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speaking great things and blasphemy, and authority was 6 given him forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name 7 and his tabernacle, even them that dwell in heaven. And it was given him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them, and authority was given him over every 8 tribe, and people, and tongue, and nation. And all that dwell upon the earth will worship him, whose name is not written in the book of life of the Lamb who was 9 slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. If any leadeth into captivity, he goeth into captivity: if any man kill with the sword, he 10 must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faithfulness of the saints.

little horn on the fourth beast in Daniel. Nothing greater, nothing more blasphemous, can be conceived, than what the popes have said of themselves, especially before the Reformation. And authority was given him forty and two months-The beginning of these is not to be dated immediately from his ascent out of the sea, but at some distance from it.

V.6. To blaspheme his name-Which many of the popes have done explicitly, and in the most dreadful manner, and his tabernacle, even them that dwell in heaven (For God himself dwelleth in the inhabitants of heaven:) digging up the bones of many of them, and cursing them with the deepest execrations.

V. 7. And it was given him—That is, God permitted him, to make war with his saints-With the Waldenses and Albigenses. It is a vulgar mistake, that the Waldenses were so called from Peter Waldo of Lyons. They were much more ancient than he; and their true name was Vallenses, or Vaudois, from their inhabiting the valleys of Laucerne and Agrogne. This name, Vallensis, after Waldo appeared, about the year 1160, was changed by the papists into Waldenses, on purpose to represent them as of modern original. ~ The Albigenses were originally people of Albigeois, part of Upper Languedoc, where they considerably prevailed, and possessed several towns in the year 1200. Against these many of the popes made open war. Till now the blood of Christians had been shed only by the heathens or Arians, from this time by scarce any but the papacy. In the year 1208, Innocent III. proclaimed a crusade against them. In June, 1209, the army assembled at Thoulouse; from which time abundance of blood was shed, and the second army of martyrs began to be added to the first, who had cried from beneath the altar. And ever since, the beast has been warring against the saints, and shedding their blood like water. And authority was given him over every tribe and people-Particularly in Europe. And when a way was found by sea into the East Indies, and the West, these also were brought under his authority.

V. 8. And all that dwell upon the earth will worship kim-All will be carried away by the torrent, but the little flock of true believers. The name of these only is written in the Lamb's book of life. And if any, even of these, make shipwreck of the faith, he will blot them out of his book: although they were written therein from (that is, before) the foundation of the world, ch. xvii. 8. V. 9. If any man have an ear, let him hear-It was said before, He that hath an ear, let him hear. This expression, if any, seems to imply, that scarce will any that hath an ear be found. Let him hear-With all attention, the following warning, and the whole description of the beast.

V. 10. If any man leadeth into captivity God will, in due time, repay the followers of the beast in their own kind. Mean while, here is the patience and VOL. 11.

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And I saw another wild beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb, but he spake 12 like a dragon: And he exerciseth all the authority of the first wild beast before him: and he causeth the earth, and them that dwelt therein, to worship the first wild beast 13 whose deadly wound was healed. And he doth great wonders, so that he even maketh fire to come down out 14 of heaven to the earth in the sight of men. And he

deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by the wonders which it is given him to do before the wild beast: saying to them that dwell on the earth, to make an image to the wild beast, which had the wound by the sword, and yet 15 lived. And it was given him to give breath to the image of the wild beast, so that the image of the wild beast should speak: and he will cause, that as many as will not worship the image of the wild beast shall be killed. 16 And he causeth all, small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slaves, to receive a mark on the right hand,

faithfulness of the saints-Exercised: their patience, by enduring captivity or imprisonment; their faithfulness, by resisting unto blood.

V. 11. And I saw another wild beast-So he is once termed, to shew his fierceness and strength; but in all other places, The false prophet. He comes to confirm the kingdom of the first beast: coming up-After the other had long exercised his authority; out of the earth-Out of Asia. But he is not yet come: though he cannot be far off. For he is to appear at the end of the forty-two months of the first beast. And he had two horns like a lumb― A mild, innocent appearance; but he spake like a dragon-Venomous, fiery, dreadful: so do those who are zealous for the beast.

V. 12. And he exerciseth all the authority of the first wild be ast―(Described in the 2d, 4th, 5th, and 7th verses,) before him-For they are both together, whose deadly wound was healed-More throughly healed, by means of the

second beast.

V. 13. He maketh fire-Real fire, to come down-By the power of the devil. V. 14. Before the wild beast-Whose usurped majesty is confirmed by these wonders: saying to them-As if it were from God, to make an image to the wild beast-Like that of Nebuchadnezzar, whether of gold, silver, or stone. The original image will be set up where the beast himself shall appoint: but abundance of copies will be taken, which may be carried into all parts, like those of Diana of Ephesus.

V. 15. So that the image of the wild beast should speak-Many instances of this kind have been already, among the papists as well as the heathens: and as many as will not worship-When it is required of them, as it will be of all that buy or sell; shall be killed By this the pope manifests that he is antichrist, directly contrary to Christ: It is Christ who shed his own blood; it is antichrist who sheds the blood of others. And yet, it seems, his last and most cruel persecution is to come. This persecution, the reverse of all that preceded, will, as we may gather from many scriptures, fall chiefly on the outward court worshippers, the formal Christians. It is probable, that few real, inward Christians, shall perish by it: on the contrary, those who watch and pray always, shall be accounted worthy to escape all these things, and to stand before the Son of man, Luke xxi. 36.

V. 16. On the forehead-The most zealous of his followers will probably choose this. Others may receive it on their hand.

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17 or on the forehead, That no man might buy or sell, but he that had the mark, the name of the wild beast, or the 18 number of his name. Here is the wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the wild beast for it is the number of a man: and his number is six hundred sixty-six.

CHAP. XIV. 1. And I looked, and, behold, the Lamb standing on mount Sion, and with him a hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his 2 Father, written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound out of heaven, as a sound of many waters, and as a sound

V. 17. That no man might buy or sell-Such edicts have been published long since against the poor Vaudois: but he that had the mark-Namely, the name of the first beast, or the number of his name— -The name of the first beast, is that which he bears through his whole duration, viz. that of Papa, or Pope. The number of his name, is the whole time during which he bears this name. Whosoever, therefore, receives the mark of the beast, does as much as if he said expressly, "I acknowledge the present papacy as proceeding from God:" or, "I acknowledge that what St. Gregory VII. has done, according to his Legend, (authorised by Benedict XIII.) and what has been maintained in virtue thereof by his successors to this day, is from God." By the former, a man hath the name of the beast, as a mark; by the latter, the number of his name. In a word, to have the name of the beast, is to acknowledge his papal holiness to have the number of his name, is to acknowledge the papal succession. The second beast will enforce the receiving this mark under the severest penalties.

V. 18. Here is the wisdom-To be exercised. The patience of the saints, availed against the power of the first beast: the wisdom which God giveth them, will avail against the subtilty of the second. Let him that hath under

standing-Which is a gift of God subservient to that wisdom, count the number of the wild beast-Surely none can be blamed for attempting to obey this command; for it is the number of a man-A number of years as are common among men and his number is six hundred sixty-six years-So long shall he endure from his first appearing.

CHAP. XIV. Ver. 1. And I saw on mount Sion-The heavenly Sion, a hundred forty-four thousand-Either those out of all mankind who had been the most eminently holy, or the most holy out of the twelve tribes of Israel, the same that were mentioned, chap. vii. 4, and perhaps also, chap. xv. 2. But they were then in the world, and were sealed in their foreheads, to preserve them from the plagues that were to follow. They are now in safety, and have the name of the Lamb and of his Father written on their foreheads, as being the redeemed of God and of the Lamb, his now unalienable property. This prophecy often introduces the inhabitants of heaven as a kind of chorus, with great propriety and elegance. The church above making suitable reflections on the grand events which are foretold in this book, greatly serves to raise the attention of real Christians, and to teach the high concern they have in them. Thus is the church on earth instructed, animated, and encouraged, by the sentiments, temper, and devotion of the church in heaven.

V. 2. And I heard a sound out of heaven-Sounding clearer and clearer; first at a distance, as the sound of many waters, or thunders; and afterwards, being nearer, it was as of harpers harping on their harps-It sounded vocally and instrumentally at once.

of a great thunder: and the sound which I heard was as 3 of harpers harping on their harps. And they sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures, and the elders: and none could learn the song, but the hundred forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the 4 earth. These are they who had not been defiled with women; for they are virgins: these are they who follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men; first-fruits to God and the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth there was found no guile: they are without fault.

6 And I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having an everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and tribe, and tongue, 7 and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water.

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And another angel followed, saying, Babylon the great

V. 3. And they-The hundred forty-four thousand, sing a new song: and none could learn that song-To sing and play it in the same manner, but the hundred forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth-From among men, from all sin.

V. 4. These are they who had not been defiled by women-It seems that the deepest defilement, and the most alluring temptation, is put for every other: they are virgins-Unspotted souls: such as have preserved universal purity. These are they who follow the Lamb-Who are nearest to him. This is not ́their character, but their reward: first-fruits—Of the glorified spirits. Who is ambitious to be of this number?

V. 5. And in their mouth there was found no guile-(Part for the whole,) nothing untrue, unkind, unholy. They are without fault-Having preserved inviolate a virgin-purity both of soul and body.

V. 6. And I saw another angel-A second is mentioned, ver. 8, a third, ver. 9. These three denote great messengers of God, with their assistants: three men, who bring messages from God to men. The first exhorts to the fear and worship of God, the second proclaims the fall of Babylon, the third gives warning concerning the beast. Happy are they who make the right use of these divine messages! Flying-Going on swiftly, in the midst of heavenBreadthways; having an everlasting gospel-Not the gospel, properly so called; but a gospel, or joyful message, which was to have an influence on all ages: to preach to every nation, and tribe, and tongue, and people-Both to Jew and Gentile, even as far as the authority of the beast had extended.

V. 7. Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come— The joyful message is properly this, that the hour of God's judgment is come. And hence is that admonition drawn, fear God and give glory to him; they who do this, will not worship the beast, neither any image or idol whatsoever : and worship him that made-Whereby he is absolutely distinguished from idols of every kind; the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and fountains of water— And they who worship him shall be delivered, when the angels pour out their phials on the earth, sea, fountains of water, on the sun, and in the air.

V. S. And another angel followed, saying, Babylon is fallen-With the overthrow of Babylon, that of all the enemies of Christ; and, consequently,

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is fallen, is fallen; she that hath made all nations drink of the wine of her fornication.

And a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any one worship the wild beast and his image, and receive his mark on his forehead or on his hand,, 10 He shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured unmixt into the cup of his indignation, and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, in the presence of the angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth for ever and

happier times are connected. Babylon the great-So the the city of Rome is called upon many accounts. Babylon was magnificent, strong, proud, powerful. So is Rome also. Babylon was first, Rome afterwards, the residence of the emperors of the world. What Babylon was to Israel of old, Rome hath been both to the literal and spiritual Israel of God. Hence the liberty of the ancient Jews, was connected with the overthrow of the Babylonish empire And when Rome is finally overthrown, then the people of God will

be at liberty.

Whenever Babylon is mentioned in this book, the great is added, to teach us, that Rome then commenced Babylon, when it commenced the great city; when it swallowed up the Grecian monarchy and its fragments, Syria in particular; and, in consequence of this, obtained dominion over Jerusalem, about sixty years before the birth of Christ. Then it began, but it will not cease to be Babylon till it is finally destroyed. Its spiritual greatness began in the fifth century, and increased from age to age. It seems it will come to its utmost height, just before its final overthrow.

Her fornication is, her idolatry, invocation of saints and angels, worship of images, human traditions, with all that outward pomp, yea, and that fierce and bloody zeal, wherewith she pretends to serve God. But with spiritual fornication, as elsewhere so in Rome, fleshly fornication is joined abundantly. Witness the stews there, licensed by the pope, which are no inconsiderable branch of his revenue. This is fitly compared to wine, because of its intoxicating nature.

Of this wine she hath, indeed, made all nations drink, more especially by her later missions. We may observe, this making them drink, is not ascribed to the beast, but to Babylon. For Rome itself, the Roman inquisitions, congregations, and jesuits, continually propagate their idolatrous doctrines and practices, with or without the consent of this or that pope, who himself is not secure from their censure.

V. 9. And a third angel followed-At no great distance of time, saying, If any one worship the wild beast-This worship consists, partly in an inward submission, a persuasion that all who are subject to Christ must be subject to the beast, or they cannot receive the influences of Divine grace: or, as their expression is, "There is no salvation out of the church :" partly in a suitable outward reverence to the beast himself, and consequently to his image.

V. 10. He shall drink-With Babylon, chap. xvi. 19, and shall be tormented -With the beast, chap. xx. 10. In all the Scripture, there is not another so terrible threatening as this. And God, by this greater fear, arms his servants against the fear of the beast: the wrath of God, which is poured unmixt— Without any mixture of mercy, without hope, into the cup of his indignation—. And is no real anger implied in all this? O, what will not even wise men assert, to serve an hypothesis!

V. 11. And the smoke-From the fire and brimstone wherein they are tormented, ascendeth for ever and ever-God grant thou and I may never try the strict, literal eternity of this torment.

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