A Commentary on the Song of Solomon, Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
OH that thou wereſt as my brother that ſucked the breaſts of my mother: I would finde thee without, I would kiſſe thee, then they ſhould not deſpiſe thee.
2 I will lead thee, and bring thee into my mothers houſe: there thou ſhalt teach me: and I will cauſe thee to drink ſpiced wine, and new wine of the pomegranate.
3 His left hand ſhall be under mine head, and his right hand ſhall embrace me.
4 I charge you, O daughters of Ieruſalem, that you …tirre not up, nor waken my love, untill ſhe pleaſe.
5 (Who is this that comet… up out of the wilderneſſe, leaning upon her welbeloved?) I raiſed thee up under an apple tree: there thy mother conceived thee: there ſhe conceived that bare thee.
6 Set me as a ſeal on thy heart, and as a …ignet upon thine arme: for love is ſtrong as death: jealouſie is cruell as the the grave: the coales thereof are fierie coales, and a vehement flame.
7 Much water cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man ſhould give all the ſubſtance of his houſe for love, they would greatly contemne it.
8 We have a little ſiſter, and ſhe hath no breaſts: what …hall we do for our ſiſter when ſhe ſhall be ſpoken for?
9 If ſhe be a wall, we will build upon her a ſilver palace: and if ſhe be a door, we will keep her in with boards of cedar.
10 I am a wall, and my breaſts ar… as towers: then was I in his eyes as one that findeth peace.
11 Salomon had a vine in Baal-hamon: he gave the vineyard unto keepers: every one bringeth for the fruit thereof a thouſand pieces of ſilver.
12 But my vineyard which is mine, is before me: to the…, O Salomon, appertaineth a thouſand pieces of ſilver, and two hundred to them that keep the fruit thereof.
13 O thou that dwe…leſt in the gardens, the companions hearken unto thy voice: cauſe me to hear it.
14 Oh my welbeloved, …lee away, and be like unto the roe, or to the young ha… upon the mountains of ſpices.
The Reſolution.
THus …re the prep…r…tion of the ſecond c…lling, the calling it ſelf followeth, declared by the wonderfull deſire of the called, verſ. 1. 2. By the mutuall love of the Bridegro…me, verſ. 3. and his everlaſting continuance, verſ. 4. And ſuch is the princeſſe the younger ſiſter. The other inferiours which accompany this princeſſe are two: one is deſcribed coming out of the deſert, leaning upon her beloved, and with wonderfull zeal, verſ. 5, 6. 7. the other is renowned by the great affection of the Siſters, verſ. 8▪ 9. and by her own readineſſe, verſ. 10. And hitherto of the Churches ſeverally. Iointly, it ſheweth as well, how carefully the Bridegroom will defend the whole, verſ. 11. 12. and what he requireth of the whole, verſ. 13. as what the common deſire of the ſpouſe ſhall be, namely, that her beloved would fly hence, and that ſhe at length might be carried vvith him into everlaſting habitacles, verſ. 14.
THE EXPOSITION.
Verſ. 1. O that thou wert as my brother that ſucked the breaſts of my mother, when I ſhould finde thee without, I would kiſſe thee, yet I …hould not be deſpiſed.
EVery thing now at length fully perfected, and all the faithfull Iewes fitted into one body of Chr…ſt, their affection is wo… derfull, made clear by the Antitheſis of the former Iewes, with whom Chriſt in times paſt had to do in the earth, that with wondrous skill, with one and the ſame labour, he ſetteth forth aſwell the a… curſed hatred of theſe, as the willing and ready love of thoſe new citizens. The old Iewes deſpiſed▪ and refuſed Chriſt coming in the fleſh and ſhewing himſelf a brother: but there ſhall be nothing better …o thoſe, nothing that they ſhall more deſire, then that they may enjoy the favour of his preſence whereby that horrible wickedneſſe of deſpiſing the Son of God by their elders, may be recompenced by their faith and diligen…e in holy duties: the old Iewes ſought only his death, but fled and followed him not (teaching in the ſtreets) with kiſſes, but reproaches. All familiarity with him was accounted for a reproach and blame; Nicodemus conſtrained for fear to ſeeke private conference with him by night. Theſe ſhall diligently ſeeke him whereſoever he ſhould be, and finding him ſhall worſhip him with great reverence. Neither ſhall they any whit regard the mo…ks and skoffes of the wicked: the world ſhall then be of another faſhion. Theſe later people altogether unlike to thoſe their wicked elders; Salomon hath moſt divinely compriſed in theſe words, aſwell the wickedneſſe of thoſe former in refuſing Chriſtas, the pieti… of thoſe later in imbracing him.
Verſ. 2. I would lead thee, I would bring thee into my mothers houſe, thou ſhouldest inſtruct me: I would cauſe thee to drinke of ſpiced wine, of the fruit of my Pomegranates.
He followeth the former Antitheſis or oppoſition, for he could not better expreſſe the integrity of thoſe which are to be called, then by oppoſing them to ſuch as were formerly called, in vain. The old Iews then ſh…t Chriſt out adores, and deſired to drive him out of the Temple and Synagogues: For they which raged ſo much againſt others which confeſſed him ſomewhat more freely; what would they not …o to him himſelf, for whoſe cauſe they were ſo violent againſt others? (Ioh. 9. 22.) But theſe people will not only open the gates that the King of glory may come in, but will lead him through the ſtreets, and ſet him higheſt in the midſt of their aſſemblies. The ſame manner of ſpeech we met with before, Cap. 3. 4. which we interpreted of his coming in the fleſh; otherwiſe his mothers houſe is the Church, as we ſaw in the firſt Chap. verſ. 17. Thou ſhouldeſt teach me. Tremelius referreth it, to my mother which teacheth me. The words beare it: but the A…titheſis requireth ſuch expoſition as I have made. The Iewes very much frequented the Temple; they boaſted themſelves to be the white ſonnes of their mother the Church, but of the doctrine of their brother (the man Chriſt) there will be great difference between the old and theſe. They could not abide to heare Chriſt preaching: theſe will hearken to his voyce only, they will draw their doct…ine from this only Well they will preferre themſelves no other manner of life and ſalvation but him alone. Laſtly, whereas ſhe will give him ſpiced wine to drinke, thereby he teacheth how far the new people ſhall differ from the old in cruelty: They mingled him vinegar and gall to drinke, Ma…. 27. 34. Theſe ſhall tremble at ſuch barbarous wickedneſſe, and in, ſtead of that moſt bitter cup ſhall invite him to moſt generous wine of Chaſt and fervent piety. Their excellent forme and beauty could not be better painted out, then by the oppoſite deformity of that old and degenerate Synagogue: the fruit of the Pomegranate may be referred to ſome principall men among the Iewes, who ſhall apply all their authority to advance religion, &c.
Verſ. 3. His left hand ſhould be under my head, and his right hand ſhould imbrace me.
The love of the Bridegroome, which reſteth moſt pleaſantly in the boſome and imbracing of the Church thus ſettled▪ he ſhall carry the Bride in his armes, and ſhall keep her ſafe and ſound from all troubles, as before, Chap. 2. 6. but that the Church was never before ſo well adorned and protected by the divine power, as in this laſt renovation according to that of Ieremy, Chap. 16. verſ. 14. 15. and of Eſay, Chap. 43. ver…. 5, 6. The exceeding glory of Gods preſence, ſhall then obſcure all former memory, how famous or renouned …oever.
Verſ. 4. I charge yee, O daughters of Ieruſalem, that yee ſtir not up, nor awake my love untill he pl…ſe.
This betokeneth the perpetuity of this love and condition, as before by the ſame kinde of oath, he alwayes declareth a ſettled eſtate of the Church for ſome long continuance; here are no Harts and Roes of the field to diſturb the peace of the Church, as when ſhee living among enemies, had neer her (by Gods▪ juſt judgement) revengers of their revolting; but now the Kingdome ſh…ll be yeelded to Chriſt, for this is the time wherein the ſtone cut out without hands, &c. Dan. 2. 34. 44. 45. and 7. 27. For in this Kingdome all enemies ſhall be far removed, or rather taken away altogether; ſo that the Church ſhall for ever hereafter live free from feare of them. Then all things ſhall attaine their own ends, and that whole Myſtery (Revel. 10. 7. and 16. 17▪ It is finiſhed) which was foretold by the Prophets, for hitherto belongeth their ſacred Oracles. Neither doe they further mention any notable change, till our Lord ſhall come from heaven. For this is that fulneſſe, then which nothing can be farther expected on earth, which ſeemeth to be manifeſted by this removing of all cauſes of diſturbing the Bridegroome hereaft…r. Let us then leave the Chriſtian Church of the Jewes moſt flouriſhing till Chriſt Tranſlate his hence into heaven.
Verſe 5. Who is this that commeth up from the Wilderneſſe, leaning upon her beloved? Iraiſed thee up under the Appletrce, there thy mother brought thee forth, there ſhe brought thee forth that bare thee.
Hitherto hath beene ſpoken of the firſt younger daughter. Another ſiſter followeth: for by this kinde of inquirie we have twice ſeene a new ariſing of ſome Church to be ſhewed. And of this is a double ſtate declared, the beginning in this verſe, the progr…ſſe in the 6. and 7. The name of this Nation which commeth up from the wilderneſſe (me ſeemeth) may eaſily be ſuppoſed out of other places of the Prophets. As Eſay chap. 19▪ 23. &c. wherein he treateth of the calling of the Aſſyrians and the Egyptians: for though many of either Nation were in former times indued with the ſaving knowledge of Chriſt, yet that ſmall number was nothing to this great aſſembly now ſpoken of. Hither belongeth that of Ezek. 47. 1, 2. and Ioel cap. 3. 18. See Numb. 25. 1. Zachary extendeth the limits of this kingdome from ſea to ſea, Cap. 9. 10. and from the ſloud to to the end of the earth, for the pride of Aſſyria, &c. Zach. 10. 11. Wherefore this Church ſhall be that whole bordering Eaſtern Region, Arabia, Chaldea, Babylonia, Aſſyria, and Perſia, and thoſe inmoſt corners of the Eaſt. The waters flowing into theſe Regions, is the courſe of the Goſpell wherewith they ſhall be watered; leaning upon her beloved, ſheweth her great familiarity with him, as lovers are wont to caſt themſelves into the boſomes of their beloved, and whereas ſhe was raiſed up under an apple tree, we learned before that the Apple tree betokeneth inferiour Magiſtrates, under whoſe ſhadow the Bridegroome covereth his Church, as under Tamarisk and lower trees; the high and loftie Cedars being cut downe, Chap. 2. 3. 4. Wherefore the firſt infancie of this Church, ſeemeth to be governed by ſome inferiour Officer, who though in the beginning there wanted the chiefe Princes authority, yet by his labour and diligence, he ſhall bring it to paſſe, that the ſeede of the truth ſowen ſhall ſpring up into the light, that men may behold it: yet it ſeemeth more likely that this Magiſtrate ſhould be given them of the Jewes, to whoſe rule bordering Regions ſhall obey. And therefore this Church is raiſed up under an Apple tree, becauſe it ſhall be ruled by ſuch Government.
Verſ. 6. Set me as a ſeale upon thine heart, as a Seale upon thine arme, for love is ſtrong as death, jealouſie as cruel as th… grave, the …oales thereof are coales of fire, which hath a moſt vehement flame.
Such was the beginning. The progreſſe ſhall be famous for her marvellous and earneſt deſire of piety, which is moſt elegantly painted out in her deſire and the reaſon thereof. Her deſire is, that ſhe may be as a ſeale on his heart and arme, as a note Printed with a ſeale, whereby the impreſſion of it might be aſwell deepely fixed inwardly in the minde, as appeare alwaies outwardly to the ſight, wherein ſhe deſireth that ſhe may cleave to him, as the figure is wont which the Print of the Seale hath made. Moſt vehement love requires the like againe. The ardent deſire of love is expreſt by moſt fit ſimilitudes, for ſaying it is as ſtrong as death, ſhe ſheweth thereby that none can reſiſt the power thereof, death overcommeth the proudeſt ones by force, ſo that it ſhould be folly to contend with her. The grave is alſo cruell without pitie, diſcourteous and in…xorable, who deſpiſeth all ſupplications, nor is ever filled with prey: it daily devoureth an infinite multitude, and yet alwayes gapeth for new ſpolies. Neither is jealouſie leſſe inſatiable.
Verſe 7. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the flouds drowne it: if a man would give all the ſubſtance of his houſe for love, it would utterly be contemned.
Therefore this love ſhall be eternall, which neither adverſity nor proſperity ſhall be able to weaken or any whit impaire: for the chiefe ſcope hereof is to teach us that the light of the truth once kindled, ſhall never be quenched againe in theſe countries, whereby it manifeſtly appeareth that here is ſomething expected to be done, and not to ſhew any thing paſt. Some knowledge of Chriſt hath over-ſpread the Eaſterne Countries many ages ſince, but the floods have overwhelmed it, and the wealth & riches of the world have altogether choaked it; for not the leaſt part of true religion hath there beene ſeene by many ages. But at the length by Gods mercy the truth ſhall plant her rootes in theſe lands, which no ſtorme or tempeſt ſhall pull up, nor faire allurements ſhall cauſe it to wither.
Verſe 8. We have a little ſiſter, and ſhe bath no breaſts: what ſhall we do for our ſiſter in the day when ſhe ſhall be ſpoken for?
He commeth now to the calling of a new Nation, we ſaid was another of the younger ſiſters. Our Divines ſuppoſe theſe to be the words of the old Church, and her wiſhes to us Gentiles. But we have ſeen this Propheſie many yeeres agoe, carried beyond the age of that old Church, and now exerciſed in the fartheſt borders of our earthly babitation. Eſay ſeemeth to teach (chap. 19. 18. 23. &c.) who this people may be in the latter times approaching; he joyneth three nations in a common profeſſion of the truth. The Aſſyrians, Iewes, and Aegyprians. Of the Iewes and Aſſyrians, hath the Paranymph ſpoken before, and ſeemes to have reſerved the Egyptians for the laſt, which nation verily imbraced Chriſt many ages ſince, and was in times paſt very famous in Churches much frequented; yet without doubt, the former times are not here reſpected, but times yet to come, as the courſe of things ſufficiently ſheweth. It is very likely that their owne proper places were certainly given to each one in this ſong. Neither can it be that ſuch carefull order ſhould faile now at the laſt. Eſay expreſly coupleth Aſſyria and Egypt in the ſociety of one Religion: which never hapned in times paſt, when Egypt flouriſhed with true piety: whereunto Aſſyria was then altogether a ſtranger. This is eſpecially to be noted, that ſhe calleth Egypt a little ſiſter, exceeded by Aſſyria onelyonly in the latter times, which was but a barren and thirſty land whilſt Egypt abounded with full channels. But at length Aſſyria ſhall be overflowne by a ſwift ſtreame iſſuing from the Temple, to whoſe Rivers the Egyptian Nilus will be a very ſmall fountaine. But Ioel ſaith, chap. 3. 19. Egypt ſhall be deſolate: and Zacharie, chap. 10. 11. ſaith, her Scepter ſhall be removed. It is very likely that all Muhumetans ſhall be deſtroyed there, before thoſe places ſhall obtaine the Kingdome of Chriſt: but this blotting out of the wicked doth not ſignifie an utter deſtruction, but a laying the way open to better inhabitants, yeelding their power and authority to Chriſt his government. Eſay mentioneth the foregoing calamity and forthwith their following happineſſe, whilſt he giveth the knowledge of the language of Canaan to five Cities, chap. 19. 17. He ſheweth why it is called a little one, by bounding that Church in ſo few cities.
Verſ. 9. If ſhee be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of ſilver, and if ſhe be a dore, we will encloſe her with boards of Cedar.
A wall before, Chap. 5. verſ. 7. was the ſafegard of the Civill Magiſtrate: and they which executed that office were called keepers of the wall: compare it with Chap. 6. 9. it ſeemes here to ſignifie the ſame. As if ſhe ſhould ſay, If the Civill governours will yeeld their helping hand to build up and defend the Egyptian Church, they ſhall not want our ready ayde, that they may do that with the more dignitie. The Gates in the Wall are the Miniſters themſelves, which make an entrance for others into the Church. As the new Ieruſalem, all cloſed with walls, hath twelve Gates, inſcribed with the names of the twelve Apoſtles, Reve. 21. 12. This is then the meaning thereof. If ſhe ſhall be naked, and without authority of the Magiſtrate, ſo that ſhee muſt be gathered and preſerved by the onelyonly truſt and induſtry of the Miniſters; Then will we every where fence theſe gates with Cedar boards, ſo that they may be fitted againſt force, not feeling any worme-eaten old age For then ſhall the Church flouriſh with ſuch Authority, that ſhe ſhall not onelyonly helpe her ſelf, but alſo her far remote Citizens.
Verſ. 10. I am a wall and my breaſts like towers, then was I in his eyes as one that found peace.
The conſultation and decree of the ſiſters hath diſcovered the beginning of this Church. Shee ſheweth the proceeding in her own words. For anſwering their carefulneſſe, ſhe ſheweth her ſelf furniſhed with thoſe ornaments which they were afraid ſhe wanted. Verely, not altogether deſtitute of the civill power, but ſome-what …enced with the aid thereof as with a wall and Bulwark. Alſo her Breaſts from whom milke is drawne for the Children, though in the beginning they were ſo ſmall, that they ſeemed altogether none, yet now they were grown to that largenes that they might be worthily compared with Towers. This peace which ſhe ſpeaketh of is that Marriage (as it ſ…emeth) which her ſiſters before pointed at, and is elſewhere called Reſt, Ruth 3. 1. As if ſhee ſhould ſay: after that my breaſts waxed ripe or imboſſed, I found that pleaſure in Chriſt, which Maides are wont to enjoy in Marriage.
Verſ. 11. Salomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon, he let out the vineyard unto keepers: every one for the fruit ther…of was to bring a thouſand pieces of ſilver.
Verſ. 12. My vineyard which is mine is before me: thou (O Salomon) muſt have a thouſand, and thoſe that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.
Hitherto of the new Chriſtian Church, as it was diſtinguiſhed into divers members, into the elder, and the three younger ſiſters, whereof the firſt is a Princeſs among the reſt▪ Now followeth that which is common aſwell on the behalf of the Bridegroom as of the Bride: that of the Bridegroom is twofold. A care, and a Precept. The care of the Bridegroom towards the Univerſall Church is excellently declared by a diſſimilitude taken from Salomon: Salomon let out his Vineyard to others, and received a large yeerly▪revenue from his Farmers: But I (ſaith the Bridegroom) will take care of my vineyard my ſelf. I will not hire it forth. And the fruit which I ſhall receive, will be far larger then Salomons. Much good do it him with his profits, I do not envi…him. Yet are they not to bee compared with mine. Neither is it a new thing for Kings to hire out to others that which exceedeth their houſhold ſtore. Morcerus interpreteth the twelfth verſe as ſpoken of the Bride herſelf, like as in the firſt Chapter and ſixth verſe ſhe ſaith, Shee was made a keeper of the vines, and ſo ſhe might be now againe, except perhaps for ill lucks ſake then, the Bridegroom himſelf will hereafter undertake …his care (See Eſay 65. 22, 23▪ &c.) leſt the peace of the Church ſhould afterward be diſturbed by ſome ſuch like negligence.
Verſ. 13. O Thou that dwelleſt in the Gardens, the Companions hearken to thy voice: cauſe me to hear it.
This precept teacheth to what imploiment the Bride would give her ſelf for ever: They being ſubdued which durſt to mutter againſt her, and all things ſetled in moſt calme peace. We have often told you that the precepts of this Song are propheſies of common affaires. The bride is ſaid to dwell in the Gardens after the ſame manner as before, Chap. 4. 12. when by Conſtantines Authority ſhee was fenced by the ſafegard of the Civill Law, but▪ in thoſe laſt times the Magiſtrates over all, eſpecially in the new collected Congregations, ſh…ll bend all their force to defend the Ch…rch; herein onelyonly this ſh…ll differ from that, becauſe the firſt garden was cloſed with one wall, their whole aff…ires adminiſtred by one mans rule, this new Garden (as alſo that r…ſtored, Cha. 6. 1.) ſhall be divided with many incloſures, for the variety of Preſidents which ſhall governe in ſeverall provinces. As concerning the Precept. The companions that hearken, are all the Citizens of the Church, for then the Church bringeth it to paſſ… that the Bridegroom may heare Her fellowes, that is, her citizens and particular Congreg…tions, when ſhe ſincerely delivereth the right way to beleeve in Chriſt, and to worſhip God, …o that from her moſt wholſome inſtructions, ſins may be acknowledged, mercy implored, goodneſſe preached, and God in the end may receive his due honour. This is that voice of the Companions, wherewith the Bridegroom ſhall be delighted, which from that time ſh…l ſound in the Church for ever, and which voice the Citizens learn to pronounce, l…ſtning to the doctrine and inſtruction of the Church their Mother.
Verſ▪ 14. Make haſt▪ or fly hence my beloved▪ and bee thou like to a Roe▪ or to a young hart upon the mountaines of Spices.
It is the common deſire in the Brides behalfe, which is delivered in this verſe, for the Univerſall Church b…eaketh forth into theſe words, that the Bridegroom ſhould fly away into the mountaines of Spices▪ What? is ſhe now weary of his preſence, whom with ſuch labour, ſhe before ſought being abſent, that ſh…e ſhould ſo ſoone command him out of her ſight? No, but when the Spou…e earneſtly deſireth that her beloved would fly out of the garden into the mountains of Spices: it is as if ſhee ſhould deſire▪ that leaving the earth he would return again to the heavenly fort…ſſ… for that meane the Mountaines of Spices. No… that ſhe wiſh…h (being alone and depri…d of his imbracings) any longer to ſticke in the filthy dregges of this world: but that ſhe earneſtly deſireth to fly hence her ſelfe together with her beloved, and to come to the inheritance laid up for the Elect in heaven. For ſhe (one of the Siſters) which even new deſired that ſhee might be …ixed to his heart▪ as a Seal, could not endure this divorce, to tarry …ere behinde him. This is all one with that of Saint Iohn, Rev. 22. 20▪ Come Lord …e…us; differing a little in words. Io…n requeſteth that the Bridegroom would ſhew him…elf to the world in the moſt glorious m…nifeſtation of his Majeſty▪ which is now covered from the eyes of the world at the right hand of the Father, and ſo at length would put an end to all things. The Spouſe deſireth that this Beame, how brigh… ſoever, which ſh…ll then ſhine in the ear…h, would as it were collect his light, and withdraw it ſelf into heaven. Either of them wiſhe…h the e…d, but he defineth it by comming from Heaven: ſhe by departing from the earth. Either of which we expect, the comming firſt, the departure after. Hitherto goeth this divine Poeme, but pointeth not out the laſt moment of time. It is ſufficient that it ſetteth forth the condition of the laſt Church more diſtinctly and exactly, I ſuppoſe, then any other part of the holy Scripture. Many large and ple… ſant Propheſies do ayme at the calling of the Iewes, but here alm…ſt all ſet up their marke: but of the other Siſters coming to the truth by her help, they make a more obſcure and generall mention, yet out of this interpretation it may be underſtood how falſe they are, who ſet downe the end of the world at a certain yeer out of ſome limited number in the Scriptures, eſpecially if they compare this Propheſie with the Revelation and Daniel. For that Reſurrectio…, Dan. 12. and Rev. 20. 12. Alſo that, It is done, of the ſeventh Viall, Reve. 16. 17. appertaineth to the calling of the Iews▪ So that where we ex…ect the end of the world, there we finde the beginning of a new Church; which is not like to be for a day or a week or a ſhort time. The Angell expreſly affirmeth to be far and wide ſpread, Rev. 20. 5. 6. And giveth it a thouſand yeers after the firſt Reſurrection of the elder ſiſter. Now ſeeing the Church of the Iewes ſhall begin to flouriſh about 400. yeers after that Reſurrection, 600. yeers at leaſt ſhall be left wherein ſhe ſhall raign here upon the earth▪ but how▪long after, he only knoweth, who knoweth all things. I can light upon no mark or token of time that may give even the leaſt conjecture; Daniel ſaith, after the deſtruction of the Turkiſh Empire, (which ſhall be d…ſtroyed by Converſion of the Iewes) a ſpace ſhall be given for the reſt of the Beaſts to live, even for a time, and a time appointed. But this ſpace is neither expreſſed, neither perhaps ſhall the end of the World be joyned with the deſtruction of the remnant. That therefore which hath troubled many, as if that certain limiting of time which offereth it ſelf in the Revelation and elſewhere, ſhould bring us to the end of all (repreſſing or mollifying the words of Chriſt, Mar. 13. 32. by interpretation) may hence be delivered from this fear, for all thoſe accounts end, either in the Iewes Converſion, or if they goe a little farther (whereof I finde only two, which I have ſpoken of before) they rather ſhew within what time the end ſhall not be, then at what moment it is to be expected. Wherefore that of Chriſt remaineth without doubt, in the ſame meaning as the words do properly ſhew: The Angells themſelves know not the very laſt day. We verily believe this day by faith, and have many tokens of its drawing neere, but I ſuppoſe we fail of any account that may bring us to any neere knowledge thereof. If any think I have opened a window to ſecurity by removing the bounds of it ſo far off: let him know if the ſhortneſſe of this life and the end uncertain move him not, neither will the neereneſſe of this day move him any whit at all. What matter makes it whether Chriſt himſelf come to judgement in the ſight of all men, or thou be drawne to judgement at his Tribunall Seate? or oughteſt thou not be carefull of thine own end, unleſſe the end of the whole world do accompany it? Let the wicked be filthy ſtill, yet this thought will eaſily ſhake off ſ…curity from the godly, though this revealed truth may not a little bridle the tongues of the wicked, which draw all things into doubt, whiles they read of fixed termes in ſome mens workes, and by uſe learn them to be deceived by conjecture. As if the errour of blinde man (and ſuch verily are the ſharpeſt ſighted in Divine Matters) ſhould be a ſufficient Argument to ſubvert the truth of God. We may be deceived in obſcure things, and not plainly delivered to us of purpoſe, yet the Divine Truth doth neither deceive, nor is deceived, as they too late ſhall finde, which have deſpiſed it. But let this be an end of this plain expoſition.
A Prayer.
EXceeding praiſe be to thee O mercifull Father, together with the Sonne and holy Ghoſt, which haſt ſo much reſpected our infirmity, that thou haſt vouchſafed to inform us of things to come even to the laſt end. Whereby, and by the vſe of times paſt we may be confirmed in thy truth, and not run headlong into unforeſeen miſchiefes in the knowledge of things to come. Let not this knowledge vani… without fruite I beſeech thee, but beſtow the comfort thereof upon thy Church; that ſhe looking into the glory of thy Children may deſpiſe all the troubles and deceitfull delights of this life, and may constantly proceed to that mark for which the Crowne is laid up in Chriſt Jeſus. To whom with thee O Father, and with the holy Spirit, …e all honour, praiſe and glory for ever and ever,
Amen.
The Popes SPECTACLES Or his CLJMACTERJCALL yeere calculated in Auguſt, Anno 1623.
BRiefe Notes out of ſeverall Expoſitors of the Revelation, touching the riſing and fall, progreſſe and finall deſtruction of the Enemies of the Church: with ſome other obſervances out of divers writers.
St. John wrote his Revelation and ſent it to the ſeven Churches in Aſia minor, now called Natolia.
He wrote it Anno 97. as Euſebius ſaith: in 99. as Irenaeus ſaith. He dyed under Trajan, 109. as moſt ſay; But Ierome and Nicephorus ſay in 100.
This Propheſie is of things to come, and not of things paſt, as is well obſerved by Maſter Brightman.
It is to be obſerved, for the better underſtanding of this Propheſie, what names and Titles the Revelation giveth to the adverſaries of the Church, which are as followeth.
The firſt and laſt adverſaries are called a dragon; an open and perverſe enemie to Chriſtianity, which were the heathen Emperors, and now the Turkes, as the beſt expoſitors underſtand it.
The ſecond and third after the Dragon are two beaſts, the firſt out of the Sea, the ſecond out of the earth.
The fourth is called a Whore and Babylon, chap. 17. 1. and 5. Alſo that Whore is called the great City, &c. which in Saint Iohns time was onelyonly Rome.
The Dragon the firſt Adverſary was deſtroyed by Conſtantine the great in overthrowing Diocleſian, Maxentius and Maximinian Anno 311. he began his Raigne Anno 306. or 307.
After the overthrow of the Dragon, a Beaſt ariſeth preſently out of the Sea: which Brightman expounds erroneous doctrine, ſo likewiſe hath he Eccleſiaſticall Government. And in Conſtantines time Rome was called the firſt Sea, Conſtantinople the ſecond, Alexandria the third, Antioch the fourth, and Jeruſalem the fifth. And ſo the Romaniſts at this day ſtyle the Popes juriſdiction.
The other beaſt riſeth out of the Earth, which is the Popes ſpirituall and Temporall power, or rather his deare friends, the Antichriſtian Emperours; becauſe it is ſaid verſe 11. that this beaſt ca…th all that dwell in the earth to worſhip the firſt Beaſt, which is the Pope, for they were his firſt builders and are his chiefe pillars, &c.
He is likewiſe called the Beaſt which was and is not, Chap. 17. 11. by which is meant the Romane Empire, in the Weſt, which lay voide three hundred twenty five yeeres, from Auguſtulus, to Carolus Magnus.
Alſo, the Beaſt was taken, and with him that falſe Prophet which wrought miracles, &c. Chap. 19. 20. which ſeeme to make them to be two diſtinct perſons.
Thus alſo is Rome plainely deſcribed to be ſet on ſeven hills and ruling over the Kings of the earth: which make Bellarmine and R…bira both Ieſuites to confeſſe that Rome is the Whore there meant. Rome alſo maintaines Idolatrie and Superſtition in her Religion, Government, and Policie; which in Scripture is called Whoredome: then the Pope is not the Whore, but one of the Beaſts or Bawds rather (if you will) to the Whore. For example; he maintaines Stewes in Rome, yeelding him yeerely 40000. Duckets, and receiveth yeerely of Curtizans 50000. Duckets, and granteth diſpenſations to his Cardinals to uſe Sodometry in the three hot moneths of the yeere. I would know of any Ieſuite whether the Pope can pardon a ſinne before it be committed &c. As he did H…nry the 8. to marry his brothers wife: the King of Spaine his Neece: the Arch-dutches, Albertus, whom ſhe might call, Brother, Uncle, and Cozen. And ſo I leave it to the indifferent to judge, whether he be the Whore, the Beaſt, or a Bawd.
The Whore is ſaid to ſit upon a Beaſt, Revel. 17. the Pope is this whores only ſtay and prop, (quis neſcit?) And ſo Iunius Napier and Brightman take it: but Downam thinks it meant of the Germane Emperours, whoſe puniſhment and deſtruction is deſcribed, Chap. 17. and 18. verſ. 3. and 4.
In the thirteenth chapter it is ſaid that the firſt beaſt is wounded and healed by a Dragon, before the ariſing of the ſecond Beaſt; which Dragon ſome ſay was Athaulphus that wounded Honorius the Emperour, Ann. 414. Others ſay Odoacer, who overthrew Auguſtulus the laſt Romane Caeſar. Another (viz. D. Forbes, now a Biſhop in Scotland) ſaith, it was Theodoricus the Oſtrogoth, Ann. 476. Others Alaricus a Goth that ſackt Rome, Anno 541. Theſe were all heathen Kings, and therefore accounted among the Dragons, whereof one healed the firſt Beaſt, viz. the Pope. Quere.
After this Rome was under the Exarches of Ravenna 197. yeers, which were Chriſtians; then under the Lumbards 56. yeers, which at firſt were heathen and after Arrians, and had but a part of the Empire.
In this time the Viſigothes ruled in Spaine, the Aleins in Guines and Gaſcoine, the French men in the reſidue of France, the Vandalls in Africke, the S…xons in Britain, the Oſtrogoths in Miſe and Hungarie, the Herules and Turinges in …talie and Rome. Only the name of the Empire remained with Zeno in the Eaſt. Tranſamundus King of the Vandalls in Africke baniſhed 220. Biſhops Ann. 459. About the time was great alteration of States and Kingdomes; Carolus magnus overthrowing the Gothes and Vandalls with Alaricus and the Lumbards, was by Pope Honorius made Emperour of the Weſt, Anno 802. (M…lancthon and Lanq…et)
So from Auguſtulus to Carolus Magnus the Empire was void, 325. yeers, wherein ſaith Eraeſmus, Antichriſt was to ariſe. Downam, Napier and Brightman, ſay he roſe when Conſtantine removed the Empire (out of the way) to Conſtantinople; It is true, then the whore conceived the monſter, but ſhe bore him in her womb 35. yeers, before ſhe brought him forth to the fight of the world, 2. Theſſ. 2.
He that withheld was taken away by Conſtantine, (311) when he overthrew Diocleſian, Maxentius, and Maximinian the laſt of thoſe Dragons: neither is he there ſaid preſently to appear or be borne into the world, Chap. 13. 11. and 12.
The ſecond Beaſt after his riſing, cauſeth the earth and them that dwell therein to worſhip the firſt Beaſt, whoſe deadly wound was healed. Theſe were the Emperours: as Phocus, who gave the firſt title of univerſall-Biſhop to Boniface the third, Bale ſaith, he was a Britain firſt named Wenefridus, Anno. 606. Pepin and Charles the great, who gave great revenews to Leo the third. But theſe were of the Race of the ſecond Beaſt▪ and not of the Dragon. About 100 yeers after the death of Charles the Roman Empire came to Otho the firſt German Emperor, Ann. 9…6. After in 996. the Eel ctors of the Empire were ordained, by Pope Gregory the ſeventeenth and Otho the third.
Neither were Boniface or Le… the firſt Beaſt as ſome take it, for the two Beaſts were bred and born long before, as hereafter will plainly appear.
Thus much ſhall ſuffice to diſtinguiſh between the Dragon, the Beaſt, the falſe prophet, and the whore, Rev. 20. 2.
The Dragon called alſo the devill and Satan is bound for 1000. yeers▪ his firſt binding by Conſtantine continued untill Zadok the firſt Emperour of the Turks: which was 1310. This dragon began to breed, Anno 1051. but was not of full growth untill Ottaman the firſt Emperour, Anno 1300. Then the Dragon and Satan compaſſed the tents of the Saints and the beloved city, Rev. 20. who were the Chriſtians. In this time the Chriſtians recovered again Ieruſalem, and held it 92. yeers, Chap. 11. 3.
The two witneſſes … and their corpes lying in the ſtreets of the great city unburied three dayes and a half, is expounded by Brightman to be the decree of the Councell of Trent, the Pope and Charles the fifth, dated the eight of April 1546. Calling the ſcriptures a dead letter, as Pope Innocent had before decreed. And ſo the ſcriptures were but as a dead corpes, for the ſpace of three yeers and a half, (Sleydan) untill the coming of Mauritius, and the men of Magdeburg, who made the ſaid councell to …ie the ninth of November 1549. This councell continued by fits 17 or 18 yeers. The Emperour with the conſent of his brother Ferdinando and the Princes of Germany ſuffered the Scriptures again to be read in their mother tongue by a decree at Auſburg the ſeventh of October 1555. when the two witneſſes were ſet again upon thei… feet, Chap. 11. 13. And then the tenth part of the city is ſaid to fall, which was England, Denmark, Swetia and a great part of Germany fell then away from the Romiſh Religion or ſea.
Napier takes it to be meant of the councell of Conſtance, which began Anno 1414.
Theſe two witneſſes are to propheſie 1260 dayes clothed in ſackcloth, which are ſo many yeers, and then they are to be ſlain. Wherefore they muſt not begin at Conſtantines time, as Napier and Brightman ſuppoſe, but a little after his death at the Councell of Ariminum: where above 200. good Biſhops oppoſed the multit…de of the Arrians. Lanquet ſaith it was held, Anno 361▪ Melan…thon 362, from thence the 27 of September, it was removed to Sele… cium. From whence (adding 1260 yeers) it will fall out to be about 1620 or 1621. About which time was the loſſe and fall of thoſe two famous Churches of Bohemia and the Palatinate: or if you will, the great afflictions that fell on the two Churches of France and Germany, which cauſed a great rejoycing among Papiſts in all places. But if I might ſee them upon their feet again either in Anno 1624 or 25. I ſhall be confident it was meant of them.
Parker who wrote upon the croſſe, and died at Frankford, ſaith (by learned Brightmans leave) that by the Angel powring out his viall on the ſun▪ is meant ſome great affliction to fall upon ſome Church. And the Angel ſhewing Iohn the deſtruction of the whore out of the wilderneſſe, meaneth that he which ſhall deſtroy Rome, his country muſt be firſt made a wildernes, which he ſaith is ſome Proteſtant or Lutheran State, Chap. 12. 14.
The time, times and half a time, muſt agree with the ſixth verſe of the twelfth chapter, where the woman is fed in the deſart 1260. dayes, which make three yeers and a half.
Alſo they ſay it was the cuſtome of the Prophets to account yeers by moneths, weeks and dayes, as Num. 14 34. Eze…h. 4. 5▪ 6. The 70. weekes in Daniel muſt of neceſſity be 490. yeers. 40. dayes and Nineve… ſhall be deſtroyed, Ionah. 3. 4. which came to paſſe juſt 40. yeers after, by Cyaxares. And thirteene yeers before the deſolation of Ieruſalem by Nebuchadnezzar. Euſebius, Of the times of the alteration of States.
Nineveh the Imperiall city of the Aſſyrians was diſtant from Jeruſalem north-eaſt 648. miles. And Anno mundi 3238, and before Chriſt 730. Merodach a Chaldean ſlew Senacharib and his ſonne Aſarhaddon, and made the A…ſyrians ſubject to the Babylonians, Babylon is 680. miles from Ieruſalem towards the eaſt. About 536. yeers before Chriſt Babylon was taken by Cyrus. And ſo the Empire of the Babylonians came to the Perſians. Perſepolis their chief city was from Ieruſalem, 1240 miles towards the eaſt: about 302. yeers before Chriſt Alexander magnus overcame Darius and tranſlated the Empire to the Grecians. Their chief city Philippi was diſtant from Ieruſalem) 954▪ miles north-eaſt. A little before Chriſts time Iuli… gat th… name of Emperour: but it was ſetled in Auguſt… at the birth of Chriſt. So much of the ſ…cond of Daniel.
1. In the eleventh chapter, the two witneſſ…s propheſie clothe… in ſackcloth 1260. dayes.
In the twelfth chapter, the woman is nouriſhed in the wilderneſſe 1260. dayes.
2. In the eleventh, the holy city ſhall they tread under foo… 42. moneths.
In the 13th. power is given to the Beaſt to domineer 42. moneths.
A time, times and half a time is expounded three yeers and a half. Three yeers and a half contain 4…. moneths, which make 1260▪ d…ies; thirty dayes to a monethmonth.
Now for the time of the fall and deſtruction of the enemies of the Church.
By the account of Napier it ſhall be, Anno 1639. Brightman faith before 1650. Theſe two begin at Conſtantines time.
But I crave leave of theſe two worthies to begin 35. yeers after theirs, my reaſons are; Fi…ſt, they take the man▪childe to be Conſtantine, and ſo do I, but it is plain in the text that he is firſt taken up to God before the womans flying into the wilderneſſe, which came not to paſſe untill 23. or 26. yeers after the death of Conſtantine. Secondly, in his time the Church moſt flouriſhed and had no cauſe to hide; But Con…anti… b…unty and leaving Rome to the Popes government was the cauſe that p…eſently Rome grew proud and turned to be the great whor… ▪ …or (committing …ornication with errou… and ambition) …he conceived and brought forth two ſons that wer… ▪ Beaſts: yi… ▪ Conſtanti… Emperours and Liberi…s Pope both Arri…s. Theſe are the fathers and Grandſires of the two Breaſts▪ viz. of all the Antichriſtian Emperour and Popes following. So that it was er…our and p…rſecution which cauſed the Church to hide her ſel….
The greateſt difficulty is to know the time when the womans flying began: to free my ſel… from envy and …avill of Papiſts and Prot… ſtants I will begi… at t…e Ar…ia… councells. And I will begin my computation at the horrible dec…ee and councell of Antioch, Anno 365. And add to it 1260 yeers, the time of the womans hiding i… the wilderneſſe (and the Beaſts time of Domineering) it makes 1625. At the end whereof I hope the woman or Church ſh…ll come forth as a virgine and Bride trim▪d for her husband, and ſee all her enemies trod under foot: which I pray God the father of all mercies and the God of all comfort to grant, &c.
But I know many will ſay, my calculation is incredible, c…nſidering the Popes and the Emperours late prevailings, together with their and the King of Spaines power. I anſwer: The whores plagues are to come upon her at a day, Chap. 17. which may well be unde…ſtood of a yeers warning, or upon a ſuddain.
Alſo if Babylon be and were an Antitype of Rome, as it is apparent; Babylon was of an incredible ſtrength and greatneſſe. The walls were 50. cubits thick and 200 high, and 380▪ furlongs in compaſſe as Strab… ſaith, which makes 48. miles. The river E…p…ate… ran thorow it. The firſt founder was Nimrod▪ like Romulus, branded with the moſt perſpicuous note of cruelty: compelling his vaſſals (like the Pope) to worſhip him with divine wo…ſhip, and after his death to be honoured for one of the principall gods by the name of Saturne. (Chap. 18.) And …f Romes deſtruction be deſcribed by the name of Babylon: and Babylon was deſtroyed upon a ſuddain, when they were ſecure. Belſhazzar was merry in his cups. The ſame night the city was taken deſtroyed: and ſo may the Pope for any thing I know.
And if any ask, by whom it ſhall come to paſſe. It is ſaid, Rev. 17. that there are ten horns, which are ten Kings, who ſhall hate the whore and make her deſolate. If any demand who theſe ten Kings are, let them reade Maxwells Iury of 24. Prophets, whereof twelve …re canonized by Popes for Saints, Bale reckons them ſeven in England, one in Sc…tland, one in Ireland and one in Wales. Theſe ſaith he ſhall hate the whore and make her deſolate.
But I will cite two or three of Maxw…lls Prophets which are moſt to the purpoſe.