Gifford on Gog and Magog

From:

Sermons vpon the whole booke of the Reuelation

by George Gifford.
Richard Field and Felix Kinston, 1599.
Set forth by George Giffard, Preacher of the Word at Mauldin in Essex.

P. 385-401

[Spelling has been modified]

Sermon XLIII

1 And I saw an Angel come down from heaven, which had the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he took the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and sealed over him, that he should not seduce the nations any more until the thousand years were expired: for afterward he must be loosed for a little time.

4 And I saw seats, and there were that sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them. And the souls of them that were beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 The rest of the dead lived not, until the thousand years were finished, this is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, for on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

The fall of great Babel, and her final destruction, is set forth before in the 18 chapter. The great Babel is the city of Antichrist, described in the 17 chapter under the figure of a woman drunken with the blood of the Saints. Where it is manifest by the words of the Angel, that Rome is that woman, which hath drunk so much blood. Then further we have had in the 19 chapter the utter overthrow and condemnation of the beast, and of the false prophet, and of all that take their part, for the Lord Jesus cometh forth unto battle against them. The beast is set forth chapter 13 with seven heads, which are seven hills, upon which Rome was built, and seven kings, that is, seven kinds of kingly power by which that city hath been supported. The dominion of Popes is the seventh head of that beast, and the Angel calleth it also the eighth, because it challenged a double power. And for that cause that monarchy of the Popes is set forth not only as one head of the beast, but also as a several beast by itself, which is called the false prophet. Then we see, that the Empire goeth down, the papacy goeth down, the whole kingdom of Antichrist goeth down with their whole religion and worship, yea with all that take their part, when Christ cometh forth unto battle against them. And now after we have been told how these shall be destroyed, he cometh to set forth the condemnation of the greatest and chiefest of them all, even of their grand captain which set them all on work, and that is the dragon, which is described before chap. 12. He is the beginner, he is the raiser up of the rest, he is the great worker of all mischief, and now cometh his judgment and condemnation.

It may be demanded, shall not Satan be overthrown, and damned together with his instruments? Yes no doubt. Why then is he not overcome in that battle with the beast and the false prophet? I answer, that he is overthrown and taken in that battle, but not there set forth, but in a vision by itself. His armies are brought in with him, with whom he is overthrown, but under other titles. Now ye may note that there is an evident cause, why the history of his condemnation is brought in by itself after all the other, and that is, that his mischief hath extended istself further than by the Roman power, and he hath other armies besides the beast and the false prophet, which all in general are here brought in with him. To come then nearer to the history, ye have in all the destructions of Christ's enemies, the causes repeated for which they be destroyed, to the end that it may well appear, that they have but their desert. So shall ye find it here, that is, before Satan's condemnation is described, here is set forth how well he hath deserved such torments. His mischiefs that he hath wrought are briefly rehersed. But now I will come to the words of the text.

Saint John saith, And I saw an Angel descending from heaven, having the key of the botomless pit, and a great chain in his hand. This doth not set forth Satan's final destruction, but an ancient matter, that is, how he was bound and chained up in old time. And therefore there is in this vision preparation shewed for that matter, for here cometh an Angel from heaven with the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain. Here is the key of the prison into which he must be locked up, and the chain with which he must there lie bound. Then who is this Angel, and when came he down thus for to bind him, and to lock him up in the bottomless pit? This Angel is our Lord Jesus, the great chain wherewith he doth bind him, is the holy and pure doctrine of the Gospel, the time when he was thus taken and bound with it, was when first Christ preached it, and then his Apostles unto all nations. And now mark how he is bound. This dragon, as we see is set forth chap. 12, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven crowns. He had with his might and with his subtilties seduced and overcome the nations of the earth, and reigned as Lord and king, yea they worshipped him as God. For all the worship of the heathen nations was the worship of devils, as Saint Paul teacheth, 1 Cor. 10. He did not only bear sway in all the great and large kingdoms of the world which were heathen, but also whereas the Lord had separated one little corner, even one nation of the Jews, and had given them his holy ordinances and laws, whereby they might have light and not be seduced, even among them also, he had set in his foot, and seduced even the most of them. He brought in sundrie sects among them which corrupted and depraved the doctrine of Moses and the Prophets. What a prince was Satan now? how did he range over the world? But now cometh a chain for him. Christ doth preach, & sendeth forth his disciples with power, & faith, I saw Satan fall down from heaven like lightning, Luke 10:18. He now beginneth to fall down from his dignity and great magnificence. Afterward when the Lord ascended, and had sent down the holy Ghost upon his Apostles, and they preached not only in Judea, but also among the heathen nations, & great multitudes had their ears opened & turned from idolatry to worship the true and living God, then was there a great chain put upon him, and he was bound. For that is the binding of Satan, when he is so restrained by the light of the Gospel, that he cannot seduce men unto false worship. And mark, that although he be the great mighty dragon, even that old fiery serpent, yet he cannot wind out neither by might, nor yet by any sleight, but that this angel doth catch him and chain him up. And besides all this, he must be shut up in prison, which is in the bottomless pit, and the door locked and sealed up, even to shew that he must be strongly restrained or else he will abroad, he is set upon all mischief. Also the sealing doth teach, that God hath decreed with an unchangeable purpose, that he shall not be let loose until the time be expired. And the time is set that he should be chained for a thousand years. It is not certain from what year these thousand are to be begun, whether from the time that Christ began to preach, and began to bind Satan, or from the time that the Apostles had spread the holy doctrine among the nations, neither is it greatly material. For this is the purpose of the holy Ghost to set down this long time of a thousand years, in which Satan should lie bound, not to tie us precisely to that number of a just thousand, as to say, neither one year or two more or less but though it were some few more, yet the full number is set down only. Satan should for a long time be tied up. Now if we count the years, this is most certain, that somewhat more than a thousand years after our Lord's passion, there were most horrible wicked Popes, and especially Hildebrand, called Gregory the seventh, who was a conjurer and dealt by the devil. Their own histories do plainly shew, that about that time diverse popes came in by the devil, and Satan was then said to reign in the popedom. He had before this obtained that the Bishop of Rome should be esteemed as head of all Bishops, and now look what he would utter to the world, he uttereth it under his name, even as under the name of Christ's vicar, and as one that sitteth in Peter's chair. The world, as we shall see when we come to the loosing of Satan, was now again seduced. But now ariseth a question, was Satan shut up in hell for a space of a thousand years? was he not in the world? who then seduced the reprobate in all that time? for howsoever great multitudes embraced the truth, yet far greater did impugne and blaspheme it. And who stirred up those cruel persecutions, as he said before in his book unto one of the Churches, behold Satan shall cast some of you into prison? Or who sent those horrible routs of heretics of whom we read, which immediately after the Apostles' times entered? I answer, that we must not take it that Satan is shut up in hell for this time in such sort as that he should do nothing in the world: but he is said to be chained up in the bottomless pit, to signify that he could not now generally seduce as he had done. He wrought now in the wicked mightily, and with so great rage and wrath, that it is said chap. 12. Woe be to the inhabitants of the earth, and of the sea: for behold, the devil is come down unto you, full of wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time. Then make this account that Satan, in these thousand years, was bound one way, but another way he was loose. He was bound for seducing (as S. John expresseth it) but he was not bound from other mischiefs which he wrought in great plenty. After the thousand years expired, Saint John saith, he must be let loose again, for a little season. This little time, in which the devil was let loose, is the time in which the great Antichrist did bare sway, for the coming of Antichrist (as S. Paul teacheth) should be, with all efficacie of Satan. There be fifteen hundred years past since the Apostles were taken out of this world, and for these threescore years & more, the Gospel hath been preached, so that the very fulness, and the strength of the popery lasted but four or five hundred years. In that time, Satan deluded the world, and led them into all abominable superstition, idolatry, and wicked errors, and with such strong delusion, to believe lies, as it is wonderful to think upon.

In the next words the state of the Church is set forth, for that thousand years in which the devil is chained up. Saint John saith, he saw seats, and there were that sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and the souls of them that were beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, &c. The Church of God is but one, but yet we say, the Church militant, and the Church triumphant: for one part is warring upon the earth and that is militant, the other part hath gotten the victory over the devil and sin, and their souls triumph in heaven, and therefore called the Church triumphant. Now the question is here, whether S. John do here set forth the flourishing state of the Church triumphant only when he saith, I saw seats, and there were that sat on them, and judgment was given unto them, &c. Or whether he be to be understood of both, that is the militant, and triumphant: because that after he hath said, I saw seats, and there were that sat on them, he addeth that he saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the testimony of Jesus. It is usually taken of interpreters only for the church triumphant. That is to say, that S. John's vision saw the souls of the martyrs sitting upon seats, & exercising judgment, not as having the office of Christ derived unto them, who is properly the only judge of both the quick and the dead, but as the members joined unto their head: for they are said to live and reign with Christ. This doctrine is according to the words of Christ to his Apostles, Ye shall sit upon twelve seats, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And to that which Saint Paul saith, Know ye not that we shall judge the Angels? 1 Cor. 6:3. So that it may very well be said here, that the souls of the martyrs do sit upon seats, and judge, and reign with Christ. But I take it, that Saint John doth not here alone set forth the state of the Church triumphant, for that time in which Satan was bound, but also sheweth how in those days the Church militant upon earth, did flourish and exercise her power: for it seemeth very requisite, that somewhat should be said of the state of the Church in the world, while Satan did lie in his chain. And the words themselves which Saint John hath set down, do divide the matter into two parts. I saw (saith he) seats, and there were that sat upon them, & judgment was given unto them: And the souls, that is, and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, &c. I take the seats then, & them that sit upon them, to be upon the earth in the Church militant: and that to describe, and set forth how the Church exercised her power in the world that thousand years that Satan was bound. The Scribes and Pharisees were said to sit in Moses' chair, as we read how Christ our Lord speaketh, Mat. 23. Even so all the Apostles, and their succesors have chairs, or seats in the which they exercise judgment, whilst they do deliver forth the pure doctrine, that ruleth and judgeth among the nations, as it is written Isa. 2. These seats were set in many lands, where there were great Churches, which had very famous teachers, that did instruct and guide the flocks, according to the rules of the holy word. Now was judgment given them, now was the power of our Lord Jesus exercised whilst Satan lay bound with his chain. In this thousand years those Churches did live and reign with Christ. For that latter clause, which is, they did live and reign, may very well be referred to the former part of the sentence: and not only to the souls of the martyrs which live with Christ for evermore. He speaketh then, as I suppose, how the church here upon earth should live and reign those thousand years, in which the dragon was tied up from seducing: for all the faithful do after a sort live and reign with Christ while they are here upon the earth: seeing that through faith, they overcome the world, as it is written: 1 John 5. They subdue Satan, and sin. This is to be observed against the error of the Chiliasts, or Millenaries. They be both one, for Chilias in the Greek tongue is a thousand, and Mille is so many in the Latin. So that Chiliasts, or Millenary, are they which from this scripture did gather, that after the overthrow of the Antichrist, the Lord Jesus would come, and with the faithful reign here a thousand years upon the earth. And that in this time, that Christ should so reign as a great and glorious king upon the earth, his subjects should enjoy all manner of earthly pleasures and delights. This fond error is confuted by the words that follow in the text, as we shall see afterward.

But here there may arise some doubt, upon this that Saint John saith, he saw the souls of them, which refused to worship the beast, and the image of the beast, and that received not his mark, in their forehead, nor in their hands. The doubt is this, how he may be said, to see the souls of those, that would not worship the image of the beast, in those thousand years that Satan was bound: seeing the image of the beast was not set up until Satan was loosed. We know this that in, and from the time of the Apostles, the sixth head of the Roman tyranny was up, that is the Empire, and that under the heathen Emperors many thousands were put to death, for refusing to worship that beast. They would not obey the Roman laws, which commanded to worship idols: and so they were put to death. These were indeed in those thousand years. But now the seventh head of that beast, which is the second beast, the beast with two horns like a lamb, which without controversy is granted on all parts to be the great Antichrist, he setteth up the image of the beast, and causeth the inhabitants of the earth to worship it. He causeth them to receive the mark, of which he here speaketh. This beast, that setteth up the image to be worshipped, reigneth not in those thousand years in which Satan is bound, but is he by whom Satan when he is loosed, doth seduce the nations. How then saith Saint John, that those which were slain, because they would not worship the image of the beast, nor receive his mark, did live and reign with Christ that thousand years? They are slain for not worshipping the image of the beast, after those thousand years are expired, even in the days that Satan again being let loose, seduceth the nations. It may be answered, that the second beast, the tyranny of the popes, which is called the false prophet, rose not up of a sudden, or at once, but by degrees, and was grown to a great height before that full loosing of Satan. We read how Saint Paul speaketh of it, 2 Thes. 2. How the mystery of iniquity did work even in his time. If Satan in those days of the Apostle when the greatest power was for to bind him, did secretly lay the foundations of that wicked apostasy, we may well think that the work was grown to some perfection, before the thousand years were expired: although not to such as at the full loosing and after the loosing of Satan. So then there might be, and was, great tyranny used against the servants of God before Satan's loosing, by the second beast. It may be some will say, that although those holy servants of God which were put to death, because they would not worship the image of the beast, were after the thousand years, yet Saint John seeth them altogether in vision, with those which were slain by the heathen Emperors in the former part of those thousand years. If we take it so, how could he say, that they did live and reign with Christ, that thousand years? I take it therefore, that the words are thus to be joined, that John saw seats, and there were that sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them, and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years, taking it of the Church in earth: and not to join it to the souls which he saw, as to say, that they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. For that thousand years then, in which Satan was bound from seducing the nations so generally as he had done, the Gospel prevailed and converted very many unto God, ruling and judging, though not in so full measure as in the former times. For in the time of the Apostles, the light of the Gospel was spread far and near in the heathen kingdoms, and that with all pure sincerity. After their days, abuses and corruptions crept in, and superstitions increased and that more and more, but yet so that even to the full thousand years, the principles and grounds of the holy faith were held in great Churches. So although after six hundred years the clear sincerity of the truth was much dimmed, yet there was a general power still, and they lived and reigned with Christ which were quicked by the Gospel in all lands. The words which do follow do more clearly carry the sense this way. For first he expoundeth the matter by the contrary, when he saith, the rest of the dead lived not, until the thousand years were finished. Mark well this saying: for it openeth much, together with that exposition which followeth of it. For indeed the words that follow do declare in express and plain manner, what life, and what rising from the dead this is to be understood of, which the rest of the dead do not attain unto.

Touching the former, wherein, as I said, he openeth the matter by the contrary: it is in these words, the rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years were finished: here is first evidently shewed that all were dead, and that one part are raised from death in these thousand years, and another part is not raised, who he called the rest of the dead. For unless some were raised from death to life, in those thousand years, and others were not raised, how could it be said, the rest of the dead lived not, &c? or how could he speak of a resurrection? To make this more evident, we must first note the general estate that all be in by nature, both the elect and the reprobate, and that is, all be dead, for in regard to the elect which are raised up out of that general estate, the reprobabte are called the rest of the dead. What manner of death this is, the holy Scriptures do evidently set forth. Being all corrupted in Adam, we all die in him as the Apostle teacheth, 1 Cor. 15. And that is to be understood, not only of this separation of the soul and body, but also of a spiritual death in the soul, even while we live here. For whosoever are separated from God, there is no true life in them. But look how the devils may after a sort be said to live, and yet it is no life indeed, but an everlasting death: for the souls of men although they have natural powers and faculties in them by which they give life to the bodies, and in that respect are immortal, because those faculties never die, yet so long as they be under the dominion of sin, they be dead touching the spiritual life. And in this state are all, both the elect and the reprobate, the elect herein only differing, that they be raised up to life in Christ. And you (saith S. Paul) hath he quickened, that were dead in trespasses and sins, Ephes. 2:1. Also in the same chapter he saith, he made us alive together with Christ, when we were dead through trespasses. And in the 4th chapter of the same epistle, he saith, they were strangers from the life of God, verse 18. All then being by nature (as the same Apostle saith) the children of wrath, now let us see how the difference of the elect is made from those whom he calleth here the rest of the dead. It is made by Christ, they are raised up to a spiritual life by him, even while they live here. And our Lord Jesus himself setteth forth this thing very plainly, John 5:25 saying, The time shall come, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God, and they that hear is shall live. Then Christ by his voice raiseth the soul to life, they that are chosen, hear the Gospel and live by it. But all are not raised, for he saith the rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years were finished. What is that? This it is, in those thousand years, in which the Gospel is preached, and the voice of Christ which raiseth the dead, is sounded forth with great power, there be many which are not raised up unto life by it, but do continue still in their former estate, under the power of sin even strangers from the life of God. All are not raised from the death of sin, unto the life of righteousness, at the sound of the Gospel. There were many that heard Christ himself preach, many that heard the Apostles, which were not raised to life, but remained still under the power of Satan, and were dead in sin. Many in those thousand years in which the Gospel flourished, and Satan lay bound, were raised from death, and did live and reign with Christ, but many more, whom he calleth the rest of the dead, despised the Gospel, and so were not raised to life by it, whom he calleth the rest of the dead. This thing is fulfilled in all times, and in all places where the Gospel is preached: for some do embrace it, and by it have Christ living in them: others are never the better for it: but the devil and sin have even as great power over them, as before. But here the Chiliasts, of whom I told you before, do ground their error, because he saith, until the thousand years were finished. For this speech seemeth to import that after the thousnad years finished, they shall rise also whom he calleth the rest of the dead. For to say they shall not live until the thousand years be finished, what is that but to say that they shall then live? This then they take thus. That the devil shall be bound a thousand years, and then shall all the faithful be raised up in body, and reign all that thousand years upon the earth with Christ. And this (say they) is the first resurrection.

Then when the thousand years are finished, they take it that all the dead shall live, and that they call the second resurrection. So they held that there should be two resurrections of the body, the first of the faithful, and the second of all the dead. We do believe, for the holy Scripture doth so teach, that all the dead both good and bad shall rise with their bodies: but we are also taught by the word of God, that all shall rise at once, there shall be but one resurrection of the body. The first resurrection therefore (as it is here called) is in the soul, when it is raised from the death of sin. Of which Saint Paul speaketh, saying, if ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God, Col. 3:1. Then to maintain their opinion, they must shew that there be three resurrections. For if there be two of the bodies, then this which Saint Paul doth speak of, maketh the third. Again, they must prove, which they can never, that the resurrection of the bodies of the faithful, goeth before the resurrection which S. Paul speaketh of to the Colossians, If ye be risen with Christ: for the resurrection which John here speaketh of is the first: which is most absurd. Whereupon it must needs follow, that the first resurrection which Saint John here speaketh of, is not of the body, but when the soul receiveth the life of Christ. This is the first resurrection, and it is peculiar to the faithful, the rest of the dead do not rise at all in this resurrection. But yet the matter is not answered: for that word until. For if it be so, that the rest of the dead never rise in this kind of resurrection, how should it be said, they live not until the thousand years be finished? I answer, that for this word until, it is both in common speech and in the usual phrase of the Scripture, to say such a thing was not until such a time, which indeed when that time is come, is not neither. As Joseph took Mary, and knew her not until she had brought forth her first born son, Mat. 1. Where we are not to take it, that he knew her after she had brought forth her first born. Also where David danced before the Ark, and Michal despised him for it in her heart, therefore sayeth the holy Ghost, Michal the daughter of Saul, had no child until the day of her death, 2 Sam. 6. Shall we gather upon this, that she had a child at the day of her death? We say usually, such a man was never married until his death. No man taketh it thereupon, that after his death he was married. So when it is said, that the rest of the dead lived not, until the thousand years were finished, it is as much as to say they were never raised to that spiritual life. That thousand years was a time in which many were raised to life at the sound of the Gospel: but there were many then not raised. For although Satan were bound to that he could not so seduce the nations as he had done, yet he did harden their hearts, and blind the eyes of the reprobate, so that they embraced not the life he offered. Then we see what this first resurrection is. And now that we may be moved with the desire of it, even to labour to have our part therein, here is the commendation thereof set forth. Blessed and holy (saith Saint John) is he that hath his part in this first resurrection, for on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be the priests of God, and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years, This is a singular commendation of the first resurrection, that every one is blessed and holy that has his part in it. What is greater than true blessedness? And every one that is raised to life in this first resurrection, is pronounced to be blessed. Then this is a resurrection of none but the blessed ones. And it is to be marked how he joins these two together, blessed and holy. For there is none raised to life in Christ, but by his spirit. Christ dwelleth in them, and they in him. They walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit, Rom. 8. They be new creatures which are in Christ, as the holy Apostle plentifully teacheth. If therefore ye do make account of blessedness, if ye do make account to have your part in the first resurrection, labour to be holy. Seek to be found in Christ, that ye may die unto sin, your old man being crucified, and that ye may be raised up unto newness of life, even unto true holiness. For many may imagine that they have their part in this first resurrection, because they profess the Gospel, and be deceived, for except they be raised up from under the dominion of sin, they be not holy, they be still dead. Then there is a reason rendered why they are blessed, which is in these words, for on such the second death has no power. It is as much as to say, they be blessed, for they be delivered from the damnation of hell. For there is the second death, in which the devils and the reprobate do die eternally. So you see then, that as there is the first and the second resurrection, so there is the first and the second death. The first death is the separation of the soul and body, which the elect do pass through: the second death is the torments of hell, into which all those enter that do die in their sins. And are not they right happy which do escape from hell, over whom death hath no power? And he teacheth that all that have their part in the first resurrection, that second death shall have no power over them. Here is yet a further reason of this also rendered. For such as be consecrated to God and to his Christ, and that get the victory as Kings to reign with him, how shall the second death have any power over them? But Saint John sheweth how these shall reign with him. And what is that but to be conquerers and Kings? These overcome, these be in the presence of God, who shall reign with him a thousand years. For shall they reign but a thousand years? Shall not the Saints reign world without end? Ye must note that he speaketh here of the reign of the faithful even upon earth, for the space of that thousand years, in which Satan is bound: which excludeth not their eternal glory in the heavens. O beloved, give your souls to God, seek this first resurrection, that ye may be blessd for evermore in the heavens.

Sermon XLIV

7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

8 And shall go out to deceive the people which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: whose number is as the sand of the sea.

9 And they went up on the plain of the earth, and compassed the tents of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet shall be tormented day and night for evermore.

In the former part of this chapter we had the binding of Satan for a thousand years. We had also set forth the flourishing state of the Church for that time. And now we come to the loosing of Satan out of his prison. He delighteth wholly in mischief, his great desire is for to do all the harm that may be: and therefore it was an exceeding grief unto him, when he was by the clear light and power of the Gospel tied up and restrained from seducing the nations, in so whole and general a manner as he had done. And now that he is let loose again, it is very joyful unto him, and he goeth very roundly to work.

And when the thousand years (saith John) are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison. I noted before, that the reckoning of this thousand years is not for certain in what year they began. Whether from the time that our Saviour first preached (for then Satan began to come down) or from the time that the holy Apostles, after the holy Ghost was sent down upon them, with great power published the Gospel, seeing that did more restrain him: or from the time that those blessed Apostles had spread the light of it among the Gentiles, and had founded great Churches in many kingdoms. If it be the purpose of the holy Ghost to lead us to nearly unto a time, I suppose this last should be it: although we cannot stand upon any one year, as to say this or that year after the birth of our saviour: but the more the Gospel prevailed, the more Satan was chained up. And we may note, that as Satan was by degrees bound up, so by degrees, he cometh to be loosed. And as the holy Ghost beginneth the thousand years from the fullest binding of him up, so he saith, they be expired at his fullest loosing. The holy Apostles were not long taken out of the world, but he got some scope to seduce, and raised up foul monsters, to sow most horrible and abominable heresies, by which many were seduced, but what was this, so long as many thousand thousands in all lands, stood constant and sincere in the faith of Christ, and could not be driven from it by any torments? Within four or five hundred years after Christ, besides the heresies that he had raised up, he also had brought unto the Church sundry superstitious devices, which many of the faithful and true servants of God were blemished withall. So that he was now somewhat more loosed. When eight or nine hundred years were expired, the sincerity of the truth & the purity of God's worship was much more dimmed, so that before the thousand years were expired, great corruptions did overspread almost all Churches, but yet so as the grounds of the holy faith remained. Things were very dim in comparison of ancient purity. The Bishop of Rome was aloft, usurped with great tyranny, and spread much evil over many nations, so that Satan had gotten much scope in comparison of that which he had in former times. But as yet he was not fully loosed, the Gospel even in the midst of many trumperies, yet took place in many. Come then down a little lower, about the year of our Lord 998. Sylvester the second came to be Pope, who was in league with the devil. The histories do shew, that at his death he called for the Cardinals, and confessed all how he had familiarity with the devil, and how he had given himself unto him, so that he might come to that Papal dignity. What shall we think now, when such an one was esteemed to be the head of the Church, Christ's Vicar that could not err, and to have full power over the souls of men? How much did Satan get loose now? What was it that he would not now seek to broach? About the year of our Lord, 1074, rose up Hildebrand a most horrible and wicked Pope, who had also familiarity with the devil, & wrought exceeding much mischief. Now the truth was oppressed, good men were hated and persecuted, idolatry and all devilish inventions were maintained. Satan had now his full scope to seduce the nations with his lying signs and wonders. Now began Antichrist to be in his prime: and many worthy men in those times cried out against the Romish Clergy, for their horrible impieties, affirming Rome to be Babel, even the seat of the great Antichrist.

Then it followeth, that he shall go out to deceive the people, which are in the four quarters of the earth. In this we have three things to consider: the first is the industry of Satan, or his readiness to do mischief so soon as ever he getteth loose. The holy Ghost sheweth, that he goeth out to seduce presently: For the devils do burn with such hatred against God, and such malice against the felicity of man, that they be restless in seeking by all means to dishonour his most holy name, and to draw men to perdition. We must prepare our souls to look for none other thing at Satan's hands. Then the second thing is, that the evil men are seduced and misled by him. They are deceived, supposing that they be in a good way, when he hath blinded them, and led them away into the way of destruction. Which thing is to be well observed: for it sheweth that all the rabblements that worship the beast, or that do cleave to the great Antichrist, think they go right, and that all are awry that join not with them: how else are they seduced by Satan? In the popery, even from the highest to the lowest, blindness is cast upon them, and they dote upon the doctrines of devils. True it is, that the prelates and clergymen seduced the people, being themselves first seduced by Satan. As Saint Paul prophecies of them, saying, But the evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived, 2 Tim. 3:13. Doth not this mitigate the offence of the great Antichrist and his subjects, that poor foolish men are seduced by subtle devils as having an intent to do well (as we see how they boast of their good intents in the popery) and are beguiled? I answer, that it doth little mitigate their offence, seeing the cause of this seduction is in themselves. Which S. Paul sheweth, dealing about this same matter, and shewing how Antichrist should come by the effectual power of Satan, 2 Thes. 2. He also rendereth this cause why God would send this heavy judgment upon the world, namely, that men received not the love of the truth. God sent the glad tidings of the Gospel to give light, and to bring men unto eternal happiness: and they loved darkness more than light, they loved falsehood, uncleanness and lies: and therefore Satan in the just judgment of God is let loose, even to fill them with such things as they loved and were worthy of.

Then there is the third point, which sheweth that Satan being let loose, he seduceth not some few kingdoms, but all nations upon the four quarters of the earth. A matter worthy of noting, because the papists do boast and brag so much of their multitudes. They do despise and condemn the true professors of the Gospel because that for the space of these five hundred years, until now of late, they have been very few, and in all that time also by an universal consent condemned and reputed but as heretics. Can so many nations sware, and so long time, and a few others only hold the truth? Look upon this place, Satan goeth forth to seduce the people which are in the four quarters of the earth. Here is an universality, here is a catholic consent in apostasy and departing from the truth. And if any shall say, he went forth being let loose after the thousand years expired, for to deceive the people so generally which are in the four quarters of the earth: but did he therefore prevail so generally? Might it not be that he attempted so general a matter, but yet was restrained from his purpose? I answer, that the next words do evidently shew, that he failed not of his purpose, but seduced generally the nations of the earth: for otherwise how should it be said, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea?

And they went up into the plain of the earth, and compassed the tents of the Saints about, and the beloved city. These words do manifestly declare, an innumerable multitude which the devil seduceth and gathereth together unto battle as his soldiers, against the Church of Christ. We see then that Satan is gotten loose out of his prison, and his chain is off: the light of the Gospel shineth not, but there is palpable darkness, so that he may now persuede almost what he will: and therefore now the multitudes are great which he leadeth away. Here be many things offered to our consideration in this description of the armies of Gog and Magog: as first it is to be considered whether this loosing of Satan to seduce, be the same that is spoken of before, chap. 13 where the beast with two horns by his signs & wonders which he wrought, deceiveth the inhabitants of the earth. I answer, that it is out of controversy that the second beast which cometh with signs and wonders to seduce is the great Antichrist. Then further, Antichrist's coming is by the effectual power of Satan, with lying signs and wonders, 2 Thess. 2. Whereupon it must needs be granted, that this seducing by Satan here spoken of, is the same with that which is there set forth, chapter 13, only this excepted, that this of Gog and Magog is more general. We read there how all nations, kindreds and tongues were made to worship the image of the beast, and to receive his mark, but that is to be extended no further then to those kingdoms which were subject to the popery. An here by these armies of Gog and Magog, are understood all the chief enemies of the Church in these last times, since the loosing of Satan. Here are besides the swarms of papists, the huge armies of the Turks: for howsoever the Papists are set against the Turks, and the Turks against the Papists: yet both against the holy Gospel, and against the true church: as the Pharisees and Sadduces could not endure each other, but yet were both against Christ. Then we are to consider about the names Gog and Magog, what should be meant by them. Some do take it that these names do signify covered, and uncovered, and are used for to note the two special sorts of enemies of the Church, the Papists and the Turks. For the Pope he committeth all power into his hands, and so he is a covered enemy, he is Gog: for under that covering he hath brought in and set up all his abominations. And the Turk, he openly denieth and impugneth Christ, and so is uncovered, that is Magog. Moreover, they do take it, that these names, Gog and Magog, are to note of what countries the chief enemies should spring: because in Ezekiel chap. 38 and 39 in which the prophecy is set forth against Gog and Magog, they are called the prince and head of Meshech and Tubal. Now Meshech is Arabia, which gave original to the Scythians. Mahomet was of Arabia, and the Turks of Scythia. And Tubal dwelt in Italy, where the Pople hath risen up. I do not see how these things can be gainsaid: but for a full exposition of this matter, we are to look upon that prophecy of the prophet Ezekiel against Gog and Magog. Thus it is, the Lord by his servant Ezekiel having promised two things, that is, the bringing of his people out of the captivity of Babel into their own land, and their instauration by Christ, chap. 37. Lest the Jews should take it that these two should come together, or as it were at one instant: that is to say, that so soon as they were returned home from Babel, he would send the Messiah: this prophecy of Gog and Magog is to prevent that error, and to teach them, that after their return out of Babylon, they should suffer grievous calamaties by many cruel enemies, before the coming of the Messiah: and withall, there is set forth what horrible vengeance God would execute upon those enemies. Those enemies were collected of diverse nations, but served chiefly under the princes of Asia the lesser, of Syria, and of Scythia, in which was the city of Gog, and the land of Magog, or the city called the city of Magog. Gog and Magog then are put for the princes of those countries, which were the chief captains in gathering great and mighty armies unto battle against the children of Israel, after they were come out of the captivity of Babel. The Lord doth there in one sum, under the armies of Gog and Magog, comprehend all the enemies that fought against them from time to time after the captivity, unto the coming of Christ. And now for the application of this unto the enemies of the Church under the Gospel: we must first note, that through this book, as it is evident, the speeches and figures of matters are taken out of the law and the Prophets. Now when the Lord would set forth in one sum, all the enemies of the Church, which Satan mustereth after the time of his loosing out of prison, before the coming of Christ to judgment, there is no one place more fit to set forth all these armies, then those armies of Gog and Magog: and therefore the names, even Gog and Magog, are here brought in, to set forth these huge armies of the Pope and of the Turk, and of all such enemies. Moreover ye are to note, that the overthrow and destruction of all those enemies is so set forth in that prophecy of Ezekiel, that it doth serve also most fitly to declare the vengeance of God almighty against these. Then we see why they be called the armies of Gog and Magog, namely, because those were the great armies of enemies which fought against the church in old time, and which the Lord in his vengeance did destroy.

Let us in the next place observe, that he saith they be gathered together unto battle. It appeareth in the words that follow, against whom they are assembled for to fight, even against the Saints. Here is the horrible cruelty of Satan, that he is not content to seduce the nations, and to lead them into error, and from the way of life unto the way of destruction: but also even for to double their condemnation, he setteth them on work to fight against God, against his truth, and against his Church. It is an heavy judgment of God, that men are led from the truth to believe lies, and from the true worship of God, unto the worship of devils: but this is more grievous that they do not stay there, but cruelly fight against all that will not forsake the truth, and join with them. Satan herein doth exceedingly blind them, and set them in a rage. You know how it is, and how it hath been with the papists, that they fight and war most bitterly against all that will not worship the beast, condemning them to be heretics, and men not worthy to live upon the earth.

The next clause saith, Whose number is as the sand of the sea. This is wonderful, how can this be, when all men that ever lived in the world, put alltogether, are nothing comparable to the sand of some little part of the sea shore, in number: how much less can this army be in number as the sand of the whole sea? We must note that there is a kind of speech which we do call hyperbole, which is an excessive speech, that the holy scripture doth sometime use, when some exceeding quality or quantity is to be expressed. As in this place, because the multitude which Satan hath seduced to fight against the Church, is such as no man is able for to comprehend, or to reach unto the number of them in his mind, the holy Ghost saith, they be in number as the sand of the sea. Here it will be said again: Are the number of the armies of Gog and Magog, that is, of the Papists and Turks, innumerable to the capacity of man? I answer, who can doubt of that? Do but consider in your mind thus: what a multitude of people there be in England, it is enough for a man, if not more than his mind can contain, to see into the number of them in such sort as to comprehened it. Then note that in the popery, almost all the land, were for the Pope, even a few that were scattered being excepted, whom they did execute. Moreover, ye must know that the kingdom of England is but a little corner, in comparison of all the great and large kingdoms which were subject to the Pope. Then what is the number in them all, who is able to come nigh to the numbering thereof? And yet we are not come by many degrees to the top of the matter. For now you must count what multitudes there have been in all these kingdoms, which have stood in the defence of the popish religion, and fought against the Gospel for the space of these five hundred years. Are ye not now come as it were to the sand of the sea? and yet ye are not come nigh the matter. For unto these ye must now add all the multitudes of the Turks for so many hundreds years: for under Gog and Magog are contained all that Satan has seduced in all lands to fight against the truth ever since he was loosed, and all that he shall seduce to the world's end. Do but ponder these things in your mind, and see if there be not cause to say, whose number is as the sand of the sea. What extreme folly is it then tn the papists to make such brags of their multitudes? Doth that prove them to be the true Catholic Church? Nay, if ye look well upon it, ye shall find that it doth evidently declare that they be a great part of these armies of Gog and Magog, whose number is as the sand of the sea.

The next words do also shew the same thing, when he saith, they went up into the plain of the earth. They cover the face of the earth, and not of some one kingdom, but even of the world. And in that he saith, they compassed the tents of the Saints about, and the beloved city, it declareth not only how small a thing the true Church is in comparison of them, even as a few tents, or as some city which they enclose round about: but also that their endeavour is to swallow up and utterly destroy all that profess the holy and pure worship of God. The histories of the latter times do shew, that wheresoever in any country where popery had taken place, there were any that would not worship the beast, how furiously they did compass them about to fight against them. For the tents of the Saints and the beloved city, were in all lands where any did with pure and sincere faith worship the true God, and condemn false worship and enormities of the Romish synagogue. Read what they did to the Waldenses, more than four hundred years past: how did they persecute and scatter them? Read also how they dealt against the Albigenses, more than three hundred years past: where we may see how often they assailed Raymundus the Earl of Tolouse. About those times, and not long after, we may read of diverse excellent men, which cried out of the Romish Antichrist, whom they compassed about, and condemned as heretics. Afterward more than two hundred years past, in the days of Wycliffe and after, here was much stir in England, they compassed the tents of the Saints about. What a stir kept the Popes and their armies against that famous Church of the Bohemians, how did they compass them about? But what followeth? Fire (saith S. John) came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. Now he cometh to set forth the destruction of the armies of Gog and Magog, and of their chief captain also which seduced them. He beginneth with the armies, and sheweth how they are consumed with fire from heaven. It might be said: What shall become of the tents of the Saints? what shall become of the beloved city, when all these innumerable multitudes do compass them about? To answer this, here is shewed that the Lord God from heaven doth miraculously destroy these armies, and deliver his church. For that is meant when he saith, that fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. It will be demanded: when was this? or where was this seen? I answer, that ye must understand, that this is a mystical speech. The truth of God is compared to fire, and so is his wrath a consuming fire: and who seeth not, that by the holy word, & by his vengeance he hath already begun to consume and destroy the popish armies? In the 38 chapter of Ezekiel, the Lord doth threaten a tempest of hail, fire and brimstone upon the armies of Gog. And accordingly he speaketh in this place of fire coming down from God from heaven, which doth devour them. What way soever they be destroyed, it is the fire of God's word, and of his wrath from heaven, and we must acknowledge his miraculous power in preserving his Church. Let not the multitude of the armies of Gog and Magog discourage us: for they were far greater than they be, and as the Lord hath begun, so will he utterly burn them up, and consume them in his good time.

Thus much for the destruction of these armies: Now touching their chief captain, who hath seduced them, and led them forth unto the battle against the Lord. Shall he escape? No, he shall not escape. He is the chief worker of all mischief: and therefore it followeth, The devil which deceived them, was cast into a lake of fire and brimstone. This is the everlasting fire, which our Saviour saith, is prepared for the devil and his angels. Here shall all the devils be tormented for their sins which they have committed, even world without end. And here also mentioned his chief instruments which he hath used, the beast and the false prophet, these are joined with him in the lake of fire and brimstone: for such as serve the devil here in the world, shall dwell with him forever in hell, and there take such part as he shall. The beast is all the Heathen Emperors of Rome, with all that joined with them in persecuting and murdering the servants of God. The false prophet is the Popes and the popish clergy, with all their adherents, which in these latter days have so much corrupted the earth. Seeing this is the end of all God's enemies, beloved, let us not fear them, but let us stand fast in the truth, and constantly renounce all their false worship and abominations: for they shall all down with most horrible destruction and vengeance, when we shall stand, triumph and rejoice in the Lord for evermore.