Revelation 18

An angel came down from heaven 2 which again declareth the fall of Babylon because of her whoredom and voluptuousness 4 for which cause Gods people are exhorted to depart out of her 6 and commanded to reward her double 7 and though she boas that she shall be no widow yet her plagues shall come upon her at once 9 the kings of the art mourn for her fall 11 Also the merchants that hath put all manner of precious to sale in her 17 likewise the masters of the ship and the seamen 20 but the contrary the heaven with the holy apostle and prophets are exhorted to rejoice 21 a mighty angel casteth a very great stone in the sea and represented the final fall of the great Babylon 22 declareth that no instruments of joy shall be heard anymore of her 23 because she had seduced all nations and because the blood of the saints was found in her.

1. And after these things [that is after that the former angel had finished his work concerning the destruction of the great whore] I saw another angel come down from heaven having great power and the earth was lightened with glory[some understand of Christ himself and of his coming f judgment when he shall utterly abolish antichrist 2Thessalonians 2.8 but since that in the 9 verse and so following is spoken at large of mourning of the kings merchants and the seamen which they should yet make after this fall of great Babylon its therefore probable that here is spoken of the fall of this Babylon and the destruction of her throne which shall yet come to pass before for an example of Gods just judgment throughout the whole world as also appeareth from thence that God in verse 4 commanded his people to depart from out of het that they may not be partakers of their sins and plagues which can not be well applied to the last day of which last vengeance upon the beast and the false prophets shall be first spoken chapter 19 verse 20,21 these two properties of great power and glory are also ascribed to created angels Psalms 103:20 Luke 2:9 Acts 12:7 the reason why these titles are here given to this angel is because the great power and glory were requisite to destroy this almighty throne of the antichrist in the world.]

2. And he cried mightily with a great voice saying she is fallen she is fallen the great Babylon [these words were also uttered by the angel chapter 14.8 but there understood of the beginning of the fall of this great Babylon in the hearts of many in the world as was noted there which began to be done a great while ago and is done yet daily but they are understood here of the utter destruction of the throne of this beast of great Romish Babylon and these words are taken out of Isaiah 21:9 and Jeremiah 51:8 which words are foretold by an prophets a hundred years before the destruction of the city and kingdom of the Assyrian Babylon and were fulfilled afterward] and is become an inhabitation of devil and an hold of all unclean spirit and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird[an inhabitation of devils namely which for the most part in solitary and desolate places which for the most part kept solitary and desolate with he unclean birds as experience and Christ himself testifieth Matthew 12:44 whereby the providence of God are kept as in a hold till God in his just judgment let them use to tempt men a new and the like words are also used of the desolation of the Assyrians Babylon Isaiah 13 verse 21,22 Jeremiah 50:39&c.]

3. Because all the nations have drunk the wine of her fornication [that is idolatry see hereof the annotate on chapter 14.8 and 17.2] and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her and the merchants of the earth are waxed with rich by virtue of her pleasure[though this in a manner be applicable to merchants properly so called in all parts of the world which through the abundance of pleasure that is found in the kingdom of the antichrist or in the great city of Babylon as is further declared hereafter verse 11 and so forth yet this may be here very fitly applied to the spiritual merchandise that is practiced in their service of God and selling of spiritual benefices & offices forasmuch as all things are there to be bought for money and the rather sith also the souls of men are counted among these commodities and merchandise verse 13 and its said verse 23 that the great men of the earth were these merchants among whom may be understood of the Cardinals Patriarchs Arch-bishops Abbot and other Prelates that drive such a trade with them.]

4. And I heard another word from heaven saying go out of her my people [these also words are used by God Isaiah 48:20 Jeremiah 50:8 and 51.6 and Zach 2.7 for admonition to the people to the ruin of the Assyrian Babylon that they might in time provide themselves and depart out of it which are here spoken to all true believers concerning spiritual Babylon the ground whereof follow in the text the voice seemeth not to have been the voice of a created angel but the voice of God of God or Christ proceeding from the throne of heaven forasmuch as he calleth believers his people which only belongeth to God or Christ Matthew 1:21 Acts 18 verse 9 , 10] that ye have no fellowship in her sin that ye receive not her plagues [that ye partake not her sins namely being either enticed thereto by daily converse with them and being forced thereto by them through fear and persecution whereupon followeth community of punishment thus Christ exhorteth his Matthew 24:16.]

5. For her sins have followed one upon another unto heaven [a phrase when the measure of sins which God in his patience and long suffering hath fore born is filled up so that there is nothing left anymore save the punishment see the like phrase Genesis 15:16 and 18.20,21 Romans 2:5] and God hath remembered her iniquities [as God is said to forget or not remember men’s sins Jeremiah 31:34 and elsewhere he pardoneth them unto believers and penitent persons and doth not punish them in them so he is said to remember them or to be mindful of them when he decreed to punish them see chapter.19.]

6. Reward according as she had rewarded you [this must not be understood of any self revenge which Christ exprestly forbiddeth his people Matthew 5:39 Romans 12:19 But either of Gods secret providence in his whole work whereby god will raise up certain instruments which shall execute even ignorantly this public vengeance according to the will of God as is said of the Medes and Persians against the Babylonians Jeremiah 50:9 and 51.11 &c or else of those princes and kings which after they had brought to knowledge of the truth shall defense and protect the people of God and being moved by a godly zeal against the injustice tyranny and idolatry of this great Babylon shall also execute Gods judgments upon her which do well agree with 16 and 17 verse of the former chapter see the like phrase Exodus 32:2] and double unto her according to her works [this is said not in respect of her iniquity and tyranny which god neither can do or hath done to any but of the trouble and anguish which she had justly procured and offered into the Godly which is God here will have her to suffer justly as the following words declare] in the cup wherein she hath filled fill to her double.

7. As much as she hath glorified herself and hath had pleasure so much torment and sorrow offer to her for she saith in her heart I sit as a queen and am no widow and shall see no sorrow [this is the proper boasting of him that sitteth in the temple of God as if he were God and whom in temporal is exalted himself above all kings and princes and in spirituals above all councils, bishops, and Prelate who as a mother and queen of all churches can not fail nor err whose seat can not fall to the ground and such proud titles more which themselves and their ministers do generally give them in their writings.]

8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day [that is in a short time which God hath appointed upon her] namely death ad mourning and famine and she shall be burnt with fire for strong is the Lord who judgeth her [and therefore no worldly power shall be able to hinder his mighty arm from executing this his judgment upon her.]

9. The kings of he earth which have committed fornication and have pleasure with her [namely till the time of her fall and destruction] shall bewail her and lament her [Gr smite themselves etc. namely upon the breast for grieve] when they shall see the smock of her burning [hence it appeareth that some princes and kings will yet always side with her to establish her state and superstitions which shall seek to stop and hinder her ruin and when the same shall have already come to pass shall seriously but vain lament and bemoan her.]

10. Standing afar off [namely without being able to help her] for fear of the torment saying two wo the great city Babylon the strong city for in one hour [as verse 8 in one day that is in short time] is thy judgment come.

11. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her because no man buyeth their ware anymore [Gr their freight or lading because their vanity and deceit is known.]

12. Ware of gold and of silver and of precious stones and of pearls and of fine linen and of purple and o silk and of scarlet [these words with some of the following verses are for the most part taken out of Ezekiel chapter 27 where the like is foretold of he merchant city Tyrus and though as was said before the antichristian Tyrus enricheth also many merchants from all parts of the world by buying and using these commodities in all their stateliness and adorning of their temples images buildings and outward worships throught all her dominions yet in many be also fitly understood of the spiritual merchandise which they and their great ones exercise among men as was noted on the third verse] and all manner of sweet wood][Gr thyne-wood see 1 Kings chapter 10 verse 11] and all manner of ivory vessels and all manner of vessels of most precious wood and of copper and of iron and of marble stones.

13. And cinnamon and incense and sweet smelling ointment and frankincense and wine and burden bearing beasts and sheep and of horses and carets of bodies and of souls of men[that is making the bodies of the living their slaves and selling the souls of the dead to be delivered out of their devised purgatory by indulgencies pardons pilgrimages sacrifices for the dead and like wherein the profit of their merchants doth greatly consist.]

14. And the fruit of the lust of thy soul [Gr the autumn fruit harvest or fruit tree that is all manner of fair and pleasant fruit sweet meats and delicate dishes abundance] is departed from thee and all that is delicate and that was glorious to depart from thee and that shalt find it no more.

15. And the merchants of these things which were made rich by her[namely the spiritual merchants which depended on this Babylon and by her where made honorable and mighty see before the annotate on verse 3.]shall stand afar off for fear of her torment [namely because they are in danger and of receiving their part in it or at least of doing their profit and credit in the world] weeping and mourning.

16. And saying wo, wo the great city that was cloathed with fine linen and purple and scarlet and adorned with gold[Gr golded or gilded as before chapter 17.4] and with precious stone s and with pearls in one hour so great riches are come to desolation.

17. And in all pilots and all the people upon the ship [hereby may be in some sort be understood by steer-men or ship-master properly so called who also made profit by this Babylon by means of the bringing of this good from all parts of the world as is related of the steer-men and seamen of the Tyrus Ezekiel 27:9,25 and so forth but this is also by many figuratively understood of those that are members or have government oth spiritual courts Abbies, Cloisters, and such like spiritual good who shall also hereby lose their profit and credit which are also compared to waters and rivers chapter 16.4] and sailers [or shipmen] and all that trade at sea stood afar off.

18. And cried seeing the smock of her burning and saying what city was like unto the great city?

19. And they cast dust upon their heads [for a special token of great sorrow and grief of their loss as was usual among the ancient 1samuel 4.2 Job 2 verse 12 and as is also said of the steer master and the seamen of Tyrus Ezekiel 27verse 30,31 how be it this their mourning is not for their sins and superstitious worships wherein they were hardened but only for their loss and damage] and cried weeping and mourning and saying Wo, wo the great city wherein all that had ships in the sea where made rich for her costliness for in one hour she is made desolate.

20. Rejoice over her thou heaven [that is ye inhabitants of heaven angels of holy martyrs who also prayed for the execution of God’s judgment, for the justifying of their cause chapter 6.10 whose number is now daily filled up which not withstanding is not so to be understood as if the heavenly creatures of the church of God ought to rejoice at anyone’s mischief but at the execution of God’s justice and at the manifestation of the justness for cause for which believers here do suffer] and the holy apostle and the prophet [hereby are meant not only the apostle and prophets properly so called who as members of one body having one common cause should also rejoice here at but also the ministers and teachers of succeeding time to whom all the same should happen according to the example of the former] for God hath judged your judgments on her [that is avenged you on her.]

21. And a mighty angel lifted up a stone like a great mil-stone and cast it into the sea saying thus with violence shall the great city Babylon be cat and shall be found no more[this is a token of casting a great mil-stone into the sea saying thus with violence shall the great city Babylon be cast and shall be found no more. [this token of casting a stone like a great mil-stone into the sea is added to the promises and threatening for confirmation sake as appeareth throughout by the prophets especially of the fall of the old Babylon Jeremiah 51:63.]

22. And the voice of the players on harps or singers and of pipers and of trumpeters shall be heard no more [under such like phrases as is utter ruin and mischief is also prophesied to them of Tyrus Ezekiel 26:13] and no artificers of any art shall be found anymore in thee and no sound of the mill [namely to prepare food for the inhabitants requisite for the sustentation of this life] shall be heard anymore in thee.

23. And the light of the candle shall shine no more in thee [this is added thereunto either such light is necessary for a great part o mans life in the evening and in the night time or because wedding whereof followeth in the next words where in the former time kept in the evening and at night time especially for which purpose the candles and torches were used see Mathew 25.1] and the voice of the bride groom and of the bride shall be heard no more in thee [namely which I not only a time of joy but also a means whereby th inhabitants of this Babel might be able to increase and multiply again] for thy merchant were the great men of the earth [see the annotate on verse 3] for by thy sorceries [that is idolatry an enticement of thy religion as often heretofore] were all nations seduced.

24. And in her was found the blood of the prophets and of the saints and all of them that were slain upon the earth[that is she is found to have been the occasion of the shedding of blood of the prophets and saints as well she herself hath slain a great multitude of them and caused them throughout her dominion by her rigorous decree and inquisition to be put to death as also because she hath by this her practice furthered and applauded the tyranny of that have done the same see like words of Christ Matthew 23 verse 34,35,36.]