Commentary on Revelation, Lecture 5
LECTURE V.
Vers. 7.
And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come, and see.
8.
And I looked and behold, a pale horse, and his name that sat on him was Death, and hell followed with him: and power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth to hell with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
WE have already opened three seals: now followeth the fourth, which, at the first appearing, holdeth forth some terrible event more sad than any of the former, as the particular description will clear.
It hath, as the former, these three, 1. A word, calling, Come and see. 2. A type representing something to come. 3. A word added for explication.
For the first, it is common with the rest, When the Lamb had opened the fourth seal, I heard the fourth beast say, Come, and see. This Preface is the same, save that he is the fourth beast, which (Chap. 4.7.) is like an Eagle, whereby is holden forth the sharp sightednesse, and learning, with a heavenly high fleeing (so to speak) strain of spirit calledfor amongst the Ministers of the Gospel. This fourth beast, is reserved for this type, because then such qualifications amongst Ministers should be most necessary, and also should be by God bestowed upon them during this time, while death was so frequent in the Church, and temporary contentments so blasted, Therefore Ministers were to soar on high themselves, and to call others upward with them, this fleeing and mounting being a speciall property of the Eagle, Isa. 40.31. Ier. 40.16. Io… 39.27. Prov. 23.5.
2. For the type it self, the matter of it, is the same with the former, a horse and a rider; But in every other circumstance different, 1. His colour is pale, pointing forth a further degree of the Churches affliction: she was before fainting and swooning, but now draweth near to death, as the words afterward clear. 2. The rider is named with a terrible name, … that sat on him was Death: which holdeth forth, 1. A spreading of death to many, so it is expounded, a fourth part of the earth shall be killed. 2. That there should be many sorts of death, and many wayes to put an end to mens lives, as, Sword, Famine, Pestilence, &c. 3. He getteth this name of Death, to import the cruel kinds of death which Christians should be obnoxious to under this horrid and barbarous persecution, beyond what formerly they felt. The third thing peculiar to this rider, is, his convoy, which is suitable to his name, and further expresseth the terriblenesse of the event, and hell, or the grave, followed with him. The meaning is, that death and mortality was so frequent, that in every place were graves, and that this dispensation brought men so frequently to death, that where ever it came, there was need of graves to receive them. 1. We expound it rather of the grave, than hell, in this place, not only because the same word in Hebrew and Greek doth signifie both; but because it is ordinary to them, in expressing a desperate-like condition, to joyn death and the grave together, Iob. 17.1. and 13. And 2. because this death especially relateth unto the Church; and therefore must be understood of the grave, rather than of hell.
The third thing, is, a word added for explication, To them was given power over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with Sword, Famine, Pestilence, and Death, and with the beasts of the earth. In which explication, these things are implyed, 1. A Commission, that this rider getteth; he is not absolute, to go and do as he plea…eth, but it is said, power was given unto them: whereby Gods Soveraignity and active Provide…ce over the sadest dispensations of the Church is holden forth. This power, is said to be given to them, in the plural number; either because, 1. It looketh both to death and the grave. Or, 2. rather to this horse with the former two, seing all these seem to be running together in this seal; and the grave is rather to receive men dead, than to kill according to this Commission.
2. The Commission it self which they get, and the extent of it, is, to kill a fourth part of the earth. To kill, holdeth forth the …arrand, horrid acts of cruelty, and murther. A fourth part; this doth both shew the extent and limitation of their Commission, that it should be many, even a fourth part; and yet not all, it is but a fourth part, being a definit for a indefinit number. It is said to kill a fourth part of the earth: by which, is not understood the world as contradistinguished from the Church; that will not agree with the cry of the souls under the following seal, (it being these that cry there, who are killed here) But we understand here the Militant Church on earth, as formerly under the second seal; there being the same scope in both.
3. This explication holdeth forth the particular weapons, as it were, by which that great murther is to be executed, to wit, Sword, Famine, (which two were made use of in the second and third seals) death, and the beasts of the earth. By death may be understood the Pestilence, called the mortalitie, because so many ordinarily die by it. And these four here do certainly allude to Gods four great plagues, under which ordinarily is holden forth by the Prophets, Gods singular Judgement. For this end also beasts are added; which we conceive is not so much properly and literally to be understood, as it is with allusion unto the expression of the Prophets formerly mentioned; and may point at these three here, 1. At the greatnesse of this strait, wherein such a deluge should at once set upon the Church, as if Gods four plagues were let loose together, there being but one under each of the former seals, to wit, Sword, or Famine; here these evils continue, and two moe are added, to wit, Death, and the beasts of the earth: which doth certainly hold forth a greater degree of persecution than was before. 2. By beasts, we may understand absurd, unreasonable, and beastly men, as 2 Thess. 3.2. Such Paul fought with at Ephesus, 1 Cor. 15.32. Of this sort was Nero, 2 Tim. 4 and of such the faithfull Martyr Polycarp complaineth in his Epistles, apud Euseb. who thought long for the Lions and beasts, unto which he was condemned to be casten, that he might be freed from these beasts (his keepers) which were worse than the former. 3. By beasts we may understand that kind of death frequently used by persecuters, (especially in the last persecutions) their hungering of ravenous beasts, and then, for a sport, casting Christians unto them. It being thus understood, it may hold out that plague of beasts, as it doth peculiarly relate to the Church, in which also men were instrumentall, committing that murther by beasts under this seal, as by Famine under the former. However, this is certain, that this pointeth at some dreadfull condition of the Church beyond the former, wherein persecution is at an height (malice leaving no mean unessayed for undoing of the Church (and wherein the Saints are prest to double their cryes to God for vengeance, as in the following seal; and so it appeareth to be at, or immediately before, the fall of the Heathenish persecution. Before we make particular application thereof, we may observe some things usefull for understanding the rest of the seals.
As, 1. That this seal with the former two, doth signifie sad things unto the Church; for that they are all of one kind, appeareth by the gradation which is clear and conspicuous in them. The red horse woundeth, the black horse fainteth, the pale killeth. 2. Hence also it is said, power is given unto them together, as having one Commission. And 3. Considering, that sword, famine and death, are joyned together under this seal, to signifie a strait in the heighest degree: when they are separated, they must also be understood to point at things of the same kind; and therefore what ever is found to be the nature and object of any one of those contained in the three seals, must be understood of all, though in a different degree. Seing then that some of them hold forth clearly the afflictions of the Church, it must be so in the rest also. 2. It appeareth, that by these riders we are to understand the dispensation, or event it self, signified in these seals more than any particular actor, who is either the supream or inferiour cause of it; here the rider is death; and consequently we may call the first, victory; the second, war or violence; the third, Famine, by the same reason whereby this is called death, 3. That one seal doth not end, in respect of the event contained in it, when an other beginneth. Here are both sword and famine under this seal, though death and beasts be added to it. 4. We may gather, that these types are to be applyed to special times, and do not only hold forth in general the kind… of rods and judgements, which were to come upon the Church; for, the repetition of sword and famine by this seal, saith, such judgements were to continue during the time this seal relateth unto, as had been exercising the Church under the former seals, otherwise the repetition were needlesse. 5. It appeareth, that these plagues are not literally to be understood according to the letter of the word of explication, and therefore must some way be figuratively taken, else it cannot be told how to expound that of hell following and beasts, if it be not to hold forth, by allusion to them, some sad dispensation on the Church, as hath been said.
In application of this prophesie to a particular time and event, there are two opinions, even amongst these who agree in this, to wit, that the first period of bloudy persecution, which ends about Constantins time, about the year three hundreth and ten, is typified by this prophesie of the seals. Some make four steps of these persecutions; the second seal, (that is, the first seal that typifieth persecution, to wit, the second; for, the first is of an other kind) comprehending the first two persecutions of Nero and Domitian; the third seal to them comprehendeth the third persecution of Trajan, with the fourth of Anton. Philos. the fifth, of Severus; the sixth, of Maximinus. Unde… the fourth seal, they take in the seventh persecution raised by Decius; the eighth, …ed by Gallus, or Valerianus, or Volusianus; and the ninth, rather intended than exec…d, by Aurelianus, who being so terrified by thunder immediately after his subscribing of the Edict, that he instantly recalled it. These who so reckon, under the fourth persecuting seal (which is the fifth in order, wherein the cry of the Saints is expressed) do comprehend that great and last persecution of Dioclesian. By this reckoning, this seal relateth to the events, betwixt Decius persecution inclusively, and Dioclesians exclusively; and the fifth seal following doth contain the story of the last persecution in its heighest degree of cruelty on the earth. There is no materiall hazard in this; yet considering, that by the seal, persecution is set forth at its height, so that if we look to the rider, Death, or his convoy Hell, or the Grave, or his Commission to kill so many, or his weapons, having Sword, Famine, Death, and Beasts going together, we can hardly conceive persecution at a greater height: and therefore we incline rather to make but three steps in these persecutions, and so to include that last and most horrid massacre by Dioclesian under this seal, and to take the seal following as expressing no new matter, but added for explication and consolation in reference to the foregoing sad events; and therefore differeth in the type, common to the first four seals, as will be more particularly clear in the opening of it.
This seal then containeth the sad condition of the Church under the last persecution of Dioclesian, taking in with it the former intervall after the persecution of Decius, 1. Because in this time persecution came to its height, the Church having now all her former trials lying upon her, and new degrees added to the former; partly, because it is the trial immediately going before the change of the Churches persecuted condition (the cry of souls, and the comfortable answer in the seal following, being the result of this sad condition;) partly, because the story in the event and particulars of that persecution, will be found exceeding answerable to this type: which we shall consider, 1. in generall; and then, 2. in the particular circumstances thereof.
1. In the generall, the Church, after Decius his persecution, almost (except in that of G…llus and Aurelianus) had peace in a great measure from outward persecution, for the space of fourty four years together; but, during that time, had fallen from the simple purity and power of the Gospel into jarres, divisions, and strivings amongst themselves (as Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 1. and many others observe) by which, God was provoked, and the Church made contemptible: upon which, followed this horrid persecution, begun in the ninteenth year of Dioclesian, about the three hundred year. This Dioclesian, being engaged in many wars, choosed for a Collegue to himself in the Empire one Hercul…us Maximianus; and while their wars encreased, every one of them choose a helper to themselves, who were called Cesars, yet had not the stile of Augustus, as the Emperours had. Dioclesian choose one Maximinus to help him in the East, who is also called I…vius. Maximianus choosed Constanti…s, Governour of Britan; he was Constantins father, and a good man. These Emperours set themselves together to root out Christianity out of all the Provinces of the Empire, joyning together craft and violence for that end. 1. Putting to the choice of the Souldiers and Officers to Sacrifice with them to Idols, or to quit their service. 2. Making that same offer to Magistrates, with promises to both if they should obey. 3. By throwing down all Churches. 4. Inhibiting all meetings of Christians, and such like. And when these wrought not their end, they fell to open violence, giving out publick Edicts against Christians, stirring up all against them, and following their cruelty so hotly with a profane emulation, who should go beyond others in persecuting (save Constanti…s who was still friendly to Christians) that almost no Province of the Empire was free: and the number of Martyres, is by all, during that time, counted innumerable.
To make out the conformity of the event with this type, take these particular considerations, which will evidence the horridnesse of this persecution, which is called Turbo persecutionis. 1. That it was universal through all the Empire, and executed by so many prime persecuters, combining together in several parts for that end. 2. For length of time, it continued full ten years in this heat. 3. Particular instances of some places may give us to conjecture at the whole; in particular places often there would be hundreths in a day, whole Churches full, burnt at once; some whole Cities, refusing to sacrifice to Idols and calling themselves Christians, were burnt; whole Legions of Christian Souldiers (being in number six thousand six hundred and sixty) were put to death. One Legion is instanced, who, (after a most Godly Orati… Maximianus by Mauritius their Commander,) with him were killed, because they …fused to act in perse…utin… Christians (even after they twice were decimate for that cause) though they willingly yeelded to serve against all publick enemies. In some places, the bloud of the slain, of it self made little brooks, and coloured great rivers, as it is in Fox…, pag. 103. and Euseb. lib. 8. Chap. 11, and 12. also Chap. 10. who affirmeth he hath seen the actors of that persecution so outwearied, and their swords so blunted with killing, that they behooved to be relieved with fresh actors. In one monethmonth of that time, seventeenth thousand are reckoned to be killed, and by M…d… in locum, (out of famous writers) that in Egypt alone (which was but one little Province of many, belonging to the Empire) there were one hundreth fourty and four thousand Martyres: which may give a hint of what great number the whole, put together, might draw to. 4. The diversity of deaths used by these persecuters on the Christians, may be gathered, First, Fro… the many engines purposly made for …hat end, as Iron grates to …os… on. Brasen Bulls, Iron pikes in Barrels, and such like, never heard of before. Secondly, The many wayes used to kill them, drawing with Horses, cleaving with Trees, casting to wild Beasts, sending to Sea in Boats without any Provision, and thousands of this kind to be seen in Foxe his table of these tortures, and in Euseb. lib. 8. who affirmeth there was an emulation among the wicked people, who might invent the mo… …ouring deaths unto Christians. 5. This cruelty may appear by this, that none of whatsoever relation were spared, friends, neices, children were put to death: yea, this D…sia… put his own wife Sirena to death upon that account. And as no naturall relation, so no good offices of the most faithfull friends, found place to divert that rage. It is reported of one Eustac…ius, who having returned victor over these enemies against whom he was sent, that, on the day of his triumph, and entry to the City, he and his Family was put to death, because he refused to sacrifice with the Emperour at his entry, professing himself to be a Christian unto the Emperour, who out of honour to him had gone forth to meet him. 6. Adde to these, the great mortality and deaths that were throughout the world in this Dioclesians time. It is recorded by Euseb. Lib. 8. Cap. 10: that men died faster than the living were able to bury them: by which it came to passe, that dogs were so accustomed to eat dead mens flesh, that they became a terrour to the living, lest they should eat them also, which made them in all places endeavour the killing of all dogs, as is recorded by him. 7. Consider, that many excellent Ministers stepped out at this time to comfort Gods people, and to draw their minds upward to a creature-contemning and spiritual walk, as Arnobius, and Cyprian, who, upon a very like occasion, wrote his Treatise, de mortalitate, under the ninth persecution. From all which considerations, we may see an event answerable to the type, which may be well called death, with such a convoy, commission, and arms, as this rider hath, yet was there even such a restraint, as made the Church have still a being in despight of them, as will be more clear in the following seals. From which also we may gather these Observations,
1. That there may be many sad trials past unto Gods people; and yet more sad before them: Or, That the saddest trials come often last, like womens travelling, the sharpest showres come last immediatly before a delivery. There is no warrant for Gods people to limit their own trials, or to sit down upon beginnings. 2. After-trials have ordinarily some other circumstances and aggravations beyond the former, as we may see by the gradations of these seals. Trials are like Physick to Gods people; therefore there is a necessity of new ingredients to purge away such humours and corruptions as former potions have not reached. 3. When trials begin on Gods people, they ordinarily come to some great height ere there be a turn, 1 Sam. 3.12. God hath ordinarily some more than ordinary cause in bringing them, which He will accomplish: and often men are not brought to His design by smaller rods; therefore is there yet seven times more and seven times more added unto the former, as it is, Levit. 26. 4. God will sometimes give persecuters great seeming advantage, and will bring His Church very low under them. We might be ashamed to fret or repine under our sufferings, which are not worth to be mentioned in comparison of these here. 5. Though death and the grave, &c. be terrible; yet God hath them ordered in all the circumstances of them, they are limited by Him, and are not boundlesse in their Commission. They are ordered by Him, and neither death, famine, nor pestilence walk at random. It is observed that the Pestilence in Hebrew is expressed by a word DEBER, which signifieth speech or command, because, how ever it walk in darknesse as to men, yet walketh it not one step without Gods word of command. This may be said of all other trials or deaths, which are as precisely regulated by God. 6. We may gather, that the most horrid massacres of Gods people cannot wrong them, nor marr Gods design concerning them. All these trials do but (as Polycarp said of the beasts teeth to which he was to be casten) as a Miln, grind them, that they might as good wheat be fitted for their Lords table. 7. We may gather, Gods peoples happinesse, and the evidence of Gods love to them, do not consist in outward things, their lot is oftner suffering from one seal to another. Death, the King of terrours (Iob 18.14.) marcheth upon them, whileas the world seemeth to be in Covenant with him. These are old truths, That through many afflictions is the way to Glory, and who so will live Godly, shall suffer persecution. Gods people would make for trials, seing these words are yet unscraped out of the Bible; and the story of these times do confirm it: for, however there may be difference in the naming of instruments, timeing of events, and other circumstances among Writters; yet, in the main they agree.