body of this Prophecy now in order to this ponder and weigh advisedly two things First The Scope or Intent of the Book Secondly The Synchronisms or the contemporaneousness of the Prophesies therein how the Visions therein run parallel one with another and what an acurate harmony and sweet consent there is among them in respect of time First Eye and observe intentively the scope of the Book that is the common time and Period whereunto all the particular Prophecies and passages in the Revolation do joyntly run and wherein they do ultimately determine For this is the Pole-stâ—â— and compass we must steer by the chief mark or white which must be aymed and levelled at in interpreting this whole book and all the mysterious visions therein contained Like an accurate Archer therefore keep the eye of thy judgement fixed stedfastly on the Scope that so far as possible thou shoot not wide not short nor over Now the Scope or intent of the Revelation 1. Parts of the book is more generally to make known to the Apostle John and by John to the Churches the present things that then were when the Revelation was given and the future things that should be afterwards from Johns time to the end of the World as the title of the Book intimates Rev. 1.1.1.19 2. More particularly Jesus Christ intends in this Book to declare the future condition of the Christian Religion and Churches of the Gentiles especially the European Churches the remaines of the Roman Empire and the Tyrannical dominion of Antichrist those singular subject matters of this book extending themselves in Europe peculiarly or as another learned writer expresseth it to the same purpose Christ intends in this book to describe the state of the Church in the New â—â—â—ament The Arocal vp is a Prophefie of the destruction of the Roman Empire not only as Heathenish but as Christian when as it were it was paganised again and persecuting the Church Mr. Thomas Goodwin in his Sermon before the Parliament 1645. and also the things that shall come to pass in the Roman Empire or the fourth Monarchy under which the Church of God doth subsist and that in divers remarkable Periods of events Now this description comprehends three Periods or three sorts of times The first Period containes the time of the Dragon the time in which the seven Crowns stood upon the seven heads of the Dragon Rev. 12.3 when the Dragon himself under the heathenish Emperors was publiquely adored and worshiped but the Christians banished persecuted and put to cruel death till at last Constantine the great came to the Imperial Seat whereby the raign of the Dragon came to an end for he throws down all both Idol-worship and Princes that upheld it So the Dragon was cast out of the Church Heaven the whole Empire turning Christian though as one well said the Devil did not thâ—â— turn Christian for he stirred up thâ—â—â—â—rian Christian world to persecute the Orthodox Christians as much as Heathen Rome had done yet notwithstanding the Church prevailed was built up and triumphed until after the death of the good Emperor Theodesins at which time the Devil left his shape of a Dragon and resigned his Host his residence and seat with his great authority unto the beast with ten horns that rose out of the Sea Cap 13.1 2. The second period comprehends the time of Antichrists raign Period 2. or the time in which the Pope of Rome as the Antichrist and enstalled Leiutenant of the Dragon Blasphemeth God and his name and persecutes his Saints for the space of 1200 and 60 days Rev. 13. Which God hath permitted as a scourge to Arrian Rome when the Dragon was overcome and cast out of the Church Heaven he did cast out of his mouth Water as a flood after the Woman Rev. 12.15 i.e. he stirred up the Septentrional Nations to invade the Roman Empire So Brightman Deed. Piscator I unius intending thereby to root out and destroy the Church but the earth swallowed up the flood in regard these Nations embruned the Christian faith Some by the flood understand Heresies especially Arrianism overflowing the Christian world and so interprers the earth to be the multitude of Christians mer in general Councels who defending the true faith overthrew and drank up these heresies as dry ground drinketh up water remaining in the Roman Empire and erected several Kingdomes in it Seeing then the Dragon saw that he could not maintain the Heathenism wherein be was openly worshipped and served he resigneth to the Beast which riseth up out of the Sea Rev. 13.7 and is ridden and governed by the great whore of Babylon Rev. 133. c. that is to the Antichrist who in the time of these wars doth creep out in the Roman Empire his power and his seat and great authority Cap. 13. vers 2. And so makes him his Vicar and Lieutenant by giving over to him his Seat and Residence the City of Rome and the whole Roman Empire whence it came to pass that about the time the Bishops of Rome began to seek to have the primacy and preeminence both in Church and State as Innocentius the first did in the year say some 402. others 406. The Dragon doth resign to his Lieutenant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Dragons delegate or Inostirute Râ—â— his whole host for in this sence the seventy Interpreters do use this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Exod. 14.14 and 15.4 as Mat. 24.29.30 The Host of the Dragon are his Angels or Devils So Mede and the Idols in which the Dragon and the Devils are worshipped and served by the heathen These Idols the Anti-Christian Popedome hath received and worshipped under the name of Saints the Dragon and his Vicegerent as hereof the Text speak's Cap. 13.3 4. The whole earth did wonder at the beast and they worshipped the Dragon that gave power unto the Beast and they worshipped the beast The Dragon doth give also to him great authority and makes him a head over great countries whereof David did prophecy Psa 110.6 The time of his Lieutenantship shall continue forty two Months i.e. one thousand two hundred and sixty years Vpon this follows the third Period which bringeth Statum Ecclesiae tranquillum Period 3. as the pure so the peaceable and quiet estate of the Church upon earth Seeing at the found of the Trumpet of the seventh Angel the seventh plague or the third we do come upon the Roman Empire and at the same time the seventh Viol of Gods wrath is poured out â— wherewith the enemies of the Church are wholly cut off and destroyed yea even the Devil himself shut up in the bottomless pit Rev. 20.1 2 3. therefore there can nothing but a true and constant peace ensue whence it is that the Church of God rejoyceth with great joy with a great voyce saying as Rev. 11.25 The Kingdomes of this World are become the Kingdomes of our Lord and of
raised to life As the natural earthquake shakes the earth so mystical earthquakes make Kingdomes quake with wars and troubles Annot. on Bible and ascend into heaven there is a great earthquake i.e. great commotion of the Nations a great resurrection and combustion in the Roman Empire a great mutation and change of Political affairs a great turn of the times Which great commotion of the Nations and strange turn of things makes way for the resurrection of the Witnesses and their restoring to life again with so great an increase of honour and esteem The effect of which great earthquake is the fall of the tenth part of the City and the slaughter of 7000 names of men Now that we may come as near to the true sense and meaning of these words as possibly we can I will lay down and prove two things which will be good grounds to go upon in the explication of the Text. 1. Because no judgement can befal the Beast but what is contained in some of the Vials This same ruine of Rome here described belongs to the fifth Vial the proof of which is there is the same subject of the plague in both places viz. in this 11. chap. and in chap. 16. here t is the great City there it is the throne and seat of the Beast for Rome the great City to be the seat of the beast is so well known that it needs no proof It is further proved because the ruine that is here described doth so nearly precede the total destruction of the Beast at the sounding of the seventh Trumpet as nothing is said to intervene or come between but the passing away of the second wo. But now to the total abolition of the Beast is necessary the pouring out of the seventh Vial to the passing away of the second wo or that plague from Euphrates is necessary the pouring out of the fixt Vial therefore the destruction of the great City which goes next before the passing away of the second wo doth belong to the fifth Vial. 2. The second thing premised and proved in order to the interpretation of this verse is this viz. The â—â—ipe of the great City in vers 13. is the very same destruction of Babylon which is prophefied of c. 18. which I prove thus because it is certain from that Chapter that that very same destruction of Babylon or of the City of Rome doth go before the full destruction of the Beast and the beginning of Christs glorious Kingdom at the founding of the seventh Trumpet But now the destruction of the City which is here declared doth so nigh antecede that very Kingdom of Christ that the Spirit of God making mention of no other destruction between passeth immediately to that kingdom and the description of the seventh Trumpet Therefore one and the same destruction of that City must of necessity be described in both for who can imagine or beleive that the holy Ghost should altogether pass by the greatest destruction of all and make mention of some lesser slaughters between no way to be compared to it These things being so it follows then that the Interpretation of these words be levelled to this rule and as it were tried by this touchstone and so to seek such a sense and meaning of these words as doth best agree with the description of that destruction of Babylon which with what reason may be we may now see Besides the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fell must needs note some effect of an Earthquake cannot agree to this Interpretation And the touth part of the City fell By which I conceive is not meant the tenth out of many Kingdoms given to the Pope now taken from him for then the word should be rather 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nor yet the ten Kingdoms or any of them subject to the Dominion of the City of Rome who in this commotion of the Nations fall off from the Papal State and will be subject to it no longer But by this ΔΕΚΑΤΟΠthis tenth part of the City I agree with Mede is meant the fall and destruction of whole Rome the City that now is which is but the tenth part of that which it was when it was in its glory The City of Rome that now is in regard of the old City of Rome when she was in her flourishing condition is but the tenth part as the same is proved by Lipsius The holy Ghost in the words intimates as much Admirand lib. 3. So much of the great City as was remaining when the great earthquake came at that time was ruined viz. the tenth part of the City for nine parts many ages before were fallen partly by the desolations of war brought upon it so many times by the barbarous nations and partly decayed and worn away with time and partly destroyed with lightning and tempest the tenth was reserved for the fate of the Papal state the mother of Harlots which by this earthquake at the resurrection of the Witnesses shall be utterly destroyed It is added And in the earthquake wire slain of men Greek names of men seven thousand Note here the Text doth not say 7000 are slain by the fall of the City but 7000 are slain in the earthquake which earthquake is to shake down the whole kingdom of the Beast throughout the world therefore by the 7000 men must not be understood I conceive so many individual persons For t is not likely the pouring out of the Vial upon the throne of the Beast will pass away with so small a slaughter of men Sure we are shaking down of the whole kingdom of the Beast the total destruction of Babylon Chap. 16. which the holy Ghost intimates by this earthquake elsewhere in the Revelation will not be without the slaughter of a far greater number then 7000 men To satisfit this doubt therefore we must consider what may be meant by the City here and what by the names of men First The City or great City hath a double acceptation in these Prophesies Being taken either for First The Royal City of the Beast viz. the City of Rome called the throne or seat of the Beast upon which the fifth Vial is poured out or Secondly for the Citizens or for the Romish City constituted of the Pope and his Cardinals and the whole troop of the Romish clergy who Rome being destroyed burnt to ashes and levelled to the ground not to be inhabited any more shall betake themselves to another habitation and so shall be reserved to the last Vial at the pouring out of which it is said besides the destruction of others of all lands Nations and Cities in this earthquake so great as never was such since man was upon the face of the earth great Babylon came into remembrance before God to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath For that burning and destruction of Babylon taken for the Royal City of
the beast that is described Chap. 18 and 19. doth altogether precede the destruction of the beast and the False Prophet as is manifest in the Text. To sum up all in a word happily it may so come to pass that that first destruction of Babylon viz. of the City of Rome may be without any very great slaughter at least without the total destruction of the Citizens for though the City be utterly destroyed yet a great part of the Citizens may fly from the destruction of the City timely consulting their own safety or for some other cause which the event will make manifest and thus the doubt or scruple concerning the small number of the slain may be satisfied 2. And will yet more fully if we consider what number may be designed in the words names of Men. Names of men may be taken for eminent and renowned Men high and great persons cheif heads of Noble Families Names of men is as much as to say men of name An Hypallage frequent in Scripture as silver Shekels for Shekels of silver Levit. 5. the Law of righteousness for the righteousness of the Law Rom. 9. Riches of grace for rich grace Ephes 1. So names of men may here be put for men of name persons of great honor and dignity in opposition to men without name base and ignoble Persons Job 30. According to this interpretation which nothing can be said against Names of Men signifing high and great persons suppose they be of the Popish Ecclesiastical Order whom we call Church men by great names and titles distinguished from the inferiour Clergy if 7000 of these be slayn how many of a lower rank and order which the Holy Ghost would not so much as count or reckon Besides this there may another interpretation be given of Names of Men viz. Companies and Societies of men which are wont to be called by proper names as well as particular men as Cities Towns Parishes Villages Monasteries and Nunneries and what are these if we consider the Matter but names of men as the Roman name is put for the Romans themselves the Thebane Polity is called the Thebane name what is therefore the Names of those humane Societies whether they be either of Rome or in that they call the Church State be the 7000 in this great Earthquake to be slain i. e. subdued by the adverse power which the Scripture useth to call death but we must not rashly determine any thing in a thing to come the best commentary of a Prophecy is the fulfilling of it but I bring these things to shew that of these words a larger sense may be given then is commonly conceived When the word Name in Scripture doth not use to be restrained to one single signification neither are Names of men joyned together in any place of Scripture but in this neither is the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Names taken simply for particular single persons but onely in two places Acts 1.15 Rev. 3.4 in other places it hath several significations It follows And the remnant were affrighted and gave glory to the God of Heaven i. e. the rest of the Bestian party are amazed and terrified and thereby compelled to acknowledge the just judgements of God which he hath poured out upon them and to confess their sins which to do is to give glory to God Vers 14. The second we is past and be bold the third we cometh quickly The Second we is past the meaning is this great Earthquake continues to the end of the second we or of the sixth Trumpet together with which is to be finished the Prophecying of the mourning Witnesses For after so great a Victory over the beast and their ascending up into the Church-Heaven with so great honour they put on their mourning weeds no more But now if this second wo or plague of the sixth Trumpet be the Turks from Euphrates flowing in upon and over-running the Roman Empire in times past as was interpreted Chap. 9. it cannot be but the passing away of this second wo must be the overthrow of the Turkish Empire the drying up of the waters of Euphrates at the end of the pouring out of the fifth Vial whereby way is made for the coming of the Kings of the east cap. 16.12 At which coming of the Kings of the East least there should be left too wide a space betwixt both Trumpets the seventh Trumpet seems to begin Hiatus And so the wonderful preparation of the beast and false Prophet to the Armageddon Battel Cap. 16.13 together with the event thereof at the pouring out of the last Vial vers 17. must be made to begin at the sounding of the seventh trumpet And truely it seems very congruous that the preparation to the Battel as well as the battel it self should appertain to the same Trumpet but here an objection must be removed out of the way viz. Object Whether the Beasts 42 months and the Witnesses 1200 and 60 days are one and the same terme but now these days of the mourning Witnesses ending at the passing away of the sixth trumpet plague or second we It may very well be asked why the months of the beasts may not be supposed to be longer when after this time so great a part of the beast still remaines not to be quite abolished till the beginning of the seventh Trumpet It may be answered Answ This may be either because at the calling of the Jews there called the Kings from the East a new kingdom begins Or because in the duration of the beasts reign there is an ey or respect chiefly to the Empire of the City of Rome but now this great Royal City of the Beast in this Earthquake is taken demolished So that the Beast from thenceforth shall have changed his form when he is driven from his Metropolis it can no longer be counted which is the signification of his other seven heads a seven-mountained Kingdom Behold the third wo comes quickly This begins at the sound of the seventh Trumpet Wherefore these words immediately follow Verse 15. And the seventh Angel sounded And the seventh Angel sounds a Jubilee and then there be great proclamations and acclamations in heaven Called by some Divines the wo-joy Trumpet that the kingdoms of the world are the kingdoms of Christ and whereas before the Devil Dragon and Beast and his horns reigned now Christ takes to himself his great power and reigneth for which the whole Church under the type of 24. Elders praise him though the Nations be angry as they ever are when Christ puts forth his just power Verse 15 16 17 18. He now gives reward unto his servants the Prophets c. and destroys them that destroyed the earth that is he ruines the wicked and Idolatrous generation of Antichrist who wasted his Church before ver 18. His tabernacle is now open in heaven and the ark of his testimony seen ver 19. i.e. Christ represented by the ark is clearly manifested before
Antichristian filth soil and stain them with Superstitious and false Worships thou mayst have thine close and clean upon thee having made them white in the blood of the Lamb so shalt thou be enabled comfortably to wait for the expiration of the Beasts 42. moneths and therewith the downfal of Babylon and the expiration of the Witnesses 1260 days and therewith their rising again the sounding of the seventh Trumpet the coming down of the New Jerusalem the solemnization of the Marriage between the Lamb and his Bride and bear a part with the Lambs triumphing followers in their rejoycings that the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth that he hath taken to himself his great power and that at last the Kingdoms of the World are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ FAREWEL ERRATA Gentle Reader THe Authors absence from the Press hath occasioned some Mistakes in the Printing Thou art desired to correct with thy pen these faults among others Page 10. line 7. r. Rev. 17. ll 17. r. this p. 11. l. 22. r. wâ— p. 20. l. 13. r. Genserieus l. 19. r. Almains p. 23. l. 7. add were p. 23. l. 4. r. these p. 24. l. 17. r Togrulbeck p. 34 l. 25. r. divided p. 45. l. 28. r promoting p. 46. l. 25. for his Bride r. hâ—s Lords and Cesers p. 47. l. 3. r. establish p. 52. l. 16. r. Jupiter as God p. 57. marg r. Aureuem p. 61. l. 20. â— â—â—â—tiâ—ation p. 66. l. 3. r. Rev. 21. p. 91. l. 20 r. successors p. 97. l. 26. r. diligent p. 107. l. 13. r. there p. 109. l. 18. r. secession p. 116. l. 20. r. sixty p. 117. l. 14. for was r. of p. 121. l. 9. r. And therefore p. 126. the Greek words in the marg place in the marg of p. 121. p 128. l. 6. r. Appiarius p. 130. l. 9. perception p. 169. in marg r. cure p. 19 q. l. 20. r. raised p. 176. l. 7. r. insurrection UPON THE APOCALYPS Anno. 1662. THis Book is called a Revelation because it makes known to us secret hidden mysteries and future events It is called the Revelation of John the Divine that is John the Apostle or Evangelist called John the Divine by way of peculiar emphasis because as an Eagle he soars aloft writes more sublimely of the Divinity of Christ Jesus as in his Gospel and First Epistle so in this Book where Pareus observes there are forty eight arguments of Christs Divinity This John the Evangelist and Apostle was Pen-man of this Revelation who wrote this book after all the books of the New Testament had been penned and published he surviving after all the rest of the Apostles and lived as Sophronius thinks to the third year of Trajan the Emperor which was in the one hundred and second year after Christs birth as Helvicus computes It compleats and seals up the whole canon of the Old and New Testament cap. 22. 7 14 18 19. The time when he wrote this Revelation was when he was banished into the Isle of Patmos for the Word of God and testimony of Jesus by that cruel persecutor Domitian in the fourteenth year of his Reign saith Hierem. Domitian raigned in all but fifteen years and his fourteenth year was the 96 year after Christ as Helvicus computes So that from Johns writing this Revelation suppose in the 102 year after Christ to this present year 1662 are 1560 years It is also called the Revelation of Jesus Christ because he is the author of it even Jesus Christ himself the faithful and true witness who sent his Angel to testifie the same to John the Apostle and by him to the Churches Rev. 11.22.16 And though it be called a Revelation and the Revelation of John and of Jesus Christ because it doth make known to us hidden mysteries and future events yet it s not without mixture of much intricateness and obscurity having as Hierom saith as many mysteries as words Sundry Books of Holy Scripture are hard to be understood especially those that are prophetical but among all the prophetical books chiefly this It is a book full of obscure and intricate visions making known abstruse and hidden mysteries most mysteriously and that in relation to future times And therefore the profoundest judgement of interpreters is here not onely excercised but puzled so that they must acknowledge here are many knots they cannot unty and mighty deeps through which they cannot fully wade The opening of the seven seals the sounding of the seven Trumpets the pouring out of the seven Viols who can fully comprehend Rev. 5.1.6.1.8.6.16.1 The profound Mysteries of the measuring of Gods Temple and Altar the Gentiles treading under foot the outward Court and holy City the two Witnesses and the time of their Prophesie Rev. 11.1 2 3. The battel between Michael and the seven headed Dragon the womans Travel bringing forth flight into the Wilderness Rev. 12.3 7. the seven-headed and ten-horned Beast blaspheming and prevailing over the Saints Rev. 13.11 c. The two horned beast repairing the former beast Rev. 13.14 The beasts Image Mark and number of his name v. 15. and the number of the beast 666. The Angels flying through the midst of Heaven with the everlasting Gospel Cap. 14.6 The casting the beast and false Prophet into the lake Cap. 19.20 The first resurrection and the reigning of the revived Martyrs with Christ a thousand years Rev. 20.4 5. The binding of Satan the mean while and loosing him afterward Rev. 2â— 2 7. The battel and ruine of Gog and Magog Rev. 20.8 And in a word the new Jerusalem comming down from God out of Heaven and the finishing the mystery of God Rev. 21.2 These and the like profound mysteries who can compleatly understand Yea I verily beleive no mortal creature on earth is able fully to understand and penetrate into all the profound depths and mysteries of this book which hath so exercised and puzled all interpreters Yet this I think if some things therein by help of divine light may be cleared though all cannot he that writes shall be a gainer and he that reads shall be no loser Therefore I write this that I may by Divine assistance give some light to the understanding of some things in this Divine and sacred Prophesie the mysteries therein being revealed that they might be understood the true understanding whereof so much concerns us and the Church of God in this last hour of the world Now that we may fadom and understand somewhat of this mysterious Book I will endeavour two things First To give some light into the main body or substance of this Book Secondly I will endeavour to open and explain some things in the 11. Chapter in the History of the two Witnesses because there are many particular and important things which do relate to our present times and are set down for the comfort of the Church which is now afflicted To begin with the first viz. to give some light into the main
with it in a learned Writer since I thought good here to put it down and leave it to the judgement of the Reader to choose which Interpreration he likes best pointing no doubt at the Christian Emperor who did-not differ from the Heaven Emperor as a distinct form of Government for they were both Souldiers and chosen by the Souldiers but in the quality of his person the one hating and persecuting the other loving and protecting Christian Religion And when he comes he must continue a short space For the Empire when it came into the hands of the Christians stood but a short time in its strength a matter of seventy or eighty years from about the middle of the reign of Constantine the great for till then he was exercised with mighty Wars against the Heathen Emperors unto the end of the raâ—â—n of Theodâ—sius the great from about Anno. 316 or 320. to 395 or 397. It follows in the next verse the beast that was and is not even he is the eighth and is of the seventh viz. The Papel state was in respect of the bulk of the Empire whereof he is a horne And is not i. e. it hath not any present existence in the Apostles times as the seventh head for the time of that is not yet come Even he is the eighth and is of the seventh that is he is the eighth if you make the Christian Emperor one but he is indeed the seventh for there is but seven heads and he is but the seventh distinct form of Government Kings Tribunes Decemvirs Dictâ—ors Consâ—ls Emperors and the seventh Popes Now here lies the Argument It is 〈◊〉 to wards the end of the 1200 end 60. years since the Pope became the head of the Roman Kingdom Ergo the Earthquake that must ruine him and his Kingdom draws near To make this appear we are to know as some have observed there were divers degrees of the fall of that vast body of the Roman Empire one after the death of Julian the Apostate about Anno. 365. For then the barbarous Nations invaded and made huge Havock in the Provinees of the Empire A second was about Anno. 410. when Rome it self was sacke by Alaricus the Goth and the Empire dismembred A third about Anno. 455. when ten Kings were risen up instead of the Empire to which let me interpose one notable one out of a learned writer about Anno. 395. at the death of Theodâ—siâ—s the great the barbarous nations had made many attempts before but were from time to time especially by his valour repelled 2 Thes 2.7 The time of Antichrists revealing is when he who letteth is taken out of the way now this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or he that did let the 〈◊〉 pearing of Antichrist is interpreted by Anrient and laâ—â— Writers 〈◊〉 be the Roman Empire not then wholly demolished but divided and weekened it was divided after Theadosius into Eastern and Western 〈…〉 in the East and Arcadius in the Wost now the Western Empire was the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which was taken away by the death of Arcad. us But upon his death they brake in like an huge inundation bore down the Empire before them shivered it in a hondred peices so as it near recovered any more This great mine of the Roman Empire was six years adoing for so great a body as the Empire could not by created means be ruined in a short time And it is very remarkable both because it made so great a change in the Kingdoms of Europe and Affrick planting them almost universally with new nations and names and in special because that storm brought our forefathers into this Land setling here a new Nation and language It is thirdly also observable because in it the sixth Head of the Roman Monarchy the Emperor went off and the seventh the Pope came on onely the question is about which of these times and degrees was the Empires destruction Not so high as Julians death for the Empire stood in good strength after that for thirty years at least nor so low as 455. when it was quite broken and not long after lost its very name but somewhere between viz. either about 406. or 410 years after Christ when Rome it self the head of the Empire was taken Now if the beasts reign began about or between 406 and 410 then the ruining earthquake must needs approach considering how many years are gone of the 1260 years Object The sixth Head of the Empire continued long after the death of Theodosius the Great Answ 1. Not in strength but was still more and more broken unco its dissolution 2. Rome became the the Seat of the Beast by the means of translating the sear of the Empire from Rome to Constantinoplâ— from whence ensued the parting the Empire into two parts by which division it being weakened and alter also sundred in affection as well as in place was the easier to be entred upon and obtained by the Pope especially after the death of Arcadius Bishop Vsher sum of Christian Religion p. 443. It is not absurd to imagine that the sixt head and the seventh might be in some degree together For first it is but a comparison not like that natural head of which there can be but one atonce more makes a monster and truly this Reast is a monster Besides the Impesial and Papal Head did not so thwart or cross one another at first as afterwards they did so as it might be with them as Logicians say of contrary qualities they may consist together in the same subiect gradibus remissis non intensis they might both of them have their power and not intrench one upon another Popes at first medled in a manner only with the matters of the Church as being desirous to settle their Ecclesiastical authority and the Emperors on the other side almost wholly busied themselves about the Civil State to govern and defend the Empire And yet further which may lessen the absurdity before that you shall have in the Roman Government sometimes as it were two heads at once as Consuls who were for a year and a Dictatator chosen it may be for three months or for six moneths upon some extraordinary exigencies and necessities of State who was for the time supreme as namely in matters of war as the Consuls were supreme for other Civil affairs The Earthquake whereby Antichrists Kingdom is to be ruined approacheth Indice or Evidence 2. appeareth by this second Indice or Evidence Because t is almost 1200 and 60 years since the ten Kings began and the Beast began with them as may appear Rev. 17.12 The ten horns which thou sawest are ten Kings which have received no Kingdom as yet but received power as Kings one hour with the Beast The ten Kings are the many Kingdoms that sprung up out of the ruins of the Empire as the Kigdoms of France Spain c. These are called horns aptly because Antichrist doth with them as the beast doth
his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever and v. 17. She giveth also thanks to the Lord God Almighty because he hath taken to him his great power and reigneth Now unto these three Periods The scope of the Revellation or times the whole body of the Revelation of St. John and the parts of it are directed For the Son of God describeth in this Revelation the State of the Christian Church and the things befalling to the Roman Empire in relation to the Church in a three fold manner First By seven Epistles Cap. 2.3 Secondly by a Book Scaled Cap. 4.5 6 7. Thirdly By a little Book open Cap. 10. and so following He doth also appear to John every time in another shape First In the likeness of a Son of man who suffereth in the first Period i. e. in his Members Rev. 1.12 I saw one like to the Son of man in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks Secondly By his horns and eys which are 7 is noted the absolute perfection of his power wisdom all for his Church against his enemies As a beast in the shape of a lamb having seven horns and leven eyes chap. 5.6 which doth fight in the second period Thirdly As a mighty strong Angel cloathed with a cloud cap. 10. who in the third period hath all things put under his feet and reigneth First In the likeness of a Son of man in the midst of the seven candlesticks cap. 1. vers 12 13 14 15. These Epistles are by Christ not onely intended to those particular Churches named but to all the Churches wâ—h then were elsewhere in the world which should be in all ages till his 2d comâ—ing He declareth the condition of the Church in general by seven Epistles for though these seven Epistles seem primarily and immediately to have respect to the state of the Church then present to the state of the seven Asian Churches especially Yet secondarily mediately and Analogically they have respect to other following Churches as it were adumbrated and resembled by them Yea Mr. Brightman goes further and makes them to contain in them Prophesies touching the future state of all the Gentile Churches and so makes all these Epistles as well prophetical in respect of the future Counterpane Churches as historical in respect of the present Antity â—e Asian Churches So then I say Christ declares the condition of the Church in general by seven Epistles whereof the first and second belong to the first period viz. Ephesus and Smâ—rna The third fourth fifth sixth and seventh to the second period And the promises cap. 2 and 3. to the third period For then those promises made to the Church conflicting with her enemies and overcoming them as that chap. 2.7 I will give to eat of the tree of life in the midst of the Paradise of God parallel to that Rev. 22.14 and cap. 2.3 He shall walk with me in white parallel to that Rev. 7.9 13. and 19.8 and that chap. 2.26 To him that overcometh I will give power over the nations and he shall rule them c. and that cap. 3.21 I will grant to sit with me upon my throne parallel with Rev. 20.4 All which promises relating to the graceful and peaceful estate of the Church after her deliverance from her enemies by their just ruine and destruction shall be accomplished Secondly Christ appeareth to John as a beast in the shape of a Lamb with seven horns and seven eyes and openeth the book sealed the secret and hidden decree of God and intimateth thereby the things befalling the Roman Empire Mede divides the Apocalyps from the fourth chapter to the end of the book into two Systemes of prophetical Visions the one containing the fate of the Empire from cap. 4.1 to 10. and 8. yea to cap. 12. ver 1. the other of the Church from cap. 12.1 to 22.6 both begining from one Epocha viz. the second in such sort as the first as by comparing c. 4.1 with 10.8 Hence the second prophesie seems nor to be subsequent or sâ— bordinate to the first but coâ—ordinate thereto These two series of prophesies seems to be plainly intimated Rev. 10.11 Thou must prophesie again before many peoples nations and tongues q. d. thou hast prophesied once already by vertue of the vision of the seven seals and seven trumpets now thou must prophesie again a second time by vertue of the little book thou hast eaten up under which the Church is built up and preserved cap. 4 5 6 7 8 9. and distinctly how things shall be carried both in the Political and Ecclesiastical State and first in the Political State And that both in the first second and third period In the first period which by opening the first six seals is performed cap. 6. where in the first five seals is set forth the condition of the Church under the Heathen Emperors but in the sixth the full of Heathenism under the Christian Emperors from Constantine the great until the death or after the death of Theodosius is prefigured In brief the meaning of the first six seals is this That Prince of unspotted righteousness the rider of the white horse with his arrow and his bow in his hand aimeth at something of high importance and it is no less then what he promiseth his followers at their lowest ebb Luk. 12.32 Fear not little flock for it is your fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom and he hits the mark in the sixth Seal where the Pagan Empire is shattered to the purpose by Constantine turning Christian But to adorn the course of time till then by some prophetick Remarks the Riders of the Red Black and Pale Horses are brought in as also most concerningly the cry of the souls under the Altar whereby is denoted especially the reign of Dieclesian and that ten years unparalleld persecution then commencing which fifth Seal the rescuing of the Empire into the hands of Christ by the subversion of the Pagan power doth immediately succeed and is matter of the sixth Seal figured out by proper prophetical expressions as of a great earthquake the eclipse of the Sun and Moon and falling of the stars which Mr. Mede interprets to be when by Constantine the Great and his Sucessors there was such a mighty change and subversion of the Roman Heathenish affairs signified here by the great earthquake wherein all the heathenish gods were shaken from their heaven their Priests rejected and for ever deprived of their revenue their Idol Temples broken pulled down burnt demolished throughout the whole Roman world and the Emperors Kings and Potentates endeavouring to succour their indangered gods themselves subdued frighted put to flight at last none daring to defend their Roman Heathenish Religion so terribly crushed and fallen This is the first complement of Christs victory over the Roman heathenish Empire the foundation whereof Christ laid in the first Seal For the particular accommodation of events to the
particulars of the Text I refer the Reader to Mr. Joseph Mede in his Commentary upon the Apocalyps whose application is very orderly proper and articulate in the explication of the four first Seals where the lion on the east side of the Israelitish camp is applied to Christ the Prince from the East the nature of the lion being sutable to the thing signified in the vision viz. victory to him on the white horse and the like in the rest For so the Ox on the West side of the camp is applied to Trajan from the west the man on the South side to Septimius from the South and the Eagle on the North side to Maximinus from the North The natures also of the visions are sutable to the things that came to pass under those Emperors The mighty slaughters under Trajan and Adrian his successor are indigitated by the Oxe The exactness of administring justice and careful provision of Septimius and Alexander Severus by a man to whom numbring and measuring and administration of justice is so proper The extraordinary raging of the Famin Sword and Pestilence under Maximinus by the carnivorous Eagle that feeds upon dead Cakasses All which applications as they are easie natural and distinst so they are very weighty and worthy the Spirit of God and his holy Prophets to predict 2. In the second Period the seventh Seal is opened and seven Angels by seven Trumpets declare to the Roman Empire by seven judgements its ruine Cap. 8. Which plagues have been fulfilled The first Trumpet Trump 1. the Vision of it is hail and fire mingled with blood Rev. 8.7 which Haylstones and fire are symbols of hostile vengeance executed upon enemies this was fulfilled in the infestation of the Roman Empire from the year 395. to 406. partly by Alaricus and the Goths and partly by the Barbarous Nations under Ruduguisus and partly by the Vandals and Alans these are the Northern stormes of Hailestones with blood and fire that fell upon the Empire The vision of the second Trumpet Trump 2. is the burning mountain cast into the Sea which was sulfilled by Alaricus his taking and firing of Rome vers 8. upon which followed a continual spoyl of the Empire till it was dilacerated into ten Kingdoms for the Text saith the third part of the Sea became blood i. e. the extent of the Roman Dominion and the collection of the people therein which was a third part of the world was destroyed the head City being wasted the Barbarians at their pleasure wasted her Provinces deviding them into new Kingdomes The third part of the Creatures died i. e. the Armies of the Empire for its defence were irreparably ruined and the third part of the Ships destroyed i. e. all helps and means of traffique of supporting the power of the Empire being wofully lost Rome being first taken by Alarieus King of Goths Anno. 410. and after that the Roman Dominion was still miserably dilacerated till Anno. 445. Rome was taken again and spoyled by Genserius King of Vandalls and next year after the Kingdom as it were divided into ten Kingdomes foretold by Daniel and John viz. 1. Brittons 2. Saxons 3. Francks 4. Burgundians 5. Wisigoths 6. Sueves and Alans 7. Vandals 8. Alemuners 9. Ostrogoths 10. Grecians Trump 3. vers 10. The third Trumpet Vision is the great Star falling into the third part of the River burning like a Lamp the Comet Lampadius suppose properly so called This was fulfilled upon the Roman Empire in the extinction of the Western aesariate which was grown very low and obscure in those inconsiderable Emperors Avitus Majoranus Severns Authemius Olybrius Glycirius Nepos the immediate predecessors of Augustulus but fell quite and was extinct in this prince of sorrow bitterness and sad misfortunes whom Odoacer King of Heruli pulled out of his Throne 476. The fourth Trumpet Vision Trump 4. vers 12. is an Eclipse of the third part of the Sun Moon and Stars which proceeds further concerning Rome for this Trumpet exceeds the former and signifies that that light she shone with under the Ostrogoth Kings should be extinct and she should be dispoiled of Royal Majesty yea of Consulship and Authority of Senate which ill fate is very properly prefigured by the obscuration of Sun Moon and Stars for by these luminaâ—ies the Scripture sets out the power and Government of Cities or Kingdomes Esaia 13.10 60.20 Jer. 15.9 Ezek. 32.7 The fift Trumpet Vision is Trump 4. Cap. 9.1 2 3. the Key-bearer of the bottomless Pit and the Locusts this was fulfilled upon the Roman Empire by Mahomâ—t and the Saracens In the Application of which Vision Learned Mede is admirably critical and punctual The plague therefore of the fifth trumpet is that false light or pseud oprophet Mahomet sent down upon earth by the vengeance of God The star fallen from heaven is that false light or prophet Mahomet sent down upon earth by the vengeance of the God of heaven By the star here is meant say the Annotators upon the Bible Some Apostate Minister that fell from the true religion to Mahometism such as Sergius of Constantinople the Nestorian Monk and John of Antioâ—h the Arrian who are said to affist Mahomet in composing the lying Alcoran And so this Trumpet is expounded of Mahomet and the Saracens Vide Annâ—t on cap. 9. of Apoâ—alyps whose doctrine is the fume of the bottomless pit and his followers the Saracens the locusts here spoken of as 1. Comming out of Arabia as the Aegyptian locusts did that plagued the literal Aegypt 2. And then hugely numerous as the company of locusts use to be 3. And also making their stay fo which you may turn menses quinos by five moneths which is an allusion to the usual continuance of locusts Plin. 11.29 and answers in the prophetical sense to five moneths of years that is 150 years that these locusts infested Italy and to the twice 150 years that the Saracenical kingdom continued so properly are the five moneths applicable to them 4. As also their golden crowns to the multitude of their conquests they having subdued Palestine Syria both the Armeniaes the lesser Asia Persia India Aegypt Numinia Portugal Spain within the space of fourscore years 5. The Arabians whence the Saracens wore their hair tied up like women 6. The sound of the wings of their locusts Rev 9.9 which was as the sound of chariots and many horses running to battel doth fitly signifie the mighty and swift victories of the Saracens 7. As also their poisonous Scorpions tails do the venom of the old Serpent under the false religion of Mahometism For all those powers that are not under the kingdom of light are part of the powers of the prince of the dark kingdom the Devil 8. As is here intimated very clearly the King over them being the Angel of the bottomless pit vers 1â— though they pretend to be such zealous worshippers of that one true God
that made Heaven and Earth which they do mainly in envy and opposition to the Christians profession of the Trinity while themselves are in the mean time under Abaddon and Apollyon which signifieth a destroyer and are still as truely Pagans as the Assyrians and Greeks that worship Adad and Apollo The sixt Trumpet Vision as the second wo Tramp 6. is the loosing of the four Angels that were bound in the River Euphrates This was fulfilled upon the Roman Monarchy by the Turks which four Angels at the River Euprates Mr. Mede very fitly Interprets to be the four Sultans of the Turkish Dominion Bagdad Cosarea Aleppo Damascus planted on this side and that side Euphrates he Calculating the time of a dar month and year that is 396 years from the Inauguration of Togzulbeck the Prince of the Turks to the taking of Constantinople v. 14 15. which is just 396. years he applying those Myriads of Myriads of horse vers 16. to the known numerosity of the Turkish Armies who being Persians by their long abode in that Country are called Persee in the Greek History 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Paras quo nomine in saâ—râ—s literis vocatur Persia so that the foot are in this allusion horsemen too the Hebrew word signifying Eques as well as Persia which allusion to names is used also by Daniel in making the He-goat stand for the Kings of the Aegeades i. e. of the Macedonians their brest-plates of Fire Jacinct and Sulphus he interprets of that aspect they seem to have by discharging their Carbines or Pistols in the fight which makes all their breasts for a time seem fiery then of a blew Jacinct colour by the smoke and the most lasting object of sence is the stincking Sulphur which representation is to be understood of them nearer at hand this invention of Gunpowder foreseen by that spirit that inspired John and not vainly pointed at in these visions but for the better assurance of the time they belong to is again intimated in that it is said the heads of their Horses were as the heads of Lions because of the terror of their noise dreadful like to the roaring of a Lyon when they discharge against the enemie For presently follows vers 17. Out of their mouths came fire and smoke and brimstone all were breathed out together from their jaws at once this interpretation of Mr. Mede seems very apposite before him also Brightman Interprets this of guns peices of Ordinance and Gunpowder more used by the Turkes then any other men the greatness of that Gun was almost incredible which Mahomed used in the beseiging of Constantinople for the drawing whereof seventy Yoke of Oxen and 2000. men were used as Laonicus Chalcocondular in his Eighth Book of Turkish History reports And those 1200. Jenazaries which are the ordinary Guard of his body are all Gunners The tayls of the Horses were as if they had been half a Serpent vers 19. clapt to and hanging out with her head Mede makes in Embleme of that sad after-clap of their victory over men the Devil then that Old Serpent being ready to parley with them vers 20. and to seduce them to Mallonatism to drink in the Sarazen Mahometan Religion whereby they proved very hurtful and pernicious as the Sarazens before them The calamitous effect wrought by the loosing of these four Angels and their Euphratean Horsemen and Horses was the killing of the third part of men i. e. many of the Roman Empire which was the third part of the world This is amplified by the incorrigibleness and impenitency of the rest of the Roman Empire that had escaped the deadly fury of this Euphratean Army of Turks though these judgements were inflicted before their eyes on their brethren yet they repented not of their sins and abominations 1. Not of their devil-worship this worshipping of Demons and Idols Mede interprets in the proper sence and applies it to the rest of the Roman Empire infected with that we call Papal Superstition and Idolatry This is very fit and appropriate none can deny 2. Nor of their murders of the Saints whose souls cry under the Altar 3. Nor of their Sorceries v. 20 21. 4. Fornications 5. Thefts procuring upon the Roman world the judgements of this Trumpet The Application of these two last Trumpet-visions is so particular and exquisite that it would make one eager to know the meaning of the seventh and last Trumper-Vision which consists of loud praises to the God of heaven that all the kingdoms of the world are become the kingdome of the Lord and his Christ Cap. 11.15 This we have in the third Period when the seventh Angel doth found Period 3. and withall the seventh Judgement is executed upon the enemies of the Church which is the third wo. Cap. 10. It being a Trumpet of wo to the wicked and unbeleiving answerable to the seven thunders that filled the space of the seventh Trumpet whilst that mighty and illustrious Angel roars like a lion and is justly conceived to represent our Saviour Christ the lyon of the Tribe of Judah who being once stired up will never cease pursuing the prey till he hath brought all under his feet death it self not excepted And so I come to speak of the Third Appearance of Jesus Christ to John mentioned before p. 13. in the likeness of a strong Angel cap. 10. who in the third period hath all things put under his feet and reigneth In this 10 cap. according to Mede begins the second Prophesie Here the judicious Reader may be pleased to consider that the holy Spirit of Christ seems purposely here to have suspended the actual sounding of this 7th Trumpet by interposition of so much of the second prophefie contained in this I trie book as is parallel with and contemporary with the first Prophefie from the very beginning of it to the end of the fixth Trumpet that to by linking and as it were by looping these two prophesies together after this manner he might indigitate unto us the right way of interpreting both these prophesies by parallelling and comparing them one with another in respect of their visions and mysteries which are so notably contemporaneous This Angel is said to be be cloathed with a cloud having also in his hand a little book which John swallowed down and thereupon prophefies how things shall come to pass especially In the Ecclesiastial State In the first Period for 400 years and upwards Period 1. Where 1. The Church is built up under great persecution chap. 11.1 2. The Church is gloriously beautified and cloathed with the Sun of Righteousness hath the Moon under her feet despiseth all worldly and earthly things and reigneth over the works of darkness and upon her head a crown of twelve stars the Apostles and the wholesom doctrine of the same chap. 12.1 2. 3. The red Dragon the Devil stirreth up many heresies persecuteth the Church
4.13 I will tell thee the mystery of the woman and of the Beast that carries her whichha th seven heads and ten horns ver 7. Hereupon the Angel doth more clearly interpret and explain the Vision 1. The mystery of the Beast carrying the Whore 2. The mystery of the Whore her self First The Angel explains the mystery of the Beast in the Whole and in the Parts First in the whole the Beast is interpreted 1. Partly According to his Many-form State or fourfold form and condition of this one and the same Beast The Beast that thou sawest was and is not and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit and go into perdition The beast thou sawest 1. was And 2. Is not And 2. shall ascend out of the bottomless pit And 4. Go into perdition This very Interpretation it self seems to be a riddle and a paradox that needs a further interpretation To omit variety of mens opinions sundry whereof rather obscure then clear this present Description This seems plain to be the sence As the whore is after interpreted to be the great City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth viz. Roms for what other City in Johns time did so reign So the Beast that carrieth this Whore what can it be but the * To this agrees Irenaus Lactantius Jerom which restimony of the Antients Cornelius a Lapide considering professeth that he will not tergiversari but granteth that by Babylon is meant Rome Roman Empire which though for substance it was one One Beast yet for States conditions and manner of Government was multifarous or many form as here described viz. This Beast the Roman Empire Was that is before Johns time when this Revelation was given it was but in another form and state then in Johns time i governed by Kings Consuls Dictators Decemviri and Tribunes all which were past in Johns time And is not i.e. this beast the Roman Empire is not in Johns time under those or any of those five manners of Governments but under a sixth viz. of Cesars and those both Heathenish and Christian This sixth head of this beast that ruled in Johns days viz the Heathenish Cesars they became no Christians till Constantine Yet the whore sits not upon this beast as under any of those forms or states of Government but on the Beast under another form which should rise up after them six as then not in being And is not viz. the beast under the Pontificial or Papal Government And shall ascâ—nd out of the bottomless pit and go into perdition that is saith Mede that form of the beast in which he shall carry the Whore shall be the last form of the beast beyond which he should not pâ—â—long his life Now what form of this Beast shall ascend out of the bottom â—ss pit or the abyss as t is in Greek this word abyss may be taken either for the Abyss of the sea or the Abyss of hell Now take it either way The sixt head the Ceasars heathen and Christian was deadly wounded The Heathen Cesars received a deadly wound by Constantine and his Successors who overcome the heathen Emperors and rooted our their hear◠〈◊〉 Idolatry c. The Christian Cesars received by the bath 〈◊〉 Nations a deadly wound who dilaterated the Empire into ten Kingdoms And the deadly wound of the heath 〈◊〉 Cesars was beaâ—ed by the substituted 〈…〉 Beâ—â—◠〈◊〉 course of his seventh head and by his how Idolatry or Idol-worship not of Pagarworship but of Saints and Angels The deadly wound of the Christian Cesars was healed when the Roman Empire divided into ten Kingdomes was again made up into one for the 〈◊〉 of the Whore by the subtilty of the Dragon and false Prophet it agrees to that form of beast that carries the Whore For that Beast that ariseth out of the Abyss of the Sea having seven heads and ten horns as also out of the Abyss of Hell for the Dragon Satan gives him his power and seat and great authority Rev. 13.2 The Cesars heathen and Christian were the beasts sixt head or form The beast at last under the Christian Cesars received by the barbarous Nations a deadly wound the Empire beginning to be divided about Anno. 456. into ten parts or Kingdomes viz. of Britons Saxons Franks Burgundiâ—â—â— Wisigoths Sweves and Alans 〈◊〉 Almanes Ostrogoths Grecians as Mr. Mede hath observed out of Sigonius This distracted state or form of the beast under these ten Kingdoms at least though really and in substance the same with that under the Cesars yet seems to be another distinct power and as it were the seventh King Rev. 17.10 which was to continue but a short space but is indeed the same with the 6. viz. the Cesars The Roman Empire thus torn into ten at last by the subtilty of the Dragon and the false Prophet the two horned beast Antichrist is recollected and all the ten united as in one Empire under the Pope Rev. 13.3 12 13 14. as head and Monarch thereof and so his deadly wound was healed And this is the Pontifician or Papal head the onely forme of the Beasts State and Government which seventh bears the Whore this Pontifician head or forme of the Emperors Government in respect of that changed and miserably dilacerated Cesarship Re. 17.12 which was as the seventh seems to be as it were the eighth head or King but really and indeed is but the seventh and last head of the Roman beast and this Papal head goeth into perdition and in him the Roman Empire shall be utterly abolished 2. As the Beast in the whole is interpreted partly by his many forme state or a fourfold forme so partly according to the Worlds wonderment after this beast whereby it is evident that this is the self-same seven headed beast and ten horned which was formerly described Cap. 13. Rev. 13.1 3 4. And they that dwell on the Earth shall wonder whose names are not written in the book of life from the foundation of the World when they behold that beast which was and is not and yet is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or rather as some read it and yet is at hand for so it notably agrees with the former description in the beginning of the verse The beast was and is not and shall asound out of the bottomless pit or it â—ay thus be explained retaining the ordinary reading The Beast that was i. e. the Roman Empire that was under five former sorts of Government And is not i. e. is not as yet under the seventh or last form or sort of Government viz. Pontificial or Papal And yet is that is under the sixt form of Casars at present in Johns time vers 8. Thus the beast in whole is interpreted Secondly The Beast is interpreted in his Parts viz. his seven heads and ten hornes what they are An Emphatical intimation of the singular wisdom required to the true discerning of these misteries being first premised And
that worship the beast is threatned 7. Babylon the great Mother of Harlots and abominations of the earth sits upon the seven headed beast now in the course of his seventh head being ten-horned Chap. 17. making the inhabitants of the earth drunk with the Wine of her Fornication and going to perdition with which doth Synchronize six of the seven Vials of Gods wrath destroying the beast which are also contemporaneous to the sixt Trumpet For pouring out the Vials doth bring mine and destruction upon the beast as is manniest from the text for the conquerours of the beast do sing the song of Moses Cap. 15.2 3. And further it doth speciaily appear from the first Vial Cap. 16.2 which caused a noysome fore to fall upon the men that had the mark of the beast and on them that did worship his Image And from the fifth vial v. 10. which was poured upon the throne of the beast and his Kingdom was full of darkeness also from the sixth Vials pouring out provoking unclean spirits like Frogs to come out of the mouth of the Dragon beast and false Prophet who by their subtle art of deceiving shall draw the Kings of the earth and the whole world i.e. all the Beastian party together to battel against Christ to their utter ruine and destruction therefore the pouring out of six of the seven Vials and destroying the beast are contemporaneous to the sixth trumpet also contemporaneous one to another Thus I have shewed these seven Synchronals to the six first trumpets founding under the seventh Seal which are also contemporaneous one to another Now these Visions that are Synchronal to the six first Trumpets though they be more then any Synchronals besides yet they have all a neer cognation and manifest colligation one with another The general summary of the condition of times they point out is the Apostacy and degenerating of the Church which yet is never conceived so all but that there are some pure Apostolical Christians in it and therefore to present the two sotts of Professors of Christianity there are two sorts of Visions 1. Those of the Whore of Babylon the ten horned beast and the two-horned beast relating to the degeneracy of Christensom 2. The two Witnesses mourning in Sickcloth the Virgin company the sealed of the Lamb to those that kept me purity of the Church all these Synthronize with the six first Trumpets out of which is blown the wrath of God upon the Roman Empire as is but just by reason of their Apostacy As it is also equal with God to protect his own then And therefore the company of the Lamb are Sealed and marked to he kept from the common calamities Again Note the general Apostacy could not have crept in 1. If the Ecclesiastical and Secular power had not conspired Which may refer to the time of Inne entius for then this Apostacy did first sprout out when Rome obtained at the Emperors hands priority of place suffrage and censure over all for as the tree pulls up the creeping Ivy so the primacy of the Church of Rome pulled up the aspiring supremacy of the â—ishop thereof which Church â—rthem nency and proâ—â— on aâ—â—ct long ruffling and shouldering was first obtained at the lands of Honorius though alter wards upon great concertation or Daggers-drawing 't was by other Cesars and Kings confirmed renewed and â—â—ptiated and at last compleated in Phoâ—s his time 〈◊〉 and â— who by the advantage of the wâ—â—ness and death of his eldâ—s â—rother Arâ—â—us having obtained power and protectorship subjected the Church of the East Empire which most withstood the West and Roman supremacy with all other Churches whatsoever to the Church and Sea of Rome At the instanâ—â—â—it and importunity of the then Bishop of Rome whose name was then Innocent the fust in the First year of his creation and in the year of Redemption 406. therefore there is the two-horned beast as well as the ten-horned beast Against which are opposed the two mourning Witnesses the one sustaining the person of the faithful magistracy the other of the faithful Ministery 2. And this Apostacy consisting much in gross dolatry and vain superstition which according to the Scripture language is termed whoredom This state is also set out by the Vision of the Whore of Babylon Rev. 17. To which is opposed the Virgin company Rev. 14.4 3. There is lastly the like cognation or affinity between the six first Trumpets and the six first Vials For as the trumpets were sounded to the ruine of the Roman Empire so the Vials are poured out to the ruine of the Beast out of the first viz. the Trumpets the wrath of God was blown upon the Roman Empire out of the other viz. the Vials the wrath of God is poured out upon the beast his Worshippers his seal and throne and all his partakers to their â—â—ter ruine and destruction And thus of the Synchronismes that relate to the second Period Thirdly The Seventh Trumpet appertains to the third and last Period The Churches recovery out of her Apostacy and her graceful and peaceful estate from that time Now the Synchronals that are contemporary to the seventh Trumpet and commence at the ending of the Sixt under which the mystery of God shall be finished and to the innumerable company of white robed palm-bearing Triumphers of all Nations Kindreds and Peoples and poagues and also contemporary to each other are 1. The pouring out of the seventh Vial to the beginning onely of the seventh Trumpet 2. The binding of Satan a Thousand years 3. The first resurrection and reigning with Christ a thousand years 4. The holy City the New Jerusalem prepaved as a Bride adorâ—e â—o for her Husband in the light whereof the Nations of them that are saved shall walk and whereunto the Kings of the earth shall bring their glory cometh down from God out of heaven These are the last Synchronals that are contemporary to the seventh Trumpet and commence at the ending of the sixt and end at the day of Judgement properly so called that immediately leads to Hell or Heaven These are contemporaneous Visions or mysteries in the Prophesies of this sacred Book which give great light to the Revelation and are truly the key of it therefore necessary to the understanding of it They that attempt the interpreting of the Revelation without the guide of Synchronisms taken from the innate characters of the Visions themselves do cast themselves upon unnatural distorted and impossible applications This may be the reason why many learned men of note we do not speak of all have been much mistaken in their Expositions for to say nothing of that reason given by some viz. That the antient Interpreters in the primitive times have applied to these times many things which yet as then had no relation to them the modern Interpreters following their steps not minding so much the History as the Authority of the Interpreters have thereby led themselves and others out
of the way This I conceive to be the main reason the method and harmony of the Revelation is not observed In the Revelation all things are set down in good order what from time to time should come to pass the Synchronisms or concurrencies of times are set down one after another and the Revilation and changes in the Ecclesiastical and Civil States are exactly and punctually distinguished even as an excellent and well versed Historian is wont to do in the description of humane astions Dot contrary to all this many interpreters do pervert overturn and disturb the method seek and find out by-way boof error the things which as Relaâ—n belong to one and the same time they see down as following one another what shall come to pass after the call of Babyâ—â— they place before it ofttimes not knowing themselves where they stack or how they shall winde themselves out Besides they mistake and confound the States one with another not observing where mention is made of the Exclesiastical or Civil State So that many times they apply Monastical matters and the actions of Antichrist to that which is in the Revelation spoken of the Civil State Hence it is that the more one doth read some Expositors the more one is confounded But by the benefit of this key or guide of Synthronisms easily appears how natural a sense is made of every Vision and how perfectly answerable to History and events And thus much of the main body or substance of the Book Now before I come to the Eleventh Chapter I will here set down something concerning the time of Antichrists begining If we search the instant of his begining we shall hardly finde it seeing in the Apostles time it began to work under a mystery 2 Thess 2.7 but if we ask the time when he should be revealed we find it in Scripture to be at the ruine of the Roman Empire which being the onely obstacle to Antichrist was first of all to be taken out of the way that afterwards Antichrist might be displayed in his colours by these three degrees 1. Of a voluntary succession and removal of the Imperial Throne from that very place where Antichrist should place his Chair Hence learned Vsher saith Rome became the seat of the Beast by the means of the transâ—â—ting of the Seat of the Empire from Rome to Constantinople 2. The second of a violent oppression of Christendom by a forraign people viz. Goths and Vandals which Antichrist by glosing and flattery must win by little and little to the embracing of his abominations for the more speedy and surer planting of his ten several hornes 3. The third of a fraudulent Usurpation of a double sword the one spiritual in the Church the other temporal in the Common-weal by Antichrist himself then peeping abroad For the first it was to sall out at or about the three hundredth year after Christ about that time was the voluntary changing his seat dividing his Empire which Chrysostom expounds to be the removing of the let 2 Thes 2.7 For the second the overrunning of Christendom by the barbarous Nations when Antichrist did crouch at the feet of those Tyrants fawning and flattering them till out of them such Kingdomes might be settled as might give their power to the beast This was to fall out about the four hundredth year after Christ For the third when by these hornes he was hoysed up to that huge height of unjust Usurpation as to exalt himself above Kings and Emperors ruling not onely in the external and temporal estates but even in the faith and consciences of men this was about that year after Christ which some interpreters make the number of his name to intimate unto us Rev. 13.18 PART II. Concerning that great Question when did the 1200 and 60. days begin I will here set down further THe great Earthquake Rev. 11.13 whereby the Kingdomes of the grand Antithrist the whore of Babylon and all their supporters shall be utterly subverted in all Nations drawn near It may possibly be with us as it was with the people of the lews when our Saviour Christ name in the flesh or with the Churches of the Gentiles when Antichrist came Our Saviour was both come and gone before the Jews generally would know him for the Messiah and Antichrist was grown to his full age and stature before the world took any notice of him So Antichrist is neer his end and going a pace to perdition before the most of Gods people do so much as begin a little to discerne it That this grand earthquake is at hand appears because the Beast Antichrist who is to fall by it is so well stricken in years and so near his end The whole terme of his life and raign without the womb for the mystery of iniquity was framing this Embrio even from the Apostles times 2 Thes 2.7 is 42. months Rev. 13.5 or 1200. and 60. days that is so many years putting a day for a year as Numb 14.34 Ezek. 4.6 Now these years grow towards their full period for it is well nigh so much time since they begun this will be made to appear by these two Indices First it is almost so long time since the Papel state became the seventh head of the Roman Monarchy Secondly because is almost 1200 and 60. years since the ten Kings began and the Beast began with them as may appear Rev. 17.12 First It is almost so long since the Papal state became the seventh head of the Roman Monarchy Indice or Evidence first and when it began to be that head then it began to be the beast Rev. 17.11 that we may understand this we are to look upon the Text. Rev. 17.9 10.11 Here is the mind that hath wisdom the seven heads are seven Mountains on which the woman sits and there are seven Kings five are fallen and one is the other is not yet come See the same Exposition of these words before on the 17 th And when he cometh he must continue a short space and the beast that was and is not even he is the eighth and is of the seventh and goeth to perdition The seven heads of the Roman Monarchy signifie two things First Seven hills upon which the woman siâ—s i. e. upon which the City was built for the City is called the woman vers 18. the seven Hills what they were see before page 78 79. Secondly The heads also signifie seven Kings i. e. seven several formes of Supreme government that have been in Rome what these also are see before Page 78. Of these five are fallen when the Apostle received the Revelation that is Kings Tribunes Decemvirs Dictators Consuls One is That is the Emperor a Souldier chosen for the most part by the Armies And the other is not yet come He doth not say the seventh but the other This sense of the words though not the same with that I give on Chap. 17. Page 81 82. yet meeting
with his horn so the Dragon i.e. the Heathen Empire had done before them while they were his born Rev. 12.3 that is propugn himself and oppugn his adversaries for this hath been Antichrists course all along to push down and to gore even to death for the most part all those that opposed his Idolatries and Heresies in all nations by those horns i.e. by the Kings and people of those Nations who have given their power and strength to the beast Rev. 17.13 and who do generally continue it to the Beast with one mind and consent Which have received no Kingdom as yet For when the Apostle wrote there was no such Kings in rerum natura or existent in the world as the King of France the King of Spain c. These Kingdoms were then horns of the Dragon i.e. Provinces of the Empire and therefore in the description of the Dragon chap. 12.3 the Crownsare not said to be upon the horns i. e. upon the Kingdoms who had then no Kings of their own but upon the Heads i. e. upon the Imperial head at Rome As for instance this land Britain was in the Apostles time a Province or Kingdom but it had no King of its own and so no Crown that was upon the head of the Emperor at Rome and he had supreme power over this Island but when as these Kingdoms became the horns of the beast they came also to have peculiar Kings of their own England had and hath its King and France its King And to go on in the description of the Beast the Crowns are not said to be upon the heads but upon the hornes And upon his hornes ten crowns Rev. 13.1 But received power as Kings one hour with the beast The Roman Empire was by little and little so divided that Anno. 403. some hornes appeared i. e. The Kings and the beast began their raign together now the Kings and Kingdomes began to arise above 400. years after Christ when the Empire began to be destroyed Clavis Apoâ—alypt Histories do not speak much of them under the name and notion of Kings till after 400. years or about 410. but the truth is Histories are very confused and no wonder for those were times of strange confusion The beast is said to begin with them at one and the same time or as the word may be interpreted the first hour the word in the Greek Text that signifies one signifies also first and so it may may be interpreted the beast began to rise the very first hour the Kings began to rise rather then the first hour after they were risen for therein is a difference of many years it being almost 60 years from the first breaking of the Empire before the ten Kingdomes were set up in it That the word that is here translated one is used also to signifie first For two or three years we must not pinch much it is hard to make an exact account so as there be no mistake as to time Modicum non curat nec prator nec propheta we may see in many instances as Luk. 24.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is word for word one day of the Sabbath or week but it is generally rendred and so the meaning is the first day of the week the women came to the Sepulcher Now if the Kings and the beasts begun their raign together so long since as between 400. and 410. then is this Earthquake which is to ruine him and them also if they persist in his service Dan. 2.44 45. Rev. 19.18 19. near at hand Quest What reason have we to think that the Pope about that time began to be the great Antichrist Answ For answer we are to know there are two particular characters of the Beast as some Divines observe out of the Text the former the cause of the latter viz. 1. Blasphemy for he is full of the names of Blasphemy Rev. 17.3 by which understand Heresie and Idolatry 2. Cruelty for he is ascarlet-coloured beast and makes war with the Saints Rev. 13.7 but both these flow from a higher principle which is as I may say proprium quarto modo and a more convertible character of the beast and that is his primacy or supremacy This supremacy hath in it two things that make it up one is a clayming authority over the consciences of men and so over their faith and worship 2. the extending of his power to all Churches and Nations I will not say these two are the same things nor that they issue from one and the same root but surely this I may say they are neer a kin and have their roots not far asunder because they are generally still found in one and the self-same person That both these meet in the grand Antichrist will appear First He arrogates authority over the soul So much I take to be intimated in these words of Daniel speaking of him Dan. 7.25 He shall speak great words against the most high and think to change times and Laws that he shall arrogate power to himself to change Gods Laws as in coyning and altering Articles of faith appointing worship for God c. high words great words against Godâ— 2 Thes 2.4 He as God sits in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God how doth he do that viz. by Lording it over the consciences of Gods people as if he were God and thereby deprives Christ of one of the principal flowers of his Crown which is to have dominion over the faith see more for this Rev. 13.5 6 15 16. Secondly the great Antichrist is to extend his power at least presumptively and intentionally where he cannot do it actualy over all kindreds tongues and Nations Rev. 13.7 It is Antichristian to claym such authority The Title of Pontifex Maximus renounced by Gratian and Theodosius after him was after the death of Theodosius the first taken up by the Pope who holds it to this day So that what ever the Ropes name be Poutifex Maximus is his ordinary stile Cotton on Rev. 13. vers 16. though but over one man or one Church It is more Antichristian to claym such authority over many Churches more Antichristian to claym this Authority over whole Provinces still more Antichristian to claym it over many Princes and Kingdomes but yet all these do not amount to the grand Antichrist Why because there may be a greater But now he that claims such Soveraignty over all the Churches in the World is the grand Antichrist indeed for there can be no greater Now this the Pope doth yea that he may be sure to challenge as large a dominion as Christ hath he doth not onely arrogate authority over all the World but also in Heaven and Hell where Christ hath power yea in purgatory where Christ hath no power He that will but look upon the sentence condemnatory of Pope Leo the tenth in his Bull against Luther will find this true wherein he doth not labour to convince
Gospel going forth Rev. 14.15 should bring in a great Harvest to God and mightily increase the number of the Witnesses Shall see their dead bodies The word in the Greek doth import Rationem habere they shall have some cover over them as make their enemies affraid to proceed to great cruelties against them their enemies happily would starve them and their families but their friends will feed them their Enemies would banish them totally destroy them bury them under ground but the friends of the Witnesses will not suffer their persons nor names to be so dealt withal And their Enemies may see their interest so great in the hearts and affections of the people kindreds and tongues as may give some check to their violence for the wound being yet fresh and affayrs not well setled happily their Enemies would be loth to make them desperate or at least it may so come to pass by the secret favour and endeavour of some great person or persons things shall not be so carried against the Witnesses as there shall be no hope of a Resurrection Three days and an half i. e. three years and a half but here is to be noted the time here to be computed is not the killing but the time they shall iye dead and without life after they are killed but how long the war lasts Quam diu entem bellum ipsum durabit quantu â—â—que tempus dabitur prophetis interficiendis non nisi vaticinii complementum docebit Mede and how long time shall be given for the killing of the witnesses the fulfilling of the Propehcy will best tell us Verse 10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoyce ever them and make merry and send gifts one to another c. Of the manner of sending gifts in great rejoycings see Ester 9.19 20. They joy now they are rid of and avenged of these Witnesses who vexed and troubled their consciences As upon the news of the French massacre which begun on Bartholmew day a Jubilee was proclaimed at Rome the Cardinal of Lorain gave a thousand crowns to the messenger and the Pope caused the massacre to be painted in his Palace So no doubt such an eminent civil slaughter in Protestant Churches must needs fill all the Popish world with rejoycings and longs of triumph the Bestian party then accounting the day theirs and that they have obtained a compleat victory Further note the Beasts or Beastian parties triumph for three days and a half must necessarily be computed and estimated not from the end of the slaughter in all the Churches but from the slaughter that shall be in that Church wherein the Prophets shall be last slain Neither can we imagine it to be otherwise unless we should furmise the slaughter of the Prophets to end in all the Churches at once which to be done in so many several States and Nations at once is hardly possible But this joy of the Inhabitants of the earth i. e. the Antichristian world is but short for v. 14. there is a wo Trumpet co Antichrist and all his Creatures and Confederates and all the enemies of the Saints threatning the last and worst of woful destructions to them Wo saith Christ to them that laugh for they shall weep Thus much of the War against killing and the lying dead of the Witnesses Now of their Resurrection Ascention and the consequents thereof in the 11th and following verses Verse 11. And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them c. Here beginneth now the third Period Period 3. where the enemies of the Gospel are quelled and therewith doth break forth the true peace and tranquillity of the Church When these three days or three years and a half come to an end then also together therewith do expire the forty two months of treading the holy City under foot ver 2. The 120 and 60 days of the Witnesses prophecying in sackcloth vers 3. The 1200 and 60 days of the woman in the wilderness chap. 12.6 the forty two months of the Beast and his blasphemies c. 13.5 The times time and half a time which is 1200 and 60 days of the Beast with ten hornes speaking great words against the most High and wearing out the Saints mentioned in the book of Daniel chap 7.21.12.6 But to come to the Text After three days and a half the spirit of life c. Such as the death of the Witnesses was such will be their resurrection from the dead viz. a restoring them to their former state and that not so much by any endeavour of their own or by any humane help as by the finger of God who is wonderful in all his works So much is intimated in these words The Spirit of life from God shall enter into them We have such an expression concerning the lews in the Captivity of Babylon I will put my Spirit within you and ye shall live and I will place you in your own land The same will befall he slain Witnesses God will lend them an unexpected help by such means as never entred into any mans mans thoughts God will revive them again And they stood upon their feet i.e. they appear again in the publick Congregations not as hearers onely but as Masters of the Assemblies and take possession of their places and publickly exercise their ministerial Office they are unbound and loosed from their grave-cloaths as Luzarus was when he came forth and stood upon their feet they are delivered from the bonds and cords and heavy yokes of humane laws and constitutions that killed them and kept them dead and hindred their resurrection And great fear fell upon them that saw them i.e. as there was great joy and exultation among the Beastian party at then killing and lying dead so there will be great terror when they shall fee this resurrection of the Witnesses to their former places and functions then will there be a lively example set before us of that which is written in the book of Wisdom chap. 5. Verse 12. And they heard a great voyce from heaven soying Come up hither That is The Witnesses are not onely restored to their former place and station but they are raised up to some higher degree of honour for so saith Mede their being taken up by a cloud into heaven signifies See Dan. 7.13 Isa 14.13 and 19. They shall be called up by the supreme Magistrate to higher honor and esteem then before And they ascend up to heaven i.e. they enter into their publick charges in the Church heaven and perform their ministry with great authority And their enemies beheld them i.e. they that did so before rejoyce at their sufferings wherein is verified concerning them what is threatned Jer. 50.11 to 13. Verse 13. And the same hour there was a great earthquake and the tenth part of the City fell and there were slain in the earthquake the names of men seven thousand At what time the Witnesses or Prophets ary
that wicked generation had forbidden men to read the Scriptures had kept them in unknown tongues and involved the mysteries of Christ in Masses and rude heapes of other superstitious Ceremonies but now he and all his excellencies shall be fully manifested to the Nations Now I will not make Application of the explications of this Chapter it being beyond my scope only from the time of Antichrists reign mentioned in this Chapter viz. 1200 and 60 years and the time of the Witnesses lying dead which is three years and a half we may infer for our comfort 1. That no sorrows or afflictions can steal upon the Church but all are foreseen and determined by God In all our sorrows and restraints consider they are foreseen of God and we are not unseen in them Let us with Hagar in the Wilderness say Then God seest me Have I also looked after him that sees me Gen. 16.13 2. God hath measured out all the afflictions of his Church that though her enemies may disturb and hinder pure Religion by force and violence yet it is but for an appointed time Antiochus may interrupt Jewish Religion and bring in swines flesh into the Temple but it is but for three years and ten days a time times and a piece of time Antichrist that grand enemy of Gods Church may make havock and tread under foot the holy City but it but forty two moneths a time times and half a time 1200 and 60 days Jezabel wastes the Church and causeth the Prophets to hide themselves in caves but it was but three years and a half in the letter the Jews may bury Christ in the grave and roll a stone upon him and seal and watch the Sepulchre but they can keep him down but onely three days Know whatever affliction thy self or any member or the whole Church sustaineth it is not endless neither shall the whole nor parts suffer one hour more then Gods wisdom hath assigned The proudest waves cannot pass those bounds and banks which Gods power hath set them 3. In all the present sufferings and oppressions of the Church this comfort abideth by the Godly that she is not lest of God nor destitute of his presence nor without a promise of deliverance nor without faith of the â—ccomlishpment nor without a joyful hope that the time of this oppression and suppression of the Church is not far from Expiration Dr. More in his book of the mystery of godliness Book 5. cap. 17. of the usefulness of Apocalyptick Visions painted 1660. To which I will only add for a Conclusion the words of a late learned Writer I am not ashamed to profess that I think it clear out of the Apocalyps that the scene of things in Christendom Dies vel annus certe statui non potest in quem erunt exiquâ—iae Rome tamâ—◠〈◊〉 aliis Scripturis pe â—spicâ—◠〈◊〉 est arbitror non differendas ad longiss◠〈◊〉 â—ltra Sexagiâ—◠〈◊〉 Brightman Apocalyp cap. 19. ve◠〈◊〉 The time when he wrote this Book appears in his Epistle to be 1606 Feb. 25. will in a short time be very much changed for the better the time of the Churches appearing that is purely Apostolical hath in life and doctrine appears by the computation of Prophecy to be very near at hand when the Witnesses shall rise and the woman come out of the wilderness and the kingdoms of the world shall be the kingdoms of the Lord and his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 11.11 And he further saith There is no stability to be expected in Christian kingdoms but vengeance will ever and apâ—n flow in upon them till that City be resed whose not onely foundation is laid in Twelve but whose Gates Tribes Angels the byâ—adth and heighth of the wall and the lâ—llid content of the whole City are nothing else but the replication still of Twelve throughout that is to say till that Church appear that is purely Apostolical in Doctrine Worship c. Which time being so very near at hand as appears by compute of prophesie it should be a great encouragement for every one to look thitherwnâ—d Besides the characters set upon the 1200 and 60 days as the treading down of the holy City cap. 11.2 the division of the Roman Empire into two parts cap. 12.14 and the rising of the Beast out of the Sea cap. 13.2 Historians agree to be soon after or about the beginning of the fourth Century and to shake off that dulness and lethargicalness that hath possessed the world so long as if it would never be better Wherefore let every Chrâ—stian beleive repent pray reform himself exhort and encourage his neighbor conquer his corruptions resist unto blood striving against sin For these times come not by rapine and violence but by encrease of righteousness upon the earth Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the Prophecy of this Book Rev. 22.7 To him which is and which was and is to come the Almighty be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen Rev. 16.8 FINIS