A Key of Knowledge to Open Revelation, Part 4 · Chapter 5 – Chapter 6
CHAP. V.
Of the way and meanes to expound this booke.
TO interpret this moſt heauenly prophecie, moſt neceſſary for theſe our times, after thoſe things in the former chapter, laid downe and well obſerued, the Expoſitor, before allTo begin with prayer. things, is to beg at the Lords hand earneſtly, in a holy affection to the truth, in a deſire to aduance Gods glory, and to edifie the Lords people in the truth, the aid & aſſiſtance of the holy Ghoſt: For the things of God knoweth no man, but the ſpirit of God, 1. Cor. 2. 11. by whom we know the things freely giuē vsus of God, 1. Cor. 2. 12. There is a ſpiritIob 31. 8. Iob 38. 36. Prou. 2. 6. Dan. 1. 17. and 2. 20. 21. Iam. 1. 5. 1. King. 3. 9. in mā, but the inſpiration of the Almighty giueth vnderſtanding. The Lord putteth wiſedome into the inward parts, hee giueth vnderſtanding vntounto the heart. The Lord giueth wiſedome, out of his mouth commeth knowledge and vnderſtanding, which if any man lacke, (ſaith Saint Iames) let him aske of God, that giueth to all men liberally, as itProu. 2. 4. appeareth in his mercy towards Salomon, asking wiſedome at his hands. But we muſt cry for knowledge, and lift vp our voice for vnderſtanding, and ſeeke it as ſiluer, and ſearch for it as treaſure, then through Gods mercy, wee ſhall attaine to knowledge, in that meaſure as ſhall be fit for vsus. After this holy & heauenly preparatiō, I ſuppoſe it to be very meet to proceed in this manner following.
I. To looke carefully into the very text it ſelfe,The ſecond …canes, carefully t… …oke into the text. originally ſet downe by this our Apoſtle and Prophet, as alſo by faithfull tranſlations, turned into other knowne languages: be exerciſed, firſt in readingAct. 8. the words of God himſelfe, like the godly Eunuch, though at the firſt thou doeſt not vnderſtand them, God may ſend thee an interpretor, as he did to him. What things thou doeſt vnderſtand, bleſſe God for the ſame, therein reioyce, and retaine that knowledge of thoſe things, and labour for more; giuegive not ouer to reade the booke againe and againe, thou that art able, in the originall; others, in the beſt tranſlations, as moſt excellent helpes to giuegive men knowledge of the things therein contained, in that tongue with which they be well acquainted. For the oftener wee reade it, the better ſhall wee vnderſtand it; but where wee doe not vnderſtand, there let vsus admire Gods wiſedome, and the depth of the myſterie: be humbled in our ſelues, but not giuegive ouer, as without hope, either through impaciencie, not enduring the paines in ſtudie, or pride of heart, not vouchſafing any longer our labour thereto, becauſe the Lord forthwith deſcendeth not to our capacity in theſe his myſteries.
II. In the next place obſerue, whether there beObſerue the alluſions. any alluſion in the words, (of which before in the former chapter) and then whereunto the alluſion is made, that from thence the place in hand may be illuſtrated, as in chap. 2. 7. is an alluſion to Gen. 2. 9. from whence the reward of eternall life promiſed to him that ouercommeth, is illuſtrated by eating of the tree of life; and the heauenly manſion, by that garden and Paradiſe; ſo the alluſion giueth the expoſition of the words. Likewiſe in chap. 4. 4. mention is made of 24. Elders, which is an alluſion vntounto the 1. Chron. 24. where the gouernours of the Sanctuarie and houſe of God, (verſ. 5.) were before the King, (verſ. 6.) ordered into the number of 24. elders, or chiefe Fathers, in verſes, 7. 18. likewiſe the chiefe for the temporall affaires, were ordered in the number of 24. 1. Chron. 27. 1. So whether we reſpect the laity, or Clergy, as we now ſpeake, the body of the whole people of God, were 24. Elders and principall Fathers, being for all the reſt. This alluſion will make plaine the truth, and cleere the interpretation from the obſcurity, wherin it is inuolued by many erronious expoſitions; I need not inſtance more places, the whole prophecie being full of alluſions, as is before ſhewed; onelyonly here the interpretor is to conſider the great benefit, which he ſhall reape by obſeruing the alluſions in expounding of the text. Queſt. It may bee it will heere be asked, How may one know whether an alluſion be in the words or no; as alſo how to know whereunto the words doe allude? Anſw. I anſwere, that an alluſion is knowne by the figuratiue and typicall ſpeech in this prophecie, framed vntounto the very like words vttered, or like things ſpoken of in the old Teſtament. Therefore to know an alluſion, a man muſt be acquainted with Moſes, and the Prophets, the types and figures, the worſhip, and maner of worſhipping God then; alſo with the troubles and deliuerances, the ſtate and gouernment of that ancient people of God vnderunder the Law. Likewiſe to know wherunto the Apoſtle alludeth, the place in hand muſt bee well conſidered of, and that in all the circumſtances, if there ſeeme to bee any doubt of the alluſion; for ſome are ſo plaine, as the very words carrie vsus to the place, as chap. 2. 7. to Geneſ. 2. 9. chap. 4. 7. to Ezech. 1. 10. and 10. 14. chap. 11. 4. to Zach. 4. 3. 11. 14. and 6. 5. and an hundred ſuch, the very words being taken out of the old Teſtament, and ſo will direct vsus plainly to the places. But ſome are not ſo cleere at the firſt without ſome further conſideration of circumſtances; and therefore to finde whereto the alluſion is, we muſt marke what is ſpoken of in the place of this prophecie, where wee ſeeke the alluſion, then, where any ſuch thing is in the old Teſtament, where the fitteſt reſemblance may be made,How to finde a more hidden alluſion. moſt agreeing with the matter, and the circumſtances of the text in hand; as for example, to know whereto, the alluſion of the 24. Elders is in chap. 4. we muſt conſider, firſt, that the chapter is a common type of Gods Church, and then theſe 24. the type of all the faithfull, both Kings and Prieſts, vntounto God, which is cleere out of chapter 5. 9. for they bee redeemed by Chriſts blood, out of eueryevery kindred, tongue, people, and nation; by which words it is euident, firſt, that they bee in type, men; ſecondly, Chriſtian men; thirdly, put for all, as beeing redeemed out of all places. Now this ſo vnderſtood, the alluſion muſt be to a number of 24. Elders, or chiefe Fathers, vnderunder a Soueraigne, as theſe here, which is in the 1. Chron. 24. and 27. and therefore thereto the alluſion is, and not to any other place: for that the reſemblance cannot bee found elſewhere. So chapter 8. 3. 4. hath a type of one mediating betweene God and the people, to preſerue his from deſtruction; now to know whereto hee alludeth, wee muſt finde one hauing this office, to ſtand and offer at the Altar, which was the high Prieſts office, in the Leuiticall miniſterie; and therefore doth Iohn allude thereunto, Exodus, 30. 3. 7. 10. Leuiticus, 16. 17. Thus wee ſee how to know whereto our Prophet doth allude, in many of his alluſions; which one thing being well obſerued, obſcurities will bee better cleered, the truth in differing opinions will bee more diſcerned, and the words of the prophecie become ſomewhat more eaſie to bee vnderſtood. For the alluſion will keepe vsus to the reſemblance, it will illuſtrate the place cleerely, it will affoord a reaſon of the ſpeech, and of the thing in hand, and preuent alſo moreouer groſſe miſtakings, and erronious expoſitions, as wee ſee in thoſe that make the 24. Elders, the 24. bookes of the old Teſtament; in others that make them the twelue Patriarkes, and twelue Apoſtles; all which looſe the alluſion, the ſcope of the chapter, alſo the hiſtoricall ſenſe, and are beſides moſt plainly conſuted, out of the 5. chapter, and the 9. verſe.
But yet for more full cleering of this point, aboutThree things to be noted concerning an alluſion. an alluſion, let theſe three things be diligently noted: Firſt, that all the alluſions from chap. 4. to the end of the prophecie, are taken out of the old Teſtament, and therefore there let vsus looke to finde them. Secondly, that in one and the ſame place of this prophecie there is varietie of alluſions, as chap. 4, and 5, ſo chap. 7: ſo in one chap. as in chap. 8. and 11, &c. Thirdly, that albeit in an alluſion, there is a reſemblance and ſome proportion, betweene one thing and another; yet may wee not thinke that in thoſe two places, one and the ſame thing is meant, as ſuch hauehave thought, who hauehave made the foure beaſts (chap. 4.) to be all one with thoſe in Ezech. chap. 1. 10. and 10. 14, becauſe there is ſome kinde of likenes betweene them in number and faſhion. And thus much for the alluſion, which is to be obſerued in the expoſition.
III. Next after the alluſion, to interpret anyThe third meanes. To marke whether the place be expounded by the holy Ghoſt himſelfe. place, let the Reader marke whether the holie Ghoſt doth expound the ſame or no: for as I hauehave ſhewed before, the Lord himſelfe doth interpret his owne meaning in very many places of this booke; whoſe interpretation is moſt faithfull and true. Now this his expoſition is two-fold, eitherThe holy Ghoſts expoſition is two-fold. more cleere, and this is ſometime in the ſame chapter, as in chap. 1. 12, by verſe 20. and in chap. 17. 1, by verſe 15, and verſe 3, by verſe 9. 10. and ſometime in one and the ſame verſe of a chap. as chap. 4. 5. and 5. 6. and 19. 8. Or it is more obſcure and hidden, & is to be found out thus, firſt by conſidering the words with all the circumſtances of the ſame place, alſo the argument of the chapt. and the ſcope thereof. Thus may wee ſee the foure beaſts in chap. 4, to be eccleſiaſticall perſons, the very argument and circumſtances of the ſame chap. fully ſheweth it: for it typeth out the whole militant Church in the head, and bodie, and principall members, and that vntounto the end; their place, their properties, and their office conſidered, plainly tell vsus what they be. So wee may ſee the great Citie mentioned chap. 17, to be Rome, the circumſtances conſidered there, verſe 18, with the 9, and alſo the ſame to bee Babylon; for the great Citie is the Woman, verſ. 18, and the Woman hath a name written Babylon, in verſ. 5.
Secondly, if the expoſition cannot be found in the ſame Chapter, then ſeeke the interpretation elſewhere; for ſurely the Scriptures are interpreters of the Scriptures, and the meaning of the ſpirit is to be found out by his owne words. Therefore ſeeke the like phraſe, words, or matter elſewhere mentioned, and there compare place with place, circumſtances with circumſtances, and one thing carefully with another, to finde out the true ſenſe of the place ſought for. But firſt ſeeke y• expoſition thus in this booke, and if the book expound not eueryevery thing in it ſelfe, then compare the place with other places of Scripture. As for example, I would know what is the beaſt in chap. 11. 7. therefore I looke into the very place it ſelfe, and do obſerue firſt, That he aſcendeth out of the bottomleſſe pit, and then, that hee maketh warre againſt the Saints, and preuaileth. Now I ſeeke out firſt the word Beaſt, which I finde in chap. 13. 1: but there is not this originall nor practice here ſet downe, in chap. 11. 7 therefore I ſeek a beaſt—aſcending out of the bottomleſſe pit, ſuch a one I finde in chap. 17. 8: next I ſeek one making warre againſt the Saints, and preuailing, ſuch a one I finde in chap. 13. 7. Therefore I conclude, the beaſt in chap. 13. 7. and 17. 8, is the ſame that is mentioned in chap. 11. 7, for the agreement is full without any difference. Now who, and what this beaſt is, I hauehave before fully ſhewed, by comparing one place with another at large. Againe, I would know what is that cōpany with the Lambe in chap. 14. 1. therefore I looke vponupon the place, and finde a number 144000, and which hauehave the Fathers name written in their forehead; I ſeeke therfore the number, and the marke in the forehead, and I finde it in chap. 7. 4, and thoſe there ſealed in the forehead; ſo as thoſe 144000, and the ſealed Ones in cap. 7, be one and the ſame number in the type, and therefore cannot be Iewes properly ſo called; but there is only an alluſion, the number are thoſe elect and faithfull number of Chriſtians protected by Chriſt, and hidden with him in the time of Antichriſts tyrannicall rule and dominion. Which expoſition the courſe of this prophecie and circumſtances of the places will proue, if any doubt of it. If I would know what is the ſeale in chap. 7,Exod. 28. 38. and 12. 13. I ſeek in the Reuelation, but cannot find the word; therefore I conſider an alluſion in the ſpeech, and that I find in Ezech. 9. 4; by which in a reſemblance and conformitie of caſe, I ſee what kind of perſons theſe ſealed Ones in this Reuelation (chap. 7) be, ſuch as ſigh and crie for al the abominations committed, as they did, and therefore are protected as they were. Now for the expoſition of the ſeale, I finde by comparing of places, 2. Cor. 1. 22, with Epheſ. 4. 30, and 1. 13, that it is the earneſt of the holy ſpirit of promiſe giuen into their hearts, by which they are ſealed vntounto the day of redemption. And thus doe wee ſee, that the holy ſpirit of God interpreteth himſelfe, either in this prophecie, or in ſome other places of Scripture.
IV. With theſe helpes and meanes the faithfullThe fourth meanes. Manifold conſiderations. interpreter muſt beſides hauehave with him theſe manifold conſiderations, as ſo many directions and guides in the way.
I. That from the beginning of the fourth chap.The firſt is of the time of this prophecie. are thoſe things handled, which concerne whollie and only the Chriſtian Church to the worlds end; and this prophecy taketh beginning from the time of the Reuelation made, and the things ſhewed vntounto Iohn in the Ile Patmos; for ſo is it cleere by the words of him that ſpake vntounto Iohn, chap. 4. 1. and chap. 22. 6. which diuers learned men hauehave noted vponupon the words of the chap. 4. 1, but hauehave not obſerued in their expoſitions: and therefore hauehave greatly miſtaken things, and confounded the order and courſe of this prophecie. This conſideratiō giueth vsus to know, that this prophecy of future things taketh beginning only in the raigne of Domitian, the twelfth Romane Emperour after Caeſar, who exiled Iohn into Patmos in the yeere of our Lord 96, or 97, or there about, as before is noted; aboue twentie yeeres after the deſtruction of Ieruſalem; ſo as hence may be noted, that it is an vtter miſtaking to call backe the beginning of this prophecie, to the time and life of Chriſt, of his Apoſtles, of Ieruſalem, or any thing literally of the Iewes. For although alluſions be frequent to the Iewes, yet this prophecie toucheth nothing thoſe times, much leſſe the times before from the worlds beginning; but it onelyonly concerneth, as I ſay, the Chriſtian Church, as eaſily appeareth by the order, and whole courſe of all the parts of the prophecie, from the beginning of the fourth Chapter vntounto the end. Therefore to conclude this, the entrance vponupon this propheticall hiſtorie, taketh beginning by and by after this was ſhewed vntounto Iohn; which rule being kept, the whole order and courſe of the prophecie will be better ſeene, and the wide miſtakings of others better diſcerned, and their error auoided.
II. That this part of this booke, from the beginningThe ſecond concerneth the ſeuen ſeales, ſeuen trumpets, and ſeuen vials, and what they be. of the ſixth Chapter to the end, (after the introduction in the fourth and fifth chapters) is ſet out in the opening of the ſeuen ſeales, blowing of ſeuen Trumpets, pouring out of ſeuen vials; of which for our better vnderſtanding we muſt know thus much: Firſt, that they be all plagues vponupon the worldly ſort; the ſeales are plagues, the ſixth chapter doth ſhew it, in the euents vponupon the Heathen world; the Trumpets are plagues, the euents at theThey be all plagues vponupon three ſorts, Heathen, earthly Chriſtians, and Antichriſtians. ſounding thereof doe manifeſt, chap. 8, and 9; as alſo that the three laſt are called woes, in chap. 9. 12. which fell vponupon the earthly Chriſtians. The vials are plagues, the euents ſhew in chap. 16, and they bee called the ſeuen laſt plagues, cap. 15. 1, which light vponupon the Antichriſtians; and by terming them the ſeuen laſt plagues, it teacheth that the former are plagues alſo. So as they tell vsus, how God in the firſt place reuenged himſelfe vponupon the Heathen for deſpiſing the Goſpell, and perſecuting of Chriſtians: in the opening of the ſeales which are the firſt plagues; how next (in the ſecond place) he puniſhed ſuch as profeſſed Chriſtianitie, and were but earthly, and carnally minded, in the ſounding out of the Trumpets, in chap. 8. and 9. verſ. 21. the ſecond kinde of plagues: laſtly, how at length hee would plague theſe Antichriſtians for vpholding a defection, and an apoſtaticall courſe in the pouring out of the vials, chap. 16. which are the laſt plagues, as they be called, chap. 15. 1.
Secondly, that theſe are in order and time oneThey are in order and time one before another. before another, the Seales before the Trumpets, and the Trumpets before the Vials; ſo one Seale is opened before another, ſo one Trumpet blowne before another, and one Viall poured out before another, as the order of 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. and 7. obſerued conſtantly by the holy Ghoſt in all of them euidently doth declare, chap. 6. & 8. and 9. and 16. The Seales are the firſt ſorrowes, the Trumpets the ſecond, and the Vials the third and laſt plagues; and ſo conſidered, are one before another in order and time. For the effects of the ſixe Seales, are before the ſeuenth Seale, which bringeth forth the Trumpets, whereof ſix be the proper euents thereof, then the ſeuenth Trumpet bringeth foorth as the proper effects thereof the ſeuen Vials. Therefore the firſt Seale, Trumpet, and Viall, are not of one time, nor the ſecond Seale, Trumpet and Viall, nor ſo the 3. 4. 5. 6. 7, as ſome would hauehave them; for they are brought foorth one of another, as wee plainly ſee. Secondly, they are plagues vponupon different ſorts of perſons, in differing times, as is aforeſaid, and as ſtorie wil witneſſe. Thirdly, this iumbling of them together, confoundeth the cleere order of the propheticall narration, as the wiſe and iudicious Reader acquainted with the order, will eaſily perceiue in the reading thereof. Such as hold this tenent, do make balkes of whole Chapters, either cutting thē off, as idle; or elſe bringing them into ſuch a miſconceiued order, as is without all order, either of the prophecie it ſelfe, or hiſtorie to explaine the ſame. Yea ſome would make the firſt of the ſeuen Churches, to agree with the firſt Seale, Trumpet and Viall; and the ſecond, with the ſecond, and ſo in order alſo throughout all the ſeuen: when the text ſheweth, that the ſeuen Churches are of the times then preſent, and the other three ſeuens, of the time to come, chap. 1. 19. and 4. 1. Yea euerie one may ſee, that will, how the ſeuen Seales, Trumpets and Vials, differ both in varying types, and alſo in the degrees of euill:
Thirdly, that one Seale from another Seale, oneThey are diſtinguiſhed within themſelues one from another, and how. Trumpet from another Trumpet, one Viall from another Viall, is not diſtinguiſhed cleerely by periods of time, but by diuerſity of matter, and differing euents. Therefore to find out the time of opening a Seale, ſounding of a Trumpet, and pouring out of a Viall, and ſo Seale from Seale, Trumpet from Trumpet, and Viall from Viall, wee are to marke carefully the diuers and ſundrie euents, of all, and eueryevery one from another, and to ſearch in ſtorie, when ſuch things fell out, and ſo come both to a true and full diſtinction of them one from an other; and alſo to know whether they be as yet come to paſſe, or no. Neuertheleſſe note, that theirNote this. perfect difference and a true diſcerning of them is not, nor cannot be taken from the firſt moment of the time of their beginning, but by the height of one from the height of another: for as the former or precedent plague, of Seale, Trumpet, or Viall, may hold on in the next ſucceeding, ſome ſpace of time; ſo may the latter take beginning before the former be come vntounto the very height. For as God hath ordained iudgements, ſo hauehave they their beginnings, and their periods; which beginnings and endings in the continuation of linked plagues one continually ſucceeding another, hauehave their meaſures and termes betweene the height of the one, and the height of the other, from whence the ſeuerall plagues doe take their denomination, of 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. and 7. plague; or elſe at leaſt when the latter is come to ſuch a degree, as the former plague is not thought of, in compariſon of the latter; in reſpect wherof the former euill is not much felt, albeit the euill effects thereof remaine ſtill; ſo in the height of the former, though the latter bee begun, and growing, yet is ſame much complained of, ſo long as the ſtrength of the former euill continueth. As for example, a man tormented with the gowte, in extremitie complaineth of that, as in a ſort his only diſeaſe, albeit the ſtone be breeding, which he but lightly feeleth, for the anguiſh of the gowte in extremitie or height; but when the ſtone is growne to the height of torment, though the gowte be not gone, yet the grieuous torture of the ſtone, maketh the leſſe paine of the gowte, being ſomewhat alſo allaied, not to be remembred or ſpoken of, while the torment of the ſtone is in the height. So muſt wee conceiue of theſe plagues, in one Seale, Trumpet, and Viall, going before and following another, hereby rightly to diſtinguiſh them, and to know one from another, where to begin the account, and to end the ſame: as alſo that we doe not miſtake them, when we ſee the effects of one with another, preceding and ſucceeding in a continuall linke one in another, not onelyonly in Seale and Seale, Trumpet and Trumpet, Viall and Viall, but alſo in the Trumpets following vponupon the Seales, & the Vials the Trumpets in one continued courſe, without interruption, till all the wicked ſort be ouerthrowne. For this prophecie telleth vsus, that there hath been from Iohns time til now, a continued vengeance of God vponupon the wicked, firſt vponupon thoſe that were not Chriſtians, but Heathen, then on earthly and worldly Chriſtians, making a defection; and now is vponupon the Antichriſtians, and ſo ſhall continue till they be vtterly deſtroyed, as wee may ſee from the beginning of the ſixteenth Chapter, to the end of chap. 19: and by the parts of this prophecy, which are as it were drawne on and coupled one to another, Trumpets to the Seales, and Vials to the Trumpets, ſo as the ſame ſhew a continued courſe of Gods plagues vponupon the wicked, till they bee deſtroyed, and the Church victoriouſlie exalted.
III. Wee are to conſider, that the beginningThe third conſideration. Nothing paſt, or preſent, which hath the beginning ſhewed in type vntounto John. and originall of any thing ſhewed in type vntounto Iohn, was not paſt, nor then preſent, when this Reuelation was ſhewed to Iohn, but to come afterwards, according to that ſaying, I will ſhew thee the things that muſt be done hereafter, chap. 4. 1. Therefore wee ſee that the originall of that great red Dragon, typing out the Heathen Empire, is not noted in chap. 12. becauſe it then was. But the originall of the beaſt, in chap. 13. is ſet downe; therefore it is manifeſt that that beaſt was not in Iohns time, and ſo not a type of the Heathen Romane Empire. The benefit of this conſideration.This conſideration will diſtinguiſh betweene one thing and another, and by marking vnderunder what ſeale, trumpet, or viall, the originall is mentioned, we may know the time. Which yet is not (as I take it) meant of the very beginning and firſt moment of time, but of the firſt powerfull effect of the thing typed, by which the ſame is notably manifeſted; as in chap. 9. 1. the fall of a ſtarre from heauen is ſet downe, which was yet in falling before, but now was fallen vnderunder the fifth trumpet, to the place where it ſhould be. As appeareth by the power of the key, receiued forthwith vponupon this fall mentioned. So chap. 13. 1. the riſing of the beaſt, muſt be vnderſtood of an eminent height, and not of a creeping, and ſecret riſing; for that vponupon this riſing, his enthronizing, his great power and authority is mentioned withall; for the types here are remarkable things of that which is typed, at leaſt in the moſt principall matters, inſtruments, and agents, if not in all and eueryevery particular.
IV. That one ſingularly mentioned in type,The fourth conſideration. One in type, put for many, and all of that ſort, whereof the one is a type. (except it bee of that whereof there is but one in nature) is to be taken for a generall type of all of that ſort, whereof that one is a type, paterning out the nature and acts of all: for in ſuch ſignes of future things, the agreement rather of the things themſelues, are to be marked, then the very vnities of perſons. In Exod. 4. 2 2. there is the ſingular number of perſon, put for all Gods people in Egypt. It is not rare therefore to hauehave one put, to ſet out many, agreeing and alike in the ſame matter. Thus is Angell after Angell, chap. 14. 6. 8. 9. to bee taken for the ſeuerall ſorts of Euangelicall Preachers, in the diuers ſingular types. So one or many in a type, for one and the ſame thing in kind, condition, or office, is to bee ſo taken of ſome, at one time, as the ſucceeding poſterities alſo be therin vnderſtood, and not a continuing of one and the ſelfe ſame to all ſucceeding ages. As for example, the 24. Elders, chap. 4. are a type of the people of God, euen then when this prophecie came to Iohn, as alſo of the poſteritie continuing in the faith, or ſuch as ſhall ſucceed in their place, they being dead. The foure beaſts are types of Eccleſiaſticall gouernours, not onelyonly the firſt, but of the laſt that ſhall be, to the worlds ende. The two Prophets, in chap. 11. being ſlaine, as is noted in verſ. 8. and raiſed vp againe, verſ. 11. are a type of the firſt in that act, and alſo of others ſucceeding them when they be dead. So the one falſe prophet, chap. 19. 20. and the beaſt like a lambe, chap. 13. 11. is a type of a perſonall ſucceſſion in the continuing of Antichriſt, in one and the ſame apoſtaticall ſeate, power and authority.
V. That ſome time, one and the ſame perſon,The fifth conſideration. and thing, is diuerſly ſet out; we ſhall find Chriſt ſet out in a diuers manner, in ſundry places; asA perſon or thing but one, yet diuerſly ſet out. chap. 1. 5. 13. 14. 15. 16. chap. 3. 7. chap. 5. 5. 6. chap. 10. 1. 2. chap. 19. 12. 13. 14. So is the Church of Chriſt typed out diuerſly, in chap. 4. chap. 12. 7. chap. 14. 1. 5. chap. 15. 2. 3. chap. 19. 8. chap. 21. 1. 2. 10. 27. Likewiſe Antichriſt is diuerſly ſet out in ſundry types; chap. 9. 1. 11. chap. 13. 11. chap. 19. 20. as alſo the Miniſters of the Goſpell, by ſtarres, chap. 1. 20. by beaſts, chap. 4. 7. by Prophets, oliuetrees, and candleſtickes, chap. 11. 3. 4. and by Angels, chap. 14. 6. 8. 9. This is neceſſary to bee obſerued, leſt out of the variety of figures, termes and types, of one and the ſame perſon and thing, wee imagine differing things, and differing perſons.
VI. That the holy deſcriptions here, and typesThe ſixth conſideration. of differing perſons and things, well weighed in all the circumſtances together, doe truly giuegive theThe deſcriptions of things, or perſons, doe giuegive vsus the true difference of them, one from another. difference of theſe differing things & perſons, one from another; for the deſcriptions are not ſo generall and common, as that they may be applied, now to this, and then vntounto that thing, which doth differ one from another: for that is contrary to the nature of a true deſcription of differing things, which ſhould, and here indeed doe, point out one thing from another, truly and faithfully, according to the meaning of the holy Ghoſt. Therefore as things the ſame, may not bee made differing; ſo things cleerly diſtinguiſhed, are not to bee confounded; but yet to hauehave a right iudgement to know the ſame things to be the ſame, and to diſtinguiſh well, and to preuent this confounding of things, let vsus conſider carefully in what they agree, and in what they fully differ. For ſome things may in ſome light circumſtances varie a little, and yet be the ſame; ſo may there be ſome manner of agreement in ſome ſpeciall points, and yet againe withall, ſuch a cleere diſagreeing in ſome other maine matters and circumſtances of great … ment, as thereby they may bee fully knowne, not to be the ſame things. The Dragon and firſt beaſt, chap. 12. 3. and 13. 1. agree in ſome things plainly, yet in otherſome ſo diſagree, as they cannot be one and the ſame, as is before ſhewed at large. The ſtarre, chap. 9. 1. and the Angell, chap. 20. 1. agree in this, that both hauehave the key of the bottomleſſe pit, yet in other things, ſuch is the difference, as they cannot poſſibly be the ſame; the one falleth, (which is euer to bee heere in this booke taken in the euill part) but the other doth deſcend; the one openeth, the other ſhutteth the pit: the time alſo maketh a great difference, the one is vnderunder the ſixth ſeale, the other is vnderunder the fifth trumpet. The Angels, in chap. 7. 1. and chap. 9. 14. agree in number, 4. and 4. as alſo, that they all be angels of wrath; but yet ſuch is the difference, and ſo great, that by no meanes can they be one and the ſame: as by comparing them together, from their places and ſtanding, from their time before one another, and from their differing executions, may appeare. This conſideration is very behoofefull, to know what things are one, and what doe differ, and are not the ſame.
VII. And laſtly, a ſpeciall conſideration is toThe ſeuenth conſideration. be had of the times mentioned in this prophecie, which are put partly indefinitely, as in chap. 2. 10. Where ten a (certaine number) is put for an vncertaine, and is a common figuratiue number, thus put in many places: as in Gen. 31. 7. 41. and Num. 14. 22. Iob 19. 3. ſo halfe an houre, chap. 8. in all common ſpeech for a little ſpace; ſo is an hower, day, monethmonth, and yeere, in chap. 9. 15. put indefinitely, which is a gradation of the time, the leſſer making the greater, as a day is of houres, a monethmonth of daies, and a yeere of monethes, to ſhew onelyonly how from time to time, from the leaſt ſpace to the greateſt, God hath certainly ſet them their termes, which they ſhall not paſſe. Otherſome I take to be ſet downe definitiuely, yet ſo, as one number is ſet downe in proper termes, as is that of binding of the Dragon a thouſand yeeres; the reſt prophetically, daies put for yeeres, as in Dan. 9. 24. 25. 26. weekes of dayes for yeeres; ſuch are theſe numbers 5. moneths, chap. 9. 42. moneths, in chap. 11. 2. 1260. dayes, in chap. 11. 3. and 12. 6. And albeit they be alluſions, as ſome will hauehave the 5. moneths to allude to Gen. chap. 7. 24. as the time, two times and a halfe, to Dan. chap. 7. 25. which is all one with 42. moneths, and 1260. dayes, (counting 30. dayes to a monethmonth) that is three yeers and a halfe, alluding vntounto 1. King. 17. 1. which time is expounded to be ſo much, in Luk. 4. 25. Yet alluſions to the times in the old Teſtament, doe here no more take away the certainty and definiteneſſe of number; then the alluſion to the beaſts in Daniel, taketh away the certainty of a ſtate in the beaſt, typed out vntounto vsus in chap. 13. 1. I confeſſe that alluſions in the numbers giuen vntounto perſons; as the number of foure, to the foure beaſts; the number of 24. to the Elders; the number of 144000. in chap. 14. 1. and the number of twelue times twelue, to the Tribes, cannot be taken for ſo certaine a number, the abſurdities thereof is ſo apparent; but that theſe numbers of time before mentioned, are definite and certaine limited ſpaces of time, wee may yeeld it; for that the ſpirit of God ſetteth downeWhy ſome numbers are heere to be taken definitely. this number of fiue moneths, as it were; ſo carefully, againe and againe; ſo the 42. and 1260. as therby aduiſing vsus to a carefull taking vp of the ſame; as alſo for that theſe numbers are tied to ſome certaine circumſtances of perſons and actions. Moreouer, for that this is a propheticall hiſtory; and therefore ſheweth vsus with the perſons and their deeds, the certaine time thereof; alſo for more cleere ſight of things and comfort to the Church. Laſtly, becauſe the holy Ghoſt taketh vp ſuch numbers of 5. 42. 1260. as are no where put indefinitely in Scripture, nor elſe in any common vſe of ſpeech, which the ſpirit doth not ſo much ſwerue from in ſuch things, but to make vsus to vnderſtand more certainly times ſet downe. And thus much for theſe conſiderations, as being the moſt generall and neceſſary to helpe vsus to the vnderſtanding of this booke.
V. Meanes in expounding this prophecie is,The fifth mea… to vſe the helps of the ſeruants of Chriſt, to whomTo take helpe of others. this Reuelation is ſent to be ſhewed, ſuch as bee liuing, and hauehave painfully ſtudied this booke, are to be conſulted with; for albeit there be but one ſpirit, yet are there variety of gifts, and the meaſure of knowledge is not alike in all. By godly conference, done in true humility, and in onelyonly louelove vntounto the truth, (which ought in all the true godly onelyonly to be ſought after) great good may be gotten. The labours and learned Commentaries of other holy men, muſt alſo be carefully read, wherein it ſhall be profitable to obſerue, how they doe expound eueryevery place; noting, firſt, by what meanesWhat to obſerue in reading of commentaries vponupon this booke. they doe it. Secondly, what reaſons they do giuegive for their interpretations. Thirdly, wherein one differeth from another, and vponupon what grounds; all which carefully marked (partiall reſpects of opinions laid aſide) the text diligently viewed, and the reaſons brought to the true touchſtone, the truth will (by the aide of Gods ſpirit) better appeare. Yea and by theſe obſeruations, an intelligent Reader may gather rules for himſelfe, to help to the interpreting of this booke, as peraduenture ſome hauehave done.The ſixth meanes.
VI. And laſtly, to confirme the expoſition, there is to bee added the ſtory, according to the progreſſe of this propheticall narration heere, giuen from God, vntounto Ieſus Chriſt; and from him to his Angell, to ſignifie the ſame to his holy Apoſtle, for the vſe of the Church, and profit of all Gods people. The accommodation of ſtorie willThe accommodation of ſtorie to the text. greatly cleere the words of the text, and open the meaning of this prophecie vntounto vsus, ſome hauehave taken commendable paines heerein, and are worthie of praiſe therefore. It were much to bee wiſhed, that learned men, and well read in hiſtories, would labour yet more to apply the ſame to the prophecie, but according as the order of this booke, and method thereof requireth; not explaning ſome places onelyonly, but to take vp this prophecie before them, and that alſo in the very ſteppes troden out by the holy Ghoſt, foreſhewing, in an euen and very orderly progreſſe, how eueryevery thing ſhould come to paſſe, from the times of Iohns receiuing the ſame, to the worlds end. For ſeeing this prophecie foretelleth moſt orderly, how one thing in time goeth before another, & in the ſame order as it is ſet downe, and no otherwiſe; it muſt needs bee moſt meet, to bring the ſtory to the methodicall prediction of the holy ſpirit, to cleere eueryevery part in his proper place, and not to inuert the order of the prophecie, to draw it to our method in reading of hiſtories.
CHAP. VI.
Of the interpretation of the most principall and hardeſt things in eueryevery chapter, from the beginning of the fourth chapter, throughout the Prophecie.