The Key of the Revelation, Part 1 · Section · Part · Section

The Key of the Revelation · Part 1 · Section · Part · Section

p. 69Of an hundred forty and foure thouſand ſealed out of all the Tribes of Iſrael at the entrance of the ſeventh Seale.

THE Viſion of the ſealed is twiſe placed, firſt VponUpon Chap. 7.here at the entrance of the Trumpets, in the firſt Propheſie; againe as it were an oppoſite of the reigning Beaſt, in the ſecond Propheſie, Chap. 14. and that in a double reſpect. Here for their preſervation amidſt the deſtruction of the Trumpets; there for their praiſe for keeping their alleageance to God and the Lambe, when as other the inhabitants of the world as revolters and Apoſtates had received the marke of the Beaſt. p. 70Out of which it plainly appeareth, that the Propheſie of the Beaſt Chap. 7.contemporizeth with the matters of the Trumpets: but how far, is to be determined elſe where; to wit, not farther then the going out of the ſixt Trumpet, wherein the moneths of the Beaſt are ended with the dayes of the mourning Witneſſes, Chap. 11. 14. For the preſent our purpoſe is to caſt the light of our interpretation to the former viſion of the ſealed, wherein their preſervation is handled: of their praiſe afterward, when we come to that.

Afterwards, ſaith he (that is the Viſion of the ſixt Seale being Verſ. 1.paſt, and the ſeventh which is of the Trumpets even now beginning) I ſaw foure Angels ſtanding upon the foure corners of the earth holding the foure windes of the earth, that the winde ſhould not blow upon the earth, nor upon the Sea, nor upon any tree.

The meaning is, he ſaw Angels which had power to reſtraine the Windes, that is, the tempeſts of warres and calamities, out of what quarter of the world ſoever they ſhould proceed, untill it pleaſed God; but at his becke, if he ſhould at any time give the ſigne, to give them libertie through the world: not the ſame Angels with thoſe of the Trumpets, but which yet at their ſounding ſhould ſet at libertie thoſe windes, one while out of this, another while out of that part of the world, for the waſting and overthrow of the Romane eſtate. For the parable of Windes with the Prophets doth expreſſe warlike motions and hoſtile invaſions and violent aſſaults: As Ierem. 49.36. I will bring upon Elam the foure windes from the foure quarters of Heaven; and will ſcatter them towards all thoſe windes; and there ſhall be no Nation, whither the outcaſts of Elam ſhall not c…me. See the reſt. Alſo, Chap. 51.1. Behold, I ſaith the Lord, will raiſe up againſt Babylon, &c. a deſtroying winde. 2. And I will ſend into Babylon fanners, and they ſhall fanne her, and ſhall empty her land. Adde alſo, Chap. 18. 17. As an Eaſt winde I will ſcatter them (that is the Iewes) before the enemie; that is, the King of Babylon. Hither alſo that of Daniel ſeemeth to be referred, Chap. 7.2, 3. Behold, the foure windes of the heaven ſtrove upon the great ſea; and foure great Beaſts came up from the Sea: that is, out of the conflict of the Nations every where fighting together and ſtriving for the dominion and Empire, there aroſe foure great Kingdomes. p. 71I ſaw, ſaith he, another Angel afcending from the Sunne riſing, Chap. 7.having the Seale of the living God: (happily therefore it is Verſ. 2.the Lord Chriſt) and he cryed alowd to the foure Angels, to whom it was given (to wit, by ſetting the windes at libertie, which they had reſtrained) to hurt the Earth and the Sea. 3. Saying, hurt not the Earth neither the Sea, nor the trees, untill we have ſealed the ſervants of our God in their foreheads.

That is, looſe not the Windes no… ſuffer them to have power of going and raging upon the world. For he nameth the Earth, the Sea, and Trees, anſwerably to the repreſentation of Windes; as to which the Windes are wont to bring dammage; to the Earth, by the ruine of houſes; to the the Sea, by ſhipwrack; to the Trees, by a manifold overthrow and rending. Forbeare ſaith he, untill we have ſealed the ſervants of our God in their foreheads. That is, by imprinting ſome marke upon them, we have diſtinguiſhed as it were the elect company of God, over whom theſe deſtroying Windes (which ſhall deſtroy the other company of men) have no power: but over whom, taking regard to their Seale, the Divine providence would continually watch, leaſt in this ruine of the Romane ſtate, which the Trumpets ſhould bring, their ſacred Progenie ſhould be extinguiſhed. For ſo proviſion would be made, that neither they who did hurt them could be free from puniſhment, as having tranſgreſſed the bounds of that power which God had given them; and moreover the dammage, if any were done at length ſhould be repaired by God. It hath alluſion p…rhaps to the place of Ezech. Chap. 9. Where thoſe that ſigh, and cry out for the abominations of Ieruſalem, are marked by the Angel, to this end, leſt they ſuſtaine like deſtruction with the wicked and reprobate by the ſmiters.

And ſurely as touching the event, if any ſhall weigh the ſtate of the times here handled; it will ſeeme almoſt miraculous how it could come to paſſe, that the Romane Empire being ſcattered and deſtroyed with ſo great a deſtruction of the Cities and Inhabitants; ſo that the ancient Inhabitants being well neere extinguiſhed, it was inhabited by barbarous nations and ſtrangers from Chriſt: Yet the Church there ſhould continue in the middeſt of theſe evils, and the world as it were conſpiring her ruine; Yea p. 72alſo (as we ſhall heare in the proper place) the Beaſt at the ſame Chap. 7.time polluting whole Chriſtendome with Idolatrous worſhip, ſhould nevertheleſſe cheriſh in her boſome a company (as this is) uncorrupted, and for that cauſe tenderly regarded by God. Of ſuch conſequence was it to be fenced with Gods Seale.

And I heard, ſaith he, the number of the ſealed; there were Verſ. 4.ſealed an hundred forty foure thouſand of all the Tribes of the children of Iſrael, that is, twelve times twelve thouſand, out of every Tribe twelve thouſand.

For even as in the beginning, we have ſeene the Theatre of Viſions or the Apocaliptique ſeſſion deſcribed, after the repreſentation and ſtate of the old Synagogue; and a great part of the Types of this Booke hath relation to it; ſo that even the counterfeit Chriſtians in the Epiſtles to the Churches for that cauſe beare the name of counterfeit Iewes: ſo here alſo the Catholique Church of the Gentiles, to be …enced with the Seale of God, is figured by the Type of Iſrael; the twelve Apoſtles of that, aptly anſwering to ſo many Patriarchs of this. And it is ſo done not without good cauſe, as well for other cauſes, as ſpecially becauſe the Church, even from the firſt rejection of the Iewes, hitherto, is gathered out of the Gentiles, ſucceeded in the room of Iſrael, and is, as I may ſo call it, ſurrogated Iſrael; and in that place for a little while eſtemed by God, untill, his old people againe obtaining mercy, the fulneſſe of the Gentiles ſhall Verſ. 9.come in; that is, that innumerable multitude out of all Nations, Tribes, People and Tongues, which the ſealing of this Iſrael at length being finiſhed, Iohn teſtifieth he ſaw ſinging prayſes to God and to the Lambe. For this indeed is that (I ſpeak of the ſurrogation) that the Apoſtle Paul would teach, Romans Chap. 11. whileſt he urgeth verſ. 11. the fall of the Iewes to have brought ſalvation to the Gentiles, and verſ. 15. their caſting away to have beene the reconciling of the world. Not that otherwiſe the Gentiles in their time ſhould not have beene called, (ſithence the whole Quire of Prophets proclaime that the Gentiles ſhould be gathered to the glory of Iſrael, and turned to the Lord, which neither the Iewes of old nor at this day doubt of) but that not by this calling which was by anticipation, ſubſtitution, and for provocation to jealouſie, except the Iewes had firſt renounced Chriſt. The p. 73diſcreet Reader may know what I meane. It was neceſſary, ſaith Chap. 7.the Apoſtle, Acts 13. 46. that the word of God ſhould firſt have been opened to you: but after you reiect it, and iudge your ſelves unworthy of everlaſting life; loe, we turne to the Gentiles. But concerning the preventive converſion of the Gentiles (that is, which ſhould goe before the reſtoring of the Iews (that I may remember that alſo) that teſtimony of Amos ſeemeth to be taken, cited by Iames in the Councell of the Apoſtles, Acts 15. and for that purpoſe perhaps, then choſen before other Propheſies, which otherwhere might have been had concerning the chooſing of the Gentiles to be the people of God. For he meaneth, that not only the name of the Lord ſhould be called upon by the Gentiles (that is, that Verſ. 17.the Gentiles ſhould become his people) but alſo that that in part ſhould then happen, whileſt yet the tabernacle of David ſhould lye Verſ. 16.fallen down, that is, the kingdom of Iſrael ſhould not yet be reſtored by Chriſt: After thoſe things, ſaith he, I will returne and build Verſ. 16.again the tabernacle of David fallen down: and I will build again the ruines thereof, and will ſet it up: verſ. 17. that the reſidue of men might ſeeke after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my name foreign is called, that is, that the reſt of the men, together with thoſe Gentiles upon whom heretofore my name was called, then at length ſhould ſeeke after, and worſhip me the true God. For for that w^ch is now had in the Hebrew Text: foreign that is, foreign that they may poſſeſſe the r…nant of Edom. The ancient Copy ſeemeth to be read, foreign, that the remnant of men may ſeeke the Lord. Yet not withſtanding out of the Hebrew reading which is now uſ…d, the ſame ſeemeth may be gathered concerning the preventive choi…e of the Gentiles to be the people of God; to wit, in this ſenſe: the reſtored Iews, then when the Tabe…acle of David that is fallen down ſhall be raiſed up, ſhall inherit the remnant of Edom, as alſo the Gentiles upon whom the name of the Lord heretofore had been called. Therefore ſome of the Gentiles ſhall become the people of God before the raiſing up of the Tabe…acle of David. But enough of theſe things.

As concerning the number of the ſealed, the number of twelve is an enſigne of the Apoſtolique race, which by multiplying p. 74the thouſands as well of each tribe in particular, as of all in generall Chap. 7.doth expreſſe the Apoſtolique progenie, a progenie indeed, though encreaſed into more thouſands, yet no whit degenerate, but expreſſing their parents faith and holineſſe. For even as to have the number of the Beaſt (as we ſhall after heare) doth deſign the race of the Beaſt or which follow the Beaſt: ſo alſo to beare the number of the Apoſtles, the legitimate off-ſpring of the Apoſtles. That this is the moſt true meaning of that multiplication by twelve, the Analogie of new Ieruſalem ſhe weth; in the frame whereof, and the dimenſion of the Gates, Foundations, Court, compaſſe of the walles, longitude, latitude, altitude, the ſame number of twelve or multiplication by twelve is uſed. And that we ſhould no further doubt to what end that number of twelve tended: lo, concerning the twelve foundations of the wall it is expreſſely ſaid, that the names of the twelve Apoſtles of the Lambe were written in them, Chap. 21.14.

Of the tribe of Iuda, of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, Aſer, Nephthali, Manaſſes, Simeon, Levi, Iſacher, Zabulon, Ioſeph, Verſ. 5. &c.Beniamin, of every of them, are ſealed twelve thouſand.

No otherwhere in the whole Scripture, are the tribes reckoned up in this order, though otherwiſe they be diverſly reckoned. For beſides, that Dan at all appeareth not, nor the name of Eplorai… is heard of; in the reſt there is a departure from the rule of all reckonings, which are otherwhere found, neither is either the order of nativitie, or of birth-right, or of habitation kept; but the laſt mingled with thoſe in the middle, and the younger ſonnes of the hand maides are once or twice ſet before the elder borne of the wifes; ſo that it is not to be doubted, but that ſome ſpeciall myſtery of the type lyeth hid in an order ſo new and unaccuſtomed. This, we ſeeme to have found out in ſome meaſure, by Gods bleſſing upon our undertakings, to wit thus.

Firſt, from this type Dan is rejected, Ephr…i… is not ſpoken of as being Ring-leaders and Captains of the Iſraelitiſh Apoſtaſie (Iudges Chap. 17. and 18.) and the ſame in the time of the kingdom, were the receivers of the publique idols at D… and Bethel: wherefore they were altogether unfit to repreſent the Profeſſours of pure Religion.

But that notwithſtanding the number of twelve may be filled, p. 75Levi is ſet for Dan, the name of Ioſeph tacitly ſupplyeth Chap. 7.Ephraims.

The number thus ſetled, the ſonnes of the wives and the handmaides are intermingled without regard of birth-right, and the children of the handmaides, are adopted for children of their Gal. 3.2….Gal 3:2Dames. For in Chriſt there is neither bond nor free, but all are of Coloſ. 3.11.Col 3:11one account.

Since therefore the ſonnes of Lea, as well naturall, as adopted are twice ſo many as Rachels; to wit, of the firſt eight, of the other only foure: thereupon this order is obſerved in reckoning them up, that by a double account alſo foure of Lea her ſonnes by courſe are ſet together with two of Rachels: but on both ſides thoſe tribes as the better are preferred before the reſt, which ſome act of theirs memorable in ſacred writ had commended, concerning the true worſhip of God, and zeale towards him. The off-ſpring of Lea verily leadeth the firſt troop…, in regard of the prorogative of Chriſt, the Prince of that company, as ſpringing out of that ſtock: in this manner.

The firſt quaternion of the ſonnes of Lea.

1. Iuda.

2. Reuben.

3. Gad.

4. Aſer.

The firſt couple of the ſons of Rachel.

5. Nephthali.

6. Manaſſes.

The other quaternion of the ſons of Lea.

7. Simeon.

8. Levi.

9. Iſſachar.

10. Zabulon.

The other couple of the ſons of Rachel.

11 Ioſeph.

12. Beniamin.

The reaſon of the order of the ſons of Lea.

Out of the ſonnes of Lea as thou …eeſt, Iuda, Reuben, Gad, Aſer, make up the firſt quaternion, as enobled above the reſt with that **The name of Chriſt.name which the type is to reſemble.

Amongſt theſe the firſt place, as it is meet, is given to Iuda for Chriſt the King of the faithfull iſſued out of that tribe.

The ſecond to Reube…, whom that famous Proteſtation concerning the Altar of Witneſſe built at the banke of Iordan enobled; foreign. Ioſua 22. 21.Josh 22:21whereby he deſerved that he ſhould not ſubmit his birth-right p. 76(for he was the firſt borne) to any other then Iuda the kingly tribe.Chap. 7.

Gad obtained the third place, as he was Reubens companion in that famous Proteſtation of retaining the true worſhip of God: and moreover famous for Eliah the Prophet, and Iehu the King, the deſtroyers of Baaliſme.

To conclude the fourth and laſt place in this quaternion Aſer Verſ. 6.taketh, famous for the widow of Sarepta, who fed Elia… (for Sar…pta belonged to the lot of Aſer) as alſo noble for Anna the Propheteſſe an Aſerite, who gaue teſtimony to Chriſt, when he was preſented in the Temple according to the Law; but not to be compared with the three former becauſe either of them was a woman.

Simeon, Levi, Iſſacher, Zabulon, are caſt into the laſt quaternion; Verſ. 7.for that they are honoured with few or no names, or, if they had any, they are after blotted out with ſome wickedneſſe. As the zeale of Levi whereby he approved himſelf in the wilderneſſe (to ſay nothing of the ſedition of Korah) was defaced by his continued fellowſhip with the Apoſtate and Idolatrous Iſraclites. For Ionathan the Levite the nephew of Moſes joyned in aſſiſtance of worſhipping Idols as well with Micha the Ephraimite, as alſo with the theeviſh Danites, the firſt Idolaters after the death of Ioſua, Iudges 17. verſ. 10. and 18. 30. It may be alſo the ſubſtitution of Levi in the place of Dan might occaſion his thruſting down into the laſt quaternion.

Further, ſince the brethren of this quaternion have nothing, wherein any doe excell others: therefore they keep the order of nativitie unchanged, and in what ranke any is borne, according there to he is reckoned.

The reaſon of the order of the ſons of Rachel.

Among the children of Rachel the couple Nephthalin and Manaſſes leade the Family; Ioſeph and Beniamin cloſe the troope. Verſ. ….Nephthalin and Manaſſes are preferred becauſe the firſt was famous for Barach who vanquiſhed Siſera the Cananite, ſo for Hira… whoſe father was a Nephthalite, the maker of the inſtruments and furniture for the Temple of God (1 King. 7.14. with 2 Chro…. p. 772. 14.) but alſo for a greater reaſon yet (of which afterwards) Chap. 7.the ſecond was noble in reſpect of Gedeon the ſubverter of Baal, and Eliſ…us the Prophet.

Indeed the glory of Chriſt his habitation extolled Nephthalin, though he were but the ſonne of a handmaid above Manaſſes: who likewiſe beginning his function, fixed his dwelling and ſeat of his preaching in Capernaum the moſt noble Citie of Nephthalin, and the Metropolis of all Gallile: from whence as it were from the Epiſcopall Citie he went through all Gallile with his Apoſtles over and over, teaching the Goſpel of the Kingdome in all Synagogues and Villages, and being glorious by miracles of healing. For this, Reader, I would have thee to marke, out of the Evangelicall Hiſtorie (becauſe many obſerve it not) that our Saviour, all the time that he was converſant upon the Earth, dwelt in Gallile: but in Iudea, the chiefe ſeat as well of his Nation, as Tribe, he was not ſeene but at times of Feaſts. And this is that which Eſay long agone had foretold, Eſay 9. 1. 2. Matth. 4. 14. That, that Wonderfull Counſellour, the Mightie God, the Authour of Eternitie (Septuagint. foreign. The Father of the world to come) the Prince of Peace; in one word the Meſſia, ſhould be a Gallilean; and as it were in recompence and conſolation for the captivitie, which Gallile then lately had ſuffered by the Aſſyrian firſt before all the Regions of the Holy Land, (2 Kings 15. 29) he would make that coaſt eſpecially famous by his preſence; in ſpeciall See Adrich…m. Ta…. Naph…h…l. and himſelfe, pag 115. ….that high way, called the Way of the Sea, where coming out of Syria to Jordan, it paſſeth through the middle of Capernaum and thence going forward along the Sea of Gallile leadeth into Egypt. Let us heare himſelfe foreign which the Vulgar diſtinction ſet aſide, of it owne accord and word for word is thus tranſlated: As at the firſt he made baſe the Land of Zabulon and the Land of Nephthal…n; (to wit as I ſaid, by Tiglath-peleſer) ſo at the laſt he ſhall make it glorious [and renowned] for the way of the Sea (by which the Aſſyrian came) at the paſſage of Iorden (there is Capernaum ſeated) Gallile of the Gentiles, the people which walked in darkneſſe (to wit, of affliction) p. 78ſaw a great light, to the dwellers in the Region of the ſhadow of death Chap. 7.a light is riſen &c. Wilt thou know whence and who is the Authour of the bleſſedneſſe of Galilee, and in that way by the Sea ſide where the …oord of Iordan is? he preſently ſheweth, Becauſe a childe is borne to us, a Sonne is given to us, and the principalitie Eſay c. 9. v. 6.Isa 9:6ſhall be upon his ſhoulder, and his name ſhall be called Wonderfull, Councellour, the mightie GOD, the Father of Eternity, the Prince of Peace.

But thoſe words foreign (at which ours, allmoſt treading the ſteps of the Iewes, who never underſtood this Propheſy, begin this Chapter with great diſturbance of the ſenſe,) with I…rome and the Kings Bibles, I annexe to the ſentence of the Chapter going before; and tranſlate them, Becauſe there is no darkeneſſe to him which is anguiſh to himſelfe, that is, in that lamentable and afflicted ſtate of things, into which the Iſraelitiſh Common-wealth at that time, according to the commination of the Law is reported to have fallen, and as it were evidently ſet before their eyes; men were brought to indignation and deſperation, in that they did ſee the enemie by whom they were oppreſſed, to be in proſperitie, and no evill hap to befall them. Verily it maketh much for the Chriſtian faith, that this Oracle of the Meſſia of Galilee be cleerely underſtood, and to be aſcertained of the fidelitie of Matthew alleadging it: Wherefore I would upon this occaſion adde this light, ſuch as it is, unto it, hoping that it will not be unacceptable to the Reader. I returne to the Revelation, and this further I will adde before I let paſſe Nephthali; that even as Iuda gained the firſt place among the ſonnes of Lea, by reaſon of the ſtock of Chriſt: ſo Nephthali among Rachels for his dwelling; that the prerogative of Chriſt on both ſides might excell, by the name of whom as Lord and Emperour, this company (as in the proper place we ſhall heare) is intituled.

Ioſeph and Beniamin remaine being caſt back to the laſt couple Verſ 8.of Rachels children. The former of whom the ſinne of Ephraim thruſt downe into this place: for it is Ephraim, who is hidden in the name of Ioſeph, unworthy by his owne to be heard in this Catalogue, (as well becauſe he was the leader of the Idolatry of Iſrael whereof Micha was the authour, as alſo for the outragious Apoſtſie whereof Jer…boam and Acha… were authours.) To conclude, p. 79the hatred of S…l the B…niamit… againſt David (conſidering Chap. 7.that he was the chiefe of the ſtock of Chriſt and the Type of him) did hinder Beniami… (otherwiſe the youngeſt) of a higher degree, and the curſes of Shimei againſt the ſame.

A ſentence for memory compact of the ſignification of the names, by which the Tribes are called: wherei… are declared as well the order of the Tribes ſealed, as alſo the diſpoſition of the ſame company, the wreſtling, and the reward from God.

Confeſſeth or praiſeth God, beholding his Sonne (that is, Chriſt the onelyonly Mediatour) the bleſſed company (the company of the ſealed.) They ſtrive with thoſe that forget obedience (that is, with Antichriſtians.) Cleaving to Chriſt a reward of habitation (to wit, eternall) he ſhall adde to the Sonne of his right hand, (that is, to him whom God accounteth great) or otherwiſe. To them that cleave to God a reward of habitation (that is, life eternall) ſhall be added by the Sonne of the right hand, that is, Chriſt.

To this contracted and afflicted eſtate of the Church in the type of the ſealed of Iſrael, the ſtate thereof moſt ample and moſt happy ſucceedeth, in the repreſentation of innumerable palmebearers, out of every Nation, People, Tribe, and Tongue. After theſe things, ſaith he, I ſaw, and loe a great multitude, which n… p. 80man could number, out of every Nation, and People, and Tribes, Chap. 8.and Tongues, ſtanding before the Throne, and before the Lamb…, Verſ. 9.clothed with white garments, and Palmes in their hands. And they Verſ. 10.cryed with a loud voyce, ſaying; ſalvation to our God who ſitt…th upon the Throne, and to the Lambe, &c. But this viſion ſeeing it belongeth to the ſeventh Trumpet, neither can be elſewhere fitly and cleerely unfolded by reaſon of ſo many things to be fore-knowne, we will deferre the expoſition thereof thither. For the preſent let that ſuffice which now hath beene ſaid in generall, and let the Reader remember, that both theſe Viſions certainly doe joyntly goe through the whole ſpace of the ſeventh Seale or of the Trumpets; but that the company of the ſealed doth ſeverally ſynchronize with the ſix firſt Trumpets: the Palme bearing multitude with the ſeventh trumpet. And ſo having done with the interpretation of the interpoſed Viſion or Viſions, let us take in hand againe the intermitted ſeries of the Seales.