The Ruin of Rome, Commentary on Revelation · Chapter 11

The Ruin of Rome · Commentary on Revelation · Chapter 11

p. 138CHAP. XI.

WE hauehave heard that the little Booke ſhould be opened, and the Goſpell preached and publiſhed to many nations and kingdomes, after the great darkeneſſe of Popery: and that this was done by Luther, Melancton, Caluin, Peter Viret, Peter Martir, Bullinger, Bucer, and all their faithfull ſucceſſors vntounto this day. Now in this Chapter we are to vnderſtand of the effect & good ſucceſſe of their preaching and publiſhing the Goſpell, which was, that the Church ſhould be reſtored, reformed, and built vp thereby, which a long time had bene waſted and oppreſſed by the tyrannie of Antichriſt: and that many ſhould imbrace the Goſpell, forſake their Idolatries, and turne to God with all their hearts: yea whole nations and kingdomes in Europe ſhould be conuerted to the faith, as we ſee this day God be praiſed. So then the principall drift of this Chapter is, to ſhewe thoſe thinges which yet remaine to be fulfilled vnderunder the blowing of the ſixt trumpet, which is the preaching and preuailing of the Goſpell, euen vntounto the worldes ende: and alſo the thinges which follow vppon the blowing of the ſeuenth trumpet, which is the reſurrection & laſt iudgement.

This Chapter containeth ſixe principall things, as it were the ſixe parts thereof.

p. 131Firſt, ver. 1.2. it ſheweth how the true Church ſhould be gathered together and built by the preaching of the Goſpell, and all the wicked refuſed and caſt out.

Secondly, it deſcribeth the builders; that is, ver. 3.4.5.6. all the faithfull Miniſters which had and ſhould reſiſt Antichriſt.

Thirdly, ver. 7.8. it ſheweth how Antichriſt ſhould perſecute the Preachers and profeſſors of the Goſpell vntounto death, and murther them by heapes.

Fourthly, it ſheweth that Papiſts, Atheiſts, and wicked worldlings, ver. 9.10. ſhould reioyce in the death of Gods people, and not vouchſafe them ſo much as the honor of buriall, but ſend gifts one to an other for ioy that they were rid out of the earth.

Fiftly, ver. 11.12.13. it ſheweth that notwithſtanding the rage and fury of the world in perſecuting them to death, God would not onelyonly receiue their ſoules to glorie, but alſo raiſe vp others endued with the ſame ſpirit, which ſhould preach, profeſſe, & witneſſe the ſame truth conſtantly & continually, euen vntounto the ende of the world.

Laſtly it ſheweth, verſ. 14.15.16.17.18.19. that after the preaching of the Goſpell ſome good time in this laſt age, the ſeuenth Angel ſhould blowe the trumpet, and the worlde ſhould end. And there was giuen me a reede like vntounto a rodde, verſ. 1 and the Angel ſtood by ſaying, Ariſe and meaſure the temple of God and the aultar, and them that worſhip therein. Here Ieſus Chriſt giueth a reede vntounto Iohn like vntounto a rodde, and thervpon he is commanded by an Angell to goe about the meaſuring of the temple, the aultar, &c.

p. 132By this meaſuring with a reede like a rodde, is ſignified the reſtoring and building vp of Gods houſe, which now was greatly ruinated and runne into decay through the long preuailing of Poperie.

Ezech. 40.5. Zach. 1.16. Zac. 2.1.2. Apoc. 21.15.Ezek 40:5Zech 1:16Rev 21:15Meaſuring with a reede, is taken for the building vp of Gods Church, after the decaied eſtate thereof, both in Ezechiel, Zachary, and this Propheſie.

Iohn in the perſons of all faithfull Miniſters, hath this meaſuring rodde giuen him, becauſe the church was to be reſtored and built vp by the Miniſters and Miniſtrie of the Goſpell.

The thing to be meaſured, is the Temple, the Aultar, and them that worſhip therein.

This is an alluſion to the legall worſhip, whereby our ſpirituall worſhip is repreſented. For by the materiall Temple, is meant the ſpirituall Temple, or Church of God. By the Aultar of ſtone, is meant the ſpirituall worſhip. By them that worſhip therein with carnall ſacrifices, is meant all the true members of the Church, which worſhip God in ſpirit and truth.

Now then, both the Church, the true worſhip and worſhippers, were all to be meaſured, repaired, and built vp by the miniſtrie of the word, which all were decaied and almoſt laide waſte, by the Popes tyrannie. But the court which is without the temple caſt out and meaſure it not, for it is giuen to the Gentiles; and the p. 133holy citie ſhall they treade vnderunder foote two and fortie moneths. Iohn is heere forbidden to meaſure and build vp the court which is without the tēple. Wherby is ment all heretikes, hypocrites, worldlings, & all ſuch as hauehave a place in the Church, but are not of the Church. This phraſe of ſpeech is taken from the olde ſhadowiſh worſhip as the reſt before. For in the temple of Ieruſalem there was an outward court which was common to all, good & bad: the holy place which was proper to the Prieſts and Leuites: and the holy of holieſt, or moſt holy place, where none might come but the high Prieſt onelyonly.

Here is a reaſon added why the Lord God refuſeth all Papiſts and hypocrites, and all ſuch as belong to the outward court onelyonly, and it is this: that this outward court is giuen vntounto the Gentiles; that is, to all falſe Chriſtians and counterfaits in Religion, which are members of the viſible Church, but hauehave nothing to do with the inuiſible. Theſe are compared to Gentiles in two reſpects. Firſt, in regard of prophaneſſe, for they are as prophane as the Heathen. Secondly, in reſpect of perſecuting the truth: for hypocrites and Atheiſts are as forward in perſecuting the people of God as the Heathen Emperours, which perſecuted the Church by the ſpace of 300. yeares. All comes to this, that when the Church ſhould bee gathered and built by the Preaching of the Goſpell, God would hauehave all Papiſts, Atheiſts, and hypocrites ſhut out.

p. 134Moreouer, here is the ſecond reaſon yeelded, why the outward court ſhould be caſt out, and not meaſured: to wit, becauſe they should tread the holy Cittie vnderunder foote, forty and two monethes: That is, they ſhould perſecute the Church all the time of Antichriſts raigne. For forty two moneths in this verſe: and 1260. dayes in the next verſe, and three dayes and a halfe verſe 9. and time; times, and halfe a time, in the 12. Chapter, verſe 14. and 1260 dayes, Chapter 12. verſe 6. doe ſignifie all one thing, which is, the ſhort raigne of Antichriſt: for theſe moneths, theſe dayes, and theſe times, doe eueryevery one of them make three yeares, and a halfe. For who knoweth not that 42. monethes make iuſt three yeares, and an halfe, and that 1260. dayes, maketh euen ſo much alſo: and by time he meaneth a yeare, by times, two yeare, and by halfe a time, halfe a yeare. Now the reaſon, why Antichriſts raigne is numbred by dayes, monethes, and halfe times, & all amounting but to three yeares and a halfe, is to note the ſhort continuance thereof,Chap. 12.12. Chap. 17.10. Chap. 20.3. for the comfort of the Church, as appeareth more fully and plainely, in ſundry places of this Propheſie, where it is ſet downe in plaine wordes, that Antichriſt ſhould raigne but a ſhort time: for what is fiue or ſixe hundred yeares, in compariſon of eternitie.

But here the Papiſts doe ſhew themſelues moſt ſottiſh and ridiculous, in that they would gather frō hence, that the Pope is not Antichriſt: for (ſay they) Antichriſt ſhall raigne but three yeares and an halfe, but the Pope hath raigned many yeares: therefore the Pope is not Antichriſt.

p. 135Now to anſwer the propoſition of their argumēt taken from this place. Firſt, it may bee anſwered that this place is not to be vnderſtoode litterally, but miſtically: as many other things in this booke.

Secondly, here is a certaine number put for an vncertaine, a definit number for an indefinit, which alſo is vſuall in this booke, as we heard before, chapter 7 concerning the ſealing of the Tribes, of eueryevery Tribe 12000. which maketh 144000. Now no man is ſo mad as to thinke there were iuſt ſo many ſealed, and neither more, nor leſſe.

Thirdly, here is an alluſion to Daniels weekes,Dan 9.Dan 9 and other propheticall computatiōs, wherin ſometimes a day is put for a yere, a weeke for 7. yeares, as in Daniels ſeauens, and a monethmonth for 30. yeares. So then I conclude, that it is extreame folly to interpret this place litterally. The curious and friuolous interpretations of this place, and ſuch like in this booke, by ſome writers, I do of purpoſe omit, as matters vntrue, vnſound, & vniudiciall: for I only in this booke ſeeke the ſenſe that is, and not the ſenſe which is not, as hath beene ſaid before.

But I will giuegive power vntounto my 2. witneſſes, verſ. 3 and they shall propheſie 1260. dayes cloathed in ſackcloth.

Hauing ſet down how Antichriſt & his company, being thoſe Gentiles which poſſeſſe y^e outward court ſhould tread downe the holy citie, that is, the true churh of God for a ſhort time: now he commeth to ſhew, that euen in the height and pride of the Popes power, and gouernment, yet the Church was not p. 136vtterly extinct, God did neuer vtterly forſake it, but in all ages, and at all times, God did raiſe vp one or other to withſtand all Popiſh proceedings, which is here meant by the two witneſſes. For aſſuredly theſe two witneſſes do not ſignifie Enoch, and Elias, as the Papiſts and ſome others do dreame: but they ſignifie all the faithfull Preachers and profeſſors of the truth, which in all ages both former and later, hauehave oppoſed themſelues againſt the Pope, his Cleargie, his doctrine, his religion, and all his abhominable proceedings.

They are called Witneſſes, becauſe they ſhould beare witneſſe vntounto the truth.

They are ſaid to be two in number, for three reaſons.

Firſt, becauſe they were very fewe in thoſe dayes when Popery did ſo generally preuaile: for two is the ſmalleſt number.

Deut. 19.15. Iohn 8.17. Hebr. 10.28.Deut 19:15John 8:17Heb 10:28Secondly, becauſe the law of God doth admit of no leſſe number in witneſſe-bearing, as it is written; In the mouth of two or three witneſſes ſhal eueryevery word ſtād.

Hagg. 2.5.Hag 2:5Thirdly, it is an alluſion to Zorobabel, and Iehoſhua, which were the two reſtorers and builders of the temple after the captiuitie.

Chriſt ſaith here, that hee will giuegive power to his two witneſſes: for no man hath any power in heauenly things, except it be giuē him from aboue: and eſpecially to ſtand faſt to the truth in the heate of perſecutions and troubles.

It is ſaid, that theſe two witneſſes ſhall Propheſie: that is,1. Cor. 14.3.1 Cor 14:3 Preach, declare, and ſpeake. For ſo Propheſie is taken in the former Chapter,2. Theſſ. 5.20. and laſt verſe: ſo alſo in other places of the ſcripture.

p. 137The time of their propheſieng being 1260. daies, hath bene expounded before.

Theſe two witneſſes are cloathed in ſackcloth, which ſignifieth that they ſhould lead a ſorrowfull life here in this world. For in old time when men did faſt and mourne, they did vſe to put on ſackcloth. It followeth then that theſe faithfull Preachers and witneſſes of the truth, did not ſpend their daies in mirth, iolitie and worldly pompe and brauery, as did the Popes Cleargie, and pompous prelates of Antichriſt.

Now if any man wil demaund how this may appeare that there hauehave beene alwaies ſome raiſed vp of God, to write, preach, declare, and ſpeake againſt the whoore of Babylon, euen then when ſhe was aloft and raigned as the Queene and Lady of the world; I anſwere, that Hiſtories are verie plentifull in this point: which at large do ſhewe that in all countries and kingdomes of Europe, there were euer ſome ſtirred vp to impugne and reſiſt the whoore of Babylon: As,

In England.

Robert Grosted, Biſhop of Lincolne. Anno. dom. 1293.

Iohn Wickliffe, ſupported by Edward 3. and diuers of the Nobilitie in England. An. 1400.

In Germany.

Taulerus a Preacher. An. 1354.

Franciſcus Petrarcha. 1356.

Iohannes de rupe ſciſſa. 1357.

Conradus Hager. 1359.

Cerhardus Rhidor. 1359.

p. 138Petrus de Corbona. 1360.

Iohannes de Poliaco.

Iohn Ziſca. 1420.

In Bohemia.

Iohn Huſſe. An. dom. 1414.

Ierome of Prage. 1416.

Mathias Pariſienſis. 1370.

In Spaine.

Arnoldus de noua villa. An. 1250.

In Italy.

Ierome Sauonarola, a Monke. An. 1500.

Siluester a Friar.

In France.

Waldus, of whome came the Waldenſes, or poore men of Lions in France. An. 1160.

Guilienus de ſancto amore. An. 1252.

Robertus Gallus. An. 1292.

Laurentius. An. 1290.

In Ireland.

Armachanus, an Archbiſhop. An. 1362.

In Sueuia.

Many Preachers at once. An. 1240.

p. 139In Grecia.

All the Churches of Grecia renounced the Church of Rome for their abhominable Idolatry. An. 1230.

It were too tedious to recite all which the ſtories do report to hauehave withſtood both Pope & Popery, euen when it did moſt of all beare the ſway: theſe may ſuffice for the vnderſtanding of the Text. As for thoſe which hauehave bene raiſed vp ſince the decay and fall of Popery: I meane ſince Luthers time, they are ſo many, and ſo well knowne, that I need ſay nothing.

Theſe are two Oliue trees, verſ. 4 and two candlestickes ſtanding before the God of the earth.

Here the two witneſſes are compared to two Oliue trees; becauſe that as the Oliue tree doth drop down his Oile and fatneſſe:Exod. 30.31. Pſal. 45.7. 1. Iohn 2.20.Exod 30:31Ps 45:71 John 2:20 ſo the faithfull Miniſters doe drop downe vponupon the Church the ſweet oile of the ſpirit, which is all heauenly and ſpirituall graces: as the Metaphor of Oile is often ſo taken in the ſcriptures.

They are alſo compared to two candleſtickes, becauſe that as the candleſticke beareth vp the candle ſet vponupon it, ſo the Miniſters of the Goſpell beare vp and hold forth the light of Gods word, euen in the greateſt darkneſſe.

Theſe candleſtickes are ſaid to ſtand before the God of the earth: becauſe God beareth rule, not onelyonly in heauen, but in earth alſo: euen then when all things in the earth ſeem to be moſt troubled, & the church militant vnderunder greateſt perſecutions as now it was.

p. 140verſ. 5 And if any will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouthes, and ſhall deuoure their enemies: for if any will hurt them, ſo muſt he be killed.

verſ. 6 Theſe hauehave power to ſhut heauen that it raine not in the daies of their propheſying, and hauehave power ouer waters to turne them into blood, and to ſmite the earth with all maner of plagues as oft as they will.

Here is ſhewed, that if any deſpiſe the ſimplicitie of theſe two witneſſes, and offer them wrong becauſe of their baſeneſſe, and contempt in the world, that there is a fire cōmeth out of their mouth, that is, the firy & mighty power of the word of God, vttred out of their mouthes, which ouerthroweth, & ouerturneth their enimies: nay as fire it conſumeth them to aſhes: for the Miniſters of the Goſpell are armed with ready vengeance againſt all diſobedience. 2. Cor. 10.6.2 Cor 10:6Therfore they be ſtarke madde, and know not what they do, which oppoſe themſelues againſt the true Miniſters of Chriſt. For the ſword which they fight with, ſlaieth the reprobates in their ſoules, though not in their bodies: for the miniſtery of the word, is the ſauour of death to all vnbeleeuers.

That which is here ſpoken of ſhutting the heauens that it raine not, and turning the waters into blood, is an alluſion to Elias and Moſes. 1. King. 17. Exod. 4.1 Kgs 17Exod 4Whereof the one by his praier ſhut the heauens, the other by his rodde turned the waters into blood. Now the faithfull Miniſters of the Goſpell are compared to theſe two, not becauſe they ſhould worke ſuch outward miracles as they did, but becauſe they ſhould be furniſhed p. 141with ſpirituall power, which is farre greater. For moſt ſure it is, that the inuiſible & ſpirituall power wherewith the Miniſters of the Goſpell are armed, is very great and glorious, though the world ſee it not, nor know it not. For the Apoſtle ſaith; The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but ſpiritual, 2. Cor. 10.6.2 Cor 10:6mightie through God to caſt downe holdes, caſting downe the imaginations, and eueryevery high thing that is exalted againſt the knowledge of God, &c.

And when they hauehave finished their testimony, verſ. 7 the beaſt that commeth out of the bottomeleſſe pit, shall make warre againſt them and kill them.

Here is ſet downe the great crueltie and bloudie tyrannie which Antichriſt ſhould vſe againſt theſe faithfull witneſſes of our Lord Ieſus. For although they ouercome him with the ſpiritual ſword, which is the fire that commeth out of their mouthes: yet for a time power was giuen to this beaſt that commeth out of the bottomleſſe pit, that is, the Pope and his adherents to murder Gods Saints with the materiall ſword: but yet note that Antichriſt can doe nothing till the two witneſſes hauehave finiſhed their teſtimony; ſuch is Gods care and prouidence for all his faithfull ſeruants.

And their corps shall lye in the ſtreetes of the great citie, verſ. 8 which ſpiritually is called Sodome, and Egypt, where our Lord alſo was crucified.

By the great citie, here is meant Rome, & yet not the citie only of Rome, but all the Romane Empire, p. 142power and iuriſdiction, as afterwarde ſhall be made manifeſt. Now the corpſes & dead carkaſſes, which were murdered and maſſacred in all nations, by Antichriſts tyrannie, are here ſaid to lie in the ſtreetes of Rome, that is, to be caſt forth into the open fieldes, as not worthy the honour of buriall in all places, countries, & kingdomes, within the Romaine Empire, or iuriſdiction of Rome, as we read to hauehave bene in England, Scotland, France, Ireland, Germany, and Spaine. And as the holy Ghoſt ſaith,Pſal. 79.2.Ps 79:2 The dead bodies of thy ſeruants hauehave they giuen to be meate to the foules of the heauē, and the fleſh of thy Saints vntounto the beaſtes of the earth.

Moreouer, it is to be obſerued, that Rome is here compared ſpiritually, or by a trope, to Sodome and Egypt. To Sodome for filthines; for what citie euer was, or is more filthy then Rome, chapter 17.5. the mother of whoredomes and abhominations of the earth? And to Egypt, for Idolatrie, & keeping Gods people in ſpirituall bondage.

Laſt of all, it is here ſaide, that our Lord Ieſus was crucified at Rome, which may ſeeme ſtraunge, ſith all men knowe, that Chriſt was crucified at Ieruſalem. But to anſwere this doubt, wee are to vnderſtand, that in reſpect of the place, our Lord Ieſus was crucified at Ieruſalem: but if we reſpect the power and authoritie that put him to death, hee was crucified at Rome: for Chriſt was put to death by a Romane Iudge, by Romane lawes, by Romane authoritie, by a kinde of death proper onelyonly to the Romanes; and in a place which then was within the Romane Empire. And for this cauſe it is here ſaid, that Chriſt was crucified at Rome.

p. 143And they of the people, and kindreds, and tongues, & Gentiles, ſhall ſee their corpes three dayes and an halfe, verſ. 9 & ſhal not ſuffer their corpſes to be put in the graue.

Hitherto we hauehave heard of the rage of Antichriſt againſt the two witneſſes. Now further we are to vnderſtand of the malice and furie of all his adherents; that is, all Papiſts, Atheiſts, and the reſt of the blinde people, and ſeduced multitude, which all did allow the Popes crueltie in ſheading the bloud of the Martyrs; and they do teſtifie the allowance & approbation of the Popes fact, and alſo their owne malice and madneſſe againſt them in this, that they will not vouchſafe them the honour of buriall, but caſt out their dead bodies as carrion, or as the dead bodies of dogges or ſwine; thereby ſhewing that they eſteemed them no better then ſo. Nay, we read, that their helliſh rage and madneſſe was ſo great & outragious, that they wracked their malice vponupon the dead bones and carkaſſes of Gods Saints and Martyrs. For their bloudie & moſt malicious minds could not be ſatisfied except they digged vp the bodies of Gods witneſſes out of their graues, & then burnt thē to aſhes. Wheras it is ſaid, they ſhal ſee their corpes, the meaning is, that all the blind people within the Romane Empire ſhould be eyewitneſſes of theſe things; and not only ſo, but euen great Agents alſo in the ſlaughter of Gods people.

By 3. daies & an halfe, which is halfe a week, he meaneth all the time of Antichriſts raigne, & tyrannicall gouernment, as before hath bene ſhewed. For theſe 3. daies & a halfe, being in propheticall cōputation three yeares and a halfe, ſignifie the ſame thing that p. 144the 42. monethes, and a thouſand, two hundred and three ſcore daies before.

verſ. 10 And they that dwell vponupon the earth, ſhal reioyce ouer them and be glad, and shall ſend giftes one to an other: for theſe two Prophets vexed them that dwelt on the earth.

Here we ſee how the inhabitants of the earth, that is, the ſeduced multitude and blinde people in the time of ignorance, do greatly inſult & triumph ouer the death of the Lords witneſſes, & they do expreſſe their ioy by ſending gifts & preſents one to another, as if they had receiued ſome great benefites, or had heard the moſt ioyfull newes in the world. And the reaſon is added, becauſe they vexed and tormented them; meaning thereby, that the preaching of the truth, & the reprouing of their errors, Idolatries, and manifolde impieties, was a dagger, & a corſey vntounto them, they could at no hand endure it: for the preaching of the Goſpel is the torment of the world, and the Preachers the tormēters. Theſe fewe Preachers thundring againſt their ſuperſtitions, and abhominable ſeruice of Antichriſt, did vexe eueryevery veine in their heart, and inwardly ſo wound and launce their conſciences, that they could hauehave no reſt til they had rid them out of the world. But now hauing diſpatched them, and made riddance of them, they are very cranke and iocund.

But after three daies and a halfe, the ſpirit of life comming frō God, verſ. 11 shall enter into them, and they shall ſtand vponupon their feete, and great feare shall come vponupon them which ſawe them.

p. 145Notwithſtanding the rage and ſauage fury of the Pope & his followers; yet heere is ſhewed, that they could not preuaile as they deſired: for within three daies & a halfe, that is, when the date of Antichriſts raigne was expired, and the time come that Popery muſt be diſcloſed by the light of the Goſpell breaking forth; there followeth a great alteration. For theſe two Prophets or witneſſes are raiſed vp again. For he ſaith, the ſpirit of life which came from God, ſhall enter into them, and they ſhall ſtand vponupon their feete.

This may ſeeme ſomewhat ſtraunge; but it is not to be vnderſtood that they ſhould be raiſed vp bodily in their perſons till the laſt reſurrection: but that God woulde raiſe vp others endued with the ſame ſpirite, which ſhould mightily defend both the doctrine, cauſe and quarrell, which their predeceſſors had maintained, and ſealed with their blood; in whom they ſhould after a ſort reuiue & liue againe, euen as Elias did reuiue, and as it were liue againe in Iohn Baptiſt; who is ſaide to be endued with the power and ſpirit of Elias, as it was foretold by the Prophet, and as our Sauior himſelfe doth auouch.Luk. 1.17. Mal 4. 5. Math. 17.12.Luke 1:17Mal 4:5Matt 17:12 Now bleſſed be God, that we liue in theſe daies wherein we ſee with our eyes all theſe things fulfilled. For when the Pope & his Cleargy had murthered Gerhardus, Dulcimus Nauarenſis, Waldus, Nicolaus Orem, Iohn Picus, Iohn Ziſca, Viſilus Groningenſis, Armerius, Wickliffe, Huſſe, Ierome of Prage, and many Preachers in Sueuia, and one hundred holy Chriſtians in the countrey of Alſatia, and many others in all countries, and of all conditions of men: yet for all that p. 146ſpight of their hearts, God raiſed vp others in their ſtead, as Luther, Caluin, Zuinglius, Peter Martir, Peter Viret, Melancton, Bucer, Bullinger, and their ſucceſſors; yea the thouſands of excellent Miniſters, and Preachers which are diſperſed ouer all Europe at this day: In whom all the former witneſſes do reuiue, and as it were ſtand vppon their feete againe. And now a great feare is come vponupon the Pope and his Cleargy, and all his fauorites: for they did neuer ſo much as dreame of ſuch an alteration: but this is the Lordes doing, and it is maruellous in our eyes.

verſ. 12 And they ſhall heare a great voice from heauen ſaying vntounto them, come vp hither: and they shall aſcend vp to heauen in a cloude, and their enemies shall ſee them.

Here the Lordes witneſſes whom Antichriſt had murdered, are called, and taken vp into heauen, that they may be crowned with glory and immortalitie, hauing in the earth fought ſo excellēt a fight of faith as they had: for euen as Chriſt their head was taken vp in a cloud into the heauens: Euen ſo his faithfull members are here taken vp in a cloud to raigne with him for euer. Moreouer, it is here ſaid, that their enemies ſhall ſee them aſcending vp, they ſhall as it were aſcend vp in their ſight: for from the fire and faggot, ſwords and ſpeares of their enemies, they went directly vntounto God, and the very conſciences of their perſecutors did witneſſe ſo much; nay ſome of them being in horrible convulſions of cōſcience, did not ſticke to vtter it; auouching the innocency of Gods p. 147Martirs: as ſometimes Pilat, Math. 2….Matt 2and the Centurion did of Chriſt. But though they had not bene iuſtified by their enemies, yet are they here iuſtified by a greater teſtimony: for the voice from heauen, the voice of God doth iuſtifie them, & cleare them; accounting them worthy to be called vp from the earth to heauen, and receiued to eternall glory. For howſoeuer the Pope & his Cleargy condemned them for heretikes and ſciſmatikes; yet here they are iuſtified and cleared by a voice from heauen, which is more then the voices, ſuffrages, and approbations of all men in the world.

And the ſame houre there ſhalbe a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the citie ſhall fall, and in the earthquake ſhalbe ſlaine in number ſeuen thouſand, and the remnant were ſore feared, and gaue glory to the God of heauen.

As hee hath ſhewed before that the world was very ioyful & iocond, when they had made diſpatch of Gods witneſſes; but afterward full of feare & terror, when they ſawe what followed: So here in this verſe is ſhewed, that at the ſame houre, that is about the ſame time whē they hauehave perſecuted the Saints, and ſee thouſands of others raiſed vp in their ſtead, and as it were out of their aſhes, or rather out of their blood, that there ſhould immediately follow a great earthquake; that is, horrible commotions, ſeditions, tumults and open warres among the kingdomes and nations of the worlde, and amongſt all people which ſhould liue after the breaking forth of the light of the Goſpell, as this day we ſee with our eyes. For who now in theſe dayes dooth not ſee p. 148and feele this Earthquake? who knoweth not what ſtirres there hauehave bene and are eueryevery where about Religion? Who is ignorant that all the warres, ſeditions, treacheries, treaſons, and rebellions that are this day in Europe betwixt one kingdome and an other, are ſpecially concerning the matter of religigion? But marke what followeth. Beholde the effect of this Earthquake. It is ſaide, that the tenth part of the citie ſhall fall. By the citie here, he meaneth the great citie Rome, mentioned before verſ. 8. which is therefore called the great citie, becauſe it was the chiefe citie of the Romane Empire, and the verie ſeate of Antichriſt. Now then the ſenſe and meaning of the holy Ghoſt is, that when there once beginneth to be an earthquake, that is, broiles, contentions, alterations, queſtions & diſputations, about religion: and that the popiſh doctrine which had ſo long preuailed in the world, ſhould be called in queſtion, yea openly preached againſt, conuicted and cōdemned, that then Rome ſhould begin to fall, and Romiſh religion to ſuffer a great eclipſe, yea the tenth part; that is, ſome part of the citie of Rome: I meane the doctrine and authoritie of Rome ſhould be ouerthrowne. Now this falling of the tenth part of Rome, was fulfilled within ſome fewe yeares after the broaching of the Goſpell by Luther, and his immediate ſucceſſors; but ſince it is gone backe many degrees, and hereafter it ſhall ſtill ebbe & conſume away by degrees, euen till it come to nothing: as God willing ſhalbe plainly proued hereafter.

Moreouer, here is ſet downe another effect of this earthquake: which is, that thereby ſhall be ſlaine in p. 149number ſeuen thouſand, that is, many thouſands; for the number of ſeuen is a perfect and vniuerſall number, as formerly hath bene declared. But the ſenſe of this clauſe is, that all ſuch as wil not yeeld to the Goſpell after matters once come in queſtion, and the light therof breaketh forth, but continue ſtill in their blindneſſe and hardneſſe, ſtanding out ſturdily againſt the truth, ſhall feele the heauie iudgements of God vponupon them, and come to miſerable and wretched endes, as did here in England Stephen Gardiner, bloudie Bonner, and many other ſuch open perſecutors in other nations and countries, as the booke of Martyrs doth plentifully witneſſe.

Laſt of all it is ſaid, that the reſt were terrified, & gaue glorie to the God of heauen: that is, the elect of God ſeeing theſe horrible iudgements vponupon the perſecutors of the Goſpel, and hauing their eies opened through theſe contentions and broiles about religion, ſhould repent of their former Idolatries, blindneſſe, and ignorance, ſhould yeeld to the truth, and giuegive glorie to the God of heauen, as at this day we ſee thouſands doo, God be thanked. chapter 9 Wee heard before in the time of the Turkes murthering army, when the third part of men were ſlain, that the reſt repented not of their Idolatrie. But now (God be praiſed for it) many doo repent eueryevery day, and turne from dumbe Idols, to ſerue the liuing God. And therefore although the times wherein we liue, bee ſinfull and troubleſome, yet are they golden times and daies, in compariſon of former ages, wherein Antichriſt did raigne and rule ouer all. Moreouer, from this place may plainly and ſtrongly be concluded, that the Goſpel ſhal preuaile p. 144more and more in all the kingdomes of Europe, euen vntill the ende of the world. For here we ſee it foretolde and propheſied, that in this very laſt age of the world, & euen as it were, a litle before the blowing of the ſeuenth trumpet, which preſently herevpon is ſounded, as in the next verſes appeareth, many ſhould repent, and giuegive glory to God.

verſ. 14 The ſecond woe is paſt, behold the third woe wil come anon.

verſ. 15 And the ſeuenth Angell blew the trumpet, and there were great voices in heauen, ſaying: The kingdomes of this world are our Lords, and his Christs, and he ſhall raigne for euermore.

Now commeth the third, the laſt, and the greateſt woe, which is the woe of eternall death vponupon all the vngodly, both in their ſoules and bodies for euer in the laſt iudgement. The firſt woe was the Papacie. The ſecond woe was Turciſme. And this third woe is the laſt iudgement. For it now followeth, that the ſeuenth Angell bloweth the laſt trumpet: as our Lord Ieſus ſware before, that when the ſeuenth Angell ſhould blowe the trumpet, chapter 10.6. there ſhould bee no more time. Therefore when we ſee all things fulfilled which do belong vntounto the ſixt trumpet, it remaineth that wee ſhould eueryevery houre expect and looke for the blowing of the ſeuenth trumpet, and the end of the world. For the holy Ghoſt telleth vsus, that whē the kingdome of the Pope and the Turke ſhall fall, and the Goſpell bee preached in many nations and kingdomes, that then the third woe will come anon; that is, the laſt iudgement followeth preſently vponupon it.

p. 151Now at the blowing of this ſeuenth trumpet, there were great voices in heauen, ſaying; the kingdomes of this world are our Lords, and his Chriſts, and he ſhall raigne for euermore.

Theſe voices in heauen are the triumphing voices of Gods elect, who do exceedingly reioyce and triumph, that the kingdome of Sathan and Antchriſt is ouerthrowne, and that the kingdome of God and of Chriſt is ſet vp, and ſhall ſtand for euermore. For now all aduerſary power being ouerthrowne, Chriſt doth deliuer vp a peaceable kingdome to his father, as it is writtē; Then shalbe the ende, when he hath deliuered vp his peaceable kingdome to God the Father: 1· Cor. 15.24.For he muſt raigne ouer the Church militant, till hee hauehave troade downe all his enemies vnderunder his feete, and when the Sonne of God hath ſubdued all things to himſelfe, then ſhall he be ſubiect to his Father, as he is the mediator of the Church, and yet raigne with his Church triumphant for euermore.

Then the 24. verſ. 16 Elders which ſatte before God on their ſeates, fell vppon their faces, and worshipped God,

Saying: Wee giuegive thee thankes ô Lorde God almightie, verſ. 17 which art, which wast, and which art to come: for thou haſt receiued thy great might, and haſt obtained thy kingdome.

Theſe 24. Elders doo ſignifie all the elect, chapter 4 both of Iewes and Gentiles, as we hauehave heard before; which all in moſt ſuppliant manner, doo worſhippe the onelyonly euerlaſting God, euen in the Church triumphant, and do greatly reioyce, and giuegive all praiſe p. 152and glorie vntounto him, becauſe now he had receiued the kingdome, the power and the glory, both Pope, and Turke, and Emperor, and all his enemies, being ſubdued vnderunder his feete.

ver. 18 And the Gentiles were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they ſhould be iudged, and that thou ſhouldeſt giuegive reward vntounto thy ſeruants the Prophets, and to the Saints, & to them that feare thy name, and to ſmall and great, and ſhouldeſt deſtroy thē which deſtroy the earth.

Now he mentioneth the wrath and vengeance which is to bee powred forth vponupon all the wicked at the laſt day, and alſo the reward of the godly. For whereas he ſaith, The Gentiles were angry, & thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be iudged, the ſenſe and meaning is, that all the prophane enemies of the Church, which hauehave had their time in which they were angrie with Gods people, and in their wrath did afflict and vexe them very ſore, ſhould now bee iudged and condemned in Gods wrath: for now the day of his wrath and vengeance is come, wherein he wil deſtroy them that deſtroied the earth, and ſeemed to carrie all before them; and where alſo hee will giuegive a full recompence of rewarde to all his faithfull worſhippers, both ſmall and great, both Preachers and profeſſors of his Goſpell.

p. 149Then the temple of God was opened in heauen, & there was ſeene in the Temple the arke of his couenant, and there were lightnings, and voices, and thundrings, ver. 19 and earthquakes, and much haile.

This is a further amplification of that which is ſet downe in the former verſe. For now he ſaith, that the temple of God ſhould be opened in heauen: That is, an opē doore and paſſage ſhould be made through Chriſt, for al the elect to enter into Gods euerlaſting kingdome, and raigne with him, and his Angels for euermore.

By the arke of the couenant, is meant Chriſt, who is ſaide heere to be ſeene in the Temple or kingdome of glory, becauſe through his mediation only (in whom the couenant of peace is eſtabliſhed with his church) the 24 Elders are made partakers of their Crownes, and enter in with him, and his Angels into the euerlaſting Temple made without handes, and eternall in the heauens. But on the contrary heere is ſaid, that there were lightnings, thundrings, &c. That is, moſt horrible vegeance and wrath poured downe vponupon al reprobates in hel-fire for euermore. For when it ſhal be ſaid to al the faithful: Come ye bleſſed, &c. then alſo ſhal it be ſaid to al vnbeleeuers: Goe ye curſed into hell fire, &c.

Now for warrant of this expoſitiō of the laſt verſe, that the Temple in heauen is to be vnderſtood of the kingdome of glory, looke Chap. 15. ver. 5.6.8. Chap.Apoc. 15.5.6.8 Apoc. 16.1.Rev 15:5Rev 15:6Rev 15:8Rev 16:1 16. ver. 1. The reaſon hereof is, that as the doores of the Temple of Ieruſalem being ſet open, Gods people entred in and worſhipped: ſo the euerlaſting gates of the new Ieruſalem, and celeſtial Temple being ſet p. 150open by Chriſt al the elect do enter in, and worſhip God without wearineſſe, euen as the Angels for euermore.

2. Sam. 6.2 Pſalm. 78.612 Sam 6:2Ps 78:61That the arke of the couenant is taken for Chriſt, ſee 2. Sam. 6.2. Pſal. 78. ver. 61.62. This arke of the couenant, that is, Chriſt, is here ſeene in the Temple, becauſe Chriſt hath already taken poſſeſſion of heauē as mediator and head of the Church, and now doth ſet open the kingdome of heauen to al beleeuers, that through him they may hauehave free acceſſe thereunto, as it is written,Eph. 2.18Eph 2:18 that thorough him only we hauehave an entrance vntounto the Father.

That by thundrings, lightnings, earthquake, haile, is ment that horrible vengeance and wrath, which is powred forth vponupon al the vngodly,Pſalm. 11 verſ. 6.Ps 11:6 ſee Pſal. 11. verſe 6. Let this briefely ſuffice to ſatisfie the conſcience of the reader. And thus much concerning the ſecond viſion contained in theſe eight chapters going before, wherein we hauehave heard al things expounded that doe belong vntounto the opening of the ſeuen ſeales, and the blowing of the ſeauen trumpets, that is, al notable things which were to fal out frō the Apoſtles times, vntounto the end of the world.