settlement_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n this_o they_o all_o agree_v in_o for_o the_o matter_n and_o scope_n of_o the_o whole_a book_n though_o they_o infinite_o differ_v about_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o and_o there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a invitation_n to_o engage_v the_o curiosity_n of_o any_o that_o be_v concern_v for_o useful_a and_o important_a truth_n than_o that_o consideration_n the_o great_a variety_n of_o the_o apprehension_n of_o interpreter_n about_o these_o thing_n ought_v not_o to_o discourage_v man_n hope_n of_o a_o clear_a interpretation_n more_o than_o the_o same_o difference_n among_o they_o about_o almost_o every_o other_o book_n of_o scripture_n for_o it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o they_o do_v almost_o as_o general_o agree_v about_o the_o first_o ground_n of_o the_o interpretation_n of_o these_o vision_n as_o about_o other_o book_n of_o scripture_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v less_o mystical_a the_o language_n of_o prophecy_n 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open_o know_v at_o this_o present_a time_n it_o will_v certain_o have_v be_v express_v by_o he_o who_o see_v the_o revelation_n for_o it_o be_v not_o long_o ago_o since_o he_o see_v it_o but_o almost_o in_o this_o present_a age_n at_o the_o latter-end_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o domitian_n the_o little_a distance_n betwixt_o the_o time_n of_o irenaeus_n and_o the_o time_n of_o the_o write_v this_o book_n together_o with_o the_o care_n that_o he_o take_v to_o look_v into_o all_o the_o various_a copy_n of_o it_o and_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o ear-witness_n of_o the_o apostle_n about_o it_o and_o the_o confirmation_n of_o his_o own_o testimony_n in_o all_o this_o by_o die_v a_o martyr_n himself_o do_v silence_n all_o scruple_n about_o the_o apostolical_a authority_n of_o this_o book_n but_o yet_o about_o 100_o year_n after_o the_o time_n of_o irenaeus_n dionysius_n of_o 2._o lib._n 2._o alexandria_n in_o his_o dispute_n against_o the_o millenaries_n of_o his_o time_n do_v affirm_v that_o many_o of_o his_o predecessor_n do_v reject_v this_o book_n but_o then_o he_o say_v it_o be_v because_o they_o see_v it_o obscure_v and_o full_a of_o too_o gross_a ignorance_n about_o the_o millenarian_a state_n not_o from_o any_o new_a knowledge_n they_o have_v get_v of_o the_o forgery_n of_o it_o and_o their_o ground_n be_v so_o small_a for_o it_o that_o though_o he_o be_v the_o chief_a head_n of_o the_o antimillinarian_a party_n yet_o he_o say_v he_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v divine_o inspire_v though_o from_o the_o difference_n of_o the_o style_n of_o it_o from_o that_o of_o the_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n of_o john_n the_o evangelist_n he_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v write_v by_o some_o other_o john_n contemporary_a with_o he_o and_o yet_o there_o be_v some_o expression_n in_o the_o revelation_n so_o peculiar_a to_o the_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n of_o john_n the_o evangelist_n and_o use_v by_o no_o other_o apostle_n that_o it_o must_v be_v either_o he_o himself_o or_o a_o very_a near_o friend_n of_o he_o that_o must_v be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o such_o as_o be_v the_o lamb_n the_o word_n the_o bear_a record_n or_o witness_v of_o the_o word_n they_o that_o pierce_v he_o shall_v see_v he_o the_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n christ_n he_o that_o overcome_v as_o i_o receive_v of_o my_o father_n etc._n etc._n i_o will_v give_v unto_o he_o that_o be_v athirst_a of_o the_o fountain_n of_o the_o water_n of_o life_n free_o and_o let_v he_o that_o be_v athirst_a come_v and_o whosoever_o will_v let_v he_o take_v of_o the_o water_n of_o life_n free_o which_o be_v all_o expression_n peculiar_a to_o the_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n of_o st._n john_n st._n jerem_n indeed_o say_v that_o the_o greek_a church_n reject_v the_o authority_n of_o it_o but_o as_o baronius_n well_o observe_v about_o it_o an._n 96._o st._n jerom_n must_v necessary_o mean_v that_o only_a of_o the_o mean_a and_o low_a part_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n for_o as_o he_o there_o show_v almost_o every_o one_o of_o the_o greek_a father_n do_v quote_v it_o under_o the_o name_n of_o st._n john_n the_o apostle_n and_o eusebius_n who_o relate_v the_o dissent_n of_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_n about_o it_o and_o be_v the_o most_o eminent_a antiquary_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n do_v name_n justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n melito_n of_o sardis_n theophilus_n antiochenus_fw-la origen_n dionysius_n alexandrinus_n the_o chief_a writer_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n before_o he_o as_o asserter_n of_o the_o apostolical_a authority_n of_o this_o book_n if_o we_o go_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o after-age_n we_o have_v the_o universal_a consent_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o the_o canonical_a authority_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n after_o it_o have_v be_v scruple_v by_o some_o which_o be_v the_o other_o way_n of_o assure_v the_o right_a tradition_n of_o a_o canonical_a book_n the_o three_o council_n
power_n of_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o rome_n to_o belong_v to_o they_o leo._n they_o ludovic_n à _fw-fr bebenburg_n though_o on_o the_o german_a or_o caesarian_a side_n de_fw-fr juribus_fw-la regni_fw-la &_o imp._n rom._n pag._n 5._o the_o reason_n why_o he_o that_o be_v elect_v be_v call_v king_n of_o the_o roman_n be_v both_o in_o reverence_n to_o the_o most_o holy_a roman_a church_n and_o in_o honour_n of_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n who_o people_n have_v former_o the_o monarchy_n of_o the_o empire_n m._n freherus_n in_o commentario_fw-la hence_o that_o proud_a voice_n of_o rome_n at_o the_o coronation_n of_o the_o emperor_n henry_n the_o viith_o i_o confirm_v unto_o the_o prince_n the_o sovereign_a power_n with_o the_o crown_n of_o crown_n and_o give_v he_o command_v over_o the_o city_n and_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n let_v the_o eagle_n defend_v my_o glory_n and_o in_o the_o seal_n of_o charles_n the_o ivth_o with_o which_o the_o golden_a bull_n the_o instrument_n for_o the_o present_a manner_n of_o the_o imperial_a election_n be_v seal_v and_o other_o public_a instrument_n the_o city_n of_o rome_n be_v in_o the_o stamp_n of_o it_o with_o this_o motto_n roma_fw-la caput_fw-la mundi_fw-la regit_fw-la orbis_n fraena_fw-la retundi_fw-la goldast_n politic._n imperial_a pars_fw-la 5._o p._n 349._o sed_fw-la postquam_fw-la christiana_n &_o orthodoxa_fw-la religio_fw-la etc._n etc._n but_o after_o that_o the_o christian_a and_o orthodox_n religion_n prevail_v so_o as_o to_o make_v a_o noise_n all_o over_o the_o world_n and_o that_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o high-priest_n at_o rome_n come_v to_o be_v adore_v by_o prince_n king_n and_o emperor_n with_o the_o great_a humility_n and_o a_o singular_a kind_n of_o devotion_n it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o by_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o all_o christian_a people_n that_o of_o the_o two_o several_a state_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n the_o one_o shall_v be_v govern_v by_o the_o pope_n the_o other_o by_o the_o emperor_n but_o yet_o so_o that_o the_o emperor_n shall_v acknowledge_v both_o their_o imperial_a dignity_n and_o power_n to_o proceed_v from_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n as_o the_o true_a mediator_n and_o intercessor_n for_o they_o but_o this_o be_v further_a confirm_v by_o the_o civil_a law_n which_o suffer_v not_o the_o imperial_a majesty_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o any_o human_a law_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a do_v open_o declare_v it_o to_o be_v above_o all_o human_a privilege_n and_o law_n bellarmin_n show_v lib._n 3._o de_fw-fr translat_n imp._n roman_n in_o germanos_fw-la that_o the_o present_a way_n of_o elect_v the_o emperor_n be_v settle_v by_o pope_n gregory_n the_o viith_o in_o the_o golden_a bull_n to_o confer_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o emperor_n of_o rome_n upon_o the_o person_n elect_v by_o they_o and_o chap._n 12._o lib._n 1._o say_v that_o all_o kind_n of_o christian_a prince_n whatsoever_o have_v acknowledge_v the_o roman_a empire_n to_o have_v be_v among_o the_o german_n ever_o since_o the_o year_n 800._o goldastus_n in_o his_o politic._n imperial_a part_n 1._o p._n 76._o set_n down_o the_o particular_a form_n of_o the_o oath_n that_o the_o elector_n take_v before_o their_o choice_n to_o this_o effect_n i._o n._n by_o the_o help_n of_o god_n will_v choose_v a_o temporal_a or_o secular_a head_n for_o all_o christian_a people_n that_o be_v a_o king_n of_o the_o roman_n to_o be_v advance_v to_o be_v emperor_n and_o it_o be_v the_o order_n of_o the_o golden_a bull_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o depart_v from_o the_o city_n of_o francfort_n till_o the_o major_a part_n of_o they_o have_v elect_v a_o temporal_a head_n for_o all_o christian_a people_n that_o be_v a_o king_n of_o the_o roman_n to_o be_v create_v emperor_n aventin_n l._n 6._o histor_n boior_fw-la pope_n adrian_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o the_o german_a prince_n tell_v they_o that_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v translate_v from_o the_o greek_n to_o the_o almain_n so_o as_o that_o their_o king_n be_v not_o call_v roman_a emperor_n till_o he_o be_v crown_v by_o the_o pope_n before_o his_o consecration_n he_o be_v but_o king_n after_o his_o consecration_n he_o become_v emperor_n from_o whence_o then_o say_v he_o have_v he_o the_o empire_n but_o from_o we_o and_o afterward_o give_v this_o reason_n for_o it_o for_o rome_n be_v our_o seat_n the_o seat_n of_o the_o empire_n be_v aix_n in_o the_o forest_n of_o ardenne_n radevicus_n l._n 1._o c._n 16._o frederic_n the_o emperor_n who_o have_v deny_v all_o subjection_n to_o pope_n adrian_n yet_o in_o his_o very_a defence_n of_o himself_o for_o it_o say_v thus_o the_o first_o voice_n in_o our_o election_n we_o owe_v to_o the_o archbishop_n of_o mentz_n and_o then_o to_o the_o other_o elector_n in_o their_o order_n our_o regal_a unction_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o cologn_n and_o the_o last_o which_o be_v the_o imperial_a unction_n only_o we_o have_v from_o the_o pope_n ibidem_fw-la and_o pope_n adrian_n present_o after_o in_o his_o subjection_n to_o the_o emperor_n mind_v he_o that_o his_o magnificence_n have_v acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v the_o pope_n that_o set_v the_o imperial_a crown_n upon_o his_o head_n cornelius_n à _fw-la lapide_fw-la upon_o the_o 10_o v._o of_o the_o 17_o chap._n apoc._n to_o confute_v that_o opinion_n that_o will_v have_v the_o seven_o king_n succeed_v the_o emperor_n to_o be_v the_o pope_n the_o seven_o say_v he_o be_v here_o say_v shall_v continue_v but_o a_o little_a while_n whereas_o the_o pope_n and_o the_o emperor_n have_v continue_v a_o long_a while_n together_o the_o pope_n therefore_o do_v not_o succeed_v the_o emperor_n in_o the_o roman_a empire_n but_o continue_v there_o together_o with_o they_o as_o we_o see_v now_o the_o most_o serene_a ferdinand_n to_o be_v the_o emperor_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o our_o most_o holy_a lord_n paul_n v._o to_o be_v the_o highpriest_n or_o the_o pope_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n grotius_n in_o respon_n de_fw-fr antichristo_fw-la the_o german_a prince_n choose_v the_o emperor_n but_o their_o choice_n must_v have_v the_o approbation_n of_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n which_o have_v confer_v their_o right_n and_o power_n upon_o the_o pope_n from_o that_o approbation_n have_v the_o emperor_n the_o title_n of_o roman_a emperor_n and_o many_o thing_n in_o italy_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o ancient_a roman_a empire_n from_o whence_o come_v the_o homage_n that_o be_v do_v he_o for_o the_o dutchy_n of_o milan_n montferrat_n mantua_n and_o many_o other_o privilege_n there_o beside_o nor_o can_v it_o be_v say_v upon_o this_o account_n that_o the_o emperor_n be_v make_v by_o the_o pope_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v always_o the_o same_o even_o when_o the_o emperor_n be_v some_o thracian_n some_o of_o illyricum_n and_o some_o of_o hungary_n and_o so_o be_v it_o afterward_o with_o charlemaigne_n and_o now_o with_o the_o prince_n of_o germany_n see_v grot._n c._n 9_o lib._n 2._o de_fw-la jure_fw-la belli_n &_o pacis_fw-la and_o in_o the_o commentary_n of_o it_o in_o prop._n 21._o lud._n à _fw-fr bebenburg_n cap._n 5._o it_o be_v apparent_a from_o history_n that_o germany_n even_o after_o the_o division_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o the_o frank_n be_v account_v a_o kingdom_n by_o itself_o that_o be_v distinct_a from_o the_o title_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n m._n freherus_n in_o his_o comment_n upon_o this_o our_o emperor_n at_o this_o time_n observe_v this_o in_o their_o title_n emperor_n of_o the_o roman_n king_n of_o hungary_n bohemia_n dalmatia_n etc._n etc._n ludovicus_n the_o emperor_n the_o son_n of_o pius_n be_v call_v king_n of_o germany_n which_o be_v almost_o from_o the_o first_o time_n of_o the_o division_n of_o the_o territory_n of_o charlemaigne_n he_o do_v also_o in_o the_o next_o chapter_n show_v that_o the_o seven_o elector_n choose_v the_o emperor_n as_o a_o college_n or_o as_o the_o representative_n of_o all_o the_o prince_n and_o people_n that_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o roman_a empire_n which_o authority_n be_v confer_v upon_o they_o from_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n by_o the_o golden_a bull_n of_o charles_n iu._n if_o it_o shall_v be_v object_v that_o the_o constantinopolitan_a emperor_n be_v the_o only_a true_a roman_a emperor_n and_o be_v unjust_o deprive_v of_o their_o western_a dominion_n by_o the_o pope_n it_o be_v to_o be_v remember_v that_o the_o constantinopolitan_a emperor_n themselves_o confirm_v the_o title_n of_o the_o western_a emperor_n lud._n à _fw-la bebenburg_n cap._n 5._o and_o m._n freherus_n in_o his_o comment_n there_o prove_v that_o transaction_n betwixt_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a emperor_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o ado_n rhegino_n philip_n of_o bergamo_n platina_n voluterranus_n egnatius_n especial_o that_o of_o the_o eastern_a emperor_n michael_n which_o be_v publish_v in_o st._n peter_n church_n at_o rome_n and_o confirm_v
these_o new_a interpreter_n do_v still_o prejudice_v any_o that_o be_v otherwise_o curious_a against_o these_o kind_n of_o inquiry_n here_o be_v all_o this_o to_o make_v they_o very_o uneasy_a under_o it_o viz._n that_o they_o rely_v upon_o such_o for_o it_o as_o the_o best_a judge_n among_o those_o who_o cause_n they_o most_o befriend_v by_o it_o do_v impartial_o cry_v out_o against_o as_o man_n void_a of_o common_a sense_n for_o the_o ground_n that_o they_o go_v upon_o for_o it_o and_o that_o they_o prefer_v the_o judgement_n of_o these_o man_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n itself_o and_o of_o the_o best_a learned_a and_o the_o most_o impartial_a defender_n of_o it_o almost_o ever_o since_o the_o reformation_n and_o also_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o reform_a church_n beside_o i_o do_v moreover_o here_o pretend_v to_o lay_v a_o sure_a and_o deep_a foundation_n for_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o protestant_a application_n than_o have_v yet_o be_v offer_v which_o may_v make_v my_o endeavour_n for_o it_o at_o least_o worth_a the_o examine_n and_o for_o the_o better_a apprehend_v of_o the_o force_n of_o all_o i_o will_v here_o give_v a_o general_a idea_n of_o my_o whole_a process_n in_o it_o the_o chief_a foundation_n of_o my_o design_n be_v the_o constant_a usage_n of_o figure_n of_o the_o like_a kind_n in_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n for_o there_o be_v this_o great_a advantage_n from_o daniel_n figure_n that_o they_o be_v both_o the_o original_a copy_n of_o that_o in_o the_o revelation_n and_o have_v also_o a_o great_a variety_n of_o like_a scheme_n and_o be_v almost_o all_o of_o they_o fulfil_v before_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n as_o it_o have_v be_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o learned_a end_n see_v consent_n of_o the_o ancient_n at_o the_o end_n of_o almost_o all_o party_n and_o age_n agree_v upon_o this_o make_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o scheme_n of_o daniel_n to_o be_v certain_o determine_v and_o to_o be_v so_o many_o data_fw-la and_o rule_n for_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o like_a but_o less_o know_v phrase_n in_o the_o revelation_n i_o have_v therefore_o take_v some_o pain_n to_o make_v sure_a of_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o figure_n of_o daniel_n in_o such_o a_o way_n of_o proof_n as_o i_o hope_v may_v bear_v the_o most_o critical_a examination_n which_o be_v never_o before_o clear_o do_v but_o be_v the_o most_o requisite_a of_o any_o thing_n for_o a_o full_a satisfaction_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n for_o by_o this_o mean_v i_o have_v reduce_v all_o the_o kind_n of_o scheme_n signify_v dominion_n to_o certain_a and_o uniform_a definition_n which_o be_v a_o much_o large_a basis_n to_o establish_v the_o interpretation_n of_o these_o mystery_n upon_o and_o which_o i_o find_v much_o want_v in_o mr._n mede_n and_o dr._n more_o be_v method_n the_o prophetical_a term_n in_o the_o revelation_n do_v by_o this_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v well_o know_v to_o the_o apostle_n before_o and_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o chief_a of_o they_o to_o contain_v in_o they_o so_o large_a a_o space_n of_o time_n as_o determine_v their_o accomplishment_n to_o many_o age_n after_o his_o time_n which_o be_v a_o great_a confirmation_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o prophecy_n this_o be_v the_o whole_a business_n of_o the_o second_o book_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o most_o nice_o and_o attentive_o examine_v but_o to_o make_v the_o demonstration_n of_o this_o the_o more_o secure_a i_o think_v it_o most_o convenient_a to_o make_v use_n of_o some_o of_o the_o most_o undoubted_a and_o acknowledge_v thing_n about_o babylon_n and_o the_o figure_n of_o the_o beast_n in_o the_o revelation_n which_o do_v the_o most_o open_o and_o unquestionable_o determine_v the_o scene_n of_o these_o thing_n to_o one_o certain_a empire_n whereby_o the_o four_o beast_n in_o the_o seven_o of_o daniel_n which_o be_v prove_v necessary_o to_o be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o in_o the_o apocalypse_n be_v more_o certain_o make_v know_v and_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o kingdom_n there_o mention_v more_o unavoidable_o confine_v in_o their_o particular_a signification_n this_o therefore_o be_v think_v fit_a to_o be_v premise_v in_o the_o first_o book_n in_o the_o do_n of_o this_o i_o have_v another_o aim_n which_o i_o apprehend_v to_o be_v of_o very_o useful_a importance_n and_o that_o be_v to_o make_v sure_a of_o the_o foundation_n of_o mr._n mede_n syncronism_n that_o be_v that_o the_o term_n of_o the_o beast_n all_o over_o the_o revelation_n do_v denote_v but_o one_o and_o the_o same_o particular_a state_n of_o it_o the_o want_n of_o a_o close_a proof_n of_o which_o give_v a_o great_a advantage_n to_o the_o grotian_n interpretation_n to_o evade_v the_o force_n of_o his_o demonstration_n by_o take_v that_o term_n in_o various_a acceptation_n dr._n moor_n have_v indeed_o take_v great_a pain_n for_o this_o purpose_n but_o i_o can_v not_o be_v satisfy_v till_o i_o find_v it_o more_o absolute_o necessary_a for_o that_o term_n to_o be_v everywhere_o but_o the_o same_o particular_a state_n than_o his_o eighteen_o congruity_n or_o likeness_n do_v seem_v to_o make_v it_o the_o three_o book_n do_v apply_v the_o general_a notion_n in_o the_o two_o former_a to_o the_o beast_n in_o the_o revelation_n thus_o far_o i_o have_v general_o endeavour_v to_o carry_v on_o my_o whole_a process_n upon_o principle_n common_a to_o all_o the_o several_a way_n of_o protestant_a interpreter_n and_o have_v therefore_o offer_v i_o own_o particular_a apprehension_n about_o the_o application_n and_o first_o date_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o beast_n by_o way_n of_o query_n only_o that_o i_o may_v lay_v the_o stress_n of_o the_o business_n upon_o a_o foundation_n large_a enough_o to_o fit_v almost_o all_o the_o different_a judgement_n of_o protestant_a interpreter_n and_o not_o venture_v it_o upon_o the_o narrow_a bottom_n of_o one_o particular_a man_n fancy_n and_o method_n and_o i_o have_v make_v use_n of_o no_o authority_n to_o confirm_v any_o thing_n of_o moment_n but_o the_o consent_n of_o papist_n themselves_o and_o their_o consent_n about_o almost_o all_o the_o proposition_n in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o book_n which_o be_v the_o principle_n and_o foundation_n of_o the_o design_n be_v a_o very_a great_a confirmation_n to_o i_o of_o the_o strength_n and_o certainty_n of_o all_o that_o follow_v but_o yet_o i_o be_o so_o thorough_o sensible_a of_o the_o strange_a and_o violent_a heat_n that_o the_o study_n of_o these_o thing_n do_v general_o possess_v all_o man_n with_o that_o engage_v in_o it_o that_o i_o must_v desire_v that_o justice_n of_o the_o reader_n not_o to_o be_v deter_v from_o the_o perusal_n of_o this_o performance_n by_o the_o confident_a censure_n of_o any_o that_o may_v observe_v some_o small_a conclusion_n here_o not_o so_o agreeable_a to_o their_o own_o fancy_n for_o the_o most_o eminent_a and_o admire_a in_o other_o part_n of_o learning_n have_v be_v find_v to_o be_v the_o most_o absurd_a and_o gross_a in_o their_o confident_a mistake_v about_o these_o matter_n nothing_o indeed_o do_v make_v man_n so_o obnoxious_a to_o mistake_v here_o as_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a measure_n of_o quickness_n of_o part_n and_o of_o assurance_n from_o great_a improvement_n in_o other_o way_n if_o i_o have_v at_o all_o succeed_v in_o this_o attempt_n i_o must_v whole_o attribute_v it_o under_o god_n assistance_n to_o the_o peculiar_a scepticalness_n of_o my_o nature_n and_o the_o continual_a distrust_n of_o my_o own_o apprehension_n and_o performance_n which_o will_v not_o suffer_v i_o to_o fix_v upon_o scarce_o any_o thing_n before_o i_o have_v by_o often_o repeat_v correction_n of_o my_o first_o thought_n about_o it_o make_v it_o appear_v not_o only_o clear_a but_o necessary_a to_o i_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o revive_v the_o curiosity_n of_o the_o present_a age_n for_o the_o examination_n of_o this_o attempt_n to_o reflect_v but_o upon_o the_o peculiar_a advantage_n of_o it_o if_o perform_v my_o design_n design_n the_o usefulness_n of_o the_o design_n be_v to_o give_v a_o clear_a and_o necessary_a proof_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v that_o great_a enemy_n of_o god_n church_n which_o be_v much_o the_o business_n of_o the_o revelation_n and_o one_o very_o great_a advantage_n of_o this_o will_v be_v that_o it_o will_v cut_v off_o many_o voluminous_a and_o intricate_a dispute_n which_o take_v up_o so_o much_o of_o the_o choice_a time_n of_o the_o best_a men._n if_o it_o be_v once_o make_v sure_a that_o god_n have_v here_o so_o open_o expose_v the_o distinguish_a mark_n of_o that_o church_n almost_o every_o one_o of_o bellarmin_n note_n of_o his_o church_n ought_v without_o any_o dispute_n to_o be_v grant_v he_o nay_o if_o that_o alone_o be_v
of_o carthage_n after_o the_o time_n of_o these_o scruple_n of_o the_o antimillenarians_n and_o before_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o the_o church_n to_o which_o the_o aim_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n be_v apply_v by_o protestant_n viz._n before_o the_o year_n 400_o do_v in_o its_o 47th_o canon_n ordain_v the_o book_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n to_o be_v read_v in_o the_o church_n as_o canonical_a scripture_n and_o this_o provincial_a council_n be_v confirm_v to_o oblige_v the_o universal_a church_n both_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a by_o the_o six_o synod_n in_o trullo_n at_o constantinople_n can._n 2._o anno_fw-la 707._o but_o it_o be_v unquestionable_o a_o decree_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n where_o the_o apocalypse_n have_v alone_o be_v scruple_v but_o the_o most_o authentic_a evidence_n of_o this_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o four_o council_n of_o toledo_n when_o it_o can_v not_o possible_o be_v any_o interest_n of_o the_o then_o rule_v party_n of_o the_o church_n to_o plead_v for_o the_o apocalypse_n but_o may_v possible_o enough_o endanger_v the_o interest_n of_o it_o because_o it_o be_v about_o the_o year_n 640._o after_o the_o time_n that_o the_o protestant_n application_n of_o that_o book_n do_v general_o date_n the_o degeneracy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n from_o so_o that_o the_o sense_n of_o that_o council_n be_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o adversary_n to_o the_o general_n consent_v of_o the_o church_n about_o the_o tradition_n of_o this_o book_n the_o word_n of_o it_o be_v these_o the_o authority_n of_o many_o council_n and_o the_o synodical_a decree_n 640._o council_n toletan_n 4._o can._n 16._o about_o the_o year_n 640._o of_o the_o holy_a bishop_n of_o rome_n have_v determine_v the_o book_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o john_n the_o evangelist_n and_o to_o be_v receive_v among_o the_o book_n divine_o inspire_v and_o because_o there_o be_v many_o that_o do_v not_o receive_v it_o for_o authentic_a and_o scorn_v to_o read_v it_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n if_o any_o one_o for_o the_o future_a shall_v refuse_v to_o receive_v it_o or_o to_o read_v it_o in_o the_o church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o mass_n from_o easter_n to_o whitsuntide_n he_o shall_v be_v excommunicate_v by_o this_o it_o do_v appear_v how_o the_o apocalypse_n come_v to_o lose_v its_o authenticalness_n among_o the_o mean_a part_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v it_o seem_v so_o disuse_v in_o the_o church_n that_o it_o pass_v for_o a_o useless_a book_n the_o interpretation_n that_o be_v give_v of_o it_o be_v either_o so_o fanciful_a or_o so_o little_a concern_v the_o time_n when_o it_o be_v neglect_v that_o it_o pass_v among_o they_o for_o a_o kind_n of_o book_n of_o dream_n in_o which_o the_o church_n be_v not_o concern_v and_o which_o none_o know_v the_o meaning_n of_o and_o this_o can_v much_o be_v wonder_v at_o when_o it_o be_v consider_v how_o little_a regard_n be_v have_v to_o these_o revelation_n even_o in_o these_o day_n unto_o which_o they_o be_v by_o the_o best_a learned_a among_o we_o judge_v to_o belong_v in_o matter_n of_o the_o high_a importance_n for_o the_o church_n to_o know_v but_o as_o for_o that_o suggestion_n that_o cerinthus_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o apocalypse_n which_o be_v always_o the_o most_o current_a ground_n among_o those_o who_o reject_v the_o authority_n of_o it_o there_o be_v assurance_n enough_o of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o it_o out_o of_o irenaeus_n for_o he_o be_v the_o scholar_n of_o polycarp_n who_o be_v the_o disciple_n and_o companion_n of_o st._n john_n to_o who_o irenaeus_n everywhere_o attribute_n 18._o euseb_n l._n 5._o eccles_n histor_n c._n 18._o the_o apocalypse_n and_o write_v against_o cerinthus_n and_o report_n from_o polycarp_n the_o great_a detestation_n that_o st._n john_n have_v against_o cerinthus_n and_o how_o absurd_a a_o thing_n will_v it_o be_v to_o imagine_v that_o irenaeus_n after_o so_o diligent_a so_o long_o and_o familiar_a a_o conversation_n with_o polycarp_n the_o companion_n of_o st._n john_n as_o he_o particular_o mention_n of_o himself_o shall_v make_v the_o apostle_n to_o be_v the_o author_n 3._o lib._n 3._o contra_fw-la haeres_fw-la cap._n 3._o of_o a_o book_n which_o be_v real_o write_v by_o his_o worst_a adversary_n to_o propagate_v his_o error_n whatever_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n of_o the_o rejection_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o this_o prophecy_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o no_o book_n of_o scripture_n have_v have_v a_o more_o express_a and_o unexceptionable_a tradition_n of_o its_o apostolical_a authority_n since_o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o two_o learned_a martyr_n soon_o after_o the_o write_n of_o it_o who_o also_o have_v search_v into_o all_o the_o copy_n of_o it_o and_o be_v confirm_v in_o it_o by_o those_o who_o be_v conversant_a with_o the_o apostle_n himself_o that_o write_v it_o and_o that_o in_o the_o very_a time_n that_o it_o be_v scruple_v it_o be_v believe_v to_o be_v authentical_a by_o all_o the_o eminently-learned_n father_n of_o those_o day_n and_o that_o after_o the_o time_n that_o it_o have_v be_v scruple_v it_o be_v own_v by_o the_o general_n consent_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n this_o i_o think_v fit_a to_o premise_v for_o the_o full_a satisfaction_n of_o those_o that_o be_v altogether_o sceptical_a in_o the_o first_o foundation_n of_o these_o interpretation_n but_o the_o romanist_n who_o whole_a concern_v it_o be_v to_o make_v every_o thing_n in_o this_o kind_a dubious_a do_v agree_v with_o all_o other_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o world_n at_o this_o time_n about_o the_o unquestionableness_n of_o the_o canonical_a authority_n of_o this_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o now_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o be_v our_o duty_n and_o concern_v to_o inquire_v with_o diligence_n after_o the_o best_a understanding_n that_o we_o can_v get_v of_o this_o prophecy_n when_o we_o consider_v what_o press_v motive_n there_o be_v to_o it_o more_o in_o this_o book_n than_o in_o any_o other_o book_n of_o scripture_n beside_o in_o the_o beginning_n blessed_n be_v he_o that_o read_v 9_o rev._n 1._o 3._o &_o 13._o 9_o and_o they_o that_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o this_o prophecy_n and_o again_o if_o any_o man_n have_v a_o ear_n let_v he_o hear_v and_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o revelation_n that_o god_n give_v unto_o jesus_n christ_n to_o show_v 1._o chap._n 1._o 1._o unto_o his_o servant_n and_o that_o whosoever_o shall_v add_v to_o or_o take_v 19_o chap._n 22._o 18_o 19_o from_o the_o word_n of_o this_o book_n above_o any_o other_o shall_v have_v the_o plague_n of_o god_n add_v to_o he_o or_o his_o part_n of_o eternal_a life_n take_v away_o the_o first_o book_n the_o uniform_a constant_a notion_n of_o the_o term_n of_o the_o beast_n all_o over_o the_o revelation_n chap._n i._n the_o ground_n of_o the_o method_n here_o use_v the_o first_o proposition_n that_o babylon_n be_v the_o city_n of_o rome_n in_o a_o antichristian_a and_o idolatrous_a reign_n scruple_n move_v against_o it_o the_o demonstration_n of_o it_o from_o the_o text_n confirm_v by_o general_a consent_n none_o can_v be_v more_o dispose_v to_o the_o common_a prejudices_fw-la against_o the_o study_n of_o the_o revelation_n than_o i_o be_v at_o the_o time_n that_o i_o first_o engage_v in_o those_o thing_n i_o have_v till_o then_o be_v so_o almost_o whole_o confine_v to_o such_o inquiry_n as_o be_v the_o close_a exercise_n of_o ratiocination_n upon_o clear_a and_o sure_a ground_n that_o i_o be_v come_v to_o have_v a_o natural_a aversion_n against_o all_o such_o loose_a conjecture_n as_o the_o interpretation_n of_o those_o vision_n be_v general_o repute_v to_o be_v but_o mr._n mede_n synchronism_n and_o his_o offer_n at_o demonstration_n in_o they_o which_o i_o light_v on_o by_o chance_v some_o year_n since_o in_o a_o solitary_a retirement_n do_v tempt_v my_o curiosity_n to_o inquire_v what_o can_v be_v the_o ground_n of_o such_o a_o confidence_n in_o one_o of_o so_o know_v a_o character_n for_o a_o cautious_a and_o imparial_a judgement_n in_o scriptural_a xvii_o rev._n xvii_o exposition_n at_o the_o first_o cursory_a view_n of_o his_o performance_n i_o be_v extreme_o surprise_v to_o see_v such_o fair_a ground_n of_o a_o clear_a explication_n about_o so_o intricate_a and_o obscure_a a_o subject_a and_o though_o upon_o a_o more_o critical_a examination_n of_o the_o strength_n of_o they_o i_o find_v most_o of_o his_o synchronism_n far_o short_a of_o a_o close_a and_o cogent_a proof_n in_o they_o yet_o i_o can_v not_o but_o think_v that_o the_o subject_n may_v be_v capable_a of_o a_o more_o certain_a determination_n to_o the_o conclusion_n that_o he_o aim_v at_o i_o do_v thereupon_o set_v myself_o upon_o a_o particular_a search_n after_o a_o close_a demonstration_n of_o that_o application_n that_o he_o have_v make_v