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 Part of the Coment upon the REVELATION, according to the rule of the Apocalyptique Key upon the first Prophecie, which is contained in Seales and Trumpets. Something concerning the Apocalyptique Theater premised.

ENdevouring to finde out the meaning of the visi∣on•• in the Revelation, I must first handle that heavenly Theater, whereupon Iohn is called to behold them as upon a State: afterwards the prophecies themselves, severally examined by the Apocalyptique Key.

O Christ the wisedome of God, to whom the * 1.1 Revelation is given of the Father, that thou shouldest declare to thy servants things to come, enlighten my minde with thy sun beames, clense my uncleannesse with thy blood. Grant that by thy favour, and the guide of thy Spirit, I may diligently consider these hidden mysteries, and declare them to others.

The Apocalyptique Theater, I call that Emperiall Session of God and of the Church described in the fourth Chapter: and ex∣actly framed according to the forme, of * 1.2 that ancient encamp∣ing of God with Israel in the wildernesse: which will plainely appeare by comparing the order of both between themselves.

For in the midst of the tents of Israel was placed the Taber∣nacleor throne of God. Round about the Tabernacle the Le∣vites pitched their tents neerest. Then after the Levites, the rest of the hoast of Israel was seated in foure standerds, towards the four climates of the heaven: to wit, three tribes placed under

one standerd, and bearing the name of the chiefe tribe of their companie. And every standerd did bear an ensigne, whereof al∣though Moses doth onely generally make mention, nor doth at all expresse what figure was pourtraid to every standerd: yet the Hebrews out of the ancient tradition of the Elders, (in this not rashly to be contemned) doe describe the matter wholly after this manner.

At the East the Standerd of Iuda, with his fellow Tribes with the signe of a LYON.

At the West the Standerd of Ephraim, with the signe of a BVLLOCK.

At the South the Standerd of Reuben, with the signe of a MAN.

At the North of Dan, with the signe of an EAGLE. Aben Ezra at the 2. of Numbers 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 our Elders have said, that the figure of a man was in the standerd of Reu∣ben, because of the Mandrakes found (saith hee but this is * 1.3 idle.) In the standerd of Iuda the figure of a Lyon, because Iacob likened him hereto. In the standerd of Ephraim the fi∣gure of a Bullocke; according as it is said, * 1.4 the firstling of a bullocke. And to conclude, in the standerd of Dan the figure of an Eagle. The same things here hath Bar Nachman, and Cha••∣kuni at the third Chapter.

If any happily more curiously aske, wherefore the effigies of these living creatures were born rather then others, besides that reason which is wont to be taken not unfitly from the blessings of Iuda and Ephraim, at the least, the Talmudists seeme to give the reason thus, four things say they, * 1.5 are proude (or which excell) in the world; the Lion among the wilde beasts, the bullock amongst cattell, the Eagle amongst birds, and a man whom God hath en∣dued with beautie above all, that hee may command all. Howso∣ever the reason hold, this tradition of the Jewes may be confir∣med out of the foure fold face of the Cher••bims (take heed thou doe not conceive so many heads) in Ezekiel; by which is signi∣fied that it was the Lord, and king of the foure bands or campes of Israel which was carried on them. For as the Chariots of Princes doe glister with the ensignes of their Lords; so here the Cherubims with the ensignes of JEHOVA, the King of the Tetrarchies of Israel. Neither will it be very difficult, to

gather out of the position of Ezekiel and the Cherubims in this vision one against another, which climate of the world each face of the Cherubims looked towards. For when Ezekiel, his face being turned toward the north, beheld the Cherubims as it were * 1.6 coming against him, certainly that which did then present it self directly over against him, was the former and direct face of the Cherubims, to wit the face of man; and therefore the face of a man looked toward the south. Whence it followeth that that face of the Lion which is said to be on the right hand of the same * 1.7 Ezekiel looked towards the East, and that on the left hand of him, of a bullock looking toward the West: and last of all the face of an Eagle looking toward the North.

And surely the same reason perswadeth, that we may esteeme that those Cherubims also, which did overshadow the Arke of God in the most holy place of the Temple were alike, that is, of a foure fashioned face; especially since those which were engraven upon the walles of the temple were so, as that which is read in the same Ezekiel, chap. 41. vers. 19. concerning their half carving doth witnesse, where, two of their faces being drunk up, (as it must needs be in such engraving) on the plaine of a wall, yet the other two, of a man and of a lion, are said to appeare looking to∣ward the Palme-trees, represented on this side and on that side, both wayes. And wherefore I pray you, should the Cherubims be engrauen in another forme then they were of?

Adde hereunto that some doe take that of Psal. 68. 11. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 thy congregation hath dwelt therein, to bee meant of those four living creatures, being the ensignes of so ma∣ny bands of Israel; which surely Ierome, in that translation which hath its name to be according to the Hebrew truth, hath thus translated: * 1.8 animalia tua habitaverunt in ea; thy living creatures dwelt therein; to wit, as went before, in thy inheritance, that is, in the camp of thy people which thou leddest thorow the wilder∣nesse. Likewise the Septuagint, and the vulgar which is translated thereout of hath 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, animalia tua, thy living creatures. And surely that which went before this and the former verse plainly sheweth, that here that time is hādled: O God when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou wentest thorow the Desert the earth shooke, and the heavens dropped at the presence of God, &c. Likewise that which followeth concerning the plen∣tifull

raine, the raine if I be not deceived, of Manna, and therefore to be translated, a plentifull raine or liberall, thou hast sent O God [wherewith] thou hast comforted thine in haeritance, even when it was weary. To say nothing of that; the beginning of this Psalme is borowed from that forme of prayer which Mos••s vsed [Numb. 10.35.] in the setting forward of the campes of Israel. Arise O Lord and let thine enemies be scattered.

We have beheld the ••ncamping of God among the Israelites: let * 1.9 us now further see, how the Apocalyptique session doth in every point answere the same.

And I was saith Iohn, in the spirit, and behold a throne was set in heaven; and one sa••e on the thr••ne. 3. And he that sate to look up∣on was like a Jasper ston•• and a Sardine; and there was a rainebow round abou•• the throne in sight like to an emrald.

4. And round about the throne 24 scates; and upon the scates 24 Elders sitting, cl••th••d in white raiment, and they had on their heads crownes of gold.

5. And ••••t of the throne proceeded lightnings, and voice, and thund rings; aad there were seven lampes of fire burning before the throne which are the seven spirits of God, a••d before the throne there was a sea of glasse like ••••to cr••stall.

6. And in the midest of the throne and round about the throne foure Beasts, full of eyes before and behinde. 7. And the first Beast was like a Lyon; an•• the second Beast like a Bullock; and the third Bea••t having a face as a Man; and the fourth Beast like a fly∣ing Eagle.

8. And the foure Beasts, had each of them six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within; and the rested not day and night * 1.10 saying, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

9. And when those Beasts give gl••ry and honour and thankes to him that sa••e on the throne who liveth for ever and ever: 10 The 24 Elders fall down before him that sa••e one the throne, and wor∣ship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crownes before the throne, saying 11. thou art worthy, O Lord our God, to rec••ave glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and forthy pleasure they are and were created.

Doth not every severall things answere other here; for first as concerning the tabernacl••; the throne here which God sate upon

being set in the midst that it was none other then the temple or taberna••l•• (for the description (here) is fitted (which is a thing observable) ••o the history of both) as well the seven lampes burn∣ing before it, is also that glassy Sea, like un••o Christall do shew. whreof those present the candlestick of those s••ven lampes burning before the Oracl••; this that great lavour in the temple of Salomon called the Sea: but with this difference, that that of Solomon was of brasse but this of ours of a glasse and transparent matter, yet I know not whether we may suppose the allusion hereto be to that more auncient lavour of Moses Taber••acle; since that also is said to have binne made of I Know not what matter of look∣ing-glasses; to wit, of the looking-glasses of the women assembl∣ing at the doore of the tabernacle Exod. 38.8. But you may see the temple set fo••th by the name of the throne of God Esay. 6. verse. 1. I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lif••••d up, and his ski••ts filled the Temple. Also ••er. 17. 12. A glorious high thr••ne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. And Ez•••• 43.7. The place of my throne, and the pla•••• of the stepps of my feet, where I dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, &c.

And that it was such a throne, which Iohn saw placed in the midst of the Elders, and Beastes, the Revelation hath it every where for g••anted. For where could he have openly seen the * 1.11 Altar, and vnder it the soules of them that were sla••ne for the word of God, chap. 6.9. except in the temple; whenc•• (appe••••ed) to him the the golden Altar of incense be ore the throne, chap. 8. 3. except the t••mple or Tab••rnacle had binne that throne. Or what other thing will the fouer horn••s of the golden Altar, which is in the sight o•• God intimate. chap. 9, 13. what the temple, the courts of the temple and Altar parte••y to be me••su••ed wi••h the Angels reed, partly, to be cast our, chap. 11. 1. what * 1.12 the temple of God opened in H••aven; and therein, the Arke of the testimonie exposed to sight, c••ap. 11. 19. what the Angels comming out of the Temple, chap. 14.15. 17.18. and that also in heaven verse, 18. what the ••arpers standing upon the brimm•• of t••e Sea or lavour of glasse, and singi••g the tryumphant Songe chap. 15. 2. and that also in heaven, verse 1. what in the same place verse 5. The Temple of the Tabernacle of the testimony, opened in heaven, and the same temple ve••se. 8. filled with smoake * 1.13

from the majesty of God: But that chap. 16. verse. 17 putteth the matter out of all question. And there came a great voice 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, out of the temple of hea∣ven from the throne.

Furthermore in this throne or temple, least happily thou shoul∣dest be any thing doubtfull, the place of Gods Session, or (as the Septuagnits 1. king. 10. 19. speake of the throne of Salomon) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 was the Inner and most holy parte of the temple, wherein was laid up the Arke of the covenant with the propitiatorie. For there God is said to dwell, and to sit between * 1.14 the Cherubins of glory. For which cause finally both the seven lampes here, as also the golden Altar of Incense afterward••s are rightly said to have binne before the throne, to wit, before the oracle of the temple; as it is found concerning both plainly in so many and the self same wordes, 2. Cron. 4.20. and 1. King, 6, 20. in the former of which the septuagints have 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (so the Oracle is called in Hebrew) in the other 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in mean∣ing right with the Relveation, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 * 1.15 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 So the other partes, either of the temple or of the tabernacle, wilbe partly for stayes, partly for stepps, partly for a footstoole to the throne peculiarly so called such kinde of parts or appur∣tenances, that emperiall throne of Salomon is said to have had. So much of the throne.

2. The fouer and twenty Elders compasse next about the throne, which represent the Bishops, and pr••lates of the churches; * 1.16and do answere both in place and order to the Levites and Preests in the campes of Israel: and their number of 24 to so many courses of Preists and Levits, or which cometh to the same passe to the chief of the courses whereupon, besides that they are neerest to * 1.17 God, they also have their thrones; moreover they weare crownes; which are signes of dignity, and power given from God.

3. Thirdly, a meete distance after the Preestes where the lines drawne through the midst of the throne, doe twise divide the sides of the throne, every way to the fouer corners of the heaven, fouer living creaturs appeare: the first in the shape of a Lyon; the second of a Bullock (for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 with the septuagints is Bos a bullock) the third in the shape of a man, the fourth of a flying Eagle repre∣senting the christian Churches through the four quaters of the

world; and they answere to the foure campes of Israel, bearing in their standerds the same Beastes. That which in the text of the Revelation is somthing more obs••urely said, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the midest of the throne, and round about the * 1.18 throne, ought to be expounded by the fig••re 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 familiar with the Hebrewes, as if indeed it had binne said 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the midst of the circuit or compasse of the throne; and that in this sense. If to the throne, for example as being square, thou draw about, a para••ell fo••re square figure, with a meete distance from the throne and Elders compassing it about, foure Beasts did shew themselves in or, at the midle of the sides of every quadrangle (for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is to be taken distributively;) to * 1.19 wit in the midest of every side one.

Furthermore those Beasts are describ••d, full of eyes before and behind, having moreover six wings aboute, and those full of eyes within. So many ••yes do set forth the multi••ud of Sharpsighted * 1.20 me••, and full of knowledge of the mysteries of God; such as are in the Beasts, that is, the churches, which the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 do represent. The wings, agili••y and a lacrity: o put in ex••cution the commande∣ment of God. The wings full of eyes, z••ale joyned with know∣ledge and faith. To conclude the six wings a••out, doe set them forth flying every way that is, most ready universa••ly and wholly to fulfill the commandements of God. * 1.21

Last of all is added, what the office of both of them should be, aswel of the B••asts as of the elders about the throne, to wit this, th••t as aften as t••e Beasts should give glory and honour and thanksgivi••g to him that sitterh on the ••hrone, that is as often as the Churches should performe their holy se••vic•• so often the 24 Elders going before the Beasts according to their function, used to fa•• downe before God, saying, Thou art worthy O Lord, to re∣ceive glory and honour and power, because thou hast created all things &c. This interpreta••ion being admitted, the sa••ing of Ioh••, which most do accuse here of incongruity, as abusing the futures * 1.22 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for the praete perfect; will easily maintaine it self: since with the H••brewes (whose notion the Apostle every where vseth) the futures are wont to denote an act accustom'd ••rdue: so as Iohn is not at all to be thought here to re∣late, * 1.23 what then in the vision is done by the Beasts and elders; but what occasion required should be done, and what he afterwards in

the progresse of visions if at any time occasion of praysing God sho••ld happen, he saw done by them.

And so (that at length I may end) I conceive I have plainly shewed that the throne in this ••mperiall session answereth to the Tabernacle or Temple; the elders to th•• Levites and Priests; the four Beasts to the four camp•• of Israel; that is the whole session, to be the type of the ancient encamping in the w••ldernesse, wh••ch thing was so much the more largely by me to be handled, because ••o served the reason of the most type•• ••n the Revelat••on to de∣pend chiefly upon the knowledge thereof; wherein I dou••t not ••ut any will be of the same minde with me▪ who shall throughly consider the matter.

The Theater being prepared in th••s manner, ••he which sate up∣on the throne, reacheth forth in his right hand, a book written * 1.24 wi••hin and on the backside, closed with ••••aven seals; and there∣withall * 1.25 an Angel coming forth upon the stage, with al••ud voice proclaim••th; that, ••f power were given to any to open it, where∣by those things might be seen and read that were therein con∣tained, he should take it i••to h••s hands, and endeavour it, a thing without doubt if he shall perform, would be very acceptable to all that are enflam••d with a desire of secret things.

And in truth the book was most worthy, that any one should strive with a••l the powers ••f his wisdom and industry to o••en it: as a book of prophesies or of the the councells of God, wherein is contrived the series and order of thi••gs to be done till that second and glorious c••mming of Christ. For of such sorte cer∣tainly that double prophecie following of things to come which that booke did containe, appeareth for to be which is the cause ••nles I be deceived, why Iohn going about to set forth his visions, prefixed in the fronte of ••is history the description of that gloriou•• comming, as ••t were the bond of the Apocalyptique race. Behold, * 1.26 saith he chap. 1.7. he commeth with the cloudes of heaven, and every eye sha••l see him; they also which pierced him, and all tribes of the earth shall waile over him; as if he should say: this is the scope, his is the the bound of the visions, which shall declare.

But wh••n no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the * 1.27 earth, was able to open the book, and ••he mat••er seemed now to be past help; so that Iohn brake forth into weeping for griefe:

behold a Lambe; seeming as it had be••n s••in, that is bearing the signes and of his by past death, rose up in the midst of the throne * 1.28 of elders and Beasts, and took the book to unseal and open, as who alone above all had deserved the power to do it.

Now this being seen, forth with the Quire of Beasts, and elders, * 1.29 together with the Angels standing round about, and all creatures in generall, being full of joy sing a song of praise to the Lamb and to his father. Wherein I thought good to observe that alone, that they plainly refer the power of opening the book to the merit of the passion of the Lamb. Thou art worthy, say they to open * 1.30 the book and the sea••s thereof, because thou wast slain••, and hast redeemed us to God with thy blood, out of every tribe and peo∣ple and tongue and nation. Out of which perhaps light may come to the saying of our Saviour, neither having as yet suffered, nor entred into his glory: of that day and houre (suppose of his se∣cond * 1.31 coming, whether it should b•• sooner, or later:) no man knoweth, no not the Angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the fa∣ther onely. For why, as yet the Revelation was not given to Christ of the father, nor the order of things to be done un••ill his coming opened. I affirme nothing rashly, let the reader way the matter well with himselfe.

The Lamb thus opening the book, at every severall seal thereof, * 1.32 singular types of things to come are exhibited: the body whereof runneth through the whole Apocalyptique race, and so conclud∣eth * 1.33 the first universall proph••cie. The interpretation whereof now, by the favour of him that sitteth on the throne and of the Lamb, we will undertake. * 1.34

Concerning the two Apocalyptique prop••eces.

The first prophecie of the seales, comprehendeth the destinies of the Empire. The other of the little book, the destinies of the * 1.35 Church or of christian religion; untill at length both shall be united in the Church raigning; the kingdoms of this world be∣coming * 1.36 our Lords and his Christ. For as in the old testament

Daniel, did foreshew as well the coming of Christ, as also did digest the destinies of the Iewish church, according to the suc∣cessions of Empires: so it is to be conceived that the Apocalyps, doth measure the state of Christanity by the affairs of the Romane Empire which should yet remain after Christ. Neither doth the event crosse it. For the interpretation of the first prophecie out of this generall supposition thus proc••ed••th.

Of the first prophecie which is of the seals: and first of the things meant by the first six seals.

The s••ope of the seven seals in sum is, that, there might be shewed, by the distances of ensuing time distinguished by the characters of events, in what order of the chances of the Romane empire running out, it should come to passe that Christ should vanquish the Gods of the world, what whom he had begun war: to wit in the sixt course, or sixt seal, the Gods of the Empire of Rome heathen; but in the seventh, when the course of the trum∣pets shall come to the last trumpet: whatsoever else of the wor∣ship of idols and devils did after there a new, or should as yet any where else in the world arise, should be utterly destroyed For he must reign untill he have put all his enemies under his feet, that is, shall have abolished all contrary, principality, au••hority, and power, 1. Cor. 15. 25. Let us in the first place, handle the first period, as order requireth. * 1.37

The first six seals therefore, by a six fold character of events, (not much unlike to those, which our Saviour also had foreset, for the appointed time of the overthrow of Ierusalem) do distinguish so many different times of the yet standing and flourishing Romane Empire; untill at length in the sixt, Christ should utterly overthrow the power of idols, and heathen gods in that region. Now chara∣cters I call the notable chances of the Romane Empire, whereby as by certain emblems, the different times are disce••ned: and those in this first period, not brought from without by the barbarous na∣tions, (such as were of the Empire under the plagues of the seven rumpets afterwards falling;) but intestine chances, and rising in the very Empire it selfe, which difference certainly is therefore set by the holy spirit, that by unlike markes the unlike times of the R••ane estate, here flourishing, there decaying, may be described.

Moreover that commeth here to be observed. Since these chara∣cters of ch••nces which I have named, scarse or seldom go through the whole space of the seal: and therefore, no way by themselves avail, for the limiting of their different times, by any certain be∣ginning and end: therefore the holy Ghost in the four first seals (where that should be most requisite, as well for the cause afore∣said, as for the in equality of the different times) hath further used foure Beasts for the same purpose; every of which should * 1.38 demonstrate the computation of the seal appertaining to its own quarter. How that is done, we shall see anon. It shall suffice now to have given warning of it.

Chap. 6.

1. And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the foure Beasts, as it were the voice of thunder, saying, Come and see.

2. And I saw, and behold a white horse, and he that fate upon him had a bowe, and a crown was given unto him; and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

3. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the se∣cond Beast, saying, Come and see, 4. and there went ••ut ano∣ther horse that was red; and to him which sate upon him, there was given, that he should take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another; and there was given unto him a great sword.

5. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third Beast, saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a black horse; and he that sate on him, had a paire of ballances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the foure Beasts saying, a measure of wheat for a peny, and three measures of barley for a peny; and hurt not the oile and the wine.

7. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth Beast saying, Come and see. 8. And behold a pale horse; and he that sate upon him, his name was Death, and hell followed him; and power was given to to them over the fourth part of the earth to kill with the sword, with hunger, and withdeath, and with the beasts of the earth.

Of the first seal.

The first chance of the Romane Empire, and surely very nota∣ble, * 1.39 is the originall of the victory of Christ; whereby the Romane Gods begin to be vanished, and their worshippers, being pierced with the arrowes of the gospel, begin every where to fall away and to submit themselves to Christ the conqueror. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, saith he, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (mark it well) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, he hath not yet fully overcome, but hath laid the foundation of the victorie, thence forward more and more to be accomplished.

The discloser of this seal is the first Beast, in shape of a Lion, * 1.40 standing at the east; and sheweth a horsman comming out of his * 1.41 quarter, that is, an Emperour, from whose getting on horseback to ride, that is, comming to his Empire, the distinct space of the first seal is to begin; to wit from the glorious exaltation of our * 1.42 Lord Iesus Christ; by the leading and guidance of which Em∣perour from the East this war is waged, and the victor y gotten The beginnings of the following seals are directed by the Romane Emperours; but where the victorie of Christ is described, regard was to be had of him alone being Emperour.

And now this seal once passed, the oracles of the Gods through the whole Romane world became silent; and Iohn the last of the twelve Apostles of Christ, having fulfilled the taske of his ware∣fare, passed out of this life, to receive an immortall crown in the heavens, together with his follow Apostles his brethren, for their work valiantly and happily accomplished.

And that, to be carryed on hors-back is abadg of authority, and of them that rule and governe, is to be seene out of the greek interpretation Psal. 45. 5. wherein prosper thou and ride, is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, goe on prosperously and raigne: neither doth the Chalde differ from this s••nce, which translateth, that thou maiest ryde upon the throne of the Kingdome. So the woman ryding upon the Beast Chap. 17. 3. is expounded by the Angell 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the City which raigneth, ver 18. And the word of ryding is used in the same sense Deut. 32, 13. Esay. 58. 14. Psal. 66. 12.

Of the second Seale.

The second memorable chance of the Roman Empyre, the * 1.43 embleme of the second seale is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Murther or in∣testine slaughter; the like to which is scarse in all the Roman history. And there was given, sayeth he, to him that ••a••e on this horse, that he should take peace from the earth (that is, that, he ryding, peace should be taken from the earth,) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and that men should kill one another, which last part of the sence, doth strengthen the explication of the former. For in what other sen••e should these words be taken, that it was given to him * 1.44 that sitteth on the horse, that men should kill one another? unlesse it were given, or came to passe, that, he indeed riding; men should excercise cruelty in mutuall murders, and slaughters.

The discloser of this seal is the second Beast, in the shape of a Bullock, placed at the west: and whilest in the vision he ••iddeth look back towards him, thereby he warneth; that this seal be∣ginneth, when Trajan the Spaniard bare rule, being an Emperour comming from the west. Dion; Trajan a man of Spaine, he was neither of Italy nor an Italian: before him no man of another nation obtained the Empire of Rome. But thenceforth from him the same stock raigned even untill Commodus where the space o•• this seal endeth.

The beginning therefore being drawen from this Em∣perour, let us seek that memorable accident 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of killing one another. But the thing was done, by the Gon∣tiles and Iew••s, then dwelling together throughout the Romane Empire, both where Trajan and his successor Ha∣dr••an guided the sterne of the Empire. What was done under Tra••a••, take not upon mine, but upon the joynt words of Dion and Orosius. The Ie••s, saith Orosius, in anincredible commotion at one time, as it were made wilde with ••urie were mightily incensed through the whole world. For they waged most cruell wars even through all Libia, ••gainst the inhabitants: which then was made so desolate the ••••habitants thereof being slaine, that except Ha∣drian the Emperour had afterwards brought thither Colenies ga∣thered

from other places; it had remained altogether vacant, with∣out inhabitant. They which dwelt about Cyrene, (saith Dion) one Andreas being their Captain, do slay aswell Romanes as Greekes, they feed of their flesh, and eat their bowels; they are besmeared with their blood, and clothed with their skinnes. Many they sawed asunder through the midst, from their crown of the head, many they cast to Beasts. many they constrained to combate between themselves; so that they slew two hundred * 1.45 and twenty thousand men. He goeth on furthermore in Egypt the like slaughter was made, and in Cyprus Artenio being Cap∣tain, where also there perished two hundred and forty thousand. They raced Salamis a city of Cyprus, having slain all the dwellers therein [Oros. Euseb.] But in Alexandria in joyned battail, they were overcome and wasted. [Oros.] At length by others, but specially by Lysius, whom Trajan had sent, they are subdued. In Mesop••tamea also, war is brought upon the Rebels by the com∣mandment of the Emperour. [Oros. Euseb.] And so, many thou∣sands of them did utterly perish by these outragiuos slaughters.

Hitherto those things which happened under Trajan. But thou wilt say, is there any thing under Hadrian to be compared with these? whether they were not equall, let the reader judge. I dare say not much lesse. For as yet we have said nothing of that renow∣ned Rebellion Ba••cocheba the counterfeit Messias being Captain. Here that therefore also in the words of the same Dion: when, saith he, Hadrian had brought a Colonie into the city of Ierusalem, and in the place where the temple of God had b••, had procured another to be built to Iupiter Capitolinus: a great and continued war began to arise there upon, whole Iudea to be in commotion, all the lews every where in ••umult, bringing great damage secret∣ly, and openly upon the Romanes; and very many other nations for the desire of gain joyned with them, and for that cause al∣most all the world was in an uproare. He goeth on; these Hadrian though too late yet at length subdued and brake, sending all the best of his Captains against them, but (the multitude and despe∣r••tenesse of them being known) they durst not charge them but singlely; there being slam in excursions, and battails, not lesse then five hundred and ••ourscore thousand, But the multitude was such, of those that perished with famine, sicknesse, and fire, that the num∣ber could not be found out. But was that victorie easie to the

Romanes, and without blood? No verily, for so many, saith he, of the Roma••es also perished in that war, that Hadrian, when he wrote to the Senate, used not that preface, which the Em∣perours were accustomed to use, Sivos, liberique vestri valetis, bene ••st, ego quidem et exercitus valemus. If you, and your chil∣dren fare well, it is well, I truely and the army are well. These things Dion relateth concerning the commotion of the Iews un∣der that sonne of the star, as they called him, or rather, of the Lysard, of whom Eusebius further writeth, that he shew with * 1.46 all kinde of tortures the Christians, being unwilling to aide him against the Romane army.

If any please to heare the Iews themselves estimating their ownlosse; the Author of the book Iuchasi•• writeth that Hadrian put to death in this war more then twice so many Iews, as came out of Egypt. Another in the book intituled 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which * 1.47 Drusius commendeth in Prateritis, that neither Nebu••had-nezz ar nor Tyrus had so afflicted them as Hadrian the Emperour. So that this ruine seemeth to have been the most grievous fit of all that in∣credible tribulation, which our Saviour had foretold should come upon the Iews. And therefore not unworthily chosen by the holy Ghost, before all other events of that time, for the exprossing of this second space, since ••t excelleth as well because of the nation, as of an accomplishment so renowned.

Of the third seal.

The discl••ser of the third seal is the third Beast, in the shape of a man, standing at the South: and therefore sheweth, this seal * 1.48 * 1.49 beginneth, at the coming of an Emperour from that quarter, to wit Septinius Severus an Affrican, an Emperour 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the South of whom Eutropius saith thus: born in Africa, of the province of Tripolis, the towne of Leptis the onely Emperour out of Af∣fric•• both before and after ever mentioned.

And the most would have the matter of this seal to be samine, or dearth of victuals; their argument being drawn as well from the black colour of the horse, as also from the prizing of come, * 1.50 A measure of wheate for a peny and three measures of barley for a peny; to which purpose also they conceive the paire of scales

in the hand of the rider s••rve; to wit not so much for measuring, as for weighing of victuals for the great scarsity.

And surely I had never called this interpretation into question. (it seemeth so apt at the first sight) if the event had answered it. But I finde in this age, and in this course of the seals no extraordi∣nary thing concerning famine and worthy the honour of a chara∣cter. For that which is brought out of the Tertallian to Scapula I suppose is of no great consequence. For if the harvest f••iled in Africa sometime when Hilarianus was president, which he saith it did, It followeth not therefore, that it was either gene••rall through the Romane Empire, or in the age of Severus. Hence it commeth to passe, while I do a little more neerly looke into the reason of the Symbole, I seem to gather and that by no van demonstrations, that it rather tendeth to another purpose: For itseemeth that the paire of ballances cannot so fitly be joyned with the measure, as that interpretation requireth; when as a paire of ballances are for weighing, but Chaenix is the name of a measure. Furthermore, since that the condition of the Beast dis∣closing doth neerly agree to the significations of the other seals; of the Lyon, to victorie: of the Bullock to slaughter: the Eagle of the next seal to dead bodies; but here there should be no mat∣ter of agreement. For with congruence both a man wi••h famine? * 1.51 And the colour black, neither in it owne nature, nor in the old prophets use, is restrained onely to famine, but serveth as well to expresse sadnesse, mourning, and terrour.

Let therefore the matter of this seal be, not famine or dearth of victuals, but the administration and severity of ••ustice through the Romane Empire, more glorious and notable then in any past or following times. For as touching the figure, the colour of the horse, doth agree to the severity of Iustice. That the weights are a Symbole of justice, is ordinary; and at this day no man is ignorant that justice is painted with a paire of ballances. But that which is added concerning the prizing, if thou observe, will seeme to found thus. Take not from any one wheat, or barley, ex∣cept the just price be payed: and keep also the like law of justice in wine or oyl: As if he should provide against theeves, and had said, steal not. For a penny was the ordinary wages for a dayes * 1.52 work, which appeareth out of the gospel. And it was also the daily stipend of souldiers. Chanix signifieth a pi••tance for a day,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but in a very uncertain measure. For it ••aried in re∣spect * 1.53 of the nations, places, and men. To omit lesser measures of shepheards, of baylives, of husbandry, and vinedressers: a souldiers Chaenix was ••oure Sextaries. But in an old Greeke and Latin Lexicon 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is halfe a bushell, that is, double a souldiers: yea with the Septuagints Ezeki••l. 45. 10, 11. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is a Bath, the largest measure of the Hobrewes. Out of so uncertain a measure of the Chaenix, how can any thing be wrested concerning famine, or dearth of victual••? Therefore I take a Chaenix here, for any pittance for a day, and penny for any price of a pittance. So the reason of the interpretation which I gave shall be evident.

Now it is wonderfull to see, how the event favoureth the in∣terpretation, * 1.54 while Severus and Alexander ruled, being the most renowned riders of the black horse. Concerning Severus, those things which thou mayest read here and there in Aurelius, I will gather together into one summe, keeping the Authours words; and the same I shall do for La••pridius concerning Alexander. There was no man, saith Aurelius, more renowned in the com∣mon wealth then Severus, a maker of most just lawes. One that would at no hand pardon offences, he advanced every valiant man with rewards. He suffered honours in his dominion to be sold to none▪ He suffered not the least robbery to go unpunished, punishing his own me•• chiefly oft for it, which by the fault of the Captaines, or of his li••ftenants, he could scarce upon good proofe understand to be done. Spartianus witnesseth with Aurelius, whil••st he calleth him both implacable to offences, and every where an enemy to theeves.

But these were of no account in respect of these things which Lampridius hath of Alexander the son of Mammea, in both which therefore the sum of the character of this seal seemeth to consist. He (saith he) ordained moderate and infinite laws, concerning the right of the people, and treasurie, neither did he make any consti∣tution without twenty lawyers. A most severe Judge against theeves, pronouncing them guilty of dayly wickednesses, con∣demning them sharply; and calling them the onely foes and ene∣mies to the common wealth, commanded them (he speaketh ex∣cept I be deceived of theevish judges) never to be seen in the ci∣ties, an•• if they should be seen, to be carried out by the r••lers of the provinces. Eucolpius (who was his most familiar friend) saith

he, reported of him, that if he had seen a theevish Judge at any time, he had his finger ready, that he might put out his eye. Sep∣tinnus addeth, who lively expressed his life, that Alexander was so * 1.55 enraged against those judges, that were famed to be theeves, though they were not condemned, that if by chance he should see them, by reason of the perturbation of his minde, he would vomit the choler of his stomake, his whole countenance being enflamed, that he could speake nothing: yea he gave forth an Edict by the cryer, that no man should come into the presence, who knew him∣selfe to be a theefe, least sometime being detected he should be put to death. He goeth forward, if any of the souldiers had turned out of the way into any mans possession; according to the quality of his place, he was either to be beaten with cudgells in his presence, orroddes, or to be condemned; or, if the dignity of the man should exceed all these, he was to suffer grievous contumelies; at which time of punishment he would say, wouldest thou, that that should be done in thy ground that thou doest to anothers? And he did often utter with a loud voice, that which he had heard of certain either Iews or Christians, and he remembred it; and command∣ed it to be spoken by a cryer when he punish••d any, That which thou wouldest not have done to thy selfe, doe not to another, which sentence he so much loved, that he commanded it to be engraven both in his Palace, and in publique buildings.

Behold Reader, the ryder of the black horse, royal••y holding up the golden ballance of Justice sent down from heaven, in the theater of the world, which was so remarkeable in a pagan Em∣perour, that it should be a wonder to no man, that the Spirit of God had respect thereto in this seal.

Otherwise concerning the prizing of wheate and barl••y.

This prizing of wheate and barley, &c. May also be understood of the famous provision of graine throughout these time. For it may seem that in those words there is this meaning also, so to pro∣vide for the plenty of corne, that victualls may be sold for an aequall price, and such a price, as every one may be a••le to pay. A Chaenix of wheate for a penny; that is, let the daily pittance of wheate be sold for the price, or wages, or revenew of a dayes labour: to wit that none should have need, to spend more a day in victuals then what is allowed him to be spent for a day. And that also, three

Chaenices of barley for a penny, may seeme to belong to the ••qualizing of the price, according to the quality of the wares: if such interpretation shall please any, the event here also answer∣eth precisely.

Spartianus of Severus. That little corne, saith he, which he found, he so husbanded, that he dying, left seven yeeres revenue of corne to the people of Rome: so that they should be able to spend daily. 75000. bushells. He, first gave to the people of Rome a largesse of oyl every day, yet he left thereof so much, that for the space of five yeers it should suffice not onely the use of the city, but even whole Italy, that wanted oil as if inde••d he would have fulfilled what here is added 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 In oyl also and wine be thou not unjust. The like hath Lampridius concerning A••exander: The provision of victualls, saith he, of the people of Rome h•• so helpt, that when Heli••gobalus had wasted the corne, he reduced it to the former course with his own mo∣ney. The oyl also, saith the same Author, that Severus had given to the people, and which Heliogabalus had dim••i hed, ••e wholly restored and also he added oil to the lights for the Baths.

Of the fourth Seal. * 1.56

The discloser of the fourth seal is the fourth Beast, in shape of * 1.57 an Eagle, standing at the North: whereby is shew••d, that the beginning of the seal is to be fetcht from an Emperour thence arising, that is, Maximinus the Thracean bred and brought up in the North. Iulius Capitolinus, Maximinus out of a towne of Thracia neighbouring upon the Barbariansbegotten of a Barbarian both father and mother.

The character of this seal is a meeting together of Sword, Famine, and Pestilence raging at one time, so as never at any other, whereupon it is said, that upon him that sitteth upon the horse is put the name of Death, that is in the nation of the Hebrewes, who use the abstracts for the concretes, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or * 1.58 Mortiferi bringer of death, because he brought so many deathes with him into the world. For with the same Hebrewes especially the prophets, to be called by the name, sometimes purporteth the same as to be, or to existe, but in a more excellent or speciall man∣er: as Esay 7▪ 14. and 9. 6. Jeremiah. 23. 6. and 20. 3. Z••••. 6. 12.

and 20.3. Za••. 6.12. & here in the Revelation chap 19.13. so that to have the name of Death, is no other thing in this place, then singularly and notoriously to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or Mortiferum the bringer of Death. To which purpose is that also, that Hell (as a surveyer of funeralls (accompanieth the same. * 1.59

Now let us look into the event. And surely never since the seals began, did these three joyntly and in so notable a manner rage. I will begin at slaughter, and I omit the things which this age suf∣fered from a ••orraine enemy, truely most grievous things; the * 1.60 Barbarians with rapines and murders wasting almost the whole Empyre, under the Emperours Gallus and Volusianus. But those things come not ••n to this reckoning; we look after intestine and Domestique. Ten therefore more or lesse Emperours and C••sars, * 1.61 which are counted lawfull, in the compa••••e of this seal, that is, the space of three and thirty yeeres or few more did the sword, not of their enemies, but their own Subjects take away. In the same space, under the Empyre of Gallienus alone, those thirty tyrants which Pollio mentioneth, or perhaps one or two lesse, rose up in divers parts of the Romane Empire: and almost all these slain ei∣ther by their own, or by another, or were put to death by the lawfull Emperours So that Orosius said not without cause of this plague that it was made famous not by the slaughter of the com∣mon * 1.62 people, but by the woundes and deathes of princes.

To conclude the Emperours themselves, and first Maximinus, and last of all Gallienus, how cruell were they? Maximinus, Iulius Capitolinus being witnesse, was so cruell, that some named him Cyclops, others Busicis, others Sciron, some Platar••. many Typhon or Gyges. The Senate so feared him, that they prayed in the Tem∣ples publikely and privately, even the women with their children, that he might never see the city of Rome. For they heard that some were cruci••ied, others enclosed in Beasts newly killed, o∣thers cast to wilde Beasts, others bruised with cudgells, and all these without regard of dignity. The same man goeth forward. He slew all that knew his discent, to hide the basenesse of his birth, yea and some of his friends, who for pity and affection had often given him many things; Neither was there a more cruell Beast upon the Earth. To conclude, saith he, without judgement without accusation, without an accuser, without defence he ••lew all (of the ••action of some great one, which had been

Consul,) took away the goods of all, and could not satisfie him∣selfe with the slaughter of above four thousand men.

Heare also what Trebellius Pollio in the book of thirty tyrants saith of Gallineus. Inge••us saith he, being slain, who was n••med Emperour of the Masian legions, he bitterly shewed his * 1.63 cruelty u••on all the Moesi••ns, aswell souldiers as citizens, neither did any of them wholly escape his cruelty: and was so sharpe and cruel, that he left most of the cities void of the male sexe. The same Author upon the life of Gallienus. The Seythians saith he, ••oing through Capad••cea, the souldiers thought againe of making a new Emperour: all whom Gallienus after his manner slew. Head••eth in the end: He was t••o ••oo cruell to the souldiers, for he slew 3000. or 4000. every day. Pellio also on the same life of Gallienus re••orteth a very memorable example of the Bizanti••e slaughter executed, partly by the souldiers, partly by Gallienus himselfe. That no evill should be wanting, saith he, in the times of Gallienus, the city of the Birantines renowned for Sea fights, and the place which barreth in the Euxine Sea, was so wholly * 1.64 destroyed by the souldiers of Ga••••ienus, that there was not a man left. For revenge of which destruction, Gallienus being againe received to Biza••tium, he slayeth all the souldiers unarmed, be∣ing compassed, round with the armour, breaking the covenant which he had made.

So much for slaughters. I come to Pestilence: which here ac∣cording to the Easterne custome is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Death. So the * 1.65 Chalde Paraprast for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pestilence liketh to pu•• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Death, and the Septuagi••ts for the most part translate it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 death and in the like notion it is wont to be called mortality by Eclesiasticall writers which now hath passed into many mother tongues. But concerning the pestilence, it is a thing so notorious and manifest, that i•• i•• not needfu••l to heap arguments to make good the truth of the pr••phecie I will dispatch it in a word. Zonaras ••s my Author, neither have others been si••ent, under the Emperours Gallus and Ʋolusianus, the pestilence arising from Ethiopia, went through all the provinces of Rome, and for fifteene yeers together incredibly * 1.66 wasted them. Neither did I ever read of a greater pla••ue, (saith an eminent man in our age) for that space of time or land.

There rem••ineth yet famine of those three calamities, which surely could not be wanting from this age, although ••one of the

ancients had brought it to light, any man may thence gather that * 1.67 almost all the Empire through these times was so polled and con∣sumed by the rapines and wastes of the Scythians, that no Nation, if credit be given to Zosi••us, of the Roman dominion remained free, almost all the townes deprived of wals: and being deprived of them, the greatest part were taken. How could it come to passe, but that the fields should be forsaken in such wastes, plow∣ing neglected, and whatsoever provision there was any where for food, spoiled?

And that in truth it came so to passe, is manifest by the Epistle of Dyonisius Alexandrinus who the•• lived, to his brethren; * 1.68 wherein he testifieth, that that fearefu•••• pestilence, which wee mentioned, succeeded the war & famine. After these things, saith he, that is, the persecution which was under Decius (for he mean∣eth that which went before the pestilence, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, both war and famine followed, which wee suffered to∣gether with the Heathen, and a little after. But when, saith hee, both we and they had had a little respite, that pestilence came up∣on us, a thing more terrible to them then any terror, and more la∣mentable then any calamitie; and to us an exercise and triall infe∣riour to none of the rest. Cyprian confirmeth it in his Apologie to Demetrianus. When saith he, thou sayest that very many com∣plaine that it is imputed to us, that wars arise oftner, that the pe∣stilence and famine do rage, and that it is such stormie and ra••nie weather, we ought not any longer to be silent, &c.

That which is further added in the text concerning the Beasts; if it be divers from the former, and do not rather signifie, that the Tyrants were the cause of these calamities, who like wilde beasts raged in these times in the Roman Empire: it will then point out that evill wherewith the Easterne and Southerne regions were usually p••stered in this case: namely that when the famine and the pestilence raged, the Beasts would grow strong against men, and slay them, as may be s••en, Levit. 26.22. Ezek. 14.15.21. But * 1.69 the changing of the construction doth more favour the former opinion: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, if thou render it atque id per Be∣stias terrae, and that by the Beasts of the earth.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 quartam partem terra the fourth part of the * 1.70 earth-over which it is said power was given to hell and to death to tyranize, except any conceive himself able to defend the vulgar

interpreter here, with whom 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is' * 1.71 a quaternion, or four parts of the earth) I expound it of the chief∣est, or by much the greatest part of the Romane Empire. For since the third part of the earth (as shall be said in the proper place) doth note out the largenesse of the Romane Empire, by consequence the fourth part of the earth is the same dominion of Rome, lesse by a fourth part: and so that three or four fold com∣pany of calamities went through three quarters of the Romane Empire, that is, almost the whole one fourth part thereof onely being free. And surely Or••sius seemeth to affirme, that the pe∣stilence extended not it selfe further, then (to use his words) the Edicts of Decius did run for the overthrow of the Churches. Of the rest I have nothing to say. And thus much of the 4^th Seale.

Of the fifth Seale

The two Seales that follow, have no help from the Beasts, as the former had, concerning the time of their beginning, and therefore none here any more to be seene that sit upon horses, whereeupon that signification given by the Beasts did depend. the space therefore of both, is there to begin, where the chance of the Seale going before left, which certainly may be very easie where the chances, as here, shall be such, that the determination of them cannot lie hid, in respect of remarkeable evidence.

Wherefore the fifth Seale shall begin from the Empire of Au∣relianus, in the yeere 268. at what time the fifteene yeers pe••ti∣lence is extinguished, which was the longest of all the calamities of the former Seale.

Now the most notable chance of the Roman estate under this Seale, and which went beyond all other events of that time, is that Persecution of the Christians begun by Dioclesian, continued by others, the most bitter by much of all which ever were. For∣mer ages saw nothing comparable to this. It was longer and more ••ruell (they are the words of Orosius) then almost any forepassed. For there was a continuall burning of Churches, proscribing of Innocents, slaughter of Mar••yrs, for ten yeeres space. Forthwith in the beginning of that ten yeeres, within thirtie dayes about 17000. men are reported to have been butchered, neither did the furie of the persecuters asswage in the progresse of time.

In Egypt alone, (how small a part of the Empire of Rome?) if * 1.72 credit be given to Doctor Ignatius Patriarch of Antioch, as Sca∣liger hath it, there were butchered 144000. men; and 700. ba∣nished, whence the Diocletian Aera took its name, among the Egyptians, and that to this day it should be called the Martyrs, Aera, what now doest thou judge was done in the other Pro∣vinces through the Romane Empire? All the world almost was stained with the Sacred blood of the Martyrs, saith Sulpitius Severus. The world was never more exhausted of blood by any wars, neither did the Church ever conquer with greater triumph (they are the words of the same Author) then when it could not be conquered with ten yeeres slaughter.

This slaughter is figured by the vision of the souls of those that were slaine for the word of God, and for the testimonie which * 1.73 they bare, lying under the Altar, that is, upon the ground, at the foot of the Altar, like Sacrifices newly ••laine. For Martyrdom is a certain kind of sacrifice, whence that of the Apo∣stle to Timothy, his Martyrdom being at hand, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand 2. Tim. 4.6. To the same purpose also is that of the same Apo∣stle to the Philippians 2. 17. If I be offered up upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, &c.

That further they are said to cry to God with alowde voice, requiring vengeance of their blood, it is a Periphrasis of extream cruelty and rype for judgement, as it were such as for the barba∣rousnes therof did sollicite the very patience of God to revenge. How long, say they, Lord, holy and true, doest thou not judge, and revenge our blood upon them which dwell upon the earth. * 1.74

In the mean while there are given to every one of them white robes, that is, they are chosen into the order of the blessed. The * 1.75 similitude being taken from the custom•• of the Jewes in appro∣ving & admitting priests; to wit, receiving those, whom for their genealogie and perfection of body, they had judged fit (being clothed with white robes) into the court of the Priests, and so chosing them into the order of priesthood. Majemonides in Mis∣chine lib. 8. tit. Biath Hammikdas••, cha. 6. §. 11. That which is cleerly expressed, cha. 7.13, 14, 15. whereof those that were clothed with white robes, it is said, That they are before the throne of God & worship him (to wit) as priests) day & night in the temple.

But to the cry of blood it is answered, that they should rest yet a little while, untill their fellow servants were fulfilled, and * 1.76 their brethren, which were to be slaine as they were; that is, that they should forbeare a little while, untill some of their brethren should be added to the number, who, after that Christianisme did now begin to reigne, were as they, likewise to be slaine, un∣der Licinius, Julianus, and the Arrians; and then at the sound∣ing of the trumpets, solemne revenge should be taken of the Em∣pire guiltie of so much blood.

Of the sixth Seale.

The sixth Seale beginneth where the fifth endeth; that is, from the yeere of Christ 311. wherein that terrible ten yeers persecu∣tion ceased.

Now the chance is an admirable shaking of the heaven and the earth; Whereby that wonderfull change and subversion of the State of Rome heathen, by Constantine the great and his Suc∣cessours, the Standard-bearers of the Lambe, is figured: whereby suppose all the heathen gods shaken out of their heaven, the Bishops and priests degraded, dejected, and deprived of their revenewes for ever; the Temple, Churches, and Shrines of de∣vils through the whole Romane Empire dashed, beaten downe, burned, and demolished. Furthermore the Emperous, Kings, and Princes, who thought to help their gods so greatly in danger, to denounce war against Christs Standerd-bearers, to fight with their forces, and being even conquered, to renew the battell with all their strength, were slaine with admirable slaughters, dis∣comfited and put to ••light: untill at last, the estate growing desperate, there was none could be found to succour any more the Romane religion, entring into ruine with so great a crash. So I conceive I have comprehended in a few words, whatsoever the holy Ghost would set ••ut by those lofty allegories pertaining to this seal. And this is the first fulfilling of the victory of Christ, the foundation whereof was laid in the first seal. For the noting of which, in what age of the Empire it should happen, the seales which hitherto have gone before doe serve, the differences of

time which in the meane space did run on being foreshewed. It remaineth now, that we apply to the severall parts of the pro∣pheticall * 1.77 allegorie, the interpretation already given, and shew the reason thereof: which we will doe, the whole context be∣ing first se ••efore our eyes; which is thu••.

12. And I beheld when he ha•• ope••eath sixt seal, and lo there was a great earthquake, and the S••n became as black as sackcloth of haire, and ••he [whole] Moone became like blood.

13. And the stars of heaven fell upon the earth, as a fig••ree ••asteth her unripe figgs, when it is shaken of a mighty wind••; and the heaven departed as a booke that is rolle: together. 14. And every mountain and Island were moved out of their places.

15. And the Kings of the earth and the great men and the tribunes, and the rich men and the mighty, and ••very bond ••an and every freeman hide themselves in dens and the rocks of the moun••ains.

16. And said to the mountains and rock••; fall on us and hi••e us from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne, a••d from the wrath of the Lamb.

17. Bec••use the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?

These representations of terrible slaughters, and as I may say, turning things upside down are o••dinary, used by the prophets * 1.78 after the custom of the East; as our poets also have their figures, their ornaments. So Ieremy chap. 4. 24. he des••ribeth the destruction of Iudea, as if all things were to be re••uced to t••e ancient Chaos. I beheld the earth, saith he, and behold 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 it was without forme and void; and the heavens, and there was no light in them. I saw the mountaines and lo they were moved, and all the hils and they were disordered. See the rest likewise Ioel chap. 2. 10. of the horrible destruction thereof by the army of the Northerne Locusts. The earth trem∣bled saith he, before him, the heavens were moved, ••he sun and moone were darkned, and the stars withdrew their br••ghtnesse. But let us handle every one of them more distinctly.

Behold, saith he, there was a great earthquake in the Greeke * 1.79 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, a shaking of heaven and earth, as in the words fol∣lowing is manifest, For the latine word terrae motus, not doth fully expresse the Greek. For such a•• earthquake witnesse the Apostle H••brewes 12. 26. upon the place of Haggai, yet once more and * 1.80

I will shake the heaven and the earth sheweth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, * 1.81 the change of those things that are shaken. which may be confirmed out of the same Haggaus Vers 21 22. of the same chapt••r, where he i••terpreteth this parable of the change and al∣allteration of the kingdomes of the world by way of further expli∣cation. I will shake the heaven and the earth, and will ouerthrow * 1.82 the throne of kingdomes, and will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen &c. we therefore as els wher in the Ap∣ocalyps, so here also, will understand by the shaking of the earth and heaven, the ruine of things; and as it were the turning of things vpside downe.

And now the object of this change, as of the former chaunces also under the Seales, is the Romane Empyre; but not the Poli∣tique gouernment by the Cesars for this forme is not yet to be dis∣solved) but as it is subiect in a religious respect to Satan as Prince, and to his angells the divells. This ••ivellish government of the Roman Empyre, the storme of which resteth vpon this Seale shallbe overthrowne and broken in peeces with a great noise.

And the Same becam•• black as sackcloth of haire and the Moone became as blood, that is, through defect, of ••he adjective be∣came * 1.83 as redd as blood: now it is a circumlocution, of the eclipse of the ligths, where in the Sunne is wont to appeare black, but the * 1.84 Moone reddish. To which that of Esay. chap. 13. 10. concerning the punishment of Babilon is altogether like. The same shallbe dar∣kened * 1.85 in his rising, and the Moone shall not give foorth her light Septuagiat. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 as Mattheu. 24. 29. neither is there any other sense to be made in the opinion of Aben Ezra of that in the same Esay. c••ap. 24. concerning the dstru∣ction, wherewith the Lord being about to raigne in Ierusalem (all on as in this Seale) would pu••nish the hoaste of heaven an high, a••d the Kings of the earth vpon the earth The moone, saieth he, shalbe confounded, and the sunn shalbe ashamed (that is both * 1.86 of them as if they hid their faces for shame, shallbe covered with da••kenes) when the Lord of hoasts shall ra••gne i•• mount Sion and in Ierusalem and in the sight of his auncients gloriously. But what doe these thinges thou wilt say belonge to the Romane Demonar∣chie? hearken and I will tell thee In the prophets (as thou shalt heare anon in the following visions) every kingdom and bodie of go••ernment resembleth the world: as the partes also, the heaven,

the earth, the stars serve for that repre••entation, * 1.87 for proofe where∣of (to omitt others) that on place of Esay suffizeth chap. 51. 15. I am the Lord thy God, who divided the Sea (it is the Red sea) and the waves thereof roared, the Lords of ••oasts is his name. 16. And I putt my words in thy mouth (that is I give thee my law) and covered thee with the shadow of mine hand; that I may plante the heaven•• and lay the foundation of the earth (that is, make thee a kingdome or politique world,) and say u••to Sion, thou art my people. The speech is of the deliverance, wherewith God delivered the people of Isra••l out of Egypt, that of them he m••ght found a kingdom or common wealth for himself in the land of promise. O••t of which also it will not be harde to gather, what that new heaven and new earth may be in the same pro∣phet: (chap. 65. 17 and 66.22.) ••o wit, a new world of the ••ame forme, According to this representation therefore, heaven in the * 1.88 propheticall notion shall expresse whatsoever is lofty in the state of any kingdome or common wealth, contrariwise the Earth, that which is in••eriour: and he st••r••, those who obtaine and beare r••place in that height, by which reason the S••nne and the Moone the principall light, of heaven: the Sunne will point out the first * 1.89 and chiefest Majesty and dignity of a k••ngdome, the Moone the next to the first which c••rteinly it is so true, that the Chalde paraphrast in the prophets often times for the Sunne and Moone doth put Kingdome, and glory, as Esay 90, 20, I••r, 15. 9.

L••t therefore the Sunne in the Romane kingdome of idolls, by right of principality be ••he D••agon him selfe, or Satan; especi∣ally since the holy Ghost from him hath named the whol Romane Empyre in this state ••hat is here han••led chap. 12. the Red seven * 1.90 headed Dargon, as there we shal••see. The Moone, the second light of this heaven, thou may••st call the high Prist••ood now from the very beginning anuexed to the Emperiall majesty and as it were a part of him: or rather the Emperor being the high Pri••st of Sathan, with the whole colledge of high Priests, who made on body with the Emperor their head, and the same were chiefe both in the Religious services of the Gods, and the whole * 1.91 common wealth, not bound to give any account to any power of Senate, or any aboue themselves, and therefore not without cause to have the second place in this kingdome to the Dragon himself. I confesse, it is not allwayes needfull, that in such allegories so exact an account of every thing should be requi••ed

but when it may be donne, le••t us apply every severall pe••••icle. The Sunne therefore, which we have shewed, was then made black, and suffered the eclipse and darkning of hi•• d••refull majesty when the Romane Emperors renouncing by ••ap••i••me him, with * 1.92 all his Angells, pompes, and wor••hip, gave them selves over to Christ the ••••••n of righteousnes. The Sunn•• being thus darkned and deprived of its light, how shall the Moo•••• which ••orrowet•• all her light from the sunne be safe; And surely Constantinus, Constantius, Valentianus, Valeus, straight way as it was meete, did renounce the thing it self, or the office of the high pr••••••hood, denying thenceforth to serve the divell: yet the name, which you would wonder at, they did no•• presently reject, but retayned it a litle while added ••o the rest of their titles. Gratianus first (a wor∣thy work.) refused the title as also the po••••ificial robe offered him by the Pre••stes after the cust••me, as unworthy a Christian man▪ which chang surely was of such consequence that the Holy Ghost thenceforth will account ••he Romane Caesar, so deprived of his Preisthood for a new as it were head and King of the Romane Beaste, as in chap. 17. we shall ••eare. But it that Moon shonne with some light though dimme and weake; untill Th••••do••••us the first that Malle of hetheni••me, tooke away ••ve•• the very col••edge of the po••••ists with all the other r••bble of Preest••s: by on ••dict Empl••ying all their reven••w for his exchequor. Now therefore it was tyme for Sathan to seeke out for him selfe another high preiste. But I go unto the rest.

And the ••••a••rs of heaven fell ••••to the earth as a fig-tree casteth her greene fi••gs, when it is sh••ken of a mighty made: and the * 1.93 heaven depart•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a booke that is ••owl•• tog••ther.

O•• the heaven vanished, &c. That is, the stars of heaven ap¦peared * 1.94 not, even as letters va••ish, in a booke rowled up together aft••r the manner of the auncie••ts. For there is an ••llipsis of the former substantive on both sides, familiar in the Hebrew, as Deut. ••0.19. 2 kinges. 28. 31. and elswhere often. So that this of the * 1.95 disapearing of the heaven, and the other of the fa••l of the starrs, do mutually explayne themselves; neither are they to be seperated from on another, as it is amisse distinguished, but they ought to have binne included within the same point. But the whole pla••e is taken out of E••ay. chap. 34. V. 4. where plainly in the selfe ••ame representation, but inverting the order, the holy Gho••••••

doth paint out the destructio•• ••ond ruine of the Kingdom of E∣dom, as heare the kingdom of Idolls. The heavens, saieth he, shalbe rowled together as a booke, and all the hoasts of them, (that is the starrs) shall fa••l downe as the leafe from the vine tree, and as a fal••i••g greene figg from the figgtree. The meaning where∣of the spirit▪ ••n the Revelation would render somthing more cle••re by a double supply, of words; there with the additament of the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 departed, here of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, shaken of a mighty wind. Furthermore concerning the same ruine of Edom, with little milder circumstances then Esay, doe Obadia••, Ieremia 49 from the 7^th. Ʋerse. to the 22^th. Ezechi••ll 35 through the whole, and 25 12 handle it, which therefore I mention least any should conceaue the descripsion of Esay not to agree to that great day of universall iudgment. Now therefore to returne to the Re∣velation. The stars of the Roman heaven of idoll Gods were, both the Gods them selves, being cheiftaynes of this kingdom under Satan their Prince, and also the Preests being peeres though of an inferiour ranke: for starrs with starrs doe differ in degree and in height. These therefore are they who in this wonderfull com∣motion of the Roman state being shaken from their seates, fell to the earth, as a figgtree casteth her greene figgs when it is shaken of a greate wind.

Neyther will any so much wonder at this interpretation of the * 1.96 star••s to be meant of the Gods, and Preistes of the Gods, who shall remember, both the Gods of the gentiles every where in the holy scripture to be named the hoast of heaven, and also in Daniell the Preests and Elders of the pleasant Land or people of Israel, whom * 1.97 Anti••chus Epiphanes cast downe to the ground, to be called by that name. It waxed greate, sayth he, against the hoaste of heaven, and it cast downe upon the ground of the hoaste and of the starrs, and trod upon them. which he did wickedly against the people of the true God, the very same did the Christian Emperors religi∣ously against the people of the Dragon; yet with this differance, that there was onely one Prince of the hoste of heaven, the Lord I••hovah, who made heaven and earth. Against whom, though Autioc••us might exalt him selfe, yet he could not throw him downe from heaven, but heere in the Romane heaven there were many Princes or Divells, ••ll which wholy the Emperors the s••an∣derd bearers of Christ threw downe. Add here unto that this

exposition may be confirmed by the Synchronisme of the dragon throw down from heaven with his guard chap. 127. The dragon fought and his Angels, eight, but they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven, nine, For the great d••agon was cast downe, which is called the devill and Satan, and his Angels (that is to say, devils worshipped by the names of gods) with him, &c.

It followeth, And all hills and Islands were removed out of their places. Perhaps mountaines and Islands may be taken for * 1.98 men of loftier and meaner condition, which are presently in the next verse reckoned up, but that the name of an Island agreed not to this interpretation. It seemeth therefore more probable, if it go thus, that both do signifie men of a lofty estate, because that * 1.99 both are eminent; the hills upon the earth, the Islands in the Sea. But what if we understand here by Islands, not land raised up in the midst o•• waters, but Churches, as they were called, which being environed with a publike or private enclosure, were se∣parated from the buildings neer adjoyning? So then may we not take both, as well the mountains as the Islands to be meant of the Temple, and shrines of idoks to be throwen downe, in this tempest through the Romane Empire? There is none but seeth how fitly the not on of mountaines agreeth with such an inter∣pretation as this; who is not ignorant, that it is the custome of idolaters to build their Altars and shrines for their gods in such high places, whereupon every where in the old testament the name of high places is frequent; yea Ieremy. 3. 23. of the moun∣taines and hills themselves to be understood of the chappells of idolles. Truely, saith be, the hills were liers and the multi∣tude of mountaines, &c. Neither now doe Islands taken for Temples refuse such interpretation; since it is a chiefe property in Temples, that they be like Islands; that they be pro∣phaned neither by communion, or else by joyning to the walls of other houses. But if that happily please not, that one and the same thing be represented by two names, if thou wilt and pleasest take mountaines for chapp••ls in the country and fields; and Islands for Temples of idolls in cities. But in such things as these, such small matters seeme not needfull to be curiously sought out; as neither happily in generall is every small moment of propheticall allegories so carefully to be examined by

the event. It is enough if the summe of the matter every where agree.

Now this demolishing of shrrines and Temples came to passe, by the same Author the most godly standard bearer of * 1.100 Christ Theodosius: For Constantin: the great onely shut up the Temples of the gods, he did not abolish them, Except at Cons••antinoble, and neighbouring places. Iulianus opened them again. This man at length commanded them to be utterly de∣faced. Th•• history is obvious to any, neither is it needfull that I here rehearse, what is recorded of that matte•• in Ecclesiasti∣call writers. Yet happily ••t will not be unpleasing to heare Zo∣simus a pagan historian complaining or chaffing, at this so cruell destiny of his gods. The holy places, faith he, of the gods, they ••attered downe throughout all cities and countries; and so much they were all endangered who thought them to be gods or at all looked up to heaven, and did a dore those things which are beheld therein. Surely, after what manner the Lord, when he was about to leade old Israel out of the Aegyytian bond∣age, is said to have executed judgement upon the gods of the Aegyptians; (Exodus 12. 12. Num. 33. 4.) after the same manner here, being about to deliver his Christ an people from the R••mane tyrannie, he executed judgement upon the gods of the Romanes.

But thou wilt say, had the gods no Atlantes when there was such trouble and the heaven mingled with the earth, who might underpropp their falling heaven with their souldiers, and en∣c••unter the standard-bearers of Christ, so throwing all downe? Yes truely they had; but they ranne the same fortune with their devills. For the Kings of the earth faith he, and the great men * 1.101 and the Tribunes and the rich men and the mighty men and every bondman and freeman, that is, Maximianus, Gallerius, Max••n∣tius, Maximinus, with Martinianus Cesar, Licinius, ••ulianus, Em∣perors * 1.102 (adde also if ••hou wilt Eugenius and ••rbogastes tyrants) with all the companions of their infidelity, of what order and de∣gree soever, who with might and maine endeavoured to defend their ancient Religion, and to help the state of their gods now go∣ing to destruction, and to restore it now fallen and l••st at last were brought to such streights, that they hide themselves in the * 1.103 dens and Rockes of the mountaines. And said to the mountaines

and to the rockes, fall upon us and hide us from the ••ace of him that fitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lambe. For * 1.104 the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand. It is a shamefull representation as well of them that flye and hide themselves, as also of those that are weary of their lives through despaire of their estates. The like unto which thou hast concern∣ing the destruction of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Luke 23.30. Likewise Hos••a 10. 8. of the destruction of Samaria and of the ••doll•• thereof; but the whole, Esay 2. 18.

But here the Reader may observe this first, that in these words is contained the key for the opening of this whole vision; to wit that here is handled some glorious victory of the Lambe, whereby he subdueth and overth••oweth his enemies with a dead∣ly destruction. Furthermore since these whose destruction is des∣cribed, flye from their enemie the Lambe, and are willing to bee hidden from his wrath; thence it may appeare, though it bee di∣rected by no Synchronisme, that that destruction is not to bee ap∣plyed in no hand to Christian Kings, but strangers from Christ; and thereupon ought not to bee interpreted of the slaughters brought upon the then newly Christian Empire by the Goths and other barbarous Nations.

That which lastly the Kings, Princes, Tribunes, and the other Gentiles which were in the same condition with them, doe adde, * 1.105 That the great day of the wrath of the Lambe was come, and that * 1.106 none could be able to stand: They are the words of men acknow∣ledging the power of Christ, whom untill this time they had con∣temned in respect of their Gods, and indeed perceaving all further endeavour of resisting Christians would become lost labour. And truely upon the matter all did conceave so, but Galerius, Maximi∣nus, Licinius even with open confession though against their will•• gave glory to God.

For Eusebius with others is our Author, that Galerius (〈◊〉〈◊〉 whom CHRIST began in this judgement) being taken with a filthy and horrible disease, whereby his body putrified Wormes crawling therein with an intolerable stinke; at length being conscious of his wickednesses which hee had committed against the Church, was smitten, confessed his fault to God, and left of his persecution against the Christians, and by Lawes and Emperiall edicts hastened the building up of their Churches, and

commanded to offer accustomed prayers for him; and a little while after yeelded his soule being guilty of as great crueltie as ever any against Christians. Eus••bius de vita Constantini, lib. 1. cap. 50.

Maximinus a most cruell enemy of Christians, r••lying up∣on witchcraft, div••••ations of Idolls, and Oracles of Devills, for all things whatsoever hee went about, neverthelesse being once or twise overcome by Licinius yet defending the Christian f••ith with Constantine his colleague, throwing from him the ensignes of his Empire fled, lay hidden in the Fields, and little villages a certaine space, in the habit of a servant; and at length being shut up in Tarsus of Cilicia and kindled with rage, slew many Priests and Prophets, of the Gods, by whose Oracles being perswad∣ed he had undertaken the Warre, as coseners, false deceavers, and to conclude as betrayers of his safetie; afterward giving glory to the God of the Christians, set forth a decree for their liberty: but being suddainely smitten by God exacting punishment of so many wickednesses against Christians, with a lamentable and mortall griefe, and his flesh by little and little eaten out and wasted, and at length his eyes starting out for hea••e, wherewith hee burned all over (a just talio of punishment, which hee had devised for Christians) hee ended his life, confessing himsel••e to God, and acknowledging that hee worthily suffered those things for his madnesse, and rashnesse against Christ. See the same in Histor. Eccles. lib. 9. cap. 8. & 10. & lib. 8. cap. 27. Also de vita Con∣stantins lib. 1. cap. 51. 52.

To conclude Licinius a forsaker of the Christians, to whose part he had betaken himselfe a little while with Constantine, and greatly boasting to his Souldiers of the multitude of his Gods a∣gainst that one, and that new and strange God of Constantin••, (for so he termed him:) being overcome in two great battailes (in one whereof out of an Army consisting of 130000. scars•• 30000. escaped) at length when as yet hee would not rest, being together with his confederates condemned by Consta••tine accor∣ding to the Law of Armes, was deservedly punished. But when these men who had bin Authors of taking up Armes against God, were brought (together with the Tyrant) to the place of exe∣cution, as before, they had carried themselves insolently, having placed their confidence in vaine Gods; so now they confessed

that they understood in very deed what and how wonderfull Con∣stantines God was, and that they did acknowledge him to be the true and onely God. De vita Constan. lib. 2. cap. 4.5, 18.

A•• appendix.

Out of the ancient monuments of the Aegyptians, Persians, and Indians (the Authors whereof were Tarphan, the interpreter of Phar••oh, Baramus, the interpreter of Saganissa the King of the Persians, (who was of one time with Dio••letian) and Sy••bacha∣mus the interpreter of the King of the In••ians) Aposamar, or, according to others, Achmetes, the son of Seirim the Arabian gathered together 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. or interpretations of Dreames: * 1.107 as that Nation was, both most studious of such and the like arts, now from furthest antiquitie: and also while their Empire lasted desirous to translate the writings of all Nations wheresoever into the Arabian tongue. This little booke long since in the Greeke tongue, the Author being unknown Iohannes Leunclavius brought to light, being by him turned into Latine in the former age out of the Liberarie of I••: Sambucus, the same Greek Copie afterwards, in the yeare 1603. N••colaus Rigal••ius in his Onirocriticis did set forth out of the Liberary of the most Christian King, supplying what was wanting in Sambuchus his Copie. In this booke is to bee seene that very many of those propheticall representations, which so much pull our men, were familiar to the Easterne Nati∣ons, at least not unusuall their di••mations. But Tarphan the Ae∣gyptian seemeth to bee the most ancient of all the Authors, from whom the collection is made; as who not onely calleth himselfe Pharaohs interpreter, but every where in his interpretations, useth the name of Pharaoh for King; that it may seeme hee lived then, when yet Aegypt had its Kings, and them called Pharaohs. The Per••••a•• with his King Saganissa, was of the same age with Di••∣clesia•• as I have said. The Indian is of a latter age, as who shew∣eth himselfe a Christian every where but the consent of them both with the Aegyptian is wonderfull.

When therefore wee willingly learne the use of words, and phrases in holy writ, from these Nations in time past bordering up∣on

the Hebrewes, and more acquainted with their manners and * 1.108 use of speech; why should we disdaine the same here in the sig∣nifications of propheticall figures and representations? (since ac∣cording to the Masters of the Hebrews deciduum prophetiae sit som∣nium,) Let no man therefore blame me if I take out of this Au∣thour, * 1.109 those things which seeme to make for the understanding of the Figures of the Seales now expounded: the same I shall doe afterwards with the good leave of the Reader (as occasion shall suffer) in the Trumpets and the rest of the visions.

These therefore give light to the first Seale, and partly to those following also.

Chapter 233. By the opinion of the Indians, Persians, and E∣gyptians a couragious horse called Pharas (in Hebrew 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Arabique 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a horse) hath reference in interpretations of dreames, to eminencie and digniti••. Hackney horses are taken for a certaine inferiour nobility and glory.

If any in his dreames shall seeme to be mounted upon a nimble and stirring horse, he shall finde before the people renowne and ample estimation, and eminencie and worship.

Also if any one armed shall seem to be mounted upon a couragious horse, he shall attaine to authoritie, with good renowne according to his armes.

Chapter 249. According to the interpretations of the Per∣sians and Egyptians. If any shall seeme to have held arrowes with bowes, he shall with ioy insult over his enemies.

He hath more pertaining to the same purpose, as Chap. 152. out of the learning of the Indians concerning the great and long tayle of a horse signifying the company and traine of authoritie; concerning a curtall, signifying the losse as well of liberty as of principalitie; to wit, if he were a Prince that shall dreame that he is mounted upon such a horse. Likewise Chap. ••33. Lighting from horsebacke, if it be voluntarie, of voluntary diminution of government; but if unwillingly, it is expounded of surrogating a successor into the dignitie.

These things will give light to the third Seale. * 1.110

Chap. 15. Out of the learning of the Indians. If any shall see in his dreame a ballance or a bell as they call it (it is a kinde of bal∣lance) * 1.111 to be hanged in any place; let him understand it of the person of a Judge. And if he have a suite in law, and in weighing he shall see them to be equall one to another; he shall obtaine his right.

If he seeme to see the ballance equall and cleane, let him know the Iudge of the place to be iust: but if he shall see the scales naught and broken, let him thinke the Iudge of the place wherein he had his dreame uniust.

Likewise Bushels also with measures have the same interpre∣tation in proportion, but they are applied to the persons of inferiour Iudges.

These things to the sixt Seale.

Chap. 167. Out of the Monuments of the Indians, Persians and Egyptians. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath reference in interpretation to the person of a King, and the Moo••e to the person of a Prince next to the King. Venus to the person of the Empresse or Queene, likewise other great Starres to honourable personages belonging to the King.

Whilest I reade these things, I am not farre from conceiving that glorious ti••le of Sapor the King of Persia, in his Letters sent to Constantius the Emperour [Sapor King of Kings, partaker of the Starres, brother of the Sunne and Moone, to Constantius Caesar my brother greeting] which Ammianus Marcellinus imputeth to the Persian pride, to be none other then a style peculiar to the Nation arising from such representations, which ought to seeme the lesse strange to any, when we see even our Heralds in blazon∣ing the armes of Emperours and Kings, to use the name of the Sunne, Moone and other Plannets. Hither also is to be referred that interpretation of Iacob of his sonne Iosephs dreame, of the Sunne, Moone and eleven starres worshipping him, which he im∣mediately as not ignorant of the parables of the East, applyeth to his Family; interpreting the Sunne and the Moone to be under∣stood

of himselfe and his wife, as King and Queene, the Starres, * 1.112 of his sonnes, as it were Princes of the Family, Genes. 37. 10. But let us returne to our Achmetes and he goeth on in the same Chapter.

If any shall seeme to see the Sunne in the Heaven wanting light and rayes, the calamitie and dishonour belongeth to the person of the King.

If the Sonne shall seeme to any to be eclipsed, that portendeth affliction and warre to the King.

If any shall seeme to see the Sunne covered with a cloud, the King shall fall into affliction and diseases, according to the manner of the overclouding.

If any shall seeme to see the Sunne, the Moone and Starres ga∣thered together without light; If he be of the number of the Peers, by reason of that obscuritie he shall fall into utter destruction; If he be the King, environed on all sides he shall be assaulted, and shall fall into great affliction.

Chap. 168. Out of the observation of the Persians and E∣gyptians. If any shall seeme to see the Starres cast but a very small light, disparkled and scattered and full of obscuritie: this reflect∣eth upon the calamity of the Nobles and wealthy and the Kings Presidents.

THis sixt Seale being finished, we should immediately in order proceed to the se∣venth bringing forth a seven fold plague; as which is joyned immediately with the sixt. But the holy Ghost of set purpose hath thought meet to make a little stand: untill he should set forth the state of a certain com∣pany of the same time with it, as well to be safe, as to overcome, under the plagues thereof. We will therefore first give what light of interpretation we can to that Vision. And then we will continue the order of the S••ales begun.

* 1.113 THE VISION OF THE COMPANY OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD, Or of the Elect and faithfull Church to be preferred amidst the ruines of the seventh Seale or the Trumpets, exhibited in a Type

Of an hundred forty and foure thousand sealed out of all the Tribes of Israel at the entrance of the seventh Seale.

THE Vision of the sealed is twise placed, first * 1.114 here at the entrance of the Trumpets, in the first Prophesie; againe as it were an oppo∣site of the reigning Beast, in the second Pro∣phesie, Chap. 14. and that in a double re∣spect. Here for their preservation amidst the destruction of the Trumpets; there for their praise for keeping their alleageance to God and the Lambe, when as other the inhabitants of the world as revolters and Apostates had received the marke of the Beast.

Out of which it plainly appeareth, that the Prophesie of the Beast * 1.115 contemporizeth with the matters of the Trumpets: but how far, is to be determined else where; to wit, not farther then the going out of the sixt Trumpet, wherein the moneths of the Beast are ended with the dayes of the mourning Witnesses, Chap. 11. 14. For the present our purpose is to cast the light of our interpreta∣tion to the former vision of the sealed, wherein their preservation is handled: of their praise afterward, when we come to that.

Afterwards, saith he (that is the Vision of the sixt Seale be∣ing * 1.116 past, and the seventh which is of the Trumpets even now beginning) I saw foure Angels standing upon the foure corners of the earth holding the foure windes of the earth, that the winde should not blow upon the earth, nor upon the Sea, nor upon any tree.

The meaning is, he saw Angels which had power to restraine the Windes, that is, the tempests of warres and calamities, out of what quarter of the world soever they should proceed, untill it pleased God; but at his becke, if he should at any time give the signe, to give them libertie through the world: not the same An∣gels with those of the Trumpets, but which yet at their sounding should set at libertie those windes, one while out of this, another while out of that part of the world, for the wasting and over∣throw of the Romane estate. For the parable of Windes with the Prophets doth expresse warlike motions and hostile invasions and violent assaults: As Ierem. 49.36. I will bring upon Elam the foure windes from the foure quarters of Heaven; and will scatter them towards all those windes; and there shall be no Nation, whither the outcasts of Elam shall not c••me. See the rest. Also, Chap. 51.1. Behold, I saith the Lord, will raise up against Babylon, &c. a de∣stroying winde. 2. And I will send into Babylon fanners, and they shall fanne her, and shall empty her land. Adde also, Chap. 18. 17. As an East winde I will scatter them (that is the Iewes) before the enemie; that is, the King of Babylon. Hither also that of Da∣niel seemeth to be referred, Chap. 7.2, 3. Behold, the foure windes of the heaven strove upon the great sea; and foure great Beasts came up from the Sea: that is, out of the conflict of the Nations every where fighting together and striving for the dominion and Em∣pire, there arose foure great Kingdomes.

I saw, saith he, another Angel afcending from the Sunne rising, * 1.117 having the Seale of the living God: (happily therefore it is * 1.118 the Lord Christ) and he cryed alowd to the foure Angels, to whom it was given (to wit, by setting the windes at li∣bertie, which they had restrained) to hurt the Earth and the Sea. 3. Saying, hurt not the Earth neither the Sea, nor the trees, untill we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

That is, loose not the Windes no•• suffer them to have power of going and raging upon the world. For he nameth the Earth, the Sea, and Trees, answerably to the representation of Windes; as to which the Windes are wont to bring dammage; to the Earth, by the ruine of houses; to the the Sea, by shipwrack; to the Trees, by a manifold overthrow and rending. Forbeare saith he, untill we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. That is, by imprinting some marke upon them, we have distin∣guished as it were the elect company of God, over whom these destroying Windes (which shall destroy the other company of men) have no power: but over whom, taking regard to their Seale, the Divine providence would continually watch, least in this ruine of the Romane state, which the Trumpets should bring, their sacred Progenie should be extinguished. For so pro∣vision would be made, that neither they who did hurt them could be free from punishment, as having transgressed the bounds of that power which God had given them; and moreover the dam∣mage, if any were done at length should be repaired by God. It hath allusion p••rhaps to the place of Ezech. Chap. 9. Where those that sigh, and cry out for the abominations of Ierusalem, are marked by the Angel, to this end, lest they sustaine like destructi∣on with the wicked and reprobate by the smiters.

And surely as touching the event, if any shall weigh the state of the times here handled; it will seeme almost miraculous how it could come to passe, that the Romane Empire being scattered and destroyed with so great a destruction of the Cities and Inha∣bitants; so that the ancient Inhabitants being well neere extin∣guished, it was inhabited by barbarous nations and strangers from Christ: Yet the Church there should continue in the middest of these evils, and the world as it were conspiring her ruine; Yea

also (as we shall heare in the proper place) the Beast at the same * 1.119 time polluting whole Christendome with Idolatrous worship, should neverthelesse cherish in her bosome a company (as this is) uncorrupted, and for that cause tenderly regarded by God. Of such consequence was it to be fenced with Gods Seale.

And I heard, saith he, the number of the sealed; there were * 1.120 sealed an hundred forty foure thousand of all the Tribes of the children of Israel, that is, twelve times twelve thousand, out of every Tribe twelve thousand.

For even as in the beginning, we have seene the Theatre of Visions or the Apocaliptique session described, after the represen∣tation and state of the old Synagogue; and a great part of the Types of this Booke hath relation to it; so that even the coun∣terfeit Christians in the Epistles to the Churches for that cause beare the name of counterfeit Iewes: so here also the Catho∣lique Church of the Gentiles, to be ••enced with the Seale of God, is figured by the Type of Israel; the twelve Apostles of that, aptly answering to so many Patriarchs of this. And it is so done not without good cause, as well for other causes, as speci∣ally because the Church, even from the first rejection of the Iewes, hitherto, is gathered out of the Gentiles, succeeded in the room of Israel, and is, as I may so call it, surrogated Israel; and in that place for a little while estemed by God, untill, his old people againe obtaining mercy, the fulnesse of the Gentiles shall * 1.121 come in; that is, that innumerable multitude out of all Nations, Tribes, People and Tongues, which the sealing of this Israel at length being finished, Iohn testifieth he saw singing prayses to God and to the Lambe. For this indeed is that (I speak of the sur∣rogation) that the Apostle Paul would teach, Romans Chap. 11. whilest he urgeth vers. 11. the fall of the Iewes to have brought salvation to the Gentiles, and vers. 15. their casting away to have beene the reconciling of the world. Not that otherwise the Gentiles in their time should not have beene called, (sithence the whole Quire of Prophets proclaime that the Gentiles should be gather∣ed to the glory of Israel, and turned to the Lord, which neither the Iewes of old nor at this day doubt of) but that not by this cal∣ling which was by anticipation, substitution, and for provocation to jealousie, except the Iewes had first renounced Christ. The

discreet Reader may know what I meane. It was necessary, saith * 1.122 the Apostle, Acts 13. 46. that the word of God should first have been opened to you: but after you reiect it, and iudge your selves un∣worthy of everlasting life; loe, we turne to the Gentiles. But con∣cerning the preventive conversion of the Gentiles (that is, which should goe before the restoring of the Iews (that I may remem∣ber that also) that testimony of Amos seemeth to be taken, cited by Iames in the Councell of the Apostles, Acts 15. and for that purpose perhaps, then chosen before other Prophesies, which o∣therwhere might have been had concerning the choosing of the Gentiles to be the people of God. For he meaneth, that not only the name of the Lord should be called upon by the Gentiles (that is, that * 1.123 the Gentiles should become his people) but also that that in part should then happen, whilest yet the tabernacle of David should lye * 1.124 fallen down, that is, the kingdom of Israel should not yet be resto∣red by Christ: After those things, saith he, I will returne and build * 1.125 again the tabernacle of David fallen down: and I will build again the ruines thereof, and will set it up: vers. 17. that the residue of men might seeke after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my name 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is called, that is, that the rest of the men, together with those Gentiles upon whom heretofore my name was called, then at length should seeke after, and worship me the true God. For for that w^ch is now had in the Hebrew Text: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that they may possesse the r••nant of Edom. The anci∣ent Copy seemeth to be read, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that the remnant of men may seeke the Lord. Yet not withstanding out of the Hebrew reading which is now us••d, the same seemeth may be gathered concerning the preventive choi••e of the Gentiles to be the people of God; to wit, in this sense: the restored Iews, then when the Tabe••acle of David that is fallen down shall be raised up, shall inherit the remnant of Edom, as also the Gentiles upon whom the name of the Lord heretofore had been called. Therefore some of the Gentiles shall become the people of God before the raising up of the Tabe••acle of David. But enough of these things.

As concerning the number of the sealed, the number of twelve is an ensigne of the Apostolique race, which by multiply∣ing

the thousands as well of each tribe in particular, as of all in ge∣nerall * 1.126 doth expresse the Apostolique progenie, a progenie indeed, though encreased into more thousands, yet no whit degenerate, but expressing their parents faith and holinesse. For even as to have the number of the Beast (as we shall after heare) doth de∣sign the race of the Beast or which follow the Beast: so also to beare the number of the Apostles, the legitimate off-spring of the Apostles. That this is the most true meaning of that multiplica∣tion by twelve, the Analogie of new Ierusalem she weth; in the frame whereof, and the dimension of the Gates, Foundati∣ons, Court, compasse of the walles, longitude, latitude, al∣titude, the same number of twelve or multiplication by twelve is used. And that we should no further doubt to what end that number of twelve tended: lo, concerning the twelve foundati∣ons of the wall it is expressely said, that the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lambe were written in them, Chap. 21.14.

Of the tribe of Iuda, of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, Aser, Neph∣thali, Manasses, Simeon, Levi, Isacher, Zabulon, Ioseph, * 1.127 Beniamin, of every of them, are sealed twelve thou∣sand.

No otherwhere in the whole Scripture, are the tribes reckoned up in this order, though otherwise they be diversly reckoned. For besides, that Dan at all appeareth not, nor the name of Eplorai•• is heard of; in the rest there is a departure from the rule of all rec∣konings, which are otherwhere found, neither is either the order of nativitie, or of birth-right, or of habitation kept; but the last mingled with those in the middle, and the younger sonnes of the hand maides are once or twice set before the elder borne of the wifes; so that it is not to be doubted, but that some speciall my∣stery of the type lyeth hid in an order so new and unaccustomed. This, we seeme to have found out in some measure, by Gods bles∣sing upon our undertakings, to wit thus.

First, from this type Dan is rejected, Ephr••i•• is not spoken of as being Ring-leaders and Captains of the Israelitish Aposta∣sie (Iudges Chap. 17. and 18.) and the same in the time of the kingdom, were the receivers of the publique idols at D•••• and Bethel: wherefore they were altogether unfit to represent the Professours of pure Religion.

But that notwithstanding the number of twelve may be fil∣led,

Levi is set for Dan, the name of Ioseph tacitly supplyeth * 1.128 Ephraims.

The number thus setled, the sonnes of the wives and the hand∣maides are intermingled without regard of birth-right, and the children of the handmaides, are adopted for children of their * 1.129 Dames. For in Christ there is neither bond nor free, but all are of * 1.130 one account.

Since therefore the sonnes of Lea, as well naturall, as adopted are twice so many as Rachels; to wit, of the first eight, of the o∣ther only foure: thereupon this order is observed in reckoning them up, that by a double account also foure of Lea her sonnes by course are set together with two of Rachels: but on both sides those tribes as the better are preferred before the rest, which some act of theirs memorable in sacred writ had commended, concern∣ing the true worship of God, and zeale towards him. The off-spring of Lea verily leadeth the first troop••, in regard of the pro∣rogative of Christ, the Prince of that company, as springing out of that stock: in this manner.

• ...
  The first qua∣ternion of the sonnes of Lea.
  • 1. Iuda.
  • 2. Reuben.
  • 3. Gad.
  • 4. Aser.
• ...
  The first cou∣ple of the sons of Rachel.
  • 5. Nephthali.
  • 6. Manasses.
• ...
  The other quaternion of the sons of Lea.
  • 7. Simeon.
  • 8. Levi.
  • 9. Issachar.
  • 10. Zabulon.
• ...
  The other cou∣ple of the sons of Rachel.
  • 11 Ioseph.
  • 12. Beniamin.

The reason of the order of the sons of Lea.

Out of the sonnes of Lea as thou ••eest, Iuda, Reuben, Gad, Aser, make up the first quaternion, as enobled above the rest with that * 1.131 name which the type is to resemble.

Amongst these the first place, as it is meet, is given to Iuda for Christ the King of the faithfull issued out of that tribe.

The second to Reube••, whom that famous Protestation con∣cerning the Altar of Witnesse built at the banke of Iordan eno∣bled; * 1.132 whereby he deserved that he should not submit his birth-right

(for he was the first borne) to any other then Iuda the king∣ly tribe. * 1.133

Gad obtained the third place, as he was Reubens companion in that famous Protestation of retaining the true worship of God: and moreover famous for Eliah the Prophet, and Iehu the King, the destroyers of Baalisme.

To conclude the fourth and last place in this quaternion Aser * 1.134 taketh, famous for the widow of Sarepta, who fed Elia•• (for Sar••pta belonged to the lot of Aser) as also noble for Anna the Prophetesse an Aserite, who gaue testimony to Christ, when he was presented in the Temple according to the Law; but not to be compared with the three former because either of them was a woman.

Simeon, Levi, Issacher, Zabulon, are cast into the last quater∣nion; * 1.135 for that they are honoured with few or no names, or, if they had any, they are after blotted out with some wickednesse. As the zeale of Levi whereby he approved himself in the wilder∣nesse (to say nothing of the sedition of Korah) was defaced by his continued fellowship with the Apostate and Idolatrous Israc∣lites. For Ionathan the Levite the nephew of Moses joyned in assistance of worshipping Idols as well with Micha the Ephrai∣mite, as also with the theevish Danites, the first Idolaters after the death of Iosua, Iudges 17. vers. 10. and 18. 30. It may be al∣so the substitution of Levi in the place of Dan might occasion his thrusting down into the last quaternion.

Further, since the brethren of this quaternion have nothing, wherein any doe excell others: therefore they keep the order of nativitie unchanged, and in what ranke any is borne, according there to he is reckoned.

The reason of the order of the sons of Rachel.

Among the children of Rachel the couple Nephthalin and Ma∣nasses leade the Family; Ioseph and Beniamin close the troope. * 1.136 Nephthalin and Manasses are preferred because the first was fa∣mous for Barach who vanquished Sisera the Cananite, so for Hi∣ra•• whose father was a Nephthalite, the maker of the instruments and furniture for the Temple of God (1 King. 7.14. with 2 Chro••.

2. 14.) but also for a greater reason yet (of which afterwards) * 1.137 the second was noble in respect of Gedeon the subverter of Baal, and Elis••us the Prophet.

Indeed the glory of Christ his habitation extolled Nephthalin, though he were but the sonne of a handmaid above Manasses: who likewise beginning his function, fixed his dwelling and seat of his preaching in Capernaum the most noble Citie of Neph∣thalin, and the Metropolis of all Gallile: from whence as it were from the Episcopall Citie he went through all Gallile with his Apostles over and over, teaching the Gospel of the Kingdome in all Synagogues and Villages, and being glorious by miracles of healing. For this, Reader, I would have thee to marke, out of the Evangelicall Historie (because many ob∣serve it not) that our Saviour, all the time that he was conver∣sant upon the Earth, dwelt in Gallile: but in Iudea, the chiefe seat as well of his Nation, as Tribe, he was not seene but at times of Feasts. And this is that which Esay long agone had foretold, Esay 9. 1. 2. Matth. 4. 14. That, that Wonderfull Counsellour, the Mightie God, the Authour of Eternitie (Septu∣agint. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The Father of the world to come) the Prince of Peace; in one word the Messia, should be a Gallilean; and as it were in recompence and consolation for the captivitie, which Gallile then lately had suffered by the Assyrian first before all the Regions of the Holy Land, (2 Kings 15. 29) he would make that coast especially famous by his presence; in spe∣ciall * 1.138 that high way, called the Way of the Sea, where coming out of Syria to Jordan, it passeth through the middle of Capernaum and thence going forward along the Sea of Gallile leadeth into Egypt. Let us heare himselfe 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which the Vulgar distinction set aside, of it owne accord and word for word is thus translated: As at the first he made base the Land of Zabulon and the Land of Nephthal••n; (to wit as I said, by Tig∣lath-peleser) so at the last he shall make it glorious [and renown∣ed] for the way of the Sea (by which the Assyrian came) at the passage of Iorden (there is Capernaum seated) Gallile of the Gen∣tiles, the people which walked in darknesse (to wit, of affliction)

saw a great light, to the dwellers in the Region of the shadow of death * 1.139 a light is risen &c. Wilt thou know whence and who is the Au∣thour of the blessednesse of Galilee, and in that way by the Sea side where the ••oord of Iordan is? he presently sheweth, Because a childe is borne to us, a Sonne is given to us, and the principalitie * 1.140 shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderfull, Councellour, the mightie GOD, the Father of Eternity, the Prince of Peace.

But those words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (at which ours, allmost treading the steps of the Iewes, who never understood this Prophesy, begin this Chapter with great dist∣urbance of the sense,) with I••rome and the Kings Bibles, I an∣nexe to the sentence of the Chapter going before; and translate them, Because there is no darkenesse to him which is anguish to him∣selfe, that is, in that lamentable and afflicted state of things, into which the Israelitish Common-wealth at that time, according to the commination of the Law is reported to have fallen, and as it were evidently set before their eyes; men were brought to in∣dignation and desperation, in that they did see the enemie by whom they were oppressed, to be in prosperitie, and no evill hap to befall them. Verily it maketh much for the Christian faith, that this Oracle of the Messia of Galilee be cleerely under∣stood, and to be ascertained of the fidelitie of Matthew alleadg∣ing it: Wherefore I would upon this occasion adde this light, such as it is, unto it, hoping that it will not be unacceptable to the Reader. I returne to the Revelation, and this further I will adde before I let passe Nephthali; that even as Iuda gained the first place among the sonnes of Lea, by reason of the stock of Christ: so Nephthali among Rachels for his dwelling; that the preroga∣tive of Christ on both sides might excell, by the name of whom as Lord and Emperour, this company (as in the proper place we shall heare) is intituled.

Ioseph and Beniamin remaine being cast back to the last couple * 1.141 of Rachels children. The former of whom the sinne of Ephraim thrust downe into this place: for it is Ephraim, who is hidden in the name of Ioseph, unworthy by his owne to be heard in this Ca∣talogue, (as well because he was the leader of the Idolatry of Is∣rael whereof Micha was the authour, as also for the outragious Apostsie whereof Jer••boam and Acha•• were authours.) To con∣clude,

the hatred of S••••l the B••niamit•• against David (consider∣ing * 1.142 that he was the chiefe of the stock of Christ and the Type of him) did hinder Beniami•• (otherwise the youngest) of a higher degree, and the curses of Shimei against the same.

A sentence for memory compact of the signification of the names, by which the Tribes are called: wherei•• are declared as well the order of the Tribes sealed, as also the disposition of the same company, the wrestling, and the reward from God.

Juda	Confitetur Deo	Confession is made to God looking upō his Son by the com∣pany of the blessed	C••ltus puru•• & rite Chri∣stianus. Pure & truly Christian worship.
Re••ben	intuendo filium
Gad	Coetus
Aser	benedictus
Nephthalin	Luctantur cum	they wrestle with those that forget obedience	Lucta. Strife or wrestling.
Manasses	obliviscentibus
Simeon	obedientiam.
Levi	Adhaesio scil. Christo	by cleaving (to wit) to Christ	Praemium. The reward.
Isacher	mercedem	a reward
Zabulon	habitaculi, sc. aterni	of habitation (to wit) eternall life
Joseph	adiici••t	shall be added
Beniamin	filio dextr••.	to the Son of his right hand

Confesseth or praiseth God, beholding his Sonne (that is, Christ the onely Mediatour) the blessed company (the company of the sealed.) They strive with those that forget obedience (that is, with Antichristians.) Cleaving to Christ a reward of habitation (to wit, eternall) he shall adde to the Sonne of his right hand, (that is, to him whom God accounteth great) or otherwise. To them that cleave to God a reward of habitation (that is, life eternall) shall be added by the Sonne of the right hand, that is, Christ.

To this contracted and afflicted estate of the Church in the type of the sealed of Israel, the state thereof most ample and most happy succeedeth, in the representation of innumerable palme∣bearers, out of every Nation, People, Tribe, and Tongue. After these things, saith he, I saw, and loe a great multitude, which n••

man could number, out of every Nation, and People, and Tribes, * 1.143 and Tongues, standing before the Throne, and before the Lamb••, * 1.144 clothed with white garments, and Palmes in their hands. And they * 1.145 cryed with a loud voyce, saying; salvation to our God who sitt••th upon the Throne, and to the Lambe, &c. But this vision seeing it belongeth to the seventh Trumpet, neither can be elsewhere fitly and cleerely unfolded by reason of so many things to be fore-knowne, we will deferre the exposition thereof thither. For the present let that suffice which now hath beene said in generall, and let the Reader remember, that both these Visions certainly doe joyntly goe through the whole space of the seventh Seale or of the Trumpets; but that the company of the sealed doth severally synchronize with the six first Trumpets: the Palme bearing multitude with the seventh trumpet. And so having done with the interpretation of the interposed Vision or Visions, let us take in hand againe the intermitted series of the Seales.

The meaning of the seventh Seale, that is, Of the seven Trumpets.

THe sixe first Seales have beene handled, wherein the state of * 1.146 the Empire as yet standing and flourishing untill that the do∣minion of Idols should fall, was described by intestine chances: the seventh succeedeth, the matter whereof is Seven Trumpets where in are opened, by accustomed representations for that purpose, the destinies of the decaying and falling Empire being to be ruined by a seuen fold order of plagues, the Trumpets sounding the allarum to the battell of its destruction, to wit, God taking punishment by that destruction for the blood of so many Martyrs shed by the Romane Emperours.

He which will not spare even the bruit beasts, if at any time * 1.147 they should slay a man, (his Image) shall not he require the blood of his servants of the Empire, which for so many yeeres * 1.148 hath slaine the Martyrs? Neither ought the late godlinesse of Christian Emperours there governing, to stay Gods justice; any more then the godlinesse of Iosia that the Kingdome of I••da

being guilty of bloud-shed by Manasses, should escape the de∣struction * 1.149 decreed by God. This revenge the soules of the Mar∣tyrs groning under the cruell slaughter of the fift Seale, impor∣tunately begged by prayers: this God promised, so soone as the Romane Tyrant had fulfilled his measure by the adding of those who yet remained to be slaine, Chap. 6. 11. This time was now come. Wherefore the Angel the Priest of Heaven (as the manner was with the prayers of the people made in the Temple) sendeth up those prayers to the Throne of God in the smoake at the Altar of incense, and putteth him in minde. In the meane space Silence was made in heaven for halfe an houre; to wit, ac∣cording to the custome of the Temple, in performing such a * 1.150 kinde of service. For it is manifest there was silence used in re∣ligious worship in the Temples almost every where; for they said to the people, Be silent. That was observed by the people of God, then when incense should be offered. For while the Sa∣crifices were offered (which was the first part of the Liturgie) the Temple resounded with Songs, Trumpets, and other In∣struments of musicke, 2 Chron. 29.25. unto the 28. But at the time of the Incense all was silent, and the people inwardly prayed to themselves, Luk. 1.10. To this therefore is the allusion, while the Angel was offering at the golden Altar, there was as is said, Silence in Heaven for halfe an houre, that is, the whole time of Incense.

Which at length being finished, the Angel filled the Censer * 1.151 with fier of the Altar, and cast it into the Earth, to wit, that by this Ceremonie he might shew to what end those prayers ten∣ded, which ascending up together to God he had mixed with a sweet savour; to wit, to obtaine revenge upon the inhabitants of the earth, who had hurt the Saints, yea had shed their blood.

And these prayers immediately have their answer. For there were (saith he, to wit, out of the Throne or most holy place of * 1.152 the Temple, as Chap. 4.5.) voyces, and thunders and lightnings and an earthquake. In which words is described the Oracle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, the daughter of voyce o•• thunder, whereby God in times past to his old people gave answers, and with the same here he granteth the prayers of the Saints. For we must know in the Hebrew tongue, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 voyces and thunders meane

the same thing; for thunders are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, voyces. * 1.153 Therefore * 1.154 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is to be taken by way of explication for, that is; or which I had rather by the figure * 1.155 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, voyces and thun∣ders are voyces of thunder, or with thunder.

For God, for the most part did promulgate his decrees with thunder, even as God gave the Law, Exod. 19. 16. Yea that only Oracle left to the Iewes continued after the Babylonian capti∣vitie. An example whereof is with our Evangelist Iohn, Chap. 12. 28. When the Lord had said 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Father, glorifie thy name: there came, saith he, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a voyce from heaven, I have both glorified it, and againe I will glorifie it: it followeth there: And the multi∣tude that stood by and heard it, said, It thundered▪ Others said, an Angel spake to him, that is, some said, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a thunder from Heaven, or joyned with a voyce from Heaven, that is to say, the daughter of thunder; but others that an Angel spake. And hence it is, that in the Revelation, not in this place onely, but other∣where often thunder is joyned with Oracles and voyces from Heaven, as Chap. 4.5. Chap. 6.1. Chap. 10.3. You may see A∣ristarch. sacr. claris. Danielis Heinsii, pag. 277. and 45••.

The offering thus ended and the prayers of the Saints granted by God in a voyce of thunder, the seven Angels who had the se∣ven * 1.156 trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

It is granted among all Divines that the workes of Divine pro∣vidence and government, are executed by the administration of Angels. The Angels therefore in those Visions hold their place, over whom they are appointed by God to bring things to passe; and what is executed by the common meanes, as well of Angels, as of men, that is said to be brought to passe, the Angels being Authours, as it were guides, and Captaines. So that they seeme to me to erre altogether from the scope, who thinke some other mysterie lyeth hidden under these names of Angels. The Angels therefore the Trumpeters, of whom the speech is here, are they which are appointed to direct the plagues of the Trumpets, using those men for execution, by whom it pleaseth God to bring to passe his decrees.

But the foure first of these Trumpets are of such plagues as are of lesse extent and not so great; to wit, which resting for the most part upon the Westerne or Latine world, the Bishop of Rome,

which was hereafter to be the head, at least of that world, was to * 1.157 cure. In the right application of which representations here also the Reader may observe that the Romane Empire with the rest of the Kingdomes of the world by the holy Ghost are tacitly re∣sembled to the body of the world, the parts whereof are Earth, Sea, Rivers, Heaven, Starres; in that manner that the body of every Empire may have also his Earth which may be instead of that Earth, to wit, a certaine bottome and Basis, on which the weight of the whole government may rest; the Sea likewise, which, by environing its Earth, beareth altogether the likenesse of the Sea, (this is the largenesse or extent of the Dominion.) The politique Rivers also, which after the manner of other rivers, have their beginning from their Sea and thither returne: such are Pro∣vinciall Magistrates, and other ministers of the dominion, toge∣ther with the Provinces themselves the channels of the Rivers. To conclude, the Sunne and other Starres, in the heaven of Sove∣reigne power, resembling the Sunne, the Moone, the Starres in the worldly heaven. This analogie being observed, the interpre∣tation, as altogether confirmed with the figures of the old Pro∣phets, will so be easie and altogether the most convenient to the matter in hand.

Now that there is so oft repetition of the third part, as of the third part of the Trees of the Earth, the third part of the Sea, of the Rivers, of the Heaven, that I take to be meant of the bounds of the Romane Empire, comprehending in the compasse there∣of the third part of the knowne world in Iohns time. The which seemeth may be proved, out of that that afterwards Chap. 12. is * 1.158 said, that the Drag••n having seven heads and tenne hornes (that is to say, the heathen Romane Empire) drew the third part of the starres of Heaven with his tayle, and cast them into the Sea; that is, the third part of the Princes and Rulers of the world be sub∣jected to his Empire. These things thus settled let us come to the interpretation of the severals.

And the first Angel sounded, and there came Hayle and Fire * 1.159 mingled with blood, and they were sent upon the Earth: and the third part of the Earth was burned, and the third part of the Trees was burnt up, and all the greene grasse was burnt up.

And the second Angel sounded, and as it were a Great Moun∣taine * 1.160 burning with fire was cast into the Sea; and the third part of the Sea became blood. 9. And the third part of the creatures which were in the Sea and had life dyed, and the third part of the ships perished.

And the third Angel sounded, and there fell a Great Starre from * 1.161 heaven burning as it were a Lampe, and it fell upon the third part of the Rivers, and upon the Fountaines of waters. 11. And the name of the Starre is called Wormwood; and the third part of the waters became wormwood, and many men died of the wa∣ters, because they were made bitter.

And the fourth Angel sounded, and the third part of the Sunne * 1.162 was smi••ten, and the third part of the Moone, and the third part of the Starres, so as the third part of them was darkened, and the third part of the day shone not, and the night likewise.

The first Trumpet.

The first Trumpet of the seventh Seale entereth at the Ro∣mane Idoll government, now at length beaten down and shaken at the going out of the sixt Seale; and being about to strike the first blow to the Empire now entering into ruine, it destroyeth the third part of the Earth with a terrible ••torme of Hayle with fire and blood: that is, it wasteth the territory or people of the Romane Empire (to wit, the Basis and ground of that ••oliticall Vniverse) with a terrible and bloody breaking in of the Northerne Nations, it vanquisheth and consumeth the Nobles and common people.

You may see the representation of Hayle tending to the same purpose, I meane to signifie an hostile v••olent assault, Esay Chap. 28. vers. 2. Behold the Lord hath a mighty and strong one (he pointeth at Salmanassar) as a tempest of Hayle, and a destroying storme, as a flood of mightie waters overflowing shall cast downe to the Earth with the hand, Vers. 3. the crowne of pride, the drunkerds of Ephraim shall be trodden under foot. Also, Esay 30.30. Concern∣ing the slaughter to come upon the Assyrians: And the Lord shall cause his glorious voyce to be heard, and shall shew the lighting downe of his arme with the indignation of his anger and flame of de∣vouring

fire, with scattering and tempest and Haile-stones. 31. be∣cause * 1.163 Assur shall be beaten down through the voyce of the Lord, &c. Here is to be observed, because haile is wont to be with lighten∣ing, especially in the hotter Regions; therefore with the men∣tion of Haile is joyned Fire, as well here by Iohn and Esay, as also Psal. 18. 13, 14. yea in the History, Exod. 9. 23. But Iohn hath mi••ed Blood also beyond nature, that he might shew by this to∣ken the whole representation to reflect upon Slaughter. Concern∣ing the representation of Haile let the Reader see also, Esay 32. 19. and there the Chalde Paraphrast.

Furthermore the same Paraphrast doth teach that Trees in Propheticall parables doe signifie great Lords and wealthy men; which for Oakes of Basan, Esay. 2. 13. hath put Princes of the Provinces; for Cedars, Esay. 14. 8. wealthy men; for Firre trees, sometime Princes, Esay. 37. 24. sometimes Kings. ••say 14. 8. by whom also that of Zach. 11. 2. Howleô Firre tree because the Cedar is fallen, because the magnificent are spoyled: Howle ye Oakes of Basan, because the fenced wood is fallen; is thus Paraphrased; Howle ye Kings, because the Princes are broken; who so were rich, are spoyled: Howle ye Rulers of Provinces because the countrey of your fortitude is wasted. Whence from the Analogie it is easily ga∣thered, that greene grasse is taken for the common people; when, as here it is joyned with trees.

Now that we may pick something out of History concerning the event, I will derive (untill something more certaine shall ap∣peare) the beginning of this trumpet from the death of Theodo∣••ius the first, that is, from the yeere of Christ 395; because then Christian Religion seemed plainly to have triumphed over the Gods of the Heathen, and withall, as it were in a certain common terme of the former Seale ending, and this beginning, the invasi∣ons of the Barbarians something attempted before, but in the yeers next following the Empire being again quieted, suppres∣sed, at length began in a horrible manner to be stirred up and to fall upon almost the whole Romane Empire by fire and sword continually and cruelly wasting and spoyling it.

For this very yeere Alaricus first brake in out of Thracia upon Macedonia with a huge Army of Gothes and other Barbarians, sparing neither towns nor men. Thence marching forward tho∣row Thessaly, taking the streights of Thermopilae he came down

into Greece, that is, Achaia, he raced all the Cities except Thebes * 1.164 and Athens. He forcibly entred Peloponnesus, he wasteth Corinth, Argos and Sparta. I hence he brought himself into Epirus, where he goeth on to make the same ransackings and destructions.

The yeere following leaving Epirus, he invaded Achaia, and the same with Epirus and the bordering Provinces for full foure yeers space he laboureth shamefully to destroy by setting them on fire and razing them.

When thus for five yeers he had afflicted the East with cruell ransacks, he set his minde to invade the West, he passeth into Dal∣matia and Panonia, and those regions he razed farre and neere. Heare Ierome who then lived be wayling the state of this time, the tempest hitherto raging Epist. 3. The Romane blood is daily shed between Constantinople and the Iulian Alpes: The Goth, the Sar∣matian, ••••••dus, Alanus, the Hunns, the Vandals, the Marcoman••i do ••orce and ••ake by violence, Scythia, Thracia, Macedonia, Dar∣dania, Dacia, Thessaly, Achaia, Epirus, Dalmatia, and all the countrey of Panonia. How many Matrons, how many godly Virgins, and comely and noble bodies were mocking stocks to these beasts? The Bishops taken, the Presbyters and divers Orders of the Clergy slain. The Churches overthrown, Horses stabuled at the Altars of Christ, the reliques of Martyrs digged up. The Romane Empire goeth to ruine; what heart doest thou thinke have the Corinthians now, the Athenians, Lacedemonians, Arcadians, and all Greece, over whom the Barbarians command?

But the yeere following, being of Christ 401, the same Alari∣cus, the Gothes, Alanes, and Hunnes following him, about to wage warre in Italy also, brake thorow Noricum and came tho∣row the ••orrest of Trent into Venice, those Cities in a short time he brought under his power, and besieged the Emperour Hono∣rius at Hasta; so that almost all in Italy now thought upon re∣moving. But here at length, Stilicho the Captain of Honorius, having gathered a great Army, stayed his fury, and constrained him being once or twice overcome and wearied with battels which ••e••l out against him to retire into Panonia, whence he came. Out of which a little after, a league being made, and he honoured with a Military government by Honorius, he departed into Illyricum a Province of the East.

Alaricus being quiet a little while, yet least thenceforth the

West should be at any time idle, forthwith in the yeere 404, ano∣ther * 1.165 memorable violent breaking in of the Barbarians upon Ita∣ly is undertaken, Radagaiso a Scythian being Captain; who with an Army of Gothes, Sarmatians and Germanes to the number of two hundred thousand, the fortifications in the Alpes being bea∣ten down, he passeth into the Venetian region Aemilia, and He∣truria, besiegeth Florence; where being vanquished with a great slaughter by Stilicho he is taken and beheaded.

This enemy, howsoever terrible, in a short space of time and with lesse losse, being taken away, presently in the yeere 406, the third, and that the most grievous and deadly inrode of the Vandales and Alanes is made upon the West, taking with them the Marcomanni, Heruli, Sweves, Alemans, Burgundians with a rabble of other Barbarians: whereby first France, then Spaine, and lastly Africa are taken, and afflicted with all kind ••••f calami∣ties. Which destructions Ierome Epist. 11. hath thus partly ex∣pressed, partly implyed. Innumerable, saith he, and most fierce na••••ons have taken whole France. Whatsoever is between the Alpes and Pyrenaean mountains which are enclosed with the Ocean and the Rone, the Quadus, the Vandale, Sarmatian, Alans, Gipides, He∣ruli, Saxons, Burgundians, Alemans and Panonian enemies have destroyed. Mentz is taken, and plundered, and many thousands slain in the Church. The Vangions with long siege are destroyed, the strong Citie of Rhemes, the Ambians, A••trebates, Morini, Tor∣nacus, Nemete, Argentoratus translated into Germanie. Aquitan and the Provinces of Novem populorum, Lyons and Narbon ex∣cepting a few Cities are all razed. I cannot mention Tolosa without teares, which that it is not yet destroyed, the merits of Exuperius that holy Bishop were the cause. The very Spaniards even now ready to perish tremble. Rome ransoms her life with gold.

And this was that terrible storme of Haile mixt with fire and blood; a representation truly of so easie an application, that there fell so apt a thing from Niceph. Gregor. lib. 2. cap. 7. never think∣ing of the Revelation, but yet treating of the Scythians, that I cannot but set it down: As, saith he, terrors from heaven are often∣times stricken into men by God, as lightenings, flaming fires, and suddain stormes, &c. So these Northern and Hyperborean terrors are reserved by God, that they may be sent for p••nishment, when and upon whom it shall seeme best to his providence. But I will adde a

Corolary also out of Achmetes, for the Readers further confir∣mation. * 1.166

A Corolarie out of Achmetes concerning the signification of Haile, Fire, and Trees, in his interpretation of dreames.

In the ••91 Chapter out of the Rules of the Indians, Persians and Egyptians: Snow, Haile, Ice; doe portend miseries, cares, and torments.

If any shall seeme to see Haile any where fallen, let him expect a suddain hostile assault.

If he shall seeme to see Haile, which shall have hurt the stalkes of Wheat or ••arley: in that place where the stalkes were broken, war∣like slaughters shall happen.

Also Chap. 159. out of the declaration of the Indians, Chap. 160. out of the explication of the Persians and Egyptians, Fire signifyeth death, war, fightings, punishment and affliction, If it shall seem to burn any thing or any one.

Also chap. 151. The Persians, Indians, Egyptians, interpret trees to signifie men, chiefly Magistrates, Peeres, and honourable men: as,

If any shall seem to himself to water trees and to pruy•••• them, he shalbe an Honourable man, and a nursing father of the people.

If a King shall seem to himself to have planted trees, he shall or∣dain new Magistrates. Also,

If trees, by continuance of time being corrupted and putrifyed, shall decay, the Peers of the King shall die of a naturall death.

If he shall seem to see young sprouts which are growen to trees, this appertaineth to the succession of his Lords.

If one of the common people shall seem to himself to have gather∣ed leaves of trees into his house, he shall obtain wealth from the No∣bility according to the measure of the leaves, &c.

The second Trumpet.

The second Trumpet being about to subvert the Romane Em∣pire

now enough wasted in the Earth thereof, with a more grie∣vous * 1.167 stroke yet assayleth the Sea: the third part whereof by the fall of a great Mountaine anciently threatning it, but now burn∣ing turneth it all bloody, with a great destruction as well of living creatures or fishes living therein, as also of the navy. That is, the destruction of Rome the great Citie once or twice taken, spoyled, and burning with hostile flames, brake out to the ruine of the large∣nesse of the Romane iurisdiction; the Barbarians now at their plea∣sure fiercely entering into the Provinces thereof, by reason of the weaknesse of the head so afflicted and dividing them into new kingdoms; with an irreparable slaughter, both of the legions there abiding for defence, as also with losse of all aydes of retaining and upholding, as of traffique, the authoritie thereof.

The Sea of the politique world, as I have said, is that fulnesse of dominion compassing all the inhabitants in the communion of the same politique right. By this representation the Dominion of Babylon is expressed, Ier. 51. 36. where the Lord threatneth, that he will dry up the Sea thereof and make the spring thereof dry, which vers. 44. is expounded holding the same Metaphor, the nations shall flow no more unto her. The amplitude also of the Assy∣rian kingdom is so described, Ezek. 31. 4. The waters made her (to wit the Assyrian Cedar) to grow, the deep or the sea hath exalted her. Happily also the dominion of Pharao•• is the Sea, Esa. 19.5. where concerning the destruction of his kingdom it is said, the waters shall faile from the Sea thereof, that is, his Dominion shall be taken away. Whereupon those great Empires in Daniel are beheld to ascend out of the Sea, that is, to arise out of the largenesse of Dominion.

Now that the third part of the Sea, that is, the Romane sea, is said to become blood; we must know that blood first is take for slaugh∣ter, then for Death also without blood: but that Death in a manner is taken for ruine, even of a thing wanting life, see Ezec. 14.19. & 3.18.20. ct 18.13. Amo. 2.2. Rom. 7.9. whereupon to become bloody, is a representation of a thing that suffereth ruine, to wit as it were like a living creature slain or butchered bleeding. That therefore here the Sea is said to become bloody, by the fall of a great Moun∣taine, it sheweth nothing else, but that it suffered by that fall a cer∣taine Death, or a violent Ruine. That w^ch in the phyals, where the same representation is, is a little more plainly said, * 1.168 that it became as the blood of a dead man, that is, of one slaine: the Romane Do∣minion

or fulnesse, was overthrown, cut in pieces, rent, destroyed. * 1.169

The like mysterie of a Mountaine signifying a Citie is found of old Babylon, Ierem. 51. 25. Behold I come unto thee ô plague-bringing (or destroying) Mountaine which destroyest the whole Earth, and I will stretch out mine hand, &c. and I will make thee a Mountaine of burning, where the Septuagint have it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a mountaine on fire, in the same sence wherein Iohn here 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a mountaine burning with fire. Concern∣ing the same, Esay 13. 2. upon the high Mountaine, lift up a Standard. Targum, upon the Citie dwelling without feare. The like Chap. 37. 24. to Senacherib King of Assyria: Thou hast rai∣led, saith he, on the Lord, and said, by the multitude of my chariots I have ascended the height of the mountains. Targum, I have ascen∣ded into the defence of their Cities; but whether rightly I doubt.

Furthermore, that a Mountaine is here said to be put or cast in∣to the Sea, it is the * 1.170 elegancy of the figure, since a Mountaine can no otherwise hurt the Sea, then by being thrown into it. And re∣member that this hath place in the following Trumpet also, con∣cerning the falling Starre, Vers. 10.

As concerning the History, Rome was first taken in the yeere 410, and that by the same Alaricus King of the Gothes, who had brought in as it were the entrance of the destinie in the former Trumpet; but now after the death of Stilich•• making new stirres, and preparing a new and fatall expedition into Italy; whereby he brought Honorius into such streights, that the Barbarian himselfe could make a new Emperour of Rome, namely, Attalus, with whom he besieged Houorius Augustus at Ravenna, now, in de∣spaire of his estate, thinking to flye into the East, leaving the West. But the enemy repenting himselfe, wholly restored Hono∣rius, Attalus being deposed from the Empire.

The rending of the Romane Dominion immediately follow∣ed this destruction of the Citie of Rome. I call Sigonius to wit∣nesse: The miserable destruction, saith he, of Italy, the continued warres of France and Spaine, and the new Empires now at last of the Barbarian Kings in both the Provinces, have succeeded the Ro∣mane overthrow.

For first Honorius that he might recover Rome with the Em∣pire, having made a league with Alaricus, was constrained to yeeld the Countries and Kingdom in France to the Gothes.

Two yeers after, in the yeere 412, the H••nnes running over * 1.171 Panonia which the Gothes had left, the same (Honorlus) being destitute of power to make resistance in so great difficulties, made a league with them giving and receiving Hostages.

Afterwards in the yeere 413, Constantius Captain of the same Honorius, least happily he should fall into any streights of warre, did willingly receive into friendship and seated upon the Rhone the Burgundians, who in these former yeers, the Estate being so disordered, together with the Vandales had betaken themselves into France.

To conclude in the yeere 415 the same Honoriu•• (as Procopi∣us delivereth) when the Gothes a little after had passed over in∣to neighbouring Spaine, he granted to the Vandales also with their King Gundericus, being lately driven out of Gallia by the Frankes, the places which they had entered, to be inhabited, upon condition of making warre upon the Gothes. He that desireth to know more, let him reade the forementioned Sigonius concern∣ing the Westerne Empire, lib. 10. & 11. whence we tooke these things.

And so thence forward the largenesse of the Romane Domi∣nion is daily more and more rent and cut off, untill, again in the yeere 455 Rome being taken and spoyled by G••nsericus the Van∣dale, the whole Body of the Empire the next yeere, or not much after, appeared to be divided into ten kingdoms: which together with the names of the People and of the Kings, and the Pro∣vinces over which they reigned, and moreover certaine things noted out of the History to give greater light, the following Ta∣ble will shew.

A type of the rending of the Empire or Romane Dominion in * 1.172 the yeer of Christ 456 and so forward.

The King∣doms.	The Provinces wherein they reigned.	The names of the Kings reigning in the yeer 456	Certaine things to be observed.
1 Of the Brittones.	In Britaine.	Vortimer.
2 Saxons.	Hengist.
3 Frankes.	First in Gall. Belg. shortly in Celt ca also.	Childerick.
4 Burgun∣dians.	In Gall. Sequan and Lions.	Gunderick.	The kingdom of the Bu••gundians was sub∣dued and u••te••ly de∣stroyed by the Franks in the yeer 526. But for the making up of the number of ten fitly the dominion of the Ostrogothes at the same time was parted into two king∣doms; Panonia which ••itherto had obeyed them, taken by the Longobards, and Ita∣ly only left to th•• Kings of the Ostro∣gothes.
5 Wisigothes	In Aquitane and part of Spaine.	Theodorick.
6 Swedes & Alanes.	In that tract of Spain which is contained in Galaecia and Lu∣sitania.	Riciarius.
7 Vandales.	In Africa but a little befo••e in Spain.	Gensericus.
8 Allmanes.	In that tract of Ger∣many which was called Rhetia.	Sumanus.
9 Ostro∣gothes.	In Panonia the Huns being vanqu••shed, neither was this age past, but they enlarged their king∣dom into Italy also.	Theodomirus	The kingdom of the Alemans from the yeer 475 became one with the kingdom of the Heruli so long as they reigned in I∣taly, to wit, 16. yeers.
10 Grecians	In the residue of the dominion of the Empire. For the Empire of the an∣cient Rome being dissolved, the Em∣pire of the Greci∣ans is to be accoun∣ted one of the king¦doms, into which the dominion of the citie reigning sometimes largely was divided.	Marcianus.	The ••ongobards suc∣ceeded the Ostro∣gothes also in Italy being called out by Nar••etes after he had destroyed the king∣dom of the Ostro∣gothes in the yeere 567 but then delive∣red their seats in Pa∣••onia to the Huns & Avares to be enjoyed afterwards.

And at length after this manner these tenne Kingdomes, into * 1.173 which the holy Ghost had foretold, as well by Daniel, as by Iohn, the Romane Empire at the last should be divided, seeme to be reckoned; and not at all to be esteemed according to so many bare names (as usually is done) of so many regions, or tracts of land, but rather Kingdomes, into which the Dominion and Lord∣ship of the Empire should be rent. Yet notwithstanding let us not thinke that the limitation of this number of tenne is to be so strictly construed, that it excludeth at any time more Kingdomes, or any manner of governments: but that the Empire should be se∣vered into ten at the least, or into ten principall Kingdoms. That which even from that originall rending which we have set forth untill our age, under so many fates and alterations, I think to have been alwaies the truth; although it were sufficient for confirma∣tion of this truth, if onely in the beginning it had been divided in∣to so many Kingdomes, howsoever happily afterwards the num∣ber were diminished. But the like prophesie concerning the rend∣ing of the Monarchie of Alexander, may teach us that so as I have said, and not otherwise, that limitation of the number of ten Kingdomes is to be understood: in which, although besides these foure principall Kingdomes, of Macedonia, Asia, Syria, and E∣gypt; a fift also Thracia was added, Lysimachus being the foun∣der: yet the holy Ghost bounded that multiplicitie in a number of foure. Reckon them to be so many at the least, or so many prin∣cipall Kingdomes. For there was no succession in the Kingdome of Thracia, though it began together with the rest, and endured forty yeeres, but it ended with the first King Lysimachus, and therefore not to be brought into the number. The like hereunto is to be judged of this ten fold Romane division. Wherefore, let it move no man, if besides the Kingdomes reckoned up in France he shall happily finde there the Kingdome also of the Alanes of Orleance, and also the dynastie of the Cities of Baitaine, continu∣ing from the Empire of Honorius untill these times. For he shall finde the latter to be but of a very meane Dominion, the other to have from thence endured but a small time, to wit, tenne yeeres at the most. Neither of them therefore to be reckoned with the rest for like place and order, nor if any be to be found of the same sort otherwhere.

The third Trumpet. * 1.174

The third Trumpet did utterly throw downe and extinguish * 1.175 the shining starre, to wit, the Romane Hesperus or the Western Caesar, even now from the time that Gensericus the King of the Vandals had spoyled Rome being taken, falling headlong, and as it were, struggling a little while with death, under these names, of Caesars of no account, Avitus, Maioranus, Severus, Anthe∣mius, Olibrius, Glycerius, Nepos, dying with mutuall treasons and slaughter, at length, in the yeere 476 fetching his last breath un∣der the fatall name of Augustulus, and pulled from the heaven of his authoritie by Odoacer King of the Heruli sent against him; this being the most bitter fate of the Rivers and Fountaines, that is, of the Provinciall Cities and Magistracies.

The Hesperian Caesar here I call him, who, after the division of the Empire into East and West established, even from the death of Theodosius the first, remained as yet Emperour of ancient Rome and the West, but of a very short continuance; as who should utterly fall from his heaven at the sound of this Trumpet after the yeere 91.

For whereas the Bishop of Rome more then 320. yeers after that this Hesperian Caesar had set in Augustulus, did anew surro∣gate the Kings of France (who were afterwards of Germany) into that name and title: he brought no other thing to passe, but that, by this coverture of Caesar revived, or of the sixt head of the Beast yet reigning, he himself might not at length be so appa∣rently accounted for the last head, that is, Antichrist, by men of ordinary understanding.

But this papall Caesar pertaineth not to the heads of the Roman Beast; but to the hornes or Kingdomes, into which, the Empire of the sixt head, now about to yeeld his roome to the last head was to be rent. Neither indeed after so great a space of time as is of 325. yeeres, (for so many they are from Augustulus to Charles the Great) could there be a succession as it were of a continued series of Hesperian Caesars.

But goe to, let us give further light to the Text of Iohn, that the reason of the interpretation may be manifest. And there fell, saith he, a great Starre from Heaven burning like a Lampe. He seemeth to desc••ibe a blazing Starre or Comet, amongst the kinds of which reckoned by P••iny, Lampadias is one, specially so called.

And surely not unfitly is Caesar of the West figured by such a starre, * 1.176 for short duration. Concerning whom therefore it will be said, Chap. 17. When he cometh he must continue but a small time. But the Starre was a great one; as the fitter to resemble a Supreme Ma∣jestly, * 1.177 whose excellency the Sunne otherwhere in Prophetique parables doth represent. And surely it is knowne, there have been Comets which have seemed to equall even the Sunne in magni∣tude; of which sort that this Starre was, happily he shall not erre who affirmeth it.

Now the like parable of a falling Starre, least thou doubt of the application, Esay useth, Chap. 14.12. of the fall of the King of Ba∣bylon. How, saith he, art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer Sun of the morning, thou art cut downe to the ground, which didst wea∣ken the nations? Otherwhere also, as in the place of Esa. Chap. 34.4. already before cited Starres falling from heaven are under∣stood of the ruine of Princes or great personages. A starre therefore of a singular and unusuall magnitude, doth designe a Prince, above the common sort of Princes, that is, a great and excellent one. It followeth:

And the name of the Starre is called Wormwood. It is a pro∣pheticall figure, wherein by the imposition as it were of a proper name, the qualitie or destinie, of the thing or person handled is set forth; since other where also in the Hebraisme, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the matter (as Luk. 1. 37. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 every thing is not unpossible with God) and to be called, is all one as to be or to exist, as Esa. 56.7. My house shall be called an house of prayer, for which Luk. 19. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is, shall be, or shall be accounted an house of prayer. And Gen. 21. 12. In Isaac shall thy seed be called, that is, shall be. You may see also the Septuagint, Esa. 14. 20. Ruth. 4. 11. And examples of this figure whereof I spake are every where obvious. For so in Esa. 7.14. concerning Christ, his name shall be called Ema∣nuel, that is, he shall be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, God-man. And Chap. 9▪6. His name shall be called Wonderfull, Counsellour, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace, that is, he shall be all these. Likewise in Jerem. 23. 6. And this is the name whereby they shall call him: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSE. And Zach. 6. 12. Behold the man his name is the BRANCH, it follow∣eth, because he shall spring out of his place, &c. Adde hereunto, Rev. 19. 13. His name is called THE WORD OF GOD, that

is, he is that Word of God. The like to these are found, Ierem. * 1.178 20.3. The Lord calleth not thy name Pashur, but Magor-Missa∣bib, [that is, feare round about] for thus saith the Lord: Behold, I will put feare into thee, to thy selfe and all thy friends. And Ezech. 23.4. The names of them (that is, of the women of Samaria and Ierusalem) Aholah and Aholibah. Adde hereto Esa. 8.3. Hos. 1.6.9.

By the very like figure is this Falling starre called Wormewood, that is, (according to the Hebrews with whom the abstracts are used for the concretes) Absinthites, to wit, A Prince of bitternes and sorrowes Such indeed was that Hesperian Caesar, if ever any were, exercised with continuall calamities from his first rising un∣to his end. Who while he reigned the Romane Empire should be ruined. Yea by the setting up of whom, occasion of the ruine was given, because by the such division of the Empire brought in, a way was opened to the Barbarians, and the Roman State was cast into fearefull calamities. Is not he worthily called Wormwood for his lot which fell out to be so bitter to himselfe and others? ac∣cording to that of Naomi, Call me not Naomi, call me Marah, be∣cause the Almighty hath afflicted me with bitternesse.

But before I depart hence, something must be said of the state of the City, and Romane State after that fall of their Caesar, that a way may be prepared to the interpretation of the following Trumpet. Caesar therefore of the West being so cast downe and extinct, the meane while Odoacer the Herulian held Italy 16. yeeres by name of King: who after two yeeres restored the Consulship to Rome and to the West and still kept it, which notwithstanding in the beginning upon displeasure he had taken away. Him did Theodoricus the King of the Ostrogothes suc∣ceed; and that, as Paulus Diaconus reporteth, Zeno the Empe∣rour of the East delivering him Italy by pragmaticall sanction, and confirming it by putting upon his head a sacred veyle. Who, Odoacer being vanquished and slaine, added Sicilia also to his Kingdome, besides Dalmatia and Rhetia, which were Provinces of Odoacer, he repaired the wals and some buildings of the Citie of Rome, having gathered together a great summe of money for that purpose; so that there seemed nothing could be desired more to the height of her former fortune, the infamy of a City sacked and burnt being excepted: he ordered the Kingdome very wise∣ly, he changed no Roman Ordinance, but retained the Senate

and Consuls, the Senators, the Governours of the Praetorium, the Governours of the city, the Questor, the high Treasurer, the Ma∣ster * 1.179 of the privie purse, and Captaine of the Guard, Captaines of foot and horse, and other Magistrates that were in the Empire, and committed them onely to Romans, which was also a while kept by his Successors, Athalaricus, Theodobatus, Vitiges, Ostro∣gothian, kings of Italy. See Sigonius de imperio occidentali lib. 15. An. 479. lib. 16. annis 493. 494. 500.

The fourth Trumpet.

The fourth Trumpet proceeding yet further, did utterly take away the light of the Roman Majesty in the citie of Rome wher∣with * 1.180 it had shined untill then, even under the Ostrogothian kings: to wit, after the Consulship of Rome had failed from the yeare, 542. in that Ostrog••thian war waged for the recovery of Italy, first by Belisarius, afterward by Narsetes Captaines of Iustinia∣nus, then it selfe once and againe taken, burned, and the third part of it demolished by Totila, forsaken moreover, (a memo∣rable mock of fortune) by all her inhabitants, at length after so many decayes and ••laughters, being regained by Narsetes, but a little after overthrowen by aboisterous storme and lightnings; she that was sometimes the Queene of Cities, now at length being * 1.181 bereaved of Consular power, authoritie of Senate, and other Ma∣gistrates, wherewith as with stars she had enlightned the world, is fallen from so great glory, into I know not what ignoble d••ke∣dome of Ravenna, over which in times past shee had comman∣ded, after is constrained to serve under the Exarchate (O mise∣rable darknesse) and pay tribute.

And this which is here mentioned was the smiting of the third part of the Sun, Moon, and stars, whereby it came to passe, that the third part of the day could not give light, and the third part of the night likewse. Where the light of the day, which is the sunne, is called by the name of the day, and the light of the night which is the moone and the stars, of the night; according to that, Iere. 31. 35. Which giveth the Sunne for a light to the day; and the courses of the moone and of the starres, for a light of the night. The sonne of Rome shonne, as long as shee enjoyed the Consular diguitie, and her raigne over other cities, and

provinces. The moone and starres there gave light, as long as the * 1.182 ancient authoritie of the Senate and other Magistrates there yet remained. But these being all taken away (which commeth to passe in this Trumpt) what was there but darknesse and a totall eclipse of the light, aswell of the day as the of the night? to wit, which appertained to her to whom the third part of the light of heaven was due.

The representation of the sun, the moone and stars, in this un∣derstanding is most usuall with the Prophets, as Esay. 13 10. also 60. 20. Where for thy Sunne shall set no more, and thy Moon: shall not be in the waine, &c. The Targum hath. Thy kingdom shall never cease (he speaketh to Ierusalem) and thy glory shall not be taken from thee. Also Ier. 15.9. where concerning Ierusalem; The sunne thereof hath set whilst it was yet day. The Targum turneth. Their glory departed in their life time. And Ez••k. 32. ••. That concerning Pharaoh, when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heavens, and make the stars thereof dark. The same Paraphrast turneth it, Tribulation shall cover thee, when I shall put out the Splendour of the Glory of thy Kingdome, &c.

Let the Reader transferre hither also those things which I have noted before out of Achmet••s to give light to the sixt Sea••e, which it is admirable to see how they agree.

Of the thr••e Woe Trumpets.

There remaineth yet three trumpets the greatest of all, and the most grievous, and therefore differenced from the former by the title of three Woes. For after the * 1.183 explanation of the 4^th trum∣pet. I beheld, and heard, saith hee, a certaine Angell flying tho∣row the midst of heaven, saying with a loude voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants upon the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpets of the three Angels, which are yet to sound. Also ••ha 9 12. and 11.14. Doubtles when the inhabitants of the Chri∣stian Roman Empire, in the mean space, while the former Trum∣pets sounded, had defiled themselues with the worship of new idols, the trumpets which remained are increased for the punish∣ing now of a double sin. For that that sin also of the Roman Em∣pire, came moreover into the reckning of a crime to be punished with the former of the death of the Martyrs, it appeareth in

that to the second Woe is conjoyned this Elogie, to wit, the rest of the men that were not killed by these plaguer (that is as I conceive * 1.184 truly by that Woe and the former) repented not of the workes of their handes, that the should not worship Divils, and Idols of gold and silver, and brasse, and stone, and wood, which can neither see nor here to walke.

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

The first Woe trumpet is long since past. That hath sent out to * 1.185 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 * 1.186 obscured the world lately inlightned with the Gospell of Christ the son of righteousnesse, the darknesse of the heathenish errours * 1.187 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 * 1.188 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 * 1.189 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 * 1.190 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 〉 * 1.191 〈 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 * 1.192 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 * 1.193 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 * 1.194 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 * 1.195 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 * 1.196 desire to die, & death shall fly from thē: that is, the calamity of those * 1.197 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 * 1.198 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, * 1.199 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

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

It followeth of the continuance of the Plague, which surely * 1.200 is determined in the compasse of five moneths according to the type of locusts, which continue so many moneths: to wit, from * 1.201 the rising of the seaven stars (by the ancient called * 1.202 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 * 1.203 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 * 1.204 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, * 1.205 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••, * 1.206 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 * 1.207 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, * 1.208 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, * 1.209 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 * 1.210 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 * 1.211 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, * 1.212 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 * 1.213 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 * 1.214 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.

The second woe Trumpet OR, The sixt Trumpet.

Another woe of pl••gues (which untill this day O grievous!) * 1.215 lyeth upon it calleth forth the ••etra••chs of the Turk••s with a numerous troupe of horsemen, from Euph••••tes (where they had now long stayed) into the Roman Empire.

Loose (saith the voice from the soure hornes of the Altar of * 1.216 incense the foure Angels which are bound at the great river

Euphrates. Angels are put for the nations which they were thought to governe, a metonymie not unusall in this booke. That appeareth out of this, that those who are immediately loosed by ••teirdion of the oracle, are an army of horsemen, sent for••h to kill men.

He biddeth loose the Angels bound, Who breaking in upon the Romane regions, the former plague yet enduring were re∣strained at Euphrates a few ages, that they should not at their pleasure overrunne further. In the beginning truely they adven∣tured a little further, even unto Nira•• of Bithynia, but Solyman being vanished were againe driven backe to Eu••hrates, by the Christian Sea worthies in their expedition unto the holy land. * 1.217

Furthermore the foure Angels signifie so many Sultani••s or Kingdomes into which the Turkes were d••vided, when first having passed over Euphrates, they had spread themselves into the neighbouring coasts of A……a and Syria These Christopher Ric••e∣rius, concerning the originall of the Turkes, doth thus reckon up out of Scilix a Greeke author; the first of Asia, the second of Alepo, the third of Damascus, and of Antioch the fourth. The first of which the Asian or of Asia the lesse had its beginning in C••tlamusus (otherwise called by Elmachinus except I be de∣ceived Sedyduddrulas) allyed to that Tangrolipix who first tooke Bagdad. He began his Kingdome, in the parts of Asia bordering * 1.218 upon Euphrates; Caes••ria or Capadocia being conquered and taken from the Romanes to him and his poster••ty about the yeere of Christ 108. as the same auther witnesseth. The borders whereof afterward Solyman his successor enlarged as farre as Nicaea of Bithynia; but being vanished by ours in that renowned expedition unto Jerusalem, he was constrained to leave the whole region which he had gotten and to retire to Euphrat••s And the seat of this Tetrarchie, though in the beginning it were else where, yet for the most part was at Iconium in the same Ca••a∣docia.

The second was the Tetrarchie of Alepo the city thereof be∣ing Alepo which is watered with an arme of Euphrates, brought thither by one of the Sultanus, Siarsud aulas was the first king hereof (as witnesseth Elmachinus) having obtained Alepo in the yeere 1079. whose successor was R••duwanus Salgh••••ides, in the yeere 1095.

The founder of the third Tetrachie, whose chiefe city being Damascus, (by the testimonie of the same author) was Tagiud∣daulas Nisus the nephew of Togrulb••cus (or Tangr••lipix) who subdued Damascus in the same yeer 1079. His successor was Ducathes or Decacus the brother of R••duwanus, the Sultan of Alepo in the yeere 1095. Whom (saith Scilix) all the region of D••cap••lis obeyed. But this reached to Euphrates.

To these Scilix reckoneth the Antiochian ••o•• a fourth, con∣tained within moderate boundes. For saith he the Calipha of Egypt out of the Saracenicall stock possessed the regions of Syria unto Laodicea. But forasmuch as that Anti••chean Kingdome, as it was a little remote from Euphrates, so it endured not but four∣teene yeeres, Anti••chia being presently taken by ours under the conduct of B••••mund: happily it were better leauing out Antioch to adde for the making up of the number of four•• the Bagdad or Persia•• Empire upon the other side of Euphrates (for Scilix had onely respect to the Turkes, who had passed Euphrates) that so the whole Turkish Empire, beyond and on this side Euphrates, may be understood to be devided into those foure Sultanies: which with the course of the Kings or Sultans for a certain time, see Reader described in the following figure for thy more distinct * 1.219 contemplation.

A Diagramme of the T••••kish Kingdome par∣ted in Foure Partes at Euphrates from the yeere 1080. and so forth, out of Elmachinus, the Arabian, and S••il••p, a Greeke Author.

Beyond Euphrates,	on this side Euphrates,
Of Bagdad Togrulbecus Orbarsalanus.	Of Cesaria Capadocia & I. conium &c in Asia the lesse.	Of Alepo	Of Damascus
Ghelaluddaulas in the ye••re 1071 Barkyaruens M••hamm••dus Mahmudus be∣gan in the ye••re 1117. &c	Seijdud••aul••s by surname Cutlumusus S••limanus T••nismanius▪ Masutus Calisastlanus &c	Sjar••uddulas Roduwanus Tagjud••aulas his sonn•• Bulgarus begā in the yeere 1117	Tagjuddaulas Decacus Ababacus then alive in the yeere 1115 Sanguinus Noradinus

And this was the state of the Turkish affaires, when first they passed Euphrates, and as it were making a shew of their breaking in upon the Romane territories▪ they were restrained in their li∣mited prison at Euphra••e••. But howsoever this quaternion of Sultans remained not entire till the the time of their loosing, but underwent divers changes: yet the Holy Ghost esteemeth the na∣tion according to the state of the first irruption, wherein having passed Euphrates, they are bound untill an appointed time.

And those foure Angels were loosed, being prepared for an houre and a day and a month and a yeare, that they might slay the third part of men.

This loosing of the Turkes happened a little before the yeare 1300, the Caliphatship of Bagdad (with which the first Woe ut∣terly expired) being now extinguished by the Tartars in the yeere 1258, and the remnant of the Turkes, who on the other side of Euphrates, hitherto raighned in Persia, being cast by the same (in the yeare 1289) as it were out of a s••••ng into the countries be∣louging unto the Romane Empyre on this side of Euphrates.

For things thus framing, it happened also, that at the same time the Latines, who had hindred, and staied the irruptions of the * 1.220 Turkes now almost 200. yeares were driven out of Syria and Pa∣lestina, in the yeare likewise 1291. In the meane time the Turks, although as yet devided into severall provinces, invaded almost all the les••er Asia, parted it among themselves to be possessed by right of inheritance, and at length uniting themselves under the sole conduct of my Oth••man, without any restraint, cruelly raged and passed over into Europe: ne ther could they any ••ore bee restrai∣ned with any force, untill t••ey had destroyed the whole Constanti∣nopolitan Empire with miserable slaughters.

But unlesse I be deceaved, the Oracle designeth the time also of this overthrow of C••nstantinople: to wit, that it should come to passe, a day, a month, and a yeare, that is, 396 yeares af••er the Turkes, the Saracenicall Empire being given them, d••gan to be made ready by God; that is, from the time that B••gdad was taken by them. For this was the beginning of the breaking of the Turks when the Empyre of the Saracens began to be subverted, and the dominion of the Romanes to be afflicted; yet so as the force of the cvill, was to be restrained until the appointed time of setting them loose. Certainly the space of time, agreeth to an inch. For Alma∣chinus the Arabian Historian, whom we haue sometimes cited, then whom none hath more accurately noted, the moments of times, reporteth that Z••grulbecus Salghucides the Prince of the Turkes (whom we cal Tangrolipix, of the Zelzuc••ian family) the royall city of Bagdad being taken, was clothed with the Impe∣riall robe, by Caliph•• Ca••inus Biamrilla and enstauled in the king∣dome, in the yeare of the Hegira 4.9 that is 1057 of Christ, then sayeth he,, was the kingdome stablished to him. From this time therefore the Turkes, having the principall seate of the Sareceni∣call Empire, with the whole dominion beyond Euphrates are pre∣pared, that after a propheticall day, month and yeare, they should kill the third part of men; that is in the yeare of Christ 1453 they should utterly cut of the rest of the Romane Empire in the East, the royall city of Constantinople being taken. Fro the space from the yeare 1057 to the yeare 1453 wherein Constantinople was taken, is prec••••ely 396 yeares, whereof the day maketh one, the Month 30, the yeare 365. The exactnesse of the account is such that any one may easily imagine that even the howre (which ac∣cording

to the proportion of the rest should make fifteen dayes) a∣greed in like manner with the event, if the month of the inaugu∣ration of Togrulbecus had beene declared, as well as in the yeare is. In the meane while, untill that appeare 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 an houre may he taken here, not for th•• twentieth part of the day, but for a fit time, and the coniunctionk•••• (and) to be expounded declaratively as it were * 1.221 prepared for a fit time, to wit, for a day, a month, and a yeare, to slay the third part of men. But how many yeares after wardes should runne till the ruine of the Turkish kingdome, is no where had: only it is said that it shall come to passe at the end of the times of the Beast; to wit, the second Woe shall passe, when the third Woe should be at hand for the abolishing of the kingdome of the Beast chap. 11, v 14.15.

But before I depart hence, I shall not unwillingly confesse this, that except so exact an agreement of the prophesie with the thing done did as it were enforce mee, another interpretation should no way have displeased mee, to wit, this, that those An∣gels were prepared and furnished for every occasion whether need shall require for an houre, or a day, or a month, or a yeare, to take the matter in hand. But whether it bee like, that so accurate an∣swering of time, as here the event sheweth, should have happe∣ned by chance, let others judge. Some one perhaps there will be who will make conscience so to thinke.

It followeth of the quality and number of the Armies: And the number, saith he, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of the Army of horsemen, were two hundred thousand, thousand. Hee ••ameth an Army of horse∣men, and no other Armies, in the whole description of the plague, as if this enemie from Euphrates should be wholly an Army of Horsemen. Whether because in the Turkish warre, the horsemen so farre exceed the foote men in number, that this is of no account in respect of that? rather (which I beleeve the Holy Ghost especially respected) because this is the very character, already consecrated by Ezechiel, of the Nation of Magog, of whom the Turkes are derived. For so hee describeth that Nation by warr∣fare on horse-back in that famous prophesie concerning Gog (this in the same age of Ezekiel was the * 1.222 common name of all the

King of Magog as Pharaoh was of the Aegyptians) Chap. 38. 4. And I will bring thee forth, saith he, and all thins army Horses * 1.223 and Horse men, and all of ••hem cloth••d with armour. Againe, verse 15. And thou shalt come from thy place out of the North∣parts, thou and people with thee, all of them Riders on hors••s, &c. furthermore, this Gog is called the chiefe Prince of Meshek and Tubal; That is, who going out of his coasts commanded both the Armeniaes beyond and on this side Euphrates. I comprehend here under the name of the hither Armenia the Capadocians anci∣ently called Meschim and Moschi, and where the chiefe towne Mazaca is, afterwards called (aesarea, and in the same Coast the Moschi mountaines, being no obscure tokens that the Inhabitants are derived from Meshek. The further or greater Armenia is that which is called at this day Turcomania from the habitation of the Turkes; wherein in time past the City Thelbalana was, the Tiba∣renian and Balbitenian people, the river Teleboas and other marks of the name Tubal. Yet notwithstanding, the Warre which Ezechiel declareth, is not to be taken for this irruption of the Turkes which Iohn describeth (this only he seemeth to intimate) bee understood of another the last under the returne of the Jews, and that if a man may conjecture, this which now is, something before departing.

But of the type of the Armie of the Horse-men, there is another thing which with the good leave of the Reader I will adde; but on this condition, that no man thinke mee over much to regard the deceitfulnesse of names and e••ymologies. Even solid and well cooked meates, are wont to taste more deliciously with sauc••. Let not the Reader therefore disdaine that I set such before him. To wit, that the Turkes before the loosing, now by long habitation have beene Perfians, and by that name called every where in the Byzantine Historians. Certainely Ni∣cetas, who in a History comprehended the most part of the time wherein they were restrained at Eupbrates, almost alwayes calleth them Persians, verily rarely Turkes. Now the Per∣sians, if thou marke even by the very sound of the name, are Harse men: since 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Paras by which name Persia is called in sacred writt (with which Parthia is the same, onely other∣wise * 1.224 pronouned) in the three Easterne languages, the Hebrew Chaldean, and Arab••an, dothsignifie a Horse or Horse-man

Therefore by this reason the Euphratean Horse-men are Turcoper∣••ians, that is, the borderers of Euphraces by a nam•• of their Na∣tion are called Horse-men.

Neither doth example of such allusion (if any shall object dis∣pose) seeme to bee wanting in Daniel, chapter 8. where the Macedonians, who at that time were called Aegeades (that is to say Goatish) are signified by a type of Goates, and the King is set forth by the representation of a hee Goate. Behold, saith hee, Hircus Caprarum that is the Male of the Goates) com∣meth * 1.225 from the West, &c. for hee meaneth Alexander the great the KING of the Aegeans. They are the Macedonians. For so that Nation was called, where the first seate of the king∣dome was, from Caramos the Founder, about two hundred yeares before Daniel. The occasione of the name the Epi∣tomizor Iustinus reporteth out of Trogus lib. 7. whose words I will not sticke to mention. Caranus, saith he, with a great multi∣tude of Gr••cians, being commanded by an answer of the Oracle to seeke places of habitation in Macedonia, when he had com••into Ema∣thia, he possessed himselfe of the Citie Aedessa, following a stocke of Goates flying from a shower, the Citizens not perceaving by reason of the greatnesse of the showres and fogge: and calling the Oracle to minde, whereby he was bidden to seeke an Empyre by the conduct of Goates, he appointed it the State of the Kingdome; and afterwards religiously observed, whethersoever hee removed his Army to have the same Goates his ensignes, using those as guides for his enterpri∣ses which he had for authors of his Kingdome. He called the Citie Aedessa Aegeas, for memory of the benefit, and the people Aegeans. See the rest.

Such is the aptnes here, that a man may judge that the type of the Ram also in the same vision concerning the King of the Per∣sians * 1.226 hath allusion to the signification of the name Elam (which is the other of the two names whereby that Nation is called) For 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 with the Hebrewes (whence the name 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a Ram) and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which the Chaldeans signifie the same, to wit, * 1.227 to be valiant or strong. Happily therfore 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Elam with those sounded as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a Ram with these, and thereupon the K. of Elam is figured to Daniel in this type. Howsoever it be, when the mat∣ter it selfe is confirmed otherwise, such agreement of names with the type cannot but bee a godly solace to those that studdie those

things; whether wee beleeve it to have happened by chance or otherwise. And these things by the way.

Now againe I returne into the way to the Euphratean Horse∣men: the number of whom is, saith hee; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, * 1.228 two hundred thousand, thousand. Some read it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, * 1.229 leaving out 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 as Cha. 5. 11. But a huge multitude is signified as Psal. 68. 18. The Chariots of the Lord are twenty thousands, thou∣sands, thousands. For 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is of those nu∣merall words, which in the Hebraisme are wont to bee taken in∣definitely, as Sexcenti with the Latines; and doth expresse not a number of tenne thousand, but any great one whatsoever; espe∣cially when it is so doubled, as is to bee seene Daniel 7. 10. But there is no man ignorant how great and how immense: the armyes of the Turkes in their expeditions have beene, and at this day are wont to be.

And I heard saith he, the number of them. For indeed it might bee demanded, whence the number could appeare unto Iohn, as which was impossible for him to account in a vision. I heard saith he. The like is to be esteemed to come to passe in other visions al∣so, as often as any thing is declared which could not be expressed in a vision; to wit, that the Apostle was instructed therein by voyce. * 1.230

It followeth concerning their ammunition: And so I saw, * 1.231 saith he, the Horses in appearance, and those that sa••e upon them, having (even) Brestplates of fire, of Iacinct, and of brimstone, and the heads of the Horses as the Heads of Lions, and as it we••e fire smoake, and brimstone issued out of their mouthes; by which the third part of m••n was killed.

No where in any of the Prophets, or other where in sacred writ doth such like representation of fire, Iacinthian smoak; and brim∣stone offer itselfe. Wherefore I take it according to the letter, of that new kinde of instruments of war, and before this Trumpet never heard of, which these Euphrat••an enemies should use after their loosing: I meane gunnes sending forth fire, smoak and brim∣stone. For Gun-powder is a powder casting out fire, with Iacin∣thlan smoke, the substance being sulphurous. Which who so do•• use in warre, appeare unto their enemies, as if they were covered as it were with fiery Iacinthian, and sulphurous Habergions, in re∣spect of the ayre, corrupted with fire, smoake, and sulphurous

smell: by reason of which, the heads of the Horses also seeme dreadfull and terrible, as it were of Lions. Hence it is that Io•••• saith, ••••e saw horses and horsemen, not indeed, but in appearance such; I say, in appearance 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not indeed, having brest-plates of fire, jacinth, and brimstone; in appearance, having heads like Lions, to conclude, in appearance, not indeed, there came forth o•••• of the horses mouthes, fire, smoake, and brimstone; for that the thing is wont to appeare so to the beholders on the adverse part. This is the force of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in appearance, which twi••e in this sence is used in the fourth chap. ver. 3. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, like a Ia••per stone to looke upon, and a * 1.232 Raine-bow like an E••••rald to looke upon. Neither is that word to bee found in the New Testament, any other where except once o••ly.

By these three, fire, smoake, and brimstone issuing out of guns, * 1.233 he addeth, that the third part of men are killed, that is, they which were of that third part of men, whom wee called the Roman Empire. Neither is it necessary here of else-where, whre mention is of a third part, that the whole third part be understood, but to be taken partitively. Examples offer themselves as well in this book as elsewhere in the Scripture of such an Ellipsis of a word parti∣tive: as Iudges 12. 7. Iephte was buried in the Cities of Gilead, that is, in one of the Cities. And Rev. 17. 16. The tenne hornes shall hate the whore, that is some of them. So the third part of men was killed (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) that is they which were of the third part.

Who knoweth not that this was abundantly fulfilled in the overthrow of Constantinople? was not that most noble City, the head of the third part of men, conquered and given up to an uni∣versall slaughter by these engines casting forth fire? Here Chalco∣condylas. Mechmetes, saith he, in the expedition against Byzanti∣••m, caused great gunnes to be made, such as we never kne•• to have beene ••efore that time—those ••ee dispersed every where through his Army, that they might s••oote bullets against the Grecians—One of which was of that greatnesse, that it was to be drawen by 70 yoke of O••en, and two thousand men—to this on either side two ot••er great o••es also were adjoyned either of which shot•• stone, the w••ight wh••reof was halfe a tallent—that admirable peece of ord••••ance followed them, which carried a bullet which weighed about three tal∣lents, and did throw downe a great part of the w••ll—the ••••under∣ing

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whereof is reported to have binn so greate, that the country * 1.234 adjoyning for 40 furlongs distance was shake••, this peece of ••r∣dinance by day did shoot•• seven bullets, in the night one, which was a signe of day, and did shew in what place the bullets should be cast forth that day. He which desireth. To know more and how gunnes were vsed in the besieging of the City by sea, and how the walls being shaken with ordinance by the space of 40 dayes at length fell downe, and how Longe the Captayne of the Ge••••ales with his souldiers being beatne with the bullets of the gunnes quitted there place, and made way for the Turkes into the City, lett him have recource to Chalcocoudylas himselfe. Morover of the same he may learne, that the Peloponesian strei∣ght was also concured with the same armes, by Amurath this Mechmetes his Father, and the Pelquenesians brought to obedience and by Mechmets himselfe were wholley subdued, presently after the taking of Constantinople Corinthus also being conqureed by this manner of ordinance.

To this of their weapos is added another thing concerning the nature of the horses and horsemen. That their power was not in * 1.235 their mouth only (of which hither vnto) but also in their tayles. For their tayles were like serpents, having heads by which they doe hurte. That is, the same which before hath binne said of the Saracens, is true also of the Turkes. To wit, that they brought destruction where they came, not onely by hostile force, but also by the trayne of their Mahammedan imposture. Whence it is that these are noe lesse serpents in their tayle, then the Saracein∣••all L••••usts. whose religion they receaved. but that one kind of serpentine tayle is attributed to these, and another to them, that ariseth from the naturall diversity of the shape of both, the Locusts and horses; whereupon a sharpe tayle of Seorpions to those, but * 1.236 to these tayles with serpentine heades did beste agree.

But the rest of the men which were not killed with these pla∣gues * 1.237 (or which escaped these plagues) repented not of the workes of their hands, that they should not worship Devils, and idolls of golde, and silver, and brasle, and stone, and wood, which neyther 〈◊〉〈◊〉 see, nor heare, nor walke. &c.

But who these may be, it wilbe no hard matter to gather; since in the whole Roman•• Empire, or on this side Euphrates there are none now which worship Images (O shamefull and grivous!) but

christians. Must it not needs be then that the very same worship Divells, also since both is ascribed to the same in this place, But what Devills then thou wilt say? Shurely not those which they themselves hold for vncleane spirits, and so call them (for what christian wittingly and willingly would worship such?) but those Demone, which by the heathen theologists) were vn∣derstood by this name Damonia; I meane Deastri consecrated * 1.238 by the names both of Angells and of dead men, as it were medi∣ators betwenne God and men 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sayeth Plato, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Devils, are of a midle nature betweene the Gods and mortall men. Likewise 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 God hath noe society with man, but all comunion and conference of Gods with men is by mediation of spirits, or Devills. The same the other Plato∣nists and the most philosaphers of other sects, except the Epicuri∣ans doe hold. I will only rite the words of Apuleius, where in the * 1.239 opinion of Plato and the rest is fully and perspicuously contayned. Devills, sayth he are meane powers by whom both our desiers and * 1.240 merits have accesse, to the Gods carriers betweene mortall men, and those that dwell in heaven, hence of prayers, hence of gifts; which carry hither and thither, thence petitions, thence supplies, or certeyne interpreters or bearers of recomendations. Neither, * 1.241 sayth he, will it stand with the majesty of the heavenly Gods, to take care of these thinges. Doubtles they had two sorts of Gods; heavenly who were continually resident in heaven, and would not abase them••selves to these earthly things, nor be defiled with the thought of them; these propperly and singulerly were called Gods: others Divells, who being as it were mediating divine power, & ministers of the heavenly and chife Gods, had the over∣sight * 1.242 of humane affayers Those the holy cripture (if I conjecture rightly) calleth the hoaste of heaven; these (especyally those that * 1.243 they made of dead men) Baales of all the kinge of the Babiloni∣ans or Asyrians, or in the Cald•• pronunciation, Bel, who first was consecrate by his for a Devil. whence after it came to passe that such divine powers were called Baalim, that is, Baales; as Baal••∣peor, Baal-berith, Baal-zebub, Baal-melach (••er 19) even as from the first Emperor Julius Casaer, the other Romane Emper∣ors afterwards are called Caesars.

But how this doctrine of Divels, agreeth with the worship∣ping of Saints and Angels by the counterfeit-christians, the thing it * 1.244 selfe speaketh: with this only difference, that with them there were many supreame or heavenly Gods; with us there is only one the Father of all. And truly there ought to be but one mediator also, our Lord Jesus Christ, but that the false prophets have brought in more like the heathen D••mones. Plainely according to what Pa••l hath prophesied 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2, 3. That it should come to passe in the latter times, by the hypocrisie of false speakers faining lyes of * 1.245 miracles, and through countorfeit holinesse of the Monkes abstai∣ning from marriage and meates, by reason of their ••ow: that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, this doctrine of Divels should be brought back againe into the world. The interpretation will apt∣ly serve if thou take the ginitive 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 passively, that it may be the doctrine concerning devils as heb. 6. 2. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. The doctrine of baptisme, the doctrine of lying on of handes. For surely that, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by the hypocrocy of false teachers, and what followeth, that the order of construction maybe safe it is expounded by the government of to substantives, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the preposition setting forth the in••trument and cau••e•• which according to the Hebrew phrase is familiar) But I have declared this more at large in another place in a peculiar tracte, neither is it my minde here to repeate it.

Of the third w••e Trumpet. OR The sound of the 7. trumept.

The vision of the sixt trumpet being ended (for there is on * 1.246 only vision of one trumpet, even as of the seales and vialls) the next place in order of things was due to the sound of the seventh, which notwithstanding being put of to the prophecie of the little booke to which the spirit of God is now to passe: lest any thing * 1.247 in the meane space on his part should be wanting to the fulfilling of the prophecie of the ••eales now to be ended, he supplyeth the cour•• of the trumpets sound w^ch was to be deterred with an oath wherein the event of the trumpet is shewed at least in generall. To * 1.248 wit that it shall come to pas••e, when that Angel shall sound that the Romane Beaste being destroyed, the times of the last head being come to an end, the mystery of God shalbe finished, as he

hath declared to his servants the prophets. For so, long agoe, it was foretold to Daniell, that the fourth Beast being slayne, the * 1.249 king of the saints should rule through the whole world (c.7.) and together that glorious promise of restoring Israel should be fulfil∣led (chap. 12.) But that this Kingdome is it which hee called the finishing of the mystery of God, that acclamation subjoyned to the same Trumpet afterward sounding, suffereth us not to doubt: the Kingdomes of this world are become our Lords and his Christs, and he shall ra••gne for evermore: That it is wonder, that there are any * 1.250 who should understand it otherwise. Therfore that time, of which the Angell here sweareth, that it shall be no more, cannot be any * 1.251 other, then either the time of the foure Monarchies universally, or (which is more neere but the same in effect) of the last Kingdom; that is, the Roman, to wit, the last period, of a time, times, and halfe a time: since the same which here with Iohn is said shall be, when time shall be no more; that with Daniel was shewed should bee then, when that period of the last times shall be accomplished.

And surely this consummation of the mysterie of God is the mat∣ter of the seventh Trumpet: to which are added as companions seven thunders. For they are not the matter it selfe which the Trumpet doth exhibit, but a temporary thereof. To wit while the Angell maketh his proclamation concerning the mysterie of the Trumpet, seven thunders utter their voyces. He cried, saith * 1.252 he, with a great voyce, as a Lion roareth; and when hee had cryed, seven thunders uttered their voices: that is, when he had begun his cry, seven thunders also began to speake. Neither can they but con∣temporize with the seventh Trumpet, since that which followeth the sixth Trumpet, necessarily falleth into the seventh. But what is this voyce of thunder? whether is it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Bath Kol? If it bee this; the seven thunders are so many Oracles, by which the space of the seventh Trumpet is distinguished as it were by cer∣taine periods; but of a matter not at all to be knowne, nor to bee perceaved but in the proper times, which the prohibition to Iohn of writing the voyces of the seven thunders given from heaven, doth intimate. Seale up th••se things which the seven thunders have * 1.253 spoken, and write them not. We shall therefore enquire in vaine of those things which God would have kept secret and to be reserved for their owne times.

And thus hath the seventh Trumpet beene fitly enough accom∣mod••ted

in its place and order, although the discoverie of the sound thereof wherein the whole mysterie is fully unlockt, be re∣served * 1.254 to another place. The purpose of which reservation, with the whole frame of such disposition, although it be touched in the Key of the Revelation, yet it will be neither needlesse, nor unprofi∣table, to repeate it here againe, and a little more at large; since the consideration thereof doth escape most of the interpreters. The diligent contemplation of the body of the Apocaliptique vi∣sions fra••ed by the characters of the Synchronismes, gave me the first light here, and will give light to thee ò Reader also except I be deceaved. But the matter (that I may discover it with what plain∣nesse and brevitie of speech I came) standeth thus.

Both prophesies as well of the Seales, as of the little Booke are concluded with one and the same issue of things; to wit with that which the seventh Trumpet doth exhibit. For the declaring whereof the Holy Ghost hath deferred the more full opening of the sound thereof, the mysterie of the seventh Trumpet, being touched before in its proper place in the order of the Trumpets lightly, and as much as was there needfull; untill, a passage being made to the new prophesie of the Little book, (Chap. 10. from the eighth verse to the end) he had drawne up the first vision thereof, the course of the Revelation being likewise finished, to the same issue of things (Chap. 11. 14.) and then that Mysterie of the se∣venth Trumpet, the common Catastrophe of both prophesies, and only generally published, in the former prophesie (which was of the seal••s) is here, the sound at length being uttered, fully expoun∣ded: and that surely in a most apt order; when as otherwise with∣out a fore-knowledge of either prophe••ie, that which depended upon both could not have bin understood.

And hence it commeth to passe that the businesse of that tran∣slation, is not taken in hand, by any Angell o•• the Trumpets, but b•• that great and excellent Angell, who held in his hand the Little booke the Symbole of the second prophesie, which was presently * 1.255 to be eaten by Iohn. For it was requisite for him, who should re∣veale the second prophesie, that the explaining of the sound there∣of, whic•• contained the Catast••ophe of either prophesie, should be deferred thither. Yea if that Angell bee Christ the Lord, as it seemeth may be gathered by his more royall attyre and the whole ••••rniture, this right of suspending the last sounding in favour of

the other prophesie, doth agree to none so much as to him, who * 1.256 was the Author of both the prophesies. Hitherto truely hee had appeared in forme of a Lambe; but now it seemeth he had put on the person of an Angell: for that he was about to reveale to Iohn the same mysterie of Consummation, which hee had revealed long before to Daniel in the same appar••tion of an Angell, and in the same rite and words of an oath: you may see DANIEL Chapter 12. verse 6. 7. with the fifth verse of the tenth Chap∣••er.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Revel. ••. 1.
• * 1.2

  Numb. 1.52. and thence to the end of the second Chapter.
• * 1.3

  Gen. 30.14, Gen. 49 9.
• * 1.4

  Deut. 33. 17.
• * 1.5

  Schindler, p. 266. ••.
• * 1.6

  Ezek. 1.4.
• * 1.7

  Verse 10.
• * 1.8

  Chap. 4.
• * 1.9

  chap. 4.••.
• * 1.10

  Chap. 4.
• * 1.11

  Chap. 4.
• * 1.12

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.13

  Verse. 3.
• * 1.14

  Chap. 4.
• * 1.15

  verse. 4.
• * 1.16

  Ver. 6.••
• * 1.17

  see Ezech. 〈…〉〈…〉, Exod, 34, 19 Levit, 8. 17, and else where 40 times.
• * 1.18

  When by two words one things is signifyed.
• * 1.19

  Chap. 4,
• * 1.20

  verse. 8.
• * 1.21

  〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 9, 10, 11,
• * 1.22

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.23

  Chap. 4.
• * 1.24

  Chap. 5.
• * 1.25

  Verse ••••, 2,
• * 1.26

  Hypotyposi••. Chap. 5.
• * 1.27

  Verse 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• * 1.28

  Skarts
• * 1.29

  Verse 8.
• * 1.30

  Verse 9.10.11. 12.13, 14.
• * 1.31

  Mat. 42. 36.
• * 1.32

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.33

  Systema.
• * 1.34

  Chap 6.
• * 1.35

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.36

  Chap 11. 15.
• * 1.37

  Chap. ••
• * 1.38

  Ep••ch••m.
• * 1.39

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.40

  Verse 1, 2.1.
• * 1.41

  Chap. 4.7.
• * 1.42

  Chap, 6.
• * 1.43

  Verse 4.
• * 1.44

  ••••ap. ••.
• * 1.45

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.46

  Stellion••s.
• * 1.47

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Page 126.
• * 1.48

  Verse ••.
• * 1.49

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.50

  Verse ••,
• * 1.51

  Chap. ••.
• * 1.52

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.53

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Casp••rns wa••erus an••••ent measures lib. 2. Chap ••.
• * 1.54

  Chap 6.
• * 1.55

  Chap. 6,
• * 1.56

  Chap. ••▪
• * 1.57

  verse ••▪
• * 1.58

  verse ••.
• * 1.59

  Libitindrius.
• * 1.60

  Of the sword.
• * 1.61

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.62

  The sword.
• * 1.63

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.64

  C••anstrum panti ••••m.
• * 1.65

  ••f ••••stilence.
• * 1.66

  Lips••us de Con∣stant. 2 23. Chap. 6. Of famine.
• * 1.67

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.68

  ••pud E••seb. Hi∣••••or. lib ••. c••a. 17
• * 1.69

  Deut. 7▪ 22▪
• * 1.70

  Verse ••.
• * 1.71

  Chap. ••.
• * 1.72

  Chap. 6. De em••••datione temp••••um lib. 5. de prime anno D••ocletiam & Coptitar.
• * 1.73

  Verse ••.
• * 1.74

  Verse 10.
• * 1.75

  Ve••s•• 11.
• * 1.76

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.77

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.78

  Maje••onides. Mo••e Neb part. 2 cap 29. The A••a••ians, say of him to whom some singuler mi••for••••ne hath happened that his heaven i•• tur••ed o ea••th, or hath falle•• upon hi•• ea••th compare it w••••h ••amen••. ••.1. Chap. 6.
• * 1.79

  Verse 1••.
• * 1.80

  ••aggai •• 6.
• * 1.81

  Hag. 2.6.
• * 1.82

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.83

  ellipsim
• * 1.84

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.85

  verse 21.
• * 1.86

  Verse 23.
• * 1.87

  That it was common with the Easter••e na∣tions to vse the parable of the world to figure things, it may appeare by the chimi call philo∣sophy procee∣ding from the Arabians and ••gyptians, wher∣in all most every wordly body, likned to the world, is said to be compact of heaven, Earth, and starrs.
• * 1.88

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.89

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.90

  Verse. ••.
• * 1.91

  Cicero in orat, Pro Domo ad •• Pontif. Dioni••. lib. 2.
• * 1.92

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.93

  ver. 1••.
• * 1.94

  ver••. 14.
• * 1.95

  Chap. ••.
• * 1.96

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.97

  Dan. 8.9.10.
• * 1.98

  ••e••se 14.
• * 1.99

  Chap. ••.
• * 1.100

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.101

  Verse 15.
• * 1.102

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.103

  Vers. 16.
• * 1.104

  Verse 1••.
• * 1.105

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.106

  Verse 17.
• * 1.107

  See Ier. 49. 7. But especially Baru••••. ••. 23.
• * 1.108

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.109

  Maiemoni∣des More Neb. part. 2. cap. 36.
• * 1.110

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.111

  Campanum.
• * 1.112

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.113

  Chap. 7.
• * 1.114

  Vpon Chap. 7.
• * 1.115

  Chap. 7.
• * 1.116

  Vers. 1.
• * 1.117

  Chap. 7.
• * 1.118

  Vers. 2.
• * 1.119

  Chap. 7.
• * 1.120

  Vers. 4.
• * 1.121

  Vers. 9.
• * 1.122

  Chap. 7.
• * 1.123

  Vers. 17.
• * 1.124

  Vers. 16.
• * 1.125

  Vers. 16.
• * 1.126

  Chap. 7.
• * 1.127

  Vers. 5. &c.
• * 1.128

  Chap. 7.
• * 1.129

  Gal. 3.2••.
• * 1.130

  Colos. 3.11.
• * 1.131

  The name of Christ.
• * 1.132

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Iosua 22. 21.
• * 1.133

  Chap. 7.
• * 1.134

  Vers. 6.
• * 1.135

  Vers. 7.
• * 1.136

  Vers. ••.
• * 1.137

  Chap. 7.
• * 1.138

  See Adrich••m. Ta••. Naph••h••l. and himselfe, pag 115. ••.
• * 1.139

  Chap. 7.
• * 1.140

  Esay c. 9. v. 6.
• * 1.141

  Vers 8.
• * 1.142

  Chap. 7.
• * 1.143

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.144

  Vers. 9.
• * 1.145

  Vers. 10.
• * 1.146

  At Chap. 8.
• * 1.147

  Exod. 21.28.
• * 1.148

  Gen. 9. 6.
• * 1.149

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.150

  Chap. 8.1, 2, 3.
• * 1.151

  Vers. 5.
• * 1.152

  So also Acts 4. 3•• God granted the prayers of the Apostles in an Earth-quake.
• * 1.153

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.154

  And
• * 1.155

  When by two w••rds one thing is 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.156

  Vers. 6.
• * 1.157

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.158

  Vers. 3, 4.
• * 1.159

  Vers. 7.
• * 1.160

  Chap. 8. 8.
• * 1.161

  1••
• * 1.162

  12.
• * 1.163

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.164

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.165

  Chap. ••.
• * 1.166

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.167

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.168

  Chap. 16.3.
• * 1.169

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.170

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.171

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.172

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.173

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.174

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.175

  Vers. 10.
• * 1.176

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.177

  Vers. 10.
• * 1.178

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.179

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.180

  Verse 12.
• * 1.181

  How doth th•• city sit solitari•• that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she•• that was great among the Nations, and Princesse among the Provinces, how is she be∣come tr••tulary. Lament. 1. 1.
• * 1.182

  Chap. 8.
• * 1.183

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.184

  Chap. 9. ver. ••••
• * 1.185

  Chap. 9. ver. 1••
• * 1.186

  Verse, 20
• * 1.187

  Chap. 9••
• * 1.188

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.189

  Vers. 3.
• * 1.190

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.191

  Verse 4.
• * 1.192

  M••••. 12.4. R••••••. 14.14. and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 h••••c.
• * 1.193

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.194

  Verse 7.8.9.
• * 1.195

  Verse 5.
• * 1.196

  Chap. ••.
• * 1.197

  Ver••e 6.
• * 1.198

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.199

  Verse 7.
• * 1.200

  Chap. 9••
• * 1.201

  Verse 5.
• * 1.202

  Abe•••••••••• ver∣g••ttarnm.
• * 1.203

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 10.
• * 1.204

  Ver. 5, 10.
• * 1.205

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.206

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.207

  Verse 11.
• * 1.208

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.209

  Chap. ••••
• * 1.210

  De••bello I••d••i∣co lib. 1. cap. 3.
• * 1.211

  Antiquit. jud. lib 16. ••. 11. 13. 14. 15.
• * 1.212

  ••en. 25.23.13.
• * 1.213

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 11.1.
• * 1.214

  See the Lxx. Mat. 12.24. Luke 11.15.
• * 1.215

  ••••. Chap. 9.
• * 1.216

  Ve••se 14.
• * 1.217

  Ar••gmenta.
• * 1.218

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.219

  Diagra••mate.
• * 1.220

  Chap 9.
• * 1.221

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.222

  R••b. Moses Bar. Na••hman upon the Pen∣tatench, Gog. saith he, is a generall name, by which every Prince of Magog is called the same saith Iohannes Baptista, of a lew becomming a Christian, in the prologue of the second part. Leunclavius in the Pandicts of the Turkish H••story, p. 186. Gog at this day by the Turkes is called Giok or K••oc, with one only syllabl••: whence Kioc Can, wh••ch otherwhere is Gog Can &c. Gog E••p which also is Gug Elp.
• * 1.223

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.224

  Chap. ••.
• * 1.225

  Verse 5.
• * 1.226

  Chap. ••. Persians.
• * 1.227

  For••em s••n re∣bustu••••sse.
• * 1.228

  Verse 16.
• * 1.229

  Duaemyriades my••••adum. Cu••rnum Dei dua ••yriades, w••ll a d••p i••••t.
• * 1.230

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.231

  Verse ••••▪
• * 1.232

  Chap. 9,
• * 1.233

  Verse 9.
• * 1.234

  Chap 9
• * 1.235

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 9.
• * 1.236

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.237

  ve••••. 20.
• * 1.238

  men dei••yed? see Hisiod 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Vers. 121.? in simposi••
• * 1.239

  de Dhmonio socratis
• * 1.240

  Let the Redet see Austin de civit, dei lib 8. ct 9.
• * 1.241

  Chap. 9.
• * 1.242

  Daemones
• * 1.243

  you ••••y see Hiero•• vpon 22 chap. of Ezech. likewise vpon Ho•••••• chap. 2. and vpon Esay. 46. Demonem vers. 5. 13.
• * 1.244

  D••mon••.
• * 1.245

  De••strorum.
• * 1.246

  Chap. 10. Yer••e. 1. 2.
• * 1.247

  Ve••se. 6.
• * 1.248

  Yer••e, ••.
• * 1.249

  Chap. 10.
• * 1.250

  Cha. 11. v. 15.
• * 1.251

  Verse 6.
• * 1.252

  Vers•• 3.
• * 1.253

  Verse 4.
• * 1.254

  Chap. 10.
• * 1.255

  Verse 8, 9.
• * 1.256

  Chap. 10.