Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	church_n	pope_n	rome_n	5,434	5	6.6788	4	true

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

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

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 unàcum annotatiunculis quibusdam feliciter peregi 30 Martii 1650. Ann aetat meae 31. Trinitati gloria sempiterna Amen FINIS

or the Gospel which Christ held open ver 2. in all the time of the hereticks tyrants and the kingdome of the locusts that within the Revelation This eating the book is a Preparation to the act of the two witnesses fighting with Antichrist of which in ch 11. which in some sort is acting in this age Hence observe that the open book doth manifestly set forth the mysteries of God not the canons or traditions of Papists Vers 9. And eat it up c. So John did however in the vision to eat it is to read preach meditate digest so all ministers should be devourers of books understand them before they preach Christ bids Iohn eat the book and then prophecy We must not then presumptuously relie upon the extraordinary revelation of the spirit without reading Vers 10. And I took the little book c. 'T was foretold Iohn it should be in his belly bitter yet he readily takes the book So the bitternesse of the events should not dishearten us from preaching now the word in it selfe is most sweet comfortable bringing peace but in the event it brings by accident bitternesse gripings hating the world fighting with sinne nay and persecutions banishments martyrdomes This bitternesse to follow in the third act of this vision is foretold Iohn that he might not be thereby troubled being already an exile Vers 11. And he said to me thou must prophesie againe c. The true pteaching of the Gospel was destroyed by Antichrist but now to be renewed purged from the dregs of Antichrist And the locusts reformed meant by Iohns prophesying again Thou must prophecie hence I beleeve John was restored in time and performed his office ministring to the Churches but this proves not that Iohn is alive and reserved to preach towards the end of the world for Iohns prophesying again did not so much concern himself as other witnesses to be raised up to reform religion as he tels us in chap. 11. for since the seven thunders wrought little on the enemy Christ raises up his two Witnesses as defenders and maintainers of his truth CHAP. XI Act. 3. 4. Vision 3. Vers 1. And there was given me a rod like a reed HEre Reformation is treated of This rod was a measuring staste such as builders use to mete ground with when about building to which the reed was like Of this rod see Ezech. 40.5 by it is meant the Word of God by which the Temple that is the Church of Christ was to be reformed and t is the very little book of which before Now the Word as a rod chastiseth sinners and reforms them Here observe that the Temple or Church was ruined and wasted then observe that the visible Church could erre since it wanted this reed Lastly observe the Word is the best means and rule for Reformation And the Altar The Altar is Christ as is said now Christ needed to be reformed how because under the pretence of the name of Christ he was thrown out of doors and the true doctrine of Christ as the Sun was darkned before Now by the Altar the whole worship of Christ is to be understood which by the corruption of hereticks and Antichrist needed measuring rebuilding or reformation And them that worship therein meaning the true worshippers of God in the midst of Antichristian defilements now to measure them is to sever them as chosen members or to seale them as t is said of them ch 7. for these are the very sealed ones Therein Though none but the chief Priest worshipped in the Temple other worshippers stood in the Court yet here the true worshippers because of their coming near to Christ are said to worship in the Temple being indeed the very Temple of the holy spirit Concerning the Temple Altar and Courts to which here is a plain reference see 1 Kings 6. and Ezek. 40. where the Temple is described Vers 2. The Court which is within cast forth and measure it not The inner Court in the time of the Law was holy and for the Priests and sacrifice the outward was common and therefore not to be cast out now the Masle-priests have an inner room hallowed in allusion to the old in the law into which the common People are not to come Iohn must not mete this Court but cast forth certainly by the Court the People are meant So those seemingly holy Priests of Rome are not to be measured or reformed but to be declared as cast out by the word as none of the Church For 't is given to the Gentiles Antichrist and his ministers are Gentiles to whom the inner Courts are given to possesse and pollute Thus those seemingly holy Priests are Antichrists servants nay are Gentiles being as idolatrous almost as they worshipping images and are cast out in the sight of God and counted as heathens though they colour and cover their idolatry It is given God hath given this inner Court of Priests to Gentilisme and Idolatry by a just judgement And the Holy City shall they tread underfoot fourty two moneths Ierusalem who should have been holy and was by the Jews esteemed so was a type of the Christian Church which was by the Romanes burnt and destroyed which nation now again under Antichrist was to tread under foot Christs Church Nay thus the man of sin in particular hath exalted himself to be the Temple of God trampling under foot the Church of Rome making himself king of it Fourty and two moneths God be thanked 't will not last always Doubtlesse by fourty two moneths a shorter time then to the end of the world is meant else what needed the limitation at all yet I confesse Antichrist after Romes burning of which chap. 18. shall survive and not be fully destroyed nor his false Church till Christs coming for he must destroy him with the brightnesse of his coming 2 Thes 2.9 11. yet his tyrannizing shall end before that indeed if I may be allowed my judgement I conceive the fourty two moneths shall expire when Rome shall be litterally burnt which we expect daily Though I confesse to the praise of God be it spoken Antichrist hath in a great measure ceased to tread underfoot the holy City or Church in England Scotland Ireland France Germany Sweethland long since and perchance can't last but to the firing of Rome which if wise men conjecture aright will be 216 years hence Doubtlesse here is a definite number of moneths laid down for an indefinite certain to God but unknown to us Learned men resolve the fourty two moneths into years each moneth containing thirty years and the whole to arise to 1260 years begin then at the time when the Gentiles began to trample underfoot the Church or holy city which was when Boniface usurped the chayre An. 606. from what time to this the Romane Antichrist and his Gentiles have trodden underfoot the Church or holy City the space of 1044 years this being the yeare of our Lord 1650. So there remains 216

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

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

notes the utter desolation of Rome and her stately Palaces and Temples before the end of all things for Satyrs and Devils appear in Deserts and wild places and these birds inhabit ruinous Towns and Castles such as Rome must be and a just punishment upon her Idols and Temples hell is the Devils hold properly so that this shall be a fearful place where the Pope Cardinals Bishops and Clergy sinned and feasted luxuriously now Devils shall dance commonly Vers 3. For they have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication c. All Nations have that is many Nations all Christendom and more Now here spiritual fornication is meant because she is a City chap. 17. vers last with whom the Kings here mentioned could not commit literal fornication 't is called wine because pleasing to corrupt nature as all sin all heresie is and enticing overtaking one as wine unawares called wrath because it causeth Gods wrath So here is the true reason of Romes desolation her damnable Idolatry so that the place is justly punished for the sin committed therein And the Merchants of the earth To wit Cardinals Bishops and the like who only have leave to trade in holy wares of Masses Indulgences Pardons Peter-pence spiritual riches and soules of men vers 13. which old Rome never traded with Are waxen rich By most unlawful means which brings a judgment as spiritual whordom damnable Idolatry deceit thus heaping up riches living by this means delicately luxuriously dishonestly for by this means these spiritual Merchants called Princes of the earth vers 23. could buy any temporal merchandise of common Merchants Now certainly all things are vendible at Rome any sin to be forgiven for money by the spiritual Merchants Vers 4. And I heard another voice saying come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins c. So Jerem. 51.6 45. 1. Here is commission to separate from Rome in heart and bodily and any thing that is Antichristian 2. God hath and ever had a people in Babylon though at least spirituall captives yet elected and to be saved 3. The means of salvation is to be laid hold on and to flie to the Word and Christ to wit out of Babylon 4. If we partake not of the sins of Babylon nor of her punishments shall we lest we partake of her sins and of her plagues 5. Because our corrupt natures are easily enticed to sin fly out of her Indeed travellers who really are not for Rome must uncover the head and bow the knee by force at Masses which is too much connivence even adoration therefore be not there fly out of Babylon lest God be angry and ye partake of her plagues Vers 5. And her sins have reached unto heaven Abels blood and the Sodomites sins called to heaven in a metaphor for vengeance Sin is of a crying nature especially spiritual whoredom noted by her sins being of a more wicked and heinous nature then ordinary And God hath remembred her iniquities Fully to punish them otherwise God remembred Rome before though he for many reasons forbore her The Jesuites confesse that Rome shall be wasted by ten Kings before the coming of Antichrist pray examine why she is to be wasted because of her Idolatry therefore Antichrist that causes men to commit by counsel from the Dragon this great abomination is come O Jesuites see the cause of your Cities ruine is your beloved Idolatry and Fornication Ver. 6. Reward her even as she hath rewarded you reward to sin is due which the godly shall in time see done to Rome when she is wasted at what time they are bid to reward her that is to rejoyce at her punishment being Christs great enemy for they are not to reward her otherwise neither need they for God is said to have done it in her overthrow by the Angel before the godly are bid to reward her or rejoyce The Saints approving Christs judgement at the last day is called their judging the world So the godly's rejoycing here is called their rewarding Babylon Reward yee Ye of the ten Kings who are converted and against Rome ye Preachers also teach that she is to be rewarded so private revenge is not here thought on And give her double according to her works c. That is a very sore and sufficient reward of punishment for so the word double is used Esay 40. vers 2. comfort Jerusalem to wit after her captivity because I have rewarded her double for her sin that is abundantly enough thus Rome is to be rewarded yet according to her works as she hath afflicted the Saints so she shall be sorely afflicted the Lord remembers his peoples miseries and tormentors to return both double the one of joy the other of punishment O Ireland how canst thou escape Vers 7. How much she hath glorified her self and lived in pleasure c. Saying she was Christs only Spouse the Catholique Church the Apostolique Sea the Pope Christs Vicar condemning all the Saints for Hereticks calling her self the head of all Churches a Queen by so much sorer punishment she shall be afflicted as by a law of equality Now never was such a boasting Church as Rome Saying I sit a Queen Not only in her heart but in her Sermons writings and actions I sit Noting her pride and security as if she were unmoveable A Queen Noting her self-confidence and usurping authority above all Churches Thus Antichrist exalteth himself 2 Thes 2.4 above all that is called God whether Angels or Magistrates for both are so called Thus in a parenthesis the sons of God or Judges great men Magistrates took the daughters of men being faire or ravished them taking them by force being mens sons of power and without controul and gyants were gotten Apostates for so the word in Hebrew may be rendred Gen. 6.2.4 from God and Religion then arose God not blessing those unlawfull courses of marriages which occasioned the flood Thus Magistrates are called Gods above whom Antichrist exalteth himself as above Emperours Kings Churches and Councils as is noted I am no widow As by a Queen is noted the pride pompe riches state power of Rome So by her being no widow is meant her being Christs supposed Spouse for so she calls her self and her extraordinary boasted of honour and pomp which abounds at Rome and that perswades them there that God loves them as Ephraim boasted foolishly Hos 12.8 I have found me out much riches when indeed Christs Church is denominated from her affliction Esa 54.11 O thou afflicted and riches and pompe are more companions of the wicked Job 21. to vers 15. I shall see no sorrow This is Romes language Yet many Kingdomes and people have revolted from this proud harlot so her sorrow increases and some of the ten Kings have long since begun to hate her Vers 8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day death and sorrow c. That is suddainly swiftly She delighted in pleasure

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