whole world These things Reader I have thus discussed not rashly affirmed I leave the whole matter to the Church to be determined by the word of God to the iudgement whereof as it is meete I doâ— willingly submit mine opinion concerning this mysterie IN THE DIALOGVE OF IVSTINE MARTYR WITH TRYPHO THE IEW there is a notable place concerning the thousand yeers Raign of Christ TRYPHO BVt tell me the truth doe you confesse the restauration of Ierusalem and doe ye expect the gathering together of your people that they triumph together with Christ and the Patriarchs and the Prophets and our Tribes or those also who before your Christ came were Proselytes or doe you grant those things that you may seeme to get the better of us in dispute IVSTINE Trypho I am not brought to such a pinch that my words and thoughts should differ I confessed to you heretofore that not only I but many besides me doe verily thinke as you well know will come to passe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. But contrariwise I have signified to thee that many who are not Orthodox and pious Christians deny this I pointed out those to thee who are in name Christians but indeed Atheists and prophane heretiques because what they teach is altogether blasphemous wicked and foolish But that I may manifest to the world what I speakâ— to you I will collect all our disputations into one body wherein I will set down in writing what I hold in this point agreeable to what I professe to you my determination with my self is to follow neither men nor their opinions but God and his word For although ye have conferred with some who beare the name of Christians but are not so indeed but dare blaspheme the God of Abraham of Isaac and of Iâ—cob and who say that there is no resurrection of the dead but that presently after death their souls are received into heaven yet you must not thinke that those are Christians as neither any man if he judge aright will acknowledge the Sadduces or such like heretiques as those of the Genists Mâ—rists Galilâ—ans Hellâ—nians and Pharisees who are Baptists to be Iâ—ws not to trouble you with the expression of all that is in my minde they be called Iews and the children of Abraham and confesse God with their mouthes but their heart as God himself complaineth is farre from him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But I and all entirely Orthodoxe Christians doe both know the future resurrection of the body and the thousand yeers in that Ierusalem that shall be reedified adorned and enlarged as the Prophets Ezekiel and Esay and others doe declare For so Esay of the time of those thousand yeers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Esa 65.17 For there shall be a new heaven and a new earth and the former shall not be remembred neither shall they come into their mindes but they shall finde joy and rejoycing in those which I create For behold I make Ierusalem to triumph and my people to rejoyce and so forth to the end of the Chapter But of that for the dayes of my people shall be as the dayes of the tree of life he addeth In these words we understand that the thousand yeers are impliâ—itely pointed at For as it was said to Adam in that day thou eatest of the tree in that same day thou also shalt die we know he did not accomplish a thousand yeers we know also saith he that saying that a day with the Lord is a thousand yeers is to our purpose Moreover a certaine man with us whose name is John being one of the twelve Apostles of Christ in that Reveâ—ation which was shewed to him prophesied that our faithfull members of Christ should accomplish those thousand yeers at Ierusalem and then the generall and in a word the everlasting resurrection and last judgement of all joyntly together even that whereof also our Lord spake wherein they shall neither marry nor be given in marriage but shall be equall with the Angels even sonnes of the resurrection of God For the gifts of prophesie are extant with us even till this time c. There is another place to this purpose in the same book After the discourse of the great Day of judgement which he calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when the Iews should lament Christ whom they have crucified and Christ himselfe inaugurated after the order of Melchisedech should be the Iudge of quick and dead presently he addeth At whose second coming thinke not ye that Esay or other Prophets warned us to offer up sacrifices of blood or drinke offerings but true and spirituall sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving THE OPINIONS OF THE LEARNED HEBREWS CONCERNING the great Day of Judgement and the Kingdom of CHRIST then to be CArpentarius in his Commentary upon Plato his Alcinous pag. 322. affirmeth That the seventh Millenary is called by the whole Schoole of the Cabalists The great Day of Iudgement because then saith he they suppose that God will Iudge the souls of all men By the name of the Cabalists if I be not mistaken he pointeth at the Doctors of the Talmud with many of whom it is manifest this tradition was frequent for we reade in Gemara Sanedrin Perek Chelek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 R. Ketina said The world doth continue sixe thousand yeers and Esa 2.11.17 in one it shall be destroyed Of which it is said And the Lord only shall be exalted in that day But he understandeth that destruction which shall be by fire whereby the world shall be purified as gold and shall be freed from the servitude of the curse under which it groaneth by reason of mans sinne into the glorious libertie of the sonnes of God Rom. 8. 22. It followeth a little after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is Tradition agreeth with R. Ketina Even as every seventh yeere of seven yeers is a yeere of release so of the seven thousand yeers of the world the seventh thousand yeere shall be the thousand of release as it is said And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day Likewise in the 92 Psalme the title is said to be A Psalme or song for the Sabbath day that is the day that is nothing else but rest Againe it is said in the 90 Psalme For a thousand yeeres in thy sight are but as yesterday Here let the Reader note two things First that the ancient Iews did understand that Prophesie in the second of Esay where these words And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day are twise taken for the day of the great judgement and the kingdom of Christ whose steps our later Rabbins have seemed to imitate R. Schelomo saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In that day that is in the Day of iudgement Againe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when he shall arise to shake the earth terribly that is saith he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the day of iudgement when the Lord shall breake the wicked of the Earth Rabbi
much answerable to the condition of the world Naturall and accordingly represented in Scripture for as the world Naturall consists of heaven and earth so in each State a Kingdome is found somwhat answerable hereunto and that is the Nobilitie and the Laitie And as in heaven there are Sunne Moone and Starres of lesser and greater magnitude so in every Kingdome there is a King and Queene and Nobles and that in great varietie of degrees of magnitude And as in the earth there is great variety of creatures as of trees of various sorts and of herbs and flowers so in the people of any Common-wealth is found great varietie of differences And upon this ground and by this course of interpretation which hee taketh whereas other Writers many times give prety interpretations which the Reader perhaps could wish to be true Mr Mede by his grounds and manner of proceeding convinceth the Reader of the truth of that sense and meaning the Text which is delivered by him even to admiration 2 And when this is done as for the accomodation of the matter of fact in this prophecie thus interpreted by him unto its proper time this requireth great skill in History and I have found that Master Medes friends who have been acquainted with the course of his Studies would give him the bell for this as herein out-stripping all others Thirdly I have observed some notable distinctions in this Comentarie of Master Mede which have given me great content as giving great light to the cleare understanding of many things which otherwise would prove very obscure As for example 1 The distinction between the book-sealed with seaven seales which he calles the greater book the contents whereof indeed are very large containing an History from the beginning of the preaching of the Gospel to the end of the world and this hee saith containes fata imperij the fortunes oâ— destinies of the Empire 2 and the little book mentioned Revel 10. which he saith containes fata Ecclesiae the fortunes or destinies of the Church The first containes the seaven Seales and the seaven Trumpets for the seaventh Seale produceth the seaven Trumpets 1 The six first Seales containe the Storie of the Empires continuance unto the dayes of Constantine included in whose dayes there being a strange Metamorphosis of the Empire from Heathen to Christian this change is represented in such a manner as if it were the ending of the world and the beginning of a new which in my conceit seems very judiciously delivered by him 2 Then the seaven Trumpets which are the contents and matter of the seaventh Seale represent the judgements of God upon the world for standing out against the Gospel and shedding the blood of the Saints 1 By the heathen Emperours and for that cause ruine was brought upon the Empire by degrees untill it was rent and torne into ten Kingdomes which is set forth by the parts thereof in foure degrees and accordingly that â—ills up the materiall contents of the foure first Trumpets 2 The other three Trumpets are called Woe Trumpets containing the judgements of God upon the Antichristian world the degenerate States of Christendome First by the Saracens the contents of the first Woe Trumpet 2 By the Turkes the contents of the second Woe Trumpet chap. 9. 3 By the end of the world Revel 11. 15. 2 Another distinction there is mentioned by him and which carrieth great light with it of great use for the clearing of the state of Christs glorious Kingdom here on earth and that is Revel 21.24 And the Nations that are saved 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is which escape the fire or are saved from the fire at Christs coming shall walk in the light of new Ierusalem by which it appeares clearly that new Ierusalem is one thing and the Nations that escape and are saved from the fire wherewith the earth and all the workes thereof shall be burnt in the day of Christs coming 2. Pet. 2. and 1. Thes 1. and 2. these I say are another thing and must be distinguished from new Ierusalem For in the light of this new Ierusalem those nations shall walk as is expresly testified And the distinction Mr Mede conceaves to be this By new Ierusalem is meant Christ and his raised Saints who are called the Saints whom he shall bring with him 1. Thes 4. and by the nations are meant all the faithfull servants of God who shall be found here alive at Christs coming 3 And I finde that the want of distinguishing these the ancient Fathers and perticularly Epiphanius have discoursed very wildely against the glorious Kingdom of Christ here on earth yet in just opposition to the Corinthians whose guise it was to discourse very carnally of the glorious Kingdome of Christ The consideration whereof moved Austin to relinquish the doctrine of Christs Kingdome here on earth which formerly hee embraced as himself professeth in one of his works Decivitate Dei where he treats thereof 4 Yet as Mr Mede hath in my judgement exceeded in merit all others that went before him in this Argument so others after him may go beyond him in some perticulars As to instance in a perticular or two or three 1 The discovery of the true meaning of the number of the Beast 666. by Mr Potter wherewith Master Mede himself was exceedingly taken even to admiration professing it to be the greatest mystery that hath been discovered since the beginning of the world 2 The same Master Potter hath other strange mysteries to be discovered out of the same number and especially out of the fraction thereof which as yet he hath not made publike 3 So likewise in explication of the mysterie of the two Beasts mentioned Revel 13. hee differeth from Mr Mede And I have seen an excellent discourse thereupon but as yet he hath not communicated it to the world What cause have wee to blesse God for bringing us forth in these dayes of light may we not apply that of Esay unto these times when darkenesse Esay 6â— 2. covered the earth and grosse darkenesse the people the Lord hath risen upon us and his glorie hath beene seene upon us 1 Not onely in respect of the great Reformation wrought in this Westerne part of the world an hundred yeeres agoe and more God awaking as it were out of a sleep and like a gyant refreshed with wine and the Lord Christ awaking and stirring up his strength for the raising up of Iacob and restoring the desolations of Israel and blessing us with a resurrection of his Gospel and discovering the man of sin and blasting him with the breath of his mouth 2 But also opening the mysterie of the slaughter of the Witnesses which we have just reason to conceive to have beene on foot divers yeares not by judiciall proceedings only in the Martyrdom of Gods Saints but by the sword of war First in the Low-Countries then in France after that in Bohemia then in Germany which how long it should continue
David Kimchi saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In that day that is in the dayes of the Messaih when the Lord shall executâ— his iudgement upon the wicked That And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day is as much as if he had said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And the Lord shall be King over all the earth The other observable thing is that those Rabbins thinke that the title of the Psalme 92 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth appertaine to the argument of the Psalme and ought to be understood of the Sabbatisâ—â—e of the thousand yeers And now I suppose that it is manifestly proved out of these Rabbins that the ancient Iews did define that day to be the space of a thousand yeers which they called the day of judgement That which is more confirmed out of Miarasch tehillius upon that saying in the 90 Psalme Make us glad for the dayes or according to the dayes wherein thou hast afflicted us that is saith he by the Babylonians the Grecians and the Romans and that in the days of the Messiah And how many are the dayes of Messiah â— R. Iehosuas said that they are two thousand yeers as it is said According to the dayes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherein thoâ— hast humbled â—â— that is according to two dayes for one day of the holy and blessed God are a thousand yeers according to that Because a thousand yeers in thy fight are but as yesterday The Rabbins have also said that according to the time to come 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the world to come Heb. 2. 5. The day of the Messiah shall be one For God which is holy and blessed in the future that is in the future age shall make one day to himself of which day we reads Zach. 14. And there shall be one day which shall be knowne to the Lord not day nor Chap. 20. night and it shall come to passe that at evening time it shall be light This day is the world to come and the resurrection of the dead But they agree not amongst themselves at what millenary this day shall be neither doth the seventh millenary like them all There have been of them and yet men of no small authoritie who touching the sixt millenary have thought as the house of Eliah whose tradition is yet extant touching the space of 1000 yeeres of the great judgement in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is The tradition of the house of Elias The Iust whom God shall raise up to wit in the first resurrection shall not return into dust But if you make enquiry what is like to happen to the Iust in those thousand yeers wherein God which is holy and blessed shall renew his world touching which it is said And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day we must know that the Lord shall give them as it were the wings of an Eagle to flie upon the face of the waters Whereupon we reade Psal 46. 3. Therefore shall we not feare though the Earth be removed But you will say perhaps they shall have affliction but he preventeth that Esay 40. 31. They that waite upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as Eagles Yet he taketh it for granted that the world shall continue no longer then six thousand yeers His tradition is thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is The world doth continue six thousand yeers two thousand before the Law two thousand under the Law and two thousand yeers the dayes of Christ The one of which two thousand yeers therefore according to his opinion was that great Day of which it is said And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day Such was the opinion of R. Asche the brother of R. Abba in these expresse words that is according to the opinion of R. Chanan the sonne of Thahalipha 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God which is holy and blessed shall not renew his world but at the seventh Millenary But R. Asche said that that shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the fift Millenary Moreover we may in some part understand by those things which follow what the ancient Rabbins thought touching the kingdom of the Messiah in that great Day to come In briefe sums of R. Eliezer the great who lived presently after the second Temple Chap. 34. thus we reade 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is As I live saith the Lord I will raise you up in the time to come in the resurrection of the dead and I will gather you with all Israel Petrus Galat. 12. book chap. 1. Likewise the Paraphrast Ionathan who lived before Christ upon the 14 Chapter of Hosea the 8 vers They shall be gathered together out of the midst of their captivitie they shall dwell under the protection of their Christ and the dead shall live and good shall grow in the land and there shall be a memoriall of their goodnesse fructifying and never failing as the remembrance of the sound of the Trumpets over the old wine which was wont to be offered in the Sanctuary The Targum upon the 50. Psalme the 8. vers The Iust shall say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the day of the great Iudgement Our God shall come and shall not keepe silence that he may revenge his people R. Saadas among those Rabbins whom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they call excellent upon that in the 7. Chapter of Daniel the 10. vers And the Iudgement is set and the Bookes are opened c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is the day of Iudgement as it is written * Mal. 4.1 Beâ—old the day cometh that shall burne as an oven Likewise * Esay 5. 16. Zeph. 3.8 And the Lord of Hostes shall be exalted in iudgement Againe * Why waite you for me saith the Lord. That is the great day at which time God will rise to Iudgement And a little after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is And know thou that the iudgement is set and the the bookes are opened which I have interpreted formerly of the day of Iudgement and time of * Wisd 3. 7. visitation there shall be a day wherein all the actions of the sonnes of men both quick and dead shall be searched into The same vers 18. The Saints of the most high God shall receive a Kingdome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is Because the children of Israel have rebelled against the Lord their kingdome shall be taken from them and shall be given to these foure Monarchies which shall possesse the kingdome in this world and shall lead Israel captive and subdâ—e it to them even till the world to come untill Messiah shall reigne Compare that of Luk. 21. 25. to wit The Iewes shall be led captive into all Nations and Ierusalem shall be trodden under foot of the Gentiles untill the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled Then they shall see the Sonne of
Mr Mede professeth to be vncertaine and now amongst us First in Ireland then in England and that by the Antichristian generation with so manifest oppositon unto truth and holinesse under a Protestant Prince as I thinke the like was never known since the beginning of the world After this strange warre and slaughter of the Witnesses which hasteneth to a Period the continuance of it shall be but three years and an half in which space of time they that dwell on the earth shall rejoyce over them and make merrie and send gifts one to another because these prophets tormented them that dwelt upon the earth But after three dayes and an halfe when the Spirit of life from God should enter into them and they stand upon their feet great feare should fall upon them which saw them And a voyce shall bee heard from heaven saying unto them Come up hither And they shall ascend up to heaven in a cloud and their enemies shall behold them But certainely when that comes to passe the same houre there shall be an Earthquake and the tenth part of the Citie shall fall This Citie undoubtedly is Rome which Master Mede proveth curiously to be at this day precisely the tenth part of the Citie of Rome as it was in Saint Iohns dayes when this prophecie came forth and in the Earthquakes shall be slaine of men of names of men seaven thousand which Master Mede interpreteth men of qualitie It followeth The second Woe is past Now that Woe was the plague of the Christian world by the Turkes whereby is signified the destruction of the Turkes which people I take to be all one with Gog and Magog in Ezekiel represented there as the great enemies of the Iewes invading the land of Jewrie And the Hebrew doctors conceave that warre of Gog and Magog to be yet to come Here it may be objected that the Turke is Lord of the land of Canaan already I grant it but when the time shall come for the calling of the Iewes which Master Mede conceaved should be wrought in a strange manner by the appearing of Christ unto them as he appeared unto Paul at his conversion Saint Paul acknowledging that grace to have been shewed to him first implying that the like grace should be shewed to others after him Then I say upon this their conversion they shall gather themselves together from all places toward the land of Canaan where shall be the place of Christs throne in his glorious kingdome here on earth upon which coming of the Iewes into the land of Canaan the Grand Seignior will be moved to raise all his power gathered together out of all Nations under him to oppose them and at first shall prevaile as we read Ezekiel 28. and Zachariah 14. in the beginning but in the issue the Iewes shall prevaile For Saviours shall come up on Mount SION and the Kingdome shall bee the Lords Obadiah 21. Thither shall the Lord cause his Mightie ones to come downe Let the Heathen bee awakened and come up to the valley of Iehoshaphat for there will I sit to judge all the Heathâ—n round about Joel 3. 11 12. And the Lord shall be King over all the earth in that day shall there bee one Lord and his Name One Zachariah 14. 9. So that this implies the calling of the Iewes a little before And whereas both Gog and Magog shall be destoyed by fire Ezechiel 39. and the Man of sinne by fire 2. Thessalonians 2. Master Mede was of opinion that all this is but one and the same fire even the fire that shall bee at Christs comming 2. Thessalonians 1. 8. and 2. 8. Then follows the second Resurrection of the dead and Christs Kingdom the contents of the seaventh Trumpet Revelation 11. 15. Even so come Lord Iesus Come quickly William Twisse The Translator to the Reader GOD at sundry times and in divers manners Heb. 1. 1 2 spake in time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets He hath spoken unto us in these last dayes by his SONNE by whom not onely the Gospel of Salvation is communicated unto us but also the revelation of future events to Revel 1.1 fall out in this last age of the world to be shewed to his servants signified by his Angels unto Iohn one of his Witnesses and Apostles most necessarie for our knowledge as appeareth by the Blessing pronounced to him that readeth and them that Revel 1.5 heare the words of the Prophecie and keepe those things which are written therein For the time was then at hand when some of them should fall out and all in their severall seasons foreset The obscuritis of this as of all other Prophecies untill the event should manifest them hath discouraged many in bestowing their time to read and meditate therein not considering that the Almightie Lord who having the abundance of Spirit Matth. 13. 34. could have set forth all things easie to the understanding of the simplest hath so disposed his Treasures that by prayer and diligence men might be enabled through the guidance of the Spirit to attain unto them and so have them in greater estimation Many learned men have written Expositions of parts of this Revelation some of the whole amongst them I fell upon this learned Commentarie of Master Medes with the Apocalyptique Key before it The Exposition and Methode so pleased me though the phrase were something difficult that to make the better impression of it in my memorie I undertooke to translate it and did finish it long since I communicated it with some friends and subjected it to their correction hence it comes to passe by their desire that it is made publike I humbly crave pardon if my ill expression hath detracted from the Authors learned labour I confesse I have followed the Latine phrase so neere that howsoever the true sence may be expressed yet there wants the English elegancâ—e and if I mistake not the Author himselfe hath so many Hebraismes and Graecismes as make the Latine more crabbed and lesse intelligible but in my poore opinion none hath more accurately and deepely searched and found the sence of those obscure places of Scripture which he hath handled in this and other his writings It were to be wished that his intended larger Commentarie which I am perswaded he hath written and purposed to put forth as he promised at the end of the 14th chapter had not been hindred as I finde by some of his letters they were That opinion the pretended cause of restraint of his further progresse concerning the 1000 yeeres Râ—igne of Christ grounded upon the 20th chapter of the Revelation with the authorities and reasons for the same howsoever it be not received by many as Orthodox yet is delivered with that moderation and subjection to the censure of the Church that it can displease no man nor is it for ought I can see contrary to the Analogie of Faith and may bee usefull for the conversion of the Iewes who
wherein the Saints approved their faith and constancie to â—od while the Beast ruled went before the judgement the reward followed the decree then made 2 The same doth yet further appeare out of that hymne of praise â—ung of the elders and beasts at the overthrow of Babylon câ—ap 19. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hallâ—u-jâ—h for the Lord God that Almightie one hath reigned ver 7. Let us be glad and rejoyce and give glorie to him for the mariage of the Lamb iâ— come his wife hath made herself ready For I doubt not but that the kingdom is the same in both places 3 But of all most clearely out of the 11. chap. ver 15 16 c. where at the found of the seventh trumpet the dayes of the witnesses and of the Beast and the moneths of the Gentiles being runne out there is proclaimed in heaven the kingdomes of this world are our Lords and his Christs and he shall raigne for evermore And the foure and twentie Elders fitting before God in their thrones fell upon their faces and worshipped God saying We give thee thanks Lord God Almightie which art and which wa st and which art to come for thou hast received thy great might and hast entred thy Kingdome This is that finishing of the mysterie of God declared by the Prophets which the Angel had foretold before the tenth Chap. ver 7. should come to passe about the the time of the sounding of the seventh trumpet when neither the moneths of the Beast nor the dayes of the witnesses mourning nor any thing at all concerning the period of time times and halfe time shall be any more remaining verse 6. 7. plainely according to that which was foretold to Daniel chap. 7. vers 25 26 27. and before concerning the Universall dominion of Christ or kingdome of the Saints to come after the same times and altogether the same session of judgement Also that chap. 12 ver 7. where the same Angel which is here in John is read with the same behaviour rite and which is chiefly to be noted almost in the same words to have sworne that that space once being ended of a time times and halfe a * Are not these 〈…〉 21 2. time the dispersion of the holy people and together with that that last of wonders should be consummate He which here desiâ—eth further confimation let him use the Charecters of the former Synchronisme for they affoord as I said their mutuall helps The sixt Synchronisme Of tâ—e new Jerusalem the bride of the Lamb with the seaventh Chap. 21.2 Chap. 11 1. trumpet or the space from the time of the destruction of the Beâ—st 1. The marriage of the Lamb and that Emperiall kingdome of the Almighty Lord God both begin after the destruction of Babylon where the seaventh trumpet beginneth this appeareth out of the hâ—mne of the Elders and Beasts which in the former Synchronisme we have commended out of the nineteenth chap. vers 6.7 Halliluâ—ah for our Lord God Almightie reigneth Let us be glad and rejoyce and give honour to him for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made her selfe ready But the new Jerusalem is that bride of the Lamb adorned and prepared for her husband chap. 21. verse 2. And I saw saith he the holy City new Jerusalem coming downe from God out of heaven as a bride adorned for her husband and verse 9. Come and I will shew thee the bride the Lambes wife c. Therefore even she shal begin and contemporize with the seventh trumpet 2. Now Jerusalem is the beloved citie but that beloved citie forthwith after the 1000. yeares are ended is said to be compassed about by those last troopes of Satan then let loose chap. 20. ver 9. And they compassed the tents of the Saints and the beloved citie therefore it must needs have beene extant before while Satan was yet bound I have thought fit to adde two other either for confirmation or illustration and setting forth of these two arguments 3. The seventh Viall being poured out wherewith the Beast is dispatcht and abolished there came a loud voice from the throne saying TETONE It is done chap. 16. vers 17. So also He that sat upon the throne saith to Iohn beholding new Jerusalem descending from heaven chap. 21. verse 5 6 Behold I make all things new TETONE It is done I am * Alpha â— Omega A and â— the beginning and the end therefore new Jerusalem the bride of the Lamb beginneth at the last terme of the Vials TETONE the whore being already dispatcht and so it contemporizeth with the space of time which insueth the destruction of the Beast 4. One of the Angels of the Vials Chap. 17. sheweth unto Iohn the condemnation of the whore even while the Vials are in pouring out and at least by one of them to be executed And the same Angel of Vials chap. 21. vers 10. sheweth to the same Iohn the bride of the Lambe the great citie holy Jerusalem to become glorious even when the Phials are now ended that is the Beast and Babylon being destroyed The 7th Synchronisme Of the palm-bearing multitude of the numberlesse triumphants out of all Nations Tribes People and Tongues chap. 7 vers 9. with the seventh trumpet or space of time from the destruction of the Beast chap. â—â— â—â— c. 1. The palm-bearing multitude next succeedeth the companie of â—44000 sealed but that companie being to be measured or judged of by its opposite both state and duration to the Beast with whom it contemporizeth ended with the Beast also Synchronisme 4. Part 1. Therefore the palm-bâ—aring multitude followeth both and consequently will fall out in the time of the seventh trumpet which is the space of time from the destruction of the Beast 2. The palm-bearing multitude are the citizens of new Jerusalem for of both it is said * Chap. 7. 16. 17. That they shall not hunger nor thirst any more c. That the Lambe shall feed them and lâ—â—d them to the living fountains of waters and * Chap. 21. 4. that God shall wipe away every teare from their eyes Now new Jerusalem contemporized with the seventh trumpet therefore the palm-bearing multitude also The Apocalyptique Epoche or computation of the Revelation The Epoche or computation of the Apocalyps as it is a prophecie of things to come whether thou shalt determine the beginning of it in the beginning of Christianisme or in the overthrow of the Iewish politie and church or in that moment of time wherein the Revelation is shewed to John or howsoever it be fixed for I will not here play the interpreter being mindfull of my purpose I suppose none will doubt but that thence the beginning of the seales as touching things done in them is to be fetcht But that the beginning of the second prophecie also or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the open booke is to be fetcht from the same account if the very words
beasts raged in these times in the Roman Empire it will then point out that evill wherewith the Easterne and Southerne regions were usually pâ—stered in this case namely that when the famine and the pestilence raged the Beasts would grow strong against men and slay them as may be sâ—en Levit. 26.22 Ezek. 14.15.21 But Deut. 7 22 the changing of the construction doth more favour the former opinion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if thou render it atque id per Bestias terrae and that by the Beasts of the earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quartam partem terra the fourth part of the Verse â— earth-over which it is said power was given to hell and to death to tyranize except any conceive himself able to defend the vulgar interpreter here with whom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is ' Chap. â— a quaternion or four parts of the earth I expound it of the chiefest or by much the greatest part of the Romane Empire For since the third part of the earth as shall be said in the proper place doth note out the largenesse of the Romane Empire by consequence the fourth part of the earth is the same dominion of Rome lesse by a fourth part and so that three or four fold company of calamities went through three quarters of the Romane Empire that is almost the whole one fourth part thereof onely being free And surely Orâ—sius seemeth to affirme that the pestilence extended not it selfe further then to use his words the Edicts of Decius did run for the overthrow of the Churches Of the rest I have nothing to say And thus much of the 4th Seale Of the fifth Seale The two Seales that follow have no help from the Beasts as the former had concerning the time of their beginning and therefore none here any more to be seene that sit upon horses whereeupon that signification given by the Beasts did depend the space therefore of both is there to begin where the chance of the Seale going before left which certainly may be very easie where the chances as here shall be such that the determination of them cannot lie hid in respect of remarkeable evidence Wherefore the fifth Seale shall begin from the Empire of Aurelianus in the yeere 268. at what time the fifteene yeers peâ—tilence is extinguished which was the longest of all the calamities of the former Seale Now the most notable chance of the Roman estate under this Seale and which went beyond all other events of that time is that Persecution of the Christians begun by Dioclesian continued by others the most bitter by much of all which ever were Former ages saw nothing comparable to this It was longer and more â—ruell they are the words of Orosius then almost any forepassed For there was a continuall burning of Churches proscribing of Innocents slaughter of Marâ—yrs for ten yeeres space Forthwith in the beginning of that ten yeeres within thirtie dayes about 17000. men are reported to have been butchered neither did the furie of the persecuters asswage in the progresse of time In Egypt alone how small a part of the Empire of Rome if Chap. 6. De emâ—â—datione tempâ—â—um lib. 5. de prime anno Dâ—ocletiam Coptitar credit be given to Doctor Ignatius Patriarch of Antioch as Scaliger hath it there were butchered 144000. men and 700. banished whence the Diocletian Aera took its name among the Egyptians and that to this day it should be called the Martyrs Aera what now doest thou judge was done in the other Provinces through the Romane Empire All the world almost was stained with the Sacred blood of the Martyrs saith Sulpitius Severus The world was never more exhausted of blood by any wars neither did the Church ever conquer with greater triumph they are the words of the same Author then when it could not be conquered with ten yeeres slaughter This slaughter is figured by the vision of the souls of those that were slaine for the word of God and for the testimonie which Verse â— they bare lying under the Altar that is upon the ground at the foot of the Altar like Sacrifices newly â—laine For Martyrdom is a certain kind of sacrifice whence that of the Apostle to Timothy his Martyrdom being at hand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand 2. Tim. 4.6 To the same purpose also is that of the same Apostle to the Philippians 2. 17. If I be offered up upon the sacrifice and service of your faith c. That further they are said to cry to God with alowde voice requiring vengeance of their blood it is a Periphrasis of extream cruelty and rype for judgement as it were such as for the barbarousnes therof did sollicite the very patience of God to revenge How long say they Lord holy and true doest thou not judge and revenge our blood upon them which dwell upon the earth Verse 10. In the mean while there are given to every one of them white robes that is they are chosen into the order of the blessed The Veâ—sâ— 11. similitude being taken from the customâ— of the Jewes in approving admitting priests to wit receiving those whom for their genealogie and perfection of body they had judged fit being clothed with white robes into the court of the Priests and so chosing them into the order of priesthood Majemonides in Mischine lib. 8. tit Biath Hammikdasâ— cha 6. § 11. That which is cleerly expressed cha 7.13 14 15. whereof those that were clothed with white robes it is said That they are before the throne of God worship him to wit as priests day night in the temple But to the cry of blood it is answered that they should rest yet a little while untill their fellow servants were fulfilled and Chap. 6. their brethren which were to be slaine as they were that is that they should forbeare a little while untill some of their brethren should be added to the number who after that Christianisme did now begin to reigne were as they likewise to be slaine under Licinius Julianus and the Arrians and then at the sounding of the trumpets solemne revenge should be taken of the Empire guiltie of so much blood Of the sixth Seale The sixth Seale beginneth where the fifth endeth that is from the yeere of Christ 311. wherein that terrible ten yeers persecution ceased Now the chance is an admirable shaking of the heaven and the earth Whereby that wonderfull change and subversion of the State of Rome heathen by Constantine the great and his Successours the Standard-bearers of the Lambe is figured whereby suppose all the heathen gods shaken out of their heaven the Bishops and priests degraded dejected and deprived of their revenewes for ever the Temple Churches and Shrines of devils through the whole Romane Empire dashed beaten downe burned and demolished Furthermore the Emperous Kings and Princes who thought to help their
well of the Company by the conduct of the Lambe their Captaine as of the Lambe himself against the traytors and enemies followeth The order of these is twofold first of a threefold admonition to the followers of the Beast represented by so many loud voyces of Angels secondly of revenge by a parable of Harvest and Vintage The first of the monitory Angels is that which he here calleth Another another indeed as I have said in respect of those musicall Angels a little before mentioned of the number of which this Evangelist was not And here we are to call to remembrance what before I shewed that the Angels in such like visions doe represent them over whom they have the government and that which is done in common or by the works of both that is said to come to passe the Angels being Authors as it were Guides and Conductors of the thing done And hence immediatly it may be imagined that the Angel flying so loftily if so be that also ought to be esteemed as any part of the parable is the Ruler not of any estate of men whatsoever but of a more eminent ranke and is to use such for the declaring of his Gospel Further that Gospel is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or eternall and that as I guesse not so much in respect of the future time as the time past as it were that which was promised 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is à seculâ— or from the beginning of the world that is to say that The seed of the woman was sometime to breake the head of the Serpent that is the kingdome of the Devill was to be destroyed by the coming of Christ and the kingdome of God to be established In which sense also the Apostle saith that that was promised by God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 before the world began Tit. 1. 2. So therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall be the same that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which in Hebrew should be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Evangelium antiqâ—â—m the ancient Gospel even as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the old wast places Esay 58. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 old pathes Iâ—r 6. 16. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the ancient mountains paths waste places Deut. 33. 15. Saying with a loud voyce Feare God and give glory to him for Vers 7. the time of his iudgement is come and worship him that made heaven and earth and the Sea and the fountains of water Chap. 14. The first Angel calling to remembrance that now the time of the kingdom of God is at hand when iudgement is to be executed upon Idols and Idolaters and so the Devils now being cast down and despoyled of the Roman throne is begun already to be put in execution therefore he exhorteth the nations kindreds tongues and people who from that time were become Christians that being mindfull hereof they worship that onely true God the Creator as he is declared in the Gospel and that they take heed of Idols Peare saith he God that is reverence and give him glory even the glory of adoration and religious worship as in the words following it is expounded Because the time of his iudgement is come that is wherein Christ by his Crosse hath spoyled powers and principalities and hath by his Apostles and Evangelists declared to the nations which through so many ages he had suffered to walke in their own wayes that they should be converted from their Idols if not then at his returne from heaven they should be punished with eternall death Wherefore then should Christians who professe faith in Iesus Christ this Iudge and triumpher over Devils returne as it were by a back doore to worship Idols and Devils again Happily the time of iudgement might be more strictly taken here to wit for the iudgement of God before shewed forth upon the Dragon and his servants whereby heathenisme was overthrowne but I had rather extend it more largely and take it â—niversally for the kingdom of Christ begun and published in the last times in which Idols are not any more to be suffered according to that of our Saviour in the Gospell of Iohn Chap. 1â— 31. Now is the iudgement of this world now shall the Prince of this world be cast out See also Chap. 16. 11. From which judgement indeed Paul the Apostle also even as the Angel here brought an argument to disswade the Pagan Athenians from the worshipping of Idols Acts 17. 30 31. God saith he not regarding the times of ignorance hitherto now commandeth all men every where to repent because he hath appointed a day in the which he will iudge the world righteously by that man whom he hath ordained having given assurance thereof unto all men openly in that he hath raised him from the dead Whereunto the same Apostles warning to the Lycaonians is very like Chap. 14. 15. We declare unto you saith he that you should be converted from these vaine things unto the living Chap. 14. God which made heaven and earth and the Sea and all things that are therein And who in times past suffered all nations to wit his judgement not as yet being made manifest to them to walke in their own wayes There is to be supplyed but now he publisheth his iudgement to all That which the Angel here hath expressed saying the time of his iudgement is come But thou wilt say when and where and by what Ministers I pray you did this Angel execute his declaration Certaine preambles thereof were given out when first superstition began to grow in the Church at the monuments and about the reliques of the Martyrs as appeareth out of the History of Vigilantius with whom withstanding such like superstition many others even of the Bishops of that time were of opinion witnesse Ierom his adversary who undeservedly with bitter words inveighed against him for this cause But this denunciation appeareth to be most manifestly fulfilled from the yeere of our Lord 720 in the Greek and Easterne Churches where this Evangelizing Angel did indeed flye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the midst of heaven that is in a loftie and high place forasmuch as he used Ministers of his Gospel not of a base and vulgar condition of men but of chiefest authoritie in the Christian world as for example the Emperours of Constantinople Leo Isâ—urus Constantine Iconomachus Leo Armenius Michael Balbus and Theophilus who all of them especially the first did most severely make protestation by their Edicts and Decrees for the presenting of religious worship to one God the Creator against the worship of the creature not onely that which was used in the worshipping of Images but also about Saints and their reliques Let the Reader resort to the testimonies which I cited out of Theophanes concerning this matter when I treated of the two horned Beast Moreover by the authoritie of the second a Councell consisting of 338 Bishops was assembled at Constantinople and by
man comming in a cloud c. And that of Tertullian against Marcion in his fiâ—t Book and tenth Chapter Christ the high Priest of the Gentiles will vouchsafe to accept and blesse the Circumcision the posteritie of Abraham at his last coming when they shall know him With this agreeth that which we finde thus written in the Book Berachoth Chapter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if we dare trust Petrus Galatinus Ben Zuma saith It shall come to passe that Israel shall not remember their departure out of the Land of Egypt in the world to come and in the dayes of Messiah And how doth this appeare That which is written in Ieremie the 23. will prove it Behold the dayes come and they shall say no more the Lord liveth which brought the children of Israel up out of the Land of Egypt c. which wise men interpret thus not as if the name of Egypt should be blotted out or forgotten but because the wonders which shall be effected in the dayes of the kingdome of Messia that is when he shall destroy the Kingdomes of the world shall principally be remembred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and their dâ—parture out of the Land of Egypt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is shall be lesse spoken of By these and the like let the Reader learne why Saint Ierome doth so much charge the Millinaries with Iudaisme whereon he so earnestly insisteth that this may seeme to be his prime argument whereby he may convince that erroneous opinion But howsoever that opinion be true or false whether those Fathers were in an error or no to be of the same minde with the Iewes is not alwaies culpable But if otherwise why doe we not explode the world to come Gehenna and Paradise Doe not we Christians consent with the Iewes in these things Have not we the names likewise of the Kingdome of Heaven and the Day of Iudgement from the Iewish Robbins For where are those things read in the Old Testament which yet are very frequent among the Iewish Doctors Moreover who hearing the opinion of the ancient Iewes touching the one thousand yeeres of the day of Iudgement cannot but thinke with himselfe that he is moved to beleeve it the Apostle Peter with them for both his Epistles are directed to the Iewes speaking of the Day of Iudgement and presently after the mentioning thereof adding You are not ignorant that one day with the Lord is as a thousand yeeres would confirme the tradition of the Rabbins touching that matter Especially when those words doe not seeme to be taken out of the Psalme as the common opinion is but out of the Vulgar forme and manner of the Iewes making mention of the Day of Iudgement Yea he will further think unles Christ the Lord and his Apostles had used the name of the Day of Iudgement being derived from the Rabbins in the same sense with them why have they not some where declared it Is it not a dangerous matter yea the high way to deceive men to use in doctrine the words and phrases of such as are erroneous without all caution and note of dissent Seeing these things are so I leave it to the judgement of learned men and great Divines to judge whether this be not the best and easiest way to deale with the Iewes not to wrest those plaine Prophesies touching things appertaining to the last and glorious coming of Christ to his first coming but to perswade them that they expect none other Messiah who can fulfill all those things namely changing those things that are to be changed for a Christian must consent no further with the Iewes in any thing then his profession doth give him leave then that Iesus of Nazareth whom their Fathers have crucified That which the Relation in so many places and so carefully doth inculcate Behold saith it not farre from the beginning Iesus Christ the first begotten from the dead who loved us and washed us from our sinnes in his blood cometh in the clouds and every eye shall see him even they that have crucified him and all Tribes of the Earth shall mourne before him I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last saith the Lord which is which was and which is to come Likewise whilest it giveth that royall Kingdome to the Lambe namely to Iesus that was slaine as in the seventh Chapter concerning the multitude with Palmes in their hands The Lambe shall feede them c. in the seventeenth Chapter the fourteenth vers The Lambe shall overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings Chapter 19.7 The Marriage of the Lambe is come Chapter 21.9 speaking of the New Ierusalem I will shew thee the Bride of the Lambe And in the 23. vers The Lambe is the light thereof c. For whilest that we wrest those plaine Prophesies touching things which shall be at the second coming of Christ to his first the Iewes laugh at us and they are hardned in their infidelitie The Apostle Peter useth this meanes to convert the Iewes unlesse I be much mistaken Acts 3. 19. Repent saith he and be converted that your sinnes may be blotted out when the times * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord and he shall send IESUS CHRIST which was preached unto you whom the Heavens must receive untill the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets 1 Thess 5. 21. Prove all things hold fast that which is good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ be glory both now and for ever Amen FINIS A COMPENDIVM OF Mr. Mede his Commentary upon the REVELATION containing two Prophesies FIrst the sealed booke or Seale Prophesie Secondly the Prophesie of the little booke open In the Seale Prophesie is described the imperiall Chap. 4. Session conformable to Israels encamping in the wildernesse The twenty foure Elders signifying Vers 4. the Bishops and Prelates answering the Levites and Priests in so many courses The foure Beasts by tradition of the Elders of the Hebrewes were 1. A Lion An Ensigne Vers 6 of the Host of Ezek. 1 14. Israel 2. A Bullock An Ensigne of the Host of Israel 3. A Man An Ensigne of the Host of Israel 4. An Eagle An Ensigne of the Host of Israel They were full of eyes signifying sharpe sightednesse Vers 6. Their wings agilitie Vers 8. Wings full of eyes zeale ioyned with knowledge Ibid. Sixe winges most ready to execute Gods Commandement Ibid. In the same Seale Prophesie is set forth the destâ—nie of the Empire Chap. 5. The first Seale the opener is a Lion shâ—wing a white horse Chap. 6. and his rider signifying Christ the Emperour from the East Vers 1 2. laying the foundation of the conquest of the Dragon i. the Devill and all the Oracles became silent through the World The Second Seale a Bullock shewing a red horse and his rider Vers 3 4.