CHAP. XIII

THe right understanding of this Chapter, is of great concernment to the understanding of this prophesie; it hath such difficulty in it, that by some it is accounted as crux interpretum. The difficulty is not (even almost with Papists) whether the Roman state be designed here or not; or, concerning the beasts, if by one of them Antichrist be holden forth: both these are palpable and certain, this being compared with the 17. Chap. The difficulty lieth in these two, 1. To what time, state or head of the Roman Empire they relate? 2. If different states be meaned by these two beasts? Or, if one Antichrist, as diversly considered, be set out by these shapes? because one doth not sufficiently paint him out, who standeth both in a Civil and Ecclesi∣astick relation; so that now Satan, (as it were) being first spoiled of temporall Authority in his lieutennant the heathen Emperour, and being also disappointed of his second design of drowning the Church by errors, setteth himself to hasten up a new Kingdom or Deputy, but in another shape, that by joyning both violence and deceit in him together, he may bring to passe, what these, being essayed separately, did not effectuate. So that this is looked on as the product of the Dragons third design, wherein his uttermost skill kytheth, and the greatest strength of his Kingdom lieth; which design is answerably described in a double type. The 1. shewing what really Antichrist is, to whom he succeedeth, of whom he hath his power, where he sitteth, and to what height he cometh, &c. The 2. how he appeareth, what way he carried on and brought about that design, and what weapons and pretences were abused for that end. This we conceive shortly to be the scope and drift of both these types: for more clear understanding whereof, we shall premit some generall propositions, the particulars whereof will appear more in opening this and the 17. Chapter.

Proposition 1. It is ordinary to the Prophets, especially to Daniel, to set out tempo∣rall Monarchies, by great beasts, as Chap. 7. and 8. And these beasts do not hold forth in∣dividuall persons, but a successive series of the same line on that throne; and it is usuall in this prophesie to borrow types from him; only sometimes that which is spoken in the Old Testament of temporall enemies or straits of the Church, is applied to spirituall and covered enemies, as many things literally agreeing to Antiochus are applied to Antichrist, and things literally true of Pharaoh are applied to the devil. So by a Beast here may be meaned a State of great power and violence against the Church, though not in or by a single person in one generation executed, but for a long time, by a series of one combined body successively under one head. This must be understood that of the Churches suffer∣ing under the Dragon formerly, his first Deputy the heathen Empire and Emperour being understood thereby, as it was one body, though under diverse individuall Emperours successively.

Propos. 2. Sometimes one state, thing, or person, will be set out in Scripture by diverse types and beasts: so, Dan. 7. the Persian Empire is set forth by a Bear, the Grecian by a Leopard. In the 8. the Persian by a Ram, and the Grecian by a He-goat. See Chap. 7. the Seleucides Kingdom (though but a branch of the Grecian) is set out by a Page  543 beast, as different from the other wholly, because in somethings different. Which saith, that though the types be different, yet the party signified may be one, considered in diverse respects. In which sense (Chap. 17.) this same Antichrist is called the eight beast, and yet really there also but one of the seven and the seventh, though in appearance, or upon distinct consideration, different from the seventh, vers. 11.

Propos. 3. More particularly, the state or power designed here, is the state and power which hath Rome for the seat of it, as the Metropolis of its Kingdom during its standing, as it was of the heathen Emperours before; for, the Dragon placeth his Deputy in that same seat where the former fate before, vers. 2. Beside, this seat is particularly described (Chap. 17.) in three things, 1. In its naturall situation for that time, seven mountains, vers. 9. 2. In its politick Government, to wit, seven sorts, counting-in this beast. 3. In its present Authority, in Iohn's time, over the Kings of the earth, vers. 18. And what is and hath been the state which hath had and hath Rome for its seat this long time, is not hard to determine.

Propos. 4. By this beast is not set out the Roman Empire simply, as under any head, but as under its seventh and last head or government, whatever it be: for although the beast have in all seven heads, as it is considered in its whole body; yet seing these heads are suc∣cessive, and the removing of one is the inferring of another, & contra, it is to be looked on at one time as under one head only: Therefore that which was in Iohn's time being the sixth, Rev. 17. and this beast having the sixth wounded and healed again before he ex•rce his power, It must follow, that it is here the Roman Empire under its seventh and last government. Hence the difference is remarkable between the beast here and Chap. 12. al∣though it set out the same Empire with seven heads and ten horns; yet, there the heads are crowned, and the horns were not, because the Cesars then reigning keeped their power, the Provinces were governed by their Deputies: here the horns are crowned, to show, that the instruments acted by this beast, have soveraign power, which is more clearly ex∣pounded, Chap. 17. However, this is the Roman Empire, or that Government of it, which is the seventh. All the effects here agree to the beast after its head is healed, and after it hath gotten the throne and seat of the Dragon. This beast therefore is compleatly de∣scribed to shew in what series this last succeedeth to the former: but that of wounding of the head and healing it again (which must be the head then in being) is to direct us to what state or government of that Empire or series we are to look for the fulfilling of these effects, and which ought to be pointed at as great deputy and lieutennant of the devil, to wit, in its again revived and healed condition, which is the last or seventh Government.

Propos. 5. We would distinguish this beasts beginning to arise, from his publick appear∣ing; because they are in themselves different events, and have different times: and we conceive it is the publick appearing and manifesting of this to the world that is pointed at here, which differeth from its begun underhand working: even as the Churches begun flight is different in its rise from its hid private condition at the lowest; so this being con∣temporary to that, must have that same consideration; for, as he riseth, she fleeth, and her flight encreaseth with his rising, like light and darknesse. His beginning will appear to be, 1. after outward persecution; for, the Dragon giveth him that seat and quiteth the chair to him: and so this cannot be the Heathen persecuting Emperours, but some suc∣ceeding them, and that immediately; for, there is no vacancy of this throne, but the one resigneth it to the other. 2. It beginneth as soon as the womans flight, that is, immedi∣ately after Satans dethroning, he seeketh to advance this beast, and piece and piece he groweth from that time; for (vers. 5.) his power and commission is for the same fourty two moneths, and the time being alike, the period of the close is alike (for when the beast beginneth to be destroyed, her prophets put off their sackcloth, vers. 11. and 16.) Therefore the beginning of both must be together also. Again, this sheweth it is no French nor German Emperours that can be meaned by this; for they had not their rise so soon; for this will be about the 300. year, as is said before. 3. The manifesting of this beast will be found to be after the devils disappointment of his design to drown the woman (when these grosse heresies prevailed not to gain his end) and also to be contemporary with the healing of the deadly wound which the sixth head had gotten; yea, to be the very healing of it in Romes recovering a publick Court and Authority by the papacy, which by the Cesars and Emperours their becoming Christian and removing their Court from it, had Page  544 left. It received again in papacie an head, and that same superscription of blasphemy on it, which it had under its former masters, which will fall in about the 600. year, or a little after, when both the peaceable possessing of Rome by Popes and inbringing of Idolatry made forward together. Beside, in this state the horns are crowned, which from Chap. 17.12. relateth to the erection of new Kingdomes not then in being, which sheweth, that the manifestation of Antichrist and the erection of Kingdoms out of the Empire must go together, and that it is his manifestation which is intended here.

Out of which Propositions we may draw three Conclusions.

Conclusion 1. It is not any state or branch of the civil Romane Empire that is holden forth here, 1. not the Heathenish state, as is said. 2. not the Grecian Emperours, which had their seat at Constantinople; (the first Christian Emperour had in Gods wisdom transferred his Court thither, that so this beast might have the fairer accesse to the Dragons throne) for, these had not their seat at Rome. 2. They continued not during these fourty two moneths, but are gone. 3. There was not alway so good friendship between them and the Popes as between these two beasts here, the Emperours being alwayes jealous of them, and sometimes by their lieutennants afflicting and straitning them, and they again, by Excommunications, casting down some of these Emperours who were violent opposers of Image-worship, and of praying, &c. unto Saints departed, as Leo Isaurus, and Constantinus, Copronymus, and others, called fighters against Images by them. 3. This beast appeareth not till the wound be healed. Now, in the Heathen Emperours time it was but hurt, in these Emperours at Constantinople their beginning, it was not perfectly healed till a time thereafter. Neither can it be the succession of French Emperours brought in by Stephanus the third after Caro•us Marcellus, to wit, Pipinus, Carolus Magnus, Lodovicus Pius, &c. who were called to defend the Empire, partly against the Goths and Lombards, who then trode on Italy; partly, for restraining the insolency of the Exar∣ches of Ravenna, who, being Deputes to the Grecian Emperour, pillaged and spoiled Italy exceedingly; for these Emperours rise will not come up to this beasts rise. Their rise was about the 750 or 766. Neither is it of that continuance, nor will the rest of the characters agree to it of having that seat, &c. Beside, that Empire is by many counted a speciall favour of God to this part of the world, (Pencerus in vita Caroli Magn••) which could never be said of this beasts rise. The like reasons also will strike against the German Emperours, or that elective succession brought in by Otho the third, and Carolus the fourth, who may be chief horns of this beast, crowned by him to execute his de∣crees, and may be amongst these who give their power to this beast, but cannot be the beast himself.

Conclusion 2. By this first beast then is understood Antichrist in his Kingdom, which appeareth by all the characters given, 1. He succeedeth the Dragon in his seat. 2. His rise, reign, and continuance agree to these fourty two moneths desolate condition of the Church ending and beginning with it. He is worshipped not civilly only (that worship is no fault in it self) but religiously, as no Emperour was; he hath absolute dominion and taketh •• title to him over all Kindreds, Tongues, &c. Their submission to him is voluntary and with admiration, which was never to any civil state; he hath crowned horns and Kings under him who reverence him; which will more particularly appear in opening the words: for, all spoken here, agreeth to one beast, and in one state or condition, to wit, under the last head when the wound which the sixth got was healed, (things to come bring repre∣sented to Iohn as past) the beast thus healed in his head is admired, worshipped, fol∣lowed, &c. to him power over the Saints is given (alluding as is ordinary in the Anti∣christs case to Antiochus. Dan.) so either Antichrist is no head of this beast, or he is set out by this beast who this long continueth, and in whom and by whom the Dragon is again worshipped by the men of the earth: all which can agree to no other. To speak in short then, here is set out the Roman Empire as antichristian or headed with Antichrist, having now the sixth head which was wounded by the throwing down of Heathenish Idolatry again healed by the papacies becoming the seventh; (for, there are but seven) and to this Empire as under this head agreeth all that is spoken unto here, considering it as representing that same civil state, now the seventh time carrying another head of blasphemy, yet again repeated under another type, that it may be known nor to be the same head (though on the same beast) with that which was wounded, nor of the same kind altogether with the former.

Page  545It is true this is generally otherwayes expounded by learned Interpreters, whereof some do expound this first beast to hold forth the Roman civil Empire become Christian; others understand it of the complex body of Kings arising out of the ruines of the Empire (as Mede calleth it universitas regum & incolarum) and so they distinguish this beast as representing some civil power from the two horned beast following, which to them is Antichrist and an Ecclesiastick state; yet, upon the matter, there will be found no great difference: for even these acknowledge this civil power (whether consisting in Emperours or Kings) to be acted and made use of by this Ecclesiastick beast, which is the same, upon the matter, that we say, to wit, that the head acting these horns is the Antichrist; and therefore the beast is to get its denomination from the head whereby the rest are swayed. Beside, if we look narrowly to this description, we may well call Emperours, (as they now are) or Kings, horns of this beast, but cannot account them the beast it self, but as they are united in and under him; for, the beast here, is that which supporteth the whore, Chap. 17. which is acknowledged by the same forenamed Author to be the Ecclesiastick beast. Again, this beast having its beginning immediately after the close of Heathenish persecution, that can neither be said of the Roman Empire or of that university of Kings. We may add, that the horns of this beast, being crowned (that is, having supream civil power) cannot be thought subject to any other civil power: and it is clear here, that the worshippers of this beast are of equal extent with these who bear this mark, and are contradistinguished from the hundreth fourty four thousand that were sealed, whereby all Papists are included as under his power: and seing this can agree to no Emperour (whose dominion is not of such extent) so nei∣ther can this beast be applied to him. Again, it cannot be the university of Kings, for they are horns acted by this beast, and so may be distinguished from him, as we will often find them, as, (Chap. 17.) these horns are turned to hate the whore, which was sup∣ported by this beast, Chap. 19. this beast is cast into the lake with the false prophet, (and therefore must be understood of this first beast according to that learned Author) yet can it not be said, that all these Kings or Emperours go to the pit, as if none of them could remain after Antichrist, especially considering the prophesie of the Lords making some of these Kings, who were formerly horns of this beast, to become instruments of his ven∣gance against the whore. We conclude it therefore, as most safe and consistent with this prophesie, to expound this first beast of Antichrist, who acteth these horns, and to whom the Kings of the earth willingly gave their power, and so to be applied to the Pope and his Kingdom, supposing him to be Antichrist.

Conclus. 3. It remaineth therefore that these two beasts must be, upon the matter, one; the last holding forth no different state, but the same which the former held forth, in a diffe∣rent notion. Therefore there is no particular description of the parts of it, or of its rise in respect of time and continuance, but it becometh one in all these with the former. There∣fore in this Chapter there is but one name, one character, and one beast or number alway spoken of; yea, they have one Sea, commission, &c. and are designed by one beast, Chap. 11. vers. 7. spoken of as one Chap. 17. yea, the woman that is said to sit on the beast, vers. 13. is called this very City or Empire, Rome, vers. 18. The woman certainly is the antichristian Church, but that woman (vers. 18.) is not a distinct government or state from that civil state, or from Antichrists state, but that same supported by its civil power, Therefore they are one. Thus we see every one of these conclusions do follow each other: if it be not the civil Empire which is typified by the first beast, it must be Antichrists, and so both one; for, the last is he. We may add, that in the Chapters following, when ever Antichrists diminishing is spoken of, or the destroying of his Kingdom, it is done under the name of the beast, and but as one, as may appear by these and the like phrases, who wor∣ship him, who had gotten victory over him, his seat, Chap. 16. which by all is expounded to be Rome. Therefore these two must be one, and such an one as hath one seat at Rome over all Nations with a slavish, superstitious, or rather idolatrous dependance on him: and therefore when he is here set out, and elsewhere through this Book, by diverse represen∣tations, as a woman carried by the beast, and false prophet, It is not as if they were two things, but diverse types setting out one diversly considered, to set out Antichrists two swords Civil and Ecclesistick, or his twofold means he maketh use of, to wit, power and violence, as a beast; hypocrisie and dissembling, as a false prophet: for, it cannot be thought, that one can be of such sibnesse and likenesse to Antichrist, in all things as this Page  546 beast, rising with him, reigning with him, falling and going to the pit with him, especially seing two heads are not consistent together, as upon one seat at the same time, as hath been said. This is acknowledged by Bellar. lib. 3. de Pont, cap. 15. Idem Antichristus per duas bestias exprimitur; per unam, ratione regiae potentiae & tyrannidis, quâ coget homines violenter; per alteram, ratione magicae artis, qua callidè homines seducet, that is, The same Antichrist is expressed by the two beasts; by the one, because of his kingly power and tyrannie, whereby he shall force men violently; by the other, because of his magick art, whereby cunningly he shall seduce men. And he alleageth Rupertus for the Author of this exposition. And, ibid. calleth Antichrist King of the Roman Empire, but not under the name of Emperour. This also agreeth with the titles ordinarily assumed by the Pope, who is a good Prince, whereby he exerciseth temporall armes, and a holy Pope, whereby he is armed with spirituall weapons. See the history of the Councell of Trent, pag. 37.

Concerning the Image, mentioned vers. 14. and 15. we also premit, that by it, is under∣stood no meer civil power, seing it receiveth such worship, and that universally; but it is the same power or state here typified by the first beast or Antichrists temporall Kingdom under the same notion, as it is described here. It is called, 1. the image of this beast, which was wounded, because although it be not in all things the very same Empire, yet doth it so exactly represent the former Roman state, that it may well be called his image, as if a pattern had been taken from that. 2. It is called also his Image, that is, the Image of the two horned beast, because it is his creature, and is brought forth by him, and may be claimed as his, when it is brought forth; and therefore although it be the Image of the first and second beast, yet in diverse respects: wherein also we may conclude, that by both these beasts, and also by the Image here mentioned, is understood the same Antichrist or antichristian Kingdom. This introduction hath been the more largely insisted on, both be∣cause exceeding usefull for understanding the prophesie, and also because difficult, and by Diverse otherwayes applied.

We come then to the Chapter, which hath two parts. The first setteth out Antichrist in his power, outward glory and cruelty, as in one series with the heads of that beast, and as now being that same seat and power, but under another head. This part of Antichrists description is begun at, 1. Because this is indeed the thing which he is, appear what he will. 2. Because temporall greatnesse was the first bait that took with the Pope, and brought forth other corruptions as they might advance that; this is the end. 3. Because, in this respect, by his power, seat and predecessors, he is best discerned and known what he is and who he is. 4. Especially he is here looked on as an head or kind of government of a body politick, whereof some were already past: he is described with respect to that series as he succeedeth these who went before him in that same seat, The Roman Empire here, under the first beast, being considered as with so many heads whereof he is the last. In the second vision he appeareth without respect to seat or succession, but as in himself; and so is described. In a word, in the first vision, to vers. 11. he is holden forth as a tempo∣rall idolatrous Monarch, having the seat of the Dragon in possession.

The second part of the Chapter, (from vers. 11.) setteth out the means and wayes how he came to that temporall greatnesse, and how he entertaineth it, by spirituall weapons, mi∣racles and censures, with hypocrisie, drawing all men to give him that voluntary adoration which he desired. In the first beast, is set forth the nature of the antichristian Kingdom and power compleatly with the supream head and Kings acting under him: In the last, is set forth especially the head himself. This being compared with Chap. 19.20. will be more clear. Again, for the first part, 1. Antichrist is typically described, to vers. 9. 2. Some plain Doctrine and uses are laid down, vers. 9, 10.

Before his description a word is prefixed, I stood on the sea shore, or the sand. It is to shew what posture Iohn was in when he saw this. He was put in that conveniency, that now when the devil goeth to renew his war he may see what it produceth. He saw it at no great distance, but was placed commodiously to discern the rise of this monstruous beast. This word kniteth not only the series of the vision with the close of the former Chapter, but also timeth the matter, to wit, the publick appearing of this beast, as a fruit of Satans third design after the storm of grosse heresies by the first four trumpets is over.

To come particularly to the description; it is in many parts or respects; 1. Its Page  547 originall or rise, is, from, or, out of the sea. By Sea we understand a low base beginning, rising out of the commotions of a troubled world, and coming to an height by temporall changes and afflictions on the Empire, yet indeed proceeding out of the bottomlesse pit, as Chap. 9. which is that same to ascend out of the sea, save that this may serve to clear how subservient the tossings and shakings of the Empire were to its rise. 2. If we take Sea, as it was Chap. 5. it will be a rising out of the bulk of Church-men and an ascending above them, alluding in generall to Dan. 7. and 8.

2. This beasts rise is set out actively; it was not raised up nor exalted as lawfull powers are, but it raised it self up and by its own working wrought it self out of its own station to such a height.

3. This rise is palpable, I saw him rise: not that he was not working and rising before, but that he, who insensibly under the great confusions of the Empire had been settling his own throne, now he bringeth his power from the sea to land, as a settled thing, owning it and appearing in it.

Secondly, After the rise is described, there is given a generall character of him (vers. 1.) in three things, 1. He had seven heads; not together, but successively, seven kinds of Governments, though the seventh was not come, Chap. 17. in Iohn's time, that is, the Roman Empire, having in all seven sundry Governments, to wit, 1. Kings. 2. Consuls. 3. Tribuni. 4. Dictators. 5. Decemviri. 6. Cesars, or Emperours, who were then pre∣sent. This seventh, who is called the eighth, was not then come. This will be more clear on Chap. 17.

1. He hath ten horns, that is, so many, or possibly indefinitly, many Kings, who when Iohn wrote this, had not received their power, but now at this beasts rise had obtained it; so Antichrists appearing goeth alongst with or after the Empire is discerped in severall King∣doms. The red Dragon hath these two characters, Chap. 12.3. yet, with these two dif∣ferences, 1. He looketh more red-like and appeareth cruell. This beast was not so bloudy at the first, but, (Chap. 17.) it hath a scarlet colour. 2. There the heads were crowned, here the horns and not the heads: This is to shew, that now these ten Kings had gotten their power, Chap. 17. but withall were made use of by this head, as the other made use of them, before they got their Crowns: whereby it is clear that the Roman civil Empire, as under this beast, is considered as different from it self under the Dragon. Compare this with vers. 12. Chap. 17. The third character, is, that all the heads have the name or names of blasphemie on them. Blasphemie, is three wayes fallen into, 1. When something derogatory to the holy and excellent Nature of God is ascribed to Him, suppose to say He re∣pented, lied, or when there is any sinful apprehension that He was weary, sickly, faint, finit, &c. 2. When some of His excellencies belonging to Him, are denied, as to say He is not omni∣potent, just, infinit, &c. 3. When something proper and peculiar to the infinit God is ascribed to a creature which is not God, as when an Angel is said to be omnipotent; so said the Iews when they mistook Christ, He blasphemed, because He forgave sins, which none can do but God only, and so did make himself God. A name of blasphemie, is any usurped title inferring one of these three, especially the last: many of their Emperours did foolishly require divine honour; and what businesse Caius made to get his Image put in the Temple at Ierusalem, Iosephus reporteth, Antiq. lib. 18. cap. 11. In a word, all these heads were Idolaters, blaspheming the true God, worshipping Idols, giving what is due to Him to creatures; yea, taking it to themselves to Heathen Idolatry, so did the six former heads, so shall the seventh do: the Idolatry whereof was spoken to, Chap. 9.20. None taketh on him and hath attributed to him what is due to God in Titles, power of Dispensations, religious Worship, obeying of His Commands more than he who exalteth himself above all that is called God. For the Titles and Scriptures peculiar to God and Christ, arrogated by him and attributed to him, see Bell. de Conciliis and praef. ad libros de pontif. By which it appeareth, that this seventh head of papacy is immediately linked with the Dra∣gons fall, there being no head thus characterized till his rise.

This beast is further described (vers. 2.) in his parts and commission. His parts are de∣scribed in three similitudes, 1. His likenesse was as a leopard; that was his shape. A Leopard or Panther, is called loving and a friend to all creatures, save the Dragon, so saith Isodorus; Franzius joyneth the Hyaena and the Cock, and calleth him animal ferocissi∣mum & astutum, Hist. animal. cap. 9. pag. 60. Beside that he is bountifull and not Page  548 terrible as the Dragon. By this the devil sheweth his subtilty, choosing that shape to ap∣pear in wherein folks would least suspect him. This beast is famous for these three, 1. Swiftnesse, Habak. 1.8. for this the Grecian was compared to him. 2. Cruelty, Hos. 5.14. 3. Subtilty, Ier. 5.6. All agree here.

2. His feet are like a bears. Thus was the Persian, Dan. 7. with three ribbs in his teeth. By this, cruelty is holden forth and strength, or the exercising of cruelty by force, not unagreeable to this Antichrist, as cruell as ever the Persian was against the people of God.

3. His mouth as a lyons mouth: partly, to shew his capacity towards others; partly, to shew his insolencie and audacity against God in wicked bold decrees: in which respect, the Babylonian Monarchy is compared to a Lion, Dan. 7. This Lions mouth is indeed (vers. 11.) the Dragons mouth; and there is allusion to these three beasts in this one, to shew, that one could not set forth such a monster; and that this which is meaned here, is some monstrous brood partaking of something of the cruell nature of all other tyrants, and in some things going beyond and differing from them all.

4. The beast is set forth in his predecessor and author, that is, the Dragon, who loveth this beast so well, and layeth so much weight on his greatnesse, that now, the power which he usurped in the world by Heathen Emperours being ranversed and removed, he consti∣tuteth this beast his universal vicar, as he is called, Chap. 9. the Angel and prime Deputy of the bottomlesse pit; and accordingly he authorizeth and invests him in that office by his gift and donation in three steps, 1. He gave him, that is, as he offered to Christ all the world, or so far as he could reach, he streacheth himself to advance him by giving him his power; partly, furnishing him with lying miracles, so he cometh after the working of Satan, 2 Thess. 2 9. partly, committing to him and employing for him all his forces and armies; his might to the uttermost was engaged to support Antichrist his Deputy. 2. He gave him his seat, that is, Rome, where he before by the Heathen Emperour held his throne. The Emperour now is laid by, as such, and this seat made vacant for the Pope. This is the seat, as is clear, Chap. 17. ult. this is called Satans throne in an eminent way, because from it, he gave out his orders, &c. as is spoken in part of Pergamos, Chap. 2. 3. He gave him great authority, that is, not as if ever his dominion on that seat by any prescription of time could be lawfull, seing it riseth from this ground of the devils grant who hath none to give; But it implieth two things, 1. That by the devils instigation he should venditate and give out himself to have a large authority and power committed to him, even such ample large commissions and power as the like were never heard of; his triple Crown reacheth to command heaven, by giving orders to the Angels; and earth, by disposing of all the Kingdoms of it; Hell and Purgatory, by bringing thence and sending thither whom he pleaseth, and at what price he pleaseth, without any controll, so that none can say, what dost thou? he is only countable to the Dragon who commissionateth him. This is clear from Popes practices and their Schoolmens writings in defence of his power. 2. That by that same mean never was any authority so much reverenced, adored and obeyed as this blasphemous usurpation of the Popes should be, witnesse the generall inslaving of the world to him so long: what pennances and submissions and pains have been gone about by great Emperours and Kings, even to the laying of their neck under his feet, to be trodden on by him? Many instances and examples are of it.

Before he go on to describe the practice of this beast, he putteth in a word (vers. 3.) concerning the wounding and healing of one of the heads of this beast, and the effect of it, to shew that what is spoken of this beast, belongeth to it allanerly under its last policie or seventh head; and the healing of this head, is the very ground and rise of this won∣dering. For understanding this, ye must consider two things, 1. concerning the story in fact. 2. concerning the phrase of this Book. 1. For matter of fact, as ye have heard, Rome had seven sorts of Governments, (including the Pope) all Idolaters; The sixth, to wit, Heathen Emperours, was then when Iohn wrote, it was the immediate foregoing head to this seventh. By Constantine and other Emperours this Heathenish Religion was al∣tered to Christian, and the seat of the civil Empire transported to Constantinople, so that Rome seemed to want an head, especially an head that had blasphemy on it, till by the Popes stepping up at Rome both were helped. 2. Consider, that when this Revelation speaketh of the Empire, it speaketh of it with respect to its Religion, and as it was the seat of the Page  549 Dragons exercising power in all these Governments, even as under the sixth seal a change of Religion in the world is set out by types, as if the world were changed; so here the wounding of a head, is not a cutting off of Emperours simply, but their ceasing to be a head to that beast, and to be blasphemous and persecuting as before; for, they are not heads to it simply, but as having on them a name of blasphemy; for, they hold of the Dragon: and this healed head is his creature, vers. 4. and he is worshipped in it. This cannot be said of civil Authority in it self, which is Gods Ordinance. The devil then must have a speciall hand in this cure, so the wounding or slaying of a head deadly, will not infer the ceasing of that Government simply, but to be such as it was, as in other visions and changes in the worlds passing away, &c. which holdeth but, not its annihilating, but its ceasing to be such. See Chap. 6.13. and Chap. 8.

Add, that this wound is not to be given to the head after this beasts arising, but before it; yea, the healing of this is the same with this beasts rising: For, all he doth, he doth it after it is made whole, Then he is admired, then he fighteth with the Saints. This head then that is wounded, is that which was in Iohn's time, to wit, Heathen Emperours. It is here particularly said to be wounded, which is not said between the succession of any other two heads, because they succeeding one to another, their Idolatry was not hurt. But here, when Heathenish Emperours were cast out, Heathenish Idolatry was cast out with them. Idolatry before keeped alwayes its room in all the heads equally, here it is degraded. 2. It is for a time interrupted before this head be again publick, to wit, between the altering of Heathenish Idolatry and the publick appearing of Popes. Therefore it appeareth despe∣rately wounded, rather now than between any other heads before, where the interruption between them was not so desperate and palpable. 3. At other times, no question, the civil state of the Empire got many wounds by many Invasions and invaders; but the Dragon, who is still here represented as chief through all the heads, got never such a wound. Shortly, this third verse containeth three things, 1. The heads wounding. 2. Its healing. 3. Its effect on the world. The head that is wounded is the Heathen Cesars, or Emperours; for, five were past, the seventh was not till the wound was healed. Therefore it was the sixth then present which was wounded. This wound is in two things, 1. A deadly stroke upon Idolatry, so as it was (Chap. 6.) under the sixth seal, the Idolatrous body was slain and overturned by it; that same may be said of the blasphemous head. 2. By an hudge eclipsing of the chief seat of this Empire, by the Emperours removing his Court to Con∣stantinople, whereby the glory of that city was diminished; So, when Iohn speaketh of this wound, I saw (saith he) an hudge Idolatrous beast with seven successive Idolatrous Governments (counting both what was past and what was to come) and I saw the sixth of them thus wounded and that deadly, 1. Because it was a great stroke it got, and none would have thought that after these two Rome should have had again an Idolatrous Go∣vernment in pomp; and yet, 2. but wounded as it were to death, because I saw the devil after recover that ground another way which he lost by this.

2. This wound was healed: the curer is afterward pointed at, vers. 4. the Dragon: it is a birth of his, that is, the bringing forth the seventh head, to wit, papacy, whereby that Beast, or Rome, recovered both its former losses with advantage. 1. By the Popes they recovered Idolatry: for, if the want of that is the wound, the restoring of that is the cure, and it was not done till it was done by the Popes. This was touched, Chap. 9.20. For the healing of this head, is not the restoring of the same head and name of blasphemie which was, but it is the in-bringing of another to succeed that; for, the healed head continueth during the fourty two moneths that Antichrist reigneth, and the horns are crowned: There∣fore it cannot be the restoring again either of Emperours or Heathenish Idolatry, but of that which succeeded these; otherwise there would be no time for the seventh; or, two be∣hoved to be together: but it is called a healing in respect of the Idolatry that was wounded, the Empire being still safe. This is healed not only by bringing-in Idolatry, and yet not the same, but one exceeding like it; so that what was given to devils directly, is now given mediately by Saints, Angels and Images to them, and all their superstitious Ceremonies and Idolatrous Temples are professedly transferred from one Idolatry to another. But second∣ly, also, by this Rome, the seat (almost like to a widow before this) now received a Court, Popes, Cardinals, and her solitarinesse was helped, and she looketh out again as majesti∣cally and commander-like by this head as by any other. That this is the healing here Page  550 understood, appeareth by the effects, 1. The admiration that then followed in the world• and the thanks they (in effect) gave the devil for this service, as generally better content with this than with any other head that ever was before.

The particular effect in this verse, is, All the world wondered after the beast. It is more to wonder after than at the beast. Here beginneth the effects of his enchantment on the world after this healing which was not before. 2. This admiration after the beast, is more particularly set forth afterward: It implieth, 1. an unexpected amazement, as at the seeing of something they had not seen or thought to see so soon: and certainly the wicked world could not have expected again an Idolatrous head so soon. 2. It importeth a sort of Di∣vine or Religious reverence or doting on the beast superstitiously; for, it is after the beast: which is clear afterward, as holding out an estimation of some Religious thing in this head (who is called Christs vicar) more than in any which went before; which cannot agree to a civil state. 3. It importeth a willingnesse or gladsomnesse in the doing of this, as affected or delighted with it: It is otherwayes expressed by enchanting the inhabitants of the earth; mens wicked nature, that loveth whoring from God, now welcometh exceedingly this corrupt beast, and submitteth to him, and drinketh-in in a deluded way his fornications willingly, where we have an emblame of mans nature. 2. The parties admiring, are, all the world, that is, as large dominion and possibly more under this head healed than ever any head had before him; It is all who are not elected: whereby it is clear again, that this beast wondered-after is Antichrist; and this admiration or worship, is more than civil: he hath exceeding many; yea, Emperours, Kings, and great men giving their power to him, and that willingly, Chap. 17. which they never did to any other. In a word, saith he, when this head came up, this beast got moe followers and other sort of respect than ever before.

For clearing this exposition of the wound and healing, Consider, this wound must be at the time of the Churches begun flight, which was contemporary with the fall of Idola∣trous Emperours: for, this healed head is contemporary with the womans flight, there∣fore this wound must be before, which can be no other but that, though this healing imme∣diately appeared not, as is said. 2. Consider, that at that time five heads were past, the seventh to come, which riseth after the healing of this wounded head, and is the seventh, or papacy; it is not wounded here, nor was it in being before these fourty two moneths began, and during that time it hath power, and is not wounded: It must be then the sixth of the Emperours that suffered at that time when the woman began to flee. Now, there was then no wound in the temporall grandour, glory and state of the Empire, it was as great under Constantine as ever (Therefore he is known by that name Constantine the great) it must then be the change we expounded it to be. 3. Add, if the papacyes rising to be the seventh head, be the healing of this wound, Then must the wound be such a want or change as papacy supplieth; But papacy healeth this and is the seventh head. This beast which endureth fourty two moneths and hath power from the Dragon, healeth and recovereth this seat that was lost, and sitteth again in Rome, &c. and this is papacy, as is proven and will (Chap. 17.) more fully appear. Now, the thing which the devil aimeth at by the papacyes settling at Rome, is the recovering of that worship, which he lost; and by the Popes means again by Idols and Images the devil is worshipped, Chap. 9.20. and here, v. 2. Ergo, the removing this Idolatrous worship by publick Authority, which was the Dragon's casting from Heaven, Chap. 12. is the wound here. Beside, temporall over∣running of the Empire by Goths, Vandals, and such like, can neither be called one wound, because it was frequent; nor attributed to this seventh head, because out of it the Popes reaped still advantage; as also they suit not this time, nor was the Emperours healed after these incursions, so as to have more following than before; and the Emperours not being heads, after they became Christian (as will be clear, Chap. 17.) and it not being they who are wondered at, as this head after its healing is, It cannot therefore be applied to them but as is said.