A Christian Dictionary, Dictionary 2 · Part 95 – Part 100
S. E.
sea of glasse sig:
Sea Sand. Sée Sand of the Sea.
The Worlde, fitly compared to a Sea, for the stormes and tempests of troubles raised vp therein: and because all things in the World be cleere, and open to him that made it (howsoeuer secret to vsus) therefore it is likened to a Sea of Christall Glasse. Reue. 4, 6. Before the Throne was a Sea of Glasse like to Christall. Others, by the Sea of Glasse (in this place) vnderstand the fulnesse of all guifts, which the Church draweth from Christ, by an allusion, to that large spacious vessell, called the Sea. 1 Kings 7, 23. But that was of Brasse, this of Glasse; to signifie the difference betweene the Gospell, and the Legall Rites and Ceremonies, vnderunder which there was great obscurity, in comparison of that cleerenesse which is vnderunder the Gospell. 2. Cor. 3, 13, 18.
2 The whole worship of God; namely, thanksgiuing. Apoc. 15, 2. They that had gotten victorie of the Beast, they stood at the Glassie-Sea, hauing the Harpes of God. Or it signifies, the Doctrine of godlinesse, through which, as a cleere Chrystall, the faithfull may and doe behold, the mercifull and louing countenance of God the Father, reconciled in Christ, not altogether pure and bright as Chrystall, but some-what coloured and obscured with the fire of contention, as Christ foretold. Luke 12, I came to send fire into the earth; and as the godlie hauehave found by experience. Reuel. 15, 2. I saw as it were a Glassie Sea, mingled with fire.
Sea. sig:
The huge multitude of people, like vntounto a Sea, (which is a collection of many Waters) fit to represent, an infinite company of people, distinguished into Kindreds, tongues, and Nations. Reuel. 8, 8. A great Mountaine of Fire was cast into the Sea. Others, by Sea in this place, and Reu. 7, 1. do vnderstand, the Doctrine of the false Church, being corrupt and troubled; This is said here, to bee turned into blood, being pure and sound (such as the Doctrine of the true Church is;) It is by false Prophets changed into a quite other nature, as a thing degenerate. In this sence also, some expound the word [Sea] in Chapter. 21, 1. For degenerate and corrupt Doctrine, which in that renewed age there prophesed of, shall hauehave no place.
2 The gathering of waters, wherein innumerable are drowned. Reu. 20, 13.
to stand vponupon Sea and earth. sig:
To hauehave Dominion, rule, and power, ouer the World such, as Christ Iesus hath; as himselfe saith, All power is giuen me in Heauen and Earth. Reu. 10, 8. Which standeth vponupon the Sea, and vponupon the earth.
to See his face. sig:
To hauehave and enioy a more cleere Vision and sight of God then before, by such a single and pure worship of God, as if hee were familiarly beheld face to face. Reu. 22, 4. See his face.
to Seale. sig:
To hide or keepe backe from others, the knowledge of some things, till there come due and conuenient time of reuealing them. Reue. 10, 4. Seale vp those things.
sealed with seuen seales sig:
That which is most perfitly closed and exceeding secret, that it may be had in more reuerence and Honour. Reuel. 5, 7. Sealed with seauen Seales.
not to seale. sig:
Not to hide and conceale, but to offer to free examination this Booke of prophesie. Reuel. 22, 10. Seale not the words of this Prophesie.
Seal of the liuing God. sig:
The holy Spirit of promise, euen the Spirit of adoption, wherewith all the Saints are Sealed and set in safety in the middest of Anti-christs tyranny. Reu. 7, 2. Hauing the Seale of the liuing God. Also Reu. 9, 4.
to Séeke death. sig:
With great desire to bee carried after death, rather then to liue in such feare, paine, and torment. Reue. 9, 6. Men shall Seeke Death.
Seauen Churches. sig:
The whole Church Militant on Earth, the estate whereof is set forth of Iohn, by the condition of the Seauen Churches in Asia, in his time. Reuel. 1, 20. Seauen Candlestickes, are the Seauen Churches.
Seauen eyes. sig:
The Seauen Spirits of God, or the manifold gifts of the Spirit, wherewith Christ endoweth the faithfull. Reu. 5, 6. Seauen eies, which are the Seauen spirits of God.
Seauen Hornes. sig:
The most perfit power, whereby the Man-Christ, sitting at the right hand of his Father, ruling and gouerning all things, is become able to destroy his Enemies, and defend his members. Reu. 5, 6. Which had Seauen hornes. It is a Metaphor, drawne from Beastes, whose strength and might is in their hornes.
Seauen Lampes. sig:
The Guifts of Sanctification, flowing from the holy Spirit of Christ. Reuel. 4, 5. And there were seauen Lampes.
Seauen heads. sig:
Seauen Hils, and Seauen Kinges, or that Cittie which should be famous. Throughout Seauen Hils, & Seauen Kings; to wit, Rome, the Seat first of the Empire. Secondly, of the Papacy. Reuel. 12, 3. Hauing Seauen Heads. Some, expound these Seauen heads, of the manifold subtilties, and crafty deuices of the Deuill and his Instruments. The former Exposition is better.
Seauen last plagues. sig:
The fulnesse (for Seauen is a number of perfection) of Gods iudgements, which beeing poured out vponupon Rome, there shall follow happy daies. Reu. 15, 1.
Seauen Crownes. sig:
The Supreame Maiesty of the Romish Emperor, subduing other Prouinces and Nations vntounto him, by innumerable and great victories. Reuel. 12, 3. Hauing Seauen Crownes vponupon his heads.
One of the Seauen. sig:
The Romish Bishop or Pope, exercising ciuill authority in temporall thinges, like as the former Seauen Heads or Rulers did; and yet said to be the eight: eyther, because of his spirituall iurisdiction, or else; because he did surpasse all the former sortes of Gouernours, in impiety or tyranny. Reu. 17, 11. Is euen the eight, and is one of the Seauen.
Seauen Spirits. sig:
The holy Spirit of God, plentifully enriching the Church with all kind of spirituall gifts. It must be thus interpreted in this place, because the Spirit is made Authour and Giuer of grace and peace, together with the Father and the Son. Reu. 1, 4. And from the Seauen Sptrits.
2 The seuerall gifts which are deriued from the three persons in Trinity, the holy Spirit of GOD. Reuel. 4, 5. Which are the Seauen Spirits of God.
Seruice. sig:
Offices and duties of Charity, performed indeed towardes the Saints, and not onelyonly promised. Reu. 2, 19. I know thy seruice.
Seruants. sig:
Such, as earnestly and constantly obey GOD. Reuel. 22, 3. And his Seruants shall serue him.
Seauen Thunders. sig:
Most greeuous iudgements of all sortes, which God shall proclaime and inflict most seuerely, vponupon all wicked contemners of his Maiesty; namely, the Antichristian rabble. Reuel. 10, 3. And when he had cried, Seauen Thunders vttered their voyces. Some, expound this Seauen Thunders, not of seuerall iudgements of God, but of seuerall zealous Instruments ordained of God, to restore his Religion, and to terrify the wicked enemies thereof.
Seauen Trumpets. Sée Trumpets.
S. H.
Shine no more. sig:
That is, neuer to giuegive more light, but to bee a place desolate. Reue. 18, 23. Shall Shine no more in thee. This fore-tels, such horrour and darkenesse to be in Rome at her ruine, as none shall be there to light a Candle.
the third part of ships sig:
Townes and Citties, bordering vppon the Sea; or as others iudge, the Ministers of the word (which preached in Europe, the third part of the Worlde) were corrupt with Haeresie, and swollen with ambition, hauing more care of worldly Dignity, then of their offices. Reuela. 8, 9. And the third part of Ships were destroyed.
Shortly. sig:
Quickly, speedily, without delay, in due conuenient time, which is not farre off. Reuel. 2, 5. I wil come against thee Shortly, Reu. 22, 6, 7.
Short space sig:
A small space of time (as it were for an hundred yeare, or there about) which howsoeuer, seemeth long to vsus, yet Short in Gods account. Reu. 17, 10. He must continue a Short space.
sharp sickle. sig:
Either the seuere sentence of the Iudge, cutting downe the wicked in the ende of the Worlde (as Corne is cut down with a Sickle) or power and ability, to gather the elect vntounto God, out of the Kingdome of Antichrist, by the preaching of the word, according to that of Christ. Math. 9, 3, 7. Reuel. 14, 14. He had in his hand a Sharp Sickle. Also, in verse 18. it signifies power, to cut downe and destroy the wicked.
to shut heauen. sig:
To do that spiritually, by a drought of the word, for withering of piety; as Elias did by his sensible Miracle of staying the Raine from the earth, and to cause the Grasse to wither. Reu. 11, 6. HaueHave power to Shut the Heauens.
S. I.
Signe in heauen. sig:
Some token or wondrous testimonie, affoorded the holy and purer Church (meant by Heauen) out of which should come the word (as before out of Sion and Hierusalem. Amos. 1, 2.) which should denounce and threaten vengeance, that should vex and destroy the members of Anti-christ. Reuel. 15, 1. I saw another Signe in Heauen.
Silence in heauen. sig:
Rest and peace, graunted to the Church in earth for a short time, after that the open Enemies of Gods truth were bridled by Constantine the great. Reuel. 8, 1. There was Silence in Heauen about halfe an houre. Others say, this silence signifies, consultation, or astonishment. Others refer it, not to Gods consulting, or Caelestiall Creatures astonished, but to Iohn, preparing himselfe in this great quietnesse to more attention. The first agreeth best with the place.
to Sit vponupon a Throne. sig:
To bee endowed with spirituall Maiesty, such as belonges to him, who is King and Iudge of the World. Reu. 4, 2. A Throne was set in Heauen, and one sate vponupon it. This is spokē for our vnderstanding, after the custome of worldly Kinges, who by sitting in Thrones, declare their Maiesty to the people.
six hundred threescore and sixe. sig:
That number which shall arise from the Letters of the Name of the Beast being numbred. Sée the word number before. Reuel. 13, 18. And his number is Sixe hundred threescore sixe. The reason why the Name of the Beast is set downe mystically, and not plainely, (yet so plainely as the wisedome of Man may count it) was, because it had beene dangerous at that time (when the Romaine Empire, which was this Beast, flourished) to hauehave published it, and openly laide it forth. Therefore, to auoyde vnnecessary offence, as also, that worldlings, which must fulfil this prophesie, might not see it; for these causes the Name is obscurely put downe.
S. M.
Small and great. sig:
Persons of all Ages, stature, and degree. Reuel. 20, 12. And I saw the Dead, great and Small, &c.
Smoake of odours. sig:
Prayers of the godly, ascending toward Heauen (as Smoake) and hauing pierced the Heauens, preuaile with God (thorough the intercession of Christ, sweetning them as odours) to obtain things asked. Reuel. 8, 4. The Smoake of the odours, with the Praiers of the Saints, went vp, &c.
to Smite the earth. sig:
To inflict plagues, both spirituall and visible, on men which dwel in the earth, for the corruption of his Doctrine and worship. Reu. 11, 6. To Smite the earth with all manner of plagues. Thus do Gods true Ministers, as his Instruments. Therefore let all men reuerence them greatly.
Smoake of her burning sig:
The destruction of Rome (that great Citty) by fire, sending foorth a Smoake, which shall astonish her friends, standing farre off, and looking vponupon it with sorrowfull hearts. Reu. 18, 18. When they shall see that Smoake of her burning.
Smoake of the pit. sig:
The darkenesse of Satans Kingdome, ignorance of the Ministers of Christ his Gospell, Haeresies and superstitions arising from blinde errors. Reuel. 9, 2. There arose the Smoake of the pit, as the Smoake of a great Furnace. How fitly doth this agree to Popery, where many and manifold Traditions, errours, lies, superstitions, Idolatries, darkning the Sun and light of the Gospell many yeares: Shew, if they can any Kingdome that did the like? Or that this can be meant of any other darkening, then of the Gospell.
Smoake of their torment, &c. sig:
That the torments and pain of the Seruants and followers of Antichrist, shall be perpetuall, as men know the fire neuer to be quenched so long as the Smoake ascends. Reuel. 14, 11. And the Smoake of her torment shall ascend for euer.
S. O.
Song of the Lambe. sig:
That ioy and gladnesse of mind, which the faithfull expresse, in celebrating God the Father, for the grace of adoption in Christ: who because hee teacheth them to praise God, and stirreth vp this ioy, and is the Authour and finisher of their Faith and Saluation; Therefore it is called, The Song of the Lambe; that is, of Christ, and a new Song. Reuel. 14, 3. Because the grace of Adoption, by Christ, is communicated to farre more now, since his death, and the praise for this grace remaineth fresh, continuing without decay. Reuel. 15, 3. And the Song of the Lamb.
Song of Moses. sig:
Such a Song of praise and Triumph, as Moses & the Israelites did Sing, at their deliuerance from Pharoah at the Red-Sea; which is farre inferior to the deliuerance of Gods people from the red Dragon, and the Iawes of Anti-christ that Beast. Reue. 15, 3. And they Sung the Song of Moses the Seruant, &c.
new Song. sig:
Sée Song of the Lambe. Spirituall ioy, which alwaies remaineth fresh in the faithfull, for the Redemption by Christ, is this new Song. Reuel. 5, 9. And they Sung a new Song.
Sore. sig:
Some loathsome disease, as the disease of Naples, which beganne there, commonly called the [French Pocke] rife amongest Papistes; or some Plague-sore. Or as some vnderstand it, of some spirituall and figuratiue sore (vexing the Papistes no lesse then a Plague-sore, or the botch of Aegipt) as the pulling downe Abbeyes, &c. by Henrie the eight, and depriuing Popish Byshops and Prelates of their dignities and liuinges, by Elizabeth his daughter, of famous memory. Reu. 16, 2. And there fell a noysome and greeuous sore on men.
Sorrow. sig:
Griefe and heauinesse, and all causes of it. Reu. 21, 4. Neither Sorrow.
Sound of Charets. sig:
An huge, mighty, and terrible noyse, such as many Charrets of horses make in time of war. Reu. 9, 9. The Sound of their wings, was like the Sound of many Charets.
Sound of many waters and of thunder, &c. sig:
Vndistinct and confused noyse, whence profitable Nations hardly could bee gathered; such was the state of the Church in the Fathers time. As the sound of Thunder, signifies a noise more distinct and dreadfull, which yet lasted not long; and the voice of Harpers, signifies the sweet voice of truth, fully restored; and in the Harmony of Confessions, by seuerall Churches sung to the world. Thus was the progresse of the Church of Christ. Reuel. 14, 2. As the Sound of many waters.
S. P.
Spirits seauen. See seauen Spirits.
to Spew out of the mouth. sig:
To abhorre one, and to cast him out, with detestation and loathing (as thinges which we vomit, are cast out and neuer taken in againe) so shal the luke-warme Gospeller be serued. Reuel. 3, 16, It shall come, that I shall spew thee out of my mouth.
Spirits of Deuils. sig▪
The very members and Instruments of the Diuels, inspiring Princes and great personages with diuellish counsell and aduise. Reuel. 16, 14. For they are the Spirits of Diuels.
spirit of life. sig:
That Spirite of fortitude and courage, which God gaue to his Ministers and Children, whom he raised vp, as new witnesses of his trueth, after other witnesses had beene slaine by Antichrist. This was fulfilled about the time of the Tridentine Counsell: and a little after, in Luther, Melancthon, Caluin, Martir, and Bucer. Reuel. 11, 11. The Spirite of life comming from God, shall enter into them.
Spiritually sig:
After a more secret kind of meaning and vnderstanding, and not in proper speech. Thus is Rome Sodome; by resemblance (being like it, for spirituall and bodily vncleannesse and filthinesse.) Reu. 11, 8 Which Spiritually is called Sodome.
to giuegive a Spirite to the Image. sig:
To giuegive life, as Iannes and Iambres imitated the Wonders that Moses wrought. Reuel. 13, 15. It was permitted him to giuegive Spirit to the Image. It is an allusion to the Diabolicall practises of Idolaters, whereby they caused their Idols to speake distinctly (as if they had beene aliue) the more easilie to bring men to admire their superstition. So the Pope hauing nowe raysed him-selfe to the estimation (wel-nie) of a God, was no more, as a dead person, but began to speake, to command, to forbid, to blesse, to curse, to boast and bragge themselues, Lord of Kings and Emperors, as Pope Adrian did, when he saide; By vsus the Emperor raigneth.
Spirite of prophesie. sig:
All which spake by the Spirite of Prophesye. These shot at Iesus, as at a common marke, to set forth him as onelyonly Redeemer and perfect Sauiour. Reu. 19, 10. The Testimony of Iesus is the Spirite of prophesie; that is, such as testifie of Christ, by prophesying him, or preaching him, their function is equal to the office of Angels reuealing him. Therefore Iohn may not worship the Angell, being a fellow-seruant.
three vnclean spirits sig.
Most wicked men, carried and led by the diuel, and being his Ministers to do his wil as Iesuits, &c. Reuel. 16, 13. Three vncleane Spirits.
without Spot. sig:
Pure, and without blame, euen before God, by the imputation of Christ his perfect righteousnesse to them, wiping away all spots of sinne, and cloathing them with innocency. Reuel. 14, 5. They are without spot, before the Throne of God.