the mightiemen and euery bond-man and euery free-man hidde themselues in dennes vers 16 and amongst the rockes of the mountaines and said to the rockes and mountaines vers 17 fall on vs c. the sense and meaning of all is this that these visible iudgements should bee so horrible and extraordinarie that all sorts of men then liuing vpon the face of the earth should euen wish themselues buried quicke or that they might runne into a mouse-hole or awger-hole to hide themselues from the wrath of the Lambe For being both outwardly terrified with these sensible iudgements and inwardly griped and tormented with the furie of their owne consciences they were at no hande able to endure it CHAP. VII THis chapter dooth wholy appertaine vnto the opening of the sixt seale It sheweth generally how God in the middest of all the broiles which happened vnder the opening of the sixt seale yet did preserue his church and mercifully prouide for his owne people This seuenth chapter may very fitly bee deuided into three parts First it sheweth that as God did most fearefully punish the world with visible sensible iudgemēts as we haue heard before so now he would set vpon them with inuisible and spirituall plagues which are of all other most grieuous and intollerable vers 1 Secondly it sheweth the state and condition of the Church militant here in earth as before was shewed vnder the opening of the fift seale the state of the Church triumphant in the heauens vers 2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9 namely that it is sealed and set in safetie from all daungers Thirdly it sheweth the blessed and happie estate of all Gods elect vers 10.11.12.13.14.15.16.17 and their feruent praises and zealous worship of God who thus mercifully did prouide for their securitie in the middest of greatest perils and extremities vers 1 And after that I saw foure Angels stand on the foure corners of the earth holding the foure winds of the earth that the windes should not blowe on the earth neither on the sea neither on any greene tree These foure angels are angels of darknesse or foure diuels which is proued by this reason that they holde the foure windes from blowing on the earth that is stop the course of the Gospell which is a spirituall plague They are said to stand vpon the foure corners of the earth because power was giuen them to plague not some one or two countries but the vniuersall world both East West North and South The blowing of the windes doth very fitly represent the preaching of the Gospell and that heauenly inspiration and breathing of the holy Ghost which goeth with it Winde is so taken Ioh. 3. where our Lord Iesus saith The wind bloweth where it listeth c So is euery man that is borne of the spirit And again in the 4. of the Cantic in these words Arise ô North and come ô South and blowe on my garden that the spices thereof may flowe out Where it plainly appeareth that the Church craueth the inspiration of the spirit that her fruites may abound For what can be meant by these windes which she wisheth to blow vppon her garden but the heauenly breathings of Gods holy spirit and word It followeth then that if the blowing of the windes in the scriptures doo signifie the breathing of Gods grace and holy spirite that the stopping of the windes by a reason of the contraries doth here signifie the stopping of the same and the depriuation of all heauenly blessings So that it is cleare that a spirituall plague is heere represented which also is the more apparant because here is such speciall prouiso and care had for the churches safetie that it might not be infected with this spirituall contagiō Now all this doth plainly fore-prophesie not only the stopping of the course of the Gospell but euen the vtter taking of it away from the world for their great contempt thereof and the horrible murthering massacring of all the true professors of it according as it came to passe afterward in the preuailing first of heresies and afterward of the Popish and Mahometish religion as in the two next Chapters following shall plainly appeare And I sawe another Angell come vp from the East vers 2 which had the seale of the liuing God and he cried with a loud voice to the foure angels to whome power was giuen to hurt the earth and the sea saying Hurt yee not the earth neither the sea vers 3 neither the trees till wee haue sealed the seruants of our God in their foreheads This Angell is Iesus Christ who by the Prophet is called the Angell of the couenant That Angels do represent sustaine the person of Christ their head is so common vsuall a thing in the scriptures that I shall not neede to staie in it That this Angell is Christ it doth plainly appeare by the things heere attributed vnto him which can agree to none other First in that he hath the seale of the liuing God which is the spirit of adoption to set vpon all the elect for hee is the onely keeper of this great seale and this priuie seale Hee onely hath authoritie to set it vpon whom he will Secondly because hee is saide to come vp from the East that is hee is the onely sonne of righteousnes which ariseth vpon his Church euery morning and with his bright beames expelleth all darknesse from it According to that of Zacharias in his propheticall song Through the tender mercy of our God the day spring from an highe hath visited vs. Thirdly because he holdeth a soueraigntie and commaund ouer the diuels for he chargeth them here to staie their hands from doing any hurt till he had prouided for his elect vers 2 Whereas it is saide that power was giuen to these diuels to hurt the earth the sea and the trees that is the number of reprobates we may note that the diuels haue no absolute power but only by permission as appeareth in this that they could neither touch Iob nor enter into the heard of swine without leaue and licence vers 3 Whereas it is said Till we haue sealed the seruants of our God in their foreheads it doth plainely shewe that the punishments of the wicked are deferred till prouision be made for the elect The floud came not vppon the olde worlde till Noah and his family were receiued into the Arke The Angels destroyed not Sodome till Lot was set in safetie The plaguing Angell spared the first borne of Egipt till the postes of the Israelites houses were sprinkeled with the blood of the paschall Lambe The sixe Angels sent to destroy Ierusalem are charged to staie the execution till the seruaunts of God were marked in their fore-heads All these examples do manifestly declare what tender care the Lorde in all ages hath had of his owne people that they might be deliuered and set in safetie in the midst of all extremities Euen so heere we see that God
THE RVINE OF ROME OR AN EXPOSITION vpon the whole Reuelation Wherein is plainly shewed and proued that the Popish Religion together with all the power and authoritie of Rome shall ebbe and decay still more and more throughout all the Churches of Europe and come to an vtter ouerthrow euen in this life before the end of the world Written especially for the comfort of Protestants and the daunting of Papists Seminary Priests Iesuites and all that cursed rabble Published by Arthur Dent Preacher of the word of God at South-Shoobery in Essex Apoc. 18. vers 7.8 She saith in her heart I sit as a Queene and am no widow and shall see no mourning Therefore shall her plagues come at one day death and sorrow and famine and shee shall be burned with fire for that God which condemneth her is a strong Lord. LONDON THE EPISTLE TO THE Christian Reader BEing often requested gentle Reader and much importuned by sundry both learned and godly to publish that doctrine of the Apocalyps which diuers of them with liuely voyce heard publikely deliuered I did at last vpon my most mature deliberation yeeld vnto their reasonable request I meane the reasons of their request Indeed I doe ingeniously confesse that I am the vnmeetest of many which this age God be thanked doth afford to deale in a matter of so great importance or any wise to be imployed in so great and honourable a seruice as this is But if I doe industriously vse my small talent and be found faithfull in a little I hope it shall haue both chearefull and comfortable acceptation with the Church of God For this I presume will bee granted of all that hee which hath but a little strength and yet putteth it forth to the vttermost to doe good withall is more to be commended then he which hath thrise his strength and vseth it not to the helpe and benefit of others And true it is indeed that sundry worthy labours of diuers excellent men vpon the Apocalyps are already extant so as he may seeme to powre water into the Sea or goe about to mend the crowes eyes that will attempt to adde any thing to that which is already published But know this O Christian Reader that the Lords garden is so large and plentifull of all most sweete and pleasant flowers that where any one hath gathered a Nosegay most fragrant and delectable another may come after and gather another not to be contemned For the wisedome of God is such an vndrainable fountaine and head-spring that where one hath drawne much before another may come happely and draw as much afterward yea though thousands doe succeede yet can this fountaine neuer be drawne drie Be it farre from me to arrogate any thing to my selfe aboue others for I am priuy inough to mine owne meanes and do freely confesse that in this worke I haue receiued much light from others and therefore do not as a iudge giue sentence vpon other mens workes but as one that would furnish the same feast bring in my dish among them Or as one that in the same cause would come in as a third or a fourth witnesse to testifie and confirme the same thing And verily through the gracious assistance of Gods spirit my simple purpose and indeuor is to giue a lift to the vttermost of my power to further that which is already happily begun and to prouoke others of greater gifts to come after with their great lights and Lanternes in their hands to discry and discouer whatsoeuer in this Prophesie is not yet fully seene into I am not ignorant that some would not haue this booke medled withall nor in any wise to be expounded among the common people because say they it is so darke and hard to vnderstand But let all such leaue their owne opinions and hearken what the holy Ghost saith Blessed is he that readeth and they that heare the words of this Prophecy c. What can be said more or more effectually to stirre vs vp to heare and reade and with all gladnesse to embrace this booke then to tell vs that in so doing we shall be blessed For the thinges contained in this booke be no trifles they be not things onely for a shew to mooue wonderment or to delight the curious minds of men but such as indeed do giue true blessednesse vnto all those that are well instructed in them What thing is greater then to bee blessed for euermore If we be not exceeding dull yea euen like stockes and stones it must needs moue vs stir vs vp For who will wittingly willingly loose his own blessednes or suffer it to be taken from him when as he may haue it If any will obiect that a man may be blessed well inough without the knowledge of this booke and that there bee bookes inough in the Scripture to procure our blessednesse without this and that thousands are now in heauen which neuer knew what this booke meant I answere that all this doth not take away the necessary vse of this booke for the holy Ghost doth pronounce a blessing vpon the heads of those that reade and studie this booke not because a man cannot be saued without it but because of the great comfort which it ministreth vnto vs of this age and hath ministred vnto all the Churches since the Apostles times For it is the Prophesie of this age and the Prophesie of all the ages since Christ wherein is fully shewed what shall be the estate and conditiō of the Church in the seuerall ages thereof vnto the ende of the worlde For God according to his admirable wisdome mercy hath neuer from the beginning left his church without a Prophesie for the great comfort thereof For we know that immediately after the fall of our first parents God himselfe for the great comfort of his Church did foretell and foreprophesie long before of that restauration which should be made by the Messias his sonne according as it came to passe in the fulnesse of time Afterward he did foretell his people of Israel of their great seruitude and intollerable bondage in Egypt and also of the ende and full determination thereof after foure hundred and thirtie yeares After all this he foretold by his seruants the Prophets of the captiuitie in Babylon and the full expiration thereof at the end and tearme of seuentie yeares And yet further for the comfort and consolation of his people he foretold by Daniel and Ezechiel of the great afflictions troubles which his Church should endure by the persecutions of the diuided Greeke Empire I meane Alexanders posteritie especially the Kings of Egypt and Siria which descended of Ptolomeus and Seleucus whom the scripture calleth the Kings of the North and of the South by the space of 294 yeares and of the precise determination thereof at the comming of the Messias Loe then what care God hath had of his Church in all ages before the comming
of Sealing be thus taken in the scripture let him reade the places quoted in the margent and in all these places hee shall finde it taken in this sense Whereby it doth euidently appeare that the minde and meaning of God is that this booke should be proclaimed and published in all the Churches And vpon this grounde I holde that euery Minister of the Gospell standeth bounde as much as in him lyeth to Preach the doctrine of the Apocalyps to his particular charge and congregation for euery Minister of the Gospell must shewe vnto his people all the counsell of God and keepe backe nothing as Paul testifieth that hee did to the great comfort of his conscience But the doctrine of the Reuelations is a part and parcell of the counsell and will of God therefore it must not be concealed or kept backe from the knowledge of the people of God And in these dayes I thinke it not only meete and conuenient that it should be so but in truth absolutely necessary But now me thinketh I heare some man say what must this book of the Apocalyps be preached made knowne to the commō people alas what should they do with it It is not for them to meddle withall It is not for their diet I answere and yet not I but the holy Ghost that this booke must be made knowne to all the seruāts of God For Saint Iohn calleth it the Reuelation of Iesus Christ which God gaue him to shew vnto all his seruants It is plaine therefore that al the seruantes of God both men and women yong and old rich and poore must be made acquainted with this booke Moreouer Iohn is commaunded by the God of heauen to set downe all the visions which the Angell shewed him and to write them all in a booke and send them to the seuen Churches of Asia that is to people of all sortes and conditions And therefore this booke doth not only concerne preachers and deep diuines but euen all the Lords people whatsoeuer for it doth minister great comfort and strength of faith to all the people of God that liue in this age But here the Papists obiect that this booke is full of darkenesse and obscuritie and therefore not for the common people to meddle withall nay say they there are as many misteries as words in it and therefore what should men trouble their heads about it But no maruell though the Papists say so much for it is the wound of their kingdom and the battery of their Babylon As for others both learned and godly which in this point are almost of the same mind that they will not meddle with this booke of the Reuelations I cannot but maruell at it The modesty and humility of some very rare and reuerend men for learning great variety of gifts which notwithstanding scotch much at this book is greatly to be commended But if I were worthy to giue them aduice I would wish them in this behalfe to change their minde and to be of another resolution for I dare auouch it that there is nothing in this Prophesie which study and diligence with prayer and humility may not ouercome True it is indeed that the shell is thicke and hard to breake but being broken the kernell is most sweet and pleasant If any be discouraged with the darkenesse obscurity of it let him hearken to these reasons following First it is called a Reuelation which is as much to say as an vncouering of things which did lie hid if it be an vncouering and reuealing of things then no doubt it may be knowne and seene into For reuealed thinges are for vs and our children If it be a Reuelation how say some that it cannot be vnderstood For it is contrary to the nature of a Reuelation to be so darke that none can vnderstand it But shall we say that the holy Ghost which is the spirit of truth hath giuen a wrong name vnto it God forbid For if it hide matters or so set them forth that it cannot be vnderstood then it is not rightly called a Reuelation If this booke be so mysticall that it cannot be vnderstood If the interpretation of it be vncertaine If the common people cannot be taught to vnderstand it how then should the holy Ghost say Blessed is he that readeth the words of this Prophesie c. Let any man iudge that hath common sense Can any man be blessed by hearing and reading those things which he vnderstandeth not I trow no. Then it followeth that this booke may be vnderstood and no doubt is vnderstood of many and might bee better vnderstood of many moe if they would bend their wittes and studies vnto it The holy Ghost as I said before willeth and commaundeth that the words of this Prophesie should not be sealed vp Whereby it is euident that he would haue them read and made knowne to all Then I reason thus That which is open and vnsealed may be read and knowne But this booke is open and vnsealed Therefore it may be read and knowne If men say the matters of this Prophesie are sealed and hid and God say they be vnsealed and open whether shall we beleeue men or God If any shall reply say we feele finde by experience that the words of this booke are hard to be vnderstood I answere that the fault is in our selues because we are so negligent in the search and study thereof For if we did with that humilitie and reuerend care that ought to be in vs search after the things reuealed in this booke we should finde that they be not sealed vp but lie open to bee read and knowne True it is indeed that if any man light vpon some peece and take it by it selfe he shall finde it very darke But if he looke vpon the whole course of matters throughout the booke and marke and obserue diligently how things be iterated hee shall finde no such darknesse as he feareth for there is a notable coherence of matters and course of times obserued in this booke euen from the first chapter vnto the last as God willing shall more fully plainly appeare in the particular opening and interpretation thereof One great obiection against this Prophesie is that the Fathers confesse it is full of mysteries and that they could not vnderstand it If they could not vnderstand it say some how how shall we vnderstand it Is it not great arrogancy for vs to say wee vnderstand it better then they did I answer no. For a man of meane learning in comparison may now in these daies more easily vnderstand expound this booke then the learnedest Doctors and Fathers in auncient time The reason is this we liue in an age wherein the most of the things prophesied in this booke are fulfilled Now the fulfilling of a prophesie is the best exposition of it But as for the Fathers they liued in a time wherein many of these things were not come
againe and the Papists looke for a day It stands vs then all vpon which loue Christ and his Gospell that wee should be well appointed and throughly armed against them And for this purpose the Reuelation of S. Iohn is of great vse necessitie As I said before so I say againe that it is the Prophesie of our time written to this speciall ende that by it wee might bee both fore-warned and fore-armed If wee doo consider the whole matter of this booke wee shall easily finde out the vse and end of it For the excellent matter of it doth argue the excellent ende and vse of it Now then as concerning the generall matter of this booke here are to bee founde very large and liuely descriptions of the most glorious person of Christ chapter 1 and all his excellent offices both of King Priest and Prophet and also most notable descriptions of the Church and of the Ministers of it and of the persecutions and afflictions which it must of necessitie passe through in this world Also of Gods mercifull prouidence for his Church and most vigilant care ouer it in the middest of all extremities Here are set before our eyes very liuely descriptions of the Churches deadly enemies both of Sathan himselfe and his three great instruments the Romaine Emperour the Pope and the Turke Here are set downe all their cruell persecutions of the Church and their vtter ouerthrowe in the ende Here are described hell death the resurrection and the last iudgement Here also the very kingdome of heauen is at large described with all those great rewards infinite glory and endlesse felicitie which remaine for all the faithfull worshippers of God I conclude therefore that for as much as this Prophesie is of such excellent contents therefore the vse and necessitie of it must needes bee verie great And for this cause Iohn is willed and commaunded by Alpha and Omega chapter 1.19 to write the things which hee had seene the things that were and the things that shall come hereafter By the things which he had seene is meant that glorious vision mentioned in the first Chapter vers 13 14 15 16. wherein Iesus Christ did appeare vnto him in the middest of the seuen golden Candlestickes in most glorious manner as is there described And all this was in the I le of Pathmos where Iohn was first called and authorised to this worke and therfore he is willed first of all to record this vision which hee had alreadie seene By the things that are hee meaneth the present state of the seuen Churches of Asia which were then the most flourishing Churches in the world as they are described in the second and third Chapters and in them the estate of all other Churches By the things that shal be he meaneth all the prophesies of this booke which were to bee fulfilled in their time al those strange accidents which should come to passe in processe of time and the seuerall ages of the Church euen vnto the end of the world Thus we see how Iohn receiueth a precise commandement from the sonne of God to write things past present to come that they might stand in record vnto all posterities from generation to generation Thus much touching the fift circumstance which is the ende and vse of this booke Now followeth to speake of the last circumstantiall point which is the authoritie of this Prophesie which is strongly confirmed from the Author of it which is Iesus Christ and therefore it is called the Reuelation of Iesus Christ which God gaue vnto him chapter 1.1 And againe it is written I Iesus sent mine Angell to testifie these things in the Churches chapter 22 16. Here wee see plainely that Iesus Christ the very sonne of God the Alpha and Omega is the Author of this booke for hee subscribes his name vnto it and sets his hand and seale vnto it Needes therefore must the authoritie of it bee very great which commeth from so great a personage for looke what dignitie and authoritie he is of from whom the booke commeth of the same dignitie authoritie is the booke it selfe An other strong argument to confirme the authoritie of this booke may be taken from the protestation of Iesus Christ in these words I protest vnto euery man that heareth the words of the Prophesie of this booke chapter 22 18. if any man shall adde vnto these things God shall adde vnto him the plagues that are written in this booke And if any shall diminish of the words of the booke of this Prophesie God shall take away his part out of the booke of life Here wee see how Iesus Christ maketh the authoritie of this booke equall to all other the Oracles of God to the which it is not lawfull for any man to adde or detract vnder paine of condemnatiō It maketh much also for the authoritie of this booke that S. Iohn doth so often repeate reiterate and inculcate his owne name I Iohn I Iohn I Iohn I Iohn the Apostle I Iohn the Euangelist I Iohn the Diuine Shewing by all these repetitions how needfull a thing it was that the faithfull should bee throughly instructed who he was euen one of the Lambes twelue Apostles and therefore to be voide of all suspition and doubt concerning the authoritie of this booke and not once to imagine it to bee any inuention of man or faigned deuice sith it was penned by so great an Apostle Moreouer the authoritie of this Prophesie is confirmed by foure reasons in the last chapter The first is the affirmatiō of the Angell who saith chapter 22.6 7 8. These words are faithfull true The second is the authoritie of the most high God himselfe in these wordes vers 6 The Lorde God of the holy Prophets sent his Angell to shewe vnto his seruants the things which must shortly bee fulfilled The third is the testimonie of Iesus who pronounceth them blessed which keepe the words of this Prophesie For saith he Behold I come shortly vers 7 Blessed is hee that keepeth the words of his Prophesie The fourth and last is the witnesse of Iohn in these words I am Iohn which heard and sawe these things vers 8 Now it may bee demaunded what is the cause that here are so many things heaped vp for the confirmation of the authoritie of this booke Surely wee must thinke there is some speciall cause and reason of it For the holy Ghost dooth not vse to deale so much and so earnestly in a matter but vpon great cause We may easily gather what the cause is This booke painteth out the whore of Babylon and the whole kingdome of the great Antichrist together with all Sathans cunning and sleight therein and for this cause Sathan hath laboured especially to weaken the credit and authoritie of this booke Hee by some meanes in olde time preuailed thus farre that euen among some Churches of true Christians the authoritie and truth of it was doubted
of The holy Ghost did well foresee this practise of Sathan and therefore bringeth the moe reasons for the confirmation therof If the credit and authoritie of this booke should neuer haue bene impugned there needed not any such special confirmatiō But now God be thanked there is no question or controuersie concerning the authoritie of this Prophesie It is receiued as authenticall by the common consent of all the Churches Almost all the auncient Fathers do acknowledge it to bee Canonicall The new writers doo with one voice giue their consent approbation vnto it The Papists themselues do acknowledge it to bee the sacred vndoubted word of God though of al scriptures they cannot endure it should be medled withall because it cutteth them so neare the bone Moreouer it may not be omitted that God is called the Lord God of the holy Prophets chapter 22. verse 6. which proueth that this Prophesie is of equall authoritie with the Prophesies which were of olde in as much as the same God is the Author of it And this booke is to be held in the same account with the bookes of Moses and of the Prophets for all things contained in it shall as certainly be fulfilled in their time as theirs were In Esay in Ieremie in Ezechiel in Daniel and in the rest we find many things which the Lord shewed by thē lōg before they came to passe Euē so there be many things foreshewed fore-prophesied in this booke which in their time shal be assuredly fulfilled Nay we see and know that many things here fore-tolde are already fulfilled some things are come to passe euen in these our daies Hee that shall looke into the times that are past since this Prophesie was giuē shal finde that all things haue fallen out agreeable to the Prophesie of this booke And surely if there were none other thing to perswade vs touching the authoritie thereof this might suffice that euery thing hath fallen out iust and iumpe as this Prophesie did foreshewe It is our great negligence that we do not clearely see so much And I do humbly entreate all the people of God to looke more diligently and narrowly into it in all time to come And thus much concerning the circumstances Now as concerning the booke it selfe it may very fitly be deuided into three visions as it were into three generall parts The first vision is contained in the three first Chapters The second vision is contained in the next eight Chapters following from the 4. to the 12. Chapter And the last vision is contained in all the Chapters following from the 12. to the ende As concerning the first vision my purpose is not to stand much vpon it because it is plaine and easie to vnderstand and because it containeth no Prophesies of things to come but onely openeth the present state of the Church at that time also because I haue alreadie touched the summe of it in handling the circumstantiall points I will therefore content my selfe with a very briefe opening and resolution of it beginning at the first Chapter CHAP. I. The summe of the first Chapter THe first Chapter containeth foure principall things The Title of the booke The salutation of the Churches The maner of Iohns calling to receiue this Prophesie The description of Christ the person that calleth him The Title of the booke is set downe in these words The Reuelation of Iesus Christ which God gaue him vers 1 It containeth three things First the Author of the booke which is Iesus Christ receiuing it from God the Father vers 1.2 Secondly the end and vse of this booke which is to shewe vnto all the seruants of God the things which must shortly be done vers 3 Thirdly the singular fruite and benefite which the Church shall receiue by it in these words Blessed is he that readeth and they that heare the words of this Prophesie c. vers 4 The salutation is in these words Iohn to the seuen Churches which are in Asia Grace bee with you peace c. It containeth a description of the Trinitie or three persons in the God-head The Father is described of his eternitie namely to be he which is which was and which is to come vers 4 The holy Ghost is described of his diuerse gifts and operations and therefore is called the seuen spirits which are before the Throne or which proceed from the Throne but S. Iohn speaketh here of the holy Ghost according to the vision shewed him in the fift chapter where Christ is said to haue seuen eyes which are the seuen spirits of God sent into all the the world Of the which afterward vers 5 6. Iesus Christ is described of his three great offices of King Priest and Prophet and also of his glorious power and eternitie vers 7.8 First touching his kingly office hee is called the Prince of the Kings of the earth that is vers 5 King of Kings for he is King of Sion He is a King to rule and gouerne his Church Hee must raigne ouer the house of Iudah for euer Hee must raigne ouer all his enemies and in the middest of all his enemies euen till he haue trode them all vnder his feete And this benefite we haue by it that we are made Kings in him in this life to raigne ouer our corrupt affections and after this life to raigne as crowned kings foreuer with him in infinite glorie and endlesse felicitie Secondly touching his Priest-hood vers 5 hee is said to loue vs and wash vs from our sinnes in his bloud For hee is our onely high Priest which by his owne bloud hath once entred into the holy place and obtained eternall redemption for vs. Hee onely it is which through the eternall Spirit offered himselfe without fault to God to purge our consciences from dead workes to serue the liuing God So then by vertue of his Priest-hood and sacrifice wee are reconciled vnto God haue free accesse vnto the throne of grace and are made Priests in him to offer vp spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through him vers 6 For hee hath made vs Kings and Priests vnto God euen his Father Thirdly concerning his Propheticall office hee is called that faithfull witnesse For hee said to Pilate vers 5 For this cause was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I might beare witnesse vnto the truth And the Apostle saith Hee witnessed vnder Pontius Pilate a good confession So then Iesus Christ is one of those three great witnesses which beare record in heauen Iesus Christ is the Prince of Prophets euen that great Prophet that should come into the world through whom all the counsels of God are reuealed vnto vs he is that only begotten son which is come downe from the bosome of his Father and hath made knowne vnto vs whatsoeuer he hath receiued of his Father Hee both by his doctrine life and miracles hath borne witnesse vnto the truth
bee the flesh of kings and Captaines c. Now out of all this may be strongly concluded that heereafter in all time to come when the armies of the Pope which is the beast the armies of the king of Spaine who hath giuen his power and authoritie vnto the beast is his great vpholder when the Armies of the Cardinall his great confederate whē the armies of the Leaguers his great adherents yea whē al these all other Popish armies shall ioyne band thēselues together against the christian kings and defenders of the Gospell they shall haue a notable ouerthrow insomuch that their dead carkesses shall euen couer the earth and the foules of the aire shall come to their great supper which the Lord of hosts will make readie for them For assuredly and out of al doubt they that liue shall see the fulfilling of all this and shall see the popish armies go downe by heapes in all countries and kinstdomes and be made meat for the foules of the aire For the holy Ghost saith chapter 16. v. 16. They shall come to Armageddon that is the place where their Armies shall be destroyed And againe If anie leade into captiuitie chapter 13. v. 10. he shall goe into captiuitie If anie kill with a sword he must be killed with a sword For as the Popish forces haue in former time taken captiue the people of God and cruelly murdered them so nowe the time draweth on apace wherein they themselues shall be taken and put to the sword And therefore now at last I conclude that Rome shal fall finally and come to vtter destruction in this life For as Rome did rise vp by degrees in this life so Rome shall fall by degrees in this life As Rome grew vp to her full height and highest pitch in this life so it shall come to her lowest ebbe and greatest declination in this life I meane before the comming of Christ vnto iudgement For the falling downe of haile like talents vppon the kingdome of the beast shall bee in this life The extraordinarie earthquake vpon the dominions of Antichrist shall be in this life The comming of the Popish Armies to Armageddon shall bee in this life The mourning of the kings merchants and marriners for the ouerthrowe of Babylon shall bee in this life The great battaile betwixt the beast and him that sitteth vpon the white horse shall be in this life before the day of iudgement The pouring foorth of al the seuen vials of Gods wrath vpon the kingdome of the beast shall bee euen in this life For it were an absurde thing to say anie of these things shal bee after this life or to say that these things shal not bee til the verie comming of Christ for they are all things to be effected heere in this earth and the holy Ghost doth describe them as things to be done vpon the face of the earth for otherwise wee could haue small comfort in anie of these things if they should not bee done heere in earth or if they should all bee deferred till the verie comming of Christ and in the meane time Antichrist shal stil preuaile But it wil be obiected that Saint Paul saith The Lord shall consume Antichrist with the spirit of his mouth and abolish him with the brightnesse of his comming Therefore before his comming he shall not be vtterly abolished True it is indeede hee shall not vtterly be cut off in all his members til the verie comming of Christ For there will bee some Papists remaining in all countries euen vnto the end there be some nay manie that will carie the beasts marke euen til the last day But the holy Ghost in this Prophesie speaketh of the reuolting and falling away of kingdoms and countries from the sea of Rome whereby it shal come to passe that it shal bee exceedingly weakened and brought so lowe that the kings of the earth shall easily take it or as the holy Ghost speaketh shal easily passe ouer their Euphrates chapter 16. v. 12. being dried vp and enter their Babylon But then wil some man say Shal there be no Pope at all a little before the comming of Christ I answer and not I but the holy Ghost for mee Hee shall bee a poore Pope chapter 17. v. 16. a naked Pope a desolate pope a Pope whose flesh shal be torne whose flesh shal wither as wee shall heare anon He shal be such a Pope as Ishbosheth was a king when Abner and all Israel fel away from him He shal bee such a Pope as the king of Portugall is a king But it will be obiected How knowe you this are you a Prophet can you foretel of things to come I answer Saint Iohn was a Prophet and indued with a prophetical Spirit in this matter of his visions and reuelations and I speake no more then Saint Iohn hath set downe And therefore I hope I speake within compasse for I do but relate Saint Iohns words and explaine them in such measure as I am able This Prophesie doth plainely declare that Babylon shall fall Rome shall come downe the Pope shall neuer be esteemed againe And I doe beleeue it to bee so I beleeue God I beleeue his word I beleeue all that is spoken in the Scriptures and I doe endeuour to perswade others also For sith the holy Ghost hath so plainely and so fully foretold it why shoulde we not beleeue it Why are we so slowe to beleeue all that is written in the Scriptures Hath God spoken it and shal it not come to passe Shall any iote of his word faile Shall wee thinke hee iesteth with vs when hee doth so often and so seriously tell vs of the downefall of Rome Surelie surelie the cause why men are not fully perswaded of the finall fall of Rome is because they doe not diligentlie peruse this booke of the Apocalypse But let men be studious and diligent in this booke and they shall bee out of al doubt that Rome is the great whoore of Babylon that the Pope is Antichrist and the Papacy the beast But nowe mee thinketh I heare some man say how is it like that Popery shal fal downe more and more heere amongst vs sith it hath so many friends backers and vpholders and seemeth to gather strength and make an heade againe I answere that al is but a lightening before death I answere that al is but the stopping of a water-brooke or making a damme ouerthwart it which wil cause it to swel more and breake ouer with greater violence I answere that all is no more then is foretolde that 2the Iesuits shal come forth like frogges out of their puddles and marish groundes and keepe a croaking for a time til they haue croaked their owne destruction and many others For they shal neuer set vp Popery here in England to stand and continue doe what they can I must needes confesse that our sinnes beeing so horrible and outragious as they are and being
to the Romane empire are compared to hornes is because that as hornes are the strength defence of a beast wherewith also hee pusheth downe other creatures so the strength and defence of the Romane empire and the papacie was in the kingdomes which were subiect vnto them and tooke part with them whereby also they did mightily push at other nations and kingdomes Moreouer wee are to obserue that whereas S. Iohn saith the same hornes which did vphold and defend the whore shall pull hir downe it is not to be vnderstood of the same men but of their successors in the same kingdomes For the kings of England Scotland Denmarke Polonia and other countries which gaue their power and authoritie vnto the beast are dead and gone If vvee respect the persons of the men and those which succeed them novv in these kingdomes and pull downe the whore are other persons but because they succeed gouerne in these kingdomes they are said to bee those ten hornes of the beast Then thus it is these ten kings which novv hate the harlot are called the ten hornes of the beast not because they bee any defence and strength vnto him but because they sit vpon the same thrones of their auncestors which did vphold and maintaine him But this one thing is very cleare and apparant out of the interpretation of the Angell that the same kingdomes which haue maintained Popery shall put it downe as we see alredy fulfilled in England Scotland Denmarke the rest which haue embraced the Gospell And it is very likely that the other kingdomes which as yet haue not embraced the Gospell shall Gods good time embrace it For this seemeth vnto mee to bee a very good argument taken from the words of the interpreting Angel Those tenne kingdomes which haue vpheld Rome shall pull downe Rome but France Spaine and Italy haue vpheld and doe vphold Rome Therefore France Spaine and Italy shall pull downe Rome To this may be added for confirmation that the euerlasting Gospell shal be preached in these last dayes to euery nation and kindred and tongue and people Which I vnderstand of all the nations of Europe which were subiect to the Romane Empire and the Papacie And further that the holy ghost saith that the preachers of the Gospell from Luthers time shall publish Gods truth among people and nations and tongues and many kings which I vnderstand as before I am not ignorant that some good diuines make it doubtfull whether Rome shal be ouerthrowne by the Kings of Europe onely or by the Turke also and the kings of the East For mine owne part I dare not resolutely determine of it being a thing to come but the euent shall declare and they that liue shall one day see it It may be the Turke and the Easterne princes may haue some hand in this businesse For the Romane Monarchie did stretch far that way whē it was in his highest eleuation But that which is alledged of the drying vp of the waters of Euphrates that the way of the Kings of the East might be prepared Proueth nothing because it is an allusion to Darius and Cyrus which were kings of the East and tooke old Babylon by drying vp the vvaters of Euphrates and leading ouer their armies as we haue heard before I doe thus then resolue and conclude that the Turke and the Easterne Kings may happely haue some stroke in this work But it seemeth most probable vnto mee that the kings of Europe shal be the greatest agents in this action For the vvords are plaine that the Kings of the earth vvhich sometimes were subiect to that monstrous beast should now at last shake of the yoke of her seruitude and vvithdraw the obedience of their subiects from her chapter 17.16 And should hate and abhorre the harlot of Rome and should make her desolate By vvithdrawing their subiects from her obedience and naked by spoiling her of her treasures and shall eate her flesh and teare her in peeces for pure hatred and burne her with fire that is bring her to vtter destruction So that she vvhich beefore at her pleasure might commaund all Princes to beegin vvarre to cease from vvarre to defend her quarrells and to annoy her enemies now is glad to flatter a few seduced Princes to take her part that shee bee not vtterly forsaken of all men Or else to practise by treason and treacherie subborning the Iesuits those rogues and vagabonds to stir vp tumults among the people and to trouble godly estates and commonwealthes that despise her dominion but assuredly vvithout all hope euer to recouer her auncient tyrannie But heere it may bee obiected that the preaching of the gospell is the greatest and strongest meanes to ouerthrovv Babylon And therefore hovv can it bee done by the Christian princes I answere that it is true indeede that of all other meanes the gospell is the strongest but the thing is this First the gospell beeing set abroach shall detect and discouer the vvhore of Rome and all her abhominable doctrine and filthinesse which the Christian princes espying shall renounce her make vvar vpon her and slay in the field thousand thousands of her souldiers as vvee haue heard before And hitherto concerning the persons that shall ouerthrovv Rome Novv it followeth to speake of the time vvhen it shall bee destroyed Which of all the rest is a thing most hard to bee decided For the holy ghost faith why should not the times hee hid of the Almightie So as they which know him should not forsee the times appointed of him And againe the words are closed and sealed vp vntill the time determined And againe it is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the father hath put in his owne power Yet euen in this point I vvill by Gods asistance set downe so much as is reuealed and so much as God hath giuen me to see First I doe confesse that God in his vvord hath set downe the iust period and precise determination of all the greatest afflictions persecutions that euer came to his Church before the comming of his Son in the flesh for the comfort thereof as that of Egipt after the expiration of foure hundred and thirtie yeeres that of Babylon after the date of seuentie yeeres that of the Medes Persians after the determination of an hundred thirtie yeeres that of Alexanders state after sixe yeeres that of Magog and Egipt after 294 yeeres So likewise that of Christs death and resurrection after seauentie seauens or seauentie weekes which make 490 yeeres as the Angell Gabriell foretold vnto the prophet Daniell But concerning the iust period and precise determination of the persecutions of the Church since Christ by the Romane Empire and the papacy we find not the like set downe heere of there may be two reasons yeelded First because the Church of the Iewes were not vnder so cleere and pretious promises as
willingly be barred out of this pallace of infinit pleasure for the short fruition of worldly lucre and trash Let vs therefore in all time to come make more reckoning of heauen and lesse reckoning of the earth Let vs minde heauenly things despise earthly things let vs prease hard vnto the things that are before and forget the things that are behind Let vs striue hard for the price of the high calling of God and contemne euen the glory of this world Chap. 22. IN this Chapter S. Iohn proceedeth yet more largely to describe the blessed estate of all Gods Saints in the kingdome of glory and the principall scope and drift of this Chapter is yet more to enlarge the ioyes of Gods people after this life and to ratifie the authoritie of this prophesie This chapter containeth foure principall parts The first is an amplification of the ioyes of Gods kingdome The second is a confirmation of the authoritie of this booke ver 9.10 11.12 13.14.15 The third is an exhortation both to spread abroad the knowledge of this booke and also for euery man to prepare himselfe for the comming of Christ vnto iudgement ver 17 20. The fourth is the feruent desire of the Church for the second appearing of Christ The text ver 1 AND hee shewed me a pure riuer of the water of life cleare as Christall proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lambe ver 2 In the middest of the streete of it and of either side of the riuer was the tree of life which bare twelue manner of fruits and gaue fruit euery moneth and the leaues of the tree serue to heale the nations with ver 3 And there shall bee no more curse but the throne of God and of the Lambe shall bee in it and his seruants shall serue him ver 4 And they shall see his face and his name shall bee in their foreheads ver 5 And there shall bee no night there and they neede no candle neither light of the Sunne For the Lord God giueth them light and they shall raigne for euermore The Angell doth yet further shew vnto Iohn a pure riuer of the water of life Whereby is signified the ouerflowing aboundance of all good things which the righteous shall enioy in the kingdome of glory This riuer is said to proceede out of the throne of God and of the Lambe because God in Christ is the originall of all this life and happinesse Further it is added that in the midst of the golden street of this new Ierusalem and of both sides the riuer there was a tree of life Which representeth Christ now in this heauenly paradise as in former time it represented Christ in the earthly paradise and also that eternall and blessed life which our first parents should enioy if they did continue in the obedience of God This tree standeth not in an out corner of the citie but in the very middest of the streete and of both sides the riuer that all the Citizens of the new Ierusalem might haue free accesse vnto it and tast of the most daintie fruits thereof in great varietie for it beareth twelue manner of fruits that is in Christ all varietie of pleasure and endlesse delight is to bee found This tree beareth fruit euery moneth as well in winter as in sommer for heere euery moneth is Autumne The sense is that in Christ the new and fresh fruits of immortall ioy without any satiety or loathing are for euer to be found The leaues of this tree are very medicinable and sauatiue For they serue to heale the nations with that is to preserue them from all diseases and griefes which argueth a most blessed life not subiect to sicknesse or any other infirmitie For Christ is our neuer failing phisition which in this life healeth all our spirituall diseases and infirmities And after this life will preserue vs in perpetuall health and happinesse There shall bee no more curse that is in the heauenly paradise we shall no more be subiect to any curse as Adam was in the earthly paradise Which also argueth the perfection of happines after this life yet for further amplification of this most glorious estate it is said that the throne of God of Christ shall be erected in the middest of this golden street and all his chosen people shall there accompany him dwell with him bee alwaies about him yea and serue him without wearines for euer Yea all his faithfull worshippers shall come so neere his throne that they shall see his very face and bee rauished with his glory hauing his image his name his wisdome and mercie imprinted in their foreheads yea his vnconceiuable light and glory shall bee so resplendent that there shall bee neither night nor neede of candle but in his glittering and most glorious chamber of presence shall all his elect raigne and triumph with him for euermore in infinit felicitie and the very fruition of eternall delectation where shall bee mirth without measure and solace without sorrow as the Prophet saith in thy presence is the fulnesse of ioy and at thy right hand there is pleasure for euermore And hee saide vnto mee ver 6 these wordes are faithfull and true and the Lord God of the holy Prophets sent his Angell to shew vnto his seruants the things which must shortly bee fulfilled Beholde I come shortly Blessed is hee that keepeth the words of the prophesie of this booke ver 7 And I am Iohn which saw and heard these things ver 8 and when I had heard and seene I fell downe to worship before the feete of the Angell which shewed me these things But hee said vnto mee see thou doe it not for I am thy fellow seruant and of thy brethren the Prophets ver 9 and of them which keepe the wordes of this booke worship God In these foure verses are foure speciall reasons brought to confirme and ratifie the authoritie of this booke The first of them is the affirmation of the Angell The second the authoritie of the most high God The third the testimonie of Iesus pronouncing them blessed which keepe this prophesie The fourth the testimonie of Iohn who heard and saw these things But beecause in the epistle to the Reader I haue more at large handled this argument and these same verses therefore heere I doe of purpose relinquish them And that also of Iohns adoration and the Angels refusall beeing thinges most manifest and easie to vnderstand ver 10 And hee said vnto mee seale not the words of the prophesie of this booke for the time is at hand ver 11 Hee that is vniust let him bee vniust still and hee which is filthie let him bee filthie still and hee that is righteous let him bee righteous still and hee that is holy let him be holy still ver 12 And behold I come shortly and my reward is with mee to giue euerie man according as his worke shaâ—l bee ver 13 I am