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who is the beaft? what are his feven heads? what are his ten horns? what are the waters which the woman, that is, the whore of Rome fitteth upon? Moreover, for the better understanding of this prophecy, we muft note, that the writings of Mofes and the prophets, unto which there are fundry allufions, and from which fundry things are drawn, do clear divers things in this Revelation. The knowledge of antiquities ininiftreth much aid to the understanding of this prophecy. The knowledge of the hiftories of the church, and the particular state thereof in divers ages, bringeth great light. The obfervation of the phrafes and manner of fpeech used by the old prophets, doth help alfo not a little. The ferious and deep weighing of all the circumstances of the text, and comparing one thing with another, the confequents with the antecedents, and the antecedents with the confequents, furthereth greatly for the blotting out of the true and natural fenfe.

And furthermore, as the Spirit of God is this author of this prophecy, fo the fame Spirit is the best interpreter of it, and doth open and reveal it to all fuch, as ufing all other good means are earneft and humble fuitors unto God, for the illumination thereof, whereby they may all understand both this, and other myfteries of his will, which the

apostle faith, God hath revealed unto us by his Spirit, for the Spirit fearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.' To all this may be added the knowledge of arts, tongues, and the learned writings and interpretations of fundry excellent men, which all do bring great furtherance to the understanding of this prophecy. Since then there are fo many helps for the opening and expounding of this Revelation, why should any be difcouraged from the reading and ftudy thereof? But if any man demand a reafon, why St. John writeth this Revelation in fuch mystical allegorical manner? I anfwer, that there may be divers reasons yielded hereof. First, that the world being blinded might fulfil the things herein fpecified. Secondly, because John was to publish this Revelation in fuch a manner and form as he had received it from Jefus Christ, which was figurative and allegorical. Thirdly, because it was much more wisdom to foretel the deftruction of the Roman empire, which all that time bare the sway almoft over all the world, under covert of figurative fpeeches, than in plain terms, least the Roman princes should rage more against the Chriftians, even in that refpect. The like also may be faid for Daniel's dark manner of delivering his prophecy; for if he had uttered those things

in plain terms, which he fpake darkly and allegorically, it might have coft him his life. For the heathen enemies would never have endured to hear that all their empire's glory and renown fhould fall one after another, and one by another; and that the Jews were the only holy people whom God did defend, and to whom in the end God would not only give a quiet poffeffion of their own land and kingdom, but also a kingdom everlasting, and that thro' their Meffiah and great deliverer. But to come to a conclufion, dear reader, thou shalt find in this fhort treatife, Firft, an expofition of the first thirteen chapters unto the twentieth, reduced all to one head, which is to prove the five points propounded, and last of all, the three chapters following briefly and plainly expounded. If any through lazinefs will not, or through want of leafure cannot read over this fhort treatise, yet for his comfort, let him read those things only which are written upon the fourteenth chapter. And thus, Christian reader, hoping that thou wilt not neglect that which may be for thine own good, I commend thee to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build farther, and to give thee an inheritance among all them that are fanctified. Thine in the Lord.

ARTHUR DENT.

Upon the fourteenth chapter of the book of the Revelation, the five following points are handled

First, That Babylon in this book of the Revelation is called Rome.

Secondly, That Rome fhall fall, and how.

Thirdly, That Rome fhall fall finally, and come to utter defolation in this life, before the laft judgment.

Fourthly, By whom, and when it fhall be overthrown.

Fifthly, The caufes of the utter ruin and overthrow thereof.

Rev. xxiii. 4. I heard a voice from heaven fay, go out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her fins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.