Revelation 17

Revelation 17:1

ONe of the seven angels] It was fit that one of the executioners of Gods wrath on Babylon should inform John what she was, chap. 16. 1. Or, the first of the seven angels; as chap. 6. 1.

talked with me] See chap. 1. 12. & 4. 1.

I will shew unto thee] As now the whore is shewed to John, and the manner of her destruction; so she must be manifested to be a whore, to Gods ministers and people, especially to such as shall be employed in destroying her; for that is a great encouragement to fight against her.

the judgement] The utter destruction of Rome. But it is called judgement, that men may know it came not by chance, nor undeservedly, nor by mans power principally; but by a just sentence of Almighty God upon her for her sins, and that men are set on work by an higher power, to pull her down, and bring her lowe.

great whore] She was once the faithfull spouse of Christ; but now is turned harlot, Isaiah 1:21. She is called a great whore, because of the multitude of her spirituall fornications, Isaiah 23:15; Isaiah 23:17. Nahum 3:4. Or, the damnation (as Matthew 23:14.) of the great whore, by an Hebraism, for, the great damnable whore. As Matthew 24:15. abomination of desolation, for, abominable desolation.

sitteth upon many waters] Situated on the great river Tiber, as old Babylon on Euphrates, Jeremiah 51:13. See what is meant by waters spiritually, v. 15.

Revelation 17:2

kings of the earth] Many great princes have been seduced to idolatry by her, and worshipped her idols; and she dispenseth with adulteries and incests in them, to keep them at her beck. Before, the nations onely are mentioned, chap. 14. 8. here, the kings also, to shew, that this Romish idolatry should be countenanced by authority in many nations.

inhabiters of the earth] Like a common strumpet, she prostituteth her self to base people also, for money, that she may put off her pardons and indulgences.

drunk with the wine] Allured to idolatry by her, with hope of gain, honour, pleasure, so that they doted on it, and were mad against all that opposed them in that course; as wicked men do, who are entised to whoredom by the flatteries of a strumpet, Proverbs 7:14. See vers. 4. Chap. 14. 8. Jeremiah 51:7.

Revelation 17:3

in the spirit] In a trance, his body abiding where it was, chap. 4. 2.

into the wildernesse] A sit place to be private, that he might the better view so great a mystery. Or, to shew, that this great whore was not yet visible in the world. Or, that he might view the woman the better, being separated from others, and in an open waste, where nothing might hinder the sight of her. Or, to intimate, that Rome should be brought into a desolate state in the end; as chap. 18. 21, &c. Isaiah 13:19-22. Jeremiah 50:12.

a woman] Popish Rome, v. 18.

a scarlet-coloured beast] The Romane, or French, or Germane emperour, set up by the pope. Or, as some, the pope, who upholdeth popish Rome. And the beast is said to be scarlet-coloured; first, to shew the pride of these Romish idolaters, who would go like kings, and great commanders, and rich personages, Nahum 2:3. 2 Samuel 1:24. Matth. 27. 28, 29, 31. Secondly, to shew their cruelty, that were as it were dyed with the blood of Gods saints, v. 6. Chap. 18. 24.

full of names of blasphemie] Usurping names that belong to God and Christ onely, 2 Thessalonians 2:4. and taking Gods power, or a greater, unto themselves; as the pope and his adherents do at Rome, by dispensing with sins and oathes. Now their blasphemies are legible, to be seen with the eye, as spots on a beast; and they are all over bespotted with them.

seven heads] See v. 9, 10, 12.

Revelation 17:4

in purple and scarlet-colour] So the pope and cardinals are attired at Rome. Thus like a strumpet they deck themselves, to allure lovers. And it may also set out their pride, in their kingly and triumphant attire, chap. 18. 7. Daniel 5:29. and their luxury, whereof Rome is full.

decked] Gr. gilded.

with gold, &c.] It may set out the stately worship of the papists, their costly images, altars, copes, pales, or stately palaces.

cup of gold] The wine was mentioned, chap. 14. 8. Now the cup is set out, and it is a golden one, Jeremiah 51:7. to allure men to drink of it, or to shew, that golden means are used by the popes, to draw men to idolatry. Or, that Rome beareth the title of The catholike Church; but giveth the poisoned cup of idolatry to others to drink, chap. 14. 8.

in her hand] Signifying, that Rome sendeth abroad legats, to allure all men, especially great ones, to her superstition.

full of abominations] More abominable, for idolatry and wantonnesse, then any other place. Such cups of entising wine, whores were wont to give to their lovers, to allure them to folly, vers. 2. Or, alluding to such enchanted potions as by lewd persons are given, to work a strong and strange inclination of amorous affections towards them in others.

Revelation 17:5

upon her forehead a name] As common strumpets anciently had their names written over their cells in the stews, and some on their foreheads; that all might plainly see, that she is such as she is hereafter described.

written] By Gods appointment it was made known; for she would never take such a title to her self; yet did she so openly carry her self, that men might see her faults in her forehead, Isaiah 3:9. Jeremiah 3:3.

Mystery] Deceiving others, under the colour of divine mysteries, (whereas heathen Rome openly professed idolatry) their whole religion being a mystery of iniquity or wickednesse, 2 Thessalonians 2:7. as the Gospel of Christ is called, The mystery of piety, or godlinesse, Romans 16:25. 1 Timothy 3:16.

Babylon the great] An allusion to old Babylon, called Great Babylon, Daniel 4:30. whom Rome imitateth, in oppressing Gods Church, and challenging an universall empire.

the mother of harlots] Or, fornications. A teacher and nourisher of bodily and spirituall whoredoms, Ezekiel 16. Hos. first and second chapters. So that she not onely was idolatrous her self, but brought forth, and brought up, children suitable to her self.

Revelation 17:6

drunken with the blood, &c.] Not onely outwardly sprinkled with it, but inwardly surfeted; such abundance of martyrs did she kill, and commanded every where to be killed, chap. 16. 6. & 18. 24. She made others drunk with her idolatry, v. 2. and those against whom she could not prevail, she made her self drunk with their blood.

of the saints, &c.] This encreaseth her sin. It was a great transgression, to kill men; greater, to kill holy men; greatest of all, to kill them for bearing witnesse to Christ.

I wondered, &c.] John wondered not before, at the sight of the two beasts, chap. 13. But now he admireth at the sight of the woman on the beast, whom he had not seen before. And he wondered indeed, that God would suffer so much blood of his servants to be shed by her. But he did not so admire at her great power, as to follow her. This wicked men do, v. 8. Chap. 13. 3, 4.

Revelation 17:7

And the angel said unto me] That angel that shewed me this representation, v. 1, &c. now fulfilleth his word, and telleth me the meaning of it.

Why didst thou marvel?] Johns admiration, is the ground of the future revelation.

I will tell thee] As John could not tell the meaning of this type, unlesse the angel had revealed it: so we could never have known Rome to be Babylon, unlesse God had made it known to us, v. 9.

mysterie] See v. 5.

that carrieth her] The emperours uphold Rome, and Rome upholdeth the pope.

Revelation 17:8

that thou sawest, &c.] This beast appeared to John before in another shape, not as an upholder of popish Rome.

out of the bottomlesse pit, &c.] Shall be set up by Satan to that end, and be destroyed with him, chap. 11. 7.

shall wonder] See notes on v. 6.

whose names are not written, &c.] Chap. 13. 8. Though their impostures be very subtill, yet they cannot deceive Gods elect, Matthew 24:24.

and yet is] Other copies read it, and yet shall be] This beast some take to be the pope; others, the emperour: which appeared to John in another form before, chap. 13. but now was vanished, in regard of that form, and appeared as one that should hereafter uphold popish Rome. Others say, Which was in resemblance of power, but should not be for a time in that greatnesse; yet should afterwards get a renewed power, chap. 13. 4.

Revelation 17:9

minde which hath wisedom] Here a wise heart may exercise it self, to finde out this mystery, chap. 13. 18.

seven mountains] Rome was built on seven hills yet to be seen there, though some of them now be without the walls of the citie.

Revelation 17:10

There are] Or, They are.

seven kings] The lasting heads, were hills; the fleeting ones, are kings, that is, severall sorts of governments.

five are fallen] Kings, consulls, tribunes, decemvirs, dictatours.

one is] Romane emperours.

the other is not yet come] Popes: or, the Gothish kingdom of Italy; for it lasted but a while, in comparison of the emperours.

a short space] It is literally true of the Gothish kingdom: but if it be meant of the pope, it intimateth, that the popes power shall not abide for ever. It may seem long, to those that sufer under it; but it is short, in Gods sight, 2 Peter 3:8. and in respect of the eternall happinesse of Gods saints, Romans 8:18. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. A longer time is said to be short, chap. 22. 6, 7, 10, 12, 20.

Revelation 17:11

the beast] By a synecdoche. He meaneth, one head of that beast which he saw. Or, he is not the eighth beast, nor head; for there were not so many in all: but the eighth king; for with that word it agreeth in the Greek, and not with either of the other. He should be so altered, that he should seem rather to be a new beast, then an head of the old one, Daniel 7:7.

is one of the seven] There were emperours before; and after that they were depreised by the Goths, the western emperour was set up by the pope, chap. 13. 3. Or, he may be one of the seven, if it be understood of the pope; because he attained to such power afterwards, as the emperours formerly had.

and goeth into perdition] Vers. 8.

Revelation 17:12

The ten horns] Hereby it appeareth, that this is the first best, chap. 13. 1. for the second had but two horns, chap. 13. 11. The second beast, the pope upheld; the first, the emperour or empire; and the first upheld the woman, the citie of Rome, v. 18.

ten kings] The kingdoms of Europe rent from the Romane empire. See the like, Daniel 7:24. In Johns time, they had no kingdoms, but were subject to the Romane empire.

as kings] For they had crowns, chap. 13. 1. whereas the ten horns of the dragon, chap. 12. 3. had no crowns: they were but lieutenants to the Romane empire. The crowns were then on the seven heads, not on the ten horns, as now.

one hour] They shall reign a small time with the pope, v. 10. Matthew 20:12. and Matthew 26:40. Or, at one hour, chap. 3. 3. John 4:52. Acts 3:30. For the pope soon laboured to divide the kingdoms of Christendom, to uphold himself. And now there be divers kings, notwithstanding the emperours remaining.

Revelation 17:13

one minde, &c.] They shall labour with one consent, to uphold the pope, or the Romane empire. Before, nations submitted; now, kings. See on v. 2.

power and strength] Or, force and authority. They shall use all their personall and royall authority over their people, to uphold the beast, chap. 13. 2.

Revelation 17:14

These] Some of these shall take part with antichrist till the end, even after the fall of Rome, till they be destroyed at Armageddon, chap. 16. 14. & 18. 9. & 19. 18. So, The thieves mocked Christ, Matthew 27:44. that is, One of them, Luke 23. 39. Here the instruments of the popes war are set down by a similitude taken from beasts which fight with their horns, Zech. 1. 18, 19, 21.

with the Lamb] Chap. 5. 6. Before, the beast made war with the witnesses, chap. 11. 7. and with all the saints, chap. 13. 7. but now, with Christ himself. This sheweth the cause of his quarrell against them; to wit, that they belong to Christ; and the growth and height of his malice against Christ.

for he is Lord of lords, &c.] Chap. 19. 16. 1 Timothy 1:16. God having given him supreme power over all, it is fit that all should be willingly subject to him, or subdued under him, Psal. 110. 1, 2, 3. Matth. 28. 18, 19, 20. 1 Corinthians 15:25.

called and chosen] Of high account with God, though tho world call them heretikes. Or, such as are pickt cut by Christ himself, Jeremiah 49:19. & Jeremiah 50:44. and called to destroy antichrist, and will faithfully do it.

Revelation 17:15

The waters, &c.] Here he setteth cut the large territories of the beast, consisting of many people of sundry languages, by the similitude of many waters. So Isa. 8. 7, 8. Jeremiah 47:2. for the people are moveable and inconstant, like water. And antichrists kingdom is built on a fleeting foundation, like a house on the water.

which thou sawest] The woman to sit on, V. I.

peoples and multitudes] See chap. 5. 9. & 7. 9. & 10. 11. & 11. 19. & 13. 7. & 14. 6.

Revelation 17:16

These shall hate the whore] Or, are these kings which shall hate the whore. For the gender is changed in the Greek, from horns to men. That is, some of these: for others will take part with antichrist to the end. See notes on v. 14. They shall, like raging enemies, out of hatred conspire against her, and lay waste her dwelling, as it were strip her of her state and pomp, use her most despightfully, and utterly destroy her.

make her desolate] By leaving her communion.

naked] They shall take away her garments, consisting of purple, and scarlet, and gold, and precious stones, and pearls, v. 4. and convert them to their own use. So they shall make her poor and naked. Or, they shall forbid their subjects to go thither to buy pardons. So whores are impoverished, when their lovers forsake them.

eat her flesh] Spoil her, as a lion feeding on his prey. Or, shall feed themselves on her spoils, which were as dear to her as her flesh, Matth. 5. 29, 30. Or, members, Colossians 3:5. This sheweth their great rage against her; as Psalms 27:2. Job 31:31. but it appeareth more in the clause following, in that they were not content with eating her flesh, Job 19:22. but burnt the remainders of her.

burn her with fire] Destroy her utterly, not leaving a bone of her. They shall burn the whole citie, when they have rifled it, as the Babylonians did Jerusalem, Jeremiah 38:23. and Jeremiah 52:13. and Jeremiah 37:10. and as harlots and strumpets sometimes were, Genesis 38:24. Leviticus 21:9. Ezekiel 23:45; Ezekiel 23:47.

Revelation 17:17

For God hath put into their hearts] A reason is here given of the altering of their affections toward the beast now, and their enclining it so strongly to it before: to wit, Gods will, who, as now in mercy he moved them to destroy the beast; so before, for their own sins, and cowardlinesse, v. 13, 14. and the sins of their subjects, in justice for a time gave them over to subject themselves to the beast. So Pharaoh is said to harden his own heart, Exodus 8:15. and God is said to do it, Exodus 7:13.

to fulfill his will] To destroy the citie of Rome.

and to agree, &c.] Or, to do with one consent. Or, to act that one sentence, vers. 13. that is, to submit themselves to the popes tyrannie no longer then for a time set by God. So the apostle thanketh God, Romans 6:17. that they were no longer servants of sin, not for that they were so for a time. Or, God, for a just punishment of their sins, made them subject to Rome, as he did the nations to old Babylon, Jeremiah 27:6. For it was not a sin in it self, to submit to the Romane empire, though by the popes this power were afterwards abused to persecutiion. No threats or allurements could have made them so servile to popish Rome, if God in justice had not given them over to that slavery: nor none have raised up their spirits again to destroy Rome, if God had not done it, and so made her friends her soes.

Thus whoremongers use to deal with strumpets, when they see what hurt they have got by them, Ezekiel 16:37; Ezekiel 16:39. Or, it may be read, And suffered them to agree. See the like addition of a fit word, 1 Timothy 4:3.

untill the words of God shall be fulfilled] Till the citie of Rome shall have executed all those cruelties, and enjoyed her dominion so long, as God hath appointed or foretold. We must not then accuse God of slacknesse, if Rome be not yet down; but with patience expect Gods time, knowing, that as surely as he hath put into the hearts of these kings to serve that empire; so surely he will, at his time determined, put it into their hearts to destroy that citie.

Revelation 17:18

And the woman] Before, he had expounded the beast; now, he telleth what the whorish woman is that sat upon the beast.

the great citie] Rome, which then had the empire. Before, he concealed the full description of it: now, the time of destruction drawing neer, he doeth as good as name her. We may hope then her end is not far off, now she is all over Europe proclaimed to be the whore of Babylon.