The sealed book opened. Or, A cleer explication of the prophecies of the Revelation. Together with the lessons that are to be observed from every chapter thereof, being cleerly explained. Intended chiefly for the discovery to all of that Roman antichrist, and that Rome her final destruction is surely at hand, by that blessed work of reformation happily begun in the several churches and kingdoms of Europe. / By William Guild D.D. and preacher of Gods word.

Ver. 15. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

Followes here, after the womans flight into the wildernerss; what the dragon does, and for what end. 1. Then he casts out water out of his mouth as a flood after her. 2. His end or intention thereby is that he may cause her to be carried a∣way of the flood, first then by these waters or flood that he casts out of his mouth after her to be caried away thereby, may be understood. 1. The many false aspersions lies, and slanders which he raised against her, as he did against the primitive Christians to sink or drowne them in a gulf of reproaches, a∣gainst which they were forced to write apologies to the heathen Emperors, and therefore this flood of waters is said to come out of his mouth 2. Hereby may also be understood the many grossest heresies and errors of Popery, which as at a flood gate issued forth boldly and abundantly (and of some whereof they are now ashamed,) when once Popery so prevailed uni∣versally in power, that none durst controll the same, as we s••e, c. 13. 17. & 17. 13. And which flood of heresies in like man∣ner is sutably said to come out of the mouth of the dragon, the mouth being the instrument of the venting of such. 3. By water and floods of water, usually in scripture is understood trouble and persecution: therefore sayes Ribera. In aqua con∣sentiunt expositores persecutionem significari, which for the vi∣olence thereof is said to be like a flood, which caries all with it which it finds in its way, and is said to come out of the mouth of the dragon, because by suggestion he commands the wicked so to do, and stirres them up thereto (as sayes Ribera) all which is for this end, to destroy the true Church of Christ and members thereof, which is called here, the carrying her away.