The Key of the Revelation, Part 2 · Section 10
The fall of Antichriſt. Chap. 15.OR, The meaning of the ſeven Phyals as farre forth as is yet given us to underſtand:
And firſt, Of the Phyals in generall.
THe holy Ghoſt propoundeth the hiſtory of the Phials, and of At Chap. 15.the Angels pouring them out two manner of waies. Firſt in generall from the beginning of the 15. Chap. unto the end of the 5. verſ. where the viſion of the ſeven Angels having ſeven Phyals being only briefly rehearſed: before he cometh to the particular deſcription either of the Angels or Phyals: a narration is framed of another viſion exhibited together with them; wherein is figured for the time of the powring them out, the ſtate of the Church cleanſed from idolatrous pollutions and filthineſſe in that ſacred Laver or Sea of the Temple not made of braſſe as Solomons, Verſ. 2, 3.but of Cryſtall, and ſinging the *foreign.tryumphant Song for the victory over the Beaſt the whole time of the effuſion: and that whiles yet ſhe ſtood upon the brimme of the Laver, as it were ſcarſe gone out of the bath wherein ſhe had cleanſed her ſelfe.
Then he cometh to the cloathing and preparation of the Angels, and to deſcribe the Phyals particularly from thoſe words of the 6. verſ. foreign, Verſ. 6.foreign, &c. And the ſeven Angels came out of the Temple having the ſeven plagues, clothed in pure and white linnen and having their breaſts girded with golden girdles, that is, in their Prieſtly habite. For take heed that thou joyne not the words which we Ezek. 44.17. 18. Maiemon de vaſis ſanctuarii, c. 10. ſect. 1.have ſet downe, with thoſe of the precedent verſ. for truly that which is there ſaid of the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Teſtimonie opened in Heaven, that pertaineth not to the beginning, but to the event of the Phyals. That is to ſay the Temple, which, in the meane ſpace while the Phyals were poured out, was filled Verſ 5.with ſmoake from the Maieſty of God, and from his power, ſo that no man was able to enter, verſ. 8. (he all…deth to the ſeven dayes dedication as well of the Tabernacle, Exod. 40. 34. as alſo of the Temple, 1 King. 8. 10. 2 Chron. 5. 13.) the Phyals being paſt it Chap. 16.will be ſo cleere; that the Arke of the Teſtimony it ſelfe, (Chriſt) ſhall be apparent: even as we have it at the ſound of the ſeventh trumpet (Chap. 11. 19.) with which that the laſt of the Phyals doth contemporize, hath been ſhewed, Synch. 3. part. 2.
*Hypotheſes.Suppoſitions concerning the Phyals particularly.
1. The effuſion of the Phyals ſignifieth the ruine of the Antichriſtian At Chap. 16.Beaſt. It appeareth out of the Text: for which ſee Synch. 7. part. 1. For even as that former and more ancient *foreign.Politie of the Romane Kingdome was to be overthrowne by the plagues of the Trumpets: ſo this laſt by the plagues of the Phyals. This is the cauſe of ſo great li…eſſe betweene them twain; ſith even this laſt beareth the Image of the former Romane Politie.
2. The ſeven Phyals are ſo many degrees of the ruine thereof. For like as the Beaſt grew up by degrees: he is alſo ſo to be aboliſhed by degrees.
3. Whatſoever then it is, on which every of the Phyals is poured out; that ſuffereth damage and loſſe from the Phyall; ſince the effuſion of the Phyals, is the effuſion of the wrath of God (Chap. 15. verſ. 1.). Therefore no interpretation can ſtand here, whereby the effuſion of a Phyall falleth out to the benefit of that, upon which it is poured out.
4. The Earth, the Sea, the Rivers, the Sunne, are ſomething concerning the Antichriſtian Beaſt, anſwering to the earth, the Sea, and the Sunne. For all the Phyals are poured out upon the Beaſt: therefore alſo every of them upon ſomething of the Beaſt, or at leaſt which is inſeparable from the ſafetie of the Beaſt, or concerneth his benefit.
5. The whole body of the Beaſt, or the Antichriſtian univerſe, is in like manner as it was done in the Trumpets, tacitly compared by the holy Ghoſt to the Syſteme of the world, whoſe parts are Earth, Sea, Rivers, Heaven, Lights: So that the earth in the Popedome anſwereth to the earth in the natural World; Sea, to ſea; Rivers, to rivers: Sunne, to ſunne.
6. To conclude (as already I have once or twiſe ſhewed) becauſe God uſeth Angels as miniſters of his providence, for moving and governing of the motions and changes of humane affaires: Chap. 16.therefore thoſe things that are brought to paſſe by the the hands of many, are notwithſtanding attributed to an Angel as it were the ruler and guide of the thing to be done, after the common manner of ſpeaking.
The Expoſition of the Phyals according to the rule of the ſuppoſitions.
The firſt Phyall powred upon the whole body of the Beaſt.
The Earth in the Antichriſtian univerſe doth ſignifie the people, Verſ. 2.or the common ſort of Chriſtians, the footſtoole (the more ſhame) of Antichriſt; upon which as the Baſis that vaſtneſſe of Papall Hierarchie being …, like the Tower of Babel—*Vertice ad auras aetherias tendit. reacheth to the very skies.
The Phyall being powred out upon this Earth pertaining to the Beaſt, it drew that diſpoſition from the effuſion, that it filled the followers of the Beaſt, with furie and madneſſe, as it were with ulcers, and thoſe ſo foule and malignant, that they could not be healed; nor be cloſed up by any Cicatrice, but they would breake forth againe.
This was fulfilled when the Chriſtian common people, called the Waldenſes, Albigenſes, Wiclifiſts, Huſſites, and by other names, began every where to renounce the authoritie of the Beaſt, calling Rome Apocaliptique Babylon, and the Pope Antichriſt: with which blaſting of its earth burning with the *Rom. 10.2.zeale of God, the followers of the Beaſt being ſtricken, they were wholly enflamed, with the ulcers of griefe and indignation; by which being enraged they for very many yeers wonderfully tyrannized with fire and Sword; but in vaine; for they were ſmitten with an evill and uncurable ulcer, which the more they beſtirred themſelves, the more it grew worſe and worſe with them. Exod. 9.8, 9.So in times paſt the Land of Egypt being ſprinkled from Heaven with duſt like aſhes, it filled all the Egyptians and their cattell with ulcers. Now the world of the Beaſt is called *foreign.ſpirituall Egypt, Chap. 11. 8. and thereupon the ulcerous ſore here is to be interpreted *foreign.ſpiritually, that is, myſtically, and by analogie: which is diligently to be obſerved in the figures of the two following plagues alſo, taken from the ſame hiſtory.
The ſecond Phyall upon the Sea of the World Chap. 16.of the Beaſt.
The Sea in the Antichriſtian world is the whole compaſſe of Verſ. 3.the Papall Society, wherein not onelyonly ſeverall Chriſtians, but whole Nations, People, Kingdomes, Provinces, Dioceſſes, otherwiſe among themſelves diſ-joyned and ſevered, are gathered together in one: or thus: the Antichriſtian Sea is the compaſſe of the Popes juriſdiction or dominion compaſſing and enfolding (as the Sea doth the Land) men and Nations worſhipping Chriſt.
The ſecond Phyall being powred out upon this Sea, preſently it became as the blood of a dead body, or cold and congealed blood, ſuch as is wont to be of thoſe that are dead and ſlaine, or of a member cut off; ſeeing it is deſtitute of the influence of ſpirit and heat, the entercourſe with the fountaine of life being diſſolved. The ſenſe is. The Pontificiall Sea was ſlaine as it were with death, beheading, or ſlaughter.
Now this was fulfilled, when by the labour of Luther and other famous reformers of the Church of that Age, God wonderfully bleſſing their undertakings, not now ſome ſingle perſons onelyonly of the common people of Chriſtendome, but even whole Provinces, Dioceſſes, Kingdomes, Nations, and Cities renounced communion with thoſe of the Beaſt, and there being made a great diſmembring of the dominion which was ſo large in times paſt, they departed from the body of the Beaſt. By which event the Sea of the Popes Dominion became dead for a great part of it, like the blood of a dead body; in which the Popes creatures could no longer breathe and live.
The third Phyall upon the Rivers and Fountaines of the world of the Beaſt.
The Rivers and Fountaines of waters of the Beſtian world, are Verſ. 4, 5, 6, 7the miniſters and defenders of the Antichriſtian juriſdiction, whether Eccleſiaſticall, as Ieſuites, and other Emiſſary Prieſts; or even Secular and Lay, as the Spaniſh champions, to both of which as from that juriſdiction is committed a charge of ſolliciting and advancing the cauſe, which they call Catholique, in Chap. 16.like manner as the rivers derive their originall out of the Sea: ſo alſo they beſtow their labour and coſt, to the enlarging and preſerving of it; even as alſo the rivers returne to the Sea.
Now theſe Rivers whileſt they at randome runne through their Channels, wherein now there was no more ſafety for them; by Gods juſt judgment, by the effuſion of the third Phyall, are turned into blood, in like manner as even they had heretofore imbrued the Saints of God, and his Prophets with blood. For from this Phyall the ſtate of the Beaſt, came to that paſſe, that the miniſters and defenders thereof, now changing courſe, are compelled to ſuffer the ſame ſlaughters, wherewith they had beene accuſtomed to ſlay the Saints and Prophets of God, while their government flouriſhed, as it is plainly ſet ſorth, verſ. 5, 6. as it were a Key for the opening of the parable.
Which thing concerning the Eccleſiaſticall Emiſſaries with their attendants I thinke was fulfilled, when in our ENGLAND, in the reigne of ELIZABETH of famous memory, and alſo afterwards, thoſe bloody Proctors for the authoritie of the Beaſt, were according to the lawes made for that purpoſe puniſhed with death (which had never before ſobefallen them) for ſolliciting the Papall cauſe. And not they alone, but the Spaniſh champions for the cauſe of the Beaſt, who were much more to be feared then they, going about to recover by force of armes, the dominion of the Church of Rome, thirſting for blood, drank blood by full draughts, eſpecially in that memorable overthrow of the yeere 1588. and ſome yeers following; the Engliſh and the Dutch, by Sea and Land, abundantly powring out the Cup of the mightie hand of God. So that wonderfull great praiſe was given to God for his juſt and true judgements upon them both, not onelyonly of the Iſlanders themſelves, revenging their blood now long ſince ſhed: but alſo of the neighbouring French groning yet under the Croſſe and the Altar, yea even then the Maſſacre of the yeere 1572. being freſh. And thus far the Phyals ſeeme to have gonne on: the reſt remaine to be powred out yet.
The fourth Phyall upon the Sunne of the Beaſtian heaven.
What the Sunne is in the world of the Beaſt, that we may Verſ. 8, 9.ſearch out; firſt it is throughly to be looked into, what the heaven Chap. 16.may be, leſt otherwiſe wanting the line of Analogie, we wander farre from the ſcope. For the Sunne is not to be placed or conceived to be any where but in an heaven fit for it. The Heaven therefore of the Antichriſtian world, is either that ſupreme and univerſall authoritie of the Pope; or any other excellent, and regall Authoritie whatſoever in that world of the Beaſt, that is, in the whole univerſality of the Provinces acknowledging the Pope of Rome for their head. For ſo in the phyſicall world, all that which is upward, and above the earth and waters is called Heaven, in the notion of the Hebrewes and the holy Ghoſt. Now in that Antichriſtian heaven (according to the type of naturall Heaven) there are very many Starres, and of a divers magnitude, Princes, Dukes, Prelates, Lords of Countries, and Kings. There are alſo great lights, like Sunne and Moone. All which are carried about with the motion of the Heaven, and by direction thereof keepe their courſes. Now of theſe, the moſt glorious, and by far the greateſt light of all, which ſhine in the Papall Firmament, is the Germane Empire, the proper inheritance of the Houſe of Auſtria now for theſe two hundred yeers or there abouts. Is not this therefore the Sunne of that Heaven? Now upon this Sunne the fourth Phyall is even now to be powred out; that it being pulled away from the heaven of the Beaſt, and ſhining to another purpoſe, may burne and torment the inhabitants of the Antichriſtian world, even to blaſphemy, whom before it was wont to refreſh with its heat and beames.
And behold, whiles I bring to light, theſe things which before I had written, a fame hath filled the whole Chriſtian world, the godly rejoycing at it, that there is now at length come from the North Gods revenger of wrongs, to ſuccour afflicted and diſtreſſed Germany; a godly King, happy, and which way ſoever he cometh, a conquerour, whoſe proſperous progreſſe is wonderfull ſpeedy. Is not this he, whom the Lord of Hoſts hath deſtinated to execute the worke of this Phyall? So I hope and heartily pray. Gird thee with thy ſword therefore, O great King, go… on proſperouſly and beare rule; becauſe of truth, meekneſſe and righteouſneſſe: and thy right hand ſhall teach thee marvellous things, Pſalm. 45. 3, 4.
The fift phyall upon the Throne Chap. 16.of the Beaſt.
The fift phyall is to be powred out upon the Throne or Seat Verſ. 10, 11.of the Beaſt; that is, Rome it ſelfe. Where the holy Ghoſt hideth not the matter any more with any vaile of Figures or Allegories; haply becauſe of the great light which ſhall then ariſe to theſe Propheſies by this moſt evident ſigne, whereby it ſhall be cleere what phyals are paſt what to come.
Now by this deſtruction of the Citi… of Rome (which I thinke to be the very ſame, which is ſaid ſhall immediately follow the reſurrection and aſcenſion of the witneſſes, Chap. 11. verſ. 12. 13.) the name of the Pope ſhall not indeed utterly periſh, but from thence forth he ſhall be deprived of his glory and ſplendor, ſo that for griefe they ſhall bite their tongues: in the meane time notwithſtanding perſevering as yet in their impenitency their hearts being hardened, they will abuſe their griefs unto further blaſphemy.
The ſixt phyall upon Euphrates.
The ſixt phyall ſhall be powred out upon that great River Euphrates, Verſ. 12.that being dryed up, a paſſage may be prepared for new enemies of the Beaſt to come from the Eaſt; that is, for the Iſraelites to be wonderfully converted to the pure faith and worſhip of Chriſt, and now ſeekers for the kingdome promiſed ſo many ages ſince. Whom the worſhippers of the Beaſt haply ſhall eſteeme for the army of their ſeigned Antichriſt to ariſe out of the Iews, God ſo revenging the obſtinacy of their errour: of whom that we are the forerunners, they doubt not at this day to affirme.
But that I may take theſe Kings to come, as it is ſaid, from the Sunne riſing, to be the Iews, two things ſerve for it. Firſt, that this is the laſt phyall ſave one; at which therefore except the lews ſhould be converted, it ſhould neceſſarily come to paſſe, that they ſhould be deſtroyed (with the reſt of the enemies of Chriſt amongſt whom they yet remaine) in that great Day of univerſall revenge and judgement, which the next and laſt phyall ſhall bring upon them. Then the place of Eſay tending to that purpoſe Chap. 16.perſwadeth me to this, whence this of the Revelation is borrowed, as it is very likely. And the Lord, (ſaith he, Chap. 11. 15, 16.) will deſtroy (I had rather turne it. Like as the Lord hath deſtroyed) the tongue of the Egyptian Sea, and (rather [ſo]) he ſhall lift up his hand upon the River (Targum the River Euphrates) in the ſtrength of his ſpirit, and ſhall ſmite it in the ſeven ſtreames, ſo that m…n may paſſe over it dry ſhod. 16. And there ſhall be a way for the remnant of my people which ſhall be left by the Aſſyrians (therefore Euphrates is underſtood) as it was in that day, wherein he aſcended from the land of Egypt. Let the Reader looke upon Zach. 10. 10, 11. and there the Chalde Paraphraſt.
But what at length ſhall we ſay this Euphrates is, whoſe waters ſhall be dryed up? For I ſomething doubt whether it be to be taken literally or no, eſpecially in the place of Eſay. In the meane while to this of the Revelation I would have ſomething of a parable and allegory interlaced, and yet not very much; that the Analogie of the other phyals, concerning the object of the powring out, may alſo here remaine ſafe. For myſticall Babylon it ſeemeth ſhall have her Euphrates alſo, even as that ancient Babylon; to wit, the Turkiſh Empire as I conceive, which ſhall be the onelyonly obſtacle to thoſe new enemies from the Eaſt, and on that part the only defence of the Beaſt. Neither will ſuch underſtanding of Euphrates be without example of Eſay himſelf, who Chap. 8. 7. by the like parable of Euphrates hath expreſſed the Army of the Aſſyrians bordering upon the ſame River. The Lord, See Ierem. 47.2, &c.ſaith he, ſhall cauſe to come againſt them (the Syrians and the Iſraelites) the waters of that River (ſo Euphrates foreign is wont to be called) ſtrong and many, the King of Aſſyria and all his glory (Targum his Army) &c. why ſhould not now this Euphrates of the phyals by the ſame reaſon be underſtood of the Turks? being no leſſe borderers upon Euphrates before their overflowing then the Aſſyrians, yea inhabitants of the ſame tract. To this it maketh not alittle, that the looſing of that great Army of Horſemen long ſtayed at that great River Euphrates, at th… ſound of the ſixt trumpet, Chap. 9. 15. we interpreted to be meant of the Turks thence to overrun the Romane Empire, having followed the ſeries of the trumpets and the apt truth of the matter.
Therefore by the ſixt phyall this Euphrataean deluge ſhall be Chap. 16.dryed up. Plainly according to that which is ſaid, Chap. 11. that next after that overthrow of the Citie which ſhall come to paſſe in a great earthquake (which there we …itted to the former phyall) the ſecond woe ſhall be paſt, that is, the plague of the ſixt trumpet. But by what means, that is, to come to paſſe, and by what authors; whether by the Iews themſelves (which happily Ez… chiel intimateth, Chap. 38. and 39.) who ſhall poſſeſſe the holy land again; or by ſome inteſtine diſcord fitly to goe before the returne of theſe; or happily both, but in order and one after another; or by ſome other cauſe; we ſhall labour in vain in gueſſing, as at a matter wholly yet to come. Whatſoever it be, this let being removed, it is ſaid a way of going to ſome place is prepared, for theſe new Chriſtians from the Eaſt; and that as it ſeemeth to make an expedition againſt the Beaſt; to the ruine of whom all the phyals ſerve. For whence otherwiſe, or wherefore from this drying up ſhould ſo great a trembling and feare at an inſtant a… …aile the worſhippers of the Beaſt, yea even the Devils themſelves as it ſeemeth, that it ſhould miniſter occaſion for ſo horrible and unheard of a preparation for warre, as is here deſcribed; unleſſe they with their whole diabolicall band ſhould feare all extremitie by the coming of theſe new Kings of the Eaſt?
The ſeventh phyall upon the Aire.
The ſeventh and laſt phyall is powred out upon the Aire, that Verſ. 17.is, on the power of the Aire, or of Satan; embracing and foſtering in his boſome the dominions, not of the Beaſt onelyonly, but of all the enemies of our Lord Chriſt in what countrey ſoever. Now as the Beaſt fetcht his ſpirit and life from the beginning out of him; ſo upon his power and conduct eſpecially the laſt fortunes of the worſhippers of the Beaſt ſhall depend: which may appeare as well by the preparation of ſo many allyances and aydes for the warre of this laſt phyall, to be procured, as it is ſaid by diabolicall devices: as alſo from that, that the Dragon Satan, now not only by his Vicars the Beaſt and the falſe Prophet, beſtirreth himſelf to bring his matters to paſſe by raiſing this univerſall army; but he by himſelfe, in this laſt danger of his Kingdome it may ſeeme ſhall have his proper and peculiar parts to act alſo, verſ. 13. eſpecially in calling them forth to joyne in this warre, with whom Chap. 20.otherwiſe the Beaſt and falſe Prophet, as they had at no hand prevailed by their authoritie, ſo neither by favour, or repreſentation happily of the common danger.
Therefore upon ſo many enemies gathered together in one by the conduct of the power of the Aire, and ſhut up as it were in a Cave in Armageddon, the ſeventh Phyall ſhall thunder, not Verſ. 16.with a humane arme now any more, but with a heavenly and thunder ſtriking revenge (for it is the battell of that great day, and Verſ. 14.of God Almightie.) By this the overthrow of the Beaſt ſhall be throughly conſummate; neither ſhall there be an utter overthrow of a Cell only, or of ſo much as is within the wals of Babylon, as before under the fift Trumpet, but of the Citie it ſelfe, that is, of the Senate and people of Babylon, whereſoever they ſhall be after the deſtruction of the Towne: Moreover of all Kings, and Cities till then committing fornication with Idols and falſe gods, and of other Tyrants joyning together in oppoſition againſt the holy Church of Chriſt.