A marvel, Deciphered.  
ET INVENTA EST PERIIT  
AT LONDON, Printed by Robert Robinson, for john Winnington, at the golden Tun near to S. Dunston's Church in Fleetstreet. 1589.   

To the Right Honourable, my very good Lord: Henry Carey, Baron of Hunsdon: Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter: Lord Chamberlain of her majesties most Honourable Household: Lord Governor of Berwick: Lord Warden of the East Marches for an anempst Scotland: Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk and Norfolk: Captain of her majesties Gentlemen Pensioners, and one of her highness most Honourable privy Counsel.  
RIght Honourable, where as mention is made in the twelfth Chapter of the Revelation of saint john, of a great wonder in Heaven, namely, A woman clothed with the Sun, having the Moon under her feet, and upon her head a Crown of twelve Stars, etc. A wonder of no small marvel amongst men; that was said to be a wonder in heaven containing some strange mystery, wherein the nature of the Sun is not unaptly to be considered, being a most goodly creature of God, and glorious in the ornament of heaven, and no less beneficial to all creatures of the earth, wherein also we may behold, not by any preposterous comparison of the creature, with the Creator, but by natural conjecture with more effectual motions in part to discern; the glorious omnipotency and marvelous mercies in the mighty Majesty of the Creator of all beauty and benefits: namely, in and by Jesus Christ the true Son that lighteneth all the world. In and by whom we receive so infinite, so great and ineffable blessings, both for body and soul, as also in this world and in the world to come: unto whom the natural Sun with his good gifts doth yield obedience as tributary for his creation. Wherein we are so impotent duly to express or discern the abundance of his benevolence: that we are constrained with grief of mind, to complain of this carnal Carcase so dull and unapt to perform the same, as a weak and feeble post, that falleth all to shivers, under the burden of some weighty frame. By whose most pure and holy law, he hath left us, the more to move our unaptness in some proportion according to our capacities, to conceive of his most merciful liberality, in heaven and earth, both now & evermore. Which holy law in general construction of Christians, is truly said to be the apparel of the church: that doth invest herself with the divine and immaculate Law of Christ the son of God. And whereby the christian Church is endued with sound knowledge to know God aright: and to live in concord and amiable affection with all men. Which may be said to be the peace of God which passeth all understanding, containing the most perfect harmony of heavenly concord, as also yielding aspiring minds unto inexplicable blessings: namely, to be delivered from the terrible and the most cruel and inestimable calamities and bondage of Satan: to be made a citizen of Heaven, of the fellowship of Angels, with most singular delight to behold the glorious Majesty and presence of God, to possess joys unspeakable, that the eyes of man did never see, or his ears hath ever heard, either may be contained within the thoughts of his heart. By which corporation & number of the christian Church, the heavens shall be adorned: & the glory of God most magnificently magnified. The glorious & heavenly apparel aforesaid, not by outward appearance unto the eyes of carnal men, but by the eyes of a divine mind is to be discerned: and in such wise to be considered as that which containeth all in all: for so much as it may not be truly said, that there is any true felicity to be obtained by man, or to men; or true honour unto God, but that in and by this said law, is found out, enjoyed, and performed. Which holy law so much prevailed within the space of five or six hundred years after Christ's incarnation, that the whole known Nations of the earth embraced the same, until Satan had begotten Antichrist his eldest Son, who doubting some prevention of his father's patrimony, obtained the true stamp of his father's physiognomy, which is murder; to give most certain testimony by what spirit he is governed also conserving unto himself the very image of his own guileful father, contriving deceit, to beguile the devil himself (if it were possible) by a supposed holiness & religion, although counterfeit and most false. Nevertheless, the very cloak and cover of the most infernal drench of deadly poison, so shadowed with the vehement spirit of hypocrisy, the guileful enemy to all virtue, which the Christian estate both greedily and generally swallowed and devoured in the darkened days of the Gospel of Christ Jesus, to the cruel overthrow of all true Religion: with the whole frame of all the ineffable blessings aforesaid: And wherewithal by the power of a doubled spirit received from Satan, in the Temple of the everliving God, he both forged and placed a new unknown and a monstrous god, never seen or heard of before the coming of Antichrist, a presumption never contained in the heart or thought of any person whatsoever, namely to increase and to establish a new God, but in the man of sin; the son of perdition: which infernal invention stretcheth itself beyond all his other wickedness leaving nothing undone that was to be done, either to the blasphemy & dishonour of God, or execrable cruelty against the whole generation of men: respecting either the generality, in which number not one escapeth: or the horror and the greatness of the evil in which he that escapeth best cheap loseth body and soul. Upon consideration, view and news of which cursed new god, with scornful derision: All Jews, Turks, Mores, Saracens, all Mahomatists and Jndian Idolaters, are fled as men hunted with a Monster from their salvation. Before the invention of which wretched god the greatest portion of all these Nations aforesaid, confessed Christ to be their only salvation: and doubtless otherwise the whole Nations of the earth, had been submitted under the obedience of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but now by God's permission, when it may justly be said, that this said Church of Christ the son of God, by the malice of Satan, is brought unto her last decay, and left as desolate but only in an angle of the world, the engine of man being utterly incapable of all remedy or relief for the same.  
Even then: Time, revealer of hidden secrets, delivereth demonstration that God himself hath erected the woman mentioned in the twelfth chapter of the Revelation of saint john, that now at this instant by God's great favour, standeth clothed with the Sun the right and most true vesture of the Church, namely, the most pure and holy law of Christ jesus the Son of God, who with a most principal portion of fortitude, confirmed with an assured confidence in her Christ and God, as a main pillar erected by divine providence, to bear the weighty frame of reparation of this decayed and desolate Church of God aforesaid, proceeding with a mind unappaulled to the dangerous defence of the same, against all the enemies of Europe whatsoever, and as by a circle of the Sun, being placed, by divine ordinance as a King amongst the Planets, yielding light and life unto all signs and Stars of Heaven, even so that woman, which is said to be the Revelation of saint john to be adorned with the shining vesture of the Sun, from the brightness of which garment many Nations hath received, doth and shall receive: both light and life unto their great and eternal comfort, and having the Moon according to the Text, placed under her feet, with great obedience to yield assistance with all her force and influences, in strange enterprises by Sea to be achieved and right happily finished: and upon her head, that Royal shining Crown of twelve Stars. In all obscure and difficult causes to conduct with a fatal faith, in most certain, true and clear direction: upon which infallible foundation, as an Archtector to advance the most difficult, divine and inexpungnable fortification for warfare, that ever was seen or heard: not after the carnal man of flesh, but mighty through God, to cast down holds, casting down imaginations, and every light thing, that is exalted against the knowledge of God: and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. This said spiritual warfare, so sufficiently furnished with such divine armour and munition, yielding most certain hope of assured victory.  
Yet nevertheless, Satan which never ceaseth his envious invasions against the children of God, is now constrained, to furnish his agent and eldest son Antichrist: not according unto his accustomed manner, to deceive the Nations with a slumbering potion of lethargy; plausible both to the deceiver and the deceived, but with the invention of oaths: engines to invade the household of faith, namely, fire, sword, treason and poison and such other strange and ungodly tools, wherewith he hath made sufficient proof of his counterfeit holiness, and whereby he hath made bloody havoc of infinite noble and holy persons and hath dangered the state of sundry and many Countries, Kings and Kingdoms, the only evident reasons and arguments to defend his desperate estate, to underprop his decaious kingdom. But God himself having care of his own causes, providing at his own pleasure safety and consolation for his elect in all their proceedings, and also for service and defence of that sacred person invested with the Sun aforesaid. Certain engines as yet unknown unto the world, for overthrow of an hundred thousand of his enemies upon land: and to confound a thousand Sail of Ships if they arrive within a mile of any shore of England, as also for doubling of any Cape, or foreland Rock, or sandy bank, either to pursue, or to escape being overcharged with enemies, to enforce a Ship to make way at Sea against both wind and tide.  
These strange matters right Honourable, I thought convenient (enforced by your Honours received favour) constrained in longing desire by some laudable means, and in some portion to express my dutiful service unto your Nobleness, to present my humble suit unto your Honour, both for myself and the matter; that we may jointly be received into your Honour's favourable protection, whereby the work itself may obtain general and friendly entertainment, and the testimonial and ornament of my commendation and behaviour, by your honours good liking no little advancement: Craving with all humbleness that desire to do well may be mine excuse, for all defects that herein may appear: And I your honours poor Orator shall now and always pray unto the everliving God, to illustrate your Nobleness with great increase and with everlasting felicity.  
Your honours most dutiful Orator, E. H.   

A NOTE OF strange things mentioned of a Woman contained in the 12. Chapter of the Revelation of Saint john.  
Text. AND there appeared a great wonder in heaven, a woman clothed with the Sun and the Moon under her feet and upon her head a crown of xii. stars; 
Not to be doubted what woman before all the kings or persons whatsoever upon earth from the first publishing of this prophesy unto this day hath been most apparently clothed with the son namely jesus Christ.  A woman to be clothed with the Sun, is a marvel both mystical and divine containing some glorious effect, and the mystical description of the true Church of God, described in the form of a woman, which is natural to procreation, to be clothed with the Sun, is to put on or to be invested with Christ jesus the son of God and to be endued with his divine spirit. So as if there be any sacred woman, that notably to the wonder of the world by the mighty power of the spirit of God, without abashment of so dangerous an enterprise hath advanced the glorious Gospel of Christ, protected and defended peoples and countries that have professed the same, to the perilous hazard in the eyes of men of her person and estate, contrary to all humane policy and hath vowed to thadmiration of men, and in despite of Satan and his agent Antichrist with all there adherents to perform the same, manifestile discovering to be beautified with the vesture, and apparel of the sun. That same woman whatsoever, may aptly be applied without figure to accomplish this prophesy.  
And the Moon under her feet. 
Not to be doubted what woman before all others whatsoever as a substitute under God hath brought forth so great and divine light in time of so great darkness: either for whom the moon by her force and influence hath brought more destruction to her enemies either unto her enterprises at sea better success.  The Moon that receiveth light from the Sun, as a substitute, to give light in time of darkness, whose nature is to give increase to growing things, & ruler of marin causes and of nature inconstant, so as if by divine ordinance, there be any woman that as a substitute from God and his Christ, that with zeal, strength and power, in the days of ignorant darkness, hath revealed, and made to shine, with great and comfortable brightness, the holy mysteries, and secrets of God in flowing abundance, so as countries, and nations, have been lightened therewith, and unto whom the Lord of heaven and earth hath given power to perform marvels at sea & in contempt of inconstancy holdeth the Moon, with her inconstant dealing under her feet, confirmed with mortal hatred to all unsound and variable proceeding doctrine and religion, that same woman effecteth this prophesy.  
Text. And upon her head a crown of twelve stars. 
Not to be doubted who it is that with immortal glory standeth crowned with the bright doctrine of the twelve Apostles.  If there be any notable woman, that hath made known unto the world. To have beautified her head with the most singular holy and bright doctrine of the twelve Apostles, and Prophets, all which speak but one thing in effect. And hath garnished her senses with vehement care to employ this proceeding, to manifest the brightness of the same to all nations may aptly be said to be crowned with twelve glorious stars, both in life, and death, yielding immortal glory. Such a woman effectually effecteth this prophecy.  
Text. And she was with Child, and cried traveling in birth and was pained ready to be delivered; 
Not to be doubted who above all others traveleth to bring forth this child jesus.  So as if there be any woman that with an ardent & an holy desire, traveleth with zeal, cost and danger, and with power enforceth the birth of the child, and the Lord jesus which is his sacred word, and the Image of himself, and her vehement desire made known by laws, advertisements, and proclamations, to all nations far beyond the reach of all crying, discovering her pain, and readiness to have the same delivered and published to all creatures, That God may be glorified effectually. Such a woman effecteth this prophesy.  
Text. And the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered to devour her child when she had brought it forth; 
Not to be doubted what woman or what child the Dragon hath sought to devour.  If there be any woman of such worthiness wbose holy endeavours in divine procreation of the child jesus, with her zeal, in true religion & advancement of his holy word, the very Image, of himself with ready power and strength, for & in the assistance, comfort, and mighty defence of all persons, and countries, that profess the same, which from the first time she began to bring forth this child, hath been mightily resisted & withstood by the Dragon and his assistances, in all notable appearance to destroy this child: namely, the word of God, and in the first birth of the professors of the same, to pull them up by the roots. This and such a wowan, may seem, and be said, to effect this prophecy.  
Text. And she brought forth a man child, which should rule all Nations with a rod of iron. 
Not to be doubted what woman or what child the dragon hath sought to devour,  This man child is Christ jesus our Saviour, which by his hypocritical adversary Antichrist, hath been obscured, & after a manner buried, and made unknown many hundred years from the knowledge of the worldly multitude. So as if there be any woman, to whom God hath given special grace, not only to bring to light, but also to defend the sacred word, and glorious Gospel of the child, and Lord jesus, so as in appearance she hath brought forth with great care and industry, and shall to the no small grief of her enemies, deliver the same to the Nations of the earth. For this man child jesus with his rod of iron, namely, by his absolute power, shall grind his enemies to powder, and break them in pieces like a Potter's vessel: an assured comfort to all faithful in Christ that their redeemer, ruleth with such special power to protect them, as also to chastise their enemies. Such a woman may effectually be said to effect this prophecy.  
Text. And her son was taken up unto God, and to his throne. 
Not to be doubted who against all resistance, doth  Not to be doubted, but that when the red Dragon, described in the said Chapter, with his seven heads, ten horns, and upon his head seven Crowns, hath disgorged all his venom, with most bloody cruelty: with his seven heads, practised all their subtle devices, in wicked inventions: his ten horns, their force, and violence, to perform slaughter & shedding of blood: his seven Crowned heads enlarged all their authority, to accomplish these evils aforesaid: 
Not to be doubted that any person hath more cause to joy then that woman which is made an Instrument to bring forth a child that was taken up unto God namely the word of God.  yet it shall no further prevail: then earthly and sinful power, may prevail against the mighty and infinite power of God: which from heaven doth scorn and deride all their proceed: for so much as he is taken up unto God, and his power is from above. And by confusion of this said bloody beast, God hath determined; to glory in his holy name. And as the Virgin Marie, justly and rightly rejoiced for that by election, she before all women naturally did bring forth, the Lord, and Saviour of the world: even so that woman, which above all women, hath to this day since the first publication of this prophecy, been adopted by God's mercy, to revive his honour and glory: and thereby doth accept to say to be her Son; in her portion hath iusi cause to say; Magnificat anima mea Deus. And to rejoice above all other women, living, and none like unto such a woman to effect this prophecy.  
Text. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there: 
Not to be doubted for what woman, God by his so many deliverances hath provided safety for a fixed time, which shall not be altered by any power whatsoever.  a thousand two hundredth and three score days. As Christ sundry times frequented the wilderness, to be delivered from his enemies, as also to commit his temptations to God, by contemplation and prayer, so God himself as the Text saith; hath prepared a place for this woman in the wilderness, a solitary & a rare haunt of persons, where by appointment she shall fly, and nestle herself; by her reposed confidence in the bosom of the highest, a place of assured quietness, as also far in the utter parts of the world, under the North Pole, where it is said, by the mighty multitude of men; dwelling on the heart heart of the earth. That the inhabitants of that wilderness: are gross, wild and barbarous, but it hath pleased the highest, that there she shall be fed and securely provided, and defended, a time fixed, and set down which shall not be removed by any power of enemies whatsoever: so as if there be any woman; that appeareth so placed and securely defended; That same woman in all resemblance most properly seemeth to fulfil this prophecy.  
Text. And when the Dragon saw that he was cast into the earth, he persecuted the woman which had brought forth the man child; 
Not to be doubted what woman hath been persecuted by the dragon, and his Antichrist since he was deprived of all habitation in heavenly minds & cast into the heart of earthly rebrobate by the revelation of the child jesus.  That is, when the Dragon, the Devil saw himself, and his Angels; which is Antichrist & his reprobates: by the almighty Michael Christ & his Angels, the godly Magistrates & professors of his Gospel, to be cast into the earth: that is to say, all his dross of superstition, idolatry, and all his other filthiness, of religion deciphered, & made known to all persons (th'only reprobates excepted) into whose earthly hearts, he is cast; as it were into the earth: for that he is deprived of all habitation in heavenly minds, so as if there be any woman that by a received grace, hath, or now liveth since the first publishing of this prophesy, which with a manifest zeal, cost and danger, hath travailed to bring forth this man child Christ jesus, notoriously in the sight of the world: which is to say, confessed, published and advanced his holy laws, his sacred word, and most glorious Gospel, her only beauty and salvation. To the great and most uncomfortable grief of Antichrist, who forced therewith hath now according to the second Psalm of King David.  
Text. Convented, the Kings and Rulers, of the earth against the Lord and his anointed, but he that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn, and then he shall speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure, because they are not learned to serve the Lord in fear, and shall be forced to kiss the son, left in his anger, they perish from the right way, if his wrath be kindled, for to him shall be given the Heathen for inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession, and blessed are all they that put their trust in him.  
Which mystery at this instant beginneth to work, and from henceforth be accomplished, by which feminine instrument: this foresaid Dragon and his Antichrist, with all their adherents, are, and must be thrown down, confounded, and are now entered into so great a fume, and pelting chafe, as at this day is most apparent, against this woman. Who may be said to effect this prophecy.  
Text. But to the woman was given the wings of a great Eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place where she is nourished, for a time, and times, and half a time, from the presence of the Serpent. 
Not to be doubted what woman by the mighty wings of the great Eagle, namely the two testaments whereby she is taught rdsolutely to repose in the bosom of the Highest, which is her prepared place for assured defence.  These wings signifying not only some assured, and strange deliverance, by the mighty power of God's providence, against the malice of Satan and his agent Antichrist, his chief Factor; this woman's faith, being supported by the two Testaments of the great & only God of heaven and earth: as it were by the wings of a great Eagle, whereby she is safely carried, directed and lifted up in mind, far from the common track, of this wretched world: the more aptly to be exercised, and to direct her contemplation & function, in the causes of her Christ, & God: & the more quietly with a reposed & resolute confidence, in the bosom of the highest, which is her assured and prepared place safely, to endure, all brunts of Antichrist: her cankered, hateful and murdering enemy. Such a woman exactly may be said to effect this prophesy.  
Text. And the Serpent cast out of his mouth, water after the woman like a flood, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 
Not to be doubted against what woman the dragon & his Antichrist hath thrown out so many Floods of devices for her destruction.  So as King David compared all his troubles and dangers to great floods of waters, so here is said that the Serpent should cast out as it were a river of water after this woman, that she might be carried away with the flood. That is to say, out of his lying, blasphemous and damned mouth, he shall disgorge floods of false accusations, of heresy, of false usurpation of a Kingdom, of absolving subjects from obedience, of practising conspiracies, of poisonings, of divers sorts of violent murders, of curses, by book, bell, and Candle, and an ocean Sea of many more contrived mischiefs: devising by all his natural and cursed means of lies, deceit, and murder, to persecute, & to extinguish this woman, his most apparent enemy, from the face of the earth. A notorious discovery, by what spirit this Antichrist is governed: so as is there be any such woman, upon whom this Serpent and his Antichrist, notoriously have employed so many evils, only for the Gospel of jesus Christ. That same woman may safely be said to effect this prophecy.  
Text. And the earth holp the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood, which the Dragon cast out of his mouth; 
Not to be doubted for what woman God hath taken order that the earth and his other creature should stand forth for her defence.  At the Lords will: all his creatures, shall be forced to preserve his elect, as now the earth shall open her mouth, to assist those that love him: in which cause, if the God of all power, had not taken order, that the earth should swallow up that River, which is the multitude of earthly creatures, being taught from God, to digest these cruel and false accusations, with a mind of true knowledge and faithful obedience, which otherwise impossible, to have escaped this whirlpool of confusion: which divers Kings, and Emperors, in times past, could not by any means escape: which at this present, the Lords good grace and favour, hath made stark dry, and without effect: Now if there be any woman upon earth that hath found, and received this favour from God. That woman may be said, to effect this prophesy.  
Text. And the Dragon was wroth with the woman, & went & made war, with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, & have the testimony of jesus Christ. 
Here the text itself maketh clear exposition of this wrath & war of this said beast against this said woman and her seed namely the keeping of the commandments of God & for the testimony of jesus Christ for which causes how many temptations this woman hath endured and infinite seed and people, have & must suffer destruction.  Here the Dragon is said to continue his wrath, not only against the woman, but also maketh war with her seed, the cause is here also manifested: namely, for keeping, the commandments of God, and for the testimony of jesus Christ, our only mean, & salvation, and our most special cause, to glorify God, and wherefore we are chief borne. But such and so great is the impiety, and impudence of Antichrist: which is mounted upon the highest degree of ll wickedness & abomination: Who procureth a so great slaughter, for so holy, & so divine a cause: namely, the advancement of the glory of god, which he himself, and all other creatures, whatsoever, should hold in most especial, and singular reverence. But yet to speak the truth, and to give him his right: we must needs confess, to have received this much favour at his hands: who now, and at this instant, hath given forth, a most plain and clear exposition of this prophecy, to all persons that are not obdurate, dull, or incensate.  
Text. And went and made war. 
Which number if by any possible means might be registered that hath been murdered in field or town only for the testimony of jesus Christ, it would oppress all honest minds with most doleful and deadly grief, but alas for remedy how, where and by what means may we find slaughtered Christian blood sufficient, which only & none other may satisfy this most cruel unsatiable monster expressing most clearly to be Satan's most trusty & chief executioner to perform all manner his cruelties against God, & man, unspeakable, but blessed are all they and a thousand times happy whose courage is not daunted, to resist to fight and to destroy this horrible monstrous beast: And love not their lives unto the death.  That is to say, he hunteth and maketh inquisition for blood, for of his own venomous nature, he hath no remission but seeketh continually destruction, and always without just cause, enforceth occasion of slaughtet, for he hath no delight in the peace of GOD, but also maketh war with the remnant of her seed. That is, against all professors of the sacred word of GOD, whether in France, Flaunders, or elsewhere: that by her example, or protection have boldly, discovered the fruits of their faith in the commandments of God, and the testimony of jesus Christ. Wherein lieth all the quarrels, and the true cause of all this bloody broil seriously to be noted: the professors whereof, must all be slain (without exception) if they do not forsake their assured salvation in Christ, and fall down unto the beast, to their utter destruction both of body and soul. And forasmuch as from the beginning of this prophesy there never appeared so great a convention, and gathering together of Kings, Princes, and Rulers, for the subversion and slaughter of true Christians, and the Christian estate (as at this present) but as concerning the rest, for what offences soever, they shall have both his peace and blessing, and his plain and full remission for all their sins, be it either perjury, buggery, treason, murder, and all other such trifling sins; they are not to stand in any doubt of his good favour, and blessing. Now if any such notable woman, upon whom, all these aforesaid practices, conspiracies, and many more evils, & mischiefs, have been notoriously inflicted. That same woman, without exception, respecting her sex, her estate, her situation, her profession, her proceed, the condition of her enemies, their practices, their executions, their counterfeit holy assemblies, and the true cause of all their dealing, meaning, and quarrels effectually examined, and in a word to be finished. What conclusion of peace might be doubted, if she renounce Christ, and admit popery; This woman where, or whatsoever, beyond all other, that hath lived upon earth unto this day: most nearly, and fully performeth this prophecy: neither any other to be expected, that more effectually shall accomplish the same; And yet I dare not to name any person, either presume to confess any exposition, of so rare, and secret mystery of God; but forsomuch as the Angel hath said, it shall be revealed in the latter days in his time appointed; except, they should be written in vain, some one person although not special by God's favour, who is all, in all, with his good spirit shall give ableness to perform the same. And thus with all humbleness, I beseech your good Honour of your favour, not only to accept the reading of these premises: but also, that desire to do well, may be mine excuse, for all defects, that herein may appear.  
FINIS.  
Edward Hellwis.