in my Kingdom and thereby putting an end to Prophecy whose main scope and design was with reference unto it See on Chap. 1 8.21 6 14 Blessed 22 in Christ's Kingdom Dan. 12.12 See on Chap. 14.13 are they that (a) The King's M S. reads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is wash their garments do his Commandments i. e. are now found and appear to have kept them that they may have right by virtue of the Covenant of Grace and upon their appearing in the fine (a) The King's M S. reads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is wash their garments white Linnen of Christ's Righteousness See on Chap. 19.7 8. to the Tree of Life i. e. to the incorruptibility of the new Jerusalem State verse 2. and many enter in through the Gates of the City i. e. be admitted into that State See on chap. 21.6 12 21. 15 For without this blessed State in the four corners of the new Earth see on chap. 20.8 are Dogs i. e. the Members of the Antichristian (b) A Dog is thought by the best interpreters to signify a Sodomite Deut. 23.18 Canes qui Supra cap. 21.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut Hebrei exponunt id quod est Deut. 23.18 Grot. in Locum Sodom chap. 11.8 and those who are without the Covenant Matt. 15.26 Profane Bruitish and Persecuting Apostates Matt. 7.6 2 Pet. 2.22 and Sorcerers and Whoremongers and Murtherers and Idolaters and whosoever liveth and maketh a Lie i. e. all wicked Persons but especially the Antichristian Party to which these Characters eminently agree see on Chap. 21.8 27. 16 I Jesus have sent my Angel from the beginning (c) Chap. 1.1 of this Prophecy all along to this present conclusion of it to testify unto you John and all my other Servants chap. 1.1 these things in the Churches i. e. in or concerning the seven Successions of my Church see the Notes on chap. 1.4 and on chap. second and third I am the root and the off-spring of David i. e. the Messias proceeding from David as from a root to whom the Kingdom (d) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was Promised see on chap. 5.5 and the bright and morning Star which only dawned in the Church Succession of Thyatira but now shews in full brightness at the succession of my Kingdom see the Notes on chap. 2.28 17 And the Shirit speaking to and in the several Successions of the Church chap. 2. and 3. and makeing intercession for the Saints Rom. 8.26 27. and the Bride i. e. the Saints chap 19.7 8.21 2 say come Lord Jesus come quickly in thy Kingdom And let him that heareth and obeyeth the words of this Prophecy say joyning as in consort come Lord Jesus And (a) These are Christ's Words and are a kind of Antiphon◠in ths Divine Anthem or Sacred Dialogue wherein Christ in Answer to the Saints says as it were if you so desire my coming I will not be backward in inviting you let him say I that is a thirst come let him that is a thirst for the comforts and refreshments of the new Jerusalem State see on chap. 21.6 come And whosoever will or has a sincere desire for these times of full refreshments let him take the Water of Life freely for the incorruptibility of this State is of my free grace and favour chap. 21 6.22 1. 18 For I Christ verse 20. testify and declare (b) All this is frequently the import of the word Testifie in Scripture openly with the greatest earnestness zeal and holy Asseveration as with an Oath John 13.21 Rom. 1.9 Acts 18.5 unto every man of what (c) Nullo excepto pontifice vel concilio Paraeus in loc quality or dignity soever that heareth the words of the Prophecy of this Book that it is a Book of so great perfection and life that if any man shall (d)(d) Elegans est allusio in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grot. in Loc. add unto these things contained in this Book of Revelations and by consequence to any other part of Scripture by 22 Traditions and rash (e) Rashly to be the Authority of a false Interpretation of Scripture is to take God's Name in vain in a high degree Mr. Mede This is the last authoritative Prophecy that is likely to come from Heaven to be a rule of Faith to the Church and whosoever shall go about to infuse any other expectations into men than usually are agreeable to these Visions God shall bring on him the Judgments here denounced against his greatest Enemies and so in like manner whosoever shall derogate from the authority of this Prophecy or occasion mens not receiving the admonition of Christ here contained in every part thereof God shall cast him off c. Dr. Hammond's Paraphr or wilfully false Interpretations God shall add unto him besides the retributions of his ordinary Justice and Wrath the dreadful plagues that are written in this Book 22 Here is a change of Persons and John speaks whose words plainly refer to the admittance and entrance of the Saints into the new Jerusalem State and therefore must have respect to the times after the Pouring forth of the Vials when the Wicked were shut out of the City 19 And if any man shall take 23 away as the Antichristian Party hath even the Scriptures themselves from the words or authority of this of Prophecy God shall take away his part and the Book of Life i. e. he shall not be found written in the Book of Life among the Living in the New Jerusalem and out of the Holy City from which he shall be debarred and excommunicated and from the Things promises and blessings which are written in this Baok 23 As the Antichristian Party hath done 20 He which testifies these things i e. Christ who is Truth it self saith surely believe it for it is a certain and infallible Truth I come quickly i. e. all my comings are unexpected and by Surprize I begin very suddenly after the date of this Vision to bring it into effect I hasten all things to an end in the just and due time and am now just upon coming to put an end to this and all other Prophecies being not slack in performing them as some men count slackness 2 Pet. 3.9 Amen saith John the beloved Apostle and Servant of Christ in the Name and Person of Angels and Saints his fellow Servants even so be it come Lord Jesus in thy Kingdom come quickly 21 The 24 Justifying Sanctifying and efficaciously operative Grace Proceeding from the undeserved Love Favour and Assistances of our Lord God Jesus Christ our Saviour and anointed Prophet Priest and King be with you all Churches and Saints to whom this great Prophetical Epistle is Written Amen So be it and so it will certainly be 24 This whole Book of Prophecies being as it were one entire Epistle Monitory to the Church of God throughout all Ages of the World it is concluded as it was begun according to the custom of the Apostles with the usual Form of Valediction in their Epistles AMEN AMEN COME LORD JESUS COME QUICKLY FINIS
Cardinal Points of Heaven 12 For so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ought to be translated as it is Ezek. 1.5 that so they may be the better distinguished from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Antichristian Beast These Four living Creatures are called Cherubims Ezek. 10.2 By which is meant Active Beings of an Angelical Nature employed in the Ministration of God's Providence as appears from their Description given by Ezekiel Now the Representations here given figuring something analogous to them in the Church they cannot be supposed to signifie any thing more properly than the pure Christian Church represented by the Apostles who were so extraordinarily active in the propagating of the Gospel into the Four Quarters of the World and were Twelve making up Four Ternaries of Living Creatures or Zealous Active Ministers of Christ according to the Number of the Four Ternaries of the Twelve Tribes under the Four Standards in the Wilderness For we are to take notice that this Representation of the Throne of the Majesty of God or this Theatre or Stage of the Apocalyptick Visions as Mr. Mede calls it exactly answers the Encampments of the Israelites God's Throne being here placed in the middle as the Tabernacle was there the Four and Twenty Elders next to answer the Station of the Priests and Levites and the Four Beasts at each Angle Diametrically opposite to each other against the Four Cardinal Points of the Wind representing Christians in the Four Quarters of the World in analogy to the Four Standards of the Camp of the Israelites having in them Figures of these Four Living Creatures taken from the Cherubims of the Chariot or Glorious Throne of Almighty God 1 Chron. 28.18 For which see Mr. * Pag. 437 594 917. Mede Dr. Hammond on the Place Grotius on Numb 10.15 and Mr. Ainsworth on Numb 2. where he has given us the Figure of the Encampments and has discoursed largely on them and Dr. ‖ De legibus Hebraeorum lib. 3. Dissertat 5. Spencer 7 And the first Beast or living creature was like a Lion 13 denoteing the Power and strength of the Gospel and Apostolical Ministry Gen. 49.9 Psal 103.24 and the second Beast like a Calf 14 or Ox denoting their Laboriousness and Usefulness Prov. 14.4 and the third Beast had the face of a Man 15 signifying Reason and Prudence and the fourth Beast was like a flying Eagle 16 noteing their activity and quick-sightedness into the Mysteries of the Gospel 13 This was the Standard of Judah on the East side compared to a Lyon Gen. 49.9 And the Qualities of these Living Creatures do denote the like Gifts and Graces required in the Ministry which were after an extraordinary manner eminent in the Apostles the Representatives of the Christian Church and of its State in the Kingdom of Christ to which this appearance relates 14 The Standard of Ephraim on the West side of the Camp who is resembled to an Ox Deut. 33.17 15 Reuben's Standard on the South side 16 The Standard of Dan on the North side 8 And the four Beasts had each of them six 17 Wings noteing their speed their Reverence in God s Presence and their humble sense of themselves Isa 6.2 about 18 him and they were full of Eyes within 19 to observe themselves as well as to be vigilant over others and they 20 rest not day and night but are constant and incessant in the Worship and Service of God Isa 60 11.62 6. saying Holy 21 Holy Holy i. e. infinitely and superlatively Holy Isa 6.3 Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Rev. 1.4 17 With Two they covered their Faces out of Reverence with Two their Feet or Nakedness out of a sense of their own shame and impurity and with Two they flew to execute God's Commands Isa 6.2 18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 round about them that is perhaps at several Distances on each side as the Israelites are said to encamp 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or round about the Tabernacle that is at distant Points of the several sides of the Square encompassing it So here each of the Living Creatures is said to have Six Wings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is on each side Three one against another one pair on their Shoulders with which they flew another on each of their Breasts stretched upwards to cover their Faces and the Third about their Hips to cover their less honourable parts or appearances Andreas Caesariensis reads as our common Copies do but if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be to be joyned to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Grotius and Dr. Hammond think then their Exposition may be consulted as more commmodious 19 The inward Eyes of these Creatures were represented unto John the Figure or Appearance which was perhaps diaphanous being contrived accordingly 20 This was the Practice of the Apostolical Church as appears from Acts 2.42 46.20 31. Luke 2.37 2 Tim. 4.2 21 Here it is acknowledged by the Apostolical Church with the Joynt Consent of the Israelitish Church that God is a Supereminent Being and that he is to be worshipped incommunicably according to his most eminent and unparallell'd Holiness and perhaps the Divine Being in Father Word and Spirit may be intimated in the Threefold Repetition of the Word Holy But howsoever in this First Doxology the Lord God Almighty who is Father Son and Holy Ghost God blessed for ever is only mentioned and not the Lamb to shew that the Belief of One God who created all things is the First Fundamental Principle of Religion Christ as Redeemer the Lamb slain being not acknowledged and worshipped until the Second Doxology after he had appeared before the Throne of the Father and had received his Kingdom acccording to the Original Model of these Visions in the Book of Daniel where Chap. 7. the Son of Man is brought near to the Father and then had Dominion and Glory given him 9 And when soever these Beasts 22 or representatives of the Apostolical pure Church give or shall and are wont to give glory i. e. acknowledgment of God's glorious Majesty and Excellency and Honour to God's Authority and Preheminence and thanks for his bounty and gracious gifts to his Church to him that sat on the Throne who liveth for ever and ever i. e. to the Eternal and Living God not a dead Idol who will open his Kingdom of Eternal Life to all true Christians 22 At the fourth Verse the Twenty four Elders are placed before the Living Creatures to signifie the Primogeniture of the Jewish Church Here they are placed after them to signifie that the Truths here acknowledged were first clearly made known to the Christian Church and shall be at last communicated by them to the Jewish which shall be excited and provoked to Jealousie by them and shall at their Conversion joyn with them in an acknowledgment of these and all other Truths of Christianity 10 The four and twenty Elders or Heads of the pure Jewish Church testifying
the Popes Dr. Barrow of the Popes Supremacy pag. 240 c. The third general Council of Ephesus was afraid lest under pretence of Sacerdotal Power the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Pride of Secular Dominion should be brought into the Church Parker ibid. p. 234. See Overal 's Convoc Book l. 3. 1-6 Ecclesiastical Authority which from the Power of binding and loosing inflicting of Censures distributing the Charity of the People and determining of Controversies in Civil Matters voluntarily referred to them according to the (d) 1 Cor. 6. Apostles Advice arrived at last from such small beginnings to the Antichristian Preheminence now visible in the Papacy 6. Excessive (e) Overal's Convocat Book B. 3. 1-6 Hieron in Vit. Malchi Postquam ad Christianos Principes Venit Ecclesia potentia quidem divitiis major sed virtutibus minor facta est I do not say that an Ecclesiastical Society may not lawfully for its support use Power Policy and Wealth in some measure to uphold or defend it self but that a Constitution needing such things is not Divine or that so far as it doth use them it is no more than humane Dr. Barrow of the Vnity of the Church pag. 33. 4◠Honours and Riches whereby the Minds of the Clergy were corrupted and drawn off from the care of Souls as (f) Epist 1. 5 7. Gregory the Great confesses ingenuously and the Church became too like a Worldly Kingdom especially when Kings and Emperours became over-lavish in their Liberality to purchase Pardons for their sins whereupon as the Learned Archbishop of Paris de (a) Heidegger Histor Papat chap. 3. Marca observes the Discipline of the Church was very much relaxed in recompence as it were for the large Endowments received from them 6. Early Forgeries of Books and Traditions confessed by Learned Romanists a too great Reverence for Antiquity and a Despair of knowing more than our Ancestors which our Learned (b) Antichrist Demonstrat pag. 15. Abbot makes to be one main cause of the Rise of Antichristianism 12. It is evident that The Papacy is The Antichrist because the several Properties and Characters given of him in Scripture do agree to the Papacy and to it alone For the full proof of which Proposition I refer the Reader to the (c) Abbot's Demonstrat Antichrist a book much valued by Joseph Scaliger who was not wont to be lavish of his commendations Downham of Antichrist Dr. Moor's Mystery of Iniquity Dr. Cressener's Demonst of the first Principles of the Protestant applicat of the Apocal. Jurieu's accomplishm of Prophecies Tom. 1. Chap. 24. Tom. 3. His Pastoral Letters But chiefly Dr. Beverley's command of God to his People to come out of Babylon where this great truth is most evidently demonstrated Books quoted in the Margent and shall only here give him a brief View of what may be most observable on this Head 1. The Doctrines and Practises laid to the Charge of Antichrist in Scripture the general Heads of which are reckoned up paragr 4. are plainly taught and practised in the Romish Church such as Idolatry Superstition Supremacy Persecution and the carrying on all this by Lying Wonders forbidding Marriage and abstaining from Meats and that after so subtle a manner under a disguise of Piety as that Good and Learned Men have been deceived by it Whence it plainly appears to be a Mystery of Iniquity and The Apostasy foretold and described in Scripture as Mr. (a) Apostasy of the latter Times Mede and Dr. (b) Mystery of Iniq. Moor have fully proved 2. The Seven-hill'd City the place of the Residence of Antichrist can agree to none but Rome the Seat of the Papacy for whose Residence in it the Emperours made way by removing from it by degrees as hath been observed on Chap. 13. 2. and the Name Number Image and Mark of the Beast the excessive Riches and gawdy Pomp of the Woman are sufficiently Visible and Notorious in the Romish Church as hath been also before observed on the 13th and 17th Chapters 3. The Insolent (c) See on Chapter 13. Boastings unmeasurable Ambition mad Zeal and Devilish Cunning the Tyrannical Vsurpati ons of the Papacy over Emperours and Civil Powers and the universal spreading of that Mystery of Iniquity do sufficiently shew that it was plainly described by the Little Horn and the King that should do after his Will in (d) Chap. 7. and 11. See Mr. Mede's Works p. 667 c. Graser Histor Antichr p. 149 c. Daniel and by the Beast and the Whore in the Revelations whom the World followed and wondred after 4. The Worldly (e) Rycaut's Preface to the Lives of the Popes Dr. Barrow of the Vnity of the Church p. 33. 34. c. in 410. Pomp Temporal Dominion Court Guards Titles Style and Coronation of the Pope plainly shew that he is a Horn and a King according to Prophecy and the Rise of the Papacy upon the Fall of the Roman (a) See on Chap. 13. and 17. Emperours is a sufficient Proof that the Popes are that Man of Sin who was to be witheld until that Time and that they are the seventh Head and Eighth King 5. It is plain from History that the Converts from Heathenism and the Barbaroas Nations Paganized the Western Parts of Christendom and became the Chief Support of the Papacy And how agreeable is that to Prophecy which places the Entrance of the (b) See on Chap. 11. Chap. 13. Gentiles into the Court of the Temple before the Succession and Rise of the Beast thereby intimating that they were prepared before hand as Subjects for this King of Pride 6. How aptly are the Eastern and Western Divisions of the Empire called the Two Horns of the Beast And is it not accordingly notorious from History that the Grandeur (c) Rex Superbiae prope est quod dici nefas est Sacerdotum ei praeparatur exercitus Greg. M. lib. 4. ep 38. of the Papacy and the Idolatry of it was made way for by the Ambition and Corruptions of the Clergy of both those Divisions by the Constantinopolitan as well as Roman Bishops who were the (d) Gregor M. Epistolae Abbot demon Antichrist Constantinopolitanus Episcopus Antichristi Praecursor Forerunners of Antichrist and in whose Dominions also Image Worship was decreed by the Second Council of Nice whereupon they fell under the severe Effects of the Saracenick and Turkish Woes described Chap. 9. And hath not that Clergy ever (e) Medes Apostasy of the latter times part 2. since been the Chief Instruments of promoting and keeping up that deceivableness of Vnrighteousness as the Apostle calls it 2 Thes 2. And may they not therefore be well meant by the False Prophet in this Prophecy 7. How observable is it from (a) Mede's Works p. 463. 661. History that the Empire was divided when the Papacy rose and that upon those Divisions and that Three Horns or Powers viz. the Exarchate the
THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION PARAPHRASED WITH ANNOTATIONS ON EACH CHAPTER Whereby it is made plain to the meanest Capacity DAN XII 4. Many shall run to and fro and Knowledg shall be increased HAB. II. 2. Write the Vision and make it plain upon Tables that he may run that readeth it LONDON Printed in the Year MDCXCIII THE PREFACE THere is scarce any part of Holy Writ which hath met with a more severe entertainment in the World than this Sacred Book For although it hath evident Characters of its Divine Authority and more Humane Testimony than any other Book of the New Testament yet upon the increase of the Millenary Controversies in the Church it was first called in question and then boldly and impiously rejected by that party whose Sentiments it oppposed until they had found out a way of reconciling it unto them Into such extravagancies will immoderate opposition transport men and a fond Love and heady Zeal for private Fancies and Opinions Neither have those who have endeavoured to illustrate and clear the difficulties of this Mysterious Book met with less gentle usage in these latter ages especially from those of our own Nation but have been commonly represented as Frantick Zealots and Crazed Enthusiasts or where such Characters could not be fastned on them they have been generally depressed in the World if their Sentiments proved contrary to what was most prevailing in it to the great discouragement of inquisitive Persons and to the mighty hindrance of Truth and Knowledg which never thrive better than under a gentle and moderate freedom And therefore I cannot but regret although it be to the Dishonour of my own Nation the hard fate of those two excellent Persons Mr. Potter and Mr. Mede the former of whom although admirably skilled in many abstruse parts of Learning yet lived and dyed in an obscure retirement in a remote corner of the Land whilst the other the Ornament of our Church and of the Age he lived in was never able so much as to keep a Horse for Health not State which was the heighth of his ambition And I wish I could say that we were grown more favourable to such disquisitions that so a considerable person of deep Thought and of great insight into Mysterious Truths upon whose Hypothesis the following Interpretation is chiefly grounded after much doubt and tryal of it might not be permitted to struggle with adversity and lie under the depressing circumstances of Restraint But alas I fear that like the Apostle Peter (a) Luke 9.33 when he desired the continuance of the Glory of Christ's transgfiuration upon this Earth we know not what we say when we wish that such men had met with greater advantages in the World as the present state of it is and that we ought not to seek (b) Jerem 45. great things for our selves or others whilst the Church is in a Sack-cloath State and Condition but that our Souls are to be suited to God's Dispensations and we are not to aim at high things in the times of publick calamities And whosoever makes this use of privacy and adversity may sooner meet with Divine Visitations and comforts in the most obscure corner and with Spiritual Illuminations in a Patmos or a Prison than amidst the greatest affluence of the enjoyments of this World and all the advantages of great Parts many Books and much Learning which too often swell the mind and puff up more than edifie whereas the chief qualifications next to Prayer and the Divine assistance to the attaining to Knowledg in this or any other part of Scripture are Humility Industry and Patience in searching and a ready submission to Convictions although they prove contrary to our former thoughts and our present interest For great application of Mind is necessary to search into the bottom of Mysterious Truths and a man who would understand the Will of God in this Prophecy must during the Study of it renounce Parties and Prejudices and divest himself of his former Principles although never so deeply rooted and never so seemindy rational and closely follow that Sense which appears to be the meaning of the Holy Spirit For God's Thoughts are not as our Thoughts and men of the greatest strength of Reason when they happen upon false Principles and too strictly adhere to them are of all others the most irreclaimable It were easy to shew that Alcasar who spent twenty Years in the Study of this Prophecy Ribera and other very Learned and Judicious Men amongst the Romanists had scarcely missed of many great Truths if they had not been of that Communion and that several truly great and good Men among the Protestants were misled by a too fond respect for some private Principles Such as were the impossibility that so gross an Idolatry and so Universal an Apostasy as is supposed in this Prophecy should ever be permitted to overspread the Face of the Visible Church which yet is supposed should actually come to pass towards the end of the Word by Ribera (a) Viegas Victorinus and most of the Ancient Fathers Alcas pag. 20. and other learned Papists chiefly upon the evidence which this Book afforded them And such also was their opinion of the necessity of an uninterrupted Succession in every Church and the impossibility of deriving it from one which was formally Idolatrous together with a greater Love for the outward Peace Unity and Prosperity of the Church than it is capable of during this imperfect State in which they seem to have rested without expecting one of a different Nature Which seem to be the chief prejudices upon which Grotius Mr. Thorndick Dr. Hammond and others espoused a groundless narrow and inconsistent Hypothesis contrary to the common Doctrine of Protestants and of the Churches of which they were Members and to the Scope and genuine sense of the words of this and other Prophetical Books of Scripture as hath been sufficiently shewn by Dr. Moor Dr. Cressener and several Divines of Foreign Churches Whereas Mr. Mede seems to have been rewarded by God with the best grounded the most consequential and the most comprehensive Hypothesis of any other for his great freedom of Mind impartial Search and universal Charity which were joyned in him with a rare and uncommon mixture of slowness and yet largeness of thought I am not ignorant that many excellent persons who have shaken off the fetters of Prejudice and Education and have too great Souls to he confined within the narrow compass of a Party or a private Interest are yet very a verse to the Writings of those who offer at the Interpretation of Prophetical Scripture if their sentiments seem to look with a too close and threatning Aspect upon the Age they live in because of the frequent falsity of such pretences and the ill influence they may have especially at some times and seasons upon the publick peace of Church and State And indeed they are not to be blamed for being cautious and
latest and best Chronologers after a doubt concerning it What else could Connect the Saracenick Wo with the Idolatry of the Christian Church as a Scourge to it and foresee that Mahomet a Counter-Antichrist to the Papal One should arrive to a Supremacy in the East soon after the Christian (c) See page 136 137. Chalifs or pretended Vicars of Christ had Usurped one of another Nature in the West What but (a) Is 41 21-29 44 6 7.45 21. Wisd 8. 1. that infinite Wisdom which reacheth from one end to another and doth sweetly Order all things could thus declare the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things which are not yet done and unite together so many distant Events in agreement with the Prophecies and Types of the Old Testament and the Truth of all Profane History and make them conspire to One End the Kingdom of his Son Let the Oracles of the Heathens shew any thing like this or the most daring Wit demonstrate and no less evidence ought to satisfy him of the contrary how this could otherwise come to pass And if this Book be of Divine Authoriâ—y why should the Divinity of our Saviour be doubted of Who is expressly called (b) See Chap. 1. 8 14.3 21.5 6 c. 17 14 19 9 10 12 13.20 6 12.21 6 7.22 6 13. God in it receives Divine Worship from Angels and Men and has the same Attributes given him with God the Father and is always represented in it as One with him For such plain Testimonies ought to outweigh the contrary prejudices which proceed chiefly from the Imperfection of our finite and limited Understandings and their utter inability to comprehend an Infinite Being But as this Prophecy is Instructive in great Truths so does it afford satisfaction also in many doubts For from hence men may learn not to be too much disquieted at great Changes and Revolutions in Churches and States and may the more readily be induced to submit to what is not evidently sinful in them because they are from God and that all such great Events are some way or other conducive to Christ's Kingdom God often makeing use of the Sins of Men to bring to pass the Wise and Good but Mysterious Counsels of his Will And from hence also much may be learnt with relation to the Government (a) Read the Epistes to the Seven Churches Chap. 2. and 3. And Chapters 5. 6. 7. 10. 13 18. 21 10-27 VVorship and Reformation of the Church and to the abating of the warm Contentions about them amongst Protestants for seeing that all Church States are as yet imperfect and like the Jewish Dispensation but Temporary Ordinances until the time of the Reformation in order to the Kingdom of Christ the best ought to bear with the worst because they themselves are but Imperfect and instead of violent Heats and Animosities should endeavour to shew each other the Pattern Form and Fashion of God's House the Apostolical Model frequently mentioned in this Prophecy that so they may all according to the expressions of Ezekiel (a) Chap. 43. 10-12 in whom there is a Type of Christ's pure Church whatsoever some triumphant VVriters may with scorn enough have said to the contrary be ashamed of what they have done and of their Iniquities and Deviations from it And in the mean time until God shall reveal even this unto them what should they do but in obedience to the Apostolical Precepts Bear one anothers Burthens please others rather than themselves in Honour Prefer one another do all their things in Charity and to edification and Peace as well as for Truth Decency and Order And let not any sincere and conscientious person of the Romish Communion be offended at some harsh expressions he may find in this Book for they are no other then the Holy Spirit makes use of to give them a true and just Idea of the deformity and odiousness of Idolatry Cruelty and Church Tyranny in God's sight that so they might be the more effectually deterred from them and to create in the minds of Protestants a due abhorrence of such Practises by Notions and Symbols apt to raise a just indignation against them which have also by God's Providence been so deeply imprinted in the minds of the Vulgar that all endeavours of some Learned Men to the contrary have been unsuccessful and sometimes of fatal consequence and why should men speak peace where God does not and give complemental Names to those whom the Holy Ghost hath stigmatized and made infamous So that if the Romish Church be Idolatrous Usurping and Cruel he bringeth not a railing accusation against it but speaketh the words of Truth and Soberness who applyeth to it the Titles of Beast Whore and Antichrist And altho this charge against the Church of Rome hath been managed by diverse arguments yet I think by none more successfully than by those which are taken from this Prophecy which I hope ingenuous Men of that Communion and many such are there of it will be pleased to read and consider for I dare promise them that they will meet with many (a) Especially Chapters 13. and 17. clear and unexpected Proofs in it and such as may give them satisfaction for I can truly say that I have experienced their efficacy for the removing of some of their Prejudices which I lay under As for the present performance altho I find upon a cursory review some mistakes and many Imperfections in it which cannot be avoided in a work of so great length and difficulty yet I can assure the Reader that the utmost sincerity hath been used and all the diligence possible amidst frequent indispositions of Body and many avocations And as for the main gounds upon which the Interpretation proceeds viz. The gradual defection of the Church the Antichristian Apostasy especially of the Romish Church and the future glorious Kingdom of Christ I hope that they have been fully and plainly proved in their several places (a) Read especially Chapters 2. 3. 7. 13. 17. 20. 21. 22. but other less material or abstruse things must take the common Fate of such disquisitions and all that I shall desire from the Reader is that he use diligence in search read the Book throughout and be true to his Convictions and then I Hope Pray and Believe that he will not miss of Satisfaction humbly desiring him to remember him in his Prayers who hath spared no Pains nor cost in this matter for his good God's Glory and the Promoting of Christ's Kingdom AMEN Even so come Lord Jesus THE Argument THis Book is a Dramatick Prophecy wherein is represented as in Visionary Scenes the great Events belonging to the Church of Christ from his Resurrection (a) Chap 1. 10. pag. 11. In Comaedia sive Tragaedia nequaquam Spectatur Tempus illud quo Actio datur sed potius tempus rei ipsius cujus datur Actio Alcas pag. 6. to the Delivery (b)
thousands i. e. innumerale Heb. 12.22 12 Saying with a loud Voice and suitable affection worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive the Acknowledgment and Possession of power and Authority over all things especially his Church Matth. 11.27.28 18. John 17.2 and of Riches i. e. the inheritance of all things Heb. 1.2 and of Wisdom to govern his Church as being the Eternal Wisdom of his Father Prov. 3.16 and of strength to conquer his Enemies and honour from all Creatures and glory from his Father John 17.1 5. and blessing from Angels and Saints and all creatures Psalm 145.10 11. Psalm 148. 13 And every 16 Creature Phil. 2.10 which is in Heaven and on the Earth and under the Earth and such as are in the Sea and all that are in them heard I saying Blessing and Honour and Glory and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb i e. to God the Father and his Son Christ for ever and ever 16 Even inanimatt Creatures are frequently in Scripture called upon to praise God by a common Figure usual to all Authors and Nations that because they would praise him if they could and are the Objects and Occasions of Praise to Angels and Men and are under the command of God and subservient to his Glory and his Churches good and because the very Order and Beauty of the Creatures especially as they shall be in the Restitution of all things is a Real and Virtual Praising of God And all Creatures Saints and Angels themselves are here brought as making this Acknowledgment to signifie that God and Christ are the alone Objests of Worship and not any Creature whatsoever Exod. 20.4 5. 14 And the four Beasts i. e. the Christian Church said Amen to this new Song i. e. consented and approved of it And after the Christian Church to shew that they received the clear and explicit Knowledge of Chrisi from the Christian Church and to testifie the Agreement there is betwixt the Old and New Testament the Four and Twenty Elders i. e. the Jewish Church fell down and worshipped him 17 that liveth for ever i. e. God the Father 17 Here it is to be observed that as the Christian Church began Chap. 4.8 9. with Hymns and Worship to God the Father so the Jewish Church here Ends after they had joyned with the Christian Church in Praises and Acts of Worship to Christ who has the same Worship here given him with the Father with an Act of Worship to the Father to shew that as all things are Of Him so are they also To Him and His Glory and that the Kingdom is to be delivered up unto him and that all things are to be subject unto him who is All in All 1 Cor. 15 24-28 which is signified by their falling down and worshipping him in token of their Obedience and of the Subjection of all things unto him all Creatures also are as themselves bowing or being subject unto him in the sense that they praise him Psal 2.10 11. CHAP. VI. The Text. 1 AND Christ being now possessed of the Right to his Kingdom and his sole and absolute Power and Dominion having been acknowledged by all Creatures in the former Chapter I saw or was in a Vision when the Lamb i. e. Christ having now the Right and Administration of the Affairs of his Kingdom opened 1 one i. e. the first Chap. 5. 5. of the Seals i. e. he revealed what was before hid and accomplished what was represented under each Seal and I heard as it was the noise or a Clap of 2 Thunder i. e. a powerful and a terrible Voice and efficaciously productive of its Effects See on Chap. 1. 10. 3 one i. e. the first of the four Beasts or the Apostolical Ministry saying Come and see and consider the Mysterious Sculpture which is to be seen in the first Roll of the Book and the great Event represented by it Annotations on CHAP. VI. 1 The Seals are as so many Stops and Delays to Christ's Kingdom and the opening of them signifies not only the making of the Visions known wnich before were concealed whereupon Prophecy is called a sealed Book but also the Effect of every Vision as the Prophet Ezekiel Chap. 12.23 Phrases it or the several Steps and Advances made towards the Kingdom of Christ this being the Book of Christ's Kingdom whirh he opened as King with Power and Authority and by actually effecting the things signified in their due and proper times 2 Hereby is signified the great Power and Efficacy which accompanied the first preaching of the Gospel whence Mark 3.17 James and John are called the Sons of Thunder and the utmost Force of God's Power is called the Thunder of God's Power Job 26.14 3 One as is usual in this Prophecy signifies the first of the Beasts like a Lyon whose Station being in the Eastern part of the Jewish Camp hereby is signified the coming forth of the Gospel from Jerusalem which is in the Eastern parts of the World whence the Gospel was first preached and the first Apostolical Church gathered according to the Prediction of the Prophets Isa 28.16 Micah 4.2 Acts 2.41 2 And I saw and behold I perceiv'd engraven on the first Roll a white 4 Horse signifying the pure and merciful power and conquest of the Gospel Dispensation Psal 45.4 and he 5 i. e. Christ that sat on him i. e. who had the Power and management of that Dispensation had a Bow 6 i. e. the Gospel Psal 45.5 and a Crown was given unto him as King and Conqueror and he went forth from Jerusalem Mic 4.2 conquering 7 by the efficacy of his Gospel and his Ministers and to conquer by degrees untill the completion of his Kingdom Psal 2 6.-8 4 Horses being a swift and warlike Creature according to the admirable Description of them given in Job Chap. 39. the Scripture does signifie by them some active and powerful Dispensation of his Providence brought to pass by his Angels and Ministers the Nature and Quality of which is denoted by the divers Colours attributed to those Horses as appears plainly from Zach. 1.8 10.6.2 3.10 3. Now the Dispensation here pointed at being that of Christ's Kingdom a (a) Bochart Hieros 2.7 white Horse is attributed unto him 1. to denote his Power Princes and Honourable Persons being used to Ride and that on White Beasts whilst Inferiours went on Foot as appears from Judg. 5.10 Eccles 10.7 2. To signifie the Mercifulness of his Conquest Psalm 45.4 Zech. 9 9.10 3. it being usual for Conquerors to ride on white Horses on the Days of Triumph Rev. 19.11 14. 5 That Christ is hereby signified is evident from Rev. 19.11 12 13. compared with Psalm 2. and 45. from whence these Symbols are taken 6 As an Archer with his Bow according to the Description given by the Psalmist 7 12.11 2. first menaces and threatens at a distance before he shoots so Christ first appeared with a peaceable