heads in Ezekiel by which is signified that it was the Lord and king of the foure bands or campes of Israel which was carried on them For as the Chariots of Princes doe glister with the ensignes of their Lords so here the Cherubims with the ensignes of JEHOVA the King of the Tetrarchies of Israel Neither will it be very difficult to gather out of the position of Ezekiel and the Cherubims in this vision one against another which climate of the world each face of the Cherubims looked towards For when Ezekiel his face being turned toward the north beheld the Cherubims as it were Ezek. 1.4 coming against him certainly that which did then present it self directly over against him was the former and direct face of the Cherubims to wit the face of man and therefore the face of a man looked toward the south Whence it followeth that that face of the Lion which is said to be on the right hand of the same Verse 10. Ezekiel looked towards the East and that on the left hand of him of a bullock looking toward the West and last of all the face of an Eagle looking toward the North. And surely the same reason perswadeth that we may esteeme that those Cherubims also which did overshadow the Arke of God in the most holy place of the Temple were alike that is of a foure fashioned face especially since those which were engraven upon the walles of the temple were so as that which is read in the same Ezekiel chap. 41. vers 19. concerning their half carving doth witnesse where two of their faces being drunk up as it must needs be in such engraving on the plaine of a wall yet the other two of a man and of a lion are said to appeare looking toward the Palme-trees represented on this side and on that side both wayes And wherefore I pray you should the Cherubims be engrauen in another forme then they were of Adde hereunto that some doe take that of Psal 68. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thy congregation hath dwelt therein to bee meant of those four living creatures being the ensignes of so many bands of Israel which surely Ierome in that translation which hath its name to be according to the Hebrew truth hath thus translated * Chap. 4. animalia tua habitaverunt in ea thy living creatures dwelt therein to wit as went before in thy inheritance that is in the camp of thy people which thou leddest thorow the wildernesse Likewise the Septuagint and the vulgar which is translated thereout of hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 animalia tua thy living creatures And surely that which went before this and the former verse plainly sheweth that here that time is haÌ„dled O God when thou wentest forth before thy people when thou wentest thorow the Desert the earth shooke and the heavens dropped at the presence of God c. Likewise that which followeth concerning the plentifull raine the raine if I be not deceived of Manna and therefore to be translated a plentifull raine or liberall thou hast sent O God wherewith thou hast comforted thine in haeritance even when it was weary To say nothing of that the beginning of this Psalme is borowed from that forme of prayer which Mosâ—s vsed Numb 10.35 in the setting forward of the campes of Israel Arise O Lord and let thine enemies be scattered We have beheld the â—ncamping of God among the Israelites let chap. 4. â— us now further see how the Apocalyptique session doth in every point answere the same And I was saith Iohn in the spirit and behold a throne was set in heaven and one saâ—e on the thrâ—ne 3. And he that sate to look upon was like a Jasper stonâ— and a Sardine and there was a rainebow round abouâ— the throne in sight like to an emrald 4. And round about the throne 24 scates and upon the scates 24 Elders sitting clâ—thâ—d in white raiment and they had on their heads crownes of gold 5. And â—â—t of the throne proceeded lightnings and voice and thund rings aad there were seven lampes of fire burning before the throne which are the seven spirits of God aâ—d before the throne there was a sea of glasse like â—â—to crâ—stall 6. And in the midest of the throne and round about the throne foure Beasts full of eyes before and behinde 7. And the first Beast was like a Lyon anâ— the second Beast like a Bullock and the third Beaâ—t having a face as a Man and the fourth Beast like a flying Eagle 8. And the foure Beasts had each of them six wings about him and they were full of eyes within and the rested not day and night Chap. 4. saying Holy Holy Holy Lord God almighty which was and is and is to come 9. And when those Beasts give glâ—ry and honour and thankes to him that saâ—e on the throne who liveth for ever and ever 10 The 24 Elders fall down before him that saâ—e one the throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their crownes before the throne saying 11. thou art worthy O Lord our God to recâ—ave glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things and forthy pleasure they are and were created Doth not every severall things answere other here for first as concerning the tabernaclâ— the throne here which God sate upon being set in the midst that it was none other then the temple or tabernaâ—lâ— for the description here is fitted which is a thing observable â—o the history of both as well the seven lampes burning before it is also that glassy Sea like unâ—o Christall do shew whreof those present the candlestick of those sâ—ven lampes burning before the Oraclâ— this that great lavour in the temple of Salomon called the Sea but with this difference that that of Solomon was of brasse but this of ours of a glasse and transparent matter yet I know not whether we may suppose the allusion hereto be to that more auncient lavour of Moses Taberâ—acle since that also is said to have binne made of I Know not what matter of looking-glasses to wit of the looking-glasses of the women assembling at the doore of the tabernacle Exod. 38.8 But you may see the temple set foâ—th by the name of the throne of God Esay 6. verse 1. I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifâ—â—d up and his skiâ—ts filled the Temple Also â—er 17. 12. A glorious high thrâ—ne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary And Ezâ—â— 43.7 The place of my throne and the plaâ—â— of the stepps of my feet where I dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever c. And that it was such a throne which Iohn saw placed in the midst of the Elders and Beastes the Revelation hath it every where for gâ—anted For where could he have openly seen the Chap. 4. Altar and vnder it the soules of them that were slaâ—ne for the word of God
except the â—ngel doe take knowledge of the marke upon thee how shall he fight for thee or defend thee from thine enemies Where Nicetas the Scholiast Because being thereby marked we are acknowledged to what Lord we belong and are kept safe from snares Now let us proceed to the reâ—â— And I heard a voyce from heaven as the voyce of many waters Vers 2. and as the voyce of a great thunder and the voyce which I heard was as of harpers harping with their harpes And they sung as it were a new song before the throne and before Vers 3. the foure Beasts and the Elders c. He declareth indeed the voyce and the song of the Coelestiall Angels glorifying the Father and the Lambe after which manner they are read to have done when first the Lambe had undertaken Chap. 5.11 to unseale the booke of prophesies And having respect to Chap. 14. these Angels anon he saith vers 6. And I saw another Angel flie in the midst of heaven that is another besides one of those singers For he hath made mâ—ntion of no Angell before this except we shall say those musicians to have been a Quire of Angells Now the voice of many waters and like thunder signifieth none other thing then the voice of a very great multitude such as was wont to be heard in the Temple while it flourished of the Levites the singers singing praises to God with the voyce and musicall instruments By reason of the multitude of whom together with the acclamation of the people a sound was made like the roaring of the Sea or the noyse of Thunder It is no conjecture but a manifest thing because that in the tryumphant Song Chap 19. 6. where the parable is all one it is cleerely expresâ—ed I heard saith he as it were the voyce of a great multitude marke a great multitude and as the voyce of many waters and as the voyce of mightie thunderings saying Halleluia Hence in Ezechiel Chap. 43. 2. where in the Hebrew it is simply His voyce that is of the God of Israel as it were the voyce of many waters the Septuagints paraphrastically render it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the voyce of his hoast as it were the voyce of many doubling The Chalde likewise The voyce of those that prayse his name as the voyce of many waters Adde that out of the same Prophet concerning the Cherubins Chap. 1. 24. I heard saith he the noyse of their wings like the noyse of great waters as the voyce of the Almighty the voyce of speech as the noyse of an hoast To conclude from this nation it is that that which in Daniel is the voyce of a multitude by Iohn is put the voyce of many waters in the description of the person of the Sonne of God in the beginning of the Revelation expressed out of Daniel For that Dan. 10.6 which Daniel hath his feet like in colour to pollished brasse and the voyce of his words like the voyce of a multitute that Iohn declareth Revel 1. 15. his feet like unto fine brasse as in a burning furnace and his voyce as the sound of many waters Furthermore the song is a new one such as is sung to God after Christ is exhibited to the world Wherein indeed to him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lambe together and alone redemption power riches wisedome strength honour glory and blessing are religiously and Evangelically ascribed The forme of this song is extant Chap. 5. and that by the title of a new Chap. 14. Song that it can scarce be doubted but that respect is here had Cap. 5.9 thereto since no where else in this Booke mention is made of a new Song The Lambe say they which was slaine is worthy Cap. 5.12 that is as before is a little more plainly said by the Elders and Beasts because that he was slaine to receive power riches wisedome Vers 13. and strength and honour and glory and blessing Therefore to him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lambe be blessing and honour and glory and strength for ever and ever Amen This is the short forme of the new song which if God shall at any time make me more fully to understand I will happily more largely explaine it for it is deepely setled in my minde that the whole mysterie of Evangelicall worship is in it contained As concerning the present purpose it seemeth to be called new either as it were another or divers from that which was â—ung before Christ was sent for under him according to that saying of the Apostle Old things are passed away and behold all â— Cor. 5. 17. things are become new or for the new benefit at his coming granted to none of the former ages of the world but onely to these last times For which benefit indeed God afterward * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is honoured by thankesgiving as well by Angels as by men And to confirme this reason of the name as well that of Esay will serve Chap. 42. 9. 10. I declare new things sing to the Lord a new song the which title also of a new song divers times occurreth in the Psalmes not other wise to be understood as it seemeth then of that whereby the Divine power is praysed for some new benefit especially of delivery according to that Psalme 40. vers 2. 3. He brought me up out of an horrible pit c. and hath put a new song in my mouth or at least because according to the custome of such songs it is sung with extraordinary gladnesse and joy That both these agree with the Evangelicall song I need not strive to shew in many words the matter is plaine And no man could learne that song but the one hundred forty and Vers 3. foure thousand which are bought from the earth In the whole Christian world there is no man that hath skill to sing the song of the Angels as long as the Beast bare sway but those which be of the number of the one hundred forty and foure thousand servants of the Lambe for these onely without any spot of Idolatry doe glorifie the Father and the Lambe upon the earth as the blessed Angels in heaven doe even the very same Chap. 14. thing which in the Lords Prayer that it may be done of all the Church incessantly beggeth of the Father Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven So that a platforme or absolute example of the lawful and perfect worshiping of the Divine power cannot be taken from any but from the inhabitants of heaven These are they which are not deâ—iled with women for they are Vers 4. Virgins That is they converse not with unchaste women or harlots But what manner of women are these Surely not such as are commonly called so but Cities according to the usuall phrase of the Prophets and those indeed of Christian name but addicted to idols whose
religiously against the people of the Dragon yet with this differance that there was onely one Prince of the hoste of heaven the Lord Iâ—hovah who made heaven and earth Against whom though Autiocâ—us might exalt him selfe yet he could not throw him downe from heaven but heere in the Romane heaven there were many Princes or Divells â—ll which wholy the Emperors the sâ—anderd bearers of Christ threw downe Add here unto that this exposition may be confirmed by the Synchronisme of the dragon throw down from heaven with his guard chap. 127. The dragon fought and his Angels eight but they prevailed not neither was their place found any more in heaven nine For the great dâ—agon was cast downe which is called the devill and Satan and his Angels that is to say devils worshipped by the names of gods with him c. It followeth And all hills and Islands were removed out of their places Perhaps mountaines and Islands may be taken for â—eâ—se 14. men of loftier and meaner condition which are presently in the next verse reckoned up but that the name of an Island agreed not to this interpretation It seemeth therefore more probable if it go thus that both do signifie men of a lofty estate because that Chap. â— both are eminent the hills upon the earth the Islands in the Sea But what if we understand here by Islands not land raised up in the midst oâ— waters but Churches as they were called which being environed with a publike or private enclosure were separated from the buildings neer adjoyning So then may we not take both as well the mountains as the Islands to be meant of the Temple and shrines of idoks to be throwen downe in this tempest through the Romane Empire There is none but seeth how fitly the not on of mountaines agreeth with such an interpretation as this who is not ignorant that it is the custome of idolaters to build their Altars and shrines for their gods in such high places whereupon every where in the old testament the name of high places is frequent yea Ieremy 3. 23. of the mountaines and hills themselves to be understood of the chappells of idolles Truely saith be the hills were liers and the multitude of mountaines c. Neither now doe Islands taken for Temples refuse such interpretation since it is a chiefe property in Temples that they be like Islands that they be prophaned neither by communion or else by joyning to the walls of other houses But if that happily please not that one and the same thing be represented by two names if thou wilt and pleasest take mountaines for chappâ—ls in the country and fields and Islands for Temples of idolls in cities But in such things as these such small matters seeme not needfull to be curiously sought out as neither happily in generall is every small moment of propheticall allegories so carefully to be examined by the event It is enough if the summe of the matter every where agree Now this demolishing of shrrines and Temples came to passe by the same Author the most godly standard bearer of Chap. 6. Christ Theodosius For Constantin the great onely shut up the Temples of the gods he did not abolish them Except at Consâ—antinoble and neighbouring places Iulianus opened them again This man at length commanded them to be utterly defaced Thâ— history is obvious to any neither is it needfull that I here rehearse what is recorded of that matteâ— in Ecclesiasticall writers Yet happily â—t will not be unpleasing to heare Zosimus a pagan historian complaining or chaffing at this so cruell destiny of his gods The holy places faith he of the gods they â—attered downe throughout all cities and countries and so much they were all endangered who thought them to be gods or at all looked up to heaven and did a dore those things which are beheld therein Surely after what manner the Lord when he was about to leade old Israel out of the Aegyytian bondage is said to have executed judgement upon the gods of the Aegyptians Exodus 12. 12. Num. 33. 4. after the same manner here being about to deliver his Christ an people from the Râ—mane tyrannie he executed judgement upon the gods of the Romanes But thou wilt say had the gods no Atlantes when there was such trouble and the heaven mingled with the earth who might underpropp their falling heaven with their souldiers and encâ—unter the standard-bearers of Christ so throwing all downe Yes truely they had but they ranne the same fortune with their devills For the Kings of the earth faith he and the great men Verse 15. and the Tribunes and the rich men and the mighty men and every bondman and freeman that is Maximianus Gallerius Maxâ—ntius Maximinus with Martinianus Cesar Licinius â—ulianus Emperors Chap. 6. adde also if â—hou wilt Eugenius and â—rbogastes tyrants with all the companions of their infidelity of what order and degree soever who with might and maine endeavoured to defend their ancient Religion and to help the state of their gods now going to destruction and to restore it now fallen and lâ—st at last were brought to such streights that they hide themselves in the Vers 16. dens and Rockes of the mountaines And said to the mountaines and to the rockes fall upon us and hide us from the â—ace of him that fitteth upon the throne and from the wrath of the Lambe For Verse 1â— the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand It is a shamefull representation as well of them that flye and hide themselves as also of those that are weary of their lives through despaire of their estates The like unto which thou hast concerning the destruction of the inhabitants of Jerusalem Luke 23.30 Likewise Hosâ—a 10. 8. of the destruction of Samaria and of the â—dollâ— thereof but the whole Esay 2. 18. But here the Reader may observe this first that in these words is contained the key for the opening of this whole vision to wit that here is handled some glorious victory of the Lambe whereby he subdueth and overthâ—oweth his enemies with a deadly destruction Furthermore since these whose destruction is described flye from their enemie the Lambe and are willing to bee hidden from his wrath thence it may appeare though it bee directed by no Synchronisme that that destruction is not to bee applyed in no hand to Christian Kings but strangers from Christ and thereupon ought not to bee interpreted of the slaughters brought upon the then newly Christian Empire by the Goths and other barbarous Nations That which lastly the Kings Princes Tribunes and the other Gentiles which were in the same condition with them doe adde Chap. 6. That the great day of the wrath of the Lambe was come and that Verse 17. none could be able to stand They are the words of men acknowledging the power of Christ whom untill this time they had contemned in respect of their
much answerable to the condition of the world Naturall and accordingly represented in Scripture for as the world Naturall consists of heaven and earth so in each State a Kingdome is found somwhat answerable hereunto and that is the Nobilitie and the Laitie And as in heaven there are Sunne Moone and Starres of lesser and greater magnitude so in every Kingdome there is a King and Queene and Nobles and that in great varietie of degrees of magnitude And as in the earth there is great variety of creatures as of trees of various sorts and of herbs and flowers so in the people of any Common-wealth is found great varietie of differences And upon this ground and by this course of interpretation which hee taketh whereas other Writers many times give prety interpretations which the Reader perhaps could wish to be true Mr Mede by his grounds and manner of proceeding convinceth the Reader of the truth of that sense and meaning the Text which is delivered by him even to admiration 2 And when this is done as for the accomodation of the matter of fact in this prophecie thus interpreted by him unto its proper time this requireth great skill in History and I have found that Master Medes friends who have been acquainted with the course of his Studies would give him the bell for this as herein out-stripping all others Thirdly I have observed some notable distinctions in this Comentarie of Master Mede which have given me great content as giving great light to the cleare understanding of many things which otherwise would prove very obscure As for example 1 The distinction between the book-sealed with seaven seales which he calles the greater book the contents whereof indeed are very large containing an History from the beginning of the preaching of the Gospel to the end of the world and this hee saith containes fata imperij the fortunes oâ— destinies of the Empire 2 and the little book mentioned Revel 10. which he saith containes fata Ecclesiae the fortunes or destinies of the Church The first containes the seaven Seales and the seaven Trumpets for the seaventh Seale produceth the seaven Trumpets 1 The six first Seales containe the Storie of the Empires continuance unto the dayes of Constantine included in whose dayes there being a strange Metamorphosis of the Empire from Heathen to Christian this change is represented in such a manner as if it were the ending of the world and the beginning of a new which in my conceit seems very judiciously delivered by him 2 Then the seaven Trumpets which are the contents and matter of the seaventh Seale represent the judgements of God upon the world for standing out against the Gospel and shedding the blood of the Saints 1 By the heathen Emperours and for that cause ruine was brought upon the Empire by degrees untill it was rent and torne into ten Kingdomes which is set forth by the parts thereof in foure degrees and accordingly that â—ills up the materiall contents of the foure first Trumpets 2 The other three Trumpets are called Woe Trumpets containing the judgements of God upon the Antichristian world the degenerate States of Christendome First by the Saracens the contents of the first Woe Trumpet 2 By the Turkes the contents of the second Woe Trumpet chap. 9. 3 By the end of the world Revel 11. 15. 2 Another distinction there is mentioned by him and which carrieth great light with it of great use for the clearing of the state of Christs glorious Kingdom here on earth and that is Revel 21.24 And the Nations that are saved 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is which escape the fire or are saved from the fire at Christs coming shall walk in the light of new Ierusalem by which it appeares clearly that new Ierusalem is one thing and the Nations that escape and are saved from the fire wherewith the earth and all the workes thereof shall be burnt in the day of Christs coming 2. Pet. 2. and 1. Thes 1. and 2. these I say are another thing and must be distinguished from new Ierusalem For in the light of this new Ierusalem those nations shall walk as is expresly testified And the distinction Mr Mede conceaves to be this By new Ierusalem is meant Christ and his raised Saints who are called the Saints whom he shall bring with him 1. Thes 4. and by the nations are meant all the faithfull servants of God who shall be found here alive at Christs coming 3 And I finde that the want of distinguishing these the ancient Fathers and perticularly Epiphanius have discoursed very wildely against the glorious Kingdom of Christ here on earth yet in just opposition to the Corinthians whose guise it was to discourse very carnally of the glorious Kingdome of Christ The consideration whereof moved Austin to relinquish the doctrine of Christs Kingdome here on earth which formerly hee embraced as himself professeth in one of his works Decivitate Dei where he treats thereof 4 Yet as Mr Mede hath in my judgement exceeded in merit all others that went before him in this Argument so others after him may go beyond him in some perticulars As to instance in a perticular or two or three 1 The discovery of the true meaning of the number of the Beast 666. by Mr Potter wherewith Master Mede himself was exceedingly taken even to admiration professing it to be the greatest mystery that hath been discovered since the beginning of the world 2 The same Master Potter hath other strange mysteries to be discovered out of the same number and especially out of the fraction thereof which as yet he hath not made publike 3 So likewise in explication of the mysterie of the two Beasts mentioned Revel 13. hee differeth from Mr Mede And I have seen an excellent discourse thereupon but as yet he hath not communicated it to the world What cause have wee to blesse God for bringing us forth in these dayes of light may we not apply that of Esay unto these times when darkenesse Esay 6â— 2. covered the earth and grosse darkenesse the people the Lord hath risen upon us and his glorie hath beene seene upon us 1 Not onely in respect of the great Reformation wrought in this Westerne part of the world an hundred yeeres agoe and more God awaking as it were out of a sleep and like a gyant refreshed with wine and the Lord Christ awaking and stirring up his strength for the raising up of Iacob and restoring the desolations of Israel and blessing us with a resurrection of his Gospel and discovering the man of sin and blasting him with the breath of his mouth 2 But also opening the mysterie of the slaughter of the Witnesses which we have just reason to conceive to have beene on foot divers yeares not by judiciall proceedings only in the Martyrdom of Gods Saints but by the sword of war First in the Low-Countries then in France after that in Bohemia then in Germany which how long it should continue
Mr Mede professeth to be vncertaine and now amongst us First in Ireland then in England and that by the Antichristian generation with so manifest oppositon unto truth and holinesse under a Protestant Prince as I thinke the like was never known since the beginning of the world After this strange warre and slaughter of the Witnesses which hasteneth to a Period the continuance of it shall be but three years and an half in which space of time they that dwell on the earth shall rejoyce over them and make merrie and send gifts one to another because these prophets tormented them that dwelt upon the earth But after three dayes and an halfe when the Spirit of life from God should enter into them and they stand upon their feet great feare should fall upon them which saw them And a voyce shall bee heard from heaven saying unto them Come up hither And they shall ascend up to heaven in a cloud and their enemies shall behold them But certainely when that comes to passe the same houre there shall be an Earthquake and the tenth part of the Citie shall fall This Citie undoubtedly is Rome which Master Mede proveth curiously to be at this day precisely the tenth part of the Citie of Rome as it was in Saint Iohns dayes when this prophecie came forth and in the Earthquakes shall be slaine of men of names of men seaven thousand which Master Mede interpreteth men of qualitie It followeth The second Woe is past Now that Woe was the plague of the Christian world by the Turkes whereby is signified the destruction of the Turkes which people I take to be all one with Gog and Magog in Ezekiel represented there as the great enemies of the Iewes invading the land of Jewrie And the Hebrew doctors conceave that warre of Gog and Magog to be yet to come Here it may be objected that the Turke is Lord of the land of Canaan already I grant it but when the time shall come for the calling of the Iewes which Master Mede conceaved should be wrought in a strange manner by the appearing of Christ unto them as he appeared unto Paul at his conversion Saint Paul acknowledging that grace to have been shewed to him first implying that the like grace should be shewed to others after him Then I say upon this their conversion they shall gather themselves together from all places toward the land of Canaan where shall be the place of Christs throne in his glorious kingdome here on earth upon which coming of the Iewes into the land of Canaan the Grand Seignior will be moved to raise all his power gathered together out of all Nations under him to oppose them and at first shall prevaile as we read Ezekiel 28. and Zachariah 14. in the beginning but in the issue the Iewes shall prevaile For Saviours shall come up on Mount SION and the Kingdome shall bee the Lords Obadiah 21. Thither shall the Lord cause his Mightie ones to come downe Let the Heathen bee awakened and come up to the valley of Iehoshaphat for there will I sit to judge all the Heathâ—n round about Joel 3. 11 12. And the Lord shall be King over all the earth in that day shall there bee one Lord and his Name One Zachariah 14. 9. So that this implies the calling of the Iewes a little before And whereas both Gog and Magog shall be destoyed by fire Ezechiel 39. and the Man of sinne by fire 2. Thessalonians 2. Master Mede was of opinion that all this is but one and the same fire even the fire that shall bee at Christs comming 2. Thessalonians 1. 8. and 2. 8. Then follows the second Resurrection of the dead and Christs Kingdom the contents of the seaventh Trumpet Revelation 11. 15. Even so come Lord Iesus Come quickly William Twisse The Translator to the Reader GOD at sundry times and in divers manners Heb. 1. 1 2 spake in time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets He hath spoken unto us in these last dayes by his SONNE by whom not onely the Gospel of Salvation is communicated unto us but also the revelation of future events to Revel 1.1 fall out in this last age of the world to be shewed to his servants signified by his Angels unto Iohn one of his Witnesses and Apostles most necessarie for our knowledge as appeareth by the Blessing pronounced to him that readeth and them that Revel 1.5 heare the words of the Prophecie and keepe those things which are written therein For the time was then at hand when some of them should fall out and all in their severall seasons foreset The obscuritis of this as of all other Prophecies untill the event should manifest them hath discouraged many in bestowing their time to read and meditate therein not considering that the Almightie Lord who having the abundance of Spirit Matth. 13. 34. could have set forth all things easie to the understanding of the simplest hath so disposed his Treasures that by prayer and diligence men might be enabled through the guidance of the Spirit to attain unto them and so have them in greater estimation Many learned men have written Expositions of parts of this Revelation some of the whole amongst them I fell upon this learned Commentarie of Master Medes with the Apocalyptique Key before it The Exposition and Methode so pleased me though the phrase were something difficult that to make the better impression of it in my memorie I undertooke to translate it and did finish it long since I communicated it with some friends and subjected it to their correction hence it comes to passe by their desire that it is made publike I humbly crave pardon if my ill expression hath detracted from the Authors learned labour I confesse I have followed the Latine phrase so neere that howsoever the true sence may be expressed yet there wants the English elegancâ—e and if I mistake not the Author himselfe hath so many Hebraismes and Graecismes as make the Latine more crabbed and lesse intelligible but in my poore opinion none hath more accurately and deepely searched and found the sence of those obscure places of Scripture which he hath handled in this and other his writings It were to be wished that his intended larger Commentarie which I am perswaded he hath written and purposed to put forth as he promised at the end of the 14th chapter had not been hindred as I finde by some of his letters they were That opinion the pretended cause of restraint of his further progresse concerning the 1000 yeeres Râ—igne of Christ grounded upon the 20th chapter of the Revelation with the authorities and reasons for the same howsoever it be not received by many as Orthodox yet is delivered with that moderation and subjection to the censure of the Church that it can displease no man nor is it for ought I can see contrary to the Analogie of Faith and may bee usefull for the conversion of the Iewes who
length that his seat was to be shaken and his kingdome darkned appeareth chap. 16. ver 10. Therefore five of the Vialls at the least are powred out before the sixt trumpet left sounding and I beleeve also the sixt for the seaventh Viall which is the Viall of conâ—ummation there verse 17. 18. doth therefore concurre with the beginning of the seaventh trumpet which likewise is the trumpet of consummation chap. 10. ver 6. The fourth Synchronisme Of the thousand yeeres of the Dragons or Satans being bound with the seaventh trumpet or space from the destruction of the Beast Chap. 20. That this of the binding of Sathan may the better be understood Chap. 11. that is to be premised before the demonstration that in the text it is said that then thereupon Satan is not onely cast into the bottomlesse pit but there shut up and moreover chap. 20. 3. that the Angel had sealed it up upon him that hee should no more seduce the Nations untill the thousand yeers were consummate that is had surely enclosed him that at no hand hee should come forth For it was the manner of the Hebrewes and neighbouring Nations when they would surely shut and make fast a doore they sealed it So the stone put upon the Lions denne whereinto Daniel was cast king Darius sealed with his ring and with the ring of his Lords Daniel 6. * In the Apocryphall History the servants of Daniel shut the doores of 〈◊〉 and Dâ—agâ—n verse 11. the teâ—ple of Bel and seale it with the kings ring Likewise the Jewes Matth. 27. 66. did shut the Sepulchre of our Saviour or madeit sure by seâ—ling the stone c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where is to be observed that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doe mutually expound themselves For it is one thâ—â—g to be cast downe from heaven Chap. 12. which so many apply to this place and quite another to be bound to be shut up in a bottomlesse pit and to be sealed The first taketh not away the libertie of wandring abroad and doing hurt but the other by no meanes suffereth to come out of his prison yea I dare affirme that none of those things which are related in the 20th Chapter doe appeare in the 12. neither againe concerning that which is rehearsed in the 12. Chapter is there any word extant in the 20. so far it is off that the same thing should be represented in both Let us examine it a little In the 20. Chap there are four things related of the Dragon First that hee was apprehended by the Angel which descended from heaven Secondly bound Thirdly cast into a bottomlâ—ss â—pit Fourthly that he was shut up and sealed But thou shalt finde none of these in the 12th chap. Likewise that one thing which is declared in the 12. Chapter concerning the casting down of the Dragon from heaven into the earth of that there is not one * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sillable in th 20th yea it may plainely bee gathered out of the context that that was not at all then done for it is said there that the Angel which did come to binde the dragon descended from heaâ—en therfore the dragon was even then upon the earth For otherwise wherefore should the Angel descend from heaven to apprehend him hereupon cha 12 Michael descended not froÌ„ heaven but in the very heaven he fighteth hand to hand with the divell These things thus premised let us come to the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 demonstration of the Synchronisme 1. Arg. Vnder the first six seales the Dragon or Satan was free Arg 1 and loose likewise under the first six trumpets of the seventh seale therefore it remaineth that the 1000. yeeres of the binding of Satan are cast upon the time of the seventh trumpet For that Satan or the Dragon was not bound while the six first seales did yet run their course appeareth by this that during all that space he brussling with seven heads and seven Crownâ—s fought in heaven with Michael about the child-birth of the woman as lately hath been shewed Synch 2. But neither came it to passe in the six first trumpets of the following seale for this is the time of the woman in the wildernes and of the raigning ten horned Beast as appeareth out of the first Synchronisme of this part Surely it was far wide that the Dragon should be thought to be bound while the woman lived in the wildernesse who being throwne downe by Michael from heaven did endeavour to drowne her in her â—light with the flood of waters which he cast out of his mouth and then when this tooke none effect according to his minde the earth swallowing up the flood and the woman now received into the wâ—ldernesse being inflamed with wrath and fury hee went to make warre with the remnant of her seed which kept the Commandments of God and had the testimonie of Jesus Chap. 12. verse 13 15 17. Are these tokens of Satan bound But let us see also concerning the Beast and heare how the Dragon was bound under his raigne to wit the Dragon gave his power and his throne and great authoritie and all the world wondring followed the Beast and they worshipped the Dragon which gave power unto the Beast chap. 13. verse 2 3 4. But perhaps Satan was able to doe all these things from out of his prison certainly being shut up and sealed he could not But that there may be no shifting place left and that it may plainly appear how free and loose the Dragon was yet to commit those same villanies from which being once imprisoned he is said to be restrained behold another * Aiuâ—â—â—m scholler of his the falâ—e prophet being the inseparable companion of the ten horned Beast the administrator of his Bestiall authority of whom thou hast it expresly written that he did great wonders and that he deceived the Chap 13. 13 14. inhabitants of the earth by the signes which were permitted him to doe will any one now eaâ—â—ly beleeve these Beasts carrying things thus thâ—t the 〈◊〉 that is Satan was bound that he was cast into a bottomlâ—ssâ—â—it and 〈◊〉 up that hee might not deceive the people 〈…〉 â—ccording to the 20th chap. ver 2.3 Moreover out of the trumpets themselves for halfe the time at least an arguâ—ent is not wanting of the devils libertie and freedome â—or what is that king of the locusts of the fifth trumpet which is called the angel of the bottomlesse pit whose name in Hebrew is Aâ—addon and in Greek Apollyon and whom Saint Iohn painteth out to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him who fel from Chap 〈…〉 heaven lately into the earth that very same Dragon and Satan whom Michael before the sound of the trumpets had thrust downe from heaven unto the earth Neither doe I remember that in the whole Revelation there is read of any other besides him to have fallen upon the earth neither doe I know
knowledge thereof wherein I douâ—t not â—ut any will be of the same minde with me who shall throughly consider the matter The Theater being prepared in thâ—s manner â—he which sate upon the throne reacheth forth in his right hand a book written Chap. 5. wiâ—hin and on the backside closed with â—â—aven seals and therewithall Verse â—â— 2 an Angel coming forth upon the stage with alâ—ud voice proclaimâ—th that â—f power were given to any to open it whereby those things might be seen and read that were therein contained he should take it iâ—to hâ—s hands and endeavour it a thing without doubt if he shall perform would be very acceptable to all that are enflamâ—d with a desire of secret things And in truth the book was most worthy that any one should strive with aâ—l the powers â—f his wisdom and industry to oâ—en it as a book of prophesies or of the the councells of God wherein is contrived the series and order of thiâ—gs to be done till that second and glorious câ—mming of Christ For of such sorte certainly that double prophecie following of things to come which that booke did containe appeareth for to be which is the cause â—nles I be deceived why Iohn going about to set forth his visions prefixed in the fronte of â—is history the description of that gloriouâ— comming as â—t were the bond of the Apocalyptique race Behold Hypotyposiâ— Chap. 5. saith he chap. 1.7 he commeth with the cloudes of heaven and every eye shaâ—l see him they also which pierced him and all tribes of the earth shall waile over him as if he should say this is the scope his is the the bound of the visions which shall declare But whâ—n no man in heaven nor in earth neither under the Verse 3 4 5 6 7. earth was able to open the book and â—he matâ—er seemed now to be past help so that Iohn brake forth into weeping for griefe behold a Lambe seeming as it had beâ—n sâ—in that is bearing the signes and of his by past death rose up in the midst of the throne Skarts of elders and Beasts and took the book to unseal and open as who alone above all had deserved the power to do it Now this being seen forth with the Quire of Beasts and elders Verse 8. together with the Angels standing round about and all creatures in generall being full of joy sing a song of praise to the Lamb and to his father Wherein I thought good to observe that alone that they plainly refer the power of opening the book to the merit of the passion of the Lamb. Thou art worthy say they to open Verse 9.10.11 12.13 14. the book and the seaâ—s thereof because thou wast slainâ— and hast redeemed us to God with thy blood out of every tribe and people and tongue and nation Out of which perhaps light may come to the saying of our Saviour neither having as yet suffered nor entred into his glory of that day and houre suppose of his second Mat. 42. 36. coming whether it should bâ— sooner or later no man knoweth no not the Angels in heaven nor the Son but the father onely For why as yet the Revelation was not given to Christ of the father nor the order of things to be done unâ—ill his coming opened I affirme nothing rashly let the reader way the matter well with himselfe The Lamb thus opening the book at every severall seal thereof Chap. 6. singular types of things to come are exhibited the body whereof runneth through the whole Apocalyptique race and so concludeth Systema the first universall prophâ—cie The interpretation whereof now by the favour of him that sitteth on the throne and of the Lamb we will undertake Chap 6. Concerning the two Apocalyptique propâ—eces The first prophecie of the seales comprehendeth the destinies of the Empire The other of the little book the destinies of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Church or of christian religion untill at length both shall be united in the Church raigning the kingdoms of this world becoming Chap 11. 15. our Lords and his Christ For as in the old testament Daniel did foreshew as well the coming of Christ as also did digest the destinies of the Iewish church according to the successions of Empires so it is to be conceived that the Apocalyps doth measure the state of Christanity by the affairs of the Romane Empire which should yet remain after Christ Neither doth the event crosse it For the interpretation of the first prophecie out of this generall supposition thus procâ—edâ—th Of the first prophecie which is of the seals and first of the things meant by the first six seals The sâ—ope of the seven seals in sum is that there might be shewed by the distances of ensuing time distinguished by the characters of events in what order of the chances of the Romane empire running out it should come to passe that Christ should vanquish the Gods of the world what whom he had begun war to wit in the sixt course or sixt seal the Gods of the Empire of Rome heathen but in the seventh when the course of the trumpets shall come to the last trumpet whatsoever else of the worship of idols and devils did after there a new or should as yet any where else in the world arise should be utterly destroyed For he must reign untill he have put all his enemies under his feet that is shall have abolished all contrary principality auâ—hority and power 1. Cor. 15. 25. Let us in the first place handle the first period as order requireth Chap. â— The first six seals therefore by a six fold character of events not much unlike to those which our Saviour also had foreset for the appointed time of the overthrow of Ierusalem do distinguish so many different times of the yet standing and flourishing Romane Empire untill at length in the sixt Christ should utterly overthrow the power of idols and heathen gods in that region Now characters I call the notable chances of the Romane Empire whereby as by certain emblems the different times are disceâ—ned and those in this first period not brought from without by the barbarous nations such as were of the Empire under the plagues of the seven rumpets afterwards falling but intestine chances and rising in the very Empire it selfe which difference certainly is therefore set by the holy spirit that by unlike markes the unlike times of the Râ—ane estate here flourishing there decaying may be described Moreover that commeth here to be observed Since these characters of châ—nces which I have named scarse or seldom go through the whole space of the seal and therefore no way by themselves avail for the limiting of their different times by any certain beginning and end therefore the holy Ghost in the four first seals where that should be most requisite as well for the cause aforesaid as for the in equality of the different times
beasts raged in these times in the Roman Empire it will then point out that evill wherewith the Easterne and Southerne regions were usually pâ—stered in this case namely that when the famine and the pestilence raged the Beasts would grow strong against men and slay them as may be sâ—en Levit. 26.22 Ezek. 14.15.21 But Deut. 7 22 the changing of the construction doth more favour the former opinion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if thou render it atque id per Bestias terrae and that by the Beasts of the earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quartam partem terra the fourth part of the Verse â— earth-over which it is said power was given to hell and to death to tyranize except any conceive himself able to defend the vulgar interpreter here with whom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is ' Chap. â— a quaternion or four parts of the earth I expound it of the chiefest or by much the greatest part of the Romane Empire For since the third part of the earth as shall be said in the proper place doth note out the largenesse of the Romane Empire by consequence the fourth part of the earth is the same dominion of Rome lesse by a fourth part and so that three or four fold company of calamities went through three quarters of the Romane Empire that is almost the whole one fourth part thereof onely being free And surely Orâ—sius seemeth to affirme that the pestilence extended not it selfe further then to use his words the Edicts of Decius did run for the overthrow of the Churches Of the rest I have nothing to say And thus much of the 4th Seale Of the fifth Seale The two Seales that follow have no help from the Beasts as the former had concerning the time of their beginning and therefore none here any more to be seene that sit upon horses whereeupon that signification given by the Beasts did depend the space therefore of both is there to begin where the chance of the Seale going before left which certainly may be very easie where the chances as here shall be such that the determination of them cannot lie hid in respect of remarkeable evidence Wherefore the fifth Seale shall begin from the Empire of Aurelianus in the yeere 268. at what time the fifteene yeers peâ—tilence is extinguished which was the longest of all the calamities of the former Seale Now the most notable chance of the Roman estate under this Seale and which went beyond all other events of that time is that Persecution of the Christians begun by Dioclesian continued by others the most bitter by much of all which ever were Former ages saw nothing comparable to this It was longer and more â—ruell they are the words of Orosius then almost any forepassed For there was a continuall burning of Churches proscribing of Innocents slaughter of Marâ—yrs for ten yeeres space Forthwith in the beginning of that ten yeeres within thirtie dayes about 17000. men are reported to have been butchered neither did the furie of the persecuters asswage in the progresse of time In Egypt alone how small a part of the Empire of Rome if Chap. 6. De emâ—â—datione tempâ—â—um lib. 5. de prime anno Dâ—ocletiam Coptitar credit be given to Doctor Ignatius Patriarch of Antioch as Scaliger hath it there were butchered 144000. men and 700. banished whence the Diocletian Aera took its name among the Egyptians and that to this day it should be called the Martyrs Aera what now doest thou judge was done in the other Provinces through the Romane Empire All the world almost was stained with the Sacred blood of the Martyrs saith Sulpitius Severus The world was never more exhausted of blood by any wars neither did the Church ever conquer with greater triumph they are the words of the same Author then when it could not be conquered with ten yeeres slaughter This slaughter is figured by the vision of the souls of those that were slaine for the word of God and for the testimonie which Verse â— they bare lying under the Altar that is upon the ground at the foot of the Altar like Sacrifices newly â—laine For Martyrdom is a certain kind of sacrifice whence that of the Apostle to Timothy his Martyrdom being at hand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand 2. Tim. 4.6 To the same purpose also is that of the same Apostle to the Philippians 2. 17. If I be offered up upon the sacrifice and service of your faith c. That further they are said to cry to God with alowde voice requiring vengeance of their blood it is a Periphrasis of extream cruelty and rype for judgement as it were such as for the barbarousnes therof did sollicite the very patience of God to revenge How long say they Lord holy and true doest thou not judge and revenge our blood upon them which dwell upon the earth Verse 10. In the mean while there are given to every one of them white robes that is they are chosen into the order of the blessed The Veâ—sâ— 11. similitude being taken from the customâ— of the Jewes in approving admitting priests to wit receiving those whom for their genealogie and perfection of body they had judged fit being clothed with white robes into the court of the Priests and so chosing them into the order of priesthood Majemonides in Mischine lib. 8. tit Biath Hammikdasâ— cha 6. § 11. That which is cleerly expressed cha 7.13 14 15. whereof those that were clothed with white robes it is said That they are before the throne of God worship him to wit as priests day night in the temple But to the cry of blood it is answered that they should rest yet a little while untill their fellow servants were fulfilled and Chap. 6. their brethren which were to be slaine as they were that is that they should forbeare a little while untill some of their brethren should be added to the number who after that Christianisme did now begin to reigne were as they likewise to be slaine under Licinius Julianus and the Arrians and then at the sounding of the trumpets solemne revenge should be taken of the Empire guiltie of so much blood Of the sixth Seale The sixth Seale beginneth where the fifth endeth that is from the yeere of Christ 311. wherein that terrible ten yeers persecution ceased Now the chance is an admirable shaking of the heaven and the earth Whereby that wonderfull change and subversion of the State of Rome heathen by Constantine the great and his Successours the Standard-bearers of the Lambe is figured whereby suppose all the heathen gods shaken out of their heaven the Bishops and priests degraded dejected and deprived of their revenewes for ever the Temple Churches and Shrines of devils through the whole Romane Empire dashed beaten downe burned and demolished Furthermore the Emperous Kings and Princes who thought to help their
gods so greatly in danger to denounce war against Christs Standerd-bearers to fight with their forces and being even conquered to renew the battell with all their strength were slaine with admirable slaughters discomfited and put to â—light untill at last the estate growing desperate there was none could be found to succour any more the Romane religion entring into ruine with so great a crash So I conceive I have comprehended in a few words whatsoever the holy Ghost would set â—ut by those lofty allegories pertaining to this seal And this is the first fulfilling of the victory of Christ the foundation whereof was laid in the first seal For the noting of which in what age of the Empire it should happen the seales which hitherto have gone before doe serve the differences of time which in the meane space did run on being foreshewed It remaineth now that we apply to the severall parts of the propheticall Chap. 6. allegorie the interpretation already given and shew the reason thereof which we will doe the whole context being first se â—efore our eyes which is thuâ— 12. And I beheld when he haâ— opeâ—eath sixt seal and lo there was a great earthquake and the Sâ—n became as black as sackcloth of haire and â—he whole Moone became like blood 13. And the stars of heaven fell upon the earth as a figâ—ree â—asteth her unripe figgs when it is shaken of a mighty windâ— and the heaven departed as a booke that is rolle together 14. And every mountain and Island were moved out of their places 15. And the Kings of the earth and the great men and the tribunes and the rich men and the mighty and â—very bond â—an and every freeman hide themselves in dens and the rocks of the mounâ—ains 16. And said to the mountains and rockâ— fall on us and hiâ—e us from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne aâ—d from the wrath of the Lamb. 17. Becâ—use the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand These representations of terrible slaughters and as I may say turning things upside down are oâ—dinary used by the prophets Majeâ—onides Moâ—e Neb part 2 cap 29. The Aâ—aâ—ians say of him to whom some singuler miâ—forâ—â—ne hath happened that his heaven iâ— turâ—ed o eaâ—th or hath falleâ— upon hiâ— eaâ—th compare it wâ—â—h â—amenâ— â— 1 Chap. 6. after the custom of the East as our poets also have their figures their ornaments So Ieremy chap. 4. 24. he desâ—ribeth the destruction of Iudea as if all things were to be reâ—uced to tâ—e ancient Chaos I beheld the earth saith he and behold 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it was without forme and void and the heavens and there was no light in them I saw the mountaines and lo they were moved and all the hils and they were disordered See the rest likewise Ioel chap. 2. 10. of the horrible destruction thereof by the army of the Northerne Locusts The earth trembled saith he before him the heavens were moved â—he sun and moone were darkned and the stars withdrew their brâ—ghtnesse But let us handle every one of them more distinctly Behold saith he there was a great earthquake in the Greeke Verse 1◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a shaking of heaven and earth as in the words following is manifest For the latine word terrae motus not doth fully expresse the Greek For such aâ— earthquake witnesse the Apostle Hâ—brewes 12. 26. upon the place of Haggai yet once more and â—aggai â— 6. I will shake the heaven and the earth sheweth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hag. 2.6 the change of those things that are shaken which may be confirmed out of the same Haggaus Vers 21 22. of the same chaptâ—r where he iâ—terpreteth this parable of the change and alallteration of the kingdomes of the world by way of further explication I will shake the heaven and the earth and will ouerthrow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the throne of kingdomes and will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen c. we therefore as els wher in the Apocalyps so here also will understand by the shaking of the earth and heaven the ruine of things and as it were the turning of things vpside downe And now the object of this change as of the former chaunces also under the Seales is the Romane Empyre but not the Politique gouernment by the Cesars for this forme is not yet to be dissolved but as it is subiect in a religious respect to Satan as Prince and to his angells the divells This â—ivellish government of the Roman Empyre the storme of which resteth vpon this Seale shall be overthrowne and broken in peeces with a great noise And the Same becamâ— black as sackcloth of haire and the Moone became as blood that is through defect of â—he adjective became ellipsim as redd as blood now it is a circumlocution of the eclipse of the ligths where in the Sunne is wont to appeare black but the Chap. 6. Moone reddish To which that of Esay chap. 13. 10. concerning the punishment of Babilon is altogether like The same shall be darkened verse 21. in his rising and the Moone shall not give foorth her light Septuagiat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Mattheu 24. 29. neither is there any other sense to be made in the opinion of Aben Ezra of that in the same Esay câ—ap 24. concerning the dstruction wherewith the Lord being about to raigne in Ierusalem all on as in this Seale would puâ—nish the hoaste of heaven an high aâ—d the Kings of the earth vpon the earth The moone saieth he shal be confounded and the sunn shal be ashamed that is both Verse 23. of them as if they hid their faces for shame shall be covered with daâ—kenes when the Lord of hoasts shall raâ—gne iâ— mount Sion and in Ierusalem and in the sight of his auncients gloriously But what doe these thinges thou wilt say belonge to the Romane Demonarchie hearken and I will tell thee In the prophets as thou shalt heare anon in the following visions every kingdom and bodie of goâ—ernment resembleth the world as the partes also the heaven the earth the stars serve for that repreâ—entation * That it was common with the Easterâ—e nations to vse the parable of the world to figure things it may appeare by the chimi call philosophy proceeding from the Arabians and â—gyptians wherin all most every wordly body likned to the world is said to be compact of heaven Earth and starrs for proofe whereof to omitt others that on place of Esay suffizeth chap. 51. 15. I am the Lord thy God who divided the Sea it is the Red sea and the waves thereof roared the Lords of â—oasts is his name 16. And I putt my words in thy mouth that is I give thee my law and covered thee with the shadow of mine hand that I may plante the heavenâ— and lay the foundation of
the earth that is make thee a kingdome or politique world and say uâ—to Sion thou art my people The speech is of the deliverance wherewith God delivered the people of Israâ—l out of Egypt that of them he mâ—ght found a kingdom or common wealth for himself in the land of promise Oâ—t of which also it will not be harde to gather what that new heaven and new earth may be in the same prophet chap. 65. 17 and 66.22 â—o wit a new world of the â—ame forme According to this representation therefore heaven in the Chap. 6. propheticall notion shall expresse whatsoever is lofty in the state of any kingdome or common wealth contrariwise the Earth that which is inâ—eriour and he stâ—râ— those who obtaine and beare râ—place in that height by which reason the Sâ—nne and the Moone the principall light of heaven the Sunne will point out the first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and chiefest Majesty and dignity of a kâ—ngdome the Moone the next to the first which câ—rteinly it is so true that the Chalde paraphrast in the prophets often times for the Sunne and Moone doth put Kingdome and glory as Esay 90 20 Iâ—r 15. 9. Lâ—t therefore the Sunne in the Romane kingdome of idolls by right of principality be â—he Dâ—agon him selfe or Satan especially since the holy Ghost from him hath named the whol Romane Empyre in this state â—hat is here hanâ—led chap. 12. the Red seven Verse â— headed Dargon as there we shalâ—see The Moone the second light of this heaven thou mayâ—st call the high Pristâ—ood now from the very beginning anuexed to the Emperiall majesty and as it were a part of him or rather the Emperor being the high Priâ—st of Sathan with the whole colledge of high Priests who made on body with the Emperor their head and the same were chiefe both in the Religious services of the Gods and the whole Cicero in orat Pro Domo ad â— Pontif. Dioniâ— lib. 2. common wealth not bound to give any account to any power of Senate or any aboue themselves and therefore not without cause to have the second place in this kingdome to the Dragon himself I confesse it is not allwayes needfull that in such allegories so exact an account of every thing should be requiâ—ed but when it may be donne leâ—t us apply every severall peâ—â—icle The Sunne therefore which we have shewed was then made black and suffered the eclipse and darkning of hiâ— dâ—refull majesty when the Romane Emperors renouncing by â—apâ—iâ—me him with Chap. 6. all his Angells pompes and worâ—hip gave them selves over to Christ the â—â—â—n of righteousnes The Sunnâ— being thus darkned and deprived of its light how shall the Mooâ—â— which â—orrowetâ— all her light from the sunne be safe And surely Constantinus Constantius Valentianus Valeus straight way as it was meete did renounce the thing it self or the office of the high prâ—â—â—hood denying thenceforth to serve the divell yet the name which you would wonder at they did noâ— presently reject but retayned it a litle while added â—o the rest of their titles Gratianus first a worthy work refused the title as also the poâ—â—ificial robe offered him by the Preâ—stes after the custâ—me as unworthy a Christian man which chang surely was of such consequence that the Holy Ghost thenceforth will account â—he Romane Caesar so deprived of his Preisthood for a new as it were head and King of the Romane Beaste as in chap. 17. we shall â—eare But it that Moon shonne with some light though dimme and weake untill Thâ—â—doâ—â—us the first that Malle of hetheniâ—me tooke away â—veâ— the very colâ—edge of the poâ—â—ists with all the other râ—bble of Preestâ—s by on â—dict Emplâ—ying all their revenâ—w for his exchequor Now therefore it was tyme for Sathan to seeke out for him selfe another high preiste But I go unto the rest And the â—â—aâ—rs of heaven fell â—â—to the earth as a fig-tree casteth her greene fiâ—gs when it is shâ—ken of a mighty made and the ver 1â— heaven departâ—◠〈◊〉 a booke that is â—owlâ— togâ—ther Oâ— the heaven vanished c. That is the stars of heaven appeared verâ— 14. not even as letters vaâ—ish in a booke rowled up together aftâ—r the manner of the auncieâ—ts For there is an â—llipsis of the former substantive on both sides familiar in the Hebrew as Deut. â—0 19 2 kinges 28. 31. and elswhere often So that this of the Chap. â— disapearing of the heaven and the other of the faâ—l of the starrs do mutually explayne themselves neither are they to be seperated from on another as it is amisse distinguished but they ought to have binne included within the same point But the whole plaâ—e is taken out of Eâ—ay chap. 34. V. 4. where plainly in the selfe â—ame representation but inverting the order the holy Ghoâ—â—â— doth paint out the destructioâ—â—ond ruine of the Kingdom of Edom as heare the kingdom of Idolls The heavens saieth he shal be rowled together as a booke and all the hoasts of them that is the starrs shall faâ—l downe as the leafe from the vine tree and as a falâ—iâ—g greene figg from the figgtree The meaning whereof the spirit â—n the Revelation would render somthing more cleâ—re by a double supply of words there with the additament of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 departed here of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shaken of a mighty wind Furthermore concerning the same ruine of Edom with little milder circumstances then Esay doe Obadiaâ— Ieremia 49 from the 7 th Verse to the 22 th Ezechiâ—ll 35 through the whole and 25 12 handle it which therefore I mention least any should conceaue the descripsion of Esay not to agree to that great day of universall iudgment Now therefore to returne to the Revelation The stars of the Roman heaven of idoll Gods were both the Gods them selves being cheiftaynes of this kingdom under Satan their Prince and also the Preests being peeres though of an inferiour ranke for starrs with starrs doe differ in degree and in height These therefore are they who in this wonderfull commotion of the Roman state being shaken from their seates fell to the earth as a figgtree casteth her greene figgs when it is shaken of a greate wind Neyther will any so much wonder at this interpretation of the Chap. 6. starâ—s to be meant of the Gods and Preistes of the Gods who shall remember both the Gods of the gentiles every where in the holy scripture to be named the hoast of heaven and also in Daniell the Preests and Elders of the pleasant Land or people of Israel whom Dan. 8.9.10 Antiâ—chus Epiphanes cast downe to the ground to be called by that name It waxed greate sayth he against the hoaste of heaven and it cast downe upon the ground of the hoaste and of the starrs and trod upon them which he did wickedly against the people of the true God the very same did the Christian Emperors
Nation People Tribe and Tongue After these things saith he I saw and loe a great multitude which nâ— man could number out of every Nation and People and Tribes Chap. 8. and Tongues standing before the Throne and before the Lambâ— Vers 9. clothed with white garments and Palmes in their hands And they Vers 10. cryed with a loud voyce saying salvation to our God who sittâ—th upon the Throne and to the Lambe c. But this vision seeing it belongeth to the seventh Trumpet neither can be elsewhere fitly and cleerely unfolded by reason of so many things to be fore-knowne we will deferre the exposition thereof thither For the present let that suffice which now hath beene said in generall and let the Reader remember that both these Visions certainly doe joyntly goe through the whole space of the seventh Seale or of the Trumpets but that the company of the sealed doth severally synchronize with the six first Trumpets the Palme bearing multitude with the seventh trumpet And so having done with the interpretation of the interposed Vision or Visions let us take in hand againe the intermitted series of the Seales The meaning of the seventh Seale that is Of the seven Trumpets THe sixe first Seales have beene handled wherein the state of At Chap. 8. the Empire as yet standing and flourishing untill that the dominion of Idols should fall was described by intestine chances the seventh succeedeth the matter whereof is Seven Trumpets where in are opened by accustomed representations for that purpose the destinies of the decaying and falling Empire being to be ruined by a seuen fold order of plagues the Trumpets sounding the allarum to the battell of its destruction to wit God taking punishment by that destruction for the blood of so many Martyrs shed by the Romane Emperours He which will not spare even the bruit beasts if at any time Exod. 21.28 they should slay a man his Image shall not he require the blood of his servants of the Empire which for so many yeeres Gen. 9. 6. hath slaine the Martyrs Neither ought the late godlinesse of Christian Emperours there governing to stay Gods justice any more then the godlinesse of Iosia that the Kingdome of Iâ—da being guilty of bloud-shed by Manasses should escape the destruction Chap. 8. decreed by God This revenge the soules of the Martyrs groning under the cruell slaughter of the fift Seale importunately begged by prayers this God promised so soone as the Romane Tyrant had fulfilled his measure by the adding of those who yet remained to be slaine Chap. 6. 11. This time was now come Wherefore the Angel the Priest of Heaven as the manner was with the prayers of the people made in the Temple sendeth up those prayers to the Throne of God in the smoake at the Altar of incense and putteth him in minde In the meane space Silence was made in heaven for halfe an houre to wit according to the custome of the Temple in performing such a Chap. 8.1 2 3. kinde of service For it is manifest there was silence used in religious worship in the Temples almost every where for they said to the people Be silent That was observed by the people of God then when incense should be offered For while the Sacrifices were offered which was the first part of the Liturgie the Temple resounded with Songs Trumpets and other Instruments of musicke 2 Chron. 29.25 unto the 28. But at the time of the Incense all was silent and the people inwardly prayed to themselves Luk. 1.10 To this therefore is the allusion while the Angel was offering at the golden Altar there was as is said Silence in Heaven for halfe an houre that is the whole time of Incense Which at length being finished the Angel filled the Censer Vers 5. with fier of the Altar and cast it into the Earth to wit that by this Ceremonie he might shew to what end those prayers tended which ascending up together to God he had mixed with a sweet savour to wit to obtaine revenge upon the inhabitants of the earth who had hurt the Saints yea had shed their blood And these prayers immediately have their answer For there were saith he to wit out of the Throne or most holy place of So also Acts 4. 3â— God granted the prayers of the Apostles in an Earth-quake the Temple as Chap. 4.5 voyces and thunders and lightnings and an earthquake In which words is described the Oracle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is the daughter of voyce oâ— thunder whereby God in times past to his old people gave answers and with the same here he granteth the prayers of the Saints For we must know in the Hebrew tongue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 voyces and thunders meane the same thing for thunders are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is voyces Chap. 8. Therefore * And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to be taken by way of explication for that is or which I had rather by the figure * When by two wâ—rds one thing is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 voyces and thunders are voyces of thunder or with thunder For God for the most part did promulgate his decrees with thunder even as God gave the Law Exod. 19. 16. Yea that only Oracle left to the Iewes continued after the Babylonian captivitie An example whereof is with our Evangelist Iohn Chap. 12. 28. When the Lord had said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Father glorifie thy name there came saith he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a voyce from heaven I have both glorified it and againe I will glorifie it it followeth there And the multitude that stood by and heard it said It thundered Others said an Angel spake to him that is some said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a thunder from Heaven or joyned with a voyce from Heaven that is to say the daughter of thunder but others that an Angel spake And hence it is that in the Revelation not in this place onely but otherwhere often thunder is joyned with Oracles and voyces from Heaven as Chap. 4.5 Chap. 6.1 Chap. 10.3 You may see Aristarch sacr claris Danielis Heinsii pag. 277. and 45â— The offering thus ended and the prayers of the Saints granted by God in a voyce of thunder the seven Angels who had the seven Vers 6. trumpets prepared themselves to sound It is granted among all Divines that the workes of Divine providence and government are executed by the administration of Angels The Angels therefore in those Visions hold their place over whom they are appointed by God to bring things to passe and what is executed by the common meanes as well of Angels as of men that is said to be brought to passe the Angels being Authours as it were guides and Captaines So that they seeme to me to erre altogether from the scope who thinke some other mysterie lyeth hidden under these names of Angels The Angels therefore the Trumpeters of whom
the speech is here are they which are appointed to direct the plagues of the Trumpets using those men for execution by whom it pleaseth God to bring to passe his decrees But the foure first of these Trumpets are of such plagues as are of lesse extent and not so great to wit which resting for the most part upon the Westerne or Latine world the Bishop of Rome which was hereafter to be the head at least of that world was to Chap. 8. cure In the right application of which representations here also the Reader may observe that the Romane Empire with the rest of the Kingdomes of the world by the holy Ghost are tacitly resembled to the body of the world the parts whereof are Earth Sea Rivers Heaven Starres in that manner that the body of every Empire may have also his Earth which may be instead of that Earth to wit a certaine bottome and Basis on which the weight of the whole government may rest the Sea likewise which by environing its Earth beareth altogether the likenesse of the Sea this is the largenesse or extent of the Dominion The politique Rivers also which after the manner of other rivers have their beginning from their Sea and thither returne such are Provinciall Magistrates and other ministers of the dominion together with the Provinces themselves the channels of the Rivers To conclude the Sunne and other Starres in the heaven of Sovereigne power resembling the Sunne the Moone the Starres in the worldly heaven This analogie being observed the interpretation as altogether confirmed with the figures of the old Prophets will so be easie and altogether the most convenient to the matter in hand Now that there is so oft repetition of the third part as of the third part of the Trees of the Earth the third part of the Sea of the Rivers of the Heaven that I take to be meant of the bounds of the Romane Empire comprehending in the compasse thereof the third part of the knowne world in Iohns time The which seemeth may be proved out of that that afterwards Chap. 12. is Vers 3 4. said that the Dragâ—n having seven heads and tenne hornes that is to say the heathen Romane Empire drew the third part of the starres of Heaven with his tayle and cast them into the Sea that is the third part of the Princes and Rulers of the world be subjected to his Empire These things thus settled let us come to the interpretation of the severals And the first Angel sounded and there came Hayle and Fire Vers 7. mingled with blood and they were sent upon the Earth and the third part of the Earth was burned and the third part of the Trees was burnt up and all the greene grasse was burnt up And the second Angel sounded and as it were a Great Mountaine Chap. 8. 8. burning with fire was cast into the Sea and the third part of the Sea became blood 9. And the third part of the creatures which were in the Sea and had life dyed and the third part of the ships perished And the third Angel sounded and there fell a Great Starre from 1â— heaven burning as it were a Lampe and it fell upon the third part of the Rivers and upon the Fountaines of waters 11. And the name of the Starre is called Wormwood and the third part of the waters became wormwood and many men died of the waters because they were made bitter And the fourth Angel sounded and the third part of the Sunne 12. was smiâ—ten and the third part of the Moone and the third part of the Starres so as the third part of them was darkened and the third part of the day shone not and the night likewise The first Trumpet The first Trumpet of the seventh Seale entereth at the Romane Idoll government now at length beaten down and shaken at the going out of the sixt Seale and being about to strike the first blow to the Empire now entering into ruine it destroyeth the third part of the Earth with a terrible â—torme of Hayle with fire and blood that is it wasteth the territory or people of the Romane Empire to wit the Basis and ground of that â—oliticall Vniverse with a terrible and bloody breaking in of the Northerne Nations it vanquisheth and consumeth the Nobles and common people You may see the representation of Hayle tending to the same purpose I meane to signifie an hostile vâ—olent assault Esay Chap. 28. vers 2. Behold the Lord hath a mighty and strong one he pointeth at Salmanassar as a tempest of Hayle and a destroying storme as a flood of mightie waters overflowing shall cast downe to the Earth with the hand Vers 3. the crowne of pride the drunkerds of Ephraim shall be trodden under foot Also Esay 30.30 Concerning the slaughter to come upon the Assyrians And the Lord shall cause his glorious voyce to be heard and shall shew the lighting downe of his arme with the indignation of his anger and flame of devouring fire with scattering and tempest and Haile-stones 31. because Chap. 8. Assur shall be beaten down through the voyce of the Lord c. Here is to be observed because haile is wont to be with lightening especially in the hotter Regions therefore with the mention of Haile is joyned Fire as well here by Iohn and Esay as also Psal 18. 13 14. yea in the History Exod. 9. 23. But Iohn hath miâ—ed Blood also beyond nature that he might shew by this token the whole representation to reflect upon Slaughter Concerning the representation of Haile let the Reader see also Esay 32. 19. and there the Chalde Paraphrast Furthermore the same Paraphrast doth teach that Trees in Propheticall parables doe signifie great Lords and wealthy men which for Oakes of Basan Esay 2. 13. hath put Princes of the Provinces for Cedars Esay 14. 8. wealthy men for Firre trees sometime Princes Esay 37. 24. sometimes Kings â—say 14. 8. by whom also that of Zach. 11. 2. Howleô Firre tree because the Cedar is fallen because the magnificent are spoyled Howle ye Oakes of Basan because the fenced wood is fallen is thus Paraphrased Howle ye Kings because the Princes are broken who so were rich are spoyled Howle ye Rulers of Provinces because the countrey of your fortitude is wasted Whence from the Analogie it is easily gathered that greene grasse is taken for the common people when as here it is joyned with trees Now that we may pick something out of History concerning the event I will derive untill something more certaine shall appeare the beginning of this trumpet from the death of Theodoâ—ius the first that is from the yeere of Christ 395 because then Christian Religion seemed plainly to have triumphed over the Gods of the Heathen and withall as it were in a certain common terme of the former Seale ending and this beginning the invasions of the Barbarians something attempted before but in the yeers next following the Empire
concured with the same armes by Amurath this Mechmetes his Father and the Pelquenesians brought to obedience and by Mechmets himselfe were wholley subdued presently after the taking of Constantinople Corinthus also being conqureed by this manner of ordinance To this of their weapos is added another thing concerning the nature of the horses and horsemen That their power was not in 〈◊〉 9. their mouth only of which hither vnto but also in their tayles For their tayles were like serpents having heads by which they doe hurte That is the same which before hath binne said of the Saracens is true also of the Turkes To wit that they brought destruction where they came not onely by hostile force but also by the trayne of their Mahammedan imposture Whence it is that these are noe lesse serpents in their tayle then the Saraceinâ—all Lâ—â—usts whose religion they receaved but that one kind of serpentine tayle is attributed to these and another to them that ariseth from the naturall diversity of the shape of both the Locusts and horses whereupon a sharpe tayle of Seorpions to those but Chap. 9. to these tayles with serpentine heades did beste agree But the rest of the men which were not killed with these plagues veâ—â— 20. or which escaped these plagues repented not of the workes of their hands that they should not worship Devils and idolls of golde and silver and brasle and stone and wood which neyther 〈◊〉 see nor heare nor walke c. But who these may be it wil be no hard matter to gather since in the whole Romanâ— Empire or on this side Euphrates there are none now which worship Images O shamefull and grivous but christians Must it not needs be then that the very same worship Divells also since both is ascribed to the same in this place But what Devills then thou wilt say Shurely not those which they themselves hold for vncleane spirits and so call them for what christian wittingly and willingly would worship such but those Demone which by the heathen theologists were vnderstood by this name Damonia I meane Deastri consecrated men deiâ—yed see Hisiod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vers. 121. in simposiâ— by the names both of Angells and of dead men as it were mediators betwenne God and men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sayeth Plato 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Devils are of a midle nature betweene the Gods and mortall men Likewise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God hath noe society with man but all comunion and conference of Gods with men is by mediation of spirits or Devills The same the other Platonists and the most philosaphers of other sects except the Epicurians doe hold I will only rite the words of Apuleius where in the de Dhmonio socratis opinion of Plato and the rest is fully and perspicuously contayned Devills sayth he are meane powers by whom both our desiers and Let the Redet see Austin de civit dei lib 8. ct 9. merits have accesse to the Gods carriers betweene mortall men and those that dwell in heaven hence of prayers hence of gifts which carry hither and thither thence petitions thence supplies or certeyne interpreters or bearers of recomendations Neither Chap. 9. sayth he will it stand with the majesty of the heavenly Gods to take care of these thinges Doubtles they had two sorts of Gods heavenly who were continually resident in heaven and would not abase themâ—selves to these earthly things nor be defiled with the thought of them these propperly and singulerly were called Gods others Divells who being as it were mediating divine power ministers of the heavenly and chife Gods had the oversight Daemones of humane affayers Those the holy cripture if I conjecture rightly calleth the hoaste of heaven these especyally those that you â—â—y see Hieroâ— vpon 22 chap. of Ezech. likewise vpon Hoâ—â—â— chap. 2. and vpon Esay 46. Demonem vers 5. 13. they made of dead men Baales of all the kinge of the Babilonians or Asyrians or in the Caldâ— pronunciation Bel who first was consecrate by his for a Devil whence after it came to passe that such divine powers were called Baalim that is Baales as Baalâ—peor Baal-berith Baal-zebub Baal-melach â—er 19 even as from the first Emperor Julius Casaer the other Romane Emperors afterwards are called Caesars But how this doctrine of Divels agreeth with the worshipping of Saints and Angels by the counterfeit-christians the thing it Dâ—monâ— selfe speaketh with this only difference that with them there were many supreame or heavenly Gods with us there is only one the Father of all And truly there ought to be but one mediator also our Lord Jesus Christ but that the false prophets have brought in more like the heathen Dâ—mones Plainely according to what Paâ—l hath prophesied 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2 3. That it should come to passe in the latter times by the hypocrisie of false speakers faining lyes of Deâ—strorum miracles and through countorfeit holinesse of the Monkes abstaining from marriage and meates by reason of their â—ow that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is this doctrine of Divels should be brought back againe into the world The interpretation will aptly serve if thou take the ginitive 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 passively that it may be the doctrine concerning devils as heb 6. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. The doctrine of baptisme the doctrine of lying on of handes For surely that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the hypocrocy of false teachers and what followeth that the order of construction maybe safe it is expounded by the government of to substantives 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the preposition setting forth the inâ—trument and cauâ—eâ— which according to the Hebrew phrase is familiar But I have declared this more at large in another place in a peculiar tracte neither is it my minde here to repeate it Of the third wâ—e Trumpet OR The sound of the 7. trumept The vision of the sixt trumpet being ended for there is on Chap. 10. Yerâ—e 1. 2. only vision of one trumpet even as of the seales and vialls the next place in order of things was due to the sound of the seventh which notwithstanding being put of to the prophecie of the little booke to which the spirit of God is now to passe lest any thing Veâ—se 6. in the meane space on his part should be wanting to the fulfilling of the prophecie of the â—eales now to be ended he supplyeth the courâ— of the trumpets sound which was to be deterred with an oath wherein the event of the trumpet is shewed at least in generall To Yerâ—e â— wit that it shall come to pasâ—e when that Angel shall sound that the Romane Beaste being destroyed the times of the last head being come to an end the mystery of God shal be finished as he hath declared to his servants the prophets For so long agoe it was foretold to Daniell that the fourth Beast being slayne the
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Altarium the Altar place Sacrarium the holy place and changing the order the Glossary of Philoxenus hath it thus Sacrarium Chap. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the holy place of the Gods is Thysiasterium But this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 together with the Court-yard of the Temple that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I learne out of the description of the Tabernacle to be comprehended rightly by the name of the Inner Court where likewise all that inclosure which compassed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Tabernacle and the Altar of Sacrifice is reckoned by the name of one Court as it appeareth Exod. 40. 33. So much of the first Court which Iohn was bidden to measure But the later Court is set forth plaine enough by the name thereof 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is by the defect of the former substantive 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The court which is without the enclosure of the Temple and Altar In this since the Gentiles being admitted without right or reason were harboured it is commanded at no hand to be measured but to be cast out and accounted for prophane But thou wilt say that not the outer court is said to be troden under foot by the Gentiles but the holy citie I answer that the outer court and the holy citie doe mutually expound themselves since the outer court is the place of assembly for divine exercises for the holy citie or for the people of Israel yea in the desert the Tabernacle having only one court into which it was not lawfull for any but the Priests and Levites ordinarily to enter there was no outer court but the campe of Israel or the holy citie Thereupon therefore the sence is as if he should have said The court which is without the Temple cast out and measure it not for it is given to the Gentiles and they shall tread that underfoot 42. moneths But for the relative that there is placed a substantive and surely the same which declareth the thing designed by the antecedent the holy citie saith he they shall tread underfoot fortie two moneths For the enallage of the substantive for the relative is very usuall as well in this booke as else where to wit when either the substantive which went before is repeated instead of the relative or the Synonimie thereof is put instead of the relative An example of the later manner thou hast here and Acts 25. 21. And surely what else shall we say is it to be given to the Gentiles that is leave to be given them to take it then to be trodaen under foot and what at length should the Gentiles tread under foot except that which was given them that these words also no lesse then of the Court and of the holy Chap. 11. Citie may seeme mutually to expound themselves A plot 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is of the Temple and the Courts thereof The plot The Inner Court The outer Court 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Temple The Holy of Holies The Holy Place The offering Altar Thysiasterium the Altar place To these two Courts which and no more the Scripture mentioneth a third was added in after ages to wit in the Herodian Temple by the building of another wall more compassing the Temple which was called the court of Gentiles or of those that were uncleane but was not accounted for holy Moreover there was written upon pillars there set as well in Greeke as in Latine letters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Atrium sanctum Chap. 11. transire alienigenam non debere that a stranger ought not to enter into the holy Court Iosephus de bello Iudaico lib. 6. Graec 18. The mysterie of the two witnesses prophesying in sackcloath The Gentiles taking up their standing in the Court of the people of God or the holy Citie two Witnesses or Prophets from God preach mourning and being cloathed in sackcloath These are the Interpreters and Defenders of the Divine Truth which should bewaile with continuall complaints that filthy and lamentable pollution of the Church of Christ and whom God should stirre up continually to be monitors to the Christian world idolâ—zing with the Gentiles and guides to his Saints keeping the faith To wit according to the patterne of those famous payres under the Old Testament Moses and Aaron in the wildernesse Elias and Elisaeus under the Baaliticall apostasie Zorobabel and Iesua under the Babylonian captivitie To wit those witnesses of the Revelation are manifestly described by their number condition power and acts even as also the state of the Church wherein they prophesied answerable to that of Israel is figured by the representation of Babylon the wildernesse and Gentilisme or Baalisme What I have said of the description of the witnesses that behold with thine eyes Reader in the Table following Moses and Aaron Elias and Elisaeus Zorobabel Iesua 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vers 6. Having power over waters to turn theÌ„ into blood to smite the earth with every plague Vers 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vers 6. Having power to sâ—â—t heaven that it raine not Vers 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vers 4. These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks which stand before the Lord of the earth Vers 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Vers 5. Whom if any will hurt Vers 4. fiâ—e proceedeth out of their mouth c. Vers 5. Of Moses and Aaron you may see Numb 16. of Elia a Kings Chap. 1.  Now let us come to the text And I will give saith he unto Chap. 11. my two witnesses that they shall prophesie a thousand two hundred Vers 3. and threescore dayes cloathed with sackcloth Where this cometh first to be observed that the whole prophesie which followeth from this verse to the sounding of the seventh trumpet the nature of the matter so requiring is exhibited not in a vision but was dictated to Iohn by an Angel personating Christ the observation whereof is of no small consequence for the better perceiving of the nature of the allegory or type To my two witnesses he calleth them two in regard of the type which as I said is of paires as if he should have said I will give to my Zorobabel and Iesua to my Eliah and Elisaeus to my Moses and Aaron To which is added that he calleth them witnesses now by the Law there ought to be two witnesses to confirme every word Add that they may be called two in regard of the number of the Tables of God which they used in their prophesie of the Old and New Testament as it were witnesses of two Testaments That they shall prophesie cloathed with sackcloth to wit mournfully be wayling the trampling under foot of the holy Citie by the bringing in of the Idolatry of the Gentiles giving testimony to the truth of God and exhorting to repentance 1260 dayes as many to wit as are contained in 42 moneths Which that they are not naturall
many famous victories doe witnesse partly of Constantine against Maxentius Maximinianus and Licinius partly of that great Theodosius as well against others as against Eugenius and Arbogastus the Devils Standard-bearers before the stubbornnesse and pride of the Gentile worshippers of the Dragon Rebbels against the Christian Empire being utterly broken and consumed ceased But before we depart hence one thing yet remaineth to be spoken of to wit that the Childe of the Woman was not lifted up to the Throne of God so soone as it was borne but so soone as it was growne ready for a Kingdome Therefore it is said she had brought forth a Son 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who was to rule to wit not presently but when he had grown up Even as also Christ the sonne of Mary our Lord whose likenesse in all things this mysticall Christ the Childe of the Church doth resemble being taken up to the Throne of God entered his Kingdome not so soone as he was borne but when as likewise he was come to his perfect age there to sit untill he shall have made all his enemies his footstoole It followeth And the woman fled into the wildernesse where she hath a place Vers 6. prepared of God that they should feede her there a thousand two hundreth and threescore dayes Which since it is afterwards to be repeated and somewhat more fully to be described we will put off the exposition to that place And there was warre in heaven Michael and his Angels fought Vers 7. with the Dragon and the Dragon fought and his Angels but prevailed not neither was their place found any more 8. in heaven It hath beene said that the woman in travell with her childe being safe escaped the Dragons lying in waite But how it came to passe that he who had so diligently watched her not withstanding failed of his purpose now at length beginneth to be mentioned To wit that it came to passe by the helpe and succours of Michael who went forth valiantly to fight against the Dragon lying in waite and becoming Conqueâ—our thrust him down from heaven into the earth Thereupon the womans sonne not only escaped Chap. 12. safe but was lifted up to the throne of God and she her selfe departed into a place safe from the fury of the Dragon And there was saith he warre in heaven c. To wit while the woman was in travell not after she was delivered as many take it For it is certaine out of the 14. Vers that this warre was waged before the flight of the woman into the wildernesse But the woman fled not into the wildernesse before she was delivered and her sonne caught up to the throne of Majestie Vers 5 6. Michael and his Angels fought with the Dragon not alone but taking with them the Martyrs and Confessours of Christ their King for whose cause they fought Concerning whom therefore a little after it shall be sung in the triumphant song that they overcame him by the blood of the Lambe and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death which cannot be spoken of bare and sole Angels And the Dragon fought and his Angels that is the Devils taking with them likewise the Romane tyrants and their ministers which worship them But thou wilt demand who is this Michael Not I suppose Christ himself but as in Daniel unlesse I be deceived is manifest one yea even the chiefest of the chiefe Princes or seven Archangels Chap. 10. 13. to wit that great Angel who in the same is said to stand for the children of God Chap. 12. 1. and whom Christ that great chiefe Generall and consequently King of Angels and men hath so opposed against Sathan and his black guard raging against his Saints For the Angels are sent forth for the safetie of them who are heires of salvation Hebr. 1. 14. and they protect and defend them according to their hidden and invisible manner of working against evill spirits which worke in men that are enemies of God and his Christ although they appeare not in a visible shape So that in this warre we have in hand of the Primitive Church of Christ against the Romane worshippers of the Dragon the Angels under Michael their Captaine acted their parts as well by strengthening the holy Martyrs and Confessours of Christ against the threats of tyrants and violence of torments and mittigating their pains in agonies and sometime taking away plainly the feeling of any paine as also by breaking and weakening the force of the adverse spirits sometime on a sudden casting lets and impediments in the way of the persecutors who were led by their instinct frustrating their purposes sometimes by casting Chap. 12. terrours and other distractions into the minde so that thereupon desisting from their project they have granted even against their will unto the Church truce and space of breathing untill at length after three hundred yeers warre when as it seemed to Christ to have now enough exercised his and was pleased to bestow a full victory upon his Angels the childe of the woman Christians prevailing being placed in the Emperiall throne the kingdome of the Devill being conquered suffered a wonderfull great fall For this is that which he saith The Dragon prevailed not neither was his place found any more in heaven that is being conquered and put to flight with all his forces he was deprived of heaven In the saying prevailed not there is an Hebraisme of which afterward And the Dragon was cast out that old serpent called the Divel Vers 9. and Satan which deceiveth the whole world that is perswadeth to Idolatrie and hitherto had possessed the Romane Empire he was cast out into the earth and his Angels were cast out with him That is he with all his * Daemons Devils hitherto worshipped instead of God were throwne downe from the top of their divinity which they enjoyed to the bottome of execration and contempt That what is read to have come to passe long agoe in the delivery of Israel from the tyranny of the Egyptian Pharaoh whose likenesse this Dragon â—areth that God executed iudgement upon the Exod. 12. 11. gods of the Egyptians the same shall finde place here at least * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according Numb 33.4 to the letter The Iewes deliver that it was so even there also I or see both the Targums R. Salomon R. Aben Ezra with R. Moses ben Nachman c. Neither is there cause that any should wrest the cleere words of the Scripture to another meaning especially since it may seeme that Esay 19. 1. hath allusion thereto Prevailed not for was overcome is an Hebrew figure as I have said whereby the Adverbs of denying doe expresse the contrary of that to which they are applied as in this same vision a little after is used they loved not their lives unto the death that is they Vers 11. valued their life at nothing
worsâ—ipped that first Beast which being healed of the mortall wound rose out of the Sea By what way and by what means and crafty fetches he compassed it that he dâ—â—larâ—th particularly * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in that which followeth For saith he â—â—â—â—th great wonders so thâ—â— he makethâ—fire come Vers 13. 〈◊〉 from heaven on the earth in the sight of men And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by reason of those Chap. 12. miracles which he had power to doe in the sight of the Beast Vers 14. saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an Image of the Beast which had the wound by a sword and he lived For he doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the Hebrew van and thence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Scripture is a conjunction not onely Copulative but also disjunctive rationall causall ordinative explanative as the reason of the sense requireth which once to have shewed let it sufficâ— Now to the matter The Pseudopropheticall or Pontificiall Beast was the authour unto the nations of establishing that tenne horned Beast whereby the power of the Dragon revived For by wonders and miracles he perswaded them to consent with him in framing the Image of the Beast slaine in the sixt head Which at length being formed according to his pleasure that wound received in the state of the Dragon seemed to be cured and the Dragon-worshipping Beast to be renewed by the bringing in of new Idolatrie and tyranny like the former For the Romane Beast of the last head is the Image of the Beast slaine in the sixt head He said saith he to them that dwell on the earth that they should â—ake Vers 14. an Image of the Beast which had the wound by a sword that is his Image in such condition as it was when he received the wound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and he lived that is and so at length the Beast revived or was renewed For these words doe not belong to the description of the Beast whose Image was to be expressed as it were the words of the false Prophet speaking but of the Angel reporting or bringing in the event of that counsell to wit so that slain Beast revived And it is as if he had more at large said after this manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—â—ying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an Image of the Beast which was wounded with the sword and they did so and he revived As 2 King 20. 7. Esay said Take a â—â—mpe of dry figges and they tooke and laid it on the boyle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and â—e râ—oâ—vered that is to say Ezechias or the boyle Doubtleâ—â—e this is that which was said in the description of that Secular Beast that the Dragon gave him his power and grâ—at authoritie and thereupon his mortall wound recovered that is the Dragon imprinted the forme of his worship and authoritie upon a Beast of another religion whiles he placed his Angels or Chap. 13. * Daemons Devils not indeed as in time past by those titles by which they professed themselves enemies of our Lord Christ but under colour of Christian Religion to be worshipped by the names of Saints and good Angels yea and O blasphemie of Christ himselfe For he who worshippeth Idols by what name soever he calleth them worshippeth Devils Yea and that nothing might be wanting to the full Image of the slaine Beast that is of the Dragon the Pope himselfe also caused himselfe to be honoured with divine honours and authoritie peculiar to God as certaine Emperours worshippers of the Dragon had done so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God 2 Thess 2. 4. shewing himselfe that he is God as Paul saith Which although Iohn or the Angel revealing the history of the Beast unto him doth not here specially touch yet under the generall name of an Image he would have it comprehended a part of that similitude wherein the slaine Beast is resembled And hitherto of the framing of the image now of the wonders used for perswasion thereof He doth saith he great wonders so that he even maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth I should here not unwillingly fall into the opinion of Graserus if it could be warranted by the writings of the Hebrews that this bringing fire from Heaven should be spoken by a proverbiall hyperbole * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for amplification of that which went before as if it had been said He doth great wonders yea even such and so great that they may seeme not farre different from the miracles of Eliah himselfe by which he did vindicate the true worship of God For the Iewes commonly saith Graserus doe attribute so much to that miracle of Eliah that they use it proverbially for all wonderfull workes wherein the glory of God is more coâ—spicuous But if any man be not pleased here with let him follow the Complutense reading witnessed also by many other coppies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he doth great wonders and causeth that fire commeth down out of heaven upon the earth and so as if the summe of those things which are more largely set forth afterward were propounded in these words let him interpret it of a double kinde of means which the false Prophet should use to induce the inhabitants of the Christian world to frame anew the Image of the Beast slaine in his sixt head that is to say by provision of miracles and excommunication By the one Chap. 13. of which he might draw the nations unto errour by the other he might breake the contumacy and pride of the stubborn For both these and to what end they tend are handled in order in the words following Concerning the wonders in these words And Vers 14. he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the wonders which he had power to doe saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make the Image of the Beast which was wounded with the sword and the words that follow to the 16. vers But concerning Vers 16. excommunication in these He causeth all to receive a marke in their right hand or in their foreheads and that no man might buy Vers 17. or sell save he that had the marke or the name of the Beast or the number of his name A Synechdochicall speech whereby the censure of the Ecclesiasticall Anathâ—ma is meant by the forbidding of commerce with others And that truly is not unaptly resembled to fire from heaven or lightening For what is it I pray you in the name of God to deliver any one over to that eternall fire other then to call for fire from heaven especially since that punishment of the wicked proceeding from God is againe and againe in this booke set forth by the lake of fire and brimstone or Asphaltites where Sodom and Gomorrha were burned with fire rained down from heaven Yea
holy Ghost to the Systeme of the world whose parts are Earth Sea Rivers Heaven Lights So that the earth in the Popedome answereth to the earth in the natural World Sea to sea Rivers to rivers Sunne to sunne 6. To conclude as already I have once or twise shewed because God useth Angels as ministers of his providence for moving and governing of the motions and changes of humane affaires Chap. 16. therefore those things that are brought to passe by the the hands of many are notwithstanding attributed to an Angel as it were the ruler and guide of the thing to be done after the common manner of speaking The Exposition of the Phyals according to the rule of the suppositions The first Phyall powred upon the whole body of the Beast The Earth in the Antichristian universe doth signifie the people Vers 2. or the common sort of Christians the footstoole the more shame of Antichrist upon which as the Basis that vastnesse of Papall Hierarchie being 〈◊〉 like the Tower of Babel * Vertice ad auras aetherias tendit reacheth to the very skies The Phyall being powred out upon this Earth pertaining to the Beast it drew that disposition from the effusion that it filled the followers of the Beast with furie and madnesse as it were with ulcers and those so foule and malignant that they could not be healed nor be closed up by any Cicatrice but they would breake forth againe This was fulfilled when the Christian common people called the Waldenses Albigenses Wiclifists Hussites and by other names began every where to renounce the authoritie of the Beast calling Rome Apocaliptique Babylon and the Pope Antichrist with which blasting of its earth burning with the * Rom. 10.2 zeale of God the followers of the Beast being stricken they were wholly enflamed with the ulcers of griefe and indignation by which being enraged they for very many yeers wonderfully tyrannized with fire and Sword but in vaine for they were smitten with an evill and uncurable ulcer which the more they bestirred themselves the more it grew worse and worse with them Exod. 9.8 9. So in times past the Land of Egypt being sprinkled from Heaven with dust like ashes it filled all the Egyptians and their cattell with ulcers Now the world of the Beast is called * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spirituall Egypt Chap. 11. 8. and thereupon the ulcerous sore here is to be interpreted * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spiritually that is mystically and by analogie which is diligently to be observed in the figures of the two following plagues also taken from the same history The second Phyall upon the Sea of the World Chap. 16. of the Beast The Sea in the Antichristian world is the whole compasse of Vers 3. the Papall Society wherein not onely severall Christians but whole Nations People Kingdomes Provinces Diocesses otherwise among themselves dis-joyned and severed are gathered together in one or thus the Antichristian Sea is the compasse of the Popes jurisdiction or dominion compassing and enfolding as the Sea doth the Land men and Nations worshipping Christ The second Phyall being powred out upon this Sea presently it became as the blood of a dead body or cold and congealed blood such as is wont to be of those that are dead and slaine or of a member cut off seeing it is destitute of the influence of spirit and heat the entercourse with the fountaine of life being dissolved The sense is The Pontificiall Sea was slaine as it were with death beheading or slaughter Now this was fulfilled when by the labour of Luther and other famous reformers of the Church of that Age God wonderfully blessing their undertakings not now some single persons onely of the common people of Christendome but even whole Provinces Diocesses Kingdomes Nations and Cities renounced communion with those of the Beast and there being made a great dismembring of the dominion which was so large in times past they departed from the body of the Beast By which event the Sea of the Popes Dominion became dead for a great part of it like the blood of a dead body in which the Popes creatures could no longer breathe and live The third Phyall upon the Rivers and Fountaines of the world of the Beast The Rivers and Fountaines of waters of the Bestian world are Vers 4 5 6 7 the ministers and defenders of the Antichristian jurisdiction whether Ecclesiasticall as Iesuites and other Emissary Priests or even Secular and Lay as the Spanish champions to both of which as from that jurisdiction is committed a charge of solliciting and advancing the cause which they call Catholique in Chap. 16. like manner as the rivers derive their originall out of the Sea so also they bestow their labour and cost to the enlarging and preserving of it even as also the rivers returne to the Sea Now these Rivers whilest they at randome runne through their Channels wherein now there was no more safety for them by Gods just judgment by the effusion of the third Phyall are turned into blood in like manner as even they had heretofore imbrued the Saints of God and his Prophets with blood For from this Phyall the state of the Beast came to that passe that the ministers and defenders thereof now changing course are compelled to suffer the same slaughters wherewith they had beene accustomed to slay the Saints and Prophets of God while their government flourished as it is plainly set sorth vers 5 6. as it were a Key for the opening of the parable Which thing concerning the Ecclesiasticall Emissaries with their attendants I thinke was fulfilled when in our ENGLAND in the reigne of ELIZABETH of famous memory and also afterwards those bloody Proctors for the authoritie of the Beast were according to the lawes made for that purpose punished with death which had never before sobefallen them for solliciting the Papall cause And not they alone but the Spanish champions for the cause of the Beast who were much more to be feared then they going about to recover by force of armes the dominion of the Church of Rome thirsting for blood drank blood by full draughts especially in that memorable overthrow of the yeere 1588. and some yeers following the English and the Dutch by Sea and Land abundantly powring out the Cup of the mightie hand of God So that wonderfull great praise was given to God for his just and true judgements upon them both not onely of the Islanders themselves revenging their blood now long since shed but also of the neighbouring French groning yet under the Crosse and the Altar yea even then the Massacre of the yeere 1572. being fresh And thus far the Phyals seeme to have gonne on the rest remaine to be powred out yet The fourth Phyall upon the Sunne of the Beastian heaven What the Sunne is in the world of the Beast that we may Vers 8 9. search out first it is throughly
to be looked into what the heaven Chap. 16. may be lest otherwise wanting the line of Analogie we wander farre from the scope For the Sunne is not to be placed or conceived to be any where but in an heaven fit for it The Heaven therefore of the Antichristian world is either that supreme and universall authoritie of the Pope or any other excellent and regall Authoritie whatsoever in that world of the Beast that is in the whole universality of the Provinces acknowledging the Pope of Rome for their head For so in the physicall world all that which is upward and above the earth and waters is called Heaven in the notion of the Hebrewes and the holy Ghost Now in that Antichristian heaven according to the type of naturall Heaven there are very many Starres and of a divers magnitude Princes Dukes Prelates Lords of Countries and Kings There are also great lights like Sunne and Moone All which are carried about with the motion of the Heaven and by direction thereof keepe their courses Now of these the most glorious and by far the greatest light of all which shine in the Papall Firmament is the Germane Empire the proper inheritance of the House of Austria now for these two hundred yeers or there abouts Is not this therefore the Sunne of that Heaven Now upon this Sunne the fourth Phyall is even now to be powred out that it being pulled away from the heaven of the Beast and shining to another purpose may burne and torment the inhabitants of the Antichristian world even to blasphemy whom before it was wont to refresh with its heat and beames And behold whiles I bring to light these things which before I had written a fame hath filled the whole Christian world the godly rejoycing at it that there is now at length come from the North Gods revenger of wrongs to succour afflicted and distressed Germany a godly King happy and which way soever he cometh a conquerour whose prosperous progresse is wonderfull speedy Is not this he whom the Lord of Hosts hath destinated to execute the worke of this Phyall So I hope and heartily pray Gird thee with thy sword therefore O great King goâ— on prosperously and beare rule because of truth meeknesse and righteousnesse and thy right hand shall teach thee marvellous things Psalm 45. 3 4. The fift phyall upon the Throne Chap. 16. of the Beast The fift phyall is to be powred out upon the Throne or Seat Vers 10 11. of the Beast that is Rome it selfe Where the holy Ghost hideth not the matter any more with any vaile of Figures or Allegories haply because of the great light which shall then arise to these Prophesies by this most evident signe whereby it shall be cleere what phyals are past what to come Now by this destruction of the Citiâ— of Rome which I thinke to be the very same which is said shall immediately follow the resurrection and ascension of the witnesses Chap. 11. vers 12. 13. the name of the Pope shall not indeed utterly perish but from thence forth he shall be deprived of his glory and splendor so that for griefe they shall bite their tongues in the meane time notwithstanding persevering as yet in their impenitency their hearts being hardened they will abuse their griefs unto further blasphemy The sixt phyall upon Euphrates The sixt phyall shall be powred out upon that great River Euphrates Vers 12. that being dryed up a passage may be prepared for new enemies of the Beast to come from the East that is for the Israelites to be wonderfully converted to the pure faith and worship of Christ and now seekers for the kingdome promised so many ages since Whom the worshippers of the Beast haply shall esteeme for the army of their seigned Antichrist to arise out of the Iews God so revenging the obstinacy of their errour of whom that we are the forerunners they doubt not at this day to affirme But that I may take these Kings to come as it is said from the Sunne rising to be the Iews two things serve for it First that this is the last phyall save one at which therefore except the lews should be converted it should necessarily come to passe that they should be destroyed with the rest of the enemies of Christ amongst whom they yet remaine in that great Day of universall revenge and judgement which the next and last phyall shall bring upon them Then the place of Esay tending to that purpose Chap. 16. perswadeth me to this whence this of the Revelation is borrowed as it is very likely And the Lord saith he Chap. 11. 15 16. will destroy I had rather turne it Like as the Lord hath destroyed the tongue of the Egyptian Sea and rather so he shall lift up his hand upon the River Targum the River Euphrates in the strength of his spirit and shall smite it in the seven streames so that mâ—n may passe over it dry shod 16. And there shall be a way for the remnant of my people which shall be left by the Assyrians therefore Euphrates is understood as it was in that day wherein he ascended from the land of Egypt Let the Reader looke upon Zach. 10. 10 11. and there the Chalde Paraphrast But what at length shall we say this Euphrates is whose waters shall be dryed up For I something doubt whether it be to be taken literally or no especially in the place of Esay In the meane while to this of the Revelation I would have something of a parable and allegory interlaced and yet not very much that the Analogie of the other phyals concerning the object of the powring out may also here remaine safe For mysticall Babylon it seemeth shall have her Euphrates also even as that ancient Babylon to wit the Turkish Empire as I conceive which shall be the onely obstacle to those new enemies from the East and on that part the only defence of the Beast Neither will such understanding of Euphrates be without example of Esay himself who Chap. 8. 7. by the like parable of Euphrates hath expressed the Army of the Assyrians bordering upon the same River The Lord See Ierem. 47.2 c. saith he shall cause to come against them the Syrians and the Israelites the waters of that River so Euphrates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is wont to be called strong and many the King of Assyria and all his glory Targum his Army c. why should not now this Euphrates of the phyals by the same reason be understood of the Turks being no lesse borderers upon Euphrates before their overflowing then the Assyrians yea inhabitants of the same tract To this it maketh not alittle that the loosing of that great Army of Horsemen long stayed at that great River Euphrates at thâ— sound of the sixt trumpet Chap. 9. 15. we interpreted to be meant of the Turks thence to overrun the Romane Empire having followed the series of the
â— Heb. 3. 8 9. 13. c. likewise Chap 4 to conclude 2 Pet. 1. last vers where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for ever a Day I say first to beginne at the particular and as it were morning Iudgement of Antichrist and the rest of the living enemies of the Church by the glorious 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appearing of our Lord in flaming fire and then at length to determine after the reigne of the thousand yeeres granted to new Ierusalem his most Chap. 20. holy Spouse upon this earth and after the utter destruction of new enemies yet to arise the great Day waxing toward evening and Satan being againe loosed at the universall resurrection and judgement of all the dead Which things being finished the wicked shall be cast into Hell to be tormented for ever but the Saints shall he translated into Heaven to live with Christ for ever This indeed is that time of the wrath of God upon the Gentiles and of judging the cause of them that died for Christ for which the triumphing Eldâ—rs give thankes at the sound of the seventh Trumpet Chap. 11. 18. For that then God would give reward to his servants the Prophets and Saints and them that feare his name small and great and would destroy them which destroy the earth This is that Day of Iudgement and perdition of wicked ones of which Peter 2 Epist Chap. 3. vers â— speaking presently addeth but be not ignorant of this one thing beloved to wit the day which I even now spake of that one day is with the Lord as a thousand yeeres and a thousand yeers as one day In which same day indeed the Apostle with his brethren of the same kindred the Iewes to whom he writeth expecteth that new forme of things to come of which by and by he saith vers 13. But we looke for new heavens and a new earth according to his promise wherein dwelleth righteousnesse Observe according to his promise But where was this promise of new heavens and a new earth extant when Iohn had not yet seene the Revelation except that of Esay Chap. 65. 17. and 66. 22. which promise surely whosoever shall read I should marvell if he should judge that it shall be fulfilled elsewhere then on earth This also is that Kingdome joyned with the appearance of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ ready to judge the world of which Paul to Timothy 2 Epist Chap. 4. vers 1. I charge thee before our Lord Jesus Christ who shall iudge the quicke and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdome For after the last and universall resurrection according to the same Apostle 1 Cor. 15. vers 24 25 26 27 28. Christ the last enemy being destroyed that is death shall deliver up the Kingdome to his Father that he may be subiect to him who subdued all things to himselfe so farre is he from being said then to enter upon any new Kingdome That Kingdome therefore which neither shall be before the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appearance of our Lord nor after the last resurrection Chap. 20. is necessarily to be concluded between them This is that Kingdome of the Sonne of man which Daniel saw who when the times of the horne of Antichrist were fulfilled or the times of the Gentiles come to end Luk. 21. 24. shall appeare in the clouds of Heaven when there shall be given him power glory and a Kingdome that all People Nations and Languages should serve him or when as the Angel by and by expoundeth it a Kingdome power and greatnesse of Kingdomes under the whole Heaven marke it well shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most High Dan. 7. 13. 14. Also the 18.22 â—6 27. Neither yet as I said even now shall this Kingdome be after the last resurrection since the Sonne of man is not to enter upon a Kingdome then but as Paul witnesseth to lay it downe and deliver it to his Father Now that the same Kingdome is handled in both places as well by Iohn as Daniel may be proved by these two Arguments First that both begin at the same terme to wit the overthrow of the fourth or Romane Beast that of Daniel when the Beast governing under that last regiment of the horne with eyes was slaine and his body given unto the burning flame Dan. 7. 11. 2â— 27. That of the Revelation when the Beast and false Prophet that wicked Vers 10. horne in Daniel having mouth and eyes as a head are taken and both cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone Secondly from the same session of Iudgement premised to both For it will appeare that the one is borrowed from the other and altogether tend to the same purpose by comparing the words of the description of both Dan. Chap. 7.  Vers 9 I beheld till the thrones were set For so it is to be rendered with the Vulgar 70. and Theâ—d and so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a throne is used in Targum at the 15. v. of the 1. cap. of Jer. And I saw Thrones Rev. 20. 4. Vers 10 And the iudgement was set That is the Iudges as in the great Sanedrin of the Iewes to the rule whereof the whole description is framed And they sate upon them  And iudgement was given to the Saints on high that is power of judging Hence is that of Pâ—ul the Saints shall iudge the world And iudgement was given unto Chap. 20. them Vers 22. Chap. 20 Vers 22  And the Saints obtained the kingdom that is to say with the sonne of man who came in the clouds of heaven And the Saints lived and reigned with Christ a thousand yeers Furthermore I would have the Reader understand this Whatsoever almost is found from the Iews whatsoever is delivered by the Lord in his Gospel or any where in the new Testament by the Apostles concerning the day of the great judgement that is taken out of this vision of Daniel to wit that judgement to be accomplished by fire Christ to come in the clouds of heaven to come in the glory of his Father with multitude of Angels the Saints with him to judge the earth Antichrist to be abolished 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the brightnesse of his coming c. So that they goe about wholly to undermine the pillar of the Evangelicall faith concerning the glorious coming of Christ who neglecting the ancient tradition of the Church endeavour to turn this prophesie to another end Lastly that I may conclude this is that most ample kingdom which by Daniels interpretation was foreshewed to Nebuchadnezzar in that Propheticall Statue of the foure kingdoms not that of a Stone cut out of a Hill whiles yet the Series of Monarchies remained for this is the present state of the kingdome of Christ but of the Stone when they were utterly broken and defaced to become a Mountaine and to fill the
forth Christ in the Romane â—mpire to be King 300. yeeres But after she brought him Vers 5 forth the Dragon being cast downe from the Romane throne by Constantine he was there enthroned This chance of the Dragon Vers 7 8 9. contemporiseth with the sixth Seale The woman after the bringing Vers 13 14. forth of her sonne dwelleth in the wildernesse 42 monethes or for a time times and halfe a time typifying the state of the Church in a middle condition freed from the rage of persecution and not attained to the state of glory but still persecuted by the Vers 15. flood of errors and heresies â—ast out of the Devils mouth A new Tragedy of evils falleth upon the Woman entred into Chap. 13. the wildernesse she lighteth upon a double Beast the one ten horned Vers 1 c. being the secular whole estate of ten Kingdomes into which the Empire was divided by the warres of the Barbarians The other two horned being Ecclesiasticall which the Pope with his Clergie make up both Beasts reigning together and tyed in a neere alliance governing under the seventh head exercising the crueltie of the Dragon and pretending the worship of Christian Religion demolishing Idols but promoting by Laws and Edicts â—dolatry â—nd lately abolished Heathenisme termed blasphemy against God Vâ—rs 6. his Name his Tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven His Name when any thing besides God is worshipped with divine worship Joh. 2. 19. and vers 21. His Tabernacle that is the humane nature of Christ wherein the Deitie dwelleth by transubstâ—ntiation And them that dwell in heaven that is by calling idols which they worship by their names in derogation of Christ his prerogative and glory The company of 144000 virgins followers of the Lambe mentioned Chap 14. and sealed before at the seventh Seale for connexion of the Vers 3 4 5. two prophesies signifie the Church in the middest of the Papacie continuing faithfull to the Lambe the native progenie of the twelve Apostles apostolically multiplyed purely and rightly honouring the Lambe and his Father with the Evangelicall song not addicted to any one Sea but accompanying the Lambe whithersoever he goeth often and sharply admonishing the worshippers of the Beast concerning Evangelicall worship and warning all to withdraw themselves from those Idolaters except they will perish eternally set forth in the Cry of three Angels The first admonisheth to worship God purely and rightly according Vers 6 7. â— to the Gospel fulfilled in the yeere 720 in the Greeke and Easterne Churches when the Emperours Leo Isaurus Constantine Iconomachus Leo Armenius Michael Balbus and Theophilus by their Edicts and Decrees made Protestation for presenting religious worship to one God the Creator against worshipping of the creature not only Images but also Saints and their reliques as also by the Councell of 338 Bishops assembled at Constantinople by Constantine Iconomachus the adoration of images was accused and condemned of impietie c. The second Angel threatneth mysticall Babylon for the crime Vers 8. of spirituall fornication with inevitable destruction Fulfilled in the time of the Albigenses and Waldenses who were the ministers of this Cry by word and by deed proclaiming the Church of Rome to be the Apâ—calyptike Babâ—lon by her idolatry and mysticall whoredome c. The third Angel denounceth horrible and hainous torments Vers 9 10 11 c. easelesse and endlesse to the whole traine of the Beast and those that shall abide in his obedience After this threefold admonition by the Angels followeth the Vers 14 15. vindication of the Church against her enemies under the types of Harvest and Vintage By Harvest is understood the preparation of the Bride by the conversion of the Iews together with the overthrow of the Turkiâ—h Empire the Lord Ieâ—us being the Lord of the Harvest and this at the sixt phyall As touching the Vintage the vineyard of the earth is the Vers 17 18 19 c. dominion of the Beast The grapes the followers of the Beast The winepresse the place of slaughter Armageddon in the 2 Thess 2.8 seventh phyall to which place the grapes being gathered by the Angel the Vintager with the helpe of the Saints the Lord Iesus shall tread them at his comming Now both Harvest and Vintage is obtained by prayers of the Church universally Mysticall Babylon is Rome the mother Citie of spirituall Chap. 17. fornication Vers 1 2. The Beast is the Romane Empire Vers 3. Seven heads are seven hils upon which Rome standeth or seven Orders of succâ—ssive Rulers viz. Kings Consuls Tribunes Decemviri Dictators Emperours in respect of the change whereof into ten Kingdomes it mâ—ght seeme another Ruler yet is but the same and Popes which last Beast is the bearer of the whore The ten hornes are those ten Kingdoms into which the Empire Vers 4. is divided The cup in her hand c. hath allusion to whores and stewes Vers 4. which is interpreted by the Angel to Iohn in the Chapter following at the eighth verse In this Chapter is figured the state of the Church cleansed from Idolatrous pollution and singing the triumphant song at the powring Chap. 15. out of the phyalls The effusion of the phyalls signifie the ruine of the Antichristian Beast The seven phyalls so many degrees of the ruine thereof Vers 6 7. And whatsoever the phyall is powred out upon suffereth dammage and losse thereby The first phyall is powred out upon the Earth that is the people or common sort of Christians this was fulfilled by the Albigenses Chap. 16. v. 2. and Waldenses c. The second phyall is powred out upon the Sea that is the compasse Vers 3. of the Popes iurisdiction fulfilled by Luther c. Reformers of the Church The third upon the Rivers that is upon the Ministers and Vers 4 5 6 7. Defenders of the Antichristian iâ—risdiction fulfilled in the yeere 1588 upon the Spanish Champions Priests and Iesuites by laws executed upon them in the reigne of Queene Elizabeth The fourth upon the Sunne that is the Germane Empire now Vers 8 9. by the warres there in powring out The fifth upon the Throne of the Beast that is Rome it self Vers 10 11. The sixth upon Euphrates to prepare away for the Kings of Vers 12 13 14 15 16. the East viz. The conversion of the Iâ—raelites by removing the obstacle the Othoman Empire of the Turks agreeing with the plague of the sixt Trumpet Chapter 11. The seventh phyall is powred out upon the Aire that is upon Satan Vers 17 c. comprehending not the dominion of the Beast onely but all the enemies of Christ gathered to gether under the conduct of the Power of the Aire and shut up in Armageddon The seventh Trumpet with the whole space of 1000. yeeres Chap. 20. thereto appertaining signifying the great Day of Iudgement circum scribed within two resurrections beginning at the iudgement of Antichrist as the morning of that day and continuing during the space of 1000 yeeres granted to new Ierusalem the Spouse of Christ upon this Earth till the universall resurrection and iudgement of all the dead when the wicked shall be cast into Hell to be tormented for ever and the Saints translated into Heaven to live with Christ for ever FINIS Erratain the latter part of this Booke Page line Erat. Corrected 3. l. 13 as measuring is measuring 7. l. 3.  cap. 6. Gr◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 19. l. 6. that may that they may 21. l. 31. to the Saint to the sift 24. l. â—0 That tâ—nth That this tenth 39. l. 33. with her childe her childe 56. l. 3â— a few dayes a few dayes together 65. l. 19. that the Romane that that Roman 75. l. 11. twleve virgins twelve being eminent as well in the company of virgins 81. l. 27. nation notion 94. l. 16. other drug other bitter drug 96. l. 12. the ruine the crime 122. l. 14. for many of many 125. 18. adde in marg 2 Thess 2.8 against line 28. adde Dan. 2.35 2â—8 l. 19 and 30. ◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 133. in the marg over against 1. 27. put lib. 11. c. 1
Commons House Munday Febr 21. An. Dom. 1641. IT is this day Ordered by the Committee for Printing and Publishing of Books c. That Mr Jackson Minister of Saint Michael in Woodstreet London be desired to peruse Mr More his Translation of Mr Mede his book on the Revelation this day presented to the said Committee to be licenced and to report to the said Committee his opinion therein and concerning the Printing thereof Iohn White I Have according to the Order of the Committee for Printing c. read over Master More his Translation of Mr Mede his booke on the Revelation and finde it to be exactly Translated and that the book it selfe gives much light for the understanding of many obscure Passages in that sweet and comfortable Prophecie and though Master Medes opinion concerning the thousand years of the seventh Trumpet be singular from that which hath beene most generally received by Expositors of best esteem and I conceive hath no just ground yet he therein delivers his judgement with such modestie and moderation that I think the Printing of it will not be perillous and therefore conceive that the publishing of this Translation is a good work and may with Gods blessing yeeld much comfort to many April 18. 1642. Arth. Iackson IT is Ordered by the Committee of the Commons House of Parliament concerning Printing this eighteenth day of April 1642. That the book Intituled the Key of the Revelation c. be Printed Iohn White The Key of the REVELATION searched and demonstrated out of the Naturall and proper Charecters of the Visions WITH A Coment thereupon according to the Rule of the same Key published in Latine by the profoundly Learned Master Joseph Mede B. D. late Fellow of Christs Colledge in Cambridge For their use to whom God hath given a love and desire of knowing and searching into that admirable Prophecie Translated into English by Richard More of Linley in the Countie of Salop. ESQVIRE One of the Burgesses in this present Convention of Parliament REVEL 1.3 Blessed is he that readeth that is interpreteth and they that heare him that interpreteth the words of this propheci◠and keepe those things that are written therein for the time is at hand that is is now present wherein the same things shall begin to be fulfilled and daily more and more shall be fulfilled With a Praeface written by Dr Twisse now Prolocutor in the present Assembly of Divines Printed at LONDON by R. B for Phil. Stephens at his Shop in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the gilded Lion 1643. A PREFACE written by Doctor Twisse shewing the Methode and Excellency of Mr Medes interpretation of this Mysterious book of the REVELATION of Saint JOHN MAny shall runne or passe to and fro and knowledge shall be encreased Dan. 12. 4. I lighted some times upon a wittie interpretation of this passage in a certain Manuscript and the interpretation was this That the opening of the world by Navigation and Commerce and the increase of knowledge should meet both in one time or age The observation is justified by experience howsoever Divines may judge as they see cause of the congruitie thereof unto Daniels text And this increase of knowledge which these latter times have brought forth appeares in nothing more remarkeably then in the interpretation of this mysterious booke the Revelation of Saint Iohn And as the mother of Solomon saith of the vertuous woman whom she describeth Pro 31.29 Many daughters have done vertuously but thou surmountest them all In like sort may it be said of Mr Mede in reference to his Expositions of the Revelation Many Interpreters have done excellently but he surmounteth them all Neithere should this seeme strange that being advantaged by the labours of those that went before him hee hath added something of his owne wherein hee hath surpassed others yet without disparagement to any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 any man may adde something to the labours of others as Aristotle hath it Ethic. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by these meanes Arts grow to perfection Thus wee salve the credit of ancient Writers though in some things many of the present age doe excell them for they have carried us on their shoulders to a great height by their instructions and for us to soare a little higher it is no great advancing of our abilities certainly no disparagement at all to them by whom we have profited in an high degree Thus a dwarfe lifted up on a tall mans shoulders may easily discover much more then hee thankes be to the tall man for it Thus a Wren carried on an Eagles shoulders to the highest pitch of her soaring aloft if when the Eagle is weary the Wren springs up somewhat higher this is no great glory to the Wren much lesse any dishonour to the Eagle Yet to confesse a truth Master Mede hath many notions of so rare a nature that I do not finde he is beholding to any other for them but onely to his owne studiousnesse and dexteritie with the blessing of God upon his labours And here First I doe observe Gods direction of him in the course that he hath taken 1. As First in his Clavis Apocalyptica the Key of the Revelation wherein hee hath drawne together the homogeneall parts of it dispersed here and there yet belonging to the same time the indistinction whereof may expose many to no small errour ere hee be aware conceaving all the Passages in the Revelation to be ordered in place according to the order of time wherein they were fulfilled which is found to be other wise as in the Key is manifested representing many perticulers mentioned in different places yet belonging to the same time 2. Secondly the Authour gave himselfe to write Specimina Essayes wherein he goes over every part of this book excepting the three first Chapters taking a generall view of each as he goes 3. Thirdly he proceeds to a more full Comentari◠from the fourth Chapter to the fourteenth that which followeth from thence to the end containes onely his former conceptions which he called Specimina Essayes or first adventures Secondly whereas in performancies of this nature two things are necessarily required 1. A right discerning of the meaning of the words and phrase which for the most part is Figurative and Tropicall the more exactly to finde out the sense of the Prophecie thereby 2. A right accomodation of each part unto the proper time of the Historie concerning the accomplishment of things foretold 1. As for the first of these the whole Body of the Revelation for the most part being carried along by Figurative expressions it is requisite to observe the Genius of Scripture phrase in this kinde wherein Master Mede excells and hereby the sense is cleared in such sort as to give great satisfaction As in opening the mysterie of the battell in heaven Revel 12. and the casting downe of Satan unto the earth hee shewes that States and Kingdomes in the world Politicall are indeed