Commentary Upon Revelation, Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
THe generall introduction was in the two preceding Chapters: hence is the ſtory of ſpeciall euents, prophetically foretold, and that, by proponing the ſame vnderunder goodly and conuenient types: of all which, as they are cloſed vp from the knowledge of all creatures, the ſealed book, in the right hand of God was the type: like as the reuelation of them to vsus is, by opening of the ſeales, expreſſed. Now then, all beeing comprehended vnderunder ſeuen ſeales, ſixe of them are opened in this Chapt. and the euents accordingly ſhewed. The ſeuenth, holdeth to the end of the propheticall narration: begetting firſt, ſeuen trumpets, the laſt of which, begetteth ſeuen vials of the laſt wrath. Thus the courſe of the propheſie is heauenly and cleere: all beeing, …o comprehended vnderunder ſeuen ſeales, as the firſt ſixe containe the beginnings of ſorrowes: the ſeuenth bringeth foorth the ſucceeding heauier euils in the trumpets, in ſixe of which, the ſecond dangerous miſchiefe, in the degrees thereof, is ſhewed. The ſeuenth, hath the third and laſt wrath, powred out of ſeuen vials, to finall deſtruction. All which euils are againſt the world and worldly ſort, in vengeance of the Goſpell and true Church, perſecuted and contemned by them: till, by finall deſtruction of all enemies and troubles, ſhe be beautified with fulneſſe of grace here, to the attent expectation of glory hereafter.
2 The ſixe ſeales opened in this Chapt. afford ſixe types of the enſuing euils: to all which, this is common, that the lambe openeth, and, that to each proceeding type, is ioyned a ſpeech, giuing the ſignification. To the firſt foure, is common, firſt, that their types are horſes and riders; and next, that to each of them is adioyned a wakening voice of one of the foure beaſts, to ſtirre to attendance and perception, as of things, whereof, albeit many felt the ſmart, yet none could diſcerne the reaſon, but the valiant, patient, wittie, and ſharp-ſighted, and ſuch as by them were wakened to perceiue. Horſes (whereby not vnlike euents are in Zacharie expreſſed) as ſwift, fierce, and couragious beaſts, ſhew the celerity and the irreſiſtable inuaſion of theſe iudgements. The rider, guiding the horſe, and receiuing power to worke, ſheweth God his prouidence, directing and ruling all theſe euents. What in each type, is ſingular, the particulars will ſhew.
3 The firſt ſeale opened, bringeth out a white horſe and his rider armed with a bowe, and adorned with a crowne. To the beholding whereof, the firſt of the foure beaſts warneth. Whoſe Lions face, as it ſheweth courage, ſo his voice like thunder, ſheweth powerfull preaching: ſuch as were the miniſters of the Goſpell in this time, abaſhed with no feare. The ſpeech giuing the ſignification, is, that Hee went out conquering and that hee might ouercome. White coloure, beſides that it is the note of gladneſſe, truth, and ſimple pureneſſe, both in Scripture and heathen ſpeech: it is alſo, a note of triumphe. And ordinarily, triumphing Captaines rode vponupon, or had their triumphing Chariots drawen by white horſes. The bow, is a weapon ſmiting ſwiftly, and hitting both neere and farre off. The crowne giuen him, ſheweth vndoubted preuailing, for victors are crowned. The type, thus we ſee, accordeth fully to the ſpeech vttered of it. This is the type of the power of the Goſpell preached, whereby Chriſt ſubdueth all to his obedience, as riding on the word of truth and meekneſſe of righteouſneſſe, Pſalm. 45. 4. 5his right hand teaching him terrible things: hauing arrowes ſharpe to pierce the hearts of the King his enemies, whereby peoples fall vnderunder him. This rider triumpheth alwaies, both in them who are ſaued, and in them who periſh. Theſe arrowes kill all, but differently. Some are ſlaine to liue, and beeing killed, are cured, who will be cured and heare his voice, while it is to day. Others are killed to vtter deſtruction, in whoſe refractary ſoules, is ſhot in the ſeale of their iuſt condemnation, and of Chriſt his terrour, verſ. 15. 16 17. For this is a ſtrong archer, not like thoſe of Ephraim, who being taught to handle the bow, gaue backe in the day of battell: but euen the true Ioſeph, the feeder of Iſrael, who, though the archers Pſalm. 78. 9ſhot at him and grieued him, yet his bowe abode ſtrong, Gen. 49. 23.through the mighty God of Iacob, and the ſtone of Iſrael. This occaſioneth, but improperly, the ſubſequent euils: and beeing in it ſelfe, the firſt of all bleſſings, becommeth to the world (madly reiecting, and fooliſhly impugning, that which muſt conquer and ouercome) the firſt of plagues, and cauſe of all miſerie and deſtruction.
4 To the perception of the ſecond type, vponupon opening of the ſecond ſeale, the ſecond beaſt like the bullocke, giueth warning: while the patient ſufferers, and who, as calues, yeeld themſelues to be ſacrificed for the Goſpell; both themſelues ſee, and ſtirre others to perceiue, in this ſecond type, a iuſt recompence, on the world, for their bloud ſhed inhumanly. The type is a red horſe, with a rider, to whom is giuen a great ſword. A fit type for expreſſing, both in colour and kind of weapon, that, which the ſpeech, ioyned for explication, ſheweth: that, to him was giuen power to take peace from the earth. This is the type of bloudy warres, a iuſt puniſhment of the Goſpell perſecuted. That who embrace not the word of peace from God, bee embrued in bloud-ſhed. I came not to ſend peace but the ſword, ſaith our Mat. 10. 34.Sauiour.
5 At the opening of the third ſeale, the third beaſt warneth to behold a iudgement, albeit terrible, yet, which none but the wi…e-hearted, ſhould vnderſtand, that for contempt of the Goſpell it was inflicted: others feeling it, but miſtaking the cauſe. The type, is a blacke horſe, with a rider, hauing a ballance. The opening ſpeech, hath this, ſingular, that it is vttered by a voice from the midſt of the foure beaſts, euen the voice of the Lambe, who ſtandeth amidſt the throne, beaſts, and elders: Chap. 5. 6.to ſhew, that by his direction, all theſe euents are directed and ruled, who hath the ſeuen hornes and ſeuen eies the ſpirits of Iehouah ſent thorow all the earth. This is the type of famine, fitly expreſſed by a blacke horſe, a dolefull colour. And what more lamentable caſe can fall, then that a mother ſhould eate the fruit of her owne wombe, euen her children of a ſpan long? Famine, maketh Lam 2. 20. Lam. 4. 7.ſuch as were purer then ſnow, whiter then milke, more ruddy then the red pretious ſtones, and like the poliſhed Saphirs, to hauehave viſages blacker then coales. To this horſe and rider, is attributed a ballance, to deſigne exceeding great ſcarſity, when according to the curſe of the law, men ſhall Leuit. 26. 26. Ezek. 4. 16.eat their bread by waight. Agreeably whereto, the voice denounceth ſtrange ſcarcity; but with a caution of not hurting wine and oile: ſo as the want, ſhould be of wheat and barly, the ordinary repaſt of all men, and which might worſe be wanted then wine and oile, which ſerue for the great and dainty ſort, and are ſpent commonly, more for ſuperfluity then naturall neceſſity. Heere then, is a grieuous famine, when the moſt neceſſary things for fuſtenance are abſtracted. The degree of ſcarſity is ſhewed, in that a meaſure of wheat ſhould giuegive a penny, and three meaſures of barly a penny, three of barly counteruailing one of wheat: the Roman penny beeing in value neere our teſton or tenne pennies ſterling: and the meaſure Chaenix, beeing of all meaſures the ſharpeſt, as which was the ordinary ſtint of a bondſlaue his daies allowance, out of which, at moſt, foure bread could bee baked.
6 To the perception of the fourth type, vponupon opening the fourth ſeale, the fourth beaſt warneth, like a flying Eagle: to ſhew, that albeit God, now, vponupon continuance in rebellion and contempt of his former iudgements bringeth on heauier: yet the induration of mens hearts ſhould bee ſuch, as none ſhould bee able to perceiue God his working, but ſuch as riſing aboue the earth with ſharpe ſight looked on his dealing. The type is a pale horſe, a deadlie colour, and well fitting ſuch a Rider as death, and who is accordingly accompanied, euen with the graue, to expreſſe great mortality; whereto, the commiſſion is large ouer the fourth part of the earth, the executors many; in reſpect that the iudgement chiefly here meaned (peſtilence) which commonly followeth vponupon famin, as famin vponupon war, commeth ſeldom out ſingle, but accompanied with the former, both ſword and famine, and moreouer with noyſome beaſts, God his foure great plagues, to ſhew here a heape of all iudgements iointly on the world for their induration.Ezech. 14. 21.
7 That to the perception of the two types following, none of the foure beaſts giueth warning, it is becauſe the fift type it ſelfe ſpeaketh, and the ſixt bringeth ſo ſenſible a iudgement for greatneſſe and ſtrangeneſſe, as all, how endured ſoeuer, are compelled in it, to ſee & acknowledge the day of the Lambe his wrath: ſo in it Chriſt his dealing ſpeaketh for it ſelfe, and theſe who made the ſoules of Martyrs cry in the fift type, in the ſixt againe, by iuſt recompence, are made to cry in their courſe, and that iuſtly, to the confuſion of ſuch as would rather heare the beaſts crying, at God his firſt and gentler ſtrokes, than regard the pittifull cry of the ſlaine ſoules. The fift type then vponupon opening of the fift Seale, are the ſoules of Martyrs, lying vnderunder the Altar, crying, receiuing anſwere, and White robes. The ſpeech opening the ſcope of the type, is the tenor of their cry, and anſwere made thereto. Then to come by the right ſenſe of this type; wee muſt weigh the ſoules their demand, and anſwere made vntounto them. In the demand conſider, firſt, who cry; ſecondly, the place attributed to them: and thirdly, their demand or petition. The Cryers, are the ſoules of theſe who were ſlaine for the word of God; as to which they gaue teſtimony, & held that teſtimony; for it is the cauſe that maketh the Martyr; and hee that perſeuereth ſhall bee ſaued. Their place is, that they lie vnderunder the Altar, by frame of ſpeech from the Legal worſhip, wherein no ſacrifice was lawfull or accepted but at the Altar: at the foot whereof, round about which, and vponupon which, the bloud and offering in diuers reſpects were powred, ſprinckled, and offered. For it is the Altar that ſanctifieth the offering. From thence hither a typicall ſpeech is borrowed, to ſhew, that all our obedience and ſacrifices of praiſe yea the offering of our liues and bloud for the honour of God and teſtimony of his truth, is onelyonly accepted in Chriſt, who is our Altar, and ſanctifyer of all our oblations. For properly, neither, ſoules lye nor cry, nor hauehave robes: ſo as the Romans groſeneſſe, who hereupon build their ſuperſtitious laying of Saints Reliques vnderunder Altars, is not onelyonly ridiculous, in that vponupon things typically ſpoken, they build Arguments of exiſtence in propriety; but alſo impious and idolatrous. In their demand, is firſt their affection or diſpoſition, in that they cry, and with a loud voice: and next, the ſubſtance of their demand. How long Lord, &c. This their demand is ſtrengthned with an Argument from the Nature of God, who is holy and true; whereto it ſeemed very agreeable that ſpeedy vengeance ſhould bee taken vponupon men of the earth for ſhedding their bloud ſo cruellie and aboundantly. Now this cry is not here attributed to the ſoules for any ſuch affection in them, who are farre from that, as reſting from their labours, & free of all perturbation: but by this frame of ſpeech, to ſhew, that notwithſtanding all God his preceeding iudgements againſt the world for cruelty againſt his Saints: yet now it had come to ſuch a height therein, as it might well ſeeme that no longer it could ſtand with God his iuſtice, to delay the finall ouerthrow of that duplicate page duplicate page bloody ſtate, by which the Martyrs ſuffered: whoſe bloud now ſeemed to cry for no leſſe, and to cry loude; as crying is attributed to the bloud of Abell, as the cry of Sodome is ſaid to hauehave come vp before God, and as the Gen. 4. 10 & 18. 20. &c.earth is ſaid to cry out of violence.
8 Thus was their demand. The anſwere hath in it a two-fold conſolation againſt the reiourning of the ſought vengeance. Firſt, by word, and next by ſigne. The firſt hath two arguments of comfort, one, that the delayed puniſhment of their perſecutors ſhould bee but a ſpace. For the hope of the righteous ſhall not periſh for euer. And the iudgement of the wicked ſleepeth not. The ſecond is, the reaſon of the delay, the perfecting of the number of their Brethren in the ſame honour of ſuffering: whereby, as the guiltineſſe, ſo the iudgement of the enemies behooued to grow. Thus a great benefite it is to die for Chriſt, and fooliſh is the world, in troubling the Church, but haſtening on ſo their owne deſtruction: from which it hath no reſpite, but till the Saints bee fulfilled, as had Sodome till Lot was in ſurety. The other conſolation, by ſigne, ſheweth a preſent benefite giuen to the Church, the more patiently to attend the reuenge of their bloud on the world. The ſigne, is long white robes, which in Scripture hauehave a triple conſideration: Firſt, they are the note of our State towards God: in which conſideration Chriſt and his righteouſneſſe, put on by faith, is our white garment. The ſecond is our condition towards men, where our inherent righteouſneſſe, through Chriſt dwelling in vsus, and making vsus to ſhine as lights in the middeſt of a froward generation, to the conuiction of gain-ſayers, is our White robe; God bringing forth our righteouſneſſe as the light, and our innocency as the noone day. The third reſpect, is to our ſelues, in which, our garment of glory, in heauen is vnderſtood. Of theſe three, in this place. The ſecond is meaned, as a moſt neceſſary conſolation to the Saints of that time, who were not onelyonly murthered in heapes, but alſo traduced with horrible calumnies, to eclipſe the glory of their ſufferings: whoſe innocency, God now would bring to light, euen in the conſciences and confeſſion of thoſe who had perſecuted them, to the great glory of their ſufferings, and high account of Chriſtianity, which had beene ſo farre abhorred. In ſumme, the euent ſignified by this fifth type, is, that notwithſtanding the former iudgements of ſword, famine, and peſtilence, ſeuerally & iointly executed againſt the world, for reſiſting the victory of the white horſe, and his Rider, whereby they ought beene terrified; yet the furie of the enemies ſhould ſtill increaſe, and that to ſuch degree of crueltie, as in God his iuſtice required their ſpeedy and finall deſtruction, which neuertheleſſe ſhould bee delayed for a time, but ſo, as the rage of perſecution being mitigated, the Church ſhould become of great account euen before men. Therefore, in this fifth Seale, is put the cry of Soules againſt cruelty, not that here it beganne, but for the hight whereto the enemies were come now therein; as alſo a reaſon of God his patience in ſuch meaſure of wrong, was needfull. And further, hearts are hereby wakened to ſee the equity of the great plague in the ſixt Seale, when God in a great degree performeth the promiſed vengeance, albeit then fully it ſhall bee executed, when vponupon powring out of the ſeuenth Viall, they ſhall bee abſolutely deſtroyed who deſtroyed the earth, and the kingdomes of the world ſhall become our Lords: the reſt of Saints being ſlaine by the beaſt, euen the reſt of the womans ſeed, Chap. 12. 17. and 13. 7. and 14. 12.
9 The ſixth type, vponupon opening of the ſixt Seale, … a great Earthquake, the darkning of the ſunne and moon, the fall of ſtarres, the departing of heauen, and remouing of mountaines and Ilands from their places, the ſpeech opening the ſignification, is the Kings of the earth, great men, rich men, chiefe Captaines, & mighty men, bond-men and free-men, ſhould hauehave ſuch commotion and alteration of ſtate, carrying ſuch imprinted ſenſe and cleare ſight of Chriſt his wrath and vengeance, as they ſhould bee filled with deſperate terrour: ſo ſore a iudgement comming on them, as in a ſort, the ſtate of the world ſhould bee ouerturned; theſe, who were as the Sunne, Moone, and Stars for gliſtering ſhew in their Kingdomes, wealthes, honours, commandements, and great roomes, being darkened, and falling from their places, all their glory and honour (compared to Heauen) euaniſhing as a ſcrole rolled vp: ſuch as ſeemed moſt cloſely hedged about, as Ilands being driuen from their places, and who appeared to bee ſetled as mountaines, yet remouing. Which plague ſhould bee ſo much the more grieuous, as no condition of men (bond or free) ſhould eſcape it: all feeling ſuch deſperate terror and ſorrow, as felt theſe, Iſai 2. as had the Iſraelites at the deſtruction of Samaria, Oſe 10. and as Chriſt foretold ſhould betake the Iewes at the deſtruction of Ieruſalem, Luke 21. Neither is this type to be drawne to any other, or extended to any further ſenſe. To take it of the laſt conſummation is ridiculous ignorance, the ſeuenth Seale as yet not opened, and yeelding more then foure times as much ſtory, both for time, and euents in time, as all theſe ſix preceeding, and to extend it to the decay of the viſible Church, is impertinent, as which matter is handled properly in the ſeuenth ſeale, and ſix trumpets thereof. For albeit, that in this Propheſie, both before, and hereafter, ſtarres be put for Paſtors of Churches, and the eclipſing of Sunne and ſtarres for darkening of ſpirituall light, and fall of ſtarres, for falling of Paſtors from the truth: yet here, where that matter is not handled, and where the holy Ghoſt ſo plainely ioyneth the interpretation, wee ought not iumble ſo diſtinct matters: and the frequent vſe of theſe ſame Allegories, in the Prophets, for euents of this ſame kind might hauehave taught ſo much, Iſai 13. verſe 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. and 14. 12. and 24. 19. 20. 21. 23. and 34. 40. Ezechiel 32. 7. 8. Ioel 2. 30. 31.
10 Now, for right accommodation of Story to theſe Seales, wee muſt flie two extremities, wherein many Interpreters falling, breed to themſelues great difficulties, and darken cleare matter. The firſt, is of theſe, who tying themſelues to more ſtrait rules of interpretation thē the holy Spirite hath laid to them, will needes hauehave theſe ſeuen Seales, as alſo the Trumpets and Vials to bee ſo many knots or periods of time exactlie cutted, within which, the accommodation of each is to bee ſought; whereas they are no knots of time, but types of diſtinct matters; and the whole matter comprehended in ſeuen Seales (whereof, the ſeuenth affording the trumpets & vials, hath the matter of foure times alſe much time, as all the former ſixe) ſheweth the weakeneſſe of this coniecture; yea, the effects of them are ſeene clearely, to bee often of one time, the former holding out long after the beginning of the next. The other extremity, is of theſe, who well perceiuing the abſurdity of the firſt, neglect in the accommodation, all conſideration of diſtinct time; ſo iumbling Seales, Trumpets and Vials, to the confuſion of all order, and light of Story, which in this Propheſie is moſt orderly ſet downe, with ſpecial relation to diſtinct euents. Then let vsus hold this rule, that theſe ſixe Seales hauehave the ſtory of the firſt ſorrowes, as Chriſt calleth them, Mathew 24. 8. as the ſeuenth Seale hath both the ſecond ſorrowes in the ſixe Trumpets, and the laſt wrath in the ſeuenth, by ſeuen Vials. Thus farre then wee hauehave to reſpect time in accommodation of theſe Seales, that albeit they ſhew ſuch ordinary iudgements, whereby God at all time hath puniſhed, and will puniſh the contempt of his grace; yet here they hauehave a ſpeciall relation to the firſt time from the writing of this Propheſie, to the ouerturning of the ſtate of the Roman Empire, ſo far forth as might make way to the ſucceeding more dangerous euill in the ſeuenth Seale, and ſixe Trumpets thereof. Now as theſe beginnings of Sorrowes (ſo called, and of Chriſt himſelfe recorded in the ſame order which here is ſet down) fell out in diuers places, Mathew 24. 7. 8. So alſo in diuers times of that firſt time: now and then here & there, yet alwayes in this order, that firſt the white horſe goeth out: after, the Sword, Famine, Peſtilence, and noiſome beaſts (God his foure great plagues, Ezech. 14. 21) ſometimes ſeuerally, ſometimes ioyntly, as God ſaw it expedient, fitting his iudgements to the growth of induration againſt that perſecuting eſtate, till at length all the glory and face, almoſt of that wicked Empire was ouerturned. And theſe are the proper euils of that firſt time, for that albeit in ſucceding ages, God hath inflicted them on the world, yet neither in ſuch degree as then, neither for any degree thereof vponupon the world thereafter, come they in account, in reſpect of heauier woes thē they.
11 How the preaching of the Goſpell went forth, conquering to ouercome maugre all opponents, beſides the ſucceſſe preceding this Reuelation, it had after Domitian, who now letted it with all his might, a great propagation, as in ſtory is cleare, and whenſoeuer by perſecutors it was croſſed, immediately the red horſe and his great ſword, in God his iuſtice, commeth forth, in bloudy warres, partly with forrainers, but moſt tragically of the Caeſars amongſt themſelues, whereof the Stories are knowne, and too long here to bee repeated.
12 Now famine ordinarily euer accompanieth or enſueth hard vponupon Warres, but theſe times had as ſtrange bloudſhed, ſo vncou…h examples of ſcarſity, which the godly who were men, (for that is all the man, Eccleſ. 12 13.) …oted to bee in puniſhment of the Goſpell reiected, See Tertullian in his Apology, and to Scapula, and Cyprian contra Demetrian.
13 As induration grew and cruelty againſt the Goſpell, how God ſent out all his foure great plagues on theſe perſecutors: conſider the tragicall time of Antoninus ſurnamed the philoſopher, a moſt bloudy perſecutor, and the record thereof in ſtory, Ab Armis nuſquam quies erat, perque omnem Orientem Illiricum, Italiam, Galliamque bella feruebant: terra motus non fine interitu ciuitatum, inundationes fluminuns, lues crebrae, locuſtarum Species agris infeſtae: prorſus vt nihil prope quo ſummis angoribus anteri mortales ſoleant dici ſe… cogitariqueat, quod Antoni… imperante non ſeuierit. The times of Gallus and Voluſianus were more miſerable, and yet more, that of Ʋalerianus and Galienus: but moſt of all that of Maxentius Maximinus, and Licinius: all theſe foure plagues raging mightily, their Stories, will make any Reader agaſt, and comparing therewith theſe praedictions, to wonder at God his both wiſdome and iuſtice.
14 Now all theſe plagues working no amendment, but ſtirring them to further rage againſt chriſtians, whom they tooke to bee cauſers of all theſe euils, the fiercenes of perſecution was more intended. Diocleſian ſet himſelfe to roote out Chriſtianity: his Collegue Her…uleus no leſſe bloudy. Hereupon a great and loud cry of martyred ſoules aſcendeth, which till the appointed time of full vengeance obtaine long white robes. Thus God in ſome degree had comforted them before, by imprinting his terror in the hearts of cruelleſt perſecutors. The Edict of Traia… ſpake for them when he was forced to put forth, that no Inquiſition ſhould bee made for Chriſtians, much more the Edicts of Adrian, and Antonius Pius, who vnderunder paine of death commanded, that none ſhould bee delated for Chriſtianitie, except guiltie of ſome other crime. Antonine the Philoſopher, whom no Apologie could mitigate, yet in the Marcoman wars is conuinced of Chriſt his power: when in confeſſion that hee and his Army were ſaued at the prayers of Chriſtians, hee called that Legion Fulminatrix, the terrors affrighting ſo, Diocleſian and Maximianus; as, wearie of Maſſacring Chriſtians, being ouercome by their conſtant ſufferings, they bequeth their ſtates, and ſeeke ſecret corners wherein to hide themſelues: what was it elſe but a quiet confeſſion of Chriſtians innocency? Maximinus at his tragicall end, ſetting himſelfe to blaſp…eme Chriſt, yet is forced to confeſſe him, and to acknowledge himſelfe iuſtly puniſhed for perſecuting the Saints. Licinius is faine to connterfet Chriſtianity. But then it was, that the ſoules got the long white robes, when Conſtantinus embracing Chriſtianity, by publike edicts, Chriſtian Religion is approued and eſtabliſhed, and heathen worſhip abrogated: The Church ſo becomming glorious, and of high account: and all former horrible accuſations, now ſeene and knowne to the world, to bee lies. At this point of time Satan is bound a thouſand yeeres, ſeats are ſet vp, and they ſit on them, Chapter 20 The commemoration of Martyres was alwaies honourable amongſt Chriſtians, and laudably of them, vſed at firſt (howbeit it turned afterward to foule Idolatry) but that the heads of that ſame bloody ſtate, ſhould ſubmitte themſelues to Chriſt his name, and the Church thereupon to hauehave ſo goodly, free, and peaceable ſtate as wee ſee enſued: that was indeed, to receiue long white robes.
15 The promiſed vengeance yet behoued to come vponupon that bloody Empire, whi… in the ſixth ſeale, commeth in a high degree, when the whole ſtate thereof is ſhaken, and in a manner, defaced by the Gothes and other barbarous nations, whoſe names had beene till then, not heard of: who (occupying the faireſt and goodlieſt Prouinces of the Empire, erecting new kingdomes and ſtates, and changing the names of countries, eueryevery part, almoſt, receiuing new inhabitants) altered, as it were, the face of the world, and eclipſed the glory of that pompous and bloody Empire. And this, out of all doubt, is meaned by the ſixt ſeale: and is that deadly wound which the beaſt getteth in his ſixth head, which wound beeing afterward cured, that ſtate, in the cured head, continueth the enemy and murtherer of Saints (the reſt of the brethren) albeit in an other ſort, till, for the full, finall, and recureleſſe ouerthrow thereof, we expect a greater earthquake then this, or any ſince the beginning of the world, by powring out the ſeuenth V all of the laſt wrath. That, ſome enterpret this ſeale of theſe ſturres, whereby the heathen perſecuters were deiected, about Conſtantines time; who preuailing againſt them ma…e, at it were, a new face of an Empire, by abrogating heatheniſme: it hath no conuenient analogy with this type, and leſſe cleare accommodation to the ſignification, heere ſet downe by the ſpirit. The ſlaughter and deiection of diuers Emperours from their ſtates, ſo long as, in the ſucceeders, the Empire retained the luſtre and ſtrength, (as, in Conſtantine, it was more confirmed and enlarged) was no ſuch vncouth or ſtrange thing in that ſtate, (which was but a very ſtage of Tragedies) as that in ſuch ſpeeches, as the ſpirit vſeth in this type, it ſhould hauehave beene expreſſed. It is true, that the coincident caſe of Chriſtianity eſtabliſhed, and heatheniſme abrogated, was a great and vncouth thing: but which, in all mens confeſſion, cannot, by theſe ſpeeches of darkening the ſunne and fall of ſtarres, &c. bee ſignified. For that aduancement of Chriſtianty, was in the fifth ſeale by long white robes expreſſed: whereby the ſoules were the more patiently to attend the vengeance promiſed, which is heere in a great meaſure, but then, fully ſhal be executed when the reſt of the brethren, euen the reſt of the womans Chap. 12. 17. & 13. 7. & 14. 12. Chap. 11. 17. 18. & 19. 6.ſeed, againſt whom the Dragon maketh warre by the Vicar of his throne, being ſlain…, the kingdomes of the world ſhall become our Lords: and all, both firſt and laſt dead, ſhall be iudged and aduenged, by the finall ouerthrow of that bloody ſtate; which, firſt and laſt, is the murtherer of Saints. Which now, in this ſixth ſeale, receiueth a deadlie Chap. 13.wound, but hauing it cured againe, in the eighth head (therefore called one of the ſeuen) recouereth glory and Chap. 17.worſhip of nations, and holdeth on the aduerſary ſtill; till out of the tabernacle of teſtimonie open in heauen, at the Chap. 15.ſeuenth trumpet, ſeuen miniſters of the laſt wrath come againſt it: whereof, the laſt bringeth a greater earthquake Chap. 16.then this, to vtter deſtruction of that ſtate for euer.
That which hath ledde exceeding learned men in this errour of accommodation, both heere and in other parts of this Prophecie, is that wrong conceiued ground, whereof I ſpake before, that theſe ſeales and trumpets are ſections of time; and, finding, that at the opening of the ſeuenth ſeale, ſuch effects enſue, as are anterior in time to this fall of the Weſterne, and great weakening of the Eaſterne Empire, they drawe backe the accommodation. But, as the euils of the ſixe ſeales, which from Chriſt his owne words, I called the beginnings of ſorrowes, being taken whole and together, are anteriour, both in conſideration and in time, to the euill of the ſeuenth ſeale and ſixe trumpets thereof: (as whereby are ſhewed the iudgements of God againſt the open rage of the Dragon in his miniſters, the Roman Emperours, by all the degrees thereof, till induration, at length bringeth this ruine) and as the the ſecond great euill, of the ſeuenth ſeale and ſixe trompets thereof, taken whole, according to that height of miſchiefe whereto it grew, is poſterior, both in conſideration and time, to the former: ſo in comparing parts, the ſecond in ſome firſt degrees of her grouth, is before the full end of the firſt. Heere is the deceit, that men thinke the effects of the ſixe ſeales muſt hauehave a full end, before the opening of the ſeuenth, vponupon their forelaid preiudice. For, euen in the time of Satan his firſt open rage, he was buſie hatching the ſecond euill, the myſterie of iniquity working, euen then; albeit before it could be reueled, or come to any great height, that which with-held, behoued to bee taken out of the way: the ſixt head behoued to be wounded deadly, and the ſeuenth, riſing by the wound, euaniſh in a ſhort ſpace: that the eighth, by 2. Theſ. 2.cure of that deadly wound (the beaſt which was, and is not and yet is (might bewhich all the world, and periſh in the Chap. 17.cup of the laſt wrath. So that Areth as ſaith fitly, that this ſixth ſeale maketh way to the Antichriſt: who, though he was before this well farre aduanced, yet the holy Ghoſt deliuereth his who…e grouth in the ſeuenth ſeale: thus diſtinguiſhing diuers caſes, and not preciſelie cutting times. And the next Chapter, containing ſummarily the whole ſtory of the ſeuenth ſeale (before it bee opened for particular explication) ſheweth, that as that miſchiefe was in ſome degrees working on, in time of the ſixt ſeale: ſo, this Prophecie is penned for clearing of matter, and not for calculation of times. Albeit each euill (conſidered in the height thereof, and taken whole and together) is deliuered according to their order in time.
16 The ſumme then of all this Chapter is, that the Goſpell, going forth in power, ſhould by Satan, ſtirring the Empire of Rome againſt it, ſo bee reſiſted; as God in his iuſtice ſhould puniſh that ſtate, with ſending bloody both inteſtine and forraigne warres, ſtrange famines, and grieuous peſtilences, ſeuerally and iointly, and all his ordinary plagues. Notwithſtanding which, they ſhould ſtil ſo grow in cruelty againſt the profeſſors of the Goſpell, as in God his iuſtice, required no leſſe then full and finall vengeance: the patience of Saints being extreamly proued. Which vengeance, in reſpect, that for good conſiderations, in God his wiſe adminiſtration, (ſpecially, for fulfilling the ſufferings of Saints, and therein the cup of the enemies iniquity) it was to bee for a ſpace, delaied: left the Saints thereupon ſhould be tempted aboue meaſure, God gaue them in that time, great relaxation from perſecution, and high account before men. And ſoone after (in ſuch degree, as in the time, might witneſſe his wrath euen to the conſciences of the aduerſaries, indured againſt all the former iudgements) hee powreth a great meaſure of indignation vponupon that bloody ſta…e, giuing it ſo, a deadly wound.