Commentary on Revelation, Lecture 4
LECTURE IIII.
Vers. 10.
And the third Angel sounded, and there fell a great Star from heaven burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters:
11.
And the name of the Star is called Worm-wood, and the third part of the waters became wormwood, and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
THe Church being before defaced by grosse Hereticks and Errours, and kindled within by pride and contention: for, the Government amongst its Governours, is now set upon by an other mean, the rivers and fountains that were a little clear before, and these streams whereby the waters of life were conveied, are made biter, and, in stead of life, they convey death by being now corrupted.
In this trumpet we are to consider these three, 1. The judgement or ill that followed the Angels sounding. 2. The cause, I mean the instrumentall cause, or rise of it, whence it flowed. 3. The effects of it.
1. The judgement or ill, is, The corrupting of a third part of the waters, fountains and rivers. By fountains and rivers (which are the object) are understood the Doctrines of the Gospel, or the Covenant of Grace and Christs Offices, and the way of conveying and communicating the same to sinners by the Ordinances of the visible Church, called the wells of salvation, Isa. 12.3. and called springs, or well-springs, which God hath placed in His Church, and which are no where else, Psal. 87. ult. because th…, and by it, the righteousnesse of God is revealed from Faith to Faith, Rom. 1.17. And in E…eki…ls vision these waters are said to stream and flow from under the altar, and out of the Sanctuary, Ezek. 47.1, &c. and may well be compared to fountains, as the Church is called (Cant. 4.) A spring shut up, a fountain sealed, and a fountain of Gardens, because of these waters springing in it, and because of the nature of them, which is clear, single, sweet and refreshing, as usefull and necessary to spiritual life, as waters are to the bodily; and as having that use in the religious world, (which this is) which waters have in the naturall; and also in respect of the manner of dispensing Grace in the Gospel so largely and so freely, wherefore it is compared to an open fountain to all Nations, Zech. 13.1. and so, frequently folks are invited to drink freely, Isa. 55.1. and Rovel. 22.17. and to wash. By rivers, we understand the preaching and dispensing of this Gospel, whereby it is holden forth, and (as it were) floweth to others: which two, are often put together, when the spreading of the Gospel is prophesied of, I will open rivers in the wildernesse and fountains in the deser…, Isa. 41.17.18. probably referring to the spreading of the Gospel amongst the Gentiles: so, corrupting of this word, is compared to mixing of liquor with something that is not of its kind, nor so good, as Vintners do adulterat wine, 2 Cor. 2.17. opposit to the single and pure preaching of Christ which Paul used.
2. The instrumentall cause of this which maketh the waters bitter, is set out three wayes, 1. It is more generally called a Star, and a great Star, burning like a lamp. 2. It is shown from whence this Star fell. 3. And more particularly, the name of the Star is called Wormwood.
By Stars (as we heard, Chap. 1. vers. 20.) are understood Ministers in the visible Church, who, by receiving light from Christ, should hold it forth to others: a great Star burning like a Lamp, is, one eminent for parts, gifts, place, or in estimation for holinesse, making a great shew, yet not having much reality, but (as it were) a glancing counterfeit light, no… proceeding from a right principle, as that of the Stars doth from the Sun, but kindled from some externall thing as that of a Lamp is, nor so solide as the former, though having more glorious and pompous appearance. 2. This Star fell from Heaven, that is, made defection from the visible Church and the straight and pure preaching of the Gospel, and corrupted these fountains and waters; Errour bringeth folks low, even from Heaven to Earth, as prof…nity doth; when this wild-fire of self-seeking is by pride kindled, and by parts and gifts without grace entertained, it soon bringeth down the greatest Star that taketh not its light from Christ. The word is, it was falling, not altogether fallen, as is spoken, Chap. 9.1. to signifie a begun decay, or fall, which afterward Iohn discerned more clearly when it was fallen and come to its height, or rather lownesse of a full decay: by it is shewed, that this plague is promoved by such as by their parts or former estimation have been eminent in the Church.
3. The name of the Star, is, Wormwood, given him from the effect which it produceth, it having influence to corrupt the sweetest things and to make them partake of its nature. Deut. 29.18. It is spoken of a man that hath a root that beareth gall or wormwood, one that walked not straightly by Gods rule: and Act. 8.23. Simon Magus lo said to be in the gall of bitternesse for his corrupt thoughts of the grace of God; and it may well get this name, which hath so much influence upon fountains and rivers, that it may make them bitter like wormwood, that is, altereth their swer… nature, bringing-in free will, the de…ection of the Saints, the inefficacy of Grace, the Doctrine of merit and predestination upon foreseen works, or Faith, &c. whereby the nature of the Gospel is quite overturned, and that Doctrine which was healthfull to be drunken in, is now like the Prophets pottage, having death in the pot, that none who would be unpoisoned dare drink of it, more than the Egyptians might drink of their rivers when they were turned into bloud.
It is said to fall on a third part of the waters; either, 1. Because it was not a full defection from all truth, some were by Gods goodnesse keeped clear. Or, 2. That this grosse errour, or this heresie, though it spread far, yet it did not infect all men; some prime men and Churches were keeped free of it. Or, 3. De…ection in these truth… was …ot then at its height, but growing. The effect is, many men died, &c. which is to be understood of spiritual and eternal death, following on the former corruptions, by which many were destroyed, like that which is mentioned in the former trumpet.
To come to the application of this, We, 1. take it for granted, that some Church-defection is signified by this, rather than the overtturning of the civil state of the Roman Empire; for, the falling of the Roman State is not actively the cause of its own bitternesse, that State being passive in its being overturned; and the bitternesse floweth not from it as an agent, yet it is clear here, that this falling Star is the active agent, or instrument of imbittering these waters, as the hail and the burning mountain was in the two trumpets before: also the title Star, and the effects (as they are used in this prophesie) will agree best to Church-men and affairs, beside the scope whereof we have spoken.
2. This judgement differeth from the former two, 1. In its object; more immediatly it striketh at the way of the Gospels manifesting grace. 2. In its rise; it is from some eminent preacher carrying it on with more rationall eloquence, seeming reason, and pretext of holinesse, or, by moe preachers together. 3. In the manner of it: not by bloud, no… mixing in persecution, as the former two had waiting on them, but by making the waters bitter, turning them into wormwood, which was by the infecting of them with the errour it self. 4. That it falleth not on the earth, as Chap. 9.1. because yet it was but working, and that Star not fully discovered as yet by this fall: and so here its a great Star; but (Chap. 9.1.) a Star, only because he lost much of his splendor by the first fall, though we think it is the same fall begun here, and perfected there.
3. We take it for granted also, that this trumpet in its rise belongeth to that time that succeeded the former contentions in the Church, when the Bishops and Clergie of Rome especially, were kindling both the Churches of the East, and in Africk, for their supremacy. This will be in the fifth Century a little after the 400. year: we… may apply it generally to the state of the Church during that fifth Century, or, particularly to …ome Hereticks in it: generally, Doctrine then was corrupted, not only by Pelagius, Anno 413. N…storius, 429. Eutyches, about 448. and other grosse Hereticks, and these errours exceedingly fomented by the powers of the world, especially that of the Eutychea…s; by Anastasius the Emperour, and a second Councel at Ephesus, called pradatoriu…, because of its …nfamous proceeding against Flavianus and in favours of E…tychet, by Dioscorus means Bishop of Alexandria; for which it was protested against as no Synod by Anatolius, and Severus, Bishop of A…tioch. But, which is more, though there were many eminent men who stood against these Errours, yet a great decay of true Doctrine crept in amongst good men, that never did wear out again, but grew still more in the Church, to wit, about satisfaction, pennance, fre…-will, merit of works, possibility of fulfilling the Law, holy dayes, &c. This application, in this last respect, we suppose safest, as fore shewing the Church, or Church-men generally to fall from true light, and to be kindled with zeal for superstitions; and though it did not in this age uniersally corrupt the Church in that height that followed, but a third part, i.e. many were keeped free; yet, way was made to it, and the Churches declining, and fall was begun, which stayed not till afterward it came to its height. This agreeth to the story, considering the Doctrine of the Church at that time; and to the scope, which sheweth the Churches decay by degrees, and Antichrists graduall rise, his Doctrine (though not his Supremacy) got much footing in this age; and also with the type here. 1. of a Star falling, which we will find was fallen, Chap. 9.1. 2. It corrupteth fountains and streams, insensibly, not striking so directly at the foundation as the former particular heresies did, but keeping the Doctrine of the Trinity and Person of Christ pure, as Gregorius Roma. did, but miscarrying in the nature of His Offices, and His executing of them: it corrupteth mainly by adding unto, and mixing somewhat with truth, yet such addition as altereth the nature of them; such are the Popish additions of merits, pennances, indulgences, mediatours, and intercessions of Saints, and Angels, &c. whereby that which was, is not removed, but by this addition corrupted. 3. It cometh from Stars in Heaven, and riseth more from within than the former: thus being applyed, it relateth to no particular heresie, but to the generall decay of the Church. If it be necessary to be applied to one, I incline to apply it to Pelagius and his heresie more than any other, for these reasons. It agreeth, 1. in the time; he began under Arcadius and Honorius, about the year 415. or according to some, 405. 2. He was of great parts, and was once thought a good zealous man, and was advanced to Ecclesiasticall orders. 3. The nature of that heresie was not against Christs Person, but His Offices, teaching corruptly of Nature, Sin, Grace, Faith, Justification, Election, &c. subtilly undermyning grace. 4. It spread exceedingly through Italy, Britain, France, Africk and the eastern Empire, &c. yet, some were keeped free of it, and great Lights set themselves against it, as Augustine, Hieronymus, Prosper, Optatus, &c. 5. It entered and continued in a great measure in the Church of Rome; and the dregs of it sticketh to the Popish Writters in their free-will, perfection of righteousnesse, &c. to this day: for, though the natures and person of our Lord be keeped free by them; yet their Doctrine e…ervateth His Offices, and maketh them bitter to all that would drink thereof, which are the special springs of Grace in the Gospel; they put in other satisfactions, other mediators, others with Authority, to adde and diminish from what He hath commanded, other Officers to teach, and other matter to be taught, than He hath instituted, as traditions, &c. which being the rise of much Antichristian Doctrine still retained by them, it agreeth best with the scope to be thus applyed. Hence,
1. See here the nature and usefulnesse of pure Doctrine, and what men ought to think of it, and how to use it; to drink it in as fountain water, and to wash and make clean a… it, it is as profitable to souls, and they cannot live without it; and when they want it, they want that which both purgeth and maketh them grow. Observe, 2. the ill of error; it corrupteth the Truths of the Gospel, and maketh the sweetest and best things bitter, it removeth them not professedly, but poisoneth them so, that it is better to forebear, than drink in such waters. 3. See what the nature and native office and place of Ministers is, and what advantage they are, while they keep their station; They are like Stars and great Stars, exceedingly usefull and profitable in their place. And, upon the other hand, what a sore judgement and plague is it, when Ministers fall from receiving light from Christ, and are infected, they are most hurtfull. 4. The moe parts and the better mens life be that are infected, they are the bitterer, and do the more wrong: as the corruption of the best things is worst, so is the corruption of eminent men, 2 Cor. 2, ult. 5. Errour venteth not still after one way; now it corrupteth more subtilly than it did in the former …rumpets; there is no bloud nor fire here, though it be as dangerous: often, contentio…s for dominion in Government have more fire and he…t tha… dispures about more fundament…l truths. 6. There may be much glancing, false, and counterfeit light, both among Ministers and Professors, where there is little solidity: it is not all gold that glisters in them; It is good light that cometh from a right principle within; It is good when a mans works shine, as his gifts shine. This would teach us not to admire gifts; many make a fair shew in the flesh, and if their light and parts were well tried by the effects, they might be called wormwood that imbittereth the waters; torches that do glance, but not Stars. Ob…. 7. That men of great gifts, fair professions and blamlesse lives, may fall very foully, while they are not solide and sincere, they may fall as it were from heaven, so may particular Churches: there is no state, nor degree of any state exempted when errour breaketh in. Therefore the moe gifts and parts men have, they have the more need to be humble and to fear and tremble, considering many experiences both of former ages and of this, which should make us take heed lest we fall, and infect or be infected: such were once Pelagius, yea, Soci…, Swenk…eldius, and Arminius, thought to be. 8. Errour when it infecteth Ministers, or Professours, bringeth death with it, as well as profanity; when this Star falleth from heaven, and poisoneth the waters, many die: he that teacheth men to break the least command, shall be least in the Kingdom of Heaven, Matth. 5. O that men in this time thought on this, that errour bringeth to hell, as well as Adultery, that it is like rebellion and witchcraft; It is like the grossest evil, and worse; it inciteth, teacheth and encourageth to break the Commands of God, and there is much cruelty done to souls in tolerating of these. 9. The Church sustaineth no greater prejudice often, in corrupting of her Doctrine, than by the falls and slips of eminent men: these spots are hardly removed, because they sink deeper. 10. Every corruption and plague hath its degrees and steps. 11. It is a signe of a decaying Church, when eminent men fall, and it is a great judgement to others.