Annotations Upon the New Testament

CHAP. XII.

THis twelfth Chapter sets forth clearly the State of the Church, as the sixth did that of the Empire.

It hath six principal parts.

• 1. A lively description of the true Church, v. 1, 2.
• 2. A description of the Devil her chief and furious assailant, v. 3, 4, 5.
• 3. The fierce battle between these two parties, v. 7.
• 4. The victory of the Church and the Dragons overthrow, v. 8, 9.
• 5. The triumph of the godly for that victory, v. 10, 11, 12.
• 6. The fury of Satan renewing the assault, v. 13. to the end of the Chapter.

Vers. 1. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven ] By wonder or sign is meant a new vision; or an unusual type of a strange battle, and marvelously to be wondered at.

By Heaven commonly in this Book is meant the true militant Church, and the members of it here upon earth, v. 4.

Stars of heaven ] Are Ministers of the Church, v. 12. rejoice ye heavens, that is, believers and members of the true Church on earth, so v. 3. & 7.

A woman ] The woman is the Church, resembled to a woman partly for her weakness, but chiefly because the Scripture sets it forth by the Spouse of Christ, Cant. 4.10.

Clothed with the Sun ] That is, Christ, Psal. 84.11. Mal. 4.3. He resembleth it in its properties and effects, Frst, properties, 1. In unity, there is but one Sun in the world, and but one sun of righteousness in the Church, John. 1.14. 1 Tim. 2.5. 2. Light, Rev. 1.16. 3. Purity. 4. Power and sufficiency. Secondly, Effects. 1. Illuminates. 2. Directs. 3. Refresheth. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to the Church. See Cant. 6 10.

She is clothed with it. clothes serve for 1. Covering. 2. Shelter. 3. Ornament; so Christ's righteousness. and the Moon under her feet ] The Moon signifieth either Temporary and Transitory things, as Dr. Tailor and others, it being both the cause and emblem of change; or the ceremonial rights, because the Jews festivals were ordered by the motions of the Moon, as Mr. Burrh. on Isaiah. 66.10. from Mr Mede. And up • n her head a crown of twelve stars ] That is, The shining doctrine of the twelve Apostles.

Under feet ] For subjection, and contempt.

Vers. 2. And she being with child, cried ] Cryed ] Two ways, in her prayers to God. and her apologies to men, Mr. Arrowsmith.

Ver. 3. And there appeared another wonder in heaven, and behold a great red Dragon, &c. ] Here we have a description of the Churches adversary, under the name and type of a Dragon.

By the Dragon is meant, 1. The Devil, for so it is expounded v. 9. to be that old Serpent called the Devil and Satan.

The Devil is called metaphorically a Serpent or Dragon.

1. In allusion to that story, Gen. 3. Because under this form and representation he deceived mankind.

2. For his poison and malice whereof he is full.

3. For his exceeding strength and power to hurt and destroy.

4. For his slighnesse, subtlety and craft, Gen. 3.1. See 9. v. of this Chapter. This his nature is couched in his name, draco 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , acute cernere, to see piercingly, for he is subtle, acute and quick sighted to discern a far off his prey, and advantage against us. The Greek word here used, translated red, is emphatical, noting him to be a fiery Dragon, fiery red, set on fire and all enflamed with an hellish flame of wrath and cruelty against the Church of God.

2. By the Dragon is also meant the instruments of Satan's fury, Ier. 51.34. Ezek. 29.3. Psal. 74.13.

3. Some more special instruments, the Heathen persecuting Emperors of Rome.

Having seven heads ] The head is the seat of prudence and policy: the number of seven heads notes the manifold subtleties of the Devil and his instruments. Others by seven heads understand the seven hills of Rome where the Dragon lived: or the seven kinds of governments in the Roman Monarchy.

And ten horns ] The Dragons power and strength is here called ten horns. Horne in Scripture is commonly taken metaphorically, and signifies strength, might, power, kingdom, glory. The number ten is here taken indefinitely for all those Kings, Princes and Captains under them who banded themselves against the woman, which by the perfect number of ten, are noted to be exceeding many. See 13.1.

And seven Crowns upon his heads ] By which is meant the supremacy of the Roman Empire, subduing under it the Princes, Provinces, Nations, by innumerable victories, but especially prevailing against the Church, and primitive Christians, as so many Conquerors.

Vers. 4. And his tail drew the third part of the Stars of heaven ] By Stars are meant the Ministers of the Gospel, because 1. They are set in their several stations (as the stars in their orbs) by God. 2. Because they give light to the Church by doctrine and holy example. Matth. 5.14. 3. They are eminent and in high place.

Of heaven ] Mystical; they were removed from their holy doctrine and heavenly hope.

His tail ] That is, the power and policy of the Devil.

And the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered ] The Text hath reference both to the Serpents standing before Eve the woman, that is, the Mother of the world and Church, to seduce her; and to Pharaoh called the Dragon of Egypt, watching the destruction of the male children of the Church, so soon as the Mothers should be delivered of them. This standing before the woman implieth, 1. His readiness and nearness. 2. His instance and diligence.

Vers. 5. And she brought forth a man child ] Some understand it of Christ. See Psal. 2.9. and Rev. 2.27. and 19.15. Dr Tailor gives good reasons against this exposition. Others of Luther, many of Constantine the great a godly Christian Emperor. Dr. Tailor understands by it not one singular person, but some potent Princes or special deliverers, whom God stirred up to succor and relieve the Church against those Tyrannicall Romish Emperors and persecutors; By whom the Dragon was defeated and disappointed, whose aim was to devour all the seed of the woman, for these were

1. Sons of the Church.

2. A man child, stout, strong, valiant.

3. Ruled over the Nations with a rod of Iron, viz. an unresistible power, and over-ruling the nations and Princes that were enemies to the Church.

4. Was taken into the throne of God ] That is, advanced into chief government for the refreshing and defense of the Church, and curbing the rage of those imperial Dragons.

Vers. 6. And the woman fled into the wilderness ] This verse is here inserted by the Spirit of God, by anticipation, it was done after, though it be here mentioned, it properly belongs to the 13. and 14. verses. It seems to be an allusion unto Israel's flying into the wilderness from Pharaoh that red and bloody Dragon pursuing them even to destruction. The wilderness is nothing else but an afflicted and solitary condition of the woman, excluded from her former glory, forced now to hide her face from the world, and to live in poverty and exile, and in a private and solitary condition.

Where there is a place prepared of God that they should feed her ] Alluding to the feeding of the Church of the Jews in the wilderness. The word ( They ) standeth in relation to some persons spoken of before, viz. 11. ch. 2. The two witnesses shall feed her, for the time of both fitly agreeth.

A thousand two hundred and threescore days ] By these days are meant so many years, for all things almost in the Revelation are expressed according to the manner of ancient Types. It is the same with times, time, and half a time. 14. v. and 42. months. 11.2.

Vers. 7. And there was a battle in Heaven ] That is, in the Church militant. Some special and notable part of that War which in the spring of the Evangelical Church Satan raised to the overthrow of the salvation of it.

Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon, and the Dragon fought and his angels ] This Michael is Christ, it is so expounded, v. 10. 2. This place is an allusion to Dan. 10.13. and 21.3. 3. The composition of the word of three Hebrew particles, Mi-ca-el, who is like or equal to the Lord, that is only Christ, Phil. 2.6. 4. We read nowhere in Scripture of this name but Christ himself must be understood, Jude 9. Which place alludes to Zach. 3.2.

His angels are not only those which are Angels by nature and office, but also such persons and instruments as stand with them in the defense of Christian Religion, and in war with the Dragon both in ecclesiastical and political states, godly Princes and Rulers, and also godly Pastors, holy Martyrs, zealous professors, all to whom sometimes the name of Angel is ascribed in Scripture.

• 1. Because they are all sent from him, on his errand.
• 2. They are called his Angels by special propriety.
• 3. Their whole service is due to him their Lord.

The Dragon, the General, is the chief of Devils and head of wicked Angels, B • elzebub ; his Angels are wicked spirits, & wicked men, they sight by open force & secret fraud.

Vers. 8. But they prevailed not, neither was their place found anymore in heaven ] By heaven here the Church of God is meant, in which the Dragon sat and exercised his Tyranny. The phrase not to have his place is taken out of Dan. 2.35. The Dragons had no more place in the Church to domineer and tyrannize against the Saints, as they had done, but they are now conquered and expelled out of heaven. A general overthrow is not here properly meant, but a special victory of some special Dragons that rose up to waste the Church, because this is a prophecy after St John's time.

Vers. 9. And the great Dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world ] The Devil is a Serpent,

1. Because he hid and covered himself in the serpent, in his first stratagem against our first Parents, Gen. 3.1.

2. Because of his serpentive disposition in his poison and malice against Christ and all Christians, and in his winding by his sly flattery and subtlety, and in his accursed condition.

2. An old Serpent.

1. Because he is as old as the World, and at the beginning deprived our first Parents of their happiness.

2. His malice is inveterate, as ancient as the world.

3. Is grown wonderful cunning by experience.

The Devil ] So called for his crimination, accusation and calumination. He is that egregious caluminiator, whose incessant delight and practice is in accusing and calumniating.

1. God to man of envy, injustice. Gen. 3.3.

2. Man to God, John. 1.

Satan ] So called for his hostility; he is an adversary,

1. To God. 2. Good men. 3. Good actions.

He seduceth or deceiveth the whole world ] To seduce is to draw a man aside from the right way into some by-way; a metaphor taken from travellers; the Devil draws men from the true worship of God, to Idolatry and false worship of Idols and heathen God's.

He incessantly labors in this as the participle of the present tense noteth, even a perpetual action of drawing men from the way of truth, to error and false Religion.

The persons that are seduced are the whole world, alluding to his general seduction of all men in our first Parents, and also the general corrupting of true Religion in the days of Noah. But by the whole world or earth are meant the reprobates or earthly minded men, who mind earthly things with contempt of heavenly.

He was cast out ] By the members of Christ.

1. By casting out and resisting Paganism, Idolatry, Blasphemy, Impiety, and all Injustice.

2. By the preaching and promulgation of the Gospel, which is like lightning, quick, piercing, and irresistable.

3. By open profession and maintenance of the faith and truth of the Gospel.

Into the earth ] 1. To manifest and clear the certainty of his overthrow, and the Churches victory; as Goliath was seen to be overthrown, when David threw him down to the ground.

2. More specially, to show, who they be whom the Devil now tyrannizeth over, among reprobates, carnally, and earthly minded men.

And his angels were cast out with him ] That is, the power of all wicked persons (by whom the Devil putteth forth his power against the Church) was so broken as they could never prevail against the salvation of any member of the Church, nor against the happy proceedings of the Christian Religion in the infancy of the Church.

Vers. 10. And I heard a loud voice ] The cheerful noise of innumerable Citizens of the Church militant, provoking themselves to sound forth the Majesty and praise of God, for his great mercy to his Church, and his great judgments against the Dragon and his Angels.

In heaven ] That is, the Church militant.

Now is come salvation ] That is, safety and external security of God's people by their deliverance from cruel tyrants, Ex. 14.13. Strength ] That is, the mighty arm of God which bears up all things, and subdues all contrary things to his will and power.

And the kingdom of our God ] The kingdom of grace which the Dragon specially opposeth.

And the power of his Christ ] His Christ, 1. For distinction, other Kings were anointed and set up by men. 2. For eminence. 3. For near relation.

For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night ] This 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifieth not any kind of accuser, but such an accuser who accuseth before a King, here before the Lord.

Night and day ] Incessantly. See Zach. 3.3.

Vers. 11. And they loved not their lives unto the death ] That is, they slighted, contemned, yea, despised their lives, and rather exposed them to hazard and loss, than to be removed from their holy profession.

Thus are they said not to love their lives, that love Christ and his truth more.

Vers. 14. A time, times, and half a time ] A finite number for an indefinite; So Dr. Taylor, Mede, and Brightman say; by time is meant a year, by times two years, by half a time, half a year, a year, two years and a half.

Vers. 15. And the Serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood ] Multitudes of people which he stirreth up to persecute the Church.

Vers. 17. With the remnant of her seed ] This phrase is a metaphor taken from Tradesmen, who having cut out a whole piece of clothe, leave some small remnant or remainder; even so the true professors of the Gospel are but a small remainder of the whole piece and people of the world. Beside, it is but the remnant of her seed: As a little seed-corn is reserved out of a great heap for store, which is nothing to the whole Crop; so is the small number of true Believers, reserved by grace, to the whole field and crop of the world.

CHAP. XIII.

IF we compare this description of the Beast in this Chapter with that in the 17. we shall easily perceive that by both Beasts the Roman State is represented, but yet not of the same time. This designs old Rome, or the Roman State, as it was especially under the heathen Emperors, although Antichrist be not excluded from that description. For the perfect Beast is propounded having seven heads, the last of which is Antichrist. The 17th. Chapter describes Rome as it was after.

The first Beast representeth the persecuting Emperors, and is described in the beginning of the Chapter. The second Antichrist, and begins at ver. 11. and so forward to the end of the Chapter.

Vers. 1. And I saw a Beast arise up out of the Sea, having seven heads, and ten horns, and upon his heads ten Crowns ] Rise up ] Signifyeth to get strength, Dan 4.8. and 8.8. Out of the Sea. ] That is, of many and divers people's which it had vanquished. Crowns for dignity, horns for power, and heads for subtlety. The seven Heads are seven Hills, and ten Horns are ten Governments. Mr Dod.

The horns of the Beast are crowned and not his heads, because the Roman Empire hath always more prevailed by power than by policy, but the Dragon hath his heads crowned and not his horns, therefore he hath always done more by policy & subtlety than by power and strength.

Vers. 2. And the Dragon gave him his power ] viz. That Dragon mentioned 12.3. the Devil that old Serpent, 12.9. whom Moses also set forth by the Serpent, Gen. 3.1. The Dragon hath something of the Serpent, but flying is added to it, that is, swiftness of moving.

Vers. 8. Whose names are not written in the Book of the life of the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world ] Some think this is not spoken of Election, since Christ as Mediator was elected, but of those which the Father gave to Christ in the Covenant before the world.

Others refer this from the beginning of the world to the book of life (as Apoc. 17.8.) rather than to the Lamb slain, not as though there were any absurdity or incongruity in the speech (as Ribera ) being so justifiable by the parrallell places of Scripture.

Weemes, and other learned men say from the beginning (not from eternity) in reference to that promise, Gen. 3.15. the death of Christ being then published, that is, slain as well then as now, not only in the Counsel and Decree of God whereby he is borne and slain in all times and places, nor only in regard of the eternal power, efficacy, and merit of his death; but also in respect of the heart of the Believer, whose faith makes that which is locally absent after a sort truly and really present. Mr Perkins.

In regard of God's acceptation of it, for Belleevers, in the types and shadows of it, whereof the Ceremonial Law was full. Dr Tailor.

Vers. 9. If any man have an ear let him hear ] A solemn preface before some great matter, and diligently to be observed, Mat. 11.15. and 13.9.43. Mark. 4.9.27. and 7.16. and 8.18. Luk. 8.8. and 14.35. See afore Ch. 11.7.11.29. that is, let him hear with his ear, let the ear do its work and not be idle.

Vers. 10. He that leadeth into captivity, shall go into captivity ] Rome which had led captive the Christians, is become a Captive to the Goths and Vandals. For lead and go there is an elegant para nomasia in the Greek.

He that killeth with the Sword must be killed with the Sword ] Domitian which had slain so many Christians with the Sword, he also was slain by the sword, and 17 of his own Servants. So Grotius.

Here is the patience and faith of the Saints ] That is, by this the patience and faith of the Christians is confirmed, because they knew that God would revenge their injuries.

Ver. 11. This Beast can be no other but the Pope of Rome who riseth out of the earth, that is, out of most base beginnings, and steppeth or riseth above the earth, and all earthly power; he hath horns like the Lamb, that is, professeth the meekness and innocence of Christ (which the Turk never did) but speaks like the Dragon, which is to be understood, partly of his blasphemous speeches which he doth utter, partly of the Doctrines of Devils which he doth teach, partly of those hellish Curses which he thundereth against the true professors of the faith, partly of those great promises, which like the Prince of the world, he maketh to those that do adore him. Down. of Ant. l. 1. c. 4.

The Pope of Rome with his Clergy, for the Pope by himself and alone though he may be termed a false Prophet, yet he maketh not up the Beast, except his Clergy be joined with him, since the Beast doth signify a company of men composed of a certain order of members.

Vers. 12. Whose deadly wound was healed ] All the Papists almost say, that Antichrist is understood by that Head which was wounded, who shall feign himself dead, and shall rise again by the devils help, And that they say is the common and received opinion of the Fathers.

Vers. 13. He maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth ] The Pope (say the Papists) doth not cause fire to come down from heaven, therefore he is not Antichrist. This cannot be taken literally, because the whole Chapter is mystical; it is an allusion unto 1 King. 18.24. that is, Antichrist shall make his false Religion appear to men to be the truth, as effectually, as if (like Elias ) he should cause fire to come from heaven, for a confirmation of his Doctrine. Squire on 2d. of Thes.

Mr. Mede saith, Excommunication is meant, which is (saith he) not unaptly resembled to fire from heaven, or lightening. For what is it in the name of God to deliver any one over to that eternal fire, other than to call for fire from heaven, especially since that punishment of the wicked proceeding from God, is often in this Book set forth by the Lake of fire and brimstone, or Asphaltites, where Sodom and Gomorrah were burned with fire rained down from heaven.

If that fire which Antichrist shall cause to descend from heaven be literally understood, it agreeth to the Pope, because in divers Popisth miracles there hath been (as they say) fire brought down from heaven. But it is rather to be understood mystically, and allegorically, as well as other Prophecies of the Revelation. Descending of fire from heaven in Scripture signifieth three things. 1. God's approving of the Religion and Sacrifices of his Servants. 2. His sending down of the graces of the Spirit upon his children, Act. 2.3. 3. His vengeance executed from heaven upon his enemies. Antichrist doth by such signs and wonders confirm that Doctrine and Religion which he professeth, as though God answered him by fire from heaven, 1 Kings 18.38.

Vers. 16, 17, 18. Some hold that the mark, the name of the Beast, and the number of his name, is one and the same thing, and that the latter of all these is the exposition of the former. The mark of Antichrist is nothing else but the name of the former Beast containing the number of 666. therefore Rev. 14.9.11. & 20.4. He reckons not these three as distinct, but mentions the mark alone.

Vers. 16. To receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads ] Gerhard saith, the mark in the right hand is an oath by which the Clergy is bound to the Pope, and the mark in the foreheads notes the subjection of the Lay people to the Pope. Mede interprets mark his name, therefore it is said, the mark or name of the Beast, and in the Chapter following, the mark of his name. For he alludeth to the old custom, by which servants were wont to be marked with the names of their Masters, Soldiers the names of their commanders, the first especially in the forehead, the other in their hands. Therefore the followers of the Lamb also 14.1. that they may be contrary to the followers of the Beast, are written in their forehead with the names of the Lamb, and his Father ; with the same meaning of the Type in both, to show who is the Lord, and for whom each Company fighteth: Those professing themselves servants of the Beast, and his Image, these of 〈◊〉 and his Father.

Vers. 17. And that no man might buy or sell ] That is, live among them, or enjoy the benefits of human Society.

Vers. 18. His number is six hundred threescore and six ] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Lateinos, the Letters of which exactly express the number of 666. λ is 30. α 1 τ 300. • 5. ι 10. ν 50. • 70. • 200. all joined together make up the aforesaid sum.

Irenaeus (whose Master Polycarpus had been Saint Johns Disciple) an ancient Father of the Church, mentions this word, as the name of the Beast, and affirmeth, that it was a common received opinion in his time, that the Beast should be so called. The name of the Beast is not the name of Antichrist properly, but of the Roman or Latin State, the last Head of which is Antichrist, which yet hath not been observed by some learned men who have diligently considered this place. It is said to be the number of the name because the letters (of which the name consists) comprehend that number, for the Hebrews & Greeks use their letters for notes of numbers according to the order of the Alphabet.

It is called the number of a man, either because men do number, or because it is obvious and usual as occurring more than once in Scripture, or because the name of the Beast containing this number is also the name of a man. It may be questioned, whether the number of the name be to be computed according to the Hebrew or Greek letters; if the name of the Beast be to be written in Greek letters, which is very probable, because the Revelation was written in Greek, then the name shall be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , as was before expressed.

CHAP. XIV.

Vers. 1. HAving his Fathers name written in their heads ] Ad constantiam confessionis, for the constancy of their confession.

Vers. 2. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers, harping with their harps ] The voice of the Lord is compared to many waters for its irresistible force and admirable noise, making men wonder; to thunder for its terror and power shaking all things, to a gentle sound of harps for the work of peace and joy in the conscience.

Vers. 6. And I saw another Angel fly in the midst of heaven ] That is, another besides one of those fingers. For he made mention of no Angel before this, except we shall say, those Musicians were a Choir of Angels. Mede.

The everlasting Gospel ] Not in respect of the future, but of the time past, viz. that which was promised from the beginning of the world. As the hills, paths, and desolations are said to be everlasting, or ancient, Isaiah 58.12. and 61.4. Jer. 6.16. and 18.16. Deut. 33.15. Gen. 49.26. Isaiah 54.47. So the Gospel that is from the beginning.

It is called Eternal (saith Brightman ) as if the Holy Ghost would of purpose meet with the offense of those times, when the truth that was restored should commonly be condemned for novelty.

Vers. 8. And there followed another Angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen ] After the Preaching of the everlasting Gospel, presently follow the fall of Babylon, that is, Rome. It is already accomplished in part: It is fallen, 〈◊〉 purity of Doctrine. 2. In the estimation which once it had. 3. In authority, but th •• Prophecy notes the certainty of her fall by an outward overthrow.

This commination is taken out of Isaiah 21.9. and Jer. 51.8. in which words the Prophets threaten the ruin of Babylon of the Chaldees, which had grievously oppressed the people of God with a 70 years Captivity. This cannot be that Babylon. 1. Because that neither was, nor is, nor shall be the Seat of Antichrist, as this Babylon shall by the consent of all Interpreters, saith Pareus. 2. This Babylon is that great City which in the time of John ruled over the Kings of the earth, Rev. 17.18. but then that Monarchy was with the Romans, not the Babylonians. Ribera ingeniously confesseth, that this Babylon is Rome, and the topographie of this great City agrees to none more evidently than Rome, it is said to be seated on seven Mountains, which agrees to no City more than to Rome, set by Romulus heretofore on seven hills.

Besides, this Babylon is called the great City, and that emphatically with a double Article 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , urbs illo magna, that great City. It is manifest that Rome was commonly called the City 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , and the great City, and no City but that in Saint Johns time ruled over the Kings of the Earth; all the shift the Jesuits have is, that Babylon was Rome Ethnicall under the Emperors, not Rome Christian under the Popes. But this is a poor shift, for Antichrist was not then come while Rome was Ethnicall. 2. It was Papal Rome that made all Nations drunk with the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and with whom all the Kings of the Earth committed fornication, and the people of God are commanded to go out of Rome Papal.

Ver. 8. Because she had made all Nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication ] With the wine of the poison of her fornication, That is, besotted them with amorous potions being poisoned Wine. For 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here hath not the force of anger or wrath, but as it is used by the Seventy. Poison, That is, they would have it equivalent to the Hebrew word Chemah, which one while signifieth anger, another while poison.

Vers. 10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture ] That notes summam poenae severitatem, a punishment next to hell, there is utter darkness, Philosophers say here non dantur purae tenebrae.

Vers. 13. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord ] Beza renders it who die for the Lord, or for his sake ; They die in the Lord which either suffer death for Christ, or end their life in firm faith in him, that suffer Martyrdom, or die any way in the state of grace. Ribera a great Jesuit, though he confess, that the common current of Expositors runs with the latter sense, yet is more earnest for the former, that Martyrs be meant specially, that ( In ) is put for ( Propter ) as oft in the Old Testament, and sometimes in the New; he strives the more for that sense, because the other puts out Purgatory fire, for if all Believers die in Christ and are blessed, and that henceforth, then none are to be purged. Martyrs potissimum intelligi concedimus solos vero intelligi negamus, saith Gerhard in loc.

From henceforth ] That is, (say some) that constantly hold out in these times of persecution, presently (say others) from the very time of their death. So Dr Rainolds and Gerhard.

That they may rest from their labors ] That is, 1. Of a toilsome particular calling, Jer. 16.29. 2. Under afflictions from God, and persecutions from men. 3. Under sin their spiritual warfare. 4. Under temptation. 5. Desertion.

And their works do follow them ] Go with them, the words well weighed sound so, works are put metonymically for the wages and reward of their works, as 2 Cor. 5.10.

That everyone may receive the things in his body ] That is, the rewards of those things he hath done, agreeably to that which he hath done, whether good or evil.

Their works here are their eternal rewards, and that in four things. 1. In a consummation of grace. 2. In a perfect communion with the Lord Christ. 3. In a perfect fruition of God. 4. In the glorious employment that the soul shall have in heaven.

CHAP. XV.

IN this and the next Chapter is prophesied and declared the last ruin of the enemies of the Church, this Chapter is the preparation to it, and the next the execution of it.

Vers. 2. And I saw as it were a Sea of glass mingled with fire ] Some say this is a lively emblem of this world, whose glory is but glass, bright, yet brittle: and it is mingled with fire, which signifieth the consumption of the world; which as glass is melted with fire. 2 Pet. 3.12.

Rather (saith Brightman ) Gospel-ordinances, and the fire signifieth contention, Luke 22.45.

Having the harps of God ] That is, divine, most excellent and sweet, after the manner of the Hebrews, who say all those things are of God, which are chief and most excellent in their kind, as Gen. 23.6. Psal. 36.7. Or because God sendeth the joy of his Spirit into their hearts, wherewith they may be able to give God his due praises for this his notable kindness and goodness unto them.

Vers. 3. And they sing the song of Moses the Servant of God and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, &c. ] Which expressions are taken out of Exod. 15. and Psal. 111.2, 3. & 7. verses.

Vers. 6. Clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles ] The Angels are described to be clothed with pure and white linen, and to have their breasts girded with golden girdles, that is, all of them were clothed with the righteousness of Christ, (which is pure linen) both justifying and sanctifying them, the one imputed, the other inherent, and all of them were sincere professors of the truth of Christ, their breasts girded with the golden girdles of truth.

CHAP. XVI.

Vers. 1. ANd I heard a great voice out of the temple ] Great ] That is, vehement & terrible, such a one as he heard, ch. 1. v. 10. & 6.1. & 11.12. Without doubt of the Lamb or of God sitting in the throne as the chief disposer of these punishments. Pareus.

There is a twofold voice mentioned in this book. 1. From the throne, ch. 19. v. 5. that is, from God immediately. 2. From the Temple, as here, that is obtained by the prayers of the Saints.

Go your ways and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth ] The vials are vessels of large content, but of narrow mouths, they pour out slowly, but drench deeply, and distill effectually the wrath of God, they are vessels of full and just measure, as all these judgments are dispensed in weight and measure.

Of the wrath of God ] That argueth, that upon what subject soever these vials fell, the wrath of God fell together with them upon the same, therefore that is a dangerous interpretation, v. 8. to expound the Sun to be the Scriptures.

Upon the earth ] That is, the common sort of Catholics.

Vers. 2. Them which worshipped his image ] They which worshipped the Image of the Beast are such as are devoted to the Canons of Popish Churches, and receive them as articles of their faith, these are all afflicted with a noisome and grievous sore, by the pouring out of this first vial. For those who did pour it out were such as did convince them of the damnable estate of a Catholic, this was the common practice of the Martyrs of Jesus Christ in Q. M. Edw. the sixths, and H. the eights time, who discovered unto them, that all their Religion was but the worship of God after the devices of men, even will-worship, such as they were led unto by the man of sin; upon this discovery there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon their Catholic Priests, it is an allusion to Exod. 9.11.

Vers. 3. And the second Angel poured out his vial upon the sea, and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea ] This verse describes the pouring out of the vial of the second Angel. He pours it on the sea, and it became as the blood of a dead man. The allusion is to a like plague upon Egypt, Exod, 7.20.21. The Sea of the Antichristian world is here meant, a distinct world from that heavenly State wherein other reformed Churches stand. The confluence of all their ordinances as they do administer the worship of God. The Sea is become blood ] That is, this Religion of theirs is convinced and discovered to be such as holds forth a dead Christ, and dead ordinances to any spiritual life. And everything living in that Sea died, that is, every soul that had no other life, but what was bred and fed in that Religon; & had no other Christian life but what he sucked and derived from that Religion, they all perished everlastingly. The Angel who poured out this vial was those worthy servants of Christ which have written either against the Trent-council or Bellarmine, that have convinced their doctrine and worship to be all polluted, and to be such, that if a man know, and practice, and believe no better, he cannot be saved.

4, 5, 6, 7. Verses. These Rivers and fountains of water are generally conceived to be the Priests and Ministers of the Popish Church, who carry popish Religion up and down the Nations, as Fountaines and Rivers do the Sea up and down the earth. It became blood as the Sea before, and carried but corrupt water which they received from the Sea. 2 Pet. 2.17. Blood ] Not only in regard▪ that their waters themselves are blood, the doctrine and worship which they do hold forth to the people are corrupt as their Sea is (like the plague in Egypt, when their Waters and Rivers were turned to blood) but chiefly in regard of the punishment which they inflict on them, for so doing, which is a bloody death. To give a man blood to drink is to kill him, as Tomyris of old said to King Cyrus. Thou hast been a blood-thirsty man, drink thou blood which thou hast thirsted. This Angel made the Priests to undergo a bloody death, to drink blood, and also made all that received and entertained them to drink blood too▪ and this was effectually accomplisht by Q. Elizabeth (saith Mr Cotton ) when in the 27. year of her reign, by the consent of the Parliament she made it a law, that if any Priest or Jesuit which had received orders from the Sea of Rome, or any authority from the Sea, should come into the Realm, and go about or practice to seduce any of the Queens loyal subjects from their allegiance to the obedience of the Sea of Rome; or practice to draw them to that Religion, he should be judged of high Treason, and suffer as in case of a Traytour.

Vers. 5. And I heard the Angel of the waters ] This Angel of the waters was he or she that poured out this vial on these waters. He attributes not only righteousness to God in this, but immutability and constancy, which art, and wast, and shalt be always ] Levite. 24.19.20, 21. Gen. 9.4, 5, 6.

Vers. 7. And I heard another out of the Altar say ] That is, another Angel, a Minister and Messenger of God's justice. This phrase out of the Altar, in this book doth usually hold forth some under persecution, either going in or new come out of persecution, so it is expressed, Rev. 6.9. The Altar is Christ, and Christ suffering; and those under the Altar are they that suffered with Christ for the word of God, speaking of the primitive Christians in their first persecution. Here he saith not, they were under martyrdom, but they were come out from under the Altar, that holds forth (saith Mr Cotton ) those Christians in the Low-Countries, who of a long time had been under persecution by Duke D' Alva, and other Spanish Princes. Duke D' Alva boasted of it, that he had put 36000. Hugonets and Protestants to death, for the testimony of Jesus, but they were rescued by the faithfulness of God, giving and blessing the courage of Queen Elizabeth, and now they are got from under the Altar.

Vers. 8. And the fourth Angel poured out his vial upon the Sun ] That is, the house of Austria say some; the highest authority that holds on Rome, say others.

Vers. 9. And they repented not to give him glory ] See v. 11. Babylon must needs be destroyed, because she shall never repent.

Vers. 10. And the fifth Angel poured out his vial upon the fear of the beast ] The seat of the Beast is generally taken for the City of Rome, and it is confirmed from the like speech, Rev. 13.2. and therefore they gather from hence the ruin of Rome; rather the Popes singular sole authority, and monarchiall frame of Church-government, whereby he sitteth chief, and only Judge in ecclesiastical causes, in his own jurisdiction.

And his kingdom was full of darkness ] A Kingdom is a government wherein one doth reign.

Vers. 12. And the sixth Angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates, and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the Kings of the east might be prepared ] The Christian Kings shall so far fall off from Rome, as that they shall dry up all her revenues, when they shall see and abhor the vanity of their Images and Temples, and monasteries, and the unprofitableness of their expenses, when they shall see the wickedness of their bloody inquisitions, the unnaturallnesse of all those murders of God's blessed servants, and their witcheries and sorceries; the horrible fornications and whoredoms of their Stews, then is the fountain of the Turkish maintenance cut off also, and a ready way made indeed for the Kings of the earth, that is the Jews, Exod. 19.6. Dan. 7.27.

Vers. 13. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the Dragon, and out of the mouth of the false Prophet ] False Prophets which pretended to speak by the Spirit of God, 1 John 4.1. They are spirits for nimbleness and activity, for impetuousness and strength, for close and cleanly conveyance; And Spirits of Devils, v. 14. That is, of a devilish nature, The Greek word shows their knowledge and learning, they are learned spirits, and yet Devils for their deceit and mischief. The Dragon is Satan acting Rome, the beast Rome Antichristian, the false Prophet the Pope.

Vers. 14. Working miracles ] 2 Thes. 2.9.

Which go forth unto the Kings of the earth ] That is, the earthly Religion.

The whole world ] That is, both Popish and pagane Princes.

To gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty ] That is not the last judgment (as some have thought) there will be no warning then, but every day of great execution is called a great day of God Almighty. See 19. ch. 17.

Vers. 15. Behold I come as a Thief ] Not in injustice or robbery, but suddenly, secretly and unexpectedly, yea and also violently and terribly as a Thief. See 3.3. Matth. 24.43. Luke 12.39. 1 Thes. 5.2.

Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments ] That is, He enjoys his own blessedness, and increaseth and establisheth it. Some understand the keeping of his garments of the imputed righteousness of Christ, so it is to hold fast fiduciam remission is ; Others interpret it of inherent righteousness, Rev. 19.8. Others of the glory of our profession, garments being given to cover our nakedness, Rev. 3.4. That walk unspotted.

Least he walk naked and they see his shame ] He shall by this means prevent the discovery of his own shame and nakedness.

Ver. 16. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue, Armageddon ] That is, they went forth to persuade them, and did prevail mightily with them. Armageddon signifieth the hill of Megiddon, for Mageddon & Megiddon are but different writings holding forth the same thing. Not that this battle shall be fought there, but it is so called because of the near resemblance of the battle fought in this field, unto those battles which were fought in Megiddon in old time. For it is usual in the Prophets of the New-Testament to allude unto things spoken of in the old. Here is an allusion to three notable battles fought in Megiddon, Judge. 5.19. 2 Kings 23.29. 1 Sam. 31.28. It is spoken of in the Hebrew tongue, because this shall befall the Hebrew people. The sum is, that these Spirits went forth to gather those Popish and Heathen Princes together, into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon, where the battle shall have the like success that it had of old, unto the destruction of God's three enemies, the utter ruin of Antichrist, as of Saul, the settling of the kingdom of Christ upon David, unto the conversion of the Jews, who shall upon this occasion mourn bitterly over him, whom they have pierced. It is a mourning of compunction, whereby they (seeing in this battle that Christ is indeed the true Messias) shall mourn that they have been so long estranged from him.

Ve. 17. The air ] That is, the kingdom of Satan, Ephes. 2.2. See Brightman. Rather thus, the Lord will send forth such a bright and clear knowledge of his Christ and Church, and Saints, and holy things, which will prevail so far as to dispel all the mists of darkness in all the world.

It is done ] The mystery of iniquity is abolished, and the mystery of God is fulfilled.

Vers. 18. And there were voices, and thunders and lightnings ] The Lord will so terribly affright and amaze the Sons of men with the power of his holy word and will, as that it shall suddenly break forth all the world over.

And there was a great earthquake ] This imports agitations and changes, not terror only, it will shake out popery, and when by it the Popish air is smitten, the Lord also will shake all the world by it, and the time doth hasten.

Vers. 19. And the great City ] That is, Rome. See 17.18. & 18.20.

Was divided into three parts ] It will be divided into three factions, some will stick fast unto Popery; and others of the people of God that before durst not openly profess Religion, will now renounce Popery; the third part may be a neutral between both the other.

And the Cities of the Nations fell ] The Cities of the nations were they who did subject themselves to the popish government.

To give unto thee the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath ] Cup is a part or portion, Psal. 11.6. and 16.5. By a metaphor taken from Masters of feasts, who were wont to measure out to everyone as much as he should drink. God's judgments are inflicted upon men in a just measure, and wine because they are pleasing to God, as men's sins to them.

Vers. 20. And every Island fled away, and the mountains were not found ] He speaketh of the Mountains and Islands of the Antichristian state. The Mountains are the places where they went a whoring after their God's in old time, Ier. 3.6. Islands places consecrated by Popish devotions, as Church-yards and the like.

Vers. 21. And there fell upon men a great hail ] It is an allusion to the hail storm in Egypt, whereof the effect was, that they sinned and hardened their hearts ye more. This kind of hail-storm is such a plague of God upon men, as shall destroy all their lying refuges, and discover all the counterfeit Religions in the world.

CHAP XVII.

THe ninth and eighteenth verses are the key for the opening of this Prophecy, concerning the beast and the whore.

The Whore in this Chapter is Rome, the Beast the Roman State, the last head of the Roman State Antichrist.

The name of the Beast is taken in this Chapter two ways, either for the whole body of the Beast, as v. 3. where the woman is said to sit on the Beast, in which sense the Beast is the same with many waters, v. 1. viz. people, nations, languages, subject to the Roman Empire, or for the head which is Antichrist. See. 11, 12, 13, 17. verses.

Vers. 3. And I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast ] First it is to be observed that St John here and 13.1. according to the example of the Prophet Daniel, Dan. 7.3. doth by the term of a beast import some earthly kingdom, state and government, therefore named a beast to signify the same to be led wholly with beastly and carnal affection to these things that concern the flesh and savor of the flesh.

2. By a woman, a harlot, he noteth a City, which is the place and palace of such a state given to fornications, both spiritual by idolatry, and corporal by wantonness, which sitteth and hath advancement by the preeminence of that kingdom, state and government; thus the Angel plainly distinguisheth the woman and the beast, v. 7. Though sometimes they are used indifferently for the same, v. 1. Compared with 15. and 18. but there was no City that reigned over the Kings of the Earth, and over those many nations and people, but only the City of Rome; therefore she is here meant, v. 9. further confirms it. The City of Rome is famous for seven hills. Septimontium nominatur ab his septem montibus in quibus vrbs sita est. Varro de lingua Latina l. 5.

Ver. 4. Having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations ] Pareus saith by this golden cup the golden titles of the Pope are meant, in which he hath hitherto drunk the wine of his fornication to the world, as Papa, Pater Patrum, Pater sanctissimus, Sanctitas, Christi vicarius, Petri successor, &c.

Full of abominations, and filthiness of her fornication ] Gold without, but poison within. He understands the wicked blasphemous Doctrines, and filthy sins, with which the Whore of Rome hath made drunk the Christian world.

Vers. 5. And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery ] One saith, he saw a mystery engraven in the Popes Miter or Crown. It is called mystery, because Rome was raised in a mystery, that is, she got up to her height insensibly and cunningly.

Babylon the great ] Not long after the time of the foundation of the Church of Rome did Saint John write this Book of the Revelation, wherein he revealeth that the City of Rome is Babylon, according to the general consent of their own Jesuits and Divines.

Babylon Apocalyptica est Romana. Bellarmine, l. 3. de Pont. c. 12. & lib. 2. c. 2. Ribera & Vega in Apoc. 14. And not only Rome as it was Ethnicall in the days of the heathenish Emperors, but Rome Papal; see Rhemists on Apoc. 17.5. because say Ribera, and Viega, the Spirit warneth all that were in her to depart, 18.4. but there were then no faithful in the heathenish Rome, and they are commanded to come out of her for fear of being consumed with fire.

Rome is termed Babylon in many resemblances, and one egg is not liker another. 1. Babel was the great City that must rule over all Nations, Gen. 10.10. and Rome is the great City that must rule over all Cities and Churches. 2. At Babel was the first confusion of Tongues, Gen. 11.7. In and from Rome is the first confusion of Tongues, and of errors, one not understanding another in the Word or Sacraments, or other their Services. 3. At Babel was horrible superstition and wickedness in Priests and People, and thence it spread all abroad. Rome is a sink of superstition and filthiness, and all Nations have drunk of her Cup. 4. Babel held the Church in slavery seventy years; so the Church of Christ hath been oppressed a long time under the tyranny of the Romish Church. 5. Babel robbed and spoiled the Church of her Treasures, and the Temple of God, and horribly polluted it. Rome hath robbed the Church of the Word, Sacraments, the Offices of Christ, and most comfortable doctrine, the chief dowry and revenue that Christ her head gave her. 6. Babel most miserably entreated the Church, Psal. 137.1. so all is full of cruelty in the Roman Church.

Vers. 5. The mother of Harlots, and abominations of the earth ] Because she infecteth all Nations that adhere unto her with her Idolatries and superstitions. See ver. 2.

Vers. 6. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the Saints, and with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus ] Papists say that blood was not shed in Rome but in Jerusalem where the Lord was crucified. Rev. 11.8.

That place in the 11. ch. is not meant of Jerusalem, as Jerome saith, but may well be understood of Rome ; Christ was crucified there, either because the authority whereby he was crucified was from the Roman Empire, or else because Christ in his members was and is there daily crucified, though locally in his own person he was crucified at Jerusalem.

Vers. 8. The beast that thou sawest, was, and is not, and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit ] For the dark and deep school-learning, or profoundnesse of Satan which it teacheth, leaving the plain and easy Doctrine of the Scriptures.

Vers. 9. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth ] The mountains are sufficiently known out of Poets and Histories. Neither could anymore famous mark be brought to describe Rome, saith Grotius.

The City mounted on seven hills, overruling the whole world ] The names of these hills are commonly known, and usually named in Roman Authors, viz. Palatinus, Capitolinus, Quirinalis, Caelius, Esquilinus, Viminalis, Aventinus.

Vers. 10. And there are seven Kings ] Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespatian, Titus. So Grotius. Others interpret it of seven several Regiments, or Heads of Government, to which the State of Rome was successively subject, that is to Kings, (which also were seven) Consuls, Decemvirs, Tribunes, Dictators, Emperors, and Popes; of these five ceased before Johns time, the sixth which was of Emperors was now, the seventh which was of Popes, was not yet.

Vers. 11. The eighth head, which is also one of the seven, is the Empire renewed by the Pope, and is said to be the Beast, which was and is not though it be, whereon the Whore of Babylon sitteth.

Vers. 12. With the beast ] or after the beast, as others read it, that is, Antichrist.

Vers. 13. And shall give thei • power and strength unto the beast ] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Their natural power the power of arms, and their civil power, the power of authority.

Vers. 14. And the Lamb shall overcome them ] Not by destruction but conversion, he will make use of them after to overthrow Antichrist.

Vers. 15. The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are people's, and multitudes, and nations ] That very universality which the Romans are wont so much to brag of.

Vers. 16. The ten Kings or Kingdoms of Europe, some reckon up to be these, England, Scotland, Germany, France, Spain, Denmark, Sweveland, Poland, Russia, Hungary, that took part with Rome, and shall pull her down. They are compared to horns, because they were the strength and defense of the Roman Empire and Papacy.

Vers. 17. And give their kingdom unto the Beast ] That is, all the strength and warlike force, and the authority and Laws.

Vers. 8. That great City, which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth ] Rome was only that famous City, called therefore Vrbs by an excellency, and here with great Emphasis, that great City. Rome papal, that monarchy was then the only monarchy in the world.

By this title of great City thoughout the Apocalypse is meant Babylon or Rome, as appeareeth by conference of these places, Apoc. 14.8. and 16.19. and 18.10.16.18.19.21. but especially by this place here.

CHAP. XVIII.

Vers. 1. ANother angel ] One of the heavenly host and all other instruments acted by him.

Vers. 2. Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen ] That is, Rome, and new Rome. See 14.8. and 17.5. See 18. ver. of this ch. Babylon called for its sorcery; the great ] 1. From the greatness of their glory. 2. From the extent of their power and dominion.

Is fallen, is fallen ] The Lord speaks of it in praeterito, is fallen, after the manner of the Hebrews who put praeteritum pro futuro when they would show the certainty of a thing. Ezek. 7.4.5. & cum reduplicatione, is fallen, is fallen. Such repetition used in Scripture for a double end, to set forth, 1. The perfection of a thing done, Isaiah 26.3. Psal. 137.7. it notes an utter destruction. 2. The affection of the speaker. Psal. 22.1. 2 Sam. 18.33. Three things are intended by this speech, the certainty of the destruction of Babylon, and its utter destruction, and the joy and triumph of God's people at it.

Vers. 3. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication ) Therefore shall Babylon fall, because she hath corrupted Religion. And the Kings of the earth have committed fornication with her ] She hath corrupted them, and they are her last refuge, 16.14. Magistracy is a stamp of God's image, therefore he is provoked to have it corrupted.

Vers. 4. Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues ] Some interpret it of local departing, as Lot went out of Sodom, and the Text favors that interpretation.

Come out in affection, in action, and in habitation, both by spiritual and bodily departure: Little Mice (they say) presaging the ruin of a house do fly out before hand.

Vers. 5. For her sins have reached unto heaven ] The words in the original are, her sins have followed, that is, her sins following one upon, and after another, knit together in a continued order, have by this means grown to such a heap, that they came up even unto heaven at length.

Vers. 6. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works ] God doth not command here that Babylon should be twice punished for the same sin, that were not according to the rules of divine justice. Double here hath reference to Babylon's dealings with the Church; She did greatly afflict Zion, and now God would have Babylon to have double affliction to that; Babylon did unjustly in oppressing Zion, Zion should do righteously in destroying Babylon.

Vers. 8. She shall be utterly burnt with fire ] See 17.16. Harlots by the Law of God were to be burnt with fire, Gen. 38.24. but Babylon, 17.1, 2, 5. is a Harlot. 2. By the law of retaliation, she must be consumed with fire, for she hath adjudged many of God's Saints to the fire.

For strong is the Lord God who judgeth her ] Babylon must needs fall when God himself opposeth her.

Vers. 10. Alas, alas, that great City, Babylon ] 1. Great in splendor and beauty, as set upon seven hills, for which she is famous in all the world. 2. Great in power and authority, the metropolitan of all the earth then.

They have little cause to boast of their Temporal felicity and greatness.

Vers. 11, 12. The Merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her for no man buyeth her merchandise anymore. The merchandise of gold and silver and precious stones, &c. ] This cannot be understood literally, there shall be merchandizing after Rome's destruction, but that kind of merchandizing. Rome trades, 1. In the things of God, his doctrine, worship. 2. In the sins of men. 3. The souls of men. v. 13 Sets to sale the truths & ordinances of God, sins, and souls of men. It is well called noble emporium rerum Spiritualium.

Vers. 14. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after, are departed from thee ] The Greek word signifieth autumn fruit, their second services, suckets, sweet meats and delicate confections.

Vers. 21. And a mighty Angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the Sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great City Babylon be thrown down ] The Angel expresseth it by this sign. 1. To show the difficulty of putting down Babylon. 2. The violence of it. 3. The irrecoverablenesse of it.

Vers. 22. And the voice of harpers and musicians, and of pipers and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee ] See Ier. 25.10. The Jews were wont to have music at their feasts, Isaiah 5.11.24. especially at marriages. See Luke 15.25. & v. 23. of this Chapter.

Vers. 23. For thy Merchants were the great men of the earth ] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Princes of the earth, for their great riches. See 33. Deut. 19.

Vers. 24. And in her ] That is, Babylon, now Rome.

Was found the blood of Prophets ] Namely of the New Testament, they were killed at Jerusalem. Ribera. They were not all killed within the precincts of the City of Rome, but all which for Religions sake were put to death, by her authority or instigation were delivered to death. Rome's cruelty will cause her ruin.

CHAP. XIX.

Vers. 1. IN heaven ] Not the Church, but the innumerable company of glorified ones in heaven say some; others interpret it of the Church, and say praise is given to God in the Church in the Hebrew tongue, because the Jews the Hebrew people, shall acknowledge the Lord Jesus with us.

Vers. 2. For he hath judged the great whore ] That is, Rome, called whore as before, because of her Apostatizing from the truths of God and her former covenant; the great whore, because of her universal poisoning of the earth.

Vers. 4. And the four and twenty Elders ] That is, the Church; and the four beasts ] That is, the Ministers.

Vers. 8. For the fine linen is the righteousness of Saints ] Righteousnesses Greek. This (say some) signifieth a double righteousness given unto us, 1. The righteousness of justification, whereby we are justified before God. 2. The righteousness of sanctification, by which we evidence our justification to men: Others say it is an hebraisme rather, by the plural righteousnesses noting the most absolute righteousness which we have in Christ; so the Hebrew word is used, Isaiah 45.24.

Vers. 9. Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb ] By this marriage-supper is meant the great general wedding feast in heaven after the resurrection, where the King of glory and the Angels are, where the Lambes wife, v. 7, 8. and all shall meet, at which are all the creatures in their greatest glory.

See thou do it not ] The prohibition is much more emphatical in the original, see not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , there is an ellipsis of the word do or worship, saith Alsted.

I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus ] This is the first reason against the worshipping of Angels, We are equal in office, Therefore thou owest not to me religious but social worship. The other reason follows, worship God, because to him alone religious worship is due as belonging to the first Table of the Decalogue.

CHAP. XX.

Vers. 1. AND I saw an Angel come down from heaven ] See the 12. ch. 9. v. Our Lord Jesus Christ. Primasius, Agustine and others. The Angel of the Covenant, Mal. 3 • John 3.13. He descends from heaven by his incarnation. Pareus. He hath the key of the bottomless pit, that is, the power of hell and death, which Christ ascribes to himself, 18.18. and binds Satan which is proper to Christ. Pareus.

And a great chain in his hand ] By which he bound the Devil; the moderne Expositors interpret it the inevitable and binding power of the divine majesty, a long and strong chain to bind a most cruel enemy, 12.13.

Vers. 2. And bound him a thousand years ] That is, he should not stir up the lusts of men, to make war against the Saints of God. See 8, 9. verses. What he was hindered from when he was bound he attempted to do when loose.

And shut him up and set a seal upon him ] That is, upon the door of the bottomless pit, lest he should break out before his time.

Vers. 6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, and shall reign with him a thousand years ] There are two common interpretations. Some understand the first resurrection from the death of sin, and a reigning in heaven a thousand years, they interpret eternity and a further degree of glory for such as are called forth to suffer. Secondly, others understand it literally, that then shall be a corporal resurrection of all the Martyrs to live with Christ a 1000. years. First, it cannot be a reigning with Christ in heaven, because it is something peculiar to those that are beheaded, a resurrection which follows that, they rise from sin before they die, besides the 9. and 10. verses show it cannot be meant of heaven. Secondly, it cannot be understood of the corporal resurrection, the dead in Christ rise first, yet so that all the rest shall be raised in the same moment. Resurrection is used commonly in Scripture to express a high degree of advancement after a low ebb of misery, Ezek. 37. Isaiah 26.19. Those that were beheaded shall live.

Priests of God ] That is, sanctified to offer spiritual service.

Vers. 7. Satan shall be loosed out of his prison ] Because the very acting of the power which he hath, is at the dispose of God.

Verse. 8. Gog and Magog ] There is scarce a darker passage than this about Gog and Magog, for we read them joined together only twice, once in the Old Testament, Ezek. 38. & 39. ch. and in this place. All the School-men almost follow the Gloss and Prosper, who hold that by Gog, an hidden and secret enemy of the Church is meant, by Magog an open enemy, therefore they have no cause to find fault with our writers who apply those things to Antichrist in and Antichrist out of the Church. Pareus interprets Gog and Magog to be those four Angels bound at the great River Euphrates. ch. 9.14.

Gog signifieth Asia minor, having that name from Gyges the King thereof. Magog is Hierapolis the chief seat of Idolatry in Syria, built by the Scythians, and from them hath that name. So that by the land of Magog we are to understand Syria, and by Gog, Asia minor. And for as much as the Princes and people of Syria and Asia minor, were the most grievous enemies of the Jews, by whom they sustained the chiefest calamities after their return before the coming of Christ: therefore by an usual speech in the Jewish language, the mortal enemies of the Church, are called Gog and Magog. And in this sense John the Divine useth these names, Gog and Magog, to signify the enemies of the Church, meaning not the same enemies whereof Ezekiel speaketh, but the like enemies of the Church, which should afflict the true Christians, as Gog and Magog afflicted the Jews.

Vers. 10. And shall be tormented day and night forever and ever ] Ever hath no end, but here is a plurality forever and ever.

Vers. 11. And I saw a great white throne ] A great throne ] Because set for the great, that is, the universal judgment of the whole world; white ] Shining with celestial light and majesty.

The white color in Scripture is used to represent purity and glory, here it signifieth that the Judge shall give most just and uncorrupt judgment, and free from all spot of partiality.

Vers. 12. And the books were opened ] There are two books, 1. Of God's omniscience, in which all our speeches, deeds, thoughts, are registered. Psal. 139.15. Mal. 3.16.

2. Of every man's conscience. Luke 16.9. Rom. 2.15.

And the dead were judged ] The Apostle here speaketh prophetically, and putteth the past time for the future, they were judged, that is, they shall be judged.

Vers. 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire ] That is, the dominion of death found nowhere but in hell.

CHAP. XXI.

Vers. 1. AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth ] The interpretation of this (saith Brightman) may be taken out of Heb. 12.26. Heaven in this part of the Revelation is put for the more pure Church, and the earth for the degenerating Citizens thereof.

Vers. 2. New Jerusalem coming down from God ] St John's new Jerusalem, and Ezekiel's City and Temple, from 40. Chapter to the end (say some) are contemporary, and signify one and the same thing.

Ob. John saith he looked for a temple and saw none. Sol. He means in comparison of the former manifestation they had of God, and those dark ways he had shown himself in, it should be as glorious as heaven it self, longe uberior manifestatio. Bright. No Temple in opposition to the Jewish Temple, but a Gospel-Temple. Mr. Bridge.

Vers. 3. Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them ] A Tabernacle is moveable, therefore (say some) this is not spoken of heaven. 2. Yet this glorious Church of Jews and Gentiles shall have ordinances.

Vers. 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ] The meaning is, he takes from them all sorrow and crying, and pain, as the Spirit explicates himself. Dr Sclater.

The phrase is taken out of Isaiah 25.8. and it is an allusion to the natural affection of Mothers, which are wont to please little children crying, and to wipe away their tears. Pareus. à Lapide.

And there shall be no more death ] Neither the first nor second.

Vers. 8. But the fearful ] Here is a catalogue of the damend crew, and the fearful are in the forefront, that is, those which are so afraid of bodily dangers and miseries, that they count it their best course to save themselves from such evil, by neglecting their duty.

And unbelieving ] Which give not credit to the word of God.

Vers. 18. and 19. The State of this heavenly City is shadowed by precious stones, and gold, to signify as well the durableness as the excellency thereof.

Vers. 22. For the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb are the Temple of it ] This cannot be understood of heaven. See 24. & 26. verses.

Vers. 24. And the Kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it ] To the Church, not when in heaven. Mr. Burrh on Hos.

Vers. 26. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it ] There shall be a more glorious presence of Christ (whether personal or what it will, we determine not) among his people than ever yet was since the beginning of the world.

CHAP. XXII.

Vers. 2. AND yielded her fruit every month ] Were the trees so created at first, that if sin had never entered in (which hath brought into the world thorns, briars, sweat of face, and difficulty of living) they would have flourished always laden with their fruits? This allusion here seems to intimate some such matter, and perhaps Christ would never have cursed the Fig-tree that was void of fruit, when the time of Figs was not come, unless it ought to have borne figs at all times by the first nature thereof. Mark 11.13.

Vers. 4. And they shall see his face ] Not that men shall have a beatifical vision of God here, but such a glorious discovery of the will of God, that it shall be a beatifical vision in comparison of what was before seen.

Vers. 8. I fell down to worship before the feet of the Angel ] See Rev. 19.10.

Vers. 12. To give every man according as his work shall be ] Mark, he saith not to the work, or for the work, but to the worker, according to his works. Perkins.

Vers. 15. And whosoever loveth and maketh a lie ] Some apply it to hypocrisy, others to hankering after the old way of Idolatry.

Vers. 16. The bright and Morning Star ] That is, Christ, it is not unusual to call any eminent person by this name. See Isaiah 14.12.

Vers. 17. And the Spirit and the Bride say, come ] That is (say some) the Spirit in the Bride.

MATTHEW. Chap. 2. verse 1, 2.

T HE Papists affirm three things of the wise men. 1. That they were Kings. 2. That they were three. 3. That their names were Gaspar, Melchior, and Baltasar. But there is no ground in the Scripture for any of these opinions.

Matth. 3.11. Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear ] Or unloose, as Mark 1.7. The Baptist saith, he is not worthy to loose or take away our Savior's shoes, that is, to be his Disciple, for by Maimonie in the Title of learning the Law. ch. 5. we learn, that the Disciples of the Jews Doctors, were to do that service for their Masters. Mr. Thorndikes discourse of the right of the Church in a Christian State. ch. 2.

Matth. 4.3. Since thou seest thyself to be forsaken of God, &c. Perkins there in the Margent should be set higher to the former note, and Calvin to that, though those words are no good sense, for how should he that is forsaken of God, be able to do such a Miracle. Rather thus, if thou hast such near relation to God, now that thou standst in need of bread and hast none at hand, command, &c.

Matth. 5.18. Iota ] The Syriac hath Yod, and so it is likely (saith Menochius ) Christ said, as speaking to the Hebrews, amongst which Yod is the least of the letters: but the Greek interpreter put for it something like that it might be understood of the Grecians

Matth. 6.2. Do not sound a trumpet before thee ] Because those fasts were solemnized in the street with sound of trumpet. Thorndikes discourse of the right of the Church in a Christian State. ch. 4.

Matth. 8.12. Gnashing ] In Greek it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a shaking or chattering of the teeth, such as is in those which are taken with the fit of an ague.

Matth. 9.15. Can the children of the bride-Chamber mourn ] By which he understands the Apostles, and alludes to the custom of their weddings; many were wont on the wedding day to attend on the bridegroom, and bring him home, that the frequency of friends and companions might add to the dignity and cherefullnesse of the Marriage.

Matth. 10.2. Instead of the Etymologies of some of the Names of the twelve Apostles there, take these as more genuine and proper from Caninius his loci Novi Testamenti. Philip Warlike who is delighted with horses. Bartholomew the son of Thalmai. Thomas a twinne 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Greek, as the Evangelist interpets it: James a supplanter, Matthew the gift of God, in Greek Theodorus, that of Bartholomew there being a Greek name, Mark 3.16. (though some hold so) is not proper.

Matth. 11.14. This is Elias which was for to come ] Christ the best interpreter of Scripture, expounds here what is meant by Elijah, Mal. 4.5. viz. John the Baptist, who is called there Elijah, for the great similitude that was between them. They had the same girdle and raiment. Elijah offended Jezebel with his liberty of reproving; and John the Baptist Herodias, both dwelt in the desert, both were inspired by God.

Vers. 25. At that time Jesus answered and said ] Here and in other places of the Gospel it is said, that Jesus answered, where notwithstanding it appeareth not by any circumstance of Scripture, that any had spoke unto him: I take this term not for a bare Hebraism, but indeed for a proposal relative to another. Now many which opened not their mouth in the presence of Jesus Christ; ceased not to speak in the presence of their heart, but their thoughts being known to him, he answered the subject of their thoughts, D' Espaigne of Popular errors, §. 4. c. 3.

Vers. 28. Those words in my Annotations, p. 31. therefore not said take away but rest from the four first should be left out.

Chap. 12. v. 43, 44. The Holy Ghost would teach these particulars. 1. Where ever Christ comes by the Gospel to a people, he finds the Devil dwelling in them. 2. His intention is to cast him out. 3. He is cast out in many. 4. He being thus cast out, the house is swept from many common corruptions, and adorned with many common graces. 5. The Devil will after try, whether they have indeed received Christ by faith. 6. Else the common gifts will rather encourage him. 7. When he returns again, he returns with seven worse Spirits, there will be more hope of a profane person, then one which hath such common works.

Chap. 14. v. 6. But when Herod's birth-day was kept ] The ancients were wont with feasting to celebrate their birth-day, which custom the Hebrews followed. Jerome on this place inveighes sharply against it: Nullum alium invenimus observasse diem natalis sui, nisi Herodem & Pharaonem: ut quorum erat par impietas, esset & una solennitas.

Chap. 16. v. 19. Those words upon that place in the book, this is not Peters key, but the Popes pick lock, should be out.

An expression manifestly borrowed from Isaiah 22.23. Whence our Lord, Apoc. 3.7. is said to have the key of David, that is, of the house of David, whereby the Apostles under our Lord are made Stewards of the Church, as Eliakim of the Court, to admit and exclude whom he pleased. Mr Thorndike.

Chap. 18.7. Let him be unto thee as a heathen and a Publican ] Not as if the Heathens could be excommunicate the Synagogue, who never were of it, or as if the Jews then durst excommunicate Publicans and Gentiles, it was proper for our Lord to signify, how he would have Christians to use the excommunicate, there being no reason why he can be thought by these words to regulate the conversation of the Jews, in that estate, so long as the Law stood, but to give his Church rules to last till the worlds end. Thorndikes discourse of the right of a Church in a Christian State. Chap. 1.

Ve. 20. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them By the rules of the Synagogue, under ten that are of years there is no congregation. Before that number of such as are come to years be present, they go not to prayers. But our Lord intending to free his Church of all rules that might abridge the privileges of it, knowing that occasions might fall out to diminish the number of his people that desired to assemble, assureth them of his presence in the midst of them, where the least number agree in the things which they desire at his hands.

Chap. 21.19. Let no fruit grow on thee hence forward forever ] Let that which is thy fault be thy punishment, thou bearest no fruit at all; whereas the nature of thy kind is ever to have one fruit, one under another, always some though not in a full maturity, since therefore thou bearest no fruit at all, never mayest thou more bear any fruit. Dr Hals Paraphrase.

The reason (say some) why Christ cursed the fig tree though the time of bearing fruit was not come, seems this, that it made a glorious show with leaves, and promised much, yet performed nothing; and so it seems well to set forth the cursed condition of an hypocrite. I rather approve of this Interpretation then that first given in my Annotations, there being some just exceptions against it.

Chap. 23. v. 4. That Exposition in my Annotations, Not Ceremonies, &c. may not seem so proper perhaps, because the Pharisees also thought to be justified by their works, and looked for Christ a temporal King. Beza saith, it is not to be understood of the corruptions of the word which men altogether ought to avoid, but of that external exaction of the Law in which they are for the most part rigorous who are most indulgent to themselves.

Matth. 25.1. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten Virgins, &c. ] Ten Virgins, that is, many; See Gen. 31.41. Virgins ] Having respect to the custom of that time, Virgins carrying Torches brought home the Bridegroom.

Vers. 4. The foolish Virgins had only oil in their Lamps, an outward profession, but not in their Vessells, grace in their hearts.

Vers. 9. Go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves ] This is not a direction, but an exprobration.

Vers. 34. Then shall the King say unto them on the right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world ] Christ perhaps will not use that form of words, but his Sentence will be according to the tenor of them.

1. We have a loving invitation, or calling of them to himself. Come ] They were now at Christ's right hand, come nearer to me; they loved his appearing, and longd for it; Come Lord Jesus, thy Kingdom come; he calls them as a Husband his wife, come into my Chamber, my bosom.

2. The title he gives them, ye blessed of my Father, That is, In relation to what they were in the world, this was their condition then, though themselves sometimes, and others perceived it not; blessed of my Father, not of the world; they began not to be blessed now, but appeared to be so.

3. The assignation of the reward, receive the Kingdom prepared for you, Kingdom is the height of all worldly felicity, therefore glory is so called.

Vers. 37. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered and fed thee? or thirsty and gave thee drink, &c. ] They shall not then make any such question; it is a Parable, and 1. God would have us know that what ever good or bad is done to the Saints, Christ counts as done to him. 2. The Saints at the last day will not look on anything that they have done as worthy of Christ's taking notice of it.

Mat. 27.46. Those words in my Annotations Christ spake partly in the Syrian Language should be left out.

MARKE Chap. 1. Vers. 2.

THose words in my Annotations, because the Testimonies of two Prophets follow, Malachi and Isaiah, should be left out.

Mar. 3.6. And straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him ] The Herodians were Sectaries or Heretics of the Jews which believed Herod the 〈◊〉 to be the Messiah, or the Christ promised by the Prophets, because they saw the Scepter in him to have departed from Judah, according to the Oracle, Gen. 49.10. Herod greedily •• ard these flatterers, and favored them, therefore he killed the Infants in 〈◊〉 , that he might kill Christ, that none might be taken for the Messiah to himself.

Mark. 5.5. And always night and day he was in the memories, and in the Torches ] The Jews had their Sepulchers not in their Cities, but in the fields out of their Cities, like to Chambers which might receive many men. See Isaiah 65.4.

Both their public and private Sepulchers were ordinarily out of the City, Josh. 24.30. we read that it was granted to their Kings, or some of their chief men, and such as had deserved well of the Commonwealth to have their Sepulchers within their Cities, 1 Kings 2.10. and 11.43. This custom they had to bury the dead out of their Cities, left the air corrupted with the stench of their Carkasses should hurt the living, and that their gastly looks might be removed far from them. By the touching also of the Tombs & Carcasses legal uncleanness was contracted, and therefore the Jews thought fit to remove the occasion of this by having their Sepulchers out of the City.

Mark. 5.11. A great heard of Swine feeding ] It is inquired whose Swine these were; Menochius saith it is most probable they were the Gentiles, for Jos • p • us l. 7. 〈◊〉 saith Gadara, is an Ethnic City in Religion. It is not likely (saith he) that the Magistrates of the Jews would suffer those of their own Nation to nourish herds of Swine, since these Creatures were condemned by their Law, and held to be unclean, Levite. 11.7. and it was not lawful to eat them. Neither doth that favor the contrary opinion (saith he) which is spoken of the prodigal Son, Luk. 15.15. that he fed swine, for that is a parabolical, not historical Narration, and if it were historical it would not make for it, for the Prodigal went into a far Country, that is, out of the limits of Judea, where no law forbad them to have Swine, and there kept Swine.

Chap. 9.49. For everyone shall be salted with salt ] viz. With the salt of tribulation, by which the Elect are proved, and with the salt of wisdom, with which they direct their actions and affections according to the rule of God's Law.

Vers. 50. Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another ] By salt is meant (as Chemnitz, and others observe) sincere doctrine and Discipline, whereby the people of God are seasoned, and kept from the putrefaction of sin and error; this salt is so to be sprinkled, as that if it be possible, it may have peace joined with it.

LUKE Chap. 1. ver. 1.

Fully persuaded of, so it should be in my Annotations; so Esrey hath it. But though we say in Latin hoc mihi persuasum est, yet in English, not the thing, but the person is said to be persuaded. See Rom. 14.14.

Chap. 2.4. Whence should be left out in my Annotations, and the words following run thus, Christ was called by the Jews a Galilean and Nazarite because he lived there. Mat. 2. ult.

Chap. 2.8. Shepherds abiding in the field, watching over their flock by night ] That which Soldiers were wont to do in War by reason of Enemies, that Shepherds were wont to do by reason of wild beasts or thieves, watch in their turns. The night was divided according to their military Discipline into four watches, that the Soldiers which could not watch all the night, might watch the fourth part of it, that is three hours, and that some still might be ready to relieve those who were oppressed with labor or sleep. This space of three hours is called a watch, hence the Scripture often speaks of the first, second, third, or fourth watch.

Ch. 3. v. 1. Herod being Tetrarch of Galilee ] The word Tetrarch is a Greek Word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 He is properly so called who possesseth the fourth part of a Kingdom or other dominion, as Herod possessed the fourth part of the jewish kingdom, although it is sometimes simply taken, and Tetrarcha is the same with Toparcha, He that is Lord of some place or part of a Country; whether it be the fourth part, or a greater or lesser.

Chap. 7. v. 22. To the poor the Gospel is preached ] Some think that version is proper (though I have something the other way in my Annotations) because here is shown God's goodness in sending his Gospel the glad-tidings of salvation even to the poor, Heb. 4.2. the words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 are rightly rendered to us is the Gospel preached.

Chap. 10. v. 31. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way ] Some say one may use the word fortune and chance and urge this place, and that Eccles. 9.11. for it, but Dr Taylor is against it, whom I should therefore in my book have set at the end of my note on this place, and not in the margent Agustine in his retractations repented that he had so often used that wicked and execrable word fortune. Cum extremis duobus significandis adhibeantur fatum & fortuna: sicut rem detestantur toto animo Catholici; sic à vocabulis libenter abstinent. Chamier us. I dare not say (saith Mr Wheatly ) it is a sin for one to say by good chance such a thing fell out, but unless when we name Chance, our intention be to denote God's secret providence, and we do see and observe his hand in that thing which we say chanced, then I doubt not but that we are guilty of finise.

Chap. 12. v. 35. Let your loins be girded about ] viz. That you may readily serve your Master, returning home, see v. 37. Christ did so, John 13▪ 4 Servants waited at Tables girt; that they might be more fit for service, left their long garments which they used should hinder their service.

Chap. 23. v. 40. Instead of those words in my Annotations, it makes not for late penitents, read thus, this example is too much abused by those that put off their repentance, though true repentance be never too late. There is one example least any should despair, and but one, left any should presume.

Chap. 17. v. 10. When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do ] This doth not assert a possibility of complete fulfilling the law (as some Popish expositors abuse the text) but Christ speaks it by way of concession Unprofitable, not in that sense that he is spoken of Matth. 25.30. these here do not hide their talents, but two ways, 1. Because if they had done all this they could not have obliged God, nor merited, because they should have done but their duty, we cannot make him a debtor by performing our duty. 2. You have not profited so much as you might have done.

JOHN Chap. 1. Verse 1.

MY Annotations on that should run thus, not only because he is the internal word, and after those words the word was with God, there God is taken personally.

Chap. 3. v. 29. Those words in my Annotations there, for so by an Hebrew phrase, &c. should be left out.

Chap. 4. v. 46. A certain noble man ] A certain Kingly man, Regius quidam. Calv. Beza. Vir Regius. Arabs. either of a Kingly stock, or one of Herod's courtiers and officers.

ACTS. Chap. 2. Verse 3.

AND there appeared, unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them ] The Holy Ghost sat upon the Apostles in the form of a tongue, because he made the Apostles here preachers of the Gospel; the tongue is the instrument of preaching, by tongues therefore they received the gifts of tongues.

By fiery tongues the efficacy of the Apostles preaching is signified.

Vers. 44. And all that believed were together, and had all things common ] Of the meaning of the first words were together, see Beza, Mr Lightfoote in loc. Calvin interprets it not of dwelling together in one place, but of being of one heart.

For the latter words, the Papists say this community is a kind of perfection, and thence lay a foundation for their Monasteries and Nunneries, the Libertines also in Germany and others abuse this place.

1. The property of things was distinct, though they had all things common in the use; they sold their lands, therefore they had a right to alienate them; they themselves gave to the necessities of the poor.

2. There was no obligatory precept to bind professors to this. 5. Acts v. 4.

3. There was no ordinance of the Apostles whereby men were bound to this community, many precepts rather contradict it. See 1 Cor. 16.2. 1 Tim. 5.8.

4. If men had not a propriety in their goods, then stealing would be no sin under the Gospel. Ephes. 7.28.

Chap. 3. v. 21. Whom the heaven must receive ] It is doubtful (saith Cajetan ) whether he means that Christ shall receive Heaven as a King his Kingdom, or heaven shall receive Christ, as a place receives the thing placed, both senses are true and agree to this place, but the latter is the more genume; the Syriac renders the words thus, quem oportet Caelo Capi.

Chap. 4. v. 13. Ignorant men ] Idiots, so the Greek, and so Calvin. Beza, and the Vulgar render it.

The Apostles are so called, 1. In respect of their state and kind of life, they were private men, not set in any public office. 2. By reason of their doctrine, illiterate men. 3. By reason of their dignity and esteem, plebeians and of no account. 4. By reason of their popular dialect; but that they were not idiots in knowledge, Peter and John show v. 19. and 27.28.

Chap. 6.15. Saw his face as it had been the face of an Angel ] The face of an Angel signifies some excellent and heavenly thing in his countenance, viz. an Angelical shape and majesty. God bestowed a new and wonderful splendor on Steven, and as it were the beams of a glorious body, such as he gave to Moses Exod. 34.1.

Chap. 7.14. The wives of Jacob's Sons which came down with him into Egypt were but nine &c. those words I have in my Annotations out of Langus, but he had eleven brethren, and they all had wives for ought appears in Scripture.

Vers. 16. Ibid. Those words the Father of Shechem, &c. to James are misplaced, they should follow the last words of that 16. v. Emor the father of Shechem, and therefore be set in the margent against the question and answer.

Chap. 9. v. 31. Then had the Churches rest throughout all Judea, and Galilee and Samaria ] Rest in the exercises of the worship of God, had none to vex oppose, or hinder them therein; a double effect follows this, and were edified. Every particular Church and member of the Church did grow and brought forth more fruit. The metaphor of a building agrees well, because the Church is the Temple and house of God. 1 Tim. 3. 15. And all the faithful also are Temples, 1 Cor. 3.16.2. Were multiplied, in number many came into the Church.

Chap. 20. v. 10. And embracing him ] Embrace him on every side.

Chap. 23. v. 26. Unto the most excellent ] Or most mighty, it was the title by which the President was usually called. Menochius in loc.

Chap. 24. v. 16. I exercise myself ] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 id est, me exerceo, laboro, fatigo, q. d. totus sum in hac re.

Chap. 27. v. 34. For there shall not a hair fall from the head of any of you ] This is a proverbial form of speaking, noting by an hyperbole, that they should not be hurt in the least thing, nor lose the basest things, such as are hairs of the head; so far should they be from losing their lives. The proverb is taken not only from the first of Sam. 14.45. 2 Sam. 14.3.11. 1 Kings 1.52. but also from the 21. Chapter of Luke. v. 18.

ROMANES. Chap. 2. Vers. 15.

THeir thoughts the mean while accusing or excusing one another ] He means by turns, conscience excuseth them, when their actions are conformable to the Law, and accuseth them, when not.

Chap. 3.30. It is one God which shall justify the circumcision by faith ] That is, the circumcised Jew, the abstract put for the concrete, so ch. 11. v. 3. the election, that is, the elect. The Hebrews when they would express a thing to the height, put the abstract for the concrete, the quality it self for the person.

Chap. 8. v. 13. Do mortify the deeds of the body ] That is sins, because, the body is the instrument of them for the most part.

Ye shall live ] He speaks to believers, it is meant of a life of comfort and abundant fruitfulness, live to purpose and do much service to God.

Vers. 15. The Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father ] Abba is a Syriac word, and Father Greek, to show, that Jews and Gentiles agree in calling God Father. Abba was then used by Children, and Father is added, as if he had said, Father, Father, both words are used, because when we would please, we repeat the same words, as Matth. 7.22. or words of the same signification, as Jehovah Adonai in the beginning of one of the Psalms.

1 CORINTHIANS. Chap. 4. Vers. 3.

BVt with me it is a very small thing ] The smallest 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pro minimo est. Beza. Vulg.

Chap. 6. v. 9. Nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind ] The first are properly those, which are called Catamites, qui turpia patiuntur, those men which suffer filthiness to be acted upon them. The latter are those, qui eadem turpia peragunt, which act that filthiness on others.

Chap. 11. v. 4. Every man praying or prophesying having his head covered, dishonoreth his head ] The Apostle would have Christians to be far from the rites of Gentiles, their custom was to pray with their heads covered.

2 CORINTHIANS. Chap. 4. Vers. 4.

THe God of this world ] That, is the Devil, he is not the Creator, upholder or possessor of the world, but the God thereof. 1. By unjust usurpation. 2. By busy operation, acting in every man of the world. 3. By a voluntary subjection, men yield themselves to him to be his slaves. 4. Because of that great universal dominion he hath over the world. He no sooner tempts, but we are ready to close with him.

Chap. 5. v. 5. Who also hath given us the earnest of his spirit ] Also this is cumulative and additional to what went before, given, that notes the freeness of the gift, he speaks of it as already given. The earnest of the spirit, that is (saith Menochius ) the Spirit which is a pledge and earnest of future glory, not only so, but because it is the spirits office to give assurance to the soul.

This gift of God, or work of the spirit is called an earnest in three respects. 1. An earnest is for confirmation of a promise or agreement, so here of God's faithfulness. 2. An earnest is somewhat of the same kind of that which is to be paid afterward, and therein differs from a paune or pledge, which may be of another kind, so this gift is somewhat of that which we shall receive fully in heaven. 3. An earnest is but little of that which is to be paid.

Chap. 11. v. 24. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one ] The Jews gave 39. stripes only either to signify their clemency in punishing less then the Law permitted, or to show themselves religious and studious of observing the Law, warily taking heed that they exposed not themselves to danger, by violating it, if they fulfilled the number of forty.

EPHESIANS. Chap. 6. Vers. 17.

THe helmet of salvation ] In Greek it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the helmet of a Savior, that is, take our Savior for a helmet, viz. that being armed with his faith, doctrine, and instructions of life, you may not fear the fiery darts of the most wicked one.

PHILIPPIANS. Chap. 2. Vers. 17.

AND if I be offered up ] The Greek is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , which signifies to be poured out as a drink-offering, viz. his blood, for there were two parts of the sacrifices, viz. the sacrifice which was slain, and the drink-offering as wine or oil, which was poured upon it. The Apostle alludes to this rite of the sacrifices.

2 THESSALONIANS. Chap. 2. Vers. 8.

WHom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming ] There is a difference between those two words, consume, and destroy, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and they are here in a special manner, distinguished. Illud est tractim imminuere, hoc funditus tollere. Fire consumes Wood, and the candle by feeding on it by little and little, water being poured on fire destroys it. Cocceus de Antichristo.

1 TIMOTHY. Chap. 3. Vers. 6.

HE fall into the condemnation of the Devil ] Not that whereby the Devil condemns, but whereby he is condemned, as the destruction of the ungodly.

2 TIMOTHY. Chap. 1. Vers. 7.

THe Spirit of love and of a sound mind ] Because it fills the soul with a sense of God's love, and so heals the conscience.

TITUS. Chap. 1. Vers. 6.

THe husband of one wife ] The Apostle doth not command that a Bishop should necessarily have a wife, but that he have not two wives. Neither is here forbidden (as Justellus hath rightly observed) Digamia aut polygamia successiva, as the popish Interpreters say, sed simultanea.

HEBREWS. Chap. 2. Vers. 7.

THou madest him a little lower then the Angels ] In Greek it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which may be referred to the thing, as if he should say, paululum quid, a little deal, and to the time, so it shall be the same with paulisper, a little while. If it be referred to the time, he saith, that Christ for a short space of time was less then the Angels, viz. so long as he had his mortal body. But if it be referred to the thing, that is the dignity, the meaning is, in this thing only he was less then the Angels, that he could suffer and die.

Chap. 3.11. So I sware in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest. ] The decrees of God respect men's everlasting estate, his oath, his dealing and treating with men, that is, his Spirit shall no more strive with men.

Chap. 7. v. 26. Holy, harmless, undefiled ; separate from sinners ] Here are four emphatical words. 1. Holy, either generally compriseth all goodness, or set apart of God. 2. Harmelesse, This hath relation to his outward carriage, Christ never did wrong to God or man, was free from actual sin. 3. Vndefiled, this goes to the inward parts, he was free from corruption of nature, holy in his conception. 4. Separate from sinners. All sorts of men are guilty of Adams sin, but Christ was not, though he came from Adam, yet he came not by Adam.

Chap. 9. v. 14. Purge your Conscience from dead works to serve the living God ] Sinful works are called dead works, not only because they merit death, but because they come from a dead nature, to serve the living God, that is, we must serve God with liveliness, the Attributes of God are suited to the matters in hand.

Chap. 11 v. 6. For he that cometh to God ] Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . He that is coming, that hath put himself on the way. See John 6.37.

JAMES Chap. 2. Vers. 3.

AAnd if ye have respect to him ] The Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 properly signifies (saith Menochius) Cum affectu quodam benign aspicere. To behold favorably with affection.

1 PET. Chap. 5. verse 8.

BEcause your adversary the Devil ] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is he, qui in causa & lite nobis adversatur, so Menochius, and others. He that opposeth us in a suit, such a one is Satan, who strives with us about the salvation of our souls.

Walketh about ] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 circumambulat, scilicet assidue, & continuo. The Devil is that great Peripateticke. Job 1.7.

Chap. 5. v. 10. The God of all grace make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. ] The Apostle heaps up many words to show, that God preserves all graces, if it be weak, he protects it, he stablisheth it against opposition, gives new supplies of the spirit, and so excites and strengthens it, and keeps from wavering, settles us.

2 PET. Chap. 1. verse 21.

AS they were moved by the Holy Ghost ] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , carried in the arms of the Holy Ghost.

Chap. 2. v. 7. Vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked ] The Greek runs thus, oppressed under the conversation of the ungodly in wantonness. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

Verse 14. An heart exercised with covetous practices ] Greek, exercised in covetousness, not only with the practices, but principles.

Chap. 3. v. 12. The Elements shall melt ] Like metal in a furnace, so the Greek word signifies.

1 JOHN. Chap. 2. verse 20.

BVt ye have a unction from the holy one, and ye know all things ] By this unction He means the gifts and graces of the Spirit, the holy one, that is Christ. It is an allusion to the precious ointment in the Old Law, that was poured first on the head of the High Priest and so ran down.

Chap. 3. v. 20. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater then our heart, and knoweth all things. ] That is our conscience, David's heart smote him, condemn notes a decisive and final judgment concerning our State. God is greater two ways. 1 in point of judging, God is the Supreme, the heart the Deputy-Judge. 2 In witnessing, he knows all things, therefore our own hearts, Heb. 3.8. We are blind, God's witness is more impartial and severe.

Verse 21. Beloved, if our hearts condemn us not ] That is, reproach us not for the evil of our States, then have we confidence towards God ] That is, we may have a holy liberty and confidence to approach into God's presence.

Chap. 5. verse. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one ] Three witnesses to the Godhead of Christ, the Father by audible voice in Christ's Baptism and transfiguration. Mat. 3.17. and 17.5. Christ bears witness of himself by his Doctrine and Miracles, Rom. 1.3. The Spirit by descending on Christ Mat. 3.11. and on the Apostles, Act. 2.3. So Menochius. In heaven, that is, they gave witness in a glorious manner, John 5.31. and these three are one, in essence, as the other three in testimony.

Verse 8. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood, and these three agree in one ] Water and blood, holiness and satisfaction. He alludes to the ablution and oblation of the Old Law, and to the water and blood that came out of Christ's side, John 19.34.35. And these three agree in one ; that is, to prove that we believe in Christ, and that he in whom we believe is the son of God.

REVELATION. Chap. 1. verse. 1.

THe Revelation of Jesus Christ ] That is, received by Jesus Christ. When God in old time revealed his will to his Church two ways, viz. by vision or Dreams, Numb. 12.6. Job 7.14. the former manner, viz. vision is noted by the common name of Revelation. For all the things that follow in this book were revealed to John waking by visions, but not sleeping by dreams.

There are two parts of this book of the Revelation; first, a description of the present state of the Church, as it was then in the three first chapters. 2. a prophesy of the future State of the Church even to the end of the world, from the fourth chapter to the end of that book.

Which must shortly come to pass ] That is, which shall soon begin to be done, although they shall not soon end.

By his Angel unto his servant John ] Therefore the whole Trinity revealed this revelation to Christ according to his manhood, Christ to the Angel, the Angel to John, John to the Church.

Verse 13. And in the midst of the seven Candlesticks ] That is, of the Church, it signifies that Christ is always present in the midst of the whole Catholic and every particular Church as he promised, Mat. 18.20. and 28.20.

Clothed with a garment down to the foot ] As were the Priests under the Law, Exod. 28.4. therefore he signifies, that Christ is our Priest.

And girt about the paps with a golden girdle ] As the Priests were girt. Exod. 28.4. The meaning is, that Christ our High Priest stands ready, and is prepared to undergo what remains of the Priestly Office for us, that is to intercede with God for us, and to offer the incense of our prayers continually to the Father. See Revel. 15.6. and Dan. 10.5.

Verse 20. The seven stars are the Angels of the seven Churches ] That is, the Pastors or Bishops of the Churches, for Prophets in the Old Testament were called Angels, Isaiah 44.21. Hag. 1.13. and Priests also, Mal. 2.7. Isaiah 42.19. and in the New Testament, John is called an Angel, Mat. 11.10. and the Apostles of Christ, Luke 9.52.

Chap. 2. v. 9. I know thy poverty ] That is, in the world, outward poverty, because tribulation is joined with it, or if we interpret it of spiritual poverty, that is, thou hast not high thoughts of thyself in spiritual things.

But thou art rich ] in grace and holiness.

Chap. 4. v. 7. And the first beast was like a Lion, &c. ] These are the qualities of the Angels. The first is likened to a Lion, for his courage and power; the second to a Calf, for his servile ministry and unwearied labor; the third to a man, for his prudence; the fourth to an Eagle, for his swiftness in executing his Office. One of these living creatures was not like to a Lion, another to a man, the third to a Calf, the last to an Eagle; but everyone of these four living creatures was endued with those four qualities, and that must be understood of each which is spoken of them all, viz. each of them had great power, diligence, wisdom and speed in executing the commandments of God Almighty.

Chap. 5. v. 6. A Lamb ] Christ John 1.29. who for his courage a little before was called a Lion; here for his sacrificing, meekness and innocence, is called a lamb.

And seven eyes ] These words may be expounded three ways; first, of the Holy Ghost, as the words following seem to intimate: secondly, of the infinite providence of God, as Zach. 3.9. and 4.10. Lastly, of the Angels ministering to Christ, as Zach. 1.10, 11. Psal. 77.7. Heb. 1.6. This last interpretation Mr. Foord likes best.

Chap. 9. v. 11. The Angel of the bottomless pit ] The Devil, because he is condemned thither, reserved there, and seeks to draw men thither.

Verse 14. Loose the four Angels ] That is, the Saracens, Turks, and Tartars, for although these be three, yet they make four Kingdoms. Joannes de Vado.

Chap. 10. v. 2. A little Book ] A little little book 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 libellulum, it is a diminutive of a diminutive.

Chap. 11. v. 1. Measure the Temple of God and the Altar ] The Temple signifies the Holy Catholic Church, 2 Cor. 6.16. Ephes. 2.19, 20, 21.22. 1 Tim. 3.5. Heb. 3.6. The Altar signifies the pure worship of God. 1 Cor. 9.13. and 10, 11. Heb. 7.13.

Verse 2. But the court which is without the Temple, &c. ] It is an allusion (say some) to the manner of the worship of God among the Jews, an atrium Iudaeorum, & Gentium, where the Church of God promiscuously received all, then trodden down.

Chap. 13. v. 16. To receive a mark in their right hand or in their foreheads ] Those that profess, approve and defend the Popish Religion, and the decrees of the Pope, they have received the mark of the Beast in their forehead, those which live according to the Antichristian decrees, and do what the Pope of Rome shall command; have received the mark of the Beast in their hand.

To receive the mark of the Beast, is Legem vel mente sequi, vel lingua profiteri. Cocceus.

Chap. 20. v. 8. Gog and Magog ] Jerome interprets Gog tectum & Magog de tecto, some Expositors therefore mistaking his meaning, interpret this place of the Pope and Turk, because the one is an open enemy, the other a secret one to Christ.

A
• ABba Fa • her 92, 217, 271 In the days of Abiathar the high Priest cleared 79, 80
• Abraham's bosom, why the glory of Heaven so called 127
• Acts an History of 28 years 185
• what therein set forth ib.
• Doubts solved Acts 7. viz.
  • Intreat them ill 400 years 190
  • Threescore and fifteen souls 190
  • Carried over into Shechem 190
• Acts 19.2, 3, 4, 5. cleared against the Anabaptists 199
• Accuser, why the Devil so called 598
• Outward Adorning, how condemned 558
• Satan an Adversary to whom 598
• Affliction cleanses from corruption 554
• The Churches Affliction called Christ's affliction 303
• And after three days rise again, cleared 86
• Agree with thine Adversary &c. expounded 13
• Amen 17
• Anathema Maranatha 255
• Angariation 14
• Angels how they ministered to Christ 9
• Matthew, Mark, and Luke, reconciled concerning the appearing to the women at the Sepulcher 138
• Because of the Angels 1 Cor. 11.10. explained 243
• Angels not to be worshipped, and why 612
• Angels need a mediator 303
• Annas and Caiaphas being high Priests 102
• Why Christ Answered not 74
• Jesus Answered and said 618
• Antichrist, who 569
• Apostles Signification of their names 26.81
• Apostles Sent two and two, why 26, 83, 113
• Apostles their mission twofold 27
• Christians complete Armor 290
• No man hath Ascended into Heaven 144
• Assurance gives an entrance into the Kingdom of glory 563
• Assurance of our calling and election twofold 562
• Means to attain this Assurance 562
• Now is the Ax laid to the root of the Tree 7

B
• BAbes in Christ, who 233
• To Baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire, what 7, 8
• Baptism, what it is a sign of 213
• Christ's passion called Baptism, why 120
• Christ why Baptized 79
• Baptized for the dead what 253
• Baskets, whence the Jews had them in the Wilderness 147
• The reason of their constant carrying these ib.
• Beam in thy brothers eye, what 19
• Fought with Beasts 254
• This day I have Begotten thee 195
• Behold, • he several exceptions thereof 33
• True Believer, who 568
• Bethany, what it signifies 55
• Why at Bethesda Christ cured only one 146
• and why he's bid to take up his bed and walk 147
• Bethlehem, what it signifies 4.100
• Two Bethlehems 100
• And thou Bethlehem &c. art not the least, the words plainly explained, and Micah with Matthew then reconciled 5
• To Bind what 44
• how this power is exercised ib.
• Bound in spirit, what 200
• We were never in bondage 150
• Birthday, solemnization thereof lawful 39
• Blessing applied to God what it signifies 277
• Blessing applied to man what it signifies 277
• Blessings said to be spiritual, why ib.
• Spiritual Blessings the chiefest ib.
• If ye were blind you should have no sin 152
• Blind men, doubts concerning them Mat. 20. resolved 54
• James and John, why named Boanerges 81
• This is my Body 135, 245
• Book a Catalogue or reckoning up 2
• The Books were opened and the dead judged, what books 613
• Where is he that is Born King of the Jews 4, 5
• The Bosom of the Father, what 142
• How Reprobates can be said to be bought by Christ 564
• In the Bowels of Jesus Christ I have you in my heart 292
• Our daily Bread, what 16
• why called ours ib.
• Christ the Bread of life 148
• Bread after consecration 246

C
• CAjetans error 258
• A twofold call 231
• Came together Mat. 1.18. what it signifies 3
• It is easier for a Camel &c. 51, 52, 131
• The Word compared to a Candle 116
• Lead Captivity captive 284
• Arguments against the immoderate cares of this world 17, 18
• Everlasting Chaines 576
• Charity believeth all things 249
• The greatest of these is Charity ib.
• Children, who 568
• Children of wrath what it signifieth 281
• Children must obey their parents, how, why 289
• Christ anointed, the word comprehends his Kingly,
• Priestly, and Prophetical Offices 2
• He is the anointed ib.
• The first-born 4
• And I of Christ, opened 230
• To confess Christ, what 128
• We are Christ's, how 234
• Three Cities of Christ 23
• The Church called the Kingdom of Heaven, why 47
• Two things required of those who would enter into this Kingdom ib.
• True Church compared to a woman, why 596
• Tell it unto the Church 48
• Circumcision and uncircumcision, what 268, 273
• Circumcised debtors to the Law ib.
• Why Paul circumcised Timothy 197
• Inward circumcision in what it consists 304
• To heap coals of fire on ones head, what 225
• The Epistle to the Colossians, when written 301
• The occasion of the writing, with the sum and substance thereof ib.
• Commandment. the sixth interpreted 12
• Three degrees (besides actual murder) of the breach thereof ib.
• The punishment due to each degree ib.
• Commandment 7. interpreted 13
• First and great Commandment, which, why so called 60, 90
• The second, thou shall love thy Neighbor, &c. how like unto it 60
• Why the fifth Commandment Rom. 13.9. omitted 226
• Communion, what 241
• He that believeth not is condemned already 145
• Continence a gift of God 50
• Corban, what 85
• Corinth, where seated, notable for wisdom, infamous for lust 230
• The Epistle to the Corinthians written before that to the Romans ib.
• A covetous man termed an Idolater, why 287
• Take up his Cross 44, 45
• The preaching of the Cross, why so called 230
• To glory in the Cross of Christ, what 275
• A Crown of life what, why so called 581
• A Cubit, what 18
• Cup signifies afflictions 53, 54. why 75
• This Cup is the New testament in my blood 245

D
• WHy the Tribe of Dan Rev. 7. omitted 589
• Darkness over all the earth at Christ's death 138
• Not natural ib.
• What it denoted ib.
• Day divided into four quarters 53
• Daily bread, what 16
• why called ours ib.
• Ill translated supersubstantiall ib.
• The Dead shall hear his voice 147
• Pains of Death Act. 2.24. signify not the torments of Hell 187
• Not lawful for us to put any man to Death 166
• We cannot satisfy for our own debts 49
• Who will render to every man according to his deeds Rom. 2.6. infers not merit of works 208
• Deity of Christ proved 561
• Self- denial, what 44, 45 112
• Depths of Satan, what 582
• Destroy this Temple 144
• Devil called a Dragon, why 596
• The Devil bounded by God 581
• Why Christ suffered not the Devils to speak 79
• Diligence implies both speed and seriousness 562
• The Disciple known to the High-priest, who 165
• No prerequisite disposition in us 68
• Dogs, who 19, 296
• why Seducers so called ib.
• Dove, its nature 27
• Saw the Spirit descending like a Dove 8
• Shaking off the dust, what meant thereby 27, 114 195
• Reciprocall duties of Wives and Husbands 288, 306
• of Children and Parents 289, 707
• of Servants and Masters ib.
• The Spirit of God to dwell in us, what 217

E
• THere will the Eagles be gathered together 128
• To eat Christ's flesh, and drink his blood, what 148
• The Elect may fall into fundamental errors, but not persist in them 65
• Immanuel, God with us 4
• Ephesus 277
• Equivocation, not grounded on Luke 24.28. the place opened 140
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , what it signifies 1
• The Evil one, who, and why the devil so called 14, 36
• Resist not Evil, but &c. opened 14
• Excommunication termed a delivery unto Satan, why 236
• To whom it pertaineth 235
• Eye, Matth. 6.22. &c. taken for the understanding 17
• A single eye, what ib.

F
• FAith, what it signifies 226
• Faith preserveth a man to salvation 554
• One not saved by another's faith 197
• Faith overcomes the world 572
• Faith as a grain of Mustard-seed, what 128
• Faith obtains more then it wishes 132
• It worketh by love 273
• The Faith of the Elect but one 284
• If I had all faith, expounded 248
• The excellency of faith 23
• Four things requisite to justifying faith 42
• All great in the woman of Canaan ib.
• God faithful and just in forgiving sins 567
• Whose Fan is in his hand 8
• Farthing how much 13.28
• To pay the utmost Farthing 13
• Christ fasted 40 days and 40 nights, why 8
• My Father is greater then I 162
• Call no man father 61
• Father, mother, wife, must be hated, how 123
• The Father judgeth no man 147
• Fellowship with God and Christ brings full joy, why 567
• Filled with the Holy ghost 96
• A threefold fullness of the Holy Ghost 189
• Fullness in Christ 142
• The fullness of him that filleth all in all 280
• To finish ones course with joy, what 200
• Tried with fire, what 554
• Maketh fire come down from Heaven 601
• First born, who 4, 100, 302
• Christ the First born, and why so called 4
• Christ the First born of the dead 302
• The First fruits of those that slept 252
• To be in the Flesh, what 217
• Flesh and Spirit what 274
• The Spirit lusteth against the Flesh ib.
• Flesh and blood, what 254
• Pray that your flight be not in the Winter, or on the Sabbath day, why 64
• To follow Christ, what 150
• Christ compared to food, why 148
• Foolishness of preaching 231
• For implies not meritoriousness of works 110
• God only forgiveth sins 169
• How Ministers remit or retain them ib.
• Fornication to be eschewed for six reasons 238
• Fornication forbidden amongst things indifferent Acts 15.29 why 196
• How Christ was forsaken, and what it shows 76
• Who so forsaketh not all cannot be my disciple 123
• Four beasts with wings full of eyes 585
• Four and twenty Elders 584
• Fruits of the Spirit 274
• A Furlong how much 156

G
• GAbriel, what it signifies 96
• Why the Angel says, I am Gabriel ib
• Galatia, where 267.
• Of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate mingled with their Sacrifices 120
• To gather together in one 278
• Where two or three are gathered together &c. 49
• It makes not a general council ib.
• Nor that they cannot err ib.
• Several doubts in Christ's Genealogy according to Matthew cleared, as
• 1. The son of David, the son Abraham; the words explained; why Christ so called, and why David promised before Abraham. 2
• 2. All women in Christ's Genealogy except the blessed Virgin, have a mark of infamy upon them, and why ib.
• 3. Those words Joram begat Ozias explained, and why Ahaziah, Joaz, and Amaziah are pretermitted 2, 3
• 4. The 11 and 12 Verses concerning Jechonias cleared 3
• 5. Why the Genealogy of Christ is drawn to Joseph, and not rather to Mary ib.
• 6. From David until the carrying away into Babylon are 14 Generations ib.
• According to Luke
• Concerning Cainan 13
• Generation of vipers 102
• This Generation shall not pass 66
• The Father of Glory, why 279
• Gnashing of teeth 22
• God only good 88, 131
• The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, why 279
• Gog and Magog 613, 628
• Golgotha, what it signifies 75
• The word translated Gospel what it signifies 1
• The Gospel of the Kingdom, why 10, 79
• Grace for grace 142
• Grace and truth ib.
• Induing with Grace called anointing, why 105
• Grecians Matth 15.22. who 41
• Grass, a threefold acception thereof 55
• He shall be called Great 97
• Greeks and Barbarians 206
• In whom is no guile 143

H
• HAllowed what 15
• Hand of the Lord, what 99
• Hardness of heart threefold 220
• Hateth not Father, Mother, &c. cannot be my disciple 123
• Father, mother, wife, must be hated, how ib.
• Three things in hatred 207
• Christ the head of every man 242
• God the Head of Christ ib.
• Covering the head a sign of subjection 243
• Seven heads what 609
• The eighth head, which is also one of the seven, what 609
• • ad hearers compared to stony ground, why 35
• Two things necessary in Godly hearers 115
• With all the heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind 58, 114
• An Heathen, what 49
• Which art in Heaven, what it signifies 15
• Heavenly things 51
• Heavy laden, what 30
• Herelie, what. There must be Heresies 244
• Herodians, who 80
• Herod's 3. and their acts 4
• Why Elizabeth after conception hid herself 97
• Higher powers 225
• I wis • not that he was the High Priest, expounded 202
• Holy things, what 19
• The God of hope, why 228
• Lively hope, why so called 553
• An horn of salvation 99
• Horns of the beast crowned, why 590
• The white, red, black, pale Horse, what 58
• How threefold 98
• The first, sixth, ninth, eleventh hours 53
• Hungry, who 99
• Never to hunger and thirst, what 145, 147
• An hypocrite described 60
• Hypocrites are as graves 117

I
• IDle words what 33
• An Idol is nothing 241
• Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the Prophet, cleared 73
• Jesus a Savior, why so called 2, 3
• Jesuits compared to Frogs 606
• I knew him not, John 1.31. cleared 142
• In whom I am well pleased 8
• Christ would not meddle with dividing the Inheritance, why 118. marg.
• John, what it signifies, why called the Baptist, and when enterd on his calling 6
• John by Domitian banished to Patmos, where he wrote the Revelation 578
• why he wrote to the Churches of Asia ib.
• why only to those seven ib.
• why to the Angels of those Churches ib.
• when he wrote his Gospel, and wherefore 141
• Joseph being a just man was minded to put her away privately, expounded 3
• One jot or tittle, what 12
• Joys of Heaven, great and many 68
• Judging, what 19
• Judging, twofold ib.
• Judge not that ye be not judged ib.
• The Father judgeth no man 147
• The Saints shall judge the world, how 237
• Judgment day how hastened unto 565
• That day and hour not known of the Son 91
• How we are justified 210
• Julians scoff 11

K
• THe Kingdom of Heaven is at hand 6
• The Gospel of the Kingdom 10, 79
• Children of the Kingdom 22
• Keys of the Kingdom of heaven, what 44
• not given to all ib.
• yet to all the Apostles ib.
• By Kingdom of heaven, is meant the Church 12
• and why 47
• Kingdom of heaven taken diversely 67
• The Disciples dreamt of a temporal Kingdom 185
• No end of Christ's Kingdom, Objection, Answered 97
• Seven Kings who 609
• Ten Kings or Kingdoms, which 610
• why compared to horns ib.
• Knowledge in Angels threefold 282
• Christ Knows not the Day or Hower of Judgment how 91

L
• CHrist the Lamb of God 142
• takes away the sins of the world ib.
• Christ like a Lamb 555
• Law what 20.154
• Christ came not to abrogate the Law 11, 12
• Christ the end of the Law 221
• We are not under the Law 213
• Sin takes occasion from a threefold power in the Law 214
• Love fulfills the Law 226
• Under the Law threefold 272
• Law of the Spirit, of sin, of Death, what 216
• What going to Law forbidden 237
• Leaven of the Pharisees, what 86
• Corrupt Doctrine, why compared to leaven ib.
• Sin compared to Leaven, why 236
• A Legion how many 82.111
• Where the spirit is, there is Liberty 258
• The Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free 270
• In him was Life 142
• Life of God, what 285
• Grace why so called ib.
• Christ to be Lifted up what 158
• A twofold Lifting up ib.
• The Light shined in darkness 142
• God compared to Light 567
• The Gospel compared to Light, why 158
• Christ compared to a Lion, why. Marg. 586
• Little ones, who 48
• Little flock, how 119
• Locusts 6.591
• Gird the Loins of your mind, what 554
• A fourfold girding of the Loins ib.
• The Lord's day, how 580
• Love no cause, but sign of justification 571
• Christ's Love great, why 282
• God's Love unto the world 144
• A twofold Love in God 220
• Love one another, as I have loved you 160
• why styled a new Commandment ib.
• Luke a companion of Paul 95
• when he wrote his Gospel ib.
• savors of secular eloquence ib.
• Lunaticks, who 10.47
• Lying wonders 316

M
• A Malefactor delivered at the Feast, why 137
• Mammon, what 126
• Mans day, what 234
• Mark, Saint Peters Disciple 78
• To receive the mark of the Beast 601.628.
• Marks of the Lord Jesus, what 276
• Christ appeared first to Mary Magdalene, why 94
• Matthew the first of the Evangelists 1
• his Method ib.
• Matthew, and Luke agree, and in what 1
• they differ, and in what ib.
• Christ our Mediator, how 283
• Michael a Created Angel, proved 576
• contended with the Devil about the Body of Moses ib.
• As new Born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby 556
• Ministers duty 200
• Let your Moderation be known to all men 299
• three degrees thereof toward our neighbor ibid.
• Morning Star, why Christ so called 582
• To Morrow, what 18
• Mortify your earthly members, what 35
• Mote, what 19
• To sit in Moses chair, what 60.61
• And he opened his Mouth and taught them, explained 10, 11
• Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes▪ where made 39.147
• The Mystery of God's will, why the Gospel so called 278

N
• PArtakers of the divine Nature, what 562
• That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene, cleared 6
• Thou shalt love thy Neighbor as thyself 114
• Nicodemus cometh to Christ by night 144
• Nicolaitans, their errors 581
• Number of the Beasts name 602

O
• ALL Oaths not forbidden 13
• Old men, 1 John 2.13. who 568
• The Church compared to an Olive -tree, why 222
• Human Ordinances, why so called 556
• must be submitted unto, and why ibid.
• The Holy Ghost compared to Oil, his work in teaching us; to anointing, why 569

P
• GIrt about the Paps with a Golden girdle, what 627
• A Parable what 32.82
• Why Christ speaks so oft in Parables 82
• Parable of the Sower expounded 33
• of the Marriage 57
• of the Prodigal 124
• of the Rich man, and his Steward 125
• of Dives, and Lazarus 127
• of the Pharisee, and the Publican 128
• of the Virgins 67
• Why Christ offered on the Day of the Passover 69
• To possess our • ouls in Patience, what 134
• Christ's Patience 580
• Unto all Patience 302
• To pay the utmost farthing, what 13
• Peace of God, why so called 299
• it passeth all understanding ibid.
• The God of Peace 313
• Christ our Peace 281
• Pearl, what 19
• The Gospel compared to a Pearl, and why 20
• Three Persons of the Trinity set forth, Rev. 1 579
• Which is, which was, which is to come, notes the Father. And from the Spirits, The Holy Ghost. And from I • sus Christ, Who is a faithful witness, intimates his Prophetical Office.
• The first begotten of the Dead, his Priesthood; Prince of the Kings of the earth, his Kingly Office ibid.
• Peter, to whom he wrote his Epistle, viz. To Strangers dispersed 553
• who these were ibid.
• The scope of Peter in his first Epistle 553
• In his second 561
• 1 Pet. 3.19, 20. expounded 559
• It proves not Limbus Patrum, nor Christ's Descent into Hell ibid.
• Peter Mat. 10. First placed why 26
• what Primacy he had ib.
• Peter not the Rock 43
• Tell my Disciples and Peter, &c. Why Peter specially named 94
• Philippi where seated, and why so named 291
• Phylacteries, what 61
• Poor in spirit, who 11
• The woman ought to have Power on her head 243
• Prayer taken for the whole worship of God 221
• Two things requisite in Prayer 89
• Prayers called odors, why 586
• Three parts of Prayer 299
• The Lord's Prayer expounded 15
• Concerning the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer 16
• To Pray always, what Marg. 128.
• Pray without ceasing 312
• Praying in the Holy ghost, denotes four things, Marg. 577
• To Pray with the spirit, and understanding, what 250
• Public Prayer should be in a known tongue ibid.
• J Pray not for the world 164
• The Preaching of the Cross, why 230
• Christ sent me not to Baptize, but to Preach the Gospel ib.
• Foolishness of Preaching 232
• To the Poor the Gospel is Preached, cleared 208
• to what Poor 209
• Why the cleansed Leper must show himself to the Priest 21
• Private interpretation of Scripture how forbidden 563
• Prophesy what 224.243
• Women Prophesying with their heads uncovered 242
• To Prophesy in Christ's name, what 20
• Prophets, what 20
• False Prophets, who 564
• A Prophets reward, what 28
• To receive in the name of a Prophet, what ib.
• A Prophet, yea more than a Prophet how verified of John 29
• Proselytes, who 62
• two sorts thereof ib
• Psalms, Hymns, spiritual Songs 306
• Publicans, who 106.131
• Pure in heart, who 11
• Purgatory rejected 128
• Not proved by 1 Cor. 3.11. 233

Q
• QUench not the spirit 312

R
• RAbbi what it signifies 61.163
• Racha, what 12
• In Rama was a voice heard, &c. explained 5
• Ravens, God's feeding them 119
• Reasonable service, what 223
• To Redeem those under the Law, why 271
• Redemption twofold 286
• Render to all their dues 225
• Repentance, what it is 203
• Reprove the world of sin, of Righteousness, of Judgment 163
• All sorts of persons Reviled Christ 75
• Revelation what it signifieth 578
• Two parts of the Revelation 627
• Thunder joined to all the Revelations, why 578
• All Judgments in the Revelations