APOCALYPSIS. A BRIEF AND LEARNED COMMENTARY UPON THE REVELATION OF SAINT john the Apostle and Evangelist, applied unto the history of the Catholic and Christian Church. Written in Latin by M. FRANCIS JUNIUS Doctor of Divinity, and professor in the University of Heidelberge: And translated into English for the benefit of those that understand not the Latin. DEUT. 29. v. 29. The things that are secret, let them remain unto the Lord our God: but the things that are revealed, are revealed for us and for our children for ever: that we may do all the words of this law. Imprinted at London by Richard Field for Robert Dexter, dwelling in Paul's Church yard at the sign of the brazen serpent. 1592. UNTO THE RIGHT NOBLE parsonage OTHO GRINALDIUS, FRANCISCUS JUNIUS SENDETH GREETING. NAture itself (most noble Grinald) hath taught the husbandmen that are skilful in grafting, & inoculation, to fence the imps engrafted into the stock, with clay, straw, mortar or lome mixed with chaff until the plant have got a just strength, left by any injury of the wether it might receive hurt. The same thing hath God, the author of all wisdom & of every good gift, of his exceeding mercy, towards all mankind, provided continually in the husbandry of his Church. For he hath both infused inwardly into his most excellent plants, that vi●al sap which is necessary unto continuance, or rather unto eternity, as those which are borne again of his mighty word: & also by the covert of the same word, hath fenced those that are planted in Christ against the injuries that outwardly might happen unto them. In this manner was that ancient Church of the jews confirmed of old by the holy servant of God Daniel a most faithful Prophet, against the violence & fraud of tyrants and of false prophets that were to come: And so also this our Church since the first coming of Christ, remaining in expectance of his second and glorious appearance, hath evermore by all his good servants, and especially by this most holy Apostle and Evangelist S. john, the disciple whom Christ loved, been preserved against like, or also greater tempests: strengthened with his own forces, and covered as with certain eaveses lest by this perpetual shower of incommodities, it should rot, or any way drop through. For this Apostle, undoubtedly inspired of God, hath both mightily defended the truth of the doctrine, and person of Christ, and the love of the Church from the venomous teeth and bitings of heretics by his Gospel, thereby adding an accomplishment unto the other holy and divine Gospels: and also hath in this book of Revelation maintained the faith and patience of the saints, from the violent invasions of most cruel enemies, and of most false hypocrites. This divine and wholesome providence, most familiarly laid out unto us in this book, Satan hath not ceased from the beginning to oppugn, that he might pluck the same (if it were possible) out of the minds of the godly and elect. For as he hath striven against the credit and authority of this book very much: so (when the authority thereof was established) he went about by all possible means to corrupt the sense and meaning of the Author. What and how mighty engines, how cunning and dangerous underminings he hath employed to shake and overthrow the authority of this book, many godly & learned men have long since declared. He hath pretended the uncertainty of the Author, the phrase, style, and arguments, and hath abused the labour of some good men to bring this his purpose to pass. What? is the Author uncertain of that book which was committed unto the custody of seven Churches, and those the most noble and renowned of all Asia, and preserved of them most religiously? It is a fable. For shall those Epistles which were written unto the only Church of Rome, of Corinth, and the like, be of certain and constant authority from the testimony of that one Church unto which they were written, and shall the authority of that book be called into question (if God will) which was written unto seven Churches? They that pretend incongruity of speech, verily show themselves to be of rude and rustical judgement: who do not think that our speech, as much as may be, aught to be attempered unto the heavenly laws. They object strangeness of the style, the publication of his own name, & the often repetition of the same things. O worthy thetoricians! who will not have the style to differ in a different matter. They think it agreeth with the modesty of S. john to have concealed his name: as if S. john in this argument did not see it more material, that by diverse times expressing of his name, he should (as Daniel did of old time) commend the credit and authority of the book unto posterity of time to come: then by suppressing his name to provide for this imaginary modesty whereof they speak. Is it not as modestly done of S. john, that he doth in express words profess himself the Author of this book: as when in the last chapter of his Gospel, he doth by circumlocution describe himself? Verily in neither book did he err from modesty: but did in both of them, by addition of his name, confirm the credit and authority of his writing, necessarily & for the public good of the Church. That they think the same thing is often repeated, is partly false, and partly where any such repetition is, necessary: which thing our interpretation shall declare. How necessary this argument was in the Church of God, we declared in the very entrance: and no man will deny, that with clean eyes shall look unto the history of the Christian church. Wherhfore, albeit the authority of this book seemed not so great unto some good and godly men in times past, yet can not their particular judgement overthrow the public credit thereof: but it is necessary that the authority thereof should in the Catholic Church be accounted entire, believed, professed, and preserved. As for the meaning and sense of the Author, what need many words? Here verily if any where else, that saying is true, how many heads, so many opinions. But this evil of ignorance, and dissenting in judgement, is partly borne with us from the darkness and infirmity of our nature: and partly increased or heaped up by singularity of affection: which inconvenience that common adversary of our salvation hath much increased, both by his own practice, and by the endeavour of his ministers and instruments. Therefore the darkness of that ignorance infused into our minds within, and scattered abroad without, hath for the most part afraid good men, otherwise excelling in piety, learning, utterance, art, and authority, from writing any thing in this argument, or at lest from publishing the same. This modesty I commend; but I follow it not. Why so? wilt thou say; I will show in few words what cause moved both others to require it of me, & me to writ of this argument. So shall I (as I hope) both approve mine enterpriseunto good men: & take away the suspicion of immodesty. There were therefore some good persons that required this duty at my hands, for that (I will use their own words) they esteemed me to abound with good means to interpret this prophecy of the new Testament, by reason of my continual reading and diligent exercise in the old Testament. I as privy unto mine own poverty, excused myself, refused the work, and denied it earnestly. But they replied, that this modesty was counterfeited, appealed unto their own judgements of me, and flatly charged me to do it of envy. The importunity of these men forced me much, especially when I considered, that both in conference with my friends, & in scholastical disputations (which I oftentimes held in mine own house) I knew that some things had been uttered by me, and both noted and taken in writing by mine auditors without my privity. Now, I see what happened in old time to the holy fathers, & what now a days also unto some good men. They of modesty withdrew and suppressed their meditations, words, & writings: but by that means they opened a large field unto the impudency and audaciousness of others. For when yet their corpse was scarcely buried, writings, capsodies & comments were published in their names, as if they had been authors of them, which either they never bred, or the other unskilfully gathered, or impudently counterfeited. A most unworthy act, and to be repressed by revenge of the Magistrate. I had rather once be immodest in the judgement of these men, then beget any immodest person, which should attribute unto me his own inventions and dreams. Of this exposition I will say nothing, save that I will acknowledge it to be mine own, and that with mind not to boast myself: but to provide for afterwards, that no man ascribe unto me that which himself hath feigned. I promise' to say the truth wheresoever by the grace of God I am able: and to be brief in all things: jest either I in writing, or good men in reading, should be said to lose their time. If any think otherwise then I do, their liberty of judgement shall for me remain unto them. For I do not, as a judge, give sentence upon the work of others: but as one that would furnish the same feast, bring in my dish amongst them. This little work (most noble Grinald) I thought good to dedicated unto you, for your own sake, for the public, and for myself. For your sake, that you may know and found, that I do with the consent of many good men, unfeignedly rejoice in your behalf, for that godly care wherewith you are wont to examine both the word and judgements of God, of which this book is as a most plentiful treasury. For the public cause, that the same your most holy study, which shortly (as I trust) shall be profitable to this country, to all Germany, and to the church, may by this small light of my dedication be set in the sight of all men, and may be of glory unto God most gracious and mighty, of example unto good men, and of ornament unto yourself. For mine own sake, because I am bound having been honoured of you to honour you again, a man most honourable by your own desert, and an ornament of your country of Germany. Farewell. the 17. of March 1591. AN ADMONITION UNTO THE READER. Lest the shortness of this Commentary (gentle Reader) and thereby perhaps the hardness of the same, might either hinder or discourage thee in the reading thereof, I thought good to admonish thee of these few things. First, the meaning of the Author was not to writ any large or full volume at this time, but briefly, yet exactly, to set down the method and order, & as it were the frame of this Prophecy: and so to distribute the same into divers branches and members, that all confusion avoided, thou mightest distinctly see to what part of the story of the Church, and to what point of time, every thing is to be referred. As for the matters contained herein, he thought it sufficient in few words to note and interpret the same. Notwithstamnding my hope is, thou shalt found so much expressed briefly, as may in good part satisfy thy desire, and give thee occasion to consider further of the particulars themselves, when thou shalt see the sense and meaning of them for thy direction. Many I know have written more largely of this book, whose labours are not to be contemned. Here brevity was sought, that all things, that all things being in a manner at once set before thine eye, thou mightest both more easily comprehend that which is said, and better imprint it in thy memory. If thou shalt here found any thing different from the judgement of others, let it not offend thee: considering that in mysteries of this sort, it hath always been free for men of learning, and excelling in gifts, without either disgrace to those that went before them, or prejudice to them that follow after them, to deliver that which they have received, and to commend the same unto the judgement of the Church. Now that thy labour may be with more ease, and with greater fruit and delight; read not the commentary alone, but with present view and consideration of that part of the text whereunto it doth appertain: for which cause thou shalt find the text and the commentary belonging unto it, always printed upon the same page. As for certain words of Art which could not be avoided, and some other unwonted speech, they shall I trust nothing hinder thy proceeding, because that which is obscure in them at the first sight, will by that which followeth be made lightsome and plain unto thee. It shall also be profitable for thee, when thou art entered into the reading of this little work, not to suffer thyself to be distracted or carried away by weariness or unconstancy, until thou have seen the end of the book: that comparing all things together, thou mayest make account of thy labour and profiting herein: both for the truth of the matter propounded, and for thine use and fruit by the same. Also it shall not repent thee, if not attaining to understand all things at the first reading, thou shalt for the excellency of the matter, which always bringeth some difficulty with it, not refuse to repeat it the second, and if need rquire the third time. The often noting of the particular Chapters and verses is more certainly to direct thee to that, the knowledge or remembrance whereof is necessary unto the present place, for thy further instruction. For the Tables I have contracted them as I thought might be more commodious for thee. Unto this commentary of junius is added the brief notes of Beza and others in a diverse character, and that in the margin of the text, whereunto thou art directed by the letters of the alphabet: as unto the commentary by arithmetical figures. For the translation of the text, I have in a manner wholly used that which is most common and in every man's hand: only for plainness sake and more evidency, I have in some few places, framed the same unto that later edition of the Latin, which as I thought, did more nearly approach unto the original Greek copy. Thus commending thy studies unto the direction of Gods most holy spirit, I bid thee farewell in the Lord jesus. The 5. of February, 1591. The order of time whereunto the contents of this book are to be referred. The year of Christ. THe dragon watcheth the Church of the jews, which was ready to travail: She bringeth forth, flieth, and hideth herself, whilst Christ was yet upon the earth. 1. etc. The dragon persecuteth Christ ascending into heaven, he fighteth and is thrown down: and after persecuteth the Church of the jews. 34. The Church of the jews is received into the wilderness, for three years and an half. 67. When the Church of the jews was overthrown, the dragon invaded the Catholic Church, all this is in the 12. chap. The dragon is bound for 1000 years chap. 20. The dragon raiseth up the beast with seven heads, and the beast with two heads, which make havoc of the Church Catholic and her Prophets for 1260. years after the Passion of Christ. chap. 13. and. 11. 70. The seven Churches are admonished of things present, somewhat before the end of Domitian his reign, and are forewarned of the persecution to come under Trajan for ten years. chap. 2. and. 3. God by word and signs provoketh the world, and sealeth the godly. chap. 6. and. 7. He showeth forth exemplars of his wrath upon all creatures, mankind excepted. chap. 8. 97. The dragon is let lose after 1000 years, and Gregory the seven. being Pope, rageth against Henry the third, then Emperout. chap. 20. 1073 The dragon vexeth the world. 150. years, unto Gregory the ix. who writ the Decretals, and most cruelly persecuted the Emperor Fridericke the 2. The dragon by both the beasts persecuteth the Church, & putteth the godly to death chap. 9 1217 The dragon killeth the Prophets after. 1260. years, when Boniface the viii. was Pope, who was the author of the vi. book of the Decretals: he excommunicated Philip the French king. 1295 Boniface celebrateth his first jubiley. 1300 About this time was a great earthquake, which overthrew many houses in Rome. 1301 Prophecy ceaseth for three years & half, until Benedict the 2. succeeded after Boniface viii. Prophecy is revived. chap. 11. The dragon and the two beasts oppugn prophesy. chap. 13. Christ defendeth his Church in word and deed. chap. 14. With threats and arms. chap. 15. With singular judgements. chap. 16. Christ giveth his Church victory over the harlot. chap. 17. & 18. Over the two beasts. chap. 19 Over the dragon and death. chap. 20. The Church is fully glorified in heaven with eternal glory, in Christ jesus. chap. 21. and 22. 1305 A Table containing the sum of this book in three parts. 1. The exordium, in which are these three, The inscription of the book, chap. 1. vers. 1. 2. 3. The salutation, vers. 4. 5. 6. 7. The calling of john, and the authority of this Revelation, vers. 8. 18. 2. The argument or contents, in which is a Division of the whole into things present and things to come, chap. 1. vers. 19 20. Narration of things Present, written for instruction unto the Churches that were At Ephesus, Smyrna, Chapter 2. Pergamus, Thyatira, Chapter 2. Sardis, Philadelphia, Chap. 3. Laodicea,— Chap. 3. To come General unto the whole world wherein is The calling of john, & the authority of this revelation confirmed from the person of him that calleth, God the Father, chap. 4. and God the Son, chap. 5. The works of God, which are of three sorts Foretelling & foresignifying of the miseries that should come upon the world, chap. 6. Deliverance of the elect, who are sealed with the seal of God before the evils prefigured should be executed, chap. 7. Execution of God's judgements upon Other creatures, chap. 8. Mankind, by tribulation and slaughters, chap. 9 Particular. As in the second Table. * * Particular belonging unto God's people, wherein is The calling of S. john, and the authority of his revelation, from the person of the Son of God, chap. 10. The history of the Prophets, fight for the space of 1260. years: slain, and raised up again in the church chap. 11 Church Of the jews, oppugned by the dragon, before travel, and in travel, and after travel chapter 12. Christian & Catholic, in which are the Battles Sustained against the two beasts, chap. 13. Made upon them, in Christ, by Preaching, and working, chap. 14. Threats, chap. 15. judgements, chap. 16. Victory gotten by Christ over the Harlot, chap. 17. 18. Two beasts, chap. 19 Dragon, both before and after the thousand years. chap. 20. Glory, of the Church eternally triumphing, chap 21. and 22. unto the sixth verse. 3. The conclusion, which hath a Confirmation, chap. 22. 6. 19 Salutation. verse 20. etc. ¶ I HAVE NOT THOUGHT GOOD TO PUT forth any such thing as yet, upon the Revelation, as I have upon the former books: notwithstanding I liked well to set down in the mean season that, that I wrote a few years since, concerning the authority of this book. And this is it. BEcause some men have of long time doubted of the authority of this book, I will in few words confute those arguments, which are commonly brought to thou purpose, and after show mine own opinion, and what I think. And I will recite the arguments in such order, as Erasmus hath painfully and diligently gathered them together: whose judgement seemeth to me so uncertain in this point (as it is also in many other) that no man can readily tell what opinion he was of, save that after much a do, he seemeth to bend this way, that he is of opinion, that this book is of some authority, though not of so good as the rest of the books are which we receive without any gainsaying. Therefore let us hear what he saith. Hierome witnesseth, saith he, that the Grecians in his time did not receive the Revelation. Dorotheus bishop of Tyrus, and a Martyr, in his abbridgement of lives recordeth that John wrote his Gospel in the isle of Patmos, but maketh no mention of this book. Athanasius a Graecian in his catalogue doth not say that this is John's work. Dionysius of Alexandria, as Eusebius reporteth his words, in the seventh book of his Ecclesiastical history, thinketh that this book was written of some other John, who was a godly man. Eusebius himself so citeth this book in divers places of his history, that he doth not flatly vouch it to be john's: but allegeth one Caius that was a good Christian in the fourth book of his history, who sayeth it was written of one Cerinthus an heretic. Let this be the first argument which I answer in this sort. If we weigh the reasons that moved those men to reject this book, than we shall see how undeservedly they did it. Again as some did reject it, so did the most part receive it: in so much that Epiphanius reckoneth them amongst heretics that did reject it: as for justine the philosopher, and Irene bishop of Lions which were both martyrs, and did not only allow it, but also wrote commentaries upon it, I will not speak of them. As for that that is alleged of Dorotheus, it is to no great purpose, for that he is thought to reject it, because he spoke not of it. As touching Athanasius, Erasmus himself witnesseth that it is doubtful whether that work be his or no. Concerning Dionysius we will weigh by and by what he sayeth, when we come to consider of his reasons. As for Catus (what man so ever he was) he is easily to be refuted even by Dionysius his words in the third book of the Ecclesiastical history. As for Eusebius I make no account of him, for there are none learned, but find want of judgement in him. Now let us come to the other argument. Hierome writeth (saith he) that certain very well learned men found great fault and spoke sharply against the whole matter of this book, as though there were nothing in it worthy the gravity of an Apostle, but only a common history of things shadowed with certain dark figures and hard kind of speeches. And moreover that in the very sentences themselves there was nothing that becomed the gravity of an Apostle. Which I answer in this sort: What learned men so ever these were, they are greatly to be blamed, in that they durst be so bold to speak evil of that book, which no doubt is very short, if those things be excepted, which are translated word for word out of the Prophets. Basil, Gregory, Cyril, Epiphanius, Irene, Hippolyta, as Aretas witnesseth, were not of this judgement, which thought not only as Dionysius of Alexandria did, that some godly man wrote this book, but also plainly vouched it to be john the Apostle, which no doubt they would never have done, if they had found no resemblance of the gravity of an Apostle in it. And whether of these shall I count for the better learned? whether these men, which have given record both of their singular godliness, and excellent learning by publishing many works, or those men rather, whose only names are scarcely heard of: and the reasons they use, give sufficient proof how learned they were? They say there appeared no gravity in this writer, and yet he hath taken every what almost word for word out of the Prophets: they say he hath put down a common history. But how can that be, seeing (a few things only except) he maketh no relation of things past, but foretelleth things to come? And therefore they do not only not speak that, that is truth, but not so much as any piece or resemblance of truth. Now let us come to the third argument: He is very curious (saith one) in setting down his own name, as though he should indite an obligation, and not writ a book, which is not only not used of any of the Apostles, but is also unaccustomed of himself: for in his Gospel where he entreateth a great deal more modest matters, than these are, he never nameth himself, but only pointeth it out by some such marks as these, the disciple whom Jesus loved. And Paul when he is enforced to speak of his Revelations, setteth out the matter under an other man's person. And yet this man, while he describeth the secret conference which he had with Angels, hath never done with these kind of words, I john. This reason moved Dionysius of Alexandria to think, that some other man wrote this book. But what weak, and slender conjectures are these? little did these good men consider, that it was one thing to writ an history, and an other to set down a prophecy: for the truth of an history hangeth not so much upon the credit of the writer, as upon other circumstances, but a prophecy: because it foretelleth things to come, standeth upon the authority of him that revealeth it, and his that preacheth it, so that it is of necessitte to give us to understand, both from whence that forewarning came, and who revealed it, and who wrote it. Whereupon we see, that not only in the beginning of prophecies, but also almost in every vision, there is nothing so curiously set down as the Name of God who spoke it, and the name of the Prophet who wrote it: Take for example, only the Prophet jeremy, who maketh mention of his name, at the lest an hundred times. And so was it requisite for him to do, that he might not seem to seek lurking corners to hide himself in as the false prophets did. And what? do we not find from the seventh Chapter of Daniel, that almost in every verse he repeateth his own name, and saith, I Daniel? And how often doth Esay repeat these words, Esay the son of Amos? But john did not so in his Gospel. I grant: for he wrote an history, wherein that befell him, which befell to none other of the disciples: for he was occasioned to speak many things of himself. Nay, Paul also did not so: In deed he did not so, in any place where he handled not his visions purposely, but whensoever he voucheth the excellency of his ministery, how boldly and how magnifically doth he call himself that Paul which was appointed to be an Apostle, not of men, nor by men, but by jesus Christ? And how? when he reporteth those his great combats, doth he take upon him another's man person? Nay let us go further: john's name is not to be found (unless I be deceived in my reckoning) above five times in all this work: and those words (I john) but only thrice, to wit, chap. 1. verse 9 and yet with an explication added to it, which may suffice abundantly to put away all suspicion of pride: and again, chap. 21. verse 2. and chap. 22. verse 8. in both which places he reporteth only simply what he saw, to the end, that no man might doubt of the truth of his prophecy. Therefore, to make an end of this reason in few words, that argument which Dionysius maketh, is not only vain, but also argueth want of skill, and is in deed very slanderous: nay, I may say more, and say truly (without any malice to any as the Lord is witness) that this was too unadvisedly spoken, where he sayeth, that the Evangelist is as curious in his often repeating of, I john, as if he had been writing an obligation, and no book. Now to the fourth Argument: In all the Greek copies that I have seen, saith he, it was not entitled the Revelation of john the Evangelist, but, of john the divine, which is sufficient to prove it was john the Evangelist: for all that are learned know that he was by excellency, and by a prerogative as it were, called by this name The Divine, of all the old writers, because never man wrote so plainly and divinely of the divinity of Christ as he did. As for the other john, who I think was a counterfeit, was not called by this excellent name Divine, but an Elder. Now for the unlikeness of his style, and speech, which that Dionysius of Alexandria proveth by three reasons as Nicephorus recordeth, Eccle. lib. 6. cap. 23. first by the whole course and nature of his words, secondly, that whereas the Gospel and Catholic Epistle of john, agreed in very many points, this book hath not one work like. Lastly, because john had an excellent gift of speech, but this man is very clownish, barbarous, and tripped often in his language. To the first I answer, that in so divers a matter, it is no marvel, to see so divers a kind of style: for in the history of the Gospel, and in the Epistles, though he spoke as he was moved by the holy Ghost, yet he spoke what his mind led him: and here he is but the writer of such things as he heard and were delivered him: In the other he somewhat maketh report of the history, and sometime teacheth, but in this he speaketh of things to come, and in such order of words as he is appointed: And shall we marvel then that he useth not one self same kind of sentences? Nay, what writer was there ever that was tied so short? are not many things delivered to him in the very words of the old Prophets, even in the same that Ezechiel, Daniel, Zacharie, Esai, and other spoke withal, by the direction of the self same Spirit, which spoke the self same in them in old time? And therefore it is no marvel that he useth not so refined a kind of speech, as happily they would desire, seeing he swerveth neither in speech, nor in characters, from the Prophets which wrote in the Hebrew tongue: and therefore there is less cause of suspicion that it should be any counterfeit work slily crept into the Church. Now remaineth the last Argument, which seemeth to charge him that he favoureth the heresy of the Chiliasts, whereupon divers thought that Cerinthus made this book and fathered it upon some of the Apostles. But for mine own part, though I grant that the Chiliasts have abused many testimonies out of this book, yet I can not yield to that, and think that some heretics should make it, unless some man he able to show me, that those places can not sitly he taken in any other sense: or else what book is there, that we may receive? And that those places are otherwise to be taken, divers learned men have showed long ago: so that the like hath be fallen this book as did to the Epistle to the Hebrews, which some man rejected very obstinately, because it seemed to make for the Novatians: where as in deed they aught rather to have accused their own ignorance. Moreover, seeing Cerinthus had many other mad and wicked opinions, as that, he denied that God made the world, and taught that Christ was borne of Marie, and joseph, as all other men are borne, and maketh Christ, and jesus two distinct persons: how cometh it to pass that he sprinkled none of this Fowl holy water amongst the rest in this book? But he was so far from so doing, that contrariwise there may be divers arguments taken out of this book against those errors: so that it may appear by this one reason, that Cerinthus was not the author of this book. And again, where as he speaketh of the thousand years, he mentioneth no one jot of those things, which Cerinthus so impudently chattred of. For where is there any mention of that riot which Ceriathus talketh of? where is that cating? drinking? where are those marriages and pastimes? where are the sacrifices and holy days which should be kept at Jerusalem? Therefore this is a vain and a foolish argument. And seeing these things are so, though I would not steffely stand in contention forth authors name, yet I rather judge it to be john the Apostle, than any other man's: For besides that it appeareth to be very aunctent, and the learnedst and the godliest of the old Fathers doubt not, but it was john's. These conjectures also lead me to think so: for that I find none of those days to whom either prophecies so full of majesty, or so honourable a name of a divine, may be ascribed: and moreover, that it savoureth of the worthiness and excellency of an Apostle, to writ to the Churches of Asia, and not to one Church: Lazily, because those things which are here spoken of Patmos, agreed wholly with that which the old Fathers have written with one consent, concerning John's bantshment. And yet notwithstanding if it may be lawful to conjecture by the kind of speech itself, I would think it to be no man's sooner than Marks, who was also called john: he is so like not only in words, but also in divers kinds of speech, to the Gospel of Saint Mark, in so much that these two books have almost one kind of character. As for the book itself, though I confess that these mysteries are as yet very dark to me, yet notwithstanding, seeing there appeareth in all parts of it a great majesty of the spirit of prophecy, and the very steps and sentences, yea and the words of the old Prphets, seeing there are to be found in it manifest and mighty testimonies, both of the Diviniete of Christ, and also of our redemption: And last of all, seeing that part of those things are most manifestly come to pass, which were foretold by him, as those things which he spoke of the destruction of the Churches of Asia, and of the kingdom of the whore, which sitteth upon seven bills, I am persuaded and think that the holy Ghosts meaning was to heap up together, in this most precious book, all such things, as by the forewarning of the old Prophets remained to be fulfilled after the coming of Christ: and added also a few things, as he thought expedient for us. I grant they are very dark, but that is no strange thing in the Prophet's writings, as especially in Ezechiels. But this is our fault, because we take not diligent heed to things, but overslip those judgements of God's providence, which daily are to be seen in his governing of the Church, by having our hearts too much set upon our own private affairs. To be short, the Lord knoweth what, and how far it is expedient for us to know, and therefore in times past, he so disposed the light of his Prophets, as for his infinite wisdom he saw it would be profitable for his Church. And therefore godly men have to search and wade in these mysteries with fear and reverence, so far forth, as lawfully and profitably they may: and let all men reverence the mysteries of God, which are comprehended in this book, whether they know them, or know them not, rather than as many do, either mock at them, or defile them with their fantastical commentaries. THE REVELATION OF SAINT JOHN THE APOSTLE and Evangelist, with a brief and learned commentary, written by Franc. junius, etc. CHAP. 1. 1 He declareth what kind of doctrine is here handled, 8 even his, that is the beginning and ending: 12 Than the mystery of the seven candlesticks and stars 20 is expounded. THE a An opening of secret and hid things. revelation of b Which the Son opened to us out of his Father's bosom by Angels. JESUS Beza & others CHRIST, which God gave unto him, that he might declare unto his servants the things which must shortly be done: which he sent, and signified by his Angel unto his servant john; F. JUNIUS. 2 Who testified the word of God, and the 1 This chapter hath two principal parts, the title or inscription, which standeth in steed of an exordium; & a narration going before the whole prophesy of this book. The inscription is double, general and particular. The general containeth the kind of prophesy, the author, end, matter, instruments, and manner of communicating the same, in the first verse: the most religious faithfulness of the Apostle, as a public witness, verse 2. And the use of communicating the same, taken from the promise of God, & from the circumstance of the time, verse, 3. witness of jesus Christ, and all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and blessed are they that hear the words of this prophecy, and observe those things which are written therein: for the time appointed is at hand. 4 2 This is the particular or singular inscription, wherein salvation is written unto certain Churches by name, which represent the Church Catholic: and the certainty and truth of the same is declared, from the author thereof, unto the 8. ver. john to the seven Churches which are in Asia; Grace be unto you, and peace; from him By these three times, Is, Was & Shallbe, is signifiaed this word lehovah, which is the proper name of God. Which ‖ Exod. 3. 14. is, and Which was, and Which is 3 That is, from God the Father eternal, immortal, immutable; whose unchangeableness S. john declareth by a form of speech which is undeclined. For there is no incongruity in this place, where, of necessity the words must be attempeted unto the mysteries, & not the mysteries corrupted or impaired by the words. to come; and from 4 That is, from the holy Ghost, which proceedeth from the Father and the Son. This Spirit is one in person according to his subsistency; but in communication of his virtue, & in demonstration of his divine works in those seven Churches, doth so perfectly manifest himself, as if there were so many Spirits, every one perfectly working in his own Church. Wherhfore after chap. 5. 6. they are called the seven horns and seven eyes of the Lamb, as much to say, as his most absolute power & wisdom: & chap. 3. 1. Christ is said to have those seven Spirits of God: & cha. 4. 5. it is said, that seven lamps do burn before his throne, which also are those seven Spirits of God. That this place aught to be so understood, it is thus proved. For first grace and peace is asked by prayer of this Spirit, which is a divine work, & an action incommunicable in respect of the most high Deity Secondly he is placed between the Father and the Son, as set in the same degree of dignity and operation with them. Besides he is before the throne as of the same substance with the Father & the Son: as the seuc eyes, & seven horns of the Lamb. Moreover these Spirits are never said to adore God, as all other things are. Finally, this is that power whereby the Lamb opened the book, and loosed the seven seals thereof: when none could be found amongst all creatures by whom the book might be opened cha. 5. Of these things long ago M. john Luide of Oxford wrote learnedly unto me. Now the holy Ghost is set in order of words before Christ, because there was in that which followeth, a long process of speech to be used concerning Christ. the d These are the seven spirits, which are afterward chap. 5 ver. 6. called the horns and eyes of the Lamb, and are now made as a guard waiting upon God. seven Spirits which are before his Throne; 5 And from jesus Christ, 5 A most ample & grave commendation of Christ, first from his offices, the priesthood and kingdom: secondly from his benefits, as his love towards us, and washing us with his blood, in this verse; and communication of his kingdom and priesthood with us: thirdly from his eternal glory and power, which is always to be celebrated of us, ver. 6. Pinally from the accomplishment of all things once to be effected by him, at his second coming; what time he shall openly destroy the wicked, & shall comfort the godly in the truth ver. 7. which is that ‖ Psal. 89. 38. faithful witness, ‖ 1. Cor. 15. 21. Colos. 1. 18. that first begotten of the dead, and that Prince of the Kings of the earth; who loved us, and washed us from our sins with his own ‖ Heb 9 14. 1. Pet. 1. 19 1. john. 1. 9 blood: 6 And made us ‖ 1. Pet. 2. 5. Kings and Priests unto God even his Father; to him be glory, and power for evermore, Amen. 7 Behold, he cometh with ‖ Esa. 3. 14. Mat. 24. 30. jude. 14. clouds, and every e All men. eye shall see him: yea even they which pierced him through: and all the kindreds of the earth shall wail before him: Even so, Amen. 8 6 A confirmation of the salutation afore going, taken from the words of God himself: in which he avoucheth his operation in every singular creature, the immutable eternity that is in himself, & his omnipotency in all things: and concludeth in the unity of his own essence, that Trinity of persons which was before spoken of. I ‖ Chap. 21. 6. & 22. 13. am f I am he, before who there is nothing; yea by whom every thing that is made, was made and who shall remain though all they should perish. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, that is, he Which is, and Which was, and Which is to come, even that Almighty one. 9 7 The narration, opening the way to the declaring of the authority and calling of S. john the Evangelist in this singular Revelation; and to procure faith and credit unto this prophesy. This is the second part of this Chapter, consisting of a proposition, and an exposition. The proposition showeth, first who was called unto this Revelation, in what place, and how occupied. vers. 9 Than at what time, and by what means, namely, by the Spirit and the word; & that on the Lord's day; which day ever since the resurrection of Christ was consecrated for Christians unto the religion of the Sabbath: that is to say, to be a day of rest, ver. 10. Thirdly, who is the author that calleth him, and what is the some of his calling. I john, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the Kingdom and patience of jesus Christ, was in the isle called g Patmos is one of the Isles of Sporas, whether john was banished, as some writ. Patmos, for the word of God, and for the witnessing of jesus Christ: 10 And I was rapt in h Thus is that holy ravishment expressed wherewith the Prophets were ravished, and being as it were carried out of the world, were conversant with God: and so Ezechiel saith often, that he was carried from place to place of the Lords Spirit, and that the Spirit of the Lord fell upon him. spirit on the i He calleth that the Lords day, which Paul calleth the first day of the week. 1. Cor. 16. 2. Lord's day, and hard behind me a great voice, as it had been of a trumpet, 11 Of one that said, I am 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that first and that last: &, That which thou seest, writ in a book, and sand it unto the seven Churches which are in Asia, at Ephesus, and at Smyrna, & at Pergamus, and at Thyatira, and at Sardis, and at Philadelphia, and at Laodicea. 12 8 The exposition, declaring the third & last point of the proposition (for th' other points are evident of themselves) wherein is spoken first of the Author of this calling, unto the 16 verse. Secondly of the calling itself, unto the end of the chapter. And first of all, the occasion is noted in this verse, in that S. john turned himself towards the vision: after is set down the description of the Author, in the verses following. Than I turned back to k To see him whose voice he had heard. see the voice, that spoke with me: 9 The description of the Author, which is Christ: by the candlesticks that stand about him, that is, the Churches that stand before him, and depend upon his direction, in this verse: by his properties, that he is one furnished with wisdom and dexterity to the achieving of great things, verse 13. with ancient gravity, and most excellent sight of the eye, verse 14. with strength invincible, and with a mighty word, verse. 15. By his operations, that he ruleth the ministery of his servants in the Church, giveth effect there unto by the sword of his word, and enlightening allthings by his countenance, doth most mightily provide for every one by his divine providence. verse 16. and when I was turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks: 13 And in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girded about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head, and hairs were white as white wool, and as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, burning as in a furnace: and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his face shone as the sun shineth in his strength. 17 10 A religious fear, that goeth before the calling of the Saints, & their full confirmation to take upon them the vocation of God. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. 11 A divine confirmation in this calling, partly by sign, and partly by the word of power. than he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not: 12 A most elegant description of this calling, contained in three things, which are necessary unto a just vocation: first the authority of him that calleth, for that he is the beginning and the end of all things, in this verse; for that he is aeternal and omnipotent, verse 18. Secondly the sum of this prophetical calling and revelation, verse 19 Lastly a declaration of those persons unto whom this prophesy is by the commandment of God directed in the inscription thereof, verse 20. I am that ‖ Esa. 41. 4. and 44. 6. first, and that last, 18 And which am alive; but I was dead: and behold I live for evermore, A men: and I have the keys of hell and of death. 19 13 The sum of this prophesy, that the Apostle must writ whatsoever he should see, adding nothing, nor taking away any thing, as verse 2. Here of there were two parts: one is a narration of those things which are, that is, which then are at that time, contained in the second and third Chapters: the other part is of those things which were to come, contained in the rest of this book. Writ the things which thou hast seen; both which are, and which shall come to pass hereafter. 20 14 That is, the thing which was mystically signified by the particulars of the vision before going. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, & the seven golden candlesticks, is this; those seven stars are the l By Angels, he meaneth the Ministers of the Churches. Angels of the seven Churches: and those seven candlesticks which thou sawest, are the seven Churches. CHAP. TWO john is commanded to writ those things, which the Lord knew necessary, to the Churches of Ephesus, 8 of the Smyrnians, 12 Of Pergamus, 18 and of Thyatira, 25 that they keep those things which they received of the Apostles. 1 F. JUNIUS. Unto 1 The former part of this book is comprised in a narration of those things which then were, as S. john taught us chap. 1. 19 it belongeth wholly unto instruction; & in these 2. next chapters, containeth seven places, according to the number and condition of those churches which were named before cha. 1. 11 figured vers. 12. and distributed most aptly into their Pastors & flocks, verse. 20. which verse of that Chapter is as it were a passage unto this first part. Every one of these seven places hath three principal members, an Exordium taken from the person of the Author: a proposition, in which is praise and commendation of that which is good, reprehension of that which is evil: and instruction, containing either an exhortation alone, or withal a dissuasion opposite unto it: and a conclusion stirring up unto attention, by divine promises. And this first place is unto the Pastors of the Church of Ephesus. the Angel of the Church of Ephesus writ; 2 The exordium; wherein are contained the special praises of Christ Jesus the Author of this prophesy, out of the 16. and 13. verses of the first Chapter. These things saith he that holdeth those seven stars in his right hand, and walketh in the mids of those seven golden candlesticks. 2 3 The proposition, first commending the Pastor of this Church, verse 2. 3. then reproving him, verse 4. after informing him, and withal threatening that he will translate the Church to another place; verse 5. This commination or threat Christ mitigateth by a kind of correction, calling to mind the particular virtue and piety of that Church, which God never leaveth without recompense. verse. 6. Concerning the Nicolaitans see after upon the 15. verse. I Know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience; and how thou canst not bear them which are evil, and dost examine them which say they are Apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. 3 And thou wast burdened, and hast patience; and for my Names sake hast laboured, and wast not wearied. 4 Nevertheless, I have somewhat a To deal with thee for. against thee, which is, that thou hast given over thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works: otherwise I will come against thee shortly; and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou amend. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans; which also I hate. 7 4 The conclusion, containing a commandment of attention, and a promise of everlasting life, shadowed out in a figure, of which Gen. 2. 9 Let him that hath an ear, hear, what the Spirit saith unto the churches, To him that overcometh, will I give to eat, of that tree of life which is in 5 That is, in Paradise; after the manner of the Hebrew phrase. the midst of the b Thus Christ speaketh as he is Mediator. Paradise of God. 8 ¶ 6 The second place is unto the pastors of the church of the Smyrneans. The exordium is taken out of the 17. and 18 verses of the first Chapter. And unto the Angel of the Church of the c Smyrna was one of the cities of jonia in Asia. Smyrnians writ, These things saith he that is first, and last, which was dead and is alive: 9 7 The proposition of praise is in this verse; and of exhortation joined with promise, is in the next verse. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty (but thou art rich) and the blasphemy of them, which say they are jews, and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things, which thou shalt suffer: behold, it shall come to pass, that the devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried; and ye shall have 8 That is, often years. For so commonly both in this book and in Daniel, years are signified by the name of days; that God thereby might declare, that the space of time is appointed by him, and the same very short. Now because S. john wrote this book in the end of Domitian the Emperor his reign, as justinus and Irenaeus do witness, it is altogether necessary that this should be referred unto that persecution which was done by the authority of the Emperor Traian: who began to make havoc of the Christian Church in the tenth year of his reign, as the historiographers do writ; and his bloody persecution continued until Adrian the Emperor had succeeded in his place. The space of which time is precisely teny ears which are here mentioned. tribulation for ten days: be thou faithful unto the death, and I will give thee the crown of life. 11 9 The conclusion as verse 7. Let him that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: He that overcometh, shall not be hurt 10 See Chapt. 20. 6. of the second death. 12 ¶ 11 The third place is unto the Pastors of Pergamus. The exordium is taken out of the 16, verse of the first Chapter. And to the Angel of the church which is at d Pergamus was the name of a famous city in old time in Asia, where the Kings of the Aitalians were always resident. Pergamus writ, These things saith he which hath that sharp sword with two edges. 1 3 12 The proposition of praise is in this verse; of reprehension in the two following; and of exhortation joined with a conditional threat, verse 16. Now this Antipas was the Angel or minister of the Church of Pergamus as Aretas writeth. I Know thy works, and where thou dwelleste, ven where Satan's throne is; & that thou keepest my Name, and hast not denied my saith, even in c The faith of them of Pergamus is so much the more highly commended, because they remained constant even in the very heat of persecution. those days when Antipas my faithful martyr was stain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee; that thou hast there them that maintain the doctrine of ‖ Num. 24. 14. and 25. 1. Balaam, which taught Balac to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, that they should f That which is here spoken of things offered to Idols, is meant of the same kind which Paul speaketh of 1. Co. 10. 14. eat of things sacrificed unto idols, and commit fornication: 15 Even so hast thou them, that maintain the doctrine of the 13 Which follow the footsteps of Balaam, and such as are abandoned unto all filthiness, is he showed in the verse a foregoing & is here signified by a note of similitude And thus also must the 6. verse be understood. For this matter especially Irenaeus must be consulted withal. Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come against thee shortly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 14 The conclusion, standing of exhortation as before and of promise. Let him that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches, To him that overcometh, will I give to eat 15 The bread of life, invisible, spiritual, and heavenly, which is kept secretly with God, from before all eternity. of that g He alludeth to that sermon which we read of, joh. 6 and to the place we find Psalm. 105. 40. Manna that is hid, and will give him a h Arteas writeth, that such a stone was wont to be given to wrestlers at games, or else that such stones did in old time witness the quitting of a man. 16 Which is a sign and witness of forgiveness and remission of sins, of righteousness and true holiness, & of purity incorrupted, after that the oldman is killed. white stone, and in the stone a new 17 A sign and testimony of newness of life in righteousness and true holiness by putting on the new man, whom none doth inwardly know, save the spirit of man which is in himself, the praise whereof is not of 〈◊〉 but of God. ●●. 2. 20. name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. 18 ¶ And unto 18 The fourth place is unto the Pastors of Thyatira. The exordium is taken out of the 14. & 15. verses of the first Chapter. the Angel of the Church which is at Thyatira writ, These things saith the Son of God, which hath eyes like unto a flame of fire, and feet like to fine brass. 19 I Know 19 The proposition of praise is in this verse: of reprehension, for that they tolerated with them the doctrine of unrighteousness and ungodliness, is vers. 20; the authors whereof though they were called back of God, yet repent not, vers. 21. whereunto is added a most heavy threatening vers. 22. & 23: of a conditional promise, and of exhortation to hold fast the truth, is in the two verses following. thy works and thy love, and i So he calleth those offices of charity which are done to the Saints. service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works, and that they are more at the last, then at the first. 20 Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, that thou sufferest the woman lezabell which calleth herself a Prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants, to make them commit k By fornication of ten times in the Scripture Idolatry is meant. fornication, and to eat meats sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she repent not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit fornication with her, into great affliction, except they repent them of their works. 23 And I will kill her children with death: and all the Churches shall know that I am he which ‖ 1. Sam. 16. 7. Psal. 7. 10. jere 11. 20. and 17. 10. doth search the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according unto your works. 24 And unto you I say, and the rest of them of Thyatira, As many as hold not this learning, neither have approved the l He pointeth out the bragging of certain men, which boasted of their deep that is plentiful and common knowledge which notwithstanding is 〈◊〉 depth of Satan (as they speak) I will m I will speak no worse thing against you, being comment to have showed you what I require to be in you. put upon you none other burden. 25 But, that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. 26 20 The conclusion, wherein Christ assureth unto his servants the communion of his kingdom and glory, in this verse, and that following: and commandeth an holy attention; in the last verse. For he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I 21 That is, I will make him a king, by communion with me, and my fellow heir: as it is promised Mat. 19 28. and 25. 34. Rom. 8. 17. and 1. Cor. 63. Ephes. 26. and 2. Tim. 2. 12 and Apoc. 3. 21. and 44. give power over the nations. 27 ‖ Psal. 2. 9 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and as the vessels of a potter, shall they be broken: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will 22 The brightness of greatest glory and honour, nearest approaching unto the light of Christ, who is the Son of righteousness and our head. Matth, 4. give him a morning star. 29 Let him that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches. CHAP. III. 1 The fift Epistle sent to the Pastors of the Church of Sardis, 7 of Philadelphia, 14 and of the Laodiceans, 16 that they be not lukewarm, 20 but endeavour to further Gods glory. 1 1 The fift place is unto the Pastors of Sardis. The exordium is taken out of the fourth and 16. verses of the first chapter. ANd unto the Angel of the church which is at a Sardis is the name of a most flourishing & famous city, where the Kings of Lydia kept their Courts. Sardis writ, These things saith he that hath those seven Spirits of God, and those seven stars, 2 The proposition of reproof is in this verse: of exhortation joined with a threatening, in the two verses that follow: & of qualification by way of correction, unto the comfort of the good which yet remained there, verse 4. I know thy works: that thou hast a b Thou art said to live, but art dead in deed. name that thou livest, but thou art dead. 2 Be awake and strengthen the things which remain, that are c Other things, whose state is such, that they are now going, and unless they be confirmed, will perish forthwith. ready to dye: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore, what thou hast received and heard; and hold fast, and repent: ‖ Chap. 16. 13. 1. Thes. 5. 2. 2. Pet. 3. 10. if thou wilt not watch, I will come against thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come against thee. 4 Notwithstanding thou hast a few persons yet in Sardis, 3 That is, who have with all Religion guarded themselves from sin and contagion, even from the very show of 〈◊〉, as S. Jude exhorteth, verse 23. which have not defiled their garments, and therefore they shall walk with me in 4 Pure from all spot, and shining with glory So it is to be understood always hereafter, as in the next verse. white: for they are d They are meet and fie, to wit, because they are in stified in Christ as they have truly showed it: for he is righteous that worketh righteousness; but so, as the tree bringeth forth the fruit, Look Rom. 8. 18. worthy. 5 He that 5 The conclusion, standing upon a promise; and a commandment, as before. over cometh, shallbe clothed in white array, and I will never put his name out of the ‖ Chap. 20. 12. and 21. 27. Philip. 4. 3. book of life; but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his Angels. 6 Let him that hath an ear, hear, what the Spirit saith unto the Churches. 7 ¶ 6 The sixth place, is unto the Pastors of Philadelphia. The exordium is taken out of the 18. verse of the first Chapter. And unto the Angel of the Church which is at Philadelphia writ, These things saith he that is Holy, and True, which hath the e All power of rule in commanding and forbidding, delivering, and punishing. And the house of David is the Church, and the continual promise of David's kingdom belongeth to Christ. key of David, which openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth. 8 7 The proposition of praise is in this verse, of promises, to bring home again those that wander, verse. 9 and to preserve the godly, verse 10. and of exhortation verse 11. I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: because thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my Name. 9 Behold, I will f I will bring them to that case. make them of the Synagogue of Satan, that is, them which call themselves jews and are not, but do lie: behold, I say, I will make them, that they shall come 8 That is, fall down and worship, either thee civilly, or Christ religiously, at thy feet, (and thus I had rather take it) whether here in the Church (which seemeth more proper to the argument of this place) or there in the world to come. For Christ verily shall fulfil his word. and worship before thy feet, and shall know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast g Because thou hast been patiented and constant, as I would my servants should be. kept the word of my patience, therefore I will deliver thee from the hour of tentation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that devil upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come shortly: hold that which thou hast; that no man take thy crown. 12 9 The conclusion, which containeth a promise, and a commandment. Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the Temple of ‖ See. 2. 7. my God; and he shall go no more out: 10 That is, the new man shall be termed after his father, mother, and head Christ. and I will writ upon him the name of my God, and the name of the City of my God, (which is the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God) and my new Name. 13 Let him that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches. 14 11 The seventh place is unto the pastors of the church of Laodicea. The exordium is taken out of the fift verse of the first chapter. And unto the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans writ, These things saith h Amen soundeth as much in the Hebrew tongue as Truth, or Truth itself. Amen, that faithful and true witness, that i Of whom all things created have their beginning. beginning of the creatures of God: 15 12 The proposition of reproof is in this verse; whereunto is adjoined a threatening, verse 16. with a confirmation declaring the same, verse 17. and of exhortation unto faith and repentance verse 18. 19 whereunto is added a conditional promise, verse 20. I know thy works; that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou werest-cold or hot. 16 Therefore, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, it will come to pass, that I shall spew thee out of my mouth. 17 For thou sayst, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not how thou art wretched, and miserable, 13 The spiritual misery of men is metaphorically expressed in three paints: unto which are matched as correspondent those remedies which are offered vers. 18. and poor and blind, and naked. 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried by the fire, that thou mayest be made rich: and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that thy filthy nakedness do not appear: and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayst see. 19 As many as I love ‖ Prou. 3. 12. Hebr. 12 5. I rebuke and chasten: be k Zeal is set against them which are neither hot nor cold. zealous therefore and amend. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock, 14 This must be taken after the manner of an allegory, as john. 14. 23. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in unto him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 15 The conclusion, consisting of a promise, as chap. 2. verse 26. & of an exhortation. Hitherto hath been the first part of the book of the Apocalypse. To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I overcame, and sit with my Father in his throne. 22. Let him that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches. CHAP. FOUR 1 Another vision containing the glory of God's Majesty: 8 Which is magnified of the sour beasts, 10 and the sour and twenty Elders. 1 F. JUNIUS. 1 Hereafter followeth the second part of this book, altogether prophetical, foretelling those things which were to come, as was said before Chap. 1. 19 This is divided into two histories: one common unto the whole world, unto the ninth Chapter: and another singular, of the Church of God thence unto the 22. Chapter. And these histories are said to be described in several books, Chapter. 5. 1. and 10 2. Now this first verse is as it were a passage from the former part unto this second: where it is said, that the heaven was opened, that is, that heavenly things were unlocked; and that a voice as of a trumpet sounded in heaven, to stir up the Apostle, and call him to the understanding of things to come. The first history hath two parts, 〈…〉 causes of things done, and of this whole Revelation, in this and the next Chapter: An other of the Acts done, in the next four Chapters. The principal causes according to the distinction of persons in the unity of the divine essence, and according to the economy or dispensation thereof, are two. One the beginning which none can approach unto, that is, God the Father, of whom is spoken in this Chapter: The other, the Son, who is the mean cause, easy to be approached unto, in respect that he is God and man in one person: of whom Chapter 5. AFter this I looked, & behold, a door was open in heaven; and the first voice which I heard, as it were of a trumpet talking with me, said, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must be done hereafter. 2 And 2 The manner of Revelation, as before. 1. 10. immediately I was rapt a Look Ch. 1. 10 in the Spirit; 3 A description of God the Father, and of his glory in the heavens, framed unto the manner of men; by his office, nature, company attending, effect, instruments, and events that follow afterwards. In this verse he is presented in office a judge, as Abraham said Gen. 18. which is declared by his throne, as an ensign of judgement, and his sitting thereupon. and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat upon the throne. 3 4 By his nature, in that he is the Father, most glorious in his own person, and with his glory over shining all other things. And he that sat, was to look upon, like unto a jasper stone, and a Sardine; and there was a rain bow round about the throne, in sight like to an emerald. 4 5 By the company attending about him, in that, as that most high judge, he is accompanied with the most honourable attendance of Prophets and Apostles, both of the old and new Church, whom Christ hath made to be Priests and Kings, Chap. 1. 65. 10. And round about the throne were four and twenty thrones, and upon the thrones I saw four and twenty Elders sitting, clothed in white raiment, and had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 6 By effects, in that most mightily he shaketh all things by his voice and word, as Psalm 29. 3. and with the light of his spirit and providence peruseth and passeth through all. And out of that throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 7 By instruments used, in that he both hath a most ready treasu●● 〈…〉 it were a workhouse excellently furnished with all things, unto the executing of his will, which things flow from his commandment; as is repeated Chapter 15. 2: And hath also the Angels most ready administers of his counsels and pleasure unto all parts of the world; continually watching, (in this verse) working by reason, otherwise then the instruments without life last mentioned; courageous as Lions, mighty as Bulls, wise as men, swift as Eagles, verse 7. most apt unto all purposes, as furnished with wings on every part, most piercing of sight, and finally pure and perfect spirits, always in continual motion, verse 8. Also before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and between the throne, & the things that were round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 7 The first beast was like a Lion, and the second beast like a Bull, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying Eagle. 8 And the b Every beast had six wings. four beasts had each one of them six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within; and they ceased not 8 By events, in that for all the causes before mentioned. God is glorified both of Angels as holy, judge, omnipotent, eternal, and immutable verse 8. and also after their example, he is glorified of holy men (verse 9) in sign and in speech verse 10. 11. day nor night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God almighty, Which Was, and Which Is, and Which Is to come. 9 And when those beasts c God is said to have glory, honour, kingdom, and such like, given unto him, when we godly and reverently set forth that which is properly and only his. gave glory, and honour, & thanks to him that sat on the throne, which liveth for ever and ever, 10 9 Three signs of divine honour given unto God; prostration or falling down, adoration, and casting their crowns before God; in which the godly, though made kings by Christ, do willingly empty themselves of all glory, moved with a religious respect of the majesty of God. The four and twenty Elders fell down before him that sat on the throne, and worshipped him that liveth for evermore, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 10 The sum of their speech: that all glory must be given unto God: the reason, because he is the eternal beginning of all things, from whose only will they have their being, and are governed, & finally in all respects are that which they are. Thou art ‖ Chap. 5. 12. worthy, O Lord, 11 That is, that thou shouldest challenge the same to thyself alone. But as for us, we are unworthy that even by thy goodness we should be made partakers of this glory. And hitherto hath been handled the principal cause unapprocheable, which is God. to receive glory and honour, and power: for thou hast created all things; and by thy will they are, and have been created. CHAP. V. 1 The book sealed with seven seals. 3 which none could open, 6 that Lamb of God 9 is thought worthy to open, 12 even by the consent of all the company of heaven. 1 1 A passage unto the second principal cause, which is the son of God, God and man, the mediator of all, as the eternal word of God the Father, manifested in the flesh. This chapter hath two parts: one that prepareth the way unto the Revelation by rehearsal of the occasions that did occur, in the first four verses. Another, the history of the Revelation of Christ, thence unto the end of the chapter. F. JUNIUS. ANd I saw at the 2 That is, in the very right hand of God. right hand of him that sat upon the throne, 3 Here are showed the occasions for which this principal cause, and his Revelation was also necessary: the same are three: the first a present vision of the book of the counsels of God, concerning the government of this whole world, which book is said to be laid up with the Father as it were in his hand: but shut and unknown unto all creatures, in this verse. The second is a religious desire of the Angels of God, to understand the mysteries of this book, vers. 2. whereof see 1. Pet. 1. 12. The third is a lamentation of S. john & all the godly moved by the same desire, verse 4. when they saw that it was a thing unpossible for any creature to effect: which is declared in the third verse. a book written within, and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty Angel, which proclaimed with a loud voice; Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 4 Thus, neither of them that are in heaven, nor of them which are in the earth, etc. And this I like better. Now this enumeration of parts is sufficient to the denying of the whole. For of the creatures, one sort is in heaven, above the earth; another in the earth; and another under the earth, in the sea, as is after declared, verse 13. But none in heaven, nor on earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look therein. 4 I therefore wept much, because no man was found worthy to open, and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 5 The second part of this chapter, in which is set down the Revelation of the Son; as before was said. This part containeth first an history of the manner how God prepared S. john to understand this Revelation, in this verse. Secondly, the Revelation of the Son himself, unto the seventh verse. Thirdly, the accidents of this Revelation, in the rest of the Chapter. The manner how is here described in two sorts, one from without him, by speech in this verse. Another within, by opening the eyes of S. john (which before were held) that he might see, in the verse following. Than one of the Elders said unto me, Weep not: behold, that ‖ Gene. 49. 9 6 That is, The most mighty and most approved Prince: according to the use of the Hebrew speech. Lion which is of the tribe of juda, that root of David, hath gotten the victory, that he might open the book and lose the seven seals thereof. 6 I looked therefore, and lo, 7 The sum of the revelation. Christ the mediator taketh and openeth the book, vers. 6. 7. Therefore in this revelation is described the person of Christ; in this verse. His fact, in the next verse. The person is thus described. Christ the mediator between God, Angels, & men, as the eternal word of God; & our redeemer: as the Lamb of God, standing as slain, and making intercession for us by the virtue and merit of his everlasting sacrifice, is armed with the Spirit of God in his own person, that is, with the power & wisdom of God esientially unto the government of this whole world. between the throne, and the four beasts, and in the mids of the Elders, stood a Lamb as though he had been killed, which had seven horns, and seven eyes, which are those seven spirits of God, sent our into all the world. 7 8 The fact of Christ the mediator, that he cometh unto the throne of the Father, of which chap 4. and taketh the book out of his hand to open it. For that he opened it, it is first expressed chap. 6. 1. etc. He came, and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 9 Now follow in the end the accidents of the revelation last spoken of: that all the holy Angels and men did sing unto him: both the chief, verse 9 10. and common order of Angels, verse 11. 12. & of all things created, verse 13. the princes of both sorts agreeing thereunto, verse 14. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and the four and twenty Elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one 10 The symbols or signs of praise, sweet in savour, and acceptable unto God. See chap. 8. 3. haps and golden vials full of odours, which are the a Look cha. 8. 3. prayers of the Saints: 9 And they sung a b Not common song. new 11 That is, composed according to the present matter: the Lamb having received the book, as it were with his feet, and opened it with his horns; as is said in the Canticle. song, saying, 12 The song of the Nobles or Princes standing by the throne, consisting of a publication of the praise of Christ, and a confirmation of the same, from his benefits, both which we have received of himself (as are the suffering of his death, our redemption upon the cross by his blood, in this verse: and our communion with him in Kingdom and Priesthood, which long ago he hath granted unto us with himself) and which we hereafter hope to obtain; as our kingdom to come, in Christ; in the verse following. Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; because thou wast killed, & hast redeemed us to God, by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, & people, and nation. 10 And hast made us unto our God ‖ Chap. 1. 6. 1 Pet 2. 9 kings & priests, and we shall reign over the earth. 11 13 The consent of the common order of Angels answering in melody unto their princes that stood by the throne. Than I beheld, and I heard the voice of many Angels round about the throne, and about the beasts and the Elders, 14 A number finite, but almost infinite, for one infinite in deed, as Dan. 7 10. and their number was ‖ Dan. 7. 10. c By this is meant a great number. ten thousand times ten thousand, and a thousand thousands: 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was killed, to d To have all praise given to him as to the mightiest and wisest, etc. receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and praise: 13 15 The consent of all the common multitude of the creatures. Also all the creatures which are in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I, saying: Unto him, that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb be praise, and honour, and glory, and power, for evermore. 14 16 A confirmation of the praise before going, from the contestation of the Nobles, expressed in word & signs, as once or twice before this. And the four beasts said, Amen; & the four & twenty Elders fell down (upon their faces) & worshipped him that liveth for evermore. CHAP. VI 1 The Lamb openeth the first seal of the book, 3 the second, 5 the third, 7 the fourth, 9 the fift, 12 and the sixth, and then arise murders, famine, pestilence, outcries of Saints, earthquakes, and divers strange sights in heaven. 1 1 This is the second part of this first history (which I said was common, & of the whole world) of the works of God in the government of all things. Of this part there are generally three members, the foresignifying, the caution, & the execution of all the evils which God poureth out upon this world, which hath most hardly deserved of him. The foresignifying is set down in this chapter: the caution for preserving the church, is in the next chapter: and the execution is described chap. 8. & 9 In every part of the foresignifying there are three branches: the several & express calling of S. john, to prepare himself to take knowledge of the things that were to be showed unto him in the opening of the seals: the sign; & the word expounding the sign. And albeit, the express calling of S. john, be used only in four of the signs, yet the same is also to be understood in the rest that follow. The author of these foresignifying is the Lamb, as that word of the Father, made the mediator, opening the seals of the book. The instruments are the Angels in most of the visions, who expound the sign, & the words thereof. Now this first verse containeth an express calling of S. john to mark the opening of the first seal. F. JUNIUS. AFter I saw, when the Lamb had opened the first of the seals; and I heard one of the four beasts say, as it were the noise of thunder, Come and see. 2 Therefore 2 The first sign joined with declaration; is that God, for the sins and horrible rebellion of the world, will invade the same: and first of all will as a far off with his darts of pestilence most suddenly, mightily and gloriously, beat down the same as judge, and triumph over it, as conqueror. I beheld, and lo, there was present a white horse, and he that sat on him, had a bow, and a crown was given unto him, and he went forth conquering, and that he might conquer. 3 And 3 The second sign joined with words of declaration, (after the express calling of john as before) is, that God being provoked unto wrath by the obstinacy and hard heartedness of the world not repenting for the former plaugue, as setting upon the same at hand, will kindle the fire of debate amongst men, and will destroy the inhabitants of this world, one by the sword of another. when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4 And there came out another horse, that was read, and power was given to him that sat thereon, to take peace from of the earth, & that they should kill one another; and there was given unto him a great sword. 5 4 The third sign with declaration, is, that God will destroy the world with famine, withdrawing all provision: which is by the figure synecdoche comprehended in wheat, barley, wine and oil. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see: Than I beheld, and lo, a black horse; and he that sat on him, had balances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the mids of the four beasts say, A a Hereby is signified what great scarcity of corn there was, for the word here used is a kind of measure of dry things, which it in quantitic but the eighth part of a bushel, which was an ordinary portion used to be given to servants for their stint of meat for one day. measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; 5 I had rather distinguish and read the words thus, and the wine and the oil: thou shalt not deal unjustly. In this sense; likewise the wine and the oil shallbe sold a very little for a penny. Thou shalt not deal unjustly; namely when thou shalt measure out a very little for a great prize: so is the place evident: otherwise that is most true, which the wise man saith, that who so withholdeth the corn shallbe cursed of the people. Proverbs 11. 26. and the oil, and wine hurt thou not. 7 6 The fourth sign joined with words of declaration, is that God will addict the fourth part of the world indifferently, unto death and hell, or the grave, by all those means at once, by which before severally and in order he had recalled their minds unto amendment. Unto these are also added the wild & cruel beasts of the earth, out of Levit. 26. 22. Thus doth God according to his wisdom dispense the treasures of his power, justly towards all, mercifully towards the good, and with patience or long sufferance towards his enemies. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come & see 8 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse; and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed after him; and power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and by the beasts of the earth. 9 7 The fift sign, is that the holy martyrs which are under the altar whereby they are sanctified, that is, received into the trust and tuition of Christ (into whose hands they are committed) shall cry out for the justice of God, in an holy zeal to advance his kingdom, & not of any private perturbation of the mind, in this and the next verse, and that God will, in deed, sign, & word comfort them, ver. 11. And when he had opened the fift seal, I saw under the altar, the souls of them that had been killed for the word of God, & for the testimony which they maintained. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, Lord, which art holy and true, dost thou not judge, and avenge our blood, requiring the same of them that devil on the earth? 11 Than long 8 As before 3. 4. white robes were given unto every one, and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants, and their brethren that must be killed even as they were, were b Until their number be fulfilled. fulfilled. 12 9 The sixth sign, the narration whereof hath two parts, the sign and the event. The sign is, that the earth, heaven, and the things that are in them, for horror of the sins of the world upon those most heavy foretelling of God, & complaints of the saints, shallbe shaken most vehemently, trembling in horrible manner, and losing their light, in this verse: falling from on high, verse 13. withdrawing themselves and flying away for the greatness of the trouble, verse 14. So holily do all creatures depend upon the will of God, and content themselves in his glory. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and lo, there was a great earthquake, and the sun was as black as c So they called in old time those woven works that were of hair. sackcloth of hair, and the moon was all made like blood: 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her green figs when it is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed away, as a scroll, when it is rolled up, and all the mountains & isles were moved out of their places: 15 10 The event of the sign afore going: that there is no man that shall not be astonished at that general commotion, fly away for fear, and hide himself, in this verse, and wish unto himself most bitter death, for exceeding horror of the wrath of God, and of the Lamb, at which before he was astonished. Now this perplexity is not of the godly, but of the wicked, whose portion is in this life, as the-psalmist speaketh, Psalm. 17. 14. Not that sorrow which is according unto God, which worketh repentance unto salvation, whereof a man shall never repent him; but that worldly sorrow that bringeth death, 2 Cor. 7. 9 as their wish do declare: for this history is of the whole world, severed from the history of the church, as I have showed before Chapped 4. 1. And the Kings of the earth, & the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in dens, and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And they said to the mountains & rocks, 11 These are words of such as despair of their escape: of which despair there are two arguments; the presence of God and of the Lamb, provoked to wrath against the world, in this verse; and the conscience of their own weakness, whereby men feel that they are no way able to stand in the day of the wrath of God, verse 17. as it is said. Esay. 14. 27. ‖ Esay. 2. 19 Hose 10. 8. Luke 23. 30. Fall on us, and hide us from the presence of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. 17 For the great day of his wrath is come, and who is able to stand? CHAP. VII. 1 The Angels coming to hurt the earth, 3 are stayed until the Elect of the Lord, 5 of all tribes were sealed. 13 Such as suffered persecution for Christ's sake, 16 have great felicity, 17 and joy. 1 1 The 2. member of this part is a preventing of danger, as we distinguished the same before ch. 6. 1. that is, of the caution whereby God took care before hand & provided for his; that after the example of the Israelites of old Exod. 8. 23. the faithful might be exempted from the plagues of this wicked world. This whole place, is a certain interlocution & bringing in, for this whose chap. by occasion of the prediction and argument of the sixth seal. For first that evil is prevented in the elect, unto the 9 verse. Than thanks are given by the elect for that cause, for 10. 11, 12. Lastly the accomplishment of the thing is set forth, unto the end of the Chapter. The first verse is a transition, speaking of the Angels which keep these inferior parts from all evil, until God do command For (as it is excellently figured by Ezechiel cha. 1. 11. 12.) their faces and their wings are reached upwards, continually waiting upon and beholding the countenance of God for their direction, and every of them goeth into that part that is right before his face: whither soever the Spirit shall go, they go, they step not out of the way, that is, they departed not so much as a foot breadth from the path commanded them of God. F. JUNIUS. AFter that, I saw four Angels standing upon the a On the four quarters or coasts of the earth. four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that no wind should blow upon the earth, neither on the sea, 2 That is, neither into the air, into which the tops of trees are advanced. neither on any tree. 2 3 Now God provideth against the danger of his elect, by commandment, ver. 2. & 3. and by sign or figure, both for those of the nation of the jews, thence unto the 8. vers. and also them of the Gentiles vers. 9●. And I saw 4 Not only another, or differing in number from the common Angels of God, but also in essence, office & operation excelling all Angels: that is Christ jesus the eternal Angel or word of God, and mediator of the covenant. So hereafter Chap. 8. 3. and 10. 1. 5. another Angel come up from the East, which had the seal of the living God; and he cried with a loud voice to the four Angels, to whom power was given to hurt the earth, and the sea, saying, 3 Hurt ye not the earth, neither the sea, neither the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them, which were sealed; and there were sealed 5 That is, of the jews a number certain in itself before God, & such as may be numbered of us: for which cause also the same is here set down as certain. But of the elect which are of the Gentiles the number in deed is in itself certain with God, but of us not possibly to be numbered, as God Gen. 15. 5. and often elsewhere, and Esay figured most excellently Chap. 49. and 60. This therefore is spoken with respect, when a certain number is put for one uncertain confer this with verse 9 an hundredth and four and forty thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of juda, were sealed twelve thousand: Of the tribe of Reuben, were sealed twelve thousand: of the tribe of Gad, were sealed twelve thousand: 6 Of the tribe of Aser, were sealed twelve thousand: Of the tribe of Nephthali, were sealed twelve thousand: Of the tribe of Manasses, were sealed twelve thousand: 7 Of the tribe of Simeon, were sealed twelve thousand: 6 Here the tribe of Levi is reckoned up in common with the rest, because all the Israelits were equally made priests with them in Christ, by his priesthood. chap. 1. 6. and 5, 10. and Rom. 12 1. and 1. Pet. 2. 9 The name of Dan is not mentioned, because the Danits long before forsaking the worship of God, were fallen away from the fellowship of God's people, unto the part of the Gentiles. Which evil many ages before jacob foresaw, Gen. 49. 18. for which cause also there is no mention made of this tribe in the first book of the Chronicles. Of the tribe of b He skipped Dan, and reckoneth Levi. Levi, were sealed twelve thousand: Of the tribe of Issachar, were sealed twelve thousand: of the tribe of Zabulon, were sealed twelve thousand: 8 Of the tribe of c Of Ephraim, who was josephs' other son, and had the birth right given him, whereof he is called joseph. joseph, were sealed twelve thousand: Of the tribe of Benjamin, were sealed twelve thousand. 9 After these things I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, 7 See before upon the 4. verse. which no man could number, of all nations and kindreds, and people, and tongues, and they 8 As Priests, kings, and glorious conquerors by martyrdom: which things are noted by their proper signs in this verse. stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with long white robes; and palms in their hands. 10 9 The praise of God, celebrated first by the holy men, in this verse: then by the heavenly Angels, in the two verses following. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation cometh from our God, that sitteth upon the throne, and from the Lamb. 11 And all the Angels stood round about the throne, and about the Elders, & the four beasts; and they fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen. Praise, and glory, and wisdom, and thanks, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for evermore, Amen. 13 10 A passage over unto the expounding of the vision, of which the Angel inquireth of S. john, to stir him up withal, in this verse: & john in one form of speech, both acknowledgeth his own ignorance, attributing knowledge unto the Angel, and also in most modest manner requesteth the expounding of the vision, Than one of the Elders spoke, saying unto me; What are these which are arrayed in long white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Lord, thou knowest. 11 The exposition of the vision, wherein the Angel telleth first the acts of the Saints, that is their sufferings, and work of faith in Christ jesus, in this ver. Secondly their glory, both present, which consisteth in two things, that they minister unto God, and that God protecteth them, vers. 15: and to come, in their perfect deliverance from all annoyances, vers. 16. and in participation of all good things, which even the memory of former evils shall never be able to diminish, vers. 17. The cause efficient, and which containeth all these things, is only one, even the Lamb of God, the Lord, the Mediator, and the Saviour Christ jesus. And he said to me, These are they, which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their long robes, and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him d He alludeth to the Levites, which served day and night, for else there is no night in heaven. day and night in his Temple; and he that sitteth on the throne will e Or, upon them: whereby is meant God's defence & protection as it were towards them, who are as safe, as men in the Lords tents. over shadow them. 16 ‖ Esay. 49. 10. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, neither any heat. 17 Because the Lamb, which is in the mids of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto the lively fountains of water; and ‖ Esay 25. 8. Chap. 21. 4. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. CHAP. VIII. 1 After the opening of the seventh seal, 3 the Saints prayers are offered up with odours. 6 The seven Angels come forth with trumpets. 7 The four first blow, and fire falleth on the earth, 8 the sea is turned into blood, 10. 11 the waters wax bitter, 12 and the stars are darkened. 1 1 He returneth to the history of the seals of the book, which the Lamb openeth. The seventh seal is the next foresignification, and a precise commandment of the execution of the most heavy judgements of God upon this wicked world: which foresignification being understood by the seal, all things in heaven are silent, and in horror through admiration, until commandment of execution be severally given of God unto the administres of his wrath. So he passeth unto the third member, of which I spoke before in the sixth Chapter and first verse, which member is of the execution of those evils wherewith God most justly determined to afflict the world. F. JUNIUS. ANd when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven, about half an hour. 2 2 Now followeth the third branch of the common history, as even now I said: which is the execution of the judgements of God upon the world. This is first generally prepared, unto the sixth verse; then by several parts expounded according to the order of those that administered the same, unto the end of the Chapter following. Unto the preparation of this execution are declared these things: first who were the administers and instruments thereof, in this verse; secondly, what is the work both of the Prince of Angels giving order for this execution, thence unto the 5. verse, and of his administers, in the sixth verse. The administers of the execution are said to be seven Angels: their instruments, trumpets, whereby they should as it were sound the alarm at the commandment of God. They are propunded seven in number, because it pleased not God at once to power out his wrath upon the rebellious world, but at diverse times, and by piece meal, and in slow order, and as with an unwilling mind to exercise his judgements upon his creatures, so long called upon both by word and signs, if happily they had learned to repent. And I saw the seven Angels, which a Which appear before him as his ministers. stand before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 3 This is that great Emperor, the Lord jesus Christ, our King and Saviour: who both maketh intercession to God the Father for the Saints, filling the heavenly sanctuary with most sweet odour, and offering up their prayers, as the Calves and burnt sacrifices of their lips, in this verse: in such sort as every one of them (so powerful is that sweet savour of Christ, and the efficacy of his sacrifice) are held in reconcilement with God and themselves made most acceptable unto him, verse 4. And then also out of his treasury, and from the same sanctuary poureth forth upon the world the fire of his wrath, adding also divine tokens thereunto: and by that means (as of old the heralds of Rome were wont to do) he proclaimeth war against the rebellious world. Than another Angel came, and stood before the altar having a golden censer; and much odours was given unto him, to offer with the prayers of all the Saints upon the golden altar, which is before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the odours with the prayers of the Saints, b Our prayers are nothing worth, unless that true and sweet savour of that only oblation be especially and before all things with them, that is to say, unless we being first of all justified through faith in his Son, be acceptable unto him. went up out of the Angel's hand, unto the presence of God. 5 Than the Angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were made voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and earthquake. 6 4 This is the work of the administers. The Angels the administers of Christ, only by sound of trumpet and voice (for they are only as haraulds) do effectually call forth the instruments of the wrath of God, through his power. Hitherto have been things general. Now followeth the narration of things particular, which the Angels six in number wrought in their order, set out unto the nineteenth verse of the next Chapter: and is concluded with declaration of the event which followed upon these things done in the world, in the tenth and eleventh Chapters. And the seven Angels, which had the seven trumpets, prepared themselves to blow the trumpets. 7 5 The first execution at the sound of the first Angel, upon the earth, that is, the inhabitants of the earth (by metonymy) and upon all the fruits thereof: as the comparing of this verse with the second member of the ninth verse, doth not obscurely declare. So the first Angel blew the trumpet, and there was hail and fire, mingled with blood; and they were cast into the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. 8 6 The second execution, upon the sea, in this verse, and all things that are therein, in the next verse. Than the second Angel blew the trumpet, and as it were a great mountain, burning with fire, was cast into the sea; and the third part of the sea became blood. 9 And the third part of the creatures, which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of ships were destroyed. 10 7 The third execution upon the floods and fountains, that is, upon all fresh waters, in this verse: the effect where of is, that many are destroyed with the bitterness of the waters, in the verse following. Than the third Angel blew the trumpet, and there fell a great star out of heaven, burning like a torch, and fell into the third part of the rivers, and into the fountains of waters. 11 The name of the star is called 8 This is spoken by metaphor, of the name of a most bitter herb, and commonly known: unless perhaps a man following those that note the derivation of words, had rather expound it adiectivelie, for that which by reason of bitterness can not be drunk, or which maketh the liquor into which it is powered, more bitter than that any man can drink the same. wormwood: therefore the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. 12 9 The fourth execution upon those lightsome bodies of heaven, which minister unto this inferior world. After the fourth Angel blew the trumpet, and the third part of the Sun was smitten, and the third part of the Moon, and the third part of the stars; so that the third part of them was darkened, and the third part of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. 13 10 A lamentable prediction or foretelling of those parts of the divine execution which yet are behind: which also is a passage unto the argument of the next Chapter. Of all these things in a manner Christ himself expressly foretold Luke 21. 24. etc. and they are common plagues generally denounced, without particular note of time. And I beheld, and heard one Angel flying through the mids of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth, from the sounds remaining of the trumpets of the three Angels, which yet must blow their trumpets. CHAP. IX. 1 The fift Angel bloweth his trumpet, 3 and spoiling locusts come out. 13 The sixth Angel bloweth, 16 and bringeth forth horsemen, 20 to destroy mankind. 1 The fift execution upon wicked men inhabiting the earth (as a little before the Angel saved) wrought by the infernal powers, is declared in this place unto the eleventh verse. And after it the sixth execution, thence unto the nineteenth verse. And lastly is showed the common event that followed the former executions in the world, in the two last verses. F. JUNIUS. THen the fift Angel blew the trumpet, and I saw a 2 That is, that the Angel of God glittering with glory, as a star fell down from heaven: Whether thou take him for Christ, who hath the keys of hell of himself, and by Princely authority, Chapter. 1. 18. or whether for some inferior Angel, who hath the same key permitted unto him, and occupieth it ministerially, or by office of his ministery; here and Chapter 21. so the word falling is taken Gene. 14. 10. and 24. 64. and Hebr. 6. 6. star fall out of heaven unto the earth; 3 The key was given to this star. For those powers of wickedness are thrust down into hell, and bound with chains of darkness: and are there kept unto damnation, unless God for a time do let them loose. 2. Pet. 2. 4. jud. 6, and of this book Chapter. 20. the history of which Chapter, hath agreement of time with this present Chapter. and to that Angel was given the key of the a By the bottomless pit, he meaneth the deepest darkness of hell. bottomless pit. 2 4 Unto this is added, the smoke of the hellish and infernal spirits, all dark, and darkening all things in heaven and in earth. These spiritual darknesses are the causes of all disorder and confusion. For the devil at a time certain (whereof verse five) sent these darckenesses into his kingdom, that he might at once, and with one impression overthrow all things, and pervert if it were possible the elect themselves. By this darkness all spiritual light, both active as of the Sun, and passive, as of the air which is lightened by the Sun, is taken away: and this is that which goeth before the spirits: it followeth of the spirits themselves. And he opened the bottomless pit, and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the Sun, and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit. 3 5 A description of the malignant spirits invading the world, taken from their nature, power, form and order. From their nature, in that they are like unto certain locusts, in quickness, subtlety, hurtfulness, number, and such like, in this verse. From their power, for that they are, as the Scorpions of the earth, of a secret force to do hurt. For our battle is not here with flesh and blood, but with powers, etc. Ephes. 6. 12. This place of the power of the devils, generally noted in this verse, is particularly decla-red afterwards, in the three next verses. And there came out of the smoke Locusts upon the earth; and unto them was given power, such as the Scorpions of the earth have. 4 6 Here that power of the devils is particularly described, according to their actions and the effects of the same. Their actions are said to be bounded by the counsel of God: both because they hurt not all men, but only the reprobate (for the godly and elect, in whom there is any part of a better life, God guardeth by his decree) whom Christ shall not have sealed, in this verse; and also because they neither had all power, nor at all times, not not over those that are their own, but limited in manner and time by the prescript of God, verse 5. So their power to afflict the godly is none, & for the wicked it is limited in act and in effect, by the will of God: for the manner was prescribed unto them, that they should not slay but torment the wretched world. The time is for five months, or for an hundred and fifty days, that is, for so many years, in which the devils have in deed mightily perverted all things, in the world; and yet without that public and unpunished licence of killing, which afterwards they usurped when the sixth Angel had blown his trumpet, as shall be said upon the thirteenth verse. Now this space is to be accounted from the end of that thousand years mentioned chapter 20. 3. and that is, from the Popedom of that Gregory the seventh, a most monstrous Necromancer, who before was called Hildebrandus Senensis: for this man being made altogether of impiety and wickedness, as a slave of the devil, whom he served, was the most wicked firebrand of the world he excommunicated the Emperor Henry the fourth: went about by all manner of treachery to set up and put down Empires and Kingdoms, as liked himself: and doubted not to set Rodolph the Swedon over the Empire in steed of Henry before named, sending unto him a crown with this verse annexed unto it, Petra dedit Petro, Petrus diadema Rodolpho, that is, The Rock to Peter gave the crown, and Peter Rodolph doth renown. Finally, he so finely bestirred himself in his affairs, as he miserably set all Christendom on fire, & conveyed over unto his successors the burning brand of the same; who enraged with like ambition, never ceased to nourish that flame, and to in kindle it more & more: whereby Cities, Common weals, and whole kingdoms set together by the ears amongst themselves, by most expert cutthroates, came to ruin, whiles they miserably wounded one another. This term of an hundred and 50. years, taketh end in the time of Gregory the ninth, or Hugolinus Anagniensis (as he was before called) who caused to be compiled by one Raymond his chaplain and confessor, the body of the Decretals, and by sufferance of the Kings and Princes, to be published in the Christian world, and established for a law. For by this sleight, at length, the Pope's arrogated unto themselves licence to kill whom they would, whiles other were unwares; and without fear established a butchery out of many, the wicked Canons of the Decretals, which the trumpet of the 5. Angel had expressly forbidden, & had hindered until this time. The effects of these bloody actions are declared upon the 6 verse: that the miserable world languishing in so great calamilities, should willingly run together unto death, and prefer the same before life, by reason of the grievousness of the miseries that oppressed them. But it was commanded them, that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree: but only those men which of have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be vexed five months; and that their should be as the pain that cometh of a Scorpion, when he hath stung a man. 6 ‖ Chap. 6. 16. Esay. 2. 19 Hose. 10. 8. Therefore in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to dye, and death shall fly from them. 7 7 The form these hellish spirits and administers, is shadowed out by signs & visible figures in this sort: that they are very expert & swift: that wheresoever they are in the world the kingdom is theirs: that they menage all their affairs with cunning & skill, in this verse: that making show of mildness and tender affection to draw on men with all, they most impotently rage's in all mischief: that they are most mighty to do hurt, verse 8. that they are freed from being hurt of any man, as armed with the colour of Religion and sacred authority of privilege: that they fill all things with horror, verse 9 that they are fraudulent: that they are venomous and extremely noisome, though their power be limited, verse 10. All which things are properly in the infernal powers, and communicated by them unto their ministers and vassals. The form of the locusts was like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were set as it were crowns, like unto gold, & their faces were like the faces of men. 8 And they had hair as the hair of women; and their teeth were as the teeth of Lions: 9 They had also habbergions, like to habbergions of iron: and the sound of their wings was like the sound of charets, when many horses run together in battle: 10 Also they had tails like unto Scorpions; and there were stings in their tails; and their power was to hurt men five months. 11 8 The order of the powers of maliciousness: that they are subject unto one infernal king, whom thou mayest call in English the destroyer: who driveth the whole world both jews and Gentiles into the destruction that belongeth unto himself. And I cannot tell whether this name have respect unto the etymological interpretation of Hildebrand, by a figure often used in Scripture: which albeit it may otherwise be turned of the Germans (as the sense of compound words is commonly ambiguous) yet in very deed it signifieth as much as if thou shouldest call him the firebrand, that is, he that setteth on fire those that be faithful unto him. Now they had a King set over them, which is the Angel of the bottomless pit; whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek is called Apollyon, that is, the destroyer. 12 9 A passage unto the next point, and to the history of the time following. One woe is past, and behold, yet two woes come after this. 13 10 The sixth execution done upon the world, by the tyrannical powers thereof, working in the four parts of the earth, that is, in most cruel manner executing their tyrannous dominion through the whole world: and killing the miserable people without punishment, which before was not lawful for them to do in that sort, as I showed upon the fourth verse. This narration hath two parts: a commandment from God, in the fourteenth verse: and an execution of the commandment, in the verses following. ¶ Than the sixth Angel blew the trumpet, 11 The commandment given by Christ himself, who is governor over all. and I heard a certain voice from the b He alludeth to the altar of incense, which stood in the court which the priests were in, over against the Ark of the Covenant, having a veil betwixt them. four horns of the golden altar, which is before God, 14 Saying to the sixth Angel, which had the trumpet; 12 As if he should have said, these hitherto have been so bound by the power of God, that they could not freely run upon all men as themselves lusted, but were staved and restrained at that great flood of Euphrates, that is, in their spiritual Babylon (for this is a Periphrasis of the spiritual Babylon, by the limits of the visible Babylon long since overthrown) that they might not commit those horrible slaughters, which they long breathed after. Now, go to, let loose those four Angels, that is, administers of the wrath of God, in that number that is convenient to the slaughtering of the four quarters of the world: stir them up, and give them the bridle, that rushing out of that Babylon of theirs, which is the seat of the wicked ones, they may flee upon all the world, therein to rage and most licentiously to practise their tyranny, as God hath ordained. This was done when Gregory the ninth by public authority established for law, his own Decretals; by which he might freely lay trains for the life of simple men. For, who is it that seethe not that the laws Decretal most of them are snares to catch souls withal? Since that time (O good God) how great slaughters have there been? how great massacres? All histories are full of them: and this our age aboundeth with most horrible and monstrous examples of the same. Lose the four Angels, which are bound at the great river Euphrates. 15 13 The execution of the commandment, is in two points: one, that these butcherers are let loose, that out of their tower of the spiritual Babylon they might with fury run abroad through all the world, as well the chief of that crew which are most prompt unto all assays: in this verse; as their multitudes, both most copious, of which a number certain is named for a number infinite, verse 16. and in themselves by all means fully furnished to hide and to hurt, vers. 17. as being armed with fire, smoke & brimstone, as appeareth in the colour of their armour which dazzleth the eyes of all men: and have the strength of Lions to hurt withal, from which (as out of their mouth) the fiery, smoky, and stinking darts of the Pope are shot out, vers. 18. The other point is, that these butcherers have effected the commandment of God by fraud and violence, in the two verses following. Then the four Angels were loosed, which were prepared at an hour, at a day, at a month, and at a year, to slay the third part of men. 15 And the number of the troops of horsemen were twenty thousand times ten thousand: for I heard the number of them. 16 I also saw horses in a vision, and them that sat on them, having fiery habbergions, and of jacinth, and of brimstone; & the heads of the horses were as the heads of Lions: & out of their mouths came forth fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 By these three was the third part of men killed, that is, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which came out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouths, and in their tails: 14 That is, they are harmful every way: on what part soever thou put thine hand unto them, or they touch thee, they do hurt. So the former are called Scorpions, verse 3. for their tails are like unto Serpents, having heads, wherewith they hurt. 20 15 Now remaineth the event, (as I said upon the first verse) which followed of so many and so grievous judgements, in this most wicked world: namely an impenitent obfirmation of the ungodly in their impiety and unrighteousness, though they feel themselves most vehemently pressed with the hand of God: for their obstinate ungodliness is showed in this verse; and their unrighteousness in the verse following. Hitherto hath been the general history of things to be done universally in the whole world: which because it doth not so much belong unto the Church of Christ: is therefore not so expressly distinguished by certainty of time and other circumstances: but is woven, as they say, with a slight hand. Also there is none other cause why the history of the seventh Angel is passed over in this place, them for that the same more properly appertaineth unto the history of the Church. But this is more diligently set out according to the times thereof, Chapter. 11. and 16. as shall appear upon those places. And the remnant of the men which were not killed by these plagues, repent not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and ‖ Psal. 115. 4. and 135. 15. images of gold and of silver, and of brass, & of stone, and of wood, which neither can see, neither hear, nor go: 21 Neither repent they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, neither of their fornication, nor of their thefts. CHAP. X. 1 Another Angel appeareth clothed with a cloud, 2 holding a book open, 3 and crieth out. 8 A voice from heaven commandeth john to take the book, 10 He eateth it. F. JUNIUS. 1 1 Now S. john passeth unto the other prophetical history, which is of the Church of God, as I showed that this book should be distinguished, chap. 4. 1. This story reacheth hence unto the two and twentieth chapter. And this whole chapter is but a transition from the common history of the world, unto that which is particular of the church. There are in this transition or passage, two preparatives, as it were, unto this church story, comprised in this whole chapter. One is the authority of Christ, revealing his mysteries, and calling his servant, unto the seventh verse. The other is S. john his calling proper unto this place, and repeated from before; unto the end of the chapter. Authority is given unto this revelation, by these things: First, by the person of Christ, appearing from heaven in his habit and countenance, strong, ready, glorious, surveying all things by his providence, and governing them by his omnipotency, verse 1. Secondly, that he brought not by chance, but out of a book, this open revelation set forth unto the eye, to signify the same unto the sea, and land, as Lord over all, verse 2. Thirdly, that he offered the same not whispering or muttering in a corner (as false prophets do) but crying out with a loud voice unto them which sleep: and with a lionish and terrible noise roused up the secure: the very thunders themselves giving testimony thereunto, verse 3. Lastly for that he confirmed all by an oath, verse 5. 6. 7. THen I saw 2 Christ jesus: see chap. 7. 2. another mighty Angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud; & the rain bow was over his head, & his face was as the sun, & his feet as pillars of fire. 2 And he had in his hand a 3 Namely a special book of the affairs of God's church. For the book that containeth things belonging unto the whole world, is said to be kept with the creator, chap. 5. 1. but the book of the church, with the redeemer, and out of this book is taken the rest of the history of this Apocalypse. little book open, and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left on the earth, 3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 4 A godly care is laudable, but must be joined with knowledge. Therefore nothing must be taken in hand but by calling; which must be expected and waited for of the godly. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to writ: but I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 close. Seal up those things which the seven thunders have spoken, and writ them not. 5 And the Angel which I saw stand upon the sea, & upon the earth, b This was a gesture used of one that sweareth. which men do yet now adays use. lift up his hand to heaven, 6 And swore by him that liveth for evermore; which created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which therein are, 5 Neither time itself, nor the things that are in time: but that the world to come is at h●d, which is altogether of eternity & beyond all times. that c There shall never be any more time. time should be no more. 7 But in the days of the 6 Whereof cha. 11. 15. & 16. 17. voice of the seventh Angel, when he shall blow the trumpet, the mystery of God shallbe finished, as he hath declared to his servants the Prophets. 8 7 The other part of this Ch. concerning the particular calling of S. john to the receiving of the prophesy following: which is enjoined him, first by sign in three verses; then in plain words, in the last verse. Unto the setting forth of the sign belong these things: That S. john is taught from heaven, to demand the book of prophesy, in this verse: for these motions and desires God doth inspire: that demanding the book, he is charged to take it in a figurative manner, the use whereof also is expounded, verse 9 (as Ezech 2. vers. 9) whence this similitude is borrowed: lastly, for that S. john at the commandment of Christ took the book; and found by experience that the same as proceeding from Christ was most sweet; but in that it foretelleth the afflictions of the church, it was most bitter unto his spirit. And the voice which I heard from heaven, spoke unto me again and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the Angel, which standeth upon the sea & upon the earth. 9 So I went unto the Angel, and said to him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. 10 Then I took ye little book out of the Angel's hand, and did eat it up; & it was in my mouth sweet as honey: but when I had eaten it up, my belly was bitter 11 8 A simple and plain declaration of the sign before going, witnessing the divine calling of S. john, and laying upon him the necessity thereof. And he said unto me, Thou must prophecy again before people and nations, and tongues, and many Kings. CHAP. XI. 1 The temple is commanded to be measured. 3 The Lord stirreth up two witnesses: 7 whom the beast murdereth, 9 and no man burieth them. 11 God raiseth them to life. 12 and calleth them up to heaven, 13 The wicked are terrified. 15 By the trumpet of the seventh Angel, the resurrection 18 and judgement is described. 1 1 The authority of the intended revelation being declared, together with the necessity of that calling which was particularly imposed upon john: hereafter followeth the history of the estate of Christ his church both conflicting or warfaring, & overcoming in Christ. For both the true church of Christ is said to sight against that which is falsely so called, over the which Antichrist ruleth; Christ jesus overthrowing Antichrist by the spirit of his mouth: and Christ is said to overcome most gloriously until he shall slay Antichrist, by the appearance of his coming, as the Apostle excellently teacheth. 2. Thes. 2. 8. So this history hath two parts: One of the state of the church conflicting with temptations, unto the 16. chap. The other of the state of the same church, obtaining victory, thence unto the 20. chap. The first part hath two members, most conveniently distributed into their times, whereof the first containeth an history of the Christian church for 1260. years, what time the Gospel of Christ was, as it were, taken up from amongst men into heaven: the second containeth an history of the same church unto the victory perfected. And these two members are briefly, though distinctly, propounded in this chap. but are both of them more at large discoursed, after in due order. For we understand the state of the church conflicting, out of chap. 12 & 13. and of the same growing out of afflictions, out of the 14. 15. & 16. chap. Neither did S. john at unwares join together the history of these two times in this chap. because here is spoken of prophesy, which all confess to be but one: just & immutable in the church, & which Christ commanded to be continual. The history of the former time reacheth unto the 14. vers. the latter is set down in the rest of this chap. In the former are showed these things: the calling of the servants of God in 4. verses: the conflicts which the faithful must godly undergo in their calling, for Christ & for his church, thence unto the 10. ver. and their resurrection, & receiving up into heaven, unto the 14. verse. In the calling of the servants of God, are mentioned two things: the begetting and settling of the church in two verses: and the education thereof in two other verses. The begetting of the church is here commended unto S. john by sign and by speech: the sign is a measuring rod; and the speech a commandment to measure the Temple of God, that is, to reduce the same unto a new form: because the Gentiles are already entered into the Temple of jerusalem, and shall shortly defile and overthrow the same utterly. F. JUNIUS. THen was given me a reed, like unto a rod; and the Angel stood by me, saying, Rise 2 Either that of jerusalem which was a figure of the church of Christ, or that heavenly exemplar, whereof verse 19 but the first liketh me better, and the things following do all agreed thereunto. The sense therefore is, Thou seest all things in God's house, almost from the passion of Christ, to be disordered: and that not only the city of jerusalem, but also the court of the Temple is trampled under foot of the nations, and of profane men whether jews or strangers: and that only the Temple, that is, the body of the temple, with the altar, and a small company of good men which truly worship God, do now remain, whom God doth sanctify and confirm by his presence. Measure therefore this, even this true church, or rather the true type of the true church, omitting the rest and so describe all things from me, that the true church of Christ may be, as it were, a very little centre: and the church of Antichrist as the circle of the centre, every way in length and breadth compassing about the same: that by way of prophesy thou mayest so declare openly, that the state of the Temple of God, and the faithful which worship him, that is of his church, is much more straight than the church of Antichrist. and meet the Temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2 3 As if he should say, it belongeth nothing unto thee, to judge those which are without, 1. Cor 5. 12. which be innumerable: look unto those of the household only, or unto the house of the living God. But the a He speaketh of the outer court, which was called the people's court, because all men might come into that. court which is without the temple b That is counted to be cast out, which in measuring is refused as prophene. shut out, and meet it not: for it is given unto the 4 To profane persons, wicked, and unbelievers, adversaries unto the Church. Gentiles; and the holy city shall they tread under foot, 5 Or a thousand two hundred and threescore days, as is said in the next verse: that is, a thousand two hundred and threescore years, a day for a year, as often in Ezechiel and Daniel: which thing I noted before 2. 10. The beginning of these thousand two hundred and threescore years, we accounted from the passion of Christ, whereby (the partition wall being broken down) we were made of two, one, Ephes 2. 14. I say one flock under one shepherd, joh. 10. 16 & the end of these years precisely falleth into the Popedom of Boniface the eight, who a little before the end of the year of Christ 1294. entered the Popedom of Rome, in the feast of S. Lucy (as Bergomensis saith) having put in prison his predecessor Coelestinus, whom by fraud, under colour of oracle, he deceived: for which cause, that was well said of him, Intravit ut vulpes, regnavit ut lo, mortuus est ut canis. That is, He entered like a fox, reigned like a lion, and died like a dog. For if from 1294. years thou shalt take the age of Christ which he lived on the earth, thou shalt find there remaineth just 1260. years, which are mentioned in this place, and many others. two and forty months. 3 But 6 I had rather translate it illud then illam, the temple than the city: for God saith I will give that temple, & commit it unto my two witnesses, that is unto the ministers of the word, who are few indeed, weak and contemptible: but yet two, that is of such a number as one of them may help another, and one confirm the testimony of another unto all men, that from the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be made good amongst men 2. Cor. 13. 1. I will give the same unto my two witnesses, & they shall 7 They shall exercise their office enjoined by me by the space of those thousand two hundred and sixty years, in the midst of afflictions though never so lamentable; which is figuratively showed by the mourning garment. prophecy a thousand two hundredth and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These 8 That is, the ordinary and perpetual instruments of spiritual grace, peace and light in my Church, which God by his only power preserved in this Temple. So Zach. 4. 3. are the two olive trees, and two candlesticks, standing before the God of the earth. 5 9 The power and efficacy of the holy ministery, and which is truly evangelical, is declared both in earth and in heaven, protecting the administers thereof, and destroying the enemies, in this verse, virtue indeed divine, most mightily showing forth itself in heaven, earth, and the sea, verse 6. as it is described 2. Cor. 10. 4. according to the promise of Christ, Mar. 16. 17. And this is the second place (as I said before) of the combats which the servants of God must needs under go in the executing of their calling, and of the things that follow the same combats. In the combats or conflicts are these things: to overcome, in these two verses; to be overcome and killed, verse 7. After the slaughter follow these things: that the carcases of the godly are laid abroad, verse 8. being unburied, are made a matter of scorn, together with cursing and bitter execrations, verse 9 and that therefore gratulations are publicly and privately made. verse. 10. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouths, and devoureth their enemies: for if any man will hurt them, thus must he be killed. 6 These have power to shut up heaven, that it reign not in the days of their prophesying; and have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with all manner plagues, as often as they william. 7 10 That is, when they have spent those thousand two hundred and sixty years mentioned verse 2. and 3. in publishing their testimony according to their office. And when they have c When they have done their message. finished their testimony, 11 Of which after, chap. 13. etc. That beast is the Roman Empire, made long ago of civil, Ecclesiastical: the chief head whereof was than Boniface the eight, as I said before: who lifted up himself in so great arrogancy (saith the author of Fasciculus temporum) that he called himself Lord of the whole world, as well in temporal causes as in spiritual. There is extant of that matter, written by the same Boniface, most arrogantly, shall I say, or most wickedly ca unam sanctam. extra. de maioritate & obedientia; and in the sixth of the decretals (which is from the same author) many things are found of the same argument. the beast that cometh up out of the bottomless pit, shall 12 He shall persecute most cruelly the holy men, and put them to death, and shall wound & pierce through with cursings, both their names and writings. And that this was done to very many godly men by Boniface and others, the histories do declare, especially since the time, that the odious and condemned name amongst the multitude, first of the brethren Waldenses or Lugdunenses, then also of the Fraticells, was pretended, that good men might with more approbation be masta●red. make war against them, & shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their corpses shall lie in the 13 That is, openly at Rome: where at that time was a most great concourse of people, the year of jubilee being then first ordained by Boniface unto the same end, in the year of Christ one thousand three hundred, example whereof is read Chapter 1. Extra. de poenucntijs & remissionibus. So by on act he committed double injury against Christ, both abolishing his truth by the restoring of the type of the jubilee, and triumphing over his members by most wicked superstition. O religious heart! Now, that we should understand these things of Rome, S. john himself is the author, both after in the seventeenth Chapter almost throughout, and also in the circumscription now next following, when he saith, it is that great City (as Chapter 17. 18. he calleth it) and is spiritually termed Sodom and Egypt: and that spiritually (for that must here again be repeated from before) Christ was there crucified. For the two first appellations signify spiritual wickednesses: the latter signifieth the show and pretence of good, that is, of Christian and sound religion. Sodom signifieth most licentious impiety and injustice; Egypt most cruel persecution of the people of God; and jerusalem signifieth, the most confident glorying of that City, as it were in true religion, being yet full of falsehood and ungodliness. Now who is ignorant that these things do rather and more agreed unto Rome, then unto any other City? The commendations of the City of Rome for many years past, are publicly notorious, which are not for me to gather together. This only I will say, that he long since did very well see what Rome is, who taking his leave thereof used these verses: Roma vale, vidi, satis est vidisse: revertar Quumleno, meretrix, scurra cinaedus aero. Now farewell Rome, I have thee seen: it was enough to see: I will return when as I mean, bawd, harlot, knave to be. streets of the great city, which d After a more secret kind of meaning & understanding. spiritually is called Sodom & Egypt, 14 Namely in his members, as also he said unto Saul, Act. 9 5. where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds, and tongues, & Gentiles shall see their corpses 15 That is, for three years & an half: for so many years Boniface lived after his jubiley, as Bergomensis witnesseth. three days and an half, and shall not suffer their carcases to be put in graves. 10 And the inhabitants of the earth, 16 So much the more shall they by this occasion exercise the iolities of their jubilee. shall rejoice over them, & be glad; and shall sand gifts one to another: because these two Prophets 17 The Gospel of Christ is the affliction of the world; & the ministery thereof, the savour of death unto death, to those that perish. 2. Cor. 2. 16. vexed them that dwelled on the earth. 11 18 The third place as I noted before, is of the rising again of the Prophets from the dead, and their carrying up into heaven. For their resurrection is showed in this verse; their calling and lifting up into heaven, in the verse following. But after 19 That is, what time God shall destroy that wicked Boniface. three days & an half, 20 That is, the Prophets of God shall in a sort rise again, not the same in person (as they say) but in spirit; that is, in the power & efficacy of their ministery, which S. john expressed before vers. 5. and 6. And so the prophecy that is spoken of Elias, is interpreted by the Angel to be understood of john the Baptist, Luke 1. 17. For the same Boniface himself, who sought to kill and destroy them, was the fire of God's mouth (which the holy ministery showeth and exhibiteth) devoured, and died miserably in prison, by the endeavour of Sarra Columnensis, and Nogaretus a French knight, whom Philip the fair king of France sent into Italy but with a very small power. the spirit of life coming from God, shall enter into them; & they 21 That is, the most grievous heat of afflictions and persecutions shall stay for a while, for the great amaze that shall arise upon that sudden and unlooked for judgement of God. shall stand up upon their feet: & great fear shall come upon them which shall see them. 12 After this they heard a great voice from heaven, saying unto them, Come up hither. And 22 They were called by God into heaven, and taken out of this malignant world, into the heavenly Church, which also lieth hidden here in the earth, to exercise their calling secretly: as of whom this wretched world was unworthy. Heb. 11. 38. For the Church of the wicked is by comparison called the earth or the world; & the Church of the godly, heaven. So in ancient time amongst the godly Israelits; so amongst the jews in the days of Manasses & other kings, whom the earth refused that heirs of heaven, we read that they lay hidden as heaven in the earth. they ascended up to heaven in a cloud, 23 Yet could they not hinder the secret ones of the Lord (as the psalmist calleth them, Psal. 83. 4.) but that they went on forward in his work. and their enemies did see them. 13 24 Bergomensis saith, in the year of our Lord 1301 this year a blazing star foretelling great calamity to come, appeared in heaven: in which year upon the feast of S. Andrew, so great an earthquake suddenly arose, as never before: which also continuing by times, for many days, overthrew many stately houses. This saith he of the year next following the jubilee: which S. john so many ages before, expressed as it were word for word. And the same hour was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake was slain in number seven thousand men: and the rest were sore feared, 25 They were in deed broken with present astonishment of mind, but did not earnestly repent as they aught to have done. and c Glorified God by confessing his Name. gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 26 He passeth unto the second history, which is the second part of this Chapter. S. john calleth these the second and third woe, having respect unto Chap 9 12. The second woe is past, and behold the third woe will come quickly. 15 27 Of whose sounding the trumpet Christ expressly foretold. ch. 10. 7. & this is the second part of this chap. containing a general history of the Christian Church, from the time of Boniface the 8. unto the consummation of the victory declared by voice from heaven. In this history there are three branches: a preparation by the sound of the Angel's trumpet: a narration by the voices of heavenly Angels & Elders: and a confirmation by sign. Than the seventh Angel blew the trumpet, & there were great voices in heaven saying, 28 The narration hath 2. parts; an acclamation of the heavenvly creatures, in this verse. and, both an adoration by all the Elders, vers. 16. & also a most ample thanks giving, ver. 17. 18. The sense of the acclamation is, Now the Lord is entered on his kingdom, & hath restored his Church, in which most mightily recovered from the profanation of the Gentiles, he may glorify himself. Namely, that, which the Lord ordained when first he ordained his Church, that the faith of the Saints doth now behold as accomplished. The kingdoms of this world are our Lords, and his Christ's, who shall reign for evermore. 16 29 As before 7. 11. This giving of thanks is altogether of the same content with the words going before. And the four and twenty Elders, which sat before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17 Saying, We give thee thanks, Lord God almighty, Which art, and which wast, and which art to come: for that thou hast taken unto thee thy great might, and hast entered thy kingdom. 18 30 A speech of the Hebrew language, as much to say, as, the Gentiles being angry, thine inflamed wrath came upon them, and showed itself from heaven, occasioned by their anger and fury. And the Nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the Prophets, and to the Saints, and to them that fear thy Name, both small and great, and shouldest destroy them, which destroy the earth. 19 Than the temple of God was 31 This is the confirmation of the next prophecy before going by signs exhibited in heaven, and that of two sorts, where of some are visible, as the passing away of of the heaven, the opening of the Temple, the Ark of the covenant appearing in the Temple, & testifying the glorious presence of God, and the lightnings: others apprehended by ear and such more dull senses, which bear witness in heaven and in earth to the truth of the judgements of God. opened in heaven, & there was seen in his Temple the Ark of his covenant: & there came lightnings, & voices, and thunderings, and earthquake, and great hail. CHAP. XII. 1 A woman 2 appeareth traveling with child, 4 whose child F. JUNIUS. the Dragon would devour, 7 but Michael overcometh him, 9 and casteth him out, 13 & the more he is cast down & vanquished, the more fiercely he exerciseth his subtleties. 1 1 Hitherto hath been the general prophecy, comprehended in two parts, as I showed upon the 11. chapter. Now shallbe declared the first part of this prophecy, in this & the next chap and the latter part in the 14. 15. and 16. chapters. Unto the first part, which is of the conflicting or militant Church, belong two things: The beginning and the progress of the same in conflicts and Christian combats Of which two, the beginning or upspringing of the Church is described in this chap. & the progress thereof in the chap. following. The beginning of the Christian Church we define to be from the first moment of the conception of Christ, until that time wherein this Church was as it were weyned and taken away from the breast or milk of her mother: which is the time when the Church of the jews with their City & Temple was overthrown by the judgement of God. So we have in this chapter the story of 69. years & upwards. The parts of this chap. are 3. The first is, the history of the conception & bearing in womb, in 4. verses. The second, an history of the birth, from the 5. vers. unto the 12. The third is, of the woman that had brought forth, unto the end of the chap. And these several parts have every one their conflicts. Therefore in that first part are two things contained, one the conception & bearing in womb, in 2. verses: & another of the lying in wait of the Dragon against that which should be brought forth, in the next 2. verses. In the first point are these things; the description of the mother, vers. 4. and of the dolours of childbirth, vers. 2. all showed unto john from heaven. ANd there appeared a great wonder in heaven: 2 A type of the true and holy Church, which then was in the Nation of the jews. This Church (as is the state of the holy Church Catholic) did in itself shine about with glory given of God, troad under feet mutability and changeableness, and possessed the kingdom of heaven as the heir thereof. A woman clothed with the Sun, and the Moon was under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 And 3 For this is that barren woman that brought not forth, of which Esa. 54. 1. & Gal. 4 27. she cried out for good cause, & was tormented at that time; when in the judgement of all she seemed near unto death, and in manner ready to give up the ghost, by reason of her weakness and poverrie. being with child, she cried traveling in birth, & was pained ready to be delivered. 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven: 4 That is, the devil or Satan (as is declared, verse 9) mighty, angry, and full of wrath. for behold a great read Dragon having 5 Thereby to withstand those seven Churches before spoken of, that is, the Catholic Church; and that with kingly furniture and tyrannical magnificence, signified by the crowns set upon his heads, as if the same without controversy belonged unto him by proper right: as also he boasted unto Christ, Mat. 4. 9 See after, upon chap. 13. 1. seven heads, & 6 Moore than are the horns of the Lamb, or then the Churches are: so well furnished doth the tyrant brag himself to be, unto all manner of mischief. ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads: 4 7 After the description of Satan followeth his actions that is, his battle offered unto the Church, partly to that which is visible, wherein the wheat is mingled with the chaff, and the good fish with that which is evil; a good part hereof, though in appearance it shined as the stars shine in heaven, he is said to thrust down out of heaven, and to pervert: for if it were possible, he would pervert even the elect, Mat. 24. 24. and partly to the elect members of the holy Catholic Church, in the second part of this verse. Many therefore of the members of the visible Church (saith S. john) he overthrew and triumphed upon them. His tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth. And the Dragon 8 He withstood that elect Church of the jews, which was now ready to bring forth the Christian Church, and watched for that she should bring forth. For the whole Church, and whole body is compared unto a woman: and a part of the Church, unto that which is brought forth, as we have noted at large upon Cant. 7. 6. stood before the woman, which was ready to be delivered, 9 Christ mystical (as they call him) that is, the whole Church, consisting of the person of Christ as the head, and of the body united thereunto by the spirit, so is the name of Christ taken. 1. Cor. 12. 12. to devour her child, when she had brought it forth. 5 10 The second history is of the Church delivered of child: in which first the consideration of the child borne, & of the mother is described in two verses: secondly the battle of the Dragon against the young child, & the victory obtained against him, in three verses following: last of all is sung a song of victory, unto the twelfth verse. Now S. john in consideration of the child borne, noteth two things; for he both describeth him, and his station or place in this verse. So she brought forth a 11 That is, Christ the head of the Church joined with his Church (the beginning, root, and foundation whereof is the same Christ) endowed with kingly power, and taken up into heaven out of the jaws of Satan (who as a Serpent did bite him upon the cross) that sitting upon the coelestrall throne he might reign over all. man child, which should rule all Nations with a rod of iron: and her child was taken up unto God and to his throne. 6 12 The Church of Christ which was of the jews, after his Assumption into heaven, hide itself in the world as in a wilderness, trusting in the only defence of God, as witnesseth S. Luke in the Acts of the Apostles. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God; that 13 Namely the Apostles and servants of God, ordained to feed with the word of life, the Church collected both of jews and Gentiles; unless any man will take the word alerent, impersonally, after the use of the Hebrews, in steed of aleretur: but I like the first better. For he hath respect unto those two Prophets, of whom chapter 11. 3. as for the meaning of the 1260. days, look the same place. they should feed her there a thousand, two hundredth and three score days. 7 And there was a battle fought in heaven, 14 Christ the Prince of Angels, and head of the Church, who beareth that iron rod, verse 5. See the notes upon Dan. 12 1. In this verse is a description of the battle; and of the victory, in the two verses following. The Psalmist had respect unto this battle, Psal 68 19 and Paul, Ephes. 4. 8. & Col. 2. 15. Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon, and the Dragon fought and his Angels. 8 15 The description of the victory, by denying of one thing in this verse, and by affirming the contrary in the next verse. As that Satan gained nothing in heaven, but was by the power of God thrown down into this world, whereof he is prince: Christ himself and his elect members standing still by the throne of God. But they prevailed not, neither was their a They were cast out, so that they were never seen in heaven any more. place found any more in heaven. 9 And that great Dragon was cast out, that old serpent, which is called the devil and Satan, which deceiveth all the world: he was even cast into the earth, and his Angels were cast out with him. 10 Than I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 16 The song of victory or triumph, containing first, a proposition of the glory of God and of Christ, showed in that victory: secondly it containeth a reason of the same proposition, taken from the effects, as that the enemy is overcome in battle, in this verse, and that the godly are made conquerors (and more than conquerors, Rom. 8. 37.) verse 11. Thirdly a conclusion, wherein is an exhortation unto the Angels, and Saints; & unto the world a Prophecy of great misery, and of destruction procured by the devil against mankind, jest himself should shortly be miserable alone, verse 12. Now is come salvation, and strength, & the kingdom of our God, & the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 But they overcame him by the blood of that Lamb, and by that word of their testimony, and they b He is said in the Hebrew tongue, to love his life, that esteemeth nothing more precious than his life: and on the other side, he is said not to love his life, who doubteth not to hazard is, whensoever need requireth. loved not their lives unto the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that devil in them. woe to the inhabitants of the earth, and of the sea: for the devil is come down unto you, full of great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time. 13 Now when 17 The third part: an history of the woman delivered, consisting of two members, the present battle of Satan against the Christian Church of the jewish Nation, in four verses: and the battle intended against the seed thereof, that is, against the Church of the Gentiles, which is called holy by reason of the Gospel of Christ, in the two last verses. the Dragon saw that he was cast down unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which had brought forth the man child. 14 18 That is, being strengthened with divine power, and taught by oracle, she fled swiftly from the assault of the devil, and from the common destruction of jerusalem, & went unto a solitary City beyond jordan called Pella, as Eusebius telleth in the fift Chapter of the third book of his Ecclesiastical history: which place God had commanded her by Revelation. But to the woman were given two wings of a great Eagle, that she might fly from the presence of the Serpent into the wilderness, into her place, where she might be nourished for a c Into that place which God had appointed for her. 19 That is for three years & a half: so the same speech is taken Dan. 7. 25. This space of time is reckoned in manner from that last & most grievous rebellion of the jews, unto the destruction of the City and temple: for their defection or falling away began in the 12. year of Nero; before the beginning whereof, many foresignes and predictions were showed from heaven, as josephus writeth lib. 7. cap. 12. and Hegesippus lib. 5. cap. 44. amongst which this is very memorable, that in the feast of Pentecost not only a great sound and noise was heard in the Temple, but also a voice was heard of many out of the Sanctuary, which cried out unto all. Let us departed hence. Now three years and a half after this defection was begun of the Jews, and those wonders happened, the City was taken by force, the Temple overthrown, and the place forsaken of God: and this compass of time S. john noted in this place. time, and times, and half a time. 15 20 That is, he inflamed the Romans and Nations, that they persecuting the jewish people with cruel arms, might by the same occasion invade the Church of Christ, now departed from jerusalem and out of judaea. For it is an usual thing in Scripture, that the raging tumults of the Nations should be compared unto waters. And the Serpent cast out of his mouth water after the woman, like a flood; that he might 'cause her to be carried away of the flood. 16 21 That is, there was offered in their place other jews, unto the Romans & nations raging against that people: and it came to pass thereby that the Church of God was saved whole from that violence; that most raging flood of persecution which the Dragon vomited out being altogether spent in the destruction of those other jews. But the earth holp the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood, which the dragon had cast out of his mouth. 17 22 Being set on fire by this means, he began to be more mad, & because he perceived that his purpose against the Christian Church of the jewish rennant was come to nought: he resolved to fall upon her seed, that is, the Church gathered also by God of the Gentiles, & the holy members of the same. And this is that other branch, as I said upon the 13. ver. in which the purpose of Satan is showed, ver. 17 and his attempt. ver. 18. Then the dragon was wroth with the woman: and went to make war with the rennant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and which have the testimony of jesus Christ. 18 23 That is, as a most mighty tempest he rushed upon the whole world (whose Prince he is) to raise the floudflous & provoke the nations, that they might by their furious billows toss up & down, drive here & there, & finally destroy the Church of Christ with the holy members of the same. But the providence of God resisted his attempt, that he might favour the Church of the Gentiles yet tender & as it were green. The rest of this story of the Dragon is excellently prosecuted by the Apostle S. john hereafter in chap. 20. For here the dragon endeavouring to do mischief, was by God cast into prison. And he stood on the sea sand. CHAP. XIII. 1 The beast with many heads is described, 8 which draweth the most part of the world to Idolatry. 11 The other beast rising out of the earth. 15 giveth power unto him. 1 1 The Apostle having declared the springing up of the Christian Church, and the state of that Church from which ours taketh her beginning, doth now pass unto the story of the progress thereof, as I showed in the entrance of the former Chap. And this history of the progress of the Church and the battles thereof, is set down in this Chapter, but distinctly in two parts; one is of the civil Roman Empire, unto the tenth verse. Another of the body Ecclesiastical or Prophetical, thence unto the end of the Chapter. In the former part are showed these things: First the state of that Empire, in four verses; then the acts thereof, in three verses; after, the effect, which is exceeding great glory, verse 8. And last of all is commended the use: and the instruction of the godly against the evils that shall come from the same, verse 9 10. The history of the state, containeth a most ample description of the beast first entire, verse 1. 2. and the restored after hurt, verse 3. 4. F. JUNIUS. THen I saw a beast rise 2 On the sand whereof stood the devil practising new tempests against the Church, in the verse next before going: what time the Empire of Rome was endangered by domestical dissensions, and was mightily tossed, having ever and anon new heads, and new Emperors. See after, 17. 8. out of the sea, which had seven heads, and 3 Having the same instruments of power, providence, and most expert government, which the Dragon is said to have had. Chapter 12. 3. ten horns, and 4 We read in the 12. Chapter and 3. verse, that the Dragon had seven crowns set upon seven heads: because the thief avoucheth himself to be the proper Lord and Prince of the world: but this beast is said to have ten crowns, set upon several not heads but horns: because the beast is beholden for all unto the Dragon, verse 2. and doth not otherwise reign, then by law of subjection given by him, namely, that he employ his horns against the Church of God. The speech is taken from the ancient custom and form of dealing in such case: by which they that were absolute kings did wear the diad●me upon their heads; but their vassals and such as reigned by grace from them, wore the same upon their hoods; for so they might commodiously lay down their diadems when they came into the presence of their Sovereigns: as also the Elders are said, when they adored God which sat upon the throne, to have cast down their crowns before him. Chapter 4. 10. upon his horns were ten crowns; & upon his heads 5 Contrary to that, which God of old commanded should be written in the head piece of the high Priest, that is Sanctitas jehovae. Holiness unto the Lord. The name of blasphemy imposed by the Dragon, is (as I think) that which Saint Paul saith in the second Chapter of his second Epistle to the Thessalonians verse 4. He sitteth as God, and boasteth himself to be God. For this name of blasphemy both the Roman Emperors did then challenge unto themselves, as Suetonius and Dion do report of Caligula and Domitian: and after them the Popes of Rome did with full mouth prefesse the same of themselves; when they challenged unto themselves sovereignty in holy things; of which kind of sayings the sixth book of the Decretals, the Clementines, and the Extravagants, are very full. For these men were not content with that which Anglicus wrote in his Poëtria, (the beginning whereof is, Papa stupor mundi. The Pope is the wonder of the world) Nec Deus es, nec homo; sed neuter es inter utrumque. Thou art not God, ne art thou man, but neuter mixed of both; as the gloze witnesseth upon the fixed book: But they were bold to take unto themselves the very name of God, and to accept it given of others: according as almost an hundred and twenty years since, there was made for Sixtus the fourth when he should first enter into Rome in his dignity Papal, a pageant of triumph, and cunningly fixed upon the gate of the City he should enter at, having written upon it this blasphemous verse. Oraclo vocis mundi moderaris habenas, Et merito in ●erris crederis esse Deus. By oracle of thine own voice the world thou governst all, And worthily a God on earth, men think and do thee call. These and six hundred the like who can impute unto that modesty whereby good men of old would have themselves called the servants of the servants of God? Verily either this is a name of blasphemy: or there is none at all. the name of blasphemy. 2 And this beast which I saw, was 6 Swift as the Leopard, easily clasping all things, as the Bear doth with her foot, and tearing and devouring all things with the mouth as doth the Lyon. like a Leopard, and his feet like a bear, & his mouth as the mouth of a Lion: 7 That is, he lent the same unto the beast to use when he perceived that himself could not escape, but must needs be taken by the hand of the Angel, and cast into the bottomless pit, Chapter 20. yet did he not so abandon the same utterly from himself, but that he might use it as long as he could. and the Dragon gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority. 3 8 This is the other place that appertaineth to the description of the beast of Rome: that besides that natural dignity, and amplitude of the Roman Empire, which was shadowed in the two former verses, there was added this also as miraculous, that one head was wounded, as it were, unto death, and was healed again, as from heaven, in the sight of all men. This head of Nero the Emperor, in whom the race of the Caesars fell from the Imperial dignity, and the government of the Common weal was translated unto others: in whose hands the Empire was so cured and recovered to health, as it seemed unto all so much the more deeply rooted and grounded fast, then ever before. And hence followed those effects, which are next spoken of: First, an admiration of a certain power, as it were, sacred and divine, sustaining the Empire and governing it: Secondly, the obedience and submission of the whole earth, in this verse: Thirdly, the adoration of the Dragon, and most wicked worshipping of devils, confirmed by the Roman Emperors: Lastly, the adoration of the beast himself, which grew into so great estimation, as that both the name and worship of a God was given unto him, verse 4. Now there were two causes which wrought in the minds of men this Religion: the show of excellency, which bringeth with it reverence: and the show of power invincible, which bringeth fear. Who is like (say they) unto the beast? Who shallbe able to fight with him? And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; but his deadly wound was healed; and all the world wondered and followed the beast. 4 And they worshipped the Dragon which gave power unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast! who is able to fight with him! 5 9 The second member containing an history of the acts of the beast, as I said verse 1. The history of them is concluded in two points, the beginning, and the manner of them. The beginning is the gift of the Dragon, who put and inspired into the beast both his impiety against God, and his immanity and injustice against all men, especially against the godly and those that were of the household of faith, verse 5. The manner of the acts or actions done, is of two sorts; both impious in mind, and blasphemous in speech against God, his Church, and the godly, verse 6. and also most cruel and injurious in deeds, even such as are done of most raging enemies, and of most insolent and proud conquerors, verse 7. And there was given unto him a mouth, that spoke great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him, 10 Namely his actions, and manner of dealing. As concerning those 42. months, I have spoken of them before chapter. 11. 2. to do for two and forty months. 6 He therefore opened his mouth unto blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his Name, 11 That is, the holy church, the true house of the living God. and his tabernacle, 12 That is, the godly in several, who hide themselves from his cruelty. For this bloody beast, surcharged those holy souls most falsely with innumerable accusations, for the name of Christ, as we read in justine Martyr, Tertullian, Arnobius, Minutius, Eusebius, Augustine, and others: which example the later times followed most diligently, in destroying the flock of Christ: and we in our own memory have found by experience, to our incredible grief. Concerning heaven, See chapt. 11. 12. and them that devil in heaven. 7 It was also given unto him to make war with the Saints, and to overcome them; and power was given him over every kindred, and tongue, and nation. 8 Therefore all that devil upon the earth, shall worship him, 13 That is, such as are not from everlasting elected in Christ jesus. For this is that Lamb slain, of which chapt. 5. 6. These words I do, with Aretas, distinguish in this manner: Whose names are not written even from the laying of the foundations of the world, in the book of life, of the Lamb slain: and this distinction is confirmed by a like place, hereafter, chapped 17. 8. whose names are not written in the book of life of that Lamb, which was slain from the beginning of the world. 9 14 The conclusion of this speech of the first beast, consisting of two parts, An exhortation to attentive audience, in this verse: and a foretelling, which partly containeth threatenings against the wicked, and partly comforts for those which in patience and faith shall wait for that glorious coming of our Lord and Saviour Christ, verse 10 If any man hath an ear, let him hear. 10 If any lead into captivity, he shall go into captivity: ‖ Gen. 9 6. Matth. 26. 52. if any kill with a sword, he must be killed by a sword: here is the patience and the faith of the Saints. 11 15 The second member of the vision, concerning the Ecclesiastical dominion, which in Rome succeeded that which was politic, and is in the power of the corporation of false prophets, and of the forgers of false doctrine. Wherhfore the same beast, and the same body or corporation is called of S. john by the name of false prophet, chapt. 16. 13. & 19 20. The form of this beast is first described, in this verse, than his acts, in the verses following: and the whole speech is concluded in the last verse. This beast is by his breed, a son of the earth (as they say) obscurely borne, and by little and little creeping up, out of his abject estate. Than I saw an other beast coming up out of the earth, 16 That is, in show he sembled the Lamb (for what is more mild, or more humble then to be the servant of the servants of God?) but in deed he played the part of the Dragon, and of the Wolf. Matth. 7. 15. For even Satan changeth himself into an Angel of light, 2. Cor. 11. 14. and what should his honest disciples and servants do? which had two horns like the Lamb, but he spoke like the dragon. 12 17 The history of the acts of this beast, containeth in sum three things, hypocrisy, the witness of miracles, and tyranny: of which the first is noted in this verse, the second in the three verses following; the third in the sixteenth and seventeenth verses. His hypocrisy is most full of leasing, whereby he abuseth both the former beast and the whole world: in that albeit he hath by his cunning, as it were by lime, made of the former beast a most miserable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or anatomy, usurped all his authority unto himself, and most impudently exerciseth the same in the sight and view of him: yet he carrieth himself so, as if he honoured him with most high honour, and did in very good truth 'cause him to be reverenced of all men. And doth exercise the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth, and them which devil therein, 18 For unto this beast of Rome, which of a civil Empire is made an Ecclesiastical hierarchy, are given divine honours, and divine authority: so far, as he is believed to be above the Scriptures, which the gloss upon the Decretals declareth by this devilish verse, Articulos soluit, synodumque facit generalem. That is, He changeth the Articles of faith, and giveth authority to general Counsels. Which is spoken of the Papal power. So the beast is by birth, foundation, seat, and finally substance one: only the Pope hath altered the form and manner thereof, being himself the head both of that tyrannical Empire, and also of the false prophets: for the empire hath he taken unto himself, and thereunto hath added this cunning devise. Now these words whose deadly wound was cured, are put here for distinction sake, as also sometime afterwards: that even at that time the godly readers of this prophecy might by this sign be brought to see the thing as present: as if it were said; that they might adore this very Empire that now is, whose head we have seen in our own memory to have been cut off, and to be cured again. to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 19 The second point of the things done by the beast is the credit of great wonders or miracles, appertaining to the strengthening of this impiety; of which signs some were given from above, as it is said that fire was sent down from heaven by false sorcery, in this verse. Others were showed here below in the sight of the beast, to establish idolatry, and deceive souls: which part S. john setteth forth, beginning (as they say) at that which is last; in this manner: First the effect is declared in these words. He deceiveth the inhabitants of the earth. Secondly, the common manner of working, in two sorts: one of miracles, For the signs which were given him to do in the presence of the beast; the other of the words added unto the signs, and teaching the idolatry confirmed by those signs, Saying unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they should make an image unto that beast which etc. Thirdly, a special manner is declared, That it is given unto him to put life into the image of the beast: and that with such a kind of quickening that the same both speaketh by answer unto those that ask counsel of it, and also pronounceth death against all those that do not obey nor worship it: all which things often times by false miracles through the procurement and inspiration of the devil, have been effected and wrought in images. The histories of the Papists are full of examples of such miracles, the most of them feigned, many also done by the devil in images, as of old in the serpent, Genes. 3. 1. By which examples is confirmed not the authority of the beast, but the truth of God and of these prophecies. And he doth great wonders, so that he maketh fire to come down from heaven on the earth, in the sight of men; 14 And deceiveth them that devil on the earth, by reason of the signs, which were given to him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that devil on the earth, that they should make an 20 That is, images, by enallage or change of the number; for the worship of them ever since the second council of Nice, hath been ordained in the church by public credit and authority, contrary unto the law of God. image of the 21 In the Greek the word is of the dative case, as much to say, as unto the worship, honour and obeying of the beast; for by this maintenance of images, this pseudoprophetical beast doth mightily profit the beast of Rome, of whom long ago he received them. Wherhfore the same is hereafter very fitly called the image of the beast, for that images have their beginning from the beast, and their form or manner from the will of the beast, and have their end and use fixed in the profit and commodity of the beast. beast, which was wounded of the sword, and did live again. 15 22 And of this miracle of the images of the beast (that is, which the beast hath ordained to establish idolatry) which miraculously speak, and give judgement, or rather marvelously, by the fraud of the false prophets, the Papists books are full freighted. And it was given to him to give a To give life, as jannes' & I ambres imitated the wonders that Moses wrought. life unto the image of the beast, and that the image of the beast should speak; and to 'cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast, should be killed. 16 23 The third place, is a wicked and most insolent tyranny, as was said before, usurped over the persons of men, in this verse; and over their goods and actions, in the next verse. For he is said, both to bring upon all person a tyrannous servitude, that as bondslaves they might serve the beast: and also to exercise over all their goods and actions, a pedlerlike abuse of indulgences and dispensations (as they term them) amongst their friends; and against others, to use most violent interdictions, and to shoot out cursings, even in natural and civil, private and public contracts, wherein all good faith aught to have place. Also he maketh all, both small & great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive 24 That is, their Chrism, by which in the Sacrament (as they call it) of Confirmation, they make servile unto themselves, the persons and doings of men, signing them in their forehead and hands: and as for the sign jest by Christ (of which Chap. 7. 3.) and the holy Sacrament of Baptism they make as voided. For whom Christ hath joined unto himself by Baptism, this beast maketh challenge unto them by his greasy chrism, which he doubteth not to prefer before Baptism, both in authority and in efficacy. a b The mark of the name of the beast. mark in their right hand or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man may 25 That is, have any free traffic, or intercourse with men, but they only which shall have this anointing and consecration of clerkly tonsure, as they call it. Read Grarian de consecrat. distinct. 5. c. omnes; cap. spiritus etc. of these matters. buy or cell, save he that hath the 26 Here the false prophets do require three things, which are set down in the order of their greatness, a character, a name, and the number of the name. The meaning is, that man that hath not, first their anointing and clerical tonsure or shaving; secondly holy orders, by receiving whereof is communicated the name of the beast; or finally hath not attained that high degree of pontificial knowledge, and of the law (as they call it) Canonical, and hath not as it were made up in account and cast the number of the mysteries thereof: for in these things consisteth the number of that name of the beast. And this is excellently set forth in the next verse. mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 27 That is, in this number of the beast consisteth that popish wisdom, which unto them seemeth the greatest of all others. In these words S. john expoundeth that saying which went before of the number of the beast, what it hath above his mark or accognisance, and his name. These things (saith S. john) the mark and name of the beast, do easily happen unto any man: but to have the number of the beast, is wisdom: that is, only the wise and such as have understanding can come by that number; for they must be most illuminated doctors that attain thereunto: as the words following do declare. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the 28 How great & of what denomination this number of the beast is, by which the beast accounteth his wisdom, S. john declareth in these words; Dost thou demand how great it is? it is so great that it occupieth the whole man; he is always learning and never cometh unto the knowledge thereof: he must be a man in deed that doth attain unto it. Askest thou of what denomination it is? verily it standeth of six throughout, and perfectly ariseth of all the parts thereof in their several denominations (as they term them:) it standeth of six by unities, tens, hundreds, etc. so as there is no one part in the learning and order pontificial, which is not either referred unto the head, and, as it were, the top thereof, or contained in the same: so fitly do all things in this hierarchy agreed one with another, and with their head. Therefore that cruel beast Boniface the eight doth commend by the number of six those decretals which he perfected: in the proem of the sixth book. Which book (saith he) being to be added unto five other books of the same volume of decretals, we thought good to name Sextum, the sixth; that the same volume by addition thereof, containing a senario, or the number of six books (which is a number perfect) may yield a perfect form of managing all things, and perfect discipline of behaviour. Here therefore is that number of the beast, who poureth from himself all his parts, and bringeth them all back again unto himself by his discipline in most wise and cunning manner. If any man desire more of this, let him search the gloss upon that place. I am not ignorant that other interpretations are brought upon this place: but I thought it my duty, with the good favour of all, and without the offence of any, to propound mine opinion in this point. And that for this cause especially, for that it seemed unto me neither probable nor like to be true, that the number of the beast, or of the name of the beast, should be taken as the common sort of interpreters do take it. For this number the beast teacheth, giveth out, imprinteth, as a public mark of such as be his; and esteemeth that mark above all others, as the mark of those whom he loveth best. Now those other expositions seem to be far removed from this property and condition of that number: whether you respect the name Latinus, or Titan or any other. For these the beast doth not teach, nor give forth, nor imprint, but most diligently forbiddeth to be taught, and audaciously denieth: he approveth not these, but reproveth them: and hateth them that think so of this number, with an hatred greater than the hatred of Vatinius. number of a man: and his number is six hundredth, sixty and six. CHAP. XIIII. 1 The Lamb standeth on mount Zion, 4 with his chaste worshippers. 6 One Angel preacheth the Gospel: 8 an other foretelleth the fall of Babylon: 9 the third warneth that the beast be avoided. 13 A voice from heaven pronounceth them happy who die in the Lord. 16 The Lords sickle is thrust into the harvest. 18 and into the vintage. 1 1 The history of the church of Christ being finished for more than a thousand and three hundredth years, at which time Boniface the eight lived, as before hath been said: there remaineth the rest of the history of the conflicting or militant Church from thence unto the time of the last victory, in three Chapters. For first of all, as the foundation of the whole history, is described the standing of the Lamb with his army and retinue, in five verses: after, his worthy acts, which he hath done and yet doth, in most mighty manner, whilst he overthroweth Antichrist with the spirit of his mouth, in the rest of this Chapter, and in the two following. Unto the description of the Lamb are propounded three things, his situation, place and attendancy: for the rest are expounded in the former visions, especially upon the fift Chapter. F. JUNIUS. THen I looked, and lo, a Lamb 2 As ready girt to do his office (as Acts 5. 56.) in the midst of his Church, which afore time mount Zion did prefigure. stood on mount Zion, and with him 3 As before 7 2. This retinue of the Lamb is described first by divine mark (as before 7. 2.) in this verse. Than by his divine occupation, in that all and every one in his retinue most vehemently & sweetly (vers. 2.) do glorify the Lamb with a special song before God and his elect Angels: which song flesh & blood cannot hear, nor understand, verse 3. Lastly by their deeds done before, and their sanctification, in that they were virgins, pure from spiritual and bodily fornication, that is, from impiety & unrighteousness; that they followed the Lamb as a guide unto all goodness, and cleaved unto him: that they are holy unto him, as of grace redeemed by him: that in truth, & in the simplicity of Christ, they have exercised all these things; sanctimony of life, the direction of the Lamb, a thankful remembrance of redemption by him: finally (to conclude in a word) that they are blameless before the Lord. ver. 4. & 5. an hundredth, forty and four thousand, having his Fathers Name written in their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their haps: 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the Elders: and no man could learn that song, but the hundredth, forty and four thousand, namely they which were bought out of the earth. 4 These are they, which are not defiled with women; for they are virgins: these follow the Lamb, whither soever he goeth: these are bought from amongst men, to be as first fruits, holy unto God, and to the Lamb: 5 And in whose mouths is found no guile: for they are without spot before the throne of God. 6 4 The other part (as I said on the first ver.) is of the acts of the Lamb, the manner whereof is delivered in two sorts; of his speech and of his facts. His speeches are set forth unto the 13. verse of this chapter; & his facts unto the 16. chapter. In the speech of the Lamb, which is the word of the Gospel, are taught in this place these things: The service of the godly consisting inwardly of reverence towards God; and outwardly of the glorifying of him: the visible sign of which is adoration verse 7. The overthrowing of wicked Babylon, verse. 8. and the fall of every one of the ungodly which worship the beast, verse 9 10. 11. Finally the state of the holy servants of God both present, verse 12. and to come, most blessed, according to the promise of God. verse 13. ¶ Than I saw 5 This Angel is a type or figure of the good and faithful servants of God, whom God especially from the time of that Boniface the eighth, hath raised up to the publishing of the Gospel of Christ, both by preaching and by writing. So God first, near unto the time of the same Boniface used Peter Cassiodorus an Italian; after, Arnold de villa nova, a French man; then Ockam, Dante, Petrarch; after that johannes de rupe caesa a Franciscane; after again, john Wickliff Englishman, and so continually one or another, unto the restoring of the truth, and enlarging of his Church. another Angel fly through the mids of Heaven, having an everlasting Gospel, to preach unto them that devil on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, & tongue, and people, 7 ‖ Psal. 145. 6. Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him: for the hour of his judgement is come: and worship him that made ‖ Act. 14. 15. heaven and earth, & the sea, and the fountains of waters. 8 And there followed another Angel, saying, ‖ Esay. 21. 9 6 That is, Babylon is destroyed by the sentence and judgement of God: the execution where of S. john describeth chap. 18. And this voice of the ministers of Christ hath continued since the time that Babylon (which is Rome) hath by deliberate counsel and manifest malice oppugned the light of the Gospel offered from God. Babylon that great city is fallen, it is fallen: for she made all nations to drink of the wine of the jeremy. 51. 8. Chap. 18 2. a Of her fornication, whereby God was provoked to wrath. wrath of her fornication. 9 ¶ And the third Angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, 7 That is, shall not worship God alone, but shall transfer his divine honour unto this beast, whether he do it with his heart or counterfeiting in show. For he (saith Christ) that denieth me before men, him will I deny before my father & his Angels, Matth. 10. 32. And this is that voice of the holy ministery, which at this time is very much used of the holy and faithful servants of God. For having now sufficiently found out the public obstinacy of Babylon, they labour not any longer to thunder out against the same: but to sa●e some particular member by terror (as Saint Jude speaketh) and to pluck them out of the public flame: or else by a vehement commiseration of their estate, to lead them away; they set before them eternal death, into which they rush unwares, unless in goodtime they return unto God: but the godly which are of their own flock, they exhort unto patience, obedience, and faith in the Lord jesus, and charge them to give light, by their example of good life, unto others. If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or on his hand, 10 He also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, even of the mere wine, which is powered into the cup of his wrath; and shallbe tormented with fire and brimstone in the sight of the holy Angels, and in the sight of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment shall ascend up for evermore: and they shall have no rest day nor night, which worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the print of his name. 12 8 The patience, sanctification and justification by faith: the consequents whereof are, rest, felicity, and glory eternal, in the he avenly fellowship of God and his Angels. Here is the patience of the Saints here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of jesus. 13 Than I heard a voice out of heaven, saying unto me, Writ; Blessed from henceforth are the dead which die b That is, for the Lord. in the Lord, Yea, saith the Spirit for they ‖ Heb 4. 10. rest from their labours, & their c By works, is meant the reward which followeth good works. works follow them. 14 9 The second part of this Chapter, as I said verse 1. Of the acts & doings of Christ in overthrowing of Antichrist and his Church, by the spirit of his divine mouth: seeing that having been called back by word both publicly and privately unto his duty, and admonished of his most certain ruin: he yet ceaseth not to maintain and protect his own adherents that they may do him service: and to afflict the godly with most barbarous persecutions. Of those things which Christ doth, there are two kinds; one common or general, in the rest of this Chapter; another particular, against that savage and rebellious beast, and his worshippers, in the 15. and 16. Chapters. That common kind, is the calamity of wars, spread abroad through the whole earth, & filling all things with blood, & that without respect of any person. This is figured or shadowed out in two types, of the harvest and vintage. Since the time that the light of the Gospel began to shine out; and since prophecy or preaching by the grace of God was raised up again, how horrible wars have been kindled in the world? how much human flesh hath been thrown to the earth, by this divine reaping? how much blood (alas for woo) hath over flown for these three hundred years almost? all histories do cry out, and this our age (if ever before) is now in horror, by reason of the rage of that sickle which Antichrist calleth for. In this place is the first type, that is, of the harvest. ¶ And I looked, and behold 10 Declaring his fierceness by his colour, like unto that which is in the white or milk circle of heaven. a white cloud; and upon the cloud sat one like unto a man, 11 As one that shall reign from God, and occupy the place of Christ in this miserable execution. having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a 12 That is, a most fit and commodious instrument of divine execution, desitoving all, by hewing and thrusting through: for who may stand against God? sharp sickle. 15 13 Christ giveth commandment, in this verse, and the Angel executeth in the next verse. And another Angel came out of the Temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, ‖ joel. 3. 13. Thrust in thy sickle & reap: for the time is come for thee to reap: for the ‖ Matth. 13. 39 harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And he that sat on the cloud, thrust in his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. 17 14 The other type (as I said vers. 14) is the vintage; the manner whereof is one with that which went before, if thou except this, that the grape gathering is more exact in seeking out every thing, then is the harvest labour. This is therefore a more grievous judgement, both because it succeedeth the other, and be cause it is understood to be executed with greater diligence. Then another Angel came out of the temple, which is in heaven, having also a sharp sickle. 18 And another Angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, & said; Thrust in thy sharp sickle, & gather the clusters of the vineyard of the earth: for her grapes are ripe. 19 Therefore the Angel thrust in his sharp sickle on the earth, & cut down the grapes of the vineyard of the earth, and cast them into that great wine press of the wrath of God. 20 And the wine press was trodden without the City, 15 That is, it overflowed very deep, & very far & wide: the speech is hyperbolical or excessive, to signify the greatness of the the slaughter. And these be those pleasant fruits forsooth, of the contempt of Christ, and desiring of Antichrist rather than him, which the miserable, mad, and blind world doth at this time reap. & blood came out of the wine press, unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundredth furlongs. CHAP. XV. 1 The seven Angels having the seven last plagues. 3 They that conquered the beast praise God. 6 To the seven Angels, 7 seven vials full of God's wrath, are delivered. 1 1 This is that other place of the acts of Christ, as I noted before 14. 14. Now therefore is showed a singular work of the judgement of God, belonging to the overthrow of Antichrist and his forces: of which divine work the preparation is described in this chapter: and the execution, in the next. The preparation is first set down generally and in type, in this verse: and is after particucularly set forth, in the rest of the chap. F. JUNIUS. AFter I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous; Those seven 2 Of which chap. 8. & 9 in pouring forth the plagues of the world: for even these plagues, do for the most part agreed with those. Angels which have the seven last plagues: for by them is fulfilled the wrath of God. 2 3 There are two parts of the narration: one the confession of the Saints glorifying God, when they saw that preparation of the judgements of God, unto the 4 ver. another the vocation, instruction, & confirmation of those instruments which God hath ordained for the execution of his judgments, in 4. other verses. And I saw 4 This part of the vision alludeth unto that sea or large vessel of brass, in which the priests washed themselves in the entrance of the temple: for in the entrance of the heavenly temple (as it is called vers. 5.) is said to have been a sea of glass, most lightsome and clear, unto the commodity of choice: mixed with fire, that is, as containing the treasury of the judgements of God, which he bringeth forth and dispenseth according to his own pleasure: for out of the former, the Priests were cleansed of old: & out of this the ungodly are destroyed now, chap. 4. 6. as it were a glassy sea, mingled with fire; and 5 That is, the godly martyrs of Christ, who shall not give place even in miracles unto that beast: of these see before chap. 13. 17. and 14. 9 10. them that had gotten victory over the beast, and his image, and his mark, and the number of his name, 6 Glorifying God, from the particular observation of the weapons and instruments of God's wrath, floating in that sea of glass. stand at the glassy sea, having the haps of God, 3 And they sung the 7 That song of triumph which is Exodus 152. song of Moses the a So is Moses called for honour's sake, as it is set forth Deut. 34. 10. servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, 8 This song hath two parts: one a confession, both particular, in this verse, and general, in the beginning of the next verse: another, a narration of causes belonging to the confession; where of one kind is eternal in itself, and most present unto the godly, in that God is both holy, and alone God: another kind is future and to come, in that the clect taken out of the Gentiles (that is, out of the wicked ones and unbelieving, as Chapter 11. 2.) were to be brought unto the same state of happiness, by the magnificency of the judgements of God, in the next verse. Great and marucilous are thy works o Lord God almighty: just and true are thy ‖ Psal. 145. 17. b Thy doings. ways, o King of Saintes. 4 ‖ jere. 107. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, & glorify thy Name: for thou only art holy; & all Nations shall come and worship before thee: for thy judgements are made manifest. 5 9 The second part of the narration (as was noted, verse 2) wherein first the authority of the whole argument and matter thereof is figured by a forerunning type of a Temple opened in heaven, as Chapter 11. 19 namely that all those things are divine and of God, that proceed from thence, in this verse; Secondly, the administers, or executors, come forth out of the Temple, verse 6. Thirdly, they are furnished with instruments of the judgements of God, and weapons fit for the manner of the same judgements, verse 7. Finally, they are confirmed by testimony of the visible glory of God, in the last verse. A like testimony whereunto was exhibited of old in the law, Exodus 40. 34. And after this, I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of testimony was open in heaven. 6 And the seven Angels came out of the temple, which had the 10 That is, commandments to inflict those seven plagues. Here is the figure called Metonymia. seven plagues, clothed in 11 Which was in old time a sign of the Kingly or Priestly dignity. pure and bright linen, and having their breasts 12 This girding was a sign of diligence; and the girdle of gold was a sign of sincerity, and trustiness in taking in charge the commandments of God. girded with golden girdles. 7 And one of the 13 Of these before chap. 4. 7. four beasts gave unto the seven Angels seven golden vials, full of the wrath of God, who liveth for evermore. 8 And the Temple was filled with smoke proceeding from the majesty of God, and from his power, and 14 None of those seven Angels might return, till he had performed fully the charge committed unto him, according to the decree of God. no man was able to enter into the Temple, till the seven plagues of the seven Angels were fulfilled. CHAP. XVI. 2 and 17 The Angels power out the seven vials of God's wrath given unto them, and so diverse plagues arise in the world, 18 to terrify the wicked, 19 and the inhabitants of the great City. 1 1 In the former Chapter was set down the preparation unto the work of God: here is delivered the execution thereof. And in this discourse of the execution, is a general commandment, in this verse; then a particular recital in order of the execution done by every of the seven Angels, in the rest of the Chapter. This special execution against Antichrist and his crew, doth in manner agreed unto that which was generally done upon the whole world, Chapter 8. and 9 and belongeth (if my conjecture fail me not) unto the same time. Yet herein they do differ one from another, that this was particularly effected upon the Princes and ringleaders of the wickedness of the world; the other generally against the whole world being wicked. And therefore these judgements are figured more grievous than those. F. JUNIUS. THen I heard a great voice out of the Temple, saying to the seven Angels, Go your ways, & power out the seven vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. 2 2 The history of the first Angel, whose plague upon the earth, is described almost in the same words with that sixth plague of the Egyptians. Exod. 9 9 But it doth signify a spiritual ulcer, and that torture or butchery of conscience feared with an hot iron, which accuseth the ungodly within: & both by truth of the word (the light whereof God hath now so long showed forth) and by bitterness, stirreth up and forceth out the sword of God's wrath. The first Angel therefore went, & powered out his vial upon the earth: & there fell a noisome, and a grievous sore upon the men, which had the 3 See chap. 13. 16. mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. 3 4 The story of the second Angel, who troubleth and molesteth the seas, that he may stir up the consciences of men sleeping in their wickedness: see chapter 8. 8. After the second Angel powered out his vial upon the sea, and it a It was turned into rotten and filthy blood, such as is in dead bodies. became as the blood of a dead man: and every living thing that lived in the sea, died. 4 5 The story of the third Angel, striking the rivers, in this verse. who proclaiming the justice of God, commendeth the same by a most grave comparison of the sins of men with the punishment of God: which is common to this place, and that which went before. Wherhfore also this praising is attributed unto the Angel of the waters, a name common to the second and third Angels, according as both of them are said to be sent against the waters, albeit the one of the sea, the other of the rivers, in two verses. Than the third Angel powered out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. 5 And I heard the Angel of the waters say, Lord, thou art just, Which art, and Which wast, and Which shalt be; because thou hast judged these things. 6 For they shed the blood of the Saints, and Prophets, and therefore hast thou given them blood to drink: for they are worthy. 7 6 A confirmation of the praise before going, out of the sanctuary of God; whether immediately by Christ, or by some one of his Angels: for Christ also is called another Angel. Chap. 7. 2. 3. 8. and 10. 1. And I heard another out of the Sanctuary say, Even so, Lord God almighty, true and righteous are thy judgements. 8 7 The story of the fourth Angel, who throweth a plague upon the heaven and upon the Sun, of which Luke 21. 26. the effects whereof are noted two. The one peculiar, that it shall scorch men with heat, in this verse. The other proceeding accidentally from the former, that their fury shall so much the more be enraged against God, in the next verse: when yet (o wonderful mercy and patience of God) all other creatures are first stricken often and grievously by the hand of God before mankind, by whom he is provoked as the things before going do declare. And the fourth Angel powered out his vial on the Sun, and it was given unto him to torment men with heat of fire, 9 And men boiled in great heat, and blasphemed the Name of God, which hath power over these plagues; and they repent not, to give him glory. 10 8 The story of the fift Angel, who striketh the kingdom of the beast with two plagues: abroad with darkness; & within with biles and dolours most grievous, throughout his whole kingdom: that thereby he might wound the conscience of the wicked, and punish that most perverse obstinacy of the Idolaters: whereof arose perturbation, and thence a furious indignation and desperate madness, raging against God, and hurtful unto itself. Then the fift Angel powered out his vial upon the throne of the beast, & his kingdom became dark, and they gnawed their tongues for sorrow: 11 And blasphemed the God of heaven for their pains, and for their sores, & repent not of their works. 12 9 The story of the sixth Angel, divided into his act, and the event thereof. The act is, that the Angel did cast out the plague of a most glowing heat, wherewith even the greatest floods and which most were wont to swell and overflow (as Euphrates) were dried up, by the counsel of God, in this verse. The event is, that mere madness wherewith the wicked are enraged, that they may scorn the judgements of God, and abuse them furiously to serve their own turn, and to the executing of their own wicked outrage. Than the sixth Angel powered out his vial upon the great river 10 The bound of the spiritual Babylon, and the fortresses of the same, as Chapter 9 14. Euphrates; & the 11 So the Church of the ungodly, and kingdom of the beast is said to be left naked, all the defences thereof, in which they put their trust, being taken away from it. water thereof was dried up, 12 That is, that even they that devil furthest off, may with more commodity make haste unto that sacrifice which the Lord hath appointed. that way might be prepared for the Kings that should come from the East. 13 And I saw come out of the mouth of the 13 That is, the devil, as Chapter 12. 3. Dragon, and out of the mouth of the 14 Whereof Chapter 13. 1. beast, & out of the mouth of that 15 That is, of that other beast, of which Chapter 13. 11. for so he is called also Chapter 19 20. and 20. 10. false prophet, 16 That is, every of them bend their whole force, and conspired, that by wonders, word, and work they might bring into the same destruction all Kings, Princes, and Potentates of the world, cursedly bewitched of them by their spirits, and teachers of the vanity and impurity of the beast that committed fornication with the Kings of the earth. And this is a right description of our times. three unclean spirits 17 Croaking with all importunity, and continually day & night provoking & calling forth to arms, as the trumpets and furies of war: as is declared in the next verse. like unto frogs. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, and go unto the Kings of the earth, & of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 18 A Parenthesis for admonition, in which God warneth his holy servants who rest in the expectation of Christ, always to address their minds unto his coming and to look unto themselves, that they be not shamefully made naked, and circumvented of these unclean spirits, & so they be miserably unprepared at the coming of their Lord, so Matth 24. 26 and 25. 13. ( ‖ Chap. 3. 31. Matth 24. 44. Luke. 12. 39 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and men see his filthiness.) 16 19 Namely the Angel, who holily according to the commandment of God, was to do sacrifice: notwithstanding that those impure spirits do the same wickedly, as servants not unto God, but unto that beast, that hath seven heads. He therefore gathered them together into a place, called in Hebrew 20 That is (to say nothing of other expositions) the mountain itself, or mountain places of Megiddon. Now it is certain by the holy Scripture, that Megiddon is a City and territory in the Tribe of Manasses, bordering upon Issacar and Asser: and was made famous by that lamentable overthrow of king josias, whereof 2. Reg. 22. 30. and 2. Chronic. 35. 22. and Zach. 12. 11. In this mountain country God saith by figure or type, that the kings of the peoples which serve the beast, shall meet together: because the Gentiles did always cast that lamentable overthrow in the teeth of the Church of the jews, unto their great reproach: and therefore were persuaded, that that place should be most fortunate unto them (as they speak) and infortunate unto the godly. But God here pronounceth, that that reproach of the Church, & confidence of the ungodly, shall by himself be taken away, in the self same place where the nations persuaded themselves, they should mightily exsult and triumph against God and his Church. Armagedon. 17 ¶ 21 The story of the seventh Angel unto the end of the Chapter, in which first is showed by sign and speech, the argument of this plague, in this verse: and then is declared the execution thereof, in the verses following. Then the seventh Angel powered out his vial into the 22 From whence he might move the heaven above, and the earth beneath. air: and there came a loud voice out of the Temple of heaven 23 That is, from him that sitteth on the throne, by the figure called Metonymia. from the throne, saying, 24 That is, Babylon is undone, as is showed verse 19 and in the Chapters following. For the first onset (as I might say) of this denunciation, is described in this Chapter: and the last, containing a perfect victory, is described in those that follow. It is done. 18 25 Now is declared the execution (as I said, in verse 17.) and the things that shall last come to pass in heaven and in earth, before the overthrow of the beast of Babylon: both generally, vers. 18. and particularly in the cursed City, and such as have any familiarity therewith, in the three last verses: And there were sounds, and lightnings and thunders, and there was a great earthquake, such as never was since men were upon the earth, I say so mighty an earthquake. 19 26 That seat or standing place of Antichrist. And that great City was rend into three parts, and the Cities 27 Of all such as clean unto Antichrist, and sight against Christ of the Nations fell and that great 28 That harlot, of whom in the Chapter next following. Now this phrase, to come into remembrance, is after the common use of the Hebrew speech; borrowed from men, and attributed unto God. Babylon came in remembrance before God, ‖ jere. 25. 15. that he might give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 20 And every isle fled away, and the mountains 29 That is, were seen no more, or were no more extant. A borrowed hebraism. were not b Appeared not, which the Hebrews utter after this sort, were not, Gen. 5. 24. found. 21 30 The manner of the particular execution, most evidently testifying the wrath of God by the original and greatness thereof: the event whereof is the same with that which is Chapter 9 13. and which hath been mentioned in this Chapter, from the execution of the fourth Angel hitherto: that is to say, an incorrigible pertinacy of the world in their rebellion, and an heart that cannot repent, verse 9 and 11. And there fell a great hail, as it were of the weight of a c As it were about the weight of a talon: and a talon was threescore pound, that is, six hundredth groats, whereby is signified a marvelous and strange kind of weight. talon, out of heaven upon men; & men blasphemed God, because of the plague of the hail: for the plague thereof was exceeding great. CHAP. XVII. 1 That great whore is described, 2 with whom the Kings of the earth committed fornication. 6 She is drunken with the blood of Saintes: 7 The mystery of the woman and the beast that carrieth her expounded: 11 their destruction. 14 The lambs victory, 1 1 The state of the Church militant being declared, now followeth the state of the Church overcoming & getting victory, as I showed before in the beginning of the tenth chapter. This state is set forth in 4. Chap. As in the place before going I noted, that in that history the order of time was not always exactly observed; so the same is to be understood in this history; that it is distinguished according to the persons of which it treateth; and that in the several stories of the persons is severally observed the time thereof. For first is delivered the story of Babylon destroyed, in this and the next chapter, (for this Babylon out of all doubt, shall perish before the two beasts and the dragon.) Secondly is delivered the destruction of both the two beasts, chap. 19 And lastly of the dragon, chap. 20. In the story of the spiritual Babylon are distinctly set forth, the state thereof in this chapter and the overthrow done from God, chap. 18. In this verse & that which followeth, is a transition or passage unto the first argument, consisting of a particular calling of the Prophet (as often heretofore) & a general proposition. F. JUNIUS. THen there came one of the seven Angels, which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither: I will show thee a The sentence that is pronounced against this harlot. the 2 That is, that damnable harlot, by a figure called bypal large For S. john as yet had not seen her. Although another interpretation may be borne; yet I like this better. damnation of that great whore that sitteth upon many waters; 2 With whom have committed fornication the Kings of the earth, & the inhabitants of the earth are made drunken with the wine of her fornication. 3 3 Henceforth is propounded the type of Babylon, and the state thereof, in 4. verses. After, a declaration of the type, in the rest of this Chap. In the type are described 2. things, the beast (of whom chap. 13) in the 3. verse: and the woman that sitteth upon the beast, vers. 4. 5. 6. The beast in process of time hath gotten somewhat more than was expressed in the former vision First in that it is not read before that he was appareled in scarlet, a rob imperial and of triumph. Secondly, in that this is full of names of blasphemy: the other carried the name of blasphemy only in his heads. So God did teach that this beast is much increased in impiety and unjustice, and doth in this last age, triumph in both these more insolently and proudly then ever before. So he carried me away into the wilderness by the Spirit, & I saw a woman sit upon a b A scarlet colour, that is, with a read and purple garment: and surely it was not without cause that the Romish clergy were so much delighted with this colour. scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, which had seven heads, and ten horns. 4 And 4 That harlot, the spiritual Babylon, which is Rome. She is described by her attire, profession, and deeds. the woman was 5 In attire: most glorious, triumphant, most rich, and most gorgeous. arrayed in purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, and precious stones, and pearls; 6 In profession: the nourisher of all, in this verse; and teaching her mysteries unto all, verse 5. setting forth all things most magnificently: but in deed most pernicious, besotting miserable men with her cup, and bringing upon them a deadly giddiness. and had a cup of gold in her hand, full of the abominations, & filthiness of her fornication; 5 7 Deceiving with the title of religion, and public inscription of mystery: which the beast in times past did not bear. And in her forehead a name written, A Mystery; 8 An exposition: in which Saint john declareth what manner of woman this is. that great Babylon, that mother of the whoredoms, and abominations of the earth. 6 9 In deeds; She is read with blood, and sheddeth it most licentiously; and therefore is coloured with the blood of the saints: as on the contrary part, Christ is set forth imbrued with the blood of his enemies, Esay 63. 1. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the Saints, and with the blood of the Martyrs of jesus: & when I saw her, 10 A passage unto the second part of this chapter, by occasion given of Saint john, as the words of the Angel do show, in the next verse. I wondered with great marvel. 7 11 The second part or place, as I said verse 1. The enarration of the vision, promised in this verse, and delivered in the verse following. Now there is delivered first an enarration of the beast, and his story, unto the 14. verse: After, of the harlot, unto the end of the chapter. Than the Angel said unto me, Wherefore marvelest thou? I will show thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that beareth her, which hath seven heads, and ten horns. 8 12 The story of the beast hath a triple description of him. The first is a distinction of this beast from all that ever have been at any time: which distinction is contained in this verse: The second is a deliniation or painting out of the beast by things present, by which he might even at that time be known of the godly: and this deliniation is according to his heads, verse 9 10. 11. The third is an historical foretelling of things to come, and to be done by him: and these are ascribed unto his horns, vers. 12. 13. 14. This beast is that Empire of Rome, of which I spoke chapter 13. 11. according to the mutations & changes whereof, which then had already happened, the holy ghost hath distinguished and set out the same. The Apostle distinguisheth this beast from all others in these words: The beast which thou sawest, was and is not. For so I expound the words of the Apostle for evidency sake: as I will further declare in the notes following. The beast that thou hast seen, 13 The meaning is, that beast which thou sawest before (chapter 13. 1.) & which yet thou hast now seen, was, was (I say) even from julius Cęsar, in respect of beginning, rising up, station, glory, dominion, manner and stock, from the house of julius: and yet is not now the same, if thou look unto the house and stock: for the dominion of this family, was translated unto another, after the death of Nero; from that other unto a third, from the third unto a fourth, and so forth, was varied and altered by innumerable changes. Finally, the Empire is one, as it were one beast: but exceedingly varied by kindreds, families, and persons It was therefore (saith Saint john) in the kindreds or house of julius: and now it is not in that kindred, but translated unto another. was, and is not: 14 As if he should say, Also this same that is, shall shortly not be: but shall ascend out of the depth, or out of the sea (as was said chapter 13. 1.) that is, shall be a new stock from amongst the nations without difference: and shall in the same state go unto destruction, or ruin, and perish: and so shall successively new Princes or Emperors come, and go, arise and fall, the body of the beast remaining still, but tossed with so many and often alterations; as no man can but marvel that this beast was able to stand and hold out, in so many mutations. Verily no Empire that ever was, tossed with so many changes, and as it were with so many tempests of the sea, ever continued so long. and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and shall go into perdition, and the inhabitants of the earth shall wonder (whose names are not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world) 15 That is, as many as have not learned the providence of God, according to the faith of the saints shall marvel at these grievous and often changes: when they shall consider, the self same beast, which is the Roman Empire, to have been, not to be, and to be, & still molested with perpetual mutation; and yet in the same to stand and continued. This, in mine opinion, is the most simple exposition of this place, confirmed by event of the things themselves. Although the last change also, by which the Empire, that before was civil, became Ecclesiastical, is not obscurely signified in these words: of which two, the first exercised cruelty upon the bodies of the saints: the other also upon their souls: the first by humane order and policy, the other under the colour of the law of God, and of religion, raged and imbrued itself with the blood of the godly. when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 9 16 An exhortation preparing unto audience, by the same argument, with that of Christ: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Wherhfore for mine own part, I had rather read in this place, Let there be here a mind, etc. So the Angel passeth fitly unto the second place of this description. Here is the mind that hath wisdom. The c Very children know, what that seven hilled city is, which is so much spoken of, & whereof Virgil thus reporteth, And compassed seven towers within one wall: that city it is, which, when john wrote these things, had rule over the Kings of the earth: It was, and is not, and yet it remaineth to this day, but it is declining to destruction. seven heads, are 17 This is the painting out of the beast by things present (as I said before) whereby S. john endeavoured so to describe the same, that he might both be known of the godly in that age, and be further observed and marked of posterity afterwards. This delineation hath one type, that is, his heads; but a double description or application of the type: one permanent from the nature of itself: the other changeable, by the working of men. The description permanent, is by the seven hills, in this verse; the other that fleeteth, is from the seven kings, verse 10. 11. And here it is worthy to be observed, that one type hath sometimes two or more applications: as seemeth good unto the holy Ghost to express either one thing by diverse types, or diverse things by one type. So I noted before, of the seven spirits chap. 1. 4. Now this woman that sitteth upon seven hills, is the city of Rome, called in time passed of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. i. of seven tops or crests, & of Varro septiceps, i. of seven heads (as here) of her seven heads; and of others septemcollis. i. standing upon seven hills. seven mountains, whereon the woman sitteth: 10 18 The beginning of these kings or Emperors is almost the same with the beginning of the Church of Christ, which I showed before chap. 11. 1. Namely from the year 35. after the passion of Christ, what time the Temple and Church of the jews was overthrown. In which ye are it came to pass by the providence of God, that that saving, The beast was, and is not, was fulfilled before that the destruction of the jews immediately following, came to pass. That was the year from the building of the city of Rome 809. from which year S. john both numbereth the Emperors which thitherto had been, when he wrote these things; and foretelleth of two others next to come: and that with this purpose, that when this particular prediction or foretelling of things to come, should take effect, the truth of all other predictions in the Church, might be the more confirmed. Which sign God of old mentioned in the Law, Deuter. 18. and jeremy confirmed. chap. 28. 8. They are also seven Kings, 19 Whose names are these: the first Servius Sulpttius Galba, who was the seventh Emperor of the people of Rome; the second Marcus Saluius Otho; the third, Aulus Vitellius; the fourth, Titus Flavius Vespasianus; the sift, Titus Vespasianus his son, of his own name. five are fallen, 20 Flavius Domitian son of the first Vespasian. For in the later end of his days S. john wrote these things: as witnesseth Irenaeus lib. 5. adversus haereses. & one is, 21 Nerua. The Empire being now translated from the family of Flavius. This man reigned only one year, four months, and nine days, as the history writers do tell. and another is not yet come: & when he cometh, he must continued a short space. 11 22 This is spoken by the figure synecdoche, as much to say, as that head of the beast which was and is not, because it is cut off, & Nerua in so short time extinguished. How many heads there were, so many beasts there seemed to be in one. See the like speech in the third verse of the thirteenth chapter. And the beast that was, and is not, is 23 Nerua Traianus, who himself in diverse respects is called here the seventh & the eighth. the eight, and is 24 Though in number & order of succession he be the eighth, yet he is reckoned together with one of these heads, because Nerua and he were one head. For this man obtained authority together with Nerua, and was Consul with him, when Nerua left his life. one of the seven, 25 Namely to molest with persecutions the churches of Christ, as the histories do record, and I have briefly noted chap. 2. 10. and goeth unto destruction. 12 26 The third place of this description, as I said verse 8. is a prophetical prediction of things to come which the beast should do; as in the words following & john doth not obscurely signify, saying, which have not yet received the kingdom etc. For there is an antithesis or opposition between these kings, and those that went before. And first the persons are described, in this verse; then their deeds, in the two verses following. And the ten horns which thou sawest, are 27 That is, arising with their kingdoms, out of that Roman beast: at such time as that political Empire began by the craft of the Popes greatly to fall. ten Kings, which yet have not received the kingdom, but shall receive power, as Kings 28 Namely, with that second beast, whom we called before a false prophet, which beast ascending out of the earth, got unto himself all the authority and power of the first beast, and exerciseth the same before his face, as was said chapter 14. 11. 12. For when the political Empire of the West began to bow downwards, there both arose those ten Kings, and the second beast took the opportunity offered, to usurp unto himself all the power of the former beast. These kings long ago, many have numbered and described to be ten, and a great part of the events plainly testifieth the same in this our age. at one hour with the beast. 13 29 That is, by consent or agreement: that they may conspire with the beast, and depend upon his beck. Their story is divided into three parts, counsels, acts, and events. The counsels some of them consist in communicating of judgements and affections: and some in communicating of power, which they are said to have given unto this beast, in this verse. These have all one mind, and shall give their power, and authority unto the beast. 14 These shall fight with the 30 With Christ and his church, as the reason following doth declare: and here are mentioned the facts and events which followed for Christ his sake, and for the grace of God the Father towards those that are called, elected, and are his faithful ones in Christ. Lamb, & the Lamb shall overcome them: ‖ Chap. 19 16. 1. Tim. 6. 15. for he is the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings: and they that are on his side, called, and chosen, and faithful. 15 31 This is the other member of the enarration, as I said ver. 7. belonging unto the harlot, showed in the vision, ver. 3. In this history of the harlot, these three things are distinctly propounded; what is her magnificency, in this verse, what is her fall, & by whom it shall happen unto her, in the 2. verses following: & lastly, who that harlot is, in the last ver. This place which by order of nature should have been the first, is therefore made the last, because it was more fit to be joined with the next chapter. After he said unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, 32 That is, as unconstant and variable as are the waters. Upon this foundation sitteth this harlot as a queen, a vain person upon that which is vain. are peoples, & multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16 And the 33 The ten kings, as vers. 12. The accomplishment of this fact & event is daily increased in this our age, by the singular providence and most mighty government of God. Wherefore the facts are propounded in this verse; & the causes of them in the verses following. ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, they shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17 34 A reason rendered from the chief efficient cause, which is the providence of God, by which alone saint john by inversion of order affirmeth to have come to pass, both that the kings should execute upon the harlot that which pleased God; & which he declared in the verse next before going: & also that by one consent & counsel they should give their kingdom unto the beast etc. ver. 13. 14. for as these being blinded have before depended upon the beck of the beast that lifteth up the harlot, so it is said that afterwards it shall come to pass, that they shall turn back, and shall fall away from her, when their hearts shallbe turned into better state by the grace & mercy of God. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his decree, and to be of one consent, & to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God be fulfilled. 18 And the woman which thou sawest, is that 35 That is, Rome, that great city, or only city (as Lustinian calleth it) the king & head whereof was then the Emperor, but now the Pope, since that the condition of the beast was changed. great city, which hath dominion over the Kings of the earth. CHAP. XVIII. 2 The horrible destruction of Babylon is set out. 11. 16. 18. The merchants of the earth, who were enriched with the pomp and luxuriousness of it, weep and wail: 20 But all the elect rejoice for that just vengeance of God. 1 1 The second place (as I said before 17 1) of the history of Babylon, is of the woeful fall and ruin of that whore of Babylon. This historical prediction concerning her, is threefold. The first a plain & simple foretelling of her ruin, in three verses; the second a figurative prediction by the circumstances, thence unto the 20. verse. The third, a confirmation of the same by sign or wonder, unto the end of the chapter. F. JUNIUS. ANd after these things, I saw an 2 Either Christ the eternal word of God the Father, (as often elsewhere) or a created Angel and one deputed unto this service, but thoroughly furnished with greatness of power, & with light of glory as the ensign of power. Angel come down from out of heaven having great power; so that the very earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried our mightily with a loud voice, 3 The prediction or foreshowing of her ruin, containing both the fall of Babylon, in this verse; and the cause thereof uttered by way of allegory concerning her spiritual and carnal wickednesses, that is, her most great impiety and unjustice, in the next verse: her fall is first simply declared of the Angel, and then the greatness thereof is showed here by the events; when he saith it shallbe the seat and habitation of devils, of wild beasts, and of cursed fowls, as of old Esay. 13. 21. and often elsewhere. saying, ‖ Chap. 14. 8. Esa. 21. 9 jerem. 51. 8. It is fallen, it is fallen, Babylon that great city, and is become an habitation of devils, and the hold of all foul spirits, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 Because all nations have drunken of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, & the Kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich by the abundance of her voluptuousness. 4 4 The second prediction, which is of the circumstances of the ruin of Babylon: of these there are two kinds: one going before it, as that beforehand the godly are delivered, unto the ninth verse: the other following upon her ruin, namely the lamentation of the wicked, and rejoicing of the godly, unto the twentieth verse. And I heard another voice from heaven say, 5 Two circumstances going before the ruin, are commanded in this place, one is, that the godly depart out of Babylon: as I mentioned chap. 12. to have been done in time past, before the destruction of jerusalem: this charge is given here, & in the next verse. The other is that every one of them occupy themselves in their own place, in executing the judgements of God, as it was commanded the levites of old, Exod. 32. 27. and that they sanctify their hands unto the Lord, ver. 6 7. 8. Go out of her, my people, that ye be 6 Of this commandment there are two causes: to avoid the contagion of sin, and to shun the participation of those punishments that belong thereunto. not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For the heap of her sins doth a He useth a word which signifieth the following of sins one after another. & rising one of another in such sort that they grew at length to such an heap, that they came upeven to heaven. reach up unto heaven, & God hath remembered her iniquities. 6 7 The provocation of the godly, & the commandment of executing the judgements of God, stand upon three causes, which are here expressed: the unjust wickedness of the whore of Babylon, in this verse; her cursed pride opposing itself against God, which is the fountain of all evil actions, vers 7. and her most just damnation by the sentence of God, vers. 8. Reward her, even as she hath rewarded you; & give her double according to her works: and in the cup that she hath filled to you, fill her double. 7 So much as she hath glorified herself, and lived in pleasure, so much give ye to her of torment and sorrow: because she saith b With herself. in her heart, I sit as a queen, and am c I am full of people & mighty. no widow, and shall d I shall taste of none. see no mourning. 8 Therefore shall her plagues come in e Shortly, and at one instant. one day, death, and sorrow, and famine; and she shallbe burnt with fire: for the Lord God which condemneth her is mighty. 9 Than 8 The circumstances following the fall of Babylon, or the consequents thereof (as I distinguished them vers. 4.) are two. Namely the lamentation of the wicked, unto the 19 verse: and the rejoicing of the godly, vers. 20. This most sorrowful lamentation, according to the persons of them that lament; hath three members, the first whereof is the mourning of the kings and mighty men of the earth, in two verses: The second is, the lamentation of the merchants that traffic bv land, thence unto the 16. verse; The third is, the wailing of those that merchandise by sea, vers. 16. 17. 18. In every of these the cause & manner of their mourning is described in order, according to the condition of those that mourn: with observation of that which best agreeth unto them. the Kings of the earth shall bewail her, and lament for her, which have committed fornication, and lived in pleasure with her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10 And shall stand a far of for fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city: in one hour is thy judgement come. 11 9 The lamentation of those that trade by land, as I distinguished immediately before. Also the merchants of the earth shall weep & wail over her: for no man buyeth their ware any more: 12 The ware of gold and silver, and of precious stone, and of pearls, and of fine linen, and of purple, & of silk, & of skarler, and of all manner of Thine wood, & of all vessels of ivory, and of all vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and of iron, and of marble, 13 And of cinnamon, and odours, & ointments, and frankincense, & wine, & oil, & fine flower, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and charets, and servants, and souls of men. 14 10 An apostrophen or turning of the speech, by imitation, used for more vehemency, as if those merchants, after the manner of mourners, should in passionate speech speak unto Babylon, though now utterly fallen and overthrown. So Esa. 12. 9 and in many other places. And the f By this is meant that seaso, which is next before the fall of the leaf, at what season fruits ripen, and the word signifieth such fruits as are longed for. apples that thy soul lusted after, are departed from thee; and all things which were fat and excellent, are departed from thee; and thou shalt found them no more. 15 The merchants of these things which were waxed rich by her, shall stand a far of from her, foe fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen and purple, and scarlet, and glittered with gold, and precious stone, & pearls! That in one hour are so great riches come to desolation. 17 11 The manner of mourning used by them that trade by sea. Also every shipmaster, and all the people that occupy ships, and shipmen, and whosoever traffic on the sea shall stand a far off; 18 And cry, when they see the smoke of her burning, saying, what city was like unto this great city? 19 And they shall cast dust on their heads, & cry weeping, and wailing, and say; Alas, alas, that that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships on the sea by her costliness, is in one hour made desolate. 20 12 The other consequent upon the ruin of Babylon, is the exultation or rejoicing of the godly in heaven and in earth, as was noted verse, 9 O heaven, rejoice over her, and ye holy Apostles and Prophets; because God hath punished her, to be revenged for your sakes. 21 13 The third prediction (as I said verse 1.) standing of a sign, and the interpretation thereof; the interpretation thereof is in 2. sorts, first by a simple propounding of the thing itself, in this verse; & then by declaration of the events, in the verses following. Than a mighty Angel took up a stone like a great millstone, ‖ jer. 51. 63. and cast it into the sea, saying, So shall that great city Babylon be cast with violence, and shall be found no more. 22 14 The events are two, & one of them opposite unto the other for amplification sake; There shallbe (saith he) in Babylon no mirth nor joy at all, in this and the next verse: but all heavy and lamentable things, from the bloody slaughters of the righteous, & the vengeance of God coming upon it for the same. And the voice of harpers, & musicians, & of pipers, & trumpeters shallbe heard no more in thee; & no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee: and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more in thee. 23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more in thee and the voice of the bridegroom & of the bride shallbe heard no more in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth: and with thine enchantments were deceived all nations. 24 And in her was found the 15 That is, shed by bloody massacres, and calling for vengeance. blood of the Prophets, 16 That is, proved and found out, as if God had appointed a just inquiry concerning the impiety, unnaturalness, and unjustice of these men. and of the Saints, & of all that were slain upon the earth. CHAP. XIX. 1 The heavenly company praise God, for avenging the blood of his servants, on the whore. 9 They are written blessed, that are called to the lambs supper. 10 The Angel will not be worshipped. 11 That mighty King of kings appeareth from heaven. 19 The battle, 20 wherein the beast is taken, 21 and cast into the burning lake. 1 1 This chapter hath in sum two parts: one transitory or of passage unto the things that follow, unto the tenth verse: an other historical of the victory of Christ gotten against both the beasts, unto the end of the chapter: which I said was the second history of this argument chapter 17. 1. The transition hath two places; one of praising God for the overthrow done unto Babylon in four verses: and another likewise of praise, and prophetical, for the coming of Christ into his kingdom, and his most royal marriage with his Church, thence unto the 10. verse. The former praise hath three branches, distinguished after the ancient manner of those that sing: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, an invitation or provokement in two verses: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a response or answer, in the third verse: and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a close or joining together in harmony: all which I thought good of purpose to distinguish in this place, lest any man should with Porphyrius, or other like dogs object unto S. john or the heavenly Church, a childish and idle repetition of speech. AFter these things I heard a great voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, a Praiseye the Lord. 2 The proposition of praise with exhortation in this verse, and the cause thereof, in the next verse. Hallelujah, salvation, and glory, and honour, and F. JUNIUS. power be to the Lord our God. 2 For true and righteous are his judgements: for he hath condemned that great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 3 And again they said, 3 The song of the antiphony or response, containing an amplification of the praise of God, from the perpetual and most certain testimony of his divine judgement: as was done at Sodom and Gomorrha. Genes 19 Hallelujah: & her smoke rose up for evermore. 4 And the four and twenty Elders, and the four beasts fell down, and worshipped God that sitteth on the throne, saying, Amen, Hallelujah. 5 4 The second place of praise (as I said vers. 1.) which first is commanded from God in this verse: and then is in most ample manner pronounced of the creatures, both because they see that kingdom of Christ, to come, which most they desire verse. 6, also because they see that the Church is called forth to be brought home into the house of her husband by holy marriage, unto the fellowship of his kingdom vers. 7. 8. Wherhfore S. john is commanded to writ into a book the Epiphonema, or acclamation joined with a divine testimony vers. 9 Than a voice came out of the 5 Out of the Temple from God. as 11. 19 throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6 And I heard 6 Without the Temple in heaven. like the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of strong thunderings, saying, Hallelujah: for the Lord that almighty God doth now reign. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give glory to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath 7 Namely, unto that holy marriage, both herself in person in this verse, & also furnished of her spouse with marriage gifts princely & divine, is adorned and prepared, in the next verse. prepared herself. 8 And to her is granted, that she should be arrayed with 8 As an ensign of kingly and priestly dignity: which dignity Christ bestoweth upon us, chap. 1. 6. pure fine linen and shining; for the fine 9 This is a gift given by the husband for marriage sake, and a most choice ornament which Christ bestoweth upon us as upon his spouse. linen is the b Good works which are lively testimonies of faith. righteousness of the Saints. 9 10 Namely the Angel, as appeareth by the next verse. Than he said unto me, Writ, ‖ Matth. 22. 2. Blessed are they which are called unto the supper of the marriage of the Lamb. And he said unto me, These words of God are true. 10 11 The particular story of this verse is brought in by occasion, and as it were beside the purpose, that Saint john might make a public example of his own infirmity, and of the modest sanctimony of the Angel, who both renounced for himself the divine honours, and recalled all the servants of God, unto the worship of him alone: as also 22. 8. And I fell down before his feet, ‖ Chap. 22. 2. to worship him: but he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, & of thy brethren, which have the c Which are commanded to bear witness of jesus. testimony of jesus. Worship God: for the testimony of d For jesus is the mark that all the prophecies shoot at. jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 12 The second place of this Chapter (as I said verse 1.) is of the victory gotten by Christ against both the beasts: in which first Christ is described as one ready to sight, unto the 16. verse: then is showed the battle to be begun, thence unto the 18. verse: lastly is set forth the victory, unto the end of the chapter. In this place do shine forth most excellent properties of Christ, as our heavenly judge and revenger, according to his person, company, effects and names After I saw 13 Properties belonging to his person, that he is heavenly, judge, faithful, true, just, in this verse: searching out all things, ruling over all, to be searched out of none, verse 12. the triumpher, and the very essential word of God, verse 13. heaven open, & behold, a white horse, & he that sat upon him, was called, faithful and true, and he that judgeth and fighteth righteously. 12 And his eyes were as a flame of fire; and on his head were many crowns: and he had a name written, that no man knew but himself. 13 And he was clothed with a garment dipped in blood, and his name is called, THE WORD OF God. 14 14 The company or retinue of Christ, holy, innumerable, heavenly, judicial, royal and pure. And the hosts which were in heaven, followed him upon white horses, clothed with fine linen white and pure. 15 15 The effects of Christ prepared unto battle, that with his mouth he striketh the Gentiles, ruleth and destroyeth. And out of his mouth went forth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the heathen: for he shall ‖ Psalm. 2. 9 rule them with a rod of iron: and, he it is that shall tread the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of almighty God. 16 16 The name agreeing unto Christ according to the former properties, expressed after the manner of the Hebrews. And he had upon his garment, and upon his thigh a name written, ‖ Chap. 17. 14. 1 Tim. 6. 15. THE KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 17 The second member, as I said verse 11. A reproachful calling forth of his enemies unto battle: in which not themselves (for why should they be called forth of the king of the world, or provoked being his subjects: for that were not comely) but in their hearing, the birds of the air are called to eat their carcases. Than I saw a certain Angel stand in the 18 That is openly & in sight of all: as Num. 25. 4. and 2 Sam. 12. 11. sun, who cried with a loud voice, saying to all the souls that did fly through 19 That is, through this inferior heaven, & which is nearer unto us: an Hebrew phrase. the midst of heaven, Come, and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God, 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of high Captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all freemen, & bondmen, and of small and great. 19 20 The third member (as was said vers. 11.) of the victory obtained by Christ. Unto this appertaineth two things, his buckling with the beast, and his forces, in this verse: and the event most magnificent, described after the manner of men in the verses following. All these things are plain. After I saw the beast, & the Kings of the the earth, and their hosts gathered together to make battle against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast 21 Namely that beast with seven heads, of which before, chap. 13. 1. and 17 3. was taken, and with him that 22 That is, that beast with two heads, of which 13. 11 Look more ch. 16. 14. false prophet that wrought miracles before him, whereby he deceived them that received the beasts mark, and them that worshipped his image: These both were cast alive into a lake of fire, burning with brimstone. 21 And the rennant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which cometh out of his mouth; & all the fowls were filled with their flesh. CHAP. XX. 1 The Angel 2 bindeth Satan for a thousand years: 8 Being loosed, he stirreth up Gog and Magog, that is, privy and open enemies, against the Saints, 11 but the vengeance of the Lord cutteth off their insolency. 12 The books are opened, by which the dead are judged. 1 1 Now followeth the 3. place, of the prophetical history, which is, of the victory whereby Christ overcame the dragon, as I noted chap. 17. 1. This place must necessarily be joined with the end of the 12. chapter, and be applied unto the just understanding thereof. This chapter hath 2. parts: one of the dragon overcome, unto the 10. verse: the other of the resurrection and last judgement, unto the end of the chapter. The story of the dragon is double. First of the first victory, after which he was bound by Christ: unto the 6. verse. The second is of the last victory, whereby he was thrown down into everlasting punishment, thence unto the 10. vers. This first history happened in the first time of the Christian Church, when the dragon thrown down from heaven by Christ, went about to molest the new birth of the Church in the earth. chap. 12. 17. 18. For which cause I gave warning that this story of the dragon, must be annexed unto that place. F. JUNIUS. AFter I saw an Angel come down from heaven, having the key 2 That is, of hell, whither God threw down the Angels which had sinned, and bound them in chains of darkness to be kept unto damnation. 2. Pet. 2. 4. jud. 6. of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he took the dragon that old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, and he bound him for 3 The first where of (continuing this history with the end of the 12. chap.) is the 36. year from the passion of Christ, when the church of the jews being overthrown Satan assayed to invade the Christian Church gathered of the Gentiles, and to destroy part of her seed chap. 12. 17. The thousandth year falleth precisely upon the times of that wicked Hildebrand, who was called Gregory the seventh, a most damnable Nicromancer and sorcerer, whom Satan used as an instrument, when he was loosed out of bonds, thence forth to annoy the Saints of God with most cruel persecutions, and the whole world with dissensions, and most bloody wars: as Benno the Cardinal reporteth at large. And this is the first victory gotten over the dragon in the earth. a thousand years. 3 And he cast him into the bottomless pit, which he shut up, and sealed upon him, that he might deceive the people 4 Namely with that public and violent deceit which he attempted before. chap. 12. and which after a thousand years (alack for woo) he most mightily procured in the Christian world. no more, till the thousand years were fulfilled: for after that he must be loosed for 5 Which being once expired, the second battle and victory shall be; of which verse. 7. 8. a little season. 4 6 A description of the common state of the Church of Christ in earth, in that space of a thousand years, for which the devil was in bonds: in which, first the authority, life, and common honour of the godly is declared, vers. 4. secondly newness of life is preached unto others by the Gospel, after that space vers 5 finally he concludeth with promises. vers. 6. Than I saw a For judgement was committed to them, as to members joined to the head: not that Christ, office was given over to them 7 This was a type of the authority of the good and faithful servants of God in the Church: taken from the manner of men. thrones: and they sat upon them, and judgement was given unto them; and I saw the souls of them that were 8 Of the Martyrs, which suffered in those first times. beheaded for the witness of jesus, and for the word of God, and which did 9 Of the Martyrs which suffered after that both the beasts were now risen up. chap. 13. for there these things are expounded. not worship the beast, neither his image, neither had taken his mark upon their foreheads, or on their hands: and they shall live, and reign with Christ a thousand year. 5 10 Whosoever shall lie dead in sin, and not know the truth of God. But the rest of the dead men 11 They shall not be renewed with that newness of life by the enlightening of the Gospel of the glory of Christ. For this is the first resurrection, by which the souls of the godly do rise from their death. In the second resurrection their bodies shall rise again. shall not live again, until the thousand years be finished: this is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he, that hath part in the first resurrection: for on such the 12 That whereby both body and soul, that is, the whole man is addicted and delivered unto eternal death. So chap. 2. 11. second death hath no power: but they shall be the Priests of God and of Christ, 13 A return unto the intended history by resuming the words which are in the end of the 4. verse. and shall reign with him a thousand year. 7 14 The second history, of the latter victory of Christ, as was said vers. 1. in which are summarily described the work, overthrow, and eternal punishment of Satan. And when the 15 Of which I spoke verse 2. Than therefore shall be given unto him liberty to rage's against the Church, and to molest the Saints for the sins of men; unto whom the faithful shall have associated themselves more than was meet, tasting with them of their impurity of doctrine and of life. thousand years are expired, Satan shallbe loosed out of his prison, 8 16 The work or act of Satan (which is the first member as I distinguished in the verse before going) to deceive the whole world, even unto the uttermost nations thereof: to arm them against the people of God, in this verse, and to besiege and oppress the Church, with his whole strength, in the verse following. And shall go out to deceive the people, which are in the four quarters of the earth: even ‖ Ezek. 39 2. Gog & Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is, as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up therefore into the b As if he said, insomuch that the whole face of the earth, how great soever it is, was filled. plain of the earth, and they compassed the tents of the Saints about, & the beloved city: but 17 The wrath of God, consuming the adversaries, and overthrowing all their enterprises, Heb. 10. 27. And this is the second member, mentioned vers. 7. the overthrow of Satan. fire came down from God out of heaven, & devoured them. 10 18 The third member is, eternal destruction against those that are overcome: as I noted in the same place. And the devil that deceived them, was cast into a lake of fire & brimstone, where that beast and that false prophet was; and they shallbe tormented day and night for evermore. 11 19 The second part of this Chapter, in which is described the judge, in this verse, and the last judgement in the verses following. Than I saw a great 20 That is, a tribunal seat most princelike and glorious: for so doth the Greek word also signify. white throne, and 21 That is, Christ, before whom when he cometh unto judgement, heaven and earth shall perish for the greatness of his majesty, 2. Pet. 3. 7. 10. etc. one that sat on it, from whose face fled away both the earth and heaven, and their place was no more found. 12 And I saw the dead, both great and small stand before 22 That is, Christ the judge. 2. Cor. 5. 10. God: and the 23 As it were our books of reckoning or accounts: that is, the testimony of our conscience, and of our works, which by no means can be avoided. This is spoken after the manner of men. books were opened; and ‖ Chap. 3. 5. and 21. 27. Philip. 4. 3. another book was opened, which is the book 24 The book of the eternal decree of God, in which God the Father hath elected in Christ according to the good pleasure of his will, those that shall be heirs of life. This also is spoken according to the manner of men. of life; and the dead were judged by those things, which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 25 This is a prevention or an answer unto an objection: for happily some man will say, but they are dead, whom the sea, death, and the grave hath consumed: how shall they appear before the judge? Saint john answereth, by resurrection from death, whereunto all things (howsoever repugnant) shall minister and serve at the commandment of God, as Dan. 12. And the sea gave up the dead, which were in her; and death and hell delivered up the dead, which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 26 The last enemy which is death shallbe abolished by Christ (that he may no more make any attempt against us) 1. Cor. 15. 26. and death shall feed upon the reprobate in hell for evermore; according to the righteous judgement of God, in the next verse. And death & hell were cast into the lake of fire: which is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the lake of fire. CHAP. XXI. 2 He describeth new Jerusalem descending from heaven. 9 The bride the lambs wife, 12 and the glorious building of the city, 19 garnished with precious stones: 22 whose temple the Lamb is. 1 1 Now followeth the second part of the history prophetical, (as I said chap. 1. & 11. 1.) Of the future estate of the church in heaven after the last judgement, unto the 5. verse of the next chapter. In this are two things briefly declared: The station, seat, or place thereof verse. 1. Than her state and condition, in the verses following. Before the state of the church describe 〈◊〉 set down the state of the whole world: that there shall be a new heaven and a new earth, as Esay 65. 17. and 66. 12. and 2. Pet. 3. 19 and this is the seat or place of the church, in which righteousness shall devil. F. JUNIUS. AFter I saw ‖ Esay 65. 17. and 66. 22. a new heaven, & a new earth: for the ‖ 2. Pet. 3. 13. first heaven, & the first errth were passed away; and the sea was no more. 2 2 The state of this glorious Church, is first described generally unto the 8. verse, and then specially and by parts, in the verses following. The general description consisteth in a vision showed a far of, verse 2. and in speech spoken from heaven. In the general these things are common; that the church is holy, new, the workmanship of God, heavenly, most glorious, the spouse of Christ, and partaker of his glory, in this verse. And I john saw that holy city the new jerusalem come down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride trimmed for her husband. 3 3 The church is described by speech first of an Angel in two verses, then of God himself, in four verses. The Angel's speech describeth the glory of the church by the most familiar cohabitation of God therewith, by communication of all manner good things according to the covenant, in this verse: and by removing or putting far away of all evil things, in the verse following. And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and he will devil with men: and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, their God. 4 ‖ Chap. 7. 17. Esay. 25. 8. And God shall wipe all tears from their eyes: and there shallbe no more death, neither sorrow, neither crying; neither shall there be any more pain: because the first things are passed. 5 4 In the speech of God himself describing the church, is first a certain exordium or entrance, verse 5. Than followeth a magnificent description of the church, by the present and future good things of the same, in three verses following. In the exordium God challengeth unto himself the restoring of all the creatures, of which verse 1. and witnesseth the calling of Saint john unto the writing of these things, in this verse. And he that sat upon the throne, said, ‖ Esay. 43. 19 2. Cor. 5. 17. Behold, I make all things new: and he said unto me, Writ: for these words are faithful and true. 6 And he said unto me, ¶ 5 The description of the Church is of three sorts; by abolishing of old things: by the being of present things in God, that is, of things eternal: and by the communication of all good things with the godly, verse 6. If so be they shall strive manfully, vers. 7. But the reprobate are excluded from thence, verse 8. they were; I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I Chap. 1. 8. and 22. 13. will give to him that is a thirst, of the well of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh, shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their a Their lot, and inheritance as it were. part in the lake, which burneth with fire & brimstone, which is the second death. 9 6 A transition unto the particular describing of the heavenly church: by the express calling of Saint john in this verse, and his rapting up by the Spirit, in confirmation of the truth of God, in the verse following. Than there came unto me one of the seven Angels, which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues; and he talked with me saying, Come: I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and 7 He meaneth the place and stately seat of the church, shadowed out in a mountain. and high mountain, and showed me 8 A type of that church which is one, ample or catholic, holy, celestial, built of God, in this verse: and glorious, in the verse following. This type propounded generally, is after particularly declared verse 12. etc. that great city, that holy jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God; 11 Having the glory of God: and her shining was like unto a stone most precious, as a jasper stone, that is clear as crystal, 12 9 A particular description (as I noted verse 2.) of the celestial church: first by the essential parts of the same) under the similitude of a city, unto verse 22. Secondly by foreign accidents, unto the end of the chapter. Thirdly by the effects in the beginning of the next chapter. the essential parts, are noted the matter and the form in the whole work; of these the superficies and foundation of the wall are entire parts (as they use to be called:) which parts are first described in figure, unto the fourteenth verse, and afterwards more exactly. And it had a great wall and high, and had 10 According to the number of the tribes, of which chapter 7. For here the outward part is attributed unto the old testament, and the foundation unto the new testament. twelve gates, and at the gates 11 He meaneth the Prophets, who are the messengers of God, & watchmen of the Church. twelve Angels, and names written, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. 13 On the East part there were three gates, and on the North side three gates; on the South side three gates, and on the West side three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had 12 That is, foundation stones, according to the number of the gates, as is showed verse 19 twelve foundations; and in them the Names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. 15 13 A transition unto a more exquisite description of the parts of the church, by finding out the measure of the same, by the Angel that measured them. Also he that talked with me, had a golden reed, to measure the city withal, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 16 14 The measure and form most equal: in two verses. And the city lay b A four squared figure hath equal sides, and overight corners, and therefore the Grecians call by this name those things that are steady, and of continuance, and perfect. four square, and the length is as large as the breadth of it; and he measured the city with the reed, unto twelve thousand furlongs: and the length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equal. 17 And he measured the wall thereof, an c Which number is twelve multiplied by twelve. hundredth forty and four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of the d He addeth this, because the Angel had the shape of a man. Angel. 18 15 The matter most precious and glittering, which the presence of God maketh most glorious. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper: the second of sapphire: the third of a Chalcedonie: the fourth of an emerald: 20 The fift of a Sardonix: the sixth of a Sardius, the seventh of a Chrysolite: the eight of a Beryl: the ninth of a Topaz: the tenth of a Chrysoprasus: the eleventh of a jacynth: the twelfth of an Amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve margarites, and every gate is of one margarite, and the e By street, he meaneth the brodest place of the city. street of the city is pure gold, as the shining glass. 22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God almighty & the Lamb are the Temple of it. 23 16 The second form of particular description (as I said v. 12.) from foreign & outward accidents: which are these, Light from God himself, in this ver. glory from men, verse 24. perfect security from all harm, verse 25. Finally such truth and incorruption of glory (verse 26.) as can bear and abide with it, nothing that is inglorious, verse the last. ‖ Esa. 60. 19 And this city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it: for the glory of God did light it: and the Lamb is the light of it. 24 ‖ Esa. 60. 3. And the people which are saved, shall walk in the light of it: and the Kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honour unto it. 25 ‖ Esa. 60. 11. And the gates of it shall not be shut by day: for there shall be no night there. 26 And the glory, and honour of the Gentiles shall be brought unto it. 27 And there shall enter into it nothing that infecteth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or speaketh lies: but they only which are written in the lambs ‖ Esa. 3. 5. and 20. 12. Phil. 4. 3. book of life. CHAP. XXII. 1 The river of water of life is showed, 2 and the tree of life. 6. 7. Than followeth the conclusion of this prophecy, 8 where john declareth, that the things herein contained are most true: 13 And now the third time repeateth these words, All things come from him, who is the beginning and the end. 1 F. JUNIUS. 1 Here is absolved and finished the description of the ecclestiall Church (as I showed before, chapter 21. 12.) by the effects in five verses, and then this book is concluded, in the rest of the chapter. The effects proceeding from God who dwelleth in the Church, are these: the everlasting grace of God, in this verse; the eternal living of the godly, as chap. 2. 7. the eternal fruits which the godly bring forth unto God, themselves, and others, verse 2. freedom and immunity from all evil, God himself taking pleasure in his servants, and they likewise in their God, verse 3. The beholding and sight of God: and sealing of the faithful for all eternity, verse 4. the light of God, and an everlasting kingdom and glory, verse 5. AFter he showed me a pure river of living water, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God, and of the Lamb. 2 And in the midst of the open place thereof, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, bearing twelve manner of fruits; and bringing forth fruit every month, and leaves to heal the nations with. 3 And there shallbe no more any cursed thing; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his Name shallbe in their foreheads. 5 ‖ Esa. 60. 19 And there shallbe no night there, and they need no candle, neither light of the sun: for the Lord God giveth them light; and they shall reign for evermore. 6 2 This whole book is concluded & made up, by a confirmation, and a salutation. The confirmation hath 3 places; The words of the Angel unto the 15. verse; the words of Christ verse 16. 17 and the obtestation made by Saint john from divine authority, thence unto the twentieth verse. By the speech of the Angel this prophecy is confirmed, unto the eight verse: and then he speaketh of the use of this book, in the verses following. The prophecy is first confirmed by the Angel from the nature thereof, that it is faithful and true: Secondly from the nature of the efficient cause, both principal which is God, and instrumental, which is the Angel in this verse. Thirdly, from the promises of God concerning his coming to effect all these things, and concerning our salvation, verse 7. Fourthly from the testification of Saint john himself, verse 8. The rest of the speech of the Angel tending to the same end, Saint john interrupted or broke off, by his unadvised act of worshipping him, in the same verse: which the Angel forbidding, teacheth him that adoration must be given not to him, but only to God: 〈◊〉 for himself, that he is of such nature and office, as he may not be adored: which thing also was in like manner done chap. 19 10. And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord that God of the holy Prophets hath sent his Angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be fulfilled. 7 Behold, I come shortly. Blessed is he that observeth the words of the prophecy of this book. 8 And I john am he which saw and heard these things: and when I had heard and seen, ‖ Chap. 19 10. I fell down to worship before the feet of the Angel which showed me these things. 9 But he said unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant and of thy brethren the Prophets, & of them which observe the words of this book: worship thou God. 10 3 The Angel returneth unto his former speech: in which he teacheth the use of this book both towards ourselves in this & the next verse: and in respect of God for declarations of his truth, thece unto the fifteenth verse. Moreover he said unto me, 4 That is, propound this prophecy openly unto all, & concoale no part of it The contrary whereunto is commanded Esa. 8. 16. and Dan. 8. 26. Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11 5 An objection prevented. But there will be some that will abuse this occasion unto evil, and will wrist this scripture unto their own destruction, as Peter saith. What then? saith the Angel, the mysteries of God must not therefore be concealed, which it hath pleased him to communicate unto us. Let them be hurtful unto others, let such be more and more vile in themselves, whom this scripture doth not please: yet others shall be further conformed thereby unto righteousness and true holiness. The care and information of these may not be neglected, because of the voluntary and malicious offence of others. He that doth hurt, let him do hurt still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 6 The second place belonging unto the use of this book, as I said verse 10. Also (saith God by the Angel) though there should be no use of this book unto men: yet it shall be of this use unto me, that it is a witness of my truth, unto my glory; who will come shortly to give and execute just judgement, in this verse; who have taught that all these things have their being in me, in the thirteenth verse; and have denounced blessedness unto my servants in the Church, verse 14; and reprobation unto the ungodly, verse 15. And behold, I come shortly; and my reward is with me, ‖ Rom 26. to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am ‖ Chap. 18 17. & 21. 6. Esa. 41. 48 12. 4. and 44 6. Alpha and Omega, the beginning & the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they, that do his commandments; 7 The bleslednesse of the godly, set down by their title and interest thereunto; and their fruit in the same. that they may have interest in the tree oflife, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 But without shallbe all dogs, and enchanters, & whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth or maketh lies. 16 8 The second place of confirmation (as I said vers. 6.) is the speech of Christ ratifying the vocation of S, john, and the authority of his calling & testimony, both from the condition of his own person, being God and man, in whom all the promises of God are Yea & Amen. 2. Cor. 1. 20. and also from the testification of other people: as by the acclamation of the holy ghost, who here is as it were an honourable assistant of the marriage: of the Church as the spouse: and of every of the godly as members: and finally from the thing present, that of their own knowledge & accord, they are called forth unto the participation of the good things of God, vers. 17. I jesus have sent mine Angel, to testify unto you these things in the Church: I am that root and that of spring of David, and that bright morning star. 17 Both the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come: and let him that is a thirst, come: and ‖ Esa. 55. 2. let whosoever will, take of the water of life freely. 18 9 The obtestation of S. john (which is the third place of the confirmation, as was noted ver. 6.) joined with a curse or execration, to preserve the truth of this book entire & uncorrupted, in two verses. For I protest unto every man that heareth the words of the prophesy of this book; If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues, that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, & out of those things which are written in this book. 20 10 A divine confirmation or sealing of the obtestation: first from Christ avouching the same, and denouncing his coming against all those that shall put their sacrilegious hands thereunto: then from S. john himself, who by a most holy prayer calleth Christ to take vengeance of them. He which testifieth these things, saith, Surely; I come quickly, Amen. Come therefore Lord jesus. 21 11 The salutation Apostolical, which is the other place of the conclusion, as I said vers. 6. and is the end almost of every Epistle: which we wish unto the Church, and to all the holy and elect members thereof, in Christ jesus our Lord, until his coming to judgement. Come Lord jesus and do it. Amen, again Amen. The grace of our Lord jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. God only be honour and glory. FINIS.