Commentary on the Epistles and Revelation of John

CHAP. I. Verse 1. The Revelation]

O R, manifestation of many divine mysteries by the Mediator (who came out of his Fathers bosom to John, who had the mind of Christ, and that purposely for the behoof and benefit of the Family of faith, who are all of his Cabinet-council.

Things which must shortly ] That is, sooner or later in their proper season. God's time seems long, because we are short. Nullum tempus occurrit regi, saith the Lawyer. The Ancient of days is not to be limited.

Verse 2. Who barc record of the Word ] This John the Divine, then, was John the Evangelist: what ever Dennis of Alexandria dispute to the contrary.

Verse 3. Blessed is be that readeth ] sc. With attention, affection, application and practice: As knowing that this book hath, Tot sacramenta quot verba, so many words, so many mysteries; and that these words are, Vivenda non legenda, not more to be read then to be lived, as one said once of the hundred and nineteenth Psalm.

Verse 4. From him which is ] An august description of the Father by a manifest allusion to Exod 3.14. Some Critick, reading the words as they lie in the Original, would be apt to complain of an incongruity, and to say, Nove & duriter dictum. But God methinks, should have leave given him by these Logodaedali, to pronounce his own name undeclined, and, by an out rule; who himself is undeclined, and comes not under any rule.

And from the seven spirits ] So the holy Ghost is here called, for his manifold gifts and operations, in the hearts of those seven, and all other Churches▪ In like sort he is called, The seven golden pipes thorough which the two olive branches do empty out of themselves the golden oils of all precious graces into the golden candle-stick the Church, Zach. 4.2, 3. So, some interpret those seven eyes upon one stone, Zach, 3.9. concerning the Spirit in his several operations upon Christ, according to Isa 1.2.

Verse 5. And from Jesus Christ ] Who is here set last of the three persons, because more is to be said of him; both as touching his three-fold office, and a three-fold benefit there-hence redounding unto us.

That hath loved us ] See Ezek. 16.6, 8, 9. Christ that heavenly Pelican, revived his dead young-ones with his own heart-blood, He saw the wrath of God burning about them, and cast himself into the midst thereof, that he might quench it. Judah offered to be bound, that Benjamin might go free. Jonathan perilled his life, and quitted his kingdom for love of David. Arsinoe interposed her own body betwixt the murderers weapons, and her children. But what was all this to this incomparable love of the Lord Jesus? When the Jews saw him weeping for Lazarus, Behold, say they, how he loved him? When we see him weeping, bleeding, dying for us, Shall not we much more say so?

Verse 6. And hath made us Kings ] To rule in righteousness. to lord it over our lusts, to triumph over, and trample on all our spiritual adversaries, being more then conquerors thorough him that loved us, and laid down his life for us, that we might reign in life by one Jesus Christ, Rom. 5.17. And surely if (as Peter Martyr once wrote to Q. Elizabeth) Kings are doubly bound to serve God, both as men, and as Kings: What are we, for this spiritual kingdom?

And Priests u • to God ] To offer up to him the personal saer fice of ourselves, Rom. 12.1. the verbal of praise, and real of alms. Heb. 1.15, 16. See the Note on 1 Pet. 29.

Verse 7. Bel old he cometh ] He is already upon the way, and will be with us shortly. Let us hasten his coming, and say • s Sisera's mother, Why are his chariots (his clouds) so long in coming? Why tarry the wheels of his chariots?

Shall nail ] Gr. Shall smite their breasts or thighs: the elect as repenting, the reprobate as despairing. Iisdem, quibus videmus, oculis, flemus: so here, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , they shall look and lament.

Verse 8. Which is, and which was ] The Father is called, He that it, Exod 3.13 The Son, He that was, Joh. 1.1. The holy Ghost, He that cometh, Joh. 16 8, 13. as Aretas observeth.

Verse 9. In the kingdom and patience ] Christ hath a twofold kingdom, 1. Of power. 2. Of patience. Nec nisi per a • gusta ad augusta, &c. I have no stronger argument against the Popes kingdom, saith Luther, quàm quod sine cruce regnat, then this that he reigns without the cross. The glory of Christ's Church (said George Marsh Martyr) stands not in out ward shows, in the harmenious found of bells and organs, nor yet in the glistering of mit • es and copes, &c. but in continual labors and daily afflictions for his Nam • s sake.

Was in the Isle Patmos ] He tells us not how he came thither, he boasteth not of his banishment, Virtus proprio contenta theatro. Virtue is no braggard.

Verse 10. I was in the Spirit ] Acted by him, and carried out of himself, as the demoniac is said to be in the unclean spirit, as being acted and agitated by him. Sec the Note on 2 Pet. 1.21.

On the Lord's day ] The first day of the week, the Christian Sabbath, Mat. 24.20. called the Lord's-day from Christ the author of it; as is likewise the Lord's Supper, and the Lord's Church, Kirk, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , the very word here used. To sanctisie this Sabbath was in the Primitive times a badge of a Christian. For when the question was asked, Servasti Dominicum? Keepest thou the Sabbath? The answer was returned, Christianus sum. inter •• ittere non possum, I am a Christian, I must keep the Lord's-day.

And heard behind me ] Not, before me: implying, that the Spirit calleth upon us being secure, passing by, and not regarding those things it calls for.

As of a trumpet ] To teach us, that the things here delivered to the Church must be ever sounding in out ears and hearts, indwelling richly in us, Col. 3.16.

Verse 11. Send it to the seven ] As all holy Scripture, so this piece especially may well be called, The Epistle of Almighty God to his creature.

Verse 12. And being turned I saw ] It is well observed here by a learned Interpreter, That every godly endeavor doth receive some fruit greater then a man can hope for; John turned himself to behold the man, and behold (over and besides) seven Candlesticks, which he had not the least suspicion of.

Verse 13. And in the midst ] Christ is in the holy assemblies, in the beauties of holiness • c: he walketh in his garden, Cant. 6.1. he comes in to see his guests, Mat. 22.11. The face of God is seen in Zion, Psal. 84.7.

Agarment down to the fi • t ] As a Counselor, Isa. 9.6.

And girt ] It implies readiness, nimbleness, handinesse and handsomenes • e. We also must gird ourselves, and serve the Lord Christ, Luk 17.8.

About the paps ] This implies his entire love, seated in the heart.

Verse 14. White like wool ] Noting his antiquity, or rather his eternity, and unspeakable purity. Thales, one of the Heathen Sages, called God 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , The most ancie • t of Beings.

As a flame of fire ] Sharp and terrible, such as pierce into the inward parts, Heb. 4.13. See the Note there.

Verse 15. And his f • et ] He stood firm then when he was cast into the fire of his Fathers wrath. He trod the wine-press alone, and set his feet on the necks of all his and our enemies. He lost no ground, when he grappled with the devil on his own dung-hill, Matth. 4. He will also bruise Sa ••• under our feet shortly, Rom. 16.20.

As the sound of many waters ] Audible, terrible, forcible. Some Catadupes are deaf • ed by the fall of this Nile. But the Spouse cries out, O thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice; cause • e to hear it, Cant. 8 13.

Verse 16. And he had in his right-hand ] See here the dignity and safety of a faithful Minister. Whiles a child hath his father by the hand, though he walk in the dark, he fears nothing.

A sharp two-edged sword ] The word, like a sacrificing sword, slits open, and as it were, unridgeth the conscience.

Verse 17. I fill at his feet as dead ] The nearer any one comes to Christ, the more rottenness entereth into his bones.

And be laid his right-hand ] The same right-hand wherein he held the seven stars, verse 16. Christus sic omnibus attentus, ut •• lli dotentus: sic curat universos quasi singulos; sic singulos, quasi solos, Every godly Minister is Christ's particular care.

Fear not ] Till rid of fear, we are not fit to hear.

Verse 18. That liveth and was dead ] So can every regenerate man say, Luk. 16.32, Ephes. 2.1. See the Note there. All Saints are heirs of the grace of life, 1 Pet. 3.7.

And have the keys ] The Pope therefore is not key-keeper, as he falsely boasteth; telling us, That God hath put under his feet the beasts of the field, the fowls of the air, and the fish of the sea: that is (as he interprets it) all the souls in earth, heaven, and purgatory.

Verse 19. Write the things which thou hast seen ] That is, the Gospel, the history of Christ (as some think) which he wrote at Ephesus after his return from Patmos, above forty years after our Savior's death.

Verse 20 The mystery ] In this whole book there are so many words, so many mysteries: which made Cajetan forbear to comment upon it: though many Monks (far less able then he) thought it a goodly thing to be meddling in these mysteries, which they as little understod, as he that derived Apocalypsis of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , & clipsor quod est velo, quoth Faber the Augustinian Monk.

Are the Angels ] Ministers are fitly called stats, which affect these inferior things by motion, light and influence.

Are the seven Churches ] Lighted by Christ the high Priest morning and evening continually: and thereby as much differenced from the rest of the world, as Goshen was from Egypt, in that palpable darkness.

CHAP. II. Verse 1 Unto the Angel]

THis was Timothy, as some think; who not stirring up the gift of God that was in him, had remitted somewhat of his former fervor. By the style here given him (Angel) he is monished not more of his dignity, then of his duty. That Angel at Bochim, Judge. 2.1. is thought to have been Phineas. And some interpret that of Solomon, Neither say thou before the Angel, that it was an error of the Priest. It is good counsel to Ministers that one gives, Ange'orum induist is nom • n, induite & naturam, nesit ( •• dixit nonnemo) nomen inanc, crimen immanc.

Verse 2. I know thy works and thy labor ] Not thy works only, but thy labor in doing them, and what ends thou puttest upon them. How accurately did our Savior cast up and count how long the multitude had been with him, how little they had to eat, how ill it would fare with them if sent away fasting, &c. Mat 15.32.

And how thou canst not bear ] Moved with a zeal of God, and having a stomach for him. Mihi sane Auxentius nunquam aliud quàm dia • olus erit, quia Arrianus, saith Hilary. I shall look upon Auxentius, as upon a devil, so long as he is an Arian.

Verse 3. And hast born ] Beat the false Apostles thou couldst not; but hast borne much from them. Morientium nempe serarum violen • iores sunt mors • s. Beasts bite hardest when to bite their last.

Verse 4. Thou hast left thy fi • st love ] Those first ripe fruits that Christ's soul desireth, M • c 7.1. that kindness of youth, that spousall-love that God so well remembereth, Jer. 2.2. This, Ephesus had left, and so became Aphesis, remiss and reckless, possessed with a spirit of sloth and indevotion. And surely he is a rate and happy man that can say in a spiritual sense (as it was said of Moses) that after long profession of zeal, his sight is not waxed dim, his holy heat not abated, that runs not retrograde, as did Solomon, Asa, others, with whom the end was worse then the beginning.

Verse 5. From whence thou art fallen ] viz, From thy former feelings, and present fitness for God's kingdom, Luk. 9.62.

Andrepent ] See the practice of this second repentance, in the relapsed Spouse returning to her old husband, Cant. 9. See the Note on 2 Cor. 7.11. See an excellent Letter of the Lady Jane to that apostate Harding, sometime her Chaplain, Act. and Mon. fol. 1292. and what sweet counsel Bradford afterwards gave the same Harding, Ib. fol. 1564. besides the example of M ^r Bartlet Green Martyr, fol. 1680.

And do th • first works ] Begin the world again (as the Nazarite was to do, that had broken his vow, Numb. 6.) and, to let thee up afresh, make a gathering of prayers, and see that thy works be better at last then at first.

And remove thy Candlestick ] Sins are the snuffs that dim our Candlestick, and threateneth the removal of it. And surely if we repent not, a removal thereof may be as certainly foreseen and sore-told, as if visions and letters were sent us from heaven, as to these seven Churches.

Except thou repent ] Minatur Deus ut non puniat. God therefore menaceth, that men may be warned. As a Be stings not till provoked: so neither doth God punish till there be no remedy, a Chron. 36.16.

Verse 6. But this thou hast ] That they might not say, when called upon to repent, Nay, but there is no hope. Christ picks out that which is praise-worthy in them, and commends it. Despair carries men to hell, as the devils did the swine into the sea. Cast not away therefore your confidence, &c.

The works of the Nicolaitans ] Who taught a community of wives, and that it was but a thing indifferent to commit adultery.

Verse 7. Let him hear ] Not with that gristle only that grows upon his head, but with the ear of his heart. Let him draw up the ear of his heart to the ear on his head, that one found may pierce both. Or Let him hear what, &c. that is, Let him hear for himself, hear and know that (each member for his own good) that was delivered to the whole Church.

To eat of the tree of life ] This tree is Christ. The devil also (as he loves to be God's ape) hath prompted Mahomet to promise to such as die in war for the Mahometan saith, delicious fare in Paradise, pleasant walks, and other sensual delights eternally to be enjoyed, notwithstanding any former sins.

Verse 8. Of the Church in Smyrna ] Sweet-smelling Smyrna, the poorest but purest of the seven.

Verse 9. I know thy works and tribulation ] Mark (saith one) the conjunction, Works and tribulation. Active stirting Christians are like to suffer much. Of Sardis and Laodicea only, we read not of any troubles they had.

And poverty, but thou art rich ] Poverty discommends not any to Christ: money bears no mastery in his kingdom. Thou art poor, saith he here: but that's neither here nor there: its a matter of nothing, that.

That say they are Jews ] That is, right worshippers, as the Turks at this day style themselves Mus • lmans, that is, the only true believers, Papists the only Catholics. Faciunt & vespa favos. & simiae imitantur homines.

Verse 10. Fear none of those things ] Quit thy heart of that cowardly passion, and die rather then deny the truth. Put on that resolution, Necesse esse ut eam, non ut vivam. Duty must be done, though I die for it.

Behold the devil ] viz. By his imps and instruments whom he acts and agitates, Ephes 2.2. But he and his are over-ruled and limited: for he shall cast some of you, not all of you, into prison, not into hell, that ye may be tried, no • destroyed; and this, for ten daiesonly, not for any long continnance.

A crown of life ] A crown without ears, corrivals, envy, end.

Verse 11. Shall not be hurt of the second death ] Shall not be killed with death, as ver. 23. Death shall not be to him (as it is to the wicked) a trap door to hell, but janua vitae, porta coeli, an in let into life eternal.

Verse 12. And to the Angel ] See the Note on Verse 1. and on Chap. 1.16.

Verse 13. Even where Satan's seat is ] There was the Court of King Attalus (—discedat ab aulâ qui velit esse pius; Flee thee away, O thou seer, for this is the Kings Court, Amos 7.13.) and there was after wards the seat of the Roman persecuting Proconsuls, Qui ab ascens • re suo Satana perurgebantur, as Bernard hath it. Such a seat of Satan is both old and new Rome. At Constantinople (which was called new Rome) Arius that arch-heretic, Sedens in latrina effudit intestina, voided his entrails at the stool, and left Muhammadism there behind him as his excrement. Yet, as at Pergamos also God had a Church, so hath he still even at Constantinople; the Patriarch whereof Cyril hath lately set forth a Confession of the faith of those Eastern Churches, agreeable in all points almost to the Protestant religion, but diametrally opposite to Popery.

Thou holdest fast ] As with tooth and nail, or by main strength.

Who was slain ] An honor not granted to the Angels of heaven, as Latimer was wont to say.

Verse 14. I have a few things ] More he might have had, but the Lord is not extreme to mark what is amiss in his weak, but willing people. The high places were not removed: nevertheless (though that was his fault) the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.

And to commit fornication ] Nothing hath so enriched hell (saith one) as fair faces. These were those Balaam's -blocks, that Israel so stumbled at.

Verse 15. The doctrine of the Nicolaitans ] See the Note on Verse 6. In the year 1067. The Popish Synod of M • llain make laws against simony, and the heresy of the Nicolaitans: by which later they meant Priests-marriage. Brutum fulmen, novum crimen.

Verse 16. Or else I will come unto thee ] He was in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks before. But when he comes to correct, he comes out of his place, Isa. 26.21. and it is a motion, that he hath no such mind to, Lam 3.33. it is to do his work, his strange work, Isa. 28.21.

With the sword of my mouth ] With fearful threatenings, terrible executions, Having vengeance in readiness for the disobedient, 1 Cor. 10.6. Elisha had his sword as well as I • hu and Hazael theirs, 1 King. 19.17. See Hosea 6.5. Jeremiah 1.10. Isa. 11.4.

Verse 17. Of the hidden Manna ] That is, of Christ, whom none of the Princes of this world knew: but God hath revealed him to his hidden ones by the Spirit, 1 Cor. 2.8, 10. with Ps. 83.3. and given them to taste of that heavenly gift.

A white stone ] In token of absolution. With this white stone may the Saints comfort themselves against all the black coals wherewith the world seeks to besmear them. If Libanius could say, Let Basil praise me, and I shall sing away all care, who reproacheth me; May not we much more say so of Christ? It is be that justifieth us: who shall condemn us? Rom 8.34

A new name ] Better then that of sons and daughters, Isa. 56.5. The assurance whereof is (saith Father Latimer ) the sweet meats of the feast of a good conscience, which is inconceivable and full of glory.

Verse 18. Who hath his eyes, &c.] See the Note on Chap. 1.14, 15.

Verse 19. The last to be more ] This is not every man's happiness. See the Note on verse 4. It is a disputable question (saith one) whether any Christian (except he die soon after his conversion) do go on from strength to strength without some sensible decay of the inward power of that grace wherewith he is endued.

Verse 20. Thou sufferest that woman Jezebel ] It is a fault then, not only to be active in evil, but to be passive of evil. Non faciendo malus, sed patiendo fuit, said the Poet concerning the Emperor Claudius. The Kings of the earth are taxed, Revel. 18. for not rooting out the Romish religion, and setting up the truth.

Verse 21. And I gave her space to repent ] In space comes grace, proves not always a true Proverb. They that defer the work, and say, that men may repent hereafter, say truly, but not 〈◊〉 . The branch that bears not timely fruit is cut off, John. 15.2 The ground that yields not a seasonable and suitable return, is nigh unto cursing, Heb. 68. The chick that comes not at the clucking of the hen, becomes a prey to the kite, &c.

Verse 22. Behold I will cast her into a bed ] A bed of affliction for that bed of security, upon which she had stretched herself, Amos 64. God hath his season, his harvest for judgment, Mat. 1.30. Men may expect a time of healing and curing, when they shall find nothing else, but a time of trouble, Ier. 14.19. One may defer a sore till it be incurable. See Ezek. 24.13.

Verse 23. And I will kill her children with death ] All men die (saith a Divine, descanting upon this text) but all are not killed with death. As a godly man said, that he did agrotare vitaliter, so godly men do mori vitaliter. He that can so die, is fit to die; and the contrary. O it is a woeful thing to be killed with death.

Verse 24. But unto you I say ] Here Christ comes with his fan, shedding and shoaling out his own from others, that they might not be disheartened, when worse men were menaced.

The depths of Satan ] That science falsely so called. 1 Tim. 6.20. Those profound points, which the Impostours professed and pretended to: as the Gnostics, who would needs be held the only knowing men; the Illuminates, and other seducers.

Verse 25. Hold fast ] Hold by strong hand, tugg for it with those that would take it from you.

Verse 26. And keepeth my works ] In opposition to Jezebels works, q. d. that keepeth himself unspotted of the world, that foul lusk that lieth in that wicked one, 1 Joh 5.19.

Verse 27. And he shall rule them ] q.d. I will communicate myself wholly to him. See Ps. 139.6, 7, 8, 9 Mat. 19.28.1 Cor. 6.2, 3.

Verse 28. I will give him the morning star ] i. e. I will clear his wronged innocence, Psal. 37.6. and grant him a glorious resurrection, Dan. 12, 3.

Verse 29. He that hath an ear ] See the Note on Verse 7.

CHAP. III. Verse 1. I know thy work]

SApiens nummularius Deus est: nummum fictum non recipiet. Though men may be deceived, God is not mocked. He knows that many cry, The temple of the Lord, that yet nothing care for the Lord of the temple. Deifica professio & diabolica actio. God likes not such creaking and cracking.

And that thou hast aname ] Many content themselves with a name of Christians; as if many a ship hath not been called Safeguard, or Good speed, which yet hath fallen into the hand of Pirates.

And art dead ] All thy specious works therefore are but dead works; thou canst not serve the living God.

Verse 2. Be watchful ] Rouse up thyself, and wrestle with God, shake thee out of sins lethargy, as Sampson went out and shook him, when the Philistines were upon him.

That are ready to die ] Because tainted with the infection of hypocrisy, that pernicious mar-good.

Perfect before God ] Gr. Full, without halting or halving. Omnis Sarmatarum virtus extra ipses. All the hypocrites goodness runs out ward: it is shored up by popularity, or other base respects.

Verse 3. And thou shalt not know ] Calamity the more sudden the more terrible: for, 1. It amates and exanimates a man, as an unexpected storm doth a Mariner, and as Satan intended Job's messengers should do him. 2. It can as little be prevented, as Eglon could prevent Ehud’s deadly thrust.

Verse 4. Thou hast a few names ] Though no thank to the Pastor, who was a mercenary eye-servant. Here the people's praise is the Pastors shame.

They shall walk with me in white ] That is, they shall be glorified with perfect righteousness, purity, clarity, dignity and festivity.

For they are worthy ] In Christ's account and acceptation. Like as those were not worthy, that came not, when called to the participation of his benefits, Mat. 22.8.

Verse 5. Clothed in white ] See the Note on Verse 5.

The book of life ] Wherein the just that live by saith are written.

But I will confess his name ] His well-tried faith shall be found to praise, honor and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 1.7. See the Note there.

Verse 6. See the Note on Chap. 2.7.

Verse 7. That is holy ] And therefore to be sanctified in righteousness, Isa. 5.16.

True ] And therefore to be trusted.

That hath the key of David ] And is therefore to be sought unto for a door both of utterance and of entrance, Col, 4.13.2 Cor 2.12. Act, 16.14.

Verse 8, An open door ] A fair opportunity of doing thyself good: which those that go about to deprive thee of, shall be sure to lose oleum & operam, their toil and tallow.

A little strength ] A little grace well improved may do great matters, and set heaven open to a soul: The vine is the weakest of trees, but the most fruitful. Philadelphia with her little strength is discommended for nothing: she made all best use of it.

Verse 9. I will make them ] The coversion of the Jews shall be the wonder of the Gentiles,

Which say they are Jews, and are not ] The perverse Jews at this day pretend (but maliciously) that those few Jews that turn Christians, are not of them, but poor Christians hired from other places to personate their part.

That I have loved thee ] The Church is the dearly-beloved of God's soul, Jer. 12.7. or (as the Septuagint render it) his beloved soul.

Verse 10. The word of my patience ] So called, 1. Because we must suffer for the truth of it. 2. Because hid in the heart, it worketh patience.

I will keep thee ] From the hurt, if not from the smart of it: from the common distraction, if not from the common destruction.

Which shall come upon all the world ] So the Romans, in their pride, called their Empire.

To try them that dwell ] sc. By that sharp and sore persecution under Trajan the Emperor.

Verse 11. That no man take thy crown ] Not that crown of eternal life (for that is unloosable) but that honor that God hath put upon thee, ver 9. A Christian may, by falling into reproachful courses, lose what he hath wrought, 2 Joh. 8.1. In respect of the praise of men. 2. In respect of inward comfort. 3. In respect of the degrees of glory in heaven: He may miss of being a pillar in the temple of God, as ver. 12.

Verse 12. Which is new Jerusalem ] It was a pride in Mon • nns to over-ween his Pepuza and Tymium (two pelting Parishes in Phrygia ) and to call them Jerusalem, as if they had been the only Churches. And surely, it is nothing else but pride in the Brownists to avow that their Churches are nothing less then the now Jerusalem coming down from heaven: that the very crown, scepter and throne of Christ's kingdom consists in them, &c.

My new name ] viz. That which he received from his Father in his exaltation, Ephes. 1.20. Phil. 29.

Verse 14. And unto the Angel ] Archippus, it may be: for he was a Pastor here, and began to cool long before this, Col 4.17.

These things saith the Amen ] The God of Amen, as Isaiah calleth him, faithful in performing his promises to the remnant that he reserved, in this lukewarm Church, among so careless a multitude. To these Christ became a beginning of the Creation of God: so the new birth is here called: as being of no less fame and wonder then the making of the world.

Verse 15. That thou art neither cold ] Such are our civil Justiciaries, politic professors, neuter-passive Christians: a fait day mends them not, and a foul day pairs them not, peremptory never to be more precise; resolved to keep on the warm side of the hedge, to sleep in a whole skin, suffer nothing, do nothing that may interfere with their hopes, or prejudice their preferments.

I would thou wert ] Better be a zealous Papist, then a lukewarm Protestant. A zealous Papist (saith one) dare tell us to our heads, that our religion is error, ourselves heretics, our end destruction: that one heaven cannot hold us hereafter, one Church now: that our damnation is so clearly set down in our own bibles, that there needs no more to assure us thereof, then to open our eyes and read it: that if we be not damned, he will be damned for us, &c. This is better then forlorn wretchlesnesse in right religion, and that detestable indifferency above-specified.

Verse 16. I will spew thee out ] I will please myself in thy just punishment. Ah (saith God as one ridding his stomach) I will case me of mine adversaries, I will avenge me of mine enemies, Isa. 1.24. Now the basest places are good enough to cast up our gorge in. The hypoerites punishment must needs be heavy.

Verse 17. Because thou sayest ] Sidixisti, satis est, periisti, saith Augustine. He that thinks he knows anything, knows nothing yet as he ought to know.

And knowest not ] What ever thou deemest and dreamest of thyself, as setting up thy counter for a thousand pound, and working thyself into the fools paradise of a sublime dotage.

Verse 18. I counsel thee ] Having first convinced thee, verse. 17. who before wert uncounsellable. The Gibeonites sent not for Joshua till besieged. The Gileadites sought not after Jephthah till distressed: nor will men hearken after Christ, till driven out of themselves.

To buy of me ] Buy the truth and sell it not. Make a thorough sale of sin and all (with the wise Merchant) to purchase Christ the pearl of price, for whom S. Paul (that great trader both by sea and land, 2 Cor. 11.23, 25, 26) counted all but dung and dogsmeat, Phil. 3.7, 8. Diogenes taxed the folly of the men of his times (may not we the men of ours?) Quodres pretiosas minimo emerent, venderent{que} vilissimas plurimo, that they undervalued the best things, but overvalued the worst.

Gold tried in the fire ] Precious faith, 1 Pet. 1.7.

White raiment ] The righteousnesses of the Saints, that of justification, and the other of sanctification.

Eye-salve ] That unction, 1 Joh. 2.20. Light and sight, the saving knowledge of heavenly mysteries.

Verse 19. As many as I love ] q.d. Think not that I hate you, because I thus chide you. He that escapes reprehension may suspect his adoption. God had one Son without corruption, but none without correction. We must look thorough the anger of his correction, to the sweetness of his loving countenance: as by a rain-bow we see the beautiful image of the Suns light, in the midst of a dark and waterish cloud. See more in my Treatise upon this verse, the second Edition.

And repent ] So they did in likelihood: for Eusebius commends this Church, as greatly flourishing in his time.

Verse 20. Behold I stand ] Christ stands, he doth not sit: now whiles a man is standing, he is going. Christ is but a while with men in the opportunities of grace: he will not always wait their le • sure. The Church sought him (when once gone) with many a heavy heart, Cant. 3.

And knock ] By the hammer of my Word, and hand of my Spirit.

And he with me ] Christ is no niggardly or beggarly guest. His reward is with him, he brings better commodities then Abraham's servant did, or the Queen of Sheba; gold, raiment, eye-salve, &c.

Verse 21. Even as I also ] That is, Because I also overcame, by virtue of my victory, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 See the like John 17.2. Luke 4.36. It is by Christ that we do over-overcome, Rom. 8.37.

CHAP. IV. Verse 1. A door was opened in heaven]

THat is, Preparation was made for the manifestation of more heavenly mysteries.

Was as it were of a trumpet ] To rouse and raise up his attention. For it might fare with him, as with a drowsy person, who though awaked, and set to work, is ready to sleep at it. Compare Zach. 4.1.

Come up hither ] Not by local motion, but by mental illumination.

I will show thee ] That thou mayest show the Church, that they have a most glorious and almighty deliverer.

Verse 2. I was in the spirit ] See Chap. 1.10.

And behold a throne ] So Isaiah was prepared for his prophecy by such a sight, Chap 6.1. And Ezekiel (besides that stupendous vision, chap. 1.) heard behind him a voice of great ••• hing; saying, Blessed be the glory of the Lord from his place Chap. 2.12.

Sat on the throne ] As Judge of heaven and earth, Gen. 18 25.

Verse 3. Like a Jasper and a Sardine ] God is here resembled (saith one) by three precious stones, holding forth the three persons in Trinity. A Jasper having (as they say) a white circle round about it, representing the eternity of the Father. A Sardine -stone of a fleshy color representing Jesus Christ, who took our flesh upon him. An Emrald being of a green color, refreshing the eyes of them that look upon it, representing the Spirit, who is (as the rain-bow) a token of fair weather, and is a comfortable refresher, wheresoever he cometh.

Verse 4. And round about ] The Saints are round about God, Psal. 76.11. a people near unto him, Psal. 148.14.

Four and twenty Elders ] A full Senate, a stately Amphitheatre of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven, clothed as Priests, crowned as Kings and Conquerors.

Verse 5. Lightnings and thunderings] Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to persecutors? Who ever hardened himself against God's Church and prospered? Have these workers of in • quity no knowledge, who • at up God's people as they eat bread, Psal. 144? Sur • lie, if they had but so much wit for themselves, as Pilate's wife had in a dream they would take heed of having anything to do with just men. If any man will hurt God's Witness • s, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies, Revel. 11.5. It was therefore no ill counsel that a Martyr gave his persecutor, If thou wilt not spare us, yet spare thyself. It is a fearful thing to fall into the punishing hands of the living God.

The seven spirits ] See Chap. 1. verse 4.

Verse 6. A s • n of glass ] The Word, say some, the World, others.

Four beasts ] O • living wights: Not Angels, but Ministers, those earthly Angels: who are set forth, 1. Full of eyes for their perspicacity and vigilancy. 2. Furnished with six wings apiece for their pernicity and promptitude to scour about for the people's benefit. 3. Qualified with all necessary endowments, for the discharge of their duties, being bold as lions, painful as oxen, prudent as men, delighted in high flying, as Eagles.

Verse 8. Full of eyes within ] To look to themselves also as well as to the flock, Act. 20.28. lest whiles they preach to others, &c. 1 Cor. 9.27.

They rest not ] Gr. They have no rest, and yet they have no unrest neither: the sweet content they take in their continual employment, is fitter to be believed then possible to be discoursed.

Holy, holy ] This they double, treble and warble upon, nine times over.

Verse 9. And when those beasts ] When the Preachers are performing their office, as Heralds of God's praises.

Verse 10. The four and twenty Elders ] The people yield their assent, and say Amen: the want whereof S. Paul accounts no small loss, 1 Cor. 14.16.

And cast their crowns] Canutus King of England set his crown upon the crucifix, and proclaimed, saying, Let all the inhabitants of the world know, that there is no mortal man worthy the name of a King, but he to whose beck heaven, earth and sea, by his laws eternal are obedient. When the great Turk cometh into his Temple, he lays by all his state, and hath none to attend him all the while. Solomon's mother set the crown upon his head (so doth the Church upon Christ's head) in the day of his espousals, Cant. 3.11.

Verse 11. Thou art worthy ] If we would have our souls set as a pearl in that fai • ring of heavenly courtiers, that compass the lambs throne, let us praise God, as they do.

For thou hast created ] Our service must not be rash but reasonable, Rom. 12.1. such as whereof we can render a reason. God hates a blind sacrifice, a Samaritan service, when men worship they know not what, nor why.

And were created ] God's power put forth in the creation and administration of the world is twice here mentioned; as that which can never be sufficiently admired and adored. See my Notes on Genesis 1.

CHAP. V. Verse 1. In the right hand]

GR. On, or, At the right hand. There it lay ready, but none could make ought of it, till the Lamb took it not only at, but out of the Fathers right hand, and opened it, ver. 7.

A book written ] This book of the Revelation, which till the Son of man had received of his heavenly Father to show unto his servants, neither they nor he (as Son of man) knew (so much at least) of that day and hour of his second coming.

And on the back-side ] As wanting room within.

Verse 2. And I saw a strong Angel ] Angels are very desirous to know the mystery of Christ, 1 Pet. 1.11. and to profit daily in that knowledge, Ephes. 3.10.

Verse 3. Nor under the earth ] That is, In the sea, as Exodus 20.4.

Neither to look thereon ] Or, therein, because sealed up.

Verse 4. And I wept ] Out of a deep desire of knowing the Contents of this book. And as our Savior going toward his cross, turned again to the weeping women, and comforted them, so he soon satisfied the desire of this his dejected Disciple. Tears are effectual Orators. Luther got much of his it • sight in • to God's matters by this means. So did Melancthon, when he wept out those words, Quos fugiamus habemus (Pontificios) quos sequamur non intelligimus. It is said of Sir Philip Sidney, that when he met with anything that he well understood not, he would break out into tears— faciles motus men's generosa capit. The Spouse, seeking him whom her soul loved, had eyes like the pools of Heshbon glazed with tears. And Daniel had greatest revelations after three weeks of heaviness, Chap. 10.2.

Verse 5. And one of the Elders ] A common Christian, points the Divine to the Arch-prophet, whom for present he thought not on. An eloquent Apollos may be better informed by a Tent-maker, and a great Apostle be comforted by an ordinary Roman.

Behold, the lion of the Tribe of Judah ] So Moses sets forth our Savior.

The root of David ] So the Prophets. They have Moses and the Prophets, saith Abraham. To the Law, and to the Testimony. If any speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them, nor to be gotten for them.

Hath prevailed ] Gr. Hath overcome, or surpassed, sc. all creatures in worth, to do this great work.

Verse 6. In the midst of the Throne ] As a fit Mediator betwixt God and men, even the man Christ Jesus, who gave a ransom, &c.

A Lamb as it had been slain ] This form of speech is put (saith an Interpreter) to show the continual recent virtue of Christ's death, eternally effectual before God, as whereby once for all he hath purchased eternal redemption. Some think that he still retains in heaven the prints and scars of those wounds that he received on earth in his hands, feet and side. His glorified body (saith one) is that golden censer, which through the wounds that are in it, as thorough chinks or holes, fumeth forth always a pleasant and sweet savor in the nostrils of his Father.

Having seven hor • s ] Plenty of power. Antichrist hath but two horns, Chap. 13.11.

And seven eyes ] No want of wisdom, no need of a visible head to the Church, or any other Vicar general to Christ, then the holy Ghost, called here, The seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Verse 7. And he came and took ] As Mediator he took it, as God he gave it. All things are delivered unto him of the Father: and no man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son revealeth him, Mat. 11.27. See the Note there.

Verse 8. Fell down before the Lamb ] As they had done before the throne, Chap 4. See Joh. 5.23. Divine adoration is an honor due to the manhood of Christ also, as it is taken into union with the God-head.

Full of odors ] Therefore sweet to God, because Christ pours unto them of his odors, Rev. 8.3.

Which are the prayers of Saints ] That is, their own prayers and praises recorded, verse. 9. And this is added as an Exposition, to let us know what is meant by odors. See the like, Joh. 2.21. and 7.39. Rev. 1.20.

Verse 9. And they sung ] A general joy in heaven and earth. Surely, it is a pleasant thing to see the light: how much more to see the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ? What a deal of triumph and exultation is here all the Church over upon the opening of this book, upon the receipt of this Revelation? Should not this excite and kindle in our hearts a more earnest desire of understanding these mysteries?

A new song ] For the new work of redemption, besides that old song, Chap. 4. for that of creation.

Out of every kindred ] Let this be noted against the doctrine of universal Redemption, that's now again so violently cried up amongst us.

Verse 10. And we shall reign on the earth ] Raign over our lusts, reign with and in Christ over all our enemies by a spiritual not secular scepter; and at last judge the world, 1 Cor. 6.2.

Verse 11. Round about the throne and the beasts ] That is, round about the beasts and the Elders. Angels encamp about the Saints, as ministering spirits, and are glad of the office, that there God manifested in the flesh may be seen of them: and the multivarious wisdom of God in man's redemption be displayed unto them.

Verse 12. With a loud voice ] Betokening their earnest affection; which also is here notably expressed by the many particulars they ascribe to Christ, as if they could never give enough to him. Now if Angels, who have nothing so much benefit by him, do thus magnify him; how much more should we? Our hearts should be enlarged, our mouths opened, and we not a little ve •• d at our own vile dullness in being no more affected with these indelible ravishments.

Verse 13. And every creature ] The whole creation groaneth under vanity, and rejoiceth, as it were, in the fore thought of that liberty of the sons of God at the last day, whereof it shall partake, Rom. 8.21. See the Note there.

Verse 14. And the four beasts ] The Saints were the Precout • urs in this blessed Choir, and now they are the Succentors also. They began the Song, and so conclude it, as having far greater benefit by Christ then all other creatures, and God expects a proportion, that our returns be some what answerable to our receipts.

CHAP. VI. Verse 1. One of the seals]

THat is, The first of the seals, as Gen. 1.4. Mar. 16.2. Under these seven seals falls Rome pagan (saith an Interpreter) as under the seven trumpets Rome Christian, under the seven vials Rome Antichristian. So all the judgments in the Revelation are still upon Rome. Hence M ^r Dent calls his Exposition upon the Revelation, The ruin of Rome.

The noise of thunder ] This first beast was like a Lion, Chap 47. whose roaring is as thunder.

Verse 2. And behold a white horse ] The Apostles and Apostolic Preachers of the primitive times: white for their purity of doctrine, discipline and conversation. Horses for their n •• ble and swift spreading the Gospel, which ran thorough the world like a Sun-beam (as Eusebius hath it) and was carried abroad as on Eagles, or as on Angels wings. A horse hath his name in Hebrew from devouting the ground by his swiftness, and was therefore by the Heathens dedicated to the Sun; whose going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it, Psal. 19.6. Cranzius tells us, that the Saxon Princes, before they became Christians, gave a black horse for their arms, but being on •• baptized, a white horse; with reference, haply, to this text.

He that sat on him ] Christ, Chap. 19.11. Psal. 45.5.

Had a bow ] The doctrine of the Gospel, whereby the people fall under him, Psal. 45.4.

Conquering and to conquer] Brit • nnorum inaccessa Romanis lo •• , Christo •• men patuerunt, saith Tertullian. Christ cam • and conquered this kingdom: which the Romans with all their power could not do. A Christo vinci, summa victoria est, vinciri summa libertas, saith another, There is no such conquest as to be conquered by Christ, no such liberty, as to be hound by him.

Verse 3. Come and see] Johns better attention is called for. How dull and drowsy are the best in perceiving and receiving heavenly mysteries! A sea-coal fire, if not stirred up, will die of itself, so will our spark and spunk of light. Christ calls upon those that had come far to hear him, saying, Let him that hath an ear hear, Mat. 13. See Zach. 4 1.

Verse 4. That was red ] Portending troubles and tragedies, bloody wars and terrible persecutions. Those ten first were so cruel, that S. Jerome writes in one of his Epistles, that for every day in the year were murdered 5000, except the first day of January.

To him that sat thereon ] Christ, Mat. 10.34. Zach. 1.8. He stands over his Church as the Agonothetes. So he did at S. Stephens martyrdom, Act. 7. he moderates and over-rules the enemies cruelty.

And that they should kill one another] viz. The persecutors should rise up and destroy one another, as the Romans did the Jews, and the Jews the Romans in divers provinces: And as the Emperors who got nothing (most of them) by their adoption or designation to the Empire, Nisi ut citius interficerentur, but to be cut off the sooner. All or most of the persecuting Caesar's died unnatural deaths.

A great sword ] That of the Gospel, Ephes. 6.17. which takes away peace, by accident, Mat. 24.6. Christ threateneth the contempt of the Gospel with wars and rumors of wars. Our late Edgehill-battle was fought in the vale of Red-horse; as if God had meant to say, I have now sent you the red horse, to avenge the quarrel of the white.

Verse 5. A black horse ] Famine discolours and denigrates, Lam. 4.7, 8. It accompanies war for most part, and in sieges is very extreme, as at Samaria, where an asses head was worth four pounds: at Rome, where this proclamation was made in the market, Pone pretium humanae carni: At Scodra, where horses were dainty meat, yea they were glad to eat dogs, cats, rats, &c. At Antioch in Syria, where many Christians (in the holy war, as they called it) were glad to eat the dead bodies of their late slain enemies.

Had a pair of balances ] Gr. The beam of scales. To show that bread should be delivered out by measure, as is threatened, Ezekiel 4.6. Deut. 26. and men should be stinted and pittanced.

Verse 6. In the midst ] The voice of the Lamb, Chap. 5.6. Who appoints and orders all: he cuts us out our several conditions, cautioning for the wine and oil, when other food fa • leth.

A measure of wheat ] A quart, say some, a pottle others, an allowance for a day. Among the Greeks (saith Soudas) Chaenix dictim dabatur. And that the Israelites in the wilderness (according to Rabanus ) had each of them, three Chaenices of Manna by the day, that was to be ascribed to the divine bounty, as Junius noteth.

Verse 7. See the Note on Verse 3.

Verse 8. A pale horse ] Fit for pestilence, and pale death to ride on.

And hell followed] sc. To them that were killed with death, Revel. 2.23. (See the Note there) that died in their sins, which is far worse then to die in a ditch.

Over the fourth part of the earth ] That is, of the Roman Empire. This fell out in the days of Decius: Orosius bearing witness, that the pestilence which then raged did extend no further, Quam ad profligandas ecclesias edicta D •• ii cucurrerunt, that is, then the proclamations of Decius came for the overthrow of the Churches.

Verse 9. Under the altar] i. e. Under Christ, Heb. 13.10. under his custody and safe-gard, Or, Under the altar, that is lying at the bottom of the altar, as beasts newly slain for sacrifice. See Phil. 2.17. & 2 Tim. 4.6.

Which they had ] Gr. Which they had, and would not be drawn by any terrors or tortures to part with. They may take away my life (said one) but not my faith, my head but not my crown.

Verse 10. And they cried ] When God intends deliverance to his people, he poureth out upon them the spirit of grace and supplication, Zach. 12.9, 10.

How long, O Lord] Calvin had this speech always in his mouth; breathing out his holy desires in the behalf of the afflicted Churches, with whose sufferings he was more affected, then with anything that befell himself.

That dwell on the earth ] In opposition to the inhabitants of heaven. As names written in heaven stand opposed to those that are written in the earth, Luk, 10.20. Jer. 17.13.

Verse 11. And whiterobes ] Their innocence was cleared, and their persecutors convinced. God would speak for them in the hearts of their greatest enemies.

Untill their fellow-servants also ] We doubt not (saith a learned Interpreter here) but that the crowned Saints do in general know the afflicted condition of the Church militant, and do wish them deliverance: but our special necessities and occurrences of particular persons they cannot know. Brother Bradford (said Bishop Ridley, a little afore he was offered up) so long as I shall understand thou art in thy journey, by God's grace I shall call upon our heavenly Father to set thee safely home: and then, good brother, speak you for the remnant that are to suffer for Christ's sake, according to that thou then shalt know more clearly. But this is to be taken with a grain of salt.

That should be killed ] Under Liciuius, Julian the apostate, and the Arian Emperors.

Verse 12. There was a great earthquake ] Understand hereby those horrible commotions and confusions that fell out in the Roman Empire upon those ten bloody persecutions, and the earnest supplications of the Saints, which can work wonders in heaven and earth. The death and destruction of the persecutors, was (as it was said of the death of Arius) Precationis opus non morbi, the effect of faithful prayers calling for full and final vengeance.

The Sun became black ] It is ordinary in Scripture to set forth horrible commotions of Common-wealths by such figurative expressions as these, Jer. 4.23. &c. Joel 2.10, &c. Isa. 13.10.

Verse 13. And the stars] Rome's dunghill Deities together with their Chemarims, or Chimney-chaplains, the Priests. Confer Isa. 34.4. Dan. 8.10. Exod. 12.12. Numb. 33.4.

Verse 14. And every mountain ] See the Note on Verse 12. Cinis quidam noxius e Visuvio emissus, Romam venit (inquit D • o) ita ut incolae puture caeperunt omnia sursùm deorsum ferri, solemn{que} in terram cadere, ac terram in coelum conscendere. I myself saw, saith Bellarmine, a huge hill removed by an earthquake, and brought down to a Town, which was wholly covered by it, and as it were buried under it. Perhaps he meant Pleurs in Rh • tia, which was overcover'd suddenly with a mountain, so that 1500 persons were buried there alive.

Verse 15. And the Kings of the earth ] Who came in to help their gods against the Mighty, against Constantine, Theodosius, &c. that threw out their Priests, and pulled down their Temples. These Kings and Grandees were Maximianus, Maximinus, Maxentius, Galerius, Licinius, Julianus, &c. and their complices, who were routed, ruined and driven into holes and corners by the Christian Emperors: and afterwards so pursued by divine Justice, that they came to shameful ends. Dioclesian poisoned himself. Maximian hanged himself. Maximinus likewise and Maxentius became their own deaths-men. Galerius died of a loathsome disease. Julian had his deaths wound from heaven, and died • aving and blaspheming.

Verse 16. And said to the mountains ] Which yet was but a poor shelter: for mountains melt, and rocks rent at his presence.

Verse 17. Who shall be able to stand ] They could not stand before their own misgiving hearts, and soul-condemning consciences, how much less before God that was greater then their hearts? God sent his hornet, which drove out these Canaanites, Exod. 23.28. Facti sunt à cord suo fugitivi, as Tertullian hath it.

CHAP. VII. Verse 1. And after these things]

THis whole Chapter is purposely interlaced between the opening of the sixth and seventh seal, for the support of the poor suffering Saints, that they sink not under their many pressures.

Four Angels ] Ministers of indignation, whether good or evil angels, the Doctors are divided.

Holding the four winds ] Those b • somes of the air, as Rupertus calls them, and Scripture-emblems of spiritual influence, Joh. 3.8. Cant. 4. ult. Ezek. 37. 9.

Nor on any tree ] The Philosopher compares men (the Scripture good men oft) to trees, which y benign winds are filled with fruits.

Verse 2. Another Angel ] Whether Christ or Constantine acted by Christ, it much matters not.

Having the seal ] Whereof Christ is the great Lord-keeper.

With a loud voice ] Out of his great care of his elect. As Croesus his dumb son burst out into loud speech to save his father.

To the four Angels ] Who are at Christ's beck and check.

Verse 3. Hurt not ] Reprobates oft fare the better for those few righteous that are amongst them: they are therefore singularly foolish for seeking to rid them, and root them out, as the Heathen Emperors did.

In their fore-heads ] Not in their hands only, as the vassals of Antichrist ( chap. 13.16.) who have free liberty to dissemble, deny their religion, do anything, so the Catholic cause be thereby advanced. My son, give me thy heart, said Gregory the thirteenth to our English Papists, let who will have thy tongue and outward man.

Verse 4. An hundred forty and four thousand ] A competent company. Not so many as the locusts, chap. 13. and yet more then most thought they had been.

Verse 5. Twelve thousand ] Out of each Tribe so many: God inclines towards all the elect with an equal good-will: neither shall any one complain justly that others have been more regarded then he: as one well observeth here.

Verse 6. Of the tribe of Naphtali ] Who is first reckoned among those by Rachel's -side, because at Capernaum in this Tribe, Christ inhabited. Any relation to him ennobleth. Bethlehem though it be the least, is yet not the least among the Princes of Judah, for that out of her came the Governor of Israel, Mat. 2.6. with Mic. 3.6.

Verse 7. Of the tribe of Levi] Levi is taken in, Dan cut out of the roll for his shameful recidivation, and revolt from the true religion, Judge. 18. This, Jacob fore-saw and bewailed in that holy ejaculation on his death-bed, Gen. 49.18. There is no reckoning made, or account given of this Tribe (as there is of the rest) 1 Chron. 7. The fable of Antichrist to come of Dan, is so thin a devise, that Bellarmine could not but see thorough it, and disclaim it.

Verse 8. Of Joseph ] That is of Ephraim, who, though Joseph's younger son, yet had the first-birth-right.

Verse 9. A great multitude ] All the faithful from the Apostles to the end of the world. In all ages there were some that sought righteousness: Neither was it ever so hard with the Church as the Host at Nola (in the story) made it; who when • e was commanded by the Roman Censor to go and call the good men of the City to appear before him, went to the Church-yards, and there called at the graves of the dead. O ye good men of Nola come away, for the Roman Censor calls for your appearance; for he knew not where to call for a good man alive. In the very midst of Popery there were many faithful Witnesses, and more of such as (like those two hundred that went out of Jerusalem after Absalom) went on in the simplicity of their hearts, and knew not anything, 2 Sam. 15.11.

Verse 10. Salvation to our God ] Not to this, or that Popish Saint or Mediator: of all whom these triumphers might say, as that Heathen once, Contemno minutos istos Deos modo Iovem (Iesum) propitium ha • eam, I care not for all those small-gods, so I may have Jesus on my side.

Verse 11. And all the Angels ] See the Note on Chap. 5. verse 11.

Verse 12. Amen: Blessing and glory, &c.] The Angels assent to what the Saints had said, and add much more, according to their greater measure of knowledge and love to God: Write we after this fairer copy.

Verse 13. And one of the Elders ] See the Note on Chap. 5. verse 5.

Verse 14 Which came out of great tribulation ] It is but a delicacy that men dream of, to divide Christ and his cross. The Bishop of London, when he had degraded Richard Bayfeild Martyr kneeling upon the highest step of the Altar, he smote him so hard on the breast with his Crosier-st • ff, that he threw him down backward, and brake his head so that he swounded: And when he came to himself again, he thanked God that he was delivered from the malignant Church of Antichrist, and that he was come into the true Church of Christ militant, and I hope shall be anon with him in the Church triumphant, &c.

And made them white ] Other blood stains what is washed in it; this blood of the spotless Lamb, whitens and putifies.

Verse 15. Therefore are they ] Not for the whiteness of their robes, but because they are washed in the meritoricus blood of the Lamb.

Before the thro •• of God ] A good man is like a good Angel, always standing before the face of God.

Shall dwell among them ] Gr. Shall pitch his tent, or shall keep the feast of Tabern • cles amongst them, or shall hover and cover over them, as the cloud did over Israel in the wilderness; so that under his shadow, they shall safely and sweetly repose themselves.

Verse 16. They shall hunger • o more ] They shall be as it were in heaven afore-hard, having, Malorum ademptionem, bonorum adeptionem, freedom from evil, and fruition of good, here in part, hereafter in all fullness • .

Verse 17. Shall • eed them and lead them ] An allusion to Psal. 23.2. where David seems to resemble powerful and flourishing doctrine to green pastures, and the secret and sweet comforts of the Sacraments to the 〈◊〉 waters.

And G • d shall Wipe away ] A metaphor from a nurse, which not only suckleth her dear child crying for hunger, but also wipes off the tears.

CHAP. VIII. Verse 1. The seventh seal]

THe business or parts whereof are the seven Trumpets, that sound a dreadful alarm against the Roman Empire, ready now to be 〈◊〉 for the innocent blood, and upon the instant saith of the Martyrs, Chap 6.10.

There was silence in heaven ] That is in the Church on earth, often called, The kingdom of heaven. This half-hours silence was either for horror and admiration, or for attent expectation, or (as some will have it) for religious awe and devotion: Christ the high-Priest being now about to offer incense (those prayers of the Martyrs, Chap. 6.10.) there was in the Church (as used to be in the Temple at such times, Luk. 1.10.) a deep silence. So among the Romans, the people in time of worship were enjoined favere linguis, to spare their tongues. And in the Greek Church one stood up and cried, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 peace people, leave off your discourses.

Verse 2. Which stood before God ] In a waiting posture, ready pr • st to do his pleasure.

Seven trumpets ] To be sounded at seven several times: to show that God suffereth not his whole wrath to arise at once against his creatures, but piece-meal and by degrees: proving, if peradventure they will repent and recover out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Verse 3. And another Angel ] An Angel after another manner; not by nature, but by office. Christ the Angel of the Covenant. For I cannot be of his mind, who makes this Angel to be Constantine, the odors given him, to be the power of calling the Council, the golden Altar, Christ in the midst of this holy Assembly; the thick cloud of odors, the whole matter brought most happily to effect: which yet is a pious interpretation.

Much incense ] The merit of his own precious passion, Heb. 9.24. & 13.5.

Upon the golden Altar] viz. Himself, as Chap. 6.9.

Verse 4. The smoke of the incense ] The Saints prayers perfumed with Christ's odors, ascended, that is, were highly accepted in heaven, Act. 10.4. Exod. 3.9. as well appeared by the answer they had here in the next verse. The Church is said, To ascend out of the wilderness of this world with pillars of smoke, Cant. 3.6. Elationibus fumi, with raised affections, and with strong supplications, wherein how many sweet spices are burned together by the fire of faith, as humility, love, &c. All which would stink worse in God's nostrils then the onions and garlic of Egypt, did not Christ perfume and present them.

Verse 5. And filled it with fire of the Altar ] Fire, in token of fierce indignation, and from the Altar; for Christ came to send fire on the earth, Luk. 12.49. Fire and sword, Mat. 10.34. through men's singular corruption and obstinacy, in not stooping to the scepter of this Kingdom. Hence fire and brim-stone, storm and tempest, A fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries, Heb. 10.27. From the same Altar Christ, prayers go up, vengeance comes down.

Verse 6. Prepared themselves ] Having got sign, as it were, by that which Christ did in the former verse, they set too in order to sound their trumpets.

Verse 7. Hail and fire mingled with blood ] Instead of the fire of love (saith one) mixed with the sweet rain of healthsome doctrine, and spirit of Christian lenity, the fire of contention, and frosty hail-stones of destruction ruled all. Yea so far herein were the Bishops carried one against another, as it is monstrous what malice, falsehood and cruelty they practiced, especially in the times of Constan • , Constantius, and Valens the Arian Emperors.

And the third part of trees ] Men of ma • k.

And all green grass ] Meaner men.

Were burnt up ] Were tainted with errors and heresies, whereof this age was so fertile and full (that as Jerome speaketh) it was a witty thing to be a right believer.

Verse 8. A great mountain ] Some notable haeresiarch, possibly Pelagius, a Monk of Bangor, Morgan by name, that is, in the Welsh tongue, a sea-man. This Morgan travelling beyond sea to spread his heresy, called himself Pelagius, by a Greek word of the same signification; because it sounded better in the ears of foreign Nations. Hence Augustine, Quid eo pelago (saith he) vult mergi Pelagius, unde per petram liberatus est Petrus?

Verse 9. And the third part ] Heresy as a gangrene spreads and kills, as the leprosy in the head, it renders a man utterly unclean, Levite. 13.44. So cunning are some seducers, and so close in the conveyance of their collusion, that if possible the very elect may be deceived.

Verse 10. There fell a great star ] Falling stars were never but meteors. That grand apostate of Rome may well be meant by this blazing, burning comet. He was in falling by degrees from the time of Constantine till Phocas, who set him upon the chair of pestilence.

The third part of the rivers] i. e. Corrupted true doctrine, and perverted the Scriptures with his false gloss • s.

Verse 11. Was called wormwood ] Because himself was in the gall of bitterness, and did embitter others. See Jer. 23.15. and Deu. 29 18. with Junius his Note there.

Verse 12. And the third part of the Sun ] The Prelates and Patriarchs.

And the third part of the Moon ] The inferior Church-Officers.

And the third part of the stars ] The community of Christians. All began to be over-spread with gross ignorance, not only of heavenly truths, but of human sciences, which are here called the night, in comparison of Gospel-light. Gregory the great (thought to be that Angel mentioned in the next verse) though better then any that succeeded him in the Popedom, calling himself the servant of God's servants, and carrying himself modestly in the days of Mauricius the Emperor; yet when Mauricius was slain by the traitor Phocas, how basely did he claw the traitor, and collogue with him: commending to his care the Church of Rome, and often minding him of Peters primacy, and of that speech of our Savior, Thou art Peter, &c. for no other end, but that he might enlarge his jurisdiction over all Churches, by the favor of that parricide?

Verse 13. And I beheld and heard an Angel ] Or, an Eagle, as some copies read it. See the Note on Verse 12. Gregory the great seems to be pointed at, who is said to be the worst of all the Popes that went before him, and the best of those that came after him. Hence he is here brought in flying betwixt heaven and earth. And that he cried with a loud voice: pointing at and painting out that to be Antichrist that should challenge to himself the title of Universal Bishop, and had an host of Priests ready to follow him, Hic prope est, & in foribus, said he, and he said right, for his immediate successor, Boniface the third, fulfilled the same that he had fore-told.

CHAP. IX. Verse 1. A star fall from heaven]

GR. That had fallen from heaven, viz. when the third Angel sounded, Chap. 8.10. Then the Bishop of Rome began to fall, but here, in Boniface the third and his successors, He is fallen, he is fallen from his primitive integrity into the deepest gulf of impiety. The Jesuits (to blind the matter) tell us, that by this star is meant Luther, whom Satan sent out to disturb the Church, and God sent them to withstand him. Bugenhagius also, a Dutch-Divine, when he first read Luther's book of the Babylonish Captivity, rashly pronounced him the most pestilent heretic that ever the Church was pestered with. But a few days after having thoroughly read and weighed the contents of that book, he recanted and affirmed, that all the world was deceived, and Luther only was in the right: And so not only himself became a Lutheran, but many others also persuaded by him.

The key of the bottomless pit ] Whereinto he lets souls innumerable: so that in the days of Hildebrand letters were set forth, as sent from hell, wherein the devil and his Angels give the Popish Clergy many thanks for sending them in so many souls as they never had in any age before.

Verse 2. And there arose a smoke ] Of heretical opinions and flagitious practices. All the old heretics fled and hid themselves in the Popish Clergy. Those dark corners also of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. Take heed (said the Lord Audely Chancellor of England ) how you deal with Popish Priests: for (you may believe me) some of them be knaves all. Petrus de Aliac • long since wrote, Ad hunc statum venit Romana Ecclesia, ut non esset digna regi nisi per reprobos. The Church of Rome hath for a long season been ruled by a rabble of reprobates.

Verse 3. Locusts upon the earth ] So the Monks, Friers, Jesuits, &c. are fitly called for their numerosity and voracity. The Jesuits have sometimes maintained 200000 scholars. The Duke of Bavaria's house is so pestered with them (saith one) that notwithstanding his great revenues, he is very poor, as spending all his estate upon those Popish flesh-flies. Think the same of other Princes and places where they are received.

As the scorpious of the earth ] They are the sorest soul-stingers (saith an Interpreter) that ever the world had. Pliny testifieth of the Scorpion, that there is not one minute, wherein it doth not put forth a most venomous sting to do mischief. It creeps on crookedly, and so it strikes the more at unawares. Its sting is not much felt at first, but soon proves uncurable.

Verse 4. And it was commanded ] As David charged his Captains to handle the young man Absalom gently: so and much more solicitous is the Lord of his servants safety.

The grass of the earth, nor any green thing ] I say that under the Papacy was true Christianity, saith Luther, yea the very ke • nell of Christianity.

Verse 5. And to them is was given ] This is oft repeated in this book: to show that though Antichrist and his actuaries bandy and bend all their forces to destroy souls, yet they are bounded by God, and can do no more then is given them from above.

Five months ] Locusts use to live no longer. See Pliny l. 11. cap. 29. There are that interpret these five months of those 500. years, wherein the Pope stood in his full pride and power For, ab eo tempore quo per v • s Papa Antichristus esse coepit (saith Bellarmine) non modo non crevit ejus imperium, sed semper magis ac magis decrevit. Since you first began to call the Pope Antichrist, he hath lost a great part of his command and commodity.

Verse 6. Shall men seek d • ath ] Being brought, thorough anguish of conscience, and fear of wrath, to that pitiful plight, that Roger Bishop of Salisbury was, in King Stephens time, through long and strait imprisonment. He was so hardly bestead (saith the Historian) Ut vivere noluerit, mori nescierit, that live he would not, die he could not. Popish pardons, pilgrimages, dirges, &c. would not quiet or cure distempered consciences, or shake out the envenomed arrows of the Almighty, that stuck fast in them. A broken leg is not eased by a silken stocking. Nescio quomodo imbecillior est medicina, quàm morbus, said Tully of his philosophical consolations: so may these well say of their Popish paltry applications. The medicine is too weak for the malady. The Papists say, That the reformed Religion is a doctrine of desperation. This we are sure is true of theirs, as were easy to instance in Stephen Gardener, D ^r Pendleton, Francis Spira, Guarlacus, Bomelius, Latomus, Crescentius, &c.

Verse 7. Like unto horses ] Fed and fierce, to run and rush into the battle, as being driven by the devil. Si videris persecutorem tuum nimis saevientem, scito quia ab ascensore suo demon perurgetur.

Were as it were crowns ] Triple crowns, miters, head-tiares, shaven crowns: which last is a ceremony so bald, that some Priests in France are now ashamed of the mark, and few of them have it, that can handsomely avoid it.

As the faces of men ] But beware of men, Mat. 10.17. See the Note there.

Verse 8. As the hair of women ] Insinuative, and inductive to sin.

As the teeth of lions] Joel 1.6. Catching and carrying to their dens all they can come by, as Tecelius did out of Germany, as Otto sent by Gregory 9. did out of England, where he left not so much money, as he either carried with him, or sent to Rome before him

Verse 9. And they had breast-plates ] Their pretended donations, privileges and exemptions from the secular power; shaking their tippets at Kings, whom they have trampled on, and forced to go bare-foot on the hard stones, till they bled again. Thus dealt they by our Henry the second: yea they lashed him with rods upon the bare, and said, Domine, noli minari: nos enim nullas minas timemus, qui de talicuria sumus quae consuevit imperare regibus & imperatoribus. Sir, never threaten us: for we care not for your threats, as being of that Court that commands Kings and Emperors.

And the sound of their wings ] They are loud and bold-spoken: make a great noise, raise a great dust, and thereby think to carry it. Herein they are like the heretic Nestorius, who is said to have been, Homo indoctus, superbus, contemptor Patrum, sed audax & magnae loq • entiae, a proud Ass, but bold above measure, and of a loud language, whereby he so far prevailed for a time, that he seduced good Theodosius, and procured a writ for the banishment of Cyril that godly Orthodox Divine.

Verse 10. And they had tails ] This may be well meant of their Surrogates, Officials, Chancellors, Registers, Apparitours, the fag end of their execrable train. See Isa. 9.15.

Verse 11. And they had a King over them ] Being herein wiser then those other locusts, Proe 30 27.

The Angel of the bottomless pit ] That apostate star, ver. 1. the devils lieutenant General, the Western Antichrist the Pope, not excluding the Turk that Antichrist of the East, that comes next to be spoken of. And indeed they may well go together: for they both set up another law then that of Christ, they kill the contrary part, they give liberty to the flesh, they will not have their religions to be disputed, &c.

Is Abaddon ] A destroier. I know not (saith learned Junius ) whether the holy Ghost in this name hath not some respect to the etymology or notation of Hildebrand, which signifies, Fidei incendium, the fire-brand of the faith.

Verse 12. Two woes more hereafter ] In respect of order: for in respect of time, the woes of the fifth and sixth trumpet are together, and do run parallel.

Verse 13. From the four horns ] To show, saith one, Christ his sufficiency of power to raise up instruments of his justice, according as by the sins of men he is provoked.

Verse 14. Loose the four Angels ] That is, those four potent people's, the Arabidns, the Saracens, the Tartars, and the Turks, that they may march out against Christendom, to murder and massacre the third part of men. These are called Angels, because sent of God to revenge the quarrel of his Covenant.

Verse 15. And the four Angels were loosed ] As fierce and fell creatures out of a cave, now set upon spoil and rapine. They have a Proverb in the Eastern parts, Where the great Turk once setteth his foot, there never grows grass again: He blasts and desolates all.

For an hour and a day ] At any time whensoever God shall command them out, and bid them fall on: they are at an hours warning in arms at an instant. M ^r Brightman gathereth from this text, that the Turkish Empire shall determine about the year, 1696.

The third part of men] Mahomet the first was in his time the death of 800000 men. Selymus the second, in revenge of his loss received at the battle of Lepanto, would have put to death all the Christians in his dominions, who were in number infinite, &c.

Verse 16. Two hundred thousand thousand ] Not so many at any one time, but in several ages and battles. Howbeit the Turk goes usually into the field 200000 strong: many times he hath more, as in that famous battle fought by Bajazet against Tamer-lane, where he had well-nigh a thousand thousand. Of his common soldiers, called Asapi (which for the most part are miserable Christians) he makes no great reckoning or other use, then to blunt the swords of his enemies, or to abate their first fury: thereby to give the easier victory to his Janizaries, and better soldiers, which are all horse for most part.

Verse 17. Brest-plates of fire, &c.] Muskets, harquebuzes, pistols, and other spet-fires; but especially those great-guns, and murdering-pieces, so much used by the Turks, those mighty Ordnance they brought before Constantinople, the Rhodes and other places, nothing inferior to those two, that were cast by Alphonsus Duke of Ferrara, the one whereof he called the Earthquake, the other Grandiabolo, or the great devil.

Verse 18. The third part of men killed ] Not only of Christians, but also of their own: most of their poor being forced with victuals and other necessaries to follow their great armies in their long expeditions: of whom scarce one of ten do ever return home again, but there perish by the way: if not by the enemies sword, yet by the wants, intemperateness of the air, or immoderate pains taking.

By the brimstone ] By the gun-powder, or by their sulphured bowstrings, which they discharge as out of their mouths, whereunto they draw or lay them.

Verse 19. In their mouth and in their tails ] Like the Serpent Amphisbaena that hath a head (to do hurt) at both ends. Perhaps the Turks perfidy is here pointed at: they keep leagues no longer, then standeth with their own profit.

Verse 20. That they should not worship devils ] As all idolaters do. The devil is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , saith Synesius, glad to be worshipped in an idol, as he was by Israel in a calf.

Verse 21. Neither repented ] Being stupefied, as those Asses in Hetruria, that feed upon hemlock, They that make them are like unto them. See Isa. 44.17.

CHAP. X. Verse 1. Come down from heaven]

NOt from the bottomless pit, as Antichrist that opposite to Christ's unction and function.

Clothed with a cloud ] Not yet so clearly to be seen and enjoyed by his, as when he shall come in the clouds.

A rain-bow upon his head ] The effect of the Sun shining against a cloud, and is, Nuncius foederis & serenitatis, the Angel of God's Covenant, and of fair weather.

His feet as pillars of fire ] His meanest members stand out the hotest persecutions.

Verse 2. A little book open ] The Bible translated and explained. It is called a great roll, written with the pen of a man, that is, clearly, that the simplest of men may conceive it. But it is little in comparison of the volumes of School-Doctors and Popish-Decretals, wherewith the world was pestered, when the Bible lay locked up and obscured. We may well say of it as S. Bartholomew (quoted by Dionysius ) said of Divinity, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , that in sundry respects it is both a little and a great Book.

He set his right-foot upon the sea ] As Lord of sea and land, ma • gre all heretics and Antichrists, that sought to throw him out of possession. Neither the beast that ariseth out of the sea, nor the other that ariseth out of the earth shall be able to do it.

Verse 3. As when a lion roareth ] Gr. Loweth like an Ox, mugit for rugit. See here an ox in a lion, mildness mixed with fierceness. Satis est prostrasse leoni. This lion preys not upon the prostrate. Non mihi placet vindicta sed victoria, said Caesar. So may Christ say, I seek not revenge but victory.

Seven thunders uttered their voices ] As the echo of Christ's loud voice. No sooner had he spoken, but great was the company of preachers, sons of thunder, who should speak powerfully, prophesy and cry down superstitious worships and heretical doctrines before people's, Nations, tongues and Kings, verse. 11. of this Chapter. This was fulfilled in Wycliffe, Hus, Luther, Lambert, and other heroical Reformers. Conter Amos 3.7, 8.

Verse 4. Had uttered their voices ] Not audible only, but articulate: so as that John heard and was much affected. Nescio quid divinum in auscultatione est: there is no small efficacy in a lively voice to work upon the heart. In Demosthene aliquid d • est Demosthenis, quando legitur non auditur.

Seal up these things] viz. Till the time appointed. See Dan. 8.26. and 12.9. Or, for that the things were the secrets of God's kingdom, Math. 13. not fit or possible to be revealed, 2 Cor. 12.4.

Verse 5. Lifted up his hand ] And so swore solemnly, Gen. 14 22. Numb. 14.30. Ezek. 20 5. Because it seemed improbable (if not impossible) that ever Babylon should down, Rome be ruined. But all the judgments in the Revelation (those of the seven seals, seven trumpets and seven vials) are still upon Rome Pagan, Christian, and Antichristian. We may therefore conclude with that Emperor of Germany, Frederike 2.

Verse 6. That there should be time no longer] i. e. The Beasts time shall be no longer, but till the days of the seventh trumpet, which were shortly then approaching. Or there shall be now no longer delay and protraction of time.

Verse 7. The mystery of God ] The conversion of the Jews called a mystery, Rom. 11.25. the bringing in of the Gentiles fullness, Ephes. 3 3,4,6. the kingdom of the Saints of the most high, Dan. 7.18. then when all the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord Jesus Christ, Chap. 11.15.

Verse 8. In the hand of the Angel which standeth ] This description of Christ is here purposely repeated, that we may learn to trust in his power, and fly to his wisdom, as Agur did, Pro. 30.1, 2. for the understanding of divine mysteries.

Verse 9. Give me the little book ] Let Preachers ply the throne of grace, if ever they will preach to purpose. Bene orasse, est bent studuisse, said Luther. Three things make a Preacher, Reading, Prayer and Temptation. He that will understand God's riddles must plough with his heifer the Spirit, which is not given, but to them that ask it.

And eat it up ] By reading and meditation: Ministers must so devour and digest the holy Scriptures, that as good Scribes they may draw out new and old for the use of the Church upon all occasions. Jacobus de Voragin • was so called, Quod esset veluti vorago bibliorum, because he had as it were devoured the Bible. So Petrus Comestor for the same reason. Joannes Gati • s a Sicilian, was so well versed in the Scriptures, and so great a Divine, that he once said, Si libri sacri perirent, se per Dei gratiam restititurum, That if the Bible were lost out of the world, he could restore it. Some think that Ezra did so after the Babylonish captivity: but I cannot think so.

Verse 10. Sweet as honey ] The word is so to the spiritual palate; whereas to the carnal it relisheth no better then the white of an egg, or a dry chip. Luther said, He would not live in Paradise without the word: At cum verbo etiam in inferno facile est vivere, but with the word he could live even in hell itself. See Ps. 19.10. & 119.103. Jer. 15.16.

My belly was bitter ] By reason of the trials and tribulations that usually follow upon the faithful preaching of the Word. Opposition is Evangelij genius, saith Calvin. And, Praedicare est nihil aliud quam derivare in se furorem mundi, saith Luther. To preach is to get the ill will of the world.

Verse 11. Thou must prophecy ] For all the sorrow, thou and thy successors must set close to the Lord's work, for the regaining of those people's, nations, &c. whom Antichrist hath enslaved.

CHAP. XI. Verse 1. A reed]

THat is, The word o • God, that little book that he had newly eaten. This is the only rule of faith and discipline, whereby all in the Church must be made and meted.

Like unto a rod ] Or, Scepter. The word is that rod of Christ's strength, whereby he rules in the midst of his enemies, Psal. 110 2. It is that right Scepter, Psal. 45.6. which he swaies, and whereby he soveraigns. The Proverbs of Solomon are called in Hebrew Mishle, or Master-sentences. And the Scriptures bear the title of Chieftains, Prov. 8.6. and of Lord's of collections, as some render Eccl. 12.11.

Measure the temple of God ] The Church that had been so woefully wasted and oppressed by Antichrist, that it stood in need of new-measuring and repairing.

That worship therein] In the temple, as being all spiritual Priests, and in the altar; as placing all their confidence in Christ's death alone.

Verse 2. But the court ] The Antichristian rout, cast out as reprobate silver, as refuse stuff, not worth the measuring.

Given unto the Gentiles ] Antich •• and his adherents. Papagans are no better then Pagans. Are ye not children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel, saith the Lord, Amos 9.7.

The holy City ] The true Church. See Daniel 7.21. Ephes. 2.19.

Fourty and two months ] This number is one and the same with the 1260. days. The allusion is unto Dan. 7.25.

Verse 3. And I will give unto my two, &c.] sc. Power to purge the Church, and to stand for the truth, all the while it was trodden underfoot, Videsis Catalogum Testium veritatis ab Illyrico editum. Zwingli recordeth, that Luther and he (both at one time, the one not knowing, nor hearing of the other) began to write against the Popes indulgences. And of Luther and Melancthon he writes thus,

Unto my two Witnesses ] The whole succession of faithful Preachers, under the tyranny and rage of Antichrist. These are said to be Two, that is, Few: or Two, that is enow, Deut. 17.6. Or, Two, in reference to those noble Two's, Moses and Aaron, Elijah and Elisha, Zerubbabel and Jehoshuah, in allusion to whom these Witnesses are here described.

Clothed in sackcloth ] As calling men to repentance: or as bewailing their blindness: or as wanting better clothing.

Verse 4. These are the two Olive-trees ] See Zach. 4.3, 11, 14. In this book of the Revelation the holy Ghost borrows all the elegancies and flowers in the story of the Old Testament, thereby to set out the story of the new in succeeding ages.

Verse 5. Fire proceedeth out of their mouths ] So that a man were better anger all the witches in the world, then God's faithful Witnesses: for they have ever vengeance in a readiness for the disobedient, 2 Cor. 10 6. God inflicting what they either denounce or desire of him, against their adversaries.

Verse 6. That it rain not ] That the influence of divine grace be withheld from those, that despise the Gospel: so that they become as those mountains of Gilboah, 2 Sam. 1.21. or that accursed earth, Heb. 6.8.

Verse 7. And when they shall have finished ] Like as Christ, That faithful and true Witness (as he is called, Revel. 3.14.) when he had preached 〈◊〉 about the same time as here, was slain by a Roman Governor, raised with an earthquake, and received up into heaven in a cloud: so these. And, Art thou not glad to fare as Phocion? said he to one that was to suffer with him.

Shall overcome them ] By arms, not by arguments.

And kill them ] This killing whether it be already past, or yet to come, 'tis hard to say. But if to come, some think it shall be but a civil death, that is, of them as Witnesses only, not a natural death as men: And so the same persons shall rise again, and enjoy the fruit of their former labors, and ascend into a greater glory.

Verse 8. And their dead bodies ] This shows it cannot be meant of a natural death: for how should their bodies lie dead (in that sense) for three years and an half; or (say it were) for a shorter time.

Of the great City] Rome, of whose greatness Lipsius and Stapleton have written. See Chap 17.18. & 18.26. Hence she is called the great Whore, and great Babylon, not without reference unto the old Babylon: which was so great a City, that when it was taken by Cyrus, some part of it knew not what condition they were in, till three days after.

Verse 9. Three days and a half] i. e. For a short time, till out of their ashes others should arise to stickle for Christ. The Pope never rested, but had one or other faithful Witness to oppose him; either to his face (as Joan • es Sarisburiensis, Qui praesens praesentem Pontificem redarguit: and Mancinellus, who reproved Alexander the sixth in a Sermon at Rome, and had therefore his hands cut off, and his tongue cut out, whereof he died.) Or else in some more remote part of his dominion, as Savanarola (whom Guicciardin and Mirandula highly commend:) P • trarch who writeth thus, Babylon altera, nempe propinquior at{que} recentior adhuc stat, cito it idem casura, si essetis viri: Babylon would soon down, would you but play the men. Besides a cloud of other Witnesses, that might here be called in.

Not suffer their dead bodies ] So fulfilling that, Ps. 79.2. Some they would not suffer to be bu •• ed: others they digged up again after burial, as (besides many of our Martyrs) they unburied and burned the bones of Hermannus Ferrariensis after they had sainted him: because he was said to have followed the doctrine of the Waldenses, those ancient Protestants. Cardinal Poole had a purpose, if he had lived, to have taken up K. Henry the eights body, and to have burned it. 'Twas generally observed, that as Winchester and Bonner did always thirst after the blood of the living, so was Cardinal Pooles lightening (for the most par • ) kindled against the dead: and he reserved this charge only to himself.

Verse 10. Shall rejoice over them ] As they did at the Council of Constance, when they had burnt John Hus and Jerome of Prague. So, upon the news of the Bishops burnt at Oxford, Gardner came out rejoicing to the Duke of Norfolk, Now, said he, let us be merry and go to dinner. But it was the last he did eat, and he went to hell to digest it too. So upon the news of the French Massacre, a Jubilee was proclaimed at Rome: the Cardinal of Lorraine gave a thousand crowns to the messenger. The Pope caused the Massacre to be painted in his Palace: those of Ireland he will surely pourtray in his Chapel or Oratoury.

These two Prophets tormented them ] As Elias did Ahab, Jeremy and Ahab, their slagitious country-men; and as the Martyrs here did their persecutors. D ^r Fuller came to William Wolsey his prisoner, and said, Thou dost much trouble my conscience; wherefore I pray thee depart and rule thy tongue, so that I hear no more complaint of thee, and come to Church when thou wilt, &c, The end of carnal joy is sorrow (saith M ^r Bradford, Martyr in a certain letter.) Now let the whoremonger joy with the drunkard, swearer, covetous, malicious, blind buzzard S ^r John. For the Mass will not bite them, not make them to blush, as preaching will. Now may they do what they will; come devils to the Church, and go devils home: for no man must find fault; and they are glad of this. Now have they their hearts desire, as the Sodomites had, when Lot was gone, &c.

Verse 11. And they stood upon their feet ] That is, they set themselves stoutly and vigorously to fight against Antichrist. As William O • kam, who being excommunicated by the Pope for writing some things against him, fled to Ludovicus the Emperor, who was likewise excommunicated, and said unto him, Defend thou me with arms: and I will defend thee with arguments. The Bishops also of those times that sided with the Emperor, though they were none of the best, yet they resolved and avowed never to yield to the Pope, Sed si excommunicaturus veniret excommunicatus abiret, cum aliter se habeat antiquorum canonum authoritas.

Verse 12. To heaven in a cloud ] As Christ did. See the Note on Verse 7.

And their enemies beheld ] Not without rage and regret to see how they were crossed, and the truth more and more propagated. Trucidabantur & multiplicabantur, saith one. The Church as the Lily is increased by its own juice: Totum mundum sanguine & oratione convertit, saith Luther, She converts all the world by her sufferings and supplications.

Verse 13. A great earthquake ] Since the Reformation, what stirs and broils have there been all over Christendom •• God's sword hath ridden circuit, Ezek. 14.17. and is not yet sheathed, nor can it, Jer 47 6, 7. as being still in commission.

And the tenth part, &c.] Ruit alto à culmine Roma. Lewis the twelfth, King of France, threatened that he would destroy Rome, and coined money with an inscr • ption to that purpose. George Fransperg (a General under Charles Bourbon, ) that sacked the City of Rome, caused a halter to be carried near his colors, saying, that with that he would hang the Pope: encouraging his soldiers (who were most of them Lutherans ) with the great opportunity they had to get spoils. But the sins of the City are not yet full.

Gave glory to the God of heaven ] Confessed their sins, as Achan, and changed their minds, as those Mal. 3.18. It is said of the Burgundians, that being afflicted and oppressed by the Huns, they applied themselves to Christ the God of the Christians, whom, after a long debate, they concluded to be the Almighty God.

Verse 14. The second woe is past ] Visionally past, not eventually.

The third woe ] Woe to the wicked, but joy to the Saints, At once the Sun rises upon Zoar, and the fire falls down upon Sodom. Abraham stands upon the hill, and sees the Cities burning.

Verse 15. Great voices in heaven] i. e. Great joy and triumph in the Church militant.

Are become the kingdoms ] They have renounced Popery, given up their names to the Gospel, and received the Reformation.

For ever and ever ] Not for a thousand years only, as the Millenaries hold.

Verse 16. And the four and twenty Elders ] See the Note on Chap. 4.9.

Verse 16. Because thou hast taken ] Thou hast slain and subdued those thine enemies, that sent messengers after thee, saying, We will no • have this man to rule over us.

Verse 18. Were angry] Sed vanae sine viribus irae: the wrath of these men turned to the glory of God.

That they should be judged ] According to their prayer, and thy promise, Chap. 6.10, 11.

And shouldst destroy them ] God usually retaliates and proportions jealousy to jealousy, provocation to provocation, Deut. 32.21. frowardness to frowardness, Psal. 18.26. contrariety to contrariety, Lev. 26.18, 21 destruction to destruction, as here. He pays them home in their own coin.

Verse 19. And the temple of God ] Abundance of light shall be diffused in the Church: and heavenly mysteries more clearly revealed, and more commonly understood.

And there were lightnings ] Utter destruction to the wicked, as there was to Jericho, at the sound of the seventh Trumpet.

CHAP. XII. Verse 1. And there appeared]

THis and the two next following Chapters are an Exposition of the former vision.

A great wonder ] As shadowing out and showing great wonders.

In heaven ] That is, in the Church, or (according to some) in the visible heaven, where Sun, Moon and Stars are.

A woman] Alma mater Ecclesia. The Church is called a woman, for her 1. Weakness. 2. Fruit • ulnes. 3. Lovingnes, 2 Sam. 1.26.

Clothed with the Sun ] With Christ's own comeliness, Eze. 16.14. She is also conspicuous, Mat. 5.14. and scorched with persecution, Cant. 1.6. All which notwithstanding, she is comely, Uxor fulges radijs mariti, saith the Civilian.

And the Moon under his feet ] She treads upon the worlds trash, bears patiently all changes and chances, and though the curs of the world bark at her, she shines still.

En peragit cursus surda Diana suos.

A crown of twelve stars ] A crown in token of victory.

And of twelve stars ] Those white horses, chap. 6 2. the twelve Apostles and their successors, in and by whom mystical Christ goeth forth conquering and to conquer.

Verse 2. And she being with child ] And so soon smelt out by the Bears of the world. Ursa praegnantem mulierem non solùm teri gravitate notam, sed ea • etiam quae pridie conceperit, solam ex omni turba consectatur.

Cried, travelling ] Being hard beset with cruel persecutors, she longs to be delivered of a Christian Emperor, that might put her out of her pain and misery.

Verse 3. A great red Dragon ] A Dragon the devil is called for his sharp-sightednesse (the Dragon hath a very quick eye, and is said to sleep with open eyes) as also for his mischievousness to man-kind; and lastly, for his serpentine subtlety, Gen. 3. The comfort is, That as the devil is a Lion, so is Christ, there's courage for courage. And as the devil is a serpent, so Christ compares himself to the brazen serpent: there's wisdom for wisdom. A great Dragon the devil is, as being God of the world; and red all over with the blood of souls, which he hath swallowed down, as S. Peter hath it, 1 ep. 5.8.

Seven heads ] To plot, and ten horns to push men into the pit of hell.

Seven crowns upon his heads ] Pretensed authority for what he did against the Church. It passed in France in manner of a proverb, That the modern Council (of Trent ) had more authority then that of the Apostles, because their own pleasure was a sufficient ground for the decrees, without admitting the holy Ghost. That Popish Council was carried with such infinite guile and craft, that the Papists themselves will even smile in the triumphs of their own wits (when they hear it but mentioned) as at a master-stratagem.

Verse 4. And his tail drew ] A monstrous tail for length and strength. One interprets it of his dog-like flattering tail, whence the proverb grew, Caudâ blandiri. Julian the apostate drew many from the faith by flatteries and fair promises. Luther was offered a Cardinalship to be quiet. The Pope offered Q. Elizabeth to confirm the English Liturgy by his authority, granting also the use of the Sacraments under both kinds, so that she would join herself to the Roman Church. And how the Pope clawed our King, when he was in Spain, an. 1623. is better known, then that I need here to relate.

For to devour her child ] As that Dragon Pharaoh (so he is called, Isa. 51.9.) sought to make away for the new-born babes of Israel, Exod. 1. Thus the Dragon Maximinus devoured Alexander the son of Mammaea: and thus Decius devoured the two Philip's, because they seemed somewhat to favor the Christians. Thus Philip King of Spain suffered his eldest Son Charles to be murdered by the cruel inquisition, because he was any whit inclinable to the reformed Religion. Constantine the great had like to have lost his life for the like cause, but that God strangely preserved him for a better purpose.

Verse 5. And she brought forth a man-child] Constantine, the Christian Churches first and chief Champion.

Who was to rule all Nations ] The whole Roman Empire, but especially to over-rule and subdue the Churches many and mighty enemies: as Constantine did most notably.

Caught up to God and to his throne ] To rule in the Church next under God himself. And to this height of honor he was caught, when the Empire was cast upon him, not once thinking of it. Bonus Deus Constantinum magnum tantis terrenis implevit muneribus, quanta optare nullus auderet, saith Augustine.

Verse 6. And the woman fled] viz. After the battle mentioned in the next verse was fought and finished. See Verse 13.14.

Where she hath a place ] To wit, that Temple that was so exactly measured, Chap. 11.1, 2. called here a wilderness, as was that of Judea, Mat. 3. because but thinly inhabited. The elect are but a handful to a houseful of Atheists and Papists. Or else, in allusion to the wilderness of Arabia; thorough which the Israelites fled from that Dragon Pharaoh.

That they should feed her there ] Those two Prophets, Chap. 11. were appointed to feed these hidden ones, Psalm 83.3. with the hidden Manna, Revel. 2. Their time and hers agree.

Verse 7. And there was war] viz. Whilest the woman was bringing forth: and after that her son was advanced to the Empire.

Michael and his Angels] Constantine and his Armies.

Against the Dragon] Maximinus, Maxantius, Licinius, and other • yrants, acted and agitated by the devil.

Verse 8, And prevailed not ] They were so totally routed and ruined, that they could never rally or rage anymore. Iucundum Christiano homini spectaculum est, quasi coràm cernere certantem Christum cu • Antichristo, saith one, concerning Luther's Reformation. It was a pleasant sight to see Christ and Antichrist striving for the better. For whatsoever the Pope with his Bulls, or the Emperor with his light-bolts did to hinder it, still the Gospel ran and was glorified: And as then, so ever since, ma • gre the malice of Rome and of hell. Their late utmost endeavors, and some successes for a season, were but as the last spruntings, or bitter-bites of dying beasts.

Verse 9. Was cast out ] Full sore against his will. If the enemies had but as much power as malice, the Church should never rest. But they shall be utterly routed and outed: as at this day they are here to our great comfort.

That old serpent ] When he was young, he out witted our first parents, 2 Cor. 11.3. then when their reason was not depraved. Now that he is old, and we but children, E • h. 4.34. had we not need look to him, and not be ignorant of his will • s?

Which deceiveth the whole world ] Having for that purpose his set and composed machinations, 2 Cor. 2.11. his methods artificially molded, Ephes. 6.11. his depths, sleights, coggings of a die, &c.

Verse 10. And I heard a loud voice ] Great joy was throughout the Churches of Christ, as great cause there was, when Constantine came to the Empire. That was very remarkable, that Constantine being now a Conqueror, should cause a table to be hanged up on high before the doors of his palace, wherein was painted a Dragon that lay thrust thorough with a dart under his own and his subjects feet.

For the accuser of our brethren. ] So the devil is called (saith one) in direct and full opposition to that special name and office of the holy Ghost. The comforter or pleader for us. The Russians are so malicious one towards another, that you shall have a man hide some of his own goods in the house of him whom he hateth; and then accuse him for the stealth of them: Just so deals the devil many times by God's dearest servants.

Which accused them ] And upon some such articles too, as h • is able to prove against them. Hence he is said to stand at I • hoshua's right-hand; at the upper hand, because his accusation was as true as vehement. But here's the comfort, Christ appear • in heaven for his (as a Lawyer appears for his client) to non-suit all the devils accusations. The Spirit also (as an Advocate) makes request in our hearts to God for us, and helpeth us to make apologies for ourselves, 2 Cor. 7.11. But may not the Saints say to Satan (first drawing them to sin, and then accusing them) as he did to Joab, 2 Sam. 18.12, 13.

Verse 11. By the blood of the lamb ] By his merit and spirit. Christ's blood (as Pliny saith of Polium ) is a preservative against serpents.

And they loved not their lives ] When one said to a certain Martyr, Take heed, tis an hard matter to burn: Indeed, said he, it is for him that hath his soul linked to his body, as a thiefs foot is in a pair of fetters. In the days of that bloody persecutor Diocletian, Certatim gloriosa in certamina • uebatur (saith Sulpitius) multo{que} avidiùs tum martyria gloriosis mortibus quarebantur, quàm nunc Episcopatus pravis ambitionibus appetuntur, &c. Those ancient Christians shown as glorious power in the faith of Martyrdom, as in the faith of miracles: the valor of the patients, and the savagenes of the persecutors striving together, till both, exceeding nature and belief, bred wonder and astonishment in beholders and readers.

Verse 12. Rejoice ye heavens ] Ye that have your conversation in heaven, and shall shortly remove your tents thither.

Woe to the inhabiters of the earth ] Earth-worms that load themselves with thick clay, and strive with the toads, who shall die with most earth in their mouths.

And of the sea ] Seamen are, for most part, very profane and godless. See Jude 13. Isa. 57.20. M ^r Brightman by these inhabitants of the sea understandeth the Clergy-men, as they call them, who set abroach gross, troubled, brackis • , and sowrish doctrine, which doth rather bring barrenness of godliness to their hearers, and doth gnaw their entrails, then quench their thirst, or yield any other good fruit.

For the devil is come down ] Indeed he was cast down: but that the devil dissembles, and makes as if he came for his pleasure sake, and so makes the best of an ill matter.

Having great wrath ] Indignation, commotion of mind, perturbation of spirit, inflammation or heaving of the blood, by apprehension of an injury. Satan's malevolence was a motive to his diligence. Natural motion is more swift and violent toward the end of it.

Because he knoweth ] By the signs of the last judgment, which cannot be far off, and by conjectures, wherein he hath a singular sagacity.

That he hath but a short time ] He therefore makes all haste he can to out-work the children of light, in a quick dispatch of deeds of darkness.

Verse 13. He persecuted the woman ] As the matter of his calamity. The devil infinitely hates Christ, and sins that sin against the holy Ghost every moment. His instruments also, carried with hellish malice, cease not to malign and molest the Church, to their own utter ruin: for Christ must reign when all's done.

Verse 14. Two wings of a great Eagle ] That is, sufficient means of safety and protection from petill, Exod. 19.4. By this great Eagle, some mighty personage seems to be designed, Ezek. 17.3, 7. And this may very well be Constantine, whose peculiar surname was Great: but yet so (saith an Interpreter) as that the great honor and riches, wherewith, as with wings, he upon good intention endowed the Church, is an occasion to make her flee to the wilderness, all true and sincere Religion by degrees decaying in the visible Church.

Verse 15. Cast out of his mouth water ] Those barbarous Nations Goths, Huns, Vandals, Lombards, others, stirred up by the devil to over-run the Empire, and afflict the Church. Or else, it may mean those pestilent and poisonful heresies, Arianism, and the rest, wherewith the Church was infested, according to that of Solomon, The mouth of the wicked belcheth out evil things, Prov. 14.28.

Verse 16. And the earth helped the woman ] That is, the multitude of Christians meeting in the general Councils, those four first especially, held at Nice against Arius, at Constantinople against Macedonius and Eunomius, at Ephesus against Nestorius, and at Chalcedon against Eutychus. These helped the Church exceedingly against inundations of heresies; and were therefore by Gregory the great received and embraced as the four Gospels.

And the earth opened her mouth ] An allusion to Num. 16.22. Look how the earth swallowed up those malecontents, so did God root out pernicious heresies with their authors and abettors, by the power of the Scripture, and the zeal of the orthodox Doctors, so that they suddenly vanished out of sight, after a marvelous manner.

Verse 17. Was wroth with the woman ] Who yet had done him no wrong: but he and his are mad with malice (when their designs miscarry especially) and are ready to sue the Church, as he in Tully did another, Quod totum telum corpore non recepisset, because he had not taken into his body the whole dagger, wherewith he had stabbed him.

To make war ] That war which is mentioned, Chap. 13.7.

Which keep the Commandments ] A just deseription of a godly Christian. Boni catholici sunt qui & fidem integram sequuntur & bonos mores. To be sound in faith, and holy in life, this is the kernel of Christianity.

CHAP. XIII. Verse 1. And I stood]

WHere I might best see the beast that came out of the sea.

I saw a beast ] The Church, flying into the wilderness from the Dragon, falls upon this Beast, which is nothing better then the Dragon under a better shape, Sic alind ex alio malum. This beast is that Antichrist of Rome.

Rise up ] Not all at once, but by degrees.

Out of the sea ] Out of the bottomless pit, Chap. 11.7. 2 Thess. 2.9.

Having seven heads ] To plot.

And ten horns ] To push. Craft and cruelty go always together in the Churches enemies. The Asp never wanders alone; and those birds of prey go • ot without their mates, Isa. 34.16.

And upon his horns ] The Kings that are the popes vassals. See Rev. 17.11. These are the props of his power.

The name of blasphemy ] This is his true name: his pretensed name is mystery.

Verse 2. Like unto a leopard ] Which is the female among the panthers the property whereof is, as Pliny telleth us, with her sweet smell to allure the beasts unto her, hiding her terrible head till she hath them within her reach, and then teareth them in pieces, Just so dealeth Rome with her unhappy proselytes. The Papacy is an alluring, tempting, bewitching Religion. No sin past, but the Pope can pardon it: none to come, but he can dispense with it, Etiamsi per impossible, matrem Dei quis vitiasset, said Tecelius.

As the feet of a Bear ] Which stands firm on her hinder feet, and fights with her fore-feet: so doth the Papacy with its Canons, Decrees, traditions, &c.

As the mouth of a lion ] Wide, ravenous, roaring, and •• satiable.

And the Dragon gave him his power ] This bargain was offered to Christ, Mat. 4. but he would none of it. The bramble in Jotham’s parable thought it a goodly thing to reign: So did not the vine and fig-tree.

Verse 3. One of his heads as it were wounded ] Either by the invasion of the Goths; or by that fatal schism in the Church of Rome, anno 1378. when there sat three Popes at once, for forty years together: or by the falling away of Protestants from the Popedom, from the days of Wycliffe, John Hus, the Waldenses, Luther, to this present. Bellarmine bewails the business, that ever since we began to count and call the Pope Antichrist, his kingdom hath greatly decreased. And Cotton the Jesuit confesses, that the authority of the Pope is incomparably less then it was; and that now the Christian Church is but a diminitive.

And his deadly wound was healed ] By that false Prophet, ver. 11. that is by the Sorbonists, Jesuits, Trent-fathers, and other Popish Surgeons. The Jesuits give out, That the devil sent out Luther, and God raised up them to resist him: but great is the truth, and will prevail, when all falsehood shall fall to the ground. It is but a palliate cure we here read of.

And all the world] sc. Of Roman-Catholics.

Wondered ] Or had wondered, till the beast was wounded.

Verse 4. And they worshipped ] Admiration bred adoration. Idolatrous Papists are worshippers of the devil; whom though in word they defy, yet in deed they defy.

Who is like unto the beast?] Papa potest omnia, qu • Christus potest, saith Hostiensis. The Pope can do whatsoever Christ can do: yea and more too, it should seem by these wise wonderers: for who is like unto the beast? say they. Papa est plus quam Deus, saith Francis Zabarell, The Pope is more then a God. And why? for of wrong he can make right, of vice virtue, of nothing something, saith Bellarmine. Mosconius cannot be content to derive Papa from Papae the Interjection of admiring, because he is stupor mundi, the worlds wonderment (that ye may know him to be the beast here mentioned) but he must style him King of Kings and Lord of Lord's: having ruledome over all rational creatures, Duliâ ador andus, &c.

Verse 5. And there was given unto him ] As once was to Antiochus that little Antichrist, Dan. 7.25. What cracks the Pope makes of his illimited power and prerogatives, who knows not? What blasphemies he belcheth out of the fable of Christ, of eating his pork, Al despito di Dio, in despite of God; of suffering himsels to be styled the lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world, as Pope Martin the fourth did, of drinking an health to the devil, as another of them did, who hath not heard? Baronius at the year 964 reckoning up certain of the Popes, calleth them monsters, an abomination of desolation in God's Temple, &c. Cardinal Benno saith of Pope Hildebrand, That he was a blasphemer, a murderer, a whoremaster, a necromancer, an heretic, and all that's naught. The Church of Rome (saith another of their own Writers) hath deserved now for a long time no better of God, then to be ruled by reprobates. Marcellius the second, Pope of Rome, said, That he could not see how any Pope could be saved.

Fourty and two months ] Here M ^r Brightman calculates and pitches the ruin of Antichrist upon the year 1686. or thereabouts.

Verse 6. In blasphemy against God ] As when Pope Leo the first, and (after him) Nicolas the third affirmed, that Peter their predecessor was taken into fellowship with the blessed Trinity, as one with them. See verse. 5.

And his tabernacle ] Christ's humanity ( Joh. 1.14. and 2.19. this he blasphemeth, by transubstantiating a crust into Christ. Or, the Church of Christ, which he counteth and calleth the Synagogue of Satan.

And them that dwelt in heaven ] The glorified Saints, whom either he despiteth with obtruded honors, such as they acknowledge not: or else barks and rails at incessantly as Arch-devils, detestable heretics, common pests, &c. as Luther, Melancthon, Calvin, whose very name he hath commanded to be razed out of all books, wheresoever any man meets with it.

Verse 7. To make war with the Saints ] As he did with the Albigenses, publishing his Croysades against them, as if they had been Saracens, and destroying ten hundred thousand of them in France only, if Perionius may be believed. Not to speak of the many thousands since slain in battle by the Popes Champions in Germany, France, Ireland, and now also in England: besides those many more that have died for Religion by the bloody inquisition, by the hands of the hang man, 3600 in the Low-countries by the command of the Duke of Alva, 800 here in Qu. Mary's days, &c. The Beast hath even made himself drunk with the blood of the Saints.

And to overcome them ] So it seemed, but so it was not. See Revel. 12.11. The Saints never more prevail and triumph, then when it seems otherwise. Of them the enemies may say, as the Persians did once of the Athenians at the field of Marathon.

Over all kindreds and tongues ] Here the holy Ghost points to the Popish Catholicism. The Jesuits will still needly have the Roman Church to be the Catholic Church, though so many kindreds, tongues and Nations have utterly disclaimed it. Herein they are like that mad fellow Thrasilaus in Horace, who laid claim to all the ships that came into the harbor at Athens, though he had no right to the least boat there.

Verse 8. Whose names are not written ] He then that lives and dies a Papist cannot be saved.

Slain from the foundation] sc. 1, In God's purpose. 2. In his promise. 3. In the faith of his people. 4. In the sacrifices. 5. In the Martyrs: the first that ever died, died for Religion.

Verse 9. If any man have an ear] q. d. Let all that have souls to save, beware of this beast: for is it nothing to loose an immortal soul? To purchase an ever-living death? Purus putus Papista non potest servari. Confer Revel. 19.21. Its confessed of all, that a learned English apostate Papist cannot be saved.

Verse 10. He that leadeth into captivity] q. d. Be of good cheer: Antichrist shall one day meet with his match, drink as he brewed, be paid in his own coin, filled with his own ways, have blood again to drink, for he is worthy. See Isa. 33.1. and 2 Thess. 1.6.

Here is the patience ] q. d Here is matter for the trial, exercise and increase of the Saints graces. Hard weather tries what health. The walnut tree is most fruitful, when most beaten. Or, here is support for the Saints, and that which may well make them to hold out faith and patience.

Verse 11. And I beheld another beast ] Another in shape, but the same in substance with the former. For here Christ appears not as an Emperor, but as an Impostor. That these two are both one, see Rev. 17.11. & 19.20,

Coming up out of the earth ] Set up by earthly men and earthly means: of base beginning; Gigas quasi 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ego supernas, v • s infernates estis, saith our Savior to the Jews. I am from above, ye are from beneath: ye are earth-sprung, as so many mushromes.

And he had two horns ] Two horns in his mitre, two keys in his hand, two swords borne before him, a twofold pretended power, secular and sacred, as King and Priest, in the Lambs stead, whose Ape he is.

Spake as a dragon ] That is, saith one, he used an absolute command over consciences, raised himself through devilish pride and execrable boasting, Rev. 18.7.

Verse 12. And he exerciseth ] The power of speaking blasphemies, of waging wars, of ruling over kindreds, tongues and Nations, &c. notwithstanding his wounded head, which is after a sort cured by the sedulity and subtlety of the Jesuits, and other the Popes emissaries. The first beast (saith an Interpreter) is the Kingdom of Rome under the Pontificality: the second beast is the Pontificality wonderfully quickening the wounded beast to that estate: both are one and the same except in consideration, as I have said.

Verse 13. And he doth great wonders ] By his are of juggling: for true miracles he can do none, nor his master the Dragon to help him. Hence they are called lying wonders, 2 Thess. 2.9, 10 sorceries, Rev. 18.23. and impostures here, ver. 14.

So that he maketh fire ] As another Elias. This the Pope doth daily by his excommunications, casting fire-brands, as it were, from on high at those that slight him: and moreover he relleth us of some, that for with-standing his edicts, were thunder-struck to death.

Verse 14. That they should make an image ] An Emperor, saith Aretius, an image of him at least, chosen indeed by the seven Electors of Germany, but confirmed by the Pope; who therefore is said to give life to the image of the beast, whereby he both speaketh and acteth, ver. 15. For if the Pope confirm not the new elect, he is no Emperor.

Verse 15. Should be killed ] What slaughters Charles the fifth made at Magdeburg and elsewhere by the Popes appointment; and what bloody work hath been done in Germany, now for this eight and twenty years, or thereabouts by the now-Emperor and his Father, against the Protestant party, I need not here to relate.

Verse 16. All both small and great ] Emperor and else. The Pope having by his nephew persuaded the King of Bohemia Maximilian (afterwards Emperor) to be a good Catholic, with many promises of honors and profits, intimating the succession of the Empire, which else he should hardly obtain, was answered by the King, that he thanked his Holiness, but that his souls health was more dear to him then all the things in the world. Which answer they said in Rome was a Lutheran form of speech, and signified an alienation from that Sea; and they began to discourse what would happen after the old Emperors death.

To receive a mark ] The Popish Clergy say, that in their Ordination they receive an indelible character. They may choose whether they will have it in their fore-heads (where it cannot be hid) or in their right hands, where they may either hide it, or show it, as they think good. See the Note on Revel. 7.3. The mark common to all the Popish rabble is, S. Peters Keys branching out itself in every Antichristian doctrine and idolatrous practice. I can never sufficiently admire (saith one) the speech of blessed Luther, who though he was very earnest to have the Communion administered in both kinds, contrary to the Doctrine and custom of Rome, yet he professeth, If the Pope, as Pope, commanded him to receive in both kinds, he would but receive in one kind. Its a general rule among the best, that what the Pope commands, as Pope, though it be good or indifferent, as to pray, read, lift up an eye, hand, to wear black or white, &c. it is a receiving of the mark of the Beast, &c.

Verse 17. Might buy or sell ] As at Rome, oaths, laws, vows are soluble, and all things else are saleable.

Also its well known, that the Pope flatly forbids trade and traffic with all whom he hath excommunicated, as he did with the Albigenses in the Lateran Council: And as he did with one Tooly in Qu. Mary's days; who being hanged for felony, and defying the Pope, was (after his death) suspended and excommunicated, that no man should eat or drink, buy or sell with him, bid him good morrow, &c.

Or the name of the beast ] To be called a Roman -Catholic, which is better esteemed among Papists then the name of a Christian. It is notoriously known (saith D ^r Fulk ) that the most honorable name of Christian is in Italy, and at Rome a name of reproach; and usually abused to signify a fool or a dolt.

Or the number of his name ] That keep somewhat more aloof, and yet privily comply with Papists, and drive the same design with them; though more slily and covertly, and top themselves perhaps unperceivedly. What's the reason the Pope will not dispense in Spain or Italy, if a Papist marry a Protestant, yet here he will: but because such Protestants receive the number of his name, and will soon be drawn to him?

Verse 18. Here is wisdom ] That is, Work for wisdom: as ver. 10. Here is the patience and faith of Saints.

It is the number of a man ] Such as a man, by search, may find out, if he have his wits about him, as we say. Others sense it thus: the whole number of the Beast, whatsoever is numbered to belong unto him, is but the number of a man; human in ventions and will-wisdom. Men will have it so, and this is the sum of all Popish Religion.

Six hundred threescore and six ] Amongst the many conjectures, that of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , seems to me most probable, as most ancicent and authentic. The year of Rome's tuine is by some held to be 1606. It is plain, saith one, Satan shall be tied up 1000 years: 666 is the number of the beast, Antichrist shall so long reign: these two together make the just number.

CHAP. XIIII. Verse 1. A Lamb]

IN opposition to that counterfeit lamb, Chap. 13. 12. A lion he can show himself at pleasure.

Stood ] Ready pressed for action, as at the stoning of Stephen. or he stood sentinel for such as he here reserved to himself under the reign and rage of Antichrist.

An hundred forty and four thousand ] The same that were sealed, Chap. 7. all the holy Martyrs, confess • urs, believers.

Having his Fathers name ] His father and their father, his God and their God: this was written on their fore-heads, as Holines to the Lord was upon the high-Priests.

Verse 2. As the voice of many waters ] The Word of God (called here a voice from heaven hath (saith an Expositor) three degrees of operation in the hearts of men. 1. It works wondering (as the sound of many waters) and acknowledging of a strange force, and more then human power, Mar. 1.22, 23. Luk. 4.32. Joh. 7.46. 2. It works not only wonder but fear, as thunder doth: thus it wrought in Felix, and may do in any reprobate. 3. In works in the elect, peace and joy: it makes music in the soul, far sweeter then that of harpers, 1 Pet. 1 8.

Verse 3. A new song ] See the Note on Chap. 5.9.

But the hundred, &c] To whom alone it was given to understand the mysteries of God's kingdom. Others could not skill of it.

From the father ] i. e. From the Antichristian rout and rabble. These dunghill-cocks meddle not with that jewel, the joy of faith, but speak evil of that they know not.

Verse 4. Which were not defiled with women ] Which have not moiled themselves with fornication corporal or spiritual, as those Israelites, Numb. 24. by Balaam's counsel; and as Papists at this day, seduced by those effeminate locusts, Chap 9.8. As for their shavelings that plead this text to prove marriage a defilement, let them hear the Apostle, Heb. 12.4. and another almost as ancient: Siquis coinquinationem vocet commixtionem legitimam, habet inhabitatorem draconem Apostatm. If any call lawful marriage a defilement, that man hath a devil dwelling in him.

These are they which follow the Lamb ] As the sea-man's needle doth the North-pole: or as the hop, in its growing, winding about the pole, follows the course of the Sun from East to West, and can by no means be drawn to the contrary: chasing rather to break then yield.

These were redeemed ] For royal use. See Vers. 3.

Being the first fruits ] Separated and sanctified unto him from the rest of the world.

Verse 5. And in their mouth ] Children they are that will not lie, Isa. 63.8. neither is a deceitful tongue found in their mouth, Zeph. 3.13. They will rather die then lie. The officers of Merindoll answered the Bishop that moved them to abjure, that they marvelled much that he would go about to persuade them to lie to God and the world: affirming that they punished their children very sharply, when they took them with a lie, even as if they had committed a robbery; for the devil is a liar, &c.

For they are without fault ] 1. By Imputation. 2. By Inchoation.

Verse 6. And I saw another Angel ] This is held to be John Wycliffe, who wrote more then two hundred volumes against the Pope; and was a means of much good to many. The Lady Anne, wife to King Richard the second, sister to Wences • ans King of Bohemia, by living here was made acquainted with the Gospel: whence also many Bohemians coming hither, conveyed Wicliffes books into Bohemia, whereby a good foundation was laid for the following Reformation.

In the midst of heaven ] Not in fastigio coeli, in the height of heaven, as some render it; but alow rather, and as it were in the mid-heaven, because of the imperfection of his doctrine, when it was first divulged.

Having the everlasting Gospel ] The ancient truth, no new Doctrine. A Gentleman being asked by a Papist, Where was your Religion before Luther? answered, In the Bible, where yours never was.

Verse 7. Fear God ] Let one fear drive out another (as one fire doth another) the fear of God, the fear of your fellow-creatures, who draw you to diolatry. For this it is, that the second Commandment is the first with punishment.

Give glory to him ] By confessing your sins, and amending your ways. See Josh 7.19. Jer. 13.16.

For the hour of his judgment is come ] The judgment that he will exercise upon Idolaters, and their mawmets, as once in Egypt. See Joh. 12.31. Act. 17.30, 31. Act. 14.15.

And the fountains of waters ] Quantum miraculi sit in admiranda illa fluminum perennitate, nemo, credo, philosophorum satis explicare hactenus potuit, saith one.

Verse 8. And there followed another Angel ] Martin Luther with his book de captivitate Babylonia, which when Bugenhagius first read, he rashly censured for the most pestilent book that ever was written: But upon better deliberation, he retracted his former sentence, and became a means to convert many others

Of the wine of the wrath ] Of the intoxicating enraging wine, that sets men a madding after her:

There is a story of Walter Mapes, sometimes Arch-deacon of Oxford, who relating the Popes gross simony, concludes his Narration thus, Sit tamen Domina mater{que} nostra Roma baculus in aqua fractus: & absit credere quae vidimus. Rome had ravished this man out of his wits.

Verse 9. And the third Angel ] Understand by this third Angel, all the Reformers and Preachers of the Gospel after Luther, to the end of the world.

If any man worship ] See M ^r Perkins his Treatise. A Papist cannot go beyond a reprobate.

And receive his mark ] He saith not this of those that have the name or the number of the Beast. For we doubt not but many were carried away by him, as those 200 were by Absalom in the simplicity of their hearts, 2 Sam. 15.11. knowing nothing of his treason.

Verse 10. Of the wine of the wrath of God ] Wine for wine. God delights to retaliate and proportion: as he that said, Fumos vendidit, fumo pereat.

Without mixture ] viz. Of mercy, with which God usually moderateth the cup of believers afflictions. See Jam. 2.13. They only sip of the top of God's cup, Illud tantùm quod suavius est & limpidius: Reprobates drink the dregs.

In the presence of the holy Angels ] Who shall be not spectators only, but executioners also, as once at Sodom.

In the presence of the lamb ] Notwithstanding their Ag ••• Dei's, and other superstitious trumperies.

Verse 11. And the smoke of their torment ] Utinam de gehenna ubi{que} dissereretur, saith Chrysostom. Would to God men would everywhere think and talk more of hell, and of that eternity of extremity that they shall never else be able to avoid or to abide. Surely one good means to escape hell, is to take a turn or two in hell, by our daily meditations.

Verse 12. Here is the patience ] See Chap. 13.10. The beast, being thus declared and declaimed against, will rage above measure: hold out therefore faith and patience.

Verse 13. Avoice from heaven ] That voice of Christ, Joh. 5. 24. & 8.51.

Write, Blessed are the dead ] Though by the Pope accursed and pronounced damned heretics.

Which die in the Lord ] Especially, if for the Lord: which is (said father Latimer ) the greatest promotion in the world, such as is not granted to any Angel in heaven.

From henceforth ] As well as heretofore in those primitive persecutions.

Rest from their labors ] The sleep of these laborers, oh how sweet is it! Quale sopor fessis in gramine —they get the goal, they enter the haven,

Italiam socij laeto clamore salutant.

And their works follow them ] They die not with them, as Hortensius his Orations did. Mors privare potest opibus, non operibus.

Verse 14. A sharp sickle ] An instrument to cut down corn, Deut. 16.9. and the bunches and branches of the grapes, Isa. 18.5. It betokens sharp and sudden vengeance. What more beautiful to behold then the field afore harvest, then the vineyard afore the vintage, &c? This is spoken for the consolation of the persecuted people of God.

Verse 15. Thrust in thy sickle ] This is not a command, but a request of the faithful, which is soon fulfilled. It is like that of the Church, Psal. 102.13. Arise, O Lord, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time • o favor her, yea the set time is come.

Verse 16. And he that sat on the cloud ] That is Christ, who soon condescendeth to the suits of his servants. Iste vir potuit quod voluit, said one concerning Luther. The death of Arius was, Precationis opus, non morbi, the fruit of prayer, rather then the effect of his disease, saith another. He was brought to confusion by the prayers of Alexander, the good Bishop of Constantinople.

Verse 17. And another Angel ] The community of faithful Christians that combine against Antichrist, to pull him out of his throne, and cut his comb.

Verse 18. And another Angel ] A type of true Pastors, saith an Interpreter: by whose plain and powerful preaching the other are informed and stirred up to consecrate their hands to the Lord. Such an Angel was Zwingli, who died in battle: such was Beza in that battle that was fought in campis Druidensibus: Such were the Angrognian Ministers, and such were sundry of our late Army preachers, M. Marshall, M. Ash, my dear brother M. Tho. Jackson now of Gloucester, &c.

Which had power over fire ] Not Christum & evangelium flammeum praedicans, as a Popish varlet slandered Beza at the fore-mentioned fight, but as pacifying the fire of contention amongst brethren, and setting them all together against the common enemy.

Thrust in thy sharp sickle ] Fall on, quit you like men, be valiant for the Lord of Hosts: Cursed is he that doth the Lord's work negligently, Cursed is he that with-holdeth his sword from blood. Thus the faithful Ministers strengthened the hands and hearts of the soldiers to battle, and made them stick close to their colors and Commanders.

Are fully ripe ] Ripe for vengeance, as the Amorites were, when they had filled the land from one end to another with their uncleanness, Ezra 9.11. About the year of grace, 1414. Theodoricus Urias an Augustinian in Germany, complained, That the Church of Rome was then become, Ex aurea argenteam, ex argentea ferream, ex ferrea terream, superesse ut in stercus abiret; of gold silver, of silver iron, of iron earth, which would shortly turn to muck.

Verse 19. And the Angel thrust in ] Down go the Antichristians immediately, by the power and prowess of the Christian armies, thus edged and eneagered by their Preachers. This we have seen fulfilled in our late wars to our great comfort, at Edge-hill and Nazeby -fight especially.

Into the great wine-press ] Lacus iste locus caedis. This wine-press is called Armageddon, chap. 16.16.

Verse 20. And the wine-press was trodden ] viz. By Christ the King, with his heavenly horse-men, Chap. 9 13, 14.

Without the City ] i. e. Without the Church, haply in Judea, whither the Pope being driven from Rome. shall 〈◊〉 and sit, till Christ shall unroost him with the brightness of his coming, 2 Thess. 2.8.

Even unto the horse-bridles ] To confute the pride and cruelty of those bloody Papists that threatened to ride their horses up to the saddle-skirts in the blood of the Lutherans: so Farnesius, Miner • us, Felix of Wartenburg, S ^r Charles Ellerker, Charles the ninth of France. that cruel Queen, who when she saw some of her Protestant Subjects lying dead, and stripped upon the earth, cried out, The goodliest Tapistry that ever she beheld. These and the like shall be one day glutted with blood, which they have so barbarously thirsted after. Satiate sanguine. quem sitiisti, &c. as she said of Cyrus.

CHAP. XV. Verse 1. And I saw another sign]

DIstinct from the former, and describing the utter overthrow of Antichrist in this, and the following Chapters.

Great and marvelous ] A just wonder it was indeed, the miracle that we in these last times are to look for, that the Kingdom of Antichrist should be so easily and suddenly over-turned by the preaching of the Gospel, as once the walls of Jericho were by the blowing of Rams-horns.

Seven Angels ] i. e. Certain Citizens of the Reformed Churches.

Having the seven last plagues ] Being the several parts of the seventh Trumpet, and said to be the last that shall in this life be inflicted: though far worse follow in hell, whereof all these are but typical. Here the leaves only (as it were) fall upon reprobates, but hereafter the whole trees.

Verse 2. As it were a sea of glass ] The word of God mingled with the virtue of the holy Ghost, say some. The world full of affliction, say others.

Having the harps of God ] Hearts full of heaven.

Verse 3. And they sing ] There cannot but be music in the temple of the holy Ghost.

The song of Moses ] As being delivered out of spiritual Egypt.

And the song of the Lamb ] That mentioned, Chap. 14.3. and the same in effect with that of Saint Paul, 1 Timothy 1.15, 17.

Verse 4 who shall not fear thee ] q. d. How mad are the enemies, how sottish is the world that fear not thee, who art the proper object of fear? Psal. 76.11. The Greeks call him 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , quasi 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , fear: the Chaldee Dechilah for the same reason: and Jacob styled him, The fear of his father Isaac.

For thou only art holy ] Before it had been said of his Holiness, Who is like unto the beast? Now, who shall not fear thee, ô Lord, for thou only art holy?

For all Nations shall come ] As being deeply affected with thine heaviest plagues upon Antichrist; they shall better bethink themselves, They shall return and discern betwixt the righteous and the wicked, Mal. 3. ult.

Are made manifest ] i. e. Are begun to be, and more and more shall be, if our sins hinder not.

Verse 5. The temple of the tabernacle ] These words are all one with those, chap. 11.19. to the consideration whereof we are here recalled, after so long an interruption.

Verse 6. Clothed in pure ] Habited as holy Priests.

With golden girdles ] Here an Interpreter gives this note, That they which are lewd and vicious, though never so wise, politic, rich and valiant, shall not be God's instruments to plague Antichrist and his kingdom. This their priestly apparel showeth also, how that these Angels come forth in the Churches cause, and for her sake without any other by and sinister respect.

Verse 7. And one of the four beasts ] The faithful Pastors by their divine discourses of the pure worship of God, the intolerable tyranny of Antichrist, &c. stir up the spirits of God's servants to set them selves against that man of sin, and to execute upon him the judgment written. This honor have all his Saints, Psal. 149. ult.

Seven golden vials ] Vessels of large content, but narrow mouths: they pour out slowly, but drench deeply, and distill effectually the wrath of God.

Full of the Wrath of God ] Filled out of the cup of his wrath, mentioned in the former Chapter.

Verse 8. And the Temple was filled ] This shows that God graciously approves and miraculously protects the reformed Churches. See Exod. 40.34, 35. 1 King. 8.10. So he did the Hussites in Bohemia. All Germany was up in arms against them. Actum jam de Hussitis videbatur. Verùm Germani, nondum viso host, Panico terrore perculsi, diffugerunt, saith the Historian. And when things seemed to be in a desperate condition, the Germans smitten with a panic terror, fled all away before they had looked the enemy in the face. How wonderfully is Geneva preserved in the midst of many mighty enemies? What should I speak of Rochelle relieved, and Leiden rescued both from heaven? We of this Nation have lately seen as much of God's glory and power in our Temple, as ever did any.

Till the seven plagues ] No Anticristian could understand the end of the present plagues, till eaten into a better mind. Vexatio dat intellectum.

CHAP. XVI. Verse 1. Go your ways]

A Proof of the divine calling of the Ministers of the Gospel.

Pour out the vials ] See the Note on Chap. 15.7.

Upon the earth ] Upon Antichrist and his adherenrs, Roma facta est ex aurea ferrea, ex ferrea terrea, said one of her own favorites.

Verse 2. And the first went ] They went not all at once. Note the patience of God, waiting men's return unto him.

Verse 2. Upon the earth ] Antichrists footstool, his branded slaves.

A noisome and grievous sore ] The French disease, say some: the devils disease, say others, viz. Spite and envy at the Reformation wrought in Bohemia, Germany, England, &c. upon the discovery of the Papists hypocrisy and filthiness.

Verse 3. Upon the sea ] The Popish Council (called a Sea, from the concourse thereunto from all parts) that of Trent especially, with their deadly decrees, making the traditions of the Church the rule of faith, &c.

Died in the sea ] As the fishes of Jordan do as soon as they fall into the Mare mortuum: and as the fishes in the river Nile did, when the waters thereof were turned into blood.

Verse 4. Upon the rivers, &c.] The persecutors and impostours; the Jesuits especially, who have lately added twelve new Articles (by the authority of Pope Pius 4.) raised out of the Council of Trent, and added to the Nicene Creed, to be received with others, as the true Catholic faith; to be believed by as many as shall be saved. And those that receive them not, are not suffered to live amongst them. This is worse then the six Articles in Henry the eighths time, that whip with six cords, as they called it.

Verse 5. The angel of the Waters ] The same that poured forth his vial upon the waters, verse. 4

Thou art righteous ] God's judgments are sometimes secret, always just, and so to be acknowledged. We shall one day see the reason of all, and say as Jehu did, 2 King. 9 36.

Verse 6. For they have shed ] As Minerius that monster, the cruel Duke of Alva, bloody Bonner, the Guises, and other of the Popes Champions.

Thou hast given them blood to drink ] As Tomyris dealt by Cyrus, the Parthians by Crassus, the Romans by those Jews that cried out, His blood be upon us, &c. as our laws do by the Priests and Jesuits, and those that receive them, proceeding against such as are traitors to the State. The putting out of the French Kings eyes, who promised before with his eyes to see one of God's true servants burned: The death of Charles the 9▪ of France, author of the Parisian massacre, by exceeding bleeding at sundry parts of his body, who seeth not to be the just hand of God upon them? This Charles beholding the bloody bodies of the butchered Protestants, in that execrable massacre, and feeding his eye upon that woeful spectacle, breathed out this bloody speech, Quam bonus est odor hostis mortui! How sweet is the smell of a 〈◊〉 enemy? and shortly after breathed out his accursed soul, Inter horribilium blasphemiarum diras, saith the Historian, tantum sanguinis vim projiciens, &c. after the Beza had fore-warned him (but in vain) by that verse,

Tu vero Herodes sanguinolente time.

So Julian, Attilas, Felix of Wartenburg, Henry 3. of France, stabbed in the same chamber wherein he, then being Duke of Aniou, had contrived the French Massacre. So let thine enemies perish, O Lord.

Talia quis{que} luat, qualia quis{que} facit!

Verse 7. And I heard another ] That in the mouth o • two witnesses this truth might be established. Let God be justified, and every mouth stopped.

Out of the altar ] Under which lìe the souls of those that were slain for the testimony of Jesus, Chap. 6.

Verse 8. Upon the Sun ] The Popes supremacy, say some; the Scriptures, say others; by the light whereof they are laid open to the world (dancing naked in a net, and yet not seeing their own nakedness, as M ^r Philpos Martyr told Chadsey) and by the dint whereof, God smites the earth,