Commentari biblici

And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

And after these things — This whole chapter is purposely interlaced between the opening of the sixth and seventh seal, for the support of the poor suffering saints, that they sink not under their many pressures.

Four angels — Ministers of indignation, whether good or evil angels the doctors are divided.

Holding the four winds — Those besoms of the air, as Rupertus calls them, and Scripture emblems of spiritual influence, John 3:8 ; Song of Solomon 4:16 ; Ezekiel 37:9 . The holding of the winds may peradventure intimate here that peace and ease in which God suffereth worldly men to live, and be overtaken, even upon the point of his great judgments, 1 Thessalonians 5:3 . He made fair weather before Pharaoh till he had him in the heart of the Red Sea.

Nor on any tree — The philosopher compares men (the Scripture good men often) to trees, which by benign winds are filled with fruits.

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And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal 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 the sea,

Another angel — Whether Christ, or Constantine acted by Christ, it much matters not.

Having the seal — Whereof Christ is the great Lord keeper.

With a loud voice — Out of his great care of his elect. As Croesus’ dumb son burst out into loud speech to save his father, ανθρωπε, μη κτεινε τον Κροισον . (Herod.)

To the four angels — Who are at Christ’s beck and check.

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Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

Hurt not — Reprobates often fare the better for those few righteous that are among them; they are therefore singularly foolish for seeking to rid them, and root them out, as the heathen emperors did. These resemble the stag in the emblem, that fed upon the leaves which hid him from the hunter and Samson-like, by pulling down the pillars, they bring the house upon their own heads.

In their foreheads — Not in their hands only, as the vassals of Antichrist, Revelation 13:16 who have free liberty to dissemble, deny their religion, do anything, so the Catholic cause be thereby advanced. My son, give me thy heart, said Gregory XIII to our English Papists, let who will have thy tongue and outward man.

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And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

A hundred forty and four thousand — A competent company. Not so many as the locusts, Revelation 9:3 , and yet more than most thought they had been.

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Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

Twelve thousand — Out of each tribe so many. God inclines towards all the elect with an equal good will; neither shall any one complain justly that others have been more regarded than he, as one well observeth here.

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Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

Of the tribe of Natphthali — Who is first reckoned among those by Rachel’s side, because at Capernaum in this tribe Christ inhabited. Any relation to him ennobleth. Bethlehem, though it be the least, is yet not the least among the princes of Judah, for that out of her came the governor of Israel, Matthew 2:6 ; cf. Micah 5:2 .

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Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

Of the tribe of Levi — Levi is taken in, Dan cut out of the roll for his shameful recidivation and revolt from the true religion, Judges 18:30-31 . This, Jacob foresaw and bewailed in that holy ejaculation on his death bed, Genesis 49:17-18 . There is no reckoning made or account given of this tribe (as there is of the rest), 1 Chronicles 7:1 ; 1 Chronicles 7:6 ; 1 Chronicles 7:13 ; 1 Chronicles 7:20 ; 1 Chronicles 7:30 . The fable of Antichrist to come from Dan, is so thin a device, that Bellarmine could not but see through it, and disclaim it (Lib. iii. de Pont. Rom. cap. xii.).

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Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

Of Joseph — That is, of Ephraim, who, though Joseph’s younger son, yet had the first birthright. Ephraim is not named (though tacitly intended here) because joined to idols; let him alone therefore, saith God, Hosea 4:17 .

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