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 ^OF-CAllFORto 
 
 E-UNIVER%
 
 THE 
 
 GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 J':T# 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 
 
 FROM HER BIRTH TO HER FINAL TRIUMPH- 
 ANT STATE IN HEAVEN, CHIEFLY DEDUCED 
 FROM THE APOCALYPSE OF ST. JOHN THE 
 APOSTLE. 
 
 BY Sic. P A S T O R I N I. 
 
 Bleffed is he, float readetb and heareth tie words of tlis 
 
 Prophecy. 
 
 APOCALYPSE, c. i. v. 3. 
 
 PRINTED IN THE YEAR MDCCLXXI.
 
 I N T R O D U*C T I N. 
 
 *4 : * 
 
 THE Book of the Apocalypfe 
 according to that learned in- 
 terpreter of the Scriptures, St. Jerom, 
 <e contains an infinite number of my- 
 <c fteries relating to future times." 
 (lib. i. contra JovinA <c The Apo- 
 " calypfe," fays St. Auftin, " is a 
 prophecy of what is to happen from 
 the firft coming of Chrift upon 
 cc earth to his fecond coming at the 
 " laft day/' (De civ. Dei. 1. 2. c. 8.). 
 Some modern Writers hold the fame 
 opinion. Befides thefe authorities, 
 our own fludy of that myfterious 
 book, diligently purfued, has intire- 
 3y prevailed upon us to efpoufe the 
 fame fentiment. The Apocalypfe 
 a ex- 
 
 cc
 
 11 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 exhibits, in general, a fummary of the 
 whole hiftory of the Chriftian Church 
 from the date of it's birth to it's trium- 
 phant and glorious ftate in Heaven after 
 the clofe of time. This is the foun- 
 dation of the prefent work, and we 
 hope the attentive Reader, when he 
 has confidered the whole, will ap- 
 prove our fentiments and applaud 
 our endeavours. He may perhaps 
 then join us in thinking, that the ce- 
 lebrated Commentators, BofTuet and 
 Calmet, have too much contracted 
 this admirable Prophecy by confining 
 it's contents to fo fliort a period as 
 the four firft centuries of the Chriftian 
 sera, and applying the whole, except 
 the two laft chapters, to the perfecu- 
 tions the Church fuffered from the 
 pagan Roman Emperors, and to the 
 deftruclion of the Roman Empire. 
 For this reafon the two abovemen- 
 tioned Authors have often been obi ig- 
 jcd to vvreft the text and give it a 
 
 forced
 
 INTRODUCTION. iii 
 
 forced improbable explication, to 
 bring it within their fyftem. On 
 the fame account they have derogated 
 from the dignity and precision of that 
 prophecy, by applying feveral texts 
 to the fame event ; whereas whoever 
 looks attentively into the tenour of 
 the Apocalypfe, will perceive that 
 St. John's preciiion and brevity are 
 fuch, that he never repeats the fame 
 thing. 
 
 For the unfolding of the different 
 parts of the Apocalypfe, we have 
 followed, in general, the plan laid 
 down by Mr. De la Chetardie towards 
 the clofe of the laft century, as it has 
 been fince improved by a late French 
 Commentator on the Scripture. It 
 coniifts in a divifion of the whole 
 Chriftian ssra to the end of time into 
 feven ages, correfponding to the feven 
 Seals ) feven Trumpets, and feven 
 Phials mentioned in the Apocalypfe ; 
 fo that to each belong a Seal, Trum- 
 a 2 pet,
 
 iv INTRODUCTION. 
 
 pet, and Vial. But in the applica- 
 tion of the Prophecies contained under 
 thefe Seals, Trumpets, and Vials, as 
 well as in other parts of the Apocalypfe, 
 we have frequently deviated from the 
 above named Writers, to fubftitute 
 what we thought a more genuine ex- 
 plication. It muft then be obferved, 
 that an age and a century muft .not 
 here be taken for fynonymous terms; 
 but by an age in this hiftory we fhall 
 imderftand one of the feven divifions 
 of time abovementioned : neither are 
 thefe divisions of time equal. 
 
 From the preceeding obfervations 
 it follows, that Chrift divides the 
 hiftory of his Church into feven pe- 
 riods, in each of which he defcribes 
 
 three different forts of tranfactions un- 
 der the refpective Seal, Trumpet, and 
 Vial. The L,amb holds a Book feal- 
 ed with feven Seals, which he opens 
 one after another. This book con- 
 
 tains the hiftory of the formation and 
 
 propo-
 
 INTRODUCTION. v 
 
 propogation of Chrift's Church, to- 
 gether with the opposition made to 
 it's eftablimment ; and a part of this 
 account is difclofed at the opening of 
 each Seal. To every Seal correfponds 
 a Trumpet, which is founded by an 
 Angel. The found of a trumpet na- 
 turally indicates an alarm: and fuch 
 is the nature of the Trumpets in the 
 Apocalypfe. They always announce 
 events that are alarming to the 
 Church, fuch as perfecutions, inteftine 
 convulfions occasioned by herelies, 
 &c. After the Trumpets follow the 
 Vials of the wrath of God. Thefe 
 convey the punifhments which 
 Chrift inflicts on the enemies of his 
 people. Hence it appears that the 
 Seals, Trumpets, and Vials, unfold 
 the three kinds of events, which dif- 
 tinguifh each age of the Chriftian 
 Church. One may remark in the 
 hiftory of the Jews, that nearly the 
 fame fort of ceconomy was obferved 
 a 3 ' in
 
 vi INTRODUCTION. 
 
 in the divine difpenfations towards 
 that people. They were favoured 
 with the fpecial affiftance of God, 
 but they had alfo their trials, their 
 perfecutions &c, and at other times 
 they faw their enemies laid proftrate 
 by the divine hand before them. 
 
 When Almighty God thinks fit to 
 reveal future events, he generally ex- 
 prefles them in obfcure terms that 
 leave the meaning more or lefs un- 
 certain. This feems to be done in 
 order to prevent the daring prefump- 
 tion of fome men, who might at- 
 tempt, if the prophecies were clear, 
 to obftruft and hinder their accom- 
 plilriment. Others of mankind of a 
 timorous difpofition, would be alarm- 
 ed and over-much terrified at difaf- 
 ters which they forefaw were impend- 
 ing upon them. Oa another hand, 
 if futurity was clearly foretold, it 
 might fetrn to intrench upon that li- 
 berty, which Gpd has been pleafed 
 
 to
 
 INTRODUCTION. vii 
 
 to grant to man, of directing his own 
 conduct and actions. For thefe rea- 
 fons the generality of prophecies are 
 covered with a veil of darknefs and 
 uncertainty. Obfcurity is therefore a 
 general characteriftic of prophecy, but 
 it is peculiarly fo of the Apocalypfe, 
 as every Commentator has acknow- 
 ledged. This book appears at firft fight 
 impenetrable. Let any one dip into 
 it without having a key to open to 
 him the meaning, and he will fee 
 nothing but a continued feries of the 
 moft myfterious enigmas. Hence it 
 has happened that fo many different 
 explications have been invented. But 
 the fame obfcurity was the occafion, 
 that the Ancient Fathers were fo 
 fparing in their interpretations of this 
 Prophecy. They have here and there 
 explained a particular paffage, with- 
 out attempting the whole, and fome- 
 times only given a moral expofition 
 of it. But in this we need not: 
 
 wonder,
 
 viii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 wonder, becaufe, as the Apocalypfc 
 is the hiftory of Chrift's Church 
 through the whole time of its exif < 
 tence, fo few events had happened 
 when they wrote, that the greateft 
 part of the book muft have appeared 
 to them inexplicable. Hence we fee 
 the advantage of the prefent times for 
 unravelling the myfteries of the Apo- 
 calypfe, when fo considerable a fhare 
 of them has been fulfilled. Whoever 
 looks back into the hiftory of the 
 Church, and compares attentively 
 the fads with the expreffions of St. 
 John, will fee a diftincl: analogy and 
 connection between them. It muft 
 however be allowed there yet re- 
 main very many obfcurities, which 
 if we have not always fufficiently 
 cleared, we hope the indulgent 
 Reader will conflder the difficulty 
 and excufe the defect. 
 
 The principal help for removing 
 
 the obfcurities of the Apocalypfe arifes 
 
 * from
 
 INTRODUCTION. i x 
 
 from a right underftanding of its" ge- 
 neral tendency. If a wrong fyftem 
 be pitched upon, the difficulty of re- 
 conciling the different parts of the 
 prophecy becomes infuperable : and 
 this has appeared fully in the attempts 
 of feveral Interpreters. But when 
 the plan of the book is difcovered 
 and afcertained, the difficulties de- 
 creafe and the obfcurities gradually 
 difappear. Thus a furpnfing light 
 breaks in upon the Apocalypfe, when 
 we view it as the Hiftory of Chrift's 
 Church divided into feven periods or 
 ages, as we have above explained. 
 A fecond means of removing difficul- 
 ties is, the taking notice of the order 
 of the different parts that compofe 
 this prophetic book. St. John gives 
 all the Seals together, then all the 
 Trumpets, and laftly the Vials in the 
 fame manner. Under the feven Seals 
 a feries of tranfactions is related, 
 which belong to the feven fucceffivc 
 
 ages
 
 x INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ages of the Church, and which ter- 
 minate with the great day of Judg- 
 ment. The fame courfe is obferved 
 in the Trumpets and the Vials. But 
 we muft however remark, that, after 
 finifhing with the Trumpets, he does 
 not proceed immediately to the Vials : 
 neverthelefs he obferves the fame rule, 
 namely, in returning, after the 
 feventh Trumpet, to relate a new 
 feries of events ; but which are con- 
 fined to the ftrft, third, fixth, and 
 feventh ages ; thefe ages being the 
 moft interefting to the Church, as 
 the three firft of them exhibit the 
 hiftory of Idolatry, and the laft or 
 feventh relates to the general Judg- 
 ment. This narrative is given in the 
 chapters xii, xiii, xiv ; and as it is 
 joined to that of the Trumpets, it 
 partakes of the nature of them, that 
 is, it defcribes events that are alarm- 
 ing to the Church, with the addition 
 however of fome incidents or pro- 
 
 mifes
 
 INTRODUCTION. xi 
 
 mifes that adminiTer comfort in thofe 
 alarming circumftances. 
 
 The Prophet having thus carried 
 us on to the end of time, begins 
 again with the firft age> and rehearfes 
 under the feven Vials, in chap, xv, 
 xvi, a new courfe of tranfadlions that 
 runs through all the feven ages. 
 This narrative being terminated, he 
 returns back, as he had done after 
 the account of tl>e Trumpets, to a 
 new courfe of hiftory, relating to the 
 firft, third, fixth, and feventh ages, 
 beginning at Chap. xvii. and ending 
 with verfe loth of chap. xix. This 
 piece of hiftory. is of fuch a nature as 
 agrees with that of the Vials to which 
 it is joined, that is, it is a rehearfal 
 of divine^punifhments ; to which are 
 annexed exultations on thefe victories 
 of Chrift over his enemies. This be- 
 ing done, the Prophet, according to \ 
 his cuftom, begins again a new nar 
 rative of events, of the fame ^nature 
 
 as
 
 xii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 as the preceeding, and which alfo be- 
 long to thofe interefting ages, the 
 firft, third, fixth, and feventh. 
 This narrative begins at verfe nth of 
 chap, xix and continues to the end of 
 Ch;rp. xx. Finally, the tvvo laft chap- 
 ters conclude the Prophecy with an ac- 
 count of the other world, as it will be 
 after the clofe of all time. Hence 
 then appears the order obferved in this 
 incomparable Prophecy of the Apo- 
 calypfe. As the whole hiftory of the 
 Church, therein contained, is divid- 
 ed into feven ages, fo it is related, 
 not indeed all that part together 
 which belongs to each age, but in 
 feven different feries's of events, fix 
 of which reach from the firft age to 
 the lafc day, and the feventh is the 
 defcription of the next world. The 
 firft of thefe feries's is given under 
 the Seals ; the fecond under the 
 Trumpets ; the third in the chapters 
 xii, xiiij xiv ; the fourth under the 
 
 \7' 1 
 
 Vials ;
 
 INTRODUCTION, xiii 
 
 Vials i the fifth in chap xvii, xviij, 
 and part of chap, xix ; the fixth in 
 the reft of chap, xix and in chap, xx ; 
 and the feventh in chap. xxi. and 
 xxii. This fevenfold diyiiion is con- 
 formable to the conftant ufe made in 
 the Apocalypfe of that myfterious 
 number feven, as, of feven Seals, 
 feven Trumpets, feven Vials, feven 
 Churches, feven Candlefticks, feven 
 Spirits, &c. 
 
 It is plain from this expofal of the 
 plan of the Apocalypfe, that it is ne- 
 ceiTary to tranfpofe many things in 
 order to form a regular narration : 
 for, as St. John fo often travels 
 through the whole period of the 
 Chriftian sera, at each time relating 
 only a part of the tranfaclions, we 
 are obliged to eollecl: from different 
 parts of the book all thofe fads that 
 belong to the fame age. And we 
 may obferve, that the Prophet is the 
 moft copious upon four of the feven 
 
 ages.
 
 xiv INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ages, viz, the firft, third, fixth, and 
 feventh, as being the moft interefting 
 to the Church, and moft remarkable 
 for their tranfadions. 
 
 Another help which we found for 
 clearing up obfcurities was, a very 
 ftrict attention to the tenour of the 
 text. The extraordinary nicety in the 
 expreffions, the fudden change of 
 tenfe in the verbs, of number in the 
 nouns, general words ufed in parti- 
 cular fenfes, the addition or cmiffion 
 of a word, with feveral other fuch 
 circumftances, are of great confe- 
 quence for difcovering the true fenfe, 
 and have not been by the generality of 
 Interpreters fufficiently attended to ^ 
 which indeed we may not wonder at, 
 as fuch minute particularities are not 
 generally expected, and there never 
 has been feen a book written with 
 that comprehenfive precifion and 
 exact nicety which are obfervable in 
 the Apocalypfe. 
 
 In
 
 INTRODUCTION. xv 
 
 In compofing this work we have 
 freely made ufe of other authors, 
 where we liked their opinions ; and 
 we hope to incur no cenfure, when 
 on other occasions we have fubftituted 
 our own. Some few paffages of the 
 Apocalypfe have been generally un- 
 derftood in the fame fenfe by all the 
 ancient Fathers of the Church and 
 modern Catholic Interpreters ; to 
 thefe we have fcrupuloufly adhered, 
 and founded our interpretation on 
 their teftimony. In other places, 
 where former Writers took the liberty 
 of interpreting and differed in their 
 expofitions, we have likewife thought 
 it lawful to ufe the fame liberty. 
 We hope for indulgence, if in fome 
 few inftances we appear to have ap- 
 plied the texts of the ancient Prophets 
 to what they have not ufually been 
 applied. This freedom, we prefume, 
 is allowable, when the fenfe of the 
 texts has never been fully fettled. 
 
 And
 
 xvi INTRODUCTION, 
 
 -And here' we cannot but remark 
 
 whoever will take the pains to 'ft tidy.' 
 
 / - 
 
 the Apocalypfe, we apprehend he 
 will perceive that it throws a new 
 light upon feveral dark paffages of the 
 ancient Prophets. Befides it muft be 
 obferved, that a Prophecy is not al- 
 ways confined to one object, but 
 often relates both to the figure of a 
 thing and to the thing itfelf, and 
 confequently has two accompliihments, 
 the one inadequate and in part only, 
 the other complete and perfect. How 
 often, for example, is the fame fcrip- 
 tural text applied in an imperfect fenfe 
 to David or Solomon, which is fully 
 completed in Chrift, of whom they 
 were figures? Thus alfo the return of 
 the Jews from the Babylonia captivity. 
 may be deemed a figure of their return 
 from a much longer captivity in the 
 latter period of the world, and both may 
 
 i. J - 
 
 :be intimated together by the Prophets.. 
 
 CD j r 
 
 And fo of other inftances, On thefe 
 
 grounds
 
 INTRODUCTION, xvii 
 
 grounds a text, that has been generally 
 applied to the figure, we have fometimes 
 transferred to the thing itfelf, to fhew it's 
 full and ultimate completion. That part 
 of the Apocalypfe, which gives the 
 Prophetic hiftory of paft ages, we 
 have illuftrated with the real hiftory 
 of thofe times, that the accomplifh- 
 ment may clearly appear. If we have 
 not always mentioned our vouchers, 
 it is becaufe we thought it unneceflary 
 in the cafe of fuch fhort abftracts of 
 hiftory, efpecially as they are taken 
 from the well known ecclefiaftic hifto- 
 rians of the times. In regard to the 
 text of the Apocalypfe, we have made 
 ufe of the commonly known Englifh 
 Translation made from the Latin Vul- 
 gat ; at the fame time taking notice of 
 any difference, worth obferving, be- 
 tween the Tranflation and the Original 
 Greek. In fine, we here make our 
 acknowledgments to thofe friends 
 whom we have confulted, and who 
 b have
 
 xviii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 have aflifted us in difcovering and un- 
 folding the myfterious fenfes of the 
 Apocalypfe. 
 
 As to the time when this Prophecy 
 was delivered to St. John, it is gene- 
 nerally underftood to have been in the 
 year 95 or 96 of the Chriftian aera. 
 This holy Apoftle, after being im- 
 merfed in a caldron of boiling oil at 
 Rome, from which he came out un- 
 hurt, was banimed by the Emperor 
 Domitian into the Ifle of Patmos in 
 the Egean Sea or Archipelago, where, 
 as we learn from himfelf (Apoc. i. 9.), 
 he was favoured with this moft admi- 
 rable and moft comprehend ve of all 
 Prophecies. " St. John was a Pro- 
 " phet," fays St. Jerom, " becaufe be- 
 " ing in the Ifle of Patmos, whc rher 
 " he had been exiled for the faith by 
 u the Emperor Domitian, he received 
 " the Apocalypfe or a Revelation 
 u containing an infinite number of 
 " myfteries appertaining to future 
 
 " times."
 
 INTRODUCTION. xix 
 
 " times/' (lib. i. contra Jovinian.). 
 He alv/ays enjoyed a fuperior fliare 
 in the affedion of his Divine Maf- 
 fter, and among many proofs of 
 it he was indulged with this fin- 
 gular and extraordinary favour, not 
 granted to any of the other Apoftles. 
 This moft inftru&ive book we cannot 
 but earneftly recommend to every 
 Chriftian, and we hope our recomda- 
 tion will have the more weight, as it is 
 grounded on the words of the divine 
 book itfelf : Eleffed is be, that readeth 
 and heareth the words of this prophecy : 
 and keepeth thofe things which are 
 written in It. (Apoc. i. 3.). The ob- 
 fcurity, which covers the Apocalypfe, 
 has been the occafion of it's having 
 been fo little attended to. We have 
 therefore attempted to remove that 
 obftacle : But if we have not totally 
 fucceeded, we plead indulgence from 
 the difficulty of explaining a Prophecy 
 the moft myfterious that is extant. 
 
 Befides
 
 xx INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Behdes the advantage refulting from a 
 general furvey of the hiftory of the 
 Church, another motive for attending 
 to the Apocalypfe is the particular 
 intereft every Chriftian muft take in 
 that part of the hiftory, which relates 
 to the prefent time, and to thofe fcenes 
 which arc approaching. Much inftruc- 
 ction may be drawn from the prefent 
 ftate of the Church as defcribed by our 
 Prophetic Writer, and caution ought 
 to be the refult for what we find is to 
 happen hereafter. If God reveals to 
 us myfteries, it is for our inftruction : 
 if he difclofes to us future events, 
 doubtlefs he does it to give us warn- 
 ing to prepare for them. This kind 
 of ceconomy Almighty God obferved 
 towards mankind ironi the beginning, 
 that in confequence of fuch previous 
 admonitions, his faithful fervants 
 fhould withdraw themfelves from ap- 
 proaching calamities, while the wick- 
 ed might impute to their own obftina- 
 
 cy
 
 INTRODUCTION, xxi 
 
 cy the punifliments that fell upon 
 them. This bountiful adminiftration 
 of providence appeared very confpicu- 
 ous in favour of the Jews, who were 
 generally forwarned by the Prophets 
 of the great events that concerned 
 them. The fame courfc we find the 
 Almighty has purfued in the Chriftian 
 age of the world. He has not indeed 
 fent a fucceffion of Prophets, as he 
 did to the Jews. The only con- 
 fiderable Prophet Chriftianity can 
 claim is St. John the Apoftle : but 
 then he as far excells any one of the 
 ancient prophets, as his Apocalypfe 
 contains more matter, and comprifes 
 a larger field of hiftory. He grafps 
 the whole period of Chriftianity. He 
 defcribes the birth of Chrift's Spoufe, 
 his Church, and gradually conducts 
 her through her whole progrefs, till 
 fhe arrives at the full pofleilion of her 
 Lord in everlafling glory and blifs. 
 The finger of Gqd appears plainly 
 
 fbampt
 
 xxii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ftampt upon the book of the Apoca- 
 lypfe, it fo far exceeds the reach of 
 human compofition. The divine pen 
 is vifible in every line, as each fen- 
 tence is apparently written with fuch 
 precision and accuracy, that a word 
 cannot be added or retrenched with- 
 out derogating from the fenfe. The 
 figures and allegories here employed 
 are truly fublime, grand, and beauti- 
 ful, and clofely adapted in all their 
 parts to the fubjeft. Some of them 
 are borrowed from the ancient Pro- 
 phets, but heightened by fuperior 
 ftrokes. St. John's fubject, the hif- 
 tory of Chrift's kingdom, as it fur- 
 pafles in dignity the object of all pre- 
 ceeding Prophecies, fo he exhibits it 
 in colours that outfhine all former 
 prophetic defcriptions. This king- 
 dom of Chrift, the grcateft of all 
 kingdoms, and his government of it, 
 the mcft perfect of all governments, 
 are defcribed in a ftile proportionably 
 
 exalted.
 
 INTRODUCTION, xxiii 
 
 exalted. The ancient Prophets an- 
 nounced the orders and inftruftions 
 they received from God, and were 
 only favoured with vifions in fomc 
 particular cafes : but the beloved Dif- 
 ciple of Chrift, not only receives from, 
 his Lord the verbal account he delivers, 
 but is admitted to fee tranfadted be- 
 fore him every fcene of the hiftory 
 which he writes. Again, the ancient 
 Prophets chiefly confined their ac- 
 counts to the temporary tranfaclions 
 of kingdoms ; but St. John, after 
 giving the hiftory of the Chriftian 
 Church for the whole time of her 
 exiftence in this world, defcribes her 
 future triumphant ftate in the heaven- 
 ly Jerufalem, the period of which will 
 be equal to that of Eternity. Befides, 
 the pidhire which he there gives of 
 the heavenly Jerufalem, is drawn with 
 fuch exquifite art, is painted with fuch 
 ftriking colours, and enriched with 
 fuch ravifhing fcenes, and with fuch 
 
 a col-
 
 xxvi INTRODUCTION. 
 
 a collection of the choice!!, the mod 
 valuable, and the moft {hining ob- 
 jeds in nature, that the whole great- 
 ly furpaffes whatever human concep- 
 tion is capable of imagining or com- 
 bining together. Such then being the 
 extent, the ufefulnefs, and the ex- 
 cellence of the Prophecy delivered in 
 the Apocalypfe, what can be more 
 curious or intereftiag than a hiftory 
 founded upon it, which is what we 
 offer to the Chriftian reader ?
 
 THE 
 
 GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 
 
 Divided into feven Ages, and deduced chiefly 
 from the APOCALYPSE. 
 
 BE F O R E we enter upon this prophetic hiftory, 
 it will be neceffary to explain the firft chapter of 
 the Apocalypfe, as it contains the preface to the 
 whole book, and, on that account, is eflential to the 
 prefent work. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Explication ofthejlrft Chapter of the Apocalypfe. 
 
 APOC. Chap. I. verfe i. The Revelation of Jefus 
 Chrift) which God gave unto him, to make known to his 
 fervants the things which muft Jhortly come to pafs : and 
 fignified, fending by his angel to his fervant John* 
 
 v. 2. Who hath given teftimony to the word of GW, 
 and the teftimony of Jefus Chrift^ what things foever he 
 hath fern. 
 
 We are here informed that the book of the Apocalypfe 
 is a Revelation^ which Jefus Chrift, as Man-God, re- 
 ceived from God : the purppfe of which is to difclofe 
 B to
 
 2 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 to his fervants, the chriftians, a fcrics of events very 
 interefting to them, and vobicb muft Jhortly come to 
 pafs* This revelation Jefus Chrift communicates by 
 the channel of bis angel, whom he fends ta deliver it 
 to his fervant John. The character here given to 
 this fervant John mews him to be the Apoftle St. John -, 
 for he is here faid to have given ieftimony to the word of 
 God, by his preaching and fuffering for the caufe 
 of God, and to ha*ve alfo given feftimony of Jefus 
 Chrift, by bearing witnefs to 'what things foever he had 
 feen of his divine matter. And this account of him 
 coincides with what St. John fays of himfelf at the be- 
 ginning of his firft epiftle : 'That which we have 
 heard, fays he, which we have feen with our eyes y 
 which w have looked upon, and our hands have handled^ 
 
 of the word of life we declare unto you. 
 
 We have faid that it was Chrift who fignified or 
 notified this his Revelation, fending it by his angel-, 
 which is confirmed by what he fpeaks himfelf in the 
 conclufion of the Apocalypfe : / Jefus have fent my 
 angel, to teftify to you thefe things in the churches, 
 (Apoc. xxii. 1 6.) But it might be equally faid, 
 that God himfelf communicated this prophecy by his 
 angel -, for we likcwife read : 'The Lord God of the 
 fpirits of the prophets fent bis angel to Jbew bis fer- 
 -cants the things which muft be done Jhortly , (Apoc. 
 xxii. 6.) which words are quite fimilar to thofe 
 above of verfe ihe firft. However, it is not ma- 
 terial whether to God or to Jefus Chrift the commu - 
 jiication of the prophecy be afcribed, when we con- 
 iider the divinity of Chrift. 
 
 Another obfervation we muft here make, is con- 
 cerning the angd of God or Chrift, who is fent to 
 communicate the Apocalypfe to St. John. He is ge- 
 nerally
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 3 
 
 nerally fuppofed to be a real angel -, but upon dole 
 examination we think he will appear to be St. John the 
 Bap fift. This perfonagc is peculiarly veiled with the 
 character of angel * or mcfTenger of God and Chrift, 
 and is denominated fuch in the ancient prophecies, and 
 by Chrift himfelf: Behold, I fend my angel, faid the 
 Lord by his prophet Malachy, and be Jhall prepare the 
 ivay before my face, (Mai. iii. i.) which Chrift ap- 
 plies to his precurfor St. John Baptift. This is he, fays 
 Chrift, of whom it is written : Beheld I fend my angel 
 before thy face, who /ball prepare thy way before thee, 
 fMatt. x-i. io.}. The fame is alfo confirmed by the 
 Baptift's own declaration : / am, fays he, the voice of 
 one crying in the tvildernefs, make ftrait the ivay of the 
 Lord, (John i. 23.) which plainly fpeaks his function 
 of angel or mefTenger of Chrift. A further proof is 
 derived from the words of the angel h imfelf, who thus 
 fpeaks to St. John the Apoftle : I am thy fellow-fervant, 
 and of thy brethren who have the teflimony of Jefus, 
 (Apoc. xix. 10.) And again, lam thy felhtv-fervant^ 
 and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them that keep 
 the words of the prophecy of this bock, (Apoc. xxii. 9.) 
 This language, it is clear, cannot be that of a real 
 angel, but tallies very juftly with the character of the 
 Baptift, who had been a fellow-fervant of the Apoftle 
 and his brethren in giving teflimony to Jefus, &c. How- 
 ever, as the .Apoftle gives to St. John Baptift the name 
 of angel, perhaps his form and appearance were fuch 
 on this occafion. 
 
 v. 3. Blejfed is he^ that readeth and hearetb -j- ilx 
 
 words cf this prophecy : and keepeth thofe things which 
 
 f-a;-" 1 B 2 are 
 
 * The word <rog?/fignifies mtj/engcr. f In the Greek text, ar.d 
 hear, &c.
 
 4 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 fire written in it : for the time is at hand. We are 
 here allured that great is the advantage of attending to 
 what is delivered in the Apocalypfe , for they are pro- 
 nounced bleffed, who read or hear read the words of thij 
 prophecy i and who keep the things which are 'written in it, 
 that is, who take due notice ot the things which are 
 written in it, in order to compare what is already ful- 
 filled with the real events, to beware of what is fore- 
 told to come, and to draw proper inftru&ions from 
 both. Thefe prophecies are the more interefting, as 
 the time is at hand, for the accomplifhment of fome of 
 them, and the reft will follow in their order. This 
 was true at the period when St. John wrote, and will 
 be equally true at whatever period of time the Apo- 
 calypfe be confulted, as fome part of its prophetic 
 hiftory will always be near the time of its accomplim- 
 ment. It might likewife be faid, that the whole would 
 happen foon, with allufion to the fhortnefs of all time 
 when compared with the eternal exiftence of God, ac- 
 cording to that of St. Peter : One day with the Lord is 
 as a thoufand years, and a thoufand years as one day, 
 (2 Pet. iii. 8.) and that of the Pfalmift : A thoufand 
 years in thy fight, are but as yefterday, which is p aft and 
 gone, (Pfalm Ixxxix. 4.) 
 
 v. 4. John to the feven Churches which are in Afia. 
 Grace be unto you and peace from Him that is, and that 
 was, and that is to come-, and from the feven Spirits which 
 are before his throne. 
 
 St. John addrefies the feven Churches of leflfer Afia, 
 which he governed, and which will be fpecified below 
 (ver. ii.). We (hall fee him there receive an order to 
 fend them this prophecy. He falutes thefe churches, 
 wifhing them grace, or benediction and peace from Him 
 ivheisy and who was^ and who is to come, that is, from 
 
 Almighty
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 5 
 
 Almighty God, who exifted from all eternity, conti- 
 nues to exift, will remain for all eternity, and will corns 
 at the laft day to reward his faithful fervants, and to 
 puniih the wicked. The Apoftle offers the fame good 
 wifhes from thefeven Spirits which are before the throne 
 of God, always ready to depart and execute his com- 
 mands with refpect to mankind. Thefe are miniftring 
 fpirits, fent to minifler for them, who Jbail receive the in- 
 heritance offalvation, (Hebr. i. 14.) 
 
 v. 5. And from Jefus Chrift, who is the faithful 
 witnefs, the frft-begotten of the dead, and the prince of 
 the kings of the earth : who hath loved us, and wajhed 
 us from our fins in his own blood. 
 
 v. 6. And hath made us a kingdom * and priefts to 
 God and his Father : to him be glory and empire for ever 
 and ever. Amen. 
 
 St. John continues his falutation to the feven churches,' 
 wifhing them grace and peace from Jcfus Chrift, 
 whom he entitles the faithful witnefs, as having given 
 teftimony to his eternal Father upon earth, and faith- 
 fully executed the commifiion he had received from 
 him. He is alfo the firft-begotten of the dead, having 
 raifed himfelf from death to life by his own power, 
 which no man ever did or can do, nor can any man rife 
 again but by virtue of the reiurrection of Chrift, ac- 
 cording to that of St. Paul : By a man came death, and 
 by a man the refurreclicn of the dead. And as in Adam 
 all die, fo alfo in Chrift all Jhall be made alive, ( i Cor. 
 xv. 21. 22.) Jefus Chrift is likewife ftiled the prince 
 sf the kings of the earth, not only as God, but likewife 
 as God-Man, having acquired, by the merits of his In- 
 carnation, a fovereign power upon earth. On that 
 B 3 account, 
 
 * In the Greek text, made us kings.
 
 61 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 account, all power is given to me ', fays Chrift, in heaven 
 md in earth, (Matt, xxviii. 18.) And again, The 
 father hath given to the f on power to do judgment. Why 
 fo ? Becaufebe is the fon of man, (John. v. 27.) Here 
 we fee afcertained the univerfal dominion of Chrift. 
 Then follow the gracious effects of 'his bounty towards 
 mankind ; for, he bath loved us? and waJJoed us from 
 our fins in his own blood : and he batb made us kings and 
 priefts to God and his Father, that is, he hath made us 
 his coheirs, and has admitted us into a participation of 
 his own fovereign power over the world, and likewife of 
 his priefthood, by virtue of which we become alfo a holy 
 prieftbood, as St. Peter fays, to offer up fpiritual facrifices^ 
 acceptable to God by Jefus Chrift \ (i Pet. ii. 5.) 
 This communication of power granted by Chrift to his 
 fervants, by which they become kings and priefts, will 
 chiefly take place in the other world ; and it is not only 
 founded on the prefent text, but is clear from our Savi- 
 our's own words : I difpofe to you, fays he, as my Father 
 has difpofed to me, a kingdom : thai: you may cat and drink 
 fit my table in my kingdom, and may fit upon thrones judg- 
 ing the twelve tribes of Ifrael, (Luke xxii. 29, 30.) 
 And again, To him that Jhall overcome, I will give to 
 fit with me in my throne, (Apoc. iii. 21.) To Chrift 
 therefore, our bountiful Saviour and gracious Benefac- 
 tor, be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 v. 7. Behold, he cometh with the clouds, and every 
 eye Jhall fee him, and they alfo that pierced him. And all 
 the tribes of the earth fiatt bewail themfehes becaufe of 
 him. Even fo. Amen. 
 
 The fame Jefus Chrift, who is prince of the kings of 
 the earth, who ha.s wajhedus from our fins in his bloody 
 who has chofen us and made us. kings and priefts to God y 
 is equally entitled to be our Judge, and will effectually 
 
 come
 
 OF TH-E CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 7 
 
 come in his fovereign power at the laft day to judge the 
 world : at which time every eye fbail fee him ; and his 
 countenance will be terrible to thole who pierced him and 
 crucified him. And even all the tribes of the earth, or 
 the people of all nations upon the face of the earth, will 
 mourn and bewail his death, being amazed and con- 
 founded at the unparalleled impiety of thole men who 
 
 crucified him. In the two preceding verfes were 
 
 defcribed the functions, which Jefus Chrift, the fon of 
 God made man, performed upon earth, in fulfilling 
 the charge he had received from his Father, in redeem- 
 ing the world, &c. Thefe functions we fee here com- 
 pleted by his coming at the lail day to judge mankind, 
 and to decree their rewards and punimments. 
 
 v. 8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the 
 end, faith the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who 
 is to come, the Almighty. 
 
 Here the Almighty himfelf fpeaks : / am Alpha and 
 Omega ; Alpha and Omega are the firft and laft letters of 
 the Greek alphabet, the meaning of which in this place 
 is explained by the fubfequent words, the beginning and 
 the end. lam, fays Almighty God, the beginning and 
 end of every thing. I am the firft caufe and laft end 
 of all beings. I am the fource, from which every thing 
 flows, and to which every thing ' muft return. I cre- 
 ated the world by my power, I govern it by my wif- 
 dom, and mail put an end to it at my pleafure. I am 
 He who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Al- 
 mighty. (See above, ver. 4.) 
 
 Thus we fee the two great Perfonages, who here 
 prefide through the whole fcene of the Apocalypfe, 
 God and Jefus Chrift. They are placed in the fupreme 
 degree of eminence, and are clearly diftinguifhed by 
 their refpective titles and attributes. They are ex- 
 B 4 hibited
 
 8 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 hibitedas the Sovereign Rulers of the univerfe, the Mo- 
 derators of all human tranfactions. And thus is nobly 
 ufhered in the Prophetic Hiftory, which begins as fol- 
 lows. 
 
 v. 9. I John your brother and your partner in tribu- 
 lation, and in the kingdom, and patience in Chrijl Jefa, 
 was in tb? ifland, which is called Patmos, for the word of 
 God, and for the tcftimony ofjefus. 
 
 v. 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day* and 
 beard behind me a great 'voice, as of a trumpet, 
 
 v. ii. Saying, what thou feeft, write in a book : and 
 fend to the feven Churches which are in Afia, to Ephefus, 
 and to Smyrna, and to Pergamus, and to Thyatira, and to 
 Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicia. 
 
 St. John here informs us, that he had mared in the 
 perfecution and tribulations, which were common to 
 the chriftians ; that he had alfo mared with them in the . 
 kingdom of Jefus Chrift, or in the fupernatural fortitude 
 which Chrift imparted to his fufTcring fervants to make 
 them victorious. By the orders of the Emperor Domi- 
 tian, St. John, as we have fcen, was put into a caldron 
 of boiling oil at Rome, which he bore with invincible 
 patience, and came out unhurt ; after which he was 
 banilhed into the ifland of Patmos, in the Archipelago. 
 There he was an exile for the word of God, for having 
 preached the word of God in oppofition to the fuperfti- 
 tions of idolatry, and for the teftimony of Jefus, or for, 
 having borne teftimony to Chrift, by publickly confef- 
 fing his holy name, and maintaining his doctrine. He 
 was there ravifhed in Spirit on the Lord's day, or Sun- 
 day, which being fanctified by the great myfteries of 
 the refurreftion of Chrift and the defcent of the Holy 
 Ghoft, was certainly a proper day for receiving this 
 Important Revelation,which comprifes the whole hiftory 
 
 of
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 9 
 
 of the Chriftian Church from her birth to her final tri- 
 umphant ftate in heaven. 
 
 The manner, in which this Hiftory was communi- 
 cated to him, he then proceeds to defcribe : And I heard 
 behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, faying, what 
 thoufeeft, write in a look. We faw (ver. i.) that this 
 Prophecy was delivered to the Apoftle by the angel of 
 Chrift, St. John Baptift : and He is the great 'voice like 
 that of a trumpet, which here fpeaks to the Apoftle ; 
 for the function of the voice on this occafion is fimilar 
 to that, which the Baptift performed when on earth. 
 He then announced, as with the voice of a trumpet* 
 the coming of his Divine Mafter : / am the voice, fays 
 he, of one. crying in the wildernefs : make Jlrait the way 
 of the Lord, (John i. 23.) In like manner he is here 
 diftinguimed by the appellation of a great voice, and 
 announces what is and what will be his Mafter's go- 
 vernment and adminiftration of his Church. Befides, 
 we read in verfe the firft of chap. iv. of the Apocalypfe : 
 'the frft voice -which I heard, as it were, of a trumpet 
 fpeaking with me, faid: come up hither, and I ivilljhew 
 thee the things which muft be done hereafter ; which being 
 compared to verfe the eighth of chap. xxii. After I had 
 heard and feen, I fell down to adore before the feet of the 
 angel, who /hewed me thefe things , it plainly appears 
 that the voice and the angel indicate the fame pcrfon, 
 viz. St. John Baptift. This obfervation premifed, the 
 Apoftle is told: What thou feeft, write in a book, and 
 [end to the feven Churches, which are in Afia, &c. He 
 is ordered to fend this book of the Apocalypfe to the 
 feven Afiatic Churches mentioned in the text, whence 
 it was circulated over the chriftian world, and tranfmit- 
 ted down to us. 
 
 v. 12. And I turned, continues St. John, to fee the 
 
 voice
 
 ID THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 voice that fpoke with me: and being turned, I faw fevttt 
 golden candlefticks. 
 
 v. 13. And in the midft of the fevcn golden candle- 
 fticks one like to the Son of man, clot bed with a garment 
 down to the feet, and girt about the paps with a golden 
 girdle. 
 
 v. 14. And Us head and his hairs were white, as 
 white wool, andasfnow: and his eyes were as a flame of 
 fire. 
 
 v. 15. And his feet like unto fine brafs, as in a 
 burning furnace ; and his -voice, as the found of many 
 waters. 
 
 v. j 6. And he had in his right hand feven ftars. 
 And from his mouth came out a fljarp two-edged fword .' 
 and his face was as the fun Jhineth in his power. 
 
 St. John in looking behind him to fee the voice that 
 fpoke to him, is furprifed by the appearance of a re- 
 markable fcene : Seven golden candlefticks ftanding, and 
 in the midft of them a Perfon rcfembling the Son of man, 
 orChrift, clothed with a long garment down to the feet, 
 and girt about the breaft with a golden girdle, a drefs, 
 that denotes his high rank and dignity-, and being girt 
 in this manner mews him to be about bufmefs, namely, 
 the government of his Church. His head and hair ivere 
 white, as white wool, and as fnow ; an emblem of 
 Chrift's divine exiftence from all eternity, whitenefs of 
 hair naturally indicating old age. And his eyes were as 
 a flame of fire, as piercing as the flame of fire, penetrat- 
 ing into every thing, . as he himfelf fays : / am he, that 
 fearcheth the reins and hearts, (Apoc. ii. 23.) His feet 
 were like unto fine brafs, as in a burning furnace , the feet 
 make the extremity of the body, and appear here in- 
 flamed as brafs in a glowing furnace, to mew that at 
 the extremity or end of time Chrifl will come to deflroy 
 
 the
 
 OF' THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, n 
 
 die world by fire. His voice ivas as the found of many 
 waters ; his voice founded like the noife of many flowing 
 waters, as terrible as the roaring of a tempeiluous lea. 
 Such will be his voice in pronouncing fentence againft 
 the wicked at the laft day. In bis right hand lie held 
 feven ftars, which will be explained below, ver. 20. 
 And from his mouth came out ajharp two-edged faord 9 
 the terrible weapon which Chrift will ufe, as we lhall 
 fee hereafter, to (lay Antichriil and his armies. It ap- 
 pears to proceed from his mouth, as ready to execute his 
 command. It alfo mews in general, that Chrift pu- 
 niflies his enemies. Laftly, his face mone as bright as 
 when the fun Jhineth in its full power ; this is the bright 
 pleafmg countenance he will mew to his Saints at the 
 laft day. 
 
 Thus appears the Son of man, arrayed in dignity, with 
 the marks of his unlimited power and dominion, with 
 the fymbols of his divine and human attributes, and as 
 the Sovereign Adminiftrator of his Church. 
 
 v. 17. And when I had feen him, continues St. 
 John, / fell at kis feet as dead. And he laid his right 
 hand upon me, faying: Fear not, lam the jirft and the laft, 
 
 v. 1 8. And alive*, and was dead. And behold I 
 am living for ever and ever, and have the keys of death 
 and of hell. 
 
 St. John, ftruck at the awful appearance of his 
 Lord, falls down at his feet as dead , but is raifed up 
 by Chrift, who tells him, not to fear, and adds, I am 
 the fir ft and the laft ; I exifted before all created beings, 
 and mail continue to exift when time fliall be no more ; 
 I was from all eternity, and fliall be to all eternity. I 
 am alive, and was dead: I am the living one ; life is ef- 
 
 fential 
 
 * In the Greek text, tks Living-one.
 
 12 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 fential to me, as God ; but I died, as Man-God ; and 
 bzhold I am now living for ever and evtr. I hold the 
 keys of Death and of Hell -, mine is the power of opening 
 the graves, and railing the dead bodies ; mine is the 
 power of opening bell* and drawing from .thence the 
 fouls, to reunite them to their bodies : And thus I am 
 He that mall refufcitate all mankind, and mall be their 
 Judge. 
 
 v. 19. Write therefore the things which thou haft, 
 feen, and which are, and which muft be done hereafter. 
 
 Our Saviour here orders St. John to write the fcene 
 he has already feen, and the things which are, or the 
 things he is going to dictate to him relating to the 
 feven above-named Churches ; and to write alfo the 
 things which muft be done hereafter, that is, the Hiftory, 
 that will prefently be given him, of the events which 
 will happen in the Chriftian Church. 
 
 v. 20. The myftery of the feven ft ars, continues our 
 Saviour, which thou faweft in my right hand, and the 
 feven golden candle/licks. The feven ftars are the angels 
 cf the feven churches : and the feven candlefticks are the 
 feven churches. 
 
 Here Chrift himfclf explains to St. John the myftery 
 or meaning of two particulars : The feven ft ars, which- 
 tbflUfoweft In my right hand, are, or denote the angels of 
 the feven Churches in Afia, that is, the Bifhops of thofe 
 Churches : And the few* candlefticks are, or reprefent 
 thofe feven Churches. Let us alfo obicrve, that thefe 
 feven candlerticks, or feven Churches, may very well 
 reprefent all the Churches of the chriftian world , and 
 in that cafe, our Saviour, who is placed in the midft of 
 them, is naturally exhibited as adminilhing and go- 
 verning the whole. 
 
 CHAP.
 
 OK THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 13 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 T&tHlftory oftbejirft Slge of the Chriftian Church. 
 
 CHRIST proceeds, in the fecond and third 
 chapters of the Apocalypfe, to dictate to St. John 
 particular inftructions for each of" the feven above- 
 mentioned Churches , which, as they do not belong to 
 the general hiflory of Chrifhanity, we fhall pafs over, 
 and lhall now proceed to the fourth and fifth chapters, 
 which open a general magnificent fcenc, that prepares us 
 for the particular tranfaclions. 
 
 Prelude to the Opening of the feven Seals. 
 
 APOC. Chap. IV. v. i. After thcfe things I looked* 
 fays St. John, and behold a door was opened in heaven, 
 and thefirft voice which I beard, as it were, of a trumpet 
 Jpeaking with me, faid: Come up hither, and I will Jhcw 
 thee the things which mujl be done hereafter. 
 
 v. 2. And immediately I was in the fpirit : and be- 
 hold there was a throne fit in heaven, and upon the throne, 
 me fitting. 
 
 v. 3. And be that fat, was to the fight like the J offer 
 and the Sardine Jione: and there was a Rainbow roundabout 
 the throne, in fight like unto an Emerald. 
 
 No fooner had St. John received, in the preceding 
 vifion, the documents he was to tranfmit to the feven 
 Afiatic Churches ; when behold ! a new fcene difplays 
 itfelf. Heaven opens, St. John is invited up thither by 
 the voice which had fpokc to him before, that is, by 
 St. John Baptift, and is told he lhall fee what is to hap- 
 pen in future ages. On a fudden appears a throne, and 
 
 th?
 
 14 THC. GENERAL HISTORY , 
 
 the Almighty himfelf feated upon it, mining in die 
 brighteft luiire oi'Jafper green and Sardine red : The 
 green colour, as belt proportioned to the human eye, 
 fpeaks his Mercy, and the red his Juftice ; thcfe two at- 
 tributes bearing a particular relation to mankind. The 
 Throne is furrounded with a Rainbow, in which remark- 
 ably mines a moft beautiful green, like that of Emeralds. 
 This Rainbow, with its bright green colour, denotes the 
 Covenant of reconciliation and peace, which God made 
 with man after the deluge. 
 
 v. 4. And round about the throne were four and 
 twenty feats : and upon the feats, four and twenty Ancients 
 Jilting, ckthed in white garments, and on their heads 
 crowns of gold. 
 
 Round the Throne of God appear fitting four and 
 twenty Ancients, reprefenting the Saints that preceded 
 the age of chriilianity, and for that reafon called An- 
 cients. They are clothed in white, to exprefs the im- 
 mortal glory they poffdfs in heaven ; and their -crowns 
 ef 'gold mew their royal dignity, God admitting them to 
 fit as judges with him. In the fame manner it was faid, 
 that Chrift makes his Saints kings, (Apoc. i. 6. fee 
 
 p. 5.) 
 
 v. 5. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, and 
 voices, and thunders : and there were f eve v lamps burning 
 before the throne, which are thefeven Spirits of God. 
 
 The lightnings, loud voices, and thunders, whicn 
 come from the throne of God, announce alarms and 
 fevere hardfhips, fuch as perlecutions, herefies, cala- 
 mities, &f r . by which he tries the fidelity of his fervants 
 on earth. And the feven Spirits of God, who appear 
 tinder the form of burning lamps, are feven angels, as 
 before-mentioned, (Apoc. i. 4.) {landing ready to exe- 
 cute the Divine commands. . 
 
 v. 6,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 15 
 
 T. 6. And in (be fight cf the thrvne was as it were a 
 fga ofglafs like to Cryjlal: and in the midft of the throne 
 And round about the throne were four living creatures full 
 of eyes before and behind. 
 
 v. 7. And the firft living creature was, like a lion : 
 and the fecond living creature, like a calf : and the third 
 living creature, having the face, as it -were, of a man : 
 and the fourth living creature was like an eagle flying. 
 
 v. 8. And the four living creatures, bad each of them 
 Jix wings: and round about*, and within, they aw full 
 of eyes. 
 
 The extenfive_/?tf ofglafs here defcribed, tranfpareat 
 as Cryftal, rcprefents what may be called, the floor of 
 heaven. Before the throne of God and round it fraud 
 four living creatures of an extraordinary -Ihape, which 
 denote the four great prophets, Ifaiah, Jeremy, Eze- 
 chiel, and Daniel. Their bodies are defcribed full sf 
 eyes both before and behind, an emblem of their prophe- 
 tic fight, that penetrates into all ages, paft, prefent, 
 and to come. And their being alfo full of eyes within, 
 indicates that their extenfive knowledge arifes from an 
 interior Divine Inlpiration. They have eachyfo wings, 
 in the fame manner as the Seraphims appeared to the 
 prophet Ifaiah (Ifai. vi. 2.) : Two wings fcrve to cover 
 their face, two their feet, out of refpeft for the Deity -, 
 and the two others ferve to fly, that is, figuratively ex- 
 pfefs their expeditious readinefs to carry and deliver the 
 Divine inftru<5tions and meflages. 
 
 Some have imagined thefe/iw fymbolical living crea- 
 tures to reprefent the four Evangelifts, but, we think, 
 improperly ; as St. John was ftill living, and there pre- 
 fent in perfon. The firft living creature is here faid to 
 
 refcmble 
 
 * In the Greek, fix wngs afatt him ^ atul within Sre,
 
 16 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 refemble a lion, the king of beafts ; becaufe the pro- 
 phet Ifaiah, repref-nted by it, was defcended of the 
 royal race of David. The feccnd living creature re- 
 fembles a calf, and reprefents the prophet Jeremy, in his 
 character of a pried ; the calf, which was the principal 
 victim in Jewifh facrifices, being on that account the 
 .emblem of priefthood. The third living creature, ex- 
 hibiting Ezechiel, has the countenance of a man , becaufe 
 God, in fpeaking to that prophet, always addrefles him 
 by the name offon of man. The fourth living creature, 
 denoting Daniel, refembles a flying eagle* on account of 
 the fublime oracles of this prophet, who foars to the 
 higheft objects, and views the fucceflion of all the 
 great Empires, that were to rife up in the world to the 
 
 end of time. ^-Probably thefe four principal prophets 
 
 are to be underftood to reprefent all the prophets of the 
 old law. 
 
 v. 8. And they (the four living creatures) refted wt 
 day and night, faying. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Al- 
 mighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come. 
 
 v. 9. And when thofe living creatures gave * glory 
 and honour and Imedittion to him, that fitteth on the 
 throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 
 
 v. 10. 'The four and twenty ancients fell down before 
 him, that fitteth on the throne, and adored him that liveth 
 for ever and ever, and caft their crowns before the throne^ 
 faying: 
 
 v. ii. Thoityrt worthy, O Lord our God, to receive 
 glory and honour and power : becaufe thou haft created all 
 things, and for thy will they were -f, and have been cre- 
 ated. 
 
 the 
 
 * In the Greek, Jball gi-iHt &c. the four and twenty ancients 
 ill fall d<nun t Sec. f In the Greek, they are.
 
 OF 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 17 
 
 The Almighty being feated. on his throne, in th 
 fplendor of his Majefty and with the marks of his fu- 
 preme power, furrounded with the auguft choir of the an- 
 cient Saints and Prophets ; thefe Prophets*, reprefented 
 by the four living creatures, are cbnftantly employed in 
 offering their homage to him and fmging his praifes.' 
 They cry out day and night. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord 
 God Almighty, &c. repeating three times Hcly, prob- 
 ably in honour of the BlelTed Trinity ; and for the 
 fame reafon they give to God three different kinds of 
 praife, glory, honour, and benediction, or thankfgiving. 
 And whenever the four thing creatures fmg thefe 
 praifes, the fcur and twenty Ancients are ready to join 
 their homage, \yy falling down before Him that Jittcth en 
 the throne, ~ and adoring Him that liveth for ever and 
 ever ; and in token of their acknowledging all their 
 happinefs and pre-eminence to be his gift, they caji 
 down their crowns before the throne , and thus they con- 
 clude their homage : 'Thou art worthy, Lord our God, 
 to receive glory, honour, and power : becaufe tbou he. ft 
 created all things, and for thy will they are, and have 
 been created; that is, we acknowledge thy power, O 
 Lord, becaufe by thy Omnipotence ikcu haft created all 
 things ; honour is due to thce, becaufe by thy will they 
 are, or continue to exiil j glory is due to thee, becaule 
 they were created to ferve to thy glory. 
 
 Apoc. Chap. V. v. i. And If aw, fays Stf. John, 
 in the right hand .of him that fat on fa throne, a bock 
 written within and without, feakd with feven feats. 
 
 -The.80G>, which Almighty God holds in his right 
 hand, contains the detail of his adminiftration of the 
 Chriftian Church , the length of which detail is marked 
 by the book being written both within and without ^ 
 It is feated up, as containing the Divine Counfels impe- 
 C netrable
 
 iS THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 netrable to human fagacity ; and the feven feds indicate 
 that the whole is divided into fevcn parts, each of which 
 is unfolded and made known at the opening of each 
 respective feal. 
 
 v. 2. And I faw a ftrong angel, proclaiming with a 
 loud voice : who is worthy to open the book, and to loofe 
 the -feals thereof? 
 
 v. 3. And no man was able, neither in heaven, nor 
 on earthy nor under the earth, to open the book, nor to 
 look on it. 
 
 A jlrcng angel cries with a loud votes, to be heard 
 over the whole creation, who is worthy to open the book, 
 and to Icofe the feals thereof? But there is not found a 
 creature, either in heaven, or on earth, or elfewhere, 
 worthy to do this function, or even to look on the book, 
 the eyes not being here permitted to view the repofitory 
 of the Divine difpenfations, which, the book being yet 
 fealed up, are kept concealed from human under- 
 Handing. 
 
 v. 4. And I wspt much, continued St. John, becaufe 
 no man was found worthy to open the book *, nor to fee it. 
 
 v. 5. And one cf the ancients f aid to me, weep not ; 
 becaufe the lien cf the tribe of Juda, the root of David, 
 hath prevailed to open the bock, and to loofe the feven feals 
 thereof. 
 
 St. John mortified and weeping, becaufe no one was 
 found Worthy to open the book, is told by one of the 
 four and twenty Ancients to ceafe weeping ; for that the 
 lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevailed 
 to open the book, &c. Chrift, the Mefiiah, who is born 
 of the tribe of Juda, and who is the root that fprings 
 from the royal race of David, is, on account of his 
 
 atchieve-t 
 
 * The Greek text here adds, and to read-it,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 19 
 
 etchievements, ftiled the Lion of that tribe, conformably 
 to Jacob's prophecy: Juda is a lion's whelp, (Gen. 
 xlix. 9.) He, the Meffiah, David's defcendant, like a 
 valiant Lion, conquered Satan, Death, and the World. 
 He put a itop to Satan's power, by breaking down the 
 empire of idolatry, he diicharged the great functions he 
 undertook to perform on earth, he reconciled man to his 
 Eternal Father, he raifed himielf from Death, he eftab- 
 lifhed his new Law notwithstanding the moil obftinate 
 oppofition from the World, and he founded his Church 
 at the expence of his blood. By thefe victories he is 
 here proclaimed to have merited to open the book, that 
 contains the account of the Divine difpenfations to that 
 Church. Accordingly, 
 
 v. 6. And I faw, fays St. John : and behold in the 
 mid/I of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in 
 the midft of the ancient s, a Lambftanding as it were flam, 
 having f even horns and f even eyes ; which are the feven 
 Spirits of God, fent forth into all the earth. 
 
 v. 7. And he came and took the book out of the right 
 hand of him that fat on the throne. 
 
 We had juft now feen Chrift reprefented a% a ftrong 
 and valiant Lion fubduing his enemies-; here we fee him 
 in the humble character of a Lamb, which appears as it 
 were Jlain, that is, newly facrificed and immolated for 
 the redemption of the world. But the Lamb is jland- 
 ing, that is, though he has been (lain, he is refufcitated 
 to life, and recovered all his ftrengih and vigour : And 
 he is feen placed in the midft of the throne, which be- 
 fpeaks his Divine origin and perfon. This Lamb has 
 feven horns, fignifying his power : And to mew his wif- 
 dom and vigilance, he has alfo feven eyes, denoting the 
 feven Spirits of God above-mentioned, (Apoc. i. 4. and 
 iv. 5.) or Angels, who are always ready to execute the 
 C 2 com-
 
 20 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 commands of God and the Lamb, and to carry their 
 meffages over the whole earth. The number feven here 
 ufed correfponds to the feven periods or ages, into 
 which the whole duration of the Chriftian Church is 
 divided: So that, when it is faid, that the Lamb has 
 feven horns and feven eyes, it is meant, that the Lamb, or 
 Jefus Chrift, governs his Church through its feven fuo 
 cefiive ages by his power and his wifdom, and by the., 
 miniftry of feven angels. 
 
 The Lamb goes and takes the look from the hand of 
 God, whofilieth upon the throne : 
 
 v. 8. And when he had opened the book *, the four 
 living creatures* and the four and twenty ancients fell 
 down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and 
 golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the 
 faints : 
 
 v. 9. And they fung a new canticle, faying: Thou art 
 ivcrtljy, Lord, to take the book, and to open the feah 
 thereof: bscaufe thou wajljlain, and haft redeemed us to 
 God in thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and peo- 
 ple, and nation. 
 
 v. 10. ^And haft made us to our God a kingdom -j- and 
 priefts, and we Jhall reign on the earth. 
 
 The Lamb having taken the book, the four living 
 creatures and the four and twenty ancients, or the Pro- 
 phets and the Saints prior to Chriilianity, whom they 
 reprefent, fall down and adore him, having in their 
 hands harps and golden vials full of odours, -which are the 
 -prayers of the faints. The prayers of the fain,ts, that is, 
 of the Faithful on earth, are here defcribed as fweet 
 
 odours 
 
 * In the Greek text, nvben he kad taken the took, and fo read 
 moft of the ancient interpreters, 
 f In the Greek, kings.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 21 
 
 'odours, and are prefented to Chrift by the Saints in hea- 
 ven. Then the lour living Creatures and the four and 
 twenty Ancients, being proftrate before the Lamb,y$ 
 a new canticle ; new, becaufe the fubject of it is new, 
 viz. the actions of the Lamb. This new canticle is, 
 Thou art worthy, to take the book, and to open the feals 
 thereof-, becaufe thou waft Jlain, and haft redeemed us, not 
 only us, but alfo our pofterity, the Chriftian race j for, 
 thou haft redeemed us, out of every tribe, and tongue, 
 and people, and nation. Thus thefe Saints and Prophets 
 acknowledge, that the Lamb has, at the expence of his 
 blood, redeemed mankind, and reftored them to the 
 rights they had loft by Adam's fin, and confequently 
 that he is intitled to an abfolute dominion over them 
 through all fucceeding generations. Thus they alfo 
 acknowledge, that they are indebted to him for the in- 
 effable bleffings, of heavenly glory, and of kingly and 
 prieftly power, which they now themfelves poffefs, and 
 which will hereafter be likewife the portion of their 
 pofterity. On thefe accounts they proclaim, the Lamb 
 has merited to take the book, and to open the feals there- 
 of, that is, to reveal to men what relates to his Church. 
 
 Thus we fee the double character of Chrift. 
 
 What he is here declared to have merited, as the 
 flaughtered Lamb , he was alfo before intitled to in 
 quality of the conquering Lion. 
 
 v. ji. And I beheld, proceeds St. John, and I heard 
 the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the 
 living creatures and the ancients : and the number of them 
 was. thoufands of thoufands, 
 
 v. 12. Saying with a loud voice: The Lamb y 
 
 that was Jlain, is worthy to receive power, and divini- 
 
 C 3 /y,
 
 22 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 ty *, and wifdom, andftrength, and honour , and glory y 
 and benediction. 
 
 After the adoration and homage paid to the Lamb 
 by the ancient prophets and faints, St. John now fees 
 an infinite multitude of Angels round the throne and 
 round the celeftial choir, who come next to addrefs the 
 Lamb with their praifes and loud applaufes, faying, The 
 Lamb, that was Jlain, is worthy to receive power, and 
 ricbes, &c. becaufe by being Jlain, he has purchafed a 
 power of forming to himfelf a people out of every nation 
 of the earth, that is, of founding a new univerfal 
 Church, and has alfo merited to be veiled with the go- 
 vernment of it through all fucceeding time. And as the 
 period of the Chriftian Church's duration is, by Divine 
 appointment, divided into feven ages, fo the Lamb is 
 reprefented as intitled to feven fpecial qualities, power^ 
 riches, wifdom, firength, honour, glory, and benediction, 
 which bear a relation to that part of his government of 
 the Church, which is defcribed under the feven feals. 
 Thefe feven qualities are therefore to be applied to the 
 feven fuccefTive ages, each to each refpedtively j and 
 there the meaning of them will be explained. 
 
 v. 13. And every creature, which is in heaven, and 
 en the earth, and under the earth, and fuch as are in the 
 fea, and all that are in them : I heard all faying : To him 
 that fittetb on the throne and to the Lamb, benediclion^ 
 end honour, and glory, and power, for ever and ever. 
 
 After the homage of the Angels fucceeds that of all 
 Creatures, both animate and inanimate, which are in 
 leaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, or in hell, 
 and in the fea ; and, in fine, of all that are in them, 
 
 that 
 
 * In the Greek text, riches. The manufcripts and the ancient 
 writers read the fame.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 23 
 
 that is, of every individual atom of the creation. 
 They are all heard to fay : To him (God) that Jit teth on 
 the throne and to the Lamb, benediction and honour and 
 glory and power fcr ever and ever. Thus they pour forth 
 their praifes to God and the Lamb, for their greation, 
 their conferva tion, the beautiful harmony and ordei" 
 they hold in the general fyftem of nature, fcfr . In the 
 verfes 9th and nth of the preceding chapter, (fee p. 
 1 6.) three terms of praife were offered to him that Jit - 
 teth on the throne ; here a fourth is added, viz. power ; 
 on account of the Lamb, who has acquired all power 
 over this world, and which is thus confeiTed by every 
 individual part of it. In the fame fenfe St. Paul de- 
 clares, that in the name of Jefus every knee Jh'all bow, cf 
 thofe that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, 
 (Philipp. ii. 10.) 
 
 v. 14. And the four living creatures faid : Amen. 
 And the four and twenty ancients fell down en their faces, 
 and adored him that liveth for ever and ever. 
 
 To the above praifes and homage offered to God and 
 the Lamb, the four living Creatures, or ancient Pro- 
 phets, join their affent by faying, Amen. This conclu- 
 fion comes fuitably from them who had fo often pro- 
 claimed to the world the great works of the Almighty 
 and the Lamb, and their gracious difpenfations to man- 
 kind. Then, conformably to what is faid in the pre- 
 ceding chapter, verfe 9th and loth, (fee p. 16) the/<??/ r 
 and twenty Ancients clofe this awful religious fcene ot* 
 homage and praife by adoring the Almighty in unity of 
 Godhead. 
 
 Thus we have feen an auguft fcene exhibited, where 
 
 God the Almighty appears, mining in all the bright- 
 
 nefs and dignity of Divine Majefty, and round him an 
 
 illuftrious Choir, compofed of the ancient prophets re- 
 
 C 4 prefcnted
 
 24 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 prefented by four emblematical animals, and of four 
 and twenty Ancients reprefenting all the Saints of the 
 ages antecedent to Chriftianity. By this difpofition of 
 the fcene, our view is removed back to the time of the 
 clofe of the Old Law, and the commencement of the 
 New, that is, to the birth of the Chriflian Church. The 
 ancient Saints and Prophets found forth their praifes, 
 their thanks, and hymns of gratitude to God for all his 
 bleffings received, and for the all- wife and bountiful 
 ceconomy he had excrcifed over them through all pad 
 ages. And thus they clofe up the period of the Patri- 
 archal and Jewifh Church. 
 
 The Lamb then appears, who had jufl been (lain for 
 the redemption of the world. He has by his blood ac- 
 quired the dominion over the whole fucceeding race of 
 mankind , and therefore he now opens a new period by 
 founding his own Church, the Church of the Chrif- 
 tians, of which he is declared, conjointly with God, 
 Lord and Governor. Immediately the ancient Prophets 
 and Saints direct their homage to him, acknowledging 
 they owe to him their redemption, their power and blifs, 
 and all other bleffings. Thus they give, teftimony to 
 the Lamb, they confefs his fovereign power, and that 
 his reign now begins, and will laft for ever. The lame 
 
 is re-echoed by every part of the creation. We muft 
 
 obferve, that no chriftian faints appear in this celeftial 
 aflembly : The reafon is, becaufe the fcene exhibits to 
 us the moment in which Chriftianity commences, 
 
 The Opening of the firfi Seal. 
 
 APOC. Chap. VI. v. i. And Ifaw, fays St. John, 
 that ths Lamb had opened om of the fewn feals, and I 
 
 heard
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. +$ 
 
 heard one of the four tiling creatures, as it were the voice 
 t>f thunder, faying : Ccme and fee. 
 
 v. 2. And If aw : and behold a white horfe, and he 
 that fat on him had a low, and there was a crown given 
 him, and he went forth conquering that he might conquer. 
 
 Previoufly to the explication of the text, let us ob- 
 ferve, that at the opening of each feal of this myfterious 
 book, a new fpectacle offers itfelf to St. John, which 
 feems to reprefent, under an emblematical figure, what 
 is written in that part of the book that is laid open on 
 breaking the feal. And the feven figurative reprefenta- 
 tions, that thus follow on the opening of the feven 
 feals, mark feven particular events, which open the 
 feven ages, into which is divided the whole period of 
 the Church's exiftence. This obfervation premifed. 
 
 At the opening of the firft feal, there appears to St. 
 John a perfon upon a white horfe. This perfon is our 
 Saviour, as appears from chap. xix. of the Apocalypfe, 
 ver. 1 1 and 13, where St. John fays, I faw heaven open* 
 and there appeared a white horfe -, end he that fat upon 
 
 him, was called the Faithful and True And his name 
 
 is, the Word of God. The crown that is here given him y 
 and the white colour of his fteed, mew him victorious 
 and triumphant. Chrift had been victorious : Firft, 
 over Satan, by overthrowing the dominion that murde- 
 rous enemy had ufurped over mankind ; fecondly, in 
 purchafmg, by extreme fuffering, and at the price of 
 his blood, a perpetual peace between God and man ; 
 thirdly, in conquering death, by raifing himfelf to life 
 from the grave by his own power. Fraught with thefe 
 victories, he had afcended triumphant in glory into 
 heaven, amidft the acclamations of the heavenly 
 choirs, fmging, Princes, lift up your gates -, eternal gates, 
 be ye lifted up, and tke King of Glory Jkdl enter in, 
 
 (Pfalm
 
 ft THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 (Pfalm xxiii. 7.) Being therefore exalted to all the 
 honours of a glorious King and Conqueror, he here ap- 
 pears m the equipment belonging to that character, 
 and with bow in hand fets out to profecute his conquefts, 
 in fubduing the world to the dominion of Faith by the 
 preaching of his Apoftles, and his other fucceeding Mi- 
 niihrs. 
 
 Thus then opens and commences the firft age of the 
 Chriftian Church, which may take its date from the 
 day of Pentecoft, or Whitfunday, when the Apoftles 
 began to preach. And the conqueft, or converfion, 
 which followed, of fo many nations to the faith, evi- 
 dently fhews in Chrift the exercile of that^zwr, which 
 was attributed to him, (Apoc. v. 12. fee p. 22.) Let 
 us alfo obferve, that, on opening the feal, one, or the 
 firlt of the four living creatures, which, as we have 
 ftiewn, reprefents the prophet Ifaiah, fays to St. John, 
 Come and fee ; which is fpoken, as with the voice of 
 thunder, to mark the importance of the vifion : And 
 the invitation to a view of our triumphant Saviour 
 comes properly from Ifaiah, who had io minutely pro- 
 phefied of all that related to him. 
 
 To underfland how the conqueft of the world was 
 made to the Gofpel, we muft take notice that, as foon 
 as the Apoftles had received the Holy Ghoft, ten days 
 after the Afcenfion of Chrift, they immediately pro- 
 ceeded to execute the commifTion given them by their 
 Divine Mafter, when he told them, Go and teach all 
 nations, Matt, xxviii. 19. but to begin by Jerusalem and 
 Jiidaa, Luke xxiv. 47. and Act. Ap. i. 8.) They 
 ipent therefore fome time in labouring at the conver- 
 fion of the Jews, of whom no fmall number embraced 
 the Chriftian Religion, though much the greater part 
 remained obftinate in their infidelity. This work be- 
 ing done, the Apoftles feparated and difperfed them- 
 
 felves
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 27 
 
 felves into different nations, to announce to them the 
 new tidings of falvation. St. Peter retired to Antioch^ 
 where he founded a Church, and having governed it 
 for feven years, and preached over a great part of leffer 
 Afia, he went to Rome, and there fixed his fee. St. 
 Andrew preached to the Scythians, and afterwards in 
 Greece and Epirus. St. Philip in higher Afia. St. 
 Thomas preached to the Parthians, then eaftwards as 
 far as the Indies. St. Bartholomew went into Arme- 
 nia, and fome part of India. St. Matthew employed 
 his labours in Parthia, and other eailern countries of 
 Afia. St. Simon in Mefopotamia and Perfia. St. 
 Jude, or Thaddee, in Mefopotamia and Arabia. St. 
 Matthias in the countries bordering on the Cafpian fea. 
 St. John fixed his fee at Ephefus in Afia minor, in 
 which country he founded feveral Churches, which he 
 governed till his death. The two St. James's, one of 
 whom was the firft Bifhop of Jerufalem, chiefly con- 
 fined their preaching to Judaea. St. Paul announced 
 thegofpel to many nations, but he was principally em- 
 ployed in Afia and Greece, and finimed his million in 
 Rome. 
 
 By thefe zealous mefiengers of Chrift, the gofpel 
 was fpread through the world, according to that of the 
 royal prophet: Their found hath gone forth into all the 
 earth : and thdr words unto the ends cf the world ^ 
 (Pfalm xviii. 5.) The fuccefs of their preaching was 
 the more wonderful, as all human confiderations con- 
 Ipired againft it. This new doctrine was intirely op- 
 pofite to the received maxims of the world; it declared 
 war againft the pafTions of mankind, it taught felf-de- 
 nial and mortification, it preached a contempt of what 
 is generally admired, it condemned all other religions, 
 and abfolutely required a molt virtuous conduct in all 
 
 its
 
 25 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 its profefibrs. Moreover, its minifters, the Apoflles y 
 were not pofTefled of thofe natural endowments, which 
 might make imprefllon upon their hearers, and conci- 
 liate their minds to a new doctrine. They were illite- 
 rate men, chofen from the loweft conditions of life, def- 
 titute of all human fuccour, without the advantages of 
 education, and without human eloquence. Notwith- 
 ftanding the want of thefe helps, they were infpired 
 with fuch a fpirit of zeal, and with fuch fupernatural 
 force of elocution, as not to be refifted. But above 
 -all, the power of performing miracles was their pecu- 
 liar badge, which ftamped upon their words the feal of 
 Divine atteftaticn. Thefe were the means by which 
 Truth began to mine forth in a garb, which it had never 
 wore before. It now laid open to view the errors man- 
 kind had hitherto been enilaved to, it withdrew the 
 veil of ignorance that had overiliadowed human reafon, 
 it difpelled the darknefs of paganifm and fuperflition, 
 and by its native liiftre it difcovered the imperfection 
 of all the fyflems of doctrine propofecl before by the fo 
 much boafted Philofophers of antiquity. Such became 
 the cafe with a Socrates, a Plato, an Epictetus, a 
 Cicero, &c. Thofe Sages, as they were ftiled, not 
 aware of the weaknefs of human reafon unamfled by 
 revelation, gave precepts of morality and maxims for 
 the conduct of life, which were in admiration for many 
 ages : But when that Light appeared, which came down 
 from heaven with the Son of God, it then became ma- 
 nifeft how defective thofe dictates were. In the fame 
 manner as the ftars in the firmament ftrike us with their 
 luftre, and mine with advantage, in the night; but 
 v/hen the great luminary of the day, the fun, comes 
 forth, the brightnefs of the ftars immediately fades, and 
 foon -vanimes : So likewife^ when the Son of God 
 
 thought
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 29- 
 
 thought fit to grace this world With his prefence, it be- 
 came neceffary that all former Legiflators and Philofo- 
 phers, however eminent, mould be eclipfed by his fu- 
 perior excellence, and that every human inftitution of 
 doctrine mould give place to the new precepts of his all- 
 comprehending wifdom. 
 
 The great ftrudture of religion, which the Apoilles 
 had begun, was carried on by their faithful and zea- 
 lous luccefibrs through the fubiequent ages. 
 
 Prelude to the Sounding of the f even trumpets. 
 
 APOC. Chap. VIII. v. 2. And I faw 9 fays St. 
 John, feven angels '* ft anting in the prefence of God : and 
 there were given to them feven trumpets. 
 
 St. John now is directed to turn his eyes' to the feven 
 angels , who were feen {landing before the throne of God 
 in heaven, (Apoc. i. 4. and iv. 5. fee p. 4.) and feven 
 trumpets are given to them. Then, 
 
 v. 3. And another angel came i and flood before the al- 
 tar ', having agclden cenfer : and there was given to him 
 much incenfe, that be Jhould offer of the prayers of all faints 
 upon the golden altar ', which is before the throne of God. 
 
 v. 4. And the fmoke cf the incenfe of the prayers of 
 the faints afcended itp before God, from the hand of the 
 angel. 
 
 In imitation of the golden altar of incenfe that flood 
 in the Jewifh Tabernacle before the Holy of Holies? 
 there is here a golden altar of incenfe placed before the 
 throne of God> to which an Angel comes holding a golden 
 cenfer. This is prefently filled with much incenfe^ which 
 
 reprefents 
 
 * In the Greek text, the /even angels*
 
 3 o THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 reprefcnts the prayers of all the fainfs, that is, of all the 
 fervants of God on earth : And thus the Angel offers 
 thefe prayers, which afcend up as the odour of fo much 
 fragrant incenfe before God, fo pleafmg are they to him. 
 We fa\v (Apoc. v. 8. fee p. 20.) the Saints in heaven 
 preferring the prayers of the faithful to the Lamb . 
 and here the fame kind of function is performed by an 
 angel : which mews how the angels are employed in 
 good offices for mankind. Another inflance of this 
 fort is feen in the book of Toby, where the angel tells 
 that holy man, When thou did/I pray with tears, / of- 
 fend thy prayers to the Lord, (Tob. xii. 12.) 
 
 v. 5. And the angel took the cenfer, and filled it with 
 the fire cf the altar, and caft it on the earth, and there 
 were thunders, and voices,* and lightnings, and a great 
 earthquake. 
 
 The Angel having performed the religious rite of of- 
 fering the prayers of the faints to God, he then takes 
 the cenfer, and fills it with fire from the altar of Holo- 
 caufts , fuch altar appearing to St. John in heaven fimi- 
 lar to that whkh formerly belonged to the Jewiili Ta- 
 bernacle. The cenfer fo filled with/r?, the angel cafts 
 down on the earth. This is a figurative intimation of 
 God's defign to try his fervants en earth by the firs of 
 tribulation, like gold in the furnace. The Almighty 
 had juft received their prayers with great complacency, 
 and doubtlefs never ceafes to keep a paternal eye over 
 them, and to cover them with his protection : But he 
 here lets them know, it is the difpofition of his Provi- 
 dence to put them to the tefl, that thofe who are truly 
 his fervants, and firm in their faith and charity, may be 
 diilinguifhcd from the hypocrites and pufillan-n-.-Lis. 
 Accordingly, upon the falling of the cenfer on ihe 
 earth, there happen thunders, and voices, and lights. .;,<, 
 
 and
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 31 
 
 and a great earthquake ; which metaphorically exprefs 
 four various kinds of tribulations, which are to befall 
 the chriftians at the founding of the four firft trumpets, 
 and which will then be feen j and there the above-men- 
 tioned four metaphorical terms will be explained. The 
 three laft trumpets, as we mail fee hereafter, have three 
 particular woes annexed to them. 
 
 v. 6. And the /even angels, who had the feven trum- 
 pets , -prepared them f dues to found the trumpet. 
 
 The trumpet is generally founded for war, or to give 
 notice of any public danger or alarm. And fuch is the 
 cafe here. Thefeven angels found at different intervals 
 of time their Trumpets, to announce alarms to the Chrif- 
 tians, fuch as perfecutions, herefies, wars, &c. trials, 
 with which they muft ftruggle, and which the Almighty 
 fends them for their probation. 
 
 It may not be improper to obferve, that the magni- 
 ficent fcene, which was exhibited in heaven in the pre- 
 lude to the opening of the Seals, receives here an addi- 
 tion by the appearance of two new objects, the altar of 
 Incenfe and the altar of Holocaufts. Thefe are very 
 aptly introduced, to point out fome particular circum- 
 flanc.es that have relation to the Trumpets. The firft 
 altar, on which the Jews offered daily incenfe to God, 
 prefents to our mind the daily offering the Chriftians 
 make to God of their fervent and holy prayers, which 
 afcend to heaven like fweet perfumes : while, at the 
 fame time, the altar of Holocaufts, on which the Jewifk 
 victims were burned, is here a juft reprefentation of 
 Martyrdom, by which the Chriftians are immolated as 
 fo many victims to God in the fire of perfecuticn.
 
 32 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 tte Sounding of the fir ft Trumpet. 
 
 APOC. Chap. VIII. v. 7. And the firft angel founded 
 the trumpet, and there followed hail and fire ', mingled with 
 blood, and it was caft on the earth, and the third part of 
 the- earth * was burnt up> and the third part of the trees 
 was burnt up, and all the green grafs was burnt up. 
 
 This fhower of hail and fire mingled with blood^ de- 
 notes the cruel and bloody periecutions exercifed 
 againft the Chriftians in the three firft centuries, till 
 Conilantine, the firft chriftian emperor, put a flop to 
 them. The words, hail, fire, and blood, pretty plainly 
 exprefs fome of the moil remarkable kinds of death in- 
 flicted on the chriftians , fome being confumed by fire, 
 others having their blood 4$& by the fword, and others 
 being floned to death, which kind of execution may 
 very well be reprefented by hall. This terrible fhower 
 fell upon the earth, which here reprefents the Church 
 of Chrift, in its firft quiet ftatc, in allufion to the land 
 which is the ftable part of the terraqueous globe- 
 Then a third part of the earth was deftroyed by the 
 fhower, that is, the periecutions fwept away nearly one 
 third part of the chriftians. But in particular, a third 
 part of the trees was burnt ^ that is, a third part of the 
 iV.ftors, with their clergy, meant here by the trees^ 
 ucrinced in the fire of periecuiion: And all the 
 gr-ecn grafs, or beft grafs, was coniumed, th-a.t is, ail 
 the moft fervent and perfect among the faithful \vere 
 bkiTed with the crown of martyrdom. 
 
 Perfecuticrrs, 
 
 77* third part of -the earth tvas burnt, is not in the co: 
 Greek text ; but it is found in feveral very good manufcviptt;. r-iiJ 
 in the Synac and Arabic verfions.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 33 
 
 Perfecutions, tortures, violent deaths by martyr- 
 dom, are fuch objects of alarm and terror to human 
 nature, that they may with great propriety be meta- 
 phorically ftiled Thunders, (Apoc> viii. 5. fee p. 30.) 
 
 At the opening of the firft Seal we faw the converfion 
 of Jews and Pagans to the Chriftian Faith, and thus the 
 Kingdom of Chrift took its rife. But no fooner is the 
 infant Church formed, than the Trumpet of alarm 
 founds, and Chrift permits his new-acquired people to 
 be fubjedted to rigorous trials by repeated perfecutions, 
 and their fidelity to be put to the ftricteft teft. Such 
 is the ceconomy of his unfathomable wiidom. 
 
 Satan, who had ufurped for many ages almoft an uni- 
 verfal empire in the world, by fetting himfelf up to be 
 worfhipped in the place of God, feeing his Throne, 
 fhaken by the propagation of the Chriftian Religion, 
 was deeply ftung, and refolved ro exert his utmoft ef- 
 forts to crulh the new rifmg power, and to fupport his 
 own. For that purpofe he fet out by ftirring up the 
 Potentates of the earth : And as the monarchy of Rome 
 was at that time exceedingly powerful, and extended 
 over a great part of the then known world, his chief at. 
 tempt was to inftil the poifon of his malice into the 
 minds of the pagan Roman Emperors, and to infpire 
 them with the rankeft hatred againft the Chriftian Reli- 
 gion. To open the fcene of his hellim machinations, 
 he made ufe of the Emperor Nero, doubtlefs a very 
 proper inftrument for the work, as being already a mon- 
 fter of cruelty and vice. He freely drank the poifon- 
 ous cup offered him by the Devil, and firft of all the 
 Roman Monarchs drew his fword againft the Chriftians. 
 Nine other general perfecutions were raifed by the fub- 
 fequent Emperors, of all which we fhall here infert a 
 brief account. 
 
 D Me
 
 34 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 'The firjl Perfecution under Nero. 
 
 TIi is brutal prince had privately ordered the great city 
 of Rome to be fet on fire, which reduced the greateft 
 part of it to afhes. Finding himfelf detefted by the 
 people, who imputed the mifchief to him, in order to 
 clear himfelf, he endeavoured to transfer the odium 
 upon the Chriftians, whom he charged with being the 
 Incendiaries, and immediately began to perfecute them 
 in the moil bloody manner. Some were wrapt up in 
 llcins of wild beafts, and fo expofed to be worried by 
 dogs ; others were crucified , others burned alive, be- 
 ing clad in coats dipt in pitch or brimilone, that they 
 might ferve inftead of torches in the night. The 
 Church celebrates, on the 24th of June, the memory 
 of all thefe Martyrs, the firft fruits which heathen Rome 
 fent up to Heaven. Before the end of this perfecution, 
 fuffered the two great Pillars of the Church, S. S. Peter 
 and Paul, at Rome in the year 67 -, the firfl being 
 crucified with his head downwards ; the fecond, being 
 a Roman citizen, was put to death by the fword. In 
 confequence of the fevere edicts of Nero, many Chrif- 
 tians were facrificed to the fury of the Pagans in the 
 different Provinces of the Roman Empire. 
 
 'T/jf fee ond Perfecution under Domitian. 
 
 The difturbances in the Roman Empire under the 
 Emperors Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, and the humane 
 difpofmon of Vefpafian and Titus, gave fome reft to the 
 Chrifrians, till Domitian fuccceding began the fecond 
 
 general
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 35 
 
 general perfecution. This Emperor, a fecond Nero in 
 cruelty, infligated by the malice of Satan, publifhed in 
 the year 95 new edicts throughout the Empire againft 
 the Chriftians, by virtue of which great numbers were 
 made Victims of Religion. In Rome, among others he 
 put to death Flavius Clemens, his own Coufm German, 
 for being a Chriftian, and banimed Clemens's wife Do- 
 mitilla. S. S. Nereus and Achilleus fuffered alfo in 
 this perfecution , as likewife Antipas, mentioned in 
 chap. ii. v. 13. of the Apocalypfe, whom Chrift calls 
 there bis faithful witnefs. It was by this Tyrant's order 
 that St. John the Apoftle was fent for to Rome, and was 
 caft into a Caldron of boiling oil, but coming cut more 
 vigorous than before, he was banifhed to the Ifle of 
 Patmos. 
 
 The third Perfecution under Trajan. 
 
 The Chriftian Religion, by the beginning of the fe- 
 cond century, had prodigioufly increafed, and fpread 
 itfelf through a great extent in Europe, Afia, and 
 Africa j and all confiderable cities were governed by 
 their refpective Bifhops. Trajan, the Roman Emperor, 
 according to the pagan writers, was of a mild temper 
 and poffcffed of many amiable qualities, which gained 
 him from the fenate the title of " Optimus," or, " Good 
 " Prince." But this glorious title received a black and 
 indelible ftain from the perfecutions which he permitted 
 to be carried on againft the Chriftians. For, though he 
 lifted out no new Edicts againft them, he fuffered the 
 former fanguinary laws to be executed in different parts 
 of the Empire in the years 106, 107, &c. A clear in- 
 ilance of this appears in his anfwer to Pliny the 
 Younger, Governor of Pontus and Bythinia, who had 
 D 2 writ
 
 36 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 writ to know his pleafure, what mould be done with 
 the Chriftians who were very numerous in the provinces 
 of his Government. Trajan's anfwer was, " Let the 
 " Chriftians not be fought for ; but if they be accufed 
 " and convicted as fuch, let them be punimed." The 
 chief of thole who gained the Crown of martyrdom in 
 his reign were, St. Clement, Bifhop of Rome-, St. Si- 
 meon, Bifhop of Jerufalem -, St. Ignatius, Bifhop of 
 Antioch, whom Trajan himfelf condemned and fent to 
 Rome, there to be torn to pieces by wild beafts in the 
 Amphitheatre. 
 
 <T he fourth Perfecution under Marcus Aurelius. 
 
 The fourth perfecution finds its place in the reign of 
 Marcus Aurelius, in the year 166, &c. Many Chriftiana 
 indeed had been facrificed under the Emperor. Adrian, 
 by virtue of former laws remaining in force, but at 
 laft he mitigated them by an exprefs order. Marcus 
 Aurelius was extremely fuperftitious ; and as he alfo 
 boafted of being a Philofopher, he was eafily mitigated 
 by the heathen Priefts and Philofophers againft the 
 Chriftians, whofe principles of Religion and Philofophy 
 were fo contrary to theirs. If Aurelius iflfued out no 
 new Edicts, he permitted at leafl the Governors of pro- 
 vinces to put in execution the laws fubfifling. And 
 that the perfecution was very violent and bloody, ap- 
 pears from the feveral Apologies prefented to him by St. 
 Juftin, Melito, Athenagoras, and Apollinaris, intreat- 
 ing him to put a flop to it. The fame is alfo evident 
 from the number of thofe that were crowned with Mar- 
 tyrdom. In Afia, St. Polycarp, Bifhop of Smyrna, 
 was put to death, and many others about the fame 
 
 time.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 37 
 
 time. At Rome was beheaded St. Juftin, who wrote 
 two Apologies for the Chriflians. Several others mared 
 with him the fame crown. At Lyons, St. Pothinus 
 the Bilhop, and many of all ages and conditions were, 
 through the moft acute and cruel torments, conveyed 
 to Heaven. At length the Emperor put an end to the 
 perfecution about the year 1 74, prevailed upon, as is 
 fuppofed, by the fignal favour he and his army, in the 
 German war received from Heaven by the prayers of the 
 Chriftian Legion. He was fhut up in narrow defiles, 
 and furrounded by the Quadi and Marcomanni, and 
 his foldiers were ready to perifh with cxceflive heat and 
 thirft. Under thefe calamities, the Chriftiari foldiers 
 humbly addrefied themfelves to God, who immediately 
 fent a plentiful mower of rain, which relieved Aurelius's 
 army, and at the fame time a violent ftorm of hail, 
 with dreadful flames of lightning upon the enemies ; 
 which gave a compleat victory to the Emperor. 
 
 The fifth Perfecution under Severus. 
 
 After the death of Marcus Aurelius in 180, the 
 Chriftians enjoyed a refpite of tolerable peace till the 
 reign of Severus, a crafty, treacherous, and bloody 
 prince, and by his nature truly anfwering his name. 
 He at firft treated the Chriftians with humanity, but 
 was afterwards prevailed upon by their enemies to com- 
 mence a furious perfecution. He not only fuffered the 
 Governors of the provinces to perfecute the Chriftians 
 by the laws already ftanding, but he gave out in the year, 
 202 frem Edicts, which were executed with fuch ri- 
 gour and barbarity, that the Faithful imagined the time 
 of Antichrift was come. About the beginning of this 
 D 3 perfecution,
 
 38 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 perfecution, Tcrtullian wrote his Apology for the Chrif- 
 tians, a maiierly work, in which he refutes all the ca- 
 lumnies publiPaed againft them, {hews the divine mo- 
 rality of their doclrine, and expofes the abturdity of 
 the Pagan Religion. But it does not appear that ib pa- 
 thetic an addrefs had any effcft. The fire of this per- 
 fecution raged through all the Provinces of the Roman 
 Empire, but far from confuming the Church of Chrift, 
 it only ferved to purify it, and to make it fhine with 
 greater luftre. The moll illuftrious VidHms immolated 
 on this occafion were, St. Victor Bifhop of Rome, 
 Leonidas Origen's Father beheaded at Alexandria^ 
 andfeveralof Origen's fcholars. St. Potamissna, an il- 
 luftrious Virgin, and her mother Marcella, after various 
 torments were burned alive. SS. Felicitas and Per- 
 petua, two noble Ladies in Mauritania, the one brought 
 to bed but the day before, and the other at that time 
 a nurfe ; St. Speratus and his companions beheaded at 
 Carthage ; St. Irenasus, Bifhop of Lyons, and many 
 thoufands of his people martyred with him. 
 
 ^bejixth Perfecution under Maximinus. 
 
 During the fpace of twenty-four years, times were 
 peaceable for the Chriftians, till Maximinus ftept into 
 the Imperial Throne in 235, a man of bafe origin, and 
 barbarous nature. He raifed the fixth Perfecution, chief- 
 ly againft the Bifhops and Minifters, and the Teachers 
 and principal Promoters of Chriftianity. The Hiftorian 
 Capitolinus fays of him, that " never did a more cruel 
 " Beaft tread on the earth. 1 ' St. Pontian Pope fuf- 
 fered in this perfecution, and feveral others. Happily 
 it did not laft above two years, Maximinus being cut 
 off after a fliort reign.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 39 
 
 Tbefeventb P erf edition under Decius. 
 
 For ten years from the death of Maximinus till the 
 reign of Decius, the Church enjoyed a tolerable tran- 
 quillity ; and as Maximinus's perfecution was chiefly 
 levelled againft the Pallors, the bulk of Chriftians had 
 tailed the fweets of peace for 38 years. This period of 
 tranquillity occafioned, conformably to the bent of hu- 
 man nature, a remifsnefs in the Chriftians, and a relax- 
 ation in their morals -, of which St. Cyprian, who lived 
 at that time, grievoufly complained. Almighty God 
 therefore, to punifli their neglect, to revive their fer- 
 vour, and to try them in a fiery crucible, permitted a 
 mod fevere general perfecution under Decius in the 
 year 249. This favage Emperor, feeing that Chriftianity 
 had gained prodigious growth over the whole Roman 
 Empire, and that Paganifm on that account vifibly 
 declined, was relblved to fupport the latter by effec- 
 tually ruining the former. He therefore iffued out a 
 cruel Edict agairiil the Chriflians, and fent it to all the 
 Governors of provinces. The Chriftians were imme- 
 diately driven from their houfes, and ftript of their 
 eftates: Whips and priibns, fires and wild beai!s 
 fcalded pitch and melted wax, {harp, flakes and burning 
 pincers, were the ordinary inftruments ufed for their 
 torments. Slow tortures were particularly employed, in 
 order to tire out the patience of the fufferers. This 
 perfecution crowned at Rome Fabian Pope, Abdon and 
 Sennen, and many others. A great harveft of martyrs 
 was made at Carthage : Apollonk, with many others, 
 fuffered at Alexandria, as related by St, Dyonifms, 
 Bifhop of that fee. In the Eaft it fwept away Babylas, 
 P 4 Bifliop
 
 "46 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 BHhop of Antioeh, Alexanders Bifhop of Jerufalerri, 
 with thoufands more. Such was the rage of the Pagan 
 Magiftrates, that the hiflorian Nicephorus declares, it 
 would be eafier to count the fands of the fea, than to 
 reckon up all the Martyrs of. this perfecution. Many 
 Chriftians fled from this fcene of (laughter into the de- 
 ferts. One of this number was St. Paul, of the pro~ 
 vince of Thebais in Egypt, who became an eminent 
 Anchoret, and is ftiled the firft Hermit. 
 
 The eighth Perfecution under Valerian. 
 
 Valerian being inverted with the Imperial purple, 
 was at firft very favourable to the Chriftians ; but he 
 fuffered his mind to be poifoned by the fuggeftions of 
 Magicians, who perfuaded him, that to procure fuccefs 
 in his wars, and profperity to the Empire, he muft ren- 
 der the Gods propitious by fuppreffing Chriftianity. Jn 
 this view he iflued out Edicts, and commenced a bloody 
 perfecution in the year 257, which lafted three years and 
 a half. Some of the chief Martyrs were : At Rome, 
 St. Stephen Pope, his fucceflbr St. Xyftus, with St. 
 Laurence his Deacon ; St. Fructuofus Bifhop of Tar- 
 ragon in Spain ; St. Saturninus Bimop of Touloufe, 
 and St. Felix of Nola. Many were the holy Victims in 
 Egypt, as St. Dyonifius Bifhop of Alexandria, relates. 
 Violent alfo was the perfecution in other parts of Africa, 
 where many fuffered death, and many others were con- 
 demned to work in the mines : But the moft eminent 
 of the Martyrs in that part of the world was St. Cy- 
 prian Bifhop of Carthage, who had fo ftrenuoufly fup- 
 ported the Chriftian Religion by his writings and ex- 
 ample, and had encouraged others to martyrdom both
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 41 
 
 by his words and letters. He had efcaped the perfecu- 
 tion of Decius -, but now he was firft banifhed, then 
 beheaded for the Faith in the neighbourhood of Car- 
 thage. 
 
 'The ninth Perfecution under Aurelian. 
 
 The Emperor Aurelian, in the beginning of his reign, 
 behaved with humanity towards the Chriftians ; but 
 being ftrongly attached to Idolatrous worlhip, he at laft 
 fent out, in the year 274, violent Edkfts to exterminate 
 the Chriftian Religion : But as he died foon after, this 
 Perfecution was fhort. The principal victims it fent to 
 Heaven were: St. Felix Pope; St. Mamas at Caefarea 
 in Cappadocia j St. Agapitus in Italy -, St. Savinianus, 
 Bifhop of Troyes ; St. Reverianus Bifhop of Autun ; 
 St. Columba Virgin, and many others in France, 
 
 ^he tenth Perfecutlon under Dioclefian. 
 
 The tenth and laft general Perfecution, the mod fe- 
 vere and moft bloody of all, was fet on foot by the Em- 
 peror Dioclefian. The Chriftian Religion had by this 
 time gained fo much ground, that in every province of 
 the Roman Empire, and even almoft in every town, 
 multitudes profefied it, and public Churches had been 
 built, where they affembled for prayer, and other holy 
 exercifes. Satan now raging with envy, and feeing his 
 empire near expiring, feemed to fummon up his whole 
 ftrength, in order to make a laft effort for the fupport 
 of Idolatry, and the deftru&ion of Chriftianity. He 
 infpired Dioclefian, and his Collegue Maximian, with 
 the moft rancorous hatred againft the Chriftians. Dio- 
 clefian
 
 42 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 clefian publiihed an edicl: at Nicomedia iii" the year 
 303, ordering the Churches to be pulled down, and the 
 Holy Scriptures to be burnt. But this was only a pre- 
 lude to his fubfequent inhuman Edicts, which prefently 
 deluged the Roman Empire with Chriftian blood. 
 Cruelties, hitherto unheard of, and all kinds of tor- 
 tures were employed upon the Chriflians. Some were 
 hung up with their heads downwards, and fufTocated 
 by (low fires, as in Mefopotamia ; others were broiled 
 upon gridirons, as in Syria. Some were flam by 
 breaking their legs, as in Cappadocia ; others had 
 fnarp reeds thruft under their nails, and others melted 
 lead poured upon them, as in Pontus. Some were be- 
 headed in Arabia , others devoured by wild beafts in 
 Phoenicia. In Egypt infinite numbers fuffered : Some 
 of whom, after being cruelly fcourged, racked, and 
 having their fleih torn off with pincers, or raked off 
 with pieces of broken pots, were committed to the fire, 
 or thrown into the fea. In Phrygia, a populous city, 
 confifting all of Chriflians xvas furrounded by a body 
 of foldiers, who fct fire to it, and men, women, and 
 children, were all confumed in the flames. In fine, 
 Eufcbius the Hiftorian, who was eye-witnefs of fome of 
 thefe barbarous fcenes, fays, that the cruelties excrcifed 
 againft the Chriilians were innumerable, and exceeded 
 all relation. He alfo adds, that the people were not 
 fufH TL-U to buy or fell any thing, or to draw water from 
 the public fountains, without firft offering incenfe to 
 Idcls, placed there for that purpofe. It would be end- 
 lefs to reckon up the number of Martyrs of thefe times. 
 Thus was the perfecution carried on by Diociefian 
 In the Eaft, and Maximian in the Weft , and after- 
 wards by their fucceflbrs, for the fpace of ten years, 
 with forne interruptions, till Conflantine, the firft 
 
 Chriftian
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 43 
 
 Chriftian Emperor, put a flop to it in the year 313, and 
 gave peace to the Church. 
 
 Whoever defires a fuller account of all thefe perfe- 
 cutions, ,may have recourfe to the Writers of Ecclefiai- 
 tical Hiftory, Eufebius, Laftantius de mortibus Perfe- 
 .cutcntm, Tillemont, Cave, &c. What has been here 
 faid, fufficiently explains the meaning of the fhower of 
 bail and fire mixed with blocd, which fell upon the 
 Chriftian Church, according to the text of Apocalypfe 
 here confidered. 
 
 And now may we not, for a moment, take a quiet 
 view of the triumph of the Church over all her ene- 
 mies ? The Devil, like a fierce lion, had clofely 
 watched her, and made repeated furious attempts to 
 devour her : But the Lion of the tribe of Juda flood for 
 her protection, and defeated all his affaults. Thofe 
 haughty Princes, the Roman Emperors, by Satan's in- 
 fligation, bore down againft her with all the weight df 
 their power, to which the Faithful oppofed no other 
 arms but Patience : Neverthelefs the edifice of the 
 Church could not be thrown down, becaufe He that 
 built it was himfelf the Corner -ft one ^ and had declared, 
 it mould for ever fland. The Pagans perfuaded them- 
 fclves, that by dint of tortures and feverities, they could 
 totally crulh the Chriflians, and extinguifh their very 
 name : but their expectations were fruftrated, and they 
 faw them daily increafe under thofe very oppreffions. 
 The more Chriflians they tortured, or put to death, 
 the more Converts were made, from the view of fuch 
 amazing examples of fortitude , and the Chriftian blood 
 they fpilt, as Tertullian told them, was the feed of 
 new Chriftians. The heavy prefTures the Church la- 
 boured under, ferved but to purify her members like 
 gold in the furnace, and from the fire of perfecution' 
 
 (he
 
 44 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 fhe rofe up, like the Phcenix, more bright and more 
 vigorous. The Idolatrous Emperors of Rome looked 
 upon the Chriftian Religion as a mere human invention, 
 and in this lay their mifcake : They were ignorant that 
 the work was of Divine confr.ru6lion, that it was the 
 new kingdom of the Ccd of Heaven which had jufl been 
 founded, and to which, by the eternal decrees, all 
 other kingdoms were to give place, (Dan. ii. 44, } It 
 was the Stone, foretold by the prophet Daniel, cut out of 
 the mountain without bands, (Dan. ii. 34.), which mould 
 break down all preceding Powers, even the great Em- 
 pire of Rome itfelf ; that is, it mould deftroy the Em- 
 pire of Idolatry in all nations, and reduce them to the 
 obedience of its own Laws, even Rome itfelf, which 
 was to be for a time the chief feat and fortrefs of Idola- 
 try, tfhis Stone, purfues the fame Prophet, grew up 
 into a great mountain, end filled the whole earth, (Dan. 
 ii- 35-)> which fignines, that the extent of the Chrif- 
 tian Religion was to have no other bounds but the ex- 
 tremities of the Earth. Such being the folid foundation 
 of the Church laid by the Almighty's hand, all human 
 efforts againft her muft of courfe prove vain and abor- 
 tive. The Perfecutions, however violent, had no other 
 effect but to throw a gloomy veil over her for a while ; 
 but that being once removed, me appeared with new 
 ftrength, and like the Sun emerging from an Eclipfc, 
 fhe fhone forth with greater luftre, and fpread her in- 
 fluence over the whole Earth. 
 
 Prelude to tie pouring out of the Sevfn Vials. 
 
 APOC. Chap. XV. v. i. And I f aw, fays St. John, 
 rt in heaven great and wendsrful : ftven Angels, 
 
 having
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. A5 
 
 having the feven loft plagues , for in them is filled up the 
 ivratb of God *. 
 
 Here is a new Vifion, great and wonderful, fhewn to 
 St. John , feven Angels holding the figurative fymbols 
 of feven plagues or icourges, that is, of feven dreadful 
 Punifhments. They are called the laft, becaufe in them 
 is filled up or completed the wrath of God, being inflicted 
 on mankind in the loft period of the world, which is 
 the period of Chriftiamty. Accordingly, the firft of 
 thefe fcourges takes place as we fhall fee, foon after the 
 beginning of the Chriftian sra, and the feventh puts an 
 end to the v/orld. 
 
 v. 2. And I faw, continues St. John, as if were, a 
 fea of glafs mingled with fire, and them that had overcome 
 the Beaft, and his image -f-, and the number of his name, 
 jianding on the fea of glafs, having the harps of God: 
 
 v. 3. Andfinging the canticle of Mcfes the fervant of 
 God, and the canticle of the Lamb, faying : Great and 
 wonderful are thy works, Lord God Almighty : Juft and 
 true are thy ways, O King of ages J. 
 
 v. 4. Who Jhall not fear thee, O Lord, and magnify 
 thy name ? for thou only art holy. For all nations fliall 
 come, and Jh all adore in thy fight, becaufe thy judgments 
 are manifeft. 
 
 By the fea of glafs is meant, as before explained, the 
 firmament that makes the floor of heaven ; which here 
 is faid to be mingled with fire, in allufion to the perfe- 
 cutions and troubles, which the faithful fervants of 
 God, who are feen {landing on this fea, have fuftained 
 during the whole courfe of the Chriftian ages. For 
 here 
 
 * In the Greek text, having feven plagues the lq/? t betauf: in 
 them was fulfilled the wrath of God. 
 
 f In the Greek is added, and his cbarafler. 
 $ In the Greek, King of Saints.
 
 46 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 here, it muft be obferved, we arc transferred to the 
 moment of time when all the feven fcourges are com- 
 pleted and pail, which is at the end of the world. 
 Suppofing ourfclves therefore at that point of time, we 
 fee a great body of Chriftian Saints flanding upon the fea 
 cf glafs. But who in particular are they ? fbcfe who 
 have overcome the Bcaft, and his image, and his character 
 or mark, and the number of his name. By a Beaft is 
 generally meant an Animal that deftroys mankind, or 
 ravages a country. In allufion to that idea, the Beaft 
 here ftands for Idolatry and Herefy , both which always 
 make great devafcation and defoladon in the Church. 
 Burfuant to that double meaning of the Beaft, its image 
 denotes, either the Idols of the pagan Gods, or the 
 pernicious tenets of Herefy. By the character or mark 
 of the Beaft we may underftand, either a real diftinctive 
 mark of Idolatry or Herefy, or a fpecial power exer- 
 cifed in defence of either. The number of the name of 
 the Beaft is appropriated, as we mall fee hereafter, to 
 the famous abettor of Idolatry, Antichrift. Thofe 
 Chriftian Champions therefore, who have courageoufly 
 fuffered death, or pcrfccution, or other tribulations, 
 rather than join with Idolatry or Herefy under any re- 
 fpect whatever, are here collected together in Heaven, 
 holding in their hands celeftial harps to found the 
 praifes of God. They are employed mfmging the can- 
 ticle of Mofes the fervant of God, and the canticle of the 
 Lamb : the firft, to acknowledge the power and juitice of 
 God in the feven terrible -plagues or punifhments, which 
 he has inflicted upon their enemies, the Idolaters and 
 Heretics. Thus in that fenfe they fing ; Great and 
 wonderful are thy Marks, Lord Gcd Almighty. This 
 canticle is here faid to be the canticle of Mofes the fer- 
 vant of Ged, becaufc it bears the fenfe, and is fung in 
 
 imitation
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 47 
 
 imitation, of the canticle, which the Israelites fang to 
 God, after having pafled the Red Sea under the con- 
 duit of Mofes, and fecn their enemies perifn in its gulf. 
 For thus fung they : Let us fing to the Lord \ for be is 
 gloriciify magiuftCtl, the horfe find the ruler he has thrown 
 into the fea, &c. (Excel, xv. i.) To the Canticle of 
 Mofes the Chriftian Saints immediately join the Canticle 
 of the Lamb, fmging , Juft and true are thy ways, O King 
 of Saints ; thus extolling his juftice and bounty in his 
 difpenfations to them, for having fubjecled them to fe- 
 vere trials, having fafely conducted them through by 
 his grace, and crowned them with victory. Then they 
 conclude their religious hymn in re-addreffing Almighty 
 God thus : Who ft) all net fear thee, O Lord, and mag- 
 nify thy name ? Fcr thcu only art holy : for all nations 
 Jhall come, and Jh all adcre in thy figlt, becaufe thy Judg- 
 ments or puniihments on the impious are mamfeft. 
 
 From what has been exhibited in this fcene we learn, 
 that the Almighty is jealous of whatever injuries are 
 offered to his fervants, and takes upon hirnieif the judg- 
 ment of their cauie. Though for the proof of their 
 zeal, and for their greater crown, he permits their ene- 
 mies for a while to exercile their tyrannical power over 
 them, yet in his wifdom he referves to himfelf a time, 
 in which he will revenge the evils done to them, and 
 feverely punim their perfecutors. Not only former 
 agesfurnifh a great number of known inftances offuch 
 punimments, but the word of God openly declares fuch 
 to be the tenour of the divine oeconomy. Will net 
 God, laid our Saviour, revenge his Ekff ivho cry to hi/n 
 day and night : and will he have patience in their regard ? 
 I fay to you that he will quickly revenge them, (Luke 
 xviii. 7, 8.) Hence we are prepared for what fol- 
 lows.
 
 4 S THE GENE-RAL HISTORY 
 
 v. 5. And after thefe things* proceeds St. John, / 
 looked^ and behold the temple of the tabernacle of the tef- 
 timony in heaven was opened. 
 
 v. 6. And the feven Angels came out of the temple 
 having the feven plagues* clothed with dean and while 
 linnen* and girt about the breafts with golden girdles. 
 
 Here the fcene changes, and is carried back to the 
 period of time that immediately precedes the beginning 
 of the feven plagues or punifhments. This removal of 
 the fcene St. John infmuates by the unufual circumlo- 
 cution, after thefe things I looked* and behold. Then 
 the temple of the tabernacle of the teftimony in heaven was 
 opened. St. John fees in heaven a Tabernacle of tefti- 
 mony, fimilar in form to the ancient Jewifh Taber- 
 nacle -, and the Temple, that is, the Holy of Holies, or 
 Sanctuary of this heavenly tabernacle, had been fhut 
 up on the conclufion of the above Canticles, and in it 
 the Deity with the feven Angels : but after a fhort 
 fpace of time, on the commencement of the new fcene, 
 the Temple or Sanctuary opens, and prefently come out 
 from the prefence of God the feven Angels holding the 
 feven plagues* clothed in clean and white linnen* the em- 
 blem of the immortal glory they enjoy ; and girt about 
 She breafts with golden girdles* to fhew they are vefted 
 with the divine authority, and that they are actually pro- 
 ceeding to execute the work they are charged with. 
 
 v. 7. And one of the four living creatures gave to the 
 feven Angels feven golden vials* full of the wrath of God 
 who liveth for ever and ever. 
 
 v. 8. And the temple was filled with fmoke from the 
 Majefty of God* and from his Power '- and no man was 
 able to enter into the temple* till the feven plagues of the. 
 feven Angels were fulfilled. Here the feven Angels re- 
 ceive feven Vials full of the wrath of God > upon the 
 
 pouring
 
 OF ftfjr CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 49 
 
 pouring out of which, as \ve mall fee, follow thtfeveti 
 plagues or divine Judgments upon the enemies of Re- 
 ligion. The Vials are given to tlxe Angels by one" of 
 the four living creatures., that is, by a Prophet, becaufe 
 at that time the effects of the Vials have not happened, 
 but are to happen in time to come, and therefore are 
 here announced by way of prophecy. Then the Tem- 
 ple in heaven is filed with fmoke manifeiling, firft, the 
 Majtfty of God refiding there ; fecondly, his Power^ 
 which he is going to exert in the punifhrnent of Idol- 
 aters and Heretics. A fimilar fcene to this was for- 
 merly feen by the Prophet Ifaiah : Ifaw, fays he, tUt 
 Lord fitting upon a throne high and elevated. And 
 thehoufe was filled with fmoke. (Ifai. vi. 1.4.) In the pre- 
 fent cafe fuch is the overpowering force of the fmoke, 
 that no one can enter into the temple^ till the fever, plagues 
 of the feven Angels be fulfilled. Under the Mofaic 
 Difpenfation the High Pried entered once a year into 
 the Sanctuary of the Tabernacle, to expiate by fpecial 
 Sacrifices all the faults of the Ifraelites committed dur^ 
 ing that year, and thus was effected a reconciliation 
 between God and his people. But here no one can 
 enter the Sanctuary to expiate the crimes for whic'n 
 the feven puniihments are inflicted, becaufe the Al- 
 mighty admits of no expiation for crimes of which the 
 guilty remain impenitent -, which is the cafe in the -efc 
 fufion of the feven Vials. Almighty God is patient 
 in his anger, and waits for the converfion of his un- 
 dutiful and rebellious Children, but their obflinacy 
 arms at laft his Juftice, and compels him to : ftrike. 
 The Lord is a jealous God^ fays the Prophet, and e, rer- 
 venger ; the Lord is a revenger and has wrath : The 
 Lord takes vengeance en his adverfaries, and he is angry 
 with bis enemies. (Nahum. i. 2.) 
 
 E APOC.
 
 50 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 APOC. Chap. XVI. V. i. And I heard, continues 
 St. John, a great 'voice out of the temple, faying to the 
 [even Angels : Go and 'pour out the /even vials of the 
 wrath of God upon the earth. 
 
 A great voice is heard from out of the Temple or 
 Sanctuary, as coming from God who refides there ; 
 and delivering this order to the feven Angels who hold 
 the Seven Vials , Go and pour out the feven vials of the 
 wrath of God upon the Earth. Upon which follows 
 
 'The pouring out of the firjl Vial of the wrath of 
 
 God. 
 
 Ver. 2. And the firft (Angel) vjent, and poured out 
 his vial npon the earth, and there fell a (ore and grievous 
 wound upon men, who had the character of the beaft, and 
 upon them that adored 'the image thereof. 
 
 Let us begin with obferving that, as at the founding 
 of the firft Trumpet the mower of hail, fire, and blood, 
 fell upon the Earth, that is, on the good part of the 
 earth or the Chriftian Church, fo here the firft Vial of 
 the wrath of God is likewife poured out upon the 
 Earth, that is, upon the guilty part of the earth or the 
 Perfecntors of the Chriftians. The fore and grievous 
 wound here inflicted, means a grievous punimment, 
 which falls upon thofe who have the charafler or mark 
 'cf'tbe Eeaft, that is, on the Pagan Emperors of Rome 
 and their Governors of the Roman Provinces, as they 
 bore in a fpecial manner the mark of the Beaft or of 
 Idolatry, by employing their whole power in the fup- 
 port of it, and in persecuting the Chriftian Religion. 
 'The fame p^nimment alfo falls upon thofe who adore 
 the image, of the Beaft, that is, on the Idolatrous people 
 of the Roman Empire. The Roman State was the 
 
 feat
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 51 
 
 feat and principal bulwark of Idolatry. Hence the 
 pouring out of the firft vial of the wrath of God an- 
 nounces the Divine Judgments on the Monarchs of 
 Rome and their Subjects, for their fupporting Idolatry > 
 an abomination fo odious to God, and for the perfecu- 
 ting his Church and his people How this was ful- 
 filled the following fhort account will difcover. 
 
 Nero the firft Roman Emperor, that imbrued his 
 hands in Chriftian blood, had by his cruelties made 
 himfelf the deteftation of mankind. The people of 
 Rome would no longer bear with him , his armies re- 
 volted from him and fet up a new Emperor. He v/as 
 deferted by his own guards, and the Roman Senate 
 pronounced fentence of death againft him. In this 
 'defperate and forlorn condition he fled from Rome in- 
 to the country to a houfe belonging to his Freedman, 
 where by the help of others, not having refolution him- 
 felf, he got himfelf difpatched with a dagger. Thus 
 fell Nero a vidtim to the vengeance of God. 
 
 But Heaven was not appeafed with this fole victim. 
 The weight of divine Juftice, conformably to the te- 
 nour of the Vial, fell alfo upon the whole Roman 
 ftate, which was torn to pieces by inteftine convulfions- 
 Galba fucceeded Nero ; but foon after rofe up Otho, 
 .who got himfelf proclaimed Emperor by the ibldiers. 
 Galba was murdered in the Forum, and the people 
 were trampled under fobt in the ftreets of Rome by 
 the brutal foldiers. During thefe troubles in the City, 
 the Roman Legions in Germany created their Com- 
 mander Vitellius Emperor. This new conteft between 
 two Competitors could not be decided but by the 
 iword and the blood of many thoufands of Romans. 
 Four confiderable battles were fought within the fpace 
 of a few months, which gave the Empire to Vitellius. 
 E 2 But
 
 *2 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 &ut that fame year the Roman armies in the Eafl veiled 
 their own Commander Vefpafian with the Imperial 
 Purple in oppofition to Vitellius, This continued the 
 civil war, and a battle was fought between the two 
 parties at the gates of Rome, in which the Vitellians 
 loll the day. Rome was made a fcene of (laughter, 
 being taken and ravaged by it's own fubjects, and the 
 Capitol was laid in afhes. 
 
 Eight years after this calamity fprung up a frefh one. 
 Such a terrible plague infected the city of Rome, that 
 according to Eufebius it fwept away ten thoufand in- 
 habitants in a day for feveral days together. 
 
 Domitian the fecond Perfecutor felt alfo the weight 
 of Divine Anger. His own friends and domeflics 
 with his Wife Domitia confpired againft him and flew 
 him. And, after his death the Senate of Rome ref- 
 cinded all his Edicts, ordered all his flames to be 
 pulled down, his name to be erafed in all the public 
 Regifters, and never more to be mentioned. 
 
 The Emperors Trajan, Adrian, and Marcus Au- 
 rolius, having rather tolerated than raifed perfecution, 
 cfcaped iuch vifible judgments. But the Empire itfelf 
 felt the difmal effects of the Chriftian blood that had 
 been fpilt during thefe reigns. In the eighteenth year 
 of Trajan there happened a prodigious earthquake, 
 which was almoft general in the Eaft, but Syria chiefly 
 luffered. Many great towns were ruined. In the city 
 of Antioch, where the Emperor Trajan then refided, 
 almoft all the buildings were thrown down, and many 
 thoufands of people lofl their lives, the Emperor him- 
 felf hardly efcaping by leaping out of a window. In 
 the fecond year of Marcus Aurelius the Tyber over- 
 flowed a confiderable part of Rome, carried away a 
 multitude of people and cattle, ruined the country, 
 
 and
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN. CHURCH. 53 
 
 and caufed an extreme famine. This inundation was 
 followed by fwarms of Infects, which devoured all that 
 the flood had fpared. Four years after.,, Lucius Verus 
 coming victorious from the Parthian war, brought the 
 Plague along with him, which communicated the con- 
 tagion to all the Roman Provinces through which .he 
 .patted, and carried off multitudes of people. 
 
 Severus, the fifth Perfecutor, among other misfor- 
 tunes, had for Son Antoninus Caracalla, a moft vicious 
 Prince, who attempted to take away his Father's life 
 by ftabbing him with his own hand, but was prevent- 
 ed by fome that were prefent. This behaviour of his 
 Son threw Severus into a deep melancholy, which put 
 an end to his life. The hand of vengeance purfucd 
 even his Children. Caracalla murdered his Brother 
 Geta, and he himfelf underwent the fame fate, which 
 extinguilhed the family. 
 
 Maximinus, the fixth Perfecutor, became odious to 
 the whole Empire for his cruelties and his avarice. 
 Africa rebelled againft him. The Senate of Rome 
 declared him an Enemy to the State, and fet up new 
 Emperors againft him. He was fo detefted, that while 
 he was befieging the city of Aquileia, his own foldiers 
 fell upon him in his tent, flew both him and his fon, 
 lent their heads to Rome, and left their bodies to be 
 devoured by dogs and birds of prey. 
 
 During the iliort reign of Maximinus, neither the 
 city of Rome nor the Provinces were free from wars, 
 tumults, murders, and all forts of calamities. 
 
 Decius the Emperor, an execrable Beaft, as Lactan- 
 tius ftiles him, in his war with the Goths being at- 
 tacked by them, and feeing his eldeft fon killed before 
 his face and a great part of his army cut off, in defpair 
 run into a deep bog where he perifhed. His body was 
 E 3 not
 
 54- THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 not allowed common burial, but expofed to be devour- 
 ed by the beafts of the earth and the birds of the air. 
 
 The horrible Perfecution in this Emperor's reign 
 feemed to roufe up afrelh the indignation of Heaven. 
 The Roman State was harrafled by great wars and de- 
 folation from the Goths and other barbarous northern 
 nations ; and likewife by a dreadful Peftilence, which 
 fpread itfelf over all the provinces and lafted ten years, 
 deflroying incredible numbers of people. In the firft 
 year of the Emperor Callus, Decius's fucceflbr, who 
 continued the perfecution, the plague raged more fu- 
 rioufly than ever, particularly at Carthage in Africa. 
 There vaft multitudes were fwept away every day, and 
 the ftreets were filled with the carcafles of the dead. 
 St. Cyprian, Bifhop of that city, wrote on this occa- 
 fion his book on the Mortality or Peflilence, to comfort 
 and encourage his own flock under the general cala- 
 mity, and he zealoufly exhorted them not to be want- 
 ing in giving all afiiftance poUIble to the infected, 
 though Pagans and their declared enemies. He alfo 
 wrote at this time to Demetrianus a Magiftrate of Car- 
 thage, reprefenting to him that thefe evils were not, as 
 the Pagans pretended, punifhments inflifted upon them 
 by their Gods for their permitting the growth of Chrif- 
 tianity; but on the contrary, that they were real pu- 
 nimmenrs fent from the true God of Heaven and Earth 
 for their cruelties to the Chriftians. St. Cyprian tells 
 him : " Never do we fee the Chriftian name perfecut- 
 " ed but the divine vengeance foon follows Of this 
 *' we have a recent example, when fo quick and fo re- 
 " markable a judgment lately appeared, in the violent 
 " death of the Kings" (meaning Decius and his Son,) 
 " in the great devallations made by the enemies, and 
 " the ruin of the Roman army. 5 ' 
 
 Valerian,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 55 
 
 Valerian, the eighth cruel Perfecutor of the Chrif- 
 tians, in his war with the Perfians was taken prifoner 
 by Sapor their King, who treated him with the utmofl 
 indignity, fo far as to make Him who had but juft be- 
 fore been the greateft Monarch in the world, to bow 
 down and ferve as a footftool to him (the King) to get 
 on horfeback. After keeping him feven years in this 
 wretched flavery, Sapor ordered that his eyes mould 
 be pulled out, then that he mould be fiead alive, and 
 his fkin hung up as a Trophy in one of the Perfian 
 temples. 
 
 After Valerian's perfecution, Heaven and Earth 
 feemed to confpire in the deftruftion of the Roman 
 Empire. Earthquakes overthrew cities and deftroyecl 
 great numbers of people. The fea overfweiled it's 
 boundaries, and broke into many Continents, drown- 
 ing countries, cities, and people : and fo violent a pef- 
 tilence raged, that in Rome no lefs than five thoufand 
 perfons died in a day. Befides this, the whole Empire 
 was invaded on all fides. A body of Germans crofied the 
 Alps and broke into Italy. Another body of the fame 
 enemies wafted Gaul and entered Spain. The Goths 
 and Scythians ravaged Pontus and great part of lefier 
 Afia ; and in Europe, all Greece, Macedon, and their 
 confines. The Qiiadi and Sarmatians'feized on Dacia 
 and Pannonia : and the Perfians and Parthians took 
 pofieffion of Mesopotamia and a great part of Syria. 
 To complete tliefe difafters, there role up thirty Ty- 
 rants, who aftuming the title of Emperors, fet up in 
 oppofition to one another and to the reigning Emperor 
 Gallienus, which occafioned the Empire to be more 
 harrafled and opprefied by its own inteftine broils than 
 by foreign devaftations. Thefe difafters had been fore, 
 told in the time of the Perfecution by the holy Martyr 
 E 4 St.
 
 56 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 St. Marian, when he was carried to execution. He, 
 announced them as a fcourge impending on the State 
 for the innocent blood that was fpilt of the Chriftians.' 
 
 The Emperor Aurelian, another Perfecutor, was af- 
 faffinated by his own Secretary and fome others, who 
 had formed a confpiracy againft him. 
 
 Dioclefian, the tenth Perfecutor, was compelled by 
 Gallerius, whom he had created Caefar, to refign to 
 him the Empire, and retire himfelf to a private life. 
 Afterwards he had the mortification to learn, that Con- 
 flantine, who was become Emperor, had pulled down 
 his ftatues. His Wife and Daughter were alfo put to 
 death by Licinius. Thefe difgraces, and the load of 
 guilt that hung upon him, operated fo ftrongly on his 
 mind, that he could neither eat nor deep. He fighed 
 and groaned continually, often with tears in his eyes, 
 fometimes tumbling himfelf on his bed, and fometimes 
 on the ground. Thus He who had governed the world 
 for twenty years, as Lactantius obferves, was reduced 
 to fo miferable a condition, that he finimed his life by 
 hunger and grief. This happened in the year 312. 
 
 Maximian, Dioclefian's Collegue in the Empire and 
 in the Perfecution, had been alfo obliged to abdicate. 
 He made feveral attempts to refume the Purple, but 
 feeing them all defeated, he hanged himfelf. 
 
 The facceeding Emperors, Galerius, Maxentius, 
 Maximinus Daia, and Licinius, endeavouring to carry 
 on the perfecution begun by Dioclefian and Maximian, 
 met alfo with their due punimment. And firft, 
 
 The Hand of God was very vifible upon the abomi- 
 nable Galerius, who had taken fo much pains to infti- 
 gate Dioclefian againft the Chriftians. He was ftruck 
 with a dreadful difeafe. An Ulcer confumed the lower 
 parts of his belly, and laid open his very bowels. He 
 
 was
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 57 
 
 was devoured by vermine, and the whole mafs of his 
 body putrified. The flench that came from him was 
 intolerable. His pains were fo violent, that he roared 
 out, and often attempted to kill himfelf. In thefe ago- 
 nies he feemed to acknowledge the Hand that lay over 
 him, and in order to avert it, he publifhed an Edict in 
 favour of the Chriftians. But Heaven did not relent : 
 and his diftemper increafing, in a few days put a period 
 to his life. 
 
 Maxentius was routed in a battle he fought with 
 Conflantine on the banks of the Tyber. As he was 
 crofting that river in his flight, the bridge gave way 
 with the weight of the crowd, and he was drowned. 
 
 Maximinus Daia being upon the point of engaging 
 in battle with Licinius, made a vow to Jupiter that, 
 if he got the victory, he would extinguilh the very 
 name of Chriftian. His army was totally defeated by 
 a much leffer number ; upon which he threw away his 
 Imperial Robe, and fled in the habit of a fiave. He 
 made different efforts to retrieve himfelf, but not fuc- 
 ceeding, he refolved to make away with himfelf. For 
 that purpofe he eat and drank to great excefs, but this 
 not effecting it, he took poifon, which burnt him 
 within, and threw him into fuc.h a phrenzy, that he eat 
 common earth. His pains became fo intolerable, that 
 he ran his head againft the wall with fuch violence that 
 his eyes ftarted out. In the end he acknowledged the 
 juftice of his punifhment for his cruelty to the Chrif- 
 tians, and in the moft exquifite torments he breathed 
 out his laft. 
 
 We learn from Latantius, that not only the fore- 
 mentioned Perfecutors were all crufhed by a fuperior 
 Power, but that their whole race was alfp cut off. 
 The fame fate, in like manner, attended 'many of the 
 
 Governors
 
 5S THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Governors of the Roman Provinces, who had fo wil- 
 lingly concurred in executing the cruel and bloody Sta- 
 tutes of the Emperors for the extirpation of Chriftianity. 
 The Provinces of the Eaft, where Maximinus com- 
 manded, had alfo lhared in the difafters that ufually 
 followed perfecntion. A dreadful famine and plague 
 had fpread through them an univerfal defohtion. 
 
 At the death of Maximinus Daia in 313, Licinius re- 
 mained Mafter in the Eaft. Conftantine, who had 
 reigned for fome years as Emperor in the Weft, being 
 a Chriftian, or difpofing himfelf to be fo, prevailed 
 upon Licinius to join with him in publifhing an Edict, 
 which fuperfeded all perfecution, and granted full li- 
 berty and peace to Chriftians. This happy time lafted 
 till the year 319, when Licinius altering his conduct, 
 commenced a new Perfecution, and in 323 renewed 
 the war he had before waged with Conftantine. Lici- 
 nius was vanquilhed both by fea and land, and upon 
 his fubmiffion, was allowed to retire to ThefTalonica : 
 but as he ftill meditated new difturbances, he was put 
 to death by Conftantine's orders in the year 324. 
 
 Thus then at laft a period was put to the troubles of 
 the Chriftians. Religion triumphed over every obftruc- 
 tion, which the Idolatrous Powers had oppofed to it. 
 The Chriftian Conftantine reigned fole Emperor : And 
 here is dated the remarkable Epocha of the Peace and 
 Triumph of the Church of Chrift. 
 
 What has been faid feems to fliew fufficiently the ac- 
 complimment of the Text under confideration, that is, 
 the fevere Judgments that fell upon the Roman Em- 
 perors and the people of the Empire, for their fup- 
 porting Idolatry, and perfecuting the true worfh'ip of 
 God. However, the hand of God did not flop here, 
 nor was -it fatisfied with the (laughter of the great Vic- 
 tims
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 59 
 
 tims we have feen, nor with the large meafure of cala- 
 mities we have defcribed. We fhall fee in the fequel 
 the moil aftonifhing ftroke, by which the Divine Ven- 
 geance was at laft completed. This was, the fubver- 
 fion of the great Roman Empire, and the total deftruc- 
 tion of Pagan Rome itfelf. 
 
 Notwithftanding the preceding explanation of the 
 text, we fhall beg leave, in order to elucidate it the 
 more, to add fomething further, particularly concern- 
 ing the ceflation of the Pagan Oracles, which chiefly 
 happened in this firft age. Chriil came into the world 
 not only to fubdue allEarthJy Powers by bringing them 
 under the yoke of his doctrine, but alfo to conquer the 
 Devil, and to break down the dominion he had 
 ufurped over mankind. This we learn from our Sa- 
 viour himfelf, who faid ; Now is the judgment of tie 
 world: now Jh all the Prince of this world (the Devil) be 
 caft out, (John xii. 31.) It is well known that the Devil 
 had long deluded mankind by the Oracles which he 
 pretended to deliver by the mouths of the Idols, or 
 their Priefts. Many of the Anfwers thus pronounced 
 as Oracles, were undoubtedly mere inventions of the 
 pagan Priefts themfelves, who by fuch artifices impofed 
 upon the ignorant. But the Holy Fathers and ancient 
 Ecclefiaftical Writers agree, that the Demons them- 
 felves often ipoke through the Idols, and uttered Pre- 
 dictions, which whether true or falfe could always, on 
 account of their obfcurity and ambiguity, be inter- 
 preted conformable to the events. All thefe Oracular 
 Powers, even the moil celebrated, were obferved to 
 decline after our Saviour's coming into the world and 
 the preaching of the Gofpel, and by degrees intirely 
 ceafed giving any more anfwers. Thus fpeaks the 
 Hiftorian Eufebius, who flourished in the reign of 
 
 Conftantine
 
 60 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Conftantine the Great : " A great proof of the imbe- 
 " cillity of the Demons is, that their Oracles are ex- 
 ' tinct, and give no more anfwers as formerly, and 
 < c that this happened about the time of the coming of 
 " our Saviour -, for as foon as his Doctrine was 
 <c preached through the world, the Oracles then 
 " ceafed." (Dem. Evang. lib. 5.) The Pagan 
 Writers themielves univerfally complain, that their 
 Gods had forfaken their temples, and that their Vota- 
 ries did in vain folicit their counfels. Julian the Apol- 
 tate owns, " that the Gods now-a-days feldom infpire 
 " any of their Miniftcrs ; nor can any one fcarce ob- 
 " tain that infpiration : but Oracles, like other things, 
 " feem to alter with the revolution of times." (Apud 
 S. Cyrill. lib. 6. contra Julian.) Even the moft cele- 
 brated Oracle of Apollo at Delphos fome time before 
 our Saviour's birth, had loft much of its credit, and af- 
 ter his appearance it intirely funk away. Thus fpeaks 
 Juvenal of it at the beginning of the fecond Century, 
 (Satyr. 6.) 
 
 Delphis Oracula ceflant. 
 
 Now the Delphian Oracles are dumb. 
 
 DRYDEN'S Tranfl. 
 
 Thus alfo wrote the Poet Lucan a little after the 
 middle of the firft Century, (lib. 5.) 
 
 Non ullo fascula dono 
 
 Noflra carent majore Deum, quam Delphica fedes 
 
 quod filuit. 
 
 Of all the wants with which this age is curft, 
 The Delphic filence furely is the worft. 
 
 ROWE'S Tranfl. 
 
 Plutarch
 
 or THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 61 
 
 Plutarch wrote an exprefs treadle to account for the 
 iilence of Oracles. He employs arguments founded on 
 natural, moral, and political caufes, but all his Philo- 
 fophy proved insufficient to give a fatisfactory reafon. 
 That this filence was folely owing to the dominion of 
 Chrift, and the eftablilhment of his Religion, is avowed 
 even by fome of the Pagans themfelves. Porphyry, an 
 inveterate enemy to Chriftianity, who lived towards the 
 end of the third century, fays : " It's no wonder if the 
 " City for fo many years has been afflicted with ficknefs, 
 " ^Eiculapius, and the reft of the Gods, having with- 
 " drawn their former commerce with mankind : for 
 " lince Jefus has begun to be worfhipped, no one has 
 " received any public help from the Gods." (Eufeb. 
 Prsep. Evang. lib. 5.) On this fubjecl: fee alfo Cave 
 and others. The Holy Fathers are unanimous in their 
 opinion, that the fuperior power of the Chriftian Reli- 
 gion impofed filence on the Devil, ihut up the mouths 
 of his Priefts and Priefteffes, and greatly abridged his 
 influence in feducing mankind. Vifible examples are 
 not wanting in confirmation of this truth. St. Gregory 
 of NyfTa relates, that St. Gregory Thaumaturgus, hav- 
 ing entered a heathenim temple famous for Oracles, pu- 
 rified it by the fign of the Crofs and prayer, and com- 
 pelled the Demon that refided there to leave the place. 
 This the Demon himfelf confefied to his votaries. 
 We alfo learn from St. Chryfoftom, Theodoret, Sozo. 
 men, and others, that at Daphne in the neighbourhood 
 of Antioch there was a temple dedicated to Apollo, 
 much celebrated for it's Oracles -, but that the body 
 of the holy Martyr St. Babylas being brought and laid 
 .in a Church near the place, Apollo was inilantly ftruck 
 dumb. Thus was the Devil compelled to yield to a 
 force he had not felt before. It was certainly fit that, 
 
 when
 
 62 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 when the Son of God appeared on the earth, then Sa- 
 tan fhould be obliged to withdraw, and his impoftures 
 give place to the light of Truth. 
 
 But it ought to be here obferved, that this filencing 
 of Satan was only a Imall part of the victory which 
 Chrift claimed over him. The whole fyfbem of Idol- 
 atry, which that enemy of God had introduced into 
 the world, was now by the propagation of the Chriftian 
 Faith ihaken to the very foundation, and in a little 
 time tumbled wholly to pieces. It was what the Al- 
 mighty had long before announced by his Prophets. 
 Thus fpeaks Ifaiah : In that day the Lord fo all be exalt- 
 ed alone, and the Idols Jhall be utterly deftroyed. (Ifai. ii. 
 .17, 1 8.) 'The Lord Jhall confume all the Gods of the earth, 
 fays another Prophet (Sophon. ii. n.) In proportion as 
 the Chriftian Religion was made known, the abfurdity 
 and impiety of idolatrous worihip became manifeft, the 
 Idols were thrown down, the fictitious Deities they re- 
 prefentcd were fcoffed at and ridiculed, and their mi- 
 niilers treated with the utmoft contempt. In the fame 
 meafure that He, who is the Light of the world, fpread 
 his influence, with the fame fpeed the Spirit of darknefs 
 fled away, and retired into obfcurity. 
 
 By degrees the Devil's power was fo weakened, that 
 the meaneft Chriftian could by a word expel him from 
 thofe miferable creatures he tyrannically poffeffed, and 
 .force him to acknowledge with confufion, he was a re- 
 bel Angel, an enemy to God. This practice is fully at- 
 tefted by St. Juftin, St. Irenseus, Tertullian, St. Cy- 
 prian, and all the primitive Fathers, and was common 
 in the three firft centuries of the Church. Nor was 
 this power of the Chriftians over the Devil to be won- 
 dered at, as it was founded on Chrift who had given 
 ,his word for it. Thefefigns, fays he, Jhall follow them 
 
 that
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 63 
 
 bat believe : In my name they faatt caft out Devils. 
 (Mark xvi, 17.) 
 
 Facts fimilar to thcfe above related are feen at this 
 day in the Idolatrous Nations of the Eaft-Indies, where 
 the Devil has maintained for a long time a fettled wor- 
 fhip and dominion. It is common there to fee perfons 
 poffefTed, which he manages according to his will, and 
 through their mouths delivers his Oracles, and anfwers 
 the queftions put to him by his votaries. It is indeed 
 no matter of furprife, that the Devil enjoys fo much 
 power in places where he is perfonally worshipped. 
 But at the fame time there is feen the fame virtue and 
 efficacy refiding in the Chriftian and Catholic Religion, 
 as in the primitive ages. The perfons pofiefTed are de- 
 livered from the evil fpirit by the prayers or command 
 of the Chriftians, and his influence is obferved to de- 
 cline as the Gofpel gains ground. Thefe fads are cer- 
 tified by unqueftionable 'teftimonies of the Catholic 
 Mifllonaries refiding in thofe countries, who are daily 
 eye-witneffes of them. (SeeLettres curieufes et edifi- 
 antes.) 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 A 'further Account ofthefrftAge of the Chriftian 
 Church. 
 
 THE firft Seal, Trumpet, and Vial, have ex- 
 hibited a general defcripdon of the nrft preaching 
 of the Chriftian Religion, the perfecutions that at- 
 tended it, and the Divine vengeance on the Authors of 
 thofe perfecutions. But as the Hiftory of the Church is 
 highly interefting during this firft age^ or firft three 
 
 centuries,
 
 64 ?HE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 centuries, in which it took its birth and obtained its ef- 
 tabiifliment, Chrift is pleafcd to difclofe to us, in chap, 
 xii. of the Apocalypie, more circumftances belonging 
 to this period, and unfolds the origin of all the obftruc- 
 tions put to the propagation of the Chriftian Religion, 
 the Agents employed for that purpofe, with the pro- 
 grefs of their machinations and efforts for the fupport 
 of Idolatry, and for fupprefling the worfhip of God 
 and Chrift. 
 
 APOC. Chap. xii. v. i. And a great fign appeared 
 
 in heaven : A Woman clothed with the fun, and the moon 
 
 under her feet ', and on her head a crown of twelve ft ars : 
 
 v. 2. And being with child, foe cried travelling in 
 
 lirth, and was in pain to be delivered. 
 
 Here is a great Jign or a noble figurative reprefenta- 
 tion of the Chriftian Church. She appears in heaven, 
 as being attended by the fpecial protection of God ; and 
 flie is reprefented under the form of a Woman, clothed 
 with the Sim, Mccn, and Stars, the moft fplendid rai- 
 ment the whole compafs of nature can furnifli. She is 
 clothed with the#w, asfhining with the brightnefs of her 
 Sanctity, and with the glory of her Spoufe Jefus Chrift, 
 who is the Sun of Jujlice, (Mai. iv. 2.) She holds the 
 Moon under her feet, as victorious over all fublunary be- 
 ings, over all earthly powers, and worldly charms. 
 She bears on her head a crown of twelve ftars, denoting 
 the twelve Apoftles, who, after Chrift her Sun, make 
 her principal ornament. She appears in labour, and 
 fuffering the excruciating pangs of child- bed in her firft 
 bringing forth Children to Chrift : Such are the ftrug- 
 gles, and fuch arc the difficulties, that obftruct the birth 
 of ChriftianitVj or the firft propagation of the Chriftian 
 Faith. On one fide human laws, human pafllons, the 
 general depravity of mankind, the pleafures of life ; on 
 
 the
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 65 
 
 the other fide, the Jews, the Pagans, all confpire to 
 fight againft her. But particularly, 
 
 v. 3. And there 'was feen another Jign in heaven : and 
 behold a great red Dragon, having feven heads and ten 
 horns : and on his head j even diadems. 
 
 v. 4. And his tail drew the third part of the flars of 
 heaven, and cc.ft them to the earth : and the Dragon jlocd 
 before the Woman who was ready to be delivered ; that, 
 wbtn jbe Jboitld be delivered, he might devour her fon. 
 
 Here the Woman, or the Chriftian Church, fees her 
 chief enemy, the great red or cruel Dragon, which is 
 the Arch-Devil Satan, as St. John explains it below, 
 verfe pth j and it appears in heaven, or the upper re- 
 gions, becaufe Satan draws his origin from above, hav- 
 ing been formerly a bright Angel. This great Dragon. 
 has fcvcn heads, and upon each a diadem or crown, the 
 types of feven Emperors of Pagan Rome, whom Satan 
 actuates and employs as his chief Agents to oppofe the 
 rife of the Chriftian Religion, and to maintain his own 
 idolatrous worfhip. That fuch is the meaning of the 
 heads, we learn from the explication given by the An- 
 gel, chap, xviith, ver. 9th, of the Apocalypfe : The 
 
 feven heads, fays the Angel, are feven mountains 
 
 And they are feven Kings : Ancient Rome being here 
 clearly indicated, as it was built on feven mountains. 
 The feven Kings or Emperors here pointed at feem to 
 be, Nero, Doniitian, Severus, Decius, Valerian, Dio- 
 clefian, and Antichrift, as being the principal and dif- 
 tinguifhed Perfecutors of the Chriftian Church. The 
 Dragon has alfo ten horns, denoting ten Powers, or the 
 barbarous nations employed by Almighty God to break 
 down and diflblve the Empire of heathen Rome for its 
 rage and violence againft the eftabliihrnent of Chrifti- 
 anity. This explication of the horns is aifo fuggefted 
 F by
 
 66 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 by the Angel, chap, xviith, ver. izth and i6th: <The 
 ten horns, which thou faweft, are ten kings, who have not 
 yet received kingdom, but Jh all receive power as kings one 
 
 hour after the beaft Thefe foall hate the harlot, and 
 
 fhall make her defolate and naked, and jkall eat her flejh, 
 andjhall burn her with fire. But of this we fhall fee 
 more hereafter. The horns therefore being animated 
 by the Dragon as well as the beads, mews that the bar- 
 barous nations fignified by the horns, will be likewife 
 inftigated by the Devil to perfecute Chrift's Church ; 
 and therefore it is faid of them : Thefe Jhall fight witb 
 the Lamb, or Chrift, (Apoc. xvii. 14.) 
 
 It was faid that the Dragon with bis tail drew the 
 third part of the Jlars of heaven, that is, the apoftate 
 Angels whom he had feduced, and he cajt them to the 
 earth, to be there employed in feducing mankind. But 
 the greateft part of them we may fuppofe were preci- 
 pitated down into the infernal dungeons, according to 
 that of St. Jude : 'The Angels who kept not their princi- 
 pality, but forfook their own habitation, he hath referved 
 tinder darknefs in everlajling chains unto the judgment of 
 the great day, (Ep. v. 6.). The Dragon himklf Jlocd 
 before the woman who was ready to be delivered -, that, 
 when jhe Jhould be delivered, he might devour her fon* 
 Satan feeing his empire of idolatry in danger of being 
 diffolved by the publication of the Chriftian Religion, 
 refolves to cnifli this in its origin, by ftirring up the 
 whole Roman power againft it, and thus to devour the 
 woman's offspring in its birth. 
 
 v. 5. And Jhe (the Woman) brought forth a man- 
 child, who was to rule all nations with an iron-rod : and 
 her fen was taken up to God, and to his throne. The 
 Woman brings forth a man-child, that is, a mafculine 
 race of Chriftians, a progeny of holy Champions, who 
 
 in
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 67 
 
 In conjunction with Chrift their head, are to rule all na- 
 tions with an iron-rod by a participation of his power, 
 which he has promifed them after the victory in their 
 conflicts with the Dragon. He that Jhall overcome, fays 
 Chrift, and keep my works unto ths end, I will give him 
 power over the nations, and he Jhall rule them with a rod 
 of iron, (Apoc. ii. 26, 27.). For fuch is the power he 
 himfelf exercifes over the impious part of mankind, as 
 St. John tells us : He /hall rule the nations with a rod of 
 iron, (Apoc. xix. 15.) which had been attributed to him 
 even long before: Thou Jhalt rule them (the nations) 
 with a rod of iron, and jhalt break them in pieces like a 
 potter's veffel, (Pfalm ii. 9.). The Almighty Son of 
 God breaks down empires, diflblves ftates, ftrikes 
 princes, deftroys people, that prefume to contend with 
 him. And her fon was taken up to God, and to his 
 throne ; part of the woman's offspring, or a confiderable 
 number of the Chriftians, when put to the trial in the 
 perfecutions, generoufly laid down their lives for Chrift 
 their Lord and Mafter, and thus triumphing over the 
 Dragon, inftead of falling a prey to him, are carried up 
 to Heaven to God and to his throne, where they are aflb- 
 ciated with him in power and judgment, according to 
 what we have juft above feen, and according to this 
 other promife : To him that Jhall overcome, fays Chrift, 
 I will give to Jit with me in my throne ; as I alfo have 
 overcome, and am fet down with my Father in his throne, 
 (Apoc. iii. 21.) 
 
 v. 6. And the woman fled into the wildernefs, where 
 Jhe had a place prepared by God, that there they Jhould 
 feed her a thoufand two hundred fixty days. 
 
 During the cruel Perfecutions, which the Devil fuf- 
 
 citated againft the Woman, or the Chriftian Church, by 
 
 his inftruments the heathen Roman Emperors and Ma- 
 
 F 2 giftrates,
 
 65 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 giftrates, many of the Chriftlans fled for fhelter into the 
 Deferts, to inacceflible mountains, and other lurking 
 places, as we learn from the holy Fathers and Hif- 
 torians of thofe times. Great multitudes in particular 
 fought for refuge in the Catacumbs, at Rome, and in 
 many other places. Thefe fubterraneous caverns, 
 termed Catacumbs, are fo prodigioufly extenfive, 
 branching out into innumerable ftreets which ftretch to 
 a great diftance, efpecially at Rome, that they may be 
 properly called a city under ground. The Chriftians 
 lay concealed in thefe dark and difmal retreats, which, 
 though originally made for other purpofes, were a -place 
 prepared by God, were defigned by him for a place of 
 reception to his perfecuted iervants. In thefe various 
 deiblate abodes the Chriftians, though in appearance 
 deftitute of all human fuccour, were neverthelefs fed 
 and fupported by a fpecial Divine Providence for the 
 Ip ace of a thoufand two hundred Jixty days, or three 
 years and a half, which was the utmoft duration of 
 any of the Roman Perfecutions ; fome of which did 
 not fill that period, none exceeded it. 
 
 v. 7. And there was a great battle in heaven: 
 Michael and his Angels fought with the Dragon, and the 
 Dragon fought and his angels : 
 
 . v. 8. And they prevailed not? neither was their place 
 found any more in heaven. 
 
 v. 9. And that great Dragon was c aft out, that old 
 ferpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who feduceth 
 the whole world : and he was caft unto the earth^ and his 
 Angels were thrown down with him. 
 
 The Dragon, or Satan, had with unrelenting malice 
 ftimulated the whole Roman power againft the Chrif- 
 tians by fucceilive dreadful perfecudons, as we have 
 fcen j but Hill he faw all his efforts baffled. Notwith- 
 
 (landing
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 69 
 
 Handing the immcnfe (laughter that had been made, 
 he found he could not extirpate the "joomarfs offspring, 
 it was fo powerfully protected and fupported by the 
 divine hand : and he furthermore faw with deep regret 
 and to his own confufion, that the blood of the martyrs 
 became the feed of new Chriftians and increafed their 
 number. The Infernal Spirit determines therefore to 
 try another expedient \ in purfuance of which he pre- 
 fumes to addrefs the Almighty, challenging him to 
 withdraw his hand and fufpend the extraordinary helps 
 by which he fupported his people, and then it would 
 foon appear that the Chriftians had no real zeal or for- 
 titude, but would abandon their God and the interefts 
 of Religion. Such are his malicious infin nations, to 
 get the Chriftians wholly into his power. The fame 
 kind of artifice the malicious Spirit had formerly prac- 
 tifed againft the holy man Job. Thus Satan accufed 
 him before God: Doth Job fear God in vain? Haft thou 
 not mads a fence for him, and his houfe, and all his fub- 
 ftance round about, and bkjj'ed the works of his hands, and 
 his poffejfion hath increafed on the earth? (Job. i. 9. 10.) 
 After thus ennumerating God's Bleffings upon Job, 
 the evil -Spirit thus purities : But ftrctch forth thy hand 
 a little, and touch all that he hath, and fee if he blejj'eth 
 thee not to thy face : (as above, ver. 11.): that is, fufpend 
 your favours and withdraw all that you have given 
 him, and fee then if he does not fly in your face. But 
 to return to our own fubjec"b : The Almighty refufing 
 to grant Satan his prefent requeft, and not being 
 willing to fuffer him any more to approach his throne 
 with accufations againft his people, orders the Arch- 
 angel Michael, protector of the Chriftian Church, to 
 banifh Satan utterly from the heavenly regions : upon 
 which a fierce battle enfues between St. Michael aflifted 
 F 3 by
 
 70 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 by an army of Angels, and Satan with his aflbciates, 
 Thefe latter are worfted, and caft down to the eartb. 
 Upon which 
 
 v. 10. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, faying: 
 Now is come falvation, andjlrength, and the kingdom of 
 our God) and the power of his Chrift : becaufe the accufer 
 of our brethren is caft forth, who accufed them before our 
 God day and night. 
 
 Upon the victory of St. Michael over Satan there 
 follows joy and acclamation of the Chriftian Saints in 
 Heaven, laying: Now is come falvation, andftrength, 
 and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Chrift^ 
 &c. now the Almighty has difplayed his power, has 
 afiumed victory and dominion, and has afcertained 
 the reign of Jefus his Chrift: for now we lee Satan 
 foiled, and no more permitted to appear before the 
 throne of God with accufations againft our brethren on 
 earth, as he was wonted to do. 
 
 v. 1 1 . And they overcame him by the blcod of the 
 lam^ and by the word of their tejlimony, and they loved 
 not their lives unto death. 
 
 v. 12. Therefore rejoice^ O heavens > and you that 
 dwell therein. 
 
 "The Saints in heaven thus continue their exultation, 
 for the fortitude and conftancy of their brethren, who 
 by virtue of the blood of the Lamb, that is, by virtue of 
 the plentiful graces purchafed for them by the' blood 
 of the Lamb, had generoufly born teftimony to, and 
 laid down their lives for, that Faith which Satan endea- 
 voured to extirpate, and thus had overcome him. 
 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, for thefe new illuftrious 
 Inhabitants, and rejoice you that dwell therein, for your 
 new happy affociates. Thus is celebrated the double 
 
 Vic-
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 71 
 
 Victory, that of St. Michael, and that of the Martyrs, 
 over the Devil. But on the other hand 
 
 v. 12. Wo to the earth and to the fea, becaufe the 
 Devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, know- 
 ing that be hath but ajhort time. 
 
 A terrifying alarm is here proclaimed to the earth 
 znd fea, that is, to the Chriflians wherever they be, 
 becaufe the Devil, now utterly expelled from heaven, 
 is come down in great wrath, to exercife anew his fury 
 againft them. The Almighty had rejected the fiend's 
 malicious fuggeftion of withdrawing his powerful 
 graces and protection from his people, but by an un- 
 fearchable determination of his infinite wilclom, per- 
 mits Satan to raife a frem perfecution, much more 
 terrible than any before. This is the perfecution of. 
 the Emperor Dioclefian ; in which, as it was to be the 
 laft, the Dragon poured out his utmoft venom and 
 rage, as knowing that he had but ajhort time left him. 
 
 v. 13. And when the Dragon f aw that he was caft 
 unto the earth, he perfecuted the woman, who brought 
 forth the man-child. 
 
 And no fooner did this perfecution begin to break 
 out, but 
 
 v. 14. And there were given to the woman two wings 
 of a great eagle, that Jhe might fly into the defert unto her 
 place i where Jhe is nourfoed for a time, and times, and, 
 half a time, from the face of the ferpent. 
 
 Here the Woman or the general body of the Chrif- 
 tians feeing the ftorm rifing, betake themfelves again 
 to their former retreats, in the Deferts, the Catacumbs, 
 and other lurking places. And as the violence of this 
 exceeded that of all preceding perfecutions, fo is the 
 Woman furnimed with two wings of a great eagle to 
 enable her to fly with more ftrength and iwiftnefs, that 
 F 4 is,
 
 72 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 is, (he is favoured in her flight with a more fpecial pro- 
 tection and affiilance from God , In a fimilar manner 
 to what the Ifraelites experienced, when the Almighty 
 faved them from the fury of the Egyptians : Toil have 
 feen, laid God to his people, what I have done to the 
 JLgytians , how I have carried you on the wings of Eagles 
 and have taken you to wtyfelf. (Exod. xix. 4.). But 
 furthermore divine providence fails not to nourifa or 
 provide with fpiritual and corporal food the Chriftians 
 in their defolate abodes, where they are obliged to re- 
 main for a time, and times, and half a time, that is, a 
 year, two years, and half a year, or three years and a 
 half, the utmoft period of any one part of this perfe- 
 cution, which indeed in the whole lafted ten years, 
 from 303 to 313, but with fome interruptions. 
 
 v. 15. And the ferment caft out of his mouth after the 
 woman, water, as it were a river j that he might caufe 
 her to be carried away by the river. 
 
 And now theferpenf or devil, in his full rage againft 
 the Woman, or Chriftian Church, refolves to over- 
 whelm her, if pofiible. For that purpofe be cafts out 
 of his mouth after her a flood or river of water ; he 
 raifes a more cruel and bloody perfecution, than had ever 
 been known, through the whole Roman Empire, actua- 
 ting the Emperors and Governors of the Provinces with 
 the moft implacable rancour and moft favage fury 
 againft the Chriftians, who for ten years together had 
 little refpite. The perfecuting Emperors were, Dio- 
 cleflan, Galerius, Maximian, Maxentius, and Max- 
 iminus Daia, fome of whom reigned at the fame 
 time in different parts of the Empire. Dioclefian and 
 Galerius began the perfecution in the eaftern part of 
 the empire in 303. It was continued for three years and 
 a half; while Maximian carrried on the fame bloody 
 
 work
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 73 
 
 work in the Weft. " At this time the whole earth 
 " was harrafTed and tormented," fays Lactantius, 
 " And three moil cruel Beafts," namely, Dioclefian, 
 Galerius, and Maximian, " raged every where from 
 " Eaft to Weft, except in Gaul," (where Conftantius 
 Chlorus governed and checked very much the violence 
 of the perfecution). The Chriftians were diligently 
 fought for, and dragged from their lurking places ;. 
 and the cruelties and barbarities excercifed in this per- 
 fecution exceed all defcription. *' If I had a hundred 
 " tongues," fays again Lactantuis, " and a hundred 
 " mouths, 1 mould not be able to recount all the dif- 
 " ferent torments that were employed againft the 
 " Chriftians." (de mort. Pers. c. 16). After fome 
 refpite, the perfecution was renewed in Italy by Max- 
 entius in 308 ; and it raged moft violently in the Eaft 
 under the orders of the Emperor Maximinus Daia, the 
 moft fanguinary Tyrant, as St. Jerom ftiles him, that 
 ever perfecuted the Church. His inhumanity and bar- 
 barity in torturing- the Martyrs farpafled every thing 
 that had been pradifed before. This bloody fcene 
 lafted alfo about three years and a half-, and after a 
 mort interval of reft, the fame implacable Tyrant 
 revived it in 3 1 2, but the next year he himfelf mifera- 
 bly perimed. 
 
 This was a long and fevere trial, which it pleafed 
 Almighty God in his wifdom to fubject his people to ; 
 but he had fixed the bounds of it, and now he fends 
 an unexpected relief. 
 
 v. 1 6. And the earth helped the woman, fays St. 
 John, and the earth opened her mouth, and fw 'allowed up 
 the river, which the Dragon caft out of his mouth. 
 
 The woman was helped by 1 the earth, that is, by a 
 Prince of the earth, Conftantine the Great, who came 
 
 to
 
 74 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 to her fuccour, and became the ftrft Chriftian Emperor 
 of Rome. Upon the demife of his Father Conftantius 
 Chlorus, who died in Great Britain^, Conftantine was 
 there proclaimed Emperor in 306. His firft care was, 
 though not yet a Chriftian, to prohibit all perfecution in 
 the weftern Provinces which were under his dominion. 
 He even wrote to his Collegues, the other Emperors, 
 advifmg the fame : upon which they fufpended the per- 
 fecution, but foon renewed it. Conftantine marched 
 againft the Tyrant Maxentius, who had declared 
 war againft him: but before the encounter, by a fpe- 
 cial revelation he erected the ftandard of the Crofs at 
 the head of his army, making it his chief Enfign. 
 For he faw in the fky a Crofs of light with this infcrip- 
 tion : " In this malt thou conquer." And effectually 
 under it's aufpices he defeated the Tyrant in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Rome in the Year 312. Maxentius in his 
 flight being drowned in the Tyber, Conftantine en- 
 tered Rome in triumph, and was declared by the 
 Senate the firft of the Emperors. The confequence of 
 this victory was the reftoration of peace to the Chrif- 
 tians throughout the whole Weftern Roman Empire. 
 Maximinus in the Eaft, after being vanquifhed by 
 Licinius, having put an end to his own life in 313, 
 there remained but two Emperors, Conftantine who 
 governed in the Weft, and Licinius in the Eaft. They 
 both concurred, though Licinius was a Pagan, topub- 
 liih an Edict that fupprefled all perfecution in the 
 Eaftern Empire and granted full liberty to the Chrif- 
 tian Religon. Thus at laft, by human help under the 
 Divine concurrence and direction, the funmine of 
 peace was reftored to the Church through the whole 
 extent of the Roman Dominions. And thus it appears 
 
 how
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 75 
 
 how the earth opened her mouth, and [wallowed up ths 
 river, which the Dragon caft out of his mouth. 
 
 v. 1 7. And the Dragon was angry againft the woman ; 
 and went to make war with the reft of her feed, who keep 
 the commandments of God, and have the teftimony of 
 Jefus Chrijt. 
 
 No wonder the Dragon or Devil was angry againjt 
 the woman, feeing that, inftead of his deftroying her, 
 ihe had defeated him ; and that Ihe was now intirely 
 refcued from his power, and under the protection of a 
 Prince, upon whom he could have no influence. He 
 was further enraged, to fee his own power crufhed, his 
 reign of idolatry expiring, his Agents the heathen Ro- 
 man Princes exterminated, and now Chriftianity efta- 
 blimed through the whole Empire, that is, through 
 the greater part of the then known world. He had 
 with infinite regret feen himfelf driven by Conftantine 
 from the Weftern boundaries of the Empire to it's ut- 
 moft limits in tne Eaft. Satan thus overcome, but 
 fwelling ftill with rage and malice againft the wo- 
 man, leaves the Roman dominions, and flies into 
 the kingdom of Perfia, there to continue his hellifli 
 work in making war with the reft of the woman's feed, 
 the fervants of God, who keep his commandments, and 
 bear teftimony to Jefus Chrift. There he finds fit new 
 inftruments for his purpofe, the barbarous heathen 
 Kings of that country, whom he foon excites with fury 
 againft the woman's feed. 
 
 A moft horrible perfecution was fet on foot by the 
 cruel tyrant Sapor II, which raged during forty years 
 without inter miflion, from the year 34.0 to his death 
 in 380. St. Maruthas, Bilhop of Tagrit in Mefopo- 
 tamia near the borders of Perfia, compiled the ads of 
 many of the Martyrs who fuffered in this perfecution ; 
 
 and
 
 76 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 and the Hiftorian Sozomen fpeaking of them, fays : 
 " It would be difficult to give an exa<5t account of 
 " them, to fpecify their names, their countries, their 
 " torments, and the new-invented cruelties exercifed 
 " upon them : I mall only fay, it is afiured, that fix- 
 " .teen thoufand men and women fufFered whofe names 
 " were known, and fo many others, that their number 
 " could not be ascertained." (lib. ii. c, 14.). Forty 
 years after, viz, in 420, the pertecution was recom- 
 menced by King Ifdegerdes, and continued under his 
 fucceffors for thirty years. The brutal inhumanity 
 ufed in torturing the Martyrs at this time is thus de- 
 fcribed by the Hiftorian Theodoret : " Some had the 
 " fkin torn off their hands, others off their backs, and 
 " others from their forehead down to the chin. Some 
 " had fplit reeds tied round them very faft, which be- 
 " ing plucked away with violence brought the fkin 
 " along with them, and occafioaed exquifite torment. 
 " Sometimes the Perfecutors dug holes in the earth, 
 " which they ilored with rats and mice, then fhut up 
 " the Chriftians in them after tying their hands and 
 " feet, and left them to be devoured by the vermine. 
 " The Enemy of God and man fuggefled to them fe- 
 " .veral other more barbarous kinds of torture, which 
 " they employed upon the holy men, but none could 
 *' ihake their conftancy." (lib. v. c. 39.) 
 
 Chofroes II, king of Perfia, was allb a bitter enemy 
 to Chriftianity. When his army took and plundered 
 Jerufalem in the year 614, many thoufands of Clerks, 
 Monks, Nuns, and Virgins, were cruelly mafifacred, 
 ninety thoufand Chriftians were fold for flaves to the 
 Jews, and afterwards many of them were tortured and 
 flain. In the beginning of the year 628 the King order- 
 ed 69 Chriftians to be ftrangled in one day. But this 
 
 Idola-
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 77 
 
 Idolatrous King and Tyrant was defeated in fevera! 
 battles by Heraclius, Emperor of Conftantinople, to 
 whom he had before refufed peace, unlels the Emperor 
 would renounce Jefus Chrift, and adore the Sun. 
 Chofroes was afterwards put to death in 628 by his own 
 Son Siroes, who ftopt all perfecution and made peace 
 with Heraclius -, and within the fpace of a few years 
 Perfia was conquered by the Saracens. 
 
 The machinations of Satan, the indefatigable fup- 
 porter of Idolatry, againft the Cnriftian Church of Per- 
 lia were now qualhed, and no room was there left for 
 further attempts by the means of Idolatrous Princes. 
 Ref jlviig therefore to leave that country, Satan fteps 
 to the confines of it, 
 
 v. 1 8. And. he flood upon the fand of ths fea* He 
 flops upon the fhore of the Perfian lea, probably me- 
 ditating a flight into fome new country, where he mav 
 Hill profecute his implacable hatred againft the woman's 
 feed. But behold 
 
 Apoc. Chap. xx. v. i. And I fa<w, fays St. John, 
 an Angel coming down from heaven, having the key of tke 
 bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand. 
 
 v. 2. And he laid hold on the Dragon^ the old Serpent , 
 ivhich is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thou- 
 fandyears. 
 
 v. 3. And he caft him into the bottomlefs pit, andjhut 
 him up, and fet a feal upon him, that he fioiild no more 
 fiduce the nations, till the thouf and years be finijhed. And 
 after that he muft be looftd a little time. 
 
 An 
 
 * In the common Greek text: And I flood &c : but the read- 
 ing of the Vulgate is confirmed by the Alexandrian Manu- 
 fcript, by the Syriac and Arabic Verfions, by Tichonius, 
 and the edition of Aldus.
 
 ?8 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 An Angel defcends from heaven, who feizes the Dra- 
 gon or Satan upon the Sea-fhore where he flood, binds 
 him with a chain, cafts him into the abyfs or bottomlefs 
 fit of hell, and fours him up there for a thoufand years ; 
 not precifely for that number of years, but for the 
 whole period of his confinement, here exprefTed in the 
 round number of a thoufand years \ which confinement 
 is to laft to the time of Antichrift, in the latter days of 
 the world, when Satan will again be let loofe for a littk 
 time. 
 
 Here then the Almighty is pleafed to put a flop to 
 Satan's power. This happened in the feventh century. 
 His reign had been of long duration, and infinite mif- 
 chief he had done. He is the Dragon that drew down 
 with him the third 'part of the ftars of heaven, or was 
 the Chief of the Angels that fell, and is their Prince 
 in the infernal kingdom. He is here alfo ftiled the Old 
 Serpent, as being the fame that feduced Eve in paradife, 
 and confequently a murderer from the beginning. 
 This inveterate Enemy of God and man feduces the whole 
 world, and had done it, by withdrawing the greateft 
 part of mankind from their obedience and duty to God, 
 and bringing them over to himfelf by fetting up the 
 banner of Idolatry. This abominable worfhip of the 
 Devil had fubfifted a long time, but was at laft to be 
 fuppreflfed by Him who came to enlighten the world 
 and faid : Nowjhall the Prince of this world (Satan) be 
 caft out. (John xii. 31.). At the rife therefore of Chrif- 
 tianity Satan perceiving his kingdom fhaken, fet all en- 
 gines to work for the fupport of Idolatry, and to flop 
 the progrefs of the Gofpel : and in this attempt he 
 caufed to be fpilt an Ocean of Chriftian blood. He 
 had been fuffered to proceed ib far ; but now the term 
 decreed by the Almighty is come, and Satan is chained 
 
 up
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 79 
 
 up in prifon. From ihe time of his confinement Idol- 
 atry, of which he is the parent and chief fupporter/ 
 fell, and the Church was freed from thofe extreme 
 leverities of perfecution it felt before, and experienced 
 lefs oppofition in extending it's faith and dodtrine. 
 This may be feen in the Hiitory of the Church. From 
 the time even that Satan was forced to retreat from the 
 Roman Empire into Perfia, the Chriftian Religion 
 made rapid progrefs in all the Provinces of that Em- 
 pire, and ftretched gradually into many countries be- 
 yond them ; till at lafb it's growth became ftupendous, 
 and the Church fhone, like a bright Sun, over the 
 moil part of the known world. 
 
 Let it be here alfo obferved that, notwithftanding 
 the imprifonment of Satan, Prince of the bad Angels, 
 we muft not conclude that all the Devil's power was 
 then fupeifeded. Many of his chief fubje&s were 
 probably fhut up with him, but many alfo, though of 
 inferior power, were permitted to remain on earth to 
 tempt mankind and to exerciie their virtue. 
 
 St John proceeds 
 
 v. 4. And 1 Jaw feats : and they fat upon them, and 
 judgment was given unto them^ and the fouls of them that 
 were beheaded for the teftimony ofjefus, and for the word 
 of God, and -who had not adored the Beaft, nor his image* . 
 nor received his character on their foreheads^ or in their 
 hands^ and they lived and reigned with Chrift a thoufand 
 years. 
 
 v. 5. The reft of the dead lived not* till the thoufand 
 years were Jinijhed. This is the firft refurreffion. 
 
 St. John fees feats given to the Souls of thofe who 
 had been beheaded or fuffered martyrdom for the tefti- 
 mony 
 
 * In the greek text : revived not.
 
 86 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 mony they had given to Jefus and 'to his holy Religion, 
 and for the word cf God, or for the obfervance 'of the 
 Law of God. Seats are alfo given to thofe, who had 
 not adored the beaft, nor his image, that is, who had not 
 given into Idolatry or Herefy (fee page 46) : likewife 
 to thofe, who had not received the be aft* s character on 
 their foreheads or in their hands, that is, who did not 
 bear any particular mark or office appertaining to Idol- 
 aters or Heretics, nor ufed any contrivance to make 
 themfelves pafs for fuch. For it muft be obferved 
 that, in the heat of perfecution, many Chriftians, to 
 fhelter themfelves, would bafely buy from the heathen 
 Magistrates Certificates of their having facrificed to 
 Idols, when they had not done it ; others would eat of 
 the meats that had been offered to idols : others deli- 
 vered up the holy Scriptures, &c. St. John fees the 
 fculs of all the abovernentioned faithful and courageous 
 Chriftians feated in dignity, and allowed power of judg- 
 ing ; which means that they fit as judges with Chrift 
 . by a participation of his power which he gracioufly 
 communicates to them, according to his promife : 
 7*0 him that Jhall overcome, I will give tofitixithms 
 in my throne (Apoc. iii. 21.). And they lived and 
 reigned 'with Chrift a thoufand years, that is, their Souls 
 immediately on leaving their bodies were admitted to 
 heavenly blifs, and reign with Chrifr. for a thoufand 
 years or for that period of time which is counted from 
 their departure out of this world to the general judg- 
 ment, when their bodies will be reunited to them. And 
 this admifiion of their fouls into glory without their 
 bodies is called the firft Refurreftion. But the Souls of 
 the others, who were guilty of any of the above-named 
 crimes, lived not the life of the before-mentioned happy 
 fouls, but were condemned to hell-flames, which is the 
 
 firft
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 8r 
 
 Rrft Death. Nor will they revive or recover life> till 
 the thoufand years be Jimjhed at the general Refurre&ion, 
 when they will indeed be drawn for a moment out of 
 the infernal pit and be reunited to their bodies, but to 
 be replunged together into eternal damnation, which is 
 the fecond Death. In like manner, when at the laft day 
 the bodies of the Juft are made partners with their 
 fouls in blifs, that may be termed the fecond Refurrec- 
 
 tion. We fee here inculcated that known maxim of 
 
 the Chriftian Religion j that the fouls of the Juft who 
 die in the Lord, enter into heavenly glory, though their 
 bodies do not participate of it till after the general Re- 
 furreclion : and the fame holds with regard to the pu- 
 nifhment of the fouls of the wicked. 
 
 v. 6. BkjJ'ed ar.d holy is he that hath part in thefirft 
 Refurreffion. In thefe the fecond death hath no power : 
 but they Jhall be priefts of God and of Chrift : andjhall 
 reign with him a thoitfand years. 
 
 Here all thofe are pronounced blejjed and holy, who 
 have part in the fir ft Refurretlion, or whofe fouls are ad- 
 mitted to blifs after their deceafe, becaule in them the 
 fecond death hath no power, that is, becaufe they are in 
 no danger of damnation or fecond death at the laft judg- 
 ment. Their fouls from the moment of their admif- 
 fion into heaven become Priefts of Gcd and of Chrift , by 
 being impowered to offer before the throne of God and 
 Chrift their pure Sacrifices of homage, praifeand thankf- 
 giving, and will reign with him, God and Chrift, for a 
 thoufand years, that is, as St. Auftin fays, " for all the 
 years to the end of the world" (de civ. xx. 7.); at 
 which time their bodies will be joined with them in the 
 fame Beatitude. 
 
 From the above pafTages of the Apocalypfc mifun- 
 
 clerftood, fome Ancients inferred that the Saints will rife 
 
 G again
 
 82 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 again to life a thoufand years before the reft of man- 
 kind, and in their fouls and bodies will reign with 
 Chrift upon earth during that fpace of time in the en- 
 joyment of all lawful fenlual pleafures. This opinion 
 is called the Millenarian Syftem ; which, inftead of 
 having any foundation in the prefent text, is refitted 
 by it. For St, John here fpeaks of the happinefs of 
 the Souls only, of thofe who were beheaded, &c. with- 
 out hinting the leaft at the Irate of their bodies. 
 Whence it appears, that by the frft Refurreffion the 
 Apoftle understands the glory of heaven, into which 
 the Juft enter after their death, and which they will 
 enjoy for a thoufand years, that is,, during the whole 
 courfe of time to the 'general Refurre&ion. Befides,. 
 the notion of two refurrections is fully difproved by 
 our Saviour's words : The hour comsth, therein all that 
 tire in the graves jhall hear the voice of the Son of God, 
 and they that have done good things, jhall come forth un- 
 to the refurreftion of life \ but they that: have done evil, 
 mto the refurreftion of judgment (John v. 28, 29). 
 Here Chrift exprefles very clearly but one general Re- 
 furrection o the Good and the Wicked together. 
 Hence it is no woader, that the Millenarian opinion 
 fell early into difrepute, and has been long exploded. 
 But as fome Moderns have endeavoured to revive it, 
 it may be worth while to read the following brief ac- 
 count of it's original rife, progreis, and decline, in the 
 learned D. Calmet's comment on this chapter of the' 
 Apocalypfe. 
 
 " The Syftem of the Millenarians owes it's origin to 
 " the Jews. They expected to reign a thoufand years 
 " with the Mefliah on earth, as appears from the fourth 
 " book of Efdras, and from the works of fome of their 
 " moft famous Rabbins, as Maimonides and Manafle- 
 
 Ben
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 83 
 
 " Ben-Ifrael. But he that gave the greateft credit to 
 " that opinion, was Papias, a difciple of St. John the 
 " Evangelift and companion of St. Polycarp. He 
 " pretended to have receive4 the Millenarian doctrine 
 " from the Apoftles and their difciples. Upon this 
 " afiertion it was adopted by St. Irenseus, St. Juftin 
 " Martyr, Tertullian, Victorinus, Lactantius, and fe- 
 " veral others ; while it was on the other hand iriipugn- 
 " ed by others from the firft ages of the Church. And 
 " certainly what Eufebius remarks of the character of 
 " of Papias, ought to be fufficient to difcredit his au- 
 " thority. He was a man of a very moderate under- 
 " (landing, who for want of comprehending what he 
 " heard from the Apoftles, took litterally what was 
 " faid in a myftical fenfe. St. Dyonyfius of Alex- 
 " andria in the third century exprelly refuted one Ne- 
 " pos, who had compofed a book in defence of the 
 " Millenarian opinion. And Caius, a Prieft of the 
 " Church of Rome in the fecond century, calls it a 
 " fable invented by Cerinthus. Origen alfo rejects it 
 " in feveral places of his works In fine, we may con- 
 " elude with a very able man (M.. Du Pin, Diflert. fur 
 " les Millenaires), who has fully difcuffed the queftion, 
 " that the Millenarian fentiment is contrary to the Gof- 
 " pel, to the doctrine of St. Paul, and is not at all 
 " founded in the Apocalypfe." 
 
 To conclude this firft part of our prefent hiftory -, 
 vhe Reader may remark, that the Events, which took 
 their rife in the firft age of the Church, have been here 
 carried on in a continued feries, becaufe connected,, 
 far beyond the period of that age, \Vhich terminates 
 about; the year 320. And in general it muft be ob- 
 ferved, that the Tranfactions relating to the Church are 
 not confined within the compafs of that age which 
 G 2 gives
 
 84 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 gives them birth and which they ferve to characterize^ 
 but continue and extend into the fubfequent ages. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Hifofy 'of the Second Age of the Cbriftian 
 Church. 
 
 he Opening of the Second Seal. 
 
 APOC. Chap. VI. v. 3. And when he had opened 
 the Second Seal, I beard, fays St. John, the fecond 
 living creature, faying : Come, and fee. 
 
 v. 4. And there went out another horfe, that was red: 
 and to him that fat thereon, it was given that he Jhould 
 take peace from the earth, and that they Jhould kill one an- 
 other, and a great fivord was given to him. 
 
 Here is announced the Herefy of Arianifm, the rife 
 of which opens the Second Age of the Church, about 
 the year 320. 
 
 He who fits on the horfe is the Herefiarch Arius-, and 
 his borfe is red, or according to the Greek expreflion, of 
 a fiery colour, agreeing with the character of herefy, 
 which always kindles a flame of difcord and violence. 
 To him (the Rider) it was given that he Jhould take peace 
 from the earth, and that they Jhould kill one another. 
 Conftantine the Great had procured peace to the church 
 in 313, by fuppreffing the Roman Idolatrous power, as 
 we have before feen , but this peace is foon baniflied by 
 inteftine broils, occafioned by Arius broaching, in 319, 
 a new doctrine, which impioufly denied the Divinity of 
 Chrift our Redeemer. This blafphemous doctrine, in 
 progrefs of time, raifed llich a flame of contention 
 among the Chriftians, that there enfued commotions, 
 
 tumults,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 85 
 
 tumults, violences and blcodmed. A great fword was 
 given to him, to Arius and the Arians, who were fup- 
 ported by the great Powers of the Earth, as by feveral 
 Roman Emperors, and by feveral Kings of the Goths, 
 the Vandals, &c. who employed the fword in defence 
 of the Arian Doctrine, and cruelly perfecuted the Ca- 
 tholic Chriftians. This explication will be elucidate 
 
 ed prefently by an hiftorical account of that herefy. 
 
 The whole drift of the Arian doctrine being to im- 
 pugn the Divine Nature of Chrift ; in oppofition to 
 it v/as afcribed to the Lamb the attribute of Divinity, or 
 Riches according to the Greek text, (Apoc. v. 12. fee 
 p. 22) that is, the Riches of the Godhead, which he 
 equally mares with the Father ; for in him dwettetb ah 
 the fullnefs of the Godhead corporally (ColofT. ii. 9.) : 
 and Chrifl fpeaking to God the Father fays ; all my 
 things are thine , and thine are mine (John xvii. 10.). 
 
 Let it be remarked that, at the opening of the fecond 
 Seal, the fecond living Creature which, as we have -be- 
 fore fhewn, reprefents the Prophet Jeremy, fays to St. 
 John, Come and fee. This invitation comes with pro- 
 priety from that Prophet, who being a Prieft here (hews 
 to St. John the apoftafy of Arius a Prieft of the Chrif- 
 tian Church. Befides, Jeremy was fent by Almighty 
 God againft the falfe Prophets, who deluded the Jews 
 by their pernicious counfels and deceitful promifes (fee 
 Jer. c. 23.)- In a fimilar manner he here points out 
 Arius, a falfe Teacher in the Chriftian Church. 
 
 'The founding of the Second Trumpet. 
 
 APOC. Chap. VIII.- v. 8. And the feccnd Angel 
 
 founded the trumpet : and as it were a great mountain, 
 
 G 3 burning
 
 86 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 burning with fre, -was caft into the fea^ and the third part 
 of the fea became blood. 
 
 v. 9. And. the third part of thofe creatures died<, 
 which had life in the fea, and the third part of the /hips 
 was deftroyed. 
 
 In the Seal we faw the inteftine convulfions and 
 violences occafioned by the Arian difputes : here we find 
 defcribed by an exprefilve allegory, the fpiritual mif- 
 chief done by that fame Herefy. And thus the fecond 
 Seal and fecond Trumpet announce to us diftinctly and 
 feparately the two difmal effects, temporal and fpiritual 
 of Arianifm. A great mountain, burning with fin\ or a 
 great Herefy, tending to kindle among Chriftians the 
 fire of difcord in their principles of faith and the flame 
 of mutual animofity, is caft into the fea, that is, is pub- 
 lifhed in the Church, which it embroils, and which 
 therefore is now reprefented as a troubled fea. And 
 the third part of the fea becomes blood, by which change 
 it's v/aters become poifonous to the fifti that live in 
 them : and in like manner the Catholic doctrine, on 
 which the Faithful live, is corrupted by Arianifm 
 through a third part of the Church, and becomes poi- 
 ionous and deftructive. The confequence of which is, 
 the third part of tbofe creatures die, which have life in 
 the fea, or the third part nearly of the Chriftians drink 
 the heretical poifon and die a fpiritual death. And 
 even the third part of the Jhips was dzftroycd, that is, a 
 third part of the particular Churches intire with their 
 Paftors, meant here by the^/pj, imbibe the fame poi- 
 fon and perifh. 
 
 The natural confequences of Herefy are, difputes 
 and contentions in the Church , and therefore we find 
 afcribed to it voices or noifes (Apoc. viii. 5. fee p. 30.).
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The Pouring out of the Second Vial of the wr. 
 of God. 
 
 APOC. Chap. XVI. v. 3. And the Second Angel, fays' 
 St. John, poured out his Vial upon the fea, and there came 
 blood as it were of a dead man .: and every living foul 
 died in the fea. 
 
 As at the founding of the fecond Trumpet a fiery 
 mountain was thrown into the fea, or among the Chrif- 
 tians ; fo here the fecond Vial of God's wrath is alib- 
 poured out upon the fea, or on the corrupted and guiV, 
 ty part of the Chriftians, namely, the Arian Heretics. 
 And there -came blood as it were of a dead man : On. 
 pouring out the Vial follows the divine judgment,. 
 There appears blood like that of a dead man, or blood 
 which after having flowed with a free and vigorous 
 circulation during the time of health, gradually retards. 
 it's motion in a dying man, and totally lofes it and liop.s 
 when the man is dead Thus the Arians, after having 
 fubfifted for a while in a vigorous condition and pow- 
 erful ftate,are condemned by a juft judgment to decline, 
 dwindle, and die away. Hence, every living foul died 
 in the fea ; the Arians were, in courfe of time, either 
 deftroyed or converted to the Catholic faith, and the 
 Herefy extinguifhed. Such was their cafe. 
 
 T6e Preceding Explication illujlratcd bv a Jhort 
 account of the Rife, Progrefs, and Decline of 
 Arianifm. 
 
 By the acceffion of Conftantine to tne Imperial 
 
 Throne, Idolatry received a deadly blow, a'nd the 
 
 G 4 Chriftian
 
 88 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Chriftian Religion was eftablifhed and peaceably prao 
 tifed through the whole Roman Empire from the year 
 313. The blefling of fo happy a condition was more 
 than could be expected by the Chriftians to laft long, 
 fmce Chrift had fixed that his Difciples mould follow 
 him, not by a life of eafe and profperity, but through 
 the thorny road of tribulation. Their prefent fituation 
 was too flattering, not to raife the envy of their ever- 
 watchful and implacable enemy the Devil. " He," to 
 ufe the words of St. Cyprian, " feeing his Idols fallen 
 " into difrepute, and his temples deferted, on account 
 " of the number of converts to Chriflianity, invented 
 " a new artifice, to deceive the unwary under the dif- 
 " guife of the Chriftian name itielf : this was Herefy 
 " and Schifm, which he imployed as his inftruments to 
 " fubvert Faith, corrupt Truth, and diffolve Unity. 
 " Thofe that he could not keep in the old dark road 
 " of Idolatry, he deceived by leading them into the 
 " by-path of error." (lib. de Unit. Eccl.). Arjus, 
 a turbulent ambitious Prieft of Alexandria in Egypt, 
 afpired to that fee j but finding himfelf difappointed 
 by the election of St. Alexander, his jealoufy and re- 
 fentment ftimulated him to decry the doctrine of this 
 holy Prelate, which was true and orthodox, and to op- 
 pofe to it a new fyftem of doctrine of his own invention. 
 He began to teach that Chrift was not God, but a 
 created Being, formed indeed before all other creatures, 
 but not from Eternity. Arius had a graceful mien, 
 and a modeft deportment : he was old, and had a mor- 
 tified countenance : thefe qualities gave him credit, 
 and contributed to gain him Profelytes. 
 
 The holy Bifhop Alexander at firft endeavoured to 
 reclaim him by miU remonftrances and entreaties ; but 
 thefe not availing, and his pernicious doctrine gaining 
 
 ground
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 89 
 
 ground, Alexander affembled a fynod of tlie Bifhops 
 of Egypt and Lybia, in which Anus and his abettors 
 were condemned and cut off from the communion of 
 the Faithful, in the year 320. Of this proceeding St. 
 Alexander gave account by a circular letter to all the 
 Bifhops of the Church. Arius fled from Alexandria 
 into Paleftine , there he procured protection from fome 
 Bifhops : from thence he proceeded to Nicomedia, 
 where he met with a favourable reception from it's 
 Bifhop Eufebius, who became a warm friend to him, 
 and his principle patron. But the Herefiarch was not 
 content with having gained over to his party fome of 
 the Bifhops, he invented a fcheme to propagate his te- 
 nets among the vulgar clafs of people. He compofed 
 longs, which he taught them to fmg, and in them he 
 mixed the poifon of his do&rine, which by that eafy 
 means they unwarily fucked in. 
 
 Conftantine the Emperor, in order to put a Hop to 
 the unhappy difputes that divided the Church, wrote 
 letters to Alexander Bifnop of Alexandria and to Arius, 
 exhorting them to be reconciled. But this expedient 
 proving ineffectual, and the divifions increafing, at the 
 felicitation of the Bifhops he willingly concurred -in 
 procuring a general, Council of the Church to be held. 
 The place pitched upon for it was Nice in Bithynia, 
 and the Emperor generoufly defrayed the whole charges 
 of the Clergy, who reforted thither from all parts of 
 the world to the number of 318 in the year 325. St. 
 Sylvefter Pope, not being able to go himfelf to the 
 Council, commiffioned Ofms Bifhop of Corduba in 
 Spain to prefide there in his name, and fent him two 
 Priefts, Vitus and Vincentius, for Affiftants. Arius 
 was there prefent, and had two and twenty Bifhops of 
 his party. Conftantine made a fhort fpecch to the Fa- 
 thers,
 
 9 o THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 thers, in which among other things he faid : " Let us 
 " take care, that after having crufhed by the help of 
 " God our Saviour the tyranny of thofe who waged 
 " war againft him, the Devil by his jealoufy does not 
 " expofe the Gofpel to the (lander and malevolence of 
 " the wicked by this inteftine war which I fee rife up in 
 " the Church." The Fathers then called upon Arius 
 to explain his doctrine, which mocked them very 
 much. He and his partifans were foon confounded, 
 and in the debate St. Athanafius diftinguifhed himfetf 
 by force of argument in defence of the Catholick Faith. 
 In fine, the Arian doctrine was profcribed, and Jefus 
 Chrift declared to be truly God, Coniubftantial or hav- 
 the fame eternal Subftance with the Father, and that 
 the Father is in him, and he in the Father. In conie- 
 quence of this determination they drew up a Proftfiion 
 of the Catholic faith which is called the Nicene Creed,. 
 to which all fubfcribed except a few Arian Biihops. 
 Thefe with Arius and his other adherents were anathe- 
 matized by the Council, and banimed by Conftantine. 
 In this manner the Catholic Faith was afcertained, 
 and triumphed over it's enemies -, but the fpirit of He- 
 refy, which is always reftlefs, could not be quelled. 
 The Arians, though every way confounded, inftead of 
 yielding employed themfelves in raifmg frelh troubles. 
 They wrote to the Emperor, and by pretending to ad- 
 mit the Nicene faith they got themfelves recalled from 
 banimment ; they then fet themfelves to poifon the Em- 
 peror's mind by different arts, by flanders, and calum- 
 nies againft the Catholic Biihops, and prevailed upon 
 him to banifh fome of them, among whom was St.. 
 Athanafius Bilhop of Alexandria. But not ftopping 
 there, they concerted a fcheme to get Arius received 
 into the Church, even in the Imperial city of Conftan- 
 
 tinople,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 91 
 
 tinople, and in prefence of the Emperor who then re- 
 fided there, in 336. For that purpofe they infmuated to 
 Conftantine, that Arius was become Orthodox in his 
 do&rine, and they requefted he might be called to 
 Conftantinople. This being granted, and Arius ar- 
 rived in the city, the Emperor fent for him, and. afked 
 him if he received the Nicene Faith : the Herefiarch 
 anfwered in the affirmative, and prefented to the Em- 
 peror a written Profeflion of faith, in appearance not dif- 
 ferent from that of Nice, but conceived in artful am- 
 biguous terms. The Emperor fuppofing him fmcere, 
 deiired Alexander Bifhop of Conftantinople to receive 
 him into the Catholic Communion. The holy Prelate 
 remonftrated pathetically againft fuch a dangerous and 
 uncanonical ftep, but Arius's friends were clamourous, 
 and infilled on the Emperor's defire being complied 
 with. The Bifhop retired immediately into the Church, 
 proftrated himfelf before the Altar, and in his fervent 
 prayer thus addrefled Almighty God. " Lord, if Arius 
 " muft be received into the Church, be pleafed to 
 " take me out of the world , but if you have compaf- 
 " fion on your Church, as I know you have, permit 
 " not your inheritance to become an object of con- 
 " tempt." Next morning Arius's friends atiembled, 
 and refolved to conduct him to Church in fpite of the 
 Bilhop. They were leading him, as in triumph, 
 through the ftreets, when on a fudden finding himfelf 
 prefied by a necetTity of nature, he retired into a back- 
 place to eafe himfelf; but there with his excrements he 
 voided his bowels, and was found dead. Thus was 
 the hand of God vifible upon Arius. 
 
 This ambitious Apoftate and proud Herefiarch had 
 taken peace from tke earth, had difturbed the Church of 
 Chrift, and created a fatal divifion among the Chrif- 
 
 tains
 
 92 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 tians. " The Church was in a rlouriming condition^* 
 fays the Hiftorian Eufebius fpeaking of the rife of 
 Arianifm, " and the Faithful employed themfelves in 
 " all kinds of holy exercifes with comfort and joy: 
 " nor was there the leaft danger to be feared from 
 " any foreign enemy. But a fecret Jealoufy unhap- 
 " pily crept in. It firft infinuated itfelf into the minds 
 " of the people, then found it's way into the aiTem- 
 " blies of the Bifhops, whom it animated againft one 
 " another, by raifmg difputes and altercations among 
 " them concerning the Chriftian Doctrine. This fmall 
 " beginning gave rife to a great flame, which firft 
 " broke out at Alexandria," having been there 
 kindled by Arius. (de vita Conft. lib. 2. c. 61.) 
 
 Conftantine the Great, dying in 337 left three Sons, 
 who divided the Empire according to their Father's 
 directions. Conftantine, the eldeft, had Spain, Gaul, 
 and all the Provinces on this fide of the Alps. Con- 
 ftantius, the fecond Son, had Thrace, Afia, Egypt, and 
 the eaftern countries : And Conftans, the youngeft> 
 had Italy, Sicily, Africa except Egypt, Greece, and 
 Illyricuin. Conft antius was foon gained over by the 
 Arians, and his family was chiefly compofed of them. 
 From his Palace the infection difmfed itfelf, firft into 
 private families, and by degrees was propagated into 
 the towns and even diftant provinces under his domi- 
 nion. Many Bifnops imbibed the contagion, and com- 
 municated it to their flocks. This great acceffion of 
 number increafed the Arian power, which they did not 
 fail to exert in perfccuting the orthodox Chriftians. 
 They gave great trouble to St. Athanafius by the ca- 
 lumnies they invented againft him, and they intruded 
 into his fee of Alexandria by force of arms a Bifhop of 
 their own party in his place. When St. Alexander, 
 
 Bifhop
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 93 
 
 Bimop of Conftantinople, died in 340, Paul, a true 
 Catholic was chofen his iucceffor, but the Arian faction 
 depofed him with the agreement of the Emperor Con- 
 ftantius, and fubftituted in his room the arch- Arian 
 Etifebius of Nicomedia. From that date the Arians 
 were mafters in Conilantinoplc for forty years. They 
 carried on every thing by violence in the Eaft. Rely- 
 ing on the protection of the Emperor Conftantius, they 
 arrogated the power of depofing at their pleafure the 
 orthodox Prelates, and filling their places with 
 Arians. 
 
 By all thefe different means Arianifm had very much 
 diffufed itfelf through the Eaft, while the Weft was 
 but little tainted with it. This produced great difu- 
 nion in the Church ; which occafioned a Council to be 
 held at Sardica in Illyricum in 347. It was compofed 
 of about 250 Bimops convened from both the Eaftern 
 and Weftern provinces, of whom 1 70 were orthodox, 
 and fourfcore of the Arian party. Several of the 
 Bimops and others there fhewed the wounds they had 
 received from the fwords of the Arians ; they com- 
 plained of the cruel hardfmps they had been made to 
 fuffer, under which fome had even perimed ; they gave 
 account of the violences committed by the Soldiers and 
 people, and of the threats of the Judges : they repre- 
 iented that the Virgin* were ftript of their fubftance, 
 the holy Minilters imprifoned, and the Churches burnt. 
 Thefe and other perfecutions, that had been carried on 
 by the Arians, they recapitulated before the Council. 
 The Arian party expected to domineer in the Council 
 by means of the fecular power, but they found they 
 were difappointed. They faw that the Fathers would 
 have full liberty allowed th,ein to judge, and that 
 themfelves would be condemned. They therefore 
 
 retired
 
 94 THE GENERAL HISTORT 
 
 retired abruptly, and went to Philopopolis in Thrace. 
 The Council neverthelefs proceeded to bufmefs, and 
 declared their firm adherence to the Nicene faith. 
 They reftored St. Athanafius and two other Bilhops to 
 their fees, from whence they had been expelled, and 
 they pronounced fentence of Depofition and Excommu- 
 nication againft eleven Bilhops who were the Chiefs of 
 the Arian faction. Then the Fathers difpatched depu- 
 ties to the Emperors to prefs the execution of thefe 
 decrees, and to pray them to make ceafe the Arian 
 perfecutions. The Oriental Heretick Bimops, who 
 had retired to Philopopolis, held there a meeting which 
 they were bold enough to call the Council of Sardica, 
 and had the prefumption to excommunicate Pope 
 Julius, Ofms of Corduba, and feveral other Catholic 
 Bimops. Moreover, when the Arians hearcd they had 
 been condemned at the true Council of Sardica, they 
 redoubled their violences againft the Orthodox. They 
 caufed feveral to be put to death ; fome were exiled, 
 others fcourged, and others imprifoned. 
 
 Conftantius, after the death of his Brothers Conftan- 
 tine and Conftans, having fuppreffed the Ufurpers 
 Vetrannio and Magnentius, became mafter of the 
 whole Empire in 353. Two years after, he com- 
 menced a general perfecution againft the Catholics. 
 He fent Judges through the different provinces to com- 
 pel the Bimops to communicate with the Arians, and 
 to fubfcribe to the fentence againft St. Athanafius, 
 whom he had procured to be condemned in a meeting 
 of fome Arian Bimops at Milan. The Prelates, who 
 refufed to comply, were banifhed, and others of the 
 Arian faction intruded by force of arms. It was upon 
 this occafion that Pope Liberius was exiled to Berasa in 
 Thrace. The Judges were' alfo directed to imprifon, 
 
 punim,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN. CHURCH. 95 
 
 punifh, and confifcate the gocds of the people \vho 
 ftiould take part with the exiled Biihops. Mace- 
 donius, the Arian Bifhop and Ufurper of the fee of 
 Conftantinople, made himfdf conipicuous in this fcene 
 of perfecution. He obtained an Edict from the Em- 
 peror, .which he publifhed in Conftantinople and in all 
 the neighbouring towns, and had it executed by force 
 of arms,, which ordered that all the Catholics fliould 
 be .banifhed, and their Churches pulled down. But 
 not content with thefe violences, he procured feveral 
 perfons to be burnt in the fore-head, others to be ex- 
 po&d to different torments, of which fome died. 
 
 Jn .359 was held a Council at Ariminum in Italy, 
 confifting of above four hundred Bifhops, of whom 
 about fouricore were Arians. They received orders 
 from the Emperor Conflantius, to attempt nothing 
 againft the Orientals. The Council neverthelefs con- 
 firmed the Nicene Faith, and depofed the heterodox 
 Bifhops that were prefent. The Arians here drefled 
 up a fraudulent Profeflion of faith, in appearance 
 Catholic, but containing the Arian poifon under artful 
 ambigious exprefllons. The Catholics, not aware of 
 the fraud and iuppofing the Profefllon to be orthodox, 
 iubfcribed it. It was in confequence of this fubfcrip- 
 tion that St. Jerom made the following remark: 
 " The world," faid he, " was {truck with grief, and 
 " wondered to find itfelf become Arian." * But the 
 Fathers no fooner perceived the impofition that had been 
 put. upon them, than they expreffed their deteflation 
 of it, retracted their fubfcription, and profeffed their 
 adherence to the true faith. The formula fubfcribed 
 at Ariminum was fent to all the provinces of the Em- 
 pire, 
 
 -. . S - - - 
 
 * Ingemuit totus orbi?, et Arian um fe efTe miratus eft.
 
 96 THE GENERAL HISTORY. 
 
 pire, with an order from Conftantius to all the Bifhops 
 to fign it, under pain of banishment. This caufed 
 .great trouble in the Church, and a kind of perfecution, 
 and many Bifnops in the Eaft figned the formula. 
 . About this time great violences were committed at 
 Alexandria by the Arians. Numbers of people were 
 trampled to death in the flreets by the foldiers, and 
 others {lain by their darts. St. Athanafius was forced 
 to leave the place, and one George, an Arian, a 
 brutifh and cruel Man, was placed 'in the Patriarchal 
 chair. He renewed the fcenes of bloodihed and 
 violence, but two years after, by a juft judgment, 
 was maffacred by the Pagans for his cruelty. 
 
 Conilantius the Emperor died in 361, and with his 
 death ceafed for a while the Arian perfecution. What 
 has beeen faid of this Prince fufficiently mews that he 
 was v.great Jword, according to the exprefilon of the 
 Apocalypfe, in the hands of the Arians. In 364 
 Valens was inverted with the Empire of the Eaft by his 
 Brother Valentinian, who kept to himfelf the Weft. 
 This laft Prince was a true Catholic ; but Valens was 
 inclined to Arianifm, and openly declared in favour of 
 it in 367, when he was baptized by Eudoxus, the Arian 
 Bifliop of Conftantinople, who made him then fwear, 
 that he would always perfift in his belief, and perfecute 
 thole of a contrary perfuafion. In conformity to his 
 oath this Emperor became another great (word in de- 
 fence of the Arians. The Devil not being able, as 
 Paulus Orofius obferves (lib. VH. c. 29), to perfecute the 
 Church any longer by Pagan Emperors who no more 
 exifted, found means to do it by the hands of Chriftian 
 Emperors. Valens began his perfecution againft the 
 Orthodox, by ordering the Governors of the Provinces 
 to banim thofe Bimops* who had been depofed by 
 
 Con-
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 97 
 
 Conftantius and had recovered their Sees under Ju- 
 lian. St. Athanafms among the reft underwent the 
 penalty, and this was the fourth or fifth time he had 
 been driven from his Church. The Catholics at 
 Conftantinople fufTered greatly ; they were infuhed, 
 wounded, and imprifoned, andfome of them even put 
 to death. To get a flop put to thefe violences, they 
 fent a deputation of fourfcore Ecclefiaftics to Valens 
 at Nicomedia. Thefe, inflead of obtaining any redreis 
 from the inhuman Emperor, were ordered to be put 
 on board a veffel, and the veffel, when out at Sea, to 
 be fet on fire. The barbarous order was executed, 
 and they all perimed. Perfccution was openly carried 
 on in different parts of the Eaft. As the Monks in 
 the Deferts were known to diflinguifh themfelves in 
 fupporting the true Religion, Valens ifiued out an 
 order that they mould be compelled to bear arms, and 
 the Officers who were fent upon the commiflion, maf- 
 facred a great number of them. 
 
 The Emperor Valens perimed miferably in 378, and 
 he being the laft of the Roman Emperors that favoured 
 Arianifm, it loft ground in the Eaftern Provinces 
 which were chiefly infected. And before the end of 
 this century, that is, before the year 400, the Arians 
 began to differ among themfelves about their tenets, 
 they divided into different feels, and thefe divifions 
 contributed to weaken their ftrength, and were even, 
 the occafion of many of them leaving their party, and 
 embracing the Catholic Faith. 
 
 On another fide however one may take notice, that 
 the Emprefs Juftina, who favoured the Arians, gave 
 fome trouble to the Catholics in the Weft, particularly 
 to St. Ambrofe at Milan ; and me prevailed upon h~r 
 young Son Valentinian II. to iflue out an Edict in fup- 
 H port
 
 9 8 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 port of the Arians, but as fhe died foon after, it pro* 
 .duced but little effect. 
 
 The Goths alfo, who from Idolatry had been con- 
 verted to Chriftianity, were afterwards brought over 
 to Arianifm, about the year 376, by their Bifhop Ul- 
 philas, who fufFered himfelf to be perverted by Eu- 
 doxius, the Arian Bifhop of Conftantinople. Thefe 
 Goths, having overthrown the Weftern Empire of 
 Rome, divided themfelves into two Bodies, one of 
 which fettled in Italy, and they were called Oftrogoths 
 or Eaftern Goths : the other proceeded into the Sou- 
 thern parts of France, and afterwards into Spain, 
 where they fixed and were named Vifigoths or Weftern 
 Goths. The Oftrogoths were converted by degrees to 
 the Catholic faith, after their dominion in Italy was 
 extinguifhed by Narfes, the Commander of the Em- 
 peror Juftinian's troops, who defeated their army and 
 flew their King Totila in 552. The Vifigoths in Spain, 
 under their King Reccared who had been inftrufted 
 by St. Hermenegild, were brought over from Ari- 
 anifm to the orthodox faith about the year 587. The 
 Suevi, a German people who fettled in Spain, had 
 been alfo converted a few years before from the Arian 
 herefy : In fine, in this King's reign an end was put to 
 that herefy in Spain, where it had been imported by 
 the barbarous nations that invaded that country. 
 
 The Lombards, originally a German people, who 
 conquered part of Italy and raifed to themfelves a 
 kingdom there in 572, were alfo Arians ; but Charle- 
 magne vanquifhed them in 774, and put an end to 
 their dominion. The remainder of them were in courfe 
 of time converted. 
 
 The Vandals were not only Arians, but cruel per- 
 fecutors of the Catholic Church. In a peace they 
 
 made
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 99 
 
 made with the Romarr Emperor in 435, was ceded to 
 them a large tract of country in Africa, into which 
 a confiderable body of them parTed from Spain, where 
 they had been fettled before. Two years after, Gen- 
 feric their King refolved to eftablifh Arianifm in his 
 new African kingdom, and in that view began to per- 
 fecute the Catholic Bifhops and to b'anifh them from 
 their fees. He afterwards forbid ordaining any Ca- 
 tholic Bifhops in his dominions, fo that they were re- 
 duced in thirty years time to three. In 455 the perfe- 
 cution w;:s fo hot, that it crowned many with mar- 
 tyrdom, and their Memorial is celebrated by the 
 Church on the 5th of April. The Arians were actu- 
 ated with fuch rage and animofity, that they committed 
 the mofl outrageous indignities : knowing that the 
 Catholics were afTembled at the holy Communion, 
 they broke in upon them, threw down the Sacred 
 Body and Blood of Chrift, and trampled them under 
 their feet. 
 
 Huneric, Son and fucceffor to Genferic in 477, was, 
 like his Father, an Arian, but furpafTed him in his 
 barbarous treatment of the Orthodox. He feemed to 
 have more the nature of a Decius or a Dioclefian, than 
 of a Chriftian Prince. We mail only fay in general, 
 that he fhut up all the Catholic Churches in his domi- 
 nions, he bammed the Bifhops and Clergy to the num- 
 ber of near five thoufand, and very numerous were 
 the Victims facrificed to his cruelty in this perfecution, 
 fome of whom loft their limbs, others their lives for 
 their adherence to the true faith. But the hand of 
 God overtook him in 485, and he died eaten up with 
 worms. Two other perfecutions were afterwards railed 
 againft the Catholics by Huneric's fucceflbrs Gonda- 
 mund and Thrafimund. But the Emperor Juftinian 
 H 2 in
 
 joo THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 in 535 fent his General Belifarius into Africa, who 
 defeated the Vandals and put an end to their kingdom 
 and power. 
 
 Let this account fuffice to fhew, with how much 
 propriety the Arian Herefy is filled in our text of the 
 Apocalypfe a great mountain burning with fire flung 
 into the Church. It now appears what a flame it 
 kindled of difcord, intefline convulfions, and perfe- 
 cution, and that it corrupted the faith of a confidera- 
 ble part, both of its Paftors and people. But we 
 muft at the fame time take notice that, notwkhflanding 
 all the different artifices and violences employed by 
 the Arians to increafe their party and to fupprefs that 
 of the Orthodox, the greateft portion of the flock of 
 Chrift, even in the Eaft, flood firm in their faith and 
 adhered clofely to the determination of the Council of 
 Nice. This is atteflcd by St. Athanafms, who lived 
 in the midfl of the fcene and bore a great mare in it. 
 Befides, the Weflern Church was for a confiderable 
 time almofl unanimous in its deteflation of that blaf- 
 phemous hercfy , till it was imported thither by foreign 
 people who came and fettled in her countries. It is faid 
 that the Jiery mountain corrupted a part of the waters of 
 the fea , in like manner Arianifm infufed its infection 
 into fome part of the Church , but as the waters of the 
 fea by their natural convulfive motion call forth the filth 
 they contain in their bofom, and purify themfelves ; fo 
 the Paftors and Community of the faithful as foon as 
 they perceived the lurking poifon of Arianifm, beftirred 
 themfelves to repel it, by affembling Councils, by 
 preaching, praying, &c. which efforts had their full 
 effect, and defeated the enemy. The mighty power of 
 Emperors and Kings came in to its aftiftance, but that 
 even fell before infirm defencelefs men, the faithful 
 
 Paftors,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 101 
 
 Paftors, who flood intrepid againft it , for, the weak 
 things of the world hath God chofen^ that he may confound 
 tbeftrongi (i Cor. i. 27.). How vain and fenfelefs the 
 attempt, in any power below heaven, to force the 
 Church to change her belief! when He, who built her 
 up, had pronounced that the gates of hell Jhould never 
 "prevail againft her, (Matt. xvi. 18.). How is it pofiible 
 that the Church fhould ever be prevailed upon to de- 
 clare againft the Divinity of Chrift, which is the very 
 Reck on which fhe ftands ? The rife of Arianifm there- 
 fore ferved only as a touchftone, to diftinguilh the found 
 part of Chriftians from the unfound. It was an ufeful 
 inftrument to feparate the chaff from the corn : 'There 
 muft be herefies, fays St. Paul, that they who are approved,, 
 may be made manifeft, (i Cor. xi. 19.). This method 
 Chrift made ufe of to purge away all drofs from his 
 Church* and the pure metal only remaining, {he fhone 
 with more brightnefs. While on the other hand 
 Arianifm not being able to ftand againft fuch fuperior 
 Juftre, withdrew by degrees, and funk quite away. 
 
 Such is the Hiftory of what relates to the fecond-age 
 of the Church. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 We HIJlory of the third Age of the Chriflian 
 Church. 
 
 The Opening of the third Seal. 
 
 APOC. Chap. VI. v. 5. And when he (thcLamb) 
 had opened the third feal, I heard, fays St. John, 
 the third living creature^ faying : Come, and fee. And 
 H 3
 
 102, THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 behold a black horfe, and he that fat on him, had a fair 
 cf fcaks in his hand. 
 
 v. 6. And I heard as it were a voice in the midft of 
 the four living creatures, faying : two pounds of wheat for 
 a penny, and thrice two pounds of barky for a penny, and 
 fee thou hurt not the wine and the oil. 
 
 Here is announced a dreadful Famine, which is 
 the firft ftep taken by the Almighty for the deftruction 
 of the Empire of Pagan Rome ; and with it commences 
 the third age of the Church, about the year 406. 
 
 The Voice cries out : two pounds of wheat for a -penny, 
 and thrice two pounds of barley for a- penny. The Roman 
 penny or denarius is, in our money, about feven pence 
 three farthings, an exorbitant price in thofe days for 
 two pounds of wheat or fix pounds of barley, and 
 Ihews great fcarcity. This famine afflicted the Wef- 
 tern Roman Empire in 406 and the following years, 
 when Arcadius reigned Emperor in the Eaft, and Ho- 
 norius in the Weft ; the body of the Roman Empire 
 having been divided into two States : the Eaflern, the 
 Capital of which was Conftantinople , and the Weftern, 
 having Rome for its Capital j which lafl is the Iubje6t 
 of our prefent confideration. The famine was occa- 
 fioned by the irruption of thofe barbarous nations, the 
 Goths, the Vandals, the Huns, the Alans, &c/ who 
 came in fwarms from the north, invaded the Roman 
 Provinces, and carried devaflation along with them. 
 This is attefled by all the Hiftorians of thofe times. 
 Thefe People were fent by Almighty God to execute 
 his avenging Juftice on Idolatrous Rome and its Em- 
 pire, to diftrefs it with calamities, to feize its Provinces, 
 to humble its pride, and put an end to its power and 
 dominion. 
 
 The
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 103 
 
 The black colour of the horfe is fuitable to the na- 
 ture of famine, which waftes and dries the body, and 
 tinges the fkin with a blackifh hue, agreeably to that of 
 Jeremy : Ourjkin is burnt as an oven, by zeafon of the 
 violence of the famine ', (Lamen. v. io.). The black or 
 funeral colour of the horfe agrees alfo with the condi- 
 tion here confidered of the heathen Roman Empire, 
 which is now going into definition. And be that Jits 
 on the horfe, is Alaric, King of the Goths, the princi- 
 pal nation among thofe that concurred in the fubverfion 
 of the Roman State : and in Alaric may be compre- 
 hended the Chiefs of the other nations. The rider holds 
 a pair of fc ales in his hand to weigh the grain, which indi- 
 cates that the dearth will be fo great, that all grain will 
 be ibid by exact weight and meafure. And here we 
 may take notice of the propriety of this fpeftacle being 
 fhewn to St. John by the third living creature^ or the 
 Prophet Ezechiel, who had announced to die jews the 
 like calamity, with which God intended to punifh 
 them. Thus fpoke God by that Prophet : Behold I 
 will break in pieces the ftaff of bread in Jerufalem ; and 
 they fo all eat bread by weight, and with care\ and they 
 Jhall drink water by meafure, and in diftrcfs, (Ezech. 
 iv. 1 6.). Let us alfo obferve, that the Voice, which 
 fpoke, came from the midft of the four- lining Creatures, 
 that is, was one voice compofed of the voices of the 
 four living Creatures, or of the four great Prophets^ 
 Ifaiah, Jeremy, Ezechiel, and Daniel. They fevcrally 
 foretold the fall of Ancient Babylon, which was a figure 
 of the fall of Pagan Rome, this city being filled Ba- 
 bylon in the Apocalypfe. On account therefore of 
 their common prediction, their voices are joined in one 
 to announce the approaching fate of Rome. But it is 
 added : Hurt not the wine and the oil. This expreffion 
 H 4 feems
 
 104 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 feems to point at the character of the Invaders of the 
 Roman territory, who were all Northern people, and 
 confequently not being ufed to ivine and oil, which are 
 not produced in their countries, naturally neglected 
 them, while at the fame time they fwept away all the 
 grain. -In northern countries at prefent both wine and 
 oil are imported and commonly ufed, but it was not fo 
 in thofe days, when little or no commerce or even 
 communication fubfifled between the northern and fou- 
 thern nations. 
 
 In the fubject of this Seal we fee fhine forth that 
 Wifdom, the attribute of the Lamb-, (Apoc. v. 12. fee 
 p. 22.) according to the dictates of which he demolifhes 
 kingdoms and raifes up others. 
 
 The Sounding of the third Crumpet. 
 
 APOC. Chap. viii. v. 10. Andtbt third Ange /, fays 
 St. John, founded the trumpet, and a great flar fell from 
 heaven, burning as it were a torch, and it fell on tke third 
 part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters : 
 
 v. ii. And the name of the ft ar is called wormwood. 
 And the third part of the waters became wormwood : and 
 many men died of the waters, becaufe they were made 
 bitter. 
 
 Here is an allegorical defcription of new calamities 
 that were to be inflicted on heathen Rome and its pro- 
 vinces. A great ft ar fails from heaven : this great ftar 
 repreftrnts the above-named powerful Nations of the 
 north ; it falls from heaven j they are fent by Almighty 
 God to deftroy Rome, as formerly Nabuchodonofor 
 was fent to deftroy Jerufalem, and Cyrus to deftroy 
 Babylon. This Star is faid to burn like a torch, on ac- 
 count
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 105 
 
 count of the defolation which thefe Barbarians fpread in 
 their progrefs, by laying wafte the cities and country 
 by fire. The Star fell on the third part of the Rivers, 
 find upon the fountains of waters. Thole People fpread 
 themfelves over a third fart of the Roman provinces, 
 fignified by the Rivers ; they invaded particularly the 
 weftern parts ; then fell upon Rome itfelf and Italy, 
 denoted by the fountains of 'waters. That the Rivers 
 and Waters fignify the Provinces of the Roman Em- 
 pire, appears from the explication given by the Angel 
 to St. John in chap. xvii. v. 15. of the Apocalypfe : 
 1'he waters which thott f aw eft, where the harlot fitteth, 
 are peoples, and nations, and tongues. Furthermore, 
 the name of the Star is wormwood ; the Star may well be 
 called wormwood, fmce it cauied fuch bitter diftrefles, 
 fuch bitter calamities, and in fine ruin to the Roman 
 people. The fame kind of exprefnon for calamities, 
 fent by the hand of God, we find in the Prophet Jere- 
 my: Behold, faid the Lord, I will feed this people (the 
 Jews) with wormwood, and will give them water of gall 
 to drink, (Jerem. ix. 15.). Laftly, the third part of the 
 waters became wormwood : and many men died of the 
 waters, becaufe they were made bitter : a great number 
 of the Romans perifhed by the bitter draught of thofe 
 calamities. 
 
 The difafters, and deviations by fire, that afflicted 
 the Roman dominions at this time, may -therefore very 
 juftly be compared to the effects of Lightning, ( Apoc. 
 viii. 5. fee page 30.). 
 
 But here we muft obferve, that this third Trumpet 
 founded not only war and ruin to the pagan Roman 
 Empire, but alib a terrible alarm to the Chriftians in it, 
 as they became involved in thofe general calamities, and 
 fuffered extremely. Befides, they had lived for feme 
 
 time
 
 io6 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 time with comfort under Chriftian Emperors, and 
 fhared their benevolence and protection , but this blef- 
 fmg alfo was now wrefted from them by the northern 
 Invaders, who fuperfeded the Weftern Roman Em" 
 perors, and feizing their Provinces, fet up there their 
 own Princes, who were either Idolaters or Arians. 
 Nay even Hiftory informs us, that about the year 480 
 there was not one Catholic King in the world. Odoacer> 
 who reigned over Italy, was an Arian , the fame were 
 the kings in Spain, and Genfcric in Africa. The dif- 
 ferent Princes in Gaul or France were alfo either hea- 
 thens or Arians. In the Eaft reigned the Emperor 
 Zeno, an abettor of the Eutychian herefy 5 and the 
 Kings of Perfia were pagans. 
 
 Vbe Pouring out of the third Vial of the Wrath 
 of God. 
 
 APOC. Chap. xvi. v. 4. And the third Angel, fays 
 St. John, poured out his Vial upon the rivers and the 
 fountains of waters : and there was made blood. 
 
 v. 5. And I heard the Angel of the waters, faying : 
 'Thou art juft, Lord, who art, and who waft, the holy 
 one, lecaufe thou baft judged thefe things : 
 
 v. 6. For they have Jbed the blood of faints and pro- 
 phets, and thou haft given them blood to drink ' for they 
 are worthy. 
 
 v. 7. And I heard another from the altar, faying : 
 Tea, Lord God Almighty, true and juft are thy judg- 
 ments. 
 
 At the founding of the third Trumpet the great Star 
 fell upon the rivers and the fountains of waters : fo like^ 
 
 wife
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 107 
 
 wife the third Vial of the wrath of God is here poured 
 out on the rii^rs and the fountains of waters, that is, 
 on the Pagans of the weftern Roman provinces, and 
 on thofe of Italy and Rome itfelf. And there was made 
 Hood; This is the laft ftroke, that of the fword, em. 
 ployed by the Almighty to complete the overthrow of 
 the Roman Empire ; and effectually dreadful was the 
 {laughter the Barbarians made of the pagan Roman 
 people. The Divine Judgment being executed, the. 
 juftice of it is immediately proclaimed by the Angel of 
 the waters, that is, by the Angel that prefided over the 
 Roman State. He cries out : Thou art juft, O Lord, 
 who art, and who waft, the holy one, becatife thou haft 
 judged thefe things ; and the reafon is added : For they 
 havejhed the blood of Saints and Prophets, and therefore 
 thou haft given them blood to drink : for 'they arc worthy ^ 
 or deferve it : They, the Romans, have exercifed the 
 moft cruel perfecutions againft thy people, the Chrif- 
 tians ; they have fpilt their blood, and that of thy 
 Apoftles and Minifters of thy Gofpel : and now by a 
 juft retaliation thou haft given them blood to drink, by 
 bringing upon them other people, as cruel as them- 
 felves, to pour out their blood. Then the Angel, who 
 prefides over the altar of Holocaufts, at the foot of 
 which, according to thejewim rites was poured out 
 the blood of the victims, joins agreeably to his func- 
 tion in acknowledging the divine juftice in the effufion 
 of the Roman blood. He addrefles the Almighty, 
 faying : Tea, O Lord God Almighty, true and juft are 
 thy judgments. We may here take notice that the 
 above-mentioned calamities are very plainly intimated 
 in few terms by our Prophet in chap, xviii. v. 8. of 
 the Apocalypfe, where fpeaking of the punifhment of 
 heathen Rome he fays : Her plagues fic.ll ccme in one 
 
 day,
 
 io8 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 day y death, and mourning, and famine ; famine being 
 the fubjecl: of the prefent Seal, mourning that of the 
 Trumpet, and death that of the Vial. 
 
 Such are the events, which characterize the third 
 age of the Church, and make up its hiftory. 
 
 preceding 'Explication lllujlrated by a brief 
 Hiftorical Account of the Fall of Ancient Rome 
 with its Empire. 
 
 The Roman Empire, like all other human Jftruc- 
 turesj was built upon a perifhable foundation. It had 
 its rife and its decline. In its firft ages it fupported it- 
 felf by wildom and moderation, and owed its amazing 
 growth to its prowefs, fortitude, and perfeverance. 
 .But in the latter part of its period, which we here con- 
 jfider, thefe qualities were no more found in it. Its 
 progrefs was like that of an elegant human fhape, 
 which had reached maturity of perfection, but whofe 
 beauty was now in the wane. The Prophet Daniel 
 had, long before its exiflence, defcribed its nature. 
 He compares it firft to Iron, (Dan. ii. 20. &c.). As 
 Iron is the ftrongeft of metals, fo the Roman ftate was 
 to perform greater atchievements than any of the pre- 
 ceding Empires, and was to fubdue them all. 7'hen 
 he compares it to Iron mixed with Clay. The mixture 
 of iron and clay exhibits the fubfequent decline of that 
 State, clay being put for afignof its weaknefs and want 
 of iblidity. Such then was the nature of the Roman 
 State. We fee it therefore extending its dominion, 
 and gaining univerfal empire, during the time of its 
 Confuls and firft Emperors : but after that period, we 
 
 fee
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 109 
 
 fee it ciiftracted with interior convulfions and civil 
 wars. The Military grew licentious, the Patricians 
 luxurious and effeminate, the Plebeians mutinous, and 
 the Emperors cruel and debauched. Hence it is plain, 
 its Conftitution was growing old, and was tending to a 
 decay, from its own infirmities and diforders. But 
 though its cafe feemed almoft defperate, a tolerable re- 
 covery might have been hoped for from active and 
 valiant Governors, who might have reformed its de- 
 fects, and revived in the people a mare of the fpirit 
 and bravery of their Anceftors. But this was not to 
 be. Rome had provoked the indignation of the Su- 
 preme Ruler of empires. It had bent its whole power 
 to the iupportmg of Idolatry and to the fupprefling of 
 the eftablimment of the Chriftian Religion. An in- 
 vifibie- hand therefore was already depreffing it, and it 
 was doomed to drink the full cup of the wrath of the 
 Almighty, and even in the moft confpicuous manner. 
 
 Many were the Inflruments employed by the hand 
 of God for this purpofe. He brought down upon the 
 Empire a multitude of barbarous nations, which being 
 almoft deftitute of humanity, tore out its bowels with- 
 out mercy. Among thefe the Goths bore a principal 
 fhare. They were originally a people of Gothland in 
 Sweden, where finding themfelves too clofely confined 
 for their number, a large body of them pafled into Po- 
 merania, where Tacitus places them : thence they ad- 
 vanced to the neighbourhood of Palus Mseotis ; and 
 afterwards bent their route wefterly, and extended them- 
 felves along the north fide of the Danube. From 
 thence they made incurfions into the Roman Empire, 
 carrying famine and defolation along \vith them. The 
 Emperors, harrafled with wars on every fide, were 
 compelled to come into- terms with them, and allowed 
 
 to
 
 no THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 to part of them a fetrlement in Thrace. In confidera- 
 tion of this indulgence they remained quiet for a while, 
 and even amited the Romans againft their other ene- 
 mies. But new pretences of complaint foon rifing, 
 they made new incurfions, and were of all the northern 
 nations the moil troublefome to the Romans. 
 
 Alaric, whom they chofe for their King, an enter- 
 prifmg ambitious adventurer, animated with the fuc- 
 cefs of former invafions, conceived a defign in the year 
 402 of feizing on the beautiful fertile country of Italy, 
 and attacking Rome itfelf. Claudian, the Roman 
 Poet, who lived at that time, in his book on the 
 Gothic war introduces Alaric fpeaking thus : 
 
 Per tot populos urbefque cucurri, 
 
 Fregi Alpes, galeifque Padum vidtricibus haufi : 
 Quid reftat nifi Roma mihi ? 
 
 " I have run over," fays Alaric, " fo many countries 
 " and cities, I have crofied the Alps and the river Po, 
 " carrying every where victory with my arms : what 
 " then remains forme to conquer, but Rome itfelf?" 
 
 Alafic entered Italy in 402 at the head of his Arian 
 Goths, Honorius being then Emperor in the Weft, 
 and Arcadius in the Eaft, but was defeated in two 
 different battles near Pollentia and Verona by Stilico, 
 Honorius's General, and was compelled to retire out of 
 Italy into Dalmatia. This victory was celebrated by 
 the above-mentioned Poet, who being a Pagan, boafted 
 much of the pretended fpecial protecUon given by the 
 pagan deities on this occafion to Rome. Thus fpeaks 
 he: 
 
 Hanc
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, ni 
 
 Hanc urbem infano nullus qui marte petivit, 
 Lsetatus violafle redit. Nee Numina fedem 
 deftituunt. 
 
 Lib. de bello Get. 
 
 " No one," fays he, " has prefumed to attack 
 " Rome, that has not returned from it -confounded at 
 " his own folly and madnefs. For the Gods ceafe not 
 " to protect their feat." 
 
 Claudian, when he wrote this, was little aware of 
 what was to follow, and it is doubtful whether he 
 lived to fee the facking of Rome by the fame Alaric, 
 which happened within a few years after. 
 
 In the year 406 Radagaifus, another Gothic Prince, 
 a Pagan, aflembled together an immenfe army of Goths 
 and other barbarous people inhabiting the north fide of 
 the Rhine and Danube, (fome fay four hundred thou- 
 fand men) and advanced into Italy under pretence of 
 revenging the (laughter of their countrymen made at 
 Pollentia and Verona. All Italy and Rome itfelf were 
 thrown into the utmoft confirmation. The Heathens, 
 who wereftill numerous in the city, though their Idols 
 had been taken away by the Emperor's order in 399, 
 raifed an uproar, faying, that Radagaifus would cer- 
 tainly prevail, on account of his devotion to the Gods, 
 and Rome had loft their protection by neglecting their 
 worfhip. St. Auftin, who was then at Carthage, was 
 informed of thefe things, and mentions the pagans of 
 the city of Rome making their complaint in the follow- 
 ing manner : " We offer no more facrifi^es to the 
 * 6 Gods, while Radagaifus facrifices to them every day. 
 " What can we then expect, but to fall into the hands 
 
 " of
 
 U2 THE GENERAL HISTORY. 
 
 " of this barbarous, but religious . Prince ?" (de civ. 
 Dei. lib. 5. c. 23.). To thefe complaints they added 
 blafphemies againft the name of Chrift. That great 
 army advanced as far as Florence, where Stilico, at the 
 head of the Roman Legions, aflifted by a body of 
 Huns and Alans, fell fuddenly upon it and intirely 
 routed it. Radagaifus himielf was foon after taken by 
 the Romans and put to death, and his whole army pe- 
 rifhed. Thus Almighty God would not fuffer, as St. 
 Auftin remarks, that a Pagan Prince fhould be the ex- 
 ecutor of his Juilice, left the idolatrous people of 
 Rome fliould afcribe his fuccefs to the falfe Gods he 
 adored. 
 
 At the end of the year 406, three different nations 
 of the north joined their arms together, the Vandals 
 from the north of Germany, the Suevi alfo from Ger- 
 many, and the Alans, a people of Sarmatia or Po- 
 land j and having pafled the Rhine, they fpread them- 
 felves through the Roman provinces of Gaul. They 
 facked the towns, they plundered the country, they 
 put to death many Chriftians, and carried defolation 
 and (laughter wherever they went. Thefe were foon 
 followed by another fwarm from Germany, compofed 
 of Burgundions, Franks, Saxons, and others : fo that 
 the whole country of Gaul or France was ovcrfprcad 
 with Barbarians. St. Jerom, who lived at that time, 
 . thus defcribes thefe irruptions : " A multitude of bar- 
 " barous nations have poflefled themfelves of all Gaul. 
 <c The Qiiadi, the Vandals, the Sarmatians, the 
 " Alans, the Gepidi, the Heruli, the Saxons, the Bur- 
 " gundions, the Alemanni, and the Pannonians*, 
 
 " have 
 
 * By the Pannonians St. Jerom feems to underftand the 
 Huns, and the Suevi by the Alemanni.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 113 
 
 " have laid vvafte the v/hole country between the Alps 
 " and the Pyrenees, between the Ocean and the 
 u Rhine." (Epift. xi. ad Ager.). He goes on with 
 fpecifying the deplorable devaluations and maffacrcs 
 committed by this ihoal of favages. The Author of a 
 Poem on Providence, who bore a fhare in thefe calami- 
 ties, fays that, " If the Ocean itfelf had broke through 
 '* its bounds and overflowed all Gaul, it could not have 
 " done more mifchief." It appears then that the peo- 
 ple of the weflern part of the Empire were compelled 
 to fwallow a full draught of ivcrmwccd^ and would 
 have been glad to purchafe two pounds of wheat fcr a 
 Roman penny , or at an exceffive price. 
 
 Alaric, after his retreat, as we have feen, into Dal- 
 matia, agreed, to afliil the Emperor Honorius with his 
 troops againfb the enemies of Rome j but when the 
 work was done, he could not obtain from the Emperor 
 the reward he thought due for his fervices. Upon this 
 difappointment he in 408 invaded Italy at the head of 
 his army. It was upon this occafion, as the Hiflorians 
 Socrates and Sozomen relate, that a holy Hermit met 
 him, and exhorted him to fpare Rome, and not bring 
 upon himfelf the guilt of fo much blood and deftruc- 
 tion ; to whom Alaric made this anfwer : " I conilantly 
 <c feel an impulfe within me, that gives me no reft, but 
 *.' preiTes me to go and deftroy that city." He pillaged 
 the country as he went, pitched his camp in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Rome, and beficged it. This occafioned 
 a famine to rage in that city j the famine gave birth to 
 a plague which carried off numbers of people. In this 
 extremity the Senate of Rome offered him a large fum 
 of money with fuch other advantageous propofais, that 
 he thought fit to defift from his enterprize, and retired 
 into Tufcany. 
 
 I During
 
 IH THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 During theft* times inexprefuble were the devaluations 
 and barbarities committed in different parts of the Em- 
 pire by numerous invaders, the northern Wolves, as 
 St. Jerom liiles them. Thus fpeaks he : " It mocks 
 " me to relate the miferies of our prefent times. For 
 " twenty years paft and more, from Constantinople to 
 ** the Julian Alps, we fee the Roman Hood every day 
 " fpilt. Scythia, Thracia, Macedonia, Dardania, 
 " Dacia, TheiTalonica, Achaia, Epirus, Dalmatia, and 
 " all the Pannonias, are plundered and laid wafte by 
 " the Goths, the Sarmatians, the Quadi, the Alans, 
 " the Huns, the Vandals, and the Marcomans. How 
 " many Matrons, Virgins, and perfons of noble birth 
 " have been abufed by thefe beafts ! The Bifhops are 
 " carried into captivity, the Priefts and others of the 
 " clergy murdered. The Churches are thrown down, 
 w horfes tied to the altars of Chrift, and the aihes of 
 " the martyrs are dug up from their tombs. Every 
 " where -groans and lamentations ; every where death 
 " appears in various fhapes. The whole Roman Em- 
 " pire is tumbling." (Epift. 3. ad Heliod. ). 
 
 In 409, the next year after his retiring into Tufcany* 
 Alaric impatient that Ionic articles of the treaty made 
 with him were not fulfilled, complained to Honorius ? 
 but met with a repulfe. Enraged at this ufage, he 
 affcmbled his troops and marched towards Rome. 
 The emperor, to oppofe him, took into pay ten thou- 
 fand Huns, and fent Valens with fix thoufand men to 
 reinforce the garrifon of Rome : but this Officer fell 
 into an ambulh laid for him, and all his men were 
 either killed or taken. Alaric advanced to Rome, and 
 laid clofe fiege to it. 
 
 And now the time approached, which the Almighty 
 had fixed, for delivering that city into the hands of 
 
 Alaric.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, nij 
 
 Alaric. *The day of deftruftion is at hand, and the time 
 makes hafle to come (Deuteron. xxxii. 35). The Pagans 
 were ftill numerous there, and averfe to Chriftianity. 
 May we not then interrupt, for a moment, the thread 
 of our narrative, and confider the Almighty as making 
 the fame challenge to thefe Pagans, which he formerly 
 did to thofe who obftructed the eftablimment of the 
 
 Jews ? Where are your Gods, in whom you truft? Let 
 
 them arife and help you, and protett you in your diftrcfs. 
 See ye, that I alone am, and there is no other God befides 
 me. If IJhall whet my fword as the lightening, and my 
 hand take hold on judgment, I will return vengeance on my 
 enemies and repay them that hats me. I will make my 
 arrows drunk with blood, and my fword Jhall devour fiejh. 
 (Deuteron. xxxii, 37, &c.) 
 
 While Alaric lay before Rome, Heraclian, Governor 
 of Africa for the Emperor Honorius, being in- 
 formed of the fiege, forbade all provifions being fent 
 from Africa to the city of Rome, which ufed to be 
 chiefly fupplyed from thence. This caufed n famine, 
 which raged to a degree that had never been felt before. 
 " Rome," fays St. Jerom, " perifhed by famine 
 " before it perifhed by the fword. Such was the force 
 " of hunger, that they fed upon the moft execrable 
 " meats , the people tore one another to pieces to de- 
 " vour their flefh, and mothers did not even fpare the 
 " infants at their breafts, inhumanly eating up what 
 " they had lately brought into the world." (Epift. 16. 
 ad Princip.). At length, Alaric availing himfelf of 
 this diftrefs, afiaulted the town, and took it. This 
 happened in the year 410. Thus Rome, that proud 
 city, the miftrefs of the world, which had fublifted 
 eleven hundred and fixty years, had raifed to herfelf the 
 greateft empire that had ever exifted, fell a prey to an 
 I 2 obfcure
 
 n-6 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 obfcure Goth, who'could ica& be faid to be mailer of a 
 foot of land. Rome was now expofcd to the rage 
 of a barbarous exafperated enemy. Therefore wo to 
 tbee.O City that plunder s,fi alt not thou thyfdfbc alfo plun- 
 dered? (Ifai. xxxiii. i.). The foldiers were allowed 
 to plunder every thing, and to carry off the immenfe 
 riches, which had been amaffed there and were the 
 fpoils of all the countries of the world. In confe- 
 quence of fuch unbounded liberty being granted^ 
 fhocking were the barbarities committed by the foldiers 
 to extort from the inhabitants their treafures. They not 
 only plundered, but flaughtered the inhabitants on all 
 fides. That renowned People, that had given laws to 
 all mankind, were now become the prey of fire and the 
 fword. The number of the Dead was fo great, that they 
 lay unburied ; and St. Jerom tells us, that Rome was 
 buried in its own ames. The auguft Palace of the 
 Emperors, and the greateil part of the fo much admired 
 elegant buildings were confumed by the flames. The 
 Hiftorian Procopius even fays, the Conflagration was 
 fuch that there fcarce remained one fmgle houfe intire. 
 In a word, Rome perifhed by the four greateft plagues 
 that can afflict the human fpecies, famine, peftilence, 
 fword, and fire. 
 
 Hers then appears confpicuous the judgment of 
 God upon ancient Rome, and how the Roman people, 
 conformably to our text, were drenched with their own 
 bloody in confequence of their forefathers having fned 
 in their perfecutions the blood of his Saints. Here alfo 
 we fee fulfilled that prophecy of Daniel, where fpeaking 
 of the fourth Beaft, which reprefented Rome with its 
 dominion, he fays: / faiv that the Beaft was Jlain^ and 
 that its body was deftroyed? and given to the Jire to be 
 burnt. (Dan. vii. u.). 
 
 The
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, n; 
 
 The fall of Rome was equally an objeft of furprife 
 and forrow to many nations, oh account of the extra- 
 ordinary figure it had made in the world. St. Jerom, 
 who was then at Bethleem and learned the whole 
 account from Ibme Chriftians who had efcaped out of 
 the difmal fcene and come to him, laments the dreadful 
 fate of that ancient and powerful city, and defcribes it 
 by the following verfes, with which Virgil defcribed the 
 conflagration and deftruction of Troy. 
 
 Quis cladem illius nodtis, quis funera fando 
 Explicet, aut pofTit lacrymis asquare labores ? 
 Urbs antiqua fuit, multos dominata per annos, 
 Plurima perque vias fternuntur inertia paflim 
 Corpora, perque dornos, et plurima mortis imago. 
 
 JEn-id. lib. 2. 
 
 What tongue can tell the (laughter of that night ? 
 
 What eyes can weep the forrows and affright ? 
 
 An ancient and imperial city falls, 
 
 The ftreets are filled with frequent funerals : 
 
 All parts refound with tumults, plaints, and fears^ 
 
 And grifly death in fundry fhapes appears. 
 
 Dryden's Tranfl. 
 
 We mall beg leave to add one verfe more out of' the 
 lame poem : 
 
 Venit fumma dies et ineluctabile tempus. 
 The fatal day, th' appointed hour is come. 
 
 It is however to be obferved, that in this terrible 
 
 calamity and fevere judgment of heaven, Almighty, 
 
 I 3 God
 
 iiS THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 God mewed a peculiar regard to his own people. For 
 Alaric had ordered that the two Churches of St. Peter 
 and St. Paul fhould be places of refuge, and that who- 
 ever retired there fhould be fafe. The Chriftians there- 
 fore fled thither, and with them fome alfo of the 
 Pagans, who by that means fuftained no hurt. 
 
 For three days, the city lay under the tyranny of the 
 Goths ; who then leaving it, pafied into the provinces 
 of Campania, Lucania, and Calabria, wafting the 
 country, and loading themfelves with the fpoils of it. 
 But being arrived at Confentia, a Town of Calabria, as 
 if the Almighty chofe to drop the rod of juftice he had 
 made ufe of, there Alaric fickened and died in a few 
 days. Athaulph his fuccefibr, made peace with the 
 Emperor, and obtained for himfelf and his Goths a 
 fettlement in the fouthern parts of France. 
 
 But the anger of God was not yet afiuaged. The 
 Vandals, the Alans, and the Suevi, not content with 
 having ravaged Gaul, hadpaffed the Pyrenean mountains 
 in 409, and entering Spain, another province of the 
 jEmpire, defeated the Roman Armies there. The cala- 
 mities caufed by jthefe favage people in that country 
 were moft dreadful. Befides the deftruction made by 
 the fivord, the famine became fo cxceflivc, that many 
 did not fcruplc to eat human flem, and even mothers 
 murdered their own children to feed upon them. To 
 thefe miferies was alfo added the plague, which* carried 
 off multitudes ; and the wild Beafts accuflomed to 
 human flefh from the number of carcafTes that had 
 perifhed by the fword, famine, and plague, aflaulted 
 even the living and devoured them. This account we 
 have from Idatius, a Bilhop of Spain in that century. 
 The three above mentioned barbarous nations, after 
 
 the
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 09 
 
 the revluction of the country, in 411, divided its pro- 
 vinces among themfelves, and fettled there. 
 
 Attila, King of the Huns, a Pagan people of 
 Scythia, now Tartary, broke into different provinces 
 of the Empire with a prodigious army, called himfeif 
 the " Scourge of God," and anfwered that name by his 
 devastations and barbarities, deftroying all before him 
 by jire and fa or d. He was feared as a more fierce and 
 iavage barbarian, than either Alaric or Radagaifus. 
 In the year 451 he invaded Gaul, and was there bear 
 by the Roman army affilted by the Goths, Alans, 
 Franks, and Burgundions. Upon his defeat he retired 
 into Pannonia, which became the feat of the Huns, 
 part of that country' being called from them Hungaria. 
 Attila having reinforced his army, returned to Italy, 
 where he fpread deftrudtion. As he advanced in his 
 career, he was met by St. Leo Pope, who addrefifed 
 him with fo much energy, eloquence, and dignity, 
 that the Barbarian let himfelf be perfuaded to retire out 
 of Italy. 
 
 The Vandals had got footing in Africa from the 
 year 427, and afterwards a fixed fettlement there by 
 agreement with the Emperor. In 455, Genferic, their 
 King, was invited into Italy by the Emprefs Eudoxia, 
 through a difguft fhe had taken to Maximus her huf- 
 band who forced her to marry him. Genferic had 
 accepted with pleafure the invitation, and landed in 
 Italy with an army of Vandals and Moors, Maximus, 
 who had ufurped the Empire, fled and Genferic en- 
 tering Rome without oppofition, delivered it up to his 
 Soldiers, who pillaged it for fourteen days, and then 
 fet fire to it. Genferic left the place loaded with 
 riches, and at his return into Africa fiezed upon the 
 whole remains of the Roman dominions there. 
 
 I 4 Odoacer,
 
 120 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Odoacer, king of the Heruli, a people of that part 
 of Germany now called Mecklenburgh, invaded Italy 
 in the year 476 with a powerful army. He defeated 
 the Roman Troops under the command of Oreftes, 
 took the city of Pavia by force, and expofed it to the 
 pillage of his foldiers, who deftroyed all with fre and 
 fword. Here Odoacer was fainted King of Italy. He 
 then advanced to Rome, where he depoled the Emperor 
 Auguftulus, and thus effectually eftablifhed his own 
 Regal Title. 
 
 In Auguftulus ceafed the Roman Empire in the 
 Weft. The Imperial title was now loft, th~ authority 
 of Rome was extinguilhed, its dignity trampled under 
 foot, and its extenfive domain torn to pieces, and 
 parcelled out among a fet of barbarous people. Spain 
 was divided among the Goths, Alans, Suevi, and 
 others. Africa was poffeficd by the Vandals. Britain, 
 having been before abandoned by the Romans, was 
 fubdued by the Saxons, who had lately aflifted the 
 Britons againft their enemies, the Scots and the Picts. 
 The Goths, Burgundions, and Franks, had erected 
 their feveral kingdoms in Gaul, and now at laft Rome 
 itfelf with Italy, the fountains of waters, that had 
 triumphed over the reft of the world, became en (laved 
 to a barbarous king. In thefe latter times Italy by the 
 ravages of the Invaders, had been depopulated, and the 
 imperial armies had confifted chiefly of Barbarians, as 
 Goths, Huns, Alans, Heruli, Suevi, and others, hired 
 under the name of auxiliaries. Thefe foon faw their 
 town ftrength and the weaknefs of their mailers. They 
 therefqre fhared out to themfelves fuch morfels of the 
 Empire as they moft relifhed. 
 
 Theodoric, King of thofe Goths that were fettled in 
 Italy, got Odoacer treacheroufly murdered in 493, 
 
 and
 
 OF- THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. ^21 
 
 and himfelf proclaimed King of all Italy. This coun- 
 try from that time remained under the power of 
 the Goths, till Juftinian the Great, Emperor 
 of Conftantinople, lent thither his General Belifarius 
 who lubdued a confiderable part of it, reduced the 
 Gothic power to a low ebb, and united Rome to the 
 eaftern Empire. Thus was that unhappy city tofled 
 from hand to hand, and now become a member of that 
 Empire, of which fhe had formerly been the head. 
 However, Totila being chofen king of the Goths in 
 Italy, found means to retrieve the declining date of 
 their affairs. He recovered a great part of the country 
 and in 546 inverted Rome, which he blocked up fo 
 clofely, that it could receive no provificns. This oc- 
 cafioned fuch a raging famine^ that the Inhabitants 
 were reduced to the utmoft extremity of diftrefs, feed- 
 ing upon the moft filthy things, even their own excre- 
 ments. Belifarius attempted to fend in provifions, but 
 the attempt proved unfuccelsful. The arm of God 
 was ftill lifted up againft Rome, and was to flrike ano- 
 ther blow, before the Divine Juftice could be finally 
 fatisfied. By a piece of treachery in the Sentinels 
 polled at one of the gates, Totila was admitted in the 
 night into the city, which he gave up to the pillage of 
 his foldiers. The Goths fpent feveral days in plunder- 
 ing the Inhabitants ; and the Senators and richeft people 
 were even fo ftript of every thing, that they were ne*. 
 ceffitated to beg their bread of the very Goths tvho had 
 thus reduced them. The walls of Rome were thrown 
 down, the public monuments demolished, the city was 
 burnt, and Totila carried away with him all the inha- 
 bitants : fo that the place remained dt j fert for. above 
 
 forty days. (Procop. lib. 3. de bcllo Goch.)- -Thus 
 
 was compleated the deftruction of ancient Rome. 
 
 C II A P.
 
 422 THE GENERAL HISTORV 
 
 C H A P. VI. 
 
 A fur tier Account of the third Age. 
 
 HAVING in the preceding chapter elucidated 
 by plain hiftory, the brief enigmatical delcrip- 
 tion of the fall of the Roman Empire, which St. John 
 gives us in the third Seal, Trumpet, and Vial -, we 
 are now better prepared to underftand the other, more 
 explicit account, he has added in the lyth and i8th 
 chapters of the Apocalypfe. The event is fo intereft- 
 ing to the Chriftian Church, that he enlarges on the 
 circumflances of it, particularly on the ruin of Rome 
 herfelf, as fhe had been the greateft enemy of Chrifl 
 upon earth, the infbrument of Satan in oppofing the 
 \vorfhip of God, and in fine the center of Idolatry. > 
 Thus fpeaks our Prophet : 
 
 APOC. Chap. XVII. v. i. And there came one of 
 the feven Angels, who lad the feven Vials , and fpoke 
 with me, faying : Come, I will fljew flee the condemna- 
 tion of the great Harlot, who Jittetb upon many water s^ 
 
 v. 2. With iv bom the Kings of the earth have com- 
 mitted fornication : and they who inhabit the earth^ have 
 been made drunk with the wine of her whoredom. 
 
 v. 3. And he took me away in fpirit into the defer t. 
 And I faw a woman fitting upon a fcarlet-coloured beajt^ 
 full of names of blafphemy, having /even heads and ten. 
 horns. ' 
 
 ' v. 4. And the woman was clothed round about with 
 purple and f cartel, and gilt withhold, and precious fiones 
 
 and
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 123 
 
 and pearls, having a golden cup in her band, full of the 
 abomination and Jilt hinefs of her fornication. 
 
 v. 5. And on her forehead a name was 'written , a 
 inyftery : Babylon the great ', the mother of the fornications, 
 and the abominations of the earth. 
 
 v. 6. And I faw the woman drunk with the blood of 
 the Saints, and with the blood of the martyrs cf Jefus. 
 And I wondered, when Ihadfeen her, with gnat admi- 
 ration. 
 
 St. John is here invited (ver. i.) to be a fpe&ator of 
 the divine punimment upon the great Harlot, who re- 
 prefents pagan Rome, as we mall fee prefently. The 
 invitation comes with propriety from one af the frven 
 Angels who held the Vials of the wrath of God, as it 
 was the function of thofe Angels to execute the Divine 
 Judgments on mankind. The Apoftle is therefore 
 taken up, as he thought, by the Angel (v. 3.) into a de- 
 fer t^ that very defert where Rome flood. The coun- 
 try round that Metropolis of the world was filled with 
 towns and inhabitants while me maintained her power, 
 but when the barbarous nations came upon her like fu- 
 rious lions, they laid wafte the lands all around for 
 many miles, they razed the towns to the ground, and 
 thus reduced the whole country to a defolate defert. la 
 this condition it was when Rome was deftroyed, and 
 thus nearly it has remained ever fince, as a lafting 
 monument of the divine wrath. St. John being placed 
 in this defert, fees the great Harlot or the woman, f.t- 
 tlng upon a fcarkt-coloured Beajt, full of names of blaf- 
 phemy, having f men heads and ten horns, &c. and being 
 ftruck with amazement at fo extraordinary a fight, 
 
 v. 7. 1'he Angel faid to me : why deft thcu wander ? 
 I will tdl ffae the mjftfty of the wcman, and of the beajl 
 
 which
 
 124 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 which carrieth her, which hath ths feven heads and ten 
 horns : which the Angel does by parts thus -, 
 
 v. 1 8. The woman which thou faweft, is the great 
 city, which hath kingdom over the kings of the earth. 
 
 This great City, which has dominion over the kings of 
 the earth, can be no other but Imperial Rome, which 
 had conquered almoft all the kingdoms of the known 
 world. Imperial heathen Rome is therefore evidently 
 meant and reprefented by the Woman or great Harlot. 
 And thus it has been underftood by the Ancient Fa- 
 thers and by the modern Interpreters of the Catholic 
 Church. But furthermore, 
 
 v. 15. And he (the Angel) faid to me, fays St. 
 John : the waters which thou faweft, where the harlot fit-, 
 teth, are peoples *, and nations, and tongues. 
 
 The harlot was faid (v. i.) toftt upon many waters, 
 which the Angel here interprets to reprefent the many 
 kingdoms, Hates, and countries, over which fhe 
 ruled. Again the Angel tells him, that the feven heads 
 are feven mountains, on which the woman fitteth, (v. 9.) 
 which is to fay clearly, the feven mountains on which 
 Ancient Rome was built. Thefe hills are, the Capito- 
 line, Palatine, Aventine, Ccelius, Efquiline, Quirinal, 
 Viminal, fome of which can fcarce be deemed a part of 
 modern Rome, as being now very little inhabited. 
 
 The Woman being now well known, we are next 
 prefented with a defcription of her perfon and qualities. 
 She appears dreficd in purple and fcarlet, and gilt with 
 gold and precious ftones and pearls (v. 4.) : the Imperial 
 Lady is thus decked out in the moft fumptuous man- 
 ner, proudly difplaying the great abundance of her 
 riches, amafied from -the fpoils of the whole world. 
 
 Purple 
 
 * In the Greek text, peoples and multitudes.
 
 or THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 125 
 
 Purple was the ufual robe of the Emperors of Rome, 
 and the Scarlet mews her ftained with the blood of the 
 martyrs. She holds in her hand a golden cup, full of the 
 abomination and Jilt bine fs of her fornication^ (v. 4.) a 
 common fcriptural expreffion for the abominations of 
 Idolatry ; and with thefe Ihe had notorioufly polluted 
 herfelf. For Rome, not content with worshipping her 
 own heathenifh Gods, me adopted thofe of all the coun- 
 tries and nations me fubdued. She thought by this ex.- 
 travagant religious worfhip to render all the Deities 
 propitious to her, and to this me afcribed the fuccefs 
 of her arms. " Thus it is," faid the Romans, " that 
 " this city has extended her empire beyond the rifmg 
 " and fetting fun, and beyond the bounds of the 
 " Ocean, becaufe me venerates the Gods (he conquers, 
 " me makes foreign Deities her own, and even raiies 
 " altars to thole that are unknown to her." (Min. 
 Fel. Oct.) In this manner were her idolatrous abo- 
 minations fo multiplied, that there are faid to have 
 been 420 heathenifli temples in that city. Thus writes 
 a Roman Poet : 
 
 Sed quas de feptem totum circumfpicit orbem 
 Montibus, Imperil, Roma, Deumque locus. 
 
 Ovid. lib. i. Trill. 
 
 " Rome, which from feven mountains overlooks the 
 " whole world, is the center of empire, and the abode 
 " of the Gods." 
 
 She even carried her fuperilition fo far, left any un^ 
 known God mould not receive due worfhip, as to build 
 a temple, which me dedicated to all the Deities, cal- 
 ling it on that account Pantheon, " the temple of all 
 
 " the
 
 126 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 the Gods." This City," faid St. Leo, " not 
 " knowing the Author of her elevation, while fhe ruled 
 " over almoft all tlie nations of the earth, fhe fubmit- 
 " ted to ferve all their Gods : and fhe imagined herfelf 
 " to be the more religious, as me rejected no kind of 
 
 " idolatrous worfhip." " Infomuch, that whatever 
 
 " fuperftitions had place in other countries, they were 
 ** all carefully tranfplanted to Rome." (Horn. i. in 
 Nat. Ap. Petri et Pauli.). In fine, fuchwas the Jilt bi- 
 wfs of her fornication, fuch the excefs of her prollkution 
 to Idolatry, that fhe even' deified her impious Empe- 
 rors, raifed ftatues to them to which incenfe was of- 
 fered, and built temples to their memories. 
 
 Such was Ancient Rome, the great Harlot, with 
 whom the Kings of the earth committed fornication ; and 
 they who inhabited the earth, were made drunk with the 
 wine of her whoredom, (v. 2.). She was not only in- 
 toxicated herfelf with all the delufions of Idolatry, but 
 fhe offered her golden cup all around to others. The 
 unparalleled degree of power and grandeur, to which 
 file was elevated, raifed her to fuch a height of admira- 
 tion in the eyes of all nations, that they viewed her 
 with the utmoil deference and refpel, and readily em- 
 braced whatever fuperftition fhe herfelf followed or re- 
 commended. She had moreover the difpofal of king- 
 doms, governments, riches, and dignities : what won- 
 der then, if with fuch charms fhe debauched the Kings 
 and people of the earth ? 
 
 This fame Woman is further faid to carry on her 
 forehead the following infcription : A Myftery : Baly- 
 Ion the great, the mother of the fornications, and the 
 abominations of the earth, (v. 5.). Here is a Myftery 
 or an enigma to be unraveled, viz ; Babylon the great y 
 the mother of the fornications, and the abominations of the 
 
 earth
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 127 
 
 The reader, we apprehend, is already prepared 
 in great meafure for the folving of this enigma. Baby- 
 lon tbe great, is the great Imperial City of Pagan 
 Rome. And me is the Woman, as we have juft above 
 fhewn, who is the mother cf the fornications and abomi- 
 minations cf the earth. This is the explanation of the 
 propofed myftery. But to make it more clear, that by 
 Babylon the great, is here meant Idolatrous Rome, we 
 appeal to the Angel's words : be woman, which tboit 
 fail* eft, is tbe great city, which hath kingdom over tk* 
 Kings of the earth, (v. 18.) ; which, as we have before 
 obferved, plainly points out the great ancient city of 
 Rome, that domineered over the greateft part of the 
 kingdoms of the then known world. The woman 
 therefore is the image of that City, and in the infcrip- 
 tion on her forehead fhe is filled Babylon the great : 
 confequently Babylon the great, is here the fame with 
 the city of Rome. In the primitive ages this figura- 
 tive name of Babylon was frequently given to heathen 
 Rome by the Chriftians, on account of the refemblance 
 of the characters of thofe two Cities, for their Idolatry* 
 and for their opprefling, one the Jews, the other the 
 Chriftians. St. Peter dates his firft letter from Baby- 
 lon (i Pet. v. 13.), that is from Rome, as St. Jerom 
 and Eufebius tell us. " The Appellation of Babylon," 
 faid Tertullian, " is ufed by St. John for the city of 
 " Rome, becaufe me refembles ancient Babylon, in 
 " the extent of her walls, in her h.iughtinefs on account 
 xt of her dominion, and in periecuting the Saints.'* 
 (lib. adv. Jud.). " Rome is a fecond Babylon," fays 
 alfo St. Auftin, " and a daughter of the ancient 
 " Babylon." (de civ. lib. 22- c. 18.). Babylon the 
 great, is therefore fufficiently diftinguimed : but her 
 character is completed, and Hie appears in plain co- 
 lours
 
 nS THE GENERAL HISTORY . 
 
 Icurs, in what follows : And Ifav,^ fays Sr. John, tbs 
 woman drunk with tbc blood of tbe Saints^ and with the 
 llocd of tk s Martyrs cfjefus. (v. 6.). This inhuman 
 WorniM, this impious Jczabel, this cruel Pcrfecutrb:, 
 has drenched herfeif with To much Chriftian biosd y 
 which Ihe has fpilr, that fhe appears to be drunk with it. 
 Who is this but Idolatrous perfecuting Rome ? Innu- 
 merable were the Martyrs me put to death, through 
 the vaft extent of her dominions, and even in her own 
 bofom, the city itfelf. Innumerable likewife were the 
 other Saints or holy ConfefTors, who, though not (lain, 
 were by her condemned to lofe fome of their limbs, and 
 had an eye bored out, their tongues plucked away, 
 or the finews of a leg or a thigh cut &c. or 
 in fine, were put to tortures that tore away their fieih 
 and drained their blocd. We have feen the account of 
 ten dreadful perfecutions, which fwcpt away an infinite 
 multitude of Chriilians ; and all thefe perfecutions 
 were the work of the Roman Emperors and their Sub- 
 ftituts3 in the provinces. It is then apparent who the 
 xcr.icn is, that was feen drunk -jsiib the blood cf the Saints, 
 end r jj:th the blood of tbc Aiartyrs of Jsfus. 
 
 After the defcription of the Woman, we are then 
 favoured with an account of the Beeji that carries bcr y 
 (v. 7.). The Woman being the image of the City of 
 Rome, the Beaft on which me fits, naturally reprefents 
 the Roman Empire. And as the Woman was fliled the 
 mother cf fornication or Idolatry, confequently Rome 
 was the feat and center of Idolatry ; and in like man- 
 ner by the Beaft the Roman Empire is reprefented as 
 the Empire of Idolatry. The colour of the Beaft is 
 Scarlet, (v. 3.) an emblem of its fanguinary difpofition : 
 and it is fakl to be full of names of blafpbemy, or marked 
 over with the names of the heathen! ih Roman Gods, 
 
 the
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 129 
 
 the greateft indignity that can be offered to the 
 
 Majefty of the Supreme Being. Then the 
 
 Angel, who promifed to St. John to difcover 
 to him (v. 7.) the myftery both of the 'woman 
 and the beaft, tells him : 
 
 v. 8. The be aft, which thou faweft, was> 
 and is not, and Jhall come up out of the bottom- 
 lefs pit, and go into deferuffion : and the inhabi- 
 tants on the earth (wkofe names are not written in 
 the book of life from the foundation of the world) 
 Jhall wonder, feeing the beaft, that was, and is 
 not *. 
 
 Behold a very myfBenoas explication of a 
 myftery. But to unfold it : Here is exprefted 
 the ilate of the Beaft, as it paffes through dif- 
 ferent periods of time. The Beaft or the Ro- 
 man Idolatrous Empire was, that is, exifted for 
 a term of time : then is not, or exifts no more 
 as the empire of idolatry, but is changed into a 
 Chriilian Empire ; which happened when Con- 
 ilantine the Great became Emperor, fupprefled 
 the power of idolatry, expelled Satan, and eftab- 
 lifhed Chriftianity. But it is added, and the 
 Beaft jloall ccme up out of the bottomlefs pit, and 
 go into deftruffion : the Roman Idolatrous Empire 
 will rife up again under Antichrift from the 
 bottomlefs pit or hell, becaufe Satan will be loofed 
 before the end of the world, and will revive 
 Idolatry chiefly by means of that wicked man 
 Andchrift, who will become mafter of the an- 
 cient Roman Dominions. And the Inhabitants on 
 K the 
 
 * In the Greek text is added, and yet is.
 
 130 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 the earth Jhall wonder* feeing the Beaft* that 
 
 VMS* and is not* and yet is , all the world will 
 be ftruck with amazement, at feeing the Idola- 
 trous Roman Empire re-appear, which had been 
 Ib long ago deftroyed. But the reign of Anti- 
 chrift will foon go into deftruffion* as it will laft 
 no more than three years and a half. This laft 
 period of the Beaft will be more fully explained 
 
 in its due place. The Angel proceeds in his 
 
 explication : 
 
 v. 9. And here is the under/landing, that hath 
 wifdom *. 'The /even heads* are feven mountains* 
 upon which the woman fitteth* and they are feven 
 Kings, ' 
 
 v. 10. Five arc fallen* one is* and the other 
 is not yet come : and when he is come* he muft re- 
 main a Jhort time. 
 
 Let the underftanding* that is endowed with wif- 
 dom* here take notice : The feven beads* which 
 are upon the Bcaft, are feven mountains* on which 
 the woman Jitteth * we have already obferved that 
 Ancient Rome flood upon feven mountains. But 
 befides, they (the feven heads) are feven Kings* 
 or feven Roman Emperors, who are particularly 
 diftinguifhed, as the chief Supporters of Idolatry, 
 and the mod virulent Perfecutors of the Chrif- 
 tian Religion. Thefe are, as we have already 
 remarked, , Nero, Domirian, Severus, Decius, 
 Valerian, Dioclefian, and Antichrift. Five are 
 fallen : we faw, before, the fucceflive periods of 
 the Beaft with, regard to its exiftence * here we 
 
 have 
 
 * In the Greek, here the widerjianaing that batb wifdom.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN' CHURCH. 131 
 
 have the fuccefiion of its heads. Five of them 
 are fallen or gone, namely, Nero, Domitian, 
 Severus, Decius, and Valerian, by whom the 
 Idolatrous Empire was fupported for a time; 
 one is, the fixth or laft of that period, viz. 
 Dioclefian, with whom the reign of Idolatry falls : 
 and fo it happened, by the acceflion of Con- 
 ftantine to the Imperial Throne. Here then is 
 interrupted the fucceflion of the heathen and 
 perfecuting Emperors for a long fpace of time-, 
 for the other is not yet come, the feventh Roman 
 Emperor, Antichrift, who will only come in the 
 latter clays ; and when he is come, he muft remain 
 a Jhort time, three years and a half, as we fhall 
 fee in the fequel. No notice is here taken of 
 Julian the Apoftate, who broke irfdeed the feries 
 of the Chriftian Emperors, and attempted to re- 
 eftablifh Idolatry, but was taken off after a Ihort 
 
 reign of lefs than two years. The Angel 
 
 continues : 
 
 v. IT. And the Beaft, which was, and is 
 not, the fame alfo is the eighth, and is of the 
 feven, and goeth into deftruftion. 
 
 Here is a new ftate of the Beaft, which be- 
 gins at the fall of the fixth bead or Dioclefian, 
 with whom the Beaft itfelf or the power of Ido- 
 latry alfo fell. On this account the former fimple 
 appellation of the Beaft is now changed into the 
 Beaft, which was, and is not, as being now no 
 more what it was, having loft all power, and 
 that power being transferred into the hands of 
 Chriftian Emperors. In this fituation the Beaft 
 is faid to be an eighth King 5 that is, the Roman 
 K 2 Idolatrous
 
 13^ THE 'GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Idolatrous people, though left without a heather* 
 Prince at their head by the death of Dioclefiaa 
 and fucceffion of Conftantine, are neverthelefs to 
 be reputed equivalent to an eighth pagan Em- 
 peror, becaufe they retain flill their former at- 
 tachment to paganifm and their hatred to Chrif- 
 tianity. And thus they are of the fcven, as be- 
 ing alike in their difpofitions to the feven above- 
 mentioned heathen Emperors. But they go into 
 deftrufiion ; this idolatrous people will foon dif- 
 appear, as we mail fee, either by being de- 
 ftroyed, or by their converfion to the Chriftian 
 Religion. 
 
 After the account of the Beaft and its feven 
 heads, the Angel proceeds to explain to St. John 
 the meaning of the ten horns of the Bead. 
 
 v. 12. And the ten horns, which thou faweft, 
 fire ten kings, who have not yet received kingdom, 
 but Jh all receive power as kings one hour after the 
 Beajl *. 
 
 v. 13. Vbefe have one dejign : find their 
 ftrength and power they Jhall deliver to the beaft. 
 
 The ten horns denote then ten Kings or ten 
 powers, namely, the Goths, Huns, Alans, Van- 
 dals, Saxons, Burgundions, Franks, Heruli, Suevi, 
 and Quacli, the chief of the barbarous nations that 
 invaded the weftern Roman Empire in the fifth 
 century. Thefe have not yet received kingdom or 
 dominion, viz. at the beginning of this period 
 of the Chriftian Emperors or of the Beaft that 
 
 was 
 
 * In the Greek, with the Beaft, and fo read St. Jrenasuj 
 and others.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. I SB 
 
 was and is not ; but they will receive power as 
 kings one hour with the Beaft, that is, they will 
 be commanded by their own Chiefs, and will en*- 
 gage by treaty to ferve for one hour or a while 
 as auxiliaries to the Beaft, that is, to the pagan 
 Roman armies. Thus the Prophet continues to 
 defcribe the fuccefiion of the changes that were 
 to happen in the Roman Empire. The above- 
 mentioned nations come all with one deftgn, of 
 relinquifning their own barren northern coun- 
 tries, and fettling themfelves in the rich pro- 
 vinces of the Roman Empire. But before they 
 accomplim this dcfign, their ftrength and power 
 they Jhall deliver to the Beaft ; they effectually 
 ferved as auxiliaries to the Roman armies, ac- 
 cording to agreement, and helped to defend the 
 Empire againit its enemies , as we have feen in 
 the hiflory above given. In this quality they 
 ferved under the Emperors, Conftantius, Valens, 
 Theodofms, Honorius, &c. 
 
 v. 14. Tbefe Jhall fight with the Lamb, and 
 the Lamb Jhall overcome them ; lecaufe he is Lord 
 of Lords., and King of Kings-, and they that are 
 with him, are called, and cleft, and faithful 
 
 All thofe different people, fignified by the 
 ten horns, were either Pagans or Heretics. Be- 
 ing therefore bitter enemies to the Catholic Chrifr 
 tians, they in their irruptions wreaked their ma- 
 lice and rancour upon them : they plundered 
 their towns and country, and deftroyed them 
 with fire and fword. (See the above given hif- 
 tory.) And thus thefe barbarous people j "ought 
 Ggamjt the Lc.wb or Chrift : but the Lamb will 
 K 3 overcome
 
 134 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 overcome them, in turning their hearts, and con- 
 verting them into his votaries. And in effect, 
 fome time after they had fettled themfelves in the 
 Roman Provinces, a part of them were de- 
 ftroyed in the wars that enfued, and the reft 
 gradually abjured their idolatry and errors', the 
 Pagans becoming Chriftians, and the Arians and 
 other Heretics going over to the Catholics. 
 Among other Writers, thus fpeaks Orofius, an 
 hiftorian of that age: " Who knows but Provi- 
 " dence thus permitted the Barbarians to be- 
 " came mafters of the Roman Provinces, with a 
 " view to effect their falvation ? Don't we fee 
 " that the Churches of Chrift, both in the eaflern 
 " and weftern parts, are filled with Huns, with 
 " Suevi, with Vandals, with Burgundions, and 
 " with divers other people, who have been con- 
 " verted to the faith." Such was the victory of 
 the Lamb ; for Chrift is Lord of Lcrds^ and King 
 of Kings : He is Sovereign over all kingdoms 
 and ftates : He is Mafter of the human mind, 
 and he can call to the faith whom he pleafes. 
 To work the converfion of thofe people, he em- 
 ployed his fervants, the Minifters of his Church, 
 whom he called to that function, and elefted them 
 or culled them out of the whole body of his 
 people for that purpofe, and they approved them- 
 felves faithful to their charge. Incredible indeed 
 was the zeal exerted by the Church in thofe 
 times for the converfion of the above-mentioned 
 Pagans and Heretics. To mention only a few 
 instances : St. Remigius and others converted the 
 Gauls in the fifth and fixth centuries. The 
 
 Arian
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 135 
 
 Arian Vifigoths in Spain were brought over to 
 the Catholic Faith about the year 600 in the 
 reign of their King Reccared. About the fame 
 time the Saxons in Britain received the Chriftian 
 Doclrine from St. Auftin and his Companions. 
 St. Willibrord carried the Faith into Frifeland -, 
 and St. Rupert, and St. Boniface with his a 
 fociates converted many nations of Germany in 
 the feventh and eighth centuries. 
 
 v. 1 6. And the ten horns, which thou faweft 
 in the Beaft, continues the Angel : tbefe Jhatt hate 
 the harlot, and /hall make her defolate, and naked, 
 and Jhatt eat her flejh, and Jhall burn her with 
 fire. 
 
 Here we fee the general dilpofition of the 
 above-mentioned northern nations, denoted by the 
 ten horns. They will hate the Harlot, Rome, 
 the great Capital of the Empire, becaufe ilie has 
 Jhewn herfelf an univerfal domineering Tyrant; 
 and has in particular ill requited them for the 
 important help they had lent her againft her 
 enemies. Thus ftimulated with rancour and re- 
 fentment, they will make her defclate, that is, 
 they will inveft her walls, they will preclude all 
 fuccours both of men and provifions from her, 
 and reduce her to the utm'oft ftate of dirtrefs. 
 They will make her naked, by ftripping her of 
 her mining ornaments, her gaudy Palaces, Egyp- 
 tian Obelifks, magnificent Temples, Theatres, 
 Triumphal Arches, &c. and all her orientations 
 pageantry. They will eat htr f.efl), by plunders- 
 ing her of her wealth and riches, with which 
 (lie had fed herfelf by plundering the reft of the- 
 K 4 world.
 
 136 THE GENERAL 'HISTORY 
 
 world. And laftty, they wiil:ilttrn her 
 All which was done, as we have feen in the a- 
 bove given hiftory*. - Thus was foretold by the 
 Angel, before it happened, the fate of .that 
 heathen Imperial Gity, under the emblem of a 
 Woman, proftituted to vice and admitting no 
 control, becaufe (he is Emprefs of the world. 
 But her jealous enemies will not reft, till they 
 have found means to humble her pride, and -to 
 effect her ruin. They will firft deprive Jicr -.of 
 every human fuccour and comfort, they will then 
 ftrip her naked, devour her fiem, and when 
 thus reduced to a fkeleton, they will confume 
 her by fire. 
 
 That the greatefl power on earth mould be 
 thus reduced and crufhed by foreign Barbarians, 
 whom it had before held in contempt and neglect, 
 may feem ftrange to our underflanciing, and not 
 according to the ftandard by which we generally 
 meafure human events. But this extraordinary 
 fact is not to be ranked in the clafs of common 
 human tranfactions : it was conducted by another 
 Hand ; 
 
 v. 17. For God hath given into their hearts, 
 to do that which pkafeth him : that they give 
 their kingdom to the Beaft till the -words of Gcd 
 be fulfilled. 
 
 Under the divine direction therefore thofe Bar- 
 barians acted in the demolition of Rome and its 
 
 Empire ; 
 
 * Whoever has been upon the place, has feen fuf- 
 ficient proof of the : fame, in the miferable {nattered 
 ruins of Old Rome.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. -137 
 
 Empire-, and thus they executed what pleafed 
 him, or what he. had defigned. . According to 
 the decrees of his infinite Wifdom and Juftice, the 
 Almighty fent Nabuchodrnofor to punim the 
 guilty Jews, and Cyrus to do .the fame to the 
 Babylonians. In like manner the Northern Na- 
 tions became the inftrument of his vengeance 
 upon the Roman {late for the guilt of its ido- 
 Jatry and perfecutions. Thefe Agents had indeed 
 no other view in what they did, than to gratify 
 their hatred, their avarice, and other paffions -, 
 and this the Almighty permitted them to corn- 
 pals, but for other purpofes which they did not 
 fee into. But befides, in that latter period when, 
 agreeably to the prediction in ver. 12, they had 
 received kingdom, that is, when they had pofiefTed 
 themfelves of the Roman Provinces, and erected 
 them into fo many kingdoms, they were flill al- 
 lowed to give their kingdom or join their power 
 and armies witli thofe of the Beaft which was and 
 is not, that is, with the pagan Romans then go* 
 verned by Chriftian Emperors : the view of which 
 union was the defence of the country againft 
 new Invaders, This was permitted for a while, 
 till the words of God were fulfilled^ till the time 
 preordained by God was come, for the final de- 
 ftruction of Pagan Rome, and the rile of ne.w 
 Chriftian Rome in its place, and for the happy 
 converfion of thefe Barbarians and the remainder 
 of the pagan Romans to the Faith of Chriit. 
 
 We have now feen, in the courfe of this_ 
 1 7th chapter of the Apocalypfe, the different 
 changes that fucceflively happened in the Wef- 
 
 tern
 
 138 THE GENERAL -HISTORY 
 
 tern Roman Empire, to its total diflblution. 
 We faw Ancient P.ome in its glorious ftate, 
 commanding all nations, upholding Idolatry with 
 its whole power, anw oppofing and perfecutins 
 the Chriftian Religion. This power is then loft, 
 by pafling into the hands of Chriftian Emperors : 
 And this was the firft ftep towards the fall of 
 the empire of Idolatry. The body of the peo- 
 ple ftill retaining their former attachment to 
 paganifm and averfion to Chriftianity, the next 
 ftep was : The Almighty brought down upon 
 them fwarms of northern barbarous people, whom 
 the Empire was forced to admit into its bowels, 
 and to avert its own ruin for a while, by buy- 
 ing them off and hiring their fervice againft other 
 fuch like enemies. But thele northern favages 
 retaining all along their firft hoftile difpofition 
 againft the Romans, found pretences to turn 
 their arms againft them, defeated their troops, 
 ihared out the weftern Provinces among them- 
 felves, and thus overturned the body of the 
 Empire. When in pofieffion of the Roman ter- 
 ritories, they then for their own intereft and 
 upon their own bottom employed their forces in 
 conjunction with thofe of the Roman people in 
 defence of the country. But they could not reft 
 fatisfied, till they had attacked and demolifned 
 the Head, that overbearing Miftrefs of the world, 
 
 the City of Rome itfelf. This demolition was 
 
 announced above, in ver. 16. as to be , and 
 in what -follows we fee it actually exe- 
 cuted. 
 
 Apoc.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 139 
 
 Apoc, Chap, xviii. v. i. And after thefs 
 things I faw, fays St. John, another Angel come 
 down from Heaven, having great power : and the 
 earth was enlightened with his glory. 
 
 v. 2. And he cried out with a firong voice* 
 faying : Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen : 
 and is become the habitation of devils, and the 
 hold of every unclean fpirit, and the hold of every 
 unclean and hateful bird: 
 
 v. 3. Becaufe all nations have drunk of the 
 wine of the wrath of her fornication : and the 
 kings of the earth have committed fornication with 
 her : and the merchants of the earth have been 
 ynf.de rich by the power of her delicacies. 
 
 Here appears an Angel defcending from hea- 
 ven, vefted with great power, becaufe he comes 
 to deftroy the great Imperial City of Rome. 
 He is alfo furrounded with a glorious circle of 
 light, which illuminates the earth ; an image of 
 the Majefty of God, who exercifes his Sovereign 
 dominion in fo fr.rik.ing a manner on this occa- 
 fion. The heavenly Mefienger cries cut with a 
 ftrong voice, that all the earth may hear : and 
 indeed all the earth heard of the fall of Rome, 
 and confefied the hand that did it. He thus 
 cries out : Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen : 
 Idolatrous Rome is fallen. The Angel ftruck 
 her, and fhe is fallen. That mighty Seat of 
 power and dominion is fallen. That Metropolis 
 of nations, that Capital of the world, is fallen. 
 That great School of Heroes, and Parent of con- 
 queft, is fallen and crumed. The long fixed 
 abode of voluptuoufhefs and luxury (for the mer- 
 chants
 
 i 4 o THE GENERAL HISTORY : 
 
 chants of the earth have been made rich by the 
 power of her delicacies) is laid wafte by famine 
 and devaftation. She had provoked the Almighty 
 by her unbounded attachment to Idolatry, and 
 by her efforts to fupport and propagate it; for 
 {ill nations had drunk of the wine of the wrath 
 (or vehemence) of her fornication : and the Kings 
 of the earth had committed fornication with her ^ 
 and now the hand of God has ftruck her. She 
 had glutted herfelf with the blood of the fervants 
 of God : and he in his wrath has fent agsinft 
 her the executors of his Juftice, who have made 
 her defolate, have flript her naked, nave * a t ^ er 
 flejh, and burned her with fire, (Apoc. xvii. 16. 
 iee p. 135.)- We have feen how all this \vas 
 gradually executed upon her. Alaric took the 
 City, plundered it for three days, and burned 
 it, in 410. Genferic plundered it for fourteen 
 days together in 455, and then fet fire to it. 
 Odoacer took it in 476, depofed the Emperor, and 
 extinguiihed the Imperial title. Laftly, Totila 
 in 546 burned it and reduced it into a iblitude : 
 " Totila," fays the Hiftorian Procopius, u left. 
 " not one human creature in the city." (Lib. 3. 
 de bell. Goth.). And in this condition it re- 
 mained for upwards of forty days. And thus it 
 became like an accurfcd place, given up for an 
 habitation of devils, and a hold of every unclean 
 fpirit, or of frightful fpe&res and ghofts, and a 
 bold of every unclean and hateful bird, as of Owls, 
 Ravens, Vultures, &c. 
 
 v. 4. And I heard, purfues St. John, another 
 wice from heaven, faying : go out from her, my 
 
 people '
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. i 4 t 
 
 people : that you be not partakers of ker Jins^ and 
 that you receive not of her plagues. 
 
 The people of God, that is, the Chriftians, 
 are here told to leave the falling city, left they 
 fhould be par 'takers of her fins, and receive of 
 her plagues^ that is, left they fhould be in- 
 volved in the punifhment and ruin, fhe has 
 drawn upon herfelf by her iniquities. At the 
 time of Alaric's facking Rome, many fied away, 
 as we faw in the Hiftory, to St. Jerom who 
 was then in Judsea. Others fled into other parts, 
 as the fame holy Father teftifies. He alfo in- 
 forms us (Ep. 7.), that St. Paula and feveral 
 illuftrious Chriftian families had before left Rome, 
 as by a particular infpirstion, and retired to Beth- 
 leem in Judsea. " The holy Pope Innocent," 
 fays Orofius, " was withdrawn by a particular 
 " providence out of the City, as Lot out of Sodom, 
 " that he might not fee the ruin of a guilty 
 " people." (lib. 7. c. 39.). We read that St. 
 Melania, as if me forefaw the approaching cata- 
 ftrophe, had prevailed upon many Chriftians to 
 retire with her from a city doomed to deftruc- 
 tion. (Hift. Laus. c. 118.)- In fine, when the 
 ftorm burft, the Chriftians that remained there, 
 took refuge in the Churches of S S. Peter and 
 Paul, which Alaric had allowed to be places 
 of fafety. Thus then, as the Chriftians had 
 formerly avoided being involved in the ruin of 
 Jerufalem by retiring out of it, conformably to 
 our Saviour's admonition ; fo here many with- 
 drew in the fame manner from the fcene of 
 
 divine
 
 i 4 2 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 divine vengeance, which fo defervedly fell upon 
 Rome. 
 
 v. 5. For her fins have reached unto heaven, 
 and the lord has remembered her iniquities. 
 
 Her iniquities have called to heaven for ven- 
 geance, and God will bear with them no longer. 
 
 v. 6. Render to her as flje. hath alfo rendered 
 to you: and double unto her double according to 
 her works : in the cup, wherein foe hath mingled, 
 mingle ye double unto her. 
 
 v. 7. As much as Jhe hath glorified herfelf, and? 
 lived in delicacies, fa much torment and farrow 
 give ye to her. 
 
 It is not to be underftood, that the Almighty 
 here tells the Chriftians to take revenge on their 
 enemies, the Pagan Romans , but by this kind 
 of prophetic language he apprifes them, that 
 Rome fhall be drenched with a full cup of 
 mifery, double of that me had tyrannically forced 
 upon them. And in proportion as me had 
 proudly exalted hcrfelf, and lived /;; delicacies, 
 or luxury and pleafure, fo mall be the mea- 
 fure of her torment and forrows. 
 
 v. 7. Becaufe Jhe faith in her heart ; I fit a 
 Queen, and am no widow, and forrow I Jhall not 
 fee. 
 
 v. 8. Therefore Jhall her plagues come in one 
 day, death, and mourning, and famine, and Jhe 
 Jhall be burnt with fre : becaufe God is ftrong, 
 ivho Jhall judge her. 
 
 Here we have a picture of the intolerable 
 arrogance and pride of the Woman (Imperial 
 Rome). She fays in her heart: I fit upon my 
 throne as a Queen-, I am Emprefs of the world.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 143 
 
 / e f m ne_ widow, my power is fixed and efta- 
 bliffied for ever. And f arrow I Jhall never fee ; 
 as no one can wreft my power from me, I am 
 beyond the reach of ibrrow and affliction. That 
 fuch were the fentiments of haughty Rome, we 
 learn from the Roman Authors themfelves. Thus 
 the Poet Virgil introduces Jupiter promifmg un- 
 limited and eternal dominion to the Romans : 
 
 His ego nee metas rerum, nee tempora pono, 
 Imperium fine fine dedi. JEneid. I. 
 
 To them, no bounds of empire I afftgn, 
 Nor term of years to their immortal line. 
 
 Dryden's Tr. 
 
 Horace ipeaks in the fame ftrain. (carm. fee.). 
 Florus alfo writes that " the Gods had promifed, 
 "the Roman ftate mould remain unmaken and 
 " Eternal." (in Tarq. Superb.). Ammianus 
 Marcellinus in his Hiftory calls Rome " Eter- 
 " nal, to laft as long as the race of mankind. 
 
 For fuch extravagant prefumption, v/hich flies 
 in the face of the Supreme Creator and Lord of 
 the Univerfe, He pronounces the following plagues 
 or calamities JhcH come upon lier together in one 
 day : Famine, which was announced in the third 
 Seal -, Mourning, as delcribed in the third Trum- 
 pet, and Death or the f\vord, as denounced by 
 the third Vial; and her fate fhall be completed 
 by fire, which mail lay her in ames. All thefe 
 calamities fell at once upon heathen Rome, as 
 we have feen. They came from an all-powerful 
 and irrefiftible hand, which threw her down 
 
 from
 
 144 T HE GENERAL. HfSTORY 
 
 from her throne, and reduced her to extreme 
 pangs of forrow and affliction, and then crufhed 
 her, for her intolerable pride and impiety: for 
 God is ftrong who judges her. " Though thou 
 " be exalted as an eagle, and though thou fet 
 *' thy neft among the flars : thence will I bring 
 " thee down, faith the Lord." (Abd. v. 4.). 
 
 v. 9. And the Kings of the earth who have 
 committed fornication and lived in delicacies with 
 her, Jhall weep, and bewail themfehes over her* 
 when they Jhall fee the finoke of her burning : 
 
 v. 10. Standing afar off for fear cf her tcr- 
 mcnts, faying : Alas ! Alas ! that great city Baby- 
 lon, that mighty city : fcr in one hour is thy judg- 
 ment come. 
 
 Here the Kings and Princes of the earth, who 
 had ihared with her in her Idolatry, cruelty, and 
 luxury, are introduced as ftanding afar off, la- 
 menting and bewailing the dreadful fate of that 
 once great and powerful city, and which they 
 now fee m flames. St. Auflin informs us that 
 " the people of the eaftern provinces and the 
 " remotcft cities mourned in a public manner on 
 " this occafion." (de civ. lib. i. c. 33.). 
 
 v. ii. And the merchants cf the earth Jhall 
 weep) and mourn over her: for no man Jhall buy 
 their merchandise any more; 
 
 v. 1 2, Merchandise cf gold and Jilver and pre- 
 cious ft ones ; and of pearls and fine linen , and pur- 
 ple, and filk, and fcarlet, and all thyine wood, and 
 all manner of veffels of ivory ^ and all manner of 
 "ccjfels cf precicus Jtone, and of brafs, and of iron, 
 and cf r.iarlle, 
 
 v. 13.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 145 
 
 v. 13. An '3 cinnamon, and odours , and ointment, 
 
 and frankinfence, and wine, and oil, and fine flour ; 
 
 and wheat, and bevjls, and /keep, and hcrfes, and 
 
 charidts, and jlaves, and fouls cf men, 
 
 v. 14. And the fruits cf the dcfire of thy foul 
 
 are' departed from thce, and all fat and goodly 
 
 things are periled from thee, and they Jhall find 
 
 them no more at all. 
 
 v. 15. The merchants of thefe things y who were 
 
 made rich, Jhall ftand afar of from her for fear 
 
 of her torments, weeping and mourning. 
 
 v. 1 6. And faying: Alas I Alas! that great 
 
 city, which was clothed with fine linen, and purple, 
 
 and fcarlet, and was gilt with gold and precious 
 
 jlones, and pearls : 
 
 v. 17. For in one hour arc fo great riches come 
 to nought. 
 
 The Merchants and Tradefmen, who had en- 
 riched themfelves by the luxury and extravagance 
 of the Romans, are likewife here deploring the 
 fate of the City, becaufe there is now no more 
 fale for their merchandise. We fee here enumer- 
 ated the articles of their luxury, in drcfs, in 
 ornaments, in furniture, in equipage, in the 
 fumptuoufnefs of their tables, &c. The Em- 
 perors embellimed Rome with magnificent Palaces, 
 Theatres, &c. which were enriched with the moft 
 coftly furniture and ornaments. The whole earth 
 was ranfacked .to fupply the extravagance of 
 that one City. . Nero in particular built an im- 
 menfe palace, which occupied mount Palatine, 
 part of mount Efquiline,. and the large fpace 
 between. This palace was fo richly furnifhed and 
 fo fplendidly decorated, that it was ililed '" the 
 L golden
 
 i 4 6 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 " golden palace of Nero." Excefiively extrava- 
 gant was alfo the luxury and profnfion of fome 
 of the Roman Emperors at their tables. Caius 
 Caligula once fpent (according to Seneca) for a 
 fupper one hundred and fifty thoufand Crowns. 
 Suetonius tells us, the Emperor Vitellius would 
 feaft himfelf three, fometimes four times a day, 
 fpending ten thoufand crowns at each meal. He 
 had at his table dimes made up of the brains of 
 pheafants and peacocks, others of the tongues and 
 livers of rare birds, others of the milts of fome 
 particular fifh. And fo of other inftances. But 
 now, what an alteration in the fcene ! all thefe de- 
 licious and expenfive dainties are perijhed, and 
 no more to be found, All the fine linen, purple, 
 ftlk, precious ft ones, pearls, &c, the coftly drefs of 
 the Emperors, EmprefTes, Magiftrates, and Citi- 
 zens, are vanimed. All the pompous train of 
 equipage of horfes and chariots, and Jlaves, and 
 fouls of men or free men, is plundered and carried 
 away. All the ftately palaces, and mining orna- 
 ments of Gold and fiher, of marble, and brafs, 
 and ivory, &c, are now the fuel of fire. In 
 fine, all the riches of this mofl opulent city of 
 the world are in one hour come to nought. 
 
 v. 17. And every Jhip-mafter, and all that fail 
 into the lake, * and mariners, and as many as work 
 in the fea^ flood afar off, 
 
 v. 1 8. And cried, feeing the place of her burn- 
 & t f<yi-' what city is like to this great city? 
 
 v. 19. 
 
 * In the Greek : and all the company upon thtflipt. 
 f Gr. the Jmoke of her burning..
 
 OF THE Tz^IRISTIAN CHURCH. 147 
 
 v. 19. And they cc.ft duft upon their heads., and 
 cried weeping and mourning, faying : Alas ! Alas ! 
 that great city, wherein all were made rich, that 
 had Jhips at fea, by reafon of her prices : for in 
 one hour ftje is made defolate. 
 
 The mailers of mips, their crews, the fea- 
 faring men, all join their lamentations in feeing 
 from , afar off the conflagration of that great 
 City, which never had an equal. They mourn, 
 and deplore the lofs of the great profits they 
 gained by conveying to her all forts of rich 
 goods, which fhe bought in abundance and at 
 high prices. All this lucrative traffick is now 
 vanifhed , for in one hour /he is made dejolate. 
 
 In fine, the fall of this idolatrous, proud, 
 
 and tyrannical city is thus concluded. 
 
 v. 20. * Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye 
 holy Apoftles and Prophets: for God hath judged 
 your judgment on her. 
 
 Heaven, thofe holy Apoftles, and thofe Prophets 
 or Minifters of the Gofpel and holy men, whom 
 Rome had put to death, are here invited to re- 
 joice-, becaufe the Divine juftice is accomplifhed 
 in the ruin of that guilty city. V'ft.fOG / 
 
 May we not now reflect with "aftonimment 
 on the dreadful fate of this City. Rome, the 
 greateft of all cities, the moft opulent of all 
 cities, the Queen of the world, is ftruck down 
 from the pinnacle of power, is laid in ruins, and 
 left without an inhabitant. How doth ths city fit 
 folitary that was full of people ? How is the mif- 
 trefs of nations become as a widoiv? (J er - Lament 
 i. i.). That mighty City, which feemed to be 
 L 2 invigo-
 
 US THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 invigorated with more- than human ftrength, and 
 had carried her conquefts almoft to the bounds 
 of the known world, was laid in afhes by Alaric ; 
 and though fomewhat afterwards allowed to re- 
 cover, it was only to take breath, and then to be 
 utterly laid wafte, and her walls and fortrefies to 
 be thrown down. The Lord has kindled in me, 
 as if were, a flaming fre devouring round about. 
 The Lord is become as an enemy : he bath caft me. 
 down head-long, he hath overthrown all my walls, 
 and hath deftroyedwy ftrong-holds. (Lamen. ii. 35.). 
 Thofe Northern Nations, which me had before 
 held in contempt and not thought worth a con- 
 queft, now aflault her like ravenous wolves, and 
 raging with rancour and fury they drip her 
 naked, and tear out her bowels without mercy; 
 nor is me able to prevent her fate. All thy 
 enemies have opened their mouth againft thee : they 
 have biffed, and gnafoed with the teeth, and have 
 faid : M^e will /wallow her up: lo, this is the 
 day which we looked for. (Ibid. ii. 16.). Her 
 Adversaries are become her Lords, her enemies are 
 
 enriched My ftrength is weakened: the Lord hath 
 
 delivered me into a hand, out of which I am not 
 able to rife. (Ibid. i. 5. 14.). Who could have 
 imagined that that ftately City, the Metropolis of 
 the world, which had long been the admiration 
 of all nations, and to which they reforted to 
 view her grandeur or to fliare in her pleafures, 
 would one day be reduced into defolation and 
 made a folitude ? Is this the city of perfett beauty, 
 the joy of all the earth? (Ibid. ii. 15.). But it 
 was .clear, (he was the .victim of God's anger, 
 
 and
 
 OF THE, CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 149 
 
 and her fate was juft. For, the Lord bad fpoken 
 againft her for the multitude of her iniquities, 
 (ibid. i. 5.). 
 
 Thus then in fine fell Ancient Rome like Ba- 
 bylon, but with this difference, that Babylon 
 was never to rife again ; whereas Rome, when 
 the anger of God was fatisfied, was defigned to 
 emerge from her ames: and though not allowed 
 to recover her former temporal dominion, fplen- 
 dor, and riches, nor to rife, in her outward 
 appearance, fcarce above the condition of a vil- 
 lage, when compared to her former extent and 
 multitude of people; yet in her deprefled flate 
 fhe is privileged with a higher dignity of another 
 kind, of being not only a Chriitian city, but 
 appointed the head and center of fpiritual domi- 
 nion. 
 
 We have now feen the full accomplimment of 
 die predictions, contained in the Apocalypfe, ref- 
 pecting the deftruction of Ancient Rome and its 
 Empire. But we muft not leave the fubjedt 
 without observing, that the fame had been be- 
 fore in a general manner foretold by the Pro- 
 phet Daniel, and by what hand it was to be 
 done. Thus fpoke that Prophet to Nabuchodo- 
 nofor: Thus thou faweft, till a Stone was cut 
 cut of a mountain without bands, find it ftruck 
 the Status upon the feet that were of iron and 
 clay, and broke them in pieces And the Stone that 
 ftruck the ftatue became a great Mountain, find 
 filled the whole earth. (Dan. ii. 34. 35.). Chrift 
 is the Stone cut cut of the mountain without 
 hands-, and the Roman Empire, the fourth and 
 L 3 greateft
 
 150 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 greateft of the Empires reprefented by the four 
 parts of the Statue, is here figured by the feet 
 cf that Statue. Hence, the circumilance of the 
 Statue's feet being broken to pieces by the 
 Stone, {hews that Chrift was the Hero, who 
 mould one day overthrow the mighty Empire of 
 Rome. He, by his fuperior might, threw down 
 that great Coloflus, becaufe it had arrogantly 
 bent its power againft him, and had endea- 
 voured- by fupporting Idolatry, to obitrud that 
 dominion which he himfelf claimed over the 
 whole earth. Chrift could fuffer no Competitor: 
 / beheld, fays Daniel, in the "jlfion of the night, 
 and lo ow like the Son of man came with the 
 clouds of heaven, and he- came even to the Ancient 
 of days : and they prefented him before him. And 
 ke gave him power, and glory, and a kingdom : and 
 all people, tribes, and tongues Jlall ferve him. 
 (Dan. vii. 13. 14.)- This Son of man therefore, 
 in vindication of his right to univerfal monarchy, 
 crufhed his proud enemy, Rome, and with it 
 the Empire of Idolatry. He threw down the 
 Seat which Satan had fo long held there, and 
 he fixed in its place his own Throne, to which 
 all people, tribes, and tongues were to bend. To 
 mew his uncontrolable power, this Divine Mo- 
 narch chofe to convert the center of Idolatry 
 into the center of divine worfhip and Religion, 
 and there he placed his Viceroy, to govern his 
 Holy Kingdom, and to fuperintend his People to 
 the end of the world. The faints of the moft 
 high God, continues Daniel, Jhall take the kingdom: 
 and they /hall poffefs the kingdom forever and ever. 
 (Ibid. v. 1 8.). 
 
 CHAP,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 151 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 The Hlftory 'of the fourth Age of the Chrif- 
 tian Church, 
 
 Opening of the fourth SeaL 
 
 APOC. Chap. VI. v. 7. And when be (the 
 Lamb) had opened the fourth feal, I beard, fays 
 St. John, the voice of the fourth living creature, 
 faying : Come, and fee. 
 
 v. 8. And behold a pale horfe : and he that 
 fat upon him, his name was death, and bell followed 
 him. And power was given to him over the four 
 parts of the earth *, to kill with fword, with fa- 
 mine, and with death, and with the beafts of the 
 earth. 
 
 This Seal difclofes to us the rife of the Maho- 
 metan Empire, which opens the fourth age of 
 the Church about the year 622. 
 
 Here appears to St. John a pale horfe, and he 
 that fits upon him is called Death. The pale 
 colour cf the horfe evidently agrees with the cha- 
 racter of the Rider, who is ftiled Death. This 
 Rider is Mahomet and his Succefibrs. He is 
 named Death, becaufe he deftroys mankind, as it 
 L 4 is 
 
 * In the Greek text, power was given to them ovs-r 
 the fourth part of the earth.
 
 -152 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 is here faid, with fwcrd, with famine, with 
 death^ and with the beajts of the earth. It is 
 well known from hiftory, what deftruction and 
 defolation Mahomet, and his followers, the Sara- 
 cens, and afterwards the Turks, have made in 
 the world. Their- two firft inflrumcnts of deftrue- 
 tion here named, are the jword, and famine or 
 devaluation. The fword was appropriated to the 
 fecond- age in the fecond, leal-, and famine was 
 appropriated to the third age in the third feal. 
 Their third deftrudive inftrumcnt is {tiled death, 
 a general term, which in this place we appre- 
 hend means " Gunpowder ," and is in like man- 
 Jier appropriated to the fourth age, as it was 
 invented in that period, and then employed by 
 the Mahometans in a terrible manner. In fine, 
 the laft inftrurnent of deftruction here mentioned 
 is, the beajts of the earth, that is, horle-troops 
 or cavalry, which, though generally numerous in 
 the eaftern countries, will be much more uied 
 by the Turks hereafter, as we mall fee particu- 
 larly in the account of the fixth age. 
 
 It is faid that Hell follows him, that is, the 
 Infernal Spirits accompany Mahomet and afiift 
 him, and his followers, through many fucceeding 
 ages. For, power was given to him over the 
 four farts of the earth, or, as the Greek text 
 expreffes it, power was given to them, viz. to 
 Death and Hell, or to the Mahometan Princes 
 and the evil fpirits, over a fourth part of the 
 earth. Who is ignorant of the number of na- 
 tions the Mahometans have conquered in Eu- 
 rope, Afia, and Africa ? Who does not know, 
 
 that
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 153 
 
 that in thofe countries they have almoft extin- 
 guifhed Chriftianity, and planted by force in its 
 room a fenfual and abominable religion ? How 
 many fair Churches in Afia, -founded by the 
 Apoftles themfelves, have been ruined by the 
 Mahometans, and now fcarce a handful of Chrif- 
 tians to be found fcattered through the vaft 
 countries of minor Afia, Syria, Perfia, &c. ? 
 What remains are there now of Chriftianity in 
 Africa, where formerly it flourimed fo much, 
 and where were feen to mine fuch great ligiits 
 of the Church, as a St. Athanafius, a St. Cy- 
 prian, a St. Auguftm, &c. ? Thole regions, hav- 
 ing been fubdued and over-run by the Mahome- 
 tans, have received their fuperftitions and impof- 
 tures. The fame has alfo been the fate of that 
 part of Europe, which has fallen under the do- 
 minion of the Turks. How could fuch wide 
 encroachments be made upon Religion, . but'- by 
 the help and co-operation of the devils ? 
 
 We mufl however here obferve, that this pro- 
 pheqr, though already fulfilled in fome meafure 
 in Mahomet and the Mahometan nation, will 
 ftill be more fully accomplimed, as we mail mew 
 hereafter, in Antichrift, who will be one, the 
 greatefl, and the moft cruel, of Mahomet's Suc- 
 cefibrs. And hence appears the reafon, why 'St. 
 John is invited to the view of the prcfent Spec- 
 tacle by the fourth living creatur^ which, as Iwe 
 have obierved, reprefents the prophet Daniel : 
 the reafon is, becaufe that prophet had foretold 
 the coming of Antichrift and his great power,: as 
 we {hall fee in the fequel. 
 
 Here
 
 154 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Here then we clifcover the rife and progrefs 
 of a Power, which in the courfe of time will 
 become the mighty Empire of Antichrift ; the 
 definition of which is referved to be the work 
 of Chrift himiclf, and thus the Lamb will fliew 
 that firength^ which he was faid to receive, (Apoc. 
 v. 12. /ee p. 22.)- 
 
 Let us here further remark, that in each of 
 the four preceding Seals there appeared a borfe, 
 for his ftrength the natural emblem of Power or 
 Empire : that in the firfc Seal the bcrfe exhibited 
 the Empire of Chrift ; in the fecond, that of 
 Herefy ; in the third, the Empire of Rome fal- 
 ling away ; and in this fourth, the rife of the 
 Mahometan Empire, which, as no borfe appears 
 in any of the fubfequent Seals, we may con- 
 clude to be the laft great temporal Power, that 
 will exift upon earth, enemy to the Chriflian 
 Church. 
 
 'The preceding Explication illufirated by a 
 brief Account of Mahomet and the Ma- 
 hometan Empire. 
 
 Mahomet was born at Mecca in Arabia, in 
 the year 571, of poor parents, who were of 
 trie race of Ifmael. His Father was a heathen, 
 and his Mother a Jew. Being very young 
 when his parents died, he was educated by an 
 Uncle, who put him to trade. He afterwards 
 married a rich Widow, whofe bufmefs he 
 
 managed.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 155 
 
 managed. Being arrived at about forty years of 
 age, he commenced- prophet, and let to compote 
 a new Religion. He faid, that the true Relj,- 
 gion had been corrupted by the Jews and the 
 Chriftians, and that therefore God had fent Him, 
 as his Prophet, to reftore it to its purity. 
 
 He taught that there was one only God, but 
 no diftinction of Perfons in the Deity. He ex- 
 ploded the Incarnation and all the other myf- 
 teries of the Chriftian Religion. He adopted 
 Circumcifion, and prefcribed abftinence from 
 wine, blood, and pork. On another hand he 
 allowed every man to have four wives, and con- 
 cubines without reftriclion : but he referved to 
 himfelf the liberty of marrying as often as he 
 pleafed, and he is faid to have had at leaft fif- 
 teen wives, and ten of them together. He ex- 
 horted people to take up arms for Religion, 
 promifing a paradife of all fenfual pleafures to 
 tbuofe who fhould die fighting in that caufe. 
 TO make war againft -Unbelievers he declared to 
 be of high merit before God. He taught Prc- 
 deftination, affirming that every man's fate was 
 abfolutely decreed ; and that the term of every 
 man's life was fixed by God, not to be fhortened 
 by any accidents or prolonged by any means 
 whatever. 
 
 Thefe and other impious tenets, which he pre- 
 tended to have received from the Angel Gabriel, 
 he procured a perfon to pen clown, as he could 
 neither read aor write; and the Book he called 
 *' Alcoran." When ieized with Epileptic fits 
 to which he was fubjefl, he was then viiited, 
 
 as
 
 j 5 6 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 as he divulged, by the Angel Gabriel ; whofe 
 appearance being more than he could bear, oc- 
 cafioned him to fall . into thofe trances and con- 
 vulfions. Such was his impofture. His doctrine 
 met with much oppofition from fome of his 
 countrymen of Mecca. They called him, a 
 madman, an Impoftor, and faid he was poffefied 
 by the devil. But his partiians increafmg daily, 
 the Magiftrates of the town began to be alarmed, 
 and fufpecting he had a defign upon the go- 
 vernment, they refolved to take away his life. 
 Mahomet having intimation of their defign, fled 
 to Medina. This retreat, which happened in the 
 year 622, gives date to the Mahometan ^Era, 
 called Hegira, or " the flight." At Medina 
 he was joined by new profelytes, chiefly thieves 
 and fugitive flaves, who the more freely flocked 
 to him on account of the latitude he allowed 
 them in indulging their fenfual defires. Having 
 formed a fmall body, he fet himfelf at the head 
 of them, as their Chief and Legiflator. He 
 told them, he was not fent to do Miracles, but 
 to propagate Religion by the power of fatfaord. 
 He firft attacked the Caravans, that travelled 
 through the country for trade ; and meeting 
 with fqccefs, he enriched his followers, and en- 
 larged his projects. His little army being foon 
 encreafed, he proceeded againft the town of 
 Mecca, took it, and put his principal oppo- 
 nents to death. He then fubdued one tribe of 
 people after another, carrying the fword of de- 
 ftruction through the country, and forcing the 
 people to fubmit to him, .and to receive his Re- 
 ligion,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 157 
 
 ligion, or pay him an annual tribute. His pro- 
 greis was fuch, that he was m after of almoft all 
 Arabia, when he died in 631. His Followers 
 were called " Saracens," or " Mufulmans." 
 From his actions a&d his maxims one may con- 
 clude, that Ambition, Lull, and Cruelty, were 
 the Characteriftics of this famous Impoftor. 
 
 Abubeker, one of Mahomet's firft adherents, 
 fucceeded him in command, and taking the 
 name of Caliph or Lieutenant, carried on his late 
 Matter's conquefts over other Arabian nations. 
 Amrou, one of his Generals, having advanced 
 into the territory of Gaza, and laid fiege to 
 that town, the Governor alked him the reafon 
 of fuch an act of hoftility. Amrou anfwered, 
 " We come by the order of our Prince to pro- 
 44 pofe to you the acceptance of our Religion. 
 " If you chufe to embrace it, we fhall be 
 " Brethren : if not, pay us tribute, and you 
 " ftiall be our allies. But if you agree to nei- 
 " ther, the fword muft decide, and we mall 
 " wage war againft you, to execute the order of 
 " God." 
 
 Abubeker dying in 634, was fucceeded by 
 Omar. This Caliph completed the conqueft of 
 the reft of Arabia. Then he invaded Syria, 
 where he defeated the Imperial army commanded 
 by Theodorus, Brother to Heraclius Emperor 
 of Conftantinople. Heraclius fearing the fuc- 
 cefs of the Arabian's arms, quitted Syria and 
 went to Jerufalem, from whence he removed the 
 Holy Crofs with other valuable things to Con- 
 ftantinople. His Brother hazarded a fecond bat- 
 tle.
 
 '.T 
 
 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 tie, which he loft, and the Saracens became' 
 matters of Damafcus, and afterwards of the 
 country of Phoenicia. The Caliph then di- 
 vided his army ; one part of which he fent a- 
 gainft Egypt, which they fubdued and difmem- 
 bered from the Eaftern Roman Empire, of which 
 it had been a confiderable Province, ever fmce 
 Augn ftus's days. In the mean time Omar 
 himfelf took the route of Jerufalem, which he 
 refolved to befiege , and Unfortunately the Em- 
 peror Heraclius had not in thofe parts fufficient 
 forces to oppofe him. About this time St. So- 
 phronius, Bimop and Patriarch of Jerufalom, in 
 a letter to Sergius Patriarch of Conftantinople, 
 v/rote : " Pray for the Emperors" (Heraclius and 
 his Son) " that God may make them victorious 
 " over all the Barbarians ; but efpecially that 
 ** he may be pleafed to humble the pride of 
 " the Saracens, who on account of our fins 
 " have fuddenly broke in upon us, and ravage 
 " all the country with terrible cruelty and im- 
 " pious arrogance." Jerufalem, after maintain- 
 ing a liege of two years, furrendered to Omar in 
 636 upon condition, that the inhabitants mould 
 remain in the peaceable pofieflion of their for- 
 tunes and liberty, and the free exercife of 
 the Chriftian Religion. However, fome time 
 after, this Caliph ordered a Mofque to be 
 built on the very fpot where had flood the 
 Temple of Solomon. From Jerufalem Omar 
 marched to Antioch, Capital of Syria, which 
 for want of forces and provifions was forced to 
 furrender. This concuefl made him foon Matter 
 
 of
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. i$g 
 
 of all Syria. And thus the Roman Empire was 
 diverted of another Province, which it had been 
 in pofleftion of for 700 years. In 639 the Sa- 
 racens crofted the Euphrates, and overran Mefo- 
 potamia. From thence they advanced into Perfia, 
 defeated Ifdegerdes the King, drove him out of 
 his dominions, and feized upon the Perfian Em- 
 pire. This Caliph's progrefs was fuch, that he 
 alfo fubdued the greateft part of Armenia, with 
 fome other neighbouring countries. But in the 
 midil of all this fuccefs he was afTafiinated 
 in 643. 
 
 Othman, of the race of Mahomet, was chofen 
 Omar's fucceflbr. He carried on the conqueftsj 
 took Cyprus, Rhodes, and other I (lands in the 
 Mediterranean Sea. His Generals in Africa de- 
 feated Gregory, the Imperial Commander in 
 thofe parts, and extended their conquefls all 
 along the coaft on the Mediterranean fea to the 
 flraits of Gibraltar. Othmart was murdered by 
 his own rebellious fubjects after twelve years 
 reign in 655. At this Chief's death, the Saracen 
 Empire comprehended, all Arabia, Perfia, Cora- 
 fan, Diarbeck or Mefopotamia, Irac or Chaldcea, 
 Syria, Phoenicia, Palefline, Egypt, with extenfive 
 countries in Africa. 
 
 Such was the amazing growth of the Maho- 
 metan Power within the fpace of 33 years. 
 This rapid progrefs .of a people fprung from fo 
 mean and obicure an origin aflonimed mankind, 
 as few examples of the like could be difcovered 
 in the Annals of the World-, nor even could 
 be compared with it the fmgular fuccefs of the 
 
 firft
 
 tfo THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 firfl: daring invincible Romans. In this manner 
 was exerted the power of the facrd in the de- 
 ilruction of mankind, and in propogating an 
 impious doctrine and rooting out Chriitianity. 
 
 After fuch a courfe of extraordinary fuccefs, 
 the Arabs or Saracens, inftead of fittting down 
 to enjoy their* acquifitions, were animated to at- 
 tempt new conquefts. In 662 they invaded 
 feveral other territories of the Conftantinopolitan 
 or Eaftern Roman Empire, which if they did 
 not reduce under their power, they at leaft 
 brought from them a great number of captives, 
 and laid wafte the country. In 712 and 713 
 they palTed from Africa into Spain, of which 
 they conquered a confiderable part, giving a fad 
 fpecimen of their cruelty. For they burned the 
 towns, crucified the principal citizens, maffacred 
 the young people and the Children, and fpread 
 terror over all the country. Here they made 
 fcttlements, and were called ".Moors" becaufe 
 they came from Mauritania in Africa. We mall 
 pafs over their incurfions into France and Italy, 
 and the barbarities they there committed. 
 
 By fo many conquefts this new empire grew 
 at laft to fuch a bulk, that it became too un- 
 wieldy in the hands of one Ruler. This did 
 not efcape the obfervation of the Governors, 
 who had been appointed by the Caliph over the 
 different Provinces with large corps of troops 
 under their command. Senfible at the fame time 
 of their own ftrength, and ambitious to be 
 themfelves mailers, they renounced their fubjeclion 
 to the Arabian Caliph, and fet up their own 
 
 autho-
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. i6t 
 
 authority. Thefe rebellions gave rife to civil 
 wars, which divided the Empire into a number 
 of. independent Principalities. But, notwithftand- 
 ing the Mahometan power was thus weakened, 
 the feveral Princes ftill retained the fame ambi- 
 tion to enlarge their dominions. In that view, 
 about the beginning of the eleventh century, 
 fome of them carried their arms into the vaft 
 country of Indoftan, and reduced a great part 
 of. it. 
 
 Afterwards others of thefe Princes or Sultans^ 
 as they were then called, made further irruptions 
 into the Afiatic Provinces of the Greek or Con- 
 ftantinopolitan Empire, where they obtained new 
 acquifitions. They were aided in thefe con* 
 quefts by different Tribes of Tartars, or Turks, 
 that came to them from the Northern countries 
 above the Cafpian Sea, and quitting Idolatry en> 
 braced Mahometifm. Aladin, Sultan of Iconium 
 in letter Afia, had in particular received fueh 
 confiderable fervices from a Tribe of thefe Tar- 
 tars under the command of Othman, that he 
 made this Chief his Lieutenant General. Upon 
 Aladin's death, Othman obtained the Sovereignty 
 of his country, and thus laid the foundation of 
 the Turkifh Monarchy at Iconium, about the 
 year 1300. From him is the Imperial Turkifh 
 family called Othman or Ottoman. He conquered 
 a great part of Cappadocia and Bythinia, in 
 which laft Province he fixed his Refidcnce at the 
 town of Prufa, which remained the Imperial feat, 
 till the Turks transferred it to Adrianople in 
 M 1404,
 
 162 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 1404, and afterwards to Conftantinople in 1453, 
 Othman died in 1326. 
 
 The fucceeding Turkifh Sultans inherited the 
 .warlike fpirit of Othman their Founder, and 
 quarrelling with the Saracen Princes, took from 
 them in procefs of time many countries, which 
 they hold at this day. They likewiie continued 
 their conquefts upon the Greeks, that is, upon 
 the Eaftern Pvoman Empire, and attempted even 
 Conflantinople itfelf, the Emperor's feat, feveral 
 times ; but were repulfed or bought off by con- 
 cefiions. At laft Mahomet II. refolved to re- 
 duce that city, and laid fiege to it in 1453 w ^ n 
 a land army .of 300000 men, and above a hun- 
 dred Gallies with 130 other fmaller veffels. The 
 Garrifon confifted of no more than five thoufand 
 Greeks and two thoufand flrangers, the com- 
 mand of which- Confrantine Palzeologus the Em- 
 peror gave to Juftinian, an experienced Genoefe 
 officer. Nothing was omitted by the Emperor, 
 to put the place in a good pofturc of defence. 
 The City-wall being double and very itroner, 
 Mahomet prepared an artillery of fourteen bat- 
 teries, procured fome pieces of Cannon of a pro- 
 digious fize, that (hot ftone bullets of two 
 hundred pounds *. Thefe pieces had been call 
 by an Hungarian Founder, a Chriftian, who 
 having offered his fervices to Conftantine and 
 met with little encouragement, went over to the 
 
 Sultan. 
 
 * See the Greek Hiftorians Phranzes and Chalcondylas ; 
 of whom Phranzes was Maficr of the Wardrobe to the 
 Emperor, and in the town during the fiege.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 163 
 
 Sultan. l*hefe horrible engines of definition 
 were fired night and day, and carried with them 
 fuch force, that they foon made large breaches 
 in the wall. Under fuch extraordinary difficul- 
 ties the Befieged, however, made a vigorous de- 
 fence, repaired as much as pofiible the breaches, 
 and made fuccefsful faliies, in which they killed 
 many Turks and burned fome of their works.. 
 Mahomet finding -that his fleet was hindered 
 from approaching the town by a great chain that 
 croiTed the entrance of the port, and which was 
 defended by mips pofted there for the purpofe, 
 is faid to have praclifed an incredible expedient 
 fuggefled by a renegado Chriftian, of conveying 
 feventy of his mips, by means of engines, over 
 the land for the fpace of eight miles into the 
 haven. On another hand, to encourage his men, 
 he promifed them they mould fhare among them- 
 felves the whole plunder of Conftantinople, and 
 that he who firft mounted the wall, mould be 
 intitled to the government of the town. He told 
 them, there had appeared a flream of light 
 over the city three nights together, which was a 
 certain prefage, that God had now withdrawn 
 his protection from it. Thefe promifes and 
 fpeeches animated furprifingly his troops, and he 
 refolved upon a general affault. The Emperor, 
 who . had intimation of the Sultan's defign, re- 
 folved on his fide to make the moil vigorous 
 oppofition, and harangued fo pathetically his Of- 
 ficers and Men, that they all feemed ready to 
 fecond his intention. 
 
 M 2 The
 
 i6 4 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 The Diipofitions being made for the attack, 
 on the 29th of May early in tie morning the 
 general afiault began, both by fea and land. 
 The Turkilh land forces advanced, under the fire 
 of their cannon, with furprifing refolution, and 
 were received with equal refiftance by the Greeks, 
 who performed prodigies of valour. The ditches 
 were foon filled with the dead bodies of the 
 Turks that were flain : and the Emperor and 
 Juftinian exhibited fuch (kill and heroic bravery, 
 that the Affailants were obliged to retire back. 
 But the Janizaries coining to their afliftance, 
 they rallied, renewed the charge, and through 
 the moft violent fire of the befieged, and a 
 ftorm of darts and ftones, they gained the top 
 of the wall, where a Janizary immediately planted 
 the Turkifh ftandard. This unexpected fuccefs 
 infpired the Turks with new vigour, and damped 
 the fpirits of the Greeks. 
 
 The Mahometans had likewiie the advantage 
 on the fide of the fea. But what completed the 
 ruin of the befieged, was their being abandoned 
 by their General Juftinian, who finding himfelf 
 wounded, retired without appointing any one to 
 command in his room ; nor could he be pre- 
 vailed upon to return by the moft prefling re- 
 monftrances of the Emperor. This retreat of 
 Juftinian fo difcouraged the Greeks, that they 
 began to give way, and prefently fled in great 
 diforder and precipitation. The Turks immedi- 
 ately pouring in, like a torrent, at the breach, 
 purfucd the fugitives, flaughtering them, and 
 prefling them fo clofely, that eight hundred of 
 
 them
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 16$ 
 
 them were trodden to death. Among thefe was 
 the Emperor, who having placed himfclf at the 
 breach, and made prodigious efforts to flop the 
 inundation of the Barbarians, was carried away 
 by the multitude and periihed with them. Thus 
 ended the reign of Conftantine Pateologus in 
 1453 an d in him expired the Empire of th? 
 Greeks, that is, the Eaftern Roman Empire, 
 which had lafted 1123 years from its firft eftab- 
 lifhment by Conftantine the Great in the year 
 330. 
 
 After the death of the Emperor, the Turks 
 met with no more refiflance ; and thofe, who 
 had attacked the town at the fide of the port, 
 having alfo made good their entrance, the Greeks- 
 had their enemies both before and behind, and 
 were flaughtered without mercy. Then the Ruf- 
 fians transferred their fury upon the Inhabitants, 
 of whom they butchered fuch a number, that it 
 is reckoned there perimed in this fack of Con- 
 ftantinople forty thoufand Greeks, and fixty thou- 
 fand were afterwards fold for (laves. On this 
 unhappy occafion, the Churches were profaned , 
 Bifnops were feen prifoners in their Pontifical 
 habits ; and Nuns, in their Religious drefs, tied 
 as flaves. The Holy Veftments were ufed as 
 trappings for the horfes. Meat was ferved up 
 to table in the Sacred VefFels, and Chalices were 
 ufed to drink out of. In fine, the 'Barbarians 
 gave a loofe to all the human pafTions, and 
 rioted with fuch licentioufneis for three days, 
 that they committed all kinds of excefTes, and 
 the molt enormous and execrable crimes, that 
 M 3 Hiftory
 
 1 66 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Hrftory has ever informed us to have been per- 
 petrated on fuch occafions. 
 
 This Mahomet and his Succefibrs added to 
 their conquefts many other countries, both in 
 Afia and Europe, which the Turks are ftill in 
 pofTeffion of. To purfue this hiftory any fur- 
 ther, feems therefore imnecefiary, and we may 
 conclude with obferving in general, that the 
 Mahometan Power and Religion have prevailed 
 'to a prodigious extent, taking in the greateil 
 part of Afia, many fpacious countries in Africa, 
 and not a fmall mare of 'Europe : fo that the 
 event demon ft rates that poiver was given to him 
 (to Mahomet and his SuccefTors) over the fourth 
 fart of the earth, that is, already over the 
 fourth part of the Old World. 
 
 he Sounding of the fourth Trumpet. 
 
 Apoc. Chap. VIII. v. 12. And the fourth 
 Angel founded the trumpet, and the third 'part of 
 the fun was fmitten, and the third -part of the 
 maon, and the third fart of the ftars, fo that the 
 third part of them was darkened, and the day did 
 nat Jhine for a third fart of it, and the night 
 in like manner. 
 
 At the founding of the fourth Trumpet, Be- 
 hold ! the third -part of the S, and of the 
 Moon, and of the Stars, is eclipfed or ftruck 
 with darknefs : a noble figure indicating, that, 
 while the Church of Chrift is in the moft fiou- 
 rifhing ftate. and mining like thofe glorious lu- 
 minaries,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 167 
 
 minaries, a third part of it becomes unfortu- 
 nately 'obfcured by the fatal Herefy and Schifai 
 of the Greeks. This Schifra was firfl broached 
 by Photius at Conftantinople in the year 866. 
 It infected all orders "of Chriftians, the Clergy,, 
 the Princes, and the body of the Faithful, fig- 
 nilied refpectively by the Sun, Mocn, and Stars ; 
 and it lopt off nearly one third part of the 
 Church, fpreading itfelf from Conftantinople over 
 a great number of the Eaftern Chriftian Coun- 
 tries. Hence it happened that the Catholic 
 Church was robbed of a third part nearly of 
 her members of all ranks and degrees, and \vas 
 confequently defpoiled of a third pc.rt of her luf- 
 tre", which the Prophet expreffes by faying, that 
 the day did not foine for G, third part of it, and 
 the night in like manner. 
 
 It is plain the defection of the Greeks gave 
 fuch a mock to the Catholic Church, and tore 
 away fuch a large portion of her, that it may 
 by a juft metaphor be called a great earthquake, 
 (Apoc. viii. 5. fee p. 30.). 
 
 At the opening of the fourth Seal, we faw 
 the rife of Mahometifm, which ufhered in the 
 fourth age : here we fee the birth of the Greek 
 Schifm, a fecond remarkable event, which dif- 
 tinguiihes what may be deemed another period 
 of the fame age, commencing about the year 
 866. 
 
 M 4
 
 'i6B THE GENERAL" HISTORY 
 
 preceding "Explication elucidated by a 
 Juccincl Hiftory of the Greek Scbifm. 
 
 Phodus, an Eunuch, a man equally remark- 
 able for his high birth, his abilities, and learn- 
 ing, was honoured with confiderable employ- 
 ments at the Imperial court of Conftantinople : 
 but he difgraced his talents and dignities by his 
 bafe fraudulent practices and ambition. 
 
 He was a favourite of Bardas Casfar, who 
 was uncle to the young Emperor Michael, and 
 governed the ftate for him. This Bardas hav- 
 ing been reprimanded and even excommunicated 
 by St. Ignatius, Patriarch of Conftantinople, for 
 ids fcandalous debauched life, refolved upon this 
 Prelate's ruin. Having much influence with his 
 Nephew, the Emperor, he prevailed upon him 
 to banim the Patriarch from Conftantinople. All 
 means were then ufed to extort from Ignatius the 
 refignadon of his fee, but he conftantly refilling, 
 Bardas had the prefumption to nominate Pho- 
 tius, then a layman, to the Patriarchate in the 
 year 858. But this Nomination not being 
 warranted by a previous Election, and confe- 
 quently contrary to the Canons of the Church, 
 no Bifliop would ordain Photius, till he had 
 promifed upon oath to acknowledge Ignatius as 
 lawful Patriarch, and not to act without his 
 concurrence and direction. Neverthelefs, in lefs 
 than two months after his ordination he perfecuted 
 
 violently
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 169 
 
 violently all thofe of the Clergy that adhered to 
 Ignatius, and ibme he caufed to be fcourged, 
 and others otherwife tormented. And in order 
 to deftroy Ignatius, he perfuaded Bardas to com- 
 mence an information againft him, as having 
 fecretly confpired againft the State. But nothing 
 could be proved againft the holy Patriarch 5 who 
 neverthelefs was removed to a prifon in the Sub- 
 urbs of Conftantinople, and there cruelly tor- 
 tured. 
 
 In confequence of fuch unchriftian proceedings 
 feveral Bifhops of the Province of Conftanti- 
 nople afiembled and excommunicated Photius. 
 On the other fide, Photius fupported by Bar- 
 das, in a Synod of fome of his adherents pro- 
 nounced fentence of Depofition and Excommuni- 
 cation againft Ignatius, who thereupon was loaded 
 with chains, and banifhed to Mitylene in the ifle 
 of Lefbos. To colour fo unjuftifiable a ftep, 
 Photius fent rnefiengers with a letter to Pope 
 Nicholas, in which he fignified, that Ignatius 
 had refigned his See on account of his age and 
 infirmities, and that himfelf had been chofen for 
 it by the Metropolitan Bimops, and had been 
 compelled by the Emperor to undertake that 
 heavy burthen : then he defired, the Pope would 
 ratify both the refignation and election. As the 
 Pope received no account from Ignatius, who 
 was not fuffered by his enemies to fend any, 
 his Holinefs diipatched two Legates with orders 
 only to take informations, and tranfmit them to 
 him. The Legates being arrived at Conftanti- 
 nople, Photius and the Emperor found means to 
 
 gain
 
 i;o THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 gain them over after a long refinance. Upon 
 this a Synod was held at Constantinople in 861, 
 in which by the prevarication of the Legates St. 
 Ignatius, who had been fent for, was unjuftly 
 depofed, and afterwards imprifoned and moft bar- 
 baroufly treated. Photius e/en advifed the Em- 
 peror to compel Ignatius, to read his own con- 
 demnation in the Church, and then to have his 
 eyes pulled out and his hand cut off. But Ig- 
 natius fufpeding fome finifter defign was hatched 
 againfl him, cliiguiied himfelf, made his efcape 
 Oat of prifon, and fled. ' 
 
 Ignatius had by this rirne found means to in- 
 form the Pope of what had paffed at Conftan- 
 tinople. His Holinefs complained of the preva- 
 rication of his Legates, condemned what had been 
 done, and in his letters to the Emperor and Pho- 
 tius infiftea that Ignatius was the .lawful Patri- 
 arch, and Photius's Nomination every way irre- 
 gular and void. Then in a letter addrefled to 
 all .the Faithful in the Eaft, the Pope orders the 
 Patriarchs of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerufa- 
 lem, and the Metropolitans and other Bifhops, 
 to hold the fame ftntiments with Himfelf in re- 
 gard to Ignatius and the Intruder. Photius, 
 like a daring Irnpoftor, fupprefied the letter he 
 had received from the Pope, and forged another, 
 couched in terms favourable to himfelf; but the 
 cheat was difcovered. In fine, finding it impof- 
 fible to make the Pope propitious to his caufe, 
 he refolved to wreak his revenge upon him : for 
 which purpofe having fecured the Emperor in 
 his intereft, he held a Council of his adherents 
 
 at
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 171 
 
 at Conftantinople in 866, in which he prefumed 
 to pronounce ientence of Depofition and Excom- 
 munication againft Pcpe Nicholas : and this was 
 the origin, of the Greek Schifrn *. He got the 
 Ads of this pretended Synod figned by twenty- 
 one Bifhops i but added falfe fubfcriptions of 
 others to the number of about a thoufand. Then 
 he wrote a circular letter to the Eaftern Patri- 
 archs and Bimops, containing a charge againil 
 the Latin Church. Firft, he found fault with 
 fome points of Difcipline, which before his rup- 
 ture with the Church, he had approved in his 
 Confefiion of Faith which he fent to the Pope 
 feven years before this period. Then lie pro- 
 ceeded .to accufe the Latins of an error in 
 Faith, for teaching that the Holy Ghoft proceeds, 
 not from the Father only, but from the Father 
 and the Son : which tenet had been defined in 
 a General Council of the Church held at Con- 
 ftantinople in 38 1 j and inferted by that Coun- 
 cil in the Nicene Creed. By rejecting this article, 
 Photius and thofe Greeks, who adhered to him, 
 added Herefy to Schifm. But as their Separa- 
 tion 
 
 * As the body of the Roman Dominions had been di- 
 vided into two Empires ; the Weftern, having Rome for 
 its Metropolis ; and the Eaftern, which had Conftantinople 
 for its Capital: fo the fame divifion was ufually admitted 
 in the Cnurch ; the wefhrn part being often called the 
 Latin Church, from the language ufed there ; and the 
 eaftern was ftilcd the Greek Church, likewife from its 
 language.
 
 172 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 tion from the Unity of the Catholic Church be- 
 gan by Schifm, it has retained that name. 
 
 Bafil becoming Emperor in 867, banimed 
 Photius to the I fie of Scepe, and reftored St. 
 Ignatius to his See of Conftantinople after an ex- 
 ile of nine years. At this Prelate's follicitations 
 with the Pope and Emperor, a General Coun- 
 cil of the Church was held at Conftantinople in 
 869, at which prefidcd the Legates of Pope 
 Adrian II. who had fucceeded Nicholas. The 
 Schifmatical Synod, which had been held by Pho- 
 tius as mentioned before, was here condemned i 
 and he himfelf having been lent for to appear 
 before the Council, after a long hearing, was 
 Excommunicated. Then Photius, by the Em- 
 perors orders, was font back into banifhment ; 
 but eight years after he prevailed upon the Em- 
 peror to permit him to return to Conftanti- 
 nople. 
 
 Upon the death of St. Ignatius in 878, Pho- 
 tius with armed men took poffeffion of the 
 Church of St. Sophia, and kept pofleflion of 
 the See of Conftantinople, though repeatedly 
 condemned by different Popes, till Leo the wife 
 fucceeding Bafil in the Empire in 886, banimed 
 Photius into a Monaftery in Armenia, where he 
 died after having lived full twenty years in 
 open Schifm. 
 
 After the Expulfion of Photius, the breacli 
 between the Latin and Greek Churches was made 
 up, and harmony tolerably well reftored ^ though 
 In feveral inftances the Greeks betrayed a fpirit 
 of animofiry againft the Latins. The wound 
 
 had
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 173 
 
 had not received a perfect cure, and in 1053 
 it was opened a-frelh by Michael Cerularius, 
 Patriarch of Conftanrinople, who upon frivolous 
 pretences and groundlefs accufations againft the 
 Latins, revived the Schifm, and drew into his 
 party among others, the Patriarchs of Antioch 
 and Jeruialem. The Emperors themfelves then 
 joining in the caufe, contributed much in die 
 fequel to fpread the Infection through the Ea& 
 tern Empire. And thus the Greeks were fepa- 
 rated a fecond time from the unity of Faith, 
 and from the center and prop of that unity, 
 the Church of Rome. In 1269 Michael Pale- 
 ologus, Emperor of the Greeks, alarmed by the 
 victorious arms of Charles of Anjou, King of 
 Sicily, and fearing being attacked by him, ap- 
 plied to the Pope, defiring his Holinefs would 
 prevail with Charles not to direct his arms a- 
 gainft the Greeks. The better to gain his end, 
 Michael promiied the Pope to come into mea- 
 fures for putting an end to the Schifm, and re- 
 uniting the Greek to the Latin Church. This 
 propofal was agreeable to his Holinefs, as it of- 
 fered what had been feveral times attempted, but 
 in vain, by the preceding Popes. They had re- 
 peatedly exhorted the Emperors and Patriarchs of 
 Conflantinople to recognife their Ancient Mother, 
 and to unite in Faith. This falutary Advice 
 had been rejected, but now circumftances ap- 
 peared more favourable than ever for an Union. 
 In hopes therefore of fuccefs, a Council was held 
 in 1274 at Lyons, confifting of five hundred Bi- 
 Ihops, "Pope Gregory X. presiding at it in per- 
 
 fon.
 
 174 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 fon. Michael Paleologus, Emperor of Conftan- 
 tinople, fent Ambafiadors to the Council to prels 
 the Union of the two Churches. They being 
 arrived and the Council afTembled, the Emperor's 
 letter was read, containing his profefiion of the 
 true Orthodox Faith ; after which he added : 
 " We acknowledge this to be the true, holy, 
 " Catholic, and orthodox faith, and we receive 
 " and confefs it with heart and mouth, the fame 
 " as the Church of Rome teaches ; and we pro- 
 tc mife to keep it inviolably. We acknowledge 
 " the Supremacy of the Roman Church, &c." 
 Then was read the letter of the Greek Prelates, 
 written in the names of thirty-five Archbifhops 
 with their Suffragans, who nearly made up the 
 whole number of the Schifmatic Bimops. In 
 this letter they expreffed their concurrence to the 
 reunion of the two Churches. In confequence 
 therefore of thefe profeflions and declarations the 
 Union was concluded and ratified. 
 
 This was a fair profpecl, but foon vanimed. 
 The Greek Emperor had ufed violent methods 
 to extort the confent of the Orientals for the 
 Union ; and therefore for want of fmcerity it 
 could not be expected to hold. In effect,, as 
 foon as the Greeks faw they might have a pro- 
 tector in the pcrfon of the Duke of Patras, 
 who was an enemy to the Union, they openly 
 declared againfl it, and joining the Duke rebel- 
 led againft their Sovereign. Their party was 
 ftrcngthened by many of the Emperor's own fa- 
 mily ; and of his neareft Relations, whom he . 
 fent at the head of his troops againft the Male- 
 contents,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN-CHURCH. 175 
 
 contents, fome would not act, and others re- 
 volted from him. Such, was the aniinofity and 
 infblence of the Schifmatics, that having afTem- 
 bled a Synod, they prefumtd to anathematife 
 the Pope and the Emperor and their adherents. 
 This violent renunciation of the Union was af- 
 terwards further confirmed by Andronicus, who 
 fucceeding his Father Michael in the Empire, re- 
 traded what he had formerly cone in favour of 
 that tranfaclion, faying, he had been compelled 
 to it by the authority of his Father. 
 
 Many attempts were made in the fcquel by 
 the Popes to renew the Union, but they proved 
 unfuccefsful ; till at laft in 1437 a f re fh nego- 
 ciation being fet on foot between the Greek Em- 
 peror John Paleolcgus and Pope Eugsnius IV. 
 it was agreed that a General Council fhould be 
 held, of both the Greeks and Latins, in the 
 Weft for that important object. In purfuanceof 
 this determination, a Council being appointed 
 and opened at Ferrara by the Pope himfelf in 
 1438, the Emperor and the Patriarch of Ccn- 
 ftantinople, with twenty Oriental Archbifhops 
 and Bifliops, and a great number of other Greek 
 Clergy of diftinguifhed abilities and merit, re- 
 paired thither. The Patriarchs of Alexandria, 
 Antioch, and Jeruialem, fent alfo their Depu- 
 ties. Some inconveniences happening at Ferrara, 
 the Council was transferred with the confent of 
 the Greeks to Florence. There all difficulties 
 being difcufled, the Emperor, the Patriarch of 
 Conftantinople, and the Greek Bifliops profefied, 
 according to the Faith of the Roman Catholic 
 
 Church,
 
 176 THE GENERAL HISTORY. 
 
 Church, that the Holy Ghoft proceeded frortl 
 the Father and the Son, and that the Pope was 
 Head of the Univerfa! Church, &c. Then the 
 reunion of the two Churches was agreed to, and 
 a Decree drawn up for that purpofe. In this 
 Decree were contained the articles of Faith a- 
 bove- mentioned, and other points which the Greeks 
 had contefted, and which were now defined con- 
 formable to the Catholic Doclrine. The Pope, 
 the Emperor, and all the Greeks as well as the 
 Latins, fubfcribed the Decree, except Mark, 
 Archbimop of Ephefus, who alone among the 
 Greeks refufed to fign it. Then they all killed 
 the Pope's hand, and embraced one another in 
 token of union and mutual Charity. Thus was 
 this momentous affair concluded in 1439. 
 
 The eyes of all Christendom had been atten- 
 tively fixed on this Council, and the happy if- 
 fue of it diffufed univerlal joy through the Ca- 
 tholic Church. What event indeed could pombly 
 be more defirable, than that fo large a body of 
 Chriftians, feparated for fo many ages from the 
 unity of faith, mould at length be brought 
 back and re-enter into the bofom of their Mo- 
 ther-Church ? But this bright Sunmine of Con- 
 cord and Joy had only emerged from one cloud, 
 prefently to be intercepted by another. When 
 the Emperor and the Greeks arrived at Conftan- 
 tinople, they found the Clergy of that city vio- 
 lently prepofiefied againft the Union, and had 
 infpired the people with the fame difpofition. 
 They reviled bitterly all thofe who had figned 
 it, calling them Traitors and Apoftates, and 
 
 they
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN "CHURCH. 17; 
 
 they extolled with the higheft encomiums Mark 
 of Ephefus for his courage in refusing alone his 
 conlent. This obftinate Prelate feeing the tide 
 run thus in his favour, availed himfelf of it, 
 to declaim and write againft the Union. In 
 fine, the Schifmadcs worked themfelves up to 
 fuch a degree of rage, that an inundation of li- 
 bels foon appeared, fraught with virulence, ca- 
 lumnies, and falfehoods. So much oppofition 
 and ill treatment, thofe met with who had been 
 at the Council of Florence and affented to the 
 union, made fuch impreftion upon them, that 
 many loft courage, yielded to the ftream, and 
 gave up the caufe. They even renounced what 
 they had done, and fetting up to oppugn the 
 Faith they had embraced, they greatly contri- 
 buted to encreafe the party, To complete the 
 misfortune, the Patriarchs of Alexandria, Antioch, 
 and Jerufalem, ftirred up by the Schifmatic Bi- 
 Ihop of Csefarea in Cappodocia, afiembled a Sy- 
 nod in 1443, m which they condemned what 
 had been done at Florence, and threatened to ex- 
 communicate the Emperor if he continued to ad- 
 here to the Latins. The deference, which the 
 Orientals paid to thefe Patriarchs, influenced them 
 to receive their determination, and to remain 
 in Schlfm. Ruflia likewife and Mufcovy, which 
 had adopted fome Centuries before the Schifm 
 of the Greeks, followed now their example, 
 rejected the union and imprifoned the Pope's 
 .Legate who came to propofe it to them. Thus 
 ivas a third part of the Sun, Moon and Sfars> 
 fmitten and darkened a fecond time, or at leaft 
 N remained
 
 178 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 remained eclipfed. And thus vanifhed the fair 
 profped of a noble Triumph for the Catholic 
 Faith. 
 
 A few years after this period, that is, in 
 the beginning of the year 1451, Pope Nicho- 
 las V, a Pontif of remarkable piety and learn- 
 ing, grieving at the invincible obflinacy of 
 the Greeks, and reflecting on the repeated la- 
 bours taken for their converfion, wrote to them 
 a letter, in which after mentioning the prepa. 
 rations the Turks were making againfl them,, 
 and the fuccours they might hope for from the 
 Catholic Princes, lie then exhorted them in a 
 pathetic manner, not to render ufelefs by their 
 ingratitude to God thefe fuccours, but to open, 
 their eyes upon their paft ftubbornefs, and to- 
 unite themfelves to the Catholic Church, accord- 
 ing to the agreement made at Florence. He ad- 
 drefied himielf in particular to Conftantine Paleo- 
 -logns, then Emperor of Conftantinople, to the 
 following tenour: " That the Greeks had abuf- 
 '" ed too long the patience of both God and 
 " Men, in pertifting Hill in Herefy and Schiirn: 
 '* that, conformably to the Parable in the Gof- 
 ** pel, God would further wait, to r e" if the 
 " Fig-tree, after fo much care and attendance in 
 " vain, would at lail yield fruit : that, if it did 
 " not within the fpace of three years which God 
 * c ftill allowed them, the tree would be cut 
 " down by the root, and the Greek nation in- 
 " tirely ruined by the minifters of Divine Juf- 
 " tice, who would be fent to execute the fcn- 
 " tencc already pronounced in Heaven againfl 
 
 " them
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 179 
 
 " them." We fhall prefently fee the literal ac^ 
 
 complilhment cf this prediction. 
 
 The Pouring out of the fourth Vial. 
 
 Apoc. Chap; XVI. v. 8. And the fourth 
 Angd poured out his Vial upon tke $#/;, and it 
 was given unto him to afflict men with heat and 
 fire: 
 
 v. 9. Aud men were fcorched with great heat 
 and they biafphcmed the name of God who hath 
 power over thefe plagues, neither did they penance 
 to give him glory. 
 
 Here is the puniflirnent of the Greek Schif- 
 maties for their long and obflinate Rebellion a- 
 gainft the Catholic Church. 
 
 In the prophecy of the fourth Trumpet the 
 Si^n was introduced to reprefent the principle of 
 light, here it is employed as the principle of beet ; 
 which are known to be the two chief qualities 
 of the Sun. The Vial is therefore poured out 
 on the to, to convert it's quality of heat or 
 fire into an inftrument of divine vengeance a- 
 gainfl the Greeks. And in confequence, it is 
 given unto him (the Sun) to qfflift men with heat 
 and fire. In effect, this people fuffered extreme- 
 ly by the deftrudive fire of terrible engines of 
 war, that were worked by Gunpowden We 
 have feen (page 162), that no lefs than fourteen 
 batteries of cannon were employed to fire againit 
 the town of Conftantinople, befides the fnips of* 
 war; and that in this dreadful artillery were 
 N 2 fome
 
 i8o THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 fome fuch huge pieces of cannon, as had nevef 
 been fecn or heard of' before. With thefe were 
 the walls of the city Shattered to pieces, and 
 the Greeks themfelves miferably cut off. They 
 were the more terrible, as Cannon were at that time 
 a recent invention, and but newly brought into 
 ufe in the ealtern countries. Hence it appears 
 how the Greeks 1x3 ere f cor eked with great beat. 
 And thus the taking of Constantinople by the 
 Turks, being the moft fatal and finifhing ftroke 
 upon the Greek Empire, which was then put an 
 end to, the Vial here chiefly points at that 
 event. 
 
 /hid they Blafphemed the name of God 'who has 
 power over thefe plagues. They Blafphemed the 
 name of God, that is they fpoke irrrpioufly a- 
 gainft Religion and its Minifters. They uttered 
 the moft virulent invectives againft the Romaji 
 Church, preiumed to condemn its doctrine, and 
 . to treat with ignominy thofe Greeks who efpcuf- 
 ed it. They would not even pray in the fame 
 church with thole who had figned the Union. 
 .Two years before the fiege, that is, in 1451, 
 the Schiimatics of Conftantinople had writ to 
 thofe Bohemians, who had adopted the errors of 
 John Hufs -, approving the party they had tak- 
 en againft. the Church of Rome, and inviting 
 'diem to .a Coalition with themfelves in Religious 
 tenets. The year after, perceiving that the Em- 
 pe'ror had embraced the Union, and prevailed 
 upon a few to follow his example, they rofe up 
 tumultuoufly, both Clergy and People, and cried 
 out, Anathema upon . aU thofe who had united 
 
 themfelves
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. iSi 
 
 themfelves with the Latins. This Spirit of ani- 
 mofity againft the Catholic Faith and the fupr- 
 macy of the Church of Rome continued to rage, 
 ven at the time of the fiege. Notaras, Admi- 
 ral of the Conftantinopolitan fleet, feeing the 
 people ftruck with condensation at the view of 
 Mahomet's immenfe army, fcrupled not to cry 
 out, he would rather chufe to fee the Turban 
 in Constantinople than a Cardinal's hat. In this 
 manifold manner they Blafpkemed ibe name of God. 
 And thus they perfevered in Rebellion againft 
 God, who has power over thefe -plagues, that is, 
 who fent thofe calamities with the view to pu- 
 nifh and reclaim them. Inftead of correfponding 
 with the defign of Heaven, and taking admoni- 
 tion from the fcourge they felt, to renounce 
 their errors, and afibciate themfclves to the body 
 of the Faithful and to the center of Unity j they 
 on the contrary hardened themfelves in their ob- 
 Ctinacy, nor would they do -penance to give God 
 Glory. What wonder then, that the avenging 
 hand of God, which they had armed againft 
 themfelves, fell at laft as a Thunderbolt upon 
 them, and crufhed them. In the general wreck, 
 the fate of Notaras, the above-mentioned impious 
 Admiral, appeared fomewhat conipicuous. After 
 the town was taken, having furrenclered himfelf 
 to Mahomet and prefented him with a rich trea- 
 fure to gain his good graces, he was neverthe- 
 lefs received with contempt, and by the Sultan's 
 order was with his two fons beheaded. 
 
 The third Vial, in the preceding age, poured 
 
 out the wrath of God on Ancient Rome and 
 
 N 3 the
 
 [ iff;? THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 the Roman Empire ; the fourth Vial here in 
 like manner pours out the Divine Indignation 
 on the guilty Greeks, which puriues them firft 
 through their feveral Provinces, and then finifhes 
 their ruin at Conftantinople itfelf, the feat of 
 their Empire, in 1453. The Ruffian nations, 
 which had elpoufed the Greek Schifm and perfe- 
 vere in it to this day, have they not reafon to 
 apprehend a fhare in this Vial, and being in- 
 volved fooner or later in the punimment of 
 thofe, in whofe guilt they participate ? 
 
 The Almighty 'is the Difpofer of Kingdoms, 
 He raifes them up like huge fabricks, for the 
 execution of his defigns , and he equally throws 
 them down, when they prefume to rival his 
 power, or to difobey his commands. The weft 
 High rules in the Kingdom cf men , he will give 
 it tot wbomf sever it jball pleafs him., and he will 
 appoint the bafeft man over it. (Daniel c. iv. v. 14.), 
 
 Of the vaft Empire of Rome, the Weilern 
 part had been facpificed, as we faw, for the ex- 
 tinction, of Idolatry ; and now the Eaftern parr, 
 having made itfelf the Fortrefs of Kerefy and 
 Schifrn, becomes obnoxious to the jealoufy of 
 the moft High and Undivided Deity, and there- 
 fore is fentenced to be equally a Victim of de- 
 ftru&ion. It may be faid, that Idolatry is an 
 offence more injurious to Supreme Majefiy, than 
 Herefy or Schifm ; we allow it, and for that 
 reafon Conftantinople fuftained one calamity lefs 
 than Pagan Rome, namely, that of fire, by 
 which Rome was reduced to afhes, but which 
 Mahomet prohibited, (perhaps by fuperior direc- 
 tion)
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. ij 
 
 tion) from Conftantlnople. But on another hand, 
 if Pagan Rome was burned, from its aihes rofe 
 up a Chriftian Rome with a new kind of power 
 and dignity peculiar to itfelf, which was to laft 
 to the end of the world : whereas, though Con- 
 ftantinople was ipared from deftrucYion, it was 
 jenflaved by a barbarous people, the greaterl ene- 
 mies to Chriftianity. The Jews had formerly re- 
 jected the Preaching and Miracles of the Son of 
 God, for which reafon they were delivered over 
 to the fword of the Pagans, their inveterate ene- 
 mies. In like manner, all the intreaties, exhor- 
 tations, and labours of the Catholic Church, to 
 reclaim the Greeks from their errors, they reject- 
 ed with clifdain ; and on that account they fell 
 a juft Sacrifice to the anger of God. He had 
 waited many years, to give them time to refume 
 a fpirit of obedience and produce good fruit, but 
 finding their obftinacy invincible, he cut them 
 down like the barren Fig-tree, as Pope Nicholas 
 had foretold them. They refufed the Jurifdiction 
 of a Spiritual Superior, whom Chrift has ap- 
 pointed over his whole flock-, and they fell into 
 the hands of Tyrannical Mafters, from whom 
 they have nothing to expect, but oppreflion, 
 flavery, and defpair. No Kingdom can Hand 
 that oppofes the Kingdom of Chrift : for, be is 
 Lord of Lords, and King of Kings (Apoc. xvii. 14.)^ 
 and a two-edged fword proceeds from bis moutb 
 (Apoc. i. 1 6. fee page u.) for the definition of 
 his enemies. 
 
 N 4 CHAP.
 
 184 THE GENERAL HISTORY- 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 The Hi/lory of tie fifth Age of the Chrif- 
 tian Church. 
 
 The opening of the fifth Seal 
 
 APOC. Chap. VI. v. 9. And, when he (the 
 Lamb) bad opened the fifth feal, I faw, fays 
 St. John, under the altar the fouls of them that 
 were Jlain for the word of God, and for tJpe tejli- 
 mony which they held. 
 
 v. 10. And they cried with a loud voice, faying : 
 How long, O Lord, (holy and true) deft thou not 
 judge and revenge our blood on them that dwell on 
 the earth? 
 
 v. 1 1 . And white robes were given to every one 
 of them one : and it was faid to them ; that they 
 jhould reft yet for a little time, till their fellow- 
 fervants and their brethren^ who are to be Jlain 
 even as they^ jhould be filled up. 
 
 The Lamb having opened the fifth S.eal, St. 
 John hears the complaints of thofe who had been 
 Jlain for the word of God, that is, for the obfer- 
 vance of the Law of God, and for the teftimony 
 which they held* or for the teftimony which they 
 had rendered to Chrift in preaching and defend- 
 ing his dodlrinc, Thefe martyrs are feen under 
 (be altar in heaven, fimilar to the altar of Ho- 
 
 locaufts,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 185 
 
 locaufts, which flood in the Jewifn Tabernacle, 
 On that altar the victims, called holocaufts, were 
 burnt, and their remains, the afhes, fell under 
 the altar. In allufion to this, the fouls or pre- 
 cious fpiritual remains -of thole, v/hofe bodies had 
 been (lain and facrificed in the fire of perfccu- 
 tion, are here feen under the altar. Who are 
 the martyrs, fpoken of in this Seal, we are now 
 to examine; and it muft be obferved, that un- 
 der the name of martyrs we comprehend all thofe 
 who have fuffered death for Religion, whether 
 they have been declared martyrs of the church 
 or not, In the firft place ; it is well known that 
 the Reformation, introduced by Luther and other 
 new Teachers, has had too much mare in the 
 fpilling of blood for the caufe of Religion. 
 We don't pretend to produce an account of all 
 the individuals that 'have fuffered by their hands. 
 The Hiftory of the Reformation, .in many cafes, 
 relates only in general the maflacres committed 
 on the Catholics, The Anabaptifts in Germany 
 opened the cruel fcene, very foon after the birth 
 of the Proteitant religion. They were actuated 
 with fuch rancour againft thofe whofe commu- 
 nion they had left, that in 1525 they plundered 
 the country, fet fire to the Churches and Mon- 
 afberies, and murdered the Priefts, Monks, and 
 Noblemen. (Arnolclus Mefov. Hift. des Anabap. 
 Dupin.)- The Calvinifts on another hand, where- 
 ver they came, committed unheard of violences 
 and barbarities. Dreadful was the tragedy in 
 France, Holland, in fome parts of Germany, &c. 
 Nicholas Froumenteau, a reformed Minifter, con- 
 
 feffes
 
 i86 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 fefles that the Calvinifls mafiacred, in the pro- 
 vince of Dauphine only, 256 Priefts and 112 
 Monks and Friars. (Des financ de France). In 
 Holland we find that nineteen Priefts and Reli- 
 gious men were taken by the Calvinifls in Gor- 
 cum, and after being made to fuffer many in- 
 fults, were hanged for their Religion at the tovvn 
 of Bril, on the fame day, in 1572. (See their 
 Hiftory in W. Eftius, alfo Batavia facra). 
 
 England alfo fhewed itfelf very forward in per- 
 fecuting thofe who were attached to the antient 
 Faith. Sir Thomas More, Lord High Chancel- 
 lor, and Fiiher, Bifhop of Rochefter, two illuf- 
 trious ornaments of the nation and diftinguimed 
 alTertors of the Catholic Religion, were beheaded 
 * n I 535> f r refilling to fubfcribe to the Spirit- 
 ual Supremacy which^ Henry VIII ufurped over 
 the Church in England. Befides, that "defpotic 
 and cruel Monarch put to death thirteen Abbots 
 and Priors, about feventy feven Monks and Re- 
 ligious perfons, and many of the Laity. (Hey- 
 lin's Hift. of the Reform.), 
 
 Violent was the perfecution in Queen Eliza- 
 beth's reign , it was even aggravated with feve- 
 rities ufed in the heathenilli times, as Tortures 
 were fometimes applied to the generous victims 
 before they were allowed to receive the ftroke of 
 death. There have been found to have fuffered 
 death for the teftimony they held in this reign, at 
 kaft 124 Priefts, and 57 Lay-perfons , befides 
 others who perimod in prifon. Under King James 
 I, though the perfecution fomewhat abated, it di4 
 not ceafe, No lefs than twenty feven perfons of 
 
 differ en c
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 187 
 
 different denominations were put to death for the 
 Catholic faith in this reign. Charles I was na- 
 turally of too humane a difpofition to incline to- 
 perfecution ; but fuch was the iniquity of the 
 times and the importunity of malevolent perfons ? : 
 that he was forced away with the tide, and or- 
 dered the execution of the penal Lav/s againft 
 his Catholic fubjefts, Twenty two were facri- 
 ficed in this period. The temper of the times 
 was nearly the fame during a part of Charles IPs 
 reign, and fuch unhappily was his compliant dif- 
 pofition, that twenty four perfons were put to 
 death for the Catholic faith, and many died in 
 prifon. Thus the annals of England are ftained 
 with the blood of many of its own fubjecls im- 
 molated to the caufe of Religion, (fee a parti- 
 cular account of thefe perfections in the " Me- 
 moirs of Miffionary Priefts," &c.) 
 
 We mall now remove the fcene to a diflant 
 part of the world. St. Francis Xavier planted 
 the Catholic Faith in the Idolatrous Kingdom of 
 Japan in 1549, baptifed great numbers, and 
 whole provinces received the Gofpel. In 1592 a 
 perfecution was raifed againft the Chriftians by 
 the Emperor Cambacundono, who ufurped the 
 honours of a Deity ; and feveral Japonefe Con- 
 verts received the crown of Martyrdom. The 
 Emperor Tagcofama, one of the proudeft and 
 moft vicious of men, revived the perfecution in 
 1597, and three Jefuits, Six Francifcans, and fe- 
 venteen converts were condemned to be crucified. 
 As they hung upon the erodes, the Executioners, 
 at a fignal given, pierced their bodies with lances-, 
 
 upon
 
 i*g THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 \jpon which they expired, and went to receive 
 their reward for being jlain for the word of God, 
 and for the teftimony which they held. Their blood 
 and garments were procured by Chriftians, and 
 miracles were wrought by them. In 1602, the 
 pagan Emperor Cubofama renewed again the 
 bloody tragedy, and many Chriftians were be- 
 headed, crucified, or burned. In 1614, new 
 cruelties were employed to overcome the forti- 
 tude of the Chriftian Heroes, as bruifmg their 
 feet between pieces of wood, cutting off or 
 fqueezing their limbs one after another, applying 
 re$-hot irons or flow fires, flaying off die fkin 
 of the fingers, putting burning coals to their 
 hands, tearing off the flelri with pincers, or 
 thrufting reeds into different parts of their bodies: 
 all which, innumerable perfons, even children, 
 bore with invincible conftancy till death. In 
 1616, Xogun fucceeding his Father Cubofama in 
 the Empire, furpafied him in cruelty. By his 
 orders fifty Martyrs fufiered together, of whom 
 nine were Jefuits 5 four Francifcans, and fix Do- 
 minicans , the others laymen. Twenty five were 
 burned, the reft beheaded. Many others fuffered 
 varioufly, being either burnt at flow fires, cru- 
 cified, beheaded, or thrown into a burning moun- 
 tain, or hung with their heads downwards in 
 pits. In 1639 a ^ Europeans, except the Dutch, 
 were forbid entrance into Japan. Five Jefuits 
 landed there fecretly in 1642, but being difco- 
 vered, after cruel tortures they were hung down 
 in pits till they expired. 
 
 St.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 189 
 
 St. Francis Xavier, after having eftablifhed 
 Chriftianity in Japan, was defirous alfo cf carry- 
 ing the ftandard of the Crofs into the great Papan 
 Empire of China, but died before he reached 
 it. His Religious Brethren the Jefuits, infpired 
 with a truly Apoilolic Spirit, purfucd the defign, 
 and after many fruitlefs attempts, at laft got ad- 
 mittance into the country in 1583. They foon 
 converted many, and numerous Churches of 
 Chriftians began to flourim in feveral provinces 
 of China. But the inveterate enemy of Chrif- 
 tianity, the Devil, irritated at feeing his own 
 power decline in a kingdom he had fo long kept 
 in captivity, fet himfelf to work, in order to ex- 
 tirpate the Chriftian Religion, or at lead to flop 
 its growth. He wreaked his firft fury on Fi 
 ther Francis Martinez, a Chinefe Jefuit, who 
 having converted a famous doctor, was beaten 
 feveral times, and at length expired under the 
 torment. Then lie proceeded againft the Domi- 
 nican F'ryars, who had likewife entered China 
 and converted great numbers to the faith. Four 
 of them received the crown of Martyrdom in 
 the year 1647, and a fifth in 1648. Chunchi, 
 who afcended the imperial throne of China in 
 1650, was favourable to the Chriftians ; but af- 
 ter his demife, the four Regents of the Empire 
 put to death five Chriftian Manderins for their 
 faith : but the young Emperor Camhi, coming 
 of age, put a flop to the perfecution, and gave 
 liberty to the Chriftians in 1671. The Emperor 
 Kien-long renewed the perfecution in a moil 
 cruel manner. A great number of Chriftians of 
 
 all
 
 I 9 o THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 all ages and fexes were banimed, beaten and tor*. 
 tured divers ways. Many Priefts and ochers died 
 of their torments, or of the hardfhips of their 
 imprifonment. Peter Sanz, a Dominican Friar 
 and Bifhop, was beheaded in 1747. Four Do- 
 minicans were feized, beaten with ciubs, buffeted 
 on the face with leather-gauntlets, and after 
 twenty eight months imprifonment, were ftrangled 
 privately in their dungeons in 1748. In the 
 lame perfecution two Jefuits, after repeated tor- 
 tures, were alfo ftrangled in prifon. 
 
 In Tonquin, a Kingdom South- Weft of China, 
 alfo enflaved to Idolatry, the Chriftian Religion 
 had taken deep root by the zealous labours of 
 Religious Mifiionaries. But in the year 1743 a 
 perfecution was fet on foot, in which 150 Chur- 
 ches were demolifhcd, many Converts were 
 beaten on their knees with a hammer, and 
 tortured various other ways, and two Priefts of 
 the order of St. Dominick fuffered martyrdom 
 for the faith. (fee the Hiftories of Trigault, 
 Charlevoix &c.). 
 
 There have likewife been Martyrs within the 
 two laft centuries in other kingdoms of the 
 Eaft-Indies, as in Carnate, Tanjour, Madura, 
 &c. And the new-difcovered Continent of Ame- 
 rica has alfo been fprinkled with Chriftian blood. 
 (See Lettres curieufes et cdifiantes.). 
 
 We have now feen who they are that hai'c 
 hen Jlaln for the word cf Gcd^ and for the tefti- 
 r,:ony which they held. Thefe Martyrs are the 
 objects reprefented under the fifth Seal. As 
 thofe, who fuffered by the hands of the pro- 
 
 teftants
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, igt 
 
 teftants, appear to be the firft in time, we may 
 fix the fifth pocha, or commencement of the 
 fifth age of the Church at the year 1525, or at 
 the rife of Luther's Reformation about the year 
 1520. 
 
 We muft further obferve, that the blood here 
 fpilt in the cauie of Religion is a remarkable 
 characteriftic of this fifth, age; as before that 
 period for eight or nine hundred years few are 
 to be found who fufrered for the faith. 
 
 We now proceed with the text. And they (the 
 abovementioned Martyrs) cried with a loud voice* 
 faying: How long, O Lord, (holy and true) deft 
 thou not judge and revenge our bkod on them that 
 dwell on the earth? How long, O Lord, do you 
 defer judging our caufe, You, who are Holy and 
 muft deteft the cruelties exercifed upon us-, 
 You, who are 'True and have told us, you will 
 revenge the injuries done to your fervants? Will 
 not God revenge, fays Chrift, his Eleft who cry 
 to him day and night-, and will he have patience 
 in their regard? I fay to you, that he will quickly 
 revenge them. (Luke xviii. 7. 8.). The Mar- 
 tyrs therefore prefer their complaints to the 
 throne of God, requesting the judgment of their 
 caufe, not in a fpirit of revenge, but that the 
 Juftice and Sanctity of God, who is holy and 
 true, may be vindicated. 
 
 And white robss were given to every one ef 
 them one-, a fymbol of the heavenly Beatitude, 
 into which they are received in coming from 
 their conflicts. And it was faid to them, that 
 they Jhould reft J& for a little time, till their
 
 i 9 2 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 fellovs-ftrvants and their brethren, ivho ar: to t>( 
 Jlain, even as they, Jkould be filled tip. They are 
 told here to wait a little while, till the number 
 be completed of their brethren, who are to fuffer" 
 martyrdom as they have done; that is, till the 
 time of Antichrift, which is not far diftant, and 
 in whofe perfecution fuch multitudes will receive 
 the crown of martyrdom. And thus their num- 
 ber being completed, the Almighty will then re- 
 venge the blood of them all at once by the 
 deftruftion of Antichrift and the bloody (laughter 
 of his Partifans. 
 
 What human oblation can be more grateful and 
 glorious to the Divine Author of the Chriilian 
 Religion, than the facrifice of holy victims (lain 
 for his fake ? And this is the Honour, which the 
 Lamb was intitled to receive, and here actually 
 receives. (Apoc. V. 12. fee p. 22.)- 
 
 Before we proceed to the Prophecy of the 
 fifth Trumpet, it is proper to take notice of 
 what St. John prefixes to it. 
 
 Apoc. Chap. viii. v. 13. And I beheld, fays 
 he, find heard the voice of one eagle * flying through 
 the midft of Heaven, faying with a loud voice: 
 Wo, Wo, Wo, to the inhabitants of the earth, by 
 reafon of the reft of the voices of the three Angels^ 
 viho are yet to found the trumpet. 
 
 Behold an Eagle, a fuitable bird on this occa- 
 fion on account of its fwiftnefs, flies through the 
 midit of the Iky announcing with a loud voice a 
 
 Wo 
 
 * In the Greek text: an Angel.
 
 OP- THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 193 
 
 IFo-on each of the three fucceeding ages, namely, 
 the fifth, fixth, and feventh: by which we 
 may underftand, that greater difafters remain to 
 be fuftained by the Church of Chrift in thefe 
 three laft than in the preceding ages. 
 
 The Sounding of the fifth 'Trumpet. 
 
 Apoc. Chap. IX. v. i. And the fifth 
 founded the trumpet ', and I faw, fays St. John, a 
 ftar fall from Heaven unto the earth, and there 
 was given to him the key of the bottomlefs pit. 
 
 y. 2. And he opened the bottomlefs pit : and 
 the fmoke of the pit arofe, as the fmoke of a great 
 furnace: and the fun and the air were darkened 
 with the fmoke of the pit. 
 
 v. 3. And from the fmoke of the pit there 
 came out locufts upon the earth: And power was 
 given to them, as the fcorpiom of the earth have 
 power : 
 
 v. 4. And it was commanded them that they 
 Jhould not hurt the grafs of the earth, ncr any green 
 thing, nor any tree: but only the men who have 
 not the fign of God on their foreheads. 
 
 v. 5. And it was given unto them that they 
 Jhould not kill them; but that they Jhould torment 
 them five months : and their torment was as the 
 torment of a fcorpion when he ftriketb a man. 
 
 v. 6. And in thofe days men jhall feek death, 
 and Jhall not find it : and they Jhall defire to die, 
 and death jhall fly from them. 
 
 O v. 7;
 
 3$4 THE- GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 \ v. -7. And the fljapes of the -loctift s, wen like 
 unto borfes prepared unto battle-, and on their beads 
 -were as it were croons like gold: and their faces 
 'were es the faces of men. 
 
 ; v. 8. And they had hair as the hair of women , 
 'and their teeth were as of lions. 
 
 -v. 9. And they had breajl -plates as breaft-plates 
 cf iron , and the noife of their wings was as the 
 noife of chariots of many horfes running to battle. 
 
 v. 10. And they had tails like to fcorpions, and 
 there were flings in their tails : and their power 
 "ji'as to hurt men five months. And they had over 
 them 
 
 v. ii. A King, the angel of the bottomlefs pit, 
 whofe name in Hecrew is Abaddon, and in Greek 
 Apollyon: in Latin Exterminans, (that is, De- 
 -ftroyer.). 
 
 Here is a defcription of the rife and pro- 
 grefs of the Reformation. This Trumpet begins 
 with announcing to us the fall of a Star from 
 Heaven , a very juft emblem of the Apoftafy 
 of Luther, who, in quality of a Prieft and Reli- 
 gious ma'n, is ftiled a ftar, but renouncing his 
 Faith an,d vows, in which he had hitherto vir- 
 tuoufly Jived, may truly be faid to have fallen 
 'from heaven. This Star fell upon the earth, that 
 is, upon the Church, compared to the fixed folid 
 earth, becaufe me was then in a ftate of 
 peace k 
 
 Martin Luther, an Auguilinian Friar, a bold 
 man and vehement declaimcr, having imbibed 
 erroneous fcntiments from the heretical writings 
 of John Hufs of Bohemia, took occafion, from 
 
 the
 
 or THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 19* 
 
 the publication of Indulgences promulgated by 
 i'ope Leo X, to break with the Catholic Church, 
 and to propagate his new errors in 1517, at 
 Wittemberg in Saxony. He firil inveighed againft 
 the abufe of Indulgences ; then he called in quef- 
 ticn their efficacy; and at lad totally rejected 
 them. He proceeded to broach new opinions, 
 contrary to the Catholic Doctrine; as, that re- 
 miffion of fins was not founded on Contrition, 
 but on Faith alone; that good works were not 
 neceffary for falvation , and other tenets, which 
 will occur in the fequel. He threw off his Re- 
 ligious habit, renounced the folemn vows he had 
 made to God, abandoned his cloifter, and returned 
 to the world. He declaimed againft the fupre- 
 macy of the See of Rome, and condemned the 
 whole Church, pretending, as if Chrift had 
 abandoned it, that it wanted reforming, as well 
 in faith as difcipline. Thus this new Evangelift 
 commenced that fatal defection from the Ancient 
 Faith, which was filled " Reformation," and 
 which afterwards overfpread fo large a part of 
 Weftern Chriftendom. Such was the difmal 
 alarm founded to the Church by the fifth Trum- 
 pet. 
 
 The fifth Seal exhibited to us only a par- 
 ticular interefling circumftance of the Reforma- 
 tion, but now we fhall fee that the Trumpet 
 unfolds its whole hiftory. 
 
 There was given to him the key of the bottom- 
 
 kfs pit (ver. i.). To St. Peter were given the 
 
 Keys of Heaven, but to Luther is given the 
 
 Key of the bcttemkfs pit, or, Hell. Alas ! 
 
 O 2 what
 
 ! 9 6 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 what a woful difference, and what difparhy is 
 here indicated irv-die Characters and functions 
 of the Apoftle and the Reformer! Chrift allured 
 St. Peter, that he and the other Apoftles, who 
 had quitted all to follow him, mould at the laft 
 day, fit on twelve feats judging the twelve 
 Tribes of Tfrael (Math. xix. 28.). But Luther, 
 inftead of meriting fjch a happy preeminence 
 in Heaven by having renounced all temporal 
 enjoyments for Chrift, unfortunately retracts the 
 renunciation he had made, returns to the world, 
 and therefore is caft down like a fallen Star, 
 from Heaven to Earth, forfeiting the glorious 
 crown he had fccmed before to grafp in his 
 hands. To St. Peter Chrift gave a fuper-eminent 
 power and heavenly function : To thee will I 
 give the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven : and 
 wbatfirucr thou Jhalt bind upon earth, it jhall 
 be bound alfo in Heaven ; and "xbatfoe-ver then 
 Jhalt loofe on Earth, it Jhall be loofed alfo in 
 Heaven (Matt. xvi. 19.). But how oppofite is 
 the power and function of Luther! namely, to 
 open the bottomlefs pit, or Infernal Abyfs, from 
 whence flowed a ftream of calamities that fell 
 upon the Kingdom of Chrift on Earth. Our 
 Saviour faid to St, Peter, Thou art Peter, 
 and upon this rock I will bttild my Church, and 
 the gates of Hell Jba/l not prevail againft it. 
 (Matt. xvi. 1 8.). But Luther boldly opened the 
 bottomlefs pit, or the gates of Hell, to endea- 
 vour to prevail againft that Church. St. Peter 
 was conftituted by Chrift the Chief Paftor of 
 his whole flock 5 feed my Lambs, feed my Sheep, 
 
 (Joan.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 197 
 
 /Joan. xxl. 1 6. 17.) faid Chrift to him. But 
 our Reformer, by his own authority, declared 
 himfclf Plead and Ringkader of a multitude of 
 Sectaries, who like devouring wolves have laid 
 waile the fold of Chrift. 
 
 And he opened the lottomlefs pit : and tbs fmoke 
 cf the pit arofe, as the fmoke of a great furnace 
 (v. 2.)' Luther therefore opened the door ot 
 Hell, and there iflued out a thick Smoke, c.s from 
 a great furnace. What can this thick fmoke be, 
 but a ftrong Spirit of Seduction, which had been 
 hatched in Hell, or had the Devil for it's parent, 
 and which, at Luther's opening Hell's door, im- 
 mediately burft out. Impregnated with this fleam, 
 or Spirit of Seduction, he brought forth a Doc- 
 trine, big with delufion and error. And as the 
 fleam he imbibed was hot, as coming from a 
 great furnace, he propagated his doctrine with 
 heat, violence, and iniolence. " I now declare, 
 " fays he, fpeaking to the Biiliops, that for the 
 " future I will not vouchfafe you fo much ho- 
 " nour, as to fubmit myfelf or doctrine to your 
 " judgment, or that of an Angel from Heaven". 
 (Preface to his book, adverfus falfo-nominatum 
 ordinem Epifcoporum.). He_ wrote a book which 
 he intitlcd, " againil the execrable Bull of An^ 
 tichriil", meaning the Bull of his condemnation 
 by Pope Leo X : this book he concluded with 
 thefe words : " In the fame manner that they 
 " excommunicate me, I excommunicate them 
 " again". In another book, which he publiihed 
 in defence of the articles condemned by the 
 above-mentioned Bull, " Forbear ye, fays he, to 
 O 3 " make
 
 198 THE GENERAL HISTORT 
 
 " make war againft the Turk, until the name of 
 " the Pope be taken from beneath the Heavens : 
 " I have faid it". Ninnberlefs other inflances of 
 his violence and fury might be alledged. Such 
 was his Spirit of pride, that he made open pro- 
 feiTion of contempt for the authority of the 
 Church, Councils, and Fathers ; whilft he arro- 
 gated an infallibility to hirnfdf, and anathematized 
 all, whether Catholics or Proteftants, that differ- 
 ed from him. The ether Reformers imbibed 
 the fame hot Jieam^ that iffued out of the infer- 
 nal abyfs. They in confequence broached new 
 doctrines, which they propagated and defended 
 with fuch heat and vehemence, as to occafion 
 every where feditions and infurrections, which 
 they feemed to glory in. Their Patriarch' Lu- 
 ther openly boafted of it. tc You complain,- faid 
 " lie, that by our Gofpel the world is become 
 " tumultuous , I anfwer, God be thanked for it, 
 " thefe things I would have fo to be ; and \va 
 " to me, if fuch things were not". 
 
 And the Sun and tbe air were darkened 'with 
 the fmoak of the pit. (ver. 2.). The Spirit of 
 fedudtion, denoted by the fmoke of the pit, pro- 
 duced a multitude of erroneous doctrines, that 
 darkened the Light of Faith, fignified by the Sun, 
 and the purity of Morals, indicated by the Air. 
 The Light of Faith, which is the word of God, 
 may well be reprefented by the , the great 
 Luminary of the Univerfe, according to that of 
 Pfalm 1 1 8. v. 105. " Thy word, O Lord, is 
 *'- a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths". 
 And as the air is the fpring of man's refpiration 
 
 and
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN -CHURCH. 150 
 
 and life, it may be a juft type of Morality, which, 
 gives fpiritual life and worth to all human ac-. 
 tions. One principal defign of the Reformation 
 was, to free men from two troublefome reftraintSj 
 of iubjecting their underftanding to the myfteries. 
 of faith, and of being bound down in their ac- 
 tions to the ftrict laws of morality. The new 
 Teachers preached up a hitherto unheard of 
 " Evangelical liberty", as they fliled it^ by vir- 
 tue of which they were mafters to. model their 
 belief and practice, .as it fuited their inclinations. 
 In purfuance of this commodious doctrine they 
 difTected the Catholic Faith till they reduced it 
 to a mere Skeleton, they lopt off the Reality, of 
 the Body and Blood of Chrift in the Holy Eu- 
 charift, the Divine Chriftian Sacrifice offered in 
 the Mafs, Confeffion of Sins, moft of. the. Sacra : 
 ments, penitential exercifes, feveral of the Cano- 
 nical books of the Scripture, the Invocation of 
 Saints, Celibacy, moft of the General Councils of 
 the Church, and all prefent Church Authority.; 
 they perverted the nature of Juftification, affert- 
 ing that faith alone fuffices to .juftify man; they 
 made God the Author of Sin,, and maintained 
 the obfervance of the Commandments to be im- 
 poffible. 
 
 Thefe and other errors were taught, by moft 
 of the modern Reformers ; and they all agreed 
 in renouncing all fubmiiTion to the Church qf 
 Rome. 
 
 In this manner were the Sun and air darkened^ or 
 
 faith and -morality obfcured and perverted. For a 
 
 few fpecimens of Luther's doctrine, take the ,fo\r 
 
 O 4 lowing.
 
 200 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 lowing. " God's commandments are all equally 
 " impoffible". (De Lib. Chrift. T. 2. Fol. 4.). 
 " No Sins can damn a man, but only unbelief". 
 (DeCaptiv. Bab. T. 2. Fol. 171.). " God is juft, 
 " tho' by his own will he lays us under a ne- 
 " cefTity of being damned ; and tho' he damns 
 " thofe that have not deferved it." (Tom. 2. 
 Fol. 434 and 466.). " God works in us both 
 " good aad evil." (Tom. 2. Fol. 444.). " Chfift's 
 " Body is in every place no lefs than the Divi- 
 " nity itfelf." (Tom. 4. Fol. 37.). 
 
 Then for his darling principle of Juftification 
 by faith in his nth article againft Pope Leo, 
 he fays : " Believe ftrongly that you are abfolved 
 " and abfolved you will be, whether you have 
 " contrition or no". Again in his 6th Article : 
 " The contrition, that is acquired by examining, 
 " recollecting, and detefting one's fins ; whereby 
 *' a man calls to mind his life paft in the bit- 
 44 ternefs of his Soul, reflecting on the heinouf- 
 " nefs and multitude of his offences, the lofs 
 " of eternal blifs, and condemnation to Eternal 
 " woe : this contrition, I fay, makes a man a 
 " hyprocrite, nay even a greater fmner than he 
 " was before". Thus after the moft immoral 
 life, you have a compendious method of faving 
 yourfelf by fimply believing, that your fins arc 
 remitted through the merits of Chrift. As to 
 his fentiments in regard to the Pope, Biihops, 
 Councils &c ; Hear what he fays in the preface 
 to his book de alroganda Miffd privatd. " With 
 " how many powerful remedies and moft evident 
 " Scriptures have I fcarce been able to fortify
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 201 
 
 " my confcience fb, as to dare alone to contra-* 
 " diet the Pope, and believe him to be Ami- 
 " chrift, the Bifhops his Apoftles, and the Uni- 
 " verfities his Brothelhoufes". In his book de 
 judido Ecdejl<e de gravi doftrina : " Chrift takes 
 " from the Biihops, Doctors, and Councils, both 
 " the right and power of judging controversies 
 " and gives them to all Chriftjans in general' 5 , 
 Laftly, hear his modeft cenfure on the Council 
 of Conftance and thofe that compofed it. " All 
 " John Hufs's articles were condemned at Con- 
 " fiance by Antichrift and his Apoftles", (mean- 
 ing the Pope and Bifhops), " in that Synod of 
 " Satan made up of moft wicked Sophifters -, and 
 " you, moft holy Vicar of Chrift, I tell .you 
 " plainly to your face, that all John Hufs's con- 
 " demned doctrines are Evangelical and Chriftian, 
 " but all yours are impious and diabolical". 
 Many more inftances might be brought of this 
 Head-Reformer's extravagant opinions and afTer- 
 tions, but thefe may fuffice. 
 
 To enumerate the errors of all the Reformers 
 would exceed the limits of this work, I mall 
 therefore only add the principal heads of the 
 doctrine of Calvin and the Calvinifts. viz. i. Bap- 
 tifm is not neceffary for Salvation. 2. likewjfe 
 good works are not neccfTary. 3. Man has nc> 
 free will. 4. Adam could not avoid his fall. 5. 
 A great part of mankind are created to be damn- 
 ed, independently of their demerits. 6. Man is 
 juftified by faith alone , and that juftificaticn, 
 once obtained, cannot be loft, even .by the moft 
 atrocious crimes. 7. The true faithful are. alfo 
 
 infallibly
 
 202 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 infallibly cerrain of their falvation. 8. The Eu* 
 charift is no more than a figure of the Body and 
 Blood of Chrift. Thus was the whole fyflem of 
 faith and morality overturned. 
 
 The above mort expofal mews a palpable 
 reafon, why our modern Apoftles fet iuch a 
 value on their new difcovered principle of 
 ** Evangelical Liberty," as it opened to them 
 fo fpacious a lawn, in which they could range 
 at their eafe. The hardlhips of mortification, 
 the painful redactions of penance, were not to- 
 be admitted inti thefc Elyfian fields : the fen- 
 fual appetites claimed here their right of abode. 
 All Church-Authority was banifhed from this 
 realm of liberty. They profefied themfelves 
 judges of every thing relating to Religion, and 
 its foundations and fences they levelled at their 
 pleafure. Tradition they totally abolifhed -, and 
 though they could not reject the whole Canon 
 of the Scriptures, as being univerfally acknow- 
 ledged to be the word of God, they had how- 
 ever the prdumption to expunge fomc Books of 
 it, that did nut coincide with their own opinions ; 
 and the reft they affumed a right to explain as 
 they thought fit. Hence followed various arbi- 
 trary explications of the moft important texts, 
 which became fo many fountains that iffued out 
 troubled ftreams of doctrine. But this was a 
 natural conlequence. For,' if a man confults only 
 himfelf, his paflions and conceits v/ill certainly 
 dictate to him what may ferve for their own 
 gratification, and which muft of courfe contra- 
 dict
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 203 
 
 diet the doctrine of Revelation, \vhich tends to 
 bridle them. What wonder then, if the com- 
 ments and gloiTes of thefe new Interpreters have 
 fo much olfcured and disfigured the face of Re- 
 ligion ? Moreover, to compleat the work, and to 
 conciliate people's minds more eafily to their 
 innovations, they pretended to charge the old 
 doctrine with abfurclities and errors, as if Chrill 
 had fufFcred his Church to be totally eclipfed 
 and loft ; whereas he had told his Apoftles, and 
 m them their Succeffors, the Paftors of his 
 Church : Behold I am with you all days^ even to 
 ihe ccnfiiwmation of the world. (Matt/ xxviii. 20.) 
 But it plainly appeared that the objected abfur- 
 dities and errors had no reality, and v/ere no 
 more than mifreprefentations contrived on purpofe. 
 
 In this view how many notorious falfehoods 
 were publifhed, which are ftill kept up, con- 
 cerning the Catholic worlhip of Relicks and Ima- 
 ges, concerning Ccnfeffion of fins, Indulgencies, 
 Purgatory, &c ? And thus again they endeavour- 
 ed to throw a cloud over the face of the Catho- 
 lic Religion, From what has been feid it appears 
 rhen- fully, how the Sun and the air were darken- 
 ed with the fmoke cf the pit. 
 
 And from the fmoke of the pit there cr.r.zz 
 cut Lc cv.fi s upon the Earth, (ver. 3 ). From the 
 fmoke of the abyfs is generated a fwarm of Lo- 
 c lifts that difperfe themfeives over the Earth: the 
 meaning of which is, that the Spirit of feduc- 
 tion denoted by the fmoke of the abyfs, raifed up 
 a number of Sectaries or Reformers, as they 
 called themfelves, who fpread themfeives into all 
 
 pares
 
 204 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 parts of the Catholic Church. Luther was firft 
 intoxicated with this dclufive fpirit which pre- 
 iently after infmuated itfelf into Carlpftadius, 
 Zuinglius, Oecolampadius, Melancton, Bucer, 
 Muncer, Calvin, Henry VIII. of England, 
 Cr.-vnmer and many others. Being of the nature 
 of LocuftS) thcfe Reformers were unconnected, 
 acknowledged no fubordination among themlelves, 
 and even quarrelled with one another. They all 
 taught different doctrines, and fcarce agreed in 
 any other tiling, but in their endeavours to de- 
 ilroy the ancient faith, and corrupt the 
 Chriftian principles of morality. In this indeed 
 they jointly exhibited a vehement eagernefs equal 
 to the voracity of Locufts. " Heretics are com- 
 " pared to Locuils, fays St. Jerom, becaufe 
 " Locufts are a fpccies of Infects extremely hurt- 
 " ful to mankind, as they occafion famine, eat up 
 " the harveft, and even ftrip the trees and the 
 " vines." (in cap. 13. Ofee). The new Doc- 
 trines, being calculated to gratify the vicious in- 
 clinations of the human heart, diffufed themfelves 
 with the rapidity of an inundation. Frederic, 
 Elector of Saxony, John Frederic his Succeflbr, 
 and Philip Landgrave of Hefle became Luther's 
 difciples, and their refpeflive ftates followed their 
 example. Guftavus Ericus, King of Sweden, 
 and Chriftiern III, King of Denmark, declared 
 alfo in favour of Lutheranifm. It likewife got 
 footing in Hungary, and fpread itfelf by degrees 
 into Brandenburgh, Pomerania, Mccklenburgh, 
 Holftein, &c. Poland after tailing of a great 
 variety of doctrines, could pitch upon none, but 
 
 left
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 205 
 
 left to every individual the liberty of chufing for 
 himfelf. Four Cantons of Switzerland received 
 Zuinglius's Creed, at the Conference held at 
 Bern in 1528. Thefe Cantons afterwards making 
 alliance with Geneva, exchanged their doctrine 
 for that of Calvin. And now of the thirteen 
 Cantons, that compofe the ftates of Switzerland, 
 fix of them are Proteftant. Muncer, a Difciple 
 of Luther, deferting from his Matter, fet up for 
 Doctor himfelf, and with Nicholas Stork gave 
 birth to the feet of Anabaptifls, which was pro- 
 pagated in Suabia and other provinces of Ger- 
 many, in the Low Countries. &c. Calvin a 
 Man of a bold, obflinate fpirit, artful and in- 
 defatigable in his labours, in imitation of Lu- 
 ther commenced alfo Reformer. He procured 
 his new tenets to be received at Geneva in 1541. 
 After his death the fame doctrine was carried on 
 by his fucceflbr Beza, and it made its way into 
 feveral provinces of France, where its Profefibrs 
 obtained the appellation of Huguenots. It infi- 
 nuated irfelf into ibme parts of Germany, Hun- 
 gary, Bohemia, and became the eftabliihed Reli- 
 gion of Holland. Calvinifm was alfo imported 
 by John Knox into Scotland, where, under the 
 name of Prefbyterianifm, it took deep root, and 
 overfpread the whole face of that Kingdom. In 
 fine to fuch a degree prevailed the licentious fpi- 
 rit of dogmatizing, that every one thought he 
 had an equal right with Luther, Zuinglius, or 
 any other, to interpret the Scriptures and form 
 his own Creed. On this principle the different 
 Seels Iplit into a multitude of parties following 
 
 different
 
 U> THE GENERAL HISTORY c 
 
 different Heads, who every day. coined new .-Re* 
 ligions. Thus the body of Anabaptifts alone be- 
 .came divided into at leaft thirty two different 
 feels. By thefe divifions the principal Leaders 
 found themfelves fruftrated in the attachment of 
 their Profclytes, who upon every occafica left 
 them to follow new Teachers. Though this, de- 
 fection was no more than they themfelves had 
 given example of, in relinguifliing the faith of 
 their Anceftors and the Catholic Communion; 
 they were neverthelefs greatly mortified at it, and 
 publimed their complaints. Such was even the 
 cafe with Luther, the great Author and Patriarch 
 of the Reformation ; and he refented ib much 
 the freedom taken by Carloftadius, Cecolamp?.- 
 dius, and Zuinglius, in preaching a different 
 doctrine from his own, that he reviled them, ac- 
 cording to his cuftom, in the molt virulent 
 terms. Some time after, when the Reforming 
 fpirit had almoft reached its full growth, thus 
 wrote Dudithius, a learned proteftant Divine, in 
 his Epiftle to Beza. " What fort of people are 
 " our Proteflants, ftraggling to and fro, and car- 
 " ried about \vith every wind of doctrine, fometimcs 
 " to this fide, fometimes to that ? you may perhaps 
 " know what their fent.iments in matters of Religion 
 " are to day; but you can never certainly tell what 
 " they will be to morrow. In what article of 
 *: Religion do thofe Churches agree which have 
 " call off tlie BiOiop of Rome ? Examine all 
 " from top to bottom, and you will fcarce find one 
 " thing affirmed by one, which is not immediately 
 " condemned by . another for wicked doctrine." 
 
 The
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 207 
 
 The fame confufion of opinions was defcribed 
 by an Englifh Proteftant, the learned Dr. Wal- 
 ton, about the middle of the laft century, in his 
 Preface to his Polyglott, where he fays. " Arif- 
 " tarchus heretofore could fcarce find feven wife 
 " men in Greece : but with us, fcarce are to be 
 " found fo many Idiots. For all are Doctors, 
 " all are divinely learned; there is not fo much 
 " as the meaneft Fanatick or Jack-pudding, who 
 " does not give you his own dreams for the 
 "word of God." 
 
 But among the Reformed nations none drank 
 more deeply of the cup of error, than England. 
 .This country had been, during many centuries, 
 confpicuous in the Chriftian World for the or- 
 thodoxy of its belief, as alfo for the number of 
 Saints it had fent to Heaven. But by a misfor- 
 tune never to be fufficiently lamented, and by 
 an unfathomable judgment from above, its 
 Church fhared a fate which feemed the leaft to 
 threaten it. The luft and avarice of one defpo- 
 tic Sovereign threw down the fair Edifice, and 
 tore it off from the Rock on which it had 
 hitherto flood. Henry VIII, a: firft a valiant 
 afferter of the Catholic faith againft Luther, giv- 
 ing way to violent pafiions which he had not re- 
 folution to curb, renounced the fupreme Jurif- 
 di&ion which the Pope had always held in the 
 Church, prefumed to arrogate to himfelf that 
 power in his own dominions, and thus gave a 
 deadly blow to Religion. He then forced his 
 {ubjects into the fame fatal defection, and thus 
 opened the way to his fuccelTors to 'pour in up- 
 on
 
 2o3 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 v - s 
 
 on the Kingdom the whole Spirit of the Reforma- 
 tion. Once introduced, it foon overfpread the 
 land. Being, from its nature, limited by no fix- 
 ed 1 principle, but depending upon the arbitrary de- 
 termination of every private man, it has fmce ta- 
 ken a hundred different fhapes, in Proteftants, 
 Prcfbyterians, Anabaptifts, Quakers, Arians, Mo- 
 ravians, Hutchinfonians, Methodifts, and many 
 more. Such was the fwarm of Locufts that e- 
 dipfed the face of Religion, which had long 
 fhone fo bright in that Ifland. 
 
 In taking a general view of the infinite va- 
 riety of new Teachers that fprung up at this 
 time, jarring among themfelves, corrupting the 
 genuine fources of faith and morals, and delud- 
 ing their fellow-creatures with poifonous novelties, 
 one cannot help obferving with how great pro- 
 priety they had been long before defcribed by the 
 Apoftle St. Jude in the following manner. Tbefe 
 we Clouds without water, which are carried about 
 by winds ; Trees of the Autumn, unfruitful, 
 twice dead, -plucked up by the roots-, raging Waves 
 of the fea, foaming out their own confujj&n; wan- 
 dering Stars. (Ep. v. 12. 13.). They arc firft 
 compared to Clouds without water, or that pro- 
 mife water, but are carried about by winds with-' 
 out giving any ; that is, thefe new Teachers 
 promife genuine Apoftolical doctrine, which they 
 call Reformation, but it is mere deceit. They 
 are termed Autumnal trees, unfruitful, twice dead, 
 plucked up by the roots, that is, they are become 
 barren Chriftians, bringing forth no fruit, be- 
 caufe, like dead trees plucked up from the earth, 
 
 they
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 209 
 
 they are banifhed out of the Church, from which 
 they ought to receive their fpiritual life and 
 nourifhment. They are like the raging waves cf 
 the fea, foaming cut their confufwn , they are tur- 
 bulent, proud, rebellious againft their mother, 
 the Church, which they furioufly aflault with 
 (lander, calumny, and blafphemy. Laftly, like 
 wandering Stars, they wander about in mazes of 
 imaginary knowledge, patting from one error to 
 another, without knowing where to fix their 
 fteps. 
 
 And power was given to them (the Locufts), 
 as the fcorpions cf the earth have power, (ver. 
 3.). Thefe Locufts have peculiar qualities, 
 not to be found in the common Locufts, 
 They have the power of Scorpions, that is, a 
 power of ftinging. This allegory mews, that 
 the Reformed Sects, here fignified by the Locufts, 
 were impowered, by the Divine permiflion, to 
 fting, or violently to torment thofe of the Ca- 
 tholic Communion, whom they had left, and 
 againft whom they conceived and ftill retain a 
 rancorous animofity. 
 
 And it was commanded them (the Locufts) that 
 they Jhould not hurt the grafs of the Earth, 
 nor any green thing, nor any tree: but only the 
 men who have not the fign cf God on their fore- 
 heads, (v. 4.). The Locufts, or the Setts of 
 Proteftants are not allowed by Almighty 
 God to hurt, the grafs of the earth, that is, the. 
 whole body of the common Faithful ; nor every 
 green thing, as the greek and latin texts exprefs 
 it, that is, not all the vegetable greens that 
 P fhoot
 
 210 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 (hoot up higher than grafs, denoting the Prin- 
 ces, Magiftratcs, and others fuperior in dignity, 
 to the commonality; nor are they allowed to hurt 
 every tree, or all the Paftors with their Clergy. 
 In fhort, they are not permitted to pervert the 
 whole of any of the three different ciaiTcs 
 of the Faithful, namely, the Minifters of Reli- 
 gion or the Clergy, the Princes and perlbns in 
 civil dignity, and the common people. 
 
 The exprefiion however of all or every one in- 
 dicates that fome of all thefe forts will be cn- 
 fnared. In general,- th^y will not be allowed to 
 feduce any others of the Church's members, but 
 tbofe ivbo have net the fign of God en their fcrc- 
 hsads, that is, thofe who are not folidly fixed 
 in their faith and morals, but fuffer themfelves 
 to be influenced by their paffions, by worldly, 
 views or pleafures, and who confequently have 
 not courage to withftand the temptation, nor to 
 fight under the banner of Religion. Thefe have 
 not the fign of Gcd on tbeir foreheads: they cow- 
 ardly give up this Chara&eriftic fign^ the Crofs 
 of Chrift, with its perfecutions, fdf denials, and 
 mortifications; they go over to their enemies 
 who have feduced them, and from them learn 
 to have a horror of imprinting that falutary 
 mark on their foreheads, which was fo much 
 the practice of Antiquity, as Tertullian informs 
 us. u At every ftep, fays he, whenever we 
 " come in or go out, when we put on our 
 '* clothes or fhoes, when we walh, when we fit 
 " down to table, when we light a candle, when 
 " we go to bed we imprint on our foreheads 
 
 " the
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. .211 
 
 " the fign of the Crofs." (Lib. de Coron. 
 Milit. c. 3). 
 
 From the prc-fent text of the Apocalypfe un- 
 der our confederation it appears then that, tho' 
 Almighty God, in the unfearchable ways of his 
 Wifdom, allows the Proteftant Seels to have a cer- 
 tain degree of power, yet in his Goodnefs he puts a 
 bridle to this power, and prefcribes to it deter- 
 minate limits, left it mould over-run too great a 
 part of Chrifl's Kingdom. Hitherto Jhalt then 
 ccr.ie, and Jhalt go no further, and here tbou Jhalt 
 break thy fuelling waves. (Job. c. 38, v. .11.) 
 Mahometilm and the Greek Schifm had already 
 torn away a large body of the Catholic Com- 
 munity: but the Supreme Ruler of the Univerfe 
 had promifed, that his Church mould (land as 
 vifible as if feated on a mountain *, and that 
 Hell itfelf mould not prevail againft it f. Thele 
 affurances are a fecure bulwark to it, and tho* 
 the Sovereign Difpofer has permitted the new- 
 generated poifon of the prefcnt age to infect 
 ibme part of his Church, the greater part is 
 preferved. found and untainted, and mines forth 
 with brighter luftre to the world. Many large 
 countries rejected the Reformation, and ftedfaflly 
 adhered to the Ancient faith, and even in moft 
 of thofe Kingdoms, which adopted the innova- 
 tion, there are ft ill remaining, by the Providence 
 of God, fome that refufe to bow their knees to 
 Baal, and tho' few, like grapes remaining after 
 P 2 the 
 
 * Ifai. c. 2. v. 2. Dan. c. 2. v. 35, t Matt. c. 
 16 v. 18.
 
 ai-2 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 the vintage, they ftand as a teftimony againfl 
 the others who ought to have maintained the 
 fame truth with them. 
 
 Befides the above-mentioned particulars, we 
 ought not to overlook another check, which 
 has been put upon the efforts of the Reforma- 
 tion. While powerful Princes and great armies 
 undertook to propagate the Proteftant Religion, 
 the Almighty thought fit to interpofe, and gave 
 to the Catholic Powers fufficient ftrength to op- 
 pofe the invafion, and has ever fmce fupported 
 them in fuch manner as to make them a matcn 
 agairift their enemies. 
 
 And It xas given unto them (the Locufts), 
 'that they jhculd not kill them ; but that they 
 fljould torment them five months , and their torment 
 ^as as the torritw.t of a Scorpion when he ftrikes 
 a man. (v. 5.). Here is a fecond curb put 
 upon the power of the Reformed Societies. In 
 the laft article we faw, that their power of fe- 
 ducing others to embrace their doctrine was con- 
 fined to thofe who had not the fign of Gcd on 
 their foreheads, or who by their depravity or bad 
 diipofitions lay open to fuch feduclion. 
 
 Such was the extent of their power in the 
 Spiritual way. 
 
 Here the boundary of their temporal power 
 is fixed. 
 
 They are not permitted to kill them, that is, 
 utterly to deftroy and exterminate the Catholics. 
 
 In the firft heat of the Reformation fuch was 
 the violence of the Proteftants, that they breathed 
 nothing lets' thau war and deftruftion. In their 
 
 pro-
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 213 
 
 progrefs they murdered great numbers of the 
 Catholics, demoliflied their Churches and Monaf- 
 teries, and carried devaftation through the land. 
 But the Almighty in his Eternal Wifdom, had 
 refolved to reitrain their power, and by his 
 Apoftle St. John had long ago pubiimed his 
 Decree, contained in the prefent Text, that they 
 mould not proceed beyond fuch limits which lie 
 had iixed. Their expectations were confequently 
 frustrated, and they were obliged to fit down 
 with lefs extent of conqueft than they had grafped 
 in their thoughts. In a fimilar manner, Al- 
 mighty God had often permitted his favourite 
 people the Jews to be harraffed and opprefled 
 by the foreign nations their enemies, but he never 
 fufFered them to be extinguifhed. 
 
 In fine, experience (hews that, notwithstanding 
 the Proteftant Princes have taken fuch pains to 
 extirpate the Catholic Religion in their refpedive 
 States, they have not been able to compafs it. 
 The Catholics have been grievoufly opprefled, 
 and many even put to death : Neverthelefs, 
 though much reduced in fome of thofe countries, 
 by the divine protection they ftill there lubfift. 
 
 But it was given unto them (the Locuils), that 
 they foould torment them five months. The kind of 
 torment here meant, is exprefled in the fubfe- 
 quent words: And, their torment ivas as the tor- 
 ment of a Scorpion i^hsn he ftrikes a man. Certainly 
 a very fharp torment or pain, to be like that 
 occafioned by the fting of a Scorpion. This 
 comparifon fhews plainly that, though the power 
 of the Proteftants was limited by the Providence 
 P 3 of
 
 214 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 of God, they were never tjielefs allowed to mo- 
 left and bitterly persecute thofe of the Catholic- 
 Communion. They were reftrained, as we have 
 juft now feen, from exterminating the body of 
 the Catholics, but by their perfections, feditions, 
 and wars, they cut oft many, and the reft were 
 made to fuffer ' extreme hardfhips and miferies. 
 In thofe countries, where the Sovereigns em- 
 braced the Reformation, they generally feized 
 upon the Revenues of the Church, and thus 
 reduced the Clergy to the pinching anguifhes of 
 want. The bulk of the Catholics were forced 
 to adopt the Religion of their Princes, or fly 
 their native country, or in fine be doomed to lie 
 under the molt heavy oppreflion. Are not thefe 
 fufferings well compared to the fting of a Scorpion? 
 Befides, who is ignorant of the cruel perfecuting 
 laws, that were in thofe times enacted in moft 
 of the Proteftant States againft the Catholic Re- 
 ligion ? Among the reft, who is not acquainted 
 with the fevere laws of England and Ireland ? 
 They are fuch, as to be owned by thofe of their 
 own people who have a fenfe of humanity, to 
 be barbarous, to be a fcandal to the Chriftian 
 Religion, and a difgrace to civilized nations. In 
 confequence of thefe Statutes, how many perfons 
 have been ftript of their eftates? How many in- 
 dividuals have been imprifoned, banimed, even 
 put to death ? How many families have been 
 reduced to beggary, and ruined? Are not fuch 
 hardfhips and oppreffions to be deemed fevere, 
 and as acute in the pain they caiife, as the 
 flinging of a Scorpion ? 
 
 It
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 215 
 
 It is faid, this torture was to laft five months. 
 Here the Almighty prefcribes a term to that 
 great feverity, the Proteftants were permitted to 
 exercife againft the true fervants of God. This 
 term is five months, or 150 days, giving 30 
 days to every month, which way. of reckoning 
 by round numbers is ufual with the Prophets. 
 But it is to be obferved, that days in the Pro- 
 phetic Stile are fometimes ufed for years. Thus 
 it is in that celebrated Prophecy in Daniel of 
 feventy Weeks, or 490 days, underftood by all 
 the Interpreters to mean 490 years, which were 
 to run from the term mentioned in that Pro- 
 phecy to the death of Chrift the Mefliah. (Dan. 
 ix. 24.)- Another inilance of the fame way of 
 reckoning occurs in the book of Ezechiel, where 
 God fpeaks to that Prophet in this manner. 
 T'hcu JhaU take upon tbee the iniquity of the boufe 
 of Juda forty days. A day for a year, yea^ a 
 day for a year I have appointed to tbee. (Ezek. 
 iv, 6.) On this principle therefore, as the fpace 
 of five months, taken according to .the common 
 acceptation, gives too fhort a period to comprife 
 all the tranfadions mentioned in our text con- 
 cerning the Reformation, we fhall count 150 
 years for the 150 days contained in five months; 
 during which time the Locufts were ifnpowered 
 to fiing, that is, the Proteftants were allowed to 
 torment fo rigoroufly the Catholics. If then the 
 150 years be counted from the year 1525, about 
 which time thofe violences began to take place, 
 they will bring us to the year 1675. Some 
 part of the Hiftory of the Reformation relating 
 
 to
 
 2x6 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 to this period has been prefented to us in the 
 preceeding texts, and the reft will appear, as we 
 fhall prefently fee, in the fubfequent verfes of our 
 Prophetic Author. 
 
 And in thofe days men Jhall feek death, and 
 Jhall not find it: and they Jhall defire to die, and 
 death Jhall fly from them. (ver. 6.) Here is a 
 lively picture of the extreme miferies, that, the 
 Catholics fuffered in confequence of the violence 
 and fury, with which the Reformation was car- 
 ried on. And does not the Hiflory of thofe 
 times evince the truth of it? On one fide, many 
 finding themfelves rifled and ftript of all that 
 belonged to them, actuated by the fting of 
 fnifery, equal to that of the Scorpion, took up 
 arms to recover by force what they could not 
 hope for 'by any other means. The Poor and 
 DiftrefTed alfo, who received their fubfiftance from 
 the charitable and conftant liberalities of the 
 Monafleries, being deprived of all refource by 
 the diffolution of thofe Houfes, drew courage 
 from defpair, 
 
 Una falus victis nullam fperard falutem. 
 
 Virg. 
 
 Defpair of life, the means of living mews. 
 
 Dryd. 
 
 and fled to arms though unjuftifiably, and join- 
 ing with the others fought for death in battle, 
 father than die by hunger, though perhaps it 
 Was not their lot to find that death. 
 
 Likewife
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 217 
 
 Likewife how miferable was the condition of 
 of that multitude of Religious people of botli 
 Sexes, who were ejected from their hcufes, and 
 robbed of all their poffeflions ! They had aban- 
 doned the world, and confecrated themfelves to 
 God in folitary retreats. Unacquainted with ma- 
 nuul labour, and unaccuftomed to every art of 
 providing fubfiilence, -they folely attended to the 
 fervicc of God and to the preparing of them- 
 felves for another world, depending intirely for 
 the fupport of prefent life on the pious bene- 
 factions of thofe Perfons, who to promote the 
 Divine worlhip and all the heroic virtues of the 
 Chriftian Religion, had endowed thofe houfes 
 "with fuitable revenues. But now a ftorm, like 
 a hurricane, rofe and burft upon them. One 
 would have thought that an army of Goths or 
 Panes had invaded the land. The Reclufes 
 law themfelves affaulted by brutim Ruffians, and 
 forcibly driven out of their Sanctuaries. They 
 law their Churches violated, and together with 
 their houfes plundered and pulled down to the 
 ground. Thus were thofe ancient -nurieries of 
 piety and learning reduced to a heap of ruins^ 
 a lafting monument of the fpirit that guided the 
 Reformation. Such were the extravagancies of 
 ianaticifm and violence at that period, that not 
 a few were fcandalifed even of thofe who fa- 
 voured the change of Religion *. Thus for in- 
 
 ftancc 
 
 * See Stowe's Annals, Fuller's and Collier's Church 
 Hiflories.
 
 2 i8 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 fiance Sir John Denham, fpeaking of the de- 
 molition of Monafteries in England, cries out: 
 
 Who fees thefe difmal heaps, but will de- 
 mand, 
 
 "What barbarous Invader fack'd the land! 
 
 But when he hears, no Goth, no Turk, did 
 bring, 
 
 This delblation but a Chriftian King-, 
 
 When nothing but the name of zeal ap- 
 pears 
 
 'Twixt our beft actions, and the worft of 
 theirs, 
 
 What does he think our Sacrilege would 
 fpare, 
 
 Since thefe th* effects of our devotion are. 
 
 Cooper's hill. 
 
 Let us hear another Proteltant Writer: " En- 
 " gland fate weeping," fays Camden, " to fee 
 " her wealth exhaufted, her coin embafed, and 
 " her Abbeys demoliflied, which were the Mo- 
 " numents of ancient piety." (Introd. to the 
 Annals of Queen Eliz.) 
 
 By fuch inhuman proceedings a great number 
 of Religious Men and Women law themfelves 
 ftript of every commodity of life. They faw 
 themfelves expofed to the inclemency of the 
 weather, to the diftrelfes of want, to the infults 
 of an infolent populace worked up to enthu- 
 fiafm-, in fine they found themfelves turned out 
 into a wide world, without knowing which way 
 to direct their fteps. What wonder, if in this 
 
 deftitute
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 219 
 
 clefti cute forlorn condition they fhould rather de- 
 Jire to die, than drag on io wretched a life ? Had 
 the Executioner been fent inftead of a Commif- 
 fioner, and required the lives of all thofe who 
 refufed to facrifice their confcience to the new 
 Religion, they would have efteemed themfelves 
 happy in acquiring the Crown of Martyrdom. 
 But to be expofed to ail forts of temptations, 
 to lafting wretchednefs, and to fee the Church 
 of God trampled under foot,, were more cruel 
 afflictions to them than death. Thefe however 
 they were condemned to bear, and to be de- 
 prived of the bkfiing of giving up their lives. 
 1'bsy defired to die, end death fled from tbera. 
 
 And the Jhapss of the locv.jls were like unto 
 korfes prepared unto battle. (v. 7.). Here is 
 expreiTed the Spirit of iedition and rebellion, 
 that animated the Reformers and their Profe- 
 lytes. Luther proclaimed himfelf the Leader in 
 this as well as other articles of the new Difcipline, 
 and he levelled his firft attacks againft the 
 Church. He fet out with inveighing againft all 
 Church Government, he declaimed againft the 
 Clergy, and efpecially againft the Superiority of 
 the Pope, though but, a little before he had 
 profefied all obedience to him. Having gained 
 for Difciple and Protector, John Frederick, 
 Elector of Saxony, he kept no further meafures, 
 but declared open war againft the Bifhops and 
 the whole Ecclefiaftic Order. In his rage he 
 compofed a book on the fubject, in which he 
 faid : " All thofe, who will venture their lives, 
 " their eflates, their honour, jind their blood in 
 
 " fo
 
 220 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 " fo Chriftian a work, as to root out and de- 
 " flroy all Bifhopricks and Bifliops (who are 
 " the Minifters of Satan), and to pluck up by 
 " the roots all their Authority and Jurifdiction 
 " in the world; thefe perfons are the true Chil- 
 " dren of God, and obey his commandments.'* 
 (Contra datum Ecclefias et falfo nominatum or- 
 dinem Epiicoporum). Again in his book againft 
 Sylvefter Prieras : " If, fays he, we difpatch 
 " thieves by the gallows, highwaymen by the 
 " fsvord, heretics by fire; why do we not ra- 
 *' ther attack with all kinds of arms thefe 
 " Mailers of perdition, theie Cardinals, thefe 
 " Popes, and all this fink of the Romifh Sodom 
 " which corrupts without ceafing the Church of 
 " God, and warn our hands in their blood." 
 Thus preached the new Religion id, nor did he 
 ceafe, till he got the Bifliops expelled from 
 Saxony, and Hefie, and their authority extin- 
 guifhed. 
 
 Not content with having thrown off contemp- 
 tuoufly the Spiritual Authority of the Pope, the 
 Biihops, and of the whole Church, Luther next at- 
 tempted to fubvert the temporal power of Prin- 
 ces. The new Teachers totally differed from 
 the primitive Preachers of the Gofpel. Thefe, 
 during their whole miniftry, had before their 
 eyes the charge which Chrift gave to his Apo- 
 illes. Behold I fend you, faid he, as foccp in the 
 widft of wolves: (Matt. x. 16.) : Which they all 
 underflood as an order to preferve the meeknefs 
 and gentlenefs of /keep, whatever wolves or per- 
 fccutors they might meet with. And this rule 
 
 they
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 221 
 
 they invariably followed. But Luther, though at 
 firft he profefied an averfion to violence, find- 
 ing the way of patience did not fucceed, foort 
 altered his maxims. The Gofpel, he then faid, 
 (and the reft of the Reformers faid the fame 
 after him), the Gofpel has always caufed diftur- 
 bances, and blood is requifite for it's eftablilh- 
 ment. (De ferv. arb.). When therefore he had 
 done as much as he was able, to abolim the 
 Clergy, Canon Law, and the Univerfities, he 
 then proceeded to attack the Emperor and Tem- 
 poral Princes, both by his v/ritings and preach- 
 ing. " You muft know" faid he " that from 
 46 the beginning of the world to this day, it 
 " has ever been a rare thing to find a wife 
 " Prince-, but more rare to find one that was 
 " honeft: for commonly they are the greateft 
 46 fools and knaves in the world.'* (De Sa:cu- 
 lari Poteft.) Again -, " You muft know, my 
 " good Lords," laid he, " that God will have 
 " it fo, that your lubjedb neither cjn, nor will, 
 " nor ought any longer to endure your tyran- 
 44 nical governments." (Contra Rufticos). Nay 
 even he could not refrain from exprefllng the 
 fame contempt and rebellious difpofition towards 
 his own Patron and Protector John Frederick, 
 Elector of Saxony; having been flighted, as he 
 thought, by his Highnefs. " If it is lawful for 
 " me" fkid Luther, " for the fake of Chriftian 
 " liberty, not only to neglect, but to trample 
 " under my feet the Pope's Decrees, the Canons 
 " of Councils, the Laws and Mandates of the 
 ** Emperor himfelf, and of ail Princes-, think 
 
 " you,
 
 222 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 " you, I mall value your orders Ib much, a$ 
 " to take them for laws?" (contra Ambr. Ca- 
 tharin.) 
 
 Thefe forts of Leflbns found cafy entrance in- 
 to the minds of people, who had already drunk 
 plentifully of the Spirit of " Evangelical Liberty." 
 Their difpofitions were fourt-cl and worked up 
 by this inflamatory doctrine of their Mir.Hters to 
 fuch a degree, that they were ready for any en- 
 terprize of fedition and rebellion. Erafmus thus 
 defcribes them : I faw them come forth from 
 their Sermons " with fkrce looks and threaten- 
 " ing countenances," like men " that jufl come 
 44 from hearing bloody invectives and feditious 
 " fpeeches." Accordingly we found " thefe 
 " Evangelical people always ready to rife in 
 " arms, and equally as good at fighting as at 
 cc difputing." How different is this Spirit from 
 that of the firft ages of Chriftianity ! The 
 Faithful then learned from the Apoflles and 
 their" Succeffors no other doctrine, but the 
 doctrine of patience, humility, mceknefs, obe- 
 dience to the Sovereign Powers ; and thefe lef- 
 fons they invariably adhered to. They faid : 
 " Our hopes are not fixed on the prefent world, 
 " and therefore we make no refiftance to the Execu- 
 " tioner that comes to ftrike us." (S. Juftin. Apol. 
 2. ad Imper. Anton, pium.) They faid: " We 
 " adore one only God, but in all other things 
 " we chearfully obey you" (the Emperors). 
 (Ibid.). They faid again: " We Chriftians pray 
 " to God, that he may grant to the Emperors 
 " a long life, a peaceable reign, fafety at home, 
 
 " victorious
 
 OF- "THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 223 
 
 " victorious arms, a faithful Senate, virtuous 
 " fubjects, univerial peace, and every thing that 
 " a man and Emperor can defire." (Tertul. 
 Apol.). In fine, the heats occafioned by Luther's 
 feditious doctrine were fo much fomented and in- 
 creafed by his Difciples and other new Refor- 
 mers, that they foon kindled into a flame. The 
 Peafants in Germany rofe up in arms, flocked 
 together, and like borfes prepared unto war they 
 proceeded in a body, carrying devaluation through 
 the Provinces of Suabia, Franconia, and Al- 
 fatia, and ranfacked many of the Imperial towns. 
 The Ringleaders of this multitude chiefly com- 
 pofed of Anabaptifb were Muncer and Phif- 
 fer. Muncer pretended he had received from 
 God " the Sword of Gideon," in order to de- 
 pofe Idolatrous Magiftrates, and to compel the 
 world to acknowledge the new Kingdom of 
 Jefus Chrift. Thefe fanatic Infurgents in their 
 progrefs plundered and burned Churches, Mona- 
 fteries, and Caftles, killed Priefts, Monks, and 
 Noblemen. The Elector of Saxony and other 
 Princes, to put a flop to thefe diforders and de- 
 folation-, confederated together, and joining their 
 forces, cut off and diiperfed fome parties of the 
 Rebels, and defeated the chief body of them 
 at Frankhufen with great (laughter in 1525. 
 Muncer and Phiffer, the Chiefs, being taken, 
 were executed a few days after. 
 
 No part of the German Empire was free from 
 thefe tumults. The People were univerfally in- 
 toxicated with the notion of Reforming Religion, 
 and bent upon removing fuch Magittrates as 
 would not conform to their new Siftems. At 
 
 Erford
 
 214 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Erford they degraded and fccured all the Offi- 
 cers of the town. At Frankfort, after having pil- 
 laged the Churches, and baniflied the Clergy, 
 they expelled the old Senators, committed the 
 government of the City to twenty four Com- 
 moners, and made a new fet of laws compofed 
 from the do6trine of Luther. Their Brethren in 
 Cologne, Mentz, and Triers, had alfo taken up 
 arms for the fame purpofe, but failed in their 
 attempts. Such were the extremes of licentiouf- 
 nefs the people proceeded to at this period from 
 their new conceived notion of " Liberty", that 
 the Emperor Charles V. found it very difficult 
 to ftem the torrent, nor could he effectually 
 compais it till many years after. Thefe Tranf- 
 a-ftions may be feen more at large in Sleidan, 
 Cochlseus, and other Hiftorinns. 
 
 The Lutherans of Germany, who received the 
 name of Proteftants from their protefting againil 
 a Decree made in favour of the Catholic Re- 
 ligion in the Diet held at Spires in 1529, drew 
 up, in oppofition to it, their Confeflion of faith, 
 called the Augfburg-Confefiion, and entered into 
 a league cftenfive and defenfive at Smalkald 
 againfc the Emperor and Catholic Princes of 
 Germany. Luthfcr had founded the Trumpet of 
 war, and fet all Germany in a flame. The 
 Heads of this formidable league were, the 
 Electors of Saxony and Brandenburgh, the Land- 
 grave of He fie, the Dukes of Vv'ittemberg and 
 Lunenburgh, and the Prince of Anhalt. Allur- 
 ed by the boundlcfs liberty and enjoyment of 
 the Church-pofieflions. which they acquired by 
 
 the
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 225 
 
 the Reformation, they refoivcd to fecure them 
 by the point of the Sword. They therefore 
 aflembied troops, and brought into the field an 
 army of feventy thoufand men, commanded by 
 the Elector of Saxony snd the Landgrave of 
 He fife, and a hundred and twelve pieces of 
 Cannon. Some other German Princes, befides 
 the abovementioned, either joined them pcrfonally, 
 or fcnt them forces. They likewife received 
 fuccours from the Imperial* towns, of Augfburgh, 
 Ulm, Strafburg, and Frankfort. Thus they 
 were prepared to depofe the Emperor Charles 
 V, and to extirpate from Germany the Catho- 
 lic Faith, which had been the eftablilhed Reli- 
 gion of the Empire for many ages paft. The 
 Eyes of all Europe were intent upon the iiTue 
 of this war. The Emperor with a much fmailer 
 army marched with refolution againft them, en- 
 gaged them near the Elbe, and gained a com- 
 plete victory in 1547. The two Generals, the 
 Elector of Saxony and the Landgrave of Heffe, 
 were taken prifoners. Thus was the Catholic 
 Religion fecured in the Empire, and Protefbn- 
 tifm, though checked, kept it's ground. 
 
 A fimilar icene was acled in Switzerland, 
 where Zuinglius had introduced the Reformation, 
 as we have already related. The reformed Can- * 
 tons not content with having themfelves adopted 
 Zuinglianifm, would alfo force it upon the other 
 Cantons that remained Catholic. This occafioned 
 a war to enfue, and a battle was fought, in 
 which the Proteftants were defeated, and Zuin- 
 glits himfelf at their head (lain, in 1531. 
 
 Calvin's
 
 226 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Calvin's Reformation at Geneva begun by 
 ejecting the Prince Bifhop of* the place, and 
 tlifpoflefiing him of his Sovereignty and tem- 
 poral dominions. Calvin, who modelled the Hate 
 of Geneva, declared himlclf an enemy to Monar- 
 chical government, and ever commended the ad- 
 vantages of a Commonwealth. " They are," 
 laid he, " befide their wits, quite void of fenfe 
 " and underftanding, who defire to live under 
 46 abfolute Monarchies; for it cannot be, but 
 " that order and policy muft decay, where one 
 " man holds fuch an extent of Government." 
 (Comment, in Dan. c. 2. v. 39). By degrees he 
 exprefled more openly his averfion to Kings, and 
 endeavoured to clifgrace their Characters by the 
 moil fcurrilous abufe. " Thefe Kings," fays he, 
 " are in a manner all of them a fet of Block- 
 " heads, and brutifh men." (Ibid. c. 6. v. 3.) 
 Thus he trod upon the fteps, and imitated the 
 language, of his Forerunner Luther. Again, 
 44 Princes," lays Calvin, " forfeit their power 
 " when they oppofe God in oppofing the Re- 
 " formation-, and it is better in fuch cafes, to 
 " fpit in their faces, than to obey." (Ibid. c. 
 -6. v. 22.). What can be the purport- of fuch 
 doctrine, but to infpire a contempt for Sove- 
 reigns, and to encourage the people to cail off 
 their government, under the cloak of Religion? 
 
 Theodore Beza, Calvin's Scholar and Succef- 
 for at Geneva, fupported his Matter's doctrine, 
 and enforced it by his own writings, as may 
 be feen in the preface to his Tranflation of the 
 new Teftament; and again in his book, " Vin- 
 
 " dicia
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 227 
 
 u dicire contra Tyrannos," where he lavs: " We 
 tc mull obey Kings for God's Take, when they 
 " obey God;" but otherwife, " as the Vaflal 
 " lofes his fief or tenure, if he commit felony, fb 
 " does the King loie his right and realm allb," 
 thus fpeaks our modern Junius Brutus. In this 
 lame work may be feen a hundred other after- 
 tions of the fame nature, the natural tendency 
 of which can be no other, but to arm Subjects 
 againft their Sovereigns, and to introduce anarchy 
 and confuflion into the world. How different is 
 the doctrine of thefe two modern Apoftles from 
 that of the Ancient great Apoftles SS. Peter 
 and Paul ! Be ye fubject, fays St. Peter, to every 
 human Creature for God's fake: whether it be to 
 the King, as excelling: or to Governors, as fent 
 by him for the punljhment cf evil Doers, and for 
 the praife of the Good. (Ep. i. c. 2. v. 13, 14). 
 Let every Soul, fays St. Paul, be fubjett to higher 
 powers: for there is no power, but from God: 
 and tbofe that are, are ordained cf God. There- 
 fore he that refijls the power? reftjls the ordinance 
 of Gcd. And they that refift, purchafe to them- 
 fehes damnation. (Ep. ad. Rom. xiii. i. 2.) 
 
 Geneva having fettled the plan of her prin- 
 ciples according to the inftructions of Calvin 
 and Beza, became a fchool of rebellion to the 
 weflern parts of Europe, and the principal nur- 
 fery of the civil wars in France. This Country 
 loon found it's bowels convulfed by the poifon- 
 ous feeds of th Reformation, that had clan- 
 deftinely been fown and taken deep root, in 
 Dauphine, Gafcony, Languedoc, and other pro- 
 2 vinces.
 
 228 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 vinces. In 1560. the Calvinifts or Huguenots 
 formed what is called " the Conipiracy of Am- 
 " boife," which was a fcheme to feize the per- 
 Ibn of Francis II, King of France, and to mur- 
 der the Duke of Guile and his Brother the 
 Cardinal of Lorrain, who had the chief manage- 
 ment of affairs in the kingdom, and were at- 
 tached to the Catholic Religion. They had 
 prepared a body of troops for the purpofe-, but 
 the plot was clifcovered, and prevented from 
 taking effect. However a civil war broke out 
 in 1562, in which the Prince of Conde was 
 declared Chief of the Huguenots. This Great 
 General at the head of a body of them furpri- 
 fed and took the city of Orleans, while other 
 Proteftant corps made themfelves matters of 
 Rouen and feveral other towns. But the Con- 
 ftable Montmorency and the Duke of Guife ad- 
 vancing againft them at the head of the Catho- 
 lics, for Charles IX who had fucceeded Francis 
 II, a battle enfued near the town of Dreux, in 
 which the Huguenots, who gave the attack, were 
 defeated, and their Commander, the Prince of 
 Conde, taken prifoner. 
 
 Though the Proteftants had thus mifcarried in 
 their ijebellion againft their Sovereign, yet Beza, 
 who for his warmth in the caufe had accom- 
 panied them, and been prefent at the battle of 
 Dreux, boafted of that battle, as having lerved 
 to lay the foundation of the Reformation in 
 France. Thus he addrefled Queen Elizabeth in 
 the Preface to his translation of the New Tefta- 
 ment : " Upon which day" (the day of the 
 
 battle
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 229 
 
 battle at Dreux) " two years fmce, the Nobi- 
 " lity and Gentry of France, under the coni- 
 " niand of his Excellency the Prince of Conde, 
 " being afiuled with your iVIajefty's auxiliary 
 " troops, and fome others from the Princes of 
 " Germany, laid the firft foundation of the . true 
 " Reformed Religion in France, with their own 
 " blood," He in the fame place commends the 
 rebellious transactions of the Huguenots at 
 Mcaux, Orleans, &c, and glories in having had 
 a (hare in them. " Which I ipeak", fays he, 
 " the more freely, becaufe I myfelf, as it pleaf- 
 " ed God, was prefent at molt of thole deli- 
 " berations and actions." 
 
 The year after the battle at Dreux, the Duke 
 of Guiie was arTaiiinated by Poltrot, a fanatic 
 Calviniit. Notwithstanding the bad fuccefs the 
 Huguenots had met \vith, they refolved not to 
 reft, till they mould compel the King to come 
 into their own terms. They therefore contrived 
 another fcheme to feize his peribn, on his go- 
 ing from Ivieaux to Paris. But the defign be- 
 ing dilcovercvl and frustrated, the civil war re- 
 commenced, and they were vanquiflied a tecond 
 time near St. Dennis in 1567. They were 
 worfted again at Jarnac in 1569, and the fame 
 year were overthrown in a very bloody engage- 
 ment at Moncontour. 
 
 ' Many were the Infurretftions and Rebellions 
 of the Calvinifts in France in the fubfequent 
 reigns, which created infinite perplexities to the 
 Kings, and produced inexpremble calamities in 
 that kingdom. It is fufficient in this place to 
 
 have
 
 230 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 have fhewn their origin from the principles of 
 the Reformation, and their firft progreis. And 
 what has been laid, is no more than is acknow- 
 ledged by Proteflants themfelves of other fec~ts. 
 Thus are the Calvinifts defcribed by Dr. Heylin, 
 a learned Proteftant of the Church of England, 
 in his Cofmography, book I: " Rather than 
 " their Difcipline mould not be admitted, and 
 " the Epifcopal Government deftroyed in all 
 " the Churches of Chrift, they were refolved to 
 " dcpofe Kings, ruin Kingdoms, and to fubvert 
 " the fundamental Conftitutions of all civil 
 " ftates." When people proceed upon fuch 
 fchemes of violence, can they wonder, that 
 Princes or their Officers in their wrath fome- 
 times retaliate upon them? Violence nccefiarily 
 gives provocation, which in it's turn exerts it- 
 fell, though perhaps by unjuftifiable methods. 
 When Sovereigns perceive their lives to be in 
 danger from Confpiracies, when they fee their 
 ftates ranfacted, and thrown into confufion by 
 the arms of rebellious Subjects, can we be fur- 
 prifed if thefe Sovereigns, without confulting Re- 
 ligion, fometimes repel the evil by rough and 
 cruel means? Such was the fo much talked of 
 mafiacre of the Huguenots, at Paris and other 
 places in France in 1572, on St. Bartholomew's 
 day in the reign of Charles IX. 
 
 The Maflacre alfo of the Proteftants in Ire- 
 land in 1641, has been often objected againft 
 the Catholic Church. W T hen people are driven 
 to defpair by excefftve hardlhips and opprefiion, 
 and even threatened with utter extirpation, what 
 
 wonder 

 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 231 
 
 wonder if an infurrecYion follows? Such was the 
 Gale with the Irifli Catholics. The Infurgents 
 even were not the body of Catholics ; they were 
 no more than an exafperated rabble in the Pro- 
 vince of Ulfter, who acted againft the inclina- 
 tion of the community, and in oppofition to the 
 exhortations of their Clergy , and indeed all fuch 
 violences are utterly condemned by the Catholic 
 Doctrine. It is alfo clear from authentic records 
 and teflimonies, that this Maffacre has been ex- 
 ceedingly exaggerated, and that not one hundredth 
 part of the number were murdered, that were 
 reported. Thefe particulars are proved at length' 
 by a learned Proteftant Writer of the kingdom 
 of Ireland in a boo.k intitled : "The trial of 
 
 the Caufe of the Roman Catholics. Dublin, 
 
 1761. 
 
 The Nature of Calvinifm being fo oppofite to 
 the Catholic Religion, it produced in it's pro- 
 felytes a rancorous averiion to every thing be- 
 longing to the latter communion. The conle- 
 quence of this could be no other, when once 
 they had arms in their hands, but to ipread 
 dclblation, and exercife cruelties upon thole whofe 
 Religion they hated. And fuch was the real fact. 
 It is impoflible to read the Hiftory of the Cal- 
 vinifts, without being mocked at the diforders 
 and barbarities committed by them. It is com- 
 puted, that in the courfe of thofe wars, they 
 dcftroyed twenty thoufand Churches. In the Pro- 
 vince of Dauphine only, they killed two hun- 
 dred and fifty-fix Priefts, and one hundred and 
 twelve Monks and Friars, and burnt nine hun- 
 
 dred
 
 232 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 dred towns and villages. If the maxims of Cal- 
 vinifm warranted fuch proceedings, could it's 
 Gofpel be the Gofpel of Chrift ? 
 . As Beza had been the chief Inftrument of 
 propagating Calviniim in France, and a great 
 agent in fomenting the feditions and' combuf- 
 tions it occafioned in that, country , in like man- 
 ner Knox, another Difciple of Calvin, carried 
 the fame doctrine into Scotland, where he planted 
 it by fedition and rebellion, by fire and fword. 
 He, Buchanan, Goodman, and other affociates, 
 having confulted together, agreed to reform the 
 Church of Scotland according to the Standard 
 of Geneva. When a fufficient party was formed, 
 they began their work of reformation by mur- 
 dering Cardinal Beaton in 1546, the principal 
 fupporter of the Catholic Religion. Knox har- 
 rangued the people, declaimed againft the an- 
 cient faith and Clergy, and inflamed the mul- 
 titude to that degree of rage, that they imme- 
 mediately ran to the Churches, overturned the 
 Altars, defaced the pictures, broke to pieces the 
 Statues, carried off the Ornaments, and then pro- 
 ceeded againft the Monafteries, which they almoft 
 laid level with the ground. This fort of work 
 Knox carried on in different parts of Scotland. 
 In a little time thefe Fanatics, who were ftilecl 
 Prefbyterians, finding themfelves grown numerous, 
 rofe up, like bcrfes prepared unto battle? in rebel- 
 lion againft the Queen Regent, and bringing ar- 
 mies into the field committed horrible diforders. 
 They were fupported by Queen Elizabeth of 
 England j and having convoked a general affem- 
 
 bly
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 23-3 
 
 Wy of the parn% they concluded, conformably 
 to the opinion of Knox who declared it lawful, 
 to depofe the Quten Mother from, her Regency. 
 After her death, which happened in the year 
 1560, Queen Mary being then in France, they 
 enacted a Law, by the infdgation of Knox, pro- 
 hibiting the exercifc of the Catholic Religion in 
 Scotland. They got this law afterwards con- 
 firmed by a Parliament in 1567, and they ex- 
 cluded the Queen from all government. The 
 fucceeding calamities, whirh this unfortunate 
 Queen and her kingdom fuftained from that ic- 
 ditious let of people, who were grown too ftrong 
 to be controlled, are too well known to need 
 any relation. It is equally notorious that the 
 foirit of Prefbyterianifm, at firft confined to the 
 north, infmuated itfelf by degrees into the neigh- 
 bouring kingdom of England, where it foon crea- 
 ted divifions among the people, and railed fuch 
 commotions, as in the end overturned the fhte, 
 and brought a King to the block. The world 
 lias too much experienced, th.it Kings, Queens, 
 Bifhops, and Pricfts could never be allowed a 
 (hare in their friendfhip. 
 
 Lutheranifm having infinuated' itfell' into the 
 Netherlands, feveral (bates of that country con- 
 federated together at Utrecht in 1578, and a- 
 greed to twenty articles, as the foundation of 
 their Union, the firft of which was, to uipport 
 one another " no-ainft all force that mould be 
 
 O 
 
 " exercifed upon them in the king's name, or 
 ** for Religion." This league v/as confirmed . at 
 the Hague under the Airfpices of die Prince, of 
 
 Orange
 
 234 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Orange in 1581. The fcheme was, to renounce 
 all obedience to their liege-Lord the King of 
 Spain, and to withdraw themfelves intirely from 
 his power j which they did by a public Edict. 
 Purfuant to this, they proceeded to break the 
 King's Seals, to pull down his arms, to take pof- 
 leflion of his lands and rents, and to coin mo- 
 ney in their own names. With the fame 
 ufurped Authority they feized the Church-livings, 
 and abolifhed the Catholic Religion. Such were 
 the fteps taken under the ftandard of Luther- 
 anifm, but when the Calviniftical Doctrine got 
 footing, the flame fpread with the utmoft vio- 
 lence. The people, regardleis of all laws by 
 which they were bound to their Sovereign, 
 take up arms and mutiny every where againil 
 his Magiftrates. The Churches are plundered, 
 the Religious Men and Women are expelled by 
 force from their Monafteries, which are rifled and 
 pulled down. To quell thefe rebellious infur- 
 rections and to put a ftop to thefe deforders, 
 Philip King of Spain, to whom the low coun- 
 tries belonged, fen: a body of Spanifh forces 
 under the command of the Duke of Alva. A 
 bloody war enfued, in which the Prince of 
 Orange was the chief Director of the affairs of 
 the Confederates. The Duke reduced ten of the 
 revoked Provinces to their former obedience and 
 fubjection to the King of Spain ; but feven 
 others, fmce ftiled the " United Provinces," 
 found means to maintain their ground againft 
 the Spanifli efforts, and formed themfelves into 
 
 an
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 235 
 
 an independant Common-wealth, the only govern- 
 ment that Calviniim admits of. 
 
 In England, Denmark, and Sweden, the Re- 
 formation was introduced by the Kings them- 
 felves, who compelled their fubjects to receive it. 
 Thus ufhered in by the fupreme temporal pow- 
 er, it flood in no need of infurrections, and tu- 
 mults, among the people, to gain admittance: 
 the fword and authority of the Prince performed 
 the whole function. Thofe Individuals, who 
 dared to continue in the practice of the Ancient 
 Religion, were declared traitors to their fovereiga, 
 and rebels to the ftate. 
 
 Thus much may be fufficient for the expla- 
 nation of our text, that the Shapes of the Lo- 
 cufts were like unto horfes prepared to battle. 
 
 And en their heads (the heads of the Locufts) 
 w&re as it were Crowns like gold. (v. 7.). The 
 Locufts bore upon their heads fomething that 
 relembled Crowns, which Crowns appeared to 
 be of Gold. This allufion points at the pride 
 and prefumption of the new Sectaries, who af- 
 fumed to themfelves the high function of preach- 
 ing the Gofpel, without having any lawful mil- 
 lion ; they pretended to be the true Minifters 
 of God, without fhewing any credentials from 
 him , th^y let up for Apoftles of Chrift, but 
 could not produce his commiilion. Luther {tiled 
 himfelf " by the 1 grace of God Ecclefiaftes or 
 " Preacher of Wittemberg." (Epift. ad falfo no- 
 minat. Epif.). He treated with the utmoft con- 
 tempt the Pope and the Bifhops, as we have 
 already feen. As to the Fathers of the Church, 
 
 he
 
 236 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 he faid " they were all blind." (lib. de ferv. 
 Arbit.) And " He concerned not himfflf what 
 " Ambrofe, Augufrin, the Councils, or practice 
 " of ages faid." (lib. contra Regetn Anglke.). 
 Then he boafted of his own merits : " The Gof- 
 ** pel, fays he, has been fo fully preached by 
 " us that even in the ti.ncs of the Apoilles it 
 " was not fo well understood." (Serm. de Evcrs. 
 Jerufalem.}. In this manner Luther fet a Crown 
 upon his own head, and the. whole troop of Re-' 
 formers after him crowned themfelves in the 
 fame manner. Such Crowns^ the work of lelf- 
 conceit and arrogance, could not be real crowns, 
 but only c.s it wcrs croons, that is, the mere 
 appearances of fuch. 
 
 It was fiid of the Apoftles of Chrifl : T'bou 
 Jhalt eftabiijb them Princes over all the Earth. 
 (Pfalm 44. v. 17). The converfion of number- 
 lefs nations to Chrift by their miniftry had 
 merited to them the title of Princes and the 
 right of wearing Crowns. The Reformers claim- 
 ed the lame honours. But the Crowns of the 
 Apoftles were of pure gold^ becaufe their doc- 
 trine, which flowed from Chrifl the fource, was 
 pure and genuine. Whereas the doctrine of our 
 modern Apoftles, being derived from no other 
 fource but their own invention, and being con- 
 trary to the doctrine preferved in that Church 
 which was planted and formed by the primitive 
 Apoftles -, fuch new-devifed doctrine, I fay, can 
 be nothing elfe but error and delufion, and 
 confequently their apparent Crowns are not of 
 pure but of counterfeit gold 9 or as the text ex- 
 
 preifes
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 237 
 
 prefies it, they are like to gold, or really mere 
 
 unfel. Thefe Crowns 'on their heads alfo mew 
 
 clearly their general fpirit of independency. 
 
 And tbcir faces (the faces of the Locufb) were 
 as the faces of men. (v. 7). The Locufts ap- 
 peared to St. John with faces of men. Here 
 is marked out the delufive appearance of the 
 modern Sectaries. They pretended that Faith 
 had been adulterated, and that the Morals of 
 mankind were guided by erroneous principles. 
 They therefore affumed the province of rectify- 
 ing both, by preaching up a " Reformation". 
 For this purpofe thefe " Reformers" framed 
 new fyilems of Religion. They propofed each 
 of them their own Creed for fettling the arti- 
 cles of belief, and a new plan of Morality for 
 the direction of human actions. All this was 
 deyifed, as they alledged, to correct the defects 
 and errors of the Catholic doctrine. Thus they 
 put on the faces of Men, that is, they announ- 
 ced themfelves as Teachers of orthodox and holy 
 doctrine : and by this means they deluded thofe 
 ixho had not the fign of God upon their foreheads, 
 that is, the carelefs and vicious. But it foon 
 appeared that thefe faces of men were no more 
 than vifors refembling human faces, that the 
 fpecious name of " Reformation" was only a 
 mafk made ufe of to infill their treacherous 
 doctrine with more eafe and fubtlety. The 
 mafk was foon removed, and their doctrine, 
 when applied to the true Criterion, was evidently 
 difcovered to be falfe. It difagreed with that 
 which Chrift had depofited with his Apoflles, 
 
 and
 
 238 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 and which he charged them to impart to trie 
 reft of mankind; at the fame time afiuring them 
 and their Succefibrs that, in order to enable 
 them t> execute their commiflion with fidelity, 
 bz would himfelf be with them to the end of the 
 world: (Matt, xxviii. 20.) And that ths Spirit 
 of truth Jkould abide with them for ever. (John 
 xiv. 1 6. 17). That the new-invented maxims 
 were of bad tendency, the effects foon proved. 
 Inftead of a Reformation, they produced a 
 general licentiouihefs. This appeared in the fe- 
 ditions, infurrecliions, and violences committed 
 on all fides. Complaints were alfo heard from 
 all quarters, of exceffive loofenefs of manners. 
 The Lutheran Magiftrates of . feveral Imperial 
 cities in Germany petitioned the Emperor, Charles 
 V, to re-eftablifti by his authority Auricular Con- 
 fcflion, as a check upon the then prevailing 
 libertinifm. And indeed it was highly probable, 
 that from the pretended " Chriilian Liberty' r 
 which was then preached, a deluge of vice would 
 have diffuied itfelf, had not the civil Power ilept 
 in to Item it. The Reformers themfelves were 
 fo ailiamed of the progrefs of immorality among 
 their Profelytes, that they could not help com- 
 plaining againfl it. Thus fpoke Luther: " Men 
 " are now more revengeful, covetous, and li- 
 " centious, than they were ever in the Papa- 
 " cy." (Poftil. fuper Evang. Dom. i. adv.) 
 Thus again : " Heretofore, when we were fedu- 
 " ced by the Pope, every man willingly perform- 
 44 ed good works : but now no man fays or knows 
 " any thing elfe, but how to get all to him- 
 
 " felf
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 239 
 
 " felf by exactions, pillage, theft, lying, ufury, 
 " &c." (Poftil. iupcr Evang. Dom. 26. poft 
 Trin:). Calvin wrote in the lame ftrain: " Of 
 " fo many thoufands," faid he, " who, renoun- 
 " cing Popery, feemcd eagerly to embrace the 
 " Gofpel, how few have amended their lives? 
 " Nay, what elie did the greater part pretend 
 " to, but by making off the yoke of fuper- 
 " ftition, to give themfelves more liberty to fol- 
 " low all kinds of Licentiouihefs." (lib. de 
 Scandalis). Others of the German Reformers 
 repeated the fame reproaches. But have thofe a 
 right to complain of an inundation, who have 
 themfelves cut open the banks of the river? Dr. 
 Heylin, in his hiftory of the Reformation com- 
 plains alfo of " the great increafe of viciouf- 
 nefs" in England in the reforming reign of 
 Edward VI. Erafmus, though no zealous ad- 
 vocate for the Catholics, could not help obfer- 
 ving the degeneracy of Morals brought on by 
 the change of Religion : " Take a view," fays 
 he, " of this Evangelical People" (the Proteft- 
 
 ants) " Perhaps 'tis my misfortune-, but I 
 
 " never yet met with one, who does not appear 
 ** changed for the worfe". (Epift. ad Vultur. 
 Neoc.). And again: " Some perfons", fays he, 
 " whom I knew formerly innocent, harmlefs and 
 " without deceit, no fooner have I feen joined 
 " to that fed" (the Proteftants) " but they be- 
 ** gun to talk of wenches, to play at dice, to 
 " leave off prayers, being grown extremely 
 " worldly, moft impatient, revengeful, vain, like 
 
 " Vipers tearing one another. 1 fpeak by 
 
 " Expe-
 
 4 o THE GENERAL BISTORT 
 
 " Experience". ( Ep. ad Fratres infer. Ger- 
 manise). 
 
 - And they (the Locufts) had hair as the hair 
 of Women, (v. 8.). In ddcribing the heads of 
 the Locufts, from the fore-part or the face 
 which reiembled that of man, St. John proceeds 
 to the back-part, which is found covered with 
 bair like ivovis-ifs hair. This latter allufion, un- 
 happily for the Sectaries, betrays too plainly their 
 Icnfual diipofition towards that Sex, their ihame- 
 ful doctrine on that fcore, and the fcandalous 
 example of their practice. Luther, in defpite of 
 the Vow he had folemnly made to God of keep- 
 ing Continency, married, and married a Nun, 
 equally bound as himielf to that Sacred Religious 
 pr-omife. But as St. Jerome fays, " it is rare 
 " to find a Heretic that loves Chaftity." Lu- 
 ther's example had indeed been anticipated by 
 Carloftadius, a Priefl and Ringleader of the Sa- 
 cramentarians, who had married a little before; 
 an4 it was followed by moil of the Heads of 
 the Reformation. Zuinglius, a Pried and chief 
 of the Seel: that bore his name, took a wife. 
 Bucer, a Religious man of the Order of St. 
 Dominick, became Lutheran, left his Cioiiter, 
 .and married a Nun. Oecolampadius, a Brigittin 
 Monk, became Zuinglian, and alto married. 
 Cranmer, Archbifhop of Canterbury, had alfo 
 his wife. Peter Martyr, a Canon Regular, cm- 
 .braced the doctrine of Calvin, but followed the 
 example of Luther, and married a Nun. Ochin, 
 .General of the Capuchins, became Lutheran, 
 .and alfo married. Thus the principal Leaders 
 
 in
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH i 4 t 
 
 >n the Reformation went forth preaching the 
 new Gofpel, with two marks upon them, Apof- 
 tacy from Faith and open violation of the moft 
 Sacred Vows* The Pafilon of luft, it is 'alfo 
 well known, hurried Henry VIII of England 
 into a feparation from the Catholic Church, and 
 ranked him among the Reformers. 
 
 As Luther forelaw the fcandal, that would 
 rile from his own and fuch like facrilegious 
 marriages, he prepared the world for it, by' 
 writing againft the Celibacy of the Clergy, and' 
 againft all Religious Vows. He proclaimed that 
 all fuch Vows " were contrary to faith, to the 
 *' Commands of God, and to Evangelical liberty." 
 (De votis Monaft.). He faid again : ** God dif- 
 " approves of fuch a vow" (of living in conti- 
 " nency) " equally as if 1 fhould vow to be- 
 " come the mother of God, or to create a new 
 " world." (Ep. ad Wolfgang. Reifemb,). And 
 again: " To attempt to live unmarried, is plain- 
 " ly to fight againft God." (Ibid.). How does 
 inch doctrine agree with the commendations our 
 Saviour gives to Celibacy, when fpeaking of it 
 he fays : All men take not this word, but they to 
 \vbom it is given? (Matth. xix. n.): Or with 
 the advice of St. Paul, who being himfelf unmar- 
 ried, faid: / fay to the unmarried and widows \ 
 it is good for them if they fo continue, even as L 
 (i Cor. vii. 8.). And this has been pracYifed 
 through all the ages of Chriftianity. But when 
 Men give a loofe to the depravity of nature, 
 what wonder if the moft fcanclalous practices 
 enfue? Accordingly, befides what has been above 
 R mentioned
 
 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 mentioned, a Unking inftance of this kind ap- 
 peared in the Licence granted in 1539 to Phi-." 
 lip, Landgrave of -Heife, to have two wives at 
 once : which licence was figned" by Luther, Me- 
 lancton, Bucer, and five other divines. On ano- 
 ther hand a wide door was laid open to- another ' 
 fpecies of Scandal. The doctrine of the Re- 
 formation admitted divorces in the marriage (late 
 in certain cafes, contrary to the doctrine of the 
 Gofpel, and even allowed the Parties thus fepa- 
 rated to marry other wives and other hufbands. 
 
 And their teeth (the teeth of the Locufts) 
 ivere as cf lions, (v. 8.)- In- the preceding ay- 
 tick we had a figure of the Incontinency of .the- 
 Reformers, here we are prefented with a fymbol 
 of their Avarice. It was not fufficient to have 
 named them Locufts^ and to intimate their rave- 
 nous temper by die greedineis of thofe infects : 
 They are here reprefented with Ueth of Lhas^ 
 ready to devour with violence whatever prey 
 they can come at. What is more known tharr 
 the truth of this representation ? Did not the 
 Proteflants, wherever they got footing, pillage 
 the Churches, feize the Church-pofieflions, deflroy 
 the Monafteries and appropriate to themfelves the 
 revenues ? Such was the cafe in Germany, in 
 Holland, in France, in Switzerland, in Scotland, 
 as we have feen in relating the Proteftant wars 
 in thofe countries. In England likewife what a 
 fcene of Rapine ! Without clefcending to a detail 
 of particulars, it may be fufficient to fay, that 
 in die reign of Henry VIII. were fuppreffed no 
 kfs than 645 MonoA cries, 90 Colleges, no Ho 
 
 pitals - '
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 243 
 
 pitals, and of Chantries and free Chapels 2374, - 
 (Eater's Chron.) ; the lands and revenues of all 
 whih were connfcated to the King. Is not this, 
 to devour with Lycns teeth? The fame courfe 
 cf rapine was carried on under Edward VI. 
 which fwept away what remained from the pre- 
 ceding reign. Dr. Heylin in the Preface to his >j 
 hiftory of the Reformation fpeaking of this Prince 
 and his reign, fays : " Such was the rapacity 
 " of the times, and the unfortunatenefs of his- 
 " condition, that his minority was abuied to 
 " many acts of fpoil and rapine, even to an 
 " high degree of Sacrilege, to the raifmg of 
 " fome, and the enriching of others, without : - 
 " any manner of improvement to his own Ef- ' 
 " tate." The hungry Courtiers began their Sa- 
 crilegious rapine, by plundering the Images and 
 Shrines of the Saints, and feizing upon the Or- 
 naments, plate, and Jewels of the Churches. 
 Thefe fpoils not being fufficient to glut their 
 Leonine avidity, they invaded the Biihoprics, 
 which they dripped of many of their pofiefilons. 
 The detail of all which may be feen in the above- 
 mentioned hiftory of Dr. Heyiin. 
 
 In Sweden Guftavus Erickfon introduced the 
 Lutheran Reformation, and feized the Church- 
 lands and revenues, leaving the Clergy but a 
 flender maintenance. The fame did Chriitiern III, 
 King , of Denmark, in his Dominions. Thus, 
 robbing peoph of their property, demolifhing 
 their habitations, public buildings, &c. which 
 violences in all civilized countries are pnnifhed 
 with death, were in the courfL of the." Reforma- 
 R 2 tion
 
 244 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 tion practifed with impunity ; and the perpe- 
 trators. gratified their avarice, which they mafked 
 \vith the pretended vindication of Religion. The 
 Tefuiments of the Dead, which even among 
 Heathens are facred, were, in thefe times con- 
 temptuoufly violated, and the Donations, whicfc. 
 the Teftators had dedicated to the fervice of 
 God and to the relief of the fick and diftrefle.d, 
 were fcandalouily diverted to other purpofes. 
 
 And they 'batl (the Locufts had) Breaft-flates 
 AS Bre'afi-platis of iron. (v. 9.). In the two 
 lail articles we faw the fpirit of Incontinency and 
 Avarice of the Reformers and their Societies - 9 
 here we are prefented with a. picture of their ot> 
 flinacy, under the figure of Iron-Breaft-plates. 
 Whoever is not Coined with the Proteftants in 
 their perfuafion, knows full well that their Ob- 
 flinacy is incredible in defending their doctrine, 
 that for that purpofe they are not afhamed to 
 make ufe of any arguments though ever fo frivo- 
 lous, inconfiftent or ab-furd, and to afperfe the 
 Catholic Communion with (landers, mifreprefenta- 
 tions, and calumnies. It alfo appears from the 
 Account we have before given of the wars of 
 the reformation, that tin; Proteilants were al- 
 ways ready to maintain their new adopted Re- 
 ligion at any rate, even with arms, and at the 
 rifk of their lives. In that view the Proteflant 
 Princes of Germany entered into a league of- 
 feniive and defenfive againil the Emperor Charles 
 V, rofe up in- arms, nor could ttay be pre- 
 vailed upon to fit down quiet, till they had efta- 
 ' blitlied the Reformation. Thus they carried 

 
 OF"THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 245 
 
 Breaft-pktcs of iron. Many other ' wars fuc- 
 ceeded in Germany between the Catholics and 
 Proteitants. After a ' fimilar manner in other 
 countries, where the Reformation got footing, 
 it's abetters fo obftinately iupported .it by fedi- 
 tion, difturbance, and war, that no peace could 
 be purchafed from them, til! "their Religion was 
 admitted and ratified by the laws of the Refpec- 
 tive Kingdoms. Such was the cafe, not only in 
 Germany, but in Holland, in. feveral Provinces 
 of France, in Scotland &c. And I believe 
 every one prefumes fuch would be more or Ids' 
 the cafe at this day, if any danger threatened 
 the Reformation. 
 
 And the noife of their wings (the wings of the 
 Locufts) ivas as the noife of Chariots of many 
 horfcs running to battle, (v. 9.). Here the Prophet 
 points at the turbulent, murmuring, clamorous dif- 
 potion of the Reformed, properly exprefied by the 
 noife of the wings of the Locufts which was as 
 loud as the noife of Chariots of many horfes run- 
 ning to war. Did not that inflammatory fpirit 
 of uneafmefs, loud murmur, and fedition, ap- 
 pear in all thofe Kingdoms, where the Refor- 
 mation was received? How often has the public 
 tranquillity been convulfed by that baleful poi- 
 fon ? What fatal difturbances have been raifed, 
 and what troubles have Princes fuftained to 
 quell them? Some of the Seels are infpired 
 with a relentlefs hatred to Government \ their 
 complaints are clamorous and unceafmg, and 
 they brood upon mifchief, devifmg how to de- 
 itroy fuperior power, and reduce all mankind to 
 R 3 a level.
 
 246 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 a level. What inteftine murmurs have been 
 heard, what tumultuous fcenes have been feen in 
 England, Scotland, and France? 
 
 On another hand the unhappy effects of this 
 uneafy and ungenerous difpoiition have been 
 feverely felt by thofe of the Catholic Com- 
 munion living in Proteflant Countries. Though 
 all the Reformed Sects agreed in preaching up 
 " Chriftian liberty", the Catholics have feemed 
 to be envied the lead (hare of that invaluable 
 Bleifing. Without any jufl provocation, alarm- 
 ing outcries have been often thrown out agamft 
 t-iem: they have been threatened with the rigour 
 of the Laws, and perfection even has fome- 
 times been fet on foot. We fee then that the 
 loud ncife of the wings of the Loctifts^ like the 
 loud rumbling noife cf ckaricts cf many horfes 
 running to battle^ very fitly represents that reft- 
 lefs turbulent Spirit, which continued in the 
 Reformed Societies, and banimed peace from 
 Governments as well as from the Church of 
 thrift. 
 
 Here terminates the period of five months or 
 150 years mentioned above in ver. 5th ; within 
 which fpace of time is comprehended, as we 
 have feen, one mare of the hiftory of the Refor- 
 mation, and in reality the principal part of it. 
 During this period, which commenced as we 
 have faid, about the the year 1525, and confe- 
 quently ended in 1675, the Reformed Religion 
 was forcibly introduced, took it's full growth, 
 and was finally fettled. In Germany, Holland, 
 and Switzerland, borne upon the fhoulders ot 
 
 fedition
 
 O/THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 247 
 
 feditiqn and rebellion, It became "to far vi&ori- 
 .ous as to procure it's eftablimment by the 
 celebrated Treaty of Munfter in Weftphalia in 
 1648. The Calvinifts or Huguenots in France 
 made their way by deteftable plots and dreadful 
 civil wars, till they procured from Henry IV. 
 the Edidl of Nantes for the toleration of their 
 Religion in 1598; which Edicl was confirmed 
 by Lewis XIII in 1622, though afterwards re- 
 pealed in 1685 by Lewis XIV. In other coun- 
 tries, where the Sovereigns received the Refor- 
 mation, it was fettled more early. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 Continuation of the Hiftory of tbf 
 fifth age. 
 
 APOC: Chap. IX. v. 1.0. And they (the 
 Locufts) had * tails like to Scorpions, and 
 there, were Jlings in their tails, and their power was 
 to hurt men five months. And they had J over 
 them 
 
 v. ii. A King, the Angel of the bottomlefs 
 pity 'whofe name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in 
 Greek, Apollyon: in Latin, Exterminans, (that is, 
 Deftroyer.) 
 
 R 4 We 
 
 [ 
 
 . 
 
 * In the greek text, havt. t I" the greek, have,
 
 *48 THE GENERAL HISTORY - 
 
 We fhall now proceed to die fccond period 
 of time, which - begins with 'the above roth 
 verfe, and is of equal duration with the firft, 
 that is, confifts of 150 years. 
 
 - That here begins a new period of five r/ionths 
 or 150 years, different from that mentioned in 
 verfe the fifth, is not a groundlefs fuppofition v 
 but is proved by the following reafons. Firft^ 
 the expreffion of Jive months being twice ufedi, 
 namely, in verfe 5th and verfe loth, fufficiently 
 argues a douolc period. For whoever ftudies 
 the Apocalypfe, will find in it fuch extreme 
 precifion, that the fame thing is never repeated 
 in the fame circumftances ; that every word ex- 
 prelfes fome particular object, and is fo necefla- 
 ry in it's place that it cannot be taken away 
 without maiming the fenfe. One may therefore 
 conclude from the nature of this Divine Revela- 
 tion, that the repeated mention of five month 
 indicates the diftinction of a double period. Sir 
 Ifaac Newton acknowledged the fame diftinclion^ 
 'but applied it to a different fubject Secondly, 
 the Greek Text mews the fame very plainly, and 
 even the place where the firft period expires and 
 the fccond begins. In the verfes 8th, 9th, the 
 cbfcription proceeds by the repeated expreflion 
 they bad, tley had> but at the icth verfe the ex- 
 pn .fion is fuddenly changed into they have, and 
 continues fo to the end of the defcription. This 
 fudden change of time from they bad to 'they 
 'bave, clearly points out ^ a tranfition from one 
 period to another. And in this ^vefy feme loth 
 
 yerie,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 249 
 
 verfe, where the tranfition takes place, is immedi- 
 ately fubjoined the iecond mention of fve months. 
 The diftindtion of two periods, each of 15-3 
 years, being thus dated-, as the firft began wirh 
 the Reformation about the year 1525 and expired 
 at 1675, the Iecond will reach to 1825. We 
 are now to fee what account our Infpired Writer 
 gives of the Reformation in this latrer period. 
 It is moftly contained in the loth, verfe, which 
 we fhall here put down conformable to the 
 .Greek text. They (the Locufts) have tails like 
 unto Scorpions, and there were flings in their tails: 
 find tbeir power, to hurt men five months. - Here 
 the Locufts are faid to have tails, that refemble 
 whole Scorpions, with (lings in them. This al- 
 legory defcribes very emphatically the angry tem- 
 per of the Proteilants, and their implacable en- 
 mity to thofe of the Catholic Communion. 
 "Whoever prefumes to abridge that " Evangelical 
 " Liberty", which is their Idol, they immedi- 
 ately reclaim againfc the attempt, chaff, and 
 threaten, like Scorpions, to fling. They dill re- 
 tain a good mare of that factious and violent 
 temper, with which they firft propagated their 
 Religion, and which during this period breaks 
 out on different occafions, to the difturbing of 
 public peace and alarming the Sovereigns, as 
 experience fufficiently fhews. On another hand, 
 though the Reformation, as we have leen, was 
 fettled and fecured, and in Come Kingdoms .is 
 the Religion of the State-, yet it retains a per- 
 fecuting fpirit againft thofe of the Ancient Faith. 
 The Protedants fhew they are a.'<med witn Scor- 
 pions
 
 250 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 fiotfs flings, with which they angrily threaten, 
 and they have ftill a power to- hurt very forery, 
 They have, in this latter period, increafed the 
 number of inhuman laws made before againft 
 the Catholics; and thefe laws, perhaps indeed 
 Ids fevere than the former, have been at times 
 more or lefs put in execution. In the preced- 
 ing period they were allowed to torment mankind^ 
 v. 5: but in the prefent period it is faid, their 
 power is to hurt mankind. The exprefiion of 
 bitrtiugy as it is of a milder import than that 
 of tormenting, indicates an abatement of their 
 firft rage, and a more moderate behaviour to- 
 wards thofe they repute 'their enemies. This is 
 a Blefling, for which the Catholics offer juft tri- 
 bute of thanks to the Almighty, and acknow- 
 kdge the humanity of thofe from whofe hands 
 the favour immediately comes. But, notwith- 
 ftanding the moderate and generous difpofition of 
 fome, there are always other malevolent individuals, 
 who cannot wholly .drop that animofity they 
 imbibed in a mifguided education, and will en- 
 deavour to force the Magiftrates to the execu- 
 tion of the laws againft their fellow-creatures. 
 But this Difpofition of Providence might to be 
 received by the fufferers in the view for which 
 it is defigned, namely, for quickening and main- 
 taining their zeal; and it brings with it this 
 comfort, that the fuffering of perfecution has 
 always been the Charaderiftic of the Church of 
 Chrift. If they have perfeeuted me, they wilt aljo 
 ptrfecutz you. (John xv. 20). 
 
 We
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. -251 
 
 We have now feen the Prophetical .Hiftory 
 of the Reformation. The defcription is full and 
 circumftantial, and takes in the period of 300 
 years. In the firft place was exhibited to us its 
 rife; then the general character of it^ and thirdly 
 the nature and degree of its power. Thefe ac- 
 counts are comprifcd in the fix firft verfes of 
 the ninth Chapter. Then follows the defcrip- 
 tion of the character, temper, and fpirit of the 
 Chief Reformers and their Profelytes, with the 
 fucceflive alteration of their power, as fettled by 
 the Almighty hand. Which account is traced 
 out in the verfes yth, 8th, pth, and joth 
 in an admirable manner by the progrefiive de- 
 fcription of the Locufts from Head to tail. 
 This allegorical delineation is drawn with fuch 
 excjuifite art, that it cannot, v/e believe, be 
 equalled by any thing produced from profane 
 Writers. But of this extraordinary picture there 
 yet remains to be exhibited the laft ftroke of the 
 Prophetic penfil, which is. And they (the Lo- 
 cufts) have over them a King, the Angd cf tbe 
 bottomkfs pit, whofe name in Hebrew is Abaddon, 
 mid in Greek Apollyon ; in Latin, Exterminans, 
 (that is, Deftroyer). St. John, after giving us 
 the hiftory of the furprifing revolution made in 
 the Church by the Reformation, clofes it by 
 letting us into the fecret of the means, by which 
 it was contrived, was carried on, and is (till pre- 
 fervcd. He tells us, the Locufts or the people 
 of the Reformation have over them a King, who 
 is an Angel of the bottomlcis pit, that is, an Angel 
 
 of
 
 252 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 of Hell, or a Devil. Here then we fee. the original 
 Contriver and 'Director of the whole work. Here 
 we fee who has been through the whole pro- 
 grefs their Prompter, their Chief, and their King. 
 But who would envy them fuch a King ? or 
 who would chufe to be a fubjecr, of fuch a fo- 
 vereio;n ? The name of this Infernal Spirit is 
 even given -, he is called Al addon, or Extermi- 
 nator ^ Aboiijher, Deftroycr. By this name his 
 Character is fufficiently clear. As Pride is at- 
 tributed to L/ucifer, and to other Fiends are 
 afcribed fpecial Qualities-, fo here the Evil Spirit, 
 who is the King of the reformation, is diftin- 
 guifried by the Character of Exterminating and 
 Deftroying. One cannot but lament the misfor- 
 tune of the Proteftants, in voluntarily admitting 
 over them fuch a King, and enlifting under his 
 banner. A fecond misfortune is, they have been 
 too faithful in their allegiance. We have alrea- 
 dy given a fufficient relation of their violent 
 proceedings in the different countries, where the 
 Reformation got entrance. We Specified ibme 
 part of the confpiracies, tumults, rebellions, and 
 civil wars it gave rile to, and the fubverfion of 
 ftates which enfued. Could fuch fcenes be con- 
 ducted by any other but the King Abaddon., the 
 defraying Angel? 
 
 With refpe6t to the Church, how many arti- 
 cles of Faith, which are reckoned effential to 
 Religion, have they not exploded, as may be feen 
 in the Council of Trent ? The Holy Sacraments 
 clfo, thofe channels of Divine Grace, have they 
 
 not
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 2x3 
 
 not reduced to , two, or rather one, viz, Baptifm ; 
 the Euchariit ia. the opinion of many of their 
 lect containing nothing more than mere bread 
 and wine? Even Baptifm itfclf is affirmed by ibme 
 of them to be only a ccrcmon-y, not neceflaiy 
 for Salvation. The Rites and Ceiremoni-;:?, which 
 form the exterior part of Religion, and which 
 greatly contribute to raife its dignity and by im- 
 preffing an awful refpecb. on the minds of the 
 faithful increafe their devotion, the Reformation 
 has almoil entirely abolijhed^ They have exit: 
 nated the Fpiritual Jurifdiccion of the fee of Rome, 
 acknowledged in nil foregoing ages, and they 
 have choien Abaddon for their Governor and 
 King, inilead of ChriiVs Vicegerent. In the fame 
 manner they have exploded, part of the Canonical 
 Scriptures, Church-Traditions, Councils, Fathers, 
 the Ecclefiaftical Canons and Difcipline. They have 
 abrogated the mod noble and auguft Sacrifice which 
 Chrift bequeathed to his Church, and thus have 
 reduced the Chriftian Community to a worfe con- 
 dition, than either the Mofaic or Patriarchal {lite, 
 by leaving it without any Sacrifice at all. They 
 have alfo abrogated moil of the exercifes of mor- 
 tification, fo much recommended by our Saviour 
 and praftifed by the Apoftles and all Antiquity, 
 fuch as Failing, Abftinence, Continency, Penance, 
 Self-denial, &c. They have exterminated Confeffion, 
 that great bridle to licentioufnefs and vice. They 
 have condemned Religious Vows of Poverty, Chaf- 
 tity, and Obedience-, that path of Chriftian per- 
 fection, which has been trodden by thoufands, 
 and entitled fo many of them to the Beatitude 
 
 of
 
 254 THE GENERAL HISTORV 
 
 of .Saints. They have dejlroyed Monafteries, pulled 
 down Churches, trampled under foot the Images 
 of Jefus Chrift, of iiis Holy Mother and his 
 Saints. They have robbed the faithful of that fa- 
 lutary and comfortable help, they had always 
 found in the Invocation of the Saints, by whofe 
 interceffion, through the merits of Chriil, fuch 
 plentiful Graces and Bleflings have derived u. 
 men. They even dared to profane with facri- 
 legious hands the Sacred Remains of the Martyr* 
 .and Confeflbrs of God. In many places they 
 forcibly took the Saints Bodies from the Repofi- 
 tories where they were kept, burned them, and 
 fcattered their allies abroad. What can be a more 
 atrocious indignity ? Are Parricides or the moil 
 flagitious Villains ever worle treated? Thus a- 
 mong other inftances, in the year 1562 the Cal- 
 vinifts broke open the Shrine of St. Francis of 
 Paula, at Plelfis-les-tours, and finding his body 
 uncorrupted fifty five years after his death, they 
 dragged it about the itreets, and burnt it in a 
 fire which they had made with the wood of a 
 great Crucifix i as Billet and other Hiftorians 
 relate. 
 
 Thus at Lyons in the fame year,, the Calvi- 
 nifts feizcd upon the Shrine of St. Bonaventure, 
 ftripped it of its riches, burnt his Relicks in the 
 market Place, and threw his afhes into the Ri- 
 ver Saonc, as is related by the learned Poflevi- 
 nus, who was then in that city. The Bodies 
 alfo of St. Irenseus,. St. Hilary, and St. Mar- 
 tin, as Surius aflerts, were treated in the -fame 
 ignominious .manner. Such alfo was the treat- 
 ment
 
 OF THE 
 
 CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 
 
 ment offered to the Remains of St. Thomas 
 Arc.h-bifhop of Canterbury, whofe rich Shrine, 
 according to the words of Stowe in his- annals, 
 " was taken to the King's ufc, and the bones of 
 u St. Thomas, by command of Lord Cromwell, 
 u were burnt to allies, in September 1538, of 
 " Henry VIII the thirtieth." Thus the Refor- 
 mation - waged war againft the Dead and againft the 
 Hied of God; as if Sanctity had become infa- 
 mous, and to have fpilt their blood in the caufe" 
 of Chrift was now to be judged criminal. 
 
 Thus the facts evince the univerfaf devaftation ~ 
 carried through the Chriftian Church by the Re- 
 formed Reiigon. And thus it appears who was' 
 the Founder of that new Religion, it's Architect, 
 it's King, namely, the Angel of the bottomlefs pt y 
 Abaddon, the Exterminator. One may however 
 further obfcrve that, in order to manifeft more 
 clearly the Accomplimment of this Prophecy a- 
 bout the Locufls, Almighty God Teems to have 
 o-rdained that the Chiefs of the Reformation mould 
 themfelves give teftimony of it. Luther, the 
 Primary Head, avowed and proclaimed to the 
 world, that he had had a Conference with the 
 Devil about fome articles of the Religion he was 
 then devifing, that he had been convinced by the 
 arguments of that fpirit of falfhood, and directed' 
 in the determinations he mould take. Thus lie 
 opens that famous colloquy. " Some time fince," 
 fays Luther, " I awaked from my deep, and be- 
 " hold the Devil (who had made it his bufinels 
 " to occafion me many forrowful and refdefs 
 *' nights) began a difpute with me "in my mind. 
 
 Doft
 
 - 5 6 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 " Doit thou hear, iaid he, moft excellent Doc- 
 " tor ? Doit thou not know, that thou hail laid 
 " private Mafles almoft every day for fifteen years 
 ^ together ? and what, if in tliofe Mafles thou 
 " halt pracliied down right Idolatry &c ?" (lib. tie 
 Miifa privata et Saccrdotum Unctione), Luther 
 anfwers the Devil in defending what he had done. 
 The Fiend pretends to prove his charge, by 
 telling Luther, he muft have been guilty of Ido- 
 latry, becaufe he had no true Faith at that time, 
 and consequently no Ordination. By which i: 
 feems that the Devil's attempt was to perfuadr 
 the Reformer, that there was neither true Faith 
 nor true Ordination in the Catholic Church at 
 that time, when he protciTcd himieif a member 
 of it and faici M.iis. As if the Church of God 
 had been extm^uifhed, notwithftanding the -folemn 
 promife of Chriil that tbe gates of Hell Jkculd 
 never prevail agaiiifi it. The Spirit of darkneis 
 urges likewife the unlawfulnefs of faying a Mais, 
 in which no one communicates but the Pried : 
 As if Chrift had given any precept on this head. 
 But without taking the trouble to confute mi- 
 nutely the Devil's arguments, I prefume every 
 fenfible man will allow that Luther, inilcad of 
 giving any aflent to them, fhould have rejected 
 them with contempt, as fo many certain impoilures, 
 and charged his Antagoniil with being the known 
 enemy of truth. He mould have rebuked him 
 at once with the words of our Saviour : " Away 
 with thee, Satan" (Matth. iv. 10.). " Thou 
 ** waft a Murderer from the beginning, and thou 
 " ftcod' not in the truth ; becaufe truth is not 
 
 in
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. -257 
 
 " in thee : when thou fpeakeft a lie, thou fpcak- 
 " eft from thy own, for thou art a liar, and the 
 " Father of lies/' (John viii. 44.). But the 
 Reformer, inftead of foiling his adverfary with 
 thefe arms, gives him up the vidtory, allows his 
 own conviction, and triumphs in the imaginary 
 difcovcry ; concluding thus : by thefe means 
 u We are freed from private Mafles, and from 
 
 " the Ordination of Bimops Let them con- 
 
 " fider how they can defend their Church." And 
 from that time he defifted from faying Mais. 
 
 Zuinglius in like manner, while he was in 
 great perplexity and deep meditation how to ex- 
 plode the Real Prefence in the Eucharift, was 
 furniflied with an argument for that purpofe by 
 a nocturnal " Monitor, whether black or white 
 " he did not remember;" as lie relates himfclf, 
 (Lib. de fubfidio Euchar.). 
 
 The whole explication here given of the alle- 
 gory of the Locufts, we prefume, appears fo 
 conibnant to the Hiilory of the Reformation, 
 that the propriety of jit will not be denied. Nor 
 ought the Author to be cenfured for prefump- 
 , tion, fmce he is not the firft who has thus ap- 
 plied that prophecy. La Chetardie did fo, about 
 the end of the laft century. Bellarmine did the 
 fame towards the end of the century before, and 
 others had preceded him, as he teftifies. In ge- 
 neral it appears from the Writers of that period, 
 that, no fooner did the numerous tribe of Re- 
 formed Religioniils fpring forth, than the Catho- 
 lics, as if by a fudden infpiration, judged they 
 faw the Locufls of the Apocalypfe. The appli- 
 S cation
 
 258 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 cation is even ib obvious that the learned Pro- 
 teftant Divine Dr. Walton uied it for describing 
 the multitude of new fectaries, that fwarmed out 
 of the Englifh Church. Thus fpeaks he in the 
 preface to his Polyglot i " The bottomlefs pit 
 " ieems to have been fet open, from whence a. 
 " fmoke has rifen whicli has darkened the Hea- 
 " vens and the Stars, and. Loeufts are come out 
 " with flings, a numerous race of Sectaries 
 " and Heretics, who have renewed all the an- 
 " cient Herefies, and invented many monflrous 
 " opinions of their own Thefe have filled our 
 " Cities., Villages, Camps, Houfes, nay our Pul- 
 " pits too,, and lead the poor deluded people 
 " with them to- the pit of perdition." 
 
 The (hort Sketches we have given from the 
 general Hiftory of the Reformation for the il- 
 luftration of the text, we hope will be deem- 
 ed fufficient, efpecially confidering the limits of 
 this work. It would be endlefs to attempt a 
 narrative of all the different parties, into which 
 the Reformation has been fplit. They are not 
 even to be enumerated. But one may in general 
 obierve, that its cafe is the fame with that of all 
 the .Herefies in preceding ages. Variation was 
 always their character. Thus it was with the 
 Arians, with the Pelagians, with the Eutychians 
 &c. They never remained fleady to their firft 
 plaa of Religion, nor could they keep their 
 Profelytes within the boundaries they firft pre- 
 fcribed to them. St. Hilary writing to the Em- 
 peror Conftantius thus fpeaks of the Ar-ians : 
 " Your, cafe is the fame with, that of unfkilfui 
 
 " Architects,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 259 
 
 u Architects, who are never pleafed with their 
 " own work; you do nothing but buiid up and 
 " pull down. There are now as many models of 
 " Faith as men, as great a variety of dcftrine as 
 " manners we have yearly and monthly Creeds; 
 *' we repent of our old Creeds, we frame new 
 " ones, and thofe again we condemn". Such was 
 the confufion among the Arians. The number 
 of different confeffions of faith made by the 
 Lutherans and the other Reformed Churches, 
 demonftrates in like manner the inftability of 
 their doctrine. They never could agree among 
 themfelves, nor could they ever fettle their 
 tenets; as is fully fhewn and related in the 
 " Hiftory of the Variations" by the Celebrated 
 Bifhop of Meaux. Not content with what they 
 pretended to have reformed, they would ilill 
 go on reforming, without knowing where to 
 ftop. But indeed what wonder that people are 
 bewildered, when they have no fure guide to 
 direct them! The Church, which Chrifl had 
 commanded every body to bear*, they had left, 
 and thus become folitary, they wandered in un- 
 known paths into which the Spirit of Seduction 
 led them. Faith is one, but error eafily mul- 
 tiplies, having the Devil for it's parent, who 
 hates truth and concord. Abaddon who con- 
 trived and conducted the Reformation, was alib 
 the Author of it's divifions and contradictions, 
 and the lying Spirit in the Mouth of all it's 
 Prophets. (3 Kings xxii. 22.). He ftill con- 
 S 2 tinues 
 
 * Matt, xviii. 17, and Luke x. 16.
 
 260 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 tinues to actuate it in the fame manner-, and 1 
 hence we fee rife up every day new Teachers; 
 who, diiTatisfied with what they find eftablifhed, 
 are ever propofing amendments and innovations. 
 What idea can we form of a Religion or an 
 Inftitution compofed of fueh a number of dif- 
 fonant parts, and, Cameleon like, varying its co- 
 lours every day? What idea, I fay, can we 
 form of k, but of a Monfter, fuch as St. John 
 defcribes it under the type of a frightful de- 
 formed Locuft, which has a Man's face, a 
 Woman's hair, a Lion's teeth, an iron-Breaft, 
 and a Scorpion for it's tail? In fine, the 
 licence of judging for himfelf being the claim 
 of every member of the new Religion, what 
 could it produce, but what experience fhews to 
 have really happened, a defection from all Re- 
 ligion ? Some, unealy under any reftraint, de- 
 clare themfelves indifferent to every form of doc- 
 trine and worfhip, and are (tiled " Latitudina- 
 *' rians"; others, contenting themfelves with the 
 fimple belief of a God, renounce all Divine 
 Revelation, and are denominated " Deifts" or 
 " Free-thinkers"-, and fome are even faid to be 
 funk into mere Materialiim, that is, to believe 
 no future ftate at all. " They who have made 
 " bold with one article of faith", faid St. Vin- 
 cent of Lerins in the fifth century, " will pro- 
 " ceed on to others: and what will be the con- 
 " fequence of this reforming of Religion, but 
 " only that thefe refiners will never have done, 
 " till they have reformed it quite away?". 
 (Common, c. 29). 
 
 How 

 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 261 
 
 How different is the government and pro- 
 ceeding of the Catholic Church! Founded on 
 the Rock which is Chrift, and governed by him 
 according to his promile, flie is always uniform 
 and unanimous in lier doclrine. Her Faith is 
 always the fame. She received it from her Di- 
 vine Founder, and me preferves the facred de- 
 pofitum inviolable. No jarring opinions, no in- 
 novations are allowed on that head. When a 
 dogmatical point is to be determined, (lie fpeaks 
 but once, and her decree is irrevocable. The 
 firft General Council of Nice declared her faith 
 againft the Arians; the Council of Conftantinople 
 againft the Macedonians - y the Council of Ephefus 
 againft the Neftorians ; that of Chulcedon againft 
 the Eutychians ; the fecond of Nice againft the 
 Iconoclafts-, and fo through the whole period of 
 the Chriflian Era. Thefe iplemn Determinations 
 have remained unalterable, and will ever be fo. 
 Purfuing invariably the fame courfe, me aflcrm- 
 bled in a general Council at Trent in 1545, 
 where having examined the principal articles of 
 the new Reformed dodrine, me pronounced 
 them heretical, and condemned them as fuch: 
 and this decifion will ftand an unperimable mo- 
 nument of the true Faith againft the Proteftant 
 religion to the end of the world. 
 
 v. 12. One wo i? paft. The period of 300 
 years afilgned to the power of the Locufts, be- 
 ing expired, St. John then adds: one wo is paft. 
 Before the Angel founded the fifth trumpet, 
 (See p. 192.) three woes were pronounced to 
 follow the founding of the three laft trumpets, 
 namely, fifth, fixth, and feventh. And now the 
 S 3 Prophet
 
 262 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Prophet tells us that the firft of thefe woes, 
 which was announced by the fifth trumpet, is 
 paft. This wo therefore is the calamity occa- 
 fioned by the fwarm of Locufts, I leave it to 
 the Reader to determine, whether the breaches and 
 defolation made in the Church of Chrift, as we 
 have leen, by the Reformation, be not truly a 
 difmal wo, and worfe than any that has happen- 
 ed in the foregoing ages. 
 
 When one reflects that, of the three hundred 
 years allowed to the reign of the Locufts, there 
 remain only fifty or fifty five to run, one can- 
 not but wifti with an earned heart, that the peo- 
 ple reprefented by* thofe Infects would enter in- 
 to a ferious confideration of that circumftance. 
 What a happinefs! if, during this fhort remain- 
 ing interval, fome part of them at leaft would 
 fubmit to iee their errors, a'nd the great mifchief 
 that has been done to the Church by their revolt 
 againft it. It is full time to lay down all ani- 
 mofity againft their Ancient Mother, think of 
 a reconciliation, and afk to be received again 
 into her bofom. She is an indulgent Parent, 
 and her arms are always open, ev:n to her re- 
 bellious Children, when they come in tears to 
 implore her forgivenefs. They fhould be fen- 
 fible, that Chrift is not only the Protector of 
 his beloved Spoufe the Church, but alfo the 
 Avenger of the injuries done to her. This 
 power he has frequently exerted. The four pre- 
 ceding ages furnifh us with the moft evident 
 proofs of it, under the refpective four Vials of 
 the Wrath of God, She was revenged in the 
 
 punim-
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 26^ 
 
 nifhment of her perfecutors, the Roman Empe- 
 rors, in the firfl age. The Arians who impug- 
 ned her faith and harraffed her cruelly in the 
 lecond age, felt alfo the avenging hand of the 
 Son of God whom with his Church they had 
 blafphemed: after lore calamities, they were 
 doomed to fink into annihilation. The third 
 age exhibited to us a molt confpicuous exer- 
 tion of the two- edged faord of Chrifl^ in the de- 
 ftruction of the cruel idolatrous Romans, for 
 their having fpilt the blood of his and his 
 Spoufe's Children. The fourth age was diftin- 
 guifhed by the punimment of the Greeks for 
 their rebellion againft the fame Church, and the 
 world ftill fees them groaning under flavery for 
 their inflexible obftinacy. Such having been the 
 conduct of the Supreme Guardian of his Church 
 through the courle of all the Chriilian ages, is 
 it not an obje6t of confideration highly 'intereft- 
 ing to the Protefrants, left fome fuch difafter 
 Ihould alfo be their fate ? The Saviour of man- 
 kind waits with patience for the return of his 
 ftrayed fheep, but their obftinacy at laft forces 
 his hand to ftrike. Unhappy Children of the 
 Reformation! refufe not to hear the wholefome 
 advice of the Prophet Ifaiali: feek ye the Lord? 
 labile be may be found: call upon him, while he 
 is near. (LV. 6). Hear the voice of God fpeak- 
 ing to Ifrael, and make the application: Return, 
 O Virgin of Ifrael, return to thefc thy cities. 
 (Jerem. xxxi. 21.). And again: Be converted 
 (0 hcufe of Ifrael) and do penance for all your 
 iniquities > and iniquity Jhall not be tour ruin. 
 . S 4 Caji
 
 264 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Caft away from you all your trarjgrcjfions, by 
 which you have tranfgrcffsd, and make to yourfelves 
 a new heart, and a new Spirit: and why will you 
 die, O hcufe cf Ifrael? For I deftre not the death 
 cf him that dicth, faith the Lord God ; return ye, 
 and live. (Ezech. xviii. 30. 31. 32). But if, 
 deaf to all admonitions, they continue hardened 
 in their own ways, what remains to be done but to 
 lament their misfortune, and in bitternefs of foul 
 turn our eyes from the pouring out of the fol- 
 lowing Vial. 
 
 fbe Pouring out of the fifth Vial of the 
 Wrath of 
 
 APOC. Chap. XVI. v. 10. And the fifth An- 
 gel, fays St. John, poured out his vial upon the 
 feat * of the beaft : and his kingdom became dark, 
 and tksy gnawed their tongues for pain. 
 
 v. jj. And they blafphemed the God of heaven, 
 becaufe of their pains and wounds, and did not 
 penance for their works. 
 
 Here the Angel pours out the fifth Vial of 
 the wrath of God on the Seat of the Beaft, or 
 rather, according to the greek text, on the Throne 
 of the Beaft. We have obferved in the prelude 
 to the Vials (fee page 46), that the general term 
 
 * In |be greek, the throne.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 265 
 
 Beaft has a double meaning, fignifying Idolatry 
 or Herefy, accordingly as either, like to a wild 
 Beaft) makes it's ravages in the Church. In the 
 the firft and third ages it denoted Idolatry, the 
 fubjecl: of the hiftory of thofe two ages. Here 
 it is the image of Herefy, the herefy of the 
 Reformation, the characleriftic of the fifth age. 
 Upon the 'Throne therefore of this Beaft the Vial 
 is poured out, that is, upon the Kings and Go- 
 vernors of the Proteftant States, as they are the 
 perfons that fit, vetted with power, upon the 
 Thrones of thofe heretical kingdoms. They how- 
 ever, are themfelves fubordinate to their Chief 
 Abaddon, who, as was fpecified in the text of 
 of the Trumpet, commands over all, and fits 
 upon the Tbrcne as King Paramount. The 
 Proteftant States become, of courfe, involved 
 with their Princes in the calamities poured out 
 from the Vial, as v/e mall fee prefently. 
 
 But furthermore we may obferve that, befides 
 the fingle and general appellation of Beaft ufed 
 here to exprefs Herefy, the Prophet exhibits to 
 us in the Trumpet of this age a particular 
 Beaft, by which he reprefents and defcribes the 
 herefy of the Reformation, namely, a Locuft- 
 Monfter, which is partly locuft, partly human, 
 partly leonine, and partly fcorpionic. 
 
 Befides the obvious propriety of the above ex- 
 plication of the Vial, a further argument may Be 
 adduced in confirmation of it. Though the dif- 
 ferent Prophecies of the Apocalypfe are involved 
 in obfcurity, yet one may obferve the Infpired 
 Writer generally throws in fome glimpfes of light 
 
 to
 
 266 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 to guide the folicitous inquirer. Thus may be 
 remarked a fixed connexion between the Trum- 
 pets of the different ages and the refpective 
 Vials, of which we have already taken fome 
 notice. This confifts in the ufe of the fame 
 expreflion in the Trumpet and Vial of the fame 
 age; which naturally leads us to the diftinguim- 
 ing of the object on which the Vial is poured. 
 This ' object, if not precifely the fame as men- 
 tioned in the Trumpet, it has at leaft a direct 
 relation to it. In general, the Vial has for ob- 
 ject the guilty part which is to be punifhed, 
 and which is always pointed out in the Trum- 
 pet. Examples will elucidate the prefent obfer- 
 vation. In the firft Trumpet it is faid, that 
 hail and fire, mixed with blood, were caft upon 
 the Earth. In like manner the firft Vial was 
 poured out upon the Earth. The fame term 
 the Earth, occuring in both, indicates that, as 
 the Trumpet defcribed the perfections exercifed 
 by the Roman Emperors and Magiftrates on 
 the Chriftian part of the Earth, fo thefe Empe- 
 rors and Magiftrates, who are the guilty part 
 of the Earth, and plainly alluded to in the 
 Trumpet, are the object of punilhment on which 
 the Vial is poured. After the fame manner, at 
 the founding of the fecond Trumpet a great fiery 
 mountain was caft into the Sea : and the fecond 
 Vial is alfo poured out upon the Sea. From 
 whence one may collect that, as Arianifm, figni- 
 fied by the fiery mountain, infected a third part 
 of the Chriftian Sea-, fo upon the Arians, who 
 are there exhibited as the guilty part of the Sea, 
 
 the
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 267 
 
 the Vial is poured. Again, the third Trumpet 
 announced a great Star, burning like a torch, 
 falling upon the Rivers and Fountains of Waters. 
 In like manner the third Vial is poured upon 
 the Rivers and Fountains of waters. The Trum- 
 pet here defcribes the defolation carried by the 
 Barbarians through the guilty heathen Roman 
 Empire; therefore on this fame Empire is the 
 Vial poured. Laftly, at the founding of the 
 fourth Trumpet the Sun was fmitten-, and the 
 fourth Vial was alfo poured out upon the Sun. 
 The allegory, ufed here in the Trumpet, denotes 
 the Schilin of the Greeks: upon them therefore, 
 as the guilty, the Vial is poured; or rather, it 
 is poured on the inftrument of the fcourge, to 
 fit it for execution. This conftant relation ob- 
 ferved between the abovementioned Trumpets 
 and Vials, holds equally between the fifth Trum- 
 pet and Vial, In the Trumpet we fee the Lo- 
 cufls are ruled by a King, the Angel of the 
 bottomlefs pit, whofe name is Abaddon. The Vial 
 is poured, out upon the 'Throne of the Beaft, and 
 his Kingdom becomes dark. On one fide then 
 we have the King of the Locufts: on the other 
 fide we have the Throne and the Kingdom. 
 Hence appears the connexion between the fifth 
 Trumpet and fifth Vial. This Vial therefore is 
 poured out upon the Princes and States of the 
 Locufr-Kingdom. 
 
 In fine, we faw in the firfl Trumpet the Ro- 
 man Emperors persecuting the Chriftian Religion; 
 and the firft Vial was poured upon them. In 
 the fecond Trumpet we faw the Arians rebell- 
 ing
 
 268 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 ing againft the Church; and the fecond Vial 
 was poured upon them. In the third Trumpet 
 we faw the Roman Empire declining on account 
 of it's Idolatry and enmity to Chriflianity -, and 
 the third Vial was poured upon it, to extinguish 
 it. In the fourth Trumpet we faw the revolt 
 of the Greeks againft the Church; and the fourth 
 Vial punifhed them. In the fifth Trumpet we 
 fee the Proteftants revolting againft the Church ; 
 upon whom then muft the fifth Vial fall? 
 
 The Vial being poured upon the Throne of 
 the Bsaft, it flows down from thence over his 
 whole Kingdom, the Realm of the Reformation. 
 For, bis Kingdom became dark^ and they gnawed 
 their tongues for pain. But with refpect to the 
 nature of this pummmenr, we mail be intirely 
 filent, and leave it be difclofed by the event. 
 We mall only remark that, to judge from the 
 exprefiion of the text, the fcourge feems to be 
 fevere, and we are extremely forry it will be fo 
 ill received: And they blafphemed the God of 
 Heaven, lecaufe of their fains and wounds (or 
 fores), and did net penance for their -works. 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 The Hijlory of the sixth Age of the ChrlJ- 
 tlan Church. 
 
 HITHERTO the account we find in Hiftory 
 of the different ages, has contributed to 
 explain the Prophecies relating to them: but 
 
 with
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 269 
 
 with refpect to the age we are now entering 
 upon, as it yet remains fealed up in the womb 
 of futurity, we can have no light but what muft 
 be drawn from the Prophecies themielves. And 
 becaufe Prophecies are generally conceived in 
 few words, and thofe veiled with obfcurity, it 
 cannot be expected we Ihould give fo clear and 
 comprehenfive a hiftory of the fixth age as has 
 been done in the preceding periods. We may 
 however acknowledge here an unexpected afiift- 
 ance, which was not allowed us before, in as 
 much as that part of the Apocalypie which 
 treats of the fixth age, ftems to be exprefied in 
 fomewhat clearer terms than any other, at leaft 
 it appears ib to us. The reafon we may 
 conceive to be, that the Almighty Revealer of 
 it is willing to give us beforehand a tolerable 
 intelligence of tranfactions that will touch us fo 
 nearly and will be more terrible and trying to 
 human nature, than any that have ever happened. 
 By a previous, though imperfect, knowledge of 
 dreadful calamities, we are warned to prepare for 
 them. An impending evil, even the fentence 
 of death itfelf, is Ids alarming when forafeen 
 and expected. On that account therefore the 
 Divine Bounty is pleafcd to be more copious 
 and explicit in the Revelations about the fixth age; 
 and our profpect of it is further enlarged by many 
 particular fcenes to be found in the ancient Pro- 
 phets, which concur to throw an additional light 
 over the whole picture. Thefe are helps which, 
 doubtlefs, ferve in fome meafure to promote and 
 facilitate rhe prsfent work-, but it muft he con- 
 
 feffed
 
 470 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 feflfed, the obfcurity that ftill remains is fuch 
 and other difficulties ib numerous, as neceffarily 
 to demand the indulgence of the critic. 
 
 The preceding five ages opened with the tranf- 
 actions contained under their refpective feals. In 
 like manner we {hall now begin the epocha of 
 the Sixth and laft age of the Church in this 
 world, with the events announced at the opening 
 of the Sixth feaL 
 
 'The Opening of the Sixth Seal. 
 
 APOC. Chap. VI. v. 12. And I faw, fays St. 
 John, when he (the Lamb) had opened the fixth 
 feal: and behold, there was a great earthquake, 
 and the fun became black as fackcloth of hair: and 
 the whole moon became as blood. 
 
 v. 13. And the ftars from heaven fell upon the 
 earthy as the fig-tree cafteth it's green figs when it 
 is Jhaken by a great wind: 
 
 v. 14. And the heaven de-parted as a book fold- 
 ed up: and every mountain and the ijlands wers 
 moved out of their places. 
 
 v. 15. And the kings of I he earth., and the 
 princes, and tribunes, and the rich, and the ftrong, 
 and every bondman, and every freeman, hid them- 
 felves in the dens and in the rocks of mountains. 
 
 v. 1 6. And they fay to the mountains and the 
 rocks: fall upon us, and hide us from the face of 
 him that fitteth on the throne, and from the wrath 
 of the Lamb. 
 
 v. 17. For the great day of their wrath * is 
 come, and who JbaU be able to ftand? 
 
 Here 
 
 * In the greek, his wrath.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 271 
 
 Here are ftupendous Prodigies and dreadful dif- 
 afters announced, many of which cannot be now 
 clearly explained, but will be very confpicuous 
 to thofe who (hall exift at that time. They are 
 the forerunners of the approaching general diffo- 
 lution of the world, and are employed to an- 
 nounce the laft terrible judgment, and to admonim. 
 mankind to prepare for it. If the idea, which is 
 conveyed to us by the fimple defcription of thefe 
 wonders, ftrikes us with terror, how dreadful mull 
 they appear when they really happen ! Great 
 Earthqukes ; the Sun darkened to fuch a degree 
 as if covered with a black hair-cloth^ and the 
 Moon reddening like blood: the Stars feeming to 
 fall from the Heavens as thick as green Jigs are 
 fljaken from the trees in a hurricane of wind: 
 the Sky appearing to fold up like a roil of parch- 
 ment ; and all the Mountains and I/lands moved 
 out of their places, perhaps by Earthquakes and 
 extremely vehement agitations of the Sea. Thefe 
 tremendous Phenomena, fome real, others appear- 
 ing fo to the human eye, {hew the violent con- 
 vul lions nature will fuftain, and the general con- 
 fufion of the whole created fyilem. At the fight 
 of fuch events, what wonder if the wicked of 
 every rank and denominanion run to hide them- 
 fehes for fear, as St. John tells us, and from 
 the confcioufnefs of their guilt fufped the great 
 day is arrived and that the Almighty is coming 
 to judgment, which will make them wifh that 
 the mountains and rocks would fall upon them to 
 flicker them from the face of their angry God, 
 and from the ivrath of the Lamb. 
 
 The
 
 272 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 The defcription here given by our Chriftian 
 Prophet feems to fpecify only the principal and 
 moft terrible of the figns and calamities that will 
 happen in the laft period of the world : and in 
 them one may underitand are comprehended thole 
 that are of a lefs deitru6live and terrifying nature. 
 Some or other of theie alarms we may fuppofe 
 will open the fixth age, and will ferve to fix the 
 date of that Epocha. They will continue to 
 alarm mankind at different times during the courfe 
 of that period, to remind them of the approach- 
 ing end of the world. We may alfo obferve 
 that fome of thele firiking events are likevvife 
 announced by the ancient Prophets, and mall be 
 taken notice of in proper places. The extraor- 
 dinary figns and prodigies both in the heavens 
 and on the earth here delcribed, evidently fpcak 
 the majefty and power of Him, whofe approach- 
 ing coming they are defigned to announce. They 
 therefore nectfiarily tend to reflect that Glcry on 
 the Lamb, which was faid to be his due. (Apoc. 
 v. 12. fee p. 22.). 
 
 The nature of the fubjecl: feems to require we 
 fhould fubjoin to the preceding account that other, 
 which our Saviour himfdf gives of the fame or 
 fimilar prodigies. The aficmblage of both will 
 contribute to enlarge our knowledge of that in- 
 terefting fubjedr. ; and the companion of them may 
 ferve as a proof, that the cxprefiions ufed by St. 
 John are to be taken in their natural accepta- 
 tion, and not in a metaphorical fenfe, as fome 
 might imagine; many of his expreflions being 
 
 fimilar
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 273 
 
 fimilar to thofe of our Saviour, " which have 
 been generally underftood in their natural fenfe. 
 
 The account which Chrift delivered of the 
 Prodigies we are fpeaking of, is to be found 
 in St. Matthew chap. 24, St. Mark chap. 13, 
 and St. Luke chap. 21. His Difciples having 
 afked him by what figns they Ihould know the 
 approaching ruin of Jerufalem, and alfo what 
 figns would precede the general diflblution of 
 the world, Chrift anfwers both qucftions. But 
 in the firft part of his aniwcr he feems to affign 
 the fame prodigies for announcing both thofe 
 events; as the deftrudtion of Jerufalem may be 
 a very exprefiive figure of the definition of the 
 world. And in this fenfe the Holy Fathers 
 have explained his difcourfe. In the latter part 
 of his anfwer, Chriil feems to confine himfelf 
 folely to the pointing out of the figns, which 
 will be the prefages of the approaching end of 
 all things. 
 
 He thus begins his difcourfe: Take heed that 
 no man feditce ycu. For many ivill come in my 
 name, faying; I am be, I am Chrift; and the time 
 is at band; and they will f educe many: go ye not 
 therefore after tbcm. The appearance of falie 
 Chrifts or falfe Mefliahs was then the firft fign 
 mentioned by our Saviour and firft warning of 
 the approaching* fate of Jerufalem. That many 
 fuch Impoftors rofe up in J.udea before the de- 
 molition of Jerufalem by the Romans, we learn 
 from Jofephus in his Hiftory of the Jewifli 
 wars. It is here the opinion of the Holy Fa- 
 thers, that Chrift intended alfo to intimate by 
 T the
 
 274 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 the preceding words, that falfe Chrifts will arife 
 in a fimilar manner in the laft age of the world 
 and be a fign of it's approaching end. 
 
 Our Saviour proceeds: Ton Jhall hear cf wars 
 and rumours of wars: See that ye be not troubled. 
 Fcr thcfc things muft come to pafs, but the end is 
 not yet. Fcr nation Jhall rife againfl nation, and 
 kingdom againft kingdom,-, and there Jhall be pejii- 
 icnics and famines, and great Earthquakes in divers 
 places, and terrors from Heaven, and there /hall 
 be great Jigns. Thcie calamities happened before 
 the ruin of Jerufalem, as the abovementioned 
 Jewilh Hiilorian teflifies. The fame will likc- 
 \vife be experienced, it is fuppofed, in the laft 
 age. But Chriit adds: Now all thcfe things are 
 the beginnings of farrows. Though great evils, 
 they are only to be deemed the prelude of 
 greater. Then he goes on: But before all thefe 
 things they ivill lay their bands on you, and per- 
 fecute you, and put you to death &c. Here are 
 the perfecutions foretold, which fell upon the 
 Apoilles and firft Chriftians. The fame will 
 likewife rage in a more fierce manner hereafter 
 under Antichrifc. 
 
 -.And many falfe Prophets Jhall rife, and foall 
 [educe many: And becaufe iniquity hath abounded, 
 the charity of many Jhall grow cold. From this 
 rife of falfe Prophets or Teachers of falfe doc- 
 trine, and the abounding of wickedneis before 
 the fall of the Jcwifh nation, it is concluded by 
 the Holy Fathers that fimilar unhappy circum- 
 ftances will take 'place before the finifhing of 
 the world. And indeed, that falfe Prophets or 
 
 falfe
 
 o* THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 275 
 
 falfe Teachers will then arife, we lhall fee it 
 again exprefied in the fequel of our Saviour's 
 difcourfe; and that iniquity will likewife abound^ 
 is fully intimated by what Chrift faid on ano- 
 ther occafion: When the Son of Man cometb, /hall 
 be find, think you, faith on the Ec.rth? (Luke 
 x-viii. 8J. 
 
 And this Gofpel of the Kingdom Jhall fa preach^- 
 ed in the whole world, for a teftimcny to all na- 
 tions, and then Jkatt the corjummation come. A 
 new people of Chriftians was to be formed by 
 preaching the Gofpel, before the Jews, the an- 
 cient people of God, were rejected and their 
 city and Temple sbolifhed. The Gofpel will 
 likewife be preached with extraordinary zeal in 
 the latter times over the whole Earth, to ftem 
 the prevalence of impofture and depravity of 
 morals, and to oppofe in particular the furious 
 efforts of Antichrift againil Religion. 
 
 When therefore you Jhall fee the abomination cf 
 defolation, which was fpcken of by Daniel the 
 Prophet, ftanding in the holy place (he that read* 
 eth, let him under f and)* When you Jhall fee Jeru- 
 falem compared about with an army : then knew 
 that the desolation thereof is at hand. Here our 
 Saviour points out to his Difciples the moft im- 
 mediate fign by which they might know, that 
 the ruin of Jerufalem was near at hand-, namely, 
 when they Ihould fee an Idolatrous army arrive 
 with it's heathenilh Gods, which are the abomi- 
 nation of defoiation, and inveil Jerufalem, that 
 city which was always fliled the hdy place or 
 .holy city. We lhall fee hereafter that Antichrift 
 T 2 will
 
 276 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 will alfo fet up what is called the abomination of 
 defolaticn. 
 
 'Then they that are in Judca, continues Chrift, 
 
 let them flee to the Mountain; For there Jball 
 
 be then great tribulation, fucb as has not been 
 from the beginning of the world until noiv, neither 
 Jhatt be. Fcr tbefe are the days of vengeance, that 
 all iJjifigS may be fulfilled that are written. There 
 Jball be great dijlrefs in the land and wrath upon 
 this pes-ple. And unlefs thofs days had been Jhert- 
 ened, no ficfo would be faved: bat for the fake 
 cf the Elsff thcfe days Jkall be fiortemd. And 
 they (the Jews) Jkall fall by the edge of the 
 fivcrd; and JJ:a!l be led 'aivay captives into all na- 
 tions: and Jerufalem fiall be trodden down by tfo 
 Gentiles till the times cf the nations be fulfilled. 
 Thus then the calamities and figns having all 
 happened that had been foretold by our Sa- 
 viour, the fatal time fixed for the vegeance of 
 the Almighty was come, and Jerufalem was 
 taken and razed to the ground by the Roman 
 -army under the command of Titus Vcipafian; 
 the Temple was burnt, the Jews flaughtered to 
 art immenfe number, a few were refcrved by Titus 
 to be carried in triumph to Rome, and the reft 
 were fold for flaves and difperfed into all nations. 
 -This happened in the year 70 of the Chriftian 
 Era. Extreme were the calamities and miferies 
 that people fuffered in this war by the plague ? 
 famine, and fwordj they were even fuch as no 
 nation had ever felt before. The Jews mult 
 have all certainly perifhed, had not God in his 
 jncrcy (bortened thofe days of vengeante for .the fake 
 
 f
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 277 
 
 cf the Eletf, that is, for the fake of referring a 
 remnant of that people, who are .to remain in 
 captivity //'// tl-e times cf the nations be fulfilled, that 
 is, till the number of the Gentiles, whom God will 
 call to the Chriftian fakh, be filled up ; and then 
 that remnant of the Jews will be converted and 
 acknowledge Chrift for their Mefilah. 
 
 In like itutmfei ; :'-'>: the lail coming of 
 Chrifl to difiblve the fabrick of the world, the 
 calamities of war that will fall upon- mankind will 
 be very great, though perhaps fomewhat inferior 
 to thoie the Jews experienced in the above oc- 
 cafion. But the perfccution which will be exer- 
 cifed by Antichrift ngainft the Chriflians, will 
 exceed in feverity and cruelty the perfections of 
 ail pail ager,. But this dreadful period will be 
 Jhortened by the mercy of God for the fake of 
 his E/eff, and reduced' to three years and a 
 half. 
 
 Chrift having thus carried on his predictions 
 to the ruin of Jerufalem and the captivity of 
 the Jews, which is to lad to the latter time of 
 the world, the fequel of his difcourfe naturally 
 falls upon the tranfaclions of that laft period. 
 Then if any man, fays he, JJjall fay to you : Lo, 
 here is Chrift, or there ; do not believe him. I' or 
 there frail arife falfe Chrijts and ftilfe Prophets, 
 and foall /hew great figns and wonders, ir.fcmuch 
 as to deceive (if pcjfibk) even the EbSt. Be- 
 hold, I have told it you before band. If therefore 
 they fcatl fey to ycu : behold he is in the defart ; go 
 ye not cut: beheld he is in the clofets, believe it 
 not. Here is a full warning, which ought to be 
 T 3 taken
 
 278 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 taken notice of, againil the falfe (Thrifts and 
 falfe Prophets that will rile up in the laft age \ 
 the chief of whom will be Antichrift and the 
 falfe Prophet his auendant. And what is very 
 alarming-, they will have power of Jheiving great 
 figns and wonders, infomuch as to deceive (if pcffible) 
 even the Eleft. We fhall fee the fame confirm- 
 ed, by the Apocalypfe, in the two abovernention- 
 ed Impoftors. 
 
 A more full account of all thefe Seducers, 
 and of their infamous Character, is given' us in 
 the Epiftles of St. Peter and St. Paul. In tbe 
 laft days, fays St. Peter, there Jhall come deceitful 
 Scoffers, walking after their own lufis, faying* where 
 is his Promife of his coming ? for fince tbe time 
 that tbe fathers fiept, fill things continue as they 
 were from the beginning of the creation. ( 2 Ep. 
 iii. 3, 4.) Know alfo this* fays St. Paul, that in 
 the laft days Jhall come on dangerous times. Men 
 /ball be lovers cf themfehes, covetous, haughty, 
 proud, blafphcmers, difobedient to parents, ungrate- 
 ful, 'wicked, without affttlion, ivithout peace, Jlan- 
 derers, incontinent, unmerciful, without kindnefs, 
 traitors, ftubborn, puffed up, and lovers cf plcafures 
 jnore tl an of God : having an appearance indeed 
 of Gcdlinefs, but denying the power thereof. (2 Tim. 
 iii. i, &c.) The fame admonition is given us by 
 St. Jucle in his Epiflle v. 17, &c. But you, my 
 dearly beloved, fays this Apcftle, be mindful of the 
 words which have been fpokc;i before by the Apoftles 
 of our Lord Jefus Chrijl -, who told you, that in 
 the laft time there fiould come mockers, walking 
 ((ccording to their own dejires in ungodlincfs. Thefe 
 
 are
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCJ ^ 
 
 the rife of Luthcranifm, Calvinifm, &c.j/ z, l,; W{r 
 had been preceded in the Eaftern JF " 
 Church by the Greek Schifm, Mah o p . * i 
 anififi, &c. Even, St. Paul affurtj^ ^ ^ 
 fclf faw this Apoftafy, or def'a-,^ MOC Jbt.ll 
 Vifhering itfelf into the 
 
 be moved. 
 
 ieeds of it were fown, arfcfl^ ^ ? ,*, 
 Apoftle's time in the ,%, 7/>>/ , 
 iMcolaites, Gnoftics, ^^.^ ^ 
 gam ground and ^ ;; tf ^ at ftai i CGm upon e 
 matunty in the^ e previous figna]s of the end 
 extraoramary irare analog6us to thofe dcfcribed in 
 fidious ^ lypfe under the fixth feal} as wil| ap _ 
 
 pear by the comparifon of the two texts. (See 
 the text of the Apocalypfe given above, page 
 270.) Cur Saviour fays: The Sun foall be dar- 
 kened. St. John, after the opening of the fixth 
 leal, fays : the fun became Hack as fack-ckth cf 
 hair. Chrift- fays : The Mccn fljtll not give her 
 light. St. John fays : The Moon became as bleed. 
 Chrift continues : The Stars flail fall from Heaven. 
 St. John in the abovementioned place: The Stars 
 from Heaven fell upon the Earth, as the figtree 
 cafteth it's green fgs when it is faaken by a great 
 wind. Chrift again : And the Powers of Heaven 
 Jhall be moved. St. John : And the Heaven de- 
 parted as a book folded up. Chrift again: And there 
 flail be upon the Earth diftrefs cf nations, by 
 veafon of the ccnfufion of the roaring of the fea and 
 of the waves. St. John in the above place : 
 And every mountain, and the I/lands were moved 
 out of their places. Our Saviour proceeds : ](f-:n 
 withering away for fear, and expectation of what 
 T 4 flail
 
 280 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Jball ,\ptice of, againil the falfe Chrifts. and 
 the Tftflg-j^Jiets that will rile up in the laft age j 
 tribunes, antf whom will be Antichrift and the 
 bondman^ ana-.liis attendant. And what is very 
 dens and in the will have power of Jhe-imng great 
 to the mountains'^ infcmuch as to deceive (if poffible) 
 hide us from the ffe mall fee the fame conhrni- 
 throne^ and from A&^fe, in the two abovemention- 
 it appears that the \v 
 
 be applied as the beft r of all thefe Seducers, 
 of St. John contained unaca&er, is given' us in 
 Thus then it appears, th'a-St. Paul. In the 
 Chrift to his Difciples and the \^.come deceitful 
 pocalpfe under the fixth Seal, exhibit %, where 
 epitome of the prodigies and difaftrous events 
 that will diftinguifh the fixth or laft period of 
 time. They -will be fent as fo many warnings 
 of the approaching great day of iiratl\ when 
 Chrift will come in his power and majefty to 
 judge the living and the dead, and to put an 
 end to the prefent world. When you Jhall fee 
 thefe things come to pafs, continues Chrift fpeak- 
 ing to his Difciples, know that the kingdom of 
 God is at hand. (Luke xxi. 31.) 
 
 Narrative Preparatory to the Prophecy cf 
 the bixth Trumpet. 
 
 The fixth or laft period of time exhibits many 
 great and extraordinary events, which are not all 
 related by St. John, as fome part of them had 
 already been revealed in former Prophecies. On 
 
 that
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 281 
 
 the rife of Luthcranifm, Calvinifm, &c...,e a narra- 
 had been preceded in the Eaftern js to what 
 Church by the Greek Schifm, Mahlf the order, 
 anifrJi, &c. Even, St. Paul affurticulars of this 
 felf faw this Apoflafy, or deft approved by the 
 ufhering itfelf into the wor];' we travel tnrough 
 tf iniquity already worketh,f 
 feeds of it were fown, Wfly diftinguifh the fixth 
 Apoflle's time, in the Xde to the final period of 
 Njcolaites, Gnoftics, fa world, is the appearance 
 gain ground and ,fy ma n, Antichrift. But the 
 maturity in the^ened for his coming by two pre- 
 extraorumary lt s, which \ve learn from St. Paul, 
 fidious rj\ w ill enable him to bring on thofe mif- 
 PropJ upon mankind and that defolation upon 
 the earth, which the Prophets have foretold. St. 
 Paul thus writes to the ThefTalonians in his fe- 
 cond Epiftle, chap. 2. 
 
 v. i. And we befeech you^ Brethren, by the com- 
 ing of our Lord jefus Chrifl^ and of our gathering 
 together unto him : 
 
 v. 2. That you be not eafily moved from your 
 mind, nor be frighted, neither by fpirit, nor by word, 
 nor by Epiftle as fcnt from us, as if the day of 
 the Lord were at hand. 
 
 v. 3. Let no man deceive ycu by any means : 
 for unlcfs there come a revolt firft, and the man of 
 Jin be revealed, the fen of perdition, 
 
 v. 4. who oppofeth, and is lifted up above all 
 that is called God, or that is worfiipped, fo that he 
 fateth in the temple of God, Jhewing himfelf as if 
 he were God. 
 
 v. 5. Remem-
 
 2 g, THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 v 5> '^tice of, againfl the falfe Chrifts. and 
 w;/ J0K, ^ t5 tnat w iN rife U P in & c laft age > 
 
 v. 6. ./f/w whom will be Antichrift and the 
 be may be reveal 5 attendant. And what is very 
 
 v. 7. For tbewH have power of jheiving great 
 only that be who ri*fmuch as to deceive (if peffible) 
 taken out of the w/zy.fhall fee the fame confirm- 
 
 v. 8. And then that in the two abovemention- 
 whom the Lord Jefus fid. 
 
 bis mouth, and Jhall defiroy ^f all thefe Seducers, 
 bis coming. ^er, is given' us in 
 
 Here the Apoftle admoniflies tn Paul. In the 
 not to give way to terrors, as if wne deceitful 
 was near at hand ; affuring them that"''T, where 
 day would not come, //// tkere came a re-volt vents 
 find the man of Jin ivere revealed^ the fan of per- 
 dttion^ who ofpofeth^ and is lifted up above all 
 that is called God, or that ts worfljippcd, fo that 
 he fitteth in (be temple of God, Jhewing himfdf as 
 if he were God. (v. 3, 4.). "By the Man of fen, 
 the Son of perdition, 6?<r. all Chriftian Antiquity 
 and the fubfequent ages have ever underftood that 
 fuperlatively wicked man, Antichriir. The end of 
 the world therefore v/ill not happen till after this 
 man's appearance ; and alfo after what St. Paul 
 calls a revolt which, it feems, will be previous 
 to Antichrid's coming. This revolt, or, rather 
 according to the Greek text, the Apoftafy, denotes 
 a defection from faith, as the generality of the 
 Scripture-Interpreters have underftood it. Alas ! 
 we have already feen a great flood of Apcjlafy 
 fpread itfelf through the Weftern part of Chriften- 
 {lom, within the two laft centuries and a half, by 
 
 the
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 283 
 
 the rife of Lutheranifm, Calvinifm, <kc. And this 
 had been preceded in the Eaftern part of the 
 Church by the Greek Schifm, Mahometifm, Ari- 
 anifm, &c. Even, St. Paul aflures us, he him- 
 felf faw this Apoflafy, or defection from faith, 
 yfhering itfelf into the world : for the myjtery 
 tf iniquity already ivorketb, fays he, (v. 7.). The 
 feeds of it were fovvn, and had fprung up in the 
 Apoftle's time, in the Heretics . called Simonians, 
 Njcolaites, Gnoflics, &c. But it will continue to 
 gain ground and to ripen, till it comes to full 
 maturity in the time of Antichrift, who by his 
 extraordinary power, cruel perfecutions, and in- 
 fidious machinations, will together with his falfe 
 Prophet., feduce a prodigious number of Chrif- 
 tkns. This we fhall fee in the following part of 
 the Apocalypfe : And it is fufficiently intimated 
 by our Savioyr, as we obferved under the fixth 
 feal, in thefe words : There Jhall arife falfe Chrijls 
 and falfe Prophets, and Jhall Jhew great figns and 
 great wonders, infomuch as to deceive (if pqffible) 
 even the Eleft. (Matth. xxiv. 24.). 
 
 Under the tern) Apoflafy may be comprehend- 
 ed, not only a defection from faith, but alfo a 
 general degeneracy of Morals, which already mews 
 itfelf in the furprifing growth of licentioufnefs and 
 irreligion, in a tide of luxury, extravagance, and 
 profligacy. This inundation of vice paves the 
 way for worfe, and will fprcad more and more 
 with the progrefs of time, till it rifes to a gene- 
 ral flood of wickcdnds in the infamous diflblute 
 reign of Antichrift. This feerns to be alfo point- 
 ed at in the following words of Chrift: And 
 
 lecaufe
 
 284 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 becaufe iniquity has abounded^ the charity of many 
 Jhall grow cold. (Match, xxiv. 12.) In fine this 
 general Apoftafy, with refped both to Faith and 
 Morality, was likewife fully infmuated by our Sa- 
 viour when he faid : When the Son of man 
 cometh, Jhall he find> think you, faith on the Earth. 
 (Luke xviii. 8,) 
 
 The fecond circumftance, which will announce 
 the coming of Antichrift, is obicurely expreffed 
 thus by St. Paul in the above cited text : And 
 now you know what withboldeth, that he fthe man 
 of fin or Ahtiehriftj be revealed in his time. Only 
 that he who now holdeth, do hold^ until he -be taken 
 cut of the iv ay, and then that wicked one (Anti- 
 chrift)^// be revealed, (v. 6, 7, 8.). The gene- 
 rality of the Holy Fathers have explained this 
 text of the deftruction of the Roman Empire, 
 which was to take place before Antichrift Jhould 
 be revealed. The fame interpretation has alfo been 
 tranfmitted through all the Chriftian ages by an 
 uniform Tradition , the ground of which can be 
 no other but the explication St. Paul himfelf had 
 given to the Theflalonians by word of mouth, as 
 he tells them in this place : Remember you not^ fays 
 he, that when I was yet -with you, I told you thefe 
 things? (v. 5.). According to the fenfe here ex. 
 pofed, the Roman Empire, which 'held when St. 
 John wrote, was therefore the thing ibat withheld, 
 and was to be taken away, before Antichrift mould 
 appear. " Who holds," fays Tertullian, " but 
 " the Roman Empire? the divifion of which into 
 " ten Kingdoms will bring on Antichrift : and 
 " then, according to the Apoftle, that wicked
 
 o* THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 285 
 
 ** one fhall be revealed." (De Refurrect. Carnis 
 cap. 24.). St. Jerom relating the above words of 
 the Apoftle, only that be who now boldetb^ doth 
 bold, until be be taken out of the way, writes thus : 
 " The Apoftle by this exprefiion, He who now 
 " holdeth^ indicates the Roman Empire : he fays 
 " it in obfcure terms, becaufe if he had fpoken 
 " openly, he would imprudently have raifed the 
 *' rage of the perfecutors againft the Chriflians 
 '* and againft the Church which was then be- 
 " ginning to rife." (in Jerem. c. 25.). Again the 
 fame learned Do6lor of the Church in another 
 place explaining the fame pafiage fays : " Only 
 " that the Roman Empire, which holds now all 
 " nations under it's power, be taken away, and 
 " then Antichrift will come." (Epift, 151 ad Al- 
 gaf. qu. ii.). St. John Chryfoftom interpreteting 
 the fame text, fpeaks thus : " It may be afked,. 
 " what St. Paul means when he fays, you knew 
 " rthat withholdetb, that he may le revealed , and 
 " then, why the Apoftle fpeaks fo obfcurely. 
 " He has in view the Roman Empire ; and 
 " therefore it is with good reafon he fpeaks in 
 " obfcure enigmatical terms, for fear of irritating 
 *' the Romans. The Apoftle fays then ; or.ly 
 " that he who now boldetb, do hold^ until he be 
 " taken out of the way^ that is, when the Ro- 
 " man Empire lhall be removed from the face 
 " of the Earth, then Antichrift will come." (in 
 2 ThefT. Horn. 4.). Lactantius fpeaking of the 
 la ft period of the world fays : "At that time 
 " Devaitation will overfpread the whole Earth, de- 
 " ftroying every thing : the caufe of which de- 
 
 " folation
 
 186 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 * c folation will be, that the Roman name (1 
 " ihuJder to fay it, but I rnuft, becaufe it is td 
 " be) will be taken away from the Earth, arid 
 " the Empire will return into Afia the Eaft 
 " will domineer again, and the Weft be fub- 
 " dued." (lib. 7. c. 15.). St. Cyril of Jerufalem 
 writes : " The Devil will raife up a farnbus ' 
 " Man, who will feize upon th; dominion of 
 " the Roman Empire. That Man or Antichriffc 
 <e will appear, when the Roman Empire is come 
 " to it's period." (Catech. 15.}. St. Auguftin, 
 other Fathers, and the Scripture-Expofitcrs cf 
 latter ages have explained St. Paul's text in the 
 fame fenfe. From hence then it appears, that 
 St. Paul has difclofed this particular c ire urn fiance, 
 viz. that the Roman Empire was to be diffolved 
 before Antichrift appeared, and that it's difiblu- 
 tion would be a fign of the approach of that 
 impious man. 
 
 We have already feen in the tiiftory of the 
 third age, that the great body of the Roman 
 Empire became divided into two-, the Weftern, 
 which had Rome for it's Capital; and the 
 Eaftern, of which Conftantinople was conftituted 
 Capital. We have likewife feen, that the Wef- 
 tern Empire was torn to pieces by different 
 iwarms of Northern Invaders, Goths, Vandals, 
 Huns, Alans, &c, who parcelled out its pro- 
 vinces among themfelves, and even burned Rome 
 itfelf. Upon the definition of the Weftern 
 part, it is plain it could not be faid that the 
 whole Roman Empire was extingnifhed, fince 
 the large Eaftern part ftill fubfifted. Befides, it 
 
 muft
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 287 
 
 muft be remembered, we related how the Wef- 
 tern R.oman Empire was revived and roiled up 
 anew, though net to it's former grandeur, by- 
 Charlemagne who was crowned Emperor of it 
 in the year 00. It has continued to exift ever 
 fmce that Epoch, and is fwayed at prefent by 
 the Auguft houie of Auftria, and has it's feat 
 in Germany. 
 
 Neverthelefs upon the abovementioned ruin of 
 the Weftern State with Rome it's Imperial Head, 
 which had been looked upon as the mighty 
 Centre and Metropolis of the whole world, ibme 
 of the Chriilians apprehended that, in confor- 
 mity to the above Prophecy of St. Paul, the 
 time of Antichrift would foon fucceed. This 
 itemed to be the fentiment of St. Jerom, who 
 lived at that period. " He that held, fays he, 
 ** is taken out of the way, and yet we don't 
 " underftand that Antichrift muft be coming." 
 (Ep. xi. ad Ager.) This opinion, though falfe for 
 the reafons juft now mentioned, yet was not totally- 
 devoid of foundation. For Rome, the principal 
 Head and ancient Centre of all dominion, was then 
 no more, and the moft notable part of the Empire, 
 namely, the Weftern, was fupprefled. What wonder 
 then, that the time of Antichrift was fuppofed, from 
 the expreffipn of St. Paul, to be approaching? And 
 in effect, we foon after fee the birth of a Man, viz. 
 Mahomet, who though not himiHf Antichrift, yet 
 laid the foundations of a great Power, which we 
 conceive will form hereafter the Antichriftian Em- 
 pire. The reafons for this opinion will appear in 
 the fequcl. The ruin of Ancient Rome was ulti- 
 mately
 
 288 Tftz GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 matelv completed by Torila, King of the Goths, in 
 the year 546-, and not long afttr, Mahomet was 
 born, viz, in 57 1, and began his conquefts about the 
 year 622. From that dare the Mahometan power 
 advanced wkh great rapidity and fuccefs, and grew 
 to a prodigious height of dominion under the Sara- 
 cens ; as we have fhewn in the account of the fourth 
 Seal. Afterwards, the chief part of that vaft Em- 
 pire fell by conqueft into the hands of the Turks, 
 where it remains at this day. Thefe warriors, actu- 
 ated by an infatiate third of power, enlarged their 
 conquefts upon the Eailern Roman Empire, which 
 at lait they entirely fubdued, and took the Imperial 
 city of Conftantinople in 1453, where the conquer- 
 ing Sultan, Mahomet II, fixed the feat of his own 
 Monarchy. Thus was taken cut of tbe "jcc.y or ex- 
 tinguifhed one part of that Empire, the exiftence 
 of which withholds or hinders the coming of Anti- 
 chrift. And in this manner did the Turkifh power 
 increafe, and as we apprehend, will continue it's 
 progrefs, to pave the way to univerfal dominion 
 under a Ruler or Empercr, who will in the end 
 become Antichrift. 
 
 The fourth Seal, as we have feen, gave us the 
 origin of the Mahometan Monarchy, of which it 
 was there faid; Power was give n tc bint (it's Rulers) 
 ever the f cur parts of tbe Eartk, (Apoc. VI. 8.) In 
 the Greek indeed we read, &i-er tie fourth part of tte 
 Earth. If the text of the Vulgate be followed, ir 
 is clear that the Mahometan Dominion will extend 
 over the four parts of the Earth : And this will be 
 further confirmed hereafter. The accomplifhment 
 of this Prophecy h advancing, but- not yet ade- 
 quately
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 289 
 
 qirjtdy fulfilled. The Turks have already in their 
 pofil-mon a confiderable part of Afia, a great extent 
 of .country in Africa, and a fpacious territory in 
 Europe. On the pouring out of the fourth Via], 
 we ia\v the Divine Juftice fall upon the Schematic 
 Grerks by the hands of the Turks, who 'hereupon 
 greatly enlarged their Empire. New, a- the people 
 of RuiHa have been long involved in the fame 
 Schiim and continue obflinate in it, mult we fup- 
 pofe they will be exempted from all lliare in the 
 Fourth Via], while their Brethren, the Greeks of 
 the Conftantinopolitan Stale, have been fentencecl to 
 drink fo deeply of it? God forbid we mould y re- 
 fume to Judge, or to fcrrftai the Divine determi- 
 nations! we only lay, it may poffibly happen by 
 virtue of the fourth Vial, that the UuiT-ans may 
 be fubdued by the Turks, and reduced into a fla- 
 very iimilar to that under which the Greeks have 
 groaned fo long. If this mould come to pals, a 
 road will be opened to the Infidels into all the Nor- 
 thern countries that lie near the Baltic Sea and the 
 Ocean. But whatever fuppofition be made with re- 
 fpecfc ro the ftate of Rufila, the pouring out of the 
 Fifth Vial appears to threaten, that the Northern 
 Countries juil now mentioned will one day fall un- 
 der the dominion of the Turks. When this is done, 
 the door lies open to America, that new world, 
 where hitherto thofe Infidels have never carried their 
 ftandard. By the conqueft of the North part of 
 Europe, they will become Matters of forne of the 
 chief maritime States, which will furnifh them with 
 navies to carry their victorious arms into America. 
 And thus will be facilitated to them the reduction of 
 thole Colonies, whofe Mother-Countries they will 
 U ' h^vc
 
 290 THE GENERAL HISTOR-Y 
 
 have previoufly conquered in Europe. After this 
 manner the Mahometan Power may rife by gradual 
 fteps, and fwell to a prodigious bulk, till the com- 
 ing of that Antichriftian Prince, who will put the 
 laft hand to it, by extending it in fome fhape over 
 the whole Earth, and will employ his exorbitant 
 power to annoy mankind, and in particular to wage 
 war againft the Chriftian Religion. 
 
 The great Empire of Turkey, thus enlarged, 
 having prepared the way for the coming of this im- 
 pious Prince, we mail now look out for his birth 
 and origin-, for which we muft have recourfe to the 
 Book of Daniel. This Prophet in the feventh Chap- 
 ter tells us, he faw in a vifion four Beafts rife up cut 
 ef the fea, which have been generally underflood to 
 reprefent four great Empires that mould fucceed 
 one another, namely, the Chaldean, Perfian, Greek, 
 and the Roman. The fourth Beaft, which denotes 
 the ancient Roman Empire, Daniel thus delcribes, 
 ver. 7. , I beheld in tbe viftcn of the night and lo! a 
 fourth Beaft, terrible and wonderful, and exceeding 
 ftrong; it bad great iron teeth, eating and breaking in 
 pieces i and treading down the reft with it's feet: and 
 it iv as unlike to the other Beafts , which 2 had feen be- 
 fore it) and it had ten horns. An Angel explains to 
 the Prophet the meaning of this myfterbus terrible 
 Beaft in the following manner, ver. 23. The fourth 
 Beaft will be the fourth Kingdom upon Earth, which 
 Jhall be greater* than all the Kingdoms, and Jhall de- 
 vour the whole Earth, and Jhall tread it down, and 
 
 break 
 
 * The Chaldaic text, in which language this Prophecy 
 was written, has, unlike ts all tbe kingdoms.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 291 
 
 break it in pieces. Further, vcr. 24. And the ten 
 horns of the fame Kingdom will be ten .kings. This 
 fourth Kingdom, or Roman Empire, was then to 
 furpafs in power and dominion all' the preced- 
 ing Kingdoms. And effectually, it conquered the 
 dominions of the three above-named Empires, and 
 even fubdued the greateft part of the then known 
 world. The ten horns of the Beaft are faid by the 
 Angel to be ten kings, that is, ten Proconfuls or Go- 
 vernors placed by the Emperors over the ten Provin- 
 ces, into which the whole Roman State might be 
 fuppofed to be divided. Thefe Proconfuls or Go- 
 vernors might well be termed Kings ^ as their power 
 was very great, and the provinces under their com- 
 mand equal to large kingdoms. 
 
 Daniel proceeds, v. 8. I ccnjidered the horns-, and 
 behold, another little horn fprung out of the midft of 
 them : and three of the jirft herns were plucked up at 
 the prefence thereof. Which the Angel explains to 
 him thus, v. 24. And another (king) Jhall rife up 
 after them, and he Jhall be mightier than the former* : , 
 and he Jhall bring down three kings. The little horn y 
 here, which the Angel explains to be a king, will be 
 that king who will become Antichrift. And fuch is 
 the opinion of St. Jerom, and feveral other Holy 
 Fathers and Interpreters. This little horn, or this 
 petty king, who at laft will be Antichrift, muft there- 
 fore fpring cut of the midft of the ten horns, or will 
 be born and rile up from without the midft of the 
 ten Provinces that compofed the ancient Roman 
 Empire, that is, will rile up in a country, out of the 
 U 2 boundary 
 
 The Chaldaic : arid be /kail be unlike ti the formir.
 
 292 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 boundary of the Roman Empire, but anfwering ta 
 the middle of it. This circumftance joined with the- 
 other before mentioned, of his becoming Emperor 
 of the Turks, ferves to point out tp us the place of 
 his birth. Whoever will take the pains to view the 
 map of the Ancient Roman Empire, will fee that the 
 ountry formerly called Taurica Cherfonefus, now 
 Crim Tartary, on the north fide of ]?ont Euxin 
 or Black fea, correfponds very nearly to the middle 
 of that Empire > while at the fame time it lies with- 
 out it's limits. And this latter circumftance is ne- 
 eeffary, as the little horn ought to be independent 
 on the other ten horns, which could not be if it was 
 placed within the fphere of their power. In the 
 country then- of Crim Tartary we conceive the An- 
 tichriftian Prince will be born, heir to that petty 
 kingdom, and will fucceed to it as Kan or King of 
 Crim and little Tartary. On another hand, we learn 
 from Prince Cantemir, in his hiftory of the Ottoman 
 Empire,, that the Mahometan family upon the throne 
 of Crim Tartary is descended by a younger branch 
 from the fame flock as the Ottoman family that fits 
 upon the throne of Conftantinople, and the Turks 
 have often declared that if the Ottoman family faiU 
 that of Crim Tartary is to fucceed to their Empire. 
 We fuppofe therefore that the prefent Ottoman race, 
 which now fwajs the Turkifh Scepter, will fome 
 how or other be removed or extinguifhed ; upon 
 which the Antichriftian Prince, King of Crim Tar- 
 tary, will claim his right and mount the Imperial 
 Throne of Turkey. This fimple courfe of events 
 ftie\vs therefore the completion of Daniel's Prophecy: 
 a King of fo fmall a country as Crim and little Tar- 
 tary, may well be reputed the link born tbat fprung 
 
 out 

 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 293 
 
 cut ''f the mldft of t fa ten horns-, and this petty King's 
 fucrx'eding to the Turkifti Empire, explains how the 
 little horn grew mightier than the other boms. 
 
 Before we explain the reft of the above Prophecy, 
 it may not be amifs to add fomething more concern- 
 ing the origin of this famous future Prince, It is 
 the opinion of many of the Ancients, that Anti- 
 chrift will be a Jew, born of the tribe of Dan, 
 They alledge as a probable proof of it; firft, the 
 Prophecy of Jacob about his Son Dan. Thus fpoke 
 that Patriarch: Dan fa all judge Ins People like another 
 tribe in Ifrael. Let Dan le a fr.dke in the way, a fer- 
 pent in the path, that liteth the horfe's heels that his 
 rider may fall backward. (Gen. XLIX. 16. 17). 
 Upon which St. Auguftin fays : " When Jacob 
 *' gave his laft blefllng to his Sons, he fpoke in fuch 
 " manner of Dan, as to give reafon to think that 
 ** Antichriit will be born of that tribe". (Qu. 22. 
 in Jofue). But this prediction feems to have been ac- 
 complifhed in that extraordinary man, Sampfon, who 
 was born of the tribe of Dan, .became Judge in If- 
 rael, and was truly a fnake in the way to the Phili- 
 ilins : for he met them every where and forcly tor- 
 mented them. And in this fenfe St. Jerom explains 
 it. (in Quseft. Hebr.) 
 
 The iecond argument adduced in favour of the 
 fame opinion is drawn from the feventh Chapter 
 of the Apocalypfe, where in the enumeration of the 
 Jews who in each tribe were to be figned with the 
 fign of the Living God, the tribe of Dan is omitted, 
 as if it was excluded from that favour on account of 
 it's giving birth to that moil wicked of all men, 
 Antichrift. But this argument does not feem to be 
 diffidently grounded. For, in the firft place, St. 
 U 3 Joha
 
 294 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 John before he begins that enumeration fays, that 
 there were a hundred and, forty four thousand (or, 
 twelve times twelve thoufand) figned, out of all the 
 tribes of IfraeL (vii. 4.). He therefore meant to 
 enumerate all the twelve- tribes. Secondly, in that 
 enumeration we may obferve there is mention made 
 of the tribe of Joieph, and of the tribe of ManaiTe, 
 but no mention of that of Ephraim ; we muft alfo 
 obferve that the tribe of Jofeph comprehended both 
 the tribes of Ephraim and Manafie, who were Jo- 
 . feph's two fons. Therefore either the tribe of 
 Jofeph would have been folely mentioned, without 
 that of Manafle ; or elfe the two feparate tribes of 
 Ephraim and Manafle would have been mentioned, 
 without that of Jofeph. It appears then that, as 
 the text ftands, the mention of the tribe of Manafic 
 is luperfiuous, being included in tha-t of Jofeph. 
 Indeed, a miftake feems to have crept into the text 
 through inadvertency of the Copier, who, inflead 
 of AAN in the Greek Original, wrote MAN in 
 his copy, as the Greek letters A and M are not fo 
 very different : and in fubfequent copies MAN 
 might be lengthened out into MANASSE, for 
 which it was fuppofed to Hand. Therefore it 
 would feem, that Dan flood in the original text 
 inftead of Man or Manafie. Befides, upon the 
 fuppofition even that Antichrift was to fpring from 
 the tribe of Dan, we don't fee why the whole tribe 
 mould be accurfed for that. We may then con- 
 clude with refpect to this article, that, as there ap- 
 pears nothing in Holy Writ to determine the Ori- 
 ginal of Antichrift, we may fuppofe he will be born 
 of Mahometan parents, fuch being at prefent the 
 Prince and people of Crim Tartar)'. 
 
 But
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 295 
 
 But to refume the Prophecy of Daniel. / con- 
 fidercd the herns, fays he, and behold^ another little 
 horn fprung out of the midjl of them : and three of the 
 frft horns were plucked up fit the pre fence thereof. 
 (vii. 8.). The laft part, which alone remains to be 
 confidered, and' three of the firft horns were plucked 
 up at the prefence thereof \ is thus explained to him 
 by the Angel : and he Jhall bring down three kings> 
 (v. 24.) : that is, the Antichriftian King, reprefent- 
 cd by the little horn, will fubdue three Kings or 
 three Kingdoms, which muft be Provinces of the 
 ancient Roman Empire; becaufe, as we obferved, 
 that Empire is reprefented by the Beaft^ and it's 
 Provinces are fignified by the Beaft's horns. And 
 thus, by his reducing three Kingdoms under his 
 power, three horns of the Beaft will be plucked up by 
 him. This Antichriftian Prince, at his acceflion to 
 the Imperial Crown of Conftantinople, will find the 
 Turkim Empire in actual pofieffion of feven of the 
 ten Provinces that made up the whole ancient Ro- 
 man State. Thefe acquifitions, and that of moil of 
 the Northern countries of Europe, will have been 
 the work of his Predecefibrs, as we have already re- 
 marked, and he will enter upon a Dominion of vaft 
 extent. But there will flill remain three Provinces 
 or Kingdoms, unfubdued, within the compafs of the 
 old Roman Empire. Thefe are referved for his own 
 conqueft. 
 
 It may now be afked, which may be fuppofed to 
 be the three kingdoms here fpoken of. To anfwer 
 the queftion; it appears pretty clear, that the pre- 
 fent German Empire muft be one of the three, as it 
 was formerly a Roman Province, and is ftill the 
 repreientative of the Roman Empire j and confe- 
 U 4 quently
 
 2 9 6 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 quently according --to the above-cited Prophecy of 
 St. Paul // muji be taken cut of the ^-ay.- The other 
 two Kingdoms we apprehend may be France and 
 Spain i becauie they conftituted formerly two pro- 
 vinces of the Roman State, and feem to be almofl 
 the only coniiderable Powers remaining, which will 
 not have been before {wallowed up in the Turkilh 
 Dominion. This however cannot be certainly afcer- 
 tained ; as perchance Italy may be one of thefe two 
 Kingdoms, unlefs on account of it being divided 
 into a number of petty States, it may not be reputed 
 to form a Kingdom. Thus then by the reduction 
 of the three Kingdoms He ivho held will be taken cut 
 cf the way, conformably to the Prophecy of St. 
 Paul -, that is, the Roman Empire will be wholly 
 put down, and incorporated in the dominion of the 
 Antichriftian Emperor. But it mufl be obferved, 
 all thefe things happen while he is a fuccefsful con- 
 quering Prince, before he declares himfelf Antichrift ; 
 as follows from the Apoftle's words already cjred : 
 Only that be who now holdcth, do hold, until he Is 
 taken out of the way: and then that wicked om (Anti- 
 chrift) _/&#// be revealed, 
 
 According to the above account, deduced from 
 the predictions of Daniel and St. Paul, the Anti- 
 chriftian Prince becomes Mafter of all thofe fpacious 
 countries that conftituted the ancient Roman Em- 
 pire ; and of courfe he may be truly (tiled Roman 
 Emperor. And that fuch he will one day be, may 
 be further confirmed from the Apocalypfe. \Ve 
 have feen (page 130.) in the explication of the i7th 
 chapter of the Apocalypfe, that the feven heads of 
 the Bead which represents the Roman Empire, de- 
 note
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 297 
 
 note feven Roman Emperors, of whom Antichrift 
 lutnielf is the feventh or lait. The fame will like- 
 wife appear hereafter in the expofition of chapter the 
 1 3th, which evidently relates to Antichrift. Such 
 a lib we find to have been the general fentiment ot 
 the Ancients. Thus fpeaks St. John Chryfoilom : 
 " As thoie Empires, which preceded the Roman, 
 " were deftroyed ; that of the Babylonians by that 
 " of thz Perfuns, that of the Perfians by that 
 " of the Macedonians, that of the Macedonians, 
 " by that of the Romans ; fo will likewife the 
 " JEmpire of the Romans be deftroyed by Anti- 
 *< chrift." (in 2 ThciT. horn. 4.). St. Cyril 
 of Jei ufalem fays : " The Devil will raife up 
 " a famous man (Antichrift) who will feize upon 
 " the dominion of the Roman Empire." (Catech. 
 15.). St. Ireriaus, St. Jerom, and others might be 
 quoted for the fame purpofe. 
 
 Conftantinople, which has been the feat of the 
 Turkiih Monarchs ever fince it fell under their do- 
 minion, will continue to remain lo under this Tur- 
 kifii, Antichriftian, and Roniiin Ehiperor. That 
 city, though very large at prelent, upon the vaft 
 acceflion of empire will probably increafe to a great 
 degree, in magnitude, grandeur and riches. As the 
 Ancient Romans could never fit down to enjoy their 
 acquisitions in .the fweets of peace, but were con- 
 fbntly flimulated by an iniatiate luft of power to 
 add to their dominion -, in like manner this new Ro- 
 man Emperor, as if with the acquifition of their 
 territory he inherited their reftlefs ambition, will 
 purfue his deftructive view of aggrandizing his 
 power and empire. The reduction of one country 
 after another will whet his appetite for conqueft, and 
 
 each
 
 298 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 each conqiitft will facilitate the way to further 
 fuccefs. Having added Europe to his other domi- 
 nions, he will have at command the naval power of 
 ali the great maritime ftates. His numerous fleers 
 may therefore fly from one continent to another, 
 from one iiland to another, and ftrike terror wherever 
 they come. What wonder then if he enlarges his 
 empire with frefh conquefts in Africa, America, in 
 the Eaft and Weft Indies ? 
 
 In tliefe times iniquity will abound. Univerfal 
 will have been die propagation of infidelity, ir- 
 religion, and immorality, as we have before obferved 
 from the words of our Saviour and St. Paul. De- 
 feftion from faith, diiregard for it's teachers, licen- 
 tiouihefs in opinions, depravity in morals, will fo 
 far at laft deaden the influence of Religion, and 
 caufe fuch degeneracy in Mankind, that many wiH 
 be fo bafe as even to efpoufe Idolatry, This 
 afiertion may feem incredible to fome at this day, 
 and may be efteemed an abfurdity ; but we mail 
 fee Idolatry exprefsly mentioned in the Apocaly^fe, 
 as exifring in the time of Antichrift. And indeed, 
 I apprehend our furprize v/ill much abate, if we 
 take -into confideration the temper and difpofition 
 of the prefent times. When men diveft themfdves, 
 as they feem to do at prefent, of all fear of the 
 fupreme Being, of all refpec~b for their Creator and 
 Lord ; when they immcrfe thcmfclves in the grati- 
 fication of fenfuality ; when they give full loofe to 
 the human pafiions, and direcl: their whole ftudy to 
 the purfuits of a corrupt world, with a total forget- 
 fulnels of a future ftate ; may we not fay that the 
 tranfition is eafy to Idolatry ? When all the fteps 
 are taken that lead to a mark, what wonder if we 
 
 arrive
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 299 
 
 arrive at it ? Such was the gradual degeneracy of 
 mankind in the early ages of the world, that brought 
 on the abominable practice of Idol-worfhip. I am 
 aware it will be faid ; v/e have the happinefs to live 
 .in the moft enlightened of all ages, our know- 
 ledge is more perfect, our ideas are more improved 
 and refined, the human faculties are now better 
 cultivated than ever before, and in fine the prefent 
 race of mankind may be reckoned a fociety of 
 Philofophers, when compared to preceding genera- 
 tions : how then can fuch a ftupidity feize the hu- 
 man mind, as to fink it into Idolatry ? But I ap- 
 prehend, this kind of reafoning is more fpecious 
 than folid. For, allowing the prefent times to fur- 
 pafs the former in refinement and knowledge, it muft 
 be faid they are proportionably more vicious. Re- 
 finement of Reafon has contributed, as every one 
 knows, to refine upon the means of gratifying the 
 human paffions. Befides, how much foever en- 
 lightened the mind may be fuppofcd to be, if the 
 heart is corrupted, what exceffes the man will run 
 into, daily experience teaches. If the Philofopher is 
 not governed by the power of Religion, his conduct 
 will be abfurd, and even defpicable to the moft ig- 
 norant individual of the loweft rank. A Socrates, 
 a Cicero, a Seneca, are faid to have been acquainted 
 with the knowledge of one fupreme God , but they 
 had not courage to profefs his worfhip, and in their 
 public conduct bafely facrificed to flocks and ftones 
 with the vulgar. When men have banifhed from 
 their heart the fenfe of religion, and dtfpife the ties 
 of Juftice, (and is not this the cafe of numbers ?), 
 will many of them fcruple to cenfe a Statue, if do- 
 ing fo will ferve their ambition, their inttreft, or 
 
 whatever
 
 300 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 whatever may be their favourite pafiior. ? Where is 
 then the furprize, that infidelity and irreligion be 
 fucceeded by Idolatry ? That Pride alone, when in- 
 flamed with a conftant fiOW of pfofperity, may raife 
 a man to the extravagant prefumption of claiming 
 to himfclf Divine honours, we have examples in 
 Alexander, the celebrated Macedonian Conqueror, 
 in feveral Emperors of Babylon and ancient Rome. 
 I'rom fuggeftions of that fame principle of Pride 
 may it not happen, that the Turks in future 
 elated by a long leries offuccefs, by a continued 
 courie of victories and conqueils, ir,;iy it not happen, 
 I fay, that they will afcribe all this good fortune to 
 the imaginary Protection of their great Mahomet, 
 and thence fet him up for a God ? By the vanity 
 of men^ fays the book of Wifdom, Idols came into the 
 socrld. (xiv. 14.). If it mould fo happen; in the 
 vaft bulk of people then under the yoke of that 
 empire, how many individuals may yield to the 
 fame abfurd impiety, fome out of fear for what they 
 may lofe, others out of a view to gain what they 
 covet ! 
 
 The unparalleled fuccefs, which will attend the 
 arms of this domineering Prince, the Antichriflian 
 Hero, the greatnefs of his power and the extent of 
 his dominion, fuperior to every thing that has been 
 feen before, will ftrike with amazement the whole 
 world, and in particular the Jews, who have been 
 ever expecting fuch a glorious Conqueror. They 
 will be dazzled by the appearances of fuch extraor- 
 dinary profperity, and will view this great Monarch 
 with minds fufpended in doubt, whether he be 
 not the Median they have fo long waited. for. Such 
 has been the misfortune of the Jews to be always in- 
 flexibly
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 301 
 
 flexibly fixed in the opinion, that the Meliiah is to 
 be a Prince of the higheft temporal grandeur and 
 power, and who will not only reftore them to their 
 ancient Land and pofieflions, but alfo raife them to 
 inch a pitch of eminence as to domineer over the 
 whole World. The Antichrifcian Emperor, know- 
 ing this their carnal difpofition, and by his un- 
 bounded ambition coveting to be acknowledged 
 Mafter and revered by all clafics of men, will craftily 
 encourage the Jews in their delufive notions, and 
 draw them into the fnare. He will pretend to be the 
 Great Perfonage promifed to them by the Prophets. 
 He will pretend to be lineally defcended from King 
 David, who was fotetold to be the Parent of the 
 Meflieh. He will feign to be attached to the Law 
 of Mofes, to be zealous in the obfervance of it's 
 Rites, and will alledge for proof of his fmcerity, his 
 having been Circumcifeil ; which circnmffance will 
 be true, as circumcifion has always been in ufe 
 among the Mahometans. 
 
 Thus he will. put on the mafk of diffimulation. 
 " Antichrift will be," fays St. Gregory the great, 
 " the chief of all hypocrites. That feducer will pre- 
 " tend. 10 fanctity, that he may draw others into 
 " iniquity", (in Job. lib. 25. c. 14). St. Ambrofe 
 (in Luc. 12.) is of opinion, that he will alledge the 
 Sacred Scriptures to prove to the Jews that he is 
 their Meffiah, and the Chrift. " Before the end of 
 " the world," fays St. Cyril of Jerufalem, " Satan 
 " will raife up a Man, who will falfely affume the 
 " name of Chrift, and by that means will feduce 
 " the Jews". (Catech. 15). Mafked under the 
 title of their glorious Meffiah, he will flatter them 
 with promifes of reftoring them to their ancient in- 
 heritance,
 
 3 02 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 heritance, the polTcfTion of the whole country of 
 Judaea, and in particular to their beloved City of 
 Jeruialem. He will promile to rebuild their temple, 
 and reinftate the Moiaic Religion in it's primitive 
 Splendor. He will pretend to make them the moft 
 glorious people upon Earth, and that the great ex- 
 pectations they havefo long waited for mail now be 
 fulfilled. To give greater weight to all his fictitious 
 pretences, the Arch-Impoftor will place himfelf at 
 Jerulalem, where the Jews expect their Mefilah will 
 hold his rtfidence. Thither he will invite them to 
 refort, that they may receive the effect of his pro- 
 mifes. Thus allured, they will repair thither in 
 great number, and will acknowledge him for their 
 King and Mefliah. That fuch will be the illufion 
 of the Jews, is the general opinion of the antienf 
 Fathers of the Church and of the fubfequent Inter- 
 preters of Holy Writ. They ground their fenti- 
 ment on thofe words of our Saviour to the Jews : 
 I am come in the name of my Father, and you receive 
 me not : if another Jhall come in his o "jon name , him you 
 will receive. (John V. 43.}. By this other who <mll 
 ccme in his own name and be received by the Jews, the 
 above- Writers underfland Antichrift. 
 
 But while the Antichriftian Impoftor is carry- 
 ing on this farce at Jerufalem, and the Jews 
 moving from all parts of the globe to refort thither, 
 it feems that fome fudden accident will happen, that 
 will alarm him, and oblige him to let out for the 
 Eaft to affemble an army. For, at the founding of 
 the fixth Trumpet, we mall fee an immenfe body 
 of troops crofs the Euphrates from the Eaft. This 
 may come to pafs, if we fuppofe that the European - 
 Nations combine all together at this time to revolt, 
 
 and
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 303 
 
 and to refcue themfelves from his tyrranical govern- 
 ment. In which view they may join their forces 
 and make up a rnoil formidable army. Upon this 
 news reaching him at Jerufalem, he will drop all his 
 projecis concerning the Jews, and without execut- 
 ing any of the promiies made to them, he will fer 
 out in great wrath for the Rail to raite a large body 
 of forces, to chaftifc in the ievereft manner his re- 
 bellious lubjeds of Europe. In his abfence, the 
 Jews will continue to flock in great crowds to Jeru- 
 falem. But, inftead of meeting with the Mefiiah 
 they expedted, they will foon find that their affem- 
 bling together was defigned to ferve other purpofes 
 of Divine Providence. 
 
 For now the term was expiring, which the Al- 
 mighty had fixed for the duration of the Jewifh cap- 
 tivity, now the time was come, which in the De- 
 crees of his Mercy he hud fettled for recalling to 
 himielf that people, who had been fo long ettranged 
 from him. By a particular mark of bounty they 
 had been chofen in former ages by him as his pecu- 
 liar people, and adopted preferably to any other 
 nation. They fharcd his favours in great abundance 
 and in the moft confpicuous manner; and though in 
 their infidelities and grols deviations from their duty- 
 he ufed the rod of correction, yet he always retained 
 the difpofition of a merciful Father for them. Many 
 a time did he "turn away bis anger., and did not kindle 
 dl bis wrctb. And he remembered that they are flejh. 
 (Pfalm. LXXVII. 38. 39,). He had forewarned 
 them and told them : If you defpife my laws, and 
 contemn my judgment s,fo as not to do tbofe things which 
 are appointed by me, and to make void my covenant -, / 
 alfv will quickly do thefe things Ut you : I ivill quickly 
 
 vifit
 
 304 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 uifit you with poverty &c. Twill fet my face againfi 
 
 you, and you jhall fail dc\.i-,i before your enemies. Ar.d 
 Iwill fcattcr ycu among the Gentiles. But then the Al- 
 mighty prefently alter adds: And yet for all that, 
 when they were in tbc land of their enemies, I did not 
 caft them off altogether, neither did I fo defpife them, 
 that they fljould i>e quite conjumcd, and I Jhouid make 
 void r,:y covenant ivith them. For I am the Lord their 
 Gsd. (Levit. XXVI. 15, &c.}. 
 
 He fpoke again by his Prophet Amos : Behold 
 ths eyes of the Lord Gcd are upon the finful kingdom, 
 and I will destroy it from the face of the earth: lut yet 
 I will not utterly deftroy the boufe of Jacob, faith the 
 Lord. (Amos IX. 8.). Unfaithful to their God 
 they frequently offended, he frequently punifhed 
 them; and as often as they returned and implored his 
 fbrgivenefs, as often he forgave and again chcrilh- 
 cd them. When their ingratitude had grown to 
 fuch a height, as totally to abandon their indul- 
 gent Father and their God, and by a bafe pro- 
 ftitution to transfer to flocks and ftones the 
 worfhip due to him, and even obilinately to per- 
 fift in their idolatry, notwkhrftanding the conftant 
 reproaches he made them ; he in his jufl anger 
 baniflied them from their native land, and delivered 
 them over to their enemies. The ten tribes, which 
 formed the kingdom of Ifrael, were carried away 
 flaves into AiTyria-, whence, they afterwards difperfed 
 themfelves into other countries. 
 
 The tribes of Juda and Benjamin, of which con- 
 fided the kingdom of Juda, were removed to Baby- 
 lon by Nabuchodonofor, where they were fubjcfted 
 to a fevere captivity for feventy years. Thefe 
 bounds of cime God fet to his Juftice, and then the 
 
 affection
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 305 
 
 affection of the Father returned. They repented of 
 their iniquities ; he. placed them in their country 
 and renewed his BlefTmgs to them. Some of the lira- 
 elites returned alfo from Afiyria, and uniting them- 
 fdves to the Jews, formed one body with them. 
 
 After a period of years the term arrived, in which 
 their fidelity was to be put to the ftricte'ft teft. The" 
 principal of all the Divine difpenfations to man, the 
 Redemption of the world, was now to be performed. 
 The great Perfonage, the Son of God, who was to 
 execute the work, had been announced to the Jews" 
 by their Prophets, and was to be born of their race. 
 A command from Heaven had beeji given them 
 through the channel of the fame Prophets, to receive 
 him as their promifed MefTiah, to acknowledge him 
 for their new Leglflator, and to accept his doctrine 
 and laws in lieu of thofe they had hitherto followed : 
 and that they might not' miftake his perfon, their 
 Prophets had given them a full defcription of his 
 character, of the time of his coming, of the tenour 
 of his life, and his extraordinary miraculous works. 
 But when he appeared, his character and garb not 
 anfvvering to the carnal notions they had formed to 
 themfelves of his fuppofed power and grandeur, they 
 refufed to receive him. They expected in their Mef- 
 fiah, a mighty conqueror, a potent Monarch, who 
 would raile them above all other nations. They 
 would not underftand that the Bleffings defigned by 
 the divine Wifdom to adorn and fignalize the MefTiah, 
 were of a far nobler, fublimer, and. more lafting na- 
 ture, than all that worldly pomp and imaginary do- 
 minion their hearts v/ere fet upon. As therefore 
 rhefe temporal views and expectations they did not 
 X find
 
 3 o6 THE GENERAL HISTORY , 
 
 find in the humble and low condition in which Chrift 
 appeared, they rejected their God and Saviour, they 
 defpifed his doctrine, they contemned and blaf- 
 phemed his Miracles, they treated his Sacred Perfon 
 with the utmoft indignity, and even proceeded to 
 fuch an unparalleled inftance of impiety, as to put 
 him to death. This enormous crime, the greateft 
 they had been or could be guilty of, drew the whole 
 torrent of Divine wrath upon them. They had faid : 
 IrLis Hood be upon us, and upon our children. (Matth. 
 xxvii. 25.). And effectually their horrible impreca- 
 tion fell upon their own heads and upon their chil- 
 dren alfo. Within lefs than the fpace of forty years 
 after, the Almighty tent upon them his fcourge, the 
 Romans, who ravaged their country, deftroyed their 
 City and Temple j and after that an innumerable 
 multitude of them had perimed by famine, plague, 
 and the fword, the remainder were expelled Judaea, 
 and fcattered over the whole face of the earth -, con- 
 formably to the prediction of our Saviour : 'There 
 jhall be great diflrefs in the land, and wrath upon this 
 people (the Jews). And they jhall fall by the edge of 
 the fix or d\ and Jhall be led away captives into all na- 
 tions. (Luke xxi. 23, 24.). In this defolate condi- 
 tion, without any fixed abode or government, the 
 contempt of mankind, they have remained for 1700 
 years ; and thus they iiill continue a dreadful and 
 lafting monument of the Divine indignation. 
 
 But it mud be obferved that, notwithftanding this 
 moft terrible, moll fevere, and moft lafiing of all 
 the punifliments the Almighty has inflicted upon the 
 Jews, neverthelefs he has not utterly exterminated 
 them. Their race fubfifts, and is very numerous. 
 The calamities and oppreflion, they have undergone, 
 
 would
 
 OF 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 307 
 
 Would probably have extinguiihed any other people, 
 but they are ftill preferved by a fpecial protection for 
 a future great purpofe. The manifold benefits, the 
 Saviour of mankind came to confer on the world, 
 were firft offered to the Jews, but being rejected, 
 they were transferred to the Gentiles, who took the 
 place of that people in the favour of God. There- 
 fore 1 fay toyou^ the Mefiiah told them, that the king* 
 dcm 'of Gcdjhall be taken from you, and Jhall be given 
 to a nation yielding the fruits thereof. (Matth. xxi. 
 43.)- In confequence of this divine determination, 
 the light of faith and the happy tidings of Salvation 
 were carried to other nations, that lay buried in grofs 
 ignorance and in the darknefs of idolatry ; they were 
 taught the true knowledge of God and of Chrift 
 their Saviour, which they embraced, and became the 
 people of God by becoming Chriftians. But when 
 the merciful difpenfations of Heaven to the Gentiles 
 mall be completed, that is, when the Gofpel of 
 Chrift mail have been fully preached to mankind, 
 and the number of Converts to Chriflianity, defigned 
 by the Almighty, mall be filled up, and the end 
 of the world approaching, then the laft pofterity of 
 the Jewifh people mall experience that bounty, 
 which the Almighty has hitherto fufpended for many 
 ages, but in his mercy has kept in referve for them. 
 He will then take from them their heart of ft one 
 and give them a heart offlejh, he will make them 
 ienfible of their paft blindnefs and obftinacy, will 
 open their eyes to acknowledge Chrift their Memah 
 and Saviour, and in fine by making them Chriftians 
 will receive them anew into his favour. This doc- 
 trine we learn from St. Paul : Hath God caft away 
 
 his people (the Jews) ? fays he ; God Forbid. r- 
 
 X i Per
 
 3 o8 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 For I would not have you ignorant-^ Brethren, of this 
 ttiyftery (left you /hould be wife in your cwn conceits') 
 that blindnefs in part hath happened in ' Ijrc.d, until the 
 fulnefs of the Gentiles Jhould come in -, and fo all Ifrael 
 Jhould be faved\ as it is 'written : there /ball come out 
 cf ' Sion, he that jhall deliver., ar.djhall turn away un- 
 godlincfs from "Jacob : and this is to them my covenant : 
 when I flwll take away their fins. (Rom. xi. 25, 26, 
 27.). This paffage of St. Paul expreffes fo fully the 
 future converfion of the Jews to Chriftianity, that on 
 it, as chief bafis, is built the fentiment of the 
 Fathers of the Church, who are fo unanimous on 
 that head, that it is needlefs to quote any of 
 them. 
 
 The difperfion therefore of the Jews and their 
 long captivity are to have a period, but a period de- 
 termined by that event, the Vocation of the Gentiles 
 to the Faith, which when fulfilled, the Jews are to 
 be re-afiembled from all the corners of the Earth, 
 will be converted to Chriftianity, and re-eftablifhed 
 in that fame Land they formerly inhabited, and 
 which was given by the Almighty hynlclf to their 
 Anceftors. This fingular ceconomy of God to- 
 wajds that people is allb in part made known to us 
 by our Saviour in thofe his words : T'hey (the Jews) 
 Jhall bs led away cap fives into all nations , and Jerufa- 
 lem Jkall be trodden down by the Gentiles., till the times 
 of the Nations be fulfilled. (Luke xxL- 24.). But 
 the whole is beautifully defcribed by many of the 
 Antient Prophets. A few of thofe inltances mall 
 here be put down. Thus prophefied Azarias in the 
 reign of Afa, king of Juda : Many days fo all pafs in 
 Ifrael without the trite Gcd> and without a Pricft a 
 and ivitbcut .the Law. Aid when in their 
 
 diftrefs '
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 309 
 
 diftrefs they /ball return to the Lord the God of Ifrael,, 
 and Jhall feck him, they Jh all find him. (2 Paralip. xv. 3, 
 4.) Tii us fpoke the Prophet Ofee about - 8oo years 
 before Ciirift : The Children of IfraeJ Jhall fit many fays 
 wit lent King, and withe at prince, and without ' fatrifice, 
 without altar i and without Epbad. and without tlc.ra- 
 phim : find after this the children of Ifrael (ball r^vr.7, 
 andjbdlfeek the Lord thsir God+axd David their K!rg; 
 and they Jhall fear the Lord 'and his got chiefs, ' in. the 
 loft days. (c. 3: v. 4, 5.).- Here the Prophet ftrft 
 c^cfcribes the prefent forlorn Hate of the Jev/s, with- 
 out either fixed fettlement or government, temple 
 or facrifice : then he informs "us, that in the .left 
 days they will return to God and feek David their 
 king, that is, the true Mefllah; Jefus Chrift, who is 
 of the race of David and his Succeflbr in the King- 
 dom of Juda. And it Jhall come to pafs in that day, fays 
 the Prophet Ifaiah, that the Lord Jhall fet his hand 
 the fecond time to poffefs the remnant of his people, 
 which JJ} all be left from the Affyrians, and from Egrft, 
 and from Phetros^ and from Ethiopia, andfrcrn Elar.i, 
 and from Senn^ar^ and from Em'atb, and from the 
 I/lands of the fea -, and he Jhall jet up- a fia-ndard unto* 
 the nations, and Jhall affemUe the fugitives of Ifrael, and 
 J}} all gather together the difperfed of Juda from the four 
 quarters of the Earth, (xi. u.) The Prophet Jere- 
 miah prophefies on the fame fubjeft in the following' 
 ftrain : Behold the whirlwind of the Lord, 'his fury go- 
 ing forth, a violent ft or m, it Jhall reft upon the head of 
 the wicked. The Lord will not turn away tie wrath of 
 Ms indignation, till he have executed and performed tie' 
 thought of fas heart. In tie bjl days you foatt m 
 ft and thefe things. At that time, fays the Lor.!, 
 I will be the God of all the families of Ifrad, and they ' 
 Jhall be my people, (xxx. 23, 24. and xxxi. i.) 
 X 3 Here
 
 $io THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Here the anger of God is announced to fall upon tie 
 bead of the wicked, that is, upon Antichrift and his 
 fociety , which the Jews will under/land, or fee exe- 
 cuted in tbe laft days. And about that time, the 
 Lord will become the God of all tbe families or tribes 
 ef Ifrael, and they will become bis people. In like 
 rpanner by the mouth of the Prophet Ezechiel we 
 hear the Almighty fpeaking thus to the Jews : I will 
 take you from among tbe Gentiles, and will gather you 
 together out of all the countries, and will bring you into 
 
 your own land. And I will give you a new heart, 
 
 and put a new fpirit within you : and I will take away 
 the ftony heart out of your jlejh, and will give you 
 
 a heart ofjlejh. And you jhall dwell in the land 
 
 which I gave to your Fathers , and yon Jball fa nty 
 people, and I will be your God. (xxxvi. 24 &c.) We 
 {hall clofe thefe Prophecies with a pafiage from Mi- 
 cheas: It ftall come to pafs in tbe loft days, that the 
 - mountain of the boufe of tbe Lord Jhall be prepared in 
 the top of mountains, and high above tbe hills, and 
 
 people Jhall flow to it. In that day, faith the Lord, 
 
 I will gather up her that halteth ; and her that I had 
 caji out I will gather up, and her whom I had afflifted. 
 And I will make her that halted, a remnant; and her 
 that had been ajjtiRed a mighty nation : and the Lord 
 will reign over them in moun,t Sion, from this time now 
 and for ever. (iv. i. 6. 7.}. 
 
 It being then the gracious defign of the Almighty 
 to receive again the Jews into his favour, by their 
 converfion to Chriftianity, at the period we are 
 fpeaking of when they are gathering together at Jeru- 
 falemj it is now to be examined by what means that 
 great work is to be effected,, who is to be the happy 
 inftrument of it. All Antiquity and Tradition tell 
 
 us
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 311 
 
 us, that Elias is the perfon. And thefe Vouchers are 
 grounded on the exprefs word of Scripture. Thus 
 fpoke God to the Jews by the mouth of his Prophet 
 Malachy : Behold, I will fend you Elias the Prophet, 
 before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the 
 Lord: And he/hall turn the fa art of the Fathers to 
 the Children, and the heart of the Children to their Fa- 
 thers: left I CCTM andjlrike the Earth with anathema. 
 (iv. 5. 6.). Here the Almighty promifes that, be- 
 fore the great and dreadful day of Judgment, he will 
 fend the Prophet Elias, vthojhatt turn the heart ef 
 the Fathers to the Children, and the heart of the Chil- 
 dren to thtir Fathers, that is, he will convert the 
 Jews by convincing them that their MelTiah is that 
 very Jefus whom they have rejected, and by fuch 
 conviction he will reconcile them to their Fathers, 
 the Patriarchs, Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob j who 
 believed in Chrift to come, expected him, and de- 
 fired to fie his day *, while the Jews by the preaching 
 of Elias will believe in him already come: and thus 
 will enfue a mutual reconciliation; the Fathers and 
 the Children, who had been divided from the time 
 of Chrift's coming, will be reunited in the fame 
 Faith and obedience to God. This work will be 
 done, left I come, fays the Lord, and jlrike the Earth 
 with anathema, or, with utter deftruction ; that is, 
 left the whole body of the Jewiih people perifh at 
 the laft day for want of faith in their Saviour; and 
 alfo, left there mould be found at that time fo few 
 among men deferving mercy, on account of their 
 infidelity and irreligion, as to oblige the Almighty 
 X 4 to 
 
 *John viii, 56,
 
 312 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 to ftrike the earth with utter deftrufiion, or in other 
 words, to condemn alrnofr the whole bulk of man- 
 kind. 
 
 The converfion therefore of the Jews to Chrifti- 
 anity is to be the principal function of Elias. For 
 this defign he has been reierved by the Wifdom and 
 Bounty of God, and not been fuffered to die. 
 While Eiifcus was walking with him, he was taken 
 away by the Divine Hand from the earth, and 
 conveyed to fome place unknown to mankind. As 
 they (Elias and Elifeus) went on, walking and talk- 
 ing together, behold a fiery chariot and fiery horfcs 
 farted them both afundsr: ar.d Elias went up by (i 
 whirlwind into Heaven. (4 Kings. II. n..). Elias 
 therefore ftill exiils in life, and will remain fo, till 
 he returns again upon Earth, in full vigour, veftcd 
 with that extraordinary cormnifiion from the Mott 
 High, to remove the veil of darknefs that hangs be- 
 fore the eyes of the Jews, to mew them their pail 
 error, and introduce them into the fold of Chriit, 
 their God and Redeemer. 
 
 That fuch will be the office committed to Elias, 
 we alfo learn very clearly from the Book of Ecciefi- 
 afticus chap. 48. v. 4. 9. 10, where it is laid: Who 
 
 can glory like tc thce (Elias)?. Who waft taken up 
 
 in a whirlwind of fire t . in a chariot of fiery bcrfes. 
 Who art registered in the judgments of times, to ep- 
 peafe the wrath of the Lord, to reconcile the heart of 
 the Father to the Son, and to reft ere the tribes cfju- 
 cob. Elias is here laid by the inipired Writer, to le 
 regifiered in the judgments of times, that is, deftined 
 to be, at an appointed time, a kind of Mediator, 
 to appcafe the wrath of the Lord irritated againil the 
 Jews for their infidelity j tc reccndk the heart of the 
 
 father
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 313 
 
 Father to the Son, by bringing them to the faith and 
 holy fentirncnts of the Patriarchs their Anccftors, as 
 we faid above-, and in fine, he is deftined to reftore 
 the tribes of Jacob to the favour of God, by teach- 
 ing them to acknowledge his Divine Son Jefus for 
 their Ivjcfliali. He will reftore the tribes of Jacob, 
 by re-ingrafting them on the true Olive tree, from 
 whence, according to the A pottle, they had been 
 cut oil for their infidelity. Becaufe of unbelief ", fays 
 
 St. Paul, tbiy were broken off. And if they abide 
 
 not i;: unbelief , they Jhall be grafted in: for God is 
 able to graft them in again. For if thcu (Gentile) 
 v)ert cut off the wild olive tree, which is natural fo 
 tkee; and contrary to nature, ivert grafted into the 
 good olive tree; bow much foall they (the Jews), that 
 are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive 
 tree? For, blindnefs in fart has happened in IfraeL, 
 until the fulnefs of the Gentiles Jkould ccme in; and fo' 
 all Ifrael Jhculd be fayed. (Rom. xi. 20. 23 &c.), 
 The lame account of Elias is confirmed by our Sa- 
 viour, who told his Difciples: Elias indeed Jhall 
 come, and Jhall rejlcre all things. (Matth. xvii. n.). 
 But let us here obferve, that the cxpreflion of the 
 Book of Ecclefiafticus, Elias will rejlcre the tribes 
 of Jacob, and that of our Saviour, Elias ivill reftor: 
 all things, feem to indicate more than the converfion 
 of the Jewiih nation to the faith, as this converfion 
 is fufikiently infinuated in the expreffion of Elias 
 appsfijtng the wrath of God and reconciling the heart 
 of the Father to the fan. It appears therefore pro-- 
 bable, that Elias will, by divine inftrudtion, dii- 
 cover to the Jews the original diilinclion of their 
 tribes, which they feem to have confounded and 
 .loft : then that he will reftore the tribes to their pri- 
 
 mitire
 
 THE GENERAL HISTORY so 
 
 mitive pofiefiions, by re-eftablifhing them in 
 ancient Land of Judsea, each tribe in his new refpec- 
 tive partition, as marked out by Ezechiel ch. 48. 
 The execution of this work will not at all be impoifible 
 to the Prophet, as he will be endued with fo ample a 
 degree of authority from God, and fo extraordinary a 
 power of working miracles. This obfervation will be 
 confirmed in the fequel from the ancient Prophets, 
 who reprefent the Jews in full pofleflion of the 
 Holy Land after the time of Antichrift. 
 
 But, if the Almighty, through his fpecial mercy 
 to the Jews, appoints them a Teacher in Elias, to 
 bring them back into the true path, from which they 
 have fo long ftrayed, it is not to be imagined he leaves 
 the reft of the world without the fame kind of afiift- 
 ance. A Teacher of extraordinary power and vir- 
 tue will be the more wanted, as iniquity will abound in 
 thefe times, and even the good will be expofed to 
 dangerous and moft fevere trials. To anfwer this 
 exigency the all bountiful God will fend another 
 Agent, namely, Henoch. We learn from Mofes 
 that this Patriarch by a particular privilege was pre- 
 fervcd from death : Henoch walked with Ged, and 
 was feen no more; becaufe God took him. (Gen. V. 24.). 
 We learn the fame from St. Paul: By faith Henoch 
 was taken away, that he Jhould not fee death; and he 
 was not found, becaufe God had taken him away. 
 (Rom. xi. 5.). In the whole clafs of mankind, He- 
 noch and Elias are the only two perfons to be found, 
 that have not paid the common debt of nature ; 
 which is deferred, till they fhall have completed the 
 functions to which they are deftined, and which are 
 not to take place till the latter days. They wijl 
 then have, each, their feparate commiffion. That 
 
 if
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 315 
 
 of Elias will be, as we have feen, the convcrfion of 
 the Jews &c. or, to rejlore the tribes of Jacob; while 
 i lenoch will be fent to preach to the Gentiles, as 
 we learn from the Book of Ecclefiafticus : Henocb 
 p leafed God, and "was tranjlated into paradife ; that 
 be may give repentance to the nations. (XLIV. 16). 
 The object therefore of Henoch's miniftry is to give 
 repentance to the Nations, to withdraw Idolaters from 
 Idolatry, to move bad Chriftians to repentance and 
 bring them back into the ways of virtue, and in fine 
 to ftem the prevailing tide of iniquity. In the fame 
 manner then as SL Peter was appointed the Apoftle 
 of the Jews, and St f Paul the Apoitle of the Na- 
 tions (Gal. II. 7, 8); fo Flias will be fent, chiefly 
 to the former, and Henoch to the latter : but as the 
 preaching of each of the two Apoftles was not in- 
 tirely confined to either body of people, but fome- 
 times extended to both ; fo likewife Elias and He- 
 noch will fometimes mix their labours in favour of 
 both Jews and Nations, It is here further to be ob- 
 ferved, that Henoch reprefents the Ancient Patri- 
 archs and people, who lived under the Law of Na- 
 ture > and Elias the Jewifh Prophets with that peo- 
 ple, who were bound to the Mofaic Inftitution : fo 
 that by their preaching the Chriftian Religion, we 
 imderftand that both the Patriarchs and the Pro- -> 
 phets, both the Law of nature and the Mofaic will 
 appear again, if the expreflion be allowed, upon the 
 ftage of the world, to concur in giving teftimony to 
 Chrift. 
 
 The two Meflengers of God, Henoch and Elias, 
 are the two Witnefies, whofe appearance and func- 
 tions are defcribed by St. John in the Apocalypfe: 
 And I will give unto my two witnej/es, and they Jhall 
 
 prophefy
 
 3i6 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 prophefy a thoufand two hundred fixty days> $loihtd in 
 fackdoth. (xi. 3.). God v/ill give unto thefe, bis 
 two uiitnefl'esi the fpirit,of preaching and prophecy-, 
 by virtue of which they will preach and prcpbefy 
 for a time, that is limited to a thousand t^o^ hundred 
 andjixty days* that is, forty tv/o months of 30 drys 
 each, or three years ana a half. During this period 
 of their rniniiiry they will imitate the concludl ob- 
 ferved by St. John Baptift en his preaching, by 
 mewing in thcmfelves the example of a penitential 
 life and practifing the aufter.ities of mortification, 
 as appears by the expreiTjcn, that they \viil ba clo- 
 thed in* fackdoih. And fuch example, doubdels, 
 will add great weight to their preaching. 
 
 St. John continues to delcribe the two Witneffes: 
 Thefe are the two Olive-trees, and the two Candiefiicks, 
 that ft and before the Lord of the Earth, (xi. 4.) 
 Henoch and Elias are compared to Olive-trees be- 
 caufe, as olive-trees yield the unctuous fubftance of 
 oil, Ib thefe two powerful Preachers will cnricli 
 mankind with the ftreams of the Grace of God, 
 aptly reprefented by the richnefs of oil. They are 
 alfo laid to be the two Candkfticks that Jland before 
 the Lord (or God) of tbs Earth ; becaufe as candle- 
 flicks are fet up to difTufc light, fo they will carry 
 the Light of Faith to the nations of the Earth. 
 Here the Apoftle applies to them a paiTage in the 
 Prophecy of Zachary : Tbefe are two foils of cil^ who 
 ft and before tie Lord of the whole Earth. (Zach. 
 iv. 14.) 
 
 St. John proceeds : And if any wan will hurt tlevn 
 (the two Witneffes), firefljatt come out of their mouths* 
 and Jhall dovour their enemies: And if any man wil\ 
 kurt them, in this manner rwft Ic i^fuiin. 
 
 Theft
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 317 
 
 Thefe have power to font Heaven, that it rain not 
 in the days of their prophecy : and they have -po^er over 
 waters to turn them into blood, and to Jlrike the Earth 
 with all plagues as often as they will. ( Apoc. xl. 5. 6.) 
 Here are cxprefled the miraculous powers, with 
 which the two Witneffes, Henoch and Elias, 
 will be veiled. Such powers will be necefTary, to 
 enable them to prove their Million, and to give 
 weight to their preaching. Every Meflenger, who 
 appears with a new commiffion from God, is always 
 furnifhed with unqueftionable proofs of fuch his 
 commiflion : and thcfe proofs are no other than mi- 
 raculous works. Thus did our Saviour, the Apof- 
 tles,. and firft Planters of Chriftianity prove the 
 divine authority of their miffion, and the truth of 
 their doctrine. Every new Teacher, who comes 
 deftitute of fuch a fancliion, can claim no credit, 
 but will be deemed an Impoftor. 
 
 Among the numerous miracles Henoch and Elias 
 will perform, here is particular mention of fome. 
 If any one offers to hurt them, to injure 'them, or 
 attempts to feize them in order to put them to death, 
 fire will come out of their mouths., or, they will com- 
 mand fire to come forth and devour thcfe enemies. 
 7'he fame terrible punifhment Elias, while on Earth, 
 inflicted upon the fifty men, whom King Ochczias 
 fcnt to apprehend him. The Captain of the fifty 
 men faid to Elias: Man of God, the King has com- 
 manded that thou come down. Elias anfivering faid to 
 the Captain of the fifty : If I be a man of God, let fire, 
 come down from Heaven, and confume thee and thy 
 fifty. And there came dcwn fire from Heaven and con- 
 fumed him and the fifty that were with him. (4 Kings 
 I. 9. 10.). The fecond miracle of Henoch and Elias 
 
 mentioned
 
 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 mentioned in our text is, that they will /hut 
 that it rain not in the days of their prophecy. At their 
 command, no rain will fall during the three years 
 and a half of their preaching-, which drought will 
 naturally produce a famine. This calamity they 
 will probably be infpired to call for, in order to 
 make mankind fcnfible of the wrath of God that b 
 armed againft them, to induce them to enter into 
 themfelves, and withdraw from their evil ways. 
 Elias had formerly worked the fame wonder, as we 
 learn from the third book of Kings, where he is in- 
 troduced fpeaking to Achab, King of Ifrael, in the 
 following manner: Elias the Thejbite faid to Achab : 
 as the Lord liveth^ the God of Ifrael^ in who fe fight I 
 ft and, there fa all not be dew nor rain thefe years , but 
 according to the words of my mouth. (3 Kings xvii. j). 
 This drought, announced by Elias, lafted three years 
 and a half, as we learn from St. Luke's Gofpel c. 4. 
 v. 25, and St. James's Epiftle c. 5. v. 17. The 
 third miracle afcribed to the two Wonder-worker* 
 is the turning 'waters into blood. This was alfo per- 
 formed in Egypt by Mofes. In fine it is faid, they 
 will have power to Jlrike the earth with all plagues as 
 often as they will. Here is then a general power put 
 into their hands to inflict on mankind whatfoever 
 calamities and difaiters they may judge proper, either 
 for their own defence, or to punim the enemies of 
 God, or to bring men back to a fenfe of Religion. 
 Such furprifmg wonders worked by the hands of 
 Henochand Elias will undoubtedly make impreffiqn 
 upon mankind, and being enforced by a vigorous 
 preaching will bring many to repentance. 
 
 The preceding observations mew us then, who 
 are the two Witness fpoken of by St. John, and 
 
 what
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 319 
 
 what will be at leaft, in part, the object of their 
 midion. If a further confirmation be demanded, 
 we have for Vouchers all Antiquity. We may be- 
 gin with St. Juftin who fays; " our Saviour him- 
 " felf teaches that Elias will come; and we know 
 " that will happen towards the time that our Lord 
 " Jefus Chrift is to come from Heaven in his glory." 
 (Dial, cum Tryph.). Tertullian fpeaks in the fol- 
 lowing manner: " Henoch and Elias have been 
 " taken away, nor do we find any account of their 
 " dying, becauie their death has been delayed : but 
 *' they muft however one day die, that by their 
 " blood Antichrift may be extinguifhed." (de ani- 
 ma, c. 50). St. Hyppolitus martyr fays: " St. 
 " John Baptift was the Precurfor of the firft coming 
 *\ of Jefus Chrift, and Elias and Henoch will be 
 " the precurfors of the fecond." (Orat. de Anti- 
 chrifto). St. Ephrem comforts us by faying: " God 
 ." in his mercy will fend Henoch and Elias, who 
 *' will exhort mankind not to believe in Antichrift." 
 (ferm. de Antichr.). Laftantius feems to indicate 
 Elias in the following words : " When the end of 
 " time will be approaching, God will fend a great 
 " Prophet, to recall mankind to the knowledge of 
 " their God, and who will have power of doing great 
 " wonders." (Inftit. lib. 7. c. 17.). St. Hilary ex- 
 plaining the words of our Saviour fays: " Chrift 
 " told his Difciples that Elies would corns and re-cftct- 
 , " blijb all things, that is, that Elias would come to 
 " bring back all the Ifraelites, that remain, to the 
 " knowledge of their God." (cap. 17. in Matth.). 
 St. Jerom tells us that, " according to the Prophecy 
 " of Malachy, Elias will appear before the fecond 
 " coming of our Saviour, and will announce the 
 
 " approach
 
 320 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 ' apprbach of Judgment." (in Matth. xi.). And 
 in another place: " When tie fuliiefs of the Gentile* 
 " will be corns in^ all Ifrcd fiall be faved\ becaufe' 
 " then the Prophet Elias will come, and will re- 
 " concile and turn the heart of the Fathers to their 
 " Children, and the heart of the Children to their 
 " Fathers, and the new people will be reunited to 
 " the ancient." (in cap. 4. Zach.). And in his letter 
 to St. Marcella, he tells her that, : " according to 
 " the Apocalypfe Henoch and Elias are to come 
 " kgain and then to die." We read in St. Ambrofe 
 that, " the Eeafl, which is Antichrift, will rife np 
 " from the abyfs to fight againft Elias and Henoch, 
 " who will have been lent again upon the Earth to 
 " give teftimony to Jefus Chrift, as we learn from 
 " the Apocalypfe of St. John." (in Pfalm 45.). St. 
 Auguftin informs us of the opinion of his tifnex; 
 " Nothing is more common," fays he, " in the dif- 
 " courfe of the faithful, than that the Jews will be 
 " converted to the faith of Chrift by the great Pro- 
 " phet Elias: for it is with reafon believed, that he 
 " is yet living, and is expected to appear before the 
 " coming of our Saviour to judgment." (Deciv. 
 Dei. lib. 20. c. 19). And again: " It is believed 
 * that Hencch and Elias will return to pay the com- 
 " mon debt of nature, that, though their death has 
 " been deferred, they will neverthelefs die." (ad 
 cap. 6. Gen.). St. John Chryfoftom tells us: " The 
 " Prophets announce two comings of Chrift, and 
 " fay that Elias v/ill be the forerunner of the fe- 
 " cond." (in Matth. liom. 58). St. Profper writes 
 as follows: " As God fent againft Pharaoh two wit- 
 " nefles, Mofes and Aaron; arid againft Nero two 
 "'witneffes, St. Peter and St. Pauh fo likewife he 
 
 will
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 321 
 
 " will fend againft Antichrift two witneffes, Henoch 
 " and Elias." (Dimid. Temp. c. 13). In fine St. 
 Gregory the Great fpeaks thus on the fame fubjed: 
 " Thofe two eminent Preachers, Henoch and Elias, 
 " have been taken away, and their death delayed, 
 " that they may return to preach in the laft days. 
 " It is of them that St. John fays in the Apocalypfe: 
 " Thefe are the two olive trees, and the two candkfticks 
 " that ft and before the Lord of the earth: Of whom 
 tc Chrift has promifed one in the Gofpel, faying: 
 " Elias will come and will reft ore all things: They 
 " are two ftars, that are covered i:nd don't appear 
 " at preient, but will appear hereafter for the ad- 
 " vantage of the world, and great numbers of Jew- 
 " i(h people will be converted to the faith." (in Job 
 lib, 9. c. 3.). Thus do the ancient Fathers agree 
 in afTerting the return of Henoch and Elias, and in 
 explaining the functions of their miniftry. The fame 
 has been the general language of Ecclefiailical Wri- 
 ters, in all fucceeding ages. 
 
 Hence then appears the abfurd prefumption of 
 thofe, who, from thtir enmity to the Catholic Com- 
 munion, have afferted the two witneffes to be, not 
 two fmgle perfons, but the whole fuccceflicn of 
 Heretics, who in different ages have revolted from 
 the Mother-Church, and oppofed her doctrine. 
 
 Thefe two Meflengers of God, thefe two candle- 
 flicks that ftand before the Lord of the Earth, will 
 therefore be two great lights that will (bine in the 
 Church of Chrift in the laft age. Vefted with the 
 Divine-eommiiTipn, they will enter upon their mini- 
 ftry with extraordinary vigour and zeal. Henoch 
 will proceed forth to preach penance to different na- 
 tions ; while EHas will chiefly employ his labours at 
 Y Jeru&lem
 
 322 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 jcrufalem and in Judsea for the- converfion of the 
 Jews, which he will fuccefsfiilly effect by the energy 
 'of his preaching > by the power of his miracles, and 
 the abundance of divine graces which will then flow 
 in upon that people. They, recovering themfelves as 
 from a profound deep, and opening their eyes to the 
 bright light which Eiias will cxpofe to them, they 
 "will fee their paft blindnefs, will be confounded at 
 their paft errors, and will be deeply touched at their 
 long ingratitude to their God. They will then re- 
 collect, in bitternefs of heart, what the Almighty 
 had formerly urged to them, pre-admonifhing them 
 of their late unhappy ftate. Behold, the hand of the 
 Lord is not Jhcrtened that it cannot fave, neither is his 
 -ear heavy that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have 
 divided between you and your God, and your fins have 
 'hid his face from you, that he Jhould not hear. For 
 your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with 
 iniquity. (Ifai. LIX. i. 2. 3.)- They will acknow- 
 ledge the juftice of this reproach, making the fol- 
 lowing humble reply. Therefore has judgment been 
 
 far from us. We looked for light, ar.d beheld dark- 
 
 nefs : brightncfs, and we have walked in the dark. 
 We have groped for the wall, and like the blind we have 
 "groped as if we had no eyes : we have ftmnbkd at noon- 
 day, as in darknefs. (Ibid. v. 9. 10.). From the 
 full and clear inftruciions of Elias, they will evi- 
 dently fee that all the different characters, afcribed 
 by the Prophets to the Meffiah, are found in Jefus 
 (Thrift; they will acknowledge his miracles-, and in 
 deep anguifh will bewail the obftinacy of their Fore- 
 fathers who fhut their eyes to fuch evidence, and 
 with unparralleled impiety put to death the Author 
 of life, and in confcquence entailed upon their poft 
 
 terity
 
 f 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 323 
 
 ferity fuch long and fevere judgments. In viewing 
 that horrible crime, committed againft the facred 
 Perfon of Chrift, they will break out into forrowful 
 lamentations and tears of Compunclion. I will pour 
 cut upon the hcufe of David., fays God, and upon tke 
 inhabitants cf Jerufe.km^ the fpirit of grace, and of 
 prayers : and they fcall lock upon me, whom they have 
 pierced: find they Jhall mourn for kim^ as cm mcurneth 
 for an only Son, and they Jhatt grieve over him , as the 
 manner is to grieve for the death of the ftrft-born. In 
 that day there JJoall le a great lamentation in Jerufalem. 
 (Zach. xii. 10. n.). In fine, the Jews', now totally 
 convinced of the whole truth of Chriftianity, will 
 unite in offering up their adoration to Jefus Chrifr, 
 and with a full heart ccnfeis him to be, the Eternal 
 Son of God, the feed of Abraham, the race of 
 David, the King of Ifrael, the Defired of all na- 
 tions, the promifed Meffiah and Saviour of the 
 world. 
 
 Thus that new-modelled people after pafTing 
 through the fucccffive fteps of furprife, confufion, 
 and repentance, will at laft rife up to a ftate of glad- 
 nefs and exultation, at the view of their prefent 
 happinefs. In a tide of joy they will lend up their 
 praiies to Heaven, and will fmg a Canticle of 
 Thankfgiving, which the Almighty himfclf has com- 
 pofed for them, purpofely as it would feem for this 
 occafion, and has delivered by the pen of his Pro- 
 phet Ifaiah. 
 
 Chap. 12. v. i. I vjill give thanks to thee, O Lord\ 
 for thou izaji angry with me: thy wrath is turr.cd 
 e&ay, and thou haft comforted me. 
 
 v. 2. -Behold, Gcd is ;v Sevwr, I will deal con- 
 
 fidtnily, and will not fear: bece.ufe the Lord is my 
 
 Y 2
 
 324 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 ftrength) and my praife^ and he is become my faha- 
 tion. 
 
 ' v. 4. Praife ye the Lord, and call upon bis name: 
 make his inventions known among the people: remem- 
 ber that his name is high. 
 
 v. 5. Sing ye to the Lcrd, for he has done great 
 things: Jhew this forth in all the Earth. 
 
 V. 6. Rejoice and praife^ O thou habitation of Sion: 
 for great is he that is in the midft of thee^ the holy one 
 oflfrael 
 
 To which thankfgiving they will probably join 
 this other. 
 
 Lord^ thou haft bkjfed thy Land: then haft turned 
 away the captivity of Jacob. 
 
 Thou haft forgiven the iniquity of thy people: thou. 
 haft covered all their fins. 
 
 Thou haft mitigated all thy anger, thou haft turned 
 away from the wrath of thy indignation. (Pialm. 84.) 
 
 The great Preacher and Prophet Elias having 
 thus completed that remarkable work fo long before 
 ' tbretold, of breaking down the wall of reparation 
 that flood between the Chriflian and Jewifh people, 
 and uniting them in one fociety , of converting the 
 heart of the Fathers to their Children and the heart of 
 the Children to their Father s^ of reftoring the tribes of 
 Jacob to the favour of their God, and fofaving all 
 Ifrael; the happy event will be carried upon the 
 ' wings of the wind over all Chriftendom, and the 
 voice of exultation and praifes of the Almighty will 
 refound in every quarter of the Church. 
 
 And now Elias, having fulfilled this part of his 
 miniftry, will be at leifure to convert his attention 
 and labours to other nations. Nor can we fuffici- 
 ently admire the Divine Mercy, in fending fuch 
 
 powerful
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 325 
 
 powerful preachers, as Henoch and EHas, to reform 
 mankind at a time that they will have become Ib 
 univerfally corrupt, and that even Idolatry will 
 have made it's appearance again upon Earth. They 
 will admonifli mankind of the approaching end of 
 the world, will reprove them for their profligate 
 morals and infidelity. The ax is now laid to tie root, 
 will they fay : every tree therefore, that doth net yield 
 good fruit, will be cut down and caft into the fre. 
 (Matth. iii. 10.). They will explain the Prophe- 
 cies, mewing what part of them has been accom- 
 pliihed, and what remains to be fulfilled , and they 
 will propbefy themfelves, (Apoc. xi. 3.). They will 
 give notice of the then near approach of Antichrift, 
 of his Satanic efforts to make the world apoftatize 
 from God, and of the dreadful perfecution he will 
 cxercife againft the whole body of Chriftians. They 
 will exhort the people, with all the energy of Elo- 
 quence and with a full exertion of their miraculous 
 powers, to return from their iniquities, to do pe- 
 nance, to embrace the mercy of God, which loon 
 will be no more in their power, and to guard againft 
 the terrible difafters that are ready to fall, In order 
 to give more extent to their labours, they will ftir 
 up the zeal of the Paftors and Priefts, and will fend 
 them forth with the commiflion to renew the face 
 of the Earth. The Church will therefore, at this 
 time, exert itfelf on all fides with extraordinary fer- 
 vour. Its minifters, endued with the Apoftolic 
 Spirit, will, in imitation of the apoftles, fpread 
 themfelves every where, even to the remoteft coun- 
 tries, and will make the Gofpcl again refound in all 
 parts of the Earth. 'This gofpel of the kingdom, fays 
 Chrift, Jball be preached in the whole world, for a 
 Y 3 /,/
 
 326 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 teftimcny to all nations ; and then fiatl the consummation 
 cane. (Matth. xxiii. 
 
 This general preaching of the Chriftian Doctrine 
 in the fixth or kit age of the world, we alfo find 
 fublimely fet forth, with other particulars, by our 
 Apoftle and Prophet in the loth chap, of the Apo- 
 calypfe. 
 
 v, i . / few, fays he, another mighty angel come 
 down from Heaven, cleat bed with a cloud, and a rain- 
 lew en bis head, and his face was as the fun, and his 
 feet as pillars of fire. The appearance of this mighty 
 Angel is very remarkable. The different parts of 
 his attire are formed to bear a relation to the events 
 he comes to announce. He is clothed with a child, 
 to indicate that a cloud of perfecu.tion is foon to 
 overfpread the church. lie is crowned with a rain- 
 lew, as a fymbol of the alliance (Thrift has made 
 with his church : firft, to extend her kingdom over 
 the whole earth -, this Gofpel of the kingdom, laid he, 
 flail be preached in the while world (Matt. xxiv. 14.): 
 iecondly, to guide her in all difficulties, Iclcld, I 
 :byou to the end of the world (Mutt, xxviii. 20.) : 
 thirdly, to protect her againft whatever attacks may 
 .ie upon her, tie gates of hellfial! not prevail 
 agaixjl her (Matt. .xvi. 18.). Such is the fimilitude 
 between this rainbow and that which Almighty 
 God eftablimcd after the Deluge for the fign of his 
 alliance or engagement with mankind, never more 
 to d.ftroy the earth by water. The Angel's//^ was 
 as ibt'fun; a lively image of the Brighmds, with 
 which the church will mine in coming forth victo- 
 rious from the great periccution of Antichrifi: ; a 
 Brigntncfs, anting from her invincible fiiith and the 
 number of her glorious martyrs :, a Briglunefs, that 
 
 will
 
 or THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 327 
 
 will receive an additional luftre from the extraor- 
 dinary zeal and fandftity produced in the Chriflians 
 by the perfecution. Laftly, the Angel's feet were 
 as pillars of fire ; the fat being the extremity of the 
 body, here is fignified the ending of the \vorld by 
 
 M 
 
 v. ^. And be (the Angel) hid in bis han$ a little 
 lock open : The little book in the Angel's hand re- 
 prefents the book of the Goipel, which is not volu- 
 minous ; and it is open, as ready to be divulged and 
 preached ever the whole world. Thus -in tn fhape 
 and equipment of the angel we read an epitome of 
 what, will principally concern the Chriftian Church 
 from that moment, in which the Angel is fuppofed 
 to appear, to the end of time, 
 
 v. 2. And he (the Angel) fet Us right foot upon 
 tf:e fea, and his left foot upon the earth. 
 
 v. 3. And he cried with a loud voice, as when a 
 lion roareth. The Angel {lands with one foot upon 
 the Land and the other upon the Sea, to mew that 
 what he is going to announce, relates to the whote 
 Earth. And he cries with a hud voice as when a 
 lion roareth, to make himfelf heard over the whole 
 globe. 
 
 v. 3. And when he (the Angel) had cried, feven 
 thunders uttered their voices. 
 
 v. 4. And when the feven thunders had uttered 
 their voices, I was about to write : and I heard a voice 
 from heaven faying to me : Seal up the things, which 
 the feven thunders have fpoken ; and write them not. 
 Here St. John is not permitted to write, but order- 
 ed to feal up [he things which the feven thunders ha4 
 fpoken : which circumftance feems to infmuate, that 
 the things fpoken by the feven thunders were feven 
 Y 4 par.
 
 528 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 particulars of A-ntichrift's perfecution ; as the word 
 ''thunder is generally ufed in the Apocalypfe to de- 
 " nute fome difafter , and thefe feven particulars be- 
 ing meft dreadful and fevere, the Almighty chote 
 to have them fealed up or kept concealed, left the 
 foreknowledge of them mould too much terrify and 
 damp the human mind, 
 
 v. 5. And the Angel, whom I faw Jlanding upon 
 the Sea and upon the Earth, lifted up his hand to 
 heaven, 
 
 v. 6. And he fa ere by him that liveth for ever 
 and ever, who created heaven, and the things which 
 are therein : and the earth, and the things which are 
 in it : and the fea, and the things which arc therein : 
 that there Jkould be time 'no longer : 
 
 v. 7. But in the days of the 'voice of the f event b 
 Angel, when he Jhall begin to found the trumpet, the 
 my f cry of God Jhould be fitifoed, as he has declared by 
 his fervants the Prophets. 
 
 Here the angel announces in the mofl folemn 
 manner the end of the world, fwcaring by the 
 Eternal God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, that 
 time Jhall foon le no more: and that at the founding 
 of the fcventh trumpet, the myftcry of God Jhall be 
 fnijhed or confummated, that is, that the whole 
 fyflein of Divine Difpcnfations, which the Almighty 
 had in view in creating the world, mail then be 
 totally fulfilled, and all that he had revealed to or 
 declared fy his Prophets, relative to his providential 
 ceconomy towards mankind, mall then be intirely 
 accomplifhed : upon which a period will be put to 
 the world. The Earth wi'l then be buried, as 
 fignified by the Angel (landing upon it with feet 
 which were $ pillars -of firs. 
 
 We
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 329 
 
 We may here oblerve that St. John fays, in the 
 flays, and not, in the day, of the voice of the fcventh 
 Angel founding the trumpet; which expreffion 
 leerns to indicate two foundings of the trumpet, 
 with fome interval between them : the firft found- 
 ing being deftined, to put an end to time, and to 
 the breath of all then living ; and the fecond, to 
 call up the Dead to Judgment. 
 
 v. 8. And I heard a voice from Heaven again 
 fp taking to me, and faying : Go, and take the book 
 that is open, from the hand of the Angel, -who ftandetb 
 upon the fea and the earth, 
 
 St. John is here ordered by a voice from heaven, to 
 go and take the book , the little book, according to the 
 greek text , the fame book as mentioned above 
 vers 2. in the Angel's hand. The little book is the 
 Gofpel, as we have faid , and St. John himfelf here 
 reprefents the minifters of the church, who will be 
 Jrirred up and ilimulated by the voice of Henoch 
 and Elias, and of the Church itfelf, to take the little 
 book or the gofpel in hand, and to undertake the 
 preaching of it, which will be fo particularly wanted 
 in this depraved and dangerous time. 
 
 v. 9. And I went to the Angel, faying unto him, 
 that he Jhculd give me the book. And he faid to me : 
 take the book, and eat it up : and it Jhall make thy 
 belly bitter, but in thy mouth it Jhall be facet as honey. 
 St. John goes and afks of the Angel the little book : 
 that is, a numerous clergy of all denominations, 
 animated by the above voice, and infpired with new 
 zeal and an Apoftolic Spirit, afk a commiflion 
 from|he church, to go and preach the Gofpel to all 
 the nations of the Earth. This commiflion is given 
 them, as the book was given to St. John , and they 
 
 are
 
 330 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 are enjoined to go into the whole world, and preack 
 the Gofpel to every creature. (Mark. xvi. 15.). And 
 as St. John is told to eat up the book, thefe new 
 preachers are exhorted to proceed to announce the 
 word of God with the fame ardour and eagernefs, 
 with which the hungry man flies to his food. St. 
 John is further told by the Angel that the book will 
 befaeet as honey in his mouth , but will make his belly 
 bitter -, both which the Apoftle experienced vers. 10. 
 And I took the book, fays he, from the hand of the 
 jlngel, and eat it up : and it was in my mouth faect 
 as honey, and when I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. 
 The new troop of Apoftolic Men, in fetting out on 
 their mifllon, feel an inexpreflible iatisfaction in 
 undertaking a work, ib much to the glory of God, 
 and to which are promifed fuch high rewards. In 
 this fenfe is the Gofpel as honey in their mouth. But 
 afterwards, when fwallcwed, // makes their belly 
 bitter, or caufes. them pains in the bowels -, a figu- 
 rative expreffion of the perfecutions and feverities 
 the Preachers were to fuffer in confcquence of their 
 minifiry. Thus then it appears, their fate will be 
 alike to that which our Saviour dettined for his 
 Apoftles and foretold them : They Jball deliver you up 
 to be ajflified, and Jball put ycu to death : This will 
 be done in the great perfecution of Antichrift, the 
 cloud which clothed the Angel. 
 
 v. j i. And he (the Angel) faid to me (St. John) : 
 ^Tkou muft prophefy again to many nations, and peoples, 
 and tongues, and kings. * Here then the abovemen- 
 tioncd Minifters of the gofpel, reprefented by the 
 
 prrfon. 
 
 * In the greek : Thau mu/1 profile fy before nations, and 
 peoples, and tongues, and many kings.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 331 
 
 pcribn of St. John, after having received their corn- 
 million, are told to enter upon their work of preach- 
 ing j 'Thou miift prop he fy again to many nations^ &c. 
 Let us however obferve, that the expreffion of 
 \ * prtpbefying implies preaching accompanied with 
 the gift of prophecy and of interpreting prophecies. 
 We /nuft obferve alib, that St. John is told, he 
 muft prophefy again , the meaning of which is, that 
 as St. John hi;rifelf, with the other Apoftles and 
 Preachers, had carried the Gofpel through the world 
 in th? firft age of Chriftianity, in the fame manner 
 the Minifters of Chrift muft announce it aain in the 
 lall age. fa y f , y^Htflf ftf^f^^^ $ti 
 
 In this manner will the Almighty difplay 
 riches of his mercy for the converfion of man- 
 kind, by fending them zealous Preachers endued 
 with miraculous powers, and by fuch an abundant 
 effufion of his graces, as will be proportioned to 
 conquer the influence of the then prevailing wicked- 
 nels ; though the greater part of men will remain 
 hardened in their iniquity. And now the holy 
 work will be in fome meaiure advanced, and a felect 
 number of people will be prepared for the afflictions 
 and calamities, that the Almighty is upon the point 
 of permitting, in his anger, to break cut and burft 
 upon mankind. Behold^ there come yet two woes mere 
 hereafter. (Apoc. ix. 12.). Of thefe two remaining 
 wees the firit follows on the founding of the fixth 
 trumpet; and the fecond or lafc belongs to the 
 feventh trumpet, the founding of which will put an 
 end to the world. We fhall now fee of what kind is 
 the wo, announced by the fixth trumpet.
 
 332 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Sounding of the Sixth Trumpet. 
 
 APOC. Chap. IX. v. 13. And thefixtb Angel 
 founded the trumpet : and I beard, fays St. John, a 
 voice from the four horns cf the golden altar, which is 
 before the eyes of God, 
 
 v. 14. faying to the ftxtb angel, who had the 
 trumpet : loofe the four Angels, who are bound in the 
 great river Euphrates. 
 
 v. 15. And the four Angels were loofed, who were 
 prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a, 
 year : for to kill the third part of mm. 
 
 v. 16. And the number of the army of horfemen 
 was twenty thoufand times ten thoufand. And I heard 
 the number of them. 
 
 v. 17. And thus I faw the horfes in the vifion : 
 and they, that fat on them, had breaft plates of fire and 
 cf hyacinth and of brimftone, and the heads cf the 
 hcrfes were as the heads cf lions : and from their 
 mouths proceeded fire, and f moke, and brimftone. 
 
 v. 1 8. And by thefe three plagues was Jlain the 
 third part of men, by the fire and by the fmoke and by 
 the brim/lone, which iffued out of their mouths. 
 
 v. 19. Fcr the power of the horfes is in their 
 mcuths, and in their tails. For, their tails are like 
 to ferpents, and have heads : and with them they hurt. 
 
 v. 20. And the reft of the men, who were not 
 Jlain by thefe plagues, did not do penance from the 
 works cf their hands, that they Jhculd not adore devils 
 and idols of gold and filver and brafs and ft one and 
 , which neither can fee, nor hear, nor walk. 
 
 V. 21.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 333 
 
 v. 21.. Neither did they penance from their mur- 
 ders, nor from their forceries, nor, from their fornica- 
 tion^ nor from their thefts. 
 
 As the object of the fixth Vial is clofely connected 
 with that of the fixth Trumpet, we fhall here imme- 
 diately fubjoin the pouring out of that Vial. 
 
 The Pouring cut of the Sixth Vial of tie 
 ivratb of God* 
 
 APOC. Chap. XVI. v. 12. And the Jixth Angel, 
 fays St. John, poured out his vial upon that great 
 river Euphrates : and dried up the water thereof ^ that 
 a. iv ay might be prepared for the kings from the rifing 
 of the fun. 
 
 To return to the firft text. The fixth trumpet 
 founds, and St. John hears a voice, according to 
 the greek text one i~oice^ from the four horns of the 
 golden altar of inccnfe, that is, one voice compofed 
 of four voices ifluing from the four horns, that 
 adorned the corners of the akar, in refemblance to 
 the altar of incenfe in the temple of Jerufalem. 
 The four horns or corners of the altar denote the 
 four, that is, all the quarters of the Globe-, and 
 the four voices, that come from thence, reprefent 
 the voices of the Guardian Angels * of all the king- 
 doms 
 
 * It is fufficiently intimated in Scripture, that Empires 
 and Nations have thfir tutelar Angels. St.. Michael is faid 
 to be the Prince of the Jtwifh people (Dan. x. 21.) The 
 Chriftian Church has likewise chofen the fame Archangel 
 for her Patron . Daniel mentions the Prince of Perfia, which
 
 334 
 
 GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 doms of the earth. Thcfe Angels finding th?m- 
 felves fruftrated in their continued labour to n. .form 
 the people committed to their patronage, at laft 
 leave them as incorrigible, in the fame manner as 
 was done by the tutelar Angels of Babylon and the 
 Provinces of it's Empire: We would have cured P. a - 
 lykn, faid they, but Jhe is not healed : let us for fake 
 her. (Jerem. LI. 9.). The Angels therefore in the 
 prefent cafe flying from their refpetive countries, 
 and confeulng the juilice of ths punifhments now 
 to be executed, join in one voice to tell the Angel 
 who had founded the Trumpet, to loofe the four 
 Angels ivho were bound in the great river Euphrates. 
 Thefe four Angels^ who are tied fafl on the river 
 Euphrates, are four evil Spirits, reprefenting four 
 barbarous great Kingdoms or Powers, which they 
 ftir up to war. And thefe Powers chiefly lie on 
 the Eaftern fide of the Euphrates with rdpe6t to 
 Europe, or with rcfpect: to St. John, who was at 
 the time of this revelation in the Lie of Patmos in 
 the Archipelago. They are faid to be bound in the 
 river Euphrates, becaufe the Almighty' had hitherto 
 reftrained them, and withheld them from rifing up 
 and croffmg the Euphrates, to bring mifchief to 
 mankind , till the time he had fixed for executing 
 his judgments was come. Then he lets them loofe. 
 
 And the four Angels ^erc Ice fed, ivho were prepared 
 for an hour, and a day., and a month, and a year, fcr 
 to kill the third parl of men. : v. 15.). Here we ice 
 
 the 
 
 is underftood to be it's Guardi<?n-Angel. Mo ft of the an- 
 cient Fathers have in the lame manner afcribeJ vhc care of 
 kingdoms to Angels.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 335 
 
 the cruel and bloody diipofition of thefe four na- 
 tions, as being ready to kill the third part of men. 
 They are faid to be ready at an hour, a day, a month, 
 and a year, to defiroy mankind; becaufe, of thefe 
 four nations, one will inhabit the banks of the Eu- 
 phrates, and consequently will be ready, as may be 
 faid, at an hour's warning to crofs that river. A 
 fecond nation, lying at fome difcance, will require a 
 day, that is, a longer time, to prepare and march to 
 the Euphrates. A third more diftant nation, and a 
 fourth the moft diftant of all, will refpectively re- 
 quire (till a longer fpace of time, expreffed by a 
 month, and ayecr, to reach the Euphrates, crofs it, 
 and meet in the field, in order to enter upon the 
 execution of their murderous defigns. 
 
 This explication is confirmed by what is exhibited 
 under the Sixth Vial. And the Sixth Angel poured 
 cut his Vial upon that great river Euphrates , and 
 dried up the water thereof, thai a way might be pre- 
 pared for the kings from tbe rijing of the fun. As 
 at the founding of the fixth trumpet, the four An- 
 gels or Powers, who had been tied upon the river 
 Euphrates, are loofed ; fo the fixth Vial is poured 
 out upon the Euphrates ; and that river is imme- 
 diately dried up, or the pailage is made eaiy to the 
 kings who come from the Eafc. Both the Trumpet 
 and the Vial cc-nfpire to announce four greet Powers 
 or Kings, coining from the Eaftern Countries of 
 Afia, with their hands ready for deflru6tion. And 
 thefe are the Agents employed by the avenging 
 hand of God to punifli man-kind for their wicked- 
 nefs, which will have grown to be exceffive at this 
 time. It may here be aiked which arc the Powers 
 here fpokcn of. If we may be allowed to conjec- 
 ture
 
 336 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 ture from the prefent fituation of Empires in Afia 
 (which however may alter), the four great Powers in 
 queftion may be, the Turks, whole dominions extend 
 over the Euphrates and beyond the Tigris, the Per- 
 fians, the Moguls, and the Chineie with the Chineie 
 Tartars. 
 
 The time of loofmg the four Angels that were 
 tied upon the Euphrates feems to indicate the mo- 
 ment in which Satan himieff is loofed from the abyfs 
 or Hell, where as we faw page 77, he was chained 
 up for a thoufand years. And when the thousand 
 years (hall be finijhed, fays St. John, Satan Jhall be. 
 loofed out of his prifon, and he (hall go forth^ and fe- 
 duce the nations^ which are over the four quarters of ths 
 Earth. (Apoc. xx. 7.). The Prince of Hell is 
 therefore, by the permiflion of God, at this time let 
 loofe with his heliim crew, and is allowed to employ 
 his art and power in feducing mankind to idolatry, 
 impiety, war and mifchief. And here we date the 
 revival of Idolatry. But we have this comfort, that 
 his time will be mort : He mufl be loofed a little time 
 (Apoc. xx. 3.). Whoever confiders the circum- 
 ftance of Satan being loofed, needs not wonder if 
 ftrange and extraordinary events follow. The firft 
 age of Chriilianity exhibited to us a dilmal fcene of 
 his power and action. On one hand he deceived 
 mankind by his oracles and other delufive arts -, 
 while a number of individuals groaned under the 
 weight of his malevolence, from their being poflefied 
 by devils, as we read in the Gofpels and other books 
 of the new Teftament. On another hand we faw 
 with what efforts he oppofed the birth and growth 
 of the Chriftian Religion , with what fury ind ma- 
 lice he inftigated the whole Roman Empire agsinft
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 337 
 
 ir. i what persecutions he fufcitated j what torments 
 and horrible cruelties he fuggefted to be employed 
 againft the Chriftians, and what an ocean of their 
 blood he procured to be fpilt. If fuch then was 
 the power of Satan at that time, and if fo much he 
 could do by means of his infernal agents, and by 
 his inftruments, the Emperors, Nero, Domitian, 
 Dioclefian, &c, why mail we be furprifed to fee his 
 laft efforts flill ftronger in the time of Antichrift, 
 ivhofe coming, as St. Paul fays, is according to the 
 working of Satan (2. Theff. II. 9.)? The Anti- 
 chriftian period is defcribed by the Ancient Fathers 
 as the moft dreadful of all, and the Apocalypfe 
 plainly mews it to be Ib, as we mall fee.. 
 
 Four of Satan's affociates are the four bad An- 
 gels we faw bound faft upon the river Euphrates, 
 but n$w are untied and permitted to go and raife up 
 the four abovementioned barbarous nations, which 
 they will inftigate to carry deftruction and devafla- 
 tion through the world. 
 
 Thefe nations therefore arrive at different times 
 at the Euphrates, which they crofs without obftruc- 
 tion, and aflemble in the plains on this fide that 
 river. The Antichriftian Prince, who had fum- 
 moned them to his ftandard, as before related, 
 aflumes the command, and glories in being matter 
 of fuch a prodigious army. And the number of the 
 army of horfemen, fays St. John, was twenty thou- 
 fand times ten thoitfand. And I heard the number of 
 ibem. v. 1 6. (fee the text of the fixth trumpet). 
 
 This army is here defcribed as wholly confiding 
 
 of Cavalry, I fuppofe for difpatch : and the Eaft- 
 
 ern people have always ufed much cavalry. But 
 
 the number is exceffive, fuch as has never been 
 
 Z heard
 
 338 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 heard of in any inftance before. We read in hiftory 
 of Xerxes, the Perfian king, invading Greece with 
 an army of one million of men. But an army of two 
 hundred millions, or twenty thcufaud times ten thcufand, 
 is altogether impofiible , as it is doubtful whether 
 there be that number of men, capable of bearing 
 arms, upon the whole globe of the Earth : whereas 
 this body of men is chiefly collected from the Afia- 
 tic countries that lie on the eaftern fide of the Eu- 
 phrates ; and yet St. John affures us, he heard their 
 number named. And I heard the number of them. 
 Such an immenfe multitude cannot therefore be ac- 
 counted for, but by fuppofmg a great part of it to 
 confift of the Infernal Beings, And that it is fo, 
 we have reafon to conclude , firft, from Satan's hav- 
 ing been let loofe, as we have juft now feen, and 
 probably with liim a numerous crew of his afib- 
 ciates : Secondly, from the fourth Seal, which re- 
 lates, as we obferved, to the Antichriftian Prince 
 and thus defcribes him : Behold A pale horfs, and he 
 that fat upon him, his name 'was death^ and hell fol- 
 lowed him. (Apoc. vi. 8.). Here it is exprefsly faid, 
 that Hell follows him. Thirdly, the lame we mail 
 fee, by and by, confirmed by the Prophet Joel. 
 
 Such is the immenfe horrid army of the Antichrif- 
 tian Monarch, compofed of men and devils in hu- 
 man Ihape. With this he moves weftwards, and is 
 met in die neighbourhood of Jerufalem by thofe 
 Powers, which we mentioned had rebelled againft 
 him, and which have advanced in a body to difpute 
 their liberty with him. Difpofitions being made, 
 both armies come to an engagement. The appear- 
 ance of the Monarch's troops on this occafion, and 
 the arms they fight with, are defcribed in a very pe- 
 culiar
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 339 
 
 culiar manner by St. John in the above-given text 
 of the fixth trumpet, ver. 17. And thus I fa-jo the 
 horfes in tbe vijion : and they that fat on them, had 
 breaftplales of fire and of hyacinth and of Iriwftcne , and 
 the heads of the horfes were as the heads of Lions ; 
 and from their mouths proceeded fire, and fmoke^ and 
 brimftone. The Horfemen appeared to St. John 
 with br'eqftpldtes of Jfre and of hyacinth and of brimf- 
 tone. By this exprcflion is indicated the firing of 
 Carabines or fuch fire-arms as cavalry ufe , which 
 are applied to the breaft when fhot off. He faw 
 the firing of thefe guns, in the manner that it is 
 done now-a-days, but not being acquainted with 
 fuch operations, as gunpowder was unknown in his 
 time, he took the fire, that ifiued out of the muf- 
 kets, to come from the horferr.en's breafts on which 
 the mufkets refted, and fo thought the horfemen 
 had breaftplates of fire. The Prophet here even 
 defcribes to us the compofition of gunpowder with 
 it's three feveral ingredients, viz. brimftone or ful- 
 phur; fire, or charcoal, the propereft matter of 
 fire ; and hyacinth or fait petre. Hyacinth, a preci- 
 ous (tone of a purple colour, is here made ufe of to 
 reprefent faltpetre, becaule faltpetre, when fet on 
 fire emits a flame of a fine purple colour fimilar to 
 the colour of the Hyacinth-ftone. Here then we 
 fee revealed to St. John both the compofition and 
 ufe of gunpowder, to which he and all mankind at 
 that time were (bangers. 
 
 Then it is faid : fad the heads of the hcrfcs were 
 as the beads of liens, and from their mouths proceeded 
 fire and fmoke and brimftone. Before, we faw the 
 defcription of the mufkets and their fire ; here is 
 pointed out the Artillery of the army, or Cannon. 
 Z 2 BUt
 
 340 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 But as St. John had not naturally any notion of 
 fuch things, which did not exifl in his time , and as 
 he law, in this vifion, the whole army drawn up at 
 a diftance, and the artillery placed upon a line with 
 the Cavalry, he feemed to confound the cannon with 
 the hoffes, and the cannon's mouths with the 
 mouths of the horfes, as the height of both from 
 the ground is nearly the fame +. When therefore 
 he fays, the heads of the horfes were as the heads of 
 lions y it is the fame as if he faid, the mouths of the 
 cannon were, as to the noife they made, like the 
 mouths of roaring lions -, and from their mouths pro- 
 ceeded fire andfmoke and brim/tone, that is, the fire of 
 gunpowder. Hence it appears, that St. John in 
 his vifion, both faw the fire of the cannon, and 
 heard the explofion. One may further remark, 
 that he points out here a nice difference between 
 mufket-gunpowder, and that ufed in cannon. The 
 firft he defcribes as compofed of fire, hyacinth or 
 faltpetre, and brimftone; the fecond, as compofed 
 of fire, fmoke, and brimftone ; that is, the mulket- 
 gunpowder, which is finer, has in it's compofition a 
 larger proportion of faltyetre; and the cannon- 
 gunpowder, which is coarfer, contains a larger mare 
 of charcoal which produces thefmoke. And fuch, it 
 is known, is really the compofition ufed at this day. 
 This explanation is further confirmed by what fol- 
 lows in the text : For the power of the horfes is in 
 their mouths and in their tails. For their tails are like 
 to ferpents, and have heads : and with them they hurt. 
 
 (v. 19.) 
 
 f He defcribes the appearances, as be faw in the vifion, 
 not the reality
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 341 
 
 (v. 19.). The -power of the imagined horfes, or real 
 cannon, lying in their mouths and in their tails, fig- 
 nifies, that the mifchievous power of the cannon is 
 directed to the objed by their mouths, but takes it's 
 birth in the tail or breech of the cannon, where the 
 charge is lodged : whence the cannon's breech is 
 here compared to the Serpent's head which contains 
 his venom. 
 
 And by thefe three plagues was Jlain the third part 
 of men, by the fire and by the fmoke and by the brim- 
 ftone, which iffued out of their mouths, (v, 18). This 
 deftructive inftrument, gunpowder, the invention 
 of latter ages, will therefore be employed by the 
 Antichriftian army, all along in it's progrefs, to Jlay 
 tbe third part of men, probably the wicked, And this 
 is conformable to what we read under the fourth 
 leal ; Power was given to him, to kill with fword, 
 with famine, and with death or gunpowder, and with 
 the beafts of the earth or Cavalry. (Apoc. VI. 8. 
 fee the explication of that feal). 
 
 As we left the two armies engaged, a queftion 
 may be afked about the ifiue of the battle. What 
 it will be with refpecl to the great Hero, the Anti- 
 chriftian Emperor, we learn from St. John, who 
 however fo clofely connects this event with that 
 Prince's alliance to the Roman Empire, that we 
 muft beg leave to follow our infpired writer in 
 joining the accounts of both together. 
 
 Chap. XIII. ver. i. And I faw (fays St. John) a 
 Beaft coming up out of the Sea, having feven heads, and 
 ten horns, and upon his horns ten diadems, and upon 
 his heads names of blafphemy. 
 
 v. 2. And the Beaft, which I faw, was like lo a 
 
 Leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a Bear, and 
 
 Z 3 bis
 
 342 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 his mouth as the mouth of a Lion. And the Dragon 
 gave him his ownftrtngth and great power. 
 
 v. 3. And If aw one of his heads as it werejlain to 
 death. 
 
 The Beaft, which St. John fees here riling up 
 from the Sea, or from the tumultuous fcenes of war 
 and the fluctuations of the world, reprefents the an- 
 cient pagan Empire of Rome. For the Beaft he fays 
 \\zsfcven heads and ten horns-, we have before (hewn 
 that thcfeven beads are feven heathen Roman Em- 
 perors, perfecutors of Chriftianity, the laft of whom 
 will be Antichrift: and the horns are the Northern 
 Powers that deitroyed and divided among :hemfelves 
 the vveftern part of that Empire. Upon his horns 
 were ten diadems or crowns j whereas in chap. 12. 
 v. 3, on his heads were feven diadems. This palling, 
 of the diadems from the beads to the borns> mews 
 that old Rome had loft her Sovereignty, which had 
 been wrefted from her Emperors by thofe Northern 
 people who had crowned themfelves with it. And the 
 Beaft had upon his beads names- of Blafpbemy, Blafphe- 
 mies, which the heathen Emperors fpoke againft 
 Chrifti Blafpbemies, or pagan Gods which they fet 
 up in oppofition to him-, Blasphemies, or divine ho- 
 nours which thofe Emperors required to be paid to 
 themfelves. 
 
 Let us take notice that St. John here gives us 
 in abridgement the fucceffive periods of the Roman 
 Empire, It is defcribed, as firft ruling under a fuc- 
 cefilon of idolatrous beads or Emperors, and then 
 pulled down and divided among a number of Inva- 
 ders denoted by the horns. From them it paffcs to 
 become the Antichriilian Empire, as appears by 
 what follows : And the Beaft izbicb I fa-zv, fays St. 
 
 John
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 343 
 
 John, was like to a Leopard, and Us feet were as t be feet 
 cf a Bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a Lion. But 
 here we muft previoufly obferve, that this extraordina- 
 ry Beaft is in it's exterior form made up of the three 
 animals, the Leopard, the Bear, and the Lion -, be- 
 cauie the Empire of Rome had reduced under it's 
 dominion the countries belonging to the three iuc- 
 ceflive empires of Babylon, of Perlia, and of Greece, 
 which are exhibited by the Prophet Daniel under the 
 types of thofe three animals. / faw, fays Daniel, 
 
 in my vifwn And four great Beafts different ens 
 
 from another, came up outofthefea. he fir ft -was like 
 
 a Lionefs And behold another beaft like a Bear 
 
 After this I beheld, and lo another like a Leopard. 
 (Dan. vii. 3, &c.). Which three Beafts here fpe- 
 cified have always been underftood to denote the 
 three above-named Empires. Thefe Empires pre- 
 ceded that of Rome, and then paffed into it's do- 
 minion-, for which reafon it is here reprefented as 
 compofed of them. Great Empires are indicated 
 by the Prophets under the figure of Beails, on ac- 
 count of the devaftation and havock they make, like 
 wild beafts, in the world to raife up their domi- 
 nion. 
 
 This obfervation premifed-, St. John fays: And 
 the Beaft, which I faw, was like to a Leopard-, the 
 body of the Bead was like to a Lecpard, that is, 
 the centre and capital part of the Roman Empire 
 under Antichrift will be the Grecian Empire, denot- 
 ed by the Leopard. After the divifion of the ancient 
 Roman State, the Eaftern part chiefly confifted of 
 the territory of the ancient Empire of Macedon or 
 Greece. The Turks are now in poffefiion of it, 
 and fo will one day be the Turkifh Emperor, Anti- 
 Z 4 Chrift;
 
 344 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Chrift; and from it rifes the Antichriftian King- 
 dom. Rome was deftroyed with the Weftern Em- 
 pire: Conftantinople then became the Capital of the 
 remaining part of the Roman Empire-, it will be 
 alfo Antichrift's Capital city: and it is now the cen- 
 ter and feat of the Turkifh, or formerly Grecian, 
 Monarchy; and from this centre conqueft will be 
 carried into thofe countries that formed the wcftern 
 part of the ancient Roman Empire, and over the 
 whole world. Thus then the Antichriftian Em- 
 pire is founded on the Empire of Ancient Greece at 
 prefent the Conftantinopolitan Empire. Hence it 
 appears why the body of the Beajl is like to a Leo- 
 pard. 
 
 St. John's defcription of the Beaff may receive a 
 further elucidation from the Prophecy of Daniel 
 concerning the Roman Empire, which was alfo re- 
 prefentcd to him under the figure of a Beofl, the 
 fourth of thofe which he faw in a vifion. After this 
 I beh-sld, fays he, in the vifion of the night, and lo a 
 fourth Bcaft, terrible and wonderful., and exceeding 
 jlrong ; ;/ had great iron teeth, eating and breaking in 
 pieces, and treading down the reft with it's feet. (vii. 
 7.). Which an Angel explained to the Prophet 
 thus : The fourth Beaft will be the fourth Kingdom 
 upon earth, which Jhall be greater than all the King- 
 doms^ and fo all devour the whcls Earth, and Jhall tread 
 it down and break it in pieces. (Ibid. v. 23.).- It is 
 plain, that what Daniel here fays of the Roman Em- 
 pire, has never yet been completely fulfilled. For, 
 though the power of Ancient Rome extended into 
 Europe, Afia, and Africa, yet there remained vafl 
 countries unfubdued in each of thofe part?, befides 
 America- which was not then known : consequently 
 
 the
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 345 
 
 die Roman power did not reach over the whole earth, 
 as Daniel here fpecifies it mould. Then, though 
 Rome fometimes treated the conquered people with 
 Severity and haughtinefs, yet it cannot be faid that 
 ilie devoured the whole earth, and tread it down, and 
 broke it in pieces. Daniel's Prophecy having there- 
 fore been but partially accomplimed in the ancient 
 Empire of Rome, it remains to be completed ir\ that 
 Roman Empire^ of which Antichrift will be the 
 head, and which will extend over the whole Earth. 
 
 And now it will appear that the texts of the two 
 
 Prophets help to explain one another. The Sea/}, 
 lays St. John, had a mouth as the month of a Lion, 
 a proper animal to devour, as Daniel terms it. 
 The Beaft again, according to St. John, had feet 
 as the feet of a Bear, an animal that tre ads down it's 
 prey with it's feet, as Daniel fpeaks of it. Laftly, 
 the Beaft, according to St. John, was like to a Leo- 
 pard, which with it's teeth of a Lion and claws of a 
 Bear, may break in pieces, as Daniel fays of it, or 
 tear in pieces whatever it feizes. Such will be the 
 violence and tyranny of Antichrift's dominion, when 
 he becomes univerfal Monarch. 
 
 But we muft here further obferve, that not only 
 the ultimate accomplifhment of what belongs to the 
 Roman Empire will have it's place at the time of 
 Antichrift, but the fame muft be applied to the 
 ancient Empire of Greece, now reprefcnted by the 
 Conftantinopolitan or Ottoman Empire, which we 
 have Ihewn to be the foundation and centre of the 
 Antichriftian Kingdom. For, Daniel fpeaking of 
 the Empire of Greece fays: // Jhatt rule over all the 
 world (ii. 39.). to which alfo alludes, what he ap- 
 plies to it in another place: Pcwer was. given to it. 
 
 (vii.
 
 346 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 (vii. 6.). But it is well known, that Alexander the 
 Great, who reared up the Grecian Empire, never 
 ruled over the 'whole world. The extent of his do- 
 minion fell far fhort of it. This Prophecy remains 
 therefore to be finally completed in Antichrift, who 
 will be the laft Head of both Roman and Grecian 
 Empire. 
 
 To return to our text,- St. John faid : And the 
 Dragon gave him (the Beaft) his ownftrength, (here 
 the Greek adds, and his throne], and great power. 
 (v. 2.) The Dragon or Satan, Prince of the in- 
 fernal kingdom, gives his ownftrength to the Beaft 
 or to the Antichriftian Empire, that is, to it's Em- 
 peror, the Antichriftian Prince, and his Agents; 
 the Dragon or Satan gives him, I fay, his own 
 jlrength, or his armies of hellim fiends to fight and 
 act for him; in the fame manner as the Northern 
 Powers (Apoc. xvii. 13.) gave their Jlrength to the 
 Beaft, that is, their armies to the Romans for their 
 afliftance. 
 
 And this is conformable to what was faid under 
 the fourth feal : and Hell followed him. (Apoc. vi. 
 8.). The Dragon furthermore gives to the Anti- 
 chriftian Emperor his throne, by conflicting him his 
 vifible Subftitute, Reprefentative, and Delegate, 
 to rule and command as he pleafes. In fine, the 
 Dragon gives him great power, or a furprifmg fa- 
 culty of working counterfeit miracles and impofing 
 upon mankind by art and deceit ; bis coming (Anti- 
 chrift's) being, as St. Paul tells us, according to the 
 working of Satan, in all power andfigm and lying won- 
 ders. (2 Theff. II. 9.) St. John proceeds
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 347 
 
 v. 3. And I faw one of his heads as it were flain 
 to death , and his death's wound was healed. And all 
 the earth was in admiration after the beafl. 
 
 This head of the beafl is the Antichriftian Monarch, 
 as fully appears by the defcription that follows in 
 this chapter : and here St. John fees him as it were 
 jlain to death) that is, wounded mortally, or at leaft 
 fo in appearance. Such then is the iffue of the 
 abovementioned battle. This accident undoubtedly 
 fpreads confternation through his army, .and raifes 
 exultation and courage in his enemies. But thefe 
 difpofitions are foon reverfed in confequence of what 
 is added, and his death's wound was healed^ his dead- 
 ly wound is cured by Satan, who conftantly attends 
 him -J-. And all the earth was in Admiration after the 
 
 beafl: 
 
 f If with St. Jerom, Theodoret, and others, we under- 
 derftand Antichnft to be the Shepherd and Idol fpoken of in 
 the following paffage of the prophet Zachary ; Behold I will 
 raife up, fays the Lord, a Jhepherd in the land, who Jhall not 
 "vlfit what is forfaken^ nor fee k what isfcattered^ nor heal what 
 is broken, nor nourijh that which Jiands ; and he foall eat 
 the flejh of the fat ones, and break their hoofs. O Jhepherd and 
 /del, that forfakes the flock ! The Jword upon his arm and upon 
 his right eye : his arm Jhall quite wither away^ and his right eyt 
 Jhall be utterly darkened: (Zach. XI. 16, 17.) : This paf- 
 fage, we apprehend, may point out to us how and in what 
 manner the Antichriftian King is wounded, viz, the fword 
 upon his arm and upon his right eye; and St. John tells us he 
 bad the wound by the fword (Apoc. XIII. 14.). Perhaps he 
 receives a ftroke upon the head, which reaches down to the 
 right eye, and opens the fcull. And though he is cured by 
 the operation of the Devil, yet, as diabolical operations 
 ufually are, the cure may remain imperfect ; as feems to be 
 indicated by what is added : his arm Jhall quite wither away y 
 
 and
 
 348 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 teaft : the whole world is aftonifhed at feeing or hearing 
 the account of this extraordinary cure, which exceeded 
 all human power and art ; and thereupon a great part 
 of mankind embrace the party of the beaft or of the 
 Antichriftian King. The denomination of beaft 
 was before appropriated to his empire, and he was 
 one of if s beads \ but now he himfelf is ftiled the. 
 beaft i becauie he is the fole and laft bead by which 
 the beaft lives and becomes a fingle animal, the other 
 Jix beads or former Emperors being dead. He may 
 alfo be faid to come up cut of the fea, as was faid of 
 the Beaft in ver. i . becaufe we fuppofe him to be 
 born in Crim Tartary upon the Black Sea, and to 
 fucceed to the Ottoman Empire of Conftantinople, 
 which city alfo ftands on the fea. 
 
 The people were feized with aftonimment, as juft 
 abovementioned, v. 4. And they adored the Dra- 
 gon, which gave power to the beaft : and they adored 
 the beafti faying : who is like to the beaft ? and who 
 Jhallbeable to fight with him ? 
 
 They fuppofe the cure of the deadly wound to 
 have been performed by the Dragon^ or Satan ; 
 and they immediately worlhip the Dragon, for his 
 having fhewn fuch a vifible protection to this mo- 
 narch, and veiled him with power, authority, and 
 dominion, beyond any monarch that ever exifted. 
 Upon thefe confidcrations they alfo proclaim this 
 Prince, fuperior to every other creature, invincible, 
 a God, and adore him, faying : who is like to the 
 Beaft ? and who Jhall be able to fight with him ? This 
 
 abo- 
 
 andhis right eye jlall be utterly darkened. How different are 
 the works of the finger of God, not done by halves, but 
 complete and perfeft!
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 349 
 
 abominable Idolatrous worfhip may the more eafily 
 take place, as we have already obferved that Idola- 
 try will probably have been revived in the world 
 fomewhat before this time by the working of Satan, 
 from the moment of his being let loofe. 
 
 Before we proceed further, let us obferve from 
 what we have already related out of the ijth 
 Chapter of the Apocalypfe, that the Roman Em- 
 pire, which had been long ago deftroyed, is here 
 revived anew under the Antichriftian monarch, who 
 is here ftiled the bead of the Beaft. And this is 
 agreeable to the prediction of Chap. 17. v. 8. of 
 the Apocalypfe (fee page 129): Ike Beaft., whicb 
 tbou jaw eft, was? and is not, and jh all come up out of 
 the bottcmiefs pit, and go into definition : And the in- 
 habitants of the earth (whofe names are not written in the 
 book of life from the foundation of the world) Jhall 
 wonder, feeing the Beaft, that was, and is not, (here 
 the greek text adds, and yet is, which makes the 
 fenfe more complete) : The Roman Empire in it's 
 laft period, that is, the Antichriftian Empire is here 
 faid to rife from the lottomkfs pit or abyfs of hell, 
 becaufe Satan, who lately came up from thence, is 
 the foul and actuator of that Empire, as he was of 
 the fame Roman Empire in it's firft period : And 
 we have juft now ieen, that effectually the Dragon 
 or Satan gave him (the Antichriftian Kmperor) his 
 own ftrength, and his throne, and great power. Be- 
 fides, by Satan this Roman and Antichriftian Em- 
 pire is alfo made the Empire of Idolatry, as it had 
 been under the ancient Roman Emperors ; for, we 
 law above, that they adored the Dragon, who gave 
 power to the Beaft , and they adored the Beaft. This 
 extraordinary re-appearance of that powerful and 
 
 idolatrous
 
 350 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 idolatrous Empire, fo long ago loft, and it's fignal 
 elevation by the power and management of the 
 Devil, feem to form a fubject of great aftoniftment 
 to the world and the chief inducement to Idolatry ; 
 for it is here faid, the Inhabitants of the earth (whofc 
 names are not written in the book of life) Jhall wonder ; 
 feeing the Be aft, that was, and is not, and yet is : and 
 again , And all the earth was in admiration after the 
 Beajt (above v. 3.). But here the fervants of God 
 ought to admire the divine bounty and providence, 
 and may receive comfort, from what is here added, 
 that the Beaft or Idolatrous Antichriftian Empire 
 
 will foon go into definition. We now likewife fee 
 
 appear in the courfe of the Apocalyptical hiftory, 
 that remarkable perfonage, the Antichriftian Em- 
 peror, who is the feventh and laft head of the Idola- 
 trous Roman Empire, conformably to what we were 
 admonimed to expect, in Chapter 17. v. 10. Five 
 (of the heads) are fallen, one is, and the other is not 
 yet come : and when he is come, he muft remain ajhort 
 time, (fee page 130). Happy indeed for mankind, 
 that he muft remain but afloort time. 
 
 To return to the iffue of the battle fought, in the 
 neighbourhood of Jerufalem, between the Anti- 
 chriftian Emperor's army and that of his enemies, 
 we Taw him, as it were mortally wounded, then 
 cured by Satan, and foon re-appearing at the head 
 of his troops, upon which follows almoft a gene- 
 ral defection of the people, and of his enemies, who 
 come over to his party. In confequence of this, 
 we fuppofe that the fmall remainder of the adverfe 
 army flics before him, and he enters Jerufalem. 
 
 .And now we are arrived, as we conceive, at the 
 period when this ambitious and impious Hero declares 
 
 himfelf
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 351 
 
 himfelf formally Antichrift, that is, Enemy to Chrift. 
 Enraged, on one fide, at his having been wounded 
 and thrown into the jaws of death, perhaps by Chrif- 
 tian troops ; Enraged again by the defection of the 
 Jews from him, who before had owned him for their 
 Median, but whom he finds now become Chriftians, 
 and renouncing all connexion with him, looking up- 
 on him as the moft audacious and bafeft of Impof- 
 tors : On the other hand, elated by his extraordinary" 
 cure and feeing himfelf guarded and fupported by 
 the whole power of the Devil, and multitudes all a- 
 round him acknowledging the fame, he fwells with 
 the fpirit of pride and arrogance, with which he is 
 infpired by Satan who has entered into him. He 
 thinks himfelf all-powerful. In thefe Satanic difpo- 
 fitions he refolves to acknowledge no Superior, in 
 heaven or on earth ; and in that view he proceeds to 
 a temple in Jerufalem, fome Chriftian Church, 
 which he enters, and there extolling his own fupreme 
 authority, his dominion, his unlimited pov/er over 
 every thing, he proclaims himfelf God, and ordains 
 divine homage and worihip to be paid to his perfon. 
 This we learn from St. Paul who thus fpeaks of him. 
 Ike man offm^ the fon cf perdition, who cppofeth, and 
 is lifted up above all that is called God, or that is wor- 
 Jhipped, fo that hejttteth in the temple of God,-\ Jhew- 
 ing himfelf as if he were God. J (2 TheiT. ii. 3. 4.). 
 
 He 
 
 f In trie Greek, he jittctb in the temple of God as Gcd. 
 
 % Would not one fufpe& that the Devil has fuggefted 
 the titles ufually affumed by the Sultans or Turkifti Em- 
 perors of Constantinople, viz, Gad upon Earth, the Jhcdcw 
 ofGod^ the Giver of all earthly crowns, &c ; as thus thefe 
 Emperors antic pite in kmie mtafure what belongs to 
 their ialt Succcfl jr, Andchrift, who will arrogate to hitn- 
 felt the real Deity aud Power exprefied by thefe titles.
 
 352 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 He thus imitates, but far furpafles in arrogance, 
 Cains Caligula and other Roman Emperors, his an- 
 cient Predecefifors, who impioufly claimed to them- 
 felves divine honours. 
 
 From the above-pafTage of St. Paul fome have in- 
 ferred that Antichrift will rebuild the great Temple 
 ofjerufalem. But, if that temple is ever to be re- 
 built, probably it will not be done 'till after the ra- 
 vages and perfecution of Antichrift, according to 
 that Prophecy of Daniel : And there j}} all be in the 
 'Temple the abomination of defolation : and the defolation 
 Jball continue even to the consummation ^ and to the 
 end. (ix. 27.). Befides, one may obferve that in 
 the new Teflament the great Temple of Jerulalem 
 is always exprefled by the greek word IEPON, and a 
 common temple or church by the word NAOS, as in 
 the prefent pafiage of St. Paul j which gives us rea- 
 fon to think, that the Apoftte does not here fpeak 
 of the great Temple. 
 
 However that may be, Antichrift proceeds to for- 
 bid any other Deity to be acknowledged but himfelf, 
 and prohibits all wormip of the Supreme Being, all 
 exercife of the Chriilian Religion, and particularly 
 the Sacrifice of the Altar, becaufe Chrift is there 
 perfonally adored as God. Thefe prefumptuous ex- 
 travagances were, in general, foretold by the Pro- 
 phet Daniel : From the time^ fays he, when the con- 
 tinual Sacrifice Jhallle taken away, and the abomination 
 unto defolation (hall be fet />, there Jhall be a thoufand 
 two hundred ninety days. (xii. n.). The continual 
 or daily Sacrifice of the Altar is here faid to be taken 
 away j and the abomination unto defolation is fet up, 
 that is, the abominable wormip of a Man is fet up 
 in the place of that of God. A firnilar impiety and 
 
 abo-
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 553 
 
 abomination was formerly practifed by the idola- 
 trous King and implicable enemy of the Jews, An- 
 ' tiochus Epiphanes, who forbad holocaufts and facri- 
 fices a-nd atonements to be made in the temple of God 
 
 and fet up the abominable Idol of defolaticn* upon 
 
 the Mar of God. (i. Maccab. i. 47. &c. 57). We 
 feem to be alfo forev/arned of Antichrifl's abomina- 
 tion, as we obferved under the fixth feal, by our 
 Saviour himfelf, when he faid : when therefore you 
 Jhall fee the abomination cf defolation, which was fpo- 
 ken of by Daniel the Prophet, ftanding in the holy place 
 (he that readeth, let him underjland) : Then they that 
 are in Judea, let them flee to the mountains. (Matt. 
 xxiv. 15. 16.). Upon thefe words of our Saviour St. 
 Chryfoftom fpeaks thus : " For three years and fix 
 " months the Chriftian Sacrifice muft be taken away 
 " by Antichrift, and the Chriftians flying away be- 
 " fore him into the deferts, there will be no one to 
 " frequent the Church or to offer the oblation to 
 " God." (Horn. 49. in Matt. 24.). 
 
 It is worth our notice what we further learn from 
 the abovecited paffage of Daniel, that from the time, 
 when the daily facrifice will be fupprefled, and the 
 abomination fet up, there will be a thousand two hun- 
 dred and. ninety days, to the end of AntichrhTs per- 
 iecution, which Daniel had fpoken of in the pre - 
 ceding verfe. That perfccution will laft three years 
 and a half, as we (hall fee hereafter. Hence then, 
 if the year be fuppofed to confift of 365 days, three 
 years and a half make 1278 days, which the number 
 A a 1290 
 
 * The ftatue of Jupiter Olympius.
 
 3-54 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 1290 exceeds by twelve-, ib that there will be an in- 
 terval of twelve days between the time when Anti- 
 ehrift fets himfelf up for God in the temple, and the 
 beginning of his perfecution. But this interval wili 
 be thirty days* if the year be reckoned only of 360 
 days or forty two months, of 30 days each, which 
 round way of counting is ufual with the Prophets. 
 
 As therefore a moft cruel perfecution. is foon to 
 follow,, and all forts of other means will likewife be 
 employed by that monfter of iniquity, Antiehrift, to 
 force the worftiip of his pretended Divinity upon the 
 world, the Almighty fends a moft ftrong and pathe- 
 tic admonition to mankind to warn them againft that 
 feduction: And I faw, fays St. John, another Angel 
 flying through the midft of Heaven, having the Eternal 
 Go/pel, to -preach unto them that fit upon the earth, and- 
 over every nation, and tribe, and tongue, and people: 
 Saying with K loud voice : Fear the Lord, and give 
 him honour,, beet, ufe the hour of his judgment is come .- 
 an d adore ye him, ihat made heaven and earth, the fea* 
 and the fountains of waters. (Apoc. xiv. 6. 7.). The 
 Angel here may reprefent Henoch and his attendants,; 
 the Parlors of the Church,, who with great vigour will 
 preach up,, firft in Jerufalem and then in all other 
 nations, the Eternal Gofpel or evcrlafting Covenant. 
 (Ifai. xxiv. 5.), that is, the Eternal Law, founded 
 in nature itielf, that forbids divine worfhip to be. 
 paid to any creature, as being the incommunicable 
 right of the Supreme Being. They will fay : Fear 
 not this domineering boafter; but, Fear the Lord r 
 and give- him* honour. They will fay: adore not this 
 Impoftor; who deceitfully pretends to a power over' 
 heaven, earth, fea, and fountains of water; but,, 
 adore him, that really made heaven, and earth, the 
 
 fea,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 355 
 
 fea, and the fountains cf waters, and has power to do 
 'with them what he pleafes. Thefe exhortations the 
 Preachers will enforce with that peculiar reafon here 
 given, becaufe the hour cf his judgment is come, be- 
 caufe the time will foon come, in three years and a 
 half, when the judgment of God will fall upon this 
 man of fen, this fan of perdition, Antichrift, and he 
 iliall be exterminated. 
 
 Antichrift finding that many, particularly the 
 Jews, refufe to pay him divine honour, he will firft 
 endeavour to bring them over by perfualive methods. 
 For that purpofe he will avail himfelf of the power 
 which the Dragon gave tint, as we faw above, of 
 performing wonders and working falfe miracles. 
 Many prodigies therefore and extraordinary perfor- 
 mances, by the Devil's operation, he will exhibit; 
 whofe coming, fays St. Paul, is according to the work- 
 ing of Satan, in all power, andfigns and lying wonders. 
 (2 Theff. ii. 9.) By the dazzling appearance of thefe 
 wonderful operations many will be daggered in their 
 faith and will be feduced to worfhip this Mock-God , 
 as we feem to learn from our Saviour who faid: 
 There Jhall arife falfe Chrifls and falfe Prophets, and 
 jhatt jkew great figns and wonders, infomucb as to de- 
 ceive (if poffibk) even the Eleft. (Matt. xxiv. 24,). 
 But Chrift, whofe Providence is never wanting to 
 his Church, will interpofe his power to baffle that 
 of the Devil and Antichrift. He will inveft many 
 of the Chriftian Preachers, particularly Henoch and 
 Elias, with extraordinary miraculous powers. As 
 Moles and Aaron were fent by the Almighty to con- 
 tend with Pharaoh and his Magicians, and to refcue , 
 the Ifraelites from flavery -, fo will Elias and Henoch 
 be the two chief MefTengers, whom Chrift will em- 
 A a 2 ploy
 
 356 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 ploy to oppoie his enemy Antichrift, and to pre- 
 lerve the elect from falling into his fnares. And as 
 the Magicians of Egypt, with all their demoniacal 
 charms and incantations, were vanquifhed by the 
 fignal fuperionty of the miracles of Moles and 
 Aaron-, ib will the prodigies of Antichrift be eclipfed 
 and confounded by the far greater number and fplen- 
 dor of the miracles of Elias and Henoch. And 1 
 will give , fays Chrift, unto my two witneffes, and they 
 Jball prophefy a tboufand t-wo hundred fix ty days, cloth- 
 ed in fackclotb. And if any man will hurt them^ 
 
 fire Jhall come cut of their mouths^ and Jh all devour their 
 enemies. And if any man will hurt them^ in this manner 
 muft he be fain. 1'bcfe have power to fljut heaven, that 
 . it rain net in the days of their -prophecy : and they have 
 power ever waters to turn them into blood? and to firike 
 the earth with all plagues as of ten as they will. (Apoc. 
 xi. 3. 56.) Thefe miracles we have before explained, 
 (fee page 315.)- I n conformity to this paflage St. 
 Ephrem fpeaks thus: " God in his mercy will fend 
 " Elias and Henoch, who will openly exhort the 
 " people not to believe in Antichrift". (ferm. de 
 Antichr.). And St. Ambrofe: " Henoch and Elias 
 " are deftined to be the Apoftles of the laft times: 
 " for they are to be lent, before the laft coming of 
 " Chrift, to prepare the people of God, and to 
 " animate all the Churches, to refift Antichrift". 
 (in Ep. i. ad. Corinth, c. 4.). St. Gregory the Great 
 likewife fays, that " Elias and Henoch will appear 
 " upon the ftage of the world to oppofe Antichrift". 
 (in Job. lib. 15. c. 36.). When the Powers of the 
 Almighty and Satan come in competition, the latter 
 muft certainly vanifh. Whence it follows that thofe 
 only will be deluded, who wilfully fhut their eyes. 
 
 to
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 357 
 
 to the clear light of evidence ; and fo we are informed 
 by St. Paul : whofe coming ( Amichrift's) is according 
 to the working of Satan, in all fewer, and figns end 
 lying wonders, and in all fc duff ion of iniquity to them 
 that pcri/h : becavfe they received not the love of -the 
 truth that they night be farced, $ here fere G.od fliall 
 fend them the operation of errcr, to believe lying ; lhat 
 all may be judged who have not believed the truth, Imi 
 have consented to iniquity. (2. ThefT. ii. 9. 10. u.). 
 
 Antichriil feeing all his wonderful operations' 
 baffled by the fhining evidence of Henoeh's and 
 Elias's miracles, and perceiving that multitudes of 
 Chriftians refufe to acknowledge his Godhead, he 
 fwells with anger, and being actuated by the hellifh 
 fiend that pofTeffes him, he arrogantly boafls of 
 preeminence over all other men that have ever 
 exifted, of the greatnefs of his empire, of the num- 
 ber of his armies, of his command over all the 
 beings and works of nature, and even prefumes to 
 extol his own power above that of the Almighty ; 
 as it fee-ms to follow from what St. John proceeds 
 to fay of him : 
 
 Chap. xiii. v. 5. And there was given to him a 
 mouth f peaking great things, and blafphemies. And 
 St. Paul calls him, the man of fin, the fen of perdi- 
 tion, who cppofeth and is /lifted up above all that is 
 called Gcd, or that is worjhipped. (2 Theff. ii. 3.4.)- 
 Daniel alfo gives us much the fame picture of him : 
 And behold, fays that Prophet, eyes like the eyes of a 
 man were in this little horn, and a month fpeaking 
 great things, (vii. 8.) We have before obferved 
 that Antichrift is meant by the little horn, which is 
 here faid to have eyes like the eyes of a man and a 
 month fpeaking great things , the eyes of a man and a 
 A a 3 mouth
 
 358 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 mouth indicate a man, one individual man, who* 
 fyeaks great things , as we have juit heard from St. 
 John. Daniel goes on painting his character : and 
 hdfijall think himfelf able to change times and laws 
 (vii. 25.). He will imagine himfelf powerful enough 
 to d'.i.ge times > the coune of times and feafons of 
 the year, as night into day, winter into fummer, 
 &c. and to change laws, to alter the laws by which 
 nature acts, by which the Sun, and Moon, and 
 other Planets move, to alter their times of rifing and 
 letting, to raife up the harveft in winter and to 
 make the earth barren in fummer, and to command 
 the clouds to ram or not at his pleafure ; in fine, he 
 will boafl of having power to reverfe the whole order 
 of nature. And perhaps he will attempt fome par- 
 ticular of this fort, wfych by the Devils aid fte may 
 apparently effect. 
 
 v. 5. And power was given him to do two and forty 
 months. He is permitted by the Almighty to do 
 what he pleafes during two and forty months^ or three 
 years and a half: or elfe, as the greek text has it, 
 power was given him to make war two and forty 
 months^ which he refolyes to do v/ith the utmoft vio- 
 lence and cruelty. 
 
 v. 6. And be opened his mouth unto Blafphemies^ 
 again/I God, to blafpheme his name, and his faherna- 
 cle^ and them that dwdl in Heaven. Here is a fnock- 
 ing picture of Andchi ill's fupcriative arrogance and 
 unparallelpd impiety. Inflated with the venom 
 that Satan inftils into his heart, and furious againfl 
 the Chriilians whom, with all his art and feigned 
 miracles, he has not been able to gain over, lie now, 
 in rage, flies in the face of Heaven. He pours out 
 Elafphemies againfl Gcd\ Lucifer-like he revolts 
 
 againfl
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 359 
 
 againft God, BndMtfybenut him; \\tblafpkemeshis 
 $wme, that is, Religion., which .commands homage 
 to be paid to the Supreme Being .alone j he Uaf- 
 jpbemes his Tabernacle, or Heaven, the feat of God, 
 .and his Church on earth -, he blafphemes them that 
 dwell in Heaven, that is, the Angels and Saints. 
 Thus this monfter of iniquity, like a fwollen lea 
 that overtops .ail boundaries, rifes up againft God, 
 and every thing that is holy. Daniel with one ftroke 
 of his pencil draws much the fame picture of him. 
 And he will fpeak words againft the moft High (vii. 
 25.)- He feems to have fucked in all the virulence 
 and fpiritof impiety of the preceding ages. In the 
 fourth Vial, we heard Blafpbemies againft the name 
 tf God. (Apoc. xvi. 9.); and in the fifth Vial, 
 Blafphewie.s againft the Gcd of Heaven, (Apoc. xvi. 
 1 1.). Both thde forts of Blafphemy Antichrift ufes, 
 and adds others to them,. 
 
 St. John feems to intimate, in his firft Epiftle, 
 fome particular inftances of this man's prefumption, 
 and oppofition to Chrift. He will deny that Jefus 
 is the Chrift or the Mefliah, and will thereby en- 
 deavour to take away the belief of the Bleffed Tri- 
 nity. Who is a Liar, (.the Liar, in the greek text), 
 $ut he who denietb that Jefus is the Chrift ? This is 
 Antichrift, (the Antichrift, in the greek), who denietb 
 the Father and the Son* (.1.. Kp. ii. 22.). He will 
 deny that the Son of God took human fleih : Every 
 Spirit, that di/ohetb Jefus, (in the greek, that doth 
 not confefs that Jefu.s Chrift is come in the fle/h) is not 
 of God: and this is Antichrift (in the greek, and this 
 is the fpirit of the Antichrift) of whom you have heard 
 that he comes and is now already in t'bf world. ( i . Ep. 
 iv. 3.). Here St. John fays that Antichrift, who 
 they have heard will one day come into the world, 
 
 h
 
 360 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 is nviv already in the world, that is, there are already 
 in the world men, who broach luch impious doctrine 
 about Chrift, as Antichrift himfeif will do. Such 
 were the Sirnonians and Cerinthians in St. John's 
 time. St. Paul has like wife fufficiently defcribed 
 the deteftabie character of Antichrift, calling him, 
 the man of fin, tba-tfittetb in the temple of Gcd, /hew- 
 ing himfeif as if he were God wbofe coming is 
 
 according to the working of Satan, &c. (2 Theff. c. 2.). 
 And in a fimilar ftrain have alfo the Ancient Fathers 
 fpoke of him. '* Satan," fays St. Jerom, " will 
 4t wholly poflefs Antichrift." (in Dan. c. 7.). St. 
 Chryfoftom fays : " Antichrift will be a man, that 
 " will poiTefs all the power of Satan". St. Irenasus 
 is very ample in the defcription of his character (ad- 
 verfus Haer. lib. 5. c. 25."'. St. John proceeds 
 
 v, 7. And it was given unto him to make war 
 with the faints and to overcome them. Here Ami- 
 vhrift has power allowed him to perfecute the Saints 
 or good Chriftians, and to overcome them, or put 
 them to death with great cruelty and torments , and 
 this we fliall foon fee him putting in execution. 
 
 v. 7. And power was given him ever every tribe j 
 and people, and tongue, and nation. 
 
 His power, his dominion will extend over every 
 nation and people of the globe. Already Monarch 
 of a great part of the kingdoms of the earth, when' 
 he commences Antichrift; the reft he will now fu fa- 
 due, and thus will become Matter to tyrannize over 
 mankind, and perfecute Religion in every corner of 
 the world. We fhall here juit remark, that the 
 reafon, why St. John in this and feveral other 
 places of the Apocalypfe ufes the four terms, tribe, 
 people, tongue and nation, feems to be to indicate the 
 lour great divillons of the Earth, Europe, Afia, 
 
 Africa, 

 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 361 
 
 Africa, and America ; the term people probably 
 being put for Europe, nation for Afia, tongue for 
 Africa, and tribe for America. And the order, in 
 which the above terms ftand in this place, perhaps 
 indicates the progreflive courfe of Antichriit's con- 
 quefts. 
 
 v. 8. And all tbat dwell upon tbe earth, adcred 
 him *, whofe names are not written m the book of lift 
 cf the Lamb) which was Jlain from the beginning of 
 the 'world. 
 
 Here we fee fuch a general apoftafy of mankind 
 that, except thole whofe names are written in the 
 book of life of the Lamb, which "jsa s jlain from the be- 
 ginning of the world in the decrees of God, that is, 
 except the predefined, all the reft yield to the ty- 
 ranny and perfecution of Antichriil, and adore him 
 as a God. 
 
 The preceding account of Antichrift's character, 
 power, and actions, doubtlefs, muft appear to every 
 one very alarming : neverthelefs we further learn 
 from St. John, that this Man of fin, this Son of per- 
 dition, notwithftanding his exorbitant power and 
 Satanic malice, as if yet not fufficiently armed for 
 mifchief, will acquire an Afibciate of the fame ftamp 
 as himfelf, who will perform the function of his 
 principal Minifter, and be his chief aid in the courfe 
 cf his future proceedings. 
 
 Chap. xiii. v. n. And I faw, fays St. John, 
 another Beaft coming up out of the earth, and he had 
 two horns, like a lamb, and he fpoke as a dragon. 
 The firft Beaft (ver. i.) appeared to St. John rifmg 
 out of the/^z, becaufe it was the figure of a great 
 
 * In the greek text : will adore him. 
 
 Em-
 
 t"2 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Empire, or a great Emperor, viz. Antichrift : this fe- 
 cond beaft therefore, rifmg out of the eznhy denotes 
 a Private Man. And be bad two horns, like a lamb ; 
 horns are an emblem of ftrength or power, and thefe 
 iwahorm fignify the power of fpeech and me power of 
 .falfe miracles, with which this man is endued. Thefe 
 powers are fimilar, but only in appearance, to thofe 
 which the true Lamb or Jefus Chrift eminently pof- 
 &ffed j the miracles of this new man or fecond Be aft 
 being no more than Impoflures, works performed 
 by the intervention of the Devil ; and his fpeech, 
 though eloquent and engaging, is artful, hypocri- 
 tical, malicious, and deceitful ; for he /peaks like a 
 dragon, or like the Devil that deluded Eve. This 
 man is the falfe Prophet * as St. John calls him in 
 chap. 19. v. 20, and other places, that attends An- 
 tichrift, is his principal Agent, and like . him re- 
 ceives all his power from the Devil. St. Irenasus 
 mentions him thus : *' St. John in the Apocalypfe 
 ** ipeaking of Antichrift's attendant, whom he calls 
 " the falfe Prophet, fays -, befpcke like a dragon^ and 
 ** executed all the power of the former be aft in his fight , 
 &V," as in the following verfe. (adv. Hxr. 1. v. c. 28.). 
 v 12. And he executed all the power of the former 
 leaft in his fight : and he caufed the earth and them 
 that dwell therein^ to adore thefirfl Beaft^ wbofe wound 
 to death was healed. The falfe Prophet, to enhance 
 the credit of his mafter, will perform in his prefence 
 the fame wonders that Antichrift himfelf is capable 
 of doing, and thus will prevail on them that dwell on 
 the earthy to adore the jirft Beaft^ whofe wound to 
 death was healed, that is, Antichrift, who had been 
 mortally wounded, and cured. Perhaps alfo from 
 the exprefiion 'be caufed the earth, to adore the fir ft
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 363 
 
 fieaft, it may be inferred that the falfe prophet by 
 his enchantments will make the inanimate beings, 
 fuch as trees and other things, appear to pay a kind 
 of homage to Antichrift. 
 
 v. 13. And he did great figns, fo that he made alft 
 fire to come down from heaven unto the earth in the fight 
 of men. Such then will be the power of the falfe 
 Prophet that he will make fire come down from the 
 iky, by the help of the Devil. " What we read in 
 *' the book of Job," fays St. Ambrofe, " that the 
 *' Devil brought down fire from heaven by the di- 
 " vine permifiion, he will do the fame in the laft 
 " days by his inftruments, Antichrift and Ami- 
 " chrift's followers." 
 
 The falfe prophet feems here to imitate one of 
 Henoch's and Elias's miracles ; but the miracles of 
 thefe two witneffes far outfhine his in number, luftre, 
 and evidence, and will be the means of preferving 
 from feduclion the men of good will, but will be the 
 inftrument of error to thofe, who as St. Paul fays, 
 receive not the love of truth that they may be faved, 
 For 
 
 v. 14. And he f educed them that dwell on the earth, 
 for the figns, which were given him to do in the fight 
 of the beaji, faying to them that dwell on the earth^ 
 that they Jhould make the image of the beaft*, which had 
 the wound by the fword, and lived. By them that 
 dwell on the earth feem to be underftood thofe who 
 wilfully mut their eyes to the truth, and them he 
 feduces by the figns which he is allowed power to do 
 in the (ight of the Beaft, and prevails with them to 
 
 raife 
 
 * In the greek , an image to tht Beafl, which bath the wonnd^
 
 364 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 raife an image or a ftatue to Antichrift and to adore. 
 k. He enforces his wonderful performances, by 
 reprefenting his Mailer as certainly a God, fmce 
 he had been mortally wounded by the faord, and 
 was neverthelefs alive and well. But this Sophifter 
 rt not able to prove the cure to have been complete, 
 for it is here laid that the Becft which lived, has the 
 wound by the fivord, that is, hath the cicatrix or 
 mark of the wound remaining after the cure ; an 
 argument of its being the work of an imperfect 
 operator. This agrees with what was remarked 
 
 page 347- 
 
 . v. 15. And // was given him to give life to the 
 image of the bcaft, and that the . image of the bec.ft 
 Jbo'ildfpeak : ahd-Jboiild caufe, that ivhofoever will not 
 adore the image of the Eeafl, faould be jlain. The 
 fklfe Prophet has further power, by the Divine per- 
 miflion, to give apparent life io 'the image or ftatue 
 of Antichrift, inibmuch that \tjloall fpeck, or rather 
 the Devil in ic, and deliver his oracles, which was 
 often done in the ancient times of paganifm ; and that 
 the image Jhall caufe th&t, ivhofoever will not adore the 
 image of the beaft or Antichrift, Jhall be Jlain, that 
 is, at the command of the Devil fpeaking by the 
 ftatue, thoie who rcfufc to adore it, will be put to 
 death. This will be done in the perfecution. 
 
 v. 1 6. And be Jhall make all both little and great ', 
 rich and poor, freemen and bondmen, to ha've a cha- 
 racter in their right hand, or on their foreheads. The 
 fame wicked Minifter of Antichrift will oblige 
 people of all denominations, (fuch will be the general 
 apoftafy) to let him imprint a charc.bhr or particular 
 mark in their right, band or on their foreheads, by 
 
 which
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 565 
 
 which they will be diftinguifhed as the Votaries of 
 Antichrift. 
 
 v. 17. And thai no man might buy or fill, hit be 
 that katb the char after, or the name of the Beaft ^ cr the 
 number of his name. No one will be allowed to buy 
 or fell any commodity, unlefs he me\vs the above- 
 mentioned mark, or the name of the Beaft ^ that is, 
 the print upon himfelf of Antichrift's name^ or of 
 the number of his name. A fimilar feverity was ufed 
 in Diocletian's perfecution, when it was forbid for 
 any one to buy, or fell in the public market, unlefs 
 he fir ft offered inccnfe to an idol erected there for 
 that purpofe. 
 
 Thus will this other Beaft or wicked Minifter of 
 Antichrift exert all his fkill and power tosenforce the 
 execrable and abfurd opinion of his Matter's Divinity. 
 Thus will he employ every diabolical art, both of 
 perfuafion and force, to prevail with mankind to apof- 
 tatize from Chrift and to join with his detefrablc 
 enemy. And thus, as Tertullian fays, " will the 
 " Beaft Antichrift with his falfe Prophet opprefi 
 " the Church with perfecution". (de Refur. carnis 
 c. 25.). 
 
 It was faid above that no one would be allowed to 
 buy or fell, unlefs he bore the-mark of Antichrift, or 
 his name, or the number of- his name. His name then 
 is fomething myfterious, as the letters of it will con- 
 tain a particular number, which God in his bounty 
 here gives as one characteriftic among.. others, by 
 which he may be known,- and confequently rejected 
 and abhorred. For thus proceeds St. John. 
 
 v. 1 8. Here ij wifdom. He that hath underftand- 
 ipgt let him count the number of the Beaft. For it is 
 
 the
 
 3 66 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 the number of a mani and the number of him is fix 
 hundred, Jixty fix. 
 
 Here is ivifdom. Here it is proper to take notice. 
 He that has under ft finding, he that has a mare of 
 fkill and knowledge, let him count the number of the 
 Beafti which he may do, for it is the number of a 
 man? that is, // is the number of the name of a man^ 
 conformably to what is faid in the preceding verfe. 
 And the number ef him is fix hundred Jixty fix, the 
 number therefore contained in Antichriil's name will 
 be 666. According to the account we have given 
 of that impious man, he will be born a MahomeLan 
 Prince, and will rife to the Head of the Turkifli 
 Empire. We may therefore be allowed to fuppofe 
 him to bear the name of Mahomet^ a name which fo' 
 many Emperors, his predeceflbrs, will have borne 
 before him, in honour of the firft founder of the 
 Mahometan Religion and Empire. This name ex- 
 prefled in the greek language, becaufe St. John 
 wrote the Apocalypfe in greek, is MAOMETIS, or 
 MOAMETIS, as Euthymius and the greek Hifto- 
 rians, Zonaras, and Cedrenus write it^ and accord- 
 ing to the greek numeration it ftands thus 
 
 M 40 
 
 A ' i 
 
 M 40 
 
 J? _ 
 
 T 300 
 
 I 10 
 
 200 
 
 666 
 
 It
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 3^7 
 
 It may be here obferved, how contrary to the 
 fcnfe of Scripture is the opinion of fome Moderns 
 who, in the fpirit of oppofition to the Catholic Re- 
 ligion affign for the name of Antichrifl a generica! 
 term, containing indeed the number 666, but not 
 exprefiing a determinate man-, and this indetermi- 
 nate name they apply to a fsaccefiion of many per- 
 fons : whereas St. John plainly fays ; it is the number of 
 a man, the number of bis name ; it is therefore the 
 number of the fmgle name of a particular man. 
 And in like manner is Antichrift evidently defcribtci 
 by St. Paul as an individual man. For in what other 
 fenfe, partiality apart, ean the Apoflle be under- 
 itood when he ftiles him, the man of fin, the fon vf 
 perdition, the eppofer, who fitteth as Gcd in the temple 
 of God\ the wicked one, whom the Lcrd Jefusjhali kill 
 with the fpirit of his month, &c? (2 Theff. ii.). 
 The defcription of him, which we have feen in 
 Daniel, is likewife of the fame tenor. The Fathers 
 of the Church join alfo in the fame opinion, and 
 are very copious in their account of his character. 
 The whole feries we have hitherto given of his hif- 
 tory, drawn from thele fources, plainly points him 
 out as one individual Being, an extraordinary man-, 
 and it will be further confirmed in the fequel. In 
 fine, fuch has been the conftant and unanimous tra- 
 dition from the rife of Chriftianity through all ages ; 
 as may be feen in the feries of the Scripture-Inter- 
 preters and ecclefiaftical writers. Nay even, fb uni- 
 yerfal and fixed has always been that notion of An- 
 tichrift, that it may be put upon a level with the 
 belief of the former exiftence of an Alexander or 
 Julius Csefar j nor can hardly be found now an in- 
 4ividual in the common clafs of people and of the 
 
 narroweft
 
 368 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 narrcv/eft education, but knows in general the cha- 
 racter of that enemy of Chrift, and expects his 
 coming in the lail period of the world. This tra- 
 dition is therefore traced up to the times of the 
 Apofdes, and owes it's sxiftence to what they taught. 
 St. Paul is an exprefs voucher, that he had inftruc~i> 
 ed the ThefTalonians on that head. Remember yen 
 not, fays he, that when I was yet with you, I told you 
 thefe things? (2 Theff. ii. 5.). 
 
 To return to the tranfactions of Antichrift. Find- 
 ing himfelf fo powerful by Satan's aid, and fecond- 
 cd by fo able a minifter, his falie prophet ; while 
 on the other hand he fees the con verted -Jews and 
 other Chriftians refufing him divine homage, and fo 
 fortified by the exhortations and miracles of their 
 Teachers, that all his pretended wonders and perfua- 
 five arts can make no imprefiion upon them ; he re- 
 folves by the mitigation of Satan, to compel them 
 by force into compliance, to mew no mercy to the 
 refractory, but to deftroy them, and utterly abolifh 
 the Chriftian name. Full of felf-conceit and rage, 
 he is determined to fuffer no Rival in Heaven or on 
 Earth, but that all mankind mall bow in homage to 
 him, as God, and as the lole Monarch of the whole 
 world. This he defigns to effect by the invincible 
 force of his immenfe -army, with which he purpofes 
 to carry ravage, devaftation, and deflruction through 
 every nation that refifts him. Such are the helfifh 
 determinations he fixes -, but before hecommencesthe 
 execution of them, Chrift, the faithful governor of 
 his Church, and fupreme in his power, is pleafed to 
 give a fpecial warning to his beloved fervants, and 
 for thtir fupport proclaims the following fentence : 
 
 Chap.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 369 
 
 Chap. xiii. v. 9. If any man have an ear, let him 
 bear : let every one give attention. 
 
 v. 10. He, that Jhall lead into captivity, jhatt go in- 
 to captivity: he, that ft all kill by the fword, muft be 
 killed by the fword. Here is the patience and the faith 
 of the Saints. That is, in the following perfecution 
 and war of Antichrift, thofe that force others into 
 captivity, (hall themfelves be made captives ; and 
 thofe that cruelly put others to death, fhall undergo 
 the fame fate. Judgment is therefore already pro- 
 nounced againft Antichrift and his agents, that as 
 they deal with others, they mall be dealt with them- 
 felves. Then it is added, Here is the patience and 
 the faith of the Saints. Here is the motive of the 
 patience and the faith of the Saints or the fervants of 
 God in this world. By faith they rely on the pro- 
 mi fes of God for the reward of their patience, and 
 leave to him to vindicate as he may judge fit, their 
 caufe with refpect to their perfecutors. Such is the 
 previous inftruction Chrift fends to his fervants, be- 
 fore the dreadful day of perfecution. But as the 
 converted-Jews are deftined to ftand foremoft in the 
 battle, and to be the firft victims of Antichrift's 
 fury, and muft therefore fet forth a glorious exam- 
 ple of fortitude to the other Chriftians, they are 
 provided with an extraordinary mare of grace and a 
 peculiar degree of courage and conftancy for their 
 terrible conflict. For thus we hear this fmgular fa- 
 vour announced by St. John : 
 
 Chap. vii. v. i. After thefe things I faw four An- 
 gels ft anding on the four corners of the earth, holding 
 the four winds of the Earth, that they foould not 
 B b blow
 
 37 o THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 blow * upon the earth, nor upon the fea, nor on any 
 tree. 
 
 v. 2. And I f aw another Angel afcending from the 
 fifing of the Sun, having the fign of the living God j 
 and he cried with a loud voice to the four Angels, to 
 whom it was given to hurt the earth and the fea, 
 
 v. 3. Saying: hurt not the earth, the fea, nor the 
 trees , till we fign thefervants of our God in their fore- 
 heads. Here are four Angels, (landing on the four 
 corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the 
 earth, which they are ready to let go, and which are 
 to caufe defolation over the whole globe. By the 
 four winds of the earth are meant the perfecutions, 
 which are going to rife in every part of the earth, 
 and which will form the general perfecution of An- 
 tichrift, as the four winds join to compofe one gene- 
 ral wind. But this perfecution is withheld for a 
 while by a Divine command, which is carried by an 
 Angel afcending from the Eaft, as coming from Him 
 who afcended above the Heaven of Heavens to the Eaft. 
 (Pfalm, 67. 34.)- The wind of perfecution will 
 hurt the earth and the fea, that is, will fall upon the 
 Chriftian people wherever they are, and the trees, or 
 their Paftors and Clergy. But this alarming difafter 
 is fufpended, till the Angel has marked the fervants 
 of God in their foreheads with the fign of the living 
 God, that is, with the fign of the Crofs of Chrift, 
 who having died upon it rofe again to life. But 
 who thefe fervants of God are, we are told in the 
 next verfe. 
 
 v. 4. 
 
 In the greek, that a ivindjhould not blow, &c.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 371 
 
 v. 4. And I heard the number of ihem that were 
 figned i an hundred forty four thoufand were Jigncd, of 
 every tribe of the children of IfraeL No fooner al- 
 ,moft have the Jews rafted the comfort of having 
 recovered the favour of their God by embracing 
 Chriftianity, but behold ! 144000 of them are mark- 
 ed out and deftined to be immolated to Chrift by 
 martyrdom, and are therefore figned on the forehead 
 by the Minifters of the Church with the fign of the 
 Crofs, or confirmed in faith and fortitude, as the 
 Sacrament of Confirmation is always conferred with 
 making the fign of the crofs on the forehead. Thus 
 then this great number of converted Jews are pre- 
 pared to grace Chriftianity. by their triumph over 
 torments and death. But as we learn from St. Paul, 
 that all IfraeL will be faved (Rom. xi. 26.), it is plain 
 that, confidering the vaft body of the Jewilh peo- 
 ple, the number of Martyrs here mentioned muft 
 fall much fhort of the number of converted Jews. 
 The reft therefore will remain to reflect honour on 
 the Chriftian Religion by their zeal in promoting it 
 and their exemplary lives. This felecl: number of 
 144000 champions, or twelve times twelve thou- 
 fand, is made up by culling twelve thoufand out of 
 each tribe, as follows. 
 
 v. 5. Of the tribe of Juda were twelve thcufand 
 figned. 
 
 Of the tribe of Ruben, twelve thoufand Jigned. 
 
 Of the tribe of Gad, twelve thoufand figned. 
 
 v. 6. Of the tribe of Afer, twelve thoufand figned. 
 Of the tribe ofNephthali, twelve thoufand figned. Of 
 the tribe of Manaffes, twelve thoufand figned. 
 
 v. 7. Of the tribe of Simeon twelve thoufand 
 figned. 
 
 Bb 2 Qf
 
 372 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Of the tribe of Levz, twelve thoufand figned. Of the 
 tribe of IJJachar, twelve thoufand figned. 
 
 v. 8. Of the tribe of Zabulon, twelve thoufand 
 figned. Of the tribe of Jofeph, twelve thoufand figned. 
 Of the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thoufand Jtgned. 
 
 CHAP. XL 
 
 The Continuation of the Hiftory of the Sixth 
 Age. 
 
 TH E Almighty having prepared his faithful fer- 
 vants for the terrible conflict he propofes to 
 fubject them to, he now announces the great perfe- 
 cution and terrible war, and exhibits the ftate of the 
 Church at the time they begin, in the following 
 manner : 
 
 Chap. xi. v. i. And there was given me, fays St. 
 John, a reed like unto a rod : and it was faid to me * : 
 arife, and meafure the temple of God, and the altar, 
 and them that adore therein. 
 
 v. 2. But the Court, which is without the temple* 
 caft out, and meafure it not : becaufe if is given unto 
 the Gentiles f, and the holy city they Jhall tread under 
 foot two and forty months. The Churches confe- 
 crated to the true fervice of God are, at this time, 
 fo far diminifhed in number or fo little filled, on ac- 
 count 
 
 *. In the greek, and the Angel flood, faying. 
 
 f In the greek, the punftuation ftands thus ; and meafure it 
 not, becaufe it is given unto the Gentiles. And the holy city, &c.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 373 
 
 count of the general apoftafy and degeneracy of 
 mankind, that all thefe Churches are here reprefent- 
 ed to St. John as reduced into one fmgle Church or 
 temple. The faithful minifters of God are alfo be- 
 come fo few, as to be reprefented as officiating at 
 one Altar in this church ; and all the good and zea- 
 lous Chriftians make up fo fmall a number, with re- 
 fpecl: to the whole bulk of mankind, that they are 
 fhewn to St. John as collected in this one temple, 
 paying their adoration to God. There is therefore 
 given to St. John a reed, or a fmall (lender meafur- 
 ing rod> as fufficient for the few inconfiderable mea- 
 fures he has to take, and he is told to meafure the 
 temple of God, and the altar, and them that adore 
 therein, that the fmall fize of both temple and altar 
 may appear, and the little compafs, in which are 
 comprifed thofe who are there adoring God. 
 
 But for the court, which is without the temple, that 
 is, the great multitude of thofe who for want of the 
 Spirit of Religion enter not the temple, but ftand 
 in the court without the temple, St. John is told not to 
 meafure them, but to caft them out, or to banifh 
 them from the neighbourhood of the temple, becaufe 
 it (the court) is given to the Gentiles, becaufe God 
 delivers this wicked multitude to be punifhed and 
 deftroyed by the Gentiles, that is, by Antichrift 
 and his cruel and barbarous troops. The execution 
 of this divine judgment commences very foon. For 
 now Antichrift, mad with fury, declares war againfl 
 the whole world, refolves to be fole mafter, to fpare 
 neither thofe that refift him, nor thofe who have 
 given him any provocation, or againft whom he has 
 conceived an ill-will. Actuated by Satan, he feels 
 no more lenfe of humanity, and breathes only blood 
 B b 3 and
 
 374 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 and deftruftion. In this fituation he is in fome 
 meafure pictured by Nabuchodonofor, that haughty 
 king of Afiyria, who in the pride of his heart pro- 
 claimed that his thoughts were to bring all the earth 
 under his empire. (Judith, ii. 3.) and gave orders to 
 the General of his armies : Go out c.gainft all the 
 Kingdoms of the wefl^ and againft them especially that 
 defpifed my commandment. Thy eye Jhall not fpare any 
 kingdom^ and all theftrong cities thottjhalt bring under 
 my yoke. (ibid. v. 5. 6.). This war of Antichriil, 
 the moil bloody of all wars fmce the exiftence of the 
 world, as in it are killed the third part of men (Apoc. 
 ix. 15.), will laft three years and a half, as obferved 
 before from St. John : and power was given him to do 
 (in the greek, to make war) two and forty months. 
 (xiii. 5.). 
 
 But furthermore in our prefent text it is added : 
 And the holy city they Jhall tread under foot tivo mid 
 forty months. No fooner has the haughty Mon- 
 arch, Antichrift, declared war againft mankind, 
 but with the fame breath he proclaims a general 
 perfecution, which he intends to carry on himfclf, 
 and difpatches his orders to have the fame executed 
 in every part of the earth. For it is now allowed to 
 Him and his bloody agents to tread underfoot the holy 
 cily^ that is, the whole body of the holy Chriftians, 
 for forty two months^ or three years and a half. This 
 fpace of time Chrift has fet apart, to purify his 
 Church, and to try his fervants, and for that pur- 
 pofe allows them to fall under the power of this 
 mercilefs tyrant: And it was given unto him y fays 
 St. John, to make war with the Saints^ and to over- 
 come them. (Ap. xiii. 7.). We are admonimed of 
 the fame by the Prophet Daniel : / beheld, fays he, 
 
 and
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 375 
 
 and k that horn (Antichrift) made war againft the 
 faints, and prevailed over them. (vii. 21.). and again : 
 
 And he jhall fpeak words againft the moft High, and 
 
 Jhall crujh the Saints of the moft High And they 
 
 Jhall be delivered into his hand until a time, and times y 
 and half a time. (ibid. v. 25.). The period of the 
 perfecudon Daniel here expreffes by a time, and 
 times, and half a time, that is, a year, two years, 
 and half a year, or three years and a half, the fame 
 with St. John. 
 
 Antichrift being at this time in Jerufalem, and 
 implacably irritated againft the Jews, who had de- 
 ferted from him, looked upon him with abomina- 
 tion, and had efpoufed the Chriftian Religion which 
 he hates, to refolves to begin his bloody perfecution 
 and mafTacre with them. He therefore facrifices 
 to his rage the abovementioned multitude of an hun- 
 dred forty four thoufand ; but in what manner we are 
 not told. On this ftriking cataftrophe and deluge 
 of blood how juftly may the body of converted- Jews 
 that remain, fend up to heaven their lamentations 
 and cries in thofe pathetic ftrains which their Fore- 
 fathers ufed upon the deftruction and havock made 
 by Nabuchodonofor, a figure of what Antichrift 
 would one day do. O God, the heathens are .come 
 into thy inheritance , they have defiled thy holy temple ; 
 they have made Jerufalem as a place to keep fruit. 
 
 They have given the dead bodies of thy fervants to 
 be meat for the fowls of the air, the fejh of thy faints 
 for the beafts of the earth. 
 
 They have poured out their blood as water, round 
 about Jerufalem -, and there was none to bury them. 
 (Pfalm. Ixxviii.). 
 
 B b 4 Such
 
 3 ;6 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Such a number of holy victims, doubtlefs, breathed 
 forth from the earth the moft fragrant odour, and 
 were fo acceptable to the Heavenly Court, that imme- 
 diately St. John fees them in company with Chrift, 
 and their triumph celebrated. 
 
 Chap. xiv. v. i. And I beheld, and lo a Lamb 
 food upon mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty 
 four thoufand, having his name *, and the name of his 
 Father written on their foreheads. 
 
 Behold the Lamb, that is, Jefus Chrift, {landing 
 furrounded with this numerous multitude upon 
 Mount Sion, perhaps the theatre of their martyrdom. 
 They are diftinguifhed to be the fame body of peo- 
 ple we faw before, prepared for the combat by the 
 Angel's imprinting the fign of the living God on their 
 foreheads , as now after their victory they appear 
 before the Lamb with his name, and the name of his 
 Father written on their foreheads, to {hew that they 
 have proved themfelves faithful to the fign they had 
 received, by giving teftimony, with their blood, 
 both to the Father and to the Lamb. Perhaps alfo 
 did they carry, before their martyrdom, fome fuch 
 infrription on their foreheads in oppofition to the 
 mark of Antichrift. 
 
 v. 2. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the 
 noife of many 'waters, and as the voice of great thunder : 
 and the voice which I heard , was as the voice of 
 harpers harping on their harps. 
 
 v. 3. And they fung as it were a new canticle, 
 before the thrcnc, and before the four living creatures, 
 
 and 
 
 * In the common greek edition, his name is omitted, bat 
 it is found in many ancient Manufcripts of great authority. 
 
 % In the greek, and I beard the voice of harpers, &c.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 377 
 
 and the andents , and no man could fay -f the canticle, 
 but thofe hundred forty four thoufand, who were pur- 
 chafed from the earth. 
 
 Here are the Heavenly Choirs celebrating the 
 triumph of thefe Martyrs. In this exultation St. 
 John hears a multitude of voices , a voice, like that 
 of many waters, that is, of the Angels that prefide 
 over all the nations (denoted by many waters, ac- 
 cording to Apoc. xvii. 15.) from whence the Jews 
 had been gathered together; a voice, like that of 
 great thunder, or of the Angel that (according to 
 ch. xiv. v. 1 8.) prefides over fire, which, as em- 
 ployed in military engines, by it's explofion refem- 
 bles thunder ; and perhaps by fuch thundering fire 
 were thefe champions of Religion put to death. St. 
 John alib hears the voice of a number of harpers, 
 finging a new hymn or canticle, which no one could 
 learn or repeat but the 144000 Martyrs. This 
 fpecial privilege is owing to their peculiar character, 
 as having been through former ages the chofen 
 and beloved people of God, and now at laft have 
 alfo acknowledged Chrift, the Lamb, for their Sa- 
 viour and God, and laid down their lives the firft 
 for him. He by his own blood hadpurebafed 1 them from 
 the earth, that is, had purchafed for them thefe fingular 
 favours, of converfion and martyrdom, for which 
 purpofe they had been collected from all parts of 
 the earth. This melodious Jubilation is performed 
 before the throne, and before the four living creatures 
 and the ancients, as a thankfgiving-homage to the 
 Almighty; and a kind of congratulation, to the four 
 great Prophets, Ifaiah, Jeremy, Ezechiel, and Da- 
 niel, 
 
 f In the greek, could learn.
 
 378 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 niel, who had prophefied fo much concerning the 
 Jews j and to the ancients, or the Patriarchs and 
 other Saints of the times preceding Chriflianity, who 
 from their former connexion with the Jews and the 
 expected Meffiah, are particularly interefted in the 
 prefent happy condition of the converted- Jews. 
 St. John goes on. 
 
 v. 4. Thefe are they who were net defiled with 
 women : for they are virgins, Thefe follow the Lamb 
 whitherfoever he goeth. 'Thefe were purchafed from 
 among men, the fir ft fruits to God and the Lamb. 
 Thele Martyrs were not defiled by women, but are vir- 
 gins, becaufe they had never yielded to adore, either 
 the Dragon, or the Beaft, Antichrift, or his image, 
 as multitudes of others did, nor polluted themfelves 
 with any fpecies of Idolatry, which in the Apoca- 
 lypfe and other books of fcripture is fliled fornication 
 or proftitution. They have therefore acquired a right 
 to follow the Lamb whitherfoever he goeth ; for he 
 came into the world to deftroy Idolatry. They were 
 likev/ife purchafed by the blood of the Lamb, from 
 among men, from among all the reft of mankind, to 
 be the firft fruits to God and the Lamb, that is, 
 the firft Victims immolated to God and the Lamb, 
 in Antichrift's perfecution. Who is not fenfible 
 what a diftinguilhed favour this will be to the Jews ? 
 that as they, in their anceftors, had renounced their 
 Divine Mefliah and even put him to death, fo upon 
 their converfion they mail redeem that enormous 
 -crime, by fpilling the firft their blood for him. 
 
 v. 5. jfnd in their mouth there was found no lye : for 
 they are without fpct before the throne of Gcd. They 
 .had practiied no diffimulation, but openly profefed 
 the Chriftian Religion in the prefencc of Antichrift 
 with the utmoft intrepidity, and rejoiced to lay down 
 
 their
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 379 
 
 their lives for Him, whom they had ib long blindly 
 difowned to be their Saviour. By this complete 
 facrifice of themfelves they warned off all guilt, and 
 therefore {land without fpct before the throne of God. 
 
 The Prophet Sophonias feemed to announce in a 
 far diflant age this future aufpicious Sacrifice of the 
 Converted- Jews, and the general admiration it would 
 raife through the world. I will get them (the Jews) 
 praife, faith the Lord, and a name, in all the Land, 
 -where they had been put to confujion -, at that time, 
 when I will bring you, and at the time that I will ga- 
 ther you. For I will give you a name, and praife 
 among all the people of the earth, when I jhdl have 
 brought back your captivity before your eyes, faith the 
 Lord. (Sophon. iii. 19, 20.). 
 
 Thus then the Jews, become zealous Chriflians, 
 will fignalife their fortitude in a peculiar manner, 
 and will be diftinguifhed by the glorious mark of 
 being the firft victims of martyrdom offered to our 
 Saviour in the perfecution of Antichrift ; in the fame 
 manner as the Innocent Children of their Forefathers, 
 put to death by Herod, were the firft Sacrifice 
 made to Chrift, after he came into the world. And 
 as thofe Innocents were truly Virgins in a natural 
 fenfe, fo will the Converted-Jews be Virgins in the 
 prophetic meaning, of not being defiled by any kind 
 of Idolatrous proftitution. Thus again we fee, that 
 as St. Stephen, a converted Jew, was the firft mar- 
 tyr among the new-formed Chriftians, fo will the 
 Converted-Jews in the laft period of the world and 
 in the laft perfecution appear confpicuous by walk- 
 ing foremoft in rank with the palm of martyrdom. 
 
 Antichrift having performed the above-recited 
 bloody execution at Jerufalem, prepares next to 
 
 march
 
 380 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 march his army of two hundred million horfemen 
 (Apoc. ix. 1 6.), with defign to lay wafte the whole 
 earth, and to extirpate the Chriftians. But as the 
 Almighty, even in the height of his anger, remem- 
 bers mercy, he bountifully forewarns mankind of 
 the fcourge he is going to let loofe upon them, in 
 order to give them ftill an opportunity of preventing 
 it by their converfion to him. Thus he proclaims 
 the impending fcourge by his Prophet Sophonias. 
 
 Chap. i. v. 14. <f he great day of the Lord is near, it 
 is near, and exceeding fwift : the voice of the day of the 
 Lord is bitter, the mighty man Jfjall there meet with 
 tribulation. 
 
 v. 15. That day is a day of wrath, a day of tri- 
 bulation and diftrefs, a day of calamity and mifery, a 
 day of darknefs and obfcurity, a day of clouds and 
 whirlwinds : 
 
 v. 1 6. A day of the trumpet and alarm againjl the 
 fenced cities, and againft the high bulwarks. 
 
 v. 17. And I will dijlrefs wen, and they jhall walk 
 like blind men, becaufn they have finned againft the 
 Lord : and their blood Jhall be poured out as, earth, 
 and their bodies as dung. 
 
 v. 1 8. Neither Jhall their filver and their gold be 
 able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the 
 Lord : all the land Jhall be devoured by the fre cf 
 his jealoufy, for he Jball make even a fpeedy riddance of 
 till them that dwell in the land. 
 
 Then the Almighty exhorts them to avert his. anger 
 by having recourie to his mercy. 
 
 Chap. ii. v. i. AJj'emble yourfehes together, be 
 gathered together, (to implore mercy), nation not 
 worthy to be loved. 
 
 . V. 2.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 381 
 
 v. 2. Before the Decree bring forth the day as dujt 
 faffing away, before the fierce anger of the Lord come 
 upon you, before the day of the Lord's indignation corns 
 upon you. 
 
 As if this was not a fufficient proof of God's 
 merciful difpofition, he is pleafed to fend a fecond 
 pathetic warning of his approaching armies by his 
 Prophet Joel. 
 
 Chap. ii. v. 10. At their prefence the earth has 
 trembled, the heavens are moved : the fun and moon 
 are darkened, and the fears have withdrawn their Jhin- 
 ing. 
 
 v. 1 1 . And the Lord has uttered his voice before the 
 face -of his army : for his armies are exceeding great, 
 for they are ftrong and execute his word : For the day 
 of the Lord is great and very terrible : and who can 
 ftand it ? Here are feveral of thofe figns, which our 
 Saviour forewarns us mail happen in the laft period 
 of the world. Thefe mentioned here are fent as 
 forerunners announcing the coming of the deftruc- 
 tive army of Antichrift. At it's appearance the 
 earth has trembled, fays Joel, or as our Saviour fays, 
 there Jhall be great earthquakes (Luke xxi. n.). 
 'The Heavens are moved : Chrift fays, the powers of 
 Heaven Jhall be moved (Matt. xxiv. 29.). The fun and 
 moon are darkened, continues Joel, and the ftars have 
 withdrawn their fhlning ; and Chrift, 'The Sun Jhall be 
 darkened, and the Moon Jhall not give her light, and the 
 ftars Jhall fall from Heaven (Matt. xxiv. 29.). This 
 is the voice the Lord has uttered before the face of his 
 army, to ftrike terror into mankind and bring them 
 to themfelves. For his armies are exceeding great, 
 faid Joel, they are Jirong, and execute his word: For 
 the day of the Lord is great and very terrible : and 
 
 who
 
 3-82 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 who can ft and it ? Again the Almighty throws 
 
 in another energic exhortation to penance, defirous 
 that the fcourge may be taken out of his hand be- 
 fore he ftrikes : 
 
 v. 12. Now therefore faith the Lord, continues 
 Joel, Be converted to me with all your heart, in faft 
 ing, and in weeping, and in mourning. 
 
 v. 13. And rend your hearts, and not your gar- 
 ments, and turn to the Lord your God : for he is gra- 
 cious and merciful, -patient and rich in mercy, and 
 ready to recent of the evil. 
 
 v. 14. Who knows but he will return, and forgive, 
 and leave a blejjing behind, facrifice and libation to the 
 Lord your God? 
 
 v. 15. Blow the trumpet in Sion, fanffify a faft, 
 call a folcmn affembly. 
 
 v. 1 6. Gather together the people, fantlify the 
 Church, affemble the Ancients, gather together the lit- 
 tle ones, and them that fuck at the breafts : let the 
 bridegroom go forth from his bed, and the bride out of 
 her bridechamber. 
 
 v. 17. Between the porch and the Altar the Priefts 
 the Lord's Minifters fljall weep, and Jhall fay : fpare, 
 O Lord, fpare thy people : and give not thy inheri- 
 tance to reproach, that the heathens jhould rule over 
 them. Why Jhould they fay among the nations; where 
 is their God ? 
 
 Thefe Divine admonitions not prevailing with man- 
 kind, who have hardened themfelv.es in iniquity, 
 and carried it to a greater pitch, than was ever teen 
 in any former period of the world, the Almighty in 
 his wrath lets loofe the reins to Antichrift. This 
 devouring Beaft and raging Tyrant fets out with his 
 army, to ravage and defolate, firft, the country of 
 
 Judaea,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 383 
 
 Judcea, then all Chriftendom, and in fine to trample 
 under foot all the powers of the earth. The march 
 and progrefs of this horrible army, with the havock 
 it makes, is defcribed in moft pathetic and lofty 
 flrains by the Prophet Joel. The defcripdon indeed 
 is applied by fome Commentators to a vail fwarm 
 of devouring infects, by others to the Chaldean 
 troops coming againfl Jerufalem under Nabucodo- 
 nor ; but whoever will attentively view the particu- 
 lars of the narrative, will fee that they don't tally 
 with either of thole cafes, but agree very properly 
 with the army of the Apocalypfe. 
 
 Thus cries out Joel 
 
 Chap. i. v. 2. Hear this, ye old men, and give ear 
 all ye inhabitants of the Land : did this ever happen 
 in your days, or in the. days of year fathers ? 
 
 v. 3. Tell ye of this to your children, and let your 
 children tell their children, and their children to another 
 generation. 
 
 v. 4* Vbat which the Palmer-worm has left, the 
 Locuft has eaten , find that which the Locuft has left, 
 the Bruchus has eaten; .and that which the -Brucbits 
 has left, the mildew * has dejlroyed (has eaten.) 
 
 v. 5. Awake ye, that are drunk, and weep, and 
 mourn all ye, that take delight in drinking fweet 
 wine ; for it is cut off from your mouth. 
 
 v. 6. For a nation is come up upon my land, ftrong 
 and without number ; his teeth are like the teeth of a 
 Lion : and his cheek-teeth, as of a Lion's whelp. 
 
 v. 7. 
 
 * Moft Interpreters underftand the Hebrew word, here 
 rendered by Mildew, to mean a fpecies of Grafhopper or 
 other infe&.
 
 384 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 v. 7. He has laid my vineyard wafte, and has pulled 
 cff the bark of my figtree : he has jlripped it bare, 
 and cafl it away : the branches thereof are made 
 white. 
 
 The four Infects, Palmer-worm, Locuft, Bru- 
 chus and Gramopper (v. 4.) reprefent the four great 
 nations, which we faw eroding the Euphrates, to form 
 Antichrift's army. As they march at prefent in 
 four feparate bodies, it is faid that what one leaves, 
 the other eats up, to mew that they leave famine 
 behind them wherever they go. 
 
 They are ftrong and, without number ', (v. 6.) and 
 as furious Lions, they root up all the vineyards and 
 fruit-trees, (v. 7.) after having devoured the fruit. 
 Joel goes on. 
 
 v. 8. Lament like a Virgin girded with fackckth 
 for the hujband of her youth. 
 
 v. 9. Sacrifice and libation is cut off from the houfe 
 of the Lord : the Priejls, the'Lcrd's Mimfters, have 
 mourned. 
 
 v. 10. The country is deftroyed, the ground hath 
 mourned : for the corn is wafted, the wine is confound- 
 ed, the oil hath languificd. 
 
 v. ii. The Hujlandmen are afoamed, the Vine- 
 dreffers have howled for the wheat and for the barley, 
 becaufe the harveft of the field is perijhed. 
 
 v. 12. The vineyard is confounded, and the figtree 
 hath languijhed : the Pomegranate-tree, and the Palm- 
 tree, and the Apple-tret, and all the trees of the field 
 are withered : becaufe joy is withdrawn from the chil- 
 dren of men. 
 
 v. 17. The beafts have rotted in their dung-, the 
 barns are deftroyed, the ftorehoufes are broken down ; 
 becaufe the corn is confounded. 
 
 v. 1 8.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 385 
 
 v. 1 8. IVhy did the beafts groan, ivby did the herds 
 of cattle low ? becaufe there is no pc.flure for them : 
 yea, and the fecks of ftjeep are periled. 
 
 Here then the corn, wine, oil, and fruit are all 
 fwept away by thefe rapacious wolves, and fuch 
 univerial devaftation and dcfolation overfpread the 
 hind, that the people are reduced to lamentation, 
 famine, and defpair (v. 8.) : the Priefts have not 
 even bread and wine fufficient for the holy Sacrifice 
 (v. 9.) , and the beaits of the field perilh for want 
 of food (v. 17. 18.)- Joel continues 
 
 Chap. II. v. i. Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, found 
 an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the inhabitants 
 of the land tremble: becaufe the day of the Lord 
 cometh, becaufe it is nigh at hand. 
 
 v. 2. A day of darknefs and of glcominefs, a day 
 of clouds and whirlwinds : a numerous and firong peo* 
 pie, as the morning fpread upon the mountains : the 
 like to it hath not Leen from the beginning, nor Jkall 
 be after it even to the years of generation and gene- 
 ration. 
 
 v. 3. Before the face thereof a devouring fire, and 
 behind it a burning flame : the land is like a garden cf 
 plec.jure before it, aud behind it a defclate wildernefs, 
 neither is there any one that can efcape it. 
 
 At the approach of this tremendous army, the 
 alarm is founded (v. i. 2.) to give notice that the 
 day of the Lord cometh, the day of darknefs is nigh at 
 hand, that is, the terrible day cf the wrath of God, 
 who is now going to pour out his judgments upon 
 mankind in a more fevere manner than ever before. 
 A numerous and fir ong people comes (v. 2.), a prodi- 
 gious army appears, the like to it has not been from 
 the beginning, nor fball be after it even to the years of 
 C c
 
 3 86 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 generation and generation, which mews it to be the 
 army of Antichrift, the molt numerous that has 
 been or will be, confifting according to St. John 
 of two hundred million (Apoc. ix. 16.). It over- 
 fpreads the land with a fwiftnefs, like to that of the 
 Aurora or morning- light expanding itfelf over the tops 
 of the mountains (v. 2.). This is done by means 
 of incorporated Devils, that make part of this army, 
 as we have before obferved. Before the face thereof 
 proceed s a devouring fire (v. 3.)* the fire of gunpow- 
 der with which they deflroy mankind ; and behind it 
 a burning flame^ arifing from their fetting fire to 
 every thing as they march, and thus reducing the 
 whole country into a defart, or as the Prophet beau- 
 tifully exprefles it, the land is like a garden cf plea- 
 fure before //, and behind it a defolate luildcrnefs. 
 
 v. 4. The appearance of them, continues Joel, is as 
 the appearance of bcrfes, and they ft:all run like horfe- 
 men. 
 
 v. 5, ^hfy /hall leap like the noife of chariots upon 
 the tops of mountains^ like the noife of a flame of f.re 
 devouring the ftubble^ as a flrong people prepared to 
 battle. 
 
 v. 6. At their pre fence the people /hall be in grievercs 
 pain : all frees Jhall be made like a kettle. 
 
 The picture here drawn of the army is fimilar 
 to that we faw from the hand of St. John. Joel 
 does not fay that the army cohfifts wholly of caval- 
 ry, but the appearance of them is as the appearance of 
 horfcs (v. 4.) including the artillery or cannon under 
 tJje appearance cf horfes, in the fame manner as St. 
 John law them, (fee page 339.). The carriages of 
 ths Cannon, as they are drawn up the' mountains, 
 make a noife like the noife of chariots (v. 5.), and a 
 
 crackling
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 387 
 
 - crackling like that of aflame cf firs devouring ft ubble, 
 as they are dragged over the Hones and rocks. 
 Thefe carriages are moreover faid \n-hetp up upon the 
 tops cf the mountains, by the celerity with which the 
 hellifh Ipirits move them forwards. Ccnfternation, 
 terror, and defpair, are the vanguard of fuch an 
 army, all faces fhall turn black like a kettle with fear 
 and dread (v. 6.) 
 
 v. 7. They ftall run like valiant men ; continues 
 Joel, like men cf war they ft ell fc ale the wall: the men 
 ftall march every one on his way, and they jiall not turn 
 a/life from their ranks. 
 
 v. 8. No one Jhall prefs upon his brother : they flail 
 walk every one in his path : yea, and they Jhall fall 
 through the windows, and Jhall take no harm. 
 
 v. 9. They ft all enter into the city: they fhall run 
 upon the wall, they foall climb up the houfes, they Jhall 
 come in at the windows as a thief. 
 
 Here is the laft part of the defcription of this 
 ftrange army. Their intrepidity is unparalleled. 
 They run upon danger, or fcale the walls of fortified 
 towns, without the leaft concern (v. 7.) ; and in 
 their march they keep their ranks without prcffmg 
 one another, every one walking in fecurity in his path 
 .without the> leaft fear of enemies (v. 7. 8.). Their 
 .agility is fuch, that they come in at the windows as a 
 thief, and if they fail through them, they take no harm 
 (v. 8. 9.). They infinuate themfelves into towns, 
 though the gates be fhut ; they run upon the walls, 
 as upon plain ground; they get upon the tops of 
 houfes, as if they had wings. It is plain, fuch 
 actions are not human actions, and confequently the 
 agents are not men, but infernal Spirits, as we have 
 fo often remarked. At the head then of fuch 
 C c 2 troops,
 
 ?">* THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 troops, the furious Tyrant and general enemy of 
 mankind, Antichrift, carries ravage and defolation 
 through the land, burns the cities, reduces the 
 ftrcngeft fortrefTes without difficulty, and levels 
 them with the ground. He will feem to imitate the 
 proud and haughty King of Afiyria, Nabuchodono- 
 ibr, who may be well deemed a figure of him. That 
 Monarch faid to his General Holofernes : Go out 
 Againft all the Kingdoms cf the ?er/, and againfl them 
 (fpecially that defpifed fry commandment. Thy eye Jhall 
 not fyare any kingdom^ and all the Jlrong cities thou 
 jhalt bring under my yoke. (Judith, ii. 5. 6.}. In con- 
 fequence of thefe orders Holofernes went forth, he 
 and all the army, with the chariots, and borfemen, 
 and archers^ who covered the face of the earth, like 
 locufts. . . . He came to the great mountains (?/ /Jnge, 
 U'hich are on the left of Cilicia : and he went up to all 
 their caftles, and took all the Jlrong flace? .... And he 
 faffed over the Euphrates \ and came into Mefopotamia ; 
 
 and he f creed all ibe jiaiely cities that were tht-re And 
 
 he carried away aH the children of Madian, andfiripped 
 them of all their ri-be.^ and all theft rtjijted him he fie-w 
 with the edgs of the f'^crd. And after tUjt ibivgs be 
 went down into the plains cf Dawafcus in the dn\s of 
 the bfirvtft and be fet all the corn on fire, end he caufed 
 all the trees and vineyards to be tut down. ( Jndirh. ii. 
 v. ii. &c.\ And though the inhabitants of the 
 cities wtm out to meet him and make tkeir fubmif- 
 J-;-, they 'could not for all that mitigate the farcetiefs 
 cf his heart : for he bolbj.ejlrned their cities, and cut 
 down their grcve?. For Nal'ttchodonofor the Kivg had 
 commanded him 10 deftroy all the gods of the earth, that 
 7v only might be califd God by thofe nation.^ ivbich could 
 be brouht under him l>y ibe oiver cf Hdlofrtiei* t'ud.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 389 
 
 iii. ii. 12. 13.). Here is an imperfect picture of the 
 proceedings of Antichrift, who, according to the 
 accounts above-given of Joel and St. John, will far 
 iurpafs, in rage and barbarity, Holofernes or his 
 mailer Nabuchodonofor. Antichrift will have a 
 more powerful and pernicious inftrument in hand, 
 namely, gunpowder, which he will make fo much 
 ufe of, according to St. John, as to kill the third part 
 of men by it. (Apoc. ix. 18.). And all obftacles 
 feem to vaniih before him, as being eafily removed 
 or furmounted by the Devils that attend him : for 
 the Dragon (Satan) gave him his own ftrength, or his 
 own armies. (Apoc. xiii. 2.}. All this is permitted bv 
 Almighty God in his wrath for the execution of his 
 judgments, as he formerly permitted the northern 
 barbarous nations in like manner to afiilt Rome for 
 a while with their armies. Far God hath given into 
 their hearts, faid St. John, to do that which pleafeth 
 him : that they give their kingdom to the beaji till the 
 words of God be fulfilled. fApoc. xvii. 17.). 1 he ini- 
 quities of mankind having filled up their meafure at 
 this period, Antichrilt is the rod of punimment in the 
 hand of God , who therefore allows him an extraor- 
 dinary deftruftive power, iuch as had never been 
 permitted to fall into the hands of any mortal be- 
 fore. And power was given him, fays St. John, over 
 every tribe, and people, and tongue, and nation. (Apoc. 
 xiii. 7.). Thus then the Beaft becomes irrefiilible, 
 and with the feet of a Bear and the mouth of a Lion, 
 as St. John fays, (Apoc. xiii. 2.)> or w ^h claws and 
 teeth of iron, according to Daniel, (vii. 19), the Beaji 
 devours the whole earth, treads it down, and breaks it 
 in pieces. (Dan, vii. 23.). Thus we fee how fully he 
 anfwtrs the character given him in the fourth Seal. 
 C c 3 Behold
 
 390 -'THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Behold a -pale horfe, fays St. John, and be that fat on 
 him, his name was- Death, and Hell followed him. And 
 power was given to him over the four parts of the earth, 
 to kill withfivord, with famine, and with dsath, and 
 voiththebecjls of the earth. (Apoc. vi. 8.). And thus 
 he becomes univerfal Monarch*. 
 
 Both the Ancients and Moderns fpeak of Anti- 
 chritt as domineering over the whole world. Lac- 
 tantius fays, " he will torment the world with an in- 
 " fupportable tyranny." (Inft. 1. 7. c. 16.). Sulpi- 
 tius Severus tells us he had heard from St. Martin, 
 that " the whole earth and all mankind will be re-- 
 " duced under the power of Antichrift." (Dial. 2. 
 de vita St. Mart.). St. Jerom fays that " Antichrift 
 " will reign over the whole world." (in Dan. xi.). 
 St. Auftin and St. Hyppolytus Martyr hold the 
 fame fentiment. 
 
 Among the Moderns, Bellarmine, Cornelius a 
 Lapide, and others, fpeak the fame language. 
 
 Several of the preceeding articles, relating to the' 
 character and actions of Antichriil, being alfo in- 
 timated to us with other particulars in a pafTage 
 of the Prophet Daniel, which has been applied to 
 Antichrift by St. Jerom, Thecdoret, and other an- 
 cient and modern Interpreters, we mail here give it. 
 
 Chap. xi. v. 36. 'The King, fays Daniel, Jhali dt 
 according to his 'will, and he foall le lifted up, 
 jhall magnify biwfelf again f every God: and he JbaH 
 
 fpeak, 
 
 * If the Prince of darknefs be allowed an infight into 
 futurity by means of the Prophecies, he may have fug- 
 ccftcd to the Tuikifh Monafchs the prophetic Motto, 
 which they infcribe upon their military ftandarJ, Donee 
 totu;n imp If at Orbetn, till it fills the whole Earth.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 391 
 
 fpeak great things againft the God of Gods, and Jhall 
 profper, till the wrath be accomplijhed. For the de- 
 termination is made. Here is Antichrift's power of 
 doing according to bis will ; here is his arrogance, his 
 Luciferian pride, his rebellion and his blafphemies 
 againft the Almighty, juft as St. John and St. Paul 
 have defcribed them. And it is added that he Jhall 
 profper, till the wrath be accompli/bed, that is, till 
 the Almighty has executed, by him, his judgments 
 upon mankind for their wickednds. For the deter- 
 mination is made-, for fuch is the Decree of Heaven. 
 
 v. 37. And he Jhall make no account of the God 
 of his Fathers, continues Daniel, and he Jhall fol- 
 low the luft of women, and he Jhall not regard any 
 gods : for he Jhall rife up again/} all things. Anti- 
 chrift is here repreiented as an Atheift, and addicted 
 to luft. Daniel proceeds 
 
 v. 38. But he Jhall worjhip the God Maozim in 
 bis place : and a god whom his Fathers knew net, 
 be Jhall worjhip with gold and Jilver, and precious 
 Jiones, and things of great price. Antichrift, though 
 he was faid before not to regard any gods, yet he 
 worjhips in his place, or privately, the god 'Maozim, 
 that is, the god of fortrefj'es j for fo the word Mao- 
 zim is tranflated by Theodotion and Aquila, by 
 the authors of the Syriac and Arabic Verfions, and 
 by Vatable and others. It would feem that Anti- 
 chrift, on his aftonifhing fuccefs in reducing the 
 ftrong holds and fortified places, beyond that of any 
 Conqueror the world ever faw, will acknowledge it, 
 but not publicly, to be owing to the aid and ope- 
 ration of Satan who attends him, and whom on 
 that account he will privately worjhip with geld and 
 fiher, and precious Jlones &c. under the name of. 
 D d 4 tfo
 
 392 THE GENERAL HISTORY ' 
 
 the God of fortrejjes. That fuch will be his fuccefs 
 over fortreiles, we have feen in the Prophecy of 
 Joel. Laftly 
 
 v. 39. And be Jball do this to fortify Maozim with 
 a firange god, whom he hath acknowledged, and he 
 fnall increase glory, and /hall give them power over 
 many, and Jloall divide them the land for nothing. H~ 
 will fortify his god Maozim with aftrange gcd, whom 
 he hath acknowledged^ that is, with another infernal 
 Spirit, from whom he acknowledges to have received 
 particular affiftance ; probably that Spirit, which 
 attends his falfe Prophet and enables him to perform 
 fuch extraordinary feats and wonders for promoting 
 Antichrift's credit and the worfhip paid to him. 
 And he Jball increafe glory, and Jhall give, them pcwer 
 ever many, and jh all divide them the land for nothing. 
 Here the Antichriilian Monarch diftributes his fa- 
 vours to his partifans. To fome he gives glory, 
 that is, tide and preminence : To others he confers 
 power over many, that is, Kingdoms, or Govern- 
 ments of provinces, towns, &c : And to others be 
 divides the land for nothing, giving them large pol- 
 icfiions or eftates gratis. Thus, in quality of uni- 
 verfal Monarch, he difpofes of the Earth, of Dig- 
 nities and Riches, at his pleaiure. As a pre . 
 
 lude to this future power of Antichrift, may not 
 the Devil have fuggefted to the Turkim Kmperors 
 the title, which they now afiume by anticipation, of 
 " Beftowers of all earthly Crowns ?" 
 
 But now we muft return to confider, that fuch 
 is the general and dreadful calamity of the times 
 we are defcribing, that, while Antichrift fpreads 
 abroad a flood of ddblation and Daughter by his 
 army, and thus becomes the inftrumeat of punifh- 
 
 ment
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 393 
 
 m-i-nt to the wicked, lie is to be umlerftQod to exer- 
 ciie at the fame time a molt ianguinary perfecution 
 againft the fervants of God. He had begun it 
 with putting to death 144000 converted Jews. But 
 now the four winds are let looie, which we faw held 
 by the Angels (Apoc. vii. i.), and they .carry with 
 their innate velocity the rage of perfecution into 
 every corner of the globe. Hell and Earth com- 
 bine ; the Devil,. Antichrift, and the falfe Prophet, 
 confederate together to extirpate Christianity. They 
 l--t all engines at work, to aboiifh all worfhip of 
 God, and to eftabliih Idolatry. St. Auftin fpeaking 
 of this dreadful period, fays : " This perfecution 
 " will be the laft, it will happen towards the ap- 
 " proach of the laft Judgment, and it will fall 
 c< upon the Church in every part of the world , 
 " that is, the whole city of Chrill will be peifecuted 
 " by the whole city of the Devil, as far as both are 
 " extended upon the earth." (de civ. lib. 20. c. n.) 
 The barbarous tortures, employed in the primitive 
 perfections, are revived, and new ones more cruel 
 invented. The racks, torches, gridirons, fire, and 
 other inftruments of torment are re-prodnced. The 
 Chriftians are dragged before the ftatue of Anti- 
 chritt, which if they refufe to adore> certain death h 
 their punifhment. (Apoc. xiii. 15.). We are mocked 
 in reading the account of the barbarities ufed by 
 Nero, Domitian, Dioclefun, c\ 7 c. againft the Chri- 
 ftians, but thefe will be much exceeded by the cru- 
 elties of this laft perfecution. Some of thofe Roman 
 Emperors, for their inexprefTible violences againft 
 Religion, were thought by a part of the Chriftians 
 to be Antichrift , but in the time we are fpeaking 
 of, the Chriftians will experience the rage of the real 
 Antichrift, to which nothing in the preceding ages 
 
 will
 
 394 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 will have been found equal. He is permitted to make 
 war with the Saints, and to overcome them, as St. John 
 informs us (Apoc. xiii. 7.). He is now in his full 
 career of power, and crufbes the Saints of the moft 
 High, as Daniel forewarned us (vii. 25.). This fero- 
 cious monfler, as in his war he feemed to imitate the 
 cruel tyrant, Nabuchodonofor , fo in his hatred to 
 Religion he refembles the impious Syrian King, An- 
 tiochus Epiphanes, who by the Chriftian Writers has 
 been always marked out as the figure of him. That 
 Prince was an avowed enemy to the woriliip of God, 
 and exercifed a moft horrible perfecution upon the 
 Jews, infornuch that, having taken the city of Jeru- 
 falem by force of arms, be commanded the foldiers to 
 kill, and not to fpare any that came in their way, and 
 to go up into the houfes to flay. 
 
 'Thus there was a flaughter of young and old, a de- 
 Jlruftion of women and children, and killing cf 'virgins 
 and infants. 
 
 And there were flain in the fpace of three whole days 
 foiirfcore thoufand, forty tboufand were made prifoners, 
 and as many fold. 
 
 And when Antiochus had taken away out of the 'Tem- 
 ple a thoufand and eight hundred talents, he went lack 
 in all bafte to Antiocb, thinking through pride, thc.t b* 
 might now make the Land navigable and the fea fajfokk 
 on feat : fucb was the baughtinefs of bis mind. (2. 
 Mach: v.). 
 
 Antiochus, though retired out of the country, did 
 not abate in his enmity to the Jews. For he fent 
 Apollonius with an army of twenty-two thoufand 
 men, who made another dreadful (laughter of the 
 people in Jerufalem. And 
 
 Not
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 395 
 
 Not long after, continues the facred writer, the 
 King fent a certain old man of Antioch, to compel the 
 Jews to depart from the laws of their fathers and of 
 Gcd : And to defile the temple that was in Jerufalem, 
 
 and to call it the temple cf Jupiter Olympius 
 
 And there -went out a decree to oblige them to 
 
 facrifice (to the idol of Jupiter Olympius) and who- 
 ibei-er would not conform themfehes to the ways cf the 
 Heathens, Jhonld be put to death. (2 Mach. vi.). Let 
 thefe actions of Antiochus againft the Jews be looked 
 upon as a faint draught of thofe violences which An- 
 tichrift will exerciie upon the Chriftians. 
 
 But on account of the weaknefs of human nature, 
 and to moderate our 'terror at the fight of fuch an 
 unexampled perfecution, our Saviour himfelf has 
 alfo been pleafed to give us previous notice of it. 
 For there Jhall be then great tribulation, fays he, fuch 
 as hath not been from the beginning of the world until 
 now, neither fa all be. And unlefs thofe days had been 
 Jhortcned, no flejh Jhould be faved : for the fake of the 
 Elett thofe days Jhall be Jhortened (Matt. xxiv. 21. 
 22.). Happily, amidfl this frightful profpeft, there 
 fnines a ray of comfort. Thefe extreme difficulties 
 and rigorous trials, this war and (laughter, which, if- 
 continued, would fweep away the whole race of man- 
 kind, our Saviour informs us, mail bejhortened, that 
 is, contracted to the compafs of three years and a 
 half, /<?r the fake of the EktJ, or, out of regard for 
 his faithful and beloved fervants ; in the fame man- 
 ner as formerly Almighty God offered to fpare the 
 wicked city of Sodom, in cafe ten jufl men could be 
 found in it. When mankind are brought to fo fe- 
 vere a teft, what wonder if, in an age of corruption, 
 infidelity, and irreligion, numbers give up their faith 
 in Chrift, and go over to his enemy, the Beaft, and 
 
 adore
 
 396 THB GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 adore him as a God ? And fuch, we Icarn from St. 
 John, will be unhappily the cafe. And till that dwell 
 upon the earth, adored bim, whofe names arc not written 
 in the bock cf life (Apoc. xiii. 8.) 
 
 But befides what we have feen concerning this per- 
 fecution, as the Almighty has judged extraordinary 
 admonitions necenary ibr us in proportion to the ri- 
 gour of the trial, he has vouchlaied to impart to us 
 a further account of it by his Prophet Daniel. Chap, 
 xii. v. i, At that tir-is, (ays this Prophet, foall Mi- 
 chael rife up, the great Prince, who flandeth for the 
 Children cf thy people : and a time foall come fuch as 
 r.e^cr was from the time that nations began even until 
 that time. And at that lime [hall thy people be fayed, 
 every one that jh all be found written in the book. Here 
 the Angel tells Daniel, that at the time of the terri- 
 ble periecution of Antichrift, the Archangel Mi- 
 chael, who is the Patron of the Chnftian Church as 
 he was of the Jewifh, will rife up to the fuccour of 
 the Chriftians, and fight againft the powers of hc-11 
 for them, in the fame manner as we law he did in 
 the firfl persecutions under the Roman Emperors, 
 (Apoc. xii. 7.) ; that the periecution will alib be 
 fuck as never was frcrii the time that nations began 
 even until that time ; and that thofe only mall be 
 f:rccd, who fo all be found smitten in the book of life, 
 as St. John lias juft.toid us i which indicates, that 
 few will it ami the trial and gain the crown of mar- 
 tyrdom, in, companion to ihe number oi thofe who 
 vill give up the caufe. 
 
 Then Daniel aiked 
 
 v. 6. I low long f wll it be to the end cf thefe wcn- 
 fos? ' 
 
 v. 7. And I heard, fays he, the man, that was 
 t7: :^d in linen, that flood upon the waters of the ri- 
 ver*
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 397 
 
 'ver, when be bad lifted up bis right hand, and bis left 
 band to Heaven, and had/worn by him who li'veth for 
 ever i tbat it fticuld be unto a ti:r.e, and times, and half 
 a time. Here then the anfwer is given in the mod 
 folemn manner, and God called to witnefs, (which 
 fhews the importance of the thing), that this dread- 
 ful period will laft, for a time, and times, and half a 
 time, or three years and a half. That by the ex- 
 prefTion of, a time, the Prophet means a year, ap- 
 pears from anbther pafiage, where the fame Prophet 
 (peaking of the fentence the Almighty had pafied 
 upon Nabuchodonofor, he fays : They Jh all ccjl tbee 
 cut from among wen, and thy divdliftg jhall be ivith 
 cattle and vtitb wild beafn, and tbou {halt eat grafs as 
 e.n ox, and ft all be wet with ibs Dew ef beavtn: and 
 fei'en times JJj fill pafs over tbee, till tbou know tbat the 
 t;;cft High ruletb ever the kingdom of men, ard givetb 
 it to ivbcmfcsuer he a 1 ///. (Dan. iv. 22.). The /*- 
 1-cn times here fixed for the duration of that proud 
 King's ptiniihrncnt are acknowldged by all Inter- 
 preters to mean feven years. The fame period of 
 three years and a half, as we have before oblervccl, 
 is given to the perfecution by St. John, when he 
 fays : And the holy city they ft all tread wider feet t\?o 
 and forty months. (Apoc. xi. 2.). Here it is ex- 
 prefied in months, and again in the fame manner : 
 end power was given to bim (Antichrift) to do two and 
 forty months. (Apoc. xiii. 5.}. \Velikewife fee the 
 fame period exprcflod in days for the duration of 
 Henoch's and Elias's preaching, which may be na- 
 turally fuppofed to equal the time of the Church's 
 oppreffion : And I isiil give unto wy two "jvitr.ejfts, 
 and they Jhall propbefy a thoufand two hundred and fix w 
 days. (Apoc. vj. 3.). In fine Daniel fpeaking of 
 
 the
 
 39S THE GENERAL . HISTOR Y 
 
 the Church's fufTerings at this time lays : frcm tic 
 time ivken the continual facrif.es Jhall be taken away, 
 and the abomination unto defoliation Jhall le fet up, there 
 Jhall be a ihcufand two hundred ninety drys. (xii. u.) 
 Upon, which St. Jerom \vrites thus: " Therefore 
 " from the time that the continual facrifice fliall be 
 " taken away, and that Antichriil, being mailer of 
 " the world, mall prohibit the worlhip of God, to 
 " the time of his deftruclicn, there will be three 
 " years an a half, that is, 1290 days." (in Dan. 
 xii.). There can then be no real doubt, that the 
 term of Antichrift's perfecution is confined to three 
 years and a half, or 1260 days, and net extended to 
 1 2 5o years, as fome moderns have pretended, with 
 a view of calumniating the Catholic Church. For, 
 though in forne particular places of the Scriptures, 
 a day may be found to denote a year, or a month 
 to denote a month of years, that is, 30 years, or 
 a week to fignify a week of years or feven years ; 
 yet there is no instance of a peirod of time mentioned 
 in Scripture under the three denominations of years, 
 months, and days, that is not to be taken in it's na- 
 tural fenfe. Befides, the nature, and .circumftances 
 of the cafe, as appears from the preceding hiftory, 
 evince the fame : and in this fenfe it has been undcr- 
 ftood by the Fathers of the Church. " That the 
 " reign of Antichriil," fays St. Chryfoftom, " will 
 " laft three years and fix months, the Scripture in 
 " feveral places teftifies, but particularly the Apoca- 
 " lypfe of St. John." (Horn. 49. in Matt. 24.). 
 See alfo St. Irena^us adv. Hqsr. 1. 5. c. 30, St. Cyril 
 Catcch. 25, S. Hyppol. de confum: fsEculi, St. 
 Auftin de civ. 1. 20. c. 25, St. Jerom, Theodoret, 
 and others. 
 
 But
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCFI. 399 
 
 But to refume the inftrudions given to 'Daniel 
 concerning this intereiling time 
 
 Chap. xii. 7. And when the fcatiering, continues 
 he, of the band of the holy people foall be accompli fazd, 
 all the fe things fhall be finifoed. That is, thqfe fevere 
 trials 'and calamities will be put an end to, after that 
 the Chriftians mall have been fcattered for an ap- 
 pointed time, by flying into deicrts and caverns, as 
 formerly, for flicker from the face of perfecution. 
 But in the mean time 
 
 v. 10. Many Jball be chofen, and made white, and 
 foall be tried as fire. The Chriftians will be tried, 
 and made white or purified, as ftlver in the fire: 
 fuch will be the feverity of the perfecution. Con- 
 formally to Daniel fpeaks alib the Prophet Zachary : 
 And there jh all be in all the earth, faith the Lord, two 
 parts in it Jhall be fcattered, and faall perijh : but the 
 third -part Jhall be left therein. And I will bring the 
 third part through the fire, and will refine them as 
 Jiher is refined : and I will try them, as gold is tried 
 (xiii. 8. 9.). This perfecution will be diftinguifhed, 
 as we obferved before, by feven particular fcenes, 
 more mocking than the reft , that are intimated by 
 ihefevcn thunders, which St. John heard fpeak, but 
 was not permitted to write what they faid. (Apoc. 
 x. 3. 4.) 
 
 Daniel proceeds 
 
 v. 10. And the wicked Jhall deal wickedly, and ncne 
 of the wicked jhall under jiand, but the learned fkall un- 
 der ft and. The wicked therefore will make no ad- 
 vantage of the times, but'will continue to be wick^- 
 ed, through hardncfs of heart ; nor will they under- 
 jiand, through their own wilful blindnefs, the mean- 
 ing of thoie fcourges and trials fent upon mankind : 
 
 whereas
 
 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 whereas the Learned, who are truly virtuous and in- 
 ftructed in theie prophecies, will uxdcrfeand the re;: ion 
 or" the Divine judgments, and v/ili turn them to :h> ir 
 own' profit, to the gaining of an iiv.mortd crov.n. 
 
 Notwithstanding the dreadful ajpcft, under which 
 appears Antichrist's persecution acr 'ding to the 
 prece-'-ding account, \ve fhould not however be de- 
 jected or difinayeu. Confidence in the mercies and 
 providence of God Ihould allay our fears and fup- 
 port our fortitude. That ail-bountiful Being, in 
 his fevered judgments, never forgets mercy-, and 
 when he fends trials, he furnifhes alTiftance propor- 
 tioned to the exigencies. We have already feen that 
 the Archangel Michael will come, by the order of 
 God, to the defence of the Chriftinns, and \vill 
 check the exorbitant power of Satan. Betides, we 
 are alTured that boifterous ftorm will not lail beyond 
 three years and a half. But the principal fupport in 
 thefe extreme oiitrefies will be, the abundant graces 
 infufed by the Almighty into the hearts of the iviith- 
 iul, which will inipire them with the iv-oft heroic 
 fortitude and invincible conilancy. Thele dilpofi- 
 tions will alfo be nourifred and animated by the in- 
 ccflant preaching of the Minifters of God, who 
 will be enabled to intorce their exhortatjpns with 
 many fhining miracles. Among thcfe Apoitolic 
 lah^ourers Hcnoch and Eiias will lignalize their zeal. 
 By fuch means, not omy the faithful will be liip- 
 portcd, but many convtrfions made. The Church 
 therefore at this period, though in appearance ib 
 much opprelTed, will mine more glorious than in any 
 former age, by the number of Chriftian Champions, 
 who will not fear to make open profVfilon of their 
 I-Viith, will baffle by their invincible fortitude all An- 
 
 tich'ntt'i
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 401 
 
 richrift's arts and torments, and will foar in triumph 
 to Heaven with the crown of martyrdom. 
 
 It would Teem that, as the Chriftians will be fully 
 inftrucled in the prophecies relating to the time, 
 ibme of them, perhaps under their torments, will 
 admonim Antichrift of his impending fate ; in a fi- 
 milar manner as the abovementioned King Antiochus 
 was forewarned, by threeof thefevenMachabees whom 
 he put to death, of the Divine vengeance that would 
 loon overtake him. The fifth of them, in his tor- 
 tures, faid to Antiochus : Whereas thou haft power 
 among men, though thou art corruptible ', thou doft 
 what thcu wilt : but think not that our nation isforfakm 
 by God. But flay patiently awhile, and thou Jhalt fee 
 his great power, in what manner he will torment tbee, 
 and thy feed. (2 Mach. vii. 16. 17.). Antichrift 
 raging with fury at hearing from the expiring Chrif- 
 tians the Supreme Decree, which dooms him with 
 all his men to be (lain by Jefus Chrift and his celef- 
 tial army of Saints, he refolves upon the moft dar- 
 ing and moft impious fcheme, that ever entered the 
 heart of man, and which by the concurrence of 
 Satan and his falfe Prophet he puts in execution. 
 
 Chap. xvi. v. 13. And 1 faw, fays St. John, from 
 the mouth of the Dragon, and from the mouth of the 
 Bcc.ft, and from the mouth of the falfe Prophet, three 
 unclean fpirits like frogs. 
 
 v. 14. For they are the Spirits of devils working 
 
 figns, and they go forth unto the Kings of the whole 
 
 earth \ to gather them to battle againft the great day 
 
 Dd cf 
 
 + In the greek, the Kings cf the earth and of the whole in' 
 
 world,
 
 402 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 of the Almighty God. The Dragon or Satan, the Beaft 
 or Antichrift, and thefalfe Prophet, fend forth, each 
 of them, an unclean Spirit or Devil. Thefe they de* 
 pute to all the Kings and Potentates, to all the great 
 and little States of the earth, to gather them to battle 
 agaitift the great day of the Almighty God, that is. to 
 engage them to aficmble their troops and join Anti- 
 chrift, who has determined to encounter with the 
 Omnipotent God, by whom they will on that great 
 day- be cruflied and utterly deftroyed. What auda- 
 cious temerity, furely <the advice of Satan, to dare 
 to challenge the Almighty to battle ! But what won- 
 der that thole proud Angels, who had rebelled 
 againft their God in Heaven, Ihould now excite 
 mankind to a firnilar impiety? Thefe three Ambaf- 
 fadours, Spirits of Devils, conceal themfelves under 
 human fhapes, and like frogs which are amphibious, 
 proceed both by land and lea to every ftate on the 
 Continents and in the Iflands, and by their power 
 of working figns or wonders impofe upon the Princes, 
 and prevail with them to embark in the mad defign 
 of their great Mafter Antichrift. 
 
 The Earth was now reeking every where with the 
 blood of Chriftian victims. The perfecution raged 
 with the utmoft violence, and daily fwcpt away mul- 
 titudes. The Paftors efpecially are picked out for 
 {laughter, being more obnoxious on account of their 
 zeal, in oppofing Antichrift, in animating the Chrif- 
 tians, and fortifying them under their conflicts. And 
 this is exhibited to us with ftrong colours by the 
 Prophet Jeremy : Howie ', ye Shepherds, fays he, and 
 cry : and fprinkle yourfehes with a/hes, ye leaders of 
 the flock : for the days of your Daughter and difperfion 
 are accomplifljed, and you Jh all fall like precious, veffe Is. 
 
 And
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 
 
 403 
 
 And the Jhepberds Jh&ll have no way to fite^ nor th*; 
 leaders of the flock tofave themfehes. (xxv. 34. 35.). 
 But this perfecution was to be diftinguifhed in a par-^ 
 ticular manner by the martyrdom of the two great 
 mcffcngcrs of Chrift, his two ivitncffes^ Henoch and 
 Elias. Their Saviour and iMafter had afiigned them 
 1260 days or three years and a half, to propbefy or to 
 perform the function of his fpe-cial Minifters j du- 
 ring which time he fcreened them from all attempts 
 of Amichrift and other enemies. But that period 
 being now elapfed, he withdraws that fpecial pro- 
 tection from them, and requires that they mall rmifh 
 their work by fealing it with their blood. Fie there- 
 fore delivers them over into the power of Anti- 
 chrift. 
 
 Chap. xi. v. 7. And when they (the two witneCes) 
 jhall have Juii/hed their tejtimony^ fays St. John, the 
 Beaft, that afcendctb cut of the afyfs, Jkall make war 
 againft them, and Jhall overcome tlcem, and kill them. 
 Henoch and Elias then having finiihed their teftimony 
 or time appointed them to give teftimony to Chrift 
 by their preaching, they are put to death by order 
 of Antichrift, who is impelled to it by Satan, tbe 
 beaft that afcendeth cut of the abyfs or bcttomleis pit. 
 
 v. 8. And their bodies Jha-l lie in the Jtrcets of the 
 great City, which is catted fpiritually Sodora and F.gypt^ 
 where their Lord alfo was crucified. Their dead bo- 
 dies lie expofed in the ftreets of tie great chy, which 
 is Jerufalem, as appears by what is added, wberc 
 their Lord was crucified , and our Saviour had faid : 
 it cannot be that a prophet perijh out cf Jerufalem 
 (Luke xiii. 33,). Jerufalem is ftiled fpiritually or 
 myftically Scdom and Egypt: Sodom, becaufe, as 
 that city was burned by fire from Heaven for it's ini- 
 D d 2 quitits,
 
 4 04 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 quities, fo was Jerufalem doomed by Heaven to be 
 burned by the Romans in confequence of it's crucify- 
 ing it's Lord. Jerufalem is alfo rtiled Egypt, in allo- 
 fion to the perfecution the Jews differed under the 
 Pharaohs in Egypt, and which they will luffer in a 
 more fevere manner at Jerufalem under Antic hrift. 
 
 v. . 9. And they of the tribes, find peoples , and 
 tongues, and nations, flxitt fee their bodies for three Jays 
 and a half : and they Jhall not fuffer their bodies to be 
 laid in fepukhres. 
 
 v. 10. And they that dt&tll upon the earth Jhall re- 
 joice over them, and make merry : and fliall fend gifts 
 one to another, becaufe thefe tivo Prophets tormented 
 them that dwelt upon the earth. For three days and 
 a half the Bodies of Henoch and Elias will remain 
 expofed to the fight of an infinite multitude of peo- 
 ple from all nations of the earth, who will be then 
 in Jerufalem : nor will they fuffer the bodies to be 
 buried, for the hatred they will have conceived to 
 the two holy Prophets. Thofe that dwell on the 
 earth, or the bad fort of people will every where re- 
 joice at their death, and will fend prefents to congra- 
 tulate one another on being freed from fuch impor- 
 tunate Preachers and from the dreadful effects of 
 their miraculous powers. But 
 
 v. ii. And after three days and a half, continues 
 St. John, the fpirit of life from God entered into them. 
 And they flood upon their feet, and great fear fell upon 
 them that faw them. 
 
 v. 12. And they beard a great 'voice from He ay en t 
 faying to them : come up hither. And they went up to 
 Heaven in a cloud -, and their enemies faw them. Here 
 we fee the Almighty Hand raifing the two dead He- 
 roes to life ; and they are called to the reward of their 
 
 labours,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 405 
 
 labours, a. happy Immortality , their enemies feeing 
 them with aitonimment mount into Heaven. In 
 fine 
 
 v. 13. And at that hour there ^as made a great 
 Earthquake, and tie tenth part of the city fell : and 
 tkerc were jlain in the earthquake names of men feven 
 thoufand : And the reft were caft into a fear, and gave 
 glory to the God of Heaven. At the time that the 
 two refufcitated Martyrs will afcend to Heaven, an 
 earthquake will happen, which will throw down a 
 tenth fart of the city of Jerufalem, and deflroy fevcn 
 thcufand of Antichrift's adherents, who deferve no 
 more than the mere name of men. But thofe that re- 
 main will be ftruck with terror, will acknowledge 
 the hand of the Almighty in this dreadful event, and 
 deferring the wicked party will be converted to God. 
 Such will be the glorious triumph of Henoch and 
 Elias. It will happen fome time before the clofe of 
 the perfecution ; becauie the period of their miniftry 
 is the fame in length with that of the perfecution, 
 viz. three years and a half, and they had employed 
 fome mare of their time in converting the Jews be- 
 fore the perfecution commenced. 
 
 Whether fome nations of Africa will revolt from 
 the dominion of the Antichriftian Tyrant, or what- 
 ever elfe will be the provocation, it feems that he 
 will himfelf alfo carry his arms into that country. 
 This appears from a paflage of the Prophet Daniel, 
 which St. Jerom and fome other ancient Interpreters 
 have ib underftood. 
 
 Chap. xi. v. 40. And at the time prefixed, fays Da- 
 niel, the King of the South (the King of Egypt) Jhall 
 fight againft him, and the King of the North (Anti- 
 chrift) /ball come againft him like a tempeft, ivith cha- 
 D d 3 riots*
 
 406 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 riots, and with horfemen, and with -a great navy, and 
 he ft all enter into the countries, and ft all dejlrcy, and 
 pafs through. 
 
 v. 41. And he Jhall enter into the glorious land, and 
 many Jhall fall : and thefe only ft all be faved out of his 
 band, Edom and Moab, and the principality of the 
 children of Ammon. 
 
 v. 42. And he ft all lay his hand upon the lands: 
 and the land cf Egypt ft all not efcape. 
 
 v. 43. And he Jhall havs power over the treafures of 
 gold, and ofjiher, and all the precious things of Egypt ; 
 And he ft all pa fs through Lybia and Ethiopia. 
 
 During thefe exploits 
 
 v. 44. And tidings cut of the caft, and out of the 
 north Jhall trouble him : and he ft all come ivith a great 
 multitude to defray and Jlay many. Antichrill will be 
 alarmed with tidings out of the eaft and out of the 
 n6rth, probably of nations revolting againft him, as 
 this fixth age is full of fuch confufion, according to 
 that of our Saviour : Nation ft all rife againft nation^ 
 and kingdom againft kingdom (Matt. xxiv. 7.). The 
 exafperatfed Tyrant will therefore leave Africa, and 
 proceed with his prodigious army into Afia, the pro- 
 vinces of which lie to the eaft and north of Egypt, and 
 there he will defray and Jlay many . He is yet in the 
 full gale of profperity, and therefore will bear down 
 all before him. Among his prefent Afiatic expedi- 
 tions, it feems he will vent his rage a fecond time a- 
 gainft Jerufalem. Provoked perhaps, that fuch a 
 number of his partizans had perifhed in the earth- 
 quake which, happened at the triumph of Henoch 
 and EliaSj and that the reft had deferted him to be- 
 come
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 407 
 
 come the fervants of God, he -f- will lay liege to Jeru- 
 falem and take it, as we learn from the Prophet Za- 
 chary. 
 
 Chap. xiv. v. i. Behold tbe days cf tbe Lord flail 
 come, find thy fpoils {hall be divided in the midft of tbee. 
 
 v. 2. And I -will gather all nations to Jerufalem to 
 battle, and tbe city Jhall be taken, and the- boufes Jhall 
 be rifled, and the women jha.ll be defied': and half cf 
 tbe city ]h all go forth Into captivity, and the reft of tbe 
 people /hall not be taken away out of tbe city. On this 
 occafion the Prophet informs us that fome Jews will 
 be found in Antic hrift's army , for he fays v. 14. 
 And even Juda Jhall fight againft Jerufalem. 
 
 Antichrift thus goes on, regaling himfelf with the 
 deftrudion and havock he makes every where, and 
 drenching himfelf with the blood of martyrs. But, 
 notwithstanding all the miferies of war, famine, pef- 
 tilence, 6rc. that at this period like a torrent have 
 poured in upon mankind, notwithstanding the un- 
 parralleled tyranny of the furious Be aft, notwithftand- 
 ing that thefe exceflive calamities are known to pro- 
 ceed from the avenging juftice of an Angry God , 
 ftill, who would believe it ! the wicked remain in- 
 corrigible, and thofe that have bafely funk into thfc 
 abomination of Idolatry, take not warning to retrieve 
 themfelves, but continue hardened in their iniquity. 
 For thus fpeaks St. John 
 
 Chap. ix. v. 20. And the reft cf the men, ~ivho were 
 not jlain by tkefe plagues, did not do penance from the 
 works of their hands, that they jhoula not adore -devils 
 and idols of gold and filler and brzfs and ftone and 
 wood, which neither can fee, nor hear, nor walk. 
 
 D 4 v. 21. 
 
 f Or one of his generals. * .
 
 4 o8 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 v. 21. Neither did they penance from thtir murders, 
 nor from their forceries^ ner from their fornication^ nor 
 from their thefts. 
 
 Antichrift having, by the ftrength of his armies 
 and by the affiftance of the infernal aflbciates, borne 
 down all oppofition, we may now view him railed 
 up to the pinnacle of human glory, to the iumrrut 
 of power. He reigns the greateft Monarch the 
 world ever faw, and a mort period of time has car- 
 ried him through all his conquefts, and placed him 
 upon a throne that commands the whole earth. He 
 has prevailed upon or compelled a great part of man- 
 kind to adore him as a God, and of thofe that refuf- 
 ed he lias facrificed an infinite number to his rage 
 andjealoufy. But unhappy Being ! now approaches 
 the period which the Supreme Being, the Al- 
 mighty, has fixed to his dominion. The three years 
 and a half allowed him to tyrannile over mankind, 
 are now expiring. And it had been pronounced ; 
 Judgment [ball fit, thai Us power may be taken a^:ay^ 
 and be broken in pieces, and perifo even to the end. 
 (Dan. vii. 26.). Intoxicated however with pride and 
 power, and itimulated by Satan, he purfacs his for- 
 mer refolution to fufFer no Rival, but to contend for 
 fuperiority with the Sovereign of Heaven, contemn- 
 ing what he had heard from the Chriftians, that all 
 power mould be wrefted from him by Chrift, and 
 himfelf laid in the dull. In this view he propoies 
 to cope with Chrift and all his heavenly attendants, 
 by a proportionable army afiembled from the whole 
 earth by the three evil fpirits that had been fent, as 
 we have feen, for that purpofe. His thoughts are 
 now wholly bent upon preparations for this daring 
 encounter. He therefore drops the perfecution, and 
 ccafes the war, And oow tbefecondwo isj>ajl> that 
 
 K
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 40.9 
 
 is, the perfecution and war of Antichriit : and behold 
 the third wo* or day of Judgment, ivill come quickly. 
 (Apoc. xi. 14.). Here the Prophet Daniel pro- 
 nounces: Blejjedishe that waiteth, and comet h unto &tbcu- 
 fond three hundred thirty fas days. (xii. 12.). He had 
 faid in the preceding verfe : from the lime^ when the con - 
 tinual facrifice Jball be taken away, and the abomination 
 unto defolation be [el up, there Jhali be a thoufand two hun- 
 dred ninety days. Theie 1290 days, which are dated from 
 the time of Antichrift letting himfelf up for God and 
 forbidding all Chriftian worfhip, now expire with the 
 clofe of his perfecution , and that number being taken 
 from 1335, there remain 45 days from the dole -of 
 his perfecution to the day of his deftruction : and 
 therefore Daniel pronounces him BlrJJed who lives to 
 fee that day. This fpace of 45 days Antichriil em- 
 ploys in collecting together all his armies. 
 - We may on our fide employ a (hare of this time 
 in taking a view of the great body of Martyrs, the 
 glorious victims of this perfecution. To feparate the 
 good from the bad members Chriii has iubjected his 
 Church to the fevered trial Die ever underwent, nnd 
 ftreams of holy blood have been flowing to appeaic 
 the divine anger irritated againil mankind for the ex- 
 cels of their wickednefs. St. John thus exhibits to 
 us the fight he was favoured with of that bleiled 
 company, after they were crowned. 
 
 Chap. vii f v. 9. After this I fa-w a great multitude^ 
 which no man could number ', of all nations and tribes^ 
 and peoples, and tongues : (landing before the throne^ and 
 in fight of the Lamb^ clothed with white robes find palms 
 in their hands. A numberlefs multitude appears to 
 St. John, confiiting of people of all nations from 
 the four parts or" the earth, clothed in icbitf rsbes in 
 token of their prcfent blifs, and with palms in their 
 
 bands.
 
 410 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 hands, the known emblem of victory. In this attire 
 they are prefented before the throne, and the Lamb. 
 
 v. 10. And they cried' with a loud voice, faying: 
 f aha f ion to our Gcd izho Jit Mb tip an the throne^ and 
 to the Lamb. They break forth into loud acclama- 
 tions, faying : Salvation, or victory, to our God who 
 fittetb upon the- throne, end to the Lamb, victory and 
 triumph to the Almighty and to our Saviour over 
 their enemies. 
 
 v. ii. And all the Angels ftcod round about the 
 throne, and the Ancients, and the four living crea- 
 tures : and they fell down before the throne upon their 
 faces, and adored God. 
 
 v. 12 : Saying; Amen. Benediction, and Glory, 
 and wifdom, and thankfgiving, honour, and power, 
 and ftrcngth to car God for ever and ever. Amen. 
 The Angels here join in the profoundeft homage to 
 Almighty God. They acknowledge and praife his 
 providential difpenfations to his Church on Earth, 
 with the feven fame expreflivc terms, except one, 
 \vhich were applied to the Lamb (Ap. V. 12). 
 
 Thefe terms of Acclamation to the Almighty are : 
 Benediction, or praife for the immortal blifs he im- 
 parts to his Saints : Glory, that is reflected upon him 
 for his bountiful admonitions to mankind, conveyed 
 by extraordinary figns and threatening prodigies in 
 the heavens and in the earth : Wifdcm, in raifing 
 up kingdoms and dem.olifliing others according to 
 the wife determination of his Juftice. 'Thankfgiving, 
 for his protection of the Church againft the power 
 of Hcrefy and Scjiifm : Honour, which he receives 
 from the glorious conflicts and victory of his mar- 
 tyrs : Power, which he has fo fully manifefted in 
 iubduing the world by the word of his Gofpel : and 
 
 Strength
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 4 n 
 
 Srength, which he exhibits in his terrible fcourges 
 upon the wicked part of his people. St. John pro^ 
 reeds 
 
 v. 13. And one of the Ancienis anfwered, and faid 
 to me : thefe that are cloathed in white robes, 'who 
 fire they ? and whence came they ? 
 
 v. 14. And I faid io him : My Lord, thou know eft. 
 And be faid to me : tbefe are they who are come out 
 ef great * tribulation, and have wajhed their robes^ 
 and have made them ivhite in the blood of the Lamb, 
 St. John not knowing in particular what that holy 
 troop was, is here informed that they came from 
 the great tribulation, that is, from the great perfect!* 
 tion of Antichrift, and that they have wajhed their 
 robes, and have made them white in the bleed of the 
 Lamb ; they have wajhed them by martyrdom, and 
 they have made them white by entering into Glory, 
 both which favours were purchafed to them by the 
 blood of the Lamb, 
 
 v. 15. Therefore they are before the throne of God^ 
 and ihty fwve him day and night in his temple : and 
 he, that fttteth on the throne, Jhall dwell over them. 
 The Martyrs are placed in the prefence of their 
 God, to whom they offer conftant homage and ado- 
 ration : and he will dwell over them, by infufing the 
 joy of beatitude into their Souls, and being their 
 liberal Lord and gracious Governor for ever. 
 Laftly 
 
 v. 1 6. They Jhall no more hunger and thirft, neither 
 Jhall the fun fall on them, nor any heat. 
 
 v. 1 7. For the Lamb, which is in the midft of the 
 
 throne,, 
 
 * In the greek, tbc'grcat tribulation*
 
 412. iHi, GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 tbrsne, fljall rule * thsm, and fljall lead them to the 
 fountains of the waters of life, and God Jhatt wipe 
 away all tears from their eyes. Their afflictions and 
 hardfhips are now all over. They are now promifed 
 to be no more lubject to the torments or fufferings 
 they have undergone, either from hunger or tbirft, 
 or from the fun or any heat falling upon them, that 
 is, from any fort of fire, natural or artificial ; many 
 of them having probably been famifhed to death, 
 others burnt, and others mot. On the contrary, 
 their bodies after the general Refurrection will enjoy 
 a moft pure and perpetual read, in being fed by the 
 Lamb and refrefhed by the moft pleafant living 
 waters, in fuch manner as is fuitable to their glo- 
 rified ftate. Before, St. John faid ; they are before 
 the throne of God &c, to indicate the happinefs of 
 their Souls immediately after their paflage to the 
 other life : But here he fays ; they Jhall no more 
 hunger and thirft &c, to denote the future period 
 after the general Refurrection, when their Bodies, 
 which were afibciated in the hardfhips, will likewife 
 enjoy their lhare of beatitude. Furthermore, one 
 may here obferve the fuppreflion of the word and, 
 which is fo ^bnftantly repeated through the Apoca- 
 lypiV. ..^h verfe the 151!) was expreffed the beati- 
 tyde'of the Soul, and in verfe the i6th that of the 
 Body ; the difparity cf thefe two beatitudes could 
 not well admit of the conjunctive particle and, while 
 the terms of Soul and Body were not exprcfled. 
 - And God will wipe away their tears of forrow : 
 by filling them with the abundance of the fweeteft 
 iov and moft perfect happinefs for all Eternity. 
 
 On 
 
 In che greek, foallfetd tr<.rn*
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 41; 
 
 On the expiration of the 45 days abovementioned, 
 Antichrift haying collected together all the forces, 
 aftemblcd by the three evil Spirits who bad gone forth 
 unto the Kings of the ivhole earth to gather them to 
 battle again/I the great day of the Almighty God 
 (Apoc. xvi. 14.), he encamps them in the valley of 
 Joiaphat, between Jeruialem and Mount Olivet, 
 and pitches his own tent on that mountain. He 
 had probably been forewarned by the Chriftians, 
 that this would be the theatre of his deftruction, and 
 therefore he chufes it in defiance of Heaven. That 
 this will be really the place, we feem to learn, firfl, 
 from St. John who, after the words juft above 
 cited adds : And he shell gather them together, 
 into a place, which in Hebrew-; is called Armagedon 
 (Apoc. xvi. 1 6). The word A rmngedcn is interpre- 
 ted the mountain of fruits, which may indicate the 
 mountain of Olives. The fame is pointed out by 
 the Prophet Daniel, who fpeaks thus : And he shall 
 fix his tabernacle Apadno between the Seas, upon a glo- 
 rious and holy mountain \ and he Jball come even to the 
 top thereof, and none shall help him (xi. 45.). Anti- 
 chrift will fix his tabernacle Apadno, that is, his mag- 
 nificent tent, called Apadno, upon a Mountain, viz. 
 Mount Olivet, which has been made glorious and 
 holy by the Afcenfion and other lacred tranfaftions 
 of our Saviour, and Hands between the Mediterra- 
 nean and Dead Seas. There he will arrogantly fix 
 his ftandard, but none will be able to help him againft 
 the power of the Almighty. 
 
 We have likewife in the prophet Joel, not only 
 exprefs mention of the fame place of encampment, 
 but alfo a remarkable defcription of the aflembling 
 of this army and its impending fate. 
 
 Chap,
 
 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Chap. III. v. i. For behold, fays the Lord, in theft 
 days and in that time when I Jhall bring back the cap- 
 tivity of Juda and Jeriifalem, 
 
 v. 2, / will gather together all nations, and will bring 
 them' down into the valley of Jofaphat.\ The Al- 
 mighty then fays that, foon after he (hall have 
 brought back the Jews from their captivity, an event 
 we have before related, he will colled all nations 
 into the 'valley of Jofaphat, the place infmuated by 
 
 St. John and Daniel. The Almighty continues 
 
 to fpeak 
 
 v. 2. And I will -plead with them there for my -peo- 
 ple and my inheritance Ifrael, whom they have fcattered 
 among the nations, and have par ted my land. 
 
 v. 3. And they have caft lots upon my people : and 
 the boy they have put in the fie^vs, and the girl they 
 have fold for wine that they might drink, &c. &c. 
 The Almighty will there plead with them or reprove 
 them for the injuries they have done to his people the 
 Chriftians, and to his inheritance the Jfraelites during 
 the tyranny of the Antichriflian power. He pro- 
 ceeds to enumerate feveral of thofe injuries, which 
 he declares he will retaliate upon them. After 
 which he continues 
 
 v. 9. Proclaim ye this among the nations : prepare 
 war, roufe up the flrong: let them come , let all the wen 
 cf war come up. 
 
 v. 10. Cut your plow/hares into fwords, and your 
 fpades into fpears. Let the weak fay : 1 am jlrong. 
 
 v. ii. Break forth^ and ccme, all ye nations from 
 round about^ and gather yourfelves together. Here the 
 
 Almighty 
 
 t Jofcphat fignifies the Judgment of the Lcrd.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 415 
 
 Almighty challenges them to battle , after which he 
 pronounces 
 
 v. 1 1 . There Kill the Lord caufe all thy ftrong ones 
 to fall down. There will the Lord, the Almighty Son 
 of God, crufh thee, O Antichrift, and all thy [ircng 
 men. Hitherto God had fpoke to them all together, 
 challenging them to battle 5 but t here he fuddenly 
 changes his difcourfe, and addreffts folely their com- 
 mander, Anrichrift : thtrs will the Lord caufe all thy 
 Jlrong ones to fall. Joel goes on 
 
 Put ye in tksjickles, for the harvejl is ripe , come^ and 
 go down^ for the prefs is fill \ the fats run over ; for their 
 wickednefs is multiplied. The harveft and vintage are 
 ready ; and therefore people are called to reap the 
 corn, and to gather and tread the grapes ; an allu- 
 fion, mewing that the ivickednefs of thefe nations is fo 
 multiplied, that they are ripe for the (laughter which 
 is going to be. made of them. Joel continues 
 
 v. 14. Nations 9 Nations in the valley of deflruc- 
 tion : for the day of the lord is near in the valley of de- 
 ftrutficn. 
 
 v. 15. I'hefun and the moon fire darkened^ and the 
 ftars have withdrawn their Jhining. 
 
 v. 1 6. And the Lord /hall roar out of Sion, and 
 titter his voice from Jerufalem : and the heavens and 
 tke earth jhall be moved : And the Lord Jh all be the 
 hope of his people, and the firength of the Children of 
 Ifrael. Numberlefs nations^ immenfe armies, now 
 appear gathered together in the vaiiey of Jofaphat, 
 the valley ofdeftruttion, all which the Lord has deter- 
 mined quickly to deflroy. 
 
 And when he fhall come down from Heaven to 
 execute his judgments upon thefe armies, the Sun and 
 Moon fhall be darkened., and the ftars shall withdraw 
 
 tl:e:r
 
 4i 6 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 their shining, and he will pa^s over Jerufalem with u 
 dreadful noiie, that will ftrike them with terror and 
 dread : the Lord sbc.ll roar out of Si on and utter bis voice 
 from Jerufalem. 
 
 To this we may add a fublime, pathetic, and 
 fhort defcripdon of the lame tremendous icene from 
 the Prophet Ifaiah. 
 
 Chap, xxxiv. v. i. Come near, ye Gentiles, and 
 hear, and hearken, ye people : let tJ:e ce.rth hear, and 
 all that is therein ; the world 9 and every thing that 
 comes forth of it. 
 
 v. 2. For the indignation of the Lord is upon all na- 
 ticnSy and bis fury upon all their armies : he has killed 
 them and delivered them to Jlaughter. 
 
 v. 3. 'Their Jlain (hall be cajl out, and out of their 
 car cafes (hall rife a ft ink : the mountains fiall be mdted 
 with their blood. 
 
 v. 4. And all the hojl of the Heavens Jball pixc 
 av:ay, and the heavens foall be folded toother as a 
 book : and all their hoft Jhall fall down, as the leaf falls 
 from the vine, and from the figtree. Here the Al- 
 mighty declares in the moft folemn manner, his in- 
 dignation is going to fall upon all nations, and his fury 
 upon their armies, and he will deliver them up to 
 Jlaughter (v. i. 2.;. Such will be loon the fate of 
 Antichrift and his armies. What is added of their 
 Jlain being caji out, and a ftench rifmg/r^w their car- 
 cafes &c (v. 3), feems to belong to the dcftruftion 
 of Gog and Magog, which we fhall fee afterwards. 
 But before thefe terrible judgments happen, all the 
 hojl of the heavens Jhall pine avjay (v. 4), and Jhall fait 
 down, as the leaf falls from the vine, and from tbe fig- 
 tree - f and the heavens JJjall be folded together as a book. 
 Thefe threatening figns in the heavens, which were 
 
 alib
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 417 
 
 ?.lfo juft above mentioned in Joel, are here exprefTed 
 nearly in the fame terms, as we faw them in the Apo* 
 caiypfe under the fixth feal, where we read : The fun 
 became black as fackcloth of hair, and the moon became 
 us blood: and the Jiars from Heaven fell upon the ec.rth, 
 as thefigtree cafls it's green figs when it is Jhaken by a 
 great wind. And the heaven departed as a book folded 
 up (Apoc. vi. 12. 13. 14.). Ifaiah had forewarned 
 us in another place : 'The day of the Lord of hofts 
 flail be upon every one that is proud and highminded, 
 and upon every one that is arrogant, and he [hall be 
 
 bumbled. And the loftinefs of men jhall be bowed 
 
 down, and the haughtinefs of men Jhall be humbled, and 
 
 the Lord alone Jhall be exalted in that day. And they 
 
 Jhall go into the boles of rocks, and into the caves of the 
 earth from the face of the fear of the Lord, and from 
 the glory of his Majejiy, when he flail rife up to jlrike 
 the earth, (ii. 12. 17. 19.). St. John fpeaks in the 
 fame tenour under the fixth Seal : 'The Kings of the 
 earth, fays he, and the Princes hid themfelves in the 
 dens and in the rocks of mountains : and they fay to the 
 mountains and the rocks: fall upon us, and hide us 
 from the face of him that fitteth upon the throne, and 
 from the wrath of the Lamb. (Apoc. vi. 15. 16. fee 
 the explication of the fixth feal). 
 
 Antichrift therefore having feated himfelf upon 
 Mount Olivet, with his armies round him extended 
 over the valley of Jofaphat and adjacent plains, he 
 haughtily thinks himfelf equal to cope with all the 
 powers of Heaven. This Man of Jin, this Son of 
 perdition, this enemy of God and men, though upon 
 the brink of deftruction, perfifts in his refolution to 
 defend his impious and infolent pretenfions. He 
 claims to himfelf the power and honours that belong 
 E e to
 
 4-i 8 THE GENERAL HISTORT 
 
 to the fupreme Deity, and will permit no other but 
 himfelf to be thoughj Matter of the world., He 
 has, for the fpacs cf three years and a half, exer- 
 eifed the n*oft defpotic and' cruel' tyranny over man- 
 kind, ami now he braves the Almighty himlelf. 
 But, behold! 
 
 Chap. xix. v. ii. And 1 faw heaven opened, fay.i 
 St. John, and behold a white horfe-: and he that fat 
 upon him, was called faithful and true, and withjuf- 
 tice doth he judge and fight. 
 
 v. 12. And his eyes were as a flame of fire, and on- 
 his bead were many Diadems, md be bad a namv 
 written, "j$-hick w mow knaws biti himfelf. 
 
 v. 13.. And be was elstbed with a garment fpr inkle d 
 with blood : and his name is called, Vhe Word of God, 
 The Heavens open, and St. John fees Jtfus Chriil, 
 the Son of God, defending ; feated on a white horfc, 
 in the fame manner as we law him firft fet out on his-, 
 conquefts ; which mews him to have been all along 
 continuing, them : He went forth conquering that fa 
 might conqiwr. (Apoc. vk 2.). He is known by the 
 peculiar appellations here attributed to him: Faithful 
 and 'True (v. n); Faithful in> prote6ling his fervants 
 a-nd revenging their in)uries upon their enemies, and 
 he is ever true, to- his promifes. As t&e Father has 
 given all judgment to the 5<?w(John v. 22), fo the Son 
 with juflice doth judge and fight, which he rs coming 
 ro do at prefent. But what errviiTently diilin-guifhes 
 him, is his name, The Word of God, (v. 13), wnicb 
 is well underftood to belong folety to him ; but it is 
 fo comprehenfive in it's meaning, that rmman reafor* 
 cannot fathom it, and no man bivwr it but himfelf 
 (v. 12). His eyes -ivere as a flame of fire, indicating 
 his ang?r; ;:nd on his head were- many diackms, the 
 
 mark
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 415 
 
 mark of his power over all thofe nations he is now 
 coming to punifh : and as this will be done by a great 
 (laughter of all Antichrift's armies, he therefore ap- 
 pears ckthed with a garment fprinkled with blood. St. 
 John proceeds 
 
 v. 1 4. And the armies that arc in Heaven followed 
 him on white horfes, t lei bed in fine tinnen white and 
 clean. The Ccleftial armies of Saints follow the 
 Son of God, as their Captain and Commander ; they 
 are all, like him, mounted on white borfes, and 
 clothed in fine linnen white and clean y a fymbol of 
 their Merit and Glory. 
 
 v. 15. And out of his mouth proceedeth a Jbarp two- 
 edged fword : that with it he may fir ike the' nations. 
 And he Jhall rule them with a rod of iron : and he 
 treadeth the wineprefs of the fiercenefs of the wrath of 
 God the Almighty. 
 
 v. 1 6. And he hath on his garment and on his thigb 
 written : King of Kings and Lord of Lords. A Jharp 
 two-edged fword is the weapon Chrift will ufe to ftrike 
 the nations^ which are afTembled with Antichrift 
 againfl him. The fword is faid to proceed from his 
 mouth, becaufe it executes his command. The Son 
 of God is the fovereign Mailer and Judge of all 
 mankind, and therefore he rules his rebellious fub- 
 jefts with a rod of iron, by fcourging them in this 
 life, and fubjecting them to everlafting punifhments 
 in the next. And he treadetb the wineprefs of the 
 fiercenefs of the wrath of God the Almighty ', that is, 
 he is the Minifter of the Almighty's wrath^ and exe- 
 cutes his terrible judgments upon the wicked. In 
 fine, the Son of God is intitled to all this power, 
 becaulc he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords ; which 
 name is written en his garment , that it may be vifi- 
 E e 2 -We
 
 4zo TBE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 ble to every eye ; and on Us thigh to- fhcw that .lie 
 is pofiefied of ftrength to vindicate hns fovereign title, 
 the thigh being commoqfy put for tlae emblem of 
 ftrength in man, Some of the attnfetites here men- 
 tioned are alfo aicribed to Chrift by the Prophet 
 Ifaiah : Why tfan is thy apparel rsd v fays he^ and thy 
 garments like theirs that tread in. the wint-frefs? I 
 have trodden the wine-prefs akne, and of ths gentiles 
 there is wt a man with me : I have trampled on them 
 in my indignation, and have trodden them down in r.y 
 wrath, and tfair blood is fprinkkd upon my garments* 
 and Ibaveftained all my apparel. (Ixiii. 2. 3,.). 
 
 St. John proceeds 
 
 v. 17. And I /aw art Angel ftanding in the fun, and 
 fa cried with & loud voice, faying to all the birds that 
 did fly tbrwgb the midji of hsaven: Come, gather your- 
 felves together to the great /upper of God : + 
 
 v. i S. kat you may cat the flejh sf Kings, and the 
 fejh of tribunes, and the fejh of mighty men, and the 
 jlejh of horfes, and of them that fit on them, and the 
 fle/h of all freemen and bondmen, and of littk and &f 
 great. While Chrift, the Divine Hero, is advancmg 
 to battk with his celeftkl army, an Angel in the fun 
 with a loud voice invites all the birds of the air to a 
 moft plentiful entertainment which is preparing for 
 them ; where they may fill themfelves with human 
 flefh of all kinds, from that of Kings to that of 
 Slaves, and with the fejh of horfes and that of their 
 riders : an expreflive picture of the immenfe flaugh- 
 ter that is going to be made. It would feem that 
 this bloody icene wHl terminate in the evening of 
 
 the 
 
 in the Greek : to tbefufper of ike great God.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 421 
 
 die day, as the invitation is given to & fupper. 
 
 Then 
 
 v. 19. And I few t'he Beaft and the Kings of the 
 earth, and their armies gathered together ', to make tzar 
 with kirn that fat upon the horfe^ *d with his army. 
 We have juft now feen the Heavenly Captain on 
 horfeback at the head of his holy troop marching to 
 battle-, and now we fee who ar-e tbe enemies he 
 comes to encounter. Here is the Btaft, or Antichrift, 
 with prodigious armies gathered from all parts of 
 the earth, and headed by their Kmgs and Princes, 
 Here they are met with that Satanic delign of en- 
 gaging in battle with him who fits upon the harfe, the 
 Omnipotent Son of God. The Kings tf the earth, 
 fays the Royal Pfalmifl, have Jlood #/>, and the 
 Princes have met together^ againft the Lora\ and 
 againjt bis Chrift: but thou, O Chrift, Jhdt break 
 them in pieces like a potter's vejfel. (Pfahn 2. v, 2. 9.)* 
 No more is man than a potter's veffel, when he con- 
 tends with the Almighty. The decifive moment is 
 come. This is the day of the Lord in the valley cf de- 
 ftruRion (Joel iii. 14.). This is the great day of the 
 Almighty God (Apoc. xvi. 14.), in which he will fhevr 
 to whom belong Empire and Victory. For 
 
 v. 20. And the Beaft 'was taken, purfues St. John, 
 and with him the falfe Prophet^ who wrought figns 
 before him, wherewith he feduced them who received 
 the char after of the beaft, and who adored his image, 
 fhefe two were cajl alive into the pool of fire burning 
 with brimjlone. At the terrible appearance of Chrift 
 defending through ,the fkies with his army, his ene- 
 mies are ftruck with dread and confternation ; and 
 by his order the Beaft, Antichrift, is feized and 
 made captive, and with him the great Impoftor, 
 E e 3 his
 
 422 T*E ; GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 his falfe-prophet, who by delufive^f/w and wonders 
 had feduced fuch numbers to become the Beaft\ 
 Votaries. Chrift: with tlie fole breath of his mouth 
 hurls down Antichrift alive into Hell-fire, that 
 "wicked mart) whom, as St. Paul informs us, the 
 Lord -Jefus Jhall kill, or exterminate, with the breath 
 of .his mouth, and fa all deftrcy -with the brightncfs of 
 his coming (2 ThefT. ii. 8.). The Prophet Ifaiali had 
 like wife faid : with the breath of bis lips hejhalljlay 
 the wicked man (xi. 4.). The falfe prophet is alio 
 precipitated down along with his mafter. 1 hus will 
 be exterminated that Beajl, Antichrift, the greateft 
 monfter of impiety the earth ever bore, the declared 
 enemy of Chrift, the man of fin , the f on of perdition, 
 as St. Paul ftiies him, an Idolater, a mock-god, a 
 more cruel perfecutor of the Chriilians than Nero 
 or Dioclefian. From the pinnacle of arrogance and 
 power he will be flung down, and in a moment bu- 
 ried alive in the bottomlefs pit. ./ have feen the 
 wicked man, fays the Pfalmift, highly exalted, and 
 lifted up like the Cedars of Lib anus. And I faffed by^ 
 and lo be we*: not : and I fonght him, and his place 
 was not found. (Pfalm 36. v. 35.) Laftly 
 
 v. 21. .And the reft were Jlain, continues St. John, 
 by the fiffcrd of him that fit teth upon the horfc, which 
 -prcceedeth out of bis mouth : and all the birds were 
 filled with their flejh. Immediately upon the deftruc- 
 tion of Antichrjit and the falfe prophet, the whole 
 3rmy is flaughtered i Chrift commanding his two- 
 edged facrd, or giving it to an Angel, to do the 
 execution. In fuch a wide field of carnage, the 
 birds qi the air, which had all been invited to this 
 [upper, are no\v filed and fated with the flcjh of the 
 dead bodies. If I Jhall whet my fword a$ the
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 423 
 
 faid the Lord, find my hand take hold of Judg- 
 ment : I will render vengeance to my enemies, and re- 
 pay them that bate me. My fw or d Jhall devour flejh. 
 
 'P.rai/e his people, ye nations, for he will revenge 
 
 the blood ofjyisfervavfs. (Deuter. xxxii. 41. 42. 43.)- 
 And thus we fee executed the ientence, taken notice 
 of before, which Chrift pronounced at the begin- 
 ning of AntichrilVs perfecution and war : He tbat 
 Jhall kill by the fevord, muft be killed by the fxcrd. 
 (Apoc. xiii. 10.). 
 
 Such will be the dreadful vengeance die Almighty 
 Son of Go d, .the King jf Kings and Lord of Lords, -will 
 take upon his enemies, and in this confpicuous man- 
 ner will he vindicate his Sovereign dominion, and re- 
 cue his faithful fervants from that intolerable tyranny 
 .they have laboured under for three years and a half. 
 But we feem to be furnifhed with further interesting 
 xrircumftances of this memorable day by the Pro- 
 .phet Zachary, if we understand right his following 
 prochecy. 
 
 Chap. xiv. v. i. Behald the .days of the Lord Jhall 
 some, and thy fpoils Jhall be divided in the midft of 
 ihee. 
 
 v. 2. And I izill gather .all nations to Jerufalem to 
 battle, and the city Jhall be taken, and the houjes shall 
 be rified, and the women shall be defiled : and half of 
 the city shall go forth into captivity, and the reft of 
 the people shall not be taken aivay out of the city. 
 This fiege and taking of Jerufalem by a body of 
 Antichrift's trgops we have explained before. Za- 
 chary goes on 
 
 v. 3. Then the Lord shall go forth, and shall fight 
 Againft thofe nations, as when he fought in the day of 
 battle. 
 
 E e 4 v. 4. And
 
 424 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 v. 4. And his feet shall ft and in 'that dvy upon-tfc 
 mount of Olives, which is over againft Jerufalcm to- 
 wards the eaft : and the mount of Olives shall be di- 
 vided in the midft thereof to the eaft, and to the weft 
 with a very great opening, and half of the mountain 
 shall be feparated to the north, and half thereof to 
 the foutb. 
 
 v. 5. And the Lord my God shall come, and 
 
 all the Saints with him. The Lord my God, the a! 7 
 mighty Son of God, will come, accompanied by all 
 the Saints (v. 5), as St. John reprefented him, and 
 he will deftroy at once all tbofe nations (v. 3), as 
 he deftroyed in the day of battle the Egyptians in 
 the red fea. Mount Olivet, it is here iaid (y. 4), 
 mall be fplit in two , in order perhaps to open a 
 paffage to Antichrift and his falfe Prophet, at the 
 moment they are caft down alive into the infernal 
 pit. Chrift will ftand upon the mountain , and while 
 he is in this pofture, the immenfe heap of (lain lying 
 in the plains below him, may not his enemies then 
 be truly faid to be made his footftpol (Pialm, 109. 
 v. i)? 
 
 v. 6. And it shall come to pafs in that day, con- 
 tinues Zachary, that there shall be no light, but cold 
 and fro/}. 
 
 v. 7. And there shall be one day, which if known 
 tc the Lord, not day nor night : and 'in the time of the 
 evening there shall be light. That one day, known to 
 the Lord, is the day of vengeance upon Antichrift 
 and his people, which properly will neither be day 
 nor night, the Sun, moon, and ftars being obfcured 
 and veiled over, as we learned from Joel faying of 
 that day, the fun and the moon are darkened, and the 
 fttrs have with drawn their shining (jii. 15.). The 
 
 light
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 425 
 
 Tight that will then illuminate the earth, will be 
 that refplendent brightnefs with which our Saviour 
 will come down to do the execution. While the 
 rays of the Sun are thus intercepted, no wonder 
 the air grows cold and frofty. But in the evening 
 (here will be light, that is, when the fcene is over, 
 and Chrift mounted up back to heaven, the Sun's 
 light will return, viz, in the evening, the time indi- 
 cated alfo by St. John in the invitation of the birds 
 to a Supper. 
 
 v. 12. And this Jhdl be the plague, wherewith the 
 Lord Jhall ftrike all nations that have fought againjl 
 Jerufaletn : the fiejh of every one Jhall confume away 
 while they ftand upon their feet, and their eyes Jhall 
 confume away in their holes, and their .tongue- shall con- 
 fume away in their mouth. While Anticrift's armies 
 in the vale of Jofaphat are flain by the fword, thofe 
 troops, which took Jcrulalem in the abovemen- 
 tionecl fiege and treated there the fervants of God 
 ib barbaroufly, will be punifhed by their flesh melt- 
 ing and confuming away, &c, and thus the people 
 will be preferred from any flench of the carcales. 
 
 v. 1 6. And all they that shall be left of all nations 
 that came againjl Jerufalem, shall go up from year 
 to year, to adore the King, the Lord of Hefts, and 
 to keep the feaft of tabernacles. 
 
 v. 17. And it shall come to pafs, that he that shall 
 not go up of the families of the land to Jerufalem, to 
 adore the King, the Lord of hofis, there shall be no 
 rain upon them. Thofe that join not Antichrift's 
 army, but remain in their country, will be ordered 
 to depute a certain number of perfons to go. every 
 year to Jerufalem to celebrate the Feaft of 'Taber- 
 vacks : and if any country neglect this obligatory 
 
 devotion
 
 426 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 devotion, it will be punifhed by the want of rain. 
 The feaft of Tabernacles was kept by the Jews in 
 memory of their fojourning forty years in the defart, 
 and in this place may fignify the Solemn Fcftival, 
 which will be annually obferved by the Chriftians a 
 Jerufalem, in memory of their deliverance from 
 Antichrift, by the deftruction of him and his people 
 in .and near that city. And as the Feaft of the Ta- 
 bernacles was kept on the i5th of the Hebrew 
 month Tizri, which anfwers to the moon of our 
 September - t this may indicate that the great day of 
 ckftrucYion will happen about the autumnal equinox \ 
 in which cafe counting back three years and a half, 
 Antichrift will begin his war and perfection in 
 Ipring. 
 
 Though we have already feen a pretty ample ac- 
 count of the fate of Antichrifl, we feem however to 
 be prefented with another beautiful picture of it, 
 illuftratcd even with ibme new fcenes, by the Pro- 
 phet Ifaiah. Thus fpeaks he : 
 
 Chap. xiv. v. 3. And it shall come to pafs in that 
 day, that when God shall give thee reft from thy labour \ 
 mid from thy vexation, and from the hard bondage, 
 wherewith thon didft fervc before, 
 
 v. 4. 'Thou shalt take up this parable againft the 
 King of Babylon, and shalt fay : How is the opprejjor 
 come to nothing, the tribute hath ceafed ? 
 
 v. 5. The Lord has broken the Jlaff of the wicked, 
 the rod of the rulers, 
 
 v. 6. That Jlruck the people in wrath with an in- 
 curable wound, that brought nations under in fury, 
 that perfecuted in a cvuel manner. 
 
 v. 7. 'The whole earth is quiet and ftill, it is glad 
 and hath rejoiced. 
 
 Though
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 427 
 
 Though this prophecy may in feme meafure relate 
 to the King of Ancient Babylon, yet it Teems to be prin- 
 cipally fpoken of Antichrift, King of the laft Babylon, 
 and to be finally completed in him. It is ufual with 
 Prophets to join in the fame defcription two objects 
 that have a relation one to the other. Here then the 
 Almighty tells his people that, when they mail be 
 freed from their labour, vexation, and hard bondage 
 under Antichrift, (v. 3.) they (hall addrefs Heaven 
 in a hymn of praife and thankfgiving, faying : bow 
 is the oppreffor, Antichrift, come to nothing? T'be 
 Lordhath broken. the ft aff of the wicked, the rod of the 
 riders, that ftruck the people in wrath with an in- 
 curable wound^ that brought nations under in fury, that 
 perfecuted in a cruel manner : and now the whole earth 
 is quiet and ft ill, it is glad and hath rejoiced, (v. 4. 5. 
 
 6. 7 .) 
 
 v. 9. Hell below, continues the prophet, was in an 
 uproar to me.et thee at thy coming, it ftirred up the 
 giants for thee. All the Princes of the earth are 
 rifen up from their thrones, ell the princes of nations. 
 
 v. TO. All shall an fwer and fay to thee : 'Thou alfo 
 art wounded as well as we, thou art become like unto 
 us. 
 
 v. 1 1 . Fby pride is brought down to hell, thy car- 
 cafs is fallen down : under thee shall the moth be ftrew- 
 ed, and worms shall be thy covering. Here we fee the 
 reception Antichrift meets with at his arrival in the 
 infernal regions. All Hell is in an uproar, the Princes, 
 the Giants or famous warriors, whom he had flain, 
 rife tip and advance to meet him, addreffing him 
 with derifion : Oh ! Vbou art alfo wounded then as 
 well as we, thou art at laft dealt with as thou dealt 
 with us : 1 by pride is brought down to hell, &c. 
 
 V. 12.
 
 428 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 v. 12. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, 
 who didft rife in the morning ? how art thou fallen 
 to the earth^ that didft wound the nations ? 
 
 v. 13. And thou faidft in thy heart : I will afcend 
 into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the ftars of 
 God, / will fit in the mountain of the covenant, in the 
 fides of the north. 
 
 v. 14. / will afcend above the height of the clouds, 
 I will be like the moft High. 
 
 v. 15. But yet thou Jhalt be brought down to hell, 
 into the depth of the pit. The Princes in hell con- 
 tinue to infult Antichrift, faying : How art thou 
 fallen, thou that fhone in majefty and brightnefs like 
 Lucifer, the morning ftar ? They remind him of his 
 former pride, arrogance, fuperlative infolence, his 
 proclaiming himfelf God, &c. all which they paint 
 in lively colours : After which with a contemptuous 
 triumph they tell him : But yet thou Jhalt be brought 
 down to hell into the depth of the pit. 
 
 v. 1 6. They that fhall fee thee, Jhall turn towards 
 thee, and behold thee : is this the man that troubled the 
 earth, that /hook kingdoms, 
 
 v. 17. hat made the world a wildernefs, anddejlroyed 
 the cities thereof, that opened not the prifon to bis 
 prifoners ? 
 
 v. 1 8. All the Kings of the nations have all of them 
 Jlept in glory, every one in his own houje. 
 
 v. 1 9. But thou art caft out of thy grave, as an unpro- 
 fitable branch defiled, and wrapped up among them that 
 are Jlain by the fword, and are gone down to the bot- 
 tom of the pit, as a rotten carcafs. 
 
 CHAP- 

 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 429 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 The Continuation of the Hi/lory of the Sixth 
 Age. 
 
 NOtwithftanding the vengeance of God has 
 thus manifefted itfelf in the total extermina- 
 tion of Antichrift and his armies, his wrath is not 
 yet fatisfied, but requires more vidims to atone for 
 the injury done to his holy worfhip by the eftablim- 
 ment of idolatry, and for the cruelties exercifed upon 
 his fervants. The Almighty had formerly poured 
 out his indignation upon the Roman Emperors, 
 many of whom were ftruck, and perifhed under the 
 vifible marks of his judgments. But this was not 
 fufficient, he devoted haughty imperial Rome, their 
 Capital, to deftruflion, and laid it in ames. It had 
 participated with its mafters in the crime of fupport- 
 ing Idolatry, and waging war againft the Saints, 
 and therefore like them was to be cut off. In the 
 fame manner Conftantinople, the centre and metror 
 polis of the Antichriftian Empire, muft alfo fall 
 under the weight of the hand of God. This we 
 learn from St. John : for thus fpeaks he 
 
 Chap. xiv. v. 8. And another Angel followed, faying : 
 That great Babylon is fallen, is fallen*: which made all 
 nations to drink of the wine of the ivratb of her forni- 
 
 caticn 
 
 9 In the Greek. Babylon thegrtat dty is fallen, is fallen.
 
 430 THE GENERAL HISTORV 
 
 cation. This Babylon has been fuppofed by many 
 Interpreters to mean Pagan Rome, but whoever 
 ftudies the Apocalypie with attention, will fee the 
 error of that opinion. For St. John gives the dcl- 
 truftion of heathen Rome in the beginning of the 
 1 8th chapter, as we have before feen, and in the 
 fame terms as are ufed here : and as St. John never 
 repeats the fame event, this fecond Babylon muft be 
 another city, the great city, which, like ancient 
 Rome, has mads all nations to drink of the izine of the. 
 arath of her fornication or Idolatry. This Babylon 
 therefore can be no other than Conftantinople, the 
 Imperial city of Antichrift, which has fo readily 
 joined him in admitting Idolatry, and fo hotly con- 
 curred to propagate it over the whole earth. Be- 
 fides, the fame conclufion follows from obferving, 
 that the traniacYions related in this fourteenth chap- 
 ter belong to the laft period of the world. Other 
 proofs will allb prefently occur. 
 
 But our Chriftian Prophet has not only announced 
 to us in general the fall of this laft Babylon, but even 
 gives us a fpecifkal defcription of it's deftruction. 
 This is found in the latter part of the iSth Chapter. 
 St. John, after carrying on his narrative of the fate 
 of Old Rome, in the firit part of the fame chapter, 
 proceeds in ver. 2Oth, to invite Heaven and the 
 Saints to rejoice and exult on the occafion : Rejoice 
 over her, fays he, thou heaven, and ye holy A-poftles 
 and Prophets : for God has judged your judgment en 
 her. This indicates that he here concludes his def- 
 cription of the fall of Babylon or pagan Rome. 
 What follows, belongs therefore to the fecond 
 Babylon or Conftantinople, and is related thus : 
 
 Chap.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 431 
 
 Chap, xviii. v. zi, And a mighty Angel took up a ft one y 
 as it were a great Mill-Jlone, and coft it into the Sea, 
 faying : with fuch 'violence as this jfjall Babylon that 
 great city be thrown down, and Jhall be found no more 
 at all. Here then Conftantinople falls, and the 
 manner of her fall is exprefied in clear and energic 
 terms. As a Milftone thrown with violence into the 
 fca finks to the bottom in a moment, fo will Conftan- 
 tinople be fwallowed up by die fea in an inftant, 
 never more to be feen. 
 
 This defcription cannot, it is evident, belong to 
 Rome which does not (land upon the fea. Befides, 
 ancient Rome after it's deftru&ion was in fome de- 
 gree rebuilt and (till fubfifls , whereas this laft Baby- 
 lon after it's fate Jhall be found no more at all. 
 The Prophet goes on 
 
 v. 22. And the voice of harper s, and of mufidans^ 
 and of them that play on the pipe and on the trumpet l , 
 Jhall no more be heard at all in thee, and no craftfman 
 of any art whatfoever Jhall be found any more at all in 
 thee, and the found of the mill Jhall be heard no more 
 at all in thee. 
 
 v. 23. And the light of the lamp Jhall Jhine no more 
 at all in thee, and the voice of the bridegroom and brids 
 (hall be heard no more at all in thee : for thy merchants 
 were the great men of the earth, for all nations have 
 been deceived by thy enchantments. Neither mufick, 
 nor dancing, of which the eaftern nations are fond, 
 nor other diverfions, mall ever more be heard or 
 feen in that city, &c. All is profound filence, and 
 utter defolation. No more veftiges even of that 
 great city remaining than of Sodom and Gomorha -, 
 the very place buried in the deep. Her crimes had 
 grown to their fall meafure. Her Luxury had been 
 
 exceffive,
 
 432 THE GENERAL HISTO&Y 
 
 excefiive, to ferve which the great men and the 
 Princes of the earth had been compelled to ftrip 
 themfelvcs and to furnilh her with every thing that 
 was valuable. Her Voluptuoufnefs was fuch that 
 Ihe feduced all tbe nations by her riches and her 
 pleafures, which, like an enchantment, fafcinate the 
 minds of men. By theie allurements flie had, like 
 ancient Rome, enfnared mankind into her vices and 
 idolatry. 
 
 Such is the general view of the ftate of that im- 
 perial city, as it will be at the time of her fall. But 
 what completed to make her infinitely odious in the 
 fight of God, and to force down the Divine Ven- 
 geance upon her, was 
 
 v. 24. And in her, fays St. John, was found the 
 blood of Prophets and of Saints, and of all that were 
 Jlain upon the earth. In the exultation for the fall of 
 pagan Rome in verfe 20th the Apoftles were men- 
 tioned, becauie their blood was found there, as ha r 
 ving been fpih by her Emperors and Magiftrates. 
 This not being the cafe of the laft Babylon or Con- 
 Itantinople, in her is found the blood of Prophets and 
 of Saints, of Henoch and Elias, and of an infinite 
 multitude of Chriftian Martyrs, cruelly put to death 
 by her Emperor, Antichrift, and his Magiftrates ; 
 blood, which cried to Heaven for vengeance, and in 
 which {he had a mare. It is even faid that in her 
 was found the blood of all that were Jlain upon the 
 earth. All this blood is imputed to the city of Con- 
 ftantinople, becauie me was the Capital of Anti- 
 chrift's Empire, which extended over the whole 
 Earth. In this fame fenfe it was faid that Heathen 
 Rome was drunk with the blood of the Saints, and 
 with the blood of the Martyrs of Jefus, (Apoc. xvii. 
 
 6.), not
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 433 
 
 60, not only of thofe who had been put to death 
 within her walls, but likewife of all others who had 
 fuffered in the extent of her dominions through the 
 whole period of the perfections. 
 
 As the fubverfion of the Antichriftian Babylon, 
 in the prophetic hiftory, follows immediately that of 
 the Roman Babylon ; in like manner the exultations 
 in Heaven for both are joined to one another. The 
 jubilation for the fall of pagan Rome begins thus : 
 After, thefe things I heard as it were the voice of a 
 great multitude in heaven, faying, ALLELUIA. &c. 
 -(Apoc. xix. i.). And that for the fall of Conftantino- 
 ple, thus : And I heard as it were the voice of a great 
 multitude faying, Alleluia, &c. (ibid. v. 6.) The 
 i'aine mode of ipeech ufed in both thefe places, as 
 St. John never repeats the fame thing, fncws that thefe 
 exprefilons of Jubilation relate to two different objects, 
 that is, to the fall of two different Babylons. This 
 obfervation premiied, the prefent exultation is 
 
 Chap. xix. v. -6. And I heard, fays St; John, as 
 if were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice 
 cf many waters, and as the voice of great thunders, 
 faying, Alleluia : for the Lord our Gad the Almighty 
 hatkreigned. St. John heard the voice of a grcc.t 
 multitude in heaven, of that great multitude of mar- 
 tyrs which he had feen fianding before the throne, and 
 who had come out of the great tril>ulaiicn, f or perfxu- 
 tion of Antichrift (Apoc. vii. 9. 140. To thefe is 
 joined a voice, as the voice of many waters* that is, 
 of the Angels that prefide over Nations, denoted by 
 WAters, which had all before groaned under the ty- 
 ranny of Antichrift : and < iio mother voice, like the 
 voice ot great thunders, or. .01 the Angel that pre- 
 fides over fire, which as e npluyed in military tn^ 
 gines, by it's explofion refemblss thunder -, and fuch 
 F f thundering
 
 434 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 thundering fire was the inftrument Antichrift had 
 made ufe of to kill the third part of men (Apoc. ix. 
 r8.). All thefe different perlbnages have therefore 
 reafon to rejoice on this occafion, and to join their 
 X'oices in fmging, Alleluia : for the Lord our God the 
 Almighty hatb rdgved, has afferted h?s Sovereign 
 jx>v.*cr, and crufhed his enemies. 
 
 The Prophet Ilaiah, in denouncing the Divine 
 v.'raih upon Babylon of Chaldasa, ieems alib to have 
 annexed the Judgment that is to fall upon the laft 
 or Antichriftir.n Babylon. The fall of the firft is 
 fully defcribed in chap, ijth, and what follows in 
 the fubfequent chapter mult therefore belong to ano- 
 ther city ; which is confirmed by particular circum 
 ftances tliere related. Fart of the preamble ufed by 
 that Prophet ieems alfo to be referred to the lull 
 Babylon. Thus fpeaks he 
 
 ' Chap. xiii. v. 9. Behold, the day of the Lord Jhall 
 come, a cruel day, and full of indignation, and of 
 ivrath, and fury, to lay the land dfcfolate, and to de- 
 
 Jiroy thejinners thereof. 
 
 v. 10. For the ftars of heaven, and their brightnefs 
 
 Jhall not difplay their light : the fun Jhall be darkened 
 in his rifing, find the moon Jhall not Jhine with her light. 
 Thefe figns indicate the laft age of the world. 
 
 v. 1 1 . And I will vifit the evils of the world, and 
 p.vainft the wicked for their iniquity, and I will make 
 
 the pride of infdels to ceafe^ and will bring down the 
 
 arrogar.ee of the mighty. 
 
 Then in the next chapter the Prophet after de- 
 
 fcriblng the character of Antichrift and the divine 
 
 Judgment upon him, proceeds to relate the deilruc- 
 
 tion of his Babylon thus, 
 
 . xiv. v. 22. And I will rife up cgainft them, 
 
 fc.ilh the Lord cf Hvfts : and I will dfjlroy the name
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 435 
 
 of Babylon, and the remains, and the bud, and the 
 offspring, faith the Lord. 
 
 v. 23. And I will make it a pcffejjion for the eri- 
 cins * and pods of waters, and I will fweep it, and 
 wear it out with a befom, faith the Lord of hofts. 
 The Remains of Babylon ; the bud of Babylon, per- 
 haps the Children in the womb ; and the offspring, 
 are all doomed to be utterly extirpated. This did 
 not happen to the Chaldean Babylon, which was 
 gradually abandoned by it's inhabitants ; and will 
 only therefore be completed in Babylon, the great- 
 city of Antichrift. 
 
 We have now feen the execution of the Divine 
 Judgments upon Antichrift's armies and his great 
 city. But as his Magiftrates and his adherents, who 
 are difperfed in all the different countries of the 
 earth, may be deemed equally guilty with thofe that 
 have perilhed, it feems to appear that the hand of 
 divine vengeance will alfo reach them. This is an* 
 nounced immediately after the fentence paft upon 
 the laft Babylon, and is as follows : 
 
 Chap. xiv. v. 9. And the third Angel followed them, 
 faying with a loud voice : If any man Jhall adore the 
 Beaft and his image, and receive his character in his 
 forehead, or in his hand ; 
 
 v. 10. He alfo ft all drink of the wine of the wrath 
 of God, which is mingled with pure wine in the cup of 
 h's wrath, and Jhall be tormented with fire and brim- 
 ft one in thejight of the holy Angels, and in the fight cf 
 the Lamb. Thofe therefore that have adored the 
 Beaft, or Antichrift, and his image, and received his 
 character or mark, are condemned to drink of the 
 F f 2 wine 
 
 * a water-bird.
 
 436 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 wine of the wrath of God, which is mingled with pure 
 wine in the cup of his wrath, that is, thole who have 
 been guilty of all the three abbvenamed crimes, they 
 will be (lain, in the fame manner as Antichrift's army. 
 To -drink of the wine of the wrath of God, denotes 
 the divine punifhment on the body or corporeal part 
 of man, as wine itfelf is not a pure fubftance but 
 contains grofs lees : and the mixture of pure wine in 
 the cup of the wrath of God, indicates the fimulta- 
 neous punifhment of the foul, which is a pure fub- 
 ilance* and which on the {laughter of the body is 
 violently feparated from it. When both thefe com- 
 ponent parts, foul and body, are reunited' at the ge- 
 neral judgment, then the whole mznjball be tormented 
 with fire and brimftone in hell in the fight of the holy 
 Angels and in the Jight of the Lamb. But 
 
 v. 1 1 . And the fmoke of their torments, proceeds 
 St. John, Jhall afcend up * for ever and ever : neither 
 have they reft day nor night, who have adored the beaft 
 and his image, and wbojbeyer receives the character of 
 his name. Here is the prefent fate of the foul, 
 which at the inftant of death is tormented in hell-fire, 
 without intermiffion or reft : which is the fentence 
 pronounced upon all thofe who have adored the Beaft 
 &c, whatever may be their death, and whenever it 
 may happen. Then St. John adds 
 
 v. 12. Here is the patience of the Saints, who keep 
 the commandments of God, and the faith of Jefus. 
 Here is the motive, on which is founded the patience 
 of the true fervants of God, namely, in bearing 
 with all trials, hardihips, and perfections in this 
 
 life, 
 
 in the Greek, afccnds up
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 437 
 
 life, with the view of avoiding the eternal torments, 
 and purchafmg the eternal rewards, of the other 
 world. 
 
 The preceding dreadful judgment of God on the 
 Votaries of Antichrift, wherever they be, feems to 
 be alfo foretold explicitly by the Prophet Jeremy, 
 as follows : 
 
 Chap. xxv. v. 15. Thus faith the Lord of hojls, the 
 God of Ifrael : take the cup of wine of this fury at my 
 hand: and thou /half make all the nations to drink 
 thereof j unto- which IJhallfend tbee. Expreflion fimi- 
 lar to what we faw above in St. John. 
 
 v. 30. And thou (halt prophefy unto them all thefe 
 words i and thou /halt fay to them: the Lord flail roar 
 from on high, and Jhall utter his 'voice from his holy 
 habitation : roaring he Jhall roar upon the place of his 
 beauty : the flout as it were of them that tread grapes, 
 flail be given out agaiujl all the inhabitants of the 
 earth. 
 
 v. 3 1 . The noife is come to the ends of the earth : 
 for the Lord enter eth into judgment with the nations.: 
 he enter eth into judgment with allfiefl, the wicked I 
 have de-liver ed up to tbefwcrd, faith the Lord. 
 
 v. 32. Thtis faith the Lord of hofts : behold evil 
 fhall go forth from nation to nation : and a great whirl- 
 wind foali go forth from the ends of the earth. 
 
 v. 33. And thejlain of the Lord Jhall be at that day 
 from one end of the earth even to the other end thereof: 
 they Jhall not be lamented, and they Jhall not be gathered 
 up, nor buried : they Jhall lie as dung upon the face of 
 the earth. Here is the tremendous roaring noife (v. 
 30. 31.), before taken notice of from Joel, of Chrifl 
 coming down from Heaven to deftroy Antichrift and 
 his people. The Lord entereth into judgment with 
 F f 3 all
 
 4j3 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 all flejh, and delivers the wicked up to the fword 
 (v. 31.), and tbejlain of the Lord jh all be at that day 
 from one end of the earth even to the ether end thereof 
 (v. 33.). Hence it appears, that not only Anti- 
 ehriit's armies, aftbmbled in the valley of Jofaphat, 
 ihall be flam by the fword, but all his principal ido- 
 latrous abetters fhall be cut off in the , fame manner 
 in every part of the earth. Moreover we are here 
 told, they Jkall not be lamented, and they fhall not le 
 gathered up, nor buried: they Jh all lie as dung upon the 
 face of the earth. The fame we alfo learn from the 
 Prophet Ifaiah: And they (the people) jhall go out, 
 fays he, and fee the carcaffes of the men that bai'e 
 tranfgreffed againft me : their worm Jhall not die, and 
 their f re Jhall not be quenched : and they fa all be a loath- 
 fome fight to all flejh (Ixvi. 24.). It may feem ft range 
 that the inhabitants of Jerufalem mould not be an- 
 noyed with the ftench of fuch a heap of dead bodies 
 lying fo near them in the vale of Jofaphat ; but the 
 infection is prevented by the birds devouring the 
 fiefh, as St. John told us, and leaving the bodies 
 mere fkeletons. 
 
 By the deftruclion of Antichrift, his armies, 
 officers, and chief affociatcs, we now fee his King- 
 dom diflblved, his power totally extingufhed, arid 
 confequently the Roman Empire finally put an end 
 to. The Prophet Daniel had foretold that Chrifl or 
 the ftone that was cut out of the mountain without 
 hands mould break down the Jlatue, the legs and feet 
 of which reprefented the Roman Empire. This 
 was executed in part by the fall of Pagan Rome 
 with it's dominion, and by the eftablifhment of 
 Chriftianity upon it's ruins. But this Prophecy 
 feems to receive a further, adequate, and final rorn- 
 
 pletion
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 439 
 
 pJetion in the extermination of Antichrift, the lail 
 and greateft of the Roman Emperors , in the deftruc- 
 tion of Constantinople, his imperial city, and in 
 the total fuppreflion of the Antichriftian power. 
 From fuch a complete victory over it's enemies riles 
 then the completeft triumph of the Chriftian Reli- 
 gion. Such appears to be the import: of that pro- 
 phecy, in which Daniel fpeaks thus to Nabu- 
 cho Jonofor : Tbns thou fawtft, till a Jlone was cut out 
 of a mountain without bands : and it Jiruck tie faiue 
 upon the feet thereof that were of iron and of cla\, 
 and broke them in pieces : then 'was the iron, the ckiv, 
 the brafs, the fifocr and the gold broken to pieces together, 
 and became like the chaff of a fummer's threjhing ficor, 
 and they were carried away with the wind : and there 
 was no place found for them: but the Jlone that Jiruck 
 the Jlaius became a great mountain, and filled the whole 
 earth, (ii. 34. 35.) 
 
 Here then we may congratulate ourfelves for hav- 
 ing feen at laft an end put to the innumerable evils 
 and mifenies, which Antichrift brought upon man- 
 kind, and which St. John denominates the fecond. 
 wo, Chap. xi. 14. 1'be feccnd wo, fays he, is pf.Jl : 
 and behold., the third wo will ccm quickly. The 
 above difmal fcene being over, the rcfpite will not be 
 of very long du ration j for behold, the third W.Q, or 
 or day of judgment, will come quickly, is not far 
 off. 
 
 But now the fervants of God feemecl at iaft to be 
 refcued from their intolerable flavery, and were 
 Oiuch rejoiced at the profpecl of a happy peace. 
 They faw, their perfecutors had all perifhed under 
 the hand of the Almighty, they faw Idolatry crufli- 
 ed, and that Religion had regained .it's liberty. 
 This bright gleam of happinefs muft however fuffer 
 F f 4 fome
 
 440 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 feme obfcurity yet for a little while, before it mines 
 forth in all it's luftre. An unforefeen ftorm arifes, 
 which alarms them, efpecially thofe that inhabit 
 Judea and Jerufalem. Satan, foiled in his prior defigns 
 before he could bring them to perfection, retires at 
 leeing the divine vengeance coming to break on the 
 head of Antichrift, and refolves to try another effort, 
 if not effectual for recovering his power, at Icaft to 
 annoy and diftrefs thofe he hates, the Chriftians. 
 He therefore fets forward to raife up new enemies. 
 This we learn from St. John, who fays 
 
 Chap. xx. v. 7. And when the theufand years flail 
 le f.nifled, Satan flail be loofed out of his prifon, and 
 Jh all go forth., and fedtice the nations, which are over 
 the four quarters cf the earth* Gog, and Magog, and 
 flail gather them together to laiile, the number of 
 whom is as the fand of the Sea. We have already 
 ken how Satan flirred up the nations, which are over 
 the four qmrters of the earth, and what defolation 
 and havock they made. He now infligates another 
 great Prince, named Gog, to rife with his people, 
 who are called Magog, and with other nations, 
 and to proceed againft the people of God. The 
 omifTion here of the ufual conjunctive particle and 
 before the name of Gog, may be one among other 
 indications, that this is a different army from that 
 of the nations juft before mentioned, and will come 
 at a different time. But of this Prince and his army 
 and their march, we have a more explicit account in 
 the Prophet -Ezechicl, who gives it thus : 
 
 Chap, xxxviii. v. i. And the ivord cf the Lord 
 fame to me, faying : 
 
 V. 2,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 44; 
 
 v. 2. Son of man, fet thy face againft Gog, the land 
 of Magog, the chief Prince of Mofoch and fhubal; 
 and Prophefy of him, 
 
 v. 3. And fay to him : Thus faith the Lord God: 
 Behold I come againft thee, Gog, the chief prince of 
 Mfffoch and Thubal. 
 
 v. 4. And I will turn thse about, and I will put a 
 bit in thy jaws : and I will bring thee forth, and all 
 thy army, horfes and horfemen all clothed with coats of 
 mail, a great multitude, armed with fpears andjbields 
 and fwords. 
 
 v. 5. The Perfians, Ethiopians, and Lybians with 
 them, all withjhields and helmets. 
 
 v. 6. Corner, and all his bands, the houfe of Ths- 
 gorma, from the northern parts, and all his. jlrengtb 
 and many people with thee. 
 
 v. 7. Prepare and make thy f elf ready, and all thy 
 multitude that is ajj'embled about thee: and be thoit 
 commander over them. Here then the Almighty chal- 
 lenges to battle the Prince Gog with all his great 
 multitude, or as St. John fays, the number of whom 
 is as the fand of the fea, confiding of the people of 
 Magog, that is, as commonly underftood, of a peo- 
 ple of Ancient Scythia, or what is now called great 
 Tartary, and of other Afiatic Provinces under the 
 names of Mofoch, Thubal, Corner, and ^'hogorma. 
 He will be alfo attended by the Perfians, Ethiopians, 
 and Lybians. The Almighty continues to fpeak 
 
 v. 8, And after many days thoujhalt be viftted : at 
 the end of years thou Jhalt come to the land that is re- 
 turned from the fword, and is gathered out of many na- 
 (ions, to the mountains of Ifrael which have been conti- 
 nually wafte : but it hath been brought forth out of the 
 nations, and they Jhall all of them dwell fe curdy in it. 
 
 Gog
 
 442 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Gog therefore will come at the end of years, or in thr 
 laft period of time, to the land that is returned from 
 the fword, and is gathered out cf many nations &V, 
 that is, he will come to invade Judaea, from whence 
 the Jews had been formerly expelled by the Roman 
 fword, but are now returned and become Chriftians, 
 and are refettled in their land, in the poffefiion of 
 which they will be fecured by the divine hand againft 
 all attempts. 
 
 v. 9. And thou (Gog) /halt go up And come like a 
 ftorm, and like a cloud to cover the land, thou and all 
 thy bands, and many people with thee. 
 
 v. 10. Thus faith the Lord God: In that day pro- 
 jeffs {hall enter into thy heart, and thoujhalt conceive a 
 mifchievous defign. 
 
 v. 1 1 . And thou Jhalt fay : I will go up to the land 
 which is without a wall, I will come to them that are at 
 reft, and dwell fecurely : all thefe dwell without a wall, 
 they have no bars nor gates. This refers to what St. 
 John relates of Gog and his army : And they came 
 upon the breadth of the earth, and encompajed the 
 camp of the Saints (the good Chriftians) and the be- 
 loved city of Jerufalem. (Apoc. xx. 8.)- It alib re- 
 fers to the future profperous ftate of that city as 
 foretold by the Prophet Zachary : Jerufalem (hall be 
 inhabited without walls, fays he, by reafon of the mul- 
 titude of men, and of the beafts in the midft thereof. 
 
 (ii. 4.). Ezechiel proceeds to give the reafon of 
 
 Gog's invading Jud^a : 
 
 v. 12. $0 take fpoils, and lay hold on the prey, to lay 
 thy hand upon them that had -been wafted, and after- 
 wards reftcred, and upon the people that is gathered to- 
 gether out of the nations, which hath begun to poffefs 
 and to dwell in the midjl of the earth. Here is the in- 
 ten*-
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 443 
 
 tent of Gog's coming, viz, to plunder the converted 
 Jews and Chriftians that are fettled in Judsea, and 
 who are come into poffeffion of the immenfe fpoils 
 of Antichriit's army, as we learn from the Prophet 
 Zachary who fpeaks thus of the abundance of thole 
 fpoils : And the riches of all nations round about jh all 
 be gathered together, gold, and Jilvcr, and garments in 
 great abundance (xiv. 14.). 
 
 v. 1 6. And then (Gog) (halt come, continues Eze- 
 chiel, upon my people of Ifrael like a cloudy to cover the 
 earth. 1'houjhalt be in the latter days, and I will bring 
 thee upon my land : that the nations may know me, when 
 IJhall be fanftified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. 
 
 v. 17. 'Thus faith the Lord God : Thou then art he, 
 of whom I have fpoken in the days of old, by my fervants, 
 the Prophets of Ifrael, who prophefted (n the days of tbofg 
 times that I would bring thee upon them : namely by the 
 Prophets Ifaiah and Joel, as we mail fee prefcntly, 
 befides Ezechiel. 
 
 v. 1 8. And it Jhall come to pafs in that *%, 
 in the day of the coming of Gog upon the land cf If- 
 rael, faith the Lord God, that my indignation Jhall come 
 up in my wrath. 
 
 v. 19. And I have fpoken in my zeal, and in the f re 
 of my anger, that in that day there //jail be a great com- 
 motion in the land of Ifrael. 
 
 v. 20. So that thefifoes ofthefea, and the birds of the 
 air, and the beafls of the field; and every creeping thing 
 that creeps upon the ground, and all men that are on the 
 face of the earth, fiall be moved at my pn 'fence : and the 
 mountains Jhall be thrown down, and the hedges flail fall, 
 and every wall Jhall fall to the ground. Here is men- 
 don of different alarming figns that will happen 
 about that time, fome of which are fimilar to the 
 
 followiag
 
 444 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 following related by St. John under the fixth leal : 
 every mountain, and the Jftands were moved out of their 
 place* : and the Kings of the earthy and the Princes, 
 and tribunes, and the rich and the Jlrong, and every bond- 
 wan, and every freeman hid themfelves in the dem and 
 in the rocks of mountains (Apoc. vi. 14, 15.). 
 
 v. 21. And I will call in, continues Ezechiel, the 
 fuoord againft him in all my mountains, faith the Lord 
 God : every man's fwotd (hall be pointed againft his bro- 
 ther. 
 
 v. 22. And I "will judge him with peftilence, and 
 with blood, and with violent rain, and vaft bail/I ones : 
 I will rain fire and brimflone upon him and upon his 
 arnry, and upon the many nations that are with him. 
 Here we fee in what manner the Almighty will de- 
 ftroy Gog with all his army in the mountains of Ju- 
 dasa, by turning every man's faord againft his brother, 
 bypijiihnce, by violent rain, and vafl hailftones ; and in 
 fine, he will rain fire and brimjlone upon them. To 
 the fame the Royal Pfalmift feems to allude, faying : 
 ^be Lord jh all rain fnares upon finners : fire and brim- 
 ftone andftorms of winds (ball be ike -portion of their cup, 
 (Pfalm x. 7.). St John alfo gives us their deftruc- 
 tion in few words, but to the fame purpofe : And 
 there came down fire from God cut of heaven, fays he, 
 end devoured them. (Apoc. xx. 9.). And thus is 
 fulfilled what God had promifed by his Prophet Za- 
 chary : / will be to Jerufalem, faith the Lord, a wall of 
 fire round about (ii.^.)- The Almighty again, fpeaking 
 by his Prophet Ifaiah, after proclaiming his future ven- 
 geance upon the Antichriilian Baby Ion, proceeds to an- 
 nounce alfo his judgments upon Gog in the fame ter- 
 rible language, (tiling that Prince the AJfyrian on ac- 
 count of his reigning over the country formerly 
 
 called
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 445 
 
 called Affyria : fo /hall it fall out, fays God ; that / 
 will deftroy the Affynan in my land, and upon my moun- 
 tains tread him under foot : and his yoke /hall be taken 
 away from them, and his burden /hall be taken off their 
 /houlder. (Ifai. xiv." 25.). And again : And the 
 Lord/hall make the glory of his voice to be heard, and 
 Jhall /hew the terror of his arm, in the threatening of 
 wrath, and the flame of devouring fire : he/foall crujh 
 to pieces with whirlwind and hailftones. For at the 
 voice of the Lord the AJJ'yrian fh all fear being ftruck 
 with the rod. (Ifai. xxx. v. 30. 31.) 
 
 Ezechial having defcribed the fate of Gog by an- 
 ticipation, is told to return to the hiftorical account 
 of him : 
 
 Chap, xxxix. v. i. And thou, fon of man, pro- 
 phefy againft Gog, and fay : thus faith the Lord God: 
 behold I come againft thee, O Gog, the chief prince of 
 Mofoch and Thubal. 
 
 v. 2. And I will tarn thee round, and will lead, 
 thee out, and will make tlee go up from the northern. 
 parts : and will bring thee upon the mountains of Ifrad. 
 
 v. 3. And I will break thy bow in thy left hand^ 
 find I will caufe thy arrows to fall out cf thy right 
 hand. 
 
 v. 4. Thou fhalt fall upon the mountains of Ifrael, 
 thou and all thy bands, and thy nations that are with 
 thee : I have given thee to the wild beafls, to the 
 birds, and to every fowl, and to the bec.fts of the earth 
 to be devoured. 
 
 v. 5. Thou /halt fall upon the face of the field: 
 for I have fpoken it, faith the Lord God. With this 
 account coincides what the Almighty promifes the , 
 Jews by the prophet Joel : I will remove far off from 
 you, fays he, the northern enemy : and I will drivi 
 
 him
 
 446 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 him into a land unpayable, and defart, with his fa<e 
 towards the eaft fea, and bis hinder part towards the 
 litmojl fea : and his ftink foall afcend, aud his rottennefs 
 jhall go up, becaufe he has done -proudly (ii. 20.). 
 Here the northern emmy points out Gog, who accord- 
 ing to Ezechiel comes from the northern farts (v. 2.). 
 He is driven into a land unpayable, that is, into the 
 mountains of Ifrad (v. 2.), where he is placed be- 
 tween the eaft or dead fea, and the utmoft or mediter- 
 ranean^. In rhefe mountains, after that fire from 
 heaven has 'flam him and his people, their carcafies 
 fliall lie to infect the air with jlench and rottenness. 
 The Lord continues to fpeak by Ezechiel : 
 
 v. 6. And I will fend a fire on Magog, and on 
 
 them that dwell confidently in the ijlands : and they 
 jball know that I am the Lord. Does not this perhaps 
 mean, that at the time that Gog perifhes, fire will 
 alfo be lent to make deft ruction in Magog, his own 
 country, and in the ijlands that are confederated with 
 him ? 
 
 v. 7. And I will make my holy name known in the 
 midjl of my people Ifrael, and my holy name Jhall be 
 profaned no more: and the gentiles Jljall know that I am 
 the Lord, the holy one of Jfrael. 
 
 v. 8. Behold it comsth, and it is done, faith the 
 Lord God : this is the day whereof I have fpoken. 
 
 v. 9. And the inhabitants Jhall go forth of the cities 
 cf Ifrael, and Jhall fct on fire and burn the weapons, the 
 Jhields, and the f pears, the bows and the arrows, and 
 the hand ftaves, and the pikes : and they Jhall burn 
 them with fire feven years. 
 
 v. 10. And they Jhall net bring wood cut of the 
 countries, nor cut down out of the for efts : for they Jhall 
 the weapons with fire, and Jhall make a prey of 
 
 them
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 447 
 
 'them to whom they had been a prey, and they Jhall rob 
 thofe that robbed them, faith the Lord God. 
 
 v. ii. And it Jhall come to pafs in that day, that 
 I will give Gog a noted place for a fepulcbre in Ifrael: 
 the valley of the pajfengers on the eaft of tie fea, which 
 jhallcnufe ajlcnijhment in them that pafs by : and there 
 Jhall they bury Gog, and all his multitude, and it Jkall 
 be called the valley of the multitude of Gog. ' 
 
 v. 12. And the koufe of Ifrael Jhall bury them for 
 feven months to cleanfe the lend. 
 
 v. 13. And all the people of the landfall bury him, 
 and it Jhall be unto them a noted day, wherein I was 
 glorified, faith the Lord God. 
 
 v. 14. And they Jhall appoint men to go continually 
 A 'I out the land, to bury end to fetk out them that were 
 remaining upon the face of the earth, that they may 
 cleanfe it : and after feven months tbey /hall begin to 
 
 tCtk. 
 
 v. 15, And they Jhall go about pfjfmg through the 
 land : and when they Jhall fee the bone cf a man, they 
 (ball jet up a fign by it, till the buriers bury it in the 
 valley of the multitude of Gog. 
 
 v. 1 6. And the name of the city Jhall be Amona, -\- 
 and they Jhall cleanfe the land. 
 
 v. 17. And thou, Son 'of man, faith the Lord 
 God, fey to every fowl, and to all the birds, and to all 
 the beajts of the field : Affemble yourfelves, make hafte\ 
 come together from every fide to my viffim, which Ijlay 
 for you, agreatvittim upon the mountains of IJrael : to 
 eat fejh, and drink blood. 
 
 v. 10. Ton Jhall eat the flejh of the mighty, and 
 you Jhall drink the blood of the princes af the earth : cf 
 
 rams 
 
 f Multitude.
 
 44$ THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 rams, and of 'lambs , and of he-gcats^ and bullocks ^ end 
 cf all that are well fed and fat. 
 
 Vo 19. And you (hall eat the fat till you be full, and 
 Jhall drink blood till you be drunk of the vittim which I 
 jhalljlay for you. 
 
 v. 20, And you Jhall be filled at my table with horfes^ 
 and mighty horfemen, and all the men of war^ faith the 
 Lord God. 
 
 v. 21. And I will fit my glory among the nations : and 
 all nations Jhall fee my judgment that I have executed, 
 and my hand that I have laid upon them. 
 
 Thus is Gog and his whole army exterminated. 
 They are not allowed to reach Jerufalem, but are 
 ftopt by the divine hand at a diftance in the mountains 
 of Judsea, where by fire from heaven and other ter- 
 rible judgments they all perifh. And thus ends that 
 impious enterprife of Gog, of which we have been 
 reading in Ezechiel a full hiftory rather than a pro- 
 phecy. 
 
 Satan is here again defeated ; nor is he now al- 
 lowed to make further attempts. He has done im- 
 menfe mifchief, by inducing mankind into idolatry 4 
 and raifing up a moft horrible perfecution againft the 
 faithful fervants of God. He has by his agents de- 
 folated countries, and dcflroyed a prodigious multi- 
 tude of the human race : for be was a murderer from 
 the beginning (John viii. 44.)- But, though he has 
 acted by the fuggeftion of his own malice and hatred 
 againft God and man, yet it has not been done with- 
 out the Almighty's permiffion, and it all ferves the 
 unfathomable purpofes of Divine Wifdom. But now 
 the period of the releafcment of Satan is elapfcd, in 
 confequence of which St. John informs us : 
 
 Chap.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 449 
 
 ; Chap. xx. v. 9. And the Devil, who fcduced tbem, 
 was caft into the pool of fire and brimftone^ 
 
 v. 10. V/here * both the beaft and the falfe Prophet 
 (hall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 
 Here the Prince of the infernal regions is caft down 
 again into his prifon, there to be cloied up ; and 
 is plunged into the lake of hell-fire, there to be tor- 
 mented for evermore with Antichrift and the falfe 
 prophet. One may fuppofe that the greateft part of 
 his hellifh crew are banimed along with him, to un- 
 dergo the fame fate. Some determinate number of 
 them may perhaps be permitted to remain upon 
 earth, to tempt mankind , as feemed to be the cafe 
 when Satan was bound up in the abyfs after the perfe- 
 cutions of the firft Chriftian ages : but the power of 
 thefe fiends will be circumfcribed within much nar- 
 rower bounds, than it was before. 
 
 One cannot but here take notice, that our incom- 
 parable Prophet opens to us a particular piece of 
 hiftory, which we were little acquainted with, namely, 
 that of Satan, the Prince of the Apoftate Angels. 
 In Chapter XII. we fee him falling down from 
 Heaven with his proud affociates. We fee his cha- 
 racter defcribed, and among other names there given 
 him he is ftiled the old Serpent., that is, that very 
 Serpent, which deceived Eve, and by her feduclion 
 ruined all mankind. After having done that mif- 
 chief, he proceeded by crafty infinm tion to work ' 
 upon mankind, and prevailed upon the greateft part 
 of them to abandon the worihip of their Creator, 
 
 * In the Greek : where the Beaft and falfe Prophet are, 
 And they (ball be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 
 
 G g and
 
 450 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 and to fubftitute Idolatry in it's place, that is, in 
 reality the worfhip of Satan himfelf,, and thus he 
 fcduced the whole world. At the rife of Chriftianity, 
 we fee him exerting his utmoft efforts to crufh it in 
 it's birth : for which purpofe he ftimuiatcd the. 
 Roman. Emperors and others to oppofe with all their 
 might the propagation of the Chriftian Religion.. 
 Chriil, with his fuperior power, fruftrated all theie 
 attempts , and expelkd Satan from the face of the 
 earth, and confined him in the infernal dungcon( Apoc. 
 c. 20.) , where he is to remain, for aa appointed period 
 of time, after the expiration of whkh he will be releaf- 
 ed for a fhort while. His employment will then be to 
 re-eftabliHi Idolatry, and to pcrfecute the Chriftian 
 Religion. Antichrill will be his great inilrument 
 for thefe purpofes. But after the extermination of 
 that Son cf perdition and the deftrudion of Gog r 
 Sataa himfelf will then be remanded back to his in- 
 ternal prilbn, never more to. go forth from it. Now 
 to relume the thread of onr hiltory. 
 
 The expullion of Satan from the earth who was 
 the author of Idolatry, and the extermination of 
 AnrJchrift who was it's fupporter, are followed by 
 the extirpation of Idolatry iticlf. For fuch feems to 
 'be the language of the Prophets. 'The loftinefs cf 
 men Jball be bowed down, fays Ifaiah, and the baugh- 
 tmefs of men Jball be bumbled^ axd the Lord alone Jball 
 be exalted in tbp.t day. And Idals fnall be utterly def- 
 troycd. (ii. 17.18.). Thus alfo fpeaks the Prophet 
 Sophonias : c Tbe Lard Jhdl be terrible upon them* and 
 /kail confume all the gods of the earth (ii. 1 1.)- In 
 like manner we fee the lame work of the Divine 
 i land announced to us by the Prophet Zachary : 
 And ii (hall come to pafc in that- day, faith the Lord of
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 451 
 
 kojls, that I will deftroy the names of Idols out of the 
 earth, and they Jhall be remembered no more (xiii. 2.). 
 It is fit the offspring mould follow the Parent, or 
 that Idolatry fhould difappear with Satan. 
 
 And now we feem to be arrived at the glorious 
 Epocha of the triumph of the Church over all her 
 enemies. The Tyrants, that domineered over her, 
 are crufhed -, the boifterous winds of perfccution are 
 ceafed ; and the anger- of God, before inflamed by 
 the exceffive wickednefs of mankind, is now ap- 
 peafecl and gives way to mercy. Idolatry is vanifli- 
 ed, and the Crofs of Chrift is the fole ftandard that 
 is acknov/ledged and reforted to. Chrift has fup- 
 p re lied all adverfe powers, both earthly and infernal, 
 and now extends his dominion from one extremity 
 of the earth to the other. People and Kings equally 
 bow down to receive his commands, and join in pro- 
 fefling their fubmiffion to his Church, as we learn 
 from Daniel : And judgment Jhall Jit, fays he, that 
 the kingdom and powei', and the greainefs of the king- 
 dom, under the whole heaven, may be given to the peo- 
 ple of the Saints of the moft High : whofe kingdom is 
 an cverlafting kingdom, and all kings Jhall ferve him 
 and Jhall obey him (vii. 26. 27.). He Jhall rule 
 from fea to fea, fays the Pfalmift fpeaking of 
 Chrift, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. 
 
 And all kings of the earth Jhall adore him ; all 
 
 nations Jhall feme him. (Pfalm. Ixxi. 8. u.). 
 
 The Prophet Zachary acquaints us of the fame, 
 thus : And the Lord Jhall be King over all the earth : 
 in that day there Jhall be one Lord, and his name (hall 
 be one. (xiv. 9.) : his name lhall be one or' there fhall 
 be but one Religion over the whole earth. Thefc 
 G g 2 are
 
 452 THE GENERAL HIStORY 
 
 are the Halcyon days of the Chriftian people, dur- 
 ing which the Almighty pours forth the abuadajice 
 of his fpiritual and temporal Bleffings. To the 
 ftorms of perlecution and war fuccced the calm of 
 peace and the funfliine of joy and ,profperity. And. 
 to this period, feems to belong the following admoni- 
 tion : 
 
 Apoc. Ch. xiv. . v. 13.. And I beard, fays St. John,, 
 a voice from heaven, faying to me : Write, BkJJed are 
 the dead who die in the Lord. From henceforth novj^. 
 faith the Spirit, that they may reft from their labours : 
 far their works follow them. Or rather, according to 
 the greek text : Eleff&d ar,e the dead who die in the 
 Lord from henceforth* Certainly, faith the Spirit, that 
 they may reji from their laboitrs : but their works 
 follow them. Thofe are here pronounced Ble]ftd 9 
 who from henceforth, that is, from the time of the 
 extermination of Antichiuii and all external enemies, 
 or who during the time of peace,, having no expec- 
 tations of the crown of martyrdom, neverthelefs live 
 in the conftant practice of virtue, and fo merit to^ 
 die in the favour of their Lord, ^he Spirit or Holy 
 Ghoft confirms the fen-tence of their happinefs, not 
 only becaufe at the moment of their departure their 
 hard labours and penitential cxercifes ceafe, but their 
 fouls are admitted to a glorious immortality, the re- 
 compence of their good works-. 
 
 Such is the extraordinary happinefs of this period 
 of time that, as in the days of the birth of Chrif- 
 tianity, fo now the fuper natural gifts of the Holy 
 Ghoft defcend plentifully upon the zealous Chrif- 
 tians : And it Jhall csme to pafs after this, fays the 
 Lord by Joel, that I will pour out my fprit upon all 1 
 
 b- : and your fens and your daughters Jhall propbejy : 
 
 your
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 453 
 
 your old men Jhall dream dreams, and your young men 
 Jhall fee -vijions. Moreover upon my fervants, and 
 handmaids in .tbofe days I will pour forth my fpirit. 
 And I will Jhew wonders in heaven, and in earth, 
 bloody and fire, and vapour of fmoke. The Sun Jhall 
 be turned into darknefs, and the moon into blood : be- 
 fore the great and dreadful day of the Lord does comc^ 
 (ii. 28 &c.). While the bounties of God flow in 
 a full ftream upon mankind, we fee neverthelefs 
 he thinks fit to fend, at times, warnings of the ap- 
 proaching great c.nd dreadful -day of the Lord, by 
 figns and wonders in heaven and earth, agreeably to 
 what we read in the Apocalypfe under the Sixth 
 Seal. The all- bountiful God defires, that all mould 
 watch and be prepared for the great day of Judg- 
 ment, which may be fuppofed not to be far diftarat 
 at that time. For the fame reafon Chrift, after the 
 .battle of the great day of the Almighty God (Apoc. 
 xvi. 14.) immediately proclaims : Behold I come as 
 a thief. Ble/ed is he that watcheth, .and keepetb his 
 garments, left he walk naked, and they fee his jhame* 
 Bleffed is the man, that keepeth folicitoufly his gar- 
 ments of virtue and good works, left at Chrift's 
 coming he be found naked and expofed tojhame and 
 condemnation, 
 
 If we turn our eyes on another fide, we fee a 
 beautiful picture, exhibited to us by the Prophets 
 of the temporal profperity, which will be enjoyed at 
 this period of time by the Jews, that is, the Jews 
 changed into Chriftians, under whofe name may be 
 comprehended the whole body of the Chriftian peo- 
 ple. Among the many paffages relating to this fub- 
 jedt, we mail recite a few. 
 
 G g 3 Joel
 
 454 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Joel after defcribing the great {laughter in the 
 vale of Joiaphat, thus continues 
 
 Chap. iii. v. 17. And you Jhall knew that I cm th; 
 I^crd your Gcd, dwelling in Sicn, my holy mountain ; 
 and Jerufakm ft all be holy, and grangers jhall pajs 
 through it no more. 
 
 v. 1 8. And it ft all come to pap in that day, that 
 the mountains Jhall drop down ftaeetntfs, and the hiiis 
 jhall flow with milk : and waters ft all flow through all 
 the rivers of Juda : and a fountain shall come forth of 
 the houfe of the Lord, &d shall water the torrent cf 
 tbcrns. 
 
 v. 19. Egypt shall be a desolation ', and Edcm a 
 voilder/rfs dejlroyed : bccaufe they have done unjuftty 
 agaixjl the Children of Juda, aud have shed innocent 
 blood in their land. 
 
 v. 20. And Jude$ Jhall be inhabited for ever, ani 
 yeritfalem to generation and generation. 
 
 Ezechiel fpeaks in the following manner 
 
 Chap, xxxvii. v. 21. And thou /halt fay to them : 
 thus 'faith the Lord God: behold, I will take the 
 Children of Ifraelfrom the widft of tht nations whither 
 they are gone : and I will gather them en every fide, 
 and will bring them to their own land 
 
 v: 24. -And my fcrvant David* fi all be king. over 
 them, and they shall have one shepherd, they shall 
 walk in my judgments, and shall ksep my command- 
 ments, and shall do them. 
 
 v. 25. And they shall dwell in the land which I gave 
 to my fervant Jacob, wherein your fathers dwelt, and 
 they shall dwell in it y they and their children, and their 
 
 * Cbr'tft, tie M-fliuh. 
 
 childrens
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 455 
 
 fhildrens children, for ever : and David my fervaril 
 shall be their prince for ever. 
 
 *v.. 26. And I will make a covenant of peace with 
 them, it Jhall be an everlafting covenant with them : 
 tmd I will eftablijh them, and will multiply them^ 
 and will fet my fanftuary in the midft of them for 
 ever. &c. 
 
 The fame Prophet, after relating the deftruc- 
 tkm of <jog, purfues tkus, or rather fhe Almighty 
 fey his mouth. 
 
 Chap, xxxix. -v. 22. And the "houfe of 'I fr ad Jhall 
 "know that I am the Lord their God from that day and 
 forward. .... 
 
 v. 26. And they Jhall bear their confufion, and all the 
 tranfgrejfwns wbcrcwitb they have tranfgreffed againft 
 fflty when they Jhall dwell in their land fecure'fy fearing 
 no man 
 
 v. 28. And they Jhall knovj that I am t'he Lord their 
 (jW, becaufe I caufcd them to be carried aivay among 
 the nations , and I have gathered them together unto 
 their own land, and have not left any of them tbere\ 
 
 v. 29. And I will hide my face no more from them, 
 for 1 have poured out my fyirit upon all the 'honfe of 
 Ifrael, faith the Lord Gvd. 
 
 The Prophet Amos gives us alfo a pleafmg def- 
 cription of the fame profperrcy. 
 
 Chap. ix. v. 13. Behold lhe days come^ faith the 
 Lord, when the plowman Jhall overtake the reaper, and 
 the treader of the grapes of him that foweth feed : and 
 the mountains Jhall drop Jweetnefs, and every hill shall 
 te titled. 
 
 v. 14. And I will bring back t'he captivity of my 
 
 people Ifrael : and they Jhall build the abandoned cities, 
 
 ffnd inhabit them : and they shall plant vineyards, 
 
 G g 4 and
 
 456 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 andjhall drink the wine of them \ and /ball make gar- 
 dens, and eat the fruits of them. And I will plant 
 them upon their cwn land : and I will no mere pluck 
 them cut of their land, which I have given them, faith 
 the Lord thy God. Such is this remarkable sra of 
 peace, proiperity, and Spiritual bleffings. 
 
 One may naturally fuppofe that the Chriilians, at 
 their emerging from the fevere trials they had been 
 fubjected to, were uncommonly full of zeal and 
 religious fervour: and fo it feems to be intimated 
 by the above-cited pafTages out of the Prophets. 
 But the human mind from it's native inconflancy 
 foon forgets the greateft troubles, when they are paft. 
 Profperity alfo is a charm generally productive of 
 inattention and neglect, and contributes much to 
 revive in man his natural propenfity to licentiouf- 
 nefs. Such will be the cafe of this laft period of 
 time, in which mankind will gradually relax in their 
 fervour, and degenerate in their morals. Our 
 Saviour has told us to beware of the laft day, to 
 watch, and be ready to appear before him at the 
 bar of Judgment : Watch ye, fays he, becaufe ye 
 
 hiow not what hour your Lord will come Be 
 
 you ready, becaufe at what hour you know not, the 
 Son of man will come. (Mat. xxiv. 42. 44.). And 
 again he fpeaks in the Apocalypfe. Behold I come 
 as a thief, (xvi. 15.). St. Peter alfo gives us the 
 fame warning : <?b& day cf the Lord will come as a 
 thief. (2 Pet. iii. 10.). But thefe admonitions will 
 by degrees loofe their influence and be forgot, the 
 human pafiions will recover their power, and the 
 pleafures of the world will become again the com- 
 mon purfuit of men ; as we learn from our Saviour's 
 own words : As in day 5 of Noe, fays he,fo (hall alfo the 
 
 coming
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 457 
 
 coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days before 
 the flood) they mere eating and drinking, marrying and 
 giving in marriage, even till that day in which Noe en- 
 tered into 'the ark. And they kmw not till the flood 
 came, and took them all away : fo alfo /hall the coming 
 of the Sen of man be. (Mat. xxiv. 37. 38. 39.) 
 Thus then the generality of mankind having dege- 
 nerated into a ftate of forgetfulnefs of God, em- 
 ployed now in indulging themfelves in fenfual grati- 
 fications, unmindful of all the ominous alarming 
 figns that had preceded, and the repeated admoni- 
 tions given them, Behold ! The f even th Seal is open- 
 ed. 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 <The Hi/lory of the Seventh Age of the Cbrif- 
 tian Church. 
 
 The Seventh Seal is opened. 
 
 APOC. Chap. VIII. v. i. And when he (the Lamb) 
 had opened the feventh Seal, there ivasfilence in 
 Heaven, as it were for half an -hour. The Lamb 
 having opened the feventh Seal, there follows a 
 Jilence in Heaven for a while, in appearance about 
 half an hour. During this time the Almighty thinks 
 fit to difclofe to the whole heavenly court of Angels 
 and Saints, his eternal and infcrutable decrees ref- 
 
 peding
 
 43 8 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 peeking mankind and the exiilence of this world *. 
 The Heavenly Auditoiy attend in fihnce and with 
 profound relpect, while he graciouQy unfolds to 
 them the whole fyftcm of ceconomy, by which he- 
 has governed the world ever fince it's creation, and 
 the whole courfe of his great and merciful difpenfa 
 dons to man. The Almighty is willing to difplay 
 before them the immenfe and fuperabundant {lore 
 of Bleffings, that have flowed from the inexhaufti- 
 ble fource of his Paternal affection upon mankind, 
 ever fince the firft moment of their exiftence. He 
 ihews, that his rendernefs and bounty towards man- 
 kind have been without meafure, and that if a great 
 number of them perifh, their perdition is owing to 
 themfelves. He then makes known his intention 
 of putting an immediate flop to the whole human 
 race, and bringing them to Judgment : he fignifies, 
 that the time he had fixed for the exiftence of the 
 world, is now expired, and he is now going to put 
 an end to it . Upon which 
 
 The 
 
 * This he does, not in words, but by fecret interior 
 communication, fuch as is fuitable to the nature of fpirits. 
 
 $ That fuch are, in part, the Divine intimations on this 
 occafion, may he collected from the ar>plaufes of the heavenly 
 Choirs expreffed i.nthe following trumpet. As upon tbeopen- 
 ingof the fevecth Seal the period of the world finifhes, it isjuft 
 that at that time the wife and bountiful oeconomy of Chrift 
 through the whole government of his Church (hould be ac- 
 knowledged. For that reafon BencdifJion or praife was 
 ibltmnly offered to the La?nb {Apoc. v. 12. fee page 22).
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 459 
 
 The Seventh Trumpet Sounds. 
 
 Chap, xi. v. 15. And the fevinth Angd fcund.d tie 
 trumpet : and there were great voices in heaven, fay, 
 ing : the Kingdom of this world is become 0*" Lord's find 
 his ChrijVs, and he Jhall reign fcr ever and ever : Amen. 
 
 v. 1 6. And the four and twenty Ancients-, who fii 
 en their feats in the fight of Gcd, fell en lke:r foxs, 
 and adored God, 
 
 v. 17. Saying: We give thee thanks, Q Lord Gcd 
 Almighty, who art, and who waft, and who art to 
 feme : becaufe thou haft taken to thee thy great power? 
 and thou haft reigned, 
 
 v, 1 8. And the Nations were angry, and thy wrath 
 is com?) and the time of the dead, that they Jhould be 
 judged, and that thou fljouldjl render reward to thy 
 fervants the Prophets, and the Saints, and to them 
 that fear thy name, little and great, and foouldft def- 
 troy them who have corrupted * the earth. 
 
 v. 19. And the Temple of God was opened in Hea- 
 ven : and the ark of his Tejlament was feen in bis 
 temple, and there were lightnings, and voices, -f and 
 an earthquake, and great hail. 
 
 On the founding of the feventh Trumpet, 
 yvhich follows on the Almighty concluding the 
 communication of his Councils, all the heavenly- 
 Choirs break out into acclamations and applauie, 
 faying : The Kingdom of this wcrld is become cur 
 Lord's, anil his Chriffs, and be Jhall reign for ever 
 end ever : or, praife be to the Lord, becaufe he is 
 going- to take pofTeftion of all the Kingdoms of the 
 e-ardi, &:c. Thus they acknowledge, it is time that 
 he ihould fuffcr no longer any huipan power to 
 
 '* In the Greek. Who deftroy the earth. 
 
 t Here the Greek text adds, and thundering;.
 
 4 6o THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 reign , but that the He, Omnipotent, with his Eternal 
 Son, the Chrift, fhoukl affume all dominion, and 
 fway for ever. Then the four and twenty Ancients, 
 (v. 1 6. 17:), whom we faw from the beginning 
 fitting round the throne of God, fall down prof- 
 trate before the Almighty, and offering their ho- 
 mage give him thanks alfo for affuming all power 
 into his hands, as belonging folely to himfelf, who 
 &, who was, and who is to come, that is, who is the 
 beginning and end of all things, v/ho was the Crea- 
 tor, is the Confervator, and will come prefently as 
 the Judge, of all mankind. The Ancients continue 
 to fay : the Nations were angry (v. 18 ) ; mankind 
 in different ages abandoned thee, their God, re- 
 belled againft thee, and fet up the infamous worfhip 
 of Idols -, they endeavoured to exterminate thy holy 
 name from the earth, and they waged war againil 
 thy people , but thy wrath is come, and it is juft it 
 mould now at laft overtake them, and punifh them 
 according to their deferts. We are glad the time of 
 the Dead is come, that they Jhould be judged, &c ; 
 the courfe of human nature has run a fufficient 
 period -, it is now fit and juft, that judgment mould 
 be palled upon the whole race of men, that your 
 faithful fervants may receive the full reward they 
 have deferved, and your enemies be deftroyed, or a 
 final period be put to the efforts of the wicked, who 
 are labouring to fubvert your holy Worfhip, and 
 again to corrupt mankind. Thus the whole com- 
 pany of Angels and Saints exprefs their approbation 
 of the Divine Decrees and Declarations, which the 
 Almighty had condefcended to communicate to 
 thern. 
 
 Then
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 461 
 
 Then the temple cf God was opened in heaven, find 
 tie ark of bis tejtament for covenant,) was feen in his 
 temple, (v. 19.,). This paflage alludes to the Sanc- 
 tuary or Holy of Holies of the temple in Jerufalem^ 
 which was kept fhut and contained the ark of cove- 
 nant. That ark was ordered by Almighty God to be 
 thus kept as a monument and teftimony of the cove- 
 pant he had made with the Jews. And as the open- 
 ing of the Sanctuary at Jerufalem, when the veil, 
 that hung before it, was rent in two at our Saviour's 
 death, mewed that the Jewim covenant was then ful- 
 filled and terminated y fo here, the temple or Sanctu- 
 ary of God in heaven is opened, and the ark of his 
 covenant with the whole human race is expofed fully 
 to view, to indicate that God has now fulfilled his 
 covenant or all his engagements with mankind rela- 
 tive to this world, which is therefore now to be put 
 an end to. 
 
 We had heard the Angel, that flood upon the 
 fea and land fApoc. x. 5. 6J, fblemnly proclaim, 
 that at the founding of the feventh trumpet, time 
 should be- no more. The trumpet has founded, and 
 here then is rimming the period of time allotted for 
 the exiftence of the world. The deftruetion of the 
 whole frame of the Univerfe follows, and is ufhered 
 in by the terrifying alarms mentioned above : and 
 there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and 
 &n earthquake, and great hail (v. 19..,). Upon which 
 immediately 
 
 The Seventh Vial of the Wrath of God is 
 
 poured out. 
 
 Chap. xvi. v. 17. And the Seventh Angel poured 
 out his vial upon the air,, and there came a great voice 
 
 out
 
 4 6v2 THE GENERAL HISTORV 
 
 out of tbe temple from the throne, faying : It Is done. 
 
 v. 1 8. And there were lightnings, end voices, find 
 thunders, and there was a great earthquake, fuch an 
 cnc as never had been feen fence men were upon tbe earth, 
 fuch an earthquake, jo great. 
 
 v. 19. And the. great city was divided into three 
 -parts: And the cities of the Gentiles fell. And great 
 Babjkn cams in remembrance before God, to give her 
 the cup of the wine of the indignation of his wrath. 
 
 v. 20. And every ijland fed away, and the moun- 
 tains were net found. 
 
 v. 21. And great I ail like a talent came down from 
 bcaveii upon men : and men bliifpbemed God for the 
 plague of the hail : becaufe it was exceeding great. 
 
 The fcyenth Vial is poured upon the air, which 
 lies between the earth and the heavens, to indicate 
 that the Judgments of God are going to fall upon 
 both the heavens and the earth, that is, on the 
 whole iyftem of the creation. And tbers came a great 
 voice cut of the temple (v. if.} from the throne, where 
 lies the Almighty, faying-, It is done: all is over v 
 tliis is the laft hour \ time flvdll be no more. Then 
 follow the dreadful calamities of that laft hour. And 
 there were lightnings (v. 18), and voices, and thun- 
 ders, and there was a great earthquake, fuch an one as 
 never had been fcen fince men were upon the earth, fuch 
 e:n earthquake, fo great. Here is enough to ftrike all 
 the living at that time with dread, horror, and con- 
 fternation. We faw the fame fort of difaflcrs hap- 
 pen at the founding of the trumpet, but here they 
 are renewed and aggravated to the moil terrible de- 
 gree. The heavens echo with the loudeft and moft 
 terrifying thunder ; the fky is rent in every part with 
 moft dreadful flames of lightning ; and the whole air 
 
 relbunds
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 463 
 
 refounds with horrible voices or noifcs. The Earth 
 is maken from it's foundations with an earthquake, 
 fuch as has never been felt before, nor has it ever 
 entered into man to imagine fuch an one. The whole 
 compages or fabrick of the world is unhinged and 
 falls to pieces. All is confufion, wreck,' and ruin. 
 The great city of Jerufalem (v. 19) is fplit into three- 
 parts, and the other cities of the world fall all to 
 the ground. But fuch is the weight of God's anger 
 againft the great Babylon^ that is, the two Babylons, 
 viz. Pagan Rome and Pagan Conftantinople, or 
 againft the heathen Roman Emperors and their peo- 
 ple, and againft Antichrift and his people, for their 
 impioufly oppofmg the worfhip of him to give place 
 to Idolatry, and for their fpilling fo much of the 
 blood of his faithful fervants : fuch, I lay, is the 
 weight of God's anger againft them, that they ftand 
 as the principal deteftable object in his fight, and 
 he now refolves to make them drink the full cup of 
 the wine of the indignation of his watlo by completing 
 the meafure of their punifhment in. dooming their 
 bodies together with their fouls to burn in the moft 
 icorching flames of fire and fulphur for ever. 
 
 Such is the general concufiion caufed by the above- 
 mentioned earthquake, that ail the Ijlc.nds immedi- 
 ately vanifli (v. 20), being perhaps either funk in the 
 deep, or thrown againft the continent ; and of the 
 mountains^ fome tumble to pieces, and are levelled 
 with the furface of the earth by the fame caufe-, 
 others burft out into Volcanoes, and by their internal 
 fire are diflblved and melted into a fluid matter *. 
 
 There 
 
 * Before, we faw the Jflands- and Mountains mwed cut 
 cf their ptairs (Apoc, VI. 1-4), buc here they entirely difap-
 
 464 THE GENERAL HISTORY- 
 
 follows a ftorm of bail (v. 21), infinitely ex- 
 seeding what had ever been heard of: the halftones 
 are of the weight of a talent, or fourfcore pounds ; 
 which doubtleis muit kill a great number of people. 
 But, notwithstanding fuch a fhocking cataftrophr, 
 (ftrange!) many will perfift obftinate in their wicked 
 difpofitions, will not yield to turn their hearts to re- 
 pentance and fue for pardon in thefe kit moments, 
 but will even complete their impiety by Blafpbeming 
 Gcd for thefe calamities which they fufier. 
 
 As all mankind are fentencecl to die, thofe that are 
 not carried off by the difafters juft mentioned, will 
 probably be difpatchcd by the fire which will go be- 
 fore the Son of man when he comes to Judgment : 
 for fo it feems to be ipecified by the Royal Pfalmiit 
 with other circumftances relating to this terrible day -, 
 A fire Jhall go before him (the Lord/ : and Jhall burn 
 his enemies round about. His lightnings have fbcne 
 forth to the world : the earth faw and trembled. 'The 
 mountains melted like wax at the -pre fence of the Lcrd ; 
 at the prefencc cf the Lord all the earth. T'he 
 Heavens declared his jit/lice, and all people faw his 
 glory. (Pfalm 96). And again in another place : 
 'The earth JJyock and trembled : the foundations of the 
 mountains were troubled and were moved? becaufe be 
 (the Lord) was angry with them. 'There went up a 
 fmoke in his wrath: and a fire flamed from his face : 
 coals were kindled with it. He bowed the heavens and 
 came down, and d&rknefs was under his feet. - And 
 the Lord thundered from Heaven, and the High eft gave 
 his voice, hail and coals of fire. And he fent forth his 
 amws, and he fcattered them : he multiplied lightnings 
 and troubled them. 'Then the fountains of waters ap- 
 peared, and the foundations of the world were difco- 
 
 vered.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 465 
 
 i-ered. (Pfalm. 17). It is plain that many of th 
 dreadful events and convulfions of nature here ex- 
 prefled are the fame with thoie related above by St. 
 John. Such will be the frightful fcenes, the univer- 
 fal confufion and destruction in that day of wrath, 
 that day of tribulation and diftrefs, that day of cala- 
 mity and mifery. The Prophet Ifaiah has alfo 
 Sketched out to us the outlines of that fame terrify* 
 ing picture : 
 
 Chap. xxiv. v. 17. Fear, and the pit, and thefnare 
 (ire upon thee, tbou inhabitant of the earth. 
 
 v. 1 8. And it Jball come to pafs, that he that flail 
 fee from the noife of the fear , /hall fall into the pit : 
 and he that {hall rid himfelf out of the pit, Jhall be 
 taken in the fnare , for the floodgates from on high are 
 opened^ and the foundations of the earth Jhall be Jhaken. 
 
 v. 19* With breaking JJjall the earth be broken, with 
 crujhing Jhall the earth be crufbed* with trembling Jhall 
 the earth be moved. 
 
 v. 20. Witb Jhaking Jhall the earth be fbaken as a 
 drunken man^ and Jhall be removed as the tent of one 
 night : and the iniquity thereof Jhall be heavy upon if. 
 And it Jhall fall, and Jhall not rife again. 
 
 The beautiful frame of the univerfe being there- 
 fore now totally disfigured, broken, torn to pieces, 
 and reduced to a mere wreck, fire will be the inftru- 
 ment the Almighty will ufe to difTolve the whole 
 mafs ; as we learn from St. Peter, 2 Epift. Chap, 
 iii. v. i o. ^be day of the Lord shall come as a thief * 
 in which the heavens shall pafs away with great vio- 
 lence, the elements shall be melted with heat, and the 
 earth and tie works which are in it, shall be burnt up. 
 
 v. 1 1 . Seeing then that all thefc things are to be dif- 
 Hh - ohd
 
 466 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 folvcd, what manner of people ought you to be in boty 
 confer fatten and godlinefs, 
 
 . v. 12. looking for and ha ft ing unto the coming of the 
 day of the Lord, by which the heavens being en fire 
 fly all be dijjolved, and the elements shall meh ivitb the 
 burning heat ? Here then we fee that the world will 
 be fet on fire, that the heavens will be quickly diffohed 
 by the prodigious activity of the fire and To vanifh, 
 that the earth will be likewise burned with the works 
 that are in it, with all that it contains within it or 
 upon it's furface; and that the elements, namely^ 
 Wiitcr and air, will k>fe their fluidity, and their fub- 
 ftantial parts will be diflblved or melted. Heaven and 
 Earth shall pa fs away, faid our Saviour (Luke xxi. 
 33.)- But we muft obierve, it is not laid that they 
 will be wholly confirmed and annihilated, but dif- 
 folved or burnt, and consequently transformed into 
 a different appearance, as God ill all direct. 
 
 But while theie ftupendous operations of fire are 
 fubverting nature and changing the whole face of the 
 Univerfe, the Son of Man defcends from the higheft 
 Heaven to come and judge mankind. For, the Fa- 
 ther doth not judge any man ; but hath given till judg- 
 ment to the Son (John v. 22.). 
 
 Apoc : Chap : xx. v. 1 1 . And I faw, fays St. 
 John, a great 'white throne, and one fitting upon *Y, 
 from ivhofe face the earth and heaven fled away , and 
 there was no place found for them. 
 
 v. 12. And I faw the dead^ great and fmall^ ftanding 
 in the prefence of the throne, and the books were opened : 
 and another book was opened, which is the book of life : 
 and the dead were judged by thofe things 'which were 
 ivritten in the bocks, according to their works. 
 
 The Son of God appears in the firmament/w/^ 
 
 on
 
 DF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 467 
 
 on a great and bright white throne, and at his pre- 
 fence the earth and heaven flee away, or difappear, 
 that is, the earth, the atmoiphere, and all belonging 
 to the fky, are not only inwrapt in flames^ but in- 
 tirely pafs away and vanifh out of fight, fo that their 
 place is not found nor can be diftinguifhed. Nothing 
 is now vifible of the works of the creation. The 
 fole object, that fills the expanfe of heaven, is the 
 refplendent majefly of the Son of God fitting on his 
 throne. The Dead then, both great and fmall, of all 
 ranks and degrees, appear before him, namely, the 
 laft generation of the human race, who have juft ex- 
 pired in the general deilruclion of the world. This 
 prodigious multitude of Souls are fummoned to un- 
 dergo the particular Judgment which is fixed for all 
 mankind at the moment of their death : // is ap~ 
 pointed unto men once to die, and after this, the Judg- 
 ment* (Ep. to the Hebr. ix. 27.). This particular 
 Judgment muft be here meant by St. John, and not 
 the general Judgment which is defcribed in the nexc 
 verie, as our Prophet never repeats the fame thing. 
 The Books are opened, and will remain open during 
 the general Judgment that is quickly to follow. In 
 thefe bocks are recorded the actions of every indivi- 
 dual man, according to which fentence will be pafied 
 upon him. The Son of God, from his own infinite 
 knowledge, is equally acquainted with the works of 
 every man, as if they were regiftcred in a book, but 
 this figurative expreflion mews the rigour and exaft- 
 nefs of his fcrutiny, which will not let the leaft fault 
 or good work efcape his notice. Another look is 
 likewife opened, viz, the book of life, in which are 
 written the names of all the predeftined or elect. 
 This numerous company of fouls being therefore 
 H h 2 judged
 
 468 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 judged by thofe things which were written in the books , 
 according to tbeir works, Chrift fends forth his Mef- 
 fenger, an Archangel, who by his order blows tls 
 laft Trumpet ; the found of which echoes to all the 
 extremities of the earth. At this found, in an in- 
 ftant, all the Dead rife up from their graves, never 
 more to die. In a moment ', fays St. Paul, in the twink- 
 ling of an eye> at the loft trumpet : for the trumpet Jhall 
 found) and the dcadfidl rife again incorruptible. ( i Cor. 
 xv. 52 .). The general Refurreftion is likewrfe thus 
 briefly defer ibed to us by St. John : 
 
 Apoc : Chap, xx* v. 13. And the fea gave up ths 
 dead that were in it ; and death and hell gave up their 
 dead that were in them. The Sea is firft here faid to 
 deliver up it's dead. By the Sea, in our Prophet's 
 language, we muft underiland the whole extent of 
 the terraqueous globe, in as much as it contains the 
 dead bodies of the Saints, v*ho may be faid to have 
 waded through the tempeftuous Sea of this world, 
 or through a long courle of tribulations, perfections, 
 and hardfhips, which fanHfied their lives. Their 
 bodies therefore rife up the firft, arid this is con- 
 firmed by Sn Paul : The dead, who are in Chrift, 
 foaU rife firft (i Theff. iv. 15.). Heaven prefents 
 their fouls, and by the happy union of foul and 
 body, the Saints ftand vefted with complete immor- 
 tality. Then Death and Hell give up their dead; 
 Death here fignifying the graves of the wicked, as 
 containing the mortal part of thofe whofe fouls lie in 
 the death of damnation. Thefe bodies likewife rife 
 to life, and are joined to their fouls which Hell vomits 
 up, and thus they become infeparable companions of 
 the fame eternal fate, which they will foon be deemed 
 to undergo. Every Individual of mankind being 
 
 thus
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 469 
 
 thus raifed to life, from Adam to the laft of the hu- 
 man race, they will all fee the Almighty Son of God 
 coming down through the upper regions of the fky, 
 feated on bright clouds as upon a throne, Unround- 
 ed with the fplendor of his Divine Majefty, attended 
 by the Angels, and his Crois, the inftrument of the 
 world's redemption, carried before him : And then, 
 fays Chriil himfelf, jhall appear the fign of the Son of 
 man in Heaven : and then fliall all tribes of the 
 earth mourn : and they Jhall fee the Sen of man coming 
 . in the clouds cf heaven with much power and majefty 
 (Mat. xxiy. 30.). And our Prophet in the Apoca- 
 lypfe alfo fays of him : Behold, be ccmeth with the 
 clouds, and every eye (hall fee him, and they alfo that 
 pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth Jhall be- 
 wail themfehes becaufe of him (i. 7.). The appear- 
 ance then of the Son of God coining in his ma- 
 jeity to judgment will ftrike the wicked with dread 
 and confternation,. The different tribes of them will 
 mourn and bewail their miferable condition : the 
 Jews, that pierced him or put him to death, and 
 thofe who had refufed to acknowledge him for their 
 Saviour and Mefliah : the Infidels, who would not 
 be converted, and who had periecuted him in his 
 fervants : in fine the reft of the wicked, who had 
 made no ufe of the Redemption he had purchafed 
 for them, but on the contrary had henioufly injur- 
 ed him by their repeated crimes and impiety. But 
 on the other hand, what a confolation, what an 
 auipicious moment, will it be for the Juft, to fee their 
 Redeemer coding to reward them and to make 
 their happinefs complete, for all eternity ! They 
 will fly to meet him, as their Father and Saviour, 
 with, incxpreliible alacrity and joy ; as we learn from 
 H h 3 * St.
 
 470 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 St. Paul: 1'be Lord himjelf foall come down from 
 heaven with commandment^ and with tfa voice of an 
 Archangel, and with the trumpet of God : and the 
 dead who arc in Chrift, fiall rife firjl. tfhen ive v:ho 
 are alive, ivho are hft^ Jhall be taken up together 
 with them in the clouds to meat Chrift, into the air^ 
 and fo Jhall we le always with the Lord. (i. Theff. 
 iv. 15. i 6.). 
 
 All the Individuals of the human race appear now 
 exiiling at once and together, a wonderful ipectacle 
 that never was feen before, nor will be feen after. 
 For this great company will loon be divided into 
 two bodies that muft feparate, never more to be 
 joined. They are all called up and cited to appear 
 at the bar of the Throne and Judgment-feat of the 
 Son of God. There they ere judged every one ac- 
 cording to their wcrks (Apoc. xx. 13.). To the 
 Juft are adjudged eternal rewards for their labours : 
 and this may be ftiled, the fecond Refurredion, as 
 the prior admifiion of their fouls to beatitude, on 
 the death of their bodies, was called by St. John, 
 the firft Refurrettion (Apoc. xx. 5.). The Saints 
 having thus received their happy fentence, are ad- 
 mitted to attend (Thrift and to fit with him in judg- 
 ment over the wicked, according to what he had 
 promifed : Amen^ I fay unto you ,' that you who have 
 followed me^ in the regeneration^ ivhen the Son of man 
 shall fit on the feat of his mnjejly^ you alfo shall fit on 
 tvelvs featty judging the twelve tribes of IfraeL 
 (Mat. xix. 28.). Then follows the fentence upon 
 the wicked, by which they are doomed to the un- 
 quenchable flames of hell for ever, or as St. John 
 cxprefi.es if 
 
 Chap,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 471 
 
 Chap. xx. v. 14. And Hell and Death were caft 
 into the pool of fre. This is the feccnd death. 
 
 Hell and Death, before, denoted the places where, 
 the Souls and Bodies of the reprobate lay, but 
 here, by an eafy tranfition, they are employed to 
 fignify thefe Souls and Bodies themfelves, which 
 are caft into the infernal /W of fire : and this dam- 
 nation of both together, at the lail judgment, is 
 here 'denominated, the fecond Death ; while that of 
 the Soul only, which had preceded at the time of 
 her feparation from the body, may receive the name 
 of Firft Death. Thus much from the Apocalypfc. 
 
 But the general arraignment of all mankind be- 
 fore the tribunal of Chriil at the laft day, and the 
 fpecial judgment he will pafs upon them, are more 
 clearly and explicitly exhibited to us by Chrift hiin- 
 felf in his following words : When the Son of Man 
 /hall come in his Majefty, and all the Angels with him, 
 then Jhall he fit upon . the feat of his majefty : and all 
 nations J}jall be gathered together before him, and he 
 Jhall feparate them one from another y as the Jhepherd 
 feparateth the Jheep from the goats : and he shall fet 
 the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. 
 'Then shall the King fay to them that shall be on his 
 right hand : Come ye Bleffed of my Father, poffefs you, 
 the Kingdom prepared fcr you from the foundation of 
 the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me to 
 eat : I was tbirfty, and you gave me to drink, &c. . . 
 'Then he shall fay to them alfo that shall 'be on his left 
 hand : Depart from me ye curfed into everlafting Jire 
 which was prepared for the Devil and his Angels-, 
 for I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat , I. was 
 thirfty, and you gave me not to drink, &c. .... And 
 thefe shall go into everlajling punishment : but tie 
 Hh 4 Jxjt
 
 472 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Juft into life euerlafting (Mat. xxv. 31. &c.). And 
 again our Saviour fpeaking on the fame fubjedb in 
 another place, fays : As tares are gathered up, and 
 burnt with fire : fo shall it be at the end of the -world. 
 <The Son of man shall fend his Angels , and they shall 
 gather out cf his kingdom all fcandals, and them that 
 work iniquity : and shall caft tlem into the furnace of 
 fire : there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 
 'Then shall the Jiift shine as the Sun^ in the Kingdom 
 of their Father (Mat. xiii. 40. &c.). In fine the Ge- 
 neral Judgment finiihes by 
 
 Chap, xx, v. 15. And whofoever, fays our Pro- 
 phet, was not found written in the book of life ; was 
 caft JTiio the pod of jire . Ail thofe who have no: b\ 
 good works made jure their -\nling and eleffion (2 Pet. 
 i. 10 ), and fo have not got their names regiftered in 
 the bock of life, are condemned to Hell-fire for all 
 eternity. 
 
 The general Judgment is an event fo tremendous 
 and fo interefting to mankind, that our Saviour 
 frequently inculcated it in his difcourfes, as we fee 
 in the Gofpel : and St. John in the Apocalypfe, 
 befides the natural defcription of it above-recited, 
 gives us a fecond allegorical one, with new circum- 
 itances, -under two elegant expreflive figures of 
 Harveft and Vintage. Thus paints the admirable 
 and exact pencil of our incomparable Prophet 
 
 Chap. xiv. v. 14. And I faw, and behold a white 
 cloud : and upon the cloud one fitting like to the Sen 
 of wan y having on his head a crown of gold, and in 
 bis hand a sharp fickle. 
 
 v. 1 5. And another Angel came out from the temple, 
 crying with -a loud voice to him that fat upon the cloud : 
 
 7'brujt
 
 cr THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 473 
 
 Vhruft in thy fickle, and reap, becaufe the hour is corns 
 to reap, for the harveft of the earth is ripe. 
 
 v. 1 6. And he that fat on the cloud, tbruft his 
 fickle into the earth, and the earth was reaped. 
 
 v. i 7. And another Angel came out of the temple 
 which is in heaven, he alfo having a sharp fickle. 
 
 v. i .8. And another Angel came eut frcrn the Altar, 
 who had power over Jire : and he cried with a loud 
 voice to him that had the sharp fickle, faying : Thrujl 
 iji thy sharp fickle, and gather the clujlers of the 
 vineyard of the earth : because the grapes thereof are 
 ripe, 
 
 v. 19. And the Angel thrvft in bis sharp fickle into 
 the earth, and gathered the vine-yard of the earth, 
 and cajl it into the great prefs of the wrath of God. 
 
 v. 20. And the prefs was trodden without the city, 
 and blood came out of the prefs, up to the horfes bridles, 
 for a thoufand Jix hundred furlongs. 
 
 The Son of man (v. i 4), or Chrift, is feen by 
 St. John fitting on a white cloud, as we faw him be- 
 fore, bearing on his head a crown of gold for mark 
 of his Sovereign power and dominion over the 
 world, and in his hand a Jharp fickle, an inftrument for 
 cutting down corn. Then an Angel comes cut from 
 the temple in Heaven (v. 15.), from the Almighty 
 who fits there inthroned, and brings orders to the 
 Son of man to thruft in his fickle, and reap ; because 
 the hour is come to reap, for the har-veft of the earth 
 is ripe , the number of Saints preordained by the 
 Almighty is completed, and the period allotted to the 
 exiftence of the human fpecies is run out. Chrift, 
 in obedience to his Eternal Father, thruft s his fickle 
 into the earth, and the earth is reaped (v. i 6) ; he 
 puts an end to the world, and reaps the harveft of 
 
 his
 
 474 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 KIecTr, by withdrawing them from all further la- 
 bours, and gathering them to himfelf, as the huf- 
 bandman gathers his corn into his granary. And. 
 ke, (the Son of man) shall fend bis Angels with a- 
 trumpet, end a great voice : and they shall gather 
 together his Eleft from the four winds ^ from the far- 
 theft part of the heavens to the I'Jmoft bounds of them 
 (Mat. xxiv. 31.). The harvefr being made, fol- 
 lows the Vintage. 
 
 A.n. Angel comes out (v. ij.}.frcm the temple in Heaven, 
 
 as fcnt by the Almighty, with a sharp fickle alfo in his 
 
 hand, and prefently comes forth (v. iS.)from the Altar 
 
 of Holocaufts where fire was perpetually kept, a ie- 
 
 cond Angel who hath power ever the fire, and who is 
 
 commanded, becaufe perpetual fire is to be the punifh- 
 
 ment of the wicked, to tell the firft Angel to tbruft in 
 
 bis sharp fickle, and gather the cluflers of the vine-yard 
 
 ef the earth : hecaufe the graces thereof are ripe.. 
 
 The Angel executes the order, cutts off in an in- 
 
 ftant the clufters of grapes over the whole earth 
 
 (v. i 9), gathers them together, and cafts them into 
 
 the great prefs or wine-prefs of the wrath of Gcd : 
 
 that is, the Angel collects together the whole troop 
 
 of the Reprobate, and calls them, as being ripe for 
 
 punifhment, into the deep pit of Hell. This is 
 
 conformable to what we hear from our Saviour. 
 
 'The Son of man, fays he, shall fend his Angels, and 
 
 they shall gather cut of his Kingdom all fcandals^ and 
 
 them that work iniquity : and shall cajl them into the 
 
 furnace of fire (Matt. xiii. 41. 42.). St. John then 
 
 adds, v. 20. And the prefs izas trodden without the 
 
 dty, and blood came cut of the prefs, up to the horfes 
 
 bridles, for a thoufand fix hundred furlongs. Here 
 
 is a ftriking allegorical exprefiion of the effufion of 
 
 God's anger upon the damned, who are reprefented 
 
 as
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 475 
 
 as trodden in the lake of hell, in the fame manner as 
 grapes are trodden in the wine-prefs : and the per- 
 Ibn that thus treads them, we are told, is Chrifb 
 himfelf , he treadeth the wine-prefs of the fierccnefs of 
 the wrath of God the Almighty (Apoc. xix. 15.). 
 Chriftis conftituted the avenger of the injuries done 
 to his Almighty Father, and is his Minifter to ex- 
 ecute his judgments upon the impious. The allufion 
 of the treading of the wine-prefs is carried on, and if 
 it was fuppofed that the whole heap of the damned, 
 lodged in the pit of hell, were there trcdden^ there 
 would ifiue out from their bodies a quantity s of blood 
 that would cover a fpace of ground, all around, to 
 the diftance of a thcufand fix hundred furlongs or 
 two hundred miles, and to fuch a height, that the 
 blood would reach to the horfes bridles, if waded 
 through. This fea of blood would not however 
 affect the City or manfion of the Blefied, which is 
 placed at a great diftance. One cannot but fhud- 
 der at the picture here expofed to us, as it fuggefts 
 the difmal idea of fuch an immenfe multitude of the 
 human fpecies devoted to the flames of hell without 
 hope of redemption. For in effect, if a circular 
 fpace, of four hundred miles diameter, be covered 
 with blood to four feet height, which is about the 
 height of a middle-fized horfe's bridle from the 
 ground ; and if we fuppofe fifteen pounds to be, at 
 an average, the quantity of blood in a man i the 
 denfity of blood being nearly one 25th greater than 
 that of water, a foot cubic of which weighs a thou- 
 fand ounces , we fhall find, by making the compu- 
 tation, that the number of men's bodies, requifire 
 to give the mafs of blood abovementioned, will be 
 upwards of 6o : coOjOOO,ooo,ooo. 
 
 We
 
 476 '*~" E GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 We have now Teen, on one fick% the body of the 
 Reprobate banifhed from the prefence of Chrift, and 
 doomed to their perpetual prilbn : while on the 
 the other fide the whole company of Saints mine 
 with all the noble qualities, belonging to bodies 
 clothed with immortality. They now fee the happy 
 moment arrived for the accompiifhrnent of all their 
 expectations. That part of them, who adorned 
 the world before the Saviour of mankind appeared 
 in it, are called into the heavenly raanfions with 
 Angelical acclamations. They enter, fmging in 
 Jubilation : Come, let us praife the Lord with joy : 
 let us joyfully fing to God our Saviour. Let us come 
 before his prefence with thankfgiving : and, make a 
 Joyful noife to him with Pjahns. (Pi aim 94.,). The 
 other body, compoled of the Chriilian .Saints, are 
 gratified in a peculiar manner with the gracious 
 countenance of Chrift, their Lord and Mailer, who 
 invites them to reign with him in blifs for all 
 eternity. On fo happy an occasion that crowns all 
 their wifhcs, the heavens refound with the loudeft 
 acclamations of joy and exultation : 
 
 Chap. xix. v. 7. Let us be glad and rejoice, and 
 give glory to him (God) ; for the mar rage of the 
 Lamb is come, and his wife has prepared herfelf. 
 
 v. 8. And it was granted to her that /he fiould 
 clothe herfclf with fine linnen, glittering and white. 
 For the fine linnen are the justifications of Saints. 
 
 v. 9. And ke faid to me : Write, Blejj'ed are they 
 that are called to the marriage-flipper of the Lamb. 
 The Heavenly Choirs thus break out into Jubila- 
 tion and tranfports of joy, becaufe the time is come 
 for the nuptials of the Lamb^ that is, for Chrift to 
 efpoufe his Church, which is the Society of his 
 
 Saints,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 47; 
 
 Saints, by* taking her to himfclf, by freeing her 
 from all enemies, by removing all evils for ever 
 from her, by enriching her with every bieffirig, and 
 infine by cheriihing her as a fpoufe does his beloved 
 onforr. The wife or bride of the Lamb, that is, 
 the company of Chriftian Saints, appears in a fuit- 
 able garb for the marriage. She is dreffed in fins 
 linnen, the fyrnbol of the Juftifications or the good 
 works* and merit of her holy members , the moft 
 pleafing attire, in which me can prefent herfelf to 
 the Lamb. Her robe is glittering and white, becaufe 
 me has been purified as filver in the furnace, and 
 warned white in the waters of tribulation and perfe- 
 cution. Here then follows the marriage of the Lamb 
 or the gracious and affectionate union of Chrift 
 with his Saints. He then introduces them into 
 Heaven, and prefents them, as his bride, before the 
 Throne to his Eternal Fafcher. Then may be truly 
 laid, Biffed are they (v. 9.) that art called to the 
 warriage-fiippper of the Lamb , the Saints are feated 
 in glory: and filled with ineffable and endlefs blifs, 
 which is the marriage-flipper, the ultimate term of 
 all. 
 
 After fo glorious a conclufion of the marriage- 
 feaft, St. John proceeds 
 
 v. 9. And he faith to me : thrfe words of God are 
 true. The Angel of Chrift, that is, St. John Bap- 
 tift who in the form of an Angel attends the 
 Apoftle during this prophecy, gives teftimony . to 
 what has been juit pronounced ; , Eltffed are they 
 tbat are called to the marriags-fupper of the Lamb. 
 The Angel affirms that theie are the words of God, 
 and cdnfequenlJy true, or will infallibly have their 
 
 acccm~
 
 478 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 accomplifhment at the appointed time, viz, at the 
 laft day. 
 
 The Apoftle fuppofing this to be the concluiion 
 of all that was to be revealed to him, turns to the 
 Angel : 
 
 v. 10. And I fell down, fays he, before bis feet, to 
 adore him. And he faith to me : fee thou do it not : 
 I am thy fellow-fervant, and of thy Brethren who 
 have the tejlimony df Jefus. Adore God. for the 
 tejlimony of Jefus, is the Spirit of fropbecy. St 
 John, in token of gratitude, offers to pay to the 
 Angel fuch homage as is due to a Being of his rank, 
 which the Angel however refufes to accept, giving 
 for reafon, that he is a fellow-fervant of the Apoftle 
 and of the Apoftle's brethren who bear tejlimony to 
 Jefus Cbrift. This fpeech evidently agrees with 
 the character of the Baptift, but not with that of a 
 real Angel. Then St. John is told to adore God, 
 as the author' of all prophecy : after which the 
 Angel adds : for the tejlimony of Jefus, is the fpirit 
 of prophecy, that is, the tejlimony which you give to 
 Chrift byfuffering for his holy name and the profefTion 
 of his doctrine, is of equal value with the fpirit of 
 prophecy, by which I reveal to you thefe future 
 events. 
 
 Though the Divine incomparable Revelation, 
 here imparted to St. John, feemed in this place to 
 terminate, as having carried on the hiftory of the 
 Chriftian Church from it's birth to it's triumphant 
 ftate after the Refurrection, yet we fee further dif- 
 coveries communicated, and new fcenes Ihewn to 
 the Apoftle. He has defcribed to us the wreck and 
 diflblution of the world, the Refurreclion of man- 
 kind, the Judgment pafTed upon them, with the 
 
 punilh-
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. . 
 
 punifhment of the wicked and the rccompence of 
 the good, The Prophet now proceeds to lay before 
 Us a feries of new picture, the objecls of which are 
 of ib uncouth a nature, ib different from any thing 
 we are acquainted with, that it is beyond the power 
 of man to explain them to full fatisfa&ion. The 
 firft of thefe pictures he exhibits to us, is the fol- 
 lowing. 
 
 Chap. xxi. v. i. And I faiv, fays he, d new 
 Heaven and a new Earth. For the firft heaven,, 
 and the fir ft earth was gone, and the fea is now no more. 
 Here is a total change in our fyftem of nature. The 
 earth, that was, the heaven or fky, with it's at! mophere, 
 it's clouds, &c. had pajfed away and vanished : but 
 now a new heaven and a new earth appear. The fame 
 we are taught by St. Peter : We look, fays he, for 
 new heavens and a new eartb, according to his pro- 
 mi fes, in whrch juftice dwelleth (2 Ep. Hi. 13.)- 
 This new heaven and new earth are not of new 
 creation, but the former heaven and earth, purified 
 by fire, renewed by the hand of God, and 
 made much more perfect : " not other heavens and 
 another earth, fays St. Jerom, but the former ones 
 changed into better." (in Ifai. Ixv.;. And St, 
 Gregory the great, fpeaking of the fame fays : 
 " Others are not to be created, but thefe fame 
 renewed." (lib. xvii. Moral, in Job c, v.). 
 This fentiment is founded on Scripture. The 
 Pfalmift reprefents the heavens and the earth grow- 
 ing old and wearing away like a garment, and then 
 to be changed. In the beginning, Lord, thotc. 
 fcundedft the easily and the heavens are the works cf 
 thy hands, ^bcy flail perijh, but thou remaineft : and 
 all of them flail grosv old like a garment : and as a 
 
 vejlure
 
 4 8o THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 uejlitre tbou halt change them, and they Jh all be chang* 
 ed. (Pfalm 101. v. 26. Sec.}. Solomon allb feems 
 to allure us, that every thing mall remain that has 
 been created ; / bave learned^ lays he, that all the 
 works, -which God has made, continue for evert 
 (Eccl. iii. 14.); upon which St. Gregory the great's 
 comment is : " they will pafs, as to their prefen? 
 " figure or appearance, but as to their fubftanCe 
 " they will remain for ever." (lib. xvii. Moral, in 
 Job. c. 5.). St. Auftin tells us, that " by the 
 " change of things the world will not entirely 
 " perifli or be annihilated .... It's form or external 
 " appearance will be changed, but not it's fub- 
 " ftance." (lib. xx. de Civ. c. 14). And again 
 more amply : *' The figure of this world will pafs 
 
 " away by the general conflagration The 
 
 " qualities of the corruptible elements (of which 
 " our world is compofed), which were proportioned 
 " to our corruptible bodies, will entirely be deftroy- 
 " ed by the fire ; and the fubflance of thofe elements 
 " will acquire new qualities, which will be fuit- 
 " able to our immortal bodies : and thus the world, 
 " by becoming more perfect, will be proportioned 
 " to the then improved ft ate of the human body.'* 
 (ibid. c. 1 6.)- After the fame manner fpeak St. Juftin, 
 St. Baiil, and other Holy Fathers. Hence we may 
 conclude that our new world, as to it's lubftance, 
 will be die fame as the old : but it's qualities will 
 be totally altered, fo as to be no more pernicious to 
 the human body, offenfive to the fenfes, or obnoxious 
 to unfeafonable viciflitudes. Every part will then 
 appear, bright, glorious, pleaiing to the fenfes, 
 nnd infpiring happinefs. They will form as it were 
 a Paradile. \Vhethcr the fupcrior Heavens, that 
 
 contain
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 4 s x 
 
 contain the Sun, Moon, and Stars, will undergo 
 the fame change, is uncertain ; and the writers on 
 this fubject are divided in their opinions. 
 
 St. John adds in this place a particularity worthy 
 our notice : and the fea is now no more ; being per- 
 haps wholly drisd up, as to its fluidity, by the fire ; 
 and it's component folid parts reduced into the fame 
 ftate with the reft of the terreftial globe. Thus the 
 Sea will be no more, as being of no further ule. 
 This intire fuppreffion of the fea may give a reafon, 
 why the Angel, v/hofe feet were as pillars of fire, 
 when he announced the end of the world flood, 
 with his right foot upon the Sea, and his left upon 
 the land (Apoc. x. i . 2.) ; the right foot denoting 
 a greater power or ftrength, which is here required 
 to confume water, fo much more oppofite in it's 
 nature to fire than dry land. 
 
 The fcene of Nature being now totally changed 
 and die new heavens and the new earth being form- 
 ed, St. John proceeds 
 
 Chap. xxi. v. 2. And 1 John faw the Holy city the 
 new Jzrufakm^ coming down out of Heaven, from 
 God. Here our Prophet begins a new period, which 
 is, the period of Eternity. He had hitherto relat- 
 ed the hiftory of the Chriftian Church in a regular 
 courfe from it's firft rife to it's pafiing away with time 
 itfelf.and with the deftruflion of the world. [ He 
 does not however ftop here, but Aigle-like with a 
 rie\v flight carries us into the regions of Eternity, 
 and hews us a fketch of the Glorious ftate the 
 Elefled will' enjoy during that endlefs period. The 
 account of this new period St. John now begins, and 
 for that reafon fays not limply, I faw, as is ulual 
 v/ith him j but, / John faw, in the fame manner as 
 H he
 
 4 Sa THE GENERAL HISTORY- 
 
 he began the firft part of his Hiftory, with, I John? 
 your Brother .... was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, 
 &c. (Apoc. i. 9. 10.). From what we have feen 
 it appears, that St. Jqhn's prophecy is almoft 
 wholly confined to the hiftory of the Chriftian 
 Church, but that he has neverthelefs gone beyond 
 that boundary, in the inftance of relating to us the 
 general Judgment of all mankind. In like manner 
 he is now going to dclcribe the Heavenly triumphant 
 ftate of the whole Church of God, that is, of the 
 whole body of the Saints. But we mufb here take 
 notice of the plan which he follows, which is, to 
 divide them into two Societies. The firft is, of the 
 Saints that lived in the ages prior to Chriilianity, 
 and who worfhiped the Supreme Deity in the Unity 
 cf Godhead. The fecond Society comprehends all 
 Ghriftian Saints, who adored God in Trinity of Per- 
 fons. Thefe oblervations premifed, we now return 
 to the text. 
 
 Chap. xxi. v. 2. And I John faw, fays he, the holy 
 city the new Jerufalem coming down cut of Heaven, 
 from God> prepared as & bride adorned for her hujland. 
 
 v. 3. And I heard a great voice from the throne? 
 faying : behold the Tabernacle of God with men, and 
 he will dwell with them* And they Jball be his peo- 
 ple : and God himfelf with them Jball be their God. 
 
 v. 4. And God Jball wipe away all tears from their 
 eyes : and death Jhcll Is no more, nor mourning, nor 
 crying, nor forrow Jball be any more, for the former 
 tilings are paffed away. 
 
 v. 5. And he that fat on the throne, faid : Behold^ 
 I make nil things new. 
 
 - This boly city, this new Jerufalem, that is feen 
 defending fr&m Heaven, from God, and appears fo. 
 
 bright
 
 or THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 483 
 
 bright and fhining, like a. bride dreffcd up to meet 
 her bujland, is the Heaven or the glorious and 
 happy manfion of all the Saints that exifted before 
 our Saviour, or that lived under the Law of Nature 
 and the Mofaic : And it is new in allufion to the 
 former Jerufalem which had been their habitation 
 on earth. This heavenly Jerufalem may therefore 
 be (tiled the Patriarchal and Jewifh Jerufalem. We 
 lhall fee in the fequel the Chriftian Jerufilem. 
 This new city of the Bleffed is feen coning down out 
 ef Heaven from Gcd, to the new Earth where ft 
 fixes, to Ihew that now Heaven and Earth are join- 
 ed, and that Heaven is there wherever God is. 
 To exprefs the extraordinary degree of light, with 
 which this heavenly City will be illuminated, Ifaiah 
 fays : The light of the Moon Jhall be as ths light of the 
 Sun> and the light of the Sun Jhall be fevenfold, as 
 the light of feven days. (xxx. 26.). The expreffions- 
 that follow in verfe 3 : behold the Tabernacle of God 
 with men, and he will dwell with them, &c, appa- 
 rently belong to the Jewilh and Patriarchal ag-es^ 
 and frequently occur in the Old Teftament and par- 
 ticularly in the ancient Prophets ; which mews that 
 this is the Patriarchal and Jewifh Heavenly Jeru- 
 falem. The Holy Inhabitants of this City will be 
 blelfed with complete felicity arifing from the pre- 
 fence of God dwelling with them, and will experience 
 no more furrow nor any other miiery (v. 4) : God 
 Jhall wipe away all tears from their eyes : arid dsatb 
 Jhall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor for- 
 raw Jhall be any more, for the former things are 
 faffed away. And he .that fat on the throne, (God), 
 faid : Behold I make all things new. The Prophet 
 Ifaiah had laid nearly the fame things : The Lcrd, fays 
 I i 2 he,
 
 4 34 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 he, {hall caft Death down headlong for ever : and the 
 Lord God faall wipe away tears from every face (xxv. 
 8.). And: Behold, fays God by the fame Prophet, 
 / create new heavens and a new earth : and the former 
 things JJoall not be in remembrance? and they J/jall not 
 come upon the heart. But you JJoall be glad and rejoice 
 far ever in thefe things, which I create : for behold I 
 create Jerufalem a rejoicing, and the people thereof 
 joy. And I will rejoice in Jerufalem, and joy in my 
 people, and the 'voice of weeping (hall no more be hes.rd 
 in her, nor the voice of crying (Ixv. 17. &c.) The 
 Almighty makes all things new to thefe Bleffed Be- 
 ings, a new Jerufalem or feat of blifs, a new {late 
 of exigence quite different from what it had been 
 in this world : all is now happinefs,. glory, and 
 
 exultation.' St. John proceeds 
 
 v. 5. And he faid to me : Write, for thefe words 
 are moft faithful dnd true. Here is the Sanction of 
 die Almighty. He gives teftimony to the truth of 
 what has been faid of the happinefs and glory of the 
 Jewiili and Patriarchal Church in Heaven, and he 
 profefles to be faithful in the execution of thefe 
 promifes. 
 
 v. 6. And he faid to me : It is done. I am Alpha 
 and Omega : the beginning and the end. The Al- 
 mighty again ipeaks, and fays : // is done ; time ii 
 pall and eternity is begun. / am Alpha and Omega : 
 ti's beginning and the end : I framed the Univerfe, I 
 deftroyed it, and renewed it at my pleafure: All 
 mankind received their exiftence from me, and they 
 ultimately return to me to be rewarded or punifhed : 
 I, called the Patriarchs and I chofe the Jews, I was 
 their God and of all the. Jult of thole ages, and 
 
 Khali 
 -
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 485 
 
 ! Jhall be their God and reward for all Eternity. 
 The Almighty proceeds 
 
 v. 6. To him that thirfttth I will glue of tbe foun- 
 tain of tbe 'water of life, freely. 
 
 v. 7. He that Jhall overcome, jhall pojfefs thefe 
 things, and I will be bis God, and he jhall be my Son. 
 
 To thofe that fhall have tbirfted, lays God, after 
 the water of life, after heavenly Beatitude and 
 endeavour to deferve it, I will give it j and my 
 gift will be free or gratuitous, becaufe human merit 
 can never equal the reward which I beftow, nor is 
 there any human merit without the concurrence of 
 my grace. 
 
 I fhall give them plentifully to drink. of this 
 water of life, by repleniihing them with that abun- 
 dance of fwect fatisfaction, which furpafles all con- 
 ception. They Jhall be inebriated with tbe plenty of 
 thy boufe, fays the Pfalmift; and thou Jbalt make 
 them drink of tbe torrent of thy pleafure, (Pfalm. xxxv. 
 9.). And whoever mall have overcome (v. 7.), that 
 is, whoever fhall have courageoufly fought in the 
 caufe of Religion, or fhall have preferred himfelf 
 free from Idolatry, injuflice, and works of iniquity, 
 and fhall have walked in the obfervance of my pre- 
 cepts, he fhall inhabit this City, this manfion of 
 immortality, and fhall poffefs for ever the ineffable 
 bleflings of felicity that abound in it, and I will be 
 bis God, and be Jhall be my Son. Such will be the 
 happy ftate of the courageous and zealous fervants 
 of God, 
 
 v. 8. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and tbe 
 abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and 
 fercerers, and Idolaters, and all liars, they Jhall have 
 
 I i 3 
 '
 
 4 S6 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 their portion in the pool burning with fire and brim- 
 jlone which is the fecond death. 
 
 The account being here concluded of the future 
 ftate of that part of mankind, which preceedcd the 
 age of Chriftianity, we are now invited to a new 
 fpe&aclc. 
 
 v. 9. And there came one of the Seven Angels , who 
 had the vials full of the feven loft plagues, and fpoke 
 with me, frying : Come, and I will foew thee the 
 bride, the wife of the Lamb. 
 
 v. 10. And he took me up in fpirit to a great and 
 high mountain : and he jhewed me the holy city Jeru- 
 falem * coming down out of Heaven from God, 
 
 v. 1 1 . Having the glory of God : and the light 
 thereof was like to a precious ftcnc, as to the Jafper- 
 ftone, even as Chryjlal. 
 
 Here we are favoured with a fight of the Heaven- 
 ly Jerufalem or feat of blifs of the Chriftian Saints. 
 The ground of this diftinction of two Jerufalems 
 appears, not only from the Prophet's invariable 
 rule of not repeating the fame thing, but alfo from 
 their refpective defcriptions. The firft, which we law 
 above, agrees with the nature and terms of the 
 Covenant of God with mankind relatively to the 
 ages before the a?ra of Chriftianity : and this latter 
 Jerufalem is particularly diftinguifhed by being 
 ililed the Bride and Wife of the Lamb, which evi- 
 dently charafterifes the Chriftian Church. The 
 view of this feat of heavenly beatitude is offered to 
 St. John by one of the feven Angels who had the vials 
 full of the feven loft plagues, it being fit that the 
 
 rewards 
 
 In the greek text, the great city, the holy Jcrufahm.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 487 
 
 rewards of the juft Ihould be proclaimed by the 
 fame Angels, who before had poured the Vials of 
 divine punilhments on the wicked. St. John i 
 raviflied in fyirit to the top of a. great and high moun- 
 tain^ to be enabled to fee over the high wall into 
 this great city, the Holy Jerufalem of the Chriftian 
 Saints, which he fees coming down out of Heaven from 
 God, to fix upon the Earth. It is filled with the 
 brightnefs of the Glory of God : and it's light is as 
 fhining as the luftre of the fineil precious ft one, and 
 as agreeable to the eye as the view of the molt tranf- 
 parent green Jafpcr ftone. 
 
 v. 12. And it had a vail great and high, having 
 twelve gates, and in the gates twelve Angels, find 
 names written thereon, which are the names of the 
 twelve tribes of the Children of IfraeL 
 
 v. 13. On the Eaft, three gates : and on the North, 
 three gates : and on the South, three gates : and on the 
 Weft, three gates. 
 
 This heavenly city is furronded with a great and 
 high wall, and has twelve gates, three to the Eaft, 'as 
 many to the Weft, to the North, and to the South. 
 They are guarded by twelve Angels in the fame 
 manner as an Angel was appointed to guard the 
 gate of the Terreftrial Paradife : and upon each gate 
 is infcribed the name of one of the twelve tribes // 
 the children of Ifrael, becaufe from them the Chrii- 
 tian Church was firft formed, and thus they became 
 the leaders or gate of entrance to all fucceeding 
 Chriftians. 
 
 v. 14. And the wall of the city had twelve founda- 
 tions, and in them the twelve names of the twelve 
 Apoftles of the Lamb. The Wall Hands on twelve 
 foundations -raifed one upon anQther-j- on-which are 
 . I.i.4 . .^ ... kverally
 
 .488 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 feverally infcribed the names of the twelve Apofiks cf 
 the Lamb ; they being, after Chrift, the foundations 
 of his Church. 
 
 v. i 5. And be that fpoke with me, had a meafure 
 of a reed, of gold, to meafure the city and the gates 
 thereof \ and the wall. 
 
 v. 1 6. And the city lieth in a four-Square, and the 
 length thereof is as great as the breadth : and he mea- 
 fured the city with the golden reed for twelve thonfc.ud 
 furlongs : and the length, and the height and the 
 breadth thereof are equal 
 
 v. 17. And he meafured the wall thereof an hundred 
 forty four cubits, the meafure of a man which is of an 
 
 The. Angel, who fhews and explains thefe things 
 to St. John, msafures with a golden rod the city, 
 it's walls and gates, and finds the plan of the city 
 to be an exact fquare, and its whole circuit to be 
 twelve thoufand furlongs or fifteen hundred miles, 
 The wall of each fide of this fquare is therefore 
 three thoufand furlongs or three hundred and 
 feventy five miles long-, and what is ftrange, it's 
 height is laid to be equal to it's length ; fo that the 
 whole fabrick of the city forms an exact cube, the 
 length^ breadth, and height of which are, each fe- 
 verally, three hundred and feventy five miles. 
 "What a prodigious city ! but, In my Father's hcufe, 
 fays our Saviour, there are many man/ions (John, 
 xiv. 2) : Such an extenfive habitation, we hope, in- 
 dicates the vafl multitude that will be o Chriftian 
 citizens. The Angel likcwile mcafurcs the thick- 
 nefs of the wall (v. 17), and finds it to be an hun- 
 dred and forty four cubits or two hundred and fixteen, 
 feet (a cubit being the meafure from the elbow to the 
 
 extremity
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 489 
 
 extremity of the hand of an ordinary man, or a foot 
 and a half nearly, v.-hich is the meafure ufed by the 
 Angel.) 
 
 v. i 8 . And the building of the wall thereof was of 
 Jrjper-ftone ; but the city itfelfpure gold, like to clear 
 glafs. St. John having defcribed the dirnenfions of 
 this great City, the bafis of which being a fquare 
 and the ftructure a cube, form the mofl elegant 
 and mofl perfect figure of an edifice \ he now pro- 
 ceeds to give us an account of the materials, of 
 which the whole is built, which are the richeft that 
 can be imagined. The wall is built of fine green 
 Jafper-fio*fi the colour bed fuited to the eye,, The 
 city itfelf, by which we fuppofe are meant the build- 
 ings of the city, is conftrucled wholly of pure gold as 
 transparent as Cryftal. 
 
 v. i 9. And the foundations cf the wall of the City, 
 were adorned with all manner of precious ftones. 
 The Jirjl foundation, was Jafper : the fecond, Sap- 
 phire : the third, a Chalcedony: the fourth, an Eme- 
 rald : 
 
 v. 20. The fifth, Sardonix : the fixth, Sardius : 
 the feventh, Chryfolite : the eighth, Beryl : the ninth, 
 a Topaz : the tenth, a Chryfoprafus : the eleventh, a 
 Jacinth : the twelfth, an Ametbyft. The twelve 
 foundations that fupport the wall of the city, are 
 adorned with the moft fliining and moft beautiful 
 precious fioms, which are here particularly fpecified. 
 As the names of the twelve Apoftles are infcribed 
 upon them (v. i 4), perhaps the qualities of each 
 ftone bearfome relation to the peculiar endowments 
 of the Apoftle whofe name is upon it j but this 
 relation we cannot pretend to difcover. 
 
 r. 2 i.
 
 490 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 v. 2 i. And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, one 
 to each : and every federal gate was of cm federal 
 pearl. ' And the fereet of the city was pure gold, as it 
 -were tranfparent glafs. The twehe gates of the city 
 in their ftrudture and decorations are made of fo many 
 beautiful pearls, a pearl for each gate : , the Door 
 of each gate is formed of one fingle pearl. And the 
 freets and whole area of the city are paved with 
 pure gold tranfparent as Cryftal. What can be more 
 rich, fplendid, or fumptuous ? 
 
 v. 22. And I f aw no temple therein. For t be Lord 
 God Almighty is the Temple thereof, and the Lamb. 
 
 v. 23. And the city has no need of the Sun, nor of 
 the Moon, to Jhine in it. For the glory of God hath 
 enlightened it, and the Lamb is the lamp thereof. 
 This heavenly city wants no Temple : Almighty God 
 and the Lamb refiding in it fupply the place of a 
 temple ; they are always prefent to the Blefled In- 
 habitants, who thus fee their God and Saviour face 
 to face, and offer their homage immediately to 
 them. Nor is there any occafion for the light of 
 the Sun or Moon : the city is always illuminated 
 by the refplendent glory and brightnefs of the Deity 
 which ferve in the place of the Sun, and the Lamb 
 himfelf is the great luminary of it, in lieu of the 
 Moon. The fame glorious perfections of this city 
 are alfo painted to us in the fame colours by the 
 Prophet Ifaiah : Thou Jhalt no more have the Sun for 
 thy light by day, neither Jhall the btightnefs of the 
 Moon enlighten thee: but the Lord Jhall be unto thee for 
 an eve rlafting light, and thy God for thy glory. (Ix. 19.) 
 v. 24. And the nations * (kali walk in the light of 
 it : and ihd Kings of the Earth Jhall bring their 
 
 In the Greek text : the nations ofthofe that arefaved.
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 491 
 
 glory and honour into it. The citizens, who fhall 
 enjoy thefe blefflngs, will be felected from all the 
 'Nations that have efpoufed the Chriftian Law. And 
 the Kings of the earth who have truly ferved Chrift 
 the King of Kings, fhall there offer their homage to 
 the Almighty and to the Lamb, and lay their 
 crowns and honours at the foot of the throne. 
 
 v. 25. And tbe gates thereof flat! not be Jlmt by 
 day : for there jk all be no night there. 
 
 v. 26. And they Jhall bring the glory and honour of 
 the nations into it. The gates of the city will always 
 be open, as it can fuffer no danger from enemies, 
 nor any difturbance. Nor will there be ever the 
 lead obfcurity or darknefs, it's light, which pro- 
 ceeds from God and the Lamb, remaining always 
 equally intenfe and inextinguifhable. Some of all 
 ranks and conditions, out of all the nations of the 
 earth, will there be found offering to the Supreme 
 Deity their glory and oonc'w\ that is, their riches, 
 their dignities, or whatever blcflrngs they had been 
 poffcfled of in life. The fame glorious things we 
 hear from the mouth of that Ancient Prophet, who 
 always fpoke with rapture of Chrifb and his Kingdom: 
 Thy gates /ball be open continually : they Jhall not be 
 Jlmt day nor night, that the Jlrength of the Gentiles 
 may be brought to thee, and their Kings may be 
 brought (liai. Ix. i !.) 
 
 v. 27. fbere Jhall not enter into it any thing defiled, 
 or that ivorketh abomination or maketh a lye, but they 
 that are written in the book of life of the Lamb. 
 Such is the holinefs of the place, that nothing defiled, 
 unclean, nothing ftained with the abomination of 
 idolatry, injuftice, lying or impoiiure, or any other 
 fpecies of iniquity, can enter there. It is a man- 
 lion
 
 49 i THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 fion of blifs, for tlioie only whofe names are written 
 in the book of life of the Lamb, that is, for thofe only 
 who have been called and chofen by the Lamb, and 
 whom he has regiftered in his book. Such expref- 
 fions repeatedly prove that the city here defcribed is 
 the Chriilian Jerufalem. 
 
 Chap. xxii. v. i. And he Jhewzd me a river of 
 water of life, clear as cryftal, proceeding from the 
 throne of God and of the Lamb. 
 
 v. 2. In the midft of the Jlreet thereof, and en both 
 fides of the river, was the tree, of life, bearing twelve 
 fruits, yielding it's fruits every month, and, the leaves 
 of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 
 
 Through this Celeftial abode runs a river of water 
 of life, clear as cryftal, which rifes from the foot of 
 the throne of God and the Lamb. On the banks of 
 this river, as it runs through the middle of the Jlreets, 
 grows the tree of life, bearing twelve different forts 
 of fruit which ripen every month ; the food of which 
 nourifhes the inhabitants, preferves their bodies from 
 all tendency to corruption, and keeps them in full 
 vigour and ftrength without the leaft impair for all 
 eternity. The leaves even have the virtue si healing, 
 or of Securing the body againft the leaft attack of 
 ficknefs or difeafe. An emblem of this was the tree 
 of life in Paradife. With fuch/ra// and fuch water 
 the heavenly citizens eat and drink immortality. 
 
 v. 3. And there Jhall be no curfe any more : but the 
 throne of God and of the Laa:b Jhall be in it, and his 
 fervants Jhall ferve him. 
 
 v. 4. And they Jhall fee his face : and his name Jhall 
 l>e on their foreheads. In this blifsful habitation 
 there will be no curfe, there will be no danger of 
 experiencing the Anger of. God or his punifhments. 
 
 He
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 493 
 
 He and the Lamb will fix their throne in the midft of 
 them, to gratify them for ever with their amiable 
 prefence -, while they with boundlefs affe&ion will 
 offer their praife and thankfgiving. Thus will the 
 Saints fee their God face to face, and enjoy the 
 poffefTion of him with inexpreflible and never-ceaf- 
 ing joy. And they will bear on their foreheads his 
 name, that is, the names of God and the Lamb ex- 
 preffed in one name, as both are one God : and 
 thus they will carry an honourable and diftinclive 
 mark of their having been the. devoted fervants of 
 God and the Lamb. We may obferve, that in this 
 and other places of the Apocalypfe, where St. John 
 names together God and the Lamb, he always pro- 
 ceeds to fpeak of them in the fingular number, to 
 fhew the unity of Godhead. 
 
 v. 5. And night fljall be no more : and they fh all not 
 need the light of the lamp., nor the light of the Sun> 
 bccaufe the Lord God /hall enlighten them, and they 
 (hall reign for ever and ever. We faw above (xxi. 
 23. and 25.) nearly the fame things applied to die- 
 City, which are here promifed to the Inhabitants, 
 who will never more be troubled with the viciflitude 
 of day and night, but will be cheered with per- 
 petual day. Nor will they want a Sun, a Lamp, or 
 any other created light ; becaufe the Almighty him- 
 felf will enlighten them with the glory and luftre of 
 his Divinity, and they will reign with him in an 
 ccean of happinefs for ever and ever. 
 
 Thus we have feen a full defcription of the 
 Heavenly Jerufalem, that is, of the triumphant 
 ftate of the Chriftian Church, which when once be- 
 gun will laft for evermore. The Saints here will be 
 filled with all thofe gratifications that can footh and 
 
 make
 
 494 ^HE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 make happy the Soul and Body. Both thefe com- 
 ponent parts of the human individual, as they con- 
 curred to advance the glory of God in the world, 
 fo they will have both their refpective objcfts of de- 
 light and happinefs. But it mult here be obierved 
 that, though our explication has been moflly litteral y 
 we cannot pretend to determine how far the Pro- 
 phet's glorious defcription of the Heavenly City is 
 to.be underftood in the litteral, how far in the alle- 
 gorical fenfe. We are certain that the happinefs of 
 the Saints will be complete, but it is not allowed 
 to man to invefligate the particulars of that future 
 ftate y for eye hath not fecn, nor ear heard, neither 
 hath it entered the heart of man, what things God 
 hath prepared for them that lave him (i Cor. ii. 9.). 
 To return to the text, St. John fays 
 
 v. 6. And he faid to me: Thefe words are moft 
 faithful and true. Here is the fcal put to the whole 
 preceding account of the Heavenly Jerufalem : The 
 Angel gives teftimony, that it is moft faithful and 
 true, or that it will certainly take place, as God's 
 word and promife cannot fail. This concluiion is 
 always fubjoined to thole parts of the Prophecy, 
 which treat of the ultimate Hate of man, namely, a 
 happy Eternity. Then is added. 
 
 v. 6. And the Lord God of the fpirits of the Pro- 
 phets fent his Angel to Jbew his fervants the things 
 which r/tuft be done Jhortly. That is, God, who in- 
 fpires the Prophets or is the author of all prophecy, 
 has vouchafed to fend his Angel, St. John the Baptift, 
 to fignify the preceeding prophecy of the Apo- 
 calypie to his jervants, agreeably to what was noti- 
 fied in the very beginning of it (c. i. v. i.) Here 
 then feems to terminate the Prophetical hiitory of 
 
 . the
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 495 
 
 the Chrifdan Church. We have feen her defcribed, 
 in her rife, in her progrefs, and in the principal 
 events that related to her. The whole courfeof her 
 exiftence and tranfactions was aptly divided into 
 feven Ages, the laft of which Ihews her triumph- 
 ing in Heaven, and crowned with immortal glory; 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 Conclufion of the Apocalypfe. 
 
 THE remaining part of the Apocalypfe con- 
 tains feveral uieful admonitions which claim 
 our attention, and with them the Book concludes. 
 
 Apoc. Chap. xxii. v. 7. Bebold I ccme qukkly. 
 Bleffed is he that keepeth the words of the Prophecy of 
 this Book. Here Chrift himfelf fpeaks : behold I 
 come quickh, to execute the things delivered in this 
 Prophecy: therefore blejjed is he who keepeth the 
 words of the Prophecy of this book, or who attends to 
 what is contained in this book, and takes warning 
 and inftru<5bion from the important events therein 
 defcribed. The fame admonition had been given at 
 the beginning (i. 3) j a repeated argument of the 
 extraordinary niefulnefs of this book. 
 
 v. 8. And I John, who have heard and feen theff 
 things. Here St. John fpeaks : / John am the per- 
 fon tha*- beard and faw all tbefe things; by which 
 declaration he gives teflimony of having received 
 
 from
 
 4 ?6 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 from the Angel the whole preceding Prophecy. 
 And then he proceeds 
 
 v. 8. And after I had heard and feen, I fell down 
 to adore before the feet of the Angel, who Jhewed me" 
 thefe things : 
 
 V. 9. And he faid to me : fee thou do not : for I 
 am thy fdbw-fervaxt, and of thy brethren the Pro- 
 phets, and of them that keep the 'words of the prophecy 
 of this book. Adore God. St. John offers, as he 
 had done before (xix. io.) his homage of gratitude 
 to the Angel (St. John Baptlft) who had Jkrusn him 
 thefe things. The Angel refufes it, and tells him to 
 offer his adoration and thanks to God, who is the 
 Author and giver of this Prophecy. The Angel 
 furthermore plainly infmuates, that he has no title 
 to the Apoftle's thanks, nor is of a nature fuperior 
 to the Apoftle ; for he tells him, he is his fellow- 
 fervarJ, and the fellow-fervant of his Brethren, &c, 
 having been fo formerly on earth. 
 
 v. 10. And he faith to me : feal not the words of 
 the prophecy of this bock : for the time is at hand. 
 The Angel, or perhaps Chrift, fays to St. John : 
 feal not the words of the prophecy of this book ; leave 
 the book open, that every one may read it, and be 
 informed of the contents , becaufe the time is at hand 
 for their accomplifhment to begin, or which, is al- 
 ready begun, and which will continue fucceflively, 
 till the whole be completed. 
 
 v. ii. He that hurteth, let him hurt ftill : and he 
 that is filthy, let him be filthy Jlill: and he that is jtiji, 
 1st him be jujiif.ed JtiU : and he that is holy, let him 
 be fcnttified' ftiti That is, the Unjuft and the 
 Wicked, \vho are obftinately fo, may make hafte, 
 fays Chrifi, to complete their injuftice and ini- 
 quity ;
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 497 
 
 quity : and the Juft and the Holy mould endeavour 
 to haften their fteps in fanctifying and perfecting 
 themfelves more ; for 
 
 v. 12. Behold, I come quickly ; and my reward is 
 with me, to render to every man according to his 
 works. Behold, I lhall foon fummon them by the 
 writ of death, to appear before me, fays Chrift, and 
 fhall reward thefe according to their merits ; and 
 thofc, the impious, I {hail punifh in the rigour of 
 juftice according to the mealure of their iniquity. 
 Let us then be prepared for the fummons. 
 
 v. 13. / am Alpha and Omega, the fir ft and the 
 laft, the beginning and the end. Chrift here at- 
 tributes to himfelf the fame divine qualities, which^ 
 were afTumed by Almighty God, Chap. xxi. v. 6. 
 / am, fay5 Chrift, the beginning and the end. I 
 exifted from all Eternity, and mail exift to all 
 Eternity. I am the creator of the Univerfe, the 
 confervator ojf it, and mall put an end to it. I am the 
 firft and the laft, as he had before faid Chap. i. 
 v. 17: I am prior to all mankind, they die and re- 
 turn to duft, but I am living for ever and ever. \ 
 am the firft founder of the new Church on earth, 
 and I mall be the laft and eternal reward of the 
 fame. 
 
 v. 14. Eleffed are they, that wafa their robes in the 
 blood of the Lamb * : that they may have a right to 
 the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into 
 the city. 
 
 v. 15. Without are dogs, and forcer ers, and un- 
 chafte, and murderers, and fervers of Idols, and every 
 
 * In the Greek, that olfervebis commandments. 
 
 K k one
 
 498 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 one that loveth and maketb a lye. Chrift continues 
 to fpeak, and pronounces BleJ/ed thofe Chriftians, 
 that wa/h their robes in the blood of tie Lamb by 
 fuffering martyrdom, or by preferving themfelves 
 clean from the filth of fin, and by the obfervance of 
 his commands, Thefe will be intitled to be admitt- 
 ed through the gates into the city, that is, into the 
 manfions of the Chriftian heavenly Jerufalem ; 
 where they will have a right to the tree of life, to 
 eat the fruit of Immortality. But all thofe others 
 will be excluded from this heavenly city, who, after 
 the nature of fnarling dogs, calumniate and Dander 
 their neighbour ; alib all forcer ers, unchajle, mur- 
 derers, ' Idolaters, and thofe that love and make lies, 
 or impoftors and teachers of falfe doctrine. 
 
 v. 1 6. / Jefus have fent my Angel, to taftify to you 
 thefe things in the Churches. Jefus Chrift here fpeak s 
 and fays : / have fcnt my Angel, John theBaptift, to 
 deliver to you, John the Apoflle, this my Revela- 
 tion, and to give tejiimony to it - 9 that you may tranf- 
 mit it in an authentic manner to the feven churches of 
 Afia, and they to others. Chrift continues 
 
 v. 1 6. I am the root and ftock of David, the bright 
 and morning ftar. 1 am the root and fleck or flem 
 that fpring from David : I am that Son of David, 
 of whom it was faid : I'he Lord God '/hall gipe unto 
 him the throne of David his Father, and he Jhall reign 
 in the koufe of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom 
 there /hall be no end (Luke i. 32. 33.)- To 
 me ,thcn were decreed all power and dominion : 
 and from me flow the divine blefilngs to all 
 riations, both* of redemption and future immor- 
 tality. Thefe are my rights. I am alfo tbe bright 
 fad morning ftar , the true morning ftar that mines 
 
 fo
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 499 
 
 fo bright above all other ftars, and that enlightened 
 every man that comes into the world (John i. 9.). I 
 am that Star, the Orient, that enlighteneth them who 
 fit in darknefs, and in the Jhadow cf death. (Luke i. 
 78. 79.). I am the bright morning ft ar, that guides 
 mankind to the gate of heaven. / am the way, the 
 truth, and the life. (John xiv. 6.). Chrift con- 
 tinues 
 
 v. 17. And the Spirit and the Bride fay : Come. 
 And he that heareth, let him fay : Come. And he that 
 thirjleth, let him come : and he that will, let him take 
 the water of life freely. The Spirit or Holy Ghoft, 
 who directs the Church, and the Bride of Chrift or 
 the Church herfelf, cry to me, faying : Come, haftert 
 the general Judgment, put an end to the labours of 
 your fervants, and admit them into the heavenly city. 
 Whoever heareth this cry of the Holy Spirit and the 
 Church, let him alfo fay : come -, let every one join 
 in the fame requeft, becaufe it is for the ultimate 
 and greateft blefling. And if any one thirjleth after 
 tie water of life, after the Glory which I give, let 
 him come and meet me, let him haften to me in 
 fervour and fanctity. And he that will, let him take 
 the water of life freely j he that defires to drink of 
 the water of life and will take the pains to come at 
 it, may have it freely or gratis, without money, 
 without any other price but faith and good works, 
 both which proceed from the gratuitous gift of my 
 grace : for whhout me you can do nothing (John. xv. 
 5.) : When I crown your merits, I crown my own 
 gifts. The fame invitation to eternal Beatitude, 
 which alone will fatisfy all our defires, Almighty 
 God formerly gave by his Prophet Ifaiah: AH you 
 that thirft, ccme to the waters : and you that have no 
 K k 2 money.
 
 500 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 money, make hajte, buy, and eat : come ye, buy wine 
 and milk without money, and without any price. (Iv. i.). 
 
 v. 1 8. For I teftify to every one that keareth the 
 words of the Prophecy of this look : If any man Jhall 
 add to thefe things, God Jhall add unto him the plagues 
 written in this book. 
 
 v. 19. And if any man Jhall take away from the words 
 cf the book of this prophecy, God Jhall take away his 
 part cut of the look cf life, and out of the holy City, 
 and from thefe things that are written in this book. 
 Chriil had faid juft before (v. 16), that he had fent 
 his Angel to give teftimony to this prophecy : and 
 therefore he here denounces a fevere pumlhment 
 upon all thofe, who (hall prefume to add any thing 
 to, or detract from, this Prophecy of the Apo- 
 calypfe. Hence it appears, \vith what refpect and 
 caution it ought to be read and handled. And in- 
 deed whoever has ftudied the Apocalypfe with at- 
 tention, muft have obferved the precifion of it to 
 be fuch, that a word cannot be added or 'retrenched 
 without danger of derogating from the fenfe. 
 
 v. 20. He that gives teftimony of thefe things, 
 faith. Surely, 'I come quickly : Amen. Come, Lord 
 Jefus. Chrifb here gives teftimony of thefe things, 
 that is, he bears witnefs and gives his fandion to all 
 that is written in this prophecy ; and then conclud- 
 ing proclaims for the third time: furely, I come 
 quickly. I mall certainly come foon, for good and 
 all, to judge the whole body of mankind at the laft 
 day, and to recompenfe the Juft and punifh the 
 Wicked. St. John anfwers his divine Mafter : Be 
 it fo, O Lord Jefus , come, and grant us, your fer- 
 vants, the favour of enjoying you for all eternity. 
 
 CHAP-
 
 OP THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 501 
 
 C H A P. XV, 
 
 Reflections on the /even ages of the Chnjllan 
 Church. 
 
 THUS have we taken a view of the whole 
 Prophetic Hiftory of the Apocalypfe. We 
 have travelled through the whole tract of duration, 
 which reaches from the rife of Chriftianity to the 
 fixed ftate of Eternity after the clofe of all time. 
 We have feen the mofl remarkable tranfactions, 
 that take place in the Chriftian Church during that 
 whole period. And thus we are arrived at laft to 
 enjoy a full view of the plan of ceconomy which 
 Chriit, the Supreme Governor, obferves in the ad- 
 miniftration of his Church. This plan appears 
 truly grand and admirable. It confifts of three 
 parts, contained under the Seals, the Trumpets, 
 and the Vials. The Trumpets exhibit to us the 
 painful trials he thinks fit to fubject his people to. 
 The Vials defcribe the punimments which he in- 
 flicts on their enemies. The nature therefore of 
 both thefe parts of his conduct towards his Church 
 is fufficiently clear : but that of the Seals, it muft 
 be allowed, is not fo obvious, and may require fome 
 elucidation. In the prelude to the Seals the Lamb 
 was introduced, all power was given him, the pe- 
 riod of his Sovereignty was opened, and his reign 
 K k 3 com-
 
 502 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 commenced. This clue leads us to the underftand- 
 ing of the general tendency of the Seals. In them 
 we fee Chriil proceed to the work of forming and 
 eftablifhing his Kingdom or Church, which he 
 carries on through all ages. But as every Prince, 
 who undertakes to conquer to himfelf a new king- 
 dom, mud neceffarily encounter many enemies and 
 obftacles , fo here we fee enemies rife up againft 
 Chriil, the Prince of the Chriftian kingdom, and 
 oppofe his undertaking. Xke5 ia. the -4?ril- Seal 
 Chriil, the Prince of the Chriftian kingdom, and 
 
 Chrift fets out upon his conqnefts to form his king- 
 dom upon earth. The fecond Seal fhews us the 
 rife of a body of Heretics, the Arians, Chrift's 
 own fubjc&S, who rebel againft him, and attempt 
 to wreft from him part of his kingdom. The 
 third Seal opens to us the fcene of the fubverfion of 
 Pagan Rome with it's empire, which is the triumph 
 of Chriftover that mighty Idolatrous power and the 
 eftablifhment of his kingdom in it's place. In the 
 fourth Seal we fee again the rile of another powerful 
 enemy of Chriil, namely, the Mahometan or An- 
 tichriflian Empire, which deprives him of fome part 
 of his dominions for a time. The fifth Seal ex- 
 hibits to us the Martyrs of the fifth age, who are 
 told that vengeance will in due time be taken on 
 their perfecutors for the fpilling of tjieir blood : and 
 in the mean time they are clothed with the robe of 
 beatitude. This fhews Chrift's ceconomy with re- 
 gard to thefe his faithful and valiant foldiers. 
 Under the fixth Seal we fee dreadful prodigies 
 and figns, and the heavens and the earth in 
 confufion. By thefe Chrift, the bountiful King, 
 
 alar ai
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 503 
 
 'alarms the impious and rebellious part of his 
 people, and tries by terror to bring them back 
 to their allegiance and duty, and to reform them 
 into good fubjecls, before he comes to judge 
 them. The feventh Seal opens the fcene, in which 
 he completes his work by taking poflefiion of the 
 whole earth, .and putting an end to all other power. 
 In confequence of this he is acknowledged univerfal 
 Lord and Mafter of the world, and receives the 
 applaufes and acclamations of the Heavenly Choirs, 
 who fing : The Kingdom cf this world is become our 
 Lord's find his Chrift's, and he (hall reign for ever 
 and ever. (Apoc. xi. 15.). Thus then we fee def- 
 cribed in the Seals the feries of Chrift's operations 
 for the formation and eftablifhment of that King- 
 dom, which was promifed him, upon earth. / be- 
 held, fays Daniel, and lo one like the Son of man 
 came with the clouds of heaven, and he came even to 
 the Ancient of days : and they prefented him before 
 him. And he gave him power, and glory, and a 
 kingdom : and all people, tribes, and tongues, Jhall 
 ferve him : his power is an everlafting power, that 
 Jhall not be taken away : and his kingdom, that fhall 
 not be deflroyed. (vii. 13. 14.). Such in fine is the 
 abftradt of the Hiftory, that is written in detail in 
 the Book fealed with feven Seals, where this new 
 Powerful King, the Son of man, had laid down 
 before hand the whole plan of the work he defigned 
 to carry on during all future ages. 
 
 Here it may be further proper to remark, that 
 the Prophecies contained under the Seals are deliver- 
 ed in natural hiftorical language; whereas thofe 
 under the Trumpets and Vials are exprefTed in 
 allegories : the reafon of which feems to be, that as 
 K k 4 the
 
 504 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 the Seals exhibit to us the abftrad of a hiftory con- 
 tained in the book fealed with feven Seals, this ab- 
 ftract muft be fuppofed to be written in the fame 
 natural hiftorical ftile as the full hiftory itfelf. 
 The flile of the Trumpets is allegorical, becdufe, 
 as the Trumpets found alarms, troubles, and per- 
 fecutions to the Church, a previous general notion 
 of them would be ufefui and at the fame time 
 fuffrcient, and fuch is conveyed to us by obfcure 
 allegory : but a clear and minute detail of thofe 
 calamities would naturally terrify and make too much 
 imprefTjon upon the mjnd. Likewilc, ir the punim- 
 ments announced by the Vials were clearly and fully 
 cxprcfied, fuch might be the malice and perverfity 
 of fome among the guilty part of mankind, as to 
 attempt to fruflrate the decrees of God and oppofe 
 their execution. Such punimments therefore are 
 purpofely covered with the veil of allegory, the 
 meaning of which remains more or lefs uncer- 
 tain. 
 
 In fine fuch a compafs of knowledge, imparted 
 to us through the channel of the Apocalyple, 
 ought to infpire us with the warmeft fenfe of gra- 
 titude for fo fignal a favour, and mould be a power- 
 ful motive for making good life of it. We fee laid 
 open to us the courfe of the Difpenfations of God 
 towards Man : and what fubject can furnifh us 
 with more ufefui instructions, for admiring the 
 bounty of this Sovereign Adminillrator, for con- 
 templating his Wifdom, and dreading his Juftice ? 
 To promote this fort of confideration, we (hall 
 here fubjoin a few Reflections upon each of the 
 feven Ages, and we advife the Reader to add of 
 his own to them. 
 
 I.
 
 OF THE CHR ISTI AN CHURCH. 505 
 
 1. 
 
 IN the firft age of the Chrifrian Church, which 
 comprehended little more than the fpac.e of three 
 hundred years, we faw the Gofpel preached to the 
 greateft part of the known world, notwithstanding 
 all the oppofition that Earth and Hell could con- 
 trive againft it. The Divine Power fhone in it's 
 full luftre, and confounded all the enemies of Re- 
 ligion. Miracles were fo frequent, that every day 
 was diltinguilhed by fome illuftrious marks of fu- 
 pernatural interpofition. The meridian Sun could 
 not appear clearer and brighter than the divine 
 power operating in favour of the new promulgated 
 do6lrine. In this manner Chrift built his Church 
 on fuch a firm foundation as nothing could ever 
 fhake, and he eftabliflied his Religion by fuch in- 
 conteftible proofs as no pretences could invalidate. 
 
 But the fanftion of the Chriftian Religion was 
 not only divine and irrefragable, it's influence on 
 the minds of it's profefibrs was altogether aftonifh- 
 ing. It infpired them with fuch firmnefs of forti- 
 tude, that they were ready on all occafions to med 
 their blood in defence of it. When put to the trial, 
 they refigned all temporal advantages, they were 
 deaf to all intreaties and offers, they viewed with- 
 out emotion the racks and cruelleft torments, and 
 bowed down their heads with joy to the executioner. 
 Such was the behaviour of not a few only, but of 
 prodigious numbers. As Adam had firft yielded 
 to fin through want of courage, and infinite pre- 
 judice
 
 506" THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 judice had enfued upon all his pofterity, it would 
 feem that Almighty God defigned, that fault mould 
 be retrieved, as far as poffible to human nature, 
 by the eminent fortitude of his new fervants, the 
 Chriftians , whom for that purpofe he made 
 pafs through moil fevere perfecutions, the acuteft 
 tortures, and death itfelf in it's moft dreadful 
 fhapes. Thus the earth was bathed with Chriftian 
 blood, but the fouls of the generous victims went 
 to mare immortal glory and power with the Lanb : 
 And I fa feats, fays St. John, and they fat upon 
 them, and Judgment ives given unto them, ar.d the 
 fcuh of them that were beheaded for the teflimony of 
 Jcfus, and for the ivcrd of God. .... And they 
 lived and reigned with drift a thoufand years. 
 (Apoc. xx. 4.). The fpint of the Chriftian doc- 
 trine was no lefs manifeft in thofe that were left on 
 the ftage of life. They appeared by the fanctity of 
 their conduit to form a new community entirely 
 different from the reft of mankind, and they prac- 
 tifed fuch tranfcendent virtues as before were deem- 
 ed impofiible.. Some entered into courfes of the 
 fevereft aufterities, of mortification, of falling. 
 Others retired into remote folitudes, confecrating 
 their whole time to God, ^with little or no allowance 
 to nature ; fpending days, weeks, and years, in 
 contemplating the Perfections of the Supreme Be- 
 ing, in meditating on his bountiful difpenfations to 
 mankind, and in afpiring after that itate of Blifs 
 which they hoped to fucceed to after the prefent 
 life. Thus the infancy of the Church was deco- 
 rated with all the higheft ornaments of Religion. 
 This was the age of Chriftian perfection : And 
 Chrift fet up the moft eminent models of all the 
 
 virtues
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 507 
 
 virtues human nature is capable of, that he might 
 make appear to the world the power of his grace, 
 the excellence of his doctrine, and that all future 
 ages might have before their eyes perfect examples 
 for their encouragement and imitation. 
 
 On another hand it is neceffary to obferve, that, 
 if fuch be the all-wife ceconomy of the Almighty 
 to put the fidelity of many of his fervants to the 
 tcft, by conducting them through the fiery trials of 
 perfecution, he neverthelefs views with deteftation 
 the hands that inflict thofe feverities on them. 
 The Perfections crown the faith and fortitude of 
 the furrerers, but the Perfecutors are guilty of 
 malice and cruelty, and in coniequence draw the 
 divine vengeance upon them. And thus it happen- 
 ed to the heathen Roman Emperors and People, 
 who for fpilling the Chriftian blood, felt, as we 
 have feen, the weight of God's Judgments. 
 Many examples iikewife of this fort in prior ages 
 are recorded in holy writ. Among others, Sen- 
 nacherib, the Aflyrian King ; Nabuchodonofor the 
 Babylonian , and Antiochus the Syrian, v/ere 
 punimed by the hand of God for their malicious 
 attempts and inhumanities, againft his people, the 
 Jews. The courfe of his Providence we fee is the 
 fame under the Chriftian Difpenfation. For from 
 the Apocalypfe we learn, that feven Vials of the 
 wrath of God are poured out for the punimment 
 of the enemies of the Chriftian Church. Ought 
 not this reflection be fumcient to deter the evil- 
 minded from directing their malice and power 
 againft the people of that Community ? 
 
 II.
 
 5 o8 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 II. 
 
 In the fecond Age of the Church, which begins 
 about the year 320 and contains nearly 100 years, 
 wr fee rife up a fcene of a different kind. This 
 age may be ililed the age of Herefy. In the pre- 
 ccecling period we faw a ftrenuous conteft, between 
 Religion and Idolatry, between Chriftianity and 
 Paganifm, or as one may fay, between the Almighty 
 and Satan, whether mould claim the worfnip of man- 
 kind. The Almighty having vanquifhed his enemy, 
 and exploded Idolatry by the preaching of the Chrif- 
 tian Religion and eftablifhing the adoratic'i ui the one 
 Supreme Deity ; Satan, to purfue me d. tes of his 
 unrelenting malice, fhifts his ground, an; ' renews his 
 ftratagems, ftiil to defraud the A.K/ :;lify of his. 
 right, and to rob him, if poflible, 01 :iis favourite 
 creature Man. For that purpofe thu. infernal fiend 
 by his wiles prevails upon an ambitious man, to 
 renounce his allegiance to Chrift ana lubmiffion to 
 Chrift's Church. Arius is infpireci by that Spirit 
 of falfehood with fentiments wholly incompatible 
 with the Divine Nature and Perfections of the Son 
 of God, and by divulging thofe fentiments he 
 lows the feeds of rebellion and Herefy. Though 
 fbme heretical Principles had been fet forth in the 
 preceeding age, yet they had been confined to nar- 
 row limits of place and to a fmall number of abet- 
 tors ; but, now they mew themfelves with open 
 effrontery, they feize whole cities, provinces, and 
 kingdoms. They are efpoufed by Kings, Em- 
 perors, and Biftiops. The malignant fpirit of he- 
 refy raifes dilfenfion and animofity among the Chrif- 
 
 tians
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 509 
 
 tians, the Church is laid wade by her own Chil- 
 dren, and the feamiefs garment of Chrift is torn in 
 pieces. The flame of divifion blazes fo high, that 
 Chriflians don't fear to feize the (word, and deitroy 
 one another. And what is the utmoft misfortune, 
 great numbers are feduced into the fnare of eternal 
 perdition. For, as no one efcaped periming in the 
 deluge, who was not in Noe's ark, as St. Cyprian 
 remarks, (lib. de Unit. Eccl.) fo no one can hope to 
 be of the company of the Saints, who feparates 
 himfelf from the unity of the Church. 
 
 The rife of Arianifm is therefore the fecond 
 general alarm which Chrift founds to his Church, 
 to try the fidelity of his people, and to give occa- 
 fion of meriting a reward to thofe who remain ftancli 
 in their faith and continue firm in fighting under his 
 ilandard. The crown of immortal glory and happi- 
 nefs is of too high a value to be wholy a gratuitous gift. 
 We muft purchafe it by labour, by fuffering, by- 
 maintaining our fortitude and conftancy in the diffe- 
 rent trials fent us by Providence. No one will be 
 crowned but he that has fought well. 
 
 If on one hand Chrift is faithful to his promifes 
 in rewarding his fervants, on the other thofe ef- 
 cape not his indignation, whether Heretics or Ido- 
 laters, that feduce his people by falie doctrine or 
 lay wafte his fold by the fword of perfecution. 
 Thus the Arians, the ftrongeft body of Heretics 
 that ever affaulted the Church, funk in proportion 
 to their former power, even fo as to vanilh from the 
 face of the earth. In a period of about 340 years 
 from their firft appearance, they were no more to be 
 found. This and the other examples of Divine 
 Judgments, which the Vials difcover to us, make a 
 
 con-
 
 5io THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 convincing proof, that no Nation, no collective 
 body of people ever rebel againft the Church, or 
 perfecute it, with impunity. The Divine vindic- 
 tive Hand in due time overtakes them, and forces 
 them to acknowledge from their own fad experience, 
 that Chrift is the faithful protector of his Church, 
 and the certain fcourge of her enemies. 
 
 III. 
 
 The third age, which commences about the year 
 400, and contains 220 years nearly, is remarkable 
 for the Judgments of God upon Ancient Rome and 
 the weftern Empire. The Almighty, who is the 
 Creator of the Univerfe and fole Lord of all, necei- 
 farily claims all homage from his creatures, nor can 
 he fuffer that greateft of all impieties, the transferring 
 to any other being the honour that is due to himlelf 
 alone. Rome had facrilegioufly employed it's great 
 power for the fupport of Idolatry : it had alfo op- 
 pofed with it's whole might the eftablifhment of 
 Chrift'^ Kingdom, and had mod inhumanly per- 
 fecuted his fervants, and fried the innocent blood of 
 an infinite number of them. The Almighty, after 
 fuch enormous provocations, at length rifes up in 
 his wrath, and pours down the whole torrent of it 
 upon that guilty Empire. He had before, as \ve 
 have feen, ftruck thofe Emperors, who had notori- 
 oufly purfued the fame impious and audacious 
 courfes. But now the Sovereign Punifhcr of 
 iniquity fends out againfi the whole Empire of Rome 
 a multitude of barbarous people, who pour in upon 
 it like fierce tygers, tear it to pieces, deftroy it's in- 
 habitants, and demolim it's cities with Rome itfelf. 
 
 But
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 511 
 
 But why mall we wonder at this linking inftance of 
 divine vengeance ? While we fee the fame plan of 
 ceconomy followed in the preceding ages. Do we 
 not read in the written Word of God, that a fimilar 
 fate had attended the Empires and Cities of Ninive 
 and Babylon ? Were not Tyre and Sidon devoted 
 in the fame manner to deftruction ? Was not the 
 opulent and populous kingdom of Egypt overturned 
 and enflaved ? Thefe kingdoms, cities, and feveral 
 others, owed their ruin to an angry God, who would 
 fuffer no longer their pride, idolatry and wicked nefs. 
 Nay even, he would not fpare his chofen Land and 
 beloved Seat of Jerufalem. W T hen his people had 
 renounced their fidelity to him, and adopted ftrange 
 Gods in his place, he fent upon them a fcourge, 
 Nabuchodonozor, the Babylonian King; who ra- 
 vaged the country, levelled the City and Temple 
 with the ground, deftroyed by famine, fire and fword, 
 a great part of the Inhabitants, and the reft he carried 
 into captivity. When the Jews by their repentance 
 had recovered their favour with God, and in confe- 
 quence their land and city -, we fee again, ugpn their 
 new rebellion and the moft grievous of all iniquities, 
 in putting to death their Meffiah and Saviour, the 
 wrath of God inflamed to fuch a degree, as to devote 
 to deftruction a prodigious multitude of them by the 
 fevereft fcourges that can be inm'fted. on mankind. 
 Their City was alfo intirely demoiifhed, and the re- 
 mainder of the people expelled from their country, 
 difperfed over the whole face of the earth, expofed as 
 an object of derifion to the reft of mankind, and 
 continue to this day a laftmg monument of the di- 
 vine indignation. 
 
 That
 
 5 i2 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 That the fame courfe of Divine Providence in pu- 
 nifhing wicked nations is flill purfued, we learn 
 clearly from the Apocalypfe. Hence then appears, 
 how necefiary is the principle of the Fear of God, and 
 how efTential it is to man to revere the Sovereign 
 Deity and refpect his commands. Should not thefe 
 considerations' impreis a check on the proceedings of 
 Princes in the administration of their governments ? 
 If the Sovereign King of heaven and earth is not in- 
 vited to mare in their councils, but if politic views 
 direcl: folely their fteps without regard to equity, or 
 if Ambition, refentment, or any other pafTion, wholly 
 fways .their conduct, what injuftices, what crimes, 
 may not be the refult, in the guilt of which their 
 whole flates become generally involved ? Then what 
 is the confequence ? Such national deviation from the 
 Law of God, certainly provokes the divine ven- 
 geance, as appears from what has been faid, and is 
 the caule of the dreadful difafters that fooner or later 
 befal thofe States, and often terminate in their utter 
 ruin. How much would it be the intereft of Princes 
 to attend to the admonition of the great and wife King 
 David ! And now, O ye Kings, underftand: receive in- 
 jtruttion you that judge tbe earth. Serve ye the Lord 
 with fear : and rejoice unto him with trembling. Em- 
 brace difdpUfig) left the Lord become angry. (Pfalm ii. 
 10, &c.). 
 
 IV. 
 
 The fourth age comprehends a period of nine 
 centuries, from about the year 620 to 1520. But if 
 the length of this exceeds that of the preceding ages, 
 we may obferve it is compenfated by the importance 
 
 of
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 513 
 
 of three different fucceflive events. The rife of 
 Mahomet and the Mahometan Empire diftinguimes 
 the firft part of this period. We are aftonimed at 
 the fuccefs of that great Impoftor, and at the pro- 
 grefs his fucceflfors have made in conquering the 
 world. It is likewife a fubject of furprife, that 
 Chrift, who is the Prince of the kings of the earth 
 (Apoc. i. 5.), fhould fuffer fuch an enemy to rife 
 up, to eftablifh a do<5trine quite oppofite to that he 
 Limfelf had taught, and to re-introduce Death into 
 the world by exploding the very fource of falvation, 
 the Redemption from fin. But our furprife will 
 abate, when we confider, that thofe nations, which 
 adopted this Antichriftian Religion, had -.made 
 themfelves in great meafure defervedly obnoxious to 
 fo dreadful a judgment. The Chriftian countries 
 of Afia, and Africa, and fome eaftern provinces in 
 Europe,- had been guilty of manifold inconftancy 
 and perfidy, in relinquishing the true faith to ef- 
 poufe the heretical and fchifmatical doctrines of 
 Arius, Macedonius, Donatus, Neftorius, Eutyches, 
 Pelagius, Photius, &c : while the moft part of 
 Weftern Chriftendom remained firm in tlieir ad- 
 herence to the unity of faith. What wonder then, 
 if Almighty God fufFered the Orientals to run into a 
 precipice, who had already voluntarily left the path 
 of truth ? 
 
 The fecond interelting event, that diftinguiihes 
 this age, is a difmal alarm founded to the Church, 
 namely, the defection of the Greeks from the 
 Faith, which, like a great earthquake^ Ihook the 
 continent of Chriftendom, and fevered a great num- 
 ber of fair eaftern churches from the body of the 
 faithful. Pride, ambition, jealoufy, fondnefs of 
 L 1 novelty,
 
 5H THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 novelty, or fuch like vicious difpofitions are the- 
 general origin of herefies and fchifms. The Orientals 
 fuffered themfelves to be guided by fuch pafiions, 
 and in confequence they bewildered themklves hi 
 error, and withdrew from the Communion of their 
 Catholic Brethren. Rebellion often grows contu- 
 macious , and effectually they aggravated highly 
 their guilt by obftinately rejecting all means offered 
 them for their reconciliation with God and his 
 Church. Such a grievous and lading provocation 
 armed the avenging hand of God, which made uie 
 of the Mahometans as a fcourge to punim. them. 
 This punifhment, which proved very fevere, was 
 the third momentous tran fact ion, that characterized 
 the fourth age. 
 
 And may we not here bewail the misfortune and 
 ftubborn blindnefs of the preient Greeks, v/ho 
 though fo fully adrnonifhed by the puniiliment of 
 their Forefathers,, under which they themfelves lie 
 groaning, yet remain hardened and inflexible ? But, 
 what indeed is highly deplorable, our Chriflian 
 Prophet had faid of them : They did not penance 
 fo give God glory (iVe the fourth Vial). Chriir, 
 who eflentially lovts concord and union, com- 
 manded the fame to be obfcrved among his fol- 
 lowers, and in that view addrefied his heavenly 
 Father by a fpdcial prayer. Net for them only do I 
 pray, faid he, but , for them aljo wbo through their 
 word Jhall bilicve in ms : that they all may bt one, 
 as thou (Father) in me^ and 1 in thee : that they alfo 
 may be an: in us. (John xvii. 20. 21.). To fix this 
 necetT r/ union and make it (table, he eftablifhed 
 the center of it in one perfon, the per ion of St. 
 Peter and each. of his Succeflbrs. Thou art Peter, 
 
 (that
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 51$ 
 
 ;'thav is, a rock) faicl our Saviour, ar.d upon this 
 Rock I will build my Church (Mat, xvi. iS.). He 
 told St. Peter again on another occalion : / ba-cj 
 prayed for thce that thy faith fail not : and ttcii 
 being cnce concerted, confirm thy Brethren. (Luke 
 xxii. '32.)- Here then is the center, with which 
 the whole circle of the Church muft be linked and 
 connected by the bond bf union and faith. Who- 
 ever breaks this chain, difiblves as much as in him 
 lies the work of Chrift, and difunites himfelf from 
 the fociety of his Brethren. Such has been the 
 crime of the Greeks, who renouncing communion 
 with the fuccefibr of St. Peter, have fet up in his 
 room one of their own Bifhops, equally Schifmati- 
 cal with themfelves. " Chrift has built his 
 " Church," fays St. Cyprian, " upon one who is 
 " Peter : and has placed one chair. He has indeed 
 " given to all Bishops the full participation of 
 " power equally to govern their flocks, all deriv- 
 " ing their authority from Chrift : but the beginn- 
 t: ing arifes from Unity in Peter." (De Unit. 
 Keel.). The breaking of this tie of " Unity in 
 " Peter" was the occafion of the heavy difafters 
 that have fallen upon the Greeks, and which they 
 continue to labour under at this day. And is there 
 not further reafon to apprehend, that their oppref- 
 fions will not be alleviated, if not even made 
 heavier, as long as they return not to what they 
 fo criminally abandoned, the center of Unity in 
 Peter ? This indeed is found clearly predicted in 
 the Revelations of St. Bridget, who died in the 
 year 1373. But as to what degree of authority and 
 credit thele Revelations may claim, we mall fay 
 nothing ourfelves, but refer the Reader to the 
 L 1 2 learned
 
 5 i6 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 learned Cardinal Lambertini, afterwards Pope 
 Benedict xiv, who writes thus : " Though an aflent 
 " of Catholic faith be not due to fuch Revelations, 
 " they deferve an human aflent according to the 
 " rules of prudence, by which they are probable 
 " and pioufly credible, as the Revelations of B. 
 " Hildegardis, St. Bridget, and St. Catherine of 
 " Sienna." (de Canoniz. Sanct. 1. 2. c. 32. n. u.). 
 The paflage in St. Bridget's works relating to the 
 Greeks runs thus : " Be it known to the Greeks, 
 " that their empire,- and their kingdoms, or domin- 
 <c ions, will never (land lecure, nor in fettled 
 " peace , but that they will always be held in fub- 
 "jection by their enemies, from whom they will 
 " ever fufFer moft grievous hardships and con- 
 " ftant diitreffes, until they fhall have fmcerely fub- 
 " mitted themfelves with true humility and good- 
 tc will to the Church of Rome and to her faith, 
 " conforming themfelves intirely to the holy ordi- 
 " nances and rites of that Church." (Revel, lib. 7. 
 c. 19.}. 
 
 How certain and at the fame time how terrible 
 are the Judgments of God ! Who knoweth the power 
 cf thy . anger ; and for thy fear can number tly 
 wrath? (Pfalm. 89. v. n.). But we mull acknow- 
 ledge that juft and true are thy ways, O King cf 
 ages. (Apoc. xv. 3.). The Babylonians and other 
 pagan nations were the fcourge of God's wrath upon 
 the Jews. The barbarous nations of the North 
 v/ent forth, by virtue of a divine fentence, againft 
 Idolatrous Rome and her Empire, both which they 
 demolifhed. We then fee -rile up, about the 
 beginning o'f the feventh century, a nev/ formidable 
 power, that (.-f the Mahometans, a people infpired 
 
 bv
 
 OF THJB CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 517 
 
 by the devil with an implacable hatred to the Chrif- 
 tian name. Thefe feem to be defigned by the 
 Almighty to ferve as his'inftrument for chaflifmg 
 his rebellious and bad fubjects among the Chrif- 
 tians through all fucceeding times. They enflaved 
 the eaftern countries , and they have fwallowed up 
 the Conftantinopolitan Empire of the Greeks.- 
 They will fpread havock and deftruction through 
 the Chriftian Church in the flxth age, as we have 
 feen in the Apocalyptical account of that period of 
 time. 
 
 The remarkable Tranfactions that characterize 
 the fifth age, are more generally known, as they 
 ftretch to our own times, and touch us more nearly. 
 The Reformation, firft fet on foot and propagated 
 by Luther about the year 1520 or 1525, is the 
 Epoch of the prefent age, the period of which to 
 the pouring out of the Vial confifts of three hun- 
 dred years, of which two hundred and fifty nearly 
 are elapfed. Many have been the troubles, as we 
 have feen, which the fpirit of novelty ocpafioned in 
 different parts of Chriftendom. The mifchief, 
 which the Eaftern part had fuftained by the defec- 
 tion of the Greeks, was afterwards brought upon 
 the Weftern by the Proteftants. The Church of 
 Chrift fat bewailing the lofs of a great number of 
 her children j and Hie faw befides with unfpeakable 
 grief an endlefs train of difputes, diflenfions, and 
 animofities, the new herefies had given birth to. 
 Several countries particularly Germany, were fub- 
 j.ccted to great calamities, the confequence of wars 
 L 1 3 that
 
 5 i8 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 that were kindled by the fame fire. Dreadful violen- 
 ces were committed, and fevere perfections followed, 
 in which many fuffered death for their adherence 
 to the Ancient Faith. Indeed what elfe could be 
 expected, the work being carried on by the Angel 
 cf extermination ? f 
 
 After the period of about one hundred and 
 fifty years, by a fpecial mercy of the Almighty, 
 the feverities exercifed by the Reformed againft the 
 Catholics began to abate, that fpirit of animofity 
 againft the Mother Church in forne degree cooled ; 
 and at this day, though moft of the former perfe- 
 cuting Laws fubfift, we have the comfort to fee 
 them lei's attended to, and not Ib Ilriclly put in 
 execution. All this was fully intimated, as we have 
 feen, in the Apocalyptical account of this age. 
 But though the perfections be lefs rigorous in the 
 prefent times, yet we cannot but lament to fee the 
 many temptations that lie in the way, to withdraw the 
 weak, the tepid, the ambitious, and the covetous, from 
 the right path, and engage them in an erroneous one 
 that fuits better their inclinations. Hence arifes a 
 deplorable fpeclacle to well-thinking perfons, of fo 
 many that chufe to facrifice their Religion to fome 
 worldly advantages that are offered them, or to 
 fome diforderly paflions which they can by their 
 Apoftafy more freely gratify. 
 
 The world was very fenfible, that Chrift had 
 eftablimed his Church, fifteen hundred years before 
 the exigence of the Reformation, and that he had 
 communicated his Spirit to her, by which he had 
 folemnly promifed me mould be guided through all 
 ag;es. / will ajk the Pat her, laid Chrift, and he will 
 
 give
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 519 
 
 g:-~ce yen another Paraclete^ that he may abide ivith 
 
 you for ever, the Spirit cf truth And he will 
 
 teach yen all things. (John xiv. 16. 17. 26.). 
 The Reforming Teachers came therefore fifteen 
 hundred years too late, and as they prefumed to 
 publifh a doctrine contrary to what was taught in 
 the Church, it's novelty became it's own condemna- 
 tion. Neverthelefs they were reiblved to make it 
 pafs upon mankind for Divine truth. But to effect 
 this, they mould have afcertained it by the inter- 
 vention of miraculous works, in the fame manner 
 as the Apoflles had originally eflablifhed Chrif- 
 tianity. " Let them prove," laid Tertullian fpeak- 
 ing of the Hereticks of his own time, " Let them 
 " prove themfelves to be new Apoflles." .... . 
 " let them produce their miracles." (1. de prsfcrip. 
 c. 30.). But the Reformers never were able to pro- 
 cure fuch a divine fanction. 
 
 To fupply this defect, and to acquire credit to 
 their new fyftems, what meafures did they take ? 
 They employed an artifice, (we are forry to fay 
 it,) fuggefled undoubtedly by that Angel of the bot- 
 tomlrfs pit who was their Governor and Guide, 
 namely, to indulge human nature, by gratifying the 
 pafTions, by allowing fuch freedom and latitude in 
 the practice of virtue, as Religion had never ad- 
 mitted. They banilhed at once all thofe mortifica- 
 tions, which diflinguifhed the Chriftian Religion 
 and were ordained by it's Author as the principal 
 exercifes to merit Eternal life -, fuch as failing, ab- 
 ftinence, confelfion of fins, penance, &c. They 
 pretended that all thefe practices were of no 
 Signification, that they were even intolerable 
 encroachments on Chriftian liberty, and that, faith 
 L 1 4 alone
 
 520 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 done fufficed for falvation. By thcfe means they 
 let looie the -human paffions, they enfranchifed 
 man from all conftraint, and infine they boaft- 
 ed of having fmoothed the way to Heaven. 
 But, fly Jifoer is turned into drofs : thy wine is 
 mingled with water: (Ifai. i. 22.) : For, our Saviour 
 had faid: If any man will come after me, let him 
 deny hhnfelf^ and take up bis crofs, and follow me. 
 (Matt, xvi. 24.). But, inftead of the thorny way 
 of felf-denial and the crofs, they opened a path 
 ftrewed with rofes. What wonder then-, if fo many 
 took them for their guides, and efpoufed their 
 maxims ? Our Saviour again tells us, that narrow 
 is the gate, and Jtrait is the ivay, that leadeth to life : 
 and few there are that find it. (Matt. vii. 14.). On 
 the contrary, the new-Gofpellers inform us, that 
 the way to heaven is broad and eafy, and they 
 offer to conduct us through it with little or no 
 difficulty, becaufe, fay they, our Saviour took 
 upon himfelf the load* of hardfliips, that mould 
 have been our portion, and has fuftained them in 
 our ftead. But, wo to them that few cujhions under 
 every (How : and make pillows for the heads of per- 
 fons of every age to catch fouls. (Ezech. xiii. 18.). 
 Thus a furvey of the doctrine and practical maxims 
 of the Reformers points out clearly to us the judg- 
 ment we ought to pals upon their character, ac- 
 cording to the criterion Chrift has given us : A good 
 tree cannot bring forth ;/ fruit ^ neither can an evil 
 
 tree bring forth good fruit JVhsiefore by their 
 
 fruits you ft dl know them. (Matt. vii. 18. 20.). 
 
 It would be matter of iurprife, that men nurfed 
 in 'the botbm of Chriftianity could adopt and teach 
 
 fuch
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 521 
 
 fuch unchriftian doctrines, if we did not fee the 
 fource of it, which lies in the malign influence of 
 their perfidious Inftructor, Abaddon. He laid open 
 the way to introduce into their minds the moft ab- 
 furd tenets, by feperating them firft from that 
 Church, the Pillar and Ground of 1'ruth (r. Tim. iii. 
 15.), which had been conftituted the repofitory of 
 genuine doctrine and morality. We cannot but la- 
 ment that the perfidious Prompter prevailed upon 
 them to renounce the authority of that infallible guide, 
 and to fet up their own in it's place; and thus he 
 prepared them to receive his dictates, and to change 
 the whole fyftem of the Chriftian Faith. But no- 
 velty in faith is an infallible mark of herefy. The 
 doctrinal articles of Scripture are not to be inter- 
 preted by every man's private conceir, which 
 would be infinitely various, but by the Tradition 
 derived from the Apoftles and perpetuated by their 
 lawful fucceflbrs. For as St. Vincent of Lerins 
 obferves : " It is the part of true Chriftian modera- 
 " tion, not to impcfe one's own opinions upon pof- 
 " terity, but to adhere to what has been transmitted 
 "tons by our Predeceflbrs." (comm. c. 9.). The 
 fame is urged very ftrongly by Tertullian : " The 
 '"Apoftles," fays he, " publifhed the faith to the 
 " Gentiles, and conftituted Churches in every city -, 
 " from which the other Churches derived the firft 
 " principles of faith and feeds of doctrine ; and 
 " from which alfo other Churches do daily derive 
 " in che fame manner, or they could not poflibly be 
 " true Churhes. For this reafon then they have the 
 " reputation of Apoftolic, becaufe they are the 
 " offspring of Apoftolic Churches. For every 
 
 " kind
 
 522 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 " kind muft certainly be traced up to it's original." 
 
 " And on this account eveiy other doc- 
 
 " trine is to be deemed falie and fpurious, that is 
 " not conformable to the truth taught by ihefe 
 " Apoftolic churches." (de Prafcrip. c. 20. 21.). 
 And again : " What was firft delivered, was the 
 " do6lrine of our Lord and of truth ; what is of 
 " later date, can be no other than the tenets of fal- 
 " mood, mere fictions. And this obfervation will 
 " ftand firm and immoveabie againft all novel 
 " herefies, which labour under the confcioufnefs of 
 " not having this antiquity to plead in their de- 
 " fence." (ibid. c. 31.). 
 
 But the licentious fpirit of forming new tenets of 
 faith and new rules of life, in this fifth age, not 
 only invaded and fet afide the general authority of 
 the Church of Chrifb, but in particular bent it's 
 virulence and rancour againft the Church of Rome. 
 The realbn was plain : becaufe the fpecial province 
 of that Church is, to oppofe all innovations in 
 Faith, and to fuppreis, as far as poifible, the 
 tares that fpring up among the good corn. Such 
 all Antiquity had acknowledged to be the charge 
 committed to that Church. To that Church 
 therefore the Reformers owed refpecft and obedience ; 
 to that Church, " the greater!:," as St. Irenasus 
 Jpeaks, " the mod ancient and known to all, 
 " founded at. Home by the two moft glorious Apof- 
 *'tles Peter and Paul, which retains the tradition 
 4C it received from them, and which is derived 
 " through a fucceflion of bifhops down to us. 
 ** Shewing which we confound all who, any way 
 " out of felf conceit, love of applaufe, blindnds 
 44 or falfe perfuafions, embrace what ought not to
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 523 
 
 ' be taught. For to this Church (of Rome), on 
 " account of it's more chief prefidentfhip, it is ne - 
 " cefiary that every Church, that is, die faithful 
 " every where, addrefs themfelves." (lib. 3. contra 
 Hres.). How happy might it have been for 
 the Reformers of thefe late times, if upon cool re- 
 flection they had applied to themfelves what St. 
 Optatus in the fourth century fpoke to the Donatift 
 Heretics : " You cannot deny," faid he, " that you 
 *' know the Epifcopal chair was firft given to Peter 
 " in the city of Rome, in which firft fat the head 
 " of the Apoftles, Peter-, which chair was one, that 
 " all others might preferve unity by the union they 
 " had with it, and left the other Apoftles fhould 
 " erect and defend chairs to themfelves : fo that now 
 " he is a Schifmatic and an offender, who fets up 
 " another againft the only chair." (lib. 2.). 
 
 We fliall here add one general obfervation relative 
 to the plan, which Chrift feems to follow in the 
 government of his kingdom on earth. Whenever 
 he permits an enemy to wreft from him any part of 
 his Church by Herefy, Schifm, or Infidelity, we 
 fee that at the fame time he proceeds to conquer 
 new countries by the preaching of the Gofpel, and 
 to incorporate them in his dominion. From the 
 firft foundation of his kingdom he went forth 
 conquering that might conquer (Apoc. vi. 2.); which 
 he continues to do through all ages. Thus the 
 breaches made in his Church by the Herefy of 
 Arius and the Greek Schifm, he repaired by the 
 converfion of new nations to the Faith : as may be 
 feen in Ecclefiaftical hiftory. But never was this 
 ceconomy more remarkable than at the time of- the 
 rife of the Reformation. For, about that period, 
 
 t2C
 
 5H THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 the new great Continent of America was difcovered 
 and the Catholic Faith carried thither, and diffufed 
 over vaft countries of it. About the fame time the 
 Gofpel was alfo announced to the diftant people of 
 the great Empire of China with prodigious fuccefs ; 
 it was likewife carried into the Kingdom of Japan, 
 and into moil of thole immenfe tracts of land and 
 the Iflands, comprifed under the name of Eafl- 
 Indies, where the preaching of zealous Minifters 
 fent by the Apoilolic See converted multitudes of 
 people, and thus greatly enlarged the dominions of 
 Chriit's Kingdom. If then the late Herefies, under 
 the denomination of the Reformed Religion, have 
 lopt off a confiderable portion of country in Europe 
 from the Catholic Church, the lofs has been abun- 
 dantly retrieved by the accefllon of much larger 
 regions elfewhere that have embraced her commu- 
 nion. 
 
 In regard to the Vial of this age, we mall add 
 nothing more, to what has been faid of it in it's 
 place, than the following admonition. If the true 
 Servants of God, faithful members of the Catholic 
 Church, obferve that towards fifty years from the 
 prefent date, the ilate of kingdoms and the courfe 
 of public affairs feem to prefage the approaching 
 effufion of the fifth Vial, accordingly as we have 
 intimated, then Go cut from her, my - people : that 
 you le not partakers of her fins, and that you receive 
 not of her plagues (Apoc. xviii 4.) : fly from the 
 countries of wrath and perdition. 
 
 VI
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 525 
 
 VI. 
 
 The fixth Age is the laft of the Chriftian Church 
 militant on earth. The time of it's commencement 
 cannot be afcertained, much lefs it's final period, 
 that is, the day of Judgment, which, as our 
 Saviour fays, no man knowetb, neither the Angels in. 
 Heaven^ nor the Son^ but the Father. (Mark. xiii. 
 32.). Among various fentiments touching the du- 
 ration of this world, that feems to have prevailed 
 moft, which fixes it's period at about fix thoufand 
 years : but as all is uncertain with refpecl to this 
 point, we {hall not trouble the reader with any 
 difcufiion about it. The Apocalyptical defcription 
 of the fixth age paints it in colours, that leave no 
 doubt it will be the moft turbulent, the moft cala- 
 mitous, and moft perfecuting of all other ages. 
 How alarming and how terrible will appear thofe 
 extraordinary and unnatural figns in the Sun, 
 Moon, and Stars, the Earthquakes, the enormous 
 fwellings and roarings of the Sea, the bloody wars 
 and battles,. &c ! Both our Saviour in the Gofpel 
 and St. John in the Apocalypfe exprefs fufficiently 
 the impreffion thefe calamities will make on man- 
 kind, by faying, that men will Sink away for fear* 
 and call upon the mountains to fall upon them and 
 cover them. How dreadful will be the deftruction 
 made by the terrible army of Antichrift ! How 
 cruel and bloody his perfecution, which will laft 
 three years and a half! Thefe mocking events, 
 which throw confufion in the whole fyftem of na- 
 ture, will be certain prefages of the approaching 
 diflblution of the whole ftructure of the world. 
 
 Happy
 
 26 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 Happy thofe men, who mall take due warning 
 from them, and mail confider them in a true 
 light. 
 
 And here we ought to acknowledge the 'particu- 
 lar favour Almighty God is pleafed to grant us, in 
 giving us previous notice of the difafters attending 
 the fixth age, that we may prepare for them. 
 And this duty is the more incumbent on us, fince 
 we touch fo near that period, that the next gene- 
 ration or next but one will probably fee fome part 
 of it. For after the fifth Vial is poured out, which 
 we have fhewn will be done about fifty years 
 hence, we don't know how foon the commencement 
 of the fixth age may follow. There even feem to 
 appear already fome indications of the approach of 
 that period. For the Almighty in his wifdom and 
 mercy, before he pours down heavy difafters, 
 generally fends leffer calamities by way of admoni- 
 tion ; and thus we fee in thefe prefent times greater 
 irregularities in the feafons of the year than ufed to 
 be, more dearth and diftrefs, earthquakes more 
 frequent, &c : all whicli may be efteemed a pre- 
 lude to thofe much more dreadful difafters of the 
 next age. Who would not then judge it highly 
 neceflary, that Parents fhould prevent their children 
 or" fuch unparralleled calamities that are to hip- 
 pen, and which it may be their lot to (hare in. 
 They mould be made acquainted with the principal 
 Tranfaclions of the next age, as they are recorded 
 in the Apocalypfe. For difafters, when forefeen, 
 generally make lefs impreflion. The Paftors of the 
 Church will probably think it expedient to inculcate 
 the fame to their flocks, becaufe thofe who mail 
 exift in the next age, ought to be prepared and for- 
 tified
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 52/ 
 
 lifted in a peculiar- manner with a lively faith, with 
 the love of God, and an ardent defire of their owii 
 ialvation. Since many of them may be deftined, 
 by divine appointment, to pafs through a moil 
 fevere trial in the perfecution of Antichrift., they 
 cannot be too well grounded in the above-mentioned 
 principles. The account we have from St. John 
 and the Prophet Daniel of that perfecution, indi- 
 cates, it will furpafs in violence and cruelty all 
 the perfections of the riril age of Chriftianity : 
 what degree of fortitude therefore muft be requifite 
 to fupport the faithful on fo trying an occafion ? 
 " The Church now admonifhes you," fays St. 
 Cyril, " and announces to you the things that relate 
 " to Antichrift before they come to pafs. Whether 
 " they will happen in our time or later, we know 
 " not : but, as you are prevented of them, it is 
 " fit you mould prepare yonrfelf." (Catech. 15.). 
 
 Let the hiflory of former perfections be aflidu- 
 oufly read, in order to acquire fome idea of them, 
 which when the mind is familiarized with, they will 
 appear lefs terrible. Prepared by thefe means, and 
 animated by the influx of divine grace, the faithful 
 fervants of God will hope to be able to undergo the 
 fame hardfhips and fufferings, which the primitive 
 Chriftians fuftained, and of which we read in St. 
 Paul the following clefcription. Seme were racked^ 
 fays he . . . Others had trial of mockeries and ftripcs, 
 moreover alfo of bands and prifons. 3"key were 
 ftoned, they were cut afunder, they were tempted, they 
 were put to death by the fword, they wandered nbcicf 
 infoce-p-Jkins, in goat-Jkins, Icing in want, diftre/ed, 
 ajflifted : of who',n the world was net worthy ; 
 wandering in defert:, :n mount tins, and in dens, and
 
 528 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 in caves of the earth. (Ep. to the Hebr. xi. 35, &c.). 
 L--. efpecialiy a diligent and repeated perufal be 
 made of the trials of the Martyrs : that by viewing 
 their invincible fortitude and conftancy, the Faith- 
 ful may be infpired with the fame fpirit. They 
 will fee with what courage the primitive Chriflians 
 appeared before the tribunals of the pagan Judges, 
 with what noble fortitude they anfwered to the quef- 
 tions put to them, with what unconcern they view- 
 ed the racks and other inftruments prepared for 
 their torture, with what inflexibility they continu- 
 ed to profeis their faith in the midft of torments, 
 and with what refolution they bowed down their 
 heads under the hand of die executioner. " We 
 " fay we are Chriftians," fays Tertullian, " and 
 " proclaim it to the whole world ; and under the 
 " hands of the executioner, and in the midft of 
 " all the torments you inflict upon us, to compel 
 " us to unfay it. Torn and mangled, and weltering 
 *' in our blood we cry out as loud as we are able : 
 " that we are worfhippers of God through Chrift." 
 (Apol. c. 21.). Thofe invincible heroes of antiqui- 
 ty, who thus fealed their faith with their blood, 
 are the models we muft fee before our eyes, and 
 which we muft copy after. They had always 
 in view that heavenly recompence which waited for 
 them after their combat, and which infinitely iur- 
 pafled whatever they could fuffer in this world. 
 They faid to themfelves, the fufferings of thy time 
 are not worthy to be compared with fie glory to come^ 
 ihatjhall be revealed in us. (Rom. viii. 18.). They 
 recollected what our Saviour had faid : Fear none of 
 thofe things ^hich tbou foalt fuffer . . . Be faithful 
 until death : and I will give tbee the crown of life 
 
 (Apoc,
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 529 
 
 (Apoc. ii. 10.) : and again : Bteffed are ye ivken they 
 
 Jhall r evils you, and perfecute you Be glad 
 
 and rejoice, for your reward is very great in Heaven. 
 (Matt. v. ii/ 12.). This heavenly profpect animat- 
 ed their courage, and fweetened their torments. 
 They had likewile before their eyes the divine pat- 
 tern of their Lord and Saviour, who had trod the 
 fame path before them for their encouragement. And 
 what homage can be more acceptable to him, than to 
 follow his footfteps, to imitate his fufferings, and to 
 offer our lives to him who laid down his for our fake ? 
 " How beautiful a fpectacle in the fight of God 
 " is a Chriftian entering the lifts with affliction, and 
 " with a noble conftancy combating menaces, racks, 
 " and tortures ! When like a conqueror he triumphs 
 " over the judge that condemns him. For he is 
 " certainly victorious who obtains what he rights 
 "for." (Min. Fel. in Octav.). Full of fuch 
 thoughts and fentirnents, and infpired with interior 
 joy, thofe champions congratulated one another on 
 the view cf their approaching triumph, faying: 
 " The Perfecutor wrefts from us our lands, but 
 " Heaven is opened to us : the enemy of Chrift 
 " threatens, but Chrift protects us. They put us 
 " to death, but we are crowned with immortality : 
 " by killing us they deprive us of this world, 
 " but paradife is offered us in it's fte?,d : cur tem- 
 " poral life is extinguifhed, but is changed into 
 "eternal." (Cyprian, de exhort, mart. c. 12.). 
 Such ought to be the reflections of thofe who (hall 
 exift in the next age. The complexion of that 
 period will be fimilar to that of the firft age under 
 the pcrfecuting Roman Emperors, and \viil exceed 
 it in violence and cruelty. The conlitkration there- 
 M m fore
 
 530 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 fore of the behaviour of the primitive Chriftians is 
 the beft preparation that can be recommended to 
 their fuccdfors in the laft age. Let them add to 
 it another reflection, which mould never be abfent 
 from their mind, namely, the immortal glory and 
 happinefs, which Chrift expreisly promifes and 
 defcribes as the portion of all thofe who mall facri- 
 fice to him their lives in the perfecution of Anti- 
 chrift. Thefe are they who are come cut of the great 
 tribulation, and have wafhed their robes? and have 
 made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore 
 they are before the throne of God, and they ferve him 
 day and night in his temple : and he, that fitteth on 
 the throne, jhall dwell over them. They (hall no more 
 hunger or thirjt, neither Jhall the fun fall on them, 
 nor any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the midft of 
 the throne, Jhall rule them, and floall lead them to the 
 fountains of the waters of life, and God jhall wife 
 away all tears from their eyes. (Apoc. vii. 14, 
 &c). 
 
 Befides the reafons we have given above, the ne- 
 ceflity of beginning to inculcate the preceeding 
 lefTons to the prefent rifing generation appears the 
 more, when we confider the general decay of Re- 
 ligion which now prevails. So little is the prac- 
 tice of morality attended to, fo little even is Re- 
 ligion thought of, that we fee already no fmall pro- 
 grefs made towards that A'poftafy, as St. Paul calls 
 it, or towards that general defection from faith and 
 that degeneracy of morals, which will take place 
 before the great Minifter of Satan, Antichrift, ap- 
 pears. How iwift indeed muft be the decline of 
 true faith, while free-thinking grows at fuch a 
 pace ? \yiiile every one feems to fix it as a princi- 
 
 pie, 

 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 531 
 
 pie, to believe nothing more than his reafon com- 
 prehends, or that coincides with his own private 
 humour ? What practice of morality can we expect 
 from people, who are immerfed in worldly pleafures 
 or in purfuits of private intereft, who never fpend 
 a moment .of thought about Eternity, nor fcarce 
 ever acldrefs their God and Creator in a mort 
 prayer ? And is not this the general courfe of life 
 of the prefent generation of mankind ? Certainly 
 then due care mould be taken, to prevent as many 
 of the new rifing race as poffible from being infect- 
 ed by this peftiferous corruption, and to prepare 
 them to be inrolled in the lift of the few elect of 
 the approaching time. When a tide of irreligion 
 and infidelity has broke in and is feen to fwell every 
 day, what wonder if the period approaches, when 
 God will bring all to the teft, and try them as 
 metal in a fiery furnace, in order to difcriminate 
 between the good and the bad, and to feparate the 
 found from the unfound grain ? The few that will 
 remain firm and ftanch under all temptations and 
 perfecution, will mine with great luftre in thofe 
 days, when the bulk of mankind will fuffer them- 
 felves to be feduced fo far, as to go over to Anti- 
 chrift, adore him as a God, and renounce their 
 Creator, their religion, and their own conviction. 
 Notwithftanding the great power of Antichrift, and 
 his faculty of performing furprifing wonders, the 
 fmall body of the faithful will bear away the palm 
 of victory, by their conftancy in maintaining the 
 caufe of God at the expence of their lives, and by 
 their fortitude in not yielding to promifes, threats, 
 or torments. And thus the fruit of their perfcve- 
 rance will be, to fee their victory completed and the 
 M m 2 caufe
 
 532 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 caufe of religion fully vindicated, by the juft judg- 
 ments of God upon the impious, when he will ex- 
 terminate in the mod public and terrible manner that 
 Satanic man, A.ntichrift, with his affociates, and 
 will extirpate Idolatry from the earth, and reilore 
 peace to his Church. 
 
 To thefe reflections we mall add one remark, that 
 of the fix Vials of the wrath of God hitherto con- 
 fidered, three, namely, the firil, third, and fixth, 
 are poured out for the punishment of Idolaters, and 
 the other three, viz, the fecond, fourth grid fifth, 
 for the punifhment of Heretics. 
 
 VII. 
 
 The feventh Age ,is the laft and longeft of all. 
 It is the age of Eternity. We fee it ufhered in by 
 the tremendous fcene of the general Judgment ot 
 Mankind ; of whom a part are admitted into the 
 Heavenly Jerufakm or everlalling blifs, and the other 
 or greater part are doomed to fuffer inexpreffible tor- 
 ments for all Eternity in the lake of fire and brim- 
 ftcnc. Whoever will take the pains to meditate a 
 little on the great dii'parity of thefe two ftates, will 
 certainly be moved, if he has not loft all fenfibi- 
 lity, to ufe his utmoft endeavours to gain the one 
 and prevent his falling into the other. Both the 
 happinefs of the laved and the torments of the 
 damned far furpafs indeed our conceptions ; but if 
 they be even confidercd only in a general view, who 
 would not fhudder at the thought of being condemn- 
 
 ed
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 533 
 
 *d to an eternal prifon, to devouring flames that 
 will never be extinguifhed ? Which of you can dwell 
 with devouring fire ? which of you Jkall dwell with 
 t-verlafting burnings? (Ifai. xxxiii. 14.). And on the 
 other hand if we reflect on the poffefllon of God, 
 the fource of all delight, joy, and felicity ; with 
 which we fhall be filled according to the whole ca- 
 pacity of our being, and this without ever the leaft 
 interruption or allay, are we not tranfported with 
 the mofl vehement defire of attaining fuch a happy 
 ftate ? 'They frail be inebriated with the -plenty of thy 
 houfc ; and then fhalt make them drink cf the torrent 
 of thy pleafure. (Pfalm. xxxv. 9.). To this all- 
 happy ilate let us then by cur good works make cur 
 clettion fecure. Let us fpare no pains for it dur- 
 ing the ihort period of our exiftence here. The 
 recompence will infinitely exceed our labour, and 
 the time of our labour bears no proportion to Eter- 
 nity. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 Thus have we feen the whole hiilory of the 
 Church of Chrift, traced from her birth through 
 her various difficulties and trials, through her 
 perfecutions from Idolaters and convulfions by 
 Herefies ; under all which me fhone bright like the 
 Sun by the vigour of her faith and fortitude : nor 
 was it in the power of hell arid earth, though com- 
 bined together, to crufh her or hinder her growth. 
 We have had a view of the admirable ceconomy, 
 according to which Chrift rules this his Church, we 
 M m 3 have
 
 534 THE GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 have feen the fpecial care with which he protects 
 her, and with what feventy he punifhes thofe who 
 dare to injure her. By thefe means he makes her 
 triumph over all her enemies, even in this world. : 
 and her victory will be finally crowned with that 
 tranfcendcnt and ineffable Glory to which me will 
 be railed at that period when time fhall be no 
 more. 
 
 Hence it appears that, if to the hiftory of the 
 Apocalypfe we add the Books of the Old Teftament, 
 there rifes a general Hiftory of the Church or Peo- 
 ple of God through the whole period of the cxif- 
 tence of mankind. The Book of Genefis gives us 
 the creation of the mil Man ; and his hiftory with 
 that of the Patriarchs and the Ifraelites is related in 
 that and the fubfequent books of the Old Scripture, 
 with fome fhort intervals of interruption, down to 
 the birth of Chriftianity. Then begins the Apoca- 
 lyptical account of the Chriftians, fuccefibrs to the 
 Jews -, which carries on their hiftory to the end of 
 time, and even to their migration into the heavenly 
 Jerufalem, where it places them in the unchange- 
 able ftate of never-ending blifs. 
 
 Nothing further now remains but to requeft, 
 that this prefent Hiftory may be received by 
 the Readers in that view for which it is in- 
 tended, namely, for their instruction. They are 
 now become fenfible, we prefume, of the utility 
 of ftudying the Apocalyple. And what indeed 
 can be more exprefs on that head than the de- 
 claration of Chrift himfelf, which we beg leave 
 here to repeat : Bit/fid is le^ tb.it readcth and 
 bearetb the ivcrds of this Prophecy : find keepeth 
 
 tbofc
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 535 
 
 thofe things whicb are written in it. (Apoc. i. 3.). 
 And again : Eleffed is he that keepetb the words 
 of the Prophecy of this book. (Apoc. xxii. 7.). 
 That this advice may be attended to is our fmcere 
 wifh, and here we clofe the prefent work with 
 the Blefling delivered in the laft verfe of this 
 admirable Prophecy : 'The grace of our Lord Jefus 
 Cbrift be with you all Amen. 
 
 A D D I-
 
 A D D I T I O N. 
 
 PAGE 147 line 2 4 after thefe words, the ruin of 
 that guilty city, read the following lines : 
 
 Upon which breaks out the following exultar 
 tion : Apoc. Chap. xix. v. i. After theft things I 
 heard) fays St. John, as it were the -voice of much 
 people * in heaven, frying : Alleluia \ Salvation, and 
 glory, and -power, is to our God : 
 
 v. 2. For true and juft are his judgments, who 
 hath judged the great harlot, which corrupted the 
 earth with her fornication, and hath revenged the 
 blood of his fcrvants, at her bands. 
 
 v. 3. And again they faid, Alleluia. And her 
 fmoke afccndcth for ever and ever. 
 
 v. 4. And the four a-,:d twenty Ancients, and the 
 four living Creatures, fell down and adored God that 
 fittcth upon the the throne, faying : Amen : Alleluia. 
 
 v. 5, And a voice came out from the throne, fay- 
 ing : Give praife to our God, all ye his fcrvants : and 
 you that fear him, little and great. 
 
 From all that has been foid, this text is fufficient- 
 ly clear to need no further explication. 
 
 In the Greek, of a great mulitude. 
 
 ADVER-
 
 [ 537 ] 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 J N the preceeding explication the different 
 fart? of the Apocalypfe having been related 
 in a tranfpofed order, we here fubjoin the whole 
 text by iff elf. And at the end of each verfe the 
 page is marked where that verfe is explained -, 
 except with regard to the fecondand third chap- 
 ters, which not appertaining to the general 
 Hiftory of the Church, have not been explained. 
 
 THE 
 
 APOCALYPSE 
 
 O F 
 
 ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE. 
 
 C H A P. I. 
 
 TH E Revelation of JESUS Chrift, which God 
 gave unto him, to make known to his fer- 
 vants the things which muft fhortly come to pafs : 
 and fignified, fending by his Angel to his fervant 
 John, (lee page i) 
 
 2 Who hath given teftimony to the word of God, 
 and the teftimony of JESUS Chrift, what things fo- 
 ever he hath feen. (p. i ) 
 
 3 Blefled is he, that readeth and heareth the 
 words of this prophecy : and keepeth thofe things 
 which are written in it. For the time is at hand. 
 
 (P- 3) 
 
 4 John
 
 4 John to the feven Churches which are in Afia. 
 Grace be unto you and peace from him that is, and 
 that was, and that is to come, and from the feven 
 fpirits which are before his throne, (p. 4) 
 
 5 And from JESUS Chrift, who is the faithful 
 witnefs, the firft begotten of the dead, and the 
 prince of the kings of the earth : who hath loved 
 us, and warned us from our fins in his own blood, 
 
 (P- 5) 
 
 6 And hath made us a kingdom and priefts to 
 God and his Father : to him be glory and empire for 
 ever and ever. Amen. (p. 5) 
 
 7 Behold, he cometh with the clouds, and every 
 eye mall fee him, and they alfo that pierced him. 
 And all the tribes of the earth mail bewail them- 
 felves becaufe of him. Even fo. Amen. (p. 6) 
 
 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the 
 end, faith the Lord God, who is, and who was, and 
 who is to come, the Almighty, (p. 7) 
 
 9 I John your brother and your partner in tri- 
 bulation, and in the kingdom, and patience in Chrift 
 JESUS, was in the ifland, which is called Fatmos, 
 for the word of God, and for the teftimony of 
 JESUS, (p. 8) 
 
 10 I was in the fpirit on the Lord's day, and 
 heard behind me a greaf voice, as of a trumpet. 
 (P- 8) 
 
 1 1 Saying : What thou feeft, write in a book : 
 and lend to the feven churches which are in Afia, 
 to Kphcfus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamus, and 
 to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and 
 toLaodicia, (p. 8) 
 
 12, And I turned to fee the voice that fpoke with 
 
 me :
 
 [ 539 1 
 
 me : And being turned, I faw feven golden candle- 
 fticks : (p. 9) 
 
 13 And in the midft of the feven golden candle- 
 flicks, one like to the Son of man, cloathed with a 
 garment down to the feet, and girt about the paps 
 with a golden girdle: (p. 10) 
 
 14 And his head and his hairs were white, like 
 white wool, and as fno\v, and his eyes were as a 
 flame of fire, (p. 10) 
 
 15 And his feet like unto fine brafs, as in a 
 burning furnace : And his voice as the found of 
 many waters, (p. 10) 
 
 1 6 And he had in his right hand feven ftars. 
 And from his mouth came out a fharp two-edged 
 iword : and his face was as the fun fhineth in his 
 power, (p. 10) 
 
 1 7 And when I had feen him, I fell at his feet as 
 dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, fay- 
 ing : Fear not : I am the firft and the laft, (p. 1 1 ) 
 
 1 8 And alive, and was dead; and behold I am 
 living for ever and ever, and have the keys of death 
 and of hell. (p. u) 
 
 19 Write therefore the things which them haft 
 feen, and which are, and which muft be done here- 
 after, (p. 12) 
 
 20 The myilery of the feven ftars, which thou 
 fawtft in my right hand, and the feven golden can- 
 dlefticks : The feven ftars, are the Angels of the 
 feven churches : And the feven candlefticks are the 
 feven churches, (p. 12) 
 
 CHAP.
 
 [ 540 ] 
 
 C H A P. II. 
 
 UN T O the Angel of the church of Ephefus 
 write: Thefe things faith he, who holdeth 
 the feven ftars in his right hand, who walketh in 
 the midft of the feven golden candlefticks : 
 
 2 I know thy works and thy labour, and thy 
 patience, and how thou canft not bear them that are 
 evil , and thou haft tried them, who fay they are 
 Apoftles, and are not, and haft found them lyers : 
 
 3 And thou haft patience, and haft endured 
 for my name, and haft not fainted. 
 
 4 But I have fomewbat againft thee, becaufe 
 thou haft left thy firft charity. 
 
 5 Be mindful therefore from whence thou art 
 fallen : and do penance, and do the firft works. 
 Or elfe I come to thee, and will move thy candle- 
 ftick out of its place, except thou do penance. 
 
 6 But this thou haft, that thou hateft the deeds 
 of the Nicolaites, which I alib hate. 
 
 7 He, that hath an ear, let him hear what the 
 Spirit faith to the churches : To him, that over- 
 cometh, I will give to eat of the tree of life, which 
 is in the parauiie of my Gcd. 
 
 8 And to the Angel of the church of Smyrna 
 write : Thefe things faith the Firft and the Laft, 
 who was dead, and is alive : 
 
 9 I know thy tribulation and thy poverty, but 
 thou art rich : and thou art blafphemed by them 
 
 that
 
 that fay they are Jews and are not, but are the fyna- 
 gogue of fatan. 
 
 10 Fear none of thofe things which thou fhalt 
 fuffer. Behold, the Devil will caft fome of you 
 into prifon that you may be tried: and you (hall 
 have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful until 
 death and I will give thee the crown of life. 
 
 1 1 He, that hath an ear^ let him hear what the 
 Spirit faith to the churches : He that mall over- 
 come, fhall not be hurt by the fecond death. 
 
 12 And to the Angel of the church of 1'erga- 
 mus write : Thefe things faith he, that hath the 
 Iharp two-edged fword : 
 
 1 3 I know where thou dwelleft, where the feat of 
 fatan is : and thou holdeft fall my name, and haft 
 not denied my faith. Even in thofe days what 
 Antipas was my faithful witnefs, ,who was (lain 
 among you, where fatan dwelleth. 
 
 14 But 1 have againft thee a few things : becaufe 
 thou haft there, them that hold the doctrine of 
 Balaam, who taught Balac to caft a ftumbling 
 block before the childern of Ifrael, to eat, and 
 commit fornication : 
 
 15 So haft thou alfo them that hold the doctrine 
 of the Nicolaites. 
 
 1 6 In like manner do penance : or elfe I will 
 come to thee quickly, and will fight againft them 
 with the fword of my mouth. 
 
 17 He, that hath an ear, let him hear what the 
 Spirit faith to the churches : To him, that over- 
 cometh, I will give the hidden manna, and will 
 give him a white counter, and in the counter, a 
 new name written, which no man knoweth, but he 
 that receiveth it, 
 
 1 8 And
 
 [ 542 ] 
 
 1 8 And to the Angel of the church of Thyatira 
 write : Thefe things faith the Son of God, who hath 
 his eyes like to a flame of fire, and his feet like 
 to fine brafs. 
 
 19 I know thy works, and thy faith, and thy 
 charity, and thy miniftry, and thy patience, and 
 thy laft works which are more than the former. 
 
 20 But I have againil thee a few things : be- 
 caufe thou fuffereft the woman Jezabel, who calleth 
 herfelf a prophetefs, to teach, and to feduce my fer- 
 vants, to commit fornication, and to eat of things 
 facrifked to idols. 
 
 21 And I gave her a time that me might do 
 penance, and me will not repent of her fornication. 
 
 22 Behold, I will caft her into a bed : and they, 
 that commit adultery with her, mail be in very 
 great tribulation, except they do penance from 
 their deeds : 
 
 23 And I will kill her children with death, and 
 all the churches mall know that I am he, that 
 fearcheth the reins and hearts : and I will give to 
 every one of you according to your works. But to 
 you I fay, 
 
 24 And to the reft who are at Thyatira : Who- 
 foever have not this doctrine, and who have not 
 known the depths of flitan, as they fay, I will not 
 put upon you any other burthen : 
 
 25 Yet that, which you have, hold fall till I 
 come. 
 
 26 And he, that mail overcome and keep my 
 works unto the end, I will give him power over the 
 nations, 
 
 27 And h mail rule them with a rod of iron, 
 and as the vefTel of a potter they mail be broken, 
 
 28 As
 
 [ 543 ] 
 
 28 As I alfo have received of my Father : and I 
 will give him the morning ftar. 
 
 29 He, that hath an ear, let him hear what the 
 Spirit faith to the churches. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 AN D to the Angel of the church of Sardis 
 write : Thefe things faith he, that hath the 
 feven fpirits of God, and the feven ftars : I know 
 thy works, that thou haft the name of being alive : 
 and thou art dead. 
 
 2 Be watchful, and ftrengthen the things that 
 remain, which are ready to die. For I find not 
 thy works full before my God. 
 
 3 Have in mind therefore in what manner thou 
 haft received and heard : and obferve, and do pe- 
 nance. If then thou fhalt not watch , I will come 
 to thee as a thief, and thou malt not know at what 
 hour I will come to thee. 
 
 4 But thou haft a few names in Sardis, 
 which have not defiled their garments : and they 
 mall walk with me in white, becaufe they are 
 worthy. 
 
 5 He, that mall overcome, mail thus be clothed 
 in white garments, and I will not blot out his name 
 out of the book of life, and I will confefs his 
 name before my Father, and before his Angels. 
 
 6 He, that hath an ear, let him hear what the 
 Spirit faith to the churches. 
 
 7 And to the Angel of the church of Philadel- 
 phia write : Thefe things faith the holy one and the 
 true one, he that hath the key of David j he that 
 
 openeth
 
 [ 544 ] 
 
 openeth, and no man fhutteth ; fhutteth, and no 
 man openeth : 
 
 8 I know thy works. Behold, I have given- be- 
 fore thee a door opened which no man can ihut : 
 becaufe thou haft a little flrength, and haft kept 
 my word, and haft not denied my name. 
 
 9 Behold, I will bring them of the fynagogue of 
 fatan, who fay they are Jews, and are not, but do lye : 
 Behold, I will make them to come and adore before 
 thy feet : And they' mall know, that I have loved 
 thee. 
 
 10 Becaufe thou haft kept the word of my pa- 
 tience, I will alfo keep thee from the hour of temp-, 
 tation, which mail come upon the whole world to 
 try them that dwell upon the earth. 
 
 1 1 Behold, I come quickly : hold fail that 
 which thou haft, that no man take thy crown. 
 
 1 2 He, that fhall overcome, I will make him a 
 pillar in the temple of my God : and he fhall go out 
 no more : and I will write upon him the name of 
 my Gcd, and the name of the city of my God, the 
 new Jerufalem, which ccmeth down out of heaven 
 from my God, and my new name. 
 
 13 He, that hath an ear, let him hear what the- 
 Spirit faith to the churches. 
 
 14 And to the Angel of the church of Laodicia 
 write : Thefe things faith the Amen, the faithful and 
 true witnefs, who is the beginning of the creation 
 of God : 
 
 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold, 
 nor hot : I would thou wert cold, or hot. 
 
 1 6 But becaufe thou art hike-warm, and neither 
 cold, nor hot, 1 will begin to vomit thee out of 
 my mouth. 
 
 17 Becaufe
 
 [ 545 J 
 
 1 7 Becaufe thou fayft : I am rich, and made 
 "wealthy, and have need of nothing ; and knoweft 
 not, that thou art wretched and miferable, and poor, 
 and blind, and naked. 
 
 1 8 I counfel thee to buy of me gold fire-tried, 
 that thou mayefl be made rich : and mayft be 
 cloathed in white garments, and that the fhame of 
 thy nakednefs may not appear : and anoint thy eyes 
 with eyefalve, that thou mayft fee. 
 
 19 Such as I love, I rebuke and chaflife. Be 
 zealous therefore and do penance. 
 
 20 Behold, I (land at the gate, and knock. If 
 any man fhall hear my voice, and open to me the 
 door, I will come in to him, and will fup with him, 
 and he with me. 
 
 21 To him that fhall overcome, I will give to 
 fit with me in my throne : as I alfo have overcome, 
 and am fet down with my Father in his throne. 
 
 22 He, that hath an ear, let him hear what the 
 Spirit faith to the churches. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 AFTER thefe things I looked, and behold a 
 door inas opened in heaven, and the firft 
 voice which I heard, as it were of a trumpet fpeak- 
 ing with me, faid : Come up hither, and I will 
 fhew thee the things which muft be done hereafter. 
 
 (P- *3> 
 
 2 And immediately I was in the fpirit : and be- 
 hold there was a throne fet in heaven, and upon the 
 throne one fitting, (p. 13) 
 
 N n 3 And
 
 [ 54* ] 
 
 3 And he that fat, was to the fight like the Jaf- 
 per and the Sardine-flone : and there was a rain- 
 bow round about the throne, in fight like unto an 
 Emerald, (p. 13) 
 
 4 And round about the throne were four and 
 twenty feats : and upon the feats, four and twenty 
 Ancients fitting,, cloathed in white garments, and 
 on their heads were crowns of gold. (p. 14) 
 
 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, and 
 voices and thunders : and there were feven lamps 
 burning before the throne, which are the feven 
 fpirits of God. (p. 14) 
 
 6 And in the fight of the throne was as it were a 
 fea of glafs like to cryftal : and in the midft of the 
 throne and' round about the throne were four living 
 creatures full, of eyes before and behind, (p. 15) 
 
 7 And the firft living creature was> like a lion : 
 and the fecond living creature, like a calf: and the 
 third living creature, having the face, as it were, of 
 a man : and the fourth living creature was like an 
 eagle flying, (p. 15) 
 
 8 And the four living creatures, had each of 
 them fix wings : and round about and within they 
 are full of eyes. (p. 15). And they refted not day 
 "and night, faying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God 
 almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come, 
 (p. 16) 
 
 9 And when thofe living creatures'gave glory and, 
 honour and benediction to him, that fittcth on the 
 throne, who liveth for ever and ever: fp, 16) 
 
 10 The four and twenty Ancients fell down be- 
 fore him that fitteth on the throne, and adored 
 him that liveth for ever and ever, and caft their 
 crowns before the throne, faying : (p. 16) 
 
 ii Thou
 
 t 547 ] 
 
 1 1 Thou art "worthy, O Lord our God, to 
 receive glory and honour and power : becaufe thou 
 haft created all things, and for thy will they were, 
 and have been created, (p. 16) 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 AND I faw in the right hand of him that fat ori 
 the throne, a book written within and with- 
 out, fealed with feven feals. (p. 17) 
 
 2 And I faw a flrong Angel, proclaiming with 
 a loud voice ; Who is worthy to open the book, 
 and to loofe the feals thereof? (p. 18) 
 
 3 And no man was able, neither in heaven, nor 
 on earth, nor under the earth, to open the book, 
 nor to look on it. (p. 18) 
 
 4 And I wept much, becaufe no man was found 
 worthy to open the book, nor to fee it. (p. 18) 
 
 5 And one of the Ancients faid to me : Weep 
 not ; behold the lion of the tribe of Juda, the 
 root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, 
 and to loofe the feven feals thereof, (p. 18) 
 
 6 And I faw : and behold in the midft of the 
 throne and of the four living creatures, and in the 
 midft of the Ancients, a Lamb ftanding as it were 
 (lain, hiving feven horns and feven eyes : which are 
 the feven Spirits of God, fent forth into all the 
 earth, (p. i 9) 
 
 7 And he came, and took the book out cf the 
 right hand of him that fat on the throne, (p. i 9) 
 
 8 And when he had opened the book, the four 
 living creatures, and the four and twenty Ancients 
 fell down before the Lamb, having even/ one of 
 
 N n 2 them
 
 [ 548 ] 
 
 them harps, and golden yials full of odours, which 
 are the prayers of faints : (p. 20) 
 
 9 And they fung a new canticle, faying : Thou 
 art worthy, O Lord, to take the book, and to open 
 the feals thereof: becaufe thou waft (lain, and haft 
 redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every 
 tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, 
 (p. 20) 
 
 10 And haft made us to our God a kingdom and 
 priefts, and we mall reign on the earth, (p. ao) 
 
 11 And I beheld and heard the voice of many 
 Angels round about the throne, and the living crea- 
 tures and the Ancients : and the number of them 
 was thoufands of thoufands, (p. 21) 
 
 1 2 Saying, with a loud voice : The Lamb, that 
 was (lain, is worthy to receive power, and divinity, 
 and wifdom, and ftrength, and honour, and glory, 
 and benediction, (p. 21) 
 
 13 And every creature, which is in heaven, and 
 on the earth, and under the earth, and fuch as are 
 in the fea, and all that are in them : I heard all fay- 
 ing : To him that fitteth on the throne, and to the 
 Lamb, benediction and honour and glory and 
 power, forever and ever. (p. 22) 
 
 14 And the four living creatures faid, Amen. 
 And the four and twenty Ancients fell down on 
 their faces : and adored him that liveth for ever 
 and ever. fp. 23) 
 
 A 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 N D I faw, that the Lamb had opened one of 
 the feven feals, and I heard one of the four 
 
 living
 
 I 549 ] 
 
 living creatures, as it were the voice of thunder, fay- 
 ing, Come and fee. (p. 24) 
 
 2 And I faw : and hehold a white horfe, and he 
 that fat on him had a bow, and there was a crown 
 given him, and he went forth conquering that he 
 might conquer, (p. 25) 
 
 3 And when he had opened the fecond feal, I 
 heard the fecond living creature, faying : Come, 
 and fee. (p. 84) 
 
 4 And there went out another horfe, that was 
 red : and to him that fat thereon, it was given that 
 he fhould take peace from the earth, and that they 
 fhould kill one another, and a great fword was given 
 to him. (p. 84) 
 
 5 And when he had opened the third feal, I heard 
 the third living creature, faying : Come, and fee. 
 And behold a black horfe, and he that fat on him, 
 had a pair of fcales in his hand. (p. 101) 
 
 6 And I heard as it were a voice in the midft 
 of the four living creatures, faying : Two pounds of 
 wheat for a penny, and thrice two pounds of bar- 
 ley for a penny, and fee thou hurt not the wine and 
 the oil. (p. 102) 
 
 7 And when he had opened the fourth feal, I 
 heard the voice of the fourth living creature, fay- 
 ing : Come and fee. (p. 151) 
 
 8 And behold a pale horfe : and he that fat upon 
 him, his name was death, and hell followed him. 
 And power was given to him over the four parts of 
 the earth, to kill with fword, with famine, and with 
 death, and with thebeafts of the earth, (p. 151) 
 
 9 And when he had opened the fifth feal, I faw 
 under the altar the fouls of them that were flain for 
 
 Nn 'the
 
 [ 550 ] 
 
 the word of God and for the teftimcny which they 
 held. (p. 184) 
 
 10 And - they cried with a loud voice, faying: 
 How long, O Lord, (holy and true) doft thou not 
 judge and revenge our blood on them that dwell on 
 the earth ? (p. 1 84) 
 
 1 1 And white robes were given to every one of 
 them one : and it was faid to them, that they fhould 
 reft yet for a little time, till their fellow-fervants, 
 and their brethren, who are to be (lain, even as 
 they, iliouid be filled up, (p. 184) 
 
 . 12 And I faw, v/hen he had opened the fixth 
 feal : and behold, there was a great earthquake, 
 and lie fun .became black as fack-cloth of hair: 
 and the whole moon became as blood : (p. 270) 
 
 1 3 And the liars from heaven fell upon the earth, 
 as the fig -tree caileth its green figs when it is 
 fhaken by a great wind : (p. 271) 
 
 14 And the heaven departed as a book folded 
 up : and every mountain, and the iflands were mov- 
 ed out of their places, (p. 271) 
 
 15 And the kings of the earth, and the princes, 
 and the tribunes, and the rich, and the flrong, and 
 every bondman, and every free-man hid themfelyes 
 in the dens and in the rocks of mountains, (p. 271) 
 
 i 6 And they fay to the mountains and the rocks ; 
 Fall upon us, and hide us from the face of him that 
 fitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the 
 Lamb: (p. 271! 
 
 i 7 For the great day of their wrath is come, and 
 who Jhall be able to (land ? (p. 271) 
 
 CHAP^
 
 C H A P. VII. 
 
 AFTER thefe things I faw four Angels Hand- 
 ing on the four corners of the earth, holding 
 the four winds of the earth, that they fhould not 
 blow upon the earth, nor upon the lea, nor on any 
 tree. (p. 369) 
 
 2 And I faw another Angel afcending from the 
 rifing of the fun, having the fign of the living 
 God ; and he cried with a loud voice to the four 
 Angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and 
 thefea, (p. 370) 
 
 3 Saying : Hurt not the earth, nor the fea, nor 
 the trees, till we fign the fervants of our God in their 
 foreheads, (p. 370) 
 
 4 And I heard the number of them that were 
 figned, an hundred forty four thoufand were figned, 
 of every tribe of the children of Ifrael. (p. 37 i) 
 
 5 Of the tribe of Juda, ivere twelve thoufand 
 figned. Of the tribe of Ruben, twelve thoufand 
 figned. Of the tribe of Gad, twelve thoufand 
 figned. (p. 371) 
 
 6 Of the tribe of Afer, twelve thoufand figned. 
 Of the tribe of Nephthali twelve thoufand figned. 
 Of the tribe of Manaffes, twelve thoufand figned. 
 
 (P- 37 1 ) 
 
 7 Of the tribe of Simeon, twelve thoufand figned. 
 Of the tribe of Levi, twelve thoufand figned. Of 
 the tribe of IfTachar, twelve thoufand figned. 
 
 (P* 37 1 ) 
 
 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon, twelve thoufand 
 figned. Of the tribe of Jofeph, twelve thoufand 
 
 N n 4 figned
 
 [ 552 ] 
 
 figned. Of the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thoufand 
 figned. (p. 372) 
 
 9 After this I faw a great multitude, which no 
 man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and 
 peoples, and tongues : Handing before the throne, 
 and in fight of the Lamb, cloathed with white robes, 
 and palms in their hands : (p. 409) 
 
 10 And they cried with a loud voice, faying : 
 Salvation to our God who fitteth upon the throne, 
 and to the Lamb. (p. 410) 
 
 11 And all the Angels ftood round about the 
 throne, and the Ancients, and the four living crea- 
 tures : and they fell down before the throne upon 
 their faces, and adored God, (p. 410) 
 
 12 Saying, Amen. Benediction, and glory, and 
 wifdom, and thankfgiving, honour, and power, and 
 ilrength to our God for ever and ever. Amen. 
 (p. 410) 
 
 13 And one of the Ancients anfwerecl, and faid 
 to me : Thefe that are cloathed in white robes, who 
 are they ? and whence came they ? (p. 41 1) 
 
 14 And I faid to him : My Lord, thou knoweft. 
 And he faid to me : Thefe are they who are come 
 out of great tribulation, and have wafhed their 
 robes, and have made them white in the blood of 
 the Lamb. (p. 4 1 1) 
 
 1 5 Therefore they are before the throne of God, 
 and they ferve him day and night in his temple : 
 and he, that fitteth on the throne, Ihall dwell over 
 them, (p. 411) 
 
 1 6 They mail no more hunger nor thirft, neither 
 fliallthe fun fall on them, nor any heat. (p. 411) 
 
 1 7 For the Lamb, which is in the midft of the 
 throne, mall rule them, and fnall lead them to the 
 
 fountains
 
 [ 553 ] 
 
 fountains of the waters of life, and God fhall wipe 
 away all tears from their eyes. (p. 4 1 1) 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 AND when he had opened the feventh feal, 
 there was filence in heaven, as it were for 
 half an hour. (p. 457^ 
 
 2 And I faw feven Angels (landing in the pre- 
 fence of God : and there were given to them feven 
 trumpets, (p. 29) 
 
 3 And another Angel came, and ftood before the 
 altar, having a golden cenfer : and there was given 
 to him much incenfe, that he mould offer of the 
 prayers of all faints upon the golden altar, which 
 is before the throne of God. (p. 29) 
 
 4 And the fmoak of the incenfe of the prayers 
 of the faints afcended up before God, from the hand 
 of the Angel, (p. 29) 
 
 5 And the Angel took the cenfer, and filled it 
 with the fire of the altar, and caft it on the earth, 
 and there were thunders and voices and lightnings, 
 and a great earthquake, (p. 30) 
 
 6 And the feven Angels, who had the feven 
 trumpets, prepared themfelves to found the trum- 
 pet, (p. 31) 
 
 7 And the firft Angel founded the trumpet, and 
 there followed hail and fire, mingled with blood, 
 and it was caft on the earth, and the third part of 
 the earth was burnt up, and the third part of the 
 trees was burnt up, and all green grafs was burnt 
 up. (p. 32) 
 
 8 And the fecond Angel founded the trumpet : 
 
 and
 
 [ 554 ] 
 
 and as it were a great mountain, burning with fire, 
 was caft into the fea, and the third part of the Tea 
 became blood : (p. 85) 
 
 9 And the third part of thofe creatures died, 
 which had life in the lea, and the third part of the 
 fhips was deftroyed. (p. 86) 
 
 10 And the third Angel founded the trumpet : 
 and a great ftar fell from heaven, burning as it were 
 a torch, and it fell on the third part of the rivers, 
 and upon the fountains of waters : (p. 104) 
 
 ' 1 1 And the name of the ftar is called worm- wood. 
 And the third part of the waters became Worm- 
 wood : and many men died of the waters, becaufc 
 they were made bitter, (p. 104) 
 
 12 And the fourth Angel founded the trumpet : 
 and the third part of the fun was fmitten, and the 
 third part of the moon, and the third part of the 
 ftars, fo that the third part of them was darkened, 
 and the day did not mine for a third part of it, and 
 the night in like manner, (p. 166) 
 
 1 3 And I beheld, and heard the voice of one 
 eagle flying through the mid ft of heaven, faying 
 with a loud voice : Wo, wo, wo to the inhabitants 
 of the earth : by reafon of the reft of the voices of 
 the three Angels who are yet to found the trumpet. 
 (p. 192) 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 '' 
 
 AND the fifth Angel founded the trumpet ; and 
 -*ffl I faw a ftar fall from heaven unto the earth, 
 and there was given to him the key of the bottom- 
 kfspit.(p. 193) 
 
 2 And
 
 [ 555 1 
 
 2 And he opened the bottomlefs pit : and the 
 fmoak of the pit arofe as the fmoak of a great fur- 
 nace : and the fun and the air were darkned with 
 the fmoak of the pit. (p. i 97) 
 
 3 And from the fmoak of the pit there came out 
 locufts upon the earth, (p. 203) And power was 
 given to them, as the fcorpions of the earth have 
 power : (p. 209) 
 
 4 And it was commanded them that they mould 
 not hurt the grafs of the earth, nor any green thing, 
 nor any tree : but only the men who have not the 
 fign of God on their foreheads, (p. 209) 
 
 5 And it was given unto them that they mould 
 not kill them ; but that they mould torment them 
 five months : and their torment was as the torment 
 of a fcorpion when heftriketh a man. (p. 212) 
 
 6 And in thofe days men mail feek death, and 
 jhall not find it : and they mail defire to die, and 
 death mall fly from them. (p. 2 i 6) 
 
 7 And the fhapes of the locufts, were like unto 
 horfes prepared for battle : (p. 2 1 9) and on their heads 
 were as it were crowns like gold : (p. 235) and their 
 faces were as the faces of men. (p. 237) 
 
 8 And they had hair as the hair of women-, (p. 240) 
 and their teeth were as the teeth of lions, (p. 242) 
 
 9 And they had bread-plates as breaft- plates of iron, 
 (p. 244) and the noifeof their wings was as the noife 
 of chariots of many horfes running to battle, (p. 245) 
 
 10 And they had tails like to fcorpions, and there 
 were ftings in their tails : and their power was to 
 hurt men five months, (p. 247) And they had over 
 them 
 
 1 1 A king, the angel of the bottomlefs pit ; 
 whofe name in Hebrew is Abaddon^ and in Greek 
 
 Apottyon :
 
 I 556 ] 
 
 Apollyon, in Latin, Exferminatis, (that is, deflroyer.) 
 
 (P- 2 50 
 
 12 One wo is paft, (p. 261) and behold there 
 come yet two woes more hereafter, (p. 331) 
 
 13 And the fixth Angel founded the trumpet : 
 and I heard a voice from the four horns of the 
 golden altar, which is before the eyes of God, 
 
 (P- 333) 
 
 14 Saying to the fixth Angel, who had the trum- 
 pet : Loofe the four Angels, who are bound in the 
 great river Euphrates, (p. 334) 
 
 1 5. And the four Angels were loofed, who were 
 prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and 
 a year : for to kill the third part of men. (p. 334.) 
 
 1 6 And the number of the army of horfemen 
 was twenty thoufand times ten thoufand. And I 
 heard the number of them. (p. 337) 
 
 17 And thus I faw the horfes in thevifion: and 
 they, that fat on them, had breaft-plates of fire and 
 of hyacinth and of brimftone, and the heads of the 
 horfes were as the heads of lions : and from their 
 mouths proceeded fire, and fmoak, and brimftone. 
 
 (P- 339) 
 
 1 8 And by theie three plagues was flain the third 
 
 part of men, by the fire and by the fmoak and by 
 the brimftone, which iifued out of their mouths. 
 
 (P-340 
 
 19 For the power of the horfes is in their mouths 
 and in their tails. For, their tails are like to fer- 
 pents, and have heads : and with them they hurt. 
 
 (P- 340) 
 
 20 And the reft of the men, who were not flain 
 by thefe plagues, did not do penance from the works 
 of their hands, that they ihould not adore devils 
 
 and
 
 ( 557 ] 
 
 and idols of gold and filver and brafs and ftone and 
 wood, which neither can fee, nor hear, nor walk : 
 (p. 407) 
 
 2 1 Neither did they penance from their murders,- 
 nor from their forceries, nor from their fornication, 
 nor from their thefts, (p. 408) 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 AN D I faw another mighty Angel come 
 down from heaven, cloathed with a cloud, 
 and a rain-bow was on his head, and his face was 
 as the fun, and his feet as pillars of fire. (p. 326) 
 
 2 And he had in his hand a little book open : 
 and he fet his right foot upon the lea, and his left 
 foot upon the earth : (p. 327) 
 
 3 And he cried with a loud voice as when a lion 
 roareth. And when he had cried, feven thun- 
 ders uttered their voices, (p. 327) 
 
 4 And when the feven thunders had uttered their 
 voices, I was about to write : and I heard a voice 
 from heaven faying to me : Seal up the things which 
 the feven thunders have fpoken, and write them not. 
 
 CP- B Z 7) 
 
 5 And the Angel, whom I faw ftanding upon 
 the fea and upon the earth, lifted up his hand to 
 heaven, (p. 32 8 ) 
 
 6 And he fwore by him that liveth for ever and 
 ever, who created heaven, and the things which are 
 therein : and the earth, and the things which are in 
 it : and the fea, and the things which are therein : 
 that there fhould be time no longer : (p. 328; 
 
 7 Bur
 
 [ 558 ] 
 
 7 But in the days of the voice of the feventh 
 Angel, when he fhall begin to found the trumpet, 
 the myftery of God fhould be finifhed, as he hath 
 declared by his fervants the prophets, (p. 32 8 ) 
 
 8 And I heard a Voice from heaven again fpeak> 
 ing to me, faying : Go, and take the book, that 
 is open, from the hand of the Angel who ftandeth 
 upon the fea and upon the earth, (p. 329 ) 
 
 9 And I went to the Angel, faying unto him, 
 that he mould give me the book. And he faid to 
 me : Take the book, and eat it up : and it lhall 
 make thy belly bitter, but in thy mouth it mall be 
 fweet as honey. Cp. 329 ) 
 
 10 And I took the book from the hand of the 
 Angel, and eat it up : and it was in my mouth, 
 fweet as honey : and when I had eaten it, my belly- 
 was bitter. Cp. 330,) 
 
 1 1 And he faid to me : Thou muft prophefy 
 again to many nations, and peoples, and tongues, 
 and kings. Cp. 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 AND there was given me a reed like unto a rod : 
 and it was faid to me : A rife and meafure 
 the temple of God, and the altar, and them that 
 adore therein. (p. 372) 
 
 2 But the court, which is without the temple, 
 caft out, and meafure it not : becaufe it is given unto 
 the Gentiles, and the holy city they fhall tread 
 under foot two and forty months: Cp- 37%) 
 
 3 And I will give unto my two witneffes, and 
 
 they
 
 [ 559 ] 
 
 they mall prophefy a thoufand two hundred fixty 
 days, clothed in fack-cloth. (p. 315,) 
 
 4 Thefe are the two olive-trees, and the two 
 candleflicks that fland before the Lord of the earth. 
 (p. 316) 
 
 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire fliall come 
 out, of their mouths, and mail devour their enemies. 
 And if any man will hurt them, in this manner muft 
 he be flain. (p. 316) 
 
 6 Thefe have power to fhut heaven, that it rain 
 not in the days of their prophecy : and they have 
 power over . waters to turn them into blood, and to 
 ftrike the earth with all plagues as often as they 
 will. (p. 317; 
 
 7 And when they mall have finilhed their teftimo- 
 ny, the beafi, that afcendeth out of the abyfs, 
 fliall make war againft .-them, and fh all overcome 
 them, and kill them. fp. 403,) 
 
 8 And their bodies fliall lie in the ftreets of the 
 great city, which is called fpiritually Sodom and 
 Egypt, where their Lord alfo was crucified, (p. 403^ 
 
 9 And they of the tribes, and peoples, and ton- 
 gues, and nations, fliall fee their bodies for three 
 days and a half : and they mall not fufier their 
 bodies to be laid in fepulchres. (p. 404) 
 
 10 And they that dwell upon the earth fhall re- 
 joice over them, and make merry : and lhall fend 
 gifts one to another, becaufe thefe two prophets 
 tormented them that dwelt upon the earth, (p. 404) 
 
 11 And after three days and a half, the fpirit of 
 life from God entred into them. And they flood 
 upon their feet, and great fear fell upon them that 
 faw them. (p. 404,) 
 
 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven, 
 faying to them : Come up hither. And they went 
 
 up
 
 up to heaven in a cloud ; and their enemies fatv 
 them. (p. 404) 
 
 1 3 And at that hour there was made a great earth- 
 quake, and the tenth part of the city fell : and there- 
 were (lain in the earthquake names of men feven 
 thoufand : and the reft were caft into a fear, and 
 gave glory to the God of heaven, (p. 405 ) 
 
 14 The fecond wo is pad : and behold the third 
 wo will come quickly, (p. 408) 
 
 1 5 And the feventh Angel founded the trumpet : 
 and there were great voices in heaven faying : The 
 kingdom of this world is become our Lord's and 
 his Chrift's, and he mall reign for ever and ever : 
 Amen. (p. 459; 
 
 1 6 And the four and twenty Ancrents, who fit 
 on their feats in the fight of God, fell on their 
 faces and adored God, (p. 459 ) 
 
 1 7 Saying : We give thee thanks, O Lord God 
 almighty who art, and who waft, and who art to 
 come : becaufe thou haft taken to thee thy great 
 power, and thou haft reigned, (p. 459) 
 
 1 8 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath 
 is come, and the time of the dead, that they ihould 
 be judged, and that thou ihouldft render reward to 
 thy fervants the prophets and the faints, and to- 
 them that fear thy name, little and great, and 
 fhoudlft deftroy them who have corrupted the 
 earth, (p. 459^ 
 
 19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven : 
 and the ark of his teftament was feen in his temple, 
 and there were lightnings, and voices, and an earth- 
 quake, and great hail. (p. 459 ) 
 
 CHAP.
 
 t 561 ] 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 A N D a great fign appeared in heaven : a.woman 
 ** ^ clothed with the iun, and the moon under her 
 feet, and on her head a crown of twelve liars : 
 (p. 64) 
 
 2 And being with child, (he cried travelling in 
 birth, and was in pain to be delivered, (p. 64) 
 
 3 And there was feen another fign in heaven, 
 and behold a great red dragon having feven heads, 
 and ten horns : and on his heads feven diadems : 
 (P- 65) 
 
 4 And his tail drew the third part of the ftars of 
 heaven, and caft them to the earth : and the dragon 
 flood before the woman who was ready to be deliver- 
 ed j that, when me mould be delivered, he might 
 devour her fon. (p. 65) 
 
 5 And me brought forth a man-child, who was 
 to rule all nations \vith an iron rod : and her ion \vas 
 taken up to God, and to his. throne : (p. 66) 
 
 6 And the woman fied into the wiklernefs where 
 me had a place prepared" by God, that there they 
 fbould feed her a thoufand two hundred ar.d fixty 
 days. (p. 6 7 ) 
 
 7 And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael 
 and his angels fought with the dragon, and the 
 dragon fought and his angels : (p. 68 ) 
 
 8 And they prevailed not, neither was their place 
 found any more in heaven, (p. 61) 
 
 9 And that great dragon v/as caft out, that 
 old ferpent, who is called the devil and fatan, who' 
 feduceth the whole world : and lie was caft unto the 
 
 C o earth.
 
 earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 
 ,fp. 68j 
 
 i o And I heard a loud voice in heaven faying : 
 Now is come falvation, and ftrength, and the king- 
 dom of our God, and the power of his Chrift : be- 
 cauie the accufer of our brethren is caft forth, who 
 accufed them before our God day and night, (p. jo) 
 
 1 1 And they overcame him by the blood of the 
 Lamb, and by the word of their teftimony, and 
 they loved not their lives unto death, (p. jo) 
 
 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you that 
 dXvell therein. Wo to the earth, and to the fea, 
 becaufe the devil is come down unto you, having 
 great wrath, knowing that he hath but a Ihort 
 time. Cp. yo) 
 
 13 And when the dragon faw that he was caft 
 unto the earth, he periecuted the woman, who 
 brought forth the man-child : (p. 71) 
 
 14 And there were given to the woman two 
 wings of a great eagle, that fhe might fly into the 
 defart unto her place, where me is nourifhed for a 
 time and times, and half a time, from the face of 
 the ferpent. (p. ji) 
 
 15 And the ferpent caft out of his mouth after 
 the woman, water as it were a river : that he might 
 caufe her to be carried away by the river, (p. 72) 
 
 1 6 And the earth helped the woman, and the 
 earth opened her mouth, and fwallowed up the 
 river, which the dragon caft out of his mouth. 
 
 (t- n) 
 
 17 And the dragon was angry againft the wo- 
 man : and went to make war with the reft of her 
 feed, who keep the commandments of God, and 
 have the teftimony of JESUS Chrift. (p. 75) 
 
 1 3 And
 
 [ 563 ] 
 
 - 1 8 And he flood upon the fand of the fea. 
 fP- 77) 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 AND I faw a beaft coming up out of the fea, 
 having feven heads, and ten horns, an4 
 upon his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads 
 names of blafphemy. (p. 341; 
 
 2 And the beaft which I faw, was like to a leopard, 
 and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his 
 mouth as the mouth of a lion. And the dragon 
 gave him his own ftrength, and great power. 
 
 (p. 342 ; 
 
 3 And I faw one of his heads as it were {lain to 
 death : and his death's wound was healed. And 
 all the earth was in admiration after the beaft. 
 
 (P- 347) 
 
 4 And they adored the dragon, which gave 
 power to the beaft: and they adored the beaft, 
 faying : Who is like to the beaft ? And who mail be 
 able to fight with him ? (p. 348) 
 
 5 And there was given to him a mouth fpeaking 
 great things,* and blafphemies : and power was given 
 to him to do two and forty months, (p. 357,) 
 
 .6 And he opened his mouth unto blafphemies 
 againft God, to blafpheme his name, and his ta- 
 bernacle, and them that dwell in heaven, fp. 358 ) 
 7 And it was given unto him to make war with 
 the faints, and to overcome them. And power was 
 given him over every tribe, and people, and tongue, 
 and nation, (p. 360) 
 
 O o 2 8 And
 
 [ 5^4 3 
 
 8 And all that dwell upon the earth adored him, 
 whofe names are not written in the book of life of 
 the Lamb, which was (lain from the beginning of 
 the world, (p. 361) 
 
 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. (p. 369,) 
 
 10 He, that mall lead into captivity, mall go 
 into captivity : he that mall kill by the fword, muft 
 be killed by the fword. Here is the patience and 
 the faith of the faints, (p. 369) 
 
 1 1 And I faw another beaft coming up out of 
 the earth, and he had t\vo horns, like a lamb, and 
 he fpoke a? a dragon, (p. 361) 
 
 1 2 And he executed all the power of the former 
 bead in his fight : and he caufed the earth, and 
 them that dwell therein, to adore the firft beaft, 
 whofe wound to death was healed, (p. 362) 
 
 13 And he did great figns, fo that he made alfo 
 fire to come down from heaven unto the earth in 
 the fight of men. (p. 363) 
 
 14 And he feduced them that dwell on the earth, 
 for the figns, which were given him to do in the 
 fight of the beaft, faying to them that dwell on the 
 earth, that they ftiould make the image of the beaft, 
 which had the wound by the fword, and lived. 
 
 (p. 363) 
 
 15 And it was given him to give life to the 
 image of the beaft, and that the image of the beaft 
 mould fpeak : and mould caufe, that whofoever will 
 not adore the image of the beaft, mould be (lain. 
 
 (P- 3^4) 
 
 1 6 'And he {hall make all, both little and great, 
 Vkh and poor, freemen and bondmen, to have a 
 thai-after in their right hand, or on their foreheads. 
 
 (P- 3^4) 
 
 17 And 

 
 [ 5*5 J 
 
 i; And that no man might buy or fell, but he 
 that hath the character, or the name of the beaft, 
 or the number of his name. (p. 365) 
 
 1 8 Here is wifdom. He, that hath underftand- 
 ing, let him count the number of the bead. For 
 it is the number of a man : and the number of him 
 /s fix hundred fixty fix. (p. 365) 
 
 CHAR XIV. 
 
 AN D I beheld, and lo a Lamb flood upon 
 mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty 
 four thoufand having his name, and the name of 
 his Father written on their foreheads, (p. 376) 
 
 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the noife 
 cf many waters, and as the voice of great thunder : 
 and the voice, which I heard, was as the voice of 
 harpers harping on their harps, (p. 376) 
 
 3 And they lung as it were a new canticle, before 
 the throne, and before the four living creatures, and 
 the Ancients -, and no man could fay the canticle, 
 but thofe hundred forty four thoufand, who were 
 purchafed from the earth, (p. 376) 
 
 4 Thcfe'are they who were not defiled with 
 women : For they are virgins. Thefe follow the 
 Lamb whitherfoever he goeth. Thefe were pur- 
 chafed from among men, the firft fruits to God and 
 to the Lamb: (p. 378) 
 
 5 And in their mouth there was found no lye : 
 For they are without fpot before the throne of God. 
 
 (P- 3?8) 
 
 6 And I faw another Angel flying through the 
 
 midft of heaven, having the eternal Goipel, to 
 Ooj preach
 
 [ 566 ] 
 
 preach unto them that fit upon the earth, and over 
 every nation, and tribe, and tongue, and people: 
 
 (P- 354)_ 
 
 7 Saying with a loud voice : Fear the Lord, and 
 give him honour, becaufe the hour of his judgment 
 is come : and adore ye him, that made heaven and 
 earth, the fea and the fountains of waters, (p. 354) 
 
 8 And another Angel followed, faying : That 
 great Babylon is fallen, is fallen : which made all 
 nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her 
 fornication, (p. 429) 
 
 9 And the third Angel followed them, faying 
 with a loud voice : If any man fhall adore the beaft 
 and his image, and receive his character in his fore- 
 head, or in his hand -, (p. 435) 
 
 10 He alfo mail drink of the wine of the wrath 
 of God, which is mingled with pure wine in the 
 Cup of his wrath, and mall be tormented with fire 
 and brimftone in the fight of the holy Angels and in 
 the fight of the Lamb. (p. 435) 
 
 1 1 And the fmoke of their torments mail afcend 
 up for ever and ever : neither have they reft day 
 nor night, who have adored the beaft, and his 
 image, and whofoever receiveth the character of 
 his name. (p. 436) 
 
 12 Here is the patience of the faints, who keep 
 the commandments of God, and the faith of JESUS. 
 
 (P- 436) 
 
 13 And I heard a voice from heaven, faying to 
 me: Write, Blefled are the dead who die in the 
 Lord. From henceforth now, faith the Spirit, that 
 they may reft from their labours : For their works 
 follow them. (p. 452) 
 
 14
 
 56? ] 
 
 14 And I &w, and behold a white cloud : and 
 .upon the cloud one fitting like to the Son of man, 
 
 having on his head a crown of gold, and in his hand 
 a (harp fickle, (p. 472) 
 
 15 And another Angel came out from the temple, 
 crying with a loud voice to him that fat upon the 
 cloud ; Thruft in thy fickle and reap, becaufe the 
 hour is come to reap, for the harvelt of the earth 
 is ripe. (p. 473) 
 
 1 6 And he that fat on the cloud, thruft his fickle 
 into the earth and the earth was reaped, (p. 473) 
 
 17 And another Angel came out of the temple 
 which is in heaven, he alfo having a fharp fickle. 
 
 (P- 473) 
 
 1 8 And another Angel came out from the altar, 
 who had power over fire : and he cried with a loud 
 voice to him that had the fharp fickle, faying : 
 Thruft in thy fharp fickle, and gather the clufters 
 of the vine-yard of the earth : becaufe the grapes 
 thereof are ripe. (p. 473) 
 
 19 And the Angel thruft in his marp fickle into 
 the earth, and gathered the vine-yard of the earth, 
 and caft it into the great prefs of the wrath of God : 
 
 (P- 473) 
 
 20 And the prefs was trodden without the city, 
 and blood came out of the prefs, up to the horfes 
 bridles, fora thoufand and fix hundred furlongs,. 
 (P- 474) 
 
 A 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 t 
 
 IND I faw another fign in heaven great 
 
 and wonderful : feven Angels having the 
 004 feven
 
 [ 568 ] 
 
 feven laft plagues. For in them is filled np the 
 wrath of God. (p. 44) 
 
 2 And I faw as it were a fea of glafs mingled 
 with fire, and them that had overcome the beaft 
 and his image and the number of his name, {land- 
 ing on the lea of glafs, having the harps of God : 
 
 (P- 45) 
 
 3 And finging the canticle of Mofes the fervant 
 of God, and the canticle of the Lamb, faying : 
 Great and wonderful are thy works O Lord God 
 almighty : juft and true are thy ways, O King of 
 ages. (p. 45) 
 
 4 Who mail not fear thee, O Lord, and magni- 
 fy thy name ? For thou only art holy : for all na- 
 tions mail come, and mall adore in thy fight, be- 
 caufe thy judgments are manifeft. (p. 45) 
 
 5 And after thefe things I looked, and behold the 
 temple of the tabernacle of the teftimony in heaven 
 was opened : (p. 48) 
 
 6 And the feven Angels came out of the temple 
 having the feven plagues, clothed with clean and 
 white linnen, and girt about the breafts with golden 
 girdles, (p. 48) 
 
 7 And one of the four living creatures, gave to 
 the feven Angels feven golden vials, full of the 
 wrath of God who liveth for ever and ever. 
 
 (P- 48) 
 
 8 And the temple was filled with fmoke from 
 the majefty of God, and from his power : and no 
 man was able to enter into the temple, till the 
 feven plagues of the feven Angels were fulfilled, 
 (p. 48) 
 
 CHAP.
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 
 AND I heard a great voice out of the temple* 
 i& faying to the feven Angels : Go, and pom- 
 out the feven vials of the wrath of God upon the 
 earth, (p. 50) 
 
 2 And the firft went, and poured out his vial 
 upon the earth, and there fell a fore and grievous 
 wound upon men, who had the character of the 
 beaft : and upon them that adored the image there- 
 of, (p. 50) 
 
 , g And the fecond Angel poured out his vial 
 upon the fea, and there came blood as it were of a 
 dead man : and every living foul died in the fea. 
 
 (P- 8?) 
 
 4 And the third poured out his vial upon the 
 
 rivers and fountains of waters : and there was 
 made blood, (p. 106) 
 
 5 And I heard the Angel of the waters, faying: 
 Thou art juft, O Lord, who art, and who waft, 
 the holy one, becaufe thou haft judged thefe things : 
 (p. 106) 
 
 6 For they have fried the blood of faints and 
 prophets, and thou haft given them blood to drink : 
 for they are worthy, (p. 106) 
 
 7 And I heard another, from the altar faying : 
 Yea O Lord God almighty, true and juft are thy 
 judgments, (p. 106) 
 
 8 And the fourth Angel poured out his vial 
 upon the fun, and it was given unto him to afflict 
 men with heat and fire : (p. 179) 
 
 9 And
 
 C 570 ] 
 
 9 And men were fcorched with great heat-, and 
 they blafphemed the name of God who hath power 
 fever thefe plagues, neither did they penance to give 
 him glory, (p. 179) 
 
 10 And the fifth Angel poured out his vial upon 
 the feat of the beaft : and his kingdom becarrie 
 dark, and they gnawed their tongues for pain : 
 (p. 264) 
 
 1 1 And they blafphemed the God of heaven, be- 
 caufe of their pains and wounds, and did not pc^ 
 nance from their works, (p. 264) 
 
 1 2 And the fixth Angel poured out his vial upon 
 that great river Euphrates : and dried up the water 
 thereof, that a way might be prepared for the kings 
 from the rifingof the fun (p. 335) 
 
 13 And I law from the mouth of the dragon* 
 and from the mouth of the beaft, and from the 
 mouth of the falfe prophet three unclean fpirits 
 like frogs, (p. 401} 
 
 14 For they are the fpirits of devils working 
 %ns, and they go forth unto the kings of the 
 whole earth to gather them to battle againft the great 
 day of the almighty God. (p. 401) 
 
 15 Behold, I come as a thief: Blefled is he that 
 watcheth, and keepeth his garments, left he walk 
 naked, and they fee his fhamt\ (p. 453) 
 
 16 And he mall gather them together into a. 
 place, which in Hebrew is called Armagedon. 
 
 (P-4'3) 
 
 17 And the feventh Angel pourd out his vial 
 
 upon the air, and there came a great voice out of 
 the temple from the throne, faying : It is done* 
 
 (p. 461) 
 
 1 8 And
 
 1 8 And there were lightnings, and voices, and 
 thunders, and there was a great earthquake, fuch 
 an one as never had been fmce men were upon the 
 earth, fuch an earthquake, fo great, (p. 462) 
 
 19 And the great city was divided into three 
 parts : and the cities of the Gentiles fell. And 
 great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to 
 give her the cup of the wine of the indignation of his 
 wrath, (p. 462) 
 
 20 And every ifland fled away, and the moun- 
 tains were not found, (p. 462) 
 
 2 1 And great hail like a talent came down from 
 heaven upon men : and men blafphemed God for 
 the plague of the hail : becaufe it was exceeding 
 great, (p. 462) 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 
 
 AND there came one of the feven Angels, who 
 *^* had the feven vials, and fpoke with me, fay- 
 ing : Come, I will mew thee the condemnation of 
 the great harlot, who fitteth upon many waters, 
 (p. 122) 
 
 2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed 
 fornication : and they who inhabite the earth, have 
 been made drunk with the wine of her whoredom, 
 (p. 122) 
 
 3 And he took me away in fpirit into the defart. 
 And I faw a woman fitting upon a fcarlet coloured 
 beaft, full of names of blafphemy, having feven 
 heads and ten horns, (p. 122) 
 
 4 And
 
 [ 572 ] 
 
 4 And the woman was clothed round about with 
 purple and fcarlet, and gilt with gold, and precious 
 ftones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand, 
 full of the abomination and filthinefs of her form- 
 cation, (p. 122) 
 
 5 And on her forehead a name was written : a 
 Myftery : Babylon the great, the mother of the 
 fornications, and the abominations of the earth. 
 [P- 123] 
 
 6 And 1 faw the woman drunk with the blood of 
 the faints, and with the blood of the martyrs of 
 JESUS. And I wondered, when I had feen her, 
 with great admiration, [p. 125] 
 
 7 And the Angel laid to me : Why doft thou 
 wonder ? I will tell thee the myftery of the woman, 
 and of the bead which carrieth her, which hath the 
 feven heads and ten horns, [p. 123] 
 
 8 I' he beaft, which thou faweft, was and is not, 
 and lhall come up out of the bottomlefs pit, and 
 go into deftrudtion : and the inhabitants on the 
 earth [whole names are net written in the book of 
 life from the foundation of the world] (hall wonder, 
 feeing the bead that was and is not. [p. 129] 
 
 9 And here is the undemanding, that hath wif- 
 dom. The feven heads, are feven mountains, upon 
 which the woman fitteth, and they are feven kings, 
 [p. 130] 
 
 10 Five are fallen, one is, and the other is not 
 yet corne : and when he is come, he muft remain a 
 fhort time. (p. 130) 
 
 1 1 And the beaft which was, and is not : the 
 fame alfo is the eighth, and is of the feven, and 
 goeth into deftrudion. [p. 131] 
 
 12 And
 
 [ 5/3 ] 
 
 12 And the ten horns, which thou faweft, arc 
 ten kings, who have not yet received kingdom, but 
 (hall receive power as kings one hour alter the 
 beaft, (p. 132) 
 
 13 Thefe have one defign : and their flrength 
 and power they (hail deliver to the beaft. (p. 132) 
 
 14 Thefe fhall fight with the Lamb, and the 
 Lamb fhall overcome them, becaufe he is Lord of 
 lords, and King of kings, and they that are witfy 
 him are called, and elecl:, and faithful, [p. 1 34] 
 
 1 5 And he faid to me : The waters which thou 
 faweft, where the harlot fitteth, are peoples, and 
 nations, and tongues, (p. 124) 
 
 1 6 And the ten horns, which thou faweft in the 
 beaft : thefe fhall hate the harlot, and fhall make 
 her defolate and naked, and fhall eat her flefh, and 
 fhall burn her with fire. (p. 135) 
 
 17 For God hath given into their hearts, to do 
 that which pleafeth him : that they give their king- 
 dom to the beaft till the words of God be fulfilled. 
 
 (P- 13^) 
 
 1 8 And the woman v/hich thou faweft, is the 
 great city, which hath kingdom over the kings of 
 the earth, [p. 124] 
 
 CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 AN D -after thefe things I faw another Angel 
 come down from heaven, having great power: 
 and the earth was enlightened with his glory. 
 
 [? 139] 
 
 2 And he cried out with a ftrong voice faying : 
 
 Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen : and is be- 
 come
 
 [ 574 } 
 
 come :he habitation of crevils, and the hold of every 
 unclean fpirit, and the hold of every unclean and 
 hateful bird : (p. 139^ 
 
 3 Becaufe all nations have drunk of the wine of the 
 wrath of her fornication : and the kings of the earth 
 have committed fornication with her : and the mer- 
 chants of the earth have been made rich by the power 
 of her delicacies, (p. 139) 
 
 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, fay- 
 ing : Go out from her, my people : that you be 
 not partakers of her fins, and that you receive not 
 of her plagues. ( p. 140) 
 
 5 For her fins have reached unto heaven, and 
 the Lord hath remembered her iniquities, [p. 142] 
 
 6 Render to her as fhe hath alfo rendered to you : 
 and double unto her double according to her works : 
 in the cup, wherein fhe hath mingled, mingle ye 
 double unto her. (p. 142) 
 
 7 As much as fhe hath glorified herfelf, and 
 lived in delicacies, fo much torment and forrow 
 give ye to her : becaufe me faith in her heart, I fie a 
 queen, and am no widow, and forrow I mall not 
 fee. (p. 142) 
 
 8 Therefore mall her plagues come in one day, 
 death, and mourning, and famine, and fhe mail be 
 burnt with fire : becaufe God is ftrong who fhall 
 judge her. (p. 142) 
 
 9 And the kings of the earth, who have com- 
 mitted fornication, and lived in delicacies with her, 
 fhall weep, and bewail themfelves over her, when 
 they mall fee the fmoke of her burning : (p. 144) 
 
 10 Standing a-far off for fear of her torments, 
 faying : Alas ! alas ! that great city Babylon, that 
 
 mighty
 
 [ 575 ] 
 
 mighty city : for in one hour is thy judgment 
 come. (p. 144) 
 
 1 1 And the merchants of the earth mall weep, 
 and mourn over her : for no man mall buy their 
 merchandife any more i (p. 144) 
 
 1 2 Merchandife of gold and filver and precious 
 ftones : and of pearls and fine linnen and purple, 
 and filk, and fcarlet, and all thyine-wood, and all 
 manner of vefTels of ivory, and all manner of vesflels 
 of precious ftone, and of brafs, and of iron, and of 
 marble, (p. 144) 
 
 13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointment, 
 and frankincenfe, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, 
 and wheat, and beafts, and fheep, and hories, and 
 chariots, and Oaves, and fouls of men. (p. 145) 
 
 14 And the fruits of the defire of thy foul are 
 departed from thee, and all fat and goodly things 
 are perifhed from thee, and they fhall find them no 
 more at all. (p. 145) 
 
 15 The merchants of thefe things, who were 
 made rich, mall ftand afar off from hep for fear of 
 her torments, weeping and mourning, (p. 145) 
 
 1 6 And faying: Alas! alas! that great city^ 
 which was clothed with fine linnen and purple, and 
 fcarlet, and was gilt with gold and precious ftones 
 and pearls: (p. 145) 
 
 17 For in one hour are fo great riches come to 
 jiought : (p. 145) and every fhip-m after, and al! 
 that fail into the lake, and mariners, and as many 
 as work in the fea, flood afar off, (p. 146) 
 
 1 8 And cried, feeing the place of her burnin; . 
 faying : What city is like to this great city 
 (p. 146) 
 
 iq Ar.
 
 [ 5/6 ] 
 
 19 And they caft duft upon their heads, and cried, 
 weeping and mourning, faying: Alas, alas, that 
 great city, wherein all were made rich, that had 
 fhips at fea, by reafon of her prices : for in one 
 hour me is made defolate. (p. 147) 
 
 20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy 
 apoftles and prophets : for God hath judged your 
 judgment on her. (p. 147) 
 
 21 And a mighty Angel took up a ftone as it 
 were ? great mill- ftone, and caft it into the fea, fay- 
 ing : With fuch violence as this mall Babylon that 
 great city be thrown down, and mail be found no 
 more at all. (p. 431) 
 
 22 And the voice of harpers, and of mnficians, 
 and of them that play on the pipe and on the trum- 
 pet, mall no more be heard at all in thee : and no 
 craftfmen cf any art whatfoever mall be found any 
 more at all in thee : and the found of the mill mail 
 be heard no more at all in thee : (p. 43 i) 
 
 23 And the light of the lamp fhall mine no more 
 at all in thee : and the voice of the bridegroom and 
 the bride mail be heard no more at all in thee : for 
 thy merchants were the great men of the earth, for 
 ail n?rions have been deceived by ihy inchant- 
 ments. (p. 431) 
 
 24 And in her was found the blood of pro- 
 phets and of faints, and of all that were (lain 
 upon the earth, (p. 432) 
 
 A 
 
 C H A I 1 
 
 FTER thefe things I heard as it were the 
 voice of much people in heaven faying, 
 
 Mduia.
 
 t 577 J 
 
 Alleluia. Salvation, and glory, and power is to 
 our God: (p. 536) 
 
 2 For true and juft are his judgments, who hath 
 judged the great harlot, which corrupted the earth 
 with her fornication, and hath revenged the blood 
 of his fervants, at her hands, (p. 536) 
 
 3 And again they faid, Alleluia. And her fmokg 
 afcendeth for ever and ever. (p. 536) 
 
 4 And the four and twenty Ancients, and the 
 four living creatures, fell down and adored God 
 that fitteth upon the throne^ faying : Amen^ Alls* 
 litia. (p 536) 
 
 5 And a voice came out from the throne, fay-* 
 ing : Give praife to our God, all ye his fervants s 
 and you that fear him, little and great, (p. 536) 
 
 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great 
 multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and 
 as the voice of great thunders, faying Alleluia : 
 for the Lord our God the almighty hath reigned, 
 
 (P- 433) 
 
 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give glory to 
 him : for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and 
 his wife hath prepared herfelf. (p 476) 
 
 8 And it is granted to her that (he mould clothe 
 herfelf with fine linnen glittering and white. For 
 the fine linnen are the j unifications of faints, 
 (p. 476) 
 
 9 And he faid to me : Write, BlefTed are they 
 that are called to the marriage fupper of the Lamb, 
 (p. 476) And he faith to me : Thefe words of 
 God are true. (p. 477) 
 
 10 And I fell down before his feet, to adore him. 
 And he faith to me : See thcu do it not : I am thy 
 fellow- fervant, and of thy brethren \vho have the 
 
 P p teftimony
 
 teftimony of JESUS. Adore God. For the" tefti- 
 mony of JESUS, is the fpirit of prophecy, (p. 478) 
 
 1 1 And I faw heaven opened, and beheld a white 
 horfe : and he that fat upon him, was called faith- 
 ful and true, and with juftice doth he judge and 
 fight, (p. 418) 
 
 12 And his eyes were as a flame of fire, and on 
 his head were many diadems, and he had a name 
 written, which no man knoweth but himfelf. (p. 4.1%) 
 
 13 And he was clothed with a garment fprinkled 
 with blood : and his name is called, THE WORD 
 OF GOD. (p. 418) 
 
 14 And the armies that are in heaven followed 
 him on white horfes, clothed in fine linnen white and 
 clean, (p. 419) 
 
 15 And out of his mouth proceedeth a fharp 
 two-edged fword : that with it he may flrike the na- 
 tions. And he mail rule them with a rod of iron : 
 and he treadeth the wine-prefs of the fiercenefs of 
 the wrath of God the almighty, (p. 419) 
 
 1 6 And he hath on his garment and on his 
 thigh written, KIXG OF KINGS AND LORD 
 OF LOR DS. (p. 419) 
 
 ij And I faw an Angel (landing in the fun, and 
 and he cried with a loud voice faying to all the birds 
 that did fly through the midft of heaven : Come, 
 gather ycurfclvcs together to the great fbpper of 
 God : (p. 420] 
 
 1 8 That you may eat the flelh of kings, and the 
 flcfh of tribunes, and the flefh of mighty men, and 
 the Mem of horfes, and of them that fit on them, and 
 the flefli of all free-men and bondmen, and of 
 little and of great, (p. 420) 
 
 19 And
 
 t 579 ] 
 
 19 And I law the bead and the kings of the earth,- 
 arid their armies gathered together to make war with 
 him that fat upon the horfe, and with his army, 
 (p. 421) 
 
 20 And the beaft was taken, and with him the 
 falfe prophet, who wrought figns before him, 
 wherewith he feduced them who received the charac- 
 ter of the beaft, and who adored his image. Thefe 
 two were caft alive into the pool of fire burning 
 with brimftone. (p. 42 1 ) 
 
 2 1 And the reft were flain by the fword of him 
 that fitteth upon the horfe, which proceedeth out of 
 his mouth : and all the birds were filled with their 
 flelb. (p. 422) 
 
 CHAP. XX. 
 
 AND I faw an Angel coming down from heaven^ 
 having the key of tht bottomlefs pit^ and a 
 great chain in his hand. (p. 77) 
 
 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, the old 
 ferpent, which is the devil and fatan, and bound 
 him for athoufand years, (p. 77) 
 
 3 And he caft him into the bottomlefs pit, and 
 Ihut him up, and fet a feal upon him, that he 
 mould no more ieduce the nations, till the thoufand 
 years be finimed. And after that he muft be looled 
 a little time. (p. 77) 
 
 4 And I faw feats : and they fat upon them, and 
 judgment was given unto them, and the fouls of them 
 that were beheaded for the teftimony of JESUS, and 
 for the word of God, and who had not adored the 
 
 P p 2 beaft
 
 t 580 ] 
 
 beaft nor his image, nor received his character on 
 their foreheads, or in their hands, and they lived 
 and reigned with Chrift a thoufand years, (p. 79) 
 
 5 The reft of the dead lived not, till the thoufand 
 years were finiihed. This is the ftrft refurreclion. 
 
 (P- 79) 
 
 6 BlefTed and holy is he that hath part in the firft 
 refurrection. In thefe the fecond death hath no 
 power: but they fhall be priefls of God and of 
 Chrift : and fhall reign with him a thoufand years, 
 (p. Si) 
 
 7 And when the thoufand years fhall be finiihed,- 
 fatan fhall be looled out of his prifon, and fhall go 
 forth, and feduce the nations, which are over the 
 four quarters of the earth, (p. 336). Gog, and 
 Magog, and fhall gather them together to battle, 
 the number of whom is as the fand of the fea. 
 (p. 440) 
 
 8 And they came upon the breadth of the earth, 
 and encompaflcd the camp of the faints, and the 
 beloved city. (p. 442,) 
 
 9 And there came down fire from God out of 
 heaven, and devoured them : (p. 44.4) and the devil, 
 who feduced them, was caft into the pool of fire and 
 brimftone, (449) 
 
 10 "Where both the beaft and the falfe prophet 
 fhall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 
 
 (P- 449) 
 
 1 1 And I faw a great white throne, and one 
 fitting upon it, from whofe face the earth and hea- 
 ven fled away, and there was no place found for 
 them. (p. 466) 
 
 f2 And I faw the dead, great and fmall, ftanding 
 in the prefence of the throne, and the books were 
 
 opened :
 
 opened : and another book was opened, which is the 
 book of life : and the dead were judged by thole 
 things which were written in the books, according 
 to their works, (p. 466) 
 
 j 3 And the fea gave up the dead that were in it : 
 and death and hell gave tip their dead that were in 
 them : and they were judged every one according to 
 their works, (p. 468) 
 
 14 And hell and death were caft into the pool of 
 fire. This isthefecond death, (p. 471) 
 
 15 And wholbever was not found written in the 
 book of life, was caft into the pool of fire. (p. 472) 
 
 CHAP. XXL 
 
 AN D I faw a new heaven and a new earth. For 
 the firft heaven, and the firft earth was gone, 
 and the fea is now no more. (p. 479) 
 
 2 And I John faw the holy city the new Jerufalem 
 coming down out of heaven, from God, prepared 
 as a bride adorned for her hulband. (p. 48 1 ) 
 
 3 And I heard a great voice from the throne 
 faying : Behold the tabernacle of God with men, 
 and he will dwell with them. And they (hall be 
 his people: and God himfelf with them {hail be 
 their God. (p. 482) 
 
 4 And God mall wipe away all tears from their 
 eyes : and death fhall be no more, nor mourning, 
 nor crying, nor forrow {hail be any more, for the 
 former things are palled away. (p. 483,) 
 
 5 And he that fat on the throne, faid : Behold, 
 I make all things new. (p. 483,) And he faid to 
 
 P p 3 me :
 
 [ 582 ] 
 
 me : Write, for thefe words are mod faithful and 
 true. (p. 484,) 
 
 6 And he faid to me : It is done. I am Alpha 
 and Omega : the beginning and the end. (p. 484,) 
 To him that thirtieth I will give of the fountain of" 
 the water of life, freely, (p. 4-85.) 
 
 7 He that fhail overcome, fhall pofifefs thefe 
 things j and I will" be his God, and he mall be my 
 fon. (p. 485,) 
 
 8 But the fearful, and un-believing, and the abo- 
 minable, and murderers, and whore-mongers, and 
 forcerers, and idolaters, and all lyers, they fhail. 
 fove their portion in the pool burning with fire and 
 brimilone, which is the fecond death, (p. 485) 
 
 9 And there came one of the feven Angels, who 
 had the vials full of the feven laft plagues, and 
 fpoke with me, faying : Come, and I will ihew tfyee 
 the bride, the wife of the Lamb. (p. 486) 
 
 10 And he took me up in fpirit to a great aiu] 
 high mountain : and he fhewed me the holy city 
 Jerulalem coming dov/n out of heaven from God 7 
 (p. 486; 
 
 1 1 Having the glory of God : and the light there- 
 of was like to a precious flone, as to the jafper^ 
 {tone, even as chryilal. (p r 486) 
 
 12 And if had a wall great and high, having 
 twelve gates, and in the gates twelve Angels, and 
 names written thereon, which are the names of the 
 twelve tribes of the children of Ifrael. (p. 487) 
 
 1 3 On the Eaft, three gates : and on the North, 
 three gates : and on the South, three gates : and 
 on the Weft, three gates, (p. 487) 
 
 14 And the wall of the city had twelve founda- 
 
 tions,
 
 [ 583 ] 
 
 tions, and in them, the twelve names of the twelve 
 Apoftlesof the Lamb. (p. 487) 
 
 15 And he that fpoke with me, had a meafure 
 of a reed, of gold, to meafure the city and the ' 
 gates thereof, and the wall. (p. 488) 
 
 1 6 And the city lieth in a four-fquare, and the 
 length thereof is as great as- the breadth : and he 
 meafured the city with a golden reed for the twelve 
 thoufand furlongs, and the length and the height 
 and the breadth thereof are equal, (p. 488) 
 
 17 And he meafured the wall thereof an hundred 
 forty four cubits, the meafure of a man which is 
 of an Angel, (p. 488,) 
 
 1 8 And the building of the wall thereof was of 
 jafper-ftone: but the city itfelf pure gold, like to 
 clear glafs. (p. 489,) 
 
 19 And the foundations of the wall of the city, 
 were adorned with all manner of precious ilcnes. 
 The firft foundation, was jafper : " the fecond, fap- 
 phire : the third, a chalcedony : the fourth, an 
 emerald : -(p. 489,) 
 
 20 The fifth, fardonix : the fixth, fardius : the 
 fevemh, chryfolite: the eighth, beryl : the ninth, 
 a topaz : the tenth, a chryfoprafus : the eleventh, 
 ajacindt: the twelfth, an amethyft. (0.489) 
 
 21 And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, one. 
 to each : and every feveral gate was of one feveral 
 pearl. And the ftreet of the city was pure gold, as 
 it were tranfparent glafs. (p. 490) 
 
 22 And I faw no temple therein. For the Lord 
 God almighty is the temple thereof, and the Lamb. 
 
 (P- 49) 
 
 23 And the city hath no need of the fun, nor of 
 the moon, to mine in it. For the glory of God 
 
 P p 4 hath
 
 [ 5*4 J 
 
 hath enlightncd it, and the Lamb is the lamp there, 
 pf, (p. 490) 
 
 24 And the nations (hall walk in the light of it : 
 and the kings of the earth fhail bring their glory 
 ftnd honour into it. fp. 490^ 
 
 25 And the gates thereof fhall not be fhut by 
 day: for there fhall be no night there, fp. 490 
 
 26 And they fhall bring the glory and honour of 
 the nations into it. fp, 491 ) 
 
 27 There fhall not enter into it any thing defiled, 
 or that worketh abomination or maketh a lye, but 
 they that are written in ' the book of life of the 
 
 . (p. 49 I ) 
 
 C H A P. XXII, 
 
 AN D he mewed me a river of water of life, 
 clear as chryftal, proceeding from the throne 
 of God and of the Lamb. fp. 492 ) 
 
 2' In the midft of the flreet thereof, and dh both 
 fides of the river, iva$ the tree of life, bearing 
 twelve fruits, yielding its fruits every month, and 
 the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the 
 nations fp. 492) 
 
 3 And there mail be no curfe sny more : but the 
 throne of God and of the Lamb fhall be in it, and 
 his fervants fhall ferve him, fp. 492J 
 
 4 And they fhall fee his face : and his name fhall 
 be on their foreheads, (p. 492 ) 
 
 $ And night fnali be no more : and they fhall not 
 need the light of the lamp, nor the light of the fun, 
 becaufe the Lord God fliall enlighten them, and 
 they fliall reign forever and ever fp- 493,) 
 
 6 And
 
 6 And he faid to me : Thefe words are moft 
 faithful and true. And the Lord God of the fpirits 
 of the prophets, fent his Angel to {hew his fervants 
 the things which muft be done "mortly. (p. 494) 
 
 7 And behold I come quickly. Blefied is he that 
 keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book, 
 
 (P- 495) 
 
 8 And I John, who have heard, and feen thefe 
 things, (p. 495) And after I had heard and feen, 
 I fell down to adore before the feet of the Angel, 
 who mewed me thefe things : (p. 496) 
 
 9 And he faid to me : See thou do not : for I am 
 thy fellow-fervant, and of thy brethren the pro- 
 phets, and of them that keep the words of the pro- 
 phecy of this book : Adore God. (p. 496) 
 
 jo And he faith to me : Seal not the words of the 
 prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 
 
 (P-49 6 ) 
 
 1 1 He that hurteth, let him hurt ftill : and he 
 that is filthy, let him be filthy ftill : and he that 
 is juft, let him be juftified ftill : and he that is holy, 
 let him be fanctified ftill. (p. 49 6) 
 
 i 2 Behold, I come quickly -, and my reward is 
 with me, to render to every man according to his 
 works, fp. 497,) 
 
 1 3 I am Alpha and Omega, the firft and the laft, 
 the beginning and the end. (p. 497) 
 
 1 4 Blefied are they that warn their robes in the 
 blood of the Lamb : that they may have a right to 
 the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into 
 the city. (p. 497) 
 
 15 Without are dogs and forcerers, and unchafte, 
 and murderers, and fervers of idols, and every one 
 that loveth and maketh a lye. (p. 497) 
 
 16 I
 
 [ 586 ] 
 
 1 6 I JESUS have lent my Angel, to teftify to you 
 thefc things in the churches. I am the root and 
 ftock of David, the bright and morning ftar. 
 
 (P- 49 8 ) 
 
 1 7 And the fpirit and the bride fay : Come. And 
 he that heareth, let him fay : Come. And he that 
 thirfteth, let him come : and he that will, let him 
 take the wajter of life freely. ( p. 499) 
 
 18 For I teftify to every one that heareth the 
 words of the prophecy of this book : If any man mail 
 add to thefe things. God mall add unto him the 
 plagues written in this book. ( p. 500) 
 
 19 And if any man mail take away from the 
 words of the book of this prophecy, God mail take 
 away his part out of the book of life, and out of the 
 holy city, and from thefe things that are written in 
 this book. ( p. 5&oJ 
 
 20 He that giveth teftimony of thefe things 
 faith. Surely I come quickly: Amen. Come Lord 
 JESUS, (p. 500^ 
 
 21 The grace of our Lord JESUS Chrift be with 
 you all. Amen. (p. 535,)
 
 [ 5*7 I 
 
 TABLE 
 
 O F 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 -L HE Introduction j 
 
 Chap. I. Explication of thefirjt Chapter of the 
 
 Apccalypfe , 
 Chap. II. The Hijlcry of the frjl Age of the 
 
 Chrijli an Church j~ 
 
 Prelude to the opening of the f even Seals 13 
 
 The Opening of the firft Seal . _ 24 
 
 Prelude to the Sounding of thefeven Trumpets 29 
 
 The Sc2indi;:g of the f.rjl Trumpet - 32 
 
 Prelude to the pouring cut of the feven Vials 
 
 of the wrath of Gcd 44 
 
 The pouring cut of the firjt Fial 50 
 Chap. III. A further account of the firft Age of 
 
 the Chriflian Church 63 
 
 Chap. IV. The Hijlory of the fecond Age of the 
 
 Chrijli an Church . g ; 
 
 The Opening of the fecond Seal 8 4 
 
 The
 
 [ 588 ] 
 
 Page 
 
 The Sounding of the feccnd Trumpet 85 
 
 The Pouring out of the fecond Vial 87 
 
 *Tbe Explication of the fecond Seat, fecond 
 Trumpet, and fecond, Vial, illuftrated by 
 
 Hifiory 87 
 
 Chap. V. The Hifiory of the third Age of the 
 
 Chrifiian Church 101 
 
 The Opening of the third Seal 101 
 
 The Sounding of the third Trumpet 1 04 
 
 The Pouring out of the third Vial 1 06 
 
 The Explication of the third Seal, third 
 Trumpet, and third Vial, illufirated by 
 
 Hifiory 108 
 
 Chap. VI. A further account of the third Age 
 
 of tie Chrifiian Church 122 
 
 Chap. VII. The Hifiory of the fourth Age of 
 
 the Chrifiian Church - 151 
 
 The Opening of the fourth Seal 1 5 * 
 
 The Explication of tbc fcurtb Seal illufirated 
 
 by Hifiory '54 
 
 Tbs Sounding of the fcxr.'b Trump st 166 
 
 The Explication of tbe fourth Trumpet illuf- 
 trated by Hifiory 1 68 
 
 Tbe Pouring out of the fourth Vial 179 
 
 Chap. VIII. Tbe Hificry cf tie fifth Age of 
 
 the Chrifiian Church 1 84 
 
 The Opening of the fifth Sed 1 84 
 
 f . be Sounding of the fifth Trumpet 1 93 
 
 Chap. IX. Continucticn cf tbe Hifiory of the 
 
 fifth Age of tbe Chrifiian Church 247 
 
 Tbc Pouring out of the fifth Vid. 264 
 
 Chap. X. Tbe Hifiory of the fixth Age of the 
 
 Christian Church 268 
 
 The
 
 Page 
 
 fie Opening of the Jlxth Seal 270 
 Narrative preparatory to tie Prophecy of tbe 
 
 fixtb 'Trumpet < 280 
 
 . 'The Sounding of the fath 'Trumpet 332 
 
 'The Pouring out ef the fiy.ih Vial 333 
 
 Chap. XI. Continuation of tbe Hiftory of tbe 
 
 fixth Age of the Chriftian Church 372 
 
 Chap. XII. Coniimiaiion of tbe Hijtory of tbe 
 
 Jixth Age of the Cbrijlian Church 429 
 
 Chap. XIII. The Hifcry of tbe feventh Age of 
 
 tbe Cbriftian Church 457 
 
 The Opening of the Seventh Seal 457 
 
 The Sounding of tbe Seventh Trumpet 459 
 
 The Pouring out of the feventb Vial 46 1 
 
 Chap-. XIV. Conchifion of the Apocdypfe 495 
 Chap. XV. Reflections on the fere en Ages of 
 
 the Chriftian Church 501 
 
 The Text of the Apocalypfe 537 
 
 F I N 
 
 f 
 w
 
 E R R A t A, 
 
 Page lio. line 16. For Cimread nifi. 
 
 216. 23. For fperaro read fperare. 
 309. 22. For Sennoar read Sennaar. 
 331. 13. y^far /& words laft age. <&&, In 
 this general preaching St. John's Gofpel and his 
 other writings will be chiefly made ufe of. 
 Page 390 Is put in the place of 400, which 
 
 correct 
 Page 464. line i. For Three read Then. 
 
 490. 6. 7. Read the Door of each gate is 
 formed. 
 
 Page 502. line 10 &c. Ercfe tbefentence, Thus in the 
 firft Seal Chrift, the Prince of the Chriftian King- 
 dom, and oppofe his undertaking. 
 Page 502. 1. 12. Erafe the word of. 
 
 ii. Tu i*>j"j "j 
 
 .ic Clrijllan Church 
 . Opening of the ffth Sec,. 
 Sounding of tbe fifth ?r; 
 iap. IX. Continuation of ^ tl 
 
 fifth Age of the Cbrifi ' 
 \be Pouring out o f ' ' A 
 
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