Mountaine anciently threatning it but now burning turneth it all bloody with a great destruction as well of living creatures or fishes living therein as also of the navy That is the destruction of Rome the great Citie once or twice taken spoyled and burning with hostile flames brake out to the ruine of the largenesse of the Romane iurisdiction the Barbarians now at their pleasure fiercely entering into the Provinces thereof by reason of the weaknesse of the head so afflicted and dividing them into new kingdoms with an irreparable slaughter both of the legions there abiding for defence as also with losse of all aydes of retaining and upholding as of traffique the authoritie thereof The Sea of the politique world as I have said is that fulnesse of dominion compassing all the inhabitants in the communion of the same politique right By this representation the Dominion of Babylon is expressed Ier. 51. 36. where the Lord threatneth that he will dry up the Sea thereof and make the spring thereof dry which vers 44. is expounded holding the same Metaphor the nations shall flow no more unto her The amplitude also of the Assyrian kingdom is so described Ezek. 31. 4. The waters made her to wit the Assyrian Cedar to grow the deep or the sea hath exalted her Happily also the dominion of Pharaoâ— is the Sea Esa 19.5 where concerning the destruction of his kingdom it is said the waters shall faile from the Sea thereof that is his Dominion shall be taken away Whereupon those great Empires in Daniel are beheld to ascend out of the Sea that is to arise out of the largenesse of Dominion Now that the third part of the Sea that is the Romane sea is said to become blood we must know that blood first is take for slaughter then for Death also without blood but that Death in a manner is taken for ruine even of a thing wanting life see Ezec. 14.19 3.18.20 ct 18.13 Amo. 2.2 Rom. 7.9 whereupon to become bloody is a representation of a thing that suffereth ruine to wit as it were like a living creature slain or butchered bleeding That therefore here the Sea is said to become bloody by the fall of a great Mountaine it sheweth nothing else but that it suffered by that fall a certaine Death or a violent Ruine That which in the phyals where the same representation is is a little more plainly said * Chap. 16.3 that it became as the blood of a dead man that is of one slaine the Romane Dominion or fulnesse was overthrown cut in pieces rent destroyed Chap. 8. The like mysterie of a Mountaine signifying a Citie is found of old Babylon Ierem. 51. 25. Behold I come unto thee ô plague-bringing or destroying Mountaine which destroyest the whole Earth and I will stretch out mine hand c. and I will make thee a Mountaine of burning where the Septuagint have it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a mountaine on fire in the same sence wherein Iohn here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a mountaine burning with fire Concerning the same Esay 13. 2. upon the high Mountaine lift up a Standard Targum upon the Citie dwelling without feare The like Chap. 37. 24. to Senacherib King of Assyria Thou hast railed saith he on the Lord and said by the multitude of my chariots I have ascended the height of the mountains Targum I have ascended into the defence of their Cities but whether rightly I doubt Furthermore that a Mountaine is here said to be put or cast into the Sea it is the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 elegancy of the figure since a Mountaine can no otherwise hurt the Sea then by being thrown into it And remember that this hath place in the following Trumpet also concerning the falling Starre Vers 10. As concerning the History Rome was first taken in the yeere 410 and that by the same Alaricus King of the Gothes who had brought in as it were the entrance of the destinie in the former Trumpet but now after the death of Stilichâ— making new stirres and preparing a new and fatall expedition into Italy whereby he brought Honorius into such streights that the Barbarian himselfe could make a new Emperour of Rome namely Attalus with whom he besieged Houorius Augustus at Ravenna now in despaire of his estate thinking to flye into the East leaving the West But the enemy repenting himselfe wholly restored Honorius Attalus being deposed from the Empire The rending of the Romane Dominion immediately followed this destruction of the Citie of Rome I call Sigonius to witnesse The miserable destruction saith he of Italy the continued warres of France and Spaine and the new Empires now at last of the Barbarian Kings in both the Provinces have succeeded the Romane overthrow For first Honorius that he might recover Rome with the Empire having made a league with Alaricus was constrained to yeeld the Countries and Kingdom in France to the Gothes Two yeers after in the yeere 412 the Hâ—nnes running over Chap. 8. Panonia which the Gothes had left the same Honorlus being destitute of power to make resistance in so great difficulties made a league with them giving and receiving Hostages Afterwards in the yeere 413 Constantius Captain of the same Honorius least happily he should fall into any streights of warre did willingly receive into friendship and seated upon the Rhone the Burgundians who in these former yeers the Estate being so disordered together with the Vandales had betaken themselves into France To conclude in the yeere 415 the same Honoriuâ— as Procopius delivereth when the Gothes a little after had passed over into neighbouring Spaine he granted to the Vandales also with their King Gundericus being lately driven out of Gallia by the Frankes the places which they had entered to be inhabited upon condition of making warre upon the Gothes He that desireth to know more let him reade the forementioned Sigonius concerning the Westerne Empire lib. 10. 11. whence we tooke these things And so thence forward the largenesse of the Romane Dominion is daily more and more rent and cut off untill again in the yeere 455 Rome being taken and spoyled by Gâ—nsericus the Vandale the whole Body of the Empire the next yeere or not much after appeared to be divided into ten kingdoms which together with the names of the People and of the Kings and the Provinces over which they reigned and moreover certaine things noted out of the History to give greater light the following Table will shew A type of the rending of the Empire or Romane Dominion in Chap. 8. the yeer of Christ 456 and so forward The Kingdoms The Provinces wherein they reigned The names of the Kings reigning in the yeer 456 Certaine things to be observed 1 Of the Brittones In Britaine Vortimer  2 Saxons Hengist  3 Frankes First in Gall. Belg. shortly in Celt ca also Childerick  4 Burgundians In Gall. Sequan and Lions Gunderick The kingdom of the Buâ—gundians
of the bottomlesse pit Contrariwise who so become Christians are taken out of the power of Satan to be converted to God Acts 26. 18. Whatsoever it may bee it is a thing most worthy the examination Chap. 9. wherefore hee calleth this Prince of the bottomlesse pit here plainely by a new name and unheard of and not as hee is wont The Devill Satan the Serpent or Dragon or that he had rather from the notion of destroying why not rather Asmodaus â— name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of like signification whereby the Jewes â—â—d already used to call him but Abaddon never whether because since the Muhamedans doe glory that they doe adore and worship no other God but that one sole God Deâ—â—â—urgus or Maker of the universe which to the Chaldeans and Syrians â—oundeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Abada and to the Arabians themselves is made knowne by the Epithit◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Abdi that is eternall the holy spirit would meete with them in a word of the like sound but of a contrary sence by which forsooth he would intimate that they were so farre of whatsoever they pretended from worshipping Abadan or Abdin that eternall maker of the world that in the estimation of God Himselfe whom they would have to bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one only person and not to bee come unto by Christ they tooke for their King or divine power not him but an evill Angell Abaddon that is not the Maker but the destroyer of the world So when the Jeroboamites thought they worshipped the God of Israel in their Calves the Scripture notwithstanding saith they sacrificed to Devils 2 Croâ— 11. 15. Or shall wee say that there is allusion to the common name of the Kings of Arabia of that Coast whence Muâ—amed with his Locusts was first to arise who are afterward called Obâ—dâ— a name of authoritie from the Ancient King Obodi being esteemed of his in the number of the GODS and from whose Sepulcher Oboda continued a name of the Kings of Arabia to the Region of the Nabatâ—ans as the Kings of Aegypt Pharaâ—hs Chap. â—â— and Ptolomâ—i of the Romans Caesars of the Parthians Arsacâ— and the neighbouring KINGS of Arabia Petrâ—a Aâ—etâ— For Stephanus the Byzantine out of the fourth booke of Vraâ—ius a Writer of the Arabian Historie saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oboda a Country of the Nabatâ—ans where Obodes the King whom they made a God was buried But Strabo and Iosephus assure mee that from him the Kings of that Coast were afterward called by the common name Obodas of whom this mentioneth two of that name one a Warrier and too well knowne to the Jewes for the slaughter of Alexander Iamnaus Deâ—bello Iâ—dâ—ico lib. 1. cap. 3. their King whom certainely that Obodas the Arabian conâ—trained to flye to Ierusalem his whole Army being slaine in the Country of Gilead about Ninetie yeares before Christ Whom the Iewes not unworthily might call with a small change Abad Antiquit. jud lib 16. â— 11. 13. 14. 15. don that is a destroyer The other dull and Idle of the same time with Herâ—d the great whose vicegerent Syllâ—us who governed the state as hee listed sought Salome the Sister of Heroâ— in marriage but being frustrate of his desire and becomming the enemy of Herod by false accusations of him unto Augustus brought him into great danger Of this Obada Strabo maketn mention once or twise in the Arabian expedition of Aelius Gallus and that with the same note of slothfulnesse and saith the same was â—oyned in affinitie to the neighbour King Areta and this was a common name as I said of the bordering Kings of Petrâ—â— Out of the same Writer is to bee gathered that the Kingdome of Obodâ— being seated more towards the South reached to the Red Sea In which Coast of Land I doe verily believe the Ismaelites and Sarâ—â—â—ens inhabited For surely it is manifest that the Naâ—a haâ—â—s whose coast Vranins witnesseth did comprehend the region Oboda were Ismaelites obtaining that name from Nabaiotâ— the first borne of Ismael â—en 25.23.13 Iosphus addeth that Oboda being dead Areta by the favour of Augustus joyned his Kingdome to his owne If any therefore being moved with so great an agreement and aptnesse of things shall be of opinion that the holy ghost of purpose used this name Abaddon that by a certaine parâ—nomasia of the name of Kings pointed his finger to that nation whose custom was to name their Kings with the like appellation I surely think him worthy to be pardoned especially since both words seeme to be from the same roote common to the Hebrewes and Arabians although as otherwise it commeth to passe in a contrary signification and seeing with the old prophets examples sometimes happen of allusions little or nothing differing So that which Esay calleth Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is A branch Matthew turneth it to 〈◊〉 11.1 the name of Iesus of Nazareth chap. 2. verse 24. you may see also Ier. 1. 11. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an almond tree 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will hasten Amos. 8.2 a basket 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is of summer fruits because there commeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is an end c And also that the Iewes of the later age did use such agnominations even this may serve for an argument that a liâ—tle before the comming of our Saviour because that Acheron the river of hel as they heard from the Grecians in sound did not differ from Accaron the city of the Philistins for so in times past Ekron was pronounced of Beelzebub the God See the Lxx. Mat. 12.24 Luke 11.15 hereof they made the name of Satan the Prince thereof that is the Prince of hell For hence truely as I conjecture is Beelzebub the Prince of Devills in the gospel The second woe Trumpet OR The sixt Trumpet Another woe of plâ—gues which untill this day O grievous â—â— Chap. 9. lyeth upon it calleth forth the â—etraâ—chs of the Turkâ—s with a numerous troupe of horsemen from Euphâ—â—tes where they had now long stayed into the Roman Empire Loose saith the voice from the soure hornes of the Altar of Veâ—se 14. incense the foure Angels which are bound at the great river Euphrates Angels are put for the nations which they were thought to governe a metonymie not unusall in this booke That appeareth out of this that those who are immediately loosed by â—teirdion of the oracle are an army of horsemen sent forâ—h to kill men He biddeth loose the Angels bound Who breaking in upon the Romane regions the former plague yet enduring were restrained at Euphrates a few ages that they should not at their pleasure overrunne further In the beginning truely they adventured a little further even unto Niraâ— of Bithynia but Solyman being vanished were againe driven backe to Euâ—hrates by the Christian Sea worthies in their expedition unto the holy land Arâ—gmenta Furthermore
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
It remaineth And the rest were affraid and gave glory to the God of Heaven To wit by their astonishment wherein even unwillingly and unthankfully they acknowledge his hand For to acknowledge the wisedome goodnesse and power of God by what token soever is to give glory to God Even as they who being taken with the manner by God confesse their sinnes and are said to give glory to God as Achan It followeth The second woe is past and behold the third wâ—e commeth Vers 14. quickly The meaning is that that great earthquake is to continue till the end of the second Woe or the sixth Trumpet and together with it the mourning Prophesie of the Witnesses is at length to be Chap. 11. finished For truely after so great a victory over the followers of the Beast and their ascending into the heaven of authoritie and honour they shall put on sackcloth no more But now if the second Woe or the plague of the sixt Trumpet be that overflowing of the Turkes from Euphrates into the Romane Empire now long since as there we have interpreted it can scarcely be but that this departure of the same plague is that drying up of the water of Euphrates to come to passe at the powring out of the fifth phyall whereby the way is prepared for the Kings of the East to come Chap. 16. 12. At which coming of the Kings of the East lest a gap be left otherwise betweene either Trumpet the seventh Trumpet seemeth to beginne and so that wonderfull preparation of the Dragon Beast and false Prophet for the warre to be waged in Armageddon there vers 13 14. together with the event thereof at the last phyall vers 17 c. ought to be placed in the beginning of the same seventh Trumpet And surely it seemeth to be very meete that the preparation to warre doe pertaine to the same Trumpet to which the warre it selfe pertaineth But out of this a doubt ariseth which requireth satisfaction and therefore not to be passed in silence For since there is the same terme of forty two moneths of the Beast as is of one thousand two hundred and sixty dayes of the mourning of the Witnesses and since those dayes of the mourning of the Witnesses are ended at the departure of the plague of the sixt Trumpet or second Woe it may be demanded not unfitly wherefore the moneths of the Beast should not be further reckoned since after that terme no little of the Beast yet remaineth being not to be abolished before the seventh Trumpet is begun It may be answered that this cometh to passe either because then the conversion of Israel and as it were a new Kingdome beginneth for they are called the Kings from the rising of the Sun or because in the continuance of the Beast consideration is had especially to the Empire of the Citie of Rome but that great Citie the royall seat of the Beast in this earthquake is taken and overthrowne even so farre that from thenceforth the Beast shall as it were change his forme since being driven so from his Metropolis it can no more be accounted for a Kingdome of seven Chap. 12. hils which is the other signification of the seven heads thereof There is moreover in the Text concerning the sound of the seventh Trumpet and the Emperiall reigne of Christ in that great day of Iudgement the interpretation whereof we will put off to the end of the booke that we may there at once set forth all the prophesies appertaining thereunto The meaning of the red seven headed Dragon contending with Michael about the child birth The first vision of the open booke which we handled Chap. 11. went through the whole course of the Revelation from the beginning to the end and that as elsewhere we have touched to shew the conextion of the same with the Seales and Trumpets Now the other prophesies of the same time and Ecclesiasticall affaires come to be knit to that vision to the making up of the body of the open booke among which The battell of the seven headed red Dragon with Michael doth comprehend the same space of Ecclesiasticall affaires with the measured Court wherein truely the Romane Empire * Draconicola worshipping the Dragon tyrannized with lamentable persecutions against the Church in travaile with childe labouring to bring forth Christ to be King in the Romane Empire and at least three hundred yeers made war against the Spirit of Christ mightily working in his servants But the woman at last after many sorrowes cuttings and slaughters in child-birth brought forth the King even Chap. 12. 5. Christ such as she travelled with to rule the Nations with an iron Rod and the Dragon being throwne downe from his Romane throne salvation and strength and the Kingdome of our Chap. 12.10 14. God and the power of his Christ was brought into the Empire The summe of the whole matter being premised for perspicuitie let us come to the exposition of the Text particularly And there appeared saith he a great wonder in Heaven VVHither indeed Iohn was called in the beginning to behold Chap. 12. 1. where he had beheld all the former visions Neither do I thinke an other sense is to be sought of this circumstance For it Chap. 12. is manifest even out of the end of the foregoing Chapter that Iohn hitherto looked towards heaven A woman clothed with the Sunne and the Moone under her feete and upon her head a crowne of twelve starres Truly a most beautifull image and representation of the Primitive childebearing Church to wit shining round about by the faith of Christ the Sunne of righteousnesse treading under feet the rudiments of the world whether Legall shadowes or darkenesse of Gentile superstition and to conclude glorious with the ensignes of the Apostolique off-spring Most men would have the Moone to be a symbole of earthly and mutable things which the Church of Christ contemneth as below her selfe which although it be true yet no where as I take it in the whole Scripture is the Moone noted by this propertie But the interpretation of propheticall Symboles is not easily to be attained other-where then from those properties which the Scripture some-where doth warrant And now this is certaine that the most feasts wherein typicall worship was celebrated by sacrifices were ordered according to the motion of the Moone as the new Moone the Paschall Pentecost the Feast of Tabernacles yea the account of the whole Ecclesiasticall yeere depended upon the motion thereof to which happily belongeth that Psalme 104 19. He made the Moone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for festivall seasons Why therefore may not the Symbole of the Moone be referred to the Mosaicall worship which doubtlesse the Church by the revealing of Christ discerneth as it were prostrate and put under her feete according to that of the Apostle to the Colossians Chap. 2. 14. affirming Christ to have blotted out the
was subdued and uâ—teâ—ly destroyed by the Franks in the yeer 526. But for the making up of the number of ten fitly the dominion of the Ostrogothes at the same time was parted into two kingdoms Panonia which â—itherto had obeyed them taken by the Longobards and Italy only left to thâ— Kings of the Ostrogothes 5 Wisigothes In Aquitane and part of Spaine Theodorick 6 Swedes Alanes In that tract of Spain which is contained in Galaecia and Lusitania Riciarius 7 Vandales In Africa but a little befoâ—e in Spain Gensericus 8 Allmanes In that tract of Germany which was called Rhetia Sumanus 9 Ostrogothes In Panonia the Huns being vanquâ—shed neither was this age past but they enlarged their kingdom into Italy also Theodomirus The kingdom of the Alemans from the yeer 475 became one with the kingdom of the Heruli so long as they reigned in Italy to wit 16. yeers 10 Grecians In the residue of the dominion of the Empire For the Empire of the ancient Rome being dissolved the Empire of the Grecians is to be accounted one of the kingdoms into which the dominion of the citie reigning sometimes largely was divided Marcianus The â—ongobards succeeded the Ostrogothes also in Italy being called out by Narâ—etes after he had destroyed the kingdom of the Ostrogothes in the yeere 567 but then delivered their seats in Paâ—onia to the Huns Avares to be enjoyed afterwards And at length after this manner these tenne Kingdomes into Chap. 8. which the holy Ghost had foretold as well by Daniel as by Iohn the Romane Empire at the last should be divided seeme to be reckoned and not at all to be esteemed according to so many bare names as usually is done of so many regions or tracts of land but rather Kingdomes into which the Dominion and Lordship of the Empire should be rent Yet notwithstanding let us not thinke that the limitation of this number of tenne is to be so strictly construed that it excludeth at any time more Kingdomes or any manner of governments but that the Empire should be severed into ten at the least or into ten principall Kingdoms That which even from that originall rending which we have set forth untill our age under so many fates and alterations I think to have been alwaies the truth although it were sufficient for confirmation of this truth if onely in the beginning it had been divided into so many Kingdomes howsoever happily afterwards the number were diminished But the like prophesie concerning the rending of the Monarchie of Alexander may teach us that so as I have said and not otherwise that limitation of the number of ten Kingdomes is to be understood in which although besides these foure principall Kingdomes of Macedonia Asia Syria and Egypt a fift also Thracia was added Lysimachus being the founder yet the holy Ghost bounded that multiplicitie in a number of foure Reckon them to be so many at the least or so many principall Kingdomes For there was no succession in the Kingdome of Thracia though it began together with the rest and endured forty yeeres but it ended with the first King Lysimachus and therefore not to be brought into the number The like hereunto is to be judged of this ten fold Romane division Wherefore let it move no man if besides the Kingdomes reckoned up in France he shall happily finde there the Kingdome also of the Alanes of Orleance and also the dynastie of the Cities of Baitaine continuing from the Empire of Honorius untill these times For he shall finde the latter to be but of a very meane Dominion the other to have from thence endured but a small time to wit tenne yeeres at the most Neither of them therefore to be reckoned with the rest for like place and order nor if any be to be found of the same sort otherwhere The third Trumpet Chap. 8. The third Trumpet did utterly throw downe and extinguish Vers 10. the shining starre to wit the Romane Hesperus or the Western Caesar even now from the time that Gensericus the King of the Vandals had spoyled Rome being taken falling headlong and as it were struggling a little while with death under these names of Caesars of no account Avitus Maioranus Severus Anthemius Olibrius Glycerius Nepos dying with mutuall treasons and slaughter at length in the yeere 476 fetching his last breath under the fatall name of Augustulus and pulled from the heaven of his authoritie by Odoacer King of the Heruli sent against him this being the most bitter fate of the Rivers and Fountaines that is of the Provinciall Cities and Magistracies The Hesperian Caesar here I call him who after the division of the Empire into East and West established even from the death of Theodosius the first remained as yet Emperour of ancient Rome and the West but of a very short continuance as who should utterly fall from his heaven at the sound of this Trumpet after the yeere 91. For whereas the Bishop of Rome more then 320. yeers after that this Hesperian Caesar had set in Augustulus did anew surrogate the Kings of France who were afterwards of Germany into that name and title he brought no other thing to passe but that by this coverture of Caesar revived or of the sixt head of the Beast yet reigning he himself might not at length be so apparently accounted for the last head that is Antichrist by men of ordinary understanding But this papall Caesar pertaineth not to the heads of the Roman Beast but to the hornes or Kingdomes into which the Empire of the sixt head now about to yeeld his roome to the last head was to be rent Neither indeed after so great a space of time as is of 325. yeeres for so many they are from Augustulus to Charles the Great could there be a succession as it were of a continued series of Hesperian Caesars But goe to let us give further light to the Text of Iohn that the reason of the interpretation may be manifest And there fell saith he a great Starre from Heaven burning like a Lampe He seemeth to descâ—ibe a blazing Starre or Comet amongst the kinds of which reckoned by Pâ—iny Lampadias is one specially so called And surely not unfitly is Caesar of the West figured by such a starre Chap. 8. for short duration Concerning whom therefore it will be said Chap. 17. When he cometh he must continue but a small time But the Starre was a great one as the fitter to resemble a Supreme Majestly Vers 10. whose excellency the Sunne otherwhere in Prophetique parables doth represent And surely it is knowne there have been Comets which have seemed to equall even the Sunne in magnitude of which sort that this Starre was happily he shall not erre who affirmeth it Now the like parable of a falling Starre least thou doubt of the application Esay useth Chap. 14.12 of the fall of the King of Babylon How saith he art thou fallen from heaven O Lucifer
other Magistrates there yet remained But these being all taken away which commeth to passe in this Trumpt what was there but darknesse and a totall eclipse of the light aswell of the day as the of the night to wit which appertained to her to whom the third part of the light of heaven was due The representation of the sun the moone and stars in this understanding is most usuall with the Prophets as Esay 13 10. also 60. 20. Where for thy Sunne shall set no more and thy Moon shall not be in the waine c. The Targum hath Thy kingdom shall never cease he speaketh to Ierusalem and thy glory shall not be taken from thee Also Ier. 15.9 where concerning Ierusalem The sunne thereof hath set whilst it was yet day The Targum turneth Their glory departed in their life time And Ezâ—k 32. â— That concerning Pharaoh when I shall put thee out I will cover the heavens and make the stars thereof dark The same Paraphrast turneth it Tribulation shall cover thee when I shall put out the Splendour of the Glory of thy Kingdome c. Let the Reader transferre hither also those things which I have noted before out of Achmetâ—s to give light to the sixt Seaâ—e which it is admirable to see how they agree Of the thrâ—e Woe Trumpets There remaineth yet three trumpets the greatest of all and the most grievous and therefore differenced from the former by the title of three Woes For after the * 〈…〉 explanation of the 4th trumpet I beheld and heard saith hee a certaine Angell flying thorow the midst of heaven saying with a loude voice Woe woe woe to the inhabitants upon the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpets of the three Angels which are yet to sound Also â—ha 9 12. and 11.14 Doubtles when the inhabitants of the Christian Roman Empire in the mean space while the former Trumpets sounded had defiled themselues with the worship of new idols the trumpets which remained are increased for the punishing now of a double sin For that that sin also of the Roman Empire came moreover into the reckning of a crime to be punished with the former of the death of the Martyrs it appeareth in that to the second Woe is conjoyned this Elogie to wit the rest of the men that were not killed by these plaguer that is as I conceive Chap. 9. ver â—â— truly by that Woe and the former repented not of the workes of their handes that the should not worship Divils and Idols of gold and silver and brasse and stone and wood which can neither see nor here to walke The first Woe Trumpeâ— OR The Fifth Trumpeâ— The first Woe trumpet is long since past That hath sent out to Chap. 9. ver 1â— destroy the world horrible bands of Locusts issuing out of the hellish smoke of the bottomlesse pit now by the helpe of Satan opened that is the Saraâ—ens or Arabians a nation populous and innumerable like Locusts stirred up by the horrible false prophecy of Muhamed to the ruine of so many nations For the smoke ascending out of the infirnall pit is Muhamadisme which the Muhamadan imposters call Gslanisâ—e this newly Verse 20 obscured the world lately inlightned with the Gospell of Christ the son of righteousnesse the darknesse of the heathenish errours Chap. 9â— being dispelled And surely the type of Locusts is the more apt because the Egyptian Locusts also came out of the same Arabia to wit bordering upon Egypt eastward For so Exodus 10. 13. 14. The Lord brought an Eastwinde upon the land and it brought the Locusts and the Locusts went up over all the land of Egypt and rested in all the coasts of Egypt Besides the Arabians are likened to Locusts for the huge multitude of the nation Iudg. 7. 12. The Midianites and the Amalekites and all the Sonnes of Kedem or the â—ast lay in the valley like grashoppers for multitude c. Where is to be observed that the Arabians in holy writ are peculiarly named Sonnes of the east as is Arabia it self 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the east as in respect of Egypt where the Israelites learnt so call it you may see Gen. 10. 30. and 25. 6. 1. Kings 4. 30. Esay 11. 14. Ier 49 28. perhaps also Mat. 2.1 the same reason plainly for which Asia the lesser is called at this day Natotia and Arabia faelix seated southward from the rest of the Arabiaes Ayaman that is the south When the Queene of the south Matth. 12. 42. But these things by the way The like represeination of Loâ—â—â—â— concerning the Aâ—â—yrians and Babilonians about to destroy Iudeâ— is to be sâ—â—â—e in â—oell in the two first Chapters from whence he will not deny that this type is borrowed who shall compare the description of them Chap. 9. both But that the interpretation thereof is to be â—â—ferred to hostiâ—e bandes Acâ—metes showeth out of the use of the East whose words I have thought sit to be inserted in this place For so hee â—hap 300 out of the learning of the Indians Persians and Egyptians Locâ—sts without doubt are referred generally to the multitude of enemies for so it is registred in holy writt that Locusts goe forth by divine commandement for the destruction of Kingdoms like some Armie This of holy writt is meant of the holy writings of the Indians onely as also whatsoever in this booke rellishetâ— of the knowledge of Christian Religion as will appeare to the Reader He goeth on If any either King or endned with Authority shall seeme to see Locusts going forth against any region in that place let him expect a multitude of enemies with great power and how much damage the Locusts shall doe so much shall they hâ—â—t Now therefore the represâ—â—ntation being conâ—irâ—â—d we shall see of the rest of the deseription There was given to them saieth he verse 3 power such as the Scorpions of the earth have for they had vâ—rse 10. tayles like unto Vers. 3. Scorpions and in them stings with which they might hort and ve 5 their torment is as the torment of a Scorpion when he striketh a man That is they had not onely power proper to Locusts of consuming and wasting the regions over which they swarmed but like monsters tayles as scorpions by the stroke whereof they also diffused their venome An admirable thing A Locust scorpion but what manner of evill he meaneth the symbole of a serpentine kinde seemeth to declare since â— scorpion is a kinde of serpent But by this kinde wher with the devil first deceived maâ—kâ—nde and alienated it from God the Spirit of God liketh to bring him in who was â—urther to seduce men whence that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the serpent the old one which deceiveth the world Chap. 12.9 ad 20.2 The taile therefore of the Scorpion with a stinge doth set ouâ— the propagation of that diabolicall Muâ—ammeâ—â—n false prophecie with its whole
who saith Pliâ—ie use long hair and after the manner of women wear head tiers Pliny lib. 6. cha 28. with whom it is the manner even to this day as travellers affirme that going into battell they make themselves horns and curled locks of their own hair Cam rar operum subâ—is tom 1. c. 39. whence it will be evident that the place cited by our Brightm in out of Herodotus in Thâ—lia as iâ— were for the polling of the Arabian is to be taken not of polling the head but either some custome of cutting the beard used by the Arabians in imitation of Bacchus of which Plinie maketh some mention when he â—aith their beard was wont to be shaven saving on the over lip or of the rounding of the ends of their haire without the whole polling of the head Both which happily because it was an ensigne of the worshippers of Bacchus their neighbouâ— idoll God forbade his people Levit. 19. 27. and 21. 5. Howsoever it be I doubt not but Plinie had seen Arabians at Rowf It followeth of the continuance of the Plague which surely Chap. 9â— is determined in the compasse of five moneths according to the type of locusts which continue so many moneths to wit from Verse 5. the rising of the seaven stars by the ancient called * Abeâ—â—â—â—â— vergâ—ttarnm the going out of the spring about one moneth after the vernall Aequinoctium when they are hatched of egges left iâ— the earth all the winter unto the beginning of Autume when leaving other egges upon the earth for an increase of the next yeere they presently die you may see Plinie lib. 11. chap. 29. Yet God would have this notation of time agree not onely with the type but with the antitype also when as hee delivered to be vexed with invasions by the Saracenicall locusts Italy the chiefe of lands and the most eminent for sinne which caused the plague from the yeere 830. to the yeere 980. that is 150. yeeres or five moneths of yeeres The Plague in truth rested upon other countreys longer but in a certaine course for severall spaces of time some shortâ—r some longer chiefly upon the Easterne regions of Syria Egypt and Asia the lesse which bordering upon the head of that Empire which first was Damascus after Bagdad became for many ages as it were the foreparts of the Saracenicall body And that I may note this although what countreyes soever they possessed they tormented the Inhabitants thereof with that venemous stroke of the Scorpions taile as I have said yet the Italians seemed to have felt the stroke of the taile of the locusts after another I know not what singular manner For the whole swarme being compared to a body and the former parts as it is meet assigned to the East what shall the Affrican troupe be reaching so farre from the head into the West but the tail But from these is all the calaâ—ity of Italy which they did strike without intermission with a by blow see the subtiltie of Scorpions through the Mediterranian sea and the Islands thereof Sardinâ—a and Sicilia as if the holy Ghost had pointed his finger hither when as by an itterated mention of moneths he said And 〈◊〉 10. they had tailes like Scorpions and stings and in their tailes they had power to hurt men five moneths For so the Complutense book readeth Syras Primasius Andreas and Aretas agreeing therewith Such interpretation although it be not unproper for declaring of the time yet that there is another significatiâ— of that serpentine trayne and extending it selfe much further I have already said neither doe I here alter if any shall suffer himselfe to bâ— perswaded to admit of some secondary sence besides this primarily intended such as I am not easily wont to admit let him for me And this is one way how the five Monthes of type of Locusts may be fitted to the thing it selfe acted There is also another if because these five monthes are twice sett downe the account be Ver. 5 10. therefore dou led as if forsooth the Holy Ghost would use the number of five for the analogie and decorum of the type but doublee it that it might answer the antitipe in some more large space For wherefore otherwise should he iterate the mention of these monthes almost â—n the same wordes Is there not some mistery in this iteration I doe not râ—member the like to be any where else in the continued deâ—cription oâ— the same type If therefore this shall please three hundred yeares for so many doe twice five monthes of yeares make will comprehend that noble space of the kingdome of the Saracâ—ns which is drawne from the beginning of the Calipâ—ate of the Apasidâ— who first made Baâ—daâ— heir Imperiall seate to the taking of the same Bagâ—ad by Togrul ecus King of the Turks whom we call Taâ—grolipix that is from the yeare of Christ 750 to the yeare 1055. This space truly is larger about five yeares but since the account is made by Monthes there is no greater care to be taken of a few dayes then is wont to be of houres where the account is by dayes This also may be added that this space may begin fitly from the taking away of the yoke of the Exarchate from the city of Rome wherin the calamity of the former trumpeâ— ceased For this happened at the same time happily also the same yeare If thou enquire yet wherefore the Holy Ghost did not comprehend the whole continuance of the Saracenicall plague in these nâ—bers Chap. 9. since the principality of the Abiâ—die to wit from the yeare 630 the Saracens by continued successe had so inlarged their Empyre that now it was come to its perfection it may be answered because this number of five Monthes was rather of the type of Lâ—cust◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then of the Antitype of the Saracens And therefore what did properly comply with them was sufficient if in these it should be set forth by some more remarkeable space of time although it did not perfectly measure it Notwithstanding I determine nothing here but leave it to others to whom God shall have given more abiâ—itie to be further searched out In the meane while this difficulty doth nothing prejudice the interpretation concerning the Saracenâ— For whatsoever interpretation thou shalt follow the same difficultie will presse thee It remaineth yet to treate of the King anâ— his name They Verse 11. had saith hee over them a King thâ— Angel of tâ—e bottomâ—esse pit whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon but in Greeke Aâ—ollyon that is a Destroyer The Holy Ghost seemeth in that he calleth the Angell of the bottomlâ—sse pit a King to intimate that these Locusts shall bee a Nation not Christian but Infidell which had not given their name to Christ For the Children of unbeliefe or Pagans are sayd by Paul Ephes 2.2 to bee subject to the Prince whose power is of the ayre who is none other then the Angell
the foure Angels signifie so many Sultaniâ—s or Kingdomes into which the Turkes were dâ—vided when first having passed over Euphrates they had spread themselves into the neighbouring coasts of A … a and Syria These Christopher Ricâ—erius concerning the originall of the Turkes doth thus reckon up out of Scilix a Greeke author the first of Asia the second of Alepo the third of Damascus and of Antioch the fourth The first of which the Asian or of Asia the lesse had its beginning in Câ—tlamusus otherwise called by Elmachinus except I be deceived Sedyduddrulas allyed to that Tangrolipix who first tooke Bagdad He began his Kingdome in the parts of Asia bordering Chap. 9. upon Euphrates Caesâ—ria or Capadocia being conquered and taken from the Romanes to him and his posterâ—ty about the yeere of Christ 108. as the same auther witnesseth The borders whereof afterward Solyman his successor enlarged as farre as Nicaea of Bithynia but being vanished by ours in that renowned expedition unto Jerusalem he was constrained to leave the whole region which he had gotten and to retire to Euphratâ—s And the seat of this Tetrarchie though in the beginning it were else where yet for the most part was at Iconium in the same Caâ—adocia The second was the Tetrarchie of Alepo the city thereof being Alepo which is watered with an arme of Euphrates brought thither by one of the Sultanus Siarsud aulas was the first king hereof as witnesseth Elmachinus having obtained Alepo in the yeere 1079. whose successor was Râ—duwanus Salghâ—â—ides in the yeere 1095. The founder of the third Tetrachie whose chiefe city being Damascus by the testimonie of the same author was Tagiuddaulas Nisus the nephew of Togrulbâ—cus or Tangrâ—lipix who subdued Damascus in the same yeer 1079. His successor was Ducathes or Decacus the brother of Râ—duwanus the Sultan of Alepo in the yeere 1095. Whom saith Scilix all the region of Dâ—capâ—lis obeyed But this reached to Euphrates To these Scilix reckoneth the Antiochian â—oâ— a fourth contained within moderate boundes For saith he the Calipha of Egypt out of the Saracenicall stock possessed the regions of Syria unto Laodicea But forasmuch as that Antiâ—chean Kingdome as it was a little remote from Euphrates so it endured not but fourteene yeeres Antiâ—chia being presently taken by ours under the conduct of Bâ—â—mund happily it were better leauing out Antioch to adde for the making up of the number of fourâ— the Bagdad or Persiaâ— Empire upon the other side of Euphrates for Scilix had onely respect to the Turkes who had passed Euphrates that so the whole Turkish Empire beyond and on this side Euphrates may be understood to be devided into those foure Sultanies which with the course of the Kings or Sultans for a certain time see Reader described in the following figure for thy more distinct Diagraâ—mate contemplation A Diagramme of the Tâ—â—kish Kingdome parted in Foure Partes at Euphrates from the yeere 1080. and so forth out of Elmachinus the Arabian and Sâ—ilâ—p a Greeke Author Beyond Euphrates on this side Euphrates Of Bagdad Togrulbecus Orbarsalanus Of Cesaria Capadocia I. conium c in Asia the lesse Of Alepo Of Damascus Ghelaluddaulas in the yeâ—re 1071 Barkyaruens Mâ—hammâ—dus Mahmudus began in the yeâ—re 1117. c Seijdudâ—aulâ—s by surname Cutlumusus Sâ—limanus Tâ—nismanius Masutus Calisastlanus c Sjarâ—uddulas Roduwanus Tagjudâ—aulas his sonnâ— Bulgarus begaÌ„ in the yeere 1117 Tagjuddaulas Decacus Ababacus then alive in the yeere 1115 Sanguinus Noradinus And this was the state of the Turkish affaires when first they passed Euphrates and as it were making a shew of their breaking in upon the Romane territories they were restrained in their limited prison at Euphraâ—eâ— But howsoever this quaternion of Sultans remained not entire till the the time of their loosing but underwent divers changes yet the Holy Ghost esteemeth the nation according to the state of the first irruption wherein having passed Euphrates they are bound untill an appointed time And those foure Angels were loosed being prepared for an houre and a day and a month and a yeare that they might slay the third part of men This loosing of the Turkes happened a little before the yeare 1300 the Caliphatship of Bagdad with which the first Woe utterly expired being now extinguished by the Tartars in the yeere 1258 and the remnant of the Turkes who on the other side of Euphrates hitherto raighned in Persia being cast by the same in the yeare 1289 as it were out of a sâ—â—ng into the countries belouging unto the Romane Empyre on this side of Euphrates For things thus framing it happened also that at the same time the Latines who had hindred and staied the irruptions of the Chap 9. Turkes now almost 200. yeares were driven out of Syria and Palestina in the yeare likewise 1291. In the meane time the Turks although as yet devided into severall provinces invaded almost all the lesâ—er Asia parted it among themselves to be possessed by right of inheritance and at length uniting themselves under the sole conduct of my Othâ—man without any restraint cruelly raged and passed over into Europe ne ther could they any â—ore bee restrained with any force untill tâ—ey had destroyed the whole Constantinopolitan Empire with miserable slaughters But unlesse I be deceaved the Oracle designeth the time also of this overthrow of Câ—nstantinople to wit that it should come to passe a day a month and a yeare that is 396 yeares afâ—er the Turkes the Saracenicall Empire being given them dâ—gan to be made ready by God that is from the time that Bâ—gdad was taken by them For this was the beginning of the breaking of the Turks when the Empyre of the Saracens began to be subverted and the dominion of the Romanes to be afflicted yet so as the force of the cvill was to be restrained until the appointed time of setting them loose Certainly the space of time agreeth to an inch For Almachinus the Arabian Historian whom we haue sometimes cited then whom none hath more accurately noted the moments of times reporteth that Zâ—grulbecus Salghucides the Prince of the Turkes whom we cal Tangrolipix of the Zelzucâ—ian family the royall city of Bagdad being taken was clothed with the Imperiall robe by Caliphâ— Caâ—inus Biamrilla and enstauled in the kingdome in the yeare of the Hegira 4.9 that is 1057 of Christ then sayeth he was the kingdome stablished to him From this time therefore the Turkes having the principall seate of the Sarecenicall Empire with the whole dominion beyond Euphrates are prepared that after a propheticall day month and yeare they should kill the third part of men that is in the yeare of Christ 1453 they should utterly cut of the rest of the Romane Empire in the East the royall city of Constantinople being taken Fro the space from the yeare 1057 to the yeare 1453 wherein Constantinople was taken is precâ—â—ely 396 yeares whereof the day maketh one the Month 30 the yeare
Kingdome He called the Citie Aedessa Aegeas for memory of the benefit and the people Aegeans See the rest Such is the aptnes here that a man may judge that the type of the Ram also in the same vision concerning the King of the Persians Chap. â— Persians hath allusion to the signification of the name Elam which is the other of the two names whereby that Nation is called For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the Hebrewes whence the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Ram and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Chaldeans signifie the same to wit Forâ—em sâ—n rebustuâ—â—sse to be valiant or strong Happily therfore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elam with those sounded as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Ram with these and thereupon the K. of Elam is figured to Daniel in this type Howsoever it be when the matter it selfe is confirmed otherwise such agreement of names with the type cannot but bee a godly solace to those that studdie those things whether wee beleeve it to have happened by chance or otherwise And these things by the way Now againe I returne into the way to the Euphratean Horsemen the number of whom is saith hee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verse 16. two hundred thousand thousand Some read it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Duaemyriades myâ—â—adum Cuâ—rnum Dei dua â—yriades wâ—ll a dâ—p iâ—â—t leaving out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Cha. 5. 11. But a huge multitude is signified as Psal 68. 18. The Chariots of the Lord are twenty thousands thousands thousands For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is of those numerall words which in the Hebraisme are wont to bee taken indefinitely as Sexcenti with the Latines and doth expresse not a number of tenne thousand but any great one whatsoever especially when it is so doubled as is to bee seene Daniel 7. 10. But there is no man ignorant how great and how immense the armyes of the Turkes in their expeditions have beene and at this day are wont to be And I heard saith he the number of them For indeed it might bee demanded whence the number could appeare unto Iohn as which was impossible for him to account in a vision I heard saith he The like is to be esteemed to come to passe in other visions also as often as any thing is declared which could not be expressed in a vision to wit that the Apostle was instructed therein by voyce Chap. 9. It followeth concerning their ammunition And so I saw Verse â—â— saith he the Horses in appearance and those that saâ—e upon them having even Brestplates of fire of Iacinct and of brimstone and the heads of the Horses as the Heads of Lions and as it weâ—e fire smoake and brimstone issued out of their mouthes by which the third part of mâ—n was killed No where in any of the Prophets or other where in sacred writ doth such like representation of fire Iacinthian smoak and brimstone offer itselfe Wherefore I take it according to the letter of that new kinde of instruments of war and before this Trumpet never heard of which these Euphratâ—an enemies should use after their loosing I meane gunnes sending forth fire smoak and brimstone For Gun-powder is a powder casting out fire with Iacinthlan smoke the substance being sulphurous Which who so doâ— use in warre appeare unto their enemies as if they were covered as it were with fiery Iacinthian and sulphurous Habergions in respect of the ayre corrupted with fire smoake and sulphurous smell by reason of which the heads of the Horses also seeme dreadfull and terrible as it were of Lions Hence it is that Ioâ—â— saith â—â—e saw horses and horsemen not indeed but in appearance such I say in appearance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not indeed having brest-plates of fire jacinth and brimstone in appearance having heads like Lions to conclude in appearance not indeed there came forth oâ—â— of the horses mouthes fire smoake and brimstone for that the thing is wont to appeare so to the beholders on the adverse part This is the force of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in appearance which twiâ—e in this sence is used in the fourth chap. ver 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 like a Iaâ—per stone to looke upon and a Chap. 9 Raine-bow like an Eâ—â—rald to looke upon Neither is that word to bee found in the New Testament any other where except once oâ—ly By these three fire smoake and brimstone issuing out of guns Verse 9. he addeth that the third part of men are killed that is they which were of that third part of men whom wee called the Roman Empire Neither is it necessary here of else-where whre mention is of a third part that the whole third part be understood but to be taken partitively Examples offer themselves as well in this book as elsewhere in the Scripture of such an Ellipsis of a word partitive as Iudges 12. 7. Iephte was buried in the Cities of Gilead that is in one of the Cities And Rev. 17. 16. The tenne hornes shall hate the whore that is some of them So the third part of men was killed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is they which were of the third part Who knoweth not that this was abundantly fulfilled in the overthrow of Constantinople was not that most noble City the head of the third part of men conquered and given up to an universall slaughter by these engines casting forth fire Here Chalcocondylas Mechmetes saith he in the expedition against Byzantiâ—m caused great gunnes to be made such as we never kneâ— to have beene â—efore that time those â—ee dispersed every where through his Army that they might sâ—oote bullets against the Grecians One of which was of that greatnesse that it was to be drawen by 70 yoke of Oâ—en and two thousand men to this on either side two otâ—er great oâ—es also were adjoyned either of which shotâ— stone the wâ—ight whâ—reof was halfe a tallent that admirable peece of ordâ—â—ance followed them which carried a bullet which weighed about three tallents and did throw downe a great part of the wâ—ll the â—â—undering whereof is reported to have binn so greate that the country Chap 9 adjoyning for 40 furlongs distance was shakeâ— this peece of â—rdinance by day did shootâ— seven bullets in the night one which was a signe of day and did shew in what place the bullets should be cast forth that day He which desireth To know more and how gunnes were vsed in the besieging of the City by sea and how the walls being shaken with ordinance by the space of 40 dayes at length fell downe and how Longe the Captayne of the Geâ—â—ales with his souldiers being beatne with the bullets of the gunnes quitted there place and made way for the Turkes into the City lett him have recource to Chalcocoudylas himselfe Morover of the same he may learne that the Peloponesian streight was also
be effectually verified also in his Prophets And who knoweth whether or no the reformed Church shall be worthily punished for the reproach offered Christ in this behalfe by the taking away of the witnesses for a time because they reverenced them not according to the dignitie of their embassage while they enjoyed them It is too well knowne what offence the reformed Churches commit in this behalfe and that while the Prophets of Christ mightily bestirred themselves in reforming of the Church of God others in the meane while disgraced that most sacred worke by pillaging and interverting the maintenance thereof not leaving in some places so much as food to the great disgrace of true Religion whereby the Ministers thereof might be honestly sustained and according to the dignitie of their calling much lesse that any thing should abound which they might set aside for the enlarging of the reformation the necessities of the holy warre the reliefe of afflicted brethren and other pious uses Was not that praevarication of this kinde for which the Iewish Temple was given to Antiochus Epiphanes to be prophaned and the Religion of the true God likewise to be troden down for the space of three yeers An Hoast saith Daniel shall be given to him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression and it shall cast down the truth to the ground and shall doe it and prosper Chap. 8. 12. See also the history in the second book of the Macchabees from the beginning of the third Chapter to the Saint and Iudge But I will touch upon this sore no more This only I will adde Happily this encrease of honour and power shall happen to the witnesses after their resurrection by the command of the Supreme Magistrate which seemeth to be that voyce from heaven as in recompence of that infamy and ignominy wherewith the followers of the Beast did punish them being dead if so be that were signified by that prohibition of buriall And the same houre there was a great earth-quake and the tenth Chap. 11. part of the citie to wit that great one fell and there were slaine in Vers 13. the earth-quake seven thousand names of men At what time the Witnesses or Prophets returned to life and ascended into heaven there was a great earth-quake that is a great commotion of the Nations and alteration of Politique affaires whereby indeed a way is opened for the Witnesses and power given them of reviving with so great increase of dignitie and authoritie In that stirre of Nations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the tenth part of the citie is overthrowne and there are killed seven thousand names of men Of which words that as farre as may be possible in a future thing we may attaine the neerest meaning to the truth two things are by us to be premised and proved First since there is no fall of the decaying Beast but is contained in some of the phyalls therefore the samâ— destruction of the Beast is here described which belongeth to the powring out of the fift phyall For proofe there is the same subject of the plague in both there the seate or throne of the Beast here that Great Citie For that that Great Citie to wit Rome is the seat of the Beast is so evident that there needeth no proofe Further it is confirmed because the destruction which is here described doth so neerely goe before the utter abolishing of the Beast at the seventh trumpet that nothing is shewed to have come betweene but the departure of the second woe And now the utter abolishing of the Beast is the worke of the last phyall the departure of the second woe or of that plague from Euphrates is of the sixt phyall Therefore the destruction of the great Citie which next preventeth that departure falleth into the fift phyall The other thing by us to be premised is that the fall of the great Citie is the very same destruction of Babylon which is sung Chap. 18. It is proved because it is certaine out of the same Chapter that that destruction of Babylon or of the Citie Vers 2. of Rome was to goe before the full destruction of the Beast and the Emperiall Raigne of Christ to be begun with the seventh trumpet But now the destruction of the same Citie which is here declared doth so neerely goe before that same kingdome that the spirit presently passeth to that kingdome and the description of the seventh trumpet without mentioning any other destruction besides It must needs therefore be that the same destruction of that Citie is described in both For who can be perswaded to thinke that the holy Ghost should altogether let slip that Chap. 11. great destruction interposing the mention of some lesse destruction and with it no way to be compared These things being thus it followeth that the interpretation of this place is to be directed by the rule thereof and as it were to be tryed by the same touchstone and so such a meaning of these words to be sought as may agree with the description of that destruction of Babylon Which how it may be done let us now see Philippus Nicolas a Divine of the Augustine Confession a learned and acute man thinketh that by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is understood the Decharchie of the Citie or the ten kingdoms subject to the dominion thereof which forsooth in this stirre of the Nations should fall away from Rome to the Empire whereof they had been subject so many yeers not obeying the command thereof any more To wit the very same which is in another place said The ten Kings which had delivered over their power to the Rev. 17. 16. Beast then when the word of God shall be fulfilled shall hate the Whore shall make her desolate and naked shall eate her flesh and burne her with fire But such understanding of the word â—EKATON howsoever it first offered it selfe even to me thinking of the meaning of this place and by reason of the concinnitie of the matter it selfe did like me very much yet afterwards considering it better it seemed somewhat harsh and unusuall that I feare it will not easily be approved by those who desire a plaine and genuine interpretation I seeke therefore another interpretation And first it cometh into my minde that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is happily a name of tribute either of that which the Pope receiveth out of the whole kingdome of the Beast or of that which the Citie it selfe receiveth out of her large possessions by right of Lordship That tenth of the Citie shall fall in that great commotion of affaires that is shall cease and thereby is intimated that the principalitie of the Citie shall be utterly extinguished to wit deprived of the ground allotted for her patrimonie and the Pope thence driven by force loosing the prerogative and dominion which she was wont to have over Cities and People farre and wide when that Prerogative and Dominion which she had gotten shall continue
no longer to wit the Metropolis of the Kingdome of the Beast or Seat of the false Prophet For it is knowne that tribute is the Symbole of Dominion and by that name the most Provinces under Chap. 11. the Empire of ancient Rome payed yeerely the tenth part of all their fruits Which that it was usuall also in the Eastern kingdoms may be proved as well out of 1. Maccaâ— 10. 31. and 11. 35. as also out of that briefe of all the power of a King 1 Sam. 8. but take heed thou take not that which is said there of tythes to be meant of sacred tythes they were the Kings and used to be payed to Kings as to Gods Vicegerents which also Aristotle confirmeth in the second Book of his Oeconomicks Therefore it ought not to seeme strange if any man should here affirme that by the name of tenth a kinde so commonly used there may be meant any kinde of tribute in generall belonging to the Citie But there is no need to come to that sith in Italy that manner of tribute hath not yet worne out of use and furthermore the Pope of Rome in his Ecclesiasticall Empire now long since hath imitated the same by exacting yeerely the tenth part of all Ecclesiasticall Benefices But one thing hindreth this interpretation namely that then it should rather have been said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Furthermore the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fell whereby it must needs be that some effect agreeable to an earthquake is signified is not plyant enough to such interpretation Yea if it could stand yet it should seeme to expresse the ruine of Babylon wherewith we presuppose it to be the same too obscurely and weakely and not answerably to so great a ruine At length therefore untill some one shall enforme something more certainly and more agreeable to the Text I fall to this that I conceive by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the tenth part of the Citie is understood truly a part of the Citie but not any part of the Citie as it is at this day but the whole I say the whole Pontificiall Rome which is the tenth part of that ancient Rome Which that it is so and that it is not at this day more then a tenth part of that old Rome such as it was in Iohns age may be perceived by the demonstration following For truâ—ly Lipsius affirmeth * Or maintaineth that old Rome such as it was in Iohns age as touching the forme was in a manner round but not exactly that the Semidiameter thereof from the * A milliario aâ—reo golden pillar standing in the head of the Market place of Rome to the utmost of the buildings was reckoned for seven miles to conclude that the compasse of it was fortie two miles Since therefore it was not exactly round for the measuring of the plot thereof let us Chap. 11. lessen the Semidiameter one mile to wit so much as in a sixe angled figure should be lessoned in the side for the Perpendicular line there will be sixe which multiplied with 21. the halfe of the circumference it will give the plot of the Citie to be 12â— But now the present or Pontificiall Rome hath not in compasse but thirteen or fifteen miles as they know saith Lypsius who have measured it the forme as may be seene by the plot thereof next to a foure-square somewhat long as it were in a double proportion For the measuring of which therefore let there be placed a draught of paralell lines right angled whose perimeter may be fifteen the longitude double to the latitude such doubtlesse as will be out of the sides 2½ and 5 which being multiplyed between themselves a plot 12½ will be the product Now the number 126 doth comprehend the number 12½ ten times Therefore the later plot is of the former and consequently Rome at this day of that ancient Rome the tenth part which was to be demonstrated Who so is not so well accustomed to this manner of demonstration let him use the judgement of his eyes in the following plots Ancient Rome in compasse 42 miles Rome at this day in compasse 15 miles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The tenth part of the Citie We cannot certainly here examine all things exactly but it is wonderfull that that which we are able is so agreeable I define the circuit of the Citie at this day by the walles wherewith Chap. 11. now it is compassed for without contrary to that of old it is not at this day inhabited but the whole how great soever it is is enclosed with wals and wals which the Popes Hadrianus the first and Leo the fourth as it were by fatall instinct made the utmost bound thereof being now become the Seat as it were of the Pontificiall kingdom for so Blondus delivereth that the wals which are now extant were built by Hadrian 1 by gathering 100000 crounes out of Thuscia Those afterward as it is known out of others Leo 4 either repaired or finished about the yeere of our Lord 850 and by adding that part which is beyond the river or builded by Leo made up the Citie in that forme and circuit wherein it is now seene And although it hath much of the space enclosed within the wals voide and not inhabited yet since wals are to be reckoned amongst the chiefe works of the Citie the Citie it self cannot be thought lesser then the wals larger indeed it might be if it were as in times past that old one was extended every way without the wals with continued buildings That I may now at length make an end the summe commeth to this the holy Ghost would say or intimate this that so much of the great Citie as had remained to this earthquake was at that time ruined to wit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the tenth part of the Citie neither was there any more to be standing at that time Nine parts many ages before were to fall and truly we see they are fallen partly by destructions and ruines which the Barbarians so many times brought upon it partly decaying with overmuch oldnesse partly also as at the fourth trumpet we have shewed thrown down with thunderbolts the Tenth was reserved by destine for the Pope of Rome which was to be ordained head of the new Empire and mother of the Christian harlots This by that earthquake which shall be joyned with the rising of the witnesses shall be utterly demolished Yet notwithstanding happily it was not necessary that we should interpret the speech of the holy Ghost concerning the tenth part of the Citie so strictly as we have done according to Geometricall rules it would have been sufficient if as in times past when â—andling the destruction of the Iewish people he said by Esay the tenth thereof shall be reserved and shall returne into Esay 6. 13. their land so here we may understand not so exactly the tenth Chap. 11. as some least part
Vers 16. his mouth That is the multitude of Christians in Councels prevayling in the Orthodox faith dranke up the Diabolicall inundation even as the Earth is wont to doe the water when it is exceeding dry For if the water but venemous and contagious such as proceedeth out of the mouth of the Serpent doth represent heresie the reason of the analogie did altogether require that that which should drinke it up and abolish it should be figured by the Earth as which by its drinesse is wont to drinke up the inundations of waters Which truly in this matter falleth out so much the more apt to signifie the thing in hand because even other where in an hystoricall and simple speech the earth in many places is wont to be put for the inhabitants of the Earth See Gen. 41. 57. 1 Sam. 14. 25. Deut. 9. 28. and in many places beside Concerning the tenne horned Beast blaspheming God and the two horned Beast or false Prophet his Authour and chiefe priest A New Tragedie of evils did set upon the woman being entered At Chap. 13. the bounds of the Wildernesse for forthwith she falleth upon a double Beast in appearance indeed little to be feared as resembling the Panther or Lambe but no whit the Dragon or Serpent the likenesse of whom alone she abhorred Yet in truth * Fiduciariam the onely one in trust for that Dragon cast downâ— and one that in his stead should much vexe her off-spring which she should bring forth in the Wildernesse And the Dragon was wroth with the woman for from thence Vers 17. I fetch the story of this Chapter and went to make warre with the remnant of her seed to wit with them which she was to bring forth in the Wildernesse which keepe the Commandements of God and have the testimonie of Iesus Christ and he stood upon the sand of the Sea That is when the Dragon had perceived he who even now was deprived of the Romane Empire that he nothing prevailed by the flood of Arianisme to overwhelme the woman flying into the Wildernesse but that neverthelesse she was come safe thither and furthermore that the Romane Empire would no more suffer that he in his proper name should manage the affaires there as in times past he setteth upon her by another way to wit by substituting covertly for himselfe * Regnum â—icarium a deputed Kingdome and to that end he stood upon the sand of the Sea that he might raise to himselfe a new deputed forme of the Romane Kingdome then to have its beginning Now the history of a two-fold Beast to manage the Romane State followeth the one Tenne horned the other Two horned tyed in a neere alliance betweene themselves both of them reigning together and in the same Dominion The first of which being the Tenne horned thou mayest call Secular the other being Two horned Ecclesiasticall Of the Tenne horned Beast The Tenne horned or secular Beast is that Whole state of tenne Kingdomes or thereabouts into which the Empire of Câ—sars Chap. 13. was parted by the warres of the Barbarians after the Dragon was thrust out growing together againe into one Romane Common-wealth the wickednesse of the Dragon being renewed I saw saith he a Beast rise up out of the Sea having seven heads Vers 1. and tenne hornes and upon his hornes tenne crownes and upon his heads the name of blaspemy The same Beast is here described which afterward Chap. 17. beareth the Whore even the seven headed Romane Beast under the course of the last head I saw saith Iohn the type of that last State of the Romane kingdom wherein governing under the seventh head it should be devided into ten kingdoms and yet even as he had done under his former heads he should blaspheme the only true God by the worship of Idols For the number of Seven heads is the ensigne of the Romane kingdom as is the bearing of Ten hornes The name of Blasphemy is a note of Idolatry The crownes sâ—t upon the hornes which are only of the last head doe shew that that kingdom should be exhibited under the couâ—se of the last head which will be further confirmed by the rest of the description of the Beast And â—he Beast which I saw was like unto a Leopard and his feet Vers 2. were as the feet of a Beare and his mouth as the mouth of a Lion That is this kingdom in respect partly of regiment and state partly of its nature was so ordained that it did resemble in a certaine confused temperament those three Monarchies long agoâ— set forth to Daniel by the same Beasts For truly in the residue of the shape of his body it should resemble the Grâ—cian in the feet by his going the Pâ—rsian in his mouth by making Edicts the Babylonian Kindgdome For the Leopard is the type of the Kingdome of the Grâ—cians the Beare of the Persians the Lion of the Babylonians First therefore that Kingdome in the body of it was plainly like the Graecian that is a Kingdome divided into more Kingdomes like unto that Dan. 7. 6. and 8. 8. 22. For the Graecian was divided into four parts but this last Roman was to be parted into â—enne Kingdomes the type thereof is the bearing of tenne hornes upon the head of the last Beast which by the interpretation of the Angel afterward Chap. 17. are tenne Kings or Kingdomes Vers 12. domes into which the Romane Empire of the sixth head being Chap. 12. rent should grow together againe into a new Kingdome under the seventh for to beare the Whore Now that the tenne hornes are onely of the last head that is the seventh and not promiscuously of them all as it is commonly accounted I thus demonstrate the head flourishing the hornes flourish which declining the hornes also growing thereupon must needs decline First therefore the hornes could not be on the five first heads because those five heads as the Angel saith Chap. 17. were passed then Vers 10. in the age of Iohn and together with the courses of the heads the courses of the hornes also growing upon the same were passed neither in the sixth because that reigning in the age of Iohn as also the Angel cleerly affirmeth notwithstanding the time of the hornes was not as yet come For saith he the tenne hornes are tenne Kings which have received no Kingdome as yet They remaine therefore for the last head Away with you paynters therefore which here at your pleasure distribute the tenne hornes among seven heads bestowing upon some one upon others according to your liberalitie two which how unfit it is and farre from any ground of the Text yea and plainly repugnant to the interpretation of the Angel there is no man which being now admonished shall throughly consider but will confesse It is therefore to be taken for true and certaine that it is the seventh head alone in that scale of heads one standing above another being the
man comming in a cloud c. And that of Tertullian against Marcion in his fiâ—t Book and tenth Chapter Christ the high Priest of the Gentiles will vouchsafe to accept and blesse the Circumcision the posteritie of Abraham at his last coming when they shall know him With this agreeth that which we finde thus written in the Book Berachoth Chapter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if we dare trust Petrus Galatinus Ben Zuma saith It shall come to passe that Israel shall not remember their departure out of the Land of Egypt in the world to come and in the dayes of Messiah And how doth this appeare That which is written in Ieremie the 23. will prove it Behold the dayes come and they shall say no more the Lord liveth which brought the children of Israel up out of the Land of Egypt c. which wise men interpret thus not as if the name of Egypt should be blotted out or forgotten but because the wonders which shall be effected in the dayes of the kingdome of Messia that is when he shall destroy the Kingdomes of the world shall principally be remembred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and their dâ—parture out of the Land of Egypt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is shall be lesse spoken of By these and the like let the Reader learne why Saint Ierome doth so much charge the Millinaries with Iudaisme whereon he so earnestly insisteth that this may seeme to be his prime argument whereby he may convince that erroneous opinion But howsoever that opinion be true or false whether those Fathers were in an error or no to be of the same minde with the Iewes is not alwaies culpable But if otherwise why doe we not explode the world to come Gehenna and Paradise Doe not we Christians consent with the Iewes in these things Have not we the names likewise of the Kingdome of Heaven and the Day of Iudgement from the Iewish Robbins For where are those things read in the Old Testament which yet are very frequent among the Iewish Doctors Moreover who hearing the opinion of the ancient Iewes touching the one thousand yeeres of the day of Iudgement cannot but thinke with himselfe that he is moved to beleeve it the Apostle Peter with them for both his Epistles are directed to the Iewes speaking of the Day of Iudgement and presently after the mentioning thereof adding You are not ignorant that one day with the Lord is as a thousand yeeres would confirme the tradition of the Rabbins touching that matter Especially when those words doe not seeme to be taken out of the Psalme as the common opinion is but out of the Vulgar forme and manner of the Iewes making mention of the Day of Iudgement Yea he will further think unles Christ the Lord and his Apostles had used the name of the Day of Iudgement being derived from the Rabbins in the same sense with them why have they not some where declared it Is it not a dangerous matter yea the high way to deceive men to use in doctrine the words and phrases of such as are erroneous without all caution and note of dissent Seeing these things are so I leave it to the judgement of learned men and great Divines to judge whether this be not the best and easiest way to deale with the Iewes not to wrest those plaine Prophesies touching things appertaining to the last and glorious coming of Christ to his first coming but to perswade them that they expect none other Messiah who can fulfill all those things namely changing those things that are to be changed for a Christian must consent no further with the Iewes in any thing then his profession doth give him leave then that Iesus of Nazareth whom their Fathers have crucified That which the Relation in so many places and so carefully doth inculcate Behold saith it not farre from the beginning Iesus Christ the first begotten from the dead who loved us and washed us from our sinnes in his blood cometh in the clouds and every eye shall see him even they that have crucified him and all Tribes of the Earth shall mourne before him I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last saith the Lord which is which was and which is to come Likewise whilest it giveth that royall Kingdome to the Lambe namely to Iesus that was slaine as in the seventh Chapter concerning the multitude with Palmes in their hands The Lambe shall feede them c. in the seventeenth Chapter the fourteenth vers The Lambe shall overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings Chapter 19.7 The Marriage of the Lambe is come Chapter 21.9 speaking of the New Ierusalem I will shew thee the Bride of the Lambe And in the 23. vers The Lambe is the light thereof c. For whilest that we wrest those plaine Prophesies touching things which shall be at the second coming of Christ to his first the Iewes laugh at us and they are hardned in their infidelitie The Apostle Peter useth this meanes to convert the Iewes unlesse I be much mistaken Acts 3. 19. Repent saith he and be converted that your sinnes may be blotted out when the times * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord and he shall send IESUS CHRIST which was preached unto you whom the Heavens must receive untill the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets 1 Thess 5. 21. Prove all things hold fast that which is good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ be glory both now and for ever Amen FINIS A COMPENDIVM OF Mr. Mede his Commentary upon the REVELATION containing two Prophesies FIrst the sealed booke or Seale Prophesie Secondly the Prophesie of the little booke open In the Seale Prophesie is described the imperiall Chap. 4. Session conformable to Israels encamping in the wildernesse The twenty foure Elders signifying Vers 4. the Bishops and Prelates answering the Levites and Priests in so many courses The foure Beasts by tradition of the Elders of the Hebrewes were 1. A Lion An Ensigne Vers 6 of the Host of Ezek. 1 14. Israel 2. A Bullock An Ensigne of the Host of Israel 3. A Man An Ensigne of the Host of Israel 4. An Eagle An Ensigne of the Host of Israel They were full of eyes signifying sharpe sightednesse Vers 6. Their wings agilitie Vers 8. Wings full of eyes zeale ioyned with knowledge Ibid. Sixe winges most ready to execute Gods Commandement Ibid. In the same Seale Prophesie is set forth the destâ—nie of the Empire Chap. 5. The first Seale the opener is a Lion shâ—wing a white horse Chap. 6. and his rider signifying Christ the Emperour from the East Vers 1 2. laying the foundation of the conquest of the Dragon i. the Devill and all the Oracles became silent through the World The Second Seale a Bullock shewing a red horse and his rider Vers 3 4.