Commentary Upon Revelation, Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII.
WE hauehave heard the ſeuen degrees of the laſt wrath, whereof the ſeuenth hath in few wordes, ſo ſtrange an effect ſummarily implyed, as a larger manifeſtation thereof was neceſſary. Which accordingly the Spirit giueth; in the parties deſtroyed: manner, meaſure, and euents of their ouerthrow.
2 The parties deſtroyed, are the Whore, in this and the next Chapter. The Beaſt and falſe Prophet, Chapter 19. And laſtly for an abſolute victory, the Dragon Chap. 20. Whereupon inſueth the goodly and graceful, ſtate of the Church, Chapter 21. and 22.
3 To the ſight and perception of the damnation of the great VVhore, Iohn is firſt exhorted and diſpoſed by one of theſe Angels which had the ſeuen Vials, 1. 2 and beginning of the third verſe. Secondly, a viſion is exhibited till neere the end of the 6. verſe. From thence, to the end of this Chapter, the viſion is exponed by the Angell.
4 In the action of diſpoſing Iohn to the perception of theſe things, are the Inſtrument and his endeauour. The inſtrument is one of theſe ſeuen who had the Vials. To ſhew, that the time when the vials ſhold be a powring out, would bring with it a more cleare knowledge, of Antichriſt, and of the trumperie of this VVhore, great by his power and credite: and ſhould waken vp and diſpoſe men to ſee more euidently theſe things which before were but of few, or then obſcurely known. Thus by degrees light groweth. The Angell his endeauour to this end is two-fold, in that both with voice he ſtirreth vp, and carrieth Iohn in ſpirit to the wilderneſſe. To let vsus ſee, that for perception of ſuch things we are not onelyonly to be wakened vp from our naturall dulneſſe, but muſt in a manner …e ſeparated from our ſelues, and all common conuerſation of the world: which yet ſtandeth not ſo much in the retreat of the body, or retiredneſſe of place, as in right diſpoſition of ſpirit. The Angell ſtirreth Iohn to perception, by an argument from the great ſight hee was to ſhew him, the damnation of the great whore, which according hee performeth, in ſhewing the Whore, this Chapter, and her damnation Chap. 18.
5 The greatneſſe of this Whore (for further wakening vp of Iohn (and vsus in his perſon) is yet amplified by 3. Arguments. Firſt, her great Dominion in theſe wordes, which ſitteth on many waters. So interpreted, verſe 15. therefore fitly is the decay of her eſtate called drying vp of her waters, Chapter 16. 12. Ier. 50. 38. and 51. The ſecond argument is from the perſons, with whom ſhee playeth the harlot. Firſt, for quality great, as being Kings; next for number, many, as indifferently, committing whoredome with all the Inhabitants of the earth: thus being both a great and a common whore. The third argument is, her whoriſh and deceiuable perſwaſion, like that Prouerbes 5. by her allurements, ſubtlety, deceiuing men as with wine, and making them drunken, ſo to dote more & more on her, as men drunken luſt aye the more after wine, till becomming altogether ſenſleſſe all true iudgement be ſtollen from them. This is it which maketh all paines taken with ſuperſtitious Idolatries for their conuerſion to bee vnprofitable: as it is but folly to deale with a drunken man while his wine is on him. This is that Babylon, Chapter 14. againſt which, the heauy wrath there denounced, heere taketh full execution. And for clearing the equity thereof, it is moſt plainly heere opened what ſhee is, and of what time, and ſtate.
6 To Iohn thus prepared, appeareth the viſion of a woman ſitting on a beaſt, and properties of both. Of the Beaſt his properties wee will ſpeake in the Interpretation of the viſion which the holy Ghoſt himſelfe giueth. The woman is glorious in all worldly pompe, and royall magnificence, whereby ſhee dazeleth the eyes of men; ſhee is a moſt abhominable Harlot, prouoking to deteſtable Idolatry and ſuperſtition, and in place of the healthſome waters of life, propining her owne traditions and deuiſes (for ſtollen waters are ſweet) which in deteſtation thereof, the holy Ghoſt here nameth by an Ier. 51. 7.abhominable name, This ſhee doeth vnderunder faire pretenſes, deceiuing with a golden Cuppe. Shee is an impudent profeſſed Harlot, and mother harlot of the world; and yet with ſuch deepe ſubtlety couering her practiſes, as none ſhall read that which is openly written on her fore-head, but the lightned by the ſpirit, to finde out the myſtery. For ſhee is like that adulterous woman, Prou. 30. 20. which eateth and wipeth her mouth, and ſayeth ſhee hath done nothing. Finally, ſhee is a cruell murthereſſe of Saints. Shee ſitteth on the Beaſt, as borne vp by him, and hauing all this glory and bewitching power to deceiue, onelyonly through that credite and eſtimation which ſhee hath by the Beaſt her aduancer.
7 This viſion worketh in Iohn admiration, yet not ſuch as was that Chapter 13. of them who admire and follow the Beaſt, and that hereafter verſe 8. but no the leſſe hauing mixed with it ſome ſuch infirmity as required a wakening of him from a vaniſhing aſtoniſhment, wherein many lie benummed in theſe our dayes, who Cap. 14. Sect. 3 Abac. 1. 5. Act. 13. 31.yet wonder not the firſt wondring. This effect of the viſion occaſioneth the Interpretation. Firſt, of the Beaſt who is ſummarily deſcribed ver. 8. and after more plainly exponed in the interpretation of the heads and horns. His ſummary deſcription is by his ſtable and yet variable condition, which in thoſe who are not written in the booke of life, worketh ſuch admiration as was that, Chapter 13. This Beaſt then in ſome ſort and reſpect, had beene before that time, wherein Iohn ſeeth him, and in ſome reſpect and condition was euen then, albeit not as it was before, neither as it ſhould be thereafter: and was yet to come in a different reſpect & condition from either. And as it was yet to come (which is the condition and time, wherein, here it is to bee taken and conſidered) it hath two remarkeable notes. One is, that it ſhould ariſe out of the bottomleſſe pitte, which albeit in ſome ſort it may bee ſaid of all wicked powers, yet it is in a ſingular manner proper to Antichriſt, Chapter 9. and 13. the Vicar of the Dragon his kingdome, the Angell of the bottomleſſe pitte, the aduerſary, the man of ſin, and ſonne of perdition. His other note is, that hee goeth to deſtruction: whereof hereafter.
8 This deſcription, ſo obſcurelie proponed, as in a ridle, the Angell moſt clearely openeth in the interpretation of the heads and hornes: ſo as it is maruell why any ſhould ſeeke after any other ſenſe of the Angels words, then that which himſelfe giueth.
9 Firſt then the heades are both ſeuen hilles, on which the woman ſitteth, and alſo ſeuen Kings. The firſt is ſo cleare a note of Rome as Grammarians know it, and both are put here iointly, for cleare demonſtration what ſtate hee pointeth at; as alſo to ſhew that the heads of that ſtate (as they are Kings) muſt onelyonly bee taken of ſuch as alwayas held that City, and not of ſuch as are, or were heades in bare title, neither abiding in that City, nor making it great and glorious by their power, ſuch as were the Grecian Emperours after the fall of the weſterne Empire. And much more ridiculouſly ſince, the Kings of Germany, bearing the title of Romane Emperours, while they hauehave not one foot within Italy: yea, & of all Princes, who now domine within the compaſſe of the olde Romane dition, brooke the ſmalleſt portion thereof, and whatſoeuer either now be or before was the Title of other yet ſeeing the Beaſt bearing vppe the woman, maketh her glory and grandeure; none can bee eſteemed for heades now, but theſe, by whome ſhee retaineth her credite, luſtre and pompe. Neither are Kings here to bee taken for ſo many perſons, but for ſo many kinds of ſoueraign gouernments, in courſe, ruling that ſtate, according to the knowne frame of Hebrue ſpeech. Now, in exponing theſe ſeuen Kings, hee doth interprete the former darke ſpeech, and leadeth vsus euen by the hand, to the Dan. 7. 17.time, and that ſtate and condition of Rome in time, which here properly is the Beaſt bearing the Whore.
10 The Beaſt had been in a ſort, in the fiue heades who were fallen. It was euen then, in reſpect of the policy at that time ruling: but as the Beaſt here is diſcribed, and ſpecially to bee vnderſtood, that is, as by him Rome becommeth the great whore, hee was yet to come. The fiue fallen were Kings, Conſuls, Dictators, Decemuirs, and Tribunes. Caeſars the ſixt head ruled in Iohn his dayes. A ſeuenth was to come, which notwithſtanding is not the Beaſt, or head making this beaſt, as here it is ſet downe. For that head was ſoone to euaniſh: but the eight head in number, and which in a ſort, is one of the ſeuen, hath here peculiarly the name of this beaſt.
11 Of this head, three things are noted. Firſt, that hee is the eighth in number and order. Secondly, that yet in a ſort, hee is one of the ſeuen: to ſhew, how notwithſtanding that eight are here counted, it ſtandeth yet true, that the Beaſt had but ſeuen heads. Not that it was one, and the ſame properly; but for viue reſemblance, Chapter 13. As making vp the image of the Beaſt by cure of the deadly wound, and bringing kingdomes & prouinces in als great ſubiection to Rome by the cup of fornication, (thus bearing vp the Whore) as did earſt the former heads by force of Armes: ſo it is both the eight, and in a ſort the ſixt, wherein the Beaſt had got a deadly wound, which this head cureth. For the liuely reſemblance in Monarchie, ſtate, lawes, rites, veſtments, &c. Read the donation of Conſtantine and Steuchus in defence of it. This eighth head then is the Pontificality by which Rome is extolled and borne vp to be a Queene and Lady of Kingdomes, bewitching the world: and becauſe in the ſummarie ſpeech, he had ſaid that the Beaſt was to come, and ſeeing ſeuen heades had onelyonly beene attributed to the Beaſt, whereof none of the ſixe could be hee (as he is here proponed) leſt hereby we ſhould thinke that of neceſſity the next head after Caeſars, being the ſeuenth, behoued to bee this Beaſt (the Antichriſt:) the Angell in great wiſdome and plainneſſe pulleth vsus from that thought, in ſhewing that one was then to come, who yet was not hee; for that ſhould ſoon bee gone: but the eighth and laſt ſhould bee this Beaſt. I ſhewed on the 13. Chapter, that the ſeuenth head was the Kingdome of the Oſtrogothes: to whoſe King Theodoricus, the Emperour of the Eaſt, with aduiſe of Senate, willingly bequeathed Rome and Italy, & ſacro texit velamine, Sabellic. En. …. lib. 2.in Signum reiab imperio conceſſae: and who of the Romans was receiued as their lawfull Prince, and by himſelfe and his Succeſſors raigned ouer it many yeeres: during which, was both peace and friendſhippe betwixt them and the Emperours of Conſtantinople, all the dayes of Zeno, Anaſtaſius, and Iuſtinus. The third note of this eighth head, called peculiarly the Beaſt bearing the Whore, is, that hee goeth to deſtruction. And in this, hee is alſo ſingular from all former heads, who albeit they all did fall, yet the beaſt in ſome ſort remained. For the State and credite of the Kingdome abode in ſome degree in the ſubſequent heades. But this eighth head ſhall draw that whole ſtate with him to vtter and euerlaſting ruine, and this is that which Chapter 19. is meaned, where it is ſaid, that the Beaſt and falſe Prophet are taken, and both caſt in the Lake. Whereupon many fondly imagine, that the Beaſt and falſe Prophet bee two diuers. But this is it which the ſpirit would ſhew vsus, that the falſe Prophet who is the head ſhall ſo fall, as the body of the ſtate and Kingdome ſhall periſh with him. For none ſhall bee able to cure his wound, or reuiue any image of that ſtate againe, as he did the wound of the ſixth head. So then, taken abſolutely, this Beaſt is Antichriſt, that is, the Pontificality raigning ouer Rome, or the Kingdom of Rome vnderunder the eighth head the Pontificality. When the Beaſt and falſe Prophet are diſtinguiſhed, it is but for explication, to ſhew the ſtate or Kingdome, and who is head of it. And thus I ſhew, that Chapter 13. were the firſt and ſecond Beaſt to bee vnderſtood, as by this place is euident, where the firſt Beaſt is onelyonly mentioned, and peculiarly called the eighth head, who is alſo one of the ſeuen, and not the ſeuenth as moſt part make him: for ſo the ſpirit had more eaſily called him the eighth and ſeuenth, then one of the ſeuen, but that hereby hee would lead vsus to know which of the ſeuen hee is ſaid in a ſort to be. How farre Theodoricus and his wiſe daughter after him laboured, See vponupon Chap. 13. Sect. 7.that Rome might both recouer and hold her ancient glory and magnificence, albeit hee ſeldome made refidence there: the Stories giuegive cleare Teſtimony. From the fall of the Gothike Kingdome, the growth, pompe, and eſtimation of that City hath onelyonly been by the Pontificality, bearing it vp, and by ſemblance of the Lambe his hornes, procuring to it worſhippe of Nations. For otherwaies ſaith Steuchus, it had remained foediſſima boum, porcorumque habitatio. So as, ſince that time, to make any other the head or King of Rome, whereby ſhee had growth or honour, it is ridiculous, and againſt all euidence of ſtory. The Grecian Emperours, except an idle title, neither made any abode in that City, neither euer durſt openly attempt any further power therin then it pleaſed the Popes to allow them. And ſuch of them as at times did exerciſe any therein, it was not onelyonly by ſurpriſe vnderunder falſe ſemblance, & preſence of peace: but their dealing alſo with it was in plaine hoſtility as ſtrangers. So as in effect they were rather ſpoilers and rifelers then bearers vp of her. The French and Germane Emperours aduanced her, but as hornes of the Beaſt who beareth her vppe. Who, that hee might the better puſh with them at his pleaſure, hath ridiculouſly, fed them with idle titles, as hee doth his other hornes, whom he crowneth and decrowneth as he liſteth. But hee himſelfe is this Beaſt, bearing vp this harlot.
12 Thus are his heads. The hornes hauehave many diſtinct and cleere notes to ſhew the Beaſt, who, and of what time he is. Of their number, ſee vponupon Chapter 13. Section 8. Firſt then, theſe hornes are crowned Kings: that inferiour Rulers, as Liuetenants, or Preſidents of Prouinces, bee not heere imagined. According to the condition of this Beaſt, vnderunder the former heads, who themſelues only were crowned and not their hornes. Secondly, their time of being is noted: that they were not as yet riſen, but were to come. Thirdly, they are not ſo many perſons in ſucceſſion of one Kingdome, but ſo many Kingdomes, which all at one time ſhould raigne, euen with the Beaſt, vnderunder the eight head. The Beaſt, Daniel 7. with tenne hornes, hath no mention of heads: For that there, the hornes hauehave the conſideration of the heads of that Kingdome, wherein ſucceſſiuely ſhould raigne ſo many Kings. Heere (which ſome Interpreters ſhould hauehave better obſerued) this Beaſt hath both ſo many heads, and beſides, tenne hornes by all…ſion to that: becauſe heere the hornes are not to bee conſidered as heads of the ſtate, ſignified by this Beaſt, or ſoueraigne Kings ruling it. Which, if the ſpirit had minded, he had not attributed thereto heads alſo, more then to that in Daniel. But the ſoueraigne policies being expreſſed by heades, the hornes are put to expreſſe the ſtrength of this Kingdome, in ſo many props of her power: and that ſo cleerely is vttered by the Angell, as it is wonder what ſhould make men to miſſe of his meaning: while he telleth plainely, that they are Kings, Which ſhall receiue a Kingdome at one houre with the Beaſt. Which cannot conſiſt with the making them Kings of that ſame ſtate, which by the Beaſt is ſignified: ſo confounding heads and hornes which the holy Ghoſt hath diſtinguiſhed ſo clearely. Fourthly, their ſubiection to the Beaſt ſhould bee voluntary, and with vniforme and free conſent: not inforced by Armes, as was the ſeruitude of Nations to the Empire, but by the bewitching power of the cup of fornication, and theſe deceiueable ſignes and wonders, Chapter 13. This is the vnity of the Church of Rome. This note alſo euinceth cleerely, that theſe hornes are kingdomes voluntary ſubiecting themſelues to the pontificality and Roman Kingdome vnderunder him, and not ſo many ſucceſſiue Kings of any, much leſſe of that kingdome, to which they gaue their Kingdomes. Fiftly, they with the Beaſt, ſhould fight againſt the Lambe. But to their owne confuſion, for two reaſons. One, in the Captaine, who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. The other in his Army, who are called choſen and faithfull. Not that he needeth any army orforces to ouercome theſe hornes: but it is to ſhew, that their fighting againſt the Lambe ſhould bee in his members. Who yet ſhould ouercome in the ſtrength of their King, by whom they are effectually called, ſo, as their calling confirmeth to them their election, and that by true faith wrought in them, which is the victory wherewith they ouercome the world: reſting on their Lord, and being 1. Ioh. 5. 4.faithfull to him euen to the death. and this is not repugnant to that which was ſaid, Chapter 13: 7. For that ouercomming of Saints was not abſolute either in degree or time: but onelyonly the ſlaying of their bodies and bearing downe of truth for a ſpace, Chap. 11. & 14. 12. Which, with them notwithſtanding, reuiued againe, not onelyonly to the terrour of their aduerſaries, but alſo to their ouerthrow.
13 Thus is the Beaſt bearer vp of the woman. Euen the ſame, whereof Chapter 13. but that proceſſe of time, in the progreſſe of iniquity, giueth him, now, two notes ſomewhat different from that. The one, is ſcarlet colour, for increaſe of cruelty, wherein, by this time, hee hath come to ſuch height, as, for that, he hath now the Dragon his owne colour. Who before this, a ſpace was let looſe, Chap. 20.the thouſand yeeres of his reſtraint being expired: ſo as for bloody rage, now this ſuffragant of his throne, …arſt like a Pard, is all of a bloody colour: and the Whoore is drunke with the blood of Saints. The other note is, that where, firſt, he had but his head busked with the name of blaſphemy, he is now, for growth of impiety and of ſacrilegions vſurpation of diuine honour, full of names of blaſphemy. The head which at firſt was busked therewith, both waxing therein, and defyling alſo all the body. So as, now it is high time to come out of her. The Beaſt was, firſt, like a Pard; a cruell, yet a fraudulent Chap. 13.beaſt, and leſſe horrible to behold: But afterward more violent and raging.
The Whoore borne vp by this beaſt, is ſhewed here, firſt by her great dominion, touched in the beginning of this Chapter, and heere now interpreted. This dominion ſhee hath through the Beaſt, her bearer. Secondly, her iudgement is heere ſummarily foretold, which at length is handled in the next Chapter. And thirdly, in proper and plaine termes is told who ſhee is. Euen, The City which ruleth ouer the Kings of the Earth So plaine a circumſcription of Rome, as the Aduerſaries are aſhamed to denie it.
14 In her iudgement, are three things. Firſt, by whom it is. Secondly, what it is. 3. How it commeth on. It is, by the hornes of the Beaſt, who ſhall worke her ouerthrow. What it is, is ſhewed by a naturall order. They ſhall hate her: they ſhall leaue her deſolate, by defection from her, vponupon ſight of her impiety and abominations: they ſhall make her naked, pulling from her, her ornaments, rents and clothing: they ſhall eate her fleſh, feeding on her ſpoile as ſhe was facted and growne great with the ſpoile of Nations: laſtly, they ſhall burne her with fire. Now, here, we muſt not imagine that all theſe kings, who hauehave giuen their Kingdomes to the Beaſt, ſhall at one inſtant reuolt: many ſtill cleauing to him till his laſt foile, after the Whore is burnt, and ſo made pertakers of his iudgement, Chap. 18. and 19. But the holy Ghoſt will tell vsus, that her deſtruction ſhal be by theſe ſame kingdomes and ſtates which hauehave drunken of her cuppe, and had beene the ſtaies of the Beaſt his kingdome, and ſo, of her magnificence. And, what is done of any of theſe, is ſaid, indefinitely of all. For, her deſtruction muſt bee by Weſterne Princes, that ſo, a way may bee prepared for the Eaſt to embrace the Goſpell. Heereof, in no ſmall degrees, we ſee the execut. on begunne and well farre aduanced, and the laſt degree is comming on quickely. How this ſo ſtrange a caſe falleth; that, who were the hornes of her power, and her darlings committing fornication with her, ſhould now turne to be her haters and deſtroiers, is ſhewed, that it commeth by God his diſpoſition and allruling prouidence: who, as in his iuſtice, hee gaue ouer theſe Kingdomes to the efficacy of error to beleeue lies, for not beleeuing the truth 2. Theſſ. 2. So, in his owne time, when his iudgement therein was fulfilled, for hir iuſt deſtruction who had ſo bewitched the world, hee ſhould turne their hearts to hate her who had ſo long and vildely abuſed them. Conferre heerewith the 16. Chap. of Ezechiel.
15 Laſtly, as I touched before, is told in ſo plaine termes who this Whoore is, that the Romans are forced to confeſſe it. Bellarmine lib. 3. de Pontifice, cap. 13. Ribiera vponupon this booke. The Rhemiſhe doctours are ſo ſtraited, that ſeeking ſhifts, they againſt a cleere light bewray an euill conſcience. See their annotations on this place.
16 So then, by all the courſe of this Propheſie, yea and the Romans owne confeſſion, this is manifeſt that Rome is the Whoore. And ſo, by neceſſary conſequence, the ſeat of Antichriſt his kingdome. Whereby it is that ſhee is the mother of Whootedomes, and Lady of Kingdomes: through herexaltation and being borne vp by the Beaſt. Neither ſhall euer the Ieſuites bee able, confeſſing, once Rome to be this Whoore, but of neceſſitie to grant alſo that the Beaſt muſt be the kingdome of Rome. Whereof, many of themſelues perceiuing the ineuitable conſequence, fall next, for exepting the Pontificality from this blot, to deſpute of the time. Some making Rome, vnderunder the perſecuting Emperours, to be the Whoore: as Bellarmine in the place aboue cited. But, ſhe is, ſo, the Whoore, and then, the Whoore, as, and when ſhee is borne vp by this Beaſt, which fooliſhly he diuideth. Others, reiourne this to a future time, when as Antichriſt ariſing, forſooth, Rhemiſts'on this place.ſhall poſſibly expell the Pope out of Rome, and ſit there. So, forgetting the long boaſted priuiledge of Peter his Chaire: and while they ſeeke to eſcape, ſnaring themſelues more; by granting that to be poſſible, vponupon the alleaged impoſſibility whereof, they long agoe builde al defence. But the holy Ghoſt, euidently, here ſpoileth them of all ſhift, by cleare demonſtration: Whereby, as Rome is cleared to be the Whore, and the kingdome of Rome to be the Beaſt: ſo are we led, as it were, by the hand, to the time when: and particular ſtate of that kingdome, wherein it is to be taken for the Beaſt, heere, and Chapter 13. deſcribed: and that by three infallible tokens. Firſt, by a full and perfect enumeration of al the heads (that is, ſoueraigne ſorts of Rulers) from the firſt beginning of that ſtate, to the laſt and vtter fall thereof: and therewithall telling vsus, that in none of the fiue fallen before Iohn his time, is that ſtate, the Beaſt as he is heere vnderſtood, or, conſequently, Rome, the whoore: neither in the head then ruling, namely Caeſars: neither in the ſeuenth head, which, vponupon the deadly wound of the Beaſt in the ſixth head, ſhould ariſe and ſoone euaniſh. But in the eight head, ariſing by cure of the wound, and in that reſpect, one of the ſeuen, which was to come out of the bottomleſſe pit, that kingdome is the beaſt vnderunder that head, the falſe Prophet. And therefore the Beaſt heere is peculiarly denominate by that head.
17 The ſecond infallible taken is the ſingular and different manner of working of the Beaſt and Whoore, in that ſtate and head, wherein, properly, the Beaſt is to bee holden for Antichriſt, from all the former: and ſo properly, competent to the laſt head, as can in no way agree to ame of the other. For the hornes in time of that head, vnderunder which that kingdome is peculiarly this Beaſt, are crowed Kings, and ſuch as are not ſubdued by violence or force of Armes, but willingly and with one conſent giuegive their Kingdomes to the Beaſt: being bewitched by the cup of fornication, and deceiued by lying ſignes and wonders vnderunder pretence of the Lambe his hornes, Chapter 13. So as, then only the kingdome of Rome is to be holden by this beaſt, when it is vnderunder ſuch a head, as, by whoſe domination, Rome be commeth the Whoore, that is, the bewitcher of the world by ſuperſtitious and idolatrous worſhip, ſignes and myracles, and pretence of Chriſtian power and holineſſe. Not hauing or pretending ſo much, a power to ſlay mens bodies, as, by poiſonable errour, to ſting and forment their conſciences, Chap. 9. and bringing Kingdomes in ſubiection, more by feare of conſcience then force of Armes. Which is properly to be the whoore. For, vnderunder al the former heads, Rome was rather a murthering furie, then an inticing harlot: drinking more the ſuperſtition of al other Nations thē propining any to them. Neither were any peoples ſubiected to her willingly, but by compulſion and Armes. But then ſhe became the harlot, when vnderunder pretence of Chriſt his power, and by deceit of the cup of fornication, ſhe made Kings, voluntarily and with one conſent, ſubmit their Crownes to her: ſo making vp the image of the Beaſt.
18 The third proper note and token is, this Beaſt goeth to deſtruction. For vnderunder this laſt head that ſtate and Kingdome muſt be vndone for euer: and ſhall not bee as in the fall of the former heads, when in the next ſucceeding, it held place: but this head ſhall ſo fall, as with him he ſhall draw that ſtate to eternall ruine. In which reſpect, it is ſaid, Chapter 19. that the Beaſt and falſe Prophet are both taken and caſt into the fire. Thus, for a moſt cleare opening of all this Propheſie, the Holy Ghoſt heere in this Chapter, hath ioined the Beaſt, Head and Whoore: and exponed ſo euidently in a huge wiſdome. To make vsus ſee, that what Chapter 13. hee ſpake of two beaſts: what, through the booke, hee ſpeaketh diſtinctly of the Beaſt, and the VVhoore, Babylon: of the Beaſt and falſe Prophet: is all, but for cleare explication of Antichriſt. VVhat a King hee is: of what Kingdome: of what time, and manner of working: cleering the Kingdome, by the head: and both Kingdome and head, by the head City of their power: with euident and infallible notes to take vp the right time and condition of all. So as the Romans, mocking our incertainety, (as they thinke) whether the Beaſt, the VVhoore, or the falfe Prophet, bee Antichriſt, bewray but their owne ignorance, or malice, or both. For the Beaſt is Antichriſt: but ſo, and then, as, and when the head is a falſe Prophet: vnderunder preſence of the Lambe his power making Rome the VVhoore, and bewitcher of the world. In which reſpect, the falſe Prophet is the Beaſt: the eight head and one of the ſeuen. And thus, the Beaſt is onelie Antichriſt, as the Beaſt is the eight head, euen the falſe Prophet. And the falſe Prophet is Antichriſt, but as he is the Beaſt that is head of the kingdome of Rome. And Rome is the VVhore, but as ſhe is borne vp by this Beaſt, the falſe Prophet. How plainely the holy Ghoſt telleth this, take vp in this argument.
19 That ſoueraigne policy, ruling in and ouer the City, ſituated one ſeuen hils, and, in Iohn his daies, bearing rule ouer Nations: which in number and order is the eighth head or ſoueraigne policie, after the fiue fallen before Iohn, the ſixth then ruling and a ſeuenth to come, but ſoone to euaniſh: which eight head recouereth, to the ſtate hee ruleth, the luff…e, eſtimation, and ſubiection of Prouinces, which by a deadly wound, in one of the former heades, it had loſed: thus reerecting, if not the ſame properly, yet a liuely image of the decaied ſtate: and, for this reſpect, as he is the eight in courſe, ſo is hee in a ſort, one of the ſeuen heads and is peculiatlie the Beaſt: and, which ſoueraigne pollicie and eight head (peculiarly the Beaſt) worketh all, as a Porphet and vnderunder pretence of Chriſt his power: and thus, induceth the Kings of the earth, voluntary and with free and vnanime conſent, to ſubmit their Crownes vntounto him: ſo, procuring to his ſeat ſuch account and credit, as the whole earth drinketh her ſuperſtitious and idolarrous worſhip: wherethrough ſhee becommeth a great and mother harlot. And which eight ſoueragne policy or head, ſhall bee the laſt head of that kingdome, for that, in the fall thereof, that ſtate ſhall be deſtroied for euer. That ſouerainge policy o… head, is the Antichriſt.
20 But the Pontificality is the ſoueraigne policy or head thus, for place, order and number in ſucceſſion, manner and effect of working, heere peculiarly called the Beaſt: and which, as hee is from the bottomleſſe pit, and angell thereof foreign, ſo he, and with him, that ſtate goeth foreign.
Ergo, &c. Wee ſpeeke not of coniecture: but as it is written, I beleeued and therefore I ſpake. Wee beleeue, and therefore ſpeake,
2. Cor. 4. 13.