8.) for the manifeftation of his kingdom, as

before, (XI. 17.) and for the happy and glorious ftate of the reformed Chriftian church. She is now no longer an harlot tainted with idolatry, but is become a Spouse prepared for her Lord Chrift and fhe is no longer arrayed, like an harlot in purple and Scarlet color, but like a decent bride, in fine linen, clean, and white, as the propereft emblem of her purity and fanctity. Chrift hath now, as St. Paul expreffeth it, (Eph. V. 26, 27.) fanctified and cleanfed his church with the washing of water, by the word, That he might present it to himself a gloricus church, not having Spot or wrinkle or any fuch thing, but that it should be holy, and without blemish. So great is the felicity of this period, that the angel orders it (ver. 9.) to be particularly noted and bleffed and happy are they who fhall be living at this time, and be worthy to partake of this marriage feaft. It is a matter of iconfolation to all good Chriftians, and they may affuredly depend upon it, as the never-failing word of God. St. John was in fuch- rapture and extasy at these discoveries, that (ver. 10.)

not knowing or not confidering what he did, he fell down at the angel's feet to worship him but the angel prohibits all manner of worship, for. he was no more than a fellow fervant of the apostle's, and of all true prophets, of all who have the teftimony of Jefus, and the teftimony of Jefus is the spirit of prophecy. Worship not me then, fays the angel, but God, whofe fervants we both are, and who infpires us both with the fame spirit of prophecy.

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horie; and he that fat upon him was called faithful and true, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written that no man knew but he himself:

13 And he was clothed with a vefture dipt in blood: and his name is called, The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven, followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp fword, that with it he fhould fmite the nations and he fhall rule them with a

rod

rod of iron and he treadeth the wineprefs of the fierceness and wrath of almighty God..

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

17. And I faw an angel ftanding in the fun; and he cried with a loud voice, faying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the fupper of the great God;

18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty mẹn, and the flesh of horses, and of them that fit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.-',

19 And I faw the beaft and the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to make war against him that fat on the horse, and against his army.

}

20 And the beaft was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. Thefe both were caft alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

21 And the remnant were flain with the fword of him that fat upon the horse, which word proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

It was faid by the angel, fpeaking of the kings fubject to the beast, (XVII. 14.) Thefe fhall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb fhall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with him, are called, and chofen, and faithful: And this vifion (ver, 11-21.) is added by way of inlargement and explanation of that great event. Heaven is opened, and our Saviour cometh forth riding upon a white borse, as a token of his victory and triumph over his enemies. He is defcribed in fuch characters as are appropriated to him in this book, and in the ancient prophets. On bis head alfo were many crowns, to denote his numerous conquests and kingdoms, which were now (XI. 15.) become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever. As the Jewish high-prieft wore the

(5) Artaxerxes king of kings. Ezra VII. 12. Rex regum Sapor. Amm. Marcell. Lib. 17. Cap. 5. p. 163. Edit. Valefii.

inef

Paris 1681. BacheUÇ Baσiλewv nas decorns deσWOTWY ZOOWσss. Rex regum, et dominus dominorum Sefoofis, vel Sefoftris. Diod. Sic.

ineffable name of Jehovah on his forehead, fo he had a name written, which none could perfectly comprehend but himself; and his name is called The Word of God. He had likewife another name written on that part of his vefture which covered his thigh, King of kings, and Lord of lords; a title much affected by the (5) eaftern monarchs, and by Antichrift himself. The pope is (6) ftiled King of kings, and Lord ef lords; but what he is only in pretence, Chrift is in reality. His armies are mounted upon white horses as well as himself, and are clothed in fine linen, white and clean, as emblems of their victory and fanctity. An angel ftanding in the fun, and fo confpicuous to all, in lofty strains copied from the ancient prophets, and particularly from Ezekiel, (XXXIX. 17, 18.) calleth the fowls to the great flaughter of Chrift's enemies. These enemies are the beaft and the falje prophet, the Antichriftian powers civil and ecclefiaftical, with their armies gathered together, their adherents and followers combined and determined to fupport idolatry, and oppofe all reformation. But the principals, as deferving

of

Lib. 1. p. 35. Edit. Steph. p. Apology. Part 5. and Barrow's 51. Edit. Rhodomani.

Introduction to his Treatife of the Pope's Supremacy.

(6) See Jewel's Defense of his

Y 4

(7) Non