this purpose was that chap. 6. vers 10. how long of which see the exposition 'T is time therefore that thou raigne and be angry with them for ever By Nations here I understand all enemies what ever with whom the 24 Elders desire Christ to be angry in those words thy wrath is come or let thy wrath come And the time of the dead c. Or the resurrection to wit is come But surely Christ revealed this to them in heaven otherwise 't is very secret That they should be judged There the righteous must be acquitted however must appear before the tribunal and the wicked be condemned That thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the Prophets c. To wit of eternall life a reward out of free gift not debt so the Apostle the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternall life Rom. 6. vers last And though God has promised life eternall is not a debt neither is God a debter but to himself but enough The 24 Elders seem to make two sorts of people of them that were to be judged some who were to be destroyed others to be rewarded these three sorts 1 The Prophets comprehending Patriarches Apostles Evangelists 2. The Saints to wit Confessours Martyrs who opposed Antichrist 3. The fearers of Gods name comprehending all other servants of God Great and small c. All have the reward alike and perchance a like reward So St. Paul seems to say a crown of righteousnesse sayes he is laid up for me and not only for me but for all those that love his appearance Because in another book I have touched this point and in this page I le name the choise proofes of each side and shew the more probable opinion 'T is said one is the glory of the Sun another of the moon 1 Cor. 15.41 and so shall be the resurrection therefore one Saint in heaven is to outshine another Answ As Peter Martyr fol. 579. there is nothing said of the glory of heaven only as one star outshines another so the bodies in the resurrection shall much differ in glory from them as they are now sowen in corruption as vers 42. speaks note 't is not said so shall it be after the resurrection to wit in heaven but so is the resurrection therefore that place proves nothing Now to this place I annex that of Math. 22.30 on the other part We our Saviour sayes wee shall be like the Angels of God in heaven now the Angels have but one and the same glory But secondly 't is said every one must receive according as he has done in the body 2 Cor. 5.10 and it shall be more tolerable for Sodom in the day of judgment then now if there be differences in punishments why not in rewards of glory Answ Because punishments are for desert rewards out of mercy who has promised to give the last as to the first even every one a penny Matth. 20.13.13 Thirdly but the Angels differ in dignity there be thrones principalities therefore we shall perchance in glory for we shall be like them Answ At the day of the resurrection when we shall be like them all those offices which were for the use and service of the Saints and Church shall be done away as well as tongues which were for the building the Church according to 1 Cor. 13.10 so then all shall be alike Answ 2. Archangel and perchance these forequoted are different kindes to which Christ doth not say we shall be like now the Angels differ not But I rather retain the first answer Fourthly in my fathers house Christ sayes are many mansions Ioh. 14.2 Answ Many not divers for all shall shine as the Sun Mat. 13.43 Now nothing shines more therefore all shal be very glorious yet alike glorious Thus that in Dan. 12.3 doubtlesse is meant for they that be wise are teachers in that place who instruct as the Hebrew has it and they that turne many to glory are Teachers too now the same labourers are to have the same not a differing reward every one his penny therefore Daniel says they shall shine as the firmament or heaven of stars which is all one not as the stars among themselves but gloriously as the stars Fifthly there is a greater and a lesse in the kingdome of heaven Matth. 5.19 A ruler over ten cities and a ruler over five Luke 19.19 and t is said he that sows bountifully shall reap bountifully 2 Cor. 9.6 therefore there be differences of reward Answ all these quoted places are to be applyed to the Kingdome of grace not of glory and therefore prove nothing The more carefully the Saints imploy their talent here below the sooner they are preferred in the Church and the greater the preferment And the more one sows or gives to the Saints the more temporal blessings God gives him or the more grace but enough The more probable opinion is easily discovered Christ promises that all his shall be with him and consequently partake of the same glory and if the twelve Apostles shall sit upon thrones so the twenty foure Elders do nay all the Saints shall judge the world 1 Cor. 6.2 and be glorified together Rom 8.17 But enough for a digression I hope no transgression Ver. 19. And the Temple of God was opened in heaven c. There is no Temple in heaven but the Church triumphant is here meant the opening it is the manifestation of its perfect glory which shall be after the day of judgement of which Iohn was even now speaking which is now hid and kept secret And the Ark of the Testament was seen Meaning Christ for the Ark in the Temple typified him who was formerly seen in earth in forme of a servant but now after the great day in perfect glory And there were lightnings thundrings voyces c. Here is a Preparation to the fourth vision and the lightnings are the punishments to befal the wicked at the last day God shall raine upon the wicked fire and brimstone storme and tempest Psal 11.6 these things signifie the conspiracy of the elements to take vengeance on the wicked and may come litterally to passe at the last day CHAP. XII Vision 4. Act. 1. Vers 1. And there was seen a great signe in heaven TO John in a vision great in regard of the events A signe to wit a woman clothed with the Sunne Some read it a wonder because the woman was wonderfully clothed and delivered To omit the story of Eve and the serpent and Mary with Christ persecuted by Herod which are here as it were represented doubtlesse this woman is the Church for women as the Church are weak depending on their husbands fruitful she is in heaven partly because she appeared so to John also the Church hath both her original and conversation in heaven This vision begins as it were of Christs birth Clothed with the Sunne Because the Church is clothed with Christ who is the Sunne of righteousnesse the Church
chap. 17.16 Why may not Kings of the earth to their destruction strive to help her before by a secret judgment And great Babylon came into remembrance before God c. God thought on her before but now at the appointed day payeth the old debt fully Great Babylon and the Cities of the Nations are distinct you see So Constantinople is not meant by Babylon but the Cities of the Nations comprehend that and all other heathen Kingdomes That City which trampled under foot the holy City and Witnesses is remembred Vers 20. And every Island fled away and the mountains were not found These things shall literally come to passe at the last day when the great earthquake shall happen so that the wicked shall have no hiding place Vers 21. And there fell great haile as of a talent weight out of heaven upon the men God plagued Egypt and destroyed the Canaanites with great haile and hailstones Josh 10.11 and by it is noted Gods terrible judgments against the wicked and vassalls of Antichrist noted by men A Talent Being a hundred pound weight notes the greatnesse of the judgment Now I know not but these things may in some sort come literally to passe at the last day when Earth Sea or Islands Aire or Haile nay and fire all the Elements shall conspire against the cursed and wicked Yet they blasphemed God because of the plague of the haile c. I confesse I was long of the opinion that the judgment-day was not here treated of 1. Because men shall subscribe to that judgment as being convinced 2. Because they seemed to live impenitently on earth and blasphemously notwithstanding the judgments which should beget fear and repentance But upon second and better thoughts I finde that the cursed raging of hell-hounds against God is here expressed after the great day who though they shall at the sight of the judge cry mountaines fall one us yet despairing and convicted in conscience of the justice of the sentence shall never cease with their mouth 's however to pour out blasphemies against God as if he were unjust and unmerciful because of the haile or eternall torments of hell Thus ends this Vision with the world CHAP. XVII Vision 6. Act. 1. Vers 1. And there came one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials and talked with me c. EIther that Angel which poured out his Vial upon the seat of the beast or the last who by his Vial raised the earthquake to the destruction of all and talked with me saying come hither behold the readinesse of these ministring spirits to do any good to the Saints and with what joy they are imployed about things for our consolation what familiarity between them and the Saints noted in that expression he talked with me saying come hither And I will shew thee the damnation c. not any longer nakedly describe the beast but set forth plainly the beast and whore before thy eyes yet in a vision The judgment Not only the temporall upon the city but eternall of which anon Of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters Not Jezabel chap. 2. but doubtlesse Rome an insatiable strumpet Now by whoredom not common fornication is noted for she is a City but spirituall fornication viz. apostacy from God perfideousnesse Idolatry The true Church is Christs Bride and Spouse he is married to her in faithfulnesse righteousnesse judgment Hos 2.19 and her Apostacy is spirituall fornication and whoredom oft in Scripture See Ezekiel 16.9 25 26. Vers 2. With whom the Kings of the earth to wit committed fornication She enticeth them pretending her being the only Catholique Church and Spouse of Christ to receive her superstition and Idol-worship bewitching them as Dalilah did Sampson so that they have made themselves and kingdoms tributaries and slaves to this whore of Rome Not only Kings but inhabitants of the earth Sworne vassals of Antichrist and enemies of the Gospel commit this fornication with a whore None of the Saints whose names are written in heaven are finally thus overtaken 'T is compared to wine 1 Because of its specious pretences of holinesse 2. Because it bewitches and besots mans corrupt nature and even makes him drunk of the waters in vers 15. Wine is sweet but proves deceitfull So Idolatry is to mans corrupt nature but brings wrath and judgment at last Now the Act begins Vers 3. And he led me away in the Spirit John then was not in one continued extasy but severall times in the Spirit neither saw he all in one place but formerly in heaven now in the wildernesse the fittest place to see a Church that was a wildernesse Formerly Iohn saw a chast matron in heaven clothed with the Sun now a whorish woman riding upon a beast in the wildernesse Behold he talked that of succession of most venerable Popes called a whorish woman in the wildernesse And I saw a woman sitting upon a Scarlet coloured beast c. It is much women usually are afraid of cruel beasts but this woman rides on one The woman signifies the Church as is noted chap. 12. v 1. the whorish woman notes the adulterous Church her scarlet notes her Kingly Majestick power giving laws to all for Kings and Emperours weare scarlet The Beast is the Empire of Rome with whose spoils she is adorned Thus as a whore she is an adulterous Church having usurped power as a Beast or Monarch she hath a temporal sword and command as is noted chap. 13. yet but one Antichrist Full of blasphemies Or blasphemous doctrines See chap. 13.6 against God his Tabernacle and them that dwell therein Having seven heads and ten horns So t is the same breast or Antichrist chap. 13. who had seven heads and ten hornes ver 1. deceiving the men of the earth as this doth ver 2. by which I oft noted Antichristian vassals are meant of the heads and hornes anon Vers 4. And she was arrayed in purple The Beast was in scarlet so they be alike yet attired both in scarlet and purple It followes And decked with gold precious stones and pearles Noting the riches and pride of the Roman Church which are to be seen in her Churches Altars Idols Robes Palaces or noting how her attire is like a Queen as she boasts her self to be chap. 18. v. 7. I sit a Queen Thus as some reall whore she adornes her self to entice her lovers to fornication This also her scarlet and wine one being delightsome the other pleasing and sweet note for under most specious pretences of being the Catholique most holy Church Christs Spouse and Peters seat she bewitcheth the Kings of the earth and Inhabitants thereof And had a golden cup in her hand Read the description of the whore in Prov. 7. By this cup all Romes glorious pretences are meant to entice people as that her Orders Sacraments Ministers succession are only right That she is the Queen of Churches the Pope the father of fathers and only cheif shepherd
out of this cup which John saw in the Vision she makes the Kings of the earth drink Full of abominations c. Gold without but filthinesse and poyson within fair in pretences wicked and adulterous in practice This is not heathenish Rome for she enticed none but served the gods of all nations but Popish Rome with whom even all Kingdomes have once committed fornication Vers 5. And upon her fore-head a name written In the Vision It notes how openly this whorish woman shews her self to be another Babylon but in a mystery A mystery that great Babylon So Rome in a mystery is Egypt Hierusalem Sodom chap. 11. and now Babylon keeping the inhabitants of the earth in spirituall bondage Indeed all Romes religion is mysterious full of mysteries openly the Pope cals himself Christs Vicar and the Church of Rome Christs Spouse mystically hee 's Antichrist and she the whorish woman The mother of fornication Rome brags of her being the mother of Churches but indeed she is the mother of Idolatry or spirituall fornication For all abominations that ever were in the Christian world came from Rome You heard before of a chast Matron the mother of the Martyrs and man-child now of the mother of fornication and whoredoms Thus as openly as if it were written in her forehead yet in a mystery doth Rome shew her self to be the spouse of Antichrist and the mother of fornication another Babylon Vers 6. I saw the woman drunken with the blood of Saints Either full of blood which she had shed as the book of Martyrs can testifie See chap. 11. of the witnesses so that she even raged and was drunken as one with wine or because as one drunk she shall not be sensible of many of her judgments And of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Their blood she shed by warring against them chap. 13. for whom Christ out of love shed his no wonder then a judgment follows for this and her fornication chap. 16.6 The blood of the Saints and Prophets is said to be shed also the word Prophet is there to be taken for a teacher as Prophecy is for teaching chap. 11. the Witnesses shall Prophecy else Antichrist came not neer the time of Prophets Severall Massacres prove this point and what is said chap. 11. and 13. of her burning the Witnesses and warring with the Saints Now Iohn in the Vision sees the woman drunken with blood because by her means instigation and doctrine Kings have raged against the people of God Heathenish Rome did thus against the Saints openly but Antichrist in the mystery only whose rage agrees with the time spoken of so doth not heathenish Rome And when I saw her I wondred c. To see a whorish woman upon a beast so strangly attired c. for otherwise he had seen the beast before c. 13. Vers 7. And the Angel said to me wherefore didst thou marvell c. The Angel observing Iohns desire by his countenance to know the meaning of his sight doth of his own accord open to him the mystery saying I will tell thee Vers 8. The beast which thou sawest was and is not To the Beast the Angel ascribes four states according to times Was Or has been viz. formerly in Monarchicall power in Kings Consuls Dictators and the like for thus the Beast had been when Rome was governed by these for the Pope by force took this power to himself by degrees and now reignes as an Emperour or King thus something of the Beast had been to wit the secular power which he made more his own afterwards And is not In the time of the Revelation when the poor Bishops of Rome dream't not of any Monarchicall power but suffered martyrdome under it 300 years And is to ascend out of the bottomlesse pit To wit when Boniface the third invaded the Ecclesiasticall Monarchy Anno 606. See chap. 9. v. 1. of the bottomlesse pit and chap. 11. expounded vers 3. of Antichrists time of arising Stephen the second also laid hold on the secular power 649 years from this Prophecy Thrusting the Greek Emperours out of Italy depriving the French King Helderick of his Kingdom admitting Pipin to whom he gave the Kingdom of France to kisse his feet Thus the Beast arose out of the bottomlesse pit by degrees Out of the bottomlesse pit c. The Beast may be said to come from hell because his working is after the working of Satan Hell is said to have no bottome because none ever returne thence but are as it were continually sinking into misery And shall go into perdition Here the last state of the Beast is treated of The Antichristian Church decreases dayly and suddainly will arrive at the Armegeddon of destruction And they that dwell upon the earth shall wonder As is expounded chap. 13.4 8. none of the Saints who were elected before the foundation of the earth in Christ to glory whom it is impossible to deceive Matth. 24.24 the non-elected are in miserable condition Beholding the Beast which was Before Iohns time in Kings Consuls who are fallen a sleep vers 10 And is not Because Roman Bishops in Iohns time had not usurped not dream't of any great power And yet is In respect of the imperiall power of Caesars then which the Popes should usurpe when Iohn was alive Vers 9. Here is the minde having wisdome In the things that remaine to be expounded touching the heads and hornes greater mysteries lye did then ordinary which are above mans reach or wisdeom Therefore the Angel somewhat explaines it to Iohn stirring up our attention and desire lest we be slothfull in knowing and shunning the Beast The seven heads are seven mountains That is signify seven mountains as the Rock was Christ that is signified Christ On which the woman sitteth To wit the whorish woman or great City vers 18. or Rome seated on seven hils as every man knows one mountain is called Capitolinus 2 Palatinus 3 Caelius 4 Aventinus 5 Aesquilinus 6 Viminalis 7 Quirinalis of which see Mr. Godwin in his Roman Antiquit. Quest Why did not Christ by the Angel plainly name Rome Because men should the more study to find out the mystery also if the Antichristians had been plainly named perchance they would have in rage burnt the Prophecy and many more inconveniences would have followed The Jesuits begin to say this is Rome yet heathenish Rome as under heathenish Kings and Emperours but 't is plain Iohn speaks of things to come of Rome as it was to be Antichrists seat not the Emperours then Vpon which the woman sitteth She sits upon waters vers 1. as commanding people tongues nations called waters ver 15. upon the Beast or Roman Empire as commanding and ruling the Empire for sitting notes Dominion upon the mountains as Antichrists dwelling place and seat now thus the Pope sits even in Antichrists seat therefore hee 's Antichrist Vers 10. And there are seven Kings That is governments at Rome where the seven mountains
had more when Antichrist was at the highest Vers 16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the Beast c. Meaning ten Kings of the West of which already shall hate the whore when God shall put it into their hearts The occasion of these horns of the Beasts hating the Beast and Whore was the Lambs victory convincing them of the truth God be thanked all kingdomes Spain and Italy excepted more or lesse hate the whore and oppose Idolatry Shall make her desolate By leaving the great City and with their Kingdomes and Dominions turn to Christ And make her naked Detect her abominations by confession writing and keeping back her gold riches pearle c. that should adorn her And shall eat her flesh Her flesh here is her annuities riches rents possessions wherewith she was fatted which they shall imploy upon their own territories Churches and several better uses And shall burn her with fire Rome to wit the nest of Antichrist and whorish Seat So that the Pope shall flie to some of the Kings of the earth for shelter as the Spaniard perchance who may be called one of the Kings of the earth contradistinct to the Kings of the East and may joyn with the other named Kings of the earth to his destruction now Antichrist is not thus to be quite ruined though his Palace be but in the succession of Popes shall live some where or other till Christs coming to judgement 2 Thes 2.8 whose brightnesse shall destroy him and the remaining Kings of the earth Vers 17. For God hath put it into the Kings hearts They were ready enough else to have continued in idolatry with Antichrist so that God must have the glory Here England Germany in part Scotland Swethland and other places recovered from Antichrist and hating him may be thought on once of the ten Kings Obj. What is putting into their heart and how it is done Answ God moves the heart of them by his divine cooperating spirit effectually so that it cannot but act yet leaves it free because the divine determination hinders not the judgement of reason about choosing or refusing note God put it into their hearts first to do his will or pleasure in executing his mind for the Beast as chap. 13. to agree and give their Kingdome to the Beast of which largely vers 13. of this chapter fighting with their might for his spiritual Empire Vntill the Words of God were fulfilled That is his decree touching the rising of Antichrist in this book and in the Apostles often Now he hath altered their minds convinced their consciences and they do his Will in executing his judgements upon the Whore after she was at the height and the Word of God was fulfilled that Antichrist should sit in the Temple of God or in the Church for God and oracle and after the Worshippers had admired after the Beast The Lord put it into more of their hearts to their salvation Amen Ver. 8. And the woman which thou sawst is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth To wit Rome for no other city in Johns time mark it had dominion over the Kings of the earth to whom they were tributary but Rome And thus the Church of Rome at her height held all and ruled all either by the sword or under pretence of Religion note God by his revealed Will grace coworking put it into these kings hearts to fulfil his will formerly God put it into their hearts to do his will in serving the Whore The action and motion materially is from God always the forme or obliquity of the action is from Satan and mans corrupt nature in which and by which God hath a secret working and end If a man ride well upon a lame horse the going or action is good as from the man the lamenesse is from the horse so the action in the Kings when they were for the Whore is from God the lameness and pravity of it serving the Whore is from their corruption by which however God wrought his pleasure The summe is the Angels or Preachers and Kings shall divert Euphrates of Rome the Preachers noted by Angels having made Rome weak in part and odious before then the three unclean spirits gather the Kings of the earth to helpe her but her former Vassals shall many of them hate her and burne Rome yet the Pope with the Kings that are left shall be gathered to battle against Christ and these converted ones but the bloody feild of Armageddon or the day of judgment shall overtake them CHAP. XVIII The sixth Vision continued Act 2. Vers 1. After these things I saw another Angel come down from heaven TO wit after the sight of the woman upon the Beast another Angel for this book is as a Trage-comedy where several persons come in as Actors here Angels signifie no Preachers as formerly the Angels bid but are real Angels one perchance Christ publishing future events to John they come from heaven and so do the judgments upon Babylon Having great power All the Angels are great in power how great in power is God then whose servants these are it notes the greatnesse of the matter in hand to wit great Romes overthrow who is not invincible And the earth was lightned with his glory This notes that he was a glorious messenger from heaven 2. That the judgement of Rome shall be publike and open Vers 2. He cryed with a loud voyce saying It notes 1. That the inhabitants of the earth and worshippers of the Beast shall not plead ignorance for so the Gospel hath long cryed down Rome and threatned her destruction 2. It notes the stupidity of Rome lying in pleasure though her judgments were at door Babylon is fallen is fallen c. As in Esay 21.9 concerning the literal Babylon it notes the certainty of its destruction therefore 't is doubled The Angel chap. 14.8 who proclaimed its ruine did it as a Preacher by the Gospel battering that spiritual City which about Luthers time began to decay and decrease in honour and greatnesse Here the destruction of the City of Rome is foretold by a heavenly Herauld because she rejected the former warning the Gospel-truth and killed the witnesses this Babylon is Rome having seven heads or governments sitting on seven mountains making drunk the Kings of the earth with her fornication being the seate of Antichrist and which in Johns time ruled over Nations And is become the habitation of Devils See Esay 13.16 to 22. or of Satyrs it was formerly Satans dwelling place being a Kingdome of Idolatry and Antichrists seat but now this notes its utter desolation as that place of Esay shews This Angels Proclamation belongs to the time a little before Romes destruction and is not yet come And the hold of every foule spirit Noting the apparitions of Devils to be there after its destruction not only Fairies and Satyrs And cage of every unclean and hateful bird As Kites Owles Vultures Ravens This
Lords Vers 18. That yee may eate the flesh of Kings c. Who by the unclean spirits chap. 16.14 were to be gathered to Armageddon Both the Kings of the earth suppose Persians Tartarians Indians and those of the ten Kings who forsooke not the Whore who shall be a feast for birds indeed for hell for the Lord shall overtake these his enemies combining against him and utterly destroy them for ever I meane the judgment day shall overtake them for they shall warre against him and last in some sort till then And the flesh of horses and of them that sit on them c. So it is after a battel but here at the last day though all shall be destroyed yet only the Beast and the Kings shall be cast into hell not the horses together with their Armies which being plain in vers 19. I passe Vers 20. And the Beast was taken alive c. The Beast and false Prophet here are one as the Beasts chap. 13. v. 1. 11. are one for the false Prophet is but Antichrist as a Deceiver together with the Cardinals and Clergy of Rome as chap. 13. v. 11. who hath two hornes as a Lamb and doth wonders in the sight of the Beast as this doth here and the Beast is Antichrist as a secular Prince as I have noted chap. 13. and are but one Beast called by John chap. 13. vers last They shall be cast alive into hell either because being taken alive at the last day they shall only be made incorruptible changed and cast into hell-fire and never dye a temporal death or because they shall alwayes live in hell in torment and never die a living death or dying life however by a double punishment he shall be plagued as a secular wicked Prince and as a false deceiving Prophet the Lord having long since begun to destroy Antichrist by the preaching of the word as by the spirit of his mouth 2 Thes 2.8 now finally casts him into the lake of fire and his friends thus the brightnesse of Christs coming shall destroy Antichrist 1. By preaching 2. By this spiritual not proper slaughter or destruction in hell Vers 21. And the remnant were slaine with the sword of him that sitteth upon the horse c. Alluding to Ezek. 39.15 Go ye cursed Now as literally Gog and Magog were slaine and birds eat their flesh so shall allegorically this be fulfilled in the destruction of Antichrist after such a manner as the last judgment requires for the Devil shall have enough and hell shall be even filled with reprobates by reason of this Armageddon CHAP. XX. Preface to Vision 7. or last Act. 1. Vers 1. And I saw an Angel come down from heaven having the Key of the bottomlesse pit and a great chaine in his hand THis Vision is in some sense the recapitulation of all the former and concludes the marriage of the Lamb and history of the Church from Christs incarnation to the last day or the consummation of all things the Angel is Christ who came down from heaven being incarnate for us being the womans seed and to bruise the Serpents head having the Key that is power of hell and death chap. 1.18 or the bottomlesse bit and that by right not as Antichrist who usurps it And I saw Noting the order of the Vision not the order of the events for after the day of judgment now mentioned chap 19. there shall follow no binding and loosing Satan so that here is not a continuation of history and times observed A great chaine in his hand Noting Christs omnipotency and power above and over Satan a chaine of providence shewing how Christ by his Birth Passion Burial Resurrection Ascention sending the spirit cheifly preaching by the Disciples bound up and hindred Satans tempting the world to Idolatry of which see my Glimps of Christs love page 48. and margin Vers 2. And he laid hold on the Dragon c. In the Vision this is the battle betwixt Michael and the Dragon chap. 12. v. 9. there he is bound from accusing the brethren and cast out of heaven and Church and packt into the earth wildernesse heathens and dry places here lest he seduce the Nations keeping them from beleeving being but almost the same with the former So Satan was not so bound the thousand yeers absolutely for he tyrannized by the Romane Emperours over the Saints in the red horse chap. 6. and overspread the face of the Church with Heresie in the black horse chap. same v. 5. but in respect of seducing the Nations Now since the thousand yeers began many Nations have beleeved which Satan could not hinder Thus Christ beheld Satan fall like lightning Luke 10.18 thus the Prince of this world was judged John 16.11 when Christ in earth And he bound him a thousand yeers Though from Christs Nativity Satans Kingdome began to be ruined yet his death and resurrection did him most hurt but the Jewes much hindred the calling of the Gentiles with any great efficacy till the ruine of the Temple from which time chiefly the thousand yeers of Satans binding are reckoned being Anno 73 according to my Pareus who conceives them to be ended anno 1073. when Gregory the seventh a Monke and a Magician poysoning Alexander the second invaded his chaire at Rome and so the divel began to be let loose by him who gave himselfe to all manner of loosenesse yet from the Angels descent or Christs incarnation Satan began to be bound for then temples idols oracles were forsaken fell down and were silent as histories testifie See Master Smiths arrow against Atheists Thus however Satans loosing hath been 577 years or thereabout Vers 3. And cast him into the bottomlesse pit and set a sea upon him that he should deceive the People no more Into hell and confirmed him there as with his seal now though truly Satan had been cast into hell from his fall according to Peter and Jude yet he had more liberty to range abroad then after Christs incarnation for a thousand years after which he was To be let loose a little season No doubt from the expiration of a thousand years after the Angels descent to the end of the world Satan shall be loosed called A little season either in respect of God with whom a thousand years are but as one day or in respect of years past since the Creation or of eternity or in respect of the Scripture wont who cals the Generation since Christ the last houre Now Satan is to be let loose to manifest his rage against the Church to increase his future torment 2. For the triall of the Saints 3. Justly I mean in respect of Gods punishment upon the nations to seduce them that will not beleeve the truth unto salvation Act. 2. Vers 4. And I saw thrones and they that sate upon them and judgement was given unto them c. The former act answered to ch 6. about Christs riding on the white horse and to ch 12.
Law where the Sun of light is prophecyed never to set fully till the second comming of Christ ch 60.20 but not onely of this spiritual Kingdom nay vers 19. speaks as the place now in hand as if there should be no use of Sun nor Moon hereafter Vers 24. And the nations that were saved shall walk in the light of it Thus much for the building and glory now of the Citizens somewhat They shall enjoy the glorious presence of God who is the light of the city Iohn having spoken of the city could not conveniently but mention citizens who are indeed the very city or part of it the Patriarchs Prophets and Jewish nation or the elect of them are the rest But this must be taken according to the order of the vision and city first and then inhabitants And Kings of the earth do bring their glory thither Not the Kings of the earth who stand for the Beast of which often But Kings converted in the time of the Gospel of which see Esay 60. at large To which passage here is an allusion though it were in the time of the spiritual Kingdome of Christ partly fulfilled now these Kings brought their power and honour to Christs spiritual Kingdome when they were converted and upheld the same and they bring their honour to the city above when their abode is forever above being consummated in glory praising honouring lauding God and Christ for their salvation for ever and ever So these Kings are not such as bring now again their earthly honour to the Church militant for they are saved as well as the nations not to be saved implying their being in joy and safety Kings of the earth Some of the ten converted ones who when in heaven are not Kings but fellow-citizens Ver. 26. is much the same Vers 25. And the gates of it shall not be shut by day c Noting the security and peace and freedome from all dangers for we shut gates day and night in time of Warre or Siege but there shall be no danger now if in the day time the gates shall not be shut then never for there is no night being the glory of God shall expel darknesse by everlasting light This is an allusion to Esay 60. thy gates shall be open continually speaking of the Church militant under the Gospel to admit members to wit into the Church Gentiles and Kings and never shut as excluding none and here t is applyed to signifie the security and happinesse of the Church triumphant Vers 27. There shall in no wise enter in any thing that is defiled See vers 8. Expos on it Paul long since 1 Cor. 6.9 foretold as much Now Christ will judge according to the Gospel These places prove nothing against the Saints who have been overtaken in some sin and have washed themselves by faith in the blood of the Lamb but t is understood of them who make a trade of sinne CHAP. XXII The same Vision partly continued Vers 1. And he shewed me a pure river of water of life clear as Chrystall c. THese two last chapters concerning the Saints felicity answer to chap. 7 15. where the redeemed clothed in white robes praise God before the throne day and night that is for ever The pure river alludes to Ezek 47. or rather to Paradise watered by the river that came out of Eden Gen. 2.10 but that river drew corruption this is pure and water of life having no mixture of filth that came out of Eden this out of the Throne What more pleasant then a water behold not a fountain but a great river not rounding the wals of the city but running through the streets Let us entertain no earthly thought for God by this shews us glorious things in Ezek. 47. waters issuing out of the house of God or Temple is the doctrine of the Gospel flowing from Christ But in this place as also chap. 7. last the living fountains of water are to note the fulnesse of knowledge of God which the faithful shall have by the immediate Vision of God and the Lamb as also unspeakable purity and joy Now the comforts of the Gospel in this life and its doctrine is compared to water Iohn 7.37 Others say the river is the Holy Ghost proceeding from the Throne or God constantly refreshing the city of God Vers 2. And in the midst of the street of it and of either side Here follow the abundance of all things necessary for the Citizens Was there a tree of life Conferring and preserving life alluding to the tree in Paradise but that was not to be touched and this is common for all the Citizens There was but one the which that in Paradise typed See Rev. 2.7 where I expounded it to be Christ who is the bread of life Now the tree though but one with its boughs and roots reached both sides the river though the river was very broad noting how sufficient Christ is for all the Citizens Ezek. 47.7 to which here as an allusion speaks of many trees yet 't was but the same Christ conveyed many ways to the Saints therefore called many trees as the foundations were said to be twelve but here is but one Christ whom all enjoy alike Of the river c. The tree is in the midst of the street because barred from none by the River because always fruitful never decaying Bearing twelve manner of fruits I dare not say here is meant the Apostles doctrine who though they preached one Christ yet drew comforts from him several ways Nor will I mention the twelve articles of the faith all comforting But the tree notes Christ who monthly that is continually is bringing forth the fruits of joy and comfort to refresh the city of God the earnest whereof the Saints have in this world several ways So Christ in heaven alluding to the twelve moneths of an year brings forth twelve nay thousands of fruits of joy and comfort The leaves were for the healing the Nations Alluding to Ezek. 47. So that nothing of Christ but is most sweet and good not as if there were need of any Physick in heaven but to keep the Allegory of the tree ordinary trees loose their leaves Nothing of CHRIST but is profitable The Nations Chap. 21.26 who brought their glory to Christ as the Kings did by being converted and upholding his Kingdom and by being at last glorified by Christ and perfectly cured Vers 3. And there shall be no more curse c. What ever might hinder happinesse shall be removed as chap. 7.15 all tears shall be wiped away By curse we may understand not only that of the law which is nulled but the Anathema's of Antichrist also sin sorrow torment death which are destroyed Here may be intimated the curse of delivering over to Satan in this life because of sin in the Church but there above is purity and therefore no curse as Beza has it There shall be no curse because the throne of God shall
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
second Commandement that is in the water under the earth By heaven earth seas unablenesse to open the Book is understood but thus much no creature could Vers 4. And I wept much because no man was found worthy to open c He concluded sure some worthy matter is in the Book therefore wept because it could not be opened and known this weeping was not in vaine for by prayers and teares he hath his desire granted him Let this instruct us how to attaine to the knowledge of the mysteries of God Vers 5. Then one of the Elders said unto me weep not c. Who is unknown the Papists would needs perswade it was Peter but it was one the Jewish Church not Christian as is observed perchance he that was next to Iohn Behold the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah Alluding to Iacobs blessing where Iudah is called a Lyons Whelp it notes Christs dignity strength and Kingly power Christs mother was of this Tribe The root of David Mary came of David Hath prevailed Being found worthy observe here Christs manhood of the root of David Christ Godhead since he was worthy and overcame admitting no creature with him into the Society of his function Vers 6. A Lamb Before a Lyon conquering sin hell death now a Lamb noting Christs innocency In the midst To wit between the Throne and the Elders as Mediator betwixt God and the Church also it notes Christs exaltation at the right hand of God Stood as it had been slaine His standing notes his Resurrection being staine his death a Lamb slaine noting his manhood a Lion and a Lamb standing noting his Godhead victory Resurrection Having seven hornes Seven is taken indefinitely for many or answering the seaven seales hornes note power eyes Divine insight so that Christ wants neither skill nor power to open the seven seales of the Book His eyes are said to be the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth meaning seven choice created Angels which proves Christs divine nature since the Angels are his servants who give him account of the sons of men whose hearts however he knows without them and which they know not whom he uses not for need but majesty and comfort to the godly Ver. 7. And he came took the book out of the right hand of him that sate upon the throne to wit out of the midst and went to the throne and took the book to open it Thus that is fulfilled chap. 1. ver 1. God gave the Revelation to Christ and he to Iohn Christ gives it to John as God receivs it of his father as God-man Sits on the throne as God goes to the throne for the book as God-man Vers 8. When he had taken the book which was not yet opened though the Latine version read it so which Alcusar would faine excuse Here is noted the cause of the heavenly inhabitants joy because Christ had received the book wherein the whole counsell of God touching the good of the Church and the destruction of the adversaries to the end of the world is contained And fell down before the Lambe giving him divine worship which proves his deity Having every one of them harps not as if God were pleased with musick but because it stirred up the affections of Saints to God-ward with such instruments the holy Prophets and Kings were wont to praise God and to delight themselves and others for the same instrument might praise God and please others And golden vials full of odours which are the Prayers of the Saints as perfumes ascend upward and give forth a sweet smell so Saints in Prayer seek for heavenly things and are pleasing to God through Christ Now as gold excels so Prayers from a pure heart Let the viol of our hearts be pure and the Prayers of thy People be as sweet odours in thy sight O Lord. Vers 9. And they sung a new Song A most excellent Song containing the new benefits of Christ They both Churches see the consent of both Covenants Know by the way the Prayers carried by the Elders in vials were their own Prayers only Saying thou art worthy to take the book and to open the Seals thereof excluding worth from any other the worth is the preciousnesse of his blood which we should well consider For thou wert slaine Christ by his death hath merited for others and he only can give salvation Vers 10. Thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood c. Here the Church applies the price of our redemption to her self with the effects For he hath made them Kings and Priests of which already And we shall reign on earth not only mortifying our earthly desires and trampling them under feet but also as Christ our head doth raigne here not by a secular power for his Kingdome is not of this world and the weapons of our warfare are not carnal for the head reigning the members reign but this we understand not of an earthly but spiritual dominion Vers 11. And round about the throne The Angels whose number is even infinite only known to God joyne with the Church triumphant of which they are members in the praising Christ who though they had not a redeemer as man yet had benefit by Christs death See Col. 1.20 compared with 16. praise him for mans redemption and perchance their own gathering together Eph. 1.10 is thought on Vers 12. Saying with a loud voice worthy is the Lamb. c. These Angels with Songs set forth seven divine Titles of the Lamb yet his ubiquity as Pareus notes is not mentioned To receive power because he is omnipotent And riches because in him are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge And wisedome being the eternal wisedome of the father And strength because he hath overcome the world and Satan And glory because he raigneth gloriously And blessing he is worthy of blessing in whom we are all blest Vers 13. And every creature which is in heaven all the creatures nay divel and all do in some sort set forth the praises of God Now here is another argument of Christs deity since all the creatures worship him with religious worship Vers 14. And the foure beasts said Amen here the Beasts and Elders manifest their joy and consent to the praises of Christ sung by the Angels to speak to capacity by saying Amen that is so be it and the Elders by worshipping Christ who liveth for ever and ever What joy and companions in praise what holy members hath the Church triumphant in heaven that t is even heaven to us below to think of it CHAP. VI. J. Act of the second Vision Vers 1. And I saw when the Lambe opened one of the Seals c. NOw the book begins to be opened for Christ now reveals unto John the Councels of God which were yet hidden and shut he shewed to John in types which he made him understand but he shews us the types only concealing the mysteries that we might exercise
untimely figs fall to the earth or earthly and worldly affaires by Antichrist or the Popes mighty wind or threatnings as excommunication or the like Vers 14. The heaven departed as a scrowle when it is rolled together The light to wit departed alluding to the old custome of rolling up their books not binding as now so being shut they could not be read but enough to be expound this place either the true Church of Christ shall be hid in the time of Antichrist or the light of the Scripture shall be darkned and it forbidden to be read or in summe shall be shut up And every Mountain and Island were moved out of their places That is Kings for as mountains are higher then the rest of the earth so Kings are above other People Kings are interpreted mountains Rev. 17.9 10. The Empire of Rome is the mountain chap 8. ver 8 the Persian Kingdome is a mountain before Zerubbabel Zach. 4.7 the mountains or Empires were moved by Antichrist Ecclesiastically when Kings and Emperours were made to kisse his feet Civilly when deposed by him and some trampled under foot witnesse Alexander the third trampling on Frederick the first many of the like nature I omit and of his boasting himselfe above Councels Islands were moved As waters note People chap. 17 15. so Islands are nations and subjects of Princes now necessitated upon pain of salvation to be subject to the Romish Bishop Act. 4. Vision second Vers 15. And the Kings of the earth and the great men and the rirh men and the mighty men c. This Act consists of joy here being treated of the final punishment of the wicked in the general at the last day here the servants of Antichrist of all sorts who have been instruments of his advancement and tyranny over the Saints or who have drawn their swords for him against them by reason of Antichrist are brought to miserable destruction and desire to hide at the last day from the sight of the Lamb who formerly made the poore servants of God thus hide in dens and caves Now what shall become of the series of Antichrists if their instruments be thus punished if the serpent be cursed woe to the divel himself The wrath of the Lambe Christ is never said to have wrath until now Here is the judgement of the last day treated of when Christ the Lamb shall poure forth his wrath upon the wicked Go yee cursed Now this proves Christs divine nature for Antichrist sure and his adherents shall be afraid of none else but God Vers 17. For the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand To wit the day of judgement here is the reason of the wickeds horrour because of the day of judgement because of their evil conscience against God Christ and the spouse of the Lamb to wit the Church Thus the wicked shall not stand in judgement CHAP. VII Act. 4. Vision second Vers 1. I saw foure Angels standing on the foure corners of the earth holding c. THese Angels were the wicked instruments of Satan and Antichrist who by fire and sword did endeavour to hinder the preaching of the Gospel whether Kings Emperours Cardinals Bishops Jesuites Fryars or the like Now as good teachers are the Angels as ch 1.20 so bad instruments as those Ministers of Antichrist are understood by those Angels here Foure Alluding to the foure corners of the earth Now by foure corners of the earth all the earth is understood so by foure Angels many instruments of Antichrist are to be understood in many parts of the earth by wind the Gospel is understood by which the spirit is conveyed to the hearts of men the wind bloweth whether it listeth to blow the wind is to sound forth the Gospel to hinder the blowing of the wind is to hinder the preaching of the Gospel the wind cherishes keeps the aire from corrupting by its means the trees bud together with the Sunne t is piercing and vehement the Gospel comforts sanctifies by conveying the spirit is the incorruptible seed by which we are regenerated Now certainly those Angels were wicked ones for Christ in the following words says to them Hurt not those that blowed were such teachers as preached Christ sincerely even for many hundred years ago as John Scotus my * In my native Countrey Ireland there is a noted place called Down where Scotus taught School called from thence Scotus dunensis or Duns by Contraction yet other places challeng right to Scotus his birth Country-man as is beleeved Bereagarius Bernard Hierome of Prague who strongly have blown by their Sermons and Writings against the idol of the Masse and transubstantiation and here I might bring in Luther and Melancthon with others who began to blow the Gospel of Christ By Earth Sea Trees I understand particular Churches either in midland wooddy hilly countreys or near sea-coasts as Islands not the faithful particularly because Christ forbids these Churches to be hurt till the faithful in them were sealed Now the Bishops Cardinals and the like who have their Colledges and Fraternities fixed or standings upon the earth forbid these teachers by their edicts excommunications persecutions forbidding the reading of Scripture here note two things 1. Christ hath Preachers of truth in the midst of Antichrists Kingdome 2. The way Antichrist had to set up his kingdome was by hindring the preaching of the Gospel Vers 2. And I saw another Angel ascending from the East This is Christ who came from the East from an high from heaven though born at Hierusalem He hath the broad seale of heaven with him by seale I understand that of Election as 2 Tim. 2.19 The foundation of God stands sure having this Seale he knows who are his Now in Christ we are all sealed or chosen before the foundation of the world allusion is had to Ezech. 9. Christ sealing here is justifying regenerating giving his the Seale that is the assurance of Election Now though all the members of these Churches were not Elected yet were they seperated from the hurt of Antichrist Aloud voice This notes the power of Christ above Anti-christ Till This notes Christs care of his people forbidding the hurting of the Churches till his Saints were called home lest they might be promiscuously wrapt in the danger of seducement but afterwards they might hurt them Vers 3. Till we have sealed the servants of God c. Meaning his Ministers with him not the Angels before mentioned which hinder the blowing of the wind In their foreheads alluding unto Ezech. 9.4 but the Seale here is internal imprinted in the elect by Gods eternal purpose together by sealing them in vocation justification sanctification invocation on the name of God hating Antichrist and Idolatry so that one may run and read whose servants they are as plaine as if it were written in their foreheads hence observe twelve things flowing from these three verses 1. Antichrist hates the truth of the Gospel for
will be bitter in the working it brings sorrow not to be repented of to the Saints though it torment the consciences of wicked men accidentally the Physick works most upon the fowlest stomach where the fault is not in the Physick but in the body so the word will have its proper effect The locusts are the wicked tormentors ch 9. ver 5. Vers 1. But after three days and an half c. That is after a litlle while the spirit entred into them to wit in the Vision to Iohn The truth is the same spirit being immortal shall enter one day into the bodies again when to be glorified but here 't is meant that God would raise up such men with the like spirit as the spirit of Elias is said to be in the Baptist to witnesse his truth against Antichrist Thus God raised up Luther and Melancthon to succeed the former witnesses in whom they are said to live c. But litterally Antichrist never got the bodies to burn yet the locusts have exposed them to what shame they can in writing this may comfort the godly and encourage them not to fear them that can kill the body hence 't is plain God is not left without a witnesse so that the terme of the witnesses prophecying is not come to an end Lastly you see the Locusts and Abaddon their King can kill the witnesses yet not hurt them nor their testimony God will raise them up in their successors here and glorifie them hereafter Vers 12. And they heard a great voice from heaven c. The witnesses did not the enemies Great Because of the power thereof for it shall bring the witnesses to glory Saying unto them come up hither To wit to Christ who is not bodily everywhere but in glory Now Iohn saw the witnesses ascend perchance bodily in the Vision teaching how after the death of the Saints their souls immediatly are in glory This confirms the doctrine of the witnesses though by the enemy condemned as heresie And their enemies beheld them So in the Vision Truly thus have the enemies beheld the witnesses whom they slew raised up to life in Luther Calvin and standing upon their feet as it were and consequently beleeve they ascended into glory after death though they rage against their successours Thus at this restauration of the witnesses to life in their successours the Antichristian adversaries are amazed seeing their doctrine so glorious And fear fell upon the beholders They beheld them dead with delight but at their ascending to honour they are amazed and afraid These as the enemies in the Gospel raged at Christ to wit and the disciples yet feared them against whom they raged they fear because they feel though perhaps too late that they warred against Christ and Truth Therefore also they shall fear their kingdom riches and they shall dread the judgment of GOD but not escape it Vers 13. And there was a great earthquake the same houre Antichrist raised an earthquake against Christ Chap. 6. Now Christ against Antichrist By this earthquake I understand not only the great stir among themselves about Religion which much shakes great Britaine at this houre but Luthers preaching and before that the Bohemians war but to say no more experience shews how both multitudes of witnesses the revolt by the witnesses means of many Kingdomes from papacy the many wars made aganst Spaine Romes most beloved son have made a most terrible earthquake in that great city I mean the Church of Rome The same houre That is presently after the killing of the witnesses I know not one whole Kingdom God be praised for it except Spaine and Italy and herein the Venetian begins to hare the Locusts that totally adheres to his unholinesse the Pope Thus the tenth part of the city fell In the Vision Nay by Luthers Ministery great part of the Romish Religion and tyranny or jurisdiction fell in Germany which was a great part of the Romish city and in England and other places upon it Seven thousand names were slaine c. By the fall of the city names are put for men Now as Brightman has it the revenues and profits of many parish Churches as I may adde Monasteries and Colledges being lost by the rising of the Gospel impoverished and as it were shew many Priests also by the preaching of the Gospel many Papists being more hardened perished And the remnant were affrighted c. The falling of the great city builds Christs little one this proved a good fear many seeing the works of God turned to the Gospel of which experience and histories speak Vers 14. The second Woe is past and behold c. To Iohn in the Vision The first woe t was under Antichrist from his rising to the councell of Constance when the city began to fall The second is yet under both Antichrist Pope and Turke The third lasts to the seveth trumpet to the end for the wicked Vers 15. And the seventh Angel sounded This is the Archangell mentioned 1 Thes 4.16 so the seventh trumpet is that which shall sound when the dead shall rise And their were voyces in heaven saying To wit of the 24. elders or heavenly inhabitants rejoycing for the just judgment to come so the Woe threatned belongs to Antichrist and the damned which Woe Christ uttered in those words Go you cursed and is now to be fulfilled The former woes did belong to the godly and wicked alike under both Antichrists Turk and Pope this only to the wicked Now the cause of the heavenly rejoycing was in part because the kingdomes of the world which the adversaries had violently taken into their possession and as much as in them lay thrust out Christ now returne to Christ who having destroyed his enemies shall raigne alone after which time Christ shall deliver up his Kingdom for now he rules by his word Spirit Sacraments Ministery as Mediatour but then as God and one with the Father for ever of which see 1 Cor. 15. hereafter Antichrist and the wicked shall not rivall with him but our Lord and Christ that is our Lord Christ Jesus alone with the Father and Spirit Vers 16. Then those foure and twenty Elders which sate before God c. Of which before largly chap. 4.4 Here all the heavenly host shut up the third Vision with a song of triumph humbly falling down on their faces in the Vision otherwise they are not bodily in heaven giving thanks to him that is and was and is to come the Almighty of which before chap. 1.8 the cause is Vers 17. Because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast raigned Taken that is doest exercise thy great power destroying all thine enemies and delivering thy afflicted Spouse blessing her with thy selfe eternally in heaven Vers 18. And the nations were angry c. The heavenly host give this a reason why they rejoyce in the great judgment because the Nations have sufficiently been angry and raged against thy Church and to
ago said the preaching of the Gospel should cause to take away earthly dominion and temporal possessions from the Clergy to wit of Rome God be thanked no Kingdome in Christendome except Spaine and Italy but have more or lesse diverted the Euphrates of Rome and made way for the Kings of the East Ministers and good Christians to take her Vers 13. I saw come out of the mouth of the Dragon Since the riches and Euphrates of Rome is drying up she sends Ambassadours to the Kings of the earth to help her These come out of the mouth of the Dragon Beast and false-Prophet In the Vision which is but one as is noted chap. 13. the Dragon furnisheth them with lies the monster or sea-beast representing Antichrist as a secular Monarch with tyranny the false Prophet or land-beast who was like a Lambe in part with all deceit of unrighteousnesse Three impure spirits Meaning the spiritual fathers of Rome's Church Three denotes Perfection or a sufficient company as two witnesses do chap 11. Impure spirits So are these locusts in their original and life Like Frogs came out of the mouth of that Dragon c. In impudent loquacity and filthinesse what more irksom then croaking of Frogs So the clamours of these messengers to the Kings of the earth prating any thing to gain their aid for Antichrist what more impure then frogs both in their original and living the same is true of the Romish Parats and Fryars who may well be said to come out of Antichrists mouth being orders of his confirming having no ground in the Word Now these are Antichrists usual Legates or Emissaries Vers 14. For they are the spirits of divels From the Dragon who gave Antichrists place chap. 13. Their craft and subtilty is from hell though then they make a faire show of religion yet they are of the disposition of the devil their father Working miracles No Church so brags of miracles as that of Rome but t is known Antichrists coming is with signes and wonders and with all deceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse Who go forth as Ambassadours To the Kings of the earth To wit heathen and idolatrous It seems towards the end Antichrist to keep up his false tottering power will make league with Indians or any infidels Thus the prating frogs Jesuites lie most uncleanly in ditches and mire of riches vanity and temporal honour and are sent as the Popes Nuncio's or Emissaries to gaine the helpe of the Kings of the earth against the day of the Lord. Vers 15. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments c. To wit in this dangerous deceitful time and keeps his garments See chap. 3. ver 18. that they be not defiled with the world and flesh for Christ comes unawares as a thief in the night This then is a cautionary parenthesis because the day of the Lord is at hand against which we should watch and be prepared Ver. 16. And gathered them together To wit the unclean spirits shall gather them that is the Kings of the earth by their false miracles lies and prating To battel to fight against Antichrists opposers truly a great miracle that men should fight for the beast of Rome when his other vassals shall hate him as chap. 17. ver 16.17 no wonder if they come to Armageddon or a place of destruction and ruine Since they fight against Jehovah for the beast Called in the Hebrew tongue Harmageddon This Word and such like prove this book was delivered to John in Syriack or Hebrew Megiddo was the place where that most hopeful Prince Iosiah was slain 2 Chron. 35.22 by Necho King of Egypt whereupon for t was an infinite losse the sad Prophet Ieremy composed the book of Lamentations ver 25. Harmageddon in Hebrew signifies a mountain So Har-megiddo is but the hill of Megiddo True Megiddo was the city but the hill field where the battel was fought was after cal'd by that name So the kings of the earth shall be brought to another place of confusion or another Megiddon The alteration of letters are nothing if the tongues be considered in which they are writ Two things are here to be noted 1. The opportunity or fitnesse of the place Such was the field of Megiddo 2. The great lamentation which here the adversaries shal make because of the slaughter therefore one day when Antichrist is almost ruined by the Word and several Kings revolting from him and opposing him he shall be in league with Turk and nations whom he shall entice to help him and to prop up his ruined state but these shall be opposed by other Kings of the East or Christians to their great ruine for the great day shall there overtake the wicked Vers 17. And the seventh Vial was poured out into the aire The six Trumpets signified Preachers I mean the six Angels of the Trumpets as the temporal events proved but the seventh could not be chap. 10. ver 7. then the mystery of God was to be finished So now the six Angels of the Vials may but the seventh proclaims the day of the Lord the end of all things And there came a great voice out of the Temple saying it is done Upon the sounding of the Trumpet the aire is corrupted infected with Pestilence and smitten with Gods wrath so that needs the destruction of all creatures and the end of all things must follow To which purpose a voice from heaven and the throne confirms the truth of it saying It is done This is the great voice of the Trumpet 1 Thes 4.16 the Lord shall descend with a shout Thus the world 's ended and the grapes of the earth to be pressed in the lake of hell and the kings of the earth destroyed at Megiddo Vers 18. And there were voyces lightnings thunders and there was a great earthquake c. These things shew the horrible effects of the last Vial when Christ shall come to take vengeance at the last day then may be voyces of the damned lightnings burning the earth to peeces and the works thereof thunders from heaven for all elements shall conspire against the wicked and such an earthquake as never was for the earth shall be rent to peeces and dissolved Vers 19. And the great City was divided into three parts To wit the Church of Rome wherein or in whose streets the witnesses lay chap. 11. ver 8. In three parts Three notes perfection so it was quite demolished and rent by the earthquake yet I beleeve the literal City shall be destroyed before this day chap. 17.16 But her Dominions and jurisdiction may in some measure last to this earthquake or the end And the Cities and Nations fell To wit of Turk Saracen American and all earthly Kingdoms now at the great Day Yet perchance these may come helping the Whore by the mediation of the three unclean spirits to some nay many private overthrows or Armegeddons before the last day for many Kings shall hate her and burn her before as
the overcommers chap. 2.28 as is expounded he being the morning starre Vers 17. And the Spirit and the Bride say come That is the Spirit in every Saint sayes come Every Saint having the Spirit longs after Christ so David Psal 42.2 As the heart pants after the water brookes that hot and therefore dry or thirsty creature so doth my soule after thee O God And the Bride or Church longs after Christ to be fully gloryfied by him and to live ever with her husband the Church Militant Cant. 8. vers last cals for Christ saying be like the Roe that nimble creature and come in haste The coming of Christ is fearfull to the wicked but the regenerate long for him Let him that heareth say come As the Bride doth Truly the reading and hearing this book will make every spiritual man say come Lord Jesus such sweetnesse is here Let him that is a thirst come That is the qualification required in the commers come to me for redemption salvation glory if athirst for a thirsty man is fit to drink of the fountain of water of life Now he that is athirst is he that has the Spirit crying to Christ to come to perfect him and the Church in glory And whosoever will Being qualified and a thirst none else can come these the father draweth Let him take the water of life freely Being a thirst and drawen by the Father The invitation is generall Isa 55.1 Hoe all but note the qualification that thirst come ye to the waters but note God worketh in us to will and do Phil. 2.13 whosoever commeth then God draweth Vers 18. For I testifie This depends upon vers 7. blessed are they that keep the words of this Prophecy now he threatens those who any way corrupt or abuse it Sure Antichristian falsifyers of the truth are here meant For I also testify or testifie together sayes the Greek Because the Angel had spoken now Christ confirmes the Angels testimony witnessing also with the Angel Vnto every man that heareth Not the Pope excepted If any man shall adde By false interpretations as 2 Peter 3.16 adulterating the Text. Let the Papists take heed how they mingle traditions and lyes with the Text. Vnto him God shall adde the plagues To wit not only the seven last plagues but to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone for ever with the dragon and false Prophet chap. 19 20. O Arrius and Engedinus where are ye O Popelings and Hereticks take heed Vers 19 If any man shall take away from the words of this Prophecy God shall take away his part out of the Book of life c. To the adders he will adde plagues to the takers away he sayes hee 'll take away his part out of the book of life That is what part he seemes to have or will utterly condemne him one day Indeed they may be said to take away from the Book that deprave it allow not of it sleight it or the like The overcommers were promised choyce rewards in the seven Churches these deprayers shall have no share with them nor with the glorious Bride in heaven Some have denyed Saint James his Epistle some this book through mistake not malice being otherwise true Christians and are not to be comprehended here Luther doubted of James many ancient Christians through weaknesse of the authority of this most Divine book on whom I dare not doubt but God had mercy But note not only the integrity but perfection of Scripture is hence proved since nothing is to be added away then with traditions the written word is perfect and only to be followed to salvation Deut. 4.2 Moses gives the same command let no man adde by which it is plain the holy Scriptures of the Old-Testament were full enough and perfect to salvation Now our Saviour not John takes this passage from Moses and other things in this book are taken from the Prophets everywhere To note the perfect agreement of the New-Testament and Old and also to shew how this Book sayes my Pareus is a summe of holy Scripture Well we must not depend upon Revelations but the written Word By this Christ proved himself and his death to his disciples Luke 24.27 see my Glimps of Christs Love pag. 57. Vers 20. He that testifieth these things saith surely I come quickly c. They be the words of Christ not of Iohn who testified and revealed this Prophecy to Iohn being the true and faithfull Witnesse chap. 3.14 who promises to come quickly to confute those who make a mock of his coming to judgment 2 Pet 3.2 3 4. and to stirre us to patience and watchfulnesse And truly if when Iohn writ this book Christ promised to haste then now he is even at the door many Jews are daily converted the Gospel much spread Antichrist manifested and spiritually killed by the Witnesses forsaken by the Kings of the earth or many of them nay and Christ has powerfully reigned by the Reformation of many Kingdomes in matters of Religion We expect to hear of Romes literall desolation but the utter ruine of Turke and Pope we expect not till the seventh Viall be poured out into the aire or the seventh Angel sound at the last day other things are most fulfilled and we hope God for the Elect sake will hasten his coming Surely I come 'T is an asseveration confirming his promised coming to comfort the godly and to stir them up to watchfulnesse and patience in well doing and ill suffering Vers 21. Even so come Lord Jesus Sayes Iohn after all the most joyfull glorious things in the Prophecy the Beast and Dragon in the Vision cast into the lake of hell longing for the consummation of glory Indeed Christ is the good Ahimaaz 2 Sam. 18.27 that brings true and good tydings here in this life but cheifly hereafter of perfect redemption which all the creation groanes for and perfect glory for the Elect. Or Iohn may be understood to desire Christ to hasten Antichrists destruction to hasten comforts to Syon and lastly to come to judgment to condemne the Dragon and Beast and deliver the Saints redeeming their bodies out of their graves consummating them in glory Thus the Spirit in all the Saints teaches to long after Christ and say come Lord Jesus come quickly even so Amen Hanc epitomen praecipuorum Commentariorum supra Revelationem JOHANNIS unà cum annotatiunculis quibusdam feliciter peregi 30 Martii 1650. Ann aetat meae 31. Trinitati gloria sempiterna Amen FINIS
behold sorrow She gave her self to gluttony and luxury behold famine She burnt Martyrs behold fire burning her seat and Palaces She said I shall see no sorrow behold her destruction in one day For strong is the Lord who judgeth her Therefore though her territories be large though the City be very great and strong yet stronger is the Lord who can and will bring this judgment upon her by the victorious armie of the converted Kings who shall throw fire into her and consume her Vers 9. And the Kings of the earth shall bewaile her and lament for her c. To wit who are contradistinct to Saints and had lived deliciously with her in committing fornication as perchance Spaine the Emperour such of the ten as remaine with the Pope and are enemies to the truth of the Gospel They shall lament her 1 Because they cannot commit any longer Idolatry at Rome that beloved but whorish City 2 Because they cannot riot any longer within the City Vers 10. Standing afarre off for feare of the torment saying Alasse c. God shall strike a fear into them that they shall not dare to approach near to help her though they are sorry they cannot sin any more with her Afarre off as farre perchance as their own countryes though t is wonder they are so daunted that they send not to help her by some army to rescue her from burning though they be destroyed as at Armageddon of old Josiah was Vers 11. And the Merchants of the earth shall weep 1. Kings 2 Merchants shall mourn for her meaning spiritual traders in the Romish sea who only can buy and sell as chap. 13.17 For no man buyeth her merchandise any more To wir her Pardons Absolutions which shall be discovered to be abominable rotten and false in the city to be sold however no more being burnt Vers 12. The Merchandise of gold and silver and of precious stones c. See Ezek. 27. where Tyres destruction then a famous mart-town is foretold and this Catalogue of wares there mentioned also the neighbouring nations who brought their Merchandise to Tyre there mentioned to which here is a plain allusion Now by Romes ruine the spirituall Merchants could not vent their ungodly wares of pardons c. Nor could gaine riches enough to buy Merchandise as formerly from other nations as horses from France Gold and Silver from Spaine Sheep from England Beasts from Germany all nations furnished Rome with souls being subject to the Arch-flamen of Rome So here is noted the nations from their Merchandise who furnished Rome with wares as Brightman hath observed the spirituall Merchants could not reach to buy these commodities Rome being destroyed nor common Merchants or nations so well vent them Rome being burnt for brevity sake I omit the Catalogue Wherein observe the heathenish Rome never did traffique for souls of men though she did for slaves but here Rome deals for both expresly slaves and souls of men Sure here Popish Rome is meant most ungodly domineering over souls by threatning Purgatory by pardons masses the summe is Romes destruction shall hinder the spiritual merchandise of the soules and estates of all nations which a long while hath flowed to Rome for which the Romane spiritual merchants shall grieve Vers 14. And the fruits which thy soule lusted after To wit the cates and delicates the spiritual fathers or Clergy of Rome riotously filled their tables with Are departed from them c. Or perished by Romes perishing Vers 15. The Merchants of these things which were waxed rich c. To wit souls and other merchandise shall lament namely Merchants Ship-masters Masters-mates Pilots Partners and common seamen shall lament that is Cardinals and those who are even equall with them Arch-bishops Bishops Abbots Monks and all spirituall sea-men that have an oare in Peters boat shall lament and as the kings mentioned stand afarre off in regard of help but near enough in heart if they durst help saying alas alas pittying the great revenues of their Arch-bishopricks Cardinalships now lost Hence as mourners they cast dust on their heads as in old time they did because of Romes desolation the rest is plain to ver 20. Only observe the cause of the lamentation is not their sins and Idolatry which brought the judgments but their temporall losses and their revenues and honours Vers 20. Rejoyce over her thou heaven c. Formerly she shed the blood of Saints Prophets Apostles Now those Inhabitants of heaven may rejoyce because their cruell enemy and Christs is destroyed This should teach us to rely upon Christ who will one day destroy our enemies and give us occasion of rejoycing chap 6.10 The Saints cry O Lord holy and just how long Here they are bid rejoyce because God has avenged them and suppressed Antichrist and blasphemy Vers 21. And a mighty Angel took up a stone like a mill-stone c. Whether this Angel represented Christ since he took up the milstone as it had been a feather and speaks by a similitude of Romes overthrow for from Christ come Antichrists judgments I dispute not 't was another Angel that enters the stage as it were representing Babylons overthrow wherein consider 1. A mil-stone is not easily removed nor Babylon easily destroyed 2. A mil-stone is cast downe by force so Babylon 3. The Mil-stone is cast into the sea so Babylon shall be burnt by fire 4. The Mil-stone cast into the sea is covered never recovered so Babylon shall be utterly desolated and never built Vers 22. The voyce of harpers shall be heard no more At feasts in thee nor flute for dancers not trumpet for civil meetings nor war nor crafts-men whether Physician Lawyer nor husband-man nor miller but it shall be a meer desolation Vers 23. Nor lights shall shine any more in thee Convenient for night season Nor bridegroom nor bride shall be in thee Therefore no procreation of children therefore Romes desolation shall be consummated Because thy Merchants were great men of the earth To wit Cardinals Arch-bishops here is the grand cause of Romes desolation including other her Merchants sold damnable wares if this were understood literally it were a weak reason because thy Merchants were great men therefore comes thy destruction No but because thy great Cardinals Bishops sold cursed and abominable spirituall wares of Purgatory Pardons Therefore Rome is to be destroyed for her Idolatry false doctrine riot the consequent of riches For her sorceries Or false doctrines compared oft to bewitching or enticing wine have deceived the Christian world Vers 24. And in her was found the blood of Prophets c. The old Rome caused Apostles to be slain the new Popish Rome Prophets or Teachers as chap. 11. In her Either because the doctrine which caused their blood to be shed was from Rome or because she gave commission to slay the Saints who were slain in other places and kingdomes as England God plagues Rome as the Originall cause of all this CHAP. XIX Vision
6. Act. 3. Vers 1. And after these things I heard a great voyce of much people in heaven THe occasion of this praising God is from vers 20. of chap. 18. Where the heavenly voyce bids the Saints rejoyce as here they do Now 't is usuall in this book as in a comedy or tragedy to bring in harpers or musick to delight the spectatours Hence it is remarkable after Romes destruction men shall rejoyce on earth for Gods just vengeance on her before the day of Judgment For though John heard the voyce as in heaven yet it noted also joy on earth among the Saints After these things After the scarlet coloured City was burnt for so both women chap 17.3 4. and City are arayed chap. 18.16 and the Merchants riches partly burnt partly made uncapable of sale After the common Merchants of Nations had bewailed the City for now they cannot trade with the spiritual Merchants of Rome with gold pearle for Masses pardons nor could the spirituall Merchants being impoverished reach the price of fine linnen pearle after these things as in the last five Visions a chore of singers appear praising God Because Antichrists blasphemy Idolatry is destroyed in part so the cause of the rejoycing is good To vers 10. and 11. things being indifferent plain and to be understood by the reading with adding some few notes I 'le passe them by From vers 1. Allelujah that is praise the Lord being an Hebrew word by which all the quire of Heaven both of Old and New-Testament praise the Lord. Note the sweet concord of both Churches under the Law and Gospel now in Heaven Also perchance hence may be noted that the Hebr. tongue used in Paradise and by our Saviour on earth mixt with the Syriack after the resurrection shall be the tongue to celebrate God in Heaven perchance here may be thought on the Jews Hallelujahs whose tongue this is after their fuller conversion according to Rom. 11. Vers 2. It becomes us all to take notice and praise God for the equity of his judgments upon his and our enemies as Antichrists Vers 3. Hell is below for the smoake ascended here is noted also the eternity of Romes judgment for ever and ever Vers 4. After the former rejoycings the 24. Elders or Jewish Church and the four Beasts alluding to the Apostles see chap. 4. succeed in the praysing God saying Amen So that none but he who sate upon the throne is worshipped not one worships another and he for ever by succession of companies which is to be noted Vers 5. Another voyce inviting to more prayses is heard out of the throne by which is noted its being from heaven and it was not the voyce of him that sate on the throne because the voyce invites to praise him also the two companies had ceased their song so this was Christs voice who as Mediatour cals God his God saying praise our God it seemes they had ascribed to God salvation that is the power of saving acknowledging salvation to be from him but greater motives for praise remaine then their deliverance from Antichrist and his judgment and their salvation to wit the Lambs marriage which all his servants of more or lesse faith children or men that feare him so the Catholique Church is here comprehended must praise him for I hence observe it is our duty to praise God and take notice of his love that his will ought to be done by us in earth as 't is in heaven Vers 6. Now follow the praises by all the people of God in heaven and earth as it were compared to waters because of multitude chap. 17.15 and noyse and to thunder filling heaven and earth i th ecchoes thus John heard it noting the exceeding joy and prayses of both Churches Militant and Triumphant see chap. 14.2 where the like noyse of praise is heard Now this Song belongs to the time a little before Christs coming to judgment as will appear Because the Lord hath reigned that is by subduing the enemies as Antichrist had declared powerfully himself to be God Vers 7. For the marriage of the Lamb is come c. The betrothing between Christ and his Church is in this world by faith and the word preached the word wooes the Church for Christ faith imperfectly embraces him the consummation of the marriage is at the last day when Christ and the Church shall for ever be together enjoying one another perfectly there she shall as a wife enjoy him here only as a Virgin betroathed She hath made her selfe ready to wit for glory but to her it was given to be clothed in white linnen ver 8 to wit by Christ by whom and with whom as with fine linnen she is clothed being her self naked Ezek. 16.8 It was given Noting her natural nakednesse of grace and righteousnesse but through Christs endeavours as a Bride to trim her self but is much nay most helped by Christ to be dressed as Brides are by others for here both dressings are meant of grace but especially of glory so she must needs be a most glorious spouse being dressed with Christ Vers 9. Write As a most remarkable comfortable note Blessed are they that are called internally and effectually to the marriage of the Lamb begun here and perfected hereafter Sure eye hath not seen nor eare heard nor hath it entred into mans heart to conceive the joy banquet attire and graces of this marriage and friends truly invited Now against the Papists if they be blessed that are invited assurance of heaven is to be had here for this is one of the true sayings of God to wit that t is given to the Bride to be clothed in fine linnen therefore there is no Predisposition in her and that they are blessed who are in this world invited having heaven in part upon earth Vers 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him c. The Angel's who talked with him Abraham civilly worshipped Angels as Travellers Gen. 18. and was blamelesse which may perswade that this worship offered by John was religious because forbidden Now John had seen Angels before now and heard them speak yet never offered to worship till now either being now over-joyed about the comforts of the Lamb and his spouse for which discourse for this Angel had familiarly talked with him a great while by way of thanks he would have worshipped him or perchance supposing he had been Christ To be brief Iohns weaknesse is here shewed and the Angels faithfulnesse since Iohn confesses in writing his errour as Moses shews his original Matthew his calling impartially it shews that these men were inspired by God who were the Writers of these books And since the Angel refuses the worship for two reasons 1. Because he was Iohns fellow servant 2. Because God was only to be worshipped therefore no worship neither douleia nor latreia for they are indifferently used for the same worship is due to Saints or Angels So that as the Angels refuse it so