The Key of the Revelation, Part 2 · Section 3 – Section 4

The Key of the Revelation · Part 2 · Section 3 – Section 4

p. 7The myſterie of the two witneſſes propheſying in ſackcloath.

The Gentiles taking up their ſtanding in the Court of the people of God or the holy Citie, two Witneſſes or Prophets from God preach mourning, and being cloathed in ſackcloath. Theſe are the Interpreters and Defenders of the Divine Truth, which ſhould bewaile with continuall complaints, that filthy and lamentable pollution of the Church of Chriſt; and whom God ſhould ſtirre up continually, to be monitors to the Chriſtian world idol…zing with the Gentiles; and guides to his Saints keeping the faith. To wit, according to the patterne of thoſe famous payres under the Old Teſtament; Moſes and Aaron in the wilderneſſe, Elias and Eliſaeus under the Baaliticall apoſtaſie, Zorobabel and Ieſua under the Babylonian captivitie. To wit thoſe witneſſes of the Revelation are manifeſtly deſcribed by their number, condition, power, and acts; even as alſo the ſtate of the Church wherein they propheſied, anſwerable to that of Iſrael, is figured by the repreſentation of Babylon, the wilderneſſe and Gentiliſme or Baaliſme. What I have ſaid of the deſcription of the witneſſes, that behold with thine eyes Reader in the Table following,

p. 8Now let us come to the text: And I will give, ſaith he, unto Chap. 11.my two witneſſes, that they ſhall propheſie a thouſand two hundred Verſ. 3.and threeſcore dayes, cloathed with ſackcloth. Where this cometh firſt to be obſerved that the whole propheſie which followeth, from this verſe to the ſounding of the ſeventh trumpet, the nature of the matter ſo requiring, is exhibited not in a viſion, but was dictated to Iohn by an Angel, perſonating Chriſt, the obſervation whereof is of no ſmall conſequence for the better perceiving of the nature of the allegory or type.

To my two witneſſes] he calleth them two in regard of the type, which, as I ſaid, is of paires; as if he ſhould have ſaid, I will give to my Zorobabel and Ieſua, to my Eliah and Eliſaeus, to my Moſes and Aaron. To which is added that he calleth them witneſſes, now by the Law there ought to be two witneſſes to confirme every word. Add that they may be called two, in regard of the number of the Tables of God, which they uſed in their propheſie, of the Old and New Teſtament, as it were witneſſes of two Teſtaments.

That they ſhall propheſie cloathed with ſackcloth] to wit, mournfully be wayling the trampling under foot of the holy Citie by the bringing in of the Idolatry of the Gentiles, giving teſtimony to the truth of God, and exhorting to repentance.

1260 dayes] as many, to wit, as are contained in 42 moneths. Which that they are not naturall dayes, it appeareth as well out of thoſe three dayes and an halfe, parts of theſe dayes, a little after to be aſſigned to the death of the witneſſes; which that they cannot be taken for naturall dayes, thoſe things which are foretold to be then done doe prove: as alſo out of that that the Beaſt (the meaſure of whoſe time they alſo doe containe) contemporized with the company of the 144000 ſealed: and the company of the ſealed with the ſixe firſt trumpets: but the matters of the trumpets could not be run out, in ſo little time as in 1260 naturall dayes, or in the ſpace of three yeere and an half. But thou wilt aske, why is the prophanation of the Gentiles meaſured by moneths, and the propheſie of the witneſſes defending the pure worſhip of God by dayes? Forſooth, becauſe the worſhipping of idols, and every ſinne and errour is of the power of darkneſſe and night, wherein the Moon ruleth; contrariwiſe true Religion is compared to the light and to the day of which the Sunne is the p. 9ruler. Therefore the ſending of Paul to convert the Gentiles Chap. 11.from id…ls is ſaid, Acts 26. 18. To turne them from darkneſſe to light, from the power of Satan to God. The ſame meaning hath that. What fellowſhip hath light with darkeneſſe? Now then the 2 Cor. 6.142 Cor 6:14Moneths are directed by the motion of the Moone which ruleth the night; dayes and yeeres by the motion of the Sunne which ruleth the day. For the ſame cauſe as afterwards we ſhall ſee, the blaſphemy of the Beaſt will be reckoned after the motion of the Moon, by moneths: but the abiding of the woman in the wilderneſſe by yeers and dayes, after the motion of the Sunne.

Theſe are the two Olive trees, and the two candleſticks ſtanding Verſ. 4.before the God of the Earth.

That is, they are like Zorobabel and Ieſua, whom God in times paſt had anoynted, to reſtore againe the Iewiſh Church deſtroyed under the captivitie of Babylon, and by theſe witneſſes to take the charge of it in like manner under the ſervitude of the Gentiles. For the alluſion is to thoſe two olive trees, which Zacharias ſaw growing on either ſide of the golden candleſtick, and ſupplying the light thereof with oyle, Zach. 4. of which the Angel being demanded, what they meant, ſaith, Theſe are the two anoynted Verſ. 14.ones ſtanding before the Lord of the whole Earth; pointing at the two heads of the Church then under the ſervitude of the Gentiles, Zorobabel the Captaine, and Ieſua the high Prieſt, of whom he had propheſied a little before.

For the Candleſtick there of ſeven lights, did ſignifie the Temple, and in the type thereof the Church of that time: whoſe reſtoring and preſervation thoſe two anoynted ones ſhould procure, not by power, not by ſtrength or by any humane helps, but by the power of God alone, working after a certaine inviſible and wonderfull manner. Even as thoſe two olive trees ſtanding on each ſide the Candleſtick, did ſupply the lights thereof with oyle, in a certaine way extraordinary and not perceiveable.

But thou wilt ſay, wherefore is there not mention here in Iohn of one as in Zacharie, but of two Candleſticks, to which likewiſe, and not to the olive trees only, thoſe two Prophets ſeeme to be reſembled? I confeſſe I am here at a non plus, neither have I yet found out a reaſon of this difference apt and evident enough. In the meane while I thinke there lyeth hidden in the words an Hebraiſme, and it is as if he ſhould have ſaid, Theſe are thoſe two olive p. 10trees, at or beſides the two Candleſticks, ſtanding before the Lord Chap. 11.of the Earth: … that the compariſon is made onelyonly of the witneſſes with the olive trees, and the addition of the Candleſticks may be judged to belong but to the deſcription of the olive trees. …or the copulative with the He…re ws is ſometime in ſtead of the praepoſition foreign that is, for with, beſides, at, as 1 Sam. 14. 18. Becauſe then was the Arke of God and the children of Iſrael, that is, with the children of Iſrael. See Schindlers Lexicon. But the difficultie concerning the two Candleſticks will remaine nevertheleſſe. Whether therefore it be to be ſaid that that one Candleſtick with Zacharie is here to be accounted for a double one, in regard to wit of the double order of the lights from either part of the ſhaft, and the two olive trees powring oyle into each of them ſeverally? There is alſo with Zachary mention of ſeven and ſeven, that is of twice ſeven **Infuſoriorum.pipes, but whereto it tendeth is not manifeſt enough. Or whether ſhall we thinke that that paire appertaineth ſecretly to ſet out the condition of the Chriſtian Church? that is to ſay, either as it were conſiſting of two people, the iews and the Gentiles? or which is happily neerer the truth, becauſe in the time wherein the witneſſes ſhould mourne it was to be divided, together w^th the Roman Empire, into the Eaſtern & Weſtern. Howſoever it be, it is certain that the Candleſticks ſet out, not the Prophets or Biſhops of the Church, but the Chuches themſelves, which appeareth out of that that the Angel before, Ch. 1. 20. doth interpret the ſeven Candleſticks, to be ſo many Churches: the ſeven Candleſticks, ſaith he, which thou didſt ſee, are ſeven Churches.

When if any man will hurt, fire proceedeth out of their mouth Verſ. 5.and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he muſt ſo be killed.

The witneſſes doe not revenge themſelves by ſtrength of hand, not with ſword or poyniards, if at any time they ſhall be hurt by their enemies; but the revenge proceedeth out of their mouthes, that is, they pierce their enemies with weapons of their mouth; to wit, whil they denounce the anger of …od hanging over the heads of thoſe that abuſe his Miniſters, or by their imprecations and groans obtaine revenge. For this …, w…ich is ſhewed to proceed out of the mouth of the witneſſes, is a … of revenge; according to that o… the Lord to Ieremiah, Chap. 5. 14. Behold, I make my words in thy mouth Fire, and this people wood, p. 11and it ſhall devoure them. For Moſes and Aaron and afterward Chap. 11.Elias; they upon the confederates of the conſpiracy of Korah, and he upon the ſervants of King Ahaziah a worſhipper of Baal did bring down fire properly ſo called from heaven: but the Fire of our witneſſes, is to be interpreted myſtically, ſince that the holy Ghoſt telleth us anon, that our Egypt, and likewiſe the wilderneſſe, are taken **foreign.ſpiritually. Furthermore, that which the Prophets doe denounce in the name of God, the ſame it is ſaid they accompliſhed, as that which the Lord ſaith to the ſame Ieremiah doth ſhew, Chap. 1. 10. I have ſet thee, ſaith he, over the nations and kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, and to ſpoyle and to everthrow, and to build and to plant; let no man now marvell that fire or divine revenge is ſaid to proceed out of the mouthes of the witneſſes, who notwithſtanding have the ſole power of denouncing it or obtaining it from God.

So the witneſſes doe revenge their own injury: it ſo loweth by what means alſo they revenge the contumely offered to the Temple of God.

They have power to ſhut heaven that it raine not (to wit a myſticall Verſ. 6.raine) in the dayes of their propheſie.

That is they are furniſhed with the power of the keyes, whereby they ſhut up heaven againſt theſe new Gentiles, the corrupters of Chriſtian worſhip, that the grace of the blood of Chriſt ſealed by Baptiſme, be not ſhed upon them for the remiſſion of their ſins, ſo long as they by their Idolatries and Superſtitions ſhall perſevere to be the cauſe of the mourning propheſie of the witneſſes. I will more plainly expreſſe it. They according to the word of God do debarre from the hope of eternall life, promiſed on…ly to the pure worſhippers of God, thoſe new Idolaters; untill, being mindfull of their covenant in Baptiſme, they ſhall returne to the worſhip of one God by one Mediatour Ieſus Chriſt, forſaking the worſhipping of Satan, and ſo ſhall put an end to the mourning propheſie of the witneſſes. Even as Elias alſo reſtored not raine to the Iſraelites, now almoſt killed with drought before that the prophets of Baal and his worſhip were deſtroyed.

But of this power of the witneſſes, we have an example afterwards, Chap. 14 9. If any one, ſay they, ſhall worſhip the Beaſt, and his Image; and receive his marke in their forehead or on his hand; the ſame ſhall drinke of the wine of the wrath of God, of the pure wine p. 1210.tempered in the cup of his indignation, and he ſhall be tormented with Chap. 11.fire and brimſtone, in the preſence of the holy Angels and in the preſence 11.of the Lambe, and the ſmoake of their torment ſhall aſcend for ever and ever, &c.

To conclude, they have power over waters to turne them into Verſ. 6.blood, and to ſmite the earth with every plague, as often as they will.

Such like power indeed Moſes and Aaron uſed, when they brought Iſrael out of the Egyptian bondage. Whence I gather, that the power of the witneſſes figured by this type, pertaineth not to all the dayes of the mourning propheſie, but to the end of them, or the time of the phyalls; to wit, when by the conduct of the witneſſes or Prophets, as it were of Moſes and Aaron, the Chriſtian people is to be brought out like wiſe from the tyranny and ſervice of the Beaſt, by pl…gues expreſſed after the manner of thoſe of Egypt. For truly the firſt plague of the Phyals doth ſtrike the earth with an Vlcer; by the ſeco…d and third, the waters are turned into blood; the reſt doe torment the worſhippers of the Beaſt or the Gentiles abiding in the court of the Temple, with other and yet more grievous plagues. The interpretation of all which we will reſerve to their proper place. Let it ſuffice here to have referred this laſt power to the powring out of the Phyals. It followeth.

And when they ſhall be about to finiſh their teſtimony, the Beaſt which aſcendeth out of the bottomleſſe pit ſhall make warre againſt Verſ. 7.them, and ſhall overcome them and kill them.

Of the function and power of the Witneſſes hitherto; it followeth now of their deſtinie, which they were to finde at the end of their Propheſie. The deſcription whereof is wholly compact out of the hiſtorie of the paſſion of our Lord. For the Lord Ieſus likewiſe when he had ended his preaching of about ſo many dayes as the propheſie of the Witneſſes amount to, is ſlaine by the Romane Governour the Legate of this beaſt between whom and the Witneſſes there is warre (but in the time of his ſixt head) the third day after there being likewiſe a great earthquake he roſe againe. And a little after, to wit, upon the fortieth day, being received in a cloud he aſcended into heaven. All which things God would have to be repreſented in this ſlaughter of his witneſſes by his owne death; that like as they have borne the likeneſſe of thoſe renowned paires (of which is ſpoken before) p. 13in the ſtate of their function: ſo they ſhould be made conformable Chap. 11.in ſuffering and death, to their Lord Chriſt, that faithfull Witneſſe: which truely ought to be both comfortable and glorious to them in the midſt of their miſeries.

But let us give light to the text. When, ſaith he, they ſhall be about to finiſh their teſtimony (for ſo foreign is to be tranſlated, no… of the Preterperfect tenſe, when they have finiſhed) the Beaſt which aſcendeth out of the bottomleſſe pit ſhall make war with them, and ſhall overcome them, and kill them. That is, when now, part of the holy Citie or inhabitants of the Chriſtian world, acknowledging the horribleneſſe of Gentiliſme, repenting of their Idolatries, and abominations and clenſing the Temple of God within themſelves; the witneſſes rejoycing ſhould begin to put off their ſackcloth, and to be freed from their daily mourning, notwithſtanding they ſhould not yet be wholly freed: that Romane ſevenheaded Boaſt of the laſt time (of which Chap. 13.) chaſing that the preaching of thoſe mourners had ſo farre prevailed, ſhall make warre againſt them, overcome and kill them. The firſt of which concerning the mourning of the witneſſes already begunne to determine, …ath beene continually performed from the beginning of the reformed Church untill this preſent.

The other concerning warre and ſlaughter I conjecture is yet to come. But our Brightman thought it already fulfilled, to wit, in the Smalcaldian warre under the Emperour Charles the fifth. Others apply it to the late ruine of the Churches of Germany. And who would not much rather that ſo lamentable an accident to the Church were paſt, then to feare it to be yet to come? But the interpretation is not to be directed according to our wiſh. Yea rather the errour will be with greater danger on that part then on the contrary. For the expectation of a future calamity conduceth more to piety, then an over-credulous ſecuritie thereof, as if it were already paſt. There are two things which perſwade me that this laſt deſtruction is yet to be feared. The firſt that thoſe lamentable times of the Gentiles trampling under foot the holy Citie, or Chriſtian Religion, or the times of the forty two moneths, cannot be ſaid to have fulfilled their period ſo long as the Beaſt ſhall reigne: and therefore neither the Dayes of the Witneſſes mourning in ſackcloth, being of the ſame time and of the ſame age with them. Another becauſe this deſtruction of the p. 14Witneſſes is to be the next antecedent (as we ſhall heare afterwards) Chap. 11.to the deſtruction and ruine of the great Citie, that is, Rome: which the **Series.courſe of the Phyals ſuffereth not to be ſo neet come; conſidering that we have not paſſed the fourth of them as yet (although we hope it is in agitation in the preſent Germane warres) as there it ſhall be taught. But that the ruine of the Citie belongeth to the fifth we ſhall ſhew anon. Whoſe forerunner therefore that this deſtruction ſhall be which we have in hand, it is very probable; eſpecially, ſince it is uſuall with Chriſt our Captaine, to ſubdue his enemies and to reward his with victory, by the method of the Croſſe. Neither yet becauſe this deſtruction is the laſt, and even yet to come, can any thing be certainly determined, concerning the grievouſneſſe thereof above all w… have gone before; for happily not ſo much in reſpect of the grievouſneſſe (certainly not of the long continuance) as that it ſhould be for a ſigne of the mourning of the Witneſſes then forthwith to be ended, and of the ruine of the Citie of Rome being at hand; therefore it alone of all the deſtructions wherewith the Beaſt ſhould afflict the Saints, deſerved a ſingular remembrance and deſcription: even as indeed the environing of the inhabitants of Ieruſalem by the Armie of Ceſtius Gallus, a little before the …atall ſiege by Titus, was foretold for a ſigne of the ſacking thereof then to approach and to be at the doores. For even as our Saviour told his Apoſtles enquiring the ſignes of the time of the ſacking thereof: When ye ſee Ieruſalem beſieged by an Luk. 21.20.Luke 21:20Army; then know that the deſolation thereof draweth neere: the like may be thought here to be meant of the ſacking of Babylon; when ye ſhall ſee that three yeeres and an halfe ſlaughter of the Witneſſes, know ye that the deſolation of the great Citie draweth neere.

But the ſlaughter where with the Witneſſes are foretold to be overcome by the Beaſt, I thinke is to be underſtood in the moſt generall ſignification, wherein he comprehendeth death alſo metaphorically or analogica…ly ſo called. …or he is ſaid to Dye in that ſenſe, who being ſettled in any ſtate whatſoever, whether Politique or …ccleſiaſticall or any other, ceaſeth to be what he was. Whereupon alſo he killeth who puniſheth any one with ſuch a death. For ſo in the Sacred ſtile to live, is all one as, to be, to die, not to be. In which underſtanding we are ſaid to die to Satan and p. 15to ſinne, when for the time to come we ceaſe to be their ſlaves; Chap. 11.and to live unto Chriſt, when we beginne to be his. And the reaſon of oppoſition doth altogether ſeeme to require, that in what manner thereſurrection of the Witneſſes to life after the ſlaughter accompliſhed ſhould be, ſuch ſhould be the ſlaughter it ſelfe: but that appeareth to be analogicall, becauſe no reſurrection properly ſo called can be before the coming of Chriſt under the ſeventh Trumpet. But this cometh to paſſe while the ſixth is in being.

The killing therefore of the Witneſſes if we expound it according to ſuch a rule of underſtanding, it will ſeeme to be a moleſtation and dejection of them from the office and place which they a little while had gotten in the reformed Church, by the ef…icacie of their preaching; whether it be joyned with corporall death, or otherwiſe: ſo that thenceforth they live not the propheticall life ſuch as then they had lived nor exerciſe the functions thereof any more. Whereby it muſt needs likewiſe come to paſſe that the pillars thereof being taken away, and the falſe Prophets of the Beaſt being againe brought in inſtead of the Prophets of Chriſt, the whole politie of the reformed Church, as far as this ſhall happen, ſhall goe to the ground: which whether it ſhall happen ſooner or later, onelyonly he knoweth, in whoſe hands are times and opportunities.

In the meane time leſt happily any one may be deceived, this is diligently to be obſerved: that this laſt warre of the Beaſt, is not of the ſame kinde with that which he had waged continually hitherunto againſt the company of the Saints (of which indeed in the hiſtory of the Beaſt it is ſaid, Chap. 13.7. That it was given unto him to make w…rre with the Saints and to overcome them;) b…t altogether different. For wherefore ſhould that be declared as peculiar to the laſt times of the Beaſt, which had beene uſuall with him, if not from his infancie, yet at leaſt from his **foreignperfection? therefore it is one kinde of warre, which the Beaſt waged univerſally againſt the Saints; another which in his laſt he ſhall wage with the Prophets, who had begunne now to put off their ſackcloth, and to end their propheticall mourning; that is, with the Biſhops of the Church in the reformed part thereof: which is more manifeſt out of the divers event of either warre; there …ur…ly with ſucceſſe, here very lamentable. For there the Beaſt …tained power over every Tribe, Tongue and Nation, &c. p. 16But here he procureth to himſelfe a ſudden and fatall ruine, as is Chap. 11.to be ſeene in the Text.

And their dead bodies (ſhall lie) in foreign, the ſtreet of the Verſ. 8.great Citie, which ſpiritually is called Sod me and Egypt, where alſo their Lord was crucified.

That Citie ſurnamed great is Rome, ſo called, not ſo much for the quantitie to looke upon, as becauſe ſhe had beene the Queene of other Cities; according to that of the Angel, Chap. 17. 18. The woman which thou ſaweſt, is that great Citie which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth. As in like manner by the name of the great King (as God is called, Pſal. 28. 2. and Matth, 5. 35. and which title did peculiarly comply in times paſt with the Kings of the Aſſyrians and Perſians) is meant the King of Kings, who …ath authoritie over …ther Kings. Whereupon throughout the whole Revelation whatſoever other name Rome is called by, either Babylon, or Harlot, it is alwaies intituled the Great; as that Great Babylon, that great Whore. Adde hereunto, that through the whole Revelation, that title is given to no Citie beſides it, except at length, after the ſacking of it, to that new Ieruſalem, Chap. 21.10.deſcending from heaven, in the light whereof afterward the Gentiles ſhould walke. Which he that ſhould thinke to be here meant, he certainly ſhould have need of ſome **Neeſing powder.Hellebore. For neither was Jeruſalem in the age of Iohn, nor is any other Ieruſalem, ever to be the Great Citie, or head and Queene of other Cities of the world excepting it.

It is added which is ſpiritually called Sodome and Egypt: Egypt for the tyrannie over the people of God, like the Egyptians tyranny: Sodome, for whoredome, to wit, ſpirituall. Now here (which let the Reader diligently marke) is the Key of the Allegorie (of which ſort more in this Booke doe occurre). Whereby indeed the holy Ghoſt at once would intimate, that whatſoever in theſe viſions is exhibited any where of the plagues of Egypt, or deſtruction of Sodome, all that is foreign, that is, myſtically to be interpreted; ſince that Rome, or the ſtate of the Romane Empire, the ſubject of all thoſe plagues, is myſticall Sodome and Egypt. Now there fall out paſſages concerning the Egyptian plagues, in the d…ſcription of the Trumpets and Phyals, as alſo in this very hiſtory of the Witneſſes; concerning the deſtruction of Sodome, in the judgement of the Beaſt, Chap. 19. 20. and 20. 10. p. 17the meaning of all which is to be opened by this Key. Hence alſo Chap. 11.it may be demonſtrated, that the ſubject of the Trumpets is the Romane dominion. Becauſe ſome of theirs are Egyptian plagues, and upon what ſhould Egyptian plagues be inflicted but upon Egypt? and this is Rome by the authoritie of the holy Ghoſt.

So concerning the great Citie the matter is plaine. But what that **Street.foreign of the City may be, whereof here is mention, is not ſo eaſie to be knowne. Surely for a ſtreet or for that which in Latine we call platea, or a market place, or any other place within the Citie it ſeemeth it cannot be taken; and that for the reaſons following.

1. For, firſt the Lord Chriſt who is ſaid to be crucified in this foreign, was crucified neither in any ſtreet or market place, or court of the Citie of Rome nor of Ieruſalem; but without the gate of the one, (Heb. 13.12.) and onelyonly within the Province of the other, by Pilate the Governour. Therefore **The ſtreet of that great Citie.foreign, is not any ſtreet, or broader way within the wals of either Citie, but a place without the Citie.

2. It is very like that foreign put in the ſingular number doth note out ſome thing of that ſort or kinde, whereof there is but one in a Citie, not more. But there are more ſtreets then one in every Citie, at leſt in a famous Citie.

3. It is to be thought that the bodies of the Witneſſes ly… there, where they be overcome in battell. But it is not the cuſtome for Armies to encounter within the wals of a City; but if not in the enemies land, at leaſt in the Region and Provinces ſubject to the Citie.

4. Whoſe ſlaine karcaſes might be openly beheld for three dayes and an halfe by people, kindreds, tongues, and Nations, and care taken that they ſhould not be buried; theſe lay not in any ſtreete or broad way of a great Citie, but either ſeeme to have beene diſperſed, or carried about through the Provinces: to w^ch therfore the ſignification of foreign ought to be applyed. And if any ſhall ſay, that the Army of the Beaſt whereby the Witneſſes are diſcomfited and ſlaine is compact out of ſeverall people and tongues, and therefore they could eaſily behold the dead bodies of thoſe whom they had ſlaine: we muſt have recourſe to the former Argument; that ſuch Armies uſe not to meet within the wals of a Citie. For at any hand the thing is to be ſo expounded, p. 18eſpecially where no reaſon of an allegory can be pretended, Chap. 11.that no abſurditie bee committed againſt the litterall ſenſe.

What elſe therefore ſha…l we ſay here, but that by the name of foreign, is ſignified the whole Region and Territory ſubject to the dominion of the City; and that that ſignification was drawne even from the Hebrew foreign. to which it often anſwereth in the Septuagint Tranſlation? to wit, after the manner and uſe of the Septuagint who in tranſlating of an Hebrew word **foreign.of many ſignifications, are wont to uſe a Greek word which properly anſwereth it but in one ſenſe, to expreſſe the force of it in another ſenſe, as by many examples may be proved if here it had beene pertinent. And now foreign with the Hebrewes ſignifieth, whatſoever is altogether without the houſe, whether without buildings, as ſtreets and wayes in Cities, or without the Citie, as foreign, a Region or ground lying about it. Surely Iob 5. 10. where in the Hebrew it is foreign upon the fields, the Chalde rendereth it: who giveth raine upon the face of the earth, and ſendeth waters upon the face of the province or region of the people: or from the notion of breadth, as though it were the ſame as foreign, Eſay 8. 8. And the ſtretching out of his wings (that is of the Aſſyrian) ſhall fill the breadth of thy Land, O Immanuel. And Revel. 20, 9. concerning Gog and Magog, foreign. They went up on the breadth of the earth, and compaſſed—the beloved Citi…. For hither it tendeth, that foreign which is the other word which the Seventie tranſlate foreign, and foreign which ſignifieth breadth or foreign, have all one and the ſame letters, and both of them by the Chaldeans are expreſſed by the ſame word foreign Or, to conclude, by the notion of breadth, which is proper to the word foreign, the holy Ghoſt would intimate the largeneſſe of the dominion of that great City, wherein it hath, and at this day doth exceed all other Cities: as if foreign had been put for **VponUpon the large region.foreign, &c. Surely the word foreign is an adjective put Subſtantively, and thereupon ſome what ought to be underſtood; and truely one thing and another may be, to explaine the ſignification thereof: neither know I whether that ſignification of a ſtreet may at all be found among the ancient Greeke Writers.

p. 19And now, to whom this interpretation ſhall approve it ſelfe, Chap. 11.to him it cannot be obſcure any more; either why Chriſt is ſaid to be crucified in foreign of the Citie of Rome, or where the dead bodies of the ſlaine Witneſſes are to be caſt forth; to wit, not in the Citie of Rome, but within the Romane dominion. Truely I know very many of ours that may come to the ſame end, doe underſtand here by the name of the Citie the whole dominion of the Citie. But then I pray you what ſhall foreign be? for (according to this interpretation) it can be neither of thoſe two things of which it muſt of neceſſitie be the one, to wit, either the Romane dominion, or elſe ſome province thereof. Not the dominion, as which is expreſſed already in the name of the City it ſelfe; not any province, becauſe a great City may have many ſuch, but foreign meaneth ſomething that is one and ſingular being put in the ſingular number. But it ſhall ſuffice to have noted theſe things of foreign, the ſtreet of the great Citie. Let us now proceed to the reſt.

And (the men) of the kindreds and people, and nations, ſhall ſee their dead bodies three dayes and an halfe, and ſhall not ſuffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. Or, and there ſhall be of kindreds and people, and nations which ſhall ſee their dead bodies, &c.

Whether this be to be taken for a part of crueltie, or benefit, it is doubtfull; nor is it to be determined but by the fulfilling of the propheſie. For it may be taken either as proceeding from enemies, adding this diſgrace to the great ſlaughter which they had made, the deniall of buriall to the dead bodies of the ſlaine: or as from friends and favourers of the Witneſſes, to wit, by this means providing for them as it were by and by to riſe againe. For howſoever it was otherwiſe a part of a great crueltie, not to bury the dead, and to be caſt out unburied was eſteemed, eſpecially among the Ieues for an exceeding ignominy: yet thoſe which were ſo ſlaine that they were not plainly in deſpaire, but that they might be reſtored to life againe, it is to be accounted a benefit to hinder them a little while from cloſe buriall. If we muſt hold the firſt to be determined; by this Type ſeemeth to be intimated ſome note of Infamie or Ignominy wherewith all the followers of the Beaſt not contented to have ſlaine the Witneſſes, will moreover puniſh them. If the latter; ſome reſcue from the reformed people, for feare of whom, as being in multitude the p. 20greateſt part by farre, and therefore the wound being yet freſh Chap. 11.and things not as yet ſettled, not to be provoked to deſperation without danger; or at leaſt by ſecret meanes and favour, it ſhould come to paſſe, that the Witneſſes ſhould not be ſo dealt with, that there were no hope of reviving. Achmetes out of the learning of the Indians Apotel. 130 If any in his ſleepe ſhall ſeeme to himſelfe to be buried, that buriall tendeth to the full certaintie of his ruine: If he ſhall ſeeme to ſee ſome defect of things pertaining to his buriall, that defect is referred to hope. If thou now enquire whether any thing in the Text appeare, which inclineth more to this interpretation then the other? I truly ſhould draw this for an Argument of this matter, that ſince here he declareth the ſubject in manner and words different from that when he ſpeaketh of enemies in the verſe following; he would not have the ſame to be underſtood here as there, but divers; there certainly enemies, but here friends of the Witneſſes. For of the enemies in the verſe following rejoycing and ſending gifts one to another, he ſaith, foreign. And they that dwell upon the earth. But of thoſe that will not ſuffer the dead bodies of the Witneſſes to be put into graves, foreign, of the people, and kindreds, and tongues, and nations, partitively, as if he would note ſome certaine ones of a divers diſpoſition from the reſt. Let the Reader judge.

Three dayes and an halfe.

That is, as it ſeemeth three yeere and an halfe. For thoſe things that are foretold to be done then, do argue, that they cannot be underſtood of dayes in proper ſence. For can any man beleeve, that the ſmall ſpace of three dayes and an halfe is ſufficient, either for ſpreading the fame of the death of the Witneſſes, or for the ſending of meſſengers with gifts to and fro among the Nations? Nay, it were not indeed ſufficient for the providing of them. Adde hereunto that the halfe of a day properly ſo taken, or twelve houres, were altogether unfit for determining of ſuch acts. For ſuch matters are not wont to be obſerved by houres, but by moneths, at leaſt by whole dayes. In the meane time it is to be obſerved that the time here is computed, not of the killing of the Witneſſes, but wherein they lay dead and without life, now after they were ſlaine. But how long the warre it ſelfe ſhall laſt, and how long time ſhall be given for the killing of the Prophets, nothing p. 21but the fulfilling of the propheſie will teach.Chap. 11.

And they that dwell upon the earth ſhall re…oyce over them, and Verſ. 10.ſhall be glad, and ſhall ſend gifts one to another, becauſe theſe two Prophe…s tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

Concerning the manner of ſending gifts in a publique joy or in great gladneſſe; See Eſther 9. 19. 22.

But after three dayes and an halfe, the ſpirit of life from God entered into them, and they ſtood upon their feet, and great feare fell Verſ. 11.upon them, which ſaw them.

Such as the death of the Witneſſes was, ſuch ſhall be their raiſing up or reſurrection from the dead; to wit, a reſtitution to their former eſtate; and that not ſo much by any humane power or ayde, as the finger of God, who is wonderfull in his works. For (theſe words) the ſpirit of life from God entered into them, intimateth this. Achmetes apoteleſm. 6. and 7. out of the learning of the Egyptians and Perſians. If any ſhall ſeeme to ſee in a dreame the raiſing of the dead, that matter ſignifyeth the delivery of thoſe that be bound and an end of warres. Apot. 7. a freedome from calamities. You may ſee, Ezek. chap. 37.

And they heard a great voyce from heaven ſaying unto them, Verſ. 12.Come up hither, and they aſcended up to heaven by a cloud (or in a cloud) and their enemies beheld them.

The witneſſes ſhall not only be reſtored to their place and former ſtation, but ſhall be even advanced into ſome more excellent degree of honour and power. For to be carried in a cloud, and to aſcend into heaven, doth ſignifie that. See Dan. 7.13. Eſay 14. 13. and 19. Whereupon in the declarations of dreames, which Apomaſar or Achmetes that Arabian whom I have ſo often cited, hath gathered out of the ancient monuments of the Egyptians and Ferſians it is read, if a King ſhall ſeeme to himſelfe to have ſitten in the clouds, and to be carried whither ſoever he would, the Barbarian enemies ſhall become his ſervants, over whom he ſhall raigne with authoritie. A…ſo, if a King ſhall ſeeme to himſelfe as it were to have …lowen to heaven where the ſtarres ſhould be, he ſhall obtaine eminency and fame above other Kings. Likewiſe, if a King being aſcended up ſhall ſeeme to himſelfe, to be ſet in heaven, he ſhall reduce a countrey greater then that which he poſſeſſeth under his power, Apotel. 162. and 164. Theſe things I bring in to this purpoſe, that I may p. 22ſhew that this parable was uſed in that meaning which I ſay by Chap. 11.the Prophets of God according to the cuſtome of the Eaſt. The miniſtery therefore of the witneſſes ſha…l not be deſpicable as before, neither ſhall they be reckoned among the abject and contemptible ſort of men. So that that which our Saviour ſaid of himſelfe, Luk. 24. 26. Did it not behoove Chriſt to ſuffer theſe things and (afterward) to enter into his glory? ſhall be effectually verified alſo in his Prophets. And who knoweth whether or no the reformed Church ſhall be worthily puniſhed for the reproach offered Chriſt in this behalfe, by the taking away of the witneſſes for a time; becauſe they reverenced them not according to the dignitie of their embaſſage, while they enjoyed them. It is too well knowne what offence the reformed Churches commit in this behalfe: and that while the Prophets of Chriſt mightily beſtirred themſelves in reforming of the Church of God, others in the meane while diſgraced that moſt ſacred worke, by pillaging and interverting the maintenance thereof; not leaving in ſome places ſo much as food (to the great diſgrace of true Religion) whereby the Miniſters thereof might be honeſtly ſuſtained and according to the dignitie of their calling; much leſſe that any thing ſhould abound which they might ſet aſide for the enlarging of the reformation, the neceſſities of the holy warre, the reliefe of afflicted brethren, and other pious uſes. Was not that praevarication of this kinde, for which the Iewiſh Temple was given to Antiochus Epiphanes to be prophaned, and the Religion of the true God likewiſe to be troden down for the ſpace of three yeers? An Hoaſt (ſaith Daniel) ſhall be given to him againſt the daily ſacrifice by reaſon of tranſgreſſion, and it ſhall caſt down the truth to the ground, and ſhall doe it and proſper. Chap. 8. 12. See alſo the hiſtory in the ſecond book of the Macchabees from the beginning of the third Chapter to the Saint and Iudge. But I will touch upon this ſore no more. This only I will adde. Happily this encreaſe of honour and power ſhall happen to the witneſſes after their reſurrection by the command of the Supreme Magiſtrate (which ſeemeth to be that voyce from heaven) as in recompence of that infamy and ignominy, wherewith the followers of the Beaſt did puniſh them being dead; if ſo be that were ſignified by that prohibition of buriall.

p. 23And the ſame houre there was a great earth-quake and the tenth Chap. 11.part of the citie to (wit that great one) fell, and there were ſlaine in Verſ. 13.the earth-quake ſeven thouſand names of men.

At what time the Witneſſes or Prophets returned to life and aſcended into heaven, there was a great earth-quake, that is, a great commotion of the Nations, and alteration of Politique affaires; whereby indeed a way is opened for the Witneſſes, and power given them of reviving, with ſo great increaſe of dignitie and authoritie. In that ſtirre of Nations foreign the tenth part of the citie is overthrowne, and there are killed ſeven thouſand names of men. Of which words, that as farre as may be poſſible in a future thing, we may attaine the neereſt meaning to the truth, two things are by us to be premiſed and proved. Firſt, ſince there is no fall of the decaying Beaſt but is contained in ſome of the phyalls, therefore the ſam… deſtruction of the Beaſt is here deſcribed which belongeth to the powring out of the fift phyall. For proofe, there is the ſame ſubject of the plague in both; there, the ſeate or throne of the Beaſt, here that Great Citie. For that that Great Citie, to wit Rome, is the ſeat of the Beaſt, is ſo evident, that there needeth no proofe. Further it is confirmed; becauſe the deſtruction which is here deſcribed, doth ſo neerely goe before the utter aboliſhing of the Beaſt at the ſeventh trumpet, that nothing is ſhewed to have come betweene but the departure of the ſecond woe. And now the utter aboliſhing of the Beaſt is the worke of the laſt phyall; the departure of the ſecond woe or of that plague from Euphrates, is of the ſixt phyall. Therefore the deſtruction of the great Citie which next preventeth that departure, falleth into the fift phyall. The other thing by us to be premiſed, is, that the fall of the great Citie, is the very ſame deſtruction of Babylon which is ſung, Chap. 18. It is proved, becauſe it is certaine out of the ſame Chapter, that that deſtruction of Babylon or of the Citie Verſ. 2.of Rome, was to goe before the full deſtruction of the Beaſt, and the Emperiall Raigne of Chriſt to be begun with, the ſeventh trumpet. But now the deſtruction of the ſame Citie which is here declared, doth ſo neerely goe before that ſame kingdome, that the ſpirit, preſently paſſeth to that kingdome, and the deſcription of the ſeventh trumpet, without mentioning any other deſtruction beſides. It muſt needs therefore be that the ſame deſtruction of that Citie is deſcribed in both. For who can be perſwaded p. 24to thinke that the holy Ghoſt ſhould altogether let ſlip that Chap. 11.great deſtruction, interpoſing the mention of ſome leſſe deſtruction, and with it no way to be compared.

Theſe things being thus, it followeth, that the interpretation of this place is to be directed by the rule thereof, and as it were to be tryed by the ſame touchſtone; and ſo ſuch a meaning of theſe words to be ſought, as may agree with the deſcription of that deſtruction of Babylon. Which how it may be done let us now ſee. Philippus Nicolas a Divine of the Auguſtine Confeſſion, a learned and acute man, thinketh that by foreign is underſtood the Decharchie of the Citie, or the ten kingdoms ſubject to the dominion thereof, which forſooth in this ſtirre of the Nations, ſhould fall away from Rome, to the Empire whereof they had been ſubject ſo many yeers, not obeying the command thereof any more. To wit, the very ſame which is in another place ſaid, The ten Kings which had delivered over their power to the Rev. 17. 16.Rev 17:16Beaſt, then when the word of God ſhall be fulfilled, ſhall hate the Whore, ſhall make her deſolate and naked, ſhall eate her fleſh and burne her with fire. But ſuch underſtanding of the word …EKATON howſoever it firſt offered it ſelfe even to me, thinking of the meaning of this place, and by reaſon of the concinnitie of the matter it ſelfe did like me very much: yet afterwards conſidering it better, it ſeemed ſomewhat harſh and unuſuall; that I feare it will not eaſily be approved, by thoſe who deſire a plaine and genuine interpretation.

I ſeeke therefore another interpretation. And firſt it cometh into my minde, that foreign, is happily a name of tribute; either of that which the Pope receiveth out of the whole kingdome of the Beaſt, or of that which the Citie it ſelfe receiveth out of her large poſſeſſions by right of Lordſhip. That tenth of the Citie ſhall fall in that great commotion of affaires, that is, ſhall ceaſe; and thereby is intimated, that the principalitie of the Citie ſhall be utterly extinguiſhed; to wit, deprived of the ground allotted for her patrimonie (and the Pope thence driven by force) looſing the prerogative and dominion, which ſhe was wont to have over Cities and People farre and wide; when, that Prerogative and Dominion which ſhe had gotten, ſhall continue no longer; to wit, the Metropolis of the Kingdome of the Beaſt, or Seat of the falſe Prophet. For it is knowne, that tribute is the p. 25Symbole of Dominion, and by that name the moſt Provinces, under Chap. 11.the Empire of ancient Rome payed yeerely the tenth part of all their fruits. Which that it was uſuall alſo in the Eaſtern kingdoms, may be proved as well out of 1. Macca…. 10. 31. and 11. 35. as alſo out of that briefe of all the power of a King, 1 Sam. 8. (but take heed thou take not that which is ſaid there of tythes to be meant of ſacred tythes, they were the Kings, and uſed to be payed to Kings as to Gods Vicegerents:) which alſo Ariſtotle confirmeth in the ſecond Book of his Oeconomicks. Therefore it ought not to ſeeme ſtrange if any man ſhould here affirme, that by the name of tenth a kinde ſo commonly uſed, there may be meant any kinde of tribute in generall belonging to the Citie. But there is no need to come to that, ſith in Italy that manner of tribute hath not yet worne out of uſe, and furthermore the Pope of Rome, in his Eccleſiaſticall Empire now long ſince hath imitated the ſame: by exacting yeerely the tenth part of all Eccleſiaſticall Benefices. But one thing hindreth this interpretation, namely, that then it ſhould rather have been ſaid foreign then foreign. Furthermore, the word foreign, fell, (whereby it muſt needs be that ſome effect agreeable to an earthquake is ſignified) is not plyant enough to ſuch interpretation. Yea, if it could ſtand, yet it ſhould ſeeme to expreſſe the ruine of Babylon (wherewith we preſuppoſe it to be the ſame) too obſcurely and weakely and not anſwerably to ſo great a ruine.

At length therefore, untill ſome one ſhall enforme ſomething more certainly and more agreeable to the Text; I fall to this, that I conceive by foreign the tenth part of the Citie, is underſtood truly a part of the Citie, but not any part of the Citie as it is at this day, but the whole; I ſay the whole Pontificiall Rome, which is the tenth part of that ancient Rome. Which that it is ſo, and that it is not at this day more then a tenth part of that old Rome ſuch as it was in Iohns age, may be perceived by the demonſtration following.

For tru…ly Lipſius affirmeth, **Or maintaineth.that old Rome ſuch as it was in Iohns age, as touching the forme, was in a manner round, but not exactly; that the Semidiameter thereof, from the **A milliario a…reo.golden pillar ſtanding in the head of the Market place of Rome to the utmoſt of the buildings was reckoned for ſeven miles to conclude that the compaſſe of it was fortie two miles. Since therefore it was p. 26not exactly round, for the meaſuring of the plot thereof let us Chap. 11.leſſen the Semidiameter one mile (to wit, ſo much as in a ſixe angled figure ſhould be leſſoned in the ſide for the Perpendicular line) there will be ſixe which multiplied with 21. the halfe of the circumference, it will give the plot of the Citie to be 12….

But now the preſent or Pontificiall Rome hath not in compaſſe but thirteen or fifteen miles, as they know ſaith Lypſius, who have meaſured it; the forme as may be ſeene by the plot thereof next to a foure-ſquare, ſomewhat long as it were in a double proportion. For the meaſuring of which therefore, let there be placed a draught of paralell lines right angled, whoſe perimeter may be fifteen, the longitude double to the latitude, ſuch doubtleſſe as will be out of the ſides 2½ and 5, which being multiplyed between themſelves, a plot 12½ will be the product. Now the number 126 doth comprehend the number 12½ ten times. Therefore the later plot is of the former, and conſequently Rome at this day of that ancient Rome, the tenth part, which was to be demonſtrated. Who ſo is not ſo well accuſtomed to this manner of demonſtration let him uſe the judgement of his eyes in the following plots.

Ancient Rome in compaſſe 42 miles

Rome at this day in compaſſe 15 miles

foreign The tenth part of the Citie.

We cannot certainly here examine all things exactly; but it is wonderfull that that which we are able is ſo agreeable. I define p. 27the circuit of the Citie at this day by the walles wherewith Chap. 11.now it is compaſſed: for without, contrary to that of old, it is not at this day inhabited, but the whole, how great ſoever it is, is encloſed with wals, and wals w^ch the Popes Hadrianus the firſt and Leo the fourth as it were by fatall inſtinct made the utmoſt bound thereof, being now become the Seat as it were of the Pontificiall kingdom, for ſo Blondus delivereth, that the wals which are now extant were built by Hadrian 1, by gathering 100000 crounes out of Thuſcia. Thoſe afterward, as it is known out of others, Leo 4 either repaired or finiſhed about the yeere of our Lord 850 and by adding that part which is beyond the river or builded by Leo, made up the Citie in that forme and circuit wherein it is now ſeene. And although it hath much of the ſpace encloſed within the wals voide and not inhabited, yet ſince wals are to be reckoned amongſt the chiefe works of the Citie, the Citie it ſelf cannot be thought leſſer then the wals: larger indeed it might be, if it were (as in times paſt that old one was) extended every way without the wals with continued buildings.

That I may now at length make an end, the ſumme commeth to this; the holy Ghoſt would ſay or intimate this, that ſo much of the great Citie, as had remained to this earthquake, was at that time ruined, to wit, foreign the tenth part of the Citie, neither was there any more to be ſtanding at that time. Nine parts many ages before were to fall, and truly we ſee they are fallen; partly by deſtructions and ruines, which the Barbarians ſo many times brought upon it, partly decaying with overmuch oldneſſe, partly alſo (as at the fourth trumpet we have ſhewed) thrown down with thunderbolts: the Tenth was reſerved by deſtine for the Pope of Rome, which was to be ordained head of the new Empire, and mother of the Chriſtian harlots. This by that earthquake which ſhall be joyned with the riſing of the witneſſes ſhall be utterly demoliſhed.

Yet notwithſtanding happily it was not neceſſary that we ſhould interpret the ſpeech of the holy Ghoſt concerning the tenth part of the Citie ſo ſtrictly as we have done, according to Geometricall rules: it would have been ſufficient, if, as in times paſt when …andling the deſtruction of the Iewiſh people he ſaid by Eſay, the tenth thereof ſhall be reſerved, and ſhall returne into p. 28Eſay 6. 13.Isa 6:13their land: ſo here we may underſtand, not ſo exactly the tenth, Chap. 11.as ſome leaſt part, as it were the tenth, of that ancient largeneſſe of the Citie of Rome, ſhould remaine for the ſeat and laſt deſtruction of this Beaſt.

It is added: and in the earthquake were ſlaine ſeven thouſand names of men.

Here if by names of men we underſtand heads of men, or ſeverall men: the number ſeemeth over ſlender, and not agreeable to the greatneſſe of the deſtruction which other where the holy Ghoſt intimateth. For ſhall not the number of the ſlaine be farre greater, in the deſtruction of Babylon, then ſeven thouſand men? And is it likely that the powring out of the fift phyall upon the throne of the Beaſt, ſhould paſſe away with ſo ſmall a ſlaughter of men? That this ſcruple may by ſome means be ſatisfied; Firſt, it is to be obſerved, that by the name of the Citie here is underſtood, not citizens and inhabitants, but buildings and walles, that is, the royall Seat of the Beaſt: and ſo a double ruine of Babylon is deſcribed in theſe propheſies: Firſt, of Babylon taken for the royall Citie of the Beaſt, to wit, the Citie of Rome, at the fift phyall: Again, of Babylon taken for the Citizens or State of Rome; which doubtleſſe the Pope with the Senate of Scarlet Cardinals & the other company of Citizens, eſpecially Eccleſiaſticall do make. Who, Rome being deſtroyed and burnt, betake themſelves to dwell elſewhere, to be reſerved for the laſt phyall. At the powring whereof it is ſaid above other deſtructions of any Land, Nations, and Cities, in that greateſt earthquake of all which ever have been, even that Babylon the great came in remembrance before God, to give unto her Rev. 16.19Rev 16:19the cup of the fierceneſſe of his wrath: when as notwithſtanding that burning and overthrow of Babylon, which is deſcribed in the 18. and 19. Chapters, doth altogether prevent the full deſtruction of the Beaſt and falſe Prophet, as in the text there is manifeſt. I know ſome doe otherwiſe untie this knot, ſaying that Babylon which is mentioned at the laſt phyall, is Conſtantinople, the Metropolis of the Turks: but they ſhall never perſwade me, that the holy Ghoſt in the firſt and chiefeſt repreſentation of all uſed ſo notable an * Homonymia, and to underſtand two, not alwayes onelyonly When by one word divers things are ſignified.one and the ſame Babylon, though in a double reſpe…t. That we may come therefore to the purpoſe. It may happily come to paſſe, p. 29that the former deſtruction of Babylon, that is, the ruine and overthrow Chap. 11.of the Citie of Rome, is to be acted without any cruell, much leſſe totall putting to death of the Citizens. And although the ſmoake thereof ſhall aſcend evermore, that is, ſhe ſhall be wholly Revel. 19.3.Rev 19:3turned into aſhes, and made even with the ground, never after to be inhabited; yet notwithſtanding a great part of the Citizens ſhall eſcape out of the deſtruction of the Citie; either becauſe they ſhall betake themſelves to flight in time, or for ſome other cauſe, which the event will manifeſt.

And this is one way, whereby the ſcruple concerning the overſmall number of the ſlaine may be ſatisfyed. Another is if we ſay that by foreign names of men, happily is meant foreign, men of name, for ſuch **A figure, when words are underſtood contrariwiſe.Hypallage is not unuſuall in the Scripture, that in the government of Nounes, that that Nowne which is in ſtead of the Epithite ſhould goe before the other. The places of Scripture following witneſſe this, Lev. 5. 15. foreign the ſilver of ſhekles for ſhekles of ſilver, or ſilver ſhekles. And verſ. 3. of the ſame, and Chap. 7. 21. foreign the uncleanneſſe of a man, for a man of uncleanneſſe, that is uncleane, Rom. 9. 31. foreign, the law of righteouſneſſe; for the righteouſneſſe of the Law, and Epheſ. 2. 7. foreign, the riches of his grace for his rich grace, and the like. And a name is familiar almoſt in all tongues for renowne, eſpecially in the holy tongue; wherein foreign men of name, are men of renowne, children foreign without name (Iob 30. 8.) Numb. 16.2.Num 16:2are foreign, ignoble, or baſe; in the Chalde, Ideots. Whence Beza in his annotations upon Epheſ. 1. 21. and Philip. 2. 9. concerning the exaltation of Chriſt above every name; as alſo Heb. 1. 4. taketh Name in the ſignification of dignitie and foreign, worth. Such interpretation if we follow (neither doe I ſee what ſhould oppoſe it) the name of men ſhall be foreign, dignities of men; foreign, men of name, famous men and excelling in dignitie; of whom there ſhall be ruined in this commotion of affaires and nations about ſeven thouſand (and what if of the order of the falſe Prophets which they call the Clergie?) yet I thinke the number of ſeven thouſand is ſo to be defined, that a few more or leſſe after the manner of the Scripture may be underſtood. Of the common people what number ſhall fall in this warre, was to no purpoſe to mention, ſince that might be conjectured by the deſtruction p. 30of the famous ones, neither would the holy Ghoſt deſcend Chap. 11.to reckon the off-ſcumme in the account of the ſlaine.

But yet another interpretation may be given, that there is no need to interpret it of men by polle: to wit, if we interpret the names of men, Companies and Societies of men, uſed to be called by their proper names no leſſe then men in particular, as are Cities, Incorporations, Pariſhes, Boroughs, Covents, and the like titles of humane Companies. For theſe what other thing are they, if we would conſider the matter, then foreign, names of men; for ſo the politie of the Th…bans is called by Eſchynes foreign, and the Roman name is put for the Romanes. What therefore if in this commotion of the nations ſeven thouſand of theſe titles of humane Societies, whatſoever they be; whether in the Citie of Rome, or in the ſtate of the Church as they call it, be to be killed? that is, ſubdued, by the adverſe power, which the Scripture is wont to call killing? But we ought not raſhly to determine of a future thing, ſince the Commentary of a Propheſie is the event of the things foretold. Notwithſtanding to this end I have produced theſe things, that it may appeare that the interpretation is much more free here, as touching the words, then happily is commonly accounted: when as the uſe of the Scripture doth not tie the word Name to ſome one and certaine ſignification. Neither can foreign joyned together be any where found, but in the place we have in hand; neither foreign ſimply for men by polle, but twiſe onelyonly, Act. 1 15. Revel. 3.4. Other where it is uſed ſometimes in one ſometimes in another ſignification. It remaineth.

And the reſt were affraid, and gave glory to the God of Heaven.

To wit, by their aſtoniſhment wherein even unwillingly and unthankfully they acknowledge his hand. For to acknowledge the wiſedome, goodneſſe, and power of God by what token ſoever, is to give glory to God. Even as they who being taken with the manner by God confeſſe their ſinnes, and are ſaid to give glory to God, as Achan. It followeth:

The ſecond woe is paſt, and behold the third w…e commeth Verſ. 14.quickly.

The meaning is that that great earthquake is to continue till the end of the ſecond Woe or the ſixth Trumpet; and together p. 31with it the mourning Propheſie of the Witneſſes is at length to be Chap. 11.finiſhed. For truely after ſo great a victory over the followers of the Beaſt, and their aſcending into the heaven of authoritie and honour, they ſhall put on ſackcloth no more. But now if the ſecond Woe, or the plague of the ſixt Trumpet, be that overflowing of the Turkes from Euphrates into the Romane Empire now long ſince, as there we have interpreted: it can ſcarcely be, but that this departure of the ſame plague, is that drying up of the water of Euphrates to come to paſſe at the powring out of the fifth phyall, whereby the way is prepared for the Kings of the Eaſt to come, Chap. 16. 12.

At which coming of the Kings of the Eaſt (leſt a gap be left otherwiſe betweene either Trumpet) the ſeventh Trumpet ſeemeth to beginne; and ſo that wonderfull preparation of the Dragon, Beaſt, and falſe Prophet, for the warre to be waged in Armageddon (there verſ. 13, 14. together with the event thereof at the laſt phyall (verſ. 17, &c.) ought to be placed in the beginning of the ſame ſeventh Trumpet. And ſurely it ſeemeth to be very meete, that the preparation to warre, doe pertaine to the ſame Trumpet to which the warre it ſelfe pertaineth.

But out of this a doubt ariſeth, which requireth ſatisfaction, and therefore not to be paſſed in ſilence. For ſince there is the ſame terme of forty two moneths of the Beaſt, as is of one thouſand two hundred and ſixty dayes of the mourning of the Witneſſes; and ſince thoſe dayes of the mourning of the Witneſſes are ended at the departure of the plague of the ſixt Trumpet, or ſecond Woe; it may be demanded not unfitly, wherefore the moneths of the Beaſt ſhould not be further reckoned, ſince after that terme no little of the Beaſt yet remaineth, being not to be aboliſhed, before the ſeventh Trumpet is begun.

It may be anſwered, that this cometh to paſſe either becauſe then the converſion of Iſrael and as it were a new Kingdome beginneth (for they are called the Kings from the riſing of the Sun) or becauſe in the continuance of the Beaſt, conſideration is had eſpecially to the Empire of the Citie of Rome; but that great Citie the royall ſeat of the Beaſt in this earthquake is taken and overthrowne: even ſo farre, that from thenceforth the Beaſt ſhall as it were, change his forme, ſince being driven ſo from his p. 32Metropolis, it can no more be accounted for a Kingdome of ſeven Chap. 12.hils, (which is the other ſignification of the ſeven heads thereof).

There is moreover in the Text, concerning the ſound of the ſeventh Trumpet, and the Emperiall reigne of Chriſt in that great day of Iudgement: the interpretation whereof we will put off to the end of the booke, that we may there at once ſet forth all the propheſies appertaining thereunto.

The meaning of the red ſeven headed Dragon contending with Michael about the child birth.

The firſt viſion of the open booke, which we handled Chap. 11. went through the whole courſe of the Revelation from the beginning to the end, and that, as elſewhere we have touched, to ſhew the conextion of the ſame with the Seales and Trumpets. Now the other propheſies of the ſame time and Eccleſiaſticall affaires, come to be knit to that viſion, to the making up of the body of the open booke, among which

The battell of the ſeven headed red Dragon with Michael, doth comprehend the ſame ſpace of Eccleſiaſticall affaires with the meaſured Court: wherein truely the Romane Empire **Draconicola.worſhipping the Dragon tyrannized with lamentable perſecutions againſt the Church in travaile with childe, labouring to bring forth Chriſt to be King in the Romane Empire, and at leaſt three hundred yeers made war againſt the Spirit of Chriſt mightily working in his ſervants. But the woman at laſt after many ſorrowes cuttings and ſlaughters in child-birth, brought forth the King even Chap. 12. 5.Chriſt ſuch as ſhe travelled with, to rule the Nations with an iron Rod, and the Dragon being throwne downe from his Romane throne, ſalvation and ſtrength, and the Kingdome of our Chap. 12.10. 14.God, and the power of his Chriſt was brought into the Empire.

The ſumme of the whole matter being premiſed for perſpicuitie, let us come to the expoſition of the Text particularly.