Commentary on Revelation, Lecture 2
LECTURE II.
Vers. 5.
And the Angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thundrings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
6.
And the seven Angels which had the seven trumpets, prepared themselves to sound.
7.
The first Angel sounded and there followed hail, and fire mingled with bloud, and they were cast upon the earth, and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grasse was burnt up.
IN the beginning of this Chapter we find our Lord Jesus taking off the suspension and restraint, and making way for the breaking loose of that Judgement, which in the former Chapter He had restrained. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Angel of the Covenant, hath a double end in these three Verses, to wit, the 3, 4, and 5. 1. To provide for His people, and to make them and their prayers acceptable to God as the best guard against the coming storm: and this is past in the former two Verses, to wit, the 3. and the 4. 2. To give the word and signe for the Angels to sound the alarm, that these Judgements restrained by the four Angels, (Chap. 7.) might fall on; this is performed in this fifth Verse, wherein are two things, 1. The signe given. 2. The effects.
1. The signe is, that he filleth the censer with fire of the altar, and casteth it into the earth: whereby both the signe is given (as if he had now done that, for which he had inhibited them to hurt the earth, till it was performed, Chap. 7.) and the nature of that Judgement pointed at in three things, 1. In the object of it, it is cast into the earth; by the earth, we understand the visible Church here, or that part of the earth where the visible Church sojourneth, called (Mat. 13.) the field, or world; because as the world containeth all creatures, so it containeth all professours good and bad. It is the same earth the winds were not to blow upon, Chap. 7.1. now they are let loose: and it is such a Earth, as hath trees, grasse, and green herbs growing in it; some whereof do wither, and are hurt, and carried away with this storm, some are still lively and keeped safe under Gods seal from it, as Chap. 9.4. whereby it is clear, that by trees are meaned men sealed and unsealed, which are no where but in the visible Church: and this is to be remembered in application of the trumpets afterward. 2. The signe, expressing the nature of the Judgement, is set out to be fire casten, &c. Casting of fire (Ezek. 10.2.) is holden forth to be a denunciation of Judgement coming, and the Lords departing from His Themple; and so we take it to signifie here some sad Judgement of a spiritual nature coming on the Church. 3. It is said to be taken from the altar; to shew, what sort of fire or contention it is, or, whereabout it should rise; not about externall civil things, but spirituall, according to Christs word, Luk. 12.42. I came to send fire on the earth, &c. which being compared with Mat. 10. is clear to be divisions and variances about Religion, kindled by a mistaken and misguided zeal in some, and by passion, pride and enmity in others; it is kindled in the Church, and sloweth from the altar, and these that serve at it, and spreadeth in others. This is otherwise expounded by some, as Christs sending forth His Spirit, and Grace, like fire in the hearts of His people. But, 1. this agreeth not so to the scope; for, immediately the Angels prepare themselves, as taking the word to be given them by this. Nor, 2. doth it agree so to the event or effect, which certainly is terrible, and expounded so through the Book, Chap. 9. and 11. ult. voices, thunderings, and earthquakes set out Gods terrour, especially consideirng how they are linked together with Judgments. And, 3. It agreeth best to the signe of casting down fire from the altar, which is opposed to His gracious sending up incense added to the prayers of all Saints, in the Vers… before; and this followeth as His rejecting and casting back such services (as it were) of others beside His Saints, there being a great difference between incense ascending and fire descending: and Christs using the same instrument (as, the censer) for both, sheweth, His doing it as Mediator, having all power in Heaven and Earth; and therefore it is said, Luk. 12. He came to send it, not only occasionally, but by His overruling, guiding and timeing of it; and expresly (as it is a Judgement,) it is said (2 Thess. 2.) He will send them strong delusions, &c.
2. The effect of this, is answerable, in the close of the Verse, There were voices, lightnings, &c. which shew some terrible effect and stir that followed; for, though thunderings, &c. may sometimes be as an evidence of Gods hearing prayer, 1 Sam. 12.16. Yet, considering how other wayes it is taken in this Book, (See Chap. 11.14. and 16.18.) and that they follow the casting of fire on the earth, and that the Angels immediately sound, who till now were restrained, we cannot but look upon it, as a word given to them to make ready; immediately upon the back of this sign, the seven Angels prepare to sound, upon which, fire and other judgements followed, &c. And if it be asked, why not before? it is insinuated, they waited for orders, and the signe and command which now they get. 2. Further Observe, There is in these effects a gradation, and the sharpest and sorest is hindmost, and these steps may be for a little sum of what was to follow by the sounding of the first four trumpets especially, as will appear.
Observe, 1. In this with its order, comparing it with what went before Christs intercession, and the Saints praying, That Judgements, even spirituall Judgements of Errour, Schism, Division, &c may follow a praying time and a praying frame of Gods people, I mean on the visible Church, while the Godly are serious in prayer, and hypocrites but dissemble. There may follow very great spirituall Judgements on a Church after a praying spirit hath been on the Lords People in that Church. All the Saints have been praying before, though they were not acceptable, but through Christs intercession; and yet, upon the back of that, followeth this Judgement. Experience hath proven the truth of this; and it floweth partly from the malice of the devil, that worketh and rageth the more, the more instant and earnest they be with God; partly, from the Judgement of God, plagueing godlesse and formall hypocrites, who in a praying-time joyn with the Godly, but (as it is, 2 Thess. 2.) have not the love of the Truth, nor a practice suitable to it; and the more that such pray, they draw on the more guilt accidentally, and there is the more giving up to be discovered; and partly, God may be forewarning, and forearming His people by such a frame against such a storm. What marvell if after our purity and praying, such a Judgement come to discover a multitude of gracelesse, profane hypocrites and counterfeit dissemblers, and to give them a fill of their own wayes that were not in love with His? Beside, Gods peoples praying for Christs Kingdom flourishing and His peoples prosperity, will hasten judgement on them who do not grow in it. Often inward enmity at the right way, when it is not received in love, though it may be in profession, is plagued with outward outbreaking in wrong wayes, more than if there had never been profession. 2. This fire cometh from the altar, Observe, That there is a fire that cometh from the altar, that hath …ight terrible eff…cts, i.e. by such instruments, concerning such a subject as belongeth to the altar, and followed that way. Or, thus, Contention and strife about spiritual things amongst Church-men, and flowing from them to others, is a very sad Judgement and hath very terrible effects; it most marreth the beauty of the Church, it obstructeth the spirituall growth of Gods people, and burneth up all their spirituall life. Lord, save us from this Judgement, and make all His servants and people warrie of the kindling of it, and make us more earnest in prayer, that God would quench what of it is begun, lest it go on to consume us. Observe, 3. That these spirituall Judgements are ordered and timed by Christ, who setteth bounds to them: His soveraignity reacheth these things, the fire cometh not till He cast it; the trumpets sound not till He give them orders; 2 Thess. 2. He sendeth strong delusion; Luk. 12. I came to send fire on the earth: though the sin be lying on them, and others be instrumentall in it, yet the delusion cometh not by guesse; and when God in Judgement plagueth, He hath His own way of ordering and timing it, as He thinketh meet; and were not His bridle is in the mouth of this Judgement, we had been more consumed with it ere now.
The 6. vers. sheweth to what purpose this was; and in it, it is said, the seven Angels prepared themselves to sound: Why not at first when the trumpets were given them? Answ. Because (as we said) they waited for orders: and now, orders being given, they delay not, but fall to do their duty: Yet, 1. by preparing either themselves, or their instruments for it. 2. By keeping due order and not confounding their commissions, and the timing of these, neither precipitating without commission, though furnished with gifts; nor rashly, and confusedly going about it, but with preparation and order: which things are certainly mentioned for imitation, that these who pray for grace to do Gods will on earth as it is done in heaven, may take this as a patern, especially such as are instrusted to be Heraulds and do sound His trumpets.
1. They are set apart and designed for this office; so should Ministers, they should look well they be designed for this office, and have their calling clear, as these seven Angels were separated from others to this work. 2. Trumpets are given them, that is, they are furnished with gifts; whomsoever He designeth for an office in His house, He furnisheth them, and giveth trumpets to all whom He calleth to sound. 3. When they have gotten trumpets, they will not blow while He command to sound: it is not gifts that warrant men to Preach, but they must have particular orders when to do it. The Word must be taken from his mouth, when, where, and how He shall order it. 4. They are prepared, advised and warrie in going about the work when they are called to sound: Gods giving of gifts and orders to exercise them, is not enough except men prepare themselves for the work, and be advised and warry in going about it, as Paul to Timothy, 2 Tim. 1.6. Stir up the gift that is in thee, &c. 5. They are diligent and faithfull in their execution when they have gotten orders and are prepared; although the message be heavy, faithfulnesse and diligence is a good property of a Minister of Christ, 6. They keep an orderly way of proceeding in discharging their duty, every one in their station, and not in a confused way; so it becometh Ministers: and Ministers, being resembled to Angels; and their giving of warning, to the sounding of the trumpet, Their office and duty may be thus pointed at here. Lastly, Sounding of a trumpet, implieth distinctnesse, 1 Cor. 14. and statelinesse and power in the manner of carrying their commission, giving alarm convinceingly and plainly, which notably agreeth to Ministers.
Followeth, from the 7. vers. and forward, their sounding: where there is in every trumpet, 1. The sounding. 2. The effect or consequent of the sounding; and that is the judgement that followed. 3. The object of the judgement, the earth. And, 4. the extent, fruit and effects of the judgement.
To understand more particularly this prophesie of the trumpets, which is an hard place, and needeth Gods speciall direction in it (which we humbly desire) we premit these considerations or observations, which may in some things fix us in the opening of it.
1. For its beginning, rise, and close, it is cleared before, to rise after the breaking of that little peace the Church enjoyed under Constantine, and to close at Antichrists begun fall, when he is brought to a height, and the vials begin to be poured out.
2. It is not only contemporary with, but hath respect unto, the prophesie of the beasts' Chap. 13. and Chap. 11. vers. 7. as also the rise and close of that prophesie of the beasts' will fall under the same times and marches: whereby it appeareth (considering also Chap. 7.1, &c. and what was said there) they do most directly belong to the Church, and that in Spirituall trials.
3. Consider, that the fifth trumpet looketh clearly to Antichrist and his discovery openly, as appeareth by comparing, vers. 4. Chap. 9. with vers. 8. Chap. 13. The same persons and by the same mark, are keeped from the spirituall hurt of both; as also, that the sixth trumpet bringeth the Mahometans upon the back of that, the Turks being raised as a scourge for the Idolatry of the former, which are the first two great woes; and the first four are lesser in comparison of these. Now, this discovery of Antichrist, will be about the six hundred year, or a little after: the first four then must preceed that time, and continue the state of the Church from the three hundred or thereby (where the seal is closed) till that time.
4. Consider, that the main drift, is, to discover that defection of the visible Church in declining by steps from purity in Doctrine and simplicity in Worship, which endeth in Antichrists height; and also consider it, as it is penall, every step of their sin and defection being (in Gods righteous judgement) penall, including in it some Spirituall plague, and carrying, alongst with it, or on the back of it, some temporall judgement on the world, and exercise or triall on the Godly, especially under Antichrist.
5. Consider, that it doth not so much point at particulars either of things or persons, as to shew the generall state of the Church in these successive times by whatsomever instruments or events of all sorts, having influence on her declining, and especially as they make way for Antichrists growth, by weakening the Church or shaking the Empire: which being the main scope, is more clearly insisted on in the 11. Chap. and in the vision, Chap. 12, 13, and 14. therefore may they in part, be of a mixed nature as they stand in reference to this scope.
6. It is observable, That as in all the other changes of periods, so in this, the overturning of the visible Church is compared to the overturning of the world, and plaguing the Earth, Sea, Rivers, Sun, Moon, &c. There are three worlds mentioned, which successively are defaced by the three principall prophesies of this Book, 1. The heathen world, it is overturned together, Chap. 6. and under the sixth seal. 2. To it succeedeth the Christian world, when Religion hath liberty and the countenance of the Romane Authority; this is defaced successively under the trumpets, by that worlds declining to be Antichristian, and by his getting Authority and Power on his side, and bringing the Church witnesses and Saints low. This Popish, or Antichristian world, is destroyed under the vials, in the the same expressions of Sea, Earth, &c. All which states of the Church in the Empire, are compared to different worlds, and their overturning or defacing to the changing of the world, while it is only the Church or Religion in the world which suffereth change.
7. If we will look to the trumpets, as the effects follow them, and to the vials and their effects; There is a great suitablnesse between them in all. The first trumpet is on the Earth, and so is the first vial poured out on it; the second on the Sea; the third on the Rivers, in both; so the fourth on the Sun. The fifth trumpet bringeth out Antichrist as on his throne, the fifth vial is poured out on the seat or throne of the beast; the sixth trumpet louseth the four Angels at Euphrates, the vial drieth up that River: whereby it appeareth, that God destroyeth Antichrist in that same method he grew, and cleareth His Church, as she was in severall steps darkned, obscured and troubled; that as Antichrist brought in a new counterfeit Church or World by degrees, overturning what was before, So shall he be destroyed. And therefore, as the destruction of Antichrist and his world, is clearly intended by the vials; so this world, which is overturned here, must be understood of the visible Church, on whose ruines that Antichristian world was erected, seing the rise of Antichrist inferreth the defacing of the Church, and that by the same steps and in the same method, as his ruine followeth by the vials. Neither can there be any other reason given of the accurate resemblance which is between the trumpets and vials, which yet cannot be thought to be without reason; neither can there be an overturning of the Antichristian world, till it be built; nor can it be thought to be builded, but under the trumpets, to wit, after the Heathenish world is past and the Christian built; yea, after the Christian world beginneth to decay: all which fall under the trumpets; for, two of those worlds cannot stand together, yet still one of them followeth upon the back of the other, so as the overturning of the Heathenish world, supponeth Christianity to succeed; and as the destroying of the Antichristian world by the vials, supposeth purity to succeed, So here the decay of the Christian world, supposeth the Antichristian to succeed. All which, being put together, 1. It is clear that the declining of the Church from purity, and that the rise and discovery of Antichrist, is the main scope of these trumpets. 2. That we must expound Earth, Mountains, Waters, Sun, &c. to be something in the Church, bearing an analogie to these things in the world.
8. Yet we say, these trumpets are not to be so bounded, as if the first were contemporary with Antichrists discovery and sensible rise, which is in the fifth; for, then there would be a great void in the prophesie, in passing over many considerable events in the Church during the second three hundred years, wherein Truth and Christs Kingdom were much concerned, which we conceive could not be omitted in this prophesie; and yet no where else can be thought to be set down; we are therefore to look on them as they hold out the Churches first storms after the world became Christian, and whereby she was exercised during the time of Antichrists secret and unseen working, who took occasion from all these to fix himself; and by all which the world was by degrees disposed to receive him, who after the first four trumpets is found to step out under the fifth; and this we conceive to be the reason why the first four trumpets are distinguished from the last three, which contain the story of Antichrist after his full manifestation.
From which considerations, we suppose it is clear, 1. That these trumpets denote the state of the Church with some order of time. There is certainly order in the three last trumpets, in respect of themselves, and in respect of these which preceed; and therefore it is not for the clearing of them, to expound them of kinds of heresies in a confusion, as agreeing to any time. 2. That they do not principally intend temporall changes on the Roman Empire, as the object of these mutations, or as vindictive on them for their former persecutions, (though these spirituall ills be set out in expressions suiting temporall judgements, even as the Churches disputes with Hereticks, are set out by fightings, and such like) for, the Saints and witnesses especially, suffer temporally here, when all the world otherwise rejoyceth, Chap. 11. It remaineth then, that the object is the Church-visible; the nature of them is Spirituall principally (as is said before) with temporall exercises on the Church and judgements on the Empire.
The order and sum of the trumpets then we conceive to be this. The four first trumpets (which comparatively with the other three following, are the lesser woes) hold forth the Churches declining and weakening from under Constantine (as was touched before) about the three hundred and twenty year or thereabouts when Antichrist had his working under ground, till his discovery, which is in the fifth trumpet, about the year six hundred and some odds, holden out in these steps, 1. What was set upon in all these beasts, and in what order? 2. By what means? 3. With what successe and fruit?
1. Enemies publickly set upon the very foundation of Christianity, without which a man is no Christian, as, if Christ be by nature God (if He was foreign, in opposition to Arius) of the same Essence with the Father, though a different Person, which who believed not, in the Primitive times was justly accounted no Christian. This was done by discovered and open Hereticks, such as Arius, Macedonius, Eutyches, Nestorius, &c. striking all of them at the Person and Natures of our Lord Jesus. This was a violent storm, striking at the foundation, and took away many Professors of all sorts, yet the earth it self stood like a Rock, though trees on it were burnt up. All these Heresies were rejected by the Church, and condemned by the first four famous generall Councels. The first whereof was conveened at Nice by Constantine about the year 325. wherein was condemned the heresie of Arius, who denied the God-head of Jesus Christ, or that He was by nature God, as the Father was, though he accounted Him more than a man, and so differeth from Photinus. The second was at Constantinople by Gratian and Theodosius, Anno 380. In this was condemned the heresie of Macedonius, who denied the personality of the holy Ghost, the third Person of the blessed Trinity: His followers therefore were called foreign. i.e. fighters against the spirit. The third, was at Ephesus, under Theodosius the second, Anno 431. It condemned Nestorius, who made Christ to have Persons as two Natures. The fourth was at Chalcedon, under Martianus, Anno 451. This rejected the Doctrine of Eutyches, who, in opposition to Nestorius, attributed to Christ but one Nature, thus confounding His Natures, as the former had divided His Person. In the computation of these times, it is not to be expected, that we can be so peremptory, there being some little difference amongst Authors according to their various timing of events, yet without any materiall prejudice to the truth of the story. This is the first trumpet.
2. This storm being by discovered enemies, Satan cometh not so good speed; he assayeth, next, the corrupting of government, by removing of which, he might have fair accesse to what he pleased or intended to bring in afterward. To effectuate this, he inflameth the Church-men with pride, and from it, for precedencie, wakeneth contention (as once he did amongst the Apostles) whereby the work of God was much retarded, and poor souls stumbled, and the Ordinances of Christ (especially government) corrupted. Who would see this, may read Plessaeus mysterie of iniquity about the four hundred year, and what dealing there was with the east Church and falsifying of votes of Synods, as that of Nice, proven from authentick Copies, for that end, sought and found by the fathers of Africk, may be seen, C…nt. Magdeburg; yea, also in Baronius. This prevaileth, the mountain taketh fire, and becometh low in its grandour and spirituall weight and credit, and all are infected with this, to be more about outward pomp than inward power, about earthly thing… more than spirituall. This is the second trumpet.
3. The devil, (having prevailed this much by Church-men) setteth on, next, to poison fountains and rivers which men drink of and live upon; Doctrines were somewhat clear before, and fundamentals were not easily overthrown while government and unity were in force, Now he poisoneth sound Doctrine in the mouths of Ministers; and free-will, Justification by good works and externall holinesse, merit, dispensations, pennances, purgatory, sacraments, opus operatum, especially traditions, are brought in: whereby the wholesome Word was corrupted in many places of the world, and its native purity lost; and instruments were made use of in this, who once seemed to shine in the Church, as Pelagius, Origen. &c. This is the third trumpet.
4. In the fourth trumpet, the light is further obscured, and the beauty of pure Doctrine in the Church darkened, the Scripture is vailed and keeped up, ignorance fostered, tradition is brought in place of Scripture, will-worship and ceremonies for the practice of holy duties, &c. whereby the glorious light of the Gospel and of the Church was darkened and grew dim, making way for Antichrists rising, though it encreased much more under him, yet even then men were more taken up with Monkishnesse and these toyes, than with things which were more profitable, out of which darknesse Antichrist at last start up, and took it on him, in the fifth trumpet: whereupon followeth Mahomet in the sixth, as his and the worlds scourge, untill the vials make a turn, and this height of Antichrist be brought down even as he rose; which series of the vials, begineth with the seventh trumpet.
This series agreeth well with the types and also with the truth of the event in the matter of fact, as afterward succeeded, and so the Church is wasted, blasted, and way made for Antichrist by th…se first four; and therefore there can be no unwarrantablenesse in speaking thus of them. It agreeth also well with the scope, in shewing Antichrists rise by these steps: Only, take that advertisement which we gave on the seals, That though there be an order in the rise of these things one after another, yet neither would we be peremptory in timeing it, or ascribing it to particular events, nor yet think, that one endeth, or goeth away, when the other cometh; nay, they continue together, and do compleat the Churches darkening, as it was with the dispensations under the seals; the first continued till the last, but had order in its rising, so here. And though something of the latter trumpets might be working, even as soon as the former, and no doubt the fifth began to work soon, yet the trumpet looketh at such a thing in a height or its discovery, and so the second was working under the first, but did not break out till the first was some length proceeded.
We come now particularly to the Angels sounding. The first foundeth in this seventh Verse, Where we are to consider, beside the sounding, these three things, 1. The judgement threatned, or the signe of it, fire and hail mingled with bloud; a very great storm. 2. Its object, the earth. 3. The effect, the third part of trees and all green grasse was burnt up: it is like it alludeth to one of the plagues of Egypt, whereby much desolation was wrought; here it signifieth a spirituall storm, called hail, partly, because of its cold, blasting and terrible nature, especially in these Countreys, it being the great cause of barrennesse and unfruitfulnesse then; partly, because of the hurtfulnesse of it; so it signifieth that which heresie (in generall) floweth from and carrieth with it, to wit, coldnesse in practice of Religion towards God, and affection towards others, making men cold within, and barren and unfruitfull without; but this hail is more than an ordinary blast and storm, coming impetuously, though not lasting long. 2. There is fire, in terrible tempests, they were mixed; and this signifieth the rent of unity in practice and affection by contention and passion, as the former the defacing of Doctrine by some terrible Errour. So, Luk. 12.42. I came to send fire on the earth, and Iames 3. it is said, the tongue is set on fire and kindleth others. This fire of division, is a companion of heresie; and heresies do often more hurt to the Church by their contentions and schisms than by their Doctrins, it being the kindling of this fire that in the judgement of many denominateth one an Heretick, which he would not be by his simple adhering to an Errour, if nothing were of this. As also it is observable, that hail, which is cold, hath fire with it, like Ephraim, Hos. 7.8. who was like an unturned cake, hot beneath, and cold affections above, these go together, much zeal in an erroneous opinion and heat for that, which is ever accompanied with coldnesse in more fundamentall things; the colder men be in the one, the hoter are they in the other, as the Pharisees were for their own traditions, zealous, but in Gods commands indifferent. 3. It is mingled with bloud: which holdeth out the bloudy nature of heresie and of this meaned here; which we think rather to be understood of their putting faithfull opposers to suffering for withstanding their Doctrine, than their suffering for it: this also is a fruit of the fiery spirit, that when words prevail not, and their falshood is discovered, they run to open violence; and their is no cruelty like this of Hereticks.
2. The object of this judgement, is, the earth, And 3. the effects, are, the burning up a third part of trees and all green grasse.
1. By earth, we understand, 1. either indefinitely the visible Church, which is set upon and defaced in its most clear and plain truths, Chap. 7.1. Or, 2. more especially, the foundations of it, such truths as are most solidly to be believed, without which the visible Church cannot stand, as that, concerning the Person, Natures and Offices of the Son of God, as the earth in the Pagan world, Chap. 6. and in the Antichristian world, Chap. 16. may and doth signifie their foundations, and what seemed most strong in them, and essentiall to them, when their foundations were shaken they must fall; so here the right confession of Christ and pure Doctrine of Faith in Him, is called the foundation or rock on which the Church is builded, Mat. 16. Or, Thirdly, it may shew the spreading of this plague, or sore, over the very face of the Church in respect of its extent, there being no part of the earth free of it.
3. The burning up of trees and all green grasse holdeth forth, 1. The dreadfull effects of this judgement on eminent professours, some for gifts and knowledge; some it may be for grace, and withall, some eminent for place and authority, called trees, as taler and stronger than others; and upon all grasse, as if an utter barrenness followed it, and a pleasant land were turned to a burnt-up wildernesse, that nothing almost was free from the hurt of that plague. 2. Yet it is limited, and a third part but of trees burnt up; many eminent men are keeped free.
Now, if we come to particular application of it, it is done, 1. (as some think) in respect of temporall judgements on the Empire, which in this time followed by the Goths, Vandals, &c. 2. As others think, in respect of particular heresies, to wit, of the Arians, Macedonians, Nestorians, Pelagians, &c. Or, 3. as others, in respect of Antichrists rise, as something creept in, tending to his bringing forth in the Church by severall steps. But, 4. They may be generally applyed to the state of the Church in such a time under them all; (yet, …looking more especially to some remarkable particular) which we think safest, Because it is most comprehensive, and yet not inconsistent with, but agreeth best to the scope, series, and order, and to the effect) it sheweth the d…clissi… state of the Church in respect of time, which also hath its tendency to Antichrists heightening. For, 1. Heresie maketh way for him who still was fishing in troubled waters; and Rome, by its Authority and outward greatness, had too much influence in these debates, as an Umpire amongst dissentients. 2. The Empires diminishing proved a taking him out of the way, which withheld, and so made still a more open door for, his rising, 2 Thess. 2.
Yet we think the Arian heresie, and what followed, accompanied and depended on it, is especially holden forth by this first trumpet: and we account the Macedonian heresie a branch of the same, for these reasons, 1. Because this change and danger of the Church by it, was so great, that it is not like other storms would be mentioned, and this past in silence; and no other place can be assigned so pertinent for it. 2. It agreeth and suiteth well with the series and time of this storm, which is the first after that calm the Church had in Constantines time.
3. The nature of it agreeth with it, 1. It was violent, and that against the most substantiall and fundamentall points of Religion, to wit, the Godhead of Christ and of the holy Ghost, without which, there can be no Christianity, this being the rock upon which the Christian Church is built, Mat. 16. And there was never more fire nor bloud in a storm; the Church was undone with contention, so that no general Synod (even that of Nice) could remove it, but they burst out more; and Constantines sad regrates and serious …xpostulations with Bishops because of this, and the many contrary Synods (some whereof sided with Arius) confirm it.
4. Much bloud and persecution followed thereupon by Constantius, Valens, and other Arian Emperours and Governours (beside what was committed by the Vandals in Africk) than which was there never persecution more cruel and barbarous.
5. There were not only many, but exceeding eminent men, both Civil and Ecclesiastick, led away with that Errour; sundry Emperours, as Constantius, Valens, before named; many Kings of the Goths and Vandals, were favourers of it; many Bishops of great r…e in the Church, did propagate it; yea, sometimes whole Synods of many hundreds, did establish it and condemn the truth, and the defenders thereof, as that Synod at Tyre, Anno 336. did condemn Athanasius under pretext of turbulency, murther and adultery. A Synod at Antioch, Anno 337. deposed Eustachius the Bishop thereof, under the like pretexts. Such was the Councel of Millan, Anno 354. (at which it is written, that Constantine being now aged, was present) which did condemn many worthy men because they would not subscribe to the condemnation of Athanasius, such were Hilarius, Osius, Paulinus, &c. Another was at Syrmia, where Osius was whipped till he did subscribe. The great Councell, (for number being accounted 1000. Bishops) met at Ariminum and Seleucium, did at last establish this Doctrine, and decree that the word foreign (whereby Christ is signified to be God, of the same Essence with the Father) should be laid aside, and the word foreign (whereby is signified that He is not of the same, but of the like substance or Essence) was brought in. In which two words, though there be little difference in letters, yet much in substance, concerning which there was much debate in these dayes. After Macedonius arose, a third word was brought in by His followers in the place of both, to wit, foreign, whereby he would neither call Christ of the same substance and Essence with the Father, as the Orthodox did; nor of the like substance or Essence to the Father, as the Arians did (who did therefore in that Synod of Syrmia condemn Photinus for asserting Christ to be a meer man and not God, as they did Osius for asserting Him to be God co-essentiall with the Father) but simply to be like the Father, without mentioning either the unity or likenesse of His Essence.
6. Many eminently Godly men were out of infirmity at last (by the violence of persecution) brought to subscribe to their way, and to condemn Athanasius, as did Liberius Bishop of Rome, and the foresaid Osius Bishop of Corduba, &c. who long had suffered for the truth and afterward came to the acknowledgement of it.
7. This storm, and the defection under it, became so universall, that almost all the world was become Arian, that it became a proverb, Totus mundus factus est Arianus; and Ierome saith in Chronicis, omnes pene toto or be Ecclesiae, nomine pacis & Regis, Arianorum consortio polluuntur.
8. Then brake in the barbarous Nations, Goths and Vandals; and the Religion they had was Arian, both in Kings of Italie and Africk, though some of them were more civil to the Church than others.
9. This contributed much to the rising of Rome, 1. Many distressed men, as Athanasius, and others, because that Church was long pure and in Authority (when others were infected and lesse able to help) made addresse to it, to implore their help for vindicating them, and the truth they maintained, by owning it and interposing for it; also Hereticks when they were condemned, appealed to Rome, to draw them on their side, as Eutyches, Donatus, and sundry others in Africk which the Bishop of Rome made use of to incroach on others. 2. Some acts of Synods were made to prevent unjust oppression of honest men from corrupt Bishops which abounded in the East, during the intervalls of Synods, whereby too great weight of hearing differences for that time was drawn from the east to the w…st, a… being more free of that corruption, which was Hosius overture in the Councel of Sardic…, Anno 347. which was occasioned from the overspreading of Arianis… in the east, even after the Councel of Nice: from all this, Rome took much advantage. 3. By the Emperours too much liberality, they grew to pride; and by the diminishing of the Emperours Authority in the west, the Bishops of Rome grew: so that what pride, covetousnesse and usurpation this age brought forth in them, may be seen at large in Pless…us mysterie, pag. 4.44. C…ntur. Magdeburg. C…nt. 4. by all which they did winde themselves someway in to be Umpires or Arbitrators of differences in other Churches, which afterward they drew to a debt and obligation on them. 4. At that time he being desired, did interpose brotherly by his Commi…ioners with other Bishops and Churches; which being for a cause, upon the matter, good, and from an eminent Bishop, had much weight with it, and was much esteemed and regarded, though not as Authoritative, which his successours abused in after tim…s. So then the Churches estate betw…xt the 300. and 400. years and thereabout, will be found, as its here foretold to be. Inwardly the Church, undone by Hereticks, heresies, contentions, backed with pretended Authority Civil and Ecclesiastick. The Bishops of Rome working their Supremacy in all these troubles, and he taking occasion to insinuate himself as Moderator among them, though yet under ground, and that but on the earth and low. Doctrine began even then to be in many things corrupted by speciall men in the Church, especially concerning freewill, ceremonies, &c. By which may be gathered, what great storm this was, and how answerable to this type; so that its easily applied to it. Observe,
1. In general, what a terrible thing it is to have error, heresie, division and contention letten louse on a Church; it is terrible as fire, hail and bloud, and terrible in the effects, a third part of the trees and grasse are burnt up: few believe this… yet these plagues are lesse terrible to bodies than error and the effects of it are to souls. 2. See the nature of heresie, 1. It is violent, cooling love, and obstructing practice whereby the soul is kept in life, but in contentions for it self and things belonging to it self, firy, bloudy and cruell. The first word looketh at the impurity of the Doctrine, striking at the very foundation, …ail. The second word, fire, looketh at the breaking of unity. The third word, bloud, looketh at the destroying of lives; such were the false teachers of old, such were they in Christs time and after His time. 2. It spreadeth on many for number, on great men and good men sometime for quality, all green grasse and a third part of trees. Who would have thought so many famous able men would have been carried away with it, that (as we said before) it became a proverb, the world is become Aria… ; many Bishops and Synods, many eminent in parts, partly through terrour, partly through weaknesse, came to verball acknowledgement of the error, and to condemn some honest men that spoke for truth? This should make us be watchfull and humble: would a…y think that the God-head of Christ or of the holy Ghost should be denied? and yet this is of late revived: for, the S…c…nian error is the same in substance, and hath many followers. 3. Many trees are spared, partly as a testimony against others, partly to give themselves time to repent, they are not taken away altogether. Let us arm against such a storm and become more warrie and watchfull.