An Exposition of Revelation, Chapter 9
CHAP. IX. Act. 1. continued.
NOw follows the fift and ſixt Trumpets, the fift prefiguring the diſſipation of the Weſtern Europian Churches by Antichriſt. The ſixt, the deſtruction of the Eaſt by the means of the falſe Prophet Mahomet, and the Turks after him, theſe began to blow together as it were, of which hiſtories ſufficiently teſtifie.
Verſ. 1. The firſt Angel ſounded, and I ſaw a ſtar fall from heaven unto the earth] who this Angel or Miniſter was, is not certainly known (perchance the ſaid Gregory) upon whoſe preaching this ſtarre fell; but the ſtar notes ſome notable Biſhop, falling from the heavenly truth to earthly traditions and doctrines of divels,—certainly as Chriſt did not ſignifie the divel by this ſtarre (fallen long ſince, of which therefore Iohn needed not to be informed) ſo certainly 'twas not Luther a poor Monk, who had little, and left nothing behind him, except footſteps of Reformation. The ſtarre notes ſome notable Prelate long before him, who began to ruine the Weſt, as Mahomet did the Eaſt, and 'twas none but the Pope of Rome, (ſignified by the ſtar, chap. 8. ver. 10. who burning as a Lampe, that is, clearly and gloriouſly (as the Biſhops of Rome did at firſt) yet did fail at laſt, and together with Arrius, (not Mahomet, who neither was one of the ſtars of heaven, that is, of the Miniſters of the Church, nor did ever ſhine, being a wretched villain always,) imbittered the waters by falfe doctrines, traditions, hereſies. Now to whom or what Eccleſiaſtical perſon can this be applied, but to the Anti-chriſtian Apoſtacy of the Biſhops of Rome? Gregory, as all know, makes him to be Antichriſt that ſhould affect the title of Univerſal Biſhop. Boniface the third his ſucceſſor, three years after his deceaſe, was declared by Phocas the intruder, (as all agree) univerſal Pope, chief Prieſt, or Biſhop of Biſhops. Behold the Star; though this is not to be applied to Boniface alone, who ſate not on the chayre ſcarce a yeare, but to his Succeſſors the whole Series of Popes.
The Key of the bottomleſſe pit] by Key power is meant, (for he that hath the Key of the houſe hath the power of the houſe.)
Now the Pope ſays he hath the power of hell or the bottomleſſe pit, to damn whom he will, and to deliver whom he will; thus he is the Angel of the bottomleſſe pit, ver. 11.
God permitting, the divel tempting, Phocas gave him this power, behold the man; Chriſt then though he gave the firſt Biſhop of Rome, (and all other) the Key, that is, power of binding and looſing, caſting forth, and receiving in, according to the word; yet the Pope having thrown away Chriſts Key, he makes uſe of Satans uſurped one. This his triple Crown can prove, whereby his power over heaven, earth and hell is meant; but enough his practice makes him known. Where note Chriſt hath the Key properly, as head of the Church and Mediatour; the Pope uſurpingly and deceitfully, as Angel of the bottomleſſe pit, (not of the Church) or ſinke of hell; alſo God ſuffers the ſin, by it to puniſh another ſinne, to wit for not receiving the knowledge of the truth, ſee 2 Theſ. 2.10, 11. and Rom. 2.24, 26.
Verſ. 2. And he opened the bottomleſſe pit, and there aroſe a ſmoke out of the pit.] Hell and the doctrine thereof was ſhut up by the Prophets and Apoſtles who led men to the true fountaines out of the ſnares of Satan, but the Pope has opened it to the deſtruction of poore ſouls; behold the ſmoke of the pit, I mean the Popes black divinity, worſhipping of Images, forgiveneſſe of ſins by Maſſe, Pennance, Almes, Pilgrimages—of which the Volumes and practice of Papiſts ſufficiently teſtifie. Now as ſmoak doth hurt the eyes darken the aire, cauſe things not to be ſeen as they are, ſo doth the doctrine of Papiſts.
And the Sun and the Aire was darkned by reaſon of the ſmoke of the pit.] Chriſt the Sun of righteouſneſſe was obſcured formerly in part by Hereticks; but after the fall of this ſtar much more (as the times after Boniface the third make known) the Aire (ſignifying the Church) as receiving light from the Sun (as the Church doth from Chriſt) was darkned: and no wonder; for if the doctrine of Chriſt be darkned, how ſhall the Aire or Church have light? Thus 'tis plaine, though the Papiſts profeſſe they know God, yet in works they deny him; Note, that ſome by Aire underſtand the Scripture which conveys the light of the Sunne (as the Scripture doth the light of Chriſt) which was much darkned by Popiſh doctrines and expoſitions; If the Aire ſignifie the Church, yet Chriſt had the ſealed ones, and conſequently a Church notwithſtanding this darkneſſe among the Papiſts.
Verſ. 3. And there came Locuſts out of the ſmoke] After the falling of the Star; Firſt, the bottomleſſe pit was opened (there the Angel of the bottomleſſe pit takes the Keyes, to wit, abſolute authority upon him.) Secondly, there followed ſmoak, to wit, divelliſh doctrines. Thirdly, the darkning of the Sunne and Ayre, Chriſt and the Church. Fourthly follows the generation of the locuſts; they are ſmall creatures, having little wings, by which they lift up themſelves a little from the earth; and ſeem rather to leap then to fly, but in ſome parts of the world there be ſome have bigger bodies. God plagued Egypt with an Army as it were of locuſts. John the Baptiſt did eat them as well as wild honey. Pray mark; do not the Monks, Fryeryes, and religious Orders (as they call them,) come out of the gulfe of the ſea of Rome? ſure not by Chriſts authority or his word; the opening of the pit brought them: ſo then the Goths army cannot be here underſtood, which came not out of the pit; but the Popiſh Clergy, who ſeem to be holy, to fly a little from the earth, but indeed are as the locuſts, gorbellied devourers, and earthly; ſome are greater, behold the Biſhops and Cardinals. —And as the Baptiſt did eate locuſts, ſo ſome have fed on thoſe (as I may ſo ſay) but with this difference, to their deſtruction. Who as locuſts skip in the Summer, ſing and delight in eaſe, but the Romiſh Clergy where are greater troops then of Locuſts? Where then of Fryers? What creatures deſtroy more then the Locuſts? Who more then the Romiſh Clergy? who devoure widowes houſes, gather infinite riches without labour, build Colledges& palaces; but as the Locuſts, do good neither to God nor man.
If it be objected that theſe cannot be underſtood of the Romiſh Clergy becauſe verſ. 4. theſe cannot hurt the ſealed ones, but Antichriſt and his inſtruments ſhall kill the two Witneſſes, Chap. 11. ver. 7.
I anſwer, they may kill them, yet not hurt them (in this ſenſe) the outward killing (of which in its place) may befall the Saints, not the inward hurting of the ſoule, for they are ſealed by election, redemption—
And power was given them as the Scorpions of the earth have power] The Locuſt being a little weak creature, has power only to hurt herbs and flowers, which it deſtroyes much; but theſe Locuſts in the text have a power like a Scorpion; now the Scorpions hide under ſtones and clifts of wals, and hurt and poyſon unawares thoſe that paſſe by; alſo a Scorpion is a little worme and no way terrible to the ſight: Thus the Romiſh Clergy ſeem little but have great power from Antichriſt and Satan; God permitting to puniſh thoſe that obey not the truth,) they ſeem as friends, no way terrible, but deſtroy both eſtates and ſouls for their own gains, and as Scorpions lie hid, ſo Monks and Fryars—out of Cels, Monaſteries and Fryeryes unawares, wound thoſe that come to them, by falſe doctrines, confeſſions, and the like.
Verſ 4. And 'twas commanded them that they ſhould not hurt the graſſe of the earth] to wit, by God, who hath a ſecret reſtraining Providence, ſo that theſe locuſts cannot rage and range over all; by graſſe underſtand the godly; and perchance the ſame may be underſtood by green things, though ſome underſtand the Civil Magiſtrate; for by green things ſome conceive green wood is meant, which is ſtrong (no doubt the Civil Magiſtrate may deal with wicked men, ſuch as the locuſts, Antichriſt, and thoſe that are without). Now Chriſt defends theſe Magiſtrates who withſtand popiſh doctrines, from the hurt of the locuſts. By trees underſtand ſuch godly Paſtors and Teachers (who are ſtrong and rooted in Chriſt Jeſus) as contradict the wicked devices of Antichriſt; none can pluck theſe out of the fathers hand; thus God had an unhurted Church in the Papacy before Luther, yet not the Papacy; here the ſeeding perchance of the ſpiritual locuſts is noted, not on graſſe, herbs, or the like, but on cates and delicates, but chiefly hence obſerve that the locuſts can hurt only the diſobedient, (and that by a juſt power and puniſhment from God on them) and the unſealed ones, as chap 7. ver. 2.
Verſ. 5. And it was given them that they ſhould not kill] The firſt limitation was that the Popiſh locuſts ſhould hurt only the unſealed ones (of which ſort Antichriſt and the locuſts are) the elect Chriſt preſerves from the mortal biting of the locuſts. 2. They ſhould not kill men: but torment them. 3. The limited time ſhould be five moneths; theſe Eccleſiaſtical locuſts were not (as the Gothes and Vanda's had,) to kill preſently, but perchance by a worſe lingring diſeaſe, to torture and torment the conſciences of men, as by penance, ſatisction, merits of good works, pilgrimages, purgatory, images,—by which deceitful doctrines the ſouls of men (as on a rack) are continually wracked, not being taught true Juſtification by the blood of Jeſus. Thus God by the locuſts juſtly puniſheth thoſe that receive not the knowledge of the truth.
Five moneths] doubtleſſe here is a definite and certain number put down for an indefinite and uncertain; by it is meant — a ſhort time which God had ſet theſe locuſts, and their biting which they cannot paſſe. Now if it be objected, that their biting hath laſted long; know a thouſand years with the Lord, are but as one day; God be thanked, long ſince many kingdomes feel not the ſmart of theſe locuſts: their biting in my native countrey Ireland (and other places) has begun long ſince not to be forcible: and ſure the five moneths with us in England are already expired: we fear none of thoſe Popiſh locuſts.
And their torment was as the torment of a ſcorpion &c.] when a ſcorpion biteth a man (to take the ſenſe of the place) the pain at the beginning is not great, but ſuddainly ſo increaſeth, that if remedy be not had, it will within few houres kill the wounded perſon; ſo though men regard not at firſt the biting of the ſpiritual locuſts: yet at the houre of death, if not before, all things appear horrible and mortal.
Verſ. 6. And in thoſe dayes men ſhall ſeek death and ſhall not finde it] Here is noted the condition of mad men, ſhewing how this biting ſhall infatuate, befoole and beſot people; theſe little ſpiritual Locuſts have many yeers even befooled many Kings of the earth and (otherwiſe) wiſe men; ſome have layed down the Scepter, and taken themſelves to Monaſteries, perſwading themſelves (ſo theſe Locuſts have wrought on them) that eternal life was comprehended under a Monks hood; and that a little holy water (as they call it) can purge ſin, whereby their conſciences have been ſo troubled (wanting the true peace and comfort of Chriſt) that they deſired rather to die then live, ſo that they might be out of this torment: but they ſhall not obtaine death, nor lay violent hands on wayes terrible to men not acquainted with Chriſt) yet to ſhun the former torment, like mad men they ſeek it.
Verſ. 7. And the ſhapes of the Locuſts were like unto horſes prepared unto battel] John really in the Viſion (as I may ſo ſay) ſaw this ſtrange monſter, as 'tis here deſcribed, which ſignified the Romiſh Clergy; now by the effects and adjuncts we may ſee how theſe Locuſts are ſhaped like horſes; for theſe Locuſts are fatted in their Cloyſters as horſes in a ſtable, and being ſtrengthned by the King of Locuſts the Pope, having the Devil (as a furious rider) on their back, they oppoſe the Goſpel of Jeſus, and are ready upon command given, to deſtroy either King or Prince (thus they furiouſly ruſh upon any as the Horſe into the battle.) Note, that as Chriſt in the Primitive times had a godly company of Teachers that carried him on the white horſe, ſo Satan & Antichriſt are in ſome ſenſe carryed by the Locuſts or ſpiritual war-horſes.
And crownes on their heads] Either becauſe the Fryers cut and ſhave their haire crown-wiſe; or in reſpect of the great kingly power the Popiſh Clergy uſurpe over the conſciences of men, though according to the letter it may be taken; for the King of Locuſts (the Pope) wears a triple crown of pure gold upon his head. O brave Vicar! and the Cardinals, Biſhops, Abbots—ſhine like Princes, that one may demand, is this thy ſons garment?
And their faces were as faces of men] Meaning the Popiſh Clergy; who becauſe they do not marry (yet do worſe) as others do, but live retiredly, and ſeparate themſelves from men and the world (as Monks—) becauſe they alſo are more wily and ſubtile then ordinary men (and for many other reaſons, which for brevity ſake, I omit) they are ſaid to be but like men.
Verſ. 8. And they had haire as the haire of women] They delight to cheriſh and ſoften and dreſſe their haire (and by a ſynecdoche, other things practiſed by women, are comprehended here) thus the Romiſh Locuſts are effeminate, uſing much curioſity to ſhave and compoſe their haire, to wear gorgeous and ſilken apparell (as women.) —
And their teeth were as the teeth of lyons] Here is noted their cruelty; though they pretend mercy, piety, religion, many poor ſouls have they cruſhed by their tortures; witneſſe the inquiſition of Spaine; which though made and pretended for the Moores, yet deſtroyes Chriſts ſervants. Alſo by their lyons teeth is underſtood their ſnatching all things, devouring widows houſes, laying waſte Orphans fields. By their lyons teeth the Romiſh Clergy in their writings and diſputations tear the Truth.—
Verſ. 9. And they had breaſt-plates, &c.] Iron breaſt-plates keep off blowes; ſo theſe ſpirituall Locuſts are not eaſily hurt. For firſt their Prieſtly priviledges exempt them from any civill power; ſo that the Magiſtrate dare not touch (without endangering the Popes curſe). Secondly, they have Kings, Princes and great men to patronize and protect them. Thirdly, they are by ſeverall orders, ſocieties, fraternities, vowes, —ſo linked together, that as they may hurt any, ſo none may hurt them.
The ſound of their wings was as the ſound of chariots] As Locuſts with beating their little wings together, can make a great noiſe; So the Romiſh Clergy by their many priviledges (by which as by wings, they are lifted up above the condition of all other men) make a dreadfull ſound. The Chariot notes majeſty (and terrour if in a battle, whether they oft carry Princes and Generals); ſo theſe by their priviledges are terrible, their ſermons ſpare none, of what rank or quality ſoever, keep all under with fear of excommunication.
Verſ. 10. And they had tailes like unto Scorpions] Of the Scorpions ſtriking, ſee verſ. 5. Note the Locuſts had faces like men, ſeem as friends, and promiſe ſalvation; but in fine wound as Scorpions, through falſe doctrines, purgatory and the like; thus they have a taile (or ſting) cauſing ſorrow at laſt.
Verſ. 11. They had a King over them, which is the Angel of the bottomleſſe pit] The literal locuſts have no King, Prov. 30. But theſe are more wiſe and politick, having a King to protect them. His name (from the effect) may be well called Abaddon or Apollyon; that is, a deſtroyer (in Hebr. and Greek) for he deſtroyes the Church. Or the Angel of the bottomleſſe pit; to wit, the Pope, for he opened and preached the doctrine of hell, of which ſee verſ. 1. Now as we have noted on chap. 1. v. 20. Angels are Miniſters; ſo the Pope here is an Angel (and ſo is the devil) but a bad one.
Verſ. 12. One Woe is past] To wit, to John, in the Viſion; otherwiſe this woe of the Locuſts torturing, in many places is not yet paſt. Note how the Locuſts kingdom is a kingdom of woe and miſery to men.
And behold two more come hereafter] One upon the eaſterne Churches by Mahomet; the other upon Antichriſt, and the wicked at the ſounding of the ſeventh and laſt trumpet.
Hereafter] to be ſet down by John (for he had ſeen them, though not then writ them) indeed they came together; I mean, the eaſtern and weſtern Antichriſt (as I may ſay) by Mahomet and the locuſts with their King; though John ſaw one after another in the Viſion, implyed in the word hereafter.
Verſ. 13. And the ſixth Angel ſounded, and I heard a voice from the foure hornes of the golden Altar] This golden Altar is Chriſt, the author of the Revelation; (there is no other Altar in heaven) who is both the high Prieſt of and ſacrifice for his Church. (See chap. 8.) This voyce is from Chriſt, commanding the four Angels to be looſed as actors of the future tragedy. In the ſounding by the Angel, I know no myſtery; John by this means is ſtirred up (and we are) to take notice of the future events.
Which is before God] As the Altar in the Viſion ſeemed to be before God; So Chriſt is in the preſence of God to appear for us, as our interceſſour. Concerning the four hornes, ſee Exod. 30.10. they were Types of Chriſts expiation of our ſinnes.
Verſ. 14. Saying to the ſixth Angel which had the trumpet] John perchance heard Chriſts voice (as from the Altar) commanding the Angel after he had ſounded, to looſe the four Babylonian Angels. By which, Chriſts divine authority commanding the Angels of heaven, appears.
Looſe the foure Angels which are bound, &c.] It ſeemes by divine providence hitherto they were bound; but now at Chriſts command let looſe to puniſh the Chriſtian world for idolatry and wickedneſſe. Now who more puniſhed the Chriſtian world then thoſe four Nations, Armenians, Arabians, Saracens, Tartarians (from which laſt came the Turk, though now all four are comprehended under the name of Turkie). Euphrates formerly did bound the Roman Empire, ſeparating the Chriſtian world from the barbarous people who inhabited beyond it (where they were bound) but now looſed. So theſe Angels are four Nations; who at an appointed time brake forth with their hoſtile armyes upon the Chriſtian world in the raigne of Heraclius the Emperour; the occaſion this; the ſaid Emperour having ended his warres with the Perſians, diſmiſſed without pay his Saracene ſouldiers which he had then in the army, which they not well liking, by the counſell of the falſe Prophet Mahomet, after they had drawen the reſt of the Arabians into a ſociety and war with them, they with their captain Homar in ſhort time brought under the neighbouring Provinces of the Romane Empire, eſtabliſhing the blaſphemies of Mahomet, and rooting out Chriſtian Religion (which was much corrupted;) to theſe Arabians the Turks a people of Sythia (now Tartaria) joyned, profeſſing Mahomatilme; over whom (to be brief) Ottoman a Turk, became Emperour, who and his ſucceſſors ſince the yeere 1300. have ſubjugated great part of the world; ſo that Keckerman thinks Mahometiſme is more and larger profeſſed then Chriſtianity. But enough; he that deſires more ſatisfaction in the Turkiſh original and conqueſts, may read Knowles his Turkiſh hiſtory.—
Foure Angels] They are called Angels in reſpect of their miniſtry, God ſtirring them up as his inſtruments, Officers and Angels (as it were) to puniſh the idolatrous world. So then theſe Babyloniſh Angels (for Euphrates which was the bounds to theſe Nations, run through Babylon) came not but by permiſſion and divine Providence.
Verſ. 5. The foure Angels were looſed] God ſpake, and it is done.
They were prepared for an houre, and a day, and a month and a year] God has ſet a time to the tyranny of the four Angels, 'tis his mercy to mitigate his judgments. Here is a ſhort time ſet them; but to ſay how ſhort or how long, I beleeve none knows, though Brightman has taken pains herein. But we hope their ſtrength decayes dayly; of which ſee Dr. Heylins microcoſmus in Armenia.
For to ſlay the third part of men] Here their cruelty is noted; they are of a murdering diſpoſition. True, they obey God in the executing his judgments, and are his ſervants (as Nebuchadnezzar was) though they intend not to, nor know they do ſerve him. They aime at nothing but rapine, murders and the advancement of Mahometiſme; ſo though they came by commiſſion from God, and act (as Pilate) by Gods leave and counſell, yet heel pay neither no other wages for their ſervice then hell and deſtruction, wherewith he has long ſince rewarded Pilate in part, and deferres the reſt untill the day of judgment.
Verſ. 16. And the number of the armie of horſe men were two hundred thouſand thouſand] Noeting the Turkiſh forces to conſiſt of horſemen eſpecially, of which one Emperour of the Turks can bring forth more to a battle then all Chriſtian Princes joyning together. 400000. is common.
And I heard the number of them] John having named the number of the Turkiſh horſe (noteing what an innumerable armie the Turks ſometimes draw into the field) leaſt it might ſeem incredible, affirmes he heard the number of them; to put all men out of doubt. I well remember that living in the Univerſity of Ireland, a gentleman that newly came from Scandrown or Alexandreta told me, he ſaw the Turkiſh army march by to recover Badget or Babylon, and that the army was above a week marching by, conſiſting of fifteen hundred thouſand men, with which he recovered Bagdet from the Perſian. By which however I may gueſſe thus much, that the Turkiſh forces are incredible many.
Verſ. 17. And thus I ſaw the horſes] To wit, in the Viſion; otherwiſe, neither are horſes in heaven, nor ſuch a number in one army in earth. Xerxes came neareſt.
They that ſate on them had breaſt-plates &c.] This Nation (of Turks) carries not ſo much harnaſſes of ſteel (for they come light into the field, the readyer to aſſault, fight or flye (if occaſion be) as ſtrength of nature; for the breaſt-plates here mentioned, note the inward courage of the Barbarians; for their breaſt-plates were of fire jacinth and brimſtone; noteing their fiery cruell natures; jacinth is in colour like fire, and brimſtone is eaſily kindled; ſo are thoſe Barbarians quickly incenſed and provoked to warre, where by fire they make great deſolation.—
And the heads of the horſes, were as the heads of lyons,] The Lyon is a generous, ſtrong, cruell beaſt. It notes the ſwiftneſſe, and valor of the Turkiſh horſe, in which they moſt confide, and hope for victory. The Locuſts teeth were Lyons, but theſe horſes heads are ſuch, becauſe the Locuſts deal more ſecret (the teeth being covered with the lips) but theſe Barbarians are more open, breathing nothing but war and deſtruction profeſſedly.
And out of their mouthes proceeded fire and ſmoake, and brimſtone] Out of the mouthes both of horſe and rider; noteing the feirceneſſe of their war-horſes, but chiefly this is to be applyed to the rider. Brightman applyes this to the Turks guns out of which come fire, ſmoake—yet perchance the ſavage, hydeous cryes of theſe Barbarians (which they eye before they begin battle, to terrify the adverſary) may bee underſtood by fire. So their blaſphemies againſt Chriſt may be meant by ſmoake, which proceeded out of their mouthes, as by brimſtone may be meant the ſtinking ſulphureous doctrine of that wretch Mahomet, wherewith millions of ſouls are and have been deſtroyed.
Verſ. 18. By theſe were the third part of men killed.] Great has been the Turks ſucceſſe; many Kingdomes and Nations. have they devoured; and though the Chriſtians have given them many defeats (witneſſe brave Scanderbeg, Hunniades King of Hungaria, and the Venetian, 1571) yet finally, by multitude they prevailed. They have conquered the third part of our cities, Provinces, Kingdomes, Churches, and Armies. The holy war (of which ſee the ſweet tongued Mr. Fuller) deſtroyed many hundred thouſands of the Turkiſh men; yet they (through ſundry accidents) ſlew many more hundred thouſands of Chriſtians, and at laſt went away victorious.
Verſ. 19. For their power is in their mouth and in their tailes] How they kill with their mouth, is ſaid verſ. 17. now they kill with their tailes; (the tailes are behind, by which the retreats of the Turkes are noted) either wounding and killing by deceit, and fraud, by lying in wait for poor Chriſtians, or by perfideouſneſſe (though they oft keep their promiſes—) or by wounding with their arrowes upon a retreat, fighting backward, as the Parthians of old, who were moſt feared when they turned their backs. Either then by ſerpents tailes we may underſtand their deceit and fraud, or their ſhooting headed arrowes (and perchance poyſoned) upon their retreat. The retreats of the Turks are cunning and dangerous; compared to heads therefore, and to ſerpents tailes.
Verſ. 20. And the reſt of the men which were not killed by theſe plagues] The ſins of the Eaſtern Churches (as Idolatry that mother of miſcheif) cauſed this looſing of the four Angels bound formerly by Euphrates. Now if God ſo puniſhed theſe, ſhall he ſpare Romes Idolatry? but ſhee'l ſay, ſhe worſhips not the Image, but the party expreſſed by it. Anſw. And truly when Iſrael worſhipped the calfe, Exod. 32. and ſaid, this is thy God, O Iſrael, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, verſ. 4. can I think they were ſuch calves, as to think this Idol-calf brought them out of that land? doubtleſſe they were not ſuch ſots; they ſaw the powerfull hand of that God on Egypt, on the Sea, and they ſee this is the work of their own hands —but they thought to expreſſe that God, by this calf or oxe; yet how diſpleaſed is God with them? nay the learned Jews have a ſaying, that no puniſhment ever happened to them in which there was not an ounce of the golden Calfe, grounding on Exod 32. ver. 34. Nevertheleſſe I will remember to viſit this ſin upon them.
Yet repented not of the works of their hands] The end of Gods judgments is not for deſtruction, but inſtruction and amendment of life.
Verſ. 21. Neither repented they of their murther, &c.] Here I obſerve, that the Eaſtern Churches were addicted to ſtrange ſins, as ſorceries, impurity of life (living many unmarried, I mean of the Clergy) Sacriledge, for the Clergy under ſpecious pretences, did devoure widowes houſes—yet repented not. O Rome look to thy own ſelf, for thy neighbours houſe is fired, and thou lyeſt impenitent, though guilty of the ſame ſins; truly you may expect the foure Angels to kill the third part of you, ſince you thus provoke God to withdraw.