ago said the preaching of the Gospel should cause to take away earthly dominion and temporal possessions from the Clergy to wit of Rome God be thanked no Kingdome in Christendome except Spaine and Italy but have more or lesse diverted the Euphrates of Rome and made way for the Kings of the East Ministers and good Christians to take her Vers 13. I saw come out of the mouth of the Dragon Since the riches and Euphrates of Rome is drying up she sends Ambassadours to the Kings of the earth to help her These come out of the mouth of the Dragon Beast and false-Prophet In the Vision which is but one as is noted chap. 13. the Dragon furnisheth them with lies the monster or sea-beast representing Antichrist as a secular Monarch with tyranny the false Prophet or land-beast who was like a Lambe in part with all deceit of unrighteousnesse Three impure spirits Meaning the spiritual fathers of Rome's Church Three denotes Perfection or a sufficient company as two witnesses do chap 11. Impure spirits So are these locusts in their original and life Like Frogs came out of the mouth of that Dragon c. In impudent loquacity and filthinesse what more irksom then croaking of Frogs So the clamours of these messengers to the Kings of the earth prating any thing to gain their aid for Antichrist what more impure then frogs both in their original and living the same is true of the Romish Parats and Fryars who may well be said to come out of Antichrists mouth being orders of his confirming having no ground in the Word Now these are Antichrists usual Legates or Emissaries Vers 14. For they are the spirits of divels From the Dragon who gave Antichrists place chap. 13. Their craft and subtilty is from hell though then they make a faire show of religion yet they are of the disposition of the devil their father Working miracles No Church so brags of miracles as that of Rome but t is known Antichrists coming is with signes and wonders and with all deceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse Who go forth as Ambassadours To the Kings of the earth To wit heathen and idolatrous It seems towards the end Antichrist to keep up his false tottering power will make league with Indians or any infidels Thus the prating frogs Jesuites lie most uncleanly in ditches and mire of riches vanity and temporal honour and are sent as the Popes Nuncio's or Emissaries to gaine the helpe of the Kings of the earth against the day of the Lord. Vers 15. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments c. To wit in this dangerous deceitful time and keeps his garments See chap. 3. ver 18. that they be not defiled with the world and flesh for Christ comes unawares as a thief in the night This then is a cautionary parenthesis because the day of the Lord is at hand against which we should watch and be prepared Ver. 16. And gathered them together To wit the unclean spirits shall gather them that is the Kings of the earth by their false miracles lies and prating To battel to fight against Antichrists opposers truly a great miracle that men should fight for the beast of Rome when his other vassals shall hate him as chap. 17. ver 16.17 no wonder if they come to Armageddon or a place of destruction and ruine Since they fight against Jehovah for the beast Called in the Hebrew tongue Harmageddon This Word and such like prove this book was delivered to John in Syriack or Hebrew Megiddo was the place where that most hopeful Prince Iosiah was slain 2 Chron. 35.22 by Necho King of Egypt whereupon for t was an infinite losse the sad Prophet Ieremy composed the book of Lamentations ver 25. Harmageddon in Hebrew signifies a mountain So Har-megiddo is but the hill of Megiddo True Megiddo was the city but the hill field where the battel was fought was after cal'd by that name So the kings of the earth shall be brought to another place of confusion or another Megiddon The alteration of letters are nothing if the tongues be considered in which they are writ Two things are here to be noted 1. The opportunity or fitnesse of the place Such was the field of Megiddo 2. The great lamentation which here the adversaries shal make because of the slaughter therefore one day when Antichrist is almost ruined by the Word and several Kings revolting from him and opposing him he shall be in league with Turk and nations whom he shall entice to help him and to prop up his ruined state but these shall be opposed by other Kings of the East or Christians to their great ruine for the great day shall there overtake the wicked Vers 17. And the seventh Vial was poured out into the aire The six Trumpets signified Preachers I mean the six Angels of the Trumpets as the temporal events proved but the seventh could not be chap. 10. ver 7. then the mystery of God was to be finished So now the six Angels of the Vials may but the seventh proclaims the day of the Lord the end of all things And there came a great voice out of the Temple saying it is done Upon the sounding of the Trumpet the aire is corrupted infected with Pestilence and smitten with Gods wrath so that needs the destruction of all creatures and the end of all things must follow To which purpose a voice from heaven and the throne confirms the truth of it saying It is done This is the great voice of the Trumpet 1 Thes 4.16 the Lord shall descend with a shout Thus the world 's ended and the grapes of the earth to be pressed in the lake of hell and the kings of the earth destroyed at Megiddo Vers 18. And there were voyces lightnings thunders and there was a great earthquake c. These things shew the horrible effects of the last Vial when Christ shall come to take vengeance at the last day then may be voyces of the damned lightnings burning the earth to peeces and the works thereof thunders from heaven for all elements shall conspire against the wicked and such an earthquake as never was for the earth shall be rent to peeces and dissolved Vers 19. And the great City was divided into three parts To wit the Church of Rome wherein or in whose streets the witnesses lay chap. 11. ver 8. In three parts Three notes perfection so it was quite demolished and rent by the earthquake yet I beleeve the literal City shall be destroyed before this day chap. 17.16 But her Dominions and jurisdiction may in some measure last to this earthquake or the end And the Cities and Nations fell To wit of Turk Saracen American and all earthly Kingdoms now at the great Day Yet perchance these may come helping the Whore by the mediation of the three unclean spirits to some nay many private overthrows or Armegeddons before the last day for many Kings shall hate her and burn her before as
6. Act. 3. Vers 1. And after these things I heard a great voyce of much people in heaven THe occasion of this praising God is from vers 20. of chap. 18. Where the heavenly voyce bids the Saints rejoyce as here they do Now 't is usuall in this book as in a comedy or tragedy to bring in harpers or musick to delight the spectatours Hence it is remarkable after Romes destruction men shall rejoyce on earth for Gods just vengeance on her before the day of Judgment For though John heard the voyce as in heaven yet it noted also joy on earth among the Saints After these things After the scarlet coloured City was burnt for so both women chap 17.3 4. and City are arayed chap. 18.16 and the Merchants riches partly burnt partly made uncapable of sale After the common Merchants of Nations had bewailed the City for now they cannot trade with the spiritual Merchants of Rome with gold pearle for Masses pardons nor could the spirituall Merchants being impoverished reach the price of fine linnen pearle after these things as in the last five Visions a chore of singers appear praising God Because Antichrists blasphemy Idolatry is destroyed in part so the cause of the rejoycing is good To vers 10. and 11. things being indifferent plain and to be understood by the reading with adding some few notes I 'le passe them by From vers 1. Allelujah that is praise the Lord being an Hebrew word by which all the quire of Heaven both of Old and New-Testament praise the Lord. Note the sweet concord of both Churches under the Law and Gospel now in Heaven Also perchance hence may be noted that the Hebr. tongue used in Paradise and by our Saviour on earth mixt with the Syriack after the resurrection shall be the tongue to celebrate God in Heaven perchance here may be thought on the Jews Hallelujahs whose tongue this is after their fuller conversion according to Rom. 11. Vers 2. It becomes us all to take notice and praise God for the equity of his judgments upon his and our enemies as Antichrists Vers 3. Hell is below for the smoake ascended here is noted also the eternity of Romes judgment for ever and ever Vers 4. After the former rejoycings the 24. Elders or Jewish Church and the four Beasts alluding to the Apostles see chap. 4. succeed in the praysing God saying Amen So that none but he who sate upon the throne is worshipped not one worships another and he for ever by succession of companies which is to be noted Vers 5. Another voyce inviting to more prayses is heard out of the throne by which is noted its being from heaven and it was not the voyce of him that sate on the throne because the voyce invites to praise him also the two companies had ceased their song so this was Christs voice who as Mediatour cals God his God saying praise our God it seemes they had ascribed to God salvation that is the power of saving acknowledging salvation to be from him but greater motives for praise remaine then their deliverance from Antichrist and his judgment and their salvation to wit the Lambs marriage which all his servants of more or lesse faith children or men that feare him so the Catholique Church is here comprehended must praise him for I hence observe it is our duty to praise God and take notice of his love that his will ought to be done by us in earth as 't is in heaven Vers 6. Now follow the praises by all the people of God in heaven and earth as it were compared to waters because of multitude chap. 17.15 and noyse and to thunder filling heaven and earth i th ecchoes thus John heard it noting the exceeding joy and prayses of both Churches Militant and Triumphant see chap. 14.2 where the like noyse of praise is heard Now this Song belongs to the time a little before Christs coming to judgment as will appear Because the Lord hath reigned that is by subduing the enemies as Antichrist had declared powerfully himself to be God Vers 7. For the marriage of the Lamb is come c. The betrothing between Christ and his Church is in this world by faith and the word preached the word wooes the Church for Christ faith imperfectly embraces him the consummation of the marriage is at the last day when Christ and the Church shall for ever be together enjoying one another perfectly there she shall as a wife enjoy him here only as a Virgin betroathed She hath made her selfe ready to wit for glory but to her it was given to be clothed in white linnen ver 8 to wit by Christ by whom and with whom as with fine linnen she is clothed being her self naked Ezek. 16.8 It was given Noting her natural nakednesse of grace and righteousnesse but through Christs endeavours as a Bride to trim her self but is much nay most helped by Christ to be dressed as Brides are by others for here both dressings are meant of grace but especially of glory so she must needs be a most glorious spouse being dressed with Christ Vers 9. Write As a most remarkable comfortable note Blessed are they that are called internally and effectually to the marriage of the Lamb begun here and perfected hereafter Sure eye hath not seen nor eare heard nor hath it entred into mans heart to conceive the joy banquet attire and graces of this marriage and friends truly invited Now against the Papists if they be blessed that are invited assurance of heaven is to be had here for this is one of the true sayings of God to wit that t is given to the Bride to be clothed in fine linnen therefore there is no Predisposition in her and that they are blessed who are in this world invited having heaven in part upon earth Vers 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him c. The Angel's who talked with him Abraham civilly worshipped Angels as Travellers Gen. 18. and was blamelesse which may perswade that this worship offered by John was religious because forbidden Now John had seen Angels before now and heard them speak yet never offered to worship till now either being now over-joyed about the comforts of the Lamb and his spouse for which discourse for this Angel had familiarly talked with him a great while by way of thanks he would have worshipped him or perchance supposing he had been Christ To be brief Iohns weaknesse is here shewed and the Angels faithfulnesse since Iohn confesses in writing his errour as Moses shews his original Matthew his calling impartially it shews that these men were inspired by God who were the Writers of these books And since the Angel refuses the worship for two reasons 1. Because he was Iohns fellow servant 2. Because God was only to be worshipped therefore no worship neither douleia nor latreia for they are indifferently used for the same worship is due to Saints or Angels So that as the Angels refuse it so
thing remarkable from henceforth blessed are the dead to wit since Reformation by the three Angels for now purgatory-lyes are confounded and men are taught to be presently happy after death and are taught justifying faith which brings comfort at death now men are taught works follow the workers to heaven not to justifie or save absolutely yet they follow for Christ out of mercy and promises annext to good works will reward them with glory This white cloud signifies Christs divine Majesty for God because of his heavenly power is often in the Psalmes said to ride on the clouds But here Christ comes according to his promise Math 26.64 upon the clouds to judge the world the clouds being his throne Thus comes in Act fourth containing comforts for the godly shewing the joyfull change of the Churches afflictions at the day of judgment Having a crown of gold upon his head c. This notes Christs Kingly Majesty As the sharp reapers sickle in his hand notes his judging and destroying the ungodly as it were mowing them down at the last day for the sickle is to reap the ungodly Vers 15. And another Angel came out of the temple Noting the desire of Angels and Saints at the last day to see the destruction of the wicked Which Angel John in the Vision saw coming out of the temple viz. heaven Thrust in thy sickle and reap Judging is the office of Christ yet the Saints and Angels shall come with Christ to waite on him and approve his righteous sentence Thrust Desiring Christ not commanding to do his office Because the time is come c. To wit the time prefixed in the counsell of God to judge the world which the Angels and Saints noted by the Angel coming out of heaven knew because they saw Christ on the clouds as on a throne and the signes of the last day fulfilling and fulfilled To reap To gather the good into heaven the barne the tares in bundles for the fire The harvest is ripe The measure of the Churches miseries and the sins of the wicked was full And he that late on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth c Thus Christ fulfills the desire of the Saints and reaps the earth saying come ye blessed go ye cursed thus the harvest is the end of the world Matth. 13. The reapers are the Angels yet Christ is said to do what they do because they act by Christs authority Vers 17. And another Angel came out of the temple which is in heaven c. Heaven Noting how Angels shall be reapers and gatherers of the vintage the wicked Yet perchance Christ is here meant to whom power of the sickle or judging is only committed Note all over this book severall persons come in acting as in some Comedy Vers 18. And another Angel came out from the Altar which had power over fire c. In the Vision that is out of heaven from God Yet Christ is the Altar from whom and by whose power the Angels act at the last day This Angel so all the Saints as is noted Chap. 6.10 cry how long hastens the judge who is not slack to reap the earth and gather the sowre wild grapes thereof meaning the wicked for the good grapes in Scripture and the vine are taken in a good sence but the grapes of the earth as the graps of Gomorrah in a bad sense But why doth the Angel who has power over fire demand this Answ Because God by the Angels will cast the wicked or grapes into hell fire now the Angels have power over fire thus to wit by Christs command to burne the grapes tares wicked Also perchance over particular elements Vers 19. And the Angel thrust in his sickle and cast the Vine of the earth into the great Wine-presse To wit into hell For as clusters are trodden in the wine-presse so the reprobates in the lake of hell Vers 20. And the Wine-presse was broken which was without the City To wit Heaven of which City in ' its place chap. 22.15 And blood came out of the Wine-presse Alluding to the blood of the grape called so in Scripture Noting the bloody that is horrible punishments to befal the wicked in hel that spiritual winepresse Vnto the horses bridles c Innumerable multitudes of clusters are to be pressed of all the wicked from the Creation which however shall be quickly done that in the Vision the blood flowed a thousand six hundred furlongs each furlong being a hundred twenty five paces able to make a sea of blood Now Christ uses no horses but the blood in the Vision so streamed out as it would have run a great many miles for length understood by furlongs and reached the bridles of horses for depth had there been any Perchance alluding to Conquerours who after a battel ride up in the blood of the slain to view the enemy Thus the Antichristian Tyrants rode to see the Martyrs die Thus Christ triumphs over them CHAP. XV Vision 5. being but a Preparation to the Vision Vers 1. I saw another signe JOhn was informed by many signes or visions one expounding another The acts of which bring at last ever either joy to the Saints after sorrow by shewing heaven Angels Martyrs and their blisse and protection or destruction of the adversary To this purpose the Reader may see this book speak In heaven So John saw them in heaven which were to be performed on earth on the Antichristian Church Great shadowing out great things Admirable shadowing forth the admirable judgements of God Seven Angels meaning a perfect company these note ministers in the Church by whom God in some sense poures forth his wrath as in some sense he did by the witnesses chap. 11. Having the seven plagues Of which see ver 7. Last plagues because to be poured out in the last age when Popery declined much Filled up The Plagues are to continue in the several Angels till the judgement day when the Arch-angel shall sound and the wicked have the full wrath of God on them for ever Vers 2. And I saw as it were a sea of glasse mingled with fire c. A sea of glasse as ch 4.6 the word is noted brittle as glasse troublesome as the sea full of fiery persecutions afflictions contentions in which the Saints are involved Of glasse again because all the actions of men there are apparent before God the throne But behold many Harpers praising God for his judgements or seven vials to be poured out justly on the wicked behold a company standing as Conquerors by faith on the sea or world They overcame the Beast his images mark of subjection or obedience and the number of his name of all which already chap. 13. Here note the beast is in the singular number therefore but one though of two formes chap. 13. Observe many Saints had obtained victory over Antichrist already the seven vials not being poured out which would not be suddainly finished when pouring out therefore
the Papists lye saying Antichrist should rage but about foure years These harpers are not only to be taken for those chap 14.3 who congratulate the 144000. standing with Christ on the mount but are to be taken for the Church militant as Brightman observes rejoycing and singing of Songs of praise as Moses did for victory over Pharaoh so these over the national name of the beast for the word in Greek is overcoming as it were now in earth though it be represented to Iohn in heaven having the harps of God in the Vision meaning excellent harps Vers 3. And they sang so it seemed to John yet there are not tongues lips nor voices as yet enough in heaven to make musick but this is spoken to our capacity yet the Saints most sweetly and joyfully but as spirits praise God in heaven The Song of Moses Exod. 15. or like it And the Song of the Lambe as oft before T is a Song composed of many places of Scripture together by which you see the way to praise God is out of his lasting Word Thus his Word endures for ever in heaven and praises out of his Word Thou King of Saints God in a peculiar manner is their king and they his subjects Vers 4. Who shall not feare thee not Antichrist Being only holy The Popes unholinesse is here reproved All nations shall Some of all nations upon Antichrists declining For thy judgements are manifest In weakning his kingdom by the preaching of the Word making him odious This the Harpers worthily pronounce Vers 5. And after that I looked to wit after the Song as an interlude And the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in heaven was opened Alluding to the litteral Temple the meaning is John saw heaven open out of which came these Angels There is no mystery in it but Antichrists judgements proceed from Christ the High-priest of the Tabernacle Vers 6. And the seven Angels came having seven plagues clothed in pure white linnen White linnen notes their heavenly Purity With a golden girdle So Christ had chap. 1.13 noting his Majesty and Diligence which his servants the Angels have ready to execute his pleasure Or this imports the decency of Angels who assuming bodies or appearing in bodily formes for our sakes come not naked but clothed as the Priests by Gods command in the law Vers 7. And one of the foure beasts Of these is spoken chap. 4. it matters not which of them gave the seven Vials perchance he that was nearest not Peter as the Papists think Thus much is apparent the Church desires Gods judgements to be hastened upon Antichrist as chap. 6.10 upon tyrants O Lord how long the beasts resemble the Gospel Church now they especially desire it being greatest sufferers Vials noting the vessel holding as much as a man can drink at a draught but doubtlesse these were great ones noting Gods great judgements ' Golden Noting the justnesse of the judgements though then John saw Vials in the Vision they noted the cup of wrath and fury spoken of in some sense chap. 14 10. Vers 8. And the Temple was filled with smoak c. Not a cloud as 1 Kings 8.10 11. but smoak noting how the Church of Rome was to be filled with darknesse and confusion and consequently wrath of God Which though formerly it were in the Romish Church not of new yet now it began more plainly to appear after the light of the truth that no man could enter into heaven above noted by the Temple because of darknesse of ignorance and sin nor could enter into the Church to receive light because nothing but blindnesse and darknesse till the seven plagues were past that is never for the seventh Angel is the Archangel at the last day thus none of the beasts worshippers have light nor can enter into the Temple of heaven in the state they are in for ever But Christ we hope will call many of them home as that great City or Church of Rome decays Thus farre the introduction to the fifth Vision The smoak comes from Gods glory and power and the blindnesse from God as a righteous judgement CHAP. XVI Vision 5. Vers 1. And I heard a voice out of the Temple saying to the seven Angels go c. FOrmerly two witnesses chap. 11. that is a few were raised up against Antichrist Now seven that is very many who by their preaching shall as the witnesses cause Vials of wrath to be poured upon Antichrist We have heard of the Beast against the witnesses Chap. 11. the Dragon against the woman Chap. 12. the Beast against the Saints by warre Chap. 13. and suffering none to buy and sell but his spirituall Merchants not followes a strang change Judgments for the Antichristian company Beast and Merchants goe There is Commission Pour out not drop aggravating the punishment Pour out his viall upon the earth Leave none at all in the vessell upon the earth in vers 2. these Angels note ministers Vers 2. And the first went and poured out his Viall upon the earth Note the readinesse of the Angels in obeying the Lord whose voice out of the Temple or heaven commanded them even now ver 1. On the earth that is the inhabitants of the earth or worshippers of the beast And there fell a grievous noysom sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast c. To wit on Antichrists markked ones T is an allusion to the first Egyptian plague of boils and blaines Exod. 9.9 for here is oft such punishments as haile locusts blood Now though God may punish the Roman Church with outward diseases as the French pox which follows the wanton Clergy yet since outward diseases are common to all chiefly with Brightman I understand these plagues to be in men as hatred envy malice against the true light upon the preaching of the Gospel to the inhabitants of the earth by the first Angel note the Gospel is the savour of life to the Saints though it be as a Vial and torment to the marked ones because it hinders their riches honour pride tyranny Now what greater sore then a tormented vexed mind Vers 3. And the second Angel poured out his Vial upon the Sea and it became as the blood of a dead man So in the Vision the sea is the Romane Church or gathering together of Churches Perchance the Councel of Trent whether all People gathered for help when the first Vial was poured out it lasted many years many rivers as Cardinals Bishops Archbishops c. run hither and made up the sea to consult against Christs true witnesses however the sea of Rome or Church is the sea the Bishops and Doctors are the rivers and fountains which make up the sea or the fountains are Scripture all corrupt at least to them this is a plain allusion to that Egyptian plague when the waters were blood so here the Church Bishops Doctors are polluted so the Scripture the fountain in some sense of water is
the Saints would blush did they know the several honours and adorations offered to their pictures and idols For the Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of Prophecy The Angel confirms that he was fellow-servant with them that had the spirit of Prophesie or the Testimony of Jesus because he also had that Testimony revealing to John by the spirit these future events in this book Act. 4. of this Vision Vers 11. And I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse c. Behold the Judge and last day Now the reason why this is here inserted is because the destruction of the city of Rome had been spoken of but not of the whole Churches ruine and Antichrists utter desolation who yet might lurke at some other place with some of the Kings of the earth his Confederates therefore here the final destruction and Armageddon of all is brought in Thus ended ch 11. and vision 3. from vers 15. where the seventh Angel sounded Thus ended chap. 14. vision 4. touching the harvest and vintage Thus ended ch 16. from ver 16 17. of vision 5. where the Angel said it is done Thus the Prediction of Christ is come to passe in the Vision to John Matth. 25.31 Christ and his Angels coming to judge the world hence the heaven was opened and Christ in likenesse of a Captain and troop of Horse coming thence to judge the world Christ hath a white horse noting his excellent pure divine nature not as if horses or men or swords were really here used but under the Allegory of a General and an Army the brightnesse of Christs coming to judgement is signified which some Expositors on this book not well noting have erred Behold a white horse and he that sate on him was Came out of heaven opened One day doubtlesse we shall see the heavens opened and Christs coming Now Christ in the primitive times came riding upon a white horse chap. 6. meaning the pure Apostolique Church conquering Heathenisme but here it notes his divine majesty and glory to be avenged on all his adversaries Called faithful and true warring and judging in righteousnesse This is for the comfort of all Gods People since the Judge cannot will not do wrong nay the adversaties shall confesse the justnesse of the sentence pronounced against them and the Saints shall be sure of pay and reward who have fought against sin for him for the General is faithful and true and therefore his officers calling to offices is most right and true Vers 12. His eyes a flame of fire As chap. 1.14 Fire gives light and consumes and it noted the vigilancy of Christ for his Church there so Christ sees into all secrets and will burn up the ungodly as stubble being fervent and victorious as fire usually is And on his head many Crowns Noting his royal Majesty Dignity and Power above Antichrist who had ten Crowns ch 13.1 and two horns ver 11. but the Lamb more even seven chap. 5.6 and here many Crowns And he had a name written that no man knew but himself This name is after expressed the Word of God now as ch 2.17 the new name given to the overcommers is known to none but them that have it because none know the happinesse of adoption but the truly adopted so none know Christs name but he to whom the father sanctifiedly shall reveal it even to salvation Vers 13. He was clothed in a vesture dipt in blood Thus he came in the Prophet from the spiritual Bozra or Edom to wit hell conquering by death all his enemies Esay 63.3 whose blood as it were seemed to be upon his garments but more on vers 15. of this And his name called THE WORD OF GOD We know his name and they to whom it is revealed Now this Iohn in his Gospel cals him the Word chap. 1. A word best expresses a man so Christ is the image of the father and his spokesman to the Church or his Word Vers 14. And the armes c. To wit which came for honour sake out of heaven to attend him Clothed in white linnen c. Not armed for Christ was strong enough Here is noted the Purity and Splendor of the Army attired as if they were indeed going to a marriage in the same livery as Christ having white horses being innocent pure glorious Of this army see Mat. 24.30.25 31. concerning the holy Angels Vers 15. Out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword As chap. 1.16 where it noted the power of his word as a two edged sword Heb. 4.12 wounding sin in his people and wounding the enemies of his people but here it notes how by the word of his mouth and divine power he will at last destroy his enemies saying Go ye cursed That with it he should smite the Nations He comes meanly armed for his power is inward needing no outward defence Now Christ formerly as Psal 2. ruled the Nations with an Iron rod of judgment pushing them as he thought good but now will confound Antichrist and his Gentiles or Nations for he imitates them in Idolatry as by a rod of Iron For he treadeth the witnesses of Gods wrath See the Exposition chap. 14. ver 20. No wonder that his garments seeme bloody See also Esay 63.5 for here Christ conquering his enemies as some General dipt in his blood is presented in a Simile here then is not intended Christs passion as in Esay 63. but concerning Antichrist and all his enemies at the last day Vers 16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written c. In the Vision John so saw Chrst noting Christs being Monarch of heaven and earth in that he is King of Kings this proves Christs Divine nature and encourageth his people to trust in him and not feare the adversaries since he is above all and will suddenly manifest his power in their destruction This name was written on his vesture because all one day shall openly acknowledge it and on his thigh because he was eternally begot by the Father for the thigh in Scripture notes generation Gen. 46.26 Vers 17. I saw an Angel standing in the Sun who cried with a loud voyce saying c. That is in some clear high place to be seen and heard of all who as an Herauld or Trumpeter went before the Army calling to the fowles to devoure the slaine as it were after a battel yet I take this to be the Archangel sounding at the last day 2 Thes 4.16 Come and gather your selves together to the Supper alluding to Ezek 39.17 where the fowles are invited to devoure conquered God and Magog perchance Turk and Pope but literally this shall not come to passe at the last day for fowles and elements wherein they are shall then be consumed but under this similitude the horror of the last day is set forth for Raven Vultures usually devoure corpses after a battel The Supper of the great God because provided by him who is King of Kings and Lord of
Jasper a precious stone I see no more here but the most happy everlasting life of Saints set forth The City was pure gold This metal we chiefly-esteem therfore the Holy Ghost sets forth the glorious condition of the Church or City by it pure Gold is without drosse if tryed in the fire it comes forth without any such shewing the most pure estate of the Church above Like to Chrystall Or clear Glasse the matter is solid Gold the form bright as Glasse or Chrystal so it is as a golden City shining in glory not really but to stirre us up to seek after this heavenly Ierusalem which farre exceeds all these precicious things to which it is as it were compared Vers 19. And the foundation of the wall The matter of the wall and City is mentioned the foundation is very precious being of precious stones stones are for foundations preous stones for this being Christ laid by the twelve Apostles whose names were upon the foundations the foundations were all of whole Pearles or Gemmes which were Pillars of the wall as it were thus the foundations were garnished with pearles or precious stones The first was a Iasper Clear and green which the Papists say signifies Peter who did shew a lively flourishing love towards Christ indeed Peter being first converted is usually first named but the same order of mentioning the Apostles by the Evangelists is not observed alwayes and 't is conceived all loved him and dyed for him as well as Peter Iohn only excepted perchance who was the beloved Disciple writ most of love therefore this of the Papists proves little neither is it said the Apostles were the foundations but their names were written upon them doubtlesse the preciousnesse of the stones set-forth the preciousnesse of Christ the foundation and the Gospel preached by the the twelve so the stones set forth the choycenesse of him that sate upon the throne ch 4.3 which is a plain sense The second a Saphire being skie-coloured it aswageth lust 't is wonder saies my Pareus that Writers apply not this to Iohn who only lived unmarried the Papists apply it to Andrew but since the order of reckoning the Apostles is not alwayes the same we hence can certainly gather little But this observe if the twelve had their names upon the foundations then had John before his death and why may not the Beast like a flying Eagle resemble John chap. 4.7 who though alive had written his Gospel where he sores aloft like an Eagle about Christs Divinity See the exposition on that chap. 4 7. I see little hindring The third a Chalcedony A kinde of a Carbuncle of a purple colour good against black choler that is sadnesse and fear Now the foundation Christ and the Doctrine of the twelve Apostles both teach love as in the first stone chastity in the second and expel all base fear as in the third stone The fourth an Emerauld A most pleasant green colour refreshing the sight good against poyson and the falling sicknesse Now the foundation Christ is most pleasing and cordial The fifth a Sardonix Resembling in part a mans nayle and the colour 't is good against pride so is the foundation Christ and the twelve Apostles doctrine The sixth a Sardius Of a dark red colour it emboldens sharpens the wit The seventh a Chrysolite c. Being good against shortnesse of breath the Papists apply them to the Apostles but for brevity sake I omit them Christ compleatly comprehends what 's in them to perfection who is the true foundation of the heavenly Ierusalem the Apostles have their names written upon the foundation because they confirmed the foundation Christ with their blood Vers 21. And the twelve Gates were twelve Pearles c. Christ is the only Gate he is the way door and life but because by the ministry of the twelve Apostles we come to Christ hence the City is said to have twelve Gates now the Doctrine of the Apostles leading to Christ is more precious then Gold or Pearles who in heaven shall shine with the brightnesse of Christ like glorious Pearles And the street of the City was pure Gold Now followes the inward beauty of the City there are many streets in a City and a Market-place or place of meeting I see nothing else here but the whole course of the Saints in heaven is most uncorrupt and pure their walking or motion and meetings comprehended by streets are righteous and pure as Gold our meetings below are full of corruption and the purest Church and members sinful therefore the state of this life is not here meant Transparent Glasse Is the Cities unutterable brightnesse Vers 22. And I saw no Temple in the same Solomons glistering Temple was a type of Christs spiritual Church heaven shall need none preaching and all outward exercises of Religion shall cease in this world our weaknesse needs these helps then God will not be served with external worship Christ shall give up his ministerial Kingdom by which he now governs the Church 1 Cor. 15.24 and God according to the Essence in three persons shall be all in all each one then shall be taught of God Ier. 31.34 None need say know the Lord all imperfection shall be laid aside 1 Cor. 13.10 and tongues which were only to build up the Church faith and hope which were to lay hold on Christ which now in the Vision they enjoy only charity remains So when I speak of meetings or motion ver 21. I mean no such as these but conceive they may move and not alwayes in heaven sit stand stil or rest in one place which were improbable For the Lord Almighty is the Temple of it Here the Saints praise him in Temples there they shall immediatly rejoyce in him and keep a perpetual Sabbath to him serving him day and night before the throne so they shall rejoyce in God as in a Temple God in heaven is insteed of a Temple chap. 11.19 the Temple of God was open in heaven meaning the triumphant Church who were Gods Temple in earth now he is the Saints Temple in heaven Vers 23. The City hath no need of Sunne nor Moon to shine in it c. T is not said the Sunne and Moon were not for as Esay hath it The Moon shall shine as the Sunne and the light of the Sunne shall be seven fold for a recompence for their unwearied former pains chap. 30 26. speaking of the renovation of all things But God and the Lamb as equal in light and glory shall be the light of the City and shall obscure the other lights which shall remain glorified as monuments of Gods mercy power and wisedome but the city shall not need them having the father of lights there where also every Saint shall shine as the Sunne for ever O glorious City But observe that Esay is partly to be understood of the great light of knowledge and grace under Christs spiritual Kingdom in respect of the dark clouds of the
this verse the Holy Ghost is meant by seven spirits because grace is prayed for from them Also Pareus agrees with me that in chap. 4. ver 5. created angels may be understood but not here Vers 5. And from Iesus Christ Peace cometh by Christ Eph. 2.15 Christ here is treated of as the Mediatour and therefore is put last the order is sometimes in the Scripture omitted as 2 Cor. 13. ult Who is the faithfull witnesse Faithful because he confirmed the truth not only by preaching and miracles but by suffering Witnesse because by way of Prerogative he is so though there be three that bare record in heaven 1 Iohn chap. 5. because he first also and only shed his blood for his own testimony therefore on earth he is the witnesse The first begotten of the dead because Christ first and only raised up himself by his own power to immortal life others were raised by his power and became subject to death again And the Prince of the Kings of the earth that is as chapter 19. verse 16. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Who loved us and washed us from our sins by his own blood Vers 6. And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his father He concludeth his dedication with a Thanksgiving First because Christ loved his People and became man for * See my Glimps of Christs love p. 36 37. them Secondly because he died for them justifying them by his blood nay sanctifying them Thirdly making us Priests and Kings Priests to consecrate our selves as a living sacrifice to God through him Kings not only in a dopting us to be heyrs of his Kingdome above but through his power making us Conquerours of Sinne and Satan To him be glory either understand the glory of his Godhead or that glorious exaltation of his manhood at the right hand of his father For ever and ever shews Christs Eternity Amen That is be it so Vers 7. Behold he cometh with clouds This may comfort the Saints though the wicked tyrannize a while he cometh to judgement This also proves against the Papist that the humanity of Christ is not everywhere because he cometh with clouds and they are not every where Every eye shall see him that is every man his Crucifiers Scoffers also the righteous the former to their confusion the larter to their comfort And they that pierced him as in Zach. 12.10 to wit the Souldiers Iohn here and in his Gospel applies that of Zechary to Christ and teaches us two things 1. That Christ is God 2. That Iohn writ this Revelation Even so Amen it shews that there is no doubt but Christ will come to end the afflictions of the Church and to punish the wicked with whose coming the Saints are well pleased Vers 8. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end Alpha is the first letter of the Greek tongue Omega the last it shews Christ is first and chief the verse proves Christs deity See Isa 41.4 Vers 9. I John who am your brother t is no vain-glory to name himself here otherwise we might have thought 't was Christ spoke also Paul repeats his name twice in one Epistle I Paul with my own hands his name being prefixt before Brother there is a spiritual brotherhood among the members of Christ Iohn is their brother in three things named in the text 1. In tribution 2. In the spiritual Kingdome of Christ which we being Kings and Priests ought to maintain 3. In sufference Was in the Isle that is called Patmos Domitian the Emperour first cast him into a Caldron of boyling oyle but receiving no hurt banished him into this Isle where he received this Vision The Emperour being slain he returned to Ephesus and ministred to the seven Churches For the Word of God Iohn sheweth the true cause of his banishment and 't is worth observation that the Romanes as they conquered worshipped the gods of every nation Jesus only excepted it seems the devil was content that they should worship any god but the true For the Word of God to wit Christ For the Testimony To wit the doctrine of Jesus Christ Vers 10. Was in the spirit Iohn was in spiritual meditations when he saw the Revelation which he saw not with mortal eyes but being ravished in spirit his mind was carried beyond it self On the Lords day the first day of the week on which Christ arose from the dead which by the example and command of the Apostles 1 Cor. 16.1 Christians keep and observe as holy T is not probable Christ would burden the mind of Iohn with all the Vision or Revelation at once especially considering ch 4. ver 1 2. and ch 17.3 Iohn confesseth he was in the spirit at other time but doubtles John as all true Prophets understood every particular of the Revelation I heard a great voice behind me great either in regard of the great mystery of the vision or in regard 't was the voice of the great God Behind me Shews the freenesse of Gods love to Iohn in the voice he not expecting any such voice or Vision As of a Trumpet in respect of its shrilnesse and being heard afarre off it notes the terrour and power of his Word Ver. 11. Saying I am Alpha and Omega in the voice three things are contained 1. The Eternity of Christ 2. Johns commission to write warranted by divine Authority 3. To send the Vision wtitten to the seven Churches What Christ carefully commands John to write it becomes us carefully to read for though particularly this Vision concerne the seven Churches yet all Scripture is written for our instruction Ephesus Where Paul constituted a Church to whom he after writ an Epistle 't was in Asia the lesser Smyrna a sea-coast-towne now called Smeer where Iohn or some other Apostle constituted a Church And to Pergamus Here Paul Acts 20. raised up Entychus dead and happily planted a Church Thyatira of this city was Lydia a seller of purple who was converted to the faith by Pauls preaching at Philippi Act. 16.12 14. To those of Sardis the once famous city of Craesus Philadelphia a city of Mysia of the lesser Asia And unto Laodicea a city near Ephesus Paul preached here and commanded his Epistle written to the Colossians to be read here Col. 4. ver 16. The Pastor hereof was an hypocrite neither hot nor cold with whom Christ was much displeased Note though Paul had preached the Gospel at Rome long before this yet that Church not remembred perchance because Christ foresaw her usurping authority The Apostles are ever very silent of the Virgin Mary the spirit foreseeing the Church of Romes idolizing her But what say I Christ sends not to the Church of Rome truly with some difference of time considered great part of this book concerns the whorish or Antichristian Church of Rome who boasts her self to be Christs Vers 12. I turned to see the voyce That is him that spake Seven golden Candlesticks
untimely figs fall to the earth or earthly and worldly affaires by Antichrist or the Popes mighty wind or threatnings as excommunication or the like Vers 14. The heaven departed as a scrowle when it is rolled together The light to wit departed alluding to the old custome of rolling up their books not binding as now so being shut they could not be read but enough to be expound this place either the true Church of Christ shall be hid in the time of Antichrist or the light of the Scripture shall be darkned and it forbidden to be read or in summe shall be shut up And every Mountain and Island were moved out of their places That is Kings for as mountains are higher then the rest of the earth so Kings are above other People Kings are interpreted mountains Rev. 17.9 10. The Empire of Rome is the mountain chap 8. ver 8 the Persian Kingdome is a mountain before Zerubbabel Zach. 4.7 the mountains or Empires were moved by Antichrist Ecclesiastically when Kings and Emperours were made to kisse his feet Civilly when deposed by him and some trampled under foot witnesse Alexander the third trampling on Frederick the first many of the like nature I omit and of his boasting himselfe above Councels Islands were moved As waters note People chap. 17 15. so Islands are nations and subjects of Princes now necessitated upon pain of salvation to be subject to the Romish Bishop Act. 4. Vision second Vers 15. And the Kings of the earth and the great men and the rirh men and the mighty men c. This Act consists of joy here being treated of the final punishment of the wicked in the general at the last day here the servants of Antichrist of all sorts who have been instruments of his advancement and tyranny over the Saints or who have drawn their swords for him against them by reason of Antichrist are brought to miserable destruction and desire to hide at the last day from the sight of the Lamb who formerly made the poore servants of God thus hide in dens and caves Now what shall become of the series of Antichrists if their instruments be thus punished if the serpent be cursed woe to the divel himself The wrath of the Lambe Christ is never said to have wrath until now Here is the judgement of the last day treated of when Christ the Lamb shall poure forth his wrath upon the wicked Go yee cursed Now this proves Christs divine nature for Antichrist sure and his adherents shall be afraid of none else but God Vers 17. For the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand To wit the day of judgement here is the reason of the wickeds horrour because of the day of judgement because of their evil conscience against God Christ and the spouse of the Lamb to wit the Church Thus the wicked shall not stand in judgement CHAP. VII Act. 4. Vision second Vers 1. I saw foure Angels standing on the foure corners of the earth holding c. THese Angels were the wicked instruments of Satan and Antichrist who by fire and sword did endeavour to hinder the preaching of the Gospel whether Kings Emperours Cardinals Bishops Jesuites Fryars or the like Now as good teachers are the Angels as ch 1.20 so bad instruments as those Ministers of Antichrist are understood by those Angels here Foure Alluding to the foure corners of the earth Now by foure corners of the earth all the earth is understood so by foure Angels many instruments of Antichrist are to be understood in many parts of the earth by wind the Gospel is understood by which the spirit is conveyed to the hearts of men the wind bloweth whether it listeth to blow the wind is to sound forth the Gospel to hinder the blowing of the wind is to hinder the preaching of the Gospel the wind cherishes keeps the aire from corrupting by its means the trees bud together with the Sunne t is piercing and vehement the Gospel comforts sanctifies by conveying the spirit is the incorruptible seed by which we are regenerated Now certainly those Angels were wicked ones for Christ in the following words says to them Hurt not those that blowed were such teachers as preached Christ sincerely even for many hundred years ago as John Scotus my * In my native Countrey Ireland there is a noted place called Down where Scotus taught School called from thence Scotus dunensis or Duns by Contraction yet other places challeng right to Scotus his birth Country-man as is beleeved Bereagarius Bernard Hierome of Prague who strongly have blown by their Sermons and Writings against the idol of the Masse and transubstantiation and here I might bring in Luther and Melancthon with others who began to blow the Gospel of Christ By Earth Sea Trees I understand particular Churches either in midland wooddy hilly countreys or near sea-coasts as Islands not the faithful particularly because Christ forbids these Churches to be hurt till the faithful in them were sealed Now the Bishops Cardinals and the like who have their Colledges and Fraternities fixed or standings upon the earth forbid these teachers by their edicts excommunications persecutions forbidding the reading of Scripture here note two things 1. Christ hath Preachers of truth in the midst of Antichrists Kingdome 2. The way Antichrist had to set up his kingdome was by hindring the preaching of the Gospel Vers 2. And I saw another Angel ascending from the East This is Christ who came from the East from an high from heaven though born at Hierusalem He hath the broad seale of heaven with him by seale I understand that of Election as 2 Tim. 2.19 The foundation of God stands sure having this Seale he knows who are his Now in Christ we are all sealed or chosen before the foundation of the world allusion is had to Ezech. 9. Christ sealing here is justifying regenerating giving his the Seale that is the assurance of Election Now though all the members of these Churches were not Elected yet were they seperated from the hurt of Antichrist Aloud voice This notes the power of Christ above Anti-christ Till This notes Christs care of his people forbidding the hurting of the Churches till his Saints were called home lest they might be promiscuously wrapt in the danger of seducement but afterwards they might hurt them Vers 3. Till we have sealed the servants of God c. Meaning his Ministers with him not the Angels before mentioned which hinder the blowing of the wind In their foreheads alluding unto Ezech. 9.4 but the Seale here is internal imprinted in the elect by Gods eternal purpose together by sealing them in vocation justification sanctification invocation on the name of God hating Antichrist and Idolatry so that one may run and read whose servants they are as plaine as if it were written in their foreheads hence observe twelve things flowing from these three verses 1. Antichrist hates the truth of the Gospel for
Scorpions of the earth have power The Locust being a little weak creature has power only to hurt herbs and flowers which it destroyes much but these Locusts in the text have a power like a Scorpion now the Scorpions hide under stones and clifts of wals and hurt and poyson unawares those that passe by also a Scorpion is a little worme and no way terrible to the sight Thus the Romish Clergy seem little but have great power from Antichrist and Satan God permitting to punish those that obey not the truth they seem as friends no way terrible but destroy both estates and souls for their own gains and as Scorpions lie hid so Monks and Fryars out of Cels Monasteries and Fryeryes unawares wound those that come to them by false doctrines confessions and the like Vers 4. And 't was commanded them that they should not hurt the grasse of the earth to wit by God who hath a secret restraining Providence so that these locusts cannot rage and range over all by grasse understand the godly and perchance the same may be understood by green things though some understand the Civil Magistrate for by green things some conceive green wood is meant which is strong no doubt the Civil Magistrate may deal with wicked men such as the locusts Antichrist and those that are without Now Christ defends these Magistrates who withstand popish doctrines from the hurt of the locusts By trees understand such godly Pastors and Teachers who are strong and rooted in Christ Jesus as contradict the wicked devices of Antichrist none can pluck these out of the fathers hand thus God had an unhurted Church in the Papacy before Luther yet not the Papacy here the seeding perchance of the spiritual locusts is noted not on grasse herbs or the like but on cates and delicates but chiefly hence observe that the locusts can hurt only the disobedient and that by a just power and punishment from God on them and the unsealed ones as chap 7. ver 2. Vers 5. And it was given them that they should not kill The first limitation was that the Popish locusts should hurt only the unsealed ones of which sort Antichrist and the locusts are the elect Christ preserves from the mortal biting of the locusts 2. They should not kill men but torment them 3. The limited time should be five moneths these Ecclesiastical locusts were not as the Gothes and Vanda's had to kill presently but perchance by a worse lingring disease to torture and torment the consciences of men as by penance satisction merits of good works pilgrimages purgatory images by which deceitful doctrines the souls of men as on a rack are continually wracked not being taught true Justification by the blood of Jesus Thus God by the locusts justly punisheth those that receive not the knowledge of the truth Five moneths doubtlesse here is a definite and certain number put down for an indefinite and uncertain by it is meant a short time which God had set these locusts and their biting which they cannot passe Now if it be objected that their biting hath lasted long know a thousand years with the Lord are but as one day God be thanked long since many kingdomes feel not the smart of these locusts their biting in my native countrey Ireland and other places has begun long since not to be forcible and sure the five moneths with us in England are already expired we fear none of those Popish locusts And their torment was as the torment of a scorpion c. when a scorpion biteth a man to take the sense of the place the pain at the beginning is not great but suddainly so increaseth that if remedy be not had it will within few houres kill the wounded person so though men regard not at first the biting of the spiritual locusts yet at the houre of death if not before all things appear horrible and mortal Vers 6. And in those dayes men shall seek death and shall not finde it Here is noted the condition of mad men shewing how this biting shall infatuate befoole and besot people these little spiritual Locusts have many yeers even befooled many Kings of the earth and otherwise wise men some have layed down the Scepter and taken themselves to Monasteries perswading themselves so these Locusts have wrought on them that eternal life was comprehended under a Monks hood and that a little holy water as they call it can purge sin whereby their consciences have been so troubled wanting the true peace and comfort of Christ that they desired rather to die then live so that they might be out of this torment but they shall not obtaine death nor lay violent hands on wayes terrible to men not acquainted with Christ yet to shun the former torment like mad men they seek it Vers 7. And the shapes of the Locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battel John really in the Vision as I may so say saw this strange monster as 't is here described which signified the Romish Clergy now by the effects and adjuncts we may see how these Locusts are shaped like horses for these Locusts are fatted in their Cloysters as horses in a stable and being strengthned by the King of Locusts the Pope having the Devil as a furious rider on their back they oppose the Gospel of Jesus and are ready upon command given to destroy either King or Prince thus they furiously rush upon any as the Horse into the battle Note that as Christ in the Primitive times had a godly company of Teachers that carried him on the white horse so Satan Antichrist are in some sense carryed by the Locusts or spiritual war-horses And crownes on their heads Either because the Fryers cut and shave their haire crown-wise or in respect of the great kingly power the Popish Clergy usurpe over the consciences of men though according to the letter it may be taken for the King of Locusts the Pope wears a triple crown of pure gold upon his head O brave Vicar and the Cardinals Bishops Abbots shine like Princes that one may demand is this thy sons garment And their faces were as faces of men Meaning the Popish Clergy who because they do not marry yet do worse as others do but live retiredly and separate themselves from men and the world as Monks because they also are more wily and subtile then ordinary men and for many other reasons which for brevity sake I omit they are said to be but like men Vers 8. And they had haire as the haire of women They delight to cherish and soften and dresse their haire and by a synecdoche other things practised by women are comprehended here thus the Romish Locusts are effeminate using much curiosity to shave and compose their haire to wear gorgeous and silken apparell as women And their teeth were as the teeth of lyons Here is noted their cruelty though they pretend mercy piety religion many poor souls have they crushed by their tortures
ages as Luther have thus spiritually undone and devoured poperie and the beast severall Kingdomes of late in some measure being enlightened and Antichrist there destroyed by the witnesses and faithfull Ministers of Christ notwithstanding all the plots armes threatnings of the Adversaries So then as the witnesses have as it were weapons so they are not carnall but spirituall Vers 6. These have power to shut heaven that it rain not c. Alluding to the Ministery of Elias 1 King 17.1 this is not to be taken literally for then there should be no rain during Antichrists kingdom which according to the letter is false Spiritually the witnesses by the power of the keyes shut heaven so that the raine of grace doth not mollifie the hearts of opposers and contemners either the spirituall rain of the Cospel comes not to them or works not upon they trusting in merits pilgrimages masses thus the word hardens accidentally though it soften the heart of the Elect. Here also may be thought on the imprecations of the Saints against the utter enemies of the Church as Antichrist which with God is of great force They have power over waters to turne them into blood c. Alluding to Moses and Aaron turning the waters of Egypt into blood So when the spirituall Pharaoh of Rome kept the Church in spirituall bondage God raised up witnesses as Mofes and Aaron to gain home his people but upon Antichrists refusall the witnesses by their sighes teares prayers procured great famines pestilences which have been common upon the adversaries for the contempt of the word thus also the witnesses spiritually smite the earth with plagues Where observe the reason and cause of great punishment by famine plague war was contempt of the word and witnesses thus the word and witnesses accidentally bring miseries Vers 7. Moreover when they have finished their testimonie c. The preaching of the Gospel is called a prophecy and a testimony of Christ and the Truth Which when the witnesses shall have finished for before Antichrist shall not overcome them and then only them not their testimony for the Gospel cannot perish the beast arising out of the bottomlesse pit out of which the locusts came chap. 9. v. 3. and Antichrist or the Pope too shall make war with them and kill them the war here is by disputations in behalfe of Antichrists Sermons branding the witnesses as hereticks seducers by councels condemning the witnesses by excommunications and buls cursing and casting them out by force by fire and faggot and the like not by the word of truth for so the witnesses shall kill Antichrist and the Locusts or the goodnesse of the cause Thus Jerom of Prague was overcome and Wickcliffes bones were taken up and burnt so was John Husse destroyed after he had prophecyed even literally 42 moneths for from the first time he began to maintain Wickcliffes opinions being Anno. 1412. to his martyrdom were precisely say his friends 1260 dayes or two and forty moneths Now though some famous witnesses were put to death suddenly after their finishing their testimonie and so the beasts treading down the holy city to be a time larger then that of the witnesses whereas the text gives both the same space of 42. moneths or 1260. dayes remember that the two witnesses in their successours revived and prophecyed again vers 11. So God has not lest himself without a witnesse to this houre nor will not till the Peast ceaseth to tread under foot the holy city or give over tyrannising at least Vers 8. And their dend bodies shall lye in the street of the great city c. This must not be quite taken literally for the bodies of the witnesses were burnt and needed no buriall but as the Church of Rome is the great city consisting of many Kingdomes and is spiritually called Sodom because of her uncleannesse among the Clergie and other sins and as Rome is spiritually called Egypt in respect of the spirituall slavery she keeps the people as Egypt did Israel and in respect of the thousands of Idols of Rome like that most Idolatrous Egypt and as Rome spiritually crucified Christ not because Pilate a Roman and the souldiers did it though that is somewhat but because Christ is recrucified at Rome and in the Idol of the Masse where they of Rome say they crucifie him daily as being say they bodily present but especially because she spiritually crucifies Christ in his members and is as wretched and as ready to do it as Ierusalem that literally did it So spiritually their carcases lie unburied that is their names are cursed and exposed to shame their books burnt condemned and not suffered to be bought their friends abused and their very houses made jakes Thus the great city or Church of Rome is in respect of her Idolatry tyranny over the people darknesse in the matters of saving faith obstinacy in matters of obedience to the witnesses and word contempt of God and his messengers and judgements notwithstanding the pure water of life is become puddle to them and other judgments meant by the waters turned into blood called spiritually or allegorically Egypt Vers 9. And they of the People tongues shall see their dead bodies c. To wit all those that adhered to Antichrist should applaud their King Abaddon and see with joy the dead bodies of the Saints cast forth as dung into the street in the fore quoted sense Three days and an half If the Popish Councel of Constance where many of several nations met be the kinâ—ed and people that rejoyced over the witnesses as our Iohn Fox thinks then by three days and an half may be understood three years and an half for so long that Councell sate Now days sometimes signifie years as Ezek. 4.6 each day for a year However the witnesses shall be exposed to reproach but for a short time this is for the comfort of the Saints and in the first place for Iohn that he might not be troubled Ver. 10. And the inhabitants of the earth shall rejoyce over them c Meaning those servants of Antichrist called inhabitants of the earth as having nothing to do with Heaven 'T is bad to do ill worse to rejoyce in it Now behold 't is come to passe in a strange manner that men in killing them shal tink they do God service 'T is said during the Antichristian councell of Constance publick shows and feasts were kept at the burning of Martyrs And the Romish locusts when they condemne a Saint to the fire use to feast gratulate each other and send presents one to another Well Lazarus saw Dives in hell in torment in the Parable The reason follows Because these two Prophets tormented the inhabitants of the earth The word Prophet here is taken in a large sense sometimes in Scripture to prophecy is to interpret here 't is to preach c. Here remember what Ahab said to Elijah thou troublest Israel when he was the troubler of Israel Indeed the little book
this purpose was that chap. 6. vers 10. how long of which see the exposition 'T is time therefore that thou raigne and be angry with them for ever By Nations here I understand all enemies what ever with whom the 24 Elders desire Christ to be angry in those words thy wrath is come or let thy wrath come And the time of the dead c. Or the resurrection to wit is come But surely Christ revealed this to them in heaven otherwise 't is very secret That they should be judged There the righteous must be acquitted however must appear before the tribunal and the wicked be condemned That thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the Prophets c. To wit of eternall life a reward out of free gift not debt so the Apostle the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternall life Rom. 6. vers last And though God has promised life eternall is not a debt neither is God a debter but to himself but enough The 24 Elders seem to make two sorts of people of them that were to be judged some who were to be destroyed others to be rewarded these three sorts 1 The Prophets comprehending Patriarches Apostles Evangelists 2. The Saints to wit Confessours Martyrs who opposed Antichrist 3. The fearers of Gods name comprehending all other servants of God Great and small c. All have the reward alike and perchance a like reward So St. Paul seems to say a crown of righteousnesse sayes he is laid up for me and not only for me but for all those that love his appearance Because in another book I have touched this point and in this page I le name the choise proofes of each side and shew the more probable opinion 'T is said one is the glory of the Sun another of the moon 1 Cor. 15.41 and so shall be the resurrection therefore one Saint in heaven is to outshine another Answ As Peter Martyr fol. 579. there is nothing said of the glory of heaven only as one star outshines another so the bodies in the resurrection shall much differ in glory from them as they are now sowen in corruption as vers 42. speaks note 't is not said so shall it be after the resurrection to wit in heaven but so is the resurrection therefore that place proves nothing Now to this place I annex that of Math. 22.30 on the other part We our Saviour sayes wee shall be like the Angels of God in heaven now the Angels have but one and the same glory But secondly 't is said every one must receive according as he has done in the body 2 Cor. 5.10 and it shall be more tolerable for Sodom in the day of judgment then now if there be differences in punishments why not in rewards of glory Answ Because punishments are for desert rewards out of mercy who has promised to give the last as to the first even every one a penny Matth. 20.13.13 Thirdly but the Angels differ in dignity there be thrones principalities therefore we shall perchance in glory for we shall be like them Answ At the day of the resurrection when we shall be like them all those offices which were for the use and service of the Saints and Church shall be done away as well as tongues which were for the building the Church according to 1 Cor. 13.10 so then all shall be alike Answ 2. Archangel and perchance these forequoted are different kindes to which Christ doth not say we shall be like now the Angels differ not But I rather retain the first answer Fourthly in my fathers house Christ sayes are many mansions Ioh. 14.2 Answ Many not divers for all shall shine as the Sun Mat. 13.43 Now nothing shines more therefore all shal be very glorious yet alike glorious Thus that in Dan. 12.3 doubtlesse is meant for they that be wise are teachers in that place who instruct as the Hebrew has it and they that turne many to glory are Teachers too now the same labourers are to have the same not a differing reward every one his penny therefore Daniel says they shall shine as the firmament or heaven of stars which is all one not as the stars among themselves but gloriously as the stars Fifthly there is a greater and a lesse in the kingdome of heaven Matth. 5.19 A ruler over ten cities and a ruler over five Luke 19.19 and t is said he that sows bountifully shall reap bountifully 2 Cor. 9.6 therefore there be differences of reward Answ all these quoted places are to be applyed to the Kingdome of grace not of glory and therefore prove nothing The more carefully the Saints imploy their talent here below the sooner they are preferred in the Church and the greater the preferment And the more one sows or gives to the Saints the more temporal blessings God gives him or the more grace but enough The more probable opinion is easily discovered Christ promises that all his shall be with him and consequently partake of the same glory and if the twelve Apostles shall sit upon thrones so the twenty foure Elders do nay all the Saints shall judge the world 1 Cor. 6.2 and be glorified together Rom 8.17 But enough for a digression I hope no transgression Ver. 19. And the Temple of God was opened in heaven c. There is no Temple in heaven but the Church triumphant is here meant the opening it is the manifestation of its perfect glory which shall be after the day of judgement of which Iohn was even now speaking which is now hid and kept secret And the Ark of the Testament was seen Meaning Christ for the Ark in the Temple typified him who was formerly seen in earth in forme of a servant but now after the great day in perfect glory And there were lightnings thundrings voyces c. Here is a Preparation to the fourth vision and the lightnings are the punishments to befal the wicked at the last day God shall raine upon the wicked fire and brimstone storme and tempest Psal 11.6 these things signifie the conspiracy of the elements to take vengeance on the wicked and may come litterally to passe at the last day CHAP. XII Vision 4. Act. 1. Vers 1. And there was seen a great signe in heaven TO John in a vision great in regard of the events A signe to wit a woman clothed with the Sunne Some read it a wonder because the woman was wonderfully clothed and delivered To omit the story of Eve and the serpent and Mary with Christ persecuted by Herod which are here as it were represented doubtlesse this woman is the Church for women as the Church are weak depending on their husbands fruitful she is in heaven partly because she appeared so to John also the Church hath both her original and conversation in heaven This vision begins as it were of Christs birth Clothed with the Sunne Because the Church is clothed with Christ who is the Sunne of righteousnesse the Church
chap. 17.16 Why may not Kings of the earth to their destruction strive to help her before by a secret judgment And great Babylon came into remembrance before God c. God thought on her before but now at the appointed day payeth the old debt fully Great Babylon and the Cities of the Nations are distinct you see So Constantinople is not meant by Babylon but the Cities of the Nations comprehend that and all other heathen Kingdomes That City which trampled under foot the holy City and Witnesses is remembred Vers 20. And every Island fled away and the mountains were not found These things shall literally come to passe at the last day when the great earthquake shall happen so that the wicked shall have no hiding place Vers 21. And there fell great haile as of a talent weight out of heaven upon the men God plagued Egypt and destroyed the Canaanites with great haile and hailstones Josh 10.11 and by it is noted Gods terrible judgments against the wicked and vassalls of Antichrist noted by men A Talent Being a hundred pound weight notes the greatnesse of the judgment Now I know not but these things may in some sort come literally to passe at the last day when Earth Sea or Islands Aire or Haile nay and fire all the Elements shall conspire against the cursed and wicked Yet they blasphemed God because of the plague of the haile c. I confesse I was long of the opinion that the judgment-judgment-day was not here treated of 1. Because men shall subscribe to that judgment as being convinced 2. Because they seemed to live impenitently on earth and blasphemously notwithstanding the judgments which should beget fear and repentance But upon second and better thoughts I finde that the cursed raging of hell-hounds against God is here expressed after the great day who though they shall at the sight of the judge cry mountaines fall one us yet despairing and convicted in conscience of the justice of the sentence shall never cease with their mouth 's however to pour out blasphemies against God as if he were unjust and unmerciful because of the haile or eternall torments of hell Thus ends this Vision with the world CHAP. XVII Vision 6. Act. 1. Vers 1. And there came one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials and talked with me c. EIther that Angel which poured out his Vial upon the seat of the beast or the last who by his Vial raised the earthquake to the destruction of all and talked with me saying come hither behold the readinesse of these ministring spirits to do any good to the Saints and with what joy they are imployed about things for our consolation what familiarity between them and the Saints noted in that expression he talked with me saying come hither And I will shew thee the damnation c. not any longer nakedly describe the beast but set forth plainly the beast and whore before thy eyes yet in a vision The judgment Not only the temporall upon the city but eternall of which anon Of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters Not Jezabel chap. 2. but doubtlesse Rome an insatiable strumpet Now by whoredom not common fornication is noted for she is a City but spirituall fornication viz. apostacy from God perfideousnesse Idolatry The true Church is Christs Bride and Spouse he is married to her in faithfulnesse righteousnesse judgment Hos 2.19 and her Apostacy is spirituall fornication and whoredom oft in Scripture See Ezekiel 16.9 25 26. Vers 2. With whom the Kings of the earth to wit committed fornication She enticeth them pretending her being the only Catholique Church and Spouse of Christ to receive her superstition and Idol-worship bewitching them as Dalilah did Sampson so that they have made themselves and kingdoms tributaries and slaves to this whore of Rome Not only Kings but inhabitants of the earth Sworne vassals of Antichrist and enemies of the Gospel commit this fornication with a whore None of the Saints whose names are written in heaven are finally thus overtaken 'T is compared to wine 1 Because of its specious pretences of holinesse 2. Because it bewitches and besots mans corrupt nature and even makes him drunk of the waters in vers 15. Wine is sweet but proves deceitfull So Idolatry is to mans corrupt nature but brings wrath and judgment at last Now the Act begins Vers 3. And he led me away in the Spirit John then was not in one continued extasy but severall times in the Spirit neither saw he all in one place but formerly in heaven now in the wildernesse the fittest place to see a Church that was a wildernesse Formerly Iohn saw a chast matron in heaven clothed with the Sun now a whorish woman riding upon a beast in the wildernesse Behold he talked that of succession of most venerable Popes called a whorish woman in the wildernesse And I saw a woman sitting upon a Scarlet coloured beast c. It is much women usually are afraid of cruel beasts but this woman rides on one The woman signifies the Church as is noted chap. 12. v 1. the whorish woman notes the adulterous Church her scarlet notes her Kingly Majestick power giving laws to all for Kings and Emperours weare scarlet The Beast is the Empire of Rome with whose spoils she is adorned Thus as a whore she is an adulterous Church having usurped power as a Beast or Monarch she hath a temporal sword and command as is noted chap. 13. yet but one Antichrist Full of blasphemies Or blasphemous doctrines See chap. 13.6 against God his Tabernacle and them that dwell therein Having seven heads and ten horns So t is the same breast or Antichrist chap. 13. who had seven heads and ten hornes ver 1. deceiving the men of the earth as this doth ver 2. by which I oft noted Antichristian vassals are meant of the heads and hornes anon Vers 4. And she was arrayed in purple The Beast was in scarlet so they be alike yet attired both in scarlet and purple It followes And decked with gold precious stones and pearles Noting the riches and pride of the Roman Church which are to be seen in her Churches Altars Idols Robes Palaces or noting how her attire is like a Queen as she boasts her self to be chap. 18. v. 7. I sit a Queen Thus as some reall whore she adornes her self to entice her lovers to fornication This also her scarlet and wine one being delightsome the other pleasing and sweet note for under most specious pretences of being the Catholique most holy Church Christs Spouse and Peters seat she bewitcheth the Kings of the earth and Inhabitants thereof And had a golden cup in her hand Read the description of the whore in Prov. 7. By this cup all Romes glorious pretences are meant to entice people as that her Orders Sacraments Ministers succession are only right That she is the Queen of Churches the Pope the father of fathers and only cheif shepherd
were as is most remarkable to wit by Kings Consuls Dictators Decemvirs which lasted but two years Tribunes Emperors Popes Now no Kingdome can shew such seven mountains and seven Kings but this Rome the now seat of Antichrist Five are fallen To wit the former five now reckoned One is To wit Emperours Domitian then raigned who banished Iohn One is not yet come To wit the Pope for though there was a Bishop of Rome then yet he did not Lord it or use any Papal jurisdiction thus Brightman but according to him the seventh must be Antichrist being however but part of the eighth as will appear the seventh is the Government by Constantine and Christian Emperours for now the face of the Empire began to be new and another in some sense for he left the mountains of Rome and went to the East to wit Byzantium calling it after his own name Constantinople or the City of Constantine Thus he remained a short time to wit at Rome the ninteenth yeer of his reign departing thence to Byzantium neither in some sense did the seventh Government continue long being swallowed up by Popes in the West and Turks in the East Vers 11. The Beast that was and is not even he is the eighth The seventh was but part of him Constantine and his successors removing from Rome the Popes seeing the Emperours even weary by reason of warres and incursion of Barbarians began to begge and after to usurpe Kingly authority at Rome which was the old seat of the Empire Thus the Beast that was In Johns time in Monarchical power of five Kings And is not Neither an Ecclesiastical nor secular Monarch in Johns time to wit in the Pope Even he is the eighth To wit regiment consisting of an Ecclesiastical and Civil Monarchy as Priest and Caesar And is of the seven Heads to wit or Kings borrowing power of them he is not one of the seven heads but of them as exercising himself all the power that had been in the seven Kings or Governments whether Priestly as the Romane Emperours had done for they were called after Augustus the greatest Priests or Kingly Thus the seventh King was not Antichrist but the Christian Emperours who made way many wayes for him And goeth into perdition He hath been going apace a good while ever since the Witnesses began chap. 11. to prophecy and will suddenly arrive at his Armegeddon Verse 12. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten Kings Horns are not the heads but something of the heads Now as these horns grew out of the heads in the text so those Kings whether more or lesse it matters not for by ten many are understood who receive power with the beast in one houre and afterwards hate the Whore are those who sprang out of the seventh Beast or Christian Caesars and Emperours in place of whom succeeded the Emperour and several kings of the West as Spaine and her King The beast then though he devoured the seventh head yet he exercises all his authority under the name of Christs Vicar and general Bishop suffering the Emperour to keep the name Who have received no kingdome yet To wit when John writ the Revelation but since But receive power That is shall receive power One houre with the Beast Though God be the doner of Kingdomes yet these ten Kings through the wicked means of the Beast obtained their Kingdomes for his rashnesse translated the Greek Empire unto the French but God by his secret just working ordered it as in the translation of the ten tribes 1 Kings 12.24 With the Beast or from the Beast For here the spirit seems to point at the Popes creating Kings Emperours as Leo did These Kings then raigned by the Popes favour As Kings Noting their dependency on the Pope whose vassals they are holding their kingdomes as farmes from him having the name of Kings though it may be well said in all the Popish dominious Antichrist only reigns whom these Kings obey rather then reign One houre That is as they received the faith by degrees for they were Barbarians who received these Kingdomes which belonged once to the Christian Emperours so they raigned accordingly with the Beast or the successours of the Beast by one houre a strict time is not noted England France Spaine Germany by degrees raigned with the Pope and by his leave being once all Papistical one houre Vers 13. These have one mind All had their kingdomes in some sense from the Beast offering up their kingdomes to be ruled spiritually by him acknowledging his supremacy for the defence of which our witty otherwise Sir Thomas Moor lost his head in England had one mind all Popelings to be of one mind is not commendable but only in thee truth Thus even at onetime all the Kingdoms of the West compared to horns because springing out of the seventh head of Christian Emperours either received their power from the Beast as tributaries really or acknowledged his superiority Having all one mind Nay and prayed all in one tongue viz. the Latine Though these Kings might have private differences among themselves yet when the Popes matters were a foot they wonderfully agreed in the prosecution of them Giving him their power Help and Aid to advance Idolatry and Superstition Here observe how these inhabiters of the earth wondred after the Beast as chapt 13. Admiring and Reverencing the Popes and Idolatry of Rome Vers 14. These shall make warre with the Lamb They by consequence make warre with Christ who defend the false Vicar of Christ and his Idol-worship This warre the Kings began with the Lamb as soon as they received their kingdomes above eight hundred years and shall be most cruelly prosecuted by the Kings of the earth gathered to Armageddon by the enticement of the three impure spirits after the spiritual Euphrates of Rome is diverted by Christian Kings and States observe then many of these ten Kings shall give out Being overcome by the Lamb Convinced by the truth and hate the whore the rest shall with the kings of the earth continue the warre against the Lamb till the last day Yet he shall oveecome them Not only finally then but before even before the ten Kings gave out partly by the word gaining and winning ground Partly by the couragious sufferings of the Martyrs For the Leader is Lord of Lords they that are Partners in the fight are 1. Elect. 2. Called 3. Faithful therefore through Christ Conquerours Christ being God and King of Kings is sure enough to conquer Kings and Kingdomes the house of Saul decreases and the Kingdome of our David increaseth daily Vers 15. And he said to me the Waters which thou sawest where the woman sitteth are People Nations Multitudes That is they represent People Nations thus the Chaldaean army Jerem. 47.2 is called the Waters of the North. Waters are raging and unconstant so are People and multitudes Rome in Johns time had many nations under her so hath the whore now and
Lords Vers 18. That yee may eate the flesh of Kings c. Who by the unclean spirits chap. 16.14 were to be gathered to Armageddon Both the Kings of the earth suppose Persians Tartarians Indians and those of the ten Kings who forsooke not the Whore who shall be a feast for birds indeed for hell for the Lord shall overtake these his enemies combining against him and utterly destroy them for ever I meane the judgment day shall overtake them for they shall warre against him and last in some sort till then And the flesh of horses and of them that sit on them c. So it is after a battel but here at the last day though all shall be destroyed yet only the Beast and the Kings shall be cast into hell not the horses together with their Armies which being plain in vers 19. I passe Vers 20. And the Beast was taken alive c. The Beast and false Prophet here are one as the Beasts chap. 13. v. 1. 11. are one for the false Prophet is but Antichrist as a Deceiver together with the Cardinals and Clergy of Rome as chap. 13. v. 11. who hath two hornes as a Lamb and doth wonders in the sight of the Beast as this doth here and the Beast is Antichrist as a secular Prince as I have noted chap. 13. and are but one Beast called by John chap. 13. vers last They shall be cast alive into hell either because being taken alive at the last day they shall only be made incorruptible changed and cast into hell-fire and never dye a temporal death or because they shall alwayes live in hell in torment and never die a living death or dying life however by a double punishment he shall be plagued as a secular wicked Prince and as a false deceiving Prophet the Lord having long since begun to destroy Antichrist by the preaching of the word as by the spirit of his mouth 2 Thes 2.8 now finally casts him into the lake of fire and his friends thus the brightnesse of Christs coming shall destroy Antichrist 1. By preaching 2. By this spiritual not proper slaughter or destruction in hell Vers 21. And the remnant were slaine with the sword of him that sitteth upon the horse c. Alluding to Ezek. 39.15 Go ye cursed Now as literally Gog and Magog were slaine and birds eat their flesh so shall allegorically this be fulfilled in the destruction of Antichrist after such a manner as the last judgment requires for the Devil shall have enough and hell shall be even filled with reprobates by reason of this Armageddon CHAP. XX. Preface to Vision 7. or last Act. 1. Vers 1. And I saw an Angel come down from heaven having the Key of the bottomlesse pit and a great chaine in his hand THis Vision is in some sense the recapitulation of all the former and concludes the marriage of the Lamb and history of the Church from Christs incarnation to the last day or the consummation of all things the Angel is Christ who came down from heaven being incarnate for us being the womans seed and to bruise the Serpents head having the Key that is power of hell and death chap. 1.18 or the bottomlesse bit and that by right not as Antichrist who usurps it And I saw Noting the order of the Vision not the order of the events for after the day of judgment now mentioned chap 19. there shall follow no binding and loosing Satan so that here is not a continuation of history and times observed A great chaine in his hand Noting Christs omnipotency and power above and over Satan a chaine of providence shewing how Christ by his Birth Passion Burial Resurrection Ascention sending the spirit cheifly preaching by the Disciples bound up and hindred Satans tempting the world to Idolatry of which see my Glimps of Christs love page 48. and margin Vers 2. And he laid hold on the Dragon c. In the Vision this is the battle betwixt Michael and the Dragon chap. 12. v. 9. there he is bound from accusing the brethren and cast out of heaven and Church and packt into the earth wildernesse heathens and dry places here lest he seduce the Nations keeping them from beleeving being but almost the same with the former So Satan was not so bound the thousand yeers absolutely for he tyrannized by the Romane Emperours over the Saints in the red horse chap. 6. and overspread the face of the Church with Heresie in the black horse chap. same v. 5. but in respect of seducing the Nations Now since the thousand yeers began many Nations have beleeved which Satan could not hinder Thus Christ beheld Satan fall like lightning Luke 10.18 thus the Prince of this world was judged John 16.11 when Christ in earth And he bound him a thousand yeers Though from Christs Nativity Satans Kingdome began to be ruined yet his death and resurrection did him most hurt but the Jewes much hindred the calling of the Gentiles with any great efficacy till the ruine of the Temple from which time chiefly the thousand yeers of Satans binding are reckoned being Anno 73 according to my Pareus who conceives them to be ended anno 1073. when Gregory the seventh a Monke and a Magician poysoning Alexander the second invaded his chaire at Rome and so the divel began to be let loose by him who gave himselfe to all manner of loosenesse yet from the Angels descent or Christs incarnation Satan began to be bound for then temples idols oracles were forsaken fell down and were silent as histories testifie See Master Smiths arrow against Atheists Thus however Satans loosing hath been 577 years or thereabout Vers 3. And cast him into the bottomlesse pit and set a sea upon him that he should deceive the People no more Into hell and confirmed him there as with his seal now though truly Satan had been cast into hell from his fall according to Peter and Jude yet he had more liberty to range abroad then after Christs incarnation for a thousand years after which he was To be let loose a little season No doubt from the expiration of a thousand years after the Angels descent to the end of the world Satan shall be loosed called A little season either in respect of God with whom a thousand years are but as one day or in respect of years past since the Creation or of eternity or in respect of the Scripture wont who cals the Generation since Christ the last houre Now Satan is to be let loose to manifest his rage against the Church to increase his future torment 2. For the triall of the Saints 3. Justly I mean in respect of Gods punishment upon the nations to seduce them that will not beleeve the truth unto salvation Act. 2. Vers 4. And I saw thrones and they that sate upon them and judgement was given unto them c. The former act answered to ch 6. about Christs riding on the white horse and to ch 12.
second death shall have no power of them that is eternall death the first is that of the body which passes on all See my Glimps of Christs love concerning temporal death and its benefit now through Christ pag. 61 c and the impossibility of falling pag. 57. to 60. and 75. c. 2. They shall be Priests unto God here chap. 1.6 and for ever hereafter But all the Saints shall be so as well as these Martyrs and confessours having part of the first resurrection and living the life of faith therefore that resurrection is but a spirituall one of which all the elect shall partake 3. Shall raigne a thousand years not the thousand past but another thousand even for ever and ever Thus the Millenarian or Papian errour is confuted which some in the primitive times not being able to answer denyed the authority of the book This Act will be plainer if the reader conferre it with the 144000. chap. 14. standing on Mount Syon and with them in chap. 7. who were sealed and with the harpers chap. 15.2 upon the sea of glasse who were preserved and sealed or as it is here quickened by grace and faith in the midst of Tyrants Hereticks and Antichrist raging against them and the Gospel Act 3. Vers 7. And when the thousand years are expired Satan shall be loosed Here follows the Churches calamities under both Antichrist Turk and Pope to last till the end of 1260 years for so long though with diminished forces and power the holy City may be encamped and trod under by them After those thousand years To wit of the Martyrs and confessours living and raigning with Christ being the same which is past and Satan let loose So Papias his Millenarian dream is ended Out of his prison Either hell or deserts whether he was banished and frightened the nations He has been let loose neer 600 years and was bound about Jerusalems sacking by Titus and the Jews dispersing who formerly hindred the Gentles imbracing the faith of Christ Vers 8.9 And he shall go out to deceive the Nations Formerly Satan was cast out of heaven now though loosed yet in a great measure is restrained from hurting the Church but may deceive the Nations Gog and Magog Now what is this but the loosing the four Angels or Nations bound up by the means of the great River Euphrates from Christendom now or the Roman Empire as formerly See chap. 9.14 and the exposition upon it so that I need seek no other meaning of Gog and Magog for according as this Vision agrees with the former So the four Angels in Euphrates formerly were Arabians Tartarians and here they are understood by Gog and Magog Here is an allusion to Ezek. 38. and 39. about Gog and Magog all the open and secret enemies of Gods people who after the captitive and before the Messias comming were to oppose the Jews to wit in the latter dayes Chap. 38.8 Meaning after the captivity not towards the end of the world as the Papists affirme supposing this to be the army of their Antichrist Now these nations sayes Iunius and Tremelius were those of the lesser Asia and Syria called Gog from Giges King of the Lydians who under the cruell Antiochus Nicanor oppressed Gods people but by the valour of the Macchabees were oft miraculously discomfited of which see the Historie For the things are accomplished partly Yet doubtlesse those chapters of Ezekiel allegorically seem to aime at a slaughter from heaven So then Iohn alluding to that as he oft does to the Prophets foretells of some grievous wasters of the holy land or Church or Christendom by some cruell enemies under the name of Gog Magog who shall have many overthrows as the former had by the Macchabees but shall finally be destroyed by fire from heaven at the last day where observe that Turk and Pope though Rome shall be burnt before shall remain warring against Christ till the last day To deceive the Nations But how by the spirit of Devils or three unclean spirits chap. 16. who came out of the mouth of the Dragon to gather the Kings of the earth to Armageddon ver 13.16 So Satan deceives the Nations making them Heathens again for many had embraced the faith and Gog and Magog in hope of overcoming the holy City Church or Christendome which in relation to Jerusalem a type of the Church is called holy because it ought so to be and in respect of the Nations and their Idolatry is so 't is plain Satan hath been let loose for not only the secret and mysterious enemies Antichrist and his worshippers have wasted the Church but the four Angels or Gog and Magog with their innumerable army as chap. 9.16 have furiously raged and conquered what they listed so that the name of Mahometism is larger then that of Christianity but Satan deceives Gog and Magog and under hope of victory shall lead them to Armageddon Which are in the foure quarters of the earth c. Magog son to Japhet Gen 10. from him came the Scythians now Tartars from them the Turks to whom the Arabians Armenians Saracens are joyned wasting for a long time farre and neer Gog meanes the people of lesser Asia called from Giges to whom the Macedonians and Egyptians of old joyned against Israel these as from the four quarters of the earth now under the name of Turk and Pope Gog and Magog destroy the holy City the one openly thirsting after the Empire of the world the other more cunningly and Ecclesiastically traducing the Church drawing them to Idolatry Now Satan deceives the Nations and Gog and Magog Turke and Pope as Leaders of these seduced Nations And they ascended c. Noting the base original of these Nations and their sudden rising to honour On the breadth of the earth For their conquests are large of which see Knolls Turkish History And they compassed the Camp of the Saints about Christendom And the beloved City The Church alluding to Jerusalem see how Christ loves his Church the word compassing notes the many irruptions into Christendom and cruel attempts against the Churches therein How the Gogish war began I just named chap. 9.3 4. Perchance we encreased their fury when Gregory the seventh alias Hildebrand sollicited Emperours and Kings to regaine the Holy Land by force of armes and after him Vrbanus second Pope of Rome who indeed prevailed so that mighty forces and vast summes of money was sent and great were their conquests for awhile the Christians subduing Saracen and Turk but through discord among Christians they won all and have followed hard upon Christendom by a war which sprung out of this and of which perchance the Christians were partly occasioners see the sweet tongued Master Fuller his Holy Warre on this subject most satisfactorily The summe is those thousand yeers of Satans binding and the Saints reigning being the same is past in which time the Pope as his Vicar took up his power in Anno 606. in