Commentary Upon Revelation, Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI.
IN the 15. Chapter was the preparation for the laſt wrath. Here is the particular execution in ſeuen degrees, according to the number of the Miniſters thereof, which degrees in order and manner hauehave a great reſemblance and relation to the degrees of Antichriſt his riſing in the Trumpets, to ſhew the wiſdome and iuſtice of God, in rendring meaſure for meaſure, and bringing him downe as hee aroſe. The reſemblance hath made many to thinke both to bee of one matter and time. But theſe Vials are all powred on the Beaſt and his marked ones, whoſe height in working began but in the fifth trumpet.
2 This execution is commanded verſe firſt, from the Temple, as a holy and iuſt worke, with aloud voice, as a matter important, and to bee performed with care: to the Miniſters, who being prepared attend the ſigne. The execution is vponupon the earth; that is, the earthly ſort of men, thorow all the plagues, euidently deſigned to be Antichriſt and his adherents, It is executed by ſeuen degrees, to ſhew God his patience in his greateſt wrath: in each degree is the common ſigne, of powring out the Viall, and the enſuing effect firſt or ſecundary.
3 The firſt Viall is powred on the earth. Where, the earth muſt bee vnderſtood according to the relation it Cap. 13. Sect. 7.hath in collation to the ſubſequent things, and degree which in that reſpect it holdeth: to the ſea, riuers, ſun, throne, Euphrates, the aire. For, as when the earth, or the earth and Sea oppoſed to heauen, then things below are oppoſed to things aboue: earthly or vnſtable things, to things heauenly and permanent: ſo in this place, as alſo in the firſt Trumpet, it muſt bee taken, as the order of ariſing degrees in compariſon requireth, for the firſt and lighteſt degree of iudgement, as the earth is the loweſt and lourdeſt of elements: as the earth is taken in the firſt verſe, all the Vials are powred on the earth, becauſe all are on the earthly▪ Antichriſtian Kingdome: in this other ſenſe of the earth, the firſt particularly, is powred thereon. The effect thereof is, that the filthineſſe, looſe life, hypocriſie, auarice, pride, ſymony, and other vices of the Clergy, and Church of Antichriſt, breake out to the view of the world (long blinded) as filthy boiles. The alluſion is to the ſixth plague of Egypt, where-thorow the Enchanters were no more able to ſtand before Exod. 9. 11.Moſes, This was the firſt degree of the fall of Rome, when God to make them deteſtable, diſcouered their ſores; ſo as theſe enchanting bewitchers were confounded, and could no longer abide the light. The accommodation of Story is moſt cleare: where by numbers their auarice, pride and hypocriſie is highly exclamed againſt: Few daring yet challenge their doctrine and worſhippe: yet their perſons thus falling firſt in contempt, it made way to the next Cup. Now, as in the firſt Trumpet, contention and ſelfe louelove ioyned with cruelty, like fire and haile mixed with bloud, caſt on the earth, made the firſt great degree to Antichriſt his riſing, by burning vp all true louelove, life, and holy zeale of religion: ſo, the firſt open degree of his fall, is by the cup of wrath powred on the earth, euen the diſcouery of their hypocriſie and filthineſſe, whereby they were ſeen to bee void of all true Religion.
4 The ſecond Viall maketh a higher degree, in that not onelyonly the perſons, who worſhipped the Beaſt, and receiued his Gharacter, are for their ſilthineſſe, odious; but now, euen their common doctrine and ordinary worſhippe becommeth vile and corrupted as bloody worſum, deadly to all that drinke thereof, and abhorred of men, who in the cleare glaſſie Sea before the throne perceine the ſtinking rottenneſſe of this Aſphaltites. How after the contempt of the perſons for their abhominable filthineſſe; next, all their, worſhippe and doctrine of pardons, reliques, indulgences, holy water, croſſings, ſoul-Maſſes, pilgrimages, proceſſions, inuocation of Saintes, baptizing of bels; magicall coniurations, forged miracles, fooliſh Legends of lies, and the reſt of that ſea of rotten bloud beganne to ſtinke in the noſes of men, is more then euident: their whole worſhippe and common ſchoole Diuinity now ſtanding as the Sea of Sodom. Compare this Viall for kind and degree to the ſecond Trumpet.
5 By the third Viall, their riuers and fountaines of waters are turned into bloud. When by Moſes the floud and al ſtanks & ponds of Egypt were turned into bloud, Exod. 7.(for thereto in this and the former Viall the ſpirit alludeth) the Egyptians digged to themſelues wels to drink of. When in the dayes of Ahab, through parching drought, all other waters failed, hee and Obadiah ſeeke 1 King. 18. 5.to the riuers and fountaines. So the common Sea of Popiſh worſhippe and doctrine becommeth vile: the laſt refuge, for preſeruing the liues of their Beaſts, is their riuers and fountaines, whereby their Sea is inriched, and which by kind ſhould bee more cleare and ſweet. But theſe are alſo made bloud, & that in two reſpects. Their riuers & fountains are their great and learned Doctors, and grounds, whence theſe as riuers carry waters, as frō ſprings, to ſweeten if it were poſſible that rotten ſea. But howſoeuer, in ſome outward degree they apeare to hauehave ſome more freſhneſſe; yet they are but bloud, and to drinke of them it is deadly. They labour much to excuſe and maske the groſſe rottenneſſe of their ſea, and to ſweeten it with eloquence, aide of Arts and Philoſophy: and yet all is bloud. They buſie themſelues to bring warrands from the Fathers: but almoſt, all from that third part of that ancient ſea, which in the ſecond Trumpet was made bloud: and from theſe fountaines & riuers which in the third Trumpet were for the third part made bitter and mortall. And what cleare & ſweet water might both from Scripture & Fathers be brought for cure of their Sea, they by falſe gloſſes wreſted interpretations, cuttings, and caruings turne all into bloud. The ſecond reſpect, in which their riuers and fountaines are ſaid to become bloud, that wee ſhould not miſſe to take vp, the Angell executer, praiſeth God his iuſtice therein, and another from the Altar (a ſure teſtimonie from Chriſt himſelfe) confirmeth his ſaying. And this double teſtimony both of the executers and miniſters of the Altar, true Paſtors encouraging to execution, ſo Chap. 14. 10.warranteth the equity of this point, that men need not bee remiſſe or ſtayed with any faint doubts, from executing this iuſt worke. And certainely the Spirit in this double proclamation of God his iuſtice herein, ſeemeth in diuine wiſdome to hauehave foreſeene and foreſhewed the faintnes of men in this ſo approued an errand. The point is, becauſe their riuers and fountaines, euen their head-Clergie men, entertainers, nouriſhers, and vpholders of all that ſtinking ſea, hauehave beene bloody murtherers of the Saints and Prophets, and occaſioners of all bloud-ſhed in the earth (the Whore Chapter 17. being drunke with the bloud of Saints, and all the bloud of the earth being found in her, Chapter 18.) Therefore the Lord in Obadiah 16. Iſai 49. 26. & 51. 22. 23.his iuſtice, now giueth them bloud to drinke, euen meaſure for meaſure. And the Cuppe that ſhee filled to vsus, ſhee now taſteth in her courſe. Wherein is performed what for conſolation was ſpoken, Chapter 13. If any kill with a ſword, he muſt be killedby a ſword. The performance of this wee hauehave in ſome meaſure ſeene, and dayly ſee, in ſuch Countries wherein the Lord hath raiſed the light of his Goſpell, while their continuall conſpiracies and tteaſons againſt the ſtates and liues of Princes, compell men (otherwiſe, but prepoſterouflie pittifull, and for all this double denounced warrant of the equity of the worke, but too ſlow) to giuegive them the due recompence of their bloudy practiſes. But the effect hereof will bee ſtill more and more perceiued. For there will be no end of their tragicall attempts, till that bloudy ſtate be deſtroyed for euer. Theſe are the Martyrs, the Church of Rome can glorie of. Here a diuiue artifice of the ſpirit is not vnworthy the marking: that as in expreſſing the firſt ſuffetings of the church by the dragon Chapter 12. who giueth his power, throne, & authority to the Beaſt, alluſion was to the condition of the olde Church in Egypt: ſo here in the firſt degrees of finall wrath, alluſion is to the plagues there. Like as in the Chapter 15. vponupon preception of the laſt degree, the ſong of Moſes was ſung at the glaſſie ſea.
6 The fourth Viall is on the ſunne; whereby the beaſt his marked ones are plagued: the cleare light of the Goſpell (ſhewing Chriſt the ſun of righteouſneſſe) now ſo ſhining, as in place of glorifying God by repentance, and acknowledging of their errors and workes of darkeneſſe, they as the Children of darkeneſſe, and hating the light, whereby their workes are reproued, boile in deſpitefull rage, and are burnt vp with enuie and malice, as Iohu 3. 20. Eph. 5. 13.were the Phariſies at Chriſt his cleare doctrine and euident myracles: and that Stephen hauing his face like the Sunne. And they blaſpheme God in blaſpheming his Act. 7. 54.truth, and true Church; ſpeaking euill of the way of righteouſneſſe: their deſperate rage ſtill increaſing as the light groweth, becauſe induration in impenitency is a common effect of all theſe plagues. In that, ſhowſoeuer God hath his owne ſingle ones to pull out of that Kingdom, yet the body is not reclamable, but muſt goe to deſtruction. Compare this with the fourth Trumpet. The light of the Goſpel is a plague and torment to the reprobate world, as the two witneſſes, Chapter 11 were a vexation. Here the firſt effect of this Vial is rage, the ſecond blaſphemy.
7 The firſt is on the throne of the Beaſt, that is, on his Kingdom, as the next words interpret, and as the whole frame of Scripture ſpeech euinceth. The throne of Dauid is for his Kingdome. The Throne is eſtabliſhed: for the Kingdome is eſtabliſhed. Satan his throne, Chap. 2. & 13. for his kingdome. The firſt effect heere of is, their kingdome loſeth the glory, luſtre, pompe, and wonted eſtimation, and becommeth contemptible. Whereupon the ſecundarie effect followeth, in them, of deſperate ſorrow, expreſſed by a geſture of men, extremly grieued. Gnawing their tongues: and obdnration in impenitency and blaſphemy, their…ores by the light of the ſunne being more and more laid open, and thereby their ſorrow augmented. For their workes, ſee Chapter 9. And withall, conſider what a wiſe and iuſt retribution. As, by falling from heauen to the earth, and from being ſtarres of light to become miniſters of darkeneſſe, they opened the bottomleſſe pit, and let out darkeneſſe, by the ſmoake thereof eclipſing all true light, and ſo erecting the kingdome of darkeneſſe. So heere, by the cleere ariſing light of the ſunne of righteouſneſſe, all the earthly and worldly account of their Kingdome becommeth contemtible, and is darkened. And as, by the doctrine of darkeneſſe, they, like Scorpions, ſtinging men, tormented their conſciences: ſo the light op…ned, and diſcouering their treachery, tormenteth them with anguiſh and ſorrow. This effect, both firſt and ſecondary, we ſee already in great part, but ſhall yet ſee more. For, albeit theſe plagues heere, hauehave their owne degrees for order of working, yet ſtill the former hold on with the ſubſequent, till all together, in the ende, bring finall deſtruction.
8 The ſixth viall is notable in many circumſtances. It is poured on Euphrates: the effect is, drying the waters thereof. This effect is for a ſpeciall end, that the way of the Kings of the Eaſt may be prepared. Againſt this effect, and apparent ſequell thereof, a great endeauour is ſhewed, and the euent thereof. The endeauour, is of the principals, Dragon, Beaſt, and falſe Prophet, by their inſtruments, (a peſtilent broode, and well reſembling their origine) foule ſpirits, and ſpirits of Diuels: ſo is their qualitie. Their dealing is, to goe to the Kings of the Earth, ſtrangers from heauen, whom they may perſwade importunely cronting like frogges, night and day in their eares. Their force of perſwaſion is, by working ſignes, thus to ſhew them to bee faſe Prophets, ſeducing. The ende of this their endeauour, is to gather theſe earthly Kings together, in their purpoſe, to vphold their tottering Kingdome, now threatning a fall: and to impede the apparant effect to which this Viall maketh preparation: but which God ſhall turne to an other fine then they purpoſe: euen to be glorified in their iuſt deſtruction, as the euent prooueth. Now, both in reſpect of the great danger to be deceiued and miſled by theſe frogs, and of the great day of God his wrath, to come on them (ſo much the more perrilous, as it ſhould come like a thieſe in the night) warning is giuen to watch, and hold the true faith: whereby, putting on Chriſt, and girding him to vsus as with a golden girdle, we be not found naked, and ſo aſhamed, but bleſſed through our garment. The euent of all this their buſie trauell is expreſſed in this, that they gathered them to a place called in Hebrue Armageddon.
9 Now, becauſe for the moſt part, the effect and ſequels of this Viall are yet to come: in ſeeking the accommodation, we muſt walke warily, as the light of holy writ may leade vsus. Euphrates, properly, is that great Riuer whereon Babylon, properly ſo called, did ſtand, and wherto, it ſerued for beauty, commodity, and fortification. It was alſo the march bordering Dauid his kingdome on the Eaſt, ſeparating, and in a manner debarring the Eaſterne peoples therefrom. To both theſe conſiderations, in this alluſion, the ſpirit hath reſpect. In the 51. of Ieremy, prophecying the deſtruction of Babylon, hee threatneth that he will dry vp her waters. Thence, hither, to the deſtruction of the myſticall Babylon, the ſpeech is brought. In the next Chapter, the whore Babylon, is ſaid to ſit on many waters. Which are interpreted, Kings, Nations, Peoples, and Tongues. To ſhew, in great dominion and authority, great dignity and ſtrength. The drying vp then of her waters, is the decay of her authority, dominion, glory, and power, by the ſubſtraction of theſe from her obeience, in whom was her ſtrength and fortification. Euen that ſame, which Chapter 17. is expreſſed by eating her fleſh and making her naked. Thus, fitly for this reſpect, and yet more for the ſecond, the drying of Euphrates is heere mentioned, in a depth of wiſdome: to ſhew, how that Riuer bordering the kingdome of Dauid on the Eaſt, and ſet betwixt the Eaſterne Kings and the bleſſed land, being dried vp, the Kings of the Eaſt, ſhould therethrough hauehave eaſie acceſſe thereto: the debarring impediment being remoued. The ſenſe is. As Antichriſt his riſing was the occaſion of darknes, and defection from the Goſpell to Mahometiſme in the Eaſt and of the obſtinate abiding of Iewes (who are moſt part in the Eaſt, and whom ſpecially heere the ſpirit pointeth at, as the euent cleareth) in their infidelity: and as the greatneſſe and power of Antichriſt ſtill debarreth both, from embracing the Goſpell, as Euphrates flowing ouer all his bankes, and ſo letting all free paſſage to the Kingdome of Dauid: both Iewes and Mahometans, through the ſuperſtition, idolatry and corruption of the Romiſh Church, abhorring Chriſtianity: ſo now, her waters being with the heat of the ſunne of righteouſneſſe dried vp, an open way ſhall bee prepared for them to receiue the Goſpell. I know, how ſome, from the ſtory of Cyrus and Darius King of the Eaſt, diuerting the courſe of Euphrates, and ſo ſurpriſing Babylon, thinke this alluſion taken, to ſhew how myſticall Babylon ſhall in like manner, be deſtroied by Eaſterne Kings. But the ſpirit of God fetcheth nothiug from Xenophon or Herodotus, but all his alluſions are to holy writ. As this ſpeech is, plainely from Ieremy. And, the Prophets (who in reſpect of Media, by whoſe forces ſpecially Babel was taken, denounce her ruine Ier. 50. 41.from the North) ſhew the weakeneſſe of that coni… cture. And this Propheſie cleereth euidently that her deſtruction ſhall be by Weſterne Kings euen the hornes of duplicate page duplicate page the Beaſt, who hauing long drunke of her cup, and giuen their Kingdomes to the Beaſt, at laſt hauehave their hearts turned by God, to hate the Whore, eate her fleſh, make her naked, and burne her with fire: and ſo ſhall make way for the Kings of the Eaſt, that is, whole States (that particular perſons be not thought heere to bee deſigned, as were the Sages, who at the natiuity of Chriſt vponupon ſight of his ſtar, came from the Eaſt to worſhip him, whil Prieſts and Phariſeis abode in blindneſſe) which, by Babels fall, the cleare ſtarre of Chriſt ſhall bring to bowe vntounto him. Whereat Herod and all Ieruſalem ſhall bee troubled. As their endeauour heereupon well ſheweth. Now, heere, a Matth. 2. 3.great wiſdome and delightfull congruity, in the order of God his working, is to be obſerued and admired. By Antichriſt his vſurpation and darkeneſſe, preuailing on the fifth trumpet, as by the ſwelling of Euphrates, the Eaſt was alienated & debarred from the Kingdome of Dauid: God in his iuſtice, loſing thereafter, in the ſixth Trumpet, from Euphrates, theſe Armies of deſolation & poiſoning error. So heere, in the fifth Viall, the kingdome of Antichriſt becomming darke and contemptible, and in this ſixth Viall, all beauty, ſtrength, and fortification being dried vp, the Eaſt ſhall come againe to the Goſpell, and Iewes …epent from their obſtinate blindneſſe and induration. God, thus wonderfully, and to the high praiſe of his wiſe grace, bringing a more io…full effect from Euphrates in Antichriſt his fall, then hee brought a heauy woe in his riſing. And conſider how wonderfully heereupon the caſe varieth. In the ſixth Trumpet, out of the mouthes of theſe deſtroiers, from Euphrates, came Three things, Fire, Brimſtone, and Smoake: By which three, the third part of men were deſtroied. Here, to diſturbe als ioifull an effect from the Eaſt, …u… Of the mouthes of the Dragon, Beaſt and falſe Prophet, three foule ſpirits euen ſpirits of Deuils. That is, men led with the ſpirit of Satan, lyers, and murtherers like their Father, and accompanied with the effectuall deceiuableneſſe of his working, authoriſed by Antichriſt his ſtate, and in ſpeciall by the falſe Prophet head thereof, are ſent abroad, as crouting froggs, to beſtirre themſelues. Who theſe are, the ſtate of our time and practiſe of Ieſuites and Seminary Prieſts, compaſſing Sea and Land, ſpecially buſie about Kings, maketh more then manifeſt. They beginne to ſee their waters drinking in, and Euphrates earſt ſo great a riuer, now running in a narrow channell; and this ſetteth them madlings a worke. Beſides their origine, they hauehave a ſpeciall note of diſtinction whereby to diſcerne them, that they are workers of miracles; ſo to ſhew them falſe Prophets, to whoſe begetting, authorizing, and ſetting a worke, all the power of the kingdome of darkeneſſe, Dragon, Beaſt, and falſe Prophet, hauehave iointly bended all their malice, force, and intiſing hypocriſie, as to the laſt puffe of Satan his mouth, and of the Vicar of his throne, for vnderpropping Babilon. But ſhee can not be cured. For the Beaſt goeth to deſtruction. Heere, the Beaſt and falſe Prophet Ier. 51. 9. Chap. 17. 8.are diſtinguiſhed, as the firſt and ſecond Beaſt, Chap. 13. That heere, may bee ſhewed a ioyned endeauour of the head and whole body of the ſtate. See vponupon the next Chap. Sect. 11. 18. and vponupon the 19. Sect. 27.
10 The vnlucky euent, of this their endeauour, to themſelues and happy to the Church: ſpecially theſe to whom by this viall the way is prepared, is ſhewed in theſe words, that they gathered them to a place called in Ebrew Armageddon. Wherein, much matter is compriſed and offered to our conſideration: partly in the name of the place, but ſpecially, in that it is ſo called in Hebrew. The place is Armageddon, a word compoſed of Har a Mountaine and Mageddon a plot of ground in the of lot Manaſſe: famous in Scripture, for two notable euents, the one of great ioy, the other as ſorowful. The firſt is in the 5. of Iudges, where a great victory is obtained againſt Iabin and Siſera at the waters of Mageddo: when the Kings fought and were ſwept away. This was ſo noble a victory to the Church, as the Pſalmiſt maketh it the meaſure of his wiſh againſt the enemies. The other Pſalm. 83. 9. 2 King. 23. 2. Chron. 35als mournfull, is, when Ioſias by Necho is ſlaine at Mageddo. Whereupon, to the Iewes, inſued moſt bitter mourning. To both theſe euents the ſpirit heere alludeth; yet with this remarkable point of difference, that where the firſt of them was at the waters, the ſecond in the valley of Mageddo. Heere, the place is Armageddon, that is, the mountaine of Mageddon. This difference is purpoſelie put of the ſpirit, to ſhew that the enemies heere, ſhould bee in ſome great indeauour againſt the Church of God, in all the old Teſtament bearing the name of a Mountaine. Not onelyonly for God ſtabliſhing her againſt all aſſailers, and for her eminencie, but alſo, in reſpect of her type in Mount Sion, and land of promiſe, which is a land of Mountaines, and for the Church her abode therein, called of Daniel Hartſebikadoſh. This is Dan. 11. 45. Ezek. 20. 6. 40 Iſai. 25.the Mountaine of Mountaines, wherein, the Lord will deſtroy death: and threſh Moab as ſtraw is threſhed in Madmena: in which the Lord will deſtroy all that riſe againſt her. Heerein then is implied, that this great deſtruction of Antichriſt and his aiders, by perſwaſion of the frogges, ſhall bee in a high enterpriſe againſt the true Church: as God foiled Gog vponupon the Mountaines of Iſrael. And the King of the North entring in the pleaſant Land, and planting the Tabernacles of his Palace in the glorious and holy Mountaine. Now, as for this their purpoſe, cauſing their deſtruction, the place is called Har, a Mountaine. So, to expreſſe a double euent of this their enterpriſe, it is called Megiddon, by alluſion to the two ſtories before mentioned. To that in the 5. of Iudges, to ſhew, that the ſame ſhall befall all theſe enemies aſſembled by the frogges, which did befall Iabin and Siſera at the waters of Megeddo. And thereupon, ſuch a like ſong of ioy to the Church, as is that of Deborah and Barak. To the other ſtory of Ioſias ſlaughter, the alluſion is, to ſhew, that vponupon this victory, ſhould ariſe ſuch a mourning, and that proper to the Iewes, as they had for the ſlaughter of Ioſias in the valley of Mageddo; but of a much different kind. Euen that mourning whereof Zachary prophecieth in his 12. Chapter. When by this victory, the way beeing prepared for them to come and ſee him whom they pearced they ſhall bee ſorry for him, as one is ſorry for his firſt borne: and when, in that day, there ſhall bee a great mourning in Ieruſalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Mageddon. When Ezech. 20. 43. & 36. 31. Zach 12. 10.eueryevery family ſhall mourne apart: and when they ſhall iudge themſelues worthy to hauehave bene deſtroied. God powring on them, to true repentance, the ſpirit of grace and compaſſion. And for this double effect, of the Iewes common ioy with the Church, and proper mourning, the place is called, in Hebrew, Armageddon. To expreſſe Ch 19. Sect. 4.that the Iewes, conuerted to the Goſpell, ſhall celebrate this victory, both with ioy, and alſo with godlie ſorrow cauſing repentance, for their by-gonne induration and pearcing of their Sauiour. In the firſt Chapter, ſpeaking of that ſight of Chriſt, whereby all families ſhould mourne before him, euen they who pearced him thorow; for this ſame purpoſe are put foreign ▪ and Amen for Grecian and Iew, who iointly ſhould ſee him, and mourn vponupon ſight of the ſigne of the Sonne of man in heauen, Mat. 24. The ſame which heere is ſhewed in the vials, as vponupon Chapt. 15. Sect. 1. was declared. In like manner Chap. 9. to ſhew, how both Iew and Grecian, ſhould at length know and deteſt Antichriſt, he is called in Hebrew Abaddon and in Greeke Apollyon. But in this place, that we may take vp the ſpiritual drift of the holy Ghoſt, in theſe who ſhall come, vponupon this victory, from the Eaſt, hee telleth vsus that the place ſhall bee called in Hebrew Armageddon. Not, but it ſhall bee …o called alſo in Greeke, that is, the Gentils Chriſtians ſhall alſo celebrate this victorie: but, to ſtirre vsus to the vp-taking of a ſpeciall effect heereof in the Iewes, of common ioy with vsus, and proper mourning for their owne induration againſt the common Sauiour, ſo the place is called in Hebrew. The conuerſion of the Iewiſh people, by cleare warrant of Scripture, wee looke for. And that, not onelyonly of certaine perſons, now and then, heere and there: but aſſuredly, that the body of that people ſhall ſolemnedly turne, to the great admiration of the world, and praiſe of God his both wiſdome and mercy. This the Prophets foretell clearely: the Apoſtle Paul moſt plainely; yea the Lord himſelfe, in the prediction of their ouerthrow, Luke 21. limitteth the time of their being trode vnderunder, till the fulneſſe of the Gentils bee brought in. Which ſelfe words, the Apoſtle vſing, Rom. 11. he exponeth clearely the Lord his meaning. It is a wonderfull prouidence, that the Iewes, fifteene hundreth yeeres, not poſſeſſing one foot of property in the earth, yet are kept a ſeparate people, that in his owne time the Lord may be magnified in his mercy and truth, towards them, to the aſtoniſhment of all the world. That the great deliuerances promiſed them in the Prophets, hauehave all their performance in Chriſt, it is certaine: but whereof, that the full accompliſhment commeth not til their ſolemne conuerſion, it is euident, by the Prophecies cited and applyed, by the Apoſtle, to that purpoſe. Now, whether they ſhall be brought to inhabite againe their owne Land, albeit I dare not determine: becauſe (it beeing typicall) all, promiſed theranent, may be performed in their coniunction to the Church, which is the true Ieruſalem from heauen: yet certainely, my heart inclineth to thinke ſo. Becauſe their ſolemne conuerſion muſt bring with it, the remoouing of their reproach, and ſo, of neceſſity, a gathering from their diſperſion, to brooke a ſtate in the eies of the world. And the Lord his owne words, limitting their beeing trode vnderunder foote ſeeme to implie no leſſe: O the deepeneſſe of the riches both of the wiſdome and knowledge of God! The Iewes, miſconceiuing the Prophets, are ſtrengthened in their error of Meſſias yet to come, becauſe they thinke, that before his comming, the Roman Empire muſt be vtterlie deſtroyed; which now ſtandeth onelyonly in the Pontificality. Whereby, any may well know, how great a way his fall, and of all that ſtate with him, ſhall open vntounto them. So much the more as in place of his idolatrous ſuperſtition (whereat they now ſtumble) done away, they ſhall ſee the purity of true worſhip erected.
11 The ſeuenth and laſt Viall is poured in the Aire. The effect whereof is ſummarilie, in one word denounced, and then typically declared. The denunciation is great: firſt for the authority, as beeing not onelyonly from the Temple, but alſo from the throne in it, euen God his owne voice. And next, for the weight of the matter; that now, all is done. Not as if in that inſtant all things were accompliſhed; but, by pouring out of this Viall the ſigne beeing giuen, to ſhew that in the daies thereof all ſhould be finiſhed according as Chap. 10. was ſowrne. Neither is this to bee taken for the laſt conſummation, as neither is the great day of God almighty in the former Viall, for the laſt day: any time of God his great execution, beeing in Scripture ſpeech ſo called ordinarily. But heere it is ſaid to be done. Becauſe now at laſt, God is by this plague to deſtroy all enemies of his Church, and beautifie her with peace, liberty, and plenty of grace: ſo as all whatſoeuer by the Prophets hath bene foretold and promiſed of either, ſhall now hauehave the full accompliſhment. The Church beeing freed of all troubles, and hauing but to expect her bridegroome, for whom now ſhee ſhall bee prepared. This Chriſt himſelfe foretold. Lu Le 21. 28.When yee therefore ſee all theſe things come to paſſe, then lift vp your heads. Theſe words then (it is done) are all one with theſe (now all is come to paſſe ſo as yee may lift vp your heads. See this ſame ſpeech in this ſame ſenſe, Chap. 21. They are as I thinke, much deceiued, who interpret the commotions heere ſubioyned, of the laſt conſummation: which ſhall not come thus, but as a theefe in the night, vponupon a peaceable, ſecure, and ſleeping world: when all theſe broiles and whole effects of the ſeuen Vials, called of Chriſt, Matth. 24. the ſigne of the ſonne of man, ſhall hauehave paſt before.
12 This great effect, thus ſummarily in one word denounced, is declared by continuall allegorie. When the Aire is cleere and quiet, all, both ſea and land, riuers, fountaines, and heauenly lights, are calme and ſhine cleere. But, the Aire beeing troubled, all heere below is troubled, and for their vſe toward vsus, the heauenly lights are alſo darkened: and theſe fearefull effects of thundrings, lightnings, voices, &c. ordinarily do follow. Hereby, the ſpirit will expreſſe an vniuerſall and horrible commotion and alteration of the ſtate of the earth; which in one word hee calleth an earth-quake: yea and that ſo ſtrange and huge, as the like was not ſince men inhabited the ſame. It was a great earth-quake (that is alteration and viciſſitude of things) when vponupon opening of the ſixth ſeale, the ſtate of the Roman Empire was ſhaken, and in the ſixth head, receiued a deadly wound. But in the ouerthrow of Antichriſt, the Beaſt going to deſtruction, when the cured head and Beaſt quickned, therein againe, ſhall be ſlaine and deſtroyed: there ſhall be another kind of commotion and alteration of the ſtates of the world. So as, who ſeeme beſt fenced and hedged from all perill, as Ilands; and who ſeeme ſtronglieſt ſtabliſhed in greatneſſe & ſtrength, as Mountaines; ſhall flee away, and bee ſo vndone, as they ſhall bee found no more. And ſo, it is no maruell that this alteration ſhall bee conioyned with terrible plagues and iudgements vponupon the wicked, like haile from heauen of a Talent weight: who notwithſtanding, remaine indured againſt God, and blaſpheme ſtill.
13 The effect of this earth-quake, is declared to bee on the ſtate of Antichriſt and his aiders; vnderunder the names of the great City diuided in three; the Cities of Nations falling. Wherein, great Babel is now remembred and rewarded. The Nations did tread vnderunder foot the holy Citie, Chapt. 11. And heere their Cities fall. In the ſtreets of the great City God his Prophets they murthered, vnburied and mocked three daies and a halfe. Heere, that great City is diuided in three. And ſo, that bewitching Babel, whoſe fall was denounced, Chap. 14. now commeth to ruine. For, by all theſe, that one ſtate is meaned; but that, with her fall, ſhall be conioined the fall of many great kingdomes, and all the face of the earth ſhall be altered. Which, beſides the reaſon of her greatneſſe, is yet the leſſe wonderfull for this, that with her fall ſhall come on, the conuerſion of the Iewes and orient with them, and apparantly by them. The ſubſequent Chapters, wherein this is more amply ſet foorth, maketh the matter cleare. Now what particularly is meaned, by renting of the great Citie in three, till the euent declare it, I dare ſay no more, but that apparently it ſheweth the ouerthrow and diſſipation of all the ſtrength of that State: which conſiſted in the ioyned power, counſell, and working of three. The Dragon, Beaſt, and falſe Prophet, verſe 13. Or if heereby, the holy Ghoſt will giuegive vsus to take vp ſuch an vtter exterminion as is ſhewed Ezech. 5. or 6. 12. Or, if this diuiding in three, hath relation to the order of deſtruction ſet downe in the ſubſequent Chapters, in three degrees: firſt of the Whore, Chap. 17. and 18. next of the Beaſt and falſe Prophet, Chap. 19. and thirdly, of the Dragon, Chapter …