The Key of the Revelation, Part 1 · Section · Prophecy 1 – Part
Of the firſt prophecie which is of the ſeals: and firſt of the things meant by the firſt ſix ſeals.
The ſ…ope of the ſeven ſeals in ſum is, that, there might be ſhewed, by the diſtances of enſuing time diſtinguiſhed by the characters of events, in what order of the chances of the Romane empire running out, it ſhould come to paſſe that Chriſt ſhould vanquiſh the Gods of the world, what whom he had begun war: to wit in the ſixt courſe, or ſixt ſeal, the Gods of the Empire of Rome heathen; but in the ſeventh, when the courſe of the trumpets ſhall come to the laſt trumpet: whatſoever elſe of the worſhip of idols and devils did after there a new, or ſhould as yet any where elſe in the world ariſe, ſhould be utterly deſtroyed For he muſt reign untill he have put all his enemies under his feet, that is, ſhall have aboliſhed all contrary, principality, au…hority, and power, 1. Cor. 15. 25. Let us in the firſt place, handle the firſt period, as order requireth.Chap. …
The firſt ſix ſeals therefore, by a ſix fold character of events, (not much unlike to thoſe, which our Saviour alſo had foreſet, for the appointed time of the overthrow of Ieruſalem) do diſtinguiſh ſo many different times of the yet ſtanding and flouriſhing Romane Empire; untill at length in the ſixt, Chriſt ſhould utterly overthrow the power of idols, and heathen gods in that region. Now characters I call the notable chances of the Romane Empire, whereby as by certain emblems, the different times are diſce…ned: and thoſe in this firſt period, not brought from without by the barbarous nations, (ſuch as were of the Empire under the plagues of the ſeven rumpets afterwards falling;) but inteſtine chances, and riſing in the very Empire it ſelfe, which difference certainly is therefore ſet by the holy ſpirit, that by unlike markes the unlike times of the R…ane eſtate, here flouriſhing, there decaying, may be deſcribed.
Moreover that commeth here to be obſerved. Since theſe characters of ch…nces which I have named, ſcarſe or ſeldom go through the whole ſpace of the ſeal: and therefore, no way by themſelves avail, for the limiting of their different times, by any certain beginning and end: therefore the holy Ghoſt in the four firſt ſeals (where that ſhould be moſt requiſite, as well for the cauſe aforeſaid, as for the in equality of the different times) hath further uſed foure Beaſts for the ſame purpoſe; every of which ſhould Ep…ch…m.demonſtrate the computation of the ſeal appertaining to its own quarter. How that is done, we ſhall ſee anon. It ſhall ſuffice now to have given warning of it.
Chap. 6.
1. And I ſaw when the Lamb opened one of the ſeals, and I heard one of the foure Beaſts, as it were the voice of thunder, ſaying, Come and ſee.
2. And I ſaw, and behold a white horſe, and he that fate upon him had a bowe, and a crown was given unto him; and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
3. And when he had opened the ſecond ſeal, I heard the ſecond Beaſt, ſaying, Come and ſee, 4. and there went …ut another horſe that was red; and to him which ſate upon him, there was given, that he ſhould take peace from the earth, and that they ſhould kill one another; and there was given unto him a great ſword.
5. And when he had opened the third ſeal, I heard the third Beaſt, ſaying, Come and ſee. And I ſaw, and behold a black horſe; and he that ſate on him, had a paire of ballances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midſt of the foure Beaſts ſaying, a meaſure of wheat for a peny, and three meaſures of barley for a peny; and hurt not the oile and the wine.
7. And when he had opened the fourth ſeal, I heard the voice of the fourth Beaſt ſaying, Come and ſee. 8. And behold a pale horſe; and he that ſate upon him, his name was Death, and hell followed him; and power was given to to them over the fourth part of the earth to kill with the ſword, with hunger, and withdeath, and with the beaſts of the earth.
Of the firſt ſeal.
The firſt chance of the Romane Empire, and ſurely very notable, Chap. 6.is the originall of the victory of Chriſt; whereby the Romane Gods begin to be vaniſhed, and their worſhippers, being pierced with the arrowes of the goſpel, begin every where to fall away and to ſubmit themſelves to Chriſt the conqueror. foreign, ſaith he, foreign (mark it well) foreign that is, he hath not yet fully overcome, but hath laid the foundation of the victorie, thence forward more and more to be accompliſhed.
The diſcloſer of this ſeal is the firſt Beaſt, in ſhape of a Lion, Verſe 1, 2.1.ſtanding at the eaſt; and ſheweth a horſman comming out of his Chap. 4.7.quarter, that is, an Emperour, from whoſe getting on horſeback to ride, that is, comming to his Empire, the diſtinct ſpace of the firſt ſeal is to begin; to wit from the glorious exaltation of our Chap, 6.Lord Ieſus Chriſt; by the leading and guidance of which Emperour from the Eaſt this war is waged, and the victor y gotten The beginnings of the following ſeals are directed by the Romane Emperours; but where the victorie of Chriſt is deſcribed, regard was to be had of him alone being Emperour.
And now this ſeal once paſſed, the oracles of the Gods through the whole Romane world became ſilent; and Iohn the laſt of the twelve Apoſtles of Chriſt, having fulfilled the taske of his warefare, paſſed out of this life, to receive an immortall crown in the heavens, together with his follow Apoſtles his brethren, for their work valiantly and happily accompliſhed.
And that, to be carryed on horſ-back is abadg of authority, and of them that rule and governe, is to be ſeene out of the greek interpretation Pſal. 45. 5. wherein proſper thou and ride, is, foreign, goe on proſperouſly and raigne: neither doth the Chalde differ from this ſ…nce, which tranſlateth, that thou maieſt ryde upon the throne of the Kingdome. So the woman ryding upon the Beaſt Chap. 17. 3. is expounded by the Angell foreign, the City which raigneth, ver 18. And the word of ryding is uſed in the ſame ſenſe Deut. 32, 13. Eſay. 58. 14. Pſal. 66. 12.
Of the ſecond Seale.
The ſecond memorable chance of the Roman Empyre, the Verſe 4.embleme of the ſecond ſeale is foreign Murther or inteſtine ſlaughter; the like to which is ſcarſe in all the Roman hiſtory. And there was given, ſayeth he, to him that …a…e on this horſe, that he ſhould take peace from the earth (that is, that, he ryding, peace ſhould be taken from the earth,) foreign and that men ſhould kill one another, which laſt part of the ſence, doth ſtrengthen the explication of the former. For in what other ſen…e ſhould theſe words be taken, that it was given to him …ap. ….that ſitteth on the horſe, that men ſhould kill one another? unleſſe it were given, or came to paſſe, that, he indeed riding; men ſhould excerciſe cruelty in mutuall murders, and ſlaughters.
The diſcloſer of this ſeal is the ſecond Beaſt, in the ſhape of a Bullock, placed at the weſt: and whileſt in the viſion he …iddeth look back towards him, thereby he warneth; that this ſeal beginneth, when Trajan the Spaniard bare rule, being an Emperour comming from the weſt. Dion; Trajan a man of Spaine, he was neither of Italy nor an Italian: before him no man of another nation obtained the Empire of Rome. But thenceforth from him the ſame ſtock raigned even untill Commodus where the ſpace o… this ſeal endeth.
The beginning therefore being drawen from this Emperour, let us ſeek that memorable accident foreign of killing one another. But the thing was done, by the Gontiles and Iew…s, then dwelling together throughout the Romane Empire, both where Trajan and his ſucceſſor Hadr…an guided the ſterne of the Empire. What was done under Tra…a…, take not upon mine, but upon the joynt words of Dion and Oroſius. The Ie…s, ſaith Oroſius, in anincredible commotion at one time, as it were made wilde with …urie were mightily incenſed through the whole world. For they waged moſt cruell wars even through all Libia, …gainſt the inhabitants: which then was made ſo deſolate the …habitants thereof being ſlaine, that except Hadrian the Emperour had afterwards brought thither Colenies gathered from other places; it had remained altogether vacant, without inhabitant. They which dwelt about Cyrene, (ſaith Dion) one Andreas being their Captain, do ſlay aſwell Romanes as Greekes, they feed of their fleſh, and eat their bowels; they are beſmeared with their blood, and clothed with their skinnes. Many they ſawed aſunder through the midſt, from their crown of the head, many they caſt to Beaſts. many they conſtrained to combate between themſelves; ſo that they ſlew two hundred Chap. 6.and twenty thouſand men. He goeth on furthermore in Egypt the like ſlaughter was made, and in Cyprus Artenio being Captain, where alſo there periſhed two hundred and forty thouſand. They raced Salamis a city of Cyprus, having ſlain all the dwellers therein [Oroſ. Euſeb.] But in Alexandria in joyned battail, they were overcome and waſted. [Oroſ.] At length by others, but ſpecially by Lyſius, whom Trajan had ſent, they are ſubdued. In Meſop…tamea alſo, war is brought upon the Rebels by the commandment of the Emperour. [Oroſ. Euſeb.] And ſo, many thouſands of them did utterly periſh by theſe outragiuos ſlaughters.
Hitherto thoſe things which happened under Trajan. But thou wilt ſay, is there any thing under Hadrian to be compared with theſe? whether they were not equall, let the reader judge. I dare ſay not much leſſe. For as yet we have ſaid nothing of that renowned Rebellion Ba…cocheba the counterfeit Meſſias being Captain. Here that therefore alſo in the words of the ſame Dion: when, ſaith he, Hadrian had brought a Colonie into the city of Ieruſalem, and in the place where the temple of God had b…, had procured another to be built to Iupiter Capitolinus: a great and continued war began to ariſe there upon, whole Iudea to be in commotion, all the lews every where in …umult, bringing great damage ſecretly, and openly upon the Romanes; and very many other nations for the deſire of gain joyned with them, and for that cauſe almoſt all the world was in an uproare. He goeth on; theſe Hadrian though too late yet at length ſubdued and brake, ſending all the beſt of his Captains againſt them, but (the multitude and deſper…teneſſe of them being known) they durſt not charge them but ſinglely; there being ſlam in excurſions, and battails, not leſſe then five hundred and …ourſcore thouſand, But the multitude was ſuch, of thoſe that periſhed with famine, ſickneſſe, and fire, that the number could not be found out. But was that victorie eaſie to the Romanes, and without blood? No verily, for ſo many, ſaith he, of the Roma…es alſo periſhed in that war, that Hadrian, when he wrote to the Senate, uſed not that preface, which the Emperours were accuſtomed to uſe, Sivos, liberique veſtri valetis, bene …ſt, ego quidem et exercitus valemus. If you, and your children fare well, it is well, I truely and the army are well. Theſe things Dion relateth concerning the commotion of the Iews under that ſonne of the ſtar, as they called him, or rather, of the Lyſard, of whom Euſebius further writeth, that he ſhew with Stellion…s.all kinde of tortures the Chriſtians, being unwilling to aide him againſt the Romane army.
If any pleaſe to heare the Iews themſelves eſtimating their ownloſſe; the Author of the book Iuchaſi… writeth that Hadrian put to death in this war more then twice ſo many Iews, as came out of Egypt. Another in the book intituled foreign which foreign Page 126.Druſius commendeth in Prateritis, that neither Nebu…had-nezz ar nor Tyrus had ſo afflicted them as Hadrian the Emperour. So that this ruine ſeemeth to have been the moſt grievous fit of all that incredible tribulation, which our Saviour had foretold ſhould come upon the Iews. And therefore not unworthily choſen by the holy Ghoſt, before all other events of that time, for the exproſſing of this ſecond ſpace, ſince …t excelleth as well becauſe of the nation, as of an accompliſhment ſo renowned.
Of the third ſeal.
The diſcl…ſer of the third ſeal is the third Beaſt, in the ſhape of a man, ſtanding at the South: and therefore ſheweth, this ſeal Verſe ….Chap. 6.beginneth, at the coming of an Emperour from that quarter, to wit Septinius Severus an Affrican, an Emperour … of the South of whom Eutropius ſaith thus: born in Africa, of the province of Tripolis, the towne of Leptis the onelyonly Emperour out of Affric… both before and after ever mentioned.
And the moſt would have the matter of this ſeal to be ſamine, or dearth of victuals; their argument being drawn as well from the black colour of the horſe, as alſo from the prizing of come, Verſe …,A meaſure of wheate for a peny and three meaſures of barley for a peny; to which purpoſe alſo they conceive the paire of ſcales in the hand of the rider ſ…rve; to wit not ſo much for meaſuring, as for weighing of victuals for the great ſcarſity.
And ſurely I had never called this interpretation into queſtion. (it ſeemeth ſo apt at the firſt ſight) if the event had anſwered it. But I finde in this age, and in this courſe of the ſeals no extraordinary thing concerning famine and worthy the honour of a character. For that which is brought out of the Tertallian to Scapula I ſuppoſe is of no great conſequence. For if the harveſt f…iled in Africa ſometime when Hilarianus was preſident, which he ſaith it did, It followeth not therefore, that it was either gene…rall through the Romane Empire, or in the age of Severus. Hence it commeth to paſſe, while I do a little more neerly looke into the reaſon of the Symbole, I ſeem to gather and that by no van demonſtrations, that it rather tendeth to another purpoſe: For itſeemeth that the paire of ballances cannot ſo fitly be joyned with the meaſure, as that interpretation requireth; when as a paire of ballances are for weighing, but Chaenix is the name of a meaſure. Furthermore, ſince that the condition of the Beaſt diſcloſing doth neerly agree to the ſignifications of the other ſeals; of the Lyon, to victorie: of the Bullock to ſlaughter: the Eagle of the next ſeal to dead bodies; but here there ſhould be no matter of agreement. For with congruence both a man wi…h famine? Chap. ….And the colour black, neither in it owne nature, nor in the old prophets uſe, is reſtrained onelyonly to famine, but ſerveth as well to expreſſe ſadneſſe, mourning, and terrour.
Let therefore the matter of this ſeal be, not famine or dearth of victuals, but the adminiſtration and ſeverity of …uſtice through the Romane Empire, more glorious and notable then in any paſt or following times. For as touching the figure, the colour of the horſe, doth agree to the ſeverity of Iuſtice. That the weights are a Symbole of juſtice, is ordinary; and at this day no man is ignorant that juſtice is painted with a paire of ballances. But that which is added concerning the prizing, if thou obſerve, will ſeeme to found thus. Take not from any one wheat, or barley, except the juſt price be payed: and keep alſo the like law of juſtice in wine or oyl: As if he ſhould provide againſt theeves, and had ſaid, ſteal not. For a penny was the ordinary wages for a dayes …work, which appeareth out of the goſpel. And it was alſo the daily ſtipend of ſouldiers. Chanix ſignifieth a pi…tance for a day, foreign, but in a very uncertain meaſure. For it …aried in reſpect … Caſp…rns wa…erus an…ent meaſures lib. 2. Chap ….of the nations, places, and men. To omit leſſer meaſures of ſhepheards, of baylives, of husbandry, and vinedreſſers: a ſouldiers Chaenix was …oure Sextaries. But in an old Greeke and Latin Lexicon foreign is halfe a buſhell, that is, double a ſouldiers: yea with the Septuagints Ezeki…l. 45. 10, 11. foreign is a Bath, the largeſt meaſure of the Hobrewes. Out of ſo uncertain a meaſure of the Chaenix, how can any thing be wreſted concerning famine, or dearth of victual…? Therefore I take a Chaenix here, for any pittance for a day, and penny for any price of a pittance. So the reaſon of the interpretation which I gave ſhall be evident.
Now it is wonderfull to ſee, how the event favoureth the interpretation, Chap 6.while Severus and Alexander ruled, being the moſt renowned riders of the black horſe. Concerning Severus, thoſe things which thou mayeſt read here and there in Aurelius, I will gather together into one ſumme, keeping the Authours words; and the ſame I ſhall do for La…pridius concerning Alexander. There was no man, ſaith Aurelius, more renowned in the common wealth then Severus, a maker of moſt juſt lawes. One that would at no hand pardon offences, he advanced every valiant man with rewards. He ſuffered honours in his dominion to be ſold to none▪ He ſuffered not the leaſt robbery to go unpuniſhed, puniſhing his own me… chiefly oft for it, which by the fault of the Captaines, or of his li…ftenants, he could ſcarce upon good proofe underſtand to be done. Spartianus witneſſeth with Aurelius, whil…ſt he calleth him both implacable to offences, and every where an enemy to theeves.
But theſe were of no account in reſpect of theſe things which Lampridius hath of Alexander the ſon of Mammea, in both which therefore the ſum of the character of this ſeal ſeemeth to conſiſt. He (ſaith he) ordained moderate and infinite laws, concerning the right of the people, and treaſurie, neither did he make any conſtitution without twenty lawyers. A moſt ſevere Judge againſt theeves, pronouncing them guilty of dayly wickedneſſes, condemning them ſharply; and calling them the onelyonly foes and enemies to the common wealth, commanded them (he ſpeaketh except I be deceived of theeviſh judges) never to be ſeen in the cities, an… if they ſhould be ſeen, to be carried out by the r…lers of the provinces. Eucolpius (who was his moſt familiar friend) ſaith he, reported of him, that if he had ſeen a theeviſh Judge at any time, he had his finger ready, that he might put out his eye. Septinnus addeth, who lively expreſſed his life, that Alexander was ſo Chap. 6,enraged againſt thoſe judges, that were famed to be theeves, though they were not condemned, that if by chance he ſhould ſee them, by reaſon of the perturbation of his minde, he would vomit the choler of his ſtomake, his whole countenance being enflamed, that he could ſpeake nothing: yea he gave forth an Edict by the cryer, that no man ſhould come into the preſence, who knew himſelfe to be a theefe, leaſt ſometime being detected he ſhould be put to death. He goeth forward, if any of the ſouldiers had turned out of the way into any mans poſſeſſion; according to the quality of his place, he was either to be beaten with cudgells in his preſence, orroddes, or to be condemned; or, if the dignity of the man ſhould exceed all theſe, he was to ſuffer grievous contumelies; at which time of puniſhment he would ſay, wouldeſt thou, that that ſhould be done in thy ground that thou doeſt to anothers? And he did often utter with a loud voice, that which he had heard of certain either Iews or Chriſtians, and he remembred it; and commanded it to be ſpoken by a cryer when he puniſh…d any, That which thou wouldeſt not have done to thy ſelfe, doe not to another, which ſentence he ſo much loved, that he commanded it to be engraven both in his Palace, and in publique buildings.
Behold Reader, the ryder of the black horſe, royal…y holding up the golden ballance of Juſtice ſent down from heaven, in the theater of the world, which was ſo remarkeable in a pagan Emperour, that it ſhould be a wonder to no man, that the Spirit of God had reſpect thereto in this ſeal.
Otherwiſe concerning the prizing of wheate and barl…y.
This prizing of wheate and barley, &c. May alſo be underſtood of the famous proviſion of graine throughout theſe time. For it may ſeem that in thoſe words there is this meaning alſo, ſo to provide for the plenty of corne, that victualls may be ſold for an aequall price, and ſuch a price, as every one may be a…le to pay. A Chaenix of wheate for a penny; that is, let the daily pittance of wheate be ſold for the price, or wages, or revenew of a dayes labour: to wit that none ſhould have need, to ſpend more a day in victuals then what is allowed him to be ſpent for a day. And that alſo, three Chaenices of barley for a penny, may ſeeme to belong to the …qualizing of the price, according to the quality of the wares: if ſuch interpretation ſhall pleaſe any, the event here alſo anſwereth preciſely.
Spartianus of Severus. That little corne, ſaith he, which he found, he ſo husbanded, that he dying, left ſeven yeeres revenue of corne to the people of Rome: ſo that they ſhould be able to ſpend daily. 75000. buſhells. He, firſt gave to the people of Rome a largeſſe of oyl every day, yet he left thereof ſo much, that for the ſpace of five yeers it ſhould ſuffice not onelyonly the uſe of the city, but even whole Italy, that wanted oil as if inde…d he would have fulfilled what here is added foreign In oyl alſo and wine be thou not unjuſt. The like hath Lampridius concerning A…exander: The proviſion of victualls, ſaith he, of the people of Rome h… ſo helpt, that when Heli…gobalus had waſted the corne, he reduced it to the former courſe with his own money. The oyl alſo, ſaith the ſame Author, that Severus had given to the people, and which Heliogabalus had dim…i hed, …e wholly reſtored and alſo he added oil to the lights for the Baths.
Of the fourth Seal.Chap. … ▪
The diſcloſer of the fourth ſeal is the fourth Beaſt, in ſhape of verſe … ▪an Eagle, ſtanding at the North: whereby is ſhew…d, that the beginning of the ſeal is to be fetcht from an Emperour thence ariſing, that is, Maximinus the Thracean bred and brought up in the North. Iulius Capitolinus, Maximinus out of a towne of Thracia neighbouring upon the Barbariansbegotten of a Barbarian both father and mother.
The character of this ſeal is a meeting together of Sword, Famine, and Peſtilence raging at one time, ſo as never at any other, whereupon it is ſaid, that upon him that ſitteth upon the horſe is put the name of Death, that is in the nation of the Hebrewes, who uſe the abſtracts for the concretes, foreign or verſe ….Mortiferi bringer of death, becauſe he brought ſo many deathes with him into the world. For with the ſame Hebrewes eſpecially the prophets, to be called by the name, ſometimes purporteth the ſame as to be, or to exiſte, but in a more excellent or ſpeciall maner: as Eſay 7▪ 14. and 9. 6. Jeremiah. 23. 6. and 20. 3. Z…. 6. 12. and 20.3. Za…. 6.12. & here in the Revelation chap 19.13. ſo that to have the name of Death, is no other thing in this place, then ſingularly and notoriouſly to be foreign or Mortiferum the bringer of Death. To which purpoſe is that alſo, that Hell (as a ſurveyer of funeralls (accompanieth the ſame.Libitindrius.
Now let us look into the event. And ſurely never ſince the ſeals began, did theſe three joyntly and in ſo notable a manner rage. I will begin at ſlaughter, and I omit the things which this age ſuffered from a …orraine enemy, truely moſt grievous things; the Of the ſword.Barbarians with rapines and murders waſting almoſt the whole Empyre, under the Emperours Gallus and Voluſianus. But thoſe things come not …n to this reckoning; we look after inteſtine and Domeſtique. Ten therefore more or leſſe Emperours and C…ſars, Chap. 6.which are counted lawfull, in the compa…e of this ſeal, that is, the ſpace of three and thirty yeeres or few more did the ſword, not of their enemies, but their own Subjects take away. In the ſame ſpace, under the Empyre of Gallienus alone, thoſe thirty tyrants which Pollio mentioneth, or perhaps one or two leſſe, roſe up in divers parts of the Romane Empire: and almoſt all theſe ſlain either by their own, or by another, or were put to death by the lawfull Emperours So that Oroſius ſaid not without cauſe of this plague that it was made famous not by the ſlaughter of the common The ſword.people, but by the woundes and deathes of princes.
To conclude the Emperours themſelves, and firſt Maximinus, and laſt of all Gallienus, how cruell were they? Maximinus, Iulius Capitolinus being witneſſe, was ſo cruell, that ſome named him Cyclops, others Buſicis, others Sciron, ſome Platar…. many Typhon or Gyges. The Senate ſo feared him, that they prayed in the Temples publikely and privately, even the women with their children, that he might never ſee the city of Rome. For they heard that ſome were cruci…ied, others encloſed in Beaſts newly killed, others caſt to wilde Beaſts, others bruiſed with cudgells, and all theſe without regard of dignity. The ſame man goeth forward. He ſlew all that knew his diſcent, to hide the baſeneſſe of his birth, yea and ſome of his friends, who for pity and affection had often given him many things; Neither was there a more cruell Beaſt upon the Earth. To conclude, ſaith he, without judgement without accuſation, without an accuſer, without defence he …lew all (of the …action of ſome great one, which had been Conſul,) took away the goods of all, and could not ſatisfie himſelfe with the ſlaughter of above four thouſand men.
Heare alſo what Trebellius Pollio in the book of thirty tyrants ſaith of Gallineus. Inge…us ſaith he, being ſlain, who was n…med Emperour of the Maſian legions, he bitterly ſhewed his Chap. 6.cruelty u…on all the Moeſi…ns, aſwell ſouldiers as citizens, neither did any of them wholly eſcape his cruelty: and was ſo ſharpe and cruel, that he left moſt of the cities void of the male ſexe. The ſame Author upon the life of Gallienus. The Seythians ſaith he, …oing through Capad…cea, the ſouldiers thought againe of making a new Emperour: all whom Gallienus after his manner ſlew. Head…eth in the end: He was t…o …oo cruell to the ſouldiers, for he ſlew 3000. or 4000. every day. Pellio alſo on the ſame life of Gallienus re…orteth a very memorable example of the Bizanti…e ſlaughter executed, partly by the ſouldiers, partly by Gallienus himſelfe. That no evill ſhould be wanting, ſaith he, in the times of Gallienus, the city of the Birantines renowned for Sea fights, and the place which barreth in the Euxine Sea, was ſo wholly C…anſtrum panti …m.deſtroyed by the ſouldiers of Ga…ienus, that there was not a man left. For revenge of which deſtruction, Gallienus being againe received to Biza…tium, he ſlayeth all the ſouldiers unarmed, being compaſſed, round with the armour, breaking the covenant which he had made.
So much for ſlaughters. I come to Peſtilence: which here according to the Eaſterne cuſtome is called foreign Death. So the …f …ſtilence.Chalde Parapraſt for foreign peſtilence liketh to pu… foreign Death, and the Septuagi…ts for the moſt part tranſlate it foreign death and in the like notion it is wont to be called mortality by Ecleſiaſticall writers which now hath paſſed into many mother tongues. But concerning the peſtilence, it is a thing ſo notorious and manifeſt, that i… i… not needfu…l to heap arguments to make good the truth of the pr…phecie I will diſpatch it in a word. Zonaras …s my Author, neither have others been ſi…ent, under the Emperours Gallus and Ʋoluſianus, the peſtilence ariſing from Ethiopia, went through all the provinces of Rome, and for fifteene yeers together incredibly Lipſ…us de Conſtant. 2 23. Chap. 6. Of famine.waſted them. Neither did I ever read of a greater pla…ue, (ſaith an eminent man in our age) for that ſpace of time or land.
There rem…ineth yet famine of thoſe three calamities, which ſurely could not be wanting from this age, although …one of the ancients had brought it to light, any man may thence gather that Chap. 6.almoſt all the Empire through theſe times was ſo polled and conſumed by the rapines and waſtes of the Scythians, that no Nation, if credit be given to Zoſi…us, of the Roman dominion remained free, almoſt all the townes deprived of wals: and being deprived of them, the greateſt part were taken. How could it come to paſſe, but that the fields ſhould be forſaken in ſuch waſtes, plowing neglected, and whatſoever proviſion there was any where for food, ſpoiled?
And that in truth it came ſo to paſſe, is manifeſt by the Epiſtle of Dyoniſius Alexandrinus who the… lived, to his brethren; …pud E…ſeb. Hi…or. lib …. c…a. 17wherein he teſtifieth, that that fearefu… peſtilence, which wee mentioned, ſucceeded the war & famine. After theſe things, ſaith he, that is, the perſecution which was under Decius (for he meaneth that which went before the peſtilence, foreign, both war and famine followed, which wee ſuffered together with the Heathen, and a little after. But when, ſaith hee, both we and they had had a little reſpite, that peſtilence came upon us, a thing more terrible to them then any terror, and more lamentable then any calamitie; and to us an exerciſe and triall inferiour to none of the reſt. Cyprian confirmeth it in his Apologie to Demetrianus. When ſaith he, thou ſayeſt that very many complaine that it is imputed to us, that wars ariſe oftner, that the peſtilence and famine do rage, and that it is ſuch ſtormie and ra…nie weather, we ought not any longer to be ſilent, &c.
That which is further added in the text concerning the Beaſts; if it be divers from the former, and do not rather ſignifie, that the Tyrants were the cauſe of theſe calamities, who like wilde beaſts raged in theſe times in the Roman Empire: it will then point out that evill wherewith the Eaſterne and Southerne regions were uſually p…ſtered in this caſe: namely that when the famine and the peſtilence raged, the Beaſts would grow ſtrong againſt men, and ſlay them, as may be ſ…en, Levit. 26.22. Ezek. 14.15.21. But Deut. 7▪ 22▪the changing of the conſtruction doth more favour the former opinion: foreign, if thou render it atque id per Beſtias terrae, and that by the Beaſts of the earth.
foreign quartam partem terra the fourth part of the Verſe ….earth-over which it is ſaid power was given to hell and to death to tyranize, except any conceive himſelf able to defend the vulgar interpreter here, with whom foreign, that is' Chap. ….a quaternion, or four parts of the earth) I expound it of the chiefeſt, or by much the greateſt part of the Romane Empire. For ſince the third part of the earth (as ſhall be ſaid in the proper place) doth note out the largeneſſe of the Romane Empire, by conſequence the fourth part of the earth is the ſame dominion of Rome, leſſe by a fourth part: and ſo that three or four fold company of calamities went through three quarters of the Romane Empire, that is, almoſt the whole one fourth part thereof onelyonly being free. And ſurely Or…ſius ſeemeth to affirme, that the peſtilence extended not it ſelfe further, then (to uſe his words) the Edicts of Decius did run for the overthrow of the Churches. Of the reſt I have nothing to ſay. And thus much of the 4th Seale.
Of the fifth Seale
The two Seales that follow, have no help from the Beaſts, as the former had, concerning the time of their beginning, and therefore none here any more to be ſeene that ſit upon horſes, whereeupon that ſignification given by the Beaſts did depend. the ſpace therefore of both, is there to begin, where the chance of the Seale going before left, which certainly may be very eaſie where the chances, as here, ſhall be ſuch, that the determination of them cannot lie hid, in reſpect of remarkeable evidence.
Wherefore the fifth Seale ſhall begin from the Empire of Aurelianus, in the yeere 268. at what time the fifteene yeers pe…tilence is extinguiſhed, which was the longeſt of all the calamities of the former Seale.
Now the moſt notable chance of the Roman eſtate under this Seale, and which went beyond all other events of that time, is that Perſecution of the Chriſtians begun by Diocleſian, continued by others, the moſt bitter by much of all which ever were. Former ages ſaw nothing comparable to this. It was longer and more …ruell (they are the words of Oroſius) then almoſt any forepaſſed. For there was a continuall burning of Churches, proſcribing of Innocents, ſlaughter of Mar…yrs, for ten yeeres ſpace. Forthwith in the beginning of that ten yeeres, within thirtie dayes about 17000. men are reported to have been butchered, neither did the furie of the perſecuters aſſwage in the progreſſe of time. In Egypt alone, (how ſmall a part of the Empire of Rome?) if Chap. 6. De em…datione temp…um lib. 5. de prime anno D…ocletiam & Coptitar.credit be given to Doctor Ignatius Patriarch of Antioch, as Scaliger hath it, there were butchered 144000. men; and 700. baniſhed, whence the Diocletian Aera took its name, among the Egyptians, and that to this day it ſhould be called the Martyrs, Aera, what now doeſt thou judge was done in the other Provinces through the Romane Empire? All the world almoſt was ſtained with the Sacred blood of the Martyrs, ſaith Sulpitius Severus. The world was never more exhauſted of blood by any wars, neither did the Church ever conquer with greater triumph (they are the words of the ſame Author) then when it could not be conquered with ten yeeres ſlaughter.
This ſlaughter is figured by the viſion of the ſouls of thoſe that were ſlaine for the word of God, and for the teſtimonie which Verſe ….they bare, lying under the Altar, that is, upon the ground, at the foot of the Altar, like Sacrifices newly …laine. For Martyrdom is a certain kind of ſacrifice, whence that of the Apoſtle to Timothy, his Martyrdom being at hand, foreign, I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand 2. Tim. 4.6. To the ſame purpoſe alſo is that of the ſame Apoſtle to the Philippians 2. 17. If I be offered up upon the ſacrifice and ſervice of your faith, &c.
That further they are ſaid to cry to God with alowde voice, requiring vengeance of their blood, it is a Periphraſis of extream cruelty and rype for judgement, as it were ſuch as for the barbarouſnes therof did ſollicite the very patience of God to revenge. How long, ſay they, Lord, holy and true, doeſt thou not judge, and revenge our blood upon them which dwell upon the earth.Verſe 10.
In the mean while there are given to every one of them white robes, that is, they are choſen into the order of the bleſſed. The Ve…ſ… 11.ſimilitude being taken from the cuſtom… of the Jewes in approving & admitting prieſts; to wit, receiving thoſe, whom for their genealogie and perfection of body, they had judged fit (being clothed with white robes) into the court of the Prieſts, and ſo choſing them into the order of prieſthood. Majemonides in Miſchine lib. 8. tit. Biath Hammikdaſ…, cha. 6. §. 11. That which is cleerly expreſſed, cha. 7.13, 14, 15. whereof thoſe that were clothed with white robes, it is ſaid, That they are before the throne of God & worſhip him (to wit) as prieſts) day & night in the temple.
But to the cry of blood it is anſwered, that they ſhould reſt yet a little while, untill their fellow ſervants were fulfilled, and Chap. 6.their brethren, which were to be ſlaine as they were; that is, that they ſhould forbeare a little while, untill ſome of their brethren ſhould be added to the number, who, after that Chriſtianiſme did now begin to reigne, were as they, likewiſe to be ſlaine, under Licinius, Julianus, and the Arrians; and then at the ſounding of the trumpets, ſolemne revenge ſhould be taken of the Empire guiltie of ſo much blood.
Of the ſixth Seale.
The ſixth Seale beginneth where the fifth endeth; that is, from the yeere of Chriſt 311. wherein that terrible ten yeers perſecution ceaſed.
Now the chance is an admirable ſhaking of the heaven and the earth; Whereby that wonderfull change and ſubverſion of the State of Rome heathen, by Conſtantine the great and his Succeſſours, the Standard-bearers of the Lambe, is figured: whereby ſuppoſe all the heathen gods ſhaken out of their heaven, the Biſhops and prieſts degraded, dejected, and deprived of their revenewes for ever; the Temple, Churches, and Shrines of devils through the whole Romane Empire daſhed, beaten downe, burned, and demoliſhed. Furthermore the Emperous, Kings, and Princes, who thought to help their gods ſo greatly in danger, to denounce war againſt Chriſts Standerd-bearers, to fight with their forces, and being even conquered, to renew the battell with all their ſtrength, were ſlaine with admirable ſlaughters, diſcomfited and put to …light: untill at laſt, the eſtate growing deſperate, there was none could be found to ſuccour any more the Romane religion, entring into ruine with ſo great a craſh. So I conceive I have comprehended in a few words, whatſoever the holy Ghoſt would ſet …ut by thoſe lofty allegories pertaining to this ſeal. And this is the firſt fulfilling of the victory of Chriſt, the foundation whereof was laid in the firſt ſeal. For the noting of which, in what age of the Empire it ſhould happen, the ſeales which hitherto have gone before doe ſerve, the differences of time which in the meane ſpace did run on being foreſhewed. It remaineth now, that we apply to the ſeverall parts of the propheticall Chap. 6.allegorie, the interpretation already given, and ſhew the reaſon thereof: which we will doe, the whole context being firſt ſe …efore our eyes; which is thu….
12. And I beheld when he ha… ope…eath ſixt ſeal, and lo there was a great earthquake, and the S…n became as black as ſackcloth of haire, and …he [whole] Moone became like blood.
13. And the ſtars of heaven fell upon the earth, as a fig…ree …aſteth her unripe figgs, when it is ſhaken of a mighty wind…; and the heaven departed as a booke that is rolle: together. 14. And every mountain and Iſland were moved out of their places.
15. And the Kings of the earth and the great men and the tribunes, and the rich men and the mighty, and …very bond …an and every freeman hide themſelves in dens and the rocks of the moun…ains.
16. And ſaid to the mountains and rock…; fall on us and hi…e us from the face of him that ſitteth upon the throne, a…d from the wrath of the Lamb.
17. Bec…uſe the great day of his wrath is come, and who ſhall be able to ſtand?
Theſe repreſentations of terrible ſlaughters, and as I may ſay, turning things upſide down are o…dinary, uſed by the prophets Maje…onides. Mo…e Neb part. 2 cap 29. The A…a…ians, ſay of him to whom ſome ſinguler mi…for…ne hath happened that his heaven i… tur…ed o ea…th, or hath falle… upon hi… ea…th compare it w…h …amen…. ….1. Chap. 6.after the cuſtom of the Eaſt; as our poets alſo have their figures, their ornaments. So Ieremy chap. 4. 24. he deſ…ribeth the deſtruction of Iudea, as if all things were to be re…uced to t…e ancient Chaos. I beheld the earth, ſaith he, and behold foreign it was without forme and void; and the heavens, and there was no light in them. I ſaw the mountaines and lo they were moved, and all the hils and they were diſordered. See the reſt likewiſe Ioel chap. 2. 10. of the horrible deſtruction thereof by the army of the Northerne Locuſts. The earth trembled ſaith he, before him, the heavens were moved, …he ſun and moone were darkned, and the ſtars withdrew their br…ghtneſſe. But let us handle every one of them more diſtinctly.
Behold, ſaith he, there was a great earthquake in the Greeke Verſe 1….foreign, that is, a ſhaking of heaven and earth, as in the words following is manifeſt, For the latine word terrae motus, not doth fully expreſſe the Greek. For ſuch a… earthquake witneſſe the Apoſtle H…brewes 12. 26. upon the place of Haggai, yet once more and …aggai … 6.I will ſhake the heaven and the earth ſheweth foreign, Hag. 2.6.the change of thoſe things that are ſhaken. which may be confirmed out of the ſame Haggaus Vers 21 22. of the ſame chapt…r, where he i…terpreteth this parable of the change and alallteration of the kingdomes of the world by way of further explication. I will ſhake the heaven and the earth, and will ouerthrow foreign.the throne of kingdomes, and will deſtroy the ſtrength of the kingdoms of the heathen &c. we therefore as els wher in the Apocalyps, ſo here alſo, will underſtand by the ſhaking of the earth and heaven, the ruine of things; and as it were the turning of things vpſide downe.
And now the object of this change, as of the former chaunces alſo under the Seales, is the Romane Empyre; but not the Politique gouernment by the Ceſars for this forme is not yet to be disſolved) but as it is ſubiect in a religious reſpect to Satan as Prince, and to his angells the divells. This …ivelliſh government of the Roman Empyre, the ſtorme of which reſteth vponupon this Seale ſhallbe overthrowne and broken in peeces with a great noiſe.
And the Same becam… black as ſackcloth of haire and the Moone became as blood, that is, through defect, of …he adjective became ellipſimas redd as blood: now it is a circumlocution, of the eclipſe of the ligths, where in the Sunne is wont to appeare black, but the Chap. 6.Moone reddiſh. To which that of Eſay. chap. 13. 10. concerning the puniſhment of Babilon is altogether like. The ſame ſhallbe darkened verſe 21.in his riſing, and the Moone ſhall not give foorth her light Septuagiat. foreign as Mattheu. 24. 29. neither is there any other ſenſe to be made in the opinion of Aben Ezra of that in the ſame Eſay. c…ap. 24. concerning the dſtruction, wherewith the Lord being about to raigne in Ieruſalem (all on as in this Seale) would pu…niſh the hoaſte of heaven an high, a…d the Kings of the earth vponupon the earth The moone, ſaieth he, ſhalbe confounded, and the ſunn ſhalbe aſhamed (that is both Verſe 23.of them as if they hid their faces for ſhame, ſhallbe covered with da…kenes) when the Lord of hoaſts ſhall ra…gne i… mount Sion and in Ieruſalem and in the ſight of his auncients gloriouſly. But what doe theſe thinges thou wilt ſay belonge to the Romane Demonarchie? hearken and I will tell thee In the prophets (as thou ſhalt heare anon in the following viſions) every kingdom and bodie of go…ernment reſembleth the world: as the partes alſo, the heaven, the earth, the ſtars ſerve for that repre…entation, *That it was common with the Eaſter…e nations to vſe the parable of the world to figure things, it may appeare by the chimi call philoſophy proceeding from the Arabians and …gyptians, wherin all moſt every wordly body, likned to the world, is ſaid to be compact of heaven, Earth, and ſtarrs.for proofe whereof (to omitt others) that on place of Eſay ſuffizeth chap. 51. 15. I am the Lord thy God, who divided the Sea (it is the Red ſea) and the waves thereof roared, the Lords of …oaſts is his name. 16. And I putt my words in thy mouth (that is I give thee my law) and covered thee with the ſhadow of mine hand; that I may plante the heaven… and lay the foundation of the earth (that is, make thee a kingdome or politique world,) and ſay u…to Sion, thou art my people. The ſpeech is of the deliverance, wherewith God delivered the people of Iſra…l out of Egypt, that of them he m…ght found a kingdom or common wealth for himſelf in the land of promiſe. O…t of which alſo it will not be harde to gather, what that new heaven and new earth may be in the ſame prophet: (chap. 65. 17 and 66.22.) …o wit, a new world of the …ame forme, According to this repreſentation therefore, heaven in the Chap. 6.propheticall notion ſhall expreſſe whatſoever is lofty in the ſtate of any kingdome or common wealth, contrariwiſe the Earth, that which is in…eriour: and he ſt…r…, thoſe who obtaine and beare r…place in that height, by which reaſon the S…nne and the Moone the principall light, of heaven: the Sunne will point out the firſt foreignand chiefeſt Majeſty and dignity of a k…ngdome, the Moone the next to the firſt which c…rteinly it is ſo true, that the Chalde paraphraſt in the prophets often times for the Sunne and Moone doth put Kingdome, and glory, as Eſay 90, 20, I…r, 15. 9.
L…t therefore the Sunne in the Romane kingdome of idolls, by right of principality be …he D…agon him ſelfe, or Satan; eſpecially ſince the holy Ghoſt from him hath named the whol Romane Empyre in this ſtate …hat is here han…led chap. 12. the Red ſeven Verſe. ….headed Dargon, as there we ſhal…ſee. The Moone, the ſecond light of this heaven, thou may…ſt call the high Priſt…ood now from the very beginning anuexed to the Emperiall majeſty and as it were a part of him: or rather the Emperor being the high Pri…ſt of Sathan, with the whole colledge of high Prieſts, who made on body with the Emperor their head, and the ſame were chiefe both in the Religious ſervices of the Gods, and the whole Cicero in orat, Pro Domo ad … Pontif. Dioni…. lib. 2.common wealth, not bound to give any account to any power of Senate, or any aboue themſelves, and therefore not without cauſe to have the ſecond place in this kingdome to the Dragon himſelf. I confeſſe, it is not allwayes needfull, that in ſuch allegories ſo exact an account of every thing ſhould be requi…ed but when it may be donne, le…t us apply every ſeverall pe…icle. The Sunne therefore, which we have ſhewed, was then made black, and ſuffered the eclipſe and darkning of hi… d…refull majeſty when the Romane Emperors renouncing by …ap…i…me him, with Chap. 6.all his Angells, pompes, and wor…hip, gave them ſelves over to Chriſt the …n of righteouſnes. The Sunn… being thus darkned and deprived of its light, how ſhall the Moo… which …orrowet… all her light from the ſunne be ſafe; And ſurely Conſtantinus, Constantius, Valentianus, Valeus, ſtraight way as it was meete, did renounce the thing it ſelf, or the office of the high pr…hood, denying thenceforth to ſerve the divell: yet the name, which you would wonder at, they did no… preſently reject, but retayned it a litle while added …o the reſt of their titles. Gratianus firſt (a worthy work.) refuſed the title as alſo the po…ificial robe offered him by the Pre…ſtes after the cuſt…me, as unworthy a Chriſtian man▪ which chang ſurely was of ſuch conſequence that the Holy Ghoſt thenceforth will account …he Romane Caeſar, ſo deprived of his Preiſthood for a new as it were head and King of the Romane Beaſte, as in chap. 17. we ſhall …eare. But it that Moon ſhonne with ſome light though dimme and weake; untill Th…do…us the firſt that Malle of hetheni…me, tooke away …ve… the very col…edge of the po…iſts with all the other r…bble of Preeſt…s: by on …dict Empl…ying all their reven…w for his exchequor. Now therefore it was tyme for Sathan to ſeeke out for him ſelfe another high preiſte. But I go unto the reſt.
And the …a…rs of heaven fell …to the earth as a fig-tree caſteth her greene fi…gs, when it is ſh…ken of a mighty made: and the ver. 1….heaven depart… … a booke that is …owl… tog…ther.
O… the heaven vaniſhed, &c. That is, the ſtars of heaven appeared ver…. 14.not, even as letters va…iſh, in a booke rowled up together aft…r the manner of the auncie…ts. For there is an …llipſis of the former ſubſtantive on both ſides, familiar in the Hebrew, as Deut. …0.19. 2 kinges. 28. 31. and elſwhere often. So that this of the Chap. ….diſapearing of the heaven, and the other of the fa…l of the ſtarrs, do mutually explayne themſelves; neither are they to be ſeperated from on another, as it is amiſſe diſtinguiſhed, but they ought to have binne included within the ſame point. But the whole pla…e is taken out of E…ay. chap. 34. V. 4. where plainly in the ſelfe …ame repreſentation, but inverting the order, the holy Gho… doth paint out the deſtructio… …ond ruine of the Kingdom of Edom, as heare the kingdom of Idolls. The heavens, ſaieth he, ſhalbe rowled together as a booke, and all the hoaſts of them, (that is the ſtarrs) ſhall fa…l downe as the leafe from the vine tree, and as a fal…i…g greene figg from the figgtree. The meaning whereof the ſpirit▪ …n the Revelation would render ſomthing more cle…re by a double ſupply, of words; there with the additament of the word foreign departed, here of foreign, ſhaken of a mighty wind. Furthermore concerning the ſame ruine of Edom, with little milder circumſtances then Eſay, doe Obadia…, Ieremia 49 from the 7th. Ʋerſe. to the 22th. Ezechi…ll 35 through the whole, and 25 12 handle it, which therefore I mention leaſt any ſhould conceaue the deſcripſion of Eſay not to agree to that great day of univerſall iudgment. Now therefore to returne to the Revelation. The ſtars of the Roman heaven of idoll Gods were, both the Gods them ſelves, being cheiftaynes of this kingdom under Satan their Prince, and alſo the Preeſts being peeres though of an inferiour ranke: for ſtarrs with ſtarrs doe differ in degree and in height. Theſe therefore are they who in this wonderfull commotion of the Roman ſtate being ſhaken from their ſeates, fell to the earth, as a figgtree caſteth her greene figgs when it is ſhaken of a greate wind.
Neyther will any ſo much wonder at this interpretation of the Chap. 6.ſtar…s to be meant of the Gods, and Preiſtes of the Gods, who ſhall remember, both the Gods of the gentiles every where in the holy ſcripture to be named the hoaſt of heaven, and alſo in Daniell the Preeſts and Elders of the pleaſant Land or people of Iſrael, whom Dan. 8.9.10.Anti…chus Epiphanes caſt downe to the ground, to be called by that name. It waxed greate, ſayth he, againſt the hoaſte of heaven, and it caſt downe upon the ground of the hoaſte and of the ſtarrs, and trod upon them. which he did wickedly againſt the people of the true God, the very ſame did the Chriſtian Emperors religiouſly againſt the people of the Dragon; yet with this differance, that there was onelyonly one Prince of the hoſte of heaven, the Lord I…hovah, who made heaven and earth. Againſt whom, though Autioc…us might exalt him ſelfe, yet he could not throw him downe from heaven, but heere in the Romane heaven there were many Princes or Divells, …ll which wholy the Emperors the ſ…anderd bearers of Chriſt threw downe. Add here unto that this expoſition may be confirmed by the Synchroniſme of the dragon throw down from heaven with his guard chap. 127. The dragon fought and his Angels, eight, but they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven, nine, For the great d…agon was caſt downe, which is called the devill and Satan, and his Angels (that is to ſay, devils worſhipped by the names of gods) with him, &c.
It followeth, And all hills and Iſlands were removed out of their places. Perhaps mountaines and Iſlands may be taken for …e…ſe 14.men of loftier and meaner condition, which are preſently in the next verſe reckoned up, but that the name of an Iſland agreed not to this interpretation. It ſeemeth therefore more probable, if it go thus, that both do ſignifie men of a lofty eſtate, becauſe that Chap. ….both are eminent; the hills upon the earth, the Iſlands in the Sea. But what if we underſtand here by Iſlands, not land raiſed up in the midſt o… waters, but Churches, as they were called, which being environed with a publike or private encloſure, were ſeparated from the buildings neer adjoyning? So then may we not take both, as well the mountains as the Iſlands to be meant of the Temple, and ſhrines of idoks to be throwen downe, in this tempeſt through the Romane Empire? There is none but ſeeth how fitly the not on of mountaines agreeth with ſuch an interpretation as this; who is not ignorant, that it is the cuſtome of idolaters to build their Altars and ſhrines for their gods in ſuch high places, whereupon every where in the old teſtament the name of high places is frequent; yea Ieremy. 3. 23. of the mountaines and hills themſelves to be underſtood of the chappells of idolles. Truely, ſaith be, the hills were liers and the multitude of mountaines, &c. Neither now doe Iſlands taken for Temples refuſe ſuch interpretation; ſince it is a chiefe property in Temples, that they be like Iſlands; that they be prophaned neither by communion, or elſe by joyning to the walls of other houſes. But if that happily pleaſe not, that one and the ſame thing be repreſented by two names, if thou wilt and pleaſeſt take mountaines for chapp…ls in the country and fields; and Iſlands for Temples of idolls in cities. But in ſuch things as theſe, ſuch ſmall matters ſeeme not needfull to be curiouſly ſought out; as neither happily in generall is every ſmall moment of propheticall allegories ſo carefully to be examined by the event. It is enough if the ſumme of the matter every where agree.
Now this demoliſhing of ſhrrines and Temples came to paſſe, by the ſame Author the moſt godly ſtandard bearer of Chap. 6.Chriſt Theodoſius: For Conſtantin: the great onelyonly ſhut up the Temples of the gods, he did not aboliſh them, Except at Conſ…antinoble, and neighbouring places. Iulianus opened them again. This man at length commanded them to be utterly defaced. Th… hiſtory is obvious to any, neither is it needfull that I here rehearſe, what is recorded of that matte… in Eccleſiaſticall writers. Yet happily …t will not be unpleaſing to heare Zoſimus a pagan hiſtorian complaining or chaffing, at this ſo cruell deſtiny of his gods. The holy places, faith he, of the gods, they …attered downe throughout all cities and countries; and ſo much they were all endangered who thought them to be gods or at all looked up to heaven, and did a dore thoſe things which are beheld therein. Surely, after what manner the Lord, when he was about to leade old Iſrael out of the Aegyytian bondage, is ſaid to have executed judgement upon the gods of the Aegyptians; (Exodus 12. 12. Num. 33. 4.) after the ſame manner here, being about to deliver his Chriſt an people from the R…mane tyrannie, he executed judgement upon the gods of the Romanes.
But thou wilt ſay, had the gods no Atlantes when there was ſuch trouble and the heaven mingled with the earth, who might underpropp their falling heaven with their ſouldiers, and enc…unter the ſtandard-bearers of Chriſt, ſo throwing all downe? Yes truely they had; but they ranne the ſame fortune with their devills. For the Kings of the earth faith he, and the great men Verſe 15.and the Tribunes and the rich men and the mighty men and every bondman and freeman, that is, Maximianus, Gallerius, Max…ntius, Maximinus, with Martinianus Ceſar, Licinius, …ulianus, Emperors Chap. 6.(adde alſo if …hou wilt Eugenius and …rbogaſtes tyrants) with all the companions of their infidelity, of what order and degree ſoever, who with might and maine endeavoured to defend their ancient Religion, and to help the ſtate of their gods now going to deſtruction, and to reſtore it now fallen and l…ſt at laſt were brought to ſuch ſtreights, that they hide themſelves in the Verſ. 16.dens and Rockes of the mountaines. And ſaid to the mountaines and to the rockes, fall upon us and hide us from the …ace of him that fitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lambe. For Verſe 1….the great day of his wrath is come, and who ſhall be able to ſtand. It is a ſhamefull repreſentation as well of them that flye and hide themſelves, as alſo of thoſe that are weary of their lives through deſpaire of their eſtates. The like unto which thou haſt concerning the deſtruction of the inhabitants of Jeruſalem, Luke 23.30. Likewiſe Hoſ…a 10. 8. of the deſtruction of Samaria and of the …doll… thereof; but the whole, Eſay 2. 18.
But here the Reader may obſerve this firſt, that in theſe words is contained the key for the opening of this whole viſion; to wit that here is handled ſome glorious victory of the Lambe, whereby he ſubdueth and overth…oweth his enemies with a deadly deſtruction. Furthermore ſince theſe whoſe deſtruction is deſcribed, flye from their enemie the Lambe, and are willing to bee hidden from his wrath; thence it may appeare, though it bee directed by no Synchroniſme, that that deſtruction is not to bee applyed in no hand to Chriſtian Kings, but ſtrangers from Chriſt; and thereupon ought not to bee interpreted of the ſlaughters brought upon the then newly Chriſtian Empire by the Goths and other barbarous Nations.
That which laſtly the Kings, Princes, Tribunes, and the other Gentiles which were in the ſame condition with them, doe adde, Chap. 6.That the great day of the wrath of the Lambe was come, and that Verſe 17.none could be able to ſtand: They are the words of men acknowledging the power of Chriſt, whom untill this time they had contemned in reſpect of their Gods, and indeed perceaving all further endeavour of reſiſting Chriſtians would become loſt labour. And truely upon the matter all did conceave ſo, but Galerius, Maximinus, Licinius even with open confeſſion though againſt their will… gave glory to God.
For Euſebius with others is our Author, that Galerius (… whom CHRIST began in this judgement) being taken with a filthy and horrible diſeaſe, whereby his body putrified Wormes crawling therein with an intolerable ſtinke; at length being conſcious of his wickedneſſes which hee had committed againſt the Church, was ſmitten, confeſſed his fault to God, and left of his perſecution againſt the Chriſtians, and by Lawes and Emperiall edicts haſtened the building up of their Churches, and commanded to offer accuſtomed prayers for him; and a little while after yeelded his ſoule being guilty of as great crueltie as ever any againſt Chriſtians. Euſ…bius de vita Conſtantini, lib. 1. cap. 50.
Maximinus a moſt cruell enemy of Chriſtians, r…lying upon witchcraft, div…ations of Idolls, and Oracles of Devills, for all things whatſoever hee went about, nevertheleſſe being once or twiſe overcome by Licinius yet defending the Chriſtian f…ith with Constantine his colleague, throwing from him the enſignes of his Empire fled, lay hidden in the Fields, and little villages a certaine ſpace, in the habit of a ſervant; and at length being ſhut up in Tarſus of Cilicia and kindled with rage, ſlew many Prieſts and Prophets, of the Gods, by whoſe Oracles being perſwaded he had undertaken the Warre, as coſeners, falſe deceavers, and to conclude as betrayers of his ſafetie; afterward giving glory to the God of the Chriſtians, ſet forth a decree for their liberty: but being ſuddainely ſmitten by God exacting puniſhment of ſo many wickedneſſes againſt Chriſtians, with a lamentable and mortall griefe, and his fleſh by little and little eaten out and waſted, and at length his eyes ſtarting out for hea…e, wherewith hee burned all over (a juſt talio of puniſhment, which hee had deviſed for Chriſtians) hee ended his life, confeſſing himſel…e to God, and acknowledging that hee worthily ſuffered thoſe things for his madneſſe, and raſhneſſe againſt Chriſt. See the ſame in Hiſtor. Eccleſ. lib. 9. cap. 8. & 10. & lib. 8. cap. 27. Alſo de vita Conſtantins lib. 1. cap. 51. 52.
To conclude Licinius a forſaker of the Chriſtians, to whoſe part he had betaken himſelfe a little while with Conſtantine, and greatly boaſting to his Souldiers of the multitude of his Gods againſt that one, and that new and ſtrange God of Constantin…, (for ſo he termed him:) being overcome in two great battailes (in one whereof out of an Army conſiſting of 130000. ſcarſ… 30000. eſcaped) at length when as yet hee would not reſt, being together with his confederates condemned by Conſta…tine according to the Law of Armes, was deſervedly puniſhed. But when theſe men who had bin Authors of taking up Armes againſt God, were brought (together with the Tyrant) to the place of execution, as before, they had carried themſelves inſolently, having placed their confidence in vaine Gods; ſo now they confeſſed that they underſtood in very deed what and how wonderfull Conſtantines God was, and that they did acknowledge him to be the true and onelyonly God. De vita Conſtan. lib. 2. cap. 4.5, 18.
A… appendix.
Out of the ancient monuments of the Aegyptians, Perſians, and Indians (the Authors whereof were Tarphan, the interpreter of Phar…oh, Baramus, the interpreter of Saganiſſa the King of the Perſians, (who was of one time with Dio…letian) and Sy…bachamus the interpreter of the King of the In…ians) Apoſamar, or, according to others, Achmetes, the ſon of Seirim the Arabian gathered together foreign. or interpretations of Dreames: See Ier. 49. 7. But eſpecially Baru…. …. 23.as that Nation was, both moſt ſtudious of ſuch and the like arts, now from furtheſt antiquitie: and alſo while their Empire laſted deſirous to tranſlate the writings of all Nations whereſoever into the Arabian tongue. This little booke long ſince in the Greeke tongue, the Author being unknown Iohannes Leunclavius brought to light, being by him turned into Latine in the former age out of the Liberarie of I…: Sambucus, the ſame Greek Copie afterwards, in the yeare 1603. N…colaus Rigal…ius in his Onirocriticis did ſet forth out of the Liberary of the moſt Chriſtian King, ſupplying what was wanting in Sambuchus his Copie. In this booke is to bee ſeene that very many of thoſe propheticall repreſentations, which ſo much pull our men, were familiar to the Eaſterne Nations, at leaſt not unuſuall their di…mations. But Tarphan the Aegyptian ſeemeth to bee the moſt ancient of all the Authors, from whom the collection is made; as who not onelyonly calleth himſelfe Pharaohs interpreter, but every where in his interpretations, uſeth the name of Pharaoh for King; that it may ſeeme hee lived then, when yet Aegypt had its Kings, and them called Pharaohs. The Per…a… with his King Saganiſſa, was of the ſame age with Di… cleſia… as I have ſaid. The Indian is of a latter age, as who ſheweth himſelfe a Chriſtian every where but the conſent of them both with the Aegyptian is wonderfull.
When therefore wee willingly learne the uſe of words, and phraſes in holy writ, from theſe Nations in time paſt bordering upon the Hebrewes, and more acquainted with their manners and Chap. 6.uſe of ſpeech; why ſhould we diſdaine the ſame here in the ſignifications of propheticall figures and repreſentations? (ſince according to the Maſters of the Hebrews deciduum prophetiae ſit ſomnium,) Let no man therefore blame me if I take out of this Authour, Maiemonides More Neb. part. 2. cap. 36.thoſe things which ſeeme to make for the underſtanding of the Figures of the Seales now expounded: the ſame I ſhall doe afterwards with the good leave of the Reader (as occaſion ſhall ſuffer) in the Trumpets and the reſt of the viſions.
Theſe therefore give light to the firſt Seale, and partly to thoſe following alſo.
Chapter 233. By the opinion of the Indians, Perſians, and Egyptians a couragious horſe called Pharas (in Hebrew foreign in Arabique foreign a horſe) hath reference in interpretations of dreames, to eminencie and digniti…. Hackney horſes are taken for a certaine inferiour nobility and glory.
If any in his dreames ſhall ſeeme to be mounted upon a nimble and ſtirring horſe, he ſhall finde before the people renowne and ample eſtimation, and eminencie and worſhip.
Alſo if any one armed ſhall ſeem to be mounted upon a couragious horſe, he ſhall attaine to authoritie, with good renowne according to his armes.
Chapter 249. According to the interpretations of the Perſians and Egyptians. If any ſhall ſeeme to have held arrowes with bowes, he ſhall with ioy inſult over his enemies.
He hath more pertaining to the ſame purpoſe, as Chap. 152. out of the learning of the Indians concerning the great and long tayle of a horſe ſignifying the company and traine of authoritie; concerning a curtall, ſignifying the loſſe as well of liberty as of principalitie; to wit, if he were a Prince that ſhall dreame that he is mounted upon ſuch a horſe. Likewiſe Chap. …33. Lighting from horſebacke, if it be voluntarie, of voluntary diminution of government; but if unwillingly, it is expounded of ſurrogating a ſucceſſor into the dignitie.
Theſe things will give light to the third Seale.Chap. 6.
Chap. 15. Out of the learning of the Indians. If any ſhall ſee in his dreame a ballance or a bell as they call it (it is a kinde of ballance) Campanum.to be hanged in any place; let him underſtand it of the perſon of a Judge. And if he have a ſuite in law, and in weighing he ſhall ſee them to be equall one to another; he ſhall obtaine his right.
If he ſeeme to ſee the ballance equall and cleane, let him know the Iudge of the place to be iuſt: but if he ſhall ſee the ſcales naught and broken, let him thinke the Iudge of the place wherein he had his dreame uniuſt.
Likewiſe Buſhels alſo with meaſures have the ſame interpretation in proportion, but they are applied to the perſons of inferiour Iudges.
Theſe things to the ſixt Seale.
Chap. 167. Out of the Monuments of the Indians, Perſians and Egyptians. The … hath reference in interpretation to the perſon of a King, and the Moo…e to the perſon of a Prince next to the King. Venus to the perſon of the Empreſſe or Queene, likewiſe other great Starres to honourable perſonages belonging to the King.
Whileſt I reade theſe things, I am not farre from conceiving that glorious ti…le of Sapor the King of Perſia, in his Letters ſent to Conſtantius the Emperour [Sapor King of Kings, partaker of the Starres, brother of the Sunne and Moone, to Conſtantius Caeſar my brother greeting] which Ammianus Marcellinus imputeth to the Perſian pride, to be none other then a ſtyle peculiar to the Nation ariſing from ſuch repreſentations, which ought to ſeeme the leſſe ſtrange to any, when we ſee even our Heralds in blazoning the armes of Emperours and Kings, to uſe the name of the Sunne, Moone and other Plannets. Hither alſo is to be referred that interpretation of Iacob of his ſonne Ioſephs dreame, of the Sunne, Moone and eleven ſtarres worſhipping him, which he immediately as not ignorant of the parables of the Eaſt, applyeth to his Family; interpreting the Sunne and the Moone to be underſtood of himſelfe and his wife, as King and Queene, the Starres, Chap. 6.of his ſonnes, as it were Princes of the Family, Geneſ. 37. 10. But let us returne to our Achmetes and he goeth on in the ſame Chapter.
If any ſhall ſeeme to ſee the Sunne in the Heaven wanting light and rayes, the calamitie and diſhonour belongeth to the perſon of the King.
If the Sonne ſhall ſeeme to any to be eclipſed, that portendeth affliction and warre to the King.
If any ſhall ſeeme to ſee the Sunne covered with a cloud, the King ſhall fall into affliction and diſeaſes, according to the manner of the overclouding.
If any ſhall ſeeme to ſee the Sunne, the Moone and Starres gathered together without light; If he be of the number of the Peers, by reaſon of that obſcuritie he ſhall fall into utter deſtruction; If he be the King, environed on all ſides he ſhall be aſſaulted, and ſhall fall into great affliction.
Chap. 168. Out of the obſervation of the Perſians and Egyptians. If any ſhall ſeeme to ſee the Starres caſt but a very ſmall light, diſparkled and ſcattered and full of obſcuritie: this reflecteth upon the calamity of the Nobles and wealthy and the Kings Preſidents.
THis ſixt Seale being finiſhed, we ſhould immediately in order proceed to the ſeventh bringing forth a ſeven fold plague; as which is joyned immediately with the ſixt. But the holy Ghoſt of ſet purpoſe hath thought meet to make a little ſtand: untill he ſhould ſet forth the ſtate of a certain company of the ſame time with it, as well to be ſafe, as to overcome, under the plagues thereof. We will therefore firſt give what light of interpretation we can to that Viſion. And then we will continue the order of the S…ales begun.