Commentary on Revelation, Lecture 2
LECTURE II.
Vers. 3.
And the second Angel poured out his vial upon the sea, and it became as the bloud of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
4.
And the third Angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters, and they became bloud.
5.
And I heard the Angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus:
6.
For they have shed the bloud of Saints and Prophets, and thou hast given them bloud to drink, for they are worthy.
7.
And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgements.
THe Angels proceed to execute Gods judgement on the beast, and the second poureth out his vial on the sea, vers. 3. The effects are two, 1. It became as the bloud of a dead man. The second is a consequent of this, every living soul died in it. There is in this certainly set forth a further degree of Antichrists ruine, as the second trumpet held forth a further step of his rising: in generall, this extendeth the plague on Antichrist further, and bringeth it to an higher degree; But more particularly, (as we conceive) is holden out Gods plague upon the complex body of that Kingdom, as it is antichristian, that is, both sea and land, especially their Ordinances, Government, superstitious forms of Worship, Councels, Decrees, &c. whereby much of their grandour stood: now these are set upon, and the abbacies, traditions, indulgences, &c. whereby they subsisted, are in a great part destroyed.
That by sea here must be understood something of this nature, will appear by comparing vers. 17. and 13. of Chap. 18. together: for, this sea must be suitable and serviceable to these who trade in it, and these again suitable to their trade, which is the souls of men amongst other things, vers. 13. ibid. and these certainly must be their Church-men, therefore this sea they trade in, must be their Ecclesiastick or Church constitutions, forms and ordinances of sacraments, ceremonies, masses, traditions, &c. and especially what concerneth indulgences, pardons and purgatory, because in these their trade of souls is especially driven: this answereth somewhat to the second trumpet also, Chap. 8.
Gods plague upon these, maketh them like the bloud of a deadman, that is, (as Chap. 8. vers. 8.) it became corrupt, and not only uselesse but deadly, so that whosoever would now follow that way and drink of these Doctrines, it would kill him. Which two effects hold out, 1. that, after Gods begun quarrelling with Antichrist, he mendeth his superstitious worship nothing, but maketh it worse, so did the Councell of Trent in many Articles both of faith and worship. 2. That after Gods revealing and discovering the grossenesse of particular errours by the former vial, he went on and discovered the rottennesse of the complex worship and Government of that Kingdom. 3. That by this discovery, especially their Churchmen were pinched. 4. That this brought the antichristian state lower and made many forsake these rotten waters that they could not live in them, or if they stayed, they were now more deadly than before this discovery: So by dying here may be understood their dying as to Antichrists state, that is, ceasing to be of his Kingdom as formerly, as Chap. 8.4. so they die to him, or, they are more hardened that stay and become more spiritually dead. Thus this judgement either maketh them leave him, or it maketh their condition more desperate: so that now, none continuing to live under the full profession of Popery, can get heaven, as in the former darknesse, in some respect, it was possible: this by the Councell of Trent and what followed upon it, we may conceive it to have its fulfilling; so that now men can no more live in Popery and own their tenents than fishes can do amongst bloud; but every living soul that quitteth not these Ordininances, shall perish, partly, because now they are worse in themselves, partly, because the light having made the discovery, a separation is called for.
The third vial followeth, from vers. 4. to vers. 8. containing three things, 1. The object plagued, it is the rivers and fountains. 2. The effect, they are turned to bloud. 3. There is a double approbation of Gods Justice, or congratulation added, whereby some things may be gathered, usefull for understanding this vial, which differeth not only in its object, but in its kind from the former. We may in this observe these three things, 1. That the object is men; not Ordinances or Government in the abstract, but such as sh…d bloud and can drink bloud. 2. What sort of men they are, to wit, guilty of the bloud of the Saints, executioners of that whore who is drunk with the bloud of Saints, Chap. 17. and in whose skirts it is found, Chap. 18.24. 3. What sort of plague this is, bloudshed, literally so taken: so to drink bloud, importeth they have shed bloud, and are met in their own measure. Their bloud is shed, and that in abundance: and the just proportionablnesse betwixt their sin and judgement here, importeth this, especially if we consider that (Chap. 13.9.10.) he that killeth with the sword, must be killed by the sword, which i… the threatning, whereof this is the accomplishment. And in this vial and the former, there is an allusion to the plague of Egypt, when all was bloud, and the fishes died.
The object of this vial, is, fountains and rivers, to wit, such things as furnish moisture and life to the antichristian world, as fountains and rivers do in this. They must be something running to the former sea, and in opposition to the truth of the Gospel, Chap. 8. yet so as it must be applyed not of things, but of persons who have shed bloud, and whose bloud is shed. By this then, it would seem their orders and Clergie especially (and all others who are prime instruments and supporters of that antichristian world) with their Nurseries and Seminaries, whereby they have filled the world with corrupt Teachers, must be understood. These are called wells by Pet. 2. Epist. 2. (though without water, that is, refreshfull water) These run to and suit with the sea of Ordinances formerly mentioned. These have furnished life to that beast of a long time, men drinking at no other fountain or river, but the Writings of some corrupt Schoolman, whose principles and assertions are often more debated for than the Scriptures; and had it not been watered by these, that world had run dry long since. These mens Doctrines shall not only by this be vilipended, but the executers and followers of these principles (whereby many Saints have smarted) shall be repayed: for persons eminently subservient to Antichrist, and malicious against the Saints, must be understood here, as their Ordinances were by the former.
The effect, is, these rivers became bloud: not corrupt only (as in the former vial) but they became bloudy, that is, had their own bloud given them to drink, and were really made liable to such crosses and executions as formerly they had made the Saints liable unto; so the words after expound it, and so the Church in the second seal is described by a red horse. But lest Antichrists followers should glory in suffering as in Martyrdoom, the congratulation is added, to shew that it was an effect of Justice on them: which is commended in a double congratulation and approbation.
Vers. 5. The first approbation, is by the instrument of this plague, called the Angel of the waters, because this was committed to him to plague these rivers and fountains. There is here besides Gods title of eternity (or holinesse, as the last word of the three, in the Original, foreign, hath it) a twofold commendation of Gods way in this, with the evidence of both, shewing that is done, and that distinctly upon grounds of knowledge (as men who speak of such things should do:) and there is one from the altar, subscribing to this judgement, which we take to be the same, Chap. 14.18. whereby we understand that perfect harmony that is between them in heaven and these on earth, heaven and earth, as it were, rejoycing together in the execution of this judgement, as it is Chap. 18.
The first congratulation, or approbation, goeth on two things, 1. Something in God is commended. 2. There is an evidence and proof of that which is commended.
1. That commended, is Gods eternity and unchangeablnesse, it is the same with His name JEHOVAH, these three syllabls making up this, which art, and wast, and shall be; and it especially relateth to Gods faithfulnesse, making out now His promises to His people; and this attribute being the same with JEHOVAH, is here observed as an evidence of Gods faithfulnesse when He is now known by that Name as He was to Israel, Exod. 3. and that other pitched upon, is Gods justice, not simply, but as proportioning suitable judgements to the party plagued. Righteous art thou, O Lord: that commended, is, the Righteousnesse and Justice of God; the ground of it, because thou hast thus judged, or judged these things, foreign: there is a speciall justice observed in respect of the object God hath poured this vial on, as being very guilty. 2. The suitablnesse and equality of the judgement is commended, They shed bloud, vers. 6. and thou hast given them a meeting by shedding their bloud. They made all the Saints a prey and had such strict Laws against them, now Thou maketh them a prey, according to vers. 7. Chap. 13. by which we expound this drinking of bloud, it being the fulfilling of that threatening evidently. In a word, they are worthy to be so dealt with, which not only looketh to the justice of the plague simply, but to its proportionablnesse to their sin especially (as was said) So it may well be rendered Meet, for they were meet not only for wrath, but for this same very wrath, as the people of God pray, Psal. 137. and it is commanded, Rev. 18.6. it being Gods justice to proportion as is meet, and therefore to give reward to His Servants the Prophets out of meetnesse, and not out of merit, Chap. 11. and so this word concludeth no more but God hath met these men that were prodigall of the Saints bloud in their own measure, though unquestionably this and much more was deserved. It is written of Cyrus, who, thirsting still after moe Kingdomes, was at last defeated by the Masageta, and having his head cut off, Tomiris the Queen did cast it in a vessel of bloud, bidding him that never would be satiated, drink his fill; such a meaning hath the same phrase here.
The second congratulation, or approbation, is, vers. 7. and it is the subscription of the Saints glorified in heaven to this Song, setting their seal to the former approbation, Even so, Lord God Almighty, &c. observing, and, as it were, preaching Gods Justice and Truth that appeareth now in these plagues. This looketh like the same, who (Chap. 14.18.) put up their suit to God for this judgement, now when it is come he acknowledgeth it, so that as both the Church-militant and Triumphant longed and prayed for Babylons ruine: now when it cometh they are not idle spectators, but blesseth Him for it. They prayed then, they praise now: who do the former, shall have occasion of the latter, and should improve the occasion of praise as well as of prayer. If by the first be to be understood Christians active in the judgement, and by the second, some suffering yet under Antichrist, it will be one thing, all sorts shall thus blesse God (even these that are but onlooke…s) though as yet they do not share of the delivery in that measure. In sum it is, Lord, all that is said of Thy judgement on thy enemies, and of Thy goodnesse to Thy people from the beginning of the world, and particularly, all that is come, or to come on Antichrist, is just and true, and there is no wrong done; thou hast keeped Thy threatnings to him and Thy promises to Thy people.
If any ask, why this approbation, or these congratulations are marked at this vial especially? Beside what was said in opening the meaning of the words, we conceive these reasons may be given, 1. To shew that the work is observable, and should be observed as that which hath much of Gods glory shining in it; and so it telleth how observant Gods people are and ought to be in observing His judgements. 2. It is to shew the greatnesse and gloriousnesse of the work of executing judgement on Antichrist, as having much of Gods faithfulnesse and justice shining in it, and of His love to His Church. 3. It is, that thereby the stupidity and slownesse of men may be checked. Men are slow to put out their hand against the whore: Therefore He would let them know how glorious a work it is, that they may be stirred to be active in it when they are called to it, and in the mean time may pray for it. 4. Because this was the speciall thing foretold in the 13. and prayed for in the 14. Chapters: and they that prayed for it formerly observe, and praise for it when it is fulfilled. Watchfulnesse in difficulties will send us to prayer, and so should outgates send us to praise.
Although we dare not be particular in the application of things, yet considering some remarkable overthrows of many Papists (whereby their own bloud was given them to drink) in Holland, France, Germany, England, &c. in the prosecuting of their designs that were a little after the Councel of Trent, and to the year, 1588. which formerly, when all things succeeded with them, they used not to meet with; and considering the Laws and Acts that were made against seminary Priests and saying of Masse, &c. that it should be death, we conceive there is warrand to say, that in part this vial is fulfilled, and that there is, in that respect, ground for the praise that is mentioned here.