A REVELATION OF THE REVELATION.  
Wherein is contained, a most true, plain, and brief manifestation of the meaning and scope of all the Revelation, and of every Mystery of the same:  
Whereby the Pope is most plainly declared and proved to be Antichrist.  
BY THOMAS MASON Preacher of the word of God at Odyham in the County of South.  
Printed at London by G. Eld. 1619.   

TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY, KING JAMES, by the especial Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland King, and in all causes, whether Ecclesiastical or Civil, next under CHRIST supreme Head, and a most faithful Defender of the true Catholic and Apostolic Faith, in all his Realms and Dominions; Grace, Mercy and Peace be multiplied.  
Most Excellent Sovereign:  
Having attained unto some certainty of the scope and meaning of the Revelation, and of the Mysteries thereof, by earnest prayer, perusing of Expositors, and conference of the Prophecies thereof, with the Ecclesiastical Histories; and being desirous to enlighten others, I have compiled, in as brief and easy manner as I could devise, the true scope and meaning of the same, and of every Mystery thereof: And being well assured, that as God gave unto the Kingly Prophet David a rich measure of his Spirit, so he hath bequeathed unto your highness most abundantly, his holy Ghost: so that none more knoweth the mind of Christ than you Majesty doth. Which emboldened me to dedicate this my Work unto your Highness, most humbly craving, that this little show of my dutiful love unto your Majesty, may obtain pardon for my too much boldness: so, as it is my bounden duty, I will never cease to offer up supplications unto God and unto jesus Christ, for the dew of his Spirit to be daily distilled into your Royal heart, for your direction, and that God would always charge his holy Angels for the preservation of your majesties person, and of our most gracious Queen, our most Royal Prince, and all your highness Kingly Progeny.  
Your majesties most faithful and dutiful Subject, THOMAS MASON.   

THE EPISTLE to the Reader.  
FOr the better understanding of the Revelation (Christian Reader) I would have thee to observe in the three first Chapters, the then present estate of the seven Churches: and in the fourth and fifth Chapters, the vision of Saint john in Heaven, in what manner he received the general Revelation from Christ's ascension until his coming unto judgement: in the sixth and seventh Chapters, the estate of the Church under the Idolatrous Emperors, until the Christian Emperor Constantine his time, and the flourishing of the estate thereof by him; and in the eighth, ninth, and tenth Chapters, the estate of the Church under the Emperors that were after Constantine, and the Popes: how men became as cold as hail in true Religion, and as hot as fire to maintain superstitions to the shedding of blood: and how the Emperors, signified by the great Mountain, took part with the superstitious, with a burning zeal persecuting those that would not consent to their superstitions.  
The great Star that fell from Heaven as bitter as wormwood, was the falling of the Bishop of Rome from Christ and his word, to maintain superstitions, and for that purpose was exalted of the Emperors above all other Bishops: The second Star is the Popes, which exalted themselves above all the Emperors and Kings, and filled the world with their mighty Locusts, that is, Cardinals, Popish Bishops, and their officers, Abbots, Friars, and such like: and when these were multiplied, as the sands of the sea, the Devil that was bound for a thousand years, from Constantine his time, is let lose, & obtaineth these innumerable company of Locusts to take his part, and persecuted the Saints, & by these Antichristian Locusts, martyred more than ever he did by the idolatrous Emperors, yet Christ and his Saints obtain the victory. And from the beginning of the eleventh Chapter unto the end of the Book, are prophesied again the very same things of Antichrist: but much more largely, and with other similitudes.  
In the eleventh Chapter, the superstitious are called the Courts, and the faithful the temple, and Saint john is commanded, not to meet the Courts but to cast them out, and it is prophesied that they shall tread the holy City, which is the faithful, under their feet, 1260. years.  
In the twelfth Chapter, the Emperors which before are called a great mountain, are here called a great red Dragon, and are prophesied to be they which shall be the greatest cause of the treading under foot the Children of God, all this time of the 1260. years.  
In the thirteenth Chapter, the Popes that were called two Stars before, are called two beasts: the first Beast the Emperors shall set above all other Bishops, of purpose to maintain superstitions, and to tread the faithful under their feet all the said time of 1260. years, and for this purpose the Dragon shall give him his power and authority.  
The second Beast which had two horns like the Lamb, is the second Star as before, which is the Pope, when he took upon him not only to be the whole ruler in spiritual matters, but to be King of all Kings, as Christ is, and exalted himself above the Emperors.  
All the other Chaptors unto the end, declare the manner of the destruction of Antichrist, and of Rome, and the flourishing of the Gospel after Rome shall be destroyed until Christ's coming to judgement.  
As Christ foretold the destruction of jeausalem, and truly at his time appointed performed it; so surely bathe Christ Prophesied, and as truly in his time will accomplish the destruction of Rome: and as a whole year before the destruction of jerusalem, there was seen an extraordinary Blazing Star; so the Blazing Star that now so strangely appeareth, seemeth to manifest Gods fiery indignation against Rome, which shall shortly destroy it, and to be a forewarning unto all men that they fly from her false Doctrines, lest they be partakers of her punishments, and that all Kings and the Children of God should have their hearts inflamed like the flaming Star, against that abominable Strumpet, to gather themselves to battle against her, and burn her with fire.  
And because every one of God's Children must claim by a lively faith as particular unto himself all the general promises of Christ, so we ought to apply the general judgements of God, every one unto his own soul. Let us therefore examine our hearts whether we retain there any Poposh superstition, or sin against any of God's commandments unrepented of; for against such that will not repent, the Lords anger burneth like the blazing Star.  
But if we fly by true repentance and a lively faith, and catch hold of the blood of jesus Christ, to wash away our sins, and of his righteousness to cover our imperfections; then may we with joy look upon this blazing Star, and praise God for declaring his fierce wrath against Antichrist and sinners, and for hastening to revenge the blood of his Saints, and that the time approacheth to enlarge and deck with his graces his Spouse the Church, which shall be upon the destruction of Rome, that the number of the elect being fulfilled, Christ may come to judgement, and exalt us unto his eternal glory.  
And because the more near the Devil seethe his time of eternal torments to approach, the more he rageth against God's Children: therefore this flaming star must certify us, that even now the Devil by his privy Counsellors the jesuits, is most busily plotting and practising the destruction of all Protestant Kings and Countries, and it ought to provoke us to earnest prayer unto our chief Captain jesus Christ, to confound their enterprises, and to destroy them in the same suare which they have laid for others.  
To the Prince of the Kings of the earth, that loved us and washed us from our fins, and made us Kings and Priests unto God, to him be all honour, glory and power now and for evermore. Amen.   

A REVELATION of the Revelation.  

CHAP. I.  
EVen as GOD so much loved faithful Abraham, that he would not destroy Zodome, until he had foretold him thereof, and likewise his chosen Children Israel, that he would do nothing but he would foretell them thereof by his Prophets: Likewise as Christ so loved his Disciples, that he foretold them his Sufferings, Death, Resurrection, Ascension, and the coming of the holy Ghost, their troubles that they should suffer for his name, the success of the Gospel, the destruction of jerusalem, the glory that they & the faithful should have with him in Heaven, such immeasurable riches of his love hath God showed unto his faithful ones in these last ages, in showing unto them what shall happen unto his Church from the blessed Ascension of his Son jesus Christ until his glorious coming to judgement.  
And because he hath exalted jesus Christ on his right hand, and given all power unto him in Heaven and earth, and made him the only salvation of all that are or shallbe saved; he hath likewise given unto him this Revelation: and because Angels be his ministering spirits for our salvation, Christ hath sent it by an Angel: and because the Lord will not use the ministry of Angels immediately for our instruction, the Angel brought it to john, to convey it to the seven Churches of Asia, and although it is directed of God, only to the seven Churches of Asia, it doth as properly belong to all Churches & people of God as unto them.  
In that it is said to be of things that shall shortly come to pass, a thousand years with the Lord is but as one day with us: In that they are pronounced blessed that read, hear, and keep the things of this Prophecy, it should stir us up, never to be weary of knocking, ask and seeking, until the true understanding here of be given us; and this as the only means, S. john by his example commends unto us, in that he beginneth with Prayer to the Father, Son and holy Ghost, for grace and peace for them.  
In that he calleth the holy Ghost which is one Spirit, seven Spirits; it is in respect of the seven fold operation thereof in the 7. churches.  
And having now seen jesus Christ in heaven, he cannot pass by him by barely naming him, but declareth what he hath seen of known of him; That he is a faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, Prince of the Kings of the earth, that loved us and washed us from our sins with his blood, and made us Kings & Priests unto God: he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him, yea, they that pierced him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail before him, even so Amen.  
In that by persecutions he was feign to leave his Churches, and to save himself in a desolate place, he might think that God had forsaken his faithful Churches, and him his faithful servant, but we know that all things work for the best for God's children; now even now in this desolate place, he seethe more comfort than ever he did, and receiveth the greatest Revelation that ever was, and most beneficial to the comfort and direction of the Church to the end of the world, and fiends this unto his Churches far passing the comfort of his presence.  
In that the seven golden Candlesticks, which by Christ is interpreted the seven Churches, the gold thereof showeth the purity of their Religion, without any dross of human traditions or jewish ceremonies.  
The office of a Candlestick is to hold up the candle, that it may lighten all the place where it is, whereby is noted unto us, their care and love of the Gospel, and the conversion of others unto the same, by holding up and maintaining their Ministers to edify themselves, and to be a light to them that be in darkness. And as Christ walked amongst these golden Candlesticks, so will he never be absent from such golden Candlesticks.  
No man as he is flesh and blood can see Christ as he is, therefore he appears unto S. john by vision, and so no doubt he did unto S. Stephen when he saw the heavens open, and Christ sitting at the right hand of God. Christ's long garment & golden girdle was after the manner of Kings and Priests, & declareth that he is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and the only Ruler of all things in heaven and earth, and our only high Priest. In his hair he resembles ancient Senators, which showeth his wisdom, and that he is the first and the last, Alpha and Omega, he that was, and that is, and that is to come. His flaming eyes showeth that he is the searcher of all reins and hearts, and that nothing is hid from his eyes with whom we have to do.  
His brazen feet declare that he shall stamp the devil and all his instruments, his and our enemies under his feet.  
His loud voice manifesteth that he shall be heard unto the end of the world, how forcible his Gospel is to convert the elect, how it shall be able to awake to life all that are dead, and to make the elect to meet him in the air, and to follow him unto glory, and to cast the devil and all the wicked into hell.  
His two-edged Sword out of his mouth, showeth his wrath and indignation unto the enemies of his Church, and their destruction.  
His shining face showeth his loving favour unto his children, and assureth them of his salvation.  
In that the Ministers of the seven Churches are called Stars, they are showed their office, ever to be enlightening those that are in darkness, with the bright beams of the Gospel, and to show forth their love unto God and his children by their good works, that men may glorify their Father in heaven.  
In that he holds them in his hand, whereas he is said but to be in the midst of the Candlesticks, it assureth us, if we be such Stars, he will have a special care over us, he will hold us in his hand, and none shall be able to hurt us, or take us from him.  
S. john at the first sight did think him to be like Christ, but lest he should be deceived, Christ telleth him that He is he that was dead & is alive, and bade him behold him, and told him that he lived for ever, and had the keys of hell and of death.  
In that john is commanded to write these things, it showeth how necessary they are to be read of his Children: and in that Christ interpreteth the hardest things to be understood in these visions, it certifieth us, that we may attain unto the meaning of all the rest by earnest prayer.   

CHAP. 2. & 3.  
IN that jesus Christ commands john to write seven Letters unto the seven Churches, and indites every Epistle with the words of his own mouth, we are assured that he is the only head of the Church, and that his care and love unto the Church is no less than when he was upon earth, and that he seethe whatsoever is done, whether it be good or bad. Therefore let every one of us in his calling serve the Lord jesus, as walking always before his face: for such an high Priest it behoved us to have, which is holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens, and which once hath offered himself a sufficient sacrifice for all the elect, and is consecrated for evermore.  
All Ministers must strive to serve Christ in those things which he commends in the Ministers, for they concern all Ministers to the end of the world.  
The Minister of Ephesus is commended for his works, his labour, his patience, his zeal, that he cannot forbear the evil, but examines false Apostles & finds them liars, and for suffering patiently for his name, and not fainting, for hating the works of Seducers as the Nicholaitans.  
He saith to the Angel of the Church of Smyrna, I know thy works, and thy labour, and poverty, but thou art rich.  
He saith unto the Angel of the Church of Pergamus: I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's throne is, and thou keepest my name, and hast not denied my faith, when Antipas my faithful Martyr was slain amongst you.  
He saith to the Angel of Thyatyra I know thy works, thy love, and service, and faith & patience, and thy works are more at last then at the first.  
If we follow these things unto the end, we shall overcome; then shall we eat of the Tree of life in the midst of Paradise, which is Christ; we shall eat the Manna that is hid, which is the joy of the holy Ghost, and peace of conscience, we shall have a white stone and a new name, that we are Christ's written on it, which none can read but them which have it, that is, the Spirit shall assure us that we are God's Children, and none but ourselves can know the assurance of our hope; then shall we have power to rule the Nations with a rod of Iron, that is, we shall overcome the Devil and sin, and his instruments, and in the world to come break them in pieces like a Potter's vessel. As Christ received the morning star of his father, so he will give it us, that is, the spirit of wisdom; we shall be clothed in white, that is, with his righteousness, and not be put out of the book of life, but Christ will confess our names before his father and his Angels; we shall be made pillars in the temple of God, and go out no more, and we shall have the name of our God, and the City of our God, and Christ's new name written upon us, Christ will grant us to sit in his throne, as he sits in his father's throne.  
In that the adversaries unto the truth & unto God's Ministers are in the letter unto the Smyrnians, & in that to Philadelphia called the synagogue of Satan, & in the letter to Pergamus their dwelling is called the dwelling of Satan & the throne of Satan, and in the letter to Thiatyra, their false doctrine is called the deepness of Satan: let all such know of whom they are, and call to God for his grace in Christ, that they may repent with Saint Paul, and be translated from the power of Satan into the Kingdom of Christ, neither needs God's Ministers and Children be afraid of them, their lies, subtle practices, or persecutions, for he that is with us is greater than he that is against us.  
Likewise let all God's Ministers and Children mark what things the Ministers are blamed for, that they may be wary not to offend in the same.  
Christ remembers the Angel of Ephesus that he is fallen from the love he had at the first, belike because he reaped unthankfulness and ill will for his labour, this must not discourage us, we must look for our reward of God, and if we had never so many afflictions, they are not worthy of the great glory we shall have in Christ.  
Christ threateneth him to come against him shortly, and remove his Candlestick out of his place if he amend not; and surely this want of love was it that removed all these Candlesticks out of their places, and long time these places have been inhabited of Idolaters.  
See what a many of commendable virtues, even of Christ himself, the Minister of Ephesus had, and lost the reward of them all by losing his love, if he did not amend.  
Christ finds fault with the Angel of Pergamus for suffering the doctrine of Balaam, and of the Nicholaitans to be maintained there, and threateneth to come against him for it, this must make us wary not to suffer false doctrines to be maintained.  
The Angel of Thiatyra is found fault with, for suffering jesabel to entice Christ's servants to sin, we must take heed of such.  
Christ finds fault with the Angel of Sardis: that he had a name that he lived, but he was dead: let us therefore examine ourselves well whether we live in the spirit, or be dead in any sin, and let us awake and repent, else Christ will come upon us suddenly and destroy us.  
Christ finds fault with the Angel of Laodicea because he was neither hot nor cold, and threatens to spew him out, and in that he boasted of his riches and trusted in them, saying that he lacked nothing, and telleth him that he was poor, and counseleth him to buy heavenly treasure, and that he was blind, and willeth him to buy the eye salve of the spirit, that he might see the riches of Christ; and therefore for the want of Christ's righteousness imputed unto him, was naked and miserable: Christ telleth him that as many as he hath he rebuketh and chasteneth; and telleth him that he stands at the door and knocks that is, at the heart, and if any hear and open, he will come in and sup with him, and he shall sup with Christ, that is, Christ will rejoice to save him, and he will rejoice that he is saved of Christ.  
In that Christ from heaven styleth the seven Ministers, and in them all other Ministers, by the name of Angels, it showeth, that he useth them the only means to call the elect to grace, and it teacheth Ministers to look to God and his word only for their Doctrine, and hearers to receive the word preached as of God and not of man.   

CHAP. 4. & 5.  
NOw this Vision concerning the present estate of the seven Churches being ended, S. john is taken up into Heaven in the spirit, to receive a Revelation from Heaven, touching the whole affairs of the Church unto the end of the world, but this was likewise directed to the seven Churches, and therefore here the spirit is said to be seven spirits, & Christ is said to have seven horns, that is, his power in every Church.  
As St. Paul when he was taken up into the third Heaven could not utter that which he saw and heard there, so no doubt it was with St. john, but this vision was showed him for our intelligence.  
The things in sum which he saw, was the inspeakable glory of God and Christ, & all Angels and Saints, praising God for their salvation, and he saw God's anger against the damned, by the voices, thunders, lightnings and earthquakes which he saw in the vision.  
God seems to him like a King, sitting in Parliament in his chair of estate, with a Rainbow compassing him, to glorify him: his face like a jasper stone, and a Sardine. But the glory of God is the truth of his promises, which is signified by the Rainbow, which was given to certify us of the truth of his promise, that he would never drown the World again; and the face of the Lord is his loving kindness unto his children in Christ, which is signified in these most beautiful stones, the Sardine and the jasper.  
The 24. Elders are the books of the law and the Prophets, the four Beasts are the four Gospels, these set forth his glory, and declare the truth of his promises more than the Rainbow, and the brightness of his love unto his Children more than the jasper and Sardine stones.  
The Elders are clothed in white, to show the purity of their doctrine; they have Crowns, to show how powerful they are to convince sin and error: these and the beasts are about the throne, because none come to God but by them: they sit as judges, because at the end of the world all shall be judged by them.  
These comforted Saint john when he wept, so will they all of us if we seek comfort of them, and if any be ignorant of any thing touching their salvation, they will certify us thereof.  
One of the four Beasts had the face of a Man, this seemeth to be Saint Matthew, because the beginning and face of his Gospel declareth the generation of the humanity of Christ from David.  
The Beast like the Eagle, signifieth Saint john, because he mounts like an Eagle into Heaven, speaking of the Divinity of Christ; the other two are Mark and Luke, one like a Lion, because he speaks more largely of the resurrection of Christ, wherein he rose like a Lion from death, and conquered sin, death, and hell: the other was like a Calf, because he spoke more largely of the offering of Christ, upon the Cross, which was prefigured by the sacrifice of Calves in the old Law.  
Their six wings a piece, showeth the speedy flying of the Gospel about the world.  
In that they are full of eyes, it showeth that by the new Testament we may see Christ more plainly then by the old, there we see but the types of him, here we see Christ himself.  
In that Saint john saw thousand thousands of Angels, it showeth what an innumerable number there be; the office of these be to preserve the faithful in this world, what need we then to fear?  
The Angel interprets the waters where the Whore sitteth, Reu. 17.14. to be people, so this glassy Sea before the throne signifies the souls of the faithful; so it doth in the beginning of the 14. Chapter: The faithful of the old Testament are called Heb. 12. so great a Cloud of witnesses, signifying, that there was as many of them, as drops of rain in a great cloud; so the souls in Heaven are called a Sea, to signify unto us that there be such a number as drops of water in a Sea, according to God's promise unto Abraham, that his seed, that is, the faithful, should be so many in number, as the sands on the Sea shore, or the stars in the Element.  
In that it is a glassy Sea, though here afflictions may toss our minds as the winds the waves, yet as no wind can stir a glassy Sea, so all sorrow is parted from them, nothing can disturb their minds but they always rejoice in the Lord.  
In that this Sea is of glass an entire substance, it showeth how the souls in Heaven be united together in love, rejoicing every one at another's salvation as at their own.  
In that the Sea is like Crystal, it showeth how holy they are, never offending their loving God, but are all crowned with Crowns of righteousness.  
In that the Angels and they did especially rejoice, when Christ obtained to open the seals, to show us this Revelation, it declareth how dearly they love the elect upon earth, and how profitable this Revelation is to us.   

CHAP. 6.  
IN that one of the four Beasts calleth Saint john unto the opening of every seal to see what follows, and his voice was as thunder, it showeth that the way to come to Christ, and to obtain any thing at his hand, is to hearken unto the Gospel, and that it is as forcible to the heart, as thunder to the ears.  
The white Horse signifieth the Apostles & Preachers of the Gospel anon upon the sending of the holy Ghost, the Rider is Christ, his bow whereby he conquers, the preaching of the Gospel, his Crown showeth that the Gospel so prevailed, that it got him a Kingdom.  
In that the Apostles are called Horses, it showeth their swiftness in publishing the Gospel: that white Horse Saint Paul, what a number of Countries did he plant the Gospel in! joseph of Arimathia and Philip brought the Gospel into England, Saint Paul in the tenth to the Romans affirmeth, that then the sound of the Gospel had gone through all the earth, and into the ends of the World.  
The red Horse signifies the idolatrous Emperors of Rome, which raised the ten persecutions against the Christians, the rider was the Devil, provoking them thereto, for he had permission of God, to take peace from the earth, and to kill with the sword, and he had a great sword given him, which showeth that the Devil doth nothing unto God's children, but by God's permission, the causes why God will suffer the Devil to persecute his children, are best known unto his wisdom.  
Nero Domitius caused the first Persecution: He regarded neither sex, condition, or age, the streets were spread with dead bodies of Christians, he endeavoured utterly to abolish the name of Christians, and his Successors followed his steps: for their speed in persecuting they may well be compared to Horses.  
The black Horse are such as went about to darken the light of the Gospel, and to maintain the blackness of Idolatry; the Devil the Prince of darkness was their Rider, because he provoked them thereunto: but he had no power to hurt the oil and the wine, that is, those that had the oil of the Spirit, and the wine of Christ's blood by a lively faith.  
The pale Horse seemeth to be Dioclesian which moved the tenth Persecution, he is called Death, because he martyred so many Christians in all Countries, at one time he slew 6660. of his own soldiers, because they were Christians, he destroyed all the Christians in England: no tongue can utter the deaths and torments that this Tyrant used, hanging them by one hand, scourging them, and broiling them not to death, but every day: Eusebius saith he saw the sword of the Persecutors blunt with often slaughter, themselves for weariness to sit down and rest, but the Martyrs nothing dismayed were patiented for Christ's sake: so he did likewise in all Countries. Then the souls of the faithful that were slain in these ten Persecutions being under the altar which is Christ, cried to God as Abel's blood did for vengeance, and they had long white robes, which is the righteousness of Christ, and they were bid to rest until their fellow-servants should be killed as they were, that is, until Antichrist should be more drunken with the blood of Saints than the Emperors were. But their cries moved the Lord to vengeance, and he destroyed these idolatrous persecutors by the hand of Constantine whom the Lord made a most Christian Emperor.  
The Earthquake, the blackness of the Sun, and redness of the Moon, the falling of the Stars, the vanishing of heaven, the removing of the mountains, and the fear of the great ones, desiring the mountains and rocks to cover them from the wrath of God, describeth the fearfulness of God's wrath executed upon these persecuting Idolaters: & although these things shall not truly come to pass until the coming of Christ, yet these words were used by Christ in prophesying the destruction of jerusalem, and in other places of Scripture, when the execution of some great judgement is prophesied.   

CHAP. 7.  
THe four Angels that held the four winds from blowing upon the earth, sea, or any tree, shows the peace that God had given unto the Church by Constantine, & how God by his Angels preserved them from persecutions, signified by the winds.  
The sealing of the 12000. of every Tribe, a certain number for an innumerable number, and a greater number of other Nations, showeth the flourishing of the Gospel at that time.  
This likewise is declared by the wonderful rejoicing of the Angels and Saints in heaven, ascribing unto God praise, honour glory, & wisdom, and thanks. What have the Martyrs lost by these persecutions? Though they suffered tribulations for a small time, now they are in long white garments, which signifieth Christ's righteousness, being in the presence of the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his Temple; and he that sitteth on the throne will ever dwell with them, and they shall have no more hunger nor thirst, nor be hurt, but God will govern them and lead them to the lively fountains of waters, and wipe away all tears from their eyes.   

CHAP. 8.  
IN that this peace is said to continue but half an hour, it shows that it did not endure long: for the Church began to wax wanton with this great peace, & endeavoured more to get large revenues and riches of the world, then to set forth the Gospel.  
In their establishing Christianity in Rome, to please the most superstitious and idolatrous Romans, they translated all their Heathen gods of Rome to be their gods, only by giving them other names; Pantheon which was the house of all gods, is Maria rotunda, the house of all Saints: the place of Cibel mother of gods, is now placed to Mary the mother of God: the temple that was dedicated unto Pallas and Minerva is now dedicated unto Minerva a virgin; and they inclined to many other pernicious and idolatrous superstitions both of the jews and Gentiles: Therefore Christ is siguratively said to stand before the Altar, with a golden Censor, and much odours was given him to offer, which was the prayers of Saints; and the smoke of the odours, which is the prayers of Saints, went up to God out of Christ's hand, and he took the densor and filled it with coals from the Altar, and cast it into the earth, and there was voices & thunders, lightnings and earthquakes, all which signifieth Gods most heavy indignation against them.  
And there was hail & sire mingled with blood cast upon the earth, and burned the third part of Trees and green grass. The earth signifieth the great men, as the earth is higher than the sea and floods; these were first persuaded to superstition: the hail signifieth their coldness in true Religion, the fire mingled with blood their heat to maintain superstitions, even to the shedding of the blood of such as would not consent to their superstitions.  
The great Mountain that was cast into the sea burning with fire, was the Emperor, which by the persuasion of the superstitious, cast himself from God and Christ, and took their part to maintain their superstitions, and with a burning zeal persecuted the third part of common people, which are signified by the sea.  
As the Stars signified the Ministers of the seven Churches, so this great Star that fell from heaven is the Bishop of Rome: by falling from heaven is meant from the Church. This seems to be about the year 666. according to Chap. 13. His bitterness called wormwood, are his wicked Canons and Constitutions: for in that year Vitillianus Pope sent into England, and into other Countries, to set up Latin Service and Masses, Ceremonies, Litanies, and other Romish ware. This Star fell into and made bitter the fountains and springs, these are the Clergy, for they should minister to all men the water of life, as rivers feed both sea and land: so likewise in that he darkened the Sun, Moon and Stars, and the day, this meaneth the Ministers likewise, which ought to make shine the bright beams of the Gospel unto great and small, and make themselves and others Children of the day; the meaning is, that the Bishop of Rome silenced the Bishops & Preachers which were within his jurisdiction from preaching the truth, & made them preach superstitions and bitter doctrine, to the poisoning of their souls. In that there is mention made in all these judgements but of the third part of men, it is because there was never but the third part of the world that would consent unto the supremacy, superstitions, and false doctrine of the Pope.   

CHAP. 9  
IN this Chapter is a prophesy of another Star, which S. john saith was fallen from heaven, because the Popedom was fallen before. This seems to be Hilaebrand the Pope, which joined unto the Popedom the temporal Sword, that is, iutisdiction over all Emperors & Kings, to place them and displace them at his pleasure. Which appears in that he gave such power to his Locusts, as hereafter is declared: he is said to have the key of the bottomless pit, which showeth that as the Angel in the 20. Chap. had the key of the bottomless pit to bind Satan, and to shut him therein for 1000 years, so when the 1000 years were expired, the Pope had the key of the bottomless pit to let him out again. The smoke that came out of this pit when it was opened, and darkened the Sun, was their superstitions and false doctrines, that darkened the Gospel as smoke darkens the Sun. The Locusts that came out, were the Cardinals and Bishops. These far differed from the Bishops of the primitive Church: they were the only planters and maintainers of true Religion, these the only confounders & destroyers thereof.  
The Locusts in Egypt never more devoured the fruits of the land, than these Locusts did the riches of all Countries, both of their souls and of their bodies. Their crowns show the power that they had: their faces like men showeth their hypocritical and fair speeches: their hair like women declareth their flattering allurements that they used: their Lion's tooth their cruelty, and what devourers of men they were: their iron haubergions showeth the temporal jurisdiction that they had: their wings, and chariots with many horses, showeth their swiftness and power to do mischief: their tails like Scorpions, with heads and crowns on them, and stings, were their Substitutes and Officers, to whom they gave great power, as appeareth by their heads and crowns; These so much stung and vexed the people, that they were weary of their lives.  
In that these had not power to hurt those that were marked by the Angel for God in the foreheads, it showeth, that yet the devils time was not come, to be let lose to shed the blood of Saints; and it declareth the providence of God unto the faithful, and that he had ever his Church in the most troublous times.  
In that these Locusts came out of the bottomless pit, it showeth that they were of the devil, and if the Devil himself had been in the shape of man, he could not be worse than they were.  
In that they had power to hurt but for five months, it is common with the holy Ghost in prophecies, to set a day for a year, and at 30. days to the month, which was the jews computation, five months is 150. days, which showeth that their chief regality and power was to continue but 150. years.  
In that this Star is said to have the key of the bottomless pit, we may see how much the Pope deceiveth us, in vaunting that he hath the keys of heaven, when they are but the keys of hell.  
The mighty power of the Pope at this time, is declared, in that that he is called the King over the Locusts: and in that he could confer such great power upon them: and in that he is said to be the Angel of the bottomless pit, it showeth, that he had all the power that the devil could do to strengthen him, and it appears what a destroyer the Pope is, in that the holy Ghost nameth him Destruction.  
This Vision following in the 14. Verse of this Chapter, and the Vision in the 7. Verse of the 20. Chapter, are all one: Now the 1000 years that the devil should be bound, being expired, the gospel beginning to revive again, he hath liberty to rage and stir again, that the might of Christ might be seen in defending his silly Lambs against the devil the roaring Lion, and all the popish Wolves though they were never so strong.  
The infinite number of warriors that S. john saw and told, were the very same Locusts before mentioned: for the description of these & them are all one in all points, and their battle was against the Saints, as appeareth in the 20. Chapter.  
The fire, smoke, and brimstone, that went out of their mouths, were their Excommunications, in that like smoke they breathed out, that whosoever disobeyed them should be eternally burnt in Hell with fire and brimstone.  
In that the Devil is said to be four Angels, it is because as soon as he was set at liberty, as is declared in the 20. Chapter, he went into all the four quarters of the earth, to provoke men against the Children of God: in that he got such an infinite number, these were the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, Abbots, Friars, and their officers, to martyr the Saints.  
In that it is said he came from the river Euphrates, it was to signify, that as the Babylonians came from Euphrates to destroy the material Temple, so should this spiritual Babylon destroy the spiritual Temple.  
If we consider the martyrdom of the Waldences in France, and their massacres, and the Martyrs that their Inquisitions have devoured there, and all that have been martyred in England since Wicklifs time, & those that have been martyred in Bohemia, Germany, Scotland, and by their Inquisitions in Spain & other places, we shall see that the Devil by these Locusts since his letting lose hath slain more of God's children, than ever he did before he was bound.   

CHAP. 10.  
NOtwithstanding the mighty host of the devil, and all his Popish train, yet we see how Christ hath prevailed. As saul's kingdom decreased and David's increased, so the Lord be praised, we daily see Christ's kingdom increase, & the Pope's more and more ruinated: let the jesuits the Angels of the bottomless pit, devise never so many devilish practices to uphold the same, the vision of Christ in this Chapter declareth so much.  
His Rainbow about his head, teacheth us, that the Devil by the Pope and his Locusts shall prevail no more over us, even as the Rainbow assureth us the world shall be no more drowned.  
His face shineth, to show his favour to such as have forsaken all Popish errors and trust in him only: & his brazen feet certifieth us, that he will tread the Devil, the Pope, and all his Locusts under his feet.  
In that he sets one foot on the sea, and the other foot on the land, it may hence infallibly be gathered, that after Christ shall destroy the Popedom, the very Turks and jews, and all Papists that remain, shall be converted to believe in Christ only, and his elect among them shall be saved.  
In that Christ swears that there shall be no more time, but in the days of the voice of the seventh Angel, when he shall blow the Trumpet, the mystery of God shall be finished, it may be most certainly concluded, that not long after the destruction of the Popedom Christ shall come to judgement.  
In that S. john is forbidden to to write the voice of the seven thunders, we must learn that there be some things that the Lord will not have revealed unto us, as is the day of Christ's coming to judgement, and the certain day of the destruction of Antichrist, and such like: and that whatsoever is written by his commandment, we may be bold and aught to beg of Christ by prayer, and by all means seek for the understanding thereof.  
Saint john his eating of the book was his certain understanding of the things contained therein, and the knowledge thereof was sweet to him at the first, but when he had well considered how the Devil should have such great power to persecute the Saints, and to spill their blood in such abundant manner, the knowledge hereof was most bitter unto him, than St. john is commanded of Christ to prophesy again amongst the people, Nations and Tongues, and to many Kings, according to which in the next Chapter, Saint john beginneth a new Revelation of all things that hath been revealed touching Antichrist, in a more large and ample manner, then in this Revelation already is declared.   

CHAP. 11.  
joseph telleth Pharaoh Gen. 41 32. therefore the Dream was doubled unto Pharaoh the second time, because the thing is established before God: even so, because the Prophecies in this Revelation are established and sure to be performed: and to make them the more certainly and manifestly of us to be understood & believed, all things that have been revealed touching Antichrist, are from this Chapter unto the end of the Book revealed again, but far more amply and plainly delared then in the former: but in this is nothing prophisied but the things concerning Antichrist.  
In the 8. Chapter Christ offereth the prayers of the faithful to God, and then filleth the Censor with coals of the Altar, and threw them upon the earth, and there fell upon the earth hail, and fire mingled with blood, and it burned the third part of Trees and green grass.  
Wherein I showed the great peace the Church enjoyed by Constantine; in which prosperity the Romish Church fell to superstitions and angered God: wherefore he gave them over to their own lusts, until the Roman Church became the Synagogue of Satan and Antichrist, and they became as cold as hail in true religion and as hot as fire even to the shedding of blood, to maintain their superstitions.  
In this Chapter they that trusted only unto the blood of Christ, by an allusion unto the temple of Solomon, are said to be the temple of God, and Saint john is commanded to measure them to God: and the superstitious Romans, and those that took their parts are said to be the Courts, because they make a show of Religion, but with superstitions profane the truth, therefore Saint john is commanded to cast them out, and not to meet them; and these shall tread the holy City, that is, the Children of God, under their feet 42. months, this time is likewise set forth in this Chapter to be 1260. days, and also 3. days and a half, these times are all one, the three days and a half, signify three years and a half, and in three years and a half there is just 42. months, and in so many months, at 30. days to the month, which was the jews Computation, there is 1260. days, and it is common with the Holy ghost in Prophecies to set down a day for a year, so Antichrist must reign 1260. years.  
The two witnesses are the old and new Testaments, and all that preach and teach them all the time of Antichrist, these shall be two olive trees spiritually to feed the souls of the Elect, and to convey the oil of the holy Ghost into them, and they shall be two lamps to lighten them in the ways of salvation, and they shall stand before the Pope the God of the earth, and if any hurt the Preachers of them, the Lord will send plagues from heaven upon such.  
In that they are said to be clothed in Sackcloth, it showeth, that the Professors of them shall be nothing regarded, and shall have all this time great cause to mourn for the little regard that the Gospel had, and for the superstitions and sins of the people.  
In the seventh verse, when they have finished their testimony, the Beast out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and overcome them, and kill them; this is after the losing of Satan.  
Their corpses shall be dead and unburied in Rome; that is, as a dead carcase long unburied, is noisome to be seen or smelled, even so noisome was the word of God, and the preaching thereof unto them all the time of their superstitions, yet they could not bury their corpses all this while, that is, they could not quite pur down the preaching of the word; but the Lord still stirred up some, (yea though they died for it) to tell them of their idolatries, superstitions, murder, sorcery, fornication and theft.  
It showeth what great power the Devil hath over the unregenerate, that he can make them rejoice, and bring gifts one to another, for joy that the preaching of the word is suppressed, and the books of the word itself, as the Papists have done these many ages, rejoicing that their means of Salvation is taken from them, and that they are not hindered from going headlong unto eternal damnation.  
Rome is called spiritually Zodome, because they exceed Zodome in the sins thereof; and it is called Egypt, because they have oppressed the Children of God more than the Egyptians did the Israelites, and Christ was slain in Rome, in that Pilate a Roman judge condemned him, and the Roman officers crucified him.  
That after the 1260. years God sent the spirit into the two witnesses, we see the truth of this prophesy performed, and we see them stand upon their feet, and the fear of them is upon the Pope, and all his Clergy, and God hath taken them up into Heaven, and exalted and preserved them in the sight of their enemies and the Popedom by them hath been shaken, as with a mighty Earthquake, that the tenth part have become Protestants long ago, and daily his Kingdom hath decayed, and the Protestants increased.  
In that it is said that 7000. were killed with this earthquake, and the rest glorified God, it showeth that when Rome shall be destroyed all the Papists (that then remain shall become Protestant's.  
When the seventh Angel shall blow his trumpet, the Pope shall be quite destroyed, and the Kingdoms of the world shall be our Lord Christ's, and he shall reign for evermore; and all in Heaven shall rejoice and say, We give thee thanks Lord God Almighty, for thou hast received thy great power, and obtained thy Kingdom; the Gentiles were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time that the dead shall be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy Prophets and Saints and them that fear thy name, and that thou shouldest destroy them that destroy the earth.  
In that it is said, than the temple of God was open, and the Ark of the Covenant was seen, and that there were lightnings and voices, thunder and great hail; it showeth God's anger against the disobedient to his word, that then there shall be no interruption of the preaching thereof, and that the Lord will hinder and punish such as offer to hinder, and will not obey it.   

CHAP. 12.  
AS in the eighth Chapter, is a vision of a great Mountain that fell burning into the Sea, which there is interpreted to be the Emperor, taking the part of the superstitious Romans, against the faithful in Christ: Hear the Emperor is called, a great red Dragon which showeth the fierceness of his persecution against God's Children for resisting superstitions.  
The woman that was clothed with the Sun, and the Moon under her feet, and upon her head a Crown of twelve stars, showeth the flourishing estate of the Church by Constantine: the Gospel shined from them as the Sun and Moon, and the testimony of the twelve Apostles was their Crown and rejoicing, and as twelve stars to direct them: her traveling with child, was the increase of the faithful, which the Dragon, the Emperor, sought by all means to devour: they are called a Man child, because Christ the Man-child and they are but all one; their taking up into Heaven, showeth their preservation of God.  
In that it is said, they shall rule the Nations with a rod of Iron, it is, because Christ their head shall do so for them.  
The Dragon's Tail that drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth, his tail signifieth his edicts, and the executioners thereof; the stars are the faithful Children of God, which shine like stars in respect of Infidels: the third part signifieth all the Pope's jurisdiction, for he never had dominion but in the third part of the World, and the Heaven here is the Church: I leave the interpretation of his 7. heads and ten horns unto the 17. Chapter, where the Angel interprets them.  
The flying of the woman into the wilderness, showeth what fear the faithful were put in, that they were feign to have private meetings, as if it were in a wilderness; and this continued, 1260. years: concerning the battle in Heaven, Michael and his Angels are Christ and his Preachers, against the Devil and Papists his Soldiers; and Christ and his Children got the victory in the end; and Christ and his shall reign in inspeakable glory, when as the Devil and all that took his part in resisting the Gospel, shall inherit eternal pain and torments.  
When this victory was, Saint john heard a loud voice, saying, Now is Salvation in Heaven, that is, the Church, and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the power of Christ, for the accuser of our brethren is cast down: there was never any that so falsely accused the faithful, as the Papists have, and still do, like unto the Devil their Captain, which accuseth us day and night before God; but they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto death; this certifieth us who were Christ's Angels that fought against the Devil.  
Rejoice ye Heavens and they that dwell therein, meaning the faithful in the true Church: woe to the Inhabitants of the earth and and sea: The earth is often interpreted great men, and the sea the common people; meaning carnal men, for the Devil is come down unto you having great wrath, knowing he hath but a short time; this is, since the 1000 years that the Devil is let lose.  
When the Dragon saw that he was cast into the earth, that is, overcome, he persecuted the woman, but God preserved her as an Eagle saveth herself with flying aloft, and as one that saveth himself by hiding in the wilderness; and the Dragon cast out water after the woman, like a flood, that he might carry her away, but the earth helped the woman, that is, God provided men of the earth ever all this 1260. years to defend and secure his children: by the Dragon is meant, not only the Emperors, but the Popes; for since the Emperor's power decayed, the Popes were as Emperors.  
Then the Dragon made war with the seed of the woman, which keep the Commandments of God, and have the testimony of jesus Christ, these are the wars that long have been, and now are betwixt the Papists and the Protestants.   

CHAP. 13.  
THe two Beasts in the Prophecies of this Chapter, are the two stars that the Prophecies are of in the 8. and 9 Chapters, and both set out unto us the Popes.  
The first Beast is said to arise out of the Sea, that is, from amongst the lower sort of men; which is, when Phocas had slain his Master Mauritius the Emperor & all his Children, and made himself Emperor, he gave Boniface Bishop of Rome pre-eminence to be highest above all other Bishops, and sole ruler of them.  
In that he is said to have seven heads, and ten horns, with Crowns upon them, the reason is set down in the second verse; because the Dragon gave him his virtue, and his throne, and his great power, to enable him to fight against the Children of God.  
In that there was set upon his head the name of blasphemy, is because the Pope taketh to himself that which only belongeth to Christ, to have all power in Heaven and Earth, and whatsoever prerogative the Scripture attributeth to Christ, the Pope most blasphemously taketh to himself.  
In that he is like the Leopard, no Beast is so beautifully spotted as the Leopard is; so no Emperor or King was ever so richly or gloriously decked with gold and precious stones, as the Popes have been.  
In that his claws are like the claws of a Bear, which hath the strongest paws of all Beasts to catch and to hold withal; it showeth that never any Emperor, or any else, hath been such an exactor of the riches of all Lands, as the Popes have been, as Ecclesiastical Histories make mention.  
In that his mouth was as the mouth of a Lion, it showeth his tyranny, cruelty, and mercilessness, in devouring Gods children, and well may the holy Ghost style him a Beast that hath these beastly qualities: his head that was wounded to death was the Emperor, when Mauritius and his Children were slain: But Hiraclius the Emperor killed Phocas that slew them, and restored the Empire again.  
And the superstitious gloried in the Pope being made so great by the Emperor, and worshipped the Dragon that gave power unto him; and they worshipped the Beast, saying, Who is like unto the Beast? Who is able to war with him? And the Beast blasphemed God, and his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven, that is, his faithful Children: and he warred against the Saints and overcame them, and power was given him over every Kingdom, and tongue, and Nation; therefore all that are in the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the Book of life. But here is the benefit of the patience and faith of Saints; if any lead into Captivity, he shall be led into Captivity, and whosoever killed them by the sword, shall be killed by the sword.  
This second Beast, is the second star in the ninth Chapter, which is Hildebrand, which joined the supremacy, unto the Popedom, that is, temporal jurisdiction over the Emperor and the ten Kings, to place them and displace them at his pleasure, which is manifested in that he is said to have two horns like the Lamb Christ, that is, to be King of Kings and Lord of Lords, as well as Ruler over souls.  
Whereas his Predecessors had the emperors power and jurisdiction but by permission and favour, he and his Successors claimed the supremacy of duty given unto them of God, alleging all those places of Scriptures, which declareth what supremacy God hath given unto Christ over all in heaven and earth, for his proofs thereof, and so made the image of the first Beast, that is, like as the first beast had the power of the Emperor, but in favour; he annexed the power and supremacy above all Emperors and Kings, as an appertinent and duty unto the Popedom for ever, and he spoke as presumptuously as the Dragon, & did execute his power in the Emperor's sight, that is, as not having his power from him but from God.  
This Beast did great signs, so that he made fire to descend upon earth in the sight of men, but these signs were done by Necromancy, wherefore after Pope Hildebrand was condemned by a general Council, and for conjuration and dealing with the Devil, & many other grievous offences, he was by the said Council deprived from being Pope: but his Successors unto this day still maintain the doctrine of his usurped Supremacy over all Princes. And this Beast made a law that whosoever would not worship the Image of the Beast should be slain.  
The number of the beasts name is 666. this is to show, that at that time the first beast began to corrupt the Church with superstitions and false doctrines, as is declared in Chap. 8. of the first Star.  
In that in the fift verse of this Chapter, there is a mouth given unto the beast to speak blasphemies 42. months, which is interpreted, Chap. 11. to be 1260. years, so that just this time was appointed unto the People, Emperor, and Pope, and it showeth, that they all this time joined together, to tread down the holy City, the true Church, all this while.   

CHAP. 14.  
NOw Antichrist is revealed in such lively colours, that none except the devil blind his eyes, but may see the Pope to be Antichrist: now in this Chapter gins to be declared his destruction.  
Christ's standing upon mount Zion, signifieth his presence with his children: the 144000. that were with him, which were sealed in the 7. Chapter, a certain number for an innumerable number, declaring that all the Saints who all this time of 1260. years were martyred or persecuted by Antichrist, were with him in glory, and none of them lost.  
In that the sound of their voices was like the roaring of many waters, and like thunder, it declareth, what a multitude of them there be.  
In that they played upon harps, and sung a new song which none could learn but themselves, their harping showeth how joyfully they praised God, & that none can sing such new songs, and so much praise God, as those which have suffered for standing faithfully in the truth, and have been delivered.  
In that they are commended for not being defiled with women, it is not only meant of their bodily chastity, but also of their spiritual chastity, in that Antichrist had not made them commit spiritual fornication by following his idolatrous doctrines: but they were virgins, that did only cleave unto their Spouse Christ and his word. In their mouths was found no guile, they taught only the truth, they were without spot before the throne of God, that is, in the righteousness of Christ.  
Now the 1260. years of Antichrist appear plainly to be finished, in that the Gospel doth so plentifully flourish: and in that we see Christ upon mount Zion, that is, defending his Church. And here we have a promise that this shall be an everlasting Gospel, that is, to endure unto Christ's coming, as which so great a grace was never showed unto former ages; therefore the Angel that brings us these glad tidings, exhorts us, to fear God & give glory unto him, for the hour of his judgement is come; and worship him that made heaven and earth, and the fountains of water.  
Then is prophesied that Rome shall be destroyed, called by the name of great Babylon; because as the Babylonians destroyed the material Temple, so have they of Rome the spiritual Temple, the faithful: the cause of her destruction followeth, Because she hath made drunken all nations with the wine of the wrath of her fornications, that is, of her idolatrous and false doctrine.  
Therefore there follows a warning that whosoever shall worship the Image of the Beast, that is, the Pope, and receive the print of his name, that is, make holiness in crossing himself, and in other superstitions, he shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, and be tormented in fire and brimstone before the holy Angels and before the Lamb, and the smoke of their torments shall ascend evermore, and they shall have no rest day nor night.  
In that the destruction of Antichrist followeth the preaching of the Gospel, it declareth, that by it Antichrist shall be destroyed, and that the suppression of the preaching of the word was the cause of the growth of it: and therefore it is, that the devil puts into the heads of Papists, to keep all people from the reading, hearing, and preaching of God's word.  
The voice from heaven that bad john write, Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, for they rest from their labours, and their works follow them, aught to encourage us to preach the Gospel, to the beating down of Antichrist, though we suffer never so much for our labour.  
After the fall of Antichrist by the preaching of the Gospel, and that the Lord hath fulfilled the number of the elect, then shall Christ come upon a white cloud wearing a golden crown, & in his hand a sickle, and because the harvest of the earth is ripe, heeshall thrust in his sickle, and the earth shall be reaped, that is, by an allusion to husbandmen in harvest, is declared how Christ shall gather his Saints to him into heaven.  
And by the Angel that with a sharp sickle cut up the vineyards of the earth, because her grapes were ripe, and cast them into the great winepress of the wrath of God, & the winepress was trodden without the City, & the blood, or wine, of the grapes was unto the horse bridles by the space of 1600. furlongs. By an allusion to grape-gatherers is declared how God's Angels shall cast the reprobate into eternal torments: and in that the winepress is without the City, it showeth that the place of the damned shall be separated from the Elect: and in that there was such plenty of grapes, that the wine or blood of them was up to the horses bridles that trod the presses, for the space of 1600. furlongs, it showeth the multitude of the number of the damned.   

CHAP. 15.  
IN this Chapter gins the manner of the destruction of Rome and the Popedom, by the seven last plagues: which vision S. john calls a great and marvelous sign. The glassy sea in the 4. Chapter is interpreted the souls of the faithful: there it was like Crystal: but here like fire, showing that the souls of the faithful burned in zeal for the martyrdoms and persecutions of Antichrist: and when they saw these 7. plagues go forth they rejoiced, especially the souls of those whom Antichrist had martyred and persecuted. Their joy is signified by their harps, and they sung the new song of Moses when he was delivered from Pharaoh, and the song of Christ when he was raised from death, that is, Great & marvelous are thy works Lord God Almighty, just and true are thy ways, King of Saints, who shall not fear thee O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy, and all nations shall come and worship before thee, for thy judgements are made manifest.  
The Tabernacle in heaven that S. john saw open, is the Church of the faithful, which by preaching opens a door for all, by belief to enter into the kingdom of heaven.  
In that the 7. Angels with the vials of God's wrath came out of the Tabernacle, to wit, the Church, it showeth, that they were sent at the prayers of the faithful: their long white robes is the righteousness of Christ: their golden girdles signify the gloriousness and pureness of their love to God and his children, for love is the band of perfection.  
In that the Angels pour out the vials of God's wrath, it shows that God useth them as instruments to punish the wicked: and though Antichrist is and shall be destroyed by men, they are but the instrumental cause of God and his Angels.   

CHAP. 16.  
THe first, second & third plagues are, that there fell a grievous and noisome sore upon them who had the mark of the Beast and worshipped the image of the Beast: in that the sea and waters became blood, it signifieth that many of them should be slain. These seem to prophesy the victories that the Turks, & other the Pope's enemies, have had against the Papists, & the slaughters they have committed upon them, which was the just judgement of God, as appears ver. 5. in that an Angel saith, Lord thou art just, because thou hast judged these things; for they shed the blood of the Saints, & of the Prophets, therefore hast thou given them blood to drink, for they are worthy. And another Angel said, Even so Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgements.  
The fourth plague poured upon the Sun, seems to be upon their clergy; this was the overthrow of the Cardinals, Bishops, Abbots, Monks, Friars, Nuns, and all their houses and dens in England, Scotland, & other reformed countries: this plague tormented them with heat of fire, and made them boil in great heat, and blaspheme the name of God, yet they repent not, to give God glory.  
The fist vial fell upon the throne of the Pope, & this was the cutting off of his revenues, which were infinite out of all countries, and England was the most profitable in revenues unto the Pope of all countries, and therefore was called the Pope's Ass, for bearing all taxes & impositions that the Popes & Cardinals laid upon it; but now the Pope is feign to allow maintenance for upholding of Popery in all countries: this hath wonderfully darkened the brightness of his glory and kingdom, and this makes them gnaw their tongues for sorrow, and to blaspheme the God of heaven for their pains and their sores, and yet they repent not of their works.  
The sixth plague is the drying up of the waters of Euphrates, that the way of the Kings of the East should be prepared: this is an allusion to the destruction of the temporal Babylon; the meaning is, that as the Medes and Persians, turned the River Euphrates out of his course, whereby they went over & destroyed Babylon; so the Lord will take away all impediments, that the ten King domes that have hitherto taken part with the Pope, may destroy Rome the spiritual Babylon, as the Angel interpreteth it in the next Chapter.  
The three unclean spirits that came out of the mouth of the Pope, for now the Pope is the Dragon in that he is above the Emperor, and as mighty and full of venom, and as ready to sting and poison God's children as any Dragon: and he is the Beast in respect of his beastly conditions, and the false witness in respect of all his false doctrines.  
These unclean spirits are the jesuits, for they are sworn at the Pope's command to go into any Country and spend their lives for the upholding of the Popedom; these are the rotten pillars which prop up the falling tower of Babel, the Popedom; they are called three, in respect of the triple division of the Pope's Dominions, to wit, into the land, the sea, & Rivers.  
They are compared to frogs, to show they do as much hurt all Countries as the frogs did Egypt, and they are as loathsome in the sight of God and men, as frogs are in our sights, as frogs turn all things that they eat to poison; so do they all Scriptures to the poisoning of souls, and their study is nothing but treasons, poisonings and murders of protestant Kings, Princes, and Countries, but according to this prophesy, at the time that God hath appointed, their wicked practices shall open the eyes of all Kings to see the vildness and horrible wickedness of Antichrist, and be provoked against that great day of the Lord to congregate themselves in Arma Geddon, which may be interpreted, a house or temple falling, meaning Rome, and the Popedom, being now ready to fall.  
The seventh Angel poureth out his vial into the air, that is, sets the air against Antichrist, which is, the breath of God's Ministers, and their preachings vexed and tormented him like thunders and lightnings, and shook the Popedom like the greatest earthquake that ever was, and made the greatest part of the Popedom to fall, and become Protestants, which the Lord be praised for it, we see already to be performed: and their preaching was like unto the greatest hail that ever was, every haylestone as big and heavy as a talon weight, by which figurative speeches, is signified the utter destruction of Rome, as the Angel interpreteth it saying, It is done, and in that it is said, The City of the Nations fell, and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give her the cup of the fierceness of his wrath, and that the Isles, that is, them of the Isles, and the mountains, that is, the great ones, fled away, that is, departed from the Pope's false doctrines.   

CHAP. 17.  
IN this Chapter an Angel showeth St. john Rome in a vision, and interpreteth all the hardest things to be understood in this Revelation.  
He calleth Rome the great whore that sitteth upon many waters, and showeth that all Kings and Nations of the earth are drunken with the wine of her fornication.  
In the vision, Saint john saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast full of names of blasphemy, which had seven heads and ten horns, and the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and guilded with gold, precious stones, and pearls, and had a cup of gold in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornications, and in her forehead was a mystery written, Great Babylon the Mother of whoredoms and abominations: and the woman was drunken with the blood of Saints and martyrs of jesus, and he wondered with great marvel, than the Angel told Saint john he would show him the mystery thereof.  
The Beast which thou hast seen was and is not, and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and shall be destroyed, and all that are not written in the book of life shall wonder at it, that he being so mighty could be destroyed: this Beast is the Emperor, which was before the Revelation, it seemeth at the time thereof the Emperor: was dead and no other than chosen, and the Pope should ascend out of the bottomless pit, and be above the Emperor, and for all his greatness yet he shall go into perdition.  
The Angel declareth the seven heads to signify seven mountains whereon the Whore sitteth, which plainly showeth the City of Rome to be that Whore, for that is builded upon seven Mountains, and so is no other City.  
Again, the Angel interpreteth the seven heads to be seven Kings, that is, seven kinds of government in Rome, of which five were fallen, and the Idolatrous Emperors did then reign: but Constantine should quite alter the government of Rome from idolatry to Christianity, and he and the emperors following him was the seventh King, and the Beast in this vision, which is the Pope, is one of the seventh government in name, because he professeth the name of Christ, but indeed he is the eighth government; for he hath quite changed the government of Rome, from Christianity to Popery.  
The Angel interpreteth the ten horns, to be ten Kings which at the time of the Revelation had not received a kingdom, but shall receive power at one hour with the Pope, and they shall be all of one mind and give their power and authority to him, and fight with Christ, but he shall overcome them. Then the Angel interpreteth the waters where the Whore sitteth to signify people, multitudes, Nations and tongues; which plainly declareth the City of Rome to be the Whore; for no City from Christ to this day hath so many Countries and People under her dominion, as that City: and in the eighth verse, the Angel interpreteth the woman to be the great City, which at the time of the Revelation reigned over the Kings of the earth, and then was the emperors seat there.  
In that the woman sitteth upon a scarlet coloured Beast, it is, because the ordinary attire of the Pope and Cardinals is scarlet: and his fullness of names of blasphemy, is, because most blasphemously he attributes unto himself all Christ's names.  
In that Saint john saw the woman so richly arrayed in purple, scarlet, and guilded with gold and precious stones, and pearls; thus were the Popes, Cardinals, Bishops, Prelates, Churches and Idols arrayed, and doth most evidently declare that these Prophecies are of Rome.  
The golden Cup that she holdeth in her hand, is, her golden name that she styleth herself withal, calling herself the Catholic Church, but her doctrines which she teacheth, are filthy and abominable blasphemies, Idolatries, & superstitions, which are the wine of her fornication, wherewith she made all Nations of the earth drunken, and she is called the great Whore, in that she is departed herself, and hath carried so many from Christ our Spouse, and from his word, and committed fornication with the Devil and his wicked doctrines, and for this cause it is, that the mystery, Great Babylon, is written in her forehead, because she is the mother of whoredoms and abominations of the earth, as Babylon was.  
If there were no other note whereby it might be known that these Prophesies are of Rome, this were sufficient to declare the same, in that she is said to be drunken with the blood of Saints and Martyrs of jesus, for the Roman Governors crucified Christ, and the Roman Emperors made the ten persecutions, and the Roman Popes have slain more Martyrs & Saints of jesus, then ever were slain in the world before.  
The Angel telleth us in the 16. verse, that the ten Kings which did with one consent give their Kingdoms unto the Pope, until the words of God, which he foretold were fulfilled, are they that shall hate the Whore and make her desolate, and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire, and the performance hereof is contained in the two next Chapters.   

CHAP. 18.  
AN Angel from Heaven crieth mightily with a loud voice; Babylon that great City, it is fallen, it is fallen, and nothing shall inhabit there but Devils, wild Beasts, and fowls; because all Nations have drunken of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.  
And there came a voice from Heaven, saying, Go out of her my people that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues, reward her as she hath rewarded you, give her double according to her works, because she hath glorified herself and lived in pleasure, and saith in her heart, I sit being a Queen, and am no widow, and shall see no mourning: therefore shall her plagues come at one day, death, and sorrow, and famine, and she shall be burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God which will condemn her.  
And the Kings that have committed fornication with her, and the Merchants that have been made rich by her, and every ship Master, and all that occupy ships, and shipmen, shall stand a far off for fear of her torments, and cry when they see the smoke of her burning, saying, What City was like to this great City? and they shall cast dust on their foreheads, and cry, Alas, alas, the great City, wherein were made rich all that had ships on the Sea, by her costliness; for in one hour she is made desolate.  
O heaven rejoice of her, and ye holy Apostles and Prophets, for God hath given your judgement on her; and an Angel took a great Millstone and cast it into the Sea, saying, With such violence shall the great City Babylon be cast, and be found no more, and there shall be no more Music, nor Tradesmen, nor Mill heard to grind, nor candle shine, nor bridegrooms voice be heard there any more.   

CHAP. 19  
IN this Chapter is declared the praising of God in Heaven and Earth for the final destruction of Antichrist, but I will first make an end of the destruction thereof.  
In the eleventh verse Saint john saw Heaven open, and Christ riding upon a white horse, and he was called faithful, and he that judgeth and fighteth righteously, his face like a flame of fire, and upon his head many Crowns, he had a name written that none knew but himself, he was clothed in a garment dipped in blood, and his name was the word of God, and the warriors in Heaven followed him upon white hories; these are the Preachers of the Gospel, their pure white linen is the righteousness of Christ: out of his mouth wen● a sharp sword that he might smite the Heathen, for he shall rule them with a rod of Iron: for he it is that treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of God's wrath, and he hath a name written, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords: all these figurativespeeches have been sufficiently declared heretofore.  
And an Angel cried to the fowls of Heaven, these are the ten Kings and their armies, to gather themselves unto the supper of the great God, to eat the flesh of Kings, Captains, and of mighty men, and of horses, and of them that sit on them, and of freemen, and of bondmen and of small and of great.  
And the Pope, and Kings, and Warriors gathered themselves together, to make Batraile against Christ that sat upon the Horse, and his Soldiers; but the Pope the false Prophet that deceived them that received his mark, and worshipped him, these were alive cast into the Lake burning with fire and brimstone, and the remnant were slain with the sword that came out of Christ's mouth; and all the fowls were filled with their flesh, that is, the ten Kings, and their Captains and Soldiers had a most rich and full booty of the destruction, and sacking of Rome.  
When Rome was destroyed, Saint john heard a great voice of a great multitude in Heaven, saying, Halaluiah, that is, Praise the Lord, salvation and glory and honour, and power, be to the Lord our God, for true and righteous are his judgements, for he hath condemned the great Whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of the Saints shed by her hand. And again, they said Halaluiah, and her smoke rose up for evermore, and the Elders and four Beasts said Amen, Halaluiah: Then came a voice out of the throne, saying, Praise our God all ye his servants, and a great voice as of many waters, and as thunder, said, Halaluiah; for our Lord God Almighty hath reigned, let us be glad and rejoice, and give glory to him, for the marriage of Christ is come, and his wife, that is, the faithful, hath made herself ready. This showeth that the Gospel shall flourish more, when Rome and the Popedom is destroyed, then ever it did: And to Christ's wife was granted that she should be clothed in pure fine and shining linen, that is, in Christ's righteousness, and Saint john was bid to write, blessed are they that are called unto the Lamb's supper, saying, These words are true.  
Saint john was so ravished with the joy of this vision, that he worshipped the Angel that showed it; but he forbade him, and bade him worship God, saying, I am but one of your brethren, which have the spirit of prophesy which is the testimony of jesus.   

CHAP. 20.  
IN this Chapter is declared the history of Satan, the Author of the first ten persecutions: but when as Constantine had overcome those persecuting Idolaters, Saint john seethe in a Vision, that God bond the Devil for a thousand years, that is, from general martyring and deceiving of the elect and chosen Children of God. Yet in this time Satan brought in all popish blasphemies, Superstitions and Idolatries, and grievously persecuted those that stood to the purity of the word against Antichrist.  
The Seats that Saint john saw, and them that sat upon them, was Christ and the faithful, and gave judgement, and condemned the idolatrous and superstitious Papists, who these thousand years persecuted the faithful.  
And Saint john saw the souls of them that were persecuted for the witness of JESUS, and the word of GOD, and did not worship the Pope, nor had taken his mark on their foreheads, or on their hands, and they lived and reigned with Christ.  
To arise from popish errors, sins and superstitions, is the first resurrection; on such the second death shall have no power, but they shall be the priests of God and Christ, and reign with him for ever.  
After the Devil had been bound a thousand years, from the time of Constantine, as an Angel in the first Verse had the key of the bottomless pit, and bound Satan, than the Pope had the key of the bottomless pit, to lose the Devil, as appeareth in the ninth Chapter, and when he was lose, he went out to deceive the people in the four quarters of the earth. Gogge and Magogge, that is, the open and the secret enemies of the faithful, which are in the ninth Chapter showed to be the Locusts, and their tails, that is, the popish Cardinals, Bishops, Abbots, Friars, and such like, to gather them together to battle against the faithful, and the number of them was infinite as the sands of the Sea: but as they compassed the beloved City, that is, the faithful, fire came down from heaven and devoured them, that is, the Lord in his wrath destroyed the popedom; and the Devil that deceived them, and the Pope the false prophet, were cast into a Lake of fire and brimstone, where they shall be tormented day and night for evermore.  
After all these things it is prophesied that Christ shall come unto judgement, sitting upon a great white throne, from whose face fled away both the earth and the Sea, and their place were no more found. And Saint john saw the dead both great and small before God, the Books were opened, and another Book was opened, which is the Book of life, and the dead were judged of those things which were written in the Books: this is a Vision according to our capacity; for God's wisdom is his Book, whereby he always seethe all things that ever were, are, or shall be: and Death and Hell, that is, the Devil the cause of them, were cast into the Lake of fire, which is the second death, and so were all that were not found written in the Book of life.   

CHAP. 21.  
IN these two last Chapters is declared how flourishing the Church shall be after the destruction of the Popedom unto the end of the world. This is declared in the tenth Chapter and the second Verse. In that Christ is said to set one foot upon the sea, and the other upon the land, that all Countries shall confess Christ, and he shall have of his elect in all places. As Mahomet rose just with Antichrist in the year 666. so no doubt but the example of the destruction of Rome and the Popedom, shall make the Turks, jews, and them of other Nations, to become Christians. This is declared likewise in the 19 Chapter. Let us be glad and rejoice for the destruction of Rome, because then the Lamb's wife shall be made ready, and blessed are they that are called unto the lambs Supper.  
In that there shall be then a new heaven, meaning the Church; and a new earth, meaning temporal government, and the old is passed away, it showeth, that things touching the Church and Common wealth shall be wholly ruled according unto the Word of God, and that all Popish and jewish laws which are contrary to the Word of GOD shall be no more.  
And there shall be no more sea, that is, ignorant and unconstant men carried away with every wind of false doctrine, as the waves of the sea are tossed with the wind.  
Then the Church shall be prepared as a fit Bride for Christ her husband, that is, the Tabernacle of God shall be with men, and GOD shall dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be their God, and wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain, for the first things are past, that is, than there shall be no more martyring, persecuting, mocking, blaspheming and deriding of God's Children.  
In the tenth Verse an Angel shows Saint john a Vision of the glory that the Church then shall have. In that it is called a great City, it shows what a great number shall believe: in that it is called holy jerusalem, it declareth the holiness of their Faith, Hope and Love, and other graces: the descending of it from God out of heaven, showeth that God from heaven, shall fill her with the riches of his graces: and she had the glory of God, which made her shine like precious stones.  
The three gates on every side, are the Trinity, without which there is no way to enter into the Church: the Angels that are at these doors, are the Preachers: the twelve foundations of this Church, is jesus Christ, which the twelve Apostles have taught us to build all our hope upon: in that the three gates were on every side of the Church, it showeth that the doors of grace shall lie open, and the Gospel be preached unto all nations.  
The twelve thousand furlongs, the length, the breadth, and the height of it, have an allusion unto the twelve thousand of every Tribe that were marked for God in the seventh Chapter: the walls being, an hundred forty four cubits, have an allusion unto the hundred forty four thousand, the whole number of them that were marked of all Tribes.  
The stones of the wall signify the faithful: in that they are precious stones, it is by reason that the precious righteousness of jesus Christ is imputed unto them, and of their precious Faith, Hope and Love, and other graces given them of Christ.  
In that they are a wall to the new jerusalem, that the Devil nor any unclean thing can come into it, is declared how lovingly they shall join one with another as stones in a wall, and how strongly they shall support one another, to expel and to keep out falsehood, and to defend the truth.  
In that this City was of pure gold, it showeth the purity of their Religion, without any dross of superstitions.  
In that there was no Temple, it showeth, that they shall truly serve God in spirit and truth, and Christ shall be their Temple, in whom all their hearts shall meet, and in him offer all sacrifices of prayer and praising of God, and of good works, which the Lord will accept for his Son jesus Christ his sake.  
In that it hath no need of the Sun nor of the Moon to shine in it, the holy Spirit shall so illuminate their understandings more than the light of natural reason can teach them: and there shall be no night: for where the spirit of God is, there is no darkness.  
In that the gates shall never be shut, it certifieth, that none that come with a lively faith shall be shut from Grace, and that Grace shall always be offered.  
In that the glory and the honour of the Gentiles shall be brought unto it, it showeth that the Kings and chiefest of all Countries shall believe in Christ: and there shall enter into it no unclean thing, that is, wicked men; nor whomsoever worketh abomination and lies, such they shall hate and excommunicate: but only such shall enter as are written in the lambs Book of life.   

CHAP. 22.  
THe pure river of water of life, like Crystal, proceeding out of the Throne, is the doctrine of the Gospel of jesus Christ; whosoever drinketh of him shall never thirst for any other means of salvation: their thirst shall be so fully quenched in him, that they shall always rejoice in their salvation. He is the tree of life, whosoever eateth of him with a lively Faith shall have eternal life, and he shall never hunger, that is, doubt thereof. Christ always is fruitful, and the leaves of his righteousness shall heal the imperfections and diseases of the faithful in all nations.  
There shall be no curse, but the throne of God and the Lamb shall be amongst the faithful, and they shall be his servants and serve him, and they shall see his face, and his name shall be written in their foreheads, that is, they shall not be ashamed to confess his name, and they shall reign for evermore, that is, in the world to come.  
Then S. john concludes the truth of these Prophecies by the Angel's testimony and his own: and lastly, he bringeth in jesus Christ speaking for the testimony of the truth hereof; I jesus have sent mine Angel to testify these things in the Churches, I am the root and generation of David, the bright morning Star. The Spirit & the Bride exhort men to come to me, and let every one that hears exhort men to come to me; and let all that thirst, and will take of the water of life freely, come: for I protest that who so shall add any thing to this Book, God will add to him the plagues written in this Book: and if any diminish of the words hereof, God will take away his part out of the Book of life, and the holy City: he that testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly, Amen, Even so Lord jesus. The grace of our Lord jesus be with us all, Amen.  
FINIS.