A80630:65
The pouring out of the seven vialsThe powring out of the seven vials
The pouring out of the seven vials: or An exposition, of the 16. chapter of the Revelation, with an application of it to our times. Wherein is revealed Gods pouring out the full vials of his fierce wrath. 1. Upon the lowest and basest sort of Catholics. 2. Their worship and religion. 3. Their priests and ministers. 4. The house of Austria, and the Popes supremacy. 5. Episcopal government. 6. Their Euphrates, or the stream of their supportments. 7. Their gross ignorance, and blind superstitions. Very fit and necessary for this present age. Preached in [sic] sundry sermons at Boston in New-England: by the learned and reverend John Cotton BB. of Divinity, and teacher to the church thereThe powring out of the seven vials: or An exposition, of the 16. chapter of the Revelation, with an application of it to our times. Wherein is revealed Gods powring out the full vials of his fierce wrath. 1. Upon the lowest and basest sort of Catholicks. 2. Their worship and religion. 3. Their priests and ministers. 4. The house of Austria, and the Popes supremacy. 5. Episcopall government. 6. Their Euphrates, or the streame of their supportments. 7. Their grosse ignorance, and blind superstitions. Very fit and necessary for this present age. Preached iu [sic] sundry sermons at Boston in New-England: by the learned and reverend Iohn Cotton BB. of Divinity, and teacher to the church there
London: printed for R.S., 1642
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now for the meaning of this second Vial. First, for the Sea, What is here meant by the Sea? And what by the Sea becoming blood, and as the blood of a dead man? And how is every living soul in this Sea, said to dye by this means? The Sea cannot be meant the ordinary Sea of waters, for you cannot bring any judgement on that sea, that can afflict Antichristians ⟨p. 18⟩more then Christians; if you should corrupt all the Sea (as the Papists expound it, and yet they believe all these evils redound to Antichrist.) What hurt will it be to Antichrist more then to the Church of Christ? If all the fish in the sea died, What would it hurt Antichrist more then Christian Nations? cannot Antichrist be supplied with other dainties on the shore, out of the Flocks and Herds, and out of the Fields and Woods, and out of the Air from the Fowls there, though he never had any Fish at his Table? That therefore cannot be the meaning. But the sea is the sea of the Antichristian world, a distinct world from that heavenly state wherein other Reformed Churches stand. The Sea, as you know, is the confluence of all the Rivers and Fountains of waters; they all finally are gathered together into one place, and are called Sea. And truly the confluence & concourse of all the springs of the Churches, they do meet together in one Religion, that is the common receptacle of all; All my fresh springs are in the Lord, Psal. 87.7. In that Religion which the Church professeth: And therefore Religion was resembled in the 4 of the Revel. vers. 6. By the sea of Glass like unto Crystal, that is, all the Ordinances of God they were so clear, as that you night see Christs face in them as in a mirror or glass, 2 Cor. 3.18.
Now for the meaning of this second Viall. First, for the Sea, What is heere meant by the Sea? And what by the Sea becomming blood, and as the blood of a dead man? And how is every living soule in this Sea, said to dye by this means? The Sea cannot be meant the ordinary Sea of waters, for you cannot bring any judgement on that sea, that can afflict Antichristians ⟨p. 18⟩more then Christians; if you should corrupt all the Sea (as the Papists expound it, and yet they beleeve all these evils redound to Antichrist.) What hurt will it be to Antichrist more then to the Church of Christ? If all the fish in the sea died, What would it hurt Antichrist more then Christian Nations? cannot Antichrist be supplyed with other dainties on the shore, out of the Flocks and Heards, and out of the Fields and Woods, and out of the Ayre from the Fowles there, though he never had any Fish at his Table? That therefore cannot bee the meaning. But the sea is the sea of the Antichristian world, a distinct world from that heavenly state wherein other Reformed Churches stand. The Sea, as you know, is the confluence of all the Rivers and Fountaines of waters; they all finally are gathered together into one place, and are called Sea. And truly the confluence & concourse of all the springs of the Churches, they do meet together in one Religion, that is the common receptacle of all; All my fresh springs are in the Lord,