rev. 2.20 though these were distinct Cities of distinct Customes Manners and Laws yet the Churches acknowledged but one head Christ and each respective Church and Minister had a peculiar power under him without dependency to give account to no other person or Church no though Romes Church had then a being but I le not make too great a doore to my little house I leave you to read your Book wherein if as a dwarfe on a giants shoulder I have seen more then some giants pardon the expression let Christ Iesus my Saviour have the glory and his holy ones the comfort The Lord encrease your spiritual and temporall blessings June 20. 1650. From my Vicaridge house in Sutton-Valence Sir I am your most humble and most obliged Servant HEZEKIAH HOLLAND Prolegomena OR Certaine advertisements to the READER WHen I considered how searching after secrets the nature of man is and how in this our Age every one is prying into the secrets of the Revelation some of very ordinary Capacities having no easie guide in briefe such as they will read and buy and in English for that many of these pryers can only or best understand except the godly and learned Mr Dent who also hath not methinks hit the marke every where nor satisfied me and others I thought fit having many extraordinary helps that way and having an infinite desire to satisfie my self and others if possible in the mysteries of the Revelation after the perusall of the most choice Commentaries as Bullinger of Helvetia Francis Junius Thomas Brightman Augustine Marlorate also Augustine de Civitate dei but especially among many the excellent and learned David Pareus to gather a small yet full and perfect Epitome of Expositors on the Revelation or the marrow of the choicest of them to comfort and instruct the meaner sort of godly people for they will I nill I will be walking in this dark path with and in the most heavenly and high mysteries of this Book I hope so plainely that one may runne and read The learned sort of people may use larger and far better Commentaries then this the common and ignorant people can neither attaine to buy or read them considering their language and largenesse who may easily understand and purchase this Why Calvin Luther and others abstained from the Interpretation hereof I discusse not perchance their other weighty occasions gave them not leave they no way question the Authority of the Book and many excellent Teachers in all ages have laboured to
this purpose was that chap. 6. vers 10. how long of which see the exposition 'T is time therefore that thou raigne and be angry with them for ever By Nations here I understand all enemies what ever with whom the 24 Elders desire Christ to be angry in those words thy wrath is come or let thy wrath come And the time of the dead c. Or the resurrection to wit is come But surely Christ revealed this to them in heaven otherwise 't is very secret That they should be judged There the righteous must be acquitted however must appear before the tribunal and the wicked be condemned That thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the Prophets c. To wit of eternall life a reward out of free gift not debt so the Apostle the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternall life Rom. 6. vers last And though God has promised life eternall is not a debt neither is God a debter but to himself but enough The 24 Elders seem to make two sorts of people of them that were to be judged some who were to be destroyed others to be rewarded these three sorts 1 The Prophets comprehending Patriarches Apostles Evangelists 2. The Saints to wit Confessours Martyrs who opposed Antichrist 3. The fearers of Gods name comprehending all other servants of God Great and small c. All have the reward alike and perchance a like reward So St. Paul seems to say a crown of righteousnesse sayes he is laid up for me and not only for me but for all those that love his appearance Because in another book I have touched this point and in this page I le name the choise proofes of each side and shew the more probable opinion 'T is said one is the glory of the Sun another of the moon 1 Cor. 15.41 and so shall be the resurrection therefore one Saint in heaven is to outshine another Answ As Peter Martyr fol. 579. there is nothing said of the glory of heaven only as one star outshines another so the bodies in the resurrection shall much differ in glory from them as they are now sowen in corruption as vers 42. speaks note 't is not said so shall it be after the resurrection to wit in heaven but so is the resurrection therefore that place proves nothing Now to this place I annex that of Math. 22.30 on the other part We our Saviour sayes wee shall be like the Angels of God in heaven now the Angels have but one and the same glory But secondly 't is said every one must receive according as he has done in the body 2 Cor. 5.10 and it shall be more tolerable for Sodom in the day of judgment then now if there be differences in punishments why not in rewards of glory Answ Because punishments are for desert rewards out of mercy who has promised to give the last as to the first even every one a penny Matth. 20.13.13 Thirdly but the Angels differ in dignity there be thrones principalities therefore we shall perchance in glory for we shall be like them Answ At the day of the resurrection when we shall be like them all those offices which were for the use and service of the Saints and Church shall be done away as well as tongues which were for the building the Church according to 1 Cor. 13.10 so then all shall be alike Answ 2. Archangel and perchance these forequoted are different kindes to which Christ doth not say we shall be like now the Angels differ not But I rather retain the first answer Fourthly in my fathers house Christ sayes are many mansions Ioh. 14.2 Answ Many not divers for all shall shine as the Sun Mat. 13.43 Now nothing shines more therefore all shal be very glorious yet alike glorious Thus that in Dan. 12.3 doubtlesse is meant for they that be wise are teachers in that place who instruct as the Hebrew has it and they that turne many to glory are Teachers too now the same labourers are to have the same not a differing reward every one his penny therefore Daniel says they shall shine as the firmament or heaven of stars which is all one not as the stars among themselves but gloriously as the stars Fifthly there is a greater and a lesse in the kingdome of heaven Matth. 5.19 A ruler over ten cities and a ruler over five Luke 19.19 and t is said he that sows bountifully shall reap bountifully 2 Cor. 9.6 therefore there be differences of reward Answ all these quoted places are to be applyed to the Kingdome of grace not of glory and therefore prove nothing The more carefully the Saints imploy their talent here below the sooner they are preferred in the Church and the greater the preferment And the more one sows or gives to the Saints the more temporal blessings God gives him or the more grace but enough The more probable opinion is easily discovered Christ promises that all his shall be with him and consequently partake of the same glory and if the twelve Apostles shall sit upon thrones so the twenty foure Elders do nay all the Saints shall judge the world 1 Cor. 6.2 and be glorified together Rom 8.17 But enough for a digression I hope no transgression Ver. 19. And the Temple of God was opened in heaven c. There is no Temple in heaven but the Church triumphant is here meant the opening it is the manifestation of its perfect glory which shall be after the day of judgement of which Iohn was even now speaking which is now hid and kept secret And the Ark of the Testament was seen Meaning Christ for the Ark in the Temple typified him who was formerly seen in earth in forme of a servant but now after the great day in perfect glory And there were lightnings thundrings voyces c. Here is a Preparation to the fourth vision and the lightnings are the punishments to befal the wicked at the last day God shall raine upon the wicked fire and brimstone storme and tempest Psal 11.6 these things signifie the conspiracy of the elements to take vengeance on the wicked and may come litterally to passe at the last day CHAP. XII Vision 4. Act. 1. Vers 1. And there was seen a great signe in heaven TO John in a vision great in regard of the events A signe to wit a woman clothed with the Sunne Some read it a wonder because the woman was wonderfully clothed and delivered To omit the story of Eve and the serpent and Mary with Christ persecuted by Herod which are here as it were represented doubtlesse this woman is the Church for women as the Church are weak depending on their husbands fruitful she is in heaven partly because she appeared so to John also the Church hath both her original and conversation in heaven This vision begins as it were of Christs birth Clothed with the Sunne Because the Church is clothed with Christ who is the Sunne of righteousnesse the Church
perswade the wonderers so in some sense you see the Images have life as Bell and the Dragon had they applying that to the Image which is in the party represented in some sense And cause that as many as will not worship the Image be slaine This the Pope or Antichrist causeth Babylons Law is universally to be observed by all Romanists Whosoever will not fall down and worship the Image let him Dan 3.5 6. Constantine the Pope caused John the Emperour of the Easts Generall to be slaine and his Master the Emperour to be deposed because of this viz. refusing and prohibiting the Image of the Beast to be worshipped Vers 16. And he causeth all to receive a marke in their right hand or in their fore-heads Christ sealed his as is said ch 7. now Antichrist imitates the marke is nothing but the confession and acknowledgment of the beast In the right hand Meaning by oath for lifting up the hand is meant or swearing to obey the Pope and openly professe his worship meant by having the mark or character in their fore-head as chap. 7. I have noted The laity adore the beast and worship the image but there is a most strict tye of oathes and vowes laid upon the Clergy Vers 17. And that none might buy and sell but he that has the character of the beast c. This is to be understood of a spirituall traffique Now the Priests Jesuits and Bishops sworne vassals of Antichrist are the only merchants to trade in the sea of Rome None else may preach sell the wares of Masses absolutions for it is a mony matter Yet literally Martin the fifth in a Bull commanded not so much as any commerce to be had with any that professed not themselves servants to the Romish Church that is that had not the badge or mark of the beast Vers 18. Here is wisedome let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast for 't is the number of a man The character differs from the number of the beast the former cheifly belongs to the Clergy by Oathes and speciall Vowes the latter is more generall to all the laity to acknowledge the Kingdom and Religion of Antichrist for the character seems to look at the spirituall merchants specially the holy Ghost propounds it as easie to find out this name being but the number of a man or for a man to reckon then the finding it out is commended for wisedom to stirre up people to reckon and search to find it Now if John received the Revelation in Hebrew then the number must be in Hebrew and this fits in  ש ו × ×– × ×¨ Romanus a Romane 666. 300. 6. 50. 70. 40. 200.  For the beasts seate is Rome of which more in its place Put Iohn writ in Greek See then the word λ α Ï„ ε ι ν ο Ï‚  30. 1. 300. 5. 10. 50. 70. 200. 666. The former our Iohn Fox found out Ireneus 1400 years ago the latter But since the Latine tongue was known much in Iohns time perchance the Spirit might shew it to Iohn in that tongue of which they so boast and have their prayers mâ—sses in it Now the Pope commonly ascribes this name to himselfe v i c a r i u s  g e n e r a l i s  D e i  i n  t e r r i s. 5. 1. 100.   1. 5.         50. 1.   600.  1.  1.       1.  Christs Vicar generall in earth 666. The numerall letters of these names make up 666. I have examined the Papists objections against Luthers name out of Pareus but find their objections nothing to the purpose This name and the Popes practice according to every passage in this book concerning him shew him to be Antichrist that sits pretended head of the Church CHAP. XIV Act 3. continued Vers 1. And I looked and loe a Lamb stood on Mount Sion .. CHIRST is the Lamb who stands as a watchman looking to the Churches safety Mount Sion is the Church which cannot be quite removed but stands fast for ever for the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it the Mount is high so the Church is advanced many ways The 144000. are the sealed ones chap. 7. Now Christ appears after the cruell beast to shew he had not nor should devour all Christ had a Church of sealed ones though the woman were as it were quite fled Thus Christ as in the time of Elias has his people before Luther on mount Sion 144000. This standing on mount Sion belongs to all the time from Antichrist or the beasts rising Thus the latter part of the Act is comfort against the womans flight and the beasts arising Having his Fathers name written in their fore heads His to wit the Lambs Now as the beasts followers had their character so Christ's have theirs openly professing true Religion and separating from Idolatry Vers 2. And I heard a voice from heaven As chap. 7. v. 9. where a multitude clothed in white robs sing praises to God so now the harpers some of the same company As the voice of many waters That is of many Nations Ch. 17.15 the waters are Nations Tongues People who being redeemed by Christ sing praises to him not as if these were the very Nations or waters over whom the whore sitteth of whose salvation I doubt As it were the voice of thunder Denoting the vehemency of the joy and praises of the blessed compared to thunder And harpers c. Where note here is mention made of two companies these are a company of martyrs and professours who dyed before Antichrists arising and sing before the other company Vers 3. Singing as it were a new song To praise God I perceive is great part of the joy of the heavenly inhabitants a new song is an excellent song See chap. 5.9 expounded Note that the 144000. are the remnant of the womans seed mentioned Chap. 12. who were to make war with the beast Chap. 13. who were not as yet received into glory for here some things are spoken of them as if they were yet on earth to wit their docibility Before the throne and before the four beasts and the Elders Then observe this voyce was in heaven the voyce of the Church triumphant though distinct from the Elders and beasts they being the faithfull of the Jewish Church and of the Primitive Beleevers as is observed already these sing before the beasts and Elders who were in blisse before them Note the hundred forty thousand are said to stand upon mount Sion but when Antichrist arose or thereabout And no man could learn that song but the one hundred forty and four thousand which were brought from the earth Learning belongs to this life not to heaven Note the sealed ones are docible the adopted are taught of God they know only the mysteries of God or the harpers song The
out of this cup which John saw in the Vision she makes the Kings of the earth drink Full of abominations c. Gold without but filthinesse and poyson within fair in pretences wicked and adulterous in practice This is not heathenish Rome for she enticed none but served the gods of all nations but Popish Rome with whom even all Kingdomes have once committed fornication Vers 5. And upon her fore-head a name written In the Vision It notes how openly this whorish woman shews her self to be another Babylon but in a mystery A mystery that great Babylon So Rome in a mystery is Egypt Hierusalem Sodom chap. 11. and now Babylon keeping the inhabitants of the earth in spirituall bondage Indeed all Romes religion is mysterious full of mysteries openly the Pope cals himself Christs Vicar and the Church of Rome Christs Spouse mystically hee 's Antichrist and she the whorish woman The mother of fornication Rome brags of her being the mother of Churches but indeed she is the mother of Idolatry or spirituall fornication For all abominations that ever were in the Christian world came from Rome You heard before of a chast Matron the mother of the Martyrs and man-child now of the mother of fornication and whoredoms Thus as openly as if it were written in her forehead yet in a mystery doth Rome shew her self to be the spouse of Antichrist and the mother of fornication another Babylon Vers 6. I saw the woman drunken with the blood of Saints Either full of blood which she had shed as the book of Martyrs can testifie See chap. 11. of the witnesses so that she even raged and was drunken as one with wine or because as one drunk she shall not be sensible of many of her judgments And of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Their blood she shed by warring against them chap. 13. for whom Christ out of love shed his no wonder then a judgment follows for this and her fornication chap. 16.6 The blood of the Saints and Prophets is said to be shed also the word Prophet is there to be taken for a teacher as Prophecy is for teaching chap. 11. the Witnesses shall Prophecy else Antichrist came not neer the time of Prophets Severall Massacres prove this point and what is said chap. 11. and 13. of her burning the Witnesses and warring with the Saints Now Iohn in the Vision sees the woman drunken with blood because by her means instigation and doctrine Kings have raged against the people of God Heathenish Rome did thus against the Saints openly but Antichrist in the mystery only whose rage agrees with the time spoken of so doth not heathenish Rome And when I saw her I wondred c. To see a whorish woman upon a beast so strangly attired c. for otherwise he had seen the beast before c. 13. Vers 7. And the Angel said to me wherefore didst thou marvell c. The Angel observing Iohns desire by his countenance to know the meaning of his sight doth of his own accord open to him the mystery saying I will tell thee Vers 8. The beast which thou sawest was and is not To the Beast the Angel ascribes four states according to times Was Or has been viz. formerly in Monarchicall power in Kings Consuls Dictators and the like for thus the Beast had been when Rome was governed by these for the Pope by force took this power to himself by degrees and now reignes as an Emperour or King thus something of the Beast had been to wit the secular power which he made more his own afterwards And is not In the time of the Revelation when the poor Bishops of Rome dream't not of any Monarchicall power but suffered martyrdome under it 300 years And is to ascend out of the bottomlesse pit To wit when Boniface the third invaded the Ecclesiasticall Monarchy Anno 606. See chap. 9. v. 1. of the bottomlesse pit and chap. 11. expounded vers 3. of Antichrists time of arising Stephen the second also laid hold on the secular power 649 years from this Prophecy Thrusting the Greek Emperours out of Italy depriving the French King Helderick of his Kingdom admitting Pipin to whom he gave the Kingdom of France to kisse his feet Thus the Beast arose out of the bottomlesse pit by degrees Out of the bottomlesse pit c. The Beast may be said to come from hell because his working is after the working of Satan Hell is said to have no bottome because none ever returne thence but are as it were continually sinking into misery And shall go into perdition Here the last state of the Beast is treated of The Antichristian Church decreases dayly and suddainly will arrive at the Armegeddon of destruction And they that dwell upon the earth shall wonder As is expounded chap. 13.4 8. none of the Saints who were elected before the foundation of the earth in Christ to glory whom it is impossible to deceive Matth. 24.24 the non-elected are in miserable condition Beholding the Beast which was Before Iohns time in Kings Consuls who are fallen a sleep vers 10 And is not Because Roman Bishops in Iohns time had not usurped not dream't of any great power And yet is In respect of the imperiall power of Caesars then which the Popes should usurpe when Iohn was alive Vers 9. Here is the minde having wisdome In the things that remaine to be expounded touching the heads and hornes greater mysteries lye did then ordinary which are above mans reach or wisdeom Therefore the Angel somewhat explaines it to Iohn stirring up our attention and desire lest we be slothfull in knowing and shunning the Beast The seven heads are seven mountains That is signify seven mountains as the Rock was Christ that is signified Christ On which the woman sitteth To wit the whorish woman or great City vers 18. or Rome seated on seven hils as every man knows one mountain is called Capitolinus 2 Palatinus 3 Caelius 4 Aventinus 5 Aesquilinus 6 Viminalis 7 Quirinalis of which see Mr. Godwin in his Roman Antiquit. Quest Why did not Christ by the Angel plainly name Rome Because men should the more study to find out the mystery also if the Antichristians had been plainly named perchance they would have in rage burnt the Prophecy and many more inconveniences would have followed The Jesuits begin to say this is Rome yet heathenish Rome as under heathenish Kings and Emperours but 't is plain Iohn speaks of things to come of Rome as it was to be Antichrists seat not the Emperours then Vpon which the woman sitteth She sits upon waters vers 1. as commanding people tongues nations called waters ver 15. upon the Beast or Roman Empire as commanding and ruling the Empire for sitting notes Dominion upon the mountains as Antichrists dwelling place and seat now thus the Pope sits even in Antichrists seat therefore hee 's Antichrist Vers 10. And there are seven Kings That is governments at Rome where the seven mountains
had more when Antichrist was at the highest Vers 16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the Beast c. Meaning ten Kings of the West of which already shall hate the whore when God shall put it into their hearts The occasion of these horns of the Beasts hating the Beast and Whore was the Lambs victory convincing them of the truth God be thanked all kingdomes Spain and Italy excepted more or lesse hate the whore and oppose Idolatry Shall make her desolate By leaving the great City and with their Kingdomes and Dominions turn to Christ And make her naked Detect her abominations by confession writing and keeping back her gold riches pearle c. that should adorn her And shall eat her flesh Her flesh here is her annuities riches rents possessions wherewith she was fatted which they shall imploy upon their own territories Churches and several better uses And shall burn her with fire Rome to wit the nest of Antichrist and whorish Seat So that the Pope shall flie to some of the Kings of the earth for shelter as the Spaniard perchance who may be called one of the Kings of the earth contradistinct to the Kings of the East and may joyn with the other named Kings of the earth to his destruction now Antichrist is not thus to be quite ruined though his Palace be but in the succession of Popes shall live some where or other till Christs coming to judgement 2 Thes 2.8 whose brightnesse shall destroy him and the remaining Kings of the earth Vers 17. For God hath put it into the Kings hearts They were ready enough else to have continued in idolatry with Antichrist so that God must have the glory Here England Germany in part Scotland Swethland and other places recovered from Antichrist and hating him may be thought on once of the ten Kings Obj. What is putting into their heart and how it is done Answ God moves the heart of them by his divine cooperating spirit effectually so that it cannot but act yet leaves it free because the divine determination hinders not the judgement of reason about choosing or refusing note God put it into their hearts first to do his will or pleasure in executing his mind for the Beast as chap. 13. to agree and give their Kingdome to the Beast of which largely vers 13. of this chapter fighting with their might for his spiritual Empire Vntill the Words of God were fulfilled That is his decree touching the rising of Antichrist in this book and in the Apostles often Now he hath altered their minds convinced their consciences and they do his Will in executing his judgements upon the Whore after she was at the height and the Word of God was fulfilled that Antichrist should sit in the Temple of God or in the Church for God and oracle and after the Worshippers had admired after the Beast The Lord put it into more of their hearts to their salvation Amen Ver. 8. And the woman which thou sawst is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth To wit Rome for no other city in Johns time mark it had dominion over the Kings of the earth to whom they were tributary but Rome And thus the Church of Rome at her height held all and ruled all either by the sword or under pretence of Religion note God by his revealed Will grace coworking put it into these kings hearts to fulfil his will formerly God put it into their hearts to do his will in serving the Whore The action and motion materially is from God always the forme or obliquity of the action is from Satan and mans corrupt nature in which and by which God hath a secret working and end If a man ride well upon a lame horse the going or action is good as from the man the lamenesse is from the horse so the action in the Kings when they were for the Whore is from God the lameness and pravity of it serving the Whore is from their corruption by which however God wrought his pleasure The summe is the Angels or Preachers and Kings shall divert Euphrates of Rome the Preachers noted by Angels having made Rome weak in part and odious before then the three unclean spirits gather the Kings of the earth to helpe her but her former Vassals shall many of them hate her and burne Rome yet the Pope with the Kings that are left shall be gathered to battle against Christ and these converted ones but the bloody feild of Armageddon or the day of judgment shall overtake them CHAP. XVIII The sixth Vision continued Act 2. Vers 1. After these things I saw another Angel come down from heaven TO wit after the sight of the woman upon the Beast another Angel for this book is as a Trage-comedy where several persons come in as Actors here Angels signifie no Preachers as formerly the Angels bid but are real Angels one perchance Christ publishing future events to John they come from heaven and so do the judgments upon Babylon Having great power All the Angels are great in power how great in power is God then whose servants these are it notes the greatnesse of the matter in hand to wit great Romes overthrow who is not invincible And the earth was lightned with his glory This notes that he was a glorious messenger from heaven 2. That the judgement of Rome shall be publike and open Vers 2. He cryed with a loud voyce saying It notes 1. That the inhabitants of the earth and worshippers of the Beast shall not plead ignorance for so the Gospel hath long cryed down Rome and threatned her destruction 2. It notes the stupidity of Rome lying in pleasure though her judgments were at door Babylon is fallen is fallen c. As in Esay 21.9 concerning the literal Babylon it notes the certainty of its destruction therefore 't is doubled The Angel chap. 14.8 who proclaimed its ruine did it as a Preacher by the Gospel battering that spiritual City which about Luthers time began to decay and decrease in honour and greatnesse Here the destruction of the City of Rome is foretold by a heavenly Herauld because she rejected the former warning the Gospel-truth and killed the witnesses this Babylon is Rome having seven heads or governments sitting on seven mountains making drunk the Kings of the earth with her fornication being the seate of Antichrist and which in Johns time ruled over Nations And is become the habitation of Devils See Esay 13.16 to 22. or of Satyrs it was formerly Satans dwelling place being a Kingdome of Idolatry and Antichrists seat but now this notes its utter desolation as that place of Esay shews This Angels Proclamation belongs to the time a little before Romes destruction and is not yet come And the hold of every foule spirit Noting the apparitions of Devils to be there after its destruction not only Fairies and Satyrs And cage of every unclean and hateful bird As Kites Owles Vultures Ravens This
Lords Vers 18. That yee may eate the flesh of Kings c. Who by the unclean spirits chap. 16.14 were to be gathered to Armageddon Both the Kings of the earth suppose Persians Tartarians Indians and those of the ten Kings who forsooke not the Whore who shall be a feast for birds indeed for hell for the Lord shall overtake these his enemies combining against him and utterly destroy them for ever I meane the judgment day shall overtake them for they shall warre against him and last in some sort till then And the flesh of horses and of them that sit on them c. So it is after a battel but here at the last day though all shall be destroyed yet only the Beast and the Kings shall be cast into hell not the horses together with their Armies which being plain in vers 19. I passe Vers 20. And the Beast was taken alive c. The Beast and false Prophet here are one as the Beasts chap. 13. v. 1. 11. are one for the false Prophet is but Antichrist as a Deceiver together with the Cardinals and Clergy of Rome as chap. 13. v. 11. who hath two hornes as a Lamb and doth wonders in the sight of the Beast as this doth here and the Beast is Antichrist as a secular Prince as I have noted chap. 13. and are but one Beast called by John chap. 13. vers last They shall be cast alive into hell either because being taken alive at the last day they shall only be made incorruptible changed and cast into hell-fire and never dye a temporal death or because they shall alwayes live in hell in torment and never die a living death or dying life however by a double punishment he shall be plagued as a secular wicked Prince and as a false deceiving Prophet the Lord having long since begun to destroy Antichrist by the preaching of the word as by the spirit of his mouth 2 Thes 2.8 now finally casts him into the lake of fire and his friends thus the brightnesse of Christs coming shall destroy Antichrist 1. By preaching 2. By this spiritual not proper slaughter or destruction in hell Vers 21. And the remnant were slaine with the sword of him that sitteth upon the horse c. Alluding to Ezek. 39.15 Go ye cursed Now as literally Gog and Magog were slaine and birds eat their flesh so shall allegorically this be fulfilled in the destruction of Antichrist after such a manner as the last judgment requires for the Devil shall have enough and hell shall be even filled with reprobates by reason of this Armageddon CHAP. XX. Preface to Vision 7. or last Act. 1. Vers 1. And I saw an Angel come down from heaven having the Key of the bottomlesse pit and a great chaine in his hand THis Vision is in some sense the recapitulation of all the former and concludes the marriage of the Lamb and history of the Church from Christs incarnation to the last day or the consummation of all things the Angel is Christ who came down from heaven being incarnate for us being the womans seed and to bruise the Serpents head having the Key that is power of hell and death chap. 1.18 or the bottomlesse bit and that by right not as Antichrist who usurps it And I saw Noting the order of the Vision not the order of the events for after the day of judgment now mentioned chap 19. there shall follow no binding and loosing Satan so that here is not a continuation of history and times observed A great chaine in his hand Noting Christs omnipotency and power above and over Satan a chaine of providence shewing how Christ by his Birth Passion Burial Resurrection Ascention sending the spirit cheifly preaching by the Disciples bound up and hindred Satans tempting the world to Idolatry of which see my Glimps of Christs love page 48. and margin Vers 2. And he laid hold on the Dragon c. In the Vision this is the battle betwixt Michael and the Dragon chap. 12. v. 9. there he is bound from accusing the brethren and cast out of heaven and Church and packt into the earth wildernesse heathens and dry places here lest he seduce the Nations keeping them from beleeving being but almost the same with the former So Satan was not so bound the thousand yeers absolutely for he tyrannized by the Romane Emperours over the Saints in the red horse chap. 6. and overspread the face of the Church with Heresie in the black horse chap. same v. 5. but in respect of seducing the Nations Now since the thousand yeers began many Nations have beleeved which Satan could not hinder Thus Christ beheld Satan fall like lightning Luke 10.18 thus the Prince of this world was judged John 16.11 when Christ in earth And he bound him a thousand yeers Though from Christs Nativity Satans Kingdome began to be ruined yet his death and resurrection did him most hurt but the Jewes much hindred the calling of the Gentiles with any great efficacy till the ruine of the Temple from which time chiefly the thousand yeers of Satans binding are reckoned being Anno 73 according to my Pareus who conceives them to be ended anno 1073. when Gregory the seventh a Monke and a Magician poysoning Alexander the second invaded his chaire at Rome and so the divel began to be let loose by him who gave himselfe to all manner of loosenesse yet from the Angels descent or Christs incarnation Satan began to be bound for then temples idols oracles were forsaken fell down and were silent as histories testifie See Master Smiths arrow against Atheists Thus however Satans loosing hath been 577 years or thereabout Vers 3. And cast him into the bottomlesse pit and set a sea upon him that he should deceive the People no more Into hell and confirmed him there as with his seal now though truly Satan had been cast into hell from his fall according to Peter and Jude yet he had more liberty to range abroad then after Christs incarnation for a thousand years after which he was To be let loose a little season No doubt from the expiration of a thousand years after the Angels descent to the end of the world Satan shall be loosed called A little season either in respect of God with whom a thousand years are but as one day or in respect of years past since the Creation or of eternity or in respect of the Scripture wont who cals the Generation since Christ the last houre Now Satan is to be let loose to manifest his rage against the Church to increase his future torment 2. For the triall of the Saints 3. Justly I mean in respect of Gods punishment upon the nations to seduce them that will not beleeve the truth unto salvation Act. 2. Vers 4. And I saw thrones and they that sate upon them and judgement was given unto them c. The former act answered to ch 6. about Christs riding on the white horse and to ch 12.