Commentary Upon Revelation, Chapter 18
CHAP. XVIII.
THe great Whore was deſcribed in the former Chapter. Her iudgement followeth in this: ſhewed by three heauenly voices: in each whereof, the ſame is magnifickly amplyfied, by the certainty, the inſtant performance, greatneſſe. and equity thereof. And peculiarlie, in the laſt, by that, her ruine is irreparable. The firſt voice is to the 4. verſe. The ſecond to the 21. And the third to the end.
2 In the firſt voice, are the perſon denouncer, and the point denounced. The denouncer, is an Angell, remarkeable for geſture and dignity. His geſture is: that hee commeth downe from heauen. His dignity, in that hee hath great authority; which is cleared by the effect, in that all the earth was lightened with his glorie. At the ſecond degree of the out-breake of the light of the Goſpell, from vnderunder Antichriſtian darkeneſſe, Chapt. 14. an Angel denounced the ſame which this doth: but that, did flee thorow the midſt of heauen: that is, albeit ſwiftlie, and in the publike view of men, yet the cleare perception, of what he denounced, was farre remoued aboue their reach: the preaching of the Goſpell, not hauing then for cleare euidence, the authority which ſince it hath, and daily more and more ſhall obtaine, through the Angel, no more fleeing farre aboue (as theſe Chap. 14. in the reuerting, and that Chapt. 8 in the laſt degree of decay of light) but now. in plenty of glorious light, as it were comming downe from the heauen, and lightning the earth with a neer and euident ſight of that, which before was reuealed, but farre oft This Angel then, is the type of the cleare light and powerfull miniſtery of the Goſpell, now in a neere degree, both ſhewing clearely, and working powerfully, Antichriſt his fall. The miniſters of light…, are of Chriſt, the true light, called the light of the world: and their miniſterie Mat. 5. 14. 1. Cor. 3. Iſai 52. 7. Rom. 10. 15.is glorious, euen glorified as concerning the exceeding glory. For, how beautifull on the Mountaines, are the feete of them that preach good tidings? &c. The deſcription of this denouncing Angel, implyeth not only the certainty of what hee proclaimeth, as from heauen, and with great authority and euidence: but alſo, the inſtant performance thereof; in that he commeth downe in ſuch aboundance of glorious light, as Babel can ſtand no longer, no more then could Sodome, after the Angel his downe-comming Gen. 18. 21.to ſee i… For Babel the glory of Kingdomes, ſhall bee as Iſai 13. 19.the deſtruction of God in Sodome and Gomorrha. Therefore, the point denounced, albeit it bee the ſame in ſubſtance, which Chap 14. was threatned: yet here, it commeth in another degree of cleare manifeſtation, certaine performance, in the perſwaſion of hearers, and neere approaching execution: God now beeing to paſſe by her no more, for ſhee is come in remambrance before him.
3 Of this denounced point, is ſhewed alſo the greatneſſe and equity. The greatneſſe in theſe words, and ſhe is become, &c. So to ſhew a horrible deſolation: ſuch as ſhould not onelyonly make her waſte and ſolitarie, but alſo deteſtable and abominable: as are ghoſtly and Elphriſh places full of Panike terror, and the ordinarie retrait of Iſai. 13. & 34. Ier. 50. Zeph. 2.all theſe things, which both flee humane ſociety, and the ſight whereof, men moſt abhorre. The ſpeech is from common ſenſe, whereby wee eſteeme theſe deſolate and foreleited places to be full of foule ſpirits: which reſort moſt in filthy roomes, as the damoniake of alegion abode Mar. 5.amongſt the graues. Whether their delight bee in ſuch places, or, if God in his iuſtice, ſo confine them, or, if in ſuch places they appeare moſt, to mooue the more terrour.
4 The equity of this great fall, is for bringing all the earth into the ſin of ſpirituall fornication; ſo making Nahum. 3.it guilty of wrath: and that ſo farre, as the greateſt Kings were beſotted with her. While ſhee by couetouſneſſe, and deceitfull efficacy of errour, ſo maketh merchandize of all men, as the miniſters of her abominations waxed Kings fellowes, ſwimming in all aboundance of wealth and carnall pleaſure. And therefore it is a iuſt thing with God, that ſhee who with falſe ſemblance, drew all the earth after her, ſhould bee now no leſſe abhorred, then is hell the dwelling of Diuels: that ſhe who was the darling of Kings, committing filthineſſe with them, ſhould now bee a receptacle of foule and filthie ſpirits: and ſhee who for frequent reſort and multitude of trade, was not only her ſelfe the Lady of Kingdomes, but alſo, made all her merchants rich, through her ſuperfluous luxury, ſhould nowe, become ſo deſolate and forſaken, as to bee the neſting place of all vncleane and hatefull birds.
5 The ſecond voice from heauen, amplifieth and cleareth theſe ſame points of certaine and inſtant performance, equity, and greatneſſe of her iudgement: that ſo, in the mouthes of two or three witneſſes, and from Deut. 17. 6 & 19. 15. Ioh. 8. 17.heauen, the matter may be ſtable. And this is by a threefold exhortation to the Saints. 1. To forſake and come out of her, proper to ſuch, as at this time, ſhall yet be within her. So little reaſon hath ſhe at any time to glory in the number of the Beaſt his name. 2. To repay her with iuſt recompence. And. To reioice of her fall. The firſt, are ſtirred, firſt to come out of her, by argument of a manifeſt perill to the remainers, of being infected with the contagion of her ſinne, and conſequently, inuolued with her in the ſame iudgement. For ſociety in ſinne bringeth fellowſhip in wrath. Secondly, they are ſtirred to do it with diligence, both for the greatneſſe of the iudgement, and preſent effuſion of wrath, which can hauehave no delay, in reſpect her ſinne is come to the height, ſhee hauing ſo, ſtill heaped ſinne on ſinne, that her iniquity hath mounted to the heauens: ſo as Ier. 51. 9. Ezr. 9. 6.God, who for his patience and long-ſuffering, appeareth often to forget the waies of men, is now to poure out on her ſuch a full cup of wrath, as ſhall well witneſſe him to remember her ſinnes, and to bee a iuſt repayer of iniquitie. Thus, as the exhortation to come out, by a voice from heauen, ſheweth the certainty of a preſent fall, like that of Sodom, when Lot was bid of the Angels to come out of her; and that of Babel properly, when by the Iſai. 48. 28. & 52. 11 Ier. 50. 8 & 51. 6.Prophets, the people of Iſrael were exhorted to come out of her and bee as the hee-goats of the flocke: ſo is both the greatneſſe of her deſtruction heerein implyed, like that of Sodom where was no remnant, and the equity of it is cleare, in the degree of her ſinne. The Angel whoſe voice Chapt. 14. ſucceeded the denouncer, there, of Babels fall, gaue ſharpe warning not to worſhippe the Beaſt, or receiue his character. But, now abſolute deſerting Ier. 50. 40.of Babel is needfull, and euen the name and number, are now dangerous. Wherefore, come out of her, and remember Lot his wife.
6 The ſecond point, whereto the ſecond heauenly voice exhorteth the faithfull, ſpecially the miniſters, of Babels fall, is to doe the worke of the Lord diligently: for negligence therein is accurſed; in all which, the equity, greatneſſe, and certainety, of her fall is ſhewed. For, what is more equall then retribution, and that eueryevery one receiue according to their worke? then, as they hauehave meaſured, that ſo it bee meaſured to them againe? what more iuſt, then who exalteth her ſelfe, that ſhe bee brought low? and that ſhee who hath wallowed in pleaſures and carnall delights, receiue torment and ſorrow? what more equall, then who preſumptuouſly, glorying in her greatneſſe and ſtrength, ſecurely promiſed to her ſelfe perpetuall ſtability, ſhe finde againe vnexpected deſtruction? Now, how great againe, ſhall the fall of Babel be, if ſhee receiue double for her waies; and that ſo much the more, as by the hands of theſe, whome ſhee hath highly wronged; therupon ſtirred in iuſt diſdaine againſt her? if ſhee be als farre preſſed downe, as ſhee 2 Theſ. 2.hath exalted her ſelfe, whoſe fall ſhall be like her fall? if ſhe receiue torment and ſorrow according to her pleaſures, what torment and griefe ſhall bee comparable to hers? That this her iudgement is ineuitable, als wel as iuſt and great, is cleare in this, that it is God, euen that great Lord of heauen and earth that condemneth her: and who then ſhall abſolue her? wherein as the ineuitable certainety of her iudgement is euident, ſo is implyed the equity. For, ſhall the Iudge of the world iudge vnrighteouſly? the greatneſſe alſo: for it is a hard thing to fall into the hands of the Lord: before whom all Nations are but as the droppe of a Bucket, or as the duſt of a Trebuſchet.
7 For more clearing of her preſumption, and confident glorifying her ſelfe, it is expreſſed in her owne ſpeeches, and her iudgement accordingly ſet downe: I ſit being a Queene, and am no widdow, neither ſhall I ſee Iſa. 47.mourning. The word Sit is Emphatike. Steuchus againſt Valla, pleading the priuiledge of the Romane ſeate, affirmeth ſtoutly, that all Kings hauehave by her left vntounto them but the vſe and adminiſtration of their Kingdomes: and that the right in property belongeth to her, and ſhee will be holden domina & regina. Thus while they know not what they ſpeake, the tongues and pennes of theſe Paraſites are led to verifie againſt themſelues the truth of this propheſie.
8 Her iudgements here ſpecified are ſuch, as befall the moſt diſtreſſed in ſtrighteſt ſieges of Townes, when mortalitie, doole and famine, all iointly conſume, as it may perhaps fall that thus ſhee bee ſacked. And theſe iudgements are amplified, as by the meaſure, ſo alſo by their manner of comming on, as which come inexpected in one day. Not that in one inſtant ſhee ſhall fall, which Iſa. 47. 9.were a great relaxation to her griefe: but to ſhew two things. One, that her fall ſhall hauehave no turning, but from the time it beginne, ſhee ſhall fall ſtill till vtter ruine. The other is, that euen her laſt and ful deſtruction ſhall come farre againſt her expectation, in a day whereof ſhee ſhall not know the morning. For albeit ſhee feele already Iſa. 47. 11.her iudgement begunne, and in good degrees aduanced, ſo as they are gnawing their tongues for ſorrow: yet ſhe is ſtill as Iezabel, who vponupon the very point of her laſt fall, painted her face, and looked as a Queene: 1. King. 9. 30.and like Baltazar and Babel properly, who although they were ſtraitely beſieged, yet imagined nothing leſſe Dan. 5.then the ſurpriſe of their City; in ſo farre, as that ſame night of their finall ouerthrow, they had giuen themſelues to all manner of prophane ryot. So Rome amidſt her plague growing on, yet dreameth to her ſelfe a perp…uity. But when ſhee ſayeth, Peace, Peace, then ſhall come vponupon her ſodaine deſtruction.
9 That God ſtirreth his children to recompence her according to her worke, and to render her double. Wee muſt not imagine, that either God louſeth the raines to carnall appetite of reuenge, or yet is vniuſt in his iudgements. For, firſt wee muſt conſider, that their doing is warranted by commandement of God; in execution whereof, as hee will hauehave no man remiſſe, ſo will he that we hauehave him and his honor ſingle before our eyes: which euen in our perſons as his ſeruants may be interreſſed, & in that reſpect ſhould moue vsus with ſuch motions, as in Moſes, Dauid, Elias, Eliſha, and other Saints wee ſee are approued. In which, as all carnall and priuate reſpects are damnable, ſo is negligence in God his worke accurſed. Saul his pitty of Agag was not onelyonly prepoſterous, 1 Sam. 15. 2 King. 20.but prophane, and brought the declaration of his reprobation. Ahab his fooliſh pitty of Benhadad bred him heauineſſe. Next, eueryevery man his calling muſt bee eyed: to the rule whereof, God reſtraineth all our actions (for extraordinary deedes warranted by extraordinary motions, are not ordinary, or to be drawn into example) the Magiſtrate hath another part then a priuate man. Therefore eueryevery man ought to keepe his Station, and all concurre ſo to the downe-bringing of Babell, as Iſrael had commandement to inuade Iericho, who Ioſua 6.were not onelyonly to attend the Trumpet and Shoute, but to go vp alſo each ſtraight before him from his own ſtation, no where diuerting. Moreouer, there is a diuers conſideration of that ſtate ordained for deſtruction, and of eueryevery particular member in it, of whom particularly wee know not the counſell of God. In the donble acquitall is no iniuſtice for the double meaſure is in relation to the wrong done to the Saints, and not to the merite of their ſinne againſt God which is infinite, and the honour of God and due conſolation of God his Saints, require that ſhee bee recompenſed to the full: for aſſurance whereof, wee muſt not looke to the apparant poſſibility, or impoſſibility of meanes, but to God the righteous Iudge who is a ſtrong Lord.
10 This great iudgement of the Whore is yet amplified by a liuely repreſentation of the mourning of her adherents vponupon the ſight of her fall. As by the contrary thereupon the godly are ſtirred to ioy. The lamenters are of three rankes. Kings, Marchants, and Seamen: who all hauehave theſe things common, Aſtoniſhment, Feare, and Sorrow: ſo much the greater, for the ſodaine and vnexpected fal of the Whore, whoſe greatneſſe, might, riches, and magnificence were ſo conioyned with the pleaſure and delight of Kings, gaine of Merchants, trade and vphold of Sea-men, as the world ſtanding, who euer could hauehave imagined the fall thereof, and in one howre? Thus the ſodain and ſtrange caſe breedeth aſtoniſhment. The ſmoake of her burning, and terrour of her torment bringeth feare: ſo as how grieued ſoeuer with her fall yet: they ſtand backe, not daring to helpe her. Their ſorrow ariſeth to each order vponupon the ſpeciall conſideration of their ſeuerall intereſts. Kings ſorrow for loſſe of their darling and their pleaſures. For theſe commonly delight in an eaſie worſhippe of mans inuention, and of any can leaſt ſubmit their neckes to the yoake of Chriſt, which might reſtraine licentiouſneſſe. Ahab had hundrethes of Prophets, but he could not abide Micheas, 1 King. 22. 8. & 21. 20. & 18. 17.and held Elias for his enemy, and troubler of Iſrael. The two witneſſes, Chapter 11. vexed the earth. Princes moſt part are much giuen alſo to fleſhly liberty, whereof vnderunder the Popedome they had no reſtraint, ſo being otherwaies, they ſhewed themſelues fauourers of that ſtate. Merchants ſorrow for that through her fall, none buy their wares any more: and they waxed rich onelyonly by the abundance of her pleaſures. To amplifie this occaſion of their griefe, the ſorts of wares are recounted, thereby ſhewing the wonderfull greatnes of her trade, by which her Merchants behoued to bee enriched, as hauing the trade of all nations, and of all manner goods from all parts. All that ſerueth for glorious and princely attire, as gold, ſiluer, pretious ſtones, pearles, fine linnen, ſilke, purple, ſcarlet: or for delightfull and ſumptuous pleniſhing, and fabricke, as Thymwood, veſſels of Iuorie, all veſſels of moſt precious wood, braſſe, yron and marble: or for pampering the perſon, and dainty faire, as Cinamon, odours, ointments, incenſe, wine, oyle, floure, wheat Cattell, ſheepe: or for royall and princely Port, as horſes, chariots, ſeruants. The decay of all which from her, and ſo the matter of her Merchants ſorrow is cloſed vp with a generall, of all that her ſoule luſted after, all fat and all pleaſant thing, vttered in a ſarcaſtik apoſtrophe to her ſelfe, for amplifying her fall, and argument of their ſorrow, ſo much the greater, as ſhee ſhould neuer recouer her loſſes.
11 Now albeit it bee true, that Rome through her greatneſſe and luxurie, maketh great change to all Merchants, of theſe ſame wares properly taken, and that her fall ſhall endammage many, who now liue by miniſtring to her delights: yet this is not here chiefly meaned. For neither are the great men of the earth properly Merchants of theſe things: neither can her fall ſtay the ſale of ſuch wares in the reſt of the world. But all this Allegory is by alluſion to the propheſie of Ezechiel againſt Chap. 27.Tyrus. VVhereto as to the moſt noble Merchant City in wares corporall, Rome is compared for ſpiritual marchandize; wherein, as a glorious deceiuing Whore, ſhe tradeth with ſuch gaine amongſt all Nations, that her Merchants hauehave gotten the riches of the world, by ſelling of Pardons, Indulgences, Reliques, Soule-Maſſes, Buls, Remiſſions. Diſpenſations, Confirmations, and infinite other traſh, wherewith they hauehave now long time ſo bewitched the fooliſh world, as in each Country they had, and ſomewhere yet hauehave the halfe of the Kingdom. For their Locuſts ſtinging like Scorpions, with a paine Chap. 9.leſſe tollerable then death, made mad men ſearch with loſſe of all things to redeeme that peace which they neuer ſhewed them. The recent ſtory of the ſtate of Venice, forced to conteſt with theſe Merchantes before they ſhould deuoure all, giueth hereto a cleare Teſtimony. What the Pope gained by Epiſcopall Palles, annates, and extraordinary impoſts, is well knowne. Beſides the dayly great Market of al which things at Rome, and thouſands liuing thereby: for their greater commodity, Iubilies are, to the contumely of Chriſt inſtituted: but that all their Market is much fallen through the drying vp of her waters, already in ſuch meaſure, as they are gnawing their tongues for ſorrow. And that wee may take vp what ſort of wares, and what kind of Merchants are here meaned, the holy Ghoſt in a diuine Artifice, cloſeth all with the Soules of men. And that none thinke according to the frame of Hebrew ſpeech; & the like words put in the cited place of Ezechiel, that hereby bondſlaues ſhould bee meaned, wee hauehave foreign put before to expreſſe that, and then the conſtruction is altered, foreign, ſo giuing cleare note, that ſuch Merchants are here to bee vnderſtoode, as Peter ſpeaketh of 2. Epiſt. 2. and Panl 2. Cor. 2. 17. Succeſſors of Simon Magus.
12 The Seamen mourne, for that by her fall, their trade and life alſo faileth. And firſt, their aſtoniſhment with the reaſon thereof, and next, their deſperate ſorrow are diſtinctly ſet downe. When Merchants hauehave no ſale or change, then of neceſſity ſhippes lie at a full ſea; for none fraught them more, & the life of Mariners dependeth on the trade of Merchants. By theſe then are meaned the rablement of inferior orders of the Clergy, which albeit not in a like degree with the Merchants, yet liued all on this trade, & were nouriſhed with the magnificence of the Whore. And the holy Ghoſt to ſhew their ſwarming multitudes, as Locuſts of diuers kindes, putteth a heape of words in a heauenly wiſdome. Shipmaſters, Occupiers in Shippes, Mariners, all Seamen. This Allegorie cleareth what Chapter 8. is meaned by the ſea, things liuing therein, and ſhippes. They had indeed a large Sea, and hauehave occupied both buſily, and with great gaine in it, but now all muſt fall. In all this, this is ſeene, how miſerable and vnhappy is the condition of ſuch as build their maintenance, and moyen of life, on ſuch trade or courſe of liuing, as agreeth not with godlineſſe. For there particular either pleaſure, or commodity maketh them enemies to God, and their owne ſaluation. Kings ſeeke to her for their pleaſures. Prelates, for that by her they are rich, honourable, and made great in the earth Inferiour orders, for that in her ſtanding and magnificence is their life. Thus the louelove of the wages of vnrighteouſneſſe blindeth men in God his iuſtice, to preferre lies to truth, and to remain indured enemies againſt God and their owne ſaluation. The Iewes crucified the Lord of glory, for feare leſt all belieuing Iohn 11. 48.in him: the Romans ſhould come, and take their place. Demetrius the Siluer-Smith, for his particular Act. 19.gaine by vngodly Trade, reſiſted the Goſpell, and put all Epheſus on an vproare. Bleſſed is the man which liueth on godly meanes, and loueth not the wages of iniquity.
13 The third point whereto the ſecond heauenly Ier. 51. 48.voice exhorteth the Saints, is to reioyce for her fall; ſpecially Paſtors and Teachers, who, as they felt moſt of her malice, ſo God giueth them the greater meaſure of conſolation. This is the time denounced, Chapter 11. When the Lord rewardeth his Seruants the Prophets; &c. Now they are deſtroyed, who deſtroyed the earth. Now the Dead are iudged, and the bloud of Saints ſhedde firſt and laſt, Chapter 6. 11. 16. is auenged on them that dwell on the earth, by finall and full vengeance, all being now perfected, who ſhould bee killed for Chriſt. And by this reaſon they are ſtirred to ioy, as accordingly in their ſong, Chapter 19. they acknowledge. Not that God pouſſeth his Children to any corrupt affection, but with pure hearts to reioice for their owne deliuerance, and God his honour, in the ouerthrow of his and their foes, as Dauid. The righteous ſhall reioyce when hee ſeeth the vengeance, he Pſal. 58.ſhall waſh his feet in the bloud of the wicked, and men ſhall ſay, verily, there is fruit for the righteous, doubtles there is a God that raigneth in the earth. Thus the mourning of Saints is turned into ioy, which neuer ſhall bee taken from them, and the reioyſing of the wicked poriſheth, and they mourne for euer.
14 The laſt heauenly voyce, for clearing and confirmation of an irreparable deſtruction, hath a ſigne conioyned, from the 5. of Ieremy, whence and from his 50. much of all this ſpeech is brought. The ſigne, is a great Milſtone caſt in the Sea, the meaning wherof is ſhewed, firſt in generall termes, that ſo Babell ſhall be throwne away, and neuer be found any more. Next more at large, in ſingular pointes declared: concluding laſtly in the reaſon, and ſo the equity of her ſo great and irreparable ruine. In the Signe, almoſt each word hath a gradation; in that an Angell, a ſtrong Angell, taketh a ſtone, and a great ſtone, euen a Milſtone, which hee letteth not bairely fall, but caſteth, and with impetuous force, thruſteth in the bottome of the Sea, whence nothing ordinarily is recouered, much leſſe a Milſtone thruſt from ſuch a hand, and with ſuch force. So the Lord caſteth the ſinnes of his Children in the bottome of the ſea, to bee buried for euer with Babel. Thus is ſhewed the irreparable ruine of Rome. M…ch. 7.And the ſame is amplified by pleaſant ſpeeches from Ieremie 25. to ſhew an eternall deſolation: as of her, in whom neuer againe ſhall bee any thing for ſtirring vppe pleaſure, or ſhewing triumph; no, not any thing ſeruing for commodity of life, as craftſmen: no, not for neceſſity of life, as prouiding of neceſſary ſuſtenance. Nothing but deſolate darkeneſſe, with perpetuall, and fearefull ſilence: for, as light is ſowne to the righteous in darkeneſſe; ſo the Candle of the wicked ſhall bee put out. Finally, no meane of propagation, without which no ſtate can endure.
15 The reaſon of all, is her bewitching of the whole earth with idolatrie, for her owne pride and luxurie, wherin ſhe exalted her ſelfe, and made all her Marchants rich: and herewithall, horrible cruelty, being not only a Whore, but a bloudy Whore; as not onelyonly the murtherer of Saints, but the occaſioner of all bloudſhed in the earth. So, not onelyonly in her ſelfe extreamely ſinfull, but as Ieroboam made Iſrael to ſinne, bringing ſin on the world, and making it ſinnefull. The bloud of Saints is euidently found in her, and this, if no more, maketh her guilty of all the bloud in the earth, in that almoſt, all God his wrath is for the Sanctuary. But beſides this, what bloudy warre hath been ſince the Beaſt his ſtealing vp out of the Earth, whereof ſhee hath not beene the vpſtirrer; or which, her ſinne hath not brought vponupon the world? whoſe bewitching vanity and poiſonable ſting tormenting ſuperſtitious mindes; for neere the ſpace of two hundreth yeeres, made the force and floure of the world to fall by Millions, in the fooliſh Conqueſt of Ieruſalem? whoſe ſinne looſed theſe foure Angels from Euphrates, after they had beene a ſpace in God his patience bound vppe; at length, by Turkiſh fury, and poiſonable Mahometane errour, to make vtterly deſolate the third part of the VVorld? VVhat warre hath been in Europe, which ſhe hath not either raiſed or foſtered? and whoſe emiſſaries as Frogges by ſeditious and treaſonable practiſes and ſuggeſtions, preſently diſturbe the peace of the Earth? therefore iuſt and righteous are thy iudgements, O King of Saints.