The ruin of Rome, or, An exposition upon the whole Revelation wherein is plainly…The ruine of Rome, or, An exposition upon the whole Revelation wherein is plainly…

It is called little in respect of the great and huge volumes of Popish books, though in it self it be large.

It is called little in respect of the great and huge volumes of Popish bookes, though in it selfe it be large.

It is said to be open, that all men might look into it, because it had been shut a long time before, even during all the time of the darkening of the Sun and Air, by the smoke which came out of the bottomless pit. But although it was long shut up in the time of Popery, and lay buried in a strange tongue: yet now it is opened, and publicly preached unto all the servants of God. And all this no doubt is to be understood of Luther's time, and all the times ever since the Gospel was spread abroad after the great darkness. For some hundred years ago it was hard to find an English Bible, but now God be thanked, there are thousands to be found in the hands of Gods people. And therefore the things here Prophesied of, are fulfilled in our days: for we live under the opening of the seventh Seal, and the blowing of the sixth Trumpet, and the pouring forth of the sixth Vial, as here doth partly appear, and shall, God willing, be made more manifest when we come to the sixteenth Chapter. ⟨p. 162⟩Now we are diligently to observe, that as the opening of this Book, and the preaching of the Gospel by Luther and his successors, hath dispersed the former darkness, and beaten down Popery; so also hath it driven back the Turk, and taken from us all fear of him, which in former ages was the terror of the World; for since men have looked into this book, repented of their Idolatry, and turned unto God with all their hearts, the Turk and his power hath not been feared, especially in these parts where the Gospel is preached.

It is sayd to be open, that all men might looke into it, because it had been shut a long time before, even during all the time of the darkning of the Sunne and Aire, by the smoke which came out of the bottomlesse pit. But although it was long shut up in the time of Popery, and lay buried in a strange tongue: yet now it is opened, and publikely preached unto all the servants of God. And all this no doubt is to be understood of Luthers time, and all the times ever since the Gospell was spread abroad after the great darkenesse. For some hundred yeares agoe it was hard to finde an English Bible, but now God be thanked, there are thousands to be found in the hands of Gods people. And therefore the things here Prophesied of, are fulfilled in our daies: for we live under the opening of the seaventh Seale, and the blowing of the sixth Trumpet, and the powring foorth of the sixth Viall, as here doth partly appeare, and shall, God willing, bee made more manifest when we come to the sixteenth Chapter. ⟨p. 162⟩Now we are diligently to obserue, that as the opening of this Booke, and the preaching of the Gospell by Luther and his successors, hath dispersed the former darknesse, and beaten down Popery; so also hath it driven backe the Turke, and taken from us all feare of him, which in former ages was the terrour of the World; for since men have looked into this book, repented of their Idolatry, and turned unto God with all their hearts, the Turke and his power hath not been feared, especially in these parts where the Gospell is preached.

For God in his merciful providence towards his Church, hath diverted his power another way, and set him a work else where. So that if men cannot be brought to believe, that God raised him up as a scourge for Idolaters, and a plague for Idolatry and other soul sins, according to the words in the former Chap. where it is said, They repented not of the works of their hands, &c. yet when they see, that at the opening of the Book of God, and forsaking Idolatry, the fear of him is removed, let them believe it. What can be more plain, than that this open Book in the hand of the Angel, hath delivered us from the Pope, and ⟨p. 163⟩from the Turk? A most happy opening of this blessed book.

For God in his mercifull providence towards his Church, hath diverted his power another way, and set him a worke else where. So that if men cannot be brought to beleeve, that God raised him up as a scourge for Idolaters, and a plague for Idolatrie and other soule sinnes, according to the words in the former Chap. where it is said, They repented not of the workes of their hands, &c. yet when they see, that at the opening of the Booke of God, and forsaking Idolatry, the feare of him is removed, let them beleeve it. What can be more plaine, than that this open Booke in the hand of the Angell, hath delivered us from the Pope, and ⟨p. 163⟩from the Turke? A most happy opening of this blessed booke.

And cried with a loud voice,¹ as when a Lion roareth, and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

And cryed with a loud voice,¹ as when a Lion roareth, and when he had cryed, seven thunders utterd their voyces.

1. 1verse 3.

This crying with a loud voice, like the roaring of a Lion, doth signify the manifestation of the wrath of Christ, against all his enemies: for now he beginneth to roar against them, as a Lion when he is hungry, roareth for his prey. Therefore now both the Scorpion, Locusts, and the fierce Horses and horsemen are like to go to the pot.

This crying with a loud voice, like the roaring of a Lion, doth signifie the manifestation of the wrath of Christ, against all his enemies: for now he beginneth to roare against them, as a Lion when he is hungry, roareth for his prey. Therefore now both the Scorpion, Locusts, and the fierce Horses and horsmen are like to goe to the pot.

By the seven thunders which uttered their voices, is meant those perfect and exquisite judgements which now were to be inflicted both upon the Kingdom of the Pope and the Turk. We have heard before, that seven is a perfect number in this book: and that ⟨p. 164⟩thunder is put for the thundering of Gods wrath, and all such broils and plagues as follow thereupon, and this is the reason of this interpretation.

By the seven thunders which uttered their voyces, is meant those perfect and exquisite judgements which now were to be inflicted both upon the Kingdome of the Pope and the Turke. We have heard before, that seven is a perfect number in this book: and that ⟨p. 164⟩thunder is put for the thundring of Gods wrath, and all such broiles and plagues as follow thereupon, and this is the reason of this interpretation.

¹And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from Heaven, saying unto me: Seal up these things which the seven thunders have spoken, and write them not.

¹And when the seven thunders had uttered their voyces, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from Heaven, saying unto me: Seale up these things which the seven thunders have spoken, and write them not.

1. 1verse 4.

It should seem these seven thunders did so speak, as they might be understood, for John was about to write the things which they spake, thinking that they were uttered for that end and purpose, that he should deliver them in writing to the Churches. But he receiveth a commandment to the contrary, for he is willed not to write them, but to conceal them until the appointed time.

It should seeme these seven thunders did so speake, as they might be understood, for John was about to write the things which they spake, thinking that they were uttered for that end and purpose, that he should deliver them in writing to the Churches. But he receiveth a commandement to the contrary, for he is willed not to write them, but to conceale them untill the appointed time.

But some man may say; Why were they uttered, seeing they must be concealed, and kep• close? I answer, it was not in vain: for first, though the particulars be not expressed what the thunders speak: yet here we are taught, that there remain most fearful Judgements against all the oppressors of the Church, which Christ hath thundered out with terror against them. And when the ⟨p. 165⟩time determined is come, they shall be seen and understood: but in the mean time, they be sealed up and kept close according to that of Job. Why should not the times be hid of the Almighty, so as they which know him, should not perceive the times appointed of him? and that of Daniel. These things are Sealed up until the time determined.

But some man may say; Why were they uttered, seeing they must be concealed, and kep• close? I answer, it was not in vaine: for first, though the particulars be not expressed what the thunders speake: yet here we are taught, that there remaine most fearfull Judgements against all the oppressors of the Church, which Christ hath thundred out with terrour against them. And when the ⟨p. 165⟩time determined is come, they shall be seene and understood: but in the meane time, they be sealed up and kept close according to that of Job. Why should not the times be hid of the Almighty, so as they which know him, should not perceive the times appointed of him? and that of Daniel. These things are Sealed up untill the time determined.

And the Angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth, lifted up his hand to heaven.¹ And sware by him that liveth for evermore,² 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, that time should be no more. But in the days of the voice of the seventh Angel,³ when he shall begin to blow the trumpet, even the ministry of God shall be finished, as he hath declared unto his servants the Prophets.

And the Angell which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth, lifted up his hand to heaven.¹ And sware by him that liveth for evermore,² 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, that time should be no more. But in the daies of the voice of the seventh Angell,³ when he shall begin to blow the trumpet, even the ministery of God shall be finished, as he hath declared unto his servants the Prophets.

1. 1verse 5.
2. 2ver. 6.
3. 3ver. 7.

The sum of these three verses is, that Christ giveth warning of the last judgement, that men might awake and look out in time.¹ And because men for the most part are careless and secure, putting the evil day far from them, as the Prophet speaketh, therefore here Christ bindeth it with a solemn oath, and solemn gestures thereunto annexed, as was ⟨p. 166⟩the lifting up of the hand in ancient time Genesis, 14.22. The thing that our Lord Jesus disposeth, is, that time shall be no more; that is, Time as it is now, or the state of things as they be now: but he telleth us flatly, that as six Angels have already blown their Trumpets, so when the seventh Angel should blow, the Mystery of God shall be finished: that is, the time of punishing the wicked, and rewarding the godly, should come, which is therefore called a Mystery, because the world understandeth it not: They think there is no such matter.

The summe of these three verses is, that Christ giveth warning of the last judgement, that men might awake and looke out in time.¹ And because men for the most part are carelesse and secure, putting the evill day far from them, as the Prophet speaketh, therefore here Christ bindeth it with a solemne oath, and solemne gestures thereunto annexed, as was ⟨p. 166⟩the lifting up of the hand in antient time Genesis, 14.22. The thing that our Lord Jesus disposeth, is, that time shall be no more; that is, Time as it is now, or the state of things as they be now: but he telleth us flatly, that as six Angels have already blowne their Trumpets, so when the seventh Angell should blow, the Mystery of God shall be finished: that is, the time of punishing the wicked, and rewarding the godly, should come, which is therefore called a Mystery, because the world understandeth it not: They thinke there is no such matter.

1. 1Ammo. 6 1.Amo. 6 1.

¹They imagine there is no reward for the just, or punishment for the wicked, as the Prophet saith: But the holy Ghost saith, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: ²doubtless there is a God which judgeth the Earth. And here it is said, that God hath declared it to his servants the Prophets.

¹They imagine there is no reward for the just, or punishment for the wicked, as the Prophet saith: But the holy Ghost saith, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: ²doubtlesse there is a God which judgeth the Earth. And here it is said, that God hath declared it to his servants the Prophets.

1. 1Mal. 3.14.
2. 2Psa. 58.18

And the voice which I heard from Heaven spake unto me again,¹ 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. So I went unto the Angel, and said unto him, give me the little book.² And he said unto me, take it, and eat it up, and it shall make thy ⟨p. 167⟩belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth, as sweet as honey. Then I took the little book out of the Angels hand, and eat it up,³ and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey: but when I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me,⁴ Thou must prophesy again among the people, and nations, and tongues, and to many Kings.

And the voice which I heard from Heaven spake unto me agine,¹ and said, goe and take the little booke which is open in the hand of the Angell, which standeth upon the Sea, and upon the Earth. So I went unto the Angell, and said unto him, give me the little booke.² And he said unto me, take it, and eat it up, and it shall make thy ⟨p. 167⟩belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth, as sweet as hony. Then I tooke the little booke out of the Angels hand, and eat it up,³ and it was in my mouth as sweet as hony: but when I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me,⁴ Thou must prophesie againe among the people, and nations, and tongues, and to many Kings.

1. 1verse 8.
2. 2verse 9.v•rse 9.
3. 3ver. 10.
4. 4verse 11.

The brief sense of these four verses is, that the Preachers of the Gospel being called, allowed, and authorized by Christ unto their ministry, should study the Scriptures with great diligence, even until they had eaten up the book of God, and they should preach and publish unto all nations and Kingdoms that truth of God, and doctrine of the Gospel, which now a long time had lien hid in the reign of Antichrist. It is to be observed, that John in this place representeth the person of all the ministers of the Gospel, which should be raised up in these last days, for the overthrow of Antichrist, and the restoration of true Religion: for John himself did not live to these times.

The briefe sence of these foure verses is, that the Preachers of the Gospell being called, allowed, and authorized by Christ unto their ministery, should study the Scriptures with great diligence, even untill they had eaten up the booke of God, and they should preach and publish unto all nations and Kingdomes that truth of God, and doctrine of the Gospell, which now a long time had lien hid in the raigne of Antichrist. It is to be observed, that John in this place representeth the person of all the ministers of the Gospell, which should be raised up in these last daies, for the overthrow of Antichrist, and the restauration of true Religion: for John himselfe did not live to these times.

Further it is to be noted, that all godly Students and zealous Ministers do eat up the book of God by reading, study, prayer, ⟨p. 168⟩and meditation, and they find it sweet in their mouth, that is, they find and feel great joy and comfort in the study and meditation thereof, especially when God revealeth thereby great and hid secrets unto them, and giveth them to understand the mysteries of the Gospel, and counsels of his will, which are locked up from the wise and prudent of this world. This I say, is sweeter unto their mouth than honey, and the honey comb. Concerning their phrase of eating up the Book, look Ezek. 2.9. for here the holy Ghost alludeth thereunto.

Further it is to be noted, that all godly Students and zealous Ministers do eate up the booke of God by reading, study, prayer, ⟨p. 168⟩and meditation, and they find it sweet in their mouth, that is, they find and feele great joy and comfort in the study and meditation thereof, especially when God revealeth therby great and hid secrets unto them, and giveth them to understand the mysteries of the Gospell, and counsels of his will, which are locked up from the wise and prudent of this world. This I say, is sweeter unto their mouth than hony, and the hony combe. Concerning their phrase of eating up the Booke, looke Ezek. 2.9. for here the holy Ghost alludeth thereunto.