all Churches which (b) Gregor Epist. lib 4.38 Gregory the Great had condemned before in the Bishop of Constantinople asserting that he who usurped it was the Forerunner of Antichrist the Prince of Pride and that he imitated Lucifer in exalting his Throne above the Stars of God that is his Brethren the Bishops who are the Stars of Heaven and in ascending above the heighth of the Clouds Which words are as it were a Comment upon the Place and a Prophecy as one ingeniously speaks of their High-Priest who spake not this of himself but as being High-Priest that Year foretelling the Fall of that Eminent Star from Heaven to a State of Worldly Dominion according to the manner of the Kingdoms of the Earth So that in a few years after the Rise of the Papal Antichrist in the West there arose in the East a new sort of an Antichristian Dominion to be a Scourge to it and in opposition unto it's Idolatrous Practices the Chief of which called themselves Chalifs or Vicars of Mahomet for so the word signifies as the Popes have called themselves the Chalifs or Vicars of Christ 2 And he opened the bottomless Pit i. e. Exercised this Authority and entred upon the Administration of his Kingdom and there arose a smoak 2 out of the Pit as the smoak of a great Furnace i. e. many gross and Antichristian Errors and the Sun and the Air were darkned by reason of the Smoak of the Pit i. e. The Gospel the Light of the World was obscured by these errors 2 As a great Smoak hinders the Sight so do Errors the Vnderstanding He keeps to the Allegory for Smoak takes from us the sight of the Stars saith Grotius on the Place And the * Bochart Hieroz lib. 4.4 Ludolph Commentar in Aethiopic Histor pag. 173. Locusts are wont to come in so great Numbers that the Air hath been darkned and the Sun as it were Eclypsed by them Joel 2.10 3 And there came 3 out of the Smoak contrary to the expectation of him that opened it Locusts 4 upon the Earth i. e. the grievous Plague of 5 Mahometism with the Numerous and Destroying Armies of the 5 Saracens Exod. 10 3-15 Joel Chapters 1.2 and unto them was given power as the Scorpions of the * Bochart Hieroz lib. 4.4 Ludolph Commentar in Aethiopic Histor pag. 173. Earth have power as to the manner of the Mischief they were to do Verse 5.10 3 Locusts do encrease most in very dry Seasons and come in bliting burning Easterly Winds which are usually accompanied with a smoaky Vapour whence probably is that Expression Hosea 13.3 according to the LXX and like a Smoak or Vapour from Locusts Although Bochartus is of Opinion that here is an Allusion to the Custom amongst the Ancient Arabs or Saracens of hunting Locusts by (a) Bochart Hieroz Part. 2. pag. 472 484 495. smoak 4 Great Armies of Enemies are resembled to (b) See Dr. Pocock on Joel Locusts in Scripture 1. By Reason of their Number Judg. 6 5.7 12. Psalm 105.34 Joel 1.6 The Multitudes of Locusts which infest the Eastern and sometimes the European parts being almost (c) Bochart Hieroz pag. 443 445. Ludolph Aethiopic Histor pag. 173 174. incredible And it is not altogether improper to remark here that vast Numbers of Locusts have been frequently seen to appear before the Approach of great Armies which is frequently noted by Abul Pharajai and by Du Fresne in his Notes at the end of (d) Pag. 530. Cinnamus 2. Because of the great and unavoidable Mischief they do in the Fields in Houses and to Men themselves whom they set upon and are thought sometimes to have killed (e) Bochart Hieroz pag. 462 477 478. Ludolph pag. 174. them Book of Wisdom 16.9 3. From the exact Military (f) Bochart pag. 477. Discipline and Order they observe in flying and the strength which is in their Ranks and Divisions when they fly or go Joel 2.7 8. 4 From their climbing of Walls and getting into Houses and Windows like Men of War in time of Seige and Sacking of Towns Joel 2.7 9. Exod. 10.6 and from their not (g) Bochart pag. 478. being subject to hurt from Weapons which they avoid by their Swiftness and by the Subtilty and Tenuity of their Bodies Joel 2.8 * Terrestrial Scorpions are as Naturalists observe of all the most (a) Boch Hieroz pag. 934. hurtful 5 5 The Saracens seem to be understood by Locusts because 1. They came from the East as the Locusts did Exod. 10.13 Whence they were called (b) Pocock Not. ad Specim Histor Arab. sub init Saracens which signifies the Inhabitants of the Eastern parts of the World 2. Because of their vast Numbers and their wandring State and Condition they being of the Race of the Ancient (c) Ammian Marcel 14.4 Scenitae who lived in Tents roaming from place to place with which agrees the Description of the Locusts given by the Prophet Nahum 3.15 16. as the place is interpreted by (d) Pag. 458. Bochartus 3. Because the Arabians or Children of the East are expresly likened to Locusts or Grasshoppers Judges 6 3-5 4. By Reason of the suddenness of their Invasions and the Prodigious Swiftness of their Conquests and the great havock and Ravage made by them all which Circumstances are Notorious in the Plague of Locusts who fall in prodigious Numbers in one Night and sometimes almost in a moment destroying all before them And Lastly because these Locusts are said to come out of the thick smoak of the bottomless Pit i. e. out of gross Errors and filthy Practices which is the plain Original of Mahometism which began in a very corrupt and dark Age when the Christians were divided into many Sects and Schisms and vented very gross Errors such were those of the Arrians Jacobites Melchites Eutychians Monothelites and Nestorians from whom proceeded many of the Opinions of Mahomet who was (a) Sylburg Saracenica pag. 3 5 59. assisted in the Contrivance of his Religion by Sergius a banished Nestorian by an Arrian Monk and other Hereticks with whom the Church was then infested as it was also by Contests about the Supremacy and with gross Antichristian Errors which are the Chief Things intended in this Prophecy Of all which (b) Histor Oriental lib. 2.2 Hottinger has treated fully But that we may the better understand the true Meaning of this Vision Iâ—â—â—ll endeavour to give a brief Account of the Rise of Mahometism and of the progress of the Saracenick Empire from Authentick Historians chiefly from Elmacinus and Abul Pharajai Two Arabick Writers which will be of great use in the following Annotations The Saracens are properly those Arabs which lived about Meccha and Medina and the places adjoyning who under their Prophet Mahomet began to be Famous about A.D. 622. when he fled from Meccha he place of his Nativity for fear of the Tribe of the Coraisites or Koreisheites the Inhabitants of
13 I Christ come 14 quickly in Judgment to my Kingdom for the 15 Vials are now ready to be poured forth Blessed therefore and this admonition is at this time of all others the most seasonable when the severest Judgments of God are ready to be executed is he that keepeth the Sayings of the Prophecy of this Book See Chap. 1 3.3 11. 13 Here Christ himself speaks this being a Sacred Drama in which according to the Nature of such Representations several Persons are introduced and there are many interlocutory passages as is observable in the Song of Solomon which is a Dramatick Poem in the Form of a Pastoral Eclogue 14 This Epilogue or Conclusion seems to refer to some of the most important and remarkable passages of the whole Vision which it behoved all to take the chiefest notice of according to the Method observed in the first Chapter which is as it were a Prologue or Introduction to it And accordingly the sudden Coming of Christ to take Vengeance of his Enemies in the pouring forth of the Vials being one of the most remarkable Events foretold in this Vision is here again mentioned as it had been before Chap. 1.7 15 For it seems probable from Chap. 21.9 that this part of the Vision was seen and heard by John just before he had the Representation of the pouring forth of the Vials when the Admonition to keep and observe the Words of this Prophecy was most highly seasonable For by a close consideration of Chap. 17 1.19 7-11 21 9. it seems as if the first or principal Angel of the Vials which shewed John the Judgment of the Whore and the New Jerusalem gave him also this Conclusion at the same time aptly fitted to the time just before the pouring forth of the Vials when it was necessary that the Saints should not only have a comfortable View of the blessed State but also be assured of the sudden coming of it that they might be sustained under the dismal Tribulation then approaching whereupon they are again assured of his quick coming Verse 12. 8 And I John the Apocalyptick Apostle and Servant of Christ See on Chap. 21.2 saw these foregoing things relating to the New Jerusalem and heard the Voice of Jesus and of his Angel Verse 6 7. and 16 both saw and heard all the Sayings and Vision of this Book and therefore am worthy of belief as having been an Eye and Ear-witness of them And when I had heard and sâ—â—â— the glorious State of the New Jerusalem I fell 17 down to worship before the Feet of the Angel which shewed me these things and who had also brought me the glad tidings of a Judgment on God's Enemy the Whore Chap. 17.1 and of the Marriage-Supper Chap. 19 9. 1â— Although these Words have an immediate reference to â—hâ—â— had been seen just before yet they may also refer to all the 〈◊〉 going Visions of this Book 17 It is something difficult to determine whether this passage be the same with the former related Chap. 19 7-21 and only twice repeated to shew the Importance of the Matter and the great danger of falling into the sin of Idolatry although the Relation be something different from the former according to the manner of the Evangelists the latter of whom deliver some things more fully and compleatly than the former and the Two Representations although of the same thing are very different the one being upon the View of the New Jerusalem State in its full Glory and compleat Description the other Chap. 19. only upon the sight of the preparation of the Bride and her coming down out of Heaven 9 Then saith he unto me immediately in great haste and with great Zeal and Vehemency See Chap. 19 10 See thou do it not for I am thy Fellow-Servant and therefore am not to be worsh pped and the Fellow-Servant of thy Brethren the Prophets and of them which keep 18 the sayings of this Book i. e. I although an Angel of so great Rank and Ministry am yet but a Fellow-Creature with thee and the Holy Saints and Witnesses and their Fellow-Servant also in the New Jerusalem State in which you and they shall be equal unto Angels and therefore I am nâ—t to be worshipped Worship being due to Superiors not Equals Creatures and Servants See on Chap. 19.10 Worship therefore God and him alone Matth. 4.10 18 Here the Angel seems to intimate as if the sayings of this Book were a Caution against the Apostatical State and the Worship of Angels and also the Rule and Model of Divine Worship from the first Apostolical State of the Church typified by Ephesus to the highest State of it in the New Jerusalem according to which as he could not receive such Worship so ought not John also to have given it unto him And this passage also affords a clear proof of the Divinity of Christ in Humane Nature because Divine Worship is paid unto him all along in this Book 10 And he i. c. Christ Ver. 12 13 16 20. saith unto me Seal 19 not the Sayings of the Prophecy of this Book for the time of the completion of all the Sealings mentioned in this Book is now at hand 19 These words must refer to the times of the seventh Trumpet when all the Thunders were unsealed Chap. 14. just before the pouring forth of the Vials until when it could not properly be used it being expresly commanded that every one of the Thunders should be sealed 11 He that 20 is unjust let him be unjust still and he which is filthy i e. guilty of any other sin all of which defile a Man Mat. 15.18 Jam. 1 21.3 6 let him be filthy still and he that is righteous or justified let him be righteous still and he that is holy or sanctified let him be holy still i. e. the time and place of Repentance is no more to be found but he that is unjust and filthy will not repent and he that is just and holy shall continue so still 20 These words seem to have a respect to the Times just before the pouring forth of the Vials when those Men who had been proof against the preaching of the Everlasting Gospel were judicially delivered over to punishment because of the willful Obstinacy and Hardness af their Hearts whereupon they blasphemed and repented not See Chap. 16.9 12 And behold I come 21 quickly to Judgment in my Kingdom and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be good or bad Matth. 16.27 Rev. 10.18.20 12-15 21 This must be supposed to be spoken before the pouring forth of the Vials in which the Wicked receive their Reward in Punishments 13 I am Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End the First and the Last i. e. I am the Eternal God who as I gave Being to all things so do I put an end to them too and I am more especially shewing this my Divine Power in bringing all things to perfection
Chap. 20. 11. up of his Glorious Kingdom (c) Chap 1 7 and Chap. 20. 21. 22. to God and the Father Which Kingdom is the chief Action or End of the Prophecy to which all the other Actions represented in it are conducive and the whole is embelished by many accidental Ornaments as by so many Episodes As by a description of the (a) Chap. 4. Throne of the Majesty of God Songs (b) Chap. 5. chap. 7. 10 c. 11 16. c. 12. 10 c. 14 1. Chap. 15. and 19.1 c. of Triumph Praise and Thanksgiving (c) Chap. 7. 9-17 pre-representations of Christ's Kingdom Christ himself and Angels speaking voices from Heaven together with Thundrings and Lightnings and frequent Interlocutory passages too many to be here particularly mentioned It consists of two Tomes (d) See chap. 4 1. c. 5 1. of Prophecy the former (e) Chap 2. and 3. of which and the more general one may be called the Church-Prophecy the latter (f) Chap. 5. and more particular the Book-Prophecy both reaching from the Resurrection to the same Period of Time and describing the same events but after a different manner the first by Symbols (g) Chap. 2. c. 3. of Churches the latter (h) See Chap. 6. 1. c. by Symbols often taken from the Civil Occurrences of the Roman Empire and from others relating to the Church as Seated in it which principally respect the Affairs of the Church and Kingdom of Christ and yet are taken from civil Occurrences that each event might be the better distinguished as by so many notable Characters of time It begins with a general (a) Chap. 1. 1-12 Preface or Prologue wherein the Epoch (b) Chap. 1. 10. of the Prophecy is setled and the (c) Chap. 1. 5 6 7. Period of it the Kingdom of Christ And it ends with a general Conclusion (d) Chap. 22. 7-21 or Epilogue relating to some of the great events but especially to the Vials Besides the general Preface there are also two Particular ones the one (e) Chap. 1. 11 -20 prefixed to the Church-prophecy in which Christ is represented in a Priestly and Kingly Habit as Supreme Lord of the Church the Epistles are declared to be Mystical and are ordered to be sent to the Churches and their Angels The other (f) Chap. 4. and 5. is placed before the Book-Prophecy in which the Throne of God is described the Divine (g) See page 70. Court of Judicature which is to pass Sentence upon all the Actions in the Prophecy is setled Christ is declared the Supreme Director of them and appears (a) See pag. 83. as ready to receive his Kingdom But because Christ according to the Mysterious Agreement betwixt him and the Father had promised by (b) Dan. 12 7. pag. 83. 87. 112. chap. 10. 6. Oath that the Beast should have his Times therefore is the Book given into his hands Sealed with (c) Chap. 5. and 6. seven Seals which are as so many stops or delays to it and the several openings of them as so many removals of obstacles to it concerning which see Chap. 6. After the opening of the Sixth (d) Chap. 6. 12. c. Seal upon the downfal of Paganism the Succession of a Christian Emperour and the advancement of Christ's Church in the Empire there is given a representation (e) Chap. 7. 9-17 of Christ's Kingdom which as being the cheif end of this Prophecy is always kept in view in it of which the Christian Empire and Church thus advanced were an Emblem But because the Mystery of Iniquity began then to increase therefore (a) Chap. 7. 1-9 Chap. 11. 1. and Chap. 12. are the Servant of God Sealed the Woman prepares for her Flight into the Wilderness the Worshippers begin to retire into the Temple and the Witnesses prepare to put on their Sack-cloath which Visions are cotemporary and parallel and not long after are Persecuted by the (b) Chapters 11. c. 12. c. 13. c. 17. Beast which carries the Woman A pure Church being Sealed i. e. (c) See on Chap. 7. 3 4. Chap. 8. 1 -6 covered and secured amidst the growing Corruptions and the Seventh (c) See on Chap. 7. 3 4. Chap. 8. 1 -6 Seal being opened at the final Victory over Paganism by Theodosius there appear at the opening of that Seal on the back-side (d) See on Chap. 5. 1. of the seventh Roll of the Book seven Angels with seven (e) See Chap 8. and 9. Trumpets Symbols of so many Judgments upon the Antichristianizing Church and Empire The Judgments of the four (f) Chap. 8. 6-13 first Trumpets were executed by the Northern Nations which ended in the fall of the Western Emperours and the Succession of the (g) Chap. 9 1. Chap. 13. and 17. 8-13 Papal Empire the Fifth (a) Chap. 9. 3-12 by the Saracens and the sixth (b) Chap. 9. 12-21 by the Turks who destroyed the Antichristian Eastern Empire and still continue as a Wo upon the Western Quickly after the passing of the Mahometan Wo which is the second Wo the Wo of the sixth Trumpet before which (c) Chap. 11. 14. 15. the Witnesses will rise the ten Kings will hate the VVhore the Antichristian Hierarchy will fall and there shall be great Conversions the feventh (d) Chap. 11. 12 c. 17 16. See the Notes on Chap. 18. 21. and last Trumpet sounds out of which there proceed seven (e) Chap. 11. 15. Voices which are the (f) Chap. 14. Voices of the seven Thunders unsealed which were sealed at the beginning of the Reformation described chap 10. and are as so many preparations to the Blessed Millenuium out of the seventh (g) Chap. 14.19 See Notes on chap. 14. 2. of which Voices there issue seven Vials containing the final Judgments upon Antichristianism and all the enemies of Christ's Kingdom raised to Judgment whereupon a Monumental (h) See pag. 329. and chapters 15. 16 18 and 19. Pillar as it were is erected with this Inscription It is done to shew that the Prophecy aims at a certain time of Christ's Victory over his enemies and of his appearing in Glory to his Friends and Servants whereupon also anotner such Inscription is given chap. 21. 6. After the pouring forth of the seventh (a) Chap. 16. 17. Vial the thousand (b) Chapters 20-21 22. years Kingdom of Christ begins which being Expired Satan (c) Chap. 20. 3. is loosed for a little space but the final Judgment comes on at the end of which the Kingdom is (d) Chap. 20 11. delivered up to God And here it is to be observed that because the same things are represented in the Chutch Prophecy and in the Book Prophecy that therefore there are many Synchronisms or Contemporary Visions in this Book And because the Kingdom of Christ and Antichrist are Opposite that therefore there are many 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
Pretences and punish the Faults of this Succession and to purge and purifie it 38 Thyatira is distant from Pergamus about Forty Eight Miles and there is not now so much as One Christian Church in it Stephanus the Geographer tells us that this City which was before called Pelopea and Semiramis was named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and afterwards Thyatira by Seleucus Nicanor upon the News he received there of the Birth of a Daughter Which Name may therefore denote according to the Allusion observed in the other Names An idolatrous Daughter of an idolatrous Mother Jezebel who was as the Scripture Notes 1 Kings 16.31 The Daughter of Ethbaal the King of the Zidonians and therefore fit to represent the Woman described Chap. 17. of this Prophecy who was the Idolatrous Mother of the Apostate Daughter or Church of this Succession and the Daughter of Paganism as Jezebel was of Ethbaal the Zidonian 39 Christ here makes himself more plainly known than he had hitherto done and that by his Supreme Title the Son of God because that his Kingdom was now to arise more visibly out of the Apostasy and therefore to be owned and protected by him their Supreme Sovereign who was to destroy their Enemies and give them power over the Nations 19 I know thy Works in order to the propagating of my Kingdom and Charity or Love and Zeal towards me which thou hast not left or abated Verse 4. and Service in thy Ministry and towards the poor Saints Rom. 15.25 31. 2 Cor. 8.4 and Faith and Patience during the Corruptions and Persecutions of the Apostasy and 40 thy Works and the last works of the Church typified by this State to be performed by them at Christ's coming to his Kingdom Verse 25 26. to be more in Number and Quality then the first Works at their first remarkable Rising out of the Apostasy 40 Here their Works are twice mentioned and their last are said to be more than their first whereby is signified the the Faithful of this Succession whom we have supposed to be the Waldenses and Albigenses should towards the approach of Christ's Kingdom do things surpassing their first Works which yet were very great they having at first proselyted an incredible Number of all Ranks and Nations as appears from History and even the Confession of their Enemies for which see Vsher Thuanus and a late English Treatise 20 Notwithstanding I have a few or some little things against thee because thou sufferest 41 that Notorious Cursed woman 2 Kings 9 34. Jezebel 42 i. e. the Papal Apostasy which calleth her self a Prophetess i. e. pretendeth to and boasteth of Infallihility 43 and miraculous Gifts to teach and to seduce by her cunning Devices 2 Kings 9.22 my Servants professing Christianity to commit Spiritual Fornication by Idolatry and to eat things sacrificed unto Idols See Verse 14. 41 The True Church is blamed for suffering the Apostasy although they were kept under by its Power and Dominion because it was as yet so imperfect in its Gifts and Graces as not to be able utterly to cast out those Corruptions which cannot stand against the power of God's Word when it appears in its utmost Efficacy 42 A fit Type of the Romish Apostasy 1. for Idolatry 1 Kings 16.31 32. 2 Kings 9.22 2. for Cruelty and persecuting of God's Prophets or Witnesses that protested against Idolatry 1 Kings 18 4.19 2 10. 2 Kings 9.7 3. for stirring up Ahab or the Secular Magistrate to persecute God's Servants and to draw them to Idolatry by false witnessing against them 1 Kings 21.8 9 10 25 26. 4. for her Paint and Whorish Attire and her Witchcraft or subtile Allurements to entice to Idolatry and keep Men in her Communion and her impudent impenitence 2 Kings 9.22 30. and lastly for the manner of her Destruction which was so entire as that of the Apostasy will be Vers 27. that nothing remained of her but so much as might serve for a Monument of her Destruction 2 Kings 9 35-37 43 Which Doctrine began to be advanced in this Succession of the Church by the Schoolmen who appeared A. D. 1200. And perhaps Jezebel might have been one of the Prophetesses of Baal for we read 1 Kings 18.19 that an hundred of them eat at her Table it being probably their Office to provide for and Minister to the Prophets which may also be further conjectured from her conversing with them it being usual for the Disciples of the True Prophets to be seized with their Enthusiasms as Saul was when he was amongst the Prophets which might be imitated by the evil Spirits in the idolatrous Prophets 22 And I gave her space 44 to repent of her Fornications i. e. her Idolatry and she repented not 44 Which may be dated from the time of the more publick Appearance of the Witnesses under the General Name of Waldenses about A. D. 1100. or rather if we compare this place with its parallel Chap. 9.20 21. from the Inroads of the Turks into the Eastern Empire ending in the taking Constantinople A. D. 1453 until the Reformation A.D. 1517. when the Sardian State began at the appearing of Luther which great punishment of God upon the Eastern Empire for its Idolatry having not its due influence upon the Western God was pleased to raise up Princes who threw off the Romish Vsurpations and Corruptions and openly owned and protected the Reformation which is the Sardian State of the Church as it is favoured by Protestant Princes as that of Thyatira is the Type of the True Church under the Oppression of Popish ones that being the Church-State immediately following the foregoing Pergamenian State which was under the power of Satan's Throne in a hidden condition having in it Idolaters which it could not cast out because of the power of the prevailing part of the Church For Thyatira's suffering of the Woman was not a willing connivance but one arising from a necessity of the great Oppression she was under and the imperfectness of their Church-State for if it had been a voluntary connivance at Idolatry Christ would not have said that he had only a few or some small things against them Neither would this State have been approved by him so far as to bid them hold fast that which they had already And this space is typified by the time of Repentance which God gave Jezebel which was from Elijah's denouncing Judgment against her 1 Kings 21.23 until her Death accompanied with an impudent impenitence 2 Kings 9 30-37 22 Behold I will cast her into a Bed 45 of languishing Psalm 41.3 and them that commit Adultery with her by being Partakers with her in Idolatry Chap. 17.2 into great tribulation at the pouring out of the Vials chap. 16. except they repent 46 of their deeds 45 Instead of the Beds of her Whoredom and Idolatry alluding to Jezebel's Adultery And it is apparent that the Romish Church hath been in a languishing and decaying Condition ever since the appearing
Message of Salvation to all who would come in unto him before he threatned and executed his Judgments upon the Rebellious Jews and Romans according to the Description of his Kingdom Psalm 2. and 45. 7 This refers to the Great Conquests the Gospel gained by the Ministry of the Apostles and this first Seal seems to be plainly contemporary with the Ephesine Succession in its first State when their Works and Love was great and their Preaching powerful as Thunder which is to be dated from Christ's Resurrection A. D. 33. when he gave Commission to his Disciples to conquer by teaching and baptizing all Nations Matth. 28.18 19 20. 3 And when he i. e. Christ had opened the second Seal I 8 heard the second 9 Beast or Gospel-Ministry as yet Apostolical 8 say Come and see what Desolations are coming upon the Earth 8 8 This living Creature speaks not in Thunder as the other did to shew that the Gospel's Power and Purity was now something abated Ephesus having soon left its first fervent and intense Love 9 The Ox whose Station was in the Western Quarter of the Camp 4 And the Enemies of Christ the Jews and Gentiles having refused to submit entirely to his Kingdom Psalm 2. and 45. there went out from the Western Quarter another Horse that was red denoting Wars and Effusion of Blood and power was given by Christ to him 10 that sate thereon i. e. who had the Execution of this Bloody Dispensation to take Peace from the 11 Earth i. e. to engage the Men of the World especially in the Roman Empire in Wars and that they both Jews and Gentiles should kill one another and there was given unto him a great Sword signifying great slaughter in War Jerem. 16.4 Ezek. 14.21 10 Here the Desolations of the Jews foretold by Daniel Chap. 9. and by our Saviour in the Gospel seem plainly to be described For 1. They were finally compleated by one coming forth from the West that is by Trajan and Hadrian who were Spaniards under whom they were miserably slaughtered and almost utterly extirpated And 2. Those Times were very remarkable for their mutual Slaughters one of another the Romans killing vast Numbers of the Jews and the Jews on the contrary almost dispeopling some of their Provinces and fighting so obstinately against Hadrian that the Conquerour could not boast of the Triumph his Loss was so great which is a thing so plain from all History that we need not quote Authors to testifie it This Seal may reach from A. D. 66. when these Desolations began in the War against the Jews under Nero by Vespasian and Titus until the fatal Slaughter and Dispersion of that Nation under Hadrian who ended his War against them A. D. 134. and died A. D. 138. on the Kalends of January as Mr. Pagi has accurately stated this Account 11 By Earth here is meant the Kings of the Earth who were Enemies to Christ the Jews and Gentiles as Peter has explained David Acts 4 25-27 5 And when he had opened the third Seal I heard the third 12 Beast or Apostolical Ministry 13 say Come and see and mark diligently what you see and hear Verse 6. And I beheld and lo a black 14 Horse i. e. a sad and a severe Dispensation and he 14 that sate on him or had the Execution of that Dispensation had a pair of 14 Ballances in his hand to signifie strict and impartial Justice 12 Like a Man whose Station was in the South 13 Here is no mention of Thunder for the Reason given before Numb 8.8 14 14 14 A pair of Ballances is the common and most apposite Emblem of Justice and by a Black Horse cannot be signified a Famine as is evident from what will be said on the following Verse although Blackness be reckoned as the Effect of it Lament 5.10 And therefore it is most agreeable that some sad Dispensation and severe state of things should be signified by it according to the Acceptation of Blackness Job 30.30 Psalm 119.83 With which Emblems the History of the Times succeeding the Desolations of the Jews under Hadrian does wonderfully conspire which reach from A. D. 138. when Hadrian died in whom the former Seal ended unto A. D 235. when Alexander Severus was killed on the 14th of March which seems to be the Extent of this Seal For 1. Septimius Severus was an African whose Countrey lay to the South the Station of the Third Living Creature which spake at the opening of this Seal And he being the first and only Emperour that ever came from that Countrey why may not that unusual Choice be more particularly hinted at by the Black Horse he rod on Horses of that colour being extremely valued by the Africans as Bochartus (a) Hierozoic 2.7 has observed out of their Resemblance to their own swarthy Complexion and because of their strength and firmness And of this kind perhaps was that Great and Couragious Horse which stoopt to take him up and carried him into the Forum after he had thrown his Predecessor Pertinax in an Ominous Dream related by * Lib. 2.34 Herodian Which Observation howsoever may serve to illustrate the Apocalyptical Symbol here made use of it being taken for granted by the Expositors of Dreams at that time that a Horse signifies Imperatorial Power 2. There happened in his time viz. A. D. 202. a bloody and a long (b) See Pagi in Baronium persecution continuing until after his Death which was on the 4th of Feb. A. D. 211. of which a Black Horse is a fit Emblem Blackness being the Symbol of Persecutions and Calamitous Dispensations in Scripture as Cantic 1.5 Zech. 6.2 6. 3. This Emperour was very Cruel and a Great and a Terrible Conquerour of a very Rigid and Rough Disposition and very strict and impartial in Administration of Justice and Punishment of Delinquents which are Qualities very properly represented by Blackness and a pair of Ballances especially if we consider that this Age was the Age of Lawyers in which Papinian and Vlpian flourished and were advanced to the highest Dignities under Septimius Severus and Alexander Severus the Son of Mamoea whose strict Justice and Severity against Offenders and excellent Laws are Famous in all History So that the Symbols of a Ballance and the Voice from the midst of the Beasts cannot but belong also unto him in a most particular manner who was also a great Warriour And the Beast appearing at the opening of this Seal having the Resemblance of a Man which signifies Humanity Reason and Prudence the excellent Race of the Antonines famous for those Qualities may be very well included in the Period of this Seal there having been an admirable Succession of Emperours excepting Commodus and Heliogabalus whose Reign was short from Hadrian in whom the former Seal ended unto Alexander Severus of whom the Ballance was a proper Emblem his Motto being that Epitome of Justice Do as you would be done by and who was also
See Chap. 2.9 num 19. 22 The Humane Nature of Christ is called in (a) John 1.14 Hebr. 8 2.9 11. Col. 2.9 See Dr. Hammond on John 1.14 Scripture the True Tabarnacle in which the Divinity as it were sojourned here upon Earth And the Church also may be represented by a Tabernacle as it is called Ezek. 23.4 Rev. 21.3 because of its wandring Wilderness-condition in expectation of its Home and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Heaven The (b) See Dr. Moor's Mystery of Iniquity first is blasphemed in the Papacy many ways but especially by the Doctrine of Transubstantiation and the Idolatrous practises consequent upon it the latter by Calumnies Excommunications and Persecutions It is the Opinion of a Learned Man that by Tabernacle is here meant the State of Saints and Angels in Heaven or the Heavenly State in which Christ is said to minister Heb. 8.2 and through which he is said to have passed Heb. 9.11 to the Holy of Holies the very Throne of God which may also be the meaning of Heb. 10.20 And this Interpretation he thinks to be most probable 1. Because the Humane Nature of Christ is it self the Minister of the Tabernacle and not the Tabernacle in which the Ministration is performed 2. Because the Heavenly things themselves are to be purified and anointed Dan. 9.24 Heb. 9.23 and therefore are to be supposed to have been prophaned and blasphemed that is Idolatrously abused and because such an Acceptation of the Word Tabernacle here is more agreeable to what is said in this Vision concerning the Tabernacle of Testimony being opened and the Tabernacle of God being with Men and with Ezekiel's Visional Temple or Tabernacle and with the Divine Tabernacle Chap. 4. the Scene or Apocalyptick Stage of these Visions See Chap. 12 1. 21 3. And lastly because Christ in his Humane Nature may be more significantly comprehended under the (a) John 1.1 18. See Mercer and Pocock on Joel 2.32 and Acts 2.21 Name of God 23 Who are blasphemed by the Idolatrous Worship of them taught and practised in the Church of Rome 7 And it was given to him to make War with the Saints i. e. to oppose excommunicate and persecute the Witnesses Chap. 11 7. and the Seed of the Woman Chap 12.17 and to overcome them Chap. 11.7 and power was given him over all Kindreds and Tongues and Nations i. e. to make Proselytes in all parts of the World and to Rule and Govern the Kings and People of the Antichrian Kingdom Chap. 10.11 8 And all that dwell upon the Earth i. e. the Apostacy shall worship him i. e. obey and honour him as an Infallible Head whose 24 Names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World i. e. except those Living Eminent and Excellent Members of Christ's Church particularly known and designed by him to be effectually saved by his Blood who was crucified in respect of the Divine Decree Appointment and Agreement betwixt the Father and the Son from all Eternity Phil. 4.3 Gen. 3.15 Acts 15.18 Gal. 3.17 24 See on Chap. 3. 4 5. These are the Witnesses Chap. 11. the seed of the Woman Chap. 12.17 and the Sealed ones 9 If any man 25 hath an ear let him hear for what hath been now delivered in a Spiritual and Mystical manner is very remarkable and worthy the most attentive and most serious Observation See Chap. 2.7 25 Hereby as hath been already shewn on Chap. 2.7 is intimated that what has been delivered concerning the Beast in this Chapter after an aenigmatical and parabolical manner this being the Sentence made use of by our Saviour in the close of his Parables is a Truth of the greatest importance against which yet many would shut their Ears And therefore all Christians are called upon seriously to consider and weigh what is here delivered and not to be driven from the profession of the pure Faith by Fear of Punishment nor wrought upon to follow the Beast by the spendid Baits of Greatness Power and Authority or the high and big pretences of Infallibility Success and Vniversality seeing it was foreseen and foretold by the Holy Spirit that the generality of Mankind should be earthly minded and should thereupon follow the Beast and only a few chosen and beloved of God should escape this Vniversal Corruption 10 He that leadeth 26 into Captivity shall go into Captivity he that killeth with the Sword must be killed with the Sword i. e. all Antichrian Enemies shall be dealt with at last as they have dealt with others Chap. 19. 20 21. Here is an occasion for the Exercise of the Patience and Faith of the Saints in bearing their Sufferings and in believing and patiently waiting for their deliverance out of them and the destruction of the Enemies of God and of his Church See on Chap. 14.12 26 Here is a plain reference to the Beast's and the False Prophets being taken Captive and to the slaughter of the Remnant by the Sword Chap. 19. 20 21. For as the Prophets of old were wont to comfort the People of God when in Captivity and under great distress by Denunciations of Ruine and Destruction to their Enemies so does the Holy Spirit here revive the persecuted Saints by telling them that their Persecutions should have an End and that the Apostasy which now domineered and blasphemed the Holy Name of God should at last be abolished and utterly destroyed according to the just and righteous Judgment of Almighty God who recompenses Tribulation to them that trouble his Saints 2 Thes 1.6 7. Isa 33.1 2. Ezek. 39.10 Matth. 7 2.26 52. But yet they are commanded to have Patience for although the Judgment is certain yet it will not be so soon as they might expect Hab. 2.3 4. Matth. 21 19-24 11 And I beheld another 27 Beast i. e. another Persecuting and Idolatrous Body of Men under Superiors coming up silently slowly and by degrees as feet of Clay out of the 28 Earth or Apostasy and he had two 28 Horns Potentacies or Powers like a Lamb 29 i. e. seemingly Christian and he spake as a 30 Dragon i. e. was in his Doctrines Decrees and Practises Antichristianly Idolatrous and Persecuting 27 This Beast is different from the former as appears from his Original Shape and the other Characters here given of him called therefore the other Beast as being a distinct Beast from that whose Succession the Prophecy was describing 28 28 The former Beast rose up out of the Sea that is the Commotions and Divisions of the Empire This rises as things grow out of the Earth silently and by degrees And as by the former Beast the Papacy as Monarchick and Imperial was fitly represented so in this Type there seems to be a signification of the Apostate Hierarchy or of the whole Body of the Ecclesiasticks as Antichristian as appears 1. From the Account here given of its Original viz. that it was out of the Earth by which
in an Idolatrous Communion who are not of it who yet are obliged actually to leave and forsake such a Communion at some times and in some Cases as Protestants have shewn in their Discourses upon that Controversie of which Cases a Fear of being guilty of its Idolatry is the Chief by which the Title and Priviledge of being God's People is forfeited 2 Cor. 6 14-28 5 For her sins have 8 reached unto Heaven i. e. have been extraordinarily Clamorous and have cryed aloud for Vengeance and God hath 9 remembred her Iniquities i. e. doth now punish her acc rding to her deserts Chap. 16. 19. 8 This is an Allusion to the crying sins of Sodom Nineveh and other wicked Cities which when they are extraordinarily notorious are said to reach Heaven in Scripture Gen. 4 10.11 4.18 20 21.19 13. Jonah 1.2 James 5.4 9 As God's Forgiveness of sin is called his forgetting of it in Scripture so his Punishment of it is called Remembring of it 6 Remember 10 her ye my people even as she rewarded you and double unto her double i. e. abundaâ—tly and utterly destroy her Jerem 17 18.50 14 15. according to her abominable evil works in the cup of Affliction which she hath filled to others fill to her double for she hath impenitently and irreclaimably sinned against me as well as injured you and therefore a double punâ—shment is justly due 10 This Verse refers to the Triumphs and Acclamations of the Saints upon God's Just Judgments on his malicious and irreconcilable Enemies and to their Concurrence in inflicting of them as far as can be thought proper for them See Psalm 58 10. and 137. 2 Thes 1.6 2 Tim. 4 14. 7 How much she hath gloried her self in her Authority and lived deliciously in Pride and Luxury so much torment and sorrow give her as a just Recompence of her sins 2 Thes 1.6 for she saith 11 or hath said in the Pride Carelesness and wantonness of her heart I 12 sit as a Queen i. e. have supream and uncontroulable Authority and am no Widow i. e. I have many Kings and People to defend me and am the Mother and Chief of Cities and Churches Isa 47.7 8. Zeph. 2.15 and shall see no sorrow in the loss of Children or People but shall continue the Seat of Ecclesiastical Power and of Empire 11 This refers to her Pride and Boastings in the Days of her Prosperity and Security 12 Words full of Insolence and Blasphemy and which especially as they lye in the places of the (a) Isa 47 10-15 Zeph. 2.15 Prophets from whence they are taken can be properly spoken only by God alone and plainly refer to the insolent pretences of the Papacy to Supremacy Infallibility and Indefectibility 8 Therefore because of her Pride Security and arrogant pretence to what properly belongs to God alone shall her Plagues come in one day i e. unexpectedly and suddenly Isa 47 9-11 Death and Mournin g and Famine i. e. Variety of punishments which shall bear a conformity to her sins and she i. e. Rome the mystical Bnbylon shall be utterly burnt with 13 fire i. e. shall be utterly destroyed and consumed for strong and powerful is the Lord who judgeth her and therefore able to inflict the severest punishment on her as incredible as the thing may seem to her or others 13 See Dr. Burnet's Theory B. 3.10 9 And the Kings 14 of the Earth who have committed Fornication or Idolatry and lived deliciously with her or in her Communion Verses 3 7. shall bewail her when they shall see the smoak of her burning i. e. the signs of her Torment Gen. 19.28 Ezek. 26 15-21 14 The Ten Kings shall hate the Whore and burn her as is expresly asserted Chap. 17.16 and therefore by these Kings must be meant either some who shall adhere to her even after the punishment inflicted by the Ten Kings or else rather the Kings who died Impenitently in her Communion who are raised to Judgment and first behold her punishment with Terror and then partake with her in it of which see more on the following Chapters 10 Standing afar off for the Fear of her Torment which they know they have deserved and must shortly feel saying in the anguish and horror of their Minds Alas alas that great City Babylon or Rome that once mighty or powerful City for in one hour or suddenly is thy Judgment come and therefore ours cannot be far off 11 And the 15 Merchants of the Earth i.e. the worldly Factors for the Roman Church and those who had compassed Sea and Land to gain advantages by it and Proselytes to it shall weep and mourn over her for or because no man buyeth her 15 Merchandize any more i. e. they could have no more advantage by her Matth. 10 8.23 15. 2. Pet. 2.3 2 Cor. 2.17 Matth. 21.13 12 The Merchandize of Gold and Silver and precious Stones and of Pearls and fine Linen and Purple and Silk and Scarlet i. e. whatsoever was precious and for Ornament the highest Preferments and most gawdy Pomps and Ornaments of that Worldly Church and all Thyne Wood or Sweet Wood for Images Incense and Temples and all manner Vessels of Ivory and all manner Vessels of most precious Wood and of Brass and Iron and Marble i. e. Utensils and Materials of all sorts for their Temples 15 15 This and the following Expressions are taken from Isa 47.15 and Ezek 27. where the Destruction of Babylon and of Tyre Types of the Antichristian City is represented after the same manner And by Merchants of the Earth are meant all the busie and deceitful Negotiators and Factors as the Word is taken Hosea 12.7 for the Papacy who any ways contributed to her Grandeur Idolatry and Superstition whatsoever might serve to those ends being to be understood by the Merchandize here mentioned 13 And Cynamon and Odours and Oyntments and Frankincense i. e. all things gratifying the Senses and to be used in Censings and Unctions and Wine for the Idolatrous Chalice and Oyl for Chrism and fine Flower for the Idolatrous Wafer and Wheat and Beasts and Sheep i. e. necessary Provision and Tithes and Oblations for her Clergy and Horses and Chariots i. e. what belonged to her outward Pomp and Equipage and Slaves i. e. hired (a) See Dr. Ham. on the Place Servants and Attendants and whosoever gives them bodily Service and 16 Souls of Men i. e. those who served them with their Wit and Understanding their Craft and Cunning and were Slaves to them in Soul as well as Body 13 This is taken from Ezek. 27.13 where Slaves or Bondmen are called Souls of Men and hereby may be meant those who served them with their very Souls who pawned their Consciences for them and enslaved their very Souls to them serving them with the utmost of their Craft and intellectual Capacities in contradistinction to them who served them with their Bodily Service only called Bodies or Slaves all sorts of (a) See
in the broken and abrupt form of speech here made use of by the Angel 15 Here is declared that Angels and Men are Fellow-Creatures and shall be Fellow-Servants in the New Jerusalem-State the World to come which shall not be subject to Angels and in which there shall be an Equality betwixt them and Saints the Members of it and that they shall joyn together in the Worship of Christ Luke 20.36 Heb. 1 6.2 5. * That is Jesus the Word of God who is God and One with the Father and is accordingly worshipped in this Prophecy Chap. 5. and. 22.3 and in other places 16 16 Here the Angel delivers a most excellent Axiom wherein we are taught 1. That the principal thing to be attended to in Prophecy is Whether it be the Testimony of Christ or no That is whether it be delivered in Scripture which principal Character is here called The Spirit of Prophecy that is the Life and Soul of it which animates it and gives it its true Value and Esteem in the Sense that Spirit is often opposed to Letter and Flesh in Scripture 2 Cor. 3.6 2 That the Sense of Prophetical Scriptures given from a compare of Scripture with Scripture is when it evidently appears to be so of equal Credibility with the Prophecy it self because it is the Spirit of the Letter of it 3. That Interpreters of prophetical Scriptures when their Interpretations are confirmed are worthy of a Prophet's Reward because they have the Spirit of prophecy Matth. 10.41 11 And I saw Heaven 18 opened for a glorious appearance of Christ and behold a white Horse the Emblem of Christ's Royalty and Glory from his Resurrection to his second coming in his Kingdom chap. 6. 2. and he that sate upon him i. e. Christ was called faithful 18 and true to his Promises and his Friends and in Righteousness i. e. Truth and Peace he doth Judg 19 his People Psal 96.10 13. Is 11 1-9.32 16. and make 19 War with his Enemies Is 11.4 17 To shew that the Heavens shall open when the King of Glory appears Psalm 24 7-10 Matth. 24.30 And this Appearance which is the second Vision in this Chapter is that of Christ's coming in his Kingdom to Judgment and is the same with that Chap. 14.14 as will plainly appear to any who considers the Circumstances and Description of both 18 He is said to be Faithful and True because of his appearing in his Kingdom according to his promise which Atheists Antiscripturists and those of the Antichristian Party had called in question still asking with those Scoffers 2 Pet. 3. where is the promise of his coming 19 19 Hence it appears that the great Battle of Armageddon is by way of Judgment wherein the Enemies of Christ and of his Kingdom are represented as (a) Ezek. 32.27 and Chap. 38. Rev. 20. Warriors in Arms who when conquered were wont as Captives of War to be judged by and receive Sentence from the Conquerour as appears from Jerem. 52.9 12 His Eyes were as a flame of 20 Fire penetrating and judging of all things after a quick and terrible manner chap. 1.14 2 18. and on his head were many 21 Crowns to denote the amplitude of his Dominions his many Conquests and the several Exercises of his Regal Office especially now in his glorious Monarchy and Kingdom Psal 72 8-20 Rev. 14.14 and he had a Name 22 written that no man knew but he himself i. e. his Essence and Nature as God Incarnate and his Will Counsels Judgments and Rewards c uld not be fully known nor comprehended by any Creature and not at all after a saving manner but by them to whom he should reveal them Judg. 13.18 Job 11.7 8. Psalm 36.6 Matth. 11.27 Rom. 11.33 34. 1 Cor. 2 6.-16 1 John 3.2 20 Christ is to be revealed in flaming (a) Thes 1 8.2 8. fire when he comes to Judgment in his Kingdom and therefore his Eyes are represented as a flame of fire to signifie his Discerning Judgment and All-seeing Wisdom which he will then most peculiarly manifest 21 Christ had a Kingdom from his very Resurrection and has had all along many Conquests over his Enemies in the Administration of it and is therefore very fitly represented with many Crowns as David a Type of Christ put on his Head the Crowns of the several Kings conquered by him 2 Sam. 12.30 1 Chron. 20.2 See also 1 Maccab. 11.13 He has also many Crowns because of his Kingdom as the Eternal Word and as Mediator which he hath administred under the Father ever since his Resurrection represented by the first Seal and as he now enters upon the Administration of his Glorious Kingdom as he is also King of Kings and Lord of Lords he hath all the Crowns of the Kingdoms of the Earth belonging unto him and now as it were put upon his Head 22 His Name Emmanuel God made Flesh or God in our Nature seems to be here more particularly understood as being peculiar to him as distinct from the Father and the Spirit Judg. 13.18 Isa 9.6 Prov. 30.4 13 And he was cloathed with a vesture dipt in the Blood of his Enemies Psal 68.23 Is 63 1-6 and his Name is called or he is the Word 23 of God John 1.1 23 That is the Eternal Word of God by whom God spake when he made the World and spake also to our Fore-fathers under the Old Testament and unto us in the Gospel And he may also be called The Word because in him the whole Word of God Prophecies and Promises are Yea and Amen that is constant and not changeable punctually fullfilled unalterably confirmed and ratified 2 Cor. 1.19 20. See Grot. on Joh. 1.1 Bishop Pearson on the second Article of the Creed and Dr. Bull 's Defensio Fidei Nicaenae 14 And the Armies which were in Heaven i. e. Christ's mighty Angels and the Saints which shall accompany them when he comes to Judgment in his Kingdom Dan. 4 35. Zech. 14.5 Matth. 22.7 1 Thes 4.14 1 Cor. 15. Phil. 3.29 2 Thes 1.7 Jude 14.15 See the Notes on Rev. 14 14 15. and chap. 20. and on verse 11. of this Chapter followed him upon white 24 Horses as Companions and Partakers with Christ in his Glory and his Kingdom cloathed in fine 25 Linen white and clean i. e. they were Justified and Sanctified by the Righteousness and Holyness of Christ imputed unto them See on verse 8. 24 This Battle is a Judgment as appears from Verse 15. So that these Armies of Heaven must be the Angels and the Saints who shall come with Christ in Judgment to his Kingdom with glorified Bodies as the Scriptures quoted in the Paraphrase do plainly declare and they are represented as on White Horses to shew the Glory they shall appear in and their joynt Rule and Reign with Christ it being the custom for Kings Favorites Nobles and Rulers to be clad in White Garments and ride on White Beasts as hath been already observed on Rev.
3 4 18.6 2. 25 These Heavenly Armies appear in the same Habit with the Spouse at the Eighth Verse whence it follows that they are Saints who differ not from the Spouse which is the Church but as the Members do from the Body the whole from the parts united But Christ only and not the Saints appears in a Vesture dipt in Blood to shew that this Victory over Antichrist and the wicked world was wholly owing to his Blood according to Isaiah 63 1-7 and that the Saints Robes were washed and made white in his Blood alone 15 And out of his Mouth goeth a sharp Sword of Sentence and Condemnation proceeding out of it verse 21 that with it he should smite all the Wicked Nations of the Earth and after he hath smitten them he shall rule them with a rod of Iron during the continuance of his Glorious Kingdom Psalm 2. Rev. 2.27 See Rev. 20. and he treadeth and that alone Isa 63 1-6 the Winepress 26 of the feirceness and wrath of Almighty God i. e. the wicked of the Earth were punished by him with exquisite Torments 26 From hence it appears that this Judgment and Victory is contemporary with Chapter 14. 19 20. See also on Chapter 20. 16 And he hath on his Kingly and Glorious 27 Vesture Is 63.1 and on his Thigh upon which the Sword of his Fury was also girt Psalm 45.3 Is 27 1.66 16. Ezek. 38.18 21 a Name Written legibly and now seen and acknowled by all King of Kings and Lord of Lords i. e. the only Supreme Universal Monarch Dan. 2.44 45 47. 1 Tim. 6.15 Rev. 17.14 27 Here Christ is represented as taking possession of his glorious Kingdom clad in Imperial Glorious Apparel and girt with a Kingly Sword according to the Description of his going forth to his Kingdom in his Might Glory and Majesty Psalm 45. It is an ingenious conjecture of those who think that as his former Name Verse 12 13. denotes his Divinity so does this denote his Kingdom as the Son of Man Whereupon he wears a Title on his Vesture as Kings are wont to do their Regal Cognizances by which they are distinguished and made known and also on his Thigh to signifie that he came from the Loyns or Thighs of Abraham and David whose Son he was according to the Flesh Matth. 1.1 Rom. 1.3 to whose Seed which is Christ an universal Kingdom was promised Whereupon also they were wont to put their Hands under the Thighs of them to whom they swore Fidelity and Subjection to shew that Christ the Blessed Seed and Vniversal Monarch was to come from the Thigh or Loyns of Abraham Gen. 24 2.46 26.47 29. 1 Chron. 29.24 Ezek. 17.18 17 And I saw an Angel standing in the Sun to shew the Glory of Christ the King of Kings and the Sun of Righteousness now câ—mforting his Servants and treading down his Enemies Malach. 4.2 3 Rev. 1.16.8 12 10 1.12 1. and he cried with a oud voice saying to all the Fowls 28 that fly in the midst of Heaven come and gather your selves together unto the Supper of the great God i e. come and partake of and c lebrate this his great Victory Is 34.6 Jerem. 12.9 Ezek. 39.17 19. Zeph. 1.7 28 In this Verse begins the Third Vision of this Chapter wherein is described the Event and Success of the Battel of Armageddon by a Feast for Fowls upon the Carcasses of the slain to which they are as it were invited by a Poetical Allocution made use of 1 Sam. 17.46 Jerem. 12.9 and Ezek. 39 17-20 the place here alluded to from whence it is evident that the Battel and Success mentioned in this place has a reference to Gog the Subject of those Visions of the Prophet Ezekiel Now although by Fowl are meant in the Prophet the Damned Spirits who seize on lost Mankind as Ravenous Birds on their Prey yet because they are discomfited in this Battel and are represented as bound in it they cannot be understood in this place which has a reference rather to the Saints those Armies of Heaven on white Horses who come with Christ in the Air at this Day of Judgment typified by a Battel of Decision and are as it were invited to a Feast upon a sacrifice of the slain as it is called Ezek 39 17-21 according to the Notions and Customes of the Jews who were wont to (a) Dr. Cudworth's true Notion of the Lord's Supper Feast upon Sacrifices and that after a Victory and sometimes upon the Spoils taken in War as Abraham was fâ—asted by Melchizedeck and his Soldiers upon the Spoils taken from the wicked Kings a Type of the Kings here vanquished Gen. 14. And accordingly the Saints are here invited to an Eucharistical Feast for the slaughter of Christ's Enemies who are frequently in Scripture said to (b) See Rev. 18.20 Psalm 58.10 Psalm 106. and 149. rejoice not in the misery but in the righteous Judgments of Christ upon the wicked in regard of which Righteousness they are comforted as the Prophet Ezekiel speaks Chap. 14.22 23. concerning the Evil which God brings upon the wicked for their wicked ways and doings 18 That ye may Eat the Flesh of the Kings of the Earth and the Flesh of Captains and the Flesh of Mighty Men or Soldiers Jerem. 46 5. and the Flesh of Horses and of them that sit on them and the flesh of all Men booth free and bond both small and great i. e. that ye might rejoyce for the Judgments of God upon all his Enemies whatsoever Psalm 110. and 149. Rev. 18.20 Ezek. 39 18-21 19 And I saw the Beast i. e. the Papacy and its Hierarchy and the Kings of the Earth and their Armies i. e. all the wicked Potentates of the Earth and their followers and adherents gathered together to make War i. e. united in a Diabolical Conspiracy chap. 16.13 14 16. against him that sate on the white Horse i. e. Christ verse 11. against his Army the Saints verse 14 20 And the Beast was taken captive Rev. 13.10 and with him the false Prophet i. e. the other Beast that wrought Miracles before him with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the Beast and them that Worshipped his Image i. e. the adherents of Antichrist chap. 13. these 29 both were cast 30 alive into a lake of Fire burning with Brimstone i. e. were punished after a most exemplary manner and with the utmost severity 29 The Beast and the False Prophet as being the Chief in the Conspiracy against Christ's Kingdom are first taken and are condemned to the Lake even before the Devil and the wicked Nations who found them there when they were cast into it Rev. 20 10-15 30 This Phrase shews 1. That their Punishment will be very severe and very exemplary proceeding from the utmost Wrath and Indignation of God expressed by Fire and Brimstone 2. That it was their Final and Eternal Condemnation as being the very same punishment to which
all the wicked are at last consigned at the final consummation of all things Chap. 20. 10-15 So that hereby is signified the Eminency and Transcendency of their punishment and the utter and total Abolition of that Antichristian State which as being the base and Hypocritical Counterfeit of Christianity is most peculiarly abhorred by God and is accordingly consumed and abolished so as never to appear again immediately at the very First Approach or Dawning of Christ's Kingdom as the shadows fly away when the Day breaks and the Chaff is suddenly driven away with the wind Psalm 1.4 Hos 6 4.13 3. Canticl 2.17.2 Thes 2.8 21 And the 31 Remnant i. e. the Kings of the Earth and their Armies verse 18 19 were slain 32 with the Sword of him that sate upon the white Horse verse 11. which Sword proceeded out of his Mouth i. e. they were Condemned by the Light Evidence and Convictions of Christ's Gospel according to which God will then judge the Secrets of Men by Jesus Christ Rom. 2.16 and all the Fowls were filled with their Flesh i. e. all the Saints were fully satisfied with the Justice of their Condemnation and the high Praises of God were in their Mouths for it Psalm 149 5.6 31 The Beast and False Prophet the Chief Enemies of Christ's Kingdom are first sentenced and are cast into the Lake at the first Appearance of Christ to which punishment also all their Adherents are expresly adjudged Rev. 14 9-11 although not at the same time as seemeth to appear from their bewailing the Ruine of Babylon afterwards Chap. 18. or not to the same degrees of it Whereupon it follows that if under the Beast and the False Prophet their Armies and Adherents are to be comprehended who must needs be vanquished with their Cheiftains then by the Kings and their Armies must be meant all the other wicked of the Earth besides the Antichristian Counterfeit who are vanquished and condemned by Christ and his Armies And although the Devil and his Angels and Armies are not here mentioned yet it is evident from Chap. 20.2 that the Dragon was laid hold on or taken Captive which Phrase respects the Issue of a Battel and must consequently relate to this at Armageddon But because those Enemies are Invisible Instruments and acted in and by the others therefore are they not particularly named here but only their Instruments and Agents who openly appeared and resisted Christ's Kingdom 32 These are not cast alive into the Lake because they are to appear again after the Thousand Years Kingdom of Christ but are said only to be slain by the Brightness Efficacy and Power of Christ's Kingdom whereby is meant a Spiritual Slaughter accompanied with Bodily Torments proceeding from Anguish of Mind in the sense of the Psalmist Psal 59.11 13.104 35. concerning which see more on the following Chapter Here it may be noted That there are Three Enemies of Christ to be vanquished by his coming which may also be the Three Parts of the great City 1. The Dragon or Satan and his Angels by whose Diabolical Spirit all the Enemies of Christ's Kingdom were influenced who are bound and sealed up during the Thousand Years Kingdom of Christ and are afterwards cast into the Lake Chap. 20.2 3 10. 2. The Kings of the Earth and their Armies i. e. those who had a bare Enmity and Hostility against Christ's Kingdom and not under the pretence of advancing it who are slain at this Battel and then make Second Assault upon Christs Kingdom in which they are overcome and at last utterly abolished and cast into the Lake Chap. 20.9 10. 3. Antichristianism consisting of Beastianism and False Prophetism which State is utterly abolished by the first Appearance of Christ and all its Votaries and impenitent Adherents lye under the severe Judgments of God during the whole time of Christ's Glorious Kingdom being never able to make any the least opposition against it CHAP. XX. The Text. 1 AND I saw an Angel come down from heaven i. e. a very particular and peculiar Ministry of Angels deputed by God for this purpose having the Key of the bottomless pit i. e. a Power to open and shut the Pit of Hell Luke 8.31 Rev. 1 18.9 1. and a great chain in his hand i. e. Powerful means to restrain the Evil Spirits 2 Pet. 2.4 Jude 6 2 And he laid 1 hold on i. e. seized upon and secured Matth. 14.3 the Dragon that Old Serpent which is the 2 Devil and Satan Gen. 3. Rev. 12.9 and bound him i. e. restrained him from 3 deceiving the Nations a thousand years i. e. during the Reign of Christ See on Verse 4. Annotations on CHAP. XX. 1 An Account having been given in the former Chapter how Two parts of the great City or Two of the Three Enemies of Christ had been disposed of the Holy Spirit does in this Chapter from Verse 1 to 4. particularly describe the Event of that Battle with reference to Satan or the Devil and his Angels the Third Enemy or Third part of the Great City or Idolatrous and Wicked Polity of the Kingdom of Darkness 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (a) Grot. in Marc. 3.26 Vniversitas Satanica the Devil and all his Evil Angels called The Dragon as he presided over and influenced the Pagan Empire and Emperours and lived in the Imperial Supremacy of the Antichristian King Chap. 13.4 and That Old Serpent in respect of his Deceiving our First Parents in Paradise in that Shape and his working in and by Antichrist with all lying Wonders and deceivableness of Vnrighteousness 2 Thes 2.9 10. Rev. 12.3 14 and the Devil and Satan as he is the Accuser and Adversary of Mankind Rev. 12.9 Under whom are comprehended the several Sorts and Orders of Wicked Spirits mentioned Eph. 2 2.6 12. acting as one Power under one Prince and Chief of them who are here restrained from all manner of Power whatsoever either from themselves or as influencing others during the glorious Kingdom of Christ 3 As he had done our first Parents in the first Paradise so that there is no fear of being driven out of this New Paradise or of being deceived by Diabolical Temptations in it it being very (b) Burnet's Theor. 4.2 probable that the New Earth will be Paradisiacal 3 And he 4 cast him into the bottomless pit which is also a place of Torment Matth. 8.28 29. Luke 8.31 and 4 shut him up and set a 4 Seal upon him i. e. closely confined him after the most secure manner that he should deceive the Nations Verse 8. no more as he had hitherto done by the Lye of Idolatry and other deceitful Wickednesses and Temptations till the thousand Years of Christ's Reign should be fullfilled or ended and after that he must according to the secret Counsel and Will of God be loosed from this Restraint for a 5 little season 4 4 4 By these several Expressions is intimated that the Devil should be confined after the closest
12.25 and of which it is a Pattern Heb. 9.1 the True Temple built without hands where our hopes is and of which we are Citizens and which is the Bride the Lamb's Wife and the Mother of all True Christians Gal. 4.26 3 And I heard a great Voice out of Heaven proclaiming a great Truth and shewing me a New and Extraordinary Thing which had never been before saying Behold with thine eyes and hear with thine ears and set thy heart upon all that I shall shew thee Ezek. 40 4.44 5. the Tabernacle of G d i. e. the Kingdom of Heaven of which the Tabernacle was a Type See the Notes on Chap. 13.6 15 5. is now with 7 men in the New Heaven and New Earth into which it is come down from God out of Heaven Verse 2. and he i. e. God will 8 dwell or Tabernacle a second time John 1.14 with them in a State of Glory Ezek. 37 26-28 9 and they shall be his sanctified Ezek. 37.28 1 Thes 5.23 Rev 19.8 People and God himself shall be with them in Christ by peculiar extraordinary perpetual and Glorious Manifestations of Presence and Conduct and be their God to sanctifie them wholly and then to unite them unto himself in his Kingdom of Eternity John 17.19 21. 1 Cor. 1.8 1 Thes 5 23. 7 It comes down from God and is with Men and therefore a State in the highest Heavens cannot be here meant for it is not said that it Ascends or that the Tabernacle of Men is with God but that the Tabernacle of God is with Men. 8 God in Christ had dwelt with Men before in a State of Humiliation and his Glory appeared but to some few chosen ones for the World knew him not and his own did not receive him John 1.10 11. and that only at some transient Manifestations of it such as the Transfiguration on the Mount but now very great and glorious (a) Burnet 's Theory 4.7 appearances of Divine Majesty and Presence are promised to be continued for evermore in Heaven after a Thousand Years duration in the New Heaven and New Earth which are to fly away into Eternity Ezek. 37.26 9 Expressions taken from the Covenant made with Abraham Gen. 17.7 8. and the New Covenant mentioned Jerem 31 31-34 32 40 44. Ezek. 36.26 27.37 26 27 28 Heb. 8. whereby is shewn that the Promises of that Covenant are not fully accomplished but in the Glorious Kingdom of Christ the Minister of the Sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not Man which comes down from Heaven in this Vision Compare Heb. 8. with the first Verses of this Chapter 4 And God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes i. e. shall remove all Causes and Occasions of Sorrow Is 25.8.60 20. and there shall be no more death or it shall be destroyed by Christ Is 25.8 1 Cor. 15.26 54. neither Sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain i. e. it shall be a state of (a) Dr. Burnet 's Theory 4.7 Indolency free from pain and want for the former things of the first Heaven and first Earth the World of the first Adam i. e. Sin Diseasâ—s Want Satan and his wicked Agents Hell and Death are passed away out of the Limits of the first Heaven and first Earth 5 And he that * sat on the white Throne i. e. Christ whom I had seen sitting on his own distinct Throne at the delivery up of the Kingdom Chap. 20.11 said behold for it is a thing much to be observed I am now about to make all things new i. e. to make a New Heaven and a New Earth and to renew and fully sanctifie Humane Nature John 17.19 And he said unto me 10 Write for these Words are true and faithful i. e. the New Things declared by me in these Words are now ready to be made by me whereby all my Words Promises and Declarations will receive a full compleâ—ion and will appear to be True and Infallible * There are Three Thrones ascribed to Christ in this Prophecy 1. The Throne of the Father in which Christ sits with him from the Resurrection until the Appearance of his own Throne in his Kingdom Chap. 3.21 2. Christ's own Throne or the Throne peculiar to his Humane Nature in his Glorious Kingdom called his Throne Chap. 3.21 and the Throne of the Lamb Chap. 22.3 3. The White Throne Chap. 20.11 in which Christ appears at the last Judicial Act of his Kingdom jâ—â—hen he is about to deliver it up to his Father Which appâ—â—â—â—â—ce having been seen but just before although it be after this in Time and in the Order of Completion is here referred to to shew that the same person whom he had by way of Prolepsis or Anticipation a Figure frequent in this Prophecy seen dissolving all things was now to appear as making all things New the same Christ being the Omega and End who shall dissolve all things and the Beginning or Alpha who is the Efficient Cause of the New Creation the New Heaven and New Earth and of (a) Psalm 22 27-31.102 18. the Generation of Saints the people which shall be created to inhabit it 10 To write is to bring into Effect as hath been often (b) See on Chap. 19.9 observed before whereby is signified that all the New things he had promised and declared in his Word were just ready to be made hy him 6 And he said unto me 11 It is done i. e. what I was about to do is now performed I have now sanctified and renewed my Servants and delivered the Creation from its Vanity Corruption and Bondage I the Eternal Word in Humane Nature am Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End of Prophecy who made all things in the beginning and have now created them anew and am therefore able to say it is done Chap. 1 8.3 14. I who am able will also give unto him i. e. unto the Saints of all Ages that is a thirst i. e. that earnestly desire the full glory of mâ— Kingdom of the Fountain of the Water of Life i e. full and lasting Communications of Grace and Glory to all the Living in this New Jerusalem Isa 4 3. John 4 10 14.7 37. freely i. e. out of my mere Grace and Favour Isa 55.1 2. 11 Christ here at the completion of what he was to do for his Servants uses the same Expression he had before used Chap. 16.17 after the Destruction of his Enemies by the Vials which may thereupon he lookt upon as (a) See on Chap. 3.12 Monumental Inscriptions upon Two Pillars placed as it were at Two remarkable Boundaries of Prophecy of which the one respects Christ's making his Enemies his Footstool the other the Blessed State and Lot of the Saints at the End of Days mentioned Dan. 12.13 7 He that overcometh i e all of each Church-State who overcome the Temptations of it See Chapters 2 and 3. shall inherit as Sons all