Exposition on the Catholic Epistles, Revelation · Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI.
AND I heard a great voyce out of the Temple, Verſ. 1, &c.ſaying to the ſeuen Angels. Goe and powre out your vials of the wrath of God vponupon the earth. And the firſt went and powred out his viall vponupon the earth, Queſt. 1 &c. What are the plagues here figured out, and at what times are they or ſhall they be executed?
Anſw. Some hold, that the iudgements of God vponupon the world for ſinne euer ſince the time of the Goſpell,Napier. are here figured out in ſeuerall ages. 1. From the yeere 71. to 316. when the Roman Empire was iudged diuers wayes. 2. From 316. to 561. when the ſeat of the Empire being tranſlated to Conſtantinople, it was left as a prey to the Gothes. 3. From 561. to 806. when Mahumetiſme ouerſpred the world, and became a great plague vntounto it. 4. From 806. to 1051. when contentions were rife about images, and men blaſphemed, calling them Gods that were no Gods. 5. From 1051. to 1296. when Zadock, an Emperour of the Turkes, inuaded the Roman Empire more and more, to the great aſtoniſhment of thoſe that were of this Empire. 6. From 1296. to 1541. in which time was Ottoman the great Turke, who wan Conſtantinople comming from Euphrates, and then by the ſolicitation of agents on both ſides, ſaid here to be vncleane ſpirits, they were ſtirred vp to fight many battels, both they of the Popiſh and of the Mahumetan religion. 7. From 1541. to 1791. when all ſhall either be Papiſts, Proteſtants, or Neutrals, being diuided into three parts, and in this age the world ſhall end. And thus they parallel theſe ſeuen vials with the ſeuen trumpets before going.
Others not much differing, (for they referre theſe plagues alſo to this large ſpace of time) by the firſt vnderſtand the greatFox. plague vponupon the heathen perſecutors in the dayes of Gallus and Voluſianus, which was a little before the ten yeeres perſecution by Diocleſian. By the ſecond and third, the deſtructions of heathen Emperours by violent deaths, being as the ſea; and of ſubordinate powers vnderunder them, being as riuers. By the fourth, that extraordinary heat of the Sunne in the campe of Antoninus Philoſophus the Emperor, about an. 162. in his expedition againſt the Marcomanni, when his whole army hauing beene oppreſſed herewith by the ſpace of fiue dayes together, and now ready all to periſh, a great ſhowre of raine was obtained by the twelfth legion, being full of Chriſtians. By the fift, the ruinating of the Roman Empire by the Gothes, Vandals, &c. By the ſixt, the iudgements which came vponupon the world by the Turkes and Tartarians, before figured out vnderunder the ſixt trumpet, after which all ioyne together againſt the truth: the Dragon, which is the Deuill; the beaſt, which is the Pope; and the falſe prophet, who is the Mahumetan: for though one of theſe is againſt another, yet in this they ioyne all together, that they perſecute Chriſt in his members.Iudg. 5.19. But they aſſemble together none otherwiſe than Iabin and Siſera did at Megiddo, that is, to their owne deſtruction in the end. By the ſeuenth, the end of all things.
Neither of theſe expoſitions can ſtand, becauſe the firſt of theſe plagues is inflicted vponupon ſuch as beare the marke of the beaſt, as is expreſly ſaid, verſ. 2. Wherefore they muſt needs hauehave all reference to the latter times, after that Antichriſt had long tyrannized, and compelled men to beare his marke, putting to death all that refuſed ſo to doe.
Others therefore more rightly, apply theſe plagues vntounto the times ſince that Antichriſt began to be diſcouered by men zealous for the truth of God. But yet in the particular declaration of themſelues they differ much one from another.
Some by the firſt plague vnderſtand the French pox, the beginning whereof is noted to hauehave beene ann. 1494 in the Neopolitan warre made by the French and Spaniſh,Bullinger. by meanes of an whore in their army: with this loathſome diſeaſe eſpecially the Friers and Nuns of France are plagued, who are ſuch infeſt enemies againſt Matrimony. By the ſecond the peſtilence, which is cauſed by the corruption of waters and aire. By the third the chiefe Doctors of the Romiſh religion, who are compared to riuers of bloud, becauſe ſuch incendiaries of war in all parts of Chriſtendome. By the fourth, ſome great drought breeding feuers, and hot diſeaſes in mens bodies, the cōmon effect whereof, is to make them outragious. By the fift, the obſcuring of the glory of the Popiſh religion by the ariſing of the light of the truth, that being now deteſted, as full of errours & abominable, which before drew all men vntounto it, as moſt venerable. By the ſixt, the taking away of the profits of the Roman Sea, which were wont to come from the countreys round about, whereby it ſhall be made weake and feeble, and ſo be quite ouerthrowne by the profeſſours of the truth, who are meant by the Kings of the Eaſt, for they are ſaid to be Kings and Prieſts vntounto God, and as Euphrates was to Babylon, ſo the Popes rich reuenues are a defence to his Sea. Againſt this plague the Pope beſtirreth himſelfe, ſending out his Legats, which are ſaid to bee three euill ſpirits like frogs, becauſe they are euer croaking in the eares of kings and princes of the earth to moue them to warre for the defence of holy Church; and they are three, that is, a full number, likely to preuaile, as it is ſaid of a threefold cord, that it is not eaſily broken. Theſe preuaile ſo, as that the Potentates of the earth ſtand to the Pope, and fight for him and his religion, euen vntill the great day of the Lords battell, when all ſhall bee cut off, that is, at the day of iudgement, which is deſcribed vnderunder the next viall, by the commotions in the aire, by thunderings and lightenings, &c.
Others by the firſt plague, vnderſtand the Hierarchicall kingdome ſet vp in the dayes of Gregory the ſeuenth,Graſſer. when the Roman Clergy began to be exempt from the ſecular iuriſdiction, becomming thus the more licentious in their filthineſſe, ſeeing none but the Pope and his inſtruments now had power to iudge them. So that they make theſe ſeuen vials none other but types of corruption by degrees inuading the Church of Rome; firſt in their manners, they becomming moſt filthy and vile. 2. In their doctrine, ſet forth vnderunder the ſecond viall, by the ſea turned into bloud. 3. In their bloud-ſhed, by being an occaſion of many ciuill warres and diſſentions. 4. In their tyranny, ſcorching like the heat of the Sunne in the Canicular dayes, beginning in the dayes of Gregory the eighth. 5. After all this, the throne of the beaſt was darkened in the Councell of Conſtance, by meanes of Iohn Huſſe and Ierom of Prague, boldly laying open the wickedneſſe of the Papacy, which made them euen to gnaw their tongues for ſorrow. 6. The ſixt viall tooke effect in the ſixteenth age of Chriſts incarnation, when the Luſitanians paſſing beyond the promontory of the cape of good hope, came into the Perſian gulfe, whereinto the riuer of Euphrates falleth, and ſubiected the Eaſt parts thereof, and going further tooke Calecut, and Molucco, and Iapania, which are the vttermoſt bounds of the world, and of the Eaſt in reſpect of vsus, founding there many Biſhoptickes, and ſeminaries of Ieſuites, whereas this way was neuer opened before, neither had they any knowledge of the Romiſh religion. And that this Prophecy might be fulfilled according to the letter, by the comming of the Kings of the Eaſt from thoſe parts ſo farre remote, the Ieſuites brought ouer the Embaſſadours of the three Kings of Iaponia, ann. 1584. thorow the moſt famous parts of Spaine and Italy to Rome, where in the name of their kings they did obedience to Gregorie the thirteenth then Pope:Genebrard. in Pſal. 68 v 34. and this Genebrard himſelfe a Papiſt acknowledgeth to bee the fulfilling of this prophecie; holding that they came ouer to ſuccour the Church now languiſhing through the great oppoſition that it findeth in theſe parts. And in this time the Popes Legats and the Ieſuites, like frogs leaping about, beſtirre themſelues to make ciuill commotions in all parts of Chriſtendome, for the rooting out of heretikes, as they call them, but the armies are gathered together into Harmageddon, ſignifying a curſed army, and ſo they make a way hereby to their owne vtter deſtruction, figured out vnderunder the ſeuenth viall. This expoſition is proſecuted very largely by the Author.
Others vnderſtanding by the earth whereupon theſe Angels are bidden to powre out their vials,Forbs. the earthly kingdome of Antichriſt, diſtinguiſh them according to the relation betwixt the earth, ſea, riuers, and aire, which at the firſt are altogether vnderſtood by the earth which is below, being oppoſed to heauen aboue. And thus the firſt viall is the firſt and lighteſt degree of euill that befell this kingdome, when by the light of the Goſpell, their auarice, filthineſſe, pride and hypocriſie, as noiſome boiles were detected, …ew yet daring to challenge their doctrine, which is impugned vnderunder the next viall, when this Sea appeared filthy like bloud, the very worſhip, proceſſions, and pilgrimages amongſt them being exclaimed vponupon as ſuperſtitious. VnderUnder the third, the corruption of their chiefe Doctours, who as riuers, ſeeke (by their eloquence and learning) to ſweeten this Sea, is ſet forth; and withall, the execution done vponupon them for their conſpiracies and treacheries againſt ſtates and kingdomes. VnderUnder the fourth viall they are inraged againſt the truth, being exceedingly heat and vexed, by the light and Sun-ſhine thereof growing clearer, and of more force eueryevery day; for in ſtead of repenting they are more obdurated hereby. VnderUnder the fift viall is ſhewed, how the glory of Antichriſts kingdome is darkened, the Pope and Papiſtry becomming now vile and odious to many, whereupon like men diſtracted they gnaw their tongues for ſorrow. VnderUnder the ſixt viall is ſhewed, how the riches, glory, and dominion of this kingdome being decayed, ſet forth by the riuer Euphrates dried vp, wherein it is alluded to Ier. 51. an open way ſhall be made for the Iewes and Mahumetans in the Eaſt to come in and receiue the Goſpell, that as their defection in the Eaſterne parts to Mahumetiſme was occaſioned by the riſe of the Pope, ſo their comming againe to embrace the truth may follow vponupon the fall of the Pope. But the Popes emiſſaries compared to vncleane ſpirits and frogs ſhall ſtill ſeeke to hinder it, by exciting the Potentates of the earth to wars in fauour of the Pope, which when they ſhall be about with an high enterpriſe, ſet forth by the word Harmageddon, that is, the mountaine of Megiddo, which place is twice mentioned, 1. Iudg. 5. when Iabin and Siſera are ſaid to fall at the waters of Megiddo; 2. when Ioſiah was ſlaine by Pharaoh Necho in the valley of Megiddo, 2 King. 23. but here neither waters, nor valley, but mountaine of Megiddo is named, to ſhew, that when they ſhould be at the higheſt pitch of their deſigne, they ſhould be defeated, as God is ſaid to foile Gog vponupon the mountaines of Iſrael: and hence a two-fold ſorrow ſhall enſue, one worldly of thoſe that are ouerthrowne, as the Midianites ſorrowed when Iabin and Siſera were diſcomfited; the other godly of thoſe that hereby take occaſion to ſee and acknowledge him, whom they hauehave pierced, as Zach. 12. and as they mourned for Ioſiah when he was ſlaine by Pharaoh Necho. VnderUnder the ſeuenth viall, the great alteration that after theſe things ſhall be in the world is ſet forth; all the enemies of the truth being deſtroyed, the Church ſhall come to a flouriſhing ſtate, hauing nothing to expect more, but the comming of the Bridegroome Chriſt Ieſus.
Some more particularly holding, that by theſe Angels certaine eminent perſons are ſet forth,Brightman. who were ſtirred vp againſt the Papacy, will hauehave the firſt to bee Queene ELIZABETH of bleſſed memory, about ann. 1560. and the byle to be her fauouring of the reformed religion, turning out of their Biſhoprickes and liuings, Popiſh Biſhops and Parſons. The ſecond Chemnitius, in his writing of that booke called Examen Concilij Tridentini, wherein the Sea of the Councell of Trent is ſet forth in the colours, all bloudy and corrupt. The third, the Parlament here in England ann. 1581. decreeing, that they ſhould be proceeded againſt as traitours, who ſhould at any time after goe about to draw any to the Roman religion, thus ſeeking to alienate their hearts from their lawfull Prince: for hereby many riuers, ſetting forth their Popiſh Doctours, came to run with bloud, when they were for this executed. The fourth, ſuch as hauehave illuſtrated the darke places of the holy Scriptures, which are as the Sunne, and the more they come to be explained, as it is now to be expected, that they ſhall be daily more and more, this being the time wherein knowledge ſhall increaſe the more, as with the heat of the fire ſhall the Romaniſts be vexed and tormented, but rather to their obduration than to their conuerſion. The fift, ſome greater calamity than euer, that ſhall come vponupon Rome it ſelfe to the vtter ouerthrow thereof, according to that prophecie of the Sybil, foreign, Then thou ſhalt bee all deſolate, as if thou hadſt neuer beene. The ſixt, a Diuine power that ſhall bring the Iewes home vntounto the truth,…. Eſdras 13.43. who as Eſdras ſaith, went thorow the ſtraight paſſages of Euphrates: for of their returne Eſayas propheſieth, ſaying, I will ſay vntounto the deepe, be dry, and I will dry vp thy flouds, Chap. 51.10. they are called kings, becauſe they ſhall reigne all ouer the E…ſt parts. Then the Turke and the Pope ſet forth by the Dragon, and falſe prophet, and beaſt, ſhall beſtirre themſelues by their agents, Baſſaes, Ieſuites, and the like, ſparing for no coſt to ſuppreſſe the truth: and the powers which they ſhall aſſemble ſhall be in theſe Weſterne parts, where the Goſpell hath moſt preuailed, being called Harmageddon, the mountaine of delights, of Har a mountaine, and foreign Maggedim, delights. The ſeuenth is, according to this expoſition, applyed as in the expoſition before going, all the prophecies of holy Scripture hauehave now taken their effect: The great City is diuided into three parts, the three before ſpoken of, viz. the Dragon, beaſt, and falſe prophet; that is, the Turke and Pope being deſtroyed, but yet no end of the world.
Some a little different, yet for the moſt part ſubſcribe vntounto this,Pareus. holding that the firſt viall was powred out by Luther and Zwinglius, laying open the ſores of Popery to their great vexation: the ſecond, when the Councell of Trent ſet down ſuch corrupt Canons of religion: the third, which is not yet fulfilled, when the Biſhops, and Doctors, and chiefe vpholders of the Roman religion, ſhall hauehave the ſame meaſure meted vntounto them, which they hauehave meaſured vntounto others by the ſhedding of their bloud: the fourth, when by the light of the truth increaſing, the Papals ſhall bee heat, and troubled, and blaſpheme it out of their anguiſh; the fift, when the ſtate of Popery ſhall yet become more abominable, the foggy darkneſſe thereof appearing more and more by the comming on of the light: the ſixt, when the reuenues of the Popedome decaying, new kings, ſet forth by the kings of the Eaſt, becauſe they ſhall be conuerted to the truth, ſhall bee a meanes of the deſtruction thereof. This was Bullingers before, and is ſubſcribed vntounto by Aretius and Illiricus, and by Pareus his Auonymus, as he ſaith, who wrote aboue two hundred and threeſcore yeeres agone. This decay in the Papail reuenues hath beene theſe hundred yeeres, but how doth the Pope ſeeke to helpe himſelfe? There are three vncleane ſpirits like frogs comming out of his mouth, which are the Popes Legats, the Biſhops who direct them, and the Ieſuites, who draw into their league the Kings of America, India and Perſia, for the defence of the Popedome, ſo that there are like to bee great ſtirres in the world, and a great conſpiracy to oppreſſe the truth: but their gathering together ſhall be to their owne deſtruction, becauſe into Harmageddon where Ioſiah fell, an occaſion of much ſorrow and mourning. For the ſeuenth Angell ſhall then powre out his viall, the great day of iudgement being come, the terribleneſſe whereof is ſet forth by many fearefull euents of thunder, lightening, earthquake, and haile.
More ancient Expoſitors vnderunder theſe Angels with their vials doe thinke, that the Preachers,Primaſ. Richard. de Sancto Victore. Hanno. Ambsbert. Pannonius. Ioachim. &c. who at ſeuerall times hauehave threatened Gods iudgements, are ſet forth. By the firſt, the Apoſtles threatning the Iewes for their infidelity, which as an incurable ſore, remaineth vponupon them to this day. By the ſecond, the Preachers which threatened the ſea of the Gentiles. By the third, ſuch as oppoſed heretikes. By the fourth, ſuch as reproued the Clergy and chiefe Biſhops for their corruptions. By the fift, ſuch as oppoſed the followers of Antichriſt, and that Antichriſt. By the ſixt, ſuch as reproue the Kings and Princes adhering to Antichriſt. By the ſeuenth, ſuch as threaten the deſtruction of the prince of the aire, the Authour vntounto Antichriſt of all his tyranny, after which hee ſhall be throwne downe to his place of torment. Diuers Popiſh Writers follow this alſo, as Gorran and Gagneus, &c.
Yet Viegas will hauehave all to be literally vnderſtood, holding, that as the Aegyptians were viſibly and ſenſibly by diuers iudgements confounded before the Hebrewes,Blaſ. Viegas. ſo Antichriſt and his followers ſhall be before the Catholikes.
There are other expoſitions alſo, as that by the ſea and riuers turned into bloud,Maſon▪ the ſlaughters made of the Papiſts by the Turkes are to be vnderſtood, by the viall powred out vponupon the Sunne, the turning of their Biſhops, Friers, and other religious perſons out of their dens here in England, &c. making them boile in heat at it. By that vponupon the beaſts throne, the taking away of the Popes reuenues, to the great darkening of his glory, conſiſting ſo much in worldly pompe and riches. By that vponupon Euphrates, the remouing of all impediments, that the kings which hauehave formerly giuen honour to the beaſt, may now come and deſtroy her. By that into the aire, producing thunderings, &c. the vtter deſtruction of Popery by the powerfull preaching of the word, when all flie away, that is, turne from Popery to the embracing of the truth.
Another applying the foure former vials onelyonly in generall, to the life and doctrine of the Papiſts being diſcredited, holdeth that by the fift viall, the going downe of the pompe, glory, and honour of the Pope is ſet forth, in that being before time adored as a God, he is now vilified, and abominated as a monſter. By the ſixt, the decay of his reuenues, which in time ſhall come to be ſo poore and meane, as that hee ſhall bee eaſie to be inuaded, as old Babylon was when Euphrates was dryed vp; whereupon the Ieſuites hauehave done their vttermoſt endeuour to ſtirre vp Popiſh Princes to ſuccour this languiſhing ſtate, but by a ſecret prouidence they hauehave beene brought together into Harmageddon, that is, to their deſtruction, ſo that the place may well be called from hence by this name, ſignifying the deſtruction of an army, as the Hebrewes were wont from any notable accident to giuegive the name to a place. And all this hee holdeth to bee already fulfilled for the moſt part, the Spaniſh Armado in 1588. being brought by ſuch meanes into an Harmageddon. So that now wee liue vnderunder the ſeuenth viall, wherein ſhall bee greater mutations in ſtates than euer, and that in this very age, the Popiſh faction being deſtroyed with horrible deſtructions, and ſo a finall end being put vntounto Rome and to the Popedome. I might ſet downe more expoſitions, but theſe ſhall ſuffice, wherein indeed I hauehave beene the larger, becauſe of the obſcurity of this place, giuing ſuch occaſion of diuerſity of coniectures, as that amongſt our new Writers ſcarce two are to be found that agree together in all things, that hauing ſo many before our eyes, we may …e holpen the more in finding out the truth. Thoſe ancients which ſo conſentingly expound theſe vials of Preachers in diuers ages are ſurely miſtaken, becauſe theſe are the laſt plagues of all in this booke contained, and therfore cannot be in diuers ages, but in the laſt onelyonly: and they are powred out againſt Antichriſt his marked ones, and vponupon his throne, and to his diſturbance, intimated in that out of his mouth come the frogs, to moue the Kings of the earth to warres in his defence. And the long riſing of Antichriſt, arguing a long time wherein hee is falling, ſheweth that coniecture of the Ieſuite to be vaine, who bringeth all theſe vials within the narrow compaſſe of three yeeres and a halfe, yea the latter end of this time. Why the two firſt expoſitions cannot be receiued I hauehave ſhewed before. Touching the third, the French Pox, and peſtilences, and droughts being common to others as well as to the Papals, I cannot ſee how it doth well agree. For the fourth, it is more improbable, becauſe the ſcope of this Prophecies is to ſhew how the Papacie and Pope ſhould be plagued for their wickedneſſe, to their great anguiſh, and not how they ſhould become an annoiance and vexation to others. The 5, 6, 7.10, and 11. expoſitions then remaine, which in many things agree well together, and therefore by the light and help hereof I will endeuour, chiefly looking vp to the Father of lights for direction, to ſet downe the trueſt and moſt genuine ſenſe of theſe moſt myſticall vials.
If in the entry it be a ſtumble, as ſome hauehave made it, how theſe Angels may be iuſtified to doe according to their command, when as being bidden to powre out their vials vponupon the earth, they doe not but one of them only, the reſt powring out their vials vponupon the ſea, riuers, throne of the beaſt, Sunne, and aire, this I take it, hath beene well reſolued already in the fift expoſition, all theſe are but the parts of the earth, as it is here taken, viz. for the kingdome of Antichriſt here below oppoſed to heauen aboue ſo often mentioned in this prophecie, when the faithfull ſeruants of God are ſpoken of.
Touching the firſt Angell with his viall,1. Angell, I cannot with Brightman vnderſtand it of Queene Elizabeth, becauſe howſoeuer ſhe was an excellent inſtrument for the comfort of the godly and the vexation of the Popiſh, yet ſhe was not the firſt, as this Angell is. I hold therefore with Forbs and Pareus, that the firſt oppugners of Popery ſhewing their filthy byles, to their great vexation are here figured out; & here we may aſcend higher than Luther, euen to Wickliffe, and to the Waldenſes and Albingenſes before, together with many Worthies, who wrote and ſpake againſt the filthineſſe of the Prieſts, Monkes, and Fryers many yeeres agone, as all that are but meanly conuerſant in hiſtory know. And herein, as in almoſt all the reſt, it is alluded vntounto the inchanters in Aegypt, who were ſmitten with a ſore byle, that they could not ſtand before Moſes and Aaron: for as theſe make men loathſome, ſo the abominable vices of the Roman Clergy made them loathſome to moſt men.
Touching the ſecond,2. Angell. I doe not thinke, that the doctrine and Doctors of that Synagogue of Rome are meant: for ſo the ſpeech of the Angels iuſtifying the Lord in his proceedings, giuing them bloud to drinke, as they had ſhed the bloud of the Saints, would not ſo well agree: for here is plainly noted a paying of them with the like to that which they had done. I approue therefore here rather the tenth expoſition, that hereby is figured out the bloud of the Popiſh, ſhed by the Turkes eſpecially, and the order of time doth agree moſt excellently; for after that the bloud of many thouſands of innocents had beene ſhed in Merindall, and Cabriers, and other neighbouring parts for religion, a great deſtruction happened to the Papals by the Turkes,Munſter. Coſmogr. de Turcis. about ann. 1444. Ladiſlaus the Emperour himſelfe being ſlaine, together with many Princes, Dukes and Nobles, and an infinite multitude of common people. And in Hungary and Tranſiluania ſtill after this, the Turke preuailing many yeeres, a ſea of bloud was ſhed. As for the riuers, I take it not to bee amiſſe to apply their turning into bloud, to executions done vponupon Prieſts and Ieſuites for their treaſons here in England, and vponupon Ieſuites in other parts together with the apparant iudgements of God vponupon many of them that hauehave beene moſt forward in perſecuting to their deſtruction, and the ſlaughters that hauehave beene made of them in their ciuill warres procured by their owne ſeeking.
Touching the fourth, I hold that the increaſe of the light of the Goſpell is hereby ſet forth,4. Angell. as moſt of my Authors agree, for the word of God is compared to the Sunne, Pſal. 19. which as it enlightneth, and ſo is comfortable, ſo it heateth; and the neerer it draweth to any part of the world, the more it ſcorcheth with the exceeding great heat thereof. And thus this viall doth very well agree to the euent, for the Sunne being riſen to enlighten the world, gat vp higher ſtill dayly in the firmament, till the heat of it grew intolerable to the Papals, making them to raile and ſweare againſt it like mad men.
Touching the fift, there cannot be a more kindly expoſition, than to apply it to the obſcuring of the Popes glory:5. Angell. for when by the Sun-ſhine of the truth, the Doctors of that Church, and others who ſtand to the defence of it, are ſcorched ſo, as that they cannot maintaine with any reaſon any longer the Popes vſurped Supremacy, infallibility of iudgement, indulgentiary power, and power to make Lawes, and to diſpenſe with Lawes, but their onelyonly refuge is railing, and virulency of tongue, then what muſt needs follow next, but a vilipending of their Pope, whom they ſo much magnified? And when this commeth to paſſe, how can they that are the Popes vaſſals, and in their mindes inthralled to his Holineſſe, but ſorrow extremely, and behaue themſelues like frantickes?
Touching the ſixt, I cannot thinke that the conuerſion and returne of the Iewes is once glanced at herein,6. Angell. ſeeing that not by them, but by the Weſterne Kings, who ſet vp the Whore, ſhe muſt be made deſolate againe, as is plainly ſhewed, Chap. 17.16. and it were ſtrange, that ſuch a poore runnagate people as the Iewes ſhould hauehave the title of Kings of the Eaſt, where they are the baſeſt and of the leaſt account. I ſubſcribe therefore to them that expound it as altogether Allegoricall, by Euphrates, the reuenues of the Popedome being meant, and by the Kings of the Eaſt, ſuch Kings as God would ſtirre vp in theſe parts to be her vtter ruine and ouerthrow, the great defence which is in the riuer of worldly wealth being taken away, as ſometime Euphrates was dreaned, whereby Babylon was taken by Cyrus and Darius, Eaſterne Kings. And becauſe the wealth of Spaine is ſo great a meanes to ſtrengthen this kingdome, yet I thinke it not amiſſe to bring that in alſo within the compaſſe of this great riuer. In that part where the Popes reuenues runne the water is very ſhallow at this day, & there is great probability that the other will be much diminiſhed ſhortly, if not cleane dryed vp, if the Indian treaſure be once cut off, which is very powerfully attempted. And hitherto I thinke, that theſe vials hauehave taken effect for the moſt part already, onelyonly we are to expect the drying vp of this Euphrates more and more; and then that ſuch Kings and Princes as abominate Rome for the wickedneſſe therof, ſhould vniting their forces, giuegive the on-ſet vntounto her deſolation.
Touching the ſeuenth Angell, I hold it beſt to go with the common ſtreame of them that expound this of the finall iudgment,7. Angell. not only of the beaſt and his followers, but of the whole world, that of the beaſt being againe re-aſſumed to bee more fully declared in the Chapters following, as being the moſt remarkable thing pointed at in this booke. For without wreſting and ſtraining the paſſages here in ſuch manner, as that there is no preſident for it in other places of holy Scripture, it cannot be applied otherwiſe. It is done, Babylon came into remembrance to giuegive vntounto her the cup of the wine of the fierceneſſe of Gods wrath, and eueryevery Iland fled away, and the mountaines were no more found. What elſe can theſe ſpeeches ſet forth, but the full and finall recompencing of the Whore of Babylon, and of others enemies of the truth, which cannot be ſaid to hauehave beene done but at the laſt day? For then onelyonly it may be rightly ſpoken, it is done, it being till then but in doing, and it is at that time onelyonly that there is flying away to hide themſelues from the wrath of God, and that the faſhion of the world is altered. It ſhould ſeeme to make againſt it, that the great city is not ſaid to fall,Verſ. 19. but to be diuided into three parts. I anſwer with Pareus, that hereby the vtter ruine of it is ſet forth, ſeeing three parts, which may well be taken for all the parts of a building, are ſaid to be diuided or rent in ſunder, and in ſpeaking of three, it is alluded to the three before ſpoken of, as the founders of this city; the Dragon, the beaſt, and the falſe prophet, & the three vncleane ſpirits, like frogs comming out of their mouthes. Againe the nations are immediatly ſaid to hauehave fallen, that is, to be quite ouerthrown, and therfore it is not likely but that the vtter ruine of Rome is meant alſo, though deliuered in a diuers phraſe. Or if by the great city we vnderſtand all the countries where the Chriſtian religion hath beene planted, as I hauehave expounded it before vponupon Chap. 11. then the city of Rome is not ſo much meant, but the whole dominions of Turke and Pope, for it is likely that Rome ſhall be deſtroyed before, the riuer Euphrates, the defence thereof being dryed vp, yea it muſt needs bee ſo by reaſon of the lamentation made by ſuch as hauehave had trafficke there for the deſolation of that city, Chap. 17. which cannot be after the great day of iudgement. And if the great city bee thus taken, then by the nations, other countreys which are neither Mahumetane nor Popiſh are to be vnderſtood, which for their ſinnes ſhall come to ruine alſo, this being plainly ſet forth; and the fall of the city by a periphraſis taken from ſuch a fal as is by diuiſion, as Ieruſalem fell before the Romans by a triple faction therin, to which in particular it is to be thought that it is alluded, for ſo much as Ieruſalem trodden vnderunder foot by the Gentiles, is a type of Chriſtendome vnderunder the dominion of Turke and Pope, as hath been ſhewed more at large vponupon Chap. 11.Verſ. 21. If it ſhould ſeeme to make againſt this expoſition, that a great haile like talents is ſaid to follow after all this, whereupon men blaſpheme God, which, as Brightman ſaith, is not to bee thought ſhall be at the day of iudgement, becauſe all mouthes ſhall then be ſtopped, the generall ſilence of all arguing their conſent to the iuſtice of Gods proceedings, and none blaſpheming any more; I anſwer with Pareus againe, that howſoeuer the wicked ſhall ſubſcribe to this iudgement in their owne conſcience as moſt iuſt, and ſo ſhall not mutter any word of reaſon againſt thoſe proceedings, yet the ſenſe of the extremity of torment, from which they ſhall deſpaire euer to be deliuered, will ſo inrage them,Exod. 6. as that like the Aegyptians when haile & fire mingled therwith came down from heauen, or like the Canaanites, vponupon whom God hailed with exceeding great haileſtones, to the deſtroying of moſt of them, to which I think it is rather than to the other alluded here, as they, I ſay, being moued with anguiſh did doubtleſſe bitterly take on againſt the God of Iſrael, ſo here the wicked at the laſt day are brought in blaſpheming to expreſſe the ſenſe of intolerable pangs, vponupon wch wicked men are wont thus to do. And haply their tongues will thus rebell againſt God, as the tongues of perſons inraged euerlaſtingly. Theſe things being thus explained, wee ſee that there is no reaſon why any ſhould be offended, and doubt whether Popery ſhall euer goe downe altogether or no, becauſe it is ſtill vpheld after ſo many yeeres ſince it firſt receiued a blow: for it muſt fall by degrees as it roſe by degrees; and as it had a long time of riſing to the full height, ſo it muſt bee long in falling into vtter deſtruction. And ſeeing fiue of theſe Vials hauehave ſo manifeſtly taken effect already, and the ſixt in a great part, why ſhould wee not by faith aſſuredly expect the full accompliſhment of it, as well as wee ſee the accompliſhment of thoſe foregoing by experience. O yee fooliſh and blinde Papiſts, why are ye ſo hard to beleeue the things that this Prophet hath foretold touching your Babylon? if ye louelove your ſoules, open your eyes, and by that which hath beene hitherto done be aſſured of a full deſtruction, and therefore come out of Babylon in time, and be not led hood-winked into ineuitable perdition.
Queſt. 2.Verſ. 13, 14, 15, 16. Who are theſe three vncleane ſpirits like Frogs, that come out of the mouth of the dragon, the beaſt, and the falſe prophet? and what place is that Harmageddon, into which the Kings of the earth are gathered, and by whom are they gathered together into that place?
Anſw. It is agreed that theſe foule ſpirits are inſtruments of the Pope, who come as it were out of his mouth, becauſe ſo like vntounto him both in the ſame end which they aime at, and the meanes to effect it, lying ſignes and wonders; and more particularly I hold them to be none other but the Ieſuites, becauſe the time of their beginning by Ignatius Loyola within theſe threeſcore yeeres doth notably agree, and their leaping vp and downe in Kings Courts, they being the greateſt Statiſts that the Pope hath for him to maintaine his credit with the Kings of the earth, that his reuenues may be no more diminiſhed: neither doe their practiſes to ſtirre vp to warre againſt Heretikes, vniuſtly ſo called, diſagree; for they are knowne to be the very firebrands of diſſentions, tumults, treaſons, and bloudſheds thorowout all Chriſtendome euer ſince they beganne to be. They are ſaid to be three, when as indeed they are many thouſands, to note out their triple originall from the Dragon, who is the Deuill, the Beaſt, the Roman State which they trauell for, and the falſe prophet, the Pope (who before was called the ſecond beaſt, and not till now a falſe prophet, but here more fully declared by his name, as there by his pſeudopropheticall practiſes) whoſe eldeſt ſonnes they are, bending themſelues vp to the higheſt ſtreine of wit and reſolution for the ſupporting of his tottering chaire. Theſe ſtirre vp popiſh Kings and Princes ſo, as that they enter into leagues and vnions to root out poore Proteſtants. But ſilly men that they are, whilſt they are thus buſie for the benefit of the Popedome, little doe they thinke of him that ſitteth aboue and laugheth them to ſcorne, for that the ioyning of popiſh Princes together to root out the truth, ſhall by him bee turned to a gathering together to be deſtroyed, ſo as that they ſhall neuer be able to make head againe. And this is intimated in ſaying, That they gather them together to the battell of the great day of God, that is,Verſ. 14. wherein God will hauehave glory by their vtter ouerthrow, which is alſo further confirmed in that changing the number by and by, he ſaith, Hee gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue, Verſ. 16.Armageddon. What is meant by this word Armageddon, there is great difference of opinions. Some thinke,Beza. Iunius. Forbs. Fox. Pareus. Iudg. 5.19. 2 Chron. 35.22. that it is to bee read Harmegiddo, and ſo expound it as alluding to the place called Megiddo, where Iabin and Siſera with their army were deſtroyed before Debora and Barak by the Lord, and where Ioſiah fell before Pharaoh Neco King of Aegypt, giuing occaſion to a great mourning to the children of Iſrael for the loſſe of ſo good a King: for each Hiſtory may be well alluded to here, that of the Canaanites deſtruction for the ouerthrow of popiſh kings with their people, the other of Ioſiah, for the mourning which the Iewes being conuerted ſhall make for their former oppoſition againſt Chriſt, ſlaying him ſo good a King, that came to ſaue them, as is foretold by the Prophet, ſaying, I will powre out vponupon them the ſpirit of compaſſion, Zach. 12.and they ſhall ſee him whom they hauehave pierced, and mourne eueryevery family apart. For they hold that at the ſame time the Iewes ſhall be conuerted. As for the change of the waters of Megiddo, as it is in the firſt place, or of the Valley of Megiddo, as it is in the ſecond, into Har a Mount and Megiddo, they thinke, that this is not without a myſtery,Forbs. it being hereby intimated that the enemies of the truth ſhall be in an high attempt when this deſtruction ſhall befall them,Beza. Iunius. and therefore purpoſely a Valley is turned in the word here vſed into a Mountaine, whereas it ſhould be Megiddo. Others reade it Horma-geddon, a curſed warfare,Luther. Graſſerus. of Horma ſignifying a curſe, and geddon which commeth of Gadad, ſignifying to gather together an army; or of Harma, crafty, becauſe by craft they ſhall be gathered together to their owne deſtruction, as God will turne it. Others with a ſingle foreign reade it foreign, expounding Har a Mountaine, and Maggedim Delights, holding that it is alluded to that in Dan. 11.45. And he ſhall faſten his tents in the mount of his holy beauty, foreign for as there the Turke is pointed at apart, ſo here all the enemies of the Church ioyning together, and as Ieruſalem is properly ſo called, ſo the pure Church of God figured out thereby is here called ſo, and therefore this battell and deſtruction of the enemies ſhall be made in theſe parts of the world where the pure reformed Religion hath taken effect.Napior. Some expound it the Mountaine of the Euangeliſt applying it likewiſe.
Some expound it the deſtruction of an Army, of Cherem deſtruction,Deut. and Gedud an Army, holding that the ſlaughter of the enemies ſhall be ſo great, that according to the manner of the Hebrewes, amongſt whom many places are named from the euent, the place where this ſhall be ſhall take the name alſo.
Ierome, as Pareus ſheweth, expoundeth it Montem furum, the Mountaine of the eues, others a curſed troupe, others the deſtruction of the Riuer. All wee ſee are agreed here that no proper place is deſigned, but ſome place onelyonly where the enemies of the truth ſhall be deſtroyed. There will be no errour therefore which way ſo euer it be taken, only I thinke it dangerous to admit of any corruption in the change of the word by the incury of the Scribe. I preferre that of Dent, holding withall, that it is alluded vntounto the deſtruction of Iabin and Siſera with their armies, and that it ſhould be likewiſe with the enemies of the truth ere long, they ſhall bee in a Catholike league together, bending all their forces againſt the reformed; but God helping his, their attempts ſhall bee turned to their owne vtter ouerthrow. Whether this be now a working, ſeeing they were neuer ſo combined together, neither hauehave they beene about ſo great attempts as now, God knoweth. Haply the gathering together of Papiſts at this time is the gathering together here pointed at; if not, as the time will ſcarce beare, it is a preludium thereof; ſome famous deſtruction may happen to them in the end of this conſpiracy now, but the greateſt whereunto this may make a way afterwards. Howſoeuer, let all men take heed of the Ieſuites, as of vncleane and dangerous ſpirits, and let vsus be comforted when the Romiſh Catholikes bend their forces moſt againſt the profeſſours of the truth, aſſuring our ſelues that they are neereſt their vtter ruine.