An Exposition of Revelation, Chapter 6
CHAP. XVI. Viſion 5. Verſ 1. And I heard a voice out of the Temple, ſaying to the ſeven Angels, go, &c.]
FOrmerly two witneſſes chap. 11. that is a few, were raiſed up againſt Antichriſt. Now ſeven, that is, very many, who by their preaching —ſhall as the witneſſes cauſe Vials of wrath to be poured upon Antichriſt. We have heard of the Beaſt againſt the witneſſes Chap. 11. the Dragon againſt the woman Chap. 12. the Beaſt againſt the Saints by warre Chap. 13. —and ſuffering none to buy and ſell but his ſpirituall Merchants: not followes a ſtrang change; Judgments for the Antichriſtian company.
Beaſt and Merchants goe] There is Commiſſion:
Pour out] not drop, aggravating the puniſhment.
Pour out his viall upon the earth] Leave none at all in the veſſell upon the earth, in verſ. 2. theſe Angels note miniſters.
Verſ. 2. And the firſt went and poured out his Viall upon the earth] Note the readineſſe of the Angels in obeying the Lord, whoſe voice out of the Temple or heaven commanded them even now, ver. 1. On the earth, that is, the inhabitants of the earth, or worſhippers of the beaſt.
And there fell a grievous noyſom ſore upon the men which had the mark of the beaſt, &c.] To wit, on Antichriſts markked ones. Tis an alluſion to the firſt Egyptian plague of boils and blaines, Exod. 9.9. for here is oft ſuch puniſhments as haile, locuſts, blood.—
Now though God may puniſh the Roman Church with outward diſeaſes (as the French pox which follows the wanton Clergy —) yet ſince outward diſeaſes are common to all, chiefly with Brightman) I underſtand theſe plagues to be in men, as hatred, envy, malice againſt the true light upon the preaching of the Goſpel to the inhabitants of the earth by the firſt Angel; note the Goſpel is the ſavour of life to the Saints, though it be as a Vial and torment to the marked ones, becauſe it hinders their riches, honour, pride, tyranny, — Now what greater ſore then a tormented, vexed mind.
Verſ. 3. And the ſecond Angel poured out his Vial upon the Sea, and it became as the blood of a dead man] So in the Viſion the ſea is the Romane Church, or gathering together of Churches; Perchance the Councel of Trent, whether all People gathered for help, when the firſt Vial was poured out; it laſted many years; many rivers, as Cardinals, Biſhops, Archbiſhops, &c. run hither and made up the ſea (to conſult againſt Chriſts true witneſſes,) however, the ſea of Rome (or Church) is the ſea; the Biſhops and Doctors are the rivers and fountains (which make up the ſea) or the fountains are Scripture all corrupt (at leaſt to them) this is a plain alluſion to that Egyptian plague when the waters were blood: ſo here the Church, Biſhops, Doctors, are polluted; ſo the Scripture the fountain in ſome ſenſe of water, is polluted to them, and become (by a juſt judgement) but as muddy and puddle to them, being hid to them that be loſt. Hence the Angel of the waters, ver. 5. who to wit, poured out his Vial in the Viſion on the waters, praiſes God for the equity of his judgement, giving them blood to drink (ſpiritually, for that Scripture was puddle to them, which is pure water in it ſelf, for that the Doctors —were beſotted, given to deluſions and traditions; So that their People compared to the creatures in the ſea, do ſpiritually die, wanting the true waters of comfort) who ſhed the blood of the Saints really. Perchance ſuddainly the ſea of Rome may litterally become blood, by Proteſtants oppoſing her, and when the Kings ſhall hate the whore, chap. 17, 17, 18. and burn her.
Ver. 6. For they are worthy] Evil works are perfectly evil and deſerve puniſhment; but good works are always imperfect, (nay if never ſo good, debts to the Creator; therefore) deſerving no reward, but have it out of free mercy and promiſe. But enough to ver. 7. which is eaſie. The Angel from out of the Altar was mentioned; chap. 14, 18. who ſaid, thruſt in thy ſickle: and here praiſes God; to which place I referre the Reader; and for brevity ſake have done with theſe ſeven verſes.
Verſ. 8. And the fourth Angel poured out his Vial upon the Sunne] In the Viſion this may be as well called the Angel of the Sun, as well as the others of fire and water: they are called ſo becauſe of their pouring out their Vials on the Sun, Water, Earth, — and becauſe God perchance by theſe gathers the Saints at the laſt day to himſelf, and caſteth the wicked into hell fire.
The Sunne notes the holy Scripture, by which our dark minds are enlightned, as the world is by the Sun: God by way of a judgement is ſaid to give the Sun to the bright Scripture, making it in the latter days much more clear, piercing, ſcorching the conſciences: or becauſe the Antichriſtian notwithſtanding, (ſhall by a juſt judgement) have ſtrong deluſions, beleeve a lie, and not receive the knowledge of the truth or repent unto ſalvation, but continue in unbelief, malice, envy, noted by their being ſcorched.
Thus the Vial is poured out upon the Sunne, giving more light, to the envy of the marked ones, who for madneſſe gnawed and bit themſelves, having yet no mind nor grace ro recant.
Now had the Vial been litterally poured out on the waters formerly, or now on the Sun, the puniſhment had been common to all, not proper to Antichriſtians (noted by the men,) as the text intends.
Verſ. 9. And men were ſcorched, &c.] to wit, the marked ones. Thus the word as a fire burns, though chiefly 'twas intended for ſalvation; no wonder then there appeared beforehand ſmoak in the Temple or heaven, noting the blindneſſe of Antichriſtians & obſtinacy, and Gods wrath upon it, hindring their coming into heaven. Obſerve, men yet repented not; though God ſend his Word and Judgements to call to repentance, nay though they knew God had power over the plagues, yet they returned not to him, but hardened their hearts The Popelings though they be ſcorched by this light, as by a fire, yet will not for their Riches Honour, and Ambition-ſake take notice of it to amendment of life, to give God the glory, to wit, of the juſtneſſe of the puniſhment inflicted. 2. Of the truth of the Goſpel diſcovered. 3. Or their recovery deſired.
Verſ. 10. And the fifth Angel poured out his Vial upon the ſeat of the Beaſt, and his Kingdome waxed dark] Upon the preaching of the Word to Antichriſts Seat and Kingdome (for the noiſe of the truth by books and preaching hath reached thither) his Courtiers, ſubjects and ſelf-continuing obſtinate, God by a further judgement darkens them more and more, puniſhing one ſinne by another, as Rom. 1.26. which darknes begins every day to be more manifeſt. Here is an alluſion to the litteral Egyptian darkneſſe; but this is to be ſpiritually taken, for the darkneſſe of the mind: the profoundeſt Doctors of Rome, are fools in the ſaving matters of faith by a juſt judgement of God. So that Goſpel which naturally brings light to them that ſit in darkneſſe and in the ſhadow of death, by accident brings more darkneſſe upon theſe.
And they gnawed their tongues] Noting the extream rage of Antichriſtians againſt God and truth.
For paine] Or grief, becauſe Rome is declining, and grown to be a kingdome of darkneſſe.
Blaſphemed the God of heaven] In that they condemn the Goſpel of Chriſt for hereſie, and the true Preachers for hereticks.
Repented not] But taught their marked ones they were in the right and light: though ver. 8. and 9. they rage and are mad at the Sunne of light, which they cannot darken nor will acknowledge to be true; but who is more blind then thoſe that will not ſee?
Object. How can Miniſters inflict plagues, or poure out Vials?
Anſw. They communicate in the work of God as Coworkers, they preach the Goſpel, upon contempt of which the Lord for them puniſheth the obſtinate and contemners, as is noted, chap. 11. about the witneſſes ſmiting the earth largely, ver. 5, 6.
Verſ. 12. And the ſixth Angel poured out his Vial upon the great river Euphrates, and the water thereof was dried up, &c] This Vial and the former have been pouring out a great while. Babylon had two ſtrong fences: the wals which were one of the wonders of the world, very thick and high: Then ſecondly the great river run thorough it (as I noted out of Solinus in my quoted book. pag. 109.) which was greater ſtrength to the city then the wals, being very deep. Cyrus and the beſiegers, deſpairing of the wals, make many deep ditches: and whiles the Babylonians riot and feaſt within ſecurely, ſcorning and contemning the beſiegers: they brought the river Euphrates into thoſe ditches or channels, and ſo enter into Babylon as it were on dry ground and took it. The myſtical Babylon hath in ſtead of wals, Emperours, Kings, Princes to defend her; inwardly Rome (the myſtical Babylon) hath tythes, firſt-fruits, Peter-pence, indulgences, and the like, in ſtead of Euphrates, which the Kings of the Eaſt, (alluding to Cyrus and Darius Kings of the Medes and Perſians, who are Eaſt of Babylon, and cauſed the literal Euphrates to be diverted) that is, Chriſtian Kings, Princes, Miniſters, (People, for they are from Chriſt, who is the Angel of the Eaſt, chap. 7.2. and the day-ſpring from on high, Luke 1.78. who viſited us) who ſhall divert Euphrates of Rome, throw down her riches, and beſtow them towards the maintenance of Schools, Goſpel-teachers; theſe the Miniſters firſt preached againſt, as againſt Peter-pence, Abſolution-money and the like, and other revenues Emperours and Kings have better imployed, diverting them and their courſe from Rome (witneſſe King Henry the eighth in England—) ſo in time Rome will be more feaſeable when her Riches and Honour ceaſe more and more. This the ſixth Vial means. And Anonymus two hundred and ſeventy years ago, ſaid, the preaching of the Goſpel ſhould cauſe to take away earthly dominion, and temporal poſſeſſions from the Clergy: to wit, of Rome. God be thanked no Kingdome in Chriſtendome, (except Spaine and Italy) but have more or leſſe diverted the Euphrates of Rome, and made way for the Kings of the Eaſt, (Miniſters and good Chriſtians) to take her.
Verſ. 13. I ſaw come out of the mouth of the Dragon] Since the riches and Euphrates of Rome is drying up, ſhe ſends Ambaſſadours to the Kings of the earth to help her.
Theſe come out of the mouth of the Dragon, Beaſt and falſe-Prophet] In the Viſion which is but one, as is noted. chap. 13. the Dragon furniſheth them with lies, the monſter or ſeabeaſt (repreſenting Antichriſt as a ſecular Monarch) with tyranny, the falſe Prophet or land-beaſt (who was like a Lambe in part,) with all deceit of unrighteouſneſſe.
Three impure ſpirits] Meaning the ſpiritual fathers of Rome's Church. Three denotes Perfection or a ſufficient company, as two witneſſes do chap 11.
Impure ſpirits] So are theſe locuſts in their original and life;
Like Frogs came out of the mouth of that Dragon, &c.] In impudent loquacity and filthineſſe; what more irkſom then croaking of Frogs? So the clamours of theſe meſſengers to the Kings of the earth prating any thing to gain their aid for Antichriſt; what more impure then frogs both in their original and living? the ſame is true of the Romiſh Parats and Fryars; who may well be ſaid to come out of Antichriſts mouth, being orders of his confirming, having no ground in the Word. Now theſe are Antichriſts uſual Legates or Emiſſaries.
Verſ. 14. For they are the ſpirits of divels] From the Dragon who gave Antichriſts place, chap. 13. Their craft and ſubtilty is from hell; though then they make a faire ſhow of religion, yet they are of the diſpoſition of the devil their father.
Working miracles] No Church ſo brags of miracles as that of Rome: but tis known Antichriſts coming is with ſignes and wonders, and with all deceivableneſſe of unrighteouſneſſe.
Who go forth] as Ambaſſadours.
To the Kings of the earth] To wit, heathen and idolatrous. It ſeems towards the end, Antichriſt to keep up his falſe tottering power, will make league with Indians, or any infidels. Thus the prating frogs, (Jeſuites) lie moſt uncleanly in ditches and mire (of riches, vanity, and temporal honour) and are ſent as the Popes Nuncio's or Emiſſaries, to gaine the helpe of the Kings of the earth againſt the day of the Lord.
Verſ. 15. Bleſſed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, &c.] To wit, in this dangerous deceitful time, and keeps his garments, See chap. 3. ver. 18. that they be not defiled with the world and fleſh: for Chriſt comes unawares as a thief in the night. This then is a cautionary parentheſis, becauſe the day of the Lord is at hand, againſt which we ſhould watch and be prepared.
Ver. 16. And gathered them together] To wit, the unclean ſpirits ſhall gather them, that is, the Kings of the earth, by their falſe miracles, lies and prating.
To battel] to fight againſt Antichriſts oppoſers, (truly a great miracle that men ſhould fight for the beaſt of Rome, when his other vaſſals ſhall hate him, as chap. 17. ver. 16.17.) no wonder if they come to Armageddon or a place of deſtruction and ruine, Since they fight againſt Jehovah for the beaſt.
Called in the Hebrew tongue Harmageddon] This Word and ſuch like prove this book was delivered to John in Syriack or Hebrew.
Megiddo was the place where that moſt hopeful Prince Ioſiah was ſlain, 2 Chron. 35.22. by Necho King of Egypt, whereupon (for twas an infinite loſſe) the ſad Prophet Ieremy compoſed the book of Lamentations, ver. 25. Harmageddon in Hebrew ſignifies a mountain. So Har-megiddo is but the hill of Megiddo. True, Megiddo was the city, but the hill & field where the battel was fought, was after cal'd by that name. So the kings of the earth ſhall be brought to another place of confuſion, or another Megiddon. The alteration of letters are nothing, if the tongues be conſidered in which they are writ. Two things are here to be noted.
1. The opportunity or fitneſſe of the place. Such was the field of Megiddo.
2. The great lamentation which here the adverſaries ſhal make becauſe of the ſlaughter; therefore one day when Antichriſt is almoſt ruined by the Word, and ſeveral Kings revolting from him and oppoſing him, he ſhall be in league with Turk and nations, whom he ſhall entice to help him and to prop up his ruined ſtate; but theſe ſhall be oppoſed by other Kings (of the Eaſt or Chriſtians) to their great ruine, for the great day ſhall there overtake the wicked.
Verſ. 17. And the ſeventh Vial was poured out into the aire] The ſix Trumpets ſignified Preachers, (I mean the ſix Angels of the Trumpets) as the temporal events proved, but the ſeventh could not be, chap. 10. ver. 7. then the myſtery of God was to be finiſhed. So now the ſix Angels of the Vials may: but the ſeventh proclaims the day of the Lord the end of all things.
And there came a great voice out of the Temple, ſaying, it is done] Upon the ſounding of the Trumpet the aire is corrupted, infected with Peſtilence, and ſmitten with Gods wrath: ſo that needs the deſtruction of all creatures and the end of all things muſt follow. To which purpoſe a voice from heaven and the throne confirms the truth of it, ſaying, It is done. This is the great voice of the Trumpet, 1 Theſ. 4.16. the Lord ſhall deſcend with a ſhout.—Thus the world's ended, and the grapes of the earth to be preſſed in the lake of hell, and the kings of the earth deſtroyed at Megiddo.
Verſ. 18. And there were voyces, lightnings, thunders, and there was a great earthquake, &c.] Theſe things ſhew the horrible effects of the laſt Vial, when Chriſt ſhall come to take vengeance at the laſt day; then may be voyces of the damned, lightnings burning the earth to peeces and the works thereof; thunders from heaven; for all elements ſhall conſpire againſt the wicked, and ſuch an earthquake as never was, for the earth ſhall be rent to peeces and diſſolved.
Verſ. 19. And the great City was divided into three parts] To wit, the Church of Rome wherein or in whoſe ſtreets the witneſſes lay, chap. 11. ver. 8.
In three parts] Three notes perfection, ſo it was quite demoliſhed and rent by the earthquake: yet I beleeve the literal City ſhall be deſtroyed before this day, chap. 17.16. But her Dominions and juriſdiction may in ſome meaſure laſt to this earthquake or the end.
And the Cities and Nations fell] To wit, of Turk, Saracen, American, and all earthly Kingdoms now at the great Day. Yet perchance theſe may come (helping the Whore by the mediation of the three unclean ſpirits) to ſome, nay many private overthrows or Armegeddons before the laſt day, for many Kings ſhall hate her and burn her before, as chap. 17.16. Why may not Kings of the earth to their deſtruction ſtrive to help her before, by a ſecret judgment?
And great Babylon came into remembrance before God, &c.] God thought on her before but now at the appointed day payeth the old debt fully. Great Babylon and the Cities of the Nations are diſtinct, you ſee; So Conſtantinople is not meant by Babylon, but the Cities of the Nations comprehend that, and all other heathen Kingdomes. That City which trampled under foot the holy City and Witneſſes is remembred.
Verſ. 20. And every Iſland fled away, and the mountains were not found.] Theſe things ſhall literally come to paſſe at the laſt day, when the great earthquake ſhall happen, ſo that the wicked ſhall have no hiding place.
Verſ. 21. And there fell great haile as of a talent weight out of heaven upon the men,] God plagued Egypt and deſtroyed the Canaanites with great haile and hailſtones, Joſh. 10.11. and by it is noted Gods terrible judgments againſt the wicked, and vaſſalls of Antichriſt. (noted by men)
A Talent] Being a hundred pound weight, notes the greatneſſe of the judgment. Now I know not but theſe things may in ſome ſort come literally to paſſe at the laſt day; when Earth Sea, or Iſlands, Aire or Haile, nay and fire, all the Elements ſhall conſpire againſt the curſed and wicked.
Yet they blaſphemed God becauſe of the plague of the haile, &c.] I confeſſe I was long of the opinion that the judgment-day was not here treated of.
1. Becauſe men ſhall ſubſcribe to that judgment as being convinced.
2. Becauſe they ſeemed to live impenitently on earth and blaſphemouſly, notwithſtanding the judgments which ſhould beget fear and repentance;
But upon ſecond and better thoughts I finde, that the curſed raging of hell-hounds againſt God is here expreſſed after the great day; who though they ſhall at the ſight of the judge, cry mountaines — fall one us, yet deſpairing (and convicted in conſcience of the juſtice of the ſentence) ſhall never ceaſe (with their mouth's however) to pour out blaſphemies againſt God, as if he were unjuſt and unmerciful, becauſe of the haile or eternall torments of hell. Thus ends this Viſion with the world.