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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A86457	An exposition, or, A short, but full, plaine, and perfect epitome of the most choice commentaries upon the Revelation of Saint John. Especially of the most learned and judicious authors, as Bullinger of Helvetia, Francis Iunius, Thomas Brightman, Aug. Marlorate, Aug. de Civitate dei, but especially (among many) the excellent and learned David Pareus. With severall remarkable notes, observations, and doctrines very profitable. / As it was for the most part delivered by way of commentary in the parish-church of Sutton-Valence, Kanc [sic]. By Hezekiah Holland Anglo-hibernus, Minister of the Gospell at Sutton-Valence.	Holland, Hezekiah, fl. 1638-1661.	1650 (1650)	Wing H2426; Thomason E606_1; ESTC R5543	143,079	206

the gathering together the Kings of the earth into Armageddon the burning of the whorish woman the desolation of Babylon the event of the Goggish war More then the beginning we have seen and further shall see E. H. The Errata of moment are these CHap. 1. page 2. line 10. Alcasar should be set in the margin against that line l. 13. read changeable causes for unchangeable cause ch 3. p. 30. l. 6. after doth r. not l. 26. for spiritual r. spirit ch 8. p. 54. l. 31. r. Bishops successors ch 9. p. 66. l. 30. for eye r. use ch 9. l. last for withdraw r. wrath ch 10. p. 72. l last after locusts r. doctrine ch 11. p. 83. l. 37. for shew r. flew ch 12. p. 88. l. 11. for of Christs birth r. at Christs birth AN EXPOSITION OR A short but full plaine and perfect Epitome of the most choice Commentaries upon the REVELATION Of Saint JOHN Especially of the most learnedly judicious DAV PAREVS CHAP. 1. Vision 1. Vers 1. The Revelation of Iesus Christ .. THE Word Revelation or Apocalypse signifies the unfolding of a secret T is called a Revelation for two reasons First because we need the knowledge of it Secondly it shews the divine authority of it for the title answereth the title of the ancient Prophets as the vision of Isaiah so the Revelation of John Of Jesus Christ which God gave him God may be said to give it to Christ as he was man nay as God for the father is the fountaine of the Godhead So Christs wisedome is from the father by an eternal generation it shews Christ to be God because it belongs to God only to reveal secrets Isa 41.23 now t is Christ office to reveal to his People the Will of his father His servants To wit Christ This proves Christs divine nature because all the faithfull are his servants Which must shortly come to passe therefore this book doth not treat of things then past as some would perswade but things to come Must come shews the unchangeable decree of God Also secondary causes as the malice and rage of Satan and his instruments against the Church though unchangeable causes if not hindred by the over-ruling Power of God bring forth necessarily an effect Shortly That is shall begin suddainly to take effect though the things herein mentioned were not in a very short time to be all performed for many hundred years are past already and yet many things are not come to passe yet the time is short in respect of the age of the world already past or in respect of eternity Alcazar or God with whom a thousand years are but as one day And signified it by his Angel God gave him the Revelation not to keep for himself but to shew it to his servants now is expressed the faithfulnesse of Christ in executing his charge committed to him of God And he sent This proves Christs Divinity in that he commands the Angels and they obey him This is Pauls argument of the Deity of the Son Heb. 1.6 His servant John Christ takes notice of nay doth register the names of his servants Poor Lazarus is mentioned when the rich mans name is buried in Oblivion only there was a certain rich man Happy are his servants whom he hath graven unto their comfort be it spoken on the palmes of his hands not on iron but flesh not on his back parts but his hands not the back of them but the palmes of his hands Vers 2. Who bare record of the Word of God That is of Christ the Word note three things 1. That the Penman was one that writ of Christ 2. That 't was Iohn who in the entrance of his Gospel says In the beginning was the Word to wit Christ 3. That Iohn wrote his Gospel before he wrote the Revelation who bare Record of the Word And of the Testimony of Iesus Christ the doctrine of Christ the death and martyrdome of Christ for Iohn stood by and saw him crucified And of all things that he saw to wit now in visions also he alludeth to a place in his Gospel where he says he that saw it bare record and his record is true Vers 3. Blessed is he that readeth because by reading comes faith and observance also he commendeth the reading of this book to all men And which heare those then that cannot read may be blessed let them procure others to read to them this and other books of the Scripture especially explained And keep the things reading and hearing without observance will availe little yet it may be both a means to remove what may hinder our happinesse and to direct us in the right way of attaining the same Of this Prophecie This shews it is from God for all Prophecie is of him 2 Pet. 1.20 it may also the sooner stirre up our hearts to feek the knowledge of this book for men do covet to know the things to come See my little book called A glimpse of Christs love p. 14. concerning a Prophet and Prophecie in part For the time is at hand The time of the beginning of the performance The time both of the fury of the adversary and the deliverance of the Church this should stirre up in us a diligent care to read this Prophecie for the knowledge of good and evill at the doore ought not to be neglected Vers 4. Iohn to the seven Churches gathered in Asia the lesse by the preaching of the Word chiefly by Paul to whom Iohn dedicates and sends his book because the first Vision directly concerns them Grace he to you and Peace by grace understand the free love of God in pardoning sin by peace chiefly that of conscience but also all temporal blessings included in that word peace he is to reprove these to whom he wisheth thus well it teacheth that reproofe should be the effect of love not of malice From him which is which was and which is to come that is from the father alluding to that name in Exod. 3. I am which is because the father is from none which was because he was before all time in eternity which is to come because he shall come to judge the world by the Sonne the Sonne also is one with his father was for in the beginning was the Word is to come to judge immediately the quick and the dead yet I rather understand this of the father because by the seven spirits before the throne is meant the holy Spirit as Christ is expressed in the next verse From the seven Spirits before the throne the holy Spirit is called seven because he is perfect in working for seven is used for a perfect number in this book In my quoted book pag. 43. I proved that by Angels excelling in strength arch-angels are meant Psal 103.20 the rather because the ordinary Angels are meant in ver 21. yee his host Also I affirmed that by seven spirits ch 3. v. 5. happily these angels may be meant but in

the wicked and deliver the righteous Hold that fast which thou hast to wit faith and a good conscience By faith they had righteousnesse sanctification and adoption and a good conscience helped them forward in sincerity and patience under the Crosle which were therefore to be kept That no man take away thy Crown this notes the dangerous effect of slothfulnesse such lose their Crown Observe three things 1. The promises of God ought not to make us secure Christ promises to deliver them in the houre of temptation yet they must hold fast what they had See my book already quoted p. 79. 2. They only who hold fast what they received shall be crowned 3. Each shall have his own Crown so there are differences of reward in heaven as well as of punishments in hell See the same book pag. 122.123 all have the like glory not for the degrees but quality they shall shine as the Sunne there 's the quality some degrees yet are no doubt allowable to be affirmed for as one starre differs from another in glory so also is the resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15.41 Vers 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the house of my God This verse hath a promise of a threefold reward to the overcomers 1. That they shall be glorious members of the Church triumphant understood by Pillars in the Temple 2. Their glory shall be unchangable perpetual eternal understood of the perseverance of the Saints in those words He shall go no more out alluding to the brazen pillars thrown out and destroyed with the Temple by the Babylonians 3. The promise of the inscription of a threefold name 1. I will write upon him the name of my God either alluding to Salomons pillars which had names or to the Romanes who usually write upon their statues of triumph the actions of the Conquerours and the names of the conquered nations These names are perished but those Christ writes are indelible 2. The name of the City of God as the first name signifies their being sons of God glorified so the second their being members of the Church triumphant 3. His new name since his exaltation Christ will make his partakers of perfect happinesse being members of his body To the godly in Pergamus he promised a new name but to these his new name which he received of his Father which is above every name now as it signifies Christs glorious exaltation at his right hand so he promises to make them glorious according to measure being members of such a head Concerning the Churches or Cities coming down from heaven who sees not that her Original is from heaven grounded on Gods Election also it receives its birth here from heaven But lastly John saw the Vision in heaven ver 13. hath been mentioned elsewhere vers 7. chap. 2. Vers 14. Vnto the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write Whoever this Pastor was he was a carnal crafty man and though he bore the name of a Minister he was void of God linesse Our Apostle twice mentioneth these Laodiceans in his Epistle to the Colossians as chap. 2.2.4.16 though in Johns time 't was very corrupt Yet upon Christs sending this sharp Epistle doubtlesse it repented of its evils for Eusebius commendeth this Church as flourishing in his time These things saith the Amen Aman in Hebr. signifies verity now Christ cals himselfe so because he is true both in promises and threatnings that by promise-keeping he might win this hypocrite from sinne or by threatning and assuredly without repentance punishing he might deterre him Again Christ is not yea and nay that is variable and inconstant but in Christ all the promises are Yea and Amon 2 Cor. 1.19 20. Therefore he takes upon him this name here because the hypocrites he was to deal with being grown secure it should seem begun to esteem of the faith of Christ as a thing indifferent and that for the cause thereof they needed not suffer affliction or contend with the Opposers thus then the more plainly to taxe their luke-warmnesse he declares his truth and faithfulnesse concerning his being a faithful witnesse See ch 1. ver 5. The beginning of the Creation of God this proves Christs deity for the Sonne with the father and the spirit gave unto all creatures the beginning of their being Touching the Son all things were made by him Now Christ calleth himself the beginning that these poor Laodiceans might return to him the fountain of all good Vers 15. I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot Neither were these Laodiceans enemies to Christ nor true friends but served Christ and the world alike as occasion served They were neutrals that is fained hypocrites worse in Christs esteem then his professed enemies I would thou wert either hot or cold He first wisheth they were hot that is truly zealous in faith and godlinesse or cold that is altogether without faith and godlinesse he wisheth not this absolutely but comparatively insomuch as they that seem to be cold seem to be more excusable then those that be luke-warm and more easily to be reformed and better avoided Certainly t is a worse thing not to follow the truth we know in sincerity then to be ignorant altogether thereof Hypocrites and those that have faith only in shew and think that they see but are blind are greater enemies yet with pretence of Religion to Christians then those who are quite cold One may be sooner hurt and deceived under the name of a friend then of a foe A Pagan also were sooner gained to Christ then a Jew or Hypocrite Here you may see what to think of the members of Antichrist who joyne Christ and Belial Images and Scripture God and gaine together Vers 16. I will spue thee out of my mouth the metaphor is taken from warme water which is loathsome to the stomack it notes the hypocrites creeping into and being in the Church with a forme of Godlinesse but to be cast out because wanting the power thereof Vers 17. For thou sayst I am rich either because many rich Merchants were in this Church and therefore they boasted as having all wordly comforts though they be weak arguments to prove our being in Christ to reason from outward blessings or rather because hypocrites do imagine they are rich in spiritual things wanting nothing here is their Pride also reproved Because thou sayst thou art rich and knowst not ignorance was the cause of their pride they knew not themselves nor their own wants The best way to beat down pride is to examine and know our selves Thou art wretched Christ sheweth in five things what naturally we are all and what hypocrites are Wretched is one oppressed with calamity and sicknesse which must here be understood of the soul Miserable deprived of mercy Poore destitute of true righteousnesse and holinesse Blind ignorant of his miserable state which is a very great misery Naked wanting Christ the wedding garment Vers 18. I counsel

Buls Excommunications and hissing Sermons against the Saints condemning them as Schismaticks and Hereticks Now as here the Beasts rage lasted 42. months so the little horne warred with the Saints till the Ancient of daies came and judgement was given the Saints Dan. 7. Now this is the last judgement Note the Catholick state of the Beasts power it was over all kindreds tongues these are the wonderers already spoken of vers 3. remember Christs flock is a little flock Vers 8. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him c. Here is a most comfortable restriction the worshippers of the beast are not all Christ hath his people but Inhabitants of the earth contradistinct to Saints whose conversation is in heaven whose names are there written being elected Now if none of the Beasts worshippers have their names written in heaven there is no salvation for them in the state they are in God be thanked we follow not the Beast this is one signe we are written in the Book of life of the Lamb because we were elected to life through him Slaine from the foundation of the world To wit in the eternal purpose of God and by promise that the seed of the woman should bruise the Serpents head Thus the efficacy of Christs death was to the Fathers by faith before his actuall slaying typified out by the sacrifices Verse 9. hath been oft spoken of Vers 10. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity this may comfort the Godly for Antichrist though he lead his own worshippers to destruction and domineer over the bodies of the Saints yet he shall be led into captivity by being cast into the lake of fire chap. 19. in the mean time they need patience to conquer withall Vers 11. And I beheld another beast coming c. Doubtlesse it was the same Beast as is said but called another because of another forme See vers 1. Out of the earth Here the original of the Beast is treated of who came out of the bottomlesse pit before now by his coming out of the earth is meant First That this Beast is not so terrible as the sea monster before spoken of land beasts are more familiar to us Secondly This notes the ignoble and earthly rise of the Beast the Pope was but a poore Frier first the Cardinals once but Deacons imployed about the burial of the dead of the City of Rome though now fellows for Princes but here perchance is noted how that muckle trash money is that about which the Beast and his worshippers are most imployed and which is the usuall cause of their arising and preferment Having two hornes like a Lamb You see the Beast seemes no way terrible looks like a Lamb like Christ as if he were his Vicar and servant of servants yet in speech he is like the Dragon Remember the Lamb had seven hornes chap 5.6 this Beast but two because he hath not the true Lambs strength nor his meeknesse and truth for he speaks as the Dragon by which we are to understand the Beasts false Doctrines as Justification by works Satisfactions also his blasphemies against God the Temple and Saints nay and Scripture saying it is so far true as it is confirmed by him and his Church therefore this Beast is truly called a false Prophet chap. 16.13 teaching doctrines of devils Vers 12. And he exerciseth all the power of the first Beast before him c Doubtlesse here Antichrist as a deceiver is described Now the whole series of Popes is here meant who have usurpedly exercised the power of the Beast already mentioned perchance the Cardinals arising may be here noted who as a second Beast exercise the same mentioned power of the former Beast and that before him and by his authority but these are better comprehended under the notion of Locusts otherwise this Beast might have been called another yet the like for that begot this and yet arose after the other for these Cardinals were once scarce Parish Priests and in time are after the Pope however the series of the Popes have made and so have these Cardinals the earth or the Inhabitants thereof in the forequoted sense to worship the former wounded but healed Beast that is the Pope as a deceiver here causeth himself to be worshipped as a secular Prince Or these Cardinals as a second Beast yet in some sense the same with the former cause the former Beast or Pope to be worshipped of all the admirers and wonderers of which already Vers 13. And doth great things so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth Antichrist shall deceive if it were possible the very Elect. Wonders and miracles have ceased the Church being built and now they belong to Antichrist not to the Church of Christ Now one of his great signs is He maketh fire to come down from heaven Whether alluding to Elias or Satan in Job 1. it matters not 2 King 1. for certainly he would be accounted a man of God though his working be after Satan Now the Pope does not literally do this no more then the Disciples removed mountaines yet they did very great things and were the true Disciples as the Pope is the Beast although he literally bring not fire from heaven since he does other great signs belonging to Antichrist yet the Spirit is likened to fire and so descended and lighted upon the Apostle now the Pope takes upon him to give the Spirit in consecration and forgivenesse of sins and as Satan destroyed Jobs sheep by fire chap. 1. so this Beast destroyes Princes by thundering Excommunications In the sight of men That is openly Vers 14. And deceiveth them that dwell upon the earth by those miracles which he had power to do c Thus Antichrist is a seducer but not of Saints but of the Inhabitants of the earth Thus God punishes them that desire not nor receive the truth to salvation the Saints rely on Scripture and with the Bereans examine all things and so are not deceived miracles must not prove the faith nor truth then in this Age. Now follows the grand Idolatry of Rome his worshippers are commanded to make an Image or Images for that is the meaning of it to the Beast not of the beast but of the Father Son Holy Spirit Mary so that the Beasts kingdom you see is a kingdom of Images or Idols thus the Pope commanded his Worshippers to do Vers 15. And he had power to give life to the Image of the Beast Satan gives the Pope this power thus though the first Bishop of Rome had his power from Christ as also Aaron had from God yet the Pope now a beast hath his usurped power as also Caiphas from Satan by which the one condemned or helped to forward it Christ the other Christians But how can the Images speak Why remember the worshippers pray to them sacrifice to them confide in them beleeve they help them thus the Beast and his Locusts

who have not the doctrine of Balaam and Nicholas There was some wheat among the chaffe Depths These hereticks it seems called their doctrines deep mysteries Christ confessed they were depths but of Satan As they call them the hereticks called them depths and more excellent doctrines then the Apostles knew but Christ says their Original was from hell and Satan No other burthen the deceivers imposed on them the burden of the Ceremonial law which Christ had took off For by burden is not understood punishment for Christ doth comfort not threaten them Vntil I come to wit in the clouds at the last day So that Christ is yet bodily absent and not in the Sacraments Vers 26. Overcometh to wit by faith through Christ not by his own power My works To wit of faith commanded in the Gospel So on the contrary works of infidelity are called works of the devil There only remains two promises to the overcommers 1. Power of nations that is at the last day to judge with Christ the world and Satan t is taken from Psal 2. 2. The morning starre that is himselfe called so because of its heavenly brightnesse and glory Rev. 22.16 Christ will communicate himself both in power and glory to his members CHAP. III. Vers 1. Vnto the Angel of the Church in Sardis write NOt of Sardica where a Synod was held in the eleventh yeare of Constantine But of Sardis the royal City of Craesus the Angel or Pastor was not Melito for he was not Bishop of Sardis till sixty yeares after in the reign of Antoninus Pius also he was a good Bishop but this is reproved for negligence and hypocrisie These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God Though Christ may be said to have procured and sent the holy Ghost called the seven spirits Chap. 1.4 from the Father to his Church yet since these seven spirits are joyned with the seven stars or Ministers I rather understand created Angels now they are called the seven spirits not in relation to those in Chap. 1.4 but because seven choice or principal Angels by way of preheminence Now in the Preface of this Epistle Christ is described holding the seven spirits and the seven stars to note that as he upholds the Ministry if sincere so he has Angels to defend the righteous and oppose and punish the wicked I know thy Works Observe three things First Christs Divinity seeing the Pastor and Churches hypocrisie Secondly That all that make shew of holinesse are not so thou hast a name that thou livest but art dead some members of the Church are good some bad Thirdly The efficacy of the Ministry doth not depend upon the goodnesse of the Minister Christ doth oft quicken and governe his Church by dead Officers Thus it might be in the Papacy where Christ had a Church before Luther See ver 4. Vers 2. Be watchfull Shake off the hypocritical drowsinesse into which thou art fallen and strive to live the life of faith again Strengthen the things which remaine Meaning those dying members in the Church by holy life and doctrine That are ready to dye Therefore the Pastor is exhorted to take speedy care of their recovery being not quite dead where observe how mindful and careful Christ is of his poore people I have not found thy works perfect Christ here reproves not the common frailties of the Saints but some notable hypocrisie and defect Before God God looks narrower after truth then men do though this Pastor might passe for currant among men yet Christ sees a defect Here note Christ as man hath a god but as a Son is God and life This I observe because some read before my God As Montanus Vers 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard Because this Bishop or Pastor was unmindful of the faith committed to him by the Apostles Christ bids him remember what he had heard of them where observe the only way to redresse corruptions of life or doctrine is to have recourse to the rule of the word Also here observe against the Bishops of Rome that though Christ made that Promise to his Church the Spirit shall lead you into all truth yet not only this Bishop of Sardis but all of the seven Churches but two were hereticks or hypocrites and much defective and how comes it to passe that they are so infallible And repent Forsake thine hypocrisie and carefully performe the duty of thy place which though we cannot do of our selves yet they are unexcusable who willingly disobey the commandement Of this see my quoted book page 46. lines 18 19 20. If therefore thou shalt not watch Christ adds this commination to his exhortation and that righteously for if he repented not upon so mature gentle praemonition he deserved a sudden judgement to come upon him As a thiefe in the night Unawares this doth not countenance or uphold a thiefe because Christ attributes the title to himselfe no more then when Christ bids his servants put their talent to usury he perhaps countenanceth that yet when Christ speaks of musick in the receiving the Prodigal home in the Gospel intimating joy and the peace of conscience following his reconciliation with God through Christ which was allowed in the Law it proves the lawfulnesse of it if lawfully used since the joyes of a man in Christ are expressed by it as I have noted in my little fore-quoted book pag. 84 85. Vers 4. Thou hast a few names in Sardis Meaning a few true beleevers though some were dead or ready to dye rather yet Christ reserved a few to himself notwithstanding the negligence of the Pastour See vers 1. Christ had seven thousand that never bowed the knee to Baal though the ten Tribes of Israel were fallen away in the Papacy some who resisted the abuses of the times unto bloud A few Gods flock is a little flock for though many are called few are chosen It is not the best to follow the multitude Who have not defiled their garments Their constant sincerity is set forth by this metaphor By garments is meant that as their bodies were not polluted by the filthy lusts of the Nicholaitans so their soules were not not stained with that impious doctrine The body is our garment with which we are cloathed righteousnesse and faith in Christ is the soules garment which they had kept somewhat undefiled They shall walk with me in white Alluding to the Garments of Kings and Conquerours which was white thus in scorne Christ was cloathed in earth now as he is glorious so his Saints shall partake of his glory note the Saints righteousnesse in earth though white in some degrees is defiled in respect of this in heaven therefore they groan till cloathed with this And they shall walk It notes the Majesty of the Sons of glory and perchance the curious question of some Philosophers and Divines may hence receive light that the Saints move and walk from place to place in heaven after the

thee to buy of me gold tried by the fire meaning faith or the word tried in the fire of affliction is much more precious then gold that perisheth By faith righteousnesse forgivenesse of sins and eternal life through Christ is purchased Buy of me Christ is the rich Merchant that hath the Monopoly of all good which we may buy and come by by Tears and Prayers alone or as Isa 55. Come and buy without money without price but with that caveat O yee that thrist That thou mayst be made rich he that enjoys much gold is in the world accounted rich but t is not gold but faith that possesseth Christ and all his treasure which will make us rich in Gods account And white raiment that thou mayst be clothed because we are naked Christs garment of righteousnes which is white unpolluted he advises to buy there are two white garments mentioned on v. 5. where the heavenly glory is meant as a reward of victory after this life but here the Robes of Christs righteousnesse is meant with which we must be cloathed in this life that so we may be acceptable in the sight of God 'T is thought allusion is had to the Romanes who when they sought for an office in the Common-wealth came clothed in white to the place of Election by their garments testifying the integrity which becometh Magistrates And annoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou mayst see Because he was blind the meaning is to ask of God the illumination of the spirit by which their darkned hearts may be enlightned Vers 19. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten here note the difference between the afflictions of the Saints and the wicked these are chastised as children but the wicked are condemned and judged to hell Of Gods love in affliction see my book at large p. 64 65. Be zealous therefore and repent Since the means is yet to be had as gold white raiment eye-salve which may restore thee make good use of them and shew thy zeal for the time to come and repent of thy former luke-warmnesse Vers 20. Behold I stand at the doore and knock Formerly Christ compared himselfe to a Merchant and Physician freely selling the Merchandises and salves of salvation now to a wayfaring man but a rich one who yet stands to note his care and diligence for to forward our salvation at the doore doth presently go away though the doore be not presently opened The doore here is our heart which is naturally shut against Christ yet Christ knocks more then once or twice even till it be opened it notes the assiduity and constant or continued care Christ hath of us Christ knocks many waies First By the preaching of the Law and destruction Secondly By the Gospel and free pardon of sin Thirdly By laying the crosse of affliction Fourthly By his spirit Outwardly we heare Christ knocking when we attend upon the word preached Inwardly when we imbrace the same And open Christ hath the key to open though he be said to knock we open to him when we savingly apply the Promises of the Gospel for then Christ with all his benefits enter into our hearts I will come and sup with him Here are three mercies promised First He will come together with the Father and the Spirit and dwell in our hearts an infinite favour greater then if Kings should dwell with us and make our Cottages their Palaces Secondly Will sup with us Christ sups with us when by faith he makes us partakers of his word spiritual Sacraments when he delighteth in our faith and conversation Thirdly And he with me Christ is rich comes loaden with blessings to communicate to us the good things of the Gospel I willingly omit any cavils upon the words Christ knocks it is certainly spoken to capacity we have not a power to open till he bring the key for we are dead by nature now what power is there in a dead man till Christ doth by his powerful knocking awaken us Vers 21. To him that overcometh He shuts up the Epistle with an accustomed conclusion It is a promise upon victory I will grant to him to sit with me on my Fathers Throne but note the condition taken from Christs example As I overcame and am set down with my Father Christs throne is the glorious power of his exaltation for the word Throne notes Majesty and Power so that Christ will make his really partakers of that his glory if they overcome for they shall be coheires with him so yet as there shall remaine a remarkable difference betwixt Christ the head and the members Vers 22. Is easie by what hath been delivered Concerning the Epistles to the seven Churches that to Philadelphia seemes to be the excellentest next to which that to Smirna the sharpest to Laodicea They all are almost for substance alike I mean consisting of three things First A description of Christ the Author of the Epistles Secondly The praise or dispraise of each Angel being a narration Thirdly Good things are promised to those that overcome and destruction to those that fall away which may be called in other termes thus A Preface a Narration Exhortation and Exclamation of Promises annexed But I study to be briefe CHAP. IV. Vision 2. Vers 1. After these things I saw AFter I had seen the first Vision Behold a doore opened in heaven The heavens appeared opened to John wherein as a Theatre he saw this Vision Some by heaven understand the Church and the opened doore to be the sense of Scripture interpreted The first voice which I heard c. Meaning Christs voice who had formerly promised to shew to his servants things that must shortly come to passe to wit hidden things of Gods secret counsel concerning the condition of his Church in this world Vers 2. And immediately I was in the spirit He was in a Trance the second time and so ascended into heaven by Christs Commandement from Patmos where the holy Spirit represented these things to his understanding and revealed the mysteries thereof to him these kind of Visions are called intellectuall And behold a throne was set Hereby is represented the dominion and judgement of God over all things Vers 3. And he which sate on the throne He is not named yet doubtlesse it was God for it is called Gods throne chap. 7.15 Was like a Jasper This stone is green and cleare though there be of other colours some say the Jasper refreshing the eyes represents Christs divinity and the Sardine which is red Christs humanity bloud-red in his passion who came from Bozra in red garmens Esay 63.1 The Emrauld and this Jasper are alike much and represent his divine Majesty But I seek for no mystery the preciousnesse of the Stones set forth the condition and of him on the Throne The Rainbow notes his mercy for in Genesis he sets the Rainbow in the cloud promising not to destroy the world any more It was round about the throne Because he

will be bitter in the working it brings sorrow not to be repented of to the Saints though it torment the consciences of wicked men accidentally the Physick works most upon the fowlest stomach where the fault is not in the Physick but in the body so the word will have its proper effect The locusts are the wicked tormentors ch 9. ver 5. Vers 1. But after three days and an half c. That is after a litlle while the spirit entred into them to wit in the Vision to Iohn The truth is the same spirit being immortal shall enter one day into the bodies again when to be glorified but here 't is meant that God would raise up such men with the like spirit as the spirit of Elias is said to be in the Baptist to witnesse his truth against Antichrist Thus God raised up Luther and Melancthon to succeed the former witnesses in whom they are said to live c. But litterally Antichrist never got the bodies to burn yet the locusts have exposed them to what shame they can in writing this may comfort the godly and encourage them not to fear them that can kill the body hence 't is plain God is not left without a witnesse so that the terme of the witnesses prophecying is not come to an end Lastly you see the Locusts and Abaddon their King can kill the witnesses yet not hurt them nor their testimony God will raise them up in their successors here and glorifie them hereafter Vers 12. And they heard a great voice from heaven c. The witnesses did not the enemies Great Because of the power thereof for it shall bring the witnesses to glory Saying unto them come up hither To wit to Christ who is not bodily everywhere but in glory Now Iohn saw the witnesses ascend perchance bodily in the Vision teaching how after the death of the Saints their souls immediatly are in glory This confirms the doctrine of the witnesses though by the enemy condemned as heresie And their enemies beheld them So in the Vision Truly thus have the enemies beheld the witnesses whom they slew raised up to life in Luther Calvin and standing upon their feet as it were and consequently beleeve they ascended into glory after death though they rage against their successours Thus at this restauration of the witnesses to life in their successours the Antichristian adversaries are amazed seeing their doctrine so glorious And fear fell upon the beholders They beheld them dead with delight but at their ascending to honour they are amazed and afraid These as the enemies in the Gospel raged at Christ to wit and the disciples yet feared them against whom they raged they fear because they feel though perhaps too late that they warred against Christ and Truth Therefore also they shall fear their kingdom riches and they shall dread the judgment of GOD but not escape it Vers 13. And there was a great earthquake the same houre Antichrist raised an earthquake against Christ Chap. 6. Now Christ against Antichrist By this earthquake I understand not only the great stir among themselves about Religion which much shakes great Britaine at this houre but Luthers preaching and before that the Bohemians war but to say no more experience shews how both multitudes of witnesses the revolt by the witnesses means of many Kingdomes from papacy the many wars made aganst Spaine Romes most beloved son have made a most terrible earthquake in that great city I mean the Church of Rome The same houre That is presently after the killing of the witnesses I know not one whole Kingdom God be praised for it except Spaine and Italy and herein the Venetian begins to hare the Locusts that totally adheres to his unholinesse the Pope Thus the tenth part of the city fell In the Vision Nay by Luthers Ministery great part of the Romish Religion and tyranny or jurisdiction fell in Germany which was a great part of the Romish city and in England and other places upon it Seven thousand names were slaine c. By the fall of the city names are put for men Now as Brightman has it the revenues and profits of many parish Churches as I may adde Monasteries and Colledges being lost by the rising of the Gospel impoverished and as it were shew many Priests also by the preaching of the Gospel many Papists being more hardened perished And the remnant were affrighted c. The falling of the great city builds Christs little one this proved a good fear many seeing the works of God turned to the Gospel of which experience and histories speak Vers 14. The second Woe is past and behold c. To Iohn in the Vision The first woe t was under Antichrist from his rising to the councell of Constance when the city began to fall The second is yet under both Antichrist Pope and Turke The third lasts to the seveth trumpet to the end for the wicked Vers 15. And the seventh Angel sounded This is the Archangell mentioned 1 Thes 4.16 so the seventh trumpet is that which shall sound when the dead shall rise And their were voyces in heaven saying To wit of the 24. elders or heavenly inhabitants rejoycing for the just judgment to come so the Woe threatned belongs to Antichrist and the damned which Woe Christ uttered in those words Go you cursed and is now to be fulfilled The former woes did belong to the godly and wicked alike under both Antichrists Turk and Pope this only to the wicked Now the cause of the heavenly rejoycing was in part because the kingdomes of the world which the adversaries had violently taken into their possession and as much as in them lay thrust out Christ now returne to Christ who having destroyed his enemies shall raigne alone after which time Christ shall deliver up his Kingdom for now he rules by his word Spirit Sacraments Ministery as Mediatour but then as God and one with the Father for ever of which see 1 Cor. 15. hereafter Antichrist and the wicked shall not rivall with him but our Lord and Christ that is our Lord Christ Jesus alone with the Father and Spirit Vers 16. Then those foure and twenty Elders which sate before God c. Of which before largly chap. 4.4 Here all the heavenly host shut up the third Vision with a song of triumph humbly falling down on their faces in the Vision otherwise they are not bodily in heaven giving thanks to him that is and was and is to come the Almighty of which before chap. 1.8 the cause is Vers 17. Because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast raigned Taken that is doest exercise thy great power destroying all thine enemies and delivering thy afflicted Spouse blessing her with thy selfe eternally in heaven Vers 18. And the nations were angry c. The heavenly host give this a reason why they rejoyce in the great judgment because the Nations have sufficiently been angry and raged against thy Church and to

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