A modest enquiry into the mystery of iniquity by H. More.

CHAP. X.

1. The order and entrance of his Search into the Prophecies, beginning at the Seventeenth Chapter of the Apocalyps. 2. That the Seventeenth Chapter and the Thirteenth treat adequately of the same Subject, proved by Two Parallelisms of Agreements. 3. The Parallelism of Agree∣ments betwixt the Two-horned Beast and the Whore of Babylon. 4. The Parallelism of Agreements betwixt the Seven-headed Beast with ten Horns in the thirteenth Chapter, and the Seven-headed Beast with ten Horns in the seventeenth. 5. That the Parallelism of the Seven-headed Beasts in those Chapters is perfectly adequate and exact: And also of the Two-horned Beast and the Whore, saving that her Original is omitted and her Destruction mentioned in the Seventeenth Chapter; of both which a sufficient account is rendred. 6. The Ad∣equateness of these Parallelisms demonstrated by comparing the Seven∣teenth and Thirteenth Chapters, so as it may appear that the one does wholly imbibe the other, saving in what is above excepted. 7. That the naturalness and unforcedness of this Imbibition shall be made good by a joint-Exposition of the two Chapters.

1. WE are now, I hope, competenty well appointed to pursue our main Design, which is, To trace •…•…t in Prophecies of Scripture the Predictions and Prefigurations of this sad Apostatized state of Chri∣stendome into that Antichristian condition which it is notoriously known to have degenerated into. Which we shall doe in the same order which

we have observed in our Idea of Antichristianism, beginning first with that first and most eminent member of Antichristianism, Idolatry; which we shall note through all those Prophecies which we conceive to have pointed thereat, whether in the Old or New Testament, beginning at the Seven∣teenth Chapter of the Apocalyps, which is the Royal Gate which will let us in to view with the greatest certainty and assurance desirable all those Scenes of future things which are exhibited either by S. John him∣self, by S. Paul, or Daniel, touching the Church of Christ in that State we have described.

Wherefore it being of so great importance to be well ascertain'd of the true meaning of the Vision of that Chapter, I have thought fit with more then ordinary diligence (and I hope with proportionable success) to search into the genuine sense thereof; and have, I think, by carefully comparing of it with the Vision of the Thirteenth Chapter, thereby demonstrating that both Chapters do adequately treat of the self-same things, as also by strictly keeping my self to the known Analogy of Prophetick Schemes, wrought out such an undeniable clearness of the meaning of both those Vi∣sions, that no man that is not wilfully blinde can fail of discerning the truth thereof.

2. That both these Chapters have the very self-same Subject, and more particularly that the Two-horned Beast is the same with the Whore of Babylon, and the Seven-headed Beast with ten Horns in the Thirteenth Chapter the same in all respects with the Seven-headed Beast with ten Horns in the Seventeenth Chapter, the manifold Agreements betwixt the first two, and second two, in these two following Parallelisms will abun∣dantly make good.

3. The Parallelism of Agreements betwixt the Two-horned Beast and the Whore of Babylon. Agreement I. The Two-horned Beast and the Whore of Babylon are both the Restorers and Promoters of Idolatry in the Empire. Agreement II. They both had the Rule and government over the Seven-headed Beast with ten Horns. Agreement III. They both aspired to a Majesty and Power plainly Imperial. Agreement IV. They both were workers of Miracles, or a kinde of Magicians or Sorce∣rers, and that in reference to the restoring of Idolatry. Agreement V. They are both Pretenders to Sanctity, and make a show of acting in the behalf of Christ, when indeed they are Introducers of Idolatry and Anti∣christianism. Agreement VI. They are both cruel and bloudy Persecutors of the Saints and of the Wit∣nesses of Jesus. Agreement VII. They are both so described as to have a Jurisdiction over the whole Em∣pire, as well Oriental as Occidental.

Agreement VIII. The Seat of them both is so indigitated at first, as that it may be under∣stood to be as well at New Rome or Constantinople as at Old Rome. Agreement IX. Both their Seats are afterwards expresly determined to Old Rome.

4. The Parallelism of Agreements betwixt the Seven-headed Beast with ten Horns in the Thirteenth Chapter and the Seven-headed Beast with ten Horns in the Seventeenth. Agreement I. They both have seven Heads and ten Horns. Agreement II. The bodies of them both are set out by the Symbols of Cruelty and Ido∣latry. Agreement III. In both Visions this Seven-headed Beast is a Beast that had in some sort ceased to be, and was restored, and healed, and revived again. Agreement IV. The time of the Death or of the Non-existence of either was not long. Agreement V. In neither Vision this Beast is so perfectly restored as to be utterly the same again, but rather the Image of the former; or is so the former in one sense that it is not in another. Whence it is called The Beast that is not, and yet is; or, Was, and is not, and yet is. Agreement VI. Both the Beasts are said to rise out of the Sea. Agreement VII. They are both ordained to destruction, as not being that Kingdome of the Saints that is to last for ever and ever. Agreement VIII. Of both these restored Beasts it is said, that they whose Names are not written in the Book of Life shall worship them and wonder after them. Agreement IX. The Seven Heads in each Beast are Idolatrous Heads. Agreement X. The Beasts are slain or exterminated out of Being in the Sixth Head, re∣stored or revived in the Seventh. Agreement XI. The ten Horns in neither Beast did actually reign in S. John's time. Agreement XII. The ten Horns in each Beast begin their reign with the Beast. Agreement XIII. The ten Horns in each Beast give their strength to the Beast. Agreement XIV. The Beasts in each Vision make warre with the Saints. Agreement XV. The Saints in each Vision overcome the Beast at last. Agreement XVI. The Faith and Constancy of the Saints is exercised by both the Beasts.

Agreement XVII. The time of each Beast is said to be determined by God, and to be pre∣dicted by his holy Prophets. Agreement XVIII. The Seat of this Seven-headed Beast is not set down, (but left free in ei∣ther Vision) though the Seat of the Whore and the Two-horned Beast be determined: which has an admirable correspondence with the Event.

5. These be the two Parallelisms of Agreements: concerning the latter whereof I dare affirm that it is so exact and adequate, that the Parallels betwixt the Seven-headed Beast in the Thirteenth Chapter and the Se∣ven-headed Beast in the Seventeenth exhaust all in each Chapter concer∣ning that Beast. The former Parallelism is not so accurate, the Original of the Two-horned Beast being parallel to nothing in the Whore, and the Destruction of the Whore parallel to nothing in the Two-horned Beast as he is there described. Wherefore there is that peculiar in the Vision of the 17. Chapter, that it treats also of the judgement of the two-horned Beast or the Whore, according to the very title of the Vision, I will shew thee the judgement of the great Whore. But this is no argument at all against the Identity of their persons, especially the Two-horned Beast being also to be destroyed, and at the same time with the Whore, as it is easie to be made out by the Apocalyptick Synchronisms. And as for the omission of the Original of the Whore to parallel the Original of the Two-horned Beast, that is no argument against their Identity neither. Indeed if there had been an Original assigned to the Whore different from that of the Two-horned Beast, it had been something; but this bare omission signifies nothing but the art and accuracy of the very out-side of these Visions, which keep a Decorum in all things. And therefore because it was not so seemly nor su∣table to say a Woman rose out of the Earth, (though Brutes did so, Gen. 1. 24.) the mention of her Original was fairly declined.

6. But whenas a lesser number of Agreements in each Parallelism (pro∣vided there were nothing contrary) could not but have been a strong pre∣sumption of the Identity of the Subjects of the Visions in each Chapter, I mean, That the Two-horned Beast and the Whore are one, and the Seven∣headed Beast in each Chapter the same; how fully assured must we needs be of these Identities, the Agreements of these two Parallelisms (those pas∣sages onely excepted of which I have given so fair an account) perfectly exhausting the whole substance of each Chapter? Which that it may be more plainly discerned, I shall expose to your eies the whole XVII. Chapter, and to every Verse in order subjoin what is parallel to it in the XIII. For we shall see it will imbibe the whole Chapter. Apoc. Chap. 17. 1. And there came one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither, I will shew unto thee the judgement of the great Whore that sitteth upon many Waters. Chap. 13. Most of this first verse of this Seventeenth Chapter of the Apocalyps is but Introductory to the Vision, no part of the Vision it self, and therefore there needs no Parallel to it in this Thirteenth Chapter. But how the Whore's being

placed upon many waters may seem to comply with one of our Parallels, I shall note in its due place, when I come to give a Joint-Exposition of these two Chapters. Chap. 17. 2. With whom the Kings of the Earth have committed ^a fornication, and the Inhabitants of the Earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. Chap. 13. 11.—And he spake as a a 1.1 Dragon. 12. And causeth the Earth and them that dwell therein to worship the ^a first Beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 14.—Saying to them that dwell on the Earth, that they should make an ^a Image to the Beast who had the wound by the sword, and did live. Chap. 17. 3. So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness; and I saw a Woman * sit upon a ^a scarlet-coloured beast, full of names of ^b blasphemie, ha∣ving ^c seven heads and ten horns. Chap. 13. 15. * 1.2 And he had power to give life to the Image of the Beast, that the Image of the Beast should speak. 2. And the Beast that I saw was like unto a a 1.3 Leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a Bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a Lion. 5. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and b 1.4 Blasphemies. 6. And he opened his mouth in ^b blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his Name and his Tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven. 1. And I saw a Beast having c 1.5 seven heads and ten horns. Chap. 17. 4. And the Woman was arraied in ^a purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden ^b cup in her hand, full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication. Chap. 13. 12. And he exercizeth a 1.6 all the power of the first Beast before him. 13. And he doth great b 1.7 wonders, so that he maketh fire to come down from Heaven on the Earth in the sight of men; 14. And deceiveth them that dwell on the Earth by those ^b miracles which he had power to doe in the sight of the Beast. Chap. 17. 5. And upon her forehead was a name written, ^a Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth. Chap. 13. 11. And I beheld another Beast coming out of the Earth, and he had two horns like a a 1.8 Lamb, and he spake like a Dragon. Chap. 17. 6. And I saw the Woman drunken with the ^a bloud of the Saints and with the bloud of the Martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondred with great admiration.

Chap. 13. 15. And he had power to give life to the Image of the Beast, that the Image of the Beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the Image of the Beast should be a 1.9 killed. Chap. 17. 7. And the Angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvell? I will tell thee the Mystery of the Woman, and of the Beast that ^a carrieth her, which hath the ^b seven heads and ten horns. Chap. 13. 11. And I beheld another Beast coming up out of the Earth, and he had a 1.10 two horns. 1. And I saw a Beast having b 1.11 seven heads and ten horns. Chap. 17. 8. The Beast which thou sawest, ^a was, and is not, and shall ascend out of the ^b bottomless pit and goe into ^c perdition; and they that dwell on the Earth shall ^d wonder, (whose names were not written in the Book of life from the foundation of the world) when they behold the Beast that ^e was, and is not, and yet is. Chap. 13. 2. And the a 1.12 Dragon gave him his power and his seat and great authority. 4. And they worshipped the ^a Dragon that gave power to the Beast, &c. See also verse 3. 1. And I stood upon the sand of the Sea, and I saw a Beast b 1.13 rise up out of the Sea. 10. He that leadeth into c 1.14 captivity, must go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword, must be ^c killed with the sword. 3. And all the world d 1.15 wondred after the Beast. 8. And all that dwell upon the Earth shall worship him, whose names are not ^d written in the Book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 3. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to a 1.16 death, and his deadly wound was ^a healed. 14. Saying to them that dwell on the Earth, that they should make an c 1.17 Image to the Beast which had the wound by the sword, and the Beast re∣vived. 15. And he had power to give life to the ^c Image of the Beast, inso∣much that the Image of the Beast should speak. Chap. 17. 9. And here is the mind that hath wisedom. The seven Heads are the ^a seven Mountains on which the Woman sitteth. Chap. 13. 11. And I beheld another Beast coming up out of the Earth, and he had a 1.18 two horns like a Lamb, but spake as a Dragon. Chap. 17. 10. And they are seven Kings; five are fallen, and one is, and the a 1.19 o∣ther is not yet come: and when he cometh, he must continue a b 1.20 short space. Chap. 13. 1.—Having ^a seven heads, and upon his heads the name of ^a blasphemy.

3. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death, and his dead∣ly wound was ^b healed. Chap. 17. 11. And the Beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the a 1.21 seven, and goeth into b 1.22 perdition. Chap. 13. 1. Having seven heads,—and upon his heads the name of ^a blasphemy. 10. He that killeth with the sword, must be ^b killed with the sword. Chap. 17. 12. And the ten Horns which thou sawest are ten Kings, which have received ^a no kingdom as yet, but receive power as kings ^a one hour with the Beast. Chap. 13. 1. Having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten a 1.23 crowns. Chap. 17. 13. These have one mind, and shall ^a give their strength and power to the Beast. Chap. 13. 1. I saw a Beast rising out of the Sea, a 1.24 having ten horns. Chap. 17. 14. These shall make ^a war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall ^b over∣come them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with him are ^c called and chosen and faithfull. Chap. 13. 4. Who is like to the Beast? who is able to make a 1.25 war with him? 7. And it was given him to make ^a War with the Saints, and to overcome them. 16. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or on their foreheads. 17. And that no man may ^a buy or sell, save he that has the mark or the name of the Beast or the number of his name. 10. He that leadeth into captivity, shall b 1.26 go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword, shall be ^b killed with the sword. Here is the patience and c 1.27 faith of the Saints. Chap. 17. 15. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the Whore sitteth, are ^a peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues. Chap. 13. 7. And power was given him over all kindreds and tongues and nations. 12. And I beheld another Beast come out of the Earth, and he had a 1.28 two horns like a Lamb, and he exercizeth ^a all the power of the first Beast before him. Chap. 17. 16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the Beast, these shall hate the Whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire. Chap. 13. There is nothing in this Thirteenth Chapter answering to the 16. verse

of the other; but that verse answers punctually to the main Title of the Vision, which is The judgment of the great Whore. But that this defect is no prejudice to the certainty of our Parallelism, I have already noted. Chap. 17. 17. For God has put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree and give their Kingdom unto the Beast, untill the ^a words of God shall be ful∣filled. Chap. 13. 5. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and power was given unto him to continue a 1.29 forty and two months. Chap. 17. 18. And the Woman which thou sawest, is that great City which a 1.30 reig∣neth over the Kings of the Earth. Chap. 13. 18. Here is Wisedom, let him that hath understanding count the Num∣ber of the Beast; for it is the number of a man, and his number is ^a six hun∣dred threescore and six.

7. Thus you see the Two Visions of the Thirteenth Chapter wholy imbibed into the Vision of the Seventeenth, excepting the Original of the Two-horned Beast, of which I have given an account already. And that it is naturally drunk in, not dash'd in by force, will appear from that joint-Exposition which I shall make of these two Chapters together, interpre∣ting those verses or parts of verses of the Thirteenth which I have sub∣nected to each verse of the Seventeeth, together with the verses they are in order subnected to. But before I set upon this task, I will first prepare the way by making good a certain Position that is of main concern and of common influence for the clearing and ascertaining of the true meaning of the Visions in both Chapters. Which I shall doe as accurately, and yet as briefly, as I can.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Parallelism 1. Agreement 1.
• * 1.2

  Par. 1. Agr. 2.
• a 1.3

  Paral. 2. Agr. 2.
• b 1.4

  Paral. 2. Agr. 2.
• c 1.5

  Parall. 2. Agr. 1.
• a 1.6

  Par. 1. Agr. 3.
• b 1.7

  Par. 1. Agr. 4.
• a 1.8

  Par. 1. Agr. 5.
• a 1.9

  Par. 1. Agr. 6.
• a 1.10

  Par. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Agr. 7.
• b 1.11

  Par. 2 Agr. 1.
• a 1.12

  Par. 2. Agr. 3.
• b 1.13

  Par. 2. Agr. 6.
• c 1.14

  Par. 2. Agr. 7.
• d 1.15

  Par. 2. Agr. 8.
• a 1.16

  Par. 2. Agr. 3.
• c 1.17

  Par. 2. Agr. 5.
• a 1.18

  Par. 1. Agr. 8.
• a 1.19

  Par. 2. Agr. 10.
• b 1.20

  Par. 2. Agr. 4.
• a 1.21

  Par. 2. Agr. 9.
• b 1.22

  Par. 2. Agr. 7.
• a 1.23

  Par. 2. Agr. 11, 12.
• a 1.24

  Par. 2. Agr. 13.
• a 1.25

  Par. 2. Agr. 14.
• b 1.26

  Par. 2. Agr. 15.
• c 1.27

  Par. 2. Agr. 16.
• a 1.28

  Par. 1. Agr. 7.
• a 1.29

  Par. 2. Agr. 17.
• a 1.30

  Par. 1. Agr. 9.