A Revelation of the Apocalypse, Chapter 15
CHAP. 15.
AND I ſaw another ſign in heaven, great & marvelous: ſeven Angels having the ſeven laſt plagues; for by them is fulfilled the wrath of God.
2 And I ſaw as it were a glaſſy ſea mingled with fyre: and them that had gotten victory of the Beaſt, and of his Jmage, and of his mark, and of the Number of his name; ſtanding at the glaſſy ſea, having Harpes of God.
3 And they ſung the ſong of Moſes the ſervant of God, and the ſong of the Lamb; ſaying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God almighty; juſt and true are thy wayes, King of ſaincts.
4 Who ſhall not fear thee, ô Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou onelyonly art holy; for all nations ſhal come and worſhip before thee; for thy judgments are made-manifeſt.
5 And after theſe J looked, and loe, the Temple of the tabernacle of teſtimony was opened.
6 And ther came forth the ſeven Angels which had the ſeven plagues, out of the temple, clothed with pure and bright linen, and girded about the breſts with golden girdles.
7 And one of the fowr Beaſts gave to the ſeven Angels, ſeven golden vials, ful of the wrath of God, which liveth for evermore.
8 And the Temple was fylled with the ſmoke that proceded from the majeſty of God, and from his power: and no man was able to enter into the Temple, til the ſeven plagues of the ſeven Angels were fulfilled.
The Analyſis.
HITHERTO have been the things paſt of the ſeventh trompet, ſo farre forth as under it they were more fully known, then at any time heretofore: now folow the things to come; of which, the common type is in this chapter, and then the ſpecial execution, in the reſt of the book. The type firſt ſummarily ſheweth, how ſeven Miniſters are prepared, which should take vengeance on the enemies; verſe 1. Alſo what should be the ſtate of the Church converſing among the Gentiles, until the Angels executed their office. The pourtraiture whereof, is ſet forth by the glaſſy ſea, mingled with fire: and in the victours, and the Harpers: ver. 2. Then by the Song; the authors wherof are Moſes and the Lamb: the argument of it, is, the prayſe of Gods omnipotency and juſtice; ver. 3. and the gathering to him of al the elect, ver. 4. After this, it sheweth in ſpecial, a more ful deſcription, partly of the Angels prepared to their work; as of the place whence they come, verſ. 5.6. of their clothing, ver. 6. and the inſtruments, namely the vials wherewith they ar furnished, ver. 7. Partly of the whole Church; both in reſpect of the choſen Gē tiles, by whoſe meanes it ſhineth with glory, and the preſence of God: and in reſpect of the reſt, unto whom it continueth ſhutt, untill the appointed time.
Scholions.
1 And I ſaw an other ſigne: Theſe wordes are uſed in ſted of a paſſage to an other matter; wherby, this propheſie following, is diſtinguished from that which was erſt explayned in the three former chapters. And now remayneth the third and laſt period, divided from the former, by the kind of events, which therfore have a new inſtrument, of vials: but yet agreing with them, in as much as it is a part of the ſeventh trumpet, as may eaſily appear by the things ſpoken before. For the Tabernacle in heaven, is not opened before the ſeventh trumpet; chap. 11.15.19. But the Miniſters of this work, which have charge given them to power out the vials, doo come out of the Temple opened in heaven; as after in the 5. and 6. verſes of this chapter. Moreover, the Angel foretold that the ende ſhould come, when the ſeventh trumpet ſounded; chap. 10.7. Now theſe ſeven vials, doe bring the end with them; their Miniſters being ſayd, in this verſe, to have the ſeven laſt plagues; and therfore they neceſſarily belong to that trompet. For if the firſt vial, anſwered to the firſt trompet, and then the reſt in order, ſo as every one should be of the ſame time that the trōpet is, wherewith it is ioyned: there were no reaſon why they should be called the laſt plagues. But the thing is not ſo: eſpecially ſeing the firſt vial, brings evil on the men, which were branded with the Beaſts mark; chap. 16.1. which mark we have ſeen to be the invention not of the firſt Beaſt, but of the ſecond, chap. 13.16. whoſe birth days fell out under the fift trompet. Wheras by this reaſon, the mark should neceſſarily goe before al the trompets; the firſt whereof, should not ſo much imprint the mark it ſelfe, as afflict the men on whom it was already printed. Moreover, the Saincts triumphe is ſung in this chapter, for the victory gotten of the Beaſt, before the vials are powred out, or the Angels take their work in hand; ver. 2. &c. But the Beaſt dyeth not under the firſt trompet, but is then born, and from thence forth, flouriſheth until the harveſt and vintage; chap. 14. and the two Prophets riſe up from the dead; chap. 11.11. which things fel out about the end of the ſixt trompet, as we have shewed. Yea but there is a great ſimilitude, between the trompets & the vials; there is in deed; but to this ende onelyonly, that we may know how men ar puniſhed, in the ſame degrees and ſteps that they have ſinned. Yet they differ, both in time, and in manner of puniſhment: for the vials are onelyonly puniſhments, wheras the trompets be offenſes. It is therfore manifeſt, that the whole diſtance of time, from Iohn, to the coming of our Lord, is divided into three periods; and every of them agayn, into ſeven more particular ſeaſons, or articles; ſo, as under the laſt of that which went before, beginneth the firſt of that which foloweth; that is to ſay, as from the laſt ſeal, doo ariſe the ſeven tronpets; ſo from the laſt trompet, doo ariſe the ſeven vials. Which diſtribution of the time, maketh this propheſie eaſy unto us; which ells would be very intricate.
¶ In heaven: That is, in the purer Church. For as of olde, the Lord was wont to rore out of Sion, and give his voice out of Ieruſalem, Amos, 1.2. ſo the evil by which al his enemies now shall utterly perish, shal come out of his holy Church, wherin he wil shew himſelfe an avenger, in punishing al the reprobats. And great and marvelous is this ſigne, becauſe of the wonderful change of the courſe of things, the Beaſt and Dragon being overcome and abolished, and th'eternal happines of the Church procured; as we shal ſee in the things particularly to be handled.
¶ Seven Angels: According to the manner of the former periods. Theſe be men, citizens of the purer Church; as appeareth by the place from whē ce they come; and their attire: of which hereafter. Theod. Beza expreſſeth it thus, the ſeven Angels: but ther is no article in the Greek; neyther were theſe eyther ſeen or mentioned before the temple was opened. They are ſayd to have, the ſeven laſt plagues; becauſe when theſe are doon, ther shalbe happy times onelyonly, until the end of al things be come: as the next words shew. For they are not caled the laſt, as if they should come a little before the ende: but becauſe by them Gods wrath shalbe fulfilled, in abolishing the enemies and tempeſts of the Church. They have their beginning togither with the ſeventh trompet, about the yere 1560. in reſpect of which, we ſay they are to come, and not in reſpect of this time onelyonly, wherin we now live. And he ſayth the wrath is fulfilled, in ſted of ſhalbe fulfilled: (foreign for foreign:) for the certainty of the Propheſie, maketh him to ſpeak in the time paſt, of things that are to come.
2 And I ſaw as it were a glaſſy ſea, mingled with fire: Hitherto generally of things to be doon, and the Miniſters of them: now foloweth the eſtate of the holy Church in the mean while. The Church is deſcribed by the things or ſubſtance of it, and the perſons. The firſt is a ſea, that is, doctrine; as before: the divers manner whereof, maketh alſo a divers ſea. The one heavenly, like that in chap. 4.6. which alſo was glaſſy and like to Cryſtal: the other earthly, turned into blood, and void of al purity; chap. 8. Here we have a third, heavenly alſo, as the former verſe sheweth; for this ſigne was ſeen in heaven: and glaſſy, as the firſt was; with which it wholly agreeth in nature, however ther be ſome litle difference in quality. For, in ſted of that Cryſtal, here fire is mingled: a glaſſy ſea, ſaith he, mixt with fire. That therfore, was clear as glaſſe; and moſt ſimple, without al colour, as Cryſtal is: this alſo is clear as glaſſ; but coloured with fyrie rednes; not shining with the ſimplicity of Cryſtall. And what other thing doth fyre ſignify, than fervent ſtrifes & cō tentions, burning with hatred? I am come to ſend fire on the earth, ſayth Chriſt, and what is my deſire, if it be already kindled? Luk 12.49. This inſeparable cō panion, muſt the heavenly truth of the laſt period, have ioyned with it: the doctrine should be glaſſy and clear, through which we may behold the gracious countenance of the Father in Chriſt Ieſus; yet not in al reſpects pure as Cryſtal, but coloured with the fyre of contention. Which thing verily, all godly men to their great greif, doo find at this day too true. That unhappy ſtrife about ſacramental ſignes, how great ſturres wrought it in the Church? which yet had not ynough it ſelfe alone to trouble all things: but it muſt bring forth alſo (as an evil bird an evil egg) that unheard monſter of Vbiquitie. The ſparks hereof were caſt into the ſea, by Luther himſelfe; but quenched agayn, both by his own modeſty and godlines, and by Melanchtons & others that have wel deſerved of the Church. Til afterwards Iohn Brentius, and Iames Andrewes, about the year 1561. did again with much payns as with bellowes, ſtyrr up the flame. Neyther was the contention about theſe cheif points onelyonly; but about Gods grace, Predeſtination, Baptiſme, and other things alſo: as errour for the moſt part never goeth alone, without ſome company. The Churches which are further off from the brenn of this fyre, doo burn with an other no leſſe fervent flame of ambition: wherupon have ariſen very sharp contention for dignities and honours, as for neceſſary ornaments of the Church; though purer times doe ſufficiently teach, that nothing ever brought more certayn deſtruction therunto. Neither doth ambition ſuffer, ſo free a preaching of the word, as should be: nor manners to be reſtreyned with that bridle, which being taken away, a liberty foloweth to al manner wickednes, or ſuch at leaſt, as abolisheth Chriſtian pietie. This kinde of fyre, raungeth throughout the whole renewed Church; and eyther conſumeth many, or moleſteth the reſt; whiles they labour to quench it. Neither is ther ſound quietnes in any place; this wild-fyre living even in midds of the waters. Which thing the Spirit diligently here dooth intimate; leaſt any man for the contentions, should reject the truth. For thanks be to our God, who, although fyre be mingled with our ſea, dooth yet vouchſafe it to be glaſſy ſtill, that is, tranſparent and clear; through which we may beholde the moſt ſweet grace of ſalvation, obteyned for us by Chriſt. We ar farr from the Chriſtian purity that should be: yet let us be glad for this good we doo injoy, and earneſtly begg of God, that he would give us that which is wanting. But it is to be feared, he wil take away that which we have; ſuch be our ſinns: as we have shewed in the particular Churches, chap. 3.
¶ And them that had gotten victory of the Beaſt: Hitherto of the things: the Perſons are the victours, in the latter part of this verſe; and the Harpers, ver. 3. The Greeke phraſe foreign is from the Hebrew, Goberim mechajah: for foreign anſwereth to the Hebrew min, which is often joyned with gaber, and noteth out a compariſon; as mearajoth gaberu, they were ſtronger then Lions, 2 Sam. 1.23. ſo wicked deeds got victory of me, that is, prevayled againſt me, Pſal. 65.4. In like manner they that get victorie of the Beaſt, are ſuch as prevayl againſt him, his image, mark, and number of his name. Theſe al are ſet downe ſeverally, for that the victory should be ful and abſolute: though the Beaſt remayn yet a litle while. For they should not onelyonly reject Antichriſt himſelfe, but abhorre alſo al his mark, yea and not ſuffer themſelves to be called by the number of his name. VVe have shewed, that the number of his name, which is, to be called a Latine, is the leaſt bond of ſociety, wherewith men are tyed to Antichriſt: which was proper to the Greeks, who by admitting this ſymbol, obteyned mutual trafique. But the inhabitans of the VVeſt, which long agoe eaſily ſufferred themſelves to be made his marked ſoldjers, and to be called Papiſts, and of the Popes religion; doo now deteſt the very name Latine, which the Greeks ſo hardly & lately received. This victory therfore is full, as is ſignifyed by this particular reherſal of Image, mark, & number of name. But, thou wilt ſay, when fell out this victory? At the ſound of the ſeventh trompet, when the Proteſtant Princes in Germany, which had wrong out from Charles to have their proffeſſion of religion free; did ſoon after his death, get it to be confirmed & ſtablished by th'Emperour Ferdinandus, in the yere 1558. at which time, our gracious Queen Elizabeth, being alſo crowned, did manifeſt to the world, that the Beaſt was overcome in England; who a few yeres afore had begun to reign a fresh; and was never before fully vanquished, but reſerved of God unto this time, for to honour the charrot and triumph of our good Queen. The yere next after, they trode down the Beaſt in Scotland. Before theſe times the truth did fight, but in doubtfull battel: now it did plainly beat down and overthrow the enemies. VntoUnto theſe, many other are to be added, as in France, Sweveland, Denmark, Suecia, Pruſsia; al which being joyned togither, doo make up this company, that ſtand at the glaſſy ſea.
¶ Standing at the glaſſy ſea: Holding the true and ſyncere doctrine; to the voice whereof, they ſtand and hearken continually. He alludeth to the Iſraelites which ſtood on the ſea ſhore, beholding the marvelous ſalvatiō which God had given them, their enemies being deſtroyed. Seing therfore wee all whom God hath freed from Antichriſts tyranny, doo yet ſtand on the brink, newly eſcaped out of danger: what evil fury vexeth us, that wee should rave, brethren againſt brethren, with al kinde of reproches, raylings and contumelies? How shamefull, yea how wicked a thing would it have bin, if the Iſraelites for whoſe ſake the waters were cleft aſunder; and whiles they eſcaped by a paſſage unheard off, through the midds of the ſea, ſo ſoon as they came ſafe to the shore, their enemies were drowned: if they, I ſay, should have ſtuck and killed one an other? Yet this ungodly prank doo we play at this day. VVhichWhich ſeing it is moſt unworthy them that are adorned with ſo notable and ſingular a good: I intreat by God our avenger and ſaviour, that we may ſeriouſly weigh the thing; and letting paſſe our brawles and contentions, may get us harps with one conſent to ſing prayſes unto God, rather then to ſtrike up terrible drumms, for to move inteſtine warr. VVe ſtand on the ſhore, but the enemy is not yet altogither drowned: and if he were overwhelmed, yet should they be no place for this bitternes. But unawares I have ſtrayed from my purpoſe; how be it, I truſt, not without reaſon.
¶ Having harpes of God: That is, divine, ſweet and excellent harps: according to the manner of the Hebrewes, who call al that of God, which is in it kind moſt cheif and excellent; as a Prince of God, Gen. 23.6. Mounteyns of God, Pſal. 36.7. trees of God &c. for moſt excellent men, high moū tayns, noble trees. See the obſervations of the learned Ian Druſius. Or, be they not caled harpes of God, becauſe God gives the joy of his Spirit into their harts, wherby they give God meet thankes for this his notable mercy? Perhaps this is the righter. But both of them doe ſignify alike, the great pleaſure that is felt by this victory; ſuch as we have shewed was in the Tigurines, who wrote upon a pillar with letters of Golde, the year and day when reformation began among them. With what precious ſtone should this day be graven, of much fuller victory and triumph? But we are in ſpecial to reſpect the Confeſsions ſet forth in this time: for theſe are moſt ſweet harps, & that of God; whoſe ſtrings he hath tuned, and with whoſe melody he is much delited. Whiles the Temple was shutt, the voice of the Harpers ſounded with ſweet harmonie, when the Churches teſtifyed their conſent of doctrine, by the writings published and offred to Ceſar; as we have shewed on chap. 14.2. But now after the yere 1558. a much ſweeter ſymphonie is made, by the acceſsion of the French, English, later Helvetian, Belgian, Bohemian, and Scottiſh Confeſsions. Al theſe agreeably ſinging one tune togither, doo make a moſt grateful ſong to godly ears; but drive the enemies out of their witts.
3 And they ſung the ſong of Moſes: Such a triumphal ſong, as Moſes and the Iſraelites ſung of old, when they were delivered from the Aegiptians, Exod. 15. For this deliverance out of the jawes of Antichriſt, is of no leſſe power and good will of God towards his, then was that from Pharaoh. No marvel if the ſame benefit, be celebrated with the ſame ſong. It did not playnly appear before theſe times, what yſſue things should have: the people was indeed gone out of Aegipt, but camped as yet before the jawes of Chiroth, and was perplexed in the country, cloſed round about with the wildernes. The Pope & Emperour made ready their charrets, and thought to bring them back agayn to their ancient bondage: but after that the ſea had given way to the Proteſtāts in Germany; (the Emperour being by death drowned with his charrets;) and that their ſtrength was more confirmed by the coming of England, Scotland, Netherland unto them; now was the time of ſinging to Iehovah, that he hath excelled gloriouſly, the harſe and him that rode upō him, he hath overthrown in the ſea.
¶ And the ſong of the Lamb: The ſame, as I think, which was mentioned before, chap. 4.3. wherin they celebrated God the Father, for the grace of adoption in Chriſt. This joy of hart, which figuratively is called a ſong, ariſeth from the beleef of Chriſts juſtice imputed unto us; and the feeling of that fatherly love, wherewith God loveth us for this cauſe. Which alwayes hath been the ſong of al the elect in every time & place; and namely of them that lay hidd for 1260. yeres, chap. 14. but now at length is cō municated with many moe, about the beginning of the laſt period: & ſhall no more be muttered in corners, but be ſung without fear in al ſtreets & opē places. No ſong, doth the Pope of Rome more hate: he curſeth it with al direful execrations: but the wretch never taſted the ſweetnes of it; neither can any of his ſervants, whiles ſo he perſiſteth, learn the ſame.
¶ Great & marv. &c. In deed great, & beyōd al exſpectatiō Luther whē he begā, thought nothing leſſe thē ſuch an innovatiō: & not without cauſe. For who durſt ever hope, that the leaſt part of his dignity could be thrown down; unto whoſe feet, ſo many Emperours of old ſubiected their necks? A wonderful work verily, & farr exceding the ſtraigfhts of the mind of mā.
Lord God almighty: God, for foreign O God: or by want of a word to be ſupplyed. which art God, which art almighty.
¶ Iuſt and true &c. Juſt they are; for he hath done vengeance on the wicked: True; becauſe that is now performed which was promiſed. For in his holy word he hath taught that it ſhalbe wel with the good, & evil with the wicked. According to which general promiſes & threats, he governeth the world; manifeſting unto all his truth, in performing the ſame.
4 For al nations ſhal come: By this deliverance ther should ariſe to the faithful, a more ample hope of the univerſal caling of the whole world, A thing not now firſt ſignifyed; but wheras a more plentiful knowledge should increaſe dayly in the later times; in the ages before, becauſe of the long delay & great difficulty of the thing, at the expectation therof, lay quite dead. But the thing is here but generally touched: & is after more largely to be handled in due place.
¶ For thy judgments &c. By theſe which thou haſt begun, it may be manifeſt ynough to every one, what thou wilt doo at laſt. O Rome, why lookeſt thou not to thy ſelfe in time? Wilt thou not yet be wiſe, before thy laſt deſtruction come; when it wilbe too late? Doe not theſe documents of the wrath of God, make manifeſt unto thee, what he iudgeth of thee? Remēber Pharaoh, to whō Gods iudgments were manifeſted, but he would not be inſtructed. Take heed leaſt thou, walking in the ſame ſtepps, fal not at laſt into the ſame pit. The word foreign, beſides that ſignification of ceremonies which the Greek Interpreters give unto it, denoteth alſo an argumēt or example of iuſtice: ſee Th. Beza on Luk 1.6. Which ſignification agreeth fitly to this place: as if he should ſay; Arguments of thy iuſtice, are manifeſted: thou haſt opēly declared to al the world, that thou art a moſt iuſt iudg
5 And after theſe &c. He now beginneth in ſpecial a more large declaratiō of the Angels: & firſt of the place frō whēce they come, namely the Tē ple opened. Which was opened ch. 11.19. & wherof mentiō is here made againe, as oft times cometh to paſſe, becauſe of the lōg commemoration of things paſt, which came between in 3 whole chapters. The temple, before was ſhutt, as long as the woman was in the wildernes. Sometimes ther came Angels out frō thence; but but the veil being hāged at the dore, ſuffred none to look in; wherupō it remained ſtil hidd, to them that were without. But now being open; they which are in the court, may look in if they will.
¶ The Temple of & c: Hereby is meant the moſt holy place. The two tables of ſtone, are caled the Teſtimony; becauſe of the law written in them, which teſtifyed the wil of God. Hereupon the Ark hath the ſame name; becauſe unto it, theſe tables were put. And then the name more largely was aſcribed to the whole tabernacle, in the inner place wherof, the Ark did reſide. Num. 17.23. Moreover, that which is here ſayd, the temple of the tabernacle of teſtimony was opened: is the ſame in effect with this, & the Ark of his covenant was ſeen in his temple, chap. 11.29.
The Tabernacle ſeemeth to be ioyned with the Temple, not becauſe the law was alwayes kept in the Tabernacle, which continued not to the ende in the Temple, as neyther did the Ark, after the overthrow of Ieruſalem by Nabuchodonoſor; as the Ieſuite ſuppoſeth: for did not the Tabernacle alſo looſe the law, when it loſt the Ark, wherein the law was kept? eſpecially when the Ark was never after, placed in that Tabernacle? 1 Sam. 4.21. This therfore is no ſufficient cauſe. But there two ſeem to be ioyned togither, for to shew that this Temple was yet a pilgrim, and the Angels that came out frō thence, were burgeſſes of the militant Church. But ſome man may ſay, if they come forth out of the Temple, it may ſeem the Church is yet in ſecret: by which argument, we have ſerched out the time of the former Propheſie, chap. 14.15. They in the former chapter, came out of the Temple being ſhutt: theſe, out of it being opened. The Church alwayes dwelleth in the Tē ple: for what other fitt hoſpitage can ſhe have? But this Temple is not alwayes after one manner. Some while it is ſhutt, in the time of mourning & ſolitarines; which was the condition thereof, when thoſe reapers & grape-gatherers came out of it. Some while it is open & manifeſt, when the day ſhineth more cheerful and pleaſant: and in this eſtate it was, when after the victory over the Beaſt, the ſeven Angels came out of the ſame.
6 Clothetd with pure and bright linnen: Theſe Angels have a more ioyful attyre, then had the two witneſſes, which were clad with ſackcloth, chap. 11.3. for this time carieth an other hiew Yet theſe garments are common to all the elect, though they be fitter for ſome times then for otherſome. For they are the garments of Aarons ſonnes, Exod. 28.42. And all the elect are made Preiſts. Al the faithfull now doo dwel in the Temple, wherinto of olde none might come but the Levites. By this attyre therfore is ſignifyed, the cleannes of the Angels; through the imputation of Chriſts righteouſnes alone. And leaſt any should deſpiſe this imputation as a baſe thing, and not fit for any to ſtand in Gods ſight arayed with it, as the blaſphemous Papiſts at this day perſuade their people: therfore he ſayth, theſe garments are both pure & bright; wherein the maieſty of God neyther ſees any ſpott, nor any thing that may hinder the higheſt perfection of glory.
¶ And girded about the breſts with golden girdles: Theſe garments are to be tyed about every one in particular, by faith, as with a golden girdle: & the girding is about the breſts, becauſe this apprehenſion and application is nothing at all, unleſſe it have place in the hart. So Chriſt himſelfe was girded before, chap. 1.13. not for that he needed ſo to be, but onelyonly for to teach us▪ and to repreſent the Church of that time, which was in that part very comely.
7 And one of the 4. Beaſts: It doth not appear, which of them by name it was: eſpecially ſeing one of the Beaſts may be eyther of order, or of diſtribution: of order, as when it ſignifieth the firſt, at chap. 6.1. J heard one of the four Beaſts, that is, the firſt, to weet, the Lion. Of diſtribution, when in uſual manner of ſpeech, it may perteyn alike to any of the fowr. But it skilleth not which of thē it be. That agreeth unto all, which belōgs to every one; al whoſe vertues being ioyned togither, doo give us a pattern, what manner of man every faithful miniſter ought to be, as is obſerved on chap. 4.7. Here the intendement is, that we may know how theſe ſeven Angels doo draw out of the precepts and inſtitutions of ſome holy Miniſter of the Ghoſpel; that which they after doo turn and apply, unto the bane of the enemies of the Church. Not that this ſome Miniſter, is to be underſtood of any ſingular man; but of many that agree in one faith and doctrine: as Philip Melanchton, Martin Bucer, Peter Martyr, Henry Bullinger, Iohn Calvin, and the other ſervants of God, which flourished about that time. Out of whoſe godly and learned writings, ſo many have drawen very excellēt and golden underſtanding of holy things, that they have been made fitt therby, to combat with Antichriſt; and to finish the remaynders of that warr, which the others had ſo happily begun.
¶ Gave to the ſeven Angels, ſeven golden vials: foreign (a vial, ſayth Atheneus) is ſo caled by changing of a letter, as it were Piálee, that is, conteyning in it (to piem h…lis) ynough to drink: for it is bigger then a cup. book Dipnoſophiſt 11 Yea he makes it a wide and ample veſſel like a cauldron, which importeth very great wrath to be appointed for the laſt times. Theſe veſſels perhaps are uſed here in ſuch reſpect, as God of old, opening the f…oud-gates of heaven, deſtroyed al the earth with the floud: or as when he conſumed Sodom and Gomorrhe with a shore of brimſton from heaven. For then he ſeemes to powr out on the heads of men, deſtruction as out of vials. Moſt fitt weapons for the power of God, which needeth no forces for to overthrow the enemies, but can take them al away, even with a ſmall aſperſiō. And now behold, how fit inſtruments are attributed, to every ſort of events.
In the firſt place were Seals, becauſe the firſt events were confirmations and pledges of thoſe that were to come. Then came Trumpets, ſignifying evils …ſſayling men with great noyſe, and denouncing alſo ſome heavier thing to be expected, yf they did not repent. Now laſt are made ready the vials, large veſſels to conteyn Gods judgment, and m…ſt fit to accompliſh the perdition of reprobates. Neither is ther any noyſe in the powring out, as was in the ſounding of the trompets. For Gods judgements to come, doo make afrayd, (for they ar threatned that they may be avoided:) but when they are preſent, they fal on men privily, & are not perceived. What are theſe vials then, and of what ſort? Firſt, they are the holy minds of the ſeven Angels, intelligent & capable of the will of God: out of which this baleful liquour is powred upō the reprobates. Secondly the Beaſt giveth them; by inſtructing and informing the ſame minds with holy inſtitutiōs. Thirdly they are ful of the wrath of God, not wherwith God is angry againſt them, but by which he executeth iudgment upon the wicked. Finally, they are golden; that thou the judgments be moſt ſevere; yet are they moſt juſt, pure, and precious. But mark, how dreadfull is this wrath, which is of God that liveth for evermore: which words are added that we may know, the wrath ſhalbe eternal. For the wrath is ſuch as is his power whoſe wrath is kindled.
8 And the Temple was filled with ſmoke: Hitherto hath been the preparation of the Angels; that which foloweth upon it in reſpect of this renewed Church, is a manifeſt ſigne of Gods preſence; ſuch as was of olde in the Tabernacle, Exod. 40.34.35. But, thou wilt ſay, the time of the Goſpel, requireth ſome more evident token. In deed ſo God deal more opē ly with us by many degrees, then he did under the law: but whatſoever cā be beſtowed on us, whiles we are on earth, though illuſtrated with the light of the Goſpel; is but ſmoke and obſcurity, in reſpect of that revelatiō, which at laſt we ſhal have in heaven. But here he teacheth, that Gods preſēce is clear in the Church though the enemies count it but as ſmoke, and can ſee no more into it, then m…n when duskiſh ſmoke dooth take away their ſight. And who but the blind, perceiveth not God preſent in our Churches, which he ſo marvelouſly defendeth againſt ſo many enterpriſes of the adverſaries. But the Papiſts eyes cannot peirce this ſmoke; wherfore the… weary themſelves in vayn, fighting againſt God. But becauſe ſmoke ſignifieth alſo wrath, the Temple filled with ſmoke, teacheth that God teſtifieth his preſence, with manifeſt arguments of his indignation againſt the enemies, whom now he wil vexe with continual torments, which out of the Temple and Church of God, shal dayly fal upon their heads.
¶ And no man was able to enter into the Temple: This sheweth the condition of the reſt, what it should be in the mean time, while theſe plagues crushed down the enemies. To weet, they should remayn without the Temple, not able to enter in for ſmoke, as Moſes could not enter into the Tabernacle of the congregation, whiles the cloud was upon it, Evod. 40.35. Alike therfore, in ſome ſorte, shalbe the condition of the Church when it is reſtored, as it was when it lay hidd. As long as the Temple was ſhutt, & the ſaincts pitched their camp in mount Sion, the Lamb being their Captayn: no man could learn the ſong which they ſang: chap. 14.3. It belonged to a few elect; into whoſe number, none of the reſt of the world, could joyne himſelfe. Even ſo, when the Temple is opened, although the Church be much more noble and conſpicuous, yet shal not al betake them ſelves unto the boſome therof, until the ſeven plagues be fulfilled. Which is firſt to be underſtood of the Iewes; whoſe ful caling shal not be, until the vials be poured out. Ful, I ſay; becauſe during the plagues, ther shalbe ſome beginning, but not an abſolute perfection, before they be altogither paſt. For, Rome drives thē from entring in; which when it shalbe taken away, then the Iewes, and other nations many, al impediments being removed, shal flow even with ſtrift unto the Church, and shal thenceforth continue the faithful nouriſſons of the ſame. For we ſee that al ar not by this ſmoke quite shut out of the Temple. Seven Angels come out from thence; which should not come forth, but to execute their office: wherupon the reſt of the Saincts, abide therein. This ſmoke therfore, hindred not al the elect of the Gentils from entring in: but the Iewes, and ful number of the Gentiles onelyonly.