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

The first Woe Trumpe•• OR, The Fifth Trumpe••

The first Woe trumpet is long since past. That hath sent out to * 1.1 destroy the world, horrible bands of Locusts issuing out of the hel∣lish smoke of the bottomlesse pit, now by the helpe of Satan ope∣ned, that is, the Sara••ens or Arabians (a nation populous and innu∣merable like Locusts) stirred up by the horrible false prophecy of Muhamed to the ruine of so many nations.

For the smoke ascending out of the infirnall pit, is Muhama∣disme, which the Muhamadan imposters call Gslanis••e, this new∣ly * 1.2 obscured the world lately inlightned with the Gospell of Christ the son of righteousnesse, the darknesse of the heathenish errours * 1.3 being dispelled.

And surely the type of Locusts is the more apt, because the Egyptian Locusts also came out of the same Arabia, to wit, bor∣dering upon Egypt eastward. For so Exodus 10. 13. 14. The Lord brought an Eastwinde upon the land and it brought the Locusts, and the Locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt. Besides, the Arabians are likened to Locusts for the huge multitude of the nation Iudg. 7. 12. The Midianites and the Amalekites, and all the Sonnes of Kedem or the ••ast, lay in the valley like grashoppers for multitude, &c. Where is to be observed, that the Arabians in holy writ are peculiarly named Sonnes of the east, as is Arabia it self 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or the east; as in respect of Egypt, where the Israelites learnt so call it you may see Gen. 10. 30. and 25. 6. 1. Kings 4. 30. Esay. 11. 14. Ier 49 28. perhaps also Mat. 2.1. the same reason plainly, for which Asia, the lesser is called at this day Natotia, and Ara∣bia faelix seated southward from the rest of the Arabiaes, Ayaman, that is the south. When the Queene of the south Matth. 12. 42. But these things by the way.

The like represeination of Lo••••••••, concerning the A••••yrians and Babilonians about to destroy Iude••, is to be s••••••e in ••oell, in the two first Chapters: from whence he will not deny that this type is borrowed, who shall compare the description of them * 1.4 both.

But that the interpretation thereof is to be ••••ferred to hosti••e bandes, Ac••metes showeth out of the use of the East, whose words I have thought sit to be inserted in this place. For so hee ••hap. 300 out of the learning of the Indians, Persians, and Egyp∣tians.

Loc••sts without doubt are referred generally to the multitude of enemies, for so it is registred in holy writt, that Locusts goe forth by divine commandement for the destruction of Kingdoms like some Armie. This of holy writt is meant of the holy writings of the Indians onely; as also whatsoever in this booke rellishet•• of the knowledge of Christian Religion, as will appeare to the Rea∣der. He goeth on.

If any either King, or endned with Authority shall seeme to see Locusts going forth against any region: in that place let him expect a multitude of enemies with great power; and how much damage the Locusts shall doe, so much shall they h••••t.

Now therefore the repres••••ntation being con••ir••••d, we shall see of the rest of the deseription.

There was given to them saieth he verse 3 power such as the Scorpions of the earth have, for they had v••rse. 10. tayles like unto * 1.5 Scorpions, and in them stings with which they might hort, and (ve. 5) their torment, is as the torment of a Scorpion, when he striketh a man.

That is, they had not onely power proper to Locusts of con∣suming and wasting the regions over which they swarmed; but like monsters, tayles as scorpions by the stroke whereof they also diffused their venome. An admirable thing, A Locust scorpion, but what manner of evill he meaneth, the symbole of a serpentine kinde seemeth to declare; since •• scorpion is a kinde of serpent. But by this kinde, wher with the devil first deceived ma••k••nde, and alienated it from God, the Spirit of God liketh to bring him in who was ••urther to seduce men, whence that is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the serpent the old one which deceiveth the world. Chap. 12.9. ad 20.2. The taile, therefore, of the Scorpion with a

stinge, doth set ou•• the propagation of that diabolicall Mu••amme∣••••n, false prophecie, with its whole surniture, where with the Ara∣lin L••custs did harme where••oever they came (a horrible thing as * 1.6 much as by force of armes, yea the Sara••ens were the first from the cre••tion of man••inde that drew after them this traine of most ••••••thy er••o ••••••ither doe I be••eeve ever any nation before these at∣tained the Monarch•• of the world, by the like imposture concern∣ing Religion, and pretence of destroying idoll worship.

But it is ••aid to them, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 * 1.7 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, That they should not hurt t••e gra••••e of the earth, Neither any greene thing neither any tree: but those men onely, who had not the seal of God ••o their fore heads.

For the signification of the partic••e 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the sense is either exceptive that they should hurt none neither grasse (for this is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 with the 70.) ••••r greene thing nor tree, except those herbes onely, trees and gre••ne things which were not marked with Gods seal (to wit that as men, and grasse, trees, and greene things mutually expound themselves: or it may be expounded not exceptively but adversetively, after the use of the particle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the * 1.8 sacred Greeke dialect for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 To wit that it is said to them, they should not after the manner of common Locusts ••eed upon, either grasse, or trees, or any thing at all thot is greene, but that such things passed by, they should destroy men onely: to wit of the number of them, whom the seal of the Angel had not freed in the beginning of the trumpets from the plagues of them.

Whether way soever it be taken, it were in vaine to trouble our selves about the signfication and disterence of grasse, greene * 1.9 thing, and trees; as which are to be referred to thed corum of the ••igure, wherein a mysteri•• is not to be soug••t. For so con∣cerning the Egyptian Locusts Exodus: 10. 15. They covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was da••kened, and they did consume every herbe (••eptuagint 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.) of t••e land, and all the fruit of the trees, and there remained not any greene thing (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) on any tree, or in the herbes of the field, through all the land of Egypt. But that our Locusts should a••••••ct men, i•• appearesh hence, that they are not of the kinde of vermine, to wit na••••rall Locusts, but symbolicall upon o••••asion whereof

it will be worth our labour once to set this rule, when any thing is attributed to a propheticall type, which by nature cannot complie with the same, that leadeth to the understanding of the thing sig∣nified in the type, and teacheth that the interpretation is to be made according to the condition thereof. Which thou mayest ob∣serve to be done foure times at the least in this vision; as when there is attributed to Locusts, not only power to set upon men, but also the face of a man, the haire of women golden crownes brest∣plate * 1.10 of iron: by all which is meant that not vermine but men are meant; and those not clergie men, as many gues••e, but altogether war destroying soudiers of which Locusts it is further said.

It was not given to them that they should not kill men, but they * 1.11 should torment them five moneths. To wit in this the Arabian, Locusts differ from the Euphratern horsmen of whom in the fol∣lowing trumpet. It was given to the Saracens that they should long and cruelly torment the nations of the Romane Empire; but it was not at all given to them any way to bereave the very Romane trientall that I may so call it, of life. For since, in the meane space while the former trumpets sounded, a new pontificiall Kingdome had grown, up, out of the ruines of the politique state of old Rome, as it were on the same pace with the ruine of the other: the Sara∣cens could neither extinguish the kingdom of this, nor of that new Rome Constantinople. Contrariwise the Turkes, the royall city be∣ing taken utterly subuerted the Constantinopolitan Kingdome, as in the following trumpet we shall heare. But of the five moneths in the compasse whereof that tormenting by the Locusts is limit∣ted, we shall more aptly speake where it commeth to the petition of them in the tenth verse.

In those days men shall seeke death, & shall not finde it: and shall * 1.12 desire to die, & death shall fly from thē: that is, the calamity of those * 1.13 times should be so great, that men should be weary of their lives.

For that thou mayest nor think•• they dealt by bare perswasions, or wiles of deceipts; they caried the matter by force of armes, and that by the instruction of Muhamed himselfe, whose propagation certainely terrible enough, together with largenesse of ga••ning dominion, and habit of a warlike nation, is set forth in a most lively manner. The warlike preparation thus: And the shapes of the ••ocusts, like unto horses (that is horsmen) prepared to bartail. Their t••eth, as the teeth of Lions (that is they were strong to devoure Ioel 1. 6. Dan. 7. V. 7. 23.) And they had brestplates

of iron, and the sound of their wings, as the sound of charets with many horses running to battel. The whole descriptiō is taken out * 1.14 Ioel, whence is that very representatiō of locusts as I have said (see cha. 2 4 c••a 1. 6. cha. 2. 5. The successe and largenes of seeking do∣minion, * 1.15 The crownes as it were like gold set upon their hea••s, do shew, and that not unfitly. Never was the dominion of any nati∣on so far ••pread nor in so short a space, were there ever so many kingdoms, so many regions brought under the yoke. It is incredi∣ble to be spoken, yet it is most true: In the space of fouresco••e yeers or not many more, they subdued & added to the diabolicall kingdom of Muhamed, Palestina, Syria, both Armeniaes, almost all Asia the lesse, Persia, India, Egypt, Numidia, all Barbarie, even to the river Niger, Portugall Spaine, Neither stayed their fortune or ambition here; till they added also even a great part of Italy, as far as unto the gates of Rom••, as also Sicily, Can••y, Cyprus, & the other Islands of the Mediterranian Sea. Good God what a huge tract of the world is this, how many crownes here, whence it is worthy of observation also, that there is no mention madeof a third part as in other trumpets. For this destruction fell no lesse without the bounds of the Roman Empire, then within it, ex∣tending even to the farthest Indians.

It remaineth we speak of the habit of the warlike nations. And the faces of them, saith he, were as the faces of men. These locusts were with a humane face, that is, indeed men (lest any happily should conceive that it was meant of vermine) having hair as the hair of women, that is, by nation Arabia••s, who saith Pli••ie, use long hair, and (after the manner of women) wear head tiers, Pliny lib. 6. cha. 28. with whom it is the manner even to this day, as travellers affirme, that going into battell they make themselves horns and curled locks of their own hair, Cam rar operum sub••is. tom. 1. c. 39. whence it will be evident, that the place cited by our Brightm in out of Herodotus in Th••lia, as i•• were for the pol∣ling of the Arabian is to be taken, not of polling the head, but ei∣ther some custome of cutting the beard used by the Arabians in imitation of Bacchus; of which Plinie maketh some mention, when he ••aith their beard was wont to be shaven, saving on the over lip, or of the rounding of the ends of their haire, without the whole polling of the head. Both which, happily because it was an ensigne of the worshippers of Bacchus their neighbou•• idoll, God forbade his people, Levit. 19. 27. and 21. 5. Howso∣ever

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

it be, I doubt not but Plinie had seen Arabians at Rowf.

It followeth of the continuance of the Plague, which surely * 1.16 is determined in the compasse of five moneths according to the type of locusts, which continue so many moneths: to wit, from * 1.17 the rising of the seaven stars (by the ancient called * 1.18 the going out of the spring, about one moneth after the vernall Aequinoctium) when they are hatched of egges left i•• the earth all the winter, unto the beginning of Autume, when, leaving other egges upon the earth for an increase of the next yeere, they presently die, you may see Plinie lib. 11. chap. 29.

Yet God would have this notation of time agree not onely with the type, but with the antitype also, when as hee delivered to be vexed with invasions by the Saracenicall locusts, Italy the chiefe of lands, and the most eminent for sinne, which caused the plague, from the yeere 830. to the yeere 980. that is, 150. yeeres, or five moneths of yeeres.

The Plague in truth rested upon other countreys longer, but in a certaine course: for severall spaces of time, some short••r, some longer; chiefly upon the Easterne regions, of Syria, Egypt, and Asia the lesse, which bordering upon the head of that Empire, which first was Damascus, after Bagdad, became for many ages as it were the foreparts of the Saracenicall body.

And that I may note this; although what countreyes soever they possessed, they tormented the Inhabitants thereof with that venemous stroke of the Scorpions taile, as I have said; yet the Italians seemed to have felt the stroke of the taile of the lo∣custs after another (I know not what singular) manner. For the whole swarme being compared to a body, and the former parts, as it is meet assigned to the East, what shall the Affrican troupe be, reaching so farre from the head into the West, but the tail. But from these is all the cala••ity of Italy; which they did strike without intermission with a by blow (see the subtiltie of Scorpions) through the Mediterranian sea, and the Islands there∣of, Sardin••a, and Sicilia as if the holy Ghost had pointed his finger hither, when as by an itterated mention of moneths he said, And * 1.19 they had tailes like Scorpions, and stings, and in their tailes they had power to hurt men five moneths. For so the Complutense book readeth, Syras, Primasius, Andreas, and Aretas, agreeing therewith. Such interpretation although it be not unproper for declaring of the time; yet that there is another significati•• of that

serpentine trayne and extending it selfe much further, I have al∣ready said, neither doe I here alter, if any shall suffer himselfe to b•• perswaded to admit of some secondary sence (besides this primarily intended such as I am not easily wont to admit) let him for me.

And this is one way, how the five Monthes of type of Locusts may be fitted to the thing it selfe acted. There is also another, if because these five monthes are twice sett downe, the account be * 1.20 therefore dou led: as if forsooth the Holy Ghost would use the number of five, for the analogie and decorum of the type; but dou∣blee it, that it might answer the antitipe in some more large space For wherefore otherwise should he iterate the mention of these monthes almost ••n the same wordes? Is there not some mistery in this iteration? I doe not r••member the like to be any where else, in the continued de••cription o•• the same type,

If therefore this shall please, three hundred yeares for so many doe twice five monthes of yeares make, will comprehend, that no∣ble space of the kingdome of the Sarac••ns, which is drawne from the beginning of the Calip••ate of the Apasid•• (who first made Ba••da•• heir Imperiall seate) to the taking of the same Bag••ad by Togrul ecus King of the Turks (whom we call Ta••grolipix;) that is, from the yeare of Christ 750 to the yeare 1055. This space truly is larger about five yeares, but since the account is made by Monthes, there is no greater care to be taken of a few dayes, then is wont to be of houres where the account is by dayes. This also may be added, that this space may begin fitly, from the taking away of the yoke of the Exarchate from the city of Rome, wher∣in the calamity of the former trumpe•• ceased. For this happened at the same time, happily also the same yeare.

If thou enquire yet wherefore the Holy Ghost did not compre∣hend the whole continuance of the Saracenicall plague in these n••¦bers, * 1.21 since the principality of the Abi••die to wit from the yeare 630, the Saracens by continued successe had so inlarged their Em∣pyre, that now it was come to its perfection: it may be answered because this number of five Monthes; was rather of the type of L••∣cust••, * 1.22 then of the Antitype of the Saracens. And therefore what did properly comply with them, was sufficient, if in these it should be set forth by some more remarkeable space of time, although it did not perfectly measure it. Notwithstanding I determine no∣thing here, but leave it to others, to whom God shall have given

more abi••itie, to be further searched out. In the meane while, this difficulty doth nothing prejudice the interpretation concerning the Saracen••. For whatsoever interpretation thou shalt follow, the same difficultie will presse thee.

It remaineth yet to treate of the King an•• his name. They * 1.23 had, saith hee, over them a King th•• Angel of t••e bottom••esse pit. whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greeke A••ollyon, that is, a Destroyer

The Holy Ghost seemeth, in that he calleth the Angell of the bottoml••sse pit a King, to intimate, that these Locusts shall bee a Nation, not Christian but Infidell, which had not given their name to Christ. For the Children of unbeliefe or Pagans are sayd by Paul, Ephes. 2.2. to bee subject to the Prince, whose power is of the ayre, who is none other then the Angell of the bottom∣lesse pit. Contrariwise, who so become Christians are taken out of the power of Satan, to be converted to God, Acts 26. 18.

Whatsoever it may bee, it is a thing most worthy the exami∣nation, * 1.24 wherefore hee calleth this Prince of the bottomlesse pit here plainely by a new name and unheard of; and not as hee is wont, The Devill, Satan, the Serpent, or Dragon? or that he had rather from the notion of destroying; why not rather Asmodaus, •• name (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) of like signification, whereby the Jewes ••••d already used to call him; but Abaddon never? whether be∣cause since the Muhamedans doe glory, that they doe adore and worship no other God, but that one sole God De••••••urgus, or Ma∣ker of the universe, which to the Chaldeans and Syrians ••ound∣eth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Abada, and to the Arabians themselves is made knowne by the Epithit•• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Abdi, that is eternall; the holy spirit would meete with them in a word of the like sound, but of a contrary sence? by which forsooth he would intimate, that they were so farre of, (whatsoever they pretended) from wor∣shipping Abadan or Abdin that eternall maker of the world, that in the estimation of God Himselfe, whom they would have to bee 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 one only person, and not to bee come unto by Christ, they tooke for their King or divine power not him, but an evill Angell Abaddon, that is, not the Maker but the destroyer of the world. So when the Jeroboamites thought they worshipped the God of Israel in their Calves; the Scripture notwithstanding saith, they sacrificed to Devils, 2 Cro••. 11. 15.

Or shall wee say that there is allusion to the common name of the Kings of Arabia of that Coast, whence Mu••amed with his Locusts was first to arise? who are afterward called Ob••∣d•• a name of authoritie, from the Ancient King Obodi being esteemed of his in the number of the GODS, and from whose Sepulcher Oboda continued a name of the Kings of Arabia to the Region of the Nabat••ans; as the Kings of Aegypt Pha∣ra••hs, * 1.25 and Ptolom••i, of the Romans, Caesars, of the Parthi∣ans Arsac•• and the neighbouring KINGS of Arabia, Pe∣tr••a, A••et••? For Stephanus the Byzantine out of the fourth booke of Ʋra••ius a Writer of the Arabian Historie, saith 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Oboda a Country of the Nabat••ans, where Obodes the King whom they made a God was buried. But Strabo and Iose∣phus assure mee that from him, the Kings of that Coast were afterward called by the common name Obodas of whom this mentioneth two of that name; one a Warrier, and too well knowne to the Jewes for the slaughter of Alexander Iamnaus * 1.26 their King; whom certainely that Obodas the Arabian con••trai∣ned to flye to Ierusalem, his whole Army being slaine in the Country of Gilead about Ninetie yeares before Christ. Whom the Iewes not unworthily might call with a small change Abad * 1.27 don, that is a destroyer. The other dull and Idle, of the same time with Her••d the great, whose vicegerent Syll••us (who go∣verned the state as hee listed) sought Salome the Sister of Hero•• in marriage: but being frustrate of his desire, and becomming the enemy of Herod, by false accusations of him unto Augu∣stus, brought him into great danger. Of this Obada Strabo ma∣ketn mention once or twise in the Arabian expedition of Aeli∣us Gallus▪ and that with the same note of slothfulnesse; and saith the same was ••oyned in affinitie to the neighbour King Are∣ta and this was a common name as I said of the bordering Kings of Petr••••.) Out of the same Writer is to bee gathered, that the Kingdome of Obod•• being seated more towards the South, reached to the Red Sea. In which Coast of Land I doe ve∣rily believe the Ismaelites and Sar••••••ens inhabited.

For surely it is manifest that the Na••a ha••••s whose coast Ʋranins witnesseth did comprehend the region Oboda were Ismaelites, obtaining that name from Nabaiot•• the first borne of Ismael, * 1.28 Iosphus addeth, that Oboda being dead, Areta, by the favour of Augustus joyned his Kingdome to his owne.

If any therefore being moved with so great an agreement and aptnesse of things, shall be of opinion that the holy ghost of pur∣pose used this name Abaddon, that by a certaine par••nomasia of the name of Kings pointed his finger to that nation, whose custom was to name their Kings with the like appellation, I surely think him worthy to be pardoned; especially since both words seeme to be from the same roote, common to the Hebrewes and Arabians, although, as otherwise it commeth to passe, in a contrary signi∣fication; and seeing with the old prophets examples sometimes happen of allusions little or nothing differing. So that which Esay calleth Christ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, A branch, Matthew turneth it to * 1.29 the name of Iesus of Nazareth chap. 2. verse 24. you may see also Ier. 1. 11. 12. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 an almond tree 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 I will hasten. Amos. 8.2. a basket 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, of summer fruits, because there commeth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is an end, &c, And also that the Iewes of the later age did use such agnominations, even this may serve for an argument, that a li••tle before the comming of our Saviour, because that Acheron the river of hel (as they heard from the Grecians) in sound did not differ from Accaron the city of the Philistins (for so in times past Ekron was pronounced) of Beelzebub the God * 1.30 hereof, they made the name of Satan the Prince thereof, that is the Prince of hell. For hence, truely as I conjecture, is Beelzebub the Prince of Devills in the gospel.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Chap. 9. ver. 1••
• * 1.2

  Verse, 20
• * 1.3

  Chap. 9••
• * 1.4

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.5

  Vers. 3.
• * 1.6

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.7

  Verse 4.
• * 1.8

  M••••. 12.4. R••••••. 14.14. and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 h••••c.
• * 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.10

  Verse 7.8.9.
• * 1.11

  Verse 5.
• * 1.12

  Chap. ••.
• * 1.13

  Ver••e 6.
• * 1.14

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.15

  Verse 7.
• * 1.16

  Chap. 9••
• * 1.17

  Verse 5.
• * 1.18

  Abe•••••••••• ver∣g••ttarnm.
• * 1.19

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 10.
• * 1.20

  Ver. 5, 10.
• * 1.21

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.22

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.23

  Verse 11.
• * 1.24

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.25

  Chap. ••••
• * 1.26

  De••bello I••d••i∣co lib. 1. cap. 3.
• * 1.27

  Antiquit. jud. lib 16. ••. 11. 13. 14. 15.
• * 1.28

  ••en. 25.23.13.
• * 1.29

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 11.1.
• * 1.30

  See the Lxx. Mat. 12.24. Luke 11.15.