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…

Here now is set forth the estate of the Church militant, for the space of the thousand years wherein Satan was chained up. For it is said here, that the Church did grow and flourish; yea, and greatly exercise her power and authority during the time. And therefore Saint John saith, that he saw seats, and they sate upon them, and judgement was given unto them. Whereby he meaneth, that the Apostles and their successors had their chairs, seats, and consistories, wherein they did both preach the word, and execute the ⟨p. 365⟩Churches censures; as the Scribes and Pharisees before did sit in the chair of Moses: and I take it, the latter part of the fourth verse is to be referred to the first clause, to wit, that the Church did live and reign with Christ a thousand years: Which is not to be understood of the Church triumphant, as some do take it and all the rest of the fourth verse; but of the flourishing estate of the Church militant during the time of Satan's captivity: for all the faithful do after a sort live and reign with Christ, even here in the earth, when they overcome the world by faith, and subdue Satan and sin by the power of grace.

Here now is set forth the estate of the Church militant, for the space of the thousand yeeres wherein Satan was chained up. For it is said here, that the Church did grow and flourish; yea, and greatly exercise her power and authority during the time. And therefore Saint John saith, that he saw seats, and they sate upon them, and judgement was given unto them. Whereby hee meaneth, that the Apostles and their successours had their chairs, seates, and consistories, wherein they did both preach the word, and execute the ⟨p. 365⟩Churches censures; as the Scribes and Pharisees before did sit in the chaire of Moses: and I take it, the latter part of the fourth verse is to be referred to the first clause, to wit, that the Church did live and reigne with Christ a thousand yeeres: Which is not to be understood of the Church triumphant, as some do take it and all the rest of the fourth verse; but of the flourishing estate of the Church militant during the time of Satans captivity: for all the faithfull do after a sort live and reigne with Christ, even here in the earth, when they overcome the world by faith, and subdue Satan and sin by the power of grace.