Commentary on Revelation, Lecture 4
LECTURE IIII.
Vers. 11.
And after three dayes and an half, the Spirit of life from God entered into them: and they stood upon their feet, and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12.
And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies beheld them.
13.
And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14.
The second wo is past, and behold, the third wo cometh quickly.
ANtichrist and his Kingdom are now very glad, supposing the witnesses to be quite overthrown never any more to appear in opposition to them; but that mirth lasteth not long, after three dayes and an half they are revived, and the publick face of affairs quite changed; for, God taketh this opportunity of the low estate of this Church to manifest His work, and bringeth the preaching of the Gospel and the prosperity of its Preachers to a more conspicuous visible condition, than they were into before, by giving these witnesses (supposed to be killed) a visible and glorious Resurrection: which is set out in these two steps, 1. Their reviving from the dead, vers. 11. 2. Their glorious condition after they are risen, vers. 12. and 13. Both which are set forth by severall circumstances going before, accompanying, and following after them.
By Resurrection here, we are not to understand literally the rising again and taking to Heaven of men once really dead; the frame of all the prophesie which is figurative, and the scope of this, will not admit that: but this Resurrection of the witnesses, and their glorious condition after it, is to be looked on as holding forth a more visible profession of the Gospel, with a greater number of Preachers following their footsteps, and taking up that same testimonie which these few oppressed ones under Antichrist did formerly bear witnesse unto. In this sense they are said to rise again, because their testimonie reviveth, men coming with that same Spirit and Power, as if these were again brought to the world, as is spoken of Iohn the Baptists coming in the Spirit and Power of Elias, Matth. 17.11, 12, 13. That thus it must be understood, appeareth, 1. This Resurrection is so conspicuous and evident that the enemies behold it, vers. 11, 12. which looketh liker a publick change of affairs than what particularly concerneth two persons, especially considering (as was hinted before) that the low condition of the Church is described by the low condition of the witnesses; and therefore a change of the Churches estate to the better must be described by the raising up of these witnesses. 2. It is such an exaltation as worketh fear upon all the opposers. 3. It is accompanied with a great earth-quake, and the ruine of a considerable part of Antichrists dominions, vers. 13. which sheweth it must be such a change as proveth prejudiciall and destructive to that Kingdom. 4. It is a Resurrection and good condition, in opposition to their former death and low condition, But that consisted mainly in the bearing down of their Doctrine and Profession; this must be therefore in the vindicating of both. Lastly, This change is that which followeth and is expounded by the seventh trumpet, that the Kingdoms of this world are become our Lords, &c. which we will find to hold forth a more free and glorious manifestation of the Gospel, after the darknesse of Antichrist shall be over, and the Temple of God again be opened in Heaven, &c. all which do more particularly explain and prosecute what is generally summed up and begun here.
The first step of this change, is set forth in these circumstances, 1. In the time of it, after three dayes and an half, &c. a definit time for an indefinit, it is like, alluding to Christs lying in the grave, and signifieth this, that within a little time after Antichrists seeming to suppresse the Truth and the Preachers of it, God shall again wonderfully bring it and them to light, as if they were raised from the dead. 2. The mean and manner of their reviving is expressed, The Spirit of life from God entered into them. It is like, this alludeth to the Lords creating man at first when He breathed the breath of life in him, Gen. 2. and to the Lords reviving the dead state of Israel, Ezek. 37.4, &c. which sheweth, that however it looked impossible-like to men, yet was it not so in it self, because God, who at first made man, was to be the worker. And, 2. that the great mean effectuating it, was not humane might or power, but the Spirit of the Lord, which He hath to communicate to such instruments, and at such times as He shall find expedient for promoving of His work. 3. It is said, they stood upon their feet, and that so conspicuously that their enemies saw them: whereby the efficacie of the Spirit of life, and the reality and certainty of the effect following, is signified; so that instruments for promoving of the Gospel shall unexpectedly appear when the Lord shall powre out His Spirit, as if dead bones would stand up to resume their testimonie: which is in sum the same with that type, Ezek. 37. 4. The effect, is, great fear fall upon them which saw them: the world a little before was insulting to look upon them, now their rejoycing turneth to terror: for, the more powerfull, glorious and unexpected the restauration of these witnesses is, who formerly tormented them, the greater is their fear now, when their expectation of getting them suppressed faileth, and nill they, will they, this Gospel will come to light. The consequent of diminishing their greatnesse and interrupting their peace, proveth terrible to them.
Their glorious condition after their Resurrection, is further expressed, vers. 12, 13. in these circumstances, 1. There is a call given them. 2. Their obedience, or the consequent following it. 3. Some effects are marked to accompany and follow their ascending. The call is severall wayes set out, 1. It is from Heaven: to shew a divine warrand, and an extrordinary call of God, which the first Reformers after Popery should have. 2. It is called a voice, and a great voice, to signifie the distinctnesse and clearnesse of their warrand, and the weight it had on them for putting them to this duty, either by some externall Authority, provoking them to it, or (which is most probable) some extraordinary instinct and impulse of the Spirit constraining the Preachers and Professors of the Gospel now to a publick separation from Rome more than formerly was. 3. And they heard it: whereby is shown, that though God had given many commands of separating from Antichrist, and of coming out of Babel in the former ages; yet were they not heard nor understood, even by many Godly then living in that fellowship, and burdened with their superstitions, but now God giveth these revived witnesses at the beginning of Reformation to heat, and distinctly to understand His mind in this particular: and it doth imply also, that though many saw their practice, yet was not their call cleared to all, possibly alluding to that of Paul, Acts 9. where though many saw a glimpse of the light about him, yet he only heard the voice that spake to him. 4. The great thing in the call, is, the duty called-for, Come up hither, that is, to Heaven, as the words following do clear. That the term from which, is the antichristian Church and World, and the low condition that Christs Servants had by her means, is evident. The term to which, to wit, Heaven, we conceive is not properly to be understood of the glorious seat of the blessed, but of a glorious visible Church-state upon earth (it being ordinary especially in this Book to set forth the visible Church under this name) and so the meaning is, they shall not continue in their former sackcloth-condition, but God shall erect a visible Church distinct from Antichrist, which shall be, as to the purity and beauty of Ordinances and to freedom from Antichrists tyrannie and persecution, in comparison of what formerly the Saints were obnoxious unto, like an ascending to Heaven. That thus it must be understood, beside what was said at the entry, appeareth, 1. It is a Heaven in opposition to the world formerly mentioned, which was that of Antichrist. 2. It is an happinesse, opposit to their former low estate: now when they are revived, they are not permitted to live within the precincts of Antichrists dominion, and under his tyrannie as before, but are called up from without his reach. 3. It is the same Heaven mentioned under the seventh trumpet, vers. 19. that is, where the Temple, Ark and Covenant is; and their ascending is the opening of that Temple, &c. 4. It is such a Heaven as that (Chap. 12.) that Satan is cast down from, as that the Man-child is taken up into, vers. 5. and 8. and such an Heaven as the everlasting Gospel is preached into, Chap. 14.6. and that after the beasts begun ruine; but all these are to be understood of a visible Church-state. Therefore this must be so also, especially considering that these witnesses are called Stars, they are now fixed to shine in this Heaven of a visible Church-state, as put on a candlestick that they may give light to the world more than formerly they were in capacity to do.
Their obedience followeth, they ascend up to Heaven, &c. meaning their taking on them that publick owning of the Gospel which they were called to, and the certainty of the effect, following the former call, such a condition followed indeed as they were called to. 2. The manner of their ascending, was, in a cloud, that is, gloriously and safely, as the Lord is said to be clothed with a cloud: their glory and safety is by divine Power; it is like with allusion to Christs ascension, Acts 1. both these Resurrections being by one Power. It is said also to be in a cloud, because though it were discernable to onlookers, yet was it mysterious and dark to them, who could not discern, (through the many reproaches and imputations put upon the first Reformers,) the beauty of the work in their hand, and the glory of Gods dispensation to His Church in them. 3. It is marked that their enemies beheld them: they saw them dead, they saw them raised to their feet, and now they behold them ascending; which sheweth still a visible and remarkable change in the steps and progresse of His Church, and the reality and greatnesse of it, which could not be marred by their opposers though they beheld it; which certainly would provoke their enimity, and increase their envy the more. They are called their enemies, not for any particular wrong these witnesses had done to them, but, for the work in their hands, these witnesses should still have enemies retaining their enimity, yet were restrained from marring their exaltation, which sheweth that the reviving of the Gospel and down-bringing of Antichrist will be by degrees. In short, these two verses say, that the Gospel shall again flourish, and the witnesses thereof shall be placed in a honourable condition suitable to their profession, in despight of all their opposers.
In the 13. vers. this glorious condition of the witnesses is set out by four glorious concomitants going alongst with it, or consequents following upon it, 1. And the same hour was there a great earth-quake. By earth-quake, Chap. 6.12. and vers. 19. of this same Chapter is understood great and sudden temporall mutations. By this we understand the great commotions which usually accompanie Reformation, whereby Kingdoms are put in an uproar, Satan and his instruments wakening up enimity against the Gospel, and the Lord powerfully carrying on His design, maketh the earth, as it were, to shake till He accomplish it. This did really fall out, (and it may well be thought to be the fulfilling of this prophesie) in Germanie, France, Holland, England, Scotland, &c. when at first the witnesses were brought to a visible Church-state separated from Rome.
The second effect following upon the former, is, a tenth part of the city fell. It hath no name here, and therefore must be understood to relate to that called the great city, vers. 8. that is, the city having dominion over the Kings of the earth, Chap. 17. vers. 18. that is, Rome, to be taken not strictly in respect of that particular Town, but more largely in respect of its Empire and Dominion, as was formerly said. It is said, a tenth part of this Dominion falleth, because by this publick preaching of the Gospel, and the witnesses separating of themselves from her, a great and considerable part of that Dominion is diminished and brought down: or, as Chap. 14. by that expression, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, is set forth not the destruction of a City alone, but the ruine of Antichrists Kingdom; so here, by the fall of a part of that City, we are to understand the begun ruine and destruction of that Kingdom, which was to accompanie the reviving of light in the world, as is said, and was actually fulfilled in the withdrawing of England, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, and a great part of Germanie, France, Helvetia, Polland, Low Countries, &c. from their former dependance upon the beast.
The third effect following on this, is, a great number of men, even seven thousand men were slain. In the Original it is Names of men, pointing at some more eminent than others in this City: the meaning is, that as by the sudden ruine and fall of Cities, especially by earth-quakes, many inhabitants usually are destroyed; so by this begun ruine of the Romish antichristian Dominion, many of her followers shall be destroyed, and that of the most eminent and renowned among them: which may be fulfilled, partly, in the overthrows and defeats of Popish Armies, but especially the overturning of Abbayes, Monasteries, Cloisters, and religious Orders, whereby indeed a great part of that Dominion was eclipsed, and many of Babylons Citizens were cast out, and their habitations destroyed and brought to nought.
The fourth effect followeth, And the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of Heaven: which is not to be understood of a reall work of Repentance upon all the remnant of that Kingdom (for Chap. 16. even when the vials are powred forth, we find they repent not) but as at Christs crucifixion (Matth. 27.54.) Gods hand was so discernable that it made many onlookers smite on their breasts, and acknowledge something of God to be there; so this sudden begun overturning of Antichrists Kingdom, and particularly the pulling down of Monasteries and Abbayes (formerly so sacred) shall be so remarkable, that many of that Kingdom shall at least in profession renounce fellowship with it, and others be made to acknowledge something more than humane in this businesse. The scope is, to shew the extraordinarinesse of Gods appearing, and the impression which it should have upon many formerly friends to Antichrists Kingdom.
This 14. vers. (The second wo is past, and behold, the third wo cometh quickly) is to be expounded as vers. 12. Chap. 9. By it the march of the seventh trumpet is cleared to be at the begun change of Religion in the world, and to shew that what formerly hath passed, doth belong unto the former trumpets, tending to that scope, that Iohn and the people of God might be comforted against the sad things foretold by the fifth and sixth trumpets: therefore, that which formerly was under a type revealed to Iohn, Chap. 10. is in this Chap. by word (for his greater confirmation) renewed and repeated.
Before we leave this part of the prophesie, it will be needfull to inquire, 1. If these 1260. dayes of the Gentiles treading under foot the outer court, and the Prophets prophesieing in sackcloth be expired? and if the killing of the witnesses be past? 2. How, or what way this prophesie is fulfilled? that so we may take occasion to consider this time more particularly, and compare the event in storie with this prophesie. In clearing of the first, we would not be understood as supposing all the triall of the Saints and Ministers to be past, or that, by analogie from these witnesses killing immediatly after the finishing of their testimonie, it might not be gathered that the work of God often suffereth great obstruction even after its begun rise, and that the saints and witnesses are most subject to great difficulties and straits, when the Gospel in their hands is even come to the birth, and bringing forth, as in the examples of Moses, Elias, Zerubbabel and the Apostles may be seen: we grant, that by proportion, such doctrines may be raised from this prophesie; yet, if we will more seriously consider the particular event and time prophetically aimed at by the Spirit in this place, we will find that these dayes here intended, are expired, and that this killing of the witnesses is fulfilled, and so that the seventh trumpet hath sounded, and our time is to be reckoned as under it: for making out whereof, we offer these considerations,
1. The sounding of the seventh trumpet, and closing of the second wo, do immediatly, or without long intervall, follow the absolute and uncontroverted dominion of Antichrist, and his treading under foot the holy City fourty and two moneths; So that the controverting of Antichrists power, and diminishing of it, must necessarily infer the expiring of these fourty and two moneths, and the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Now, any acquaintance with the state of the Church during these 100. years past, in comparison of what it was before, will evidence Antichrists power to be in a great measure shaken, and his kingdom to be eclipsed, and that this cannot be called the time of his absolute and universal tyrannie, and therefore must be subsequent to it.
2. It is clear, that this ruine of Antichrist, is not instantly brought to a height, but is perfected by seven vials, Chap. 16. whereof the seventh trumpet is a sum. Seing then the expiring of these 1260. dayes of his domineering, cannot be restricted to the time of his totall fall; because at the close of these dayes he maketh war against the witnesses and prevaileth, and not the whole City, but a tenth part thereof by their Resurrection falleth, and the seventh trumpet followeth whereby his ruine is accomplished: It will therefore follow, that we must reckon the fulfilling of this prophesie of the expiring of these dayes, and the raising of the witnesses from the begun decay and the ruine of Antichrists Kingdom by the vials: and it being certain, that the vials are already begun to be powred forth, and also certain, that these vials belong to the seventh trumpet, which goeth alongst with, or immediately followeth after the witnesses ascension, It must also follow, that this time falleth under the seventh trumpet, and so is beyond these former events, and supposeth them to be fulfilled.
3. That time, when Nations become the Lords, and when the Temple is open, and the Ark of the testimonie is seen therein, doth belong to the seventh trumpet, as the exposition thereof will clear, it being supposed that before the blowing of the seventh trumpet, and during these 1260. dayes, that the Kingdoms of the earth were not the Lords, that the Temple was shut, and that the Ark of the testimonie or Word of God was not seen into it; and it being now clear, that these events are fulfilled in our dayes, we must therefore look upon this time as belonging to that trumpet.
Before we confirm it further, we would remove some-what objected against the fulfilling of this prophesie by some Learned and worthy men, (Mede and Roberts upon the place) endeavouring to prove this prophesie of the witnesses killing to be yet to be fulfilled, and so those 1260. dayes not to be expired.
The 1. Object. is, This prophesie cannot be fulfilled so long as Antichrist continueth in such power, and reigneth with such freedom: Therefore the fulfilling of it is yet to be looked-for. Answ. This supponeth the fulfilling of this prophesie to depend upon Antichrists compleat destruction, which being carried on by many degrees under the seventh trumpet, as is said, cannot be granted. And therefore we say, the fulfilling of this prophesie, and Antichrists absolute dominion, are not consistent; this is granted: but the fulfilling of it, and his begun ruine, though continuing to reign in part, may stand together, and must go together, as it said. Now it is granted by the same reverend Authors, that the ruine of Antichrist is begun, and, Therefore this prophesie must be fulfilled also. Otherwise we must say, that this begun ruine, and his height can consist together.
2. It is objected, That the fall of this tenth part of the City is the same with the overturning of the seat of the beast under the fifth vial, Chap. 6. But that is not yet fulfilled; Therefore neither this prophesie. Ans. This objection is grounded upon an unwarrantable supposition: For, 1. the City here spoken of, is not properly the beasts seat or Rome it self, but the dominion thereof, as it is expounded by that same Learned Author, upon vers. 8. preceeding. 2. The expression here of a falling of a tenth part thereof, doth evidently and manifestly differ from that totall overturning prophesied of by the fifth vial, it being certain that the overturning of the tenth part is here to set forth a partiall, and so a begun overthrow, distinguished from a totall overturning threatened by the fifth vial: and therefore cannot be understood of the same event; But here the rise and beginning of that ruine is hinted at, which is perfected by the seventh trumpet and vials following.
The ground of this their mistake proceedeth from this, that they make the vials, at least the first six, to be contemporary with the sixth trumpet, and not to be comprehended under the seventh. For clearing this therefore, beside what is said in the preface, Chap. 6. and afterward on the seventh trumpet and vials, whereby is held forth the successive dependence of the first vial upon the blowing of the seventh trumpet, We shall further adde.
A fourth reason to the former three. That act of killing the witnesses, is the very last part of the height of the reign of Antichrist; for, he reigneth during the 1260. dayes preceeding, which is the time of their prophesying in sackcloth, and insulteth and rejoyceth in a most eminent way when these witnesses are killed, Therefore cannot that be contemporary with any of the vials which do succeed to Antichrists height, and successively carry on his ruine: seing therefore it is granted by all, that Antichrists ruine by the vials is begun; and it cannot be denied but Antichrists triumphing over the witnesses, is, as it were, the last part, and very Crisis of his uninterrupted tyrannie, and so inconsistent with his decaying Kingdom; It must therefore be esteemed to preceed the vials, and so to be fulfilled. And therefore this being the last act of the sixth trumpet, wherein Antichrist is at his height; and seing the vials each after other carry on his ruine, it cannot be thought that any of them, much lesse the first six, can contemporate with it.
5. It may thus appear, If the vials expresse a different estate of the Church (to wit, its flourishing and Antichrists weakening,) from that which the fifth and sixth trumpet expresseth (to wit, Antichrists height, and the Churches low condition) Then they cannot contemporate together, but the one must be supposed to preceed the other; But this is true, that they hold forth different estates of the Church, as the exposition of them will clear, Therefore cannot fall in one time.
6. We may add, that by the same Learned Author the time of Antichrists full reign, and the Prophets prophesying in sackcloth, are demonstrated exactly to be contemporary, having one beginning and continuance: and the expiring of either of them will prove the expiring of both, and infer the killing of the witnesses, which is immediately upon the back of both. Now, the time of Antichrists absolute dominion being expired, as is said, it must also follow, that the other two events in the prophesie, to wit, the Prophets prophesying in sackcloth, and their killing, must be fulfilled also.
Again if these 1260 dayes be accounted for so many years, and the beginning of them to contemporate with the opening of the seventh seal and first trumpet (as the same Learned Author doth assert) Then it will follow, that they must be ere now expired: for we have formerly cleared the first trumpet, and opening of the seventh seal to begin about the three hundred year or thereby, and therefore these dayes cannot be running (according to these principles) till now: yea, from that first Author, these things are clear, 1. That the witnesses prophesying, the womans flying, Antichrists reigning, and the treading of the outer Court by the Gentiles, do contemporate, and that with the first six trumpets. 2. That the womans travelling, her bringing forth, and the lifting of her childe to Heaven, Chap. 12. do contemporate with the first six seals. 3. He maketh (Chap. 12.) that taking up of the childe to Heaven to be fulfilled in Constantin's reign and his admission to the Empire, as also that the womans flying and wildernesse-condition (which to him speaketh out a freedom of the Church to Religious exercises though abused by her to much defection and idolatry, as was in the people of Israels wildernesse-estate after their delivery from Egypt) doth take in the whole estate of the Church from the close of Heathenish persecution immediately till the seventh trumpet blow. And seing both these will fall about the 300. or 310. year, It followeth that this prophesie in sackcloth must begin then also, and so cannot be continuing till now.
To be more particular in the application thereof, we think, that conceit or dream of the Papists expounding all so literally of an Antichrist who shall come of the Tribe of Dan, and that shall reign just three years and an half, sitting in Ierusalem, and building that Temple, and the two witnesses of Enoch and Elias. This dream invented by them to keep their Pope from being apprehended as the true Antichrist; this (I say) is not worth the insisting on to refute, as being so contrary to the frame of the prophesie past, and also of that which followeth concerning the beast, Chap. 13. for, certainly this trial being so long, as the great part of the Revelation is spent on it, and so many things to be done under it, it cannot be performed in so short a time.
In the application of it, we shall, 1. see what generall characters may be drawn from the Text for helping us to fix the time. 2. See how the application may be made out.
In the first we intend not to be peremptory, yet these things may be concluded concerning it, according to the grounds formerly laid,
1. It is clear that the end of these fourty and two moneths of the witnesses prophesying in sackcloth and Antichrists tyrannie, is discernable, being so clearly evidenced by the witnesses laying by their sackcloth, their death and glorious appearance again in a settled and secure condition. This certainly will fall in about the time that Religion was reformed, and the Popes tyrannie in a great part discovered and rejected. The fourty and two moneths then must be acknowledged immediately to preceed this time of Reformation. This also will be confirmed if we consider that the sounding of the seventh trumpet doth immediately succeed to that time, and that the vials which begin to be powred out upon the Kingdom of the beast, do immediately follow this his height, and begin the change; which doth also evidence, that this change must be reckoned from the begun fall of Antichrist; and so consequently his height and dominion during these fourty and two moneths must be antecedent to this.
2. For its rise, we will find it immediately to follow upon the back of the Heathenish persecution under the seals, and to be reckoned from the sixth seal as immediately knit to it, for, this trial of the Church during these fourty and two moneths under and by Antichrist, doth begin with the trumpets, and immediately succeedeth to the former trial she had by Heathenish persecution. Therefore during the sixth seal, before the seventh be opened (Chap. 7.) provision is made against Antichrist by sealing the Elect, as it were, marking and setting a part some few to be keeped clean from his corruption: which sealing, being especially against Antichrist, and so sollicitously to be gone about before the seventh seal be opened, or any of the trumpets found, it doth evince this, that we are to reckon the beasts rise (and so the beginning of these fourty and two moneths) from the close of the sixth seal, and opening of the seventh or a little before: it doth also confirm this, that the beast, and the number sealed (Chap. 7.) in reference to him, are wholly contemporarie; but that sealing contemporateth with the beginning of the seventh seal which succeedeth to the sixth, and continueth with the beast to the end of the sixth trumpet, as that Learned Author Mede, part. 2. Synchron. 1. doth demonstrate.
Again, the same thing is clear from Chap. 12. for the Churches flying to the wilderness and continuing there for 1260. dayes, is the very same trial, having the same rise and close with the beasts dominion, and the Prophets prophesying in sackcloth: Now from vers. 6. and 14. (being compared with what goeth before) we will find, that immediately this flying of the Church to the wildernesse is upon the back of the Heathenish persecution, and the Dragons waiting to devour her; and immediately she getteth civil Authority on her side. From which grounds we gather, 1. That the close of these fourty and two moneths of Antichrists absolute tyrannie will fall in Anno 1559. or thereby, in which year by publick Authority in a Diet of the Empire at Ausburg the liberty of Reformation and Religion was established, and the free profession thereof without any prejudice to mens estates, or civil priviledges was enacted; for, though before that time Religion was practised in many places of the Empire, and other Kingdoms of the world; yet was there immediatly before that so great an eclipse in Germany, England, and other places, that we cannot reckon the witnesses to have ascended to Heaven before this. 2. Neither before this time was there publick Authority for the profession of Religion, but profession was a crime, mens liberty and priviledges were restrained by it, the Protestant Princes Commissioners were not admitted to the Councel of the Imperiall Chamber; which, after that this pacification was concluded by Ferdinand, was remeaded.
Again, it is most usuall to count the change of periods in the visible Church by the change of events in the Empire, and also to account these from its authoritative conclusions, as we will see in the close of the first period of Heathenish persecution, and Satans casting from Heaven, reckoned Chap. 12. following. Beside, it is not inconsiderable, that about this time Religion was again established in Britain by Queen Elizabeths coming to the Crown, Queen Marie having begun her reign, Anno 1554. and continuing in it for five years and some odd moneths, died the same year. Also it was revived in Scotland the year before, as it was in France at the entry of Charles the ninth his reign, Anno 1560.
2. We gather that the rise of this fourty and two moneths reign, is to be reckoned from the year three hundred or thereabout, when the Heathenish persecution ceased, and liberty was brought to Christianity, as was formerly cleared, Chap. 6. This upon the former grounds must be acquiesced in, for timing the rise of the Churches flight, and Antichrists under-hand working, whatever objection arise from the application it self, as being too soon; yet that flight of the Churches being the second period of her condition, and succeeding immediately to the first, must be contemporated with the trumpets. And now, having thus fixed its rise and close, we may gather the duration thereof, which being supposed to be from Anno 300. or thereabout, to Anno 1560. or thereabout, it will extend in whole to us to 1260. years. And although at first we did not think it convincing to build the account of so many years upon the number of so many dayes, for the reasons formerly mentioned; yet considering that this definit number is five times mentioned under the same exact account, though in diverse expressions, which seemeth purposly to point out one particular definit number beside others; and considering that the event answereth this, or cometh neer to it upon the former suppositions, We think, in this place, it is not unsafe to account dayes for years, seing by the former characters of its rise and close, it is indeed found to comprehend so many years. And although at first (as is said) we durst not lay the weight of this simply upon the number of dayes; yet, being expounded materially by these foresaid characters, to signifie so many years, as that is more plainly interpreted, Ezek. 4. we think it is not unsafe to yeeld to the light of the former reasons in this, (beyond what at the entry we were convinced of) that the time is definit here, as also in any other place where the like grounds can be given from the Text, for demonstrating of the time, without laying the weight upon the particular number alone. There are two objections to be removed.
Object. 1. That this reckoning seemeth to begin the Kingdom of Antichrist too soon while the Church enjoyed great outward liberty and much purity also, And therefore it cannot be said, that she was tread upon, or did flee while she continued to be in so good a condition. Answ. This objection doth not arise from the Text, but from the seeming difference of the event in the application; and if it appear by the series of this prophesie, that the Church is no sooner delivered from Heathenish persecution, but she fleeth to the wildernesse, and hath wings given her for that end, There is no seeming reason can have weight against that. 2. In the Scripture, periods of time are counted from the main, or last part of them, as when it is said to Abraham, Gen. 15.13. four hundred years thy children shall be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and shall be afflicted four hundred years; yet being compared with other Scriptures, we will that the continuance of the children of Israel in Egypt was not so long; beside, that for a time while Ioseph lived, they were not afflicted, but well entertained. 3. It is often the manner of reckoning, used especially in this Book, to reckon a whole period of the Churches estate from what is most predominant in it: as for instance, three great periods of the visible Church are reckoned successively to each other in this Book. The first under the seals, is reckoned a time of persecution under Heathens; and the Church (Chap. 13.) is said to travell all that time, although there were many and considerable long intervalls of peace. Again, under the vials, Christ and His Saints are said to reign, although Antichrists Kingdom and profanity continue long very high in the world, yet is it called the time of his reigning, and of Antichrists down-coming, because from the beginning of that period it tendeth to that scope: so here, the first six trumpets being accounted one period, and Antichrists tyrannie being the most prevalent event under them, and his rise being long working under ground before it came to a height, even from the Churches first outward peace, if not before; we conceive, upon these grounds, it is not unsuitable to Scripture, or this Book, to reckon Antichrists rise from the beginning of that period wherein he riseth, cometh to his height and reigneth, which is during the prophesie of the trumpets. For this also more may be seen, Chap. 12. and 13.
The second Object. is, That even according to this reckoning there will not be found 1260. years, seing Constantin's publick peace will be about the year 310. and it would seem that some years would be allowed for the witnesses killing that followeth after the 1260. dayes and goeth before the settling of Religion by Authority, which is their lifting up to Heaven. For Answer, we say, 1. It will not be unsuitable to comprehend the witnesses killing within the 1260. dayes; for, it being the lowest step of their sackcloth and the highest step of the beasts tyrannie, or at least of his successe against them, it may well come in as the consummating of their trial, and last act of his absolute supream tyrannie; and it must be so, otherwise Antichrist will reign longer than fourty and two moneths, if he kill them not for that time, Therefore some render these words, when they shall be about to finish their testimonie, and go off the stage, then he shall kill them; which agreeth well with the Greek. 2. If Antichrists rise should be reckoned during the sixth seal, and so supposed to preceed a little the first trumpet that giveth the allarm upon his approaching appearance, the odds will not be so considerable as to mar this calculation, though by the number of eight or ten years of so many it doth not jump: especially if we consider, that the Scripture, in the reckoning of years, striketh not so upon the particular time, but taketh some definit number neer unto it, as if we will compare, Gen. 15.13. and Exel. 12.41. Acts 7.6. Gal. 3.17. In some of these places, the reckoning is 400. years, in others 430. Beside, however they be reckoned, the beginning of them must preceed either the Israelits coming to Egypt, or their afflicted condition in it, seing, Gal. 3.17. these 430. years are reckoned to interveen between Gods Covenanting with Abraham long before his posterity came to Egypt, and the giving of the Law after their deliverance from it. However if the periods of its rise and close hold, there is the lesse cause to differ in the particular account of the years.
For verifying the event according to this exposition given, these things are to be made out, that the Pope (whom we take to be Antichrist) hath tread upon the Church, and that his followers have possessed the title of the visible Church during that time, which we may the lesse insist in, because it is gloried in, and boasted of by his followers; and as Bellarm. alleageth, lib. 3. de pontif. cap. 2. before the Pope was pointed at as Antichrist by us, he universally flourished, but since that time did never grow but decrease, and lost many Kingdoms, reckoned there by him. Beside, it is evident from story, that though Antichrists height be not reckoned so far up, yet that he came to tread all under his feet during that period, experience through the world can bear witnesse thereof.
The second thing will not need much clearing either, to wit, that the true Church was few, and in a great part latent, and where it was discerned, ever persecuted: That which especially is to be made out, is, 1. That though they were few, yet was there ever some Church and witnesses keeped pure from Antichrists abominations untill Reformation was restored in the Christian world. And, 2. that about that time of the Reformations springing up, the Professors and Witnesses of this Truth were brought exceeding low for a short time, to their exceeding great contempt before the world, and to the exceeding great joy and insulting of the Popish party; which yet continued not long, but ended with a more full authoritative settling of Religion than formerly it had. The first, to wit, that there was still a Church and witnesses during Antichrists height, may appear from these considerations,
1. If we consider the particular catalogue of witnesses which God raised up one after another to witnesse against the corruptions of that time, whose names and testimonies are particularly recorded by severall Writers, particularly, Illyricus, catolog, testium veritatis, Cent. Magdebur, Foxe, book of Martyrs; Alstedii chronologia testium; Usheru… de successione Ecclesiarum Christianarum, and sundry others. And if so much be known, we may gather much more indeed to be, considering the darknesse of these times, and the great propension there was to suppresse all that tended there away. 2. It is made out by Master Foxe, White in his Way to the true Church, Iewel, Usher, and others, that Britain received not the Gospel from Rome, and that in England there hath been alwayes some opposing his errors, untill the time of Reformation came. 3. This may appear by the confession of adversaries, They grant that the Calvinists now are the same called Waldenses and Berengarians before; but these they say have been ever most dangerous to the Church of Rome, 1. Because it is of longest continuance, being from the time of Sylvester, who lived in Constantine the great his time; yea, from the time of the Apostles themselves say some of them. 2. Because it was more universal, and almost in all the earth. 3. Because it hath a great shew of piety, having a good life before men, and believing all things well concerning God, being only blasphemers of the Church of Rome, as Reinerius contra Haereticos, cap. 4. affirmeth. Inter omnes sectas quae sunt aut fuerunt, non est periculosior Ecclesiae Dei quam pauperum de Lugduno, tribu… de causis, 1. Quia diuturnior; quidam dicunt quod dur averit à tempore Sylvestri, quidam dicunt quod à tempore Apostolorum. 2. Quia generalior: fere enim nulla terra est quà haet secta non serpit. 3. Quia cum omnes aliae sectae immanitate blasphemiarum in Deum audientibus borrorem inducunt; haec, scilicet, Leonistarum, magnam babet speciem pietatis, …ò quod coram hominibus justè vivunt, & benè de Deo omnia credunt, & omnes articulos qui in symbolo continentur, solummodo Romanam Ecclesiam blasphemant ac oderunt, cui multitudo facilis est ad credendum. This Reinerius, as Bellarmine asserteth, praefat. ad libros de pontif. wrote above three hundred years before him.
If we look Bellarmine in that preface ad libros de pontif, and sundry others of their writers, we will find them very near draw a series of opposers of this usurped Authority of the Popes. It is true sometimes grosser faults are imputed to these Waldenses and Pauperes de Lugduno out of hatred, than they were guilty of; yet if we will consider Bernards writings against them, Sermon. 65. and 66. in Cantica, and Epist. 240. it is evident that no manifest grosse crime is imputed to these (beside their opposing the errors of of the Church of Rome) but such as they were calumniate with by the ignorance or iniquity of these times, as the great Historician Thuanus doth vindicate them. 3. If we will look particularly to the Church-storie, we will almost ever find some visible party stand against the Church of Rome: for, the Eastern Greek Churches did never fully submit till the second Councel of Nice, (which was Anno 786. according to some, or, 789. according to others) Neither was that submission full without all contradiction, nor of long continuance; for, Bellarmine, in the preface formerly cited, reckoneth their secession or schism, as he calleth it, to have begun about the 800 year, and to have continued long after. In the year 1439. the Greek Churches being affrighted of the Turk, sent Embassadours to treat with the Pope and these in the West for supplie; and these to obtain it, condescended to some articles different from their Churches, as the acknowledging of the Pop's supremacie, the doctrine of Purgatory and procession of the holy Ghost, and the practice of unleavened Bread, for which they were Excommunicated by their own Churches, while the Councel of Basil sate. About the year 1170. The Waldenses or Pauperes de Lugduno began, (before that close of the Greek Churches with the Pope) as Bellarmine, ibid. citeth out of Reinerius. The occasion was this, one Waldus being stricken with fear by the suddain death of one walking in company with him, was put more seriously to seek God, and make for dying; whereby he came to discover the vanity of Poperie, as the badges of antichristianity, and so to drink in the sincere way of Faith in Christ: these who followed him, though exceedingly persecuted, yet continued in the Alpes, and other mountanous places and in Province, at Merindol and the parts about it, from the year 1200. till the year 1545. These, after hearing of Luthers preaching and doctrine, sent two of their Ministers to him, with whom generally in their Doctrine they agreed. These continue also to this day in the valleys of Piedmont, Angrongue, &c. under the Duke of Savoy. After him followed the Albigenses in France, Anno 1190. according to some, who did both in their disputes and sufferings confirm that the Pope of Rome was the Antichrist, and that Rome was Babylon, and also sometimes by armes did defend themselves, as in the memorable seige of Tholouse, where God wonderfully protected many of them against great violence. After them arose Iohn Wicklif, an Englishman, Anno 1370. (Bellarmine calleth it 1390.) he revived the Doctrine of the Waldenses and Albigenses; and it took such rooting in many places, especially in Bohem, Hungary, Germanie, &c. that they came to have great Armies in the fields; and after that Iohn Husse and Ierome of Prague, who came to the Councel of Constance, upon the Emperour Sigismound his safe conduct, were contrary thereunto burnt; they brought great Armies to the fields under the command of Zisca, he would have had fourty thousand men under him; he defeated the Pope, Emperour, and other Popish Princes in eleven severall battels, although he had lost both his eyes: they continued also strong after him under one Procopius Magnus, and were called Thaborites. At the Councel of Basil they had granted unto them the Scripture in their own language, Priests Marriage, and communion in both Elements, &c. All Bohemia were divided in three sorts, one acknowledging the Pope fully, another seeking Reformation in some points of Doctrine, the third accounted him Antichrist. They continued till after Luthers dayes, who wrote to them to confirm them, as Sleidan recordeth, lib. 3. pag. 34. neither was their former courage daunted till division fell first in among their own Ministers of the new and old City of Prague, and afterward among the Souldiers.
Lastly, Although we could deduce no such thing by storie, yet being here asserted to be during that time, we are to believe that it was truth, even as there were seven thousand during Iezebels persecution who had not bowed their knee to Baal, who yet possibly might be unknown to others, as to Elias, till the Lord revealed it to him in the generall, without shewing their names or where they dwelt.
It remaineth that we should make some application of the witnesses killing and their Resurrection afterward, which according to the former grounds falleth immediately before the year 1558. in which time we will find these things to fall out.
1. Anno 1546. Began that war between the Emperour and the Duke of Saxon, Landgrave of Hessen, and other Protestants in Germanie: the year thereafter the Duke is defeated and taken prisoner; the Landgrave is shut up in prison, the whole face of affairs is changed, Protestant Magistrates exauctorated, many hundreds of Ministers banished, and others put in prison, if they did not receive the interim, which with a safe conscience they could not do: so that the face of affairs was very sad, the Protestants were made a prey, their Castles demolished, a great and incredible number of Cannons, and other Armes taken from them, and they, and prisoners with them, sent out through severall corners of Europe, as trophees of the Popes absolute victorie and subduing of Lutheranism: whereupon great insulting followed through the Popish world. At this time also persecution was at a great height in France, in the Netherlands under the Duke of Alba, and in England, during the reign of Queen Marie which began in the year 1554. It is marked by some (to wit, by Alstediu…, Chron. restium) that from the year 1540. and some years after there were 900,000. Christians massacred for the cause of Religion, so that the Professors of the Gospel had not suffered more than they did immediately before that year 1560. having standing Laws in all Kingdoms against them, forefeitours, proscriptions, banishments, death, &c. exercised for the destroying of them, and they as infamous made incapable of all priviledges and dignities. We may add, that about the same time, Anno 1545. fell out the great massacre of the poor Waldenses, in Provence in France, the burning of Merindol and other Cities where they lived, and the totall destroying of their Countrie by the Lord O…e…s means: which, though it had been often formerly assayed, yet till this time could they never get it effectuated. Beside, at this time also was the persecution by the Duke of Savoy in the vallies of Piedmont: considering therefore the great and universall persecution rising at one time and with such successe; considering also the persons upon whom it especially seased, being either these called Waldenses or Albigenses, who being the stock of these who witnessed against Antichrist in much suffering and sackcloth whiles there were no other, may well be accounted eminently the Witnesses; considering also that this persecution seased especially upon Ministers, who by their office are witnesses, the heat of it was against them; Bohem, being of these Albigenses, lost two hundred it alone, so that none were admitted to stay, but such as by receiving that interim gave submission; considering also the time that this is trysted in, being immediately at the height and turn of Antichrists absolute tyrannie; and considering the great insolencie and joy expressed by the Popish world with many indignities and reproaches against the poor witnesses of Jesus Christ, which were evidenced by their solemnities and the reproaches that in write were put on all that were called Protestants, and many other wayes, as story holdeth it out: And lastly, considering the great, universal and unexpected reviving that the work of God had, and the happy condition that His Ministers attained immediatly after these overthrowes and that insulting; partly, by the change which Mauritius, Duke of Saxon, made in Germany, with the edicts and statutes that followed thereupon, as was formerly hinted; partly, by Queen Marie of England her death, and other means trysted by God together almost at the same time throughout the Churches: I say, upon these considerations, it is not unsuitable to apply this killing of the witnesses to these persecutions; and their rising again and ascension, to the happy estate which the Church was immediatly advanced to after that, and hath been since in some measure continued in, which, though it be not every way so glorious and prosperous as to be absolutely free, yet being compared with the former state thereof, may well be said to be in Heaven in respect of it, and we may warrantably conceive, that such extraordinary events trysted together would not be passed by the holy Ghost, and are not for no purpose timed so in this prophesie. Hence Observe,
1. Neither the sufferings of the Godly, nor the joy and insulting of the wicked are perpetuall, but both have an end, and that speedily. Three dayes and an half is here the term of the wickeds joy; it is not worth the having. 2. The joy of the wicked doth ever end in more shame and confusion to them, and the low condition of the Godly hath ever the more glorious outgate to them. 3. Oftentimes the wicked are surprised when they look least for it, and God taketh opportunity from the lowest condition of His people to work their deliverance and to get Himself glory in the doing of it. 4. When God hath any singular thing to do, He will not only singularly fit persons for it, but extraordinarily or eminently call them, as it were, with a voice from Heaven to it. 5. When God mindeth the promoving of the Gospel, no enimity or opposition of enemies can mar it, though they be onlookers upon it. 6. There will be great odds between the successe and respect that Ministers will get at one time, and at another: these Preachers who were formerly in contempt, are now in credit; this floweth not from the efficacie of mens gifts, nor dexterity in mannaging things, but from the Lords call, designing some for suffering at one time, and others or possibly the same for the active promoving of His work at another.
Concerning the Waldenses.
HAving made mention of the Waldenses from the testimonie of two Authors, it may be not impertinent to insert a little word more concerning them; partly, because the Books may not be at hand to every one, and partly because some Iesuits, and particularly Gretserus in his preface to Reinerius, imputeth (though injustly) to Illyri…s, that he had mutilated this Author in his edition of him: and he doth also impute many absurdities to them which we will not own, and therefore cannot claim them as witnesses: he denieth also, that these who were persecuted at Merindol, and the places beside were of that stock, we may therefore lay down more largely what the forecited Authors say, whose testimonies they cannot refuse. That Gretserus, in the fourth Tome of the Bibliotheca Patrum, doth insert severall Writers their writings against the Waldenses; to this purpose, as he saith, That the latter Hereticks may be confuted not only from new disputes, but from old writings, (and if there were not a likenesse between their tenets and outs, this end by this could not be expected) amongst these are Reinerius, who, as he writeth himself, Chap. 3. was often upon the inquisition of these Hereticks, Petrus de Pilichdorf, Lucas Tudensis and some other writings, and catalogues of their errors, without the names of the Authors. In the 4. Chap. Reinerius hath these words that were formerly cited, so that it may be a wonder how they could be charged with heresie and so persecuted as they were. Again, Chap. 5. He draweth their errors to three heads, 1. De blasphemiis, quibus blasphemant Romanam Ecclesiam. 2. In their errors concerning the Sacraments and Saints; 3. Notat detestationes quibus omnes honestas & approbatas Ecclesiae consuetudines derestantur. A tast of all may be given shortly, 1. They say the Church of Rome is not the true Church, but Ecclesia malignantium; and that it began to decline in Sylvesters time, when poison was powred in the Church; they say that they were the Church, because they followed the Doctrine of Christ, of the Gospel and Apostles, both in word and deed; that the Roman Church is the whore in the Revelation, and these who are in her almost none of them keepeth the Doctrine of the Gospel; that they care not for the Pope and his statutes, but accounteth him the head of all errors; that none ought in the Church office; to be above another, or (as the next catalogue hath it) that Pope or Bishop had no dignity above the Priest by the Word. For the second sort of errors, they overturn all Sacraments: First, they say that the additionals profit not, the exorcisms and benedictions they reject; but never rejected the Sacrament it self. 2. The Sacrament of the Eucharist is denied by them, because transubstantiation sit in manu indigné consicienti…, sed in ore digné sumentis; they reject the canon of the Masse, and repeat Christs words in any language, the other five Sacraments they expunge. The third sort of errors about the customes of the Church, are, in generall, that what they read not in the Gospel they reject; as festum luminum, palmarum, &c. festa Sanctorum, the adoration of the crosse; and use to work quietly on the feast dayes. All consecrations and benedictions of candles, fleshes, palmes, fire, wax, agui paschatis, and such numbered there, are derided by them; that prayers are not of more worth in a consecrated Church than in another place; they called Images and Pictures Idolatry, and many such like; they reject Indulgences, Peregrinations; Soul-masses of the dead, Reliques, visiting of Sepulchers, &c. are in nothing profitable for souls but for gain to the Clergie. When he hath laid down all these, he giveth this for the reason of them, because, saith he, they denie Purgatorie, saying, there are but two wayes, one of the Elect to Heaven, another of the damned to hell, and where the tree falleth there it will ly; and that all sin is mortall. He addeth in the close these three errors to them, 1. In that they would not swear, though some of them would do it when they were constrained. 2. That they condemned all Magistrates and Church-judicatories especially which were for gain. 3. All punishment of Malefactors. But in these we will find them calumniated: for, rash swearing, only then in common use, they abhorred; the Magistrates and Clergies practice of that time they condemned, but not their places; for, still they were obedient; and that revenge which they did condemn, seemeth to be the rigour of Church-mens persecution, otherwise it is known that themselves used defensive Armes, and were in subjection.
Chap. 7. He characterizeth them how they may be known; by their manners, saith he, and their words: their manners are compositi & modesti; they have no proud cloathing; they abstain from merchandize for eschewing of lying, swearing and deceits, and live on the work of their hands, and therefore their Teachers work; they multiply not riches, but are contented with necessaries; they are chast, especially, Leonistae; temperate also, they go not to taverns and dauncings, and they restrain anger,
Their words are precise and modest; they eschew scurrility and detraction and lightnesse in word, and lying and swearing; they account Veré and Certè to be oaths, &c. These seem not to be hereticall characters; Yet, Chap. 10. they are four wayes to be punished, 1. To be excommunicated. 2. To be deposed from whatever dignity Civil or Ecclesiastick. 3. Militari persecutione and manu armata, all that they have are to be taken from them. If they turn, their goods are not to be restored except on grace. And lastly, if they have vassals, they are loosed from their obedience; if they be under Superiours, their Superiours are to persecute them under pain of excommunication, and having their Subjects absolved from their obedience to them, and their lands are to be given to, and may be occupied by the Catholicks; and for these he citeth many decrees of Popes: yea, the sons and the children of their favourers are not to be admitted to any office, as the decree that is at length set down there doth bear.
In the other Treatises, the same things are insisted on, that they derived their originall from the Apostles, and said that the Church had begun to make defection in the dayes of Sylvester; and, in a word, that they disclaimed the present Church of Rome, and said they were few that would go to Heaven, and though they mention community of goods, and impute that to them; yet story is clear, that they had their own distinction in their possessions and riches, &c.
Again, if we consider what the famous Thuan (whose testimonie cannot be refused, being a popish President at Paris of great esteem) doth write of them in the sixth book of his histories; we will find, first, that he deriveth these at Merindol and other places formerly mentioned, from the old stock of these Waldenses: to whom he attributeth out of old Authors (particularly one Perpinianus, who was an inquisitor in them) these tenets, 1. That the Church of Rome was the Babylonish whore; because she had forsaken the Faith of Christ, that therefore the Pope and Bishops who sustained her, were not to be obeyed; that the Monastick life was a corruption of the Church; that the orders of their Clergie were marks of the beast mentioned in the Revelations that the fire of Purgatorie, worshipping of Saints, Purgatory sacrifices for the dead, and such like, were inventions of the devil: to these, saith he, their certain Doctrines, some others were without ground added and imputed to them, he (meaning Waldus) left his own Country and settled in Bohem, where to this day, these who embrace his doctrine, are called Picards; he had a companion, one Arnoldus, who, taking another way by Alba Augusta, descended towards Tholouse: for which cause, these that followed him were called Albigenses, or Cathari: unto whom, saith he, these in England, who are called Puritans, are answerable: he doth also shew how when Cassianus minded to extirpate these at Merindol, Alentus a noble man, who was also a good man and learned, did disswade him from it, because they were diligent worshippers of God, obedient to Magistrates, and no wayes guilty of the grosse things imputed to them; whereupon enquiry was made in their lives, that the King might be certified of the truth therof, which he compriseth in this sum, That these whow ere called Waldenses, 300. years before that, had gotten the possession of some barren parts which by diligence they had made fruitfull, they were patient to labour, abhorring strifes, towards the poor liberall, in paying tribute to their Princes; and giving their Landlords what was due, exceeding faithfull, assiduous in the worshipping of God, by Prayers and innocencie of manners; again, that rarely they entered the Temples of Saints, except for their affairs of merchandize or other bussinesse they were out of their own bounds, and when they entered they did not fall down before the Images, nor offer wax candles nor any gifts to them, nor did entreat the Priest to sacrifice for them, nor did they sign their foreheads with the crosse as the manner of others is; when it thundereth, they sprinkle not themselves with holy water, but direct Prayers to God; they go not for Religions sake to Peregrinations, nor discover they themselves before these Images of the crosse as they go, they perform their holy things in another manner, and in the vulgar tongue: and lastly, they give no honour to the Pope nor Bishops, but do choose some of their own number for Pastors and Teachers; This is the sum of that which was sent to Francis the first: after this, saith he, two Commissioners were sent from them to the Parliament at Aixe, to whom they gave a confession of their faith, agreeing almost with the Doctrine of Luther. This was sent to King Francis, who having given it to the Cardinal Sadulit to be examined, the said Cardinal returned this report to the King, that he ingenuously confessed that what was imputed to them beside these things, was meerly done to make them odious without any just ground, as he by his enquirie had certainly found; and that though there were shortly somethings set down in it, and other things more sharply against the Pope and Prelates, yet could he not advise to any rigid course against them: he saith also that the former Commissioners desired a hearing, and that they should not be accounted Hereticks before it was disputed and they convinced; and, saith he, though for a time this sisted the persecution, yet by the hatred of Cardinal Turon and others, and by a forged calumnie that the Waldenses had gathered 16000. men together, and were intending commotions, they procured letters from the King to proceed in the intended persecution, which Mi…erius Lord of Pedar (as this Author calleth him, whom Sleidan called Odep) did cruelly execute in the most hainous and abominable manner that hath been heard of; which afterward the said King exceedingly repented of, leaving it in his last commands to his son Henrie to enquire in that cruelty; which in part was done, especially on a Monk who had invented new torments for them; and although, saith he, some by the prevalencie of some Courtiers, especially the Guisians, were keeped from condign punishment before men, yet were visibly pursued by God, as this Author doth observe, pag. 122. From which we may gather, 1. the conformity betwixt their Doctrine and the truth which we do now professe. 2. How maliciously slanders are invented by Papists against these who maintain the truth, and how little weight is to be laid on their testimony in that respect. 3. That this opinion of the Churches begun defection in the dayes of Constantine is no new thing. 4. The horrible cruelty and unreasonablenesse of the Popish persecutions against these innocents that are so well testified of, which can be no other thing, but the cruelty of the beast here mentioned.