Revelation 17

One of the former seven angels bringeth the apostle into the wilderness and shewed the great whore of Babylon sitting upon the red beast which hath seven heads and ten horns 4 her apparel ornament title and blind thirstiness is described 7 the angel declareth unto John first the mystery of the beast 9 then he telleth him of his seven heads and of the eight king that should follow 12 and of the ten horns which are so many kings which receive their power with the beast 14 which fight with the lamb but overcome by him 15 the angel declareth what the waters are whereon this whore sitteth 16 and how the king shall again take away their power from the beast lastly he sheweth this whore is .

1. And one of the seven angels which had he seven vials [namely one of them spoken of in thefore going sixteenth chapter whom some conceive to have been the first because he had poured out his vial upon the throne of the beast whereof a large explication is properly made in these two following chapters] came and walked with me said unto me hither [the seventh only to stir up the apostle there being no alteration of the place but only renewing of vision here to be understood as appeareth by the following third verse see the like phrase Ezekiel 8:3 and 40.1 etc.] I will shew the judgments of the great whore [as the true church of Christ was compared to the honest woman clothed with the sun and adorned with a crown of twelve stars chapter 12.1 so here the back sliding church is compared with the harlot which forsaking Christ the only bridegroom keepeth company also with other man that is with idols and other patrons though she may boast of the contrary as is also said of the Israelitish church and of the city of Jerusalem Isaiah 1:21 Jeremiah 3:1 Ezekiel 16:15 Now who this whore is and that are judgments is will appear by the sequel] that sitteth upon many waters [that is which hath dominion over many people multitude tongues and nations as the angel sheweth hereafter verse 15 and 18.]

2. With whom the king of the earth have committed fornication [that is have combined to defend the spiritual fornication and dominion and to bring others thereto by their power as is shewed by the angel verse 13 and 17] and they tat inhabit the earth [that is they that are earthly minded and inclined to earthy worship as man are so by nature for here from verse 8 are expressly expected all those whose names are written in the book of life] have mm made drunk with the wine of her fornication [that is have been so taken and filled with the blind zeal and love of their trick up superstitions and idolatries as lewed man are wont to be with the wine that is filled unto them by a crafty harlot to allure them to satisfy her unchaste lust.]

3. And he carried ne away in the spirit [namely in a rapture or trance as was noted on the first verse] into the wilderness [namely that he might be able the more freely to heed all things quietly and without trouble or tumult from men others understand by this wilderness of the kingdom of the antichrist itself which indeed is full of the earthly tumult but empty and void of al saving truth and spiritual fruitfulness] and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet colored beasts [hereby is meant a royal pride and blood thirstiness of the beast as also of this woman as appeareth on verse 4 and 6 whereof see the further exposition as also of the names of blasphemy mentioned in the sequel in the annotate on chapter 13.1 concerning the seven beasts and ten horns mentioned also in the words following the exposition whereof will be made hereafter by the angels] which was full of the names of blasphemy and had seven heads and ten horns [that by the woman sitting upon the scarlet colored beast is meant the city of Rome which is the dominion thereof appeareth by the whole description that followeth after especially by the first verse which is called the great Babylon namely to be understood in a spiritual manner as appeareth in chapter 14.8 and 16.19 and by the following ninth verse where it is shewed by the following verse where it is shewed by the angels that the seven heads of this beast upon which the woman set are seven mountains and by the last verse where it is expressly said that this woman is the great city which hath the kingdom over the kings of the earth which is only applicable to Rome this is so plain not that as only the chiefest of the fathers and all the reformed teachers agreeth therein but even many popish expositors but these last hold to keep off antichristianism from their pope and popery, that this is to be understood by the city of the dominion of Rome only it was under the dominion of Pagan empire and did persecute the Christians namely about three hundred years after Christ nativity till the time of Constantine the empire but these are easily confuted by the sequel of the two chapters first because Rome pagan did not use the press upon other kings and nations which had brought under the dominion her own idolatry but did further themselves to follow their own customary superstitions yea they permitted the very Jews themselves to enjoy their own worship till such time that that they rebelled against them whereas this woman maketh all kings and nations drunk with the cup of fornication that is idolatry secondly to Rome Pagan cannot be applied that which is said verse 12 that the ten kings which gave their power unto the beast in honor receive their power with the beast in regard with the ancient Romans did violently by little and little from time to time to subdue unto themselves those that toy had brought under their dominion and not by mutual consent and combinement thirdly because the beast and the two men that sitteth upon it that is antichrist and the city of Rome are here continually joined together whereas Rome Pagan as long as it was Pagan was not properly the city of the antichrist and therefore its said that the beast should yet out of the bottomless pit and after that go into the perdition lastly because the sad and exemplary ruin of this city of Babylon whereof the last chapter speaketh of at large cannot be not meant of Rome Pagan because that never happened to it as a long as it was Pagan but was afterwards above a hundred years in a good condition under Christian empire as appeareth by history its true indeed that it was afterwards destroyed and taken by the Goths, Vandals and others but it was presently after brought to his former condition and continueth still whereas its plain that the ruin of the Babylon whereof is spoken in the next chapter shall be never at an end as it is testifieth chapter 18.2,21 this is so plain that some popish expositors themselves acknowledge that which is prophesied here and in the next chapter must be understood of the city of Rome that is now but to clear themselves of antichristianism they devise another intention that a little before the end of the world ten Pagan kings its not known out of what corner of the world shall come and join with the antichrist that should be a tribe of Dan and take possession of the whole world chase away the pope of Rome and set up antichrist in the place and impose upon all nations their heathenish idolatry and all this in three years and a half before the end of the world and shall burn Rome with all her riches and yet mourn over her etc. which was also confuted before and is repugnant to all human judgment reason as the following exposition will also sufficiently shew.]

4. And the woman was clothed with purple and scarlet was adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls [the outwards pomp of this woman and of the backsliding church of Rome goeth though the whole kingdom not only in public government but also in public worship where all things are performed in the most sumptuous and most beautiful manner and purple scarlet is the livery of their chiefest head] and had in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and of uncleanness fornication[hereby are fitly understood the fair and alluring title which antichrist giveth to himself and to his church before the world to bring men thereby to obedience unto them as for example, holy father Vicar of Christ head of catholic church the successor of Peter the foundation of the church etc. which not withstanding considered in themselves are abominable blasphemy, superstitions, and false doctrines others interpret this of the cup of the mass and consequently of the mass itself which is full of abominations .]

5. And upon her forehead was a name written [namely as famous trumpets of the old were wont to set up their names and titles upon the fore part of their houses and upon their foreheads that they might not be more known and might be better allured others to them and draw them to their will] namely mystery [namely mysteries which name many testify it hath been heretofore put upon the pope miter with the triple crown but this no withstanding it may be fitly applied to all ceremonies vestments and consecration which the pope with his shave lings useth which they all even to very least feign to be full of mysteries and secrets] great Babylon [namely called so spiritually and figuratively as is expressed chapter 11.8 of Egypt and Sodom whereof see there the exposition see also before chapter 14.8 and 16.19] the mother of whoredom [or the mother of harlots that is of idolatries and superstitions as was noted before verse 1 for thus doth she also boasts namely that she is the mother of the holy church from whence all other churches on earth are sprung forth and depend as children do spring forth and proceed from their mother] and of abominations of the earth [namely in deposing and murdering of kings and princes and subject from their oaths in dissolving lawful marriages in withdrawing of children from their obedience and service due to their parents under the cloat of religion in tolerating of public stew in lying and deceiving and such like abominations which the doctrines and actions of popery do import] and with the blood of witnesses of Jesus.

6. And I saw the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints [whereof the books of martyrs of all nations are full of examples] and when I saw her I admired with great admiration .

7. And the angels saith unto me wherefore marvellest thou? I will tell thee [that is I will further declare unto thee as is done in the sequel] the misty of the woman and of the beast that carrieth her which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.

8. The beast that thou hast seen was and is not [that is here prophesied of the kingdom of the antichrist is manifest therefore all these properties must agree therewith the first that it was John time may fitly be understood of the Roman empire that had been already and should still continue some hundreds of years under several governments whereupon the angel addedeth and is not because at that time it had no spiritual command over the churches in Christendom neither should have in some hundreds of years] and it shall ascend out of the bottomless pit [because it should receive these two dominion but about five hundred years after Johns time when antichrist should subdue unto himself not only spiritual persons but also temporal princes contrary to the doctrine and example of Christ as came to pass in the time of Phorus and afterwards Revelations 13 verse 1] and go into perditions [namely after it shall have continued some considerable time it will again decrease the degrees and lose its authority among Christians as of a latter time is begun and in the next chapter shall be fulfilled] and they that dwell upon the earth shall wonder[that is shall be moved with reverence towards it and worship it or submit themselves unto it see before chapter 13 verse 3,4,8] whose names are not written from the book of life in the foundation of the world [that is expecting those whose names are written in the book of life whereof see chapter 13.8 which is here inserted that it might not seem that Christ in time of antichrist reign hath no more reserved a church for himself on earth] holding the beast that was and is not though it be [these word may be sufficiently understood by the former annotations on this verse.]

9. Here is the understanding that hath wisdom the seven head are seven mountains [that is signify seven mountains] whereon the mountain sitteth [now that the city of Rome was built upon the seven mountains apparent sufficient by all ancient writers which are mount Capitolinus , Polatinus,, Coelius, Aventinous , Esquilinus , Vimilanas and Quirinalisfor which cause is also called by some ancient writers the seven hilled city.]

10. They are also seven kings [that is they signify seven kings or kingly governments whence is appeareth that a type or thing may have a divers signification now who these seven kings are is diversely understood some understand by these kings the seven empires that had reigned in Rome and Nero’s time unto the time of John’s banishment but there seemeth to be no reason that the empire that had reigned before Nero’s time even from the time of Julius Caesar should not be well counted as the following empires that came after Nero and its manifest that here is spoken of the kings which comprehended the whole government of the Roman empire therefore others understand it more fitly of the seven forms or manner of government where by the city of Rome hath been governed in this past time and should yet be governed in the time to come as the angel testifieth here and in verse 11 whereof the first government hath been from Romulus Tarquinius under kings properly the so called the second from Brutus under Consuls the third under Dictator the forth under Decimvir the fifth under tribune Consulates the sixth under empire from Julius Caesar which form of government continued still at that time when the revelation came unto John] five are fallen one is the other not yet come and hen he shall come he shall continue a little while [this is the seventh sort or manner of government which begun under Constantine the first Christian empire who began another form of government on his time and after he had reigned about the space of 20 years at Rome and every where had brought in the Christian faith departed to Byzantium which hereafter his name called Constantinople and there especially established the city of the empire whereby the empyreal authority in Rome and in Italy more and more decrease and the antichristian dominion did the degree rise higher and higher which I the eighth form of government mentioned in the next verse.]

11. And the beast that was and is not [this is the Papal government which in a manner began to rise up in a beginning but was not yet fully revealed till the time of Phorus the empire about fie hundred and ten years after Christ nativity Popery by little and little extended his spiritual and temporal dominion over Christendom and was fully discovered as was shewed formerly which after that it had been for some hundred years in its full strength and power it began afterwards again to decline by little and little and declineth still] the same is also the same king and is of the seven [that is hath gathered his strength together from the former seven heads and forms of government and hath set up the same by little and little for this eighth form comprehended not only an head of this beast but the whole beast also] and goeth into perdition.

12. And the ten horn horns which thou sawest are ten kings [that is kingdoms as by Daniel and kings with their successors in those kingdoms are continually understood now some these expositors take number for a strict number of ten which were the first that rose up also about the very time of the rising up of the antichrist in the west others for an uncertain number that or thereabouts as this word is also elsewhere used see an example see Genesis 31:7 Numbers 14:22 and under this number are counted the kingdom of Hungary, Naples, Spain, France , England, Scotland, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, Bohemia and some others that are comprehended under these as Nava, Aragon, Lions, Sicilia, Sardinia, Norway etc.] which yet has not received the kingdom but receive the power as king at one hour with the beast [that is or about one time as this phrase is also taken Job 4.52 Acts 10:3 and verse 30 Revelations 3.3 others render it one hour that is a short time as this phrase also signifieth elsewhere but the first agrees with the scope of the apostle .]

13. These have one kind of meaning and shall deliver up their power and strength unto the beast [they have one mind namely in this point of maintaining and defending the authority and superstition of antichrist though in the worldly matters they oftentimes differ and are at variance amongst themselves and though sometimes some of these kings have opposed some of these Popes yet they would always seem to defend popery and the doctrine thereof.]

14. These shall make war against the lamb [that is assault and persecute Christ in the members as Christ himself speaketh unto Paul Acts 9:4 for though they did not intend to fight directly against Christ yet they that seek to destroy his members and his doctrine are counted and said in scripture to fight against Christ himself see Psalms 2:2 Acts 4:25 &c.] and the lamb shall overcome them [namely both by a spiritual victory that they shall not be able to destroy the sure and saving doctrine of Christ whatsoever they do but that Christ by his elect and believers in spite of all such power shall spread the same abroad in the world and also by many outward victories which he will give to his people in the world over them as the example of former ages and of this present age do plainly shew and in that last great war whereof that was prophesied in the former chapter verse 1 shall it yet more plainly appear before the eyes of all the world] for he is the Lord of Lords the king of Kings [this title is here attributed unto God 1Timothy 6.15 because he is the true God and ruler over all creatures of one essence with the father see also hereafter chapter 19.16] and they that are with him the called ones and chosen and faithful.

15. And he said unto me the waters which thou sawest where the whore sitteth are people and multitude and nations and tongues [that is signify people of divers languages and nations a sacramental phrase as was also shewed before and followed after verse 18.]

16. And the ten horn which thou sawest upon the head of the beast they shall bate the whore [the ten horn that is as the kings was declared verse 12shall open their eyes at last and perceive how they have been seduced by her and hate it for her idolatry and dominion whereof some have done it already and we are to beg of God that it may be also done by the rest] and shall make her desolate and naked [that is re-assume to themselves their power and authority which they had formerly given to her in the kingdoms and shall turn the same against her] and they shall eat her flesh [that is they shall refuse to pay and take away her revenues and riches which she gathered their lands and shall convert them to their own use and employ them against her] and shall burn with her fire [it or her namely the place or their city with seven mountains where she had her seat or throne as was shewed chapter 16.10.]

17. For God hath given them in their hearts to do his mind [for the heart of kings is the hand of the Lord as waters brook he turneth it wither so ever he will Proverbs 21:1 namely either in his just wrath or judgment for their punishment and for their trial of his people or in his mercy and favor for the redemption and deliverance of his people and for the punishment of his enemies his mind or counsel as also verse 13 and here in the sequel] and do one mind and give their kingdom to the beast until the word of God shall be finished [that is until the prophesy and the predictions shall be fulfilled which God hath reveled unto us in his word as well of the rising dominion as of the fall of antichrist.]

18. And the woman which thou sawest is the great city which hath the kingdom over the kings of the earth [see the exposition hereof on the annotate on verse3.]