[TCP] The key of the Revelation, searched and demonstrated out of the naturall and proper charecters of the visions. With a coment thereupon, according to the rule of the same key, / published in Latine by the profoundly learned Master Joseph Mede B.D. late fellow of Christs College in Cambridge, for their use to whom God hath given a love and desire of knowing and searching into that admirable prophecie. Translated into English by Richard More of Linley in the Countie of Salop. Esquire, one of the Bargesses in this present convention of Parliament. With a præface written by Dr Twisse now prolocutor in the present Assembly of Divines. — Clavis apocalyptica. English

The key of the Revelation, searched and demonstrated out of the naturall and proper charecters of the visions. With a coment thereupon, according to the rule of the same key, / published in Latine by the profoundly learned Master Joseph Mede B.D. late fellow of Christs College in Cambridge, for their use to whom God hath given a love and desire of knowing and searching into that admirable prophecie. Translated into English by Richard More of Linley in the Countie of Salop. Esquire, one of the Bargesses in this present convention of Parliament. With a præface written by Dr Twisse now prolocutor in the present Assembly of Divines. — Clavis apocalyptica. English

Oxford Text Archive

OTA Collections | Text Creation Partnership

• A PREFACE written by Doctor Twisse, shewing the Methode and Excellency of Mr Medes interpretation of this Mysterious book of the REVELATION of Saint JOHN.
• The Translator, to the Reader.
• To the curteous Reader.
  • But these following Errata require amendment, as too much interrupting the Reader, and obscuring the sence.

• The Key of the Revelation: OR The Synchronisme and order of the prophecies of the Revelation according as the things were to be accomplished, resting on no supposed interpretation, (as of a ground layed) or fore-judgeing of the falling out of actions; but firmely demonstrated out of the very characters of the visions inserted by the Spirit of God of set purpose, and accordingly in a clear Scheme presented to view; that it may be as a sure guide to those that are conversant in this holy Labyrinth, and a Touch-stone for the •inding out of the true interpretation, and disproving of the false.
  • Things to be fore-knowne.
    • The first par•.
      • The first Synchronisme. Of the Woman remaining in the wildernesse. Of the sevenheaded Beast restored. Of the outer court troden under foot by the Gentiles. Of the Witnesses in the meane time prophecying in sackcloth
        • The Synchronisme of the Beast and the woman.
        • Chap. 11. The Synchronisme of the Beast, and the prophecie of the witnesses.
        • The Synch. of the Witnesses and of the Court (or holy city) possessed by the Gentiles.
        • The Synch. of the Witnesses, of the Court, of the Beast, and of the Woman.
      • The second Synchronisme. Of the two borned beast (who is also the false prophet) with the ten horned Beast (which is also called the Image of the Beast.
        • An apendix concerning the mutuall interchanging of the names of the Beast and the fal•e prophet; likewise of the Beast and the image of the Beast.
      • The third Synchronisme. Of the great harlot or mysticall Babylon with that same seven headed Beast ten horned.
      • The Fourth Synchronisme. Of the 144000. sealed: being virgins, with the who•e of Babylon and the Beast.
      • 5. A Consectarie of the generall Synchronisme of all hitherto mentioned.
      • The sixth Synchronisme. Of the inward court measured with the reed of God, of the lying in wait and the battaile of the seven headed Dragon with Michael concerning the child-birth.
      • The 7th Synchronisme. Of the seave• Phialls, and of the Beast, and of Babyl•n inclining to ruine.
    • The other part.
      • I. The principall Synchronisme. OR The Synchronisme. Of the seventh seale which as touching the six first trrmpets, is of the same time with the ten horned, and two horned Beasts, and the rest contemporizing.
        • For first the beginning of the Beast doth contemporiz•, with the beginning of the seventh seale, which is of the trumpets,
        • Secondly, the end of the Beast doth contemporize with the going out of the sixth Trumpet.
      • The second Synchorisme. Of the inner Court and of the warre of the Dragon and Michael, concerning the birth o• the childe b•ing con••mporarie with the first six Seales.
      • The third Synchronism• Of the Vialls with the sixt trumpet.
      • The fourth Synchronisme. Of the thousand yeeres of the Dragons or Satans being bound with the seaventh trumpet, or space from the destruction of the Beast.
      • The fifth Synchronisme. Of the 1000. yeeres of Christ his Emperiall raigne, and of the seventh trump•t or the space from the destruction of the Beast.
      • The sixt Synchronisme. Of t•e new Jerusalem the bride of the Lamb with the seaventh trumpet, or the space from the time of the destruction of the Be•st.
      • The 7th Synchronisme. Of the palm-bearing multitude of the numberlesse triumphants out of all Nations, Tribes, People, and Tongues, chap. 7, vers. 9. with the seventh trumpet or space of time from the destruction of the Beast, chap. ••.••, &c.
    • The Apocalyptique Epoche or computation of the Revelation.
    • The close of the Synchronismes and of the Apo•alyps.
  • The first Part of the Coment upon the REVELATION, according to the rule of the Apocalyptique Key upon the first Prophecie, which is contained in Seales and Trumpets. Something concerning the Apocalyptique Theater premised.
  • THE INTERPRETATION of the little Booke: or of the other System of the visions of the Revelation according to the rule of the Apocaliptique Key.
    • The meaning of the inner Court measured with the reede of God.
    • The meaning of the outer Court with the holy Citie trod•n under foot by the Gentiles, and thereupon left unmeasured and cast out.
    • The mysterie of the two witnesses prophesying in sackcloath.
    • The meaning of the red seven headed Dragon contending with Michael about the child birth.
    • And there appeared, saith he, a great wonder in Heaven.
    • The Mysterie of the woman inhabiting in the Wildernesse.
    • Concerning the tenne horned Beast blaspheming God, and the two horned Beast or false Prophet his Authour and chiefe priest.
      • Of the Tenne horned Beast.
      • Concerning the other two horned Beast or the false Prophet.
    • Concerning the company of 144000 sealed virgins of the Lambe.
    • Concerning mysticall Babylon the head Citie of the Apostasie of Christianitie.
      • 1.
      • 2.
      • 3.
      • 4.
      • 5.
    • The fall of Antichrist. OR, The meaning of the seven Phyals as farre forth as is yet given us to understand:
      • And first, Of the Phyals in generall.
        • Suppositions concerning the Phyals particularly.
      • The Exposition of the Phyals according to the rule of the suppositions.
        • The first Phyall powred upon the whole body of the Beast.
        • The second Phyall upon the Sea of the World of the Beast.
        • The third Phyall upon the Rivers and Fountaines of the world of the Beast.
        • The fourth Phyall upon the Sunne of the Beastian heaven.
        • The fift phyall upon the Throne of the Beast.
        • The sixt phyall upon Euphrates.
        • The seventh phyall upon the Aire.
    • Concerning the thousand yeeres of the seventh Trumpet and other prophesies, of wonderfull things contemporising therewith.

• A COMPENDIVM OF Mr. Mede his Commentary upon the REVELATION containing two Prophesies.
• Erratain the latter part of this Booke.

This material was created by the Text Creation Partnership in partnership with ProQuest’s Early English Books Online, Gale Cengage’s Eighteenth Century Collections Online, and Readex’s Evans Early American Imprints.

Commons House Munday Febr 21. An. Dom. 1641. [Page]

IT is this day Ordered by the Committee for Printing and Publishing of Books, &c. That M r Jackson Minister of Saint Michael in Woodstreet London, be desired to peruse M r More his Translation of M r Mede his book on the Revelation, this day presented to the said Committee to be licenced, and to report to the said Committee his opinion therein, and concerning the Printing thereof.

Iohn White.

I Have according to the Order of the Committee for Printing, &c. read over Master More his Translation of M r Mede his booke on the Revelation, and finde it to be exactly Translated, and that the book it selfe gives much light for the understanding of many obscure Passages in that sweet and comfortable Prophecie, and though Master Medes opinion concerning the thousand years of the seventh Trumpet be singular from that which hath beene most generally received by Expositors of best esteem, and I conceive hath no just ground, yet he therein delivers his judgement with such modestie and moderation that I think the Printing of it will not be perillous: and therefore conceive that the publishing of this Translation is a good work, and may with Gods blessing yeeld much comfort to many.

Arth. Iackson.

IT is Ordered by the Committee of the Commons House of Parliament concerning Printing, this eighteenth day of April 1642. That the book Intituled the Key of the Revelation, &c. be Printed.

Iohn White.

[Page] The Key of the REVELATION, searched and demonstrated out of the Naturall and proper Charecters of the Visions.

WITH A Coment thereupon, according to the Rule of the same Key, published in Latine by the profoundly Learned Master Joseph Mede B. D. late Fellow of Christs Colledge in Cambridge, For their use to whom God hath given a love and desire of knowing and searching into that admirable Prophecie.

Translated into English by Richard More of Linley in the Countie of Salop. ESQVIRE, One of the Burgesses in this present Convention of Parliament.

REVEL. 1.3. Blessed is he that readeth (that is, interpreteth) and they that heare (him that interpreteth) the words of this propheci […], and keepe those things that are written therein: for the time is at hand (that is, is now present) wherein the same things shall begin to be fulfilled, and daily more and more shall be fulfilled.

With a Praeface written by D r Twisse now Prolocutor in the present Assembly of Divines.

Printed at LONDON by R. B, for Phil. Stephens, at his Shop in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the gilded Lion. 1643.

[Page]

A PREFACE written by Doctor Twisse, shewing the Methode and Excellency of M r Medes interpretation of this Mysterious book of the REVELATION of Saint JOHN. [Page]

MAny shall runne (or passe) to and fro, and knowledge shall be encreased, Dan. 12. 4. I lighted some times upon a wittie interpretation of this passage in a certain Manuscript; and the interpretation was this. That the opening of the world by Navigation and Commerce, and the increase of knowledge, should meet both in one time, or age. The observation is justified by experience, howsoever Divines may judge as they see cause of the congruitie thereof unto Daniels text. And this increase of knowledge, which these latter times have brought forth, appeares in nothing more remarkeably, then in the interpretation of this mysterious booke, the Revelation of Saint Iohn. And as the mother of Solomon saith of the vertuous woman, whom she describeth, Pro 31.29. Many daughters have done vertuously, but thou surmountest them all. In like sort may it be said of M r Mede in reference to his Expositions of the Revelation. Many Interpreters have done excellently, but he surmounteth them all. Neithere should this seeme strange, that being advantaged by the labours of those that went before him, hee hath added something of his owne, wherein hee [Page] hath surpassed others, yet without disparagement to any; […], any man may adde something to the labours of others, as Aristotle hath it, Ethic. 1. […]; by these meanes Arts grow to perfection. Thus wee salve the credit of ancient Writers, though in some things, many of the present age doe excell them; for they have carried us on their shoulders to a great height by their instructions, and for us to soare a little higher, it is no great advancing of our abilities; certainly no disparagement at all to them by whom we have profited in an high degree. Thus a dwarfe lifted up on a tall mans shoulders may easily discover much more then hee; thankes be to the tall man for it. Thus a Wren carried on an Eagles shoulders, to the highest pitch of her soaring aloft, if, when the Eagle is weary, the Wren springs up somewhat higher; this is no great glory to the Wren, much lesse any dishonour to the Eagle.

Yet to confesse a truth, Master Mede hath many notions of so rare a nature, that I do not finde he is beholding to any other for them, but onely to his owne studiousnesse and dexteritie, with the blessing of God upon his labours.

And here, First, I doe observe Gods direction of 1 him in the course that he hath taken.

(1.) As First, in his Clavis Apocalyptica, the Key of the Revelation, wherein hee hath drawne together the homogeneall parts of it, dispersed here and there, yet belonging to the same time; the indistinction whereof may expose many to no small errour ere hee be aware, conceaving all the Passages in the Revelation to be ordered in place, according to the order of time wherein they were fulfilled, which is found to be other wise, as in the Key is manifested, [Page] representing many perticulers mentioned in different places, yet belonging to the same time.

(2.) Secondly, the Authour gave himselfe to write Specimina Essayes; wherein he goes over every part of this book (excepting the three first Chapters) taking a generall view of each as he goes.

(3.) Thirdly, he proceeds to a more full Comentari […] from the fourth Chapter to the fourteenth, that which followeth from thence to the end, containes onely his former conceptions, which he called Specimina Essayes, or first adventures.

Secondly, whereas in performancies of this nature, 2 two things are necessarily required. 1. A right discerning of the meaning of the words and phrase, which for the most part is Figurative and Tropicall, the more exactly to finde out the sense of the Prophecie thereby. 2. A right accomodation of each part, unto the proper time of the Historie, concerning the accomplishment of things foretold.

(1.) As for the first of these, the whole Body of the Revelation for the most part, being carried along by Figurative expressions: it is requisite to observe the Genius of Scripture phrase in this kinde; wherein Master Mede excells, and hereby the sense is cleared in such sort as to give great satisfaction. As in opening the mysterie of the battell in heaven, Revel. 12. and the casting downe of Satan unto the earth, hee shewes that States and Kingdomes in the world Politicall, are indeed much answerable to the condition of the world Naturall, and accordingly represented in Scripture: for as the world Naturall consists of heaven and earth: so in each State a Kingdome is found somwhat answerable [Page] hereunto, and that is the Nobilitie and the Laitie. And as in heaven there are Sunne, Moone, and Starres of lesser and greater magnitude: so in every Kingdome there is a King and Queene, and Nobles, and that in great varietie of degrees of magnitude. And as in the earth there is great variety of creatures, as of trees of various sorts, and of herbs and flowers: so in the people of any Common-wealth, is found great varietie of differences. And upon this ground, and by this course of interpretation which hee taketh, whereas other Writers many times give prety interpretations, which the Reader perhaps could wish to be true; M r Mede by his grounds and manner of proceeding convinceth the Reader of the truth of that sense and meaning the Text, which is delivered by him, even to admiration.

(2) And when this is done, as for the accomodation of the matter of fact in this prophecie thus interpreted by him, unto its proper time; this requireth great skill in History; and I have found that Master Medes friends, who have been acquainted with the course of his Studies, would give him the bell for this, as herein out-stripping all others.

Thirdly, I have observed some notable distinctions in this Comentarie of Master Mede, which have given me 3 great content, as giving great light to the cleare understanding of many things which otherwise would prove very obscure. As for example.

(1) The distinction between the book-sealed with seaven seales, which he calles the greater book; the contents whereof indeed are very large, containing an History from the beginning of the preaching of the Gospel, to the end of the world: and this hee saith, containes fata imperij, the fortunes o […] destinies of the Empire, (2) and the little book [Page] mentioned, Revel. 10. which he saith containes fata Ecclesiae, the fortunes or destinies of the Church. The first containes the seaven Seales, and the seaven Trumpets; for the seaventh Seale produceth the seaven Trumpets.

(1) The six first Seales containe the Storie of the Empires continuance unto the dayes of Constantine included; in whose dayes there being a strange Metamorphosis of the Empire from Heathen to Christian, this change is represented in such a manner, as if it were the ending of the world, and the beginning of a new; which in my conceit seems very judiciously delivered by him.

(2) Then the seaven Trumpets (which are the contents and matter of the seaventh Seale) represent the judgements of God upon the world, for standing out against the Gospel; and shedding the blood of the Saints.

(1) By the heathen Emperours, and for that cause, ruine was brought upon the Empire by degrees, untill it was rent and torne into ten Kingdomes, which is set forth by the parts thereof in foure degrees, and accordingly that […]ills up the materiall contents of the foure first Trumpets.

(2) The other three Trumpets are called Woe Trumpets, containing the judgements of God upon the Antichristian world, the degenerate States of Christendome, (First) by the Saracens, the contents of the first Woe Trumpet. (2) By the Turkes, the contents of the second Woe Trumpet, chap. 9. (3) By the end of the world, Revel. 11. 15.

(2) Another distinction there is mentioned by him, and which carrieth great light with it, of great use for the [Page] clearing of the state of Christs glorious Kingdom here on earth: and that is, Revel. 21.24. And the Nations that are saved […], that is, which escape the fire, or are saved from the fire at Christs coming) shall walk in the light of new Ierusalem: by which it appeares clearly that new Ierusalem is one thing, and the Nations that escape and are saved from the fire, wherewith the earth and all the workes thereof shall be burnt in the day of Christs coming, 2. Pet. 2. and 1. Thes. 1. and 2. these I say are another thing, and must be distinguished from new Ierusalem. For in the light of this new Ierusalem, those nations shall walk, as is expresly testified. And the distinction M r Mede conceaves to be this; By new Ierusalem is meant Christ and his raised Saints, who are called the Saints whom he shall bring with him, 1. Thes. 4. and by the nations are meant, all the faithfull servants of God who shall be found here alive at Christs coming.

(3) And I finde that the want of distinguishing these, the ancient Fathers, and perticularly Epiphanius, have discoursed very wildely against the glorious Kingdom of Christ here on earth, yet in just opposition to the Corinthians, whose guise it was to discourse very carnally of the glorious Kingdome of Christ; The consideration whereof moved Austin to relinquish the doctrine of Christs Kingdome here on earth, which formerly hee embraced, as himself professeth in one of his works Decivitate Dei, where he treats thereof.

(4) Yet as M r Mede hath (in my judgement) exceeded in merit all others that went before him in this Argument; so others after him, may go beyond him in some perticulars; As to instance in a perticular, or two or three.

(1) The discovery of the true meaning of the number of the Beast 666. by M r Potter, wherewith Master Mede [Page] himself was exceedingly taken even to admiration, professing it to be the greatest mystery that hath been discovered since the beginning of the world.

(2) The same Master Potter hath other strange mysteries to be discovered out of the same number, and especially out of the fraction thereof, which as yet he hath not made publike.

(3) So likewise in explication of the mysterie of the two Beasts mentioned, Revel. 13. hee differeth from M r Mede. And I have seen an excellent discourse thereupon, but as yet he hath not communicated it to the world. What cause have wee to blesse God for bringing us forth in these dayes of light: may we not apply that of Esay unto these times? when darkenesse Esay. 6 […]. 2. covered the earth, and grosse darkenesse the people; the Lord hath risen upon us, and his glorie hath beene seene upon us.

(1) Not onely in respect of the great Reformation wrought in this Westerne part of the world an hundred yeeres agoe and more: God awaking as it were out of a sleep, and like a gyant refreshed with wine: and the Lord Christ awaking, and stirring up his strength for the raising up of Iacob, and restoring the desolations of Israel, and blessing us with a resurrection of his Gospel, and discovering the man of sin, and blasting him with the breath of his mouth.

(2) But also opening the mysterie of the slaughter of the Witnesses, which we have just reason to conceive to have beene on foot divers yeares, not by judiciall proceedings only in the Martyrdom of Gods Saints; but by the sword of war, First in the Low-Countries, then in France, after that in Bohemia, then in Germany, (which how long it should [Page] continue M r Mede professeth to be vncertaine) and now amongst us, First in Ireland, then in England, and that by the Antichristian generation, with so manifest oppositon unto truth and holinesse under a Protestant Prince, as I thinke the like was never known since the beginning of the world.

After this strange warre and slaughter of the Witnesses which hasteneth to a Period, the continuance of it shall be but three years and an half, in which space of time, they that dwell on the earth shall rejoyce over them and make merrie, and send gifts one to another, because these prophets tormented them that dwelt upon the earth. But after three dayes and an halfe when the Spirit of life from God should enter into them, and they stand upon their feet, great feare should fall upon them which saw them. And a voyce shall bee heard from heaven, saying unto them, Come up hither. And they shall ascend up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies shall behold them: But certainely when that comes to passe, the same houre there shall be an Earthquake, and the tenth part of the Citie shall fall. This Citie undoubtedly is Rome, which Master Mede proveth curiously to be at this day precisely the tenth part of the Citie of Rome, as it was in Saint Iohns dayes when this prophecie came forth: and in the Earthquakes shall be slaine of men (of names of men) seaven thousand; which Master Mede interpreteth men of qualitie.

It followeth, The second Woe is past; Now that Woe was the plague of the Christian world by the Turkes: whereby is signified the destruction of the Turkes, [Page] which people I take to be all one with Gog and Magog in Ezekiel, represented there as the great enemies of the Iewes invading the land of Jewrie. And the Hebrew doctors conceave that warre of Gog and Magog to be yet to come.

Here it may be objected, that the Turke is Lord of the land of Canaan already: I grant it, but when the time shall come for the calling of the Iewes, which Master Mede conceaved should be wrought in a strange manner, by the appearing of Christ unto them, as he appeared unto Paul at his conversion: Saint Paul acknowledging that grace to have been shewed to him first, implying, that the like grace should be shewed to others after him. Then I say, upon this their conversion, they shall gather themselves together from all places toward the land of Canaan, where shall be the place of Christs throne in his glorious kingdome here on earth: upon which coming of the Iewes into the land of Canaan, the Grand Seignior will be moved to raise all his power gathered together out of all Nations under him to oppose them, and at first shall prevaile, as we read, Ezekiel 28. and Zachariah 14. in the beginning: but in the issue the Iewes shall prevaile. For Saviours shall come up on Mount SION, and the Kingdome shall bee the Lords, Obadiah 21. Thither shall the Lord cause his Mightie ones to come downe. Let the Heathen bee awakened, and come up to the valley of Iehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the Heath […]n round about, Joel 3. 11, 12. And the Lord shall be King over all the earth, in that day shall [Page] there bee one Lord, and his Name One, Zachariah 14. 9. So that this implies the calling of the Iewes a little before. And whereas both Gog and Magog, shall be destoyed by fire, Ezechiel 39. and the Man of sinne by fire, 2. Thessalonians 2. Master Mede was of opinion that all this is but one and the same fire, even the fire that shall bee at Christs comming, 2. Thessalonians 1. 8. and 2. 8. Then follows the second Resurrection of the dead, and Christs Kingdom, the contents of the seaventh Trumpet, Revelation 11. 15. Even so come Lord Iesus, Come quickly.

William Twisse.

[Page]

The Translator, to the Reader.

GOD at sundry times, and in divers manners, Heb. 1. 1, 2 spake in time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets. He hath spoken unto us in these last dayes by his SONNE, by whom not onely the Gospel of Salvation is communicated unto us: but also the revelation of future events, to Revel. 1.1. fall out in this last age of the world, to be shewed to his servants, signified by his Angels unto Iohn one of his Witnesses and Apostles, most necessarie for our knowledge, as appeareth by the Blessing pronounced to him that readeth, and them that Revel. 1.5 heare the words of the Prophecie, and keepe those things which are written therein: For the time was then at hand, when some of them should fall out, and all in their severall seasons foreset. The obscuritis of this (as of all other Prophecies) untill the event should manifest them, hath discouraged many in bestowing their time to read and meditate therein; not considering that the Almightie Lord (who having the abundance of Spirit, Matth. 13. 34. could have set forth all things easie to the understanding of the simplest) hath so disposed his Treasures, that by prayer and diligence men might be enabled through the guidance of the Spirit to attain unto them, and so have them in greater estimation. Many learned men have written Expositions of parts of this Revelation, some of the whole: amongst them, I fell upon this learned Commentarie of Master Medes, with the Apocalyptique Key before it. The Exposition and Methode so pleased me (though the phrase were something difficult) that to make [Page] the better impression of it in my memorie, I undertooke to translate it, and did finish it long since. I communicated it with some friends, and subjected it to their correction: hence it comes to passe (by their desire) that it is made publike. I humbly crave pardon, if my ill expression hath detracted from the Authors learned labour. I confesse I have followed the Latine phrase so neere, that howsoever the true sence may be expressed, yet there wants the English eleganc […]e: and (if I mistake not) the Author himselfe hath so many Hebraismes and Graecismes, as make the Latine more crabbed and lesse intelligible: but in my poore opinion, none hath more accurately and deepely searched and found the sence of those obscure places of Scripture, which he hath handled in this and other his writings. It were to be wished that his intended larger Commentarie, which I am perswaded he hath written, and purposed to put forth, as he promised at the end of the 14 th chapter, had not been hindred, as I finde by some of his letters they were. That opinion (the pretended cause of restraint of his further progresse) concerning the 1000 yeeres R […]igne of Christ, grounded upon the 20 th chapter of the Revelation, with the authorities and reasons for the same, howsoever it be not received by many as Orthodox, yet is delivered with that moderation and subjection to the censure of the Church, that it can displease no man; nor is it (for ought I can see) contrary to the Analogie of Faith; and may bee usefull for the conversion of the Iewes, who though they expected Christ his coming at that very time, yet were offended at his not taking upon him the Regall authoritie; his time for that being not then come. For mine own use also I made a Compendium of the whole Commentarie, and have in the Margent thereof set down the chapters and verses, out of which the severall matters are taken, that by turning thither the larger Exposition may be seen: this also was thought fit to bee added at the lat […]er end of the worke.

Whilst this was at the Presse, and the plate for the Scheme in the Apocalyptique Key under the hand of the [Page] Sculpter there came thither Master Haydock a learned Gentleman, who enquiring after me, was pleased to come unto mee, and acquainted me with some passages by Letters betwixt himselfe and Master Mede, touching the Seven sealed book and the figure thereof, wishing it might be expressed in another forme: which (considering I was but the Translator of his book, who no doubt is with God) I could not yeeld unto: yet gave way, that what he desired might be added, with distinction betwixt them, and printing so much of Master Mede his letter as concerned the reason of the alteration of the forme of that book, the matter in substance not differing. This is the cause why you may discerne a difference betwixt the Scheme in Master Medes Latine, and this Translation of it into English: the extract of which Letter turned out of Latine into English by Master Haydock himselfe, followeth in these words, viz.

The observation of your Seal-bearing Sylinder, is most ingenious, and such as never entred into my thoughts before, although I often beat and hammered upon it. Nay, I rather doubted, whether any such forme of volume might be given, wherein the opening of each severall Seal, might in order represent to the eye of the Reader a new inscription.

Now as for the matter it selfe therein comprised, I rest altogether uncertaine what to determine, sometimes I was of opinion, that those visions concerning the Seales were not written by Characters in letters, but being painted by certaine shapes, lay hid under some covers of the Seales; which being opened, each of them in its order, appeared not to be read, but to be beheld and viewed; and according to this apprehension, those words of Iohn […], Come and see, seeme not unfitly to agree.

Afterwards I considered, that this conceit of mine agreed not generally with all the Apocalypticall narration, insomuch as in the fift and sixt Seales the speech is directed to [Page] the thing seen. Besides, I observe that in the seventh Seale, the visions of the Trumpets are not delivered together, and at the same time, but produced unto the sight in order, and succeffively. Moreover, that the preparation going before the sound; is so described, that it must be confessed, that the thing was performed in the naked descriptions of the things seene in the volume (which way soever described) nay, nor yet in the simple writing, but altogether in forraigne representation.

At the length therefore (because it seemed too unseemly a thing to affirme, that the thing was performed by a meere outward representation, the book conferring nothing thereunto; I fell into the opinion, that both were to be joyned together, and that we must say, that indeed the Prophecies were described and pourtrayed in the Volume, whether by signes and shapes, or letters; but that these were no otherwise exhibited to Iohn and other beholders of this coelestiall Theater, then by a forraigne representation, supplying the roome of a reherfall, not much unlike to our Academical […] interludes, where the prompters stand neere the Actors, with their books in their hands, whereas then neither the Lamb himselfe could recite any thing out of the book, neither did the Apostle stand so neere (for the Lambe stood neere to him that sate on the Throne) that he might read out of the hand of him who opened the Seales, it must needs be, that he apprehended all these after the manner as I have said.

Now Sir, it is meerely your humanity which hath moved me to expresse these my cogitations to you. And so I conclude; praying that Almightie God may be pleased to affoord you an happy old age with a longer extent of life, which may prove the forerunner of that Blessed one.

From Christs Colledge,

Ian. An. 1634.

The true esteemer of your self and your studies, Joseph Mede.

Thus much of this letter I insert here, as it was received from Master Haydock, whom it hath pleased God lately [Page] to take out of this life.

He purposed also to have given the motives and reasons of his alteration of the forme of the seven sealed booke, which in effect were these. ‘1. The ancient form of Books was in severall sheets of Parchment, fastned at one end only, and so rolled up together, as appeareth by the texts, Heb. 10. 7. In the Ʋolume a Vol […]end […] volume of thy Booke it is written of me, &c. cited out of Psal. 40. 7. which in many translations is In the rolles of thy Book: so that we may be confident that the same kinde of Booke was meant which was then most, if not wholly in use. 2 ly The form of the seven-sealed Booke, ought to be such as might satisfie the Lambes intention, which had an eye unto Prius and Posterius, in regard of the sequell of the ensuing History : for that part which belongs to the first Seale ought to be viewed before the second or the rest be opened: whereas in the form of the Moderne Books, untill all the seven Seals be opened, no use can be made of any part or leafe in the book. But in the form of the roll, when every leafe hath its severall labell inserted in its proper distance, with a Seal and severall impression of Emblimaticall signiture, each severall leafe being taken and unsealed in order, the severall matter therein contained will appeare, and no more of any of the rest till they be opened in order.’

Had Master Haydock lived this had beene more exactly performed by his penne. I have for the satisfaction of the Reader, extracted these things out of his papers: if this translation (at first purposed only for mine own benefit) shall be usefull to others, let those have th […] thanks that have called it forth to the Presse, which though the Booke it selfe be of high estimation yet this translation was never designed to publike view by The Translator

RICH. MORE.

To the curteous Reader. [Page]

IN the s […]mer part of this Booke some sheets fell under the hands of an unskilfull Compositer, and an unfaithfull Corr […]cter, wherein such faults as doe not pervert the sence, are left to the ingenuitte of the Reader, such as these [Seale for Seales] [the for they] [glasse for glassie] [what for which] [Hypocrocy foe Hypocrisie] Also take notice that from Page 33. to 63. these references, Chap. 4. Chap. 5. Chap. 6. againe from Page 96. te 120. Chap. 9. are confusedly placed: which ought to be onely at the top of those Pages, and where certa […]n […] words of Hebrue, Greek […], and Lat […]ne, are occasionally cited in the margin to justifie the translation, those words are sometimes above, some times below their due place, in like manner some quotatiou […] of Scripture in the Margin are misplaced, as for instance, in Page 35. Ezechias 1. 10. Exod. 24.19. which refer to the 38. line of that Page. These will be easily manded by an intelligent Reader.

But these following Errata require amendment, as too much interrupting the Reader, and obscuring the sence.

Page 11. L […]ne 16. Errata for fa […] read further. p. 34. l. 5. blot out the word [those] p. 41. l. 3. for vanished r. vanquished. p 42. b 9. for sence r. sentence. p. 44. l. 17. for Tyrus r. T […]tus. p. 45. l. 7. for the […]. put out the Id. 22. r. for what con […]equence hath. p. 48. l. 31. for nation r. notion p. 49. l. 27. read Busiris Phalar […]. p. 56. l. 19. for But it r. But yet. Id. 33. for 2. Kings 28. r. 2. Kings 18 p. 59. l. 13. r. agree but to that. Id. l. 31. for which r. what. p 60. l. 2. for throw r. throwne. p. 61. l 26. for souldiers r. shoulders. p. 64. l. 23. for pull r. puszle. Id. l. 24. for their r. in their. p. 69. l. 5. for preferred r. preserved. p. 89. l. 32. for bloodie r. blood or bloodie. Id. l. 39. r. the meaning is the Romane. p. 99. l. 17. for Glanisme r. Islamis […]e. l. 35. for Natotia read Natolia. l. 37. for when r. whence. p. 101. l. 3. O horrible p. 102. l. 12. for was not given r. was given l. 27. for petition r. repetition. l. 34 for propogation r. prepara […]ion. p. 105. l. 16. for noble r. notable. l. 18. for Apaside r. Abasida l. 31. read since before the principality of the Abasid […]. p. 109. l. 4. for sterdion r. direction. l. 11. for vanished r. vanquished. l. 12. in margin r. Argona […]ta. l. 22. r. Sedyduddaulas. l. 34. for the citier. the royall citie. p. 112. l. 17. for breaking of r. breaking in of. p. 113. l. […]. for as in the yec […] r. as the y […]ere. p. 114. l. 20. for be understood r. But is to be understood. p. 115 l. 4 for di […]pose r. disuse. p. 119 l. 32. for Baal […]s of all r. Baales of Baal. p. 120. l. 34 for deterred r deferred. p. 121. l. 21 for temporarie r. contemporarie.

[Page]

The Key of the Revelation:
OR The Synchronisme and order of the prophecies of the Revelation according as the things were to be accomplished, resting on no supposed interpretation, (as of a ground layed) or fore-judgeing of the falling out of actions; but firmely demonstrated out of the very characters of the visions inserted by the Spirit of God of set purpose, and accordingly in a clear Scheme presented to view; that it may be as a sure guide to those that are conversant in this holy Labyrinth, and a Touch-stone for the […]inding out of the true interpretation, and disproving of the false. ========================================================================================================

Things to be fore-knowne.

1. BY a Synchronisme of prophecies I meane, when the things therein designed run along in the […]ame time; as if thou shouldest call it an agreement in time or age: because prophecies of things falling out in the same time run on in time together, or Synchronize. […]

2. The order of the Seals, and in them of the Trumpets, is certaine and undoubted (to wit) the same which the number to every one ascribed doth point out, I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. The rest therefore of the prophesies being compared first betweene themselves, afterward with the Seales by the way of Synchronisme, the order of the [Page 2] whole Revelation will be clearely manifest: the […] thing which now by Gods help we goe about to shew.

Thou who sittest upon the throne, And thou O Lambe root of David, who wast onely worthy to take and open this book; open the eyes of thy servant, and direct his hand and minde, that in these thy mysteries he may discerne and produce something, which may tend to the glory of thy Name and profit of the Church.

The first par […].

The first Synchronisme. Of the Woman remaining in the wildernesse. Of the sevenheaded Chap. 1 […]. Chap. 1 […]. Chap. 11. Chap 11. Beast restored. Of the outer court troden under foot by the Gentiles. Of the Witnesses in the meane time prophecying in sackcloth

Here I begin, and my first Synchronisme shall be of that noble Quaternion of Prophecies, which are very remarkable by reason of the equalitie of their times; 1. Of the woman remaining in the wildernesse for a time, times, and halfe a time; or as there it is […]ore manifestly declared, 1260. dayes. 2. Of the sevenheaded Beast restored, and ruling 42. moneths. 3. Of the outer court (or of the holy Citie) so many moneths troden under foot by the Gentiles. 4. And last of the witnesses prophecying in sackcloth 1260. dayes.

The truth of this Synchronisme is almost granted, and seemeth that both it may, and also usually is avouched upon this ground, because of the equality it selfe of their times: for a time, times, and halfe a time, that is, three yeares and an halfe (as it appeareth by comparing the 6. and 14. verses of the 12. chap.) make 42. moneths, and 42. moneths 1260. dayes.

But because it is not necessary (howsoever it be very likely in visions shewed the same time) that aequall times should bee also […] the same times, since aequality hindereth not but that some may be before, some after others: therefore that character of aequality of times will not be sufficient to convince one that is perverse. Wherefore I will get me caracters else where, out of which by […]leare and evident demonstration I thus make good the point.

The Synchronisme of the Beast and the woman.[Page 3] Chap. 1 […].

The times of the Beast and of the woman dwelling in the wildernesse begin at the very same instant of time, to wit, the conquest of the red Dragon, and the thrusting him downe into the earth: therefore, since the said times are of aequall continuance, it must of necessity follow that they did concurre in the whole in termediate space of time, and likewise at length end their course together.

That the times of either of them do commence from the same beginning or terme, is manifest out of the 12. chap. for when as the dragon is cast downe by Michael, then the woman escapeth from his presence into the wildernes [ver. 6 and 14.] The Dragon being angry, that hee had in vaine attempted to destroy her now entring thither [in the 15, 16, and 17. ver.] he went to make war with the rest of her seed (to wit, those which she should bring forth in the wildernesse, vers. 17. For without doubt it is to bee read with all the latine translations, the greeks of Aldus an. 1518. and the Syriaque Interpreter (who out of the greeke turneth it) et ste […] tit, and he stood, not as at this day the greek copies have it, et ste […]i, and I stood. And standing upon the sea sand, [vers. 18.] To the ten horned Beast thence ascending [chap. 13.1. he gave his power, and his throne, and great authoritie; there verse 2.

Chap. 11. The Synchronisme of the Beast, and the prophecie of the witnesses.

The times of the Beast and of the prophecie of the witnesse being likewise aequall, are finished together at the end of the sixt trumpet: therefore it is manifest that they also begun together, and through the whole space betweene did Synchronize.

Now that the times both of the Beast, and of the witnesses of God, prophecying in sackcloth, ended together with the end of the sixt trumpet that also appeareth out of the 14. ver. of the 11. Chap. where aswell the ascension of the witnesses into heaven (which is the period of their mourning prophecie, as that great earthquake (wherewith the Imperiall citi […] being overthrowne, the kingdome of the Beast was abolished) is marked out by the moment wherein the second woe (which is the sixt trumpet) went out, and the third woe (or seventh trumpet) should forth with ensue for in that moment of time the witnesses (whom the Beast which had ascended out of the bottomles pit had slaine, being even ready to finish their testimony in sackcloth (for this when they s […]all finish. is meant by […]) reviving by God ascended up into [Page 4] heaven [verse 7. 11. 12.] and the tenth part of the city fell by […] meanes of the great earthquake the same houre [ver. 13.] and the matter came to that passe, that the 7. trumpet sounding, all the Kingdomes of the world became our Lords and his Christ, verse 15.

The Synch. of the Witnesses and of the Court (or holy city) Chap 11. possessed by the Gentiles.

That the times of the Witnesses, and of the Court (or holy citie) possessed by the Gentiles do contemporize, it appeareth as well by the meaning of the text, Chap. 11. v. 2, 3. as also by the wrath of the Gentiles now cast out, in the beginning of the seaventh Trumpet; that is, from the end of the sixt, when also the dayes of the witnesses shall end, as it hath already been manifested, for the Gentiles which in the 18. verse are said to be enraged at the found of the seaventh Trumpet, are the very same which hitherto by the space of forty two monthes, had troden underfoot the court of the outer. Temple (that is, the holy city) and which now therefore come to be destroyed by the wrath of God. And surely this Synchronisme is called into question by none, to my knowledge or remembrance.

The Synch. of the Witnesses, of the Court, of the Beast, Chap. 11, & 12. & 1 […]. and of the Woman.

If the treading under foot of the court and holy city did agree […]n time with the prophecy of the Witnesses; it will agree in time also with the Beast, with which the Witnesses agreed in time; and therefore also with the Woman in the wildernesse, to which th […] Beast agreed in time. So the Woman in the wildernes, the dominion of the Beast, the treading of the holy city under foot, and the prophecie of the witnesses, do synchronize each with other.

The second Synchronisme. Of the two borned beast (who is also the false prophet) Chap. 13. with the ten horned Beast (which is also called the Image of the Beast.

For the two horned Beast is the founder, or erector of that seaven headed Beast, wearing crownes upon his ten hornes; which after his deadly wound, to the great hurt of the Saints he [Page 5] anew restored according to the image of a certain former estate wherein he was to rule full 42. moneths, chap. 13. v. 3, 5, 12, 14, 15. which being done, he doth exercise all his power in his presence; and also doth shew (or worke) great wonders in his sight, verse 12, 13. and chap. 19. verse 20. At length this very same two horned Beast (which Iohn calleth elswhere the false prophet) together with that other Beast, in whose presence hee had done the wonders, as inseparable companions are taken, and both cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone, Chap. 19. v. 20. when therefore the ten horned Beast (give me leave, for plainnesse so to call the seaven headed Beast restored) and the two horned false prophet are not separated one from the other, either in their rising, or in their ruine; Moreover, whereas the one excrciseth the power of the other […], that is, in his presence, who seeth not that they necessarily contemporize through their whole time? But that the whole matter may bee rightly perceived, it is to be understood, that there is no other state of the seven headed Beast described, cha 13. then that of the instauration, or of the last head, which was tenne horned; that which the whole order of the description doth make evident. For whatsoever evill the Beast is said to have committed, whatsoever worship or adoration is given unto him by the inhabitants of the earth, all that is said to be done after his instauration, or healing of his wound. Furthermore, that the ten hornes doe belong to the last head or state of the Beast (which is the state of his […]stauration) is manifest by the interpr […]tation of the Angel. Chap. 17. For there when five heads had fallen, that is, had fulfilled their, Verse 10. courses, and the fixt even then in Iohns time was in being; yet the time of the hornes is said not to be as yet come. Therefore of necessitie it must belong unto the seventh or last head.

An apendix concerning the mutuall interchanging of the names of the Beast and the fal […]e prophet; likewise of the Beast and the image of the Beast.

For of both these the title of the Synchronisme did admonish, and first, that the two horned Beast, and the false prophet be the same, Iren […]us, one amongst the most ancient interpreters of the Apocalyps hath observed. Which by the comparing of the 13. 14, 15, and 16, verses of the 13. chap. with the 20. verse of [Page 6] the 19. Chap. is so cleare and manifest that it needes no further proofe.

But that which the title further seemeth to intimate, that the ten horned Beast is wont also to be called by the name of the image of the Beast, that is not so evident, and which the reader except very attentive, will scarce at all perceive. But that the same is so, I think that I have observed upon good ground; and therefore, wheresoever the Beast and the false prophet are mentioned together (which I finde three times) there by the surname of the Beast, is understood no other then the ten horned beast; when by the false prophet, it is evident there is meant the two horned. Contrarily, where with the Beast thou seest coupled the image of the Beast [as chap. 14. ver. 9.11. chap. 15. ver. 2. chap. 16. ver. 2. chap. 19 ver. 20. and chap. 20. ver. 4.] there by the Beast is to be understood the false prophet; and by his image the ten horned Beast, or the seven headed restored: for this Beast seeing hee acknowledgeth the false prophet to be his restorer, and that he suffereth himselfe to be guided by the will of him, as of his supreme Lord [chap. 13. verse 12, 14, 15.] he is not without cause called his image; not whose similitude hee representeth, the genitive being passively taken (for in that respect he is the Image of another, happily of the seven headed dragon, or of the state in in which hee flourished before the wound, according to whose example he doth afresh blaspheme God, and make warre against the Saints) but that image which that two horned Beast speaking like the Dragon did restore and challengeth for his owne, the genitive, to wit, signifying the Agent or Posseslor; even as in the self-same places that is not the marke of the Beast, which is stamped upon the Beast himselfe, but wherewith that same Beast doth brand those that worship him.

And that it is so, as I have said, concerning the image of the Beast, that which is said in the 13. chap. Verse 15. is for an argument in the first place, that that very image of the Beast, which the false prophet did give life unto, did cause that whosoever shall not worship the image of the Beast should be slaine; likewise else where (that thou mayest know him to be the Beast) hee is almost ever put after a verb which signifies to adore, as an object of worship: when as therefore the Apocalyps doth pourtray onely two and no more Beasts; this so wicked a majestie with [Page 7] like power either of commanding or compelling, cannot but agree to either of them. Furthermore, where the Beast is present together with the false prophet, the image of the Beast in the same construction of words is not to be found, as if there the appellation of the Beast should serve the turne.

To conclude, of that self-same is the image of the Beast said to be, of whom is the name and number, chap. 15.2. But the name and number seeme not to be called the name and number of any other beast chap. 13. then of the two horned, therefore it is like that he is also called the image of him (as of his principall founder or chief Lord.) But this image, whether it be, or be not that tenne horned Beast, it nothing hindreth our purpose: for the Synchronisme of the Beasts is not built upon this foundation.

The third Synchronisme. Of the great harlot or mysticall Babylon with that same seven headed Beast ten horned. Chap. […].

1 The time of the Beast is the time of the desert [Synch. 1. […] 1.] and the harlot is seene of John in the desert, chap. 17. verse 3. 4. but this marke doth not much enforce.

2 The ten horned Beast carrieth the harlot, or if you had rather so call her the whore, and the harlot sitteth upon the beast: Machatricem therefore they are both of one and the same time, verse 3.7.

3 The ten hornes of the Beast (with which his last and newest head is branched [marke it well] under the courses of which alone (in which likewise it revived after its deadly wound, the courses of the first heads being now before fulfilled, the harlot doth ride the Beast, and the Beast doth beare the harlot:) these ten hornes, I say, are ten Kings, who take their authoritie as Kings at one houre with the Beast, to wit, with that Beast which was restored, and di beare the whore, and now was become ten horned, that is, exercising the course of the last head. These, the time being fulfilled wherein they should deliver their authoritie to the Beast, [ver. 13.17.] that is, when the frame and body of the Beast came to be dissolved, they hate the harlot, and make her desolate and naked, and at length burne her with fire, [ver. 16.] So therefore the Beast, which in the state of ten hornes (in which onely Iohn did prophetically consider [Page 8] her) first began with the harlot, that is, with the whore, and shall not survive the harlot, nor the harlot him: therefore, the harlot and that Beast doe synchronize universally and exactly, which was the thing to be proved. […]

The Fourth Synchronisme. Of the 144000. sealed: being virgins, with the Chap. 14 Chap. 17. who […]e of Babylon and the Beast.

1 For first they are called Virgins, and for that commended, that they had not defiled themselves with harlots, Chap. 14. ver. 4. Therefore they fall into the adulterous times of the whore of Babylon, with whom the Kings and inhabitants of the earth commit fornication, Chap. 17. verse 2. and 18. 3.

2 Out of this company of Virgins proceed those which denounce the ruine of Babylon, [Ʋerse 8. of the same 14. Chap.] and who do deterre men from all communion with the Beast, or his Image, or his Marke: therefore this company of Virgins doth contemporize with Babylon and the Beast.

3 To conclude, these are those called, chosen, and faithfull followers of the Lambe, Verse 4 of the said Chap. with whom being accompanied Chap. 17. v. 14. he maketh war with Kings or the hornes of the Babylonian Beast; and who by conduct of him (as being King of Kings and Lord of Lords) shall at length get the victorie (in the same verse) for those words, Lord of Lords and King of Kings, I thinke ought to be read by a parenthesis: where the Angel saith, these shall fight with the Lambe, and the Lambe shall overcome them (because hee is Lord of Lords and King of Kings) and they that are with him called Elect, and faithfull: that is the Lambe and who are with him called, elect, and Faithfull, shall overcome the tenne Kings supporting Babylon.

4 But these things suffice not to make the contemporation a full and entire contemporation, for they may all consist even with a contemporation but in part. I thus therefore demonstrate the company of the sealed of the Lambe wholly and exactly to contemporize with the Beast, That company of the sealed, being an opposite with the Beast, or of the whole company of the […] followers of the Beast, is of the same time with them: to wit, [Page 9] the bands of the holy souldiers, even then persevering in their alleagiance to the Lambe, when other inhabitants of the world as revolters and Apostates had taken the marke of the Beast.

It is plaine out of the text, whence as in times past according to the ancient custome, servants and souldiers were wont to be branded and marked, with the name of him to whom they had given their Faith: even so these are shewed to beare the name of the Lambe and of his Father in their fore-heads.

Since this is so, it followeth, that either holdeth equall proportion with other, and altogether answer in a like distance of time. For the state of such opposition doth require, that the company of the Sealed of the Lambe, for as much as is intended by that vision, be wholly esteemed of an opposite estate of the Beast: For besides such opposition it hath no estate by the meaning of this vision, and therefore with the same beginning beginneth, and ending endeth.

5 Furthermore concerning the finall contemporation, that also may be proved by that mark out of the 7. Chapter. Because the period of both, aswell of the tyranny of the Beast, as of that company of the sealed, is the multitude of the palmebearers : of the Beast, because it is there said of the palm-bearers: These are they which came out of great tribulation, but out of what tribulation, except of the Beast persecuting the Saints? Therefore they leave the tyranny of the Beast behinde them: of the companie of the sealed; because the multitude of the palm-bearers immediately follow, as by that transition ( […] after Chap. 7. 1. these things I saw) is manifest.

5. A Consectarie of the generall Synchronisme of all hitherto mentioned.

So the Beast restored to life again or the ten horned, hath contemporized with the woman in the wildernesse, the treading under foot the holy City, and the witnesses in the mean time mourning in sackcloth, Synch. 1. The two horned Beast, with the ten horned Beast, Synch 2. The whore with both, Synch. 3. The companie of the virgines sealed, with the whore and the Beast, Synch. 4. Therefore all Synchronize with all.

[Page 10]

The sixth Synchronisme. Of the inward court measured with the reed of God, of the lying in wait and the battaile of the seven headed Dragon with […] Michael concerning the child-birth.

For they are the immediate antecedents of those things which formerly were shewed to be contemporaries: the battaile of the Dragon, and the child-birth of the woman, of the habitation of the woman in the desert, and of the ten horned Beast; the inner court (for that which is said concerning the temple of God, the […]. altar and the priests worshipping there according to custome, is the Periphrasis thereof) of the outer court or people, where the Gentiles without right or reason are said to be harboured.

For first both of them, as well the child-birth of the woman, as the battail of the Dragon with Michael, doth altogether pitch upon the same period, that is, the flight of the woman into the wildernesse; which is said immediately to have followed the designe of them both. For the woman, as soone as she had brought forth flieth into the wildernes, there to be nourished 1260 dayes, chap. 12. verse 6. Likewise the Dragon being throwen downe, the woman flyeth into the wildernes, there to be nourished from the presence of the Serpent, or Dragon for a time, times, and halfe a time, ver. 13, 14 wherefore the title of the Synchronisme doth cast both these as you see, into one time, as it were visions of the same time, and altogether of the same thing, and which there was no such need to sever in this matter.

Furthermore that same duell, wherein Michael overcame the Dragon, did goe next before the seven headed revived or ten horned Beast: for the Dragon forthwith as soone as hee was throwen downe unto the earth, standing upon the sea sand for the time to come, delivereth his place, that is, his power, throne, and great authoritie, to the Beast rising up thence; and (as the Complutense edition which Irenaeus hath it) one of his heads as it were slaine to death; whose wound being healed, the whole Lib. 5 […] an […] the text in […]he […] with […] asse […]h to this reading; as also the Syriaque interpreter which is lately set forth, yea among the […]a […]e […]. Pri […]as […] doth not read that word (vidi I saw) although he take it so by adding the […] was.) This deceived […]im […]hat in latine (one of the heads, &c.) concerning the case is […] the Greek. world wondring followed the Beast, chap. 13. verse 1, 2, 3.

[Page 11]

And thus far the matter is plaine and cleare: but the antecession of the inner court to the outward court (which is the onely thing that remaineth to perfect this Synchronisme) is a little harder taske to prove, because the matter is otherwise taken, and therefore hindred with prejudice; yet thus I shew it. The inner court, according to the building of the temple, in situation and order is before the outer court being neerest to the thro […]e of God or the temple (which was the principall part of the whole structure.) […] Therefore if the things signified be of divers times (for it is no new thing, that the order of situation should expresse the order of time, as it is to be seen in the Statua in Nebuchadnezzars dream:) surely it is agreeable to reason, that the thing signified by the inner court should bee in time before the thing signified by the outer. But that the things meant by the courts are of divers times, and so that which is meant by the inner court more ancient and before the other. I thus farre demonstrate, because this vision of the measuring of the court of the temple and altar, or the inner court, is the beginning to the prophesie repeated; which (as anon more at large shall be shewed) doth from the originall and very first beginning rehearse the times of the prophesie of the seales, the beginning whereof no man doubteth to be fetcht from the very Epoche of the time of the Revelation. Thou must (saith he) prophesie againe (for so he expoundeth the mysterie of the eaten booke) to many people, nations, tongues, and kings. […] Again, that is to say, the order of times, concerning which he had prophesied before being repeated. For he beginneth from that measuring of the temple and altar, and them that worshipped therein. If therefore the vision of the woman bringing forth the childe and the war of the Dragon (which is part of this repeated prophesie) do ascend to the very head of the period, or time of the Revelation, so that the Revelation hath nothing more ancient then it, or which deriveth its originall higher (which will be manifest as well out of the nature of the thing it selfe which is a birth, as also out of the Synchronismes hitherto demonstrated, and hereafter to be demonstrated:) why should not much rather the beginning of the same prophesie, and the first vision of all the rest be thought to ascend thither? But the moneths of the outer court cannot ascend thither; as which wholly have contemporized with the ten horned Beast. Therefore [Page 12] to mee it is most clear that the times of the * Inner Court […]. Chap. 11. vers 1. […] verse 2. of the same chapter. measured, do not onely go before the moneths of the * outer unmeasured, but also ought to be derived from the originall of the repeated prophecie, together with the vision of the child-birth, and dragon.

Now that these three, the habitation of the woman in the wildernes […]e, the ten horned be […]st, and the treading under foot of the outer court by the Gentiles are contemporaries, it appeareth out of the first Synchronisme: therefore the times of the measuring of the inner court, and the child-birth of the woman, together with the lying in wait of the dragon, and the battell with Michae […], are the immediate antecedents of contemporaries, and consequently, they themselves cannot but contemporize each with other; * the very point I was to demonstrate. […].

The 7 th Synchronisme. Of the seave […] Phialls, and of the Beast, and of Babyl […]n inclining Chap. 6. to ruine.

The effusion of the Phialls bringeth the ruine and destruction of the Beast, as out of the text it selfe is manifest, for the conquerours of the Beast sing the * triumphant song of Moses, chap. 15. […]. verse 2. 3. And it is moreover specially manifest concerning the first Phiall [chap. 16. verse 2.] which inflicteth a grievous […]ore upon men, having the m […]rk of the Beast, and those that worship his image: concerning the first Phiall [verse 10.] which is poured upon the throne of the Beast, and makes his kingdome dark. And likewise concerning the last, which being poured out; Babylon is utterly destroyed, vers. 19. Therefore the pourings out of the Phials doth contemporize with the ending of the Beast and Babylon.

The other part.

I Have gone through the first part in seven Synchronismes; the other part of the seals followeth, wherein I shall demonstrate the connexion of all the foresaid prophecies (and if there be any other also) with the seales, in so many other Synchronismes. Whence it will plainly appear (a thing most worthy observation, and of no small moment to the interpreter, unlesse I be deceived) that the whole Revelation from the fourth chapter: (For I now [Page 13] meddle not with the seven Churches) is distributed into two principall prophecies, either of which proceedeth from the same time, and endeth in the same period. The first is of the seale, and Apo […]ha. in them of the trumpets; for the seventh seale is the seale of the trumpets, which I take for granted every where out of the grammaticall sense of the context: neither is the same order of meaning which is held in all the rest of the seales, to be thought not to agree to the seuenth alone: as that that vision which followeth the opening of the seale should be the matter of the seale. Now […]. the vision of the seven Angels with the seven trumpets succeedeth the opening of the seventh: the other prophecie (or rather body Syst […]ma. of propheticall visions) is […] or of the little book opened, which beginning at the same instant of the Apocalyptique time, […]epeateth the time of the former prophecie which is of the seales, from the eight verse of the tenth chapter, unto the end of the book: And that this is a repetition of the prophecy is shewed by that transition verse 11. of the same ch […]pter, where the Angell saith to Iohn, thou must againe […]. prophecie to many people, and Nations and tongues, and Kings. Furthermore reader, that also perhaps shall not be unworthy thy observation, that the severall beginnings, as well of both these, as also of the first vision of all concerning the seauen Churches, as of three entire pr […]phecies are proclaimed with a voice as of a trumpet from heaven speaking with Iohn, as if the holy Ghost by this note would distinguish them from the rest of the prophecies, which are parts of these maine principles, in which (partiall prophecies) you will see no such thing to be.

Now these are the beginnings of the prophecies; of which I admonish, of the vision of the seven Churches, chap 1. 10. in these words: And I was in the spirit upon the Lords day, and I heard a great voice behinde me as of a trumpet, saying, &c. of the prophecie of the seales also, chap. 4. verse 1. on this wi […]e: And the first voice which I heard as of a trumpet speaking to mee, said, &c. of the prophecie of the booke opened last of all, chap. 10. vers. 8. And the voice which I heard from heaven (to wit, as of a trumpet speaking) spake againe unto mee, and said, &c. Hitherto hath been the Prologue, and that as I ho […]e not inpertinent to the matter we have in hand. The Synchronismes now follow.

[Page 14]

I. The principall Synchronisme. OR The Synchronisme. Of the seventh seale which as touching the six first trrmpets, is Chap. […] of the same time with the ten horned, and two horned Beasts, and the rest contemporizing.

For first the beginning of the Beast doth contemporiz […], with the beginning of the seventh seale, which is of the trumpets,

For, since the company of the sealed, being as it were opposite to the Beast raigning, must therefore justly and exactly contemporize with the Beast; and since the same company of the sealed beginneth with the beginning of the seventh seale, or seale of the trumpets: it followeth altogether that the Beast likewise beginneth with the same seventh seale, or the seale of the trumpets.

Now therefore that the company of the sealed entirely and exactly contemporizeth with the Beast, it hath beene shewed Synch. 4. the first Part. That the same company of the sealed begin with the seventh seal, is apparant out of the seventh chapter, where that sealing is subjoyned immediatly to the sixt seale. For the vision of the sixt seale being over when the seventh which is Chap. 6. 12 of trumpets was now to bee opened, provision is made for the sealing of Gods elect servants, lest they should be destroyed by the great and bitter calamities which were to fall upon the world (when the foure Angels, being set over the foure quarters of the world, shall at the sound of the trumpets, let loose the windes wh […]ch hitherto they had restrayed,) for whom also a caveat is given at the sound of the fi […]t trumpet, chap. 9. verse 4. that thou mayest at least by that marke know that sealing to belong to the times of the trumpets. And that the end and going out of the sixt seal is the beginning of the seventh, is out of all question; since the order of the seales one after another, neither can, nor ought […]o bee interrupted: Therefore it must needs bee that the companie of the 144000. sealed, which followes the seale being over, do begin with the seaventh seale which immediately suc […]eedeth the said sixt seal. And so the holy spirit by the marke of [Page 15] this sealing (as I judge) hath in his marvellous councell taken order that wee might know the connexion of the beast beginning with the beginning of the seventh seale: since no other reason can be rendred, why the orderly succession of the seales not otherwise to be interrupted, should be confounded with the interposition of this vision of the sealed, Chap. 7.

Secondly, the end of the Beast doth contemporize with the going out of the sixth Trumpet.

For since the 1260 dayes of the witnesses mourning in sackcloth are ended at the going out of the sixth trumpet, or the beginning of the seventh; it must needes be that the 42. moneths of the beast end there also, and by consequence that the tyrannie of the beast is contained within the compasse of the six first trumpets; which was the very point I was to demonstrate.

But that the 42. moneths of the beast in like manner as the 1260 dayes of the mourning of the witnesses their contemporaries, are to be ended at the going out of the sixt Trumpet, is already demonstrated in the first part Synch. 1. §. 3. where out of Vers 9, 10, 11, 12 the eleventh chapter is shewed, when the witnesses after they had continued dead three dayes, being raised to life againe, and carried up into heaven had fulfilled the dayes of their mourning prophesie; and a great earth-quake being caused the same houre or time, the Verse 13 great City was fallen, and the Beast the cruell enemy of the witnesses Animam agere […]. by reason of the destruction then to bee suffered was at the last cast that wee may know in what time of the seales and trumpets this should happen, the Spirit hath immediately joyned the Verse 14. second woe (that is the sixt trumpet) even then to be past, and the third woe (to wit the seventh trumpet) to come anon which character, another guide of this great Synchronisme, I do beleeve to be inserted in that place even chiefly to that end that it should bee as it were another of the hinges, upon which this great and universall frame of the open book and prophecie of seales should be turned. For otherwise both this warning, and the sound of the seventh trumpet which followeth forthwith in right and naturall order should have been placed at the end of the prophecie of seals chap. 10. But the holy spirit having in that place foreshewed the mysterie of the seventh trumpet after the manner of a Proclamation, lightly only, yet as much as seemed sufficient, to wit, (that　at the sounding thereof, the mystery declared to the prophets, should Chap. 10.7. be consummate) he would a little while [Page 16] withhold and deferre the sounding thereof and the expresse definition of the mysterie (and that no doubt not without some weighty cause : to wit, untill a transition being made to the new prophecie of the open booke Chap. 10. from the eight verse to the end] he had brought up the first vision thereof (the course of the Revelation being likewise run over) to the lame period. For that I would the Reader should well observe: in this one vision of the eleventh chapter (as being the first of the prophesie repeated over again (the most wise spirit runneth through, as the Weaver the warpe with the woofe, the whole space of the prophecie of the seals: and knitteth the same by the seventh trumpet, as it were with a curious knott, to […] the order of the seales, for direction of the time. But to what end, but that the other prophecies of the little book being joyned by their characters to the first vision, so fixed and compared with the seales, the whole body of the repeated prophesie might bee aptly conjoyned with the seales.

Furthermore, lest that happily should raise any scruple in any, that those things which are related in the Text, concerning the overthrow of the Beast, concerning the Fall of the Citie, and the slaughter of men caused by the Earth-quake, seeme not at all that they ought to be understood of the utter destruction of the beast: I say, that neither is this requisite to that Synohronisme whereof we have treated, but that they be meant at least concerning the finishing of his time of authority and raigne, which is determined in 42. moneths; and which the Synchronisme of the beast and witnesses being granted, must needs end together with the dayes of the witnesses. But that estate of the Beast which yet a little while shall be remaining (as hence may be gathered) shall bee so unlike the former, as is not to be accounted the same; but also not long after under the seventh Trumpet utterly to bee destroyed and abolished; the Kingdomes of this world becomming our Lords and his Christs.

And so this principall Synchronisme being well ground […]d, it will be manifest that the other Synchronismes may be easily derived thence and knitt together with the s […]ales.

[Page 17]

The second Synchorisme. Of the inner Court and of the warre of the Dragon and Michael, Chap. 1 […]. concerning the birth o […] the childe b […]ing con […]mporarie Chap 7. with the first six Seales.

Because they are the next antecedents of the succeeding contemporancies. For the six first seales are the next antecedents of the seaventh. The inner Court and the contention of M […]chael with the Dragon are the next antecedents of the Beast and the company of 144000. sealed. But now the seaventh seale or (which is all one) the six first trumpets, the company of the sealed, and the Beast, are contemporaries; as is shewed in the former Synchronisme.

The third Synchronism […] Of the Vialls with the sixt trumpet. Chap. 16. Chap. 9.

The seven Vialls of the last wrath, since they are so many degrees of the ruine and fall of the Beast [Synchronisme 7. Part 1▪] thereupon necessarily they are to begin with the beginning of the ruine and fall of the Beast. But the kingdome of the Beast began so much to decay, the sixt trumpet yet sounding, and proce […] ded to that ruine at length, that at the going forth of that trumpet, there should be an end of that power of 42. moneths in which it was given him to bear rule and to overcome the Saints [Synch. 1. of this part.] But the Beast could not fall to that ruine and fatall calamities before that the fift Viall at least should be poured out; for then at length that his seat was to be shaken, and his kingdome darkned, appeareth chap. 16. ver. 10. Therefore five of the Vialls at the least are powred out, before the sixt trumpet left sounding, and I beleeve also the sixt for the seaventh Viall, which is the Viall of con […]ummation [there verse 17. 18.] doth therefore concurre with the beginning of the seaventh trumpet, which likewise is the trumpet of consummation, chap. 10. ver. 6.

The fourth Synchronisme. Of the thousand yeeres of the Dragons or Satans being bound with the seaventh trumpet, or space from the destruction of the Beast. Chap. 20.

That this of the binding of Sathan may the better be understood; Chap. 11. that is to be premised before the demonstration that in the text it is said, that then thereupon Satan is not onely cast [Page 18] into the bottomlesse pit, but there shut up; and moreover, chap. 20. 3. that the Angel had sealed it up upon him, that hee should no more seduce the Nations, untill the thousand yeers were consummate : that is, had surely enclosed him that at no hand hee should come forth. For it was the manner of the Hebrewes and neighbouring Nations, when they would surely shut and make fast a doore, they sealed it. So the stone put upon the Lions denne whereinto Daniel was cast, king Darius sealed with his ring, and with the ring of his Lords. Daniel 6. * In the Apocryphall History the servants of Daniel shut the doores of […] and D […]ag […]n, verse 11. the te […]ple of Bel, and seale it with the kings ring. Likewise the Jewes, Matth. 27. 66. did shut the Sepulchre of our Saviour, or madeit sure by se […]ling the stone, &c. […]: where is to be observed that […] doe mutually expound themselves. For it is one th […]g to be cast downe from heaven, Chap. 12. (which so many apply to this place) and quite another to be bound, to be shut up in a bottomlesse pit, and to be sealed. The first taketh not away the libertie of wandring abroad and doing hurt; but the other by no meanes suffereth to come out of his prison: yea I dare affirme that none of those things which are related in the 20 th Chapter, doe appeare in the 12. neither againe concerning that which is rehearsed in the 12. Chapter, is there any word extant in the 20. so far it is off, that the same thing should be represented in both. Let us examine it a little: In the 20. Chap there are four things related of the Dragon. First, that hee was apprehended by the Angel which descended from heaven. Secondly, bound. Thirdly, cast into a bottoml […]ss […]pit. Fourthly, that he was shut up and sealed. But thou shalt finde none of these in the 12 th chap. Likewise that one thing which is declared in the 12. Chapter. concerning the casting down of the Dragon from heaven into the earth, of that there is not one […] sillable in th 20 th yea, it may plainely bee gathered out of the context that that was not at all then done; for it is said there, that the Angel which did come to binde the dragon descended from hea […]en: therfore the dragon was even then upon the earth. For otherwise wherefore should the Angel descend from heaven to apprehend him hereupon cha. 12 Michael descended not frō heaven, but in the very heaven he fighteth hand [Page 19] to hand with the divell. These things thus premised, let us come to the […]. demonstration of the Synchronisme.

1. Arg. Vnder the first six seales the Dragon or Satan was free Arg 1 and loose; likewise under the first six trumpets of the seventh seale: therefore it remaineth that the 1000. yeeres of the binding of Satan are cast upon the time of the seventh trumpet.

For that Satan or the Dragon was not bound, while the six first seales did yet run their course, appeareth by this, that during all that space he brussling with seven heads, and seven Crown […]s, fought in heaven with Michael about the child-birth of the woman, as lately hath been shewed Synch. 2.

But neither came it to passe in the six first trumpets of the following seale: for this is the time of the woman in the wildernes, and of the raigning ten horned Beast as appeareth out of the first Synchronisme of this part. Surely, it was far wide that the Dragon should be thought to be bound, while the woman lived in the wildernesse; who being throwne downe by Michael from heaven, did endeavour to drowne her in her […]light with the flood of waters which he cast out of his mouth: and then when this tooke none effect according to his minde (the earth swallowing up the flood, and the woman now received into the w […]ldernesse) being inflamed with wrath and fury, hee went to make warre with the remnant of her seed, which kept the Commandments of God, and had the testimonie of Jesus, Chap. 12. verse 13, 15, 17. Are these tokens of Satan bound?

But let us see also concerning the Beast; and heare, how the Dragon was bound under his raigne, to wit, the Dragon gave his power, and his throne, and great authoritie, and all the world wondring followed the Beast, and they worshipped the Dragon which gave power unto the Beast, chap. 13. verse 2, 3, 4. But perhaps Satan was able to doe all these things from out of his prison: certainly being shut up and sealed he could not. But that there may be no shifting place left, and that it may plainly appear how free and loose the Dragon was yet to commit those same villanies from which being once imprisoned, he is said to be restrained; behold another Aiu […]m. scholler of his, the fal […]e prophet being the inseparable companion of the ten horned Beast, & the administrator of his Bestiall authority, of whom thou hast it expresly written, that he did great wonders, and that he deceived the Chap 13. 13, 14.

[Page 20] inhabitants of the earth by the signes which were permitted him to doe, will any one now ea […]ly beleeve, these Beasts carrying things thus, th […]t the […], that is, Satan, was bound, that he was cast into a bottoml […]ss […]it, and […] up, that hee might not deceive the people […]? […]ccording to the 20 th chap. ver. 2.3.

Moreover, out of the trumpets themselves (for halfe the time at least) an argu […]ent is not wanting of the devils libertie and freedome. […]or what is that king of the locusts of the fifth trumpet, which is called the angel of the bottomlesse pit whose name in Hebrew is A […]addon, and in Greek Apollyon, and whom Saint Iohn painteth out to be […], him who fel from Chap […] heaven lately into the earth, that very same Dragon and Satan, whom Michael before the sound of the trumpets had thrust downe from heaven unto the earth? Neither doe I remember that in the whole Revelation there is read of any other besides him to have fallen upon the earth; neither doe I know whether those elogies of the Angel of the bottomlesse pit and Abaddon, can agree with any other besides him. Howsoever it is, certainly Satan was not then bound, the bottomlesse pit (as there it is said) was not shut upon him and sealed up: (but as you may see chap. 9. 2.) open, and that so, that the smoke thereof ascended, as the smoke of a great furnace, and the sunne and the aire was darkned by the smoke of it.

To conclude, but that this libertie of the Dragon or Satan in deceiving the people, continued even to the very destruction of the Beast, and therefore was altogether of one time with the six first trumpets, I thinke no man can doubt which shall well mark, what is read to be done from the effusion of the sixt Viall: to wit, that when the seventh, that is, the last by and by was to be pou […]ed out, and therefore the finall ruine of the Beast, was even then at […]and, out of the mouth of the Dragon, and the Beast and false prophet, his Vicars, three uncleane spirits, spirits of devils working miracles, shall goe out to the kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battell of that great day of God Al […]ightie. Chap. 16. 13. 14.

So the 1000. yeeres of Satans being bonnd, that he should not […]eceive the people any more, can have no place, neither under the six first seales, no […] under the six first trumpets: therefore they are […]o be left in the seven […]h trumpet.

[Page 21]

2. Arg. After a thousand yeers being fulfilled, Satan being let loose cut off his prison for a short time, hee had raised new stirs, the scum of the deceived people: which hee had gathered together, being con […]u […]ed with fire fallen from heaven, the deceiver himselfe being taken and arrested, is said to be sent into the lake of fire and brimstone Chap. […]. 10. […] where were both the Beast and the false prophet. Marke here reader, the chronicall caracter; by which is intimated, that this whatsoever it is concerning Satan, being taken and condemned after his second loosing, it succedeth the vision of the former Chapter concerning the Beast and the false prophet being vanquished, taken, and thereupon cast into the lake burning with fire and brimstone, by him which sate upon the white horse, as in order of narration, so also in the time of the thing done. For otherwise it should not have been said, that Satan was sent thither, where both the Beast and the false prophet were, except both the Beast and the false prophet had been sent thither first.

Neither can any man of judgement say by way of evasion, that this war after a thousand yeeres of this 20 th chapter, is not differing from that of the former chapter; when as not onely the character already brought, but also all the circumstances on both sides are repugnant; the parties, the battell, and the manner of the slaughter, there with the sword, here with fire; yea and the event of either war unlike, as anon the matter being demonstrated shall be made plaine, there the binding of Satan onely for a time, but here a condemnation to eternall fire.

The war therefore, wherein the Beast and the fals […] prophet being taken are sent into the lake of fire, seeing that it is different from this last, to which Satan at length to be cast into the same lake had stirred up the nations presently after his loosing; either it must needs be waged within the very same thousand yeeres, or els when they were not yet begun. It cou […]d not be waged within the thousand yeeres, because so long Satan is said to be bound, and shut up in the bottomlesse pit, that he should not deceive the people any more, untill the thousand yeeres should be consummate, chap. 20. vers. 3. But in the war, wherein at length there is triumph over the Be […]st and the false prophet and their companions, if ever at any other time, hee was most free and loose to deceive, as appeareth by those things which even now wee have [Page 22] alleadged out of the sixteenth chapter concerning the preparation of this war: to wit, that from the effusion of the sixt Phiall, when as now the seventh, wherein the Beast was utterly made an end of, was ready to be poured out; out of the mo […]th of the Dragon out of the mo […]th of the Beast and of the false prophet, Chap. 16. 13. 14 three uncleane spirits, the spirits of devils shewing wonders, went forth to the kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them together to the battell of the great day of God Almightie.

Because therefore the Ra […] state of the thousand yeeres doth no way admit such Satannicall troubles and stirs: it must needs be, that this warre of the Beast shall in time goe before them, and so at length the 1000. yeeres of Satans binding, shall contemporize with the space from the slaughter of the Beast; which was to be demonstrated.

3. Arg. To conclude, since through those thousand yeeres wherein Satan is kept in prison, Christ is said to have reigned in that Emperiall and Magnificent Kingdome with his, thereupon by the same arguments and marks by which the Synchronis […]e of either is established, the other also will be confirmed. Therefore that that Emperiall Kingdome of Christ doth begin with the seventh trumpet or from the destruction of the Beast, is now for us to shew.

The fifth Synchronisme. Of the 1000. yeeres of Christ his Emperiall raigne, and of the seventh trump […]t or the space from the destruction of the Beast. […].

1 The excellent and Emperiall Kingdom of Christ, often and again mentioned in the Revelation and upon the coming whereof the quire of the Beasts and triumphant elders are wont to sing hymnes and thanksgivings to God every where succeedeth in order the conquest of, and the triumph over the Beast and Babylon. For first, where this reign of a thousand yeers is pro […]erly handled in chap 20. of the number of those which reign with Christ are […] 4. they who had not worshi […]ped the Beast nor his image, nor had received his marke in their foreheads or in their hands; doe not these words sufficiently shew that this reign of Christ succeeded the reign of the Beast, his image and his stigmatized followers? [Page 23] For wherefore should this elogie be given to those sons of the kingdome, that they had not worshipped the Beast, &c except the Beast had now gone before? For certainly the desert in time goeth before the retribution and reward. But now this kingdom is given (as the order of the narration sheweth) to the Saints, as a reward of their faith and constancie; and that after their cause was first discussed in open Court; of which Session as i […] were, there is a description in these words: Ve […]e 4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgement was given to them, that is to say, to them was given authoritie of judging, &c. Therefore the time wherein the Saints approved their faith and constancie to […]od, while the Beast ruled, went before the judgement, the reward followed the decree then made.

2 The same doth yet further appeare out of that hymne of praise […]ung of the elders and beasts at the overthrow of Babylon, c […]ap. 19. 6. […] Hall […]u-j […]h for the Lord God that Almightie one hath reigned, ver. 7. Let us be glad and rejoyce, and give glorie to him: for the mariage of the Lamb i […] come, & his wife hath made herself ready. For I doubt not but that the kingdom is the same in both places.

3 But of all most clearely out of the 11. chap. ver. 15 16 &c. where at the found of the seventh trumpet, the dayes of the witnesses, and of the Beast, and the moneths of the Gentiles being runne out there is proclaimed in heaven, the kingdomes of this world are our Lords, and his Christs, and he shall raigne for evermore. And the foure and twentie Elders fitting before God in their thrones fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give thee thanks Lord God Almightie, which art, and which wast, and which art to come: for thou hast received thy great might, and hast entred thy Kingdome.

This is that finishing of the mysterie of God, declared by the Prophets, which the Angel had foretold before the tenth Chap. ver. 7. should come to passe about the the time of the sounding of the seventh trumpet: when neither the moneths of the Beast, nor the dayes of the witnesses mourning, nor any thing at all concerning the period of time, times, and halfe time, shall be any more remaining, verse 6. 7. plainely according to that which was foretold to Daniel, chap. 7. vers. 25, 26, 27. and before concerning the Universall dominion of Christ, or kingdome of the [Page 24] Saints to come after the same times, and altogether the same session of judgement. Also that chap. 12 ver. 7. where the same Angel which is here in John is read with the same behaviour, rite, and (which is chiefly to be noted (almost in the same words, to have sworne that that space once being ended of a time, times, and halfe a Are not these […] 21 2. time, the dispersion of the holy people; and together with that, that last of wonders should be consummate.

He which here desi […]eth further confimation, let him use the Charecters of the former Synchronisme: for they affoord, as I said, their mutuall helps.

The sixt Synchronisme. Of t […]e new Jerusalem the bride of the Lamb with the seaventh Chap. 21.2. Chap. 11 1. trumpet, or the space from the time of the destruction of the Be […]st.

1. The marriage of the Lamb, and that Emperiall kingdome of the Almighty Lord God, both begin after the destruction of Babylon, where the seaventh trumpet beginneth, this appeareth out of the h […]mne of the Elders and Beasts, which in the former Synchronisme we have commended out of the nineteenth chap. vers. 6.7. Hallilu […]ah, for our Lord God Almightie reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoyce, and give honour to him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made her selfe ready. But the new Jerusalem is that bride of the Lamb, adorned and prepared for her husband: chap. 21. verse 2. And I saw (saith he) the holy City, new Jerusalem, coming downe from God out of heaven as a bride adorned for her husband: and verse 9. Come and I will shew thee the bride the Lambes wife, &c. Therefore even she shal begin and contemporize with the seventh trumpet.

2. Now Jerusalem is the beloved citie; but that beloved citie, forthwith after the 1000. yeares are ended, is said to be compassed about by those last troopes of Satan then let loose, chap. 20. ver. 9. And they compassed the tents of the Saints and the beloved citie: therefore it must needs have beene extant before, while Satan was yet bound. I have thought fit to adde two other, either for confirmation, or illustration, and setting forth of these two arguments.

[Page 25]

3. The seventh Viall being poured out, wherewith the Beast is dispatcht and abolished, there came a loud voice from the throne, saying, TETONE, It is done; chap. 16. vers. 17. So also, He that sat upon the throne saith to Iohn (beholding new Jerusalem descending from heaven) chap. 21. verse 5, 6] Behold, I make all things new TETONE, It is done, I am Alpha […] Omega. A, and […], the beginning and the end: therefore new Jerusalem the bride of the Lamb beginneth at the last terme of the Vials TETONE the whore being already dispatcht; and so it contemporizeth with the space of time, which insueth the destruction of the Beast.

4. One of the Angels of the Vials [Chap. 17.] sheweth unto Iohn the condemnation of the whore, even while the Vials are in pouring out, and at least by one of them to be executed. And the same Angel of Vials [chap. 21. vers. 10.] sheweth to the same Iohn the bride of the Lambe the great citie, holy Jerusalem, to become glorious even when the Phials are now ended, that is, the Beast and Babylon being destroyed.

The 7 th Synchronisme. Of the palm-bearing multitude of the numberlesse triumphants out of all Nations, Tribes, People, and Tongues, chap. 7, vers. 9. with the seventh trumpet or space of time from the destruction of the Beast, chap. […]. […], &c.

1. The palm-bearing multitude next succeedeth, the companie of […]44000. sealed: but that companie being to be measured, or judged of by its opposite, both state, and duration to the Beast with whom it contemporizeth, ended with the Beast also [Synchronisme 4. Part 1.] Therefore the palm-b […]aring multitude followeth both: and consequently will fall out in the time of the seventh trumpet, which is the space of time from the destruction of the Beast.

2. The palm-bearing multitude, are the citizens of new Jerusalem, for of both it is said, Chap. 7. 16. 17. That they shall not hunger nor thirst any more, &c. That the Lambe shall feed them, and l […]d them to the living fountains of waters: and Chap. 21. 4. that God shall wipe away every teare from their eyes. Now new Jerusalem contemporized with the seventh trumpet, therefore the palm-bearing multitude also.

[Page 26]

The Apocalyptique Epoche or computation of the Revelation.

The Epoche or computation of the Apocalyps, as it is a prophecie of things to come, whether thou shalt determine the beginning of it, in the beginning of Christianisme, or in the overthrow of the Iewish politie and church, or in that moment of time wherein the Revelation is shewed to John, or howsoever it be fixed (for I will not here play the interpreter, being mindfull of my purpose) I suppose none will doubt, but that thence the beginning of the seales, as touching things done in them, is to be fetcht. But that the beginning of the second prophecie also, or […] of the open booke, is to be fetcht from the same account; if the very words of the context of the repeated prophecie, and what wee have further formerly declared, at the sixt Synch. Part. 1. and in the entrance to the second part shall not have sufficiently perswaded any; he shall be at length enforced thereto by the very necessitie of the Synchronisme, if according to the demonstrations now made, hee shall assay to dispose the severall prophecies in their ranke and place.

The close of the Synchronismes and of the Apo […]alyps.

After the 1000. yeers reigne and condemnation of Satan doth […]ollow the universall resurrection of the dead, and the last judgement, and hell, chap. 20. from verse 11. to the end.

After new Ierusalem described chap. 21. followeth Paradise, which having the tree of life in the middle like Eden, a river doth environ on this side and that side, for so I take the words chap. 22. […], to wit, […]. In the midst of the street, and of the river, which was on this side, and on that side (to wit, of the street) was the tree of life. And this is the end of the world and of the Revelation.

Moreover, Reader; behold here is the order, and course of all the prophecies in the Revelation, according to the things therin to be done in this figure drawne before thine eye, and […]o be viewed at once; which I have framed by the exact rule of the Synchronismes already demonstrated

[Page]

[Page]

[Page]

Know thou who voutchsafest to meditate vpon this Apocalyptik Type that the archinge lines meeting in the same begining and ende, shew contemporary prophesies: to wit, of the seales and of the litle booke, the same things is demonstrated by the bounds of the lines and circumferences answering each other.

And (to conclude) which of the Visions; goeth before or foloweth after: thou maiest behold by the order proceeding from the left hand to y e right: At the: 27. 28 and 29 th pages of the key. the reader may finde a more full direction for the vse of this scheme

Place this betwixt pag. 26. & 27

[Page]

[Page 27]

for mine own, and (if thou please) for thy use, Lord open the eyes of the understanding of either of us, that we may behold his marvellous workes. Amen.

A Corollarie concerning the use of the Key.

1. Out of what hath been said, I suppose it appeareth that the Revelation considered according to the letter only; as if it were a certain bare […]story of things done, and not a prophecie involved with mysticall allegories, and types: yet to be furnished by the holy spirit, with such signes and characters through the whole narration, that thence the right course, order and Synchronismes of all the visions, according to al […] things done in their time, may be found out, composed, and demonstrated, and that without the supposition or help of any interpretation granted.

2. Then furthermore, as is the manner in histories, that many and divers things, done by many and divers together, and at the same time, yet cannot be declared together, but severally and one after another: so also in these prophecies and visions of things done (howsoever revealed in the most aptest and wisest order by far) it falleth out, that they labour in vain that so go about to interpret the Revelation, as if the events every where should succeed one after another in the same order and course, as the visions are revealed.

3. For truely he that will endevour with successe to finde out the meaning of the Apocalyptique visions, must first of all place the course, and conne […]ion of them one with another according to things done, being thorowly searched out by the foresaid characters and notes, and demonstrated, by intrin […]icall arguments as the basis, and foundation of every solid, and true interpretation. Therefore (which we see to be done amisse by very many) the order it self is not to be conformed to every aptnes of interpretation, according to the will of the interpreter; but according to to the Idoea of this chronicall order framed before hand; by the characters of Synchronismes is every interpretation to be tryed as it were by a square and plumb-rule.

4. For without such foundation, thou shalt scarce draw any thing out of the Revelation, that will soundly assure the interpretation and application thereof, and which resteth upon divine authoritie, but upon begged principles, and meere humane [Page 28] conjectures, on the contrary side, this being admitted for a foundation, when as now the pales of time and order, shall not suffer the a […]plication to rove at randome, and according to pleasure; thou wilt presently admire the many wayes of so many different interpretations, yea, and repugnant, for the most part taken away; there being but a few differences left, and those almost of the least moment, in which the minde may as yet rest doubtfull, concerning the generall application at the least. So that hereafter as well out of this booke, as out of the rest of the bookes of the new testament, arguments may be drawn even in matter of prophecie concerning interpretation certaine, and in which faith may repose it selfe, as it were in the oracles of the holy spirit, not the inventions onely of humane wit.

5. Such a Key reader, yea if thou hadst rather an Apocalyptique compasse, I shew thee, as far as my ability reacheth in these Synchronismes according to that measure of understanding which the good and bountifull God hath vouchsafed me an unworthy sinner in these mysteries, and do propose unto thy vi […]w a Scheme adjoyned, short, easie, and compendious. In which (lest happily thou shouldest be ignorant of the use of it) if once the sence of any principall vision, and the times ther […]of fulfilled shall appea […]e unto thee; thou hast then a ready way shewed thee, whereby the line of Synchronismes and of order, thou mayest finde out, yea and demonstrate the meaning of the other visions. As for example, what others prophecies shall contemporize to that knowne prophecie of thine, as I have said, are without doubt to be applyed to the […]ame times▪ and what goe before, are not to be interpreted but of those events that goe before; those which succeed likewise, of those which do succeed.

6. And lest happily thou mayest doubt, whether any where in the Revelation out of all those visions any such may be found, in which in that manner I now speak, thou mayest safely pitch thy foot, and from whence, as it were from a station or watch-tower thou mayest take the scantling of the rest of the Revelation: behold provision made for this thing also by the holy spirits most wise counsell, in that famous vision of the great whore which onely and alone of all the visions the Angel, as no where else h […]e Chap. […]7. […], &c. doth, interpreteth to Iohn; But to what end, except that by that an entrance be opened, as it were through a dore to the rest otherwise [Page 29] ina […]able? what wilt thou more? therefore by this way enter thou, calling upon the Father of lights, and being entred use the Key of entry to the opening of the rest. Try, and having tried thou wilt confesse, that this prophecie is wonderfull, with which, the matter being throughly lookt into, none of the old Testament, (for so it beseemed the gospel) no not that of Daniel is to be compared in certain […]ie, either for the singular workmanship of the Revelation, or for the way and reason of finding out the interpretation.

This last thing I intreat of thee reader who shalt meet with these things, that if thou shalt perceive any thing happily revealed unto me 1. Cor. 14.3. sitting by as a fellow prophet, profitable either to thy selfe or others touching these mysteries: that thou wholly ascribe it to the mercy of God towards me; to whom also I will never cease to give thankes for that little ray of his wisedome: but if in any thing I have committed an errour, that count wholly mine, a man of small abilities, and no way (which I very well am conscious of) fit of my selfe for these things. Praise, honour and glory to him who fitteth upon the throne, and to the Lambe for ever and ever.

[Page 30]

The first Part of the Coment upon the REVELATION, according to the rule of the Apocalyptique Key upon the first Prophecie, which is contained in Seales and Trumpets. Something concerning the Apocalyptique Theater premised.

ENdevouring to finde out the meaning of the vision […] in the Revelation, I must first handle that heavenly Theater, whereupon Iohn is called to behold them as upon a State: afterwards the prophecies themselves, severally examined by the Apocalyptique Key.

O Christ the wisedome of God, to whom the Revel. […]. 1. Revelation is given of the Father, that thou shouldest declare to thy servants things to come, enlighten my minde with thy sun beames, clense my uncleannesse with thy blood. Grant that by thy favour, and the guide of thy Spirit, I may diligently consider these hidden mysteries, and declare them to others.

The Apocalyptique Theater, I call that Emperiall Session of God and of the Church described in the fourth Chapter: and exactly framed according to the forme, of Numb. 1.52. and thence to the end of the second Chapter. that ancient encamping of God with Israel in the wildernesse: which will plainely appeare by comparing the order of both between themselves.

For in the midst of the tents of Israel was placed the Tabernacleor throne of God. Round about the Tabernacle the Levites pitched their tents neerest. Then after the Levites, the rest of the hoast of Israel was seated in foure standerds, towards the four climates of the heaven: to wit, three tribes placed under [Page 31] one standerd, and bearing the name of the chiefe tribe of their companie. And every standerd did bear an ensigne, whereof although Moses doth onely generally make mention, nor doth at all expresse what figure was pourtraid to every standerd: yet the Hebrews out of the ancient tradition of the Elders, (in this not rashly to be contemned) doe describe the matter wholly after this manner.

At the East the Standerd of Iuda, with his fellow Tribes with the signe of a LYON.

At the West the Standerd of Ephraim, with the signe of a BVLLOCK.

At the South the Standerd of Reuben, with the signe of a MAN.

At the North of Dan, with the signe of an EAGLE. Aben Ezra at the 2. of Numbers […] our Elders have said, that the figure of a man was in the standerd of Reuben, because of the Mandrakes found (saith hee but this is Gen. 30.14, Gen. 49 9. idle.) In the standerd of Iuda the figure of a Lyon, because Iacob likened him hereto. In the standerd of Ephraim the figure of a Bullocke; according as it is said, Deut. 33. 17. the firstling of a bullocke. And to conclude, in the standerd of Dan the figure of an Eagle. The same things here hath Bar Nachman, and Cha […] kuni at the third Chapter.

If any happily more curiously aske, wherefore the effigies of these living creatures were born rather then others, besides that reason which is wont to be taken not unfitly from the blessings of Iuda and Ephraim, at the least, the Talmudists seeme to give the reason thus, four things say they, Schindler, p. 266. […]. are proude (or which excell) in the world; the Lion among the wilde beasts, the bullock amongst cattell, the Eagle amongst birds, and a man whom God hath endued with beautie above all, that hee may command all. Howsoever the reason hold, this tradition of the Jewes may be confirmed out of the foure fold face of the Cher […]bims (take heed thou doe not conceive so many heads) in Ezekiel; by which is signified that it was the Lord, and king of the foure bands or campes of Israel which was carried on them. For as the Chariots of Princes doe glister with the ensignes of their Lords; so here the Cherubims with the ensignes of JEHOVA, the King of the Tetrarchies of Israel. Neither will it be very difficult, to [Page 32] gather out of the position of Ezekiel and the Cherubims in this vision one against another, which climate of the world each face of the Cherubims looked towards. For when Ezekiel, his face being turned toward the north, beheld the Cherubims as it were Ezek. 1.4. coming against him, certainly that which did then present it self directly over against him, was the former and direct face of the Cherubims, to wit the face of man; and therefore the face of a man looked toward the south. Whence it followeth that that face of the Lion which is said to be on the right hand of the same Verse 10. Ezekiel looked towards the East, and that on the left hand of him, of a bullock looking toward the West: and last of all the face of an Eagle looking toward the North.

And surely the same reason perswadeth, that we may esteeme that those Cherubims also, which did overshadow the Arke of God in the most holy place of the Temple were alike, that is, of a foure fashioned face; especially since those which were engraven upon the walles of the temple were so, as that which is read in the same Ezekiel, chap. 41. vers. 19. concerning their half carving doth witnesse, where, two of their faces being drunk up, (as it must needs be in such engraving) on the plaine of a wall, yet the other two, of a man and of a lion, are said to appeare looking toward the Palme-trees, represented on this side and on that side, both wayes. And wherefore I pray you, should the Cherubims be engrauen in another forme then they were of?

Adde hereunto that some doe take that of Psal. 68. 11. […] thy congregation hath dwelt therein, to bee meant of those four living creatures, being the ensignes of so many bands of Israel; which surely Ierome, in that translation which hath its name to be according to the Hebrew truth, hath thus translated: Chap. 4. animalia tua habitaverunt in ea; thy living creatures dwelt therein; to wit, as went before, in thy inheritance, that is, in the camp of thy people which thou leddest thorow the wildernesse. Likewise the Septuagint, and the vulgar which is translated thereout of hath […], animalia tua, thy living creatures. And surely that which went before this and the former verse plainly sheweth, that here that time is hādled: O God when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou wentest thorow the Desert the earth shooke, and the heavens dropped at the presence of God, &c. Likewise that which followeth concerning the plentifull [Page 27] raine, the raine if I be not deceived, of Manna, and therefore to be translated, a plentifull raine or liberall, thou hast sent O God [wherewith] thou hast comforted thine in haeritance, even when it was weary. To say nothing of that; the beginning of this Psalme is borowed from that forme of prayer which Mos […]s vsed [Numb. 10.35.] in the setting forward of the campes of Israel. Arise O Lord and let thine enemies be scattered.

We have beheld the […]ncamping of God among the Israelites: let chap. 4. […]. us now further see, how the Apocalyptique session doth in every point answere the same.

And I was saith Iohn, in the spirit, and behold a throne was set in heaven; and one sa […]e on the thr […]ne. 3. And he that sate to look upon was like a Jasper ston […] and a Sardine; and there was a rainebow round abou […] the throne in sight like to an emrald.

4. And round about the throne 24 scates; and upon the scates 24 Elders sitting, cl […]th […]d in white raiment, and they had on their heads crownes of gold.

5. And […]t of the throne proceeded lightnings, and voice, and thund rings; aad there were seven lampes of fire burning before the throne which are the seven spirits of God, a […]d before the throne there was a sea of glasse like […]to cr […]stall.

6. And in the midest of the throne and round about the throne foure Beasts, full of eyes before and behinde. 7. And the first Beast was like a Lyon; an […] the second Beast like a Bullock; and the third Bea […]t having a face as a Man; and the fourth Beast like a flying Eagle.

8. And the foure Beasts, had each of them six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within; and the rested not day and night Chap. 4. saying, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

9. And when those Beasts give gl […]ry and honour and thankes to him that sa […]e on the throne who liveth for ever and ever: 10 The 24 Elders fall down before him that sa […]e one the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crownes before the throne, saying 11. thou art worthy, O Lord our God, to rec […]ave glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and forthy pleasure they are and were created.

Doth not every severall things answere other here; for first as concerning the tabernacl […]; the throne here which God sate upon [Page 34] being set in the midst that it was none other then the temple or taberna […]l […] (for the description (here) is fitted (which is a thing observable) […]o the history of both) as well the seven lampes burning before it, is also that glassy Sea, like un […]o Christall do shew. whreof those present the candlestick of those s […]ven lampes burning before the Oracl […]; this that great lavour in the temple of Salomon called the Sea: but with this difference, that that of Solomon was of brasse but this of ours of a glasse and transparent matter, yet I know not whether we may suppose the allusion hereto be to that more auncient lavour of Moses Taber […]acle; since that also is said to have binne made of I Know not what matter of looking-glasses; to wit, of the looking-glasses of the women assembling at the doore of the tabernacle Exod. 38.8. But you may see the temple set fo […]th by the name of the throne of God Esay. 6. verse. 1. I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lif […]d up, and his ski […]ts filled the Temple. Also […]er. 17. 12. A glorious high thr […]ne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. And Ez […] 43.7. The place of my throne, and the pla […] of the stepps of my feet, where I dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, &c.

And that it was such a throne, which Iohn saw placed in the midst of the Elders, and Beastes, the Revelation hath it every where for g […]anted. For where could he have openly seen the Chap. 4. Altar, and vnder it the soules of them that were sla […]ne for the word of God, chap. 6.9. except in the temple; whenc […] (appe […]ed) to him the the golden Altar of incense be ore the throne, chap. 8. 3. except the t […]mple or Tab […]rnacle had binne that throne. Or what other thing will the fouer horn […]s of the golden Altar, which is in the sight o […] God intimate. chap. 9, 13. what the temple, the courts of the temple and Altar parte […]y to be me […]su […]ed wi […]h the Angels reed, partly, to be cast our, chap. 11. 1. what […] the temple of God opened in H […]aven; and therein, the Arke of the testimonie exposed to sight, c […]ap. 11. 19. what the Angels comming out of the Temple, chap. 14.15. 17.18. and that also in heaven verse, 18. what the […]arpers standing upon the brimm […] of t […]e Sea or lavour of glasse, and singi […]g the tryumphant Songe chap. 15. 2. and that also in heaven, verse 1. what in the same place verse 5. The Temple of the Tabernacle of the testimony, opened in heaven, and the same temple ve […]se. 8. filled with smoake Verse. 3. from the [Page 35] majesty of God: But that chap. 16. verse. 17 putteth the matter out of all question. And there came a great voice […], that is, out of the temple of heaven from the throne.

Furthermore in this throne or temple, least happily thou shouldest be any thing doubtfull, the place of Gods Session, or (as the Septuagnits 1. king. 10. 19. speake of the throne of Salomon) […] was the Inner and most holy parte of the temple, wherein was laid up the Arke of the covenant with the propitiatorie. For there God is said to dwell, and to sit between Chap. 4. the Cherubins of glory. For which cause finally both the seven lampes here, as also the golden Altar of Incense afterward […]s are rightly said to have binne before the throne, to wit, before the oracle of the temple; as it is found concerning both plainly in so many and the self same wordes, 2. Cron. 4.20. and 1. King, 6, 20. in the former of which the septuagints have […] (so the Oracle is called in Hebrew) in the other […], in meaning right with the Relveation, […] verse. 4. […] So the other partes, either of the temple or of the tabernacle, wilbe partly for stayes, partly for stepps, partly for a footstoole to the throne peculiarly so called such kinde of parts or appurtenances, that emperiall throne of Salomon is said to have had. So much of the throne.

2. The fouer and twenty Elders compasse next about the throne, which represent the Bishops, and pr […]lates of the churches; Ver. 6. […]and do answere both in place and order to the Levites and Preests in the campes of Israel: and their number of 24 to so many courses of Preists and Levits, or which cometh to the same passe to the chief of the courses whereupon, besides that they are neerest to see Ezech. […], Exod, 34, 19 Levit, 8. 17, and else where 40 times. God, they also have their thrones; moreover they weare crownes; which are signes of dignity, and power given from God.

3. Thirdly, a meete distance after the Preestes where the lines drawne through the midst of the throne, doe twise divide the sides of the throne, every way to the fouer corners of the heaven, fouer living creaturs appeare: the first in the shape of a Lyon; the second of a Bullock (for […] with the septuagints is Bos a bullock) the third in the shape of a man, the fourth of a flying Eagle representing the christian Churches through the four quaters of the [Page 36] world; and they answere to the foure campes of Israel, bearing in their standerds the same Beastes. That which in the text of the Revelation is somthing more obs […]urely said, […] in the midest of the throne, and round about the When by two words one things is signifyed. throne, ought to be expounded by the fig […]re […] familiar with the Hebrewes, as if indeed it had binne said […], that is […], in the midst of the circuit or compasse of the throne; and that in this sense. If to the throne, for example as being square, thou draw about, a para […]ell fo […]re square figure, with a meete distance from the throne and Elders compassing it about, foure Beasts did shew themselves in or, at the midle of the sides of every quadrangle (for […] is to be taken distributively;) to Chap. 4, wit in the midest of every side one.

Furthermore those Beasts are describ […]d, full of eyes before and behind, having moreover six wings aboute, and those full of eyes within. So many […]yes do set forth the multi […]ud of Sharpsighted verse. 8. me […], and full of knowledge of the mysteries of God; such as are in the Beasts, that is, the churches, which the […] do represent. The wings, agili […]y and a lacrity: o put in ex […]cution the commandement of God. The wings full of eyes, z […]ale joyned with knowledge and faith. To conclude the six wings a […]out, doe set them forth flying every way that is, most ready universa […]ly and wholly to fulfill the commandements of God. […] ▪ 9, 10, 11,

Last of all is added, what the office of both of them should be, aswel of the B […]asts as of the elders about the throne, to wit this, th […]t as aften as t […]e Beasts should give glory and honour and thanksgivi […]g to him that sitterh on the […]hrone, that is as often as the Churches should performe their holy se […]vic […] so often the 24 Elders going before the Beasts according to their function, used to fa […] downe before God, saying, Thou art worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power, because thou hast created all things &c. This interpreta […]ion being admitted, the sa […]ing of Ioh […], which most do accuse here of incongruity, as abusing the futures […] […], for the praete perfect; will easily maintaine it self: since with the H […]brewes (whose notion the Apostle every where vseth) the futures are wont to denote an act accustom’d […]rdue: so as Iohn is not at all to be thought here to relate, Chap. 4. what then in the vision is done by the Beasts and elders; but what occasion required should be done, and what he afterwards in [Page 37] the progresse of visions if at any time occasion of praysing God sho […]ld happen, he saw done by them.

And so (that at length I may end) I conceive I have plainly shewed that the throne in this […]mperiall session answereth to the Tabernacle or Temple; the elders to th […] Levites and Priests; the four Beasts to the four camp […] of Israel; that is the whole session, to be the type of the ancient encamping in the w […]ldernesse, wh […]ch thing was so much the more largely by me to be handled, because […]o served the reason of the most type […] […]n the Revelat […]on to depend chiefly upon the knowledge thereof; wherein I dou […]t not […]ut any will be of the same minde with me▪ who shall throughly consider the matter.

The Theater being prepared in th […]s manner, […]he which sate upon the throne, reacheth forth in his right hand, a book written Chap. 5. wi […]hin and on the backside, closed with […]aven seals; and therewithall Verse […], 2, an Angel coming forth upon the stage, with al […]ud voice proclaim […]th; that, […]f power were given to any to open it, whereby those things might be seen and read that were therein contained, he should take it i […]to h […]s hands, and endeavour it, a thing without doubt if he shall perform, would be very acceptable to all that are enflam […]d with a desire of secret things.

And in truth the book was most worthy, that any one should strive with a […]l the powers […]f his wisdom and industry to o […]en it: as a book of prophesies or of the the councells of God, wherein is contrived the series and order of thi […]gs to be done till that second and glorious c […]mming of Christ. For of such sorte certainly that double prophecie following of things to come which that booke did containe, appeareth for to be which is the cause […]nles I be deceived, why Iohn going about to set forth his visions, prefixed in the fronte of […]is history the description of that gloriou […] comming, as […]t were the bond of the Apocalyptique race. Behold, Hypotyposi […]. Chap. 5. saith he chap. 1.7. he commeth with the cloudes of heaven, and every eye sha […]l see him; they also which pierced him, and all tribes of the earth shall waile over him; as if he should say : this is the scope, his is the the bound of the visions, which shall declare.

But wh […]n no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the Verse 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. earth, was able to open the book, and […]he mat […]er seemed now to be past help; so that Iohn brake forth into weeping for griefe: [Page 38] behold a Lambe; seeming as it had be […]n s […]in, that is bearing the signes and of his by past death, rose up in the midst of the throne Skarts of elders and Beasts, and took the book to unseal and open, as who alone above all had deserved the power to do it.

Now this being seen, forth with the Quire of Beasts, and elders, Verse 8. together with the Angels standing round about, and all creatures in generall, being full of joy sing a song of praise to the Lamb and to his father. Wherein I thought good to observe that alone, that they plainly refer the power of opening the book to the merit of the passion of the Lamb. Thou art worthy, say they to open Verse 9.10.11. 12.13, 14. the book and the sea […]s thereof, because thou wast slain […], and hast redeemed us to God with thy blood, out of every tribe and people and tongue and nation. Out of which perhaps light may come to the saying of our Saviour, neither having as yet suffered, nor entred into his glory : of that day and houre (suppose of his second Mat. 42. 36. coming, whether it should b […] sooner, or later:) no man knoweth, no not the Angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the father onely. For why, as yet the Revelation was not given to Christ of the father, nor the order of things to be done un […]ill his coming opened. I affirme nothing rashly, let the reader way the matter well with himselfe.

The Lamb thus opening the book, at every severall seal thereof, Chap. 6. singular types of things to come are exhibited : the body whereof runneth through the whole Apocalyptique race, and so concludeth Systema. the first universall proph […]cie. The interpretation whereof now, by the favour of him that sitteth on the throne and of the Lamb, we will undertake. Chap 6.

Concerning the two Apocalyptique prop […]eces.

The first prophecie of the seales, comprehendeth the destinies of the Empire. The other of the little book, the destinies of the […] Church or of christian religion; untill at length both shall be united in the Church raigning; the kingdoms of this world becoming Chap 11. 15. our Lords and his Christ. For as in the old testament [Page 39] Daniel, did foreshew as well the coming of Christ, as also did digest the destinies of the Iewish church, according to the successions of Empires: so it is to be conceived that the Apocalyps, doth measure the state of Christanity by the affairs of the Romane Empire which should yet remain after Christ. Neither doth the event crosse it. For the interpretation of the first prophecie out of this generall supposition thus proc […]ed […]th.

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.

[Page 40] 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.

[Page 41]

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. […], saith he, […] (mark it well) […] 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, […], 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 […], 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.

[Page 42]

Of the second Seale.

The second memorable chance of the Roman Empyre, the Verse 4. embleme of the second seale is […] 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,) […] 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 […] 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 [Page 43] 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 [Page 44] 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 […] which […] 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 onely 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 [Page 45] 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 onely 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, [Page 46] […], 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 […] is halfe a bushell, that is, double a souldiers: yea with the Septuagints Ezeki […]l. 45. 10, 11. […] 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 onely 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 [Page 47] 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 [Page 48] 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 onely the use of the city, but even whole Italy, that wanted oil as if inde […]d he would have fulfilled what here is added […] 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, […] 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. [Page 49] 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 […] 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 [Page 50] 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 […] Death. So the […]f […]stilence. Chalde Paraprast for […] pestilence liketh to pu […] […] Death, and the Septuagi […]ts for the most part translate it […] 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 [Page 51] 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. 17 wherein 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, […], 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: […], if thou render it atque id per Bestias terrae, and that by the Beasts of the earth.

[…] 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 [Page 52] interpreter here, with whom […], 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 onely 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 4 th 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. [Page 53] 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, […], 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.

[Page 54]

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 [Page 55] 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 […] 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 […]. […], 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.

[Page 56]

I will shake the heaven and the earth sheweth […], 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 […]. 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 vpon 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 ellipsim as 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. […] 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 vpon 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, [Page 57] 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 […] and 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 [Page 58] 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 [Page 59] 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 […] departed, here of […], shaken of a mighty wind. Furthermore concerning the same ruine of Edom, with little milder circumstances then Esay, doe Obadia […], Ieremia 49 from the 7 th. Ʋerse. to the 22 th. 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 onely 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 [Page 60] 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 [Page 61] 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 onely 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 [Page 62] 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 [Page 63] 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 [Page 64] that they understood in very deed what and how wonderfull Constantines God was, and that they did acknowledge him to be the true and onely 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 […]. 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 onely 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 [Page 65] 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 […] in Arabique […] 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.

[Page 66]

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 [Page 67] 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.

[Page 68]

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.

[Page 69]

Chap. 7. THE VISION OF THE COMPANY OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD, Or of the Elect and faithfull Church to be preferred amidst the ruines of the seventh Seale or the Trumpets, exhibited in a Type

Of 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 Vpon 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. [Page 70] Out 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. [Page 71] I 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 [Page 72] also (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 [Page 73] discreet 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 […] 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: […] that is, […] that they may possesse the r […]nant of Edom. The ancient Copy seemeth to be read, […], 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 [Page 74] the 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, [Page 75] Levi 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 […]. Dames. For in Christ there is neither bond nor free, but all are of Colos. 3.11. one 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 seest, Iuda, Reuben, Gad, Aser, make up the first quaternion, as enobled above the rest with that name of Christ 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 Reuben, whom that famous Protestation concerning the Altar of Witnesse built at the banke of Iordan enobled; Iosua 22. 21. whereby he deserved that he should not submit his birth-right [Page 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 Sarepta 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 Israelites. 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 Hiram whose father was a Nephthalite, the maker of the instruments and furniture for the Temple of God (1 King. 7.14. with 2 Chron. 2. 14.) [Page 77] 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 Elisha 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. 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 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 […] 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) [Page 78] saw 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. shall 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 […] (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, [Page 79] the 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.