live_a god_n and_o therefore_o resolve_v to_o settle_v on_o these_o and_o not_o to_o be_v distract_v by_o new_a appearance_n he_o do_v what_o he_o can_v to_o wind_v himself_o off_o from_o any_o divine_a or_o supernatural_a direction_n as_o all_o true_a prophecy_n be_v that_o he_o may_v the_o more_o full_o follow_v the_o swing_n of_o his_o own_o carnal_a mind_n and_o this_o be_v the_o usual_a case_n of_o those_o that_o pretend_v such_o a_o shyness_n and_o modesty_n touch_v the_o understanding_n of_o daniel_n and_o the_o apocalypse_n they_o will_v not_o have_v their_o judgement_n so_o plain_o and_o irrevocable_o determine_v to_o the_o truth_n by_o divine_a sentence_n but_o be_v leave_v free_a to_o shuffle_v as_o occasion_n serve_v to_o maintain_v their_o worldly_a interest_n but_o if_o real_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v they_o christian._n it_o be_v no_o fault_n of_o the_o prophecy_n themselves_o but_o that_o they_o be_v not_o due_o qualify_v that_o read_v they_o for_o as_o that_o the_o apocalypse_n be_v intelligible_a be_v manifest_a from_o that_o passage_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o it_o bless_a be_v he_o that_o read_v and_o they_o that_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o this_o prophecy_n and_o keep_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v write_v therein_o that_o be_v observe_v they_o which_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o do_v unless_o they_o understand_v they_o so_o it_o be_v likewise_o declare_v touch_v the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n those_o part_n especial_o that_o concern_v the_o christian_a church_n that_o after_o such_o a_o time_n namely_o the_o expiration_n of_o one_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o ninety_o prophetic_a day_n 10._o which_o be_v so_o many_o year_n from_o the_o profanation_n of_o the_o temple_n by_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n though_o none_o of_o the_o wicked_a shall_v understand_v they_o yet_o that_o the_o wise_a namely_o those_o who_o wisdom_n be_v according_a to_o godliness_n they_o shall_v understand_v they_o but_o otherwise_o those_o that_o have_v heap_n of_o art_n and_o learning_n and_o read_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d have_v a_o disorderly_a rabble_n of_o collection_n and_o notion_n in_o their_o head_n as_o thersites_n be_v describe_v in_o homer_n yet_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o manage_v in_o order_n to_o the_o discern_a and_o maintain_v of_o those_o grand_a truth_n that_o concern_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n and_o the_o oppose_a of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o antichrist_n i_o say_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o this_o full_a light_n they_o fancy_n themselves_o in_o they_o do_v become_v stark_o blind_a as_o to_o any_o discovery_n of_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n wherefore_o from_o the_o expiration_n of_o those_o one_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o ninety_o day_n the_o understanding_n of_o daniel_n prophecy_n when_o the_o sense_n be_v fair_o represent_v to_o one_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o touchstone_n to_o try_v a_o man_n condition_n by_o whether_o he_o be_v in_o the_o rank_n of_o the_o wicked_a or_o the_o wise_a one_o mention_v dan._n ch._n 12._o 10._o which_o be_v no_o small_a argument_n of_o the_o utility_n if_o not_o necessity_n of_o study_v these_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n and_o read_v impartial_a interpreter_n of_o they_o the_o right_o understand_v of_o they_o be_v among_o other_o argument_n no_o obscure_a mark_n of_o our_o be_v sound_a sincere_a and_o intelligent_a christian_n which_o i_o will_v have_v those_o serious_o to_o consider_v who_o though_o they_o will_v take_v themselves_o much_o injure_v if_o they_o be_v not_o number_v among_o the_o godly_a yet_o be_v so_o boastful_o big_a of_o their_o ignorance_n of_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n and_o the_o apocalypse_n that_o they_o can_v forbear_v the_o declare_v of_o it_o in_o their_o public_a write_n as_o if_o it_o be_v forsooth_o such_o a_o special_a perfection_n of_o nature_n or_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v those_o prophecy_n whenas_o the_o holy_a ghost_n himself_o do_v declare_v those_o bless_a that_o understand_v they_o and_o that_o the_o wicked_a shall_v not_o understand_v they_o but_o that_o the_o wise_a shall_v understand_v they_o whence_o we_o may_v note_v a_o further_a ignorance_n in_o these_o man_n more_o than_o they_o be_v aware_a of_o or_o willing_a to_o acknowledge_v they_o seem_v ignorant_a or_o insensible_a that_o they_o thus_o public_o and_o boastful_o profess_v their_o ignorance_n in_o these_o prophecy_n do_v but_o glory_n in_o their_o own_o shame_n and_o base_o and_o shameful_o beg_v the_o applause_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o wit_n of_o the_o age_n and_o the_o worldly_a wiseling_n who_o for_o coarse_a carnal_a end_n decry_v all_o pretence_n to_o the_o understanding_n of_o prophecy_n and_o thus_o out_o of_o a_o fond_a and_o light_a ambitious_a desire_n of_o be_v enter_v into_o the_o list_n of_o the_o wit_n of_o the_o time_n they_o real_o record_v themselves_o in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o scripture_n fool_n for_o if_o the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o wicked_a shall_v not_o understand_v these_o prophecy_n but_o that_o the_o wise_a shall_v understand_v they_o certain_o according_a to_o scripture_n they_o that_o understand_v they_o not_o to_o suppress_v the_o other_o more_o odious_a part_n of_o the_o gloss_n be_v plain_o insinuate_v to_o be_v no_o better_o than_o fool_n this_o be_v the_o holy_a scripture_n express_v charge_n against_o they_o not_o i_o and_o thus_o much_o brief_o to_o show_v how_o useful_a if_o not_o necessary_a the_o read_n of_o any_o impartial_a exposition_n of_o these_o vision_n of_o daniel_n may_v be_v daniel_n but_o now_o for_o the_o pleasure_n thereof_o i_o profess_v that_o to_o myself_o it_o be_v unspeakable_a and_o indeed_o what_o man_n be_v there_o that_o have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o have_v a_o soul_n sincere_o in_o love_n with_o god_n his_o creator_n and_o christ_n his_o redeemer_n but_o he_o must_v be_v enravish_v in_o contemplation_n of_o so_o clear_a footstep_n of_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n at_o large_a in_o the_o world_n and_o more_o especial_o of_o that_o tender_a care_n and_o inspection_n of_o christ_n our_o lord_n the_o sovereign_n of_o all_o soul_n that_o be_v to_o be_v save_v over_o his_o church_n whether_o jewish_a or_o christian_a that_o in_o dear_a regard_n to_o his_o charge_n the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n than_o carry_v captive_a to_o babylon_n and_o there_o remain_v in_o servitude_n under_o the_o babylonian_a monarch_n he_o shall_v condescend_v personal_o to_o converse_v with_o his_o servant_n daniel_n first_o near_o the_o river_n ulai_n under_o that_o mysterious_a name_n of_o palmoni_n and_o afterward_o on_o the_o river_n hiddekel_n or_o tigris_n in_o the_o pontifical_a habit_n of_o the_o high_a priest_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o with_o other_o circumstance_n show_v plain_o that_o it_o be_v christ_n of_o who_o the_o high_a priest_n with_o his_o pontifical_a habit_n be_v but_o a_o type_n who_o i_o say_v without_o tear_n of_o joy_n in_o his_o eye_n can_v consider_v this_o solicitude_n of_o the_o son_n of_o the_o most_o high_a god_n for_o the_o despicable_a son_n of_o man_n who_o yet_o further_o though_o he_o do_v not_o personal_o appear_v to_o daniel_n save_v in_o those_o two_o vision_n yet_o by_o his_o appointment_n and_o the_o ministry_n of_o his_o holy_a angel_n as_o of_o gabriel_n particular_o be_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o vision_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o handwriting_n upon_o the_o wall_n communicate_v unto_o he_o and_o it_o be_v a_o astonish_a consideration_n to_o observe_v how_o the_o holy_a messiah_n bear_v in_o his_o breast_n the_o care_n not_o only_o of_o the_o present_a people_n of_o the_o jew_n they_o but_o have_v portray_v in_o his_o mind_n the_o solicitous_a comprehension_n of_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o god_n from_o that_o time_n even_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n over_o who_o his_o father_n have_v ordain_v he_o universal_a protector_n and_o governor_n and_o according_o he_o have_v describe_v in_o these_o divine_a prophecy_n the_o state_n of_o his_o church_n as_o well_o christian_n as_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o indeed_o main_o of_o the_o christian_a the_o largeness_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n both_o for_o duration_n of_o time_n and_o amplitude_n of_o place_n be_v exceed_o more_o considerable_a than_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n whence_o even_o those_o vision_n that_o concern_v the_o jew_n be_v so_o frame_v that_o they_o also_o by_o way_n of_o type_n lively_o set_v out_o both_o the_o apostasy_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o the_o persecution_n of_o those_o that_o bear_v witness_n against_o the_o apostasy_n which_o persecution_n both_o jewish_a and_o christian_a this_o dear_a sovereign_n of_o soul_n the_o messiah_n faithful_o forewarn_v his_o true_a servant_n of_o saint_n not_o to_o avoid_v they_o but_o manful_o to_o suffer_v they_o his_o care_n and_o
to_o the_o church_n in_o europe_n asia_n and_o africa_n for_o certain_o the_o church_n have_v disspr_v itself_o into_o all_o these_o quarter_n of_o the_o world_n by_o that_o time_n as_o if_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n be_v a_o respecter_n of_o person_n for_o these_o be_v not_o the_o letter_n of_o john_n but_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o our_o answer_n be_v ready_a at_o hand_n *_o that_o for_o the_o significancy_n of_o the_o word_n asia_n to_o comport_v also_o with_o the_o significancy_n of_o the_o name_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n asia_n alone_o be_v pitch_v upon_o but_o according_a to_o the_o prophetical_a sense_n the_o true_a catholic_n church_n be_v write_v unto_o under_o such_o distinct_a condition_n as_o she_o be_v to_o vary_v into_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o partiality_n nor_o acception_n of_o person_n in_o this_o three_o if_o a_o man_n demand_v touch_v the_o order_n or_o precedency_n of_o these_o seven_o church_n that_o be_v write_v unto_o what_o a_o plain_a and_o manifest_a account_n be_v there_o to_o he_o that_o compare_v the_o epistle_n in_o their_o prophetical_a sense_n with_o the_o interval_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n lie_v in_o that_o order_n that_o these_o church_n be_v range_v this_o be_v a_o satisfactory_a reason_n and_o worthy_a the_o spirit_n that_o write_v these_o epistle_n but_o whether_o they_o be_v range_v in_o this_o order_n *_o because_o that_o a_o letter-carrier_n go_v from_o patmos_n his_o first_o journey_n will_v be_v to_o ephesus_n and_o then_o to_o smyrna_n and_o so_o in_o order_n till_o he_o come_v to_o laodicea_n whether_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o prophecy_n regard_v that_o in_o the_o dictate_v of_o his_o letter_n though_o alcazar_n the_o jesuit_n be_v for_o it_o i_o can_v but_o suspend_v my_o judgement_n and_o that_o not_o without_o a_o smile_n but_o of_o this_o ataxy_n more_o particular_o anon_o 3._o four_o if_o it_o be_v demand_v why_o just_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n be_v write_v to_o neither_o more_o nor_o less_o especial_o that_o in_o thyatira_n according_a to_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o epiphanius_n be_v than_o not_o found_v but_o after_o the_o write_n of_o these_o epistle_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o give_v a_o satisfactory_a answer_n in_o the_o literal_a sense_n for_o to_o say_v this_o book_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n affect_v the_o number_n seven_o and_o that_o because_o it_o run_v upon_o the_o number_n seven_o altogether_o in_o the_o ensue_a part_n of_o the_o book_n which_o be_v prophetical_a it_o therefore_o for_o conformity_n sake_n choose_v this_o number_n in_o write_v to_o the_o church_n though_o literal_o understand_v seem_v but_o a_o meager_a mean_a and_o trifle_a account_n a_o design_n unworthy_a the_o holy_a spirit_n that_o dictate_v this_o book_n but_o the_o use_v this_o number_n seven_o all_o over_o be_v rather_o a_o intimation_n that_o the_o book_n be_v prophetical_a all_o over_o and_o that_o these_o epistle_n be_v also_o a_o prophecy_n according_o as_o we_o have_v explain_v they_o and_o take_v they_o so_o the_o answer_n be_v plain_a and_o obvious_a viz._n the_o number_n seven_n be_v here_o choose_v out_o as_o symbolical_a it_o be_v the_o note_n of_o universality_n whence_o the_o pythagorean_n as_o i_o elsewhere_o have_v note_v call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d wherefore_o seven_o and_o no_o more_o than_o seven_o church_n be_v write_v unto_o as_o stand_v for_o the_o seven_o interval_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o all_o five_o if_o it_o be_v demand_v why_o these_o seven_o church_n rather_o than_o any_o other_o which_o in_o all_o likelihood_n may_v have_v the_o same_o virtue_n and_o vice_n that_o these_o be_v commend_v and_o tax_v for_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v write_v in_o the_o very_a notation_n of_o their_o name_n every_o name_n be_v significative_a of_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n in_o that_o successive_a interval_n of_o time_n that_o this_o or_o that_o church_n so_o name_v stand_v for_o and_o in_o such_o order_n as_o they_o be_v repeat_v six_o if_o one_o require_v a_o reason_n why_o christ_n be_v describe_v by_o hold_v the_o seven_o star_n in_o his_o right_a hand_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o sardis_n why_o the_o same_o description_n in_o both_o or_o why_o in_o either_o in_o the_o literal_a sense_n it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o find_v any_o peculiar_a reason_n but_o in_o the_o prophetical_a sense_n already_o declare_v it_o be_v obvious_a for_o the_o seven_o star_n signify_v all_o the_o pastor_n whether_o in_o present_a existence_n or_o succession_n and_o ephesus_n be_v the_o begnning-state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v both_o very_o seasonable_a and_o methodical_a to_o represent_v the_o first_o founder_n sustainer_n and_o continuer_n thereof_o by_o this_o emblem_n lo_o i_o be_o with_o you_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o this_o again_o be_v hint_v at_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o sardis_n be_v with_o evident_a proportion_n and_o analogy_n to_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n there_o represent_v for_o the_o church_n of_o sardis_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o beginning_n again_o or_o the_o emerge_n of_o the_o true_a church_n or_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n out_o of_o the_o power_n and_o kingdom_n of_o antichrist_n 4._o seven_o why_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n of_o all_o other_o church_n shall_v be_v commend_v for_o their_o try_v false_a apostle_n why_o may_v not_o other_o church_n be_v attack_v by_o they_o and_o also_o discover_v they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n the_o solution_n of_o which_o problem_n be_v easy_a in_o this_o mystical_a sense_n of_o the_o epistle_n *_o that_o place_n the_o ephesine_n interval_n within_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o the_o rest_n on_o this_o side_n of_o they_o eight_o if_o any_o one_o demand_n why_o it_o be_v say_v to_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n more_o than_o to_o any_o other_o church_n be_v thou_o faithful_a unto_o death_n 11._o and_o i_o will_v give_v thou_o the_o crown_n of_o life_n and_o again_o he_o that_o overcome_v shall_v not_o 〈◊〉_d hurt_v by_o the_o second_o death_n in_o the_o literal_a sense_n it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a to_o find_v any_o peculiar_a reason_n why_o this_o may_v not_o as_o well_o be_v say_v to_o the_o church_n in_o pergamus_n where_o there_o be_v kill_v for_o religion_n it_o seem_v by_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o martyr_n antipas_n ay_o but_o there_o be_v no_o obtain_v the_o crown_n of_o life_n there_o in_o any_o peculiar_a sense_n but_o the_o crown_n of_o life_n that_o be_v the_o imperial_a crown_n be_v give_v to_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o primitive_a martyr_n under_o the_o ten_o persecution_n to_o who_o also_o according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o first_o resurrection_n belong_v which_o be_v here_o oblique_o glance_v at_o according_a to_o the_o mode_n of_o the_o apocalyptik_a style_n that_o love_v to_o hint_n thing_n by_o ellipse_n in_o that_o promise_n 6._o he_o that_o overcome_v shall_v not_o be_v hurt_v by_o the_o second_o death_n imply_v thereby_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o first_o resurrection_n nine_o if_o any_o one_o will_v again_o object_v more_o particular_o against_o the_o ataxy_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o be_v raâ—…ged_v neither_o according_a to_o the_o merit_n nor_o congeneracy_n of_o their_o condition_n pretend_v that_o it_o have_v be_v far_o better_a to_o have_v join_v the_o two_o irreprehensible_a together_o smyrna_n and_o philadelphia_n against_o who_o there_o be_v no_o complaint_n at_o all_o and_o than_o ephesus_n sardis_n and_o laodicea_n against_o who_o there_o be_v no_o complaint_n of_o eat_v thing_n offer_v unto_o idol_n and_o afterward_o pergamus_n and_o thyatira_n in_o which_o church_n alone_o there_o be_v if_o any_o one_o i_o say_v contend_v that_o this_o method_n have_v be_v more_o exact_a true_o in_o the_o literal_a sense_n it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o frame_v a_o handsome_a and_o satisfactory_a answer_n especial_o if_o he_o urge_v that_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o method_n as_o well_o as_o the_o god_n of_o order_n but_o in_o this_o mystical_a or_o prophetical_a sense_n the_o answer_n be_v solid_a and_o exquisite_a and_o much_o what_o the_o same_o that_o be_v give_v to_o the_o like_a difficulty_n more_o general_o propound_v before_o namely_o that_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v name_v in_o that_o order_n the_o successive_a interval_n of_o the_o church_n catholic_n be_v to_o proceed_v in_o of_o which_o these_o asiatic_a church_n be_v but_o the_o symbol_n or_o hieroglyphic_n and_o therefore_o those_o two_o interval_n of_o time_n which_o take_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o beast_n and_o the_o false_a prophet_n viz._n the_o
so_o that_o not_o only_o the_o notation_n of_o the_o name_n of_o laodicea_n intimate_v that_o to_o be_v the_o interval_n of_o the_o church_n that_o reach_v till_o the_o last_o judgement_n but_o that_o epithet_n also_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o combusta_fw-la that_o it_o be_v the_o interval_n next_o to_o the_o conflagration_n of_o the_o earth_n sect._n 4._o that_o place_n the_o ephesine_n interval_n within_o the_o apostle_n time_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o ephesine_n interval_n terminate_v in_o the_o ten_o year_n of_o nero_n as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o my_o exposition_n in_o which_o interval_n all_o the_o apostle_n be_v live_v saint_n john_n long_v after_o but_o another_o character_n of_o this_o interval_n be_v that_o the_o nicolaitan_a sect_n appear_v not_o till_o present_o after_o it_o whence_o they_o be_v commend_v that_o they_o hate_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o nicolaitan_n that_o be_v such_o deed_n as_o the_o nicolaitan_n after_o be_v find_v guilty_a of_o and_o spondanus_n place_n the_o sect_n of_o the_o nicolaitan_n some_o two_o or_o three_o year_n after_o the_o ten_o of_o nero._n the_o church_n hitherto_o have_v keep_v free_a from_o such_o wretched_a debauchery_n as_o that_o sect._n 6._o as_o if_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v intend_v on_o purpose_n to_o answer_v to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d though_o there_o be_v two_o other_o paronomastical_a allusion_n in_o the_o word_n asia_n beside_o this_o yet_o i_o do_v not_o doubt_v but_o this_o be_v also_o intend_a and_o the_o rather_o from_o the_o repeat_n so_o perpetual_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o know_v thy_o work_n and_o it_o be_v the_o most_o useful_a and_o the_o most_o accommodate_v to_o vulgar_a capacity_n that_o allusion_n to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o mundus_fw-la asiathicus_fw-la lie_v more_o deep_a and_o be_v less_o intelligible_a to_o the_o vulgar_a sect._n 8._o he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o hear_v etc._n etc._n namely_o what_o the_o spirit_n say_v unto_o the_o church_n this_o additional_a put_v to_o that_o excitation_n to_o attention_n to_o what_o the_o spirit_n say_v unto_o the_o church_n show_v that_o all_o these_o seem_a private_a epistle_n to_o particular_a church_n be_v indeed_o one_o set_a or_o compage_n of_o epistle_n which_o concern_v the_o succeed_a interval_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n whence_o the_o epiphonema_n of_o each_o epistle_n to_o every_o church_n be_v so_o frame_v as_o if_o it_o be_v direct_v to_o all_o the_o church_n that_o be_v to_o every_o interval_n thereof_o the_o whole_a be_v a_o representation_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a according_a to_o several_a interval_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n which_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o consider_v and_o compare_v together_o for_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o the_o whole_a sect._n 9_o and_o the_o exact_a correspondency_n of_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o event_n etc._n etc._n and_o not_o only_o of_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n but_o of_o whatsoever_o name_n of_o person_n be_v mention_v in_o any_o of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n there_o be_v a_o correspondency_n of_o these_o with_o the_o state_n or_o affair_n of_o that_o interval_n of_o the_o church_n wherever_o they_o occur_v it_o may_v be_v that_o some_o strong_a spirit_n as_o they_o be_v call_v or_o high_a and_o hard_o lofty_a wit_n will_v overlook_v these_o paronomastical_a correspondency_n or_o allusion_n in_o word_n or_o name_n as_o trifle_n but_o the_o great_a hugo_n grotius_n himself_o do_v not_o that_o make_v the_o name_n of_o every_o one_o of_o the_o seven_o church_n to_o be_v significant_a nor_o do_v peganius_n that_o incomparable_o learn_v as_o well_o as_o singular_o pious_a german_a who_o know_v nothing_o of_o my_o exposition_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n nor_o i_o of_o he_o give_v about_o the_o same_o time_n muchwhat_o the_o same_o prophetical_a exposition_n with_o allusion_n to_o the_o word_n or_o name_n that_o i_o have_v do_v which_o show_v the_o obviousness_n and_o naturalness_n of_o this_o way_n of_o open_v the_o prophetical_a sense_n of_o these_o epistle_n to_o they_o who_o judgement_n be_v free_a and_o though_o i_o know_v none_o when_o i_o set_v myself_o to_o the_o prophetical_a exposition_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n that_o hold_v it_o a_o prophecy_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n distinguish_v into_o so_o many_o interval_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n unless_o he_o that_o put_v i_o upon_o it_o may_v surmise_v some_o such_o thing_n yet_o after_o the_o publish_v my_o exposition_n i_o meet_v with_o one_o who_o be_v something_o a_o curious_a enquirer_n after_o expositor_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o scripture_n that_o name_v to_o i_o at_o least_o half_a a_o dozen_o that_o hold_v the_o seven_o church_n to_o be_v such_o a_o prophecy_n reach_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o end_n thereof_o and_o i_o have_v have_v some_o such_o like_a information_n since_o but_o none_o of_o these_o that_o be_v of_o this_o opinion_n have_v attempt_v to_o make_v the_o thing_n out_o as_o i_o be_v inform_v from_o the_o same_o hand_n and_o very_o late_o by_o chance_n look_v again_o into_o mr._n mede_n i_o find_v he_o also_o explicit_o to_o declare_v his_o opinion_n that_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n be_v a_o prophecy_n touch_v the_o church_n universal_a à _fw-la principâ—…o_fw-la ad_fw-la finem_fw-la set_v out_o the_o different_a state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o several_a interval_n in_o that_o order_n that_o the_o seven_o church_n be_v range_v in_o the_o apocalypse_n which_o i_o have_v note_v in_o my_o preface_n to_o the_o exposition_n and_o he_o give_v two_o reason_n for_o it_o the_o one_o that_o the_o number_n seven_n be_v a_o number_n of_o entire_a revolution_n of_o time_n to_o which_o i_o will_v add_v express_o that_o as_o the_o seven_o seal_n reach_v from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o entire_a apocalyptick_a period_n who_o epocha_n be_v the_o begin_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o exitus_fw-la in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n so_o do_v also_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n and_o that_o for_o that_o reason_n they_o be_v likewise_o exhibit_v under_o the_o number_n of_o seven_o his_o other_o reason_n be_v that_o if_o this_o prophetic_a sense_n be_v not_o intend_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n will_v not_o have_v pitch_v upon_o these_o seven_o church_n in_o asia_n but_o the_o letter_n will_v have_v be_v direct_v either_o to_o all_o the_o church_n or_o the_o most_o famous_a such_o as_o the_o church_n at_o antioch_n at_o alexandria_n and_o rome_n and_o many_o other_o and_o such_o as_o no_o doubt_n say_v he_o have_v need_n of_o instruction_n as_o well_o as_o those_o name_v in_o the_o apocalypse_n these_o be_v his_o two_o argument_n which_o i_o have_v not_o miss_v in_o my_o twenty_n though_o i_o never_o meet_v with_o they_o before_o that_o in_o mr._n mede_n and_o these_o two_o argument_n be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v that_o person_n of_o so_o excellent_a a_o wit_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o general_n into_o how_o deep_a a_o sopor_fw-la therefore_o or_o lethargy_n be_v their_o wit_n and_o judgement_n cast_v who_o twenty_o argument_n of_o like_a nature_n will_v not_o awake_v but_o now_o for_o a_o further_a assurance_n upon_o a_o more_o particular_a account_n which_o be_v brief_o this_o i_o first_o consider_v the_o integrum_fw-la which_o be_v to_o be_v distribute_v into_o these_o seven_o part_n which_o be_v the_o true_a apostolic_a church_n not_o contaminate_v with_o either_o pagan_a or_o pagano_n christian_n idolatry_n though_o live_v in_o various_a circumstance_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n now_o there_o be_v a_o complaint_n of_o eat_v thing_n sacrifice_v unto_o idol_n under_o the_o three_o and_o four_o interval_n and_o none_o in_o the_o two_o first_o and_o three_o last_o make_v i_o conceive_v that_o those_o middle_a interval_n both_o put_v together_o do_v comprehend_v no_o less_o space_n than_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostasy_n of_o the_o church_n before_o whole_a kingdom_n and_o nation_n have_v emerge_v out_o of_o it_o as_o it_o happen_v at_o the_o bless_a reformation_n this_o be_v the_o first_o fast_o hold_v i_o seem_v to_o have_v of_o thing_n viz._n that_o the_o pergamenian_a and_o thyatirian_a interval_n include_v the_o time_n of_o the_o apostasy_n of_o the_o church_n till_o the_o time_n of_o reformation_n come_v the_o time_n antecedent_n to_o this_o be_v all_o that_o time_n before_o the_o apostasy_n or_o at_o least_o which_o i_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o more_o probable_a before_o the_o roman_a empire_n become_v christian_n by_o the_o conversion_n of_o constantine_n now_o this_o antecedent_n