The Seven Vials, Explication 2
CHAP. 16.
ANd thus having from this Promontory of the 15. Chapter taken a generall survey of the 16. Let vsus now descend to a more particular view and search of this seavenfold mystery: And the Mysteries of this booke run much vponupon seavens. To omit others, three …here are very remarkable, yea coherent and correspondent among themselves: 1. of the seaven Seales:Chap. 5. & 6, & 7. Chap. 8. & 4. & 10. & 11.15. 2. of the seaven Trump…tts: 3. of the seaven Vials: in each whereof is laid down the different estates of the Church and her enemies, in their severall ages; the last of the …eaven Seales bringing on, and in, the first of the seaven Trumpetts; and the sixth Trumpet inducing the first …f the seaven Vials. Such a sweet harmony there is be…weene these sacred instruments of the Temple. But we …asten to ou… present purpose. Yet before we enter vp…n the 16. Chapter, let vsus take these few instructions by … way, as generall directions to the clearer opening …f it. First, that the whole Chapter in generall is my…ically, and after a spirituall and Allegoricall maner to be vnderstood and interpreted all along. Secondly, th… if any desire the particular time, when▪ or where abou… every particular Viall is powred out, let him obserue in what time they are or were most clearely and fully …ccomplished, and hee may safely conclude, that then was the speciall time of their powring out. Thirdly, though each Viall hauehave an orderly and successi…e powring out, yet in some degree they hauehave a certaine ri… from the powring out of the first. Fourthly, each Viall once evidently in its owne proper place powred ou…, it ceasseth not, but runnes along in its strength, vntill the seventh and last plague be powred out, wherein they hauehave all their full confluence. Fifthly, whatsoever is written in every Viall, is to be vnderstood as a speciall symptome, proper to the time of that Viall. Lastly, that all these seven Plagues light vponupon the Church of Rome, and her followers mainly.
Ver. 1. And I heard a great voice out of the Temple, saying to the seuen Angels, Go your wayes, and powre out your Vials of the wrath of God vponupon the earth.
In this first verse is set downe the commission of th… seven Angels: It is given by a great voy… out of the Temple. This is Christs voice, who governeth and appointeth all things in his Church. And it is a great voice▪ the matter whereof is of great consequence and importance, and therefore worthy of our greatest and best attention: And who shall not goe, when he saith, G… your wayes. So that hence, even from Christs direction doe these seven Angels receiue their charge. They ar… bid to powre out their Vials vponupon the earth. The Earth i… the generall obiect of these seven last Plagues. By it are meant all those, who are of the earth, earthly minded▪ earthly affected; opposite to those, whose▪ conversation is in heaven. But more specially are meant here all those of the Church of Rome ▪ described in the … verse, such as hauehave the marke of the Beast, and worship his Image. And so all the seven plagues of the seven Vialls are poured out vponupon all Papists expressely▪ so much of the Commission: Now followeth the execution thereof.