Commentary Upon Revelation, Chapter 19
CHAP. XIX.
THus hath beene the deſcription of the Whore and her iudgement. Followeth now thereupon, the ioy of Saints: and that it may bee full, the finall ouerthrow of the other enemies. Of the Beaſt in this Chapt. and Dragon in the next, for an abſolute victory.
2 This Chapter, hath firſt, the ioy of Saints, in their ſong of praiſe: and next, the foile of the Beaſt. The ſong, for the forme, matter, and euent, is admirable. In the forme, are the ſingers, the ſtrange manner of ſinging, and the courſe or order of their ſong. The ſingers, according to the courſe and degrees of the ſong, are three. Firſt, a great multitude in heauen, Secondly, the 24. Elders and 4. Beaſts. Thirdly, the voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many waters, &c. Stirred thereto by a voice from the throne.
3 By the firſt, a multitude in heauen, by all the frame of ſpeech thorow this Propheſie, are ſignified the Saints in common. In whom all and generally, the deſtruction of the Whore, worketh this ioy which breaketh foorth in thankſ-giuing. Their manner of ſinging is, with a loude voice, both for their force of affection in them ſelues, and for the aduowed open proclaiming thereof before the world: and that, firſt in a generall and vncouth word, they praiſe God and ſtirre all others thereto: and next, they vtter ſpeciall points of praiſe, with the reaſons, wherein is the matter of the ſong.
4 The generall word is, Haleluiah, two well known Ebrew words, and of frequent vſe in the Pſalmes: but neuer till now, in all the new Teſtament recorded. And heere are put ſoure times, not for any ſpeciall holineſſe or myſterie, that in the frame, ſillables, or letters thereof is contained, and for which, it muſt be religiouſly kept vntranſlated, as the Romans, after a fooliſh and cabbaliſticke forme, eſteeme and vſe it and others: but yet, it is not without great purpoſe, and high myſtery, that t…e faithfull now, not onelyonly firſt, beginne their ſong, but alſo therein, ſo often in courſe, vſe this word, and in Ebrew. Which purpoſe and myſterie, to take vp clearely, the occaſion of this ſong, and courſe thereof, as orderly it goeth on, beeing compared with what at length wee ſpake vponupon the ſixth Viall, Chapt. 16. will euidently lead vsus. For, by the iudgement of the Whore, the way is prepared for theſe of the Eaſt; who, vponupon the victory here enſuing ouer the Beaſt, ſhall celebrate the ſame, by calling the place in Ebrew Armageddon, and mourning the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Mageddon. And ſhall bee brought with vsus Gentiles, to ſing Halleluiah. As the courſe and matter of this ſong ſhew euidently. But wee muſt not eſteeme, that this firſt Halleluiah is ſung by the Ebrews, albeit it bee in Ebrew, to waken vsus to aduert the myſtery. For this firſt Halleluiah, the Chriſtians of the Geutiles doe ſing: onelyonly to ſhew the way now prepared, by the iudgement of the Whore, for them to come in, and concelebrate the victorie. Neither thus, ſo much, for any ſuch intention of the ſingers toward that end, as that heereby, the ſpirit will ſhew, that the fall of the Whore, and loud praiſe of God, by Chriſtians, for it, ſhall in a degree, waken vp the Eaſt, and Ebrews principally, and ſhal ſerue for a great ſtep for them to come in to the Church. And yet an other greater ſtep is laide for them, and they more ſtirred, vponupon the higher intending of this ſong by a ſecond Halleluiah, for the euerlaſtingneſſe of her ruine. And yet more, by a Halleluiah of the Elders and Beaſts, falling downe and worſhipping him that ſitteth on the throne. Wherein, wee muſt take heede, that wee eſteeme not the multitude in heauen, and the Elders and Beaſts to be otherwaies diuers, then in diſtinct conſideration, for the more cleare explication of the degrees whereby God wrought on, this great effect. Which, as it ſhall be in a good degree promooued, by that common ioy and praiſe of Chriſtians, ſuch as confuſedly, and ſuddenly, at the firſt ioyfull euent, is raiſed in all hearts: ſo, a greater and more effectuall degree thereof ſhall follow, when the praiſe hereupon, ſhall be ſolemne, in the Church aſſemblies and publike actions thereof: which is meaned by the ſong of the Elders and Beaſts, who are the type of the Church, as for ſolemne and lawfull worſhip, it is ordered, in the Beaſts going before, and elders following them: hauing God his preſence in his gtacious diſpenſation of the ſpirit, word, and faithfull miniſtery thereof: ſuch as (albeit it hath not alwaies appeared to the eies of men of the earth) yet God had at all times as by conference of the 4. and 11. and 14. Chapters herewith, is manifeſt. When this Church thus, for a lawfull miniſtery, ſeruing God in the communion of Saints, is hid from the world, then none heare or learne their ſong but the ſealed Virgins. But at this time, their Halleluiah and publike ſolemne praiſe, ſhall be ſeene and heard widely, euen to the wakening of the Eaſt thereby. For it is now a long time ſince it was ſaid to the reuiued Chap. 11.witneſſes, Come vp hither. The 144000. ſealed ones are ſaide Chapt. 14. to ſing a new ſong before the throne, Elders, and Beaſts: not that the 144000. are one thing, and the Elders and Beaſts another. But, as the 144000. are put to expreſſe the ſtate and condition of the true Church, in Antichriſt his vſurpation; ſo they are ſaid to ſing, before the Throne, Beaſts, and Elders. To ſhew, that albeit the world perceiued it not, euen then God had ſtill a Church, in the midſt whereof he dwelt, and had in it a miniſtery, and was worſhipped lawfully, in the aſſembly and communion of Saints. For this it is, that thorow this whole Propheſie, howſoeuer, to expreſſe the diuers conditions of the Church, ſundry and diuers types are vſed; yet this, of Throne, Beaſts, and Elders, euer holdeth in all. Thus then, the firſt common and confuſed ioy and praiſe, thereupon, is a double degree, (according as it riſeth vponupon the Whores eternall fall) and effectuall, to waken. But, when euen theſe ſame, in ſolemne aſſembly, profeſſedly praiſe God; it both inhanceth the ſeruice done, as done in the Sanctuary; and ſheweth a deeper ſenſe and regard of the benefit, moouing that duty in the hearts of the praiſers: as alſo, the publike, well ordered, and holy excerciſe, in the Congregation, ſtirreth more, them who are without, to reuerence, and conuerſion, then common and priuate cariage, Pſalm. 5. 7. and 1. Cor. 14. 24. 25. Theſe ſame two degrees are, Chap. 11. Where, vponupon the ſigne giuen by the Trumpet, and preconceiued ioy of theſe ſame euents to enſue, this ſame praiſe is ſummarily ſung. Now then, this third Halleluiah, of the Elders and Beaſts, falling and worſhipping him that ſitteth on the Throne, is a neerer degree of vp-ſtirring, and ſtep of in-comming, of Ebrewes and Orient, to ſing Halleluiah with vsus. But laſtly, the voice from the Throne, euen God his owne powerfull voice, ſhall fully waken them from their deadneſſe, and pull perfitly, the vaile from their hearts, pouring on them the ſpirit of mercy and compaſſion, and taking from them their ſtony hearts, that they may ſee him whom they pearced. And 2. Cor. 3. 16.this is called peculiarly, the voice from the Throne, to note God his powerfull working of their illumination and full conuerſion at this point, whereto their hearts, by the victory of the Chriſtian Church, and praiſe offered to God therefore, were in ſome good degrees, before, prepared and mollified. So as now, all the ſeruants af God, all that feare him, both ſmall and great, ſhall raiſe vp a ſong to God, for multitude, maieſty, and noiſe, admirable: for exceeding great power and motion of ſpirit, full of thundering: for newneſſe of matter, paſſing ioyfull. For raiſing of this great Halleluiah, a ſtrange order of working (as would appeare) is heere ſet downe. For, where it might ſeeme, that according to the ordinary diſpenſation of all grace, the voice ſhould, from the Throne, hauehave gone firſt to the Beaſts and Elders, and from them to the multitude: in a heauenly wiſdome, the firſt motion is from the multitude, next, from Beaſts and Elders, and laſtlie, from the Throne: to ſhew this great worke (as I hauehave ſhewed) at laſt, by God his owne power, fully effectuall. The order is from I ſay, A voice ſoundeth from the City, a voice from the Temple, the voice of the Chap. 66. 6.Lord who recompenſeth his enemies. Then, Sion before ſhe trauelled, brought foorth her children, and before her paine ſhee was deliuered of a man childe. Then, The earth was brought foorth in a day, and a Nation was borne at once. Conferre diligently, and eſpie deepe wiſdome.
This voice, is to all Gods his ſeruant, to all that feare him both ſmall and great, the time of whoſe reward is now come, when God deſtroieth them who deſtroied the earth, Chapter. 11. Now, Rachel barren while Lea bare children, ſhall breake foorth in the thouſands of Manaſſe, and tenne thouſands of Ephraim. So, by this voice from the Citie, from the Temple, and laſtly, from the Throne; euen from him Who fully recompenſeth his enemies, is raiſed, for multitude of ſingers, for manner and matter of ſong, an Helleluiah of a wonderfull note. While, not onelyonly, a great multitude euen all the ſernants of God, ſmall and great, Iew and Gentile doe ſing it, but alſo their ſong is like the voice of many Waters, and as the noiſe of great thunders; not as theſe Cha. 14. which none heard but the ſealed ones: but Chap. 14. Sect. 3.ſuch as ſhall fill the world with aſtoniſhment, and make the heauens reſound. So ſweetely and mightily ſhall the Harpes of them, whoſe receiuing ſhall bee life from the dead, bee tuned vp, with vsus Gentiles, to praiſeour common Sauiour.
5 Thus, for cleering the myſtery heere implied, hauing ſhewed the forme, in the ſingers vncouth manner, order, and courſe of this whole ſong: Now let vsus returne and firſt conſider the matter of all, and then the euent in Iohn.
6 The matter of the ſong in the firſt three Halleluiah, and two degrees of ſingers, is all one. In the laſt Halleluiah & laſt ſingers, when all ſmall & great ſing, it is larger. The ſong of the firſt ſingers hath two parts, and accordingly, to ſhew the riſing of their affection, the word Halleluiah is doubled. The firſt part hath the ſpeciall points of praiſe, and reaſons thereof. The ſpeciall points; are, Saluation, glory, honour, and power, &c. Thus in ioyfull ſong profeſſing, that the onelyonly praiſe of their ſaluation, the onelyonly glory, that is, the eſtimation and high account they hauehave God in, as onelyonly author of all their good: all the honour, that is, all dutifull worſhip, which according to that eſtimation and account they owe, are due to him onelyonly. Laſtly, they acknowledge his onelyonly power and ſtrength in all their deliuerance, and ouerthrow of their foes. This ſong, is the ſame in argument, with that Chap. 7. Saluation is of our God and of the Lambe. The reaſons of this their praiſe, are firſt, generally giuen, and next, ſpecially accommodare to the preſent matter. The generall is, that his iudgements are true and iuſt, in relation to his promiſes and nature: and accordingly in the ſpeciall caſe heere meaned, the truth of his iudgements is cleere, in that the Whoore is iudged and deſtroied: as he promiſed, not onelyonly to deſtroy her, but alſo all that doe euill to the Sanctuary. The iuſtice and equity, is manifeſt in her ſinne, who was a great Whoore; and therewithal, the corrupter of the whole earth: being, both her ſelfe, extremely ſinnfull, and inducing others to ſinne: next, extremely cruell, as in whom all the blood of the earth was found, and who, ſpecially was drunken with the blood of Saints. Now, God is a requirer of blood, and ſingulary of his holy ones, whoſe death is precious in his eies. This, both truth and iuſtice of God, in this ſpeciall act of the Whoores damnation, is yet more cleered in the ſecond part of their ſong: whereto they are ſtirred, by the conſideration of her euerlaſting fall, ſo as they neuer feare her deceit or cruelty any more. And, this raiſeth their affection to a new Halleluiab, ſo, vponupon the more cleare ſenſe of the greatneſſe of the benefit, doubling the praiſe. The fooliſh knoweth it not, and the vnwiſe man vnderſtandeth not, that the wicked flouriſheth as the graſſe, but hee ſhall bee deſtroied for euer.
7 The ſecond order of ſingers affirme the ſame matter, in the word, Amen, and ſing the ſame praiſe in Halleluiah.
8 In the third order, as the ſingers are moe, and the note higher, ſo is the matter of their ſong ſomewhat larger: as which, hath not onelyonly relation to the iudgement of the Whoore, as the former parts of the ſong, but alſo to the ſubſequent ſtory, both of the enemies ouerthrow, and gracefull ſtate of the Bride thereupon: both which are heere ſummarily celebrate, and largely after, through the booke exponed. The firſt, in this, that now the Lord raigneth, for they are deſtroied who vſurped the Kingdome. The other, in that the Bride is prepared. The deſtruction of the vſurpers, is hencefoorth in this and the next Chapter: the Bride prepared, Chapters 21. and 22. Heereupon, all are of other, mutually exhorttd to ioy and gladneſſe, aſwell as to the praiſing of God; for that The Lambe his marriage is come, &c. Wherein, as there is huge matter of Gods praiſe, ſo of exceeding ioy to themſelues in their owne good from him. This marriage, contracted of old, was come in a great degree, when the Bridegrome came into the world, but they who were bidden, refuſed to come, and amongſt thoſe, who were brought in to the wedding, one wanted a wedding garment, and Matth. 22.thereupon, is caſt out into vtter darkeneſſe, euen the lake of fire and Brimeſtone. But now, at this point heere celebrated, the marriage ſhall come in a nobler degree, when God, by a voice from the Throne, ſhall turne their hearts who refuſed, now to come in: that, as their caſting of was the riches of the Gentiles, ſo their receiuing, may bee Rom. 11.much more the life of the world from death, by ſo ſtrange and wonderfull a change as ſhall make, in a manner, a new heauen and a new earth, in which, they ſhall hauehave greatly Iſa. 65. 15. 16, Cant 8.to reioice and bee glad. When both ſiſters, aſwell the little ſiſter, which had no breaſts, as the other, are ſpoken Eze. 37. Iohn 10. 16.for and receiued. That the Shepheard may be one, and the ſheepfold one. When in that day, there ſhall bee one Lord ouer all the earth and his name one. This is that number Zach. 14. 9. Iſai 54. 5.innumerable, Ch. 7. of al Tongs, Nations & Languages, with Palmes in their hands & clothed in longwhite roabes, &c. This is that Ieruſalem from heauen wherin the heathen nor any vncleane thing ſhall enter no more: which, now ſhall bee perfectly adorned with ſuch fulneſſe of gracefull & quiet ſtate, al being performed, whatſoeuer the Lord by his ſeruants the Prophets had promiſed, that ſhee hath as a Bride perfectly busked, but to attend the laſt and full act of the marriage, to enter into the marriage chamber, and eternally inioy her ſpouſe. This goodlie ſtate in grace, vponupon full ouerthrow of all troubles, deſcribed moſt goodly, Chap. 21. and 22, is the finiſhing of the myſtery of God, Chap. 10. When a Bride is perfectly …usked and trimmed, wanting none of her ornaments, then nothing remaineth, but the ſolemne acts of the mariage, to enioy her Lord. So, the reaſon of the ſpeech, is plaine from common vſe.
9 This her preparation, that we may vnderſtand it not to be of herſelfe, (for the Lord will anſwer her before ſhee Iſai 65.aske) is ſhewed to bee in her attire. Whereof is noted, whence ſhe hath it, and what it is. Shee hath it by free gift of the Bridegrome. For, what a Bride we are, by nature, ſee Ezechiel 16. and not onelyonly is the garment giuen her, but, which is to be marked, the putting on thereof is giuen her alſo: as, which ſhee can no more put on, by her ſelfe, then ſhee can purchaſe it. What this garment is, in ſhewed, firſt, figuratiuely, and then in proper termes. Figuratiuely, it is fine linen pure and ſhining. This linen hath two properties. It is pure, becauſe Ieſus Chriſt giuen vsus, of the father to iuſtification, whom by the gift of faith we put on, is pure, ſpotleſſe, and vndefiled: and maketh vsus pure before God. This is iuſtification of faith properly. The ſecond property is Shining; for as it is ſpotleſſe and pure, ſo hath it a glorious luſtre, to ſhew, that Chriſt is not onelyonly put on to iuſtification, but alſo Philip. 2. 15.to glorie, and that in two reſpects, One, in that hee ſanctifying vsus wee ſhine here as lights in the middeſt of a froward generation, ſhewing forth the vertues of him that hath called vsus: ſo glorifying God, witneſſing to the 1. Pet. 2. 9.world our iuſtification, and euen ſtrengthning our own ſoules in the certainety of our election: while wee declare our faith perfect by our workes, euen as our works, thereupon ſhine and are approued, becauſe faith worketh together with the worke. For whatſoeuer is without faith is ſinne, and this is that iuſtification whereof Iames Chapter 2. to expreſſe both, the word is plurall, foreign. The other reſpect of ſhining is, in that as we put on Chriſt to iuſtification and ſanctification, ſo alſo to full glory at length with himſelfe, our corruptible bodies being made conforme to his glorious body. The Iewes firſt, ſeeking to eſtabliſh their owne righteouſnes Rom. 10.which is by the Law, (ſo like Adam and Eua, making garments to themſelues) fell from the righteouſneſſe of Gen. 37.God, but now God turneth their hearts to prepare and trim themſelues with the Bridegroome his gifts (as was Rebeccha with the ornaments brought from her huſband, both giuen her; and put on her) counting all Gen. 24. Philip. 3.things loſſe to bee found in Chriſt; that is, not hauing their owne righteouſneſſe which is by the law, but the righteouſneſſe of God, which is by faith in Ieſus: which, and application thereof, are both the f…ee gift of God. And the holy Ghoſt ſo coucheth the words, as no place is left to cauillation. For he ſayeth not our Iuſtifications are the fine linnen, but the fine linnen giuen vsus is our iuſtifications.
10 Thus was the ſong maruellous, for ſtrange forme and matter. Now followeth the ſtrange euent in the Apoſtle; wherein come to be obſerued, the occaſion and euent it ſelfe. Albeit the whole matter, and manner of the ſong occaſioneth this euent: yet moſt ſpeciallie it followeth, through the Angels ſingular care, and manner of confirming Iohn in the greatneſſe and truth of theſe matters: euen therein implying, that they are ſo wonderfull, as men would hardely belieue that ſuch things could come to paſſe. Hee confirmeth Iohn by commandement, and by affirmation. The quality of the commandement giueth of it ſelfe, to preſume aſſuredly Chap. 14. 13. Iſai 8. & 30. Abak. 22. I…b. 19. 23.both ſome great, and alſo a certainely determined caſe: as which hee commandeth him to write, both for regard of the matter, as alſo for ſure preſeruation, and laſting record therof, as which moſt aſſuredly ſhould fall out. He commandeth to write one ſpeciall point, which yet implyeth all, that they are bleſſed who are called to the Supper of the Lambes marriage. VVhichWhich bleſſednes as it muſt bee reſtrained to the effectuall calling (many being called who are not choſen) ſo here, the Angell will ſtirre Iohn and all Chriſtians in Iohn his perſon, to the conſideration of a ſingular bleſſedneſſe of this time, through the great efficacy of the voyce from the Throne, and obedience wrought thereby in them who firſt refuſed; and no doubt, of the Orient, by and with them. A bleſſedneſſe was commanded to be written, Chapter 14. but that was of ſuffering, wherein they were euen bleſſed. Here the caſe varieth. For now all ſhall ſuffer, who come not to the Lambe his Supper, and ſhall bee made a Supper to the foules of Heauen, verſe 17, Now the teares ſhall bee wiped from the eies of Mourners, and the deſtroyers of Chap. 7. 17. & 21 4. Iſai 25. 8. Chap. 11. 18. Pſal. 2. Chap. 13 10.the earth ſhall bee deſtroyed. The Heathen were angry, now the Lord is angry in his courſe, which if it kindle, Bleſſed are all that come to him. Now they who did ſlay with the ſword, are ſlain by the ſword: and the Captiuers are captiued. For now, God taketh his kingdome Chap. 11. 15.by the euident ouerthrow of his enemies, and exaltation of his Church, hauing his name written, euen on his garment and thigh. So bleſſed in effect are they, who come to the ſupper of the Lambe his marriage. The Angell, next confirmeth Iohn by affirmation, that theſe words of God are true. Thus wakening vp Iohn to conſider rare matter, whereof hee ſo earneſtly affirmeth, that the words are true, and for aſſurance of their truth, that they are of God or God his words.
11 Now, beſides the ſong in it ſelfe wonderfull, this care of the Angell to confirme Iohn, and waken vp his ſpirits by ſo ſingular a commandement, and ſo peremptory an aſſeueration, ſo rauiſheth the heart of the Apoſtle with exceſſiue ioy of ſo good newes, that hee was Chap. 22. 8.(for a notable document of humane infirmity in ſo great an Apoſtle) about to hauehave worſhipped this Angell. Which attempt how vnlawfull it is in it ſelfe, and how vnpleaſant to the Angell; Firſt, his interdiction well ſheweth in ſuch haſte and conciſe forme of ſpeech, as commonly men vſe, vponupon care to preuent ſome inſtant and deteſtable euill. When feare and ſolicitude …uffer not to ſpeake at length, or a full ſentence foreign. Next, hee ſtrengthneth his interdiction with ſtrong reaſons, one taken from his owne condition, to whom this worſhip was offered, as which was not capable thereof, being but a ſeruant, and not onelyonly his (left ſome prerogatiue might be imagined in the Apoſtle, to ſtay that which of an other mighthaue bin offered) but euen a fellow ſeruant of his brethren, who had the teſtimony of Ieſus: his greateſt honour, and chiefe ſcope of al his ſeruice, being Chriſt and his knowledge, to miniſter the ſame, without which he were nothing, and therefore, albeit of different nature from Iohn, and other Chriſtians, yet in condition, and end of calling but their fellow-ſeruant: they hauing the ſpirit of Propheſie as he had. The other reaſon is from the perſon of him, who onelyonly is to bee worſhipped and ſerued, according to the law alleadged by our Lord againſt Sathan. Now it might probably Math. 4. 10.appeare, that herein, yet ſome further thing were implyed. For this Angell being the type of theſe miniſters, who ſhall bee the ſhew… … pa…ſators of this huge mea…ure of powerfull lig… … …, for ſo wonderfull effects; and Iohn here ba…g the perſon of common Chriſtians of that time: … may ſeeme, that the rare and excellent graces of the Miniſters, who ſhal then bee furniſhed with a golden …, would ſo farre Chap. 21. 15.miſcarrie weake Chriſtians, in admi…tion of their gifts and working, as to attribute … vntounto them, if their owne fidelity and holineſſe … not l…t it. And as this giueth vsus to expect yet goodly things; ſo herein is a cloſe warning of humility in the one, and circumſpectneſſe in the other, to giuegive all glory to God. But hereof I dare determine nothing, fearing ſtill to bee curious in ſo diuine an Argument, wherein I hauehave chooſed rather to hold vp coniecturall ſuggeſtions, then appeare vnreuerently to handle ſuch myſteries.
12 Thus wee hauehave heard the ſong of Saints, firſt vponupon the Whore… deſtruction, and next more mightily, and of moe intended higher, vponupon preception of full victorie ouer the other enemies, and the Church her graceful ſtate thereupon: which ſo rauiſhed the Apoſtle, as hee had almoſt miſcarried. Now, are the other victories ſhewed, and goodly ſtate of the Bride thereupon. And firſt, through the reſt of this Chapter, is the foile of the Beaſ…bearer vp of the Whore, and no queſtion, but now highly chafed with her fall.
13 In the victory ouer the beaſt, are the deſcription of the parties, and the euent of the battell, The party victorious is magnifickly deſcribed; firſt in his perſon, army, weapons of war, and his working by them: and next in his Herauld. His perſon, by great properties, and many agreeable to his many and great names. Firſt, his comming forth declareth him a heauenly perſonage, for hee is from thence. Of great maieſty, comming forth in abundance of light: as to whoſe outmarching, the heauens are caſt wide open. A greater degree of light then hitherto hath been mentioned, ſo as the ſigne of the ſon of man is clearly ſeen in heauen. Oh that thou woldeſt Math. 24. 30. Iſai 64. 1.breake the heauens, and come downe. His adminiſtration at this time in Antichriſt his full ouerthrow, ſhall bee in exceeding great euidency of light and power.
14 Hee ſitteth on a white horſe for fidelity and truth: and namely for theſe points of his adminiſtration, wherin his fidelity and truth are now ſpecially to bee ſhewed: in iudging and fighting; for all which reſpects, he rideth, and on a white horſe: according to the ſtate of a Iudge, and triumphing glory of a victorious VVarrious. He is alſo a faithfull and true witneſſe, Chapter 1. And a faithful High Prieſt, Hebr. 3. But here hee is to ſhew his fidelity and truth, in iudging and fighting. Now the time of his redeemed is come, and the time of the dead that they bee Iſai 63. 4. Chap. 11. 18.iudged, and ſuch deſtroyed who deſtroy the earth. In all which hee both iudgeth, and fighteth righteouſly, for he is pure when hee iudgeth, and iuſt when hee ſpeaketh. This Pſal. 51. 4.indgement is not that laſt and generall, but here the ſpeciall, of theſe enemies of his Church is meaned: whom he is now to ouerthrow, ſo as they ſhall neuer bee any more able to trouble Sion, but their ruine ſhall hold on, till at laſt they be for euer adiudged to endleſſe torment. Hee rode on a white horſe from the firſt outgoing of the Goſpell to conquere, Chapter …. and to deiect the Dragon from heauen, Chapter 12. when hee and his Armie fought to that effect: but this is the laſt and nobleſt act of his riding for the Dragon and his Vicars vtter deſtruction.
15 Now to iudge righteouſly, is requiſite not onelyonly a righteous diſpoſition, but alſo a wiſe heart to diſcerne: for often Iudges who are in mind ſet to doe righteouſly, yet ignorantly giuegive wrong iudgement. But no ſuch thing can befall him, whoſe eyes are as a flame of fire. Pure, piercing, purging, and ſearching hearts and reines, from Pſal 139.whom nothing can bee hid, for euen the darkeneſſe is light before him. And as for iudging, ſo alſo, for fighting 2 Kin. 18. 20.(as Rabſace though prophane, yet pertinently ſayeth in that) Counſell and ſtrength are for the warre. This Captaine then who ſeeth the thoughts of his enemies, before they bee hatched in their hearts, hath no perill to bee deluded or circumuented with ſtratagems: or as often befalleth otherwiſe, expert warriours, through want of intelligence, to ſlippe opportunities. If Eliſha, 2 King. 6.by a ray of the light of this Captaines flaming eies, was able to diſcouer, and ſo diſappoint what the King of Aram conſulted in his ſecret Cabinet; what may this Lord doe, who formeth the heart?
16 With wiſdome hee hath alſo great authority, as hauing on his head many Crownes. Both, for that hee is King of Kings, and alſo for his many victories, ſpecially in this his laſt warre. Which how peculiarly is reſpected, his Crownes are all on his head. For hee ſtandeth not by crowned hornes, as the Beaſt, but all his authority and ſtrength is in himſelfe, and of himſelfe, and hee in this his ſtrength & power, now commeth to take the Crowne from the head of the King of Ammon, to ſet it on Dauid his head. The Beaſt now muſt forgoe his 2 Sa…. 12.Triple Crowne, Chriſt his proper honour wherewith hee hath blaſphemouſly attired his head.
17 Being thus able to ſee all, and of authority to conquere all: hee hath yet a name written which none knoweth but himſelfe. And this name is ſo much the more maruailous, and hath the more cleare note of his Greatneſſe, that being written, as both a ſure and permanent name, and alſo expoſed to bee read, yet none knoweth it but himſelfe. And what is he not able to doe, who ſeeing, and by matchleſſe authority ouerruling all, yet is ſet aboue the reach of all? his ſtate, counſels and wayes being knowne to himſelfe onelyonly: as whereof no fleſh is capable. So inſearchable are his wayes, and his iudgements paſt finding out according, as in conſideration of one ſpeciall euent of this his iudging and fighting at this time. Paul exclameth: and the ſealed Booke no creature was able to looke on.Rom. 11. cap. 5
18 That none imagine theſe to be idle Titles, in name onelyonly, hee is alſo a practiſed warriour, and now ſpecially come forth to ſhew, how mighty hee is to ſaue. For this, his garment is dipt in bloud, euen the bloud of his enemies; to note a huge ſlaughter. Hee is now to tread the Wine-preſſe of God his wrath. He hath long looked if any would helpe, but there was none to helpe, none to vphold, Chap. 11. Iſai 63.therefore his owne arme now ſhall helpe him, and his owne wrath ſuſtaine him: the day of vengeance is now in his heart, and the time of his redeemed is come. And accordingly, as he who ſpeaketh iuſtly, and is mighty to ſaue, hee is called the word of God. Not onelyonly for that hee is that word which was in the beginning with God, and was God: but alſo, and here ſpecially, becauſe hee is that true one, who ſpeaketh and performeth, as who, both ſpeaketh iuſtly, and is mighty to ſaue. For this redde garment and name agreeable to it, See Iſai 63. and weigh the place.
19 Such is the Captaine of the Lord his hoaſt. The inhabitants of the earth following the Beaſt, Chapter 13. Wondered, and in wonder exclamed, Who is like the beaſt? who is able to fight with him? Heere I thinke hee hath his match and more. But theſe earthly ones ſee not the Heauens, and ſo goe on blindfolded to their owne deſtruction. His army is in his owne Liuery. Hee needeth no armie, but his army hath need of him. For he is their glory, their ſtrength, their armour, their victory, and all: In his ſtrength they fight and ouer come. They are all horſed, as, who for dignity are Iudges and warriours, like their Captaine. They are alſo faithfull and true, in, and by him. They are all kinges and prieſtes clothed in pure and ſhining ſilke. This is a bleſſed Captaine, who conformeth all his followers in glory and dignity to himſelfe. Alexander was fooliſh to glorie in his Argyraſpides: here is a Captaine of high note. In oppoſition to the earthly ones, on the other party, they are called the hoſt of heauen, where there conuerſation Chap. 12. 12.is, euen while they are in the world, but not of the world.
20 The weapon of this great Captaine, whereby he worketh and fighteth, is the ſword of his mouth. With Chap. 11. 2. Pſalm 2. Chap. 14. 20.it, he ſmiteth the Heathen, enemies of his Church, treaders downe of the holy City: cruſhing them in peeces, with an iron Mace. And hee treadeth the winepreſſe of God almighty. Heere now, the treaders are troden downe. Thus, with mouth and hand, hee fighteth, and Oſea. 6. 5.with feet, downe-trampleth all. How ſo ſtrange effects of bloud-ſhed, and ouerturning the whole ſtate of the earth, are attributed to the ſword of his mouth, is cleare Chapt. 14. 17. 18. where an Angel, armed with a ſickle, commeth out of the Temple, and is ſtirred to cut downe the grapes of the earth, by one comming from the Altar, hauing power ouer fire. And Chapt. 15. where the Chap. 16. 2 Theſ 2.Angels of the laſt wrath, receiue their Vials from one of the foure Beaſts; and come to execution out of the Temple; like as the voice commanding it, is from the Temple. By the breath of this Lord his mouth Antichriſt muſt bee conſumed.
21 This his fighting, to the foile of all his foes, maketh him yet a name. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This he was at all times. And euen from the day Heb. 1. Phil. 2.of his aſcention was alwaies ſeene of his owne, crow…ed with glory and honour. God hauing exalted him aboue all name that is named: ſo as all knees muſt bow, and eueryevery tongue confeſſe him to bee the Lord. Yet hee getteth this name, at this time, in a ſpeciall manner, written on his garment and thigh. So as now, it becommeth manifeſt to the view of all: his power and ſtrength kything clearely in this victory, and wonderfull ſequels of it. This is that ſame, which in the ſong was ſaid, the Lord God almighty hath raigned. And Chapt. 11. The kingdomes of the world are our Lord his and his Chriſts. This is his ſitting on a white cloude, Chap. 114. euen the manifeſtation of his iudgements, Chapt. 15. 4. Rome in great deriſion, when they crucified him, ſet ouer his heade, in three Languages, This is the King of the Iewes. And the Iewes, counting it ſcorne and high diſgrace, Iohn 19…to hauehave him called their King, intreated the alteration of the words, in that he ſo called himſelf. But now, by the finall and euerlaſting ouerthrow of the Kingdome of Rome, and by conuerſion of the Iewes, to mourne for him whom they pearced, hee ſhall gloriouſly manifeſt himſelfe, and bee acknowledged, not onelyonly King of the Iewes, but alſo King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This name, hee hath written on his garment, as great Kings and high Captaines hauehave their imperiall garments, whereby they are diſcerned. On his thigh, not ſo much for that ordinarily, the ſword, weapon of the victory, is girded on the thigh: but, for that in Scripture ſpeech, a man his ſtrength is placed commonly in his loſnes and Pſal. 45.thighes, (now it is his owne ſtrength that helpeth him) and therefore, it was a token of ſubiection and ſeruitude, to put the hand vnderunder the thigh. Which cuſtome, Aben-Ezra witneſſeth to hauehave continued ſtill amongſt the Indians Gen. 24. & 47.and Ethiopians till his time. And therefore, his name is alſo written on his thigh, becauſe all the world now hauehave to put their hands vnderunder it, and ſweare him homage. This Captaine, wreſtling with Iacob, to make him know he was his Lord, and that all his ſtrength was Gen. 32.of him, hee did ſtrike him with a note of infirmity in the thigh.
22 Thus was the deſcription of the great Captaine of the heauenly hoſt, in himſelfe, his armie, armour, and manner of fighting. Now, followeth his herauld or trumpet. Who is remarkeable for his ſtanding place, and for the tenor of his proclamation. Hee ſtandeth in the Sunne. To note exceeding great light now, of the Goſpell and preaching therof, wherein the preachers ſhould clearely ſee, and confidently proclaime Antichriſt his ruine. For great meaſure of light, the Apoſtolike Church, in the woman, Chapt. 12. was clothed with the Sunne. Wee ſee to the praiſe of God, and euidence of this Propheſie, light already growen in great degree, as no doubt, but for this ſight and great effect, it ſhall yet grow more: ſo as the light of the Moone ſhall bee Iſa. 30. 26.as the light of the Sunne, and the light of the Sunne ſeuenfold.
23 The tenour of the proclamation, in a figuratiue ſpeech from Ezechiel, ſheweth ſo certaine, and an exceeding great deſtruction of the Beaſt and his aiders: as they, their ſtates, great roomes, rents, and ſubſtance, ſhould bee a prey: and that in ſuch degree of hauocke, as all, giuen to reiffe, or ſeeking after prey, ſhould bee filled. I ſhewed Chapt. 17. what it is to eat the fleſh of the Whore: but heere, is ſuch a ſtrange ranuerſing of the ſtate of the world, as no doubt, falleth by that earth-quake of the ſeuenth Viall. And out of all queſtion, the totall ruine of that ſtate, muſt change the face of the world, in ſo great endeauors of hell and heauen, for it, and againſt it,
24 Thus is the party victorious. Followeth the aduerſary, and his foile. The aduerſary, to any that ſeeth not him, who iudgeth and fighteth righteouſly, will appeare great. Euen that wonderfull Beaſt, Chapt. 13. bearing vp the Whore, Chapt. 17. and now, in great chafe at her fall, by his frogges, gathering the Kings of the earth Chap. 16. 14.Armageddon. The firſt party was from heauen, and his hoſt heauenly. Heere, the leader, is the Beaſt of the bottomleſſe pit, which was opened for his outcomming, as were the heauens for the others, and Chap. 9. 11.his hoſts are all earthly. For, albeit many of his hornes hauehave fallen away from him ere now, and ioyned to the hoſt of heauen: yet, hee is euen at this point, through the diligence of his frogges, ſtrengthened with many Kings.
25 So, are the parties. The euent of the battell, in the Beaſt his foile, is declared in few words: without any mention of a conflict; but, of a proud and obſtinate purpoſe to fight againſt the rider on the white horſe. For they ſhall be blind and obdured to the end: as is cleare by the effects, in them, of the Vials, Chapt. 16. And the word foreign hee was intrapped or ſnared. Implyeth in it, as an eaſie victory, for the part of him that rideth the white horſe; ſo a ſudden and vnexpected foile, to the Beaſt and his followers. For he dreameth of perpetuity, as alſo ſtaying vponupon him the Whore. I ſit beeing a Queene and am no widdow, and ſhall ſee no mourning, Chap. 18. 7.
26 Their iudgement is diſtinct, according to the diuers qualitie of the parties. The Head, Beaſt, and falſe Prophet, are caſt in the lake of fire and brimſtone, and that a liue: to ſhew a moſt horrible, and recureleſſe iudgement, by alluſion to that of Sodome; and of Core, Dathan, and Abiram, who went downe aliue in the pit. Euen eternall deſtruction and torment. The followers, Nom. 16.are ſlaine by the ſword of the Lord his mouth, to the loſſe of all their glory, and worldly ſtate, which is made a prey to others. OnelyOnly, by this difference, to ſhew, how this great Captaine, iudgeth and fighteth righteouſly, giuing to each according to the degree of their ſinne. For, no doubt, but euen at this point, many ſhall follow the Beaſt, and fall from their eſtates by his fall: whom yet, by deſtruction of their fleſh, the Lord may reclaime from the full degree of his puniſhment; in lightning them to ſee the truth. As, many alſo ſhall drinke with him of the cup of endleſſe wrath.
27 That the Beaſt and falſe Prophet are heere made two, is only to ſhew, the ruine of the Head and State with him. For, as the falſe Prophet, ruling ouer the State, is the Beaſt; ſo being diſtinctly conſidered from the State, he is the falſe Prophet. As the firſt and ſecond Beaſt are Cha. 13 diſtinguiſhed but for explication. So this is put, to ſhew in ſuch ſort the fall of the falſe Prophet (the eight heade and one of the ſeuen, the beaſt with hornes like the lambe making the image of the Beaſt by cure of his deadly wound) as ſtate and all ſhall periſh eternally. For, as this Beaſt hath ſome note from all the foure in Daniel; ſo in the deſtruction of this, the ſpirit alludeth to that of theſe. Who all, ſo fell, as yet, in the deſtruction of the laſt, which was burnt with fire, the finall ouerthrow was of thē all; the ſtate of the former, in ſome ſort remaining in the ſucceeding Beaſt: as this Beaſt here falling in the firſt heads, yet ſtill continued in the ſubſequent, till in this laſt head (the Beaſt going to deſtruction) it vtterly periſhed. In Babels fall, by Perſia, and Media; yet in them the Kingdome in a ſort continued. Darius of the Medes taking the Kingdome, Dan. 5. 31. And in their ouerthrow by Alexander, who deſpiſing Macedon ſetled both in their places and to their faſhions: as alſo in his ſucceſſors after his fall, the domination of the former beaſts in ſome ſort abode. But the fourth Beaſt falling, al vtterly periſhed. See and weigh Dan. 7. 11. 12. for there is the alluſion▪ One thing here is worth the marking, that in the falſe Prophets working, which maketh his guiltineſſe, and is heere recorded, both to know the party, and his iuſt puniſhment: his deceit, in making men receiue the Beaſt his character, and to worſhip him, is only mentioned, and no word of his name or number: as neither are they euer ſpoken of in his iudgement, either denounced or ſpoken of. The reaſon ſee vponupon Chap. 14. Sect. 8. Now we muſt not imagine here, one certaine place, or one point of time, of all this the Beaſt his endeauor and foile: as neither in the next Chapter, of the Dragons. For their, we ſee how Gog and Magog are, from the foure quarters of the earth, all Satan his inſtruments, of his laſt fury, and in all places. As for the name attributed to the place of foile, Chapt. 16. Armageddon, wee ſhewed the reaſon there. And it is, whereſoeuer the Lambe fighteth and ouercommeth. Albeit out of doubt, their laſt endeauors ſhall be ſtrange, and their fall conioined duplicate page duplicate page with ſuch wonderfull broiles, and alterations of the State of the world, as was not ſince men inhabited the earth. And then, the fatteſt karkaſſe ſhal be the fineſt prey. Bleſſed are they who come to the ſupper of the Lambe his marriage. For who come not, are made a ſupper. And who will not feede on the Lambe, are iuſtly made foode to the fowels of heauen.