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UNIVERSITY

TO THE RIGHT

Honourable his very good Lord, Robert Lord Rich: euerUJltng confolation, And good hope through grace.

j*j Ojfe^ Jj O bee a father to the fatherlefTc, is pro-" T^l P * rIy ,,lcver,ueof ,ne roo ft high, and ^rVI therefore rncetefcrthoie who beare his name and office vppon earth. Anions whorri(Right Honourable)fee:ng it hath plealtdhismaiefly to couut your Lord-ft'P fJtbfull, and to pot you in fo hi^ h a ferdice, it /hall (I attire my fdrV) bee matter of rcioycinV «mtoyour Lordfliippe, to take the Patronage of this poore Oipbane, which knoweth not whether toflye fa fuccor, but ro you, who did fo many waics commend your fauour to his late deceafed father, thatifhe had liuedro the byrth of this hislaftoff-fpring, it was his full purpofc (as many can wifneflc) to haue committed it vnto your I irdfhipj protection, as moft meete among many fo take fhit patronage vppon you.that this young Infar.t growing vp vnder your roofe, miyin time efftft thai indcrde, whereof it be ares the name, tohee7kermuerfSfme. To /pea ke of the excellent parts hrreof.and of what hope if is like fo be in the Church of Chrif}, I thinkenecdlefle, and Jfearefhc note of partiality : it (hall fpeakeforitfclfr, and (I dcubt not) will commend fo a! poflfritie his woorthy fathers memory. Nowfoiwyiclfc (Right Hpncurable) btcingfb

■At ill'

aiohtly

The Epijtle Vedic/ttory.

flraighfly boundc to this dutie, in regard of my ncere con-iunclion with try late brother M. Dcmefr great importunity of his poorewiddow.I was the more willingly drawne hereunto in two rcfpca$.l he one.to giue fomc publike te-flimonyofmyloue towards him, and rcutrcncc of the nre grace, which wee all (who inioyrd his fwerte focieiy) dyd continually to our comforr beho'd in him. Whofe le ruino-his labours (hall Jlicuv .-whofediligence,yea extremeand ynwearitd paineiinhii miniflery publikeV, priuately, at homcand abroade for foure and twenty yesres at leaf), al our country ran tfflifie. All which being adorned with fo fpeciaf Immi.'itie, doc make his name the greater, and our Joflc the more grccuous. I may not lenueout this which I

auowrobeajcerfainf.aiirijfingular.thatDefideia'l other his great labours.hc had(with the Aponie)afpeciali care of all the Churches.night and day,by Cludy & ferucntpraicr, procuring the prosperity of Syrn, and the mine of Rome And to end with his bleflcd end, hii life was not more pro-htablc to others, then his death was peaceable to himfcife • fcarcea gronc to be hard, though his fcucr mufl nrcdes be violent which difpatched him in three dales. Andhauino-made a p.thie confeflion of h. jfaitb,fhis faith faid he haue I preached; thu faith haue I liucd in; this faith I do dy in;& this faith would J hiue fealed with my blood, jfGod had fo .thought it good; and fell my brethren forand drawine iieere hu end, he faid; I haue fou^lu the good figl,t,I haue fimfhed my courfe, I haue kept the faith : and nowc is that crowneofnghtcoufncslaidvp for me, the which the Lord that righteous Iudge /hall gi oc me ; n th „ d ,. and fo

vph.slafl breath with thefe words, IhuHcfecmanende.fd ferfttttoKJut thy law is exceed™ la>ge.

The other refpecl(my fpccialgocd Lord)for the which J am the more willing to comcWius vpon the ftaeefthouoh my part bcfnv.ll. full futable ro my ability) is, ,h at I m) JL t pest the mouth of rnaAy.to publifli fopoflerity.vvhathiPh. wcounral that know the truth(amor>gv$at leafl) do make

of

The Efiftk bdmtHry.

ofyourlordlbip.thatl dare fr.y not thcloyncsoncly, but ihefoulesofthoufandesdoblcflcyou, and God lor ycu : praying for a rich reward to be giticn you of the Lord,. nd that with your auncient predeceflbr honourable Nihimtzb, the Lord would remember you herein,and wipe notour al the kindnelle you haue flicwed on the houfe of yr>ur God, and on rhcMiniftcrs thereof For in thezcalcof God. and vprightnes of my heart.not to giue titles vntonicnfwhich is not my wont,) but fo prouoke all of ike honorable condition to follow your godly praflifc : this 1 fay.thar as your pure religion, is rhe crowne of your nobihtie, fo this is the crown of your rcli.gion.that befides your ordinary prefence in the publilce afTcmblics of the church.your zcdle to God, and loue to his people.h.ith herein efpecially bene manifc-fted to the worlde, in your continuall care to plant faithful! Preachers in a'l thofe liuings which haue bin in your Lord-/IVips gift, or which by all your friends you could procure. What ii the worthy fruite hereof.cannotindced be valued, much lene by me now vttered: yet this 1 fay with common eonfentofallfound-hearted Protcfranrcs, thatif thctrue Prophets of G od be the chariots and horfmen of Ifrael.thc may wcrefcrrc to this honourable praaifcofyour Lorde-fhip, and of other like Chriflian Patrones (as to achicfi meanesvnderGod, and vnderthr Religious regiment of our gracious foueraigne) the fafety of his highnefie perfon, thisadmirabletranquihtieoftheRealtne, that notable rn-ine of Rome, which is fo worthily with vscfTecled.and ffiall bealfuredlyelfewhereinduetime accomplished. And to fay all in fewe wordes, to this may we refeire the fafctye of fouleand body of many thoufands in theland.who though they do and fhall liue by faith.yct doth theirrighteoufnefle farre exceed the rightcoufnes of al Popifli hypocrites both indutictoGod,and to their dreade foueraigne our Noble King. _-

Whtreuppon I may crncludc, that I f«rct rhirikc of

any fcruice more honourable to God, and profitable to hi*'

z uc cpijfie vcajstuory.

Church.then this cars to bring into t he Lords Temple foch pain! ul labourers as both by life and doctrine do faithfully build vp the (ame. Goe on therefore (Right honourable) andesafe not to fhinc out inihisdjtkc Woildewithfuch light of good example t and withal reft vpon his word, who cannot lye, that you (hall lliineinthe Icingdome of light, Vthereinto fliall enter no vndcane thing: neither what/oe-uer worlceth abhomination or lyesbut they which are written in the Lambesbookeoflifc. To which blefl'cd inheritance immortall, vndcfilcd, and that fadeth net, that God of his mercy would 6ring you, roy heartes defire and praicr i>,andniallbe:andinthemcaneicaibn, that the yearcs of your life being multiplied, yourlifemaybefullof honout toGod,ptofcttohii Church, andcorofottto yourowne foule.

Tour Honors moftdeepelj bound,

Ez*kfi'(fulnerwtlL

THE EPISTLE TO THE

Chriftian Reader.

Emg often rtquejlcd (gentle TraderJ& much importuned by/undry, both le,tied andgodlj, topubltfl that dollrine of the Aporalyps, whichJiaersof themwith lively voyce heard,puhlicktly delwered, I did at laft, -vpon my tnoft mature deliberation, yeelde vnto their reasonable re-queft 5 / meane the reafini of their requefl, Indeedt I doe inqe-nioufljconfefe, that lamthcvnmietejt of many, -which this *ge(God be thankedjdoth ajford,to decile in a muter ofJo great importance, or any wife to be implojedinfo great and honorable ttferuice at this is.But if I doe induffrioujly vfe myfmall talent and be found faith full in a little: I hope it flail bane both chear. fid! and comfortable acceptation wxththe (fhnrchof God. For this Iprefume willbe graunted of all, that hee which hath but a little ftrength,and yet putteth it ftorth to the vttermoft to doe good withall, is more to be commetided,then he which hath thrift his ftrength, andvfethit not to the helpe andbenefit ef others, tsfnd trut it is indeed, that/undry worthy labours of Hitters ex-tellent mm z,pon the Apocalyps, are already extant: fe as her mayfeeme to posvre water into the Sej, or gee aboutU mend the crotres eyes,that vril atempt to adde any thing to that which is already publijhcd. "But knorv this (O (fbriftian Trader) that the Lords garden isfp large andplenlifullofallmoftfweet andplea-fantflowers, that where any one hath gathered aNofegay moft fragrant and delectable, another may come after, & gather another not to bee contemned. For the wifedome of God is fitch an vndr'tmblc Fommint ttndhettd-jpringe, that where trie hath

1'

The Epiftle to the Reader.

drstvne much before, another m.ty come happily, anddrawe M much afterward :jea though thoufa,:ds dofu:ceede,yct camhu foHxt.twc neuer bcArawnc dry. Tie it fane from me to arrogate mi thirty to myfclfe.'.boue ethers: for lam gritty inougb to m-nc owne rwa::cs,and do freely cenfeffe, that in this work, I bane receded much light fi am others: anil therefore do not as * iudge, giuefentencevpen other r,:e>:sworkcs: hut at one that woulde furnifijthefar>.efcaft,brirgmmy di^s among them. Or as one 'that vi the fame caufe would Come in as a third or a fourth wit-neffe to teflifie <vid cenjirme thejamcthing. Andvcrilythmtgis the graciousaffiflance ofGods fptrit, my fmple purptfe andrnde-HoristoxiueaiifttothevUenKoflofmypowcr, to furtherthAt which « already happily begun,and to protioke others of greater oifts,to come after-frith their great lights and Lantarnes in their hands,to defcry anddifcouer wh.-.tfoener in this Prcphepe it not yet fully fcenc into.I am not ignorant that fimc wouldnot haue this booke medlcA withall,nor m any wife to be expounded among the commonpeople, becaufe (fay they) itisfidark.andbardto vnderftandTBul let all fitch leaue their owne opinions, and bear-ken what the holy Ghq/rfaitb3\c([cA is lice that rcadcth, and they chit hcarc the words of this Prophcfi^&c." 'hat cm be faidmore? or more ejfecluaily toflirre vs vp to heare andreade, and with allg'adneffc to embrace this booke, then to tellvs,th*t infojoi>igrreflja/tbeb/cffcd? For the thinges contained in this booke, be no trifles .■ they be not things onelyfor a /hew to mooue wonderment,or to delight the curious muds of men: but [achat indeede doegiuc trite bleffedneffe vnto all thc/e that are well in-Jiruclcdintbem. What thingis greater, then to bee blejfed for cuermorc? If ire be not exceeding dttlljea, euen Lkeftockcs and ftones, itmuft needs mouc vs rfflir vs vp.For who w I wittingly & willingly loofe his owne b/rff:d>;es,orfuffer it to bee taken from him nhin as he may have it ? If any wilt obietl that a man may be blcffcd weltinough without the knowledge of this booke, and that there hecbookesinoughin the Scripture, to procure cur bleffedneffe without this: and that thottfar.ds are now in hearten, which xcttcr [yew what this booke meant ilanfwcrc, that all tbisdoth

The Epiftle to the Reader.

tot takestoay theneceffarj vfe of this booke: for the hilj Ghojt sloth pronounce a blefjing vpox the heads ofthofe that reade am fludic this booke, not becatifr a man cannot befaued without it : but becaufe of the great comfort which it minifireth vnto vs of this ane,and hath miniflrcd vnto althe Churches fince the Apo-flles times.for it is the Prophefie of this age,and the Prophejie of all tlit ages fince (hrifl: wherein is fully fliewed whatfhallbe the efiate and conditio of the (fhurch in the feueral ages thereof,vnto the end of the worlde. For CjOT> according to his admirable wifdome & mercy,hath neuer from the beginning left his church" without a Trophefie.for the great comfort thereof.For we k»ow, that immediately after the fall ofour firfl parents, Godhimfelfe, for the great comfort of his fhurch,d'dforetellavdforeprcpbe-fie lone before of that reflaurat ion which fljould bee made by the (JUieffias hisfonne, according as it came topajfe in thefulnes of -time. Afterward he did font ell his people of] (rael, of their great q cn° j ,. firuitude,andinto/lerable bondage in E<> ypt, andalfo of the end *ndfull determination thereof, after fcure hundred and thirtie yearct.z/lfter a! this heforeloldby hisferuants the Trophetsttf the captiuitie in Babylon, andthefullexpiration thereofatthe , end and tearme offeuentjycc.res. Andyet further for the com' ..

fprt«ndconfolationofhispeop/e,heforetoldbyDit\K\,fp-Ezc-j)2n.7 c\vc\,ofthegreat affliclions G7- troubles which his churchJhouldEicch. 31 endure by the perfections ofthe dcuided Greeke Smpyre: (I meane A \tx.mitt$pofterity, efpeciaily the Kings o/'Egypt and *? an -s Siria, which dcfccndedofPtofotatus andSc\cutQ$,wbome the -j^' 9 t , Scripture calleth the lunges of the North and oj the South) by by thefpace oj 294 years fjr oftheprecife determination therof at the comraing of the LMefpas. Lo then what\care GO'D hath bad ofhu Church in all ages before the comming of his foune in theflefhyfo to foretell both of the ajfltllion ttfelfe, and alfo of the iutl period and determination thereof. ^Andflialwe not thinke that God hath the like care now for his (fhurch which then hee bad: or hath he not at great andas prowdent care for the good of his (fhwchfmce thepromifedMefftas was aclua/ly exhibited *t before . ? Tes affuredly, and much more too :for if his care and,

■i ;

ThcEpiftlctothe Reader."

frtiiidthce wot fo great for his Church being in her ward-fiippt and minor it ie: then much morentw being come to her riper.efft and.fullage: If when it was le(ft glorious, then much mere now, being farre more glorious. Therefore now vnto vs heforeteXetk by his femant lohn what flail bee the eflate of the (fburch vnts the endofthe world: and therefore Blefl'cd is he that heareth and rcadeih this booke :ftth it foretclteth of the (fhurchesaf-p€tio;:s in this ,igc by the wboore of Babylon, andoftheftillend anddetermi'.auon thereof. It flewcthiuftly and prccifely what the Church bathfuffrcdfince the Apoftles time in faitr,ii aires, and what it fuail fiiff'er: and.lift how all the enemies thereof flat flier til be troden vnderfoote. M'h-it can be more ioyfiillor comfortable to all thepeople of'Cod, then to know afore-hai:dethat Bibyhnftnllfitll ■ Rome flail dowHe: i^intickrift the great perfecutorofthe (fburch, flat be vtterly confounded a<idconfu-medin this world : notwilhflanding alplottes a>id policies,crafts and deuifes to the contrary, notwilhftandmgal'forces (ft- armies tunningly contriited and raifedvp again ftthe Chnrch by Seminary Pr.efltjefrites, Pope, Card nail, and King ofSpaine ? For allthefe in this age do very btifilj beftirrc them, and ranfackf al corners of then- wits to repair e the ruh:es of Rome, and to make vp the breaches which are made in the wallet of Babylon < beyr gre.it citielBut das allm vaine.for it flail fall: Itflalfaljtflal fall as Dagon before theprefence of the Arke,do what they can, Ibinbt of their heartrs,maugrc their beards, it flail fall finally: it flal without ell hope ofrccoucry -.for hath the Lordfpoken it, cfj" flailit not come to paffe? or can any worde of his ever fall to the ground ? Stth iherrft e the lejuits andSecttlar Priefts dofofisle_ about, and croakc i >i euery corner, as greatly fearing the fall of /A«rB.ibyl"i», "•'■*/ the drying vp of their Euphrates, itftaitds vs all in ha:id to t'c. <s *e folate for Q ,r: fis M '^"f ore for <^fnti-chrtfl: and as find: o us to upheld the kingdom ofGod,astheya e to vpholdthe l^rnidom of the dmel. And for this pmpofe it is very reauifite andueer(f'iry i that all the Lara'speople flor/ldbeacquainted with this bool^and armed aoainfl them with the things-uatietikim this Propfnfit.For this booke tt amofl precious Icwel

vh.ch

i

<The£piftIe to the Reader.

which g»d hath b eft owed vptm his (fbttrch m this laft age: and it is great pity that al the [truants ofGodare not betteracejuatn-tedw.th itspecially in the/e times,for now in this age u Crflail be the very beat? of the Warre, and brunt of the baitetl betwixt 1'apifts astdProteftants,betwixt GedandBcliiUbetirixt the armies of(fhrift,andthe armies of Ar.tichrift.Now this Trophefie layeth at open,a:;d plainly telleth vs whatflalbe the ipse andfuc-ceffe in the day ofbattatle: which fide flailbaue the victory,and which fide flail go downe. zA»d t her efore very ueedful it is t hat itflculd be expounded againe and aga:n,and al the Lords people made throughly acs/Haixtcdwitbit. Form this agenhenm wee Hue f his Prophefie can neuer be though openedar.d beaten vpon, that allgoid~Proteft antes may Lee armed with it again/}future times, euen as it -were w:th an armour ofproofe. S. lohn plainly telleth the people of his time, euen the (fbnrchesofzs4fia, that theyflotildbe bleffedby reading andftudying this booke, becaufe they flould thereby be both forewarned, and fore-armed againft many eminent troubles and future dangers. Forfaith bee, The Cimc is at hand : that is tofay.fome things were euen then to bee fulfilled. Forfome matters foretold in this booke, did begin to be fulfilled, euevprefently after they were fiewedznto Iobn, for the miftery ofiniquitie did euen then begin to worke.The church in the Apoftles time bad her conflicts .The ten or eat perfections began euen then to be raifedvp . Herefiesflortty after beganne to fpnngandflreut.Afterwardby degree's, t he great Antichrift did approach towards his curfedfeate. <-s4nd after all this, ■S'. lohn firetellethhowheeflouldtakepoffeffionofhis abbomtnable and moftexecrable (cat and(eaof Rome: Kewheffionld raioneand rule for a time as the Monarchy of the world: How befluldpre-mile againft the Church, and mr.kc Kane agmnft the Saintes : How hefhouldraigne but afkort time,a»deifterwardcome tumbling down,as faft as euer he rofe vp,anddecreafc as faft as eutr hemreafed.Therefore Blffled is he(faithS. lohn) that dilli-gently rcaderh and pcrufeth this booke, that thereby hemay forefeeall'theft thinges, and beearraed aga'mft them. For at the Heathen man faith, Lctiius hedir C]uicc|uidpreuidcrisan-ti.For feeing daungen da leaft hurt.Now to apply all this to our

A at, timet

Apoc.<j,n

Efj.2J.II

Dan. up Ayoc 10,4

times. Ifiy they are twice happy tb,U arcftudiotts and painful in [curding out I be true fence and Meaning of this Prophefie, that thereby they may befirengthned agatnft til the /(faults oft'hepa-pifls our profiled enemies,and the.enemiesofGods (fburch, & flkkfafl to the cuerltft'mg truth of God, kno.) ingfora certxixtj that thefe fons of Belial fiialnot long pre/tatle. The date ef their raigne u almofl outbid the ttmedraxeth an apace, wherin both they and their king Abiddanfitt.'le Ludiuthe dnfl. 'Eat /will now proceed to a new reafon .Jo prove th.it this booCofthe 'Rene* lations ought not to be cmcea/cd:but openly preached andpubli-pied to the whole Church of God in this age. Afj reafon is tnl;en out of the zz.chapter of this btoke.ver. 10.i» thefe words.Scak not the words or the Prophefie of this book, for the time ii at hand. Here it Aflat commaundement from GOD, that this Tiocke and the dottrwe of it may not beefealcd vppe, that is to fay, kept clofefrom the knowledge of Gods people .- but it rnafl lie abvaies vnfealed,th.tt allmcn may open it, read it, and fee what is in it -.for it is a borrowedfpecchjefenfromfealinrr of Letters. Forwe a!lk>io\rc, thatwhen Letters arefe.iled, no:ic maye open them,or read them, but onely thofe whom it doeth concerne: but if they be ofpurpofe left vnfcalcd, then any man may reade them without daunger: So the Lordwilleth and commattndeth, thai this booke of the l\c;tel.itio!tsfl}0:ild of purpofc be left vnfealed, that all the people of Cod might readc it,fiuddy it, andknowe it, l\ any man doubt whether the (JWetapbor ofSe.:lmg,be thus taken in thefcripturejet him readtheplai.es quoted™ the (Jlfar-ge.it, and in alt thefe places bee pi.iltf.nde it taken in this fer.fe. Whereby it doeth evidently appeare/hat 1 he rmr.de and mcarime of God 11, that this booke fljottlde bee proclaimed'andpitblijhedin all the (Churches. ttAndvppon tbisgrounde, IhoLlth.:t eutrie CMimfleroftbeGofpcHjhtud^ihbomtdt.'onuch as n himly. eth,to Preach the d.i.'rweofthe Apocalyps to his particular charge and congregation: for eucry Mimfterof the Go/pelr.mfl JZreire vnto his people all the ComifclloftyOD, a.id(;eepe backc nothing: as Pnule teflifctb that lice did, to the great comfort of his (fonfciencelBut the sJoEirm of the T.f Delation is apart and parcellofthe (founfetland willofGO : D : therefore it mufl

not

not be concealed or kept backefrom the knowledge of the people of GOT). Andin thefe dates Itbinkeit not onely meete and cotiuenient that it fljoulde beefo, but in truth abfolutely necejpt-ry.

But now mtthtnkcth I hear fame man far,nhat?muft'this lool^ of the Apocalyps be preached&• made known: to the common feopletalas,whatfJiouldthey do w'teh it? It is not for them to meddle withall: Ft is not for their d-et .1 anfwer ,andyet not I,but the holy Cjhofl:th.itthis booke mnft be made known to altheferuats ofGod.For Saint Tohn calleth it the Reiielation of lefts Cbrijf, which Godgane him tojhew vnto allhisfertt.tuntes. It isplatne therefore, that all theferuants ofGod,both men ($• women, yong and old,rich andpoore ,mufi be made accjtta nted with this boo!^ P ° C ''' * dforeoaer, Iohn is comrnaunded by the God of heauen, tefet downe all the viftoni which the Angellflie.ied him: and to writ* them all in a booke,and fend them to thefeuen Churches ofsA-fia: that is, to people of all fortes, and conditions : And therefore *£ oc% '*''. this booke doth not onelf concerne preachers,& deep diuines, hut eue.i all the Lords people whatfieuer: for it doth minifter great comfort andflrength of faith to all the people of God that line in this age. But here the Tapifles obiett that this booke is full of darkenes audobfcttrity.and therefore not for the common peoplt to meddle withall: nay (fay they)there are as many mifteries, as ■words in it,and therefore whatfliouldmen trouble their heads a-boutit. Hut no miruellthough the Tapiftesfay fo much, for it is thervo.tnd of'theirkfngdom,andthe battery of /&«>• Babylon. -isfifar others,both learned and godly,-which in this point are al-moft of the fume mir/d,that they wdnot meddle with this bookysf the Reflations, I cannot but marstell at it. Themodefly & humility of fame very rare aud reuerend me ft for learning, & great variety ofgifts(which notwithflandingfeotch much at this ioehf) is greatly to bee commended: But if I were jrorthy togiue them aduice, I would wifh 1 hem, in this behalfe to change their mmdcj and to be of another refolutiori :for I dare auouch it,that there is nothing in this Prophefiewhichftudy anddiligence t -with prayer and humility, may not ouercome.True it is indeed, that thefljell is thi:ke,an$hardto break.: but being broke» } tbe kernel is moft B 3 fweet

Apoc. 1,3 Ajioc.z 2,7

Apoc.ii. 10

The Eplftle to the Reader.

fweeteandpleafnt. Ifanybedifconragedwihthe darkles & obfewity of it, let him hearken to tbef reafons fill™ ing. Fir/, it it caled a Rettclation.wbicb is as r,;uch to fay,as an vnccuertnr of things which dtdlie hid: if it be an vnceuermg, andreiiealing of thugs, ihenno doubt it may be knowne andfeene into. For re-waled things ate for -vsa-idour children. I fit be a t\euel.uton, how fay fome th.it it car.iot be vnderfiood: For, it U contrary to the nature of a t\, S el.uio, h to bcefo darke that none can vnder-Jlandtt. 'Hutfrail.- efaj that tht holy Ghofi which is the {pint of truth h.tthgtucn a wrong name vnto it ? Cjodforbid.For if it hide milters, or fofet lh:mforth th.it it camicl be vr.derfioodjbin it u nit rightly called a Hejielation. if this booke be jo mi/ft'calthat it cannot be v:-:derfi ood: Iftheinterprttationofit be vncertam. If the common people cannot be taught to vndcrfiandit ■ Howe then Jiw.tld the holy Cbofifav, Bleffed is hee that readefh the wordesofthiiPropljcficr&c. Let any man itidge that hath commonfenfe : Can any man be bleffed by hearing and readmge thofe things which he vnderflendetk not ? I trow no.Then it followed, that this booke may be vnderflood,andno doubt is vndcr-ftoodofmar.y, and might be better vnderfitode ofmany moe,if they would bend their wittes and (Indies vnto it. The holy Ghofi ■ as If aid before ,willetb andcommaundeth that the words of thit Prophefie p,ouli not befealedvp. Whereby it is euidcnt,tbat hee wouldhaue themreadeand made k>iowne toall. ThenI reafotr thus .-That which is open andvnfealed, maybe readandknmn, But this booke is open andvnfealed: Therefore it may be reade andknowne If men fay the matters of this Trophefleare fealed and hid, and God fay they bee vnfeaJcd aniopen, whether fiat we beleene men or god? If any will reply and fay,we feele o-find by experience,that the words of this hool^e are hard to be vnder-fiood: I.infwere that the fault is tn our (elite sfccaufc wee arefo negligent in thefearch andftudy thereof. For if we d d with that hum line, and reuerendcare that ought to be in vs, fearch after the things resettled in this booke, wepiouldfind that they bee not fea/td vp.but lie open to bee read andknowne. True it is indeed, that if any man light vpon fome peece,and take it by itfclfe, hee fatlfindcitverydarke-.'-Butifbeloikevpcn thewhole cotirfe tf matters throughout the booke,andmarke efr obferue diligently

how

The Epiftle to the Reader.

hm things be iterated,heefha!lfinde no fitch darkens u hefe*. reih, for there is a male coherence »f matters, andconrjeof f-mts obfe.-md.n this booke,tuenfrom thefirfi chapter vnto the Ufi,tu God wi!it>igfb*!lmore■fully & plainly apeare m the particular open.ng and interpretation thereof. One great obiettiona-gainfl this Prophefie it,that the Fathers confeffe it isfullof my-fieries, a.tdthat they could not vndeiftand it. If they collide not vnderfiande it/ayfome, howe,fhallwe vnderfiande it ? It it net great arrogancy for vs to fay we vnderfiande it better then they d'd.Ianfirer no.For a man of mean learning in comparifon,may now in thefe daies more eafily vndcrfland & expound this book^ then the learnedesl Dollars and Fathers in auncient time. The reafon is this,we line in an a%e wherin the mofi of the things pro-phefiedin this booke arefulfilled.Now the fulfiilirg of a prophefie is the befi expofition of it. But as for the Fathers; they lined in a time wherein many of thefe things were not come to pajfe, norfulfilled, and therefore more hard for them to interpret a«d vnder-fiand:for thefe things in this Prophefie which are not yet fulfilled, are hardeflfor vs ofthts age to vnderfiand and refine of. "But when a Prophefie is fulfilled, it Is an eafie matter to fay this was the meaning of the ^Prophet. Some things in this booke were fulfilled before the dayes of 'the Fathers, and fome thinges in the dates where-n they liuedi and both thofe they did clearely vnderfiand. Some things were fulfilled after their daies, astherifing andraigning of the great Antichrifti which they didnotfo clearly fee in to.Hereupon it commeth to paffc.that many things which vnto them were very obfcure,are vnto vs moTi cleare and mam-fefi: as being already fulfilled: infomuch that all which are not wilfully blmded,majfee and vnderfiand them, yea the mofi vn. learned. Be not therefore difcouraged {gentle Reader) at the darhenes anddttfculty ofthts booke ft>o not premdiciaHy re/olue andfet Jowxewth thyfelfe, that the nattl-allfence of this booke cannot beg uc,nor the true meamnu found out,but that we mufl be fame when we haite done all that we can,to refi in vncertaine coniecliires.fomefil'owingoxefinfe, and fome another, as fee-intcikmofi like and probable. Tut no man can fay confidently & precifely this is the meaning eft he Holy ghofi.Oh be not of that mindegotd Chrtfttan brother: for if we latte not an -undoubted

ter-

The Epiftle to the Reader.

ttrtamty for the fence & meaning of (hit prophefie.we are neuer the nearer: and that is it which the Paptfts would dnue w vnto. Hut hncrv for a certainty,that the r.ats.rdifence of this book?, u to be\undout,aswelUs of other bulls of the Serif tun. And that n-e might not be left to ourfelues m the darkc&tootir vn-un^c^a^^dJ^tfHUhaerprtt^.^Mth, mercifidl wdneffeofqodto hx(fimch.^bo hmjelfe doth expound the darkeff. andmoft mtfticall'things in this Profhtfieer \u leaftfo many of them, and fo far,as the reft are thereby laid t-penandrmdemanifefl. The Lorde hlmfe/fe expou,-d et h fame \bm,sinthefrflChapter^ch g iuccUarebghttothefrftv,-

Hon: The<A»geU expounded diners ether thmgesjnibe 17. Chapter which u the key ofthupropbefie.the Angel doth of pur-pofe.opcn and interpret all tbegreateft doubles cftbu books: at who is the Whore ofBdyhn.wbo it the beafl.what behisfeuen heads,wbat be his xo.hornes ,wim be xbewaiers which thewo-mmjhat is,the whore ofRomefittelb vpon.UWoreoxerfor the better ■vnderfl.vidsng of this propb,f,e,we mufi note,that the wrt-tints of Moyfes and tbeTrcf hets,vr.towhtcbthere befundrye «Uufwns>andfrorr.thcrth,chf,mdry things are drawn, do clear* diners tbints in this Reuelutwi.The hnowledg of antiquities,mi-mftrcth much aids to the vnderftandwg of this Tropoefi, The Uon>{cdeeoftbehiftoriesoftbeChurcb,a»dtbef*rt,cularJtate therofindsiiersagesMngetbgreatlightJheobfeuMionoflhe phrafes andmantr offoeech,vfedby the old Prof hetsjoth help, dfo not a little.The fcrtoits and detpe weighing ofal the ctrcum-(lanccs of the text,& conferring one thing with another,the eon-Cedents with the antecedents,& the antecedents with the confe. qhs.fHrthreihgreatlyforthebolttngOHtofthetrHe&natural fer.fe.Andfwthcr.nare, as thefpirit ofGodis the author of this_ propbeSffo the fame [pint is the befl interpreter cfit,& doth ope JdrateUcilto atfucb&vfat*! other gocdmeans are earnefl a»dh;tm'dc filters vnto G O V, for the illumination thereof: w b reby th.y nay vndcrftandboth this,and ail other the myfte-rMtffosre:/: which the Apofllefaith, qodhath rcucaUd-vnt, vi Ly his (pint: For the fpiritfearchth all things,yea, thedeepe things of God. Toallthismaybcaddcdthe knowledge of artet, nn'ucs/ndtbe learrntdwrtiings, sindwterpretattons ofjundr, * excellent

The EpiiUe to the Reader.' excellent men, which all doe bring great furtherance to the vn-derftaiiding of this Trophefie. Sith then there befe many hclpes for the opening and expounding of this Reuelation.whyjhould a-ny be difcouragedfrom the reading andftudy thereojTBut if any man demount a reafon, why Saint Iohn writeth this Reuektkn infuchmiflicallandallegoricall'manner: I anfwere,lhat there may be diuers reafins yceldcd hereof. Firfl, that the world being bltndedmight fulfill the things hereinfp*cified.Seeondly,becaufe lohn was to publifh this Reflation, infuch manner & forme as he hadrecfiueditfrom lefus (fhrift, which was figurative and allegoricall. Thirdly, becaufe it wot much mere wifedome, to forctelltbcdefirHttioofthc 'Rgnaine Empire,wb:cha/that tim* bare thefway .afmoft otter all the world vndcr couert andfigura-tiuefpeethes, then in plaine tearmes, teafl the r Romaine Princet fhouldrage more again/} the (fhriflians, euen in that rejper. Thi like atfo may be/aid, for Daniels darkc manor of deliucring his Fropbefie* Forifhe hadvtteredthofe things in plaine tearmes, which hefpake darkely and atlcgoricallj, it might hane coft hint bis life . For the heathen entmies would neuerhaue endured f beare that all their Empires glory andrenownejhouldfall one after another, and one by another: and that the I ewes were the on- ■ ly holy people whom God did defend, and to whom in thtende Godwould not onelygiue a quietfoffeffton of their owne land and bmgdome, but alfo a kingdome euerlafting,& that through their tJMefftas and great deliuerer. But to grow to a concluJion(gentle. r Reader)tbouPialtfindin thtepoore traaell: Firfl, an expofuicn if the firfl 13.Chapters: after thottfialt find the next 6. Chapters vttto the twe»tith,rtdticed allto one head, Khichistoproue the <.points propounded: andlafl ofalltht 3 .Chaptersfollowing breefely and plaine ly exponndcdJfany through Uxineffe will not, cr tkroHob want ofleifure cannot readouerthisfbort trattcl.-ycf forhis comfortJet him readthofe things onlywhich are written vppon the 14. C""P ter - ^"^ '*"" ( C^'fa" Trader fitting that thou wilt not negleil that which may be for thine owne good, I commend thee to (fod, & to thi word of his grace t which is able to buildfurtber, andtogiue thee an inheritance among all

them that artfanfttfied.

Thine in the Lord. Arthur Dent, C

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Ill'i'i •ilhl

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J-'pow ttc 14. Chapter of this Book{> thefe fitepointes are handled.

FirfttthafSd^i/enin this Booke of the Reuclation is Rome. Secondly, that 'Rome fliall fall, and hew.

Thirdly, that Rome (hall fall finally, and come to vrier dj. , (blation in this life, before the lall iudgment.

Fourthly, by wham, and when it fliall be ouerthrowne. j

Fiftly, the caufes of the vttcr ruinc and oucrthro w thereof.

•dpoc. 1 $,verfi 4.

I heir A a voice from Heauen [iy: Goe out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her finnci,and[ that ycc rccciue not of her plaguti.

THERVINE OF

Rome, or an Expofition vpon the Reuclation.

Wherein is plainly (hewed and proued, that the Vopifh

Religion, together with all the potter and authority of Rome,fbalI ebbe and decaie Jlillmore andmore % throughout all the Churches o/Europe 3 and come to an -utteroner throw, euert in this life.

Eforc I enter into the expofition of this Prophefie, I thinkcitnot amifleto handle fixecircumftan-tiall poincs,which may giuc fomc light to the whole matter following, and they be thefe.

Firft the inf tmment that writ this bookc. Secondly, the time when he wilt it. Thirdly, the place where he rcceiued it. Fonrthy, the perlbns to whom he writ it. Fifth/, the end and vfc ofhis writiflg this Prophefie. IfJlftlyj the authority ofit.

As touching the firjft, it is agreed vppon amongfc

tlicfbiiudefl: Diuincs,that John the Apoflle or Euan-Ci gclift

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ApoMt. vole 3. Apoc. I. virfe i j.

apoc. I. Tcrlc ii.

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G&iiTcr,

2 ^ Exfofttion vfon the Reuelatiort.

gelift; /<?£» die Difciplc, whom Icfus loucd,was the Author and Instrument of penning this Prophcfic: as he htrnlelfc teftifieth/aying: lam Iohn which [awe thefb things and heard them. And lie rcceiucth a com-maundement from Icfus Chrift which hath the keies o; hel Sc dcath,that he Should write the things which he had fecn and heard ,and fet them all downe together in a bookc.Now we al know that the tcftimony of Iohn is of great weight, though he be but a man : for he is fucli a man as is firmcly to be belecucd in all that he fpcaketh % Kc is an Apoftlc, an Inftrumcnt of the holy Ghoft,S£ fo guided by the fpirit of God,thac hefpeaketh and vttereth nothing that is his own.He was well known to the churches to be one of Chrifts Apoftlcs, his authority among all the faithfull was throughly knownc and approucd. For we muft con-fidcr,that what an Apoftlc did vtter,he did vttcr it as the inftrument of the fpirit,which canot crre. For the prophets and Apoftlcs did not write i he holy Scriptures as they were me only, nor yet as they were mt-niftcrs of the church only, but as they wcrthc immediate and certainc inftruments of the holy Ghoft, of purpofe chofen and fct apart to penSi publifli the holy bookes of God. This S Peter confhmethfayiug: PropheJ/e cant not in old time by the veill ofman^but holy me of God/pake as they were molted by the holy ghoft. The Apoftlc Patile alfo affirmeth the fame touching IZ his Go{pd\,-whkhhiih,hewaJnotafterma»,neitber receiued he it of?nan 1 but by the reuelatio oflefus chrt/i. Therefore when this our Apoftlc faith, / am Iohn, Tfhrchjaw thefe things,<wdheardthem ,he giucth vs to ynderftandjthat he was both an eye and an care wit-ncffe.He bringcth not matters which he hath heard by yncertainc report: he deliucrerh cliis booke to the - Churches; they which receiued itac his handes, did

An Expojition vfon the Revelation. 3

know him to be a moft faithfull fcruant of the Lord, cuen a great apoftlc, which deliucreth not any thing but that which he had receiued of the Lord,8£ therefore he teftifieth, that he faw and heard all the things which he hath writren in this booke. Moreouerhe teftifieth of himfelfe,that he was called and authory-fed by Iefus Chrift, to write this Prophefie,anddid nothing herein of his own brain.For fairh hc,I Iohn heard behind me a great voice, as it had bin of a trunt-pet,/aying,Iam Alpha 8c Omcg^thefirft & thelaft, and that whichthoutfeeji write in a book,andfendit vn-to the Churches.Here, we fee how Iohn is called by Alpha and 0/»fg.«,that is Icfus Chrift, to write this doctrine of the Apocalyps. But may fome man fay, was not lohncald beforepwas he not one of the Iambs 12. Apoftles? had he not many years executed the office ofthe Apoftleftiip Prnuft he now f laue a new calling,. & a fecctnd calling?-what needs he being an Apoftle, fob.e. called and authorifed againePTd this I anfwer, that this matter now in hand,was a new workc,and therefore requires a new and fpqciall calling. It is a ftr"angercuelation,and therefore rcquircth a new authority to meddle in it. Forin this prophefic God dealethwith Iohn, as he did with the old prophets. For when he would forefhew vnto any of the Special matters, he called them by glorious vifions, as wee may read what a goodly vifion £/a/had: what a vi-fion full of glory Ez.echie// and Daniel/hiA, euenin maieftie like vnto this of Iohn. Thus then ic is to bee considered. Iohn now is as one ofthe olde Prophets, toforcfliewethingcs to come: therefore the Lorde appcarcth vnto him in vifion, and calleth him, .... _. _ ^ there*

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4 An expojitioh vpon the Reuelation.

therevnto, as he appeared vnco them and called them. Let this then (uffice fbra rcafon of/dfojnew calling to his new worke and office. And thus much touching the firft circumftancc.

Now followcth the fecond circumftance, which is the time when John recciucd this Prophefic, which is noted to be vpon a Lords day. It is the day which S. Paule to the Corinthians caileth the firft day of thc weckc: in which the Churches did mcctc for the holy exercifes in religion: whichisalfo euident,bccaufc au. 10.7, j lc Q itn t j 7Cy c;imc CO g Ct | lcr to ( Dreak j, rea d. Now the

obferuation of a fcucnth day is of diuine institution, euen from the beginning. It is naturall, morale and pcrpctuall : for God blcffcd the fcuenth day, and ianctificdit. Wc are therefore to thinkc, thatal-though Iohn now in his exile was abfent in body from the church aflemblies, yet hewasprefentwith them in fpint, commendingthem moft carneftly vn* to God in his holy prayers, and meditations: and therefore it is faid, that he was rauiflied in the fpyrit vpon the Lords day. So we read, that the like befell vnto Dm/ell, when he was prifoner in Babylon: the like alfo vnto Ezechiel,who was taken by thefpirit in I0 ' thc v, fio™ of God, and carried to ferujalem : the like to Peter, thc like to Paule . But the fpeciall rcafon of lohns rauilhmcnt in the fpiritat this time was, that thereby hec might be made more fit and capable to rccciucand vndcrftand all thofc greatmyftories and hcaucnly vifions; which now fhould be fhewed vnto him. And withall, let vs obfeme, that all men are al« waies moll capable of hcaucnly thinges, when they arc moftin thefpirit: for God doth eucrmoremoft »ucalt himfclf to fuch as arc moll in praier, reading,

'Anixpojithn-vpon the Revelation. 5

and meditation; and to fuch as make greateft confei-ence to (pend his Sabaoths Chriftianly, and rcligi-oully,according to his great commatindcmcnt. And let vs aJwaics be fure of this, that the more fcruent and zealous wc arc in religious duties, thc more fa. miliar acquaintance we fhall finde with God, and he will at all times be the more openrhcarted vntovs, and will hide nothing fromvs that may bee for his glory, and our good. For fuch as arc much Jn hca-uenly contemplation, he doth recken not amongft his feruants,but amongft his deareft frcnds,to whom he will make known all things that he hath heard of his Father. But now let vs proceed to thc third cyr- lob. 1 *, ( fk cumftance. The third 'circumftancc is thc place wher John rccciued this Propheue,and that is fet doWne to be thc UeoiPathmos: which (as the Geographers writc)is a little defart Hand lying in the Aegean Sea, wherein it is reported that M#,theApoftic wasba-nifhed by thc Empcrour Domitian, about the ycarc ofdurLord-^tf. and there receiued, and writ this r BookoftheApOcalyps: whernoteby the way, that there is no place fo obfeure or vaft, wherein a godly mind maie not afpire vp vnto hcauen, -andreceiuca great largcfle of iupernaturafl thinges : for Daniell 'in prifon, Peter in a Tanners houfe, Paulein a broken fliip recciucd a fuperabudant meafure of grace, more to bee eftcemed then all the Gold oi India. Some write, that this He ofPathmosis accounred amongft the Hands called Sporades, which lie oueragainft A-fia, and the Cittyc oiEphefus, and was in the fighte both oiEurope and Africa, fothat it fecmed to be as it were a middle feat or holy chaire> out of ihc which

Chrift

Chrift preached by ibfo'from hcauento the whole world. And indeed chc counfels of God are wonder-full, and his goodnefle vnipeakable,which reuealecli fo great myfteries to his faithful, as it were out of die Romifli prifon, and Babylonicall captiuitie.

Morcoucr, Iohn dedareththe caufe of his com-vning into the fame Uar..d; for he faith, he was there for the word of God, and the Teftimony of Icfus Chrift: that is, for the preaching andconftantpro-feffionofthe Gofpell of Chrift.

Hiftories doo report, :hat Iohn was apprehended in Afia,and by Souldicrs led to Rome, that he might plead his caufe before the Empcrouv Demitian, who moft fauagely and cruelly condemned the innocent, andcaufcdhiintobcput intoa Cauldron of hottc boyling Oylc, out of the which when he by miraculous prouidence efcaped without harme, he was carried and conueicd into i:hc lie oiPathmos.

Butimmediately after Iohjis banifhment, God met well inough with this pcrfecuting Emperor Do-mitian. For in the fifteenth ycarc of his raign he was moft cruelly and fliamefully murthercd by his own Seruantcs. And thus much for the third eircum. fiance.

Now it followcth to fpeake of the fourth eircum-ftance,whichis,theperfons to whom this prophefic is written, and that is fet downe in the firft Chapter and firft vcrfc, to be all the fcruants of God. As many therefore as be the fcruantes of God, moft attend vnto this booke, hea.re it, rcade it, and remember it: for to all fiich it is dedicated by the holy Ghoft, to all fuch it bclongcth, for all fuch it is written andrecor-dcd. Some

7

.AnEXpofitio* vfon the KtuelatroK Some do falfely and foo]i/fcly imagirie,that it was giuenonelyto Iohn, and that it might likewifebc giuen to fome (pecial men, as to fome great fchollers or deep Diuines, which could tell how te vfe it, and how to weld it. Butwefeehow groffely they.errej for die holy Ghoft faith, it belongeth to all the'Scn-.. uantsofGod.Audmorcouer,/^ is willed &comi ^'P-'-"* maunded to write all the things which he (aw in fun-dry vifions in a booke together, and to fend it to the fcuen Churches which are ih Ada, becaufe the Lord would haue it remaine in perfeft record vnto the vfe of the whole Church, both that the Church might haue the cuftodyof this booke ,'and alfo that it mightbe a faithful witnes vnto the end of the world, that this booke was written and penned by Iohn the Apoftle,of whofe truth and fincerity the church had fufficient experience.

True it is indcede that there are but fcucn chnrches ' named, but vnder thefc. fcucn' Churches all others areepmprended. It had beene an infinite matter to reckon vppe all the particular Churches which were n then in die world, and to haue opened their fcucrall eftates: therefore vnder rhefe fcuen Churches of A-fia, and their particular and fcucrall eftates , the ftatc of thevniuerfall Church militant is laid open. I conclude therefore, that the whole doftrihe of Saint MtoReuclauo, appertained to the vniucrfal church '■■■•'■ ' of Chrift xhroug'hout.all the World,and inalnmeS an4'ages,fihce it was wrarten and recorded. Andihit R°m. 'r, 4. as al fcriptiireis written for Our inftaiclion andcori*.* Tin, -3,< fore and as all Scripture giuen by diumeinfpirationj is profitable to teachand conuince,&c.-fo this book J.:.-n D of

Efay 46,10

'8 An expo/ition vpen the RtueUiiin.

oftheApocalyps is written for the fpcciaJI comfort

■ and inftruftion of the church in thefe Jail daics. And fo I do conclude this fourch point. The fife circum-

• frantiall point is, theende andvfe ofthi>piophene, which is to publifh & blaze abroad the things which muft fhortly come to paflc, that is, all thingsprophe-ficd in this bookc, and to be fulfilled eucn to the end of the world. And whereas he faith ,that thefe things muft come to pafTe, hee doth vs to vnderftand how great the ftablencflc, and afliiredneffe of Gods determination is. Forlooke what tilings arc foreappoin-ted by Godcs determinate purpofe, they arc altogether vnchangeable: for the Lord is God, and hee is not changed. And he faith: My determination (hail

Mat.ifcj? HemenaMeartbpaUpaJJemay y butmyrpordjbalnot fafle . It is therefore moil certaine, that eucry particular thingcontainedin this prophefie, (hall be fulfilled in God appointedtimc. For God hath difelofed' .thefe things to his Sonne Chri'ft,not to the end hee foouldfh.utthcm.vp againein himfelfe, but that hee fhouldfhcw them forth to the godly, that the whole Church might fare the betterbythem. Itdoththen (land vsallvppon to enquire and fearcb into thefe thinges which mult fo fhortly come to paflc, that thereby we may b;c ftrcngthened and comforted a-

^ocjfc.?. gainftall future dangers. And Chrift faith : Behold F comefiortly. BUfedtfhethatkeepeththewtirdes of the tyofhefteofthis Ooeke. But how ftall wc kcepe them except we know them ? And how fhall wee know them-excepe wecrcade them, and jftudy them i If d^rcforew£meaneto bee partakers of this blefiedL

neffe,.

An Expp/ition vfon the Rendition. 9

neffe, we muft nofonely cftcemc this; Bookc tobce very profitable, but abfolutely neccflaiy.for all the. Seruants of God to be cxercifed in. And if cucr there were any time wherein it bchooued to fet forth, to vrge,andtobeate in this doOrinc to all thepeoplc of God, then it is cheefely neceflary to beedooncin* this our time. For this age ofours hath in the Popes kingdome, many fliatp and qtiickc wits.which com. mend with rnarucllous prayfesboth the Pope and the Popifli Church, and buzzeinto the cares of the common people, and vnleamed fort* many thinges clcanc contrary to the do.ftruic of the Scriptures. The Icfuites and Prieftsarc grown exceeding crafty, and cunning. The Papifts are rich, wcalchy, and foil of armour and munition, Popcric feemcth tomak? ahead againe, and the Papifts looke.for a day. It ftandesvs then all vppon which loue Chrift and his Gofpell,thatwefhouId be well appointed, and tho-rowly armed againft them.. Andjpr this purpofe the Rcuclation of S./tfA/x, is qfgreat vfe and nece/firy.

As I faid before, (o I fay againe, that it is the prophefie of our time,writtcn to this fpeciau end,that by it we might be both fore-warned and fore-armed. If wc do confidcr die whole matter of this booke, wee ftiall eafilie^iind out the vfe and end of ir. For the excellentmatter of it doth argue the excellent end arid vfe of it.

hlowthen, as concerning Ithe gencraH matter of this Booke, hcqrc arc to bee found verie large andliuely defcriptions of the moft glorious perfon of Chrift, and all his excellent offices, both of King,Pricft,and Prophet: and alfo moft notable dc-

DJ fcripti.

ro Anexpoftt'tonvpon the Reuehtion.

faiptions-of the Church, and of the U ihifters of it: ■ and of thrperfecutions and afflictions, which it nwft ' of neccflity pafle thorough in this World. Alfo of Gods mcrctfull proiudcncc for his church, andmoft vigilant care ouer it in rhc middeft of all extremities. Hccrc are fet before our eyes very liuely dcfcriptions of the Churches deadly enimies ; both of Sa'than himfelfc, and his three great infttuments,the Rot/tain Empcrpur, the Pope, and the Turkc.

: Here arc fet downc all their cruell perfections of the Church, and their vxteroucrthrow in the ende. Hcerc arc'defcribed Hell, Death," the rcfurreftion, and.thelaft judgement. HecLe alfo the very King-dome of Heaucn is at large defcribed, with all thofc great rewardes, infinite glory,, and cndlcffc felicity, which, remaine for all the faitlifull worfhippers of God.

- I conclude therefore, that for as much as this pro* • phefie is of fuch excellent cbiitehtes, therefore the vfe and neceffity of it muft needes be very great. And for this caufeldhn is wiiled and commaundedby Alpha ami Omega, to write the things which hce had: Icenc, the things that were, and the thinges chat fliall come hureafter.-By the things-which ftehad leene; is' meant: that glorious vifionmentioiied in the firft 14, Chapter, wherein Iefus Chrift did' apeare vnto him in the middeft of the fcuen Golden Candlefticks, in molt glorious manner, as is there defcribed. Ancf all this wasin the He olVAthmos, where Iohn wasfirtf called, and authorifed to this worke, and therefore he is willed firftofall, to record this Yulon which her had already fecne.

By

ii

' An Expojitfon vpon the Reuehtion.

. Bythethingesthatare,hce raeanedi theprefene ftate of the fcuen Churches of Afia>which were then the moil flourifhing Churches in the world, as they arc defcribed in the fecond and third Chapters, and in them the cftate of all other Churches.

By the things that fliall be, he meancth all die pro-phehes of this bookc, which were to bee fulfilled in their time, and all thofe ftrange accidentes, which thbuld come ro pafle in procene of time, 8c the fcuc-rallagesofthe Church, euen vnto the endeot the world. Thus wee fee how John receiueth a precife commaundement from the Sonne of God, to write thinges pail, pcele.it, and to come, that they might ftand. in record vuto all pofterities, from generation regeneration. Thus much touching the hit circum. fiance, which is the end and vfe of this book'e.

Now followed* to fpeake of the laft circumftanti-all point, which is the authority of this Prophcfie, which is ftrongly confirmed from the Author of it, which is Iefus Chrift; and therefore itis :called the Reuclation of Iefus Chrift, which God gainevnto him- Andagaineitis written: I leJiufentmne-An* ch gell to tejlifiethcfe things in the Churches. Heerewe fee plaincly,that Iefus Chrift the very fonne of God^ the Alpha and Omega, is the Author of this book, for he fubferibes his name vnto it, and fets his hand and fcale vnto it. Needes therefore muft the authority of it be vejy great,which commeth from fo great a per-fonage:f6rlookewhat,dignity and authority he is of, from whom the book commeth, of the lame dig-pitie and authority is the booke it fclfc. Another ftrong argument to confiirriethe autho D 3 rity

XI. AnZxpofitionvpott the Rendition.

rity of this booke, may be taken from the protcftati-

Ckip,w,i8 on of Icfas Chrift in thefe words: IproteH vnto eue-rymtmthat heareth the wordes of the Trophefie of this bookejfany manfhalladde vnto thcfefayings,God(ba// aide vnto him the plagues that are written in this book. Andifanyfhalldiminifh of the words of the booke of this Prophejie, Godfhdlt&kc away his part out of the book of ^.Heercwcfcchow Icfus Chrift maketh the authority of this booke equall to all other the Oracles of God, to the which it is no t lawfnll for any man to adde ordctrad vnderpain of condemnation. It maketh much alfo for the authority of this book, that S. John doth fo often repcate,:rcitcrate, & inculcate his owne name; I lohn, I lohn, I lohn : I John the Apo-ftlc-,1 lohn the Euangelifhl lohn the diuine.Shewing by all thefc repititions, how needcfull a thingit was that the faithful fhould be throughly inftruacd who he was, euen one of the Lambs twelue Apoftlcs, te therefore to be voide of all fufpition and doubt concerning the authority of this booke, and not once to imagine it to be any inucntion ofman,or feigned deuicc, fith it was penned by fo great an Apoftle.

M oreouer, the authority of this Prophcfic is con."

firmed by foure rcafons in the laft chapter. The firft

is the affimutio of the Angcl,who Guth:7%? words

h ip ,ii, 6areftftbfH//andtrue.Thcfccondis the authority of

Ver,*,/, i. thcmoft *»& God himfcJfc in thefe words-.TheLord Godof'the holy Prophetsfenthis Angel tojhewvntokit

feruants teethings which mujlfbonly befitlflltd.Tht third is the tefhmony of Icfus, who pronounceth them blefled which keepthe words of this prophefy For faith hcMoldleemejbortly ': BUffed is he that

keepeth

AnExpofitionvpentheReuthtion. ij

keepeth the words of this Prophefie . The fourth and laft is the witneffe of John in thefe wordes: lam lohn which heard andfaw thefe things. Now it may be de-maunded, what is die caufe that hcere are fomany things heaped vp for the confirmation of the authority of this book. Surely wc muft think there is fome fpeciall caufc and reafon of it. For the holy Ghcft doth not vfe to dealc fb much and fo earneftly in a matter,but vpon great caufe. We may eafily gather what the caufe is. This book painteth out the whore oiBabylon, St the whole kingdomc of the great An-tichrift,together with all Sathans cunning & flcighc therein, and fof this caufe Sathan hath labored efpc^ cially to weaken the credit Sc authority of this book. He by fome meanes in old time preuailed thus far, that euen among fome churches of tnie Chrifhans, the authority Sc truth of it was doubted of. The holy ghoft did well forefee this pra&ife of Sathan, and therfore bringeth the moe reafons for the confirmation therof. If the credite and authority of this book fhould ncucr haue bin impugned, there needed not any fuch fpeciall confirmation. Butnow (Godbee thanked)ther is no quefhon or controuerfie concerning the authority of this prophefie.lt is receiued as authentiealby the common confentofalthc Chur-chcs.Almoft al the ancient fathers do acknowledge: ittobe Canonieall. The new writers doowirh one voice giue their conftnt be approbation vnto k.Thc Papifts themfelues doe acknowledge it tffbc the fa-cred SC vndoubted word of God, though ofalfcrip-tures they cannot endure it fhould be medlcd wioV jtfhbecaBfcJt cutteththcrnfo neareihebqne.More-'■■.:.. ~ ' ewer*

oucr.it may not bee omitted, that God is called the Lord God of the holy Prophets, which proueth that thisProphefieis of cauall authority with thcProi phefies, which were of olde, in as much as the fame God is the Author of it. And this booke is to be held in the fame account with the bookes of Mofes,z.n& of the Prophets; for all thinges concained initihallas certainely be fulfilled in their time, as theirs were.In E/kj, in Ieremie, in Ezechiell, in Bdniell, & in the reft wee find many thinges, which the Lord fhewedby them long before they came to .pane. Euen fo there be many things fore fhewed and forc-propheficd in this booke, which in their time fliall be afluredly fulfilled. Nay, we fee and know,that many things here fore-told, arc already fulfilled i andfome thinges are come to pane euen in thefe our daies. He that fliall looke into the times that are pair, fince this Prophe-" fie was giuen, fliall find thatall things hauefallen out agreeable to the Prophefic of thisJBooke And furdy if there were none other thingio perftvAdcvs touch, ingthe authority thereof, this might fufficc, thace* uery thing hath fallen out iuft and iumpe,as this pro* phefic did foreflicw. Itis our great negligence, that wee do not clearely feefo much. And I dp humbly; cnttcatc all the people of God to look roprediligcoc-ly andnarrowly into it in all time to come, And thus much as concerning the circumftances. -, :

.: ;Now,as concerning the booke it, fijlfe it; may v$ r . ry;fidy>he|(ie«id.ed.Jrito-.thxec yifionsi, asitwcr$a$tq thticsgeileraH parts'J The flrftviftort is G0ntainq4.u) the three filAChaptecs.f'Theiccond vifion is con»^ /ledinthenciceight Chapters, following, frorojthj ,i:... J fourth

AnExpofitimMfmfhe Retteltiiitfk i$

fourth to the it . (Chaptersr. And die laft vifion is con. tainedin all the Chapters following, from then, to theend. K

As concerning the firft vifion, my purpofc is not to ftand much vpon it, becaufc it is plaine arid, eafic to vnderftand, and became it contairieih no Prpphc-fics of things to come, but only openeth the prefent ftate of the Church at that time, and alfo becaufc I haue already touched the fumrne of it in handling the arctimftantiall pointcs, I will therefore conten t my felfe with a very briefe opening and rcfoUition of it., beginning at the firft Chapter. ■

GHAP. i.

Thefomme of the firft Chapter.

THe firft Chapter contained* fourc principall thinges.

.The Title ofthe Booke.

The faluation ofthe Churches.

The manner otlokits Calling to receiuc . . this Prophefic. ,'.'.,.

Thedcfcription of Chrift, theperfon thatcallcthhim.

. The Title ofthe Booke is fct down in thefc Words: >,The : Reueldtien oflejiu Ch'rijt which Gadgdue him.

It containeth three thinges: Firft the Authqur of the Booke, which is Iefus Chrift, rcceiuingitfro'm ^God the Father. '

E. Secondly*

\6 AnExfo/itioitvftntheRettehtio».

IT^A ' Secondly, the.cndr and vft of this booke, which s * ' ]'fs } tp flicwyijtoall the ScruantesGod the tbinges which muft fhortly be done.

Thirdly, theGngularfruit, andbqnifitwhich the

! Church fliallrecciuc by ir, in thefc words iSleffida

hethatreadeth, andpkeytkat heare the rrords.ofthit

. Thcdiuacionisinthcfcwords Iohn to the.fetter* churches which.an in Afagrace be withy w&yeate, efa. Ircpntaineth adefaiption of the Trinity,or thrGcperfonsinthe God- hcad.Thc Father is defcri--bed ot'his eternity-, namclyjto.he he which isjwhich. was, and which is to come.

TheholyGhoftis defcribed of his diucrfe gifts and operations, and therefore is called the feucn fpi-rits which are before the Throne, or which proceed from the Throne: but S. John {peakcthheercofthe holy Ghoft, according to the virion fhewed him in ' the fife Chapter, where Chrift is laid tohaucfeuen'. eyes, which are the fcuen fpirits of God,fent into all die world. Of the which afterward.-

Iefus Chriflris defcribed of his three grcatoffices,. of King, PrLeft, and Prophet, and alfo of his glorious power and eternity."

Firlt, touching his -kingly. officc,;hc is.called the: Prince of the Kingcs of the earth, that.'is, .King of Kings, for he is King of Sieni He is xKingtorulc andgoucrnchisChurch. Hemuftraignc oucrrthc houfc oiladah'Sat euer. He rnuft raigncoucr all his cnimies,.and in the rriiddeft of all His enimles, cuen til he haue erode thcmal vnder his feet. And this be-

nifitwehaucbyitjthat wcarc made Ktogjs in ftim,

... r ...... .. . ^

An Exfoftton vfon the Reuthiim- ■ 17

in this life to raigncoucr out corrupt aflfc^tJpns, and sfter this life to raignc as crowned Kinges for eucr with him, in infinite glory, and endlcfle felicity.

Secondly, touching his Pricft hood, he is foid to Verft j-k>ue vs, and waih vs from our finncs in his bloude. For he is our onely high pricft, which by his owne '-' bloudhath once cntredinto the holy place, and ob- * * , ' ,t " tained cternall redemption for vs. Hee onely ir is, which through the eternall Spirit, offered himfclfc without fault to God,to purge our conferences froiti. He [ lj ^ dead works to ferae the lining God. So then by wr-tucofhis Pricft-hoodand'facrificc, we are reconciled vnto God, haue free acce'flc vnto the Throne df= Grace, and arc made Prieftes in him to offer vp fpi-ritual facrifices acceptable to God through him.Forv . erfe ^ Se hath made vs King! and Priejies vnto Cod, euen his Father. ■' ■<■•.'■'<

Thirdly, concerning his Prophcricall office, hec'Verfcy.'' • is called that fakhfull witneffc. For he faid va'Pilate: ioh » »*» it For this taufe was 7borne, andfor thistaufe tame Unto the world, that I might he are va'ttnes vnto the truth. , And the Apoftlc faith: He witneJfedwderV annus ' om *' Pilate agoodaonfefion. So then Ierus Chrift is one ^ j jm.tf.ij of thofe three great witnejjis which beare record in heaven. Iefus Chrrft is die Prince ofPcophcts, cuen • that grcar Prophet that fliould come into the world, through whom all the counfcls of God arc rcuealcd ynto vs:hcc is that oncly begotten Sonne which is come downc from the bofomc of his Father; and-bath-madeknownc vntovs whatfoeucrhcehath rc-jceiued of hisFather. ' H^bbthbyhi5.dQ(SUine,Kfc,and Mirages, hath £i borrfc

f

i8 AnExpoJitionvpontheReuelation.

borne witncffe vnto the truth,-and by thevertueof his Prophetical office,thc whole will of God is made knowne vnto vs. For God hach tent him as the greac Prophet to inftrud the world in righccoiifncfle,and hathrcuealed himfelfe tovs in him: and therefore

Col. 1,1 j he is called/^^ Image of'theinuinfibleGod,the bright-

Hcb.1.3. neffrvfhis glorie, and the ingrauenforme of his perfon.

loh And therefore he (aid x.o'Fhilltp: He thathathfeenme

' hathfiene my Fatheralfo. Andifyouhadknowneme, , you fboiildhaueknowne my F'other al/o.

Maih.if.17 . Andag&inc: M man knoweth the father, bat the Sonne , and he to whom the Sonwillreueale him. Thus then wc fee that Ictus Chrift is that faithfullwitncs, and Prince of Prophets, in whom the will of God, and all the counfels of his Father arc rcuealcd vnto vs.

Vtifejjio. The manner of lohnt calling to rccciue this Pro-"• • phefie, is fefdowne in thefe wordes: I Xohneucn your brother and companion in tribulation and in the kingdome and patience of Iefus Chrift, was in the lie of Pathmosyw- thewordofGod, and for the witnepng of Iefus Chrifl: And I was rauijhedin the fpirit on the Lordes day, and heard behind me a great voice,as it had beene of a trumpet^ faying: lam Alpha and .Omega, that firfi and that loft, and that which thou fee ft, write in a booke, andfendit vnto the ftucn Churches which are in A&x,tjrc.

Now out of thefe three verfesfiuethinges are to bcobfemed,. [

Firft, chat Iohn is commaunded by the voice of

Chrift, which hee heard behinde him as loude as a

Trumpet,to writeandrccord the yifions which hec

":.-.""" law.

An Expofiti'on vpon the Reuelatiofi. If

Giw,andbeingfo written and recorded, to contend them to all the Churches, for the common benifitc andyfe chereof. So that hecrein Iohn doth nothing of himfelfe, nothing of his own brain, but all things by fpeciall warrant and authority from Iefus Chrift, that Alpha and Omega, which doth call him, and authorize him to this great buuneffewhichnowheis fet about,

. Secondly, Iohns rauifhment in fpirit., to the ende he might be made more capable of all thefe heaucn-ly vifions which were flicwed vnto him.

Thirdly, his great humiliation, whereby alfo he was fitted to rcceiue and vndcrftand thefe great my-fterics-ForGodwi/lguidethe meekeiniudgment,and pfaln , eIfi teach the humble his waies ; yea, his fecrets are with them thatfeare him. Therefore although Iohn was a great Apoftle, and had fecne wonderfull vifions,ycc hee is not thereby putt vp with pride and conceit of himfclfe.butin the greatcft humiliation of his.foulc, calleth himfelf a brother and companion ofal the faith. V«fc *, fukbutfpecidy0) c fuch as patiently fuffetforIefusehriji and his kingdome.

Fourthly, the time when Iohn was called, which was the Lords day.

Fiftly, and laftly, the place where he was called, which was the lie oiPathmos, as formerly hath been [hewed.

The description of Chrift, the perfon that callcch . Ighn tp his new office, is fet downe in the next flue verfes following, wherein the excellent glorie of Chriftes perfon is defcribed. Firft, from the place V U W*> where Chrift did appeare vnto him. Secondly, from ,5 ' l * E 3 the

to AnExpoJithnvpontheKeutlstion. '"

the feuerall partes and members of his royall per-foii.

Thirdly, fromhis prouident care oner his true minifters, and all his faithfull people. • Touching the place where Chrift in a vifion did appcare to Iohn, he faith it was m the mtddeftofthe Jeuen Golden Candleffickes. For Hvhhclturnedback to fee the voice that /pake with me a andn>hen I was turned, ifatvfeuen Golden Candle/fides, and in the mid-deft ofthefetten Candlcflicks one like the Sonnetfrrtm &c. The fcuen golden Candlcfticks arc interpreted by Chrift himfclfe, in the laft vcrfc of this Chapter, to be the feue Churches. The churches arc laid to be of gold, becaufe Chrift delightcth in themes much as we do in Gold i hec valueth citcry trnc member thereof, as wt do Gold: for eucry belccucr is al glorious within: euery true Chriftian is faire and bean-tifiill: enery regenerate mail is all as Goldmen as moft pure Gold. YetfeiMj Ii is (aid afterward, that Chrift walkcth/**£* middeft ofthejefeuen Golden Canileftickes : that is, hce is alwaics prefent with his Church, to feedeit, goucrne it, defend it, and comfort it. The Prophet faith that Chrift hath feuen eyes which go through . the whole world: whereby is fignified his watchfull prouidenccforhis Church: forhcis alwaicslook-ingout for the good of it, to defend and protcft it againft all aducr&rie power whatfocucr. Which thing was figured in the Rammes sldikics, and Badgers skinncs, whercwithall the Arke was coue-red, to defend it againft all vyolencc of wi'ndc and weather. Euenfo the raercifiill prore&ion of ' ;. Chrift.

AnExptfitio*vfontht:ti.eueUtlon, **

Chrift, ts as k were the continuall couering of his

Church. , r «.- 11

As touching the parts andmembers of his royall pcrfonjicisdclcribcdofhishcad and hayrc.of his tacc> of His«ies, of his voyec^ofhis fcct,.of his gar. ments j and of h& gyrdic

As concerning his head and hayrc, they are faid to be zswhite as-wooll, and its-fimv^hkh fignilie his great wifdote 8i knowledge, to-pciforme all tilings in his Church, for wifdome and knowledge for the moft part doe accompany white hcades,. andgray

haires« HisfacepnethasthefumeinhisJlrength.Whkh

fignifieth that Chrift is the fame to his Church.that

•thcSunnc is to the world: For as the Sunnc lightc-

neth the whole world with his brightneflc, (o chrift

•withthe brightnefle of his face lightcncth his whole

Church. .

IHiseietarelikeaftmofftrenhatiSyCXcecAxng

bright, SC piercing into all placcs,yca the very harts of men,for nothing is hid from his fight,widr whom we hahe todo. He hath Egles eics to forcfee all dan. gers intended and plotted againft his Church, that : be may in due time preuerit them. •

- His voice is compared to the found ofhtmywttirfy fcecan r e it fhould found throughout all the world by the preaching of the Gofpell. Waters is expounded Chapter 17. vorfe 15.01"rmikiudes,.Nations,and tohgues. Chrifts voicctherefbreisfikemanv Wat rets* becaufe his voyce fhouldgoc thoroughmanj countries andkingdomes.. • ;

• Hisfectc'are compared to jmt braj/e: to fignme, I.''.-•;■ E 4 both

Vcffe it. Vtrle »o.

Sit

it AnExpofttionvpontheRtHelation.

both the perfection of all his waics, 8C alfo his migh-tie power to tread downe all his enimies.

He is cloathedwith a garment downeto the ground^ to fignific that he walkcth as King and Prieft in the midftofthefeucn Golden Gandlcftkks. For Kings and Pricfts in old time did weare long garments/pe-cially in the execution of their offices.

He is girded about the papp<es with agoldengirdle-Soc as Kings and Prieftcs did gird their garmentcs clofc v nto them, leaft othcrwife they might be hindred in the execution of their offices. So Chrift girdeth hinv fclfe clofe to his bufineffe: for lie is no idle beholder ofthc flare of his Church; but one that continually workcth out the good thereof. ,

Concerning his prouident care oucr his faithfull Minifters, he is faid to carry them in his right hand: for he had in his right handfenen jlars: that is ,the My-nifters of the Churches. As Chrift faith; thejeue* Jlarresare the Angels; that is, the Minifters of the fe-uenChurches. MiniftcM'arecomparedtoStars,be-caufc theyfliould fhineas bright Stars in thisdarkc world, both by life and doctrine. : Chrift is (aid to hold them in his right hand, becaufe he alwaiesdefcndeth diem agajnft thenullicp and fury of the Worlde, which of all others is moft outragiouflybentagainfttbem, and their fauorites. Butletmcntakc hecdof ouer bold prefuming to pull . the ftarrcs out ofChrifts right hand, leaft they finarj: for it. The world is very biifie this way, they thinkc to wring them out of his handes; but alafle poorc fouls they are not able,hc holdeth them too faft,who an pull than out of his right hand? If they continue

bold

An Expefitionvpon the Reuelation. i<

bold, and bufie this way, they may hap at laft take a Beare by the tooth, and peraduenture pull an olde houfe vpon their heads. Another rcafon why Chrift • is faid to hold the 7. ftarres in his right hand is, be- -caufc he worketh by them, and their miniftric,as ah -Artificer with his toole in his right hand.The things which Chrift hath doonc by thefe inftrumentes arc glorious and admirable. For by the miniftery of the Gofpcll he hath conuertcd many miners, and faued many foules, then the which nothing can bee more honorable and wonderfiill: and therefore the word of God which is the Minifters weapon, is compared to a (harp two edgedJword, which came outofchriftes mouth. Now vnto all this may be added that Chrift faith; he was deadjaut now alitte, becaufe he died,and rofeagaine And alfo rhat he faith; Hehadthekeies of Hell and Death: that is, authority and power ouer Hell and damnation. For h- hath abfolutc power to open and fliut, binde and loofe; and therefore it is written, Hee hath the key ofDauid,which openeth, and no manjhutteth, andfhtitteth^andno man openeth. All this fcttcth forth the great power He glory of Chrifts perfon,and all aymeth at this marke and end } to co-mend vnto vs the authority of this bookc, becaufe it commcth from a pcrfon of fo great dio-nity Sc cxcel-lency.Laftofall,itremaincthto/hewhow/^»was affj&cd with this vifion, wherein Chrift did fo glo-rioufly appeare vnto him;. for he faith; When if awe him 1 fellas hisfeete. as dead. Wherein he fheweth how greatly hee was amazed and daunted with the fight of Chrifts moft glorious perfonagc. He was ftrikcu withfuchan aftonifhment 8c feare,that there .--. >■■>. F

was

was alwaics no life, or fpirit left in him, and all this was to humble himcuen co-che ground, in as much as by it, h: findech his owne wcakcnclTe and impcr-fe&ion, not capable of fuch a fight, fo farre as to endure it. It was no doubt profitable, or rather ncccf-fary,thatthis holy Seruant ofGod, fhould thus bee humbled and made fittc to receiue chisR:uelation, with the greater rcucrence from his great Lord and Maifter. And alto itmakcth much, for our profit, as appeareth; in that cucry pan of this vifion is rchear-fed in the Epiftles tothe Churches. But to conclude, John, being thus humbled and call down in himfclfe, is comforted and raifed vppc by Chrift, who laid his right band vpenhim>andTvilled him tofear* nothing. For faith he: Lam the fir ft and the loft, andamdiue, but iWas dead, behold lam al'tuefor euermore. In which words he doth greatly chcarc vp Iohns hart, and telieih him plainely, that this might and terror of his perfon is bent onely againft the wicked cny. mics of his church,nothing at al againft the friendes thereof: but contratiwifc, tfiatall this power and glory, might,and maicftie, is wholy and altogether for the good of his Church - Wherein we may all" clearcly fee and know to our great comfort,that the fame atme of God which caftethdown the wicked, rayfeth vppe the goily -.the Cimc power which woundeth them, hcalethvs.. thefame hand which deftroyeththem, fauethvs: the fame might and ma-iefty which hurtech them, hslpeth vs. Forwhatfoe-iierisin God, is wholy for his, and wholy againft thofe that are none of his. Andthiis much concerning the firft Chapter,

AnExfofttioffvfonthe Revelation, 2j

CHAP. II. and III.

IHaue thought good to handle thefc two chapters together, and in a general] and compendious ma-net to fet downe the moft fpeciall matters contained in them both:not meaning to iniift vpon euerypar-ticular, both becaufc chefe two chaptersareplaine, and eafiy to vnderftand, and alfo becaufe they haue bin fufficiently beaten vppon by many. Thefc two chapters doo generally containe feuen Epiftles, written to the feuen Churches ofAfia : wherein the •prefer eftatc of the Churches of Afia is very liuely .defcribed, and in them the cftate of all other Churches then militant vpon the face of the earth. Euery one ofthefe feuen Epiftles containeth foure things; f pirftjan Exordium or entrance into the matter. . J Secondly, a general! proportion. . j Thirdly,a narration* ^-Laftly,aconclufion, .

The Exordium or entrance of euery EpifHe containeth two thingsjnamelyjthe perfon to whom the Epiftle is written, and theperfon from whom the Epiftle is written.

The propofition is one 8d the fame in all thefe E-ipiftles contained in thefe words : lknow thyworkes. The narration containeth themattcr ofieachE-■piftle, Sc confifteth of commendations anddifcom-.mendations-,ofadmonitions,reprehcnfionSjthreats, andpromifes.

The condufion of euery Epiftle, is one and the ■fame, in thefc words. Let him thathath aneare/teare what the(piritfaith to the Churches.

Fuft concerning the perfon to whom thefe Ep»-F a files

was alwaics no life, or fpirit left in him, and all this was to humble himcuen co-che ground, in as much as by it, h: findech his owne wcakcnclTe and impcr-fe&ion, not capable of fuch a fight, fo farre as to endure it. It was no doubt profitable, or rather ncccf-fary,thatthis holy Seruant ofGod, fhould thus bee humbled and made fittc to receiue chisR:uelation, with the greater rcucrence from his great Lord and Maifter. And alto itmakcth much, for our profit, as appeareth; in that cucry pan of this vifion is rchear-fed in the Epiftles tothe Churches. But to conclude, John, being thus humbled and call down in himfclfe, is comforted and raifed vppc by Chrift, who laid his right band vpenhim>andTvilled him tofear* nothing. For faith he: Lam the fir ft and the loft, andamdiue, but iWas dead, behold lam al'tuefor euermore. In which words he doth greatly chcarc vp Iohns hart, and telieih him plainely, that this might and terror of his perfon is bent onely againft the wicked cny. mics of his church,nothing at al againft the friendes thereof: but contratiwifc, tfiatall this power and glory, might,and maicftie, is wholy and altogether for the good of his Church - Wherein we may all" clearcly fee and know to our great comfort,that the fame atme of God which caftethdown the wicked, rayfeth vppe the goily -.the Cimc power which woundeth them, hcalethvs.. thefame hand which deftroyeththem, fauethvs: the fame might and ma-iefty which hurtech them, hslpeth vs. Forwhatfoe-iierisin God, is wholy for his, and wholy againft thofe that are none of his. Andthiis much concerning the firft Chapter,

AnExfofttioffvfonthe Revelation, 2j

CHAP. II. and III.

IHaue thought good to handle thefc two chapters together, and in a general] and compendious ma-net to fet downe the moft fpeciall matters contained in them both:not meaning to iniift vpon euerypar-ticular, both becaufc chefe two chaptersareplaine, and eafiy to vnderftand, and alfo becaufe they haue bin fufficiently beaten vppon by many. Thefc two chapters doo generally containe feuen Epiftles, written to the feuen Churches ofAfia : wherein the •prefer eftatc of the Churches of Afia is very liuely .defcribed, and in them the cftate of all other Churches then militant vpon the face of the earth. Euery one ofthefe feuen Epiftles containeth foure things; f pirftjan Exordium or entrance into the matter. . J Secondly, a general! proportion. . j Thirdly,a narration* ^-Laftly,aconclufion, .

The Exordium or entrance of euery EpifHe containeth two thingsjnamelyjthe perfon to whom the Epiftle is written, and theperfon from whom the Epiftle is written.

The propofition is one 8d the fame in all thefe E-ipiftles contained in thefe words : lknow thyworkes. The narration containeth themattcr ofieachE-■piftle, Sc confifteth of commendations anddifcom-.mendations-,ofadmonitions,reprehcnfionSjthreats, andpromifes.

The condufion of euery Epiftle, is one and the ■fame, in thefc words. Let him thathath aneare/teare what the(piritfaith to the Churches.

Fuft concerning the perfon to whom thefe Ep»-F a files

files arc fcnt, he is named in the beginning of euery Epiftle.To be the angel of fuck (jr fitch a church.By this word Angcll, he mcaneth not the inuincible Spirits which wc call the Angcll of hcaucn •, for the thinges attributed to thefe angcls,can in no wife agree to the inuinfiblcfpiritSjas to be Angels offeueral churches: to be neither hotnorcold,toleaue their firftloue,to repent and amend,&: fundry fuch like attributs tho-rowout all thefe Epiftles.But by the wordAngel, he meaneththe Miniftcr or Paftorof euery Church: which therefore is called an Angel, becaufe he is the Miniftcr of God, as the word fignificth: As alfo becaufe euery faithful Miniftcr ought to be receiucd 8C regarded as an angel of god,as the apoftk witneffeth of the Gajathians, that they receiuedhim as an Angel ofGodyea as chrijl Iefus. And he giuath many admonitions in his Epiftles to this efE:£t:for he wold haue all faithfull and painful Minifters to be greatly reue-renccd 8c had in double hononto be acknowledged and had in Angular loue for their workes fake: to be cared for,tobc made much of,and to want nothing. For indeed a good M in iftcr is a Iewell of price. A good miniftcr is as a friend in cotirt,whtch we <ay is better then penny in purfe. A good minifter is like a candle,which fpendechit felfe to giue light to Others. .A good miniftcr is like acock, which by the claping of his wings awaketh himfelfe, and by his crowing awaketh others. For a good minifter by his priuatc ftudies,prayers, and meditations,awaketh himfelfe, » Cor.8,»j W by his publikc preaching awaketh others. The (capture affirmcth a good Minifter to be the very glory of Chrift Andagaine, that a good Minifter is

AnExfofttionvponthe'Reutlatiw. vj

a Angular bleffing of God. For the Lord himfelfe hkh'Jwifftkkeyou one of a, cittj^mdtwo ofatri6e,& "'*' u ' Ttillbrtngyou to Zion-.and Iwilgiueyou Paftors according to my hart, whichfbalfeed you with knowledge & vnderftanding. Now then, if a good Minifterbe fo greatablcffingofGod, and fo pearelcffea pcariei how great is the fin of thofe which contemne them; and tread their Miniftry vnder footc,as vile and no* thing worth.Our Lord Iefus faith of alfuch:«?/&** Luk.io,i«. defpifetkyouJeJpifcthme.Lctiholc(to$ct$&i\&koc~ ners therfore take hecdhow they defpifeChrift, for afluredly he will not long put it vp at their handes.

If any man demaund a reafon why all thefe Epiftles are fpecially lent and directed to the Angels or Paftors of the ; Churches,feeihg !ohn bcfore,chap. % verfc it, is commanded to write them tO the Churches of Afia. I anfwer,that he writing to the paftors, excludeth not the Churches, but in them, or vnder. "the^hewriteth to the whole Churches,aS it plainly appeareth in thcconclufion ofeuery Epiftle, wh? he «ith: Let htm that hath an eare, heare what theffi-ritfaith to the Churches. Then that which is fpokeh toihe Angell of the Chtirch,ts fpoken to the church. The reafon why the (beech is ipeciaUy directed t« .the Paftorof euery Church, is, becaufe the good orbadeftateofthe Church, for the moft part, depended! vpon the Miniftcr. For commonly wc fee it commeth topafle; Such a Paftouf, fuch people: Such a ftiephcard, fuch fheepe: Such a builder, fuch. building: Such a husbandman,fuchhiisbandry.And u,^ A as the Prophet faith • Like Priejl, likefeople. Fot wee may obferue in all thefe Epiftles, that where the mi-

[ Fj niftcr.

ft8 ■AnExpefitiox'vpontheRetuUtio*,

nifteris commended, the people are commended; anAwhcrcths Minifter is difcoramended, thepeo-pie are difcomended alfo.So chat they ftand and fall, fink and fwim together. As concerning the perfon from whom thefe Epiftles are fent,it is Iefus Chrift who is very gloriou/ly defedbed ofhis diuerfr qmfc tics in the entrance of cuery 6ne ofthefe cpiftlesiFirft in the Epiftle to the church ofEphefusjtisfkidSThefe thingsfaith hethat holdeth the Jew flarstn his riAt hand^&whtch walheth in the middefi of the 7Candle-flicksScion&y,in theJEpiftlc to the church of SmjP-njnThefe things faith hethatisfirflandlafl,which was dcad,&u altue.7hu&\y to the church oiPergamus • Thus faith he which hath the (harfe/wardwith two edges. Fourthly^ taThyatira: Thefe things faith theSo* £fGod,whohath eieslikc aflameof firejnd his feetlike finebraJfe.VUyjo th.-church oiSardu.-The/ithi/nrj faith he that hath the 7 ffints of God, & y.ftars.Sni*. fyj, to.theChurch, of Philadelphia, it is- thus faide of chrifl -..Theftthings faith he■thatis holy andtrutwhich hath the key ofDauid,which openeth and no manjhut-teth, and/hutteth,andn,i man openeth.Laflly, to Lao-dice* it is thus &id.-The/rthiK S sfaith AmcnythefaitB-fuUandtrkfwitneffe, the beginniugof the creatures. (Now then we doopUincly fcehow glorioufly Iefus Chrift is defcribed of his feuerall properties in c-eucry one of thefe Epif Hcs, and what honorable and magnificent titles, are giuen vnto him; and al to this cndjtpmpuc attention, and.co wotke jn.vsareue-renceof fo great a perfonage, that weemight more lenoufly regard, & dc:ply ponder, the things which proceed fromfo great amaiefty For we fee Scknow '■■'-= by

I

JnExpofitionvfontt>eIt.eiielatien. aj>

by comon cxperiecevtfaacalinoft cuery mans wbrdf: arc heeded and regarded according-tothe opinion and reuerence which is hadde of his perfon. Syth then that cuery one of thefe Epiftles is fronted with this great authority •.ThusJaiththefmofGod-.Thus faith Chrifl:Thusfaith Alpha & Omegajtherfore we ought to giue diligent heed to the things herein co-tained:So likewife wc read in the Epiftle to the He-brcwes, that after the holy Ghoft had. very notably defcribed the perfon of chrift,and extolled him far a. bouc the AngeJs & all other creatures,hc giuech the vfc of it in the beginning of the fecond chap.faying: Therefore we ought to giue more diligent heedetshis dolfrine. And thus much concerning die Exordium or entrance of thefe 7. Epiftles, touching theperfon to whom, and the perfon from whom thefe Epiftles arc fent- Now it followeth to {peak a word or two of the general propofition contained inthefe words; / know thy works.We read in al thefeepiftles,how the fon of God praife iome of the churches,! 8£ difpraifc oth its : commend feme of the Paftors, and difcom-mend others. Now he that will praife or difpraife, muft Ipccially looke to this, that he be vpon a good ground:and therefore Iefus Chrift before he enters' into any prayfingor difpraifing, commending/or'. reprouing, doth firft proceft thar hce knoweth their works,6c is priuic to all their particular adtions,yea, '-their very thoughts, and therefore cannot errci or be' deceiucd in his cenfurcsi True it isindeedejthtftTnert: may erre in their opinions 8c cenfuies of others, be-' caufe they know not mens ha«s,Sc with what affections things arecarricd, Men I &y,may praife or dif; ■; . I .• ■ JF-4 .. /'!)■;-.praife'

jo AnUxfofiimvpmthtRtutlation,

ptfaife too much or tdo htdc. But Icfus Chrift whofe eyes axe as a flame of fire, and which fearchech the-raincs,caiinotfailc oneiot, nor crrc ahaire breadth, as wc fay, cithcr-in commending or difcommeding, and.thcrefore he iloppeth meirmouthesatthenrft da/h, fo as they caxfhauc nothing to reply, when he (kith; lknowthyworks,l kno welinough what thou art,8c what thou haft bin; I am not deceiucd in rhec; I know thy fitting down &c rifing vp,& am accufto-' med to al thy wares; And this briefly of the propofi-tion.Thc narration (as is aforcfaid) containeth the matterof thcEpiftlcs,:onfilting of praifes & difprai. fes,admonitions, rcprehenfions,rhreats,and promi-fcs. Touching the firft, wc find that forac Churches are whply commended, others wholy difcommen-d*d: others pardy commended, partly difcornmen. ded.As for examplc,thePaftor &c people c&Smyrna & Philtdelfhid t 3tc generally comended for al things, and:difcommended for nothing; there is no fault foundwich rhemjthat is,no groflc fault,as in others: for they were not without 'common corruptions Sc ipfkmicies J ..Thc Miniftcr of Smyrna wasa very rare 8t cxceUct man, although a poor man to the world-Aj>oc», 9. ward;Fctf Chrift ftith thus vnto him; lhawthypo- ■, usBtythiitthoti'artrichvihSt is, r ricbin grace,and tho-nsiamfold giftes of the fpirit. Thou haftdone great-fcraicetothe Chiircb.Thouhaftirnployed thy gifts' to thogood ofnjany. Thou takeft great painsin chyb mmJft^^.actgreariy blcucdinthylabors:fbr thou» haft anoaawllenr^dtekc,a notable good people, and: therefore Lcannot but greatly commend both thee-and chcsBu. iTfae Miaiitcr .©£ ^W<r^/# was alfoai yefyyjorthyandnoqblaman. For

I

An Expofitionvpon the Revelation. 31

For although his giftes were not fo grear as fome a-thcrs,ycc was he very paincfull and faithfullin alit-•tie: Ofwhom it is faid, Thou haft a littleJlrength,and haflhpt my xford^mdhafl not denied my nAme:^\z\\s t thou art very conftaiu in the profeffion andpra&ifc of Christian religion. And thercuponChriftpromi. feth to bleffehis labors. For faith he: I roil make them "J' tni •fasgogofSithanwhich collthemfelues/ews,^ are not, but do lye: Behold I fay, I will make them th At they jhallcome andwor/hip before thy feet,& fhalL"knert that ibaucloued thee. Heerewedo plainly fee how 1 Chrift promifcth to blefiethis mans miniftery, for his painefulnefle and dihgence.although he was not of the greatcft gifts.For men of greatcft gifts arc not alwaies rnoft bleflcd in their labors. For God doth comonly worke the greatcft things by weak means; that all glory might redound vnto him, and no flcfli might boaft in his fight. For othcrwife,ifmc of greatcft giftes fhould alwaics bee moft blcfled in their labors, 3c win moft foules vnto God, then we would' be ready to afcribe that to men, & their gifts, which is proper vnto God, & ft> this praife and glory /hold belbmewhatcclipfed. Thuswc fee what excellent men the Mmifters of Smyrna &c Philadelphia wcr,'&: what excellent people thcyTiad in their charges. But on jfeecontrary, the Paftorand the people oiSardis and L&odicti, are difcommended for all things, and commended for nothing. Indecde the Minifterof Sardis had a great name for learning & other good gifts,buc he was grown very idle and nsgligcnt, and did litle good with his gifts.Of whom it is faid:77W iufi anami that thou liuejl,but thou art dead.Thzt is,

G thcrq

/

3* AnExpofitidn vpontke Reuthtte*. there was nofpisit in him, nalifc of grace, his giftes waxed ruftrc for want of vlI e: he was fallen aflcepe: he was fallen away from the grace of God: he was noihing the man which he had bin. Therefore hec is admoni&ed to awake and ftrcngthen the thinge* which rcmaine, which were ready to die.

The Minifter oiLaedicea,Sc the people alfo.were grown luke-warme, nci ther hot nor cold jthcy were become carelcfic Scfecurc, not caring gready which end went forward in Gods matters, fo they might enioy the prcfent profits and pleafurcs of this life.

Concerning the Paftors and people oiEphefus y Pergamusjwd. Thyatira^heyajx pardy commended, and partly difcomended. Thcfe three were reafona-blegoodMinifters, Sc had many good partsinthe, and tookepaincs in their charges, although there be fomc faults found with them. For the Minifter of£-fhefiu is commended for fixe things yfoc labour, foe patience, for zcalc/or wifcdome,for fineerity,fc foe courage; but difcomended for leaning his firftloucj thatis/orrevolting, orfomewhat going back, or ra« ther indeed, for cooling in the louc & zeale of God. The Minifter oiPergamus, 8c people alfo, are greatly Commended for their conflant profeflion of the" truth in the middeft of manifold troubles, Sc the very heate ofperfecution. For the rage ofthc enimics grew Co fierce againft the .profeflion and profeflbrs of chc Gofpell, that Anttyas the Paftor ofPergamus (as fomc fuppofe) was put to death. For Chrift faith /poe.*,J5 thus of this church: ThoudweHeJlwher Sathhthrme isjMdyetthottkeepeftmynunesndhifimtdcniedmy . faith, etttntn thofe dates when Antipas myfaithfull

Martyr

■ yt

i:

!"'•'

AnExpoJiti6>iifo#theReueUtio». 33

MirtyrwajlmemmgyoujebereStthtiniheUetk

But yet notwithftading this church is found faulc withal for fomc few thingK,that is, two groffe faults: the onefor fufFering the do£trin of Balaam to be bro-ched there by the inftrumenrs of Sathan: the other, that they maintained the doctrine of the Tftcolitans. The do£kinc of Balaam did vphold the lawfulncs of eating things Cacrificcd to IdoIs,8c of comitting forA •.

nication,fbrhetaught Balac theKingofit/w^, thus po< '* ''* to putaftumbling block before the children of ljrael The doctrine of the Nkolitatjes did vphold the common vfeofwomen,tharis,that Women might bee made comon .Thcfe two moft groffe and abfurd do-■£trins,were fuffrcd and maintained in the church of Tergttmu^hs cocerning the church ofliyatira, they are greatly commended fbr.the Joue 8c feruicc to the Apoc t ^ ■church ,forthcirfiiith,paticnce,and manifold works, and clpccially for their conftant proceeding in religi-•on and Godlineffe, and that with increaie. For of this church it is laid; Iknawethy hue andjiruke^mi faith^ndthyfatiente, and thy worhs,andthat they are met at the loft then at thefirft. But this Church is diC commended forfuffcring the wicked woman Iez>a-&r/P,(thatis,afalfeProphetcfTe, which was craftilye. crept into this church) .to teach & feduce the people-. of God in that congrcgation,teaching the (amc falfe doctrin thzt Balaam did at PcrgamMsiYihkh was 3 that *££,* it was lawful to commit fornication, £c to eat meats Sacrificed vnto Idols. Hidierra concerning the pray. fesand difpraifes ofthc churches.Now followeth ta <pcakc of the admonitions.

Ga Fkft

*^

.Firft the chutch of Ejrhefui hailing fallen from their firft louc, is admonifhed to rememberfrom whence they were falle, to repent, 6c to do their firft works. Alfo the Church of Smyrna is admonifhed. and exhorted to ftad faft in the midft of thofc perfections and troubles, which fhould bee raifed vp againfh't, by the Emperor Traim »*,and continue for the fpacc often years. They arc thciforc exhorted and encouraged by our lordlefus,.not to fear the things which they fhouldfurfcr:. for although the Diuell and his -Inftrurhents fhould hauc fcope to pcrfecute and im-prifon them for ten daics,that is ten years,according . to prophcticall accofitvyct if they did continue faith-full to the death-, they fhould hauc the crown oflifc. The church oiPcrgamns differing and maintaining the doctrine of Balaam^ and the NicoUitanes, is admonifhed to repent & amcnd.The Church oiThya-' tira 3 which fuffcrcd the falfc do&rin oilczaheljs admonifhed to looke to hcrfelfc,and to hold fafl the truth of Religion. Sardu being dull and dead,is admonifhed to awake, 8c ftrengthen the things which remainc that were ready to die. Philadelphia is admo-uifhed to hold that which they haddc, that no Man take their crowne. Laedtcea being neither hoctc nor cold, but lukc-warme r is admonifhed tobee zealous and amend. And although they thought their ftate good inough, being puft vp with conceitcdnefTe,yct arc they chargedto be poorc, naked, and blind, and thcrvponcounfelled Sc admonifhedto buy. fpiri;iial gold, diat they may be rich: and fpirituall garments tohidcthcirnakcdncfl^and fpimuall eye-faluc, to annointihcir eyes that they may fee.

Con-

i '■■' !

r A»ExpofitionvpontheReuelatiott. 35

Concerning teprehenfions^/'Af/wy is rcproued for going backeward Pergamtcs and Thyatira for fiifF;-ring and maintaining corrupt doctrine, as formerly hath bin fhewed. Sardisfa dulneflc, dcafcncflc,and vnfound:. efle in their manner dfworfhipping God. Laodicea for lukewarmnefTe and conccitcdncflc.

Touching thicztSyEj/fieftM is thceatncd,that except they repent and do their firft workes, their Candlc-ftick fhould be remoued out of his place; that is, the church fhould betranflated to fome other place, but not deftroied.For goddoth remoue,buc not deftroy his Candlefticks. Pergamw is thtcatned,that vnleffc they did fpeedily repent, Iefus Chrift would come fhortly and fight againft them with the fword of his moutb.lijyatira is threatned,that except they repent them of their workes, they fhould be caft ; nto abed of affliction, 8c al their fauorites ihould be flain with death. Sardis is threatncd,thatir they did not watch and awake, Chrift would come fuddainelyvppon them as aThecfc, and they fhould not know what hourc he would come.

Concerning promifes, they be very great 8c large for eucrlaftingioy, and the very fulnefle of glory is promifed to all that fight the good fight of faith,and oucrcome in the (pirituail battelagainft the flefh,the world, and the Diuell. Efhefm is promifed, that if they fight it out couragioufly and conftantly to the end, they fhould'cate o ' the Tree of life, which is in the middcfl ofthc paradife of God.

Smyrna is promifed in like cafe, that they fhould

not be hurt ofthc fecond death: Pergamus likewife

is promifed to eate of the Mtmu.ihzz is hid, and to

Gj haue.

haue the white ftonc of vi&orygfuen them.7&yatirs is promifed to haue power giucn thenitomleoucr Nations,& to be lightned with hcaucnly brightnes, like the morning liars. Sardis is promifed to be cloa-thed with white aray; tharis, with hcaucnly glory, and to haue their name continued in the booke of life. Philadelphia is promifed to haue a pillar made in the Temple of God; thati j, afirme and vnmouca-ble place of etcrnall glory. Ltodicea is promifed to flip with Chrift,and to fit with him vpon his throne for euermore. Thus we fee what great and preciom promifes arc made to all Churches that fight and o-uercomc in this their fpirituallbattelland conflict. '

Concerning the conclusion, itisoneandthefame to all thefe fcuen churches. W herin they are exhorted, that fucbas haue earcs to hearc, mould heare, ponder, and confidcr all the forefoid praifes and per-praifes, admonitions, reprehenfions,threats,& promifes -And it is therefore faid,fueh as haue cares, be-caufc there are very few to bee found that haue cyr-cumcifedandfanttificd cares, to hearc andvnder-fhnd hcauely thingsThis is proper to the clecr,this is butjio whom it is giuen. And thus briefly and generally we fee what was the prefent ftatc of eucric one of the Churches of Afia, vnto which this Pro. phefic was to be fent: fo that by them we may i'ee in what eftatc the vniucrfal church militant was at that time. For as fomeof thefe feuen as yet flood firrne, and others had much declined, lb was it withal cither churches.

Hitherto concerning the firft vifion, containing generally theinferiprion of this book; Iohns falata-

tion

i-|

'AttExpofttion vpm the Reuelatum. "37

tion to the Churches:Iohns new callmgiThe excellency of Chrifi which" called him: And the prefent eftcte of the Church- Now we arc to proceed to the fccond vifion, containedin the next 8. Chapters to the IS. wherein is fhewed ,what fhould be the future eftatc of the Church in all ages,cuen vnto the end of thcworlcL

CHAP. inr.

""I He principal things contained in this 4.chapter, •* is a defcription of the perfon ofgod,the A uthor of this booke, who is molt glorioufly defcribed of that excellent glory that is in himfclfe, 8c of his roy-all thronewhichhe fitteth vppon, and of his goodly retinuc,and troupes of Saints and Angels attending about his molt glorious throne. Whereuntois added the diuerfe qualities, both of Angels and Saints, bothinthemfelucsand their owne natures: as aUb ihtheirmancrofpraifingand worfhippingofGod. This is thegenerallfumme andfenfc ofthischapter. But for the better clearing and more full opening of it, I will come to the words of the text* and open them as they lie in order. "■ >

After this I Med, & behold a dear was of en m fteaue, verfe ' ! and the firft voice which I heard, was as it were of a trumpet, talking with me, faying: Come t/p hither, and Iwillfiew thee the things which tnttjlbe doone hereafter.

Thefe words (y^r/A/ir^haue relation to the firft vifion fpoken of before, as if hee lhould (ay, after I had recciued the former vifion, concerning the prc-

G 4 * lent

fent eftate of the Church, now I had another vifion concerning the future eftatc thereof; and thcrforehc faith,<x dore was open in hcauen,that he might come in and fee all thefe things which fhoulde be rcuealcd to him. For the opening of the door in heaue doth here fignificthevnlockiiigofheaucnly things vmolohn, or his entrance into thcm:for fo the word doore is taken. 2. Cor,$, 12, Apoc.},8. After the openingofthc dore,he is called vp with aloud voicc,like a trumpet, faying: Come vp hether : for although the doorc was opcncd,yet durft he not enter in till he was called 8C commanded to com in.For in thefe cafes he doth not prcfiimc in any thing as of himfelfe, without fpcciali warrant and direction: As the fcripture (aith:2^ mi Hcb. 5,4. taketh thishonorvnto himfelfe, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.Thc voice that call eth him, is like a Trumpet that is loud & fhnl,that he might be ftir-redvpmoredilligctnlytoattcnde vnto the contemplation of thefe great fecrets which fhouldbe reuca-led vnto him.This voice commandeth him to come vp hither: which flieweth that/«A»wasraptevpin the fpirit vnto the heauens-tofeethis vifion. This voice promifeth to/hew him things which mujl be done hereafter: that is,that he ihould be made acquainted with the future eftatc of the Church, as already hec was with the prefent eftate thereof. And immediately Iwas rauijhedin thejpirite, and beholds a Throne wasfetin heauen, and one fate vpon the Throne. Vpon this fuddatne and extraordinary calling by fo heaucnlyand loudea voyce, Iohnwas foorthwith Muiihed in fpirir. For as the Prophet Euchicll was

by

vttfc.i

I An ExftfnUm -vpon tht Revelation. 3;

by thefpiritin the vifions of god,carried from CM-dentolerufdem: So this holy ApofUe is carried by thefpiritin the Vifions of God into heauen, and by the fame fpirit is made fittc and capable of all thefe heauenly Vifions which fhouldbe fliewedhim. So that in all this we doo plainely and clcarely fee,that Iohn hath as it were a further calling 6c admittance from heauen, to behold and fee thefe wondcrfull fc. crcts which now arc to be imparted vnto him.

Beholds Throne, &e. Here beginneth the defcrip- Ver& % tion of the moft high and glorious maiefty of God, who is defcribed after the manner of Earthly Kings and Judges fitting vppon their Thrones and iudge? ment feats. For he is King of Zu>» % and Judge of ail thewprld.. , . . ' ,,. . -■■-"•

^ndhethatfate.wastolookevponlfkevntoal^erxt^ Jtone.anda Sardine, and there was a Rame-hwe round about the Threpe like tnEmerMd.

_. : God for his admirable glory and beauty, is hcerc compared tp two moft precious ftones. The one which is the Iafper,bqiJigofapttfeagreen C colony as Philofophers write:. the other/which is. the Sat. dine^eingofamoll bright red colour. Nothing can fufhcicntly referable the glory of God, bririginfinic: But thefe thinges, being the moft prctious vndcr •aicSunnc, dp after a fort fhadpvy, it ynpo vs>

There was a Rain-bow rpur^ about-tbeTfcror% ■which may fknifie, that GodsThxonc in gbrylahi beautic doth farre excel! all other Thrpnj? oEmoa.

A taU

tall Princes-, yca,ciicn thatofiWw»0w,whichwas of mod pure Iuory: or rather it may fignifie, thic although God in himfelfe is moft glorious Sc admir*. blc.yethekeepethpromifeand coucnaht with the fons of men. For the Rain-bow was a 'figti of his co* uenant,as appcarcth Gen. p. and afTuredly God will be mindfuUof his couenant to a thoufandgenerati-ons. This Rain-bow is faid to be like an Emcradd; which is alwaies ofa frelh greene colour, fignifying that Gods couenanc of grace &c mercy towards his Church, is alwaies frefK & greene, ahdhfegoo'dnes-towards his people pcrpctuall and vncHarigeable: ' Mbrcoucr,God is-defcribed of his glorious retinue, & hcauenly company about him'.For it is faidi Road T«ft4, vbototfathroHc wereiqfim^Mvpenthcftiiisi*. Elders : Which fignific the whole churchrbbrH mii. litant 5C triumphant,both.of Iewcs and gent{les,and are therefore- called 24: becaufe the Church of the Icwcs gfetooat of the-12; Patriarchcs: & the' church of the gentiles o'ttt of the iz;apoftlcs; And as the glory and pompe of morrall Kinges isfet out.by their Troupsaildtrainsofnobles,and other exceltentper-fonages: So the gloryof God (vvhichin it fclfe can ttceiue no«nc«afc) i&toOur capacitiecommended

*ndfetf(«tbbyhisgo^dlyc6mpanicsofSam^an^ Angds.Thefe24: ElkigrsarefcloatHedin white'r^y; meriti which fignificththeir rigfneoufnes, as it is cx-poundedichap.^ycr^wf inherent, but imputative. For thejj' hauiftg no righttfdn&elTe of their oyvrriei' Ghrifis righteoafhes'feimpiited vnto them through £iitb;S5 through faith is made theirs: ForAbr'Mm, beluutd&'h &as inifutedtMin him for tightemfnts. -'" Thefe

f

JfExpofttionvfontheRcueUtion. a X

Thefe 24 . Elders hadon their heads crowns ofgold, which figmfie thcr viftories oucr the world: for aS the elea ouercomc the world throgh faith,as S.Iohn

teachethjandnoctheworldonly.buteuentheflerh

andtheDiuellaror.Andmereforethecrowneand

priandofvxaorybciongcthvntomemasmoftva-hantconqucrors. *>«u>hv4-

,^ oreo » er «»^id,that out of the throne proceed ™*<

W^jfcP'c^g ofthc Xaw,i s J t w Sc avdeeofhghtntngand thundring. ThcppwerfM P^hingofthelaw, is the very.tffunderiog ofhelL andhghtningohhe wrath of God vponalfimpenl'

teiufinner^andtherforq^t.thcdtliiferyof.hclaW there were hghtnmgs and thundcrings^d^ Smy it fclfe did tremble and ftakc. umoun t

Further it ismjhtrewcrejJampsofJke buroim

Ip^tsofGod,dofignifiethe preaching ofthcGoC pcl^andthemamfojdgracesandgiftesofthefpirit;

,1. r L L GofpC , llgluech * che wkHandcoir>for-

pom c £ alt h&thereforc 1 srefembl e dby 7 .Iamps.So *en from ch e throne that B, from the prefence of

Gpd^proceedembothlawandGofpelUndthemi. "f, ^ r L mb °, thf ° r chc &uingoff ou ]cs. And all'

ry andm ale fty, bong themarkehere aimed at. "'. ; " • * Thii

This Sea of GlafTe is die world, which is fitly compared to a Sea, becaufe it is full of ftormes,tempefts, and waues, that are continually rayfed vp in it - It is fall of Rocks, vpo which many dafli, and makclhip-wrackc . It is compared to a Sea of Glafle, for the brktleneffc, changes, and vnccrtaintic of all thinges in the world. It is (aid to be before the Throne like Chriftali,bccaufe the all-feeing God doth as clearcly behold from his Throne all the thoughtes, wordes, and works ofthefons of men, and all other parricu-lar-aitions of all his creatures vnder the Sun; as wee bshold our face in a Chriftall. For all things; arenuked, and as it were ludout in an anatomy vnto his eyes., "With whom we bate tot. t«ft *, Morcouer it is (aid, that in the middejl of the throne, andremiabautth'e throne, were foure Beajles, full of tyes before and behinie. Thefe-fourc Beaftes do figni-fic the Angels of hcauen, the inuifible and elect Angels, as it is expounded, E&ech. lo, verfc 20. where the Prophet in a vifion Teeth foure beaftes, as it were bearing vp and drawing Gods Chariot of triumph. And at the 20. vcric he faith exprefiely,that he at laft vnderftood they were the Chcrubins. The firftand tenth Chapter of E&eehiell being throughly looked ; into do make this plaine. The reafon why the Angels are called by the name ofBeaftes, is, becaufe in the next vcrfe they are compared to beafts, for their qualities ofcertaine beaftes. They are named foure in number, being otherwife innumerable, becaufe they arc likened to foure feuerall beaib.

The Angels are faide to haue eyes before and behind, for their great vigilancicoucr the Church,and

cuery

•n

3

^nExfoJttion^fontheReuelation, ^

cucty member thereof, and becaufe they are endued with knowledge of things paft and things to come: and laft of all, becaufe they fee and difcern almoft all

actions vnder the Sunne,vpward and downeward, backward and forward.

: Andthefirftheajl was like a Lyon,the fecondlike 4 Vc,fc7 .cjfedrc. ■

Here the Angels are compared to fourefcucrall beafts: to a Lyon for ftrength & courage : ro a calfc or an Oxe, forferuice and vfe: to aBcaft hauing the face of a man, for wifedome .• to a" Eagle, for fwirc-neffe and rcadinefle to execute the will of God. And moreouer, becaufe the Eagles foarc aloft, and flic a* very high pitchj we are giuen to vndcrftand,that rhe heaucnly fpirits are much in celeftiall contemplation, and do receiiie the knowledge ofhidfccfcB and, counfels, for they are much aloft about the throne of God, and many highand deep fecrets are opened, vntothem..

Audthefourebeap,hfi eaefrofthemfixewings > v «ft * bouthim, dndtheyverefullofeyeswtthin, &t.

This maketh itvery plaine, that by thefe Beafts are vnderftood the fixe Angels, becaufe hcafcribeth vnto euery one of them fixe wings a piece. For the Aii. gelsare defcribed with winges,both in the firftand tenth of Ezcchicll before mentioned: and alfo in the fixt chapter of the prophefie or Jfaus, where the Se-iaphinsarcfaidto haue fixe wingcsapicee;twoto couer their faces •. two to couer their feetc •- and two -to flye withall j becaufe they haue two wings to co-

H- j, uer

^Verfc«

44 An~Exf0fitio» vfon the Reuelatieth

uer their faces withall, bccaufe they are not able k>> endure die vnconceiuablc brightneiTeand. glory of God, for he d welleth in vnapprochable light. They haue two wings to couer their feet withall, becaufe. mortal! men are not able to look vpon the brightnes ' that is inheaue'n. For wei'ead that many haue been aftonifhed Sc dazeled with the glory and brighmeflc ■ of Angelsifo glorious creatures are they. Thcylhauc two wings to fly w(thall,to note the prompt obedy-enceand readincfleto execute the commanderncnts. of God, as formerly was ftewed.MoreouewheaB,; gels are faid to haue.wings 8c to flye fwiftlyi.becaufe; God hy theradoth fpeedily difpatch many.purpofes, a-aionsaiJdferuiEes,hciftbelow : an.df<prthis<;aiifc< thefcripmreaffitrtethj.thac^r^^^ bins-.thtit be &mIUtbb(twce»e tbtChtrubins ; fcf thtt, hemakttktbt. (Jmds hU chirhtsjndmlketh vpmtie. wings ofthermnde. For as earthly Kings.are in their progreffes carried in their moft fumptuous roaches;: drawne by themoft excellent Coa;h-horfes, to difpatch great bufineffes, aqdmariy waighty aflaires within theirdominions : fo the Vifions in E^echiell doo fkwethat theimmortallKingis carried moft frviftlyjn his, Ghariot of tn.iimphc, drawnerbyAc Cherubins,asnwcreby^eafts^ todire&and oner-, rule all a&ions vnder the Sunne. Moreouer, thefc Angels are faidc to be fullofeyes vftthirt, to note not oncly theirfolncflc of knowledge, but alio their inward fight into all heauenty rhinges; yea, cuen fcch asarcmoft fecret and hid: % they are of all other creatures moft inward with God,None of his ChiL drenJcaowfomuchofhiscpHiifeHasxhey, •

• iFiir:

(

JnEWption-vfmtbeXeHcMm. ^

^ Futthemiore^hcAuftgelsarchcrcCtidto prate Vc*s

^rdGoidmgk^bi^as^hhhis^^huhUto S- A ^ Ct ^ y s dcZtd y Cee > chat the Angels

WearmeiTe. For they are hot asmen- which through their great cotniptton^rcfbU of dulrieffcand wearL

S^° f ^m 0 ?? 5 butdl L Cy ^^^feruelMm withinf a tigablcdefire<?,&!thcreforearecallcdSerai chins betftffc th C ybiirniAtte^ak.ofGod,&;Cn2i.

hm&c to beaJwafes about his-thrLe ; y Cai eiieri ifi hi^ehamber ofprefende. Thc y do doubLLSe

* h, r^ ( ^ & ^ ble ^thvpBit;bec'a'iifethev k*w m, welKthathe is rignteo^ih ih« S&

iuftf<fc_& equity when tomahsfe^andrh'diud^

™ ^^^r^^whi^Un^c^^S notfouiKl/.Fui^c^efierhat^w/^ 'fcULt £the ■An^^egtirjimdhbnor, & thinks to Goj

fedhtm thstlmethfiricuer^M/hnc we may feT that both Saints and Angels doo ioyntly praifc and

I'^'^^t^mby^ Ldrd^orecme glory Andh^ H 4 »<w

ncti&e. Whcrinwc fccjthac all the deft doo cmty thcmfelucs of all worthineffe, to haue any glory, acknowledging that their crownes ofglorieare Gods free gift, and that the praife thereof belongeth only to him, and nothing to thcmfelucs. And this in very decde is the right manner of worihipping GOD» frankcly to afcribe all glory to him, and all fhamc to our felueSjto giue all to him towhom al is due, and nothing to our fclucs, which haue nothing; for nothing can be giucn or taken put of nothing.

Now. then, to concludeand windc vp this fourth chapter, we do clcarely fee the fumme Sc drift of all is, that Heauen doorc was ope ned vnto Iohn, and that he was let in, and called vp into the Chamber of prefence, by a very loud voice,ther.c to take notice

of Jic flitjirc eftatejofth^Church; and that the per-ipn which thus called him vp, was the very immor-lallGodbimfeife,whoisfo glorioufly defcribedof his throne, his troups and traines of Saints and Angels^ as we.haue heard. And ajl.this is to commend and fetforth the.amhority of this bobkejwhofc Another is fo excellent, yea, fuper-exccllen c •

'."".'".. CHAP- W -

AFterthisVifion containing the gbricpfthc& uinc Maicfticwas fliewcd yqto Iohn, that dec might know from what Fountaine this Prophefie was deriucd, now in this fife Chapter is taught and i&cvved by whatmeans,and by whofc meditation, the knowledge of fuch hiddea •mylteries vvere re-uealed vnto the churcbriaraely, by the racancs and

incdi-

AnExpofttioA-vpntheReutlaitn. "47

mediationof Iefus Chrift, in whom only the court. (Ms and forces of God the Father arc opened, and made known vnto men. For he is the great Prophet and Doftour of the Church, which is come dow-ne from the bofome ofhis Fathered hath mode known wtywhAtJoiHcr he hathreceiued ofhisfather,* he himfelfetejijfieth. And the Church is commanded by a votcefrom heaven to heart him, andhim alone.

This fift Chapter contained three thiriges eeno-Ver 1. ,

the right hand of God; ..'

Secondly, a defcription of Iefus Chri/r, which rcccmethitatththand ofhis Father, andopeneth

it.

; Thitd y,-a defcnption of thofemoft glorious prai-fes wh,ch arc giucn to Chrift by the Angels, Saints, anaall.thecreatiu-esinheaijenandcarth. J fwintherighthindofhimth*tfau^itIiethr<>ne,v^ Aboeke mtttenmthin> and on the bachfideCeded roithfmenftaks. ..... ,,-'■

By this bbokchcre mentioned, is meant this pre-lent book of the Apocalyps, orReuelation,as it ftall

plamely appcarein thencxr chapter,when we come to the opening of the fcuen feales thereof, Forthc thirjgs^hichfalloutvpon thcLopeoingofthefeue-xall leales, do plamcly dcclare,thatall is meantrbfthe JJartlcular matters contained intflis prefent bookc.

Thisbookeisfaidtobcintherighthandofhrm : ■that uttcth vpon the throne, becaufeallthefictcts *eucaled in it,comefrom the counfcll anddecreeof 'themofthighGod, and are ordered by his mccre direction and prouidencc.

* U

■ It is called a written booke,t<> (hew that the things : contained initj arc fofirmcly decreed in the coimfel of God, that none of them /hall faile, but come to pa(ie, and-be fulfilled in their feafon. They are ftich as we may write of, as we vfc to fay: and therefore fortlie certainty of them, they arc hecrc faidtobce '. written in a booke.

. This booke is faid to bcwritrc n within and with. •out,for the multitude and variety of matters cohtai-■-■■< ncdiniuFot.tHcrewctcbothmany^igrcat-things which fliould fal out in the world from the tiniethat IohrrrcceiiicdthJs Prophcfici vino the endc of the worlds '.j -.. .;. . :

This book is fcaled with fcucn feales, that is to fay, -perfectly fealc'd, bccaufc'thc things contained hecre-in, arccoirafels and fecrcts, encly knowne-toGod, till it pleafcd him torcueale the to his Church by his fbn. The elect Angels knew uoching oftlie thiuges ': written iathis booke^efajre the feales were opened. v«fc* An £ r j~ aw a j[ r0 „g e Angell, whitf) proclaimed with a idtidtvme:, Wfa kmmhytoopenjhe booke, and t* X loofethe.feales thereof? ■'.:/ .'„. ;

l . Here is proclamation made to all creatures, that if there were any, manner of pcifons in Heaucn or -carth,:a'mongmenor Angels,, that would take vp-• ■drilthern- to o~cn and expound this booke, that they lhiiuld come fordi and fhew thcmfclucs,and be very cvwlljnglyaiid gladly heard;. But alas, the next vcrfc dotK (hew, that none in hesuen or earth -was able to t- ■ pep the booke and expound it, whereupon John wept very-much, becaufeTtomanwasfomdworthyto open and interpret.this booke..

The

Vtifcy.

AnExpofmrnvptnthReuehtm. ^

• The catifeof lohns wcepingand lamenting,wa s for feare the Church fhould be depriued of fuch profitable and excellent things as he knew wcrccon tat-pedI in this bookcSuch was his loue to the Church: iuch was his zealc and tare for.thc people of GOD. An example worthy of al imitation.to mournc and weepefor the concealing of the bookcof God, and to rcioyce in the opening of it. But Papiils and A-tniftsareofa contrary mind, tor they reioycc in the concealing andkeqpingebfcofthcfcriptUKS,SC arc much grceuid with the opening and reucaling rher-of -, becaufe thereby their hypocrilie and villanv is detected and difcarded. m

Tponthu-one pftheElders fold vnto Iohn:If'eepenot .verfcy; BefxtldttheLyonrvhichisofthe Tribe of Ltdah, the roote ofDauid, hath obtained to open the booke, and to loje the fealesthereof,

Were we fee how Iohn is comforted and cheated vp by one of the feldcrs, being now very penfiuc SC lad, and is willed to pluck vp a good heart, and to be of good chcare, for hce could tell him goodncwes; 10 wit.of one that could open & cxpoundthis book, and all the fecrcts in it, and. that is Icfus Chrift, the greatreucaler offecrets, and oncly expounder of all

riddles, and hidden rnyfterics,as before hath becne Jpoken.

Icfus Chrift is here faid to be of the Tribe of Iudah* t>ccaufc he is lineally difcended of thatTribe,accoiv ding tp.thc fjeft.and his humane nature.

He is compared to a Lyon, by allufion vnro Jacobs Words mhisMwill and ccftament, concerning/»-

'-»'>'-\: > I 1' Ljonefle^

jp An'Exfoftt'un'vfonthet.euelation.

Zbmeffi, & nonefliduidfftr him. He is fitly compare J to aliond or his great&c admirable power Sc ftregth, •for he raigncth and mud raigne oner all his enimics, and in the middeft of all his enimics, yca,till he haih troade all his cnimies vnder his feet. He is called the roote ofZ)jiuid,both here, and alfointhc22. Chapter of this bookc, verfc 1 6. becaufc he fprungc out of Dauid, the (on of lft>ai,zs a branch out of his root, as the Prophet did foretell, that Aronfhouldsomcforth oftheftocke oflflni, And agraft Jbould grow out of his roots. And the Apoftlc faith, that Chrift was made of the feed of Dauid, according to the fief}. ■v<ire.<_; \hen faith Iohn, I beheld, and he, in the middeft of the throne,and ofrhefoure beafts,and of the elders,flood a Lambdas though he hud bin ki/led,whicbhadfeue» homes, and feuen eyes, which are tliefeuenf^irits of Godfent into all the -world. Here Iohn takcth a view and fight of Icfus Chrift, ftom the very middeft of the throne, Sc ofrhefoure beafts and the Elders. Chrift doth not appear abouc the throne, as do the Saints and Angels, which arc but minifters and miniftring fpirits: but in the very middeft of the throne, ana the lburebeaftcs, S>cc. becaufc he is God cucrlafting, cocquall and coeter-■nall with the Father, inwhom{ as the Apoftle faith) divelleth allthefulnefjt of the Godhead, bodily orejj'erh ■ tialiy. And hecrc afterward the fame woifbippe and - honour is ! afctibcd vnto him both by the Saints and Aungels, which before is ; afenbedvnco GO Dthe Father.

Chtift is here compared to a Lamb;for his itfhb-

<ericy jfor theleriptute £ttf hMe wm-os tfheefi dumb

> before

i

1

I

A*Expafitun'vpo»tbeRiucUsiMv. 51

before his/bearer. Heh the Lamb ofGodtUt ttkeph a-way the fas oftheworM. He is the Lamb, flat*from the beginning of the world: He is compared to a Lyon, for his great &: incomparable ftrengch. in coqucting Hell, Death,and damnation,and all infernal power. And to a Lamb, b:caufe hechath difpatched all this vpon the Croflc, by rhe facrifice ofhimfelfc once offered .-forhcencuerdid more liuely ihew forth his Lyon-likc power, then when hee was as a Lamb? flame and facrificcd vpon thcCrofle.

This Lanibc Chrift, is heerefaide to hzucfeuea hemes, which iigniiie his manifold power, or fulnes of power, or perfect power, according as this metaphor or borrowed fpecch of home is .vTually lb taken in all the fcriptures. This Lambs alfo. is Cud-to hauc feuen eies, which arc interpreted to be the feuen fpir ris of God .• that is, the manifold graces and giftcs of the Spirit, which hegiueth vnto his: Church. Now then to conclude this point/or as much as the mjmV her of feuen in this bookc is-'a number ofperfe&ipn* andalwaies noteth perfeaion, diefceforeby Chrifts feuen homs, and 7. eics, we may, and that Ibundjyj vnderftand his perfeStpowcrj and his pcrfpft figJn and knowledge in all things. Forhisfencn9i?s;3j# fo taken in the third chapter, of the Praphefic ofZa-chane, where it is faid xiftfon ■ ojuftonejbidlbejwei? ■.-•■■ eies: Meaning, that Icfus Chrift, the corner ftone of thc'Ghurch, ihould bee full of eies, to lodkeounfor thegoodofhisdiurch,andiogiue.lightl^iettherii: for he is thclifcandlight ofthe world. •. • Andheeameandtaoke theiook out oftherightha»dv<ikt *fhittf that fate xipiutthxthrone.. . . ''■' I 3 Hecre

5*. Antexfojitienvfenthe&eucLttott.

Hecrc Iefiis Chrift taketh rhcbooke out of hisfi thcrs hand .purposing both to open it,and expound •it:Forhcisdieonelycxpouodci'ofthebw,aHdthe beft intcrprcccr of his Fathers will.

irst ft 5. Hereupon it is faid,that the)care leajls,and i^£l-dersfell down before the £amb,totcRifie thcirthank-fulncffe and ihward loyand rcioycing that the fon of God wold take vponhim this office, which none other would or coildpcrlbrrnc.

Morcouer,by iheir falling down and worihipp ing liim,they doplainely teftifie, thatheisGodouer al, tobebleffedforeuer. For otherwife di; Angels of hcaucrijbothChcrubittsanclSeraphin^vvouldcnot thus fall downe and worihippc him, afcnbi ng vnto him,both deicicanddiuine honour. Confidcr then

VCA#7-7 how great he is,of whom itisfaid: Letalthe Angels efGodworfhip km*

Moteouer, thefc Angels and fainres arc faidc to hatteentry mtharpes andGulden viob,fuIlof'Odours, which are theprajersof the Saints.

vecfe 8 Thefc harpes do figriifiethe fwect con cent &C harmony bothof men and Angels, in founding foorth the praifes of the Lamb: forhereinthcwhol.church bothmilitant and triumphant doacord andrtmie to-gether,as>«.«9' Harpers harping with their harpes i as

Afoc.i4,» ic.j s , w ri tt cnaifoi4tanorhcr^lacc.. *■

'-■■' -Hccrcbyalfo they do plainly teftifie that inward • > peace andtpirituallioy, which all the faidiful Inane* lhroii^h<3hrift,which isihoreiweetand delightforn to the foule,chbhany tnufickeis vnto die eares. .'; - ' The viols full of odours, arc expounded to bee the prayers of the faints, which aretherefoj:cconipar,cdi

II

ta

'AnixpofitmvpetttheReuehtion^ e»

Tc»odoi.us,bccaufe ch-yfihcll tWectc in thcnoftrKiJy of God, and arc mote fragrant then any pofegay or perfume whatfocucr: for he taketh great pleafufc in the prater.? ctfhis pedpksJcfpbcialjy when they come out ofgoldcn vio!s,tbat is, fan&ificd harts aedcon, (eicrtccsifor coery fimftified; heart is a Golden heart in thefighrof Godjand energy riegcnqfate confciencc is a Icwcll of price, guilt with Gold, and enameled with pcadcFor this caufe the holy man Dauidwitti-eth earneff ly that hishiarc might be fij-rencwed and dCahfcd inwardry;,that hid prayervfigbh fa diretfttf Pfcl. t* & <dt 'irtfenfe in Gods fights and the lifting <vp of his hands asafweetfmelltngfafrifiee..'...-.

FunhcimovcshjcfeSaJntfandAxgelsdeoJinganeir /^Thatisytheydofing,ecKl*ip!w^ r. ; ::

wirrrreucwediaffcaions, W vnwearicdfdpfir?s: TJacu; inward ioy continuc'thalwaics' frefl) • and greenc at the Bay-tree rTheyneucr wither or waxe-weary of thtf teruiceofGod rTheir fongis ejj.ermpre i?^w>8£ therefore euermoredelightfome. Kor;chemoreaew-any thing iiy the more pleafant and deie&abic l 1$; ■menairenotaffe&edwich olde^butialtogethervvith newthirigs. . : .■ . ;;....;.■ - \ ■■ Nowthtri, fc(vKGhriif.hainng^kcnihisbooke imoJtishaniitdQpcnaind e^poundejisiappjaiidcd "' * •vnto by the general confent and voices of the whole church:forfay (they, Thouarfworthy to take the hooky and to open thefeales thereof. W herein they doo all wth comon corifent,'giue their Voyees vntoGhrift, acknowledging him to be the only ft pc rfonin hca-ue or earth,to take vpo him this fundtio of opening abooke fadofed, fo clafpcd, fo fhut, fo fealcd, and l4r thejp

5 4 AnExpofttton vpon the Reuelatio*. they do yecld a rcafon of their proceedings, btfcaufe (fay thcy)thou waft killed, andhaftredeemedvf.vnto God by thy bloode, out ofeuery kindredand tongue, and f>eopU, W>*4f«».Mcaninghecrby,thathe wasptic co dcath,to pay the price of oar redcmprion,in who all the beleeucrs,bothof the lews & Gen tils are faued. Their reafoti then is this: he that hath died.ajid rifeo againcjand is now exalted far aboue al principalities and powers, &c. is the molt fit inftrument to open and interpret this bOok,but thou 6 Chrift the Lamb • ' ofGod, art-fuch aone.,, therefore thou of all others, artmoftmeet tdtakethcmattervpponthee, and to enter into this bufincs.Further, thcyampline thcyr rcafon thus: that hehath made vsofflaucs&firttants

fe^^^AHdlaftofall,that7Pey&-c//mg»(f vpponthe fttr/£.Notmeaningheereby, that weftallraigneas earthly kinges, or oncly inioy an earthly kingdbme. Forout of all doubt the taints flialraign with Chrift ihtheheauensior cuerrhorc. Buthcercis.mentioa rtadeofraigningin thecarth; becaufeafter this life* Gods Children ihali haue the fruition, and inheritance both of heauen and earth: that is to (aye, that newheauen atiittew earth jafkereiit dwelltth righUpuf-nefje '.• for-the rieaiiens'and the earth being redinter grated and purged from <:orruption,fhal be the portion of the Saintes, and the Habitation of the clc6t> forcuermorc.

After all thisjohn hearetk the voice ofinmtmerable Angels be^de the four e beafls. That is.thc Chembins and Scraphins.or chief Angclsjthat is,Angels deputed to chicfeofficcs,round about the throne, which

?ct,J,n.

TClfcII.

'^ExpoJifU)H<vpeMtheReueUtto» i yj

Okwithaleudvoicedcacknowledge the z^L^l-. l ,

Andnotonelythefeinn„ m erablfAngdsfbe£fo '

thoufandt Im estenthouSd,butalfo/^ fr £°; bfmheauenmdearth^ thcSnn Moone & Z s the fifhes m the Sea, and the hearts^ tr?Srfh doe

Zl ^^^^"g^hecreatureisasycrfiSo ' the bondage^corruption, and therefore ™ nc th

God llalbe reuealed, yet it ftadeth in affured expel tat,on ofrefiit U t.on tohberry andinrommcSnd therefore hereall the creaturesdo praHLaX forthatrcfiauration which thcydoofelZ,f a

turcyecldcth to the iv Creator. A n A " me . cr f-

foreuermoreSo that the Lambcis praifed and Wor

A.ppedofallhands,b 0 thof m enah P d aS andaU ^creatures, as God *^*g£&*

CHAP. vi.

■-V V

K

fixe

•jtf An txf option vfon the RentUt'm.

fixt Chapter wc arc to vnderftand of the matter arid contents of this bookc,and of the ftrange accidents and euents which followed vppon the opening of e-ucry fcaerall fcale.For in this chapter 6. ofthefealcs arc opened by the Sonne of GOD, and the Myfte-rics therof difclofed vnto lohn, that he might declare them to the Church, for the comfort andinftrucU. on thereof.

This chapter contaiheth fixe principall things, a. rifiug from the fcucrall opening of the fix feales;and. they arc thefc:.

"Verfe^i.*,!

<i

The fpreadingof the Gofoell.

Great pccfccutions following thercvpon.

Famine*.

Peftilence.

Complaints of the Martyrs.

FearcfuH vengeance vpon the world,

for Sheading thebloud of Gods

Saints.

"Verf» i -After, I beheld, when the Lambc had opened one of the

fettles, and ihtardone of the foure beijiesfty,as it.

. m>ere the nosfe of thunder: Come attdjee. ..

Now, after all thefc former matters, John did very

intcntiitely fix his eycypon the Lamb,being now a-

bout to open and vnclafpethe firftfeale of the book,

and al qn thesfuddenhe was, admonilhed aud Itirrcd'

yp by one of the Cherubins,.that he (hold draw near

and come vp,andtake knowledge of thefe great and

important matters, which were now tobe reucaled'

Y#]DpbjUri,And to the end thathe might be through*

'AnExpfitknvpontheRtueliti*,, * r ly awaked, and ftiored vp to attention ia fo waighty

matters, it .s faid,that the voice ofthcAngellwh.ch fpakevntohun,.was hkethevoiccofa thunder-So

prepared, to recemc thefe heaueniy vifions

hethatfateonbmhtdabow, nda crmJJsl uen vnto htmjmdhe wenforthconquerin^h a fhe might overcome, 3 Z*»«mt

A&.k-epinghis eye Heady vpon the Lambc, ha-inngnowopenedthcnrft feale, xlothinavifionfcc awhttehorfccVc .

^^whitehorkis meant die miniuWthe

wordofGod ai^drhc^/tpreaching oftheGofpeU by Chnibndhu Apoftles, and thcfucccffors in the PrimmueChurch. Thevkite Mistaken in this fcnfcintheip.chapterofthwProphefieiwhereo^ J-ord Ictus beemg vppon this whiteHorfle>beatcth downc all bis cnimics before him: For who is able to Khlthis word, and the miniftric of it ? ■ ^^ff^P^ofchePropheficofZ^rfw,

*urLordIef U spur P ofin g .to build vp his ck.rch,be. angina very ruinous effete after thecaptiuuy is hroughtin by the Prophet on horfe^ckc, bothfot thereedtfyingofhis Church, & alfo for thcpuninV mentofthc Babilonians, his enimjes, andtneeny. "

m,esofhispeople.Inmc45.Pf a l m e t hech U rch,th c ' Wcfaith thus to her beloucd Husband Chriftt yrdthefwordvtfonthjthigh.o thoumightyone^thc «*,«. f^M^rjmdcomelybeauty^dthcol bbetutjndeonproJperoHflyforthe bt^neffe of truth,

■K * Now,

Now in all thcfe places of thefcripture/we do plainly fcejthat when chrift gocth about either to broach his Gofpcll, or build vp his Church, or to be reuen-gcd on the enimies thereofjhc is brought in on horf-back. And this doth ftrongly confirme and warranc this expofition, feeing it is not any imagined fenfe, or new deuice of mans brainc, but fuch a fenfe as o-ther places of fcripture will very fully beare out. | Moreouer, if we do feriouily confidcr, and deeply weigh the purpofc and intendment of the holy Ghoft in all this, it will not a little hdpe and further this expofition. Forthechiefe fcope and drift of all is, to defcribe the ftatc of the Church from the Apoftles time to the end ofthc world.For this prophefie ferueth toJhew vnto Iohn the things that mufifkottly cometofajje. . Now, we all know by blcffcd experience, tharthe firft cftate of the church did confift in the preaching ofthc Gofpcll by Chrift and his Apoftlcs: and thcr-fore this mult needs be vndcrftood of that time and cftate of the Church. For Iefus Chrift is he thatfit-tcth vpon this white Horfe,thatis,by the miniffry of his Gofpcll he conquerech and fubducth the nations vnder him.

There may be three reafons alledgcd why this horfe is faid to be of a white colour. Firfl, becaiife the doctrine of the Gofpcll which was preached by Chrift and his Apoftles, was pure and fincere,being without ali (pots and blots of crrour and herefic.For the white colour in the fcripture doth fignifie purity, fincerity, innocency, ioy, glory, and beaury. Secondly, becaufe the doctrine of Chrift and his

Apoftles,

f A* E xttf ti6 »vti»thetieutl*tiM. S9

•Apoftles,was ft.1 of.ioy and comforr:As it is faid of Samaria tfci Phillip had fet the Gofpcll abroach there, that /^b^ great toy in thatCitty. Thirdly,bccaufe the miniftery of Chrift and his A-poftles was very glorious and bcautifull, as it is written : HmbemtifuUarethefeeteofthem which bring the glad tydings of peace, &c. Andagaine, viththy w , comely beautie ride onproficrouflyjor the bujineffi of' * u trutbifjre. '. , .. . J

If any man demaund a reafon of Chriftes fitting on horfc-backe, and riding forth on horf&backe: I anfwer, that it doth moft fitly reptcfent that maruel-Jousfwiftnefie wherewith thejightof the Gofpcll ftould be carried and fprcad, not onely throughout a\l ludea, Samaria,^nd Galilc, but alfo throughout all the kingdomes of the world. For it is not a won-dcr, to confider howfwiftly, and as it were on hoff back,& alfo how far ouer the heathen nations,within a few ycares after Chrifts afcemion, the doftrinc of the Gofpell was preached, and of multitudes unbraced. He rode forth indeed profperoufly Sc fwift-ly vppon this white Horfe, cuen the miniftric of the Gofpell, for the bnfineffe of truth,and of meek righ. tcoufnes; and his right hand wrought fearful thines, as faith the Pfalmift.

Moreoucr,itisherefaid,that/^yc?^y&<r/5<W in hit hand. And in the 45. Pfalme, from whence it feemeth all thefe phrafes and fpheechesare borrowed, he is faid zohaucftarf>arrowesinbjs-band,wha:c~ J by he pierceth the heart of his enimies.

Now his bow and arrowes doo fignifie the pier, cingpoweroftheGofpcll,whereby theworldhath

K 3. been

been fubdued vnto Ch rift.For all the arro wes of the Gofpel which chrift (hootcih out of this bow,which is cucn the tongucof his miniftcrs, doo ftickc in the harts of men; yea, they pierce into all the fecret places of the foule. For the miniftry of the Gofpcll it Hcb. 4 iiuehi,a»d mighty in operation, fhsrper then any two edgedfwrd,and entereththrough, enciivnto the de-aiding a/under of the foule andthefpirit, of the toyntes and the marrow, and is a difecrner of the thoughts, and theintents of the heart.

Hccie is yet further mention made ofa Crowne •which was giuen vnto Chrift,and that he went forth conquering that he might ouercome.

This crowne fignifyeth the victory which he gec-■tcth oucr the world with his bow and arrowes. For the Pklmift faich: By thyfharp arrowesitrthe harts of ihe Kings enimies, the peoplejballfall vnder them.

We read in the fecond-ofthe ASts of the Apoftles, 1

•that 3000. of the Kings cnimies were atonce/hottc

•thoroughwitfahis bow, and thefc arrowes, and did

•fall vnder him. Wccrcadcofmany other at other

times, 8c in other places. For the Apoftlc Ciith plain-

ly, that the weapons of our warfare are not car nail, hut

* "*' ° JpirituaH, mighty, through God to caf down holds ,caft-

ing downe the imaginations, andeuery high thing that

is exalted againfi the knowledge of God, tndbringin?

into captiaity euery thought to the obedience ofChrift.

Thus we fee how Chrift and fats Apoftles and all

their true (ucccflbrs riding vppon this white Horfe

which is the miniftry of the Golpell,haue gone ouer

all the world.tonquering and otiercomming.

I am not ignorant that Come doo expound this o»

jhex-

therwife :but.my purpofe is nor to meddle with o. thcr mens opinions, and mdgmcntSjbuttofet down that which God hath giucn rac to fee, and whichin mine ownc confciencc andperfwafian, I fnppofc to bee the truth, referring all to the iudgement of the church, and fiich therein as are indued with theipi. rit of God. ¥01 thefpirit of the Prophets isfuhietl to the Prophets. And be it known vnto all men,that my chicfeindeuour throughout this whole booke, fhall bee tpfeeke^efenfe,that is, and not the fenfethat is not: to meddle oncly with truth and let falfhood goe.

And when hee had opened thefecondfeale, I heard the. Vt,ft 3-feeondbeaJlfay^Cemeandfee.

As before at the opening of the firft feale, fo now again at the opening of the fecond feale, Iohn is called vpon by another Angellro giue attention: and fo afterwards at theopeningof the third andfourth feale. Wherein we may obtaruc the heauincfle and drowfineffc of mans nature in all heaucnly thinges, which is cuermore ready to finkc and fall a^kepei except it be awaked by many means, and. ftirred vp! by fpeciall grace.. • ,.\. v ,

Andtherewentoutanotherhirfetbatwatreddeiattd^rf'+i power was giuen to him that fate thereon, to take peace from the earth, and that theyfbould kiliont another :.md there teas given vnto hint ogre at fvvwd.,

; This reddc H6rfc,.rcprefentetH the crucllperfc-cntion, and bloudy Warres which followed the preaching of the GofpcH.. Forrhcredcoldiirin the ftripuirc, dothnote. bloudycruelty* and VVatres,l '•7 " *" K.4/' ~""' Tic;

therider vpo thiihorfe is the ditiel himfelfe:for who buc heandhisinftruments delight inbloudjpcrfccu-tioiis.and ivarres ? He hath power giuen him 10 take peace from the earth, (for he could haue no power except it, were giuen him)andtothis purpoft 'a great fword was giuen him, to murther and kill withall. -And all this is to be vnderftood of the ftate of the church vnder the tenne great perfections, raifed vp againfticby the pcrfecuting Erapero\irs, v>omiian x Trnmus i NeT0 i Antenm»s i Vamr i V)ii>ckfiiin t HAxtn^ ms^L'mnhs, $c other cruell tyrants, eucn Vntill the times o£confianti»ed\e great. Stories doo report, that thefe. cruell perfecutors did in moftfauage and horrible manner, torture, torment, and fhead the blditdof innumerablemultitudes ofgods,pec*ple So that as the firft eftate of the Church, vnder the prea. chingof theGofpell, was ioyftilland peaceable; So this fecond eftate ofthe Church, vnder fuchoutra. giouspr:rfecutions,.wastroublefome and tragicall-. ahdycrfor al that,in the middeft ofal thefe fvvords, bloud and flames ofperfecution, the Church did ftil prcuailcandencrcafe. Voxthebloudof theM/trtyrs is phcJeedeofthcGofpcU, And the Church oftcntimes ' Demgfowne'in the bloode,yct fpringeth vppe, and grovycth in bloud. And as" for the cruell and bloud-foekrng Emperours, which could not endure the frght oTthe Gofpell, bat ftroue by tyranny to fup-prefle it, the iuft God which taketh vengeance of al iniquity, and/pecrally oftheperfecutionofhis children, waseuen with them well inough: for hee gaue them ouer,fome'xo beuaine in the wars, fomc' to bc^tttircd vvitfihbn;iblc di^cafes/ome to be poi* '"■ •• *'': foned,

\

5

■i

I

**Zx$efttl»n<upntheReutUtU». g,

foned feme to bc^urthercd^nd fomc to murther

SSf U ™ dld P° d CbC ""P. *"" hun. felfcfrom heauen as the ftorie, report, & pay home

to the fcl thefe bloud-fuckcrs of his church, making

them examples of his Wrath, and fpeftaclcs ofhil vengeanccto all nations.

^^"^^^thethrdfe^ ihevdtthc "** ^f^^pComeandfee.Thenlbeheld^dbe

mhu handle. By the blackehorfc, famine, and dearth is fignificd; torthcblackecoloLir.isamournfuUand fadcolour-and what makeih men more penfiuc & fad then &. ■muicandactrcam hunger.For it is a thing vntollcr-able: and therefore the holy Ghoft faith; They be bet. ythxtrcmdmthtkefmrd, the»they t hatdieof L . m 4 . famm.Hc that uttcth on this horfe hath a balance in '*

His hand wh.chfi g nificth great pennury and fcarfi^ tyofalthmges, butfpccially of visual: infomuch thatmen muftbepittanced &fti"ntcdin their viflu-als,and their bread and drinkmuft bedeliuercd out by waightand meaf u rc,as it farcth in ftraite Sc fore iieges of citties, when victuals wax fcarfe. This is it that God thrcatneth in Lcuit,26,and Ezcc. 4) 5 .that ^<>fdbre A ketheppofb r ead,andthm^wo m ^ ihoMbaketnoneouen, snddeliuer bread by meafure. Now to declare the greeuoufnes ofthis famine, a voice commcth from the throne, and from the Angels, that smtijure of-wheatjbouldicfor a penny, tnd three measures ofbarlyforafenny: the mcafure here vcr.'e* ipoken of is a Chenix, which fomc writers fay, was lo muchas wouldc fcajcaman for bread-corne for

J one

6 4 AnUxpofitionvponthtRcuelat'm. one day. And theRomanc penny vnder Domitia*, was alwaics 7. pence of our mony.And atthac time the laboring man did work for a penny a day,which would do lictlcmorc the buy him bread-corn.How then fliould his wife and Children do ? Whereas it is faide: Wine and Oyle hurt thou not, I take it chat it fhould rather be tranllatcd , In WinedudOylc thou fait not do vniuflly '• as the word will bearc it. And the fenfe is, that in the ftatc of come & vi&uall,they ihall dealc confeionably and mercifully, not felling at the higheft, biit rather at the lowcftrate now in the times ofexcreamc fcarcity. Now, all this-is to be vnderftood of that moil gric-uous famine which wee rcade to haue bin about the year of our Lord, 3 16. and fundry times afterward. Andall this for the contempt of the Gofpell preach, ed by Chtift and his Apoftlcs vpon the white horfe, and the murdering of Gods Saints by him vpon the red horfe,and his inftruments So grieuous and fear-full a thing is the contempt of the Gofpell, and the perfecutingof the Saints. And God did moftiuftly caufe the world to fmart for it, and make them with foi'tow inou'^h to feele the punnifhment of the Gofpell reie&cd. Andxvhenhe had opened the fourth feak, 1 heard the

'voice of the fourth beaflfay: Come and fee. vcrfe 3. And1looked,andbeholdapalc horfe .an i his name that

fate on htm was Heath, and hell followed after him t

&c.

This pale horfc fignificth the peftilence $c other contagious difeafes,which God moll iuftly brought vpon the world for the contempt of the Gofpell, 8c

the

verfc 7

AnExfofitionvpontbtRtueldtion. . rfj the murchering of Chrift and his Apoftlcs, and as I noted before out ofthcfcripcurcs, that when GOD commcth either in mercy or iudgmenc, he is (aid to come on horfcback,ro note his expedition, &: fwift-neflc,bothin the one and the other : fo, as before Chrift is vpon the'white horfe, the Dwell vpon the red horfe, famine vpon the black horfe:fo here death & hell are faidto he -vpon the pale horfe:(ov peftilence and death makcth men lookc pale: but being dead, he faicb hcl followed. For.afTurcdly hel doth alwaics follow the death of the body, excepting thofe oncly whom Chrift hath deliuercd from hell and damnation by the power of his death. Thus then it is:the red Horfe with b!oud,thc black Horfe with famine, the pale Horfe withpcftiknce, haue power giuen them oucr the fourth part of men to murther, kill, and flea, as all ftorics do /hew, that for che reletting of Chrift and his Gofpell, thefc plagues were carried as it were on horfeback, oucr a great part ofthcworld.Now as touching this famin and peftilence which fell out vpponthc opening of the third and 4. fealcs, they are to bee referred vnto thofe times efpecially,whcrcin the Hunncs,Goadis, and Vandales, and other Barbarous Nations which were the waiters of the World, did waft and decay theRoman Empire bothfarand neare. Where-vpon grew this famine, fear/hie, and peftilence, and ftraunge difeafcs heere fpoken of, abtojicfome 300. yearcs aftcr-Chrift, and fomewhat more.

jindtxhen he had opened the fifeJeak, ifarv vnder the

Attltar thefoifles of the that were killed for the word

tfGod-jtndfor the tefiimony which they maintained, &c.

Hccrc is difcouercd the ftarcof the Martyrs after this life,and the condition of the (pints of all iuftand perfect men. Foe whereas it might be demaunded, what became ofall thofc heaps St multitudes of men which were flainc for the tcftimony of Icfus in the ten great pcrfecutionsrit is here anfwered, that they were vnderthc Aular.fahnina vifwnfeeththem'vn. der the Aaltar.Thzt is,vnder the merciful! proteftio of Chrift in hcaucn,who for them and for vs all/was made-both AulrarjPriciljand Sacrificc.This Aultar 8 thrift, is afterward called the golden Aultarwhich a ***' 'before the throne of God. So then it is cleare, thac the foulcs of the Martyrs were with Chrift in glory.For lota 14, j. he faith to his difcip les: Where I amfhere fballyou be dfo. And in another place he faith: Ifl were lift vp lohn u, J*-from the earth, I will draw almen vnto me, that is, aM belettters. Then it followcth; that the foules of thefe iuft and righteous men were in Patadifc, and in A~ brahams bofomc, which is the very portand haueri offaluatio.For although the perfecuting Emperors, *nd other tyrants of the earth 3 had pow^r to kA th eir bodies, yet had they no power ouer their foulcs, as ■our Lord Iefus affirmeth.. .Andthey crtedmth a. loudvdic;fayiflg:how ting Lord "Veifc io holy and true , doefl thou not iudge and auenge titr bloud on them that dweltvfon the earth ? Here we fee plainly, that the foules of the Martyri -doo very vehemently cry for vengeance vpon th'cfc -crucll cyrants which ihcad their bloud. Moreouer, xhey cry for it fpecdily,andfcemc to be impatient of

delay.

i

i

!

AnExfoption •vfonthe RtucUfion. gy

delay. But it is to be obfctu'ed,that they doo hot this in any hatred, orpriuate defirc ofreiienge,in refpect of any wrong or cruelty ftewed to thcmibuc in a very loue and burning zcaleofthe Kihgdomc & glory of Chrift, and whatfoeucrdefire they hane, iris! wholy to that cnd.Whcrcforcthey arehere vndcra figure brought in crying for vengeanc, rather to cx-prclTc what iudgrrient of God tarricth for the cruell pcrfecutors, then to fliew what mindc they beare to-wards them. Foritis indeedc their caufcthatcryeth; forvengcance; And as Abels bloud: fo their bloud: crycth aloud in the tares of the Lord ofHoaftcs for

rcuerigc.

- Morcoueri we may not imagine or gather out of this lo\id Crying of rherMkt*y.rs in heaucn, that they^ hauc any difturbancc, ifrfp-ATience, difquietnciTc, or-anydifeohtentmcrit there. But this they do inafer-uenc deureof that fulnefle of glory which they aflu-rediy hope for- andfoofcefor in co'nfummation ofalli th mges, when both then? foulcs and bodies' ihill bee: Htyttcd together. : ' :■'•;. ,,,,

Jndlo»gwhiterobesJPtregiitenvnt&ejurieone ; 4»i*«fc n it -wasfudynto the, that they.fhouldreftforktittle-je*fbn&ntUtheirfeK<mferiunh&their brethren Tfhichfholdbekilled' eutds theytverci^werrftdfiUed.

Thefe white robes dofignifitth'athonour > glory,.. and dignity, whereunio not oiicly the Martyrs, but alfo all other faithrull beleeuers arc aduanced in - the chambers of peace: for fo white robes are to bee vri-derftoad in fundry other-places of this bookc. And 1-3 . the

T.I 1,13,M

58 'AnExpofitienvfentheReutlatien. this doth plainly proue, that the Martyrs were now in glory with Chrift.

.Now as concerning the anfwer to their .complaint and cry.it was this,that they ftiould becontent, and hauc patience for a Hide feafon, (for the tunc remaining, to the end of the world, was but as a day with God, and as a moment in companion of eterniuc) and the rcafon of the delay is yeclded,which is this, diat there were numbers of othcrs,their brethren in the world, which fhould.be martyred and.flame for the truth, as well as they vnder thegreat Antichrilt ofRome, andihe bloody Turke, at and vppon the opening of the fcuech fed. And therefore in confidc-ration that the moft wife Gpd had decreed & fore, determined with himBf<Mtvmoft fecretandhidde counfcll, to bring multitudes of others to glorie by the fame way and means that they themfelucs were brou^hr, that therefore in the meanc time beeing fo, fcorca time, they fhoulde reft fatisfied,and. «tont<fti-ted. An d here by the way, wee fc0 what ftayeth the; commingof Chrift vnto Judgement; namcly.tbw, that the number of his Martyrs and Saintcs, and all - fuch ashehathehofenvato-life, are not yet accom-

WM 4.<rreat.e«rthq**ke,*ndthe Sun V dSMtytk-*t fackcloath ofhdre,andthe Moonewa* Idee bloud. Jndiheftarrtsofheautnfeivnto the etrthyafigge* treextjlethhergreentfigges* when tt»fhake»of*

miofnymnd. . . . • ,

Andhemen^farted^xf^afcrolewhenittsroM,

and euery rmnatMtte and lie wen moucdoHt of their

place. / V P° n

i

'4

3

AnExfoption •vfmtheKeutUiion, fy

Vpon the opening ofthis fixt fca)e,very dolefull Sc fearcfull things which doo follow: As earth-quakes, the darkning of the Sun,the obfenrity of the Moon, the falling of the Starres, the rolling together of the Hcauens,thc remouing of Mountains Sc lies out of their placcs,thc howlings and horrors of Kings.cap. taincs,&: other great potentates of the earth, which all are things very terrible and fearefull to bchold:8c al thefe do represent and figure out vnto vs the moft fearefull tokens of Gods high difpleafarcand moft heauie indignation againft the wicked world. Very, grieuous ch ifigs fell out vpon the open ingof the 2.3 &4.feaJes:but they are far more grieuous which follow vpon the opening of this fixt feale: for this fixt feale containcth an aggrauation and encreafeofall the former itidgmentes. For now after the cry of the Martyrs for vcngeace,Godthcauenger of the bloud of the righteous doth /hew himfclffrom heaucn,and declare his wrath in more fearefull manner then before, eucn to the great aftoniflimet ofal the creaturs in hcauen and earth. So horrible a thing is the fhca. ding of the bloud of the Chrlftians • 'For now we fee plainely, that God heareth the cries of his Martyrs, andcommethas a Giant, or as an armed man, to take vengeance of all thcircnimies. For Pretiousin W-U 16, iy thejight of the lordjs the death of his S dints: and he is much mooned with the cry ofthcir bloud, as hecre we fee. And therefore now threatnefh to hold a gc-nerall Affifes, wherein hee will make inquifition after blood, and arraignc and condemnc all fuch as arcfoundguiltietheteof: according as the perfecu-tijig Emperours and .many others, did finde and

fcele

70 • AnExptJtttoHvfontheReuelttictt. feeleby w'ofull cxperiencc.For if God be angry but a little, who may endure it ?

Now, although the Stories do rcport,thac in thofe daies, which was abouc 300 . ycarcs after Chrift, there were many great and fcarefull Earth-quakes in diuers nations and eittics of che World :yetitis ap, parant, that the Earth-quake here fpoken off,, canat be take literally, nor any of the reft here mentioned, Forthercwasncucrany time, neither is it mentioned in any Chronicle, thatcucr the Sunnc w*s as blackc as feck-cloth of -haire; or the Moonc turned into blood; or the Stars fel fro Hcauen; or the He*. uens rolled together like a fcrole ;or that Mountain! and Hands were mooucd out of their places. Therefore of ncceifity all this muft bee vnderftood metaphorically; that is, that God did in foftrangcand iearcfull a manner manifeft his wrath from Heauen by tumults, commotions, (editions, and alterations of Kingdomes,as if thefe things of the Sun,Moonc, and Starres,had beenc vifibly. reprefented to the cie. An Earth-quake in this booke, and other bookes al-foof the Scriptures, doth by a borrowed fpeechfig. nifie commotions of common-wcalths,troublcs,tu-mults,vprores, 8i great alterations of ftatcs 6c king-doms.Thcdarkning.ofthe fun,Moon, &ftars, and xolling together of the heauen*,do by a metaphor in the (criptureSjfignific the wrath of God; which they, being not able .to endure,arcfaid.hereto blulh at, to coucr thefclucs, to hide thcmfelucSjto be aftiamcd of thcfdus,to remaue out oftheirplaces,no more to do their ofhccs,&c. For as birds do hidetbcrofelucs, Sc thruft their heads into buftieswhen the Eagle com-mcthabroade : AndasaJItheBcaftesofthcforrcii

5

AnExpoJttMvtonthcXeiklAttm. yi

do trembleandcouchin their dens when the Lvon

roreth:And a sth a tfubiedtdochhidehimfdfe,and dare„otfhewhishead,w 1 thwhomctheking J sd 1 f-pleafed ; Sohereinsfaid,thatthewholeearthdoech tremble and a] theccieftul creatures are amazed &: confounded with beholding the angry face of God againft che world.in fo much that they do as it were draw a canopy oner them, hide themfelues vndcra cloud,and furccafe to do their offices. , Thedarkmng of the Sun and Moonc,is taken in this fence in the fecond of/^/,and alfo in thefecond chapter of the A£ts of the Apoftles For there God promifing and foretelling, chat in the laft daieshec wen. d abundantly poure forth of his fpiritvponall fleft (which is to be vnderftood of the plentiful prea-ch.ng of che: Gofpdl in the Apoftles time, and thea-bnndanccofgracethatwasgiuenwiththefame)ad-d C th,thatforthecontemptoffogreatgrace&:mcr-cy,h : wold /hew wonders in heauen aboue, and co-kemm theearth beneath, Bloud and fire, and the vapour offmoake; the Sun lhal be turned into dark-nelie,and the Moon into blond, before that great & notable day of the Lord come. The meaning of the prophet is,asPeteralfodoth expound*, that God from heauen will lhewe fuch apparant nVnes of hvs' Aa% wrath againft the world,that men ftould" be no lene amazed, then if the whole order of nature werein-uercedAnd this was performed, when as che lewes torthecontemptof Chriftcand hisGofpell, were moft miferably deftroyed by theRomans.

Eusn fo htre, vnder the opening ofthe fixt fealc t*od ooeth threaten, that for the murdering of hys

M fonnc

j i An ExpoJitiM vpott the Reuehtitm.

fon Chrift,and his Apoftles, and innumerable chri-ftians, he would bring ftrange iudgements and extraordinary calamities vponthc wotld,accordingas al ftorics do fhc w,that thofc times were ful of blood flicdSjCommotions.faminSjpeflilcncejandmiferics of.-vlliorcs.Iam not ignorant, thatthedarkningof the Sunne and Moonc ,and the falling of the ftarres from hcaucn : arefomctimes in this booke puttc for the obfeurity and corruption ofpurodoctrine,and the falling away of the Pallors of the church from their fincerity and zcalc. Butinthis place the cir-cumftances wil not beire that fence ;Firft, becaulc hercthedarknmgofthcSunandMoonc,&c.isioy-ned with an Earm-quake,thc rollingtogicher ofthe heauens 5 and the mouing of Mountainesand Hands out of their places, which argueth aa;o(l horrible confufion and concuflion of al things.Secondly,be-canfe afterward in the eight chap, he doeth of pur-pole fpeake of the corrupting of pure doclrinc,and the falling away of the Mmifters,refcrring it to that chapter, as his proper place. Thirdly, becaufethc kings and captainesof the earth hecre immediately mentioncdjwould ncucrhatie bin cad into any fuch perplexities and horrours vppon any corruption of dociiineand thcminiftry,ashcrevvcrcadof, Foe comonly men arc not any whit touchedor moued with thar,or fuch like things. Laft of all, becaufe the fcope and drift of the holy ghoftjVndcr'thcopehing of chis fixe feale,is to defcribe corporall,not fpiritu-' all 3 vifiblc, not inui fiblc judgements. For he doth orderlye and of pu„pofe handle them in the nexte chapter..

Now,,

s

If

An'ExfiofitionvpontheReueUtiott: 73

Mow,whereas it is faid in the laft three verfes, that the Kwgs ofthe earth, and the greet men^ andthertch *»en^dthechtefec a ftaines,andthemightyn,en,md, lt 1(f , ^erybo^mm.andeueryfree-man, htdthemfelLm denwd*mo»gfl the rtckestfthe mumtmes^adfiid to tberockes and mountaines fill on w, &c the fence & meaning of al is this, thatthcfeviiibleiudgmcnts ihould be to horibJc andextraordinary,that al forts of men thenJiuing vponthefacc ofthe earth,fhold ■cuenwifh themfclues buried quicke, orthatthcy •might run into a moufc-holc or awgcr-hdle, to hide themfclues from the wrath ofthe Lamb. For being hoth outwardly terrified with thefe fenfiblc Judgements and inwardly griped and tormented with the tiiry of their own confcienccs, they were at nohand ■abi: to endure iu

CHAP, VIL

THis Chapter doom wholy appertain vnto the opening oftlicfixtfcaIe.lt fhewechgenctallye how Godin the midft of all thebroiles which hapned vnder the opening of thefixtefealc, yet dyd prefcrue his church, and mercifully prouideforhis owne people.

^ This feaenth chapter may very fitly bee deuided into three parts.

Firft,it fhewethjthatas God did moftfearefully

punnilh the worlde with vjfible and fencibleiudgc-

ment Sj a s we haue heard before- fonow he wouldfct -

vpon1 them with inuifiblc & fpiritual plagucs^hich

«e of al other moftgrieuous and intollerablc

M 1 Scconti-

■*.*.}> «

V.I 0,11

vetfji

74 AnExpofittenvpontheReuelatioit.

Sccondly.ic fheweth the ftate and condition ofthc

Church miiitanthcrc in carth,as before was /hewed

&c wider the opening of thefift fealc, the Hate of the

Church triumphant in die heauens; namely, that it

is fcalcd and fct in fafcty from all dangers.

Thirdly, itlhcwcththcblcflcdand bappiedbte

&t orall Gods cleft, and their fctucnt prayfes andzca-

lousyvorfhipofGod, who thus mercifully did pro-

uide for their fecurityin rhemidecfr ofsreateft perils

and extremities.

And after that, lf m four Angelsjlandon thefourcorners of the earth holdingthefour winds ofthc earth that the winds (houldnotblm on the earth, neither on thffea, neither on anygreene tree The fc foure angels are angels of darkeneffcor foure d.ucls which is proucd by this rcafon,tbat they hold the foure winds from blowing on the Earth • that is ftoppc the conrfe ofthc Gofpcll, which is a fpirituall plague. ^ -u

They arc faid to ftand vppon thefourc corners of

the earth, because power was giuen them to plague

not Ionic one or two countries, bucthe Vmuer&II

world,both Eafr, Weft,North,and South

. The blowing of the winds, doth vciy fidy rcpre-

S" PrCaCh , i u S ° f , tIlC Gof P cl ' a "d that heauenly mfpirationand breathing ofthcholy Ghoft which goethwithit.Windersfo taken,i, ? . wh ereour Lord lefts faith j The wind bloweth where it Uftetb

j nthc 4 .o[the^dnth e f C vvords^," with

■ ■::<■' : . ' the

!

r

AnExpfitm vfon theRtuelation. y,

the Church craucth theinfpirationof the fpitit, that hermntes may abound: For what can be meant by thefewindes which fhewifheth to blow vpponher garden but the heauenly breathings* of Godsholy fpint^dword.I c followeththeii,thatirthebWv. ingoftheyvindsinthefcnptur s dohgnincthebre a -thmgofGodsgracc,&hoiyf p int,thltthcitop P ing ofthcvvindsbyareafonofthecontraricsdothher? hgnifie the flopping ofthc fame, and the depriuati-on ofal heauenly bleffings.So shat it is cleare,that a IpintuaJ plague is here reprcfentcd.which alfo is the moreapparant,becaufehccre isfuchfpcciall *W^

f«rehadforthechurchesfafety, c hatitm4tnoc be nfeacd with this fpintuall contagion. Now all

th.sdothpja.nlyfore-propheficnotonelythcflop-ping Qi rhe courfc ofthc Gofpell: but euen the vtter

takingofic away from thevvorld,for their great co. tempt thcreof,and the horiblcmurthering and maf-

facnngofahhetrucprofefTorsofit^accordingasit came to pane afterward in the preualling firir of he-rehes,and afterward ofthepopifh and Mahomctifli rcIig.on,as in the two next chapters following foall plainly appeare.. b

And I fix, mother Angeleome vffromthe Eafawhich "&•** mthefedofthelining God t vid he fried with aloud vme to the foure angelsjo whomefewer was <riue» t&hurtthe earth and the Tea,jaying-.: :

Hurtyeemthe earth^eitherfhefea.neithetihetrees,

""wehauefealedthtferuMsofourGODintheir foreheads.

This Angdlislcfus Chrift,who by the Erojphet

Mi J "is.

y6 An Expofitien vpon the Reuelatbn. is called the Angel of the ctuenant. That Angels do reprcfent & fuftaine the perfon of Chrift their head, is fo common and viual a thing in the fcriprurcs 3 that I fhalnotneedio flayinit.

That this Angel isChrift,itdoth plainly appear by the things here arributcd vino him,'which can a-gree to no other.Firft in that he bath the feale of the lining God(«hich is the fpirit ofadoption) to fee vp ■on al the ek£t,ft>r he is the only keeper of this great fcaic,and this priuy fcale. He onely hach authority. to fct it vpon whom Ik wiL

Secondtyjbecaufe hcisfaid/<s>flw« vppefrom the Eaft: that is,he is the onely fonneof rightcouineile which arifeth vpon his Church euery moniing,and wichhisbrightbeames expeliechaldarknes from it. According to that of Zacharias inhis propheticall ion^.ThroghthetenderfnercyofourGodthedayfpring U ''' 7 'jremanhighbtthvifttedvs.

Thirdly, becaufc he hoideth a foueraignty & command ouer the diucls .-for he chargeth them here to ftay-their hands from doing any hurtjtil he had pi collided for his elecl:.

Whcras ius&idjthitpewerwMgiuentothefe diuels ** to hurt the earth /hefta and the trees:dm is,the number ofrcprobatcsjwc may notc 3 that the diuels haue

i obj , no abfolute power,but onely by permiffion: as ap-pcarcthinthis.thatthey coulde neither couch lob, nor enter into the heard offwinc,without licence.

vetfe 3 VV hcreas it is faid,7/7/ vee haue fealedtheferuants

ofourGodin theyrforeheadsjt doth plainly fhew that the punniflimcnts of the wicked arc deferred til pro-uifiori be roadcf or the clc&- Thepudcame mt vpe*

the

'

AnExpofttknvpon the Reflation. yy

the eld world tilNoah and his family vverertctiued tntotheArke. The Angelsdefiroyednot Sodomc M

fZr Mje /J n /a H ^"S^S^gelfparedthe M^rneof^ttdlthepoflesofthejfraelueshoufes wrcfprtnkUdmthtbebloodofthepafchdlLamb.The f'^ngeharefenttodeftroylzrui^m^ch^cdt, jhythe execution till theJemants of God were mtrked E«c.,. tnthtirfore-heads.

AH thefc examples do manifeftly declare what tender care the Lord in al ages hath had ofhis own peo-V' 1 y might bC dc]il,ered and fct in /afctie i* themidlt of al extremities. Euen fo here we fee that God is vcrycarcfull, that his ownechildren might not be inf e&ed with thoic damnable herefies which now ah cady vpon the flopping of the courfe of the Gofpcll beganne to bee hatched, and afterward did fpnng and grow vp in the Church both thickcand three-fold.

And I heard the number of them that were fealed^d' there were felled an hundred forty and'fourc thou. J and ofal the Tribes of the children: Of the Tribe tf/rvafc«. Iudah werefealedtweluethoufand >( jre. Now lohn hearcth the number of them that were fealcd,andhe rcckoncth vp the whole Church milj-tanc confifting both of the Iewcs,, and Gentiles: : Hec faith, that of the church ofthelevves there were fealed 144000. Wherein he puttetha certain number for an vncertaine,anda definite number for an indefinite; for his-meaning is not that there were uiftio many^and neither mocnor Icffefealed : but this number dooctfajarifc of tweluc times tweluc,.

7* An Expojmon vpM the Keuelniton, in that he faith of etury Trtbe twelve thcufande: for twclue times twelue thoufand make a hundred forty and foure thoufond. Neither yet may we thinke, that ofeucry tribe there were an equall number fea-lcd.noc moe nor leue ofone tribe then another, but this number of twelue.is vfed as the perfect and full number ; in as much as ; the Church of the lews was founded vpon die twclue Patriarkcs: vnto which our Sauiour had refpecT:, when for to gather the diC perfed and loft fheepe of the houfc ofz/M^hechofe twelue Apoftlcs.

Now here wc are to obferue, that notwithstanding the horrible perfecutions and calamities which fell out vpon the opening of foure of the feales, yet God had hisChurch men of the I cws,vvhich in the iudgement-of reafon, a man vvoulde haucthought

long erexrowjhad bin vttcriy extinftaiid abolifhed.

But the Apoftlc faith: God hath not cafl off his People •which he had chofen: that is, vtterly can: them off.

Iris therefore a molt fine and certain pofirion in diiiinity,that God hath alwaies his; that is, inala-ges,in al arhcs,inal placcs,in al comrics, cuen in the midft of all troubles and flames ofperfecution, yet God hath hid his U. inuilible Church cuen vpon the

i Ki. i jli t f ace °f the earth. As it was in the daics of Eli as. As was inGhtifts umc,-whznthefl>epheardwasfmit i & the fbeefe fcattered. And as it was in the daies of the great Antichrifr,as afterward vv e fhall fee. Morcoucr, it is to bee obferued, that in the enumc-ration of rite ii. Tribcs,the Tribe of Ban isleft out, and the Tribe of Z«« taken in. Thccaufeof the omiflion and skipping of the Tribe of Ban, was

their

f

AnExpefittan^MtheReuehtim. 79 their connnuaneein Idolatry from thcumeof the Iudges, (ac what erne the firftfcll into it) euenv.fo he capnu.iy.Thtt Tlibcis aIG>omitted n the S£

H» c ^ C rnbesmenn 0 ned I .Chr O n > cha p2 :"t 5,6,7-Thca the reafon of this omiflion, is firft the w vnworthine, And fccondly,that thcr migh beca place and roojnth for the Tribe of** to bccul cn in, whichw tins Catalogue for Angular reafon &"

- t *[ Ze 1 hadde no P ortion ° r inheritance-i. mongjft thcorfia Tribes in theearthly CanL Z

Zll C atA 00 , d bCIng ™ sfc ^nto 0& thh 0 lyGho/tdothcxpreirelyaffirm,thatthcrnbe ofZ««,asweJasothers,hathhispartandpottionii thehcauenl y i„hcntance,andthcceleftiallcjr Jfyf/e^sTMdf, Meagre*multitude ^mmncouldnumhe^falnJon^h^ds wm^andtoongesftoodbeforethethroneMdbe- Vttft * «*•

fdmestn thetr handes,:andthey cryed with a hj e

™icc,/ a .ywg : Sduation connneth of God, &c This is to be vnderftood of rhe Church of the* Gen. tiles and they arefaidto^4« inumerMe multitude ^»*^«^*r//««.For although thechurchof

an handfoll vpon the face of th, earth; yet in ,t fclfc

oTt& 3 Cd 'r 'I VCly ^ and br S C : ** ™™ outofAdamscurfcdrace, God hath chofen manye >.. thoufands to life. And here ftfl we are to obferue the

grcatgoodnesandmerryofGod,matnotwichftan-^ng former perfecutions, and the great hlindncffc

whichafterwarddidinuadctheC&rchinthepre.

N tailing

¥.10,11,1*

8 o An ExpoJit'tM vpo» the ReueUtion.

uailingerrours and heretics :yct Iohnhcareth and fceth fuch an huge number fcaled vppe to faloation through Chrift,both ofrhc Iewcs and Gentiles.

The Church ofthc Gentiles exceeding in number the church of the lcncs,arc hcrcfaidtt hauelong white rebesju token of their purity and innocency; & Palmes in their handsjniignoi their victory oucc the worldjfle(n 3 and the diuell. For palmcs in aunci-cnt time were cntignes and badges ofviftory. . After tliis, is fetdownc how the whole Church of the Gentiles do praife Sc worfliip God frcdyjac-knowledgingialoation tobeonely of him, through Chrift. And all the Angels of heaucn do applaudc, fubfcribc,& fay Amenio tbcfameias we haucheard before in the 4. Chapter-

The 4. bcaftes are here mentioned againc, whereby is meant the Argels, bothbecaufc they arefaidc to hauc vvinges,chap,4. which agrccth to none but Angels, Efa.6, and alio becaufc they are cxprcflTely named & interpretedro be the Cherubins,£i«-,io

If any man mufe why the Angels fliould bee called bcafts, let him berelolued with thclc^. rcilons, Firfl,becaufe they arc compared to beads bcfore,as iheLyon,Calfe^c.Secondly,bccaiiic£z.f^/V/cal-lcd them fo.in as much asthcy draw Gods charryot Zaeli.i,s oftriumph. Thirdly, becaufc the Prophet Zachary compamh them to red,fpcck!ed>and white horfes. Fourthly, becaufc the fame Prophet calleth them Gods coch-horf*es,ar.d the multitudes and focierjes of thcnijhe calleth Gods chariots,whichcanieoutof two moiintain.es of braffe :thatis,thcy wentfoorth ai his dccrcc(w!nch ftandcth as faft and vnmoucable

as

I

£ze:b,i.

JnExfo/itionvponthe Reflation. 81

«amo„ntaineofbraffe)toc 0 mforta. n ddeli U erhi S Church 0 utofthecapti U ityof^;/ W)andaIfoto fiiccour and helpc the remnant which were left bee

.ind chariotJiorfcs arc faide to curie the Alinidinr ^oftfwiftlythroughoutallthewoildAndthette IhiltZ tt, / sf * dc ,°V hcAn 8 cIsi3 *^ -rethey^^o thmhe hea/hran, and returned likelightn^. And ' ?

M'.L? thefc reafons and Scriprurcs then famiic vs touching thivhat th_- Angels arc called bea/ls.

After all tins, one of thez 4 . Elders askcth Iohn what they were Sc from whence they came, which ft * „ werethusaraiedmlongwhiterobes ■ W hi houe- * fhon is aslecdofck Elder, notasbeeing ignoralnt thereof; but to ftirre vp Iohn,bcing ignLlic, to Z a mreofthematter.that he might in/W him therein And therfore when Iohn confeiTed hi, ignorance dc/inng to bee initruitcd therein, the Elder telleth him the whole matter; namely, that they werefrch "WrcomeoutofgreattribKlatro.Ferwne cmenter^ ,«. into life Jut through many affitBions: as the Apoftlc laith A ter this againe,the militant Sc vifible church is delcnbcd and fet fortlyiot according to rbcir prc-icnt fate, butaccording to that which is to come: ^ c for they arc here fpoken of, as if they were alreadye "*' W * w ^e poffeflion of heauen, and that for infallible ccrtamty and aiTurancc thereof. Therfore the Apo, m ^^mWi £ already they dofotogither in heaL. N* ly

lyplaces. And here they are fai J to be in theprefence of the throne ofGod^c.to hunger andthirjl no more>&c *etf.i6,i7. to hauc al teares wiped'from their eies, and to beledby the Lambe vnto the fountawes of lining waters. All which doth very plainly and plentifully cxpreflc that infinite glory and cndlcflc felicity which is prepared for all the true and faithfull v vorfhippcrs ot GOD. IA any good lcftons and obferuations .might bee gathered out of all this.But I do ofpurpofc omit them becaufe in this work I do chiefly and almoft altogether aime at interpretation, therin alfo ftudyingbrc-uityjfoundncs,and plainclte.

CHAP. VTIL

\7 X JEc have heardc out of the fciicnth Chapter * * how the diucls and their inftrumentes, the Romalne Empcrours did flop the courfe of the Gof-pcll Now in this chapter wc arc to heare the vvoful effe£tscfthefloppingthercof,whichwas thefprin-ging vp,and prcuailing of manifold errors and here-fics in the world. So that the principall fcopc & drift of this chapter,!:, to fliew 3 that God for the contempt of his Gofpcll, and great indignities off.'icd to the true profeffors thcrofdid giuc vp the world to blind-nes,to errour,to fuperftition and liercfic: and as the Apoftlc faith : Becnufe they receiuednotthe hue of the truth, therefore Godfent them firong delufions, that .s.The£i. theyfiouldbeleeuelies.For,zs before we hauc hcarde ho.w the world was moftfearefully punnifhed with cxternall plagues and hidgcmcnts.-Sohcrc wcarc to vndcrfland how the fame was puni/hed witii iudge-

ments

AnZxptfttionvpcntheReuchtlo*. g,

menrs fpirituall and internahas formerly hath beenc faidvpon the flopping of thefourc winds For,, thogh that fpirituall plagne was very great y euh e t

hcrefles,wherby a wayandpaflagewas mad bvT greetsirwcre by certaineftaires, forAntichrfftt

dimbevpiutoh^curfedchaire.andtofakepofl^ on thereof; butalfowcare to vnderfl^d off

rytyranieandkingdomeitfdnahdaKneLT

domeoftheTurke 3 andthelafliudgemeut For"£

, ^^^^^'"^vnderrheopeninloftheiuel I fcale,do reach vnto the end of the torE V I

bookfcaledwithfeuenfealscontalSShfSt matters which were tobeteucaldI WhoIC

This chapter containeth foureorinrmaU a-

asitvvere thefoureparts thereof. PP hl " g ^

^condly j0 eforc the execution of thefe mod rv "> 6

Chrifl Iefus ^ Cnj b ^ cr S reacm ^touc

Thirdly,the executibn of this ven«.,„«. l • *

N 3 Jri

.34 ^f £xpo//tiotf vpon the Reuelation.

And when hehad'opened'the jfealejhcrewaffilencein heauenabouebalftanhoure. By hcau.cn in this place hemeanethnotthc king-dome of glory after this lifc-but by heauen is meant the Church here vpon earth: ask is lb taken 3 ihap, i^ver.i.andchap^verf.z. Ihcrcmay be three rcafons yeeldcd,why thechurch is called heauen. t loh. 51 Firft.bccaufc the birth thereof is from heauenj for it is borne of Gad.

Secondly, becaufe the inheritance thcrof is from heauen, and therefore is called the inheritance oftht Col^.n Saints.

Thirdly^becaufe the conuerfat'm thereof'is in hes. PhH.i,to tffff.as the Apoftle faith.

To this may be added, that our Lord Iefus in his

Mob ., ? of P d , dotil fo often cal Ms vifible church the king, dome of heauen by a t rope,becaufe Chiift beginncclx

hisraigneinthefaithfull therein, whomaftcrwardc hctrarfiateth adtualy into the very kingdom of glory. By filence hecre is meant the great attention of Jicchurch.bcaufcgrcatthings were nowin hand, Fornow vpon the openingotthej.fealc/arrc greater matters are thrcatned then any before: & ther-fore the Church doth liften vnto them in deepc filence, & as it wercin horror and trembling throgh umiration :fornow there appearefuch dreadcfull lodgements of God, to betxecuted vpon the earth, thatal the hcaucnly company are aflonifhedanda-mazedto behold it,and doasit were quake &trem. We to thmke vponitFor as when heauy newes com. methdowncfrom the prince, to bee proclaimed in open matkecs,all good fubiefles doeliftcnand giuc

care

AttExpofition vpon the Reuelttion 8f

care with filence and rrerobline ■ fo it fk^h • l-

wherein the mindes of the rodly were ore ™Ia r J

I«kethistobemoftfounde ja ndfi m pi e ^ 0 dTe fta grcemg to all that followed, :fotthenexteVeS

- Thefc feuen Trumpets fignifi^l^ God would* proccedeagamll the world! infcarefull hoftiW

ofdefianccagainftic. And hereupon groweththl filence and trembling in the Church wS h

-en. » • * Chap.i, v

forS ,S ? T" 5 f Le " kc ^that they ftand b e ! nere rne Angels do (Und before God.as readv to a J

mmiflrmg fp, r ,ts,6c here they do found theSl ^hccomandementofCodTheSg^Sp ^ at once topours downe his wrath vpon the rebelli

Whc-

%6 AnExpoJitienvpenthe Seuelatieti.

Whether thefe were good or bad Angels^it is not material to difputc 3 fecing God exceuceth his iud^c-*.Sa,»4,jfi ments boch by the one and the other. °

Morcoucr,it isfpecialiy to be obferucd, that the blowing of thefe fcucn trumpcts.do al belong to the opening of the feuenth feale, and arc as it were the fcucn parts thereof, for the things w hich fal out vp-on die blowing of thefe fcucn trumpets,doe reach c-ucn vnro tiic laft iudgement, as the Angel fweareth, chap.,10,^7. vcrfe i Then anether Angel earner pod before the Altar.hd-u'mg a golden CenJ'or& much odours ivasgiuen -vntt kimfhat hefhoidd offer with the prayers ofallSaintt •vfon the golden Altar, -which is before the throne. We heard beforc,that when the courfc of the GoC-pell was ftopt by the diucll and his inftrumentcs, yet God was very carefull for the fatcty andfcalingvp of his ownc fcruants: fo Iikcwifc wc arc now to hear of the like care and prouidence: for now,that error j and herefies were to be fowne in the world, whereby many were corrupted: and that he himklfc from heauendoothprodaime open enmity againitcthc dcfpifers of his Gofpell,by giuing them vp toblindc-neflc and error; he doth double his care and prouidence to all his faithful] worfluppcrs. For heere wc doplainclyfce, that the Church hath a mediatour, and that he which kecpeth Ifrael, neither llumbrcth nor■flccpcth.And therefore when the wrath of God doth moftofall brcakc forth vpon the world,for the contempt of hisgraces.yet the Church is remembc--. red, and Cet in Mcty, with all her children. For her prayers come vp before God,& ate accepted throgh

the

f

^ZxMtlonvpentheRtHelttin .

mediator. And this is the fenrr-on^ j -c" r , ■ ' vcrfe. melcxl(can d drift of this third

By this Angdl is meant Iefus Chrift ,1 a ',', ofchecouenant,aswcc hate S5 ChcA "S cI1 notanAngdibynature.butoffil ^ wh ° is

chdburncfwect ?ncS£ '!"^ t/le ^rt

%-themcS n o?cS t w\° fd f** 1 «s ofthcSaint, a r C acc C pTcd Wk ° m ^W

was offered at the aLTu" 1 "'* inc ™&

odours with the which the pZcTof^t^ come before God, but the m Jr , Sa,ntcs

odours, which ffl^Sfc^^ v P before God out of theAunSjfht^TT? 1 fivcet incenfeof Chrifts meffi Zhl ? ^ Payersarefpicedandperfumed th,S W,Ch L 0l,r

ra^c them as fweeteinrrnr,/ m , their prayers,

throughcS?^ ^cpcabJeto GOD

Which ftould beS^n l! J il0 r? ^^ tro »W«

«"wsy as in.tnc next chapter

W£

"=88 AnexpoJhfoHvfiOHtheReuthtiffn.

■wee {hall fee, the cleft haue their prayers heard for

their prefcruation by the merits ot Chrift.

We j. - And the Angelltooke the Cenfor, and filled itrvith the fire of the Anltarjtndctjl it into the earth,& there were voices, and thunfoings, and lightmnges y and earthquakes.

Here we fee how Icfus Chrift takcth the Cerrfor and fillcth it with the fire ofthc Aultar; that is, the graces andgiftcs ofthe fpirit: for fo the fire ofthc Aultar is taken in Efoy.

In this feiifc it is faid, that our Lord Iefus ihouid baptize with fire and the holy Ghoffcthat is,the gifts and graces ofthe holy Ghoft. In this fenfe alfo the holy Ghoft did reft vppon the Difciples, in the Iike-ncfle of cloucn tongues like fire, wherevpon they were all filled with gifts and graces.

The holy Ghoft is compared to fire, bcc'aufc hec bweneth out our droflc, purgcth the heartes ofthc :• faitbfiill,and fetteththem on fire with the burning Jouc and zealc of Gods glory. So then itfollowcth, that as before there was prouifion had for the fafcty ofthe church,by her Mediator: fo heetc many hca-ucnly gifts and graces are beftowed vppon her. For Chrift caftcth this fire ofthc Aultar vpon the earth; that is, vpon his dwelling in the earth.

Hcrevpon it is (aid,that there were voices & thun* drings, Sec. thatis.allmanncrof broylcs, tumults, >prores, ilaughtcrs, Sc diui/iom. For after the Got pell was founded forth in .the Church by the power ofthe holy Ghoft, the diucll is difturbed, and the world mokfted. And hence fpringall thcfebroilcs

and

I

mm at variance amnfihis£tul V ° rd >f" d L t0 M'*.

of»«%«m«a bee expounded .wffic*tS 0^ of

tj o An expofition vpon the Keuclation,

ofmen For it is faid, that allthefe being mingled together were cttjl vpo the earth: that is,the inhabitants of the earth, and the thirdpart of the trees, that is, numbers of men, or a very great patt of the world was corrupted. For trees in the fcripture fignific me, sn»y. 4°- and aUgreentgrafJc wits burnt:th&i is, the frefh fruits of grace did wither apace and dry vp: for as errour andhereficdidprcuaile, fo truth and godlineffedid decay. All this hath relation to the hcrcfics oiSabel-tiuSyMMtheut, Mauion, Fotihus, Paulus Sarriojite-nus, Ncjlortus, Nottatus, Diodoruf, Apollinaris^ tela. gins, and many others, which about :this time, bce-- . . ingfoiirc hundcred ycares after Chrilt, bcganiic to (pring vp and grow apace.

An'dthefecond Ange/l blew the Trumpet, and as it were a great Mountaine burning with fire was caji into the Sea, and the third part of the Sea became bloud t &c. '

Vponthe blbwingofthefccond Trumpetby the fccondAngcll,heercappearctha great Mountaine burning with fire. Whereby is meant fomc great and'noul)leherefies,asthatof Arritu, whichtrou-bled and wafted the Church, for the fpacc of three hundred years, being greatly fauored offundry Em-perours,and other grcat'Potentates in the Earth,by means wheiof, it continued and ouerfprcad fo long. Alfo this may be referred toother great and notable A'rch'-hcrefies: as that of Donates, Maeedonius,Eu-tiches, Valentiniu, and fuch like: which all arc heerc compared to a Mountaine for their hugcriefle and

grcat-

AnExpoftunvpentheReucLthn. n

greatneffcandtodburningmountam^becaufethe

Churchwasalmoftburntvp therby. Forthi word

Mountain yslomeumes in the fcripture put for an y

1« or hinderanceto tn,eReligion, as terror and

hcrefic. Zach. 4,7, Luke3,5°

Therefore it is faid, that it was caflinto the fykfar

is, thefe great herefies were cart vpon the VttXn

Gods wrath* heauy indignation: for the fea is put

fo the Worlde: Chapter 4. Verier Chapter:,

iL f f ^T "• Vcrfe X - f ° r aS the S <* " ™ of Rocks, fands, hrrs, wanes, rtormes, and tempeftes ■

foitfaretli with this prefentcuill world

Moreouer it is faid, that the thirdpart ofthc So.

becamebloudahat^all^^orfome great pare of theworldwas corrupted and infixed with thefe greathcrefies Andhefaithin the next verfe, that

number of Marnners and ftip-maifters, as well" land-men were mfefted with thefe hctenes,and died ofthem,andinthem.

rhenthethirdAngeUMewtheT.mmpet,and there fell y^ x «

'greatJarfronheauex, Urningkeatorchjdt ■ ffmtotheshrdpartofthe Riuers, and into the fountames of Waters.

^Stars in this booke^repur for the Mimfters ofthc Colpell, as we ha„e heard out of the firft Chapter and the reafon why. Then it followetfv that the fal! lmg of this ftar from hea U en,doth moft fitly fiVnifie andfetforththedcclihing.a D dfa]l of the PaHors of tnechurch;&; their corrupting of the true dodtrinc:

Vtffin

92 ■finE>!f0fttonvfonthelieuelaii$n.

which is meant by the frefh Riucrs, and pure Foun-taines into which it fell. This rtar hath his name of the cleft: for it is cald Wormcwcod : becaufc through thcfalj of it, the fwect waters into which it fell, were •'*—^d into bitterncfle,&: men diedofthem: that is, 'irin was corrupted, which turned to the dc-?ofmany.

^tk\.Angc(lblewthcTrumpet,&thcthirdp*rt oftheSurmewasfmitttn, and the third fart of the Mtone, and the third part ofthejlarresjo that the third'fartofthem was darkrKd,&c.

Thisdarkningofthe Sunne, Moone, and/hires,' dothugmfic that great darknes which was broueht vppon the Church by fuch teachers as didda.dy morcand more degenerate.

Three things are generally to beobfcruedinthc blowing of thefc firft fourc trumpets.

Firft, that theplagues here mentioned, arc fpeci. ally to be vnderftood offpirituall plagues.

Secondly,that there is a progrcflion frorolcflcrto greater in thefc plagues.

Thirdly, that in cuery one there is mentioned but a third part deftroyed; which plaincly fheweth that although the Church was greatly annoyed and pert-red with thefc errors and hercfics, yet it was not dc. Itroycd and brought to vtter dcfolution: for the full Jetting V pof Amichrift was notyetcoine. All thefe frrorsandhcrefies which were thus cart v PP on die world, anddid fpring and crow apace in all places, did (as it were) rrukc way for Antichrift, and (as it

were

AtExfeJStiwvpmtheReueiduon; 9%

wereftirrops) heft and help him vp i„ to his air J

BytheftoriesoftheChurch, and courfe oftim«

SfiSS* ^ tth ^y Ghoftpointethatthofen,": iifoldhcrcfies which iprung vp in the Church after thefirftthree hunderedyeares, efpecially after ihc d «;ho^^che great, who procured peace o he Church deftroyed Idolatry/and fet vLme religion inhisdaies. F

Now, after his raigne, and the ratgnc aSTheodoff-K that good Emperour, Conjiantiiu, Ittlian^Arca-^J^w™,andmanyother wicked Empcrours fucceeded . by whofe means all things in the church grew worfe and worfe; yet this one thing is to bee obfcmed,thataU truth of religion was not vttS cxtrnft and put out, till the full loofing of &uhan Which was a thousand years after Chn#,as we (hall pJamely fee when wee come to the zo.chapter con caning the binding of Sathan for a thoufand years* l-orforctisjthat ihemainc principles and grounds* Of Kchgion, continued in the Church till this full ioofmg of Sathan; which was about the time ofSiI-uejterthz fecond, that monfter,as afterward we m neare.

B:it now in the meanc rime, we fee what herefics iprung vppc, what corruption grew and encreafed moreand more, what darknes began to ouerfpread a third part of the world:Sc thefc things gr tV v vvorfc and worfe, cuen vntill by thefc means, thc-great An nchrift came to bcepoiTdTed of his curfedfeate and aca of Rome, which was about fomc 600. yearcs after Chrift, . - -- t

And

?4 An£.xt»Jm<mvftntbtRMlimon t

Verfe r j Andlbebeld, and heard one Angellflying in the midft of heauen, faying with a loud voice: Woe,woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, becaufe ofthef'oundes to come of the three Angels which were yet to blow the trumpets.

Becaufe the Judgments which were to be executed hereafter, vpon the blowing of the next three trumpets, were farrc more drcadfull and horrible then any that were before, therefore hecreisa fpeeiaH Aungell or Meflfenger of God, fent ofpurpofc to giue warning thereof, and to proclaime openly in the Churclyhrecfcarfull woes,whichfliould come vpon the inhabitants of the earth; that is,all earthly minded men, as worldlings, Papifts,8c Athiefts, at fuch time as the next three Angels ftiould blowc the trumpets.

The firft of thefe three great woes, is to bee yrn derftoodofthePapacie.Thc fecondofTurcifrac. The third of thelaft iudgment As ifhe (hould hauc faid: Woe vnto the World, becaufe ofPoperye, Woe vnto the world becaufe ofTurcifme. W oc vnto the world becaufe of thelaft iudgment. Woe vnto the World for Popery, becaufe thereby men ihould bepunilhed in their foules. Woe vnto the world for Turcifme, becaufe thereby thoufandes fliould be murthercd in their bodies by the Turkifh atmics. Woe vnto th: World ,bccaufe of the laft iudgment/orthereby ;,11 worldlings ftouldbeplar gucd both in body & foule in hel fire,for euermore. Sith then thefe three laft plagues which were to

come

A ^MoH^ onthtReueUti

«fentofpu y rp 0 ca?pec ^(F*** 1 * 00 * 1 ** fence thereof, that euerli 8 ^ *° ^ intcJli "

CHAP. ix.

THeprincipaU f cope and drift of thk rh „ • J to paint outborhthr P™ J l Chapter,« >Ifo thi^ngdornc oft T^Tt^^ * imcs For luuin^l^VJI V " rJcc ' and h « crucll Ar-

c«cfed.ch a ire by the D rSl? P l ° dm * e *P '™o his commcth to dclrrihr rU n . &" oran ce : nowhe

of all Churfi "^ ° f * me > thc h ™ d

^arlstheS rm f ^ fi ^beda,idedi„to In tanfc RS? " allu t L defai P«5ofthe Pope S

■ . enpaonbf ^JCmgd ome ,f thcTurkCjand

P his

the fiift . vcr.u.

•9& JnExpofitimvpoHthcReudatien,

his moftfauage armies : fo that this chapters afiifl opening ohhefirft two great woes mentioned be.

«a , Tj <f n " tnui S ch f Pa P a cy, and Turcifinc.

.cfe u AnAtkcfift Angel blew the trun^ andlJh* A jl„

^Hellfromhemen.mitohim^giumthikn of the bottomleflept. J

Warning was giucn before, that when this fift An. gellfiiould blow the Trumpet, a moftfearefi.il woe

ftouldcorncvpon the world/urpaffing al that went before, which 15 the fctting vppe of Anuchrift in his pndc, thatmanoffin, that fonneof perdition.

The Pope is hecre compared*, a ftaiy as well as other godly Mmifters in this booke.becaulc theBi! ttopsofJtow, atehefirft wcrcgodly and excellent

n 1 en;foramongft t hcfirftth4o4m,thrrfw« fome Martyrs. But«is herefaid, that now this Star wasiallenfrom heauenvnto the earth; that is the B.fhopsoto*,, were greatly degenerated & fallen clcaneawayfrom heaucnlythinges to eatthly: for ^eydcch n edfr 0 m timctonme)& J c d

worf^fofarastobecomcthcgreatAntichrift.

other Paftorsfalhng fromthc tnuh, aswell-asthe Poppas ttB taken inthefbrmercliaprer.andm the 12 chapter.vc r fe 4 .1 anfwer, that the arcumfra'nees ^llnotherebeareit. Therefore toperfwad*euS

A1 "? an A CO n fclenCC ' th3t Chis m »« *«* be vn! dcrlfood ofthePope in hispride, Jccvsgine eaxe to thefcthreercafonsfollowing . 5 CCMCZO

F 1 tiJ,w C aretoconfider,thatrhemain c drift ofth'e holy Ghofl * thf openins of che ^ ^ "J

t»tow»

Chrift. Furttr J a!¥?""' * C com ™«Sof the thmges comS vn,f f Cnt ' 7 C ° ° bfcn,c > tha <

^^o&Tfess ° f thefc -

p«sareas it wcre P arts ja ndT^, e " m,m -^euenvntotLenfofttwSr 0 ?' 0

openinabfthefc ££',„! u ft * fortfl ™d<* the

^trumpS:thcr^T 0 Si^ Uc ? Wl,, g ofan y*

nrftodu, P 4S^^?S fl ^ ,tll,l,abc «^ myfirftreafo TrfoZZ and L fiftt ™"P«:Andthisis

/ Anudinft, was from thc^oo. ycares, 1 l vntiU.

?8 AnExpfitimvpnthtKeuelittim. vntil I th; ^oo. ycarcand fo forward. B at now, im-medially vpon this great cncrcafc of error and dark-ncfle, commeth die defcription of a fpeciall Star fallen from hcauen at this time, which was about 6m ycares after Chrift, a nd thcrforc itmuft needs be vril dcrftoodofthc Pope. And this is myfecondreafon.

My third and bit rcafon is drawne from the defection of the Pope and his Cleargy in the firft eleven verfes of this chapter. For heis fo liucly defcri-bed and painted out in particulars, that all men that know him, or cucr heard of him, mult ncedes fay k is he For this defection hcrefet downe by the holy vjholt, can fitly agree to none other.

The Papifts thtmfclucs do confcffe.that this ftar here mentioned, muft needs be vnderitood offorne Arch-hereticke. And full wifely forfooth they apply it to Luther and Calnm. But we affirme, that it is to

, Th,r„ r l*} 0 , od ot lhc Po P e : For was che ««ierany

Tl.«i; 3< fuch Arch-hcrctick as tevhfc&appfith-Mdexslteih

btmfelfctgauifitUthat is called God, and again/tall

impcriall powers, as the Apoftlc faith. Btunowlet

vs proceed to die defcription of hrm.

Fitll, he is. faid to hauc the key o f the botroixileffe putc, whichagrccth well to the Pope: for he hath power gmen him to open hell gates, to let in thou-lands thither: but no power to open heaucn gates, to let in any thither: for he furthcrcth. many to Hell none to hcauen. He doth indeedc falfely challenge

vntohimfelfcthekcicsofthckingdomeof hcauen to let in, and tout out at his pleafure. But here wc fee theholy Ghoftdoth attribute no fuch power vnto Jum,.buc onely celkth ys a that his power and iurif.

di&ion

J*Zxp<>!ithn*pnth<fRtudtfa& r m diftioo is in hell and oner helled asfor heauenZ

hath nothing to do.with it. It were ncedleffc to/hew howtWrmmphorof kclesis taken for power and

before Cap. ,. ver. 18. & as ncedlcffe top&uethat

rem, chap, 1j, 7>c hap, 20, i. , ;....; ' r

afcendethvpi nto ,he ayrepwf^lyvpponit^vfo

Zt ,t V W ^ cballls to bevnderftood ofrhacfpiru tualdarkeneffc,.gnorance ) fuperftition,5cldolatry :

AegrcarAntichriftcamc.tothcJpc^cffioc^msciir-tedchaire,andwas in h^prideand height, ruling

SS S ^ rt !: ek i nS \ pfthecarth; linefeed djcfimwasdarkned a n ( ie^I.pfe<i, c ha(;.i S ^he:ligh ti

o^heGofpdlwa-salmolxdeantputout. Portlat ^h.ch.sfpokenhcrcofthedarkningoftheaireand. LI, "'^ St t bc r n ? crft ? t>ddf ' a g r ^er and more ?eneralldarkneffe,thenthatwhich was mentioned

^dwasdarkned .But now that AnticEtut dctn the Churchy all is ouerfprcad withgrofTeand .P^bledarkneffe,aUisasdaLasPitch-n 0 Jni c ^ fec .^ e ¥«^wh.ch wayhcgocth^Eonhe-

'ip9 AriBxfofitioftvftnthcR.euelatioa.

whole aire is filled with this moft odious and thicke finoake, which came out of hell pit. verfc j. And there came out of the fmoakeLocufles vpptn the earthi wtlvMothem watgfuenppwer, as the Scorpions oftheearthhauepowcr* By thefc Locufts, is meant the Popes Cleargy, as Abbots, Munkes^Ftiers, Priefts,Shaucljngs J &: ftich like vcrminc; which ace therefore compared to Locufts';, hctaitfcthey waftc and. deftrby the Church, eiienas Locufts ddhbythe fifuices ofthe earth.i For both Hiftbriographers &c travellers do affirme, that wholefieldes of grecne Corne new comcvp,hauc hcenc .wafted iand eaten. <yp in bne night as.baccis the earth, byifwarqvfs of Lbeufts : iri thq fail-countries ; For in thofc, parts of the worlds multitudes o£ this litle veimine are tbbc found: eucn fo the Pbpilh Cleargy confumcth anddcuoureth all grcene things inthc.Chiirch. . . m: .-, .-.''■..

Moreouer,it.istobce fibted,thatthefc Lolufts cameoutofthefinoakbfthepic; that is, they were, bred out of it: for Monkes,Fries,Priefts,& fuch like Caterpillers, were bred of ignorance, error, herefie, fupcrftition,8cthc very finoake of hell: for from hell they came J &: to hdl theywill.Thcy arc difccnded.ofi the black hbufe of hell, and thither they will returnc. Moreouer, it is faid, that power was giucn them to itinglike Scorpions.For whom haueihey notftung with'their moft Venenious Sings' I mean-their dam. nablc errors,and diuelifh dcuiccs.Whom hauethey not wounded with their corrupt do&rinc, Sidiuel-lifti auchority?They are the forcft foule-ftingers that cucr the .\yorldchad, who .haucjkft tUcij venimous

flings

An txpofttion vpMtheReuetaiionl ioi

flings in the foules of thoufand thoutandes, wherewith they harte becMe pbifoned and ftung. to death.

Audit n>as commanded them,that theyJhould not hurt v «fe ♦ thegraff'e of the earth, neither any grcene things nei~ ther any tree, but ovely thofe which haite net thefeale cfGod in their foreheads.

It may be demaunded,what became of the Church when as the whole earth was full of thefe crawling arid -flinging Locufts .This queftion is nowherean-fwered : to wit, that thefc Locuftcs are charged and commaunded, that they fhould not hurt any of the ele&:forthis woeandthis plague,extendcthno further then to the inhabitants of theearth, as wehauc heardbefore.Theitp^weriHlimiDsdlonelytothere->robate,the'y haue nothing to'do" with Odds chofen )cople.Andhercagainewefeewhat great care God lathfor bis inithe middeftofthegfeatcft dangcrs,as lath bcene twacchotedhcforeichap.7:diap. 8. For. now>Antichrift raigaingaaliis &&pnb^tt,hi&t:\c8t. arcpreferucdin rKe.midftb£the{e Scttrpion-lbcufis^ flying aboift-thcmcares lifcefwarmesof Hbrnets,not one of them is ftung to deaths Chrifts htde iiockc is alwaiesdriended* andfcrinfafer)& . And to thsm\ was commattded^hattJj'syfbimldrJot hurt v * rf * 1

themJiutthut'theyfbouldhe bexedfiuemonthes, and

that their paine (bouldbe -js-thejuin thai cemmeth of

■tScerpiopwhenhehathjiungaman.

-Sorneiwrite^triatfuchas are ftung ofafcorpion, do dot die fbrthwith,.biithaue'»lihgring pamc.vvhcr-yyitlb they are mifciably vexed three or fqure dayes

'"."•"•;" """ "' befoit

X»i AnExfoJttUft vfwthe Retulathn.

before they dicofit.NoWijyntothisIingring painc is th&fpiritual flinging compared;for theft I&cufls arc commanded of God,that'they fliould not kil the >ery reprobates outright^and at oncc,but torment them with a lingring death for the fpa ce of fi uc m o-nethsithat is.joo.years: forfo long did thePapacie continue in his height and pride,itill ftrcngthand vcrtue,and fo long did the Pope & his Clergy fting meivwithlingringandfcorpion-likepaine. vcrfe S Therefore in thtfedates(hallmen feeke death, and (ball . imtfindeit^andjhill defoeleJie,andJfatbjhallfiye.

This vcrfe doeth (hew, thatallPapiftcs.bcing thus ftung andtorrnentedintheirconlcicnces withlhis lingring paipe afPjapifti do&rin k fhal wifothef clues: out oftbe^<wldiaaiiAtaiied^mckc,tbac they might be rid of cbtirfpmwiallftiagiiig,& hclliih torments whicih they.had intheir conference.. Forthc Popiflv do ftrin hath no fqundcomfort in ir r it leai: tth men. in. dc(peratiDnjin:fiikriesi6ty^on their death-bedsJ F.of alai,wh^'iion^Et can:apqorc diftreffed xon-feiecehaue in Popels pardonsJndulgeioeSjMalTcs Dirges, MetitSyWoxkesyPilgriinagcSjPurgatory, Croflcs, Crucifixes, Agnus de/s 3 and fuchJike trafh and trumpery ?thc(ealas ore too weakejtttaiedyes. }■■■•■■ for any.fptotVladl'":difcaipsA*hcy arc not fofficiehttb. procurepardohatGodihahdforany finnc Alas, the poore blind papifts didknow and feekhatthey werTilcfinners:they.kncvTtheymuftcomctoiudg-nient:tfaeyknewthacthcrewardbfflt>wasdcatri^-vernlicfccond>dci»thi.-£hcyktici*aUthisffijl*eljarrd

therefore Lad horrible convulfions in their cbnfck

enecs

AnExfafition-vfontheReuclation. 103

ences & knew riot how to winde out of the.For the do&rin offreeiuitificatio in die bloud of Chrift,was hid from thc,they knew it not: and therefore al affu-ranceofGods fauor,all peace of confidence, and all ioy in the holy-Ghoft, was vttcrly taken from them, and therefore many of them died in molt defperate and vncomfortable manner. And for this caufc it is here faid, that they fought death, and defired to bee rid outoftheworideonevvayoranother :forator-rnentcd confciencc who can bear ir,it is a kind of hel torment.

And the form of the Locuftswas like vnto herfesf rebated vnto battel^ and on their heads were m it were crownes like •yntogolde, and their faces -were like the r«fe 7. t faces of men.

And they hxdhaire as the haire of women: andtheyr teeth were as the teeth of Lyons. Hitherto we hauc heard of the pettigrcc and poyfo-ncd/tings of thefe vile Locufts,aud how they vexed the inhabitants ofthe earth all the time of the great Antichriit.Now we arc to vndcrftand of their form and likenes: for the fpirit of God, dooth heere paint them out in their colours,thar all men may difcerne them, and beware of chem. Fir/tit is faide that they were like vnto horfes prepared vnto battcll: that is, they were as ftronge and fierce as barred horfes, to rufh and run vpon all fuch as fhoulde but once mute or mutter agamft them, or dicir Authority: Ivlore-oti2r,chey hauc crownes of golde vpon their heads, which fliewcth and iignificth,that they were the conquerors ofthe carth,and Lords of the Worlde, and who but they ? for in thofc daics no man, nay, no

Q_ Lord

f 04 Jin ExpofttUn t>fo» the Reuelation. Lord or Kingjdurft quitch againft a Monke,a Frier, or a piid priclt: for if any did,thcy wcrefure to (mart for it-Thcy had alfo faces like the faces of men; that is, they fee faire faces vppon matters, and pretended great deuotion in religioiijAattering the pcoplc,and making them bclceue that they coulde gitie them pardon of all their finncs,and bring them to heauen, when as in very truth,for their bellies, and forthcyr gainCjthcy did cunningly fmooth with the Nobles, the rich and the migh ty,fetting faire faces vpo their proceedings-,and as S.Peter faixhjThregh couttoufms 2 "'*'* withfuned words ^theymademerchandijeof"memfouls and did clofcly winde rhcmfelues into the heartes of the (imple pcople,by their fawning inilnuations 5 bc-ing in very deede moil notable flatterers and hypo-crite.Tliey had haite,as the haire of women; that is, they were altogether effeminate, being giucn to de-licacie,luft,and wantonnefle; they were drowned in whorcdomc Sc al kind of bcaitlincfTc, being a fhoale of mod filthy villaincs.Tfeeir teeth were as the teeth of Lyons,to catch 8c fiiatcli all that they could come by.Thcydcuourcd.all thefatmorfcls cucry where ; they got the church-linings into their handes: they firftmadc impropriations: they incroached vppon temporal! mens lands :.tfiey fwallovvcd vp-all eucry wh.-rc.Ifwelookevpoiuhc Abbeys, Priories, and Nunneries, wee may eafily iudgewhat teeth they Jiad.Jvlor.eoticrJris faid they had Habbergions,like to Habbcrgions of Itojthat is,they.werefoitrongly urmed with the defence &: countenance ©f the pope, .'that no Ccciilar powet durftonce quitch againft the. Their wings were like the found oi chariots, when '" many

AnEkpofitionvfientheReuelation. ief

manyhorfesrunnevnto battclhthatiswith flutce" ring noifc & terrible chreatnings,thcy flronc to vp holdc their kingdome. Alfo in Churches and Pul-pits,they make a roaring noife, and take on terribly to maintainctheirabhominable Idolatry. They had tailes like vnto fcorpions, and there were (tinges in theirvailes.For withtiieirpoifoned doctrine 8c flinging authority, like adders (k fhakes they flung many to death Moreoucr, power was giucn them to hurt men fiucmoneths, that is, all the time of Anti-chrifts raigne as before hath bin fhewed. They hxue a king ouer the, which is the angel of the lot- vcrf ' fomlejj'epitjvhoje name in Hebrew is Abaddon,W in Greeke he is named A^oWyonjhat isjieflroying. Asthcfoules hauc a king ouer them, which is the Eagle;and thebeafts,thc Lyon;& monal menfomc chiefegouernour, vnderwhofc protection and fub-iccStio tliey liue:fo here thefehellifh Locufts are fayd to haneakingouer them,whichis the AngcIIof the bottomlefle pit: that is,che diucll or the pope,which you will,vndcr wbofe enfigne they fight, and vndcr whole defence they line* Theii kings name in Hebrew is called Ahuddon^wA in Greeke JpoltyonSXhc words are both of one fignification, that is, deftroy-ing-.for both the diucl himfelf,& his vicar the Pope, aredeftroyers and waftersof the church of God. One wo ispajl, and behold yet two woes comt after this.

Wee haue hearde at large what this firft Woe is namely,thcphgucoftbcworlde,bythePopc. - -his Cleargy. Now wee are to heare of the feconcs woe, which is thenioftbugeand murtheringarmye

i o 6 An Exposition vpon the Reuelation. of the Turkes, wherein the thirde pact of men were flain.Some do expound this fecond wo of chc king-dome of Antichrifr,and his armies: but that it is not fo,may appcarc by thefe rcafons following.

Firft, the Angcll denouncing woc,woc,woe, dc-nounccth three leucral wocs,and therefore it is faid -, One we ispajl,andbeholdyet two woes come after this. Itfollowcththcn, thatthisisadifiinciand feucrall woe from the former, and therefore cannoc bec the fame.Secondly,this wo containcth fpccially a bodily flaughtcr of the third part of the world, and of the wicked reprobates: but the firftwoewas fpccially a plague of mens foules,as we hauc hearde, and therefore this cannot be the fame with the firft.

Thirdly,wc arc to vnderftand, rhat this book dc-fcribcthall thegrcateft calamities and plagues that fliould come vpon the world in any age after Chrift, and therforc we may iuftly think that the kingdome of the Turkes is not left out, feeing it was one of the grcatefl plagues that cucr came vpon the world.Bur the kingdome of the Turkes is defcribed in no other part of this Rcuclation,and therefore muft of ncccC-fity be here defcribed.

Then thefixt Angel blew the Trumpat, mdlhenrde *

"'-'J m- -voice from the four corners of the golden Altar which

is before God:

Saying to thefixt Angell which had the trumpet, loofe

the foure Angels which are boundt in the great riuer

Euphrates.

Nowvvcare come to the defcription of the fecond woe,which followeth vpon the blowing of the fixe trumpet,by the fixt Angell. And firft of aUhc&jth;

AnExpsjttiottvpontheReHtlattott. 107 Be heard a voice from the ^.corners ofthegolde Altar By the golden Altar; is meant Chrilt, as before hath bin fhewd with thereafons thereof. From this Altar <.[,,-1, the voice commcth to the Angellwhich blew thefixt trumpet, that wee might knowc it is the voice of the mighty god,&: the commandemcntofourLord Ie-fus.Thc voice commandcth the fixt angel to lofe the 4. Angels which are bound in the great riuer Euphra-Aw.Bythefe foure Angels which arethus boundeat Euphrates, is meant many diucls or Angels of dark-ncs,as we haue heard before,cha,y,ver,i. Their binding fignificth their rcflraint, by which they were held back from doing that mifchiefe which they dc-fired to do. Their loafing, figuifieth that power was giucn them to pcrforme that which they wifhed.

They arc faide to be foure in number, becaufc they fliould raifc an horrible plague in the foure corners of thecarth,both Eaft J Weft,Noith,Sc South. The fence is,that the Diuels haue yet farther and greater fcopc giucn them to plague and deftroy the inhabitants of the earth. Thefe diucls had exceeding great power in the kingdome of Antichrift, but they are vnfatiablc in mifchiefe, and fb after a forte lie ftill bound cillthcy hauc theirdefire. Thcplace where they lie bound:, is Euphrates, wherein is a myflcric : for Euphrates literally taken, is a great Riuer, which •ran fonigh ihz ckicBabilonin Chaldea, thatitwas a mighty defence vnto it, fo that the cittic couidc not be taken ,vntill they that laide fiedge vnto it, cut out trenches, and dcriued die waters another way.Now for the myfterie, it is this: Rome in this booke is cal-kd.Babylon.By a m:taphor,&: after the fame manor,

Q.3 the

to8 M Exptfitioii vfoiihte Rtuelahtt. the great riucr Euphrates,** we fhal fee afterwards, chap ,i£.fignificth the powcr,wealth,and authority, which that citty Rome ,eucn this weftcrne Babel,hitti to defend it fclfc. Then ir followcth,th3t inthis po-wer 3 auihority,and ftrcngth of Rome, the Diuels lie bound, for they waited through the power oi'Rome, to workeyet far greater mifchiefe,and therefore are laid to be bound,fo long as they wer retrained The mifchiefc which they plotted, &purpofcd to bring to pafTe by the authority and power of Rome ,was the hatching and bringing forthof the Mabomctifhrc-ligion,whichinvery deed didfpring from the dark-neffe of Rome,zs lrom his proper rootc and or.ginal caufe.

The diuels did forcfcc 5 that out ofchc fuperfh'tions and Idolatricsof.R«»<r, defendedby their great power and authority 3 Mahometifh religion, might very well be framed, and therefore not beeing content to plague the Weft part of the worldc with Popery and Idolatry, they do greedily defire alfo to plague the E aftpart of the worlde with the falfc religion of Mahomet. They arc not fatisfied with plaguing and poifoning all Europe with abhominablc Idolatries, except alfo they plague and infect all Ajia &c Ajfrica with the Turks moft execrable religion: fo infatiable are the diuels in working mifchicf.N ow in the mean time they thinke themfelues too much ftraightned, bound &c tied vp in Rome,&c Romifh rel!gion,exccpc they may be lofed,and proceed further to ouerfpred the whole worldc with all impieties, and horrible ab-hominations. A man would thinke that when the diuels had prcuailed fo far 3 as to place Autichrift in his

curfed.

AnZxpoftttoHvpw the Revelation, iop curfed chairc,and to breed the fwarmes of Locufts oiitofthefmoakeofhel,fheymighthaucbinfatisfi-cd:forthen,as wefay.helfcemedtobe brokeloofe. But yet al this cannot fatisficthe vnfatiable dhiel?, but they wil hauc the religio of Mahomet eftablifhcd, to poifon and pbgue all the Eaft parts of the worldc in their foules: and alfo they wil haue the moft huge crucl,and fauage armies of the Turkcsiaifcd vp, to murder & maflacrc millions of men in their bodies, in the weft parts of the world, as prefently wccfliall hcare.Now til al this be eftectc d, they are faid to lye bound at Rome . But here we fcc } that this fixt Angcll hathaprccife commandement from Iefus Chrift* to looft thefe diuels which lay bound at the great riucr Euphrates jAnxtbay might plague the whol world far and ncare, at their pleafure .• fo now all the diuels of hcl arc let ]oofc s and let vs hearc what followcth. And the 4. Angels were loofed, which werepteparedat

an houre,at a day,at amonthjndatayearejojlay the verfc '' s '

thirdpartofmep. Now the diuels being loofed and vnbound by fpeci-alcommandementfromChriftjwereinarcadinefie to execute their mifchief.This afcendingby degrees from a ftiort time. vnto longer and longer; From art home to a day, ejrc, doocth figniflc, that as the Diuels were prcft,and at hand at an hourcs warning-, as wee fay to put in praclife whatfocuer they had plottcd:fo they were as forvyard to contiuuethc fame, From an houre to 4 day,from a day to a.month,tmdfrom a. month to ayeare, that is from time to time_,vntiithc date of their commiflion was on t; for their time was limit-ted jand their commiflion bounded,.as aftetwatd we

ftalt

no -dn Exfofititn vfon the ReuelatUd.

fhal fee. And this is our comfort,that both the Papa, cie is limited to fiuc moncthes, and the Turcifrnc to houres, daics, monthes, and ycares-The diuels power is limited,thogh it gricucth them ful (ore.They cannot do what they liftc: they cannot continue as

long as they would.

After the number of horfemen of wane were twentit

vofc i<s thoufand times ten thoufandjor Iheardthe number efthem. Now,*pon the loofingofthefe diuels, here follow-cth the defcription of a moft horrible plague vvhick they railed vp • and it is ahuge army, a murtheringe army, an army in number exceeding great: forhee faith. They were twenty thoufand times ten thoufand; thatisjtwo hundred millions,or two hundred thousand thonfands-But wc may not think that this Army was cuer all at one timc,or in any one Age, but hcreare the armies of many ages rcckened vp, and the full plague of many yearcs let forth. How could Saint Iohn number fuch an armyc, may fome Man fay? He anfwereth this doub t,and faith, He heard the *«Hz£fr0/*/kw.Heedidnotnumbcrthcm : butthe numbcrwas told him.

Morcouer, it is to be noted, that as this army did •exceed in numbctjfo alfo in terror and ftrcngth.and therefore they arc faid to be all horfemen. For an army ofhorfemen are both more ftrong and more ter-liblc,then any army of footcmen. And thus If aw the horfes in a vifion,and them that fat vtrfcI7 9nthemhauingfitryHabbergeons,andoflacinth,and of brimftone,and the heads of the horfeswere <tf the heads of Lyons,and out of their mouths went forth fire andJmoke,andbnmftcne. Hccre

AnExfefitionvfontheReuelathn. rii

Hccte is the de cription of the horfemen and horfes, as they appeared to Iohri in a vifion. Firrt, couching the Horfemen, it is faidc that they were very well armed with H*bbirgionsy.hi& is, coacs of Mailc, Corfelets, or Curets, and thatofafiery colour, and of the colour of/acinth;tlnt is,of fmoak, a s appcareth in thelaftclaufe of this verfe, and alfo of the colour of Brimftone. For as horfeme in compleate armor were wont to wearcin their breafr-pJates and targets cer-taine enfigncs and colours, whereby they might be made terrible to their enimics : So thefeTurki/h warriours Sc horfemen do hold out their colours of fire,fmoak,& Brimftone, as it were flags ofdefiance againft the whole world, threatning prefent death to all that ftiold withftand them; or as if they meant to (pet fireandfiame at them,or tochoakthem with fmoak and brimftone, and then burnc them vp with fire and brimftone. All this their colours 8c enfignes in their breaft-plates and Habbergions did portend. Now, as concerning their Horfes, no doubt they were as fiere as the horfeme.They were great Lances, they had heads like Lyons; that is,thcy were full of ftomack and fierceneffe, and out of their mouthet went'forth fire ,tndfmoak .andbrimftone; that is,they had the fame colours and enfignes vpon them that their riders had.

Of theftthree was the third part of men killed, that is, Vak l% of the fire > and of the fmoake, and of the Brimftone whichtame out of their mouthes. Hcreisfetdowncthe great /laughters and mafla-

f res which th;fc martial horfeme &c Turkifh armies R made

M2 jitexpoJttionvpontbeReueUtio*. made throughout the mod partof Europe. For hee faith: the thirdpartofmen, chat is,great numbers in Europe were /lain by the fire, thefmoake^nd the brim-Jlo»e,which came out of their mouths: that is, by their bloudy cruelty, Sc barbarous immanicy,fomc being murthcrcd in their bodies by ci'ticll death, Sc others violently drawn to the wicked religion otMakomet. For partly by cxtcrnall violcncc,and partly by a fub-tillflicw of Religion and dcuotion, they deftroyed dioufands both in their foulcs and bodies. And thcr-fore it is faid, Their power is in their meuthes, and in Vwfe ij». their tailcs- For their tailes were like vnto Serpents, and had heads wherewith they hurt.But for the better vnderflanding of thefe things, I thinke it not a-miffc a little to open and lay forth the rifing vp, and encrcfing of the power of the Turke.

About the ycareof our Lord, 591. was Mahomet borne in a ccrtaine village of Arabia, called Itrarix, fotfoHiftoriesdo report. This Mahomet by frandc andcoufanage, grew into great credit and fame a-monge thefeditious Arabians and Egyptians, m fo much that they made him a captainc oucrthem, to warre againft the Pcrfians.

After this, hee married a rich W ife, and by that meancs he wonne the hcartes of many with gifts.Ih the daies of Her actios the Emperour, which was in the year of our Lord 623. he grew to be very mighty. After this, hee faigncd himfelfe to be a Prophet, and faid, thai he had virions and reflations, Sc talked with Angels. And fo by the helpc odScrgtut a Monke, he framed a new worfhip'and religion, patched partly out of the olde Teftatncnt, partly ftom

the

AnExftfiioHvpnthc Rendition. tij

the Papifts, and partly from the Heathen. Heraig-ned nine yeares, artdxib dyed.

After him, (iiccecded in the kingdome of th: Saracens Ebitbezer^who raigned twoycares. Haumar, who raigned twelue yeares. touhanias who raigned 24 yeares.Allrhefcmadegrcatwar againft the Pcrfians, and fundry other nations, &c ouercamc rhem, and fetvp the religion of Mahomet amongft them, • and fo the kingdome of the Saracens grew mighty :-but in proccflc of time the kingdome of the Turkes grew great.and the kingdome of the Sarazcns diminished. Within a fliort timeaftcrthis, theTartari. ans, a Barbarous, people, waxed ftrong, and made war againft the Turkes, and prcuailcd greatly for a time. But about the year of our Lord 1300. the Empire of the Tartanans was ouerthrowne, and the Empire of the Turks did flouri/h more then cucr before : For now come the greatcft monftcrs, St moft fauage and cruel tyrants of all.Thc firft of them was Ottomams. The CccondBaiazethes. The third Amu-rathes. Thcfc made bloudy warres againft the Christians -, I mcane the Papifts in Europe,and enlarged the Turkes dominions very far.

They did from time to time fo cruelly murthcr and maflacrc the inhabitants of the weft, with their huge and bloudy armies, that at laft both the Pope, the Empcrour,the King of/fcwjvo^thcKino- 0 ip 0 . lenia, the King of Fraunce, the Duke of Burgundy, and the Duke oifenice, Sc almoft all the Potentates in£urope,did ioyne together to make warre againft *heTurkes,and didleuic hugcarmics,but yet could Jiot preuaile:fo ftrong were the Turkcs:fo huge and 1 J8. 2 dread-

H4 AnexpoftionvpontheReuelation.

dreadfrill were their armies.Theawc fee that verified which here was foretold, tifawhtc, that the mon-(Irous armies of the Turkes, with their horfes and horf men,fiouldfay the third part of men .-that is, thel-dolaccrs in Europe by heaps and infinit numbers. To fee downe the particular battailes betwixt the Turks and the Chriftians in Europe^ their horrible blond fhcaddings,would require a volume: buc this which I haue bnc'fely fee dome, may feme to giuc fome licrht vnto it, and may fuffice for the vndcrftanding of this text. Now, it is faidc in the nextverie, that notwithftanding this hcauy had of God which was vpon the Papifts in Europe, and thefe fcarfull Judgments and maffacers, they repented not of their I-dolatrics, but waxed worfe and worfc: for no iudg-mentes, no plagues can make the wicked any whit thebctccr,.as we fee in the examples of Phoroahand Vctfc io. Saule . Andhccrc it is faidc, that the remnant of menwhich were not killed by thefe plagues, repented not of the works of their hands,that theyfhold not wor-jhip diuels and Idols of gold, andoffiluer, & of brafe, and off one, and of wood, which neither can fee, nor Vcrfcn * heare,nor go. Alfo they repented not of their murthcr, and oj r theirfinery, neitherof theirformation,™of their theft. And thus we fee how the Diuels which were bound at Euphrates, being let loofc vpponthe worid, in the wrath andiuft Judgement of God, did icarcfully plague both the Turkes in their foulcs* SC the Papifts in the irbodies. The onewith falfc rcli-gion.thc other with bloody fwords: and fo was the defire of the diuels fully fati'sficd.

CHAP.

AnExpojttmvptntkeMtitelatw*. n 5

CHAP. X.

H Auing opened and expounded the two firft woes which fell out v po the blowing of the fift and fixt trumpet, containing the two great plagues, of Popery and Turkiime,wherewith the world was pimiihed many hundred ycares: now in this Chapter we are to heare of good newes, and great comfort, after fo muchibrrow. For heerc Ieftis Chrift commcth doyvne from hcauen to dcliucr his poof e afflicted Church,.and to be reuenged of all his cruel enimics.Fornow before the j.andlaft woe,contai, niiig the greatefi: plague, of alvpon the world,wbich is,the laft judgement i wherein thewicked fliailbee tormented in hel fire for euer,both in"body & foule,, I fay,bcforc the blowing of the 7.trumpet 3 by the fe-ucnth angel, of which we ftialhcar in the next chapter Now in the meanc time is /hewed in this chap, tci'jwhat care God had for his little flockc,which rib doubt were hid in thofe daies, and did not appeare, and yet were fcattercd in corners, euen in the mid-deft of the darkenefle of Popery, and the rnoft furious Sc hclliih rage of the Turkifh armies. And thcr-fore the principall fcope and drift of this chapter, is tofhevvchovvthe Gofoell ihould bee preached in many kingdomes,now after this gcnerall darknefic,. for the diftouering and oucrthrow, both hfPopory andTurkifme,and tofhevv what Ihould fall out in the church now in the middle ume,beforc the 7. & laft trumpet blow- for then commcth the laft iudg-rae'nt^s the angel fyyearcth in this.chaptet,ver. 6,7. ' ■ :. R3 " This

vetfe • vcifet

V«fe(S.7-

ivS Anttpojitiofi'vpenihe Betulatk*.

This Chapter doothcontainefoure ptincipall

partes.

Thcfirftis a description of Chrift and his glory,

Thcfecondfhcwcth how the Gofpell fhould bcc preached in many nations and Kingdomes, by the Miniftersofthis fall age, whereby all aducrfaricpower lhould be oucrthrowne.

The third is a watch-word, giucn to the world by Chrift, that when the feuonrh Angell fhould blowe the trumpet, the world fhould end.

The lad doth fhew, how all faitbrull Preachers be-,,,„■„ ing called and authorized by Chrift, fhould trauell &: take pains in theftudy of Gods booke, and afterward fhould publifh cbe'knowlcdge thcrof farre and

neare. v

And Ifaw another mighty Angel come dewnfrom hen. uen, cloathed with a cloud, & the Run-bow vpon hit head, andbisfacexsasasth efume.andhisfeetASpiU larsofbrajje.

This Angell of might is chrift, as appcarcth by the defcription of him, &. by al the confequents follow-ing:for he is faid to be clothed with a cloud >hich fig-nificth his great glory and maicfiy: fothejhallcome in the clouds ofheauen toiudve theworld : that is,with great porhpe and glory. The Rain-bow Tt>as vpon hit heady which fignificth thc-coucnat of peace with his church,asbcfore,chap.4 J 3-« ; j/i<r<ru'^-«i-^J*»»<f, which fignificth comfort and deliuerance to his church, 5c the difpclling of all the fmoak of thebot-tomlcfTcpit,as cheSunfcattereth and driueth away

thcthickemifts.

Jfisfeet are ^pillars of brafemhichfigaiiic^thathc

fhould

Vtrfei.

Mith.14.

AnExpoJit/tjt^vpM the Reuelation, 117

fhould tread downc all his enemies vnder his feete, both pope andTurkc -.for heemujlraignetiihe. ham i.Cor.iy. destroyed them all. The Pope a long time kept al the kings of Europe in awe: The Locufts were of great powcr.ThcTurks preuailcd exceedingly. But what are they all to this mighty St glorious Angel Chrift? What is their power to wirhftand him > What can Abaddon the king of the Locuftesdoc againft this mighty king ofSioni What can the Turks moft terrible horfes and Horfe-men doe againft this Angell which fitteth vpon die white horfe i Alas, alas, they are able to do nothing. Theymuftall bectrodden downevnderhis feet ofbraffe. And he hid in his hand a little booke open, andheeput y „Ct%

his rightfoote 'vppon thefea 7 and hislefu vppon the

earth. This little booke fignificth the Bible.

It is called little, in refpeft of the great and huge volumes of PopifhBookcs, thoughinitfelfe it bee Urge.

It is (aide to bee open,' that all incn might -lookc into it, becaufe it had becne fhut a long time before, euen during all the time of rhc darkningof the Sun and Ayrc, by the fmoak which came out of the bos tomleik' pitte. But although it was long fhut vp in the time of Poperie, andlaye buried in a ftraunge tongue ; yet now it is opened, and pnblickely preached vnto all the feruantcs of God. And all this no doubt is to be vnderftoodc of Luthers rime, and all the rimes ever fince th: Gbfpcll was fpread abroadc after the great darkeneffe. For fome hundred yeares agoc it was hard cofindc an Englifh Bible: but now

God:

God be thanked, there are thoufandsto befoundin the hands of Gods people And rherforc the things here propheued of>re fulfilled in our daics: for wee liuevnder the opening ofthe fcuenth feale, and the Blowing of chc fixt trumpet, and the powring foorth of the fixt viaUs here doth partly appearc, andfhal God willin g,bc niadc more manifeft when wc come to the \6- Chapter. Now wee arc diligently to ob-ferue, that as the opening of this book,Sd theprea-ching of the gofpell by Luther & his fucceflbrs,hath difperfed the former darkencfle, and beaten downc Popcrie.jfo alio hath it driucnbacketheTurkc,and taken from vs alfeareofhim,, which in fbrmcrages was theterrour ofthe Worlde $for fince men haue lookedintothisboo'cc,repentedofthcir Idolatrie, andturncdvnto God with all their harts, thcTurke and his power hath not bin fcared,efpceialy in theft partes where the Gofpell is preached.

For God in his racrcifuHprouidcncetowarde* hisChurch,hath diuertcd his power another wayi andfct him a woikctlfc : wherc. So thatifmen cannot be brought to beleeue, that God railed him vp as a fcourge for Idolaters, and a plague for Idolatry and other foulefinnes, according tothevvordci in iheformer chap, whercitisfaid, They repented net tftheworks of their hands,drc.yet when they fec,thac atthc opening ofrheBookc of God, and forfaking Idolatry,the f eare: of him is remooued, let them beleeue it.W hat can be moreplainc, then that this o-pen bcokc in the hand of the Angell,hath deliuered vs from the Popc,and from theTurkc-A mod happy opening of this bleffcd booke.

More-

AnExpofttionvpontbeReueiatioK. \i 9 Morconer it is faid, that hepttthts right foot vpon thefeyndhis left on tht earth.Jhc fetting of chrifts right looc vpon the fea, fignificth that he is ruler of the fea,and ftandeth as firmcly vpon the fea.as vpon the land. The fetting of his left foot vpon the earth, doth fignific, that hec is Lord ofthe earth, and true heire to all things in ir.

AadcriedwithaloHdveiee^swhenaLionroareth^ Vcrfc , when he hdderiedfeuenthudersvttered their voices. This crying with a loud voiced ike the roaring ofa Lyon, doth fignific the manifeftation of the wrath of Chrift againft all his enimies: for now he begin, neth to roarc againft them,as a Lyon whe he is hungry, roareth for his prey. Therefore now both the Scorpion, Locufts,and the fierce Horfcs and horfc-men arc like to go to the pot.

By they, thunders which vttercd their voices, is meantthofeperfecl and exquifite Judgments which now were to be infMed both vppon the kingdomc ofthe Pope and the Turkc. Wc haue heard before, • that 7. is a perfect number in this Booke : and that thunder is put for the thundringof Gods wrath,and all fuch broiles and plagues as follow therupon.And this is the reafbn of this interpretation.

And-nhcn thefeuen thunders hud vttered their voices; Veife 4

JviStbouttovi>rite,hutlhearda voicefromheauen^

tying vnto me: Sedevpthofe thinges which thefe-

•uen thundershtuejpoken, andwritc them not.

It fhould fecme thefc fcucn thunders did fo fpcake,

as they might be vndcrftood/or Iohn was about to

write the thinges which they fpakc, thinking that

' S they

Vtrjif

v«r«-«

•?»rt7

ioj An&cpoJtt'mvptntheReuelatim,

they were vttcrcd for that endandpurpofe, that he mould deliuer them in writing to the churches- But he rccciucth a commandement to the contrary, for he is willcd,p.ot to write thcm,but to concealc them vntill the appointed time. But fome man may fay; Why were they vttered> feeing they muft'bc concealed; and kept dole ? I an-fwer, it was not in vaine •• for firft, though the parti, culars be not cxprcfled what the :hnnders fpake:yet here wc arc taught, that there rcmainc moft fcarfull iudgments againftall the opprcflbrs ofthe Church; which Chnft hatli thundered out with terrour a-gainft them. And whe the timedctcrmincd is come, they fhall be fecne and vndcrltood: but in the mean time, they be fealcd vp^and kept clofe according to that of lob: whyfhouldnotthe times be hid ofthe Almighty ,fo as they which know him,fljould notperceiue the times appointed of him ; and that of Darnell: Theft things are fealed <vp -vntillthe time determined.

Andthe Angelltfhich lfatgfiandvp$nthefea/mdvpi on the earth, lift vp his hand to heauen.

Andfivare by him that liuethfor euermorejvkich created heatttn ,<£ the things that therin ar<;& the earth, and the things that therein are; and the fen, and the t hinges that therein are, that timefbould bent more.

But in the dales ofthe voice ofthefeuenth Angel,when hefljallbegin to blew the Trumpet, euenthcmintfir) ofGodfballbeftmfied, at he hath declaredto his Set* nantsthe Prophets. The fumme of ihefc three vcrfei is, that Chrift'gi-

tteth warning ofthe laft Judgment, that men might

^^ptfitimvpentheHeuelatiott. llt awake and Iookc out in time. And becan'emen for themoftpartarccareleffe&fecirre,^/^/^,^ day far from them, as the Prophet fpeaketh . There- Am< " <> l •

forehere.aKiftbindethitwKhafolemneoath.and folcmne gelturcs thereunto annexed, as Was thclif-

tingvpotthchandinauncienttime.Gw.r 4)2i The

A.ng that our Lord IcCus depofeth, isMuimefhaU

be no mere, that .s, Time as it is now, or the flatc of

thmgsas they benowrbut hetellethvs flady,that as tae Angels hauc already blownc their trumpets, fo

^thej.AngeljhiHUbtmjhemyPryofGodfhall befrnfbed-.ihn is, the timeofpunifoing the wicked,

ndravardmg the godly, ftould come, which is therefore; called a ^7^, becanfc the world vnderJ ftandeth it not: They think there is no fuch matter. ;

^P^^ttherisnarewardforthesuS^rpum^^ls.^

ly Ghoft faith: verify there isarewardfortherizhte-™fMbtUfetherctsrt 9 d*hiehiudgeththe e Mk V r, , , nmstheProphett. J

™<gam e ,*xdfaid, Go and take the little book which

"jentnthehandofthe Ange/l, rfhichfiandethvp-

m'the Sea, andvpon the earth r

Silvern vntothe Angell, andfaidvnto lim&uemt

th ^hcokA»ihefaidvnto me ,txkeit,andeatt V ^ t9 wt&dttfrail make thy belly bitter, butitfha/lbec "fttymouthas/weetashony.

UeHltooketheiittle book out ofthe Angels hand, and V „f« „ "teitvp,andjtw<tsinmymouth as fwfete as bom; ■totwftenlhadeatcnrt, my belly was bitter.

-Si Attd

tat

Ycrfe lit

An Expo fit ten vpon the Reuelstien,.' Andhefaidevntome^ Thou muli prophej/eagaine/t-mcrtgtke people, 4tfdnatiffls,atjdt0ngufs,atid ten/any kings. Thebriefcfenfe of thefc foureverfes is, that the Preachers of the Gofpcll being called, allowed, and aurhorifed by Chrift vnto their miniftry,flioiildftu. dy the fcriptures with great diligence,cue vntil they had eaten vp the bookc of God.,&: then they ihould preach 5c publifli vnto all nations &C kingdoms that truth of God,5t doftrincof the Gofpell,which now a long time had lien hid in the raigne of Antichrift. It is to be ob(eiued,that Iohn in this place reprefen-teth the perfo of al the miniftcrs of the gofpel which fhould bee raifed vp in thefc laft daies, for the ouer-throw ofAntichrift, and the rcftauration of true re-Jigion:forIohn himfelfcdid not liue to thefc times. Further, it is to benotcd,that all godly Students-and zealous Minifters docate vp the bookeof God by rcading,itudy,praier,Sc' meditation, &: they find it fweet in their mouth, that is, they finde and feele greatioy and comfort in theftudyand medication: thcreofjCipccially when God reucalt th therby great and hid fecrcts vnto them, & giucth them to vnder-ftand themyftcries of the Goipcll,3c counfels of his will,which arclocked vp from the wife and pradent of this world-.This I fay,is tweeter vnto their mouth : then hony, and the hony combe. Concerning this phrafcofeatingvpthebookejlookcfz/f/i. 2,p,for here the holy Ghoft alludeth thereunto.

This booke being fo fweet in the mouth, yetbe* ing eaten and digefted, is bitter in the belly.

There may be three rcafons yeelded of this bitter-■efle.. Eirfi,

AnExpefitionvponthelteuelatioiZ n$

Firft, becaufe it beirig once takt n downe into our foule by godly meditation, doth mortify our corrupt nature, and bring vnder our Jufts, and therfore feemeth bitter to fleih and bloud.

Secondly, becaufe affli&ions and trials do alwaics neceflarily follow the found digeftion ofthcGof-pell.

Thirdly,bccauic the doctrine of the Gofpell being fwallowed by the miniftcrs therof,muft not be kept to themfelucs,as it were elofed vp in their ftomacks, but they mult out with it againe, asificwercfome loathfome Si. bitter thing, which muft needs be caft vp again. And for this caule it is laid in the laft vcrfe, that t hey muft prephefie agatne among the people ejr va-tfo»s,*ndtongues,& many kings.Now blzKc&hzthc name of the Lord our God, who hath giuen vsto liue in this age, wherein we do with our cics behold and fee the fulfilling of all thefe things: let vs therefore praife God for this great workc which wee fee wrought in our daies,and let vs ftill more and more magnifie this little booke,which will vttcrly deftroy Popery,and bring downe the pround Anuchrift,do; all that fight for him what they can.

CHAP. XI.

WEe hanc heard that the little Booke ihould be opened, and the Gofpell preached and publiihed to many Nations and Kingdomes, after the great darknefle of Popery : and that this was done by Luther ^MelanSton^Caluin^Peter Firet,Peter Atdrtir, Bit/linger, Bucer, and all their faithfull fuc-' S 3 ceflbrs

114 ■** Exp'Jit'm vftn the Rettlttion. ccffors vnto thic day. Now in chis Chapter weare to vnderftand of the effeft & good fucceffe of their prcachingand publifhing the Gofpcll, whichwas, that the Church fliould be reftorcd, tcformedjand built vp thereby, which a long time had becne wafted and opprcfled by the tyrraay of Aatichriftj and that many fhotild imbrace the Gofpcll, forfakc their Idolatrics,and turne to God with all their harts.yca whole nations andkingdomes in Europe fliould be coucrtcd to the faith,as wc fee this day God be prai. fed. So then thcprincipall drift of this Chapter is, to fliew thofe things which yet remainc to bee fulfilled vndcr the blowing of the fixt Trumpet, which is the preaching and preuailing of the Gofpcll, cucn vnto thcworldcscnd: andalfothethingcs which follow vpon the blowing of the feuenth trumpet, which is the rcfurrc&ion and laft iudgment.

This Chapter containeth fixe principall things,a* it were fixeparts therco£

Firft, it Jhcwcth how the true Church fliould be gathered together and buiJtvp by the preaching of the Gofpcll, and all the wicked refilled and caft our, Y«.j. 4,5.6 Secondly, it defcribeth the builders; that is,all the faithful Miniilers which had and fliould refift Anti-chrift:

Thirdly, it fliewcth how Antichrift fliould perfc. cute the Preachersand profeflors of the Gofpcl vnto dcath,andmurthcrchembyhcapes. , Fourthly^ fhewech thac Papifts, Athefts, 8c wicked worldlings,fliould reioyce in the death of Gods people, and not vouchfafe the fo much as the honor of burial), but fendgifts one to another for ioy that.

the/

««. i.»

Vttfc 7, 8

t«rfe j, to

^fnExfcJftimvpMtbeJleuelatim: 115 they wererid out of the earth.Fifdy, it fliewcth that notwithftandmg the rage and fury of the world in *"',' perfecuting them to death, God fliould not only re- * ceiue their foulcs to glory, buralfo raifc vppc others endued with the (ame fpirit, which fhonld preach, profeffe, and witneffe the fame ttuthconftantly and continually, cuen vnto the end of the world.

Laftlyitihcweth, that after the preaching of the v«, 14 Gofpcll fomc good time in this laft age, the feuenth Aungell fliould blow the Trumpet, and the worldc fliould endw

And there veas giuettmt * reed like vnto a rBd,atid the reif « Angelpodhyfaying, Arife&meafurethetempleof Coiandthe aultar^mdthem that worjbip therein. Here Iefus Chnftgiuctha reed vnto lohn like vnta a rod, and thcrvpon hec is commaunded by an An-gcll to goc about the mcafuring of the Temple, the aultar, &c.

By this raeafuring with a reede like a rod, is fignifi. edrhe raftering and building vppeofGodi houfe, which now was greatly ruinated and run into decay through the long pceuailing of Popery. Meafnring-with a recde, is taken for the buildingvppe of Gods' Church, after the decaicdeftate tharcof, bothinf-Uthiell Z/tchary,3cthhPtophe[ic. Iohninthepcr-fons of al faithful Miniftcrs, hath this meafuring rod. giuen hina, becaufe the church was to be reftorcd & builtvpby thcminifters& MiniftryoftheGofrell. The thing to be meafured.isthc Templc,the AuP tar, andthem that worfliip therein. Thisisanallufionto thelcgall worfhip; whereby-curfpirituall worfliippeis reprefented. Forty the

mate—

1.it,

ii£ AnExpofition vpontht Rendition. matcriall Tempcll.is meant the fpiritual Temple.or Clutch of God By the Aul tat offtone.is meant the fpiritual worftiip. By them that worftiip ther in with carnall Sacrifices, is meant all the true members of %hz Church, which worftiip God in fpirit and truth. Now then,both the Church, the true worftiip and worftiippcrs, were all to be meafured, repaired, and built vppebyminiftrieofthe word, which all were •dtyaicd and almoft laid waft, by the Popes tyrrany.

But the Court which is -without the temple cajl out d»d tneafure it not, for it isgiuen to the Gentiles; and the holy Citty frail they trend vnder foote two And forty month es. Iohn is hcere forbidden to meafurc and build vp the court which is without the Temple. Whereby is meant all herctikes, hypocrites, worldlings, and all fuch as hauc a place in the church, but are not of the Church.Thispbrafc of fpecch is taken from thcold ftiadowifti worftiip as the reft bcfore.For in the tern. pie oilerufalem there was an outward court which was common to all, good and bad: the holy place which was proper tothePrieftsand Leuites:and the holy of holicft, or moft holy place, where none might come but the high Prieft onely.

Heerc is a rcafon added why the Lord God rcfu« fcth all Papifts and hypocrites, &c all fuch as belong to the outward court oncly, and it is this: that this outward court isgiuen vnto the Gentilerj&Mt is, to a! falfe Christians and counterfeits in Rcligiori.vvhich are members of the vifible Church, but hauc no-thingto do with the inuifiblc. Thcfcare compared

to

An Expofttion vpon the Rettelatun. ny to Gcnrils in two refpecT-s.Firft in regard ofpropha-nex/or they arc as pi oplianc as the heathen.Second-ly,in refpeft ofperiecuting the truth: for hypocrites and Athiefts are as forward in periecuting the people of Go J as the Heathen Emperors, which perfceuted the Church by the fpacc of 300.ycares. All comes in this.that when the Chutch Ihould bee gathered and builtby the preaching of the Golpcll, God wotildc hauc all papifts, Atheifts,and Hypocrites fhutout.

Morcouer,hcre is the fecond realon yeelded, why the outward court Ihould bee call out, and not mca-futed ; to w\i,bcaufctheyJhould tread the holy cittie vnder foot forty and two months: that is, they ftould perfecute the church al the time of Antichrifts raign. For forty two months in this vcrfe: and 1160. dates in the nexte vcrfe, and three dates and a halfe vcrfe p. tnd time; times,and hdfe a time, in the I2,chap.verfc. 14-and 1260. i««,chaptcr I2,vcrfe,6. do iiignific all one thing,which is the ihort raign of Anticlirift: for tliefcmoncths.thefedaicSjand thefe times, do euery one ofthem make three ycares and a halfe.For who knoweth not that forty two nioneths makeiuft 3. ycares, and a halfcand that i26o 4 dayes, makerh c-uenfomuchalfo: and by timcheemeanethayeare, by times,tvvo yearc.and by halfe a time, halte a year. Now the rcafon why Antichrifts raigne is numbrcd by daies, moncths, and halfe times, and all amounting but to three ycares and a halfe, is to note the ftiorte continuauncc thereof, for the comforte oF the Church, as appearcth more fully and plainely in fundryc places of this prophefic, where it is fette downein plainc vvordes, that Antichrift ftiouldc

T raigne

iz$ An Expojitfon vpen the Reuelatioit. raignc but a fhort time; for what js fiuc or fixe hun-drcdyeares in comparifon of crernity. ^,H^ut here the Papifts do fhew thcmlclucs moft fot-^iifh and ridiculous, in that they would gather from hence,thatthcpopeis not AmichTift: lor(fay they) Amichrift flia.ll raigne but three years and an half e, bnt the Pope hath raigned many y cues: therefore .the Pope is not Amichrift..

Now to anfwer the propofition of their argument

taken from this place. Firth it may beeaunfwered

-thactliis placcisnotto be vndcrftoode laterally,but

my fticaly: as many other things in this booke.

Secondly, hereisa ccrtainenumber putfor anvn-

certaine,a definit number for an indefinit, which al-

fo isvluall inthisbooke,as we heardbefore, concer-

ch»p. 7j nir.gthefealingof the Tribesjofeuery Tribe izooo

which maketh 144000. Now no man is fo mad as

tothinkethere werciuftfo many fealed,andncitlicr

more.norlcfic-

Thirdly,hcre is an allufion to Daniels weeks, and other prophcticall computatios, wherein fomtimes a day is putfor a ycare,a weekefor 7.years, as in T>f-»/^fe3uens,anda month for 30. yeares. So then I conclude, that it is extreamc folly to interpret this place litterally.Thecurious andfriuolous interpretations of this placc,and fuch like in this booke, by fome writers, I doe of purpoleomit, as matters vn-** true,vnfound,and vniudiciakfor I only in this book fceke thefcn/cthatis.andnot thefenfe which is nor, as hath bin laid before.

Mt Iwilgiuepowervnto my i.witnejfes,andtf)eyjbtl prophej/e iz6o Antes cloathed in Jack doth*

Ha.

'AnExpofitionvpoHtheReueUtm. u 9 Hailing fetdown how Antkhrift and his company being xbofe Gentiles which pofle&the outwardc court (hould tread downc the holy citty, that is. the true church of God fora fhort time: now he com-mcrh to ihcw,that cuenin the height 6c pride of the Popes po wcr,and goiicrnmcnt,yet the church was not vtrerly e»in<a,God did ncucr vtterly forfake ir but m ailages,and at all times, God did raife vp one

«r orhertowithlland all popifhproccediogs, which is here meant by the 2. wicneiTcs.For aflurcdly thefe two witnefTcs do not figniffc Ewe A,and Elias^s the Papifts and fome others dodreamc, butthey hVni-fie alche faithful preachers & profeflbrs of the truth which in alages both former and later haue opofed thcmfelues again ft the-pope, his dergy^is doclrin, his reIigion,andalJ his abhominable proceedings

They are called IVitnefes, becaufethey fhouide beare witnefle vnro the truth. •They are faid to bee 2. in number,for three reafons.

Fit ft, becaufe they were very fewe in t/iofc dayes when popery did fo generally preuaUe: for tyvo is the fmalleft number. Secondly^ecaufethelawe of God doth admit of no lefle number in witneffe bearing, as it is written ; In the month ofi.or 3. mtncjjesjhdeuery word flan 4. Thirdly,itis anallufion to Zorobabel,-ind Iehojhua y which were the two reftorcrs and builders of the temple after the captiuity. Ch rift faith'hcrc,that/for * willgitte power to histwowitnejfes: for no man hath any power in heauenly things,cxcept it be giuen him Hag & V' from aboue: and efpecially to ftand faftto the truth tn the heat of perfections and troubles.

T 2 tt

130 An Expofitlan vpon the ReucUthn. 1 ..or, 14, 3 j t j s foj^that thcfc two witncjpsjhullprephejienh^t is, preach,'declare, andfpeakc.- For fo prophetic is taken in the former Chapter, andlaft vcrfc: foalfo iu other places of the fcripture.

The tunc of their prophefieng being 1260* daies, hath bin expounded before Thcfc two wicneffes are cloathedinfackdoth, which fignificth that they fhould lead a forrowflii lifehecrc in this world.For in old time when men did faftand mournc, they did vie to put on fackcloth. It follow-cth then that thcfc faithfull Preachers and witneffes of the truthjdid notfpend their daies in mirth,iolity, and wordly pompc and brauerye, as did the Popes Clergic,and pompous prelates of Antichrift.

Now if any man wil demaund how this may ap» pearc that there haue becnealwaicsfome raifedvp of God,to write,prcach,dcclarc, and fpeake againfte the whoorc ofita£//<w,euen then when ihe was aloft and raigncd as the Qiiccne and Lady of the world,I aunfwerc, that Hifiories are very pientifullin this point: which at large do ihewe chat in all countries and kindomes oiEurope, there wer cuer fome ftirred vp toimpugne andrefiftthe W hoore of Babylon \ As, In England.

Jn.dcm. Robot Grojledfisftioyoilincolne.

12? 3. John lViekliffe y fupportcd by Fdrvtrd 3, and

An. 1 400. diucrs of the Nobil icy in England,

In Germany, mi.im. Titulerus a preacher.

135^ FrancifcusPetrachi.

13 57 Iohannesderupejciffa. -

135? Conradus Eager. ■ •■

l 259< Gerhardus Rfridor. petrus>

AnExptJttienvponthRctultim. 131 Petrtts de Corbona. ' 13 tfo.

Iohannes.dePeliaco, John Zifca. . 1420.

At Bohemia. JohnHuJfi. Ierome oiPrage. Mat hi as Parijtenjis.

InSpaine. Arntldusde nam villa.

lAfi.dom.

I414.

10.16.

mo*

An.izjo

In Italy. Ierome Sauonarola,AM.onkc. An.ifoo

Siluefler nYtht.

In France.

IValdatyofahom came the Waldenfis, or An. 1 \6<±

poore men of Lyons in France. *». 1 % j 2

Guilienusdejantfffamorc. *n.iz$z.

Robertas GaUus. l**.i^q. Lmrentius.

' I

In Ireland. JmAthttmsjin ArchbiHopv -

InSuems. Many preachers at once.

:<m.ij6z

**.ia-j.o

Tjv

v«fc 4

W.

i j» An Expofition vpentbt MtlaUn,

JnGrecia. All the Churches of Grecia renounced the Church o[ Rome for their abhominablc Idolatry, It were too tedious to recite al, which the (lories do report to haue withftood both pope and popery, eucn when it did nop ft of allbeare the fwaye.-thefe may fufficc for the vndeiftandingof the Text. As for thofc which hauc bene raifedvpfioce the decay and fall of popery: I meane fince Luthers time,thcy orefomany,and fo well knowne,that I needfay no* thing. ihefe are two Oliue trees, andtwo candlejlickes Jland-

ding before the God of the earth. Here the 2. witneftes arc compared to z.oliue trees, becaufethatas the Oliuc trcedoth drop downe his oileandfatnes, foihe faithfull Minifters dodroppc downe vpon the Church the fwect oile of the fpirir, which is al heaucnly and fpiritual graces :as the rnc- taphor of oilc is often fo taken in the Icriptures.

Tliey arc alfo.compared to two eandlefiickes, be-

.:.•-- «aufethatasthccandlefticke bearcthvp the candle

fet vpon it, (o the Minifters of the Gofpcll bearc vp

and hold forth the light of Gods wbrde,«uen in the

greateftdarknes.

Thcfc candlcflickcsarelaid tojiand before the God

■, of the earth: becaufc God bcarcth rulc } not onely in

hcaucn.bui in earth atforcuen then whenall thinges

in the earth feem to be mod troubled,& the church

militant vnder greatcft'perfcciitions as now it was.

And if any will hurt them., fire proceedeth out eftheyr

V#rfc$ mouths, andfliall-dettoure their enemies:for ifany

^willhitrt thi/^,fomuJlhe be killed.

An Etyojitkn vpon the Revelation. 153

ihefe hatte power tofhut heauen that it raint not in the v " fe £ dates of'thetrprophefying,andhaue power oner waters to turnethimtntoblood, andtofmitethe earthwitl all manner of plagues as oft as they will.

Heereisfiiewed 3 tharifanycdifpifethc fimplicitie of thefetwo witneffes, & offer them wrong becaufc ofthcir bafeneflc, and contempt in the worlde, tliat there is afire commech out of their mouth, that is, the firy &c mighty power of the word of God,vttrcd out of their mouths,which oucrthroWeth,and oner turneth their enimics.nay as fire it confumetbthein toafhes: forche minifters ofthc Gofpell are armed with ready vengeance agatnflaldtfobediece.Therfore IC0 '' 1 ^ they be ftark irud,and know not what they do,which oppofe themfelucs againfte the true minifters of Chrift. For the fword which they fight with, flaycrh the reprobates in thcirfoules, though not in theyr

bodies: for the miniftry of the Word,is die fauor of death to all vnbeleeuers. -;'

That which is herefpoken dfkutting the heaum that ttraine not y and turning the waters into blood is ,Kin S1 ? an allufion to Eliot and Mojes. Whereofthe one by hjspraierfh.ut theheauens,thebtrierby his rodtur-ned the waters into blood;- NowthcfaithfuUMirii-flers ofthc Gofpcll arc compared to thefetwo, not bccaufcthcy fhould workefuch outwarde myracles as they did, but bcxaufe they fhouhfe bee furniftied" witWpimaaU power, which is farrc greater. For moflfure it is,, that the inuifibleand f pirituall power whcrewitlnhe Minifters ofthe Gofpell are armed, is Y«rye great and gloryous, though the VVerldc

ice

vcrfe 7

verf«8

«.'

134 An Expojtiofi vptn he Rtuelatkn.

fee it not,nor know it nor.For the A poftlc faitrr/Tfo Weapons of our warfare are not carnall but Jpirituall, 6 might) through God., to aft downe holds,cofmg downe the immaginations ,a»d euery high thing that is exalted againji the knowledge of Gad, &c. And when they h.uiefr)i/bed their tc/limony, thebeajt that commeth out of the bottomleffe pit, fiall make ivarre againji them andkill them* Hecre is fet downe the great cruelty and bloudie tyranny which Aiuichriil Aiouldc vfc againfte thefc taithljjll vvitnefles of our Lord Icfus. For although they oucrcomc him with the Ipirimal fword, which is the fire that commeth out of their mouthes : yet for a time povver was giucntothis beaftthat com-mcth out of the bottomlcfle pit,that is,the pope and his adherents to murder Gods Saintcs with the ma-tcriall fworde: but yet note that Antichrift candooc nothing till the two witneflcs hauc finiflied their tc-ftimonye-.fiichis Gods care and prouidcncc for all hisiaitnfullfcniants.

And their corpsfjjall lie in thefireetes oft he grett citie> whichfptritualy is (ailed Sodomc,4»d Egipt,w/w* our Lordalfi was crucified. By the great citty, here is meant Rome, and yet not the citty only oiRome, but all theRomanc Empire, power, and iurifdiftion,as afterward (hall bee made manifcft.Now the corpfes and deadcarkafes which were murdered and maflacred in all nations, by An-tichrifts tyranie are hecre faid to lie in the ftreetes of Rome 9 that is,to be caft forth into the open fieldcs,as notworthy the honour of buria.ll in all places, countries^ kingdomes,withintheRomaine Empire, or

iurif-

AnExpefrtion vpon the ReueUtien. j g 5

iurifdiaion of Rome, as weread to haue bin mEn<r-Und,ScotlandyFranceJreland,Germany, and Spaint And as the holy ghoMmh^he dead bodies ofthyfer-WtfhauetheygtuUobeneatUthefaulesof theiea- Md.7 ? ,» ue,& thefiejb of thy Saints vnto the beajls of the earth Moreoucr, ic is to be obferued, that Rome is heerc compared fpiritually, or by a rrope, to Stdome & £. gypt.To StdomefovBdiwsifor whatcity cuer was or a more filthy the R$me,the mother of 'whoredome's d»p.tr, i tndabhomtnatios of the earth And to Egypt /or Ido. latty & keeping Gods people in fpirituall bondage. Laftofall,itishcrcfaid, that our Lord Icfus was crucified ziRome, which may fcemc ftrangc fithall men know, that Chrift was crucified at lerufalem But to anfwer this doubt,wearc to vnderftand, tlwt in refpea of the place, our Lord Icfus was crucified X/fra/i/f/wibiitifwerefpeathepowcr&authority that put him to death,he was crucified at JRome ■ for Chrift was put to death by aftoman Iudge, by R©-man lawcs,by Roman authority, by a kind of death proper oncly to the Romanes 5 and in a place which then was within theRoman Empire. Andforthis caufc is here laid, that Chrift wasrrucified aut»mc. Andtheyofthepeople, andkindreds, andtongues, and Gentiles, (hallfee their corpes three dayes and mhalfe v " Ctl * andfball notJuffer their corpfestp be put in thegrJe. * Hitherto wc hauc heard o^the rage of Antichrift againft the two witneffes. Now further weearc to vnderftand of the malice & fiiry of aliiis adherents; that is, all Papifts,Atheifts,and thcreft of the blinde people, and feduccd multitude, which all did allow the Popes cruelty in /heading the bloud of the Mar-

v«ife i

136 Alt expoftion vpon the Reuehtim.

tyrs,and they do tcftific the allowance Sc approbation of the Popes fa£r,and alfo their owne malice and madueffe againft them in this, that they will not vouchfafe thcra the honour of buriall, but cafte out their dead bodies as rat rioiijor as the dead bodies of doggesor fwine; thereby fhcvvingthat they cftec-med them no better then fo. Nay,wc read that their helliih ra<*c and madncs was fo great Sc outragious, that they wrecked :hcir malice vpon che dead bones and carkaffes of Gods Saints andMartyrs.For their bloudy and mod malicious minds could not be fatif-f.cd except they digged vp the bodies of Gods W it-nefles out of their graucs,and burnt them to aflies. Whereas it is hi&jheyjhdfee their corses, the njea. ning.isjthat all the blind people within thcRomaine Empire (houldbe cyc-witncilcs ofthefc things, and not only fo,buc cucn great Agents alfo m the flaugh. t.er of Gods people

By 3 .dates cr an h ^which is halfc a week, he me* ncrh all the time of Antichrifts raigne,S£ tyrannical gou'ernmenti as beforehatb bin fhewed.For thefc 3 daiesScabalfc, being in prophet/call: computation three y cares and a halfc, fignific the fame thingdiat tbe^.mooctbs, andathoufand, two Hundred and three fcorcdaics before.

And they th.it dwel vpon the e.wthflal reioyee oner the . and be glad., andfiall/end giftes one to another-.for , thefc i.Prophetsvcxedthemtbaf dwelt on the earth. : Here wc fee how the inhabitants of the earth,that is', thefeduced multitude and:blinrk people in the

time of ignorance,do greatly infult Sc triumph ouer the. death of the Lords witnefles,&, they-do cxprefle

their

AnExptJltio* vpon the ReueUtion. j 37

.their ioy by fending gifts &c prcfents one to another, asifthcyhadreceiucd fomc great bencfitcs, or had heard the molt ioyfullnewesm the world. And the rcafon is added, becaufc they vexed and tormented them, meaning thereby, that the preaching of the truth, Sc the rcprouing of their errors,Idolatries, sc manifold impieties, was a daggcr,and a corfey vnto thcm,thcy could at no hand endure it: for the prca-chingofthc Gofpell is the torment of the world, sc the Preachers the tormenters. Thefc few Preachers thundcringagainft their fuperftitions, and abhomi-nablcferuiceof Antichriit, didvexeeucry veinein their heart, and inwardly fo wound and launce their . confciences.that they could haue no reft til they had ri* them out of the world- But now hailing difpar-.ched them,and made riddance of them, thcyare yc ry aanlec and iocund.

But after three dates And dhoife, the fpiritdflifecom-Vnt* >*. . i»ingfromQod x (h*ll'enter into them, and they<fhdt ftandvpomheirfcete, and greatfearefyalLtemt vp--onthem whichfxw them.

Notwithstanding the rage and fauagefury of the PopeSi his followers; yet here is fliewed, that they could not preuaile as they defired: for within three daies and ahalfe,that is,when che date of Antichrift raignc was expircd,and the time come that Popery muft be dilclofed by the light of thegofpcl breaking forth.; there followeth a great alteration. Foe thefc two Prophets or witnefles arc ratfed vp againc. For Jie faith, the fpirnof'lifc. V vhidi*amc,fiomGod J fliall enter into thcm,and they fhallihnd vpon their feet. . This may fecme fomewhat fhangc; but it is not

y z »

ij8 AnExpoJitionvptntheXeueUtion. to be vndciftood that they fhould. be raifed vp bodily in their pcrfons till the laft refurredion: but that G od wold raifc vp others endaed with the (amc fpi. rit, which ihould mightily defend both the do&rine, caufe & quavrel,which their predeceffors had maintained, and fcaled- with their bloud ;'m whom they fhould after a fort rcuiuc and liuc againe, cuen as E-lias did r.miuc,Sc as it were hue again in lohn Baptifi; who is faid to be endued wich the power &c fpirit of. Etuis', as it was forctoldcby the Prophet, and as our Sauiorhimfclfedochauouch.Now blcfledbc God,. that wc liuc in thefe daics wherein wee fee with our eyes all thefe things fulfilled. For when the Pope &c hkGeirgylnitnuttheK&GerhdrdittyDukimiuNd. unrenfisJValdus, Tficoltm Oremjohn Picutjohn ZiJ-■ca, Vifdm Gromngenfis,Armeriw,tVicklip, Huffe Jerome, of Prage, and many Preachers in Sueuia,znd one hundred holy Chriftians in the country of Al-fttia, andmany others in al countries, and of al conditions of men: yet for all that fpight of their hartes, God raifed vp others in their Acnd,z% £nthar,Caluin s Zitingliut, Peter Mwtir, Peter Viret, McUnclon, Bu-cer, Bullinger, Sc their fucceflors; yea the thou fands of excellent Miniftcrs, and Preachers which are dif-pcrfedouerall Europe at this day: Inwhomallthe former witnefles do reuiuc, and as itwcrcjftand vp-on their fcetc againc . And now a great feare is come vpon the Pope and his Cleargyjand all his fa-uoritcs: for they did neuer fo much as dreamc of mch an alteration: but this is the Lords doing, and and is is marucllous in our eyes. Vcrfc i». AndthtyJJullheartAgreet.voicefr.om heauen, faying

vnto

AnExpofitlon vptn tie Revelation. . j ^ into them,come vp hither: and they,Jhallafeend vp to htauen in a cloud, and their enimtesfbaJlfee them. Hcerc the Lordcs witnefles whom Ahtichrift had mutdered,arc called, and taken vp into hcaucn, that they may be crowned wich glory and immortality, hauing in the earth fought fo cxcelletafight offaith-as they had.- for cuen as Chrift their head was taken ■ vp in a cloud into the heauens, cuen fo his faithfull memhers are here taken vp in a cloud toraignewith him for euer. Moreouer, it is hcrclaidy;har/^«/- enemies JbaH fee them amending vp, they ih&\\ as it were afcend vp in their fight;for from the fire and faggor,. {words and Spcares of their cnimics, they went dy-rcftly vnto God, and the very conferences of their perfecutors did witnefle fo much; nay fomc of them being in horrible conmlfions of confcicncc, did not 5 fttckc to vttet it; auouching the innoccnoy of Gods Martirs:asfomctimcs Pilate y an6 the Centurion did: ofChrift. But though they had not bin iuftificd by Mat, ij,-their enemies,yet are they here iuftificd by a greater eeitimouy: far the voice fromheaucu, the voice of God doth iuftific them,and cleare themiaccounting them worthy to be called vp from the earth to Hea-ueri, and receiucd to etcrnall glory.. For howfociter; the Pope & his Clcargy condemned them for here-ticks and fcifmaticks; yet here they are iuftificd and : cleared by a-voice from hcauen, which is more then the voices,fuffrages, and approbations of all men in. rhe-world.

Andthe fame houre there fhallbeagreat earth-quake,

and the tenth part of the Cittie fhallfell, and in the

earthquake Jhall hejlaine in number 7. thoufand,*nd

140 JnExfefttinivfmihele»eUtf9». ■■4bt remnant were fore feared, and gaveglorytolhe . Godifhetucn. As hehath fliewed before that the wdrld was very ioy full and iocond,when they had made difpatch of Gods witneffes.; but afterwardfull of fearc and terror, when they few what followed: So here in this iverfe is.fhewcd, thatat the feme houre, thac is about the fame time whe they haue perfecuted thcSaints, and fee thoufands of others raifedvp in theirftead, -6C as it were put of their afhes, or rather ouc of their •bloodjthatthacfliouldiromcdiately follow agrctt .earthquake-, thatis, horrible commotions/editions, • tumults, and open warsamong the Kingdoms and Nations ofthc world,.& amongftall people which . (hold liuc after the breaking forth of the light ofthc .Gofpcll, as this day wefce with our eyes. For who now in thefe daies doth not fee and fcclc this Earthquake ? Who knowcth not what ftirres there hauc bin and arc eucry where about Religion ?:W ho is ignorantthat al the wats,fcdirions,trc;.achcriosjtrea-ibns, and rebellions that arcihis dayin Europe bc» :twixt one kingdome and another, are ipecially concerning the matter ofRcligion ? But mark what fpt .loweth. BeholdthecrfcaofthisEarth-qtuke. Iris -laid, that*Jk tenthparttftheCitty Jbillp/t: By the .-Otty heerehec mcancththc great Citty ol Rome, mentioned before vcrfc 8. which is therefore called , the great Citty, becaufe it was the chiefc citty of the Romane Empire, and the very fcatc of Antichrift. .-Now then thefenfeandmeaningofchcholy Ghofl: is, that when there once beginneth to bean Earth' .quake, thatis, broilcs, contentions, alterationsjOjse. " itions,

ftions, and deputations; about .Religion; 2. and that, the popilh doitrine which hadfo! long preuailed in : the world, fiiould be called in queftion, yea openly preached againft, conui&cd and condemned, that: then Saw fliould begin to fell, and Rornifh religion: tofufFeragreatEclipfe, yea the tenth parti that is, Gome part ol the citty oS.Rome\ I mean the doctrine and authority offf«w#/hould beoucrthrown.Now thisfalhng of the tenth part qf Romcywas fulfilled within fomc fewe ycarcs after the brpaching ofthc GofpelLbyi«^r,andhi$ immediate fucccfiburs; bucfince it is gone backc many degrees, and hereafter it (hall (till eb be and confumeaway by degrees,.-cucn till it come to nothing; as Gpd willing (hall be*. plaincly proued hearcaftcx^. Moreoucr, here is fet downe another efffft of this, earthquake: which is, that thereby (hall be flainc in : number feucn thoufand,ciat isjinany thoujfandSjfoE; the number of Ceucn is apcrleS: arid vniucrfailnunv, ber,as formerly hath bin declared. Biitithe fcafc of this claiife is>that all fuch as wdnot yeejdito tJK got. pell ahcr matters once <rpme in qvftftiqn, a^id.thc: hgh.t-fherof breaketh forib >bw continjie Itul in. ;t|icir, blindnefic and hardnrjflc, .(landing qui (lurdijy -a--gainft the truth, (hall feele the heauy Judgements of God vpo»them,and come to mifcrablc a'nd'wretr. chedends, asdidherein England StephenGardintr, , bfoudy Bonxer, and manyoihcr&cb^Q$cfl.pcr(«$-tors in other natidnsand countries, asthobookc of . Martyrs doth plentifully wicneffe.' . Laftpfalitisfeidjdiat/^ refiwereterrifiej. : &gtue\ glorjMthe Mj^M*(,^t>atis,t^celea.qfGo4,fcch -

142 AttexpiJmtnvpatttheReuelatim. ingthefe horrible iudgemcnts vpon the pcrfecutors of theGofpcl,and hauing their eies opened chrough thefc contentions and broilcs about reIigion,(hould repent of their former Idolatrics,blindncfle, and ig-norance,(hbuld yecld to the truth,and giue glory to Ctap.j. the God ofheaucn as at this day we fee thoufandes doo, God be thanked. We heard before in the time of thcTurkcs numbering army,when the third part of men werc'flain, that the reft repented not of their Idolatry.But now (God be praifed for it) many doe repent euecy day, and turne from dumbe Idols, to fcrue the liuing God. And therefore although the times wherein wc hue, bec finfnll and troublefome, yet are they golde n times and daies, in comparifon offormerAgeSj wherein Antichtiftdidraigne and rule oner ill.Moreouer,from this place may plainly and ftrongly be concluded,that the Gofpel fhallpre-uaile more and more in al thekingdomes ofEurope, cuen'vntilltheendbfthcworld. Forhere wefeeic foretold and pro phefied, that in this very laft age of the world,fic eucn as it wcre^a little before the blowing of the fcuenth trumpet, which prafently hcreup-on is founded,as in the next verfesappcareth,many t fcoiildrepent,andgiiie glory to God.

TheJet«ndw* is ptJhkhM the third wawilcameam/t.

Andthefeuenth Avgelblew the trumpet,& therewer

grttt nmtcsin heauenjiying: The kingdomes efthis

wMdtreour LordsjtndhhChr'tftsjinclhefhMrdigne

foreuermtre.

Nowcommeththc thirdc, the laft, and the greatest woe, which is the woe of etcrnall death vpon all the vngodh/ibothin theirfbidesandbodiesfor euer

AnExfofitienvprnthXeucldtien. 43 in the laft iudgmem. The firft woe was the Papacy. The fccond woe was Turcifine. And this third woe is the laftiudgment. For it now followcth, that the fcuenth Angcll blowcth the laft Trumpet: as our Lord Iefus fware before, that when the fcucnih An. gcll/hould blow the Trumpet, there ftovld beeno TTu m ?\ T hcrcforc whc » wc fcc all things fulfil- Ch 3 ». ,0/ led which do belong vnto the fat trumpet,^ rcmai-neth that we fliould eucry hemic expect and Jookc for the blowing of the fcuenth trumpet, and the end

ot the world. For the holy ghoftrcllcthvvhatwhe the kingdomc of the Pope and the Turke ftall fall, andthcGofpcllbe preached in many Nations and kmgdomes,thatthen the third woe will come anon; that is, the laftiudgment followeth prefently vpon it.Now at the blowing of this fcuenth trumpct,ther were great voices in heaucn/aying •, the kingdomes ofthis worldareourLords,andhis Chrifts, andhe lhail raignc for eucrmore. Thcfc voices in hcauen arc the triumphing voices of Gods cleft, who do exceedingly reioyce and try-umph thatthekiugdomeofSathan S: Antichriftis oiierthrowne, and that the Kingdome of God and of Chnft is fet vp, and fhall (land for eucrmorc.For now all aduerlary power being ouerthrowne, chrift dothdchuervpapeaceablekingdomc to hisfathcr, as it« written 5 Then(htlbe the end, when he hath de- 1 com* 14 liuercdvf his peaceable kingdome to God the Either : For he miift raignc oucr the Church militant,till he haue troad downe all his enimics vnderhis feet,and When the Sonne of God hath fubdned all things to iumielfe, then ftall he befubic'ft to his Fatherashc

X -is.

144 An ExpofitM vpon the ReueUtion, is the mediator of the Church, and yet raigne with his Church triumphant for eucrmore. Then the 24. Elders which fate before Godon then Vafc 1 6, fates,fellvppn their faces, and worfhipped God. vcifc 17 Stying: Wegiue thee thankes 0 Lord God almighty, which art,which w/ift, & which Art to come :for thou haflreceiued thy great might, and hafl obtained thy kingdom e. *Iiap,4 Th;fei4. E'.dcrs doo fignifiea!lthecle3,bothof Icwes and Gentiles,as we hauc heard bcfore;whlch all in moft fupplyant manner doo worfliip the onc-ly cuerlafting God,cucn in the Church triumphant, and do greatly reioyce, and giuc all praifc and glory vnto him, becaufe now hec had rcceiued the King-domc,thc power and the glory,both Pope Si Turk, and Empctoiu'jand alibis cnimics, being (ubducd vnderhisfecte. Vtrfe iS jlpd the Gentiles wereatigrjyOndthjwrath i>come,& the time oft he de.idjh.it they fljould bee judged, and that thoufjouldejlgiue rrwo.rdvr.te thyferuar s ttthc Prophets, and to the Saintes, and to them thit fe.irt thy name,anJ to [ma/landgre.it :m : d Jbottldsji dejlroy them which dejlroy the earth.

Now he menrioneth the wrath and vengeance which is to bec powrcd forth vpon all the wicked at the laft day, arid alfo the reward' of the godly. For . whereas hec faith y The Gentiles were angry, and thy ■wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that theyjhold be fudged, the fenfe and meaning is, that all the pro-phanc enimies of the Church,which hauc had their time in which they were angry with Gods people, and in their wrath did afflict 8c vex them very fore, '. " ■" '" fliauld

*Ah Expojltien vpon the R euehtton. 14 5- i ftoiildnow bee Judged and condemned in Gods wrath: for now the day of his wrath and vengeance iscomc, wherin he will deflroy rhem that deftroied the earth, and feemed to carryall before them; and where alfo he will giuca full recompencc of reward to all his faithful worfhippcrs.both finall and great, both Preachers and profelfors of bis Gofpcll. '

ThentheTempleofGod was opened inhcauen, and v r therevtasfeauinthc Templethearkeof r hiscovenant, " '' ? and there was lightnings, aid-voices, and thundering; y and earthquakes, andmuch haile. This is a further amplification of that which is fee down in this former wife. For now htQxiS,that the temple ofGodfhould he opened in heauen/Thzt is an p-pen doore fe paffagc fhould be made throgh ch'rjflj for all the clccT: to enter into Gods ciicrlaftingkingi ootncandraigncwithhJmandhJsAngelsforeucr-morc.By the arke of the couenant,is ment chrift 3 who is faid here to be fcen in the Temple or kihgdomc of glory.becaufc through his mediatio only (in whom thecouenat of peace is eftabli/hcd With his church) the 24. Elders arc made partakers oftheir Crownes, and cuter in with him,and his Angels into the cuer-lafting Temple made withouthands, and eternal in the heauens. But on theconttary hcerc is faide, that therewere lightnings, thundrings, &c .That is, moft horrible vengeance & wrath poured down vpon all reprobates in hei-firc, for cucrmore.For when it flial be faid to all the faithfull: Cemeye bleffed.&c. then alfolhallicbcfaidtoaU vnbdecuers : Got ye cur fed. into hell fire ,&c M'.

Now for warranr of this expofition of the laft vcrfe

X 2 that

that the ccmplc ia heaucn is to be vndcrftood of the kingdomc ot glory, lookc.Cbap • 15 ,vcr. 5,6,8. Cap, x6,vcr, 1. The rcafon hereofis,that-as the doorcs of th:Tcmple of Ierufalem being fct open, Gods people entrcd in &: woLfhippcd: fo the cuerlafting gates of the new Icrufalcm,a;id cclcftiall temple being fet open by Chrift all the ele& do enter in,and worfhip God without wearinclTe, cuen as the Angels for c» uermore.

That the arkc of the coucnant is taken for Chrift, fecz. Sam 6,2 Pfal.78,ver,(5i (52.Thisarkcofthc coucnant,that is,Chnft is hcrefcenc in the Temple, becaufc Chrift hath already taken pofTeffton of bca-uen as mediator and head of the Church, and now doth fet open the kingdome of heaucn toallbelce-ucrs, that through him they may haucfrecacccflc , g xhcicunto^siziswinrcn, that through him enc/j we hue m entrance vnto the Father.

That by thundrings,lightnings > earthquake, haile,is meant that horrible vengeance and wrath, which is powrcd forth vpon althc vngodly.fee.Plal.ii.ver 6. Let this briefcly lufficc.to (atisfie the confclenceof the reader. And thus much concerning the fecond vifion contained in thefeeight Chap, going before, wherin we hauc heard all things expounded that do belong unto the openingef the-fcuen fealcs, and thr blowing of the fcucn Trumpets, that is, all notable thinges which were to fallout from the Apoftlcs times, vnto the end of the world.

CHAP. XII.

Now

AnExfofttionvfontheReuehtioril. x*j

]VfO w hauing finifhed the fecond vifion, w ec are *■ ^ come vnto the third, contained in all the chapters following, cuen vnto the ende ofthisBooke. Wherein dmcrs things, which were obfcurcly and darkdyfet downc in the former vifion, are more plainly and f Lilly opened Sc expounded: fo that this 3. vifion is as it were a commentary or more clearc expofition offundry things contained in the fecond vifio. But especially of the perfecting Roman Em- ^ ?>f pire mentioned in the opening of the fecond fcale,3c alfoofthc papacy mentioned at the blowing of the fifttrumpct.But the gcnerall furhmc of this third vi- du», 9 fion,is a liuely painting out of the malignan: church and the great vpholders thereof, the Dmell, the Ro. man Emperor,and the Pope. It ftleweth alfo the riling and falling of theRoman Emptrc,and the rifing and falling of the papacy. It ihewe th. alfo the vttcr ouerthrow of both together, with the etcrnall condemnation of the Deuiil, which fct them all a work to fight againft the Church. Laft of al,it fheweth the eternal! felicity of the Church, and the vnconceiue-able happines ofail Gods chofen iu the heauens for cuermore.This principal! drift of this 12. Chapter,is ■ to fet forth the nature of the tme, vifible, 8c militant Church hcere in earth, whofc head is Chrift Iefus. And alfo the falfc raalignaut Church, whofc head is th." Dent], togechcrwith the coutinuall enmity and war which is al waics betwixt chem.

This Chapter may very fitly be diuidedimo fin*--parti.

The firft is a defcription of the Church. The fecond is a defciiption of the Diuel,thc chun. ches cnimic. X 3, The

148 An Expofition vpon the Reuclttml The third containeth the Churches battaile with the diucll, and her victory.

The fourth rtieweth the ioyand tnumphes of the godly, in the churches victory oucr Sathan.

The fift and laft fheweth the fiuy, and malice of Sathan,who,although he was foiled in battelby the church.yet would not giue oucr, but coutinucd pcr-fccuting the Church in.her members, and making war againft the remnant of here {cede.

Text. And there appeared a great wonder in heauen :A woman clothed with the fun,and the moone was vnder hir 1 feetej and vpon her head a crowne ofi z .Jiarres.

Firft the Holy-Ghoft callcth the matters of this chapter agreatwo»der,zo ftir vs vp to attention.For men arc muchmoued with wonders; andawondec indcede ic is in the literall fence to fee a woman cloa-thed with the Sunne, Sec. but a far greater wonder in the fpirituallfenfc,as we fhal hear.aud thegrcatcft wonder ofall 5 that apoore weak woman fliould encounter with a great red dragon,aud ouercome him. It is faid tnbe awonder i»ke4uen,bcciuk the church here in vifion appearcth not vppon the earth, but in hcauen,in afmuch as her birth is from hcaucn,hir inheritance in heauen, &c her conucrfation in heauen.

The Church is heere compared to a woman, as in thc45.PfaIm.and the whole book of the Canticles, and that for three rcafons.

Fiift, as a woman is weake and feeble, and in law

an do nothing of her fclf without her husbad:fo we

"" »f

■AnExpefttidn vpon the Rtuelttion. 149 df our felucs are weake and feeble, and in matters of Gods law and worfhip can do nothing without our husband chrift, as he faith: without meye can doe nothing. Secondly,as a woman through the company of her husband is fruitful,&.bringeth forth children: fo the Church by her conjunction with Chrift, and his word,doth bring forth many children vnto god. Thirdly, as the loue and affection of a woman is to her husbandjas Gen.z.id fo the loue Sc affection of the church is altogether to Chrift,and Chrift ro her.

This woman is cbathedwith the Sunne : that is, the Church is cloathed with Chrift the Sunofnghteoufm '* > * nejje^s the Prophet fpcakcth.

The Moone was vnder herfeete. .Whereby is ment, that the Church trcadetli vnder her fcete all wordly things, which are compared to the Moone for their often changes, waxings, wainings, and increafings, dccrcfingSjSc continual mucations,5c vnccrtainties. The Church treadcth all tranfttory things vnder hir feet: that is, fhe makech light account of them; flic tcgardcth them not in comparifon of hcauenly things. For he that is cloathed with the Sun, carcth little for the light of the Moone. ■She hath vpon her head a crowne ofiz.ftars: which fignificch that the Church is adorned, & beautified with the doctrine of the twelue Apoftlcs, thatis, the doftrinc of the Gofpcll,as it were wnhacrownc of Gold, of Pcarle, and Prctious Stones. For the .. doctrine ofthc Gofpcll is the crowne of the church.

Jlndfhe was with child\and cryed trauailing in birth-, mft * 4nd was pained ready to be delmered. The Church is &id to be with child after flic hath '

con-

150 AnExpofitfonvponthcReuelation.

coceiucd theimmortall feed of the word,by themi-niftery of the Gofpell, as the Apoftle faith. In Chrijl Iejut lhaue begotten you through the Gojpell. And to

icorn, tj. ^ Qjkthjjyjj. oye little children ofwhomltrauell in birth againe, till cfrrift beformedin you.

It is not only faid thatthis woman was with child, but alfo, that Ihec was very neereher time ready to bring forth, and to be deliucrcd, and that fhc crieth in trauell.Now the child which {he bringcth forth,is chrift Iefus,as appearcth verfe 5-forthcrcicis fatdof

Gila, 4,i? him,that hejhould rule all nations with a red of Iron. Now although Chrift was borne but of one mem. bcr of the Church, which is the Virgin Mary, yet may it be faid that the whole church,which was before his coming,did eucn trauaile with pain to bring him forth,T>ecaufe they had throgh faith in thepro-mifes a longing,&: fcruent deiire and expectation of his comming.For from the firft promifemadeto^f-dam,&c afterward renewed to Abrnhtm Sc his pofte-rityi the church ftood in a continuall expectation of the promifed McffiasJooking wifhly euery day whe he fhould bee actually exhibited to the world. For • which caufe here fhe is faid to cry trauailing m birth. And not vnfaucrly alfo may the Church be {aide to cry trauailing in birth, when through many pcrfe-•cutions and afflictions, (he bringcth forth Children vnto GOD bytheminiftery of the word. Fof the Church brinceth forth no children at cafe,but witk hard trauaile, and much adoc, hauingfo few frends-to hclpc her, and lb many cnimics againft her,as a« none we (hall hcarc

•V«rfej. - Anithere appearedanother-wonder in heouett. Far

be-

AnExpofttionvponthe Xtuchtm. 151

Mold a great red drtgonMimgfauenkctdsfndtcn homes\ and/euen crownes -upon his he.ids.

And his f.iiU drew the third part of the fines ofhea- „ , uenanclca^themtotheearth slMthedragmftaodc " before the Ttomm^hich was ready to be delmered.

Now wc arc come to chc defcripdon ot the churches great Sc cap.tall cncmy,which is the diuchwho becauic he ftudieth and Jaboureth continually to impeach the good efface of the Church in heauenlye things,co deleft her from her dignitic,and difpofleifc her ot her inheritance, therefore here in a vifion he is bidtoappearcinheaucn. Forhemedleth with the Chuiclyn and about heauenly thingcs.praaifing to pull her out of heauen, from whence fhec came, and whither fhe muft rcturnc, euen to caft her into hell, andcondemnation with himfelfe,if it wcrcprfffiblc.

The diuclhs compared to a dragon, for historic &■tdneffe, to a great dragon for his power &c might-, and zreddrigonfot his bloody cruelty, malice, and marines againft Chrift,and al his members.

His/^^^fignifiehismanifoldfleights.and iubtilties,wacrein he is acrafts-maifter.

His ten homes fignifc his dreadful powcr.For who -knowech not that he is ftronger then any other crea-nirc,hauingnotloftehis ftrength by his fall, bucrc-maineth as ftrongas an Angell of light.

^fiuencrovenes-vponhkheids^o fignifiehis ma . nitold victories oucr the world. For hce hath from time to timcand from age to age, got fo many con-^eftsofthe world, through his Heights and power, thatnow bet is the GOD ofthe world, as the Apoftle laltn, MdratgnethaskingoHcrthevt,

Y This

15 x An Expojitim v$o» the ReneUtim* This dragon hath a monftrous taik both for length andftrength. Foritisfolongthatitreachcthvpto hcaucn 5 and fo ftrong that it bruflicth down the ftars from thence.Thatis,thc dwelrhroughambition& couetoufnc(fc,aad other flcfhly lufts,dodi pul down-many miniftcrs ,which fhined in do&rine and lifers the ftars of heauen, cucn vnto the earth, where they haue loft their brighmefle and glorye, and fhine as much as the Moonc in a mift.

Moreouer it is faid 3 that the dragon flood before the woman m fraud.-, to deuoureher childasfoon as it wot verfc.4- ^^ w ,YVhcrcin we areto obferue the malice and fo-rie of Sathan,in that he watcheth fo narrowly to de-uoiir the blcflcd fced,cuen the Sauiour of the world, fo foon as he was born. And foe this caufe he ftirrcd Matt.i. vpJfcr/^theK.fubtillytofeek himoutby thevvifc men,diat he might kil him: and afterward moft cruelly pra&ifcdthe fame, by murthermgfo many innocents.But this is alwaies a gcnerall truth, that Sa-than feekethto Gnothernot oncly Chriftjbut eucty member of his in the cradle; yea to blaft them inthe bud,bcfore ener they come to fruit or flower. So fix brought forth a man chdd,whieh (hould rule all * trf *** nations with a rod of iron, and that her child was taken -vj> vnto God^nd histhrone.

Notwithftanding the malice and watchfulnes of fathan,yctthe Church bringech forth Chiift,which fhoulde rule and oUcr-ruIe all nations with arodof iron, that isjthcfcepter of his word, asitis inthe fe-cond P (almond with the rodde of his ruouth,,as the prophetfpeakcth. '' '' 4 Moreouer it is £aid,that this childwas taken vp vn~

to

An Exfofhion vponthe Reflation. 1 5 ,

ond,d takepoueffion ofhischaireofeflat^inde-fyilcofHerod L «/*/V/^, t hePrieft S) thc phari . ' Wj j hk cncmies > w bich fought to keep

h.mdownundnowhcbcingafcendcdimoheaueD.

aS 7 i h !f™ embc «vnr 0 him,indcfpightof the diuell and all his imps. fa

Andthewman^dmothemldemeffi where thee verfc*

there a thoufandjwo hundred andthreefieredates, . Nowaftcrthcwomanschfldwas fctinfafety^er* «fhewed what becameofthc woman hcrfclfe • To «m,rhat fhec was fo fore purfued by the Scribes and Pharifces^id by the pricfts andElders,that fhc was fame to flicimo the wildcrncsThe natural fcnfc and meaning of thisplaccivhatwhcnthcchurchbeean togrow,afteiChrifts a fcc n fion 3 andthcnumbclof theDucipIestonweafccxceedingly^swcrcadein thci ofthc^Sathandidfo greatly raa 1i gncir>

andbegantobemfucharagcthathewouldehaue eaten tbern vp all at a bitte, and rooted them out at once.tnatfothe woman might haucno more brine intheearrh.Andrhereforewcreadc,A6fcs,8.th a t after the floning of ^« W3 thcre wasfuch a perfecu-tjonraifcdvpagainftthcchurchbythehighpricfts, the Princes of the Iewcj, the Pharifces, andall that ciirftdcrewe, thatallthc Apofttcsand Difciplcsof Chnft were icattrcd and difperfed hcrcand there in the Heathen countrics^nd amongthe heathen peo-plejWhich here arecalled/^ w/7^rw/,thati s to fay, aground vntiUcd,defoIate 5 aad barren ofaU fruircs orgodlincuc.

154 -An Expojttm vpon the Reuehtion.

But now may fome man fay, how flial the church do: in the wildernefle ? how ihal flic line > how fliall flic be fuftained ? There is no tilling.no fovving, no plaming.thcrc growcth no corne,thcre is nothing to be had either for food or raimcnt.Hcrc it is antwerd, that God prepared a place for her, where fhe flionlde be fed. God tookvp an Inhc foe her.Shc wanted neither food nor raiment in her perfections and trou-blcs.Whichteacheththat Goddooth alwaiespro-uidc for his own,cuen in great miferics,fcarfitics, fa-mincs,bani/hments,and perfecutions. As fomctimes he did for Elia<s in the time of dcarth,and for the children of Ifracl in the wildcrneiTc.

The time,vv herein the church was fed in the wildcrneiTc, was utheufand two hundred and threefcort dayes: that is,during the time of her perfections, as before hath bin fticwcd,chap,ii.verf, z. And there wasa battel in heaucn, Michaeltndhisan-vifc,7-S gels fought againjl the dragon 3 andthe dragon andhis angels fought.

But they pretiailed not ^either was their place found any more in heatiea.

Now we are come to the third part of this chapter, which is the battel betwixt Chrift and the diuell.For whereas the dragon could not fmothcr Chrift in the cradle,as he iudeuoured,&: fodepriue the Church of all her happines forcucr, now he proclaimed! open warrc,both againft Chrift,and all his mcmbers,p!ot-ting and purpofing to oppugnc the very faluation of tbechurch,though it befoanded in Chrift. Where-in he (hewcthboth his impudenc)' and furious mad-wsMichacl here fignifieth chrift,as Dan . 10, 13. This

name

AnExpdJtttoft vpon the Reflation. 1 j 5

name isgiucn to Chrift in Daniel, becaufeheeis the fc ftof thccbicfcpnnces t thatis,hcis chehtadofchc Angels,whoarcchiefcprmces, astheApoftle a ffir. CoI)[>u

That Chrift hath his Angels ioyned with him, is not to note any. vveakencfte or wanceof ftrength in CIu-iit,alonctoouereomchis enemies,buttolhew that, as cklft doth effect great wonders in the world! 10 tor the moft part hee doth it by inflrwnentes, and mcancs; as: fpmenmes Angeh/omedmes men, But here ipecially mcanetb the Apoftles.and theirfticcef-iors, yea and at this day ail chriftian kings, princes and potentates of the earth, Sc all others,which take part withchrift againft thc.diacl,-& his -inftnimaits WelUiere w « fee that thefe two Generals, and grand captaines Michael and the Dragon, do muftcr both their armies, ioync battell, and fight a pitched held, the enent and fucceffc whereof is this, that the Dragon and his Angels goe downc. Oh blefted fuc-ceffemay wccfay.I For if the diuell had preuailed,it had bcene woe to vs ; fieri this battell was about,and concernmgthevery faluation of mankind by chrifts death and reftirrctfion. We know how the diucl fee vpon Chrift alone to tempt him vnto fin, that (a hee might oucrthrow the workc of our redemption,fu P -pofing in this combatc or M onoraachie to hauc got the day :but he prevailed not. Afterward how ftrong-ly did hee oppugnc him by his Angels ? I meane the Scribes and Phatifecs, the high pricfts and Elders of the people, yea al the diuels in hell,and his whole in- . fernalarmic, not oncly in mnrthcring and crucify, ihghis naturall bodyc.but alfoinvhng all forcible

and

j<$ An iieftfiuonvpnthuele Ration.

and cunning mcanes to kccpehim downe, that hcc mightneuer rifevp againc ; asthe great ftoncvpon his tombe, the fcaling of it, the watch fei to keepe ic For the diuel knewe right well, that if Chrift rofc a-gain,he (houldlofc the field:Fdr the refurrcaion of Chrift is our aftuall iuftification, And Chrifi was JUum.M mightily declared to be the Sonne of God by his refurre-ffionfrtm the dead. W ell, do the dragon and his angels w hac they can } y et Chrift is rifen againe,& hath fpoiled principalities and powcrsjyeaal the infernal armic, and hafhmade afheweof them openlic, and hatbledde them al in triumphvppon his crofle: So that we fee in thisfirft and greateft battell, tbediueB haththe foilc. And it is further faid/4tf this diuel and dh'ts AnteUwere ctjl0utofheattt»,& theirjdtceiva* #<jwo«^«^.-flliichisnotiobcvndcrftoodofthcic firftcaftingoutofheauen, immediately aftertheyr creation, tor at thattime they were no diucls,nor e-nemics to the church,but Angels of light: butriow fincc their fall, and fincc they were diuels; they arc faid to be caft out of hcaucn, not becaufe they euer came in hcaucn fince they were diuels, but becaufe they camx>loiigcrimpeach the churchtouchingh.it blcffed eftare in heauen.They are without all hope to difpoffeflehirofhir inheritance: forthatis ratified, and made fure vnto hir in the death and refurre&ion of Chrift And for this cau (c it is laid, tliatthe diuell hatb nomoreto do in hcaucn: that is, he cannotfor his heart oiierchrow the faluation of Gods children. *-°™&}} Fey wfo cm / a y m y t h W g t0 the charge ofGedschofen ? It is Godtlmt iitftifiefh.who fhallcondemne ? It is chrtfl which is dcttdjta or rather which is rifen againe, fjrc

True

4»*xtofttionvpntheRcttthtim. iyj

True it is indeed that this bftttellis laid to bee in hea-uen that is, about heavenly thinges y yea about the nigneft points of hcaucn, which is faluation or dam-

nationjforthcdiuclvponthisvcrypoin^hathfrom

tbe beginning mightily wreftled and ftruggled with

tlicchurer^anddodi cuen vntil this day: but bleficd

be God,that he cannot, nor (hall not preuail againft

any one of Gods cle£t. ForourLordlcfusfaith 7 Iol vo^

gntvntothieterndlife&thtyfhdneuerpetijhjei.

therfbdanytakethemoutofmyhanl-myfatherwhich

g*™ the me is greater then dl. Neitherfhd anyfluckc themitHtofmy hand. AgaiM* that thefathergiueth me,fhalcome vnto me. And this is the fathers mlwhich hmftnt me, that efalyehich he hathgtuenme,lfl,odd i0 fi mt ^ n sMt{hoddrdfeitvfA^nAtthelafiday.

Now further wc arc w oWcroc,that,as chrift in hit <*wn C pcrfon hath onco prcuailcd in the maine bar* tell againft the diuel, fohis church militant flialbke-wifc alwayes preuaile through him.F/orit is wckeni Mat rf ThegAMofhdlfidJn^frfi^e^Jun/iie.. '.. :i r

And the great. DragQn.jhatoldfcrfentfdlcdtliedpi v«rfc. f . uelandfattnwas cafioMtjphithdecewcthaltbcwikld: ■ Hevvat cuen cajlinto the earth< 3 .& his Angels - were ■ caJtoutzivitJihm. , ; ^-; . .'.r:.-• *

Nowbecaufcthediuelcahnotoucrthrbwthefafuai-tion of Gods die&j hdis. faidto foe caftoi*f.ifheauen ] into the earth: that is, amongefkearthly ahdearaall men.thathe may excrctfe histyranyjandwrcckhis

maIiccvpon^rrcm.:For r hehathpowcrgiuet»himto-tyrannizcouertheilvathi? plcafure, andthcApoftle (itihjeworkethinthe chiMrenofdifibedieruejndta- fyKef,*. > keththem-captiuetodohiswilL

then

tft 10

158 An Expofitionvponthuele Ration.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaue»ifaying:now isfaU nation j&fir cngth,and the kingdom of our God, ejr the power of his chrift:for the accufer of our brethren is caji downe, which accufedthem before God day and night.

Hereisthctriumphantfongofvi£rory,wnich all the Saints 8t Angels do ling vnto God, praifing and magnifying his power, and the power ot his Sonne Chrift,foroucrcomming thedragon,and giuingtlie vidtory to the church through Chrift.For now with greac ioy and loud voices they ling and fey, that the churches faluation is fealed and made fure vnto her for euer. It can ncucr be fhaken. The divell is foyled and caftdowne into the earth. ■■ - ,, -'v: '- "-

.Thefe fongs-uf ioy aftergreat victories arc of great antiquity in. the church; as we read of the children of Ifraell/afttir the oucrthrow of Pharaoh Sc hi* army in the red tea: of Deborah, after the great victory oucr Sifar'a:o£ the women, that fung after die vi&orye of G.oliah by Diuid. :.,: yn.i '■'•■:'

The dcuiivs called thcaccpferbf thebrethrferi for two cktifcsV.firfrbc'c.avVfdbclaccufcth Gods elccte of much finnc, and callcth for iufticc againft them day EC night at Gods hands,that they might be condemned vpon fuch articles as he is able to prone againfte them :• for he knowing rigtifwell that the iudgc of al the world- rs a> iuft God,and muft needs deal vpright-Iy»doth daily vrge him to do iuftice vnto finners^be-ing willingly ignorant that al Gods people, though tinners, are cleared and difcharged in Ghriftj

AoothcL' rbafou is,becaiifcof the calumniations, fcprbches and flaunders,which in al ages,at al times, and in al places and countries, hec hath alwaies vn-

iuflly

An Expofitbn vpon the Reflation. 7 < 9 iqftly raifed vp againft the true worihippws of God-

*f they oueramehimbythbloud of the Lamb ^Verfi b)'thewordof'theirtejlimony, and they lotted not their lutes vnto the death.

Hccrcisftcwedthatthc churches victory ouer/a-than and hel,is not thorough any power or m-ght of her own ,but by the blond of the Lamb, and the word of

^«r^///»^ 7) thacis,thewordofGod,whichthey witnes, profciIe,louc,8c flick vnto ciien vnto death Therefore'reioyceyehemens s andye that dwelin the.""* l

W°tothemhabtt*ntseftheearth,andofthefea-forthc diitel is come downe vnto you, which hath great wrath knowing that he hath but a fhort time. *

Here againe the faints,and Angels^ Sc al the blef-fed company of heauen,are called vpon,&: exhorted to reioice,becaufe the diucl Sc his angels are caft out and the eleft haue the viftory ouerhim through the bloud of the Lamb, and becaufe the faluation of the church is fealed vp, and God only reigneth through

chrifl.Which al are matters of fogrcatmomet,that not oncly the church militant is flirrcd vp to reioyce herein, but eucn the church triumphant alfo, that is the fpirits ofiuft and perfect meaBut on the contrary, here is feareful woe denounced againft the inhabit fonts of the earth, andofthefea: that is, all Papiftcs, Atheifts,worldlings,and reprobates. For fith he canl not haue his wil of the church, yet hce will haue his will and wreakhis malice vpon them, by hardning their hatts.and blinding their eies.and making thera his IhuesSc vaflals,to fight for his kingdom againft Chnft,againft his church,againftall goodnciTe^ and all goodmcriThercafonis added, why the diuellis

Z in

re 11.

16 o An Expcjition vpott the Revelation. infucha rage with the worlde, and commeth vpon them in fo great wrath and furic, to wit, becaufc hee hath but a port time: that is, becaufc his kingdomc drawcth to an end, therefore he doth fo beftir him. Ycrfe 13. Andwhcn the Dragon faw that he was cajtvnto the earth, he per/ecu ted the woman which had broghtforth the man child.

Now the diucl feeing himfclfc caft out ofhcaucn, fo as he cannot impeach the faluation of the church; he raifcth vp horrible perfections againft her by his inftnimcnts here in.thc carth,lab'ouring toroote hir out it it were poffi'jlc: for being oucrcomc of the ■head.hc doth now with might and manic, fet vporr the body; and what horrible ftormes lice hath in all agcs,fpccially in thefc laft daies uatfed vp, and daily doth raifc vrragainft the church, both the fcripturcs andal church ftories do abundantly declare. But to the woman weregiuen two wings of a great ex. Vwf * ** glejhat (be might fly into the wilderne*,tnto her pkee^ where fie is nouripedfor a time,andtrmes i and halfe it time, from the preface oftheferpent.

Thefe two wing' do fignific al the wares 5i mcanes of euafion, which God gaue to his church, when hee deliucred hir from the hands of bcrpurfuers 8£ per-fixutots -.andalfo her fwift flight from thcm,andalf their malicious pra&ifes. For althogh the church canoe abfolutcly fly from the prcfencc of the diucl,*vith hir Eagles wings,bcing fo vnfpeakably fwift as he is; yet after z fort ftre is Grid to fly from him,and bis pre-fencc,when thepowcrofche tyrants and pcrfeeutors which he raifeth vp,caunot ouertake hir, to murder ■Sc kii iiir.Buc as touching her Higbc to the wildcrnes,

and

An expefiumi>fontheReueUt'm. tf r

and her lodging & nourifhrnent therc,bv gods pro-Uidcncc.inthemiddcftofallpcnuryandcxtrem,^, we haue-fufficiendy heard before vcr. tf.and thciforc here I furccafc to fpeake any further of it. As concerning the foace and continuance of her nourifhmenc m thcwildcrnes,which is here Cct down to be atime &tt»>es 3 and halfea time,ids thefamc that the thou-land two hundred and thrcefcore daies, mentioned inthcfixtvcrfe; and the 42. momhes, mentioned Chap. 11. vcrfca.and the three daies and a halfe mentioned Cap.ii,vcr.<J.as before hach bin /hewed! Andtheferpent caft out of his mouth Water after the woman, like afoudf hat he might caufeher to be cari~ v " rei * ; ed away eftbepud.

Now the church being fecretly hid and nouri/hed by Gods prouidence in the wildernefle/o as the dy uil & his inftrumcnts cannot find her out, nor come at her,h=takcth another courfe^nd caftcth about a-nother way to annoy hirjSc that is by callings flond ofwatcr after her todrowne hcrwithal. Wherby is meant,thc innumerable lies, reproches, & flanders, which he raifed vp by fundry hcrcticks againft hir in all ages; as the Arrians,Donatifts, Papifts, and fuch like, and all to bring her into the hatred of Princes, Potentates, Sc al thatwcr in loue with her; thatfith otherwifc he cold not preuaile againft hir,yct at leafi: he might vttcrly finkc her in this gulfe of reproches.

But the earth holp the woman, and the earth opened *<&*( hermouth>andfi» allow cdvpthepud, which theDra-[onhadcaft out of his mouth.

Thcfame God which firft deliuered the Church

60m the violence and fury of fathan, and afterward

Z a . caft.

cad him out of hcau :n, 8c gaue ha* the viitory oner him i and after chat againc miraculoufly hid hir and pre-femed her in the wildcrncfle, doth not now at a d.-ad lift forfakc her, nor fuifcr her to be drowned in this floudof reproches, and vninft calumniations, which the Dragon cafl: vp after her. Brit caufeth the earth to help her r mdto fwallow vp the floud: That is, he vfeth all creatures in the earth to help his church: and not oncly fo,but alfo he ftineth vp many earthly and carnall men to beiirend the church, 8C to take part wich her againft her cnimics. As fomctimes hc ; did Cyras> Ebedmelech, ?{ebuz.<iradm, Gamaliel, and fundry others, whofe power and policy hc.vfed for the good of his church,and for the dry ing vp of that floud ofrcproches.which Sathan hath in alages coft. vp againft her. And God be thanked, wefee at this day that this floud offlandcrs and calumnies, which Papifts Sc Athciftscaft out againft the Church, and her particular mcmbcis,do dry vpdaily.&ihall dry vp more Sc more, being drunk in by the carih. And the Churchdoch ftillftand vnmooucablc, and fhaU (land and continue eucn vnto th: endof the world. Then th; Dragon wot wroth with the woman, and v«fe 17 went e£* made war with the remnant ofherftedjvhich keep the commumdementes of God, andhaue the tefli-mony of/ejus chrifl.

Here we fee there is no end of the diuels malice. He is infatigablc in mifchicfe: though he haueneucrfo many fbilcs, yet hce will hot giuc oiier^ but begin a-gain. For whereas he couldnot preuaile againft the. woman,to cafl; her out of heaue, by impeaching her election and faluation in chriir, nor yet root hir out' ' • . the

u.t.

'An Expofltion vpon the Reuthtiert, } g,

the earth by pctfeciicios, being hid in the wildrrncs and locked vp in the priuy chambers of Gods prouiL dencc,as fomctimes yong loajb was locked vp in the pne fts chamber from the fury of Athabah: now hec Kin, gocth another way to work, and fcttcth vpon her in ' her feed and poftcrity, which remain in the earth vn-ro this day.So that now fith he cannot do what mif

chicfe he would againft the church; yet will he doo what he can: feeing he canot wound hir in hir head yet vyil he bite, & pinch at her heelc j as it is written! thzxhejbonldbruifeher hale. And as is the malice of <>«>• ». U Sathan againft the church, fo is the rage and fury of al his members.euen all the wicked and vngodly a-gainftthe true wor/hippers of God They arc refflcs in malice and in mifchicfe: if they cannot vex them one way ;thcy will try another: if rhey cannot touch them m their hues^yctwill they moleft them in theft-goods and good name: if they cannot do what they wold,yet wil they do what they can: they wil noucr gmcoucr: if they can fpite thcrri in the Icaft'thing' thaus.thcy (hall befureofit. For they are as hill of vcnimc as aToad, and as full of malice to Chrift as anEggcisfullofmcatc. " - .

And I flood on the fen [and.

Now Iohn affirmcth that hecftoodvponthe Sea V " fc '* &nd,to behold the bcaft which rifech out of the Sea in the next chap.or elfc becaufc rhc greek word may effmhk be of the t h.rd perfon, which is, he Lod.that is,thc * dragon flood, it may bearc this fenRs, that the diucll Uood vpon the feafand, as itwere wotkingand ft*, mmgoutofthefeahis cheefe inftrument, which is the beaft now following to be ipoken of.

2 3 CHAP.

!^4 'j»Exj>ofitie»vpntheKeueUtwt.

vv

CHAP. XIII.

7E feme heard in the former chaprer the dc-' (cription of the Church,and of hcrarch-c. nimic the dcuill,Sc of the battcll betwixt therewith the fucccffc thereof. Now in this chapter we arc to hcare of the dragons two great inftrumcnts.whcrby he iVhteth agamft the woman: that is, the Roman cmp?rc,and the Papacy.For by thefc two, as it were his two hands,hc hath in all ages/f om the Apoftles time to this day, moft cruelly affiulcd, and affliaed the churcfeThercforc the mainc drift of this chapter is,to defctibe atiargc thefc two beafts.togethcr with al their bcaftly procecdings.So that this chapter may fitly be dcuided into two principall parts.

The firft is a defcription of theRoman monarchy, when it was at the higheft pitch, vntill the n. vcrfe. The focond, is a defcription of the Papacy, when it was in his pride,andcxaltation ; in al the verfes following vnto the end of this chapter.

In the firft of thefc two maine braunches, the Roman Empire is diuerfly defcribed. Firft, of the petigrcc thereof. Secondly, of her fcuen feucrall goucn.mcnts. Thirdly, of her great and outftrctched power. Founh!y,of her victories. Fiftly, of her b1a(phcmics. Sixtly, of her furic, rapine, and pride. After this is fet down the wound,which was made in the Empire,with the curing of the fame. »tr, 4 .T,8cc Laftly,is fet down the great and admirable power, and authority of theRoman empire, which ruled o-

Vtrfe 1

Vcrfe » Vcrfcj

AnExpoftuonvfontheReuehtioH. l6 -

iter a great part of the world, and hadmany nations fiibica vnto it/pccially, when the Popes were the heads thereof.

fin the fecond mainc part is the Papacy veryliucly defcribed.

Firft,fr6 the petigrcc thcrcof,which is of the earth. Veifc h Sccondly,from the ciuill and Ecclefiafh'call power thcreofjwhich is pretended to come from Chnfl,al-though in truth it is of the diuelL

After this is fet downe that the Papacy fhould bee »cr,i i, ij as mighty, andperforme as much inthcfcniiceof the Dragon againft God, as cuer the Empire of the heathen could do, both by authority and force, and dpecially by Iyingwondcrs.

Then it is fhcwcd„that as the Papacy did in fub- vcrfe i 4 ftanceofmatterfetvpand refiore again the old Roman tyrrany,to be worshipped, and wondrcd at; fo hath it framed an Hierarchic or Ecclefiafticall go. ucrnment,aftcr the very forme and prefident of the ancient Roman tyrrany; which is indeedc foJilce it, vcrfe If that it is called the liuely image thereof: and he hath by his Cleargyand their iurifdiftion, put fuchlifc and fpirit into this image, that it fpake with authority and power iri all countries and kmgdomes ; in Co rerfe lS > '7 much that whofoeuer would notfiibmit himfclfe thereunto, andboth profeffe and pra&ifc-poperyi andyeclde himfelfc wholy to thePapacy, he /hould £ . dieforit.

Laft of al; is defcribed and difcouercd from the nu- « lfe lX meratiuc letters of the name ofthe fccod beaft, both who hcwas,andfroinwhcncc.hefhouldfpringr r .And'Jfm*be*firifim. of.thefc*, bm»sfiueit»y^t

heads

1 66 An Expofnionvfan the Eeaelotitn. hides, Andtennehomes, and vppon his homes mere tenne Crowncs, and vppon his heads the nmcofblaf-phemy.

Firft,wc are to vndcrftand that a beaft in tke fcrip-.

lure doth ftgnifie a Kingdome, or Monarchy; and

that not in rcfpect of the ciuil power therof,which is

Rom, 13 ofGod,as it is written, There is nt power but of God:

but in refpeft of the tirranyiCrueltyjambitionjpridc,

and other fuch like beaftly qualities thereof, which

arc of the diucl: and therefore this beauts Gudto af-

ccndoutofthebottomleffepit, chap,i7,8.

This word bcaft is thus taken in the fcuenth ofD*-

#/f//,whcre the three great Monarchies of the Baby-

lonians.Meades and Pcrfiaus, and of the Grecians,

arc compared for their pride,rapinc, and cruelty, to

Da j a Lyon, aBeare,and a Leopard. The Angell in that

an ' 7l ' 7 chapter faith cxprefly, that thefc bcafts were Kings,

that is, kingly gouernments or Dominions.

By the beaft in this place is meant the Roman Mo-narchic,not in regard of the ciuil power thereof, but efpeciallyinrefpectofthetyrranny of it, inopprcli fing the Church.

By thefcahereis meant the troublcfomcftatcof the nations: as it is taken chap4- vcrfc 6. and chap. 2tndjfe. 1. For from the boyling and broyling eftatc -•!. of the former kingdoms St heathen nations, which were as a raging fca, did the Roman Empire fpring vp,asallftoricsdowitncfle; And the Prbphet-D*-D » n > l(:, >"»«i?doth flatly teach, that through the diuilionof the Grceke Empire, which fell out in the poftcrity q{ Alexander the Great, especially betwixt; his two

fons

:■■■"•;, -AnExpofit'tonvpnthe.ReuchMft. xgy, Sonnes offtolemeus and Seletutu, this Roman monarchy by degrees made a head, till at laft it came to tins pitch, which now \vc (hall heare of. By the fcucn heads of this bcaft,are ment the fcucn fcuerall gouernmentcs of the Roman Empire. Fifft, by Kings. Secondly, by Confuls. Thirdly, by De-cemuin.Fourthly,byDit"tators.Fiftly,byTnumui-chsp ' 7 '' n. Sixtly, by Empcrours. And laftly, byi>opcs, as hcereafter /hall more plaincly appeare. .

By the ten homes of this bcaft, is meant the great power and large dominion of the Roman Empire, or as the Angell himfclfe doth expound it, thereby cha P-'7.i* is meant ten kings, thatis,many kingdomes.which ihold be fubicft to the Roman Monarchy, &. wher-in in very dcede the power and ftrcngthof the Empire did confift. For by thefc horns the Roman Em. pure did not onely pulh downc other Nations :but efpcciallydoflcagainitthc Church, and as it were, cruelly gor-e the fides thereof. Now then we fee that the Roman Emperors both in homes and heads, were like their Father theDc-uill or the Dragon.

By the ten crownes vpon his ten hornes,are meant his great and manifold victories oucr other Countries and kingdomes.

The homes of this beaft are faid to be crovvfl^jfcac not his heades, becatifc the Roman Empire hath al-waicsmorepreuailed by power thenbypolicy,by .ftrengch then by fubtilty. But the Dragon hath his heads crowned, and not his borncs,becaufehe hath alwaics done more hurt by policy, then power; by fobnlty, thenfirength.Oae tiling in all this is great-

"Yctfe.!

i63 An txpofit'w vpon the Rendition, ly to be heeded,thar the holy Ghoft in this Chapter doth fpecially fpeak of the Roman monarchy.as the Popes were heads thcrcof;or as it was vndcr the dominion ot the Popes in their pridc,whcn as the Emperors were almoft trodenvndt r foot: He not limply and foly, as the Empcrours were heads thereof.

Moreouer it is faid, that vpon thefeuen heads of this beajlwaswrittenthenameofblafpherny. For befides the blalphemics oiCaligula, Nero, DomitUn, Diode-fians, Iiditms, and the other old hcathenilh , &c per-fecuting Empcrours, which hauc arrogated vnto themfelucs diuine honor, wc (hall anon heare of the . "V«fe j,«. furpafluigblafphemics of the Popes againfl; GODj, andaUgoodncffc.

And the beajl which if aw was like a Leopard, and his feete like aBeares, andhis mouth as themoutkofa Lion,and the dragon gatte him hit power,& his throne, and greatauthority.

Here the Roman Empire is defcribed of the likelihood of qualities, which it had with the other three Empires going before it. For firft, it is compared to a Leopard, for fwiftnefle to pray vpou others ;and alfo for ncrcenciTe,Sc fubtihy, as did the Greek mo-waiehy. Secondly, ids compared to a-Bearc for rapine and rattening, as the Monarchic oftheMcdes jnd Pcrfians- Thirdly,tt is compared to a Lyon for pride and infolcncic,as the monarchy ofthcChal-•da.-ans.So then by this defcription it is very clcerc, that this beaft lignifieth the Roman monarchy, be-caufcitcontaincthin it the whole power ofthe o-ther three Empires :and is here defcribed as a compound bfdiuers hcaftcs, yea.as a. very Monfter of

rnon-

AnExpoJition vpon the Reflation. i6 9 monfters, hauing the body of aLeopard, the feet of aBeare, and the mouth of a Lyon.

Moreouer it is faid, that the Dragon g*ue him his power and hts throne, and great authority. Which plainly fhevv«h,thar the power and authority of the

Roman Empire is ofchcdciiill,iiirefDeaoftheeum«l««p.'r quality thereof, that is, fraud, raping oppreffion: In which refpecl it is faide to afcend out of the bot-tomles p,t as was declared before. But the fubftancc otit,a.idth:goucrnmcnn't fclfe,was oFGod.For thepowers thatbepreordained ofGod, as faith the A- W 'J poftlc.

Andlfawoue of bis heads, <u it were wounded vn- Vcrfcj. to death-.but his deadly wound was healed, and allthe world wondred, and followed the beaft.

Here Iohn in a vifion feeth one of the feuen heads ot the beaft, almoft wounded vnro death. There be diuers and differing opinions of the learned touch-Jn S chl j w °und of the Empire, both when it ftould be, and how, and by whom. Some vndcrftand it of the death of/«//*, c«far: fomc oiJVero: fome of the oppreffion of the Goathes and Vandalcs: fome of the great preuailing oi lohnBuffi, and Jerome of 1 rage in the greateft part of Bohemia. But to let all thefcpaiTc, if wee doe wifely confider and weigh with our fclues, that by a beaft in this place, Jsnotmeantany lawfull administration ofgouern-nicnt, butatyrrannicallpowerin perfecutingthe Church, wee ihall finde that a head of the Beaft was then wounded, when Conjfantine the Great llcvt Maxenttus and Z/w, the two laft perfecting Empcrours, fctvp true religion, and brought A a a peace.

v,«

TtrC«4

170 An Eapojttion vpm the Revelation.

peace to the Churches. Foe hereby the Roman Empire was greatly woundcd,as touching the tyrranny of it. The hJ.y Ghoft doth not fct downe which of the fcuen heads were thus wounded, but in gencrall faith, one of them. Now it is very probable, that he mcancth the fixt head: For we do not reade of any fuch wound in the former fine which wer pad. Neither can it >cvnderJtood ofthe feuenth head,which was the P.. iacy, bccaulc it rccciucd no fuch wound as yet. Itfolloweth then, that the wound was in the Jipct head, that is, in the Empire. But wee read of no Empcromth.it did fo wound the bcaft, as did Con-Jl.inline the Great. And therforc it is very probable, nay, an hundred to one, that the Holy Ghoft heerc. pointcth at him.

But itfolloweth, that his deadly wound was healed, to wit, by thefe wicked Emperors which fuccec-ded Confiantine, as Conftantw, lulianut, Vdentiut, and others, which afrcfh did fct vp Idolatrie, and perfecuted the Church. Now vppon the healing of this wound, it is faid,that all the world wondered, and followed the bealt; that is,many nations,or the greateft part of the world did fubmit themfeluesto the Roman tyrranny. For fare it is, fomc kingdoms were neucr fubicft to the Empire of Rome, as fome part of Afia, and fomc part of Affrica.

4 nd they wor/hipped the Dragon which gaue power unto the Benfi^and they worfl)ipped the Beajl^faying: Who is like <vnto the beafi^ who is able to wane with him!'. Now is fhewed how all the fubiefls of the Roman Empire, did worfhippe the Dragon : that is, they

main-

AnExpofition vptntheReuetatiott. 171

maintained that worihip,which he liked and loued, that is, the worfhip of Idols, which the Apoftle cal-leth the worjhip of Deuils. And it is faidalfo,«&9 wor-fhifped the beafi: that is, they did all with one acord l Cor - n » fubmit themfelues both to the religion,aud aiuhori10 ' * '* ty of the beaft: that is y to the Popes, as they were the feuenth head of the Empire, For, as I faide before, fo I fay againc, the holy Ghoft heerefpeaketh of the Empire, when it was in the greateft glory and exaltation 5 yea when all the worlde wondered and followed the beaft; yea, when alladmiredthe great andlargc dominion oftheRoman Empire, & did within themfelues, whoishkevnto theBcaft?-Who is able to make war wich him? Now,thc Empire of Rome vyas ncuer fb great and powerfull, as when the Popes were heads thereof,! meanewhen they executed the whole ciuill iurifdiftion of the Empire, befides their Ecclefiafticall power, which, nowdidbothmcctcin one. For now the Papacy was aloft, and the Roman Empire ioyned with it : fo that the eyes of the world were dazclcd with the pbmpe and magnificence thereof, and they faydc, what is like vnro it ? Or who is comparable to the Pope,thc feuenth head thereof? For when the blind World thought that the power ofthe Pope, was not oncly aboue allthingcsin this world, but al'o did reach cucn vnto heaucn and hell. For they imagined that the Pope might carry to hcauen whom he would 5 andvvhom hec would, hoe might caft dovvnc to Hell: and therefore who could vvarrc With the brail ? And thus wc fee the reafon of their wonderment, and of their fpeech, All ftories an d A a 3. ex- '

t-p Jin Expofttion vpon the R eutlttitn'.

experience it felfc do (hew, that there was ncucc any power in the world fo wondered at, as thevfurped power and maicfty of the Pope, after he came to be the head of thcRomane monarchy. For then the .world fuppofed that he had power, cuen as God: Sc that he might depofc,and fct vpp: kings and Emperors at his pleafure. Then it is clear?, that vnder the dominion ofthc Popcs,Romc hath bin in her.high-■cft exaltation and glory. For the papacy was the fe-ii:nth bead of the beafl, whereby the whoorc of lia-bilon was fupported in her molt magnificallpompe and pride, vetfe j jind there wasgluen vnto him a. mouth thatjpake

great thinges, and blafphemies, and power wasgwett vnto him to do 41. months.

Andhec opened his mouth vnto bUjpfumy agaitifi Vetfcrf. . Ge ^ t0 bUfoljcmc his name, and his tabernacle t and •them that dwellin heauen.

Here are fct downe the proud and blafphemous fpecches, both of the old,and new Roman Empire; and ofthc old,and new Roman Emperors. For this beaft(as I faid before) comprehendeth al the Roma Empire, both vnder the Heathen Emperors, 8c the Popes. Touching the great things, and blafphemies, which theold pcrfecuting Emperours hauc belched out againitthe God of heauen, ic would require a volume to fet them downe in particuiars.I wil ther-fore onely mention two or three for examples fake; Asfirft that oiCains Caligula, which wold hauc his image fet vp in temples to be worfliipprd as God,8C that the people fhould fwear by his mmz.T^ero alfo did openly blafphcme the name of chrift,and required

Jn Expo/ition vpon the Reneldtien. 173 red diuinc honor to be giuen vnto.him. Domitian commanded that he fholdbe called God and Lord. Many others required the like things .-and fo all the world wondered and wor/hipped this blafphemous bead Now as the f ixt head, which was the old Empire ofRomc,was full ofthc names of blafphcmv 5 (b the feuenth head,which is the new empire vnder the dominion of the popes,which he here chicfely fpea-kcth of, did moft of all blafphcme. For the Pope did challenge vnto himfclfe al power both in heauen & earth: he would be worfhippedas God: he vfurped authority oucr the word of God: he did take vpon himtofbrgiuefins. He did molt blafphcmoufly in-croach vpon all the offices of Chrift, as king, priefr, & prophecHehath comanded the Angels .He hath cre&ed blafphemous imagcs^idcaufcd pictures to be made of the Godhead. He boaftcth and crakcth grearthings of his papal power,of/Vttr/keics,of /V-ttrs chairc,of Te ten fucccflion,of his mirades,of his twofwords,andof his manifold prxrogatiucsroial. One of the popes poifoncd his god.-anothcr call his God into the fire.- another would catc his peacockc in detpitc of God Some of the cofitcd the rcligio of Chrift a talc or fable, fomc drank to the diticl, fomc faid,they could do as much as God. Itwcrinfiuitro fet downeall their blafphemies: for it is faide ofthc whoore of Babylon, thitjhe vvasfullofthe names of Mafphemy. Let this fuffice foi the vndcrlranding of this text, that as the old heathenifh Emperours did b!afphemc, Co the popes being heades of the Empire, did moft of al blafpheme. And as it is here faid, they did not only blafphem the name of god,but aU

fo

veifc 7

V«f«8

174 An Exptfit'm vpon the Reuelatio*'.

Co did open their blackc and blafphcmous mouthes againft histahernacU, that is, his Church.calling it a company of htrecickes, Schifmatickes, Apoftataes, SC fuch like; W alfo againjl them that dwell in heaven, that is; thetpirits oi iuft and perfeft men, which arc in Heaucn, as Luther, Caluin, Melanclhon, and fuch

like.

k Moreoueritis to be noted, rhat this mouth was giucn vnto this monftrous bcaft, thus to blafphcme and (peak great thtngs.Buc this is to be vnderftood, that it was giuen in the wrath and iuft iudgemenc of God vpon the world,to plague them withal,becaufe they regarded not th? knowledge of the truth- But it is added, that this power of the bcaft thus to work his aftions.was limited vnto4a. months; fo that although he rule and rage for a time, yet /ball heenoc long continue.

Audit was giuen vnto him to make warre with the Saintes,andtoouenome them; and fewer was giuen vnto him oxer euery kindred and tongue and nation.

Therefore alt that dwell vpon the earth, fhdworfhip him, whofe names are not written in thebooke of life oftheLamhe, which was Jlainefrom the beginning of the world.

Thcfe two verfes do fet forth the great power which was giucn vnto this bcaft, both in fighting againft Gods people, and alfo oucrcomming of them, and murdering of them by heapes. As wc rcade of thou-fands murdered in the firft ten great perfections^ ten thouGinds by the Popes, fince they came to ex-ercifc the ciuill authority and iurifdi&ion ol the Roman Empire, and that in all Countries and Kingdoms

AnExpofmin vpon the Reflation. fy

domes ofEurope;as iris here hjAjbatpmervrntgi-mevnto hm onereueryhindred^ndtongue^nation. And it vaddcdjthKallthaTdwellvpontheearthjhit is,al the mbiefts of the Roman monarchy, fbal wor-fliip the beaft,&makc a God of him; as wc read they hauc done. And the chiefemotiue thereof, was his blafphcmous mouth,boaftingand thrcatning great things if any did withftand him:and alfo his mighty power and authority, whereby he bare downcal before him.Por if any did but mute againft him,he was lure to finan; for it. And thus through his tyrannicall power he fubdiicd all nations vnder him, and made them ftoupc and fal downc and worfliip him. But it folowcth.that for al rhis.nonc of gods cleft did worship him.or fobrnit thcmfelues to his religion, & au-thority,but only thofe that dwell vpon the earth, that is, earthly men *. as papifts,Atheifts, and reprobates, and al Cuch,whofe names are not written in the took of life.ChnR, is called the Lamb ftaine from the begin, rung of the worldc, becaufe the fauingpowcr ofhis death was from the beginning to all beleeuers, although he was not aftually exhibited vnrill the fol-ncs of time. If any man hauean care, let him heare. if any leadinto captiuity, hefhallgoeinto eaptimty ■ if

MyMlmthafwrdfrmullbekilUdhyafwerlHeJe™^* H thepatience md the faith oftkeSaints. Here is ftewed.that the things fpoken of this great bcaft are very fecretand myftical,and can bevndcr-ftood of none but thofe oneh/,whofc earcs and eyes God opencth to hearc & fecund vndcrftand,thacis, die very deft of Godas for alpapifts Sc worldlings,

Bb their

ij6 An Etyofitim vponthe Riueht'm. their eares St cicsatefcaled Stfluitvpithey cannot vudei (land thcm.but do ftil worfbip thebeaftjafcri. bingvnto him ditiinc power and honor.

In the 10. vetfc tlieiudgementand vengeance of God is denounced againll die Roruane monarchic, bothformer and latter ,whichas itjracblongqpprcf-fed the church with cruel bondage>& drawnc thou-iandsinto perpetual captiuity; foit fclfc alfo fhould be caft downc,with althe adheicncs thereof, both in this life and that which is to comcForas the Roman Empire did tyrannizebuer the world* andlcdmilli-oris into fpirituall capciuity and bondage: fo heere it is aiiouchcd, that accordin g to the iuft Iawe of quit-ttnce,itfelfc fhould be broght to the fame lore. And asthisbeafthad murdered many by thcfworde-,fo he himlclfe rauft be murdered by the iword alfo, as the Apoftie faith,cW is iuft, and therefore ml recommence tribulation to them that trouble his church. Now tthef, 1.6 jm^fcgij-ict^vntomc^obeaclcare prophetic of the faland final dcflruftion of the Roman Empyre> which indcede confidcringihe pi:che that it was at, may (ccmathing fti angeand incredible: andtherc-forc the Holy-ghoft ftirreth vs vp to attention in the p.vcif,as to a thing of great wonderment; and admiration : for if the Roman monarchy fail,the Papacic mult of nereffity fal with it. For the Roman Empire is that beaft,whichbeaEcthvp\hev»horcofBabilon, asappcarethinthc J7. Chapter of this ptophefie, where wefhal(Godwilling) plainly, &L atlaigeheare oftheioyntdeftrudtQflof ihembsahtogisncr.

It is added: ffeere&thtpatience and'thefaith4>f the ■Saints. .That.is,.herein required otcatpaciianc^ofafl

Gods

An ExpoftHtti'vfm the ReueUthn. vjy

G«ds childidiijto waic,and tary f il the performance and accomplitbrrientofthofe thinges^nd alfofayth andfulafluranceto bclecue, that they fiial in Gods appoinredtimccome to pafle. For few docbelecue thefe things,and therfore wait hot with patience for tbcaLcomplifhmcntthercof And I beheld mother bcaftcommmg out of the earth, VciGu which had two.homes likethe Lambe, butheftakelike the dragon. .

Hauing defcribed the firftbeafle which is the Roman Empire : now the Holi-ghoft commcth to dc-icribcthefccondbcaft, which is the Papacic, orthc kingdomcofthegrcatAntichriftrforalthotighhee be defcribed before in regard of his monarchy,that isjthcciuil iurifdi£tion,which hccxcrcifed as he was thcfeiicnth head .of the beaft, and hcadc of thcEra-pirc; yet here he is defcribed after another fort,that is,acording to his ecclefiaftical authority.- and thcr-forc he isicalkd another beafle, or a beaft differing from tbeformcrjinithathe cxerxifeth another pdw- \ CTjbefides the power of the Heathen Emperours ofRome,whichishfsfpin'tualiurifdi<9:ion,Jnwhich refpe& he«. called thefalfc prophet. Thwfeoobdbead rilah out of-thc eanh.as the former rafe out ofthe fca.- then it appcarcth that Anti-chrift \sjaf his bf eed i fonne of the cartb ; obfeurcly hoiac^Sc by little and-h'tle creeping vpout of his ab-ie<a«ftate 5 as did tfhe Turkc.Itis here muft truly faid thactftefciagdome of Amtehriftc attfeth out of the ^tH,&i8thev«ybrtedofth«ca*th:for-afturcdly itnettec carncf idm heaucri.k was 'firfli hatched but ofcouccoufncsjambicionjpridejmurdcttitrcafohs, Bb a poy-

~ifi AnExpofititnvptnthe Reiuhtm'.

poifonings,(brcerics, enchantmcntcs, and fiich like. Foe ai {lories do fhew, that from thefc roots the Pa. pacy grew to his exceeding height and altitude.

This fecond bcaft hath monomer, like tie Lamb; Wherby is meant his ciuil and ccclcfiaftical power, or his kingdomc and Ptieft-hoodi which hec falfly pretendeth to come from the lambe .• Sc therefore he giueth in his armes two kcyes, and hath two fwords carried before him. So Boniface the eight fhewed bimfclfe one day in apparrel as a pope, and the next day in armour as the Emperor; and the two homes in the Popes miter are fignes hereof. But the Holy-. ghoft heere telleth vs, chat-thefc two homes are not the homes of the Lambe,but only like the homes of the Lambe: for he rcceiucd not his power from the Lamb Chrift •, but from the diuel,chat is, the dragon * with tea homes. Then thus it is, thePapacyis the feuenth head of the firft beaft,that is 5 the Empire; Sc yet a bcaft by it fe'fc, with two homes like the Lamb> in refpeft or his ioint power and authority, both ccclcfiaftical $c ciuil, in which refpefl: he is called euen the eight: and one of the fcucn,chap. 17,11.

Although this fecond beaft haue mo horneslike the Lamb get hejpake like the dragon jhxi is,al his • words and works,pra£tifes and proccedings,la wes and de* aces, arc for die dragon,of whom he hath his power and throne, and great authoricy.So thatwhatfoel ucrhee pretendeth in religion and matters of Gods worfhip, as though he would be like the Lamb; yet affiircdly he is altogether for the dragon arid thedi-nell: he is aflbred vnto them, as all experience doth manifcftly witnes..

And-

AnExpfiionvfon theRtUelatim. j 7 > And he did aUthat the firft betjltouted* before him - rerf M * andheemfedthe earth andthem tktrdwdtberem, to ^Jhpthefirfibeaft^hofedeadlyrooundw^ healed Hereu- ihewed that this (ccond bead was as mighty andftrongas the firft beaft.and could doasmuch as he, cucn in his ptcfencc. Whereby is-hoted the great power and authority of the papacie, in performingas much in the feruiceof the Draggon againft God and his church, as euer the Empire of the hea. thcn.and thofe wicked Emperours could do • yea he did much more againft Chrift,and his religion.thcn cuer the perfecting Emperors could doe, cucn then when they were at their higheft pitch. And al this he did in his prefence, that is, in the fight He open view of the whole Empire,or whole world. Andhecaujed the earth jmdthem that dwel therein that is, al papifts, and vvordlings,/* vvorfhip thefirk beaft, duns, torccciue the worfhip and religion of

theoldRornantyrany,whichfctvpandmaintained Idolatry. So then, although the power m the papacy came vnder the name ofChrift,yct in tnuhit was

the fame with the power of the perfecuring Empire ■ tor the heathen emperours condemned the true worl flupof God,and fct vpfalfe wor/hip jCU en the Wor~ ftjpof d.uels, whichis Idolatry,andfo do the popes

5k i al ? T fcc,thatthis fcc6nd bK, ft«all for the firft bcafte, that is, he leuieth alhis powC r & authority,^ fet,vp the worfhip and religion of the oldc Komape tyrants; and to>fbrceal men by crueMttwcs anddcci;e& torecciueand embrace tfcrCk&c. So

SiT, i »°«toigbeiw then fflrft.nay in trutha great dealcvVorfe. ■T-' 7

Bb 3 And

t Sq JfrExpifitiotivptnthe Aeutlatio*.

devyitefrPtnfiwb'. wtht earth, inthefighti vfnteHl-• A*>d4.ecet^ethjtheni that Avcellw the earth, hy the yer c l *> 1 * j^flwfakjptre ptfimtt id hi>h to dom the fight of the beafij'aying to.them that dwell on the earthy tint they ^{dmxktthejma^e-ofthe besfyvhich hadthewound ofafv-vprd^anddidliue. . - • '

Tfcefc two verfes do contame two ipcciall things: Thebncis,thcfalie&: fiuncdmiraclcsctf Antichrift The pthcr is,the curled cffccl: thereof. .. ■ ■

Xouobin g the fif ft^whi ch is the woondcrs and my-racks which Antichriftfhould workeyitis here laid, that \iti^)\\\^mikefire comedownefrom heauen y as EUm did.Xhe meaning wherof is nor,that the'popes could indeed caufefiretoxomtdovmfrom heauen, as JE///W.did: burin the opinion of thcblind-wo'rlde they feemed to haue as great power as Elias had.For parciy by cotmterfcitcmiraclcs, and partly by fbme Grange tilings done by thepowerofSarhany tbefe-diiccd wp(|d hath verily bcteeuedithawhe popeanJ his clctgy had as great power to wotkc miracle* as eucrhadE/ws. /'■',

Touching the feconAtliinge, which is the '«{&& of thefe wonders;: It is here faid that ■theintabftants ot'thoc-ar^h» that isj Papifts and Wordlings^ Were' groficlic deceiued and deluded by them 3 «ficn ( ty thofe lyingwonders,; which were peiniittedhirirto do in theiight of die bcaflithat is;in jhe-facfcWd^ pcnYJteWiOjFjth^ Empkej-Accoirdirvgas thjs 'ApSftJe 1 foyetc id, tbafcrfo tmmi*g-.tf*ntishtififi»m'bt If the-cffettuall •worMing.«fS«t\jin r xfith allpovv'/r and fignes, oHdlying wenderfjOt/d in'iUdectwibleWjJe of ■ ■'■ ;• vnrigh*

aThe/,.

AnExpofitinkvpotitfuZiueUth*. jg \

ceding tbcfpapiih catf«t^fec-fignes'artd wohders a ifc isneedeleffe to write, beingfowell knownevfiroill roenj as they arc, andfc»c6nari*0n and notorious in. aiftorics, ..,....:.:..■. • .c. ,c. ...^

Styingtothem thardwettMbe earth\t'hdtiheyfhouMe make the image ofthebeafie% which had the Wound''of '"«*« «t *fi»'ordjoiddidliut. -i

Now Antichrift hauing gotten the worlde vnder him 3 by his MtintcrfcE miracles, doethlayhiscforn-mandcmcnc'on tbe^ro niakffthiimagdWthebeaft; Now what is here meant by the image of tfiebcaftis fomewhat hard to difcufle: fome thinlythathy the hnageofthe beaft, which had the wound ofifword; &did liue r is meantrheirejiaking, and therefforine of t^e decayed cfoteof the£mpire,by thepb'pcs.to his ful ftrengch and venue. We do read that the'e-flatc of the empire vnder NerofiUko^Galha^andyitet-/////,was weak Stfccble^irr comparifon of that whicfj it was before, vnder Ang^fius^TtbeYiUSy tetlavcKuf. Wc dorcachlfothatthfcGotheSand Vandarsmide hornblo rents and diflipations incheRbfoairic'Ern-pire. Wedoefiirthcrread,thatthcEmpirewasdi-

nidedandrentinpeeces;;ifothatfhere ( wairhiiErh : perorlofthe Eift.and the Impett* of the vfycv^Vea

Atlaft.thbempireofthe W&Wd ^itedorfrcfo that fortrie fpace of 3oo.yca«8£ m ore^tiicrwas no efnpl of the Weft.iil the bifhapof Rome ked the 3. made 1 cWhbeg*eat,the K,of France'EhipiTheh was the" empire ofthaAW^againaeFeeiad^ mh tim£ : #&Wi<} «grcaranheight.vndei?the dommioh ofrhcpbpes »hefore,yca£ir'greater.NowI fay, fonKS^o'etalte

this

ttt AitExppfitmvpfnthe&euettyifi. this reftoringof Ac decayed eftatc ofthe Empire,by the popes, to his former ftrength and power, to bee the makingof the image of the het/le, which had the wound of&pworAjy did Hue . But for my own part I cannot be of that opinion; and my rcafon is, that the reflating of the decayed eftatc of the Empire to his former condition, yvas the fetting vp of die beaft himfclfc: for chc Empire is the beaft, and not the %' mage of the beaft: for wee muft necdes graunt, that the beaft and the image of the beaft, are two feucrall thinges. But the popes in recouering/hc empire to his priftinatc eftatc, fct vp the beaft againc; Sc therefore not the image of the beaft. Therefore die image ofthe beaft,canot be vndcrftood of the rcftauration .ofthe decaicd cftateof the Empire. Befidcs this, it is here faid, that the inhabitauntes ofthe earth had a great hand in making of this image. Bin the inhabitants oftheearthbareftnalfway in therecouering Sc crc&iotvofdie empire. (For therin. the popes were al in al,afcer it came into their bands)Therfore this ca-hotbe,yridcrirood ofthe Empire, but offome other things; let vs then diligently iearch out what may be the true meaning of this place. It muft needs be gra-ted,tha*by Ac bfiaft, which., had the wood of a fword and did (iuc, is m eant ri?p rccouered cftata ofthe empire, as before yerfi a. And by the image thereof, 1 ynderftand the forme pfgouernment: for an image dpthfiapific a iikencs; afimilitudc,a figure or forme b£a thing. And as inall cinjl and ccdefafocattrcgi* menr^Oiere is both a fobftanceand a foirmeu matter aodamanner; lb here,hauing before (a. downe that Anfichrifthadprcitcdthefiibflaunccand mat*

ter

' JnExfefiticn vf cmhe Revelation. i8 3 ter ofthe ojd Roman tyrany j now he ftewcA, that he fhould alfo fetvp theimage& forme of thefamc. For before verfc. n.itisfaid, that Antichrift this 2. bealt.caulcd chc world to worjhip chc firil bcaft,tha t

«*«> rccciiicandimbrace the Jawcs,wor(hip,and religion of Ac old hcaAmih Roman tyrants,as before hath bin (hewed: 3 nd now here is added, Aar he did not content himfclfc with caufing the inhabitants of the earth to worfliip Ae old bcaft,in the fubf lance of his religion; but alfo he laycth commandemems vp. onthcm,tomafcchis Image, tbac is, tocreftancx-tcrnal forme ofEcclefia(ticaligouernment,aftcr the very patcrn and forme of Aegouernmcnt ofthe old Empire; yea fo like it,chac ic is called the very image of thefame. Forastheformeofgoucrnment vnder the old Empcrours, was cruell and- tyrannicall, and altogether bent againft the Church: fo the forme of fccclehafhcall goucrnment vnder the popcs,was cruell and ryrannicall, a nd altogether bent againfie the Church; and therefore here it is called the Imaee of it: for it v as like it as it can looke Then it folio we A that Antichnft hath fct vppe that exrcrnall forme of wor/hip, which Ac Idolatrous Romans of olde vfcdi and that hce hath renewed thepcrfecuting Empire not onely in fubftance of matter,but alfo in forme of gonernment: and therefore I concludc,that the po. pifliChurch-policic, and extcrn a ll regiment, is the very Image ofthe beaft.

ffee the inhabitants of the earth arcfaid to make the Image ofthe beaft, becaufe they gauc their con. lent to the making of it: for indeed the popes Acm, (clues were the chiefe Agents and doers in it.

C c And

i$4 J» ExpoJittoH vpo/t the Reudathn. Terfe ij Andit was permitted vnto him, togiue tffirit vnt* the image of the beaft , fo that the Image of the Beaft jhouldfpeake,andjJjould eaufe that as many as would not roorfiip the Image of the beaft, fhould he Med.

Hcercisfhewed, chat this image of the beart was not a dead image,but a liuing image: for Antichrift puc a fpiric into it i that is, life and power, and great authority ; infomuch that this image could fpeakc; and not onely fpeakc,but fpcake with great authority and terror; foas whofocucr would notworfhip this Image, that is, fubmit himfelfe to the Popifh Hicravchicjfhouldbcputtodeath . Butmayfome man fay.howdid this Image fpcak?I anfwcr,by the popes Cleargy. For the Romifh rabble of Cardinals, Abbots, Monks, Pricfts, Friers, and all that curfed corporation, were the very breath, lifc,and fpiric of this Image: I meane, that the life-blood of their ex. ternall regiment, did lie in the execution thereof by the Cleargy, as it were in certaine arteries Si Veincs. . For what was their outward.forme of goucrnment, without this cruell execution of their flinging Clergy men,but as a dead Image without lifc?But when Antichrift had onceconfecratcd and ereftcd his Ro-mifh priefthood, then did he put life into his Image, which before he had caufed to be made and ere&cd. Then we do plainly fee, rhat the popifh Hierarchic is norabarcrefemblanceofthc oldRomm policie, toftaudasapiifurconawal.buthathafpiriirnitin-to if by the falfe Prophet, and fpeakcth with fuch power and rcrror in all kingdoms, that it caufcth all to bee put to death that will not fubmit thcmfclues ynto it,and fall down and worlhip the beaft. Who

know-

MExf>oJiti<mvf>oittt>cReueUi;e». z fy

knowethnot this, thatas many in all Countries, as would not embrace popery, and me old Roman ty-ranyithePopiftCIeargytheirinquifitors^othcr .

Oftcers, did condemne them in their Courts,as he-retikcs/chifmatiks, and ddiucrcd them ouer, bcine condemncd,co thcfccuJar power to be put to death

hlnf^T^ Mtth f miU ^gr^ richandfoore, „* * t» their foreheads. #

And that no man might buy orfeff,f aue he that W™ fc '7

^'^rk^r the name ofthebeafi^r the number of his name, »

Antichrift is not conrent to murder and maiTacre Yu a * CO " mi ? es > whlch wil not worthip the Im a g-ofthebeaft .thatisftoupetohisgouernmentc^au: dionty: but he will go yet a fteppe further, and will Wallfortesof people brought in bondage™ to hm as his marked feruan tcs. For as men vfe to fct a

brandvpontheir/hccpand othercatteUnd toeare-markcthem, that it may openly and manifeftly a p-pcare towhom they appertaine: fo doth Antichrift this Romifh beaft, caufe all men in all kingdomes ro carry m open view his markc or brand, whereby all .may fee that they do appertaine vnto him.

Ic-shccrefaid that all the vaffals of Antichrift, of what dcgrce,eftatc,or condition focuer,muft re-ceme his marke in their right hand, or in their fore-

thewor/hi P andrcl, gI onofthebeaft. Fortheforc-EiT" ri hc ? r ° feffion;andthcti g hth ^,for tncaition; fo that in one ofthem at the lcaft, euery

i%6 AHExpoJitm vpinthe ReHcl*ti»*. man mutt openly declare, thathce icfcnbtoledgcth the Pope of Rome to be Lord ofhis faith-

Morcoucrit is added, T^xt no man might buy or feu % fane he that hid the marker the name of the beafi, cr the number of his name: the meaning is, that no man might traffiquc in the world, or haue any doo. ings amongfr m:u; nay, he might not be fuffrcd to liiic,exccpt he had the markc of the bead in his fore-head,or in his right hand; that is.vcleflc he did pro-refTe & praftifc the worftiip, the religion, the lawes, ' and decrees of the Pope. For the markc of thebcaft is put for his worfhip, rcHgfon, lawes/dccrces,rcgi-ments, and policic.

MorcoLier the Popes vaflalshauc not ouclyhis =mark vpoiuhem, whereby they may be kn»wn,but alfo the name of the beaft ;for they muftbec named after him, cuen as children bcarc the name ofthcir Fathers,and mull be called of the Pbpe,or P^,Pa-pifts. Andnotonelyfo,bvtt alfo they haue another -priiiy markc vpon them, and that is the riuhlbcrof -Iiis name, which is Latinos, or profeffors of the La-tine religion, Latiriekingdbinc, and Italian church, as fhall by and by ap'pearc.

Now then to grow to a conckifion, and to make a bricfc recapitulation of all thinges here fpoken concerning the fecond bcaft, which is Anrichrift: Let vs confid.-r what incrcafings and proceedings hec hath made; ask were by degrees.

Firft,akhough he haue two homes like the Lamb, that is, ciuil «t Ecclefiaiticall power, yet he fpeakerh like the Dragon, that is, hec bcndethall hispowcr and authority, words and workcs,for the Diucll.

Sccond-

Secondly, hedbthasMuchfci *c fitftbeaftcduld

do in the feVvi ice of the ©f agon.

Thirdly,hc ciiufech rhefeft bcaft to-be wot/hipped that is, eftablifteth the fobftance ofhist cligion.

Fourthly, he makfcth'thc toageof the bea'ft,'that is^ddah^formetofhefiibftanee. - -;

Fiftly,he putteth Kfeimb his -Imagebyhis Clcar-gic.

5ixrry>e willhaue*his Image Worshipped, and • yceldedVritbjon'painto'fd^th; ■-' -

■iaftfyi-fce'e^itt haiietfll ttldnbfall conditions to

wc-ar^his ; Huiffy,!ind : torcceiHc his markers it were "his bifedand cbuenant fernanes.

HeWeismJedMe: letUtothtit hdtktoit, count the amSeroffhebesft -.firit it the^UMber of~ ! *mmpni wmMbertificelmndrettthreeJcoreaAdjixe; ■ NoWlaftdfalltheholy GhofttcHdrnvs,- that it is avetyfeghfpointofwifedbme^nd Yridef Handing. tocburit 'tile ritimfeer of the beaft, andrtqiifcth 4 ftlfrp^'pregrtam wit i-andwitfcalhelleth ~vs, that it is the number of a man; that is,fuch as a man en-died With-Gods Spirit mayflrid6Ht. Then wee are • cAcbtifaged to fearch irito-ic, tfc'h'it '»s*vfcfifivdi6 compiflcofmahs reach, r^no^imp^bfc thiJi». If therefore we could'findbiichts nattier we Woulddei firciio rribre, theft the field were won, for histiamc would difebuer him, «c-defcrie him tb-all the world, and qtiiteflop f he -mouths cVfthe Paprftk, fo as they ftbitld rteu'erhai^auy thing'mbte 10 fay: For if S: lohrfhadfaidcejipttflyaijd faplainetearmesithat the Pdpfcs bfRbme are chis-fecbrid bcaftiaiid the vc-tyAiitichrifthimfclfe,then the papiftshadbcen put

Cc 3 to

Ircn.lib,

contti haercf.

to pcrpctuail filcricc,aU raaucrs qui(ht,6c aU conuo. ucrfies ended betwixt them and vsforcuer.But here thcholyGhoft doth not telvs his name plainly, but myftically, as many other things in this booke, that the worldlings which fiiould fulfill them might bee blindcd.whileft the eyes ojf Gods cleft are opened to fee into the truth of all thefe matters. Well,to come to the point: S. Iohn doth oncly here fet downe the numcratiuc letters of the bcafts name. He wrote in Grcek,and he cnelyfcttcth downc three Greek let-tcrs or charade rs,which in greek numeration make fixe hundred fixtie fixc.Now further we are to note, the numeratiue letters of the Gre«kc word Latetnos do make iuft this numbcr.Andyet further we are to f ' obferue as a vcy fpecially thing, chat IrenatUiin ancient Father olf the Chutch, who liued very neere vnto the Apoftlcs times, mentioncth thisworde LatauvSjis the name of the beaft. And moreouerat firmcth, that ii was a common rccciucd.opinion in his time, and before, that the Beaft Ihould'befo called.

Now then let vs confidcr how this fittcth. Fir#,' wcknow that the numeratiue letters of. Latinos do iuftlyfit Saint Johns, Greekc numeratiue letters. Secondly, wee know that Antichrift is the head of the Latinc church,or Latine Empirerand therefore this very Latetnos. For here we do not enquire after the name of any particular man, but about the name of a kingdorne ; for the beaft is akingdomc, and afiic-ceffionofmen. Now Italy in oleic time was called Latinu,8c the Italians Lfttim: which notcth ofwhat Countrcy .the B:aft ftiould come. Moaner,: the. . ' , beaftes

AnExf»]itmvpMtheRtHeliti<m. r8p Tjcafts name, or narrie of the Roman Empyre Uza. teinos becaufc the empire both vndec the heathen ti-rants,and the popes elpecially,bad all their religion, fcruice,paycrs,lawes, decrees, writings, and tranfla-tions in Larine:al was in Latinc, Latine. The pope preferred his Latinc tranflation of the Bible, before the Hcbruc and Greek originals. Thus then it is, S. Iohn tellcth vs flatly ,the number of the betfl isjix hundred fixtyjix : Irenans faith, that Latetnos is his name which containeth iuft that number.Thcrefprchcere \vc bauc hisflarfle, here he is found. Forif fiis name be Latetnos, wee need fearch no further, wee knowe who it is,wc know who is meant: for is not the pope Latetnos > arc not the fucceffion of them Latmi? are they not the heads of the Latine Church, & Latine Empire ? Hanc they not all : th'eir worflu'ppe and feruice in Latine? Are they not Latines ? for what is the name of thcRomanc Empire but Latetnos ? And what is the name of thepopifti Hierarchie but Z4-/«**/.? True it is indeed whiclVthetiapifts-fay, that many names may bee inuented, \vh6fc ; lettcrs make this number: but the Spirite of GOD fpcakerh not bffairied names;for thereof can cbinenothinge -but vneertainety: but hec willeth vs to counre' the nun?, bcr of-bis name, which then thc-beafte had; thatis, Latetnos. I doe thus then : conclude. The bcaftc is a kingdorne, and the Papacye isthe kingdorne of the Latines •, Therefore die papaeye is the beaft. : The papaeie is Latetnos and cbritaineth the number of thebeaft. Forvvha'cothcrMonarcIiiecan bee fliewed fincc this Reuclation wasgiuen, vvhofc -numeratiue Letters containc this forfaidc number ? ' ; ' Affurcdly

J5».o 'jnExpoJfMMV^tJfeXe&lttwn.

Aflurcdly noneiAM^crfpKQU^f all dpijfer Saint Iphnpoiptcchatthc Roman Empire, andMonar-chic ofthe Popes. For Latctnos doth both containc the number ofthe bcaft, according to Saint Iohns conipiitation,andalfo his namc,which is the Latin? Empire,orRoman empire. And thus hauc we heard the description of thefc two huge and monftrous bcaftes, the Sea-bcaft, and the Laud-bcaft; which both Irqm the Apoftlcs time hitherto hauc indeede played the bcafts agajnft Chrift and h l * Church,an4 ftill do play the beafts, and;wdl neuer ccafc playing the bcafts, till their homes, and hooucs, heads, and bodiesbc cleane cut oft which will be fhordy,as wc ftallhearcanon.

CHAP. XIIII.

WE hauc heard in the former chapter the description of the twq great and dreadfull bcafts. We hauc heard how mightily they hauc prc T tailed now many yccrs,8c raigned as monarches of the earth.Now in this chap- wc arc to hcarc the fall and mine of them both. So that the maine drift and fcope ofthis chaptcr,and all the chapters following, vntill the twenutb chapter's to ftew, that both the Roman Empire, and the Papacy ftiall ebbe as faft as cuer they did flow, ftiall wain as faft as cuer they did vyaxe, fhaH decrcafeas faft as cuer they did increafe, .andfall downc as faftas, cuer they did rilevp, cucn vntill they come to ytter ruinc and defplation. . This Chaptercontaincthfeucnprincipallthingcs. Vcrft i Firft, it Ihcwcth that God had his Church vppon

the

J»ExpoJhi*t$vpentheRevelation. i ?I

Ac earth cucn thcn,wben it fecmed to be vttcrly extinct by thepreuailingofthetwooutragiousbcafts. ver M>4 , r

Secondly, it fteweth that tlie poore perfecuted church did ftneercly 5c zeaioufly worftip God cucn va the/ire and flames ofaffliaions. Thirdly, it flicweth that the Gofpell ftall be preached with great fucceffe in thefc laft daies through- Vcrfe e. T . out many kingdoms.

Fourthly, it fteweth thatRome ftall fall down at Vcifc 8. the preaching of the Gofpell.

Fiftly, it fteweth that all Papifts ftall becondem- * c '?' 10 .'« ned,and caft into hell fire for euer.

Sixtly, it flicweth that it ftall go well with Gods Vt*. n'ii ciea,whichham'ng refuted the worftip ofthe bcaft, * * do liucanddic in the Lord. Laftly, it defenbeth the day of Judgment, wherein v„ , 4 *c ■'

aU both good, and bad ftall hauc according to their defcrw.

Then I looked, and Behold a Lambjloeden the mount Tetfti St<m y and with him an himdered forty andfoure thou, ftnd^hauingtheFathers name writteninthen fire-heads. J

Now at the laflthc Holy-Ghoft bringcth in lefus Chrift vpon the Theater ofthe world, as it were to play his part in this tragedy, and to helpe thepoorc weak woman, which we heard of bcfore,againft the Dragon,& the two monftrous beafts,which would hauc torne her in pieces, and vttcrly dcuouredher, if this Lamb lefus Chrift had not ftept in and refcu-<d her. Well.now eommcth in our Lord Icfus,and heginncth to ftir in thefe matters, and to take vpo*i «im the protection and defence of the poore hefoi

Dd leflc,-,

tk

19 z An ExpefitM vptn the RtueUtion,

leffe woma,againft both the dragon,&: the dragons two great inftrumems.But may fomc may fay.what is a poor Lamb to encounrcr with a dragon, with a Lion,with a Leopard, 8c a Bcare ? I anfwer, that although chrift be a lamb to his church,cucn the lamb of God that takcth away the fins of the worlds the Lamb that was a (lain (acrifice from the beginning, for the redemption of his elect: yet to al his enimics he is a moll (hong and terrible lyon,cucn the lion of Clup.j.5. r j^ c tT ^ c 0 f/^ >as ne i s caJd before. Now this moil

terrible Lyon,cuen the Lord of hofts,the L.mighty in battcll, commcth forth to protect and defend his church againft al her cnimies,who is of fuch infinite might &: puiffancc,that neither the old Dragon,nor his young imps, nor all the curfed hel-houndcs th2t barke and bite, and take their part, (hall ener be able to ftand in his hands; For rage they neucr fo much, he fhall hamper them alwelenongh.Fonhoughhc h.uic giucn them the reincalong timc,& let them a-. lone, and fuffcrcd them to play the tyrants with the womaia his (pouic; yetnowhewillnolongcrputit vp at their hands,but will vp and maintaine the wo-maus caufe,and bcare her out againft them all: nay, he will make ready his bow, thathemay ihootcoff, and make his arrowes drunk in the b'.ound of her &c his enimics, and will whet his glittering (word, that' hemay (heath it in the hart of Antichriftandallhis ■ adherents- Therefore now let both the great bcafls and their Sire look to themfelues: for here comes in one that will knockc them all downe, and lay them in the du(i,that they (hall neuer rife vp againc. For this caufc now adength S * Iohn in a viijon feeth a

Lamb

<4»E)c}«J!ti0nvpmheReHtkti<m; i 9l Lamb ftand vpon mount Sion; that is, Chrift pre-fent with church.For mount Sion was an ancient figure of the Church; as it is written; Mount Sion lying Northward is faire in fituation. it is the toy of the Piil, a 1 Whole earth, and the cittie of the great King. And a-giinc.Thelawfballgoforth of'Siw^rtdthewordof"the Mic!, '«> ** Lord from Ierttfdem.

Moreouer,S./^» feeth here with the Limb an hurt, dredforty mdfoure thou)'and .that is, the particular members of the Church, putting a certainc number for an vnccrtainc, St fpccially alluding to the fcaling of the twclu tribes of Ifracl,as before hath bin (hewed. For ic might be demannded, where the Church

was,wh:n all the world wondred,and followed the firit bead ? And alfo when all, both fmall and great, rich &poor,vecciued the mark of the fecond bcaft ? S. Iohn -anfwercth,that cuen then in themidft of the hcateofperfccutionsCodhad his hid &. iniiinfible church, whom I rfus chrift did prote£t and prefrrue eucn in the very flames of pcrfecutios,beingaIwaics prcfent with them, and amongft them, as he (aid to his Difciplcs a litlc before his bodily departure from thcm.Lo,lAm withyeit euen vntothe end of the world. Andhcrc he is faid to flandvpon mount Ston with his hundered forty and fottre thoufmd. And it is added, that this number of Gods faithfull cled Children hid the Fathers njmewritten in their foreheads: That is, they did profeffe, and pradlife the doftrin and religion of GOD their Father onely, vtterly renounl cing and abhorring the wodhipand religion ofthe B-aft. For mc Fathers name in thisplaceisfettc oppofite to the Mttkc of rhc Bcaft ;, to fignific., Dd 2 that

Clwp,7.4,

i?4 An Exptfttio* vpon the Reutlst'ton.

that as" th: worihippers of Antichrift recciued ha markc: fo the true worfhippcrs of God rcceiucd his brand,which is his fpint,5£ the fruits thercof.where. by they were perfectly difecrned from thofc which ha J the b^afts mark.So then it clceriy appeareth fro this place,that god prefcrued many thoufands of his uuc worfhippcrs, cucn in the daics of the great An-tichaift, when there feemed to bee very few or none remaining vppon the earth, as it was in the daies of El/as In vaine therefore do the papiltsaskcvs,whcr our church was before Luther $ timc,fith the holy A-poftle here ftoppcth their mouth,8C tclleth vs plainly, diac Chrift had his little flock in the wildernefle, euen then.when it was in grcatcft ftreightes, and as we fay,driuen to the wals. And therefore vifibility is no sound note of the church,as the Papifts do mod ignorantly difpute.For it is a fond and abfurd kinde ofrcafoning,to fay there is no church at all, becaufe it doth not viilbly appeare: as if a man fhould reafon t!iat there is no Moon in the heauens.becaufe fome-times there is none fcene, as in the change.

V<ifc » An ^ I ^ car ^ a v0 ' ce f rem Heauen, as the found of

many waters, and as the found ofagreat thunder: and 1 heard the vcyce cf Harpes harping w fib their harpes. Hcere is fct forth how his companyof true worftiippers doc magnific and praifeGod, for his great mercies towards them. Firft, John hearetha voice fro heauen, that is an heaucnly voice,or the voice of the

<ty>.U. Cnurch P ra y fi "g and glorifying God.Forwchauc heard before, that heauen in this Book is fometimes pui for the Church vpon the earth, and thcreafons thereof: .W hexdbeuer therefore the Church is af-

fcmblcd

AnExpofiftonvpentheKenelation. 15,5 femblcd to heare the worde, and to pray, and giuc thanb ; there is a voice from hcanen, or an heaucnly voice. Now this voice is coparcd to three things : ■firft, ro the found oimanie waters. Secondly, to the found oii great Thunder. Thirdly, to the voice of harpes, harping with their harpes. It is likened to many waters, becaufe it proceedeth from fundry fortes of people, of fundry Nations, countries, and kingdoms^ the ward Waters is taken afterwards in this Prophcfic. It is compared to Thunder ■, becaufe the Chap,!/, 1 prayers andinuocations of the true Church areas clu P, Vf loud in the cares of God as any thundercrackc. It is . compared to Harpes harping with their Harpes, both , becaufe their fpirttuall worlhip & fcruice is as fwcccc . rnto God, as any mufick vntomen: as alio becaufe all Gods faithfull people doc tunc together amonge thcmfclues., and in their worfliip, as the filings ofV-well tuned inftruments of muficke, or as many mu-fitians playing together, which make afweetc riir--mony, andmoft melodious dittic.

Andthey fungasifwerea newefing before the ■ 7i>rone,and before the feureBcafls,and the Elders-/ tift ^ and no man could learne that Jong, but the hundered forty andfoure4houftnd,which were bought from the: earth.

Now it Aeweth how this holy fociety of the faith- -foil do continue their prayfing 8c glorifying of God.. They ate not weary of well doing, but hoHon con-ftantlyiruhecourfc of Gods worfliip, hauingncw fbngs of thankfgiutngfn their mouthcs,andfeiuing Dd 3 God.

Yule*

wf«J

t 9 4 AttZxpafttmvpwtfjeRtuehtlm. God daily with renewed affc&ions,as me inflamed with the zeale of Gods glory : and all this they doe pcrformc before the thronc,bcforc the foure beafts, and the Elders i that is,in the prefence of God, and his Angels ,and his holy congregation. And no man could learnc thatfong, but the hundred forty and fourc thoufand, that is, none of th: reprobates and vn^odly worldlings could inv*ardly fc. lc Sc vndcr-ftandthis fpirituallworfhip.buc onely the elcft, to whom it is giuen to vndcrftand the fecrcte $ of God, and the my ftcrics.of his fons kingdomc.

Thefe are theyfvhich are not defiled with women, fir they ire virgins: thefe follow the Lambe xfheref'oeuer heegoeth-.thefe are bought from men, being the firfi fruits vnto Ged, and to the Lambe.

And in their mouths was found no guile -.for they are •withoutjpot before the throne of God. This holy copany are not defiled with women, that is, with grofle and diucrs fins, or rather with idolatrous pollutions. For they Are -virgins, that is, chaft worfhippcrs of god,which are not polluted with the defilcmets of Antichrift.r/;</<r/£//wf^ Lsmbchrijt wherfoeuerhegocth. Thcyhcarchis voice.thcy pro-feffc bis worfliip, & obey his doftrine i they abhor Antichrift.they follow not the bcafi.nor rccciuc his mark. They are bought from men,and boughtfromthe earth, as it is fayd before, that is, they are redeemed and bought with a price from.thc corrupt lumpe of mankind, and curfed race olAdam, that they might be the firfi fruits vnto God, and to the Lambe, that is, wholy confccratcdtohis worihip,andtofcnichiro

in

J»ExpeJ[tim<up«nth~eRe*elitio*. 157 in rightcoufneffe and true holynefie all thedayes of their life. In their mouths was found no guile: That is, they doe declare their innocencie and vprightneflc both in their wordes, and workes, asthofewhich Ghrift hath chofen out of this world, and bought with a price thorough his blood, in whom they arc without (pot or Ipeck before God.

Then Tfaw another AngcMieinthcmidJl ofbeauen,V*fc** having an euerlajling Gojpelljo preach vnto them that

dvfellontheearth,andt»euerynation,andkindred^ni. tongue, and people: Saying -with a loud voice, Feare God, andgiueglorie ■ •vntehim :forthehoureofhisiudgementiscome, and V " &r worjhip him that made heiuen and earthy and the Sea* and the fountaines of waters*

Hitherto the holy Ghoft hath taught vs how the Church was preferued vnder the tyrranny of Anti. Chrift, & greateft wanes of perfections; and that euen then they did purely and faithfully wor/hip the true God. Nowheprocecdethtoforeihcw theruin and down-fall of Amichrifr, and plainly to prophetic the vtterdecay of the kingdome of Babell. This • doftrine therefore we arc to harken vnto with great' attention and cheerefulncs, becaufc it doth fo much concerne our good, and the good of the whole Church, alfo becaufc we liue in the daies, wherein ■ we fee it is in part fulfilled.

Firfi therefore wee are to vndcrfiand, what is meant by this Angell hecre mentioned, to wit, not §ny ccleftiall AngelI,or inuifible fpirit,as it is fundrjr

time J >

time taken before: but by thisAngell, andthetwp Angels folio wing,arc meat all the faithful miniftcrs ©f the Gofpell,which (bould be raifed vp in thefclaft daies, for the ouerthrow of Rome, fie the deliucring of the Church fro vnder the captiuity of Antichnft: which may plainely appeareby this that is faid, this Angcll prcachcth the eucrlafting Gofpcl vino them that dwell on the earth, which cannot properly a- . grcc ro the celcfUally fpirits. W c hauc heard out of the teuth chapter, that Iefus Chrift did open the little booke, which is the Bible, and did giue authority.io,u ty to his faithfull Miniftcrs to goe preach and pub-Ufli the do&rine thereof to many nattons,countrics, and kingdoms: now vntothat agrceth this which is hcare fpoken of, and is a further opening and dc claring of that which is there fet downe.Foras there Iefus Chrift commcch downefromhcaucn,ando. pencth the little booke, which had bin long Ihut vp vnder the darkenefTe of Popery, and the fmoake which came out of the bottomles pit: fo here Chrift Iefus raifeth vp hisiaithful Miniftcrs and preachers, to publifti and prodaime the do&rin of the Cofpcll, which had longlycn hid vnder the outragious pcr-fecutions of the two naonftrous and moft hidcotu beaftcs. To this alfo agreeth that which is written in the eighteenth chapter of this Booke, wher Saint Iohn fceth an Angcll come downc fromHcauen, hauing great power, fo that the earth was lightened with his glory. By which Aungcll is meant all the Preachers of this age. And the Angel is (aid to hauc great power; For what is move powerful'then the juinjftryof the word. Andmorcoueritisfayd,thit

the

AnExpoJititn vpM the Rmlttio*. X99

the earth was lighened with his glory,that is,with the brightnes of the preaching of the gofpcl, wherby the darknes ofpopcry was difperfed and driucn away,&c Babylon falletb vpon it, as there you may rcadc,and as here wc fhal fee the like cffbcT: by and by.

Moreouer it is here faid, thatf/w Angellftyethm thimiddefloflieauen: that is,very fwiftiy carieth this cuerlafting Gofpel through al the church. For when Gods appointed time was come, wherein he wouldc goe about the ouerthrow ofpopcry, he caufed his c-uerlalting Gofpel to be fet abroach, and to fpread o-ucrmany Kingdomes and Nations, as wee fee this day. Now becaufethefc kingdomes, where GOD would hauethe knowledge of his Gofpell diuulgcd, were many and Gjreat, therefore hcere is expedition required: and this Angelldooth carrieit, not/landing, but flying. And all this wc fee perfectly fulfilled with our eyes, when GOD raifed vppe Luther t Zuingliut, MeUnBhon, Peter Vtretjcduinflucerjul-linger, Peter Martyr, and all their Woorthy fiiccef-fours vnto this day,which haue fpred the eucrlafting Gofpell verye farre, and carried it very fwiftly oucr England,Scotland,Germanie, Denmarke, Polonia, Svvcuiajliiffia,and many parrs of France and Flanders. Another reafon why this Angell is faide to flye in the midft of heauen, is becaufe no power of man ftall cucr be able to flay the courfe of this euerlafting Gofpell which this Angell carrieth abroad, no more then men are ableto ftoppe the courfe of the Sunnc in the heauens, or a cloud in the skic.For this Angel flyeth in the middeft of heauen, far abouc the reach of the beaft,and all Kings and Potentates that ftand

Ee for

Petji.if

Pftl.Il;>

Verfc 7

aoo A» Expofitiw vpon the Reuelatknl.

for the kingdom of the beafl-Thcrefore let them do al what they can, they fhal neuer be able to flop the courfe of the Gofpel!. For it is called the arme of God^ his very arme holdcth it forth to the world, and who is able to bend itin,or to turneit backward? There be three reakms, why the Gofpel is called euetiafting.

FiiAjbccaufc it is in his ownenature etierlafting, as ic is Written,//><? word of the Lorde t indttrethfor ever.

Secondly, becaufe it putteth vs inpofTcffionofc-ucrlafting things. As it is written', Thy ytordp Lorde 7 endure thfor cucrinhetuun.

Thirdly and principally, becaufe as it was longe before Antichrift was hatched, lb it fhal continue, when he and his kingdome is dead and rotten.

Saying with a loud voice, Feare God, andgittc glory e vnt.ohim^rc-

Here is fetdowne,thc do&rine,which this Angel prcachcth with aloud voice,that is,with great zcale. The fii mine whe reof is this, Feare God,andgiue glory vnto him,and worfhif him that made heauen and earth &c. Thefe.nce is,that the true and euerliuing GOD Should onely be feared,and worshipped, and al glory fhouldbe giucnto him alone through Chrift,8c none to Antichrift, none to Cardinals andLegats, none to Angeles, none to Saintes, none to images, roodes, croffcs,aad crucihxes. Hecre then is fette downe an abridgement of the -do&vine of this euer-lafting Gofpell, namely that men Should only feare Godandworfhiphim, andgiucall glory to hima-lone,& not to any creatures. And the reafon is yeil-

ded,,

An £.:foJttkn vfon the ReHclatiott* zoi

ded, becaufe the houreof his Judgement is come, that isjthctimeofthe manifeftation oflwe Gofpell, orlawcsofthemofthigh God:forfothe Wordc judgement is often taken in thefcriptures.Hcrewe arc tooblcruc one fpeciall thing,to wit,that the gof-pell,which this Angel flyeth withall, containeth the briefefumofallthcdo&rine which Luther,Caluin, PeterMartyr and the reft hatic taught out of Gods word, & agreethin a] points with it. For what other thing did they all preach, teach and write, but that men Should turn from id ols to the liuing God?from fearing, glorifying, and worshipping creatures, to feare, woilhippc,aiidglorific God alone which hath madeal things? What other thing do all the Preachers of this age publifh & proclaim in altheir fcr-monsjbuithis;.FVdr<r Godxndgitte glory onely to him? Is not this the Epitome and i hort fum of the docl-rinc ofal the preachers of England, Scotland, Germany, France, Denmarke, and al the refl'and therefore I conclude,thatthis angel muft needs be vndcr floodc of the prcacliers of this laft age, which nowe thefefourfcore yeares haue founded the Trumpet of the gofpelagainflallrhcinuentions of popery. And blefled be God, wee fctfthefethinges fallout in our daics,andarecie-wimcffes ofthe fulfilling of them. And there followed another angell,faying> It is fallen jt isfallen,Babylon that great City:for fie gaue to all nations todrinkethc wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Here is fct downethebleffed cffe&of the Preaching of this euerlafting gofpel, which is the downfall of Babylon. For as when the clcerc funne arifcth E c i vpon

vpon the carth,the thick mifts and clouds arc difpcr-

fed: ciicn fo when the blight beames of the Gofpcll

do fhinc forth vn to the worlde, Babylon that darke

kingdome vani/hcth away incontinently. And as it

is written inthciS. Chapter: So J r 'ooneat theEarth

was lightnedmth the glory of this etterUfting Gofpcll,

Babylon immediatelyfullcth. Therefore nov/e before

I go any further, my purpofc through the afliftance

of God/is to proue thefc Sue points out of this vers,

and chat which followcth vnto the twentkh Chap-

Fwemainc tcr,tOWlf,

points.

How Rome it to be taken.

Firft,that Babylon ,herc fignificth Rome.

Secondly ,that Rome fhall fall,and how.

Thirdly, that Rome flial fal finally, and come to Ytter defolation in this life.

Fourthly, by whom, and when it Ihall bec oucr-throwne.

Laftly.thecaufesofchcvctcrruine &c oucrthrow thereof.

Buc before I goe about to proue that Babylon here is Romc,I would haue it carefully obferued, what is meant by Rome, w*. not the topography of Rome, that is,fo much ground only as is compaffed within the wals of that city ,but the rcgiment,gouerment,fc: pcerogatiue that is claimed by venue of that monarchy ,whcrof Rome is the head.By Rome is meant the power and authority of Rome : or to fpeakc plainly, by Rome is ment the Roman monarchy.Further,we are here to obferuc the reafon why the Holy-Ghoft callcth Rome Babylonjfor Rome littcraly Sc properly taken, is not Babylon,in as much as they wcr two diuccs CkieSjOnc in ltaly,the other in Chaldxa:But

Rome.

AnExptJititn'vpontheReuel/aiM. 203 Rome is called Babylou myfticaly J figuratiucly,& as "' the Holy-ghoft fpcaketh fpiritualiy,andbyakindof allufion.Por as the old Eafternc Babylon did a long time oppreltc chc church of the Iewes: fo Rome this Wcftern Baby!o,hach long oppreffed the church of c , ,, g the Chriftians. As the Eafternc Babylon did many A rears why ycarcs hold downe the people of God, in miferable Roin e' s cal -bondage and feruitude:fo the Wcftern Babilon did Ied Blb,lon * alongtimekcepethe Chriftian Church in fpirituall thraldome and mifery. In which rcfpc&s Rome is fpititually compared to Sodom and Egypt: To So-domc for fllthineffe, and to Egypt for idolatry, and keeping Gods Church in fpirituall bondage and fla-ucry. And thus we fee the reafon why Rome is called Babylon,which is not fimply,and properly,but after a (ore, that is, by a phrafe of fpecchc, or trope which they call a Meto»ymie,ot changing of names, when that is giucii to one thinge, which is proper; to ano-ther,for the likenes of quality that it hath with it, or adioinedvntoit.

Nowhauingfhewcdthc reafon why Rome is called Babylon,and what is meant by Rome, we arc to proceed to the f.rft point,which is, to proue that Babylon in this place fignificth Rome, which although it be granted of al found Divines,5c auouched in the writings of the befl learned boch new and old,(o as it fhal need no great proofe •. yet I wil adde three or 4. reafons out of thisBooke, to make it more plainc and apparant.Firft therefore, I do thus reafon out of thefeucntecnth Chapter andlafte verfe, Babylon ts ; that great Ctttywhich reigneth ouer theKingesofthe CArtb : but there was no other City which did reign...

Ee 3 oucrv

chip, 17,1

104 AnExfojittonvfmthe Reuelati&n.

oucr the Kinges of the earth, when Iohn writte this book 3 butonly Rome: ThercforeRomc is Babilon. Foras for Ierufalcm, it was at that time made an heap of ftones. Thefirft proportion is auouched by the angel of God,expounding vnto Iphn w hat is meant by the great whorc 5 whofc dam-nation he had fliewed him beforehand by the woman whichfat vpon a fcarlet coloured bcaft. The woman which thou faweft, faith the Angel to Saint Iohn,is the great Citty, which raigneth. onerthe Kings of the /dm", That is to layjRpmejOr the Romifh firiagogiie 5 and malignant Church.For the Angel could not fpeak more plain-Iy,excepthc fhould haue named Rome, chert to fay thus, The woman the great whoore of Babylon it the great Ci tyythkh raigneth otter the Kings of the; earth. For if one fhould fay^thc great City oiEngland^iie-rye manknowcth that thereby is meant London: if one fhuld fay,thc greatcity of/Vviw^euery one kno-weththat thereby is meant Paris: fo when the An-' gel faithj the great city which raigneth otter the Kings oftheearth: allthatliucdin thofe times knewc, that rhcreby was meant Rome. For Rome was the chief Citty of the monarchy, and is put in this bookc for the whole Monarchye, and the religion thereof, as hath bin faid before.

My fecond reafon is this. Babylon is the mother of whoredemes,and abhominattops of the earth. Babylon is ch.1p.17.j that great whore,with whom haue ctnmittcdforntca-tion the Kinges of the earth, & the inhabit antes of the earth mads drunke with the wine of her fornication. But Rome 3 and none but Rome is fuch a one.Ther-fore Rome is Babylon.

My

Babylon ij Rome.

■AnExftfith'ttvpottthe Revelation. 10$

My third.argnment is this. Babylon is that Citty which hath had feuen feueral goucrnmcms.But only Rome hath had?-, feueral I kind of gouemments: therefore Rome is. Babylon.

The propofitioivisptoued from the words of the Angel,cxpounding vnto Iohn what is meant by the feuen heads of the fcarlet colored bcaft, whereupon the woman fate. The feuen heads (faith he) are feuen A'w^that is,feuen orders.or ftates of kingly goner-cJu P , I7 , ? ment: for feuca Kingesia this place are not put for feuen feueral men, which were Kinges, as fome doe take it.- but for feuen feueral gouerments, as it is taken in Daniel. Thefouregreat beafts, faith the Angcll Dan ' 7 ' 1 '' there, are foure Kinges, that is,foure kingdomcs,go-uernments.oi monarchies ..as al men know. So here by feuca kings is meant the feuen feueral regiments of Rome: That is to fay,by Kings^ConfuIs^ccem-uirijDiaitorsjTnumuiri^EmperoursjandFopcs, whevof thefirfifiiiewer then fallen when lohnwrotc , one wasjhzt is, the Empire,*/^ one was to comejOaJk is, the papacy.

Mylaftargumentisthis. Babylon isthatCittye wlhich is fcituatc vpon feuen hills -• but-only Rome of al Citiesinthc world is fcituared vpon feuen hilles, therefore Rome is Babylon.

Thcpropofition is auouched by the angel,which faith in the 17 chap.that the feuen heads of the fcar-let coloured bcaft UXiare/eaaen mountaines wherein the woman/itteth,thit is,y. hils whereon the citie of Romeis fcituated, whofe names are thefe: Capita. Units, Pdatintts, Aaentinut, Exquilinm, Celim, Vi-minalis, and Suirinalis, as al Poets, andHiftorio-gciphers do tcftifie.Onc faith thus ofRome.

Propcrt

»o£ Antxpofawvpanthe Reuelatim. Virg.georj Siptem qua vnaftiimuro circundedit arcet.

Another thus:

Sept em vrhs alt a iugis toto qutprsftdet trbe. Another called Rome Eptalophosjthe City with fe*e» .heads, that is, feuen hilles. It is cleere then by thefc rcafons,that Babylon in this place fignifieth Rome. As for the cxpoiition of the Papiftcs, which affirmc that Babylon here fignifieth the vinucrfall focicty of the wicked,it is fond &c ridiculous :for the holi-ghoft k.hh,Bdylon is that City which raigneth outrthe kings cJu : t % of the earth. But to fay that the vniuerfail focicty of the wicked raigneth ouer the Kinges ofthe earth, is abfurd and ridiculous.Thereforc to fay that Babilon is the vniucrfall focicty ofthe wicked, is abfurd and ridiculous. The deftin£tion ofthe Iefuits here is alio as friuolous as their cxpofition: for they faie, if Babylon be Rome, then it mult bee vnderftoode of Rome yndcr the heathen Emperors: but not vuder the Popes. But the Angell faith, the woman, that is, the where ofBabtlon,or Amkhxiftjtttcth vpenfeaue* mount tines? ergo (he fittcth at Romc,and Rome is the feat of Antichrifband confequentlie Rome vnder the popcs,is Babilon. Jvloreouer, we may reafon thus a-gainft the popifti diftinftion ;That which was Babylon vndcr the Heathen Emperonrs, is the fame which ishecre propheciedto bee thechicfe Cittie and feat of Antichrift.But Rome wzs then Babylon •-ergo Rome is nowc Babilon; for Rome is that Cittie which the Angell faith fhouldc bee the feat of Anti-chrift: And this book doth fhew, that the great Anti-chrift fhould raignc in the fame City, where the heathen Emperors had raigned: &c therefore it ftandeth

fame,

AnExpfitmvpeHthc&euclation. j 0 y

firmcthat Rome vnder thcPopcsls Babylon

This being then graunted, that Babylon heere is RomejufolloweththatRomeftalfahforthcHoli. GhoftbuhjaMnififfa, fpeakinginthe prefent rente, as the mancr ofthe fcripturc is in prophefying ■of things to come. For whatfoeuer God hath deter mined to come to pafle,is,a S it wcr already done,bc-

caureof^ecertaintyof.t.-andfortbiscaufcalfotheRomcfiufj-vvord 1 sdo l ,bled://^//^,^ M . ff . Wcfccthcn&1 ,

moftcfcerIy,thataIin 0 fti5oo.jrccr$ before Jf^be. gan to raljthc ccrtaine fall thereof was foretold This place ofitfclfe, isclearcinough toproucmy fccond point which is,that Rome fhalfal.But my purpofeis toreducc^gathcral the 5 .Chaptcrs following to certa-n heads,to proue the main points which I hade propounded :firft then I reafon thus,to proue the fc-cond pointthatRomc AallfallThat cittyandkin K -

domewhichhaththe^viaJsofgodswrathcmpticd • and nowreddowne vpon it, cannot ftand, but muil necdsMButRomc is that Citty,which hath the 7 .

vials ofGods wrath poureddownc vpon it :Thcrc-tore Rome cannot ftand long, but mull ncedes fall ■ The proportion is manifeft, and not to be denyed Theaff-umpt,on.sproued throghoutal the 16 chap, and efpccialliemthcten and the r 2 . vcrfes, where f ™l"fGf wath are expreffelyfadtebepowred

vcrfeofthat Chapter msauouched.that^/J.W,

wrkeofthebftjl, ydvppon themwhich wortoipptd W^Howethen can the throne of th/beSe holdouti>or howcan they which haue reccined the

F£ bcafts

so8 MityofmonvfmthtXntl&titn.

bc.lfts-markterid vp long ? For there is a great Em* phafis or vchcmcncy in th. manner oi fpcech. For Glep. is,v,7 Ilcdooth noc-finnply fay, the wrath of God, bin the iulne, of Gods wrath-.he doth not fay.fhold be a little fprinklcd.biK powved downed it'were by pailc--fiils vpon the kingdoms ol the bcaft. How then can the kingdoms of the bcaft ftand, which Hath fo ma-ny trreacordinanccSiin'ctfo many"double Cannons difchavgcdandniotoff againfl; it ? Surely it muft • ^ - needes fall. My fecond r cafon is this, The beaflthat

GHi P .w ^ tni . sm ^ tniy{tn $ x ii gn miiftrtium But

Rome is the beaft that was and is nor,S< yet is:thcr-forc Rome dial go into perdition.Th'e afTumption is fee down Cap.17.ver- 8; For the Roman monarchy ■was great inth'c dales of lulim c&Jir,Augufttt4clan-dins,TiberM-At\6 therefore it is laid.that it was. But in the raigne of Nerofitho, Oklh,8cVtU//i(ei,kw^ greatly decayed^and thcrforc it is (aid Jt U net; meaning fo great as it had bin :8c yet in fome fort ic was: and therefore it is laid, tndyais. 2(owth* beafifhall g«into perdition. Therefore the Roman monarchy <hal be dc(tfoycd,and confequently the Papacy.For thcRomane Empire holdcth vp the Papacy, as it is written, that the woman orwhooreofBabylonJittcth vpon the Scarlet coloured beajl', which hadfiuen heads imdtenhorns- that is,the Roman Monarchy,which bcareth vp the whoorc, and bcatcth vp ,the Papa--cy:but the holy.ghoft faith } thU beajl, that is ,the Roman Empire JU?g» intoftrdition. Then it follow, cth that the papacy ft'alfollow after.: for ifthe beaft that flic futeth vpon,8t which bcareth hir,fal vnder hrr, then (lice muft necdes fall together with him.

But

A»*xpfttim<vfdnih£.RtueluU)>. 10 y

But WC fie, Gqd be thanked, that the Roman monarchy is in a manner quite fallen, therefore the p a - '' pacy cannot (land long. -

My third argument is this.

Thbe4thrtT»Asmdiswt 1 bcwgettentheei*htA' tneoftkejwentkjhxtlgBinto dcJlmtTton. Bat Rome is the bead that was and is no ti briagthc eight, and one 01 the fcuenth: therefore Rome ihall go into dc-c l' \ aflui »pnon let downe Chap. r 7 ,ver. 11. Por the Papacy.or dominion oftbcPopes,is the feueth head of the beaft in rcfpc£t of their cmil power, and yet a bcaft by tbemfclucs, that is, an eight in refpcaoftheirEcclcfufticaU power. Now the Angel faith fal\y,theyj},diboth together gointo deflruc-//What is,borh the Empire and the Papacy For as the dominion of the Popes gocth downc, fpalfc their worihip and religion, gocth.downc with it: andforthis caufcit is cxprcfly fct downe-in theio Chapter, ihitthebe^Andthefitlfe Prophet, that is, c *?-'f*> *• the Roman Empire, and the Papacy, were both de-jlroyed together. Sith then the holy Ghoft hath f P0 -ken it twice for failing, that Rom* fhall go into perdition, and fhall go into deftruaion; I cake it to be avery found confluence, that Rome (hall fall, and ftall bcedeftroyod. But how (hall it fall may fome ■^nftyfOrwhcrcinfluUit^janf^f^-ftall fall ir. the creditc & cltimauofl of her dodrin: It fhall fal in wealth and riches.- It fhall fall in pow, a » crandauthonty, Andin.aathefeitfhallfillbyde'Si 0 ^ grccs, as it did rife vp ; by degrees: It fhall not fall at pncc.as it did n.otxife^p.at o/ice.

This is fct downe in thVimcenth chapter, where :.:--.' Ff '*'" the

r

jio AnExpifitmvfontheietulaitmt.

c <yn thc fall of Rome is compared to the drying vp of the Riucr Euphrates, which was dried vp by degrees; Thus it is: Euphrates was a great Riucr, which did run very ncer vnto the old Babylon in Chaldara, fie it was the wall and fortification of the Citty; in fo much that Cyrus and Darius the kings of the Mcdcs and Pcrhans, laying fiege againft it, could not take ic till by policic they digged great trenches, and de-. riucd the waters another way, Sc fodryed them vp, that the Holy Ghoft faith, The way wns}>re]>*rcdf«r tltm tofijje oner. Now, as this Euphrates was the ftrcngth and fortification of old Babylon: fo the ho-nor.wcalth, riches, power, and authority ofRomc, Chip.i«f,i7 i s c hc vc ry fortification of it. But the punifhingAn-gclliscommaunded to pourc downe the Viall or wrath vpon this Euphrates: that is, vppon all that vpholdcthRomc, orfortifieth Rome, and foorth-with it dryed vppe •, that is, all the credit, power, riches, and authority ot Rome diddiminifli daily vp-on it, doth diminifh, and (hall diminilh by degrees vnto the end of the world. For thcvttcrdcftruai-on oiRomc is not yet come;, but it is greatly decayed from that it was fourefcorc y ceres ago. And if it continue decaying 8o.years mo,as afiurcdly it (hall, th:n will it be brought toalow ebbc. Since Lutk rs time.wc know how the Popes Euphrates hath dry. cdvp ; but thcrc'is yet much water left, and it is yet too deepe for the Kingcs of the earth to paflc oucr and takeit.Butit (hall ebbefo low, that the Kings of Europe fhall cafily parte oucr, and take it,as we (hall hcarc anonc. But in the meane time wee fee that it falkth, and-ihatit is in the falling, andworkc of

God

J»Exp»Jiti*Hvp0ntJieReHclAtgt*. m

God goeth forward cuery day .For now in this acre, God bee thanked, many Kingcs and Princes, wTih great multitudes of their fubiecls, haue their eies o-pened to bcholde, that the Romifli religion is abho-minable; and that the Papacy is the very kingdome TI , e k .- ^ of the great Antichrift. And whereas before they thccirufi« wotfhipped the beaft,now they hold vp their hands ,h,s a 6 c rc -onely to the God of heauen, and glorifie him in his Topi" ,ha

Son Iefus Chrift. Now we fee that many lawes arc made in tiindry kingdoms and prouinccs toabolifli thatvfiirpcdpowerofthcBifhopotRome: Manie afts>edicts, and iniunftions are fet forth in fundry Nations and Kingdoms of Europe to deflroy, root out, and deface all Monuments of Idolatry and fu-perftition, which Antichrift haderc&cd in all king-domes.

Now the Popes which were honotcd as Gods in. the earth,arc counted,and adiudged as the moil vile an £ abhotmpable creatures that liuc vpon the earth.

Dothnot al this experimentally (hew that Babylon is fallen,and that Babylon doth fall by degrees ? It is very palpable: we need no-further proofefor this, fecond point. But heerc wee arc further to obferuc,, that the Iefuits pcrcciuing the great decay of Rome,, and the continuall drying of their Euphrates,do bc-ftir them to flop the lcake, that it might not dry vp 1 he lcfni» X altogether. Eucn as when men let out the waters of bc j ir t ^ em > great fl(h-pondSjfo as the water waxcthlowjwc fee *" " ** the Filhcs skip and plunge, and take on wonderfully : So the Iefuits pcrcciuing thtwatcrs of their Romifli Euphrates to empire and dry vppe daily, doe mightily take on, digging andfearching eucryday Ff 3. to-

ili An llxpofo'm vpon tie Xiuekthn. to open the fprings,and to find out fomc frefli foun-taines to maintainc their grcatfifli-pond.K to keep -the waters deepc cnough,that their may be fafe pa'-.fao-c ouer, for the Icings of the earth to come Sc take their grcatBabylon. All this doth appear out of the 16. Ghap.otthis Prophcfie; where S.Ipim in vifion feeth three vmkaneffiritslike Frogs, camming eitt of ' . , ■ the'mouth of'theDragon, and out ofthe month of'the cfcar.>V>'3 hea^mdout of the mouth ofthefdfe Prophet. By which frogs the holy ghoft mcancth the Icfuits and com^rciTto Seminary Pi icfts,which arc compared to Frogs for ftogs^why. three rcaf6s.Firft,that as frogs delight in filthy lakes ^nd puddles i fo the Icfuits delight in the filthy puddles ofidolatry and fuperftition.Secondly,as frogs

•make a great croaking in their marifh groundes i fo , the Icfuits make a great croaking in kings courts,in Noblcmens houfes, and Gcntlemcns houfes, and almoft eucry where, where they can get any entertainment, croaking and craking of the Popes fuprc- . macy, the popes holineffc, the Popes blclfing, the <■ popes keyesj the popes power, Peters chairc, Peters fucceflbr, Chrifts Vicar, zc many good norro wes, I know not what. Thirdly, as frogges are all ofone nature and quality, delighting in croaking, andli-uing in puddlcs:fo the Icfuits ate al »f one mind 8C difpofition in cuill, croaking eucry where to maintain their Euphrates.Sc liuing daily in whoredome, Sodomitry, and all kind of outragious beaftlinefle. But that I may mote fully perfwadethe conference of the rcadcr,that by thefc ftogs arc meat the Icfuits Sc feminary priefts .-let vsferioufly weigh that which gpcthbcfore,*ndthatwhichfollowethaiterxn this ' _ ' : ;" * "" ""*' text,'

An txpoftt'm vpen the Rendition. 2 r j

text, and wc ibail difccrncic to be very dcere 8c ap-parant.FirfUrirfatd.vcr. 10. that when thefiftAn-geti pouredout his -vialtofGodswrath -upon the throne< tha * efthe hedjly by and by his kingdome waxeddarke : that is.thcmaicfty^owe^pompc, crcdite.and cftimau-on ofAntichrift began to be diminiflicd, obftured, and to fuffer a great Eclipfe: which thing was fulfilled fhortly alter Z*/6«-.f preaching. And prefently it followeth, that theygnayped their tongues forforrow: that is,they were full of fury and rage, barking and grinninglikc mad dogs,or rather like hel-hounds a-gainftallfuchasfctthe Gofpdl abroach, whereby. their.Babylon began to fhakc. For at the firit, when: thcgofpel began ropeep forth,thcy did defpife it,as a thing which they could eafily fupprefTejbiit within; a ftiort time they found that neither by excomuni-cauons,whcrwith in former times they had euen as itwer with lightning 8c thunder caufcdkings 6c nations to tremblejncither by force of wars 5c blondy ftaugbtcrs h neither by any skill in learning,, norby treacheries, they could any thing preuaile, but thae ■•: th'egofpell did ftill more & more lay operi-their f 1- -thincs 5cfhamc;thcn didthey bccome,&fo do they -continue till this day,enenas mad men in forrow & ragc,y»bch,chc holy ghoft cxprcflcthjin£iying,thac : they gnawed thctt tongues for Jerrovo; anaIhtafihemt J cha God,&t.\N hereby it is euide'nt that the beaft, & all thatxecciucd his- mark arc ful of fiery hatred, Sc ma-licc,arid cannot tell which way to be reuenged. For the more they ftruic,rhc more they lofe.Fain would they haae Popery rcftored to his ancient credit and dignity ; and they dcuifc what they can to bring it

about

ltf,V,I«

•J^.VJJ

«4 An£xpoJitiMvp6»tbeleuel*tm. about', but it will not be. For their kingdome wax-cth darker and darker, weaker Sc weaker: and that is a dagger vnto the, 8c agricfe of all gricfes, which makcth them gnaw their tongues, and gnafh their teeth for forrow.But yet for allthis,^7 repented not Cb.\p.t«/ a 1 0 r t y ir vorkes, faith S. 7^»,8c thcrfore God is more incenfed againft them, and caufeth thejixt Angellt$ pure out another-viatt-vpon the greit riuer Emphrd-tcs.andthemter thereofdried vp: as wehaue heard. Now then obferue carefully, and note it diligently. Note Aii. t i, at t he Frogs come forth vpon the darkning of the kingdome of thebcaft, 6c the drying vp of their Euphrates.For who knowcih not the pope fldiis complices perceiuingthc wcakning and diminifhingof their kingdomc,haue Cent out thefc IefuitsandSe-minary Pricftes into all panes of Europe, to rcpairc the ruins of Rome, if it wer pofliblc. And this is one circumftantiallrcafonto prouc thefc three frogs to bevndcrftoodofthe Icfukcs. Butlctvsproccedeto open the whole defcription of the holy Ghoft, that it may yet more plaincly appcare. Fitft, thefc Frogs ciap,i«,vi'3 .^^[cAwcUiMjpirits, becaufe they arc thevcric limbs of the dcuill, full of all filthincflc and vuclean-ncflc. Secondly, they arc csWcdfpirits> becaufe they come out of the mouth of the Dragon, thebcaft, 8c the falfc Prophet. Thirdly, they are called three i» number, bemg in truth necrer vnto three thoufand, becaufe they proceed out of j.feucrall mouthes,thc Dragon, thebcaft, andthe falfe prophet: that is 5 the Diucll, the Roman Empire, and the Papacy. Three horrible monftcrs, three terrible bug-bearcs, which with one confent confpire together againft the gof-

pel,

JtExpoJitbitvpofitheReueUtU*. 215 pell, to vphold their Babylon, and to flop the Icakc of their Euphrates- Now thefc three Frogs arc fayd to come out of the mouth of the Dragon, thebcaft, and the falfe Prophet, becaufe they conic withthc very mind andmefugcofthe Pope, &c the Roman Empire 3 and fo confequcntly with the very mind & fpint of the Dragon. For they arc the very breath of the Pope, and th; {pints of the Diucll, aslikdiiin,M if they had been fpit out of his mouth. They arc fene on thediucls errand, and the Popes cmbaflaee into all countries and kingdoms,and arc taught their Icf-fon what they fliall fay, and inftriiclcd what they fliall doe, and what courfes. they fhall take ofmen, both Kinges, Nobles, and the meaner fort: and for this caufe the holy Ghoft faith, they came out of the very mouth, the very heart, and the very bowels of the Pope, and of the dwell. Andalthough thefe Ic-fuits & Seminary priefts arc called of their fauoriccs, Catholikc doflors, ho!y Fathers, Sec. yet the holy ghoft faith flatly, they are the fpirits of dcuils, work-ri * **\ ing falfe and faincd miraclcs.and with great efficacy tt^tt of error, deluding and decerning the ample 8c blind fpint, of de-multitude. We fee then, that the holy Ghoft in all uJiMp.i«,i 4 this defcription, doth plainly note out the Iefuits &C' feminaty priefts.For to whom can thefc things here fpoken ofagrcc, but on,-ly to them ? And do not wc which line in thefe daies, fenfibly fee &r difecrne the fulfilling of all thefe things ? Surely wc can not but fee and fcdc them, vnlcflc wc be wilfully blind, and <lo of purpofc blindfold Si hoodwink ourfelucs.But the holy ghoft goeth yet further,*: doth more fully, SC as it were demonftratiuely point the out ynto vs,

Gg

dc

Vcrfc 14.

*ti6 An Expeftt'tM vpM the RtneltiU*.

dcfcribing the by their office, which is, to go vnto the fangs oft hi earthy of the whole worldfo rather them to the battel of that great day of God almighty.W ho is ignorant that the Icfuits ic feminary pricils ate fent out to al kings & Nobles of the whole world,that fa-uor them &c their proccedings'Arc they not croking in comers, thick and threefold in al parts of this lad? Arc they not pt'aftifing of treacheries St treafons a-

gainft our moft gracions King and the whole ftatc ? arc they not plotting the dcfttu&ion and fubucrfion of this Church & common wealth? Nay ,as the holi-Ghoft l'aith,thc chicfc end of their comming abroad is to folicite & gather the kings of the earth vnto battel againft God, againft Chnft,&: againft al true pro-fcfibrs ofrcligion-Thc battcll betwixt them isheere callcd,T6f battc/l of the great dsy of God olntig %,that is, that battcll, wherein the Almighty God will haue the day, and gocaway with the victory. For it follo-weth, that the Icfuits and feminary Pricftes did prc-by thdr crafty uaile with the (educed kings of the earth fo far, as to inaUrfnTL gather them together to a place, which in Hcbrcwe popift kings iscallcd Armageddon, that is to fayc, a place where andthcirar- t hcy fhall bee deftroyed, and that with fuch horrible pia" where 'flaughtcr,that the place flial take a name thcrcof.For they (hall bee j t w as an vfuall thing amonge the Hebrcwcs, to call deftroyed. j | acc w jj Crc any famous t hincr f c \\ out,by a name rsumb.it r 1 o . -it

Eicc.jy, whichdiJ report the lamctoallpoftcrityjas Jl/wv/fl Ktt.ianab,ihc graucs of Concupifcencc; H&mon Cog, the multitude of Gog ; and diuers fuch like. And ib here Armageddon., the deftruftion ef an armie, bec-caufc the kings of the earth, and their armies which fliall fight againft the Church, at the inftigation of

the

"The Te fain

AnSxfojItionvfontheReneUtUit, 217 the Icfuites, fhall come to a place, where they fhall hauc a notable ouerthrow. This word Armageddon may fitly be dcritied of two Hebrew wordcs,that is to by,C/ierem,which fignifieth deftru£tion,and Ge-dudh, which fignifieth an army; that is, the dcftnic. two of an army; or as fomc fay, & that very judicially, it may come oiGmtrmah Gidmn, which fi<*nifi-eththefubtilityofdcfWtion; becaufc the bfinde kings and Nobles of the earth fhall by the fubtiltie and crafty perfwafions of the Icfuits and Seminary Pricftes, be cmifed to fight again/hhc Protcflancs, ia a place where they /hall haue a famous foylc. Somederiiic Armageddon of ffrr,which in Hcbruc fignifieth a Mountainc, and Mcgiddo, which is the place where the godly king lojias was flaine: and fo this place fhould be called Armegeiden, the Moun-nine oiAfegidJo, for the /laughter of Kinges that rfhallI be: there. To the which the Prophet ZukmeZukit.it; alhidcth,faymg:/» thatday therefbalbet greatnmr. ning in lernjdem, at the mtmning ofHidadrsmmen, tn the valley efMegiddoMVd t vic do fee that al thefe Unifications and dcriuatious of Armageddon come to one thing in effedbwhich is,ttut the great armies which affemblc themfelnes in batraile againft the Lord, fhall bee deftroyed: and therefore it is not much materiall to cbfputc, which is the more likely fignification of the word. But this let vs obferue for our comfortjthat whenfocuer we fhall fee the kings «c Captains,Noblcs Si Potentates of theearth, being folicitcd by the Iefuits, pricfts, 5c the falfc Pro. phct,to leuy greatarmics, 6c make great powers to fight againft the Gofpell, and the true profeflburs Gg 2 there*

Rome fh ill fjllfinally.

a 18 An Expofttion vpon the ReuelatitM.

thereof, for the maintenance of great Babylon,thcy ihall not preuailc, but bec vttcrly oucrchrowncand deftroyed. As in part wc fee fulfilled in the ycarc of out Lord 1 5 8 8.when the grcatand inuinciblc Ar-mado of the Spaniards, as they thought, which was long in preparing againft vs, and at laiV,by the in-ftigacion of the Icfuites, brought vppon vs, came to Armageddon, as we know, God be praifcd. And in all time to come, in the like cafe, let them lookc for die like fucceffe. Well, now to grow tofomc con. clufion of this point; wc doe plaincly fee that Rome fallcth, their kingdomc waxeth dark, their Euphrates dri«hvp,thcy cfpicit. The Dragon.the bcaft, & the falfe prophet fend out their frogs into al countries and kingdoms,hoping to prcuenr it by the help of the kings of the earth, and cfpecially the King of Spainc: buc alaflc all in vain 1 for they mult come to ■ Armegeddon, when they haue don all that they can. For God figlucth from heaucn againft them, GOD bi'ingeth chem downe,and no power of man is able to vphold them.

But now let vs proceed to prooue the third mainc point •, which is, that Rome fhall fall finally, and come to vtrcr dcfolation For all found Diuincs arc pcrfwaded of the fail ofBabyloi^anddograunt that itfallcch, and is in falling: but all arc not fothorow-ly pcrfwaded of the finall fall thereof in this life. Therefore now I will proue by manifeft Scripture, that Rome foill fall for a doo. Firft, if the thinges be deeply coniidered and narrowly looked into, which Saint Iohn faith (hall fal out vpon the pouring forth ofih: fcu:nch Viall of Gods wrath, by thefcuenth

Angell

AnExpeJttionvpontheReueUtiett. at* Angell, they do fully portend a deadly downfall, SC vtter oucrthrow of Rome. For the feucnth viall is not poured vpon the earth, or fea, or fountaincs of wacers,or on the Sunne,as the firft fourc vials were, which figr.ificdfomc particular iudgcmcmcii but it chap i<? , was poured forth into the very aire, which fignifi-eth the vniuerfality of it, and containcth themnft gcncrall and moftgrieuous iudgement, and vengeance of Almighty GOD, vpon the whole body of the Kingdomc of Antichrift, a little before the lilt day. The text faith, that vpon the pouring forth of this viall, there was a loud voice heard out of the temple of"' aCc 17 heauen from the throne : thac is, from the very prc-fcnee of God, faying: /; is done.lx. is difpatched.The vtter ouerthrow of Rome is fully concluded oft and al things finiflicd which belong to the pour'n^ forth ofthc fcucn vials,which containc the y.Iaft plagues, wherein the whole wrath of God is fulfilled, as appeared chap. 15. as before it is laid, Babylon isfallen, Chip.if.u becaufe it/hould ccrtainely fall: So heere God him-fclfe faith, Itisdone,bcca.uCc itfhal certainly be done. For whatfocucr God hath determined to be done, isas it were already done, becaufe k /hall moil certainly be cffeiled.Sichthen the Lord hath pronounced this of Rome, there remaincth nothing but a daily accomplifhmcnt of it.- and let all the Papiftcs knoweforaccrtaincty, that thcymuftgoe to their geare, they muft come to their paimem, there is no way of euafion.

. For hach the Lord fpoken it, and (hall it not come to pafle ? Now vpon this that God faith, It is done, ,

Gg 3 foi.

no JnExt»fiti*nT;j>MtheRe*d*ti*». Chw \6\l foHowcch prefently, that there were voices^ thu*~ ' derings, and lightnings, and there was a great earth-qttake,Juch as was not Jim men were vpon the earth, tuenjo mighty tn earthquake. What is meant by thundcrings, lightcnings, and earthquakes in this Chtp^.u. gookc, I haucbcfort&cwed: to wit, commotions feditions, tumults^prorcs.and altctations of ftates, kingdoms,and common-wealths: &c then themea-ning ofthis place is, that there fliall be horrible flu-kings,c5cuflions,tumuIts,&: great alteration of ftatc in al the kingdomes which are fubieft to Antichnft, none of the fhal cfcapc. For this feucnth vial of gods wrath vpon the kingdomeofthcbeaft,is compared to a mod horrible and bluftering temped, raifed vp in the whole aire, that is, in all places of Antichnft* dominions .And it is fpecially to be notcd,as a thing of great moment, that the Holy-Ghoft faith, There was neuerfueh an earth-quake as this, finct the world bcganne,andftnce menwerevppon the earth. For at furcdIy,fo foonc as rhc feucnth Angel poureth fortk his viall, the kingdomc of Popery fhaligoc downe amain,which (hall not be long before the end of the world,as ail citcumftanccs hecre do fiiew. After all this, Saint Iohn tcllcth vs thceffca of this thunde-ring,lighcning,& extraordinary earthquakejwhich is,th*tthe great citty was divided into threeparts.thit Ch> ? , t S,i9. iS)t hcrc(haIl bee a mod horrible rent and dyuifion in the citty of Rome, and throughout all the Popet

dominions.

What this rent and diuifionis, andhowitflialL

be, I cannot determine, being a thing to come, a* all the reft comprehended vndcrthc pouring forth

of

An Expefitm vpon the Reuelatiott. iir

of the feucnth viall. But this I amfiireof, thatitaw /hall go downe; and there fliall be fuch tumults, vp-rores, rents, diuifions, diffipations, and concuffious in Rome, and throughout all the Romifh iurifdi£H-on,as ncuer was heard of, norreadcof, fincethc world began. For Saint IbRn addeth, that Babylon v«fe ip came inremembrance before God, to gitte vntoher the citype ofthe wine of the fiercenejft of his wrath: That is, God doth now at length call to mindc all the wrongs done to his peoplc,and all the righteous bloud died, for the (pace of feucn or eight hundred yceres, by the whoorc of Babylon, that he may bee fully reiicnged, and execute the ficrccncflc of his wrath both vppon her, andhcr whole Kingdomc : yea, and that in fuch terrible and wrathfull manner, that there (hall be no place of refuge, no place to fly VtxCe M into fbrfuccour. For Saint Iohn faith, Eitery lie fled away, and the mountawes were not found: Meaning, that thc.Papifh in that day Jhal hauc neither mountains not Hand to flyc vnto i And lall of all,thc holy ghoftfaith, that there felt a great haile like talents out ofheauen vpo the idtlaters: infomuchjhattbeyblajphemedgod.becaufofthepUgue^' l6 ' ** of the haile. For the plague therofwas exceeding great; A talent was about the weight ofthrec&orc pound, as feme write. Then it followeth, that this haile of gods wtath vpon the papifts, fhalbcmoft terrible 2c fcarfull,and bcatc them all downe to theground; as it were an haile ofmildones.or piough-irons. Now when this Haile oftalentcs commcth', as 4 adurcdly come it fliall, then fliall the Kingdomc of Popery be beaten to dud 5c powder: and th'erfore no mar- J " ucll

sis AnExfefititnvpentbcReutLtuf*.

uell though the idolaters, feeing all this,be in a mod horrible rage, and blafpheme GOD, asSainc Iohrt Vcvfe " faith, becaufe of this exceeding and molt cxtraordu lury plagu:, which (lull then come vpon thcm.But now to concludeand windc it vf altogether:For as much as this laft viall is powrcd into the ayrc(GOL) faith, it is done) an extraordinary Earthquake ol. loweth j the great Cicty of Rome ,s rear, Babylon called into qucftion ; and feareful Halftones of wrath poured downc vpon the Idolaters: I do con-chide, that Rome fhallM finally, and come to vttcr defrruaioii in this life.

Now let vs proceede to further proofe. In the eighteenth chapter of this book, the vyhoore of Ba-rh™ .88. bylonfaithinhcrhart:/A^^^«^f' ^^Lido^andfi^feenoforrow ■J^cforeMher plagues come at one dayjeatkandforr^andfamtne, andjbcfidbe hurntwithfire.Forthat Godwkch ton-demnabher,UaflrongLord. .-,•,;

FulhhcCLC Rome is defenbed, as (he was m the hcightand top of her pride and fecimtie, when (hec held the dominion of thcKingcs of the earth, and boaftedthatlhec was the head of the Cathohquc Church, carying her fclft very mfolcntly aboueaU Kings and Emperours, treading vpon their [Seeks, andmakingthem attend at her gates barcfootem th» middeft of Winter, as the ftoncs report. Yea, and that flic was no widdow j that is, no fol.tary or dcfolatc pcrfo,but one that had many louers.whica were ftrong to defend her, foas ftc Ihould fcele no want, nor fee any forrow. But the time will come, anddtawcthonapaccwhcrinfliclhaUbcthroug^.

An Expofitkn vpon the Reuelatiott. 1 23

ly puniflied for her haughtincs,and intolerable pride andfecurity.Fot the lioiy Ghoft iMhJierpkguesjhd come oneday , that is, fodainly, fhortly,andlpeedily, euen death, forrowe, andfamine, and fhe (ball be burnt with fire.per that God which conderr.neth hiris a ftrong Lord.

If this bee not plainc enough to prouc an vttcr o-ucrrhrow of Rome, 1 knowe not what can be plaine nough. For if death, famine and fire, will not pull her downc, I knowe not what fhall pull her downe. But Saint Iohn faith flatly, that God himfclfe who is a ftrong Lord, will oppofe himfclfeagainftRome, and condemneher. It this ftronge GOD takea-gainft her, who can vpholdchcr? Can the King of Spaiuc ? can the Cardinalles ? can the Emperour ? . can al the dukes of Italy, and al the potentates of the earth, that take part with her ? No,no,they are al too wcake. FtrifGodtake againfl a man,who ccfarecUtme r«b tJ him, faith the Holy-Ghoft ? For he dooth whatfoeuer he will. Andagaine, God ifwife in heart, tndmighty inflrength, who euer hardened his hart againfl him e]r projpered ? ifGodcalnot backthis anger, the moftproud hearts are bowed vnder him. And God faith in Ezcc 22. Canthy handesbefirong,or can thy heart endure tn the day that ifhallhaue to do with thee ? Then it followed^ that though Babylon fit as a Q^iccne, and all her louers rake part with her,yct b:caufe the ftronge Lord is againft her, therefore fhe fliall come to vttcr deftructibn.

Some of good Judgement in the truth, hauc gathered from this place, that the very Citty of Rome ftall be burnt with fire, which aflurcdly may wel b,c.

Hh But

Amos i : \

ch^vS.t

}cr.ji.<3

224 An Expoftion vpon'the Rendition.

But this I am (lire of,that the phtafe of burning with jfr^doethinthc Prophets alwaies fignific anvtter deftruftion and dcfolation of a Citty ,or a kingdom and therefore it followed! that Rome lhallbe vctcr-lydellroscd.

iim: behold yet ftrongcr,and plainer proofc. Foe Saint iolm faiths mighty Angel tooke vp aftone like a (rrent milftone,and c.ijt it into the fcaJoying, withfnch 'violenceflulth.itgreat City Babylon be cafi dome, ami fhal be found no more. Al men know, that olde Babylon inChaldxa was deftroyed by the Medes and Pcrfians, long before Saint Iohn watte this Booke: and therefore t hat is not heere meant, but the newe Babylon which is Rome,as afore hath bin prooued-The phral'es of fpccch.and the figncs which the pro-phetsvfedto declare the deftru&ionand dcfolation ofoldcBabylon,arehccre alluded vnto rhedeftm-ction of Some. For we read \\\ the prophecy of Iere. ;/;j,thac the Prophet hauing Written ina booke all thec-iill tliat fhould come vppon Babcll, for holding r, 6* Gods people fo long in moft miferablc captiuitye, fiidc toSeraiah Ji'hen thou commeft vnto Babel, thott fhxltna.de all the fe words, and when thou hafl made an eniofreading this booke, thou (halt bindeaftone teit, and cafi it into the widde/l ofEupbrates,<tnd fruit faye : Thin /hall Bakll bee drowned, and fh all not rife vppe from the euill that I will brhige vpponhtr, although they weary themfclties. Now let vs confider howe t'.iis agreeth with the fame which is hecrefet downe, and we Ihall findc, that all things arc here fet downe, with greater force, to expreflc, as it were, 1 deeper venceance, and a more hcauyc (and vnrecouerablc 0 de-

An Expofition vpm the Reueldt'ton. 12 j

deflruction J Firft 3 thereis a man,heere isamigh-ty Angell; there the man takcth vp a ftor.c, here the Angel takcth vp a great ft one dike a milftone: there theftoneis cart into the riucr., heere into the deepe fca. Allthcfe citcumftanccs being applyed to Rome do greatly aggrauace the matter, and very plaincly flicvvc, that it ilial fall, without all hope of rccouery. ForthcLorde declareth by thisforciblefigne,of carting a milftone into the Sea, that the City and king-dome ofAntichriftfhallbcecaftdeepc downe into '^, perdition,and fhall lieouerivhclmcd, and drowned in the fame for eucr.

For ifolde Baby Ion was vtterly deftroyed, and came to a finall defolation in this life j much more fhal Rome as the Holy-ghoft difputeth. But old Babylon cametovttcr ruine and dcfolation in this life, as both if ay and Ieremy doc witneffc.- Therefore new Babylon, that is, Rome,fhall come to vtter deftru-&ion:and as the Holy-Ghoft heere faith, {hallbee founde no wore, or fhall 61, without all hope of reco-uery.

Stories doe report that Rome hathbeene fun-dry times deftroyed by the Gothcs and Vandales, and others,yeaonce fired and quitebiirnt vp,but afterward builteandraifed vppeagaineby the Empe-rours: But here the Holi-ghoft faith expre{Tely,that i'. fhall hane a finall fal,and an recouerablc dcftru&i-on. For can a milftone caft into the botromc of the fea, eu er bee got vppe againe ? No, no, it is impof fible. Therefore, let the Iefuitcs, and Seminarye prieftes, doewhatthey can 3 thcy fbal neuer fct vppe Rome againe, they fhal neuer reftorc her to her for-

Hh 2 mcr

P.omeflialfal without all

mcr (rate and dignity'they ihal ncuer repairc her ere. dice againc. Let the Pope, and Cardinalles, and the Kins of Spainc,and al the world, and al the diucls Jii h'-llfioync together, they lhal neucr get vp this mi. ftonc out of the bottome of the fca. For the Angell hath caft it in with fuch a violence, that no power of man fhallcucr fetch it out againc.

True it is indeed, that the Icfuites befbrrcthem, and the Seminary Pricfts and Papifls, doe worke a-pace in all landes, and aducnturc thcmfelucs in molt defperate manncr,to rccoucr againc the credit ot popery, and to fee vp againc the dignity and the power of the Pope, and the glory of their Church and Cit-ty, and their boldcntcrpvifcs, doc make many cuen to doubt that they wil again one day prcuailc.Butal-foredty wee arc to make fill rcckoning,that although hecrc and there they may fupport for a time lorne ruinous partes of their rotten frame ,yetdoo what they can, it Aiall in the end downc vpon their heads, and come to vtter defolation.

Indeede,Romc ftandeth yet, and Popery is not quite fallen downc. But they are difclofc^their credit is cracked, their power decaieth; andTo mis thing is bceunne, and the time drawcth on when it fhal be folly accompl.fted. He that had beheld the power, the pompe, the riches, and cftimadon of the Church ofRomeaboutcfome foure-fcorc ycarcs paftc, and looketh vppon it now, (hall fee a woondctfull altera-tioo. Itfcemcd then to bee without all daungcr ot ihakmg : for the Empcrour and the Kingcs of the earth ftoode foorthe with all theyr force and might, power and policy, to vpholde it: but God bee than-

An Expofition vpon the Rendition, a 27

ked, we fee how it is already come downc, and /hall come downe euery day more and more, whofocucr faith nay to it.

But beholde yet more and more plaine proofe for chcvtterdcfolationofRomc.ForS Iohndcfcribeth the eternall defolation thereof, bydcniall of thofc things which are in Cities inhabited; Firft hec fay th, there Jhallbee no more any voice of 'harpers ', Mufitians, Pipers, and Trumpeters, heardin Rome, that is.almu- chap.is. i» fick flial furccafe, which argucth an vtter defolation. For what inhabited cities arc without muficke ?

Secondly, he faith, there jhall be nocraftesmanof what trade foeuer found in Rome, which argucth an vtter defolation. For what flourifliing Citty is without artificers ?

Thirdly, he faith, no light of a candle fhal any more fhinein Rome, which argucth an vtter dcfolation.For what inhabited City is without candles. ?

Fourthly, heefayth, nofoundofamilftonefhallbe herd i» £ome,which doth argue an vtter defolation. For what Citticis without Milles to grinde theyr cornc ?

Laftly, hec fay th, the voice of the Bridegroome and of the bride (hill be heard no more in Rome, which argucth an vtter defolation: for what Cittie is without bride and bridegroome ? and without marriage for procreation fake? Then I conclude from all this,that Rome /hall fall finallye, and come to vtter definition.

But behold yet more platnc and pregnant proofe,

drawne from the pittiftill mournings andmoftvvoi

ml lamentations of th; Kings of the earth, thcMeci

Hh 3 chants,

228 JnExpoJitionvponthe Reuehtion.

chantes, and the Mariners, who al doe ioyntlye lament and mourne, forthedcftru&ionand deflation of Rome, crying, alas, alar, that great City Babylon, that mighty Citty -.for in one houreis thyiudge-rh io ment tome.-In one hourejb great riches are come to de->p»'8.'° j* 0 [ at j mmmc } mre j] Ji:e i s made dcfolate. Whatcan be nwre plalncly and fully Ipokcn, to prone an vtter def olation of Home ? What can bee more required then to havic it fet downe in expreflc termes, as here we fee"; For now the Holy-Ghoft vfeth no figurcmo hardncfic, no circumlocution, no obfeuritye: but tclletli vs plainely, and thrice for fai.ing, that Babylon;, that is,Rome., is made defokte, is conic to dcfolation.

Moreotier it is fiid that the Kinges, Merchants, & Marriners^fhaHfland afarre off forfe are of her torment andtheyflutlweepeandwaile, when they pall fie the verf.iSjtj,! r m0% j. e gftlut her burning, fignifyingthat the torment, & plague of Rome dial be fo great, that kings for all their might flial not dare to come nigh to ref-cue her ? no not the King of Spaine wit h al his great might and power, he fhalbcfaine to ftand afarre off or rathervttcrly to forfakc her,weeping and wailing aswelasothersjforhermoftfearefulandvnrccoue-rable deftruction.

But wee arc to ob ferae in al this, that the Holy-Ghoft vfeth a figure or kind of fpeech,which they cal a Profopopwii or faygning of a pcrfon, whereby the popifh Kingcs becing dead and rotten are brought injamenting,and bewailing thefall of Babylon, as if they were aiiuc againc.-orelfeitmaybe vndcrflood of the Cardinallcs, and Legates, which arc cuen as

Kings

An Expojition vpon the Reuehtion. 229

Kinges vppon the earth.But it cannot be vnderftood of Chriftian Kings,for they llial bee the inftruments of God topul downe gteat Babylon, as we flial hear anon.

Furthermore,lctas confiderthecaufes of this great lamentation, for the deadly dovvnefal of Baby-lon,by the popifh Kings,Mcrchaius,and Mariners. Tirfl,the Kmges they mourne and lament, faith faint Iohn, becaufe they had committed fornication with Verfe 9 the great rvhoore of Babylon, and hue d inpleafure with her. rhatis 3 they had Iiued long with hcrinabhomi-nableidolacry, andpleafcd her that way, and therefore fhc gauethem difpenfationstoliueinwanton-ncs and al carnal plcafures,and eucn to do what they lift,fpending their daiesinfenfiulity and alkinde of flefhly delights.

Secondly, the Merchants doeweepe and waile, becaufe no man buyeth their ware any more. Theft Merchantman not named, but they may eafilyc bee ' jJr4 kuowne by their wares, which the Holy-Ghoft de-fcribcth 3 towit,that they be the Popifh Merchants, the fhauen Mcrchauntcs, who are here brought in mourning and lamenting for the loffe of their gaine. The Monks,Friers,& priefts canno: haue that vtte-racc of their warcs,that in times pafhhcy haue hadj their wares are nowe out of requcft :theyr Markets waxe deade,andthey haue co'.detakinges. When thefc fcllowes paffeby the great Monaftcries and Abbcyes, and fee them made ruinous heapes, and wlthall remember the fatte reuenewes, the good Cheere, thepleafure and delight which fometimes they haue had inthofe places, it cutstheyrheartes,

and:

Vote it

2i 0 AnExpofttionvponthe Reueiation.

and makcth chem ftiake their heads as k,faymg, dai, Alas-, that great Citty that was clothed in fine iinnen & purple,andfctrlet, andgildedwith golde , andpreciotu fiones, andPearles,forinonehoitrefogreat riches are seme to dcfolatton. Marke dicn that the ruinc of their great Cittie, wich all the pompc, plcafure, and riches thereof, is that which doocth yet fticke in cheyr fto-

mackes.

Thirdly, the Mariners do greatly mournc. and.lament, for the loffe of their profitc and commodity. For while Rome had dominion ouer the kingdomes and the pope ruled oucr al, euen as a God vppon the earth, ther was nothing but uudgingoucr the fcas to Rome out of al Lands,and againe from thcncc,therc • was carrying and rccarrying ? infomuch that multi-. mdes of Mariners and Shipmasters were continually fet on workc, and gained greatly thereby .No maruel then though thefe Marin :rs are brought in amonge other frends of Rome be waihnghirdcftniaion,euen with duftvpon their heads weeping, and crying,and faying, Aim aUs, that greatCitty, wherein were made rich all that hadjhips onthefeabyhtr copneft-Forin one hourefie is made dt folate. Thus wc fee how the Kings, and Merchants, and Marrincrs fhall bewaile the vtter ruinc and great dcfolation of Rome, for the loffe of their plcafure, their gai'nc, and their profit.

Moreoucr wee arc to obferue, that that which is fpokenbyche old z prophets ifay and Jeremiah, touching the vtter dcfolation of oldc Babel, is applyed by Saint Iohn to newc Babel, which is Rome. Touching the old; Ealremc Babylon, the prophet fayth i&y 1 9 i j, thus: Babel the glory e of kingdomes, the beauty•e and

pride

An Exposition vpon the Revelation. 231

pride tfthe ChaldeansJhaUbe as the dejtrucfion of Cod in Sodeme and Gomorrah. It fhall not bee inhabited for eucr, neither/ball the Arabian pitch his tent there,neither fhallthtfbcpheards make their folds there. ButZi-imfhall'lodge there-, and their houfes full be fullofO-him : Oflrichesjhall dwell there, and the S a tyresfhall dance there, that is, Fairies, Hobgoblms,Night-ipi-rits, and fuch like, whereby is iignified the vtter dcfolation of old Babylon. Now S.Iohn applycth all this to Rome laying, ii&bylon that great Citty is be- c >ap ' l8,T> * come the habitation of diuels, and the holde of alfenle fpirits, and a, cage ofeuery vncleane and hat efuli Bird. Noting hereby both the filthincilc of Romc,and al-fo her vtter ddblation.

But now let vs proceed to our laft and greateft argument to prone the finall fall, and vtter deftructi-onofRome,andaLRomilh power and authority. In th^ 19. chapter of this Prophefie our Lord Icfus is deferred,/?«;»£ vpon his white horfe, which is the Cfcip. 6,x. miniihy of the Gofpcll, as hath before bcenc proo-ucd; and is molt glorioully brought in by S. Iohn, as grand Captaine, and Gencrall of the field, fighting with al his army againft Antichrift and his loul-diers. Saint Iohn giucth him goodly names and titles, calling him the word of GOD, the Kingof c .-m.T,.v, n Kings, and Lord ol Lords • and (aitli, that he hath 1 j h. &«; a name wrizten that no man kncwcbuthimtclfci which is his infinite glory and maicity.

And moreoucr, that his cics were as a flame of

fire, and on his head many Crowncs, and a fliarpe

Sword in his mouth, and cloathed with his warlike

garment dipt in bloud, and all his heauenly Souldi-

Vcfe 19.

a,a AntxfcftttMt^MtheimUtion.

crs followed him vppon White Holies: meaning thereby all Chriftian Kingcs,Di*cs,Lordcs,No-blcs, Captaincs, Preachers, and Pcofcfloua of true

Uclision. , ,

This <rraund Captainc with all thefc worthy Souldicrs.laiih Saint Iohn, (hall ™ftcrtoS«htt, and prepare thrmfclucs to fight againft the bcaft.S£ the falfc Prophet, and all thcirforces, and at laft hec ' fceththcmioynebattailc- JfaW (faith Saint Iohn) the Bc4 ml the kin Z cs of the earth, and their armies fathered together to mtheUttelLtgawfl him thatj ate %pon tin white horfe, *nd againfi hi: amy. Now all this [stobeevndcrftoodoi the battels betwixt the Papiftsandihc Protcitants in thefc laft dayes.But, miy feme man lav, who (hall hauc the victory > Whatisrhcfucccflc ? Wliitwn the iffue?Lctvs hearc of that. Th; Holy- Ghoft anfwercth , that TMvnM*tkBcrt mdthefalfe Prophetweretaken foyied,and flaUhaueihc eiiertomt ; vflng a warlike phrafcbccaulc in the wars ^ th'7 vfc to take their grcatcft Captainc? and Corn-

maunders aline, and to put them to their ranfomes. Th" like vnto this wc hauc in the icuench Giaptcr, wlv-re Saint lohn tellcthvs, that when the Popilh Kinccsand Potentates (hall make Warreagamft Cbriftandhis Gofpcll, they fn'all hauc the hlccfuc-A«. 17.^13 celib vnto this. For faith hec, Thefelmeonemnde and (h d %'lie their power and authority vnto the beaft, the)'Mllfoht with the Lambe , And the Umbe flail mereme "them: For he e is Lord cfLordes.tnd king of

' "But, may fomc man fay, when the Leaders and commanders of the popifli armies fhalbc taken cap-

- - ~ tme.

>v

An ttyofition vpon the 'Revelation, 2 j 3

tiue Si fee at their ranfoms, what (hal become of the

inferiour Captaincs and Souldicrs ? The holy ghoft

anfwercth, that the remnzr.t were flaine with the

fwordofhim thatfitteth vpon the horfr. That is,thcy

were put to the Sword, and ali the foules were filled.

full with their fle/h. And for this caufe S- Iohn faith,

that he faw an Angcli (land In the Sunuc, who cry- Cap.i».r, u

cd with a loud voice, faying to all the foules that

did Aye by the middeft of hcauen, come and gather

yourfclucs together vnto the Supper of the great

God.

Now to make thisplainc. Wcknow, that they which proclaime any matter, fceke fome Market cro(fc,or high place to ftand in, where they may beft behcard:So this Angcl,which proclaimed! the victory againft Antichnft,bcforcany ltrokc be (triken, becaufc of the certainty of it, ftendcth in the Sunne, asitwercintheTheatcrand middeft ofthcworld, a$ in a place moft fit for the purpofe, that he may be heard throughout all the earth.Now this proclamation is directed to all the foiilcs ofthcairc,tobiddc them to a fupper, which is here called the fupper of die great God.But it may be demanded, what chear fhal they hauc? The holy ghoft anfwcrcth,that they ihallcatetherbfti ofKinges, and the flefhe of great Captaincs, and the flefh of mighty men, and thcverfei* flelh of horfes, and of Horfemen, and thcflefli of all freemen, and bondmen, and of fmall and grcar.

This wee knowc, that when men are flaine in great numbers in the wanes, their bodies lie fcatte-red, as meatc for the foules ofthe ayre. And therefore here all foules arc limited and bidden to a great Ii 2 fup-

4 ?4 ■*» Ixpofit'M vpo* the KeuelattM. fupper, made them by die great God.whofc hand is in all this; their chcarc.and their dainties are reckoned vp to be- the flefh of Kings and Captames, Kc. Now out of all this maybe firongly concludcd.that hccrcaftcr in all time to come, when the Armies or the P ope, which is the bcaft, the armies of the King of Spainc.who hath eiucn his power and authority vnto the heart, and is"h» great vpholdcr ; when the armies of the Cardinal his great confederaccjwhcn the armies of the Leaguers, his great adherentstfca when all thefe, and all other popilh armies lhal loyn and band themfclucs togithcr againftthc chnftian kings and defenders of the Gofpell: they fhall hauc a notable oucrchrow, infomuch that their dead car-kaffesfhallcucncoucr the earth, andthcFoulesof the ayre Hull come to their great (upper, which the Lord of hofts will make ready for them. For aflu-rcdly,andoutof doubt, they that-hue fhall fecthe fulfilling of all this, and fhall fee the popilh armies. .,, fl CO downc by heapes in all Countries & kingdoms, Zmi« H go and be made meat for the foules of the airc.For the downc by hol G j 1Q ft fairh, They [full come to Armaggeddorr, S Ci ««,v,.< that is, the place where their armies /hall be dcftroi-•fcp. ij,v,» c d. An&zgzmc, if arty bad into captiuit^he jhdlgoe into CAptiitity, if any kill with afiverd, he niujl bee ktU ledwith aJ'word: For as the popifh forces hauc in former time taken Captiuc the people of God, and cruelly murdered them: fo now the time drawcth on apace whc::cin they themfekies fliallbc taken SC puttothefword.

And thcrfore now atlaft I condudc.tbat Rome fhal

fall finally,and come to vttcr defttuftion in this lite.

1 For

A»Ejcpofit'mi>pMlieReiul*tm. 335

For as Rome did rife vp by degrees in this lifc,fo Rome fhall fal by degrees in this life: As Rome grew vp to her full height and higheft pitch in this lifc 5 fo it fhall come to her leweft ebbe Sc greatefl declination in this life : I meane before the comming of Chriftvnto indgemcnt. For the falling downe of Haile like talents vpon the kingdome of the Bcaft, fhall be in this life: The extraordinary earth-quake vpon the dominions of Antichrift, ihallbceinthis life: The comming of the Popifh Armies to Arma- Rome ftal be geddtn, fhall bee in this life : The mourning of the rt*-^ Kingcs, Merchantes, and Marrincrs, for the oucr- \^ throwe ofBabylon, fhall bee in this life: The great battaile betwixt the bcaft and him that fittcth vpon the white Horfc, fhall bec in rhis life, before the day of iudgment: The pouring forth of all the fcucn vi-alsofGodswrathvponthckingdome ofthcBcaft, . fhall be eucn in this life. For it were an abfurd thing to fay,any of thefe things fhall be after this life; or to-lay that thefe things fhall not be til the very coming of Chrift ; for they are all things to be effected here in this earth: 8c the holy Glioft doth defcribc them as things to he done vpon the face of the catth: for orherwifc wee .could hauc {mall comfort in any of thefe thinges, if they fhonld not bec doone hcerc in earth, or,if they (hould all bee deferred till the vcric ■ comming of.Chrift, and in the meane time Anty-chrifl. fhall ftill prcuaile. .

But it will be obicftcd, that Saint Paule faith,thc *;™^£ n Lord fhall confumc Antichrift with the fpiritof bis ,Xercd!° n mouth, and abolifh him with the brightneffe of his comming: Therefore before his comminghec fhall

■

i

i,J AriExptfinM vpe» the Rmlsth*. uotbcvttcrlyabolilicd. True it is indccde,he foall not vttcrly be cue off in all his members till the very commingofChrift. For there will be fame Pap.fb remaining in all countries ,cuen vmo the end: there be fome, nay, many, that will carry the bcafts u,arlc cuai till thclaft day. But the holy Gboft in this pro. phefic focakcth of the rcuoltingand falling away of kinedomes and Countries from the Sea of Rome; whereby it flail come to paffc, that it fliaU be excec-.'dingly weakened, 8c brought fo low, that the kings ChaP^.y.iaoftheomhlhallcafilytakeif.orasthcholyGhoft focakcth, fhallcafily pane ouer their Euphrates, be-inedryed vp, and enter their Babylon.Butthen wd fome man fay, Shall there bee no Pope at all a little before the comming of ChriA ? I anfwer and not I, cv»*«7,v,itf butt b c HolyGhoftformec . Hcfliallbeeapoore K ,3l Pope,anakedPop C ,adefolatePope,aPopewhofc vay"- fl elh lhall bee tome, whofe flcflafhallwither as wee *• Sam " *• fhal hear anone.Hc fhal be fuch apopc,as Ijbbojbetk w a saking,when Aimer and all I Gael fcl away front him. He Ml be fuch a pope, as the kingof Port*.

gall is a king. ,. ,

But it will be obic&cd, How know you this \ Ace you a Prophet ? Can you foretcllof things to come? I anfwev,Saint Iohn was a prophct,and indued with aprophcticall Spirit in this matter of his vibons and reflations •, and I fpeake no more then Saint Ioha hath fct downe. And therefore I hope I fpeak within compaffe i fee I doe but relate Saint Johns words,andcxplainc themin fuchrocafureaslam

* This prophetic doth plaint dcclar " • Baby-

A» ExpoJitimvpafttheHeueladoi*. 237

Ion {hall fall; Rome fhalLcome down > the pope fhaM ncucr be eftecmed againe'. And I do belecup it to be to ', I bclccue God ; I belecuc his worde; I bcleeu'e all that is fpoken in the Scriptures: and I doeende-uour to pcrfwade others alfo.For fith the holy gboft hath fo plainly, and fo fully foretold it, why fliould we not bcleeue it ? Why arc we fo flow to beleeuc all that is written in the Scriptures? Hath God fpoken it,and {hall it not come to pafle? Shal any iotc of his word faile ? Shall we thinkchce icftcthwithvs, when he doth fo often and fo fcrioufly tell vs of the downefall of Rome ? Surely, furely, the caitfe why men arc not fully perfwaded of the final fal olRomc, is, becaufc they do not diligently pcrufe thisbooke of the Apocalypfc. But let men be ftudious and diligent in this Bboke, and they lhall bee out of all doubt, that Rome is the great Whoore of Baby-Ion ; that the Pope is Antichriit, and the Papacy the beaft.

But nowmee thinkcth I hearc fome man fay, how is it like that popcrie (hall fall downe more and more hereamongft vs, fith it hath fomany friends, backers, and vpholders, and fqemeth to gather ftrength,and make an head againe ? I antwere, that all is bii • a lightening before death. I anfwer, that all is but the Hopping of a water-brooke,or making a Damme oucrthwarc it, which will caufc itto {well more, and breake ouer with great violence. I aun-fwere, that all is no more then is foretolde, that. the Ieftiits (hall come forth like Froggcs out of their puddles, and Marilh groundes, and kcepcacroa-

kingfor atime, tillthcyhaue croaked theirownc -.„ ^

Hof-4.

a ,8 AnZxp»ttionvfo» the Revelation.

dcftruftion and many others. For they ftallncucr fct vpPopcry here in England to (land &: continue do wlutcheycan. imuft needes cenfcfTc, that« finncs being fo horrible and outrag>oiis,as they arc,

and being grownc to fuch an height. «* I»™d&, do deferucfomcfearefull vengeance, and that God

hath a iuftcontr 0 uerficagr.iniWs/asfome,mesh e hada^inft I&aell,bccaulc **«**•-« «tWW?, pot

,4* Buryct 1 hope for his coucnant fake, foe his Seat mercies fake, for his names take for his glory fake,and for his Church fake, he will be grauous 8C fauorablc vnto vs,& not bring vpon vs tTiat vengeance which our fins haue detaued: or at loftwifc Jhoughhecorreavs^sindecdchch^htultcatuc andwemayiumyfeareif.yethev.illdoeummer-cv for our amcndmcnr,and not in wrath to our de-Si as hee faith by his Prophet: / wllnot vt ;

Vintvtterlym thee off. But how o=u:r itfh 11 pleafcthcmoftwifeGodto dealewuh vs,y«thu Sand am pcrfwaded of.that Popery fliall ncuec beeftabhlhedagainein this kingdome^/rcafon is,becauferhee°uerMingGofpel carried abroadby

the Aungclthatflyethin the m.ddeft of Hear, n (halliprcaditill more and more throughout all the

t*-.ii.»4..Kinedomcs or Europe, as appeatcth Chapter 14. verfc 6. for orhcrwife how ^f^^"™ fhall rhe Iewes euerbe converted * H ™£*™ r < comedowncfrom Hcaucn, and deuouibothC*

Ch.ip-»°j9» an*

Icr. jo. i'. Jer.46.18. Icr. 10,14-

, Aj:<XMO,lI

A» Exfofrt'm vpon the RetteUtioo. j#

an i. Magog, as the holy Ghoft forctcllcth fhall come topafleiandas wc flial heare more anon? Morcoucr Saint Iohn tcllcth vs plaincly, that in thefe loft dayes the Gofpellfhillbe preached to many peeple,and nations, and tongues, and to maty kings. And further he faith that in this age wherein we liuc,many fhal renounce Idolatry, repent andgiuegloryt to the Cod ofheauen. Butfomc man may lay, howeprooiicyou rhatrhis kingdom is one of them which Saint Iohn fpeaketh of, and which he mcancth, wherein the Gofpcll /hall be preached vnto the end of the world ? 1 aunlwere, thatirisprooued out of the 17. chapter ofthispro-phc/ic, where tiie holy Ghoft tcllcth vs flatlye, that thofctennc kingdom cs of Europe which had a long time becne the ten homes andjtrength of the beafl,and Chap.i?,! 3 being of one minde, hadgiuen their power and authority vnto the heaft,fhouldnow in thefe loft dates rife vppe etgainfi the where of Babylon, make warre agairifte her, hate her and make her defolate.

But this kingdome is one of tfaofc ten horns, and and oneofthofcten kingdomes, which a long time had giuen her power K authority to the beaft.Ther-fore as rhis kingdome hath happily begunne to hate the W horc,and to make her dcfolate and naked : fo vndoubtedly ihc fliall continue vnto the endc of the worldc. Forifthiskingomc, andotherkingdomes which nowhatc the whore, doc not continue, howe fliall fliec bee made defolate and naked Sec ? Then it fliouldc feemc, thebcafte fliall rcuiuc and recouer himfelfeagaine,andfoS.Iohn fliall be foundafalfe prophet.But Godistrue^ndalmen are liers } a.nd Saint

Kk lolm

Verfcifi

England and other king* domes which hnue forfaken the bead flial fo continue vnto the ende of the world.

Iohn Hall bee found a true Prophet : and therefore ■thefc kingdoms of Europe which hauc begun to lute . the whoo^fhaU continue, and neucrgwe her oner till (as thcholy ghoftfaith)^<7 biuce<iter>ber jicjbcr burnt her mthfir.e: that is, till they tmievtrerlydc* noticed her. Buthccreitwillbcobicaedy.that m the latter daics iniquity fhallhauc the vppcr hand. I an-fwer firit, that I find no fuchplace ot fcr.piute. But this I find, that our Lord Icfus foretclleth his Dilct-ples, that very fhorcly after his death and rcfurrcai* on, many fcduccrsand falfc teachers fconldearifc; which Jhould dccciuc many, and draw them away Maft, 24, »• from the louc of the golpcll •■ and faith-he, hecauftmt-auity Ml be wmftdjtke loue ofmnjjbak be wW.But ,. - ; tpistpecch'of our Sauior,dothnot properly concern « "". , our times. But yet it muft needs be granted, that the S' Vt wicked fliallwax worfcandworfc^ theworldfhall npt amcnd,but ftill be worfe and worfc,and grow to ' • : ■ a greater height and ripenefle of-fin, as appearcth' ur im prophefic. Yet for all this wemuft note withal], that the number of true beleeucrs in thole laft daics, •Op.ii.vcr. i flial j bc very mauy as thi ■ boofce doch alfo teach. But

vei.U.vcr. 13

kmaybeobicftcihowcan this gcarc ftad together, that jn the laft daics there IhalLbc multitudes-8c mil-lions of rcprobatcs,and moft wicked and abhomina-blcpcrfons,andyct wichall, agreatinca-afe ofttuc beleeucrs ? I anfwerc that the world will bccalwftics like it fclfc, impious and vnbclceuing.But the church fliali purely wor/l.ip God.and that with daily increa-

fcio-euen vnto the end. But now me thinkcth I hear

0 ■ ■ " fomc

An Expsfittitf vpon the Retuhthn. 241

fomcraan fay, whachkelyhoodeis thereof all this which you write touching the ouerthrow of R omt? Do we not fee, that Rome is yet ftrong? Doth not Italy, Spainc, the greatcft part of Fiance, and Nc-therland, and Germany ,ftand for her defence ? Hath not the whore ftill many and great bearers, and vp-holders,what likelihood is then: then, that cuer lliec flial be brought fo low as you (peak o:?I anfwer,rhat Wc may not in this cafe we muft not askc this quell ion what like- p/'"*" ' lke " lihood. Wemuftnotconfulrwithflcfliandblond. of,hJj> s "" c We muft not take counfcll of humane rcafon. For Godismaruellousin hisdcuifes, and when he hath once decreed and determined of any future euent,hc willcompafic it by m canes far furpaffing all humane reach and capacitic: yea, by fuch plots and deuifes^ as mans wit could ucuer hauc once dreamed of. For he hath all mcanes in heauen and earth in his hands, and is admirable in all his procecdinges, and therefore we may not askc this queftion, what likelihood, or how can ir bee, or how can it pofllblycomc ro paflc? What likelihood was there an hundred ycers paft, when Rome was in her height, and all the king-domes of Europe flood for her, that cuer flicfhould hauc beenrforfaken of fo many of her old fricnds,as at this day flic is ? What likelyhood was there, that when the Pope could commaund the Emperor,and all the Kingcs of Europe, and their kingdomes, that cuer 'hec flioulde haue becne brought fo low as at this day hec is, God be rhanked ? What likelyhood was there that cuer poore Martin Luther fhouldc Kk 1 ftand

iChro.io.

fcW. m-I.King. 13.

t.Cluo tv I.King. 6. lud.7.

j.Sam. 14.

j ,2 ^w ExpojttionTpHtheXeuelxtio*.

ftand out with the cucrUfflngGofpcll in his mouth a^ainft the Pope, Emptor, K as it were the whole world, & yet die in his bed in a good old age ? what likelihood was there that Henry the cight,of famous memory, frould renounce flww.oppofi himfclfca-gainft the Pope, and fupprcflc the Abbics.Pnoncs, and Monasteries in this Kingdomc, and take theyr lands and liuings into his owne hands ?Thcrefore I conclude, that when God hath decreed the vtter o-ucrthrow of £*?»(?, we muft notaskc this qucflion, how can it be ? Or which way frail it be brought a-bout ? For the Scriptures do teach that God in all a-ccs, hath done the greateft exploits, cither by him-fclfc alone without mcanes,or clfc by weak mcancs, or contrary to all mcancs.

By himfelfe -without meanes he ouetthrew the Moo. tits, Ammonites, and them of mount Sier,which made war againfi goodking Iehojaphat By himjelfe he dejhoied Fharoah, and his Army in the

red Sex

By himjelfe he otterthrew Jericho, that great Citty.

By himjelfe hcejleiv the huge army of the AjJymns, that made war agxinjlExscluas.

By himjelfe hejmete the great mi dreadfull army of the Ethiopians before A fa, and before Iudak

By himfelfe he fmote the Syrians, which bejieged DO-than the citty where the Prophet Elifia was. ■ By weake means he ouerthrew the innumerable army if the Mediamtes, etten by Gedeons three hundred.

ByweakemeanesheflewagarrifonoftheThilipavs,

men by Jonathan and his armour-bearer.

J zy

AnExpofitiin vpinthc ReuclatUit. 243

By weak meanes he onerthrew the kings of Sodom and Gtn -! +• thereabouts, etten by Abraham, and hisfamily.

HeoucrthrewGoliahbyDauid:Siferaby Iaell: Ab't- , Sim . i r . nsiUch by a woman. Iu <j- 4-

Contrary to meanes, he fitted the three children from j^ • turning, being in the fire.

Contrary to meanes, hefkued Ionatfrom drowning, Ioni -being cajl tnto thefea.

Contrary to means, hepreferuedDanie/Hfromdeuou- Daniel s. ring, being caji into the Lyons den.

Contrary to meanes, he kept the ifralitesfrom drew- Ew><i. f 4 . ming, being in the bottome of thefea.

Contrary to meanes and to all expectation, heeaufidi°f- <•• the Sun toJland JIM at noone day, whilejl he oucr threw thefiue kings of Canaan by lojuah.

Thcrfore I concludc,that for afmuch as God in al ages hath efMcd the moftftrangc and admirable tilings, cither by himfelfe without meanes,orby very weakc mcancs, or contrary to all mcancs, there- rhevttero-forcitis in vaineto askcthis qiieftion, how or by ueithrowof what mcancs frail Rome bee deftroyed ? For it is i- £° d m 0 c fi conclu -nough for vs to know that it frail be deftroyed, and come to vttcr defolation. And in my indgement the holy ghoft hath fo often, and phinclyamrmetithis, that.no'man frould any more make any doubt'of it, Apoc 14,8, or oncccail it into qiieftion. For what can beemore *P£; ( '*-£ plainc, ihsnto^y,Somekfa/fin:Romefhalfal.Great Ap0 c 17! "• kxileflmslikctalents Mfdvpenit.ItJbalgotoperdi- ft™: 1 *' *'• tion:Itfl)xUfaltt&depr«cTlo»:lt^ 40-reatmilJltiteintothebottome of thefea . -fifbaUbe Apoc. i8,»>. Kk 3 burnt

144 AnE^ofmon^ntUtmlstim. Tel2oJnhMum.K\ the popift fo« both high K Ajec i^o.. t kde[Mtionthereof.rbeirArmmpm „,.. &

Rome ofRomifh power, and of the Romifh armies. pTtheLanbono otherfound fence g.uen^the as all diuinc writers, and interpreters do afcm,both. ncwa. dold.AndA,rcforcIconclade 3t h a cS Ioha.

he^uld hauc named Romc.Fpt he namediBa.

!T+Mwv4thc earth.Hc n^mahthecntyMtuatc W^Henameph.^^^M 7-/«£ TJLrnmcnts. Andthcrcforeout_ofal doubt he*

alRomifh power and authority fed fal flat down, ic comedo yaci defeuaion *id defolat.oirin this life,

is to corners vvcfhallheArc by. andby. ■ •••• ■ ..-..,

'ji»£xt>9ptU» vfoptheReuelat'ion. 245 :

ny care of their Mutation /follow tiit^wholefome ■ ■counfcll and aduifc of the holy Ghoft, which faith, . . tiomutufhrp^pitylXiwitt-yee be mtparUkers rfher Jinnes,and that ye receiue not of'herplagues .-for her Jus artceme'vpto heMtcn,and&od hAthrcike'mbredhcr m- ■ f<j«/V/«;Ouroncly'Wifedomeq!hcn^ilb: tofepcrate • bur felues from the whore ofBibyloir,thatis, from • the Church of Rom:, and to ioyneourfelues with all fpeedtothc true Church of G O D* thatis r the Church of the Pi'otc/rantts,fdrthis:fhaliftajid.and-flbrifli: : :'tIie<JtJ*er.fliaUfall'downeandpcriftl '": -'!.•■ , But what thcn/fhaU wc be fory for the fall ofBaby-Gois P ro ? Ie lot] and the mine ofR'omc ? No, no. The holy ghofl ^thsouer-* counfclltthvsgreatly-to reioycein her drfrrtic"tcon*hrow of ^'»heiithrow,%ing. 0'^ yehely^fofiletand Prophets, hecaufcGodhathgiuen. four i«3g>»fatpn tier. Wc are: therefore to bee fo far . frbrnrrjourning-and lamenting forthedifoiatioti air Rome^-the-Kipgs, Mercl»ntsjMarririarsi&;-Qtficr \ herfrieifldsjas'thatbdugliHobc.th^vciy-ioyandre-' . ioycingof our halts,Eor S. lohnfaith^chat-riotonly theholy AngclsjProphets,>'Apoftles,&:ManyisfliaL': feibycearthe defhlJ&ionbftRdrnd::bucalfoalrtlic '\ Saints,Sithe\«h'olebodyofthe^ChurcttAsdlhcrc- '. forchc (aitrijthat after the vweroumhrow ofRomc, He heard a great voyce of a great multitude in Heatteu,. • faying-, Ha//elu-jah y (hit is, praifeye the Lord T for hee:. hathcondemned thegrettwhore, which did cemiPttbe\W ac - '»•'•*• earth with hirfornication; &.hah duehgeiihibwodvf-' hisfcrHantsfiedby her hand.And again fairfiS. lohn, -.' they

Apoc. %,6.

J«, jo, 14

J» Exp*fa** vf* the *<* tl * U *'

„,o B ,fbi Ac <ktaffl"»»'» u tel0B( .God,that

^'Trhi" =d£3£'AeTruA, g^ly .0 loucche Church,»"«"" bccaufe thismon-

rcioyce in the dcftruftion o^ c ' ^ God . A „d

filled toyM.fi" her , th , r r^cheiuc lite her t»r-menttniforrtrw. A °*™^™* a«r ronOT pitty, fot

the oucrthrow of Rome- ™«ui ^ &

Prophccis true: flfegWj *J«^ iinebe Uthy her childreiVjgmfi * e f"" a * F ° (hee h.thji^

ned^pbeLfrd. Morcoterwc comman dcth illmentorcwardRomca mcbatn togiuchcrdouble according to tew« • him fore wcought cuery one of vs., as mucn

2X1

^» Exfojttien vf$nthe Reuelatie*. lyeth, and as his calling will beare, to doe his vtter-moftto pull dowoeRomc, the Magiftrates by the fwordjthc Minifterby cheworde 3 and the people by their prayers.For euen Chriftian kings and princes, and all the nobles of the earth, mult not be negligent to fight againfteRomc. For hcereiii that faymge is true: Cur fed is hee that doeth the vvorke of the Lorde negligently\md curfedis he that keepeth back his (word Icr#48 . from blood. For this caufe I do vpon my knees night and day, moil humblye and inftantly intreatc the GOD of hcaucn, that as he hath put into the hart of our moft gracious and excellent Kinge, to hate the Whore ofBabylon,and to be his grcatcft inftru-ment in the whole worldc, for the weakning and o-uerturningofRomc, and defence of his moil glory-ous Gofpell (which is his crownc and glory in al the Churches, and his great renowne in all Chriftian Jcingdomcs) fo hee may conftantlycontinne, and ncuer ceafe drawing out the fworde of Iuftice,tilhec haue vtterly rooted out of his dominions, al the curled crewofpopifti lebufites, andallfuchas hauerc-ceiucdthebeaftcsmarkc, and efpccially the Iefuitcs and feminary Prieftes which are the diuels brokers, the popes agents, and the king o( Spaines factor* in all kingdomes. Hecrc alfo I doe mod humbly cucn vppon my knees, with dropping cies, yea if it were poffiblcwithtearesof bloudc,befcech and intreatc the Learned and reuerend Fathers ofour Churche, that they wouldebendeallthcyrpowcr, and authorise, with all dieir might and mainc againft the Ro-Ll - mifti

u 5 AnExpofitionvporithe Xeutht'm.

fttcthronnkeahcadagaineluuingfo many and

grSauourers, that(hee *^ "-^Si-pete with their ncbbes, and very boldly and conn

^entlvprateofatollcration.

Hceteaifo 1 doc moft humblye andcarncflly in-trlX learned and godly brethren them.nl-£ and pre chers ofthis Church of England, that hhdi-publickc tcachinges, and pnuate proceeding tncy woulde make ftrong opposition againft Rome and Romifh religion.And I bwech the God nfGodsthatwernayalioynctogether^tthvmted

foSs,wmarch onvaliantly againft the armies* Antichrifte,andto fpreadethc euerlaftmgGofpell

ineofAis Wcfterne Babylon, and that howfoe-

XeSg^ye^thatthere maybe nobrcaeho oue oralieLionofaffeaions among* vs, but ^rwcemav altogether handcinhande, and

iTofetourfcUiesagainftthecommonaducrfanes. For i that«ee «iU not fettc our fclues againft them, ve hey" fllbcefiiretofette themfel.esagainft vs. fflsmuchconcerningthethirdema.nepoy^ whichisthefinaliyianddeftruOionofRomceuen

"t^tilowahtofpeakeofcl.fourth^yne t>oint whkhis,by whome.and whcnRorne fhallbe Suowne. But for the better vndcrtondinge

An Expojition vp on the Reuelation. 24P ofthis point concerning the perfons that fhall ouer-throwRome,wearetoobfcrue,thatS. I°' ln defcriA bcth thewhoxcoi Babiton,Jitting vpon afcarlctcoloured hta.fi j kiuingfcauen heads, and ten homes, whereby is meant thcRomanc Monarohie, as hath bcene fhewed before. After this the Angell cxponndeth vnco Iohn, what the hcids, and homes of the bcafte mcane and faith, that the ten homes are ten hinges, or ten kingdomes, -whichyet haue not receiueda kingdom, Vcv c ' L butjbalreceue power as kings,at an hour,with the beaji:

The (cnceiSjthat thefc ten kingdomesjiad not receiued fuch power and authority, vnderthc Empc-rours, as they fhould vndcr the popes/or there was grear difference in thefc kingdoms vnder the popes, from that which they had beenevnder the Empe-rours. Forthey receiued farre greater power, and they carried another minde toward the papacy ,thcn the Nations did before towarde thcEmpyrc, for they did f.ibmit themfelues to thepapacye for Con-feience, and loue, cuen as to the holy Church which they neuer did to the Empire.

And this is the reafon,why the Holy-Ghoft faith, they hid not receiued a Kingdome, butfhoalde reeeyue potter as Kmges, at one houre with thebeafi. Which imottobevnderftoodfimply, butaftcra forte, foe they had receiued kingdomes, vnder the Emperors, butnotinfuchfortasafrerwardctheydid vnderthe Popes. For thcRomanc Monarchic vnder the dominion ofthc popes, was in his greateft height, and altitude, and the kings of Europe grew vp together

2.24 AnExpoftticn vpon the Rendition. witlithc papaciein power, might and Dominion. And S.Iohn addcth,that thefeten kings or kingdoms Chip. 17,13 we reallofone minde,and didgiue theyrpower end Authority -unto the £«(/,thac is, they did with might &C mainc, labour to vphold the Babylomcall ftrumpet. But the Angcll tcllcth lohn flatly, that the ten horns that is, thc tonne kingdomes ofthe Empire, which before had giuen their names, their power, and authority to the bcaft, to vpholdc her and defende her, (hoiild no w in thefe laft dayes al change thcyr minds and tunic againft her. For faith the Angcll to lohn. The ten homes which thoujavveft vfon the heap, are they that(billhate the Whore, andmake her dejolatc,& naked, tndjbMente herflefbjni btirne her with fire. Hecrc then it doth plaincly appeare, who they be *]fthehoty that Qj^i ouctthrowcRomc, andby wbomeicrtiall. £hEd, bee deftroyed. To witte, by the tenne: Kings of Eu, not mcanc a r0 pe, or kingdomes of Europe, which iome very lcr-definu num. n ^ do KC y. Qa Yppe :o be thefe, England, Scotland, ™$X Germany, France, Spainc, Denmarke, Swcueland, redly he mca- Poland, RiilTta, and Hungary.* S- Iohns words arc r [h f the „fDlaine,that thefe kingdomes which tookeparc wich

kingdomes of piaiui. ,111.11 m v- o . ... ' .

Eo.o ? e. ind the bead, (hall take againft her, and pull her downe whatfocucr But wc know ^ t i iat a u mc kingdomes of Europe did v P hold t °hc Ce takepart with her, therefore it followcth that all the bcaft. kingdoms of Europe {hal take againft her. And ther-

forest is very probable, that in time,France, Spainc,. itisprobAle and Italy, (hall turne againft thebcaftc. Wcknow

tlutFnuncc, t hatthereft of thc kingdomes are already turned a-

l>.imc.indI . n i_i___,i 1 .L.L^ftUirMr.flv Otiefl of hyS

kornes,

^St- gainftthcbcaft 7 andthebeafthathloftc feuenofhys

&kc tlic whor

■A»Expofitie»vpontheReuelatiott. 2x5

homes, thc eight,which is France, beginneth to bee fomewhatloofc, andtoftiakcalittlc, which if it fall off,thc reft will follow after apace. Thc reafon why the kingdomes, which were lubiaftc to theRomainc Empyre are coiTipared to homes, is, becaufe that as homes are the ftrength and defence of a bcaft, wher-wich alfo hce pufheth downe other creatures , lb thc ftrength and defence of thc Romane Empire,and thc papacic, was in the kingdomes which were fubictt vnto thcm,and tooke part with them, whereby alfo they did mightily pufh at other Nations and king-domes. Moreouer wee are to obferuc, that whereas S. lohn faith, the fame homes which did vphold and defend the Whore fhallpull her downe, it is not to be vnderftoodc of the fame men, but of their fucccf-fors in thc fame kingdomes. For the Kings of Eng-gland,Scotland,Dcnmark,Polonia,and other coun-tries,which gauc their power and authority vnto thc beaft,are dead and gone. If wee rcfpe£t the perfons ofthe men,and thofc which fucceedc them nowe in thefe kingdomes, and pull downe the Whore, arc other perfons; but becaufe they fuccced & goucrnc in thefe kingdomes, they are (aide to bee thofe tenne homes of the beaft. Then thus it is, thefe ten kings which now hate the hatlot.are called the ten homes ofthe beaft, not becaufe they bee anye defence and ftrength vnto him, but becaufe they fitte vpponthc fame thrones of their atinccftors,which did vpholdc and maintaine him But this one thing is very clearc and apparant out of the interpretation ofthe Angell,

LI 3 that

Z< a An Exfofttion vpon the Revelation.

thatthekme kingdoms which haue maintained Popery , (hall put it downe, as we fee already fulfilled in England, Scotland, Denmarke, and the reft which hauc embraced the GofpelAndk is very likely that the other kingdomes which as yet haue not embraced the GofpelL,fhal in Gods good rime embrace it. For this fcemeth vnto mee, to be a very good argument 3 taken from the words of the interpreting An-gell.Tliofc ten kingdomes which hauc vpheld Rome (halpul downe Rome.- but Francc,Spaine,and Italy hauc vpheld and do vphold Rome: Therfore France r Spaine,5c Italy dial pill downeRome.To this may be Apoc. 1 4j 6. ^ d ^ for con g rmation . thac t he tutrUfims Goftell

fidbeP*■ etched in thefe loft dayes, to tuery nation, mi kindred,Andtonguc,andpeople.VJUch I vnderfland ofalkhe Nations of Europe, which were fubieftt* thcRomanEmpire,and the Papacy.

And further that the holy ghoft faith,that the preachers of the Gofpell from Lathers time, fhallpub-lilh Gods 'truth amonge people and Nations, and tongues,and many kings -. which I voder (land as before. .

I am not ignorant that fome good diumes make

it doubtfull,whether Rome thai becouerthrowne by theKings of Europe onely,or by the Turkeabound thekings of the Ea ft.For mine ownc part, I dare not refolutely determine of it, beeing a thingcto come, butthe euentfhall declare, and they that liue lhall one day fee it.lt may be the Tnrke,and the Eafterne princes may haue fome hand in this bufmefle. For

the

An Expofition vpon the Revelation. «?

the Roman Monarchy did ftretch far that way,when it was in his higheft elcuation. But that which is ailed ged of the drying vp of the VDAters of Euphrates jkat the way of the Kings of the Eafl might be prepared: pro-ueth nothing, becaufc ic is an allufion to Darius and Cyrus ^ which were kings ofthcEaft, and tookeolde Ap ° C ' 1 *" Babylon by drying vp the waters of Euphrates^ and leading ouer their armies, as wc haue heard before. I do thus then rcfoluc and conclude, thattheTurkc and the Eaftern Kings may hapily haue fome ftroke in this work.But it feemeth moll or obable vnto mc, that the kings of Europe fliall bethegreateftagentes Thctingsof in this a&ion.For the words are plainc,that the kings SUShS ofthe earch which fomctimes were fubiefte to that Kome. monftrous bcaft,ftiould nowatlaftfhakeoffthcyoke of her fcruitude, and withdrawe the obedience of their fubic&es from her, Andfhouldhate and abhorre the harlot of 'Rome , andfhoulde make her defolate. By withdrawing their fubic,c~tes from her obedience, Mndnaked x by(poihngherothez trcifarcs,and/hall citi , • eateherfle/b,andteareherinpeeees(orpuxe:\axxzd^r 7>Y '*

burne her -withfire: that is, bring her to vttcr deftru-ftion.

So that fliee which before at her plcafure might commaunde all Princes to beginne Warre, to ceafe from Warre; to defcnde her quarrelles, and to annoy her enemies: nowe is gladde to flatter a lewe fe-duced Princes to take her part, rhat fliec bee not vtterly fbrfaken of al men whatfocucr.Or clfe to pra-ffife by treafon,& trcacherie, fubboruing the Icfuits

thofc

zz$ jtHExffjttionvpoHtheReHelititn. thofc rogues and Vagabonds, to ftirre vp tumults a-mong the people, and to trouble godly eftatcs, and common-wcalthcs, that defpife her Dominion, but affurcdly without all hopc,cuer to rcconct her aunci-ent tyranny. But here ir may bee obicttcd, that the preaching of the Gofpcl, is the grcatcft and ftrongeft rneancs to ouerthrow Babylon. And therefore how can it bee done by the Chnftian princes. I anfwerc that it is true indeed, that of all othct rneancs, the Gofpcll is the ftrongeft, but the thing is this. Firfte, the Gofpcll basing fct abroach, ftaUdctcft anddil-coucr the Whoorc of Rome, and all her ahhomina-ble doctrine and filthineffe, which the Chnftian Princes cfpying, dial renounce her, make ware vp-pon her, and flay in the fieldc thoufandc thoufandes of her fouldiors as wee haue heardc before- And hitherto concerning the pcrfons, that fhalloucrthrovf

Rome. ,, ,

Nowe it followcth to fpeake of the time when it

{hall beedeftroyed. Which of all thcrcftis a thing

mofthardctobedccidcd. For the holy-ghoft faith,

vhjfbouldlMtthc times bee hidtfthe Almighty .■ So at

Iob M '' they which know him, jhouldc notforfeethe times ap-

Dan.: l9 Pointcdofhim. Andagainc, the wordesaredofedtni

ftdedvp.vntitlthc time determined. Andagaine,*

Aft >»»' is not for you to know the times or the fcafons, which the

father hathput in his rctnepower. Yet cucn in this

point, I will by Gods afuftance, fctdowncfo much

as is rcuealcd,and fo much as GOD hath gpuen mcc

to fee. FirftI doe confcffc thai Godin his Wordc,

nam

AnZxpofttioHvpnthe Reuehtttm. i J5 hath fct downc the iufl period, and precife detf rmi-nation of all the grcateft afflictions and perfections, that cucr came to his Church, before the comming of his Son in the flefti,rbr the comfort thcreof,as that of Egypt, after the expiration offourc hundcrcdand thirty yceres; that of Babylon after the date of fcucn-tic ycares: that of the Medes 6c Perfms, after the da. Dwell i. termination of an hundred and thirty ycares: that of Alexanders (rate after fixe yecres: that of Magog and ^ M ' ' '• Egypt, aftct 294. yeaues. So likewife that of Chrifts death and refurredtipn, after feanentie feauens,or Teauenty weeks, which make 4^0. yeercs,as the An. gcll GVv*6/-/f//forctold, vnto the Prop hct Dameil. But Dm,9 '** : concerning the iuft period and prccife determinati-on, of th.? perfecutions ofthc Church fincc Chrifihy the Roman Empire and the papacy,we find not the like let downe : SC hereof there may be two reafons ycelded Firft becaufe the Church of the Iewes were not vnder fo clearc,and pretious promifes as wc are therefore it was nccdfull, for the better irrengthning of their hope Sc cofort in affIiilfons,that they fliould knowe the very time determined: but becaufe the Church ofthe Chriftians liucth vnder molt cleere 5C comfortable promifes of dcliuerancc, therefore God according to his deepeHvifedome would haue our faith exercifed in an affured expectation ofthc acco-plifliment therofi though the precifc time be concealed. An other rcafon may be this: the vttcr ouerthrow ofRomc,falleth outtobcc,buta little before the comming of Chriirto iudgment, as appearcrh ia M ra &is.

35 £ AnExpofftmvpNttheReiteldtlt*. ihisprophcfi:. Now then, if wee knew the day.crt ycerc ccrtainely, when Rome fhould fall finally, it would giue vs too much light, vnto the knowledge ofthc laft day, which God in-great wifedome, hath of purpofe hid from the knowledge of all men: yea, and of Angels. I know tight well, that a certain learned wricer,doth prccifcly determine the vttcr deftru-ftioaol Rome to fall out, in the ycerc of our Lord Ni P ;«m iSp. But by thefauourof fo excellent a man bee it Apo.14.pnge. {poken, I fee no fufficicnt ground thereof. Buttou-'"" ching this matter, of the time of Rom: s finallfall,I

will deliucrmine opinion, and myrcafons,fubmit-tino-myfclfcio the iudgementofthe learned, foi I would be loth, in this or any other thing, to goe beyond my compaffe, or to paile the bounds of mode-fty, and humility, and therefore do refer all to be tried by the ficle of the fanftuary.

I doc therefore thus indge, that the vttcr otier-throw of Home (hall bec in this age, I.mcatic within the age ofa-man :-my reafon is this. Wc of this a"c,huc vndcr the opening of the fcauenth fcale, the blowing of the fixt Trumpet, and thepowring forth ofthc fixt viall. For the firft ic is manifeft, bc-caufe the opening ofthc fcauenth fcale, contayocth all thinges, that (hall fall-out-to'the end ofthc world; as hathbeeue (hewed and prooued before. For the A'jaz.t: f. ljl ow iniTo f the fixt Trumpet,thatalfois p!aine,bc-caufc vndcr the blowing thereof, the littlcBookc Apo:. to. i was opined,and the Gofpell preached, as wee fee vMc.io, 11. j.jth-.-.ajrp.. Forthc powring-downe of thf fixt viall

of

MExfefnmvfontheRtucUtion. 257 of Gods wrath, that alfo is moft clccrc, becaufc thcr-vpon the great riucr Euphrates dricth vp,and the Ic-fuits are feiit out, to folhcit the kinges of the earth to battaile againft the Church, as wee fee fulfilled irl thefc our daies. Then I reafon thus, Home muft fall . downc finally, in that age wherein the little bookcM. C ' r4,Vtt ' is opened, and Ac cuerlafting Gofpell preached: but in this age, the little Bookc is opened, and the cuerlafting gofpell preached, thcrforcin this age, Rome muft fall downe finally. And againc I reafon thus: Rome muft fall down finally in that age.whcr-inthc Riucr Euphrates, that is, the fortification of Rome dricth vp,and the Icfuits arc fent forth, to flop Apoc -' 6 * ,Si the Ieake thereof: but all this falleth out in this age, as wc fee with ourcics. Therefore in this age Rome (hall fall downe finally. The reafon of the propofiti- r ■ on is,becaufc in this age the popifli armies (hall come b^bkZl' 0 " to Armageddon. Komc dial h\\

Morcouer this I fay,and not I.but the Lord,whcn ^f ein,hi « the feuenth Angell blowcth the fcuenth Trumpet, Apoc, 10,6,7 then commcth the end of the world:But the fixt Angell, hath founded the fixt trumpet long agoe, as ap-pcarcth by the efkets: Therefore it cannot bec long crcthcfeucntb Angell blowe . But Rome muft fall downc finally, before the fcauenth Angell blowc, as hath beenc (hewed before. Therefore the vtter fall of Rome cannot belong deferred.

I doe not determine either of day, month,or ycerc,

becaufcitis notreucaled . But I gefleat an Age,.

becaufc the Holy Ghoft pointethvs vnto an a^ent.

M m 2 But

a 5 8. An Expofition vpen the Reuelation. . nfce But all thefe things I fetdownc for thccomfort of furthcii'wilV GodsChutch,notdefiringrovndctftandaboucthac eaftiy ycdde j licn ; s mcctc to yndcrltand: but to vnderftand ac-

vntohim.and

rinnkeGod cording to fobnety.

for his light. n ow i t rcftcth to fpeakc of the laft mamc poynt which is the caufes of Romcs vtter mine and oucr-ChR I throw: which firft of all arc fct doyne fourc feucrall Clu P ,i S . 3. t j mes for falling, to be, heciukflxe made aHnations ch,p '' 7 ' l drmke with the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

They which outwardly make others drutik,or cora-mic fornication wi:h ochcrs,arc worthy to be fcuere-

lypuniflied.

How much forcr puniflimcnt are they worthy ot

which do the fame fpiiitually: and thcrforc woe bee

to Rome. ■ .

Another caufc of the ddlruftion of Rome is, tor that fhc hath fhed the bloud ofall the Prophcts,Mar-Chip. i«, 6. vfzs and SailKS . 1S lt . i s vvr j r r. cri . i„ theewasfound the SSifatf bloud of the Prophets, and of the Saints andofall that Romcsvttcc were pine vponthe earth. W hat is hec worthy to diwncMl. JlaUCj tnat jj a tncfl- crucll bloud-fucker: nay what is he worthy to haue, that /hall murther a kinges Children: yea, that fhall murther his cldcft Sonne and hcirc appavant to the crowne.

But Rome hath murthercd thoufands of the king ofHcaucns Children. Yea.Romehath murthercd. the great hcire of Hcauen and earth, Imeane the very Sonne of God. For Chrift was put to death by Chap.™,*. tflc Roman power and authority, and by aRomane ludge,as before hath becne fhevved.Thercfore let all" 0 meu

An Expojttion vpon the ReueUticn, j^p

men iudge what Romds worthy to haucMorcoiier, S. Iobn tclleth vs that Rome with her enchmtmentes , bathJeceiueda/lnatioHS.Thcn\ctxhc matter be refer- a?J l8, '* red to the Judgment of any indifferent man,to determine and fet downc what punifhment forccrers,and enchanters,arc worthy of: efpccially fpirituall force, rers, and enchanters. Bcfides all this, the holy Ghoft. {kith, that Some is the habitation ofdeuils,andthe hold Chap,»?,», tf allfouleJpirits,& a cage ofeueryvnclean and hateful btrd. What thinkeyou is like to come of an habitation of Diuels? What trow ycc will bee the 1 end of a. fhoulc of foule friends, and a company of moft vgly monftrous hcl-cats ? What is like to become of a Cage of Howlcts, Rauens, and Vultures. Yea, a neftof Vipers, Toads, Snakes, Adders, Cocatriccs, & all themoft flinging Serpents and venemous ver« min in the world? What wilbe the end of pild priefts,. filthy Fricrs,mangyMonks,rougingIefuits. Are not, thefe a cage of vnclcane birds? What do they ftudy, what do they plot, what do they pra&ifeeuery day, but (editions, penuries, murthcrs, conspiracies, trca.-cheries,and all manner ofvillanics?IfI had no other reafonto perfwademc that Rome fhallfall &comc to a miferable end, yet this onely would make me fo. to thinkc, that thefe yillanous Icfuiccsdoc teach and conclude in their curfed conuenticles, that it is not onely lawfull but alfo meritorious ro murther any chriftian princc,that is not of their catholike religion: Oh monftrous villains: 6 moft hideous helhounds: bauenotthefc monfters fuborhed diucrs desperate Mm 3 caitiffcs

<hap,T7-1

Numb.14.14

160 AnExpefition vpen the Rettehtm. catiffcs.to embrue their hands in thcbloud of Chri-(lian princes How many hauc bin their plots > how defperate hauc bcene their pra£tifcs, to munhcr and poifon our late QiiecneEUzabeth,the French King, and our molt gracious and woorthy king that now raigncth,and other Chriftian princes. Butcanfuch pocccdings profper? can fuch courfes bec bleffedpcari a man bee eftablifhed by iniqnity ? No, no, let them know for a certainty, that God will croffc and curffe alfuchdiuclifti proceedings,as hitherto he hath don, hismoft holy name be praifed. But if any man lift to know more of thcprocecdingcs, and pra&ifcs of Ic-fuits, let him read matter Doft. Sutdiejfe his anfwet to Parfons wardword, a bookc worthy to be lead &C knowneofal mcn.But now to grow to a condufion of this point,and to windc vp togithcr all the reafons and caufes ofRomcs ruine,thus I do dctermine,that foralmuch as Rome is the great whorc,w>6 who haue. committed fornication all the kir.ges of the earthy forafc rn.uclras.faww hathmadeaU Nations drunkewith the wrieofierfcrnicdtic»:(ovaQnuchasXMebathdecei-ued all nations,with her inch annt went s ■ forafmuch as Rome is a den ofdiuds,and a cage of-vndctne birdsfou %{xm^^Komehathfhedthe\bUodof-Afofiles,Martirs (jr Saints-, forafmuchan Rome hath murderedthe fo» «/<W.Thcrforc it rtial at laft come to moftmiferable deftruai5,bcing that Chittim which in the end muft needs perilh.for what puuiflimcra, what painc,what torturciwhat tormentcan beinough for this damna* blc whorcjwHich hath ;6mmittcdfuch execrable SC

moll

An Expofition vpon the ReueUtion. %g t

moft outragious villanies ?

Be it therefore knowen vnto all men by thefc prei fents, that Rome for all her monftrous and prodigious (Ins, (hall fall ftill more and more, and come to a fearcfull dcflruaion,.euen in this life.But fomc man may fay, what (hall become of Rome, and of all her friendes after this life S. Iohn anfwerethi that if any Apoc , mAnworfhip the bcaflandhts image,tjrreeciue his mark 9. io',i??"*° in his forehead, or on his kind, thefamefho.ll drinke of the wine of the wratb of God, and he jhall be fermented infire andbrimflone^beforetheholy Angels, andbefore the Lamhe. And tbefmoalc of their torment [ball afiend, «nd they (hall haue no reft, day nor night,which wor/hip thtbeafij&c-HcwcK fentenceof cternall damnation, paffcdvponail the friends ofRomc. Ohthatall papifts would confider this in time, and rhinkc with thcmfelucs, what a wofull thing it is to bec a Papift, for chcy and thdriingdome muft goe downc in this life, and in the life to come, they muft be tormented in hell fire for cuer. For S; loh'n faith flatly, that all ptpiResJha/lbeeca/lwto the great Wtnepreffe efthe^ 0 "^' 1 * Wrath ofGod, where theyfhall be firained and treadmill bUodcome out of the wineprejfe,-unto the horfe bridles hytheJJ>aceofa thou/and andjix hundredfitrUng.t. And chap.ij.so. againc lice faith, that the Besfi and the falfe Prophet were take» aline, and cajl into aleake of fire, burning with brimflme. Let all men therefore take hccd;how they ioyncwith the Papiftcs, for wee feewnat (hall bec their code,.both in this life, and the life to comet ThcrcfbrelctallGoJspeople 3 comcoucofBabyloni

and

m Ari;ExpeJit'iO*v}o»thtReHcl<ttten t

and haften out o(Sotbme t \ca& they be wound vp in their iudgmcms.L«aUwircmcnpraaifcthcpolIicy

of the cAeonits, who when they Law that lofiuh did Co mightily pceuailc againft the contimts, and bcare down all before him, did very polhtikely promdc for theirownefafcty,and by fubtile meanes enter into league with Ufuoh, and the l/rae/MGod. So let all that haue any care of their owne faluauon, fpecdily forfakc Babylon, which othcrwife will fal vpon their heads, and fly to Zw»,which (hall ftandI faft for cucr-more And thus hauingrcduced all the fiue Chapters following, toproue thefc forcGud points, I will pro-ceede vnto the twentith Chapter: for there is almoft nothing of any moment or difficulty in the 15,1c', 17, l8,and 19. Chapters.butic hath beenc already ope. nedand expounded.

CHAP. XX.

ggsfp Aint Iohn hailing in the former chap-rfiji;il KrSj pi a i n iy an d plentifully fet downe j the vrter ouerthrow both of the beaft i and che falfe Prophet, that is, the Ro« mmBrf^ss aj mane Empire, and the Papacy, doth now in this Chapter fet forth the condemnation of the Dragon, their graund Caprainc, which fet them all on worke. For there hath as yet, beenc no motion of him, which hath beenc the beginner and rai-fervppeofthcrcft, and the great worker ofaUmif. .fhicfc, therefore now commcth his iudgement and

con.

An Expofttion vpen the Rendition, 16%

condemnation, now becaufe hce hath bcene a more gcncrall worker, & his mifchiefc hath extended larger then the kingdom of Antichnft, therefore in this 20 chapter there is an Hiftory of him, fee forth by it felf Firft how he feduced the nations before the com-ming of Chrift: afterward how Chrift at his com-mingbindcth him, by the light of his Go'pell, from feducingthe nations, and fo holdeth him ftnt vp,for the fpace ofa thoufand yecres, in which the Chinch ' did floiui/h greatly, and many were raifed vp vnto die (pirituall life. But when the thonfande ycctes were expired, Sathan was let loofc and went forth a-gaincto feduce, and by che great Antichrift, and the Turk, gathered innumerable multitudes into his armies, to fight againft the Church, which armies arc called Gog and Magog.

But they arc all ouercome and deftroyed, and that olde Serpent himfelfe is caught, and together with his Inftrumentes, the Beaft, and the falic Pro-phet is caft into Hell fire, to bee tormented for cucr. And this is the fumme and principall drift of this Chapter.

It containeth fiue principall things, as it were the hue pans [hereof.

The firft is, the binding and chaining vppc of Sathan, by our Lord Icfus, for the ipacc ofa thoufand V " ' *' *' v y ceres.

The fecond is, the flourifhingof the Church, du- VC ife 4 , u s. ring the time oi Sathans captiuity, - Thethirde is, the loofing of Sathan after thcverfc7,«,p. N n thou-

Vtrfe i o

ttrfciij&c

Vcrfc i

Vetfe i Verfe j

CJiJp. t,i8.-

S^4 An EXpofttion vpon the Reueldtion. tho-jfand yccres expired, and the wofull effefts thct-

C

The fourth is, the cafongoftheDcuillinto a lake office and brimftone, where the beat* and thcfalfc Prophet were.

The fife is a glorious defcripnon ofthelalt wdgc-ment.wheria cucry man flial be iudged according to hiswodecs.

The text.

AND ifaW an Angellcome downcfrom heaiten, hatting the key of the bottomlefjcpit, & a great chain

i/i his km J. ., . . ,

And he toohe the dragon that old Serpent,which is the diuelland Sathan, andbonndhimathotcfanpeeres.

And c*ft him into the bottomelffefit^dheefbut htm -up An l[t.iled the ioore vpon him,that heflmdd decctue the people no more, till the thoufandyeeres were fulfil-led:Jo after that hemufl be loafed for a little feafon,

ThisAn^cUh'zere fpokenof, is our Lord Iefus, who is therefore faid to haue die key of the bottom-Icffe pit, becaufe hec hath power and authority ouer h = Uandd:2'.h,aswchau:h:ardb:fore.

By the chain: in his hand, is meant th: doctrine of

th.'Go'pell. it i

Th- tim- when Sathan was thus taken and bound, was, when Chrift firft preached the Gofpell, and his Apoules after him, to all nations.

An Expofitien vpon the ReuelatUn. 2^5

The caufe why hec was now bound and chained vp, was, for that he had a long time [educed all nations, and raignd as King Sc Lord oner the Gentiles, and grcarly (educed the Icwcs alfo. The time of his imprisonment is fee downc, to be a thoufandyeeres, that is,al the time from the preaching ot Chrift and his ApciHcs, votili Gregory the fe-ucnth.and other monflrous Popes,vvhich did let Sathan loofcagainc. Which fpaceoftime is gefled by the learned, to be a thoufand yccrcs, or thereabouts. Buthecreitistobccobfcrucd, that this bynding of Sathan, is not to be taken limply, and absolutely, as though Sathan was fo bound and chained vppe, for this thoufand yearc, that hec could not feduce at alh, or do; no mifchicfeat all, after th.* preaching of the Gofpell by Chrift, and his Apoftlex ? I fay this is not to be taken (imply, but after a fort, that is, that hec could not Co generally and vniucrfally feduce all na. tions as hec hadde in former time, before the com-ming of Chnft. For othcrwifc it is we!lknowne a ; thatcucn after Chrifts time, he did greatly pcrfecute the Church, bring in many errors and hcreiies, and harden and blind many mens hcartes: but yet al this was nothing, in comparifon of that which hec had wrought in former ages, when hce was cticnasit were the God of the worldc, and the Gentiles wor-. fliippcd him as God, as the Apoftle teacheth, that all 1 Cor - ^ the worfiip eft he heathen nations,was the reorfhip efdu */eh-Andig2mc s thatG0di/>tiw^paJl/i,predaUtheMttn,it. Gentiles to wtflke in their ewne ivayes . And then was Nn 1 Sathan

1

- 2 66 An Expojition vpon the RtueUtion, Sathra a great prince indeed. But now commctn a cluinc for him: for chrijl prcachcth the Gofpcl.and fendet h forth his difciplcs with power, and thereupon faith,//hv Sathan fill down like lightning: For the preaching of the Golpcll,bcatcth downc the king-dome of Sathan and finnc.

Morconer it is to be notcd,that no'.withftanding all S.ithans- power and might, craft and fubtilty, yet this Angcll w hich hath the key of the bottomles pit, doth apprehend him and flwttc him vp,and fcale the dorc vpon him : fo that he cannot get abroadcto fc-duce fo generally as in former time.

TSMSlo\mh\\h,t\\x. after athoiifandyeersjie mufl be loo fed for a little fedfort: that is, the time wherein the great Aiuichrift flioulde bearethefway: which was fom: 4-or 5.hundredycarcs.For the Gofpel did prcuailc in Ibmc mcafure in the worlde, a thoufandc ycers after Chrijl,&t the principles K grounds of true religion cotinued in the church,vntil the fill loofing of Saihan, though with many blottcs, corruptions, and abufes.For after the firft fix hundred yccrcs, the clccre finceritic of the truth was much dimmed with crrours and hcrcfus, but yet themaine grounds dyd rename till the full expiration of the thouGind years, Now j wee knowc that the Gofpcll hathbecnepreached in thefelafte dayes, aboue thrccfcorc yecrcs, Th :rcforc it folio wcth, that the ftrcngth of popcrye continued not much aboue 500. yceres; Which hecre the Holy-Ghoaft for our comfort, callecha Oup.i; » Ji LC l c fcafon: ofvvhichwcchatic heard before, and

therc-

AnExpofitim vpon the Revelation. *6y therefore I do heerc omit it.

! And 1faw feats, and thrm that fate vppon them, and judgment wasgiucn vnto them. And If aw thefeules of a e 4 them th.it were beheaded for the witnefje of Iiftii, and for the word of God,and which dtd not wor/hip the be of, neither his Image, neither had t.;ken his marke vppon theirforeheades, orontheirhandes, and they Hue d and raignedwith Chrijl a thoujandyeere.

But the rejl of the dead men (ha//not Hue again, vntill Vcrfc y the thoitftndyeeres befinifbed: this is theftrfirefttrrec-tion Bleffedttnd holy is hee that hath part in thefrfl re fur- Vci( qS re ft ion For.on fitch thefecond death hath no power.But theyfja/l be the Priefes of God, andofchrijl, and [hall raigne with him a thoufandyeere.

Hecre now is fct foorth the eftate of the Church militantjforthcfpaccofthc thoufandycarc, wherein Sathan was chained vp. Fork is faydhecre, that the Church dyd growc and flourifli: yea, and greatly cxercifc her power and authority, during that time. And therefore Saint Iohn faith, that hefawe feats,and they fate vpon them^and judgment wa-sgiuen •vntothem. W hereby lie meaneth, that the Apoftles and their fuccctfours, had their Chaires, Scares, and Confiitorics, wherein they did both preach the worde, and execute the Church cenfurcs: as the Scribes and Pharifeics before had fit in the Chayre oiMoyfes: and I take it, the latter part of the fourth Vcrfc, is to be referred to the firft claufe, to wit, that the Church did line and raigne with Chrijl, a thouj'and Nn 3 yeeres.

yeeres. W hich is not to be vnderftood of the church triumphant ,as fomc do take it, and all the reft of this fourth ver. but of the flourifhingeftate of the church militant,during the time of Sathans captinity : foral the fauhfull do after a fort line Sc raign with Chrift, cuenhcercin the earth, when they onercomc the world by faith, and fubdtic Sathan and ftnnc, by the power of grace.

Now wher it is faid that John faro the Joules of them that were beheaded for the witnefe of Icjits, efr. 11 is to bee vnderftood of thofc, which in the time of the pcrfccutingEmpirc-jSc growing of the Papacy, were flainc for the truth. Forthcfccond bcaft,which is the dominion of Popes, raigucdnoc in ihofc thoufand yceres, in the which Sathan was bound, but yet dyd grow by degrees towards their height, Sc vfed great tyranny againft thcScruants of God,beforc Sathans full loofing.

The Chiliap ot Millimries, doe fondly gather from this fcripture,that after the oucrthrow of Antichrift, the Lord Icfus would come £c raignc with the faith-full heerc a thoufand yceres vpon the carth,and that in this time, that Chrift fhould fo raignc, as a great and glorious Kingvpon the earth, his ftibieds (hold ciiioyallmanncrofeanhlypleafurcs,anddclighres. This foolifh error is confuted by the words that follow in the text, as we (hall fee afterward.

W hcrcas he faith, the rejl of the dead'/hall not Hue againe. It is to bee vnderftood, of fuch as were fpiri. tualiydcad, that is, fuch as did defpife thcGofpdl,

which

An Expofition vpon the Reudation. 2 69 which was preached thofe thoufand yecrcs, Sc were not thereby rcuiut d and ouickned vnto ctcrnall life, but did frill rcmainc,as men dead in fames, and trcf-pafles.

Therfore the meaning of S Iohn is,that as in the thoufand yceres, many that heard Chrift and his A-poftles, and their fucccfibrs, were raifed vp from the death offinne, to the life of righteoufneffe, fo many others vvtrcnotquicknedby their doc~trine,butftill dwelt in their h'nncs, whom he callcth therefloftht dead: and hzfcthjhcfefhafinot Hue tfgvw#<r,meaning the life of G O D, or the life of grace: and whereas he addeth vntillthe thoufmdyeers hefinifhed^\z mea-neth neuer,or not at all,for fo the word vntiljs often taken in the Scriptures: and it is fure, that after the expiration ofthe thoufand yeeres, they did not line the life of God, and the life of the {pint. For then the Dcuillwasletloofc vppon the world; to workchis pleafure, and to feduce with all efficacy of crrour and iniquity.

Whereas hisCaid,this is thefirfi refnrrecfton, he meaneth the rifing from finnc,to the life ofrightc-oufnefie, which was in the thoufand yecres of the gofpels preaching, and therefore hec ad Jeth, that he is bleffkl that hath part in thefirfi refurretlion&c & faith, that all fitch {ball raign? with Chriji a thoufand y teres. W hich is meant of the raignc of the faithfull cuen vpon cavth/or the fpacc ofth at thoufand yecrs, in which Sathan was bound: btityet.cxcludcthnoc their ctcrnall glory in die heauens.

And

Verfc r Vcrfc »

Vcifc f

17 o An Expofttion vpen the Revelation.

And when the thoitfandyeers are expired^Satbanfhal he loofed out of his prifon.

Azdftullgo out to deceiue the people,which are in the foure corners of the earth,enen Gog and Mi%ov,to gather them together to battaile,\vhofc number is as the fandofthejea.

And they went vp vnto the plain'- of the earth, and thej comp.tfjedthe tents of the Saints a'»out, and the be-louedCitty: But fire came downe from God out ofHca-uen, and detieured them.

NowS.Iohntcllethvs, that after the determination of the- choufand yccrcs, Satlun ihall be let look vpon the worl J, for their vmhankcfu!ncflc,and contempt of the Gofpcll, to (educe and decciue, cucn as much as cucv hec did. No maruaile therefore, that the two great and monftrons Heretics of Popery and Mahomctric, did now begmne mightilie to grow and increaie in the Worlds. For what other thing can be looked for, after chis letting loofc of Satlun.

But wc arc to obferue, that as Sathan was bound by degrees, through the miniftcry of Chuff, and his Apoftlcs, and their immediate fucccflbrs, Co aKohc ■was loofed by degrees, by the prcnailingof heretics, till the great Antichrift was hatched, and brought intothepoffeflionof his curfed Chairc. For Sathaa was not fully loofed, till the ycerc of our Lord ??8. At what time Silucjler the fccond,camc to bee pope,, who was in league with the Diucll. Stories doe report, that at his°dcathhec called for the Cardinals,

and

Ap Expofttion vpen the Reuelation. tyx

tnd confeiTed that he had familiarity with the diucl« and how hec had giuen himfclfe vnto him body and foulc, fo that hec mighc come to the papall digni-

After him fuccecdcd fuudry other Popes, which were notorious monfters, (omc of them murderers, fomc poifoncrs, fome forcerers, (omc coniurcrs. By whom the diucll was fully loofed,all light of the gof-pcil, and true religion being in a manner clcancput ou:,&C moil abhominablc Idolarry, $c all manner of villany fprcading oner the face of the earth, Sc therefore S. form Qich, th.it Suthan being fully loofed, hec T» entforth to decciue the people,which were in the foure corners of the earth ^etten Gogand Magog, ejre. This fc-ducing by Sathan, hcerc (pokenof, is the fame with that which is fpoken Chapter 13. oncly this excepted, that rhis of Gog and Magog is more gencral.We reade th:re how all Nations, kindreds, and tongues, w^rc made to worfliippc the image of the beaff, and to receiuc his marke; but that is to bee extended no further then to thofc kingdomes which were fubic£t to the papacie.

But here by ttafc armies of Gog and Magog, arc vn-dcrftood all the chiefe enemies of the church,in thefc laft dates, fince the looting of Sathan.both open and (ecretjboth Turke and pope for the Turke is an open enemy.- the Pope a more clofe enemy. Gog fignifuth touered, Magog vncouered,whetby is noted tKcpopc ic the Turk. For the pope cometh coucrcd vnder the came of chrijl,iad Chrip \kzr,Peters fuccclTor &c.

ButdicTurkc coivimcthvncoucred, for he openly tietiictivnd impugned! Chrifl.

MorcjLicc the names ot'Gogmd Magog, arc here fee dow:.c,to note of what countries thciechicfc cni-inksinould fpring : to wit, out oi Stith'ta^irix, Arabia Jt.tiy,and Spam e. For Magog was the fonof//i-phethjGen. 10 ,ver,2. of whom came the Scythians. Gogvns the name of a great Capraine in the lcfTer Afi'a, whicli built a city, and named it after his owne name ff^/bm/>,thatis.the cittieofG^. Audit is put in t'ne prophefic oiEzechiel, for the whole regi-on or the lcfTer Ajsa find Syria. Wherby the prophet did foretell, that the great enemies of the Churche fluild aiife out of thofe coafts- As in.very truth they did.for out ofEgipt,Scithia, Stria, and the lefftr A ft a did fpring vp Vtolometts^Sileucus, Antigomii,Cajfan-der,md the reft di Alexanders pofterity,which vexed and oppreffed the Icv\cs,by the fpacc of ^<)4.yea^s :) euenvmillthc comming ofthe Mcffias. ) atwhattime thedeuided Grccke empire was ouerthrowne, and tranllated to the Romans.

Furthermore it is to bee noted, that the Prophet EMchidkw\\,th.\tGogis the chiefeprince of Mcfech & ■ Tubail. By Mefuh he meaneth Arabid,and byTuball Italy and Spainc •■ notingthereby the Countries Sc kingdomes from whence the great perfecutors of the Church, from the rcturne out of the captiuitye of Babilon,vntill the comming of the Me fits ihould arife For afiiiredly thofe enemies, were collefted of diucrsnations, b at ferued chiefly vnder the princes

of

An Expo/itim vpon the Rcuclation. ty$

oiAjia thelcfler, 01 Stria } smd o£Scith/a. Nowthcn to conclude: Gog and Magog in Ezechiell^iC put for ihcfe princes oi thofe con trics.wbich were the cliicfc Captaines in gathering great and mighty armies vn-cobattailcsagainftthc Children of If tell, alter they were come out oi the Captiuity of B^bilo.i.'And the phrophmhq-c in one i'ummc vnderthe armies of Gog a;:d Magog, comprehended] all the enimics that fought againft them, from time to time, after the captiuity,vnto the comming of drift. And now for theaplicationofthisjvnto the enemies ofthechurch vnder the Gofpcli, wee muit firft note, that through this bookc, the figures and phrafes of fpcccli are taken out ofthe law and the prophets. Now therefore when the Lordc wouldc fct foorth in pnefummcall the enemies ofthe Church, which Sathan mufkreth after the time of his loofingout ofprifon, beforerhe comming of Chrift to Judgement: there is no one place more fit, to fct forth al thefe armiesjthen thofe armies of Gog and Magog, and therefore rhe names, eucn Gog and Magog are here brought in, to fcr forth thefe huge armies of the Turke,and of thepopejand of all the enemies ofthe Church in thefe laftdaics, vyhich fhpuld gather tbemfelucs to battaile, being in number as the Guide of the fea; as Saint Iohn faith, yeadideouerthe -whole face of the earth with theyr multitudes tdndtompajji the tent i ofthe Saintsabout } & the bcloued citty, that is, did make wane againft the Church and people of GOD, which in companion ofthem,wcrcburasafew tcnts,orfomelittle O'ttic.

Oo 2 But

2_74 AnExpofitionvptnthe Reuelatm. Biitmatkcw!utfollowcth,andconfidcrthcyflucof the battailc.Thc holy gholt faith cxprcfltly,that/« came down from Godout ofheauen^and demur edthem. Which doth plaincly fliew that rhc armies of GVg- Sc Mii 'l°Z-> though ncucr fo huge,flialbc ddtroicd by the fire or Gods wrath.

Now trom this I gather, that as the armies of the pope fliall go downs ftil more and morels formerly hatli bin filmed, and as experience in many ycarcs gcodfucccde.both in IrcIand,Nethcrland,&:againft Spaincalfo,hath partly proucd, (GODS moll: holy name be praifed) fo alfo the armies of the Turkc fhall be oucrthrownc, fo farforth as they fight againft the true Chmchjor at lcaft be lb kept back,that they fiial not be able to compalTc the tents of the Saints, as wc fee and fcclcthis day,God be thanked.

Andthe Dinellth.it deceiuedthent, was cafi int»A VtlC ° '' lake off re andbrimfone.where that bta.fi, & thatfalfi prophet are andfi).\tfbc tormented, euen dij andnight, forcucmore.

Hecre is fet downc thcDiuclls doomc: to wittc, . that he thai be caft downc into the infcrnall putc, as well worthy both for his feducing all nations, 8C ftir-ring vppc the armies of Gog and Magog, againft the Church, encn toroote itvp,ifitvvercpoflibl<r. Therefore Saint Iohn tcllcth vs, thatforafmuch as he is the author of all mifchicfe, and he that hath fet all die reft a workc., thcrcforcboth he and his inftru-

ments

AnExpofitienvpotttheReutUtUn. a 7J

■icnts the beair, andrhefalfc prophet, Geim&M* g°g> fliall all drinkc of the fame cuppe of Gods etc* nail wrath,and bee all thrownc downc together into-oneclofcprifon, which is that gafping gulfc and in-fernall lake,that burnetii with fire and bnmftonc, lor cuer.

Loc then, what fliall be the endc of the diucll, the Popc.the Tnrke, the Emperour,thc King of Spainc, the Cardinall, and all other rhc dincls inftrumentes, which hecrein earth banc perfecuted the Church, and compared the tents of rhc Saints, and thcbclo-ucd Gry.

Nowc after all this in thcfiuelaft VcvCcs, Saint Tohnentrcth iutoaliuely andclcercdcfcription of the lafl lodgement. Firft noting the terror and ma. iefty of the Iudge himfclfc, in this, tbat/r<w» his face both Hcaucn andearth fled away : that is, noaeawrc Vcr it fliall be able ro endure his angry coiintenancc,in that day : and yet withal fetting down the purity and vp-riglunefle or his judgement and Judgement feat, calling it a white Throne. Andafter rhis,thcgcncrallci-v " rei1 ting and perfonall appearing of all men before him, ofwhatdcgrce,cirate,or condition focuer. For both death an helljeaandgratte, diddeliuer vp their deade. And al without exception,camc to Judgement:. And the books of their confcicnces were opened, (forc-uery mans work is ingraucn vpon his confciece,as it wer in letters of braiIe,or with the point of a diamond, Icr ' 7jl as the prophet fpeakech.) And they were iudgeth of /ak ' 3 Oo 3 thofe

%1 6 An Expojition vfm the ReueUtion. thofejhwirs which were written in the booh .according to their workes y and'according to the teftimony of theyr Yerfc. 14. .wncorsfciemes.Andderth andhe// } i\m is^Ithchcirs of death 3i hell, cuenallthc locietyof reprobates, both papifts, Aihcifts,and al vnbclceuers jm,w*»> cutrmrenotfonndmittiniiitheMeoflife&ercaJt

v«fc > j. into the UU offircM^ « thc fc t con<i d f^ ?™> here 1 would haue it diligently oblcrucd jluttheho. ly-ehofl hath three fcueral times in this book dcicri-bedthe hft iudgcment,to wit,in the latter end of the nChapter,mthelatterendofchei4.Chaptcr,and

now in the latter end of this Chap. And morooucr I would hauc the order andcaufcs of thefe dcfcripti-ons well waighed. For in the 11. Chapter haumg; before defcribed the kingdomeof the pope, andmc Turke,with their overthrow, and alfo the preaching and preuailing ofthe Gofpcllin thefe lad dayes, hec commcch to dcfcribcthcUftiudgemcnt. In the 14 Chapter hauingfct downe, that the euerlajttnggojpel (bmld be plentifully preached w this hflage.d' tht-.oucr throw of Babylon, immediately following,foorthwich heproccedethto the difcripcion of chclaft day: In this Chapterhauing before concluded of the vctcr ouerthro w of Rome, of th e beafte, and the falfe pro-phetrfGcgznAMagog, and all aduerfary P« w «> at length hec proccedeth to this defcription of chr f es fecondcomming, which wee haucheardeof. And out of all this,I do gather, that the vtter ouerthrow of the popc,& al his adherents.fhatbc in this lifc.alt-ilebefore the comming otchrifi vnto Judgement.

Chap.

A Expojitionvponthe ReueUtion. Chap.zr.

*77

•c.

\ S wee haue heard before ofthe vtrer ouerthrow J- *-o£tiicbea^andthef'alfeprophet, andalJthcyr adherenrs,and alio of the euerlafting condemnation ofthe dragon, that old ferpent, which fet chem all a workc. SDnowinthisChiipter,wcearetoheareof that mod happy e and blefled efiatc, which the faith-full (hall dwell in for euermore;fo that the mayne drifte of this Chapter is, moil fully to defcribc that infinic glory and endlcflc fe!icity,to the which al the 144000- 'hat is, all the-cleft of God, fhall be aduan-ced,when both the bead, and all that haue receiued his markc, fhall bee caft dovvnc into the infernall lake.

This Chapter may very fitly bee deuided into 4. parts.

Theh"rft,is a defcription oftherenouation ofthe Vcrfc r world, and the reftauration ofthe creature.

Thcfecond is,a laying foonh ofthe moftglori- v ous eftatc of the Church,whcn it fhall be freed from ** h * all mifery.

The third is a protsflation of God himfelfc, con- V«fc s ,6, 7: ,i ccrning the renouation ofallthingcsjthe felicity of hisclcae,and ihc endlcflc panic and torment ofall reprobates.

The fourth is, a liuely defcription ofthe verye kmgdome of GOD, and the vnfpcakeable ioyes of "'''?' ' T c >'' hcaucn, vnder the figure of a great Citty called the ' 3 '

holy

vtift t

Ttlft *

v«fe I

wfe 4

i ftt. )

i-8 Jn'ExpeJitiM vpen the Rendition,

holy Icrufalcm. Which ciccy is hccrc mofl gloriouf*

ly Jcfcribcdof IliS W5ls 1 «a K S J foundMiOi:S, ftKCKS,-

hcightjcngth, breadth, brighrntfc, matter, forme, pctfons, and inhabitants-

The text.

A N D I faro a new heanen, and a newe earth, for the J\)rjl heauen andtnefirft earth were pajfed amy ,& there wm no more fea.

And I Iohnjkw the holy city new JttMm come dwnfrtm tod out of 'hcaucn, prepared M * bride mm-

wedfor htr husband. . ,

Andlheardagreatvo.ceoutofheMtenJaytn^be-

holdthetahernacleofGodiswnhn^ndhewdldwea Zththem^ndtheyUhehispeofU^ndGodhmfelfe

neitherfall there be any more p«»e.For the frjith.ngs

'If* tew heanen,and anew earth, j* ™*nt thcrc-• nafd eftatc of hcaucn ec cacih,aftct this life in thcyr

SSngtothefcnpturc, that this viable Hcaucn, ShisviftblcEanhfh.llcontinucforeuer astou-

chin.thcirmattcrand(ubftance. But fhalbegreat

y h Sredandchan g edin:condttionWq U atvJo

Saint VctcttetKweelookefornewebcauens, an. a

lew earth, accordsngtohispmi^ »W A^rA

An Expo/ttion vpen the Revelation. tjf

tighteoufhejfe, that is/uch heauens,and ftich a earth, as is free from all corruption and/In. Which thing alfo the Apoftle S. Patde doth plainely teach, faying, that the creature doth fervently expc£?,when thefansJfam. i, ^ God pall be reutaltdj&ax is,whcn Gods c hildren flial be made knowne to be as th?y arc, the very heires of infinit glory,which in this life dorh not appcarc. And hcyecldedi tworeafons ofthis defire of the creature-one is, becaufe in themeanc time it is fubiect to vanity and corruption: the other is, that then it/hal be free from both. And for this caufc the Apoftle faith, that the creature greneth with vs, and earnejily defi-reth,tndlongethafter that day, wherein htfhallbeefet R ., free from the bondage of corruption, and redintigrated ° m ' and rcftorcd to thatpnftinate cftate, wherein it wai before the fall. But whether this is to bevndcrftood of Hcauen and earth oncly, or of hcaucn and earth with their adiunftes and particular creatures, I will not hecre go about to difrufle: howbeit I do greatly incline to their opinion, which hold, chat hcaucn & earth, with all their furniture being redintigrated 3c rcftored to their firft cftatc, (hall remainc for cuer, to fet foorth the glory of the creator, and for that vie of glorified men, which now the Angels haue of them.

Now whereas Saint Iohn addcth, that there fhalbe p. wmere Sea. He mcancth that there ftial! be no more Ch™ fu any troublcfomcand confuted cftatc of this world cha P-' i>* no more broiles, waucs, tempefts, and ftormes, as ic fallcthounn this life. For the word Sea, is fo taken twice or thrice before.

Pp By

flHij

fcrfc«

♦xfef

Verfc> Vcrl

zSo An Expofititn vponthe Rettehtfoit.

By the holy citty new ferufalem, he mcaneth the Church triumphant, which therefore is faid to come Mwntfrom God out of heme*, bccanfe it hath all hi* ncwnes and holincifcfrom God,and from hcaucn, whereby it is now prepared and made ready to bee married viko Clmd,euen as abridc t> kked andtrim-medvpforher hii.sb.md. And for this caufe S. Iohn hearethavoiccfrom he mien, J tying, thctubermcleof God is with men, and he trill dwell with them, and they fixt/l be his people ^and he willbe their God. Mcaninc thciby that Icfus Chart wil keep houfc with his glorified lpoufc,ai)d be at bed and board with hirfor c-ucr in the hcaucns,at what lime fie flail be freed from all tares ,woe,and mifery^s the next vetfc declarcth> ycelding alfo a rcafon hcercof, which is, that thefirfi things arepaffed,iL\\-nx.\i,&\Q.§.xiz wherein the world is nowj being fubicd to many afflictions, temptatii ons, vanities, and corruptions.

Andhe tint fat -upon the throne faid- Behold [make til things new y and heefaidevntomc Write \forthtfe words are faithfullcndtrue.

Andhefaidvnto ma, it is done J am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Iwill gine to him that is a thirft, of the well of the wxter of life freely.

He that ouercommethftjli inherit Ml things,a»d I veil be his God, andhefhx'lbe myfonr.e. But thefearefulland vnbeleeuin^cr the a^hom/nable, /tad murtherers, and whoremongers,Andforcerers, and Idolaters jndliers fijal haue theirp.irt in the lake which bnrncth with fin (Jr brimfloneyfhkh is the [ecod death.

Heerc

MExfofition vpon theRenelatioH. * » z

his S? e om 7 occnc G °*> which fictcrh vppon

mate all things new, that is,rcftore the world to tW cxcclciK efrate wherein it was before IC£]5 anAhBdea toaftatc aodcondition farrer^ CC x ccllcnnnhcanen: andforthc greater certaTnS

iS 11 ' ^ »* commaunde^h lol, "

Mle 7 md tofctitdowncasatlungalrcadydone For *«*s to come which are decreed in tfc/coSl rf God, are as certaine, as if they were part: for Go D

»emu s „«-f ree jy■ to euery one thatisAthirli, ofthe We l ft W T %^ thitis > without all regard5w

th Lf Andmr :ind h f " e f thi ^> hisfUll tn ^™A ™™OKoiicr,tharwhofoeuero fi ercommeti,

dlgoodthnges, both in this life ind thi \iftZ f

^^-^ndinStSSZS^ ™"M°dbanghsfathcr,a,,dhehisSo„„eandhe V ?e Bucoa rhecontrary, he willeth .c to b ™3 «*»-

-^^^n.mofr.ttaineand^S:^ E/f ' al \ Atha fc™-'Ulinges, andallvvUleeners

'l«f«

f«T« ii

»8a Jtt Expofitim vpon the Rettelat'm.

with mee ^faying, I will {hew theethe bride theLambes wife. Andhecarryedmeaway in the fphit to a great and ah high mountaine^ndfhewed me that great ctttyfhat ho-ly Hierufalemfdifcending out ofheauenfrom God.

Hauing the glory ofGed } and her {hiring was like vnt* tjlone mofipretiotis at a lajperjlone, cleere as chrtjlall. Hccreonc of the Angcllcs mentioned in the i4. Chapter, which haddc a Viall full of Gods wrath, Talkcth with Iohn } and telleth him that he wtlljhew him the bride the Lambs wife : that is, the triumphant Church, or the Church in her glorified citatc, bee-' ing vnited Sc married vnto Chrift, in the kingdomc ©rglory. And therefore Saint Iohn faith, that this Aungellcarried him away in the fpirit, to a great and high Mountaine, andfljcwcdhim that great any holy Jerufalem, d"c. ©u.17,1,1,3 Wcreade in the 17. Chapter, tlntwhtnthis An-gellfhewed Iohn the great whoore of Babylon, he canted him away int9 the wildernejfe in the (pit it : becaufc the whore of Baby Ion fhould make the Church barren and dcfolate, as a wildcrneflc. But now that hec is to fhewe him the fpoufc of Chriit in her glory, and to defcribe the cuerlafting Ierufalemhe carieth him in-the j])irit.,'vntoAvcry high mountaine, that hce might take a fight of it.as Moifcs was caricd vp to the top of mount T^bo, that from thence he might take a view of the holy Land. Which tcachcth, that none can take a right view of Hcaucn and hcaucnly thinges, feutoaclyfuchasityaii high pitch, and mount farre

aboue

Ah Expofttitn vptn the ReueUtitn. ■ a J 3

•boue this earth in holy affections, & hcauenly con-tcmplation. '

Morcoucr, Saint Iohn telleth vs,that aflbonc as he tookeafightofthisnew Icrufalem, farpaffing alltf. »*/fights:forthwith heefpicdin kihcverylbry of God. Ifhc had faid,hc had efpied thcglory otiKuJ it had bcenc much. Ifhc had faid,hc efpied the glory of an Aungell, it had becne more. But that hce efpi-cth the very glory of God, it is moft of all. For who canconcciueorexpreflc, what the glory of God is being infinit. The Apoftle faith, that Goddwell-thin waccefible light, or fuch light aj nonccan approch'"*" '* Tnto. rr

Then this is one word for all, touching the beauty and fupcrexccllency of the new Icrufalem, that it comprehendeth in it the very glory ofGOD :but yet for amplyfications fake , it is compared to a lajber Jlene, for neuer fading greenneffc: and to a Chryftallpne, for bright fhining and glittering for

cuer.

la.

■ AndhtdagreatwdUndhigh^n-dhadtmluevttes Verfi tnd at the gates twelue Angels, and the names written which are the twelue tribes of the children oflfracll.

°»the Eajlpart there-were three gates-.and on the ya r Ql , Northfide three gates: on the Southj?de three rates and tn the IVeflfidethree gates.

AndthewaUoftbeCittyhadtweluefoundations, and r tn them the names of the Lambs twelue Apoflles. . '*'

Now Saint Iohn proceeded to the'defcription of

the wa] & gates of this great citty .This wc al know,

P P 5 that

Math. 8.

J84 Ait Expofititn vpon the ReueUtitn.

thataflrongwallfer-ueth for thefafcty and defence of a Citty, and for the fecurityoffuch as dwell in it. For if it be fo high that none can (cale it, and (o thick that none can batter it, then ic is indcede impregnable, and the Cittizcns in great fecuriiy. But the wall ofheaucnis fohigh, asnonecanfcalcic, as it is fee downe in this twclfc vcrfc, and fo thick, that no dou- _ blc Cannon can pierce it, as appcarcth vcrfe tythcr. fore all the inhabitants of this new Ierufalcm arc one of all fearc of dangers.

Moreouer this citty haih twelve gstes,zo fignific an hardaccciTe for cnimics to breakein: andaneafic paftagc, for the Cittizcns thcmfekies to go in 8c out. And at thofe tweluc gates twelne Angels, ateucry gate an Angell, as it were a porter,ro fee that none be let in, but the true Cittizcns, and free denifons, and fuch as hauc to doe there, which arc hcere named to bec the Welue tribes of ifraell, that is, all the cleft of Gpdjboth of the Iewes and Gentiles.

Moreouer it is (aid, that there were three gttes on titeryfide oftheCitty,both EifljVcfl,North,andSoHth, to notc,that out of al quarters of the carth,the redeemed (hould bee gathered, and as our Sauiour faith, manyflwl come fro the E:tjl,and the Weft-the Northern A theSouth ,ano\[Jitdownewith Abraham,Ifsac, & Jacob, in the kingdom ofGod.So that it is not material, what country ornationa minisofjwhethcrEnglifhjScor-tifli, French, orSpanifti, 10 hebeabelecuer, for then hcfhallbefureto be let in, at one gate, oranothet, cith:r at the E.afgate, or the Wefgate, the Northgate,

or

An Expojitiott vpon the Keuehtiet, a g j

or the Southgate. Moreouer the wal of this citty,**/* tweluefoundations, that is to fay, is is furely founded.

^^»^rygate,ihenameof a nApoflle,fothatdtht fates had the names of the Umbes Welue Aboftles, to hgnific,that the grounded! Sc foundation of dis city is laid y^on the doctrine of the Apoflles and Prophets] E P U » Jejrct Chrifl hmfelfe being the chiefe corner Jltne /IndhethattdkcdTfithmcMdagoldenreedjomet- Va r. „

f»™ the citty wttha// } andtheg a testhereof,a»dthewa£ thereof.

And the cittylayfcurefquare^tkelengthisasUrre Vcfff ,-*r the breadth of it, and he meafured the citty, with the reedetweluethottfand furlongs, andthe length and'tht breadth, and the height of 'it are eqtta/l.

And he■meafured'the wa/i thereof, an hundred forty Veift * tndfourccubits, by the mcafure of man, thattsofthe Angell, ' J

Now S. Iohn tcllerh vj, thitthe An>rellwhicht>.l-ktdmth htm had a golden reed to meaffreboth the city tndthegatesandwallsthereof Meafuring with reeds was a thing ofgrcat vfe in ancient time, as we rcade in the prophetic of Ezcchiell and Zachary, and as wc heard before in the clcattcnrh Chapter -But becaufc all thinges belonging to this cclcmall Ierufalcm, arc fupcro. ccllcnt and glorious, therefore the very meafuring rod and reed, is of pure Gold. This Tear and glorious citty is fayd to lyefoure friare, to note vnto vs, that it Aandctb fa/t, and vnmoucab'e. for round

thmgs are eafily rolled and moucd, this vvay or tbac V-Vvay,hithcr and thithcr.But fquare things arc not apt

to

*S<5 AnExptfit'm vpen the Ktuthtion. to rollc or mouc. This cuerlafting Icrufalem thcrfore licch fourc fquare,bccaufc it can neucr be moucd,but H«b.n,v, 18. ftandc[h faft £ or cucr As t j, c Apoftlcfaith: Seeingwe

receiue a kingdome which ctnnot be fiahn^ let vs ha*e grace -whereby we may ft (erne God, that wee may flea/e him with rcucrence and fare. The Augell with his Golden measuring rod,mca-furcth the fquare fides of the Cirty, both the length, breadth, hcighc and depth of it, and findeth each of thcrn to bec 1 zooo furlonges, which after eight furlongs to the milc,makcth in our accoun 11500.miles, and fo the whole fquare of this great citty, commeth to fixe thoufandmilcs,whichisa goodly compafle, & notcth vnto vs the great largcnefTe of gods King-dome, 8i that there is romth inough for all the inhabitants thereof. Yca,moft plcatant and commodious roomes, as our Lord Icfus faich : m my fathers houfe i«toi,4. fire waH) dwellingplaces, Jfitwerenotjo I would hatie told you, for I got to prepare a place for you.

After this, hemcafurcththcthickenefTc of the wall, and findeth it to bec an hundred forty and foure cubits long, which after our common account of two cubits to ayard, amount to feuenty and two yards, which is a iolly thicknefle, eucn fo thickc as no Cannon can piercc,and therefore altogether in cxpugna-blc, as harii becne faid before. Vctft i i. And the building of the wall of it, was oflaffcr, tni

the cittie was pure gold,tike %>nto cleereglaffe. Ycifc 1 9 . And the fund At ions oft he wall oft he city vvtsgnr-r l ifiedwithaIlmannerofpretiousj1one:.ThisfirJlfeu-

datieit

An Expofition vpon the Reflation. 287

dAtionwasIafper,theJeco»d of Saphire,thei. of Chalcedony, the fourth of an Emeraudjhefift of a Sardonix ,

thej!xtofiSardiw,tkefeuenthofaCh n Jo!ite > theei<Tht V " kl *' of a Barytt, the ninth of* Topaz*, the tenth of a chryfo-fhrafus, the eleuenth of a Jacinth, the twelftofan Ame-theift.

And the tvt'elite gates were Weluepearles,and euery gate is ofonepearle, mdthtfirtrte of the Citty is pure gold^Asfhiningglafje.

As wee haue heard of the forme of this goodly Orty :fonowe\vceare to hcarcof the matter of it, that is to fay, of what fh.fE; it is made. Firft S. Iohn tcllcth vs, thatthc whole Citty is ofmoft purcand glittering Gold, like vntoGlaflc: and that the wall wasof/^frmofl-grccne and flourifliing,-and alfo that the very foundation of the Wall was beautified and adorned with twcluc fundrykindes of precious ftones, which he rcckoncth vp. We count it a great matter here below, to compafle &clofe in our bou-fes, with a wall of Brick, and none can do it but men, of place:but alaiTc-,what is that to this w'al? What is Brick to precious ftones: and Pibbles, toPearle.Biin S. Iohn addcth, that the gates were of pcarlc, and the ftreerc of the Citty of pure gold: Oh how braue, how bcaucifull, how glorious, how glittering, how gorgerous, how admirable, a Citty is this! for if the gates be of pcarlc, and the facets of gold, then what arc the inner roornes,what arc the dining chambers, and whar are the lodging roomes. But here we may not groffely imagine, that the Kingdome of God is

i88 AnExpofitionvponthe Reuelathn. offuchmcttall and matter indeed, as is heerc delcri-bed. But the holy Ghoft would giuc vs fomc tad of it, and after a Core fhadow out vnto vs vndcr thefe thinges which arc in mod prctious account amongfi: men, what the glory and excellency ofthc immortal kingdomcis. For othcrwifc there isnocomparifon betwixt gold, pcarle, and prctious {tones, and thofe hcaucnly, inuifiblc, and immortall things which we lookc for, and hope for thorough Chrift: which in very deed are fo great, fo glorious,and fo vnconcciu-able, that gold,pearlc, Si precious ftoncs.arcfcant fo much as any (hew, fhadow, or rcfembhinc? thereof, vetfe xi: And I fit w no Temple therein, for the Lord God Al-

mighty, andthe Lamb^arc the Temple of it. Vtrfc»j, ji ni i f/jj s fifty hath no neede of the Sun-, neither of the

Moon to (lime in it -for the glory of Goddidlight it,and the Lamb is the light of it. Vcrfe i And the people which arefaaed,/hallwall:e in the light

of it: and the kings of the earthft.ill bring their honour and glory vnto it. Vcrfe i j. And tbt gates ofitflullntt- beflm by day, for there

fhdl be no night there. rukze. Andthe glory andhonor of the GentilesfljAhc.brought

vnto it. wfe ' 27 ' And there fhd enter into it no vnclewe thing,neither wkatfocuer rwketh abomimtion or lies:But ihe\ -which are mitten in the Lambs boolce of life.

f n this new lertifdeia there is no Temple-, as was in the old: Icrufalcm; For there (hall be no neede of a-ny s no need of doctrine, of Sacramentcs, of prayer,

as

An ExptJitioK vpm the HeueUtton. z$ 9

as in the olde Temple, wherein the law was taught facraments admimftred, facrificcs offered, and many other rites and ceremonies obferucd.

But Saint Iohn faith, that now God andchrift full be all in all Theyfba/lbe the temple of this mofl holy citty. And all the cleft fliall folly knowe them, & dwell with thenvfor cucr.

And as this Citty hath no need of any Temple, fo hath it no neede of any light either ofSunne or Moone. For the glory of God andthe brightnefc of the Lamb do Ught it for euer : whofc incomprehenfible bright-nclfcdoth as far excell the brightneflc of the Sunnc and Moonc, as they doc cxccll a little Candle at nooncday. But it may bee demaunded who (hall dwell in this fo glorious a Citty, and in this fo great alight. Saintlohn znCwtrcth,thatthepeoplethat are jAuedfhillwitlkeinit: that is, all the Jfraell of GOD, all true belccuers, which are happy that euer they wcreborne, that they may come to the pofleffion of fuch a Kingdomc, as is hecre defcribed. For Saint Iohn faith, that the refplcridant brightneflc of this Citty is fo great, that etten the Kmgesofthe earthfiall bring their glory and honour -unto it. And alfo, that, the glory and honor of the G' entilesflail he brought vnto it r *

Oh how vnfpeakeable is the glory of this Citty, thatKingesfliall throwdowne their Crownesand Scepters before it : accounting all thcyr pompc andglorye but as duff, iurefr.ee> of it. And the magnificence and pompe of all the Potentates of C^q 2 the

2jo AnExpojitionvport theReiuht'm. the carch Hull heerc bee layde downc. And albeit none of the kings and Nobles of the gentiles, might bee admitted into the oldc Iciufakm, yet allot the gentiles that belccuc, fhall be admitted into this new Ierufalcm,5£ made free deuifios thcrotforcucr.And although the gates of this Cmy a'waics (land open both night and day, as not fearing any danger olc-ncmics: yet no vmleatse thingJJj.il cntt r inteitjbut only they which at: written in the Umbs book oflift.Th.us we Ice how glorioufly the Holy-Ghoft hath defcry. b.d vino vs, this Citty oft!'C Saints,and habitation ofth:iuft, foreuermorc. He mult necdrs bca very blockc, thatis not mooued with the confideratio:i of thiscndlefu-felicity. For this citty is defenbedvnto vs, in fo glorious Sc admirable a manner, to bring vs into lou? with it,and to workc in vs an vnquenchca-ble thiift and dciire after it. Oh therefore let vsfpend many thoughts vppon it: let vs enter into dcepe mediations, of the incftimable glory of it: Ltvs long till wee come to the fingering and ppffcffion of it, cucn as the heyrclongcth till hec come to the pofll-f-fion of his Landcs. Let vs thinke cucty day tenne, and cucty ycerc twenty, till wee bee in poficflion: aCor.j.i. - \cwsmihihc&pon'\cj/gh6~'gr0f}e,dejiriri![t0bedt-thedwithourhoufe, which isfrom heautn: let vsin the mcanc time caft away all thinges, that may hinder vsin our chriftian courfe:lctvs fliake offeuoy bur-dcn,and run with patience, the race that is fct before vs : let vs as they which prooue maftcrics abftainc ftom ull lets and liindraoces. And futi wceftriue fo ■

exece-

Anlxpofnim vpm the Xevelatm. *$ i exceedingly for a corruptible Crowne: how much more ought wee for an vncorruptible. For what,.

Eaincs, what colt, what labour, can bee inough for a ingdome: let vs therefore ftriue and ftrainc, to get into this golden citty, where ftreets, wallcs,& gates, and all is gold, all is pearlc:yca,whcre pearleis but as mire and durt><and nothing worth. Oh what foolcs arc they, which depriuc thcmfelucs willingly of this endlcflc glory,for a few (linking lulls. Oh what mad men arc they which berea«e themfelucsof aroome in this Citty ol pearle, for a few catnall pleafurcs and delights. Oh what btdlames and irraughc bcafts arc they, which Ihur themfelues outofthcfccucrlafting habitations, for a little tranfitory pelfc. Oh what intolerable fots and fops are all luch, as will willingly be barred out of his pallace of inrnit pleafure, for the fhort fruition of wordly lucre and train. Let vs thcr-forcinall time to come, make more reckoning of heauen, 8c leffe reckoning of the.earth. Let vs mind heauenly thinges, and deipife earthly thinges, lee vs preafehard, vnto the things that are before, and for. get die things that arc behind. Let vsftriue hard for ; thepriceof the high calling of God,andcontemnc cuen the glory of this world.

CHAP. 22.

TN this chapter S.Iohn proceedcth yet more largely, to defctibe the blcflcd eftateof all Gods Saints incheKingdomcofglory, and the principallfcope Q»i3 and

V«.J,i,3,4,f,

^|) z Att-Exj/efhiM vpn the Ktnelation,

and drift of this Chapter is yet more to enlarge the ioy cs of Gods people, after this life, and to ratifie the authority of this prophefie.

This Chapter containcth foure principall partes. The firit,is an amplyfication ofthc ioyes or Gods kingdome.

ver. 6,7, 8, 9. The fecond, is a confirmation of die authority of l6 i l 9* thisbooke.

The third, is an exhortation both to fpread abroad

' ' tbeknowlcdge of this book: and alfo for cucry man

to prepare himfclfe for the comrning of Chrift unto

judgement.

The fourth is a fement defire of die Chtirch,for the

fecond appearing of Chri/r.

The text.

vcrfc 1

Vcrfc z

vci'j.

wr.4.

,vafc. y;

AND hefhewed me a pure river of the mter eflife, cleare as chrifla//, proceeding out of the Throne of God, and the Lambe.

Inthemiddefloftheflreeteofit, and of eitherJide of thertucr, rets the tree of life,which bare twelueman-ner of fruits, andgauefruit euery month,and the leaues of the tree feme to heale the nations with.

And there fl)ill bee no more curfe, but the throne of God,andof the Lambe, fiallbee init, attdh'ts feruants f/ja/lftruehtm.

Andtheyfhallfee his face, and his nameflialbe in their foreheads.

Andihere foallbeeno night there, andtheyneede :

no

AnZxpofimnvprntheleneUtien. 2pj

HO Candle, neither light of the Sutme : For the Lorde Godgiueth them light, and they fhall raignefor euer-more.

The Angelldoth yet further fberv vnto Iohn a pure riuer of the water of life . W hereby is fignifkd the ouerflowing abouudance of good thinges, which the righteous (hall enioy, in the Kingdome of glo.

*y-.

Th is riuer is faid to frocetdeout of the throne of God, *nd of the Lambe, becaufe God in Chrift is the origi. nail of all this life and happineiTc.

Further it is added, that in the middefiofthegolde» fireet of this new leruftlem, and of both fides the riuer therewtsatreeoflife. Which rcprcfentcth Chrift, nowinrhishcaucnlyparadife: as in former time, ic reprcfentcdChriftinihe earthly paradife: and alfo thatetcrnalland blefled life, whichourfirft parentes fhouldcnioyjf they did continue in the obedience of God.

oThistrecftandcthnotin an out corner of the cit. . ty,bwin the very middeiroftheftrecre,andofboth fides the Riuer, that all the O'tdzcns of the new Ic-rufalcm,might hau-.frcc accclfevnto it,and taftof the moftdaintie fruircs thereof, in great variety. {at it beare-l tmelue manner of fruits, that is, in Chriil all variety ofpleafure and cndlefie delight, is to bee found.

This tree bearethfruit euery moneth,zswc\\in Winter,as in Summer: for hecre euery moncth is ^H tumn . e • Ti,c &"& "j that in Chrift the new and • : ~~ frcftv

tyi An Expojttion vpon the Rendition.

frefh fruitcs of immortall ioy, without any fatiety or

loathing, arc for cuer to be found.

The lcaucs of this tree are very mcdicinablc and fanatiue. Vottheyferue to heale the nationjwith, that is, to prefcruc them from al difeafes St gnefcs:which argueth a moft blc{Tcdlifc,not (ubieft to fickneflc, or any other infirmity. ForChrift: is our ncucrfayling Phifition, which in this life hcalcth all our Spiritual! difeafes, and infirmities. And after this life, will prefcruc vs in pcrpctuall health and happincfTc.

ThereJlull be no more cttrfe, that is,in the hcaucn-ly Paradife,we fhall no more be rubied to any curfe, ai Adam was in the earthly paradifc.W hich alfo argueth the perfection of happincs after this lifc,& yet for further amplification of this moft glorious cftate: it is faid, that the throne of God, &c of Chrift fhalbe erccTxdinthemiddcftofthis Golden ftrcete,andall •his chofen people fhall there accompany him, dwell with him, bee alwaies about him, yea and fcrue'him without wearinclTc for cuer. Yea, al his faithful tvor-fbippcrs, (hail come fo nccrc his throne, that thvy'fljal Jee his very face, and bee rauiihcd with his glory, ha-uinghis imagCjhis Name, his wifedomc,and mercy imprinted in their foreheads •■ yea, his vnconcciueable light and glory, fhall bee fo refplendcnt, that there JJjallbeeneithernight, nor neede of candle : butinhis glittering and molt glorious Chamber of prefence, fliall all his elect raigne, and tryumph with him, for encrmorc, iu infinite felicity: and the very fruition of ctemall delegation, where fhall bee mirth with-out-

AnExpofitUn vpon the Refutation, s^j but meafurc, and folace without forrowc : as the Prophet faith : in thy preface is the fulneffe of uy, and at thy right hand there is pleafurt for cuer- m tg ' mere.

Andhefaidvntome,thefewordes are faithfu/landvctat true .and the LordGodofthe holy Prophetsfent his An-gelitofhewnjntth'ts j'eruantesjnethtnges whichmu/l fhortly be fulfilled. J

Behold I come Jhortly. glefedis hee that keepeth the rnli r words of theprophefie of this "booke.

And 1am John, which fawandheardthefe things, V«fci< Mdwhen lhadheard andfiene, ifelldowne to wor-fhip before the feet of the Angeil, whichfiewed me thefe things.

But he faide vnto me, fee thou doe it not, for I am V«fe t thy fellowferuant^and of thy brethren the Prophets,and tfthem which keepe the wordes of this Bookeiwor/hip God. '/

In thefe foure verfes, arefourcprincipallreafonj broughtito confirmeand ratifie the atithory of thix booke.

The firft of them is, the affirmation of the Angel!. The fecond, the authority of the moft high God.

The third, the Teftimony of Icfus, pronouncing them bleffcd, which kcepe this prophetic.

The fourth, the Teftimony of Iohn, who heard andfaw thefe thinges. Butbecaufe in the Epiftlcto thcReadcr, I hauemoreat large handled this argument, and ihefe fame verfes: therefore heerc I do of

Rr put-

Ycrfeu

Verfe.ri.

i$6 An Expojition vpon the Rendition.

purpofc rclinquifh them. And chat alfo of Iohns a-doration, and die Angels rcfufall, being things moil manifeft and eafie to Ynderftand.

Vecfe to Andhefaid'vntemejealenetthewordsofthepro-

phefie of this book e, for the time ts at hand.

He that is vniujljet him be vniuflJli/l 3 and he which is filthy Jet hint hefilthy'ft ill, And he th.it is righteous Jet htm be right eonsfiill, and he that is holy, let him be holyfiiU.

yind behold I come fimtly, and my reward is with mee,togine euery man,according as hisvvorkeJhall bee. Vcrfc 13. Jam Alpha and Omegx,the beginning and the end\the

■-. firfiandthelajl. Vetfei4. Blejfed are they that do his commanndementes, that

their right may bee in the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the citty. ■ ' If ' Forwithoutfjdibedogs,andenchinters,andwhore-mongers, and murtherers^nd Idolaters, and wbofocucr lotteth ormtketh lies.

Heerc is firft an exhortation, to publifh and prodaime the knowledge of this booke to all people, and in no wife to conccale it, or kcepc it clofc, as formerly hath becne (hewed' in the the E-. piftle.

Hcere is a further admonition, that they which are unrighteousfiouldbe unrighteous JIM, &c. Which •is no allowance or encouragement graunted vnto Wckedmen, to contbuein their cuijl vvaies,butis

rather

fc*.,

AnExpojItionvpsn the.Reflation. t 9 y rathera terrible threat, ifwc take all the wordstooe-ther, in this and the next verfe, as if hee fhould fay^if men will needs continue in their filthincffe, yet certainly Chrift will come fliortly and reward them according to their workes.

Or clle it may be a phrafe offpeech, which they cal " " "

a " 'Wnicall conceffion : as in another place the holy gholtfaitluotheyoungman. IValkeinthewayesofi-.u u thine owne hart, and in thefight oj'thine eies-.but know ' ' ■ that for all thefe things, Godwillbring theevntoiudr- 'Kin S . Mj ,,. mem ■. So likewife in other places. AUthl tf »+J«

After this, hecrcis blcfTedneffc pronounced vpon alifuchaskeepe the Commaundementsof GOD, andinsfaid, that their right is in the tree of life, not-meaning thcreby,thac their keeping of the comman-dementes m the caufc of their light in Chrift: but onely an effetl or conference. For our good works doe not goe before, as caufes of our iuftincation: but follow after, as declarations of the fame. For by dooing wee are not made hilt in the fight of God, but onely declared to bee luft, in the fight of men. °

And as for the keeping the commaundementes, wee doe it not in fuch pcrfeaion as G O D S iuftice rcqim-eth, but in fuch mcafure, as his mercy accepted through Chrift. And heere the holy ghoft faith, that all they which haue a right in Chrift, which is the tree of life, and indcauour to kcepe the com. maundementcs, fliall enter in through the gates,, into the newlerufalcra: But on the contrary, all Rr z t h c

-V

Tttfe iff.

Vctfe 17.

Verfci8.

iVerfc 19.

"Verfc i«.

Vcrfc 11

a?8 AnTLxpofitMvfon the ReaeLttU*.

the rout of reprobates, whom hec calleth Dogs, enchanters, whoorernongers, &c. ftajl beevttcrly fluit out, as haiung nothing co doc, in his euerlafting Cittic, their portion, being allotted in the infernal! lake.

Jlefushiuefent mine Angelica teflifievxtoyenthefe things. lam the roote and generation ofDauid^ and the bright morningftar.

And theftirit and the bride fay come, And let him that heareth ,fky Come : and let him that is 4 thirji tome: and let whofoeuer will, take of the water of life freely'

Ftr Iprotejl, vnto euery man that heareth the wordes eftheprophefieofthis booke. ifanymanjhall adde vnto theje t hinges, God {hall adde vnto him, the plagues that are written in this booke.

And if any man fliall dtminifl) aft he words eft he booke of this prophefie, GOD fhaUttke away his part out of the booke of'life; and out afthe holy citty, and from thofe things which are written in this booke.

He whieh teftifieth thefe t hingesfaith, futelyleome quickly. Amen. Euenfo come Lord lefits.

The grace of our Lord leftu chrift } bee with yeu all Amen.

The authority of this Booke is heere agairte ratified from the perfon of him who is the Author of it, that is, Iefus Chrift.who ishcerc called the root and generation o^Dauid: both becaufche isdifcendedof the houfc of Dauid, according to the flcfli: and alfo becaufc the eternall kingdome which all the Prophets

f_ T A»Exp»fitiMvpMheReutUth». ipp

phets did foretell, (hould fpring out of the houfe of Vtuii, was indeed and in trutheftablifhedin Chrift,' who is our true Dtuid, and our righteous brauncb, and as; 1 is heere Cud, the bright morning Jlar, which hath moft glorioufly rifen vpon the world, to difpcll all darkcheUe, and to bring the great and euerlafting light. Mbreouer, heere is great proteftation jnadc in the

eighcccnc and nintecne verles, of great plagues to bee wflitfed vpon all fitch asjhalladdeany thing vnto this booke, or take away any thing fromit. Which alfoma-keth greatly for the confirmation of the authority of this Booke, for that to the which nothing may bee added, and from the which nothing may be taken a-way, muft'ncedcsbccabfolutcand perfect • But this bookcisfacha one : therefore this Booke is abfo-lute arid perfect, being a part of Gods euerlafting truth.

Laft of all, heere is fet downe the feruent defire of the bride,aftcr the bridgrome,for flic being inflamed with the fpirir,'dcfireth' him to come, and make vppc the match betwixt them, that (he may bee ioyncd to him in marriage", celebrate the folcmnization, and Jiuc togithcr with him in the eternal triumph. Which is the fence of thefe wordes, thefpirh, and the bride faycome\andlet him that heareth, fay come. For it is proper and peculiar only to die bride, to hear,waitc, xand long for the comming of Chrift . And let him that is a thirft, come . That is, all fuch as thirft after rightcoufneflc,may truely fay,comc fwect Icfus. Foe

Rr 1 they

f

We

< -^ -^ $?y ace illowcd fI-ccly,to drinkc of the water oflife

Thcplammcanmgofall thi x is, chat the Church £

» „ mgdircfted by the Holy-Glioft, moir vchcmemlv

praycthandlongcthfonhecommingofCiinrt^^

onofallthofe fupcrcxccllenc thirds, which are u.ded &: purchafed for ilcr th ^ him _ ' P -

foreco fatisfiehcrdcfire, Icfus drift the heauc X

f/*/««fW#, and makcan cod ofthefefinfoU

and confl I a 1 „gdaics, that all thy decre oncsn, y

haueandemoy their long looked for happi-

ncflc, and felicity in chcheauens,

for euer and cucr.

FINIS.

rttli.

Vcrfc

Vei

UNIVERSITY