The second part of the Image Of both churches/ after the most wonderful and heavenly revelacy on of Saint johan the evangelist. etc. Compiled by johan Bale. The same disciple whom jesus loved hath witnessed and written these things/ and we know that his testimony is true. joan xxi A small preface unto the Christian reader. IN the first part or volume of this work (which containeth the first x chapters) are all these godly matters of sai● johans' revelation in course comprehended. First of all is the high legacy & massage of the said Saint johan unto the vij congregations of Asia in the first chapter mentioned. Wherein they are also unto vij golden candelstickes compared & their peackers unto vij shining stars in the right hand of Christ In the second and third chapters are the said vij congregations severally each one by itself describe and warned/ to the universal premonyshemen● of the whole christian church in the vii parts or climates of the world. Mark those three chapters dylygentlye/ & ye shall perceive that the true christian church is alone governed by the preaching of God's word/ an only office of Christ commanded/ and not by dead Ceremonies commanded by the pope/ of whom the● is no specyalte. consider how those preachers throughout all this book/ be compared unto star●es and angels/ their congregations ca●led the right spouse of Christ. The other be assembled unto most filthy locusts/ breading of the smoke of the pit bottomless/ unto hateful birds/ fowl sprites and devils/ their church called the proud synagogue of Satan & the most execrable whore of Babylon. In the four chapter is heaven made open and the secrets thereof manifested unto the christian believer/ whom johan also representeth this whole book over. For not only are the mysteries thereof in the universal church performed/ but also in the particular churches of nations/ & in the private consciences o● men. In the. u.vi. and vij chaptres'/ the lamb Christ openeth the vij seals of the book of the most hidden mysteries of God/ for the vij ages of the christian church. In the me●ne season are the true servants of God sealed unto salvation/ solaced in their troubles/ and relieved in their sorrow/ not withstanding the great violence of the truths adversaries In the eight and ix chaptres'/ the vij angels blow their trumpets. signifying the preachers to show forth their massages appointed of God for the vij ages of the church/ many wonderful plagues following in the people for their unbelieves sake/ they obstinately resisting it or else unthankfully receiving it. In the ten chapter cometh the mighty Angel from heaven with a book in his hand all open/ and johan devoureth the same. Which betokeneth the earnest preachers of this lattre age of the church/ wherein the true servants of God shall greedily receive and also digest the scriptures. Take this for a brief sum of all that is spoken in the other volume/ the residue shall follow here after in course. In the mergende of that first part or volume/ put I many allegations both of the scriptures and doctors. And there unto was I first provoked by this saying of Saint Hierome in a certain epistle of his ad paulinum monachum. The Apocalyps of saint johan (saith he) hath so many mysteries as it hath words/ or for every word a mystery whether ye will. I minded also thereby/ my labours to ease the readers for search of the places/ and to signify unto them that I did nothing therein without authority. And undoubtedly the gathering of those places was so laborious unto me/ as the making of the commentary/ which nevertheless I thought weal bestowed for the comfort of my brethren. But two cruel enemies have my just labours had in that behalf/ of whom the one have them falsified/ the other blasphemed. Which hath caused me to leave them out in all that here followeth. The printers are the first/ whose heady hast/ negligence/ and covetousness commonly corrupteth all books. These have both displaced them and also changed their numbers to the truths derogation/ what though they had at their hands. i●. learned correctors which took all pains possible to preserve them. The other is Momus or Zoilus/ yea/ rather one which playeth both parts under the clock of a christyane. This cruel carper and malicious quarreler leaveth no man's work unrebuked/ minister it never so much godliness. But like as rust/ moths/ maggottes/ cankers/ caterpyllers'/ with other vile vermin corrupteth all that is to the use of man/ so doth this enemy/ to destroy both name and work/ only for the advancement of his own precious person. His working tolls are such unsavoury sophysmes/ problems/ clenches/ corolaryes/ quydditees/ subtilties/ second intemcyons/ intrinsical moods/ with other prodigious sorceries/ whom he sometime sucked out of his mother's breasts the university. These hath he not yet all/ as unsavoury morsels evometed for Christ/ distyninge rather with Aristotle than with paul in his daily disputations. Of this rial Rabiys peter judged a fool/ and johan an unlearned Idiot. Yet shall his reader find small learning at his hand/ unless he take an heap of barbarous terms and unsewed together sentences for matters of excellent learning. But surely johan will one day come from Ephesus to visit this proud Diotrephes & show him of his arrogant brags to his displeasure/ unless he leave of in time. All Aristotle's provision shall not help him. Satan upon the pinnacle of the temple never bestowed his alleged scripture more perversely/ than this Momus interpreted certain of my allegations/ nor yet farther from their right understanding▪ But I forgive it him with this forwarning for this time/ though it be not the first lewd point that he hath played/ in case he so leave his quarrelling. My second allegation upon the preface i Corin. vi. is not set there to auctoryse the Apocalyps/ as he most falsely and all contrary to my meaning hath interpreted i●/ but affirmeth that the christian believers are Christ's members/ which ought of necessity by the holy ghosts appointment to hear and to read the words of the said book. For I know that the Epistle unto the Corinthyanes' was written of Paul ten years at the least before Saint johans Apocalyps. No less is he than a false prophet that resisteth jeremy rebuking Babylon for her wickedness. To much it were to answer his other quarrelings/ and to tedious unto the christian readers/ and therefore I pass them over/ least I should be to plenteous in answering a fool according to his foolishness. Thus by these cruel handelinges of these two ungracious enemies/ have I just occasion to leave out the allegations in the margende/ observing this wholesome counsel of Christ concerning such as they be. give not that is holy unto dogs/ nor yet that is precious unto swine. For the one of his churlish nature teareth and devoureth/ the other like a swine treadeth it under his filthy feat. The grace of our lord jesus Christ be with the evermore (good christian reader) and with all them that seeketh of the scrypturs the saving health in them contained without quarrelling. Amen. The second part of the Image of both churches/ after the most wonderful and heavenly revelation of Saint johan the Evangelist/ &ce. ¶ Compiled by johan Bale. The xi chapter. UNto johan was delivered after that he had thus devoured the book/ a read/ not unlike to the metewande of vi cubits long and a span/ which was given unto Ezechiel/ nor very far different from the measuring line in Zacharie. And what is this else? but that the administration of God's heavenly verity is secretly of him committed unto them which hath afore received it/ and in faith digested it/ that they should there with rightly measure/ discern/ and judge all things. Non other is it to prophecy again in this sixth age/ but thus to meet the temple/ the altar/ and the worshippers therein/ and to prove them in length/ breedeth/ height/ and depeth. ¶ The text. 1 ANd than was given me a reed. 2. like unto a rod. 3. and it was said unto me. Arise. 4. and meet the temple of God. 5. and the altar. 6. and them that worship therein. 7. And the quere/ which is within the temple/ cast out. 8. & meet it not. 9 for it is given unto the gentiles. 10: And the holy city shall they tread under foot xlij. months 1 And there was given me (saith saint johan) a reed. Both received I the wisdom of God and also a mouth to utter it. So that my tongue became the pen of a ready writer. For so moche as I abhorred iniquity/ the lord anointed me in wardlye with the oil of gladness/ and gave me stomach to utter his word. 2 The reed which God delivered me/ was like unto a rod. For his word is the rod of right order/ And the sceptre of his kingdom. With this rod spread he out the heavens/ and laid forth the first foundation of the earth. This rod of his power hath the lord now graciously sent us out of Zion by men having his special grace as by johan/ ●o have dominion here in the midst of his enemies. 3 For unto johan it was said for this age. Arise/ from vain study/ from cares of the body/ from consideration of earthly causes. 4 And meet the holy temple of God/ which is his congregation or church: Prove all believes whether they be right or no. examine their works/ whether they springe of God's commandments or of men's traditions. And in so doing try by the scriptures the ●orne from the chaff Mark out the people of God from the synagogue of sathan/ and delay not to norryshe them with the sweet fruits of the spirit. 5 Measure the altar also/ which is jesus Christ/ upon whom the full sacrifice of redemption was offered. For many false christs are a broad in the world/ to seduce the people. The pope boasteth himself for gods own vicar/ Mahomete calleth himself the great prophet of the lord. And both they to subdue the gospel hath set up new laws. The pope his detestable decrees/ and Mahomete his abominable alchorane. Both they have wrought such wonders and such signs in superstition/ as might deduce into error (if God were not merciful) the very elect persons. The monks saith that Christ is in the desert/ the priests saith he is in the box/ but admonish my people/ that in no case they believe it. The canons saith he is here/ the fryres saith he is there/ but counsel my flock that they go not forth. For God dwelleth in nothing that is made with hand. In the faithful heart is Christ only found. There remaineth he. That is his dwelling place. 6 Therefore now last of all/ measure them also that worship in the temple. Considre them only to be his people/ which seek him in spirit and in verity/ and that worship not in outward shadows/ nor in the elements of this world/ nor yet with observation of days & times. They are not his sons/ that for the ●euen of the Pharisees which is the doctrine of hypocrites/ forsaketh the bread of children which is his living word. They are not his lambs but vile gottes/ that rather attendeth to the voice of strangers/ than to the true shepherd Christ. 7 And therefore the quere which is within the temple/ cast out. The prelate's/ priests/ and religious/ which are not of the common sort/ seclude from Christ/ from his church/ and from the company of true worshippers. Throw forth the bond woman and her son/ the Rome church with her children/ and Mahomete with his rabble. For the bond shall not inherete with the fire. 8 Measure not out that chaunsell of charmers/ that college of Galaans' brethren/ those marked Madianytes and cursed Ismaelytes. Allow them not by the scriptures/ commend not their counterfeit righteousness. Admit them not for the members of Christ/ but judge them to be the synagogue of Satan. And spear them out of the kingdom of God/ with the key of David. For they are those swine that tread pearls under their feet & those cruel dogs that turn again to devour men. Meddle not with that quere/ have not to do with that wicked generation. 9 For it is given unto the gentiles. Wholly are those Antichristes' addict to the superstitious rites of the heathen in their sacrifices/ their ceremonies/ their observations/ their holy days/ their vygils/ fastings ● praynge/ knelinges/ & all other usages/ contrary to the admonyshement of Christ. That they should in no wise entre into the ways of the gentiles. Wherefore God hath detested them with his own mouth/ & clean given them over unto their own filthy lusts. Now reign they all in their own wisdom/ thinking evermore their own fleshly fantasies best: wholly they are become Gentiles. 10▪ And the holy city (of whom glorious things are spoken) they shall tread under foot the space of xlij months. Not the earthly Jerusalem is this city/ builded of men/ and made holy by the out ward observations and ceremonies of the jews as many expositors hath fantasyed. For of that (like as Christ prophesied) is not left one stone standing upon an other. But this city is the sure building of God/ grounded upon the strong foundation of the Apostles and Prophets/ even upon the hard rock stone jesus Christ. This is the pleasant possession/ the wholesome household/ the sure hold/ and the delectable vineyard of the lord of hosts. This is the living generation of them which feareth/ loveth/ and seeketh their lord God in faith spirit and verity/ and not in outward shadows. These are the children of promise/ the true of springe of Abraham/ the chosen house of Israel/ and the kingdom of the holy ghost. Pure/ clean/ and holy hath Christ made this city/ by non other thing but the only shedding of his precious blood. 11 This city tread they under foot/ that keepeth down the truth of the gospel/ that persecuteth & sleeth god's people for it/ that defeateth his word for their own traditions/ that bringeth in the jewish ceremonies/ the gentiles superstitions/ pagans customs and heathen usages/ yoking men with importable burdenes of false worshippings for their own filthy lucre and advantage. Not withstanding thus must they do still by the sufferance of God/ till the xlij months be finished/ which is not else but the time/ the times/ and the half time/ or the thousand/ two hundreth/ & lx. days/ in that God shall shorten the time for his chosen's sake. Thus after saint ●an●e also before the lords coming/ there must be a departing. The quere or chaunsel must be cast out/ tha● the man of sin/ the son of perdition / and the adversary exalting himself above God/ may be known in his own colours. It may not be motten/ or allowed by God's word/ but rejected as that plant which the heavenly father hath not planted/ that the mystery of inyquite may be uttered and perceived of them which shall be saved. It must be given to the gentiles/ or addict to their superstitions/ with all dying power/ signs/ and wonders/ in all deceivable doctrine/ by the subtle working of Satan. They must also be permitted to do all mischief in unrighteousness/ upon the cytezeus of God/ till he utterly consume them with the mighty breath of his mouth. The text. 1 And I will give power/ 2. unto my two witnesses. 3. and they shall prophecy a thousand/ two hundred and threescore days. 4. clothed in sack cloth 5 These are two olive tr●es 6. and two candlesticks. 7. standing before the God of the earth. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And I will give power saith the lord unto my two faithful witnesses/ & they shall prophecy a thousand two hundreth and lx days/ against those enemies to the comfort of my people. So that though my city by trodden down by their cruel laws of persecution to death/ yet shall it not be forsaken. And though my people be overloaded with their heathen superstitions and blasphemous worshippinge/ yet shall they not be lost nor left all without succour. 2 They shall have my ii witnesses with them to solace them in their troubles/ and to comfort them in their cares. Both Moses and Christ/ both the law and the gospel/ both the prophets & the apostles shall stand upon their side and be upon their part: yea/ for so moche time as their enemies shall vex them/ and for so moche space as their adversaries shall trouble them Even a thousand two hundred and lx days/ which maketh three year and an half/ and is more than the xlii months by four score days and four. Which signifieth that the enemies shall not ever more keep down his word/ but their days shall be shortened for his elects sake. The school doctors with their sophistry hath fantasied the said two witnesses to be Enoch and Helias/ and that they should come then from paradise terrestre for the same puprose/ because that Enoch was taken away of God/ & Helias was carried hence in a fiery chariot/ neither understanding what paradise is/ nor yet knowing what it is to be taken from hence. Paradyse is the sweet rest of God appointed unto them that depart hence in faith. The peculiar translations of Enoch and Helias were not only for a confirmation or strengthening of the faith of the fathers for their times/ but also that they should be figurs of Cristes' ascension. And what godly wise man can give more to the figure than to the verity: More were not they privileged from death than was Christ/ though God would not then have it so openly known/ to declare his wonderful power. Unlyke is it that God should call witnesses from the dead not promising it by his word/ having power also from stones to raise up Abraham's children/ and to give the spirit of Helias to whom he pleaseth/ like as he did to johan Baptist/ and as he doth now to many other more in our age/ as all the world may see and hear. These witnesses are two/ for so moche as the truth of the lord in the mouth of two or three godly persons ought to stand. 3 These two witnesses or faithful procestours of the afore said two testaments / hath continued with the people of God since the death of Steven/ for the more part secretly and unknown to the world. But now they are come a broad by the appointment of God to the utter confusion of the great adversary and man of sin as Paul doth call him. And unto them in this sixth age of the church the lord hath given the great power of his living word/ or the spirit of his invincible verity in moche more ample wise then afore time/ for the abatement of the said enemies or synagogue of perdition. 4 Clothed they shall be in sack cloth (saith the lord) No pomp shall apere in their apparel/ no glory of the world in their behaviour. Neither shall they be accompanied with a guard of ruffelinge rutters. Neither shall they with Annas and Caiphas sit upon life and death. Neither shall they bless in the street with mitre/ cross/ and cope. Neither claim the hyger seats in side gowns shaven crowns/ and typpettes. Neither shall their be sack fryres nor franciscanes/ monks/ canons/ nor hypocrites. They shall not disfigure themselves to seem religious/ nor say long prayers to apere holy/ but in a sober conversation avoiding superstuite/ they shall constantly witness the truth of God to the universal world/ to his glory and their edification. For sack cloth in the scriptures is a sign of sobriety/ sadness/ and temperance/ as in helias and johan Baptist. 5 These witnesses are two sweet olive trees/ shedding forth the fatness of the scriptures/ and dulcet saver of the spirit. God hath so blessed them/ that their lips are full of grace. He hath anointed them with the oil of gladness above their fellows/ of myrrh/ balm/ & aloes they dilectably smell. Non other things utter they but his infallible verities. 6 They are also two shining candelstickes/ setting forth the light/ or clearly opening the hidden mysteries of the scriptures/ to the comfort of the gentiles & glory of the Israelites. They are not the light itself but only instruments ordained to bear witness of the light. For there is but one light for al. Only a●e they the vessels of election (as was paul/ to carry that light the world over. They stand in the presence of the God of the earth/ or the lord of all/ as men of most high acceptation before him/ rebye to do his will and to fulfil his conmandement and pleasure/ having the oil of his spirit and the light of his eternal verity. The text. 1 And if any man will hurt them. 2. Fire shall proceed out of their mouths. 3. and consume their enemies. 4. And if any man will hurt them/ this wise must he be killed. 5. These have power to shut heaven. 6. that it rain not in the days of their prophesying. 7. and have power over waters to turn them to blood. 8. and to smite the earth. 9 with all manner plagues/ as often as they will. ¶ The Paraphrase. i If any man will attempt to do them s●athe/ or presumptuously seeketh by crafty colours/ subtle reasons/ and deceitful arguments/ upon dangers/ doubts/ doctor's/ old custom's/ and authority of fathers to hinder their office/ blemish their message/ and darken their light such fire shall proceed out of their mouths as shall consume their enemies. 2 The eternal word of the lord that they shall declare (which is the consuming fire) shall utterly destroy them. So that nothing shall be scene of that they were afore. Neither cut show nor cord/ cowl nor grey cote/ boat nor black whode/ rother nor scaplar/ mitre nor croser/ sandal nor frock/ shaven crown nor anointing. For all these are their enemies. 3 Consumed are they to their salvation that with Matthew become of Publycanes true Apostles/ and with Paul of fierce persecutors charitable teachers. Contrary wise are they consumed to their damnation/ which being overcomen by the manifest verity/ wilfully persist in their devilish errors with Antiochus and Pharaoh/ with the Scribes and Pharisees. 4 For it followeth. And if any man will hurt them/ this wise must he be killed. Either must he be mortified from the old Adam/ and changed into a new man in Christ/ or else by the said word must he both be judged and condemned for the utter adversary of God/ with sathan his ancient captain. So must he be killed. And no death will be found like unto that death come they ones to the feeling of it/ though they account it now very light. 5 For these witnesses have power a● had Helias/ to shut up heaven/ that it rain not in the days of their prophesying/ but yet non other wise than by the afore said word. For the word of God is the very key of David/ which openeth the kingdom of God to them that faithfully believeth/ and that speareth it up also from them which dwelleth in unfaithfulness. For it is said/ in the days of their prophesying. This power therefore is of the word/ and not of the men. The word speareth and openeth/ losoneth and bindeth/ saveth and dampneth. He that believeth (saith Crist) shall be saved/ he that believeth not is judged already. No moister of grace nor godly wisdom can light where sturdy frowardness is rooted. The days of their prophesying in figure is none other than the aforesaid time/ times/ and half time/ or the three years and vi months of Helyas. 6 In those days shall it not rain upon the wicked/ they shall have no grace to receive the verity. In parables and figurs shall that be hidden from them/ that shall be evident enough unto the faithful. With ears shall they hear and not understand/ with eyes shall they see and not discern. So blind will their hearts be. For such spoke the prophets in fygurs/ Christ in parables/ and the Apostles in mysteries. The open truth of this revelation shall not the wicked perceive/ till they taste the plagues thereof. Soche is the nature of God's wisdom/ that though it be not in glorious words/ fine paputed terms/ nor in persuasive reasons of man's wit/ but in plain simple speaking/ yet can it not be known of the worldly wise. The sweet dew thereof will not be received of them/ in the aforesaid days of prophecy/ but he that is blind shall be blind still. 7 These witnesses have also power over waters/ to turn them into blood. When they interpret and sincerely declare the pure berites of God/ which are those wholesome waters that restraineth the damnable dryness of the soul/ that refresheth the conscience/ and cleanseth the heart of the sinner/ they can not chose but earnestly condemn the perverse judgements/ the covetous laws/ and hypocritishe works of the ungodly. And then is all unclean unto them/ then is all bloody. The gospel which was a stumbling stone to the jews/ and mad foolishness unto the gentiles/ is also now unto them nowrye new learning/ seditious doctrine/ and abominable he resye. Yea/ and they judge them worthy to be burned that doth teach it. Thus is it abhorred of them that shall perish and nevertheless to them that believe/ it is the power of God unto salvation. 8 finally they have power to smite the earth with all manner of plagues/ as oft as they will. very ca●the are they that regard not God's truth/ as the lord said unto Adam after his offence. Earth thou art/ and unto earth shalt thou return. Nothing they esteem/ but that which is earthly. Nothing they desire/ but that is carnal. The froward creature will in no case know that is of the spirit. The light is hateful unto sore eyes Uerr painful is breed to the mouth that is not whole. A great mote was Crist to the jews/ as his true preachers are unto the blind world yet to this day. For they smite the earth. 9 They touch their living/ they rebuke their falsehood/ they condemn their wickedness. They reprove them of sin/ of righteousness and of judgement. They force not to tell them of their unfaithfulness/ fraud/ and hypocrisy/ of their philosopher's/ prelate's/ and religious. No greater plague is it to the ungodly than to hear of their evil doings. No greater pain/ nor yet greater ponnyshment/ than to have their fawtes opened/ and their cloning colours condemned. That fretteth them at the very heart. Death must be sought out for such preachers. No wonder is it though this be here written for this age of the church. For never were more earnest witnesses than are now/ and more are like here after to follow/ till the man of sin be fully known/ and his kingdom clearly overthrown. The Text. 1 And when they have finished their testimony. 2. the beast hat came out of the bottom less pit. 3. shall make war against them. 4. and shall over come them. 5. And their bodies shall lie in the streets of the great city. 7. which spirytuallye is called Sodom and Egypte. 8. where our lord is crucified. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And when they have once finished their testimony (saith the lord) the beast that came out of the bottomless pit / shall make war against them. No sooner shall the witnesses of God's verity in allages be taken from the world/ than he hath prefixed. After non other sort shall they be sent hence/ than he hath appointed by his eternal decree. johan baptist was not imprisoned nor beheaded/ till he had done his office. Christ was not taken/ condemned/ and crucified till his hour was come. Paul was not put unto death/ till he had fulfilled his course. 2 The beast of the bottomless pit is the cruel/ crafty/ and cursed generation of Antychrist/ the pope with his bishops/ prelate's/ priests/ and religious in Europa/ Mahomete with his detting dowsepers in Africa/ and so forth in Asia and India/ all beastly/ carnal/ and wicked in their doings. 3 These maketh war against Gods witnesses/ when they hate them/ curse them/ blaspheme them/ and persecute them. When they withstand them with their crafts/ impugn them with their lies/ and vex them with their devilishness/ as necessary it is they should do. For if they have troubled the head/ they must be●e also the members. If the howsholder be called Beelzebub/ the household must suffer the same. No better is the servant than his lord/ nor the massinger than he that sent him. 4 They shall also overcome them/ not with the scriptures/ but with their beggarly customs/ constitutions/ laws/ decrees & traditions. They shall scourge them or dysgrade them in their synagogues. They shall deliver them up to justices/ debitees/ and rewlers'/ making them their bothers and slaves/ so washing their own holy hands from the shedding of innocentes blood. 5 They shall kill them also by their counsel/ to fulfil the measure of their father's/ that all righteous blood may light upon them which hath been shed upon earth. Yet shall they not hurt their souls/ but through faith they shall have victory both over them and the devil. 6 And their bodies shall lie in the streets of the great city. In this world shall their carcases remain/ where as they have rule and dominion. Here shall they be judged and condemned. At their pleasure shall it be to hang them/ head them/ or burn them. And though they lay no hands upon them for soiling their consecrated fingers/ yet must it be done by their ghostly cownsel/ and ordered also after their spiritual appointment. Non other is it to lie in the streets of their great city/ than after ●oche laws as they have practised took brought unto death. 7 For spiritually is their city called. A glorious name usurp they as though they were none of the world. They will be called the holy church/ good ghostly father's/ godly dyvines/ & spiritual men/ not considering of what spirit they are spiritual. They are those into whom the unclean spirit hath entered with vij other sprites worse than himself. With the spirit of falsehood/ the spirit of filthiness/ the spirit of lies/ the spirit of witchcraft/ the spirit of error/ the spirit of blindness/ and the spirit of cruelty. And of these only with such like are they spiritual/ and of no godly spirit as their fruits declareth. And therefore the spirit of god doth judge here this great city not to be called Jerusalem/ but stinking Sodom/ & most miserable Egypte/ the prophecies and other scriptures agreeing to the same. For look what filthiness and abomination was in Sodom/ what idolatry and devilishness was in Egypt/ the same is now reigning in this painted spyritualte/ and is accounted there great holiness. 8 Among this consecrate multitude/ or smeared sort is Christ yet crucified/ as he was among the jews which knew him not/ & yet boasted themselves outwardly for the peculiar chosen people of God. Not only is Christ among them persecuted/ scourged/ ponnyshed/ and put unto death in his membres/ but also he is proved of them an unsufficyent Saver without their daily doings. Their masses must be satysfactory sacrifices/ profytinge both the quick and the dead. And that must men believe under pain of death and damnation. Thus crucify they Christ again/ and make a mock of him as witnessed Paul/ and yet do they call him their lord/ not unlike to the tormentors/ which crowned him with thorn/ and saluted him with ave rex judeorum. The Text. 1 And some of the people/ and kindreds/ and tongues/ and of the nations. 2. shall see their bodies three days and an half. 3. and hall not suffer their bodies to be put in graves. 4. And they that dwell upon the earth 5. shall rejoice over them and be glad. 6. and shall send gifts one to an other. 7. for these two prophets vexed them that dwelt on the earth. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And as they lie thus dead in the streets/ or are contemned as heretics/ and despised as wicked doers/ some of the people perverted by these enemies/ some of the kindreds or sects of division/ some of the tongues or blasphemous babblers/ and some of the nations of all wicked workers shall behold their bodies iij. days and an half. 2 They shall for all ages abhor them/ hate them/ revile them/ and spitefully report them. In their chronicles shall they write them for seducers of the people/ & in their stories register them for damnable heretics: For the three days & an half divided into vij halves betokeneth the vii ages of the church wherein they have and shall still both persecute and blaspheme. 3 And these wicked sorts of people/ kindreds tongues/ and nations/ or of false justices/ priests/ layers/ and religious shall not suffer their bodies to be put in graves. But be these witnesses ones judged heretics by the clergy/ and so condemned by the layte/ either shall their bodies be resolved in to ashes by fire/ or else consumed by the fowls of the air. Seldom shall ye see a known heretic buried among them/ but most commonly burned. Examples of this hath been ●a●elye scene here in England by Thomas hyttoon/ Thomas bylueye johan frith/ George baynham/ William tindale/ johan lambert/ Robert barns/ William Hyerome/ Thomas garade/ richard spenser/ and in Partrick hamilton of scotland/ with many other more. And long afore our time in sir johan old castle the lord Cobham, sir Roger ac●on knight/ sir Reynolde peacock bishop of chychester Master johan Ayshton/ sir William thorpe/ sir William ●awtre/ sir richard with/ sir johan ball/ sir William tailor/ and sir willyam white priests/ with diverse other. The body of Formosus was first taken up by Steven the vi Bishop of Rome and disgraded. After was it beheaded/ mangled/ and thrown into the flood of Tiber by Sergius the third. Saint Herman after twenty years from his burial was taken up and burned at Ferraria in Italy by Boneface the ryhht. The bones of Master johan wycclef were taken up and burned also the xl: year after his death/ as waldene witnesseth to his book de Sacramentalibus ti. ix Capi. lxxxix So was of late years in worcester diocese the body of master William Tracye esquire/ & in London the body of richard honne merchande tailor. Moreover johan colet dean of Paul's in london also/ was not far from the same for reading of Paul's Epistles by his life/ had not other weighty matters been in the way. Soche heretics shall not rest in their city/ they shall not be buried among them. They shall not be shryved/ canonized/ nor allowed for Saints/ for they builded no monasteries/ they set up no chaunteryes/ they subdued no Princes/ nor yet died for the liberties of holy church. They s●ode not in defence that priests doing idolatry/ theft/ murder/ witch craft/ whoredom/ buggery/ with other abominations should remain unpunished. But rather to the contrary & that they should worship but one God/ live by their labours/ take w●●es of their own/ & teach nothing but God's laws. 4 And they that devil upon the earth (saith the lord (or have their felicity herewith the rich glutton/ shall rejoice over them and be glad. 5 They shall clap their hands when these godly witnesses be brought out of the way They shall common/ riot/ and banquet/ having among themselves joy without measure that the heretics be gone/ so hateful is the light to their eyes/ and the verity to their wicked hearts. 6 And they shall send gifts or presents one to an other for gladness/ as for example. My lord bishop hath had a sum of many of the priests for doing his part so well. My lord abbot and master doctor have had phesondes/ plovers & partridges pigs/ gese/ & capon's/ for dysparing/ their matters so va●eauntlye▪ Master person hath been commended for scolding/ and ser saunder smell smock our perryshe pressed for bearing false witness. Master friar hath had a treu●all and father limit our a bushel of ma●● or a che●● for playing the knaves also. And hardly my lord chief justice hath not been without his reward/ no● yet master Chauncelloure/ neither master Scribe. What made Thomas More for his time with so prodigious cynanche to persecute the truth and seus/ Godfathe of Norwiche/ wharton of Gongaye 〈◊〉 & Baker of knte/ with such other lyke● but auri sacra fames/ as 〈◊〉 both call it. Thus do they 〈◊〉 triumph when they have wrought my 〈◊〉 and moche it delighteth them when they been 〈◊〉 ungodly things. 7 For 〈…〉 prophets (saith the lord) vexed them that dwell on the earth▪ A great trouble it is to them to have their fawns scene/ a sore vexation to have their crafts known/ and an exceeding displeasure to be put from their pleasant Euphrates by the preaching of such busy heretics. Moche was Herode offended with johan/ the bishops with cri●t/ the prelate's & religious with Paul/ and a sore grief it was to their hearts/ when they rebuked their vices. The Text. 1. And after three days and an half 2▪ the spirit of life from God/ entered in to them. 3. And they stood up upon their feet. 4. and great fear came upon them which saw them. 5 And they heard a great voice from heaven/ saying unto them. Come up hither. 6 And they ascended up into heaven in a cloud. 7. and their enemies saw them. 8. And the same hour was the●● a great earthquake. 9 and the tenth part of the city fell. 10. And in the earthquake were slain names of men/ seven thousand. 11. And the rennaunt were feared. 12. and gave glory to God of heaven. 13. The second woe is past. 14. And behold the third woe will come anon. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And after three days & an half (saith Saint johan/ did the spirit of life by the power of God entre in to them. In the mids of their joy and triumph when they think themselves well quieted/ the heretics thus taken a way/ an other storm falleth upon them much worse than the other. Many more ariseth out of their ashes to their confusion and to the chosen's comfort. And the same witnesses they are again/ giving the same testimony/ though they be not the same persons. 2 The same living spirit have they/ confessing the same verity/ that had the other. No long time can Christ's congregation be without faithful testes/ he promising to be with them to the end of the world. 3 These witnesses stood up/ upon their feet. In the time full past is this spoken for the certente of the thing/ though moche of it be to come. For so certain is it/ as it were all finished. An earnest stomach shall they have/ and with moche boldness shall they speak. The righteous shall stand up (saith the book of wisdom) in great ferventness of spirit/ against them that hath extremely handled them/ and taken away their labours/ persecuted them/ and blemyshed their doctrine. 4. And great fear came upon them which saw them. When the antichrists see they can not prevail/ moche are they inwardly anguyshed/ vexed/ and tormented. Then doubt they their fall/ than fear they their utter destruction. They tremble and quake when they see their laws will no longer stand/ nor their insurrections no longer help them/ looking for a terrible day. With horrible fear shall they wonder (saith the aforesaid book of wisdom▪ at the coming of the sudden health/ groaning for sorrow/ and mourning for very anguish of mind/ and saying within them selves. These be they whom we sometime had in division. Unwisely/ we thought their lives to be madness/ & their ends to be without honour. And now they are reckoned among the children of God/ & their portion is among the Saints. Therefore have we erred from the way of truth/ & the light of righteousness hath not shined unto us. We have wearied our selves/ in the paths of wickedness but the way of the living lord have we not known. 5 And they hard a great voice from heaven/ saying unto them. Come up hither. The Antichristes' shall hear this noise/ they shall know them to be in the favour of God/ & great heaviness it shall be unto them. For this voice is the free election of God according unto grace and not after manes deserving. And it conmeth from heaven as doth all other good gifts/ from the father of light. It calleth up them that afore walked somewhat after the flesh/ and durst not for fear of ponnyshment witness the verity. It commandeth them to arise unto God/ to be more perfect/ more spiritual/ more godly/ and to have their conversation in heaven. They attend unto the voice/ they obey it/ and do after it. For it followeth. 6 And they ascended up into heaven in a cloud. By the power of God they are taken up. From worldly affects are they changed to the pure love of God/ and from carnal prudence to the wisdom of the spirit. In a cloud are they rapt. Compassed are they with this flesh/ the ill desires taken from them. Every where resemble they Christ/ and are daily better and better. They cease not of their progress/ no pain can separate them from the love of Christ/ till they perfectly come to the sight of the God of Gods in the supercelestial Zion. 7 And their enemies save them. The Antichristes' knoweth that they are gods servants/ the hypocrites perse●ueth they have heavenly knowledge Yea, many times they so report them both in their words and writings. In many of them chronicles they ●f●rme/t●at Bererga●ius/ joannes scotus the elder/ johan wycleff/ johan husse/ Hierome of prague/ Thomas thedonensis a white friar of britain burned in Rome/ Hieronimus sauonarola a black friar burned in florence/ & diverse other more were men of most excellent wits/ of most high learning/ of most godly conversation/ of a most perfect life/ fervent/ constant/ & unmovable in in the time of their deaths. Bylney/ Bainham Befeld/ frithe/ Tindale/ Barnes & other/ be yet reported (yea of somewhich to this hew hateth their opinions) to have died charetably and godly. Yet believe they never the better/ they come never the senner to God. Their malice hath so blinded them/ and the cloud of ignorance so darkened their knowledge/ that still they blaspheme and most cruelly persecute. 8 And in the same hour (saith saint johan) there happened a great earthquake A terrible contradiccion ariseth ever from the carnal synagogue/ & from among the earthly minded hypocrites/ when the verity is ●awght/ as it was afore time in Christ/ & in his Apostles/ specially in Paul/ and now of late days in many other poor preachers. When new witnesses arise/ then wax they more mad/ fierce/ and fell/ than they were afore. Then empreson they/ then ponnyshe they/ then make they acts and command in pain of death no more to speak in that name. Yet do they rather lose than win/ fall than rise/ dysprofyght that profit. 9 For the tenth part of their city fell to the ground. Their building upon sand will in no case endure. That God hath not planted must up by the roots. Their holy whorish church/ which is here called Sodom and Egypte) is ruynouslye decayed. Their monasteries of monks/ their houses of fryres/ their colleges of Idle priests/ with their nuns/ canons/ and chanteryes in many places are down. Tithes are not as they have been/ nor trentals/ nor other devotions. Images are not sought/ nor pardons in confession. The people inclineth to new learning/ and goeth from their old believe of holy church. They that were monks/ priests/ and fryres are now become gospel teachers. Soche as afore were dead/ standeth up now against them boldly This fallen part is here the tenth/ for it is the lords by the law. It is the same sheep that afore was lost/ & now is brought to Christ's fold. These were called away from thence by the witnesses/ the other stand yet still/ and are every day worse and worse. 10 In the earthquake were slain names of men to the number of seven thousand. An innumerable multitude hath been sent out of the way by these antichrists in their fury/ but yet nothing have they slain but their names. Only have they hurt their bodies/ upon their souls have they had no power/ no more then had Satan upon the soul of job. Yet have not their names perished before God/ for of him are they written in the book of life. In no case are the wicked of the godly here put unto death/ although some do so understand it/ but rather of the wicked the godly. For they never retail their wrongs/ but rather pray for their enemies. 11 And the remnant or residue were feared/ saith saint johan and gave glory to God of heaven. Of such as were left in their earthquakes or terrible persecutions/ some remained in presone/ Some were beggared/ some were eryled/ some fled/ some lost their estimation and friends/ and yet gave praise unto God. 12 In all their adversities they glorified the name of their heavenly father and Lord. Thus have we here what is done already/ and what is yet to come under this sixth trumpet blowing (where under we are now) which all/ be longeth to the second woe. 13 And these things once accomplished the second woe will be past. And then look buy & buy for the third woe/ for it will follow anon after without fail/ yea/ so soon as this second woe is done. 14. In the latter age of all shall this third woe reign/ such time as Gog and Magog most extremely shall rage's. And the universal judgement shall finish that woe/ as here after more evidently will opere. But consider that these woes are to the infidels. The faithful feareth them not/ but receiving the word in a pure heart they bring forth fruit in patient sufferance. ¶ The xii Chapter. NOw followeth in order thee. vi● trumpet blowing or the pure declaration of Christ's joyful tidings for the last age of the church/ under the vij scale opening/ with the wonders & marvels that their after ensueth. The text. 1 And the seventh angel blewe 2 and there were made great voices in heaven. 3. saying. The kyngedomes of this world are our lords and his Christ'S. 4. and he shall reign for evermore. 5. And the xxiiij elders which sat before God on their seats. 6. fell upon their faces/ and worshipped God/ saying. 7. We give the thanks/ lord God almighty/ which art and waste/ and art to come. 8. and For thou hast received thy great might/ and hast reigned 9 And the nations were angry. 10. and thy wrath is to come. 11. and the time of the dead that they should be judged. 12. and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets and saints. 13. and to them that fear thy name/ small and great. 14. and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And the seventh angel blewe (saith Saint johan). The seventh sort of sincere preachers shall utter their message according to the will of God/ they shall declare his pleasure as he hath appointed them. For although it be spoken here as past and done/ for the certente of the thing/ yet is it not fulfilled in effect. The word of God was without beginning/ and his promise everlasting/ yet is it not all performed in his creatures/ but many things are yet to come. 2 After this blast of the angel were made greet voices in heaven. Many (the congregation or kingdom of God/ his Gospel once purely published by the preachers) shall spea●e godly things to the edification of other. The simple poor weaklings/ idyotes/ and infants shall utter the hidden wisdom of God to the confusion of the great wise men and sage seniors of this world. Yea/ the liones in the street/ the out casts of the world/ the forsaken people/ shall wonderfully praise the lord. 3 And these shall be their sayings/ when they shall see the antichrists confused and not able to speak again. The kyngedomes of this world/ that were ●ou● time wicked/ cruel/ and unfaithful/ are now become the lords & his Christ's/ of his only grace and goodness. Now fall they to the word that afore thought it foolishness. Now cleave they to the truth that sometime did abhor it. Now have they in hand the gospel/ that afore did persecute it as sidiciouse learning and heresy. 4 And in this congregation shall he reign evermore. Continually is he with them/ that in faith retaineth his verity. All this shall they utter with no small rejoice. For doubtless after the seventh seal opening/ and the gospel preaching/ than a paceable time shall be/ and figured it is by the half hour spoken of afore. For it shall not continue to the end. Long may not Christ's church be unpersecuted. But yet this peace for the time shall not only be an inward peace in the conscience (as is always among the faithful) but an outward/ quiet also/ or a season without persecution abroad. 5 And the xxiiij elders (saith saint johan) or the great number of saints departed (which sitteth before God on their seats/ or resteth in his sweet peace/ in such graces of the spirit as he gave them by their life time/ as charity/ stedefastnesse/ love/ joy/ peace meekness/ righteousness/ and such other like) fell down flat upon their faces. 6 Most humbly have they ever submitted themselves/ referring unto God the father the benefyght of their creation/ and unto jesus Chryst his son the free gift of their redemption. Yea/ specially at this time/ being under the altar of God/ and knowing by his mere goodness the number of their brethren shortly to be fulfilled/ and themselves with them to be at a glorious liberty/ after their ghostly sort they laud him saying. 7 From the very depeth of our spiritual hearts/ we render unto the most high thanks Lord God almighty/ eternal father/ Son/ and holy Ghost/ which art one essential God/ and wert without beginning/ and shalt be without ending. 8 For thou hast taken upon the thy great might. Now haste thou showed thy wonderful power. Ever haste thou reigned among thy people/ but never so graciously/ so plenteously/ and so gloriously for our behove. 9 The heathen evermore were angry when thy t●wthe appeared. Mad were the wicked antichrists when thy glory shined/ and their pride demynished. They fretted for anger/ they swelled for woodenness/ yea they show thy servants/ and burned up thy people. 10 But now is thy wrath towards them. Now will thy anger break out/ now will thy vengeance apere. Now shall thy terrible judgement without mercy be declared from heaven upon all ungodliness of those cruel enemies that withhold thy truth in unrighteousness. 11 Now shortly ensueth the time of the dead/ wherein they shall be judged some to joy some to heaviness/ some to glory some to pain. 12 Now approacheth the glad season wherein thou hast appointed to reward the true servants the prophets/ and the faithful believers/ made saints by the only death of thy son/ and all them that yet feareth thy name/ with eternal felicity. 13 Non wilt thou seclude from this thy liberal goodness/ for no weakness nor poverty. But so well the small as the great/ the low as the high/ the poor as the rich/ the sick as the whole/ the unlearned as learned/ shall taste of thy inestimable clearness. 14 Only shalt thou destroy them that destroyed the earth/ compelling both it and all that therein is/ not to serve the their heavenly creator/ but their own stinking desires/ lusts/ and corrupt affec●yons/ thy glory not once esteemed nor regarded. Herein may we conjecture/ that the seventh seal once opened/ and the vij trumpet blown/ the last judgement day is not far of. Blessed is he that watcheth for the lords coming. The Text. 1 And the temple of God was opened in heaven. 2. and there was seen in his temple/ the Ark of his Testament. 3. And there followed lightenings/ and voices/ and thondringe/ and earthquake. 4. and moche hail. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And the temple of god (saith Saint johan) was opened in heaven. evident will the godly and spiritual estate of the true Christian church seem in those days/ the gospel sincerely preached. In faith shall men seek their living father/ and not in dead Images nor other corruptible things. In spirit and verity shall they worship him and not in dumb ceremonies nor outward shadows. Speared is God's temple/ when his true worshipping is hid. And opened it is again/ when that is clearly scene. Till Christ'S coming in the flesh nothing thereof appeared. With the key of David opened ke the mysteries thereof. Wherbye through faith the conversation of many is now and hath been ever send in heaven. 2 This temple thus open/ anon the Ark of God's holy testament was scene therein. Christ showeth himself in his own colours/ when the gospel is truly received/ which is that Ark/ wherein all the riches of God's covenants/ and the precious treasure of his promise is reposed/ to man's behove. And specially those by whom we are reconciled and saved. By him are we only brought to God's favour again/ and graciously redeemed. Yea/ all the sort of us have received of his abundant and overflowing fullness. The sight of this Ark in the temple is none other/ than a clear knowledge of him in his congregation. So oft are his mysteries evident/ as this temple is opened. So many times are they known as his word is truly tawght. 3 And no small fruit is to be thought to come thereof. For there followed lyghteninges'/ voices/ thunderings/ and earthquakes. diverse respects hath the verity of God/ according to diverse audyences. In manner of lightening it moveth some/ making of earth heaven/ and of sinners godly people. A sound or a noise only it is to some men/ not regarding the fruits thereof. To some it is an occasion of anger/ spite and madness/ and to some of open blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. For what else doth the clergy/ maliciously withstanding it/ but wilfully work against knowledge? And what doth the undiscrete ●ayte/ blinded by them/ but Babble they wot not what? 4 And a great hail also followed/ which betokeneth the vehement and sharp judgements of God● towards such enemies of his verity. The most terrible tempest of his I●e abideth them. The Lord shall break into the land (saith the Prophet● Isaiah) like a sore rempest of hail that breaketh down strong holds or castles. And the proud crown of the drunken Ephraemytes shall be trodden under foot. Not only is the last age appointed to these thonderynges/ and earthquakes/ but they began also so soon as Christ appeared in the flesh. No sooner was the young babe borne/ but Herode for madness sought to slay him in his very infancy. The Pharisees and Scribes/ the bishops/ priests/ and layers swelled at his preaching and never left till they had slain him. And this rule with the prelate's and hypocrites hath continued ever since/ and still shall do till the latter day. Only is there and shall be a moderation/ that sometime it is not so extreme as at some. For if it were always a like/ there should none be left. The Text. 1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven. 2. A woman clothed with the Sun. 3. and the Moon under her feet. 4. and upon her head/ a crown of xii Stars. 5. And she was with child. 6. and cried/ travelling in birth. 7. and pained/ ready to be delivered. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And there appeared/ saith Saint johan) a great token in heaven▪ For no wonder is this token here to be taken/ as in other places of the Scripture/ but for a type or figure/ containing under mystery great things. 2 A woman was scene clothed with the son/ yea/ of johan▪ For to Gods only elects is the verity showed to advantage. Not mary Christ's mother is this woman/ though many hath so fantasyed in their commentaries. But it is the true christian church of whom mary is a most notable member 3 This woman the church (as salomon's canticles specyfyeth) is fair/ lovely/ pleasant/ sweet/ wholesome/ delectable/ undefiled as the Moon/ excellent in clearness as the son/ and glorious as an army of men with their banners and streamers. This woman is bewtyfullye decked with the shining son of righteousness. Non is of her that hath not done on jesus Christ/ being renewed in their hearts by faith. Her children are not they that persecuteth God's word/ no more than was Annas and Caiphas. joannes and Alexander. This women 〈◊〉 to have the mo●ne under her f●te. To the church or congregation of God are all other creature 〈◊〉. ●ll 〈◊〉 things have the lord subdued unto her. She is the right their and inheritor of them through Christ/ they with her to be delivered from the bondage of corruption & to serve in liberty. 4 Upon her head was also a crown of twelve stars/ which betokeneth not only the twelve Apostles declaring the glory of Christ's kingdom immediately after his death/ but all other godly ministers of the word also/ which have done the same ever since. Only reigneth the true Christian church by the word of God/ by the sincere scriptures/ by the doctrine of the Apostles/ and neither by superstitions nor ceremonies/ neither by cownsels nor customs by doctors nor fathers/ by miters nor rochets/ by typpettes nor hoods/ by shaven crowns nor sign gowns/ by crosses nor copes/ by bells nor torches/ by shrines nor guilt Images/ nor yet by xii cupples in a ●yuerye with golden cheanes and garden 〈◊〉. Her beauty consisteth only in faith/ and in the observation of God's holy commandements. Her true ministers or preachers as very chosen Stars/ showeth forth his glory to the edification of other/ & not their own pomp aod magnificence 5 And she was as is the woman with child. She cried traveling in birth/ and was pained as one ready to be delivered. With Christ is the church big when her members are in full faith. In the heart is he evermore conceived/ and delivered forth such time as he is declared unto other. For this cause Christ called them his mother which had faith and thereupon did the will of his father. Of faith in the first promise that Christ should destroy the Serpent/ was be first conceived in Adam and Eva/ and so grew forth in righteous Abel/ in Seth/ Enos/ Enoch/ Noe/ Sem/ There/ Melchisedech/ Abraham/ and Loth. And as the promises waxed stronger (as in Abraham/ Moses/ David/ and the Prophets) and the people of God more in number/ so waxed the woman byggar and byggar/ till the fullness of her time was come that she should be delivered. Which was such time as Christ appeared to the world/ taught/ and was conversant here among men. And this course have she kept ever since/ & shall do to the latter day in them that believe. Thus have she had Christ in her womb since the beginning. 6 And being full of his heavenly spirit/ she hath cried in the patriarchs and Prhphetes/ in the Apostles & faithful ministers/ as one traveling in birth. Her cry was the mighty and strong declaration of Christ's doctrine/ the fervent zeal and desire of the glory of God/ and of all-mennes' health in Christ. She travaileth evermore a new like as did Paul/ till Christ be fashioned in her Christian members. With all her strength she laboureth that the promised Sede may increase in the faith of all men. 7 finally she is pained with labours/ dolours/ blasphemies/ troubles/ and terrible persecutions/ and never is delivered without them. Never is Christ earnestly received/ till some of her membres doth suffer. The constant spirit and invincible standing by the truth in them/ hath converted many. And like as the pained woman in all her agonies/ is moche comforted by the hope of a child/ so are Gods faithful witnesses/ trusting that by their patient and glad sufferance/ Christ should be received and rightly fashioned in many. Yea/ this causeth them to reyoce in all adversity/ and little to esteem their pains. The Text. 1 And there appeared an other wonder in heaven. 2. for behold a great reed Dragon. 3. having seven heads. 4. and ten horns. 5. and seven crowns upon his heads. 6. and his tail drew the third part of the stars. 7. and cast them to the earth. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 After this (saith Saint johan) appeared in heaven an other token or marvel/ all diverse from the first. The true church (which is God's kingdom) was never yet without contradyccyon/ nor with out the crafty assaults of enemies. Adam was not so soon created/ but he was immediately assaulted of Satan. Christ entered not so soon the world/ but he was buy and buy persecuted. The devil goeth about like a roaryngely on/ seeking whom he may devour. 2 For behold there was scene a great reed dragon/ betokening the said devil with his whole retinue/ full of deceit/ craft/ malice/ poison/ pride/ and fercenesse / to enforce the psore weaklings to consent unto his falsehood. All reed his b●●ye seemed/ in token that they which are of him/ are all full of cruelty/ spite and blood shedding/ afflycting the constant believers for withstanding his assaults. Seldom is ke out of the earth/ as witnesseth job/ but commonly in the company of men/ impugning the faithful. And no power is able to match him/ unless it cometh from above. 3 The said dragon had seven heads/ sygnyfienge all the crafty wiles/ and subtle suggestyons'/ that he hath practised and used against Christ & his word under all the vij seals opening & the seven. trumpets blowing▪ Very easy it is to conjecture what manner of heads they were/ marking other places of the scripture. A Serpent's head should seem to be the first/ considering that in the Serpent he deceived our first parents with his benemed crafts. This head so maliciously poisoned man/ that God repented him of his creation/ and destroyed his whole kind in the flood viii persons only reserved. After the flood had he the head of a Calf for the second/ in signification of the shameful idolatry/ and wicked worshipping that then begun in Nembroth/ and so contyned in the heathen. The third was the head of a lion/ full of pride and oppression/ expressed first in the cruel reign of the Assyryanes' and Caldeanes/ and after in the proud bishops and priests. The forth was a Bears/ head/ full of ravin and cruelness/ betokening the f●rce kingdom of the medes and perseanes. consequently his fift head was like a leopards head of many colours/ full of fycklenesse and change ableness. And that was the unpleasant reign of the Greeks. His sixth was the head of a Beast far unlike all other beasts/ which signifieth the kingdom of the Romans with their monstrous laws more than needeth. The seventh is not unlike to a man's head/ including all carnal wisdom/ with all devilish policies and crafts/ and this is the very papacy here in▪ Europa/ which is the general Antichrist of all the whole world almost/ which hath already subdued and destroyed the Empire of Rome. For he is called the Apostata and man of sin. By this only head is the Dragon named the envious man. The whole body followeth the heads. As the devil is malicious/ wicked/ fierce/ cruel tyrannical fal●e/ execrable/ and deceitful/ ●o are all his members. In the prudence of the flesh after him they walk in Idolatry/ hipocreyse and all other filthiness. And like as afore Christ's 〈◊〉 these heads were in the Serpe 〈◊〉 the golden calves/ in the kingdom of Babylon/ in Nembroth/ in Pharaoh/ in antiochus/ and in the pharisees and S●ribes bishops/ layers/ and priests/ so have they been since his time under the v● seals opening/ and the. seven. trumpets blowing/ after the same 〈◊〉 Under the first/ he had a Serpent's head in the jews/ ☞ most maliciously and subtly withstanding Christ and his Apostles/ pretending the zeal of God & his laws. Under the second/ he had a calves head in the idolators/ which sl●we the cons●eunt witnesses of Christ's verity. Under the third/ the head of a proud lion in the bold rabble of heretics/ presuming against God's word to affirm ungodly things. Under the forth/ the head of a Bear/ in the greedy multitude of holy hypocrites and spiritual Antichristes'/ which hath ravished up the substance of this world/ usurping the empire of the same. For then begun the papacy with Mahomates myscheff. Under the fift/ the head of a leopard/ in the diversity of pestilent sects or execrable locusts/ of whom every one rejoiceth in his own colour and invention. For than did they sore increase. Under the sixth/ the head of a Beast unlike to all other/ in the Tyranny of wicked gouer●●●●● blinded and persuaded by the priests to flee God's servants for the upholding of their stinking generation. For than was and is yet done moche murder/ upon such as confesseth the truth. Under the seventh or last seal opening/ shall he have yet still the head of a man/ in fleshly policies and falsehood of the pope and his prelate's/ in the doctors and priests/ till God utterly shall destroy them with the breath of his mouth. 4 The said dragon had also ten horns/ or all subtle ways wherewith to impugn the feeble weak nature of man/ or to provoke him evermore to rebel against God's commandements. 5 Upon his seven heads he had vij/ crowns/ sygnyfienge thereby that both he and his members hath not only possessed the afore named vices/ but also they have over the world reigned in them and yet do to this day. In pride/ falsehood/ malice/ craft/ cruelty wickedness/ & all other mischiefs triumph they yet. 6 And his tail drew towards him the third part of the stars (& in conclusion shrew them down to the ●arthe. By worldly promotions/ lucre/ faver/ and other flattering/ fan●asyes/ hath he tangled many learned men/ and plucked them clean from Christ's true church/ and from the life of the gospel/ so prono●●ynge them wholly to give themselves to the study of erroneous doctrine and dying prophecies/ to seduce the worldly multitude and keep them in perpetual blindness. 7 So that they are now cast into the earth. They are become all carnal/ filthy and ungodly in all their wisdom/ study/ and works/ in all their counsels/ preachings/ and teachinge. Now are they the wicked Apostles of Satan/ no longar may they shine in the fit mament. The Text. 1 And the dragon stood before the woman/ which was ready to be delivered. 2. for to devour her child as soon as it were borne/ 3. And she brought forth a man child. 4. which should rule all nations with a rod of iron 5. And her son was taken up unto God/ and to his seat. 6. And the woman fled into wilderness. 7. where she had a place prepared of God. 8. that they should feed her there. 9 a thousand/ two hundred/ and three score days. 1 Before the afore said travailing woman stood this dragon/ ready to devour her child/ so soon as it were borne. Ever more ●s the devil waiting his pray/ where as the gospel is sincerely taught/ least any therbye should become the children of God. 2 He sel●eth all crafts/ polycyes/ and ingynnes/ to take the word from the har●/ least they believing it should be saved. Thus Taught he to devour Christ after the letter/ appointing Herode to slay him soon after his birth. and when he see that way would not take/ yet left he not of till the jews had slain him. Not thus yet satisfied/ he laboured by the bishops to extynguishe the faith of his resurrection/ least that should profyght unto life. More over where as the Apostles and other godly men/ hath given Christ unto other in manner as they received him/ he hath left no cautels unsought by his malignant members ever since to deprive God's people thereof. 3 such a man child (saith Saint johan) brought this woman forth/ as with an iron rod should rule all nations. Never is the true church Idle/ but conceiveth Christ at the gospel preaching/ retaineth him in faith/ and bringeth him forth in teaching other the same. No woman child is he/ impotent/ weak and feeble/ but a man-child/ bringing with him always a strange/ mighty/ and invincible spirit/ where as he is unfeignedly received. For he is the mighty lord that is valiant in battle. 4 With the iron wand of his word invincible shall he govern his meek spreted flock/ that non other laws shall they require. With the same also shall he subdue all powers which are not of him/ and drive them down to the bottom of hell. For by faith only in him to the victory gotten over the world 5 This child was also taken up to God/ and unto his throne. Where as the devil thought to devour him/ and to wrap him up for ever under death/ he put him beside his purpose. Uyctoryouslye he arose up from death to life/ he ascended unto heaven/ and now sitteth upon the right hand of God the father almighty. And where as he is now/ there shall his faithful followers and ministers be here after. for that is his/ is also theirs/ birth/ life/ death/ resurrection and ascension. 6 The woman fled after this into the wilderness. What else doth te just people of God? but flee the contagiousnesse/ vanity/ tumult/ fornication/ idolatry/ and filthiness of this world? seeking God in the solitary heart/ and not in outward fantasies. I got me away far of (saith David) and remained in the desert. Monks/ nuns/ canons & fryres/ hath fled into monasteries/ covents/ and houses/ but nothing after this sort. For in all voluptuous pleasures have they there lived. The unfeigned solitary man after Hieremye/ continueth peceablye with himself/ and hath his heart above. 7 In the said wilderness had she a place prepared of God. Which is non other but God's protection/ defence/ & safeguard/ promised in the scriptures. That the lord should preserve us as he did his chosen people of Israel/ when he went before them in a cloud upon the day/ and in the night in a pillar of fire. David boasted himself that God was his refiuge/ and that he dwelled under the defence and shadow of the highest. So long as the lord is my governor (saith he) I can want nothing. He feedeth me/ he sustaineth me/ I doubt no danger/ for he is with me. His staff stayeth one/ his word and promise is my whole comfort. 8 And there will the lord feed her (saith saint johan) for the space of a thousand/ two hundreth/ and lx days. Non other are fiend with the scriptures & promises of God (which is the bread of children not to be given to dogs) but they which fleeth into this desert from the Dragon/ forsaking both head and tail/ both suggestions/ and laws/ both customs and constitutions. For all are devilish. Non other escaped the plague of Sodom/ but they which fled clean from thence. Lories wise but looking back only towards it again/ was turned into a salt stone. 9 The numbered days here are non other but the afore written time of the two witnesses/ the time of Helias preaching/ the time of johans' preaching/ the time of Christ's preaching/ or the time of the gospel preaching from Christ's ascension to the latter end of the world. That is the very time of the feeding of his church. And not open is this feeding here/ but secret in the wldernesse / among a sort unknown to the world/ having the poverty of spirit without shaving/ anointing/ or hypocrites apparel. And not only hath the lord thus nourished his people in this spiritual respect/ but also in body. When they have been grievously handled/ spoiled of their goods/ impresoned/ and exiled/ graciously hath he relieved them/ and provided for them both solate and comfort a● the hands of them whom they never saw afore. So that the just hath not felt himself forsaken/ nor his childrenseking bread. The Text. 1 And there was a great battle in heaven. 2. Michael and his angels. 3. fought with the Dragon/ and the dragon fought and his angels. 4. and prevailed not. 5. neither was their place found any more in heaven. 6. And the great dragon/ that old Serpent/ called the devil and sathanas. 7. was cast out. 8. which deceived all the world. 9 And he was cast in to the earth/ and his angels were cast out with him also. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And there happened at that time (saith saint johan) a great battle in heaven. In the church is evermore variance and strife without ceasing/ betwixt the spirit and the flesh/ the good and the bad/ the faithful and the unfaithful. Non other is this battle but a very contradiction/ a diversity in faith/ study/ opinion/ will/ and work/ about the laws or commandments of God/ and also about the laws and traditions of men. This battle is weighty in cause/ multitude/ and continuance. The cause thereof is Christ/ the gospel/ faith/ righteousness/ man's health/ God's high honour/ and such other like on the one party. Upon the other party the cause is/ error/ hypocrisy/ lies/ idolatry/ avarice/ pride/ cruelty/ filthiness/ with all such other. So great is the multitude/ that non is found out of its Non is there but are in this army. Either they are good or bad/ faithful or unfaithful/ righteous or unrightouse. The righteous are of the host of Michael / the unrightouse are upon the dragon's side. Continued have this battle from the first beginning/ and so shall still to the latter end. Yea/ although the dragon be bound or tied up under the vij seal opening/ that he rage not then as he hath done afore. Yet shall the spirit of wickedness/ and a mind to do mischief reign inwardly still in his members. for a Satan can be but a Satan/ and a devil a devil. 2 Michael and his angels fought vale auntlye with the dragon. Spiritual are they which hath done on Christ after the mind of Paul/ and spiritual is their armour. Their gyrdinge is verity/ their breast plate righteousness/ their shield a sure faith/ their weapon the word of God/ their helmet the hope of health/ and for stedefastnesse of their feet their showing the gospel. By interpretation is Michael to say/ who is as God? or who is like unto God? And he betokeneth the constant ministers and sincere teachers of the gospel. The angels of Michael are all they that in a sure faith confesseth the eternal magnificence of God/ and that none is like unto him. Contrary wise the dragon's angels are the hypocrites/ dying prophets/ and erroneous teachers. 3 These fight with the dragon/ and the dragon and his angels with them. For he that is not with Christ/ is against him. With the righteous is Michael. For ministering sprites are the angels ordained for the comfort of them which shall be saved. And commanded they are to wait upon the faithful/ to preserve and defend them. The wicked sort have the devil & his chaplains to fight for them/ the ryghtouse have Michael and his angels. The wicked fighteth with errors and lies/ the righteous with the only verity of God. 4. As vengeable and as fierce as they are/ yet prevail they not/ neither is their place found any more in heaven. Faith hath the victory by the promise of God/ though the blind world saith it not. overcomen are the wicked when their enterprises taketh not/ and clean overthrown when their beggery is contemned. And never is the full victory gotten/ no more than it was in Christ/ till the tabernacle of this body be laid a side. At that day is the crown gotten/ whom the lord hath laid up for the righteous. And like as there is daily fighting/ so is there in some/ daily victory. Daily are the angels of darkness overthrown/ daily are they cast out of heaven/ which is the true church. Daily are they condemned by the word of God/ & judged for rebels against the holy Ghost/ whose sin is never forgiven. 5 No place have they any more with the chosen/ no election nor acceptation/ afore God. The more light they have had & the more they have tasted of the truth now forsaking it & rebelling against it with the devil/ the farther they are from God/ & the more nigh unto damnation. Never believed he truly/ that so had received the word. Let non think to be saved/ unless he persevereth to the end. 6 And the great Dragon/ or captain of all the unfaithful sort/ that old crooked Serpent which deceived Adam & is called the devil or malicious accuser/ yea/ & also Satan the most cruel adversary with all his elyentes & spiritual adherentes/ be certain & sure to be cast out. 7 With the righteous shall they have no portion for all their glorious titles. With the godly shall not their names be registered/ for all their holy unctions. But with the prince of this world they shall be thrown forth. 8 For he by them/ & they by him/ hath deceived all the world/ in dying tokens & wonders/ & in the operation of errors/ to the utter damnation of all them that consenteth to their wickedness. 9 And he was cast into the earth/ & his angels also were cast out with him/ which is not else but that they are reserved to eternal damnation. For serving the creature rather than the lord that made all/ God hath forsaken them/ and given them over to their own shameful lusts. All grace and goodness hath he taken from them/ and in all darkness hath he left them. Nothing is now behind but hell fire/ prepared for the devil and his angels. The church thus first bringing forth Christ among the jews/ and so by their cruelty dryune out into the wild desert of the gentiles/ hath been there fed of God in persecution ever since/ and shall be still till the term come out of the aforesaid thousand/ two hundreth/ and three score days/ whose end is in the lords hands. The text. 1 And I hard a loud voice/ which said. 2. In heaven is now made salvation/ and strength. 3. and the kingdom become our Gods. 4. ● the power his Christ's. 5. For he is cast down which accused them before God day & night. 6. And they over came him by the blood of the lamb. 7. and by the word of their testimony. 8. And they loved not their lives unto the death. 9 Therefore rejoice ye heavens/ and ye that dwell in them. 10. No to the inhabiters of the earth and of the see. 11. for the devil is come down unto you. 12. which hath great wrath. 12. because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And I hard a mighty great voice (saith saint johan) which is the whole agreement of all the sacred scriptures. And the voice said thus unto me. 2 Now is there in heaven salvation. In the church is the health of soul now that the Idolatry with other abominations is thrown forth/ & she clean delivered from their beggary. Now appeareth the power of the lord/ that his gospel is truly preached. 3 Now is it become our God's kingdom/ that their doctrine is not of men. 4 Now hath it the whole srengthe of his a nointed. All Christ's labours/ merits/ and deservings/ his nativity/ passion/ resurrection/ and ascension/ is now her own good. Christ's victory is theirs/ his crown/ his scripture/ his seat/ & kingdom is theirs. Yea the possession of his father's right hand us theirs. 5 For the enemy of our brethren is thrown down/ which cruelly accused them before God day and night. The adversary Satan which quareled before the lord against patient job/ and vexed him sore in his substance and flesh/ never ceasing to this day to trouble the righteous with Antichristes' and tyrants/ is now over comen by the victory of faith/ and his power greatly demynyshed in his members. Now is the kingdom of God increased/ moche people being unfeignedly converted unto Christ 6 Conquerred him they have by no power of their own/ neither merits nor works/ but through the inestimable strength which is in the blood of the immaculate lamb jesus Christ/ and through the in vyncyble word of his verity/ which they to the world have testified. 7 In the witness thereof have they constantly suffered/ and through faith in them have they with him aptayned victory over the world/ sin/ hell/ death/ & the devil Not their own bodies have they spared to win this conquest. 8 But much more have they loved Christ and his truth than themselves/ accounting it advantage to give their lives for him. 9 Therefore reyoyce ye heavens/ and all you that in them doth dwell. Ye angels a 'bove ordained for man's comfort/ ye saints departed from the myst●yes of this worth/ ye faithful believers remaining in this life/ and ye fervent favourers of the lords verity/ be glad that your brethren hath got the victory of the devil and his angels to the glory of Christ. 10 But woe unto the wretched inhabitants of the earth/ and of the see. No small danger is towards them that hath hard the voice of the lord/ and still yet will follow the course of this world. No light parel hangeth over their heads/ that are inconstant/ fickle/ and wavering/ giving back with every blast for the pleasure of their flesh. 11 Take heed of it therefore/ for unto you that are such/ the devil is come down with his subtle suggestions and crafts/ with his wily cautels and ingyns. among you doth he remain watching to have his pray/ as he did among the children of Israel/ when they were become unfaithful. 12 tars will he sow to destroy the good seed/ for his wrath is great to see himself thus dejected/ and his hate is exceeding/ beholding his kingdom decayed. Among you must he wreak his anger/ for he cannot harm the faithful. Through his envy same death first in to the world. If ye will escape his snares/ look ye give no place unto him/ but in faith resist him manfully. 13 He waxeth now mad/ and fretteth with himself. He mindeth to make havoc and to do moche mischief/ because he knoweth that his time is short. No long season shall he have from hence forth to deceive. The latter day he perceiveth not to be far of/ wherein great torments abideth both him & his. And that maketh him so wode. That maketh him so insaciablye desirous to noye/ not caring what spite he worketh against God. And no wicked wile leaveth he unsought/ to perform his cruel intent. Woe unto them therefore that in these days taketh no heed. Woe unto them that Rombreth in wanton pleasures/ when most danger is/ and the devil most bysye/ not attending to the call and warning of God. The Text. 1 And when the dragon same/ that he was cast unto the earth 2. he pursued the woman/ which brought forth the man child. 3 And to the woman were given two wings of a great Egle. 4 that she might fly into the wilderness. 5 into her place/ where she is nourished for a time/ times/ and half a time. 6. from the presence of the Serpent. 7. And the Dragon cast out of his mouth water after the woman/ as it had been a river. 8. that he might cause her to be caught of the flood. 9 And the earth holp the woman. 10. and the earth opened her mouth. 11. and swallowed up the river/ which the Dragon cast out of his mouth. 12. And the Dragon was wroth with the woman. 13. and went and made war with the remnant of her seed. 14. which keep the commandments of God. 15. and have the testimony of jesus Christ. 16. and he stood on the s●esande. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And when the Dragon or most furious serpent the devil/ the head master of pride and father of lies/ saw that he was thrown down unto the earth by the valiant ho●te of God. Or such time as he perceiveth the idolatry/ superstition/ pomp/ hypocrisy/ and other abominable filthiness/ destroyed by the word of God in his malignant synagogue of proud painted prelate's. 2 Than persecuteth he the poor woman/ which brought forth the man-child. Than vereth he the true congregation that teacheh non other but Christ/ & confesseth none other saver/ health/ & redeemer. Them doth he torment and ponnyshe by his mitred Mahowndes & his shaven sodomites/ subduing unto them for that purpose the power of kings/ and might of magistrates. Then sitteth Annas in consistory/ and caiphass in sessions upon life and death. Then bringeth the woman her child forth in pain. By the martyrdom or death of godly witnesses is Christ delivered/ and left here behind in the hearts of many. 3 And unto the woman were given two wings of a great eagle/ or the two testaments of God/ containing the prophecy and Gospel/ with the love of God and our neighbour. And these mighty wings were given her that she might fly with them into the wilderness. Evermore when dangerous persecution is/ the members of Christ's congregation (which are left here behind) hath authority of the old law to flee from it with jacob/ Moses/ David/ and Helias/ of the new law also with Christ and his Apostles. If they pursue ye in one city (saith the lord) flee you into an other. Not only to save your bodies/ but to f●uctifye in the people. Set ye into the desert. Teach them that were not taught afore. If ye can not be suffered openly to preach/ instruct men privately in houses. Play not the sluggards in the lords vineyard. Be not niggards over his free treasure. But as ye have plenivouslye received it so liberally distribute it again. 4 From the face of the dragon hath the woman thus power to fly into the wilderness by the scriptures/ when her child is delivered and taken up to the throne of God for the unthankfulness of the people/ that they have not in faith received him. And in moche danger are they left/ having the devil and his angels thrown down among them with their wiles and crafty snares. In much more apparel are they/ them they were afore. 5 A place hath she in this desert appointed of God/ wherein she is norryshed for a time/ for times/ and for the half time/ which is not else but his special protection among them that be poor in spirit/ and are judged outcasts of the world. There is the true church norryshed with the pure word/ not mixed with the leaven of pharisees. There is the faithful congregation at all times fed/ without the traditions of hypocrites. Only are they relieved with the verity/ & satisfied with the living promises/ & have been since the time of Christ. Yea/ sens the time of Daniel and afore. And this feeding time of the lord in secretness/ hath been sometime shorter/ sometime longer/ and sometime shortest of all/ according to the times of persecution/ and of blindness in the enemies. 6 To flee from the presence of the Serpent/ have they evermore had commandements of the lord/ and to shurne the suggestions of his angels. Warned they have been in no wise to go forth/ when they say/ Christ is here and there/ for so moche as their crafts are such as would (if it were possible) deceive the very elects. 7 And the Dragon (saith saint johan) ded cast out of his mouth water after the woman. A● doctrine, of hypocrisy/ errors/ and lies hath always passed from the synagogue of Satan. Non other fruits hath gone from them/ than wavering superstitions/ Idolatry/ and Heythen ceremonies. These hath ●lowed forth like a great river. Daily, have they augmented/ and continually increased. Innumerable are the comberouse and unprofitable burdens of their fantasies and dreams/ wherewith they noye men's consciences/ drown their small faith/ & overload their souls. 8 This stinking water did the Serpent vomit out by his ravenous Antichristes') which are his insatiable mouth) to stop the passage of the woman▪ He powered it forth in abundance that he might cause her to be caught of the flood. Soche is always the mischievous nature of the devil and his angels. Vengeable assaults have they/ and innumerable crafts to deceive the innocent not knowing them. Our first mother Eva was thus trapped in the beginning/ & so had been drowned with Adam her husband/ had they not had faith in the promised sede. An innumerable multitude hath been and are yet to this day swallowed up of this flood and without great difficult non escapeth it. exceeding is the compass/ study/ and practise of this false generation. Evermore power they out their poison/ they dispute their matters with errors & lies/ with counsels and customs/ having upon their side the darkened powers. 9 Yet is the lord merciful to his poor congregation/ that they are not drowned with all this filthy flood. Non of it once toucheth their hearts. No part of their faith doth all this riff raff hinder. This dirty baggage accombreth not their souls. Only are they satisfied with the wholesome doctrine of Christ's spirit. And the earth did help the woman (saith Saint johan) The carnal multitude/ the wise men of this world/ the very reprobates from God/ all dry with out the true faith/ drank up this filthy water. 10 They opened their mouths wide/ and swallowed up the great river clean/ which the Dragon cast out of his mouth. This erroneous doctrine was ever more pleasant unto them. Moche more have they always delighted in lies/ and old wives dreams than in God's truth. Thereto have they given their ears/ with all avydyouse greediness and supersticious devotion have they embraced them. But the living waters of the lord savoureth not in their mouths/ their own broken cys●e●nes doth please them best. Better is to a swine a filthy puddle/ than a sweet ronning water. No where will he drink/ but where he may wallow his earkas. No doctrine pleaseth them/ unless it maintaineth their sin. 11 In drinking up this flood/ yet ease they this woman. In seek multitude is Christ's small flock not missed, no● lo●ed for/ nor yet many times in their abominations perceived to be absent. So gracious to them is the lord/ that in no wise are they harmed with those unwholson waters. They are not caught of that pestilent flood. It overwhelmeth not their faith. 12 And the dragon was wroth with the woman (saith saith johan) frantic and mad is the synagogue of Satan/ when their wanton ware is forsaken/ abhorred/ and despised. Than fret they for anger/ than swell they for woodenness. Than where they their tethe upon the innocent souls/ and would tear them in pieces for very spite. Than imagine they new cawteles and wiles/ and thereupon procure they new laws to be made/ to trap them in snares that they escape no way. 13 For the dragon in his wrath/ made war with the remnant of her sede/ which kept the commandements of God. All manner of ways hath this Serpent assayed to destroy Christ's true church. The Apostles he vexed with the Pharisees and P●estes/ for the first age. With false brethren and tyrants troubled he their successors for the second age. For the third/ with innumerable heresies did he accumber them. For the fourth/ with damnable sects of hypocrisy ded he oppress them. For the fift brought he the world into a damnable peace of idolatry and superstition. And for the sixth (saying he can not yet prevail) he maketh open war upon the remnant of her seed. 14 Now doth his synagogue of Prelates/ priests/ Hypocrites/ and tyrants/ make wicked laws against them. Now do they persecute them for keeping the commandements of God/ in marriage/ in receiving meats with thanks giving/ and in not going out to seek Christ here and there in their Masses and mutterynges/ in their outward colours and shadows. 15 Now put they them to death/ which have the Testimony of jesus Christ/ preaching him for an only teacher necessary/ for an only mediator and advocate/ for an only saver and redeemer/ for our only righteousness/ wisdom/ and health. For their war is only against them that keep Gods commandments/ and that have the witness of jesus Neither is it against bawds nor whores/ against murderers nor thieves/ against idolators nor Hypocrites/ sorcerers nor sodomites/ advowterers' nor gluttons/ Idyotes nor liars/ Idle priests nor vagabonds/ schismatics nor traitors. Non of these seek they out. Non of these accuse they as their sessions/ but the only readers of th● gospel/ and poor favourers of God's truth. 16 Upon the ●re sand stand they ever more with their grand captain/ to fight this battle. Non other laws have they to ground themselves upon/ but their own traditions and ●customes/ with soche fantastical acts as they daily make/ or procure to be made of Princes for their own wicked purpose. And as their laws are beggarly and weak/ so is their usurped authority/ so are their proud titles/ so are their miters/ their anoyntinge/ and pompous functions. All are sand/ dust/ and rotten powder before God/ not grounded upon his word. All are unprofitable chaff. Yea/ their selves are a ground unfruitful/ sandy/ and unsure/ fit for the dragon to stand upon to fight against Christ's members. For they are the very seat of Satan/ and his continual dwelling place. And that he can not do by himself/ he bringeth evermore to pass by them. Innumerable also are their devilish practises/ their wiles/ and their subtilties to uphold their master/ as a●● the sands of the see. The xiij chapter. By the monstrous/ owgelye/ and most odious Beast rising out of the see/ with vij heads and v horns is mente the universal or whole Antichrist comprehending in him all the wickedness/ fury/ falsehood/ frowardness/ deceit/ lies/ crafts/ slayghtes/ subty●tees/●ipocresyet tyranny/ myscheffes/ pride/ and all other devyllyshenesse/ of all his malicious/ members which hath been since the beginning. The exceeding presumption of them that hateth thee/ blessed lord (said David) ariseth day by day. continually thine enemies grow/ always they increase/ and evermore they prosper in this world. Not from the stedefast or sure ground (which are the lords people/ ariseth this beast/ but out of the wauery●ge see/ or from the fickle fellowship and movable multitude of the ungodly. For the wicked sort after Isaiah/ are the raging see that can not rest/ whose water foameth with the mire and gravel. No peace is among the ungodly (saith the lord) no unity/ no charity/ nor mutual christian love. It pleased therefore the holy ghost to provoke johan after his secret vision/ to describe this mighty Antichrist thus in his right colours/ according to that he had scene/ to the fore warning of Christ's people. The Text. 1. ANd I saw a Beast rise out of the see. 2. having seven heads and ten horns. 3. and upon his hornesten crowns. 4. and upon his head the names of blasphemy. 5. And the Beast which I saw was like a Cat of the mountain. 6. and his feet were as the feet of a Bear. 7. and his mouth as the mouth of a lion. 8. And the dragon gave him. 9 his power. 10. and his seat. 11. and great authority. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 I beheld (saith Saint johan) an execrable Beast/ very odious and hateful to look upon/ rising out of the ravenous roaring see. For the wicked advanceth themselves as the green bay tree in ungodliness/ and the synagogue of proud hypocrites riseth up aloft/ setting up their cristes/ as doth the fat Cedar trees of libanus. All beastly are they/ as was Elymas the sorcerer/ full of filthiness/ guile/ and falsehood/ yea/ the very whelps of the devil subverting the ways of God. Non other is this Beast here described/ than was the pale horse in the forth age/ the cruel multitude of locusts in the fift age/ and the horses of incomparable woodenness for the sixth. 2 Seven heads and ten horns had this cruel beast not unlike therein/ to the aforesaid red dragon or Serpent. For▪ look what pestilent suggestions in errors and lies/ and what deceivable power in signs and wonders hath reigned in the devil for all ages/ the same also hath reigned in the wicked members of his Besty all body/ in the furious bishops/ layers/ doctors/ priests/ hypocrites / and false magistrates/ for their heads are their universal crafts/ and their horns their tyrannous authorities/ usurped primacyes/ or malygnaunt magistrates. Thy strong/ mighty power lord (saith David) hath broken the dragon's heads in the raging waters. Thu hast smitten in pieces the heads of the greatele●●athan. Enhance not your horns so high ye stiffnecked Antichristes'/ for the horns of the ungodly will the lord pluck down/ and exalt the horns of the righteous/ in the house of David his servant. More are the horns here in number than are the heads. For greater is the power than is the suggestion/ the usurped authority than the craft/ the Mageste than the error/ and moche more myscheff may work. 3 This Beast had upon his ten horns ten crowns/ signifying his victory/ dominion/ and primacy over the universal world/ and that he through the wickedness of the people/ is the unworthy captain and prince thereof. In this only point ●yffereth the Dragon from the Beast/ the devil from his members/ or sathan from his carnal synagogue. He had vij crowns upon his vij heads. They have ten crowns here upon their x. horns. For that he hath but in simple suggestion/ they have in double power of coaction. Where as he doth but dallyenglye persuade/ they may enforce and compel. Where as he doth but easily move/ they may by rigorous authority constrain. When he hath proponed Turrian error/ they may by their power establish it for an infallible truth/ and make of it a necessary article of the christian believe/ as they have done of purgatory/ pardons/ confession/ saints worshipping/ latin service hearing/ and such like. When he hath ones made a lie (as he is the father of all lies) they may auctoryse it for an unwritten verity/ like as they have done many. Moche more myscheff may they do/ being his spiritual instrumente● than he can do alone/ as largely appeareth by their works. Never could Satan have put Christ unto death/ had he not entered into judas and so betrayed him/ had he not entered into the bishops and layers and so condemned him. Never had the Apostles/ nor all other godly preachers since their time/ been sent out of the way/ had not those mitred Mahomates ' and priests wrought still their old feats. 4 Upon this be astes head was written the names of blasphemy against the lord and his Christ. Which are none other than the proud glittering titles/ wherewith they garnish their usurped authority/ to make it seem glorious to the world/ having within them contained/ the great mystery of inyquite. What other else is pope/ cardinal/ Patriarch/ lega●e/ Metropolytane/ primate archbishop/ Dyocelane/ Prothonotarye/ Archedeakon/ Offycyall/ chancellor/ commissary/ Deane/ Prebend/ Person/ vicar/ my lord Abbott/ master doctor/ and such like/ but very names of blasphemy▪ For offices they are not appointed by the holy Ghost/ nor yet one's mentioned in the scriptures. What other is it but abomination/ the pope to write himself the most holy father/ the general vicar of Christ/ the supreme head of the Chris●en church/ and the only dystrybuter of the treasures of God? The bishops and priests also to call themselves their church's bridegrooms/ sytters in God's stead/ forgevers of sin/ and our ladies chaste knights? Non other are they so abusing their flock in leaving the just office of sincere preaching under such vain titles/ after the mind of Zacharye/ but very shameful Idols in deed. Their decrees/ decretals / Constytutions/ Canon's/ Rewles'/ Statutes provincial and synodal/ traditions/ laws/ fatherly customs/ and usages/ not grounded upon God's commandements/ be very devilishness and hypocrisy/ blaspheming the name of God. For why/ to have the name of blasphemy upon their heads/ is non other/ than under a glorious title to maintain that thing which is blasphemous/ glorifying themselves in the same. The ungodly (saith David) with mocks hath disdained the lord/ and with open mouth hath uttered wickedness against God. 5 And the strannge fashioned beast (saith Saint johan/ whom I saw in this vision/ was like in similitude to a cat of the mountain/ full of many coloured spots in token of inconstancy/ varyete/ and fycklenesse. 6 His feet were as the feet of a bear/ fierce/ rough/ and ill favoured/ in signification of cruelty/ stubbornness/ and uncleanness. 7 And his mouth seemed as the mouth of a lion/ declaring him to be full of pride/ ravin/ and excess. To such beasts as here are mentioned compareth Danyel under hidden mystery/ certain mighty kingdoms of the world. As to the lioness (which here is called a lion for the more cruelty now used than was in those days) the proud kyngedomes of the Assyryanes' and Caldeanes. To the Bear the cruel kyngedomes of the Medes and Parthyanes'. And unto the Cat of the mountain/ the unstedefast kingdom of the Greeks. Of pride/ spoil/ and roborye are the Assyrianes and Caldeanes condemned by Isaiah/ Nahum/ and Abacuch the Prophets. The Medes and Parthianes held captive the people of God/ as witnesseth Hester/ Paralipomenon/ and Isaiah. The Greeks most spitefully were bend against them under the cruel king Antiochus/ as in the Maccabees is evident. No abomination nor mystery of iniquity/ as Paul calleth it/ was ever found in these kyngedomes/ but now reigneth manifold in the detestable papacy or monstrous kingdom of Antichrist/ as all the world may se. No where was ever more pride vanity and cruelness/ idolatry whoredom and filthiness/ hypocrisy falsehood and fycklenesse/ extortion vainglory and covetousness/ sorcery superstition and unfaithfulness. More than all the unfaithful kyngedomes under heaven/ have this sodomyticall spyritualte defiled with their wytcherye the ho●ye temple of God/ which is the Christian church. They have most shame fully abused gods chosen people/ which are the vessels ordained to his glory. They have holden his free servants most miserably captive/ under their wicked decrees and traditions. The cruelty of Pharaoh/ Antiochus/ and Cayphas/ compared to their tyranny/ is but as it were a play/ dalliance/ or shadow. In them is all letherye and uncleanness/ all raging lusts and wantonness/ all fleshly abuses and beastliness/ no natural order observed. Nothing in a manner are the cruel constitutions made against the jews by the suggestion of Aman/ and by Antiochus/ to their wicked laws and ordinances. For they were only against the body/ theirs are against men's souls. So that the papysty call kingdom of antichrist are to be son both the lion/ the Bear/ and the Cat of the mountain/ they not only partycypating with all unfaithful regions/ but also doubling with them in all abominations under the sky. The mouth they have of a lion/ roaring out evermore blasphemies curses/ and bitterness. The fear of a Bear/ signifieth their ravenous affections/ ronninge unto all pernyciouse evils/ ●erye swift also to the shedding of blood. cencyon. 11 And finally as concerning authority/ like as Christ being man took power of God to do such miracles as none else could do/ so did he of the devil/ being his wretched body to work pro●igyouse marvels and wonders in hypocrisy among the unfaithful multitude/ by the secret sufferance of God. So that in all perverting power/ supremyte/ and authority/ he followeth his father Satan/ yea/ in every point. For like as he deprived simple job/ a man that feared God/ of his substance/ cattles/ children/ and servants/ and vexed him in his flesh with most grievous botches/ so doth this greedy leviathan/ this malicious murderer/ the man of sin/ and body of the devil/ with his devouring locusts/ rob the poor people of their swear/ labours/ travail/ and necessary living/ sparing neither sick nor soco●rlesse/ poor widow nor fatherless/ no goods gotten by theft/ mannesslawter/ extortion/ bryb●rye/ pollage/ idolatry/ bawdry/ and all other ungodliness coming to them amiss in their private confessions. And (that is most to be lamented) they defile ●heir souls with all superstitions/ false believe/ and devylishnesse / leaving their consciences all doubtful/ desperate/ and confortelesse. finally to conclude/ like as in the body of Christ dwelleth the whole fullness of the godhead corporally/ so dwelleth there in this body of Satan the whole fullness of falsehood/ craft/ subtlety/ malice/ with power to work all manner of mischief/ effectually/ really/ substantially and corporally. The Text. 1 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death. 2. and his deadly wound was healed. 3. and all the world wondered at the beast. 4. And they worshipped the Dragon which gave power unto the Beast. 5. and they worshipped the Beast. 6. saying. 7. Who is like unto the Beast? 8. Who is able to war with him? ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And one of his heads (saith Saint johan) seemed unto me/ as it had been wounded unto death. And it was not so in deed/ for his deadly wound was healed again. evident it is that in johans' time/ Rome the mother of all who redome had subject unto her the vij climates or universal parts of the world/ with all their powers/ governors/ kings/ possessions/ pomps/ false worshyppinge/ and such like. Whom some writers suppose meet to be taken here for the vij heads of this beast. But I find an other thing in it/ the body of these vij heads being but one/ and still continuing so. For although all were at that time under her/ yet is it not so now/ and yet still remaineth this beast. Therefore I do take it for one universal Antichrist (as I did afore) comprehending in him so well Mahomete as the Pope/ so well the raging tyrant as the still hypocrite/ and all that wickedly worketh are of the same body. The seven heads of this Beast/ may so well be his presumptuous doings for the vij ages of the church/ as any thing else/ and yet no prejudice done to that hath been said afore. What should ail this wounded head here/ not to signify his supremyte suppressed/ his usurped authority and power dyminihsed/ and his whole prodigious occupying condemned in this latter age of the church? I suppose nothing more manifest/ unless we have eyes and will not se. Are not now in many parts of germany/ and in England also the Pope's pardons laid aside? His power put down/ his name abolished/ his purgatory/ pelgrimages/ and other peltryes utterly exiled? and so like to be within short space in other regions also? If this be not a deadly wounding of one of the Beasts heads/ I think there is non. If this be not an apparent likelihood of his fall/ there is none to be looked for. 2 But the healing again of this mortal wound is like to mar all/ and make the last error worse than the first. In many places where as the gospel hath been preached/ the bishop of Rome deposed/ sects shrines and sanctuaries destroyed/ monasteries/ prioryes and fryeryes turned over/ remaineth still their poison/ with those same instruments wherewith they have wrought all mischief. Still continueth their more than jewish ceremonies/ their prestybulouse priesthood/ their vowing to have no wives/ and their Sodomyticall chastity. Still remaineth their sale masses/ of all abominations the principal/ their prodigious sacrifices/ their sensing of Idols/ their boyeshe processions/ their uncommanded worshippings/ and their confessions in the eat/ of all trayterye the fountain/ with many other strange observations whom the scripture of God knoweth not. Nothing is brought as yet to Christ's clear institution and sincere ordinance/ but all remaineth still as the antichrists left it. Nothing is tried by God's word/ but by the ancient authority of fathers. Now passeth all under their title. Thowgh the old bishops of Rome were of late years proved antichrists/ and their names razed out of our books/ yet must they thus properly for old acquaytaunce be called still hour fathers. If it were nought afore / I think it is now much worse. For now are they become laudable ceremonies/ where as before time they were but ceremonies alone. Now are they become necessary rites/ godly constitutions/ seemly usages/ and civil ordinances/ where as afore they had no such names. And he that disobeyeth them shall not only be judged a felon and worthy to be hanged by their new forged laws/ but also condemned for a traitor against his king/ though he never in his life hindered but rather to his power hath furthered the common wealth. To see this also with such like put in execution/ the bishops have authority every month in the year if they list/ to call a session/ to hang and borne at their pleasure. And this is ratified and confirmed by act of Perlament to stand the more in effect. If this be no healing of Antichristes' wounded head/ never is like to be any. When men shall defend free will/ and allow their popish Mass to be a sacrifice fatysfactorye for the quick and the dead/ latoure they any other (think you) than the healing of this wonder He likewise that in an open audience maintaineth our own works to justify/ by dimit nobis/ and other not rightly understanded scriptures/ doth he any other than prepare a salve for the same? Nay surely. No less also doth he that setteth men to open penance at Paul's cross/ for holy water making/ for procession and sensing with other popetishe gauds/ constraining them to promise the anauncement of the old faith of holy church by such fantastical fopperyes/ as Bonner's bishop of London did now of late/ to the laughing game and wonderment of all the world. Alas how is the people abused? Non other do they but mock Christian princes with flattery/ that give them old popish titles and blasphemous names of Antichrist. As to call them most christian kings and defenders of the catholic faith/ meaning the Pope's old traditions/ to heal the head of the beast. This is surely none other/ but with the said Beast to receive authority/ seat/ and power of Satan. let them therefore take heed lest they be found the same Antichristes' that they have condemned/ and so throw themselves double under the same plague. Necessary it is they beware what they drink/ or what titles they take upon them at their appointment / least they forgetting them selves be found drunken by taking excess of the Babylonishe cup/ and so perish with the wicked. Mark here diligently this word head/ and ye shall well perceive how wonderfully the story agreeth with the mystery. 3 And all the world (saith saint johan) wondered at the Beast. All foolish/ carnal/ and worldly people/ not understanding the wisdom of God's holy spirit/ dependeth all upon their beastly baggage/ thinking all that they do to be godly/ meritoryouse/ & spiritual. They magnify it/ praise it/ and have it in most high estimation/ yea/ they have it in moche more price than any thing that is of God. In no wise will they from their old frenzy/ such is their exceeding blindness. For when they here tell/ their customs shall continue/ their governors agreeing to the same/ they clap their hands for joy/ and sing Gaudeamus with the priests. 4 Yea/ they worship the Dragon which gave such power to the Beast: With their hearts they rejoice trusting upon longer continuance/ when they see his head restored again in their rewlers'/ the godly teachers burned/ and the preachers put to silence. 5 They worship also the Beast/ so many as worshipped the Dragon. For as they which worship Christ/ worship his father also/ so they that worship Antichrist/ agreeing to his laws and decrees/ doth also worship the devil/ of whom he received his pride. They wonder with the jews that seeketh cavilations to contemn Christ's doctrine/ as doth the filthy family of the do●●ynge dodypolles priests and unlearned layers. They worship with the heathen/ that admitteth their power and alloweth their facts/ as doth the foolish multitude/ that never will be godly wise. Non other judgement remaineth in these days to these wonderers and worshippers of the newly restored head of the Beast/ than did unto them/ that with double devotion agreed to the abominations of Mahomete and the Pope. 6 And this will be their saying as followeth in the text/ spoken in the time passed for the certente of the thing/ as the manner of the scripture is. 7 Who is like unto the Beast/ in outward glittering works/ or in the extern observations of counterfeit religion. 8 Who is able to war with her the worldly powers now so deeply maintaining her quarrel? All seeketh the papists that they can in the world imagine/ to uphold the glory/ magnificence/ and bewrye of their holy whorish church/ or malignant muster. No cautels nor crafts leave they unsought nor unserched out/ to cause the people to esteem her of incomparable power. No small labour took standyshe in hand in whittington College/ when he made his more than foolish book of reproach against Barns being dead. Nor no less diligence the wise Poet johan Hontyngton/ when he registered in his genealogy of heretics without grace/ wit/ and learning the names only of such godly men as were the pope's enemies/ no heretic against God ones mentioned. no more did Thomas Smythe/ Richard Dallyson/ William Stawne/ Steven Prowett/ frire Adriane/ quarry the pardoner/ with such other blind Popish poets and dirty metristes/ when they uttered their shitten ●ymes and poesies. And sure I am that many more be yet abroad of the same wicked zeal and spirit/ to the great blasphemy both of God and his truth/ now that the Beasts wound is made whole again/ by so many new● acts/ so many new titled Bishops so fresh sale of benefices/ mastershyppes/ and dignities/ spiritual offices/ degrees/ and authorities/ as plenteous as ever was in Rome. And lest we should be deprived of our new pleasant Euphrates/ and so be compelled by the word of God to follow the Monks/ canons/ nuns/ and friars in their bannyshementes. We have procured certain acts to be made for our commodity/ and those only to be published among the people once in a quarter/ or so oft as shall please us/ to blemish all godly preachings of the scriptures. Thus seek we ourselves and not God/ our own strength and not his/ our own glory & not jesus Christ's. But let us not think that he sleepeth with Baal the false God, knowing the most hidden toughtes of the heart/ but that he will within short space send forth his lightenings and scatter us/ bringing our heythnyshe devices to nought. For the kingdom of one faith in us and the pope thus manifestly in certain points divided/ must surely decay. The Text. 1 And there was given unto him a mouth. 2. to speak great things and blasphemies. 3. And power was given unto him to do xlij months. 4. And he opened his mouth unto blasphemy against God/ to blaspheme his name/ and his tabernakle/ and them that dwell in heaven. 5. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints. 6. and to overcome them 7. And power was given him over all kindreds/ tongue/ and nation. 8. And all that dwell upon the earth worshipped him. 9 whose names are not written in the book of life. 10. of the lamb. 11. which was killed from the beginning of the world. 12. If any man have an ear/ let him hear. 13. he that leadeth into captivity/ shall go into captivity. 14. He that killeth with a sword/ must be killed with a sword. 15. Here is the patience/ and the faith of the Saints. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 To this beast (saith johan) was given a mouth/ not of God but of Satan/ to speak great mighty things and blasphemies. So well is this spoken of the one as the other/ so many as hath done upon the Antichristes' livery/ title/ power/ authority/ or name. When the verity of the lord was opened before them/ they gave no thanks for it/ but became vain in their thoughts/ wherefore God gave them over into a lewd mind/ darkening their hearts. So that now thinking them selves wise/ they apere more foolish than afore. 2 Now speak they great things in their convocations seanes and sermons/ and all are sore blasphemies against God & his Crist. Now must they serve God by most straight commandment with old romish beggery/ though he most highly abhorreth it/ and no scriptures may be red in the time thereof. For the scriptures must only pass as we will have them. How should the Beasts head else be healed again/ or how should our church be known else to be his own Image? Oh beastly abomination/ and most hellish decree. Now must Christ be taken for no saver at all without our deservings. The supper of the lord that was sometime a mutual participation of Christ's body and blood/ must now be a new crucyfyenge of him/ one traitor playing all parts/ judas/ Annas Cayphas/ Herode/ pilate/ and the jews. matrimony must be judged uncleanness though it be the earnest institution of God. No popish vow may be dissolved/ though it be well known a matter so devilish/ as hath made an hundreth thousand sodomites. The eucharisty may not be received in both kinds/ although it be the express commandment of Christ so to be used. Without the blind bussynges of a Papyst/ may no sin be soluted/ for that is the upholding of their kingdom/ with many other like blasphemies. Certain other great things are uttered by this mouth/ which now I pass over least I should be tedious to the reader. How be it this one great blasphemy that is spoken/ I can not leave untouched. Where as they boast themselves yet still alone to be the holy church/ by the only virtue of their unctions and havings received first of the pope/ the layte secluded. And under this most falsely usurped title/ they will still be taken for the redeemers of men's souls. For they say that their Masses are satysfactorye sacrifices for the quick and the dead/ iustyfienge/ relieving/ and saving them both from damnation/ ex opere operato. And over that abominable swarm of Antichristes' filthy ministers/ make they now their kings the heads most blasphemously/ only to be by them upholden now in all their mischiefs. Truth it is that a king is the ●polytyque head/ supreme governor/ and great stay under God/ of the people to his charge committed/ & after that sort/ their mighty monarch also by the scriptures/ which they have afore this time denied/ worshipping them for most holy saints/ which have most presumptuously rebelled in that behalf. But over that whorish church of theirs (whom Chryst never planted) is Satan the only head/ by the holy Ghosts fore judgements here. For to that beastly broad gave the Dragon his power/ his seat/ and his mighty authority. God forbid therefore that any Christian prince should at their false suggestyons/ admit so blasphemous a title. The devil (saith job) is the only head over all the children of pride. That voice therefore may be blasphemous/ as coming from the mouth of the serpent/ if it be not take good heed to. 3 * And power was given to the Beast to do these things for the space of xlij months/ which is the three years and an half of Helyas/ the time/ times/ and half time of Danyell/ and the thousand two hundred and three score days of johan. Not only for this age of the church/ but also for all other ages/ and by other heads also/ hath the mouth of this Beast uttered great things in blasphemy/ lies in hypocrisy/ and wonders under a deceitful power. But as concerning this latter healed head of the Beast/ the time thereof will be short/ as here after shall ap●re in the xvij chapter. 4 He opened his mouth (saith the text) in reproves against God/ speaking ill of his name/ of his tabernacle/ & of them that dwell in heaven. This is in a manner all one with that was spoken afore in the xi chapter of the temple/ the au●ter/ and of them that worship in the temple/ save only that his name is here for his temple. In token that when his temple is blasphemed (which is his congregation) his name is blasphemed by the same/ so is his tabernacle jesus/ in whom bodily dwelleth, the fullness of the godhead/ so are also they that dwell ●n heaven/ whereby is meant the true church/ from whom the angels are not secluded/ being their fellow servants. These dwellerrs be they that have their conversation in heaven under an undefiled faith/ that seek those things which are above and not upon earth/ that worship the father in spirit and verity/ and that persevereth true christians to the end. Many entereth this heaven of the lord/ but all continueth not in it to the end of their lives/ the more is the pity. 5 Power was also given unto this beastly Antichrist// to make battle with the saints/ and to overcome them. continually do they with violence vex by their cer●all policies/ authority/ and laws/ the sincere witnesses or preachers of the lord/ sanctified of him through faith in his holy word as were his Apostles/ like as did the malicious clergy of the jewes-yea/ they did resist them with their more than tyrannous proclamations/ commissyons/ and commandements with cruel Pharaoh/ Aman/ and Antiochus'/ to prove Christ in them the sign of contradiction & stone of reproach. They seek here/ they honte there/ and never leave raging till they have closed them up in presons. 6 Yet are they not so contented till they have overcomen them in the sigh of the blind world/ though not before God. Either shall they be compelled shamefully to recant/ or if they persist in the verity/ to suffer most painful death. By one way or other they must be overcomen/ to hold the people in error. The Gardyner of wynchester was not ashamed now of late as I hard it credyblye reported) to say unto one that was accused of his malignant multitude/ when he was no longer able to withstand the manifest truth. Master Seyton we know ye are learned/ and plenteously know ye are learned/ and plenteously endued with knowledge in the scriptures/ yet think not that ye shall overcome us. No/ no/ set your heart at rest/ & look never to have it said that ye have overcomen the bishops/ for it shall not be so. In deed it is truth. For neither Christ nor his Apostles did ever yet overcome you. Their victory over you is not in this world/ your kingdom being here. But be certain and sure of it ye shall be overcomen to your moche more rebuke/ at the latter day when all wrongs and injuries shall be revenged/ which is not far of. Your lordly estimation (which may not be hindered here) will apere there not very precious. Yet do ye well to hold up a proud peacocks head as long as ye may. Lose not an inch of your height hardly/ but with your goggle eyes look up like a man with a guard at your tail/ like a sort of tormentors in a play. And with your dying judgements overcome these beggarly vagabonds/ and burn them also rather than fail/ to fulfil the measure of your holy fathers. 7 And authority was given to this Beast upon every kindred/ people/ tongue/ and nation. For non these Antichristes' spare/ neither high nor low/ rich nor poor/ sick nor hole/ learned nor unlearned. But a jurisdiction they must have over them/ though it be usurped. Ones in the year must they have them in confession/ to know which way they are bent. That salve have they gotten in again/ to heal up their wounded head. Be he nary●e or be he stranger/ be he a ruler or be he commoner/ he must obey them no remedy/ or else stand forth at the sessions with Christ among thieves. Not in one region/ or where as one manner of language is used/ have they this authority/ but in every land/ in every shear/ in every town/ and in every family must they have to do/ corrupting every man's faith. 8 For all that dwell upon earth must worship this Beast. They must agree to the great things/ no remedy. They must blaspheme God as they do. But blessed be the lord/ non doth that in their hearts but they only that dwell upon the earth/ that have their felicity here/ that seeketh the prosperity of this world/ and regardeth none other life than therein is. The lambs of Christ's fold giveth heed to his voice/ they regard his call/ they follow his word/ they walk in his light. They seek for no holiness but only in him/ neither in water nor bread/ ashes nor palms/ robes nor relyckes/ masses nor anoyntinge. He is their only sufficient wisdom/ righteousness/ holiness/ and redemption. His word is their living water/ the food of their souls/ the lantern that shall guide them/ and the life that will not fail them. Non other doctrine do they covet/ nor yet other precepts of living. Though they be here in the earthy/ yet dwell they not upon it. No continuing city have they here/ but they seek unto an other of moche more beauty and pleasure/ not builded of men. And for that they are ready rather to render by their lives/ than to renounce the very●e. Only they which dwell here doth worship the Beast/ loving themselves better than God/ and their flesh better than his truth/ having their whole trust in the mangy merits and dirty deservings of these beastly Hypocrites/ and no thing at all in his sweet promises. 9 And therefore are not their names written of the lamb in the book of life/ which lamb was slain from the beginning of the world. Christ hath not allowed them by his word and promise. With the righteous are they not registered/ as members of one mystical body in him. In the similitude of his death are they not grafted unto him as the branches unto the vine/ to be partners of his resurrection. Their portion is not in the land of the living with him. They are none of those/ whom the father hath given him/ to partycipate with him in one spirit. Predestynate they are not unto life by him/ nor so written up in the foreknowledge of God. Chosen they were not of the lord before the worlds constitution/ to be his undefiled children in Crist. 10 He is the meek lamb that was slain. He alone taketh away the sins of the world. In him only is the life/ for he is the life it self. Yet is he the life of none other/ but of those that only believe in him. 11 In that he was killed from the worlds beginning/ is sygnifyed/ that he died for all them which were create to be saved/ and that his only death is all their health/ raise/ and remedy/ by the promise of God. For all they have eaten of one spiritual meat/ and drunk of one spiritual rock/ though it came in the flesh long after them. He only trod down the head of the Serpent. Sens the beginning hath he been slain in his members also/ as manifest it is ●n righteous Abel/ Hyeremy/ johan Baptist/ & such other like. They that are not written of the lamb in the book of life for the children of God/ are registered in the book of death for the children of perdition/ reserved to eternal death for their infidelity/ with the devil and his angels. 12 He that hath an ear (saith the text) let him take good heed. He that hath an understanding/ let him be admonished/ by that which followeth here. Or he that hath received the wisdom of the spirit/ let him judge hereof according unto it. Thus doth the holy Ghost advertise the faithful to consider/ that what so ever things are written/ they are written unto our learning. 13 He that leadeth into captivity/ shall go into captivity. And he that killeth with a sword must with a sword be slain. This warning giveth the lord/ take it if they list. For he will have his right judgements known. He that vexeth or afflicteth the just believers in body by outward ponnishments/ he shall be afflicted in the spirit with an inward darkness or blindness of the soul/ that he may be the more captive to sin and to Satan. God will deliver him up into a lewd mind/ and will give him strong delusion/ to believe all manner of lies/ that he might be dampened. 14 He that killeth the poor innocent for his faith with the pronswerde/ or sleeth him with any other torment/ with the sword of the spirit (which is the lords word) shall he be both judged and condemned. The word that I have spoken (saith Christ) shall judge them at the latter day. And this is in manner all one with that was said in the xi chapter afore. If any man will hurt them/ fire shall proceed out of their mouths/ and consume their enemies. 15 Nevertheless to the Christian is persecution necessary. For here in this life is the patience of the saints proved/ and their faith required. Here was Abraham tempted and job sore vexed/ and both they were found Good true faithful servants. Here were the Apostles contemned/ rejoicing that they were found worthy for Christ's sake to suffer rebuke. The righteous the lord trieth as gold in the furnace. He chasteneth every servant that he loveth/ and scourgeth every son that he receiveth. Only is it faith that all the evils of this world by patience overcometh/ and so obtaineth the victory. The fruit which riseth to eternal life/ is peaceable sufferance in faith. And that must be here in this life/ where as we are unperfight/ to make us perfect. The Text. 1 And I beheld an other beast. 2. coming up out of the earth. 3. And he had two horns like a lamb. 4. and he spoke as did the Dragon. 5. And he did all that the first Beast could do. 6. in his presence. 7. And he caused the earth/ & them which dwell therein. 8. to worship the first Beast/ whose deadly wound was healed. 9 And he did great wonders. 10. so that he made fire come down from heaven. 11. in the sight of men. 12. And deceived them that dwelt on the earth by the means of those signs which he had power to do in the sight of the Beast. 13. saying to them that dwelt on the earth/ that they should ma●e an Image. 14. unto the Beast/ which had the wound of a sword and did live. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And I beheld (saith saint johan) in this secret revelation of my lord/ an other Beast arising out of the earth. A figure is this of all false Prophets and ungodly preachers. beastly are they evermore/ vain/ carnal/ and corrupt in their stodyes'/ abominable in the pract●synges of their wicked hearts/ not sehinge God but their bellies/ not Christ's glory but their own pride and vain glory. 2 From the earth they arise/ all given to earthly wisdom. The only affects of this world doth move them to teach/ and no good zeal of the truth. Either are they tickled with ambition/ pricked with avarice/ or else stirred with malice to inveigh. These are the common affects of the wicked. This going up have they from wickedness to wickedness & shall have still till the lord destroy them/ like as have the just believers from vert● to virtue in the spirit/ till such time as they see him face unto face in the everlasting Zion. From the worlds beginning hath this Beast risen up in Cayn the first murderer/ in the fleshly children of men/ in without the shameless child of No/ in Ishmael and Esau/ in jannes' and Jambres/ in Balaham and Baal's prophets/ in the Beniamytes and Bells chaplains/ in Phassur and Semeins/ in judas/ Annas and Cayphas/ in Barichu and Diotrephes. And now since their time most of all in Mahumetes doctors and the Pope's choristers. Yea/ still they are aloft in their beastly beggery/ and will be till their mysschef be finished. Who seeth not now adays that hath light in the spirit/ the malygnyte/ hypocrisy/ haw●e/ craft/ and deceit/ in certain false Prophets at Paul's cross in London/ and in other places else. 3 This Beast had two horns like the lamb at 〈◊〉 blush/ but all counterfeit and false in very deed/ for he spoke as did the Dragon. The horns of Christ/ be his high kingdom in the word. Only ariseth his church by faith in the glad tidings and promises of God. That word is the sceptre of Christ's power/ and the rod of right order where as he reigneth. Non other strange scepturs are there/ neither traditions nor customs. Seven horns had Christ/ for in him was the fullness of the verity. This Beast hath but two/ and yet they are but false and sergeant. They seem to be Christ's add are not. These are the corrupted letter of the two testaments/ falsely interpreted/ and for a carnal purpose alleged. And therefore it is but apparent/ Hypocrityshe/ and deceitful/ yea & clean repugnant to the lords meaning/ not having the judgement of his spirit. This letter without the holy Ghost is death/ and nothing pertaineth unto Christ. He is the verity and life/ this is but a fable or fiction. His word is spirit and life/ this is but a brass pot sounding/ or a latin candelstick, tynkeling/ fantastical and ●aynt/ sophistycall & slayghtye. Though these seem like Christ's/ yet are they none of his/ but the very horns of the Beast. For they uphold Antichristes' kingdom and not his/ a worldly glory and not his/ for his kingdom is not of this world. No longer are they his words/ his laws/ nor his testimonies than they maintain his right honour No newly practised worshippings alloweth he for his/ but utterly abhorreth them all as things raw and unsavoury. 4 And therefore it followeth/ that this Beast spoke as did the Dragon. The doctrines and teachings of these false Apostles and deceitful master's/ are lies in hypocrisy/ and the very doctrine of devils/ under title of the verity repugnant to the same. Not unlike to that the Serpent said unto the woman/ ye shall not die if ye eat of the forbidden fruit/ but ye shall be surely as God's/ knowing both good & evil. They do as did Satan in the desert. Always they persuade us/ either of stones to make bread/ or else to throw ourselves down ward/ or else to worship the devil. That is/ to change the good creatures of God from their right use/ as trees into Idols/ sylkes'/ velvets cloth/ gold/ and silver into superstyciouse ornaments/ chaste Marriage into stinking whoredom and sodomy with such like. To decline from the duties commanded of God to their Idle observations/ so making his commandments of non effect for the bain traditions of men. And finally to fall unto forbidden worshippings or abominations of idolatry/ of whom they are full. And for these they have with Satan also their mangled scripture to lay for them/ to prove that the help of dead saints is necessary/ their masses/ merits/ & works more than need/ expedient/ & the fire of purgatory a fearful thing with the devil and all of such fantasies. These are the prelate's of Antichristes' church/ the. i●. horned monsters or great bellied bishops/ rightly described here of the holy ghost in this two horned beast. These beastly bushardes are not ashamed both to say and to writ/ that in their miters they bear the figure of both testaments/ whose verity they impugn with ●o●he and nail. Very truly they say/ that they carry the figure for in deed it is but a shadow they bear. Not to glorify God/ but their own beastly bodies with gold/ pearl/ & stone/ like Mahownde● in a play/ for his truth they most cruelly persecute. These are the very false Prophets/ the instruments of Satan/ the deceivers/ wolves/ wagelynges/ judasses/ dreamers/ liars/ Idols/ adversaries/ adders whelps/ fox's destroying the lords vineyard/ deceitful workmen/ desperate shepherds/ blind watchemennes/ dumb dogs/ devils incarnate/ wicked sede/ unsatiate beasts/ whose God is their belly & glory their confusion. To all these & to many other such doth the Holy Ghost compare them/ for that they have with their errors and lies turned the sweetness of the scriptures into bitterness/ scarcely leaving one place thereof undefiled with their filthy dregs. 5 This Beast (saith Saint johan) ded all things that the first Beast could do/ even be fore his own face. The same dying power to deceive in hypocrisy hath this beastly broad that the great Antichrist hath/ the same wily crafts/ and the same beastly kinds of idolatry/ and so doth use them. The same abominations maintain they the world over/ that the pope maintaineth at Rome/ and Mahomete in barbary of Turkeye. Yea/ the same superstitions and sorceries/ the same execrable traditions & beggeryes. The same ceremonies have they/ that he hath/ the same unctions/ the same orders/ and the same Masses. The same idle observations with unknown cloyning/ clattering/ and wawlinge are still used in England/ like as they were used afore/ & with no less blasphemy to God. 6 To do such things in the first Beasts presence/ is to do them where his power and authority is reigning/ or where as is the seat of Satan/ which is every place that admitteth strange worshipping. 7 Both the earth and them that dwell in the earth compel they to worship this first Beast. Not only enforce they them to wicked idolatry/ that never would know the truth/ but also many of those which hath great knowledge in the same. Oh/ how many are in England/ and in other regions also that in these days worketh against faith/ knowledge/ and the holy ghost/ admitting the priests abominations? Rather had they to dwell still in the earthly beggery with the blasphemy of God/ than either to be out of favour/ or to lose their offices to have their goods hindered/ or to hazard their lives/ so sweet are these wanton worldly pleasures. Rather had they to perish with the sons of Hel● and Samuel for abusing the ordinances of the lord/ and with Core/ Dathan/ and abiron for rebelling against them to sink unto hell/ than with Christ to take pains in poverty. But let not them think to be worthy of Christ/ that better loveth their own carnal commodity/ than his heavenly verity. 8 Well/ the Beast must they worship whose wound is made whole. His old rusty rules new bournished/ and his old romish rags new patched/ by a newly confirmed authority/ must they enbrase in pain of death. The lamb shall not yet be suffered to apere. Still for a time must these terrible te●magaūtes have more worship than God/ their traditions preferred to his most pure word. And why should it not be so? have they not now a new reformed church/ in whom the Beasts wounded head is newly restored? So long as it is like the pope's church/ it must follow his rewles'/ and cleave to his ordinances. It shall not follow Christ in faith and in doctrine/ till it apere like that church which he left here behind him when he ascended. And that is not like to be yet. 9 First must there be wrought great wonders. Fire must be compelled to come down from heaven in them sight of men/ by this twohorned Beast. The disciples of Antichrist with their byfurked ordinaries must violently pluck● from the true christian church (whose regne is not of this world) the eternal word of the lord. 10 Then must they take from them the consumyge fire that Christ sent down into the earth of men's hearts to dry up all malice and sin. Yea/ they must deprive them of the cloven fyerye tongues/ which the holy ghost poured upon the Apostles/ to the comfort of all the world. The treasure that Christ hath left here to succour us/ they must hide under the ground/ and the candle that he light us to see over the house/ convey underneath the bushel. 11 And these wonders shall they work in the presence of men. All ready have they taken in England/ from the Bybels/ the annotations/ tables/ and prefaces/ to perform this their damnable enterprise. They have streyghtlye forbidden the reading thereof/ for time of their romish service. Some have they burned/ and some put to silence/ and all in the face of the people. Yea/ they raised the maids of Ipp●swhy●e and of kente to work wonders & maruel●/ and now of late the foolish North●n men to fight for their church. What practyses they have had in that ear/ and that ear/ to fetch away the true favourers and preachers of the Gospel at diverse times/ he that well considereth/ may say that the holy ghost hath here rightly described them/ calling them workers of wonders. The discrete citizen of London master Packyngton was slain with a gone at saint Thomas of Acres (as they call it) not without their prevyelegerdemayne. But this with other of their miracles I intend to declare more at large/ in an other treatise the lord lending me life. It is not long ago also since Alexander Seyton an excellent learned man with poor master Tolwyn/ recanted at Paul's cross. Nor yet long afore since good do●tour Crome was compelled to do the same. And now last of all/ to take the scripture clean away/ they have sought out great fawtes in the translation of it/ and thereupon taken them away from the common peoples reading. Great pains they take to put it down/ but they never swerr yet in the setting up of it. Thus mind they to work their wonders/ till they have buried it all in the earth. They lack now but four knights to hire/ to keep it down still/ that it rise no more up. O very 〈◊〉 of hell/ and limbs of the devil/ how vain are your stodyes'/ and how wicked your practises? I have no doubt but within short space God will destroy the counsels/ and dyssypate the strengths of them that please men. Yet let no man marvel though they do these feats for the time. For if the gospel were taught without check/ in a while▪ should nothing remain of that generation/ neither mitre nor rochet/ shaven crown nor anointing/ and that know they weal enough. For the word of the lord is the breath of his mouth that shall destroy them/ and the devowringe fire that shall consume them. 12 By the means of these signs (saith the text) which this Beast had power to do in the sight of the other Beast/ or where his abusions doth reign with outchecke/ he deceived them that dwelled on the earth. Many in this age are wonderfully abused/ through the dysseytful working of Satan in these horned. whoremongers/ but yet non other than are earthly minded. Of some men in deed the eyes are bleared with their crafts/ of some men the weak judgements blemished with their subtilties/ for want of discerning the scriptures. Some men are tangled with doubts/ some troubled with terror/ some tormented with fear/ considering that for this new learning (as they will have it called) some have been hanged/ as were the three poor young men of Sothfolke for the rotten road of Dovercourt/ Some burned/ some be headed for things of nought/ as is known to all the world These things daseth their wits/ and amasseth their minds. And earth is the cause of all this. Were it not that they much more loved this worlds pleasures than Godt/ it should never be so. 13 All the persuasions of Antichristes' prelate's and preachers hath evermore been/ and are now still unto such earthly inhabitants/ that they should make an Image like unto this Beast. Which is always to choose such an emperor with other worldly governors as shall be for their commodity. He must by the worldly people be compelled to take authority/ sceptur/ and crown at their hands/ so sworn to maintain their fleshly liberties. He must also be fashioned by their wicked doctrines and false counsels in confessions/ like them in all superstyciouse living/ and in the tyrannous murder of innocent Christian men. Where such an head Ruler is appointed/ there is his own figure made/ and where such a Governor is constitute/ there is his own Image se● up. For we must consider that this revelation is in all points no story/ specially here/ as many writers have thought it to be/ in supposing an Antichrist to be borne at the latter end of the world. But it is a mystery comprehending in it but one general Antichrist for all/ which hath reigned in the church in a manner since the ascension of Christ. And in this one point are all the commentors that I have scene/ most foully deceived/ yea/ the best learned of them. I know weal if there be any yet to come/ he shall be but a member of this. Again to our purpose. 14 Specially must they make a right Image of that Beast/ which had the wound of a sword and deed live. This betokeneth that in these days they shall stir about them/ & leave no ca●tels unsought/ neither any false counsels unfet from other realms/ to do their feats with/ and to fashion the Christian Governors to their minds. As winchester did the last time he was in France. After whose coming home/ many great wonders were wrought in England/ and fire was made to come down from heaven. Consider the story afore/ for the story declareth the mystery. That wounded head now healed/ must be up held. 15 He had a grievous wipe with the ●worde (which is the living word of the lord) when he lost his monks/ canons and fryres/ his purgatory/ pilgrimages/ and shrines. Yet was he not all dead. For although their cowls/ coctes'/ and ro●hettes were of yet had they still the same popish hearts and the same super●●iciouse frowardness/ that they were wont to have. This might have been found true/ if it had been searched/ w●an certain popish priests of master warton's retinue not far from Bongaye in Sothfolke did calk for Cromwell and for other else, if the world had no●●hāged to their minds. I writ not this thinknyge they can harm by the●e calkinge where as faith is resident/ but only to show/ that their hearts are yet alive & how virtuously they are occupied. Many things I considre at this instant point concerning prince Edward/ whom I doubt not but the lord hath sent for the singular comfort of England. Not that I ●em●rously diffive/ any thing to come concerning him/ considering it only in the lords power. But I desire the said lord to preserve his bringing up/ from the contagious drinks of these false phisicianes. And this is to be prayed for of all men/ if ye ponder well the text/ & mark their wonderful workinge/ where the beasts head is restored. ¶ The Text. 1 And he had power to give spirit unto the Image of the Beast. 2. and to make that the Image of the Beast should speak. 3. and should cause that as many as would not worship the Image of the Beast/ should be killed. 4. And he made all/ both small and great/ rich & poor/ free and bond. 5. to receive a mark in their right hands. 6. or in their fore heads. 7. And that no man might buy and sell. 8. save he that had the mark. 9 or the name of the Beast. 10. either the number of his name. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 For power they have to give spirit to the Image of the Beast. It is surely given them of the devil/ when they have once fashioned out the Beasts right Image/ or made of an emperor a tyrant/ or set in the place of a godly governor/ 〈…〉 murderer up of god's people/ by flattering praises to encourage them to all my chief/ and by wicked counsel to prick them forward to make cruel acts of murder for upholding their beastly generation. The spirit that they do ministre unto princes evermore/ is not the correction of sin/ the amendment of life/ redress of the common wealth/ provision for the poor/ nor the seeking of God's glory. But by flattering praises to uphold them in their evils/ moche after this soort of speaking. Your magestes or graces are called most virtuous/ most valiant/ most worthy/ most wise/ most mighty and best learned among all Christian potentates. They are all but Asses/ in comparison to your worthynesses. If it be your magestes pleasures to do this or that within your own dominion/ who shall be so bold to withstand you? No/ though God's holy laws be an hundred times against it. Support the old religion of holy church against te Heretics/ and ye can not chose but prosper in all your affairs. let it be treason against your own persons according to the acts of the Emperor Sigysmundus and of king henry the fift/ if they do but once speak against be● corrupt customs. Make cruel constitutions apace & proclaim them abroad to show yourselves the pope's lively Images. 2 Our office it is to cause the Beasts Image to speak. Let therefore your voices be hard. Be no dumb Idols▪ but speak with bold stomachs. In his spirit make utterance without God's word of his old romish rules. Send forth your proclamations to be published every where/ concerning his masses/ his confessions/ his ceremonies and his whorish chastity. Let all things be blown forth under your titles/ names/ and authorities/ to be observed under pain of death. If other realms report that ye abuse the duty of heysers or kings (which is the office of God esteem not their sayings/ but stand well in your own conceits. Interpret the scriptures at your own lust and pleasures as your law master of Rome hath done afore your time. 3 Cause so many to be killed/ as will not worship the Image of the Beast/ or obey soche wicked laws against the verity of God/ as hath been made by those emperors that were the pope's eldest sons/ by the kings of France which were his younger sons/ or by other princes else which were the defenders of his church/ let non escape your ●andes that inveyheth against our kingdom / but make havoc of them on every side as of heretics and traitors/ to prove the holy ghost true here in his fore judgements. For that is your office/ not appointed of God but of Satan. And in our commssiyon from him also we have it/ to be no slack movers of you thereunto. So hath Christ told afore in this revelation unto saint johan the Evangelist. This is the ghostly counsel that we the horned Beasts/ thus have in commission to give unto you from the mouth of the Dragon. When soche an Image or Id●louse prince is thus upset or constytuted by authority (his oath ones made that he shall always defend them) he may in no wise speak but out of that spirit that their conjurers/ confessors I should say/ have put in to him. He may make no laws but at their spiritual appointment/ like as the Emperor Carolus doth now in these days. Moche after this sore became the emperor Nero this beasts Image immediately after Cristes' ascension by the subtle slaightes of that spiritual sorcerer Simon Magus/ at Rome to withstand the Christian preachers Peter and Paul/ as largely witnesseth Egesippus in his third book de Hierosol●morū excidio/ the second chapter. This Simon Magus by flattering praises crept first into his favour/ promising him health/ long life/ increase of power/ and enlargement of his empire/ with continual victory over his enemies/ in case he would follow his counsel/ upon this became he/ not only his chief counsellor/ but also the high bishop of his soul and conseruatoure of his body/ the preservation of his whole health & life to him committed only. All things after that was done by his counsel to stop the Apostles preaching/ he taken for the emperors most familiar friend/ and a man most profitable to the common wealth of the Romans/ and they soon after suppressed and put unto most cruel death. 4 And he made all (saith Saint johan) both great and small/ rich and poor/ free and bond/ to receive a mark in their right hands/ or in their fore heads. When this new raised Image of the Beast/ or sworn power to Antichrist/ is ones raised up or admitted by their authority/ be he king or Reyser/ prince or other potentate/ he must strongly defend that synagogue of the devil/ with whole majesty/ crown/ and sceptre. By their only counsel must he than make laws (for they must give him spirit) and send out commandements abroad that their holy decrees be obseved. Commissioners and vysy●ours must out under that authority/ as we'll to the clergy as layte. Than must all be sworn to it and so obey it/ both high and low/ both gentleman and ye man/ both owner and farmer/ both zytezen and townsman/ both merchande and plough man/ both master and servant/ both native dweller and denyson. Yea/ both priests in their colleges/ Monks in their abbeys/ canons in their covents/ and friars in their cloisters must after their sort do the same. This rule hath been always for the commodity of that kingdom/ where as the powers have been thus by them perverted. Moche were it to show the manifold examples in that behalf. Charles the .v. now emproure/ to make this good/ and to show himself to be the said Beasts Image/ caused such acts to be published through out his whole dominion against the Christian doctrine/ wherein all they are declared heretics/ scysmatyques/ and excommunicates/ which taketh not the pope for sayn● Peter's only vicar and head of the christian church/ non excepted/ neither king nor Coruester/ as there are now diverse of the contrary opinion. The articles of the lovanyanes under his privilege/ and the acts of the parysyanes vudre the frenc●e kings authority/ proclaimed in this present year of our lord A. M. CCCCC.xlv. will make all this matter good. 5 And what is this else both in their clergy and commons/ but to receive a mark in their right hands or foreheads? for in admitting those articles & acts/ they grant to obey those blasphemous doctrines that shall both corrupt their life and faith/ both their works and conscience. For in consenting unto errors in their faith/ they spot their foreheads/ having so their consciences marked with an hot iron. In full granting also to do them in effect/ they defile their hands/ performing such works as are unpure before God. If they were gone quite from Christ that wrapped themselves again with the works of the law appointed of God before his coming/ moche more are they gone from him that tangle them sel●es with such works of bondage as he never knew/ as are all their Idle observations having no express commandments of the word of God. Only look we (saith Paul) in spirit to be justified through faith/ which by love is mighty in operation. 6 And for them that so believeth is this disiunctyve or/ put between their hands and foreheads. For all they that outwardly keep these heythnishe observations/ have not their consciences defiled with them/ for their inward faiths sake/ though they perform the outward works/ doubting the terror of the laws. Yet would I counsel them not therein to trust/ but at the word of the lord to go from it. For though loath dwelled in Sodom/ yet at the lords voice he departed from thence. 7 This Image made also that no man might vie or sell/ save he only that had the Mark or the name of the Beast/ or at the least the number of his name. The acts of justynyane the emperor/ shall make this good/ so shall the constitutions of Adelstane and Edgare and many other kings here in England which for the order and commody●e of the clerge made many politic laws. specially king Inas Governor of the west Saxons/ which first gave the Peter Pens unto Rome/ and made himself a monk there. But in this spiritual generation among themselves/ is non allowed for a merchande unless he come in by simony. Non was made bishop/ pastor/ nor ●urate/ but paid for it their taxed sums/ bishops/ to the pope/ and the priests to the bishops/ besides Irem in bribes. Non might else be allowed to utter to advantage the wares of the beast/ or distribute the rites of that holy whorish church. 8 Neither were any made free of that mart/ unless they had the mark of the beast/ which is not only the outward sign of their head shaving and anointing of their fingers/ but also the inward print of their consciences/ received by profession made to that wicked monster. For like as true faith in jesus Christ is the mark of a perfygh● Christian/ so is a false believe in popish traditions a token of Antichristes' member. By their fruits (saith Christ) shall ye know them. For the one followeth the rule of God's word/ the other hath counterfeit works of men's prescription. 9 Else must they have the name of the Beast/ to be called spiritual men/ or the holy consecrate number/ as his holy fatherhood is called. 10 Or at the least they must have the number of his name/ which is a note of magnificence and worthiness. Less can they not be called than lords/ so many as are sworn to that spiritual market. The most ragged ronegate/ and idle idiot among them/ is no less than a ●yre/ which is a lord in the Lattyn/ as sir johan / sir Thomas/ sir William. In the Lattyn only hangeth their great lordships. Among their unknown latin hours/ their masses/ and their dyrigees/ lieth their plenteous patrimony in their portasses and mass books. No● he that leaveth all with poor peter/ may be called from fishing/ nor with Matthew from the custom house/ to do these offices. But he that catcheth all with judas and Simon Magus must come from simony to do them. Not he that is called of God as was Aaron shall have cure of soul/ but he that offereth to Corban with Annas and Cayphas. Soche a world hath it been and is ye● still in the world abroad among them. The Text. 1 Here is wisdom. 2. let him that hath wit. 3. count the number of the Beast. 4. For it is the number of Man. 5. And his number is/ sex hundred/ sextye/ and six. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 Here is wisdom to be had (saith saint johan. let him that hath wit/ count the number of the Beast/ for it is the Nombre of man. And his Nombre is six hundred/ sixty and six. 2 For so moche as Christ hath willed us diligently to search the scriptures/ and the holy Ghost here doth commit the judgement of this secret to the wit of man/ some writers hath deducted this Number out of certain Greek words/ betokening this great Antichrist/ because this present Revelation was first written in the Greek language. As out of antemos/ which signifieth one contrary to God's honour/ out of Arnume/ which signifieth a denier of God/ and out of Teitan/ which betokeneth the sun. All these iii vo●ables/ though they seem diverse/ yet contain they after the Greek rewles'/ neither more nor less than this set Number. And all this may stand both with scripture and reason. For he that is not with Christ/ is against him/ calling that is good ill/ and that is ill good/ ministering darkness for light. such dying masters as hath brought in sects of perdition/ hath denied the lord that bought them. They are not the light as they boast themselves to be (for all they look to be called spiritual) but they are the fallen Stars and very Apostaraes' from God/ & Satan's transfoneming themselves into the angels of light by diverse kinds of hypocrisy. 3 Some expositors leaving the Greek/ hath practised the same thing by these ii latin words. Dic lux/ containing in numeral letters the same set● Number. Which sygnifyed that they call themselves the light/ or men of a spiritual sort/ being nothing less. For they in deed are the same self darkness that will in no wise receive the light/ but rather persecuteth it with most spite and cruelty. After this sort might I bring in Diabolus incarnatus/ or filius perdictonis/ the devil incarnate or the son of perdition/ for both they are the names of this beastly Antichrist by the scriptures/ the one wanting in the numeral letters but four of the Number/ & the other but vi which might be supplied in the other letters. But a 'mong all these this word Arnume most nyghlye toucheth the misery/ which is as much to say/ as I deny. Euydentlye seemeth he to have the mark of the Beast/ or to be sealed with the Nombre of his name/ that sayeth when he heareth the manifest verity/ I will never admit ye while I have a day to live/ it is against good order/ it standeth not with laudable custom/ our doctors agree not th●● unto/ our holy canons alloweth it not/ it hath not the holy father's consent/ us pray● and hope/ for it hath great likelihood of a moche farther appearance. ● Sens the worlds beginning have the mystery of iniquity wrought in Ca●n and in his posterity/ and so continued in the beastly members of Antichrist and so shall do still to the latter day. Therefore is it no less than the Nombre of man/ six hundred sixty and six. Thus is he tokened with all wickedness/ that admitteth the false faith of this Beast/ and followeth the same in his living by the subtle persuasions of the Bishops and their dying Prophets/ and is sealed up to eternal damnation/ unless the lord call him in time. Not only in England is healed the beasts wounded head/ but also in other certain regions. But for so moche as it is most lively done there/ and this book written in that language/ I have only brought forth here examples thereof in that purpose. The xiiii Chapter. IN this present chapter declareth the lord unto johan/ and unto his faithful servants by him/ the degree/ estate/ and condition of his true believing church/ now after he hath afore lively described the bestial church of Antichrist and of his horned spyritualte by the afore named ii monstrous Beasts. And this is that his lovers should know what they be which are of his household/ and what an helper they have of him in the mids of their adversities/ to the comfort of their souls. And though they be here a 'mong those raging tyrants in terrible agonies and pains/ persecutions and troubles/ he is never absent from them/ nor will not be till he hath rewarded them with unspeakable joys. The Text. 1 And I looked and lo/ a lamb stood in the mount Zion. 2 and with him an. C. and xliiij thousand. 3. having his father's name written in their foreheads. 4. And I heard a voice from heaven 5. as the sound of many waters. 6. and as the voice of a great thunder. 7. And the voice that I heard/ was 8. as the harpers that play upon their harpers. 9 And they sang as it were a new song. 10. before the seat 11. and before the four Beasts. 12. and the Elders. 13. And no man could learn that song. 14. but the hundredth and xliiij. thousand. 15. which were redeemed from the earth. 16. These are they which were not defiled with women. 17. for they are virgins. 18. These follow the lamb whither so ever he goeth 19 These were redeemed from men. 20. being the first fruits unto God and to the lamb 21. and in their mouths was found no guile. 22. for they are without spot before the throne of God. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 I ●oked (saith saint johan) on the other side/ and in a thought as it were/ I beheld that a lamb stood upon mount Zion. Even the lamb of God jesus Christ/ that alone took away the sins of the world. Alone doth he govern his faithful church/ as the only and immediate head thereof/ having none other to assist him in that office. For who is the king over Zion but he? Who shall reduce Israel again to his fold but he? Only is he with his congregation/ to aid them with his word/ to bolden them with his spirit/ & to strēg●then them with his grace. 2 And with him were present an hundreth and xliiij thousand/ having his father's name written in their fore heads. So many as have in heart received his word/ and in faith digested his ve●e / are the very children of Abraham/ and are marked up for the sons of God by the seal of the holy Ghost. 3 For power have they given them to be God's children that believe in his name. And this is it to have his name written in their fore heads. For their faith declareth them Gods sons. let this set Nombre be non impediment to the reader/ to be taken here for the universal multitude of the faithful/ as well of the Gentiles as of the jews that believeth/ though it otherwise appeareth in the viii chapter of this book. For so well is the Gentile that hath faith/ a perfect Israelyte,/ as is the Christian jewe. Yea/ moche rather was. Zacheus for his faith judged Abraham's child/ than was Simon for fulfilling the works of the law. For God is not partial. What so ever he be that feareth him/ and worketh righteousness/ is accepted with him. And so is it meant here. And therefore is not the difference written here as in the other place/ but all is joined in one/ to comprehend all under one. And as touching the equal certente in Nombre both here and there. Like as it is ther● certainly known unto God/ even so is it here/ though it be unto us both innumerable and uncertain. Not as concerning the Nombre it self/ but the common understanding thereof in the scriptures. For if the Nombre of one seventh be an infinite Nombre there/ moche more of many seventhes. 4 And I hard a voice from heaven (saith Saint johan) which is all one with the aforesaid Zion/ and is the universal congregation of Christ/ all clear from the superstitions of men. For/ from Zion cometh the law of the lord after Isaiah/ and the word of God from jerusalem. 5 This word is as the noise of many waters/ when it is in the mouths of many diverse peoples/ of diverse nations and languages/ one not understanding an other/ and yet knowing it each people among themselves. 6 Very like is it also to a great thunder crack/ mighty/ fear full/ and terrible to the flesh. Very hard is thy word lord (said Christ's disciples) who is able to abide it. 7 And the voice that I hard (saith johan) was moche after the noise that the harpers make when they play upon their haps. Full of agreement are the holy scriptures/ yea/ full of sweet harmony and concord. More precious are the verities of the lord than is gold/ and their melody more sweet than honey. 8 With them rejoiced David before the ark of the lord. In them took Paul a stomach/ and confounded the jews at Damas●us. 9 And sweetly they uttered with their voices a song that seemed all new/ before the seat of the lord/ before the four Beasts/ and before the ancient elders. This song is the word of the lord/ all new both to the good and to the ill. The faithful it reneweth in the spirit of their minds/ provoking them to do on a new man in Christ. The hearts of the unfaithful it so hardeneth/ that they in disdain and spite doth call it new learning/ as did the ignorant multitude at Capernaum/ and the worldly wise men of Athenes. 10 Before the seat of the lord was this song uttered/ which is the godly disposed multitude. For like as the heart of an hypocrite is the very seat of sathan/ so is the heart of a faithful man the seat of God and habitacle of the holy Ghost. 11 Before the four Beasts was it opened also by this number of godly teachers. Which Beasts are the private congregations of the lord/ remaining here yet in the flesh/ in the four quarters of the world. ●● finally before the elders was it song also. For non other doctrine is it/ nor Gospel of glad tidings/ than hath been since the beginning/ nor than hath been thankfully received of our old ancestors the patriarchs/ the prophets/ the Apostles/ and the faithful fathers. 13 And no man could learn that new song/ but the aforesaid hundred and xliiii. thousand/ which were redeemed from the earth. On mighty/ wonderful/ yea and terrible sentence of the lord. Non that take themselves for the people of God/ can be accepted afore him for the true seed of Abraham/ nor for the just ministers of his word/ unless they betokened afore with the holy spirit of his promise/ and so predestinate to the life everlasting. 14 Non can sincerely do that godly office to the profit of other/ unless he be wholly taken from all fleshly and worldly affects. No man can come unto me (saith Christ) unless it be given him of my father. 15 The wilful jews believed not because they were not the sheep of his mark. Neither is it of him that willeth no● of him that runneth but of the only martyr of the lord. Necessary is it therefore that his spirit draweth moveth/ and in●meth the heart. Else can not the song be sweet/ neither in him that singeth nor yet in the hearer. The notes of this new song are Gods heavenly verities/ registered in the faithful hearts. 16 And they that did sing them to the praise of the lord/ were not defiled with women. With no strange doctrines/ nor yet Profane worshippings is their faith contamynate/ that unfeignedly have done on jesus Christ. No● the spowsage of their souls have they broken by no filthy traditions of men. Only have they with David sought the Testymonyes of God/ and thought none like unto them. Only did they cleave to his precious laws/ esteeming all other but chaff/ and very whoredom in the spirit. 17 Therefore are they virgins married unto Christ in faith/ as were the Corynthyanes' by Paul's preaching/ whom he wished to continue a chaste virgin unto Christ. Never is the maidenhead of the soul lost/ till erroneous doctrine be received from the messengers of Antichrist the bishops and Hypocrites. 18 The virgins/ or uncorrupted believers doth follow the lamb wheresoever he becometh. They go after Christ/ that believing his word/ doth fashion their lives unto it. Like as they follow Antichrist / that fashion their works to his doctrine. They walk in his steps/ that forsake themselves with him/ that beareth the cross of persecutions with him/ or that suffereth death for the truth with him. And not they that seek themselves/ living here in all pomp/ voluptuousness/ and Tyranny. From this place fetch the blind Papists/ a great argument for their wifeless chastity/ and that none followeth Christ but they in this muster/ because they are unmarried. Neither may Abraham/ Moses/ nor David/ Zacharye/ Peter/ nor Philip/ walk in this Number/ because they had wives. So perilous a thing it is to have a wife. It is great marvel they admit mary Christ's mother to it/ because she had a husband. Oh/ ignorant Assee/ and very beastly idiots. I think you follow judas which had neither wife nor child/ unless he had than sitting by other men's fierce/ as many of you have yet at this same day. What is virginity before God more than is marriage? No more than is circumcision in comparison to uncircumcysyon. And that is nothing. No more maketh the one than the other/ to a Christian life. Only is it faith effectually working by love/ that the lord requireth of us. Only respected he the faith of mary/ and not her virginity. They which live in matrimony after the word of God/ are accepted afore him for virgins/ and so are named of Saint Paul. another ca●illacion they have/ that none which hath offended afore/ can be of this number. But they consider not what is spoken here afore/ that they were redeemed from the earth/ and that the spirit of the lord hath purified their hearts through faith. Neither have they grace to remember that Christ's innocency is reckoned for an whole & perfect righteousness unto them that believe in him/ but they must bring in such trifles/ as are their own beggarly merits. 19 And therefore it followeth also. These faithful believers (saith Saint johan) were redeemed from men/ being the first fruits to God and to the lamb. By non other were they redeemed/ than by Christ▪ For of all the elect number/ he is the only righteousness/ wisdom/ holiness/ and redemption. From the corrupt/ blind/ and froward multitude hath he called them/ taken them/ and cleared them. And of deformed sinners/ hath he made them fair/ of vile pure/ of wretched glorious/ of blind perfectly saying/ of liars true sayers/ of obstinate gentle/ of ill good/ & of unfruitful profitable. For he it is that taketh away the stony heart/ and giveth a soft heart for it/ so making us abraham's children. Thus are we redeemed from men/ wh● we are taken by his goodness from such corrupt usages as man's nature is inclined unto. 20 And for non other purpose/ but to be the first fruits unto god/ as were the altar offerings in the old law/ in the hands of the high priests. For so moche as the elect Nombre are but a few or a certain taken out from the universal multitude/ & are the portion of the lord (as were the said offerings) pertaining unto Christ the only bishop of our souls/ they are his first fruits. Yea/ and his own very mystical members/ and all but one offering unto God the father by him. For he is the only lamb that died for them/ his own body being the only oblation and sacrifice. 21 And in their mouths was found no guile. For non other words uttered they but his pure testymonyes. Non other taught they but his undefiled laws. Non other persuaded they to be observed of other/ but his immaculate Gospel or easy burden of Christ. No importable yokes laid they upon men's/ shoulders/ neither of Ceremonies/ fastings/ nor mass hearing. 22 For they are without spot before the throne of God. Both before them that are faithful and have right judgement in the sp●e●e (which are the very seats of God) appeareth their doctrine pure/ and also their life innocent/ before God himself. Neither are they spotted with filthy traditions/ nor yet with uncomely examples. And as concerning their former sins/ they shall not be imputed unto them. They are remitted in Christ/ and so forgotten afore God. Though this that here hath been spoken be concerning the whole Christian multitude and her preachers/ yet doth it most specially touch the jews or israelites that shall in this latter age be converted unto Christ. And so do I counsel the reader to understand it. For the mount Zion after the flesh was theirs. Not defiled are they with unmarried women/ which are the whorish laws and unclean Superstitions of the gentiles/ upon non other harp have they commonly harped but upon the scriptures/ though it hath not been to the pleasure of God/ till now in this latter age/ wherein they shall wholly turn unto Christ. The Text. 1 And I saw an Angel. 2. fly in the mids of heaven. 3. having an everlasting gospel to preach unto them that sit and dwell on the earth. 4. and to all nations/ kindreds/ and tongues/ and people. 5. saying with a loud voice. 6. fear God. 7. and give honour to him. 8. For the hour of his judgement is come. 9 And worship him that made heaven and earth. 10. and the see/ and the fountains of water. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 An other Angel saw I (saith Saint johan) fly in the mids of heaven. For Chryst was the first Angel or massinger of the everlasting covenant of the father. This Angel here mentioned is none other than he that had the seal of the living God in the seven. Chapter/ and he that was clothed with a cloud in the tenth chapter. And he betokeneth those fervent ministers wh●m God hath sent in this latter time/ to admonish his people to i'll from the errors of Antichrist and return to his heavenly verities. 2 He flieth in the mids of heaven. An earnest/ fervent/ and faithful course take they in the mids of God's congregation (which is his heavenly kingdom here/ to whom this revelation is written/ like as did Paulus/ Sylas/ & Barnabas/ Timotheus/ Titus/ and Clemens/ with other of the Apostles/ sincerely to declare his word. Mighty stomached are they in God's cause/ both in their words and writings. 3 An everlasting gospel had this angel to preach unto them that sit and dwell upon the earth/ & to all nations/ kindreds/ and people. His eternal testament and covenant of peace hath the lord given unto them/ to preach deliverance to the captive/ health to the wounded/ life to the dead/ and remission to the sinful. Yea/ to utter that word that is stronger than is heaven or earth/ and that shall never fail him that truly believeth. 4 The sound of this gospel must go the world over/ as in the Apostles time. Every where must it be spread to the increase of faith. Among all nations of the earth/ among all kindreds of the israelites/ among all languages of the world/ and among all kinds of people/ of what sort so ever they be/ whether they sit upon the earth or dwell upon the earth/ whether they be high or low/ governors or subjects/ master's or servants/ owner's or farmers. So that they sit not nor dwell not within the earth/ or have their felicity here. For that is holy should not be given unto dogs/ nor yet pearls laid before swine. 5 And he cried with a loud voice. With a mighty fervent spirit do they beat it into the heads of men/ both by words/ writings/ and all they can make/ to have the fear of God/ and to give him his dew honour. And this is the doctrine they teach/ and the counsel they give. 6 Fear ye God in all that ye do for the first point of godly wisdom is to dread lest we offend him. Be constant in the word/ and fear no displeasure of men. For no more can they do in their anger but slay the body/ and bring it to the rest of God. No power have they over the soul. Fear him only therefore/ that when he hath destroyed both/ may throw them into hell. 7 give honour unto him/ worship him/ and serve him alone. Praise him/ and glorify him above all. But yet after non other sort than he hath appointed/ which is in faith/ spirit/ and verity/ and not in outward shadows with observation of times. He truly honoureth him that trusteth in him/ that believeth his word/ and that in spite of all antichrist's confesseth it afore all men. After this sort therefore fear him/ and worship him/ nothing doubting the assaults of enemies. 8 For the hour of his judgement is come. At hand is it that all the antichrist's and hypocrites shall by the invincyble word of God be judged/ condemned/ and destroyed. From heaven shall his wrath be declared upon all their ungodliness. With the spirit of his mouth shall the lord consume them/ and not long after will the great day of his indignation towards them light suddenly upon them. 9 With all faithful obsequy worship him therefore that create heaven and earth in wonderful strength and beauty. 10 That made the see and the fountains of water with all that in them doth move/ whose power is eternal/ knowledge non other God but him. Non other helper/ redeemer/ nor saver but his Crist. For all other Christ'S not sent of him are but antichrists. Only bow your knees unto him/ for only is his strength everlasting. Only obey his laws/ for only a●e his laws clean. The Text. 1 And there followed an other Angel saying. 2. She is fallen/ she is fallen/ even Babylon that great city. 3. for she made all nations drink of the wine of her whoredom. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And there followed an other angel (saith Saint johan) which betokeneth an other sort of preachers/ whose office is here appointed them of the holy ghost to declare unto the people the certente of the fall/ of the advowterouse/ cursed/ and malignant church of hypocrites/ here figured by wretched Babylon. For though all the true prophets and preachers have but one word of God in their mouth/ yet passeth it diversly from them. Unto each of them is given a diverse utterance of the spirit to edify. One is soft meek and gentle/ as was David/ johan/ and Peter/ a other is boystuouse / hard/ and vehement/ as was Helias/ Isaiah and Paul. And all this worketh the self same one spirit. This diversity of teachers was nevermore plenteous in the world than now in our time figured here by these two angels. Praised by the lord therefore. 2 And the tenor or ground of this latter sort of preachers is this. She is fallen/ she is fallen/ even miserable Babylon th●● great city of whoredom/ because she made all nations to drink of the wrathful wine of her fornication. So sure is it that the execrable church of Antichrist shall be overthrown/ and utterly destroyed/ as it were now performed in deed. Nothing shall be unroted out that the heavenly father hath not planted. Sonner shall heaven & earth perish/ than this promise be unfulfilled. 3 For with the stinking whorishness of her superstitious worshippynge/ have she poisoned all nations & peoples/ under heaven. The great governors/ and learned layers of the world/ hath she made in manner of beastly drunkards/ witless/ faithless/ and graceless/ by their prostibulouse doctrine. And this shall be declared more at large in the xvij chapter following/ where as she is more plenteously described. The Text. 1 And the third angel followed them. 2. saying with a loud voice. 3. If any worship the beast and his Image. 4. and receive his mark in his forehead/ or on his hand. 5. the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God. 6. which is poured in the cup of his wrath. 7. and he shall be punished in fire and brimstone. 8. before the holy angels. 9 and before the lamb. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 The third Angel also (saith Saint johan) followed them in the third kind of preaching of the same self massage/ that in the mouth of two or three faithful witnesses all verity might stand. 2 And by this angel are they signified/ that by the word of God stiffly impugn their wicked laws and ungodly ordinances/ whose manner of earnest preaching is this. 3 If any man worship the Beast/ which is the great Antichrist. And his Image/ which are those governors that taketh upon them his blasphemous titles/ names/ authority/ or defence. If any man also receive his mark in his forehead/ believing their laws to be a christian doctrine/ or have the prince of his seal upon his right hand/ which is to fashion his outward works after the same. The same man shall drink of the wine of God's wrath/ which are the dregs of the pure wine powered in the cup of his high displeasure. He shall taste of the everlasting damnation/ that is reserved in the latter curse or fearful sentence of their most terrible judge. To worship the Beast and his Image/ is to accept them in conscience/ and in the outward obedience with full consent of the heart. For that they blasphemously● pretend/ without god's authority. As the Pope for God's vicar or forgiver of sins/ Mahomete for the great Prophet of the lord/ the ●ewlers of the earth for the pope's elder or younger sons/ for most christian kings/ and defenders of the faith of that holy church. 4 To receive the Beasts mark in their fore heads and hands/ is both to agree to such decrees/ traditions/ laws/ constitutions/ acts/ and proclamations/ as they under those titles have made/ only for their own covetousness and pomp/ and neither for the glory of God nor yet for the right maintenance of the christian common wealth/ as I have declared afore. And also to be sworn to the same/ to subscribe to it/ to give counsel or aid to it/ to maintain it by learning/ to minister in it/ to execute under it/ to accuse/ ponnyshe/ and put to death for it/ or to think it lawful and godly with such like. 5 These marked worshippers shall taste of the cup of God's indignation/ of calamity sorrow and wretchedness in the days of their fall here/ and after the last judgement of unspeakable pains and most grievous torments/ in everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 6 The dregs that the lord hath poured out (saith David) shall the wicked of the earth drink. Clean contrary are these Angels to the horned ministers of antichrist. For they maintain the Pope's errors/ these the only verities of Chryst. They labour for the glory of their Pope/ these seeketh the only honour of God. They pra●e that their holy church shall continue/ these say it shall down with shame. They require worship to the Beast and his Image/ these will report it blasphemous/ and the reward thereof damnation. Mark in these two sorts the preachers of our time/ and judge which are of God. Against both beasts in Christ'S quarrel shall these Angels contend. Against the Pope and his bishops/ Mahomete and his doctors/ will these godly ministers reply (whom the lord hath sent in this latter age for that purpose) condemning by the scriptures their authority/ jurisdiction/ and power/ declaring also the plagues that will fall upon them for wytholding the truth of God in unrighteousness. 7 For these Antichristes' and their worshippers with so many as beareth their token shall be punished in fire and brimstone/ before the holy Angels/ and before the lamb. Fire shall be kindled (saith Moses') in the anger of the lord/ and shall burn unto the bottom of hell. Upon the ungodly (saith David) shall he rain snares. Fire/ brimstone/ storm/ and tempest shall be their portion to drink. The vehement indignation and mighty judgement of God/ shall light upon them/ as upon Sodom and Egypt/ and shall both devour them and consume them. 8 And this shall be in the sight of Angels. Which are not only the sprites of heaven/ but also the church of the faithful. Yea/ the righteous shall rejoice when he ●●yth the destruction/ and shall wash his hands in the blood of the wicked. 9 In the presence of the lamb shall it be also. For he is evermore with his flock/ and shall be unto the end of the world/ wherein he shall sit and con●dempne them. The Text. 1 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up evermore. 2. And they have no rest day nor night. 3. which worship the Beast and his Image. 4. and who so ever receiveth the print of his name. 5. Here is the pacycyence of Saints. 6. Here are they that keep the commandments. 7. and the faith of jesu. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up evermore/ as the flame of a furnace with most horrible stink/ for a perpetual sign of their punishment/ like as it did from Sodom and Gomor/ when the lord overthrew them. 2 So that they have no rest neither day nor night/ so many as worship the Beast and his Image/ receiving the print of his name. 3 Both in this life are they crucyat● with a troblouse and doubtful conscience/ and also after this life with unspeakable pains. For neither shall their worm die/ nor yet their fire be quenched/ all flesh abhorring them. 4 Thus shall they be with the Beast tormented/ which have the spirit of the beast. For like as all the faithful (which hath been from the beginning) belongeth to one mistycal body in Christ/ and shall be preserved by him/ so doth the wicked pertain to one mystical antichrist/ having all one spirit with him/ and so shall with him perish. 5 Here is the patience of the Saints. In this life are their troubles. No pleasure is for them in this world/ but hate/ rebukes/ slanders/ lies/ persecutions/ & death of their bodies. Their life upon earth is continual affliction/ but glorious is the fruit of their labours. manifold are the misfortunes of the righteous/ but the lord cleareth them of all. 6 Here are they vexed that keep the commandments & the faith of jesu. Here are they had in derision/ that behave themselves as the ministers of God in moche patience/ afflictions/ need/ anguish/ labour/ stripes/ imprisonment/ & such like. 7 Here are they chastened of the lord with many sore storms/ that they should not be dampened with this world. Moche have they here to suffer of enemies/ that only cleaveth to the word of God in life and doctrine. The Text. 1 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me. 2. writ. 3. Blessed are the dead/ which hereafter die in the lord. 4. (even so saith the spirit) that they may rest from their labours. 5. but their works shall follow them. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And I hard a voice from heaven (saith Saint johan) saying unto me. 2 Write with thy pen/ or mark surely this sentence following for them that here suffereth in the truths quarrel. 3 Blessed are the dead/ or they which are already departed/ and that also shall here after departed in the lord. This voice from heaven are the infallible scriptures/ assertaning the faith of johan/ of the sweet rest of the Saints in the hands of God. And that their end is not without honour/ as the vain sort supposeth/ but they are counted among the dear children of God. Let them therefore that suffer in this age be earnestly spreted/ and not fear the torments of the enemies in Christ's cause. 4 For from hence forth (the spirit saith) that they rest from their labours. In a wonderful quietness dwell they/ by the very sentence of the holy ghost/ and shall never more feel of any woe. God hath clean wiped away all tears from their eyes/ all sorrows and pains from their bodies/ the first dangers being past. Happy are they therefore and most godly fortunate/ that are slain for Christ/ because they will not worship the Beast and his Image/ nor corrupt their faith with their wicked laws/ but in a pure Christian believe departeth from hence to the lord. Their portion is in the land of the living/ and their lot among the holy ones. 5 For certen●ye their works doth follow them. The promise●●●warde of God for constantly standing by the verity/ for the fruits of their christian patience/ and for other exercises of their faith/ is evermore to their glory present with them. Not as deserved of them/ but of Christ/ in whose faith they wrought here/ and for the promise sake/ that they should be God's heirs together with Chryst. The lively word also/ which they earnestly received here and so rooted in their faith/ will never suffer them to perish/ nor to be hurt of the ●conde death. The Text. 1 And I looked/ and behold. 2. a white cloud. 3. and upon the cloud one sitting like unto the son of man. 4. having on his head a golden crown. 5. and in his hand a sharp sickle. ¶ The paraphrase. 1 I looked yet further (saith Saint johan) and evidently before me appeared a white cloud/ which betokeneth the true ministers of God's word. Whom the holy ghost calleth clouds by Isaiah/ David/ Peter/ and judas. For from them falleth upon the people the sweet drops of his verities. 2 White they are as milk for their faith in the word. And for their Christian conversation not blotted with hypocrisy of men's corrupted customs. 3 Upon this cloud was one sitting like unto the son of man/ which is verily Christ/ in his glorified manhood. For evermore is he among his true preachers/ giving them such utterance and wisdom/ as all their enemies are not able to withstand. Always walketh he among the vij candelstyckes/ which are his congregations as we had afore 4 He had upon his head a golden crown/ in token of his eternal and uncorrupt kingdom/ & in his hand a sharp sickle/ which is the sharp judgement or righteousness of his word/ for there with shall he reap his latter harnessed. According to his word and promise shall he judge good and evil. 5 This sickle received he of his everlasting father/ such time as he gave over unto him his universal judgements. By the order of this vision should the preachers seem in the last age of the church/ moche to admonish the people of the latter day/ with the coming of Christ again to judge both the quick & the dead as is in their crede/ or believe. The Text. 1 And an other Angel came out of the temple. 2 cryange with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud. 3. Thrust in thy sycle/ & reap. 4. for the time is come to reap. 5. For the corn of the earth is ripe. 6. And he that sat on the cloud. 7. thrust in his sickle on the earth 8 and the earth was reaped. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And an other Angel (saith saint johan) came out of the temple/ which is the congregation of faith/ consecrated as an holy temple unto God in the blood of the undefiled lamb jesus. This Angel betokeneth those just men/ that with simeon and anna the daughter of phanuel/ in this latter age are desy●rouse of the glory of God/ and of the final redemption of man from bodily corruption. 2 These shall cry with a loud voice/ with a fervent spirit shall they call unto Christ/ which sitteth upon the cloud. 3 And this shall be their saying. Thrust in the sickle and reap. Send forth thy 〈◊〉 word. And like as it hath created all things/ so let it now try and judge all things. 4 For the time is at hand to reap. For we are those upon whom the ends of the world are come. 5 And doubtless the corn of the earth y● ripe/ the world is at the best that it will do. As it hath been ever/ so is it still/ all together sort upon myscheff. let thy word therefore fynyshe all/ as it hath began all. With the breath of thy mouth/ 〈◊〉 the great Antichrist/ 〈…〉 of sin/ the son of perdition / and the adversary that hath exalted himself above God. Pour out thy indignation upon the kyngedomes that will neither know thee/ worship thee/ nor alone call upon thy name. Thu hast called thy harvest the end of the world/ let it now fynyshe all in deed. divide the chaff from the corn/ the wicked sort from the righteous. Gather the wheat into thy garner/ and burn the chaff in unquenchable fire. 6 And he that sat on the cloud thirst in his sickle on the earth/ and anon the earth was reaped. 7 He hath sent his mighty word/ so quick in operation as fire. Which shall not only consume the wicked generation of the Beast/ but also reserve them to eternal damnation. 8 The earth shall be cleared of them as of all other filthy corruptions/ and hell replenished with them/ to their perpetual care. The Text. 1 And an other Angel came out of the temple. 2. which is in heaven. 3. having also a sharp sickle. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And an other angel (saith saint johan) came out of the temple which is in heaven or from the great number of Angels/ having also a sharp sickle in his hand. 2 This Angel betokeneth those heavenly sprites that the lord shall send forth to gather together his chosen from the iiij. winds/ when his token shall apere in heaven These are the reapers of the lords harvest. These are they that shall go forth to gather all nations/ and to separate the gottes from the lambs/ the ill from the good/ and shall cast them into a furnace of fire/ where as shallbe wailing and gnashing of teeth. 3 And therefore is their sickle here named sharp. Non other is their sickle/ but this appointed office. Non other is their harvest/ but this gathering together. But these messengers shall not forth till they have commandment. And therefore saith Saint johan consequently. ¶ The Text. 1 And an other Angel came out from the altar. 2. which had power over fire. 3. and cried with a loud cry unto him that had the sharp sickle/ and said. 4. Thrust in thy sharp sickle. 5. and gather the clusters of the earth. 6. for her grapes are ripe. 7. And the angel thrust in his sickle on the earth. 8. and cut down the grapes of the vineyard of the earth. 9 and cast them into the great wynefatte of the wrath of God. 10. And the wynefatte was trodden with out the city. 11. and blood came out of the fat. 12. even unto the horse bridles. 13. by the space of a thousand and six hundred fourlonges. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And an other Angel came out from the altar which had power over fire. This is the lord jesus Christ/ whom Malachias calleth the Angel of the covenant that was longed for. He is the altar of the righteous/ and by him are they a sweet sacrifice unto God. Else could they be but very abomination. Till the judgement day shall he be an altar of means making to God the father for us. But that day ones come/ no longer shall he be an altar or an advocate/ but go clean from it. He shall then become a judge over all the world/ rewarding every one according to their works. Hitherto hath he mekelisytten upon the cloud/ and not cut with his sickle. He hath had in his hand the judgement/ and not judged. 2 But now hath he power over fire. By fire (which is under his obedience/ as are all other creatures else) shall he at that day judge the universal world. And more sharp/ vehement/ quick fierce/ mighty/ and terrible shall his sentence be to the wicked/ than is any fearful/ flaming/ or consuming wild fire. 3 For with a loud voice shall he cry unto him that hath the sharp sickle. An earnest charge and commandment shall he give at that day to the ministers of his ire/ for to cast them into exteryoure darkness/ after this sort here uttered in mystery. 4 Thrust in thy sharp sickle/ and gather the clusters of the earthly vineyard/ for the grapes thereof are r●pe. 5 Execute the vengeance committed unto you/ and rote out this rank ry●●ouse generation of the ravenous Epicures. 6 For now are their mischiefs at the full. Now are they most curious in their fations and fedynges/ most covetous in their compassynge/ most vain in their stodyes and most cruel in their doings. For with them shall it be (saith Christ) as it was in the days of Noah and Loth. They shall build and banquet/ ruffle and riot/ buy and sell/ and plant for their pleasures. And suddenly as a snare shall that terrible day light upon them unbewares/ as did death on the covetous iourer. 7 And the Angel (saith johan) thrust in his sickle on the earth/ he cut down the grapes of the vineyard of the earth/ and so did cast them into the great wine fat of the wrath of God. 8 According to their commission they shall plague the earthly minded/ for here is the time passed for the time coming used/ for the certente of it. With sudden death shall they pierce them in this world/ that contemning Christ's doctrine hath followed the course thereof in all concupiscence. 9 And finally they shall throw them into the lake of misery/ the pit without water ●nto the stinking dregss of hel●e/ where as fire and brimstone shall be rewarded to drink. For the vineyard of the earth is the carnal synagogue of Hypocrites ● and the grapes thereof are the glorious gluttons/ and frank fed porkelynges of that greedy gulf/ even the enemies of Christ's cross/ whose God is their belly/ whose glory is their confusion/ and whose end is their damnation/ for they are earthly minded. This wine fat of the wrath of God is none other than his great bengeaunce/ to be poured upon the unfaithful. Or else hell/ prepared for the devil and his angels. Great/ not only for the innumerable multitude that it hath and shall receive/ but also in that it is insatiable. 10 And this wyntfatt was trodden without the city. Nothing pertaineth it to that city (of whom famous things are spoken) which is the congregation of God/ nor yet to the good creatures of God. No/ not unto this world/ which shall at that day be tried and purged by fire. But under the earth shall it be/ and far without this world/ secluded from the face of heaven in filthy and unspeakable darkness. 11 For blood will come out of this fat/ even unto the horse bridles. Wherein is expressed not only the terror of the place/ but also of the pains there in contained. For blood shedding and murder are things very horrible & fearful to behold/ containing in them deprivacyon of life/ which is most terrible of all. The abundance thereof betokeneth the greatness of the grief in the sufferance of them. The treading down also signifieth/ that no raise towards any relief is to be looked for of them that be there. Unto them which at that day shall be in the city/ will he that sitteth in the throne make all things new. All dolour/ affliction/ so row/ pain/ penury// wrath/ condemnation/ and death/ shall be passed with them. Only shall they be trodden down in this wynefatt of God's wrath/ that lived here like beasts without reason/ and that wandered here like horses and mules in their own filthy lusts. 12 All shall be punished there/ that was here unbridled/ unordred/ and ungoverned after the word & pleasure of God. And therefore it is here said/ unto the horse bridles. Every man shall receive in body according to that he hath done/ whether it be Good or evil. They that have wrought the stork of God in faith/ shall reap according unto it. The bridles also betokeneth the measure of god's judgement/ not as concerning the time which ●s everlasting/ but concerning the pain rightly measured according to the in acquit. For the lord hath set his judgements over the wicked in weight and measure/ the stripes agreeing in quantity to the excess of sin/ so moche torment to have/ as their rejoice hath been in wickedness. 13 The space of these terrible torments or ponnyshmentes of hell/ is a thousand and vi hundred furlongs. A furlong of the Greeks is called the ●onne of hercules/ and it is in length an hundred and xxv passes or steps. And commonly they used according to that length/ to measure their playing places. Of whom Paul maketh mention to the Corinthyanes' being Greeks/ by them that runneth in a course/ and that proveth masteries. In this thousand and vi hundred furlongs here/ is comprehended the whole and universal course of the wicked for the four quarters of the world. The number of an hundred is evermore an whole complete and perfect number. And four hundred four times numbered is xvi hundred/ which maketh this number of a thousand and vi hundred/ the number of four respecting always the four climates of the world/ which are the common habitations of sinners. In them course they in all wanton kinds of living. In them work they their masteries of all ungodly observations and false worshippings/ walking in the large or open way which leadeth unto death. According to the nonbre & measure of this course/ hath God here measured the place and punishment. Not withstanding never is he without mercy. marvelous he is in his works and judgements/ which are unsearchable. Blessed is he that shall have his part in the city or congregation of the righteous/ and that shall see the peace upon Israel/ when the lord shall lead forth them with the evil doers/ that hath yoked themselves with their laws. The lord grant us once to taste the prosperity of Jerusalem. Amen. The xu Chapter. NOt only for the common sins of the world doth the lord plague/ but most of all for unthankfulness of all bla●●phemyes the greatest For tha● spurneth against knowledge/ and directly worketh against the holy Ghost. A double destruction or decay both of soul and body by the righteousness of God must needs follow the wilful contempt of his verity manifestly showed and openly taught. Yet is the lord so merciful/ that he willeth not the damnation of a sinner. Soche compassion hath he over our manifold weakness/ that he premonysheth us of his most terrible plagues/ to call us back by fear/ if love will not do it. As here consequently in the first vision of this present revelation to johan/ which followeth after this sort in this xv. and xvi chapters. The Text. 1 And I same another sign in heaven/ great and marvelous. 2. seven Angels having the seven last plagues. 3. for in them is fulfilled the wrath of God. 4. And I saw as it were a glassy see. 5. mingled with fire. 6. and them that had gotten victory of the Beast/ and of his Image. 7. and of his mark/ and of the number of his name. 8. stand on the glassy see. 9 having the haps of God. 10. And they sang the song of Moses the servant of God. 11. and the song of the lamb/ saying. 12. Great and marvelous are thy works/ lord God almighty. 13. just & true are thy/ ways/ thou king of saints. 14. Who shall not fear (o lord) & glorify thy name? 15. For thou only art holy. 16. and all gentiles shall come and worship before the. 17. for thy judgements are made manifest. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And I saw (saith saint johan) by the secret goodness of my lord God/ yet an other token in heaven/ great and marvelous/ strange and wonderful. For in the church or congregation of God are evermore uttered his wonderful and deep judgements/ unto them only whom his grace appointeth/ as unto johan. And this is the token in mystery. 2 Seven angels had in their hands the seven last plagues. Some expositors have taken these Angels for the right ministers in the vij ages of the christian church. Some have thought them to be the perverse preachers and ungodly ministers of all the said ages/ suffered of God strongly to delude the unbelievers/ that he which hurteth should hurt still/ and that he which is in filthiness should still be filthy. Unto every age corresponding an Angel/ to declare the nature of those deceitful hirelings and dying masters. And this maketh them so to understand the text. They are here expressly noted to be in heaven. Among the congregations of God are the false prophets and dissembling hypocrites evermore/ as the chaff among the corn/ the tars among the wheat/ and the filthy dregs among the pure wine. For that kingdom is as a net thrown into the see and gathering all manner of fishes both good and bad. In all ages hath the wicked generation increased/ to impugn the truth/ and styflye to stand up against God and his Christ/ which is non other after their minds/ than to minister the vij last plagues here. For no poison is to the soul so pestilent/ nor yet venom so noyful/ as is false doctrine. No plague can be thought more deadly nor vyrulent/ than to deprive us of that faith/ of that verity/ and of that life which is in Christ Iesu/ or to bring us out of that way which he hath appointed. And all this seemeth no small likelihood of the just understanding of the text here. Yet giveth Frances Lan●bert a far better judgement/ calling them the set sentences or unvariable decrees of God/ diffining his judgements against the wicked in this latter age of the world/ at their appointed times to be uttered. For all these things are jointly to be considered. These Angels came not only from heaven/ which is the congregation (as they have mentioned) but also out of the celestial temple of the tabernacle of testimony/ which is the omnipotent God and his Chryst/ as the xxi chapter here of declareth. They are also clothed with pure white linen/ girded with golden girdles/ they have golden vyals delivered unto them by one of the four Beasts/ and one of them commonèth with johan/ declaring unto him the judgement and fall of the great whore. Which are no arguments that they are here to be taken for ill preachers/ although they hear minister the last vij plagues. Therefore shall we judge them here to be Gods appointed purposes or eternally decreed pleasures/ against the wilful obstynates and indurate rebellious to the end of the world. These are called the last plagues/ because they fall in the last age of the world/ whom Isaiah/ Hieremye/ Oseas and Mycheas calleth the last days/ johan the last hour/ and Paul the ends of the world. Seven are they named here in a universal respect both of the times/ parsons/ places/ and perverse doctrines of the whole world. And also because of the vij seals and the vij trumpets/ to whose judgements they joyntlye agree/ as in the next chapter following will apere more largely. 3 For in them (saith the text) is fulfilled the wrath of God. The indignation of the lord is in them wholly declared. For what hate can he show more unto man/ than to withdraw from him his grace/ to leave him to himself/ to suffer him in his own blind judgements/ to give him over to his own filthy lusts/ and to send him the operation of error to his double damnation? A very fulfilling of God's anger is it also to appoint us a false Prophet or deceivable curate/ a wanton Prince or ungodly governor. These therefore with such like are those plagues/ in whom is deeply accomplished the displeasure of God. And they are here named the last plagues/ for after them shall none other be scene/ the latter day fynyshing and clearing all. 4 And I beheld (saith Saint johan) in the same said vision/ as it were a glassy see/ or a great flowing water in similitude of glass/ all mingled with fire. Non other is this see but the precious verity of the Lord/ so clear as glass and so pure as crystal. This see gushed out of the hard rock stone/ that was cloven asunder in the desert. When he sent forth his spirit/ these water's flowe● forth in abundance. 5 Most effectual and quick is this see. And therefore it is here noted as mingled with fire/ which signifieth the holy ghost. For never is the verity without God's spirit. A fierce fyerye stream calleth Danyel this see. All fyerye is thy word lord (saith David also) and therefore thy servant loveth it. This is the fountain of living water springing up into the life everlasting. Unto this water should all they resort that are thirsty/ thereof to take refreshing. 6 Upon this glassy see were they seen of Saint johan/ that had obtained victory of the Beast/ of his Image/ of his mark/ and of the number of his name. By whom are meant those constant Christians/ which hath for all ages firmly affirmed the truth. For non adversity declining from it. strongly have these sens the Apostles time resisted the adversaries of God by his only word/ perfysting therein unto the death as did Steven/ james/ and Antipas with such other his faithful witnesses. Uictorye have they gotten by faith both of the Beast and his Image/ both of the great antichrist and his supporters/ of the Pope and of Mahomete/ with their maintainers emperors/ kings/ and magistrates/ and of all them that usurp their title/ name/ seat/ authority/ pomp or power. 7 They have blemished likewise by the said word not only the mark of the Beast/ which is a corrupted faith/ but also the number of his name/ which is the denial of God. Them have they to their rebuke uttered/ and to their confusion declared. They have proved their orders damnable/ their doctrine devilish/ their religion hypocrisy/ and their spiritualty plain wickedness/ condempning them by the scriptures/ as ungodly dissemblers denying the lord which bought them. These are they whom the lord tenderly norryshed/ and graciously brought forth upon the refreshing waters/ converting their souls to his godly fear and love. 8 These stand evermore on the glassy see/ they set sure foting upon the rock stone. Unmoveablye they persever in the truth/ never denying it afore men. 9 And they have in their hands the haps of God/ which are devour minds given all unto godliness/ and rejoicing in spiritual things. 10 Harmonyouslye they sing the tunable song of Moses the faithful servant of God/ and the melodyouse sweet song of the lamb jesus Christ. 11 Of both testaments they make utterance/ declaring the wonderful works and terrible judgements out of the old law/ and out of the gospel of gladness the most sweet mercy of the lord. Without ceasing open they the scriptures unto other inwardly rejoicing in spiritual hymns and psalms/ having this evermore for the standing tenor of their song. 12 Inestimablye great is thy goodness/ and wonderfully marvelous are thy works O Lord God almighty. 13 Just are thy promises/ and most perfightlye sure thy ways/ thou glorious king of Saints/ and gracious guide of the godly believers. 14 Who shall not evermore fear thee/ o mighty lord? who shall not always in heart glorify/ thy blessed name? 15 Thu alone art holy/ just/ and perfect/ for non is there good but thyself only. Thu art hour only maker/ redeemer/ and comfortoure. Non other have we for hour God but the. 16 No doubt of it but the time will be that all kinds of people/ both jews and gentiles/ faithful and heathen shall seek unto thee/ and shall faithfully in verity and spirit worship before thee/ acknowledging the for their only lord God. 17 Because thy wonderful judgements that sometime were secret/ are now to the world made openly known and manifest. Though this song be little and small/ yet is therein contained all verity/ that both Moses and Christ confesseth at large. Moreover what so ever the scriptures comprehendeth/ either of the great omnipotency of God or of his most wonderful works/ either of his loving mercy or of his benign pity towards man/ of his glorious name or mighty power/ or that he is to be magnified and feared/ or how that the faithful pertaineth only to his kingdom/ or how that all people shall finally be converted unto him. All is compendiously in this brief song here contained/ what though it be not so word by word expressed. And as concerning that is here last spoken/ that his judgements are made manifest/ it is to be understanded of those faithful creatures whom he calleth/ cleareth and justifieth/ and of non other. For unto them only are his heavenly verities known/ to whom he wytsaveth to open them. Though the other outwardly see the judgements of God/ yet do they not inwardly perceive them/ though they boast it never so much. For it is not given them so to do. They must have eyes and not see/ ears and not understand. The Text. 1 And after that I looked. 2. & behold the temple of the tabernacle of testimony. 3. was open in heaven. 4. And the seven angels. 5. came out of the temple. 6. which had the seven plagues. 7. clothed in pure and bright linen. 8 and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. 9 And one of the four Beasts gave unto the seven Angels. 10. seven. golden vials. 11. full of the wrath of God/ which liveth for evermore. 12. And the temple was full of smoke. 13. for the glory of God/ and for his power. 14. And no man was able to enter into the temple. 15. till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And a non after that (saith Sayn● johan) I looked yet more advisedly. And suddenly as it were/ the everlasting temple of the tabernacle of witness was open in heaven. 2 A mystery this is very earnestly to be marked/ as a thing of great weight. The lord almighty is this eternal temple. He is the temple not made with hands/ uncreated/ glorious and full of majesty/ comprehending in him all things/ and he within none again comprehended. He is the lord of all. He measureth heaven with his span/ he over reacheth all the world with his three fingers. In him we live/ we move/ and have our being. The tabernacle of witness is the lamb jesus Christ. He is that very tabernacle of God that was here among men/ bearing that faithful witness which giveth wisdom to babes. He is the propitiatory or mercy seat/ wherein we are hard and forgiven. Neither was this tabernacle of this manner building/ but much more perfect and greater. This holy tabernacle is within the aforesaid temple/ for Christ dwelleth in the father and the father in him. 3 Open is this temple in heaven/ and the tabernacle scene/ when God is known by true preaching/ and Christ'S doctrine believed. For he came into the world/ and for that purpose was borne/ to bear witness unto the truth/ whom the father willed only to be hard/ concerning faith. 4 This temple and tabernacle open/ or God and his word once known in this latter age/ the seven Angels cometh forth. The eternal decrees of Gods secret judgements appeareth/ and are fulfilled in their times. As Angels or messengers of God they have in his eternity their just plagues in their season appointed to be exhybited. 5 And therefore are they said to come out from the temple which is God. Nothing hath he purposed to the world/ but he hath decreed it afore the worlds constitution. For his purpose/ mind/ and pleasure/ is as he is/ everlasting. And as it falleth to the world by his assignment/ it becometh a massinger/ going out of the temple. So many hath he sent of such messengers/ as he hath fulfilled decreed purposes. And marvel not though they be here called Angels/ considering that it is the common manner of the holy scriptures evermore to call them Angels which uttereth the will/ pleasure/ and commandment of God/ as they do here. After this sort are the priests called Angels/ so is Aggeus the holy Prophet/ so is Saint johan baptist/ so are Christ'S disciples/ and also the public preachers. 6 What the plagues are that they shall shed out of their vyals'/ will be showed clearly in the next chapter following/ one after an other. 7 These angels are appareled in pure white linen/ bright shining as crystal/ and girded about their breasts with girdles of fine gold/ which betokeneth their sincere cleanness/ and their glorious perfyghtnesse. For what can be more pure and precious/ than the eternal decrees of the lord? What can be more perfect and glorious than his prediffyned purposes? The laws of God are undefiled/ the testimonies are true/ the statutes are right/ the ways are sure/ the commandments are clear/ the judgements are godly/ the words are pure and precious. Yea/ the gifts that come from the father of light are evermore perfect and good. 8 The girding of their breasts/ is the straight spearing up of the secret meaning of God's judgements from our carnal understanding/ till such time as he openeth them unto us by his spirit. For it belongeth not unto us to decern such secrets as the father reserveth to his own power. 9 And one of the four Beasts or congregations (saith Saint johan) delivered unto the aforesaid vij Angels seven. golden vyals replenished with the wrathful displeasure of God which liveth for evermore. Though the congregations be in the first chapter vij and in the forth four understanded by the four Beasts/ yet are they here in ●his place brought all unto one/ and called one of the four or else of the four made one/ for so moche as the universal christian church is of one consent/ one faith/ one batyme/ one God/ and pertaineth to one Christ. For so moche also as it confesseth/ believeth/ and teacheth one doctrine of health. One is my d●ue (saith the holy ghost) one is my dearly beloved darling. A Beast is it here noted/ as living in the flesh/ and not yet mortified by death. 10 The vyals of God's wrath are the ungodly reprobates/ fit only for destruction. Golden are they here named/ because they apere glorious in the worldly judgements of men. Very painted tombs are the dissembling hypocrites/ within full of stinking bones. A shining name of life have they and yet are they inwardly dead. For all that they do is to be scene of men. 11 Full of wrath are they/ whereby is meant a sinful understanding/ with damnable doctrines. For very swift are they to all ungodliness. The vi properties have they which the lord hateth/ and the seventh which he utterly abhorreth. A proud look/ a dissembling tongue/ bloody hands/ a wicked heart/ fere rydye unto mischief/ ways to practise lies/ and sowynge of dissension among brethren. These are given of the true christian congregation to the vij Angel's/ or decreed purposes of God to be judged as they have eternally diffyned. For non other is their continual prayer/ but that his will be fulfilled/ and that his predyfined intentes against the perverse multitude be finished at their convenient times. Non other is it to put into the Angel's hands the vyals of God's displeasure/ than thus to commit them by faithful prayer to his purposed decrees or foreset ordinances. 12 But because that commonly when Gods judgements begin to wax known/ all things are commoved and troubled/ therefore is it said here consequently that the temple was full of smoke/ by reason of the majesty of God and of his glorious power. This smoke are certain mysteries/ representing unto us the hidden majesty of God's eternal presence. Whose brightness can no frail understanding abide. Nor/ all the world could not sustain it if all things were open and plain concerning it. In no wise could Moses presently see the face of God/ only might he be suffered to see his back parts. For no man can see God and live. Only is he scene here in this life as in a glass or under a dark speaking. He appeareth unto us here in a mystical smoke/ like as he did to the Patriarch jacob in sleep/ to Moses in the flaming bush/ to Helias in the horle wind/ to the Apostles in fiery tongues/ and unto Ananias in a secret vision. 13 Under the shadow of fygurate locution is his glory of the elect persons and faithful believers known. The unfaithful reprobates beholdeth the smoke/ but neither perceive they in it the glory of God/ nor the majesty of his presence. They neither conceive his wonderful works/ nor yet his godly judgements. Their foolish hearts are so darkened/ that though they know God/ yet glorify they him not. They set the smoke and perceive the world troubled (as it is always when the verity appeareth) but never the more faith nor godly knowledge have they. But that which is unto the faithful a raise/ is unto them a ruin. That is unto the other the power of God unto health/ is unto them slander and foolishness. And that is unto the other a savour of life unto life/ is unto them a savour of death unto death. They remember not that the lord came down in fire unto Moses upon mount Synay when it smoked all together like a burning furnace/ and therefore bear they away no glorified faces/ or consciences depured by a true perfect faith. 14 And no man was able (saith the text) to enter into the temple/ till the vij deadly plagues of the vij angels were wholly fulfilled. For though the true believers perceive in the mysteries of the scriptures/ the present majesty and mighty power of God/ yet enter they not in to full knowledge of him/ being as yet subject unto vanity. For here is their knowledge unperfyght/ and their prophesying also. And therefore acknowledging their imbecillite/ and also waiting for the revelation of the children of God/ they say with Saint Paul. O the wonderful deepness of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How incomprehensible are his judgements/ and how unsearchable his ways. 15 And at this point. shall they still be till the last judgement day finish all. For the full entering into the temple is none other than a whole perfect or consummate knowledge of God and his mysteries. Which can not fully be had/ till that which is unperfectly be done away/ the creature delivered from bondage of corruption. And till death be swallowed up/ the vessel of corruption becoming incorruptible/ and the mortal body becoming spiritual. The righteous shall then shine as doth the sun in the kingdom of their father/ and glister as doth the bright Stars world without end. What the vij plagues are/ and what is their fulfilling/ will in this chapter following apere. ¶ The xvi chapter. The Text. 1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple. 2. saying to the seven Angels. 3. Go your ways. 4. pour out your vials of wrath upon the earth. 5. And the first went/ and poured out his vial upon the earth. 6. and there fell a noisome & a sore votche upon the men which had the mark of the Beast. 7. and upon them that worsypped his Image. ¶ The Paraphrase. AN other great voice hard johan out of the temple. A perfectly/ strong/ and earnest assurance had he of the lord by a spiritual premonyshment/ that the unvariable decrees of his sert judgements should be fulfilled at their times of him appointed. Yea/ ascertained he was infallyblye that they should in their dew seasons come to pass. For unto his friends openeth he his secret counsels always/ as he did in old time unto his weal beloved Israel/ unto Moses'/ Zacharye/ Ezechiel/ and Daniel/ with such other. 2 And the voice was unto the vii Angels under the vii Seals opening and the vii trumpets blowing after this sort. Go your ways forth fulfilling the purpose ye be ordained unto. Pour ou● your vials of wrath upon the earth. 4 Declare them first of all to the world/ to be the reprobate vessels of dishonour/ which of wilfulness contempneth my eternal verity. consequently send them into most deep error/ that they may wax worse and worse/ and not only to err in themselves/ but also to bring other into error/ that they may receive the double reward thereof/ abiding my most fearful judgement. 5 And in such time as the lord appointed/ the first Angel went fourth under the first seal opening/ and poured out his vial upon the earth. For in the first age of the church/ to try her as gold in the furnace/ permitted the lord by his eternal decree/ the malicious synagogue of the jews to rage's/ and to do their ungodly feats. In the which their furious madness/ not only did they persecute the Apostles and first preachers of Christ from city to city/ but also perverted the earthly minded multitude by many and diverse ungodly kinds of false doctrine in hypocrisy. Of this sort was Himineus and Pheletus/ becoming of Sadducees false christians/ and denying the latter resurrection/ whom Paul did excommunycate. So were also Phigellus and Hermogenes/ bringing in again circumcision with certain ceremonyal observations to blemish the Gospel of Christ. These with such like subverted whole houses (saith Paul) teaching things that they ought not to have ●aught for filthy lucre's sake. 6 And when they were thus by the decreed purpose of God shed upon the earth/ or left unto their own earthly beastliness/ all destitute of his grace for contemning his word so graciously offered/ there lighted a noisome and tedious botch upon those men which had the mark of the Beast/ or an unchristen believe through their persuasions. 7 And upon them also that worshipped his Image/ or accepted them for Godly that made laws repugnant to his laws. For the great headed Rabynes of the jews deed not only sport the consciences of the israelites their own native country men/ but also of the Greeks and latins/ the asians & Romans/ compelling them for their own traditions to make God's commandements of non effect. These having a pretence of Godly living/ denied the power thereof. Of this sort were they which entered into houses/ and brought into bondage supers●y●youse women lo●en with sin. For a more deep understanding hereof/ confer this with the first Seal opening and the first Trumpet blowing/ and like wise the other vi following. The Text. 1 And the second Angel shed out his vial. 2. upon the see. 3. and it turned as it were into the blood. 4. of a dead man. 5. And every living thing died in the see. ¶ The Paraphrase 1 After this went fourth the second Angel of the second Seal opening effunding his vial upon the see. According to the decree of God almighty for the second age of the Christian church/ reigned among the christians deceitful brethren and perverse teacher's/ betraying the true ministers and delivering them unto death for jesus Christ's sake/ that his life might be se●ne in their mortal flesh. For in this life he proveth his elects with Abraham and job to save them/ and to make them just followers of Christ/ whom it behoved to suffer ere he entered into his glory 2 Upon the see or wavering multitude was this vial shed. Only are the false Prophets received and taken of the foolish/ fantastical/ and slipper witted sort/ as a reed shaken of every wind. Non regardeth them which hath set sure foting upon the hard rock Christ. Soche a vial or vessel of God's Ire was Mair the Idomyte which made the Talmud of the jews/ a book more than ten Gybles after Nauclerus and other Historianes/ full of blasphemies and lies condemning the doctrine of Christ. So was Rabbi Moses the Egypcyane/ Rabyna and Rabasses with such other confyrming the same. 3 All bloody was this see/ the vial once shed thereupon. All fleshly were the people in their judgements/ their hearts fulfilled with cruelty and mourther against Christ's true witnesses/ through their perverse preachings. Yea/ in that furious rage they thought they did god great good service when they put his servants unto death. 4 This blood was also in a manner as the blood of a dead man. For dead was the doctrine that they taught/ even the sleing letter it self. Dead were also their Ceremonies/ their rites/ and their idle observations. So that every living thing died in that bloody see. All they which semen through glytteringe hypocrisy to live/ wanted the very life which is hid in Christ/ and that riseth offaythe in his living word. So did they also which depended all upon the vain pleasures of this life/ exercysinge here tyranny both in words and doings. Neither were they out of the same danger/ that fell from the verity once known/ nor yet they which durst not receive it for fear of persecution/ but both perished in this see. The Text. 1 And the third Angel shed out his vial. 2. upon the rivers and fountains of waters 3. and they turned to blood. 4. And I heard an Angel say. 5. lord which art & waste. 6. thou art righteous and holy. 7. because thou haste given such judgements. 8. For they shed the blood of saints and Prophets. 9 and therefore haste thou given them blood to drink/ for they are worthy. 10. And I heard an other Angel out of the altar. 11. say. 12. Even so/ lord God almighty. 13. true and righteous are thy judgements. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 Next in his course went out the third Angel/ under the third Seal opening/ and he poured out his vial upon the watterye floods and fowntaynes/ and all they became very blood. By his set decree for the third age of the church/ suffered the lord false heretics to rage in all kinds of error/ strongelye to delude the unbelievers. 2 These lighted upon the sweet waters/ by whom are meant the sacred scriptures refreshing the dry souls. Who so ever drinketh (saith Christ) of the waters that I give/ he shall never be more a thirst. 3 Of these waters have they defiled both the rivers and wellsprings with blood. Both the law and Gospel/ the figure and verity/ the commandment and promise/ the doctrine of Prophets and Apostles have they corrupted with their false interpretations and gloss/ with froward dryftesand opinions/ with vain traditions and worshippings/ and with carnal wisdom and murtherynges. Of this sort were Eut●ces and Artius with such other like/ as in the eight chapter afore. 4 And I hard (saith Saint johan) an Angel/ betokening those sincere witnesses/ to whom God had opened for that age his secret judgements. And this Angel said. 5 Omnipotent creator and lord which art not only of thyself at this present instant/ but wart also essencyallye in thyself without beginning. 6 Thu heavenly lord art faithful in thy words and holy in thy works. 7 For as it appeareth before our eyes/ the decrees and fore judgements that thou madest afore/ are now fulfilled in effect. 8 For the religious mourtherers that of cruelness caused the blood of thy holy▪ Saints and Prophets/ Apostles and Preachers to be shed/ have now by thy just appointment very blood to drink as they are most worthy. 9 For slaying of them whose massage they contemned/ they had their just plague. Not only became they vain in their thoughts/ their foolish hearts darkened (not unlike to them that hath ears andheare not/ eyes and see not) but also there remained unto them after this life a perpetual vengeance without mercy for their cruel oppressions/ as a due reward of their error. 10 Yet an other Angel hard I (saith Saint johan) even out of the altar which is Christ. This Angel signifieth those witnesses that sometime confessed the truth here/ and now resteth from their labours in the lord. These though they be departed/ affirm that the other hath said afore. In token that now being departed they forget not that truth which they afore confessed/ living still yet in the same. He that holdeth my word (saith Christ) shall never taste of death. 11 And this is their saying in mystery/ or words comprehending their secret confession. 12 Even so lord God almighty. As the living believers saith of the by mouth/ so say we now in the spirit. 13 That thy decreed judgements are ever more true/ and thy marvelous workynges' righteous. The first is called in some translations the Angel of waters/ the other here reported to come from the altar/ to signify both sorts. The Text. 1 And the fourth Angel poured out his vial. 2. on the sun. 3. And power was given unto him to vex men with heat of fire. 4. And the men raged in great heat/ and spoke evil of the name of God. 5. which had power over those plagues. 6. and they repented not/ to give him glory. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 consequently by the appointment of God/ the fort Angel in the forth Seal opening poured out his vial of God's wrath on the sun. As the lord had eternally prefixed/ in the forth age of the Christian church. For the whole worlds pannyshment/ was Christ sore blemished which is the clear sun of righteousness. Sore dead the dissembling. Antichristes' in those days darken the true glory of God with their many fold sects of hypocrisy. The pope had for his part an innumerable swarm of shorn smeared sodomites/ and Mahomete a fowl flock of frantic fabyllers/ which with their newly painted religions and prodigious observations/ made first all the world to wonder and than to worship Bel●al for Christ/ taking darkness for light/ and sin for righteousness. 2 These being very adversaries unto Christ/ took upon them his authority and seat/ the one boasting himself for his general vicar in earth/ the other for the great Prophet of the lord/ and so were received of the excecate world. Needs would they seem to be the sun/ being the very shadows of death. 3 Permitted was this heersackye sun to vex men with heat of fire. sitting in the temple of God which is with in man/ with soche wicked laws as they made under the name of God and of Christ/ they terribly vexed/ tormented/ and cruciated the weak consciences of men/ leaving them commonly in most painful desperation. 4 So that the men raged in great heat/ speaking evil of the name of God/ which had power over those plagues. At their abominable persuasions was Christ of them not taken for a merciful saver and gentle▪ redeemer/ but for a froward churl & untractable tyrant/ unless he were mollified by the merits and callings upon of other/ & that could not be had without money. 5 Power hath the lord over plagues/ to hold them or remove them. By his rightful judgement/ at his only pleasure he hardeneth. As the potter/ may he break them/ or make them vessels of dishonour. 6 In no wise did this perverted multitude repent their wicked blasphemies to give him glory/ for all their confessions/ Mass herrings/ pilgrimages and satisfactions without number. For they were not according to his prescription. 7 After non other sort will he be pleased and glorified/ than he hath by his scriptures appointed. Nothing less are their fantasies than true repentance. The Text. 1 And the fift Angel poured out his vial. 2. upon the seat of the Beast. 3. and his kingdom waxed dark. 4. And they gnewe their tongues for sorrow 5. and blasphemed the God of heaven for sorrow/ and pain of their sores. 6. and repented not of their deeds. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 In order succeedeth by the divine ordinance the fi●t Angel under the fift seal opening/ pouring out his vial of God's indignation upon the seat of the Beast. After non other sort than the lord had afore predyffyned for man's unfaithfulness sake/ was the proud beastly kyngodome of the papacy/ and the execrable regne of Mahomete replenished with all filthy abominations under the sun. For in the other age afore they did but creep into the hearts of men through the glytterynges of hypocrisy and dissimulate sanctyte. 2 But here have they obtained the power/ seat/ and authority of the Beast/ and so gotten unto them the mighty Monarchies of the universal world. Here reigned they without check in all vain glory/ hawtynesse/ malice/ pride/ murder hypocrisy/ superstition/ idolatry/ and blasphemy of God's name. 3 And therefore their kyngedomes as all one in devylllyshenesse/ became all dark/ without the light of God's verity/ full of the stinking smoke of the bottomless pit. Than went the locusts abroad/ and filled the world with ignorance and blindness. 4 Every where gnewe they their tongues for very sorrow. In detracting the verity/ moche grief they suffered in their desperate hearts their worms not dying/ nor their fire quenched/ the scorpions of the earth stynginge them also. 5 spitefully they blasphemed the omnipotent lord of heaven for very anguish and dolour of their sores and wounds. For non other are the fruits of a desperate conscience than blasphemies of God/ as in Cain/ judas/ and such other like. Non other are the utteraunces of an vnpenyten● heart/ but heavy hateful mormurynges. 6 And therefore it followeth/ that they repented them not of their deeds. For in a crucyate or fearfully vexed conscience can never dwell true repentance. So unquietouse always is the foolish desperate mind/ as is the troubled raging see. A wicked heart is laden with sorrows heaping sin upon sin/ the synagogue of proud hypocrites having no health. In the fift Seal opening & Trumpet blowing/ is more of this mystery declared/ which agreeth moche with this vial of God/ like as doth the other with the other in their numbers though not in their figurs. The Text. 1 And the sixth Angel poured out his vial. 2. upon the great river of Euphrates. 3. and the water dried up. 4 that the way of the kings. 5. of the East should be prepared. 6. And I saw three unclean sprites like frogs. 7. come out of the mouth of the Dragon. 8 and out of the mouth of the beast. 9 & out of the mouth of the false prophet. 10. for they are the sprites of devils. 11. working miracles to go out. 12. unto the kings of the earth/ and of the whole world. 13. to gather them to the battle. 14. of the great day of God almighty. 15. Behold I come as a thief. 16. happy is he that watcheth. 17. and keepeth his garments. 18. lest he be found naked. 19 and men see his filthiness. 20. And he gathered them together into a place. 21. called in the Hebrew tongue. Armagedon. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 In course now followeth the sixth angel of God's appointment/ under the ●ixt seal opening/ shedding out his Ireful vial upon the great river Euphra●es a flood of the Assyrianes or of Babylon/ betokening in mystery the plesa●nt possessions and wavering delights of the papistical clergy with such like. ● Into all filthy despres of carnal and worldly lusts gave the lord their har●s over in the sixth age of the christian church for their unbeliefs sake/ to do tho●e things which are uncomely and be●stlye. So that all their study/ travail/ ●nd labour/ sought to non other end/ ●ut only to habunde in them. Wholly●●ere they given thereunto/ and nothing to the glory of God in all their practised observations. 3 Yet were the waters thereof in process of time dried up. Their wealthy pon●pes/ possessions/ and pleasures (their fa●●se feats once known) are and shal● be clearly taken away from them. For after jesus Syrach/ the plant of sinn● shall be rooted out in the proud synagogue of the wicked. 4 And all this shall be to prepare the way of the kings/ from the spring of the sun. Never shall the governors walk in the ways of the lord/ nor rule according to Christ's doctrine nor yet that doctrine be apert and open till the waters be dried up/ not one dro●●pe remaining. So long as the Pre●●stes dwell in wanton delights and va●●ne pleasures/ either are the princes chyl●dyshe or else tyrannous/ according a● their needs requireth. 5 Never are they kings from the springe of the Sun/ or according to Chri●stes rule/ seeking God's honour wyt● David and josias. In England by th● Gospel preaching have many of th●se waters been dried up in the suppres●sion of monasteries/ prioryes/ couen●tes/ and fryres' houses/ yet are not a●● things brought unto Christ'S cler● institution. A sincere christian order can not yet be scene there. And a grea● cause why. For all is not yet dried up there. The bishops regne still in as much vain glorious pomp/ and with as many heythnyshe observations as ever they ded. As cruelly hearted and as bloody minded are they yet as ever they were afore/ no mischief unsought to hold in the waters. Mark how Wynchester/ Durham/ York/ London/ and Lyncolne worketh/ with such other pleasantly disposed Euphratynes. But be of good comfort and pray in the mean time. For the holy Ghost promiseth here they shall wydder away/ with all that the heavenly father hath not planted. All that generation will the lords breath● consume. Now is the axe laid to the root of the tree/ to hew down the unfruitful branches/ the wyddred reserved to unquenchable fire. God grant the princes at that day more christianly to bestow the waters of Euphrates than they have yet been bestowed/ no provision made for the poor/ nor yet order set for the gospel preaching. For great part of it is now turned to the upholding of dice playing/ masking/ and banqueting/ yea● I would I could not by just ocrasyons speak it bribing/ whoring/ and swearing/ the towns/ peoples/ and howseholdes miserably decayed/ which will not one day/ be unplagued/ unless they repent. 6 furthermore I saw (saith Saint johan) in the same self vision/ three unclean sprites/ one coming out of the dragon's mouth which signifieth Satan the devil/ an other out of the Beasts mouth betokening the universal Antichrist/ and the third out of the false prophets mouth compared afore to the two horned Beast. And all they seemed in manner as frogs/ both in their colours and fations. 7 idolatry was that ill spirit which first went out from the Serpent/ & hath continued ever since in the world under the colour of good works/ as pilgrimage/ devotion/ and labour. 8 error in abominable filthiness was the spirit which came from the beastly Antichrist defiling the whole christianity with innumerable superstitions under the colour of chaste living/ in priesthood/ sacrifices/ and ceremonies. 9 hypocrisy was the fowl spirit which yssewed fromthe false preachers/ poysoninge the catholic faith with false doctrine under the colour of religion/ pretending abstinence/ prayer/ and cleanness. These three wicked sprites are not all unlike to the wild fire/ smoke/ and brimstone/ which the terrible fierce horses evometed in the ix chapter of this present prophecy▪ For cursed/ false/ and unpure they are. Their doctrine is wickedness/ lies/ and devylishnesse/ and the execrable wisdom of the flesh. In manner of frogs are they here describe for their diversity of colours in ceremonies/ doctrines/ and sects/ for their filthy dwelling in the dirty traditions of men/ and for crookeling of their unknown psalmody and service/ dysquieting with their idle customs the consciences of the simple multitude. 10 These are the very sprites of devils/ the imps of Satan working such signs and miracles as would deceive the very chosen persons and bring them into error if it were so possible. But the lord evermore defendeth his. 11 A strong power have they by the working of Satan to show dying wonders and deceivable signs among them that shall perish for detesting the truth. 10 These shall by the permission of God be suffered to go at large/ they shall strongly delude the kings of the earth/ and blind the governors of the vny●ersall world/ making them drunken with the cup of all abominations. 13 And all this shall they do to gather them together by their wicked counsels/ and to bring them into one cruel consent of battayling against Christ and his members/ to receive the penalty thereof in the great day of the lord almighty. 14 Most busily they gather them to battle/ when they move them to persecute the just believers with full ungodly acts/ as now most of all in owrage/ which God hath promised in short space to revenge. Of this will more be spoken in the xix chapter following. Lest any man knowing the truth should tangle his own conscience with their spiritual sorceries for fear of princes laws/ under the vain hope of repentance in the end of their lives/ it followeth in plain sentence. 15 Behold (saith the lord jesus Christ) or earnestly take heed unto it/ for I come dangerously unlooked for/ as commonly doth the thief/ to thy hindrance if thou watch not in faith/ but live in superstition. Though this/ not without reasonable cause may be taken in a geveralte for the last judgement day/ yet is it here spoken partycularlye of every man's departing. As a premonyshment/ he giveth this here of love/ least any man should perish without warning. 16 Blessed is he (saith that Lord) which watcheth in the true christian believe/ and liveth not in the vain but in the sure hope of life/ sealed with the just promises of God. For all that he ●oth shall prosper/ and turn him to great advantage in the conclusion. 17 Happy is he also that holdeth fast unto him his garments/ or works of God's prescription (which are the fruits of the spirit) or that hath done on the Lord jesus Christ/ girding him sure unto himself by faith. 18 Lest he be found a naked hypocrite without faith/ verity/ justice/ charity/ with such like/ or least the righteous number at the latter day see his filthiness uncovered/ and rejoice at his condemnation. 19 He is blessed which at that day shall be covered with the white garment of the lamb/ not having his sins imputed unto him. 20 To show the certente of the aforesaid battle/ Saint johan saith tha● the devil gathered together those wicked newlers into a certain place called in the Hebr●●●onge Armagedon. The unclean sprites that afore are named three of ●heir diverse working in the Dragon/ Beast/ & false prophet are here brought into one/ as all of one dying spirit whom Christ calleth the father devil. This one dying spirit which hath been a murderer from the beginning/ comprehending in him all unclean sprites/ like as doth the Beast all Antichristes'/ hath combined together into ●n execrable zeal of fatherly traditions/ all vain glorious and ungodly minded governors against God and his Christ. And this hath not been without the secret permission of God/ willing to prove his elects by strong sufferings/ that they might receive at his hand the reward of strong victory/ or of his abundant riches. 21 This place here called in the Hebrew Armagedon betokeneth in mystery an hill of delectable fruits/ interpreted of some for the hill of the Gospel/ and is commonly taken of the hebrews for that is sweet or of value. And this without fail is the church/ which oft times in the scriptures is called the plenteous hill of God/ the hill of God's house/ the hill of myrrh/ the hill of olives/ the hill of Zion/ Carmelus/ and ●thanus with such other like. In this mount evermore are they bend to battle. There slay they the innocent lambs of Christ. All their power/ malice/ and tyranny/ is there extremely uttered at the Antichristes' labour and desire/ which are exceedingly drunken in the blood of holy martyrs/ which hath been shed upon earth from righteous Abel unto this day. But when the almighty setteth kings upon the earth/ it shall be clear even in the darkness/ that the hill of Basan is God's hill. The Text. 1 And the seventh angel poured out his vial. 2 into the air. 3. And there came a great voice out of heaven from the seat/ saying. 4. It is done. 5. And there followed voices/ thonderynges/ and lyghtenynge. 6. and there was a great earthquake. 7. such as was not sens men were upon earth. 8. so mighty an earthquake and so great. 9 And the great city was divided into three parts. 10. And the cities of the nations fell. 11. And great Babylon came in remembrance before God. 12. to give unto her the cup of wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 13. And every I'll fled away. 14. and the mountains were not found. 15. And there fell a great hail. 16. as it had been talentes. 17. out of heaven. 18. upon the men. 19 And the men blasphemed God/ because of the plague of the ●ayle. 20. for it was great/ and the plague thereof was sore. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 finally the seventh Angel went forth under the seventh seal opening as God had eternally determined/ throwing out the content of his vial into the air. For the seventh age of the christian church by the very set purpose of God/ are many converted to the truth/ and become with Paul the vessels of election/ that afore were with judas the vessels of wrath under the great adversary of God. Neither is it any blemish unto them to be called here that they were afore/ vyals' of wrath/ considering that Simon leprosus/ being ones healed of his leprosy was ever after called a leper. In case like/ Paul after his conversion was not ashamed to report himself both a pharisee and also the son of a pharisee. 2 These/ by the mighty determination of God's strong judgement/ are sent into the air. Most effectually are they lightened with the spirit of God/ and provoked stiflye to stand up against the aereal powers reigning in the fickle fantastical antichrists and hypocrites/ codemning by God's word their universal doctrines and devilishness. These powers are no less than devils/ whom Christ calleth fowls of the air/ Peter Turrian johan man's adversaries/ & saint Paul the governors of the es● darknesses in spiritual wickedness. 3 whiles these things are in doing/ out of heaven which is the universal congregation/ yea from the very throne of God which is the elect faithful number (for they are only the seat of God) came a voice of rejoicing/ saying after this sort. 4 It is done. All things are finished. Christ'S glory once manifestly known/ ●ke world is at an end. The wicked hath done all their myscheffes/ and the number of our brethren is fulfilled. Thus shall they preach a full deliverance of the captives/ and the peceable year of the lord. This is the silence of an half hour space mentioned afore in the eight chapter/ and the return of this world unto Chryst in the twelve Chapter. Not that there shall in those days be no enemies (for the remnant shall still remain) but that they shall not then openly dare rage/ persecute/ and kill/ the world being at so the a universal quiet. 5 Yet shall there happen in those days voices/ thonderynges/ and lyghtenynge. Voices of sweet blessings and delectable promises to the faithful congregation. Thonderynges of terror to the unfaithful multitude/ commanding things contrary to the flesh. And fearful lightenings of condemnation to the reprobate hypocrites and desperate obstinates. 9 And all from one word of the lord or one gospel preaching in diverse respects/ no small earthquake following upon the same. What commotions/ heavy complaints/ fearful tremblynges/ sorrows/ cries/ griefs/ sighings/ wailings/ grudgynge/ gruntynge/ gronynge/ weepings/ and hands wringing will be among the earthly minded Antichristes' and hypocrites/ bishops/ priests/ prelate's/ holy water mongers/ and parish clerks/ layers/ whores/ carvers/ painters/ and wax sellers/ when their whorish church shall be turned over by the judgement of the said word/ it is easy to conjecture. 7 such a one will this earthquake be (saith the text) so mighty and so strong/ as never was yet since men war upon the earth/ or sens that earthly generation first began. Than shall be clean taken away the carnal church of antichrist or the smeared synagogue of sha●elynges. Neither shall the Pope with his disguised rabble any more be scene here/ nor yet Mah●mete with his monstrous muster. 8 In such wise shall their laws/ secdes / and ceremonies be destroyed in those days/ that no man shall be found so bold as once to allow one of them openly. Than shall the glory of Christ's name shine the world over/ he making of his enemies/ his f●te stole. 9 More over in this terrible earthquake the great spiritual city called Sodom and Egypt/ or the holy whorish mother the church shall be dissevered into in parts/ of the which two shall still be wicked/ the third converted unto godliness. Two parts shall be dispersed (saith Zacharye) the third shall remain to the lord. Of them which have and shall go out of minsters and monasteries/ collegys' and covents/ churches and cloisters/ patryshes and nonneryes/ one sort shall inwardly be given to Antichristes' superstycyousnesse and hypocrisy. another sort upon diverse fleshly considerations/ shall faynedlye fall to the Gospel. The third sort only of love towards God and zeal of health in their neybers/ shall unfeignedly cleave to the Scriptures. Thus shall the ungodly sort be coupled still with the Godly in every land and province and be the moche greater number. Yet shall they for that time attempt nothing against them/ the truth so strongelye reigning. Nevertheless yet is it not to be thought that they shall then have nothing to suffer/ considering that it is a kingdom of sufferance. Christ to head of that congregation suffered oned incommodyte or other always/ so long as he was here living. It shall therefore behove them/ which are his mystical members/ always to suffer. For the servant is no better than his lord/ nor the soldier than his head captain. And to make his good/ the lord saith in Zacharye. The same third part will I lead through fire/ and purge it as silver or gold in the furnace. Than shall every godly creature follow Christ in bearing his cross. They shall mortify their fleshly members/ s●●ynge all fornication/ filthiness/ Idolatre/ covetousness/ pride/ anger/ and malice. They shall help/ suffer/ and forbear one an other/ having pitiful compassion upon the weak/ sick/ and needy. No duty dreaming a chrystyane shall they leave undone. 10 Therefore this great or general city thus divided/ all other particular or nacyonall cities must also fall. The blasphemous Pantheon of Rome once peryshinge/ all other churches of the unfaithful must needs follow soon after in their course. For the found acyon taken a way/ the building can not endure. So that from thence forth shall be no popish sects/ no superstitious ceremonies/ no heythnyshe observations/ nor open idolatry in all the world. But when the remnant of the wicked shall attempt a fresh to raise up again such abominations/ the lord shall suddenly without warning fall upon them with his most fearful and terrible last judgement. 11 Great Babylon the aforesaid mother of all whoredom and filthiness/ shall than come in remembrance before God. He shall than consider her abominable blasphemy/ her pride/ cruelty/ murder/ and sins without number/ wayenge them in right balance according unto justice. 12 He shall also reward her to drink/ the fierce cup of his wrath or wine of his great indignation/ which is the perpetual death of soul. The very dregs of his Ire shall she taste/ yea unspeakable sorrows and pains without end. For non other is it to come in remembrance before him at that day/ but to be condemned/ and receive punishment according to her deeds. 13 Than shall leverye isle (which is a place of refuge within the see) flee away and not tarry. The mountains that are wont to give succour unto them that be on the land/ shall not at that day be found. No comfort shall she than have nor sure help any where. 14 No remedy will be at that day to flee from the fearful face of the judge. Than will neither merits nor ye● soul Masses help/ neither blessings nor kneelings/ sacrifices nor sensynges/ wawlynges nor ryngynges/ bussinge nor singings/ but will she nill she/ needs must she abide his heavy and terrible sentence. 15 And there fell great hail (saith the text) as it had been weighty talentes. Always must it be remembered that commonly the time past is used in this prophecy for the time to come/ for the te●tente of the things here spoken. This hail is none other than the heavy tempest or plague of the said fearful and terrible judgements of the lord/ which shall on that woeful day fall suddenly ●s a thick hail upon the miserable multitude of them that boasted themselves to be the holy church/ and upon their wicked followers compared here unto Babylon. 16 This plague is here also for non other cause likened unto talentes/ bu●●●r that it is in weight and measure to be ministered unto them by the preordination of God. So moche pain and sorrow is due unto that whorish generation/ as she hath glorified herself in filthy delights/ and so many ponnyshmentes to be rewarded her. Yea/ double must she have according to her works. 17 Out of heaven shall this vehement hail fall/ from the fearful sentence of the lord jesus Christ/ which shall then sit as a judge in the mids of his faithful congregation/ they sitting with him as the body with the head in condemnation of the wicked. 18 And upon the men shall it light. For the great whore or the city called here Babylon/ is in this place to be taken for that it comprehendeth/ even for men/ in whom also are included women by the common usage of the Scriptures. 19 These men shall spitefully blaspheme God because of the hail/ plague/ or terror of their torments. They shall cry out of him/ wysshinge that he had no such power so to torment them. 20 For the tempest is great/ and the su●●feraunce thereof exceeding painful. As the lord is mighty/ so are his iudge●mentes when they fall. Vehement/ fierce and strong is the lord (saith Isaiah) 〈◊〉 is the tempest of hail breaking ou● 〈◊〉 every side/ and bearing down strong holds. The xvij Chapter. OFt hath occasions be given me in this book to speak of great Babylon/ and of the execrable Beast/ but here is place offered to describe them more at large. The Text. 1 And there came one of the seven Angels/ which had the seven vials. 2. and talked with me. 3. saying unto me. 4. Come. I will show the. the judgement. 5. of the great whore. 6. that sitteth upon many waters. 7. with whom the kings of the earth have committed whoredom. 8. and the inhabiters of the earth are drunken with the wine of her fornication. 9 And he carried me away. 10. into the wilderness in the spirit. ¶ The Paraphrase 1 After this came (saith Saint johan) one of the vij Angels or unuaryable decrees of the lords eternal judgements/ which had the vij vyals of his wrath as afore hath been declared. 2 And this Angel or set purpose of God/ as an heavenly massinger talked with me in mystery. 3 Of favourable goodness in secret manner he assertayned me thereby of this wonderful judgement here following/ to be fulfilled at the latter end of the world. And thus it said unto me. 4. Come hither friend johan/ I will show the in secretness the terrible judgement of the great whore or counterfeit church of Hypocrites/ as God hath appointed it. Needs must this whore b● Rome/ for that which is here after spoken/ that she is the great city which re●neth over the kings of the earth. Evident it is both by the scriptures and chronicles/ that in johans' days Rome had her dominion over all the whole world. And being infected with the abominations of all lands/ rightly is she called Babylon or city of confusion/ not only in this revelation but also in the first Epistle of Peter. And like as in the scriptures oft times under the name of jerusalem is meant the whole kingdom of juda/ so under the name of Rome here may be understanded the universal world with all their abominations and devylyshenesses/ their Idolatries/ withchecraftes/ sects/ superstitions/ papacyes/ presthodes relygyons'/ shavings/ anoynting/ blessings/ sensing/ processions/ and the devil and all of such beggary's. For all peoples sens Christ's ascension hath this Rome infected with her pestilent poisons gathered from all Idolatrouse nations such time as she held over them the monarchyall suppremyte. And like as Babylon had the israelites captive under a bodily tribute/ so hath this Rome had the Christianes' both in their bodies and souls. At the writing of this Prophe●ye felt johan of their cruelty being exiled into Pathmos an isle of Lycya for the faithful testimony of jesu. And so did I poor creature with my poor wife and children at the gathering of this. present Commentarye/ fleeing into germany for the same. 5 No marvel though she be here called a great whore. For no where were ever yet scene so many Idolle wurshyppynges so many vain observations so many superslycyouse sects/ so many errors in hypocrisy/ so many false Prophets/ and so many prodigious kinds of filthiness/ no/ not in Sodom it self nor yet in miserable Egypt. 6 This Babylonyshe whore or disguised synagogue of shorelynges/ sitteth upon many waters or peoples that are fantastical/ fickle or foolish. For non are in conscience subject unto her/ that are constantly grounded in the sure doctrine of faith. Only alloweth her traditions the wavering witted multitude/ the sliper and unstedefast number/ obeying them in their hearts of fear and not of love/ so throwing themselves into a most confuse Chaos or vault, of doubtful do●rage. 7 With this stinking strompett have the mighty potentates of the universal earth/ the emperor's/ Kings/ Prince's/ and other notable governors committed most shameful whoredom in the spirit by many strange worship pynges/ agreeing among themselves to her wickedly decreed laws and customs. To long should we stand here in this place/ if we should describe them all severally in their colours at large as they be. 8 Through the crafty legardemayne of the priests on the one side/ and the cruel constitutions of Princes on the other side/ the dwellers of the earth or worldly minded multitude are drunken with the wine of her fornication spiritual/ or practised worshypyynges besides the prescript rules of God's word. Not only they which have been covetous/ carnal/ lewd/ and wretched hath followed their abominations/ but also an innumerable sort of the elect number hath believed their lies and errors. Yea/ they have been so dazed with their dottages/ and so tangled with their customs/ that as men losing their wits without all godly remembrance/ reason/ wisdom/ discretion/ understanding/ judgement/ and grace/ the laws of God laid a part/ the commandments neglected and the scriptures despised/ they have no● only kneeled/ crossed/ kissed/ set up lights/ and holden up their hands before rotten posts/ but also called them thei● fathers in heaven. Yea (I axe God mercy a thousand times) I have been one o● them myself. And this is to this day ● principal religion of that whorish chu●●che/ called devowte pilgrimage or ho●lye stations of prayer/ many great pa●●dons granted and many false promy●ses made to allure the people thervnto● 9 But blessed be the lord/ whose wo●●de in this age both admonished many as the Angel dead johan/ and brought them also clean from her abhominacy●ons/ into a secret consideration of th● spirit/ unknown to the world/ ther● both to see her pride and also to vnder●stande her judgement. For it followeth i● the text/ that the angel conveyed johan away into the wilderness in the spret●● 10 In mystery here the holy ghost d●●clared afore what the lord should work● in men having his grace/ at the latte● days of the world. Into the wylderne●●se flee they with David/ which leauy●●ge the customed ways of men/ after the course of the scriptures seek up thei● lord God in faith/ worshipping him only in spirit and in verity. The Text. And I saw a woman sit upon. 2. a rose coloured Beast. 3. full of names of blasphemy. 4. which had seven heads and ten horns. 5. And the woman was ●rayed. 6. in purple and rose colour. 7. and decked with gold/ precious stone/ and pearls. 8. and had a cup of gold in her hand. 9 full of abominations. 10. and filthiness of her whoredom. 11. And in her fore head was a name written. 12. A mystery. 13. Great Babylon the mother of whoredom and abominations of the earth. 14. And I saw the wife drunken with the blood of Saints/ and with the blood of the witnesses of jesu. 15. And when I saw her. 16. I wondered with great marvel. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And I saw/ saith Saint johan/ in mystery a woman (for an whore at the first blush seemeth only a woman) syeting upon a rose coloured Beast. This Beast is the great Antichrist that was spoken of afore/ or the beastly body of the devil/ comprehending in him Pope's/ patriarchs/ Cardynalles/ legates/ bishops/ Doctors/ abbots/ priors/ priests and Pardoners/ Monks/ canons/ Fryres/ nuns/ and so forth. Temporal governors also/ as emperor's/ Kings/ Prince's/ Dukes/ earls/ lords/ justices/ deputies/ judges/ layers/ mayor's/ balyves/ constables/ and so forth/ leaving their own dewtyed offices as to minister rightly/ to serve their abominations. 2 All rose coloured is this Beast/ in token of tyrannous murder and blood shedding over those that will not agree to their devilishness. 3 Full of blasphemous names is this Beast also/ as your holiness/ your grace/ your lordship/ your fatherhood/ your mastership/ your reverence/ honour/ highness/ worship/ magnificence/ goodness / God's vicar/ spiritual sir/ ghostly father/ phesycyan of souls/ defender of faith/ head of the holy church/ and so forth/ besides the names of their propyrtees/ feats/ and pagentes/ as procession/ byshopping/ aneling/ purgatory/ pilgrimage/ pardon/ Mass/ matins/ evensong/ placebo/ candelmasse day/ palm sondaye/ ash wedynsdaye/ holy rood day/ Saint Thomas day/ and so forth. 4 This Beast had vij heads and ten horns/ signifying his universal crafts and suggestions to destroy the graces and gifts of the holy ghost/ and also his falsely borrowed primacyes and tyrannous authorities to withstand the commandements of God. 5 Upon this Beast sitteth a woman. For what else advanceth or beareth out this malignant muster▪ in their copes/ crosses/ oils/ miters/ robes/ rellyckes/ ceremonies/ vygyls/ holy days/ blessings/ sensings/ and folynges/ but a wanton foolish and fantastical religion/ a vain glorious pomp/ and a shining pretence of holiness in superstition calling it their holy church? She is said here to sit upon this bloody Beast/ as to be stayed/ quieted/ and settled by them. Mark what labours and pains that crafty and wily Winchester taketh with Bonner To●stall and other of his faction/ as her own sworn mouldy our to hold up this glorious whore in her old estate of ●omyshe religion. Oh/ he grunteth and groveth/ he sweteth and swelleth/ he fretteth and belleth/ he bloweth and panteth/ he calke●●s and ●anteth/ he stirreth and never ceaseth/ to bring his matters to pass. 6 In token that this hypocritical church standeth in the murder of innocentes/ this woman is here gorgyouslye apparelled in purple/ as guilty of their deaths which hath been slain/ and also in fresh scarlet as evermore fresh and rydye to continue in the same blood shedding. For if such terrible slaughter were not/ the true Christian faith should increase/ to the great dymynyshment of her glory. 7 She is in like case floryhshynglye decked with gold/ precious stone/ and pearls/ not only in her manifold kinds of ornaments/ as in her copes/ corporasses/ chesybles/ tunicles/ stools/ fannoms and miters/ but also in mystery of counterfeit godliness. Many outward brags maketh this painted church of Christ/ of his gospel/ and of his Apostles/ signified by the gold/ precious stone/ and pearls/ which is but a glittering colour. For nothing mindeth she less than to follow them in conversation of living. 8 More over ●n her hand which is he exteryoure ministration/ she hath a golden cup/ full of abominations and filthiness of her execrable whoredom. This cup is the false religion that she daily ministereth/ besides the chalice whom her merchants most dampnablye abuseth. And it containeth all doctrine of devils/ all beastly errors and lies/ all deceitful power/ all glittering works of Hypocrites/ all crafty wisdom of the flesh/ and subtile practises of man's wit/ besides philosophy/ logyck/ rhetoryck/ and sophistry. Yea/ all prodygiouse kinds of idolatry/ fornication/ sodometry/ and wickedness. outwardly it seemeth gold/ pretending the glory of God/ the holy name of Christ/ the sacred scriptures of the Bible/ perpetual virginity of life/ and all are but counterfeit colours and shadows of hypocrisy in the outward letter and name. 9 Full of abominations is the drink of the execrable faith of that romish religion received of other/ and full of filthiness also. For both retaineth the people thereof innumerable kinds of Idol worshippinges under the title of God's service/ and also their shauelyn●ges of prodigious beastliness in lech●●rouse living under the colour of cha●●tyte. Here were moche to be spoken o● Saint Germans evil/ Saint Sith key/ Saint D●c●mbers oars/ maste● johan shorns boat/ Saint Gertrude rats/ Saint job for the pox/ Sayn● Fyacre for the ague/ Saint Apolyne fo● tothe●ake/ saint Gracyane for lost thrift Saint walstone for good harvest/ sayn● Cornelis for the fowl evil/ and all o●ther Saints else almost. 10 Of the buggery boys also amon●ge prelate's and priests/ ghostly father and religious/ might moche be said h●●re/ were it not for infecting men's e●●es/ ears & understandings. For all th●se noyful nocumentes are the holy fr●●res of the whoredom of that holy●whoryshe church. 11 In the forehead of this glyttering whore/ which is her outward shew● is written a name/ expressly decla●rynge what she is. By her ungodly fr●●res is she known to the elect seruan●tes of God/ having the light of th● Scripture▪ In their consciences aperet● she non other than a postyferouse whore/ by the judgements of the same. 12 Averye misserye is this show to th● infidels/ an hidden secret/ a unknown wonder. For they are so blinded with her foppryes and tangled with her toys/ that they judge all that she doth/ holy/ religious/ and perfygh●. And all this suffereth God for their unbeliefs sake/ destroying nevertheless the wisdom of the wise and prudence of the prudent in his. 13 Her very name agreeing to her fruits/ is this. Great Babylon/ in myschete far above the city of the Cha●deanes/ and moche more full of confusion. For she is the original mother/ the cause/ the beginning/ the rote/ the spring/ and the fountain of all spiritual fornyca●yōs/ and in a manner of all fleshly abominations also done upon the earth. This is to the faithful sort/ as a written name of her/ evident/ clear open and manifest. But to the unfaithful it is only as a mystery/ hidden/ dark/ obscure/ and neglect. For so are the secrets that God openeth to babes/ and hideth from the wise. 14 And I (saith Saint johan) perceived it evidently in mi fore understanding/ that this woman the very wise of the devil and of his beastly body (for the bishops are the husbands of their romish churches) was all drunken in the bloody slaughter of the Saints/ or earnest Christian believers/ & in the exceeding tyrannous murder of th● faithful witnesses of jesus or syncere● preachers of his word. For neither o● both she spareth. Besides all Godly wisdom is she/ and forgetful of herself/ through this same bloody dronke●●nesse/ so great excess hath she taken. 15 And when I perceived and saw her with all her adders whelps so beas●●ty she (saith Saint johan) with exceeding wonder I marveled. Not only tha● she was thus oversett with blood drin●kinge or outrageous murdering o● innocentes/ but also of her exceeding great abominations. 16 And most of all I wondered that the almighty God could with so moche pa●cyence suffer her in such mischief. The Text. 1 And the Angel said unto me. 2. wherefore meruaylest thou: 3. I will show thee/ the mystery of the woman/ and of the Beast that beareth her/ which hath seven heads and ten horns. 4. The beast that thou see it/ was. 5. and is not. 6. and shall ascend out of the bottomless ●ytte. 7 and shall go into perdi●yon. 8. And they that dwell on ●he earth shall wondre. 9 whose names are not written in the book of life from the beginning of the world). 10. when they behold the Beast ●hat was/ and is not. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And as I was thus with my sel●●aruelynge/ the Angel or afore named secre of the Lord said unto me these words. ● Wherefore dost thou thus marvel/ thou mortal man? For thy gentle and meek expectacy●n I shall show unto thee/ the mystery of this wretched woman/ and of the cruel Beast that beareth her/ which hath ●ij. heads and ten horns. By this shal●●hu know the true church from the ●alse/ the just preachers from the hypocrites/ the sincere doctrine from their subtile sophysmes/ and their lawful anchorite from their cruelly usurped presumptions. For that showeth the lord unto his elects/ that he will not have known of all men. 4 The execrable Beast or carnal kingdom of Antichrist which thou hast see a●ne here in mystery/ was as concerning his beginning in Cain first of all/ and so continued forth in the fleshly children of men/ in the chaplains of Pharaoh/ Hiero●oam/ Baal/ and Bel/ in the cruel bishops/ priests/ and layers with such other like till the death of Chryst and so forth. 5 And now the said Beast is not in power and auc●oryte as he hath been. For in johans' time/ certain years before the writing of this revelation/ was the proud clergy of the jews utterly destroyed by Titus and Despasiane/ in the terrible siege of Jerusalem. Not with●standinge/ yet shall this beast rise again in the romish pope and Mahomete/ and in their false prelate's & doctors. 6 He shall ascend out of the bottomless pit from the stinking den of Satan/ exalting himself in worship above all that is called God. But in the conclusion he shall have an end. 7 Into perdition shall he go without fail. The Lord shall first utter his wickedness (as now in this age) and than with the spirit of his mouth consume him and destroy him. So that his high climbing up/ shall at the last be the chief cause of his fall. Yet shall his wicked remnant ones again set up their Christ's/ and persecute a fresh/ but that shall ●●e no full raise unto him. 8 And the rabble of reprobates which dwell on the earth/ or for earthly commodities condemneth Gods truth/ shall wonder ones again not without moche inward rejoice/ that their church riseth again out of the old hypocresyes. 9 Whose names are not registered in Christ which is the large book of life/ and hath been both the life and the lyghe of men since the first constitution of the movable world. No/ they are not numbered among those righteous that shall regne with him in glory. 10 These adversaries of God and his word shall have moche gladness in their wicked hearts/ when they behold the Beast thus coming up again that was of such magnificence and now is but a thing of nowght/ that was esteemed above God/ and now is proved damnation. So long is this beastly antichrist/ as he worketh the mystery of iniquity in the reprobate vessel●/ and when he leaveth that working than is he no longer. Mark in this process past the nature of God's eternal decree for this age of his church. First it showeth and than it condemneth the cursed synagogue of the devil. In signification whereof the true preachers of our time hath many fest opened her wickedness unto all the world/ whereupon her utter destruction must shortly follow. Watch good Christian reader/ and pray earnestly. The Text. 1 And here is a mind that hath wisdom. 2. The seven heads are vij mountains. 3 whereon the woman sitteth. 4. They are also seven kings. 5. five are fallen. 6. and one is. 7. and the other is not come. 8. When he cometh/ he must continue a space. 9 And the Beast that was and is not/ is even the eight. 10. and is one of the seven. 11. and shall go into destruction. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 Here is a meaning which comprehendeth wisdom. A sincere understauding shall herein be requisite. Necessary it is therefore to take heed/ least thou hold the harlot and Beast for that they boast themselves to be/ to thy damnation. 2 The vij heads of the Beast aforemencyoned/ by the plain definition of the holy ghost are here to be taken for seven. mountains/ or the universal princely monarchies of the vij climates of the world. 3 Upon these the woman/ that Babylonyshe harlot Rome (from whom hath yssewed all spiritual whoredom) in most proud manner sitteth/ having over them a universal dominion. For in johans' time/ to Rome was all the world subject. Under whose cruel regne was Christ done to death/ so hath his faithful members been ener since by a new raysen kingdom in the same. 4 These heads are also vij kings or goveunours of the aforesaid monorchyes seduced by all kinds of crafty errors and devilish suggestions of that Beast. So that y●y● mark well this place/ the head with the tail and the cause with his effect/ in these present significations shall no prejudice be found to that hath been said in the other/ though they seem very diverse. For both the governors and also the lands/ or the peoples subject unto them have universally been blinded by their wily toytchecraftes. And so have the worldly porentates with the spiritual antichrists agreed/ that both they have usurped one malygnaunt meddling over the souls of men to corrupt their faith/ the princes applying their powers unto the same. And that causeth the holy Ghost here to call them the beasts heads under the title of mountains and kings. For under their princely authorities hath all their mischiefs been fulfilled to uphold this whore against Christ and his word. 5 five of these heads are fallen from the universal monarchy of Rome. All the dominions of Africa and Asia hath renounced the obedience of her empire. Only cleaveth Europa unto her/ which is the least of the three/ and yet not all thereof. When the papacy grew/ the whole empire of the Greeks called Constantynople/ fell clean from the la●nes/ and became with other diverse monarchies/ the possession of Mahomates sect/ or of the Agarenes and Turks. Of the other empires may a like conjecture be had. Thus have they declined from her/ not so going forth nor yet rising up unto Christ/ for only is it said here/ that they were fallen. 6 And one head is (saith the text) at this present time remaining/ the other head is not come as yet/ but will come her after. This head remaining is the sixth/ and it is that feeble empire that Rome now holdeth/ and have holden since johans' time. The power of this empire is ruynouslye demynyshed/ and the notable fame thereof decayed betwixt the popish prelate's and the French men/ a great part of the lands becoming Saint Peter's patrimony. To make it a fit head of the Beast to the upholding of this whorish church (the authority thereof maintaining her laws) Gregory the fift Pope committed the emperors choosing unto vi princes of germany three of them being archbishops. He appointed also the king of Bohem for the seventh/ than being tributary unto him and his own feed man as an odd persons to way upon their sides/ if need/ place/ and time should require it. provided always that he should take his oath and receive his crown imperial at Rome. So that now although it still be the same in title that it was in johans' days/ yet is it so diverse from it through dimynishment of power/ and so unlike in outward magnificence/ as it never had been the same. 7 The seventh head that is not yet come/ is the papistical kingdom of our romish spiritualty. For thereof appeared nothing in johans' time/ nor yet more than .v. hundreth years after it. The bishops of Rome (as they call them) from Peter to Sylvester/ were very poor souls/ simple creatures/ and men not regarded but despised of the world. They were no new law makers for the more part/ but rather they gave their whole diligence to see those laws observed/ whom the holy ghost had made to their hands. Neither were they any Mass sayers/ soul syngers/ or procession goers/ but as was Saint Paul with the other Apostles/ simple preachers only/ and for their sincere preaching/ they suffered the death of their bodies. But after the Donation of Constantyne and other plenteous almesses committed unto their hands for the succour of the poor/ they became all confessors/ and took them to their ease at home. Than was labour very tedious unto them/ preaching very troblouse and painful. Than stodyed they all to please the powers/ peceablye to hold still their pleasant possessions/ and by spiritual policies to increase them more and more/ the poor in a manner forgotten. Then came in that holy ceremony and that/ with latin hours/ serving of Saints/ and praying for the dead/ to provoke men to offer to Corban. Thus crept they up in hypocrisy day by day/ till such time as johan of Constantinople contended with Gregory of Rome for the supremyte. In the which contention though Gregory laid for himself Saint Peter'S keys with many other sore arguments and reasons/ yet was he commanded by Mauricius the Emperor after the general Synod/ to obey the said johan/ as the universal head bishop of the whole world. Than were these holy fathers compelled to tarry a leisure/ and under crafty colours to wait their pray. In process of time when Phocas was Emperor/ Bonifacius the third a man of a wily practise/ perceiving him much given to bain glory and covetousness/ greatly also to disallow the acts of Mauricius his predecessor/ through flattery and meed obtained of him that the church of Rome should be holden from thence forth for the head church of the world/ and he for the head bishop. When this was once gotten/ than rose they up so high/ that the Emperor became their fore stole/ and all other christian princes their waiting ●laues/ to ride and run/ make and mar/ strive and fight/ slay and kill/ at their commandment and pleasure. Thus became the romish Pope the seventh king/ that was in johans' time yet to come. If thou mark in the crovycles good reader/ thou shalt find that Phocas the first Pope maker slew his master the Emperor Mauricius/ signifying in my sterye the said Pope making to be an utter destruction to the empire. The Pope's name was also at that time Bonifacius/ which is as much to say as bona facies/ a good face. Which betokened that this new raised kingdom should show a fair face evermore/ or a shining pretence of holiness/ what mischief so ever it wrought either against God or man in abominable superstition. 8 And when this seventh king cometh (saith the text) he must continue a space/ or abide a little season. He must have a time by the permission of God/ strongelye to delude the unbelievers/ which will neither see nor hear/ read nor yet thankfully receive his word of salvation/ so gratyouslye offered them. So corrupt are the fleshly affects of men/ that much more prone they are to lies and superstitions/ than to the verity of the lord/ which is to be lamented. Chryst came first in the name of his heavenly father/ but him will they not receive. The Pope cometh in his own wicked name/ and to him run they by heaps. Whose continuance here hath been but a time. For yet is it not a thousand years sens the papacy first began under Phocas/ which is but as a day before God/ and that day will he shorten by his own promise for his elects sake/ which to remember is their great comfort. And a great cause why. For soon after that shall they be fully restored in to the perfect number of the children of God. 9 And the execrable beast (saith the text) that of late days was in authority over all the world/ yea/ sitting above God in the consciences of men/ and now is become of no reputation among men (God opening his myscheffes) is even the eight in number. And yet never the less is one of the vij heads. For both is he the beastly body itself comprehending in him the universal abominations of all the earthly kyngedomes'/ and in that point diverse from the seven heads/ and so the eight in number. 10 And also he is one of the vij heads and the seventh in number/ in usurping this proud worldly kingdom thus after a vain temporal sort. Over & besides all this/ may he also be called the eight in the cursed remnant which after the peceable silence of christian liberty (Satan loosoned) shall most cruelly persecute Christ'S congregation a fresh/ as in the twenty chapter here following will apere. 11 This Beast with his carriage/ the Antichrist with his church/ or Satan with his synagogue/ shall not only go in to destruction here by the mighty breath of God's mouth/ or the true preaching of his gospel/ but also into damnation everlasting in the end of the world with the devil & his angels. The Text. 1 And the ten horns which thou sawest/ are ten kings. 2. which have not yet received the kingdom. 3. but shall receive power. 4. as kings. 5. at one hour with the Beast. 6. These have one mind. 7 and shall give their power & strength unto the Beast. 8. These shall fight with the lamb. 9 and the lamb shall overcome them. 10. For he is lord of all lords. 11. and king of all kings. 12. And they that are on his side. 13. are called/ and chosen/ and faithful. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And the ten horns) saith the Angel unto johan) which thou sawest hear upon the heads of this rose coloured Beast/ be in signification ten kings. Some hath taken these ten kings for all those emperors of the larynes sens Charle main/ which have sworn them selves obedient to the Bishop of Rome. Some have thought them to be those princes which here in Europa have afore time been subject to the Empire of Rome. As the kings of England/ France/ Spain/ Portyugale/ Castele/ Denmark/ scotland/ Dngarye/ Goheme/ and Napels. But these considre not that they be yet more in number/ as Aragone/ Nauerre/ Cycyle/ Cypress/ Sardyne/ Swethen/ Pole/ and such other/ and are all included in the seven heads as members of the afore rehearsed empires. Neither mark they that they are above the heads as horns/ and more in number than the heads/ betokening a rigorous authority and fierce power/ which they proudly usurp over them every where. Afore they were but suggestions/ but here are they earnest doers. For in every region hath the beastly Antichrist of Rome his Metropolytanes and primates. As in England are Caunterberye and York/ in France/ Thuronensis and Remensis/ in Spain Tholetanus and Te●raconēsis/ in Portugal Hispalensis and Bracarensis/ in Ireland Armachanus and Dublimensis/ in Dennemarke Lundensis and Opsalensis/ in germany Colon●ensis and Maguntinus/ in Hungarye Serigon●ensis and Colocensis/ in Italy Pisanus and Ravennas/ in Sycyle Panormitanus and Messanensis/ with an infinite number of bishops/ prelate's/ priests/ and religious/ besides the fighting orders of the Rhodes/ the Prussyanes'/ the redeemers of captives/ the Aragondes/ the Beorgyanes' called de alga/ the Monteseanes/ the Castylyanes'/ the Lusitaneanes/ the Calatraneanes/ and Saint james warryours. 2 These had not yet at that time received the devilish kingdom of pestilent usurpation over the souls of men. For though in johans' days arose certain Antichristes'/ as Hebion/ Cerinthus/ Diotrephes/ Carpocras/ and so the like/ yet were they nothing to these. 3 But now in deed they have received the same self authority and power with the Beast/ that he took afore of the Dragon/ in manner of kings to rule in the hearts and consciences of men to his behove. 4 For so moche as their authority is not of God like as is the authority of kings/ it is said here as kings/ or as men counterfeating them/ in usurping a governance not freely given them of God/ but of the devil. 5 All at one hour received they this authority with the Beast. And that (I suppose) was in the general counsel of Laterane at Rome/ gathered under the title to recover Jerusalem again. Where as confession in the ear was cruelly extorted of Christian people under pain of death and damnation by the whole consent both of the princes/ and bishops/ at the former suggestion of innocent the third/ besides other wicked things. As to hear latin service/ to go procession on Sundays/ to pray unto dead Saints/ to worship Images/ to buy Masses for the dead/ to fast the fridays/ with purgatory/ pardons/ merits/ and fryres' orders. In the said counsel became the Metropolytanes as kings/ 〈◊〉 by the authority thereof appointed they that 〈◊〉. Balyves/ and other 〈◊〉/ as bishops Curates/ and Parische priests to have cure and charge of so idle/ and in the said ear confession to receive their accounts. 6 These counterfeit kings are all of one devilish mind/ practise/ and purpose against God and his▪ verity. 7 And fully they are fixed to give their whole power/ their study/ and their strength unto the behove of the Beast▪ Not according to God's mind will they rule/ but all after his will & pleasure/ agreeing always unto him as members to their head/ to serve wickedness after wickedness in Babylon. His popish decrees will they seek/ his devilish decretals will they follow/ his ceremonials will they observe/ & nothing of the sacred scriptures. What learning so ever they have/ what gifts of nature/ fortune/ or grace/ all must be to the maintenance of his fantastical fopperyes. To him are they sworn to do him homage/ to obey his laws/ to kiss his feet/ & for his glories sake to persceut● the Gospel. 10 And in so doing they shall fight with the lamb/ which is jesus Christ. They shall impugn his truth when they think to do him service. For that myschese they do to one of his/ they do to his own person. 9 But be they never so dogged/ yet shall the lamb overcome them in his faithful members/ yea/ by patient sufferance only. The victory (saith Sayn● johan) which overcometh the world/ is a sure Christian faith. Upon their side fighteth he which is most mighty and strong/ yea the lord that is valeaune in battle. And he shall first overcome them in this life with the mighty breath of his mouth/ scattering them away as dust from the earth. And after this shall his terrible judgement for ever condemn them. 10 For he is by the authority given him of his father/ the lord of all lords and by his own eternal godhead the King of all kings/ having all power in heaven and in earth. He is constyt●●te judge of the quick and the dead/ having alone the everlasting Empire with his father and the holy ghost/ and of his kingdom shall never be an end▪ 11 By his permission doth all kings regne/ he hath their hearts in his hand and judgeth their thoughts. Both may he give them his spirit/ and also take it from them/ and of his enemies he shall make his forestole. He is the same sto●ne after Danyell that without any ha●●des was cut out of the mount/ which breaketh the Iron/ the copper/ the earth/ the silver/ and the gold in pieces. By whom are meant the universal kyngedomes of this world. 12 Of this his victory are all they pa●●tyners with him/ which are upon his sy●de by faith. Most specially those tru● servants of his/ which after they ar● called by grace and chosen by faith/ persever still constant/ fervent/ fayth●full/ and sure in his verity to the latte● end of their lives. 13 Not only the lamb therefore shall o●uercome the Beast/ but they also after the doctrine of Paul that are called and chosen in him/ not falling from his tranche for any temptation or grief/ but stā●dinge fast by it unto the very death. For those that the lord hath prefixed afore/ he hath called/ justified/ and allowed. These advanceth not themselves with the proud/ but meekly they submit their crowns/ referring all victory to the lamb/ as men that could have done nothing in that behalf with out him. The Text. 1 And he said unto me. 2. The waters which thou saw it/ where the whore sitteth. 3. are people/ & folk/ and nations/ and tongues. 4. Ad the ten horns/ which thou sawest upon the beast. 5. are they which shall hate the whore 6. and shall make her desolate/ & naked. 7. and shall eat her flesh 8. and burn her with fire 9 For God hath put in their hearts/ to fulfil his will. 10. and to do w●th one consent. 11. for to give her kingdom unto the beast 12. until the words of God be fulfilled. 13. And the woman which thou sawest/ is the great city. 14. which reigneth over the Kings of the earth. ¶ The Paraphrase. 1 And after this long communication (saith saint johan) the aforesaid Angel said thus unto me/ to make up his tale with. 2 The wavering waters which thou sawest here now of late in mystery/ where as the Babylonyshe whore sitteth upon the rose coloured Beast/ be in signification all manner of peoples of the carnal nations/ and the supersticious folk of many sundry tongues. 3 Not only in one place of the world rewleth this wanton religion of Antichrist/ but in every land/ in every dominion/ in every company/ among all occupations and languages. The foolish multitude every where/ being blinded by their subtile sorceries/ & neither having faith nor yet the fear of God before their eyes/ as a raging flood (the banks broken down) ●o●●eth headlings into all blasphemy and devilishness. 4 More over the afore named ten horns (saith the Angel) which thou by the will of God beholdest here in spirit/ upon the said Beast of destruction/ are those very persons which also shall hate the whore. Her abominations once known by the gospel preaching/ they shall abhor her laws/ despise her authority/ and contemn her customs. They shall defeat her of those lands and possessions which now she unjustly holds. 5 They that afore were her friends shall then be her mortal enemies/ denying her both tribute/ obedience/ and service/ so leaving her without all co●fort. Not only are these the temporal governors/ as the king of England/ the king of Denmark/ the Duke of saron/ the Landgrave of hesse/ and other Princes of germany/ with such other as will here after follow the same principles/ but also the Metropolytanes and bishops/ the Doctors and Prelates. As are all ready Thomas Crammere the arch Bishop of canterbury/ Hermannus de weda the archbishop of Coleyne/ Godryck the Bishop of Holy/ Barlowe the Bishop of Saint David's/ Bird the Bishop of Chestre/ Thu●●leby bishop of Westmynstre/ 〈◊〉 tymer and Nicolas Sharton of late years' bishops of Worcester and salisbury/ with such other like as will here after follow their trade. Though they were afore the horns of the Beast for defence of the whore/ yet are they now fallen from him/ and more shall every day to make her desolate of honour and naked of rents and possessions. 6 So shall they chase that Babylonyshe harlot Rome with their preachers/ that neither shall they leave her colour nor yet beauty. Considre what johan Reuclin/ Martyne Luther/ Erasmus/ Occolampadius/ ●winglius/ Pomeran/ Buter/ Capito/ Melanchton/ Grineus/ Calninus/ Brencyus/ Frances Lambert/ Bullinger/ and such other hath done against her already. Like wise here in England/ Bylneye/ Cyndale/ Frith/ Barnes/ Cromwell/ Coverdale/ Turner/ George joy/ Rose/ Rydleye/ Warde/ Becon/ and other else/ leaving her neither Rellyques nor Rhodes/ Sects nor Shrines/ Abbeys nor priories/ many more coming after them of the same sort. These shall make her so desolate that no man shall in process of time regard her. They shall leave her so naked/ that all the world shall abhor her that shall lo●● upon her. Yea/ in the conclusion they 〈…〉 her flesh. 7 Besides the taking away of her carnal profyghtes and pleasures/ they shall confound her fl●shelye understanding of the scriptures/ and utterly consume the superfluous observations of her whorish ceremonies. 8 finally with fire shall they burn her/ in bringing unto nought all her abominable rewles'/ customs/ & kinds of idolatry. All these ones plucked away by the evident word of God/ no longar shall this harlot apere. For no longer continueth the whore/ than the who redome is in price. Take away the rites and Ceremonies/ the jewels and ornaments/ the Images and lights/ the lordships and fatherhodes/ the altars and Masses/ with the bishops and priests/ and what is their holy whorish church any more? Not only is this flesh eating and burning declared now adays in outward experiments/ as in the rebellious Monks and priests of England/ and in them that arose there in the north/ specially in friar forest and Margare●● Chenye/ which were for their church consumed/ like as were Baal's chaplains at the broke of Cyson by Helyas/ but also misticallye in that is spoken of here afore. 9 For God hath (saith the Angel) all blindness secluded/ put it into the hearts of those and such other Godly men by the infusion of his spirit/ to fulfil his decreed will so pleasure in this behalf/ as utterly to destroy the popish religion or filthy abominations of Antichrist. 10 He hath given it them more over to do these things to his glory/ through the agreement of faith that they have in the unity of his Godly truth/ to the abolishment of all Sects/ false prophets/ and conjurers of Egypte. 11 finally by his grace he hath moved them/ through knowledge of his word to render up her blasphemous kingdom (whom sometime of ignorance they usurped) unto the malignant Beast again/ as the horns of his pestilent heads. After this sort ded good Latimer and Shaxton give over their Bysshop-ryckes/ and so hath diverse other Godly men their promotions and livings/ as many more yet here after will do. 12 For as they have begun so shall they continue in demynyshing the abominations of this whorish church/ till the words and promises of God by his Apostles and Prophets/ which can never fail/ be wholly fulfilled in effect/ and till his last judgement do finish all. But thus do not all they which have done of the yoke of the Pope's obedience or blotted out his name. For the greater number of them retaineth still the blasphemous observations and Ceremonies of his romish religion/ some making new laws of death for the establishment of the same/ as is in England the act of the vi articles with diverse other more. And for this remaineth here still the Beast as receiving the rendered kingdom of the whore. In whom is also comprehended the wicked remnant that shall work the last mischief/ whom the lord shall end with his said judgement. This Beast is not without his lively Image still working the same feats that himself wrought afore/ though his head be grievously wounded in diverse quarters of the world. Neither is he without crafty. Phesycyanes'/ to minister life to the same. Who ever forswore the Pope more earnestly/ than did Stokyslaye and Samson/ Gardyne● and Tunstall/ wylson and friar wattes/ with such other holy prelate's? Yet labour they tooth and nail to have Babylon still Babylon/ Sodom Sodom/ & Egypte Egypte. But marvel not of the ordinance of the lord/ which all at one time provided Moses to guide his people and yet hardened Pharaoh against them which sent his son jesus Christ to save them/ and yet suffered the priests to murder him/ considering he is that potter which maketh both the vessels of honour and dishonour. 13 briefly to conclude the whole of this matter (saith the Angel) the grievous aparcled woman/ or glytteringe church of antichrist/ which thou sawest hear of late in mystery/ is also in resemblance the great city Babylon/ the mother of all the spiritual abominations and idolatries done upon the earth. For like as from Zion hath the law comen forth and the word of God from Jerusalem/ so hath yssewed forth from this Babylonyshe Rome such a false religion into emperor's/ princes/ and peoples/ as with fylthyr superstitions hath poisoned all the world. 14 For a kingdom she hath over the kings or noble governors of the earth/ a false power/ a usurped authority/ and a seat of very pestilence. Alas for pity that so worthy potentates should be in subjection to so slynking an whore/ to so vile an harlot/ being so the servants of sin and captive slaves to all wickedness/ from the which the lord once deliver them. Amen. ¶ Thus endeth the second part. The Chapters. ¶ The contents of the second part. THe xi chapter beginneth. Fo. 4. wherein johan measureth the temple/ the aultre/ and then that worship therein. The ii witnesses do their appointed offices/ the Beast making war against them and slaying them. A great earthquake followeth/ and the second woe is passed. ¶ The xii chapter beginneth. fo. 21. wherein the seventh Angel bloweth his trumpet. In heaven appeareth a woman all clothed with the sun/ whom the Dragon diversely vereth. Michael fighteth with the Dragon and overcometh him. The woman fleeth into the wilderness and there is preserved. ¶ The xiii. chapter beginneth. Fol. 43. wherein a Beast riseth out of the see with seven heads and ten horns/ receiving authority of the Dragon. One of his heads is wounded and healed again. Another beast cometh out of the earth with ii horns/ which deceiveth the eartlye dwellers/ and raiseth up an Image like unto the Beast. In the end is counted the number of the Beast. ¶ The xiiii chapter beginneth. fo. 74. wherein the lamb standeth upon the mount Zion/ and the undefiled congregation with him. An Angel showeth the everlasting gospel/ an other declareth the fall of the great whore. An other is commanded with his sickle to cut down the grapes of the vineyard. ¶ The xu chapter beginneth. Fo. 94. wherein johan seeth the seven Angels/ having the seven last plagues of the wrath of God. On the glassy see standeth men having the haps of God/ and they sing the song of Moses'/ and the song of the lamb. The tabernacle of testimony is scene in heaven. ¶ The xvi chapter beginneth. Fo. 114. wherein the seven Angels pour out their vials of God's wrath. The first upon the earth. The second upon the see. The third upon the rivers. The fourth on the sun. The fift upon the seat of the Beast. The sixth upon the great flood Euphrates. And the seventh into the air. ¶ The xvii chapter beginneth. fol. iii. wherein an Angel showeth unto johan the judgement of the great whore/ which sitteth upon the Beast. He describeth both her and the Beast at large. Finally he showeth the meaning both of his heads & horns/ with other great mysteries more. ¶ Mark in the xiiii chapter/ the. 75. and 88 leaf. the ii Images set clearly out of order by the only negligence of the printers. ¶ The poor persecuted church of Christ/ or immaculate spouse of the lamb. Apoca. 12. ¶ The Dragon was wroth with the woman which fled into the wilderness/ and went and made war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandment of God and have the testimony of jesus Christ. ¶ The proud painted church of the pope/ or sinful synagogue of Satan. Apoca. 17. ¶ I saw a woman sit upon a rose coloured Beast/ full of names of blasphemy/ decked with gold precious stone/ and pearls/ with whom the Kings of the earth committed whoredom/ and the inha●iters of the earth are drunken with the wine of her fornication.