The Ruin of Rome — Arthur Dent

The Ruin of Rome · Arthur Dent

CHAP. XIIII.

WE hauehave heard in the former chapter the deſcription of the two great and dreadfull beaſts. We hauehave alſo heard how mightily they hauehave preuailed now manie yeeres, & raigned as monarches of the earth. Now in this chapter wee are to heare of the fall and ruine of them both. So that the maine drift and ſcope of this chapter, and all the chapters following, vntill the twentith chapter, is to ſhew, that both the Roman Empire, and the Papacie ſhall ebbe as faſt as euer they did flow, ſhall wane as faſt as euer they did waxe, ſhall decreaſe as faſt as euer they did increaſe, and fall downe as faſt as euer they did riſe vp, euen vntill they come to vtter ruine and deſolation.

This Chapter containeth ſeuen principal things.

Firſt, verſ. 1 it ſheweth that God had his Church vponupon the earth euen then, when it ſeemed to bee vtterly extinct by the preuailing of the two outragious beaſts.

Secondly, verſ. 2.3.4.5. it ſheweth that the poore perſecuted Church did ſincerely & zealouſly worſhip God euen in the fire and flames of afflictions.

Thirdly, ver. 6.7 it ſheweth that the Goſpell ſhall be preached with great ſucceſſe in theſe laſt daies throughout manie kingdoms.

Fourthly, ver. 8 it ſheweth that Rome ſhall fall downe at the preaching of the Goſpell.

ver. 9.10.11. Fiftly, it ſheweth that all Papiſts ſhal be condemned, and caſt into hell fire for euer.

ver. 12.13. Sixtly, it ſheweth that it ſhall go well with Gods elect, which hauing refuſed the worſhip of the beaſt, do liue and die in the Lord.

ver. 14.15.16.17.18.19.20. Laſtly, it deſcribeth the day of iudgement, wherein all both good, and bad ſhall hauehave according to their deſerts.

Text.

ver. 1 Then I looked, and behold a Lambe ſtood on mount Sion, and with him an hundred fourtie and foure thouſand, hauing the Fathers name written in their foreheads.

Nowe at laſt the holy Ghoſt bringeth in Ieſus Chriſt vponupon the Theater of the world, as it were to play his part in this tragedie, and to helpe the poore weake woman, which we heard of before, againſt the Dragon, and the two monſtrous beaſts, which would hauehave torne her in peeces, and vtterly deuoured her, if this Lambe Ieſus Chriſt had not ſtept in and reſcued her. Well, now commeth in our Lord Ieſus, and beginneth to ſtirre in theſe matters, and to take vponupon him the protection and defence of the poore helpleſſe woman, againſt both the dragon, & the dragons two great inſtruments. But may ſome man ſay, What is a poore Lambe to encounter with a dragon, with a Lyon, with a Leopard, and a Beare? I anſwer, that although Chriſt be a lamb to his church, euē the Lamb of God that taketh away the ſins of the world, and the Lamb that was a ſlaine ſacrifice from the beginning, for the redemption of his elect: Yet to all his enemies he is a moſt ſtrong and terrible Lyon, euen the Lyon of the Tribe of Iuda, as he is called before. chapter 5.5 Now this moſt terrible Lyon, euen the Lord of hoſts, the Lord mightie in battell, commeth forth to protect and defend his Church againſt all her enemies, who is of ſuch infinite might and puiſſance, that neither the old Dragon, nor his young imps, nor all the curſed helhounds that barke and bite, and take their part, ſhall euer bee able to ſtand in his hands: For rage they neuer ſo much, hee will hamper them all well enough. For though he hauehave giuen them the reine a long time, and let them alone, and ſuffred them to play the tyrants with the woman his ſpouſe; yet now he will no longer put it vp at their hands, but will vp and maintaine the womans cauſe, and beare her out againſt them all: nay, hee will make readie his bow, that he may ſhoote off, and make his arrowes drunke in the bloud of her and his enemies, and will whette his glittering ſword, that hee may ſheath it in the heart of Antichriſt and all his adherents. Therefore now let both the great beaſts and their Sire looke to themſelues: for heere comes in one that will knocke them all downe, and lay them in the duſt, that they ſhall neuer riſe vp againe. For this cauſe now at length Saint Iohn in a viſion ſeeth a Lambe ſtand vponupon mount Sion; that is, Chriſt preſent with his Church. For mount Sion was an ancient figure of the Church; as it is written: Mount Sion lying Northward is faire in ſituation:Pſal. 48.2. it is the ioy of the whole earth, and the citie of the great king. And againe, The law ſhall goe forth of Sion, Mich. 4.2.and the word of the Lord from Ieruſalem.

Moreouer, Saint Iohn ſeeth heere with the Lambe an hundred fortie and foure thouſand: that is, the particular members of the Church, putting a certaine number for an vncertaine, and ſpecially alluding to the ſealing of the twelue tribes of Iſrael, as before hath beene ſhewed. For it might bee demaunded, where the Church was, chapter 7.4. when all the world wondred, and followed the firſt Beaſt? and alſo when all, both ſmall and great, rich and poore, receiued the marke of the ſecond Beaſt? Saint Iohn anſwereth, that euen then in the middeſt of the heate of perſecutions God had his hid & inuiſible church, whom Ieſus Chriſt did protect and preſerue euen in the verie flames of perſecutions, being alwayes preſent with them, and amongſt them, as he ſaid to his Diſciples a little before his bodily departure from them. Lo, I am with you euen vntounto the end of the world. And heere hee is ſaid to ſtand vponupon mount Sion with his hundred fortie and foure thouſand. And it is added, that this number of Gods faithfull elect children had the Fathers name written in their foreheads: That is, they did profeſſe, and practiſe the doctrine and religion of God their Father onelyonly, vtterly renouncing and abhorring the worſhip and religion of the Beaſt. For the Fathers name in this place is ſet oppoſite to the marke of the Beaſt; to ſignifie, that as the worſhippers of Antichriſt receiued his marke: ſo the true worſhippers of God receiued his brand, which is his Spirit, and the fruits therof, whereby they were perfectly diſcerned from thoſe which had the beaſts marke. So then it cleerely appeareth from this place, that God preſerued many thouſands of his true worſhippers, euen in the daies of the great Antichriſt, when there ſeemed to bee verie fewe or none remaining vppon the earth, as it was in the dayes of Elias. In vaine therefore doe the Papiſts aske vsus, where our Church was before Luthers time, ſith the holy Apoſtle heere ſtoppeth their mouth, and telleth vsus plainely, that Chriſt had his little flocke in the wilderneſſe, euen then, when it was in greateſt ſtreightes, and as wee ſay, driuen to the wals. And therfore viſibilitie is no ſound note of the Church, as the Papiſts doe moſt ignorantly diſpute. For it is a fond and abſurd kind of reaſoning, to ſay there is no Church at all, becauſe it doth not viſibly appeare: as if a man ſhould reaſon that there is no Moone in the heauens, becauſe ſometimes there is none ſeene, as in the change.

And I heard a voice from heauen, verſ. 2 as the ſound of manie waters, and as the ſound of a great thunder: and I heard the voyce of Harpers harping with their harpes.

Heere is ſet forth how this companie of true worſhippers doe magnifie and praiſe God, for his great mercies towards them. Firſt, Iohn heareth a voyce from heauen, that is, an heauenly voice, or the voice of the Church praiſing and glorifying God. For wee hauehave heard before, chapter 8.1 that heauen in this Booke is ſometimes put for the Church vppon the earth, and the reaſons thereof: Wherſoeuer therfore the Church is aſſembled to heare the word, and to pray, and giuegive thanks; there is a voice from heauen, or an heauenly voice. Now this voice is compared to three things: firſt, to the ſound of manie waters. Secondly, to the ſound of a great thunder. Thirdly, to y^e voice of harpers, harping with their harps. It is likened to manie waters, becauſe it proceedeth from ſundrie ſorts of people, of ſundrie nations, countries, and kingdomes, as the word Waters is taken afterwards in this Propheſie.Chap. 17.1. Chap. 17.15. It is compared to Thunder, becauſe the prayers and inuocations of the true Church are as loud in the eares of God as any thundercracke. It is compared to Harpers harping with their harpes, both becauſe their ſpirituall worſhip and ſeruice is as ſweete vntounto God, as any muſicke vntounto men: as alſo becauſe all Gods faithfull people doe tune together among themſelues, and in their worſhip, as the ſtrings of a well tuned inſtrument of muſicke, or as manie muſitians playing together, which make a ſweete harmonie, and moſt melodious dittie.

verſ. 3 And they ſung as it were a newe ſong before the throne, and before the foure beaſts, and the Elders, and no man could learne that ſong, but the hundred fourtie and foure thouſand, which were bought from the earth.

Now is ſhewed how this holy ſocietie of the faithful do continue their praiſing and glorifying of God. They are not weary of well doing, but hold on conſtantly in the courſe of Gods worſhip, hauing new ſongs of thankſgiuing in their mouthes, and ſeruing God dayly with renewed affections, as men inflamed with the zeale of Gods glory: and all this they doe performe before the throne, before the foure beaſts, and the Elders; that is, in the preſence of God, and his Angels, and his holy congregation. And no man could learne that ſong, but the hundred fortie and foure thouſand, that is, none of the reprobates and vngodly worldlings could inwardly feele and vnderſtand this ſpirituall worſhip, but onelyonly the elect, to whom it is giuen to vnderſtand the ſecrets of God, and the myſteries of his ſonnes kingdome.

Theſe are they, verſ. 4 which are not defiled with women: for they are virgins: theſe follow the Lambe whereſoeuer he goeth: theſe are bought from men, being the firſt fruits vntounto God, and to the Lambe.

And in their mouthes was found no guile: verſ. 5 for they are without ſpot before the throne of God.

This holy cōpany are not defiled with women, that is, with groſſe & diuers ſins, or rather with idolatrous pollutions. For they are virgins, that is, chaſt worſhippers of God, which are not polluted with the defilemēts of Antichriſt. Theſe follow the Lamb Chriſt wherſoeuer he goeth. They heare his voyce, they profeſſe his worſhip, and obey his doctrine; they abhorre Antichriſt, they followe not the beaſt, nor receiue his marke. They are bought from men, and bought from the earth, as it is ſayd before, that is, they are redeemed and bought with a price from the corrupt lumpe of mankind, and curſed race of Adam, that they might bee the firſt fruits vntounto God, and to the Lambe, that is, wholy conſecrated to his worſhip, and to ſerue him in righteouſneſſe and true holineſſe all the dayes of their life. In their mouthes was found no guile: That is, they doe declare their innocencie and vprightneſſe both in their words, and works, as thoſe which Chriſt hath choſen out of this world, and bought with a price thorough his bloud, in whom they are without ſpot or ſpeck before God.

verſ. 6 Then I ſaw another Angell flie in the middeſt of heauen, hauing an euerlaſting Goſpell, to preach vntounto them that dwell on the earth, and to eueryevery nation, and kinred, and tongue, and people:

verſ. 7 Saying with a loud voice, Feare God, and giuegive glorie vntounto him: for the houre of his iudgement is come, and worſhip him that made heauen and earth, and the ſea, and the fountaines of waters.

Hitherto the holy Ghoſt hath taught vsus how the Church was preſerued vnderunder the tyrannie of Antichriſt, and greateſt waues of perſecutions; and that euen then they did purely and faithfully worſhip the true God. Now he proceedeth to foreſhew the ruine and downfall of Antichriſt, and plainely to propheſie the vtter decay of the kingdome of Babell. This doctrine therefore we are to hearken vntounto with great attention and cheerefulneſſe, becauſe it doth ſo much concerne our good, & the good of the whole church, alſo becauſe we liue in the dayes, wherin we ſee it is in part fulfilled.

Firſt therefore wee are to vnderſtand, what is meant by this Angell heere mentioned, to wit, not anie celeſtiall Angell, or inuiſible ſpirit, as it is ſundrie times taken before: but by this Angell, and the two Angels following, are meant all the faithfull Miniſters of the Goſpell, which ſhould bee raiſed vp in theſe laſt dayes, for the ouerthrow of Rome, and the deliuering of the Church from vnderunder the captiuitie of Antichriſt: which may plaine…y appeare by this, that it is ſaid, this Angell preacheth the euerlaſting Goſpell vntounto them that dwell on the earth, which cannot properly agree to the celeſtiall ſpirits. Wee hauehave heard out of the tenth chapter, that Ieſus Chriſt did open the little booke, which is the Bible, and did giuegive authoritie to his faithfull Miniſters to goe preach and publiſh the doctrine thereof to manie nations, countries, and kingdomes: chapter 10.11. nowe vntounto that agreeth this which is heere ſpoken of, and is a further opening and declaring of that which is there ſet downe. For as there Ieſus Chriſt commeth downe from heauen, and openeth the little booke, which had beene long ſhut vp vnderunder the darkneſſe of Poperie, and the ſmoake which came out of the bottomleſſe pit: ſo heere Chriſt Ieſus raiſeth vp his faithfull Miniſters and preachers, to publiſh and proclaime the doctrine of the Goſpell, which had long lyen hidde vnderunder the outragious perſecutions of the two monſtrous and moſt hideous beaſts. chapter 18.1 To this alſo agreeth that which is written in the eighteenth chapter of this Booke, where Saint Iohn ſeeth an Angell come downe from heauen, hauing great power, ſo that the earth was lightened with his glorie. By which Angell is meant all the Preachers of this age. And the Angell is ſaide to hauehave great power: For what is more powerfull then the miniſterie of the word. And moreouer it is ſayd, that the earth was lightened with his glorie, that is, with the brightneſſe of the preaching of the Goſpel, whereby the darkeneſſe of Poperie was diſperſed and driuen away, and Babylon falleth vponupon it, as there you may reade, and as heere we ſhall ſee the like effect by and by.

Moreouer it is heere ſayd, that this Angell flieth in the middeſt of heauen: that is, verie ſwiftly carrieth this euerlaſting Goſpell thorough all the Churches. For when Gods appointed time was come, wherein he would goe about the ouerthrowe of Poperie, he cauſed his euerlaſting Goſpell to be ſet abroach, and to ſpread ouer many kingdoms and nations, as wee ſee this day. Now becauſe theſe kingdoms, where God would hauehave the knowledge of his Goſpell diuulged, were manie and great, therefore heere is expedition required: and this Angell doth carie it, not ſtanding but flying. And all this we ſee perfectly fulfilled with our eyes, when God raiſed vp Luther, Zuinglius, Melancthon, Peter Viret, Caluin, Bucer, Bullinger, Peter Martyr, and all their worthy ſucceſſours vntounto this day, which hauehave ſpred the euerlaſting Goſpell verie farre, and caried it verie ſwiftly ouer England, Scotland, Germanie, Denmarke, Polonia, Sweuia, Ruſſia, and many parts of France and Flaunders. Another reaſon why this Angell is ſaid to flie in the middeſt of heauen, is becauſe no power of man ſhall euer be able to ſtay the courſe of this euerlaſting Goſpel which this Angel carieth abroad, no more then men are able to ſtoppe the courſe of the Sunne in the heauens, or a cloud in the skie. For this Angel flyeth in the midſt of heauen, far aboue the reach of the beaſt, and al Kinges and Potentates that ſtand for the kingdom of the beaſt: Therefore let them doe al what they can, they ſhal neuer be able to ſtop the courſe of the Goſpel. For it is called the arme of God, & his very arme holdeth it forth to the world, and who is able to bend it in, or to turne it backward?

There be three reaſons, why the Goſpell is called euerlaſting.

Firſt, becauſe it is in his owne nature euerlaſting,1. Pet. 1.25. as it is written, the worde of the Lord indureth for euer.

Secondly, becauſe it putteth vsus in poſſeſſion of euerlaſting things. As it is written; Thy word, O Lord, Pſal. 119.endureth for euer in heauen.

Thirdly & principally, becauſe as it was long before Antichriſt was hatched: ſo it ſhal continue, when he and his kingdome is dead and rotten.

Saying with a loud voice; Feare God, ver. 7 and giuegive glory vntounto him, &c.

Here is ſette down the doctrine, which this Angel preacheth with a loud voice, that is, with great zeale. The ſumme whereof is this, Feare God, and giuegive glory vntounto him, and worſhip him that made heauen and earth, &c. The ſenſe is, that the true and euerliuing God ſhould only be feared, and worſhipped, and all glory ſhould be giuen to him alone through Chriſt, and none to Antichriſt, none to Cardinals, and Legats; none to Angelles, none to Saintes, none to images, roods, croſſes, and crucifixes. Here then is ſet downe an abridgement of the doctrine of this euerlaſting Goſpell, namely that men ſhould onelyonly feare God and worſhip him, and giuegive all glory to him alone, and not to any creatures. And the reaſon is yeelded, becauſe the houre of his iudgement is come,Deut. 33 10 Iſay 42.4 Zeph. 2 3. Pſal. 119.13 that is, the time of the manifeſtation of the Goſpel, or lawes of the moſt high God: for ſo the word iudgement is often taken in the ſcriptures.

Here we are to obſerue one ſpeciall thing, to wit, that the Goſpel, which this Angel flyeth withal, containeth the briefe ſumme of al the doctrine which Luther, Caluin, Peter Martyr and the reſt hauehave taught out of Gods word, & agreeth in al points with it. For what other thing did they al preach, teach and write, but that men ſhould turne from idols to the liuing God? from fearing, glorifying, & worſhipping creatures, to feare, worſhip, and glorifie God alone which hath made al things? What other thing doo all the Preachers of this age publiſh & proclaime in al their ſermons, but this; Feare God and giuegive glory onelyonly to him? Is not this the Epirome and ſhort ſumme of the doctrine of all the Preachers of England, Scotland, Germany, Fraunce, Denmarke, and all the reſt? and therefore I conclude, that this Angel muſt needes be vnderſtood of the preachers of this laſt age, which now theſe foureſcore yeares hauehave founded the Trumpet of the Goſpell againſt all the inuentions of Popery. And bleſſed bee God, wee ſee theſe thinges fall out in our daies, and are eye-witneſſes of the fulfilling of them.

And there followed another Angell, ſaying, It is fallen, it is fallen, Babylon that great City: for ſhe gaue to all nations to drinke the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Here is ſet downe the bleſſed effect of the preaching of this euerlaſting Goſpel, which is the downefall of Babylon. For as when the cleere ſunne ariſeth vppon the earth, the thick miſts and cloudes are diſperſed: euen ſo when the bright beames of the Goſpel do ſhine forth vntounto the world, Babylon that darke kingdome vaniſheth away incontinently. And as it is writtē in the eighteenth Chapter: chapter 18.1.2. So ſoone as the earth was lightened with the glory of this euerlaſting Goſpell, Babylon immediately falleth. Therefore now before I goe any further, my purpoſe through the aſſiſtance of God, is to prooue theſe fiue points out of this verſe, and that which follweth vntounto the twentith Chapter, to wit:

Firſt, that Babylon here ſignifieth Rome.Fiue maine points.

Secondly, that Rome ſhal fall, and how.

Thirdly, that Rome ſhal fal finally, and come to vtter deſolation in this life.

Fourthly, by whom, and when it ſhall be ouerthrowne.

Laſtly, the cauſes of the vtter ruine and ouerthrow thereof.

But before I go about to prooue that Babylon here is Rome, I would hauehave it carefully obſerued,How Rome is to be taken. what is meant by Rome, viz. not the topographie of Rome, that is, ſo much groūd only as is compaſſed within the wals of that City, but the regimēt, gouerment, & prerogatiue that is claimed by vertue of that monarchie, whereof Rome is the head. By Rome is meant the power and authority of Rome: or to ſpeake plainelie, by Rome is meant the Romane monarchy. Further, we are here to obſerue the reaſon why the Holy-Ghoſt calleth Rome Babylon: for Rome litterally & properly taken, is not Babylon, in as much as they were two diuers Cities, one in Italy, the other in Chaldaea: But Rome is called Babylon myſtically, figuratiuely, &, as the Holy-ghoſt ſpeaketh, ſpiritually, and by a kind of alluſion.Chap. 11 Verſ. 8. A reaſon why Rome is called Babylon. For as the old Eaſterne Babylon did a long time oppreſſe the church of the Iewes: ſo Rome this Weſterne Babylō, hath long oppreſſed the church of the Chriſtians. As the Eaſterne Babylon did many yeeres hold downe the people of God, in miſerable bondage and ſeruitude: ſo the Weſterne Babylon did a long time keepe the Chriſtian Church, in ſpiritual thraldome and miſery. In which reſpectes Rome is ſpiritually compared to Sodome and Egypt: chapter 11.8. To Sodome for filthineſſe, and to Egypt for idolatry, and keeping Gods Church in ſpirituall bondage, and ſlauery. And thus we ſee the reaſon why Rome is called Babylon, which is not ſimply, and properly, but after a ſort, that is, by a phraſe of ſpeech, or trope which they call a Metonymie, or changing of names, when that is giuē to one thing, which is proper to another, for the likeneſſe of quality that it hath with it, or adioined vntounto it.

Now hauing ſhewed the reaſon why Rome is called Babylon, and what is meant by Rome; we are to proceed to the firſt point, which is, to prooue that Babylon in this place ſignifieth Rome, which although it bee granted of all ſound diuines, and auouched in the writings of the beſt learned both new and olde, ſo as it ſhal need no great proofe: yet I wil ad three or foure reaſons out of this booke, to make it more plaine and apparant. Firſt therefore, I doe thus reaſon out of the ſeuenteenth Chapter and laſte verſe: chapter 17.18. Babylon is that great City which reigneth ouer the Kinges of the earth: but there was no other City which did reigne ouer the Kings of the earth, when Iohn writte this book, but only Rome: Therefore Rome is Babylon. For as for Ieruſalem, it was at that time made an heap of ſtones. The firſt propoſition is auouched by the Angel of God, expounding vntounto Iohn what is meant by the great whoore, chapter 17.1. whoſe damnation he had ſhewed him before; and by the woman which ſate vppon a ſcarlet coloured beaſt. The woman which thou ſaweſt, ſaith the Angel to Saint Iohn, is the great City, which raigneth ouer the Kinges of the earth, That is to ſay, Rome, or the Romiſh ſynagogue, and malignant Church. For the Angel could not ſpeake more plainely, except he ſhould hauehave named Rome, then to ſay thus, The woman the great whoore of Babylon is the great City, which raigneth ouer the Kings of the earth. For if one ſhould ſay, the great City of Englād, eueryevery man knoweth that thereby is meant London; if one ſhould ſay, the great City of France, eueryevery one knoweth that thereby is meant Paris: ſo when the Angell ſayth, the great city which raigneth ouer the Kings of the earth; all that liued in thoſe times knew that,Babylon is Rome. therby was meant Rome. For Rome was the chiefe City of the monarchie, and is put in this booke for the whole monarchie, and the religion thereof, as hath beene ſayd before.

My ſecond reaſon is this. chapter 17 verse 5. Babylon is the mother of whoredomes, and abominations of the earth. Babylon is that great whoore, with whom hauehave cōmitted fornication the Kings of the earth, chapter 17. verse 2. & the inhabitants of the earth made drunke with the wind of her fornication.

But Rome, & none but Rome is ſuch a one. Therfore Rome is Babylon.

My third argument is this. Babylon is that City which hath had ſeuen ſeuerall gouerments. But only Rome hath had ſeuen ſeueral kind of gouermēts: therfore Rome is Babylon.

The propoſition is prooued from the words of the Angel, expounding vntounto Iohn what is meant by the ſeuen heads of the ſcarlet coloured beaſt, whereupon the woman ſate. chapter 17 9. The ſeuen heads (ſayth he) are ſeuen Kings, that is, ſeauen orders, or ſtates of kingly gouerment: for ſeuen Kings in this place are not put for ſeuen ſeueral men, which were Kings, as ſome do take it:Dan 7.17. but for ſeuen ſeueral gouerments, as it is taken in Daniel. The foure great beaſtes, ſayth the Angel there, are foure Kinges, that is, foure kingdomes, gouerments, or monarchies, as al men know. So here by ſeuen Kinges is meant the ſeuen ſeuerall regiments of Rome: That is to ſay, by Kings, Conſuls, Decemuiri, Dictators, Triumuiri, Emperours, and Popes, wherof the firſt fiue were then fallen when Iohn wrote, one was, chapter 17.10 that is, the Empire, and one was to come, that is, the Papacy.

My laſt argument is this. Babylon is that City which is ſituate vponupon ſeuen hilles: but onelyonly Rome of all Cities in the world is ſituated vppon ſeuen hilles: therefore Rome is Babylon.

The propoſition is auouched by the Angel, which ſaith in the ſeuenteenth chapter, that the ſeuen heads of the ſcarlet coloured beaſt, are ſeuen mountaines, whereon the woman ſitteth, that is, ſeuen hilles whereon the City of Rome is ſcituated, whoſe names are theſe: Capitolinus, Palatinus, Auentinus, Exquilinus, Celius, Viminalis, and Quirinalis, as al Poets, and Hiſtoriographers doo teſtifie. One ſayth thus of Rome. Septem quae vna ſibi muro circundedit arces.Virg. Georg. another thus. Septem vrbs alta iugis toto quae praeſidet orbe.Propert. Another calleth Rome foreign, the City with ſeuen heades, that is, ſeuen hilles. It is cleere then by theſe reaſons, that Babylon in this place ſignifieth Rome. As for the expoſition of the Papiſts, which affirme that Babylon here ſignifieth the vniuerſall ſociety of the wicked, it is fond & ridiculous: for the Holy ghoſt ſayth,Chap. 17. Chap. 18. Babylon is that City which raigneth ouer the Kings of the earth. But to ſay that the vniuerſall ſociety of the wicked raigneth ouer the Kinges of the earth, is abſurd and ridiculous. Therefore to ſay that Babylon is the vniuerſall ſociety of the wicked, is abſurde and ridiculous. The diſtinction of the Ieſuits here is alſo as friuolous as their expoſition: for they ſay, if Babylon be Rome, then it muſt be vnderſtood of Rome vnderunder the heathen Emperours: but not vnderunder the Popes. But the Angel ſayth, the woman, that is, the whoore of Babylon, or Antichriſt ſitteth vponupon ſeuen mountaines: ergo ſhee ſitteth at Rome, and Rome is the ſeat of Antichriſt; and conſequently Rome vnderunder the Popes is Babylon. Moreouer, we may reaſon thus againſt the Popiſh diſtinction: That which was Babylon vnderunder the heathen Emperours, is the ſame which is here prophecied to bee the chiefe City and ſeat of Antichriſt. But Rome was then Babylon: ergo Rome is now Babylon: for Rome is that City which the Angel ſayth ſhoulde bee the ſeat of Antichriſt: And this book doth ſhew, that the great Antichriſt ſhoulde raigne in the ſame City, where the heathen Emperours had raigned: & therfore it ſtandeth firme, that Rome vnderunder the Popes is Babylon.

This then beeing graunted, that Babylon here is Rome; it followeth that Rome ſhall fall: for the Holy-Ghoſt ſayth, Babylon is fallen, ſpeaking in the preſent tenſe, as the maner of y^e ſcripture is in prophecying of things to come. For whatſoeuer God hath determined to cōe to paſſe, is, as it were, already don, becauſe of the certainty of it:Rome ſhall fall. and for this cauſe alſo the word is doubled: It is fallen, It is fallen. Wee ſee then moſt cleerly, that almoſt 1500. yeers before Rome began to fal, the certaine fall thereof was foretold. This place of it ſelfe, is cleere inough to prooue my ſecond point, which is, that Rome ſhal fal. But my purpoſe is to reduce and gather all the fiue Chapters following to certaine heades, to prooue the maine points which I hauehave propounded: firſt then I reaſon thus to proue the ſecond point, that Rome ſhall fall. That City and kingdome which hath the ſeuen vialles of Gods wrath emptied and powred downe vppon it, cannot ſtand, but muſt needes fall. But Rome is that City, which hath the ſeuen vialles of Gods wrath powred downe vppon it: Therefore Rome cannot ſtande long, but muſt needes fall. The propoſition is manifeſt, and not to bee denied. The aſſumption is prooued throughout al the ſixteene Chapter, and eſpecially in the tenth and the twelfth verſes, chapter 16. Ver. 10 Verſ. 12 where the vials of Gods wrath are expresſlie ſaide to be powred downe vponupon the throne of the beaſt: and in the ſecond verſe of that Chapter it is auouched, ver. 2 that the ſecond viall was powred down vponupon the men which had the marke of the beaſt, and vppon them which worſhipped his image: Howe then can the throne of the beaſt hould out? or how can they which hauehave receiued the beaſtes marke ſtand vp long? For there is a great Emphaſis or vehemency in the manner of ſpeeche. For he dooth not ſimply ſay, the wrath of God, chapter 15. verse 7. but the fulneſſe of Gods wrath: he dooth not ſay, ſhould bee a little ſprinkled, but powred downe as it were by pailefulles vppon the kingdome of the beaſt. How then can the kingdome of the beaſt ſtande, which hath ſo many great ordinances, and ſo many double cannons diſcharged and ſhot off againſt it? Surely it muſt needes fal.

My ſecond reaſon is this. The beaſt that was, and is not, and yet is, ſhall go into perdition. chapter 17 But Rome is the beaſt that was and is not, and yet is: Therfore Rome ſhal goe into perdition. The aſſumption is ſet downe Chapter. 17. verſe. 8. For the Romane monarchie was great in the daies of Iulius Caeſar, Auguſtus, Claudius, Tiberius; and therefore it is ſaid, that it was. But in the raigne of Nero, Otho, Galba, and Vitellius, it was greatlie decayed: and therfore it is ſaid, it is not; meaning ſo great as it had beene: and yet in ſome ſort it was: and therefore it is ſaid, and yet is. Now this beaſt ſhall go into perdition. Therefore the Romane monarchie ſhall bee deſtroyed; and conſequently, the Papacie. For the Romane Empire holdeth vp the Papacie, as it is written, that the woman or whoore of Babylon ſitteth vppon the Scarlet▪ coloured beaſt, which had ſeuen heades and tenne hornes: that is, the Roman monarchie, which beareth vp the whoore, and beareth vp the Papacy: but the Holy-ghoſt ſayth, this beaſt, that is, the Romane Empire, ſhall go into perdition. chapter 17. verse 8. Then it followeth that the papacy ſhal follow after: for if the beaſt that ſhe ſitteth vponupon, & which beareth her, fal vnderunder her, then ſhee muſt needes fall together with him. But we ſee, God be thanked, that the Roman monarchie is in a manner quite fallen, therefore the Papacy cannot ſtand long.

My third argument is this.

The beaſt that was and is not, being euen the eight, & one of the ſeuenth, ſhall go into deſtruction. But Rome is the beaſt that was and is not, being the eight, and one of the ſeuenth: chapter 17. verse 11 therefore Rome ſhall go into deſtruction. The aſſumption is ſet downe Chapter 17. verſe 11. For the Papacy or dominion of the Popes, is the ſeuenth head of the beaſt in reſpect of their ciuil power; and yet a beaſt by themſelues, that is, an eight in reſpect of their eccleſiaſticall power. Nowe the Angel ſayth flatly, they ſhall both together go into deſtruction, that is, both the Empire and the Papacy. For as the dominion of the Popes goeth downe, ſo alſo their worſhip and religion, goeth downe with it, and for this cauſe it is expreſly ſet downe in the nineteenth Chapter, chapter 19. verse 20 that the beaſt and the falſe Prophet, that is, the Romane Empire, and the Papacy, were both deſtroied together.

Sith then the Holy-Ghoſt hath ſpoken it twiſe for failing, that Rome ſhall goe into perdition, and ſhall goe into deſtruction; I take it to be a very ſound conſequence, that Rome ſhall fall, and ſhall be deſtroyed. But how ſhall it fall, may ſome man ſay? or wherein ſhall it fall? I anſwer, that it ſhall fall in the credite and eſtimation of her doctrine: It ſhall fall in wealth and riches:How Rome ſhall fall. It ſhall fall in power and authoritie. And in all theſe it ſhall fall by degrees, as it did riſe vp by degrees: It ſhall not fall at once, as it did not riſe vp at once.

This is ſet downe in the ſixteenth chapter, chapter 16. v. 12 where the fall of Rome is compared to the drying vppe of the riuer Euphrates, which was dried vp by degrees: Thus it is: Euphrates was a great Riuer, which did runne very neere vntounto the olde Babylon in Chaldaea, and it was the wall and fortification of the Citie; in ſo much that Cyrus and Darius the kings of the Medes and Perſians, laying ſiege againſt it, could not take it till by policie they digged great trenches, and deriued the waters another way, and ſo dried them vppe, that the Holie Ghoſt ſaith, The vvay vvas prepared for them to paſſe ouer. Now, as this Euphrates was the ſtrength and fortification of old Babylon: ſo the honour, wealth, riches, power, and authoritie of Rome, is the verie fortification of it. chapter 16.12. But the puniſhing Angell is commaunded to poure downe the Viall of wrath vppon this Euphrates: that is, vppon all that vpholdeth Rome, or fortifieth Rome, and foorthwith it dried vppe; that is, all the credite, power, riches▪ and authoritie of ROME did diminiſh daylie vppon it, doeth diminiſh, and ſhall diminiſh by degrees vntounto the end of the world. For the vtter deſtruction of Rome is not yet come, but it is greatly decayed from that it was foureſcore yeares ago: And if it continue decaying foureſcore yeeres mo, as aſſuredly it ſhall, then will it bee brought to a lowe ebbe. Since Luthers time wee knowe how the Popes Euphrates hath dried vp; but there is yet much water left, and it is yet too deepe for the kings of the earth to paſſe ouer and take it. But it ſhall ebbe ſo lowe, that the kings of Europe ſhall eaſily paſſe ouer, and take it, as wee ſhall heare anon. But in the meane time we ſee that it falleth, and that it is in falling, and the worke of God goeth forward euerie day. For now in this age, God bee thanked, manie kings and princes, with great multitudes of their ſubiects, hauehave their eyes opened to behold, that the Romiſh religion is abominable;The kings of the earth in this age renounce the Pope. and that the Papacie is the verie kingdome of the great Antichriſt. And whereas before they worſhipped the beaſt, now they holde vp their hands onelyonly to the God of heauen, and glorifie him in his ſonne Ieſus Chriſt. Now wee ſee that manie lawes are made in ſundrie kingdoms and prouinces to aboliſh that vſurped power of the Biſhop of Rome: Manie acts, edicts, and iniunctions are ſet forth in ſundrie nations and kingdomes of Europe to deſtroy, roote out, and deface all monuments of Idolatrie and ſuperſtition, which Antichriſt had erected in all kingdoms.

Now the Popes which were honoured as Gods in the earth, are accounted, and adiudged as the moſt vile and abominable creatures that liue vponupon the earth. Doth not all this experimentally ſhew that Babylon is fallen, and that Babylon doth fall by degrees? It is very palpable: we need no further proofe for this ſecond point. But heere wee are further to obſerue, that the Ieſuits perceiuing the great decay of Rome,The Ieſuits beſtir them, and why. and the continuall drying of their Euphrates, doe beſtirre them to ſtoppe the leake, that it might not drie vp altogether. Euen as when men let out the waters of great fiſh-ponds, ſo as the water waxeth lowe, wee ſee the fiſhes skip and plunge, and take on wonderfully: So the Ieſuits perceiuing the waters of their Romiſh Euphrates to emptie and drie vp daily, doe mightily take on, digging and ſearching euerie day to open the ſprings, and to find out ſome freſh fountaines to maintaine their great fiſhpond, and to keepe the waters deepe enough, that there may be no ſafe paſſage ouer, for the kings of the earth to come and take their great Babylon. All this doth appeare out of the ſixteenth Chapter of this Propheſie: where Saint Iohn in viſion ſeeth three vncleane ſpirits like Frogges, chapter 16. v. 13. comming out of the mouth of the Dragon, and out of the mouth of the beaſt, and out of the mouth of the falſe Prophet. By which frogges the holy Ghoſt meaneth the Ieſuits and Seminarie Prieſts,The Ieſuits compared to frogs, and why. which are compared to frogges for three reaſons. Firſt, that as frogges delight in filthie lakes, and puddles; ſo the Ieſuits delight in the filthie puddles of idolatrie and ſuperſtition. Secondly, as frogges make a great croaking in their mariſh grounds; ſo the Ieſuits make a great croaking in kings courts, in Noblemens houſes, and Gentlemens houſes, and almoſt eueryevery where, where they can get any entertainment, croaking and craking of the Popes ſupremacie, the popes holineſſe, the Popes bleſſing, the popes keyes, the popes power, Peters chaire, Peters ſucceſſour, Chriſts Vicar, and many good morowes, I knowe not what. Thirdly, as frogs are all of one nature and qualitie, delighting in croaking, and liuing in puddle: ſo the Ieſuits are al of one mind and diſpoſition in euil, croaking euerie where to maintaine their Euphrates, and liuing dayly in whoredome, Sodomitrie, and al kind of outragious beaſtlineſſe. But that I may more fully perſwade the cōſcience of the reader, that by theſe frogs are meant the Ieſuits & ſeminarie prieſts: let vsus ſeriouſly weigh that which goeth before, and that which followeth after in this text, and wee ſhal diſcerne it to be verie cleere and apparant. Firſt, it is ſaid, verſ. 10. that when the fift Angell poured out his viall of Gods wrath vppon the throne of the beaſt, chapter 16. v. 10. by and by his kingdome waxed darke: that is, the maieſtie, power, pompe, credite, and eſtimation of Antichriſt beganne to bee diminiſhed, obſcured, and to ſuffer a great Eclipſe: which thing was fulfilled ſhortly after Luthers preaching. And preſently it followeth, that they gnawed their tongues for ſorrow: that is, they were ful of furie and rage, ver. 10 barking and grinning like mad dogs, or rather like helhounds againſt all ſuch as ſet the Goſpel abroach, wherby their Babylon began to ſhake. For at the firſt, when the Goſpel began to peep forth, they did deſpiſe it, as a thing which they could eaſily ſuppreſſe; but within a ſhort time they found that neither by excommunications, wherewith in former times they had euen as it were with lightening and thunder cauſed kings and nations to tremble; neither by force of warres and bloudy ſlaughters; neither by anie skill in learning; nor by treacheries, they could any thing preuaile, but that the Goſpell did ſtill more and more lay open their filthineſſe and ſhame: then did they become, and ſo do they continue til this day, euen as mad men in ſorrow and rage, which the holie Ghoſt expreſſeth, in ſaying, chapter 16. v. 11. that they gnawed their tongues for ſorrowe, and blaſphemed the God of heauen, &c. Wherby it is euident that the beaſt, and all that hauehave receiued his marke are full of firie hatred and malice, and cannot tell which way to be reuenged. For the more they ſtriue, the more they loſe dayly. Faine would they hauehave Poperie reſtored to his ancient credit and dignitie: and they deuiſe what they can to bring it about; but it will not be. For their kingdome waxeth darker and darker, weaker and weaker: and that is a dagger vntounto them, & a griefe of all griefes, which maketh them gnaw their tongues, and gnaſh their teeth for ſorrow. But yet for all this, chapter 16. v. 11. they repented not of their works, ſaith Saint Iohn, and therefore God is more incenſed againſt them, and cauſeth the ſixt Angel to poure out another vial vponupon the great riuer Euphrates, and the water therof dried vp: as wee hauehave heard. Now then obſerue carefully, and note it diligently, that the frogges come forth vponupon the darkening of the kingdome of the beaſt,Note this. & the drying vp of their Euphrates. For who knoweth not that the pope & his cōplices perceiuing y^e weakning & diminiſhing of their kingdome, hauehave ſent out theſe Ieſuits and Seminarie Prieſts into all parts of Europe, to repaire the ruines of Rome, if it were poſſible. And this is one circumſtantiall reaſon to proue theſe three frogges be vnderſtood of the Ieſuits. But let vsus proceede to open the whole deſcription of the holy Ghoſt, that it may yet more plainely appeare. Firſt, theſe frogges are called vncleane ſpirits, chapter 16. v. 13. becauſe they are the verie limmes of the diuell, full of all filthineſſe and vncleanneſſe. Secondly, they are called ſpirits, becauſe they come out of the mouth of the Dragon, …he beaſt, and the falſe Prophet. Thirdly, they are called three in number, being in the truth neerer vntounto three thouſand, becauſe they proceed out of three ſeuerall mouthes the Dragon, the beaſt, and the falſe Prophet: that is, the diuell, the Roman Empire, and the Papacie. Three horrible monſters, three terrible bugbeares, which with one conſent conſpire together againſt the Goſpell, to vphold their Babylon, and to ſtop the leake of their Euphrates. Nowe theſe three Frogges are ſaid to come out of the mouth of the Dragon, the beaſt, and the falſe Prophet, becauſe they come with the verie mind and meſſage of the Pope, and the Roman Empire, and ſo conſequently with the verie mind and ſpirit of the Dragon. For they are the verie breath of the Pope, and the ſpirits of the diuell, as like him, as if they had beene ſpitte out of his mouth. They are ſent on the diuels errand, and the Popes embaſſage into all countries and kingdomes, and are taught their leſſon what they ſhall ſay, and inſtructed what they ſhall doe, and what courſes they ſhal take with all ſorts of men, both Kings, Nobles, and the meaner ſort: and for this cauſe the holy Ghoſt ſaith, they came out of the verie mouth, the verie heart, and the very bowels of the Pope, and of the diuell. And although theſe Ieſuits and ſeminarie prieſts are called of their fauorits, Catholike doctors,The holy ghoſt calleth the Ieſuits the ſpirits of diuels Chap. 16.14. holy fathers, &c. yet the holy Ghoſt ſaith flatly, they are the ſpirits of diuels, working falſe and fained miracles, and with great efficacie of errour, deluding and deceiuing the ſimple and blind multitude. Wee ſee then, that the holy Ghoſt in al this deſcription, doth plainly note out the Ieſuits and ſeminary prieſts. For to whom can theſe things here ſpoken of agree, but only to thē? And do not we which liue in theſe daies, ſenſibly ſee and diſcerne the fulfilling of al theſe things? Surely we can not but ſee & feele thē, vnles we be wilfully blind, and do of purpoſe blindfold and hoodwink our ſelues. But the holy ghoſt goeth yet futher, and doth more fully, & as it were demonſtratiuely point them out vntounto vsus, deſcribing thē by their office, which is, to go vntounto the kings of the earth, & of the whole world; verſ. 14 to gather thē to the battel of that great day of God Almighty. Who is ignorāt that the Ieſuits & ſeminary prieſts are ſent out to al kings & Nobles of the whole world, that fauour thē & their proceedings? Are they not croking in corners thicke and threefold in all parts of this land? Are they not practiſing of treacheries & treſons againſt our moſt gratious Queene and the whole ſtate? are they not plotting the deſtruction & ſubuerſion of this Church & common wealth? Nay, as the holy Ghoſt ſaith, the chiefe end of their comming abroad, is to ſollicite & gather y^e kings of the earth vntounto battel againſt God, againſt Chriſt, and againſt all true profeſſours of religion. The bettell betwixt them is heere called, The battell of the great day of God Almighty: that is, that Battell, wherein the Almightie God will hauehave the day, and goe away with the victorie. For it followeth, that the Ieſuits and ſeminarie Prieſts did preuaile with the ſeduced kings of the earth ſo farre, as to gather them together to place,The Ieſuits by their craftie perſwaſions ſhall bring the popiſh kings, and their armies to a place where they ſhal be deſtroied. Numb. 11. which in Herbrue is called Armageddon: that is to ſay, a place where they ſhall be deſtroyed, and that with ſuch horrible ſlaughter, that the place ſhall take a name thereof. For it was an vſuall thing among the Hebrues, to call the place where anie famous thing fell out, by a name which did report y^e ſame vntounto all poſteritie, as Kibroth Hataanah, the graues of Concupiſcence; Hamon Gog, the multitude of Gog; and diuers ſuch like. And ſo here Armageddon, Ezech. 39.the deſtruction of an armie, becauſe the kings of the earth, and their armies which ſhall fight againſt the Church, at the inſtigation of the Ieſuits, ſhall come to a place, where they ſhall hauehave a notable ouerthrow. This word Armageddon may fitly bee deriued of two Hebrue words, that is to ſay, Cherem, which ſignifieth deſtruction, and Gedudh, which ſignifieth an armie; that is, the deſtruction of an army; or as ſome ſay, & that verie iudicially, it may come of Gnarmah Gidnon, which ſignifieth the ſubtiltie of deſtruction; becauſe the blinde kings and Nobles of the earth ſhall by the ſubtiltie and craftie perſwaſions of the Ieſuits and Seminarie Prieſts, be entiſed to fight againſt the Proteſtants, in a place where they ſhall hauehave a famous foile. Some deriue Armageddon of Har, which in Hebrue ſignifieth a mountaine, and Megiddo, which is the place where the godly king Ioſias was ſlaine: and ſo this place ſhould be called Armageddon, the mountaine of Megiddo, for the ſlaughter of kings that ſhall be there.Zach. 12.11· To the which the Prophet Zacharie alludeth, ſaying: In that day there ſhall be a great mourning in Ieruſalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon, in the valley of Megiddo. Well, we doe ſee that all theſe ſignifications and deriuations of Armageddon come to one thing in effect; which is, that the great armies which aſſemble themſelues in battaile againſt the Lord, ſhall bee deſtroyed: and therefore it is not much materiall to diſpute, which is the more likely ſignification of the Word. But this let vsus obſerue for our comfort, that whenſoeuer wee ſhal ſee the kings & Captaines, Nobles and Potentates of the earth, being ſolicited by the Ieſuites, prieſts, and the falſe Prophet, to leuy great armies, and make great powers to fight againſt the Goſpell, and the true profeſſours thereof, for the maintenance of great Babylon, they ſhall not preuaile, but bee vtterly ouerthrowne and deſtroyed. As in part wee ſee fulfilled in the yeare of our Lorde 1588. when the great and inuincible Armado of the Spaniards, as they thought, which was long in preparing againſt vsus, and at laſt, by the inſtigation of the Ieſuites, brought vponupon vsus, came to Armageddon, as we know, God be praiſed. And in all time to come, in the like caſe, let them look for the like ſucceſſe. Well, now to grow to ſome concluſion of this point; wee doe plainely ſee that Rome falleth, their kingdome waxeth darke, their Euphrates drieth vp, they eſpie it. The Dragon, the beaſt, & the falſe Prophet ſend out their frogs into all countries and kingdomes, hoping to preuent it by the help of the kings of the earth, and eſpecially the king of Spaine: but alas all in vaine! for they muſt come to Armageddon, when they hauehave done all that they can. For God fighteth from heauē againſt them, God bringeth them downe, and no power of man is able to vphold them.

But now let vsus proceede to prooue the third maine point; which is, that Rome ſhall fall finally, and come to vtter deſolation. For all ſound Diuines are perſwaded of the fall of Babylon, and doe graunt that it falleth, and is in falling: but all are not ſo thoroughly perſwaded of the finall fall thereof in this life. Therefore now I wil proue by manifeſt Scripture, that Rome ſhall fall for a doo.Rome ſhall fall finally. Firſt, if the things be deeply conſidered and narrowly looked into, which Saint Iohn ſaith ſhall fall out vponupon the pouring forth of the ſeuenth vial of Gods wrath, by the ſeuenth Angel, they doe fully portend a deadly downfall, and vtter ouerthrowe of Rome. For the ſeuenth vial is not poured vponupon the earth, or ſea, or fountaines of waters, or on the Sunne, as the firſt foure vials were, which ſignified ſome particular iudgements; but it was poured forth into the verie aire, chapter 16.17. which ſignifieth the vniuerſalitie of it, and containeth the moſt general▪ and moſt grieuous iudgment, and vengeance of Almightie God, vponupon the whole bodie of the kingdome of Antichriſt, a little before the laſt day. The text ſaith, that vponupon the pouring forth of this viall, there was a loud voice heard out of the temple of heauen from the throne: that is, verſ. 17 from the verie preſence of God, ſaying: It is done. It is diſpatched. The vtter ouerthrowe of Rome is fully concluded of, and all things finiſhed which belong to the pouring forth of the ſeuen vials, which containe the ſeuen laſt plagues, wherein the whole wrath of God is fulfilled, as appeareth chap. 15. as before it is ſaid, Babylon is fallen, chapter 15.1. becauſe it ſhould certainly fal: So heere God himſelfe ſaith, It is done, becauſe it ſhal certainly be done. For whatſoeuer God hath determined to be done, is as it were alreadie done, becauſe it ſhall moſt certainlie be effected. Sith then the Lord hath pronounced this of Rome, there remaineth nothing but a dayly accompliſhment of it: and let all the papiſts know for a certaintie, that they muſt go to their geare, they muſt come to their paiment, there is no way of euaſion. For hath the Lord ſpoken it, and ſhall it not come to paſſe? Now vponupon this that God ſaith, It is done, followeth preſentlie, that there vvere voices, and thunderings, and lightenings, chapter 16.18 and there vvas a great earthquake, ſuch as was not ſince men were vponupon the earth, euen ſo mightie an earthquake. What is meant by thundrings, lightenings, and earthquakes in this Booke, I hauehave before ſhewed: to wit, chapter 6.12. commotions ſeditions, tumults, vprores, and alterations of ſtates, kingdomes, and common-wealths: and then the meaning of this place, is that there ſhall be horrible ſhakings, cōcuſſions, tumults, & great alteration of ſtates in al y^e kingdoms which are ſubiect to Antichriſt, none of them ſhall eſcape. For this ſeuenth viall of Gods wrath vponupon the kingdome of the beaſt, is compared to a moſt horrible and bluſtering tempeſt, raiſed vp in the whole aire, that is, in all places of Antichriſts dominions. And it is ſpecially to be noted, as a thing of great moment, that the holy Ghoſt ſaith, There was neuer ſuch an earthquake as this, ſince the world beganne, and ſince men were vponupon the earth. For aſſuredly, ſo ſoone as the ſeuenth Angell poureth forth his viall, the kingdome of Poperie ſhall go downe a maine, which ſhall not belong before the end of the world, as all circumſtances heere doe ſhew. After all this, Saint Iohn telleth vsus the effect of this thundering, lightning, and extraordinarie earthquake; which is, chapter 16.19. that the great citie was diuided into three parts; that is, there ſhall bee a moſt horrible rent and diuiſion in the citie of Rome, and throughout all the Popes dominions. What this rent and diuiſion is, and how it ſhall bee, I cannot determine, being a thing to come, as all the reſt comprehended vnderunder the pouring forth of the ſeuenth viall. But this I am ſure of, that Rome ſhall go downe; and there ſhall be ſuch tumults, vprores, rents, diuiſions, diſſipations, and concuſſions in Rome, and throughout all the Romiſh iuriſdiction, as neuer was heard of, nor read of, ſince the world began. For Saint Iohn addeth, that Babylon came in remembrance before God, verſ. 19 to giuegive vntounto her the cup of the wine of the fierceneſſe of his wrath: That is, God doth now at length call to mind all the wrongs done to his people, & all the righteous bloud ſhed, for the ſpace of ſeuen or eight hundred yeers, by the whoore of Babylon, that he may be fully reuenged, and execute the fierceneſſe of his wrath both vponupon her, and her whole kingdome: yea, and that in ſuch terrible and wrathfull maner, that there ſhall bee no place of refuge, no place to flie vntounto for ſuccour. verſ. 20 For Saint ſaith, Euerie Ile fled away, and the mountaines were not found: Meaning, that the Papiſts in that day ſhall hauehave neither moutaine, nor Iland to flie vntounto. And laſt of all, the holy Ghoſt ſaith, that there fell a great haile like talents out of heauen vponupon the Idolaters: chapter 16.21. inſomuch, that they blaſphemed God, becauſe of the plague of the haile. For the plague thereof was exceeding great. A talēt was about the weight of threeſcore pound, as ſome write. Then it followeth, that this haile of Gods wrath vponupon the Papiſts, ſhal be moſt terrible and fearfull, and beate them all downe to the ground, as it were an haile of milſtones, or plough-irons. Nowe, when this haile of talents commeth, as aſſuredly come it ſhall, then ſhall the kingdome of Poperie bee beaten to duſt and powder: and therfore no maruell though the idolaters, ſeeing all this, bee in a moſt horrible rage, and blaſpheme God, as Saint Iohn ſaith, verſ. 21 becauſe of this exceeding and moſt extraordinarie plague, which ſhall then come vponupon them. But nowe to conclude and wind vp all together: For as muc… as this laſt viall is powred into the aire (God ſaith, it is done) an extraordinarie earthquake followeth; the great citie of Rome is rent; Babylon called into queſtion; and feareful haileſtones of wrath poured down vponupon the Idolaters: I do conclude, that Rome ſhal fall finally, and come to vtter deſtruction in this life.

Nowe let vsus proceede to further proofe. In the eighteenth chapter of this booke, the whoore of Babylon ſaith in her heart: chapter 18.8.9. Iſa. 47.I ſit, being a Queene, and am no widowe, and ſhall ſee no ſorrowe. Therefore ſhall her plagues come at one day, death, and ſorrow, and famine: and ſhee ſhall be burnt with fire. For that God which condemneth her, is a ſtrong Lord.

Firſt, here Rome is deſcribed, as ſhee was in the height and toppe of her pride and ſecuritie, when ſhee held the dominion of the kings of the earth, and boaſted that ſhee was the head of the Catholike Church, carying her ſelfe very inſolently aboue all kings and Emperours, treading vppon their neckes, and making them attend at her gates barefoote in the middeſt of winter, as the ſtories report. Yea, and that ſhee was no widow; that is, no ſolitarie or deſolate perſon, but one that had manie louers, which were ſtrong to defende her, ſo as ſhee ſhould feele no want, nor ſee any ſorowe. But the time will come, and draweth on apace, wherein ſhee ſhal be throughly puniſhed for her haughtineſſe, and intolerable pride & ſecurity. For the holy Ghoſt ſaith, her plagues ſhal come at one day, that is, ſodainly, ſhortly and ſpeedily, euen death, ſorow and famine, and ſhe ſhall … burnt with fire. For that God which condemneth her, … a ſtrong Lord.

If this bee not plaine enough to proue an vtter ouerthrow of Rome, I know not what can be plaine enough. For if death, famine, and fire will not pul her downe, I knowe not what ſhal pul her downe. But Saint Iohn ſaith flatly, that God himſelfe who is a ſtrong Lord, will oppoſe himſelfe againſt Rome, and condemne her. If this ſtrong God take againſt her, who can vpholde her? Can the king of Spaine? can the Cardinalles? can the Emperour? can all the Dukes of Italy, and al the potentates of the earth, that take part with her? No, no,Iob. 23. they are al too weake. For if God take againſt a man, who can reclaime him, ſayth the Holy-Ghoſt? For he dooth whatſoeuer he will. And againe, God is wiſe in heart, Iob. 9.and mighty in ſtrength, who euer hardened his hart againſt him and proſpered? If God call not backe his anger, the moſt proud helpes are bowed vnderunder him. And God ſayth by the Prophet: Can thy hands be ſtrong, Ezech. 22.or can thy hart endure in the day that I ſhal hauehave to do with thee? Then it followeth, that though Babylon ſit as a Queene, & al her louers take part with her, yet becauſe the ſtrong Lord is againſt her, therefore ſhee ſhal come to vtter deſtruction. Some of good iudgement in the truth, hauehave gathered from this place, that the very City of Rome ſhal be burnt with fire;Amos. 1. ver. 4.7.10.14. Amos 2. ver. 2.5. which aſſuredly may wel bee. But this I am ſure of, that the phraſe of burning with fire, doth in the Prophets alwaies ſignifie an vtter deſtruction and deſolation of a City, or a kingdome, and therefore it followeth that Rome ſhal be vtterly deſtroied.

But behold yet ſtronger, and plainer proofe. chapter 18. verse 2. For Saint Iohn ſayth, a mighty Angel tooke vp a ſtone like a great milſtone, and caſt it into the ſea, ſaying, with ſuch violence ſhal that great City Babylon be caſt downe, and ſhal be found no more. Al men know, that old Babylon in Chaldaea was deſtroied by the Medes, and Perſians, long before Saint Iohn writte this booke: and therefore that is not here meant, but the new Babylon which is Rome, as afore hath bin prooued. The Phraſes of ſpeech, and the ſignes which the Prophets vſed to declare the deſtruction and deſolation of olde Babylon, are heere alluded vntounto in the deſtruction of Rome. For we reade in the prophecy of Ieremy, that the Prophet hauing written in a booke al the euil that ſhould come vponupon Babel, for holding Gods people ſo long in moſt miſerable captiuity, ſayd to Seraiah, When thou commeſt vntounto Babel, Ier. 51. ver. 61 62.63.64.thou ſhalt reade all theſe words, and when thou haſt made an end of reading this book, thou ſhalt bind a ſtone to it, and caſt it into the middeſt of Euphrates, and ſhalt ſay: Thus ſhall Babel be drowned, and ſhall not riſe vp from the euill that I will bring vponupon her, although they wearie themſelues. Now let vsus conſider how this agreeth with the ſame which is heere ſet downe, and wee ſhal finde, that all thinges are here ſet downe, with greater force, to expreſſe, as it were, a deeper vengeance, and a more heauie (and vnrecouerable deſtruction). Firſt, there is a man, here is a mighty Angel: there the man taketh vp a ſtone, heere the Angell taketh vp a great ſtone, like a milſtone: there the ſtone is caſte into the riuer, here into the deepe ſea. Al theſe circumſtances being applied to Rome, doo greatly aggrauate the matter,Rome ſhall fall without all hope of recouery. and verie plainely ſhewe, that it ſhal fal, Without al hope of recouery. For the Lorde declareth by this forcible ſigne, of caſting a milſtone into the ſea, that the City and kingdome of Antichriſt ſhal bee caſt deepe downe into perdition, and ſhall lie ouerwhelmed, and drowned in the ſame for euer. For if olde Babylon was vtterly deſtroied, and came to a final deſolation in this life; much more ſhal Rome, as the Holy Ghoſt diſputeth. But olde Babylon came to vtter ruine and deſolatition in this life, as both Iſay and Ieremy doe witneſſe: Therefore newe Babylon; that is, Rome, ſhal come to vtter deſtruction: and as the Holy-ghoſt here ſayth, ſhall be found no more, or ſhal fal without all hope of recouery. Stories doe report that Rome hath beene ſundry times deſtroied by the Gothes and Vandales, and others, yea once fired and quite burnt vp, but afterward built and raiſed vp againe by the Emperours: But here the Holy-ghoſt ſayth expreſlie, that it ſhal hauehave a final fal, and an vnrecouerable deſtruction. For can a milſtone, caſt into the bottome of the ſea, euer be gotte vp againe? no, no, it is impoſſible. Therefore, let the Ieſuits, and Seminarie Prieſts, doe what they can, they ſhal neuer ſet vp Rome againe; they ſhal neuer reſtore her to her former ſtate and dignity; they ſhal neuer repaire her credit againe. Let he Pope, and Cardinals, and the King of Spaine, and al the world, and al the diuels in hel, ioyne together, they ſhal neuer get vp this milſtone out of the bottome of the ſea. For the Angel hath caſt it in with ſuch a violence, that no power of man ſhal euer fetch it out againe. True it is indeede, that the Ieſuits beſtir them, and the Seminary Prieſts, and Papiſts doe worke apace in al landes, and aduenture themſelues in moſt deſperate manner, to recouer againe the credit of Popery, and to ſet vp againe the dignity and the power of the Pope, and the glory of their Church and City, and their bold enterpriſes, doe make many euen to doubt that they wil againe one day preuaile. But aſſuredly wee are to make ful reckoning, that although heere and there they may ſupport for a time, ſome ruinous partes of their rotten frame: yet doo what they can, it ſhal in the end downe vponupon their heades, and come to vtter deſolation. Indeede, Rome ſtandeth yet, and Popery is not quite fallen downe. But they are diſcloſed, their credit is cracked, their power decaieth: and ſo this thinge is begunne, and the time draweth on when it ſhal bee fully accompliſhed. He that had beheld the Power, the Pompe, the riches and eſtimation of the Church of Rome aboute ſome foureſcoure yeeres paſte, and looketh vponupon it now, ſhal ſee a woonderfull alteration. It ſeemed then to bee without al daunger of ſhaking: for the Emperour and the Kinges of the earth ſtoode foorth with al their force and might, power and pollicy, to vphold it: but God be thanked, we ſee how it is already come down, and ſhal come down eueryevery day more & more, whoſoeuer ſayth nay to it.

But beholde yet more, and more plaine proofe for the vtter deſolation of Rome. For Saint Iohn deſcribeth the eternal deſolation thereof, by denial of thoſe things which are in Cities inhabited: Firſt hee ſayth, there ſhall be no more any voice of harpers, Muſitians, chapter 18.22.23.24. Pipers, and Trumpeters, heard in Rome, that is, al muſick ſhal ſurceaſe, which argueth an vtter deſolation. For what inhabited cities are without muſicke?

Secondly, hee ſayth there ſhall be no craftes man of what trade ſoeuer found in Rome;Rome ſhall come to vtter deſolation. which argueth an vtter deſolation. For what flouriſhing City is without artificers?

Thirdly, he ſayth, no light of a candle ſhall any more ſhine in Rome, which argueth an vtter deſolation. For what inhabited Citie is without candles?

Fourthly, hee ſayth, no ſounde of a milſtone ſhal bee heard in Rome, which argueth an vtter deſolation. For what Citie is without milles to grinde their corne?

Laſtly, hee ſayth, the voice of the Bridegroome and of the bride ſhall be heard no more in Rome, which argueth an vtter deſolation: for what Citie is without bride and bridegroome? and without mariage for procreation ſake? Then I conclude from al this, that Rome ſhal fal finallie, and come to vtter deſtruction.

But behold yet more plaine and pregnant proofe drawen from the pitiful mournings, and moſt woful lamentations of the Kinges of the earth, the Merchantes, and the Mariners, who al doe iointlie lament and mourne, for the deſtruction and deſolation of Rome, crying, alas, alas, chapter 18. ver. 10. Verſ. 17. Verſ. 19. that great City Babylon, that mighty City: for in one houre is thy iudgement come: In one houre ſo great riches are come to deſolation In one houre ſhe is made deſolate. What can bee more plainely, and fully ſpoken, to prooue an vtter deſolation of Rome? What can bee more required, then to hauehave it ſet downe in expreſſe tearmes? as here we ſee. For nowe the Holy-Ghoſt vſeth no figure, no hardneſſe, no circumlocution, no obſcurity: but telleth vsus plainely, and thriſe for failing, that Babylon, that is, Rome, is made deſolate, is come to deſolation. ver. 10 ver. 15 ver. 18 Moreouer it is ſaid that the Kinges, Merchants and Mariners, ſhall ſtand a far off for feare of her torment, and they ſhall weepe and waile, when they ſhall ſee the ſmoake of that her burning, ſignifying that the torment, and plague of Rome ſhal be ſo great, that Kinges for al their might ſhal not dare to come nigh to reſcueher: no not the Kinge of Spaine with al his great might and power, hee ſhal bee faine to ſtand a far off, or rather vtterly to forſake her, weeping and wailing as wel as others, for her moſt feareful, and vnrecouerable deſtruction.

But wee are to obſerue in al this, that the holy Ghoſt vſeth a figure or kinde of ſpeech, which they cal a Proſopopoeta or fayning of a perſon, whereby the Popiſhe Kinges beeing dead and rotten are brought, in lamenting, and bewailing the fal of Babylon, as if they were aliue againe: or elſe it may bee vnderſtood of the Cardinalles, and Legates, which are euen as Kings vppon the earth. But it cannot be vnderſtood of chriſtian Kinges, for they ſhal be the inſtruments of God to pul down great Babylon, as wee ſhal heare anone. Furthermore, let vsus conſider the cauſes of this great lamentation, for the deadlie downefal of Babylon, by the Popiſh Kings, Merchants, and Marriners. Firſt the Kings, they mourne and lament, ſayth Saint Iohn, becauſe they had committed fornication with the great whoore of Babylon, ver. 9 and liued in pleaſure with her. That is, they had liued long with her in abominable idolatry, and pleaſed her that waie: and therefore ſhee gaue them diſpenſations to liue in wantonneſſe and al carnal pleaſures, and euen to doe what they liſt, ſpending their dayes in ſenſuality and al kinde of fleſhlie delightes.

Secondly, the Merchants do weepe and waile, ver. 12.13.14. becauſe no man buyeth their ware any more. Theſe Merchants are not named, but they may eaſily be knowne by their wares, which the holy-Ghoſt deſcribeth, to witte, that they be the Popiſh Merchants, the ſhauen Merchants, who are heere brought in mourning and lamenting for the loſſe of their gaine. The Monks, Friers, & Prieſts cannot hauehave that vtterance of their wares, that in times paſt they hauehave had; their wares are nowe out of requeſt; their markets wax deade, and they hauehave colde takings. When theſe fellowes paſſe by the great Monaſteries and Abbeyes, and ſee them made ruinous heapes, and withal remember the fatte reuenewes, the good cheere, the pleaſure and delight which ſometimes they hauehave had in thoſe places, it cuts their heartes, and maketh them ſhake their heads at it, ſaying, alas, alas, that great City that was clothed in fine linnen and purple and ſcarlet, and gilded with gold, verſ. 16 and pretious ſtones, and pearles, for in one houre ſo great riches are come to deſolation. Marke then that the ruine of their great City, with al the pompe, pleaſure and riches thereof, is that which yet ſticketh in their ſtomackes.

Thirdly, the Mariners doe greately mourne and lament, chapter 18. verse 17.18.19. for the loſſe of their profit and commodity. For while Rome had dominion ouer the kingdomes, and the Pope ruled ouer al, euen as a God vppon the earth, there was nothing but trudging ouer the ſeas to Rome out of al landes, and againe from thence, there was carrying and recarrying; in ſomuch that multitudes of Mariners and Shipmaſters were continually ſet on worke, & gained greately therby. No maruaile then though theſe Mariners are brought in among other friends of Rome bewailing her deſtruction, euen with duſt vponupon their heads weeping, and crying, and ſaying, verſ. 19 Alas, alas, that great City, wherein were made rich all that had ſhips on the ſea by her coſtlines. For in one houre ſhe is made deſolate. Thus we ſee how the Kings and Merchants and Mariners ſhal bewaile the vtter ruine and great deſolation of Rome, for the loſſe of their pleaſure, their gaine, and their profit.

Moreouer wee are to obſerue, that that which is ſpoken by the old Prophets Iſay and Ieremiah, touching the vtter deſolation of olde Babel, is applyed by Saint Iohn to newe Babel, which is Rome. Touching the olde Eaſterne Babylon, the Prophet ſayth thus:Iſay. 13.19 Babel the glory of kingdomes, the beauty and pride of the Chaldeans, ſhall be as the deſtruction of God in Sodome and Gomorrah. It ſhal not be inhabited for euer, neither ſhall the Arabian pitch his tent there, neither ſhall the ſheppeheardes make their foldes there. But Ziim ſhall lodge there, and their houſes ſhal be ful of Ohim: Oſtriches ſhall dwell there, and the Satyres ſhall dance there, that is, Fairies, Hobgoblins, Night-ſpirits, and ſuch like, whereby is ſignified the vtter deſolation of olde Babylon. chapter 18. v. 2. Now Saint Iohn applyeth al this to Rome ſaying, Babylon that great City is become the habitation of diuels, and the hold of al foule ſpirits, and a cage of euerie vncleane and hatefull bird. Noting heereby both the filthineſſe of Rome, and alſo her vtter deſolation.

But nowe let vsus proceede to our laſt and greateſt argument, to prooue the finall fall, and vtter deſtruction of Rome, and all Romiſh power and authoritie. In the nineteenth chapter of this Propheſie our Lord Ieſus is deſcribed, ſitting vponupon his vvhite horſe, chapter 6.2. which is the miniſterie of the Goſpell, as hath before beene proued; and is moſt gloriouſly brought in by Saint Iohn, as graund Captaine and Generall of the field, fighting with all his armie againſt Antichriſt and his ſouldiers. Saint Iohn giueth him goodly names and titles, calling him the word of God, the King of kings, and Lord of lords: chapter 19. v. 12.13.14.15.16. and ſaith, that hee hath a name written that no man knew but himſelfe; which is his infinite glorie and maieſtie. And moreouer, that his eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head manie crownes, and a ſharpe ſword in his mouth, and clothed with his warlike garment dipt in bloud, and all his heauenly ſouldiers followed him vponupon white horſes: meaning thereby all Chriſtian Kings, Dukes, Lords, Nobles, Captaines, Preachers and Profeſſours of true religion. This graund Captaine with all theſe worthie ſouldiers, ſaith Saint Iohn, ſhall muſter together, and prepare themſelues to fight againſt the beaſt, and the falſe Prophet, and all their forces, and at laſt hee ſeeth them ioine battaile. verſ. 19 I ſaw (ſaith Saint Iohn) the Beaſt and the kings if the earth, verſ. 19 and their armies gathered together to make battell againſt him that ſate vponupon the vvhite horſe, and againſt his armie. Now all this is to be vnderſtood of the battels betwixt the Papiſts and the Proteſtants in theſe laſt dayes. But, may ſome man ſay, who ſhall hauehave the victorie? what is the ſucceſſe? what was the iſſue? Let vsus heare of that. The holy Ghoſt anſwereth, that the Beaſt and the falſe Prophet vvere taken, foyled and ouercome:The Proteſtāts ſhal hauehave the day. vſing a warlike phraſe, becauſe in the warres they vſe to take the greateſt Captaines and Commaunders aliue, and to put them to their raunſoms. The like vntounto this wee hauehave in the ſeuenteenth Chapter, where Saint Iohn telleth vsus, that when the Popiſh kings and Potentates ſhall make warre againſt Chriſt and his Goſpell, they ſhall hauehave the like ſucceſſe vntounto this. For, ſaith hee, Theſe hauehave one mind, chapter 17. v. 13.14. and ſhall giuegive their power and authoritie vntounto the beaſt, they ſhall fight with the Lambe, and the Lambe ſhall ouercome them: for hee is Lord of Lords, and king of kings.

But, may ſome man ſay, when the Leaders and commanders of the Popiſh armies ſhal be taken captiue and ſet at their ranſomes, what ſhall become of the inferiour Captaines and ſouldiers? The holy Ghoſt anſwereth, that the remnant were ſlaine with the ſword of him that ſitteth vponupon the horſe: That is, they were put to the ſword, chapter 19. v. 21. and al the foules were filled full with their fleſh. And for this cauſe S. Iohn ſaith, that he ſaw an Angell ſtand in the Sunne, chapter 19. v. 17. who cried with a loud voice, ſaying to al the foules that did flie by the middeſt of heauen, Come and gather your ſelues together vntounto the ſupper of the great God.

Now to make this plaine. Wee know, that they which proclaime anie matter, ſeeke ſome market croſſe, or high place to ſtand in, where they may beſt be heard: So this Angell, which proclaimeth the victorie againſt Antichriſt, before anie ſtroke bee ſtricken, becauſe of the certaintie of it, ſtandeth in the Sunne, as it were in the Theater and middeſt of the world, as in a place moſt fit for his purpoſe, that hee may bee heard throughout all the earth. Now this proclamation is directed to all the foules of the aire, to bid them to a ſupper, which is here called the ſupper of the great God. But it may be demanded, what cheare ſhall they hauehave? The holie Ghoſt anſwereth, that they ſhal eat the fleſh of kings, and the fleſh of great Captaines, and the fleſh of mightie men, verſ. 18 and the fleſh of horſes, and of horſmen, and the fleſh of all freemen, and bondmen, and of ſmall and great.

This we knowe, that when men are ſlaine in great numbers in the warres, their bodies lie ſcattered, as meat for the foules of the aire. And therefore heere all foules are inuited and bidden to a great ſupper, made them by the great God, whoſe hand is in all this; their cheare, and their dainties are reckoned vp to bee the fleſh of kings and Captaines, &c. Now out of all this may be ſtrongly concluded, that heereafter in all time to come, when the armies of the Pope, which is the beaſt, the armies of the king of Spaine, who hath giuen his power and authoritie vntounto the beaſt, & is his great vpholder; when the Armies of the Cardinall his great confederate; whē the armies of the Leaguers, his great adherents; yea whē al theſe, & all other Popiſh armies ſhall ioyne & band thēſelues together againſt the chriſtian kings and defenders of the Goſpell: they ſhall hauehave a notable ouerthrow, inſomuch that their dead carkeſſes ſhall euen couer the earth, and the foules of the aire ſhall come to their great ſupper, which the Lord of hoſts will make readie for them. For aſſuredly, and out of al doubt, they that liue ſhall ſee the fulfilling of all this,The popiſh armies ſhal go down by heaps and ſhall ſee the popiſh armies go downe by heapes in all countries and kinſtdomes, and be made meat for the foules of the aire. For the holy Ghoſt ſaith, chapter 16. v. 16. They ſhall come to Armageddon, that is, the place where their Armies ſhall be deſtroyed. And againe, If anie leade into captiuitie, chapter 13. v. 10. he ſhall goe into captiuitie. If anie kill with a ſword, he muſt be killed with a ſword: For as the Popiſh forces hauehave in former time taken captiue the people of God, and cruelly murdered them: ſo nowe the time draweth on apace wherein they themſelues ſhall be taken and put to the ſword. And therefore now at laſt I conclude, that Rome ſhal fall finally, and come to vtter deſtruction in this life. For as Rome did riſe vp by degrees in this life, ſo Rome ſhall fall by degrees in this life: As Rome grew vp to her full height and higheſt pitch in this life; ſo it ſhall come to her loweſt ebbe and greateſt declination in this life: I meane before the comming of Chriſt vntounto iudgement. For the falling downe of haile like talents vppon the kingdome of the beaſt, ſhall bee in this life: The extraordinarie earthquake vponupon the dominions of Antichriſt, ſhall be in this life: The comming of the Popiſh Armies to Armageddon, ſhall bee in this life:Rome ſhal be vtterly deſtroied in this life. The mourning of the kings, merchants and marriners, for the ouerthrowe of Babylon, ſhall bee in this life: The great battaile betwixt the beaſt and him that ſitteth vponupon the white horſe, ſhall be in this life, before the day of iudgement: The pouring foorth of al the ſeuen vials of Gods wrath vponupon the kingdome of the beaſt, ſhall bee euen in this life. For it were an abſurde thing to ſay, anie of theſe things ſhal bee after this life; or to ſay that theſe things ſhal not bee til the verie comming of Chriſt; for they are all things to be effected heere in this earth: and the holy Ghoſt doth deſcribe them as things to be done vponupon the face of the earth: for otherwiſe wee could hauehave ſmall comfort in anie of theſe things, if they ſhould not bee done heere in earth, or if they ſhould all bee deferred till the verie comming of Chriſt, and in the meane time Antichriſt ſhal ſtil preuaile.2. Theſſ. 2. An obiection anſwered. But it wil be obiected, that Saint Paul ſaith, The Lord ſhall conſume Antichriſt with the ſpirit of his mouth, and aboliſh him with the brightneſſe of his comming: Therefore before his comming he ſhall not be vtterly aboliſhed. True it is indeede, hee ſhall not vtterly be cut off in all his members, til the verie comming of Chriſt. For there will bee ſome Papiſts remaining in all countries, euen vntounto the end: there be ſome, nay, manie, that will carie the beaſts marke euen til the laſt day. But the holy Ghoſt in this Propheſie ſpeaketh of the reuolting and falling away of kingdoms, and countries from the ſea of Rome; whereby it ſhal come to paſſe, that it ſhal bee exceedingly weakened, and brought ſo lowe, that the kings of the earth ſhall eaſily take it; or as the holy Ghoſt ſpeaketh, ſhal eaſily paſſe ouer their Euphrates, chapter 16. v. 12. being dried vp▪ and enter their Babylon. But then wil ſome man ſay, Shal there be no Pope at all a little before the comming of Chriſt? I anſwer, and not I, but the holy Ghoſt for mee. Hee ſhall bee a poore Pope, chapter 17. v. 16. The Pope ſhall be brought very low. 2. Sam. 3.a naked Pope, a deſolate pope, a Pope whoſe fleſh ſhal be torne, whoſe fleſh ſhal wither, as wee ſhall heare anon. He ſhal be ſuch a Pope, as Iſhboſheth was a king, when Abner and all Iſrael fel away from him. He ſhal bee ſuch a Pope, as the king of Portugall is a king.

But it will be obiected, How knowe you this? are you a Prophet? can you foretel of things to come? I anſwer, Saint Iohn was a Prophet, and indued with a prophetical Spirit in this matter of his viſions and reuelations; and I ſpeake no more then Saint Iohn hath ſet downe. And therefore I hope I ſpeake within compaſſe: for I do but relate Saint Iohns words, and explaine them in ſuch meaſure as I am able. This Propheſie doth plainely declare, that Babylon ſhall fall; Rome ſhall come downe, the Pope ſhall neuer be eſteemed againe. And I doe beleeue it to bee ſo; I beleeue God; I beleeue his word; I beleeue all that is ſpoken in the Scriptures: and I doe endeuour to perſwade others alſo. For ſith the holy Ghoſt hath ſo plainely, and ſo fully foretold it, why ſhoulde we not beleeue it? Why are we ſo ſlowe to beleeue all that is written in the Scriptures? Hath God ſpoken it, and ſhal it not come to paſſe? Shall any iote of his word faile? Shall wee thinke hee ieſteth with vsus, when hee doth ſo often and ſo ſeriouſly tell vsus of the downefall of Rome? Surelie, ſurelie, the cauſe why men are not fully perſwaded of the finall fall of Rome, is, becauſe they doe not diligentlie peruſe this booke of the Apocalypſe. But let men be ſtudious and diligent in this booke, and they ſhall bee out of al doubt, that Rome is the great whoore of Babylon; that the Pope is Antichriſt, and the Papacy the beaſt.

But nowe mee thinketh I heare ſome man ſay, how is it like that Popery ſhal fal downe more and more heere amongſt vsus, ſith it hath ſo many friends, backers, and vpholders, and ſeemeth to gather ſtrength, and make an heade againe? I anſwere, that al is but a lightening before death. I anſwere, that al is but the ſtopping of a water-brooke, or making a damme ouerthwart it, which wil cauſe it to ſwel more, and breake ouer with greater violence. I anſwere, that all is no more then is foretolde, that 2the Ieſuits ſhal come forth like frogges out of their puddles, and mariſh groundes, and keepe a croaking for a time, til they hauehave croaked their owne deſtruction, and many others. For they ſhal neuer ſet vp Popery here in England, to ſtand and continue, doe what they can. I muſt needes confeſſe, that our ſinnes, beeing ſo horrible and outragious, as they are, and being grown to ſuch an height, and ripeneſſe, do deſerue ſome fearefull vengeance, and that God hath a iuſt controuerſie againſt vsus, as ſometimes he had againſt Iſrael, becauſe there vvas no merciemercy, nor truth, Hoſ. 4.nor knowledge of God in the land: but ſwearing, lying, killing, ſtealing, and whooring, and bloud toucheth bloud, and therefore ſaith God, the land ſhal mourn, &c. But yet I hope for his couenant ſake, for his great mercies ſake, for his names ſake, for his glory ſake, and for his Church ſake, he will be gratious and fauorable vntounto vsus, & not bring vponupon vsus that vēgeance which our ſins hauehave deſerued: or at leaſtwiſe though he correct vsus, as indeed he hath iuſt cauſe, & we may iuſtly feare it; yet he will doe it in merciemercy, for our amendment, and not in wrath to our deſtruction, as he ſaith by his Prophet:Ier. 30.11. Ier. 46.28. Ier. 10.24. I will not vtterly deſtroy thee, but I vvill correct thee by iudgement, and not vtterly cut thee off. But howſoeuer it ſhall pleaſe the moſt wiſe God to deale with vsus; yet this I ſay, and am perſwaded of, that Poperie ſhall neuer bee eſtabliſhed againe in this kingdome; my reaſon is, becauſe the euerlaſting Goſpell caried abroad by the Angell that flieth in the middeſt of heauen, ſhall ſpread ſtill more and more throughout all the kingdoms of Europe, chapter 14.6. Rom. 11.24.as appeareth Chap. 14. ver.6. for otherwiſe how ſhal Rome fal? how ſhal the Iewes euer be conuerted? how ſhall fire come downe from heauen, and deuour both Gog and Magog, chapter 20.9 as the holy Ghoſt foretelleth ſhall come to paſſe: and as we ſhal heare more anon? Moreouer Saint Iohn telleth vsus plainly, that in theſe laſt dayes the Goſpell ſhall bee preached to many people, Apoc. 10. ver.11 Apoc. 11. ver. 13and nations, and tongues, and to many kings. And further he ſaith, that in this age wherein wee liue, many ſhall renounce Idolatry, repent and giuegive glorie to the God of heauen. But ſome man may ſay, how proue you that this kingdom is one of them which S. Iohn ſpeaketh of, and which he meaneth, wherein the goſpell ſhall be preached vntounto the end of the world? I anſwere,Apoc. 17 ver. 12.13.16. that it is prooued out of the 17. chapter of this propheſie, where the holy ghoſt telleth vsus flatly, that thoſe ten kingdomes of Europe which had a lōg time ben the ten hornes & ſtrength of the beaſt, chapter 17. verse 13 & being of one minde, had giuen their power & authority vntounto the beaſt, ſhould now in theſe laſt daies riſe vp againſt the whore of Babylō, make war againſt her, hate her & make her deſolate. But this kingdome is one of thoſe ten hornes, ver. 16 and one of thoſe ten kingdomes, which a long time had giuen her power & authoritie vntounto the beaſt. Therefore as this kingdome hath happily begun to hate the whore, and to make her deſolate and naked: ſo vndoubtedly ſhee ſhall continue vntounto the end of the world. For if this kingdome,England and other kingdomes which hauehave forſaken the beaſt, ſhall ſo continue vntounto the end of the world. and other kingdomes which now hate the whore, doe not continue, how ſhall ſhee bee made deſolate and naked &c? Then it ſhould ſeeme, the beaſt ſhall reuiue and recouer himſelfe againe, and ſo S. Iohn ſhall be found a falſe prophet. But God is true, and all men are liers, & Saint Iohn ſhall bee found a true prophet: and therefore theſe kingdomes of Europe which hauehave begun to hate the whore, ſhal cōtinue, & neuer giuegive her ouer, till (as the holy ghoſt ſaith) they hauehave eaten her fleſh, & burnt her with fire: that is, till they hauehave vtterly deuoured her. But heere it will be obiected, that in the latter daies iniquitie ſhall hauehave the vpper hand. I anſwere firſt, that I finde no ſuch place of ſcripture. But this I find, that our Lord Ieſus foretelleth his diſciples, that very ſhortly after his death & reſurrection, many ſeducers and falſe teachers ſhould ariſe, which ſhould deceiue many, and draw them away from the louelove of the goſpell: and ſaith hee, becauſe iniquitie ſhall bee increaſed, Math. 24.12.the louelove of many ſhall bee cold. But this ſpeech of our ſauiour, doth not properly concerne our times. But yet it muſt needes be granted, that the wicked ſhall wax worſe and worſe, & the world ſhall not amend, but ſtill bee worſe and worſe, chapter 14. ver. 1 14 & 18. and grow to a greater height and ripeneſſe of ſinne, as appeareth in this propheſie. Yet for all this wee muſt note withall, that the number of true beleeuers in thoſe laſt daies, chapter 11. ver. 1 ver. 11. ver. 13. ſhall bee very many, as this booke doth alſo teach. But it may bee obiected, how can this geare ſtand together, that in the laſt daies there ſhall bee multitudes and millions of reprobates, and moſt wicked & abhominable perſons, and yet withall, a great increaſe of true beleeuers? I anſwere, that the world will bee alwaies like it ſelfe, impious and vnbeleeuing. But the church ſhall purely worſhip God, and that with daily increaſing, euen vntounto the end.

But now me thinketh I heare ſome man ſay, what likelyhood is there of all this which you write touching the ouerthrow of Rome? Doe wee not ſee, that Rome is yet ſtrong? Doth not Italy, Spaine, the greateſt part of France, and Netherland, and Germany, ſtand for her defence? Hath not the whore ſtill many and great bearers, and vpholders, what likelyhood is there thē, that euer ſhe ſhal be brought ſo low as you ſpeake of? I anſwere,Wee may not ſay, what likelyhood is ther of this? that in this caſe we muſt not aske this queſtion what likelyhood. We muſt not conſult with fleſh and bloud. Wee muſt not take counſell of humane reaſon. For God is maruellous in his deuiſes, and when hee hath once decreed and determined of any future euent, he will compaſſe it by meanes far ſurpaſſing all humane reach and capacitie: yea by ſuch plots and deuiſes, as mans wit could neuer hauehave once dreamed of. For hee hath all meanes in heauen & earth in his hands, and is admirable in all his proceedings, and therefore we may not aske this queſtion, what likelyhood, or how can it bee, or how can it poſſiblie come to paſſe? What likelyhood was there an hundred yeeres paſt, when Rome was in her height, and all the kingdomes of Europe ſtood for her, that euer ſhe ſhould hauehave been forſaken of ſo many of her old friends, as at this day ſhee is? What likelyhood was there, that when the Pope could commaund the Emperor, and all the kings of Europe, and their kingdomes, that euer hee ſhould hauehave beene brought ſo low as at this day hee is, God bee thanked? What likelyhood was there that euer poore Martin Luther ſhould ſtand out with the euerlaſting goſpell in his mouth againſt the Pope, Emperour, & as it were the whole world, & yet dye in his bed in a good old age? What likelyhood was there that Henry the eight, of famous memory, ſhould renounce Rome, oppoſe himſelfe againſt the Pope, and ſuppreſſe the Abbies, Priories, and Monaſteries in this kingdome, and take their lands and liuings into his owne hands? Therefore I conclude, that when God hath decreed the vtter ouerthrow of Rome, wee muſt not aske this queſtion, how can it be? or which way ſhall it be brought about? For the ſcriptures doe teach that God in all ages, hath done the greateſt exploits, either by himſelfe alone without meanes, or elſe by weake meanes, or contrary to all meanes.

2. Chro. 20.By himſelfe without meanes hee ouerthrew the Moabits, Ammonites, and them of mount Seir, which made warre againſt good king Iehoſaphat.

Exod. 14.By himſelf he deſtroied Pharaoh, & his army in the red Sea.

Ioſ. 6. 2. King. 19.By himſelfe hee ouerthrew Iericho, that great citie.

By himſelfe hee ſlew the huge army of the Aſſyrians, that made warre againſt Ezechias.

2. Chro. 14.By himſelfe hee ſmote the great and dreadfull army of the Ethiopians before Aſa, and before Iudah.

2. King. 6.By himſelfe hee ſmote the Syrians, which beſieged Dothan the citie where the prophet Eliſha was.

Iud. 7.By weake meanes hee ouerthrew the innumerable army of the Midianites, euen by Gedeons three hundred.

1. Sam. 14.By weake meanes he ſlew a garriſon of the Philiſtines, euen by Ionathan and his armour-bearer.

Gen. 14.By weake meanes he ouerthrew the kings of Sodome & thereabouts, euen by Abraham, & his family.

He ouerthrew Goliah by Dauid: Siſera by Iael: 1 Sam 17· Iud 4. Iud. 9. Dan. 3.Abimilech by a woman.

Contrary to meanes, hee ſaued the three children from burning, being in the fire.

Contrary to meanes, hee ſaued Ionas from drowning, Ion. 2.being caſt into the ſea.

Contrary to meanes, Dan. 6.hee preſerued Daniel from deuouring, being caſt into the Lions denne.

Contrary to meanes, hee kept the Iſraelites from drowning, being in the bottome of the ſea.Exod. 14.

Contrary to meanes, Ioſ. 10.and to all expectation hee cauſed the Sunne to ſtand ſtill at noone day, whileſt he overthrew the fiue kings of Canaan by Ioſuah.

Therefore I conclude, that foraſmuch as God in all ages hath effected the moſt ſtrange and admirable things, either by himſelfe without meanes, or by very weake meanes, or contrary to all meanes, therefore it is in vaine to aske this queſtion,The vtter ouerthrow of Rome concluded of. how or by what meanes ſhall Rome bee deſtroyed? for it is inough for vsus to know that it ſhall be deſtroyed, and come to vtter deſolation. And in my iudgement the holy ghoſt hath ſo often, & ſo plainely affirmed this, that no man ſhould any more make any doubt of it,Apoc, 14.8. Apoc. 16 2. Apoc 17.8. Apoc. 17.11. Apoc. 18.21. Apoc. 18.8. Apoc. 17 16. Apoc. 18 22. Apoc. 18.9. or once call it into queſtion. For what can bee more plaine, then to ſay, Rome is fallen: Rome ſhall fall. Great haileſtones like talants ſhall fall vponupon it. It ſhall goe to perdition: It ſhall fall to deſtruction: It ſhall bee caſt downe like a great milſlone into the bottome of the ſea. It ſhall be burnt with fire: It ſhall bee made deſolate and naked: It ſhall bee without inhabitants. All the popiſh ſort both high & low, ſhall with great mourning & lamentation bewaile the deſolatiō therof. Apoc. 16.16. Apoc. 19.20.Their armies ſhall come to Armageddon. The beaſt & the falſe prophet ſhall bee taken, & their captaines & ſouldiours ſlaine by infinit heapes, & their carkaſes made meate for the foules of the aire. If all this be not plaine inough, I cannot tell what can bee plaine inough. True it is indeed, the holy Ghoſt doth not name Rome, but it is apparant by the circumſtances, that all theſe places muſt needes bee vnderſtood of Rome, of Romiſh power, and of the Romiſh armies. For there can be no other ſoūd ſenſe giuen of them, as all diuine writers, and interpreters doe affirme, both new & olde. And therefore I conclude, that S. Iohn in this propheſie could not ſpeake more plainly, except hee ſhould hauehave named Rome. For hee nameth Babylon. He nameth the great citie, which then raigned ouer the kings of the earth. He nameth the citie ſituate vponupon ſeauen hils. Hee nameth the citie which had ſeauen ſeuerall gouernments. And therefore out of all doubt hee meaneth Rome.

Well then, ſith it is ſo that Rome and all Romiſh power and authoritie ſhall fall flat downe, and come to vtter deſtruction and deſolation in this life, let all men take heed how they ioine with Rome: how they ioyne with the Romiſh Church, and how they receiue the beaſts marke, for aſſuredly they ſhal al be deſtroyed together, both in this life, & in that which is to come, as wee ſhall heare by and by.

Let all wiſe men therefore, and all ſuch as hauehave any care of their ſaluation, follow the wholeſome counſell and aduiſe of the holy ghoſt, which ſaith, Goe out of her my people, Apoc. 81.4.5.that yee be not partakers of her ſinnes, and that yee receiue not of her plagues: for her ſins are come vp to Heauen, and God hath remembred her iniquities. Our onelyonly wiſdome then wilbe to ſeperate our ſelues from the whore of Babylon, that is, from the Church of Rome, and to ioyne our ſelues with all ſpeed to the true Church of God, that is, the Church of the Proteſtants, for this ſhall ſtand and floriſh: the other ſhall fall downe and periſh.

But what then,Gods people are to reioice in the ouerthr…w of Rome. Apoc. 18.20. ſhall wee bee ſory for the fall of Babylon and the ruine of Rome? No no. The holy Ghoſt counſelleth vsus greatly to reioyce in her deſtruction and ouerthrow, ſaying, O Heauens reioyce ouer her, and ye holy Apoſtles & Prophets, becauſe God hath giuen your iudgement on her. We are therefore to be ſo far from mourning & lamenting for the deſolation of Rome, as the kings, merchants, mariners & other her friends, as that it ought to be the very ioy and reioicing of our hearts. For S. Iohn ſaith, that not onelyonly the holy Angels, Prophets, Apoſtles & Martyrs ſhall reioyce at the deſtruction of Rome: but alſo all the Saints, and the whole bodie of the Church. And therfore he ſaith, that after the vtter ouerthrow of Rome, He heard a great voice of a great multitude in Heauen, ſaying, Hallelu-iah, that is, praiſe yee the Lord, Apoc. 19.1.2.for hee hath condemned the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath auenged the bloud of his ſeruants ſhed by her hand. And againe ſaith S. Iohn, they ſaid, Hallelu-jah, Hallelu-jah, Hallelu-jah, thriſe together, therby expreſſing the great ioy, & thākſgiueing, for the deſtruction and ouerthrow of the great whore: and euen ſo ought all that louelove God, that louelove the Church, and that louelove the truth, greatly to reioyce in the deſtruction of Rome: becauſe this monſter ſhall no longer oppreſſe the Iſraell of God. And ſure it is, that the more zealous & godly that a man is, the more he will rejoice at the deſtruction of Popery: for a man cannot louelove God and his church, that doth not laugh in the deſtruction of that Antichriſtian and bloudy kingdome. Let no man heere ſay, this is crueltie: this is want of charitie: and want of pittie, to laugh in the deſtruction of any, or to reioice at other mens harmes.Apoc. 8.6. But the moſt wiſe God ſaith, Reward her, euen as ſhe hath rewarded you, and giuegive her double, according to her works, and in the cup that ſhee hath filled to you, fill her the double. In aſmuch as ſhee glorified her ſelfe, and liued in pleaſure, ſo much giuegive yee to her torment and ſorrow. And therfore I affirme, that no man ought to be moued with any compaſſion or pittie,Pſal 137. for the ouerthrow of Rome. But heerein that ſaying of the Prophet is true: Bleſſed is hee that taketh and daſheth her children againſt the ſtones: and againe bend thy bow, Ier. 50.14.ſhoot at her, ſpare no arrowes. For ſhe hath ſinned againſt the Lord. Moreouer wee are to obſerue, that foraſmuch as the Lord willeth & commandeth all men to reward Rome, as ſhee hath rewarded vsus, & to giuegive her double according to her works, therefore wee ought eueryevery one of vsus, as much as in him lieth, and as his calling will beare, to doe his vttermoſt to pull downe Rome, the Magiſtrate by the ſword, the Miniſter by the word, and the people by their prayers. For euen Chriſtian kings and princes, and all the nobles of the earth, muſt not bee negligent to fight againſt Rome. For heerein that ſaying is true:Ier. 48.10. Curſed is hee that doth the worke of the Lord negligently, and curſed is hee that keepeth backe his ſword from bloud. For this cauſe, I doe vponupon my knees night and day, moſt humbly and inſtantly intreate the God of heauen, that as hee hath put into the heart of our moſt gratious and excellent Queene, to hate the whore of Babylon, and to be his greateſt inſtrument in the whole world, for the weakening and ouerturning of Rome, and defence of his moſt glorious goſpell (which is her crowne and glory in all the Chuches, and her great renowne in all Chriſtian kingdomes) ſo ſhee may conſtantly continue, and neuer ceaſe drawing out the ſword of Iuſtice, till ſhe hauehave vtterly rooted out of her dominions, all the curſed crew of popiſh Iebuſits, and all ſuch as hauehave receiued the beaſts marke, and eſpecially the Ieſuits and ſeminary prieſts which are the diuels brokers, the popes agents, and the king of Spaines factors in all kingdomes. Here alſo I doe moſt humbly euen vponupon my knees, with dropping eies, yea if it were poſſible with teares of bloud, beſeech and intreate the learned and reuerend fathers of our Church, that they would bend all their power and authoritie, with might and maine againſt the Romiſh ſtrumpet, and the rather becauſe in theſe dayes ſhee ſeemeth to make a head againe, hauing ſo many and great fauourers, that ſhee and her complices dare perke with their nebbs, and very boldly and confidently prate of a tolleration. Heere alſo I doe moſt humbly and earneſtly intreate, all my learned and godly brethren, the miniſters and preachers of this Church of England, that in all their publike teachings, and priuate proceedings, they would make ſtrong oppoſition againſt Rome, and Romiſh religion. And I beſeech the God of Gods, that wee may all ioyne together, with vnited forces, to march on valiantly againſt the armies of Antichriſt, and to ſpread the euerlaſting Goſpell far and neere, to the vtter ouerturning and beating downe of this weſterne Babylon, and that howſoeuer wee may amongſt our ſelues differ in iudgement in ſome things, yet that there may bee no breach of louelove, or alienation of affections amongſt vsus, but that wee may all goe together hand in hand, and arme in arme, to preach Gods euerlaſting truth, and to ſet our ſelues againſt the common aduerſaries. For if wee will not ſet our ſelues againſt them, yet they will be ſure to ſet themſelues againſt vsus. And thus much concerning the third maine point, which is the finall fall of Rome, euen in this world.

Now it followeth to ſpeake of the fourth maine point, which is, by whom, and when Rome ſhall bee ouerthrowen. But for the better vnderſtanding of this point concerning the perſons that ſhall ouerthrow Rome, wee are to obſerue that S. Iohn deſcribeth the whore of Babylon, Apoc 17.4.ſitting vponupon a ſcarlet coloured beaſt, hauing ſeauen heads, and tenne hornes, whereby is meant the Romane monarchie, as hath beene ſhewed before. After this the Angell expoundeth vntounto Iohn, what the heads, and hornes of the beaſt meane, and ſaith, that the ten hornes are ten kings, or ten kingdomes, ver. 12 which yet hauehave not receiued a kingdome, but ſhall receiue power as kings, at one houre, with the beaſt. The ſenſe is, that theſe tenne kingdomes, had not receiued ſuch power and authoritie, vnderunder the Emperours, as they ſhould vnderunder the Popes, for there was great difference in theſe kingdomes vnderunder the Popes, from that which they had beene vnderunder the Emperours. For they receiued far greater power, and they carried an other minde toward the papacy, then the nations did before toward the empire, for they did ſubmit themſelues to the papacy for conſcience, and louelove, euen as to the holy Church, which they neuer did to the Empire. And this is the reaſon, why the holy ghoſt ſaith, they had not receiued a kingdome, but ſhould receiue power as kings, at one houre with the beaſt. Which is not to be vnderſtood ſimply, but after a ſort, for they had receiued kingdomes, vnderunder the Emperors, but not in ſuch ſort as afterward they did vnderunder the Popes. For the Romane monarchie vnderunder the dominion of the Popes, was in his greateſt height, and altitude, and the kings of Europe grew vp together with the papacie in power, might and dominion. And S.Cap. 17. ve. 13. Iohn addeth, that theſe ten kings or kingdomes were all of one minde, and did giuegive their power and authoritie vntounto the beaſt, that is, they did with might and maine, labour to vphold the Babylonicall ſtrumpet. But the Angell telleth Iohn flatly, that the ten hornes, that is, the ten kingdomes of the empire, which before had giuen their names, their power, and authoritie to the beaſt, to vphold her and defend her, ſhould now in theſe laſt daies all change their mindes, and turne againſt her. For ſaith the Angell to Iohn: chapter 17.36. The ten hornes which thou ſaweſt vponupon the beaſt, are they that ſhall hate the whore, and make her deſolate, and naked, and ſhall eate her fleſh, and burne her with fire. Heere then it doth plainely appeare, who they bee that ſhall ouerthrow Rome, and by whom it ſhall bee deſtroyed. To wit, by the tenne kings of Europe, or kingdomes of Europe, which ſome very learned doe reckon vp to bee theſe, England, Scotland, Germany, France, Spaine, Denmarke, Sweueland, Poland, Ruſſia, and Hungary. *If the holy ghoſt by the ten hornes, do not meane a defi…t number, that is iuſt ten: yet aſſuredly he meaneth all the kingdomes of Europe, and whatſoeuer elſe did once vphold the beaſt.S. Iohn words are plaine, that theſe kingdomes which tooke part with the beaſt, ſhall take againſt her, & pull her downe. But we know, that all the kingdomes of Europe did take part vvith her, therefore it followeth that all the kingdomes of Europe ſhall take againſt her. And therefore it is very probable, that in time France, Spaine, and Italy, It is probable that France, Spaine, and Italy ſh…ll f…rſake the whoreſhall turne againſt the beaſt. Wee know that the reſt of the kingdomes are already turned againſt the beaſt, and the beaſt hath loſt ſeuen of his hornes: the eight, which is France, beginneth to be ſomewhat looſe, and to ſhake a little, which if it fall off, the reſt will follow after a pace. The reſon why the kingdomes, which were ſubiect to the Romane empire, are compared to hornes, is, becauſe that as hornes are the ſtrength & defence of a beaſt, wherewith alſo hee puſheth downe other creatures: ſo the ſtrength and defence of the Romane empire, and the papacie, was in the kingdomes which were ſubiect vntounto them, and tooke part with them, whereby alſo they did mightily puſh at other nations and kingdomes. Moreouer wee are to obſerue, that whereas S. Iohn ſaith, the ſame hornes which did vphold and defend the whore, ſhall pull hir downe, it is not to be vnderſtood of the ſame men, but of their ſucceſſors in the ſame kingdomes. For the kings of England, Scotland, Denmarke, Polonia, and other countries, which gaue their power and authoritie vntounto the beaſt, are dead and gone. If vvee reſpect the perſons of the men, and thoſe which ſucceed them novv in theſe kingdomes, and pull downe the whore, are other perſons: but becauſe they ſucceed & gouerne in theſe kingdomes, they are ſaid to bee thoſe ten hornes of the beaſt. Then thus it is: theſe ten kings which novv hate the harlot, are called the ten hornes of the beaſt, not becauſe they bee any defence and ſtrength vntounto him, but becauſe they ſit vponupon the ſame thrones of their aunceſtors, which did vphold and maintaine him But this one thing is very cleare and apparant out of the interpretation of the Angell, that the ſame kingdomes which hauehave maintained Popery, ſhall put it downe, as we ſee alredy fulfilled in England, Scotland, Denmarke, & the reſt which hauehave embraced the Goſpell. And it is very likely that the other kingdomes which as yet hauehave not embraced the Goſpell, ſhall Gods good time embrace it. For this ſeemeth vntounto mee, to bee a very good argument taken from the words of the interpreting Angel. Thoſe tenne kingdomes which hauehave vpheld Rome, ſhall pull downe Rome: but France, Spaine, and Italy, hauehave vpheld and doe vphold Rome: Therefore France, Spaine, and Italy, ſhall pull downe Rome. To this may be added for confirmation: that the euerlaſting Goſpell ſhalbe preached in theſe laſt dayes, Apoc. 14.6.to eueryevery nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. Which I vnderſtand of all the nations of Europe, which were ſubiect to the Romane Empire, and the Papacie. And further that the holy ghoſt ſaith, that the preachers of the Goſpell from Luthers time, ſhall publiſh Gods truth among people and nations, and tongues,Apoc. 10.11 and many kings: which I vnderſtand as before.

I am not ignorant that ſome good diuines make it doubtfull, whether Rome ſhalbe ouerthrowne by the Kings of Europe onelyonly, or by the Turke alſo, and the kings of the Eaſt. For mine owne part, I dare not reſolutely determine of it, being a thing to come, but the euent ſhall declare, and they that liue ſhall one day ſee it. It may be the Turke, and the Eaſterne princes may hauehave ſome hand in this buſineſſe. For the Romane Monarchie did ſtretch far that way, whē it was in his higheſt eleuation. But that which is alledged of the drying vp of the waters of Euphrates, Apoc. 16 12.that the way of the Kings of the Eaſt might be prepared: Proueth nothing, becauſe it is an alluſion to Darius and Cyrus, which were kings of the Eaſt; and tooke old Babylon by drying vp the vvaters of Euphrates, and leading ouer their armies, as we hauehave heard before. I doe thus then reſolue and conclude, that the Turke and the Eaſterne Kings may happely hauehave ſome ſtroke in this work. But it ſeemeth moſt probable vntounto mee,The kings of Europe ſhall ouerthrow Rome. that the kings of Europe ſhalbe the greateſt agents in this action. For the vvords are plaine, that the Kings of the earth vvhichwhich ſometimes were ſubiect to that monſtrous beaſt, ſhould now at laſt ſhake of the yoke of her ſeruitude, and vvithdraw the obedience of their ſubiects from her, chapter 17.16. And ſhould hate and abhorre the harlot of Rome, and ſhould make her deſolate. By vvithdrawing their ſubiects from her obedience, and naked, by ſpoiling her of her treaſures, and ſhall eate her fleſh, and teare her in peeces for pure hatred, and burne her with fire: that is, bring her to vtter deſtruction.

So that ſhe vvhichwhich beefore at her pleaſure might commaund all Princes to beegin vvarre, to ceaſe from vvarre: to defend her quarrells, and to annoy her enemies, now is glad to flatter a few ſeduced Princes to take her part, that ſhee bee not vtterly forſaken of all men. Or elſe to practiſe by treaſon, and treacherie, ſubborning the Ieſuits, thoſe rogues and vagabonds, to ſtir vp tumults among the people, and to trouble godly eſtates, and commonwealthes, that deſpiſe her dominion, but aſſuredly vvithout all hope, euer to recouer her auncient tyrannie. But heere it may bee obiected, that the preaching of the goſpell, is the greateſt and ſtrongeſt meanes to ouerthrovv Babylon. And therefore hovv can it bee done by the Chriſtian princes. I anſwere that it is true indeede, that of all other meanes, the goſpell is the ſtrongeſt, but the thing is this. Firſt the goſpell beeing ſet abroach, ſhall detect and diſcouer the vvhore of Rome, and all her abhominable doctrine, and filthineſſe, which the Chriſtian princes eſpying, ſhall renounce her, make vvar vponupon her, and ſlay in the field thouſand thouſands of her ſouldiers, as vvee hauehave heard before. And hitherto concerning the perſons, that ſhall ouerthrovv Rome.

Novv it followeth to ſpeake of the time vvhen it ſhall bee deſtroyed. Which of all the reſt is a thing moſt hard to bee decided. For the holy ghoſt faith,Iob. 24.1. why ſhould not the times hee hid of the Almightie: So as they which know him, ſhould not forſee the times appointed of him. Dan. 12.9.And againe, the words are cloſed and ſealed vp, Act. 1.7.vntill the time determined. And againe, it is not for you to know the times or the ſeaſons, which the father hath put in his owne power. Yet euen in this point, I vvill by Gods aſiſtance, ſet downe ſo much as is reuealed, and ſo much as God hath giuen me to ſee. Firſt I doe confeſſe that God in his vvord, hath ſet downe the iuſt period, and preciſe determination of all the greateſt afflictions & perſecutions, that euer came to his Church, before the comming of his Son in the fleſh, for the comfort thereof, as that of Egipt, after the expiration of foure hundred and thirtie yeeres: that of Babylon, after the date of ſeuentie yeeres: that of the Medes & Perſians, Dan. 8.after the determination of an hundred & thirtie yeeres: that of Alexanders ſtate after ſixe yeeres:Dan. 11. that of Magog and Egipt, after 294 yeeres. So likewiſe that of Chriſts death and reſurrection, after ſeauentie ſeauens, or ſeauentie weekes, which make 490 yeeres, as the Angell Gabriell foretold, vntounto the prophet Daniell. Dan. 9 42.But concerning the iuſt period and preciſe determination, of the perſecutions of the Church, ſince Chriſt by the Romane Empire, and the papacy, we find not the like ſet downe: & heere of there may be two reaſons yeelded. Firſt becauſe the Church of the Iewes were not vnderunder ſo cleere, and pretious promiſes as we are, therefore it was needfull, for the better ſtrengthning of their hope & cōfort in afflictiōs, that they ſhould know the very time determined: but becauſe the Church of the chriſtians liueth vnderunder moſt cleere & comfortable promiſes of deliuerance, therfore God according to his deepe wiſedome would hauehave our faith exerciſed in an aſſured expectation of the accō pliſhment therof, though the preciſe time be concealed. An other reaſon may bee this: the vtter ouerthrow of Rome, falleth out to bee, but a little before the comming of Chriſt to iudgement, as appereth in this propheſie. Now then, if wee knew the day or yeere certainely, when Rome ſhould fall finally, it would giuegive vsus too much light, vntounto the knowledge of the laſt day, which God in great wiſedome, hath of purpoſe hid from the knowledge of all men: yea, and of Angels. I know right well, that a certaine learned writer, doth preciſely determine the vtter deſtruction of Rome to fall out, in the yeere of our Lord 1639.Napier in Apo. 14. page. 183. But by the fauour of ſo excellent a man bee it ſpoken, I ſee no ſufficient ground thereof. But touching this matter, of the time of Romes finall fall, I will deliuer mine opinion, and my reaſons, ſubmitting my ſelfe to the iudgement of the learned, for I would bee loth, in this or any other thing, to goe beyond my compaſſe, or to paſſe the bounds of modeſtie, and humilitie, and therefore doe refer all to bee tryed by the ſicle of the ſanctuary. I doe therefore thus iudge, that the vtter ouerthrow of Rome, ſhall bee in this age, I meane within the age of a man: my reaſon is this. We of this age, liue vnderunder the opening of the ſeauenth ſeale, the blowing of the ſixt trumpet, and the powring foorth of the ſixt vial. For the firſt it is manifeſt, becauſe the opening of the ſeauenth ſeale, containeth all things, that ſhall fall out to the end of the world: as hath beene ſhewed and proued before.Apoc. 8.1. For the blowing of the ſixt trumpet, that alſo is plaine, becauſe vnderunder the blowing thereof, the little booke was opened, and the goſpell preached, as wee ſee in this age.Apoc 10.2. ver. 10.11. For the powring downe of the ſixt viall of Gods wrath, that alſo is moſt cleere, becauſe thereupon the great riuer Euphrates drieth vp, and the Ieſuits are ſent out, to ſollicit the kings of the earth to battaile againſt the Church, as wee ſee fulfilled in theſe our daies. Then I reaſon thus, Rome muſt fall downe finally,Apoc. 14. voc. 6.8. in that age wherein the little booke is opened, and the euerlaſting goſpell preached: but in this age, the little booke is opened, and the euerlaſting goſpell preached, therfore in this age, Rome muſt fall downe finally. And againe I reaſon thus: Rome muſt fall downe finally, in that age, wherein the riuer Euphrates, that is,Apoc. 16.16. the fortification of Rome drieth vp, and the Ieſuits are ſent forth, to ſtop the leake thereof: but all this falleth out in this age, as wee ſee with our eies. Therefore in this age Rome ſhall fall downe finally.It is very probable that Rome ſhall fall finally in this age. Apoc. 10.6.7. The reaſon of the propoſition is, becauſe in this age the popiſh armies ſhall come to Armageddon.

Moreouer this I ſay, and not I, but the Lord, when the ſeauenth Angell bloweth the ſeauenth trumpet, then commeth the end of the world: But the ſixt Angell, hath ſounded the ſixt trumpet long agoe, as appeereth by the effects: Therefore it cannot be long ere the ſeauenth Angell blow. But Rome muſt fall downe finally, before the ſeauenth Angell blow, as hath beene ſhewed before. Therefore the vtter fall of Rome cannot bee long deferred. I doe not determine either of day, month, or yeere, becauſe it is not reuealed. But I gueſſe at an age, becauſe the holy ghoſt pointeth vsus vntounto an agent.

If any man ſee further I will eaſely yeeld vntounto him, and thanke God for his light.But all theſe things I ſet downe for the comfort of Gods Church, not deſiring to vnderſtand aboue that vvhichwhich is meet to vnderſtand: but to vnderſtand according to ſobrietie.

Now it reſteth to ſpeake of the laſt maine point vvhichwhich is the cauſes of Romes vtter ruine, and ouerthrow: chapter 14 8. Chap. 18.3. Chap. 19.3. Chap. 17 2. vvhichwhich firſt of all are ſet downe foure ſeuerall times for falling, to be, becauſe ſhe made all nations drunke with the wine of the wrath of her fornication. They which outwardly make others drunke, or commit fornication vvith others, are vvorthie to be ſeuerely puniſhed.

How much ſorer puniſhment are they vvorthie of, vvhichwhich doe the ſame ſpiritually: and therfore vvoe be to Rome.

An other cauſe of the deſtruction of Rome is, for that ſhe hath ſhed the bloud of all the Prophets, Martyrs, chapter 16.6. Chap. 18.24. and Saints: as it is vvritten. In thee was found the bloud of the Prophets, and of the Saints, and of all that were ſlaine vponupon the earth. The cauſes of Romes vtter downefall.What is he vvorthie to hauehave, that is a moſt cruell bloudſucker: nay vvhat is he vvorthie to hauehave, that ſhal murther a kings children: yea, that ſhall murther his eldeſt ſonne and heire apparant to the crowne.

But Rome hath murthered thouſands of the king of Heauens children. Yea, Rome hath murthered the great heire of Heauen and earth, I meane the very ſonne of God. For Chriſt vvas put to death by the Romane power and authoritie, and by a Romane Iudge, chapter 11.8. as before hath bene ſhewed. Therefore let all men iudge vvhat Rome is vvorthie to hauehave.

Moreouer, S. Iohn telleth vsus, that Rome with her enchantments hath deceiued all-nations. chapter 18.23. Then let the matter be referred to the iudgement of any indifferent man, to determine and ſet downe vvhat puniſhment ſorcerers, and enchanters, are vvorthie of: eſpecially ſpirituall ſorcerers, and enchanters.

Beſides all this, the holy ghoſt ſaith, chapter 18.2. that Rome is the habitation of diuels, and the hold of all foule ſpirits, and a cage of eueryevery vncleane, & hatefull bird. What think you is like to come of an habitation of diuels, What trow yee vvil be the end of a ſhoule of foule feends, & a company of moſt vgly & mōſtrous helcats. What is like to become of a cage of Howles, Rauens, and Vultures. Yea, a neſt of Vipers, Toades, Snakes, Adders, Cocatrices, & all the moſt ſtinging ſerpents and venemous vermin in the world. What wilbe the end of pild Prieſts, filthie Friers, maungy Monks, roguing Ieſuits. Are not theſe a cage of vncleane birds. What doe they ſtudie, what doe they plot, what doe they practiſe eueryevery daye, but ſeditions, periuries, murthers, cōſpiracies, treacheries, treaſons, & all maner of villanies. If I had no other reaſon to perſuad me that Rome ſhal fal, & come to a miſerable end, yet this onelyonly would make me ſo to think, that theſe villanous Ieſuits do teach & conclud in their curſed conuēticles, y^t it is not onelyonly lawful but alſo meritorious, to murther any chriſtiā prince y^t is not of their catholike religiō: oh mōſtrous villains: ô moſt hideous helhoūds: hauehave not theſe monſters ſuborned diuers deſperate caitiffes, to embrue their hands in the bloud of chriſtian princes. How many hauehave beene their plots? now deſperate hauehave beene their practiſes, to murther & poiſon our gratious and noble Queene, the French king, the king of Scots, and other Chriſtian princes. But can ſuch proceedings proſper? can ſuch courſes bee bleſſed? can a man bee eſtabliſhed by iniquitie? No no, let them know for a certaintie, that God will croſſe and curſe all ſuch diuelliſh proceedings, as hitherto hee hath done, his moſt holy name be praiſed. But if any man liſt to know more of the proceedings, and practiſes of Ieſuits, let him read maſter Doctor Sutclieffe his anſwere, to Parſons wardword, a booke worthie to bee read and knowen of all men. But now to grow to a concluſion of this point, and to winde vp together, all the reaſons and cauſes of Romes ruine, thus I doe determine, that foraſmuch as Rome is the great whore, chapter 17.2. with whom hauehave committed fornication all the kings of the earth: foraſmuch as Rome hath made all nations drunke, with the wine of her fornication: foraſmuch as Rome hath deceiued all nations, with her inchantments: foraſmuch as Rome is a denne of diuells, and a cage of all vncleane birds: foraſmuch as Rome hath ſhed the bloud of Apoſtles, Martyrs, and Saints: foraſmuch as Rome hath murdered the ſonne of God. Therfore it ſhall at laſt, come to moſt miſerable deſtruction,Nomb. 24. ver. 24. being that Chittim, which in the end muſt needs periſh: for what puniſhment, what paine, vvhat torture, vvhat torment can be inough for this damnable whore, which hath committed ſuch execrable and moſt outragious villanies?

Bee it therefore knowen vntounto all men by theſe preſents, that Rome for all her moſt monſtrous and prodigious ſinnes, ſhall fall ſtill more and more, and come to a fearefull deſtruction, euen in this life. But ſome man may ſay, what ſhall become of Rome, and of all her friends after this life. S. Iohn anſwereth,Apoc. 14. ver. 9 that if any man worſhip the beaſt and his image, and receiue his marke in his forehead, or on his hand, 10.the ſame ſhall drinke of the wine of the wrath of God, and hee ſhall bee tormented in fire and brimſtone, before the holy Angells, and before the Lamb. And the ſmoake of their torment ſhall aſcend, and they ſhall hauehave no reſt, day nor night, 11.which worſhip the beaſt, &c. Heere is ſentence of eternall damnation, paſſed vponupon all the friends of Rome. Oh that all papiſts would conſider this in time, & think with themſelues, what a wofull thing it is to bee a papiſt, for they and their kingdome muſt goe downe in this life, and in the life to come, they muſt bee tormented in hell fire for euer. For Saint Iohn ſaith flatly, that all papiſts ſhall bee caſt into the great wine preſſe of the wrath of God, where they ſhall bee ſtrained and tread, Apoc. 14. ve. 20till bloud come out of the wine preſſe, vntounto the horſe bridles, by the ſpace of a thouſand and ſixe hundred furlongs. And againe hee ſaith, that the beaſt and the falſe prophet were taken aliue, and caſt into a lake of fire, chapter 19.20. burning with brimſtone. Let all men therefore take heed, how they ioyne with the papiſts, for wee ſee what ſhall bee their end, both in this life, and the life to come. Therefore let all Gods people, come out of Babylon, and haſten out of Sodome, leaſt they bee wound vp in their iudgements. Let all wiſe men practiſe the pollicie of the Gibeonits, who when they ſaw that Ioſuah did ſo mightely preuaile againſt the Cananits, Ioſ. ….& beare downe all before him, did very pollitikely prouide for their owne ſafety, and by ſubtile meanes enter into league with Ioſuah, and the Iſraell of God. So let all that hauehave any care of their owne ſaluation, ſpeedely forſake Babylon, which otherwiſe will fall vponupon their heads, and flie to Zion, which ſhall ſtand faſt for euermore. And thus hauing reduced all the fiue Chapters following, to proue theſe foreſaid points, I will proceede vntounto the twentith Chapter: for there is almoſt nothing of any moment or difficultie in the 15.16.17.18. and 19. Chapters, but it hath beene already opened and expounded.

The Ruin of Rome, Commentary on Revelation · Chapter 14-19

p. 195CHAP. XIIII.

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CHAP. XIIII.