some doe imagine any particular Country of Germany England c. saying that as the Gospell came out of the East into the West so it shall returne out of the West into the East and then say they these West Countries falling from the truth shall set themselues against the Church which thing can haue no allowance at all from hence But here onely is meant those most bitter enemies of the Church which being stirred vp by Sathan shall come with all might and malice that can be and shall fight against the Church compassing about it to destroy it But it is said the Church shall haue victory and that by Christ for fire that is the wrath of God shall come downe from heauen and consume them After he saith that the Diuell is taken for hauing spoken before of the Whore of the Beast and of the false Prophet he now sheweth what shall be done to the Diuell who was last to be destroyed and it is said that he was cast into a lake of fire and brimstone there to be tormented with the Beast and the false Prophet for euermore The second part of the Chapter is of the description of the last iudgement where first it is said there was a white Throne which of what matter it shall be no man knoweth yet seeing Christ is man as well as God he shall haue no doubt a royall and reall place wherein he shall sit most euidently His glory is further expressed in that the heauens and the earth shall flye away from before his face and shall passe away and shall burne with fire 2 Pet. 3. Then shall the dead be raised vp and all both great and small shall be summoned before God The Bookes were opened that is the Bookes of euery mans conscience shall be laid open and disclosed wherein is nothing but guiltinesse of conscience to condemne euery one Notwithstanding there is another Booke open which is the Booke of life to wit the Booke of Predestination which euery one shall be iudged by as he is elect or reprobate yet so as that election and reprobation doe not take away workes for it is said they shall be iustified or condemned according to their workes for they that are elected to life are also elected to sanctification the reprobate contrariwise The iust haue reward not for their good workes sake but according to their good workes wrought and that not before their calling conuersion and regeneration but which afterwards were done in faith and this onely for his owne mercie and promise sake in Christ The wicked are condemned according to their workes and for their workes sake their name being not found in the Booke of life Lastly it is said that death hell were cast into the lake that is were swallowed vp in immortality there being now no more danger of death hell Apoc. Cap. 21. 1 And I saw a new heauen and a new earth for the first heauen and the first earth were passed away and there was no more Sea c. VVEe haue heard heretofore of the straits of the Church militant being in warfare in this present world subject to many troubles and persecutions yet being defended and protected by God was not ouercome by any of them Now followes the state of the Church triumphant after this world And first here Saint Iohn sets forth the state of all the world then of the Church Euen as Moses in the Booke of Genesis describes first the beginning and creation of the whole world and then sets downe the condition and state of the Church The state of the world is declared in the first verse in that it is said there was a new heauen a new earth that is the heauens being partly corrupted and darkened by sinne and hauing lost somewhat of their glory they had before shall not onely haue that former but a better glory then the first so likewise should the earth and the sea also for in that it is said the Sea shall be no more it is not to be vnderstood that it should not afterwards be but that it should not then be the same that now it is namely raging tempestuous and disturbed as now wee see it to be but it should be still and quiet the waters and the fishes remaining still yet without roaring swelling and that distemperature which now it hath As for the Church it is described generally in the first seauen Verses particularly in the rest of the Chapter as also in some of the next In generall hee compares the Church to a braue Spouse prepared and trimmed for a King Christ being her Husband signifying the glory and beautie of the Church of God for as in the dayes of the solemnizing of marriage Brides vse to goe beyond their ordinary custome and kinde of apparell so the Church is now decked and beautified with full and perfect glory Secondly it is compared to a City comming downe from heauen that is a beautifull City hauing all her honour glory and good frame of building not from her selfe but from God not as the Cities which are builded by men but as one that is builded by God himselfe for as earthly Cities builded by men receiue their title from them so this City being built by God hath her name also from God Neither is here meant in that it comes downe from heauen that it should be in earth but onely that it is altogether heauenly Afterward the state and blessednesse of it is set forth in that God shall dwell in it continually as the Scripture testifieth that he shall more fully remaine and dwell with them then before for as it is said in the Scripture that in this life hee will Dine and Sup with them so now it is said he shall abide with them for euermore Then is set forth what they shall haue by the dwelling of God with them namely all happinesse first in that they shall drinke of the Well of life that is should receiue all pleasure and al comfortable good and desirable things Secondly God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes that is all things naught grieuous corrupt and painefull shall be taken from them And albeit to flesh and bloud this may seeme a strange thing and altogether impossible and incredible in regard of these miseries we now are in and of our sinfulnesse and wretchednesse yet to take away that infidelity of ours it is said that God himselfe speaketh it and bids Iohn write that all things shall be new for he will make all things new howsoeuer now they be troublesome and old And in that he biddeth Iohn for the further comfort of the Church of God to write that all old things are done and that new things are come and in that he saith that to him that thirsteth he will giue of the water of life and that he which ouercommeth shall inherite all things yet hee so saith it that none shall haue it without holinesse of life for as for
of this should make them blessed which did heare it and keepe the things herein contained Further it is commended in regard of the time wherein it was deliuered to Iohn to wit when he was exiled for the Gospell sake into the I le of Pathmos which argueth that it was a notable thing seeing it was to be a matter of great comfort to him in such a distresse And more particularly that it is said to be reuealed on the Lords day wherein God vseth to deliuer more excellent things concerning his will and counsell then at other times And as the Sabbath giueth commendations and credit and authority vnto the Reuelation so this Reuelation also giueth authoritie to the Sabbath And first Iohn beginneth with a Salutation that it might draw attention and be the more accepted of the hearers In the salutation hee wisheth Grace and peace from the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost The Father is set out to be Hee that was is shal be that is euerlasting The holy Ghost is set down next by the name of seauen Spirits as hauing relation vnto the seauen Churches making as it were a conformity of the Spirit with those seauen Churches hereafter mentioned wherein his Mistery most especially lay The cause wherefore he did chuse seauen Churches and no other number it is for the number of perfection for seauen is a perfect number and therefore he saith the holy Ghost is as seauen Spirits to poure out his grace effectually in all the Churches because he is as effectuall in all as in one for his strength is not diuided And by seauen Churches he also vnderstandeth all the rest Next the holy Ghost is set downe the Sonne of God The reason why the second Person is set after is first because the Scripture is wont to set that in the last place which it vseth to intreate longest of now therefore the Apostle Saint Iohn being here principally to speake of our Sauiour Christ setteth him in the last place In the Salutation he wisheth grace vnto the Churches with the fruit thereof which is peace which are set downe by their end to wit that God might be glorified Christ is here described by his offices first in that he is called the faithfull Witnesse signifying that hee is a Prophet to testifie the truth to his people Secondly he is described by his Priest-hood in that he is called the first begotten of the dead shewing thereby that he was offered vp in sacrifice for his Church and was risen from the dead Thirdly by his kingdome in that he is called Prince of the Kings of the earth that is he to whom all power belongeth and to whom all Princes are subiect as of whom they receiue their Scepters Afterward the Apostle shewes that he did not set downe this Reuelation by himselfe but by the calling of Christ and therefore bringeth in the author of his calling which was Christ whom he setteth downe by his comming in the clouds which he saith shall be so glorious that euery one shall see him and that this authority may be more effectuall he bringeth in Christ speaking in his owne person saying I am Alpha and Omega And lastly the Apostle bringeth in himselfe describing himselfe to be a Brother that is a member of Christ and one that waited for deliuerance by him And againe that hee was a Labourer in the Church and therefore was persecuted for the Truths-sake for which cause hee was now driuen into the Isle of Pathmos And heere hee saith hee was rauished in the spirit and heard a voice as of a Trumpet In that he saith he was rauished in the spirit he signifieth that his minde was withdrawne from all worldly cogitations and was addicted and bent vnto those holy meditations which it pleased the Lord to minister vnto him Where we see that hee with-held himselfe from all other things to the end hee might better attend vpon all good occasions to learne any thing concerning the will of God Which teacheth vs in holy exercises especially which concerne the will of God to separate our selues from any thing that may hinder vs or withdraw our mindes from the same and more principally ought the Ministers so to doe when they are to be occupied in the study of the word of God and in deliuering the will of God vnto the people And hee looked to see the Voice Not that the voice could be seene but he looked from whence it should come and who should speake it Then hee sheweth what hee saw which is the preparation of the two Chapters following that which he saw was seauen Candlestickes which note the seauen Churches for the Candlestickes are of Gold signifying the glory and puritie of them so that wee see that albeit the Church in the world seemeth to be contemptible yet with God it is most precious Afterward the Apostle doth notably describe Him whom he saw and first by his apparell in that hee had a long Garment noting that hee was a great Councellor for amongst the Iewes Councellors vsed to weare such manner of Garments This noteth that Christ is infinitely wise and therefore able to giue counsell to his Church Secondly his paps girded noting that as he is wise so he is ready to helpe his seruants speedily with his counsell A similitude taken from the custome of those Countries of the East who when they would make hast in doing any thing they would gird vp their Cloathes to their breasts lest they should be any hinderance vnto them that they might more speedily doe that they went about His head white declaritg his grauity as gray haires are signes of age His eyes flaming that is piercing and entring into the hearts of men laying open and seeing all things whatsoeuer though neuer so secret His feete Brasse shewing his power and maiestie as being able to tread his enemies and all that is contrary to his will or that opposeth it selfe to him in peeces vnder his feete After follow his effects and first by his voice which is said to be like the sound of many waters setting down thereby the maiestie of his voyce noting how terrible Christ is to his enemies Then hee is said to haue seauen Starres in his hand which signifieth the Ministers who are the lights of the Church And whereas they are said to be in his hand it noteth that the Ministers of the Word are in the custody of Christ being vpheld maintained and gouerned by him Out of his mouth went a sharpe two-edged sword Which is his Gospell And whereas it is said to haue two edges it declareth the double vertue of the word of God which either cutteth and healeth vnto life or woundeth to death His face shining as the Sunne either setting forth the fulnesse of his Maiestie or else his enlightning of the earth with the light of the Gospell like as the Sunne with his beames Afterward Iohn saith that he fell downe at the sight hereof which he did partly in
1. the worke of the God-head in fashioning of all the Creatures as it is there meant but here it is rather to be vnderstood of his worke of redemption as hee is Mediator That which he reprehendeth in them is this namely that they are neither hot nor colde that is they halt betweene two Religions swimming as it were betweene two waters and this he setteth out to be a very desperate case and therefore saith hee I would for thine owne sake thou werest either hot or colde for because thou art neither but onely luke-warme it shall come to thee as vseth to befall the luke-warme water in a mans stomacke which will not abide but must be spued out euen so saith he because thou art neither hot nor colde it will come to passe that I shall euen spue thee out of my mouth that is I shall vtterly abandon thee out of my fauour and cast thee cleane from mee so that I shall haue nothing to doe with thee any more Then to declare vnto them the grieuousnesse of this sinne of theirs hee telleth them the cause of that their luke-warmenesse in religion to wit because saith hee thou saiest thou art rich that is thou thinkest thy selfe to be perfect and in good estate but indeed thou art poore naked destitute of all grace and hast nothing at all yea thou art blinde and canst not see thy want and therefore thou art so much the more miserable and thy case more dangerous and desperate And therefore saith he I aduise thee to looke to thy selfe quickly and to addresse thy wants And he telleth the meanes how they may doe it namely come saith hee and buy of mee gold c. But may some say how can the Church buy any thing of Christ seeing she hath nothing at all but is altogether poore and destitute The Prophet Esay answereth come and buy but he addeth for nothing And therefore our Sauiour saith here come and buy of me gold that is onely if thou wilt come and enrich thy selfe with the riches of my graces come and buy white apparell that is cloath thee with my Righteousnesse and so couer thy shame and get a Collirium an Ointment to annoint thy blinde eyes that thou maist see better and know more perfectly what a grieuous case thou art in and what a fault thou hast committed Like vnto this Church is the estate of many that professe the Gospell among vs who thinke they are well and that they haue great knowledge whereas indeed they haue nothing at all as their liues doe testifie Lastly that they should not take in euill part this his sharpe reprehension he saith as many as hee loueth he rebuketh and chasteneth and therefore they should take his reproofe in good part and be brought to repentance by it for it was a manifest token of his loue and fatherly kindnesse towards them if they would profit by it And he bids them also be zealous where he noteth another cause of their former sinne to be want of zeale which he wisheth them to reforme And he saith though he be a King yea the King of Kings yet he standeth at the doore and knocketh that is calleth them to repentance and promiseth if they will let him in that is turne from their sinne and yeeld to his will he will come vnto them and Sup with them signifying what exceeding ioy and comfort they should receiue by him yea they should be made partakers of the ioyes of heauen where he alludeth to the comfort that friends haue one of another when they meete together at their Dinners Suppers and Feasts which thing if it be comfortable to men much more comfort shall it minister vnto vs to be partakers of the company of Christ Iesus himselfe in his heauenly banquet A second benefit he noteth in that those that doe thus receiue him and ouercome shall not onely receiue comfort but glory also and honour in his Kingdome and that hee will set them vpon his Throne and they should raigne with his Father in his Kingdome Apoc. Cap. 4. 1. After this I looked and behold a doore was open in heauen and the first voyce which I heard was as it were of a Trumpet talking with me saying Come vp hither and I will shew thee things which must be done hereafter c. HItherto wee haue heard of the first part of the Reuelation concerning the things that were then done Now it remaineth to speake of the things to come which is giuen vs to vnderstand in the beginning of this Chapter in that it is said I will shew thee things which must be done hereafter And first here are set forth those things generally which are afterwards to come vnto the whole world and this is from this Chapter to the beginning of the tenth Chapter Afterwards the things that befall particularly to the Church of God from the tenth Chapter to the end of the Booke According as Daniel in his Prophecie did first manifest vnto the Church the things which should befall vnto the Monarchs and then vnto the Church it selfe also The which iudgements it pleaseth the Lord to reueale vnto his Church because they being in the world though they be not of the world as our Sauiour Christ speaketh are yet interessed in those outward troubles which come vpon the world First then it is said there was a dore open in heauen Which teacheth vs that vnlesse God open a doore vnto vs all things are hid in his Counsell and shut vp so that none can see into them and especially those things which concerne the saluation of Man Againe it is said he heard another voice like a Trumpet which was to waken him better for albeit hee was wakened before yet he was not sufficiently wakened and stirred vp to behold the things afterward to be deliuered The like wee see in Daniel and Ezechiel to shew that we had need of new calling on and new attention of new stirring vp and preparation whensoeuer wee are to learne any new thing out of the word of God euen as Iohn had a new preparation because of this new matter to be reuealed for new things require new attention After hee was bidden to come vp Which teacheth vs that vnlesse wee be lifted vp aboue our selues by Gods power to the beholding of heauenly things and of those things especially which belong to our saluation we can haue no power to vnderstand them And whereas hee is here bidden to come vp and not before in the other place it sheweth vs that the matters following which were afterwards to come to passe are more difficult and haue the more need with greater diligence to be obserued and that we are with more care to labour for the vnderstanding of them then of those things that were before And whereas he is said to be rauished in the spirit it meaneth that he was as it were cast asleepe and in a trance and his senses being with-held from all manner of obiects which might
said not to haue beene heard in the streets This is the first Woe the two other woes are to come The other Trumpet followeth to be blowne And first to declare the certainty of it hee saith there came a Voice from the corner of the Altar which was in the holy place which commanded that they should loose the foure Angels by foure is meant a sufficient and competent number as before wee haue heard to execute Gods iudgements And these are said to be bound in the Riuer Euphrates which was that Riuer that runneth through Babilon where the people of Israel were held in captiuity And it is vsed to set forth that spirituall captiuity of the Church of God whereby the Whore of Babilon keepeth in bondage both their soules and also their bodies Now these foure Angels the Executers and Ministers of Gods fearefull iudgements were prepared to goe at an houre at a day at a moneth at a yeare noting their readinesse and promptnesse to execute any iudgement that God sets them about yea though they should be sent forth for a whole yeare long they would be willing to doe it declaring that they did it without wearinesse Their effects be farre otherwise then the former for they haue authority to kill the bodies of men This seemeth to bee in the time of Gregory the ninth when the Church of Rome had gotten the Kings and Princes of the world and the Emperours to assist them and to take their part and therefore now those that would not worship the Beast and yeeld to their spirituall Whoredome and Idolatry should be killed and put to death by the wicked Magistrates whereas before they had not power to hurt the Bodies but only to sting the Consciences of men These are described to haue heads like Lyons noting that they were fierce and cruell Their Tayles like Serpents signifying their craft Which sheweth that the Church of Rome should promote her Kingdome both by violence and also by their craft and subtilty Lastly is set downe a conclusion wherein is shewed that for all these fearefull iudgements the people of the earth whereas they should haue feared and haue beene bettered by these iudgements and learned to turne vnto God by repentance yet they continued vnrepentant in their Idolatries Murthers Witchcrafts and all other their abhominable wickednesses Apoc. Cap. 10. 1. And I saw another mightie Angell come downe from heauen cloathed with a Cloude and the Rainbow vpon his head and his face was as the Sunne and his feet as pillars of fire c. VVEe haue heard after the Preface of this Booke the diuision of it into those things already executed and which were after to be executed Those which were to come are either touching the iudgement of God vpon the world or those things which more especially did concerne the Church Hitherto we haue heard of the world now the things that more especially belong to the Church doe follow to the which in this Chapter is as before a Preface wherein the holy Ghost prepareth and fitteth the Apostle Saint Iohn and in him all vs to the diligent hearing and obseruing of all those things which concerne the Church The whole drift of this Vision is to giue credit to the history following and this credit is drawne first from the Author of the prophecie which is Christ and secondly from the Instrument to wit Iohn In the first part that the thing it selfe might be the better esteemed the credit drawne from the Author is set forth by the glory and excellencie of him In the second part Iohn is set foorth by what meanes he came to this Prophecie and from whom hee receiued it to wit that hee had it by commandement from God the Father and from God the Son who commanded him to publish this history which after is set downe in this Booke For the first part he saith first he saw another Angell to wit as we haue heard before our Sauiour Christ being of another nature of other offices and of another glory then any other Angell as being the Angell of the Couenant that is hee in whose hand the Couenant is established betwixt God and his Church This Angell is said to come downe from heauen viz. not that Christ came downe bodily for the Scriptures say euidently that the heauens must hold him till the restoring of all things that is till the end of the world but here it was onely represented vnto Iohn in a vision For in that wee say that Christ is in heauen it is not that wee tye or lincke him there as the Papists charge and slander vs wrongfully for wee hold that as there is in the heauens infinit roome for him to execute his will so hee hath the heauen as an incomprehensible place and is not tyed and kept in as it were like a Prisoner but is at his owne pleasure to doe what he will himselfe And this which wee say is proued out of the word of God in the Acts Acts. 1. where we are taught that he must stay there till the latter day So that this sight was onely a representation of the minde wherin it was giuen to see Christ thus Strong a proper title vnto the Lord to be the strong God signifying that hee was the mighty God and therefore this Angell is of another nature then the other Angels Clad with a Cloud that is to set out the glory of our Sauiour Christ euen so in the last day hee shall come attended vpon compassed with the clouds A Rain-bow about his head the Rain-bow about his head seemeth to expresse and to note vnto vs the gracious countenance of our Sauiour Christ towards his Church for the Rain-bow in the Scripture is a signe of the fauour of God as it is in Genesis namely in that he will neuer drowne the world againe Or Chap. 4. 3. else to the further setting forth of his Glory and Maiestie for as before in the fourth Chapter wee haue heard that God the Father is described to haue had a Rain-bow about his Throne whereby the glory of the first Person in the Trinity was represented so that may be here noted of Christ in that he is said to haue a Rain-bow about his head and therefore Christ is of equall glory with his Father His face as the Sunne whereby his further glory is set forth in his excellent and al-seeing prouidence in that as the Sunne beholdeth all the earth so hee at one instant and with one eye as it were seeth all things on the face of the earth He had in his hand a little Booke open In this Booke Chap. 5. 1. is contained those things which were to follow and to come vpon the Church it selfe As in the fift Chapter wee haue heard of a Booke in the hand of God the Father which containeth the iudgements which were generally to fall vpon the whole world The difference betweene this Booke and that other is very plaine for first wee
the time shall not be distinguished by it we shall not be directed by the light of it for God himselfe shall be our Sunne God shall be our light for euermore Apoc. Cap. 12. l. And there appeared a great wonder in heauen A woman cloathed with the Sunne and the Moone was vnder her feete and vpon her head a crowne of twelue Starres c. HEre in this Chapter is set downe a description of the Church of which it is said there was a great signe noting the great estimation that God hath of his Church which his great estimation of it is set forth in that shee is said to be cloathed with the Sunne which is the most glorious creature declaring and expressing her exceeding glory in the sight of God Shee had the Moone vnder her feete signifying her rule and authority ouer all the things below that are subiect to change in that she onely hath receiued of God power to subdue them and shee doth of right possesse them the wicked are vsurpers Vpon her head shee had a Crowne of twelue Starres shewing her Queenely Maiestie shee being the Spouse of Christ as also her victory ouer all her enemies It is said shee trauelled her trauell is meant of the Church of the Iewes of whom this is testified in the Euangelists the 9. of the Acts of the Apostles how great resistance there was against our Sauiour Christ against the Apostles the rest what great and grieuous persecutions they then sustained for the Gospell-sake in the beginning of the primitiue Church because they went about to beget to bring and to draw Children vnto God out of the seede of Abraham Afterward another great wonder is seene to wit a great Dragon namely the Diuell compared to a Dragon and called the great Dragon because of his great strength and exceeding fiercenesse for such is the strenght of a Dragon as that he is able to gripe with an Elephant He is described to haue seauen heads and ten hornes by seauen heads noting his great wisedome knowledge and vnderstanding of things as also it signifieth his wit and subtiltie to resist the Church and to make more mischiefe against the seauen Churches that is all the Churches of God And his tenne hornes signifieth his will and power to doe much hurt to them His Crownes signifie his victory in preuailing against the world to wit ouer those whom God hath not ordained to saue whose names are not written in the Booke of life and for this cause he is called the Prince of the world because he hath the greater part of the world vnder his obedience What his tayle he ouerthroweth many Starres noting that there are many like vnto Starres in outward shew being graced with notable gifts and being as it were lifted vp to heauen by the knowledge they had and the notable profession they made of God hauing some feeling also being yet not Sealed are by the tayle of the Dragon that is by small power and light temptations pulled backe from the same and fall from the faith After he saith He stood before the Woman noting that he setteth himselfe very fiercely and sharpely against the woman that is the Church and Children of God whose names were written in the Booke of life And therefore hee is said to wait on the woman first to hinder her that shee should not bring forth and then to deuoure them at the least when they were brought forth that is when they haue beene called and made profession of the truth and are made members of Christ by faith euen then is hee ready most strongly to assault them to ouerthrow if it were possible the foundation of their faith Where hee compareth the Diuell to an enuious Mid-wife opposing him to a good Mid-wife for as she is carefull to helpe the woman in trauell and to saue the Childe so the Diuell contrariwise is ready to hinder and hurt the Church and to destroy her seede Whereas the Church is said to bring forth a Man-Childe it is first meant of Christ and then of his members and seruants in the beginning of the Church whom now hee hath ioyned vnto him in his kingdome but principally it is to be vnderstood of Christ that valiant one who albeit hee was stung on the Crosse by the Serpent yet euen thereby hee ouercame and after was taken vp to heauen and had victory triumphing ouer the diuell ouer sinne and ouer all his enemies and the enemies of the Church Then it is said there was a battell in heauen by heauen he meaneth the militant Church of God vnder the Gospell which is the part of Gods kingdome for the kingdome of God which is begun euen in earth The principall in this battell is first Michael to wit Christ and with him his Angels namely the godly Saints with the good Angels on the one side and on the other side the Dragon with his Angels namely the wicked spirits and wicked men But the godly ouercome the Dragon and his Angels the meanes whereby they ouercome is through the bloud of the Lambe which is their principall armour being such as that albeit they themselues were killed notwithstanding by reason hereof they were made conquerours and were now receiued into the kingdome of heauen and Sathan is throwne out of the kingdome Which thing when Sathan saw as namely that now he had lost all his aduantage as it were and that hee could haue nought to doe with them any more they being now triumphing in the kingdome of God hee waxeth mad as it were and rageth against the earth more fiercely then before And hereupon the Elders and the rest of Gods Children in heauen are brought in reioycing at this victory and saying peace in the heauen that is to the Children of God that were then deliuered but woe to the earth that is to the inhabitants of the earth because that they should haue much to doe and suffer great trouble for seeing Sathan by the constant induring of those that had giuen their liues in the defence of the truth perceiued that hee had got such a foile he therefore rageth against those that remaine and for this cause it is said woe to them on the earth not that they should perish but onely should bee greatly afflicted through the malice of Sathan and his instruments Now then it is said that hee persecuted the woman that is the Church in persecuting the Church she hath a place appointed her in the Wildernesse whither she flyeth for one thousand two hundred and sixty dayes the time we haue heard before to haue beene during the space of the hard dealing with the two Prophets wherein they prophecied which wee shewed to containe so many yeares By this flight of the woman into the Wildernesse for one thousand two hundred and sixty dayes set downe in the sixt verse and the persecution whereby the Dragon pursued her that space is meant those persecutions in generall which followed against the whole Church during the
THe Prophet hauing declared the fearefull iudgements to be executed on the earth by the man of Rome hee doth here arme Gods Children by the promises of mercie in the preseruation of them First then to giue credence to that which was to be spoken here is set forth the description of Christ and his Church militant Christ is here compared to a Lambe both because of his meekenesse and humilitie and especially by reason of his suffering and his offering of himselfe to death vpon the Crosse for vs. Hee is said to stand signifying his readinesse to helpe his Church As Stephen Acts 7. saw Christ stand at the right hand of God not that Christ doth alway stand in heauen but it noteth out vnto vs his pronenesse and willingnesse to doe good to his and to reuenge their aduersaries In mount Sion that is his Church to wit the heauenly Ierusalem to the good helpe of his Church to deliuer them from their enemies Then is set downe his traine in the same number that is spoken of in the seauenth Chapter viz. one thousand foure hundred and forty signifying the great number of Gods Children on the face of the earth in that time yet not so great but that it might be tolde And this same number of the Gentiles in these times of persecution is noted to be as many as of the Iewes that were sealed vp to life euerlasting And therefore it is a certaine thing that the number of Gods children in the time of persecution is but small in regard as at other times for then they are without number as it is said in that seauenth Chapter These are described by their effects to wit that they had a song and their voice is said to be like the voice of many waters that is was a very great voice and made a great sound yet so comfortable as if it were the voice of harpers which sheweth the notable harmony and mellodious voice of the Children of God and their vnity and consent in the prayses of God A new song that is passing the capacitie of mans inuention as being onely the worke of Gods spirit and onely giuen them by the worke of their regeneration for they onely that are regenerate can sing new songs acceptable to God so that no other man whatsoeuer though neuer so wise neuer so witty neuer so cunning in Musicke can sing pleasantly vnto God vnlesse they haue the spirit of regeneration Virgins that is those that were kept vndefiled from spirituall fornication and corporall vncleanenesse which had no guile in their mouth and were vnblameable in the sight of God not that they were altogether without guile and sinne but that they were accepted as righteous in Christ that as Christ was without spot so were they as hauing the righteousnesse of the Lambe imputed vnto them and their sinnes to him Afterward to draw credit to the Prophecie hee saith he sees another Angell flie through the midst of heauen euidently with the euerlasting Gospell signifying that after that in that one thousand two hundred and sixty the Gospell should not be cleane hidden but that there should be an Angell to wit some Ministers that should fore-warne them to take heed of the Beast and not to be defiled with his vncleanenesse After another Angell followeth which foretelleth the destruction of Babilon saying Babilon is fallen which noteth that euen in those times there should be such which by the Ministery of the word should denounce the ouerthrow and ruine of Babell that is of Rome that howsoeuer it seemed strong and vnmoueable in the sight of the world yet it should fall and come to destruction and it is twice repeated to shew the certainty of it A third Angell denounces the iudgements of God against the worshippers of the Beast of his image to wit those that did yeeld themselues to the Idolatry of the Beast These three messages are done by diuerse kindes of Messengers and Ministers shewing that the gifts of God are diuerse in his Ministers as namely some of exhortation some of denouncing iudgements against the vngodly of which sort this last is In that he saith they should drinke of the Wine of the wrath of God it signifieth as he expoundeth it that they shall be tormented with Fire and Brimstone they shall be burned in hell and that euen before the holy Angels and before the Lambe signifying the certainty of that iudgement in hell as also that it should be such that it might easily be discerned and was euident to be seene of the Lambe and of the Angels The time of this is said to be for euermore not for a short space or for a definite time but it should bee without ceasing and without end After hee commeth to declare to the Church of God the comforts that should come to them by describing their estate in this world and in the world to come and then shewes the execution of the iudgements vpon the vngodly For the Children of God it is said that in this life there belongeth vnto them patience and faith which their faith bringeth forth obedience to Gods commandements and causeth their patience to continue After this life it is said there should come rest from their labours and their good things should follow them that is their afflictions persecutions their patience and holinesse of life should not stay behinde them but should follow them that is they should haue them recompenced to the vtmost in heauen Concerning the wicked their iudgements follow First it is said there comes an Angell out of a Cloud in white signifying his zeale which he had in Gods glory in the execution of his iudgements He is a created Angell not the Angell of the Couenant as appeareth in that he is said to be like a man and also for that he is commanded by another which was the Sonne of God And hee is commanded to put in his sharpe Sickle which is the word of God being the power of God vnto destruction to all those that beleeue not into the world because the time is come for saith he the haruest is ripe and the corne that is the world is dry Where the world is compared to drye Corne for as Corne when it is dry is then ready for the Sickle so when the wicked are come to their full ripenesse in sin they are then ready to be cut off by the Sickle of Gods vengeance And as dry stickes are fit for the fire euen so they that are dried and dead in their sinnes are fit matter for Gods iudgements to burne to destruction which noteth the fearefull iudgement to be executed on the vngodly for worshipping the Beast Another iudgement followeth more fearefull albeit in shew it be like the former and that is of the other Angell that hath a sickle wherewith hee is bidden to cut the Grapes downe Hee is not bidden to cut them with a little knife as is the vse of pruning the Grapes but with a Sickle noting
those that were fearefull vnbeleeuing abhominable adulterers idolaters c. they should be cast out of the Kingdome And therefore hee teacheth that none should presume of this mercie of God which liue wickedly and prophanely but those onely should inioy it which should liue holily and vprightly More particularly hee describeth the Church in the ninth Verse where first hauing noted it in generall as before that it shall be as a Spouse and as a Citie he secondly in particular pursues the City more at large And first he sets downe the situation of this City it being a notable commendation for a City to be well situated and this City he saith is situate vpon an hill that is both in a faire and pleasant as also in a strong place according as Cities so situate vse to be noting hereby the excellent situation of it both in regard of the pleasantnesse as also of the strength of it Then hee describes it first in the essentiall parts of it and then by the properties and qualities the priuiledges and good things belonging thereunto For the essentiall parts of them hee mentions to be the Wals the Gates the Streets the foundations of the City and of the Wall And of them he sets forth the matter forme The matter is said to be gold precious stones c. to wit the most precious things that can be The forme that they are most glittering beautifull shining christall-like and lastly in most excellent order In the matter of the Church there are set downe the Children of God particularly for as in generall the Church is set downe by a City so by these particulars are meant the Children of God particularly they being called in the Scriptures the stones of Gods house and of Gods City By these earthly things according to our weake capacity by reason of our ignorance hee sets downe their excellencie that by these things that are better knowne vnto vs we may as by steares come to the view of the heauenly glory and therefore by these matters which are most excellent on earth hee setteth forth that heauenly beautie The forme of the City is foure-square noting a most excellent forme To the measuring whereof the Angell is said to haue a golden Reede where hee takes a similitude from cunning Artificers who to lay euery part euen haue their lines and squares signifying that here euery thing is in perfect order In that the measure is said to be the measure of a man that is of an Angell it meaneth that it was the measure of this Angell that appeared to Iohn in likenesse of a man It had twelue Gates and on the Gates the names of the twelue Tribes of the children of Israell written By the twelue Tribes are vnderstood all the Children of God which are the Israel of God the seede of Abraham according to the spirit Their names written on the Gates which are on euery side of the City doe note thus much namely that as a City hath Gates on euery side to the end that people may haue recourse vnto it from all coasts round about so the Church of God is said to haue twelue Gates round about with the names of the twelue Tribes of the Children of Israell in them to signifie that all the Children of God should come vnto it out of euery part of the world Hauing spoken of the City and of the particular parts thereof he comes to speake of the priuiledges and first he saith they haue no need of any Temple for God shall be their Temple that is God shall be all in all in the Church without meanes of the outward exercises of religion as of the Sacraments the Ministery of the word Secondly there is no neede of the Sunne and of the Moone because the glory of God shall giue it light in regard whereof the Sunne shall haue no light in regard of that light nor any other light for God being infinitely more light shall inlighten them Hereby signifying both by the Sunne and the Temple that both ciuilly and ecclesiastically God should be all in all without any outward meanes of gouernement The glory and honour of the Nations shall be brought vnto it that is they shall haue glory and ioy in regard of the Nations comming thither to wit they should not onely haue ioy in Gods presence which was principall but also in regard of the presence one of another in that the people of God in all Nations shall come thither The Gates shall not be shut in the day for night there is none In that there is no night hee meaneth that there is no alteration of ioy but there is light altogether In that there is continuall day hee noteth that there is all comfort for euermore for the day is comfortable Againe the Gates not shut signifying that there should be no feare of danger now nor terrour of enemies but all peace safety and security Lastly it is said no vncleane thing shall be there that is holinesse onely and those things that are holy shall be there perpetually because those onely that are written in the Booke of life should be there Apoc. Cap. 22. 1. And hee shewed mee a pure Riuer of water of life cleare as christall proceeding out of the Throne of GOD and of the Lambe c. IN this Chapter are set forth to vs first the residue of the effects of Gods presence and of the presence of our Sauiour Christ towards the Church in the world to come partly set forth in the former partly in the beginning of this Chapter containing the comforts they should receiue thereby to wit that they should be throughly and perfectly blessed not onely with necessary things but with all manner of delights and pleasure and with much glory and honour And first it is said there was a Riuer which ranne throughout the midst of it signifying first the pleasantnesse of the City for as that City is notably situated which standeth so as that it hath a Riuer running through it to carry away the filthinesse and vncleanenesse from it so this City is so placed as that it is voide of all noysomnesse and vncleanenesse And also it is said to haue a Riuer going through it in regard of those Countries which vsed to drinke of the water of the Riuer which if it were neere was an excellent commodity which notwithstanding was oft times farre off from the City but here it is not so for this Riuer is neere at hand being a riuer of fresh water yea of water of life and they neede not to goe out of the City to fetch it as did the Samaritan Woman it being euen at the doores In the middes of the Streete and on both sides of the Riuer was the tree of life which signifieth our Sauiour Christ who is called the Tree of life in regard of those most excellent and liuely graces which as most comfortable fruits hee bringeth forth and ministreth vnto his Church And as by the Riuer was set