Annotations on CHAP. VIII.

¹ The Metaphors here are taken from the(a) Temple-Ser∣vice, (which shews that Church-Affairs are here typified, as well as those of the Empire) in which, at the offering of In∣cense, the People prayed without in the Court in private; whilst the Priest offered the Incense; which Prayers were ve∣ry short, and the whole Service performed in silence: where∣as the offering of Sacrifice, the first part of their Service, was accompanied with Singing, Musick and Trumpets, 2. Chron. 29.25.

* See on Ver. 7. Num. 11.

2 And I saw the seven Angels which stood ² before God, [as ready to execute his Pleasure;] and to them were given [by God's appoint∣ment,] seven ³ Trumpets [to denounce seven Judgments.]

² These are expresly called Angels, and not The Spirits of God, whereby they are distinguished from the Seven Spirits, Chap. Page  118 1.4. And by these Seven standing before God, is denoted the Preparedness of the several Instruments and Means requi∣red to the executing of God's Judgments by the Seven Trum∣pets: and also the Majesty of the Divine Presence is expressed by them, in allusion to the Custom of the Eastern Kings (from whose Rites many of the Descriptions in Scripture are ta∣ken) who had Seven Princes, who saw their Faces, or stood be∣fore them, and were the Chief in their Kingdoms, Esther 1.14. Grotius on Matth. 18.10.

³ Here is an Allusion also to the Temple Service; where it was the Custom to blow with Trumpets after the Oblation of Incense (as appears from Ecclus. 50.15, 16.) strict Silence be∣ing observed before it: as here the Angels have Trumpets given them, to prepare to sound, but sound not until the Incense was offered.

Angel signifies in this Prophecy, not only the Angelical Spi∣rits, but also the subordinate Ministers employed under them here upon Earth; as has been before shewn on Chap. 1.1, 20. And therefore here may be meant by this Angel, the Emperour Theodosius, who is the Chief Person concerned in this Vision, as we shall shew hereafter; whose Prayer, at the Head of his Army before the Battel with Eugenius, is very re∣markable in History; and also the whole Christian Church, which joyned with him in Prayer to God upon that great Occasion: Angel being taken Collectively in this Book, for all the several Instruments made use of in it.

3 And another Angel [or Ministring Spirit, representing the Persons employed in the like service on Earth;] came and stood at [or, by] the Altar [of incense; Exod. 30.1. having a Golden Censer [or Vessel to hold Incense, Levit. 16.12. Hebr. 9.4.] and there was ⁴ given unto him much Incense [Levit. 16.12, 13. Rev. 5.8.] that he should Offer it with the Prayers of all Saints ⁵ [or Holy Chri∣ans;] upon the Golden Altar [of Incense, Exod. 30, 3, 6, 7.40, 26.] which was ⁶ before the Throne [of God.]

⁴ Here may be an Allusion to a Custom in the Jewish Ser∣vice, of bringing the Odors to the Priest by others, Exod. 27.20. See Maimonides in Ainsworth on Levit. 24.2.

⁵ Here is also an Allusion to the High Priests offering In∣cense in the Temple, while the People, called here, All Saints, i. e. the Holy and Peculiar People of God; prayed in the Outward Court. And by what is here delivered. and in the former Verses, is intimated, that the daily Publick Sacrifice of pure Worship, which was wont to be performed in the Out∣ward Court, should cease, and was about to be contracted in∣to a retired, and a silent one, signified by the Silence, Vers. 1. and the Incense-Worship which was within the Temple: and that although the Saints, or Holy People, were as yet without, in the Outward Court, not yet trodden down by Antichristi∣an Defilements; that nevertheless it would not be long (but about half an hour, or a short space) before that, also (which was a Type of the Visible Church, and its Worship) should be polluted by them; concerning which Allusion, and the Grounds of it, see more on Chap. 11.1.

⁶ As the Altar of Incense in the Temple, was before the Mer∣cy-seat, Exod. 30.6, 7.40, 26.

4 And the smoak of the Incense [Chap. 5.8.] which came with the Prayers of the Saints, ascended up before God out of the Angels hand, [i. e. they were grateful and acceptable unto him through the Merits, and Intercession of Christ, Psal. 141.2. Acts 10.4.]

5 And the Angel took the censer [which was now empty, the In∣cense being consumed and their Prayers ended;] and filled it with fire from the Altar [of ⁷ Sacrifice or Burnt-Offerings;] and cast it [i. e. dispersed God's Judgment, and fiery Indignation, Ezek. 10.2. Luke 12.49.] upon the Earth [i. e. the Roman Empire; and there were ⁸ Voices, and Thundrings, and Lightnings [Chap. 4.5.] and an Earthquake [i. e. extraordinary Commotions in the Empire, and great Manifestations of Christ's Kingdom, Chap. 6.12.]

⁷ For there was a continual Fire on the Altar of Sacrifice, but none on the Altar of Incense. See Ainsworth on Exod. 30.8 and on Lev. 6.12, 13. This Service was performed in the Temple; but the Fire was taken off the Altar of Burnt Sacri∣fice in the Outward Court; to shew that God's Judgments (re∣presented by Fire, which denotes in Scripture any destru∣ctive thing) came upon them, by Reason of the Gentilism, or Antichristian Pollutions of the Outward Court, or Visible Church.

⁸ The other Seals having been distinguished by some nota∣ble Events in the Empire; it is reasonable to think that this is so too; and there is none which agrees better to it than the Wonderful Victory(a) of Theodosius over Eugenius, A. D. 395.

Because, (1.) It follows in order the Event foretold in the sixth Seal, this Victory giving the Deadly Blow to Heathen∣ism, and perfecting what was begun by Constantine, and some of his Successors under that Seal.

(2.) Because the following Trumpets (denoting the fall of the Empire) began to produce their Effects not long after this Defeat: So that it exactly corresponds, as a middle Event, with the foregoing and following ones.

(3.) The Vengeance of God fell extraordinarily upon the Pagans; and their Defeat by a wonderful Tempest was mira∣culous; as Claudian the Heathen Poet confesses, and as the Sol∣diers, who were present at the Battel, told(b) Augustine: which is very naturally expressed by Fire cast by an Angel from Heaven upon Earth; Fire being a general(c) word in Scripture, for all manner of Mischiefs and Destructions.

Page  121(4.) This Victory was followed with the entire Destru∣ction of Heathenism; in which appeared an extraordinary Manifestation of Christ's Kingdom; of which Thunderings and Lightnings, and an Earthquake, are usual Forerunners in this Prophecy.

(5.) This Victory was obtained at the Prayers of the Chri∣stians; Theodosius having solemnly prayed to God for it, in a Publick Church, when he set forward to the Army; and ear∣nestly begging it at the Hands of God upon his Knees, at the Head of his Army, in the very Day of Battel; the whole Church in the mean while observing solemn Fasts, and put∣ting up their united Prayers to God for his Success; which being their constant Custom, was without doubt, observed on this extraordinary occasion; as seems to be intimated by(a) Sozomen: All which is manifestly here typified by the Offering of the Prayers and Incense of all Saints, and its Ascent before God.

6 And the seven Angels, which had the seven ⁹ Trumpets, prepared ¹⁰ themselves [that men might repent during the time of that prepa∣ration,] to sound [an Alarm of Judgments, Jerem. 4.19. Ezek 33.1-6.]

⁹ Trumpets(b) were used amonst the Jews on several occa∣sions; as,

(1.) In the several Journeyings, and Removes of their Camp in the Wilderness; whereby is not unfitly typified the several Motions of the Church in its Wilderness-Condition, upon the sounding of the Trumpets by the Angels in this Pro∣phecy.

(2.) In calling the Ordinary Assemblies, and on Feast Days, and New Moons; and on their Fast Days, when they were Page  122 (according to the Observation of Maimonides) to sound Trumpets for Fasting and Prayer, because of the Enemies of Is∣rael, which were coming against Israel; and because of the Ap∣proaching Winds, Rain, and Earthquakes, Wars of Heathens with Heathens, and Pestilences, Locusts, and Caterpillers; and because of other Distresses, mentioned out of him, by Ains∣worth.

So that the Trumpets given to the Angels, and their preparation to sound, may be as an Admonition to the Em∣pire, to Repent, in order to the diverting of Judgments.

Lastly, Trumpets were used in sounding Alarms, in time of War; whence they signifie in the Prophets a Denunciation of Judgments, and a warning of the imminent Approach of them; as they do in this place.

¹⁰ They had Trumpets given them, Verse 2. and here they prepare to sound; by taking (as it were) their Trumpets into their Hands, and putting them to their Mouths; whereby a Respite and Delay is signified, from the actual Execution of the Judgment; or some lesser Judgments, preparatory to the great and fatal ones: according to the proceedings of the Merciful, but Just God; who, after Judgments threatned, gives time and space of Repentance; and punishes lightly, before he comes to utter Excision.

7 [And after some short space of Quiet and Respite, Vers. 1.] The first Angel sounded, and there followed ¹¹ Hail and Fire mingled with Blood [i. e. a wasting, and bloody Devastation,] and they were cast upon the ¹² Earth, [i. e. the Roman Empire,] and the third ¹³ part of ¹⁴ Trees [i. e. the great ones, Isa. 2.13. Zach. 11.2.] was burnt up, and all green Grass [i. e. the common People.]

¹¹ This is a Description of a Thunder-storm; in which there is Blood instead of Rain, to make the Type more dreadful: And it is an Allusion taken from the Plague of Hail in Ae∣gypt, Exod. 9.22-35. whereby is signified a Furious and Page  123 Bloody Irruption, laying all things waste before it; as Fields and Trees are wont to be, by a raging and blasting Tempest. The like Scheme of Speech is made use of by Isaiah, (Chap. 28.2.) in describing the Invasion of the King of Assyria, which he likens to a destroying Tempest of Hail, and an overflowing Flood of mighty Waters; only Blood is here added instead of Water, to shew the Greatness of the Slaughter, which should attend it. And what fitter Metaphors could be used to set forth the terrible Inundations of the Barbarous Nations upon the Roman Empire; which happened in the Course of this Trumpet? For we are to understand, that the(a) Goths (which seems sometimes to be used as a General Name for these Barba∣rous People) were originally a People of Scythia; who coming from thence, and having seated themselves in Scandza, or Scanzia (which comprehends Sweedland, Norway, and the vast Tracts of Land adjoyning) at length, in process of time, about Three Hundred Years before Christ; upon the occasion of a Famine, Wars, their great increase, or the desire of a better Soil, the usual Causes of the Transmigration of Nations; left that Countrey: and after long Wanderings (from whence they were afterwards called Vandals, that is, Wanderers) through Germany and Sarmatia, as far as the Palus Maeotis, one part of them setled there, and were called Getae; and the other, but the greatest part of them, returned from thence, and took up their Habitation in Dacia and Thrace; from whence they seem to have made their first Incursions under(b) Philip, or Decius, about A. D. 251. After several Fights with them in the Times of Constantine, Valens, and Valentinian; immedi∣ately upon the Death of Theodosius the Great, they fell like a mighty Torrent into the Roman Empire: They first harrassed Page  124 the Eastern parts of it under Alarich, about A. D. 395. for about five Years together; and about A. D. 405. a vast num∣ber of them, under Radagaisus, invaded Italy; who was fol∣lowed by Alarich, who took Rome on the 24th of August, A. D. 410. a great multitude of them, mixt with other Bar∣barous People, having over-run Gaul, Spain, and Africk, at the instigation of Stilicho, about the same time that Alarich first invaded Italy, A. D. 406. From the Invasion begun by Alarich, Italy enjoyed but little Quiet, daily steps being made to its utter Ruine (some of which were as Preparations to the sounding of the Trumpets,) first by the Goths, then by the Huns, under Attila, and by the Vandals under Genserick; who from the Year 430. miserably wasted Italy, and the Provinces, especially about A. D. 455. when Genserick took Rome which is accounted a fatal(a) Year, and stiled by some, the Year of Vengeance: But upon the Death of Aetius, Provinces were daily lost to the Barbarians, and the Roman Empire, which declined from the Death of Theodosius, received a Mortal Wound; under which it lay languishing until it expired un∣der Augustulus, about A. D, 476. So that we have here a fa∣mous Period of Time, from the Victory of Theodosius, upon which his Death ensued, A. D. 395, until 476: which seems to be called One Hour, or One entire Space, or Line of Time (for so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies, Ch. 9.15, Rev. 17.12. And therefore about half of that space seems here to be signified by about half an hour; which will reach from 395, unto 437; which is about the half of this whole Line of Time; and falls upon that Time, when the Bar∣barous Nations (who had been before often successfully repul∣sed) began to make their most Furious Impressions upon the Roman Provinces on all sides, under the weak Government of a Woman, Placidia, the Empress, and her Son Valenti∣nian, Page  125 who was a Child when he began to Reign; inso∣much that Genserick came then to be so powerful, as that he se∣verely persecuted the Orthodox, from the very Year(b) 437. unto 476. when he died. And furthermore, it is very re∣markable, that about 430, and odd, the Apostasy, which be∣gan in Image-Worship, about 360. palpably increased, as Mr.(c) Mede has observed. So that the Year 437. is very re∣markable on all Hands, as being about the middle Point, or about half of the whole Hour, or Aera, reaching from the entire Defeat of Heathenism, to the entire Fall of the Western Empire; and because it may be justly accounted the Exact Year from which the actual sounding of the Trumpets are to be reckoned; which were but in preparation from 395. un∣til that time: and also because it may be with great Reason thought to be the beginning of the Antichristian Apostasy; which from that time generally increased, until it gained a Kingdom with the Ten Kings arising out of the Ruines of the Roman Empire, A.D. 476. and that at One Hour, that is, One en∣tire Hour made up of Two Halves, the first reaching from 395, to 437. the latter, at the End of which this Kingdom began, from thence to 476. See on Chap. 11, 2.13.5.17, 12.

¹² The Fourth Kingdom, which is the Roman Empire, is called, Dan. 7.23 The Kingdom upon the Earth, to distin∣guish it from Christ's Kingdom, the Heavenly and Everlasting Kingdom: and Luke 2.1. it is called, all the World or Earth, because most of the then Known World was subject to it.

¹³ It is the Opinion of Mr. Mede, that by the Fourth of the Earth, (Chap. 6.8.) is meant almost all the Roman Empire; Page  126 which, upon due Compute (says Dr. Moor) was then one third part of the Earth; upon which account they take the Third part to be the Symbolical and Cabbalistical Character of the Roman Empire, according to the Genius of this Mystical Book, and the Custom of the Ancient Eastern Nations, who gave Characters from Numbers and Proportions. But to inter∣pose a Conjecture, not altogether groundless; I am apt to i∣magine, that as the Roman Empire is called the Fourth, Chap. 6.8. whilst it had its Imperial Seat fixed at Rome, the Head then of the Fourth Kingdom: So that after Constantine re∣moved the Seat of the Western Empire to Constantinople, it is called the Third; because its Imperial Seat was then in the Greek or Eastern part of the Roman Empire; which was the Third Kingdom of the Earth, in Daniel. From which time Constantinople, or New Rome, became the Chief Seat of the Civil Empire, Old Rome being abandoned to the New Eccle∣siastical Empire of the Pope; the Western Emperours seldom coming at it, and by degrees leaving it to them: So that e∣ven the Western Empire may be Charactered by the Third, be∣cause that Old Rome, the Chief Seat of it, and of the Trans∣actions of this Vision, had lost its Civil Imperialism over the Fourth part of the Earth, and was now forced to truckle to the third part, or Constantinopolitan Roman Empire; where the Chief Majesty of the Empire was seated; Old Rome being never able to gain its Preheminence; and the Ruin of its Civil Jurisdiction being owing to this Action of Constantine; which will appear also the more probable, if we consider, that the Rise and Fall of Empires is dated in Prophecy, from the like Fate of the Imperial Seats of them. See Chap. 9, 15.12, 4.

¹⁴ This is taken from Exod. 9.25. where we read, that the Thunder Storm of Hail smote every Herb of the Field, and broke every Tree of the Field: By which is here signified all the Mem∣bers and People of the Roman Empire, denoted by Metaphors taken from those things which suffer most by Storms: And Page  127 Trees here, according to the Prophetical Scheme of Speech, signifie the Great Ones; and Grass, by the like Analogy, sig∣nifies the Common People.

8 And the second Angel sounded, and as it were a great ¹⁵ Mountain [or City, Jerem. 51.25.] burning with fire, was cast into the Sea; and the third part of the Sea [i. e. the Roman Empire] became Blood ¹⁶ [i. e. was ravaged with bloody Wars, Exod. 7.17, 18.]

¹⁵ This Type is taken from Jerem. 51.25. where it is used concerning Babylon; by which all along in this Book, Rome is understood. A Mountain denotes a Kingdom, or a City, from its Strength, and Lofty Edifices and Towers; as Annota∣tors have observed on Isa. 13.2. Jerem. 51.25. Zechar. 4.7. And the Sea signifies a Body Politick; because Seas are in Scripture-Phrase, a gathering together of Waters, which in this Book are put to denote People, and Multitudes, as appears from Chap. 18.15. And therefore by the Type in this Verse, the Confusions and Desolations (represented by the Psalmist, Psalm 46.2. by Mountains carried into the midst of the Sea) which the State and City of Rome then lay under, may be fit∣ly signified; it being at this time, as a great Mountain burn∣ing in the Sea, but not actually burnt; that is, in a consuming Condition, but not utterly destroyed.

For (1.)(a) Radagaisus was entirely defeated by Stili∣cho, and he himself, and almost his whole Army, was destroy∣ed by Sword or Famine: Stilicho being made an Instrument by God of preserving the Empire; when he designed nothing but his own Interest, and the usurping of it; which appear∣ed also in another Memorable Instance, when he(b) saved the Empire from total ruine, by succouring Saul, the General Page  128 of the Army, under him, at the very time that he was put to flight by Alarick.

(2.) When(a) Alarick took Rome, he sackt indeed and rifled it; but burnt only some part of it, and that contrary to the wonted Custom of the Goths, as Jornandes hath particular∣ly observed; and left the large Church of Peter entire, for an Asylum for the Christians.

(3.) When Athaulphus, the Goth, not long after, had pil∣laged Rome, and was resolved entirely to root out the whole Roman Power; he was opportunely diverted by Placidia, the Emperour's Sister, and perswaded to make a(b) Peace, and retire into Spain; where he married her, A. D. 414.

(4) Attila the Hun, and Genserick the Vandal, were both hindered from firing and destroying Rome, by the Eloquence and Prudent Behaviour of Leo the Great: And(c) Totilas, who had resolved to burn it, and raze it to the Ground, was diverted by an Embassay from Belisarius; and when he af∣terwards retook it, he rebuilt what he had burnt and de∣stroyed of it. So that this City, which had been so often ta∣ken and rifled, and was so often in a burning Condition; was kept, as a burning Mountain in the midst of Waters, continu∣ally resisting the Fire, which would have consumed it; and will be so preserved by God, until the time of its final De∣shruction; in which, this City answers to its Type Babylon; which after it was taken, and pillaged by Cyrus, remained nevertheless in some sort of Glory, until the Times of Alex∣ander; as Rome, after its first being sacked by Alarick, con∣tinually recovered it self again; although not to the degrees of it's former Magnificence. And as the City, so also the Empire, although miserably harassed, was yet preserved from utter de∣struction, Page  129 during the Period of this Trumpet; but as a bur∣ning Mountain cast into the Sea, amidst the contrary strug∣lings of the People, some seeking to destroy it; others to preserve it: the Barbarous Nations themselves contributing thereunto; as the Goths did, by helping it against the Huns, Vandals and Sueves.

¹⁶ For these Barbarous(a) Invaders were very bloody; killing all they met, Young and Old, Women and Chil∣dren.

9 And the third part af the ¹⁷ Creatures which were in the Sea, and had Life [i. e. the Fishes; which represent the Subjects and Inhabi∣tants of the Roman Jurisdictiction, Ezek. 29.4.] died ¹⁸ [as to their ancient Polity, they being not now one entire Jurisdiction;] and the third part of the ¹⁹ Ships [that is, Cities; or Goods and Mer∣chandise;] were destroyed.

¹⁷ The Type of a Mountain being thrown into the Sea, is here further alluded unto; And hereby is signified, that the great Mountain, or City of Rome, being in hazard of be∣ing destroyed and consumed by its being taken and pillaged; the Sea, or People of the Civil State, into whose contrary stri∣vings and struglings it was thrown, as into the Waves of the Sea, must needs suffer extremely by it; both in their Persons, denoted by the Living Creatures of the Sea; and in their Goods and Estates, denoted by Ships; as Metaphors most pro∣per to the Sea, from whence this Emblem is taken.

¹⁸ This came to pass when the Provinces of the Roman Em∣pire about A. D. 455. (the time when Genserick also took Rome) were divided into several Kingdoms, by the Northern Nations, which broke into it; which is the Death of a Civil State, when it ceases to be what it was before.

¹⁹ Cities are to a Countrey as Ships to the Sea; the Places wherein Men Live and Traffick; and wherein they are forti∣fied against Enemies, as by Ships against the Violence of the Sea, says Dr. Hammond on the place. But Grotius's Expo∣sition seems to me more apposite; for, as Sea signifies People, so (says he) Ships must, by the same Analogy, signifie their Goods or Moveables.

10 And the third Angel sounded, and there fell a great Star from Heaven, burning, as it were a Lamp ²⁰ [denoting the fall of the ²¹ We∣stern Emperour, Isa. 14.12.] and it fell •pon the third part of the ²² Ri∣vers [i. e. upon the Co ntries and Provinces, Magistrates, and Ar∣mies of the Roman Empire, represented by Rivers, Ezek. 32.2-6.] and upon the Fountains ²³ of Waters [i. e. the Capital Cities.]

²⁰ This is a plain Description of that sort of Comets, or falling Stars, which for the Figure of them are called(a) Lampadias.

²¹ The most remarkable Division(b) of the Roman Em∣pire into the Eastern and Western (whose bounds you may see in Procopius(c) Vandalick History,) begun, (upon a Decree of Theodosius) Jan. 17. A.D. 395. when Arcadius reigned in the East, having his Seat at Constantinople; and Honorius in the West: After which time the Empire never came entirely into the Hands of one Monarch. Now this Western Empire cea∣sed under Augustulus, A.D. 476. when Odoacer became King of Italy, and translated the Seat of the Empire from Rome to Ravenna; after it had enjoyed the Imperial Dignity, for 521. Years.

²² A Type taken from One of the Plagues of Egypt, Exod. 7.17-22.

²³ As Seas and Waters signifie the People, so do Fountains Capital Cities; from whence the People are derived into Co∣lonies and Provinces.

11 And the Name of the Star is called ²⁴ Wormwood [denoting the bitter Afflictions which he, and the Empire felt under him, R••h 1.20. Jerem. 9 15.] and the third part of the Waters [i.e the People of the Roman Empire] became Wormood [i. e. were grievous∣l• afflicted, and their Lives became bitter unto them;] and many m•n died of the Waters [i. e. by mutual Slaughters, and by the grie∣vous Afflictions the Empire then suffered, Lament 3.15. Acts 8.23. Heb. 12.15.]

²⁴ After the Death of Aetius and Valentinian, A. D. 455. the Western Empire suffered extremely under weak and short-lived Princes; and by the Incursions of the Huns, Goths, and other Barbarous Nations, into Italy, and the Roman Provin∣ces; especially of Odoacer with his Herulians (a People of Seythia, who had seated themselves in Pannonia) who extin∣guished the Roman Empire; which brought infinite Miseries, and a most heavy, and bitter Servitude upon the whole Peo∣ple;(a) Augustulus (so called, because he came very young to the Empire) being also banished, and imprisoned. Whose Fall from Imperial Dignity is aptly represented by the Fall of a Star from Heaven, according to the like Allusion, Isaiah 14.12—

12 And the fourth Angel sounded, and the third part [Verse 7.] of the Sun [i. e. the Roman Kingly Dignity,] was smitten [or, kid∣ed ²⁵ and destroyed] and the third part of the Moon, and the third part of the Stars [i. e. the other inferiour Powers;] so as the third part of them was darkned, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise [i e. the whole ²⁶ Roman dignity, and autho∣rity, was totally Eclypsed, see Chap. 6.12, 13, 14.]

²⁵ For so to smite signifies in very many places of Scrip∣ture; it being rendred sometimes by Killing; as Exod. 2.12.

²⁶ Odoacer, the Herulian, reigned Sixteen Years, as King of Italy; when he was conquered by Theodorick the Goth, who took that Title A. D. 493. and reigned Thirty Three Years with great Prudence and Moderation, towards the Romans, preserving the Authority of the Senate, and Consuls, and their other Dignities and Customs; which his Successors, the Go∣thish Kings of Italy for some time observed; whose Reign continued for about Seventy Six Years. But Justinian the Emperour having made War upon Italy, for regaining it from the Goths; after it had suffered miserably by a dreadful Fa∣mine, and a Bloody War under Totilas; it was at last joyned to the Eastern Empire: the Kingly Power being extinguished, and Narses made Governour of it for Justinian; about A.D. 553. who being removed from his Government after sixteen Years Administration of it; Longinus was advanced to it, un∣der the Title of Exarch of Ravenna, A. D. 569. When the Consuls entirely ceased, and the Authority of the Senate was abolished; and Rome, the Mistress of the World, became a Dutchy, and was subject to Ravenna: at which time also the Kingdom of the Lombards (who came Originally from Scan∣zia into Pannonia) began in Italy, which lasted until A. D. 756. after which, Charles the Great, who beat the Lombards out of Italy, was created Emperour of the Romans, by Pope Leo, Dec. 25. A. D. 800. all which time Rome was under the Government of the Papacy; as we shall see hereafter.

13 And I beheld, and heard an Angel flying [to denote speed] thorow the midst of Heaven [i. e. in the meridian height of it that he might be seen, and heard of all;] saying with a loud voice [audibly, and terribly,] Wo, ²⁷ Wo, Wo, to the Inhabitants of the Earth, by reason of the voices of the Trumpets of the three Angels, which are yet to sound.

²⁷ Here the extreme Misery, which the Empire was to suf∣fer by the Saracens and Turks, Chap. 9.12. and the Apsta∣sy, Chap. 11.14. is foretold. Under the Angels in this Chapter, are included (according to an Observation frequently made) all those Faithful Servants of Christ, who witnessed to his Truths, and against the Rising Antichristianism in the Church, during the Time and Course of the Trumpets; and of the pre∣paration to the sounding of them. Such were, amongst many others;

(1.) Gregory Nyssen, who was a married Man; and wrote an excellent(a) Epistle against Pilgrimages to the Holy Land.

(2.) Gregory(b) Nazianzen; who was so mightily of∣fended with the Quarrels and Contentions of Bishops and Councils, that he refused to come to a Synod at Constantino∣ple, saying, That Experience had sufficiently taught him how little good was to be expected from Synods; and then resign∣ed his Bishoprick, which he said, he knew not, whether to stile a Tyrannical, or an Archiepiscopal Dignity; and testified a∣gainst the excessive State, Power, and Honours of the Clergy, freely(c) confessing, That the Mischiefs of the Church in his Time proceeded from thence.

(3) Ambrose, who was a stout Defender of Discipline,(d) exercising it even upon the Great Emperour Theodosius; who with an extraordinary Meekness and Penitence submitted unto it.

(4.)(e) Jerome, Theodoret, Andreas Caesariensis, Arethas, and others, who plainly testifie, That Rome was to be the Page  134 Seat of Antichrist; as does also(a) Augustine, and Chryso∣stom(a); who were excellent Witnesses to many great Truths in this Succession; the former(b) complaining ex∣ceedingly of the encrease of Ceremonies in his Time, and confessing, that a more than Jewish Servitude was brought in by them; which Expression gives light to the Reason, why the prevaling party of this Succession, is called the Synagogue of Satan, Ch. 2.9. Although it must be confessed, that these, and the other Great Men of this Period of the Church, contributed much to the encrease of its Corruptions; which the best of Men may do, when God permits such Deviations from the Simplicity of the Gospel to prevail; and doth not withhold Men from being carried away with them by his more than ordinary Restraints.

(5.) Salvian, Gildas, and the other Authors, who wrote concerning the Invasions of the Barbarous Nations, and lived in those Times, do loudly testifie against the Vices and Cor∣ruptions of them; as also Gregory the Great, who was a most Eminent Witness of the Approach of Antichrist in his Time; as will be shewn in the beginning of the An∣notations on the next Chapter; as were also all those Ex∣cellent Persons, who testified, during the fifth and sixth Trumpet, against the Worship af Images, and other Corruptions; for which God brought these Woes upon the Church. See the Protestants who have gathered Catalogues of Wit∣nesses, and the laborious Collections of Monsieur Allix, in his Ac∣counts of the Albigenses and Waldenses.