Commentary Upon Revelation, Chapter 15
CHAP. XV.
HEnce, is the ſtory of the laſt wrath, for finall deſtruction of the enemies, to the peace of the Church, that the kingdoms of the world may be Gods Chap. 11. 14.and Chriſts. VponUpon obſtinate impenitency againſt ſixe trumpets, Chapt. 9. 21. The fulfilling of this wrath was ſworne to come in the daies of the ſeuenth trumpet, Chap. 10. VponUpon ſounding of the ſeuenth trumpet, ſummarily denounced, Chap. 11. And ſummary executing thereof proponed, Chap. 14. in the end. Whereof here, the larger narration, hath the executers, Chap. 15. Their execution in order, Chapt. 16. Cleared more largely, Chapters 17. 18. 19. and 20. Whereupon the gracefull condition of the Bride victorious, is magnifickly ſet downe, Chapt. 21. and 22. This whole matter, is that other great ſigne ſeene in heauen: to diſtinguiſh this part of ſtory, from the preceding in the laſt three Chapt. called alſo a ſigne in heauen. This is that, which Mat. 24. is called, the ſigne of the ſonne of man. For hee and his iudgements, now are made manifeſt. As not inconueniently, the other might be called the ſigne of the Dragon.
2 In this Chapter, from the beginning to the fifth verſe, is ſet downe the greatneſſe of the erand: thence to the end, the diſpoſing of the inſtruments for execution thereof: the greatneſſe of the matter, is firſt ſummarily proponed in this, that hee ſaw a ſigne, a great, yea, a maruellous ſigne, and, in heauen. That Chap 12. was a great ſigne; but this is both great and wonderfull: euen the ſigne of the ſonne of man in heauen. This great wonderfulneſſe, is ſhewed in the Miniſters, Angels: their number, ſeuen; their imployment, to bee executors of God his laſt wrath, for finiſhing of the myſterie, Chapt. 10. For his ſpirit would no longer ſtriue with men, verſ. 1. Next in the effect and end of their worke, to the 5. verſe. Which are, the deſtruction of Antichriſt: that the Saints, victorious ouer him, may praiſe God; and by the greatneſſe, equity, and truth, of his iudgements manifeſted, all men may feare, glorifie, and worſhip him, who onelyonly is holy. For expreſſing of this effect and end, the Church and her condition, in, and vponupon this execution to follow, (ioyfully vponupon ſight of the inſtruments prepared, precōceiuing the certaine euent) is ſet down, in the victory and ſong thereof. In the victory, are the meanes whereby, and the party ouer whom. The meanes, are a glaſſie Seamingled with fire: the pure word of God mingled with the vertue of the holy Ghoſt, Chap. 4. The victory, is ouer the Beaſt, his image, his marke, and number of his name: to ſhew it now, full and perfit. In their ſong, are firſt, the quality, that it is a ſong of praiſe, for a maruellous deliuerance, and ouerthrow of a great enemie: ſuch as Moſes, vponupon ſuch a caſe, did ſing at the red Sea, Exod. 14. Secondly, it is in praiſe of the Lambe, through whom they obtaine this victory, and in whom the Father is glorified: and not in praiſe of Moſes, who is the ſeruant of God, Heb. 3. 3. Chapt. 22. 9. and 19. 10. Thirdly, their diſpoſition is noted, in that they hauehave the harpes of God, giuen by him, for his praiſe: that is, well tuned hearts, filled with ioy and louelove, in conſcience of his benefits, and burſting out in thankſgiuing. For hee onelyonly putteth a new ſong in the mouthes of his ſeruants. Laſtly, the tenor of their ſong is in two: the praiſe of God his works and waies; and the ſequell therof. The praiſe of his workes, is, that they are great and maruellous: according whereto, hee hath a competent title, Lord God almighty. The praiſe of his waies, is that they are iuſt and true: and competently thereupon, he hath the title of King of Saints. In infinite authority and power, yet to hold euer a iuſt and true way, is a great praiſe. Now, the ſequell hereof is, that he onelyonly be feared, gloriſied, and worſhipped of all. And that for two reaſons. Firſt, becauſe he onelyonly is holy, and not the Beaſt, who ſacrilegiouſlie busketh his head with that blaſphemie. Next, his iudgements are now made manifeſt to all: ſo as, who before, worſhipped and wondered after the Beaſt, as hauing none equall, or able to fight with him: now, in his iuſt and manifeſt ouerthrow, may know, and praiſe God only holy. For Chriſt now ſitteth on a white cloude iudging him. Compare this 4. verſe with the 7. of Chap. 14 and ſee what wiſdome.
3 Before wee enter in the ſecond part, in the diſpoſing of the inſtruments for this great execution: the interpretation giuen of the glaſſie Sea mingled with fire, is to be cleared.
4 That the glaſſie Sea is the type of the pure word, and pure worſhippe according thereto, ſee vponupon the 4. Chap. Heere the alluſion is to that ſtorie, Exod. 13. and 14. When Moſes and Iſrael with him hauing paſt the red Sea, ſtanding on the ſhore thereof, and ſeeing Pharao and his hoſt drowned therein, they praiſe God, ſinging the ſong of Moſes, &c. Of this alluſion, while men marke not narrowlly all the points of conueniencie, the place is diuerſly miſtaken. Some taking this Sea mingled with fire to be but the type of great troubles, thorow which the Church now hath eſcaped; according to the ſpeech Pſalm. 66. Thou haſt brought vsus thorow water and fire. But this is not all whereto heere the ſpirit will lead vsus. Others, take it for the treaſure of meanes, which God hath euer in readineſſe, as before his throne, to deſtroy his enemies. But this is too generall. For here, a ſpeciall treaſure is meaned of the meanes, whereby, as Antichriſt is ouerthrowen and drowned, ſo God his Church is ſaued. And this is, the treaſure of the pure word of God, and power of his ſpirit mingled therewith. For, we muſt all, be begotten of the word and of the ſpirit; and be baptized with water and with fire. And by this word and ſpirituall vertue thereof, muſt Antichriſt bee foiled. As in the red Sea, the people of Iſrael were baptized, 1. Cor. 10. wherein Pharao was drowned. And as Iſrael was baptized vnderunder the cloude, which to them, was a pillar both of a cloud and of fire (of refreſhment and light) but to the Aegyptians a pillar of darkeneſſe. In which reſpect, the red Sea, wherein, and the pillar, vnderunder which they were baptized, were types of the true word and ſpirit, whereby the true Iſrael of God are begotten to immortality, and the enemies ouerthrowen. So, by alluſion thereto, the Church…victorious ouer Antichriſt, and that great City, which ſpiritnally is called Aegypt, is ſaid to ſtand at a glaſſie Sea mingled with fire: that is, in the cleare light of the word mingled with the vertue of the holy Ghoſt; whereby they are victorious, and furniſhed with the harpes of God: but Antichriſt therein is drowned, 2. Theſſ. 2. From this Sea, they labor to diuert vsus to ciſternes of their own digging, which are full of bloude. But heere, is our victory and wiſdome, whereby to count the number of the Beaſt his name; and ſo, to ouercome him, his image, his character, name, and number. The Sea of the Fathers in a third part is bloud, Chapt. 8. So as thence, wee may (if wee bee not wiſe to diſcerne) draw death als well as life. The Sea againe of the Church of Rome, in latter ſtate, is all bloudy worſum, Chap. 16. This Sea, hath this different note from that, Chapter 4. that this is mingled with fire. The fire is there alſo, but ſet out in ſeuen burning lampes diſtinct from the Sea: heere the fire is mingled therewith, and that of purpoſe, to leade vsus to take vp a great point of wiſdome in the diuerſity of God his diſpenſation in this laſt cleare light of the Goſpell, for Antichriſt his ouerthrow, from that firſt, in the Apoſtolike times, for caſting the Dragon on the earth. At the firſt going out of the Goſpell, to conciliat thereto the more credit, and to ſhew plainly whence the vertue, accompanying it came, there was then a diſtinct diſpenſation of the ſpirit, in outward & viſible ſignes, as clouen tongues, and fire: extraordinary effects and operations: as gifts of tongues, healings, and working of miracles: and by a ſingular and viſible manner of donation, as, impoſition of hands of the Apoſtles. But, in this laſt reuiuing of the Goſpell, the word ſhould be cleare and pure as at the firſt, and accompanied with the force of the ſpirit: yet the diſpenſation, donation, and operation of the holy Ghoſt ſhould not bee in that manner, but ſhould bee mingled with the word: the ſpirit and vertue thereof, accompanying the preaching of the Goſpell; yet ſo, as no viſible or diſtinct ſymbol thereof ſhould bee as at the firſt, (for now, the preachers are feated by ſwallowing of the little booke, Chapt. 10.) no miraculous operations: finallie, no donation but ſuch as, with the word and by the word preached, the ſpirit ſhould worke in the Saints. So as miracles, in theſe laſt times, are no notes of true preachers. And this diuerſity of diſpenſation is exceeding wiſe, and requiſite for the times. At the firſt the Goſpell was not, onelyonly to bee opened, to the world lying in darkeneſſe, but alſo confirmed, to be from God. Now, it hath that credit with all; but beeing buried in ignorance, was to bee cleared. Neither muſt wee take this ſo, as if at firſt, the preaching of the Goſpell had wanted that accompanying vertue. For euen then it was not in words 1. Cor. 4. 20.but in power, and was mingled with fire. No doubt, but Iohn his doctrine and baptiſme, had with it the vertue of the ſpirit in thoſe that beleeued: for faith is the effect of this fire. And out of all queſtion, Apollos had the ſpirit in ſome good meaſure, when hee knew but the baptiſme of Iohn. And theſe Samaritanes, who by the preaching of Philip receiued the Goſpell and were baptized, had the ſpirit before the downe-comming of Peter and Iohn. But at the beginning, were ioyned the viſible ſymboles, donation, and miraculous effects of the holy Ghoſt, to procure reuerence and credit to the Goſpell, and to ſhew whence commeth all ſpirituall vertue, to faith or conuerſion: and the outward healing of diſeaſes, to lead vsus to know the power of the word and ſpirit, in the quickning and life of the inward man, and curing ſpiritual diſeaſes of the Soule. Neither muſt wee imagine that now the ſpirite is ſo tyed to the word, as who euer heareth it, receiueth neceſſarily the ſpirit. For many heare whom it profiteth nothing, becauſe it is not mixed with faith: but Heb. 4. 2.the gift of the holy Ghoſt is now no other way diſpenſed, but by the word preached: wee feeling the force thereof, but neither ſeeing whence it commeth, nor whither Iohn 3. 8.it goeth. So, whatſoeuer ſpirit one pretend without Iſai 59. 21.the word, it is the ſpirit of errour.
5 Now, how theſe Miniſters of the laſt wrath are feated and prepared to this great execution, is ſhewed from the fifth verſe to the end. And firſt, whence they are, 2. How diſpoſed, 3. Wherewith inſtructed, and by whom. 4. By what power it is, that ſo great a worke is effectuate. They come out of the Temple of the Tabernacle of Teſtimony in heauen, now opened, that is, out of the true Church militant (this is implyed in the word Tabernacle) now made patent and viſible. This firſt note ſheweth, both what they are, and of what time. They are members of the true Militant Church, who by the light of the Goſpell, the Church being reformed and opened, are ſtirred to the worke. For God turneth the hearts of Kings, who earſt gaue their Kingdomes to the Beaſt, and were his hornes; to hate now the Whore, and eate her fleſh, Chapter 17. For her fall ſhall not be by Kings of the Eaſt or Mahometans, but by reformed Chriſtians: whereof wee ſee already good degrees, praiſed be the King of Saints. This note alſo pointeth the time of this execution, to be in the dayes of the ſeuenth Trumpet, according to the Oath, Chapter 10. VponUpon the ſounding of which, Chapter 11. followed the opening of the Temple in heauen, and cleare ſight of the Arke of the Teſtimony, and thereupon lightnings, thundrings, &c. Now here, theſe ſeuen Angels, Miniſters of God his laſt wrath come forth of the Temple opened, and goe to execution. Thus the ſpirit by cleare notes, leadeth vsus to couple rightly the courſe of this Propheſie. Which, from the beginning hath ſo plaine a way, as all being comprehended in ſeauen Seales, ſixe thereof bring the firſt ſorrowes,: the ſeuenth opened, yeeldeth ſeuen trumpets, whereof, ſixe bringing the ſecond euils: and theſe working but further induration, Chapter 9. The ſeuenth Trumpet ſounding, yeeldeth theſe ſeuen Angels with ſeuen Cuppes of the laſt wrath. Whoſe ſtorie by the narration, wiſely and exceeding purpoſely in the 12. 13. and 14. Chapters interiected, was till now delayed.
6 The diſpoſition of theſe Angels is ſhewed in their apparrell, which is linnen, and that both pure and bright, and girded to thē with a golden girdle about the breaſt. White linnen apparrell is the garment of all Saints: who in Chriſt are made Prieſts to God, by putting on and girding to, or applying Ieſus Chriſt to their hearts by the girdle of faith, more pretious then gold to righteouſneſſe and holineſſe. But here in theſe Angels, this common 1 Pet. 1. 7.garment hath a ſpeciall relation to their ſpeciall calling, To ſhew that this execution ſhould bee iuſt & vpright, not only in reſpect of God the iuſt Iudge, whoſe wayes are iuſt and true, but euen in reſpect of the Miniſters alſo, who in the light and aſſurance of faith, ſhould in the zeale of God and of his worſhip bring downe Antichriſt. For bleſſed ſhall hee be called that rewardeth her as ſhe hath ſerued vsus.Pſal. 137.
7 They are inſtructed hereto with golden Vials or Cuppes full of wrath, euen the wrath of God that liueth for euer. Golden cuppes were alſo holy veſſels of the Sanctuary to ſhew hereby likewayes this to bee a pure worke like gold, and holy, and acceptable. And the wrath powred out is euerlaſting, as hee whoſe wrath it is; for according to his name, ſo is his feare: and as is the man, ſo is his ſtrength. Hereto alſo ſerueth the kind of Inſtrument. At the iudgements by the ſixe Seales, ſome cry was alwaies ioined to waken, if it had beene poſſible men to learne. The Trumpets ſounded loud, in ſixe of them God giuing Iezabel time to repent, Chapter 3. and 9. Hereupon obſtinate impenitency, out of golden bowles, wrath without noiſe is tumbled. The ſeueral degrees whereof, in God his patience, Chap. 16. yet more argueth and aggrauateth the obſtinacy of the enemies ſtil more and more endured to endleſſe wrath.
8 Theſe cuppes are giuen to the Angels by one of the foure Beaſts, that is, by the true Paſtors of the church, Chapter 4. to ſhew, that through the cleare light of the Goſpell preached, Antichriſt being laide open, the hearts of God his faithfull ſeruants ſhall bee filled with holy indignation and zeale to imploy their power to God his honour, in his ouerthrow, ſtirred there to by the preachers of the truth. Reward her as ſhee hath rewarded you, &c. according to the Cup ſhee filled to you, fill her Chap. 18. 6.the double. This was ſummarily touched in the end of the 14. Chapter, when the Angell from the Altar hauing power ouer fire, ſtirred the other to cut downe the grapes of the earth: the which ſame thing is here more largely explaned. That this is ſaid to bee done by one of the foure Beaſts, as it ſheweth them to be the ſtirrers to worke, ſo (according as their diuers faces expreſſed diuerſity of gifts, as for diuers times and caſes is requiſite) to ſignifie the imployment at this time of ſuch as were fitteſt, whether for wiſdome, as Men to ſpie out the Beaſt, or rather (that being already done) for leonine courage, roaring and thundering, Chapter 10. to encourage and terrifie. How it be, what of one of them is done, is done of all.
9 The power, whereby this great execution is borne out, that it cannot bee ſtayed, is God his glorious and powerfull preſence in his owne true Church opened and made viſible, before fuming in wrath againſt Antichriſt: ſo, as neither dare theſe Miniſters but execute their charge: The feare and louelove of God, and knowledge of his terrour ſtirring them: neither any enemy impede the courſe of God his iudgements till they bee finiſhed. For the Beaſt muſt goe to deſtruction: and the Whores louers ſhall ſtand a backe afraid at her burning, Chapter 18. And what is it elſe, that miraculouſly hath and yet doth beare out againſt Antichriſt his power and malice; Who, if the Lord were not on our ſide, would hauehave eaten Pſal 124.vsus vp, and as mighty flouds hauehave ouerwhelmed vsus in the depth: but the Lord is our helper. Peoples heare it, Exod. 15. 14.and are afraid. Sorrow commeth on the Iuhabitants of Paleſtina. Now this type is not ſo put, as if the Saints this time ſhould be debarred from the preſence of God in his Church. But by alluſion to the 40. of Exodus, 1. Kings, 8. Iſai 6 to ſhew a great and powerfull preſence of God in his Church, newly reerected from vnderunder Antichriſt his tyranny, where through the execution ſhal hauehave no let. It is true, that the reſort (albeit very frequent and dayly encreaſing) ſhall not bee ſuch during the plagues and ſmoking wrath of God, as when Euphrates is dried vp, the high places taken away, and Baal deſtroyed. When the twelue Ports of the new Chap. 21Ieruſalem ſhall be caſt open continually to receiue from all quarters both Iewes wakened by a voyce from the Chap. 19. 5. Chap. 16. 12. Zach. 14. 9.Throne, and the Kings of the Eaſt with them comming to worſhippe Iehouah the Lord of hoſtes, who then ſhal be the onelyonly one Lord in the earth, and his name one. To which, the ſixt Cup ſhall in the owne time prepare the way, and which in the ſeuenth ſhall bee fulfilled, and ſo the myſtery finiſhed, in the accompliſhment of all fore…old Act. 3. 21.by the Prophets, Chapter 10.