The Whole Revelation of John in Two Treatises, Treatise 2 · Chapter 14
CHAP. XIIII.
THE ARGVMENT.
VnderUnder the figure of 144000 Iſraelits, marked (Apoc 7) with the mark of Gods protection, before the troubles of the ſeuen ages, and nowe appearing in that ſame ful number after theſe troubles, reioycing with Chriſt on mount Sion: The Spirit of God expreſſeth to vsus, the deliuerie of his Church frō al the tyranny of the Antichriſt, & reviuing therof againe in ful nūber, which being the firſt reſurrection, he proceedeth from thence orderlie to the ſecond reſurrection, and Gods great harveſt, deviding the whole time to that great day, as alſo that dayes work, among ſeuen Angels, whom extraordinarilie here the Prophet hath inſert, and not in the tenth chapter, where they ſhould hauehave bene, for the better conceiling the myſtery thereof of theſe dayes, which before theſe our daies was not meet to be knowne, as may be gathered by Dan. 12.4.8.9.13 and Apoc. 10 4 and note (d) thereof, conferred with our 11. propoſition, and with the ſecond and fourth generall reaſons in our 14. propoſition.
The Text.
The Text. 1 THen I looked, & lo, a Lamb ſtod on mount Sion, and with him an hūdred fourtie and foure thouſande, hauing his Fathers Name, written in their forheades.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 1 THen I beheld, and conſidered the Lamb of God, Chriſt Ieſus, to ſtande on the mount of his inheritance, euen among his elect Church, and with him, thoſe a hundreth, fourtie and four thouſands Iſraelits, who before (Apoc. 7.) were marked patentlie, with the marke and name of God, their protector.
Hiſtoricall application. 1 THen I beheld, and conſidered the Lamb of God, Chriſt Ieſus, to ſtande on the mount of his inheritance, euen among his elect Church, and with him, thoſe a hundreth, fourtie and four thouſands Iſraelits, who before (Apoc. 7.) were marked patentlie, with the marke and name of God, their protector.
The Text. 2 And I hearde a voice frō heauen, as the ſounde of manie waters, and as the ſound of a gret thū der: and I heard the voice of harpers, harping with their harpes.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 2 And I heard further, proceeding frō Gods Church, the voice and ſound of many b people and nations, and the thundering and threatening voyce of Gods true Miniſters, and I heard the ioyfull voice of their reioycing in God.
Hiſtoricall application. 2 And I heard further, proceeding frō Gods Church, the voice and ſound of many b people and nations, and the thundering and threatening voyce of Gods true Miniſters, and I heard the ioyfull voice of their reioycing in God.
The Text. 3 And they ſung as it vver a new ſong before the throne, & before the foure beaſts & the elders, and no man coulde learn that ſong, but the hundred, fourty and foure thouſand, which were bought from the earth.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 3 And theſe Iſraelits ſang, not the olde ſong that their Fathers did, of the Meſsias to come: but contrarily, in the preſence of God, & before his profeſſors of the olde and new Teſtamentes, they gladlie ſang the ſongs and hymnes of their new redemption in his blood, alreadie ſhead: & no cmo of Iſrael could learn to rejoice & triūph in that new redemption, but onlie thoſe hundred, fourtie foure thouſands, which thereby were redeemed and ſelected from among the earthly Iſraelites.
Hiſtoricall application. 3 And theſe Iſraelits ſang, not the olde ſong that their Fathers did, of the Meſsias to come: but contrarily, in the preſence of God, & before his profeſſors of the olde and new Teſtamentes, they gladlie ſang the ſongs and hymnes of their new redemption in his blood, alreadie ſhead: & no cmo of Iſrael could learn to rejoice & triūph in that new redemption, but onlie thoſe hundred, fourtie foure thouſands, which thereby were redeemed and ſelected from among the earthly Iſraelites.
The Text. 4 Theſe are they which ar not defiled with womē: for they ar virgins, theſe follow the Lambe whitherſoeuer he goeth theſe ar boght from men, being the firſte fruites vntounto God, & to the Lambe.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 4 Theſe are they, which are neither d whoremongers corporallie with women, not ſpiritually with Idols, for they are chaſt and cleane from both: Theſe followe Chriſt, whereſoeuer he directs thē: theſe are redeemed & choſen out from worldlie men; being that portion of the e fruit of the world, that is dedicated to God, and to his Son Chriſt Ieſus.
Hiſtoricall application. 4 Theſe are they, which are neither d whoremongers corporallie with women, not ſpiritually with Idols, for they are chaſt and cleane from both: Theſe followe Chriſt, whereſoeuer he directs thē: theſe are redeemed & choſen out from worldlie men; being that portion of the e fruit of the world, that is dedicated to God, and to his Son Chriſt Ieſus.
The Text. 5 And in their mouthes was found no guile for they are without ſpotte before the throne of God.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 5 And in their mouths is found no guile nor deceit, for Chriſt hath purged their ſinnes, ſo that they appeare without ſpot before the Majeſtie of God.
Hiſtoricall application. 5 And in their mouths is found no guile nor deceit, for Chriſt hath purged their ſinnes, ſo that they appeare without ſpot before the Majeſtie of God.
The Text. 6 Then I ſaw another Angel flie in the mids of heauen, hauing an euerlaſting Goſpel, to preach vntounto them, that dwell on the earth, and to euerie nation, and kindred, and tongue, & people.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 6 Theſe Iſraelits with manie Gentiles, being hitherto hidlings, preſerued by God in theſe ſix ages, vnderunder the Pops tyranny. Now in the ſeuenth age, about the 1541. year of chriſt, god ſtirred vp opēly, his firſt miniſters and ſeruants, Luther, Caluin, Melancthon, & others, to prech out, during al this Iubilie, the perfite verity of the Goſpell publikly, which before was hid & obſcured, vnderunder the Antichriſtian raign, ſo that nowe the true Church lurketh no more, but Gods treuth to all the worlde is made patent by theſe miniſters.
An. Chriſti. The ſeuenth age begins. 1541 The firſt thundering Angels Iubelie.
Hiſtoricall application. 6 Thē after Chriſt his ſprirituall preſence, for the defence of theſe hither to: Now came another mightie Meſſenger, euen the f firſte of the ſeuen thundering Angels of the latter day, & he, in the mouths of God his Miniſters, did publiſhe the euerlaſting Evangell of Chriſte Ieſus, and preached foorth the ſame openlie, to all them which dwelt vppon the earth, of euerie Nation, Kindred, tongue, and people.
The Text. 7 Saying with a loude voice, feare God, and giuegive glorie to him: for the houre of his judgement is come: and worſhip him that made heauen, and earth, and the ſea, and the fountaines of water.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 7 Teaching them all vniuerſallie, by their publike and open preaching, to feare God onelie, and leauing all other ſuperſticious worſhipping, to giuegive glorie onlie vntounto him, for the g houre draweth now neere, in the which, all ſhall be judged, and therefore, to leaue their Antichriſtian Idolatrie, and only to worſhip him, that made the heauen, earth, waters, and all that in them is.
Hiſtoricall application. 7 Teaching them all vniuerſallie, by their publike and open preaching, to feare God onelie, and leauing all other ſuperſticious worſhipping, to giuegive glorie onlie vntounto him, for the g houre draweth now neere, in the which, all ſhall be judged, and therefore, to leaue their Antichriſtian Idolatrie, and only to worſhip him, that made the heauen, earth, waters, and all that in them is.
The Text. 8 And there followed another Angel, ſaying, It is fallen, it is fallen, Babylon the gret citie: for ſhee made all nations to drinke of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 8 About the end of which Iubelie, and beginning of this next Iubelie, begun in An. 1590. God hath ſhewed mervelous indices, that the Empire of Rome & Papiſtical kingdom, ſhal ſhortly fal: the Antichriſtiā & Spaniſh flote is deſtroyed: the late King of France, Duke of Guize, & his brother, Papiſts, & cōmitters of the Pariſian maſſacre, al murthered by other: a Proteſtant nowe made king of France: So that before the ende of this Iubelie (God willing) Rome and the whol Papiſtical kingdome thereof, ſhal be ruined.
An. Chriſti. Iubily 1590 The ſecond thundering Angels Iubelie.
Hiſtoricall application. 8 Then came the ſecond of the ſeuen thundering Angels; declaring euen preſentlie, the horrible fall and decay to become of that figuratiue h Babylon, and great Antichriſtian city, becaus ſhe had entiſed all nations, hitherto, to committe idolatrous whoredome with her: and ſo made them to drinke of the cuppe of God his eternall wrath and indignation.
The Text. 9 And the third Angel followed them, ſaying, with a loude voyce, If anie man worſhip the beaſte and his image, and receiue his marke in his foreheade, or on his hand,
Paraphraſtical expoſition 9 So that in the 3. Iubile beginning in An. 1639. the Miniſters and meſſengers of God, ſhall (God willing) hauehave only the latter dregges of that Romiſh ſeate to admoniſhe, and threaten by open intimation, that if anie bee, in whoſe heartes the reuerence of that ruined Empire, and counterfeit Emperours, defenders thereof, is ſuperſtitiouſlie inveterate; or if anie nowe be marked with Chriſme, or croſſe on hand or head
An. Chriſti. 1639 The third thundering Angels Iubelie.
Hiſtoricall application. 9 Afterwarde comes i the thirde order of thundering or threatning Meſſengers, openlie & loudly threatening, that if any be now, that doe worſhip or reuerence that Antichriſtian Empire, or counterfeiters thereof, or that receiues the olde ſuperſtitious marks thereof on their foreheade, or in their handes,
The Text. 10 The ſame ſhall drinke of the wine of the wrath of God, yea, of the pure wine, which is powred into the cuppe of his wrath, and & he ſhal be tormēted in fire & brimſtone, before the holie Angels, and before the Lambe.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 10 The ſame ſhal drink of the horrible vengeāce of Gods wrath, yea, of his vengeance and wrath, pure and vnmixed with anie point of his merciemercy: and he ſhall bee tormented eternallie in the bitter ſulphurious fire of hel, in the preſence of Chriſt and all his holie Angels.
Hiſtoricall application. 10 The ſame ſhal drink of the horrible vengeāce of Gods wrath, yea, of his vengeance and wrath, pure and vnmixed with anie point of his merciemercy: and he ſhall bee tormented eternallie in the bitter ſulphurious fire of hel, in the preſence of Chriſt and all his holie Angels.
The Text. 11 And the ſmoke of their torment ſhal aſcend euermore, & they ſhal hauehave no reſt day nor night, whiche worſhippe the beaſt and his image, & whoſoeuer receiueth the print of his name.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 1. And the griefe of their torment ſhal encreaſe for euer and euer: and their torment ſhall neuer ende, that reuerence that Romane and Papiſticall ſeat, or obey the Princes, maintainers thereof, be it Spaine or Germanie, or who euer els, that maintaining that ſeat, doeth counterfeit the Emperour, & whoſoeuer receiues in honour the ſuperſticious markes of foreign and croſſes of al kinds, which ar deriued frō foreign; which is the nūber of foreign, the name of the Latine Empire.
Hiſtoricall application. 1. And the griefe of their torment ſhal encreaſe for euer and euer: and they ſhall hauehave no ſlakning day nor night, who reuerence that Antichriſtiā Empire or counterfeit Emperours thereof, or whoſoeuer receiveth the ſuperſticious markes that are k deriued and compoſed of the name of that Empire.
The Text. 12 Here is the patience of the Saints: here are they that keepe the commandements of God, and the faith of Ieſus.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 12 And this eternall puniſhment of the wicked, doeth miniſter occaſion of patience to the Saintes of God, and to thoſe that obſerue his commandementes, and are the faithfull ſeruantes of Chriſt Ieſus.
Hiſtoricall application. 12 And this eternall puniſhment of the wicked, doeth miniſter occaſion of patience to the Saintes of God, and to thoſe that obſerue his commandementes, and are the faithfull ſeruantes of Chriſt Ieſus.
The Text. 13 Thē I hard a voice from heuen, ſaying vntounto me, Write, bleſſed ar the dead, which dy in the Lord, for that in continent hereafter (ſaith the Spirit) ſhal they reſt from their labors, & their workes followe them.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 13 And nowe doeth the Prophete Iohn at the commandement of Gods Spirite, write and publiſh thoſe now to be happie, that hauehave died in the Lord, for that l incontinent (ſaith Gods Spirite) after this Iubelie, ſhall they reſt from their troubles, and the reward of their workes (deſerued in Chriſte) ſhall now follow them.
Hiſtoricall application. 13 And nowe doeth the Prophete Iohn at the commandement of Gods Spirite, write and publiſh thoſe now to be happie, that hauehave died in the Lord, for that l incontinent (ſaith Gods Spirite) after this Iubelie, ſhall they reſt from their troubles, and the reward of their workes (deſerued in Chriſte) ſhall now follow them.
The Text. 14 And I loked and behold, a white cloud, & vponupon the cloude one ſitting like vntounto the Sonne of man hauing on his heade a golden crowne, and in his hand a ſharp ſickle.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 14 And behold now, and loe (the fourth Iubelie being begun in Anno. 1688.) bright cloudes ſhall appeare, and m thereupon Chriſte, the Sonne of man comming vntounto judgement, as the fourth of the thundering Angels, hauing on his head the glorious crowne of eternall victorie, and in his hand the n ſickle of ſharpe diligence, to gather in his elect with.
Hiſtoricall application. 14 And behold now, and loe (the fourth Iubelie being begun in Anno. 1688.) bright cloudes ſhall appeare, and m thereupon Chriſte, the Sonne of man comming vntounto judgement, as the fourth of the thundering Angels, hauing on his head the glorious crowne of eternall victorie, and in his hand the n ſickle of ſharpe diligence, to gather in his elect with.
The Text. 15 And another Angel came out of the Temple, crying with a loude voice to him that ſat on the cloud. Thruſt in thy ſickle and reap: for the time is com to reap: for the harueſt of the earth is ripe.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 15 And for the fift of the thundering Angels came another, euen the o thirde perſon of the Trinitie, who proceding out from the p Majeſtie of the Father, proclaimed with a loude voice to Chriſt, that ſate vponupon the cloudes, ſaying, Enter to nowe with diligence, and gather in thine elect: for the houre of the greate harueſt is nowe come, and the elect people of the world are readie and ripe, exſpecting their reward.
Hiſtoricall application. 15 And for the fift of the thundering Angels came another, euen the o thirde perſon of the Trinitie, who proceding out from the p Majeſtie of the Father, proclaimed with a loude voice to Chriſt, that ſate vponupon the cloudes, ſaying, Enter to nowe with diligence, and gather in thine elect: for the houre of the greate harueſt is nowe come, and the elect people of the world are readie and ripe, exſpecting their reward.
The Text. 16 And hee that ſat on the cloude, thruſte in his ſickle on the earth, & the earth was reaped.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 16 And Chriſt, comming in the cloudes, entered to as a reaper, with the ſharpe ſickle of diligence, to gather in whollie his elect, from the earth, and they were then all gathered vp from the earth.
Hiſtoricall application. 16 And Chriſt, comming in the cloudes, entered to as a reaper, with the ſharpe ſickle of diligence, to gather in whollie his elect, from the earth, and they were then all gathered vp from the earth.
The Text. 17 Then another Angell came out of the temple, which is in heuen, having alſo a ſharp ſickle.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 17 And then came another (euen the ſixt thundering Angell) executer of God his wrath, from the majeſtie of God, appointed alſo, diligentlie (as with a ſickle) to gather in the wicked.
Hiſtoricall application. 17 And then came another (euen the ſixt thundering Angell) executer of God his wrath, from the majeſtie of God, appointed alſo, diligentlie (as with a ſickle) to gather in the wicked.
The Text. 18 And another Angel came out frō the altar, which had power ouer fire & cried with a loud cry to him that had the ſharp ſickle, and ſaid, Thruſt in thy ſharp ſickle, and gather the cluſters of the vineyard of the earth: for her graps are ripe.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 18 And the ſeuenth and laſt thundering Angell came out from the juſtice ſeate of God, hauing power, concerning Gods fierie and fierce wrath, and he proclaimed with a loude voice to the former Angell, that was readie, as one with a ſickle, to gather in the reprobate, ſaying: Enter to worke diligentlie, as a reaper with his ſickle, and gather the heapes of the wicked of this world, for their q iniquitie is fullie ripe.
Hiſtoricall application. 18 And the ſeuenth and laſt thundering Angell came out from the juſtice ſeate of God, hauing power, concerning Gods fierie and fierce wrath, and he proclaimed with a loude voice to the former Angell, that was readie, as one with a ſickle, to gather in the reprobate, ſaying: Enter to worke diligentlie, as a reaper with his ſickle, and gather the heapes of the wicked of this world, for their q iniquitie is fullie ripe.
The Text. 19 And the angel thruſt in his ſharpe ſickle on the earth, and cut down the vines of the vinyard of the earth, & caſt them into the great wine preſſe of the wrath of God
Paraphraſtical expoſition 19 And that ſixt Angell entered vponupon thoſe people of the earth, as a reaper with his ſickle, and cut downe the wicked, growing in all earthlie wickedneſſe, and caſte them into hell, the greate tormente place of God his fierce wrath.
Hiſtoricall application. 19 And that ſixt Angell entered vponupon thoſe people of the earth, as a reaper with his ſickle, and cut downe the wicked, growing in all earthlie wickedneſſe, and caſte them into hell, the greate tormente place of God his fierce wrath.
The Text. 20 And the wine preſſe was troden without the citie, and blood came out of the wine preſſe, vntounto the horſe bridles, by the ſpace of a thouſande and ſixe hundred furlongs.
Paraphraſtical expoſition 20 And there they were tormented, far from the companie of Gods true citizens, and as the bloud of an infinite ſlaughter, may be thought to flowe vp to the bridles of horſe in a field r 1600 ſtades off: euen ſo ſhall their terrours, and eternall torment in hell, beginne to ouerflowe all meaſure, after the outrunning of a r thouſande ſixe hundred yeares.
Hiſtoricall application. 20 And there they were tormented, far from the companie of Gods true citizens, and as the bloud of an infinite ſlaughter, may be thought to flowe vp to the bridles of horſe in a field r 1600 ſtades off: euen ſo ſhall their terrours, and eternall torment in hell, beginne to ouerflowe all meaſure, after the outrunning of a r thouſande ſixe hundred yeares.
Notes, Reaſons, and Amplifications.
a Of theſe 144000 Iſraelites, which the Spirite of God ſignified to S. Iohn, in the beginning of the troubles of the ſeuen ages, that he would preſerue and marke to himſelf, there lacks not one, but they ar all exhibited now, after theſe troubles, merrie and reioyſing with Chriſt their redeemer, as Chriſt ſaith, Ioh. 6.30. & 17 12. Haec eſt enim voluntas eius qui miſit me Patris, vt omne quod dedit mihi non perdam ex eo, ſed reſuſcitem illud in nouiſſimo die. This is the Fathers vvil vvhichwhich hath ſent me, that of al vvhichwhich he hath giuen me, I ſhuld looſe nothing, but ſhould raiſe it vp again at the laſt day: And Quos dediſti mihi, cuſtodiui, & nemo ex iis periit, &c. Thoſe that thou gaueſt me, hauehave I kept, and none of them is loſt, &c.
b As in the ſeuenth chapter he hath expreſſed and fore-warned the marking, preſeruing and electing of theſe 144000. Iſraelites, and of the Gentiles of all nations, an innumerable people. So here for the Iſraelits, he repeats that ſelf ſame number of 144000. and for the Gentiles he repreſents them vnderunder the ſound of many waters, and great thunders, for (Reuel. 17.15.) waters are interprete, people, nations, and tongues: and thunders are thoſe preachers, of whatſoeuer nations, that boldly threaten out Gods judgemēts againſt the wicked; for the which, Chriſt called Iohn & Iames the ſonnes of thunders. Mark. 3.17. and the ſeuen Angels, that here threaten the deſtruction of this Babylon, and day of judgement, are therefore (Reuel. 10.3.4.) called the ſeuen thunders.
c This doubtleſſe, is litterally ſpoken of Iſraell, of whome hee would mean, that, boaſt as they will, that they are the ſeede of Abraham, and choſen people of God, yet ſhall no more of them thā theſe 144000. be ſaued, that becomes Chriſtians: whereas, of the Gentiles, the number that ſhall be ſaued (Reuel. 7.9.) ſhall be infinite, and their ſound ſhall be here (ſaith he, ver. 2) as the ſounde of manie waters: But concerning the preciſenes of this number, read Apoc. 7. note f thereof.
d This is not ſo preciſely meaned, but that both the whoremonger and idolater, whom God afterward hath indewed with repentance and amendement, hauing faith in Chriſt Ieſus, ſhall be reſtored to puritie in his bloud: for, how oft ſo euer a ſinner doeth repent him of his iniquities, the Lord will put his iniquitie out of his mind, Yea, though thy ſinnes (ſaith God, Eſay. 1.18) were as skarlet, yet ſhal I make thee vvhite as ſnow, and cleane as wool.
e As the firſt fruites in the Leuiticall Law were offered to God, and the reſt diſponed vponupon by the people: So ar the Elect onlie dedicate and appointed for God, and therefore, they only are called his firſt fruites: and the great multitude reprobate, and reiecte.
f That this Angell (although he calleth him another Angell, that is to ſay, another than the Lambe) is no ſecond, but is the firſt of theſe, which (Apoc. 10.3.4.) are called the ſeuen thunders, appeares hereafter by verſe 9. and note i following, and by the 11. and 12. propoſitions: and therefore, this Angels time falleth betwixt the 1541. and the 1590. yeare of Chriſt.
g That at this time the houre of Gods latter judgment drawes neere, euen within an hundred and ten years from the end of this firſt Angels time, is to be ſeene by our 13. and 14. propoſitions.
h That vnderunder the name of figuratiue Babylon, is meaned Rome, read the 23. propoſition. And as Rome it ſelfe is here comparable to Babylon, in that ſhe ſucceeded to her Empire and impietie, ſo alſo here, and in the 18. chap. hereafter, doth the Prophet S. Iohn, in deſcribing the fal of this Babylonical Rome, borrow the verie words of Eſay and Ieremie, deſcribing the fall of Babylon it ſelfe. Hereof read the note b of the 18. chapter. Further, how before the end of this Iubilie, ending in Anno 1639. Rome appearinglie is to bee deſtroyed, & the kingdom therof to fall, the merueilous beginning of this ſame Iubilie ſemeth to portend: for nere to the beginning hereof in the 88. 89. and 90. yeares of God, God hath by the tempeſt of his windes, miraculouſlie deſtroyed the huge and monſtrous Antichriſtian flote, that came from Spaine, againſt the profeſſors of God in this poore Iland: Again, God hath ſtirred vp one of the chiefe murderers of the Saints of God in Paris, euen the late king of France, to murther the Duke of Guize, and the Cardinall his brother, ſpeciall deuiſers of that cruel Maſſacre. Then farther, that mightie God hath ſtirred vp a deſperat Papiſticall Frier to coſe liues with that bloodie king. So that by the ſword, & mutual bloudſhed of Papiſts among thēſelues, the right of the crown of France is now fallen into the hands of the king of Nauar, a proteſtant Prince. And with theſe miraculous accidents hath this Iubelie begun, hoping in God before the end thereof, to heare that whole Papiſticall citie and kingdome of Rome vtterlie ruined: For theſe premiſes were as vnlikely before thoſe three yeares.
i Becauſe this text calleth this Angell the third Angell: therefore, neceſſarily the Angel preceeding him in the 8. verſe, muſt be the ſecond: And againe, the Angel preceeding that ſeconde in the 6. verſe, muſt be the firſt Angel, although the text adioines to that firſt Angell, the name of other, as being another than the Lambe, mentioned before, verſe 1. For the Lambe is euer ſpirituallie preſent, and aſsiſtant with his Church: But that other was the firſte meſſenger, that commeth in the laſt age: and this, contained in this 9. verſe, is the third, and Chriſt himſelfe by his bodilie comming to judgement, ſhall be the fourth. Read more hereof in our 13. propoſition.
k Whereas in other partes of this booke, this mark is but ſimplie called the beaſtes marke, as doubtfull what it is like, or from whence it is deriued: here ſaith hee plainelie, it is the marke of the beaſts name: as if therby he wold plainlie let vsus vnderſtand, that that marke is ſome wayes deriued from the name of the beaſte foreign, to wit, euen from the three numerall letters thereof foreign aſsigned by the text, as more euidentlie doeth appeare by the next chapter, verſe 2. and note c thereof, where that marke is expreſlie called, the marke of the number of the beaſtes name: and therefore, theſe marks, are the markes of foreign and croſſes of all kindes, as is prooved by our 31. propoſition.
l Some reade here, Bleſſed are they that incontinent hereafter die in the Lord, for that (ſaith the Spirit) they ſhall reſt from their labours: but ſeeing certainlie, they are alwayes bleſſed that die in the Lord, bee it heretofore, or hereafter, I therefore aſſent rather to them that reade: Bleſſed are they that die in the Lorde, for that incontinent hereafter (ſaith the ſpirit) they ſhal reſt from their labours. and this varietie commeth by the placing of the point before the adverb of time, or after the ſame in the Greeke.
m This cloude is meant literally, for in a cloude Chriſt paſt out of his diſciples ſight, and that ſame way (ſaith the Angels Act. 1.9.10.11.) ſhall he returne to judgement: hereof, read Math. 24.30. and Mat. 26.64. the like is ſpoken, Revel. 1.7. and note f thereof.
n This hooke or ſickle mentioned here, and in Ioel. 3.13. and Mar. 4.29. can meane no other thing, nor that earneſt and ſharpe diligence, that Chriſt ſhall vſe in gathering in his elect: by compariſon, as ſhearers or reapers with their hookes gather in their corne, and not that Chriſt ſhal vſe any material inſtrument in this work of the latter day: yea, no other than that, that God did vſe at the firſt creation of all thinges, which was, Dixit & factum eſt, euen the vertue and puiſſance of his word.
o The preciſe day and houre of Gods greate judgement, being both vnknowne to Chriſt, ſo far as he is man, and alſo to the Angels of heauen, as Chriſt teſtifies in Mark. 13.32. Therefore, this Angell, that is the aduertiſer of Chriſt, muſt needs be the holy ſpirit, the great Meſſenger of God, and God himſelf, by whom Chriſt is made foreſeene, and priuie to al myſteries, as being coniunct & vnite perſons in one Godhead.
p This temple that is ſaid here to be in heauen, is by the Reuel. 21.22. & by the 20. prop. nothing elſe, than the majeſtie of God: from whome the holy ſpirit going out figuratiuelie, as it were, after the maner of men, beareth this meſſage of the latter day to Chriſt, and ſo are expreſſed three ſeueral functions, correſpondent to the three perſons of the Godhead. The Father directs the meſſage of his iudgement, the holy ſpirite beareth it vntounto the ſonne, the Son then executeth it. And this orderlie progreſſe is ſet down, but for ſupplie of our weake vnderſtanding.
q This Vine is the wicked people of the world, which the Lord hath planted to bring forth good fruite, but they hauehave brought forth euill and corrupt works, of whome ſaith Eſay 5.2. I vvaited that they ſhould produce good vines, & they brought foorth ſowre grapes. That is to ſay, in the ſeuenth verſe therof: I waited that they ſhuld giuegive iudgment, and behold, they wrought iniquitie: and I looked for iuſtice, and behold the complaint.
r Seeing by the ſpirit of God, there is nothing idlely or in vain expreſſed. Theſe whol premiſes being ſpokē of the later day, it appeares this date of 1600. to be the date of that great day, elſe apparantly, this greate preciſe number of 1600. would not hauehave bin put here more than any other number, and this doth cheiflie appeare, becauſe this number agreeth ſo neere with other propheticall dates of the latter day, falling about the yeare of Chriſt. 1699 as at more length is ſhewed in our 14. Propoſition.