Selected quad for the lemma: kingdom_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
kingdom_n	angel_n	heaven_n	lord_n	2,330	5	3.5941	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

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

expressed in that he offered up the Incense with or to the prayers of the Saints Thus by prayer Christ offering up the Incense of the application of his passion unto it the Saints may get the assurance of Christs death and consequently of eternall life Now upon Christs offering himself up for us and upon the preaching of the Gospel comprehended under the word voyces there followed the thundering of Tyrants the lightnings of Heresies you see they be dangerous and the great earthquake of Antichrist spoken of chap. 6.12 where observe that this part of the Vision agrees with that in chap. 6. Christ at the Altar giving seven Trumpets to seven Angels here resembles Christ on the white horse there The thundering here after the voyces or preaching of the Word and the fire of the Altar sent or Spirit given to the Church resembles Christ on the Red horse The lightning which burnes destroyes and makes look pale as experience testifyes resembles CHRIST on the pale and black horse of sicknesse and heresie Vers 6. The Angels prepared themselves to sound To wit now after that Christ had sent his spirit till then the Apostles were not to departed from Jerusalem nor these Angels to sound Thus then the seven Seals and Trumpets agree and perhaps the voyals for Christ signifyed the same thing to John under severall formes Vers 7. The first Angelsounded and there followed haile By this expression the contradictions and persecutions of the enemies of the Gospel are set forth for as haile is hurtfull to green Corne so is opposition and gainsaying unto young beleevers fire and blood resemble persecution and banishments which happened to the Disciples when the Gospel began to be preached from Penticost and forward as the Acts of the Apostles witnesse it has allusion to the seventh plague of Egypt and agrees with the first Seal by this means most of the Apostles and cheif Teachers in the Primitive time meant by trees were burnt up or destroyed And divers even very many Saints as green grasse being weaker then the trees were consumed at least bodily This may teach all sincere Teachers to expect at least haile that is contradiction it s well if not fire and blood let us be however like the trees planted by the water side Psal 1. Vers 8. And the second Angel sounded and as it were a great mountaine burning with fire c. This Mountain I beleeve not to be immediatly the devil as some think but the Roman Empire for he began not to burne with envy against the Church now but was a murderer from the beginning perchance stirred up to do this mischeif by the devil Now the Kings and Emperours or Empires are mountaines is said chap. 6.14 being higher then ordinary but what high mountaine was in the world now in this sense but the Roman Empire The Sea is the gathering together of waters and by it either the world or Church is understood Now the Roman Empire violently rushed in upon both and in the Church with fiery rage oppressed many thousand Saints witnesse the many persecutions Thus the Church was the red horse red with the blood of Martyrs Many in the Church bodily were destroyed understood by creatures dying in the sea And the third part of the ships were destroyed That is many Teachers who under Christ were able to manage the Sea or Church see the skill that ought to be in the Ministers of the Gospel but their souls were not lost though they were bodily destroyed since Christ was aboard but here is comfort not all but the third part of the sea was blood also the Sea quencheth fire so the Church through Christ shall have the victory at last And perchance it might be spoken because the Roman Empire should embrace the faith of Christ as Constantine did Thus the mountains was swallowed up with the sea but by this means Antichrist was neerer home Vers 10. And the third Angel sounded and there fell a great star from heaven Here as Chap. 6. are denoted all Arch-hereticks who for many years after the Apostles deformed the Church but especially here is signifyed the Apostacy of the Bishops of Rome as it were falling by degrees For indeed above thirty Bishops before Sylvester for the most part shined as starres in heaven and suffered martyrdom for Christ But after peace brought in by Constantine t is pitty such fair weather should do hurt the Roman star like the Babylonian Lucifer or the devil himself began to lift up himself above his fellow Ministers Sylvester is said to be the first that much degenerated burdening the Church with Heathenish rites and ordinances On the third part of the Rivers By Rivers I understand the Bishop successor of Sylvester and other Teachers from whom divine doctrine ought to flow to others By fountains I understand the Scriptures by waters the comforts and doctrines of Scripture infected The starre was called Warmewood From the effects of it because it did imbitter Thus also did Arrius that Heretick imbitter the Rivers partly by force partly by cunning that who drank did indanger their salvation here is an allusion to the waters of Marah this bitternesse continued untill Gregory Too too long had it pleased God otherwise yet here is comfort since but the third part of either was infected Vers 12. And the fourth Angel sounded and the third part of the Sunne Was smitten In the sixth Seal there is a totall Ecclips threatned the Sun should be as dark as sack-cloth of haire that is very dark but here only the third part of the Sun is smitten yet the apparitions much agree or as the pale horse noted the sickly estate of the Church of which see the exposition so somewhat of the same thing is here foretold the Sun shadows out the cheif Prelates as Pope Cardinal who ought to shine forth in life and doctrine the Moon which receives her light from the Sun signifies other inferiour depending orders as Priests and Curates The stars being lesse in light signifie the layity thus Annonimus upon the place all which grew sickly pale and dime in the matters of Christ yet here is comfort only the third part for Antichrist was not yet lifted up into his seat Vers 13. And I beheld and heard an Angel flying thorough the midst of heaven John saw this Angel fly in the midst of heaven which noted some notable Minister living in the Church or Kingdome of grace who spoke of the miseries of the Church ensuing 't is conceived Gregory Bishop of the Church of Rome was meant by this Angel who as a heavenly Herauld foretold of the grievous calamities to befall the Church by Antichrist witnesse his Epistles to the Emperour Mauritius Woe Woe Woe noting the three following Trumpets or many great miseries ensuing To the inhabitants of the earth Noting earthly-minded-men and hypocrites contradistinct to Saints whose names being written in heaven were more happy Note how Muck-wormes and Hypocrites are called

expound it though some have anciently supposed this Book to be forged by the Heretick Cerinthus because seemingly favouring the errour of the Millenaries though it be indeed full of divine testimonies of Christs divine nature and no way favours that Millenary errour as will appear in the progresse if the objections of Hereticks and others had presently been beleeved we should long since have had little or nothing entire in the whole Scripture Among all Commentators Pareus who borrowed much of Brightman and Bullinger by his own Confession but especially of Anonymus upon whom he seemes sometimes to be but a large Commentary most affects me yet sometimes I borrow light of a seemingly lesse glorious torch then his This book is a Prophesie as Mr Goodwin observes it out of Mr Mede of the destruction of the Romane Empire either as heathenish in the whole or else Christian yet persecuting in both the parts of it East and West The Book is tragi-comedy which begins with a kingdom given to be won by conquest Rev. 6. and ends with the Coronation of a King and the Marriage of his Bride and all between is but the removing of all such lets and impediments namely of the Roman Monarchy and all other kingdomes which that was broken into so far as they stand in the way and possesse the roome of that kingdome which is to beset up When Christ first began the whole world then worshipping Idols he sets upon conquering the whole Romane Empire as it was heathenish and the worship of Satan and Idols in it and in three hundred yeares he dispatcheth that and throws down all both Idoll worship and Princes that did uphold it And then when the whole Empire was turned Christian yet the devill as one ewll said did not turne Christian but under the name and profession of Christ he stirreth up the Arrian Christian world to prosecute the Orthodox Christians as much as heathenish Rome had done but Christ takes further vengeance for this persecution under both these Heathenish and Arrian Rome it was the cry of the bloud of the Saints slaine under both that brought on them the vengeance that followed see Chap. 6. vers 10.11 The Empire having been afore divided into two parts the Easterne all which now the Turk possesseth and the Westerne this in Europe he fals first on the Westerne Europian part breaking that by the incursion of those barbarous nations * Which the foure first Trumpets did sound forth as M. Goodwyn affirms Rev. 8. the Goths and Vandals then for the Easterne part of the Empire although his revenge was slower yet he reserved them for the forest vengeance that could befall the Christian world the Conquest and Tyranny of the * The 6. Trumpet sounded forth this ch 9.13 Saracens first afterwards the Turks Thus here is an end of the Romane Monarchy under the Emperours in the whole and in the parts of it The Westerne part in Europe was by occasion of the Goths invasion broken into seven Kingdoms which though helping the Woman against the floud of Arrian persecution yet through Satans seducing of them they set up the Beast or Antichristian Rome And these altogether did joine to make us as great a war against the Saints in Ch. 13. as the Heathens and Arrians had done and so Christ in a manner was as far off his Kingdome as at first The next counterplot of Jesus Christ is to overcome these Kingdomes so you find Rev. 17.14 They shall make war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them for he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and they that are with him are called chosen and faithful Thus far he Which generall methodicall division I in the general like and allow of though in particular I have shewed upon Chapter eight that the first foure Trumpets did not signifie the incursion of those Nations Goths and Vandals neither indeed came they to help the Woman but to destroy her though they embraced her faith when most corrupted of which more in order and place See Chap. 12. I desire the Reader to remember that though the Revelation may seeme to be one continued Vision yet indeed it is not one nor revealed at one time but seven as so many sights exhibited to John in the Spirit John was not once only but oft times ravished in the Spirit neither saw he all in one place but some things in Patmos some things in heaven some things at the seashore some things in the Wildernesse Note the Revelation sayes Pareus out of Augustine speakes the same things after a diverse manner the former Visions are for the most part more obscure the latter bring clearer light to the darknesse of the former if one rightly observe them sayes Pareus for example in the second Vision the black horse denotes the Church made black with heresies after Constantines time the pale horse having death sitting on and drawing hell after him the Church sick even unto death towards Antichrists rising In the third Vision by the sounding of the third fourth and fifth Trumpets the same state of the Church is indeed represented yet more especially the declining corruption and lastly the Apostacy of the Sea of Rome plainer Some Visions represent the foure conditions or the foure acts of the Church to wit of its flourishing and groaning under Roman Tyrants till peace brought in by Constantine 2. Of the Church raigning and rioting under Christian Emperours till the rising of the Westerne Antichrist Boniface third Pope of Rome and of the Easterne in Mahomet six yeares after 3. Of the Church trodden upon and oppressed by Antichrist especially the Westerne till the measuring of the Temple which began to be effected by the Two witnesses John Husse and Ierome of Prague who were slain by the Beast in the Councel of Constance Anno 1414. and thence untill Luther by whose Ministry the measuring of the Temple hindered through the tyranny of Popes began to be continued Anno 1517. The fourth of the Church reformed from Popery and of the declining of Papacy to endure till the end Some Visions represent not the entire but only the two * The 2 3 4 and 7. Visions containe the 4. Acts or estates of the Church the 5. and 6. Visions are more particular containing the 7. last plagues and the judgment of the Whore latter conditions of the Church Thus the most excellent Pareus It is safest expounding the Revelation by the Revelation one thing explaining another yet much of this Book the Lord hath yet reserved in his own power yet this latter age hath had better help of experience then that of the Fathers many things being fulfilled which they dived not into The fourth Actor condition of the Church with its accomplishment is secret Because the seventh Trumpet hath not yet sounded Neither is the seventh Viall yet poured out into the aire a great part also of the third Act is reserved unto posterity which in time shall see

Meaning seven Churches vers 20. called Candlesticks because as they hold light in them to wit Candles so the Churches had or ought to have the light of the Gospel in them golden notes the choycenesse of the light of the Gospel in respect of any other light Vers 13. In the midst c. Christ is in his Church among his Ordinances among his members even where two or three are met together in his name Like the Son of Man 'T was Christ as appears by vers 8. who is like us in the truth of our nature Clothed with a garment down to his foot 'T was the custome of the Easterne countryes to go so it notes Christs righteousnesse which was enough for himself and all his members Men are one the other part corrupt from the head to the sole of the feet Esay 1. vers 6. A golden girdle Alluding to the custome of the Easterne countryes who because they wore long garments used to girt them up that they might not hinder them it notes Christs care and diligence A golden girdle Notes Christs Majesty and divine nature it alludes to Esay 11. vers 5. and righteousnesse shall be his girdle About the paps not the ordinary way shewes Christs love to the Church because the heart which is the seat of love is between the breasts Vers 14. His head and his haire white as wool and as snow It notes five things 1. White haire notes wisedom it usually doth accompany them 2. It shews Christ is the ancient of dayes in Dan. 7. nay from eternity as the Father 3. It shewes Christ ought to be reverenced gray haries are venerable 4. As wool notes Christs innocency such is the creature from whence wool 5. As snow notes Christs pure nature See Isa 1.18 His eyes a flame of fire Because in his wrath he will consume the wicked as the fire doth the chaffe it notes likewise the searching peircing knowledge of Christ Vers 15. His feet like unto fine brasse It notes the divine power of Christ his strength constancy or his humanity tryed as in the furnace of sufferings His voyce as of many waters It notes the efficacy and terrour of his voyce For waters run violently none can hinder their course Also they make a terrible noyse the wicked tremble at the voyce Vers 16. He had in his right hand seven starres Being the Angels or Ministers of the seven Churches vers 20. This commends the dignity of Teachers who ought to shine in life and doctrine they are in Christs hand 1. Because he giveth them to his Church 2. Because he preserveth them ruleth them with his Word and Spirit 3. Because as he worketh by starres on this lower world he worketh salvation for his Church through them Out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword It shewes either the power of his Word which is of a peircing nature Heb. 4.12 or as in chap. 19. vers 15. it notes his readinesse and power to take vengeance His countenance was as the Sunne it notes either Christs divine nature or his humane nature glorified Vers 17. And when I saw him I fell down as dead It notes the weaknesse of man before the Majesty of God how then shall the wicked stand before him He laid his right hand upon me See Christs readinesse to help also learne by whom all the faithfull are upheld Feare not For fear might unfit John to understand the Vision what need the Saints fear since Christ who is with them bids not fear I am the first and the last This teacheth John that he saw no fancy but 't was Christ who spake Vers 18. I am be that liveth and was dead The Jewes and Hereticks scoffe at us for trusting in a crucified God in the mean time wo to them that CHRIST dyed not for I have the keyes of hell and the grave by keyes power is understood so that CHRIST is Lord of hell and grave I am alive for evermore It notes Christs eternity and God-head Let the Jewes scoffe we are herein comforted Vers 19. Write the things which That is all the Revelation T is requisite for us to read what Christ so carefully commands to be written Vers 20. The mystery of the seven starres The seven starres signifie the seven Angels of the seven Churches but they were not properly seven Angels so the Rock is said to be Christ That is signified Christ so the seven lean kine Gen. 41. v. 27. are said to be seven years that is signifie seven years So Christ sayes the bread is his body that is signifies his body Now the Ministers are called Angels because they act by commission because they are imployed about the Kingdom of Heaven because they should be somewhat unspotted as they are because they aime at mans good Concerning the candlesticks See vers 12. CHAP. II. Vers 1. Vnto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus write JOHN writ to this Church first either because it lay next to Patmos or because of its eminency and greatnesse To the Angel That is the Pastor it notes both the dignity and authority of the calling for Angels are in commission extraordinary Some would perswade that Timothy was this Angel if so it shewes that in many things we all erre Write No doubt Christ told John word for word what he should write and it shewes the authority of the book These things saith he This answereth the title of the Prophets who to stirre up attention in the people use the expression of thus saith the Lord. Who holds c. None can destroy the Ministry or 7. Starres unlesse their sins cause God to destroy them Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks John saw our Saviour in another posture before This notes Christs activenesse that he is present by his providence in his Church Vers 2. I know thy Works Christ knowes our good works and acknowledges them and rewards them he knowes our bad actions to punish them without repentance it shewes Christs deity being omniscient Thy labour and patience That is thy unwearyed paines in Preaching the Word t is an office of much paines patience in induring all affliction hee was exercised in by Jewes or Heathens for the Word of the Crosse as our Apostle therefore calls it herein may a Minister be comforted because Christ takes notice of his works And canst not bear them that be evill It shews the Pastors zeal in observing Church discipline 1 Cor. 1.18 and executing censures against scandalous persons And hast tryed them which say they are Apostles c. Meaning Ebion and Cerinthus with others who boasted themselves to be Apostles but were indeed enemies oppugning the deity of Christ Now t is the Pastours duty as to defend the purity of doctrine so to oppose such devouring wolves Vers 3. And hast borne c. Christ points at some particular kind of affliction as stripes or imprisonment which he had sustained And for my names sake hast laboured c.

witnesse the inquisition of Spaine which though made and pretended for the Moores yet destroyes Christs servants Also by their lyons teeth is understood their snatching all things devouring widows houses laying waste Orphans fields By their lyons teeth the Romish Clergy in their writings and disputations tear the Truth Vers 9. And they had breast-plates c. Iron breast-plates keep off blowes so these spirituall Locusts are not easily hurt For first their Priestly priviledges exempt them from any civill power so that the Magistrate dare not touch without endangering the Popes curse Secondly they have Kings Princes and great men to patronize and protect them Thirdly they are by severall orders societies fraternities vowes so linked together that as they may hurt any so none may hurt them The sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots As Locusts with beating their little wings together can make a great noise So the Romish Clergy by their many priviledges by which as by wings they are lifted up above the condition of all other men make a dreadfull sound The Chariot notes majesty and terrour if in a battle whether they oft carry Princes and Generals so these by their priviledges are terrible their sermons spare none of what rank or quality soever keep all under with fear of excommunication Vers 10. And they had tailes like unto Scorpions Of the Scorpions striking see vers 5. Note the Locusts had faces like men seem as friends and promise salvation but in fine wound as Scorpions through false doctrines purgatory and the like thus they have a taile or sting causing sorrow at last Vers 11. They had a King over them which is the Angel of the bottomlesse pit The literal locusts have no King Prov. 30. But these are more wise and politick having a King to protect them His name from the effect may be well called Abaddon or Apollyon that is a destroyer in Hebr. and Greek for he destroyes the Church Or the Angel of the bottomlesse pit to wit the Pope for he opened and preached the doctrine of hell of which see vers 1. Now as we have noted on chap. 1. v. 20. Angels are Ministers so the Pope here is an Angel and so is the devil but a bad one Vers 12. One Woe is past To wit to John in the Vision otherwise this woe of the Locusts torturing in many places is not yet past Note how the Locusts kingdom is a kingdom of woe and misery to men And behold two more come hereafter One upon the easterne Churches by Mahomet the other upon Antichrist and the wicked at the sounding of the seventh and last trumpet Hereafter to be set down by John for he had seen them though not then writ them indeed they came together I mean the eastern and western Antichrist as I may say by Mahomet and the locusts with their King though John saw one after another in the Vision implyed in the word hereafter Vers 13. And the sixth Angel sounded and I heard a voice from the foure hornes of the golden Altar This golden Altar is Christ the author of the Revelation there is no other Altar in heaven who is both the high Priest of and sacrifice for his Church See chap. 8. This voyce is from Christ commanding the four Angels to be loosed as actors of the future tragedy In the sounding by the Angel I know no mystery John by this means is stirred up and we are to take notice of the future events Which is before God As the Altar in the Vision seemed to be before God So Christ is in the presence of God to appear for us as our intercessour Concerning the four hornes see Exod. 30.10 they were Types of Christs expiation of our sinnes Vers 14. Saying to the sixth Angel which had the trumpet John perchance heard Christs voice as from the Altar commanding the Angel after he had sounded to loose the four Babylonian Angels By which Christs divine authority commanding the Angels of heaven appears Loose the foure Angels which are bound c. It seemes by divine providence hitherto they were bound but now at Christs command let loose to punish the Christian world for idolatry and wickednesse Now who more punished the Christian world then those four Nations Armenians Arabians Saracens Tartarians from which last came the Turk though now all four are comprehended under the name of Turkie Euphrates formerly did bound the Roman Empire separating the Christian world from the barbarous people who inhabited beyond it where they were bound but now loosed So these Angels are four Nations who at an appointed time brake forth with their hostile armyes upon the Christian world in the raigne of Heraclius the Emperour the occasion this the said Emperour having ended his warres with the Persians dismissed without pay his Saracene souldiers which he had then in the army which they not well liking by the counsell of the false Prophet Mahomet after they had drawen the rest of the Arabians into a society and war with them they with their captain Homar in short time brought under the neighbouring Provinces of the Romane Empire establishing the blasphemies of Mahomet and rooting out Christian Religion which was much corrupted to these Arabians the Turks a people of Sythia now Tartaria joyned professing Mahomatilme over whom to be brief Ottoman a Turk became Emperour who and his successors since the yeere 1300. have subjugated great part of the world so that Keckerman thinks Mahometisme is more and larger professed then Christianity But enough he that desires more satisfaction in the Turkish original and conquests may read Knowles his Turkish history Foure Angels They are called Angels in respect of their ministry God stirring them up as his instruments Officers and Angels as it were to punish the idolatrous world So then these Babylonish Angels for Euphrates which was the bounds to these Nations run through Babylon came not but by permission and divine Providence Vers 5. The foure Angels were loosed God spake and it is done They were prepared for an houre and a day and a month and a year God has set a time to the tyranny of the four Angels 't is his mercy to mitigate his judgments Here is a short time set them but to say how short or how long I beleeve none knows though Brightman has taken pains herein But we hope their strength decayes dayly of which see Dr. Heylins microcosmus in Armenia For to slay the third part of men Here their cruelty is noted they are of a murdering disposition True they obey God in the executing his judgments and are his servants as Nebuchadnezzar was though they intend not to nor know they do serve him They aime at nothing but rapine murders and the advancement of Mahometisme so though they came by commission from God and act as Pilate by Gods leave and counsell yet hee l pay neither no other wages for their service then hell and destruction wherewith he has long since rewarded

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

polluted to them and become by a just judgement but as muddy and puddle to them being hid to them that be lost Hence the Angel of the waters ver 5. who to wit poured out his Vial in the Vision on the waters praises God for the equity of his judgement giving them blood to drink spiritually for that Scripture was puddle to them which is pure water in it self for that the Doctors were besotted given to delusions and traditions So that their People compared to the creatures in the sea do spiritually die wanting the true waters of comfort who shed the blood of the Saints really Perchance suddainly the sea of Rome may litterally become blood by Protestants opposing her and when the Kings shall hate the whore chap. 17 17 18. and burn her Ver. 6. For they are worthy Evil works are perfectly evil and deserve punishment but good works are always imperfect nay if never so good debts to the Creator therefore deserving no reward but have it out of free mercy and promise But enough to ver 7. which is easie The Angel from out of the Altar was mentioned chap. 14 18. who said thrust in thy sickle and here praises God to which place I referre the Reader and for brevity sake have done with these seven verses Vers 8. And the fourth Angel poured out his Vial upon the Sunne In the Vision this may be as well called the Angel of the Sun as well as the others of fire and water they are called so because of their pouring out their Vials on the Sun Water Earth and because God perchance by these gathers the Saints at the last day to himself and casteth the wicked into hell fire The Sunne notes the holy Scripture by which our dark minds are enlightned as the world is by the Sun God by way of a judgement is said to give the Sun to the bright Scripture making it in the latter days much more clear piercing scorching the consciences or because the Antichristian notwithstanding shall by a just judgement have strong delusions beleeve a lie and not receive the knowledge of the truth or repent unto salvation but continue in unbelief malice envy noted by their being scorched Thus the Vial is poured out upon the Sunne giving more light to the envy of the marked ones who for madnesse gnawed and bit themselves having yet no mind nor grace ro recant Now had the Vial been litterally poured out on the waters formerly or now on the Sun the punishment had been common to all not proper to Antichristians noted by the men as the text intends Vers 9. And men were scorched c. to wit the marked ones Thus the word as a fire burns though chiefly 't was intended for salvation no wonder then there appeared before-hand smoak in the Temple or heaven noting the blindnesse of Antichristians obstinacy and Gods wrath upon it hindring their coming into heaven Observe men yet repented not though God send his Word and Judgements to call to repentance nay though they knew God had power over the plagues yet they returned not to him but hardened their hearts The Popelings though they be scorched by this light as by a fire yet will not for their Riches Honour and Ambition-sake take notice of it to amendment of life to give God the glory to wit of the justnesse of the punishment inflicted 2. Of the truth of the Gospel discovered 3. Or their recovery desired Vers 10. And the fifth Angel poured out his Vial upon the seat of the Beast and his Kingdome waxed dark Upon the preaching of the Word to Antichrists Seat and Kingdome for the noise of the truth by books and preaching hath reached thither his Courtiers subjects and self-continuing obstinate God by a further judgement darkens them more and more punishing one sinne by another as Rom. 1.26 which darknes begins every day to be more manifest Here is an allusion to the litteral Egyptian darknesse but this is to be spiritually taken for the darknesse of the mind the profoundest Doctors of Rome are fools in the saving matters of faith by a just judgement of God So that Gospel which naturally brings light to them that sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death by accident brings more darknesse upon these And they gnawed their tongues Noting the extream rage of Antichristians against God and truth For paine Or grief because Rome is declining and grown to be a kingdome of darknesse Blasphemed the God of heaven In that they condemn the Gospel of Christ for heresie and the true Preachers for hereticks Repented not But taught their marked ones they were in the right and light though ver 8. and 9. they rage and are mad at the Sunne of light which they cannot darken nor will acknowledge to be true but who is more blind then those that will not see Object How can Ministers inflict plagues or poure out Vials Answ They communicate in the work of God as Co-workers they preach the Gospel upon contempt of which the Lord for them punisheth the obstinate and contemners as is noted chap. 11. about the witnesses smiting the earth largely ver 5 6. Vers 12. And the sixth Angel poured out his Vial upon the great river Euphrates and the water thereof was dried up c This Vial and the former have been pouring out a great while Babylon had two strong fences the wals which were one of the wonders of the world very thick and high Then secondly the great river run thorough it as I noted out of Solinus in my quoted book pag. 109. which was greater strength to the city then the wals being very deep Cyrus and the besiegers despairing of the wals make many deep ditches and whiles the Babylonians riot and feast within securely scorning and contemning the besiegers they brought the river Euphrates into those ditches or channels and so enter into Babylon as it were on dry ground and took it The mystical Babylon hath in stead of wals Emperours Kings Princes to defend her inwardly Rome the mystical Babylon hath tythes first-fruits Peter-pence indulgences and the like in stead of Euphrates which the Kings of the East alluding to Cyrus and Darius Kings of the Medes and Persians who are East of Babylon and caused the literal Euphrates to be diverted that is Christian Kings Princes Ministers People for they are from Christ who is the Angel of the East chap. 7.2 and the day-spring from on high Luke 1.78 who visited us who shall divert Euphrates of Rome throw down her riches and bestow them towards the maintenance of Schools Gospel-teachers these the Ministers first preached against as against Peter-pence Absolution-money and the like and other revenues Emperours and Kings have better imployed diverting them and their course from Rome witnesse King Henry the eighth in England so in time Rome will be more feaseable when her Riches and Honour cease more and more This the sixth Vial means And Anonymus two hundred and seventy years

Jasper a precious stone I see no more here but the most happy everlasting life of Saints set forth The City was pure gold This metal we chiefly-esteem therfore the Holy Ghost sets forth the glorious condition of the Church or City by it pure Gold is without drosse if tryed in the fire it comes forth without any such shewing the most pure estate of the Church above Like to Chrystall Or clear Glasse the matter is solid Gold the form bright as Glasse or Chrystal so it is as a golden City shining in glory not really but to stirre us up to seek after this heavenly Ierusalem which farre exceeds all these precicious things to which it is as it were compared Vers 19. And the foundation of the wall The matter of the wall and City is mentioned the foundation is very precious being of precious stones stones are for foundations preous stones for this being Christ laid by the twelve Apostles whose names were upon the foundations the foundations were all of whole Pearles or Gemmes which were Pillars of the wall as it were thus the foundations were garnished with pearles or precious stones The first was a Iasper Clear and green which the Papists say signifies Peter who did shew a lively flourishing love towards Christ indeed Peter being first converted is usually first named but the same order of mentioning the Apostles by the Evangelists is not observed alwayes and 't is conceived all loved him and dyed for him as well as Peter Iohn only excepted perchance who was the beloved Disciple writ most of love therefore this of the Papists proves little neither is it said the Apostles were the foundations but their names were written upon them doubtlesse the preciousnesse of the stones set-forth the preciousnesse of Christ the foundation and the Gospel preached by the the twelve so the stones set forth the choycenesse of him that sate upon the throne ch 4.3 which is a plain sense The second a Saphire being skie-coloured it aswageth lust 't is wonder saies my Pareus that Writers apply not this to Iohn who only lived unmarried the Papists apply it to Andrew but since the order of reckoning the Apostles is not alwayes the same we hence can certainly gather little But this observe if the twelve had their names upon the foundations then had John before his death and why may not the Beast like a flying Eagle resemble John chap. 4.7 who though alive had written his Gospel where he sores aloft like an Eagle about Christs Divinity See the exposition on that chap. 4 7. I see little hindring The third a Chalcedony A kinde of a Carbuncle of a purple colour good against black choler that is sadnesse and fear Now the foundation Christ and the Doctrine of the twelve Apostles both teach love as in the first stone chastity in the second and expel all base fear as in the third stone The fourth an Emerauld A most pleasant green colour refreshing the sight good against poyson and the falling sicknesse Now the foundation Christ is most pleasing and cordial The fifth a Sardonix Resembling in part a mans nayle and the colour 't is good against pride so is the foundation Christ and the twelve Apostles doctrine The sixth a Sardius Of a dark red colour it emboldens sharpens the wit The seventh a Chrysolite c. Being good against shortnesse of breath the Papists apply them to the Apostles but for brevity sake I omit them Christ compleatly comprehends what 's in them to perfection who is the true foundation of the heavenly Ierusalem the Apostles have their names written upon the foundation because they confirmed the foundation Christ with their blood Vers 21. And the twelve Gates were twelve Pearles c. Christ is the only Gate he is the way door and life but because by the ministry of the twelve Apostles we come to Christ hence the City is said to have twelve Gates now the Doctrine of the Apostles leading to Christ is more precious then Gold or Pearles who in heaven shall shine with the brightnesse of Christ like glorious Pearles And the street of the City was pure Gold Now followes the inward beauty of the City there are many streets in a City and a Market-place or place of meeting I see nothing else here but the whole course of the Saints in heaven is most uncorrupt and pure their walking or motion and meetings comprehended by streets are righteous and pure as Gold our meetings below are full of corruption and the purest Church and members sinful therefore the state of this life is not here meant Transparent Glasse Is the Cities unutterable brightnesse Vers 22. And I saw no Temple in the same Solomons glistering Temple was a type of Christs spiritual Church heaven shall need none preaching and all outward exercises of Religion shall cease in this world our weaknesse needs these helps then God will not be served with external worship Christ shall give up his ministerial Kingdom by which he now governs the Church 1 Cor. 15.24 and God according to the Essence in three persons shall be all in all each one then shall be taught of God Ier. 31.34 None need say know the Lord all imperfection shall be laid aside 1 Cor. 13.10 and tongues which were only to build up the Church faith and hope which were to lay hold on Christ which now in the Vision they enjoy only charity remains So when I speak of meetings or motion ver 21. I mean no such as these but conceive they may move and not alwayes in heaven sit stand stil or rest in one place which were improbable For the Lord Almighty is the Temple of it Here the Saints praise him in Temples there they shall immediatly rejoyce in him and keep a perpetual Sabbath to him serving him day and night before the throne so they shall rejoyce in God as in a Temple God in heaven is insteed of a Temple chap. 11.19 the Temple of God was open in heaven meaning the triumphant Church who were Gods Temple in earth now he is the Saints Temple in heaven Vers 23. The City hath no need of Sunne nor Moon to shine in it c. T is not said the Sunne and Moon were not for as Esay hath it The Moon shall shine as the Sunne and the light of the Sunne shall be seven fold for a recompence for their unwearied former pains chap. 30 26. speaking of the renovation of all things But God and the Lamb as equal in light and glory shall be the light of the City and shall obscure the other lights which shall remain glorified as monuments of Gods mercy power and wisedome but the city shall not need them having the father of lights there where also every Saint shall shine as the Sunne for ever O glorious City But observe that Esay is partly to be understood of the great light of knowledge and grace under Christs spiritual Kingdom in respect of the dark clouds of the

be there and consequently blisse There shall be no curse because his servants there obey and serve him deserving no curse but obtaining honour unutterable such are Angels and Saints Since the Queen of the South wondred to see Solomons attendants sure in heaven is matter of admiration Vers 4. And they shall see his face That is shall be in the presence of God and shall see Christs humane nature gloryfied and comprehend God to content and satisfaction as far as created natures are capable See my Glimps of Christs love And his name shall be in their fore-heads Either alluding to the Beasts marked ones chap. 13. by which is noted his property of them and so Gods owning the Saints may be here meant or his name is his nature which they shall pertake of in heaven See chap. 3.12 expounded to this purpose I will write upon him my Name The Beast marked his that they might only serve and worship him Gods then are also marked that is consecrated to openly praise him and serve him for ever Vers 5. And there shall be no night c. Darknesse is but sad therefore no night of darknesse or sorrow shall be there The glory of God there hinders all night or darknesse so there needs no Sun being there is no night see chap. 21.23 where this verse is fuller explained And they shall raigne for ever and ever As Kings and Priests as chap. 20. v. 5 6. expounded the thousand years of Satans binding the primitive Saints lived with Christ in heaven after the expiration of them all others that were regenerated or partakers of the first resurrection after death reigned with Christ forever Vers 6. And he said to me these sayings are faithfull and true c. Hitherto the Prophecy which one of the seven Angels who poured out the Vials and talked with Iohn ch 17. commends to Iohn to recommend to us So not only the two last Chapters concerning the glorious Bride or City wherein by most choyce things as gold pearle the glory of the Saints above is as it were shadowed out but all the book is commended And indeed it is the true summe of all things to happen to the last day nay for ever What ever may be said of any book of holy writ may be said of this being an Epitome of holy Scripture in some sence so that herein is enough for salvation if well understood and practised Faithfull To which we may give credit True Which shall in time and order be accomplished And the Lord God of the holy Prophets sent his Angel Christ the revealer of the Prophesie is the Lord God of the Prophets who sent his Angel vers 16. I Jesus sent my Angel which proves two things 1. That the Angel was not Christ but his messenger though in the Old-Testament Christ appeared oft as an Angel to wit of the Covenant 2. That Christ is God being Lord of the Angels see chap. 1. v. 1. expounded His Angel Meaning himself who spake to John See ch 1. v. 1. about the rest of this vers Vers 7. Behold I come quickly The voice is Christs perchance represented by the Angel Christ is the Lord of the Prophets who confirmes the words of the Angel saying the things must shortly be done for he comes quickly Time runs away apace and deceives men who live in security and carelsenesse Christ will come before such are aware to judgment Blessed is he that keepeth these sayings c. See chap. 1. v. 3. expounded Vers 8. And I John saw these things c. Visionally and heard them therefore a good witnesse This is the very stile of John in his Gospel he that saw it bears record and his record is true chap. 19.35 And when I had heard and seen I fell down to worship before the Angel He ingeniously confesseth his errour again Perchance he committed his errour twise If so as it is probable for 't was upon the joyfull news of the Bride and her marriage that John was formerly taken in the errour about worshipping the Angel chap. 19.10 See the exposition which now in the Vision was past it shews the pronenes of the best men to sin more then once after reproof as John had chap. 19.10 without Gods speciall assisting hand also it notes our natures being prone to Idolatry no wonder the world ever has been so prone to that sin in all ages Vers 9. See thou do it not worship God As chap. 19.10 The words here differ from them in chap. 19. which proves 't was not the former errour but a second upon Johns taking leave of the Angel Now Iohn worshipped not but composed himself to worship by falling down So the very gestures of Papists before Idols is sinfull and forbidden let them worship whomsoever under the Idol or Image The Papists say the Angel out of modesty commanded Iohn to forbear because also in Christs sight but the Angels reproving Iohn proves the contrary Of them who keep the sayings of this book The Angel confirmes that it was not lawfull for Iohn to worship his fellow-servant for such are the Angels to Saints but God only Now the Angels fellow-servants are those who hate the Whore and Beast and flye out of Babylon keeping the sayings of the Book worshipping neither the Beast nor his Images of which his Kingdom is full so the Angels reasons against Iohns worshipping are seasonable All worship is due to Iehovah alone Vers 10. And hee said to me seal not the sayings of the Prophecy c. This the Angel saith but chap. 10.4 God commanded the things uttered by the seven thunders to be sealed which seemes to be taken out of Dan. 8.26 where the Prophet is commanded to shut up the Vision or seal it because it was not to be accomplished for many dayes The Angel commands this not to be kept secret or sealed because all might read it and beware of the Beast also because the time was at hand when Iohn writ and Antichrist has been now long revealed God commanded the things uttered by the seven thunders to be concealed not absolutely but in respect of the event because Antichrist would not take notice of them and therefore they were as good be kept secret see chap. 10.4 expounded And indeed it is worth noting Christs Angel sayes seal not but let Scripture be read but Christs pretended Vicar sayes seal all Scripture let none be read but by the Clergy opposing Christ Vers 11 He that is unjust let him be unjust still c. Here is a kind of tacit Objection answered for some may say the Prophecy being open and to be read Tyrants and Antichrists will through Satans instigation rage the more knowing their time is short or knowing the short time comprehends hundreds of years they may say as the wicked servant our master deferres his coming and will rage the more in the mean time Therefore 't were better the Prophecy were concealed To which is answered he that is filthy let him