An Exposition of Revelation, Chapter 18
CHAP. XVIII. The ſixth Viſion continued. Act 2.
Verſ. 1. After theſe things, I ſaw another Angel come down from heaven]
TO wit, after the ſight of the woman upon the Beaſt. another Angel] for this book is as a Trage-comedy, where ſeveral perſons come in as Actors; here Angels ſignifie no Preachers (as formerly the Angels bid) but are real Angels (one perchance Chriſt) publiſhing future events to John; they come from heaven, and ſo do the judgments upon Babylon.
Having great power] All the Angels are great in power; how great in power is God then, whoſe ſervants theſe are? it notes the greatneſſe of the matter in hand, to wit, great Romes overthrow, who is not invincible.
And the earth was lightned with his glory] This notes that he was a glorious meſſenger from heaven. 2. That the judgement of Rome ſhall be publike and open.
Verſ. 2. He cryed with a loud voyce, ſaying.] It notes,
1. That the inhabitants of the earth, and worſhippers of the Beaſt ſhall not plead ignorance: for ſo the Goſpel hath long cryed down Rome and threatned her deſtruction.
2. It notes the ſtupidity of Rome lying in pleaſure, though her judgments were at door.
Babylon is fallen, is fallen, &c.] As in Eſay 21.9. concerning the literal Babylon, it notes the certainty of its deſtruction, therefore 'tis doubled. The Angel chap. 14.8. who proclaimed its ruine, did it as a Preacher, by the Goſpel battering that ſpiritual City which about Luthers time began to decay and decreaſe in honour and greatneſſe. Here the deſtruction of the City of Rome is foretold by a heavenly Herauld, becauſe ſhe rejected the former warning, the Goſpel-truth; and killed the witneſſes,—this Babylon is Rome, having ſeven heads or governments, ſitting on ſeven mountains, making drunk the Kings of the earth with her fornication, being the ſeate of Antichriſt, and which in Johns time ruled over Nations.
And is become the habitation of Devils] See Eſay 13.16. to 22. or of Satyrs; it was formerly Satans dwelling place, being a Kingdome of Idolatry and Antichriſts ſeat; but now this notes its utter deſolation as that place of Eſay ſhews. This Angels Proclamation belongs to the time a little before Romes deſtruction, and is not yet come.
And the hold of every foule ſpirit] Noting the apparitions of Devils to be there after its deſtruction; not only Fairies and Satyrs.
And cage of every unclean and hateful bird] As Kites, Owles, Vultures, Ravens—This notes the utter deſolation of Rome and her ſtately Palaces and Temples before the end of all things; for Satyrs and Devils appear in Deſerts and wild places, and theſe birds inhabit ruinous Towns and Caſtles, ſuch as Rome muſt be, and a juſt puniſhment upon her Idols and Temples; hell is the Devils hold properly, ſo that this ſhall be a fearful place, where the Pope, Cardinals, Biſhops and Clergy ſinned and feaſted luxuriouſly, now Devils ſhall dance commonly.
Verſ. 3. For they have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, &c.] All Nations have, that is, many Nations, all Chriſtendom and more. Now here ſpiritual fornication is meant, becauſe ſhe is a City, chap. 17. verſ. laſt, with whom the Kings here mentioned, could not commit literal fornication; 'tis called wine, becauſe pleaſing to corrupt nature (as all ſin, all hereſie is) and enticing, overtaking one as wine unawares; called wrath, becauſe it cauſeth Gods wrath. So here is the true reaſon of Romes deſolation, her damnable Idolatry, ſo that the place is juſtly puniſhed for the ſin committed therein.
And the Merchants of the earth] To wit, Cardinals, Biſhops and the like, who only have leave to trade in holy wares of Maſſes, Indulgences, Pardons, Peter-pence, ſpiritual riches and ſoules of men, verſ. 13. (which old Rome never traded with.)
Are waxen rich] By moſt unlawful means (which brings a judgment) as ſpiritual whordom, damnable Idolatry & deceit; thus heaping up riches, living by this means delicately, luxuriouſly, diſhoneſtly; for by this means theſe ſpiritual Merchants (called Princes of the earth, verſ. 23.) could buy any temporal merchandiſe of common Merchants.
Now certainly all things are vendible at Rome, any ſin to be forgiven for money by the ſpiritual Merchants.
Verſ. 4. And I heard another voice, ſaying,—come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her ſins, &c.] So Jerem. 51.6. & 45.
1. Here is commiſſion to ſeparate from Rome (in heart and bodily) and any thing that is Antichriſtian.
2. God hath and ever had a people in Babylon (though at leaſt) ſpirituall captives, yet elected and to be ſaved.
3. The means of ſalvation is to be laid hold on, and to flie to the Word and Chriſt; to wit, out of Babylon.
4. If we partake not of the ſins of Babylon, nor of her puniſhments ſhall we (leſt we partake of her ſins and of her plagues).
5. Becauſe our corrupt natures are eaſily enticed to ſin, fly out of her.
Indeed travellers (who really are not for Rome) muſt uncover the head and bow the knee by force at Maſſes—which is too much connivence, even adoration; therefore be not there, fly out of Babylon, leſt God be angry, and ye partake of her plagues.
Verſ. 5. And her ſins have reached unto heaven] Abels blood, and the Sodomites ſins called to heaven (in a metaphor) for vengeance. Sin is of a crying nature, eſpecially ſpiritual whoredom, noted by her ſins, being of a more wicked and heinous nature then ordinary.
And God hath remembred her iniquities] Fully to puniſh them; otherwiſe God remembred Rome before, though he for many reaſons forbore her. The Jeſuites confeſſe that Rome ſhall be waſted by ten Kings before the coming of Antichriſt; pray examine why ſhe is to be waſted? becauſe of her Idolatry—therefore Antichriſt that cauſes men to commit (by counſel from the Dragon) this great abomination is come. O Jeſuites, ſee, the cauſe of your Cities ruine is your beloved Idolatry and Fornication.
Ver. 6. Reward her even as ſhe hath rewarded you] reward to ſin is due, which the godly ſhall in time ſee done to Rome when ſhe is waſted; at what time they are bid to reward her (that is, to rejoyce at her puniſhment, being Chriſts great enemy, for they are not to reward her otherwiſe; neither need they, for God is ſaid to have done it in her overthrow by the Angel before the godly are bid to reward her or rejoyce.) The Saints approving Chriſts judgement at the laſt day is called their judging the world: So the godly's rejoycing here is called their rewarding Babylon.
Reward yee] Ye of the ten Kings who are converted and againſt Rome, ye Preachers alſo teach that ſhe is to be rewarded (ſo private revenge is not here thought on.)
And give her double according to her works &c.] That is a very ſore and ſufficient reward of puniſhment, for ſo the word double is uſed, Eſay 40. verſ. 2. comfort Jeruſalem (to wit, after her captivity) becauſe I have rewarded her double for her ſin, that is, abundantly, enough; thus Rome is to be rewarded, yet according to her works; as ſhe hath afflicted the Saints, ſo ſhe ſhall be ſorely afflicted; the Lord remembers his peoples miſeries and tormentors, to return both double, the one of joy, the other of puniſhment. O Ireland how canſt thou eſcape?
Verſ. 7. How much ſhe hath glorified her ſelf and lived in pleaſure, &c.] Saying, ſhe was Chriſts only Spouſe, the Catholique Church, the Apoſtolique Sea, the Pope Chriſts Vicar, condemning all the Saints for Hereticks; calling her ſelf the head of all Churches, a Queen—by ſo much ſorer puniſhment ſhe ſhall be afflicted: as by a law of equality. Now never was ſuch a boaſting Church as Rome.
Saying, I ſit a Queen] Not only in her heart; but in her Sermons, writings and actions.
I ſit] Noting her pride, and ſecurity (as if ſhe were unmoveable.)
A Queen] Noting her ſelf-confidence and uſurping authority above all Churches. Thus Antichriſt exalteth himſelf. 2 Theſ. 2.4. above all that is called God, whether Angels or Magiſtrates; for both are ſo called. Thus (in a parentheſis) the ſons of God (or Judges, great men, Magiſtrates) took the daughters of men being faire (or raviſhed them, taking them by force, being mens ſons of power and without controul) and gyants were gotten (Apoſtates (for ſo the word in Hebrew may be rendred, Gen. 6.2.4.) from God and Religion then aroſe: God not bleſſing thoſe unlawfull courſes of marriages, which occaſioned the flood). Thus Magiſtrates are called Gods, above whom Antichriſt exalteth himſelf; as above Emperours, Kings, Churches and Councils, as is noted.
I am no widow] As by a Queen is noted the pride, pompe, riches, ſtate, power of Rome: So by her being no widow—is meant her being Chriſts ſuppoſed Spouſe (for ſo ſhe calls her ſelf) and her extraordinary boaſted of honour, and pomp which abounds at Rome; and that perſwades them there that God loves them, as Ephraim boaſted fooliſhly, Hoſ. 12.8. I have found me out much riches—when indeed Chriſts Church is denominated from her affliction, Eſa. 54.11. O thou afflicted, and riches and pompe are more companions of the wicked, Job 21. to verſ. 15.
I ſhall ſee no ſorrow] This is Romes language. Yet many Kingdomes and people have revolted from this proud harlot; ſo her ſorrow increaſes, and ſome of the ten Kings have long ſince begun to hate her.
Verſ. 8. Therefore ſhall her plagues come in one day, death and ſorrow, &c.] That is, ſuddainly, ſwiftly. She delighted in pleaſure, behold ſorrow: She gave her ſelf to gluttony and luxury, behold famine; She burnt Martyrs, behold fire, burning her ſeat and Palaces. She ſaid I ſhall ſee no ſorrow, behold her deſtruction in one day.
For ſtrong is the Lord who judgeth her] Therefore though her territories be large, though the City be very great and ſtrong, yet ſtronger is the Lord who can and will bring this judgment upon her, by the victorious armie of the converted Kings, who ſhall throw fire into her and conſume her.
Verſ. 9. And the Kings of the earth ſhall bewaile her and lament for her, &c.] To wit, who are contradiſtinct to Saints and had lived deliciouſly with her in committing fornication, as perchance Spaine, the Emperour — ſuch of the ten as remaine with the Pope, and are enemies to the truth of the Goſpel. They ſhall lament her:
1 Becauſe they cannot commit any longer Idolatry at Rome (that beloved, but whoriſh City.)
2 Becauſe they cannot riot any longer within the City.
Verſ, 10. Standing afarre off for feare of the torment, ſaying, Alaſſe &c.] God ſhall ſtrike a fear into them, that they ſhall not dare to approach near to help her, (though they are ſorry, they cannot ſin any more with her.)
Afarre off] as farre perchance as their own countryes; though tis wonder they are ſo daunted that they ſend not to help her, (by ſome army to reſcue her from burning) though they be deſtroyed, as at Armageddon of old Joſiah was.
Verſ. 11. And the Merchants of the earth ſhall weep] 1. Kings, 2, Merchants ſhall mourn for her, meaning ſpiritual traders in the Romiſh ſea, who only can buy and ſell, as chap. 13.17.
For no man buyeth her merchandiſe any more] To wir, her Pardons, Abſolutions,—which ſhall be diſcovered to be abominable, rotten and falſe, (in the city to be ſold however no more, being burnt.)
Verſ. 12. The Merchandiſe of gold and ſilver, and of precious ſtones, &c.] See Ezek. 27. where Tyres deſtruction (then a famous mart-town) is foretold; and this Catalogue of wares there mentioned; alſo the neighbouring nations who brought their Merchandiſe to Tyre there mentioned, (to which here is a plain alluſion.) Now by Romes ruine the ſpirituall Merchants could not vent their ungodly wares of pardons, &c. Nor could gaine riches enough to buy Merchandiſe as formerly from other nations) as horſes from France, Gold and Silver from Spaine, Sheep from England, Beaſts from Germany, — all nations furniſhed Rome with ſouls being ſubject to the Arch-flamen of Rome. So here is noted the nations (from their Merchandiſe) who furniſhed Rome with wares (as Brightman hath obſerved) the ſpirituall Merchants could not reach to buy theſe commodities (Rome being deſtroyed) nor common Merchants or nations ſo well vent them (Rome being burnt;) for brevity ſake I omit the Catalogue.
Wherein obſerve the heatheniſh Rome never did traffique for ſouls of men, though ſhe did for ſlaves, but here Rome deals for both expreſly ſlaves and ſouls of men. Sure here Popiſh Rome is meant, moſt ungodly domineering over ſouls, by threatning Purgatory, by pardons, maſſes, —the ſumme is, Romes deſtruction ſhall hinder the ſpiritual merchandiſe of the ſoules and eſtates of all nations (which a long while hath flowed to Rome,) for which the Romane ſpiritual merchants ſhall grieve.
Verſ, 14. And the fruits which thy ſoule luſted after] To wit, the cates and delicates, the ſpiritual fathers (or Clergy of Rome,) riotouſly filled their tables with.
Are departed from them &c.] Or periſhed by Romes periſhing.
Verſ. 15. The Merchants of theſe things which were waxed rich, &c.] To wit, ſouls and other merchandiſe, ſhall lament; namely Merchants, Ship-maſters, Maſters-mates, Pilots, Partners, and common ſeamen ſhall lament: that is, Cardinals (and thoſe who are even equall with them) Arch-biſhops, Biſhops, Abbots, Monks, and all ſpirituall ſea-men that have an oare in Peters boat ſhall lament, and as the kings mentioned ſtand afarre off (in regard of help, but near enough in heart if they durſt help) ſaying alas, alas: pittying the great revenues of their Arch-biſhopricks, Cardinalſhips, —now loſt. Hence (as mourners) they caſt duſt on their heads, (as in old time they did) becauſe of Romes deſolation; the reſt is plain to ver. 20. Only obſerve, the cauſe of the lamentation, is not their ſins and Idolatry (which brought the judgments) but their temporall loſſes, and their revenues and honours.
Verſ. 20. Rejoyce over her thou heaven, &c.] Formerly ſhe ſhed the blood of Saints, Prophets, Apoſtles: Now thoſe Inhabitants of heaven may rejoyce, becauſe their cruell enemy (and Chriſts) is deſtroyed; This ſhould teach us to rely upon Chriſt, who will one day deſtroy our enemies and give us occaſion of rejoycing. chap 6.10. The Saints cry. O Lord, holy, and juſt, how long? Here they are bid rejoyce — becauſe God has avenged them, and ſuppreſſed Antichriſt and blaſphemy.
Verſ. 21. And a mighty Angel took up a ſtone like a millſtone, &c.] Whether this Angel repreſented Chriſt (ſince he took up the milſtone, as it had been a feather, and ſpeaks by a ſimilitude of Romes overthrow; for from Chriſt come Antichriſts judgments) I diſpute not; 'twas another Angel that enters the ſtage as it were, repreſenting Babylons overthrow, wherein conſider.
1. A mil-ſtone is not eaſily removed, nor Babylon eaſily deſtroyed.
2. A mil-ſtone is caſt downe by force: ſo Babylon.
3. The Mil-ſtone is caſt into the ſea; ſo Babylon ſhall be burnt by fire.
4. The Mil-ſtone caſt into the ſea, is covered, never recovered; ſo Babylon ſhall be utterly deſolated, and never built.
Verſ. 22. The voyce of harpers —ſhall be heard no more] At feaſts in thee; nor flute for dancers, not trumpet for civil meetings, nor war; nor crafts-men (whether Phyſician, Lawyer —)nor husband-man, nor miller, but it ſhall be a meer deſolation.
Verſ. 23. Nor lights ſhall ſhine any more in thee] Convenient for night ſeaſon.
Nor bridegroom nor bride ſhall be in thee] Therefore no procreation of children, therefore Romes deſolation ſhall be conſummated.
Becauſe thy Merchants were great men of the earth] To wit, Cardinals, Arch-biſhops — here is the grand cauſe of Romes deſolation (including other) her Merchants ſold damnable wares; if this were underſtood literally, it were a weak reaſon; becauſe thy Merchants were great men, therefore comes thy deſtruction: No, but becauſe thy great Cardinals, Biſhops —ſold curſed and abominable ſpirituall wares (of Purgatory, Pardons —) Therefore Rome is to be deſtroyed for her Idolatry, falſe doctrine, riot (the conſequent of riches)
For her ſorceries] Or falſe doctrines (compared oft to bewitching or enticing wine) have deceived the Chriſtian world.
Verſ. 24. And in her was found the blood of Prophets, &c.] The old Rome cauſed Apoſtles to be ſlain: the new Popiſh Rome Prophets or Teachers (as chap. 11.)
In her] Either becauſe the doctrine which cauſed their blood to be ſhed, was from Rome; or becauſe ſhe gave commiſſion to ſlay the Saints who were ſlain in other places and kingdomes (as England—) God plagues Rome as the Originall cauſe of all this.