bands, though they be infidels. 6 He bringeth in examples 17 1,2Honor all men: llove 3brotherly fellowship: a Col. 3:18
1285 1 peter 3:5
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent of him, 1for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 1For so is the will of God, that by well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of the foolish men. 16 As free, and not as having the liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 1,2Honor all men: llove 3brotherly fellowship: fear God: honor the King. 18 m,1Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and courteous, but also to the froward. 19 n,1For this is thankworthy, if a man for 2conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongly. 20 For what praise is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye take it patiently? but and if when ye do well, ye suffer wrong and take it patiently, this is acceptable to God. 21 1For hereunto ye are called: for Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an 2example that ye should follow his steps, 22 oWho did no sin, neither was there guile found in his mouth. 23 Who when he was reviled, reviled not again: when he suffered, he threatened not, but 1committed it to him 2that judgeth righteously.
24 p,1Who his own self bare our sins in his body on the tree, that we being dead to sin, should live in righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray: but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 3 1 That Christian women should not contemn their husbands, though they be infidels. 6 He bringeth in examples of godly Women. 8 General exhortations, 14 patiently to bear persecutions, 15 and boldly to yield a reason of their faith. 18 Christ's example.
l 1 Pet. 1:12
Rom. 12:10
m Eph. 5:6
Col. 3:22
n 2 Cor. 7:10
o Isa. 53:9 1 John 3:5
p Isa. 53:5 Matt. 8:17
chapter 3
a Col. 3:18
Eph. 5:22
b 1 Tim. 2:9
1 Likewise a,1let the wives be subject to their husbands, 2that even they which obey not the word, may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives. 2 While they behold your pure conversation which is with fear: 3 b,1Whose appareling let it not be that outward, with braided hair, and gold put about, or in putting on of apparel: 4 But let it be the 1hidden man of the heart, which consisteth in the incorruption of a meek and quiet spirit, which is 2before God a thing much set by. 5 1For even after this manner in time past did the holy women, which trusted in God, tire themselves, and were subject to their husbands.
2:14 1 The second argument taken of the end of this order, which is not only most profitable, but also very necessary: seeing that by this means virtue is rewarded, and vice punished: wherein the quietness and happiness of this life consisteth. 2:15 1 He declareth the first argument more amply, showing that Christian liberty doth amongst all things least, or not at all consist herein, to wit, to cast off the bridle of Laws, (as at that time some altogether unskillful in the kingdom of God reported) but rather in this, that living holily according to the will of God, we should make manifest to all men, that the Gospel is not a cloak for sin and wicked ness, seeing we are in such sort free, that yet we are still the servants of God, and not of sin. 2:17 1 He divideth the civil life of man, by occasion of those things of which he spake into two general parts: to wit, into those duties which private men owe to private men, and especially the faithful to the faithful, and into that subjection whereby inferiors are bound to their superiors: but so, that Kings be not made equal to God, seeing that fear is due to God, and honor to Kings. 2 Be charitable and dutiful towards all men. 3 The assembly and fellowship of the brethren, as Zech. 11:14. 2:18 1 He goeth to the duty of servants towards their masters, which he describeth with these bounds, that servants submit themselves willingly and not by constraint, not only to the good and courteous, but also to the froward and sharp masters. 2:19 1 The taking away of an objection: Indeed the condition of ser vants is hard, especially if they have froward masters: but this their subjection shall be so much the more acceptable to God, if his will prevails more with servants, than the masters' injuries. 2 Because he maketh a conscience of it to offered God, by whose good will and appointment, he knoweth this burden is laid upon him. 2:21 1 He mitigateth the grievousness of servitude, while he
showeth plainly that Christ died also for servants, that they should bear so much the more patiently this inequality betwixt men which are of one selfsame nature, moreover setting before them Christ that Lord of Lords for an ensample, he signifieth that they cannot but seem too delicate, which show themselves more grieved in bearing of injuries, than Christ himself who was most just, and most sharply of all afflicted, and yet was most patient. 2 A borrowed kind of speech taken of painters and schoolmasters. 2:23 1 He showeth them a remedy against injuries, to wit, that they commend their cause to God, by the ensample of Christ. 2 He seemeth now to turn his speech to masters, which have also themselves a master and judge in heaven: who will justly revenge the injuries that are done to servants without any respect of persons. 2:24 1 He calleth the servants back from the consideration of the injuries which they are constrained to bear, to think upon the great ness, and the end of the benefit received of Christ. 3:1 1 In the third place he setteth forth the wives' duty to their hus bands, commanding them to be obedient. 2 He speaketh namely of them which had husbands that were not Christians, which ought so much the more be subject to their hus bands, that by their honest and chaste conversation they may give them to the Lord. 3:3 1 He condemneth the riot and excess of women and setteth forth their true appareling such as is precious before God: to wit, the inward and incorruptible which consisteth in a meek and quiet spirit. 3:4 1 Who hath his seat fastened in the heart: so that the hid man is set against the outward decking of the body. 2 Precious indeed, and so taken of God. 3:5 1 An argument taken of the example of women, and especially of Sarah who was the mother of all believers.
1 peter 3:6 1286
6 As Sarah obeyed Abraham, and ccalled him Sir: whose daughters ye are, while ye do well, 1not being afraid of any terror. 7 d,1Likewise ye husbands, 2dwell with them as men of 3knowledge, 4giving 5honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker 6vessel, 7even as they which are heirs together of the 8grace of life, 9that your prayers be not interrupted. 8 1Finally, be ye all of one mind: one suffer with another: love as brethren: be pitiful, be courteous. 9 e,1Not rendering evil for evil, neither rebuke for rebuke: but contrariwise bless, 2knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should be heirs of blessing. 10 f,1For if any man long after life, and to 2see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. 11 gLet him eschew evil and do good: let him seek peace and follow after it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: and the 1face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 1And who is it that will harm you, if ye follow that which is good? 14 hNotwithstanding blessed are ye, if ye suffer for righteousness' sake. 1Yea, ifear not their 2fear, neither be troubled. 15 But 1sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, 2and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and reverence. 16 Having a good conscience, that when they speak evil of you as of evil doers, they may be ashamed which slander your good conversation in Christ. 17 1For it is better (if the will of God be so) that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 18 j,1For Christ also hath once suffered for sins,
c Gen. 18:12
d 1 Cor. 7:3
e Prov. 17:13
Prov. 20:21
Matt. 5:39 Rom. 12:17 1 Thess. 5:15
f Ps. 34:13
g Isa. 1:16
h Matt. 5:10
i Isa. 8:12,13
j Rom. 5:6
Heb. 9:15
3:6 1 Because women are of nature fearful, he giveth them to under stand, that he requireth of them that subjection, which is not wrung out of them either by force or fear. 3:7 1 He teacheth husbands also their duties, to wit, that the more understanding and wisdom they have, the more wisely and circum spectly they behave themselves. 2 Do all the duties of wedlock. 3 The more wisdom the husband hath, the more circumspectly he must behave himself in bearing those commodities, which through the woman's weakness ofttimes cause trouble both to the husband and the wife. 4 The second argument, because the wife notwithstanding that she is weaker by nature than the man, is an excellent instru ment of the man made to far most excellent uses: whereupon it followeth that she is not therefore to be neglected because she is weak, but on the contrary part she ought to be so much the more cared for. 5 Having an honest care of her. 6 The woman is called a vessel after the manner of the Hebrews, because the husband useth her as his fellow and helper to live faith fully before God. 7 The third argument: for that they are equal in that which is the chiefest (that is to say, in the benefit of eternal life) which other wise are unequal as touching the governance and conversation at home, and therefore they are not to be despised although they be weak. 8 Of that gracious and free benefit whereby we have everlasting life given us. 9 The fourth argument: All brawlings and chidings must be eschewed, because they hinder prayers and the whole service of God whereunto both the husband and wife are equally called. 3:8 1 He returneth to common exhortations and commendeth con cord and whatsoever things pertain to the maintenance of peace and mutual love. 3:9 1 We must not only not recompense injury for injury, but we must also recompense them with benefits. 2 An argument taken of comparison: Seeing that we ourselves are called of God whom we offend so often, to so great a benefit (so far is he from revenging the injuries which we do unto him) shall we rather make ourselves unworthy of so great bountifulness, than forgive one
another's faults? And from this verse to the end of the chapter, there is a digression or going from the matter he is in hand with, to exhort us valiantly to bear afflictions. 3:10 1 A secret objection: But this our patience shall be nothing else but a fleshing and hardening of the wicked in their wickedness, to make them to set upon us more boldly, and to destroy us. (Nay saith the Apostle by the words of David) to live without doing hurt, and to follow after peace when it fleeth away, is the way to the happy and quiet peace. And if so be any man be afflicted for doing justly, the Lord maketh all things, and will in his time deliver the godly, which cry unto him, and will destroy the wicked. 2 Lead a blessed and happy life. 3:12 1 This word (Face) after the manner of the Hebrews, is taken for (anger.) 3:13 1 The second argument: when the wicked are provoked, they are more wayward: therefore they must rather be overcome with good turns: And if they cannot be gotten by that means also, yet notwithstanding we shall be blessed, if we suffer for righteousness' sake. 3:14 1 A most certain counsel in afflictions, be they never so terrible, to be of a constant mind, and to stand fast. But how shall we attain unto it? If we sanctify God in our minds and hearts, that is to say, if we rest upon him, as one that is Almighty, that loveth mankind, that is good and true indeed. 2 Be not dismayed as they are. 3:15 1 Give him all praise and glory, and hang only on him. 2 He will have us when we are afflicted for righteousness' sake, to be careful not for redeeming of our life, either with denying, or renouncing the truth, or with like violence, or any such means: but rather to give an account of our faith boldly, and yet with a meek spirit, and full to godly reverence, that the enemies may not have anything justly to object, but may rather be ashamed of themselves. 3:17 1 A reason which standeth upon two general rules of Christian ity, which notwithstanding all men allow not of. The one is, if we must needs suffer afflictions, it is better to suffer wrongfully than rightfully: the other is this, because we are so afflicted, not by hap, but by the will of our God. 3:18 1 A proof of either of the rules, by the example of Christ himself our chief pattern who was afflicted, not for his own sins (which were none) but for ours, and that according to his Father's decree.
1287 1 peter 4:6
2the just for the unjust, 3that he might bring us to God, 4and was put to death concerning the 5flesh, but was quickened by the spirit. 19 1By 2the which he also went, and preached unto the 3spirits that are in prison. 20 Which were in time passed disobedient, when 1once the long suffering of God abode in the days of kNoah, while the Ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, eight 2souls were saved in the water. 21 1Whereof the baptism that now is, answering that figure, (which is not a putting away of the filth of the flesh, but a confident demanding with a good conscience maketh to 2God) saveth us also 3by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22 Which is at the right hand of God, gone into heaven, to whom the Angels, and Powers, and might are subject. 4 1 He bringeth in Christ's example, and applieth it, 6 to the mortifying of the flesh, especially commending Charity: 12 And so entreateth of patience. 19 That it is necessary
that correction begin at the Church.
k Gen. 6:14
Matt. 24:33 Luke 17:26
1 Forasmuch 1then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind, which is, that he which hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sin, 2 That he hence forward should live (as much time as 1remaineth in the flesh) not after the lusts of men, but after the will of God. 3 a,1For it is sufficient for us that we have spent the time past of the life, after the lust 2of the Gentiles walking in wantonness, lusts, drunkenness, in gluttony, drinkings, and in abominable idolatries. 4 1Wherein it seemeth to them 2strange, that ye run not with them unto the same excess of riot: therefore speak they evil of you. 5 Which shall give account to him, that is ready to judge quick and dead. 6 1For unto this purpose was the Gospel preached also unto the dead, that they might be condemned according to men in the flesh, but might live according to God in the spirit.
chapter 4
a Eph. 4:22
b Prov. 10:12
2 An argument taken of comparison: Christ the just suffered for us that are unjust, and shall it grieve us who are unjust to suffer for the just's cause? 3 Another argument being partly taken of things coupled together, to wit, because Christ bringeth us to his Father that same way that he went himself, and partly from the cause efficient: to wit, because Christ is not only set before us for an example to follow, but also he holdeth us up by his virtue in all the difficulties of this life, until he bring us to his Father. 4 Another argument taken of the happy end of these afflictions, wherein also Christ goeth before us both in example and virtues, as one who suffered most grievous torments even unto death, although but in one part only of him, to wit, in the flesh or man's nature, but yet became conqueror by virtue of his divinity. 5 As touching his manhood, for his body was dead, and his soul felt the sorrows of death. 3:19 1 A secret objection: Christ indeed might do this, but what is that to us? yet (saith the Apostle) for Christ hath showed forth this vir tue in all ages both to the preservation of the godly, were they never so few and miserable, and to revenge the rebellion of his enemies, as it appeareth by the history of the flood: for Christ is he which in those days (when God through his patience appointed a time of repen tance to the world) was present not in corporal presence, but by his divine virtue, preaching repentance even by the mouth of Noah him self who then prepared the Ark, to those disobedient spirits which are now in prison waiting for the full recompence of their rebellion, and saved those few (that is, eight only persons) in the water. 2 By the virtue of which Spirit, that is to say of the divinity: therefore this word, Spirit, cannot in this place be taken for the soul, unless we say, that Christ was raised up again, and quickened by the virute of his soul. 3 He calleth them Spirits, in respect of his time, not in respect of the time that they were in the flesh. 3:20 1 This word (once) showeth that there was a furthermost day appointed, and if that were once past, there should be no more. 2 Men. 3:21 1 A proportional applying of the former example to the times
which followed the coming of Christ: for that preservation of Noah in the waters was a figure of our Baptism, not as though that mate rial water of Baptism saveth us, as those waters which bare up the Ark saved Noah, but because Christ with his inward virtue, which the outward Baptism shadoweth, preserveth us being washed, so that we may call upon God with a good conscience. 2 The conscience being sanctified may freely call upon God. 3 That selfsame virtue, whereby Christ rose again, and now being carried into heaven, hath received all power, doth at this day defend and preserve us. 4:1 1 Having ended his digression and sliding from his matter, now he returneth to the exhortation which he brake off, taking occasion by that which he said touching the death, and resurrection of Christ, so defining our sanctification, that to be sanctified, is all one as to suffer in the flesh, that is to say: to leave off from our wickedness and viciousness: and to rise again to God, that is to say, to be renewed, by the virtue of the holy Ghost, that we may lead the rest of our life which remaineth, after the will of God. 4:2 1 So much of this present life as remaineth yet to be passed over. 4:3 1 By putting us in mind of the dishonesty of our former life led in the filth of sin, he calleth us to earnest repentance. 2 Wickedly and licentiously after the manner of the Gentiles. 4:4 1 That we be not moved with the enemies' perverse and slander ous judgments of us, we have to set against them that last judgment of God which remaineth for them, for none, whether they be then found living, or were dead before, shall escape it. 2 They think it a new and strange matter. 4:6 1 A digression because he made mention of the last general judgement. And he preventeth an objection, that seeing Christ came very lately, they may seem to be excusable which died before. But this the Apostle denieth, for (saith he) this selfsame Gospel was preached unto them also: (for he speaketh unto the Jews) and that to the same end that I now preach it unto you, to wit, that the flesh being abolished and put away (that is to say, that wicked and naughty corruption which reigneth in men) they should suffer themselves to be governed by the virtue of the Spirit of God.
1 peter 4:7 1288
7 1Now the end of all things is at hand. Be ye therefore sober, and watching in prayer. 8 1But above all things have fervent love among you: bfor love shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 1Be ye charberous one to another, without grudging. 10 1,dLet every man as he hath received the gift, minister the same one to another, 2as good disposers of the manifold grace of God. 11 1If any man speak, let him speak as the words of God. If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God ministereth, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom is praise and dominion forever, and ever, Amen. 12 1Dearly beloved, think it not 2strange 3concerning the fiery trial, which is among you to prove you as though some strange thing were come unto you. 13 1But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall appear, ye may be glad and rejoice. 14 e,1If ye be railed upon for the Name of Christ, blessed are ye: for the 2spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: which on their part is evil spoken of, but on your part is glorified.
15 1But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or an evil doer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 But if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God in this behalf. 17 1For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God. 2If it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them which obey not the Gospel of God? 18 fAnd if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 1Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 5 1 He warneth the Elders not to usurp authority over the Church, 5 willing the younger sort to be willing to be taught, and to be modest, 8 to be sober and watchful to resist the cruel adversary.
c Rom. 12:13
Heb. 13:2
d Rom. 12:6
Phil 2:14
e Matt. 10
f Prov. 2:31
1 The 1Elders which are among you, 2I beseech which am also an Elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed,
4:7 1 He returneth to his purpose, using an argument taken from the circumstance of the time, because the last end is at hand, and therefore we must so much the more diligently watch and pray with true sobriety of mind. 4:8 1 He commendeth charity of one toward another, because it doth as it were bury a multitude of sins, and therefore preserveth and maintaineth peace and concord: for they that love one another, do easily forgive one another their offense. 4:9 1 Of all the duties of charity, he commendeth one, namely, which was at that time most necessary, to wit, hospitality, which he will have to be voluntary and most courteous and bountiful. 4:10 1 He showeth the use of charity, to wit, that every man bestow that gift which he hath received to the profit of his neighbor. 2 A reason, because that what gift soever we have we have received it of God upon this condition, to be his disposers and stewards. 4:11 1 He reckoneth up two kinds of these gifts as chief, to wit, the office of teaching in the Church, and the other Ecclesiastical func tions, wherein two things specially are to be observed, to wit, that the pure word of God be taught, and whatsoever is done, be referred to the glory of God the Father, in Christ, as to the proper mark. 4:12 1 Because the cross is joined with the sincere profession of Religion, the Apostle fitly repeateth that which he touched before, warning us not to be troubled at persecutions and afflictions, as a new and strange thing. 2 As though some new thing had befallen you, which you never thought of before. 3 The first reason: Because the Lord meaneth not to consume us with this fire (as it were) but to purge us of our dross, and make us perfect. 4:13 1 Another reason: Because the afflictions of the godly and the wicked differ very much, and chiefly in three points. First, because the godly communicate with Christ in their afflictions, and therefore shall in their time be partakers also of his glory. 4:14 1 Secondly, because that although the infidels think far other
wise, who in afflicting the godly, blaspheme God, yet the godly in that they are so railed upon, are honored of God with the true spiri tual glory, and their adoption sealed in them by the Spirit of God. 2 By Spirit he meaneth the gifts of the Spirit. 4:15 1 The third difference: for the godly are not afflicted for their evil doings, but for righteousness' sake as Christians: whereby it cometh to pass that the cross, seeing it is a testimony unto them of faith and righteousness, ministereth unto them not an occasion of sorrow, but of unspeakable joy: now the Apostle propoundeth the third differ ence under the form of an exhortation. 4:17 1 The third reason because the Lord of all the world being espe cially careful for them of his household, doth therefore chastise them first of all, yet so that he keepeth a measure in his greatest severity: And as he hath always used to do heretofore, so doth he now spe cially when as he exhibited himself in person to his Church. 2 Lest the godly should be offended and stumble at that vain shadow of felicity of the wicked, as though God were not the governor of the world, for that the wicked are in good case, and the godly in evil, the Apostle teacheth by an argument of a comparison of them together, that God who spareth not his own, but nurtureth them under the cross, will at length in his time handle the rebellious and wicked far otherwise, whom he hath appointed to utter destruction. 4:19 1 The conclusion: Seeing the godly are not afflicted by chance, but by the will of God, they ought not to despair, but go forward, not withstanding in the way of holiness and well doing, commending themselves to God their faithful Creator, that is to say, their Father. 5:1 1 He describeth peculiarly the office of the Elders, that is to say, of them that have the care of the Church. 2 He useth a preface touching the circumstance of his own person: to wit, that he as their companion, communeth with them not of mat ters which he knoweth not, but wherein he is as well experienced as any, and propoundeth unto them no other condition but that which he himself hath sustained before them, and doth still take the same pains, and also hath one selfsame hope together with them.
1289 1 peter 5:14
2 1,2Feed the 3flock of God, 4which dependeth upon you, 5caring for it not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind: 3 Not as though ye were Lords over God's 1heritage, but that ye may be examples to the flock. 4 1And when that chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive an incorruptible crown of glory. 5 1Likewise ye younger submit yourselves unto the Elders, and submit yourselves every man, one to another: adeck yourselves inwardly in lowliness of mind: 2for bGod resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble cyourselves therefore 1under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. 7 dCast all your care on him: for he careth for you. 8 1Be sober, and watch: for eyour adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom
he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, 1knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your 2brethren which are in the world. 10 1And the God of all grace, which hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a little, make you perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen. 12 1By Silvanus a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, have I written briefly, exhorting and testifying how that this is the true grace of God, wherein ye stand. 13 1The Church that is at 2Babylon elected together with you, saluteth you, and Mark my son. 14 Greet ye one another with the f kiss of love. Peace be with you all which are in Christ Jesus, Amen.
chapter 5
a Rom. 12:10
b James 4:6
c James 4:10
d Ps. 55:23
Matt. 6:25 Luke 12:22
e Luke 22:31
f Rom. 16:16
1 Cor. 16:20 2 Cor. 13:11
5:2 1 The first rule: He that is a shepherd, let him feed the flock. 2 He saith not, Offer for the quick and dead, and sing patched shreds in a strange tongue, but (Feed.) 3 The second: Let the shepherd consider, that the flock is not his, but God's. 4 The third: Let not the shepherds invade other men's flocks, but let them feed that which God hath committed unto them. 5 Let the shepherds govern the Church with the word and exam ple of godly and unblamable life, not by constraint but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, not as Lords over God's portion and heritage, but as his ministers. 5:3 1 Which is the Christian people. 5:4 1 That the shepherds' minds be not overcome either with the wickedness of men, or their cruelty, he warneth them to cast their eyes continually upon that chief Shepherd, and the crown which is laid up for them in heaven. 5:5 1 He commendeth many peculiar Christian virtues, and espe cially modesty: which admonition all of us stand in need of, but especially the younger sort, by reason of the outwardness and pride of that age. 2 Because pride seemeth to many, to be the way unto the glory of this life, the Apostle witnesseth on the contrary side, that ignominy and shame is the reward of pride, and glory the reward of modesty.
5:6 1 Because those proud and lofty spirits threaten the modest and humble, the Apostle warneth us to set the power of God against the vanity of proud men, and to hang wholly upon his providence. 5:8 1 The cruelty of Satan, who seeketh by all means to devour us, is overcome by watchfulness and faith. 5:9 1 The persecutions which Satan stirreth up are neither new nor proper to any one man, but from old and ancient time common to the whole Church, and therefore we must suffer that patiently wherein we have such and so many fellows of our conflicts and combats. 2 Amongst your brethren which are dispersed throughout the world. 5:10 1 He sealeth up as it were with a seal the former exhortation with a solemn prayer, again willing them to ask increase of strength at his hands of whom they had the beginning, and hope to have the accomplishment, to wit, of God the Father in Jesus Christ in whom we are sure of the glory of eternal life. 5:12 1 Continuance and perseverance in the doctrine of the Apos tles, is the only ground and foundation of Christian strength: Now the sum of the Apostles' doctrine, is salvation freely given of God. 5:13 1 Familiar salutations. 2 In that famous city of Assyria, where Peter the Apostle of the cir cumcision then was.
T h e s e c o n d e p i s t l e g e n e r a l o f
p e t e r
1 3 Having spoken of the bountifulness of God, 5 and of the virtues of faith. 6 He exhorteth them to holiness of life. 12 And that his counsel may be the more effectual. 14 He showeth that his death is at hand, 16 and that himself did see the power of Christ, which he opened unto them.
virtue, knowledge: 6 1And with knowledge, temperance: and with temperance, patience: and with patience, godliness: 7 And with godliness, brotherly kindness: and with brotherly kindness, love. 8 1For if these things be among you, and abound, they will make you that ye neither shall be idle, nor unfruitful in the acknowledging of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 For he that hath not these things, is blind, and 1cannot see far off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 1Wherefore, brethren, give rather diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. 11 For by this means an entering shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 12 1Wherefore, I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though that ye have knowledge, and be established in the present truth.
1 Simon 1Peter a servant and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to you which have obtained like precious faith with us by the 2righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you, 1through the acknowledging of God, and of Jesus Christ our Lord, 3 1According as his 2divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto 3life and godliness, through the 4acknowledging of him that hath called us unto glory and virtue. 4 1Whereby most great and precious promises are given unto us, that by them ye should be partakers of the 2divine nature, in that ye flee the corruption, which is in the 3world through 4lust. 5 1Therefore give even all diligence thereunto: 2join moreover virtue with your faith: and with
1:1 1 A salutation wherein he giveth them to understand that he dealeth with them as Christ's ambassador, and otherwise agreeth with them in one selfsame faith which is grounded upon the righ teousness of Jesus Christ our God and Savior. 2 In that God standing to his promises, showed himself faithful, and therefore just unto us. 1:2 1 Faith is the acknowledging of God and Christ, from whence all our blessedness issueth and showed. 1:3 1 Christ setteth forth himself to us plainly in the Gospel, and that by his only power, and giveth us all things which are requisite both to eternal life, wherein he hath appointed to glorify us, and also to godliness, in that he doth furnish us with true virtue. 2 He speaketh of Christ, whom he maketh God, and the only Savior. 3 Unto salvation. 4 This is the sum of true Religion, to be led by Christ to the Father, as it were by the hand. 1:4 1 An explication of the former sentence, declaring the causes of so great benefits, to wit, God and his free promise, from whence all these benefits proceed, I say, these most excellent benefits, whereby we are delivered from the corruption of the world, (that is, from the wicked lusts which we carry about us) and are made, after a sort, like unto God himself. 2 By the divine nature, he meaneth not the substance of the God head, but the partaking of these qualities whereby the image of God is restored in us. 3 In men. 4 For lust is the fear of corruption, and hath his fear even in our very
bowels and inmost parts. 1:5 1 Having laid the foundation (that is, having declared the causes of our salvation and especially of our sanctification) now he begin neth to exhort us to give our minds wholly to the true use of this grace. And he beginneth with faith without which nothing can please God, and he warneth us to have it full fraught with virtue (that is to say) with good and godly manners, being joined with the knowledge of God's will, without which there is neither faith neither any true virtue. 2 Supply also, and support or aid. 1:6 1 He reckoneth up certain and other principal virtues, whereof some pertain to the first Table of the Law, others to the last. 1:8 1 As those fruits do spring from the true knowledge of Christ, so in like sort the knowledge itself is fostered, and groweth by bringing forth such fruits, insomuch that he that is unfruitful did either never know the true light, or hath forgotten the gift of sanctification which he hath received. 1:9 1 He that hath not an effectual knowledge of God in him, is blind as touching the kingdom of God, for he cannot see things that are afar off, that is to say, heavenly things. 1:10 1 The conclusion: Therefore seeing our calling and election is approved by those fruits, and is confirmed in us, and moreover seeing this is the only way to the everlasting kingdom of Christ, it remaineth that we cast our minds wholly that way. 1:12 1 An amplifying of the conclusion joined with a modest excuse, wherein he declareth his love towards them, and foretelleth them of his death, which is at hand.
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13 For I think it meet as long as I am in this 1tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance, 14 Seeing I know that the time is at hand that I must lay down this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath ashowed me. 15 bI will endeavor therefore always, that ye also may be able to have remembrance of these things after my departing. 16 c,1For we followed not deceivable fables, when we opened unto you the power, and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but with our eyes we saw his majesty: 17 For he received of God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from that excellent Glory, dThis is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice we heard when it came from heaven being with him in the holy mount. 19 1We have also a most sure word of the Prophets, 2to the which ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the 3day dawns, and the 4day star arise in your hearts. 20 e,1So that ye first know this, that no prophecy of the 2Scripture is of any 3private interpretation: 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but 1holy men of God spake as they were 2moved by the holy Ghost. 2 1 He foretelleth them of false teachers, 13 whose wicked sleights and destruction he declareth. 12 He
compareth them to bruit beasts, 17 and to wells without water, 20 because they seek to withdraw men from God to their old filthiness.
chapter 1
a John 21:18
b 1 Cor. 1:17
c 1 Cor. 2:1
1 But 1there were false prophets also among the 2people, even as there shall be false teachers among you: which privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that hath bought them, and bring upon themselves swift damnation. 2 1And many shall follow their destructions, by whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 1And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make 2merchandise of you, 3whose condemnation long since resteth not, and their destruction slumbereth not. 4 For if God spared not the aAngels that had sinned, but cast them down into 1hell, and delivered them into 2chains of darkness, to be kept unto damnation: 5 Neither hath spared the 1old world, but saved bNoah the eighth person a 2preacher of righteousness, and brought in the Flood upon the world of the ungodly, 6 And cturned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them and overthrew them, and made them an ensample unto them that after should live ungodly, 7 And delivered just Lot vexed with the uncleanly conversation of the wicked: 8 (For he being righteous, and dwelling among them, in 1seeing and hearing, 2vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.)
d Matt. 17:5
e 2 Tim. 3:16
chapter 2
a Job 4:18
Jude 6
b Gen. 7:1
c Gen. 19:13,14
1:13 1 In this body. 1:16 1 Another amplification taken both of the great certainty and also excellency of this doctrine, as whereof our Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God is author, whose glory the Apostle himself both saw and heard. 1:19 1 The truth of the Gospel is hereby also manifest, in that it agreeth wholly with the foretellings of the Prophets. 2 The doctrine of the Apostles doth not shut out the doctrine of the Prophets, for they confirm each other by each other's testimo nies, but the Prophets were as candles which gave light unto the blind, until the brightness of the Gospel began to shine. 3 A more full and open knowledge than was under the shadows of the Law. 4 That clearer doctrine of the Gospel. 1:20 1 The Prophets are to be read, but so that we ask of God the gift of interpretation: for he that is the author of the writings of the Prophets, is also the interpreter of them. 2 He joineth the Scripture and prophecy together to distinguish true prophecies from false. 3 For all interpretation cometh from God. 1:21 1 The godly interpreters and messengers. 2 Inspired of God: and these their motions were in very good order, and not such as were the motions of the profane soothsayers, and foretellers of things to come. 2:1 1 As in times past there were two kinds of Prophets, the one true, the other false, so Peter fortelleth them that there shall be some true and some false teachers in the Church, insomuch that Christ him self shall be denied by some, who notwithstanding shall call him
redeemer. 2 Under the Law, while the state and policy of the Jews was yet standing. 2:2 1 There shall not only be heresies, but also many followers of them. 2:3 1 Covetousness for the most part is a companion of heresy, and maketh merchandise even of souls. 2 They will abuse you, and sell you as they sell cattle in a Fair. 3 A comfort for the godly: God who cast the Angels that fell away from him headlong into the darkness of hell, at length to be judged, and who destroyed the old world with the flood, and preserved Noah the eight person, and who burned Sodom, and saved Lot, will deliver his elect from these errors, and will utterly destroy those unrighteous. 2:4 1 So the Greeks called the deep dungeon under the earth, which should be appointed to torment the souls of the wicked in. 2 Bound them with darkness as it were with chains: and by dark ness, he meaneth that most miserable state of life, that is full of horror. 2:5 1 Which was before the Flood: not that God made a new world, but because the world seemed new. 2 For he ceased not for the space of an hundred and twenty years to warn the wicked both by word and deed, what wrath of God hanged over their heads. 2:8 1 Which way soever he looked and turned his ears. 2 He had a troubled soul, and being vehemently grieved, lived a painful life.
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9 The Lord 1knoweth to deliver the godly out of tentation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment under punishment: 10 1And chiefly them that walk after the flesh, in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government, which are bold, and stand in their own conceit, and fear not to speak evil of them that are in 2dignity. 11 Whereas the Angels which are greater both in power and might, give not railing judgment against them before the Lord. 12 1But these as natural brute beasts, led with sensuality and 2made to be taken, and destroyed, speak evil of those things which they know not, and shall perish through their own 3corruption. 13 And shall receive the wages of unrighteousness, as they which count it pleasure daily to live deliciously. 1Spots they are and blots, delighting themselves in their deceivings, 2in feasting with you. 14 1Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease to sin, beguiling unstable souls, they have hearts exercised with covetousness, they are the children of curse: 15 Which forsaking the right way, have gone astray following the way of dBalaam, the son of Beor, which loved the wages of unrighteousness. 16 But he was rebuked for his iniquity: for the dumb beast speaking with man's voice forbade the foolishness of the Prophet. 17 e,1These are 2wells without water, and clouds carried about with a tempest, to whom the 3black darkness is reserved forever. 18 For in speaking 1swelling words of vanity, they 2beguile with wantonness through the lusts of the
flesh them that were 3clean escaped from them which are wrapped in error, 19 Promising unto them liberty, and are themselves the fservants of corruption: for of whomsoever a man is overcome, even unto the same is he in bondage. 20 g,1 For if they, after they have escaped from the filthiness of the world, through the acknowledging of the Lord, and of the Savior Jesus Christ, are yet tangled again therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have acknowledged the way of righteousness, than after they have acknowledged it, to turn from the holy commandment given unto them. 22 But it is come unto them according to the true proverb, hThe dog is returned to his own vomit: and the sow that was washed, to the wallowing in the mire. 3 1 He showeth that he writeth the same things again. 2 Because they must often be stirred up, 3 because dangers hang over their heads through certain mockers. 8 Therefore he warneth the godly that they do not after the judgment of the flesh, 12 appoint the day of the Lord, 14 but that they think it always at hand, 15 in which doctrine he showeth that Paul agreeth with him.
d Num. 22:23
e Jude 12
f John 8:34
Rom. 6:20
g Matt. 12:45
Heb. 6:4
h Prov. 16:11
1 This 1second Epistle I now write unto you, beloved, wherewith I stir up, and warn your pure minds, 2 To call to remembrance the words, which were told before of the holy Prophets, and also the commandment of us the Apostles of the Lord and Savior.
2:9 1 Hath been long practiced in saving and delivering the righ teous. 2:10 1 He goeth to another sort of corrupt men, which notwith standing are within the bosom of the Church, which are wickedly given, and do seditiously speak evil of the authority of Magistrates, (which the Angels themselves that minister before God, do not dis praise) A true and lively description of the Romish Clergy (as they call it.) 2 Princes and great men, be they never so high in authority. 2:12 1 A lively painting out of the same persons, wherein they are compared to beasts, which are made to snare themselves to destruc tion, while they give themselves to fill their bellies: For there is no greater ignorance than is in these men, although they most impu dently find fault with those things which they know not: and it shall come to pass that they shall destroy themselves as beasts, with those pleasures wherewith they are delighted, and dishonor and defile the company of the godly. 2 Made to this end, to be a prey to others: so do these men will ingly cast themselves into Satan's snares. 3 Their own wicked manners shall bring them to destruction. 2:13 1 Or, little rocks. 2 When as by being amongst the Christians in the holy banquets which the Church keepeth, they would seem by that means to be true members of the Church, yet they are indeed but blots on the
Church. 2:14 1 He condemneth those men, as showing even in their behav ior and countenance an inmeasurable lust, as making merchandise of the souls of light persons, as men exercised in all the crafts of covetousness, to be short, as men that sell themselves for money to curse the Sons of God after Balaam's example, whom the dumb beast reproved. 2:17 1 Another note whereby they may be well known what man ner of men they are, because they have inwardly nothing but either utterly vain or very hurtful, although they make a show of some great goodness: but they shall not escape unpunished for it, because under pretence of false liberty, they draw men into most miserable slavery of sin. 2 Which boast of knowledge, and have nothing in them. 3 Most gross darkness. 2:18 1 They deceive men with vain and swelling words. 2 They take them as fishes are taken with the hook. 3 Unfeignedly and indeed clean departed from Idolatry. 2:20 1 It were better never to have known the way of righteousness, than to turn back from it to the old filthiness: and men that do so are compared to dogs and swine. 3:1 1 The remedy against those wicked enemies both of true doc trine and holiness, is to be sought for by the continual meditation of the writings of the Prophets and Apostles.
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3 a,1This first understand, that there shall come in the last days, 2mockers, which will walk after their lusts, 4 1And say, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the Fathers died, all things continue alike from the beginning of the creation. 5 1For this they willingly know not, that the heavens were of old, and the 2earth that was of the water, and by the water, by the word of God. 6 1Wherefore the world that then was, perished, overflowed with the 2water. 7 1But the heavens and earth, which are now, are kept by the same word in store, and reserved unto fire against the day of condemnation, and of the destruction of ungodly men. 8 1Dearly beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord, bas a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 1The Lord of that promise is not slack (as some men count slackness) 2but is patient toward us, and cwould have no man to perish, but would all men to come to repentance. 10 1But the day dof the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a 2noise, and the elements shall melt with heat, and the earth with the works that are therein shall be burnt up. 11 1Seeing therefore that all these things must be
dissolved, what manner persons ought ye to be in holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for, and 1hasting unto the coming of that day of God, by the which the heavens being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with heat? 13 But we look for enew heavens, and a new earth, according to his promise, 1wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in 1peace, without spot and blameless. 15 fAnd suppose that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation, 1even as our beloved brother Paul according to the wisdom given unto him wrote to you. 16 As one that in all his Epistles speaketh of these things: 1among the 2which, some things are hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable, wrest, as they do also other Scriptures unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware, lest ye be also plucked away with the error of the wicked, and fall from your own steadfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: to him be glory both now and for evermore. Amen.
chapter 3
a 1 Tim. 4:1
1 Tim. 3:1 Jude 18
b Ps. 90:4
c Ezek. 8:32
Ezek. 33:11
1 Tim. 2:4
d Matt. 24:44
1 Thess. 5:2 Rev. 3:3 Rev. 16:15
e Isa. 65:17
Isa. 66:22 Rev. 21:1
f Rom. 2:4
3:3 1 He voucheth the second coming of Christ against the Epicu reans by name. 2 Monstrous men, who will seem wise by their contempt of God, and wicked boldness. 3:4 1 The reason which these mockers pretend because the course of nature is all one as it was from the beginning: therefore the world is from everlasting, and shall be forever. 3:5 1 He setteth against them the creation of heaven and earth by the word of God, which these men are willingly ignorant of. 2 Which appeared when the waters were gathered together into one place. 3:6 1 Secondly, he setteth against them the universal flood which was the destruction, as it were of the whole world. 2 For the waters returning into their former place this world, that is to say, this beauty of the earth which we see, and all living creatures which live upon the earth perished. 3:7 1 Thirdly, he pronounceth that it shall not be harder for God to burn heaven and earth with fire in that day which is appointed for the destruction of the wicked, (which thing he will also do) than it was for him in times past to make them with his only word and after ward to overwhelm them with water. 3:8 1 The taking away of an objection: in that he seemeth to defer this judgment a long season, in respect of us it is true, but not before God with whom there is no time either long or short. 3:9 1 The Lord will surely come, because he hath promised: and that neither sooner nor later than he hath promised.
2 A reason why the latter day cometh not out of hand, because God doth patiently wait till the elect are brought to repentance, that none of them may perish. 3:10 1 A very short description of the least distinction of the world, but in such sort as nothing could be spoken more gravely. 2 With the violence as it were of a hissing storm. 3:11 1 An exhortation to purity of life, setting before us that horrible judgment of God both to bridle our wantonness, and also to comfort us, so that we be found watching and ready to meet him at his coming. 3:12 1 He requireth patience of us, yet such patience as is not slothful. 3:13 1 In which heavens. 3:14 1 That you may try to your profit, how gentle and peaceable he is. 3:15 1 Paul's Epistles are allowed by the express testimony of Peter. 3:16 1 There be certain of these things obscure and dark, whereof the unlearned take occasion to overthrow some men that stand not fast, wrestling the testimonies of the Scripture to their own destruction. But this is the remedy against such deceit, to labor that we may daily more and more grow up and increase in the knowledge of Christ. 2 That is to say, among the which things: for he disputeth not here whether Paul's Epistles be plain or dark, but saith, that amongst those things which Paul hath written of his Epistles, and Peter himself in these two of his own, there are some things which cannot be easily understood, and therefore are of some drawn to their own destruc tion: and this he saith to make us more attentive and diligent, and not remove us from the reading of holy things, for to what end should they have written vain speculations?
T h e f i r s t e p i s t l e g e n e r a l o f
j o h n
1 1 He testifieth that he bringeth the eternal word, wherein is life, 5 and light. 9 God will be merciful unto the faithful, if groaning under the burden of their sins, they learn to flee unto his mercy.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not truly. 7 But if we walk in the 1light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, 2and the bblood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 c,1 If we say that we have no sin, we 2deceive ourselves, and 3truth is not in us. 9 1If we acknowledge our sins, he is 2faithful and just, to 3forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 1If we say, we have not sinned, we make him 2a liar, and his 3word is not in us. 2 1 He declareth that Christ is our mediator and advocate, 3 and showeth that the knowledge of God consisteth in holiness of life, 12 which appertaineth to all sorts, 14 that depend on Christ alone: 15 Then having exhorteth them to contemn the world, 18 he giveth warning that Antichrists be avoided, 24 and that the known truth be stood unto.
chapter 1
a John 8:12
b Heb. 9:28
1 Pet. 1:19 Rev. 1:5
c 1 Kings 8:46
1 That 1which was from the beginning, which we have 2heard, which we have seen with these our eyes, which we have looked upon, and these hands of ours have handled of that 3word of life, 2 (For that life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and 1show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was made manifest unto us.) 3 That I say, which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, 1that ye may also have fellowship with us, and that our fellowship also may be with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write I unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 1This then is the message, which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God ais light, and in him is no darkness.
2 Chron. 6:36 Prov. 20:9
1 My 1little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not: and if any man sin, we have an
1:1 1 He beginneth with the description of the person of Christ, whom he maketh one and not two: and him both God from ever lasting (for he was with the Father from the beginning, and is that eternal life) and also made true man, whom John himself and his companions, both heard and beheld, and handled. 2 I heard him speak, I saw him myself with mine eyes, I handled with mine hands him that is very God, being made very man, and not I alone, but others also that were with me. 3 That same everlasting word, by whom all things are made, and in whom only there is life. 1:2 1 Being sent by him: and that doctrine is rightly said to be showed, for no man could so much as have thought of it, if it had not been thus showed. 1:3 1 The use of this doctrine is this, that all of us being coupled and joined together with Christ by faith, might become the Sons of God, in which thing only consisteth all happiness. 1:5 1 Now he entereth into a question, whereby we may understand that we are joined together with Christ, to wit, if we be governed with his light, which is perceived by the ordering of our life. And thus he reasoneth, God is in himself most pure light, therefore he agreeth with them, which are light some, but with them which are of the darksome he hath no fellowship. 1:7 1 God is said to be light of his own nature, and to be in light, that is to say, in that everlasting infinite blessedness: and we are said to walk in light, in that the beams of that light do shine unto us in the world. 2 A digression or going from the matter he is in with, to the remis sion of sins: for this our sanctification which walk in the light, is a testi mony of our joining and knitting together, with Christ: but because this our light is very dark, we must needs obtain another benefit in Christ,
to wit, that our sins may be forgiven us being sprinkled with his blood: and this in conclusion is the prop and stay of our salvation. 1:8 1 There is none but needeth this benefit, because there is none that is not a sinner. 2 This place doth fully refute that perfectness, and works of super erogation which the Papists dream of. 3 So then John speaketh not thus for modesty's sake, as some say, but because it is so indeed. 1:9 1 Therefore the beginning of salvation is to acknowledge our wickedness, and to require pardon from him who freely forgiveth all sins, because he hath promised so to do, and he is faithful and just. 2 So then our salvation hangeth upon the free promise of God, who because he is faithful and just, will perform that which he hath promised. 3 Where are then our merits? for this is our true felicity. 1:10 1 A rehearsal of the former sentence: wherein he condemned all of sin without exception, insomuch that if any man persuade himself other wise, he doth as much as in him lieth, make the word of God himself vain and to no purpose, yea he maketh God a liar, for to what end either in times past needed sacrifices or now Christ and the Gospel, if we be not sinners? 2 They do not only deceive themselves, but also are blasphemous against God. 3 His doctrine shall have no place in us, that is, in our hearts. 2:1 1 It followeth not hereof that we must give our wicked nature the bridle, or sin so much the more freely, because our sins are cleansed away by the blood of Christ but we must rather so much more diligently resist sin. And yet we must not despair because of our weakness, for we have an Advocate and a purger, Christ Jesus the just, and therefore acceptable unto his father.
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2Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Just. 2 And he is the 1reconciliation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the 2whole world. 3 1And hereby we are sure that we 2know him, 3if we keep his commandments. 4 1He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 1But he that keepeth his word, in him is the 2love of God perfect indeed: hereby we know that we are in 3him. 6 1He that saith he remaineth in him, ought even so to walk as he hath walked. 7 1Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment, which ye have had from the beginning: this old commandment is that word, which ye have heard from the beginning. 8 1Again, a new commandment I write unto you, that 2which is true in him: and also in you: for the darkness is past, and that true light now shineth. 9 1He that saith that he is in that light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness, until this time.
10 aHe that loveth his brother, abideth in that light, and there is no occasion of evil in him. 11 But he that hateth his brother, is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 12 1Little children, 2I write unto you, because your sins are forgiven you for his 3Name's sake. 13 1I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. 2I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome that wicked one. 3I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14 1I have written unto you fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome that wicked one. 15 1Love not this 2world, neither the things that are in this world. If any man love this world, the 3love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in this world, (as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life) is not
chapter 2
a 1 John 3:14
2 In that he nameth Christ he shutteth forth all other. 2:2 1 Reconciliation and intercession go together, to give us to understand that he is both advocate and high Priest. 2 For men of all sorts, of all ages and all places, so that this benefit belongeth not to the Jews only, of whom he speaketh, as appeareth 1 John 2:7, but also to other nations. 2:3 1 He returneth to the testimony of our conjunction with God, to wit, to sanctification, declaring what it is to walk in the light, to wit, to keep God's commandments whereby it followeth that holiness doth not consist in those things which men have devised, neither in a vain profession of the Gospel. 2 This must be understood of such a knowledge, as hath faith with it, and not of a common knowledge. 3 For the tree is known by the fruit. 2:4 1 Holiness, that is, a life ordered according to the prescript of God's commandments how weak soever they be, is of necessity joined with faith, that is, with the true knowledge of the Father in the Son. 2:5 1 He that keepeth God's commandments loveth God indeed. He that loveth God, is in God, or is joined together with God. Therefore he that keepeth his commandments, is in him. 2 Wherewith we love God. 3 He meaneth our conjunction with Christ. 2:6 1 He that is one with Christ must needs live his life, that is, must walk in his steps. 2:7 1 The Apostle going about to expound the commandment of charity one toward another, telleth first, that when he urgeth holi ness bringeth no new trade of life (as they use to do which devise traditions, one after another) but putteth them in mind of the same Law which God gave in the beginning, to wit, by Moses, at that time that God began to give Laws to his people. 2:8 1 He addeth that the doctrine indeed is old, but it is now after a sort new both in respect of Christ, and also of us: in whom he through the Gospel, engraveth his Law effectually, not in tables of stone, but in our minds. 2 Which thing (to wit, that the doctrine is new of which I write unto you) is true in him and in you.
2:9 1 Now he cometh to the second Table, that is, to charity one towards another, and denieth that that man hath true light in him, or is indeed regenerate and the son of God, which hateth his brother: and such an one wandereth miserably in darkness, brag he of never so great knowledge of God, for that wittingly and willingly he casteth himself headlong into hell. 2:12 1 He returneth again from sanctification to remission of sins, because that free reconciliation in Christ is the ground of our salvation, whereupon afterwards sanctification must be built as upon a foundation. 2 Therefore I write unto you, because you are of their number whom God hath reconciled to himself. 3 For his own sake: And in that he nameth Christ, he shutteth out all others, whether they be in heaven or earth. 2:13 1 He showeth that this doctrine agreeth to all ages, and first of all speaking to old men, he showeth that Christ and his doctrine are passing ancient, and therefore they be delighted with old things, nothing ought to be more acceptable unto them. 2 He advertiseth young men, if they be desirous to show their strength that they have a most glorious combat set here before them, to wit, Satan the worst enemies, who must be overcome: will ing them to be as sure of the victory as if they had already gotten it. 3 Finally, he showeth to children, that true Father, from whom they have to look for all good things, is set forth unto them in the Gospel. 2:14 1 He addeth afterward in like order, as many exhortations, as if he should say, Remember your fathers: as I wrote even now, that the everlasting Son of God is revealed to us. Remember ye young men, that that strength whereby I said that you put Satan to flight, is given you by the word of God, which dwelleth in you. 2:15 1 The world which is full of wicked desires, lusts or pleasures, and pride, is utterly hated of our heavenly Father. Therefore the Father and the world cannot be loved together: and this admonition is very necessary for green and flourishing youth. 2 He speaketh of the world, as it agreeth not with the will of God, for otherwise God is said to love the world with an infinite love, John 3:16, that is to say, those whom he chose out of the world. 3 Wherewith the Father is loved.
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of the Father, but is of this world. 17 1And this world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that fulfilleth the will of God, abideth ever. 18 1,2Little children, 3it is the last time, 4and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now there are many Antichrists: whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 1They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, 2they should have continued with us. 3But this cometh to pass, that it might appear, that they are not all of us. 20 1But ye have an 2ointment from that 3Holy one, and know all things. 21 1I have not written unto you, because ye know not the truth: but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 1Who is a liar, but he that denieth that Jesus is 2that Christ? the same is that Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 1Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father. 24 1Let therefore abide in you that same which ye
have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning, shall remain in you, ye shall also continue in the Son, and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even that eternal life. 26 1These things have I written unto you, concerning them that deceive you. 27 But that 1anointing which ye received of him, dwelleth in you: and ye 2need not that any man teach you: but as the same 3anointing teacheth you of all things, and it is true and is not lying, and as it taught you, ye shall abide in him. 28 1And now, little children, abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may be bold, and not be ashamed before him, at his coming. 29 1If ye know that he is righteous, know ye that he which doeth righteously, is born of him. 3 1 Setting down the inestimable glory of this that we are God's sons, 7 he showeth that newness of life must be testifieth by good works, whereof charity is a manifest token. 19 Of faith, 22 and praying unto God.
1 Behold, 1,2what love the Father hath given to
2:17 1 He showeth how much better it is to obey the Father's will, than the lusts of the world, by both their natures and unlike event. 2:18 1 Now he turneth himself to little children, which notwith standing are well instructed in the sum of religion, and willeth them by divers reasons to shake off slothfulness, which is too too familiar with that age. 2 He useth this word (little) not because he speaketh to children, but to allure them the more by using such sweet words. 3 First, because the last time is at hand, so that the matter suffereth no delay. 4 Secondly because Antichrists, that is, such as fall from God, are already come, even as they heard that they should come. And it was very requisite to warn that unheedy and wariless age of that danger. 2:19 1 A digression against certain offenses and stumbling blocks, whereat that rude age especially might stumble and be shaken. Therefore that they should not be terrified with the soul falling back of certain, first he maketh plain unto them, that although such as fall from God and his religion, had place in the Church, yet they were never of the Church, because the Church is the company of the elect which cannot perish, and therefore cannot fall from Christ. 2 So then the elect can never fall from grace. 3 Secondly, he showeth that these things fall out to the profit of the Church, that hypocrites may be plainly known. 2:20 1 Thirdly, he comforteth them to make them stand fast, inso much as they are anointed by the holy Ghost with the true knowl edge of salvation. 2 The grace of the holy Ghost, and this is a borrowed kind of speech taken from the anointings used in the Law. 3 From Christ who is peculiarly called holy. 2:21 1 The taking away of an objection. He wrote not these things as to men which are ignorant of religion, but rather as to them which do well know the truth, yet so far forth that they are able to discern truth from falsehood. 2:22 1 He showeth now plainly the false doctrine of the Antichrists, to wit, that either they fight against the person of Christ, or his office or
both together, and at once. And they that do so do in vain boast and brag of God, for that in denying the Son the Father also is denied. 2 Is the true Messiah. 2:23 1 They then are deceived themselves, and also do deceive oth ers, which say that the Turks and other infidels worship the same God that we do. 2:24 1 The whole preaching of the Prophets and Apostles is contrary to that doctrine: Therefore it is utterly to be cast away and this wholly to be holden and kept, which leadeth us to seek eternal life in the free promise, that is to say, in Christ alone, who is given to us of the Father. 2:26 1 The same Spirit which endueth the elect with the knowledge of the truth, and sanctifieth them, giveth them therewithal the gift of perseverance, to continue to the end. 2:27 1 The Spirit which you have received of Christ, and which hath led you into all truth. 2 You are not ignorant of these things, and therefore I teach them not as things that were never heard of, but call them to your remem brance as things which you do know. 3 He commendeth both the doctrine which they had embraced, and also highly praiseth their faith and the diligence of such as taught them, yet so, that he taketh nothing from the honor due to the holy Ghost. 2:28 1 The conclusion both of the whole exhortation, and also of the former treatise. 2:29 1 A passing over to the treatise following, which tendeth to the same purpose, but yet is more ample, and handleth the same matter after another order: for before he taught us to go up from the effects to the cause, and in this that followeth, he goeth down from the causes to the effects. And this is the sum of the argument: God is the fountain of all righteousness: and therefore they that give themselves to righteousness, are known to be born of him, because they resemble God the Father. 3:1 1 He beginneth to declare this agreement between the Father and the Son at the highest cause, to wit, at that free love of God towards us, wherewith he so loveth us, that he also adopteth us to be his children. 2 What a gift of how great love.
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loose the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God sinneth not: for his 1seed remaineth in him, neither can he sin, because he is born of God. 10 1In this are the children of God known, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness, is not of God, 2neither he that loveth not his brother. 11 1For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that cwe should love one another, 12 1Not as d,2Cain which was of that wicked one, and slew his brother: 3and wherefore slew he him? because his own works were evil, and his brother's good. 13 Marvel not my brethren, though this world hate you. 14 1We know that we are 2translated from death unto life, because we love the brethren: ehe that loveth not his brother, abideth in death. 15 1Whosoever hateth his brother, is a manslayer: and ye know that no manslayer hath eternal life abiding in him.
us, that we should be 3called the sons of God: 4For this cause this world knoweth you not, because it knoweth not him. 2 1Dearly beloved, now are we the sons of God, but yet it is not made manifest what we shall be: and we know that when he shall be made manifest: we shall be 2like him: for we shall see him 3as he is. 3 1And every man that hath this hope in him purgeth himself, even 2as he is pure. 4 1Whosoever 2commiteth sin, transgresseth also the Law: for 3sin is the transgression of the Law. 5 1And ye know that he was made manifest, that he might atake away our sins, and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him, sinneth not: whosoever 1sinneth, hath not seen him, neither hath known him. 7 1Little children, let no man deceive you, he that doeth righteousness, is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 1He that bcommiteth sin, is of the 2devil: for the devil 3sinneth from the 4beginning: for this purpose was made manifest that Son of God, that he might
chapter 3
a Isa. 53:6,9 2 Pet. 2:22,24
b John 8:44
c John 13:34
John 15:12
d Gen. 4:8
e 1 John 2:10
Lev. 9:17
3 That we should be the sons of God, and so that all the world may perceive we are so. 4 Before he declareth this adoption, he saith two things: the one, that this so great a dignity is not to be esteemed, according to the judgment of the flesh, because it is unknown to the world, for the world knoweth not God the Father himself. 3:2 1 The other: This dignity is not fully made manifest to ourselves, much less to strangers, but we are sure of the accomplishment of it, insomuch that we shall be like to the Son of God himself, and shall enjoy his sight indeed, such as he is now: but yet notwithstanding this is deferred until his next coming. 2 Like, but not equal. 3 For now we see as in a glass, 1 Cor. 13:12. 3:3 1 Now he describeth this adoption, (the glory whereof as yet consisteth in hope) by the effect, to wit, because that whosoever is made the Son of God, endeavoreth to resemble the Father in purity. 2 This word signifieth a likeness, but not in equality. 3:4 1 The rule of this purity can from no whence else be taken but from the Law of God, the transgression whereof is that which is called sin. 2 Giveth not himself to pureness. 3 A short definition of sin. 3:5 1 An argument taken from the material cause of our salvation: Christ in himself is most pure, and he came to take away our sins, by sanctifying us with the holy Ghost. Therefore, whosoever is truly partaker of Christ doth not give himself to sin: and so contrariwise he that giveth himself to sin knoweth not Christ. 3:6 1 He is said to sin, that giveth not himself to pureness, and in him sin reigneth, but sin is said to dwell in the faithful, and not to reign in them. 3:7 1 Another argument of things coupled together: He that liveth justly, is just, and resembleth Christ that is just, and by that is known to be the son of God. 3:8 1 An argument taken of contraries: the devil is the author of sin, and therefore he is of the devil, or is ruled by the inspiration of the devil that serve sin: and if he be the devil's son, then is he not God's son: for the devil and God are so contrary the one to the other,
that even the Son of God was sent to destroy the works of the devil. Therefore on the contrary side, whosoever resists sin, is the Son of God, being born again of his spirit as of new seed, insomuch that of necessity he is now delivered from the slavery of sin. 2 Resembleth the devil, as the child doth the father, and is gov erned by his spirit. 3 He saith not sinned, but sinneth, for he did nothing else but sin. 4 From the very beginning of the world. 3:9 1 The holy Ghost is so called of the effect he worketh, because by his virtue and mighty working, as it were by seed, we are made new men. 3:10 1 The conclusion, by a wicked life they are known which are governed by the spirit of the Devil, and by a pure life, which are God's children. 2 He beginneth to commend charity towards the brethren, as another mark of the Sons of God. 3:11 1 The first reason, taken of the authority of God, which giveth the commandment. 3:12 1 An amplification, taken of the contrary example of Cain, which slew his brother. 2 He bringeth forth a very fit and very old example, wherein we may behold both the nature of the sons of God, and of the sons of the devil, and what state and condition remaineth for us in this world: and what shall be the end of both at length. 3 A short digression: Let us not marvel that we are hated by the world for doing our duty, for such was the condition of Abel who was a just person: and who would not rather be like him than Cain? 3:14 1 The second reason: Because charity is a testimony that we are translated from death to life: and therefore hatred towards the brethren is a testimony of death, and whosoever nourished it, doth as it were foster death in his bosom. 2 Love is a token that we are translated from death to life, for as such as by the effects the cause is known. 3:15 1 A confirmation: Whosoever is a murderer, is in eternal death, who so hateth his brother, is a murderer, therefore he is in death. And thereupon followeth the contrary. He that loveth his brother, hath passed to life, for indeed we are born dead.
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4 1 Having spoken somewhat touching the trying of spirits: 4 For some speak after the world, 5 and some after God. 7 He returneth to charity, 11, 19 and by the example of God he exhorteth to brotherly love.
16 f,1Hereby have we perceived love, that he laid down his life for us: therefore we ought also to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 g,1And whosoever hath this 2world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and 3shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 1My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue only, but in deed and in truth. 19 1For thereby we know that we are of the truth, 2and shall before him assure our hearts. 20 For 1if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 1Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we boldness toward God. 22 h,1And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight. 23 iThis is then his commandment, that we believe in the Name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave commandment. 24 jFor he that keepeth his commandments, dwelleth in him, and he in him: and hereby we know that he abideth in us, even by that 1Spirit which he hath given us.
f John 15:13
Eph. 5:2
g Luke 3:11
h Matt. 21:22
John 15:7 John 16:25 1 John 5:14
1 Dearly 1beloved, believe not every 2spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: for many false Prophets are gone out into the world. 2 1Hereby shall ye know the Spirit of God, 2Every spirit which confesseth that 3Jesus Christ is come in the 4flesh is of God. 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God: but this is the spirit of Antichrist, of whom ye have heard, how that he should come, and now already he is in this world. 4 1Little children, ye are of God, and have overcome them: for greater is he that is in you, than he that is in this world. 5 1They are of this world, therefore spake they of this world, and this world heareth them. 6 1We are of God, ahe that knoweth God, heareth us: he that is not of God heareth us not. Hereby know we the 2Spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 7 1Beloved, let us love one another: 2for love
i John 6:23
John 17:3
j John 13:34
John 15:10
chapter 4
a John 8:47
3:16 1 Now he showeth how far Christian charity extendeth, even so far, that according to the example of Christ, every man forget himself, to provide for and help his brethren. 3:17 1 He reasoneth by comparison: For if we are bound even to give our life for our neighbors, how much more are we bound to help our brothers' necessity with our goods and substance? 2 Wherewith this life is sustained. 3 Openeth not his heart to him, nor helpeth him willingly and cheerfully. 3:18 1 Christian charity standeth not in words, but in deed, and pro ceedeth from a sincere affection. 3:19 1 He commendeth charity by a triple effect: for first of all, by it we know that we are indeed the sons of God, as he showeth before. 2 Therefore it cometh that we have a quiet conscience, as on the contrary side he that thinketh that he hath God for a judge, because he is guilty to himself, either he is never or else very rare quiet: for God hath a far quicker sight than we, and judgeth more severely. 3:20 1 If an evil conscience convinceth us, much more ought the judgments of God contemn us, who knoweth our hearts better than we ourselves do. 3:21 1 A third effect also riseth out of the former, that in these mis eries we are sure to be heard, because we are the sons of God, as we understand by the grace of sanctification which is proper to the elect. 3:22 1 The conclusion: That faith in Christ, and love one towards another, are things joined together, and therefore the outward testi monies of sanctification must and do answer that inward testimony of the Spirit given unto us. 3:24 1 He meaneth the Spirit of sanctification whereby we are born anew, and live unto God. 4:1 1 Taking occasion by the name of the Spirit, lest love and charity should be separated from the worship of God, which chiefly depend eth of his true knowledge, he returneth to that which he spake in the second Chapter touching the taking heed of Antichrists. And he will
have us here to take heed of two things, the one is, that seeing there be many false prophets, we do not lightly give credit to every man: the other is, that because many men teach false things, we should not therefore believe any. We must then observe a mean, that we may be able to discern the Spirit of God, which are altogether to be followed from impure spirits which are to be eschewed. 2 This is spoken by the figure Metonymy, and it is as if he had said, Believe not everyone that saith that he hath a gift of the holy Ghost to do the office of a Prophet. 4:2 1 He giveth a certain and perpetual rule to know the doctrine of Antichrist by, to wit, if either the divine or human nature of Christ, or the true uniting of them together be denied: or if the least jot that may be, be derogate from his office who is our only King, Prophet, and everlasting high Priest. 2 He speaketh simply of the doctrine, and not of the person. 3 The true Messiah. 4 Is true man. 4:4 1 He comforteth the elect with a most sure hope of victory: but yet so, that he teacheth them that they fight not with their own vir tue, but with the virtue and power of God. 4:5 1 He bringeth a reason: why the world receiveth these teachers more willingly than the true: to wit, because they breathe out noth ing but that which is worldly: which is another note also to know the doctrine of Antichrist by. 4:6 1 He testifieth unto them that his doctrine and the doctrine of his fellows, is the assured word of God, which of necessity we have boldly to set against all the mouths of the whole world, and thereby discern the truth from falsehood. 2 True Prophets against whom are set false Prophets, that is, such as err themselves, and lead others into error. 4:7 1 He returneth to the commending of brotherly love and charity. 2 The first reason: Because it is a very divine thing: and therefore very meet for the sons of God: so that whosoever is void of it, cannot be said to know God aright.
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cometh of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not, knoweth not God, 1for God is 2love. 9 bHerein was that love of God made manifest amongst us, because God sent that his only begotten Son into this world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is that love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be a reconciliation for our sins. 11 1Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 c,1No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is 2perfect in us. 13 Hereby know we, that we dwell in him, and he in us: because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14 1And we have seen, and do testify, that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whosoever 1confesseth that Jesus is the Son of God, in him dwelleth God, and he in God. 16 And we have known, and believed the love that God hath in us, 1God is love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 1Herein is that love perfect in us, that we should have boldness in the day of judgment: for 2as he is, even so are we in this world. 18 There is no 1fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear: for fear hath painfulness: and he that feareth, is not perfect in love. 19 1We love him, because he loved us first. 20 1If any man say, I love God, and hate his brother, he is a liar: 2for how can he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, love God whom he hath not seen? 21 d,1And this commandment have we of him, that he that loveth God, should love his brother also. 5 1 He showeth that brotherly love and faith are things inseparable: 10 And that there is no faith towards God, but by believing in Christ: 14 Hence proceedeth calling upon God with assurance: 16 and also that our prayers be available for our brethren.
b John 3:16
c John 1:18
1 Tim. 6:16
d John 13:34
John 15:12
1 Whosoever 1believeth that Jesus is that 2Christ, is born of God: and everyone that loveth him, which begat, loveth 3him also which is begotten of him. 2 1In this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his 2commandments.
4:8 1 A confirmation: For it is the nature of God to love men, whereof we have a most manifest proof above all others: in that that of his only free and infinite goodwill towards us his enemies, he delivered unto death not a common man, but his own Son, yea, his only begot ten Son, to the end that we being reconciled through his blood, might be made partakers of his everlasting glory. 2 In that he called God, Love he saith more than if he had said that he loveth us infinitely. 4:11 1 Another reason by comparison: if God so loved us, shall not we his children love one another. 4:12 1 A third reason: Because God is invisible, therefore by this effect of his Spirit, to wit, by charity, he is understood, yea, and to be not out of us, but joined with us, and in us, in whom he is so effectually working. 2 Is surely in us, in deed and in truth. 4:14 1 He underlayeth this charity with another foundation, to wit, faith in Jesus, which joineth us indeed with him, even as charity witnesseth that we are joined with him. Furthermore he testifieth of Christ, as who had seen him with his eyes. 4:15 1 With such a confession as cometh from true faith and is accompanied with love, so that there be an agreement of all things. 4:16 1 A fourth reason: God is the fountain and wellspring of char ity, yea, charity itself: therefore whosoever abideth in it, hath God with him. 4:17 1 Again (as a little before) he commendeth love, for that see ing that by our agreement with God in this thing, we have a certain testimony of our adoption, it cometh thereby to pass, that without fear we look for that latter day of judgment, so that trembling and that torment of conscience is cast out by this love. 2 This signifieth all likeness, not equality. 4:18 1 If we understand by love, that we are in God, and God in us, that we are sons, and that we know God, and that everlasting life is in us: he concludeth aright that we may well gather peace and
quietness thereby. 4:19 1 Lest any man should think that that peace of conscience pro ceedeth from our love as from the cause, he goeth back to the foun tain, to wit, to the free love, wherewith God loveth us although we deserved and do deserve his wrath. And hereof springeth another double charity, which both are tokens and witnesses of that first, to wit, that, wherewith we love God who loved us first, and then for his sake our neighbors also. 4:20 1 As he showed that the love of our neighbor cannot be sepa rate from the love wherewith God loveth us, because this last engen dereth the other: so he denieth that the other kind of love wherewith we love God, can be separate from the love of our neighbor: whereof it followeth, that they lie impudently which say they worship God, and yet regard not their neighbor. 2 The first reason taken of comparison, why we cannot hate our neighbor and love God, to wit, because that he that cannot love his brother, whom he seeth, how can he love God whom he seeth not? 4:21 1 A second reason, why God cannot be hated and our neighbor loved, because the selfsame Lawmaker commanded both to love him and our neighbor. 5:1 1 He goeth on forward in the same argument, showing how both those loves come into us from the love wherewith God loveth us, to wit, by Jesus our Mediator laid hold on by faith, in whom we are made the children of God, and do love the Father of whom we are so begotten and also our brethren which are begotten with us. 2 Is the true Messiah. 3 By one he meaneth all the faithful. 5:2 1 The love of our neighbor doth so hang upon the love where with we love God, that this last must needs go before the first, whereof it followeth, that that is not to be called love when men agree together to do evil, neither that, when as in loving our neigh bors, we respect not God's commandments. 2 There is no love where there is no true doctrine.
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3 1For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: 2and his acommandments are not 3burdenous. 4 1For all that is born of God, overcometh this world: 2and this is that victory that 3hath overcome this world even our 4faith. 5 b,1Who is it that overcometh this world, but he which believeth that Jesus is that Son of God? 6 1This is that Jesus Christ that came by water and blood: 2not by water only, but by water and blood: and it is that 3Spirit that beareth witness: for that Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three, which bear record in heaven, the Father, the 1Word, and the holy Ghost: and these three are 2one. 8 And there are three, which bear record in the earth, the Spirit, and the Water and the Blood: and these three agree in one. 9 1If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for 2this is the witness of God, which he testified of his Son.
10 c,1He that believeth in that Son of God, hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he believed not the record, that God witnessed of that his Son. 11 1And this is that record, to wit, that God hath given unto us eternal life, and this life is in that his Son. 12 He that hath that Son, hath that life: and he that hath not that Son of God, hath not that life. 13 1These things have I written unto you, that believe in the name of that Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe in the Name of that Son of God. 14 1And this is that assurance that we have in him, dthat if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. 15 And if we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions, that we have desired of him.
chapter 5
a Matt. 11:30
b 1 Cor.15:57
c John 3:16
d 1 John 3:22
5:3 1 The reason: for to love God is to keep his commandments, which being so, and seeing that both the loves are commanded of one and the selfsame lawmaker (as he taught before) it followeth also that we do not love our neighbor, when we break God's com mandments. 2 Because experience teacheth us that there is no ability in our flesh, neither yet will to perform God's commandments, therefore lest the Apostle should seem, by so often putting them in mind of the keeping of the commandments of God, to require things that are impossible, he pronounceth that the commandments of God are not in such sort grievous or burdensome, that we can be oppressed with the burden of them. 3 To them that are regenerate, that is to say, born anew, which are led by the Spirit of God, and are through grace delivered from the curse of the Law. 5:4 1 A reason: Because by regeneration we have gotten strength to overcome the world, that is to say, whatsoever striveth against the commandments of God. 2 He declareth what that strength is, to wit, Faith. 3 He useth the time that is past to give us to understanding, that although we be in the battle, yet undoubtedly we shall be conquer ors, and are most certain of the victory. 4 Which is the instrumental cause, and as a mean and hand whereby we lay hold on him who indeed doth perform this, that is, hath and doth overcome the world, Even Christ Jesus. 5:5 1 Moreover he declareth two things, the one what true faith is, to wit, that which resteth upon Jesus Christ the Son of God alone: whereupon followeth the other, to wit, that this strength is not proper to faith, but by faith as an instrument is drawn from Jesus Christ the Son of God. 5:6 1 He proveth the excellency of Christ, in whom only all things are given us by six witnesses, three heavenly, and three earthly, which wholly and fully agree together. The heavenly witnesses are: the Father who sent the Son, the word itself which became flesh, and the holy Ghost. The earthly witnesses are, water, (that is, our sanctifica tion) blood, (that is, our justification) the Spirit, (that is, acknowledge of God the Father in Christ by faith through the testimony of the holy Ghost.)
2 He warneth us not to separate water from blood, (that is, sanctification from justification, or righteousness begun, from righteousness imputed) for we stand not upon sanctification but so far forth as it is a witness of Christ's righteousness imputed unto us: and although this imputation of Christ's righteousness be never separated from sanctification, yet it is only the matter of our salvation. 3 Our spirit, which is the third witness, testifies that the holy Ghost is truth; that is to say, that that is true which he telleth us, to wit, that we are the sons of God. 5:7 1 See John 8:13, 14. 2 Agree in one. 5:9 1 He showeth by an Argument of comparison, of what great weight the heavenly testimony is, that the Father hath given of the Son, unto whom agreeth both the Son himself and the holy Ghost. 2 I conclude this aright: for that testimony which I said is given in heaven, cometh from God, who so setteth forth his Son. 5:10 1 He proveth the sureness of the earthly witnesses by every man's conscience, having that testimony in itself, which conscience he saith cannot be deceived, because it consenteth the heavenly tes timony, which the Father giveth of the Son: For otherwise the Father must needs be a liar, if the conscience, which accordeth and assent eth to the Father should lie. 5:11 1 Now at length he showeth what this testimony is, that is con firmed with so many witnesses: to wit, that life or everlasting felicity, is the mere, and only gift of God, which is in the Son, and proceedeth from him unto us, which by faith are joined with him, so that without him life is nowhere to be found. 5:13 1 The conclusion of the Epistle wherein he showeth first of all, that even they which already believe, do stand in deed of this doc trine, to the end that they may grow more and more in faith, that is to say, to the end that they may be daily more and more certified of their salvation in Christ through faith. 5:14 1 Because we do not yet in effect obtain that which we hope for, the Apostle joineth invocation or prayer with faith, which he will have to proceed from faith, and moreover to be conceived in such sort, that nothing be asked but that which is agreeable to the will of God: and such prayers cannot be vain.
1301 1 john 5:21
19 1We know that we are of God, and this whole world lieth in wickedness. 20 But we know that that Son of God is fcome, and hath given us a mind to know him, which is true, and we are in him that is true, that is, in that his Son Jesus Christ, the same is that very 1God, and that eternal life. 21 1Little children, keep yourselves from idols, Amen.
16 1If any man see his brother sin a sin that is not unto death, let him 2ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. eThere is a sin unto death, I say not that thou shouldest pray for it. 17 1All unrighteousness is sin, but there is a sin not unto death. 18 1We know that whosoever is born of God, sinneth not: but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
e Matt. 12:31
Mark 3:29
f Luke 24:45
5:16 1 We have to make prayers not only for ourselves, but also for our brethren which do sin, that their sins be not unto them, to death: and yet he excepteth that sin, which is never forgiven, or the sin against the holy Ghost, that is to say, an universal and willful falling away from the known truth of the Gospel. 2 This is as much as if he said, Let him desire the Lord to forgive him, and he will forgive him being so desired. 5:17 1 The taking away of an objection: Indeed all iniquity is compre hended under the name of sin, but yet we must not despair there fore, because every sin is not deadly, and without hope of remedy. 5:18 1 A reason why not all, nay rather why no sin is mortal to some: to wit, because they be born of God, that is to say, made the sons of
God in Christ, and being endued with his Spirit, they do not serve sin, neither are deadly wounded of Satan. 5:19 1 Every man must particularly apply to himself the general promises, that we may certainly persuade ourselves, that whereas all the world is by nature lost, we are freely made the sons of God, by the sending of Jesus Christ his Son unto us, of whom we are lightened with the knowledge of the true God, and everlasting life. 5:20 1 The divinity of Christ is most plainly proved by this place. 5:21 1 He expresseth a plain precept of taking heed of idols: which he setteth against the only true God, that with this seal as it were he might seal up all the former doctrine.
T h e s e c o n d e p i s t l e o f
j o h n
1 This Epistle is written to a woman of great renown, 4 who brought up her children in the fear of God: 6 he exhorteth her to continue in Christian charity, 7 that she accompany not with Antichrists, 10 but avoid them.
7 1For many deceivers are entered into this world, which confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. He that is such one, is a deceiver and an Antichrist.
chapter 1
a John 15:12
b Rom. 16:17
1 The Elder to the 1elect 2Lady, and her children, 3whom I love in the truth: and not I only, but also all that have known the truth, 2 For the truth's sake which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever: 3 Grace be with you, mercy and peace from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, with 1truth and love. 4 1I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in 2truth, as we have received a commandment of the Father. 5 And now beseech I thee, Lady, (not as writing a new commandment unto thee, but the same which we had from the beginning) that we alove one another. 6 And this is that love that we should walk after his commandments. This commandment is, that as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
8 1,2Look to yourselves, that we lose not the things, which we have done, but that we may receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that continueth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 1If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, breceive him not to house, neither bid him Godspeed.
11 For he that biddeth him Godspeed, is partaker of his evil deeds. Although I had many things to write unto you, yet would I not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full.
12 The sons of thine elect sister greet thee, Amen.
1:1 1 This is no proper name, but to be taken as the word soundeth, that is to say to the worthy and noble Lady. 2 Excellent and honorable Dame. 3 The bond of Christian conjunction or linking together, is the true and constant profession of the truth. 1:3 1 With true knowledge, which hath always love joined with it, and following it. 1:4 1 This true profession consisteth both in love one toward another which the Lord hath commanded, and also especially in wholesome and sound doctrine, which also is delivered unto us: for the com
mandment of God is a sound and sure foundation both of the rule of manners and of doctrine, and these cannot be separated the one from the other. 2 According as the truth directeth them. 1:7 1 Antichrists fighting against the person and office of Christ, were already crept into the Church in the time of the Apostles. 1:8 1 He that maketh shipwreck of doctrine, loseth all. 2 Beware and take good heed. 1:10 1 We ought to have nothing to do with them that defend per verse doctrine.
T h e t h i r d e p i s t l e o f
j o h n
1 He commendeth Gaius for hospitality, 9 and reprehend eth Diotrephes for vainglory: 10 he exhorteth Gaius to continue in well doing: 12 and in the end commendeth Demetrius.
might be 1helpers to the truth. 9 1I wrote unto the Church, but Diotrephes which loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 Wherefore if I come, I will call to your remembrance his deeds which he doeth, prattling against us with malicious words, and not therewith content, neither he himself receiveth the brethren, but forbideth them that would, and thrusteth them out of the Church. 11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good: he that doeth well is of God: but he that doeth evil, hath not 1seen God. 12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we ourselves bear record, and ye know that our record is true. 13 I have many things to write: but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: 14 For I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak mouth to mouth. Peace be with thee. The friends salute thee. Greet thy friends by name.
1 The 1Elder unto the beloved Gaius whom I love in the truth. 2 Beloved, I wish chiefly that thou prosperedst and faredst well as thy soul prospereth. 3 For I rejoiceth greatly when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, how thou walkest in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than 1these, that is, to hear that my sons walk in verity. 5 Beloved, thou doest 1faithfully, whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers, 6 Which bore witness of thy love before the Churches, Whom if thou 1bringest on their journey as it seemeth according to God, thou shalt do well, 7 Because that for his Name's sake they went forth, and took nothing of the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we
1:1 1 An example of a Christian gratulation. 1:4 1 Than these joys. 1:5 1 As becometh a believer and a Christian. 1:6 1 He commendeth to Gaius either those selfsame men whom he had entertained before, returning now again to him about the affairs of the Church, or else some other which had like business.
1:8 1 That we ourselves may help somewhat to the preaching of the truth. 1:9 1 Ambition and covetousness, two pestilent plagues (especially in them which have any Ecclesiastical function) are condemned in Diotrephes' person. 1:11 1 Hath not known God.
T h e g e n e r a l e p i s t l e o f
j u d e
1 3 He warneth the godly to take heed of such men, 4 that make the grace of God a cloak for their wantonness: 5 and that they shall not escape unpunished, for the contempt of that grace, 6, 7 he proveth by three examples: 14 and allegeth the prophecy of Enoch: 20 Finally he showeth the godly a means to overthrow all the snares of those deceivers.
bdestroyed them afterward which believed not. 6 1The cAngels also which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 As dSodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, which in like manner as they did, 1committed fornication, and followed 2strange flesh, are set forth for an example, and suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise notwithstanding these 1sleepers also defile the flesh, 2and despise 3government, and speak evil of them that are in authority. 9 1Yet Michael the Archangel, when he strove against the devil, and disputed about the body of Moses, durst not blame him with cursed speaking, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 1But these speak evil of those things, which they know not: and whatsoever things they know naturally as beasts, which are without reason, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 1Woe be unto them: for they have followed the way eof Cain, and are cast away by the deceit fof Balaam's wages, and perish in the gainsaying gof Korah. 12 1These are rocks in your 2feasts of charity,
chapter 1
a 2 Pet. 2:1
b Num. 14:37
c 2 Pet. 2:4
d Gen. 19:24
e Gen. 4:8
f Num. 22:21
2 Pet. 2:15
1 Jude a servant of Jesus Christ, and 1brother of James, to them which are called and sanctified 2of God the Father, and 3reserved to Jesus Christ: 2 Mercy unto you, and peace and love be multiplied. 3 1Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the 2common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, to exhort you, that ye should earnestly 3contend for the maintenance of the faith, which was 4once given unto the Saints. 4 1For there are certain men crept in, which were before of old ordained to this condemnation: 2ungodly men they are, which turn the grace of our God into wantonness, and adeny God the only Lord, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 1I will therefore put you in remembrance, forasmuch as ye once knew this, how that the Lord, after that he had delivered the people out of Egypt,
g Num. 16:1
1:1 1 This is put to make a difference between him and Judas Iscariot. 2 By God the Father. 3 Set apart by the everlasting counsel of God, to be delivered to Christ to be kept. 1:3 1 The end and mark whereat he shooteth in this Epistle is that he confirmeth the godly against certain wicked men, both in whole some doctrine and good manners. 2 Of those things that pertain to the salvation of all of us. 3 That ye should defend the faith by all the might you can, both by true doctrine and good example of life. 4 Which was once so given, that it may never be changed. 1:4 1 It is by God's providence and not by chance, that many wicked men creep into the Church. 2 He condemneth this first in them, that they take a pretense or occasion to wax wanton, by the grace of God: which cannot be, but the chief empire of Christ must be abrogated, in that such men give up themselves to Satan: as at this time the sect of the Anabaptists doth, which they call Libertines. 1:5 1 He setteth forth the horrible punishment of them which have abuseth the grace of God to follow their own lusts. 1:6 1 The fall of the Angels was most sincerely punished, how much more then will the Lord punish wicked and faithless men? 1:7 1 Following the steps of Sodom and Gomorrah. 2 Thus he covertly setteth forth their horrible and monstrous lusts. 1:8 1 Which are so blockish and void of reason as if all their senses
and wits were in a most dead sleep. 2 Another most pernicious doctrine of theirs, in that they take away the authority of Magistrates, and speak evil of them, as at this day the Anabaptists do. 3 It is a greater matter to despise government, than the governors, that is to say, the matter itself, than the persons. 1:9 1 An argument of comparison, Michael one of the chiefest Angels, was content to deliver Satan, although as most cursed enemy, to the judgment of God to be punished: and these perverse men are not ashamed to speak evil of the powers which are ordained of God. 1:10 1 The conclusion.These men are in a double fault, to wit, both for their rash folly in condemning some, and for their impudent and shameless contempt of that knowledge, which when they had gotten, yet notwithstanding they lived as brute beasts, serving their bellies. 1:11 1 He foretelleth their destruction, because they resemble or show forth Cain's shameless malice, Balaam's filthy covetousness, and to be short, Korah's seditious and ambitious head. 1:12 1 He rebuketh most sharply with many other notes and marks, both their dishonesty or filthiness, and their sauciness, but especially their vain bravery of words, and most vain pride, joining herewithal a most grave and heavy threatening out of a most ancient prophecy of Enoch touching the judgment to come. 2 The feasts of charity were certain banquets, which the breth ren that were members of the Church kept altogether, as Tertullian setteth them forth in his Apology, Chap. 3:9.
1305 jude 1:25
when they feast with you, without 3all fear, feeding themselves: hclouds they are without water, carried about of winds, corrupt trees and without fruit, twice dead, and plucked up by the roots. 13 They are the raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shames: they are wandering stars, to whom is reserved the 1blackness of darkness forever. 14 And Enoch also the seventh from Adam, prophesied of such, saying, iBehold, the Lord 1cometh with thousands of his Saints, 15 To give judgment against all men, and to rebuke all the ungodly among them of all their wicked deeds, which they have ungodly committed, and of all their cruel speakings, which wicked sinners have spoken against him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts: jwhose mouths speak proud things, having men's persons in admiration, because of advantage. 17 1But, ye beloved, remember the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord
Jesus Christ: 18 How that they told you that there should be mockers kin the last time, which should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 1These are they that separate themselves from others, natural, having not the Spirit. 20 But, ye beloved, edify yourselves in your most holy faith, praying in the holy Ghost. 21 And keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto eternal life. 22 1And have compassion of some, in putting difference: 23 And others save with 1fear, pulling them out of the fire, and hate even that 2garment which is spotted by the flesh. 24 1Now unto him that is able to keep you that ye fall not, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with joy, 25 That is, to God only wise, our Savior be glory, and majesty, and dominion, and power, both now and forever, Amen.
h 2 Pet. 2:17
i Rev. 1:7
j Ps. 17:10
k 1 Tim. 4:1
2 Tim. 3:1 2 Pet. 3:3
1:12 3 Impudently, without all reverence either to God or man. 1:13 1 Most gross darkness. 1:14 1 The present time for the time to come. 1:17 1 The rising up of such monsters was spoken of before, that we should not be troubled at the newness of the matter. 1:19 1 It is the property of Antichrists to separate themselves from the godly, because they are not governed by the Spirit of God: and contrariwise it is the property of Christians to edify one another through godly prayers both in faith and also in love until the mercy of Christ appears to their full salvation. 1:22 1 Among them which wander and go astray, the godly have to
use this choice, that they handle some of them gently, and that oth ers some being even in the very flame, they endeavor to save with severe and sharp instruction of the present danger: yet so, that they do in such sort abhor the wicked and dishonest, that they eschew even the least contagion that may be. 1:23 1 By fearing them, and holding them back with godly severity. 2 An amplification taken from the forbidden things of the Law which did defile. 1:24 1 He commendeth them to the grace of God, declaring suffi ciently that it is God only that can give us that constancy which he requireth of us.
T h e R e v e l a t i o n
o f S a i n t J o h n t h e A p o s t l e
1 2 He declareth what kind of doctrine is here handled, 8 even his that is the beginning and ending. 12 Then the mystery of the seven Candlesticks and stars, 20 is expounded.
and Which was, and Which is to come, and from 4the 5seven Spirits which are before his Throne, 5 And from Jesus Christ 1which is that bfaithful witness, and cthat first begotten of the dead, and that Prince of the Kings of the earth, unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his dblood, 6 And made us eKings and Priests unto God even his Father, to him, I say, be glory, and dominion for evermore, Amen. 7 Behold, he cometh with fclouds, and every 1eye shall see him: yea, even they which pierced him through: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail before him, Even so, Amen. 8 1I gam 2Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, Which is, and Which
chapter 1
a Exod. 3:14
b Ps. 89:38
c 1 Cor. 15:21
Col. 1:18
1 The 1,2Revelation of 3Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly be done: which he sent, and showed by his Angel unto his servant John, 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 4 1John to the seven Churches which are in Asia, Grace be with you, and peace 2from him, 3Which ais,
d Heb. 9:14
1 Pet. 1:29 1 John 1:9
e 1 Pet. 2:5
f Isa. 3:14 Matt. 24:30
Jude 14
g Rev. 21:6
Rev. 22:13
1:1 1 This Chapter hath two principal parts, the title or inscription, which standeth instead of an exordium: and a narration going before the whole prophecy of this book: The inscription is double, general and particular. The general containeth the kind of prophecy, the author, and, matter, instruments, and manner of communicating the same, in the first verse: the most religious faithfulness of the Apostle as public witness, verse 2. And the use of communicating the same taken from the promise of God, and from the circumstance of the time, the third verse. 2 An opening of a secret and hid thing. 3 Which the Son opened to us out of his Father's bosom by Angels. 1:4 1 This is the particular or singular inscription wherein salutation is written unto certain Churches by name, which represent the Church Catholic: and the certainty and the truth of the same is declared, from the Author thereof, unto the eighth verse. 2 That is, from God the Father, eternal, immortal, immutable: whose unchangeableness S. John declareth by a form of speech which is undeclined. For there is no incongruity in this place, where, of necessity the words must be attempted unto the mysteries, not the mysteries corrupted or impaired by the word. 3 By these three times, Is, Was and shall be, is signified this word Jehovah, which is the proper name of God. 4 That is, from the holy Ghost which proceedeth from the Father and the Son. This Spirit is one in person according to his subsistence: but in communication of his virtue, and in demonstration of his divine works in those seven Churches, doth so perfectly manifest himself, as if there were many Spirits, every one perfectly working in his own Church, wherefore after Rev. 5:6, they are called the seven horns and seven eyes of the Lamb, as much to say, as his most absolute power and wisdom: and Rev. 3:1. Christ is said to have there seven Spirits of God, and Rev. 4:5, it is said, that seven lamps do burn before his throne, which also are those seven Spirits of God. That this place ought to be so understood, it is thus proved. For first grace and peace
is asked by prayer of this Spirit, which is a divine work, and an action incommunicable, in respect of the most high Deity. Secondly, he is placed between the Father and the Son, as set in the same degree of dignity and operation with them. Besides he is before the throne as of the same substance with the Father and the Son: as the seven eyes and seven horns of the Lamb. Moreover, these spirits are never said to adore God, as all other things are. Finally, that is the power whereby the Lamb opened the book, and loosed the seven seals thereof when none could be found amongst all creatures by whom the book might be opened, Rev. 5. Of these things long ago, Master John Luide of Oxford wrote learnedly unto me. Now the holy Ghost is set in order of words before Christ, because there was in that which followeth, a long process of speech to be used concerning Christ. 5 These are the seven spirits, which are, afterward, Rev. 5:6, called the horns and eyes of the Lamb, and are now made as a guard wait ing upon God. 1:5 1 A most ample and grave commendation of Christ, first from his offices the Priesthood and kingdoms, secondly from his benefits, as his love toward us, and washing us with his blood, in this verse, and communication of his kingdom and Priesthood with us: thirdly from his eternal glory and power, which always is to be celebrated of us, verse 6. Finally from the accomplishment of all things once to be effected by him, at his second coming, what time he shall openly destroy the wicked, and comfort the godly in the truth, verse 7. 1:7 1 All men. 1:8 1 A confirmation of the salutation aforegoing, taken from the words of God himself: in which he avoucheth his operation in every single creature, the immutable eternity that is in himself, and his omnipotence in all things: and concludeth in the unity of his own essence, that Trinity of persons, which was before spoken of. 2 I am he before whom there is nothing, yea, by whom every thing that is made, was made and shall remain though all they should perish.
1307 revelation 2:1
furnace: and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword, and his face shone as the sun shineth in his strength. 17 1And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead: 2then he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not: 3I am that hfirst and that last, 18 And am alive, but I was dead: and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen: and I have the keys of hell and of death. 19 1Write these things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall come hereafter. 20 1The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks, is this, The seven stars are the 2Angels of the seven Churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest, are the seven Churches. 2 1 John is commanded to write those things which the Lord knew necessary to the Churches of Ephesus. 8 Of the Smyrnians, 12 of Pergamos, 18 and of Thyatira, as that they keep those things which they received of the Apostles.
was, and Which is to come, even the Almighty. 9 1I John even your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the 2Isle called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the witnessing of Jesus Christ. 10 And I was ravished in 1spirit on the 2Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as it had been of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, that first and that last: and that which thou seest write in a book, and send it unto the seven Churches which are in Asia, unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 1Then I turned back to 2see the voice that spake with me: 3and when I was turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks, 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks, one like unto the son of man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girded about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and hairs were white as white wool, and as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire, 15 And his feet like unto fine brass burning as in a
h Isa. 41:4
1 1Unto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus
1:9 1 The narration opening the way to the declaring of the authority and calling of Saint John the Evangelist in this singular Revelation, and to procure faith, and credit unto this prophecy. This is the second part of this Chapter consisting of a proposition and an exposition. The proposition showeth, first who was called unto this Revelation, in what place, and how occupied, verse 9. Then at what time and by what means, namely, by the spirit and the word, and that on the Lord's day, which day ever since the resurrection of Christ, was consecrated for Christians unto the religion of the Sabbath: that is to say, to be a day of rest, verse 10. Thirdly, who is the author that calleth him, and what is the sum of his calling. 2 Patmos is one of the isles of Sporas whither John was banished as some write. 1:10 1 This is that holy ravishment expressed, wherewith the proph ets were ravished, and being as it were carried out of the world were conversant with God, and so Ezekiel saith often that he was carried from place to place of the Lord's Spirit and that the Spirit of the Lord fell upon him. 2 He calleth it the Lord's day, which Paul calleth the first day of the week, 1 Cor. 16:2. 1:12 1 The exposition, declaring the third and last point of the prop osition (for the other points are evident of themselves) wherein is spoken first of the author of his calling unto verse 17. Secondly of the calling itself unto the end of the Chap. And first of all the occasion is noted in this verse, in that S. John turned himself towards the vision: after is set down the description of the author in the verses following, Rev. 1:13–16. 2 To see him whose voice I had heard. 3 The description of the Author, which is Christ: by the candlesticks that standeth about him, that is the Churches that stand before him, and depend upon his direction, in this verse: by his properties, that he is one furnished with wisdom and dexterity to the achieving of great things, verse 13, and ancient gravity and most excellent sight of the eye, verse 14, with strength invincible and with a mighty word, verse 15. By his operations, that he ruleth the ministry of his servants in the Church, giveth the effect thereunto by the sword of his word,
and enlightening all things with his countenance, doth most might ily provide for everyone by his divine providence, verse 16. 1:17 1 A religious fear that goeth before the calling of the Saints, and their full confirmation to take upon them the vocation of God. 2 A divine confirmation is this calling partly by sign and partly by word of power. 3 A most elegant description of this calling contained in three things, which are necessary unto a just vocation: first the authority of him that calleth, for that he is the beginning and end of all things, in this verse, for that he is eternal and omnipotent, verse 18. Secondly, the sum of this prophetical calling, and revelation, verse 19. Lastly a declaration of those persons unto whom this prophecy is by the commandment of God directed in the description thereof, verse 20. 1:19 1 The sum of this prophecy, that the Apostle must write what soever he should see, adding nothing, nor taking away anything, as verse 2. Hereof there are two parts: one is a narration of those things which are, that is, which then were at that time contained in the sec ond and third Chapters, the other part is of those things which were to come, contained in the rest of this book. 1:20 1 That is, the things which [were] mystical, signified by the par ticulars of the vision beforegoing. 2 By the Angels he meaneth the Ministers of the Church. 2:1 1 The former part of this book is comprised in a narration of those things which then were as S. John taught us, Rev. 1:19, it belongeth wholly to instruction and in these next two Chapters, containeth seven places according to the number and condition of those Churches which were named before, Rev. 1:11, figured verse 12, distributed most aptly into their Pastors and flocks, verse 20, which verse of that Chap. is as it were a passage unto the first part. Every one of the seven places hath three principal members, an Exordium taken from the person of the Author: a Proposition, in which is praise and commendation of that which is good, reprehension of that which is evil: an instruction containing either an exhortation alone, or withal a dissuasion opposite unto it, and a conclusion stirring unto attention by divine promises. And this first place is unto the Pastors of the Church of Ephesus.
revelation 2:2 1308
write, 2These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, and walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. 2 1I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear with them which are evil, and hast examined them which say they are Apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. 3 And thou wast burdened, and hast patience, and for my Name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless, I have somewhat 1against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works: or else I will come against thee shortly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou amend. 6 But this thou hast that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 1Let him that hath an ear hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches: To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in 2the midst of the 3Paradise of God. 8 ¶ 1And unto the Angel of the Church of the 2Smyrnians write, These things saith he that is first and last, which was dead and is alive. 9 1I know thy works and tribulation, and poverty (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them, which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things, which thou shalt
suffer: behold, it shall come to pass, that the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have 1tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto the death, and I will give thee the crown of life. 11 1Let him that hath an ear hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt 2of the second death. 12 1And to the Angel of the Church, which is at 2Pergamos write, Thus saith he which hath that sharp sword with two edges. 13 1I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's throne is, and thou keepest my Name, and hast not denied my faith, even in 2those days when Antipas my faithful martyr was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that maintain the doctrine of aBalaam, which taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, that they should 1eat of things sacrificed unto idols, and commit fornication. 15 Even so hast thou them that maintain the doctrine of the 1Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent thyself, or else I will come unto thee shortly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 1Let him that hath an ear, hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches. To him that overcometh, will I give to eat 2of the 3Manna that is hid, and will give him
chapter 2
a Num. 24:14
Num. 25:1
2:1 2 The exordium wherein are contained the special praises of Christ Jesus the Author of this prophecy, out of verses 16 and 13 of the first Chapter. 2:2 1 The proposition, first condemning the Pastor of this Church, verses 2, 3, then reproving him, verse 4, after informing him and withal threatening that he will translate the Church to another place, verse 5. This commutation or threat Christ mitigateth by a kind of cor rection, calling to mind the particular virtue and piety of the Church, which God never leaveth without recompense, verse 6. Concerning the Nicolaitans see after upon verse 11. 2:4 1 To deal with thee for. 2:7 1 The conclusion, containing a commandment of attention and a promise of everlasting life, shadowed out in a figure of which, Gen. 2:9. 2 That is, in Paradise after the manner of the Hebrew phrase. 3 Thus Christ speaketh as the Mediator. 2:8 1 The second place is unto the Pastors of the Church of the Smyr nians. The exordium is taken out of verses 17 and 18 of the first Chap. 2 Smyrna was one of the cities of Ionia in Asia. 2:9 1 The proposition of praise is in this verse and of exhortation joined with promise, is in the next verse. 2:10 1 That is, of ten years. For so commonly both in this book and in Daniel, years are signified by the name of days: that God thereby might declare, that the space of time is appointed by him, and the same very short. Now because Saint John wrote this book in the end of Domitian the Emperor his reign, as Justin and Ireneus do witness, it is altogether necessary that this should be referred unto that persecution which was done by the authority of the Emperor Trajan: who began to make havoc of the Christian Church in the tenth year of his reign, as the His
toriographers do write: and his bloody persecution continued until Adrian the Emperor had succeeded in his place: the space of which time is precisely ten years, which are here mentioned. 2:11 1 The conclusions as verse 7. 2 See Rev. 20:6. 2:12 1 The third place is unto the Pastors of Pergamos. The Exordium is taken out of verse 16 of the first Chapter. 2 Pergamos was the name of a famous city in old time in Asia, where the Kings of the Attalians were always resident. 2:13 1 The proposition of praise is in this verse, of reprehension in the two following, and of exhortation joined with a conditional threat, verse 16. Now this Antipas was the Angel or minister of the Church of Pergamos, as Aretas writeth. 2 The faith of them of Pergamos is so much the more highly com mended because they remained constant even in the very heat of persecution. 2:14 1 That which is here spoken of things offered to idols, is meant of the same kind which Paul speaketh of, 1 Cor. 10:13. 2:15 1 Which follow the footsteps of Balaam, and such as are abandoned unto all filthiness, as he showed in the verse foregoing, and is here signi fied by a note of similitude. And thus also must the next verse be under stood. For this matter especially Ireneus must be consulted withal. 2:17 1 The conclusion, standing of exhortation as before, and of promise. 2 He alludeth to that sermon which we read of John 6, and to the place we find, Ps. 105:40. 3 Aretas writeth, that such a stone was wont to be given to wres tlers at games, or else that such stones did in old times witness the quitting of a man.
1309 revelation 3:6
a 4,5white stone, and in the stone a new 6name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it. 18 ¶ And unto 1the Angel of the Church which is at Thyatira write, These things saith the Son of God, which hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet like fine brass. 19 I know 1thy works and thy love, and 2service and faith, and thy patience, and thy works, and that they are more at the last, than at the first. 20 Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to deceive my servants, to make them commit 1fornication and to eat meat sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit fornication with her, into great affliction, except they repent them of their works. 23 And I will kill her children with death, and all the Churches shall know that I am he which bsearch the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according unto your works. 24 And unto you I say, the rest of them of Thyatira, As many as have not this learning, neither have known the 1deepness of Satan (as they speak) I will 2put upon you none other burden, 25 But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. 26 1For he that overcometh and keepeth my words
unto the end, to him will I give 2power over nations. 27 cAnd he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and as the vessels of a potter, shall they be broken: 28 Even as I received of my Father, so will I give him 1the morning Star. 29 Let him that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches. 3 1 The first Epistle sent to the Pastors of the Church of Sardis, 7 of Philadelphia, 14 And of the Laodiceans, 16 that they be not lukewarm, 20 but endeavor to further God's glory.
b 1 Sam. 16:7
Ps. 7:10 Jer. 11:20 Jer. 17:10
c Ps. 2:9
chapter 3
a Rev. 16:15
1 Thess. 5:2 2 Pet. 3:10
b Rev. 20:12
Rev. 21:27
Phil. 5:3
1 1And write unto the Angel of the Church which is at 2Sardis, These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars, 3I know thy works: for thou hast a 4name that thou livest, but thou art dead. 2 Be awake, and strengthen the things which remain, that are 1ready to die: for I have not found thy work perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore, how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast and repent. aIf therefore thou wilt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Notwithstanding thou hast a few names yet in Sardis, 1which have not defiled their garments: and they shall walk with me in 2white: for they are 3worthy. 5 He 1that overcometh, shall be clothed in white array, and I will not put out his Name out of the bbook of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his Angels. 6 Let him that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit
2:17 4 The bread of life, invisible, spiritual, and heavenly, which is kept secretly with God, from before all eternity. 5 Which is a sign and witness of forgiveness and remission of sins, of righteousness and true holiness, and of purity uncorrupted, after that the old man is killed. 6 A sign and testimony of newness of life in righteousness and true holiness, by putting on the new man, whom none doth inwardly know, save the spirit of man which is in himself, the praise whereof is not of man, but of God, Rom. 2:28. 2:18 1 The fourth place is unto the Pastors of Thyatira. The exordium is taken out of verses 14 and 15 of the first Chapter. 2:19 1 The proposition of praise is in this verse: of reprehension, for they tolerated with them, the doctrine of ungodliness and unrigh teousness, is verse 20, the authors whereof though they were called back of God, yet repented not verse 21, whereunto is added a most heavy threatening, verses 22 and 23, of a conditional promise, and of exhortation to hold fast the truth, is in the two verses following. 2 So he calleth those offices of charity which are done to the saints. 2:20 1 By Fornication, is often in the Scripture idolatry meant. 2:24 1 He pointeth out the bragging of certain men, which boasted of their deep, that is, plentiful and common knowledge, which not withstanding is devilish. 2 I will speak no worse thing against you, being content to have showed you what I require to be in you. 2:26 1 The conclusion, wherein Christ assureth unto his servants the communion of his Kingdom and glory, in this verse and the next fol lowing, and commandeth an holy attention in the last verse.
2 That is, I will make him a King by communion with me, and my fellow heir, as it is promised, Matt. 19:28 and 25:34; Rom. 8:17 and 1 Cor. 6:3; Eph. 2:6 and 1 Tim. 2:12. 2:28 1 The brightness of greatest glory and honor nearest approach ing unto the light of Christ, who is the Son of righteousness, and our head, Matt. 4. 3:1 1 The fifth place is unto the Pastors of Sardis. The exordium is taken out of verses 4 and 16 of the first Chap. 2 Sardis is the name of a most flourishing and famous City, where the Kings of Lydia kept their courts. 3 The proposition of reproof is in this verse: of exhortation joined with a threatening in the two verses that follow, and of qualifica tion by way of correction unto the comfort of the good which yet remained there, verse 4. 4 Thou art said to live, but art dead indeed. 3:2 1 Other things, whose state is such, that they are now going, and unless they be confirmed, will perish forthwith. 3:4 1 That is, who have with all religion guarded themselves from sin and moral contagion, even from the very show of evil, as S. Jude exhorteth, verse 23. 2 Pure from all spot and shining with glory. So it is to be under stood always hereafter as in the next verse. 3 They are meet and fit, to wit, because they are justified in Christ, as they have truly showed it: for he is righteous that worketh righ teousness: but so, as the tree bringeth forth fruit. See Rom. 8:18. 3:5 1 The conclusion standing upon a promise and a command ment as before.
revelation 3:7 1310
saith unto the Churches. 7 ¶ 1And write unto the Angel of the Church which is of Philadelphia, These things saith he that is Holy, and True, which hath the 2key of David, which openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth. 8 1I know thy works: behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my Name. 9 Behold, I will make them 1of the Synagogue of Satan, which call themselves Jews, and are not, but do lie: behold, I say, I will make them that they shall come 2and worship before thy feet, and shall know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast 1kept the word of my patience, therefore I will deliver thee from the hour of tentation, which will come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come shortly: hold that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 1Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: 2and I will write upon him the Name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and I will write upon him my new Name. 13 Let him that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches. 14 1And unto the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write, These things saith 2Amen, the
faithful and true witness, that 3beginning of the creatures of God. 15 1I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou werest cold or hot. 16 Therefore because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, it will come to pass, that I shall spew thee out of my mouth. 17 For thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, and knowest not how thou art wretched and miserable, 1and poor, and blind, and naked. 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried by the fire, that thou mayest be made rich: and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that thy filthy nakedness do not appear: and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, cI rebuke and chasten: be 1zealous therefore and amend. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock, 1If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in unto him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 1To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I overcame, and sit with my Father in his throne. 22 Let him that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches. 4 1 Another vision containing the glory of God's Majesty: 3 which is magnified of the four beasts, 10 and the four and twenty Elders.
c Prov. 3:12
Heb. 22:5
1 After 1this I looked, and behold, a door was
3:7 1 The sixth place is unto the Pastors of Philadelphia. The exor dium is taken out of verse 18 of the first chapter. 2 All power of rule in commanding and forbidding, delivering and punishing. And the house of David is the Church, and the continual promise of David's Kingdom belongeth to Christ. 3:8 1 The proposition of praise is in this verse, of promises, to bring home again them that wander, verse 9, and to preserve the godly, verse 10, and of exhortation, verse 11. 3:9 1 I will bring them to that case. 2 That is, fall down and worship either thee civilly, or Christ reli giously at thy feet (and thus I had rather take it) whether here in the Church (which seemeth more proper to the argument of this place) or there in the world to come. For Christ verily shall fulfill his word. 3:10 1 Because thou hast been patient and constant, as I would my servants should be. 3:12 1 The conclusion, which containeth a promise and a com mandment. 2 That is, the new man shall be turned after his Father, Mother, and head Christ. 3:14 1 The seventh place is unto the pastors of the Church of Laodi cea. The exordium is taken out of verse 15 of the first chapter. 2 Amen soundeth as much in the Hebrew tongue, as Truly, or Truth itself. 3 Of whom all things that are made, have their beginning. 3:15 1 The proposition of reproof is in this verse, whereunto is adjoined a threatening, verse 16, with a confirmation declaring the same, verse 17, and of exhortation unto faith and repentance, verses
18, 19, whereunto is added a conditional promise, verse 20. 3:17 1 The spiritual misery of men is metaphorically expressed in three points: unto which are matched as correspondent those rem edies which are offered, verse 18. 3:19 1 Zeal is set against them which are neither hot nor cold. 3:20 1 This must be taken after the manner of an allegory, as John 14:23. 3:21 1 The conclusion, consisting of a promise, as Rev. 2:26, and of an exhortation. Hitherto hath been the first part of the book of the Apocalypse. 4:1 1 Hereafter followeth the second part of this book, altogether prophetical, foretelling those things which were to come, as was said before, Rev. 1:19. This is divided into two histories: one common unto the whole world, unto Chapter 9: and another singular of the Church of God, thence unto chapter 22. And these histories are said to be described in several books, Rev. 5:1 and 10:2. Now this verse is as it were a passage from the former part unto this second: where it is said, that the heaven was opened, that is, that heavenly things were unlocked, and that a voice as of a trumpet sounded in heaven to stir up the Apostle, and call him to the understanding of things to come. The first history hath two parts: one the causes of things done, and of this whole Revelation, in that and the next chapter. Another of the acts done, in the next 4 chapters. The principal causes according to the distinction of persons in the vanity of divine essence, and according to the economy or dispensation thereof, are two. One the beginning, which none can approach unto, that is, God the Father, of whom is spoken in this chapter. The other, the Son, who is the mean cause, easy to be approached unto us, in respect that he is God and man in one person: of whom, Rev. 5.
1311 revelation 5:1
open in heaven, and the first voice which I heard, was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be done hereafter. 2 And 1immediately I was ravished 2in the spirit, 3and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat upon the throne. 3 1And he that sat, was to look upon, like unto a Jasper stone, and a sardine, and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like to an emerald. 4 1And round about the throne were four and twenty seats, and upon the seats I saw four and twenty Elders sitting, clothed in white raiment, and had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 1And out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings and voices, and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. 6 1And before the throne there was a Sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne were four beasts, full of eyes before and behind. 7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the
second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying Eagle. 8 And the 1four beasts had each one of them six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within, and they ceased not 2day nor night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Which was, and which is, and which is to come. 9 And when those beasts 1gave glory, and honor, and thanks to him that sat on the throne, which liveth forever and ever, 10 1The four and twenty Elders fell down before him that sat on the throne, and worshipped him that liveth for evermore, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 1Thou art aworthy, O Lord, 2to receive glory, and honor, and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy will's sake they are, and have been created. 5 1 The book sealed with seven seals, 3 which none could open. 6 That Lamb of God, 9 is thought worthy to open, 12 even by the consent of all the company of heaven.
chapter 4
a Rev. 5:12
1 1And I saw in the 2right hand of him that sat upon the throne, 3a book written within, and on the
4:2 1 The manner of revelation, as before, 1:10. 2 See Rev. 1:12. 3 A description of God the Father, and of his glory in the heavens, framed unto the manner of men, by his office, nature, company, attending, effect, instruments and events that follow afterwards. In this verse, he is presented in office a judge, as Abraham said, Gen. 18, which is declared by his throne, as an ensign of judgment, and his sitting thereupon. 4:3 1 By his nature, in that he is the Father, most glorious in his own person, and with his glory overshining all other things. 4:4 1 By the company attending about him in that, as that most high Judge, he is accompanied with the most honorable atten dance of Prophets and Apostles, both of the old and new Church, whom Christ hath made to be Priests and Kings, Rev. 1:6 and 5:10. 4:5 1 By effects, in that most mightily he speaketh all things by his voice and word, as Ps. 29:3, and with the light of his spirit and provi dence peruseth and passes through all. 4:6 1 By instruments used, in that he both hath a most ready trea sury, and as it were a workhouse excellently furnished with all things, unto the executing of his will, which things flow from his command ment, as is repeated, Rev.15:2. And hath also the Angels most ready administers of his counsels and pleasure unto all parts of the world, continually watching (in this verse) working by reason otherwise than the instruments, without life last mentioned, courageous as lions, mighty as bulls, wise as men, swift as eagles, verse 7, most apt unto all purposes, as furnished with wings on every part, most pierc ing of sight, and finally pure and perfect Spirits, always in continual motion, verse 8. 4:8 1 Every beast had six wings. 2 By events, in that for all the causes before mentioned God is glo rified both of Angels, as holy, Judge, omnipotent, eternal and immu table, verse 8, and also after their example he is glorified of holy men (verse 9) in sign and in speech, verses 10, 11.
4:9 1 God is said to have glory, honor, kingdom, and such like given unto him, when we godly and reverently set forth that which is prop erly and only his. 4:10 1 Three signs of divine honor given unto God, prostration or falling down, adoration and casting their crowns before God, in which the godly, though made kings by Christ, do willingly empty themselves of all glory, moved with a religious respect for the maj esty of God. 4:11 1 The sum of their speech: that all glory must be given unto God: the reason, because he is the eternal beginning of all things, from whose only will they have their being and are governed: and finally in all respects are that which they are. 2 That is, that thou shouldest challenge the same to thyself alone. But as for us, we are unworthy, that even by thy goodness we should be made partakers of this glory. And hitherto hath been handled the principal cause unapproachable, which is God. 5:1 1 A passing unto the second principal cause, which is the Son of God, God and man, the mediator of all, as the eternal word of God the Father manifested in the flesh. This chapter hath two parts: one that prepareth the way unto the Revelation, by rehearsal of the occa sions that did occur in the first four verses. Another, the history of the Revelation of Christ, thence unto the end of the chapter. 2 That is, in the very right hand of God. 3 Here are showed the occasions for which this principal cause, and this Revelation was also necessary: the same are three, the first a present vision of the book of the counsels of God, concerning the government of this whole world, which book is said to be laid up with the Father as it were in his hand: but shut and unknown unto all creatures, in this verse. The second is a religious desire of the Angels of God to understand the mysteries of this book, verse 2, whereof see 1 Pet. 1:12. The third is a lamentation of Saint John and all the godly, moved by the same desire, verse 4, when they saw that it was a thing impossible for any creature to effect: which is declared in the third verse.
revelation 5:2 1312
backside sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong Angel which preached with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 1And no man in heaven nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 Then I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open, and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 1And one of the Elders said unto me, Weep not: behold, that a,2Lion which is of the tribe of Judah, that root of David, hath obtained to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 Then I beheld, and lo, 1in the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the Elders stood a Lamb, as though he had been killed, which had seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent into all the world. 7 1And he came, and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 1And when he hath taken the book, the four beasts, and the four and twenty Elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one 2harps and golden vials full of odors, which are the 3prayers of the Saints, 9 And they sung a 1new 2song, saying, 3Thou
art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof, because thou wast killed, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. 10 And hast made us unto our God bKings, and Priests, and we shall reign on the earth. 11 1Then I beheld, and I heard the voice of many Angels round about the throne, and about the beasts and the Elders, 2and there were c,3ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousand thousands, 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was killed, to 1receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and praise. 13 1And all the creatures which are in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Praise, and honor, and glory, and power be unto him, that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for evermore. 14 1And the four beasts said, Amen, and the four and twenty Elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for evermore. 6 1 The Lamb openeth the first seal of the book. 3 The second, 5 the third, 7 the fourth, 9 the fifth, 12 and the sixth, and then arise murders, famine, pestilence, outcries of Saints, earthquakes, and divers strange sights in heaven.
chapter 5
a Gen. 49:6
b Rev. 1:6
1 Pet. 2:9
c Dan. 7:10
5:3 1 Thus neither of them that are in heaven, nor of them which are in the earth, etc. And this I like better. Now this enumera tion of parts is sufficient to the denying of the whole. For of the creatures one sort is in heaven above the earth: another in the earth: and another under the earth in the sea, as is after declared, verse 13. 5:5 1 The second part of this chapter, in which is set down the Rev elation of the Son, as before was said. This part containeth first an history of the manner how God prepared S. John to understand this Revelation in this verse. Secondly, the Revelation of the Son himself unto verse 7. Thirdly, the accidents of this Revelation, in the rest of the chapter. The manner now, is here described in two sorts, one from without him, by speech in this verse. Another within, by opening the eyes of S. John (which before were held) that he might see, in the verse following. 2 That is, the most mighty and most approved Prince: according to the use of the Hebrew speech. 5:6 1 The sum of this Revelation: Christ the mediator taketh and openeth the book, verses 6, 7. Therefore in his Revelation is described the person of Christ, in this verse. His fact, in the next verse. The person is thus described, Christ, the mediator between God, Angels and men, as the eternal word of God, and our redeemer: as the Lamb of God, standing as slain, and making inter cession for us by the virtue and merit of his everlasting sacrifice, is armed with the Spirit of God, in his own person, that is, with the power and wisdom of God essentially unto the government of this whole world. 5:7 1 The fact of Christ the Mediator, that he cometh unto the throne of the Father, of which Rev. 4, and taketh the book out of his hand to open it. For that he opened it, it is first expressed, Rev. 6:1, etc. 5:8 1 Now follow in the end the accidents of the Revelation last spo
ken of that all the holy Angels, and men did sing unto him: both the chief, verses 9, 10, and common order of Angels, verses 11, 12, and of all things created, verse 13, the princes of both sorts agreeing thereunto, verse 14. 2 The symbols or signs of praise, sweet in savor, and acceptable unto God. See Rev. 8:3. 3 See Rev. 9:3. 5:9 1 No common song. 2 That is composed according to the present matter: the Lamb having received the book, as it were with his feet, and opened it with his horns, as is said in the Canticles. 3 The song of the Nobles or Princes standing by the throne, consisting of a publication of the praise of Christ, and a con firmation of the same from his benefits, both which we have received of himself (as are the suffering of his death, our redemption upon the cross by his blood in this verse: and our communion with him in Kingdom and Priesthood, which long ago he hath granted unto us with himself) and which we here after hope to obtain, as our kingdom to come in Christ, in the verse following. 5:11 1 The consent of the common order of Angels, answering in melody unto their Princes that stood by the throne. 2 A number finite, but almost infinite for one infinite indeed, as Dan. 7:10. 3 By this is meant a great number. 5:12 1 To have all praise given to him, as to the mightiest and wis est, etc. 5:13 1 The consent of all the common multitude of the crea tures. 5:14 1 A confirmation of the praise beforegoing, from the contesta tion of the Nobles, expressed in word and signs, as once or twice before this.
1313 revelation 6:14
1 1After I beheld when the Lamb had opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four beasts say, as it were the noise of thunder, Come and see. 2 Therefore 1I beheld, and lo, there was a white horse, and he that sat on him, had a bow, and a crown was given unto him, and he went forth conquering that he might overcome. 3 And 1when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4 And there went out another horse, that was red, and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another, and there was given unto him a great sword. 5 1And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. Then I beheld, and lo, a black horse, and he that sat on him, had balances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A 1measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny, 2and oil, and wine hurt thou not. 7 1And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 8 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse, and his
name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed after him, and power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with beasts of the earth. 9 1And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were killed for the word of God, and for the testimony which they maintained. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, Lord, which art holy and true! dost not thou judge and avenge our blood on them, that dwell on the earth? 11 And long 1white robes were given unto every one, and it was said unto them, that they should rest for a little season until their fellow servants, and their brethren that should be killed even as they were, were 2fulfilled. 12 1And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and lo, there was a great earthquake, and the Sun was as black as 2sackcloth of hair, and the Moon was like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig-tree casteth her green figs, when it is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And heaven departed away, as a scroll, when it
6:1 1 This is the second part of this first history (which I said was com mon and of the whole world) of the works of God in the government of all things. Of this part there are generally 3 members, the foresignify ing, the caution, and the execution of all the evils which God poureth out upon this world, which hath most hardly deserved of him. The foresignifying is set down in this chapter, the caution for preserving the Church, is in the next chapter, and the execution is described, Rev. 8:9. In every part of the foresignifying, there are three branches: the several and express calling of S. John, to prepare himself to take knowledge of the things that were to be showed unto him in the opening of the seals: the sign and the word expounding the sign: And albeit the express call ing of S. John, be used only in four of the signs, yet the same is also to be understood in the rest that follow. The author of the foresignifying is the Lamb, as that word of the Father made the Mediator, opening the seals of the book. The instruments are the Angels in most of the visions, who expound the sign and words thereof. Now this first verse containeth an express calling of S. John to mark the opinion of the first seal. 6:2 1 The first sign joined with declaration, is that God for the sins, and horrible rebellion of the world, will invade the same: and first of all as afar off, with his darts of pestilence most suddenly, mightily, and gloriously, bear down the same as judge, and triumph over it as conqueror. 6:3 1 The second sign joined with words of declaration (after the express calling of S. John as before) is that God being provoked unto wrath by the obstinacy and hardheartedness of the world not repenting for the former plague, as setting upon the same hand, will kindle the fire of debate amongst men, and will destroy the inhabi tants of this world, one by the sword of another. 6:5 1 The third sign with declaration, is that God will destroy the world with famine, withdrawing all provision: which is by the figure Synecdoche comprehended in wheat, barley, wine and oil. 6:6 1 Hereby is signified what great scarcity of corn there was, for the word here used is a kind of measure of dry things, which is in quan tity but the eighth part of a bushel, which was an ordinary portion to
be given servants for their stint of meat for one day. 2 I had rather distinguish and read the words thus, and the wine and the oil thou shalt not deal unjustly. In this sense likewise the wine and the oil shall be sold a very little for a penny. Thou shalt not deal unjustly, namely, when thou shalt measure out a very little for a great price: so is the place evident: otherwise that is most true, which the wise man saith, that whoso withholdeth the corn shall be cursed of the people, Prov. 11:26. 6:7 1 The fourth sign joined with words of declaration, is, that God will addict the fourth part of the world indifferently, unto death and hell, or the grave by all those means at once, by which before sever ally and in order he had recalled their minds unto amendment. Unto these are also added the wild and cruel beasts of the earth, out of Lev. 26:22. Thus doth God according to his wisdom dispense the trea sures of his power, justly towards all, mercifully towards the good, and with patience or longsufferance towards his enemies. 6:9 1 The fifth sign is that the holy martyrs which are under the altar, whereby they are sanctified, that is, received into the trust and tuition of Christ (into whose hands they are committed) shall cry out for the justice of God, in an holy zeal to advance his kingdom and not of any private perturbation of the mind, in this and the next verse, and that God will, in deed, sign and word comfort them, verse 11. 6:11 1 As before 3:4. 2 Until their number be fulfilled. 6:12 1 The sixth sign, the narration whereof hath two parts, the sign, and the event. The sign is, that the earth, heaven, and the things that are in them for the horror of the sins of the world upon those most heavy foretellings of God, and complaints of the Saints shall be shaken most vehemently, trembling in horrible manner, and losing their light in this verse: falling from on high, verse 13, withdrawing themselves and flying away for the greatness of the trouble, verse 14. So boldly do all creatures depend upon the will of God, and content themselves in his glory. 2 So they called in old time those woven works that were of hair.
revelation 6:15 1314
is rolled, and every mountain and isle were moved out of their places. 15 1And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in dens, and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, 1,aFall on us, and hide us from the presence of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. 17 For the great day of his wrath is come, and who can stand? 7 1 The Angels coming to hurt the earth, 3 are stayed until the elect of the Lord, 5 of all tribes were sealed. 13 Such as suffered persecution for Christ's sake, 16 have great felicity, 17 and joy.
the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them, which were sealed, and there were sealed 1an hundred and four and forty thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Out of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Asher were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Naphtali were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasseh were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. 1Of the tribe of 2Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zebulun were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of 1Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 9 After these things I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, 1which no man could number, of all nations and kindreds, and people, and tongues 2stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with
chapter 6
a Isa. 2:19
Hos. 10:8 Luke 23:30
1 And 1after that, I saw four Angels stand on the 2four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the winds should not blow on the earth, neither on the sea, 3neither on any tree. 2 1And I saw 2another Angel come up from the East, which had the seal of the living God, and he cried with a loud voice to the four Angels to whom power was given to hurt the earth, and the sea, saying, 3 Hurt ye not the earth, neither the sea, neither
6:15 1 The event of the sign aforegoing: that there is no man that shall not be astonished at that general commotion, fly away for fear and hide himself in this verse, and wish unto himself most bitter death for exceeding horror of the wrath of God, and of the Lamb, at which before he was astonished. Now this perplexity is not of the godly, but of the wicked, whose portion is in this life, as the Psalmist speaketh, Ps. 17:14. Not that sorrow which is according unto God, which worketh repentance unto salvation, whereof a man shall never repent him, but that worldly sorrow that bringeth death, 2 Cor. 7:9, as their wishings do declare: for this history is of the whole world, severed from the history of the Church, as I have showed before, Rev. 4:1. 6:16 1 These are words of such as despair of their escape: of which despair there are two arguments, the presence of God and the Lamb provoked to wrath against the world in this verse, and the conscience of their own weakness, whereby men feel that they are no way able to stand in the day of the wrath of God, verse 17, as it is said, Isa. 14:27. 7:1 1 The second member of this part, is a preventing of danger as we distinguished the same before, Chap. 6:1, that is of the caution whereby God took care before hand and provided for his that after the example of the Israelites of old, Exod. 8:13, the faithful might be exempted from the plagues of this wicked world. This whole place is a certain interlocu tion and bringing in for this whole chapter by occasion of the predic tion and argument of the sixth seal. For first that evil is prevented in the elect unto verse 9. Then thanks are given by the elect for that cause, verses 10, 11, 12. Lastly, the accomplishment of the thing is set forth unto the end of the chapter. The first verse is a transition speaking of the Angels which keep these inferior parts from all evil, until God do command. For (as it is excellently figured by Ezek. 11:12) their faces and their wings are reached upwards, continually waiting upon and behold ing the countenance of God for their direction: and every [one] of them goeth into that part that is right before his face, whithesoever the Spirit shall go, they go, they step not out of the way, that is, they depart not so
much as a foot breadth from the path commanded them of God. 2 On the four quarters or coasts of the earth. 3 That is, neither into the air, into which the tops of trees are advanced. 7:2 1 Now God provideth against the danger of his elect by command ment, verses 2 and 3, and by sign or figure, both for those of the nation of the Jews, thence unto verse 8, and also of the Gentiles, verse 9. 2 Not only another, or differing in number from the common Angels of God, but also in essence, office, and operation excelling all Angels: that is, Christ Jesus the eternal Angel or word of God, and mediator of the covenant. So hereafter Rev. 8:3 and 10:1, 5. 7:4 1 That is, of the Jews a number certain in itself before God, and such as may be numbered of us: for which cause also the same is here set down as certain. But of the elect which are of the Gentiles, the number indeed is in itself certain with God, but of us not possibly to be num bered, as God, Gen. 15:5, and often elsewhere, and Isaiah figured most excellently, Isa. 49 and 60. This therefore is spoken with respect, when a certain number is put for one uncertain. Confer this with verse 6. 7:7 1 Here the tribe of Levi is reckoned up in common with the rest, because all the Israelites were equally made Priests with them in Christ by his Priesthood, Rev. 1:6, and 5:10, and Rom. 12:1, and 1 Pet. 2:9. The name of Dan is not mentioned because the Danites long before forsaking the worship of God, were fallen away from the fellowship of God's people unto the part of the Gentiles, which evil many ages before Jacob foresaw, Gen. 49:18, for which cause also there is no men tion made of this tribe in the first book of the Chronicles. 2 He skipped Dan, and reckoneth Levi. 7:8 1 Of Ephraim, who was Joseph's other son, and had the birth right given him, whereof he is called Joseph. 7:9 1 See before upon verse 4. 2 As Priests, Kings and glorious conquerors by martyrdom: which things are noted by their proper signs in this verse.
1315 revelation 8:5
long white robes, and palms in their hands. 10 1And they cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation cometh of our God, that sitteth upon the throne, and of the Lamb. 11 And all the Angels stood round about the throne, and about the Elders, and the four beasts, and they fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen, Praise and glory, and wisdom, and thanks, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for evermore, Amen. 13 1And one of the Elders spake, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in long white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Lord, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their long robes, and have made their long robes white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they in the presence of the throne of God, and serve him 1day and night in his Temple, and he that sitteth on the throne will dwell 2among them. 16 aThey shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore, neither shall the sun light on them, neither
any heat. 17 For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall govern them, and shall lead them unto the lively fountains of waters, and bGod shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. 8 1 After the opening of the seventh seal, 3 the Saints' prayers are offered up with odors. 6 The seven Angels come forth with trumpets. 7 The four first blow, and fire falleth on the earth, 8 the sea is turned into blood, 10, 11 the waters wax bitter. 12 and the stars are darkened.
chapter 7
a Isa. 49:10
b Isa. 25:8
Rev. 11:4
1 1And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about half an hour. 2 1And I saw the seven Angels, which 2stood before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 1Then another Angel came and stood before the Altar, having a golden censer, and much odors was given unto him, that he should offer with the prayers of all Saints upon the golden Altar, which is before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the odors with the prayers of the Saints, 1went up before God, out of the Angel's hand. 5 And the Angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the Altar, and cast it into the earth, and
7:10 1 The praise of God celebrated first by the holy men, in this verse, then by the heavenly Angels in the two verses following. 7:13 1 A passage over unto the expounding of the vision, of which the Angel inquireth of S. John to stir him up withal, in this verse and John in the form of speech, both acknowledgeth his own ignorance, attributing knowledge unto the Angel, and also in most modest manner requesteth the expounding of the vision. 7:14 1 The exposition of the vision, wherein the Angel telleth first the acts of the Saints, that is, their sufferings and work of faith in Christ Jesus, in this verse. Secondly their glory, both present, which consisteth in two things, that they minister unto God, and that God protecteth them, verse 15, and to come, in their perfect deliverance from all annoyances, verse 16, and in participation of all good things which even the memory of former evils shall never be able to dimin ish, verse 17. The cause efficient, and which containeth all these things is only one, the Lamb of God, the Lord, the Mediator, and the Savior Christ Jesus. 7:15 1 He alludeth to the Levites, which served day and night, for else there is no night in heaven. 2 Or, upon them, whereby is meant God's defense and protec tion, as it were towards them, who are as safe, as men in the Lord's tent. 8:1 1 He returneth to the history of the seals of the book, which the Lamb openeth. The seventh seal is the next foresignification, and a precise commandment of the execution of the most heavy judg ments of God upon this wicked world: which foresignification being understood by the seal, all things in heaven are silent, and in horror thorough admiration until commandment of execution be severally given of God unto the ministers of his wrath. So he passeth unto the third member of which I spake before in Rev. 6:1, which is of the execution of those evils wherewith God most justly determined to afflict the world. 8:2 1 Now followeth the third branch of the common history, as
even now I said: which is the execution of the judgments of God upon the world. This is first generally prepared unto verse 6, then by several parts expoundeth according to the order of those that administered the same unto the end of the Chap. following. Unto the preparation of this execution are declared these things: first, who were the administers and instruments thereof in this verse. Secondly, what is the work both of the Prince of Angels giving order for this execution, thence unto verse 5, and of his administers in verse 6. The administers of the execution are said to be seven Angels: their instru ments, trumpets, whereby they should as it were sound the alarm at the commandment of God. They are propounded seven in number, because it pleased God not at once to pour out his wrath upon the rebellious world, but at divers times, and by piecemeal, and in slow order, and as with an unwilling mind to exercise his judgments upon his creatures, so long called upon both by word and signs if happily they had learned to repent. 2 Which appear before him as his ministers. 8:3 1 This is the great Emperor, the Lord Jesus Christ our King and Savior: who both maketh intercession to God the Father for the Saints, filling the heavenly Sanctuary with most sweet odor, and offering up their prayers, as the Calves and burnt sacrifices of their lips, in this verse: in such sort as every one of them (so powerful is that sweet savor of Christ, and the efficacy of his sacrifice) are held in reconcilement with God and themselves made most acceptable unto him, verse 4. And then also out of his treasury, and from the same sanctuary poureth forth upon the world the fire of his wrath, adding also divine tokens thereto: and by that means (as of old the Heralds of Rome were wont to do) he proclaimeth war against the rebellious world. 8:4 1 Our prayers are nothing worth, unless that true and sweet savor of that only oblation be especially and before all things with them, that is to say, unless we being first of all justified through faith in his Son, be acceptable unto him.
revelation 8:6 1316
part of the moon, and the third part of the stars, so that the third part of them was darkened: and the day was smitten, that the third part of it could not shine, and likewise the night. 13 1And I beheld, and heard one Angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the sounds to come of the trumpet of the three Angels, which were yet to blow the trumpets. 9 1 The fifth Angel bloweth his trumpet, 3 and spoiling locusts come out. 13 The sixth Angel bloweth, 16 and bringeth forth horsemen, 20 to destroy mankind.
there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and earthquake. 6 1Then the seven Angels, which had the seven trumpets, prepared themselves to blow the trumpets. 7 1So the first Angel blew the trumpet, and there was hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast into the earth, and the third part of trees was burnt, and all green grass was burnt. 8 1And the second Angel blew the trumpet, and as it were a great mountain, 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, died, and the third part of ships were destroyed. 10 1Then the third Angel blew the trumpet, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell into the third part of the rivers, and into the fountains of waters. 11 And the name of the star is called 1wormwood: therefore the third part of the waters became wormwood, and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. 12 1And the fourth Angel blew the trumpet, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third
1 And the 1fifth Angel blew the trumpet, and I saw a 2star fall from heaven unto the earth, 3and to him was given the key of the 4bottomless pit. 2 1And he opened the bottomless pit, and there arose the smoke of the pit, the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun, and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit. 3 1And there came out of the smoke Locusts upon the earth, and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
8:6 1 This is the work of the administers. The Angels the adminis ters of Christ, only by sounding trumpet and voice (for they are only as Heralds) do effectual call forth the instruments of the wrath of God, through his power. Hitherto have been things general. Now followeth the narration of things particular, which the Angels fix in number wrought in their order set out in verse 19 of the next chap., and is concluded with the declaration of the event which followed upon these things done in the world, and in chapters 10 and 11. 8:7 1 The first execution at the sound of the first Angel upon the earth, that is, the inhabitants of the earth (by Metonymy) and upon all the fruits thereof: as the comparing of this verse with the second member of verse 9 doth not obscurely declare. 8:8 1 The second execution, upon the sea in this verse and all things that are there in the next verse. 8:10 1 The third execution upon the floods and fountains, that is, upon all fresh waters, in this verse: the effect whereof is, that many are destroyed with the bitterness of waters, in the verse following. 8:11 1 This is spoken by Metaphor of the name of a most bitter herb, and commonly known, unless perhaps a man following those that note the derivation of words had rather expound it adjectively, for that which by reason or bitterness cannot be drunk, or which maketh the liquor into which is poured more bitter than that any man can drink the same. 8:12 1 The fourth execution upon these lightsome bodies of heaven, which minister unto this inferior world. 8:13 1 A lamentable prediction or foretelling of those parts of the divine execution which are yet behind: which also is a passage unto the argument of the next Chapter. Of all these things in a manner Christ himself expressly foretold in Luke 12:24, and they are common plagues generally denounced, without particular note of time. 9:1 1 The first execution upon the wicked men inhabiting the earth (as a little before the Angel said) wrought by the infernal powers, is declared in this place unto the eleventh verse. And after the sixth execution thence unto the nineteenth verse. And lastly is showed
the common event that followed the former execution in the world, in the two last verses. 2 That is, that the Angel of God glittering with glory, as a star fell down from heaven. Whether thou take him for Christ, who hath the keys of hell himself, and by Princely authority, Rev. 1:18, or whether for some inferior Angel, who hath the same key permitted unto him, and occupieth it ministerially, or by office of his ministry, here, and Rev. 21, so the word falling, is taken, Gen. 14:10, and 24:64, and Heb. 6:6. 3 The key was given to his star. For those powers of wickedness are thrust down into hell, and bound with chains of darkness: and are there kept unto damnation, unless God for a time do let them loose, 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 1:6, and of this book, Rev. 20:20, the history of which chapter hath agreement of time with this present chapter. 4 By the bottomless pit, he meaneth the deepest darkness of hell. 9:2 1 Unto this is added, the smoke of the hellish and infernal spirits, all dark, and darkening all things in heaven and in earth. The spiritual darknesses are the causes of all disorder and confusion. For the devil at a time certain (whereof the fifth verse) sent these darknesses into his kingdom, that he might at once and with one impression over throw all things, and pervert if it were possible the elect themselves. By this darkness all spiritual light, both active as of the Sun, and pas sive, as of the air which is lightened by the Sun, is taken away: and this is that which goeth before the spirits: it followeth of the spirits themselves. 9:3 1 A description of the malignant spirits invading the world, taken from their nature, power, form and order. From their nature, for that they are like unto certain locusts, in quickenness, subtlety, hurtful ness, number, and such like in this verse. From their power, for that they are as the scorpions of the earth, of a secret force to do hurt. For our battle is not here with flesh and blood, but with powers, etc., Eph. 6:12. This place of the power of the Devils generally noted in this verse, is particularly declared afterwards in the three next verses.
1317 revelation 9:14
4 1And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree: but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 5 And to them was commanded that they should not kill them, but that they should be vexed five months, and that their pain should be as the pain that cometh of a scorpion, when he hath stung a man. 6 aTherefore in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it, and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. 7 1And the form of the locusts was like unto horses prepared unto the battle, and on their heads were as it were crowns, like unto gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. 8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
9 And they had habergeons, like unto habergeons of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots when many horses run unto battle. 10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails, and their power was to hurt men five months. 11 1And they have a king over them, which is the Angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is named Apollyon, that is, destroying. 12 1One woe is past, and behold, yet two woes come after this. 13 ¶ 1Then the sixth Angel blew the trumpet, 2and I heard a voice from the 3four horns of the golden altar, which is before God, 14 Saying to the sixth Angel, which had the
chapter 9
a Rev. 6:16
Isa. 2:19 Hos. 10:8
9:4 1 Here that power of the devils is particularly described according to their actions and effects of the same. Their actions are said to be bounded by the counsel of God: both because they hurt not all men, but only the reprobate (for the godly and elect, in whom there is any part of a better life, God guardeth by his decree) whom Christ shall not have sealed, in this verse: and also because they neither had all power not at all times, no not over those that are their own, but limited in manner and time, by the prescript of God, verse 5. So their power to afflict the godly, is none, and for the wicked is limited in act and in effect by the will of God: for the manner was prescribed unto them that they should not slay, but torment the wretched world. The time is for five months or for an hundred and fifty days, that is, for so many years in which the devils have indeed mightily perverted all things in the world: and yet without that public and unpunished license of kill ing, which afterward they usurped when the sixth Angel had blown his trumpet, as shall be said upon verse 13. Now this space is to be accounted from the end of that thousand years mentioned, Rev. 20:3, and that is from the Popedom of that Gregory the seventh, a most monstrous Necromancer, who before was called Hildebrandus Senen sis: for this man being made altogether of impiety and wickedness, as a slave of the devil, whom he served, was the most wicked firebrand of the world: he excommunicated the Emperor Henry the fourth: went about by all manner of treachery to set up and put down empires and kingdoms as liked himself: and doubted not to set Rodolph the Swedon over the Empire instead of Henry before named, sending unto him a Crown with this verse annexed unto it: Petra dedit Petro, Petrus diadema Rodolpho: that is, The Rock to Peter gave the crown, and Peter Rodolph doth renown. Finally, he so finely bestirred himself in his affairs, as he miserably set all Christendom on fire, and conveyed over unto his successors the burning brand of the same: who enraged with like ambition, never ceased to nourish that flame, and to enkindle it more and more: whereby Cities, Commonwealths, and whole king doms set together by the ears amongst themselves by most expert cut-throats, came to ruin, whiles they miserably wounded one another. This term of an hundred and fifty years, taketh end in the time of Greg ory the ninth, or Hugolinus Anagniensis (as he was before called) who caused to be compiled by one Raimond his chaplain and confessor, the body of Decretals, and by sufferance of the Kings and Princes to be published in the Christian world, and established for a law. For by this sleight at length the Popes arrogated unto themselves license to kill whom they would, whiles others were unawares: and without fear established a butchery out of many of the wicked Canons of the
Decretals, which the trumpet of the fifth Angel had expressly forbid den, and had hindered until this time. The effects of the bloody actions are declared upon the sixth verse: that the miserable world languish ing in so great calamities, should willingly run together unto death, and prefer the same before life, by reason of the grievousness of the miseries that oppressed them. 9:7 1 The form of these hellish spirits and administers, is shadowed out by signs and visible figures in this sort: that they are very expert and swift: that wheresoever they are in the world, the kingdom of theirs: that they manage all their affairs with cunning and skill, in this verse, that making show of mildness and tender affection to draw on men withal, they most impudently rage in all mischief: that they are most mighty to do hurt, Verse 8, that they are freed from being hurt of any man, as armed with the color of religion, and sacred authority of privi lege, that they fill all things with horror, Verse 9, that they are fraudulent: that they are venomous and extremely noisome, though their power be limited, Verse 10. All which things are properly in the infernal powers, and communicated by them unto their ministers and vassals. 9:11 1 The order of the powers of maliciousness: that they are subject to one infernal King, whom thou mayest call in English, The Destroyer: who driveth the whole world both Jews and Gentiles into the destruction that belongeth unto himself. And I cannot tell whether this name belongeth unto the Etymological interpretation of Hildebrand, by a figure often used in the holy Scripture: which albeit it may otherwise be turned of the Ger mans (as the sense of compound words is commonly ambiguous) yet in very deed it signifieth as much as if thou shouldest call him the firebrand, that is, he that setteth on fire those that be faithful unto him. 9:12 1 A passage unto the next point, and the history of the time following. 9:13 1 The sixth execution done upon the world by the tyranni cal powers thereof working in the four parts of the earth, that is in most cruel manner executing their tyrannous dominion through the whole world, and killing the miserable people without punishment, which before was not lawful for them to do in that sort, as I showed upon the fourth verse. This narration has two parts: a commandment from God, in verse 14, and execution of the commandment, in the verse following. 2 The commandment given by Christ himself, who is governor over all. 3 He alludeth to the altar of incense, which stood in the Court which the Priests were in, over against the Ark of the Covenant, hav ing a veil betwixt them.
revelation 9:15 1318
of their hands that they should not worship devils, and bidols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood, which neither can see, neither hear, nor go. 21 Also they repented not of their murder, and of their sorcery, neither of their fornication, nor of their theft. 10 Another Angel appeareth with a cloud, 2 holding a book open, 3 and crieth out. 8 A voice from heaven commandeth John to take the book. 10 He eateth it.
trumpet, 1Loose the four Angels, which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 1And the four Angels were loosed, which were prepared at an hour, at a day, at a month, and at a year to slay the third part of men. 16 And the number of horsemen of war were twenty thousand times ten thousand: for I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in a vision, and them that sat on them, having fiery habergeons, and of hyacinth, and of brimstone, and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions, and out of their mouths went forth fire, and smoke, and brimstone. 18 Of these three was the third part of men killed, that is, of the fire, and of the smoke, and of the brimstone, which came out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouths, and in their tails: 1for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads wherewith they hurt. 20 1And the remnant of the men which were not killed by these plagues, repented not of the works
b Ps. 115:4
Ps. 135:25
1 And 1I saw 2another mighty Angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud, and the rainbow upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire. 2 And he had in his hand a 1little book open, and he put his right foot upon the sea, and his left on the earth, 3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
9:14 1 As if he should have said, These hitherto have been so bound by the power of God, that they could not freely run upon all men as themselves lusted, but were stayed and restrained at that great flood of Euphrates, that is, in their spiritual Babylon (for this is a Paraphrase of the spiritual Babylon by the limits of the spiritual Babylon long since overthrown) that they might not commit those horrible slaughters which they long breathed after. Now go to: let loose those four Angels, that is, administers of the wrath of God, in that number that is conve nient to the slaughtering of the four quarters of the world: stir them up and give them the bridle, that rushing of that Babylon of theirs, which is the seat of the wicked ones, they may fly upon all the world, therein to rage, and most licentiously to exercise their tyranny, as God hath ordained. This was done when Gregory the ninth by public author ity established for law his own Decretals, by which he might freely lay trains for the life of simple men. For who is it that seeth not that the laws Decretal most of them are as snares to catch souls withal? Since that time (O good God!) how great slaughters have there been? how great massacres? All histories are full of them: and this our age abound eth with most horrible and monstrous examples of the same. 9:15 1 The execution of the commandment is in two points: one, that those butchers are let loose, that out of their tower of the spiritual Babylon they might with fury run abroad through all the world, as well the thief of that crew which are most prompt unto all assays, in this verse: as their multitudes, both most copious, of which a number certain is named for a number infinite, Verse 16, and in themselves by all means fully furnished to hide and to hurt, Verse 17, as being armed with fire, smoke and brimstone, as appeareth in the color of their armor, which dazzleth the eyes of all men: and have the strength of Lions to hurt withal, from which (as out of their mouth) the fiery, smoky, and stinking darts of the Pope are shot out, Verse 18. The other point is, that these butchers have effected the com mandment of God by fraud and violence, in the two verses following. 9:19 1 That is, they [are] harmful every way: on what part soever thou put thine hand unto them or they touch thee, they do hurt. So the former are called Scorpions, Verse 3. 9:20 1 Now remaineth the event (as I said upon the first verse) which fol lowed of so many and so grievous judgments in the most wicked world: namely an impenitent affirmation of the ungodly in their impiety and unrighteousness, though they feel themselves most vehemently pressed
with the hand of God: for their obstinate ungodliness is showed in this verse: and their unrighteousness in the verse following. Hitherto hath been the general history of things to be done universal in the whole world: which because it doth not so much belong to the Church of Christ, is therefore not so expressly distinguished by certainty of time and other circumstances, but is woven, as they say with a slight hand. Also there is none other cause why the history of the seventh Angel is passed over in this place, than for that the same more properly appertaineth unto the history of the Church. But this is more diligently set out according to the time thereof, Rev. 11 and 16, as shall appear upon those places. 10:1 1 Now Saint John passeth unto the other Prophetical history, which is of the Church of God, as I showed that this book should be distinguished, Rev. 4:1. This story reacheth hence unto the two and twentieth Chapter. And this whole Chapter is but a transition from the common history of the world unto that which is particular of the Church. There are in this transition or passage, two preparatives as it were, unto this Church story comprised in this whole Chapter. One is the authority of Christ revealing his mysteries, and calling his servants unto the seventh verse. The other is Saint John's calling, proper unto this place, and prepared from before unto the end of this chapter. Authority is given unto this Revelation by these things: First, by the appearing from heaven in this habit and countenance, strong, ready, glorious, surveying all things by his providence and governing them by his omnipotence, the first verse. Secondly, that he brought not by chance, but out of a book, this open Revelation, set forth unto the eye, to signify the same unto the sea, and land, as the Lord over all, the second Verse. Thirdly, that he offered the same not whispering or muttering in a corner (as false prophets do) but crying out with a loud voice unto them which sleep, and with a lionish and terrible noise roused the secure: the very thunders them selves giving testimony thereunto, the third Verse. Lastly, for that he confirmed all by an oath, Verses 5, 6, 7. 2 Christ Jesus, see the seventh Chapter and the second verse. 10:2 1 Namely, a special book of the affairs of God's Church. For the book that containeth things belonging [unto] the whole world, is said to be kept with the Creator, the fifth Chapter and the first verse, but the book of the Church, with the Redeemer: and out of this book is taken the rest of the history of this Apocalypse.
1319 revelation 11:1
4 1And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: but I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, 2Seal up those things which the seven thunders have spoken, and write them not. 5 And the Angel which I saw stand upon the sea, and upon the earth, 1lift up his hand to heaven, 6 And sware by him that liveth for evermore, which created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things that therein are, 1that 2time should be no more. 7 But in the days of the 1voice of the seventh Angel, when he shall begin to blow the trumpet, even the mystery of God shall be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the Prophets. 8 1And the voice which I heard from heaven, spake unto me again, and said, Go, and take the little book which is open in the hand of the Angel, which standeth upon the sea, and upon the earth. 9 So I went unto the Angel, and said to him,
Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up, and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth as sweet as honey. 10 Then I took the little book out of the Angel's hand, and ate it up, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey: but when I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. 11 1And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again among the people and nations, and tongues, and to many Kings. 11 1 The temple is commanded to be measured. 3 The Lord stirred up two witnesses, 7 whom the beast murdereth, 9 and no man burieth them. 11 God raiseth them to life, 12 and calleth them up to heaven, 13 the wicked are terrified, 15 by the trumpet of the seventh Angel the resurrection, 18 and judgment is described.
1 1Then was given me a reed like unto a rod, and the Angel stood by, saying, Rise and 2mete the Temple of God, and the Altar, and them that worship therein.
10:4 1 A godly care is laudable, but must be joined with knowledge. Therefore nothing is to be taken in hand, but by calling: which must be expected and waiting for of the godly. 2 Keep them close. 10:5 1 This was a gesture used of one that sweareth, which men do nowadays use. 10:6 1 Neither time itself, nor the things that are in time: but that the world to come is at hand which is altogether of eternity and beyond all times. 2 There shall never be anymore time. 10:7 1 Whereof Rev. 11:15 and 16:17. 10:8 1 The other part of this Chapter, concerning the particular calling of Saint John to the receiving of the prophecy following which is enjoined him, first by sign in three verses, then in plain words in the last verse. Unto the setting forth of the sign belong these things: That Saint John is taught from heaven to demand the book of the Prophecy in this verse: for these motions and desires God doth inspire: that demanding the book, he is charged to take it in a figurative manner, the use whereof also is expounded, the ninth verse, (as in the second Chapter of Ezekiel and the ninth verse) whence this similitude is borrowed: lastly, for that Saint John at the commandment of Christ took the book, and found by experience that the same as proceeding from Christ was most sweet, but in that it foretelleth the afflictions of the Church it was most bitter unto his spirit. 10:11 1 A simple and plain declaration of the sign before going, witnessing the divine calling of S. John, and laying upon him the necessity thereof. 11:1 1 The authority of the intended revelation being declared, together with the necessity of that calling, which was particularly imposed upon Saint John: hereafter followeth the history of the estate of Christ's Church both conflicting or warfaring, and overcoming in Christ. For both the true Church of Christ is said to fight against that which is falsely so called over the which Antichrist ruleth. Christ Jesus overthrowing Antichrist by the spirit of his mouth: and Christ is said to overcome most gloriously until he shall slay the Antichrist by the appearance of his coming, as the Apostle excellently teacheth, 2 Thess. 2:8. So this history hath two parts. One of the state of the Church conflicting with temptations, until Chapter 16. The other of the state of the same Church obtaining victory, thence unto Chapter 20. The first part hath two members most conveniently distributed into their times, whereof the first containeth an history of the Christian Church for 1260 years, what time the Gospel of Christ was as it
were taken up from amongst men into heaven: the second containeth an history of the same Church unto the victory perfected. And these two members are briefly, though distinctly propounded in this Chapter, but are both of them more at large discussed after in due order. For we understand the state of the Church conflicting out of Chapters 12 and 13 and of the same growing out of afflictions out of Chapters 14, 15 and 16. Neither did Saint John at unawares join together the history of these two times in this Chapter, because here is spoken of prophecy, which all confess to be one just and innumerable in the Church, and which Christ commanded to be continual. The history of the former time reacheth unto verse 14: the latter is set down in the rest of this Chapter. In the former are showed these things: the calling of the servants of God in 4 verses: the conflicts which the faithful must undergo in their calling, for Christ and his Church, thence unto verse 10, and their resurrection and receiving up into heaven unto verse 14. In the calling of the servants of God are mentioned two things: the begetting and setting of the Church in two verses, and the education thereof in two verses. The begetting of the Church is here commended unto S. John by sign and by speech: the sign is a measuring rod, and the speech a commandment to measure the Temple of God, that is, to reduce the same unto a new form: because the Gentiles are already entered into the Temple of Jerusalem, and shall shortly defile and overthrow the same utterly. 2 Either that of Jerusalem which was a figure of the Church of Christ, or that heavenly Example, whereof verse 19, but the first liketh me bet ter and the things following do agree thereunto. The sense therefore is, Thou seest all things in God's house almost from the passion of Christ to be disordered: and that not only the city of Jerusalem but also the court of the Temple is trampled underfoot by the nations, and by pro fane men whether Jews or strangers: and that only the Temple, that is, the body of the Temple, with the Altar, and a small company of good men which truly worship God, do now remain, whom God doth sanc tify and confirm by his presence. Measure therefore this, even this true Church, or rather the true type of the true Church, omitting the rest and so describe all things from me that the true Church of Christ may be as it were a very little center, and the Church of Antichrist as the cir cle of the center, every way in length and breadth compassing about the same, that by way of prophecy thou mayest so declare openly, that the state of the Temple of God and the faithful which worship him, that is, of the Church, is much more straight than the Church of Antichrist.
revelation 11:2 1320
2 1But the 2Court which is without the Temple 3cast out, and mete it not: for it is given unto the 4Gentiles, and the holy city shall they tread under foot, 5two and forty Months. 3 But 1I will give power unto my two witnesses and they shall 2prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These 1are two olive trees, and two candlesticks, standing before the God of the earth. 5 1And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouths and devoureth their enemies:
for if any man would hurt them, thus must he be killed. 6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophesying, and have power over waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with all manner plagues, as often as they will. 7 1And when they have 2finished their testimony, 3the beast that cometh out of the bottomless pit, shall make war against them, and shall 4overcome them, and kill them, 8 And their corpses shall lie in the 1streets of the
11:2 1 As if he should say, it belongeth nothing unto them to judge those which are without, 1 Cor. 5:12, which be innumerable: look unto those of the household only, or unto the house of the living God. 2 He speaketh of the outward court, which was called the peoples court, because all men might come into that. 3 That is counted to be cast out, which in measuring is refused as profane. 4 To profane persons wicked and unbelievers, adversaries unto the Church. 5 Or a thousand and two hundred and threescore days as is said in the next verse: that is a thousand two hundred and threescore years, a day for a year as often in Ezekiel and Daniel, which thing I noted before, 2:10. The beginning of these thousand two hundred and threescore years, we account from the passion of Christ, whereby (the partition wall being broken down) we were made of two one, Eph. 2:14. I say one flock under one Shepherd, John 10:16 and the end of these years precisely falleth into the Popedom of Boniface the eighth who a little before the end of the year of Christ a thousand two hundred ninety four, entered the Popedom of Rome, in the feast of S. Lucie (as Bergomensis saith) having put in prison his predecessor Coelestinus, whom by fraud, under color of oracle, he deceived: for which cause, that well said of him, Intravit ut vulpes, regnavit ut leo, mortuus est ut canis. That is, he entered like a fox, reigned like a lion, and died like a dog. For if from a thousand two hundred ninety four years thou shalt take the age of Christ which he lived on the earth, thou shalt find there remaineth 1260 years, which are mentioned in this place and many others. 11:3 1 I had rather translate it illud than illam, the Temple than the city: for God saith, I will give that Temple, and commit it unto my two witnesses, that is unto the Ministers of the word, who are few indeed, weak and contemptible: but yet two, that is, of such a number as one of them may help another, and one confirm the testimony of another unto all men, that from the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be made good amongst men, 2 Cor. 13:1. 2 They shall exercise their office enjoined by me by the space of those thousand two hundred and sixty years, in the midst of afflic tions though never so lamentable which is figuratively showed by the mourning garment. 11:4 1 That is, the ordinary and perpetual instruments of spiritual grace, peace and light in my Church, which God by his only power preserved in this Temple. See Zech. 4:3. 11:5 1 The power and efficacy of the holy ministry, and which is truly Evangelical, is declared both in earth and in heaven, protecting the administers thereof, and destroying the enemies in this verse, virtue indeed divine most mightily showing itself forth in heaven, earth and the sea, verse 6, as it described, 2 Cor. 10:4, according to the promise of Christ, Mark 16:17. And this is the second place (as I said before) of the combats which the servants of God must needs undergo in the executing of their calling, and of the things that follow the same combats. In the combats or conflicts are these things: to overcome,
in these two verses: to be overcome and killed, verse 7. After the slaughter follow these things, that the carcasses of the godly are laid abroad, verse 8 being unburied, are made a matter of scorn together of cursing and bitter execrations, verse 9, and that therefore gratula tions are publicly and privately made, verse 10. 11:7 1 That is, when they have spent those thousand two hundred and sixty years, mentioned verses 2 and 3, in publishing their testi mony according to their office. 2 When they have done their message. 3 Of which after Rev. 13. That beast is the Roman Empire, made long ago of civil, Ecclesiastical: the chief head whereof was then Boniface the eighth, as I said before: who lifted up himself in so great arrogancy (saith the author of Falsciculus temporum) that he called himself Lord of the whole world, as well in temporal causes as in spiritual: There is an extant of that matter, written by the same Boniface most arrogantly, shall I say, or most wickedly, ca. unam sanctam, extra de majoritate & obedientia, and in the sixth of the Decretals (which is from the same author) many things are found of the same argument. 4 He shall persecute most cruelly the holy men, and put them to death, and shall wound and pierce through with cursings both their names and writings. And that this was done to very many godly men by Boniface and others, the histories do declare, especially since the time that the odi ous and condemned name amongst the multitude first of the brethren Waldenses or Lugdunenses, then also of the Fratricels, was pretended, that good men might with more approbation be massacred. 11:8 1 That is, openly at Rome: where at that time was a most great concourse of people, the year of Jubilee being then first ordained by Boniface unto the same end, in the year of Christ a thousand three hundred, example whereof is read, Rev. 1. Extra, de penitentys & remissionibus. So by one act he committed double injury against Christ, both abolishing his truth by the restoring of the type of the Jubilee, and triumphing over his members by most wicked superstitions. O religious heart! Now that we should understand the things of Rome, Saint John himself is the author, both after in the seventeenth Chapter almost throughout, and also in the circumscription now next follow ing, when he saith, it is that great City (as Rev. 17; 18 he calleth it) and is spiritually termed Sodom and Egypt: that spiritually (for that must here again be repeated from before) Christ was there crucified. For the two first appellations signify spiritual wickednesses: the latter signifieth the show and pretence of good, that is, of Christian and sound religion. Sodom signifieth most licentious impiety and injustice: Egypt most cruel persecution of the people of God: and Jerusalem signifieth the most confident glorying of that city, as it were in true religion, being yet full of falsehood and ungodliness. Now who is ignorant that these things do rather, and more agree unto Rome than unto any other city? The commendations of the City of Rome for many years past are pub licly notorious, which are not for me to gather. This only I will say that he long since did very well see what Rome is, who taking his leave thereof, used these verses:
1321 revelation 11:18
great city, which 2spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, 3where our Lord also was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds, and tongues, and Gentiles, shall see their corpses 1three days and an half, and shall not suffer their carcasses to be put in graves. 10 And they that dwell upon the earth, 1shall rejoice over them and be glad, and shall send gifts one to another, for these two Prophets 2vexed them that dwelt on the earth. 11 1But after 2three days and an half, 3the spirit of life coming from God, shall enter into them, and they 4shall stand up upon their feet: and great fear shall come upon them which saw them. 12 And they shall hear a great voice from heaven, saying unto them, 1Come up hither: And they shall ascend up to heaven in a cloud, 2and their enemies shall see them. 13 1And the same hour shall there be a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city shall fall, and in the earthquake shall be slain in number seven
thousand: and the remnant were sore feared, 2and 3gave glory to God of heaven. 14 1The second woe is past, and behold, the third woe will come anon. 15 1And the seventh Angel blew the trumpet, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, 2The kingdoms of the world are our Lord's, and his Christ's, and he shall reign for evermore. 16 1Then the four and twenty Elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces and worshipped God. 17 Saying, We give thee thanks, Lord God Almighty, Which art, and which wast, and which art to come: for thou hast received thy great might, and hast obtained thy kingdom. 18 1And the Gentiles were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the Prophets, and to thy Saints, and to them that fear thy Name, to small and great, and shouldest destroy them, which destroy the earth.
Kings, when the earth refused the heirs of heaven, we read that they lay hidden as heaven in the earth. 2 Yet could they not hinder the secret ones of the Lord (as the Psalmist called them, Ps 83:4) but they that went on forward in his work. 11:13 1 Bergomensis saith, in the year of our Lord 1301, this year a blazing star foretelling great calamity to come, appeared in heaven, in which year upon the feast of S. Andrew, so great an earthquake arose, as never before: which also continuing, by times, for many days, overthrew many stately houses. This saith he of the year next following the Jubilee: which S. John so many ages before, expressed word for word. 2 They were indeed broken with present astonishment of mind, but did not earnestly repent as they ought to have done. 3 Glorified God by confessing his name. 11:14 1 He passeth unto the second history: which is the second part of this Chapter. S. John calleth these the second and third woes, having respect unto Rev. 9:12. 11:15 1 Of whose sounding the trumpet Christ expressly foretold, Rev. 10:7, and this is the second part of this Chapter, containing a gen eral history of the Christian Church, from the time of Boniface 8 unto the consummation of the victory declared by voice from heaven. In this history there are three branches: a preparation by the sound of the Angels trumpet: a narration by the voice of heavenly Angels and Elders: and a confirmation by sign. 2 The narration hath two parts: an acclamation of the heavenly creatures, in this verse, and both an adoration by all the Elders, verse 16, and also a most ample thanksgiving, verses 17, 18. The sense of the acclamation is, Now the Lord is entered on his kingdom, and hath restored his Church, in which most mightily recovered from the profanation of the Gentiles, he may glorify himself. Namely, that which the Lord ordained when first he ordained his Church, that the faith of the Saints doth now behold as accomplished. 11:16 1 As before, 7:11. This giving of thanks is altogether of the same content with the words going before. 11:18 1 A speech of the Hebrew language, as much to say, as Gen tiles being angry thine inflamed wrath came upon them and showed itself from heaven, occasioned by their anger and fury.
Roma vale, vidi, Satis est vidisse: revertar,
Quumleno, meretrix, scurra, cinadus ero. Now farewell Rome, I have thee seen: It was enough to see:
I will return when as I mean, bawd, harlot knave to be. 11:8 2 After a most secret kind of meaning and understanding. 3 Namely in his members, as also he said unto Saul, Acts 9:5. 11:9 1 That is, for three years and a half for so many years Boniface lived after his Jubilee as Bergomensis witnesseth. 11:10 1 So much the more shall they by this occasion exercise the jollity of their Jubilee. 2 The gospel of Christ, in the affliction of the world, and the min istry thereof, the savor of death unto death to those that perish, 2 Cor. 2:16. 11:11 1 The third place as noted I before, is of the rising again of the Prophets from the dead, and their carrying up into heaven. For their resurrection is showed in this verse: their calling and lifting up into heaven, in the verse following. 2 That is, what time God shall destroy that wicked Boniface. 3 That is, the Prophets of God shall in a sort rise again, not the same in person (as they say) but in spirit, that is in the power and efficacy of their ministry, which S. John expressed before verses 5 and 6. And so the prophecy that is spoken of Elijah, is interpreted by the Angel to be understood of John the Baptist, Luke 1:17. For the same Boniface himself, who sought to kill and destroy them, was by the fire of God's mouth (which the holy ministry showeth and exhibiteth) devoured and died miserably in prison, by the endeavor of Satra Columensis, and Nogaretus a french knight, whom Philip the fair King of France sent into Italy but with a small power. 4 That is, the most grievous heat of afflictions and persecution shall stay for a while, for the great amaze that shall arise upon that sudden and unlooked for judgment of God. 11:12 1 They were called by God into heaven and taken out of this malignant world, into the heavenly Church, which also lieth hidden here in the earth, to exercise their calling secretly: as of whom this wretched world was unworthy, Heb. 11:38. For the Church of the wicked is by comparison called the earth or the world: and the Church of the godly heaven. So in ancient time amongst the godly Israelites: so amongst the Jews in the days of Manasseh and other
revelation 11:19 1322
19 Then the Temple of God was 1opened in heaven, and there was seen in the Temple the Ark of his covenant: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and earthquake, and much hail. 12 1 A woman 2 appeareth travailing with child, 4 whose child the dragon would devour, 7 but Michael overcometh him 9 and casteth him out, 13 and the more he is cast down and vanquished, the more fiercely he exercised his subtleties.
in birth, and was pained ready to be delivered. 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven: 1for behold, a great red dragon having 2seven heads, and ten 3horns, and seven crowns upon his heads: 4 1And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth. And the dragon 2stood before the woman, which was ready to be delivered, 3to devour her child, when she had brought it forth. 5 1So she brought forth a man 2child, which should rule all nations with a rod of iron: and that her child was taken up unto God and to his throne. 6 1And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that 2they should feed her there a thousand, two hundred and
1 And 1there appeared a great wonder in heaven: 2A woman clothed with the Sun, and the Moon was under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve Stars.
2 And 1she was with child, and cried travailing
11:19 1 This is the confirmation of the next prophecy before going by signs exhibited in heaven, and that of two sorts, whereof some are visible, as the passing away of the heaven, the opening of the Temple, the Ark of the covenant appearing in the Temple, and testifying the glorious presence of God, and the lightning: others apprehended by ear and such dull senses which bear witness in heaven and in earth to the truth of the judgments of God. 12:1 1 Hitherto hath been the general prophecy comprehended in 2 parts, as I showed upon Rev. 11. Now shall be declared the first part of this prophecy, in this and the next chapter and the latter part in chap ters 14, 15 and 16. Unto the first part, which is of the conflicting or mili tant Church belong 2 things. The beginning and the progress of the same in conflicts and Christian combats. Of which two, the beginning or upspring of the Church is described in this Chap. and the progress thereof in the Chap. following. The beginning of the Christian Church, we define to be from the first moment of her the conception of Christ, until the time wherein this Church was as it were weaned and taken away from the breast or milk of her Mother: which is the time when the Church of the Jews with their city and Temple was overthrown by the judgment of God. So we have in this chapter the story of 60 years and upwards. The parts of this chapter are three. The first is, the his tory of the conception and bearing in womb, in 4 verses. The second, an history of the birth from verse 5 unto verse 12. The third is, of the woman that had brought forth,unto the end of the chapter. And these several parts have every one their conflicts. Therefore in that first part are two things contained, one, the conception and bearing in womb in two verses: and another of the lying in wait of the Dragon against that should be brought forth, in the next 2 verses. In the first point are these things, the description of the mother, verse 1, and the dolors of childbirth, verse 2, all showed unto John from heaven. 2 A type of the true and holy Church, which then was in the nation of the Jews. This Church (as is the state of the holy Church Catholic) did in itself shine about with glory given of God, trod under feet mutability and changeableness, and possessed the kingdom of heaven as the heir thereof. 12:2 1 For this is that barren woman that brought not forth, of which Isa. 45:1, and Gal. 4:27, she cried out for good cause, and was tor mented at that time, when in the judgment of all she seemed near unto death, and in means ready to give up the ghost by reason of her weakness and poverty. 12:3 1 That is the devil or Satan (as is declared verse 9,) mighty, angry, and full of wrath. 2 Thereby to withstand those seven Churches spoken of, that is the Catholic Church, and that with kingly furniture and tyrannical mag nificence: signified by the crowns set upon his heads, and if the same
without controversy belonged unto him by proper right: as also he boasted unto Christ, Matt. 4:9. See after, upon Rev. 13:1. 3 More than are the horns of the Lamb, or than the Churches are: so well furnished doth the tyrant brag himself to be, unto all manner of mischief. 12:4 1 After the description of Satan followeth this action, that is, his battle offered unto the Church partly to that which is visible wherein the wheat is mingled with the chaff, and the good fish with that which is evil: a good part thereof, though in appearance it shined as the Stars shine in heaven, he is said to thrust down out of heaven and to pervert: for if it were possible he would pervert even the elect, Matt. 24:24, and partly to the elect members of the holy Catholic Church in the second part of this verse. Many therefore of the members of this visible Church (saith S. John) he overthrew and triumphed upon them. 2 He withstood that elect Church of the Jews which was now ready to bring forth the Christian Church, and watched for that she should bring forth. For the whole Church, and whole body is compared unto a woman: and a part of the Church unto that which is brought forth as we have noted at large upon, Cant. 7:6. 3 Christ mystical (as they call him) that is the whole Church, con sisting of the person of Christ as the head, and of the body united thereunto by the Spirit, so is the name of Christ taken, 1 Cor. 12:12. 12:5 1 The second history of the Church delivered of child: in which first the consideration of the child born, and of the Mother is described in 2 verses: secondly the battle of the Dragon against the young child, and the victory obtained against him 3 verses following: last of all is sung a song of victory, unto verse 12. Now S. John in consideration of the child born, noteth two things: for he describeth him, and his station or place in this verse. 2 That is, Christ the head of the Church (the beginning, root and foundation whereof is the same Christ) endowed with kingly power, and taken up into heaven out of the jaws of Satan (who as a serpent did bite him upon the cross) that sitting upon the celestial throne he might reign over all. 12:6 1 The Church of Christ which was of the Jews, after his assump tion into heaven, hid itself in the world as in a wilderness, trusting in the only defense of God, as witnesseth S. Luke in the Acts of the Apostles. 2 Namely the Apostles, and servants of God ordained to feed with the word of life, the Church collected both of the Jews and Gentiles, unless that any man will take the word alerent impersonally after the use of the Hebrews instead, of aleretur, but I like the first better. For he hath respect unto those two Prophets, of whom Rev. 11:3, as for the meaning of the 1260 days, look the same place.
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sea: for the devil is come down unto you, which hath great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time. 13 And when 1the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which had brought forth the man child. 14 1But to the woman were given two wings of a great Eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her 2place where she is nourished for a 3time, and times, and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 1And the serpent cast out of his mouth water after the woman, like a flood, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood, 16 1But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood, which the dragon had cast out of his mouth. 17 1Then the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went and made war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. 18 1And I stood on the sea sand.
threescore days. 7 And there was a battle in heaven, 1Michael and his Angels, fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels. 8 1But they prevailed not, neither was their 2place found anymore in heaven. 9 And the great dragon that old serpent, called the devil and Satan, was cast out, which deceiveth all the world: he was even cast into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 1Now is salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 But they overcame him by that blood of that Lamb, and by that word of their testimony, and they 1loved not their lives unto the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, and of the
12:7 1 Christ is the Prince of Angels, and head of the Church, who beareth that iron rod, the fifth verse. See the notes upon Daniel, Dan. 12:1. In this verse a description of the battle and of the victory in the two verses following. The Psalmist had respect unto this battle, Ps. 68:9, and Paul, Eph. 4:1 and Col. 2:15. 12:8 1 The description of the victory, by denying of the thing in this verse, and by affirming the contrary in the next verse. As that Satan gained nothing in heaven but was by the power of God thrown down into the world, whereof he is the prince, Christ himself and his elected members standing still by the throne of God. 2 They were cast out, so that they were never seen anymore in heaven. 12:10 1 The song of victory or triumph containing first, a proposition of the glory of God and of Christ showed in that victory: secondly, it containeth a reason of the same proposition taken from the effects, as that the enemy is overcome in battle in this verse, and that the godly are made conquerors (and more than conquerors, Rom. 8:37) verse 11. Thirdly, a conclusion wherein is an exhortation unto the Angels, and the Saints, and unto the world, a prophecy of great mis ery, and of destruction procured by the devil against mankind, lest himself should shortly be miserable alone, verse 12. 12:11 1 He is said in the Hebrew tongue, to love his life that esteem eth nothing more precious than his life: and on the other side, he is said not to love his life, who doubteth not to hazard it, wheresoever need requireth. 12:13 1 The third part: an history of the woman delivered, consisting of two members, the second battle of Satan against the Christian Church of the Jewish nation, in four verses: and the battle intended against the seed thereof, that is against the Church of the Gentiles, which is called holy, by reason of the Gospel of Christ in the two last verses. 12:14 1 That is, being strengthened with divine power: and taught by oracle, she fled swiftly from the assault of the devil, and from the common destruction of Jerusalem, and went into a solitary City beyond Jordan called Pella, as Eusebius telleth in the first Chapter of the third book of his Ecclesiastical history, which place God had commanded her by Revelation. 2 Into that place where God had appointed her. 3 That is, for three years and a half: so the same speech is taken,
Dan. 7:15. This space of time is reckoned in manner from that last and most grievous rebellion of the Jews, unto the destruction of the city and Temple, for their destrution or falling away, began in the twelfth year of Nero, before the beginning whereof, many foresigns and predictions were showed from heaven, as Josephus writeth, lib. 7, chap. 12, and Hegesippus, lib. 5, chap. 44, amongst which this is very memorable, that in the feast of Pentecost, not only a great sound and noise was heard in the Temple, but also a great voice was heard of many out of the Sanctuary which cried out to all, Let us depart hence. Now three years and a half after this defection was begun of the Jews, and those wonders happened, the City was taken by force, the Temple overthrown, and the place forsaken of God: and this compass of time Saint John noted in this place. 12:15 1 That is, he inflamed the Romans and the nations, that they persecuting the Jewish people with cruel arms might by the same occasion invade the Church of Christ, now departed from Jerusalem and out of Judea. For it is an usual thing in Scripture that the raging tumults of the nations, should be compared unto waters. 12:16 1 That is, there was offered in their place other Jews, unto the Romans and nations raging against that people: and it came to pass thereby that the Church of God was saved whole from that violence, that most raging flood of persecution which the Dragon vomited out being altogether spent in the destruction of those other Jews. 12:17 1 Being set on fire by this means, he began to be more mad, and because he perceived that his purpose against the Christian Church of the Jewish remnant was come to nought, he resolved to fall upon her seed, that is, the Church gathered also by God of the Gentiles, and the holy members of the same. And this is that other branch, as I said upon verse 13, in which the purpose of Satan is showed, verse 17, and his attempt, verse 18. 12:18 1 That is, a most mighty tempest, that he rushed upon the whole world (whose prince he is) to raise the floods and provoke the nations, that they might with their furious bellows toss up and down, drive here and there, and finally destroy the Church of Christ with the holy mem bers of the same. But the providence of God resisted his attempt, that he might favor the Church of the Gentiles, yet tender and as it were green. The rest of the story of the Dragon is excellently prosecuted by the Apostle S. John hereafter in the twentieth chapter. For here the Dragon endeavoring to do mischief, was by God cast into prison.
revelation 13:1 1324 13 1 The beast with many heads is described 12 which draweth the most part of the world to idolatry. 13 The other beast rising out of the earth, 15 giveth power unto him.
of a Lion: 2and the dragon gave him his power and his throne, and great authority. 3 1And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death, but his deadly wound was healed, and all the world wondered and followed the beast. 4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast, and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast! who is able to war with him!
1 And I 1saw a beast rise 2out of the sea, having seven heads, and 3ten horns, and upon his horns were ten crowns, and 4upon his head 5the name of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was 1like a leopard, and his feet like a bear, and his mouth as the mouth
13:1 1 The Apostle having declared the springing up of the Chris tian Church and the state of the Church from which ours taketh her beginning, doth now pass unto the story of the progress thereof, as I showed in the entrance of the former Chapter. And this history of the progress of the Church, and the battles thereof, is set down in this Chapter, but distinctly in two parts, one is of the civil Roman Empire, unto the tenth verse. Another of the body Ecclesiastical or prophetical, thence unto the end of the chapter. In the former part are showed these things: First the state of that Empire, in four verses: then the acts thereof in three verses: after the effect, which is exceed ing great glory, verse 8. And last of all is commended the use: and the instruction of the godly against the evils that shall come from the same, verses 9, 10. The history of the state containeth a most ample description of the beast, first entire, verses 1, 2, and then restored after hurt, verses 3, 4. 2 On the sand whereof stood the devil practicing new tem pests against the Church, in the verse next beforegoing: what time the Empire of Rome was endangered by domestical dis sensions, and was mightily tossed, having ever and anon new heads, and new Emperors. See in the seventeenth chapter and the eighth verse. 3 Having the same instruments of power, providence, and most expert government which the Dragon is said to have had in Rev. 12:3. 4 We read in chapter 12 and third verse, that the Dragon had seven crowns set upon seven heads: because the thief announceth himself to be proper Lord and Prince of the world: but this beast is said to have ten crowns set upon several, not heads, but horns: because the beast is beholden for all unto the Dragon, verse 2, and doth not otherwise reign them by law of subjection given by him, namely that he employ his horns against the Church of God. The speech is taken from the ancient custom and form of dealing in such case: by which they that were absolute kings did wear the diadem upon their heads: but their vassals and such as reigned by grace from them, wore the same upon their hoods: for so they might commodiously lay down their diadems when they came into the presence of their Sovereigns: as also their Elders are said, when they adored God which sat upon the throne, to have cast down their crowns before him, chap. 4, verse 10. 5 Contrary to that which God of old commanded should be writ ten in the head piece of the high Priest, that is, Sanctitas Jehova, Holiness unto the Lord. The name of blasphemy imposed by the Dragon, is (as I think) that which S. Paul saith in chapter 2 of his 2 Epistle to the Thessalonians, verse 4. He sitteth as God, and boasteth himself to be God. For this name of blasphemy both the Roman Emperors did then challenge unto themselves, as Suetonius and Dion do report of Caligula and Domitian: and after them the Popes of Rome did with full mouth profess the same of themselves, when they challenged unto themselves sovereignty in holy things: of which kind of sayings the sixth book of the Decretals, the Clem entines, and the Extravagants, are very full. For these men were not
content with that which Anglicus wrote in his Poetria (the begin ning whereof is, Papa stupor mundi. The Pope is the wonder of the world. Nec Deus es, nec homo, sed neuter es inter utrunque. Thou art not God, nay art thou man, but neuter mixed of both: as the gloss witnesseth upon the sixth book: but they were bold to take unto themselves the very name of God, and to accept it given of other: according as almost an hundred and twenty years since, there was made for Sixtus the fourth, when he should first enter into Rome in his dignity Papal, a Pageant of triumph, and cunningly fixed upon the gate of the city he should enter at, having written upon it this blasphemous verse:
Oraclo vocis mundi moderaris habenas,
Et merito in terris crederis esse deus.
By oracle of thine own voice the world thou governest all,
And worthily a God on earth, men think, and do thee call.
These and six hundred the like who can impute unto that modesty whereby good men of old would have themselves called the ser vants of the servants of God, verily either this is a name of blasphemy, or there is none at all. 13:2 1 Swift as the Leopard, easily clasping all things, as the bear doth with his foot, and tearing and devouring all things with the mouth as doth the Lion. 2 That is, he lent the same unto the beast to use, when he per ceived that himself could not escape, but must needs be taken by the hand of the Angel, and cast into the bottomless pit, Rev. 20, yet did not he abandon the same utterly from himself, but that he might use it as long as he could. 13:3 1 This is the other place that pertaineth to the description of the beast of Rome: that besides that natural dignity and amplitude of the Roman Empire, which was shadowed in the two former verses, there was added this also as miraculous, that one head was wounded as it were unto death, and was healed again, as from heaven, in the sight of all men. This head was Nero the Emperor, in whom the race of the Caesars fell from imperial dignity, and the government of the Commonweal was translated unto others: in whose hands the Empire was so cured and recovered unto health, as he seemed unto all so much the more deeply rooted and grounded fast, than ever before. And hence followed those effects, which are next spoken of: First an admiration of certain power, as it were sacred and divine sustaining the Empire and governing it: Secondly the obedience and submission of the whole earth in this verse: Thirdly, the adoration of the Dragon, and most wicked worshipping of Devils, confirmed by the Roman Emperors: Lastly, the adoration of the beast himself, who grew into so great estimation, as that both the name and worship of a God was given unto him, the fourth verse. Now there were two causes which brought in the minds of men this religion: the show of excellency, which bringeth with it reverence: and the show of power invincible, which bringeth fear. Who is like (say they) unto the beast? Who shall be able to fight with him?
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5 1And there was given unto him a mouth, that spake great things and blasphemies, and power was given unto him, 2to do two and forty months. 6 And he opened his mouth unto blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his Name, 1and his tabernacle, 2and them that dwell in heaven. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the Saints, and to overcome them, and power was given him over every kindred, and tongue, and nation. 8 Therefore all that dwell upon the earth, shall worship him, 1whose names are not written in the book of life of that Lamb, which was slain from the
beginning of the world. 9 1If any man have an ear let him hear. 10 If any lead into captivity, he shall go into captivity: aif any kill with a sword, he must be killed by a sword: here is the patience and the faith of the Saints. 11 1And I beheld, another beast coming out of the earth, 2which had two horns like the Lamb, but he spake like the dragon. 12 1And he did all that the first beast could do before him, and he caused the earth and them which dwell therein, 2to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed. 13 1And he did great wonders, so that he made
chapter 13
a Gen. 9:6 Matt. 26:52
13:5 1 The second member containing an history of the acts of the beast, as I said verse 1. The history of them is concluded in two points, the beginning and the manner of them. The beginning is the gift of the Dragon, who put and inspired into the beast both his impiety against God and his eminity and injustice against all men, especially against the godly and those that were of the household of faith, the fifth verse. The manner of the acts or actions done, is of two sorts both impious in mind, and blasphemous in speech against God, his Church and the godly, verse six, and also most cruel and injurious in deeds, even such as were done of most raging enemies and of most insolent and proud conquerors, the seventh verse. 2 Namely his actions and manner of dealing. As concerning those two and forty months, I have spoken of them before in the twelfth Chapter and second verse. 13:6 1 That is, the holy Church, the true house of the living God. 2 That is, the godly in several who hid themselves from his cru elty. For this bloody beast surcharged those holy souls most falsely with innumerable accusations for the Name of Christ, as we read in Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Arnobius, Minutius, Eusebius, Augustine, and others: which example the latter times followed most diligently in destroying the flock of Christ and we in our own memory have found by experience to our incredible grief. Concerning heaven, see the eleventh Chapter and twelfth verse. 13:8 1 That is, such as are not from everlasting elect in Christ Jesus. For this is that Lamb slain, of which the fifth Chapter, verse six. These words I do with Aretas distinguish in this manner: Whose names are not written even from the laying of the foundation of the world, in the book of life, of the Lamb slain. And this distinction is confirmed by a like place hereafter, Rev. 17:8. 13:9 1 The conclusion of this speech of the first beast, consisting of two parts, An exhortation to attentive audience in this verse: and a foretelling, which partly containeth threatenings against the wicked, and partly comforts for those which in patience and faith shalt wait for that glorious coming of our Lord and Savior Christ, the tenth verse. 13:11 1 The second member of the vision, concerning the ecclesiasti cal dominion, which in Rome succeeded that which was politic, and is in the power of the corporation of false Prophets, and of the forgers of false doctrine. Wherefore the same body or corporation is called of S. John by the name of false prophet, Rev. 6:13, 19 and 20. The form of this beast is first described in this verse, then his acts, in the verses fol lowing, and the whole speech is concluded in the last verse. This beast is by his breed a Son of the earth (as they say) obscurely born, and by little and little creeping up out of his abject estate. 2 That is, in show he resembled the Lamb (for what is more mild or more humble than to be the servant of the servants of God) but in deed he played the part of the Dragon, and of the Wolf, Matt. 7:15. For even Satan changeth himself into an Angel of light, 2 Cor. 11:14,
and what should his honest disciples and servants do? 13:12 1 The history of the acts of this beast containeth in sum three things, hypocrisy, the witness of miracles and tyranny: of which the first is noted in this verse, the second in the 3 verses following: the third in the sixteenth and seventeenth verses. His hypocrisy is most full of leas ing, whereby he abuseth both the former beast and the whole world: in that albeit he hath by his cunning, as it were by lime made of the former beast a most miserable … or anatomy, usurped all his authority unto himself and most impudently exerciseth the same in the sight and view of him: yet he carrieth himself so, as if he honored him with most high honor, and did in very truth cause him to be honored of all men. 2 For unto this beast of Rome, which of civil Empire is made an Ecclesiastical hierarchy, are given divine honors, and divine authority so far as he is believed to be above the Scriptures, which the gloss upon the Decretals declareth by this devilish verse,
Articulos solvit, synodumque facit generalem,
That is, He changeth the Articles of faith, and giveth authority
to general Counsels. Which is spoken of the Papal power. So the beast is by birth, foundation, feat, and finally substance, one: only the Pope hath altered the form and manner thereof being himself the head both of that tyrannical Empire, and also of the false Prophets, for the Empire hath he taken unto himself, and thereunto hath added this cunning device. Now these words, whose deadly wound was cured are put here for distinction sake, as also some times afterwards: that even at that time the godly readers of this prophecy might by this sign be brought to see the things as present: as if it were said, that they might adore this very Empire that now is, whose head we have seen in our own memory to have been cut off, and to be cured again. 13:13 1 The second point of the things done by the beast, is the credit of great wonders or miracles, appertaining to the strength of this impi ety: of which signs some were given from above, as it is said, that fire was sent down from heaven by false sorcery, in this verse. Others were showed here below in the sight of the beast to establish idolatry, and deceive souls, which part S. John setteth forth beginning (as they say) at that which is last, in this manner: First the effect is declared in these words, He deceiveth the inhabitants of the earth, Secondly the common manner of working in two sorts, one of miracles. For the signs that were given him to do in the presence of the beasts: the other of the words added to the signs, and teaching the idolatry confirmed by those signs, Saying unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they should make an image unto the beasts which, etc. Thirdly, a special manner is declared: That is given unto him to put life into the image of the beast: and that such a kind of quickening, that the same both speaketh by answer unto those that ask counsel of it, and also pronounceth death against all those that do not obey nor worship it: all which things oftentimes by false miracles through the procurement and inspiration of the Devil,
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fire to come down from heaven on the earth, in the sight of men. 14 And deceived them that dwell on the earth by the signs which were permitted to him to do in the sight of the beast, saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make the 1image of the 2beast, which had the wound of a sword, and did live. 15 1And it was permitted to him to give a 2spirit unto the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast should speak, and should cause that as many
as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 1And he made all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive 2a 3mark in their right hand or in their foreheads. 17 And that no man might 1buy or sell, save he that had the 2mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 1Here is wisdom. Let him that hath wit, count the number of the beast: for it is the 2number of
have been effected and wrought in images. The histories of the Papists are full of examples of such miracles, the most of them feigned, many also done by the devil in images: as of old in the serpent, Gen. 3:1. By which examples is confirmed, not the authority of the beast, but the truth of God, and of these prophecies. 13:14 1 That is, images by enallage or change of the number: for the worship of them ever since the second Council of Nice, hath been ordained in the Church by public credit, and authority contrary unto the Law of God. 2 In the Greek the word is in the Dative case, as much to say, as unto the worship, honor and obeying of the beast: for by this main tenance of images this Pseudoprophetical beast doth mightily profit the beast of Rome, of whom long ago he received them. Wherefore the same is hereafter very fitly called the image of the beast, for that images have their beginning from the beast, and have their form or manner from the will of the beast, and have their end and use fixed in the profit and commodity of the beast. 13:15 1 And of this miracle of the images of the beast (that is, which the beast hath ordained to establish idolatry) which miraculously speak and give judgment, or rather marvelously, by the fraud of the false prophets, the Papists books are full fraughted. 2 To give life as Jannes and Jambres imitated the wonders that Moses wrought. 13:16 1 The third place, is a most wicked and most insolent tyrrany as was said before, usurped over the persons of men in this verse: and over their goods and actions, in the next verse. For he is said, both to bring upon all persons a tyrannous servitude, that as bondslaves they might serve the beast: and also to exercise over all their goods and actions, a peddler-like abuse of indulgences and dispensations (as they term them) amongst their friends, and against others to use most violent interdictions, and to shoot out cursings, even in natural and civil, private and public contracts, wherein all good faith ought to have place. 2 That is, their Chrism, by which in the Sacrament (as they call it) of Confirmation, they make servile unto themselves, the persons and doings of men, signing them in their forehead and hands: and as for the sign left by Christ (of which Rev. 7:3) and the holy Sacrament of Baptism they make as void. For whom Christ hath joined unto himself by Baptism, this beast maketh challenge unto them by her greasy Chrism, which he doubteth not to prefer over Baptism, both in authority and efficacy. 3 The mark of the name of the beast. 13:17 1 That is, have any traffic or intercourse with men, but they only those which have this anointing and consecration of Clearkely tonsure, as they call it. Read Gratian de Consecratione, distinct. s. c. omnes, cap. Spiritus, etc. of these matters. 2 Here the false Prophets do require three things, which are set down in the order of their greatness, a character, a name and the number of the name. The meaning is, that man that hath not first their anointing and clerical tonsure or shaving: secondly holy orders, by reserving whereof is communicated the same of the beast: or finally hath not attained
that high degree of Pontifical knowledge, and of the Law (as they call it) Canonical, and hath not as it were made up in account and cast the num ber of the mysteries thereof: for in these things consisteth the number of that name of the beast. And this is excellently set forth in the next verse. 13:18 1 That is in this number of the beast consisteth that Popish wisdom, which unto them seemeth the greatest of all others. In these words S. John expoundeth that saying which went before of the num ber of the beast, what it hath above his mark or acconisance and his name. These things, saith S. John, the mark and the name of the beast, do easily happen unto any man: but to have the number of the beast, is wisdom: that is, only the wise and such as have understanding, can come by that number for they must be most illuminated doctors that attain thereunto, as the words following do declare. 2 How great and of what denomination this number of the beast is, by which the beast accounted his wisdom, S. John declareth in these words. Dost thou demand how great it is? it is so great, that it occupieth the whole man: he is always learning, and never cometh to the knowledge thereof: he must be a man indeed that doth attain unto it. Askest thou of what denomination it is? verily it standeth of six throughout and perfectly ariseth of all the parts thereof in their several denominations (as they term them) it standeth of six by units, tens, hundreds, etc. so as there is no one part in the learning and order Pontifical, which is not either referred unto the head, and as it were the top thereof, or contained in the same: so fitly do all things in this hierarchy agree one with another, and with their head. Therefore that cruel beast Boniface the eighth doth commend by the number of six those Decretals which he perfected, in the proem of the sixth book. Which book (saith he) being to be added unto five other books of the same volume of Decretals, we thought good to name Sextum the sixth: that the same volume by addition thereof containing a senary, or the number of six books (which is a number perfect) may yield a perfect form of managing all things, and perfect discipline of behavior. Here therefore is the number of the beast, who poureth from himself all his parts and bringeth them all back again unto himself by his disci pline in most wise and cunning manner. If any man desire more of this, let him read the gloss upon that place. I am not ignorant that other interpretations are brought upon this place: but I thought it my duty, with the good favor of all and without the offense of any, to propound mine opinion in this point. And for this cause especially, for that it seemed unto me neither profitable, nor like to be true, that the number of the beast, or of the name of the beast should be taken as the common sort of interpreters do take it. For this num ber of the beast teacheth, giveth out, imprinteth, as a public mark of such as be his, and esteemeth that mark above all others as the mark of those whom he loveth best. Now those other expositions seem rather to be far removed from this property and condition of that number: whether you respect the name Latinus or Titan, or another. For these the beast doth not teach, nor give forth nor imprint, but most diligently forbiddeth to be taught, and audaciously denieth: he approveth not these, but reproveth them: and hateth them that think so of this number, with an hatred, greater than that of Vatinius.
1327 revelation 14:10
a man, and his number is six hundred threescore and six. 14 1 The Lamb standeth on mount Zion: 4 with his chaste worshippers. 6 One Angel preacheth the Gospel. 8 Another foretelleth the fall of Babylon: 9 the third warneth that the beast be avoided. 13 A voice from heaven pronounceth them happy who die in the Lord. 16 The Lord's sickle thrust into the harvest, 18 and into the vintage.
women: for they are virgins: these follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth: these are bought from men, being the firstfruits unto God, and unto the Lamb. 5 And in their mouths was found no guile: for they are without spot before the throne of God. 6 ¶ 1Then I saw 2another Angel fly in the midst of heaven, having an everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 1,aSaying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him: for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made bheaven and earth, and the sea and the fountains of waters. 8 And there followed another Angel, saying, cBabylon that great city is fallen, it is fallen: for she made all nations to drink of the wine of the 1wrath of her fornication. 9 ¶ And the third Angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, 1If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or on his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath
chapter 14
a Ps. 14:5,6
b Acts 14:15
c Isa. 21:9
Jer. 51:8 Rev. 18:2
1 Then I looked, and lo, a Lamb 1stood on mount Zion, and with him an 2hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's 3Name written in their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers, harping with their harps. 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the Elders: and no man could learn that song, but the hundred, forty and four thousand, which were bought from the earth. 4 These are they which are not defiled with
14:1 1 The history of the Church of Christ being finished for more than a thousand and three hundred years, at which time Boniface the eighth lived as before hath been said, there remaineth the rest of the history of the conflicting or militant Church, from thence unto the time of the last victory in three chapters. For first of all, as the foundation of the whole history, is described the standing of the lamb with his army and retinue in five verses, after his worthy acts which he hath done, and yet doth in most mighty manner, whilst he overthroweth Antichrist with the spirit of his mouth, in the rest of this chapter, and in the two follow ing. Unto the description of the Lamb, are propounded three things: his situation, place and attendance: for the rest are expounded in the former visions, especially upon the fifth chapter. 2 As ready girt to do his office (as Acts 6:56) in the midst of the Church which aforetime mount Zion did prefigure. 3 As before 7:2. This retinue of the Lamb is described first by divine mark (as before 7:2) in this verse. Then by divine occupation, in that all and every one in his retinue most vehemently and sweetly (verse 2) do glorify the Lamb with a special song before God and his elect Angels: which song flesh and blood cannot hear, nor understand, verse 3. Lastly by their deeds done before, and their sanctification in that they were virgins, pure from spiritual and bodily fornication that is, from impiety and unrighteousness, that they followed the Lamb as a guide unto all goodness, and cleaved unto him that they are holy unto him as of grace redeemed by him: that in truth and in simplicity of Christ, they have exercised all these things, sanctimony of life, the direction of the Lamb, a thankful remembrance of the redemption by him: finally (to conclude in a word) that they are blameless before the Lord, verses 4, 5. 14:6 1 The other part (as I said in the first verse) is of the acts of the Lamb, the manner whereof is delivered in two sorts, of his speech, and of his facts. His speeches are set forth unto verse 13 of this chap ter, and his facts unto chapter 16. In the speech of the Lamb, which is the word of the Gospel, are taught in this place, these things: The service of the godly consisting inwardly of reverence towards God, and outwardly of the glorifying of him: the visible sign of which is
adoration, verse 7. The overthrowing of wicked Babylon, verse 8, and the fall of every one of the ungodly which worship the beast, verses 9, 10, 11. Finally, the state of the holy servants of God both present, verse 11, and to come, most blessed, according to the promise of God, verse 15. 2 This Angel is a type or figure of the good and faithful servants of God, whom God especially from that time of Boniface the eighth, hath raised up to the publishing of the Gospel of Christ, both by preaching and by writing. So God first, near unto the time of the same Boniface, used Peter Cassiodorus an Italian: after, Arnold de villa nova, a Frenchman, then Occam, Dante, Petrarch, after that Johannes de rupe casa, a Franciscan: after again, John Wycliff an Englishman, and so continually one or another unto the restoring of the truth and enlarging of his Church. 14:7 1 That is, Babylon is destroyed by the sentence and judgment of God: the execution whereof S. John described, chap. 18. And this voice of the ministers of Christ hath continued since the time that Babylon (which is Rome) hath by deliberate counsel and manifest malice oppugned the light of the Gospel offered from God. 14:8 1 Of her fornication, whereby God was provoked to wrath. 14:9 1 That is, shall not worship God alone, but shall transfer his divine honor unto this beast, whether he doeth it with his heart or counterfeiting in show. For he (saith Christ) that denieth me before men, him will I deny before my Father, and his Angels, Matt. 10:32. And this is that voice of the holy ministry; which at this time is very much used of the holy and faithful servants of God. For having now sufficiently found out the public obstinacy of Babylon they labor not any longer to thunder out as against the same but to save some par ticular members by terror (as S. Jude speaketh) and to pluck them out of the public flame, or else by a vehement commiseration of their state to lead them away, they set before them eternal death, into which they rush unawares, unless in good time they return unto God, but the godly which are of their own flock, they exhort unto patience, obedience, and faith in the Lord Jesus, and charge them to give light by their good example, of good life unto others.
revelation 14:11 1328
of God, yea, of the pure wine, which is poured into the cup of his wrath, and he shall be tormented in fire and brimstone before the holy Angels, and before the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment shall ascend evermore: and they shall have no rest day nor night, which worship the beast and his name. 12 1Here is the patience of Saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, The dead which die 1in the Lord, are fully blessed. Even so saith the Spirit: for they rest from their labors, and their 2works follow them. 14 ¶ 1And I looked, and behold, 2a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sitting like unto the Son of man, 3having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a 4sharp sickle. 15 1And another Angel came out of the Temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, dThrust in thy sickle and reap, for the time is come to reap: for the eharvest of the earth is ripe.
16 And he that sat on the cloud, thrust in his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. 17 1Then another Angel came out of the Temple, which is in heaven, having also a sharp sickle. 18 And another Angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire, and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, and said, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vineyard of the earth: for her grapes are ripe. 19 And the Angel thrust in his sharp sickle on the earth, and cut down the vines of the vineyard of the earth, and cast them into that great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, 1and blood came out of the winepress, unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. 15 1 The seven Angels having the seven last plagues. 3 They that conquered the beast praise God. 6 To the seven Angels, 7 seven vials full of God's wrath are delivered.
d Joel 3:13
e Matt. 13:39
14:12 1 The patience, sanctification and justification by faith: the consequence whereof are rest, felicity, and glory eternal, in the heav enly fellowship of God and his Angels. 14:13 1 That is for the Lord. 2 By works, is meant the reward which followeth good works. 14:14 1 The second part of this Chapter, as I said, verse 1. Of the acts and doings of Christ in overthrowing of Antichrist and his Church by the Spirit of his divine mouth: seeing that having been called back by word both publicly and privately unto his duty, and admonished of his most certain ruin: he yet ceaseth not to maintain and protect his own adherents, that they may do him service: and to afflict the godly with most barbarous persecutions. Of those things which Christ doeth, there are two kinds: one common or general in the rest of this chapter, another particular against that savage and rebellious beast and his worshippers in chapters 15 and 16. That common kind, is the calamity of wars spread abroad through the whole earth, and filling all things with blood, and that without respect of any person. This is figured or shadowed out in two types, of the harvest and vin tage. Since the time that the light of the Gospel began to shine out, and since prophecy or preaching by the grace of God was raised up again, how horrible wars have been kindled in the world? how much human flesh hath been thrown to the earth by this divine reaping? how much blood (alas for woe) hath overflown for these hundred years almost? all history do cry out, and this our age (if ever before) is now in horror, by reason of the rage of the sickle which Antichrist calleth for. In this place is the first type, that is of the harvest. 2 Declaring his fierceness by his color, like unto that which is in the white or milk circle of heaven. 3 As one that shall reign from God, and occupy place of Christ in this miserable execution. 4 That is, a most fit and commodious instrument of Execution, destroyed all by hewing and thrusting through, for who may stand against God? 14:15 1 Christ giveth a commandment in this verse. And the Angel executeth in the next verse. 14:17 1 The other type (as I said, verse14) is the vintage: the manner whereof is one with that which went before, if thou except this, that
the grape gathering is more exact in seeking out everything, than is the harvest labor. This is therefore a more grievous judgment, both because it succeedeth the other, and because it is understood to be executed with great diligence. 14:20 1 That is, it overflowed very deep, and very far and wide: the speech is by hyperbole or excessive, to signify the greatness of the slaughter. And these be those pleasant fruits forsooth, of the con tempt of Christ, and desiring of Antichrist rather than him, which the miserable, mad, and blind world doth at this time reap. 15:1 1 This is that other place of the acts of Christ, as I noted before, 14:14. Now therefore is showed a singular work of the judgment of God belonging to the overthrow of Antichrist and his forces of which divine work the preparation is described in this Chapter and the execution in the next. The preparation is first set down generally and in type in this verse: and is after particularly set forth in the rest of the Chapter. 2 Of which Rev. 8:9, in pouring forth in the plagues of the world: for even these plagues do for the most part agree with those. 15:2 1 There are two parts of the narration: one the confession of the Saints glorifying God, when they saw that preparation of the judg ments of God, unto verse 4: another the vocation, instruction, and confirmation of those instruments which God hath ordained for the execution of his judgments, in 4 other verses. 2 This part of the vision alludeth unto the sea or large vessel of brass in which the Priests washed themselves in the entrance of the Temple: for in the entrance of the heavenly Temple (as it is called, verse 5) is said to have been a sea of glass, most lightsome and clear, unto the commodity of choice mixed with fire, that is, as contain ing the treasury of the judgments of God, which he bringeth forth and dispenseth according to his own pleasure: for out of the former, the Priests were cleansed of old and out of this the ungodly are destroyed now, Rev. 4:6. 3 That is, the Godly martyrs of Christ, who shall not give place even in miracles unto that beast: of these, see before, Rev. 13:17 and 14:9, 10. 4 Glorified God, from the particular observation of the weapons and instruments of God's wrath, floating in the sea of glass.
1329 revelation 16:5
1 And 1I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven 2Angels having the seven last plagues: for by them is fulfilled the wrath of God. 2 1And I saw 2as it were a glassy sea, mingled with fire, and 3them that had gotten victory of the beast, and of his image, and of his mark, and of the number of his name, 4stand at the glassy sea, having the harps of God, 3 And they sung 1the song of Moses the 2servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, 3Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty: just and true are thy a,4ways, King of Saints. 4 bWho shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name! for thou only art holy, and all nations shall come and worship before thee: for thy judgments are made manifest. 5 1And after that, I looked, and behold, the Temple of the tabernacle of Testimony was open in heaven. 6 And the seven Angels came out of the Temple, which had the 1seven plagues, clothed in 2pure and bright linen, and having their breasts 3girded with golden girdles. 7 And therefore 1four beasts gave unto the seven Angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God which lived for evermore.
8 And the temple was full of the smoke of the glory of God and of his power, and 1no man was able to enter into the Temple, till the seven plagues of the seven Angels were fulfilled. 16 2 And 17 the Angels pour out the seven vials of God's wrath given unto them, and so divers plagues arise in the world, 18 to terrify the wicked, 19 and the inhabitants of the great city.
chapter 15
a Ps. 145:17
b Jer. 10:7
1 And 1I heard a great voice out of the Temple, saying to the seven Angels, Go your ways, and poured out the seven vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. 2 1And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth: and there fell a noisome and a grievous sore upon the men which had the 2mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. 3 1And the second Angel poured out his vial upon the sea, and it 2became as the blood of a dead man: and every living thing died in the sea. 4 1And the third Angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters, and they became blood. 5 And I heard the Angel of the waters say, Lord, thou art just, which art, and which wast: and Holy, because thou hast judged these things.
15:3 1 That song of triumph which is Exod. 15:2. 2 So is Moses called for honor's sake, as it is set forth, Deut. 34:10. 3 This song hath two parts, one a confession, but particular in this verse, and general, in the beginning of the next verse: another, a narra tion of causes belonging to the confession, whereof one kind is eternal in itself, and most present unto the godly in that God is both holy, and alone God, another kind is future and to come, in that the elect taken out of the Gentiles (that is, out of the wicked ones and unbelieving: as Rev. 11:2) were to be brought unto the same state of happiness by the magnificence of the judgment of God, in the next verse. 4 Thy doings. 15:5 1 The second part of the narration (as was [noted,] verse 2) wherein first the authority of the whole argument and matter thereof is figured by a forerunning type of a temple opened in heaven, as Rev. 11:19, namely that all those things are divine and of God, that proceed from thence, in this verse. Secondly, the administers or executors, come forth out of the Temple, verse 6. Thirdly, they are furnished with instru ments of the judgments of God, and weapons fit for the manner of the same judgments, verse 7. Finally they are confirmed by testimony of the visible glory of God, in the last verse. A like testimony whereunto was exhibited of old in the Law, Exod. 40:34. 15:6 1 That is, commandments to inflict those seven plagues. Here is the figure called Metonymy. 2 Which was in old time a sign of the kingly or princely dignity. 3 That is, girding was a sign of diligence, and the girdle of gold was a sign of sincerity and trustiness in taking in charge the command ments of God. 15:7 1 Of these before, Rev. 4:7. 15:8 1 None of those seven Angels might resume, till he had per formed fully the charge committed unto him according to the decree of God. 16:1 1 In the former Chapter was set down the preparation unto
the work of God: here is delivered the execution thereof. And in this discourse of the execution, is a general commandment, in this verse, then a particular recital in order of the execution done by every of the seven Angels, in the rest of the chapter. This special execution against Antichrist and his crew, doth in manner agree unto that which was generally done upon the whole world, Rev. 8 and 9, and belongeth (if my conjecture fail me not) unto the same time. Yet herein they do differ one from another, that this was particularly effected upon the Princes and ringleaders of the wickedness of the world, the other generally against the whole world being wicked. And therefore these judgments are figured more grievous than those. 16:2 1 The history of the first Angel, whose plague upon the earth, is described almost in the same words with that sixth plague of the Egyptians, Exod. 9:9. But it doth signify a spiritual ulcer, and that torture or butchery of conscience seared with an hot iron, which accuseth the ungodly within and both by truth of the word (the light whereof God hath now so long showed forth) and by bitterness stir reth up and forceth out the sword of God's wrath. 2 See Rev. 13:16 16:3 1 The history of the second Angel who troubleth and molest eth the seas, that he may stir up the conscience of men sleeping in their wickedness. See Rev. 8:8. 2 It was turned into rotten and filthy blood, such as is in dead bodies. 16:4 1 The history of the third Angel striking the rivers, in this verse who proclaiming the justice of God, commendeth the same by a most grave comparison of the sins of men with the punishment of God: which is common to this place and that which went before. Wherefore also this praising is attributed to the Angel of the waters, a name common to the second and third Angels according as both of them are said to be sent against the waters, albeit, the one of the sea the other of the rivers, in two verses.
revelation 16:6 1330
6 For they shed the blood of the Saints, and Prophets, and therefore hast thou given them blood to drink: for they are worthy. 7 1And I heard another out of the Sanctuary say, Even so, Lord God almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. 8 1And the fourth Angel poured out his vial on the sun, and it was given to him to torment men with heat of fire, 9 And men boiled in great heat, and blasphemed the Name of God, which hath power over these plagues, and they repented not to give him glory. 10 1And the fifth Angel poured out his vial upon the throne of the beast, and the kingdom waxed dark, and they gnawed their tongues for sorrow. 11 And blasphemed the God of heaven for their pains, and for their sores, and repented not of their works. 12 1And the sixth Angel poured out his vial upon
the great river 2Euphrates, and the 3water thereof dried up, 4that the way of the Kings of the East should be prepared. 13 And I saw 1three unclean spirits 2like frogs come out of the mouth of that 3dragon, and out of the mouth of that 4beast, and out of the mouth of that 5false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, to go unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 1(aBehold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and men see his filthiness.) 16 1And they gathered them together into a place called in Hebrew, 2Armageddon. 17 1And the seventh Angel poured out his vial into the 2air: and there came a loud voice out of the Temple of heaven from 3the throne, saying,
chapter 16
a Matt. 24:43
Mark 14:16 Mark 15:13 Luke 12:39
16:7 1 A confirmation of the praise before going, out of the sanctu ary of God, whether immediately by Christ, or by some of his Angels, for Christ also is called another Angel, Rev. 3:8; 7:2; 12:1. 16:8 1 The history of the fourth Angel, who throweth the plague upon the heaven and upon the Sun, of which Luke 21:26 the effects whereof are noted two. The one peculiar, that it shall scorch men with heat, in this verse. The other proceeding accidentally from the former, that their fury shall so much the more be enraged against God in the next verse, when yet (O wonderful mercy and patience of God) all other creatures are first stricken often and grievously by the hand of God before man kind by whom he is provoked: as the things beforegoing [do] declare. 16:10 1 The story of the first Angel, who striketh the kingdom of the beast with two plagues abroad with darkness, within which biles and dolors most grievous, throughout his whole kingdom, that thereby he might wound the conscience of the wicked, and punish that most perverse obstinacy of the idolaters, whereof arose perturbation, and thence a furious indignation and desperate madness, raging against God and hurtful unto itself. 16:12 1 The story of the sixth Angel, divided into his act, and the event thereof. The act is, that the Angel did cast out of his mouth the plague of a most glowing heat, wherewith even the greatest floods, and which most were wont to swell and overflow (as Euphrates) were dried up by the counsel of God in this verse. The event is, that the mere madness wherewith the wicked are enraged, that they may scorn the judgments of God, and abuse them furiously to serve their own turn, and to the executing of their own wicked outrage. 2 The bound of the spiritual Babylon, and to the fortresses of the same, Rev. 9:14. 3 So the Church of the ungodly, and kingdom of the beast is said to be left naked, all the defenses whereof, in which they put their trust being taken away from it. 4 That is, that even they which dwell further off, may with more com modity make haste unto that sacrifice which the Lord hath appointed. 16:13 1 That is, every of them bent their whole force, and conspired that by wonders, word and work, they might bring into the same destruction all Kings, Princes and Potentates of the world, cursedly bewitched of them by their spirits, and teachers of the vanity and impurity of the beast that committed fornication with the kings of the earth. And this is a right description of our times. 2 Croaking with all importunity, and continually day and night pro
voking and calling forth to arms, as the trumpets, and furies of wars: as is declared in the next verse. 3 That is, the devil, as Rev. 11:3 4 Whereof Rev. 13:1. 5 That is, of that other beast, of which Rev. 13:11, for so he is called also Rev. 19:20 and 20:10. 16:15 1 A parenthesis for admonition in which God warneth his holy servants who rest in the expectation of Christ, always to address their minds unto his coming, and to look unto themselves, that they be not shamefully made naked and circumvented of these unclean spirits, and so they be miserable unprepared at the coming of their Lord. 16:16 1 Namely the Angel, who holily according to the command ment of God was to do sacrifice: notwithstanding that those impure spirits do the same wickedly as servants not unto God, but unto that beast that hath seven heads. 2 That is, (to say nothing of other expositions) the mountain itself, or mountain places of Megiddo. Now it is certain by the holy Scrip ture, that Megiddo is a city and territory in the tribe of Manasseh, bordering upon Issachar and Asher, and was made famous by that lamentable overthrow of king Josiah, whereof 2 Kings 23:30; 2 Chron. 37:22; Zech. 12:11. In this mountain country God saith by figure and type, that the kings of the peoples which serve the beast shall meet together: because the Gentiles did always cast that lamentable overthrow in the teeth of the Church of the Jews unto their great reproach: and therefore were persuaded that that place should be most fortunate unto them (as they speak) and unfortu nate unto the godly: but God here pronounceth, that that reproach of the Church, and confidence of the ungodly shall by himself be taken away, in the selfsame places where the nations persuaded themselves, they should mightily exult and triumph against God and his Church. 16:17 1 The story of the seventh Angel unto the end of the chapter, in which first is showed by figure and speech, the argument of this plague, in this verse: and then is declared the execution thereof in the verses following. 2 From whence he might move the heaven above and the earth beneath. 3 That is, from him that sitteth on the throne, by the figure called Metonymy.
1331 revelation 17:6
4It is done. 18 1And there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, even so mighty an earthquake. 19 1And the great city was divided into three parts: and the cities of the nations 2fell: and that great 3Babylon came in remembrance before God, bto give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 20 And every isle fled away, and the mountains 1were not 2found. 21 1And there fell a great hail, like 2talents out of heaven upon the men, and men blasphemed God, because of the plague of the hail: for the plague thereof was exceeding great. 17 1 That great whore is described, 2 with whom the Kings of the earth committed fornication. 6 She is drunken with the blood of Saints. 7 The mystery of the woman, and the beast that carried her, expounded. 11 Their destruction. 14 The Lamb's victory.
1 Then 1there came one of the seven Angels, which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come: I will show 2thee the 3damnation of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters, 2 With whom have committed fornication the kings of the earth, and the inhabitants of the earth are drunken with the wine of her fornication. 3 1So he carried me away into the wilderness in the Spirit, and I saw a woman sit upon a 2scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, which had seven heads, and ten horns. 4 And 1the woman was arrayed 2in purple and scarlet, and gilded with gold, and precious stones, and pearls, 3and had a cup of gold in her hand full of abomination, and filthiness of her fornication. 5 1And in her forehead was a name written, A mystery, 2that great Babylon that mother of whoredoms, and abominations of the earth. 6 1And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of Saints, and with the blood of the Martyrs
b Jer. 25:15
16:17 4 That is, Babylon is undone, as is showed verse 16 and in the Chapters following. For the first onset (as I might say) of this denun ciation, is described in this Chapter: and the last containing a perfect victory is described in those that follow. 16:18 1 Now is declared the execution (as is said in verse 27) and the things that shall last come to pass in heaven and in earth, before the overthrow of the beast of Babylon: both generally, verse 18, and par ticularly in the cursed city, and such as have any familiarity therewith, in the 3 last verses. 16:19 1 That seat or standing place of Antichrist. 2 Of all such as cleave unto Antichrist, and fight against Christ. 3 That harlot, of whom in the Chapter next following. Now this phrase to come into remembrance is after the common use of the Hebrew speech, but borrowed from men, attributed unto God. 16:20 1 That is, were seen no more, or were no more extant. A bor rowed Hebraism. 2 Appeared not, which the Hebrews utter after this sort, were not, Gen. 5:24. 16:21 1 The manner of the particular execution, most evidently tes tifying the wrath of God by the original and greatness thereof: the event whereof is the same with that which is, Rev. 9:12, and that which hath been mentioned in this Chapter, from the execution of the fourth Angel hitherto, that is to say, an incorrigible pertinency of the world in their rebellion, and an heart that cannot repent, verses 9 and 11. 2 As it were about the weight of a talent was threescore pound, that is, six hundred groats, whereby is signified a marvelous and strange kind of weight. 17:1 1 The state of the Church militant being declared, now followeth the state of the Church overcoming and getting victory, as I showed before in the beginning of chapter 10. The state is set forth in 4 chap ters. As in the place beforegoing I noted, that in that history the order of time was not always exactly observed, so the same is to be under stood in this history, that it is distinguished according to the persons of which it treateth, and that in the several stories of the persons is severly observed in the time thereof. For first is delivered the story of Babylon destroyed, in this and the next chap. (for this Babylon out of all doubt shall perish before the 2 beasts and the Dragon). Secondly is delivered the destruction of both the two beasts, chap. 19. And lastly of
the Dragon, chap. 20, in the story of the spiritual Babylon are distinctly set forth the state thereof in this chap. and the overthrow done from God, chap. 18. In this verse and that which followeth is a transition or passage unto the first argument, consisting of a particular calling of the Prophet (as often heretofore) and a general proposition. 2 That is the damnable harlot, by a figure of speech called hypallage. For S. John as yet had not seen her. Although another inter pretation may be borne, yet I like this better. 3 The sentence that is pronounced against this harlot. 17:3 1 Henceforth is propounded the type of Babylon, and the state thereof in 4 verses. After a declaration of the type, in the rest of this chap., in the type are described two things, the beast (of whom chap. 13), in verse 3, and the woman that sitteth upon the beast, verses 4, 5, 6. The beast in process of time hath gotten somewhat more than was expressed in the former vision. First in that it is not read before that he was appareled in scarlet, a robe imperial and of triumph. Secondly, in that this is full of names of blasphemy: the other carried the name of blasphemy only in his head. So God did teach that this beast is much increased in impiety and injustice and doth in this last age, triumph in both these more insolently and proudly than ever before. 2 A scarlet color, that is, with a red and purple garment: and surely it was not without cause that the Romish clergy were so much delighted with this color. 17:4 1 That harlot, the spiritual Babylon, which is Rome. She is described by her attire, profession and deeds. 2 In attire most glorious, triumphant, most rich, and most gorgeous. 3 In profession, the nourisher of all, in this verse, and teaching her mysteries unto all, verse 5, setting forth all things most magnificently: but indeed most pernicious besotting miserable men with her cup, and bringing upon them a deadly giddiness. 17:5 1 Deceiving with the title of religion, and public inscription of mystery: which the beast in times past did not bear. 2 An exposition: in which S. John declareth what manner of woman this is. 17:6 1 In manner of deeds: She is red with blood, and sheddeth it most licentiously, and therefore is colored with the blood of the Saints, as on the contrary part. Christ is set forth imbrued with the blood of his enemies; Isa. 3:1.
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of JESUS: and when I saw her, 2I wondered with great marvel. 7 1Then the Angel said unto me, Wherefore marvelest thou? I will show thee the mystery of that woman, and of that beast that beareth her, which hath seven heads and ten horns. 8 1The beast that thou hast seen, 2was and is not, and 3shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and shall go into perdition, and they that dwell on the earth, shall wonder (whose names are not
written in the book of life from the foundation of the world) 4when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 9 1Here is the mind that hath wisdom, The 2seven heads 3are seven mountains, whereon the woman sitteth: 4they are also seven Kings. 10 1Five are fallen, 2and one is, 3and another is not yet come: and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. 11 1And the beast that was, and is not, is even
17:6 2 A passage unto the second part of this chapter, by occasion given of S. John, as the words of the Angel do show, in the next verse. 17:7 1 The second part or place, as I said, verse 1. The narration of the vision, promised in this verse, and delivered in the verse following. Now there is delivered first a narration of the beast and his story, unto verse 14. After, of the harlot, unto the end of the chap. 17:8 1 The story of the beast hath a triple description of him. The first is a distinction of this beast from all that ever hath been at any time: which dis tinction is contained in this verse: The second is a delineation or painting out of the beast by things present, by which he might even at that time be known of the godly, and this delineation is according to his heads, verses 2, 10, 11. The third is an historical foretelling of things to come, and to be done by him: and these are ascribed unto his horns, verses 12, 13, 14. This beast is that Empire of Rome, of which I spake, chap. 13:11, according to the mutations and changes whereof which then had already happened, the holy Ghost hath distinguished and set out the same. The Apostle distinguisheth this beast from all others in these words. The beast which thou sawest, was and is not. For so I expound the words of the Apostle for evidence's sake as I will further declare in the notes following. 2 The meaning is, that beast which thou sawest before (Rev. 13:1) and which yet thou hast now seen, was, (I say was) even from Julius Caesar in respect of beginning, rising up, station, glory, dominion, manner and stock, from the house of Julius: and yet is not now the same, if thou look unto the house and stock for the dominion of this family was translated unto another, after the death of Nero from the other unto a third, from a third unto a fourth, and so forth was varied and altered by innumerable changes. Finally, the Empire is one, as it were one beast: but exceedingly varied by kindreds, families, and persons. It was therefore (saith S. John) in the kindred or house of Julius: and now it is not in that kindred, but translated unto another. 3 As if he should say, Also the same that is, shall shortly not be: but shall ascend out of the depth, or out of the sea (as was said, Rev. 13:1) that is, shall be a new stock from amongst the nations without difference, and shall in the same state go unto destruction or ruin, and perish: and so shall successively new Princes or Emperors come and go, arise and fall, the body of the beast remaining still, but tossed with so many and often alterations, as no man can but marvel that this beast was able to stand and hold out, in so many mutations. Ver ily no Empire that ever was tossed with so many changes, and as it were with so many tempests of the sea, ever continued so long. 4 That is as many as have not learned the providence of God, accord ing to the faith of the Saints, shall marvel at these grievous and often changes when they shall consider, the selfsame beast, which is the Roman Empire, to have been, not to be, and to be and still molested with perpetual mutation, and yet in the same to stand and continue. This in mine opinion is the most simple exposition of this place, and confirmed by the event of the things themselves. Although by the last change also, by which the Empire, that before was civil became Ecclesiastical, is not obscurely signified by these words: of which two, the first exercised cru elty upon the bodies of the saints: the other also upon their souls: the first by human order and policy, the other under the color of the law of God,
and of Religion, raged and imbrued itself with the blood of the godly. 17:9 1 An exhortation preparing unto audience, by the same argument, with that of Christ: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Wherefore, for mine own part, I had rather read in this place, Let there be here a mind, etc. So the Angel passeth fully unto the second place of this description. 2 Very children know what that seven hilled city is, which is so much spoken of, and whereof Virgil thus reporteth, And compasseth seven towers in one wall: that city it is, which when John wrote these things had rule over the kings of the earth: It was and is not, and yet it remaineth this day, but it is declining to destruction. 3 This is the painting out of the beast by things present (as I said before) whereby S. John endeavored to describe the same, that he might both be known of the godly in that age, and be further observed and marked of posterity afterwards. This delineation hath one type, that is, his heads, but a double description or application of the type: one permanent from the nature of itself, the other changeable, by the work ing of men. The description permanent, is by the seven hills, in this verse, the other that fleeteth, is from the seven kings, verses 10, 11. And here it is worthy to be observed, that one type hath sometimes two or more applications, as seemeth good unto the holy Ghost to express either one thing by divers types, or divers things by one type. So I noted before, of the seven spirits, Rev. 1:4. Now this woman that sitteth upon seven hills, is the city of Rome, called in times past of the Greeks, … i. of seven tops or crests, and of Varro, septiceps, i. of her seven heads (as here) of seven heads, and of others, septicollis, i. standing upon seven hills. 4 The beginning of these Kings or Emperors is almost the same with the beginning of the Church of Christ, which I showed before, Rev. 11:1. Namely from the year 35, after the passion of Christ, what time the Temple and Church of the Jews was overthrown. In which year it came to pass by the providence of God that that saying The beast was and is not, was fulfilled before that the destruction of the Jews immediately following came to pass. That was the year from the building of the city of Rome, 109, from which year S. John both num bered the Emperors which hitherto hath been, when he wrote these things, and foretelleth two others next to come: and that with this purpose, that when this particular prediction of foretelling of things to come, should take effect the truth of all other predictions in the Church might be the more confirmed. Which sign God of old men tioned this in the Law, Deut. 18, and Jeremiah confirmeth, Jer. 28:8. 17:10 1 Whose names are these: the first, Servius Sulpicius Galba, who was the seventh Emperor of the people of Rome, the second Marcus Salvius Otho, the third Aulus Vitellius, the fourth, Titus Flavius Vespasianus, the fifth, Titus Vespasianus his son of his own name. 2 Flavius Domitian son of the first Vespasian. For in the latter end of his days S. John wrote these things, as witnesseth Irenaus, Lib. 5 adversus hareses. 3 Nerua. The Empire being now translated from the family of Flavius. This man reigned only one year, four months, and nine days, as the history writers do tell. 17:11 1 This is spoken by the figure synecdoche, as much to say as that head of the beast which was and is not, because it is cut off, and Nerua
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2the eighth, and is 3one of the seven, and 4all go into destruction. 12 1And the ten horns which thou sawest, are 2ten kings, which yet have not received a kingdom, but shall receive power, as Kings 3at one hour with the beast. 13 1These have one mind, and shall give their power and authority unto the beast. 14 These shall fight with the 1Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: afor he is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings: and they that are on his side, called, and chosen, and faithful. 15 1And he said unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, 2are people, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten 1horns which thou sawest upon the beast, are they that shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate, and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
17 1For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to do with one consent for to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God be fulfilled. 18 And that woman which thou sawest, is that 1great city which reigned over the kings of the earth. 18 2 The horrible destruction of Babylon set out. 11, 16, 18 The merchants of the earth, who were enriched with the pomp and luxuriousness of it, weep and wail: 20 but all the elect rejoice for that just vengeance of God.
chapter 17
a Rev. 19:16
1 Tim. 6:15
chapter 18
a Rev. 14:8
Isa. 21:9 Jer. 51:8
1 1And after these things, I saw another 2Angel come down from heaven, having great power, so that the earth was lightened with his glory, 2 And he cried out mightily with a loud voice, 1saying, aIt is fallen, it is fallen, Babylon that great city, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of all foul spirits, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
in so short time extinguished. How many heads there were, so many beasts there seemed to be in one. See the like speech in Rev. 13.3 2 Nerua Traianus, who himself in divers respects is called here the seventh and the eighth. 3 Though in number and order of succession he be the eighth, yet he is reckoned together with one of these heads, because Nerua and he were one head. For this man obtained authority together with Nerua, and was Consul with him, when Nerua left his life. 4 Namely, to molest with persecutions the Churches of Christ, as the histories do accord, and I have briefly noted, Rev. 2:10. 17:12 1 The third place of this description as I said, verse 18, is a pro phetical prediction of things to come which the beast should do, as in the words following S. John doth not obscurely signify, saying, which have not yet received the kingdom, etc. For there is an Antithesis or opposition between these kings, and those that went before. And first the persons are described, in this verse, then their deeds in the two verses following. 2 That is, arising with their kingdoms out of the Roman beast: at such time as that political Empire began by the craft of the Popes greatly to fall. 3 Namely, with the second beast whom we called before a false prophet, which beast, ascending out of the earth got unto himself all the authority and power of the first beast, and exerciseth the same before his face, as was said, Rev. 14:11, 12. For when the politi cal Empire of the West began to bow downwards, there both arose those ten kings, and the second beast took the opportunity offered to usurp unto himself all the power of the former beast. These kings long ago, many have numbered and described to be ten and a great part of the events plainly testifieth the same in this our age. 17:13 1 That is, by consent and agreement, that they may conspire with the beast, and depend upon his beck. Their story is divided into three parts, counsels, acts, and events. The counselors some of them consist in communicating of judgments and affections: and some in communicating of power, which they are said to have given unto this beast in this verse. 17:14 1 With Christ and his Church, as the reason following doth declare, and here are mentioned the facts and the events which fol lowed for Christ's sake, and for the grace of God the Father towards those that are called, elected, and are his faithful ones in Christ. 17:15 1 This is the other member of the narration as I said verse 7, belonging unto the harlot, showed in the vision, verse 3. In this his tory of the harlot, these 3 things are distinctly propounded, what is
her magnificence in this verse, what is her fall, and by whom it shall happen unto her, in the two verses following: and lastly, who that harlot is, in the last verse. This place which by order of nature should have been the first, is therefore made the last, because it was more fit to be joined with the next Chap. 2 That is, as unconstant and variable as the waters. Upon this founda tion sitteth this harlot as Queen, a vain person upon that which is vain. 17:16 1 The ten Kings as verse 12. The accomplishment of this fact and event, is daily increased in this our age by the singular providence and most mighty government of God. Wherefore the facts are pro pounded in this verse, and the cause of them in the verses following. 17:17 1 A reason rendered from the chief efficient cause, which is the providence of God, by which alone S. John by inversion of order affirmeth to have come to pass, both that the Kings should execute upon the harlot, that which pleased God, and which he declared in the verse next beforegoing: and also that by one consent and counsel, they should give their kingdom unto the beast, etc., verses 13, 14. For as these being blinded have before depended upon the beck of the beast that lifteth up the harlot, so it is said that afterward it shall come to pass, that they shall turn back, and shall fall away from her when their hearts shall be turned into better state by the grace and mercy of God. 17:18 1 That is, Rome that great City, or only City (as Justinian calleth it) the King and head whereof was then the Emperor, but now the Pope, since that the condition of the beast was changed. 18:1 1 The second place (as I said before, 17:1) of the history of Bab ylon, is of the woeful fall and ruin of that whore of Babylon. This histori cal prediction concerning her, is threefold. The first a plain and simple foretelling of her ruin in three verses, the second a figurative prediction by the circumstances, thence, unto verse 20. The third, a confirmation of the same by sign or wonder, unto the end of the Chapter. 2 Either Christ the eternal word of God the Father (as often else where) or a created Angel, and one deputed unto this service: but thoroughly furnished with greatness of power, and with light of glory, as the ensign of power. 18:2 1 The prediction or foretelling of her ruin, containing both the fall of Babylon, in this verse, and the cause thereof uttered by way of allegory concerning her spiritual and carnal wickedness, that is, her most great impiety and injustice, in the next verse: her fall is first simply declared of the Angel: and then the greatness thereof is showed here by the events, when he saith it shall be the seat and habitation of devils, of wild beasts and of cursed souls, as of old, Isa. 13:21, and often elsewhere.